FARMERS AND FUNDERS GIVE RURAL PRIORITIES

WORKSHOPS THE THUMBS UP

A programme of support to help Forth Valley farmers access the SRDP Rural Priorities Scheme has been given the green light to continue and expand in to Fife during 2010.

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) has secured a second year of funding from the Scottish Government Skills Development Scheme (SDS) to run outreach workshops that will equip farmers with the IT and web know-how to apply to the online grant scheme.

Eighty farmers accessed last year’s pilot programme in Forth Valley, with around a quarter already having moved forward to progress applications to the scheme.

STEP Rural & Farm Support Officer, Caroline Brown commented:  "Traditionally, enterprise companies aren’t an obvious choice for farmers to turn to for help in accessing grant funds.  However, we felt confident we had something to offer by way of our knowledge and understanding of the Rural Priorities scheme and in our ability to offer meaningful help on the broadband, IT and web front.  Combined, these factors have proved beneficial to local farmers and will continue to through the 2010 programme."

The first two workshops of the programme have been scheduled for Thurs 25th February (7pm – 9pm) at Elmwood College, Cupar and Wed 21st April (7pm – 9pm) at Forrester Park Resort, Cairneyhill, Dunfermline.

BUSINESS WORKSHOPS TO HELP COPE
WITH THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

A series of free workshops designed to help local businesses in the present economic downturn will commence later this month.

Organised by Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway, five workshops, each headed up by an expert speaker or panel, will provide practical tips and guidance on how businesses can both save and make more money in 2009.

The first workshop, to be delivered by award winning, Glasgow-based PR agency, Wave PR Ltd, is entitled PR On A Shoestring.  This will take place on Wed 28th January at 10am till 12.30pm and will look at the various ways businesses can increase their profile on a minimal budget.

Other workshops include a Trading Through The Downturn breakfast Briefing (Thurs 12th Feb, 8am till 9.45am), Making Your Website Work Harder For You (Wed 18th Feb, 10am till 12pm), A Financial View Of How To Survive The Credit Crunch (Tues 24th Feb, 10am till 11.30am) and Negotiate Your Way To Success With Suppliers and Customers (Thurs 26th Feb, 10am till 12.30pm).

Commenting on the workshops, STEP Executive Director, Derek Gavin said:

“In the midst of a credit crisis and times of uncertainty, it can be tempting to batten down the hatches and go in to survival mode. 

“The thinking behind this series of workshops is to encourage local businesses not to go it alone, but to access as much advice and support as possible.  Providing an arena where local businesses can share their experiences of the current climate – and recognise that they are not in isolation – is also crucially important.”

 

BUSINESS START-UP AWARENESS WORKSHOP
FOR DRYMEN & SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

DRYMEN residents mulling over a business idea – or at the early stages of getting a new enterprise off the ground – are advised to block off the afternoon of Wed, 26th November 2008 in their diary.

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway will deliver a FREE Start-Up Awareness workshop at the Buchanan Arms Hotel from 12pm – 2pm. 

The 2-hour event will look at Business Planning, Marketing, Finance and IT (Web site) as well as practical issues and sources of assistance.

Following the workshop, there will also be an opportunity to speak to a Business Start-Up Adviser, on a one-to-one basis for further advice.

Business Start-Up Adviser Jim Fraser commented:  “The afternoon will be a relaxed and informal information session, ideal for anyone keen to explore the idea of self-employment, or those at the early stages of getting started in business for themselves for the first time.”

For further information, or to reserve a place on this workshop, please contact Keeley Davis on Tel: 01786 463416 or E-mail: kdavis@stirling-enterprise.co.uk

WAKESCOT 2008
LOCHEARNHEAD – A NEW MECCA FOR WAKE BOARD ENTHUSIASTS 

It didn’t matter that the fixture date was the 25th October, that the location was Loch Earn in the heart of the Trossachs – or that the weather was ‘a bit dreich’

Stalwarts and followers of the cult water sport that is Wake Boarding still beat a path from across Scotland and as far a field as Spain to attend WakeScot 2008.

With acclaimed UK Wake Boarder Dan Jordan on board, helping give the event some serious credence, event organisers Barry and Matt McGrandles, of Active Scotland Ltd, were delighted with the results.

The day’s activities kicked-off at 10am with a Dan Jordan Coaching clinic. Organised into a series of 16 x 15 minute sets, these catered for all ages and abilities.

In the afternoon, it was competition time, allowing entrants the chance to demonstrate a bit of creative flair with tricks and manoeuvres that impressed newcomers to the sport and seasoned professionals alike.  

Competition categories included Under 16 mixed, Rookie, Open Men and Open Women.

All riders for the competition and Dan Jordan's morning clinic rode off a MasterCraft X2 2008 Rider League boat that has pulled the UK tour.

Organisers Matt and Barry, who started up their water sports business in March this year – with support from Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway - were keen that the day should appeal to wakeboarding fans and families alike.

