How a Hub grows: stages E to A

The five stages

1. E
   E · Invite

   The invite phase. Inviting people in to see the project, and to be invited to participate.

   In short: the initial idea. The Hub's Facilitator is assigned here, when the Hub starts.

   Steps in this stage

   1. Idea written down
   2. The problem it solves is named
   3. Who it serves is identified
   4. The arena it belongs to is identified
   5. Existing hubs checked for overlap
   6. The person raising it is named
   7. First interested people identified
   8. Raised with a Facilitator
   9. Decision recorded to take it forward or park it
2. D
   D · Set up

   The first step in setting people up. For a founder or SME business owner it is a diagnostic. For a new member it is setting up their profile. For a Hub member it is being introduced to the project and its current Hub members.

   In short: the first meeting, and the idea is formed.

   Steps in this stage

   1. First meeting scheduled
   2. Agenda circulated before the meeting
   3. First meeting held
   4. Minutes recorded
   5. The idea restated after discussion
   6. Core group identified
   7. The roles the hub still needs are identified
   8. Scope agreed
   9. Decision recorded to move to structure
3. C
   C · Define

   The Hub begins developing the definition of the project: setting meeting times, and the initial tasks for the Facilitator.

   In short: the structure of the Hub is formed and regular set-up meetings start.

   Steps in this stage

   1. Hub number issued
   2. Regular meeting rhythm set
   3. IP position agreed
   4. Written agreement drafted
   5. Agreement signed by every member
   6. Structure documented and filed with the hub
4. B
   B · Test

   Testing the idea, gaining feedback, and refining the structures of the project.

   In short: tested and documented, with feedback from the market.

   Steps in this stage

   1. What is being tested is written down
   2. The offer to be tested is defined
   3. Who will be asked is identified
   4. The market is approached
   5. Feedback collected
   6. Feedback documented
   7. Results reviewed by the whole hub
   8. Changes made in response to the feedback
   9. Viability decision recorded against the results
5. A
   A · Formalise

   The project is formalised into a legal structure. Contracts are signed, it is registered as a company, and it becomes an official ARC asset providing services to its members and the public. It can then be duplicated, so other members can take it on.

   In short: the Hub is formed and the company is registered.

   Steps in this stage

   1. Entity structure chosen
   2. Company registered
   3. ABN and tax registrations completed
   4. Bank account opened
   5. Members or shareholders agreement executed
   6. Insurance in place
   7. Ongoing compliance obligations identified
   8. The hub is trading

Moving through the stages

• A Hub is at one stage at a time. Each stage opens when the last is done.
• A Hub moves one stage at a time. It does not jump stages.
• If something needs another look, the Hub takes a step back to the stage before.

Every Hub walks the same ladder

Hubs started by ARC and Hubs started by members are the same thing. They all go through the same E to A ladder of growth. Members can also create new programs or projects on the same model.

Each Hub is started by either an existing member, or a new member invited in with a passion for that project. They give an overview of what they want to build, and a Facilitator is assigned at stage E, when the Hub starts.

Have a project in mind? See the Projects tab on Join the Hub Program.

Your Specialty Hub

Your Specialty Hub follows the work you do. It changes only after a talk with Darren, and once you have been through E to A in a Hub it stays fixed: that is your path.