Business Gateway Workshops - Ullapool

There are spaces available on the really useful Business Gateway Workshops to be held in Ullapool as follows:

Thursday 2^ndJune:    Marketing & Selling

Friday 3^rd June:        Record Keeping

If anyone is interested, please contact Lesley Allan to book: 01463 713889 or lesley.allan@highland-opportunity.com

Innovation Opportunity for Social Entrepreneurs

Here's a message from Iain Hamilton at Highlands & Islands Enterprise about  the Social Innovation Camp:

Opportunity to work with UK's leading software developers to create a

business/social start-up.

 

NESTA (National Endowment Science Technology and the Arts) run an annual

event called the Social Innovation Camp. This is for anyone who has an

idea to deal with a social issue, or health and wellbeing, and offers

the opportunity to work with some of the UK's leading software

developers to turn 6 back of the envelope ideas into business/social

start-ups in under 48 hours, complete with working software.

Technical skills are not a requirement for this process.

The Social Innovation Camp will run from 17th - 19th June, in Edinburgh

(Some expenses will be paid). Ideas that use the web to create social

change need to be submitted for consideration by NESTA by Friday 20th

May 2011.  If selected, you will be invited to attend the Edinburgh

workshop to try and make the idea a reality.

To get a better idea of what is involved and how you can participate,

NESTA will deliver two short workshops, lasting approximately 1 hour, on

10th May at 4.30pm and 7.30pm in:

The Ironworks

122b Academy Street

Inverness

IV1 1LX

If you would be interested in attending on 10th May, could you please

e-mail:  iain.hamilton@hient.co.uk

Full details of the programme are available here (Link) -  where

you can also find examples of successful ideas from past years.

Business Gateway - Newsletter for Existing Businesses

The Business Gateway newsletter, aimed at existing businesses, can now be found online. It contains case studies and  information on support options for developing your business, including training, advice, mentoring and funding.   Please follow this link

Business Gateway in Sutherland - Vital Statistics 2010/2011

As part of our review of the last Financial Year ending 31st March 2011, I thought that I'd provide some indication of Business Gateway's performance in Sutherland:

We had 89 registered clients - these are those we meet and who have been on Gateway workshops or received in-depth business advice.

46 businesses were created in this period, with the largest sector being the creative industries (12 businesses), followed by Food & Drink (7 businesses)

As far as we can tell, 3 businesses ceased trading during this period.

25 businesses received (the now discontinued) start-up or marketing grants totalling £28,900

10 Sutherland businesses received development assistance from our special advisers.

35% of the Start-ups are owned by women, 50% by men, the remainder by groups & partnerships

As for locations, the 46 business starts came from:

East Sutherland:                      19 Starts

West Sutherland                       8 Starts

North Coast:                            4 Starts

Mid-Central Sutherland:          12 Starts

Outwith Sutherland:                  3 Starts

For any further information about Business Gateway activities in Sutherland, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Business Start Workshop - Ullapool - 5/6 May 2011

There are still places available on the Business Start workshop to be held on 5th /6th May in Ullapool.  For further details, contact Lesley Allan on 01463 713889 or lesley.allan@highland-opportunity.com

Music Industry Workshop 16 May 2011

Here's a message from John Saich at Hi-Arts about an upcoming music industry workshop. These events are extremely useful to anyone who's involved in this business sector. They are also a great networking opportunity.

Following the success of our up-close Q&A session with Duncan McCrone, Senior Manager MCPS Scotland, last year we’re doing it again! On Monday May 16^th at 7.00pm you can put all your questions about music publishing, song writing copyright, royalties and all that stuff to the man who knows. As well as taking questions Duncan will explain how both MCPS and its partner organisation PRS can work with you as a writer, performer or music producer now or in the future. The session is informal, and not usually a very large group, so everyone should get something out if it.

If you’ve been before or are a PRS/MCPS member already this is still a good opportunity to catch up and keep in contact. We’re doing this session by invitation to start with so before I start advertising it can you e mail me back asap and let me know if you want to come?

