Olivier KAHNCoordinator

Centre for Enterprises in Difficulty (Ced)BECI- Brussels

The Centre for Enterprises in Difficulty was created in 2005 following an initiative of Beci (Brussels Chamber of Commerce).

This project is funded by BECI and the Brussels Government.

Subvention is optional and renewed annually. It currently amounts to EUR 300,000

Regional framework

Objectives of the Centre for enterprises in Difficulty

Build awareness of a 'prevention' culture for self-employed people and entrepreneurs.

Build awareness of their the environment to initiate synergies in terms of information or work

Practical support for entrepreneurs in difficulty- Developments of tools

Implementation of practical information

The Centre for enterprises in difficulty brings support to self-employed people and SMEs fearing or experiencing

difficulties:

• lack of understanding between partners• trade disputes• cash-flow problems• tax problems, social problems...• staff concerns• difficulties to grow the business• loss of major clients• professional fatigue

Main Objective

POSITIVE COMMUNICATION - AWARENESS - REVITALIZATION

HOME

Telephone assistance WEB site + internet Partners

LISTENING - CUSTOMIZED SUPPORT

Customized guidance Reorientation / guidance Provisionof information / tools

1st appointment

2nd appointment

3rd appointment

Guidance

Liberal professions

Public structures

Training providers

Economic and social bodies

Technical information sheets

Address book

Self-diagnostic test

Micro-credit RECOVERY

EVALUATION - OBSERVATION

Statistics Good practices Operational methodologies Cross-sector tools

7 senior consultants

11 law firms

13 accounting firms

1 team of psychologists / psychiatrists

2 commercial / marketing consultants

3 members of staff

Our team

• Individual guidance or telephone advice (long), whose object was to formulate strategic advice, management advice or general information: 730 cases

• Legal consultations (including legal and social pro deo) : 514 cases

• Financial consultations (including pro deo accounting): 435 cases

• Marketing Diagnostic: 135 cases

• Remote guidance (case opening): 199 calls - 147 treated cases

= TOTAL: 2000 CASES/ 2013

Details of interventions-2013

Indirect communication aimed at indirect targets

Direct communication aimed at a direct target: 'Strong' messages aiming to free the person from guilt

Relaxed environment

•'Technical' Information sheets  .

•Press articles

•Address books...

•Environment stakeholders

•Private stakeholders (insurances, social groups)

•…

Communication

Communication

• Participation to several shows for entrepreneurs, starters, accountants,...• Organisation of trainings, conferences• Editorial presence in periodicals (weekly, monthly,...)• Television & Radio news reports - documentaries• Printing of pamphlets & documentation (address books,

magazines...) available at partner locationBullet point text line one

Entrepreneur:

• Often sees problems in others

• is alone and poorly or not surrounded to manage efficiently;

• has no strategy, objective or financial projection;

• takes his decisions in an intuitive way and on the basis of

opportunities;

• does not, or rarely, have tools to help him manage his activity;

• lacks skills in administrative and financial management;

• complains of getting no feedback from his accountant;

Observations

Summary

Crisis management

Differentiatecauses / consequences

Crisis management

- -Differentiate causes from consequences

-Ensure that causes can have a solution

-Confirm the entrepreneur's motivation

-Ensure a private environment

-Check strategy is valid (notion of given value)

-Confirm margins (notion of profitability)

Crisis Management: conclusions

Summary

Crisis Management: conclusions

• Remove all filing systems (except the ones linked to fraudulent behaviours)

• Implement a support centre for the transitionary period, after filing for bankruptcy and before restarting

• Organize peer discussion groups

• Develop alternative funding networks (cooperative banks)

• Create a special public fund for re-starters

• Strengthen psychological support

• Provide administrative support to re-starters during the first 24 months

Measures to help bankrupt entrepreneurs

Develop the ‘prevention’ culture for self-employed people and entrepreneurs.

Develop the concept of second chance Develop tests collaborations with entrepreneurial

hubs from other regions Development of the micro-credit / recovery solution Development of work documents / tools (cashflow tool,

buying costs,...) Mediation service (avoid long procedures)

Objectives- 2014/2015

Organisation of training sessions for local stakeholders and professional accountants

Implementation of a study platform / taskforce

Peer sponsoring solutions

WEB orientation matrix (support)

Objectives- 2014/2015

Looking forward to new collaborations!

www.ced-com.be0032 2 643 78 48

Olivier Kahn, Coordinator

Centre for enterprises in difficulty