Achieving success in signage could be 739
A firm that supplies the signage industry has been able to make dramatic progress by making use of the Growth Accelerator scheme (GA).
Wednesday, 08 Jan 2014 10:30 GMT
Sign post: there is help available for firms who wish to grow
If you are scratching your head as to what that is then you are not alone. Many businesses are too busy doing business to sit up and and do some research into what professional help and funding is available to help them expand.
Linda Barrowclough of Innova Solutions near Colne said she first became aware of the Growth Accelerator scheme (GA) when she attended an event during the ‘women in business’ week in Burnley a couple of years ago. A conversation with the organiser led to the manager of the sign supply firm seeking more information and eventually making an application.
Barrowclough says: “Once we were accepted onto the scheme, the cost of £600 (the true cost was approximately £3,600) was minimal in relation to the support received. A business coach was matched with our business?something that is highly important as you need someone who understands your products and markets and can identify with the issues that surround your business.”
If anyone is looking to grow their business substantially over the next few years then I would recommend the GA programme to them”
She continues: “If anyone is looking to grow their business substantially over the next few years then I would recommend the GA programme to them – the programme does consolidate your thought process on what you need to do to achieve your goals.”
The Department of Trade and Industry list 738 schemes for businesses to help them prosper. They range from grants to apprenticeship schemes and from start-up loans to business support groups. If your print business is in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland then you will find a number of helpful organisations dedicating to increasing employment in those areas.
For instance Newport City Council on the Welsh/English border offer relocation grants of up to £10,000 for companies, while some areas of England also dangle the financial carrot to firms thinking of making a move. Even prosperous places such as West Berkshire have schemes to help companies relocate or start-ups, although as most in business know to their cost there can be large amounts of red tape involved, which undo what appears to be a good idea.
Business minister Vince Cable has lent his support for the Government-backed latest scheme: The GREAT Britain campaign. The partnership between private enterprise and Government aims to highlight support for businesses aspiring to succeed and to encourage entrepreneurial spirit. The website lists contacts and links meaning the total number of possible organisations is now 739.
