Celine Yim & Zoe Nagara

Founded by The University of Melbourne Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team in 2006, Switched-On Enterprises is a consultation-based project that assists small social enterprises in the not-for-profit sector. The team is currently engaged with a number of enterprises established by disability service provider, Yooralla, and government-funded Adult Multicultural Education Services. They are helping these small enterprises to develop a more competitive business model that will enhance their ability to provide valuable skills training to disadvantaged groups.

SIFE students recognise that non-profit organisations often struggle with the business aspects of their initiatives. Switched-On Enterprises thus aims to improve existing business practices to boost competitiveness, and ultimately, to ensure their long-term viability. A consultation typically involves an analysis of the business framework and financial reports at the organisational level, with the aim of developing effective marketing and pricing strategies, advising on a range of operational issues and establishing outcome measurement metrics. The team is comprised of students from a wide range of academic backgrounds who are extending their classroom knowledge whilst addressing socio-economic problems in the wider community.

The Knowledge Transfer Grant obtained in 2008 has enabled Switched-On-Enterprises to develop a series of Business Learning Modules (BLMs). Serving as a comprehensive training manual, these BLMs focus on accounting, pricing, budgeting and inventory management. The vision is to build upon these business essentials by developing management and marketing modules. In the latter half of 2009, the team will roll out its BLMs to the social enterprises, which will allow detailed analysis of the business and will encourage accelerated learning amongst participants. This knowledge transfer process is pivotal to transforming these initiatives into successful, self-sustaining businesses.

The goals of Switched-On Enterprises are aligned with SIFE’s broader mission of providing university students with opportunities for personal and professional development whilst enabling disadvantaged groups to participate more effectively in the economic and social life of the nation. SIFE teams manage a diverse portfolio of projects which operate on the principles of market economics, education and training, entrepreneurialism, financial management, business ethics and sustainability. Founded by The University of Melbourne Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team in 2006, Switched-On Enterprises is a consultation-based project that assists small social enterprises in the not-for-profit sector. The team is currently engaged with a number of enterprises established by disability service provider, Yooralla, and government-funded Adult Multicultural Education Services. They are helping these small enterprises to develop a more competitive business model that will enhance their ability to provide valuable skills training to disadvantaged groups.