Merry Christmas & A Happy, Enterprising, 2011

Seasons Greetings from everyone at Business Gateway.

The Bonar Bridge office will be closed from 24th December 2010 to 4th January 2011 for the Festive Break.












In the meantime, make the best of the wintry weather, like Mike Ellis of Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice (with Sutherland's largest cupcake).

Business Gateway Awards

It has now been confirmed that the 2011 Business Gateway Dragons' Den will take place in Inverness Town House from 9am to 2pm on Tuesday 5th April 2011.

The competition is open to any enterprise registered with Business Gateway in Highland & Moray and there will be two categories: Young Business of the Year (trading for less than 18 months) and Business of the Year (trading for more than 18 months). Each category winner will receive £5000.


We're hoping for a great showing from Sutherland businesses and, if anyone requires any further details, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Closing Date is 7th February 2011
The Application Form and full details can be downloaded here: Link

HIE Creative Industries Newsletter - December 2010

The always informative Creative Industries Newsletter from HIE is particularly interesting this month  - including a review of some of the considerable achievements of the makers, performers and artistes during 2010 in addition to details of funding and marketing opportunies.  There's also a preview of next year's highlights including the 10th (gulp) GoNorth event to be held in June next year.

You can download the newsletter here

Save Energy & Increase Profits - Carbon Trust Workshops

The Carbon Trust, HIE and Business Gateway are holding a series of events during February 2011 aimed at assisting businesses to optimise energy consumption.  These will be held in Inverness, Elgin, Dingwall and Thurso. You can download the flyer (pdf 187k)  and full booking details are available here

BIG Event - Dornoch 8 February 2011

If you're looking for advice and inspiration regarding the growth of your business, the UHI Millennium Institute has organised a business event to be held at The Dornoch Castle Hotel  on Tuesday 8th February 2011 from 10.00 to 4.00pm.  The Workshop is open to any size of business, in any sector, and aims to be a practical and interactive event to help bring about business change and development.

You can download the information sheet here.

Booking is essential, businesses can easily register at: http://www.hilinks.uhi.ac.uk/pages/newslist.html and, for more information, you can contact the following:

Charlotte Lever:  charlotte.lever@uhi.ac.uk

UHI HI Links, UHI Millennium Institute, The Synergie Building, Fairways Business Park, Inverness IV2 6AA

T: +44 (0) 1463 279 368 Fax: 0871 5283 284

Twitter

 

For all you Twitterati out there, Business Gateway in Highland & Moray now has a presence on Twitter. 

To follow the realtime adventures of Business Gateway in this area, please use the following link:

http://twitter.com/BGHighland

If you haven't already done so, you'll need to open a  Twitter account by following this link: http://www.twitter.com/

Client Snapshot - Brora Health Food & Gift Store

Andrew Weston in the Store (photo Clive Grewcock)

As the regeneration of Brora's village centre continues, one of the recently-opened shops is the Brora Health Food & Gift Store, owned and run by Andrew Weston.

The Store stocks an incredible range of health foods and supplements, environmentally-friendly and Fair Trade products -  and a great selection of wholefoods and ingredients for the more adventurous chefs in the area.  In fact, Andrew prides himself on selling products that would be hard to find anywhere else in the Highlands.

The business is now expanding  into e-commerce,  as well as supplying catering establishments in the North of Scotland. “The benefit to caterers is that we can supply products as and when they want and without a delivery charge,” he explains.

Business Gateway helped with a small grant and Andrew attended several of our free workshops

For more information, and to browse the new online store, follow this link  - or you can call Andrew on 01408 622692

Dornoch Gallery - Christmas Show

Social Enterprise, The Dornoch Gallery's, Christmas Show is now open and showcasing the work of many local artists and makers.  This is an ideal opportunity, while we're all feeling particularly seasonal, to find that extra special something.

The Cold Weather Continues

The Business Gateway Office in Bonar Bridge today.

As the ridiculously cold November weather continues, thanks to all the clients who have shown considerable patience as we try to maintain the service.

Farr High School - Winners Again!

Farr Safer, Farr High School's Young Enterprise Team have won the " Dragons' Den" section of this year's competition.  After presenting their idea to a panel of business people, the team were awarded £100 to develop their venture.  The "Dragons" were:

Fiona MacBeath (Press and Journal)
David Howarth (Lifescan Scotland)
Alasdair Lawton (MacWilliams Consulting Ltd)
Andy Maxtone (Inverness Chamber of Commerce)

For further information, take a look at the team's website: Link


I'm really pleased to be part of Farr Safer's advisory team again this year and the students have also been helped by Ali Murray from Atlantic Marketing.

The next stage is the Trade Fair on the Inverness High Street on 11 December 2010.  Fingers Crossed.

Fishing in the Green Corrie

Following my earlier post about the BBC TV programme Fishing For Poetry (shown last Monday - still on iPlayer) several people have cast doubt on my fishing prowess.  Well, here's the proof - 1.5lb brownie caught on a Bloody Butcher in the Loch of the Green Corrie. 

