Just so you are clear what we mean by enterprise and entrepreneurship....

Enterprise

'Enterprise is purposeful, active behaviour which can take place in any number of contexts, business being only one. Enterprise is making things happen, having ideas and doing something about them, taking advantage of opportunity (Paul Kearney, 1994)

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is a human creative act that builds something of value from practically nothing. It is the pursuit of opportunity regardless of the resources, or lack of resources, at hand. It requires a vision and the passion and commitment to lead others in the pursuit of that vision. (Jeffry A Timmons, 1994)

Actif works with all nature of organisations and individuals from schools to corporates on projects aimed at developing entrepreneurial potential

Enterprise Animation

Now and again we all need a little push to help us on our way. Actif offer fun packed and interactive animation events. These are designed to help motivate and inspire people to reach their potential and realise their dreams.

We tailor each event to the audience and like to include suitable role models and case study examples to ensure maximum impact.

Schools, Colleges and Young People

Our animators work hands on in the classroom to deliver innovative, creative and participative projects aimed at introducing young people to enterprise and creativity, and in turn boosting their confidence and self esteem.

Typically we work with a particular class or year group to run a 'mini enterprise' project in the school or local community.

Small Business Enterprise

We work with the senior teams of small businesses to help:

Define and implement strategy

Improve bottom line performance

Improve networking and marketing activity

Coach or mentor staff

Set growth or exit plans in motion

Again we work hands on in the business, cascading our skills and knowledge into the organisation, so when we leave the business can continue to grow and thrive.

Civic and Corporate Entrepreneurship

Actif in conjunction with People into Enterprise offer programmes for staff in large organisations and governmental bodies to help them take a more entrepreneurial approach to service delivery.

Our programmes run for between 6 and 12 months and are all underpinned with an individual learning project, aimed at helping participants to embed the learning from our workshops back in the workplace.

Our aim on offering these programmes is to help larger organisations to learn from small entrepreneurial organisations, and the technqiues and tactics they use to respond to changes in the market and operating environment.

International Entrepreneurship

Actif are currently working with a Leonardo funded research programme called ET NET. The programme is looking at the different ways to support high tech university spin out companies and to encourage science and technology graduates to consider self-employment.

The project is led by the Telecom Paris (GET) and Advancia Universities from France and involves universities and enterprise animators from Spain, Italy, Poland, and Hungary as well as Durham Business School and the Virtual Centre.