Access to Business Finance, 29th April, Inverness

Business Gateway in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses is hosting an Access to Business Finance event at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on the 29th April 2013.

• Do you have a business idea but don't know where or how to raise the finance to get it off the ground?  
   
• Do you want to expand or develop your existing business but haven't got the cash to do it?
   
• Or maybe you are treading water in this tight economy and need help to consolidate and plan for future growth?

Open to all small businesses, the day will bring together representatives from the major banks, alternative providers of business funding, accountants and lawyers and will be based on a series of talks, workshops and one-to-one conversations.

The event should be of interest to professionals who support small businesses and will be an excellent opportunity to network and influence funding bodies.

For the full programme and booking information, follow this link:

HiDigital Workshops - Dornoch

HIE and Business Gateway are hosting a series of workshops to help businesses make the most of the Internet and digital technology.  The next Sutherland event is being held in Dornoch on 16th/17th April 2013 and will cover the basics of social media, enhancing your web presence and using IT to produce meaningful financial information.  Places are limited and booking is essential.

For more inforamtion or to book a place, please email

"Celebrate Open Learning" in Kinlochbervie

If you're based around Kinlochbervie you might be interested in the North West Training Centre's Open Day on the 6th September.  The event will promote the Training Centre's wide range of courses and Marianne Ross, Business Gateway's Recruitment Adviser, will be going along too.

For more information, take a look at The North West Training Centre website: Link

SCDI Business Excellence Awards

We've been asked to pass on the details of this year's SCDI Business Excellence Awards being held in Inverness on 14 September 2012:

"...The SCDI Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Awards provide a unique platform to showcase the achievements of the region's organisations and celebrate excellence in a wide range of sectors. The event is a highlight in the Highland Business calendar attended by over 340 guests drawn from across the business and economic community.

We are delighted to announce that Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland, will be the guest speaker at this year’s Highlands & Islands Annual Dinner & Business Excellence Awards. ....with after dinner entertainment provided by Hugh Dennis, and the evening hosted by the BBC broadcaster Sally Magnusson, the evening promises to be one to remember. 

Entries are currently being sought for the following award categories:

Benromach Award for Excellence in International Business This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate a track-record of outstanding achievement in the global marketplace.  

The Crown Estate One to Watch Award for Excellence in a Marine Business This award will be presented to the small marine business, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate emerging growth potential and innovation. This should be supported by evidence of business performance, environmental care and sustainability and may also include local community involvement.  

Global Energy Award for Excellence in People Development This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate its commitment to developing the skills of its employees. 

Highlands and Islands Enterprise Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation This award will be presented to the organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate the application of Research and/or Innovation to improve their competitiveness.  

ScotRail Award for Excellence in Business Service & Engagement This award will be presented to the business, in the Highlands and Islands, which has had the greatest impact on other businesses or their sector through innovative service or engagement. 

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability This award will be presented to the business or organisation, based in the Highlands and Islands, which can best demonstrate its commitment and overall approach to improving its environmental performance and resource efficiency.

SCDI Highlands & Islands Chairman's Award for Oustanding Business Achievement This award will be presented to the company, based in the Highlands and Islands, which best demonstrates having made a significant positive contribution to the regional economy...."

All the event details can be found here: Link

European Information Clinic, Golspie, 27 June 2012

Are there European opportunities for your business? Let us help you find out! 

European Information Clinic- 27th June 2012 

The Links, Golspie Business Park, GOLSPIE, KW10 6UB 

The Enterprise Europe Network is a local support service enabling highland businesses to network on a European level. We operate in over 51 countries, with 600 partners and around 4000 colleagues. This enables us to access European suppliers, customers, contacts & information in Europe from a local perspective. Support includes: 

European business information 

 • Is there a market for your product in a particular country or region? 

• Who are your competitors? 

 • What legislation applies? 

Help to find commercial partners - agents, distributors and suppliers 

Information on public sector contracts - where to find contracts, guidance on bidding for contracts 

Signposting to sources of funding 

– providing information on European funding & other sources of funding 

Innovation and technology 

- If you need know-how or equipment to take an idea, product or process to the next stage, improve efficiency or reduce environmental impact, we can help you seek a solution in Europe, or someone willing to help you develop one. 