Mind you, it was a while ago and, as yet, unrepeated.

Co-operating For Growth Event - 15 November 2010.

Caithness Chamber of Commerce have organised the above event - at Caithness Horizons, Thurso on 15th November 2010  - with Co-operative Development Scotland to promote collaborations, partnerships and co-operatives.

For more information about the event, follow this link:

Business Gateway Roadshow - Wick 4th November

I spent a great evening at the Wick Roadshow last Thursday. It's been ages since I spent any time in Caithness and it was good to meet some of the businesses that are working with my colleagues Jennifer Irvine and Ian Thomson.

The event was ably facilitated by Moray Firth Radio's Linda Sinclair, (who was returning to her Caithness roots) and guest speakers were fashion designer, Jennifer Easton and Roadshow Regular, Gary Campbell of Environmental Hygiene Products Ltd.

As with all the Roadshows, everyone took the opportunity to make new acquaintances and meet old friends.  (You can find links to the remaining Roadshows on the Sidebar.)

Particular thanks to the venue, MacKay's Hotel, for making the event go so smoothly.

Fishing For Poetry on Monday 18th November

.

Aly Bain & Billy Connolly tooled up for Assynt (BBC Photo)

Don't miss the tribute to Norman MacCaig, "Fishing For Poetry" on BBC2 Scotland at 9.00pm as Aly Bain, Billy Connolly and Andrew Greig chase the elusive trout in the Green Corrie. (And, from personal experience, they are VERY elusive).

With local assistance from Mandy Haggith of Top Left Corner and local angling maestro, Cathel MacLeod,  and support  from Trish Shorthouse of the Highlands & Island Film Commission, production of the film is part of the Norman MacCaig Centenary celebrations taking place in Assynt during this month.
 
For more information about the programme, follow the link:

Highland Opportunity Annual Report

At the risk of too much navel gazing,  here's an article from the Highland Council's website about Highland Opportunity, which hosts Business Gateway in Highland:

Positive year for Highland Enterprise Trust (01/11/10)

Highland Opportunity Ltd, The Highland Council’s Enterprise Trust, has completed another positive year in which £900,000 of loans were approved for 50 Highland businesses.

Speaking at the company’s 24th annual meeting, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Councillor Helen Carmichael praised the performance of staff, particularly in more than doubling their target of supporting 426 jobs.

HOL which is wholly owned by The Highland Council, offers a wide range of financial assistance, business support, youth services, and European Consultancy to small and medium sized businesses. It was established in 1986 to help create new jobs, improve access to employment and foster business activity and trade.

The annual report highlighted that HOL delivered a sixth and final year of management of a contract called “Working for Families” which aims to remove obstacles to parents entering education, training and employment. At the year end 1,400 families across the Highlands have received assistance. HOL also operates the Employment Grant Scheme on behalf of the Highland Council and from 2009 to 2010, 108 jobs received support.

On behalf of The Highland Council, HOL delivers Business Gateway through a network of eight offices across Highland and Moray. In the Highland area during its first year of operating, Business Gateway has dealt with 1,426 referrals and recorded 167 business start ups.

Chairman, Councillor Helen Carmichael said: “In a very challenging year for businesses I am pleased to report that HOL has been working hard to provide as much assistance and support as possible. We are very proactive to the problems businesses are facing and I was particularly pleased that, with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, we were able to launch a special financial service , the Highland Business Growth Fund which offers businesses an interest free loan with no capital repayments for 2 years as a means of leveraging bank loans during the recession.

“I am also pleased to report that we have exceeded the annual target set for the number of full time jobs retained or created. Our target was 160 and the actual was 426 which is a very positive step. Over the coming year our focus will be on ensuring we are in a strong position to stimulate economic activity, promote the start up and growth of business ventures, help to create new jobs and improve people’s access to employment.”

HOL can be contacted via www.highland-opportunity.com

Sutherland Food Businesses Just Keep Winning

Crannag Bistro

Two Sutherland businesses won their categories in the 2010 Williamson Foodservice Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards .  We all know how good our local food businesses are but it's great to see this acknowledged in this prestigious event.

Saladworxs  who produce a range of over 80 salad leaves from their base at Mill Farm near  Dornoch, won the Innovation Prize.

Bonar Bridge's  The Crannag Bistro  (where this office will be celebrating Christmas) scooped the Highlands & Islands Restaurant of the Year Award.


Congratulation to both businesses. You can find the full details of the Awards here.

Business Start Course - 15/16th November

By popular demand, we're running a 2-Day Business Start Course at Helmsdale Community Centre on 15/16 November.  The course runs from 9.30am to 4.00pm on both days and covers everything you need toplan, start, run and develop a successful business or social enterprise.

The workshops are FREE, informal but informative and also provide an opportunity to meet other business people.

For further information, please contact me or, to book a place, contact Lesley Allan on 01463 713889, or send her an email

HIE Creative Industries Newsletter - October 2010

Here's the latest news from the HIE Creative Industries Team. Lots of opportunities and information  about, and for, the creatively-talented.

