IoD Midlands Summer

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Keep up to date at www.iod.com/westmids and at www.iod.com/east-midlands Technical briefing: Business support / Climate change Business Gateway Growth Hub advisers: (l-r) Russell Pacey, Altaf Ahmed, Aruna Bhagwan, Matthew Bateman Asking for help is a sign of strength, says Business Gateway After a year like no other, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel has broken through for Leicestershire’s business community, with confidence improving and investment intentions on the up. The Business Gateway Growth Hub, which supports Leicestershire’s small and medium-sized businesses, has been right there with many of them during the Covid pandemic. The Business Gateway team which has 10 business advisers (many of whom have run their own enterprises) are keen to continue supporting as many companies and sole traders as possible, not just during the hard times. This includes the area’s micro-businesses, new entrepreneurs (whose emergence is one of the positives to come from the crisis) and those with ambitions to embrace new innovations as well as companies looking 22 to develop strategies to cut costs and carbon emissions. For those unfamiliar with the Business Gateway, it is one of 38 growth hubs across the UK made up of public and private partners, funded by government and the European Regional Development Fund. It is dedicated to helping businesses of any size or sector develop and grow. From quick questions on available funding to providing a full business review and ongoing guidance, mentoring or coaching, the Business Gateway provides a tailored approach depending on the needs of the business owner. One of its key benefits is saving time for busy people. In a crowded business support landscape where there seems to be so much help and support available, it can be difficult to know who to talk to or what is particularly relevant if you have a business based in Leicester or Leicestershire. Through alreadyestablished networks and relationships, Business Gateway advisers can provide support and signpost them to other relevant help they might need. The advisers also have an array of webinars and events they can offer, organised by the Business Gateway events team. These are designed to fill any gaps in knowledge or help business owners learn new skills to improve efficiency or become more resilient. This could be related to financial forecasting, business planning, developing sales strategies, leading or managing people, reaching new customers through marketing and more. Their programme of webinars is offered at different levels, from the beginner or ‘getting started’ stage to the more in-depth action-planning workshops ‘‘ In a crowded business support landscape it can be difficult to know who to talk to... ‘‘ www.iod.com/emidlandsevents
‘‘ There’s strength in asking for help and it’s no different in business... getting an external perspective and having someone to bounce ideas off is invaluable ‘‘ where there is much more interaction and sharing of best practice. Though improvements in the economic climate are visible and there may be less of a panic now, challenges continue for entrepreneurs across Leicestershire including cash flow, a hike in raw material prices or navigating the steep learning curve for trading in the EU. As well as support from a business adviser, the Business Gateway also enables business owners to learn from others through the Peer Networks programme. Through interactive action learning guided by a sector expert, SME business leaders work with a small group of others to share ideas and create solutions to problems they face; all in a safe, confidential environment. Senior Business Adviser Manager, Russell Pacey supports businesses in Leicester City. He said: “There’s still a misconception that asking for help is a sign of weakness or failure, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s strength in asking for help and it’s no different in business. I’ve talked to many owners and leaders and one of the main things they say is that getting an external perspective and having someone to bounce ideas off, especially if you are a micro or small business, is invaluable.” He added: “For Leicestershire businesses, that support literally is one phone call away.” Access support For more information call 0116 366 8487, visit www.bizgateway.org.uk and/or sign up to the newsletter for business support news, funding options and events at www.bizgateway.org.uk/subscribe • The Business Gateway is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It is delivered in partnership with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP). A business opportunity like no other The IoD is proud to have launched its Sustainable Business Hub, which will bring together sustainability-related events, news, educational content and other initiatives occurring across the IoD community into a single, easily searchable location. It will also support directors in the adoption and management of sustainability policies, and provide information, value and support to members in relation to CSR issues and practices. Through relevant unique content and special events, the IoD’s Sustainable Business campaign will shine a light on CSR, with focused material covering ethical, financial, societal and environmental factors. Working with our own Information and Advisory Service, as well as a team of sustainability experts from across the field, our pledge is to provide you with access to the latest advice, best practice and other useful resources, as well as experiences of Join the UK Government’s Business Climate Hub Businesses of all sizes around the UK are committing to do their bit to cut carbon emissions and protect the planet. The UK Government has partnered with business owners and respected climate groups to help you join them. How could your business make a difference? No matter how small your business or what industry you’re in, your commitment could make a real difference – to the planet, to your customers and to your running costs! Even the smallest businesses produce carbon emissions – it could be through your building, your vehicles or your supply chain. The Government is other business leaders. At the same time we are also committed to our own sustainability journey and have been certifying our carbon footprint with Planet Mark since 2019, with a commitment to reducing our environmental impact each year on the journey to net zero before 2050 in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. We want to support our Members on their own path towards the future of business sustainability. Join us: see https://www.iod.com/ news/sustainable-business for more details. asking you to take the first step on your journey, by committing to cutting those carbon emissions in half by 2030 and to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050. Net zero means that you are putting no more carbon into the atmosphere than you are taking out of it. Help on hand Take the first step; there are loads of tools available to help you track your emissions and make key changes now. It may be switching your energy supplier to renewables only, running a zero-emission vehicle fleet, making sure your buildings are insulated properly or minimising waste. Find our more at https:// businessclimatehub.org/uk/ www.iod.com/westmids/events 23
Page 1: SUMMER 2021 www.iod.com Midlands Th
Page 4 and 5: Keep up to date at www.iod.com/west
Page 8: Keep up to date at www.iod.com/west
Page 11 and 12: IoD West Midlands Student Mentoring
Page 13 and 14: Thanks, Ian IoD West Midlands would
Page 15 and 16: as a direct consequence of the abus
Page 42: Keep up to date at www.iod.com/west

IoD Midlands Summer

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?