When GMCVO (Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation) identified the need to better manage their own data, they struggled to find a suitable and affordable IT solution until they came across open source CRM software designed specifically for the voluntary sector – CiviCRM.
Using CiviCRM GMCVO was able to design and build their own database and soon discovered there were other not for profit organisations looking for tailor made solutions. Within two years the demand for CRM services made it necessary to incorporate ‘GMCVO Databases’ as a social enterprise subsidiary of GMCVO – one of few CiviCRM specialists in the country.
DISE began working with GMCVO Databases in 2014 when they approached us to look at their business growth strategy.
“We wanted the benefit of external expertise from consultants who could enable us to understand how best to grow the business and attract higher value contracts,” says Alex Whinnom, Chief Executive of GMCVO.
A business and marketing plan had already been prepared which was reviewed as part of the brief.
DISE were very thorough and held a series of meetings with our management team followed by detailed analysis of our core offer, customer base, pricing strategy, financial performance and projections. We also received an in-depth report on the market for our services looking at market size, competitors, how to reach our ideal customers and where the opportunities lie.”
“It was a sizable piece of work and so incredibly useful that we are planning to work with DISE again to help us appraise other GMCVO businesses.”
DISE worked very closely with Jon-man Cheung, GMCVO Databases Manager throughout the project:
Having an independent perspective on our plans has not only improved our understanding of the business and our market, it has also increased our confidence and confirmed that we have been moving in the right direction. We are now in the process of implementing recommendations which we hope will enable GMCVO Databases to really take off over the next couple of years.”
“DISE understand our sector and what we are trying to achieve. The whole experience has been very valuable and we can highly recommend their services to organisations looking for professional social enterprise expertise.”