You can get it here (124k download)

Business Gateway Roadshow - Wick 4th November

The Roadshows continue and, of particular interest to those who missed the Dornoch bash, there's another (relatively) local opportunity.   So why not take a little trip to MacKay's Hotel in Wick on the 4th November to meet the Gateway team and lots of local businesses for advice, information, networking and, possibly, some fun.  I'm going to be there to see how  they do things differently in Caithness..

For more info, follow the link.

PRS for Music - Music Copyright Workshop

Here's a message from Amanda Millen:

Wednesday 27th October 2010

The Ironworks

122b Academy Street

Inverness IV1 1LX

2pm-5pm

PRS for Music are running a seminar on music copyright. This can be a minefield but Duncan McCrone and Andy Harrower will demystify this process.

Are you making short films but not sure what music you can or cannot use, and more importantly is there a cost?

Are you a musician/composer just not sure what to charge, if anything, for your creative talent on a short film, television programme or radio?

What rights should you sell/buy and what should you keep/not bother with?

What are rights and what do you have to do to 'clear' them?

If you've ever asked yourself any of the above this is a must-attend seminar for you.

We'll explain the difference in using commercial, library and specially composed music, and give an insight into blanket agreements, the latest developments with music and the internet and all will exemplified with over 20 years of music publishing experience.

Andy Harrower is Director of Broadcast Licensing at PRS for Music. Currently he is responsible for overseeing the licensing of TV and radio broadcasters in the UK, ensuring that PRS writer and publisher members are paid whenever their music is broadcast.

Duncan McCrone is Scotland's Senior Development Manager for PRS for Music. He looks after the songwriting and publishing community in Scotlahd and his office is the first port of call for anyone who either creates or uses music in Scotland.

5pm Networking Drinks

6pm Music Showcase with James Mackenzie (and the Aquascene)/Iain MacLaughlin

In advance of their split single, both James Mackenzie and Iain MacLaughlin will be doing a live acoustic set followed by some candid interview chat.

RSVP to Amanda Millen asap AmandaMillen@hotmail.com

Amanda Millen

Development Producer

Screen and Broadcast Industries for the Highlands and Islands

M: 07887 605 062

I've been on a couple of Duncan's workshops in the past and they're not only very interesting but probably vital for anyone in the music industry.

Roadshows Galore...

If you couldn't get to the Business Gateway Roadshow in Dornoch last week, there are several others happening across the Highlands & Moray before the end of the year.  For details, see the Side Panel.  Just remember that Sutherland was first...

Fun with Renewables!!

Assynt Renewables are holding a Demo Day on Saturday 23rd October in the Lochinver Village Hall.  There are all types of fun and activities relating to energy-saving  including the chance to try electric bicycles.

For further information take a look at the Assynt Renewables website: Link

Business Start-Up Guide

The brand new Business Gateway Highland Start Up Guide is hot off the press and is available to download (201k) here.  It sets out the support available for business starts in the region and is full of useful contacts for anyone planning a new venture (or developing an existing business).

North Highland Tourism Survey

Here's a message from Jill McNicol for all North Highland tourism businesses....

North Highland Tourism Visitor Survey

As discussed in our last newsletter our visitor survey is now ready for you to pass onto visitors. We are offering copies of Charles Tait’s ‘Guidebook to the North Highlands’ as incentive prizes as you will see on our home page http://www.northhighlandsscotland.com/

We want and need to start collecting feedback from our visitors and businesses so we can respond better to our visitor needs and we’re looking for your help to do this! The survey will help us assess:-

• visitor awareness

• bookings/future booking intentions

• visitor profile

• average length of stay/spend etc

• activities undertaken while in NHT area/planned for future visits to NHT area

The survey will also provide an opt in - allowing visitors to receive future marketing information and offers from NHT (including capture of name and e-mail address details).

Below we have listed how you can help by adding the link into an email/enewsletter to your contacts, adding a link on your own websites so that visitors to your sites can complete the survey or by asking visitors to complete the hard copy we will provide to a selection of establishments. We would very much welcome your help in asking your visitors to complete this survey.

1. You can paste the hyperlink http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7KX85LZ into the body of an email message or e-newsletter that you send to your guests, visitors or contacts so that when people click on the link they can access our survey

2. You can also add the survey to the homepage or particular page of your website. I have provided a banner (attached) for you to use with the link above for this. You should be able to make this banner smaller if you prefer but if you would like a different size then please contact Navertech who will organise this for you for a nominal fee.

You can add the survey link to a page of your website by going into the website’s editing function and pasting the code below into the HTML (the text) of any webpage. It shows up on the page as hyperlinked text (you can amend the text ‘click here to take a survey’ by just typing in what you want between the coding)

Click here to take survey

3. We will also be providing hard copy surveys to a selection of organisations that can be put into bed packs or completed by the visitor onsite and sent FREEPOST back to the NHT office.

