In a rut and looking for help to broaden your horizons?

You started a company, got it up and running and have probably been in business for a while now, operating smoothly and with an established customer base and reliable suppliers and partners.

But your journey does not end here; on the contrary, it has only just begun. Running a business is a running battle to improve, optimise and evolve in a constantly and rapidly changing world.

Sometimes, you may need someone to challenge you, ask tough questions and perhaps even prick your conscience, anything to get you out of your rut. That someone is us and we do so in order to help drive your business forward towards your objectives because, without objectives, it is hard to know where your company is heading.

Among other things, we can help you to:

• find out your 'why';
• set measurable, realistic goals and deadlines;
• develop your business model, product or service and define your company's value proposition;
• reflect on how your management, teams, and leadership should be structured; and
• prepare an action plan.

We also look into your potential financing needs and explore various solutions that may be relevant to you and your business.

I want to learn from others in the same situation

At times, being an entrepreneur can be a lonely business. We have an extensive network and are firm believers in learning from other people who are facing similar challenges. That is why we gather entrepreneurs with similar, non-competing ideas. Meetings are led by an Almi advisor with the aim of increased learning and helping participants to meet identified challenges to achieving set goals, and to foster mutual development.

You will:

• find new solutions to various challenges by learning from one another through innovative thinking  and cross-sectorial exchanges;
• expand your network; and
• receive support from fellow entrepreneurs while also having the opportunity to share your valuable experiences and insights.

First meeting: Discussing your needs

During our initial meeting, we will discuss and assess your company’s needs and challenges and explore how Almi or other actors can help you meet them. We ask the questions and provide you with the tools, you have the answers and, together, we make a plan for the future.

Before we take you on as a client

Your Almi advisor will propose a course of action for your approval. Whenever we initiate a business relationship, we also ask the client to fill out a Customer Dues Diligence (CDD) form. This is so we can protect ourselves, our customers and society at large from criminal activities such as money laundering, trafficking, drug dealing, terrorist financing, the illegal arms trade and tax evasion.

Learn more about Customer Due Diligence (CDD) here.

A sustainability dialogue to equip you for the future

Whether the next step in your relationship with us is a loan or a business development service, you will  be expected to enter into a sustainability dialogue with us. Sustainability is a vital issue not only for the planet but also for you, and your customers and employees expect you to engage with it. This is where our sustainability dialogue comes in. Whenever you avail yourself of Almi’s services, we will conduct a sustainability dialogue focused on your company’s sustainability management.

You will obtain basic knowledge of sustainability in general and how it affects your business and development opportunities in particular. You and your Almi advisor will enter into a dialogue about your operations. They will also help you prioritise your next steps. This will leave you better prepared to face the future and more confident that you are investing your time and money in the right areas. 

A sustainability dialogue generally lasts for between one and three hours and is entirely free of charge.

What you will take away with you

The route of your journey with Almi depends on the conclusions you and your advisor reach. However, you will always take the following away with you:

Relevance analysis

Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something. A relevance analysis allows you and your advisor to identify relevant focus areas for your company to work on.

Double materiality analysis

A double materiality analysis looks at both the impact of your company on people and the environment and the potential financial impact of sustainability issues on your company.

Performance analysis

A performance analysis helps you understand the gap between expectations and the actual/achieved or potential results of your operations. The analysis can be a useful tool to answer questions such as: Where are we? Where do we want to be? And how do we get there?

Risk and opportunity identification

Together with your advisor, you will identify new business opportunities when you incorporate sustainability into your business, as well as the risks associated with failing to do so.

Action plan

After the meeting, you will have an overarching action plan setting out the next steps for your company – whether you take them with Almi, with another partner or by yourselves.

The next stage

Once you and your Almi advisor concur that you have implemented the agreed action plan, we will always call you to follow up the results. This is an opportunity to reflect on questions such as: What measures have been taken? How did it go? And what is your next step?

We may not have the solution you need

Almi is a state-owned enterprise and our mission is to smooth the way for you and all of Sweden's entrepreneurs. Sometimes, we may not be able to offer the solution you need.

In such cases, thanks to our extensive network we can refer you to another institution or agency that may be able to assist you with your ongoing work.