Business and management consultancy services

Tender description

North Ayrshire Council are inviting bids for the provision of a business consultancy services framework within North Ayrshire. The framework will comprise of 9 lots: — Lot 1: Financial and Data Analysis Support; — Lot 2: Business Strategy and Business Development Support; — Lot 3: Marketing and Digital Media Support; — Lot 4: Procurement and Tender Support; — Lot 5: HR Support; — Lot 6: Family Business Support; — Lot 7: Succession Planning Support; — Lot 8: Digital Strategy and Transformation Support; — Lot 9: Workplace Development and Training Support. The framework will be for a period of 2 years plus the option to extend for up to a further 2 years and is anticipated to commence December 2019. It is anticipated that a maximum of 5 providers will be appointed per lot. Bidders should note that there is no guarantee of business, use, level of use or continuity of business through the framework agreement. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — financial management: support is required to enable businesses to develop and refine financial management skills, such as an understanding of financial statements and cash-flow as well as the application of sales, pricing, costing, interest and borrowings, taxation, investment and performance measurements, — financial readiness: business support will be required to allow interrogation of their forecasting methodologies and assessing their fitness for purpose in terms of their effectiveness in predicting future performance, — preparing for investment: information and support to prepare businesses for investment as an attractive proposition for potential investors and loan funders, — alternative finance: information and support around the main forms of alternative business funding for SMEs, from short to long-term loans/debt/equity or self-investment, — taxation: providing support to businesses across any taxation issues that they may have during their business cycle. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — strategic planning: this may involve support relating to challenging existing approaches, developing new strategies and performance measurement, — business growth: growth can be achieved by either boosting the top line or revenue of the business with greater product sales or service income, or by increasing the bottom line or profitability of the operation by minimising costs – beneficial to help businesses explore both options, — organisational management: assisting with the organisational management activity that is used to set priorities, focus energy and resources, strengthen operations, ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals and establish agreement around intended outcomes/results, — business development: analysing current client base, identifying a potential sales pipeline, qualifying lead opportunities, producing a value proposition and clearly demonstrating a USP for the business, — change management: intervention to help a business move through the growth life-cycle, ensuring due consideration is made to the impact of change on the business and its people, because of growth, — eCommerce support: advice on developing new sales channels, integration with other platforms, financial transactions and targeting international markets. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — marketing collateral: supporting businesses with practical approaches to marketing, including writing a marketing plan and marketing communications plan for integrating traditional and digital communications. Review of existing marketing strategies/materials for general improvement or development, — digital media: identifying what platforms suit the business needs and client base, advice on what to post, content management, social media calendar, engagement tracking and use of Hootsuite/Tweetdeck, — digital marketing: designing and implementing digital marketing and social media strategies to widen markets and maximise business opportunities. Improving digital presence and website to make better use of PPC advertising and SEO. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — review current tender library: reviewing existing tender documentation and suggest best practice amendments. Support on how to identify key future contract opportunities, ensuring Public Contracts Scotland profile is up to date, how to complete an ESPD, deciding on what opportunities to bid/tender for and improving business visibility within the public sector, — general procurement support: evaluate past tendering performance and providing feedback on improvements, interpreting tender feedback and incorporating this into future bids, — live tenders: advice and support on how to complete live opportunities, ESPDs and Quick Quotes, helping businesses decide if they should bid, registering on other procurement portals and producing best tender documents possible. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — HR policy: reviewing existing HR processes and policies, ensure they are fit for purpose and cover mandatory legal obligations, — employee engagement: enable implementation of appraisals, how to broker and manage tough discussions, developing clear roles and responsibilities for all staff and development and of employee handbooks, — performance management: improving individual employee performance and linking this to employee roles and responsibilities and contractual obligations, workforce relationship building and employee consultation projects. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — governance and structure: creating the correct structures and practices needed to achieve best practice in governance of a family business, how to view the business as a family and as a business, development of a shared purpose, defining employee and family roles, — succession planning succession planning, conflict resolution, next generation career and skills development, developing family communications and planning an elegant exit. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — existing business position: formulating exit strategies, preparing business for sale, business continuity and safe-guarding people and assets, — business structure: provide support to help determine the assignment and coordination of roles, power and responsibilities within a business. Define how information flows between the different levels of management, — board development: value and creation of a board, or recruitment of a non-executive director. Review composition and effectiveness at both an individual and group level, — business continuity: how to deal with disruptions to supply chains, reputation, loss of premises or loss of technology, — risk management: enable businesses to make well-informed decisions and to identify and protect the most critical aspects of their operations. Mitigating or reducing risks to an acceptable level can create a more agile businesses. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — review of ICT processes: reviewing existing ICT processes and identifying potential improvements, raising awareness of new digital processes, software, apps and technology, — mobile technologies: advice on application of relevant and up-to-date fixed and mobile technologies to support the business, — websites: planning, development and on-going management to improve existing web presence or support on developing new platforms to align with business requirements and improve user experience, — technology, solutions and connectivity: implementing IT and communications infrastructure and software solutions to meet ongoing requirements, — business models and workplace innovation: the application of communications and technology to support new business models (remote working, virtual locations, partnerships and collaboration) and digital transformation, — finding and managing digital resources and services: building business cases, developing requirements, identifying, selecting and managing digital and technology resources. Services for this lot should include, but not be limited to, the following: — skills mapping of business/employees: reviewing existing skills and talent within a business, leadership development, review of business culture, internal project management, capacity building, people development and productivity improvements, — leadership and management: as the business grows, so does the need for strong leadership and guidance. Support to equip owners and entrepreneurs with the skills required to develop and achieve key business aspirations, — productivity: plans and processes to improve productivity, identifying CIPD opportunities, implementing new ideas and structures.