In addition we will be later be launching a Business Barometer survey for tourism businesses in the North Highlands area to:

• assess value/volume of business received by members as result of campaigns

• gather basic customer origin and trend information

• assess occupancy/business levels for 2010 compared with 2009

• gauge confidence levels re 2011

• gather general feedback on NHT campaigns and future activities

Again to make this easy and quick for members to complete this will be an online survey carried out quarterly. Further information will follow shortly.

If you have any questions please get in touch.

Thanks

Jill

Jill McNicol

North Highland Tourism

tel: 07970 027741

The Storehouse

Foulis Ferry

Evanton

Ross-shire

IV16 9UX

email: jill@northhighlandsscotland.com

web: www.northhighlandsscotland.com

Dornoch Roadshow

Photo's of the Roadshow by Clive Grewcock

After all the planning and pondering, the Business Gateway Roadshow was held last night at Burghfield House Hotel in Dornoch. Over 60 people attended the event which aimed to showcase some of the support available to local businesses and also to find out what the Sutherland business community needs to help it develop over the next few years.

Nine businesses set up Trade Stands providing the catalyst for a lot of networking and a few deals.  A  packed Question Time session was hosted by STV's Nicola McAlley with Gary Campbell of  Environmental Hygiene Products Ltd and Mike Ellis of  Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice talking about their very different businesses but similar experiences.

Musical entertainment was provided by Fiona J MacKenzie and Katie MacKenzie

Thanks to Michelle and Ilona from Enterprise Europe for all their hard work, my colleagues Jennifer, Kenny and Mark for leaving their respective Regions to help out.


There are six more Roadshows to be held across Highland & Moray during the next few weeks.  For more information,  email Enterprise Europe

"Preparing to Sell" - Selling Skills for Social Enterprises - 14 October 2010

HISEZ have arranged a Selling Skills Workshop to be held from 12noon to 3pm on 14 October at 81A Castle Street, Inverness:

"With many organisations starting to think about selling to the Christmas market, why not come along to this free networking lunch to discuss ideas about how best to display produce and how to engage with the public.

Aimed at Social Enterprises preparing for the Social Enterprise Day market in the Eastgate centre, but open to any organisation planning on selling products in the run up to Christmas. It will be an opportunity to hear experiences, try out new ideas and hear from Cathie Way, Managing Director of Affirmints, who was recently at a Trade Show in New York. Cathie will share her experiences and techniques with the group.

Lunch will be provided and you should leave feeling prepared to sell!"

 For more info, follow this link

Enterprise Roadshow: 12 October 2010

Don't forget -  the Enterprise Roadshow hits The Burghfield Hotel, Dornoch on the 12th October between 4pm and 7pm.  Hosted by TV presenter, Nicola McAlley, the Roadshows are a great way for anyone starting or developing a business to get access to advice and support. 

For more information - follow the link

Event - The Business of Creativity, 7th October 2010

Rachel Skene of HIE is promoting a support day for Creative Industries to be held on 7th October 2010 at Caithness Horizons, Thurso, starting at 12.45.

"...An event on the 7th October in Caithness Horizons Thurso will include presentations to provide insight into relevant initiatives, highlighting the reasons and ways activities have developed and the impact and benefits of these to local communities and economies. 

Presenters will include: Arts in Business; Hi-Arts; Cultural Enterprise Office, Creative Highland, fashion designer Sandra Murray MBE and art director and designer Simon Costin who will be discussing his commission for the Royal National Mod. 

Topics covered will include: the development of festivals and events, how to raise funding from the private sector, current developments in the arts in Highland; the role of heritage and provenance in creative product and how to go about turning creative ideas into real products...."

To download a copy of the event details, follow this link (249k).
For more information or to book a place contact Joan Lawrie (email) or telephone 01847 896508.

PSYBT Growth Fund Awards

 I was really pleased to attend the PSYBT Growth Fund Awards last week and even more delighted to help present an Award  to Grant Campbell of Muir of Ord-based Angela Stewart Creative.  Grant and Angela started their business in 2005 and now employ seven people and have plans for significant expansion.

The glittering event at Club 29 was attended by some of the most successful businesses ever assisted by PSYBT including Gordon Deuchars of GA Engineering who talked about his nearly 20 years in business since he was first assisted by PSYBT.

PSYBT Board Members included Gio Benedetti and Michelle Mone who stayed to chat with guests and help with the considerable networking activity. 

A great time was had by all, much business was done and a big thank you is due to Evelyn McDonald, PSYBT's Growth Fund Manager, who put the whole thing together.

For more information about PSYBT's Growth Fund, follow this link

Grant Campbell of Angela Stewart Creative (left) with fellow Award Winners

Psst! Want a free website?

For those who don't know about Getting British Business Online, here's a reminder...

GBBO is a joint initiative by Google, Enterprise UK, BT, e-skills UK and many other partners to help small businesses create their first website and help them understand the opportunities offered by the Internet. We've set a target of helping 100,000 UK organisations get their first website easily and for free by the end of 2010.

