We know that if you are starting a More Than Profit business you will be faced with several programmes that could support. We want to be clear about how The Circle Academy compares. We have put together a list of pros and cons, so you can choose the best programme for you.
Pros
The Circle Academy is delivered by people who have owned their own businesses. They understand the personal and professional challenges you will face and draw on their own experiences.
We offer to pay our speakers. We want to make sure that we have the best possible line-up for our candidates and that includes people who charge for their time.
We offer an intensive training programme over twelve weeks with monthly accountability board meetings thereafter. We will support you for a full year.
Your enterprise skills will be developed through income-generating tasks. You will have a chance to pitch for this income at the end of our intense 12-week programme. You could leave with money!
You will have access to co-working space at The Circle for one year.
We support alternative payment methods. We allow you to pay fees over 12 months. We are actively seeking sponsors to subsidise spaces for people who need assistance with fees.
Cons
We are not for everyone. Charities, social enterprises, co-operatives, sole traders and businesses of any stage are all welcome at The Circle Academy, but you do have to be focused on financial sustainability, growth and delivering a social impact.
The Circle Academy is not free to attend. We charge to ensure The Circle is financially sustainable. We believe that candidates should know the value of the training they are participating in and be prepared to meet the costs.
The Circle Academy requires attendance for three days per week for 12 weeks. This means you will be taking time away from business operations. You need to take time away from your business to absorb the training and consolidate your learning through tasks.
The Circle Academy is not available online. We want to see you physically at The Circle.
There are times throughout the programme that you will feel uncomfortable. We are going to work intensively on your mindset, relationship with money and fears around trading. Our Board will scrutinise your plans and challenge your decisions. We will build your resilience.
You will be learning among a cohort of diverse people. You will have to be open-minded and respectful of different learning styles and points of view.
Need some help?
Convinced? Great! You can apply straight away for the September start date. Or to add your name to the waiting list for February 2020, contact [email protected]
If you are still not sure whether The Circle Academy is for you, then get in touch with us and ask. We will happily refer you to other suitable programmes.