How do I register? 

1. Register your details in the event section of our website - www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com 

2. Email us a little bit about your business: enterprise.europe@highland-opportunity.com 

3. We will contact you to offer a suitable time slot!

Collaboration Prize - deadline for entries 31 July 2012

 Co-operative Development Scotland has launched a £30,000 Collaboration Prize. It aims to encourage businesses to consider collaboration and pitch their idea for a new consortium co-operative.

Up to three winning ideas for collaborative projects will be selected to receive a cash prize of £5,000 and up to 10 days of consultancy support, to scope out the initial concept.

The funding can be used for a variety of different purposes, including:
• Buying products or services together to achieve volume discounts and cost savings
• Facilitating access to new markets - marketing and selling together
• Sharing resources such as premises or capital equipment
• Tendering to bid for higher value contracts
• Providing mutual support and advice among members

To help businesses find out more and complete their application, in partnership with Co-operative Development Scotland, we will be delivering an explanatory workshop.

Venue:   Business Gateway Inverness
Date:     Tuesday 12th July 2012
Time:    0930h for 1000h

Full details here: link

Race For Life - " The Hollies" Done Good

Here's a message from Alithea Watson:

 "On behalf of the “Hollies” I just wanted to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ for the help and support you gave us when we took part in the ‘Race for Life’ on Sunday 6th May. 

The Hollies started out as a team of four - Marie, Alithea, Lesley & Ilona - with what we thought was a realistic fundraising target of £400. After just 24 hours we had smashed through the £400 target!! With an additional four members joining the team – Michelle, Amy, Selina & Lindsay – we realised we had to reassess our fundraising target and decided to raise it to £800. To our delight the money kept pouring in via our ‘JustGiving’ link and once again we were about to surpass our target which left us with the dilemma - what to do next?? 

After great discussion (bugger it lets just go for it) we decided to raise the bar to £1,000!!!! Desperate times calls for desperate measures, so armed with the good old paper sponsor sheet I headed for my usual mode of transport home, the Inverness to Kyle train. The whistle blew and the doors closed and there was no escape for my fellow travellers or staff!! For four days I unashamedly ‘mugged’ everyone I knew and raised the magnificent sum of £150. I would personally like to thank each and every one of them for supporting me and the Hollies (and for not banning me from travelling on the train!!) The £1,000 target came and went and to say we were astounded would be an understatement – what to do next?? 

With only 3 days to ‘the Race’ we decided - sod it lets raise the bar a bit further (high blood pressure and no nails left) we raised it to £1,400 (gulp!!) Would we do it??? Were we raising the expectations of the Charity??? WE DID IT……………… AND IN STYLE!! WE HAVE RAISED £1,735 TO DATE AND ARE INDEBTED TO YOU ALL FOR HELPING US ‘SMASH’ EVERY TARGET WE SET!..."

The total is now £1874!!!

Well Done,  the Hollies (and, apparently, Alithea didn't hitch a lift.)

For pictures and updates, Follow this link: 

Eco-Innovation Event

Enterprise Europe Network are hosting an Eco-Innovation event in Edinburgh on the 31st May 2012.

"The Eco Innovation Programme bridges the gap between research and the market. It helps good ideas for innovative products, services and processes that protect the environment become fully-fledged commercial prospects, ready for use by business and industry. In doing so the initiative not only helps the EU meet its environmental objectives but also boosts economic growth."

This FREE event will be of interest to businesses, academics and other interested parties seeking EU funding in the areas of:

• Materials recycling and recycling processes 
• Sustainable building products 
• Food and drink sector 
• Water efficiency, treatment and distribution 
• Greening business

For more info: http://www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com/sct/events/register.asp?eventid=1259

Race For Life: The Highland Opportunity Team

The good ladies of Highland Opportunity are entering the Race for Life; running/walking/ambling 5km in aid of Cancer Research UK. 

Marie, Michelle, Lesley, Ilona and (gulp) Alithea, who call themselves "The Hollies" (geddit?) will be starting out on in Bught Park, Inverness on the 6th May at 1pm  - and Alithea will be finishing sometime in early June.   As this is the longest walk that Alithea has undertaken in many years, we are also having a side bet on when she stops for her first cigarette/bacon roll/pint of Tennents.