For more info, follow the link.

Speak Up for Rural Scotland

From the Rural Network newsletter,

Speak up for Rural Scotland

What are the issues that matter to you? What do you think the priorities should be for rural Scotland? You can have your say by responding to the Scottish Government consultation Speak Up for Rural Scotland. The closing date is 25th October, so there's less than a month left to add your voice to the debate.

To participate, follow this link: 

Opportunities for the Crafts Sector

Pamela Conacher at Hi-Arts has posted her latest newsletter with information and opportunities for the Crafts Sector.   To read it, follow this link.

HIE Caithness & Sutherland Area Plan

 
HIE Caithness & Sutherland Area team have released their Area Business Plan.  The document lays out HIE's aims, objectives and priorities for our area. 

You can download from this link (52kB) or contact the local HIE team here. 

Nice new website, by the way.

Invercharron Games

 Part of the victorious Bonar Bridge Ladies Tug O' War Team

Well,  the weather was reasonably kind, the Business Gateway and PSYBT banners stayed up and the competitors gave their all in the last Games of the season.

And of course, BBC Masterchef (wiki)  filmed the event and several local businesses contributed to the menu including:

• Highland Fine Cheeses, Tain
• Ardgay Game Factory, Bonar Bridge
• Sutherland Shellfish & Game, Lairg
• Saladworx, Dornoch
• Matheson & McLeod, Butchers, Bonar Bridge

As part of the TV event, competitors were treated to lunch made by the Masterchef contestants; winners were invited to Skibo Castle for a formal Masterchef Dinner.  Which is nice.

UHI Management School

I recently attended a meeting of the UHI Management School Stakeholder Group.

The School is providing and developing a wide spectrum of courses ranging from modular skills courses to full-blown postgraduate research opportunities .

It will utilise the rapidly-increasing expertise across the UHI network and provide general courses and those relevant to specialist areas such as social enterprise, creative industries, renewables etc.  All levels of business, community enterprise and the voluntary sector will be encouraged to join the management school to enable employees, volunteers and entrepreneurs to gain the management skills vital to business growth and success.

Through its involvement with the Management School,  Business Gateway will be be able assist clients to identify the most appropriate management education and training for owners and employees and is a natural development of our work with Further Education initiatives such as Create.

Led by Dr Neil Simco, Dean of the UHI Business Faculty and the newly-appointed Head of School,  Euan Black, the Stakeholder Group represents a range of business, local authority, enterprise agency interests.


For more information take a look at the management school blog or website

PSYBT Volunteer of the Year - Edward MacKay

Edward MacKay receiving his gift from a bloke in a brown jumper

Edward MacKay from Brora has been awarded PSYBT Volunteer of the Year for the Highland Region.  Edward's been an active Panel Member for over 20 years and, in doing, so has supported over 150 young people to start and develop their own businesses.  

Edward, a prominent local businessman,  is passionately committed to Sutherland and is an enthusiastic supporter of youth and community development in the County. He runs the family business "Edward MacKay Construction Ltd" , runs a croft and maintains a collection of vintage vehicles.

PSYBT Volunteers are the backbone of the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust, making funding decisions and providing advice and support to fledgeling businesses.  For more information on PSYBT volunteers follow this link

Photo by Clive Grewcock

PSYBT Awards - Highland Final

 Henrietta MacKay-Ludgate and Cllr Helen Carmichael, Regional Chair of PSYBT

Congratulations to Henrietta MacKay-Ludgate for winning first prize at the Highland Final of the PSYBT Awards; the latest in a series of awards and accolades for this Dingwall-based business. 

Henrietta is a fashion designer, a graduate of Central St Martin's School of Art who is already making a significant mark in the industry.  For the full story, have a look the business website. Link

Her cash prize, sponsored by the Highland Council, and a framed certificate were presented at a Gala Event in Inverness Town House yesterday.   With only the briefest time for celebration, Henrietta  left almost immediately for London to take part in the Sustainable Fashion Show at Prince Charles' home in London, Clarence House. 
 
The PSYBT Awards recognise outstanding early-years business achievement among PSYBT-supported clients and Henrietta now enters the draw for a place in the Scottish Final to be held in Glasgow in November.

For more information about The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust in the Highlands, contact Alithea Watson

(Photo: Clive Grewcock)

HIE Creative Industries Newsletter - September 2010

The September 2010 HIE Creative Industries Team Newsletter is now available and you can download it here. (322k). There's some good stuff about training, mentoring and market opportunities.

For any further information, contact Iain Hamilton at HIE.

Invercharron Highland Games - 18 September 2010

 
I've been helping out a bit with the forthcoming Invercharron Games, in particular seeing how we can maximise the impact of this event for local enterprises.

The job has been made slightly easier this year, because of the presence of the TV cameras filming a well-known (but currently-shy) mainstream cooking show. We were asked to identify local businesses which would fit in with the programme and  Highlands Film Commission  provided industry support to the producers - so we will be welcoming SHINE TV to the event and, hopefully, they will be providing a boost to some of the businesses we put forward.
 
