Lanarkshire Business Gateway – Business Support and Expert Help Services

Tender description

North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, have secured an extension to funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the provision of business support available to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Lanarkshire. The funding will be utilised to provide a programme of Business Support and Expert Help Services which augment services provided through the Councils core Business Gateway contract. To enable sufficient service provision, the Councils wish to initiate a Framework Agreement consisting of 11 Lots as detailed below: -Lot 1 – Business Financial Management -Lot 2 – Business Strategy and Business Resilience -Lot 3 – Human Resources, Leadership and Skills -Lot 4 – Procurement -Lot 5 – Marketing and Digital Marketing -Lot 6 – Digital Development -Lot 7 – Internationalisation -Lot 8 – Business Innovation -Lot 9 – Legal Support -Lot 10 – Research, Development and Design -Lot 11 – Low Carbon Support The main purpose of the framework agreement is to support Lanarkshire businesses to grow; thus providing employment opportunities, growth in key sectors and inclusive growth. This will be achieved by providing support to businesses on specific topics which will help their understanding, skills and capabilities; highlight potential areas for improvement; signposting service users to further support that helps and agree an action plan with some identified next steps to implement to help the business meet their objectives. Lot 1: Business Financial Management The Business Financial Management Lot will provide support across a range of areas focussed on the efficient and effective management of business funds. Support will help to equip businesses with the financial skills and knowledge to meet their objectives. Examples of some topics that are offered under Business Financial Management are: -Support on how to plan, organise direct and control financial activities; -Financial Readiness; -Preparing for Investment; -Alternative Finance Options (e.g. Equity Investment); -Debt Management; -Company Valuation; and -Taxation including R&D Tax Credits Lot 2: Business Strategy and Business Resilience The Business Strategy and Business Resilience Lot will provide support to help Service Users assess their business, identify areas of improvement and support the formulation of a plan to help the business reach their strategic goals and objectives. Examples of some topics that are offered under Business Strategy and Business Resilience are: - Strategic Planning; - Change Management; - Operations Management; - Diversification; - Succession Planning; - Employee Ownership; and - Business Viability and Resilience Planning Lot 3: Human Resources, Leadership and Skills The Human Resources, Leadership and Skills Lot will provide a range of support across leadership and management. It will help to review existing leadership development processes and equip businesses with the tools to promote a positive and productive working environment. It shall also provide support on training and comprehensive HR support. Examples of some topics that are offered under Human Resources, Leadership and Skills are: - Support and Advice on Employment Policies and Benefits, and other HR Related Queries; - Leadership and Management Support; - Workplace Innovation (Culture, Communications, Productivity); - Corporate Responsibility; - Organisational Development; - Training Analysis and Training Procedures; and - Capacity Building Lot 4: Procurement The Procurement Lot will provide a range of support to help businesses navigate the procurement process. Examples of some topics that are offered under Procurement are: - Bid / Tender Support; and - Public and Private Sector Tendering Advice Support, Staff Training and, Legal Aspects of Tendering including TUPE Lot 5: Marketing and Digital Marketing The Marketing and Digital Marketing Lot will provide support to undertake market research and formulate a plan to support the business in promoting and selling their products and/or services with a view to increasing sales. Examples of some topics that are covered under Marketing are: - Market Analysis and Identification of Key Customers; - Sales and Marketing Strategy; - Advertising and Promotion; - PR; - Branding; and - Copywriting - Social Media; - Ecommerce; - Search Engine Optimisation; and - Website Review Lot 6: Digital Development The Digital Development Lot will provide support for digital projects, building skills and capabilities that increase digital knowledge and help businesses to reach their business goals and objectives. Examples of topics that are offered under Digital Development are: - Video Content; - Digital Strategy; - Data Analytics; - App Development; - IT Process Advice; and - Security Lot 7: Internationalisation The Internationalisation Lot will support businesses to access overseas markets, supporting the opportunity to reach a wider customer base and increase sales. Examples of topics covered under Internationalisation are: - Support for Exporting; - Market Analysis and Development; and - Structuring for Internationalisation Lot 8: Business Innovation The Business Innovation Lot will offer support to implement new processes, newly available services, or products into a business to affect positive change, increase sales and/or improve productivity. Examples of topics covered under Business Innovation are: Organisational Processes for Introducing New Ideas, Workflows, Methodologies, Services and / or Products; Understanding Innovation; Product Innovation; and Process Innovation Lot 9: Legal Support The Legal Support Lot will provide comprehensive support on Legal factors that may affect a business. Support shall allow businesses to understand and navigate these factors and achieve business objectives. Examples of topics covered under Legal Support are: - Advice on Legal Policies Affecting your Business; - Intellectual Property; and - Mergers and Acquisitions Lot 10: Research, Development and Design The Research, Development and Design Lot will provide support to help the development of new products and services. Helping businesses to enter new markets and/or increase sales. Examples of topics covered under Research, Development and Design are: - Problem Solving; - Development; and - Testing and Validation Lot 11: Low Carbon Support The Low Carbon Lot will support businesses to run a more energy efficient business. Examples of topics covered under Low Carbon Support are: - Efficiencies; - Energy Control - Low Energy / Sustainable Production Processes; - Waste Management; - Reviews and Planning; and - Net Zero Carbon Targets