Skills workshops
WHETHER you’re a first-time entrepreneur looking to start an enterprise or an experienced business owner looking to expand an existing venture, Argyll and Bute Council’s Business Gateway team can provide practical advice and support, for free and in confidence.
‘Business Gateway has been providing advice and support to new and existing businesses across Argyll and Bute since 2009,' said Councillor Aileen Morton, leader of Argyll and Bute Council.
‘The team has engaged with hundreds of local businesses and provided workshops, business adviser support, information and referrals to help a wide range of local businesses to start up, survive or grow.
‘I’d encourage businesses to find out more about what’s on offer from Business Gateway. The service continues to evolve and, in addition to the well-established workshop and adviser support, there is one-to-one digital expert help available via the fully funded DigitalBoost programme and grant support to growing businesses available via our European-funded Local Growth Accelerator Programme.’
Digital support to help you grow
AS PART of a national programme across Scotland, DigitalBoost helps small- to medium-sized businesses use digital technology to generate business.
Rachel Ball at her of Ross of Mull Bunkhouse.
The comprehensive programme of fully-funded workshops aims to help businesses improve their website presence, understand and communicate with their customers better and ultimately increase sales.
Many local businesses have already benefited from the workshops.
Kirsteen Hutcheson, of Helensburgh Cycles, said: ‘The DigitalBoost workshops gave us lots of ideas we're now working on.’
DigitalBoost workshops are taking place throughout March in Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Dunoon and Oban. Topics include LinkedIn for Business, Keep Your Business Safe Online, Web and Social Media Analytics, Producing Engaging Online Content and Twitter and Hootsuite. To find out more or to book, visit bgateway.com/digitalboost.
As well as the local workshop programme, one-to-one adviser sessions with digital specialists are also available to eligible businesses that would benefit from extra support on digital topics. Access to one-to-one support is by referral from a Business Gateway adviser.
Growth Accelerator Programme
BUSINESSES with growth ambitions are being encouraged to look at the support available from the Local Growth Accelerator Programme, which offers grant funding and specialist advice to help support growth.
‘The help we’ve received from Business Gateway has helped to scale up the business. They were there right from the start and have assisted us all the way,’ said Claire Fletcher, of Jura-based Lussa Gin.
The programme is open to micro, small or medium-sized businesses based in Argyll and Bute, aiming to increase their turnover by £50,000 or more within the next three years. Anyone wanting to find out more or to register should visit www.argyll-bute. gov.uk/bglgap.
The Local Growth Accelerator Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund 201420 Structural Funds Programme, with a total programme value of £544,200.
One-to-one advice
BUSINESS Gateway has a team of experienced business advisers who provide individual support on a range of issues from marketing, to funding, to taking on staff.
The advisers can also signpost specialist sources of help with particular issues, including manufacturing, exporting or tendering.
In 2017, more than 530 business adviser meetings took place, helping existing businesses and those looking to make the move into self employment.
‘The start-up advice we received from Business Gateway was invaluable,’ said Kim Wilson of The Conductor’s Arms.
‘Our adviser also helped us identify potential funding opportunities. As a scientist, I had much to learn but Business Gateway was a massive help,’ added Rachel Ball, from Ross of Mull Bunkhouse. A WIDE range of free business skills workshops is available. Business Gateway’s workshop programme runs throughout the year offering topics for businesses at all stages of development.
Workshops aimed at those about to start or still in the early stages include the start-up workshop which covers planning, marketing and finance, as well as workshops on basic bookkeeping, an introduction to social media for business and how to build a business website.
Existing businesses can access workshops covering HR issues, improving marketing, customer care, reaching more customers, selling with confidence, getting more from a website and effective use of social media.
Last year, more than 100 workshops took place in Argyll and Bute, with a total of 675 attendees. More than 85 per cent of attendees rated the workshops excellent or very good.
A programme of similar topics is planned for this year. To find out what’s on offer and to book a place, visit bgateway.com/events.
To find out more about how Business Gateway can help you set up or develop your business call 01546 808363 or visit www.bgateway.com.