Business Plan

Business model

It is the responsibility of the Country Branch’s teams to be active with generating income and to have annual financial plans so all local costs are covered by local income.

The way we establish each country Branch as social enterprises enables for the Branches to generate own income, benefiting from own skills and capacities together with the capital, network, expert advices, HQ Sweden etc.

Mutual understanding of expectations

Creating value rather than depending on hand-outs

  • Both partners have to understand and agree on the mutual expectations from the very beginning. This is entirely crucial for achieving success. The “help-me” narrative is not accepted. It is necessary to set the expectations right from the very beginning to avoid unrealistic expectations.
  • Partners in aid prone environments, must be Change Agents. The change includes that partners are not looking for handouts and agrees with that this is not sustainable, but that creating value will bring the desired prosperity.
unsplash - investment capital

Income

Income

  1. Ten percent annual interest from giving out loans to RISEmembers.
    Based on capital raised through ActionInvest.
    Six  months loans are paid back with 7% (thus 14% annual interest).
  2. RISE Centre membership fee (three levels).
  3. 10% of transfers from Action10.
  4. Other offers by the RISE Centre to non-members, such as computer and internet access, renting venues, back-office services and transportation.
  5. Participant fee in webinars managed by HR&S Sweden and HR&S Expert Adviser.
  6. A percentage of the 1st workshop deal between HR&S Sweden and  a local institution.
  7. Short term loans_one month
    With 36% annual interest, thus 3 % monthly interest.
    – The loan-taker must also pay a fee that covers the bank-transfer costs if any.
    – Guarantee: If the loan-taker is employed by a trust-worthy employer, a deal is made with the employer and the loan is paid directly from the salary. If the loan-taker is not employed, maybe the guarantee can be arranged by two employed guarantors, and the loan is paid back directly from their salaries if not paid back by the loan-taker.
    – Agreement: An agreement is signed between the loan-taker and the Country Branch, stipulating all the conditions related to the loan.
  8. Training by Branch team members, for example education in the English language for Francophone students.
    – Students (also HR&S members) pay EUR 10 for five hour training.
    – An HR&S Country Branch  makes the coordination and uses the HR&S network and brand to reach students.  HR&S Sweden provides a zoom-link. Half of the income stays with the coordinating HR&S Country Branch and half goes to the trainer directly.
  9. Offer open webinars and charge EUR 10 per participant.
  10. Other social enterprising type of offers by the RISE Centres.
  11. Seeking travel grants.
  12. Crowd fundraising through f ex Kwanda, through own but supported negotiations with Kwanda.
  13. Branch Facebook Donate button.
  14. Coordinating sales of pieces of art.
  15. Tourism.

Calculations_examples

  • Participant fee in webinars managed by HR&S Sweden and HR&S Expert Adviser.
    -Support the coordination, make invitations, keep track of participants, support during the sessions, keep track of those managing the exam, as well as develop and distribute certificates.
    Expected output: – Four or more annual webinars. Two webinars on the Strategy for Change by Cecilia: in March (for researchers and technicians) and in September (for entrepreneurs and development stakeholders). Two webinars on Scientific topics by Dr Murthy in April and October.
    Expected income: 10 participants in each webinar, four webinars per year = EUR 400.
  • Ten (and 14) percent annual interest from giving out  long term loans to RISE members.
    -Actively support the Action10 campaigns by interacting on the Action10 social media.
    -Actively support the Action10 campaigns on the Action10 website and on Global Giving, by providing programme reports, photos and videos real-time, that can be used for the campaign.
    -Seek funds from Kwanda directly to the Branch.
    – Implement accountability structures so that funds are paid pack in time and with interest (see No3).
    Expected income  A capital of EUR 20,000 = EUR 2,000
  • HR&S Branches gives out short-term loans. 36% per year (3% per month) for one month loans.
    Examples:
    • Liberia employees,  loan-giver is the HR&S Branch,
      one months loans, paying 3 % of the capital (A.31). 
      Expected income: A capital of EUR 2,000 = EUR 720

  • RISE Centre annual membership fee (three levels).
    Offer RISE Centre services that justifies the annual membership fee. A person can become a member without taking a loan. Just pay the membership fee and benefit from the services.