Time and place: IRONWORKS ROOM 2, MONDAY MAY 16^TH 7.00PM (finish by 9.00). Entry is free but you need to register with me in advance:

john@hi-arts.couk and put WORKSHOP in the subject line or words to that effect.

If I could hear from you by the middle of next week it would be really helpful.

For more MCPS info go to the web site: www.prsformusic.com

Office Closed for Easter and May Day

Please note that the Business Gateway office in Bonar Bridge will be closed on Friday 22nd April, 25th April and 2nd May 2011.

Saladworx takes the Business Gateway Crown

Michelle Bowley of Saladworx receives her award from the competition judges

Here's a press release from Highland Opportunity and Business Gateway
Sutherland company Saladworx is celebrating winning a cash prize of £5,000 after Business Gateway Highlands and Moray named them their Business of the Year.

Saladworx battled it out against two other finalists, including Highlands Unbridled from Brora, to win the coveted award which they will now invest in their enterprise.

Also winning £5,000 to put towards developing their company were Papa Rock from Aviemore, who were crowned Young Business of the Year.

The event, held in Inverness Town House was hosted by STV’s Highlands and Islands correspondent Nicola McAlley.

There were an encouraging number of applicants, and of these, six finalists were selected for their impressive growth or ambitious growth plans. They showcased their company by delivering a Dragon’s Den style pitch to a panel of judges which consisted of Brian Urquhart, Divisional Director at the Orion Group, Stewart Nicol, Chief Executive of the Inverness Chamber of Commerce and David Owen, Company Manager of Highland Opportunity Ltd.

The judges applauded the achievements of Saladworx - a grower and supplier of salad leaves, edible flowers, and herbs – for demonstrating solid business planning and a clear commitment to product development and customer satisfaction.

Michelle Bowley, business owner of Saladworz said: “We are delighted to win this prize. Over the last six years, we have worked hard to establish the business and we are excited about the future. This money will go a long way in helping us to achieve our growth plans and hopefully further success. Since we approached Business Gateway 18 months ago, they have given us excellent free support and advice. We would like to thank them for their belief in us and the business.”


The judges were also impressed by the other two companies in the category; Moray First Marine Ltd based in Elgin and Highlands Unbridled, who offer trail riding holidays and pony trekking across the Highlands.

David Owen of Highland Opportunity said: “Once again our Business Awards have been a huge success. We are delighted to work with hundreds of local entrepreneurs and to support innovative business ideas whether it is through events such as these, one-to-one advice, web resources or free workshops. While the competition was tough, both Saladworx and Papa Rock demonstrated drive, enthusiasm and a clear idea of how they wanted to take their company forward.”

Congratulations to "Saladworx" and runners-up "Highlands Unbridled" on their incredible achievement.

Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice on the Radio

Mike Ellis of Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice was featured on BBC Radio Scotland's "Out of Doors" programme last weekend. The programme focussed on Mike's traditional forestry activities and in particular his recent accreditation as the only training provider in this field.  Mike is now offering courses in traditional and greenwood forestry from his base in Helmsdale - with the first to be held in May of this year.

Not only does this establish yet another centre of excellence in Sutherland, there is a considerable spin-off to accommodation and hospitality providers in the area.

To listen again or download the podcast, follow this link

To see the ""Out of Doors" Facebook gallery, follow this link.

Video Conferencing Facilities in Sutherland

Did you know that the Learning Centre network now has state of the art video-conferencing facilities? The equipment is available for rental to public, third sector and private sector contacts, and to visitors to the area.

VC units are installed in learning centres in Lochinver, Lairg, Brora, Grantown on Spey and Kingussie, but invitations may be made to any computer, equipped with a camera and microphone, so one should be able to join in from any desk in a quiet office.

