Business planning training for social enterprise

Purpose – This paper seeks to explain how the course content of a Graduate Certificate in Social Enterprise was varied to meet the unique business planning training needs for social enterprise. Design/methodology/approach – The research began with a review of the literature covering generic and social enterprise business planning, the findings of which were applied into the design of the course. Findings – The paper concludes that although there are a number of similarities in business planning needs for start-up commercial and social enterprise business plans, the differences are, however, significant enough to require that course design should take these into account and thus avoid delivering a generic programme that does not fully meet student needs. Practical implications – Academic and professional deliverers of business planning programmes are strongly recommended not to offer generic offerings but instead tailor to the needs of the social enterprise sector. Originality/value – This paper will be of interest to providers of programmes aimed at social enterprises as well as social enterprise practitioners responsible for staff training. The literature in this area is still nascent while the development of accredited courses is still quite new and therefore the paper helps contribute to the development of best practice in the delivery of programmes to this sector