There are a number of stages to becoming a Specialisterne partner and setting-up a Specialisterne Licensee operation in your country. The first stage is, of course, the expression of interest from a local entrepreneur, businessperson or organization; someone interested in starting-up a Specialisterne operation in their country. Often – but not always – this initial contact comes via networking, such as through the Ashoka Localizer Program. Unsolicited expressions of interest are just as welcome to us, and we consider each one carefully.
The Planning Process
Once we have determined whether or not an expression of interest has the potential to become a fully-fledged partner, we move into the next stage: the Planning Process. This process is driven by the Specialist People Foundation, and begins once we have the relevant stakeholders in place, and once we have secured the necessary funding.
Relevant stakeholders are usually a local coordinator willing to take over the planning process locally, and a local business intelligence provider. The funding needed has to cover the utilization of SPF resources as well as the costs involved in securing local experts for the Feasibility Study and business planning process (typically €25,000 for each phase and deliverable, i.e. for the Feasibility Study and for the Business Plan, excl. travel).
The role of the local coordinator is to work on the planning process with SPF, and to establish the initial contacts needed to trigger and facilitate the planning process. The coordinator also acts as the main contact person to SPF during the Feasibility Study process. The coordinator must be driven to promote a change in his or her country regarding the employment of people with autism and similar challenges. He or she must also be well-connected and be prepared to put in some time on a volunteer basis. In addition, the local coordinator is expected to be the local lead on the Feasibility Study, but is not necessarily expected to become the General Manager of the Specialisterne licensee when and if it is established.
It’s important to note that while we believe that local ownership is a key element to entrepreneurship and long-lasting social impact, we also take a hands-on approach to ensure successful local implementation of the Specialisterne business, and strive to be an active partner. Based on our experience, we expect the needs of people with autism and similar challenges – as well as the needs within the corporate sector – to be similar across borders. However, we expect big differences in welfare systems, culture, traditions, funding opportunities and legal requirements – thus calling for a thorough and a separate planning process.
The Feasibility Study
The Feasibility Study is based on the SPF planning framework and is carried out locally, supported by local coordinator and the SPF business analyst. When possible, the study should be supported by a local advisory board. Focus areas of the study include the analysis and assessment of the local business market, the availability of potential consultants with autism and similar challenges, the local welfare system and the required legal set-up of the local Specialisterne operation. The study concludes with a recommendation regarding the opportunities concerning establishing a sustainable Specialisterene operation in the local market.
Our proprietary Feasibility Study process helps all parties come to an informed decision as to whether or not to move on to the next phase, or to stop the planning altogether. Given a positive outcome of the study, the next phase involves identifying a local partner (e.g. an entrepreneur, an enterprise or a foundation) who may become the owner and/or operator of the local Specialisterne business. Once the local operating model and a partner has been identified, the business planning process begins,
The Business Plan
The Business Plan is a comprehensive plan for establishing and localizing the Specialisterne concept in a license-based partnership. The plan, which provides the basis for seeking grants or investments to cover start-up costs until break-even, is carried out by the local partner in collaboration with a local business analyst partner and SPF. It includes in-depth planning for a Specialisterne operation including the organisation, project plan, budget and funding plan. The financial plan provides the basis for funding applications to cover the start-up costs to philanthropists, foundations, institutions, corporations or social investors. The expectation is that the local Specialisterne operation will scale to at least 50 consultants with autism and similar challenges, employed within 3-4 years
License Agreement
Based on a positive outcome of the business plan, and on having secured funding, the local partner then signs a partnership agreement with SPF. The partner must commit to Specialisternes’ values and vision, as well as knowledge sharing and collaboration, in order to be granted access to the Specialisterne brand, the Specialisterne Knowledge Base and our extensive partner network. SPF commits to assisting the partner with a well-defined set of training, support, global marketing, branding and quality control services. In return, the license partner pays an initial set-up fee and an annual support fee.
For more information on how to take the first steps to establishing a Specialisterne in your country, please email us using this link.