This is a great cause to support and you can donate through the Hollies "Just Giving" Page

Kyle of Sutherland Business Network

If you have  - or are planning to start - a business in the Kyle of Sutherland, you should be part of the Kyle of Sutherland Business Network.

The Network will be launched on 25th April in Bonar Bridge Community Hall at 5.30pm.  For more information, contact Community Development Officer, Lynsey Burns

Farewell to Mark

Last Thursday saw the retiral party for Mark Strudwick CBE, outgoing Chief Exec of PSYBT.

At a packed event in Sloan's, Glasgow,  Mark's career with PSYBT was celebrated by staff, volunteers, clients and other friends.  We all had a great time and, personally, it was an opportunity to thank Mark for his work as a true friend of the Highlands; supporting not only our clients but also me and, latterly, Alithea Watson in our roles as PSYBT Regional Managers.

We all wish Mark the very best - and we're sure that a pipe and slippers won't play a significant part in his retirement...

Part of the Highland contribution to Mark's considerable hoard of leaving gifts was a specially-composed tune from PSYBT client, Graeme MacKay

All photo's © Malcolm Cochrane Photography

European Seafood Exposition 2012 - Partnering Event

Michelle Wemyss of the Enterprise Europe Network has asked me to provide a link to the promotional video for The European Seafood Exposition and I'm very pleased to do so.  It's worth a watch just to count the piscatorial puns.


  For more information about the Event, which is being held in Brussels on the 24th-26th April , click here

European Seafood Exposition 2012 - Partnering Event

Here's a message from Michelle Wemyss of Enterprise Europe Network

As you may be aware, the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) in Brussels is fast approaching (24th – 27th April 2012). For the last 3 years we have been involved in organising a partner brokerage event at ESE. This is hosted by Scottish Development International (SDI) and organised by Enterprise Europe (in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Opportunity Ltd & Scottish Enterprise teams).

The aim is to support Scottish companies who are going to ESE by helping them to make most effective use of their time. We do this by offering our market research services prior to the event and an opportunity for them to promote their business across Europe by uploading a profile on our online catalogue. Once they have uploaded their company profile to the catalogue (including what products/services they offer and what they are looking for in a partner) they have the option to request, accept or decline meeting requests from other participants. Our colleagues across our European network also encourage the companies they are working with to participate in the partnering event which is how the catalogue becomes populated.

A couple of weeks before ESE we start to schedule the meetings and provide the companies with their personal schedule for 1-2-1 meetings with their potential business partners. We have an allocated space on the Scottish Pavillion at ESE to host these meetings. It’s almost like speed dating – but for businesses.

We can arrange to bring people who they’d like to meet to their stand or work something out that will suit them. There is certainly nothing to lose in putting a profile in the catalogue to gauge any interest as there is always the option to politely decline meetings.

For more information: Link or contact Michelle Wemyss

Tourism Events in the North Highlands

North Highland Tourism have organised the following networking and information events in the North Highlands:

9th March:    "Springle", Lairg Community Hall, 10:30am - 12noon
More Info:  Link

13th March:  "Putting the Buzz Back into Your Business": MacKays Hotel Wick, 10:00am to 1.00pm
More Info: Link

14th March:  "Putting the Buzz Back into Your Business": Assynt Leisure, Lochinver, 10:00am to 1.00pm
 More Info: Link

26th March: "Getting Inside Your Customer's Head", Fortrose Leisure Centre, 10.00am to 1.00pm .
More Info: Link

28th March: "Getting Inside Your Customer's Head", Timespan, Helmsdale, 10.00am to 1.00pm More Info: Link


For background and contact details, visit the North Highlands Tourism website: Link

Food & Drink Event - Wick, 2 February 2012

Caithness Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Food & Drink event at MacKay’s Hotel in Wick on the 2nd February from 10:30 to 4.00pm.

From the Chamber:

The event will be attended by food and drinks producers from Caithness and Sutherland alongside local hoteliers and restaurants. The aim of the event is to come together to discuss the food and drink sector in the area and how it may be possible for Caithness Chamber of Commerce and local agencies to assist with the sector requirements. The three facilitated workshops in the afternoon will look at local examples and an example of a co-operative organisation from outwith Caithness and Sutherland.

