Even in business, solidarity and support networks are fundamental. Today more than ever, in the uncertain and constantly evolving economic context in which we find ourselves, many entrepreneurs are exposed to challenges and risks that endanger the survival of their companies. When a business fails, it is not only the owners who suffer, but also dozens of employees who find themselves out of work, and their families. This is why it is necessary to highlight non-profit activities that also aim to protect the productive fabric. Today I'm telling you about the first non-profit organization in Italy made up of entrepreneurs who, as a non-profit, help other entrepreneurs to keep a company afloat.
How does assistance to entrepreneurs in difficulty work?
INSS (acronym that stands for Imentrepreneur Non Sei Solo) is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 by Enrico Tosco e Paolo Ruggeri which is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in difficulty. It is a network of entrepreneurs who have decided to offer their support without any compensation. Large and small volunteers who help companies in crisis by providing valuable advice and information on correct managerial techniques. Anyone who becomes a member of this non-profit participates in an entrepreneurial training and soft skills development program in collaboration with a management consultancy company, OSM, which promotes INSS.
Entrepreneurs who find themselves in difficulty contact the association and fill out an aptitude questionnaire which will allow INSS to offer them individual advice. The consultancy aims to identify the margins for improvement and the areas where you can intervene to improve your business. The underlying philosophy is simple. Small businesses and VAT numbers are the future of the country and must be valorised so that there are more and more healthy companies and more and more stable work.
The results achieved
To stay with the figures, since its foundation INSS has supported 657 entrepreneurs in difficulty, helping them to "save" jobs and stability for 732 Italian families. Among the "assisted" companies there are also important realities such as the football team of Lecce, Foundation of Venice and others. The biggest obstacles found on the road to business? First of all the lack of an adequate financial plan (in 80% of cases), incorrect estimates of earnings that are not enough to keep a company afloat. Two equally important factors follow: gaps in digital marketing (80% of cases) leading to the underestimation of online promotion, e difficulty in managing people, (70% of cases).
“During the first years of activity we discovered the importance of acting quickly to initiate change that leads to new professional opportunities,” they say Andrea Turrini, Operations Manager and Fundraising Manager, e Lara Campoli, president of the non-profit organization. “Supporting small businesses means strengthening our country and investing in the future is everyone's responsibility. The results we have achieved as a non-profit organization motivate us to continue working hard and supporting businesses in difficulty, because we know that they will give back to the country through work, well-being and productivity. We hope to involve more and more volunteers throughout Italy in order to expand our training project."
In short, we still need to work a lot. At the moment, INSS has collected over 700.000 euros in donations, and has obtained access to the 2022xmille in 5. To become a volunteer, make a donation or receive assistance, you can visit the site www. impresariononseisolo.it.
