The idea for a venture is often found very quickly – even people who want to pursue it together. However, it is important that different competencies work together within the Group. This is the only way a venture has a chance of success. This article shows which skills are required.
Following the Essential Guide to Doing Transition , we present skills and core competencies within a group that are important for the initial phase of a project. However, not all of these skills need to be available at the beginning of the project, nor do they need to be “cleanly” distributed among the different people. They can also be present in the collective or gradually be learned together. This is an example set of skills, which of course is not the same for every venture.
Organizational skills: Project management, coordination of various activities, planning and conducting efficient and pleasant meetings.
Interpersonal skills: integrating new people and skills, enabling cooperation between different ways of working and communicating, creating a pleasant working atmosphere, mediating conflicts.
Visionary power: Development of positive future scenarios (What is made possible by the company? How can the project be further developed?).
Creative competencies: the design and planning of public events (such as discussion rounds, film screenings, lectures, information stands).
Craftsmanship: craftsmanship or horticultural skills may be required
Networking skills: Knowledge about local actors and decision- (see below à stakeholder analysis), who support you or have yet to be convinced, groups with whom you can cooperate.
IT skills: maintaining an e-mail list (in compliance with the new EU data protection directives), designing and operating websites, graphic design (designing logos, flyers and posters).
Public relations: Press work, setting up and operating social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat), writing blog messages, preparing complex issues for the public.
Local knowledge: Knowledge of local history and local problems.
Legal knowledge: e.g. for the formation of associations or cooperatives.
Besides this knowledge, it helps to think about the human and social conditions:
- Are all participants of the group willing to provide part of their (free) time for the venture? If so, how much? One night a week? One evening a month?
- How can the venture be designed to be fun?
- Is everyone able to be reliable in their promises?
- Do all participants have a basic understanding of the venture that you want to implement? Even if one believes that one already has a common understanding, this is often not the case in reality. It is worthwhile to create a common mission statement, eine Vision.
- Does the group have a realistic assessment of what it is capable of doing? How can we ensure that no one is consumed by the expenditure? It is important to find the right balance between volunteering, work and family .
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