Module 10: Aspects of sustainability (M10-EN)

The main learning objectives of this module are:

• To make you familiar with aspects of the long-term sustainability of a monastic product sale
• To learn what kind of instruments and organisational forms might support you in the development of a successful monastery shop
• To understand which weighing you should use in order to find the right path to future-oriented implementation.

The specific objective of this training module is to draw the bottom line on lessons learned in all the other modules:

• the orientation towards target customers and customer groups,
• the establishment of value-adding partnerships, and
• the understanding and implementation of marketing strategies and the so-called elements of the marketing mix.

Module 10 will lead the decision makers in a monastery as well as people working operationally to produce and sell their products successfully and in a sustainable way.

This in turn will lead to generating a continuous revenue stream, so called self-financing impact, which contributes to preserving the monasteries as cultural heritage!  

This training module is designed to fit the training needs of the monks and nuns, management, staff and volunteers at European monasteries, no matter if they are run by Catholic or Protestant Orders or the Orthodox Church; by public or private operators.

All modules are relevant for these groups of people, but some have a more specific character. They are all interconnected, even if they are not formally complementary. They differ in terms of information and competence level and address three groups:

• Target group 1: For people working on the implementation level like those in monastery shops three modules are recommended: Module 1 as introduction to the training, Modules 3 and 4 about monastic products and authentic selling of monastic products. People who want to start considering certain strategic aspects may be inspired by Module 7 on adding value through networking.
• Target group 2: For people with a special knowledge or experiences or a certain background and/or specified tasks in the monastic management, Modules 2 on marketing strategies, Module 5 on distribution strategies,  Module 8 on creating a strong brand, and Module 6 on social media and communication offer learning content and reflection.
• Target group 3: People on a strategy decision level with a highly specialized / experienced background and respective responsibilities in a monastery (Modules 9 on financing strategies and Module 10 on sustainability aspects).

After studying this module, you will:

• Be aware what customers expect from the monastery shop
• Learn about different organizational forms available for running your shop
• Understand the importance of finding the best staff for your shop
• Familiarize yourself with the most important issues for financing your shop.

SKIVRE focuses on an interactive training approach, whether you use it as a self-learning course or instructed by a trainer. This training module includes:

• Individualized self-learning - a powerful learning method that enables each learner, on the basis of his/her own experience and knowledge, and on the basis of newly acquired knowledge, to reach development decisions on his/her own;
• Self-assessment - ongoing self-assessment tests or homework that learners send to their trainer prior to the commencement of each subsequent module;
• You might also work in small groups of 2 or 3, e.g. if you decide to implement this module with colleagues as a self-learning group in your monastery or supported by an external trainer.

You gain knowledge individually or in a group using:

• Training materials like this module;
• Training materials in nine more SKIVRE training modules which are closely linked to this module;
• The interactive SKIVRE online training platform: skivre.eu/training;
• Facilitated training sessions for learning in a group with a professional trainer.

There is a wealth of literature and study material on the subject of "sustainability of business activities" though not linked to the preconditions in a monastery. Therefore, the authors of this module refrain from recommending referenced literature. The most important contents can be found in these 10 SKIVRE training modules, adapted to the situation and initial conditions of monasteries.
If you would like further information, we recommend that you talk to the experts in your Order, the regional chambers of industry and commerce or the economic experts of the municipality.

The SKIVRE team has chosen for all learners of the modules so called “good practices”. They highlight good examples that the SKIVRE team regards as a valuable source for information. Do not hesitate to get in touch with them directly! They all have either a strong link to a monastery or know about the monastic situation and are happy to share their knowledge with you.

Author/s:

Angela Ivanova, Wolfgang Kniejski

Institution:

INI-Novation Bulgaria OOD