It is a PROJECT and a BUSINESS

[PiperArrow28]

I am constantly seeing posts affirming that XH558 is actually a business not a project. Time I think to settle the debate that it is in fact - BOTH!

Let me explain from a Marketing persons point of view:

At all times, the project should have been run as a business, and historically, particularly during the restoration period when it relied heavily on a Lottery grant and the good will of people to fulfill a dream, a project was a fair description and fitted the goals of aspiration, well before considerations of an unexpected downturn of sponsorship opportunities.

Today, with a flying aircraft and the need to make a profit “on operations” it certainly needs to be run and considered as a business.

However, consider “selling” the operation to a completely novice member of the public.

If it were considered and marketed as a business, then such person would feel no need to donate any finance, because that is not the normal business model. After all, businesses, sell, manufacture or offer a service for which they make a profit on which to sustain themselves, or they would not be in business would they?

Hence, to me the BUSINESS, is the day to day running of the operations as they are today, with the ultimate aim of being self sufficient at some point in the future. If we can do it, remains to be seen, so for the time being, we need constant public support.

The PROJECT, is the history and story behind the Aircraft, the foresight of a few individuals to reach a dream against all the odds, pulling together the expertise and finance to see us to where we are today.

Tell that person the PROJECT story, particularly how we aim to honour the past of the Cold War era, then inspire the young of today into Aviation, Science and Technology, and I think you will have a far easier sell than any reference to it being a “business to invest in.”

Above all, whatever obstacles have come along in the past, it has been the drive and determination to succeed by many, many individuals that have saved the business time and time again.

Whilst we should do our best to improve the business aspect at all times, it is only the support of those fresh individuals that will ensure the project has a longer future.

As we reach another milestone in our project, it is time for some of those very individuals out there, to once again, save the business and reflect on what has really been achieved as a WORLD BEATING PROJECT. Something we here in Britain should be proud of.

It is over to us to do our bit……

I look forward to a healthy debate.


Ian.

[Sooty655]

In any normal engineering business environment, of which I have forty (plus) years experience, getting it flying again would be classed as a project, albeit an unusual one in that it was the sole activity of the business.

Ongoing operation is NORMAL BUSINESS, and continuing to treat it as a project is a significant part of the reason for the ongoing disaster.

[PiperArrow28]

Sooty,

I agree entirely with what you say and it is certainly a business now and is how day to day operations should be treated. It certainly is by me.

However, the trick with Marketing is to decide which card to play, depending on what the target audience requires to hear.

Again, just thinking of Education as an example, that is a difficult one to wrap up as a business, rather than stressing it the aim to achieve a specific goal of telling a story. That would appeal more to some sponsors, more so than seeing £1,000 turned into fuel.

I hope you can get my drift......

Ian.

[Sooty655]

Sorry, Pa28, I don't think we will ever agree. Maybe it is just that my definition of "a project" is different from yours.

Every time anyone refers to TVOC's ongoing business activities as a project, this is what comes into my mind.

http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/stilgoe_skellern/track/we_done_a_project_on_it

[Xplumberlives]

Ha ha ha ha!

[Gully]

My point of view...

It ceased being the Return to Flight PROJECT after 1st flight. From that point onwards the Trust has been running a Flight Operations and Education BUSINESS.

That said, I actually think we would be best off pushing the Trust's status as a CHARITY...

Anything but a 'project' for me! The ongoing use of the word always suggests to me that this is not a serious business, but someone's hobby.

Gully

[Sploosher]

My point of view...

It ceased being the Return to Flight PROJECT after 1st flight. From that point onwards the Trust has been running a Flight Operations and Education BUSINESS.

That said, I actually think we would be best off pushing the Trust's status as a CHARITY...

Anything but a 'project' for me! The ongoing use of the word always suggests to me that this is not a serious business, but someone's hobby.

Gully

I agree with you on that one Gully

[Stevieboy]

The Prince 2 defifinition of a project is "A management environment that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified Business Case".