With MasterCraft, Outback Bar & Grill, Morrisons Landrover and Lomond Spas on board, all displaying the kind of aspiration lifestyle goods that every water sport enthusiasts needs in their lives, WakeScot 2008 undoubtedly had a ‘big event’ feel about it.

Barry McGrandles commented:  “We pulled out all the stops to ensure that we ended our first season in business on a high.   Securing a respected name like Dan Jordan, who has close links within the sport at a European level and a big following, sends out a strong message about our intentions to be taken seriously as a water sports centre of excellence.”

 Network Your Way To Success – And Enjoy It !
Women Into Business, Thurs, 30th October, 2008
Newhouse Business Park, Grangemouth, 6.30pm

Hands up how many of you hate the term Networking?  Go on, be honest.  You know you’re not supposed to admit to it in civilized company - because as everyone tells you, it’s an integral part of being successful in business.

However, for many of us, no matter how hard we try, the word still conjures up images of suited and ultra confident business women, prowling meeting venues in packs, while the rest of us huddle around the refreshments table – or worse still – in the toilets, wishing the event would just get started!

The reality is that for most of us, ‘Networking’ doesn’t come easy.  But that’s not to say, we should feel intimidated by the prospect or be put off doing it.

This month’s free Women Into Business event, to be held at Newhouse Business Park, Grangemouth on Thursday, 30th October, will aim to shed a more positive light on networking, will demonstrate that it’s an activity worth persevering with and mastering – and that the results can be worthwhile.

Headlining the night, will be Amanda Boyle, the brains behind the networking organisation Business 9am (www.business9am.co.uk).  Amanda will speak about the importance of networking as a key part of business strategy, including where, when and how to go about it.

Following Amanda’s inspirational talk will be Val Trotter of Pebbles Jewellery.  Val, who owns two successful contemporary jewellery shops in Bo’ness and Edinburgh, will talk about her business and the secrets of her success.

Tea / Coffee and Pastries will be available at no cost to the attendee.

To reserve your place at this FREE event, please contact Falkirk Enterprise Action Trust (FEAT), Newhouse Business Park on Tel: 01324 665500 or E-mail: leahm@feat.org.uk

SRDP GREEN LIGHT FOR IT & WEB TRAINING INITIATIVE TO HELP FORTH VALLEY FARMERS

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) has been given the green light by Scottish Government to deliver a year-long IT and Web Outreach initiative, aimed specifically at farmers in the Forth Valley area. 

The local enterprise trust, who also deliver Business Gateway services in the Stirling District area, has secured £18,450 of funding from the Skills Development Scheme (SDS) which falls under the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) umbrella.

STEP itself will contribute a percentage to the total running cost of the programme, with participants contributing a small nominal fee to secure a workshop place.

The first of a series of ten planned mobile workshops will hit the road in late November in Drymen, equipping local farmers and their families with the IT know-how and web provision to access and negotiate the SRDP website and confidently tackle the on-line application process.

More crucially, the outreach workshops will allow local farmers access to two-hours worth of IT and Broadband provision and an IT professional.

The workshops will be held in local hotels in the Stirling, Clackmannan and Falkirk area in an evening format and participants will be have the option of a one-hour individual follow-up support session to consolidate or refresh their knowledge.

Caroline Brown, Rural & Farm Support Officer for Stirling Enterprise (STEP) commented:

“We are delighted to have secured this funding and are keen to get out on the road and meet with local farmers and start delivering the training as opposed to talking about it. Through our Business Gateway activity, we already have good links with farm businesses in the area and we have been working closely with NFU Scotland and SAC to extend and develop that.

“As an addendum to our current Business Gateway contract, we were awarded funding to raise awareness of SRDP and the opportunities within it for farms and rural businesses across Forth Valley.  We have been actively doing this and have seen first hand the difficulties that applicants are encountering along the way.  We will now also be able to link clients attending this new web training into relevant Business Gateway services so as to maximise benefits.”

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) has a joint event with NFU Scotland and SAC Stirling planned for the evening of Wed, 22nd October at Stirling Enterprise Park, Stirling.  The event will look at the overall picture of SRDP and how applicants can best tackle the online application process.  Information on the scoring system used by Case Workers to process applications will also be available.

Caroline continued:  “This event will provide the ideal platform to roll out the first half of our planned schedule of IT & Web outreach workshops.”


First Series of SRDP/IT Workshops

  EXPERT ADVISORY LINE-UP FOR
FORTH VALLEY BUSINESS WOMEN

Drawing to a close a successful year-long programme of Women Into Business workshops, that have tackled everything from Networking to Business Planning, this months event will allow aspiring and existing Forth Valley business women access to not just one area of expertise, but six in one evening.

Entitled ‘Ask The Expert’, the FREE workshop, to be held at Stirling Enterprise Park, Stirling on Thursday 25th September at 6.30pm, will take the form of discussion groups, involving six expert speakers and a series of 10-minute round table question and answer sessions. 

Attendees will be able to pose questions and scenarios to their guest expert, before moving on to the next table – and so on.  A group networking session will then follow.

The panel of experts will comprise of a Branding Expert, a Chartered Accountant, a HMRC representative, a Business Gateway Adviser, a Bank Manager and an IT Expert.

Dorothy Henke of FEAT Business Gateway commented:

 “With six experts lined up to headline this month’s event, each providing free practical advice on core business subjects, the session promises to be a lively and informative one.  If you have a burning question you would like to pose, or are simply interested in picking up some useful hints and tips from those ‘in the know’ – then this is the event for you.” 

A new programme of Women Into Business (WIB) events will commence in October 2008.

To reserve your place at this FREE event, please contact Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway on Tel: 01786 463416 or E-mail: kdavis@stirling-enterprise.co.uk

August 15th 2008

FREE WORKSHOPS TO HELP LOCAL STIRLING BUSINESSES PROSPER

New and existing Stirling companies looking to grow and develop can take advantage of a wide range of free workshops run by Business Gateway Forth Valley. 

From honing your financial management skills to developing your marketing knowledge, understanding the tax system to finding out the basics of business start-up there’s a workshop that can help you flourish. 

Graeme Clark, Managing Director of Scot Serve Ltd, based in Bridge of Allan said: “The workshops offered by Business Gateway Forth Valley have been immensely useful and helped us grow and develop our business within the Stirling area. I would encourage other Stirling companies who are looking to take their business to the next level to attend a range of workshops as they are a great way to tap into expert advice for free.” 

Throughout August and September, the series of summer workshops are designed to add benefit to your business, at no extra cost.

The comprehensive programme, held in the John Player Building, Stirling Enterprise Park, includes:

• Book-keeping: The golden rule of setting up a system to manage finances is that it should be simple and methodical. This course, which runs from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on August 26th and 27th, will teach businesses the fundamentals and at the same time equip them with a new skill for life,
• Improve Your Search Engine Ranking: On September 3rd, from 9.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m., companies will learn how to improve their search engine positioning as well as maximise business promotion online,
• Get Real Results From Your Website: Held on September 18th from 9.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. the seminar looks at both the human and technical aspects of a great website including: site planning; design; and operational processes.

Henry Mooney, Business Gateway Growth Adviser, Business Gateway Forth Valley said: “These workshops are a great way to improve your business acumen and ensure that your company is best placed to thrive in the marketplace. Gaining free access to expert advice is an offer that’s almost too good to ignore for any firm.”

Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses throughout Scotland. 

To find out more about how it can help you set up and develop your own business visit www.bgateway.com or call or call 0845 609 6611. Alternatively call your local Business Gateway office directly on 01786 463416.

Events can be booked online or over the telephone. 

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway has teamed up with Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, to allow individuals and businesses from the local and surrounding areas the chance to tap in to some regular business advice.

Based on a series of well-attended pilot clinics earlier this year, Business Gateway Start-Up Adviser, Jim Fraser is keen to make his availability at the Callander office a regular fixture.

Jim commented: “We were pleasantly surprised with the level of interest and uptake in our services while out in Callander for the two free afternoon sessions.

“We would encourage anyone, whether at the thinking, planning or doing stage of getting started in business - or keen to grow an existing business - to follow suit and come along and talk to us.

“Popular areas of advice tend to centre on tax, national insurance, business insurance, registering a business name, employing staff, marketing and grant availability. However, we can provide information and support on a wide range of business start up issues as well as signpost to specialist partner agencies and organisations.”

Jim Fraser will be available at the LLTNPA Callander office on Thurs, 24th July 2008 from 2pm to 4pm.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway on Tel: 01786 463416 or e-mail reception@stirling-enterprise.co.uk to reserve an appointment slot.
 

TOP TIPS ON
FINANCE & FUNDING
FOR FORTH VALLEY BUSINESS WOMEN

The Women Into Business event will be held at Newhouse Business Park, on Thursday, 29th May 2008 at 6.30pm

Business Gateway, organiser of the event, has enlisted some expert help to demonstrate that the subject can be tackled in a straightforward and positive manner.

Glasgow-based, DSL Finance – a not-for-profit company whose aim is to finance start-up and growth businesses, will deliver a presentation looking at Loans, Business Angels, Banking Options, Loan Appraisals and Local Loan Funds.

Dorothy Henke of FEAT Business Gateway commented:

“When it comes to financial advice – it pays to be informed. Particularly when that information is free of charge. And in terms of timing and preparation, the earlier the better is what we say. Having an understanding of the options available will save you a lot of research and downtime when it really matters.”

Providing some local, real-life input to the subject matter will be Falkirk business woman, Laraine Binnie of Airth Station Cattery and Kennels. Since starting up in business 15 years ago, expansion has been a continual theme for Laraine, who now employs 5 members of staff.

To reserve your place at this FREE event, please contact Falkirk Enterprise Action Trust (FEAT), Newhouse Business Park on Tel: 01324 665500 or E-mail: leahm@feat.org.uk

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS

Women Into Business,
Thurs, 24th April 2008 Stirling Enterprise Park, Stirling, 6.30pm

If you are already up and running in business, taking time out to consider how you communicate with customers might not seem like a top priority. If you’re just getting started, then there are probably numerous other issues monopolising your time.

However, pause for a moment, step back and consider this. Each and every interaction with a potential or existing customer affords you a prime opportunity to capitalise on how good your services are. By being informed and switched on to the opportunities that exist - in a way that your competitors are oblivious to - affords you a chance to truly fly the professionalism flag in a way that customers will remember.

This month’s Women Into Business event, to be held at 6.30pm on Thursday, 24th April at Stirling Enterprise Park, will bring customer communication to the fore. We are delighted to welcome along a true industry professional in the form of Wendy Chalmers-Mill of Positive Performance (www.positive-performance.com). Wendy, a consultant with extensive industry experience has trained multi-national companies such as BMW and Coca-Cola Schweppes as well as The House of Commons.

In her speaker slot, Wendy will encourage attendees to consider the following:

• What message are you conveying to your customers?
• Are you being consistent?
• Do your customers really understand what you do?
• Do you have open lines of communication for them giving you feedback?
• How can you improve your communications to maintain customer loyalty?

In our regular 15 min ‘chat spot’ we are also delighted to welcome along Joanne Kelso of The Tea Room Scotland Ltd fame. Joanne started her Stirling-based business a year ago, secured a VisitScotland Eat Scotland award within 6 weeks of opening and now employs 10 staff members. And all that from a business based within the living room of her Braehead home!

There will also be an interactive element to the evening, with attendees encouraged to break off into groups to tackle a Case Study assignment.

Tea / Coffee and Pastries will be available at no cost to the attendee.

To reserve your place at this FREE event, please contact Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway Reception on Tel: 01786 463416 or E-mail reception@stirling-enterprise.co.uk

A dedicated business start-up event aimed at Stirling’s growing Polish population attracted a healthy turnout last weekend (Sunday 9th March).

Thirty-two people made it along to the afternoon information session held at Stirling Enterprise Park and organised by Business Gateway.

Local businesswoman, Mariola Rebisz, was actively involved in co-ordinating and raising awareness of the event within the local Polish community.  She also delivered a presentation detailing the support available locally through Business Gateway as well as acting as interpreter on the day.

Mariola was able to give attendees the benefit of her own experience of accessing local Business Gateway support services to help get her own business off the ground.

She commented:

“It was encouraging to see so many Polish people keen to learn more about the support opportunities available to go down the self employment route. I myself have been fortunate in the help that I received from STEP Business Gateway to help get my own translation business off the ground and was able to articulate that to attendees.

“Through my own business, Polish In UK, I assist members of the Polish community to communicate with local organisations and agencies and overcome language barriers – particularly when families or individuals are new to the area and their initial understanding of the English language is minimal.”

“My involvement on the day was really just an extension of that support on a larger scale.”
 

WOMEN PUT THE BUZZ

INTO FORTH VALLEY BUSINESS

Some 40 fledgling and newly established female entrepreneurs found out recently why conventional advertising doesn’t work for most new small businesses.

The evening event, which was organised by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley Women Into Business, finished with the inspiring tale of how a Falkirk-based, one-woman business achieved a turnover of half a million pounds, offering a dedicated show house interior design service.

Dorothy Henke from Falkirk Enterprise Action Trust (FEAT) Business Gateway and Penny Haywood from PHPR Ltd outlined the basics of how marketing, sales and PR work and why they need to be used together to get businesses off the ground.

Penny, who wrote the business book best-seller, DIY PR, the small business owner’s guide to ‘free’ publicity, said, "PR, marketing and sales disciplines have been in their own silos for too long. Smart business owners harness the combined power of all three, to leverage the profile generated by PR, with marketing and sales actions designed to grab the attention and convert that into sales."

Penny said, "I’ve seen coverage in respected media quoted all over a company’s website, leaflets, business cards and email signatures years after it was published – and why not? It’s as good as an award because it has the extraordinary power of being an independent media endorsement of your business. But you need to communicate the benefits the end user will get from your products and services, instead of telling them all the things you or your product can do, if you want to convert the warm glow of good press coverage into sales success."

"You need to be using at least three marketing and sales or PR techniques at any one time to keep the business name recognition going and that includes both on and offline techniques."

And there was no shortage of experience on what PR, marketing and sales techniques work for small businesses. Those already in business shared their experience of using over 20 different sales, marketing and PR techniques, providing real-life examples of what produces business results to boost businesses in the Forth Valley area.

The women represented a wide range of businesses from printers, designers, copy-writers and marketing consultants to interior designers, clothes and body image consultants, complementary therapists, life and business coaches, management consultants, business de-cluttering and organising services. The more unusual included an artist, a farmer and food provider, a commercial sound system installer and a female DIY expert who undertakes a wide range of property projects. A new business, targeted at improving the relationship between horses and their owners, scheduled for launch in the New Year, became a practical demonstration on how to approach writing news releases.

The Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley funded, Women Into Business group, also provides a valuable platform for new business owners to make presentations on their businesses and attracts a number of special offers and prizes which are drawn at the meeting.

The next Women Into Business meeting, entitled Understanding E-Commerce, is scheduled to take place at 6.30pm on Thursday, 31st January 2008 at Newhouse Business Park, Grangemouth.  To reserve your place, contact Elinor Waller on Tel: 01786 452026 or e-mail: elinor.waller@scotent.co.uk
 

STEP News Archive

WOMEN INTO BUSINESS

MANAGING YOUR PR & MARKETING ACTIVITY

Summer 2007

The visit to Stirling enabled the group to learn more about the enterprising culture of Scotland and – in particular - how Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway support and assist new and existing businesses.

The trip also coincided with a Women In Enterprise event held at Gartmore House which was organised by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority.

Derek Gavin, STEP Executive Director:

“The objective of the day was to explain to the visitors the support and encouragement which exists for new businesses in Stirling and to stress the importance - not only of the Central Government support services – but also the ‘self-help’ activities.

“During the visit we were able to explain to our guests about the Government / Scottish Enterprise funded support available. The field trip to Gartmore during the afternoon allowed our guests to see for themselves a self-help activity in action.

“With women being a historically under represented sector in business in Scotland, this was a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what can be achieved through working together to address that issue.”

Following on from the success of the visit, Stirling Enterprise (STEP) have already been asked to host a similar visit from a group of Czech politicians later this summer.

Businesses and individuals in Dunblane and the surrounding areas were extended an open invite to attend a business roadshow event taking place on their doorstep in March.

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway - and a selection of partner agencies - were stationed at the Dunblane Centre on Wed 28th March from 10am - 4pm.

The following FREE advice and support was on offer throughout the day:

• Business Start-Up Advice
• Business Growth Advice
• IT & Web Advice
• Beginners Guide To Buying & Selling on E-Bay - for business and for pleasure (FREE morning workshop)
• Stirling Council - Meet The Procurement Team.  Find out how to 'do business' with Stirling Council (12pm - 4pm)
• The A9 Partnership, Chartered Accountants. A quick query or some more in-depth tax advice required? Why not take advantage of some FREE advice?
• Healthy Working Lives - How does a FREE & Confidential health and safety audit for your business grab you?
• learndirect scotland for business - get the best from your people and enhance the competitiveness of your business through training.

The event was well attended with 32 people making it along on the day.
 

An impressive speaker line-up headlined the evening including:

• Don MacMillan, Procurement Manager, Stirling Council
• Joanne Flanagan, Euro Info Centre – ‘Your Key To The European Market Place’
• Philip Martin, Director of Network Procurement, Scottish Enterprise

The event, which was organised by Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway, attracted representatives of 50 local businesses.

Speaking before the event, STEP Executive Director Derek Gavin said:

“The evening will aim to increase understanding of the purchasing process of key public bodies and alert local businesses – of all sizes and sectors – to the diversity of contract opportunities that exist locally, nationally and in Europe.

“We would urge local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity to engage with these organisations. There will also be a question and answer session where attendees will be given the chance to address the panel.”

Philip Martin, Director of Network Procurement, Scottish Enterprise, centred on the McClelland Review into Public Sector Procurement in Scotland, and in particular the opportunities and challenges that this will present small to medium sized enterprises across the entire public sector.

A buffet and networking opportunity followed and many attendees grasped the opportunity to talk to the speakers.
 

Thirty representatives of new and existing businesses from the Callander and surrounding areas made it along to the McLaren Leisure Centre on Wednesday,

28th June.

All were keen to take advantage of STEP's presence in their area and to access a range of free business support services.

Business start-up advice, business growth advice, web and IT advice were on offer from a line up of fours STEP Business Gateway Advisers.  Partner agencies in the form of SEERAD's Farm Diversification Division, VisitScotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, Safe & Healthy Working, learndirect scotland for business and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley Business Information Services also made the trip to Callander - all keen to engage with the local business community.

STEP's extended Roadshow programme for 2006/7 is being part-funded by Equal, a European Social fund scheme.  As part of this activity, STEP Business Gateway will be accessible in a different rural community every month across Stirling. 
 

A PR & Media Relations Masterclass

April Evening Event

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) hosted a PR & Media Relations master-class in April with Gordon Beattie of Beattie Communications as guest speaker.

The evening event took place at Stirling Enterprise Park with representatives from over 60 Forth Valley businesses taking advantage of the opportunity to access some expert PR advice.

Attendees were treated to Welcome Drinks at 06.30pm before Gordon Beattie took to the stand at 7pm.  A supper and networking opportunity then followed. 

Journalist Gordon Beattie established the Beattie Media Group in 1986.  Enticing colleagues from newspapers, television and radio to join him, the company quickly established itself as the UK leader in the field of media relations.  They now operate from a network of nine offices with an International network spanning 100 cities worldwide.

This event was the first of a planned series of high-profile evening master-class and networking events scheduled for 2006/7. 
 

Killin Roadshow Success

Locals turn out in force for rural business event

22 representatives of new and existing businesses from the Killin and surrounding areas made it along to the McLaren Hall in Killin on Wed, 29th March.

All were keen to take advantage of STEP's presence in their area and to access a range of free business support services.

Business Start-up advice, business growth advice, web and IT advice were on offer from a line up of four STEP Business Gateway Advisers.  Partner agencies, in the form of SEERAD's Farm Diversification Division, Safe & Healthy Working, Learn Direct and learndirect scotland for business also made the trip to Killin, keen to engage with the local business community.

An iPOD Nano was kindly donated by learndirect scotland for business and the lucky winner drawn from the hat was Elaine Turner of the Breadalbane Virtual Learning Centre.

STEP's extended Roadshow programme for 2006/7 is being part-funded by Equal, a European Social fund scheme.  As part of this activity, STEP Business Gateway will be accessible in a different rural community every month across Stirling.  STEP will be stationed at Strathblane Library on Thursday, 27th April and accessible in Fintry (venue tbc) at the end of May. 
 

STEP Business Start-Up Advice Bridges The Language Barrier

STEP Business Gateway Start-Up Adviser, Jim Fraser, was presented with an interesting invitation recently.  He was asked to address a group of 50 students attending the Stirling School of English based at the Argyll Centre on Princes Street in Stirling.  Attendees of the school come from a variety of backgrounds and countries including Iran, China, Poland and Czechoslovakia.  

Jim spent time with the students describing the services available to anyone thinking about going down the self-employment route.  Students also learned about the £1,000 Business Start-Up grant available for those aged 18-30.

Many of the school's students are incredibly well educated and skilled but, due to the language barrier, struggle to fully utilise their skills in employment locally.  The Stirling School of English helps students get to grips with the English language and to undergo citizenship training. 
 

Stirling Businesses Encouraged To   'Focus On Growth'

Four local businesses have put their weight behind a campaign to help Stirling area businesses realise their growth potential by agreeing to star in a new-look promotional leaflet to promote the scheme in 2006.

The Focus On Growth programme, co-ordinated and run by Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway and funded by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley, is an exciting programme designed to help small to medium sized businesses unlock and realise their true growth potential.

Under the scheme, an experienced Business Adviser will take the business through a review process highlighting strengths and weaknesses.  Help is then given to act on results, with grants available in appropriate cases.

STEP Executive Director, Derek Gavin:

"We are delighted that these four businesses have agreed to endorse our Focus On Growth programme.  Clearly, their experiences from taking part have been positive and there has been measurable impact on their business activity.

"We firmly believe that there can be no better way of communicating the benefits of this worthwhile scheme to the local business community, than by holding up real businesses, who have gained real benefits and who are happy to stand up and articulate that experience to fellow business people.

"Between April 2004 and the end March 2005, STEP Business Gateway Advisers performed 118 business health checks on existing businesses Stirling-wide.  The message that we are sending out loud and clear to businesses who haven't yet heard about or accessed the scheme, is that they should come forward and talk to our Advisers about what it can do for them."

Around 50 people made it along to STEP on Thursday, November 17th to find out more about Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) and the availability of funding for training.

Having ILA representatives present to talk to attendees on the day proved a big draw. Not only were Advisers able to demonstrate the range of courses available through the website, but they were able to help attendees start the application process.
 

ILA Scotland is a Scottish Executive scheme which is available to everyone over 18 and living in Scotland. People earning £15,000 a year or less can apply for up to £200 a year towards a range of courses while people earning more than £15,000 can get up to £100 a year towards computer courses. The money is not a loan and does not have to be paid back. Learners pay a minimum of £10 towards their learning.

ILA-approved courses on offer at STEP include PC Passport, ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence), Sage Accounting and First Class Confidence.

For further information on training or on how to access YOUR ILA funding entitlement, contact Kristeen Carroll on 01786 463416 or e-mail kcarroll@stirling-enterprise.co.uk

Provost Colin O'Brien (centre) is flanked by Drymen Roadshow event attendees Mr & Mrs Cottam of Loch Lomond Leisure Ltd, Balmaha. STEP Client Manager, Yvonne Edmond is pictured (left) along with STEP Special Projects Officer, Kristeen Carroll (right).

The Cottam's are the driving force behind an exciting project that will transform the former Loch Lomond Garden Centre site at Balmaha into a luxury waterfront development, including eleven lodges, a restaurant and retail outlet.

The Winnock Hotel in Drymen was a hive of business activity on 26th October with local people turning out in force to access a wide range of business information and support from a variety of agencies and organisations.

Anticipating a good turnout on the day, four business advisers were made available by event organisers, Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway, to field appointments on both the business start-up and growth fronts.

This foresight proved to be well founded, with Business Advisers working there way through a total of 31 appointments.

IT proved an exceptionally popular choice among event attendees with many keen to access advice on a variety of web-related activities.

Partner agencies who supported the event were also well utilised by attendees with VisitScotland, the Inland Revenue, the Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Dept (SEERAD) and Business Gateway Information Officers proving popular with event goers.

LearnDirect, the Royal Bank of Scotland, The Energy Savings Trust and Safe & Healthy Working were also well received on the day.
 

1984 - 2005

STEP CELEBRATE 21 YEARS OF ASSISTING
THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
 

The STEP team raise a glass to the future

Spring 2005

NEW BUSINESS START-UP ADVISER
FOR STEP
 

Jim Fraser, 58, will join existing Business Advisers, Frank Dunne and Bob Ballantyne, providing practical advice and assistance to anyone living in the Stirlingshire area with a desire to set up in business.

With a background in banking, followed by over 10 years as a Business Adviser working in both Edinburgh and West Lothian, Jim brings with him a wealth of experience and business start-up know-how.

“I’m looking forward to putting this bank of knowledge and experience to good use within the Stirling area and would encourage anyone thinking about starting up in business, to make STEP Business Gateway their first port of call. The service is free, extensive and openly available.”

Alison Hill and Alison McInnes, both 26 and from Falkirk, have been named winners in the Shell LiveWIRE Central Scotland Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2005.

Their business, Haliem Footwear, fought off stiff competition from a shortlist of 8 other young entrepreneurs from across the Central Scotland region who have recently started up their own businesses.
 

Shell Livewire is a support service for all 16 to 30 year-old considering starting, or already running a small business. Shell founded & has supported LiveWIRE for more than 20 years, & the programme has now been implemented in more than 20 countries worldwide.
 

Spring 2005

The new £1,000 business start-up grant for 18 – 30 years olds, launched by Scottish Enterprise in October 2004, has been given the thumbs up by young entrepreneurs in the Stirling area.

Pictured above are twenty-four year old Angela Nazeer of Taste Budz and thirty-year old Sarah Rollins of Bravado Underwear Ltd - two of the first recipients from the Stirling area to benefit from the grant.

Derek Gavin, Executive Director, STEP Business Gateway:

“The ‘Grand Says You Can’ campaign is one that has certainly captured the imaginations of youngsters across Scotland. Here in Stirling we have noticed a renewed sense of optimism amongst those coming through the door with plans to venture down the self-employment route. When you combine this grant with the additional support and financial assistance available for 18 – 26 year olds through the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), you could say that, jointly, we are creating a springboard for future success.”

Angela Nazeer (24) really has made a ‘fresh start’. Based at Maxwell Place, Stirling, Taste Budz is fully halal, all food is freshly prepared daily and, thanks to the open-plan layout of the shop, you can even watch it being prepared while you wait. The takeaway also offers a delivery service.

From her Baker Street boutique, Sarah Rollin (30) has plugged a gap in the market for quality underwear at affordable prices. With pram and wheelchair friendly, spacious changing areas, a wide selection of stylish stock and an ordering service available, Sarah’s business is going from strength-to-strength.

Raymond O'Hare, Microsoft's first Director for Scotland was on front-line duty in Stirling last month. He joined representatives from I.T. solutions provider, Integral Arm (the event organisers) and Cisco to advise local businesses about how best to manage their I.T. requirements to aid the growth process.

The event attracted a healthy turnout, with many seizing the opportunity to chat to speakers after the presentation.

Kippen’s status as something of an entrepreneurial ‘hot-spot’ was in evidence last Wednesday, 23rd March, when locals turned out in force to access a range of business information and support on offer throughout the day at The Inn at Kippen.

STEP Executive Director Derek Gavin:

“Events like this one at Kippen bring to the fore, the depth and breadth of entrepreneurial activity at work in small rural communities. Much of the time this goes on unseen. Our goal is to encourage and develop this mindset and alert individuals to the support and assistance that STEP Business Gateway and other agencies are here to offer.”

Local business representatives turned out in force to attend a special lunch hosted by Anne McGuire, MP for Stirling last week.

Attendees were then treated to an hour long question and answer session that saw Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Scotland, address questions on a range of subjects matters.

Alistair Darling and Anne McGuire also seized the opportunity to meet with STEP tenants, Learning IT and Logoxpres.

Pictured from left to right, new STEP chair Morag Shepperd, the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, Secretary of State and Anne McGuire, MP for Stirling.

The timely visit also co-incided with STEP's 21st anniversary year, so we couldn't resist the opportunity to mark the occasion.

Derek Gavin, Executive Director:

"Obviously for Stirling Enterprise (STEP) 21 years is a landmark date that we are extremely proud to have reached. We were delighted that Anne McGuire MP and the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Scotland, were able to take time out of their busy schedules to mark the occasion."

Stirling Women Encouraged To Mind Their Own Businesses 

Self-employment is increasingly becoming the career option of choice for women living in the Stirling area, reports Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway.

Statistics for the organisation show that an impressive 43% of new businesses to emerge last year (2003 - 4) can be attributed to women, with figures to date suggesting that this trend shows no sign of declining.

Derek Gavin, STEP Executive Director:

"The news is definitely encouraging, but not altogether surprising. Many women now view self-employment as a very real option for better career advancement and an opportunity to reap better financial rewards.

"Month-on-month we are seeing more and more women enrolling on our business start-up courses held here at STEP. With the option of attending either daytime or evening classes, we believe this flexibility suits women who often have childcare and existing work commitments.

"High-profile, strong Scottish female role models in the form of the Ann Gloags and Michelle Mones of this world, have had a significant part to play in boosting the confidence of women thinking about setting up in business."

"Add to this, from a more local perspective, an easily accessible support network offered by Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley through networks like Women In To Business and Business Mentoring programmes and it's not hard to see why women are increasingly making their presence felt in the entrepreneurial arena."

learndirect scotland for business
E-Learning Event Success 

On October 27th, STEP played host to a visit by learndirect scotland for business who were keen to engage with local businesses and demonstrate the merits of e-learning.

COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2004

It's no secret that Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway has a keen and vested interest in community newspapers. Given Stirling's sprawling geographical spread, the 27 community newspapers that exist throughout the region, collectively form a key mode of communication for reaching into the heart of local communities and flying the STEP Business Gateway flag.

STIRLING ENTERPRISE (STEP)
CULTIVATE IMPORTANT RURAL BUSINESS LINKS

Rural businesses received a vital boost when Stirling Enterprise (STEP) stationed itself at the Black Bull Hotel in Killearn on Tue, 28th Sept. Those already involved - as well as those keen to get involved - in the entrepreneurial scene were given a rare opportunity to access valuable information and support at this free event, being held right on their doorstep. 

Caroline Robertson, Area Project Manager for the Farm Business Development Scheme (FBDS) with SEERAD (the Scottish Executive Environment & Rural Affairs Dept) was also in attendance on the day, viewing the event as a prime opportunity to meet face-to-face with local farmers - a key component of Stirling's rural business community.

From when the doors opened at 9am until the event finished at 4pm, Caroline was inundated with enquiry after enquiry about grant funding. Farmers travelled from as far a field as Strathaven, Lanarkshire to find out more about this worthwhile scheme which can provide grant assistance up to 50% of eligible costs to the maximum grant ceiling of £25,000 per eligible business. Further grants are available for training connected to the project.

Speaker, Ray Wrigglesworth, proved to be knowledgeable and highly entertaining, much to the delight of attendees, bringing humour and help in equal doses to an otherwise daunting range of subject matters:

· Employee Rights 
· Changes In Employment Legislation
· How To Cut Through Employment Red Tape 
· How Employment Tribunals work
· The increasing rise in the number of Employment Tribunals
· Increased compensation awards 
· How to protect your business against Employment Tribunal awards.

Representatives from 19 Stirling companies - all STEP Business Gateway clients - attended on the evening, with many, who were unable to attend, requesting Peninsula information packs.

PHOTOSHOP TRAINING 
PERFECT PICS FOR THE WEB AND FOR PRINT 

Do you puzzle over how to make the best of your pics for web or print purposes?

Stirling Enterprise (STEP) may have the solution.

Recognising the need for affordable, easily-accessible Adobe Photoshop training, STEP will open their doors to both businesses and the general public to offer a series of one-day training seminars.

Derek Gavin, Executive Director, STEP :
"Currently, you would have to travel to either Glasgow or Edinburgh to access Photoshop training. We want to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this opportunity, whether they live in Stirling or the surrounding areas. For £125 (+VAT) and with lunch included in the price, we are confident of being able to offer delegates both a high standard of training and real value for money. "

The next 1-Day Training Seminar is scheduled for 17th Nov, 2004 and runs from 09.30am - 16.30pm.

TRAINING AT STEP...
YOUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY 

Stirling businesses are benefiting from I.T. and Business Skills training courses - on offer throughout the year - at Stirling Enterprise (STEP).

Last year an impressive   1, 276 delegates signed up to take part on courses, which range from 2-hour free seminars to full-day sessions.

Copyright © 2007 Stirling Enterprise Park Ltd