In addition to this media excitement, the games will offer the usual mix of sporting prowess and entertainment. This year's Chieftain will be Mr Raymond More MD of Robertson Highland - the construction  firm currently building the new Migdale Hospital in Bonar Bridge.


The long-range weather forecast looks OK, so everything is full steam ahead for the final Games of 2010.

For detailed information about the Games, follow this link

Client Profile - ARTful Creatures

Wildlife artist, Lyn Wells, started ARTful Creatures in 2009, building on her love for nature and animals. She had studied Natural History Illustration at The Royal College of Art and carried out research in animal behaviour in Cuba,  Morocco and Malawi -  in addition to working directly for the publishing industry.


Lyn's business still produces natural history illustrations for publishers but now welcomes commissions for animal portraits, and illustrations based on client ideas.  Locally, in Sutherland,  some of her work is on display at the new Dornoch Gallery but you can find out more about ARTful Creatures on the business website.

As part of her entry into self-employment, Lyn attended Business Gateway workshops and received a  grant to assist with marketing her business further afield. In particular, the business acquired display materials to allow Lyn to promote ARTful Creatures at art and wildlife events across the country.

By the way, Lyn also undertakes Ecological Surveys and is a qualified Dog Training Instructor.

Photo by Clive Grewcock

The Cycle of YES

No sooner have we packed off the 2009 Farr YES team to their respective universities, colleges and  gainful employment, then the whole enjoyable package starts all over again.

Just back from a very breezy  Bettyhill where I met this this year's batch of committed and enthusiastic students and they're just itching to take on the baton passed to them by the 2008 and 2009 winners.

For more information about Young Enterprise Scotland follow this link

Youth Music Initiative Demo Fund

Here's a message about money from the very nice people at Creative Scotland.......

Youth Music Initiative Demo Fund

Funding of up to £6 000 for studios to record with young bands...

The Demo Fund is part of the Youth Music Initiative’s Independent Music Making programme.

Applications are welcome from professional studios, or organisations willing to partner with a studio, for up to £6000 to help young musicians record a high quality demo.

The Demo Fund will help emerging young bands record their first demo, allowing them to take the next step in their music careers by presenting themselves professionally to the music industry. The aim is to target young musicians who are making music in an unsupervised capacity.

There is a change to the application process for 2010/11, instead of specific deadlines for the Demo Fund we have moved to Fast Track applications, which means we are accepting applications anytime until 10th January 2011.

Funds available
A total of £70,000 is available to be distributed

Level of grants
£1,000 - £6,000 per application

Who Can Apply
The Demo Fund is primarily for professional recording studios with a proven track record of working with high class professional musicians.

Other organisations are also eligible to apply, for example rehearsal spaces, venues, local authority arts officers, youth or music organisations but must demonstrate a strong partnership with a professional recording studio.

How to Apply
All the guidelines and application forms relevant for the Demo Fund are available on the music funding for organisations webpage. Link

If you need any help or advice,  email Development Officer:  Jennifer McGlone
 or call her on +44 330 333 2000

Sutherland Development Plan

 
The Sutherland Development & Action Plan was officially launched last night at the AGM of the Sutherland Partnership

Guest Speaker was John Thurso MP who put the Plan into  context with the economic threats and opportunities both locally and further afield.  Like the Plan itself the message was distinctly upbeat but not complacent.  Although the economic situation is outwardly grim, there are local strengths, initiatives and enterprises which have the potential to provide major opportunities for Sutherland businesses and communities.

You can obtain a copy of the plan from William Sutherland at the Sutherland Partnership or by using the download (1.7Mb) link here.

STEP Awards

I spent a long, but enjoyable, day on Wednesday helping to judge the Classic STEP Awards for students placed within businesses across the Highlands & Islands.

In total, 34 students had been working within businesses, carrying out vital projects for their hosts and making a real and considerable difference to their employers in addition to developing their own professional and personal skills,

Ranging from cutting edge sustainable energy projects through to lifeline social enterprises,  it was a real struggle to come up with a winner from such diverse and high-quality submissions, but here are the results:

Winner: Kirsty Gordon, ABSL Power Solutions, Thurso, Product development project

2nd place John Watt, Inspiralba, Campbeltown, Social enterprise consultancy and support project

Runners-up  were:

Rachel Thomas, Cocoa Mountain, Durness, Social networking marketing project
Ewan Murray,Ice Factor, Kinlochleven, Sustainable energy research project
Yva Yorston, HISEZ, Inverness , Online sales feasibility study
Andrea Howard,  Rag, Tag n Textiles, Balmacara, Textile design and product development project

Congratulations to Ruth Sime (Highlands & Islands Enterprise) and Karen Darke (Inspire & Impact) for bringing the whole programme together.

For more details about STEP follow this link or contact Karen Darke at Inspire & Impact

Client Snapshot - Jadcom UK

James Dalton started his IT business, Jadcom UK in 2003. Since that launch, James has been able to supply hardware and software solutions combined with consultancy, training and IT development from his base in Rosehall.