    – EUR 50: Access to loans; Networking between RISE members; RISEtalks, ActionTalks, Setting up a SfC road-map; Annual SfC training by HR&S Sweden; Access to the HR&S team of expert advisers.
    – EUR 200: As above and in addition; Access to computer, internet, and electricity; Access to a simple co-working space; Access to back-office services; Website and social media marketing support.
    – EUR 500: As above and in addition; Access to  advanced co-working space; Access to venues; Access to transportation vehicles.

    Expected output
    – Six annual RISE member events Bi-annual member networking meetings where the total capital available for loans are discussed, loans given out and loans paid back with interest in time as well as progress markers. The agenda also includes: developing and agreeing on membership contracts as well as ambitions, challenges, output, outcome and sustainable impact.
    Bi-annual training on accounting at each RISE Centre involving all RISE members, arranged by the accountant. Maybe two or three hours.
    Invite RISE members to attend. In addition to the training, will one of the participants pitch his business.  The purpose if threefold:  1. Training on accounting. 2. RISE members insight into each others businesses and thereby being able to support each other with advice. 3. Team-building and awareness of the amount available to use as loan and the sharing of this loan, and that pay-back is key for the development of also the other RISE members.
    Bi-annual local training on the SfC and support with setting up a SfC for each business. Maybe two-three hours.
    Bi-annual local training on the business management. Maybe two-three hours.
    Expected income:  20 x 50 = EUR 1,000 or 10 x 200 = EUR 2,000

  1. Ten % of the first deal made between a local institution management and HR&S Sweden where the relation has been established by the branch (see No1).
    Expected income: 3 x 10% of EUR 10,000 = EUR 3,000

  2. Other social enterprising type of offers by the RISE Centres, such as local training.
    Expected outcome:
    – All RISE members develop and maintain a SfC for their own businesses. 
    – 100 % accountability among RISE members. 
    – Local branches team members and auditors are fully reimbursement by the Branches’ income. 

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Expenses

  1. Company tax.
  2. Team member reimbursement.
  3. Survey visits.
  4. Internet personal hot spot access  and air-time for active team members..
  5. RISE Centres investments: internet access, computers, cell phone, venue rent, furniture etc.
  6. Travel to visit other Branches.

Comments

  1. Team-leaders and active members of the team of operations are not eligible for RISE Centre loans, as a result of ethics consideration, but are encouraged to generate a personal income as a share of the Branch income that can be used as start-up and scale-up capital for the businesses. They benefit from the RISE Centre services free of charge

Team member reimbursement

When HR&S launched the concept of Branches in 2019 active team members were  reimbursed EUR 300 per year directly from the ActionInvest transfer.
Lesson learned  i) This did not work as certain individuals seemed to join just for the sake of money but without contributing with work. This caused tension and a waste of time, effort and resources. ii) Also, it was found that  loan takers did not pay interest as agreed on why this opportunity for income was restricted.

From 2022 and on-wards reimbursement to team members are based on the branches own income plus 10 % of the ActionInvest transfer during the accounting year. The reimbursement can be agreed on in a RISEtalk in January, when all team members are present, in person or via zoom, and when the amount available is presented by the accountant. The amount available is shared evenly between team members if everyone has contributed equally much, or the amount is distributed unevenly and against individual activity reports. The reimbursement decision shall be approved by HR&S Sweden before the accountant makes the transfers.

HR&S Branch investments

Investments are withdrawn form the amount generated through  branches own income plus 10 % of the ActionInvest transfer during the accounting year, after a reasonable amount of direct team members reimbursements have been paid. Investment can also be made through direct sources of income.