Outline Programme

10.30 Registration, tea & coffee

11.00 Welcome – Caithness Chamber of Commerce

11.05 Jim Royan – Moray Perspective

11.30 Business Gateway – a few words about what they are doing

11.35 HIE – a few words about what they are doing

11.40 Scotland Food and Drink – a few words about what they are doing

11.45 Jim Royan – Facilitated workshop with all delegates

12.30 Lunch

13.15 Facilitated workshop

14.00 Facilitated workshop

14.45 Break, chance to speak to Caithness Chamber and agencies

15.15 Facilitated workshop

16.00 Next Steps / Close

For further information contact info@caithnesschamber.com

Create - Make it Happen

I had a great time yesterday, meeting some of the entrepreneurs involved with the Create Programme including some of the finalists from this year's Business Ideas Competition. Guest Speakers included local entrepreneurs - and representatives from Highland Venture Capital,  ICASS, Johnson & Carmichael, HISEZ, Harper MacLeod (and yours truly).

Congratulations to Carol Langston and her team for organising another fantastic event.

Doing Business in Amsterdam?

Amsterdam's Flag

Here's a message from the Inverness Chamber of Commerce:

"Registration is now live for our Amsterdam preparation workshop in January.

If you think your business would benefit from coming to the Amsterdam business exchange in March this workshop will offer information and advice on doing business in the Netherlands, as well as tips on getting the most out of the business exchange.

Places are free of charge, however they are limited so book now!"

Date: 23 January 2012
Time 12noon to 2.00pm
Venue: Inverness Airport

More details and booking from the ICC website: (Link)

Sutherland Secrets - "The Insider's Guide"

Lairg and Brora Learning Centres are launching a local history project to produce an "Alternative Guide to Sutherland"  The first meeting will be held at Lairg LC on 23 November 2011 from 2pm to 3pm.  For more details or to book contact: Jane at the LLC on 01549 402050 or Email: jane-lairglearningcentre@hotmail.co.uk

Real-Life Entrepreneurs Event, 29th November 2011

Here's an invite to a business event,  from David Richardson, Development Manager of the Federation of Small Business:

"I would like to invite you attend the North of Scotland launch of the FSB’s important new Real-Life Entrepreneur Campaign (Link)

Purpose: 

To launch the Campaign 

To stimulate interest in entrepreneurship 

To provide a range of relevant businesses information 

To provide a forum for networking between businesses and between businesses and public sector agencies and politicians

Venue: Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Stadium

Date:: Tuesday 29th November

Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm

Sustenance: Tea & coffee on arrival and departure and a buffet lunch

Cost: Free to all

Guest List: All FSB members in the Highlands & Islands and Moray

Non-members small businesses

People thinking about setting up in business for themselves

Representatives from business support agencies

Local and national politicians

At the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), we know that going into business can be the best thing a person can do. However, we also know that it is a daunting task at the best of times – and doubly so in the current economic climate.

In short, if we are to grow, broaden and strengthen our economy, we must make it as easy as possible for people with entrepreneurial flair to start up – and remain – in business. This is what the FSB’s new Real-Life Entrepreneurs Campaign is all about.

We have taken the six most common problems faced by today’s entrepreneurs and set out, clearly and concisely, what the FSB can do to assist and what we are asking Government to do to play its part. The Campaign also highlights examples of typical members who have received practical help in each of these areas.

I am therefore delighted to invite you to the launch of our Real Life Entrepreneurs Campaign in the North of Scotland.

The event will be led by Mike Southon, Financial Times columnist and author of “The Beer Mat Entrepreneur”.

R.S.V.P. David Richardson (email)  by Wednesday 23rd November

Please note: numbers are restricted so bookings will be accepted on a first-come basis

Business Gateway and other business agencies will be attending the event.

EVENT CANCELLED : Business Gateway Roadshow in Ullapool - 16th November 2011

Please note that the Business Gateway Roadshow planned for Ullapool on the 16th November has been CANCELLED.  We apologize for any inconvenience that this might have caused.