If you would like to take advantage of this equipment for meetings and to reduce travel costs (bearing in mind that diesel is commonly £1.50/litre in this area) please email:

Assynt: Jane Young
Brora Learning Centre: Kelly MacKay

Lairg Learning Centre: Cara Cameron

The system is already used by participants on the Learn 2 Be Enterprising programme and has the potential to offer high quality training and networking opportunities across our area and beyond.

And while we're in a congratulating frame of mind..

Congratulations to Sutherland businesses, Saladworx (temporary site here) and Highlands Unbridled (link) for reaching the Final of the Business Gateway Highland & Moray Awards.

This means that, of the four finalists in the Existing Business category, two are from this County.

The finalist businesses will face an expert Panel in Inverness on April 5th and will compete for a £5000 cash prize.  For further information about the competition, contact Selina Rennie

It's Official! Alithea Watson IS the PSYBT Manager

Congratulations to Alithea Watson who has now been officially promoted to PSYBT Regional Manager for the Highland Region.  

Alithea has been Regional Co-ordinator for the past couple of years since the departure of the previous Manager (that'll be me, then) and before that she provided much-needed admin. support to the Regional Manager (me, again) so she's well-versed in PSYBT operations and well-known in the enterprise network.

She's already made her mark on the role; organising fundraising and networking events, and overseeing the changes which will carry PSYBT forward over the next few years.

You can contact Alithea by Email

Business Gateway Products & Services - Rural Development Grant

Following a review of budgets, there will be significant changes in the funding support available through Business Gateway.

The Business Gateway Rural Development/Start Grant will cease as of 10th February 2011.  This small grant (averaging £1200 in Sutherland) helped to create some 30 businesses in this County in 2010 and will be missed.  It was, however,  always a temporary measure; much appreciated in the rural areas of the Highland Region.

Applications in the pipeline will be honoured.



Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust support remains unchanged but Highland Opportunity loans will be "rationed" according to the availability of funds.


This is the first of several changes to our portfolio which will occur over the next few weeks and reflects the current pressure on local authority budgets.

Farr Safer - The European Dimension

Farr High School's Young Enterprise Scotland team, "Farr Safer", fresh from winning the Highland Area Trade Fair  followed by the  YES "Dragons' Den" event, are now off to Latvia to sell their range of safety equipment.

The Finnish-sourced safety heel cleats have been a real winner during this harsh winter including  sales to AJG Parcels and other corporate customers.

"Farr Safer"also sell items such as safety triangles, hi-visibility vests and first aid kits, and the team are busy preparing display materials and presentaions for the trade fair and competition which will be held in Riga in March.

For more information,  take a look at the Farr Safer website.

UHI Management School

I'm very pleased to be part of the Steering Group for the new Management School at the University of the Highlands & Islands ("UHI Millennium Institute" no more!) and we hope that the business community within our area will take advantage of its courses as part of the business development process.

Here's an update from Fiona Ryan, The Management School's newly-appointed Project Officer:

Introducing UHI's new Management School

The Management School, which is headed up by Euan Black, was launched on 1 August 2010 and has been created to ensure that organisations in the Highlands & Islands and beyond have access to high-quality management training and education. To read more about this exciting venture please access the first edition of the Management School's newsletter here:

The Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise and eMarketing, which has been commended for its innovation and relevance to SME’s, focuses on business growth and explores the challenges and opportunities of growing an SME, looking both at entrepreneurial leadership and marketing, particularly online or digital marketing. Information on the programme can be found here:

Leadership and Management

The second main area we have been working on is leadership. In September 2010 we launched an MSc in Leadership and Management, this programme is aimed more at those working in medium, larger and public sector organisations and is about supporting individuals take on increased leadership responsibilities effectively. The programme is built on extensive experience we have had working with the health sector, where we deliver a very successful national leadership programme. The Masters programme is made up of a postgraduate certificate, diploma and masters qualifications, information on these can be found via the following links:

Certificate:

Diploma:

Masters (MSc):

For further information, please contact Fiona Ryan, via the Management School website