I prefer to us the Project Management Institute definition which is:

"Temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service using a range of special project management techniques to plan and control the scope of work in order to deliver a service to the satisfaction of the client’s and stakeholders’ needs and expectations".

The key here is temporary. My opinion is VTTS is no longer a project and hasn't been since issue of PtoF. Then again it's only a word and we're all free to use them as we feel fit.





http://www.prince2.com/what-is-prince2.asp

[Sooty655]

The Prince 2 defifinition of a project is "A management environment that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified Business Case".

I prefer to us the Project Management Institute definition which is:

"Temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique product or service using a range of special project management techniques to plan and control the scope of work in order to deliver a service to the satisfaction of the client’s and stakeholders’ needs and expectations".

The key here is temporary. My opinion is VTTS is no longer a project and hasn't been since issue of PtoF. Then again it's only a word and we're all free to use them as we feel fit.

Only on Iconic - don't try it elsewhere.

[Xplumberlives]

[Gaz]

Very good!

[Air]

That said, I actually think we would be best off pushing the Trust's status as a CHARITY...

Exactly. The fact that a charity can claim Gift Aid is certainly something that shouldn't be ignored, especially as the club currently cannot gain from it.

[Gaz]

Probably a good idea, people would be more forthcoming for a charity.

IMO anyway

[Air]

Probably a good idea, people would be more forthcoming for a charity.

IMO anyway

Yes, as well as being able to claim Gift Aid, charities always have a better reception with the public than a 'business'.

[Stevieboy]

How about using the word Enterprise?

Oxford English Dictionary entry:

enterprise

• noun 1 a project or undertaking, especially a bold one. 2 bold resourcefulness. 3 a business or company.

— ORIGIN Old French, ‘something undertaken’, from Latin prehendere ‘to take’.

[Old Rigger]

I like Enterprise 'To boldly go where no man has gone before' , and think of the trust as the Borg 'resistance is futile, give us your money or else

[Mayfly]

I personally think the best word to describe it is:-

'Venture' but Ed beat them to it with 'Vulcan Ventures' on that one .......

[Gaz]

I personally think the best word to describe it is:-

'Venture' but Ed beat them to it with 'Vulcan Ventures' on that one .......

I hope the publishers copyrighted the name!!

They'll be bloody nicking that now!!

[Saracenman]

i think VTS in its entirety is a business - even the Education aspect, which many would be forgiven for regarding as more of a project - after all, how can Educating children be a business?

i wonder how the FD of Tesco would describe their "Computers for Schools" initiative? considering the copious amount of Goodwill, Brand Awareness and Brand Loyalty generated, I'm certain he/she would see it as a lucrative BUSINESS!

VTS can be 'sold' to the public as an Education Project but the Management should never forget that it is ultimately nothing more than a BUSINESS - it is the only component of VTS that has any potential to generate income, provide cash to cover salaries and costs and, most importantly, be the priority reason for the business existing in the first place.

VTS have consistently overlooked the most fundamental 'rule' in business - answering three key questions of themselves:

1. Who are we?

2. What are we trying to achieve?

3. Why?

sm

[Cluny]

Project ?
Business ?
Who cares , its all but over in 8 days time anyway .
Shame

[Xplumberlives]

Project ?
Business ?
Who cares , its all but over in 8 days time anyway .
Shame

The fat lady is about to enter the building!

[Ducati Boy]

Project ?
Business ?
Who cares , its all but over in 8 days time anyway .
Shame

The fat lady is about to enter the building!

She can sod off, she is not singing here!

[RLN]

I so hope you're right, DB.

[Dlwbrunty]

Fact is, all the time we are on "stop" with suppliers and contractors the problem will exist.Those on high have lost all credibility; both with the press and with the supporters.
Its the annual chasm!
No one has much spare cash. Those who had spent money to go to Waddington and all the negative press that involved, less so. I include myself, am in the situation that things are tight. Too much asked, Typical panic, They see the emotional blackmail of threatening to give notice to staff will make a difference [sadly its happening all over].
You cannot milk a dry cash cow.

[Dan4th]

Well, you can try, but the COW
ain't gonna like it One BIT!

D.