Outf!t Moray

The Outf!t-Moray Pipeline: Innovation, Creation & New Horizons

The Team is the Driver for Innovation - ‘Gearing Up and moving Forward’

The innovation theme is a strong feature of team meetings and project reviews. The guiding principles for innovation are:

• Maintain the vision and purpose
• The whole team are responsible for developing Outf!t-Moray
• No idea is too small or too large
• Think out of the box
• Be clear about what we are doing
• Map progress on the action plan
• Work on the SMART principle
• The Champion for Innovation is Iain
• Involve others – the Board, members (young and old), volunteers, Moray Social Enterprise Network and Supporters

Overview - Getting it Right

There are challenges and opportunities ahead. The main challenge is about ‘surviving’ in a tough economic climate. The incentive to innovate and develop could not be stronger and all the team are motivated and committed.

A business plan has been developed and has as its basis the concept of a ‘Centre of Excellence for Outdoor Learning and Adventure'. This plan takes a long term view which would eventually include residential accommodation, a conference centre and outdoor centre. In the short term, the market will be tested with a number of products and services.

Notwithstanding the ‘big picture’, OM needs to address the here and now through a process of engagement with the Board of Directors, the operational team, volunteers and external supporters.

Opportunities - ‘the key themes’

The main opportunities revolve around four key areas:

1. More of the same
2. New product development
3. New Horizons
4. Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures

More of the same - ‘Maximising and Generating’

Options here relate to generating more from existing capacity. This is an important element as it is realistic, feasible and can be done quickly:

• Increase the number of programmes
• Working smarter
• Reducing costs and possibly increasing others such as marketing
• Increasing certain charges
• Setting clear targets for the coming year.
• Maintain the volunteer programme.
• Increase the marketing effort. Tell more people what we are doing:
  • Open day
  • Council fliers
  • Brochures
  • Attendance at events
  • Press – features and advertising

New Product Development

This might best be considered in two elements; - expanded pipeline - new shoots.

• Expanded pipeline - ‘Growing the fruits’
  • Easter, Summer and Autumn Holiday Activities weeks
  • Themed activity events.
  • Girls work
• New Shoots - ‘Energizing for Innovation’
  • Equipment hire service
  • Equipment sales - second hand outdoor clothing and equipment shop (recycling)
  • Introductory courses and classes e.g. TCL / bike maintenance workshops
  • Family activity programmes

New Horizons - ‘A New Journey’

• Consultancy Services - based around providing advice, training, coaching and facilitation services to the Third Sector. This would include workshops on team working and motivation, leadership, innovation and strategic development.
• Contract Services – selling spare capacity to the private sector and undertaking elements of administration for the third sector.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint Ventures - ‘Is the wind in the right direction?’

Mergers - ‘Adding Value and Supporting Others’. This aspect should not be dismissed. The concept is based on a belief around the value of social enterprise and its contribution to the community. The principles would be based on creating:

• A wider service for young people
• Economies of scale
• Shared resources - office, staff etc.
• Added value locally and across Moray
• Increased profile

Acquisition - ‘Positive Cycle – beyond the known’. Although a ‘long shot’ the time may well be right to look around at other businesses and explore options. Things to consider would be:

• Have we got the capability within the wider team?
• Have we got the energy and capacity to do it?
• Would it be a chain around our neck?
• How would we fund it?

Joint Ventures - ‘The sum of two parts is greater’. Projects already on line or under consideration:

• Programmes in conjunction with the Moray Gig.
• Surf School in conjunction with New Wave.