Using the BVI

The BVI is best suited for communities that want to improve their entrepreneurial capacity or business friendliness. The BVI is an especially effective tool to assist communities that have energy in the community but are stuck in setting priorities, having difficulty getting focused or have a divided community.

There are essentially two phases for the BVI which works in conjunction with a local community partner/sponsor.

Phase I: Assessment involving a cross section of community invited to participate (business people, community leaders & others representative of the community) in:

Questionnaires
Focus Groups

Phase II: Focus & Action (3 to 8 weeks later) in which the whole community is invited to:

Presentation of findings & possible actions
Priority setting exercise
Reality checking on selected actions in small groups
Implementation of actions

The Business Vitality Index process usually takes 4-12 weeks once begun, based upon averages (actions that the community takes in response to BVI are not included in this timeframe).

2-3 weeks to invite initially
1-2 days to conduct Phase 1
4-6 weeks to process results and write-up
2-3 weeks to properly disseminate results in community and invite community to Phase 2
1 day to conduct Phase 2
1-3 weeks follow up and report for Phase 2

The fee for the BVI depends on the size of the community. In Canada, federal and provincial governments have supported communities undertaking the BVI. In addition, local development organizations, foundations, credit unions, colleges and the private sector have also assisted communities. CIEL works collaboratively with communities to uncover and leverage funding for the BVI and actions coming out of the BVI.

CIEL is a not-for-profit organization that generates revenues through fee-for-service activities. Monies go back into improving the BVI and to develop other programs to assist organizations or communities.

For more information please contact us at the CIEL office.

Also in this Section: