|
|
|
July 2010 |
The past year and a half has
tested many businesses, of all shapes and sizes,
across the Stirling District.
Support measures put in place
by Stirling Enterprise (STEP) through events and
workshop activity have been well received and well
attended.
Over 350 businesses sought
advice on ways to safeguard their interests in
difficult economic conditions as well as strengthen
their performance.
Continuing into Summer and
Autumn 2010, STEP remains committed to ensuring that
Stirling District businesses have access to advice
and information so as to aid the collective effort
to STEP out of the Downturn.
There is no charge for
attendees as STEP operates a fully funded service.
For a full list of general
Economic Downturn Courses click
here.
For a full list of IT based
Economic Downturn Workshops click
here.
|
|
June 2010 |

InCommerce magazine is a business publication
which is normally led by the Chamber of Commerce and
is widely distributed throughout different regions
of Scotland.
In the absence of any Chamber activity within the
Stirling district, the publishers D-Tech Graphic
Design and Print Ltd, have approached Stirling
Enterprise (STEP) with a view to launching the
publication locally.
D-Tech has a first class reputation for producing
high quality business magazines. It is anticipated
that the first publication will have around 40 pages
– all of them in full colour – and a distribution of
circa 2,500 copies published quarterly. These will
be circulated across the Stirling district reaching
an extensive readership achieved by the distribution
of InCommerce Stirling & Trossachs by post and
courier delivery. Additionally the magazine will be
distributed by e-mail to the majority of businesses
in the Stirling district.
There will be the opportunity for interested
parties to contribute articles of news concerning
their business such as success stories, expansion
plans, examples of good practice etc. Articles
should be around 300-400 words with pictures
(digital e.g. jpegs preferred) and company logos.
Please remember to include your contact details with
the articles in case any follow up is required. We
are now looking for articles for the launch issue
which will be for the period August to October 2010.
The deadline for submission of articles is 30 June
2010. Please send articles direct to Caroline Brown
at STEP via the following e-mail address
cbrown@stirling-enterprise.co.uk.
We would also welcome any suggestions you may
have of the kind of information you would like to
see in the magazine.
We would encourage local businesses to take
advantage of this exciting new publication. If you
would like to advertise in the quarterly magazine
please contact Debbie or Chris of D-Tech on Tel:
01436 821438. Further contact details are provided
at the bottom of this letter.
Advertising copy deadline for the first edition
is 10 July 2010 at the latest.
In Commerce will be able to highlight your
business and tell the story of your success. It can
be your advertising tool and presents an
opportunity, collectively, to promote local
businesses. Your support with this exciting new
venture will be welcomed.
D-Tech Graphic Design & Print Limited, Royal
Northern & Clyde Yacht Club, Rhu, Helensburgh G84
8NG.T: 01436 821501 F: 01436 820028
Any enquiries please contact:
Advertising:
Chris: T: 01436 821438 E:
chris@dtechuk.com
Copy Supply:
For an advertisement price list click
here
For an order form click
here
|
|
June 2010 |
|
RAPLOCH ROADSHOW SUCCESS

Enterprise was the buzz word in
Raploch on Friday 28th May, when 28 aspiring and
existing business people attended a Business
Roadshow event organised by Stirling Enterprise
(STEP).
Held at the Comunity Campus, the
Raploch Roadshow Event coincided with National
Enterprise Week and was aimed at advising
enterprising locals in both setting up and
developing their businesses as well as offering
training and other support.
There was a good turn out by people
from across the City of Stirling with a healthy
number of appointments not just with STEP’s business
advisers but also with local accountants Macfarlane
Gray, the Princes’ Scottish Youth Business Trust,
Job Centre Plus, Healthy Working Lives and
Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for
Scotland (ICASS).
The biggest success of the day was
the Social Media Workshop, delivered by Pauline
Randall of Virtual-e Ltd, which saw a full room of
local business people learning about the world of
Social Media and how they can use it to aid their
own businesses. The huge demand for the workshop has
resulted in two additional workshop dates being
added to the programme.
|
|
May 2010 |
NATIONAL ENTERPRISE WEEK SEES
RAPLOCH IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Raploch will be in the spotlight later this month
thanks to efforts made by Stirling Enterprise (STEP)
to mark National Enterprise Week.
A roadshow event aimed at enterprising locals from
across the City will take place on Friday 28th May
from 10am until 4pm at Raploch Community Campus.
Advice and information on everything from learning
new skills to starting or expanding a business will
be on offer throughout the day.
There is no cost to attendees as STEP operates a
fully funded service.
STEP will also have a selection of partner agencies
available on the day including:
• ILA – who can offer up to £200 towards the cost of
retraining in a new profession or to brush up on old
skills.
• Job Centre Plus – for infomation and help for
people who are considering self employment
• Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) –
for people aged 18-25 and have a business idea.
Advice on low interest business loans and
discretionary grant funding.
• Local Chartered Accountancy Firm – advice on
personal finance issues, the best way to set up your
business, how to be tax efficient and tax returns.
• ICASS – information and advice on how to set up a
trademark, copyright or patent
• Healthy Working Lives – Free health and safety
advice for your existing or future businesses
A Social Media workshop presented by Pauline Randall
of Virtual-e Ltd from 10am-1pm will outline the
basics on how businesses can use social media
websites such as Facebook and Twitter as sources of
inexpensive but effective ways of marketing. There
are a limited number of spaces on the workshop and
places should be booked in advance.
Raploch has been an area in recent years with much
entrepreneurial inspiration. None more prominent
than Steven McLeod, who started his career as a
Kitchen Porter at the Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan
at the age of 14. At 17 he became part time
supervisor at the Dunblane Hydro Hotel before
becoming the youngest ever general manager in the
Macdonald Hotels Limited at only 24.
In 2005, McLeod started his own business by buying
Airth Castle Hotel and Spa. He now boasts several
hotels in the ever growing portfolio of Aurora
Hotels Collection and by the end of 2010
approximately 2500 people will be employed by his
organisation.
For more information or to register your interest in
this event please contact James Buchanan at Stirling
Enterprise (STEP) on Tel: 01786 463 416 or E-mail:
jbuchanan@stirling-enterprise.co.uk
|
|
May 2010 |
|
Raploch Road Show, Raploch
Community Campus, 28th May 2010, 10am-4pm
IT’S A
RAPLOCH DATE FOR
ASPIRING AND EXISTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
An open-door event aimed at Raploch residents
considering self-employment as well as existing
businesses from the area will take place on Friday
28th May.
Running from 10am until 4pm at the Raploch Community
Campus facility, organiser, Stirling Enterprise
(STEP), has also arranged for a line-up of partner
organisations to be in attendance on the day.
In addition to Business Gateway start-up advice,
business growth advice and IT & web advice,
attendees will be able to tap in to the following
information and support right on their doorstep:
For Local residents:
• ILA Funding – find out how you can access a £200
ILA account to help you learn something new or brush
up your skills
• Job Centre Plus – including help for those
considering self-employment
• Web Design Workshop (10am – 11am) top tips and
advice for creating a high impact, low cost website
• Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) –
ages 18 – 25 and got a business idea? Find out about
advice, low interest loans and discretionary grant
funding from PSYBT.
For local businesses:
• Local Chartered Accountancy firm – advice on
personal finance issues, the best way to set up your
new business, how to be most tax efficient and tax
returns
• Healthy Working Lives – guidance on Fire Risk
Assessments, Health & Safety Policy, Manual Handling
and Risk Assessment. Ask also about a free audit for
your business premises.
• ICASS - free, impartial and confidential service
to innovators, inventors and businesses on the
protection, development and commercial exploitation
of innovative ideas and inventions.
There is no cost to attendees as STEP operates a
fully-funded service.
|
|
April 2010 |
|
Multi-Sense
Technologies
STEP Company
Poised To Revolutionise Disease Diagnosis Around The
World
Multi-Sense
Technologies is a young start up company committed
to developing a revolutionary and flexible platform
technology that will transform In-Vitro Diagnostic
testing and provide next generation health care. The
concept is based upon creating a portable meter and
disposable test strip that can measure any analyte
of interest for the diagnosis of a whole range of
disease states (for example using immunoassays,
molecular and cellular assays) with significant
competitive advantages. The Multi-Sense Technologies
business plan involves Multi-Sense Technologies
being the supplier of the next generation In-Vitro
Diagnostic tests, forging strategic partnerships
with established In-Vitro Diagnostic companies and
Government bodies.
Multi-Sense
Technologies was started in October 2009 by Dr Phill
Lowe and Brian McGuigan. In March 2010 Multi-Sense
Technologies received funding from the SMART:
Scotland scheme which will allow Multi-Sense
Technologies to prove the feasibility of their
revolutionary In-Vitro Diagnostic testing platform.
The SMART award funding also allowed Multi-Sense
Technologies to welcome their third member, Dr
Steven Keatch to the team. All three members of the
team are experienced in the medical device field and
have been involved in taking multiple products from
the initial design phase all the way through the
product development cycle to a successful product
launch.
Multi-Sense
Technologies are based at the Stirling Enterprise
Park and have received excellent support from
Business Gateway including initial workshops which
were free to attend and communicated valuable
information about starting up a business. The
Business Gateway service has also given Multi-Sense
Technologies free access to a wealth of market
research and reference reports that allowed
Multi-Sense Technologies to complete their initial
Market Research Business Plan activities. Stirling
Enterprise and Business Gateway have also acted as a
good guide into SMART: Scotland and the Scottish
Enterprise High Growth Pipeline who have both been
very helpful in supporting and advising Multi-Sense
Technologies in this early part of the life of the
company. SMART:Scotland in particular have been
extremely helpful and pro active in helping
Multi-Sense Technologies through the SMART award
application process.
|
|
March 2010 |
|
STEP INTO RAPLOCH
Advice Clinics for Enterprising Locals
A pilot outreach
service aimed at residents and existing businesses
from in and around the Raploch area will kick start
later this month.
Organised by
Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway, the
first open-door advice session will take place from
12pm – 2.30pm on Tuesday 23rd March within the
Raploch Community Campus facility. Another will
follow on Thursday 15th April.
Aimed at those
considering self employment as well as existing
businesses from the area, STEP is keen to cast the
net as wide as possible.
STEP Business
Gateway Adviser Jim Fraser will front the advice
sessions which will offer a diverse mix of advice
and information.
STEP Executive
Director Derek Gavin commented:
“As part of an
ongoing and planned programme of outreach support to
communities across the district of Stirling, we have
set our sights on Raploch as an area worth investing
our time and support energies within.
“It is clear to see
Raploch is changing. With a brand new campus
facility, new housing, a new agricultural market and
future planned redevelopment of the Kildean site –
regeneration has brought a sense of optimism and
vibrancy to the area. We firmly believe that if
harnessed properly this can translate to the
aspirations of local people and businesses.”
Advice sessions are
open to anyone keen to discuss a self employment
idea, at the early stages of getting started in
business as well as those already up and running.
There is no cost to attendees as STEP operates a
fully funded service.
To reserve your
place at either of the advice sessions, contact
Denise Mallinson, Stirling Enterprise on Tel:
01786 463416 or e-mail:
businessgateway@stirling-enterprise.co.uk
|
January 2010
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. |
| |
January 2009
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
|
Date |
Where |
Time |
|
26th Nov 08 |
Buchanan Arms, Drymen |
7pm - 9pm |
|
28th Jan 09 |
Harviestoun Hotel, Tillicoultry |
7pm - 9pm |
|
26th Feb 09 |
Glenskirlie House, Banknock |
7pm - 9pm |
|
25th Mar 09 |
Bridge of Lochay Hotel, Killin |
7pm - 9pm |
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
Companies based throughout the Stirling area set to
benefit from a range of business seminars
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.
|
 |
CALLANDER
BUSINESS ADVICE
CLINIC BECOMES
A REGULAR FIXTURE ...
Thurs, 24th July 2008 |
|
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.
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TOP TIPS
ON
FINANCE & FUNDING
FOR FORTH VALLEY BUSINESS WOMEN |
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Finance
and funding will be top of the agenda for Forth
Valley business women at a free event to be held in
Grangemouth next week.
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
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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 |
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POLISH BUSINESS
START-UP EVENT
PROVES POPULAR
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.”
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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
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INVITATION |
STEP
News Archive |
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WOMEN
INTO BUSINESS
MANAGING
YOUR PR & MARKETING ACTIVITY
Women Into Business, Thurs 29th
November 2007
Stirling
Enterprise Park, 6.30pm
Establishing a public profile and formulating a
marketing plan will help you form a solid
platform upon which to build your business …
FACT.
It’s a FICTION however, to assume that to be
successful at these activities, you will require
overflowing pots of money and the services of
marketing and advertising gurus.
Keeping it simple, being innovative and never
under-estimating the power of good old fashioned
word of mouth recommendations, are essential
components to communicating the existence of
your business and acquiring paying customers.
This month’s
Women Into Business
event, planned for
Thursday, 29th November 2007 at
Stirling Enterprise Park,
aims to explode some of the myths and misnomers
that surround the world of PR & Marketing and
replace them with some straightforward,
common-sense advice from people in the know.
As a result, we are delighted to welcome along
guest speaker,
Penny Haywood
of
Edinburgh-based PR company, PHPR
(www.phpr.co.uk)
We are also delighted to welcome along to our
‘chat spot’ some home-grown talent in the form
of
Vikki Graham
of
Falkirk-based Interior Design company, Aura
Design.
Elinor
Waller of Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley
commented:
“This month’s Women Into Business event is
shaping up to be a ‘must attend’. Not only will
it allow Forth Valley women a chance to tap into
some expert PR advice from a well-known industry
professional – but it will also provide an
opportunity to hear what it’s like on the
ground. When you are starting out it helps to
know early on what’s effective and what’s not
when it comes to marketing and promoting your
business. It helps avoid costly mistakes and a
lot of unnecessary head scratching along the
way.”
Attendees are invited to bring along any press
clippings that they have already achieved, or
any newspaper cuttings that they find
inspirational. These will help create a
discussion board.
A buffet and refreshments will also be provided
(at a cost of
£5 payable on the night)
and there will be a members’ table to display
promotional material and business cards.
To
reserve your place at this Women Into Business
event, please contact Elinor Waller on Tel:
01786 452026 or E-mail:
elinor.waller@scotent.co.uk
Speaker Biogs
Penny
Haywood, PHPR Ltd
Penny founded PHPR in 1986 after 13 years
handling PR and publications at Bank of Scotland
where she handled press relations on the Sir
Thomas Risk/Guinness/Distillers debacle. Penny
also launched the world's first online bank - in
1985 - long before most people had heard of the
internet.
Penny's background is in journalism and for 10
years she wrote a personal finance column for
the UK's largest circulation women's weekly
magazine. She has contributed to a variety of
newspapers including The Sunday Times and
various magazines. Penny is the author of a
best-selling business book: DIY PR.
www.phpr.co.uk
Vikki
Graham, Aura Design
Vikki started her Interior Design business in
Falkirk three years ago. Within a few short
months, she had achieved her annual target.
Through repeat customer business and
recommendations, Aura Design has gone from
strength-to-strength. Vikki works from home and
juggles family and business commitments.
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Summer 2007 |
VISITORS ‘CZECH OUT’
STIRLING’S CULTURE OF ENTERPRISE
Stirling Enterprise (STEP) played host to a visit
from a nine-strong delegation of Czech officials
with an interest in enterprise recently.
The exchange trip – which was supported by Equal – a
European Social Fund scheme – saw the group travel
from the town of Most, 50 miles outside of Prague.
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The group were in
Scotland for one week and during that time seized
the opportunity to visit the Prince’s Scottish Youth
Business Trust (PSYBT) HQ, Kilmarnock College,
Careers Scotland, a Welfare to Work Conference in
Glasgow and a JobCentre Plus in East Ayrshire.
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.
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Spring 2007 |
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DUNBLANE DATE FOR BUSINESS ROADSHOW
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
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Business Growth Advice
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IT &
Web Advice
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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)
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The A9
Partnership, Chartered Accountants.
A quick query or some more in-depth tax advice
required? Why not take advantage of some FREE
advice?
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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.
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Winter 2006 |
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PUBLIC SECTOR PROCUREMENT ...
What's In It For Stirling SMEs? |
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A business event
aimed at helping Stirling businesses improve their chances
of winning public sector procurement contracts took
place on Wed, 15th Nov, 2006 at Stirling Enterprise
Park.
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.
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Summer 2006 |
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Callander Community Embrace Business Roadshow Event |

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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.
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Spring 2006 |
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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.
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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.
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Spring 2006 |
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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. |
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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.
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Spring 2006 |
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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.
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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.
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Spring 2006 |
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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." |
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Winter 2005 |
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ILA LAUNCH SUCCESS
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.
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A number of agencies
joined the afternoon / evening event including Learn
Direct, Careers Scotland, Employment Connections and
the Stirling Area Local Learning Partnership.
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 |
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Winter 2005 |
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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.
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BUSINESS EVENT WELL RECEIVED BY
DRYMEN COMMUNITY
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.
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Summer 2005 |
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1984 - 2005
STEP
CELEBRATE 21 YEARS OF ASSISTING
THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
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The STEP team raise a glass to the future
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Spring 2005 |
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NEW BUSINESS
START-UP ADVISER
FOR STEP
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Stirling Enterprise
(STEP) is delighted to welcome a new addition to the
Business Gateway start-up team.
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. |
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“ Over the years I
have dealt with a wide spectrum of business ideas,
in fact, I don’t think there’s a business idea you
could put in front of me that I haven’t seen before.
“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.”
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Spring 2005 |
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Pictured centre is
Bob Ballantyne, regional co-ordinator for Shell
LiveWIRE and Business Adviser for Stirling
Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway. |
Shell LiveWIRE Winners Put
Their Best Feet Forward
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.
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The two Alison’s
identified a niche in the Falkirk market for quality
footwear and accessories that were a ‘little bit
special’. Based on this success, they already have
plans to open a second shop in another area.