James is seeing considerable potential for growth in his business and recently received some support from Business Gateway to help access these new markets. 

Apart from his business activities, James and his family are familiar figures in the equestrian world and are building a name for themselves in the showing of guinea pigs!

To contact JADCOM visit James' website: Link

Photo: Clive Grewcock

Business Ideas Workshop

Here's a message from Charlotte Ball of UHI Links about their Idea Generation workshop

Do you have a BIG idea for your business?

OR

Do you need a BIG idea to boost your business?

UHI HI Links is delighted to invite you to a workshop with Dr Kevin Byron which aims to help companies turn business ideas and aspirations into a reality.

Inverness College, Longman Campus

Thursday 7th October 1000-1600

The workshop is open to any business of any size , working in any sector and will be an extremely practical and interactive workshop helping companies to work through the process of bringing business change to fruition.

Dr Byron will provide practical examples and techniques which companies can take home, starting with the conception of an idea for business change and working through how a company can approach making new ideas for products and processes a reality.

During the day’s workshop UHI HI Links will also signpost participants to appropriate support and funding that businesses may be able to access at each stage of the processes and give an overview of how companies can access UHI HI Links free services.

The workshop will begin at 10:00 and finish at 16:00.

Due to the nature of the workshop spaces are limited in order to facilitate effective group working. As we only have a limited number of places we would ask any individuals wishing to sign up to complete the following short registration form http://www.hilinks.uhi.ac.uk/pages/newslist.html no later than Friday 10th September. UHI HI Links will then inform those who have successfully gained a place on the workshop early in the week beginning 13th September).

For further information please contact Charlotte Ball (charlotte.ball@uhi.ac.uk/01463 279 368

Gateway/HIE Meeting

This might not be interesting for anyone (everyone?) who wasn't there but I've spent the day with Gateway colleagues and Highlands & Islands Enterprise staff from all over the Region.  We were challenged to come up with ways to work better together and to do something to reduce the confusion out there, in Enterprise Land, about our respective roles.

And, you know, I think it worked.

Business Idea Competition - now with added Social Enterprise

Well, it's that time of year again.  Here's a message from our friends at UHI and Create.

"To encourage enterprise and innovation in the region, UHI is launching the 2010 Business Idea Competition for commercial or social enterprise ideas. Last year this competition was extremely successful, with high quality ideas coming forward. Since the competition we have actually seen a number of entrants commence trading.

We think there are many people in the region with interesting and innovative commercial business or social enterprise ideas and we want to encourage them. This competition is simple and straightforward to enter, with only five questions to answer. All the entrants will be given advice on how to take their ideas forward and can win money at the same time.

The competition is open to everyone living in the Highlands and Islands, Perth-shire or Moray aged 16 or over who has a great idea for a business, this includes Social Enterprise concepts. Ideas should be submitted to our expert panel of judges by Wednesday 27th October 2010 to be eligible to win a share of our £3,800 prize fund."

For more details and to download a copy of the ridiculously simple Application Form, follow this link

HIE Creative Industries Newsletter - August 2010

Highlands & Islands Enterprise's Creative Industries Team have issued their latest, very informative, newsletter.  You can download a copy via the link below:


Link to PDF Document

For further info, contact

Susan Purvis - Creative Industries Development Manager
susan.purvis@hient.co.uk

Tel: 01463 244 484

Client Snapshot - Global People Solutions

 

Darren Peattie started Global People Solutions Ltd in early 2010, based in Skerray on the north coast of Sutherland.  Providing a complete recruitment service to the Energy and Renewables sector, the business was launched with the help of a Business Gateway Rural Development Grant and proves that world-class businesses can be run successfully from even the most remote parts of our County.

In addition to the recruitment consultancy, Darren is passionate about introducing young people to careers in the energy industries and will be launching an initiative to promote the sector within schools.

For more information about Darren's business see: Link

Photo: Clive Grewcock

Would you like the chance to sell your products at a Farmers' Market?

Russell Smith of the Scottish Crofting Foundation has come up with an initiative to help producers and makers sell their products at Farmers' Markets.  Primarily situated at Dornoch Farmer's Market but hopefully expanding further afield, the scheme is aimed at start-up businesses in food production and crafts sectors.

Annual Membership is £15, and stall costs for each market are £10 for a full-size stall or free for a shared stall.

This seems to be a great way of undertaking some practical market research, in addition to generating cash for your business.

For further information, contact Russell on 01863  766144 or Sarah Wealing on 01408 641469.

Enterprise Roadshow - 12 October 2010

Here's a quick heads up about the Highland Opportunity/Business Gateway Roadshow to be held in Dornoch on the 12th October.  This afternoon/early evening event promises to be both informative and enjoyable. It aims to provide an opportunity for businesses to meet each other and representatives from, among others, Business Gateway, HOL, Enterprise Europe, PSYBT etc.

