New Enterprise Allowance scheme - My story

s450

They are not going to end the scheme:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2...ial-jobseekers

The DWP is even doing a sort of campaign:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/adviser/updates/enterprise-allowance-campaign/

Watch the video

pinkypoopydoo

The first link makes interesting reading - it seems to suggest that only about 50% of those who get referred to a mentor actually get their business plan accepted.

I must admit, I was beginning to think that they pretty much accepted anything put in front of them, to get the stats up, and JSA claimants down!

This_Year

Reading and watching that does seem positive.
When I saw my business advisor and she agreed my business plan etc. she told me that she had told a few other people that day to go back and do more research before she would consider their idea.

Goodluck

i wish i'd found this thread some time ago, and it would seem we have all been tested with Respect to our Determination to succeed on a shoestring!which does make sense really?
To cut a very frustrating long story short my only advice other than booking yourself on one of the Business start up sessions which cover the Business Planning through the NEA via email after your initial meeting, is to do it yourself as i have!
If the cash-flow forecast looks daunting check this 2 minute vid to get it right first time! Paste into google.
com/watch?v=h0rcvlqUiTM
and the Profit and Loss
com/watch?v=ulpX3jX_UT0
and regarding your S.W.O.Ts be enthusiastic!
You should have the B.P and loan application from the first referral, mine goes in tomorrow and was told if the loan is paid back in the first year the interest is 2% or 5% within two, if this is wrong it's back to the drawing board but at-least it's NOW an easy correction
Good Luck

s450

I was supposed to send the first draft of my business plan today.
I sent it yesterday.
As recommended in the Business Plan Guidelines I was provided with by my business agent, I first completed the Heading Personal Survival Budget. In Addition, I have also completed the Headings Product/Service Descripiton and the Staff and Owner Qualification. Instead of filling out the Personal Budget Template I was sent per Email, I have intergrated it directly into my business plan in the form of a table.
Two weeks have passed since I filled out the form to be part of the program NEA.
As far as I have understood, I have mx. 8 weeks time to complete my business plan.
Now the question is whether my business adviser will answer to my email and give me some suggestions and feedback.
Actually they should be supposed to support you in ordert to be able to prepare a good business plan.
I was wondering what happens if they ignore my emails, drafts etc and let me alone till the end of the 8th week and than suddenly mean my business plan is not good??:mad:
I hope, these things are not going to happen. For the moment are ony a sort of "prevention is better then cure".
But they are paid for that, to help you through this time. So, if they ignore you, I assume you could forwards a complaint.
What do you suggest?
I have serious intentions to start my own business and I want a good business plan and of course I will need the NEA for the start, as all of us.

This_Year

s450 wrote: »

Instead of filling out the Personal Budget Template I was sent per Email, I have intergrated it directly into my business plan in the form of a table.

You may find that they also require this as a separate document.

I had to hand in my Business Plan, Personal "survival" Budget and Cashflow Forecast as 3 separate documents. But, saying that, it may depend on the company that is doing the NEA mentoring provision.

Good luck with it anyway.

I have just received a payment for what I presume is NEA - the amounts tally and it says "MyNINO DWP CSHR" so all seems well.

pinkypoopydoo

s450 wrote: »

I was supposed to send the first draft of my business plan today.
I sent it yesterday.
As recommended in the Business Plan Guidelines I was provided with by my business agent, I first completed the Heading Personal Survival Budget. In Addition, I have also completed the Headings Product/Service Descripiton and the Staff and Owner Qualification. Instead of filling out the Personal Budget Template I was sent per Email, I have intergrated it directly into my business plan in the form of a table.
Two weeks have passed since I filled out the form to be part of the program NEA.
As far as I have understood, I have mx. 8 weeks time to complete my business plan.
Now the question is whether my business adviser will answer to my email and give me some suggestions and feedback.
Actually they should be supposed to support you in ordert to be able to prepare a good business plan.
I was wondering what happens if they ignore my emails, drafts etc and let me alone till the end of the 8th week and than suddenly mean my business plan is not good??:mad:
I hope, these things are not going to happen. For the moment are ony a sort of "prevention is better then cure".
But they are paid for that, to help you through this time. So, if they ignore you, I assume you could forwards a complaint.
What do you suggest?
I have serious intentions to start my own business and I want a good business plan and of course I will need the NEA for the start, as all of us.

After I submitted my initial business plan, it was returned to me 2 days later (via email) with suggestions, corrections and alterations to be done. I then spoke to my mentor on the phone a couple of times, to ensure everything was done properly, and my business plan was approved about a week later, once I'd actioned all the suggestions and alterations. My mentor then informed my job centre advisor that my business was good to go, and I then was called in to discuss with my adviser when I would sign off, so then job centre appointments were worked round my sign off date from then.

amy8191amy

Hi, i've been keeping an eye on this thread for a few weeks. I am now enrolled on the NEA scheme myself and had my first group session/meeting with NEA yesterday.
So my story went like this.... asked in the jobcentre about nea and was told to spend the next week maybe starting a draft business plan and preparing before she rang them. The next week when i signed on my advisor phoned NEA to get me signed up, i was then emailed 4 documents including business plan template, self employment guide, cash flow, template book keeping guide to writing business plan. Also the email had a set date for when i should email them my draft business plan by( about 2 weeks). I was given an appointment for 4 days later for a group session for nea applicants. This was yesterday and it was me and 6 others sitting round a table whilst a guy explained every aspect of the scheme to us. When i got home i emailed my rough business plan and was emailed back and told i had been allocated an mentor. The mentor then emailed me an arrange a meeting for a weeks time.
So far all is going well, i have never done anything like this before. I havnt yet attemtped cash flow as its quite challenging. Especially as i can't order any stock until i have receieved my loan which makes working out how much I am going to pay difficult. Just thought would share my story so far for others interested in NEA. I have read a few posts of it being a bad experience but so far it seems okay. Will keep you updated..

s450

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

After I submitted my initial business plan, it was returned to me 2 days later (via email) with suggestions, corrections and alterations to be done. I then spoke to my mentor on the phone a couple of times, to ensure everything was done properly, and my business plan was approved about a week later, once I'd actioned all the suggestions and alterations. My mentor then informed my job centre advisor that my business was good to go, and I then was called in to discuss with my adviser when I would sign off, so then job centre appointments were worked round my sign off date from then.

I sent the first draft of my business plan. The adviser answered per email and said he would revise it and get back to me "in due course". The question is what he means with that. Anyhow I have 8 weeks time to complete the business plan but I would know if he finds it ok. He should get back to me. Or should I call and ask?

whiterose13

My Husband and I both signed up for the scheme at the beginning of July, (having seen the person who agrees it, or thought they did) we were told it would take about 2 months to be off JSA and on the NEA having spoken to a mentor, written business plans etc. Its now been 9 weeks and we haven't heard a thing, my husband has had an email with a pack in it in regards to business plans but no other contact. My advisor (trained in NEA), as nice as he seems, isn't very helpful, he just keeps saying, you should hear soon although I understand it may be out of his hands. I am Now very worried about all the comments about getting the business plan approved to even go on the scheme. My husband is already getting started with his business but I feel like I am swimming in circles. I have found this forum very useful and now considering very carefully what to do next!!! BTW loans are all approved by different lenders depending on where you live which could be the reason percentage are different. I only found this on the gov website through search engines!