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.
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Spring 2005 |
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£1,000 Business Start-up Grant
Just The Job For Young Stirling Entrepreneurs
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.” |
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Angela Nazeer,
Taste Budz
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. |
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Sarah Rollins,
Bravado Underwear Ltd
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.
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Spring 2005 |
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Technology Top Of The Agenda
At STEP
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.
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Spring 2005 |
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Kippen Roadshow Success
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.
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The open-day event
allowed local businesses and would-be entrepreneurs
a vital opportunity to meet business advisers and
access expert I.T. advice. The event also brought
together, under one roof, a range of additional
advice and information in the form of the Inland
Revenue, Safe & Healthy Working, SEERAD and Lloyds
TSB. |
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The Scottish
Enterprise Broadband Bus proved something of a hit
with locals, with many seizing the opportunity to
get up to speed with the benefits of broadband
before the village and surrounding areas ‘go live’
in July this year.
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.” |
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Spring 2005 |
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Lunchtime Date with Alistair
Darling and Anne McGuire proves an attractive
proposition...
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.
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Pictured from left
to right, new STEP chair Morag Shepperd, the Rt. Hon.
Alistair Darling, Secretary of State and Anne
McGuire, MP for Stirling. |
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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."
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Winter 2004
NEW BUSINESS ADVISER FOR STEP
Stirling businesses are set to benefit from the addition of a new
business adviser to the Stirling Enterprise (STEP) Business Gateway
team.
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Thirty-seven year old George Drever will strengthen the Business Growth
team, advising established businesses - through the Focus On Growth
programme - about the best way to unlock their potential and grow.
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Winter 2004
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."
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Winter 2004
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. |
The event, which ran from 5pm - 7pm was well-attended with 26 people making it along.
Susan Rees, Training Partner with learndirect scotland for business,
and two colleagues were kept busy in the 2-hour time slot, giving
demonstrations and answering any questions attendees had.
All those who attended, qualified for a complimentary £50 training
voucher which entitles them to fully trial two on-line courses of their
choice from a selection of 500 subjects.
Couldn't attend, but would like to find out more? Then contact Susan Rees on
susanr@learndirectscotland.com or log on to the website www.lds4b.com
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Winter 2004
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.
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On October 1st, Stirling Enterprise (STEP) were fortunate enough to be
given the opportunity to sponsor
the 'Newcomer of the Year' Award. Winners, Cornton Comment, pictured
above, came out tops in this category - despite having just produced
their third edition - and were delighted to pick up their award.
The Awards night was organised by the Community Newspaper Forum and
Stirling Council's community learning and development service. |
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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. |
Advice
on how to grow an existing business (Focus On Growth), Start-up advice
and web training seminars were well attended. Representatives from the
Inland Revenue, Safe & Healthy Working, and Learn Direct were also
kept busy throughout the day fielding questions in their respective
areas of expertise.
Members of
The Bank of Scotland's Business Banking team were also on site, keen to
speak to existing members and target new ones.
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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.
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STIRLING ENTERPRISE (STEP)
PLAY HOST TO
LEADING EMPLOYMENT LAW FIRM
Stirling Enterprise (STEP) played host to a visit by Peninsula, leading
Employment Law and Health & Safety Specialists, on September 1st.
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Entitled
'A conference that will open your eyes to the issues that count,'
Peninsula - in their two and a half hour, evening time slot - managed
to do just that.
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.
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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.
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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. |
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Part
of the success for this increased uptake, is that STEP has been quick
to 'move with the times', pinpointing the changing needs of businesses
operating in today's hi-tech climate and translating this in to a
meaningful, relevant training programme. At the same time, STEP has not
lost sight of core business requirements - and so the staples remain
very much in place in the form of Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.
These courses are delivered at beginners, intermediate and advanced
level.
Business Skills day
courses have proved a must in recent years, keeping businesses abreast
of important Employment Law and Health & Safety obligations as well
as - more generally - equipping employees with the type of skills to
make them better at their jobs; Customer Care, Assertiveness,
Negotiation Skills, Sales Presentation Skills, Leadership and
Teambuilding and Time & Stress Management. Courses to give
newcomers the edge are also on offer in the form of Advertising and
Promoting Your Business and an Introduction to Marketing.
The European Computing Driving Licence (ECDL) is fast becoming the most
widely recognised qualification in the field of work-related computer
use. STEP continues to acknowledge this development by running courses
- in conjunction with Stirling Council - throughout the year.
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Copyright ©
2007 Stirling Enterprise Park Ltd

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