Put it in your diary now and there'll be regular updates over the coming weeks......

Congratulations to the Crannag Bistro

The Crannag Bistro, Bonar Bridge (Link) , is one of the six finalists in the "Taste of the Highlands; Restaurant of the Year Competition" (snappy title) sponsored by Williamson Foodservice.

We wish Ian and Kathy Smith, ace proprietors of the Crannag, every success at the Final to be held in October.

For more information about the Awards follow this Link.

Back in the Office

For anyone interested, I'm back in Bonar  having returned unscathed from the mean streets of Nottingham.  Hopefully,  I managed to keep on top of most of the immediate issues but thanks to everyone for their patience and support while I was away.

Client Snapshot - Barbara MacLeod Jewellery Design

Barbara MacLeod, from Lochinver, started her jewellery business after graduating from Duncan of Jordanstone College and returning to her native North West Sutherland.  Her pieces are produced as commissions or in very small batches and combine the traditional jeweller's skills with the latest in 3D Modelling and photo-etching techniques.

She was assisted with marketing funds by Business Gateway and The Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT). 

To find out more about Barbara's business visit her website here:  Link

Photo's Clive Grewcock

We do try, you know...

Gateway in Highland is coming up to its (official) first  birthday and, as part of our regular get-togethers, Jennifer Irvine (RDO Caithness) and I met with our colleagues in HIE recently to try and sort out any confusions that have developed about our respective roles.  And I think we did. 

Hopefully this means that we can get clients to the most appropriate support in the most efficient and effective manner.

Learning to Be Enterprising - Lairg

Lairg and Brora Learning Centres are developing a course for those at the first stages of considering starting enterprise.  The "Learning to be Enterprising" (LTBE) programme is aimed at those who may feel that they need some additional learning support before contacting, for example, Business Gateway.

Topics will include the European Computer  Driving Licence (ECDL), First Aid, basic business and communication skills  - with direct links to vocational training provision where available.

LTBE clients will be linked to local Business Gateway support, where appropriate, and BG will be asking some of our clients to act as case studies for the initiative.

For information about "Learning to be Enterprising" contact Kelly MacKay as follows:

email: Kelly MacKay
Telephone 01549 402050/ 01408 622707

DK at Go4It

I include this without comment other than "Business Start Specialist" is probably over-egging it a bit.....



Video by Highland Productions and filmed at Inverness College as part of Go4It on 3 June 2010.

"Riding through the Glen......"

I'm in sunny Nottingham at the moment, getting intimately involved with the NHS, but (thanks to Sir Tim Berners-Lee) I seem to be able to run my little empire just as well from down here.  Not quite the same outlook, though.

Farewell "Off Our Rockers"

The members of "Off Our Rockers" held a dinner on Thursday night at the Ben Loyal Hotel, Tongue, to thank Link Teacher, David Charnley, for all of his efforts during their YES campaign.  Coinciding with the Higher results, we took the opportunity of celebrating the students' own  achievements as they look forward to the next stage of their education and careers. 

Stop Press! Gateway Start Up Course in Lairg 19th/20th August

Due to some considerable demand, we have managed to arrange a short notice 2-day start up course at the Lairg Learning Centre on the 19th/20th August from 9.30am to 4.00pm each day.   The courses are suitable for any kind of business, community or social enterprise and, whilst we recommend the full two days,  it is possible to book for one day only.

There'll be the usual relaxed but informative workshops with the invaluable chance to meet others who are considering starting a new venture or, indeed, have started a business in the past few months.  All are welcome, lunch and refreshments are provided - and it's FREE.

To book, please  contact Lesley Allan on 01463 713889 or email her here

Scottish Government Review of Enterprise Agencies

At the risk of being a proverbial turkey voting for Christmas, I'm attaching a link to the Scottish Government's survey regarding Scottish enterprise agencies.

The survey is asking for opinions and suggestions regarding the recent changes in, and the future of, enterprise support across Scotland.

Link

Business Gateway Record-keeping Workshop - 27 July 2010

Popped into the above workshop at the Lairg Learning Centre yesterday to see what was happening,    With a couple of extra clients attending, the unflappable trainer, David Taylor, used his expertise in crowd control to run a very stimulating and informative course.  I think all the attending clients found the event useful -  as the ability to control and manage a business is very much tied up in the quality of the admin.

As ever, the workshop provided a real opportunity for 10 completely different businesses to network and share their own experiences.

For more information about Gateway courses, contact Lesley on 01463 713889.

Food & Drink Seminar, Dingwall, 24 August 2010

UHI HI Links is holding a lunchtime seminar at Tulloch Castle, Dingwall on Tuesday 24th August.  It is aimed at the Food & Drink sector and those businesses looking for help on developing new products and marketing.  Keynote speakers will be from Food Innovation (University of Abertay) and Food Marketing (Scottish Agricultural College).

Registration is from 1130am. A light lunch will be served at 1.15pm.

For more information please contact Charlotte Ball, tel: 01463 279368