10 Steps to Launch a Successful Enactus Team
1. Research and short list the institution(s) you wish to bring into the Enactus Network
· Identify and target top-tier/renowned institutions. Also consider institutions outside of the top-tier group that can give strategic credibility to your country operation
· Give due consideration to the type of Institution (2 year, 3 year, 4 year or trade schools) as this may impact the sustainability of a long term program like Enactus.
2. Establish contact with the chosen institution.
· Schedule an appointment to meet with the administration and introduce Enactus.
· The top-down approach has proven to be effective and assures sustenance of the program.
· Approach deciding authorities like the President/Chancellor/Dean of the institution.
· Sell the program to them and ask them to facilitate an ‘official launch’ within their institution. This helps establish ownership with them and sends a message to the institutional body that Enactus is and will be an important initiative.
3. Have the key administrator participate in the process of choosing the Enactus Faculty Advisor
· Encourage him/her to make use of the Faculty Advisor Profile documents.
4. Filter applications
· This could be done by the institution to shortlist 3 to 4 suitable candidates.
· Alternately, all applications could be sent to Enactus National Office for review.
5. Country Leader/Program Manager can conduct a telephone interview with the shortlisted candidates to assess whether or not they are the right match for Enactus
· This helps in providing first-hand information about the program and his/her roles and responsibilities as an Enactus Faculty Advisor (use Faculty Advisor Profile document as reference).
· Oftentimes, such conversations help in conveying the most realistic responsibility, dedication and time commitment this post demands.
6. Appoint an Enactus Faculty Advisor with support and approval of the institution
· Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Enactus Country office and the Faculty Advisor of the institution. This helps in drawing commitment from the faculty and the institution (a sample MOU is available).
· Consider choosing multiple Faculty Advisors. Two is a good start – one would serve as Primary FA, while the other would be co-Faculty Advisor. Defined roles can be established to ensure they are working collaboratively and not overlapping too much in responsibility. Additional FAs can be added in due course, as deemed relevant.
7. Officially launch Enactus in the institution
· The ‘official launch’ event could be the ideal moment to sign the MOU in public view.
· Clearly state the partnership between the two entities (institution & Enactus National Office).
· Agenda of the launch event may include; having the President/Chancellor/Dean give welcome remarks, presentation/introduction of the Faculty Advisor(s) and team leaders.
· Consider sending a press release to media, alerting them of new addition to your Enactus National Network. Also use press release to introduce new Faculty Advisors (sample available).
8. Orient Faculty Advisor on his/her role and help recruit and form an Enactus Team
· It is ideal to start with a 40 – 50 member team
· The first group of student leaders/officers may be hand-selected by faculty and administration.
9. Orient and train the students and Faculty Advisor(s) on Enactus
· Conduct training sessions on Enactus, the criterion, building teams, project development and sustainability.
· Orient teams on all available Enactus material – handbook, toolkits, websites etc.
· Encourage them to appoint a BAB.
10. Conduct quarterly reviews of the team and Faculty Advisor
· Use the Team Index as a tool to assess the team and the Institution.
· Fix targets and goals based on performance in Team Index.