East Arnhem Land Business Development Approach: An Interim Review of IBA’s Approach to Developing Small Businesses in East Arnhem Land

East Arnhem Land Business Development Approach: An Interim Review of IBA’s Approach to Developing Small Businesses in East Arnhem Land Report

• Author(s): Indigenous Business Australia and SGS Economics & Planning,
• Published: 2008
• Publisher: Indigenous Business Australia

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Abstract: A report reviewing the Indigenous small business development model in Galiwin’ku, Northern Territory and determining the feasibility of implementing the model in other Indigenous communities. The review recommended that the five-step, grassroots Indigenous small business development model be extended to other Indigenous communities in rural and remote areas. The model is currently being evaluated for implementation in locations in the Northern Territory and Queensland. This review provides an independent interim report of a pilot Indigenous business development approach, primarily focussed upon how it has been used in the communities of Galiwin’ku and Gapuwiyak. In June 2008, Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) engaged SGS Economics and Planning (SGS) to prepare an interim independent review of the East Arnhem Land Business Development Approach (the East Arnhem Land Approach or Approach) which has been established and implemented across several remote Indigenous communities in East Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. The East Arnhem Land Approach has been established by IBA to provide direct small business development and support services on the ground in regional and remote Indigenous communities. This Approach differs from previous business models used in urban and regional indigenous communities, by having a strong capability component focussed on supporting the community. In remote indigenous regions and communities, access to appropriate ongoing enterprise development support is extremely limited Essentially, the Approach has two stages: • Stage 1 – the development of an initial scoping study to understand the region and the communities prior to implementation; and • Stage 2 – a five-step implementation process: 1. Identification and evaluation of ideas; 2. Client screening; 3. Reality testing; and 4. Implementing appropriate business structures and business management processes; and 5. Providing ongoing support to clients. The resourcing required to implement the Approach includes the engagement of a facilitator who spends time working with the community and the employment of an Economic Development Officer from the community.

Notes: prepared by SGS Economics & Planning Pty. Ltd.

• Urls: http://www.iba.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/20081201ReportEastArnhemLandBusinessDevelopmentApproach.pdf Available from, http://www.iba.gov.au/corporate/research/ Download site