Business Generator is an intensive two year programme of events and 1-2-1 support that will help SMEs and social enterprises in the North East to increase their supply chain credentials and win more new business contracts.

The service is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is being delivered in partnership with the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) following the success of a pilot programme carried out in July and August 2010 which generated over £40million worth of new business for the 11 companies that took part.

Paul Taylor, Business Generator business development manager said: “Business Generator will support SMEs, create jobs and provide the confidence for North East companies to bid for work nationally.

“After an extremely successful pilot scheme we’re confident that the programme will increase the ability of North East businesses to identify, bid for and win new contracts.”

Businesses will be able to access the support of the Business Generator team of procurement experts through a programme of learning sessions, workshops and masterclasses covering all aspects of public and private procurement and the tender process as well as the option of practical 1-2-1 assistance in preparing tender documentation.

The programme will also run a series of ‘Business Generator’ days based on the popular meet the buyer style events where businesses will have the opportunity to meet face to face with buyers and managers with real purchasing requirements from local, national and international organisations.

Speaking at the Business Generator launch event Nicki Clark, chief operating officer at the Business & Enterprise Group said: “The Business & Enterprise Group is one of the country’s most influential business services groups and is delivering a range of supply chain projects across the UK.

“Business Generator is a unique partnership in the North East that will deliver real business opportunities across a range of sectors.”

The programme works closely with NEPO to give businesses a unique insight to the types of new opportunities available from the public sector and ensure they have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully pass through the procurement process and win contracts.

Diane Nielsen, deputy director and programmes director at NEPO said: “The help and support offered through the Business Generator is delivered by industry experts with years of experience who are able to offer one-to-one support on a range of subjects.

“They will be able to provide information on business opportunities through NEPO who undertake collaborative procurement on behalf of all 12 North East local authorities.”

James Ramsbotham, CEO of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) said: “The Business Generator Service from Business & Enterprise Group has real potential to help businesses gain a foothold in large supply chains and improve their ability in tendering for large scale public or private sector contracts.

“I urge businesses to get in touch and find out what the Business Generator can do for them.”

The service can be accessed by both new and established businesses including social enterprises.

To find out more about the Business Generator call 0191 426 6333 or visit the website www.bizgenerator.co.uk

And one of the region’s most influential businesses, the Business & Enterprise Group (BE Group) will deliver the help needed to ensure that firms take advantage of the offer – boosting their own prospects and the coffers of UK PLC.

The Business & Enterprise Group is expecting a large number of applications to the ERDF funded ‘Investment for Growth’ programme as companies approach 2012 with renewed vigour and investment led growth plans.

The fund will bring investment of around £10 million into the economy, providing subsidies of around 30 to 40 per cent to eligible companies to undertake projects that will create or safeguard jobs.

Chief Executive of the Business & Enterprise Group, Alastair MacColl said: “This is a fantastic programme and one which we will really relish delivering.  It will make a real difference.”

“A team of business advisers will help to guide firms through the preparation, submission and follow up of their applications.

“We will be able to see the concrete results of the programme both in economic and human terms. It’s about generating economic opportunity, jobs and growth – addressing key Government priorities. 

“As a national business services Group based in the North East this new programme underlines our commitment to making this one of the best regions in Europe in which to grow a business.”

As well as creating or safeguarding jobs directly, uptake will also lead to a more active business landscape, spin-off jobs and a more vibrant economic climate – and this will be clearly evidenced at the end of the programme.

Initial contact will be followed by one-to-one sessions with business advisers who will support eligible businesses through the entire process; ensuring those projects most likely to result in business growth receive an appropriate level of subsidy..

The programme, which will be able to help both new and established businesses including eligible social enterprises, starts immediately and runs until 2014. To access the programme call 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@business-enterprise.net.

The project will benefit from £4.99million of investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, is investing £4.99m in the Investment for Growth Project which is match funded from small and medium enterprise contributions.

The project will be delivered by the Business & Enterprise Group, based in Seaham, County Durham, building on their expertise in helping businesses to identify new opportunities and their well-established Investment Centre and Service Provider Register systems.

 Communities Minister Baroness Hanham CBE, said: “I’m pleased that the provision of this funding will increase the prosperity of the North East through helping businesses to increase their turnover resulting in business growth and the creation and safeguarding of a significant number of jobs. It is the help of experts in providing support, mentoring and specialist advice, which enables business to grow confidently.”

Alastair MacColl, chief executive of the Business & Enterprise Group, said: “This is exactly the type of initiative we need to help North East businesses prosper and grow.  Our Group specialises in helping businesses to innovate, invest and improve their performance, both in the North East and through our network of offices in other parts of the UK. 

“The funding support provided through the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme is of vital importance to the businesses in the region.  This new project will allow us to further enhance our comprehensive portfolio of services designed to help businesses in the North East to invest in growth.” 

Key aims by December 2014 include:

• Assisting 254 new small and medium enterprises, including integrated development of workforce skills where appropriate;
• Assisting 525 small and medium enterprises, including integrated development of workforce skills;
• Creating 593 jobs and safeguarding 903 jobs;
• Assisting 720 businesses with improved performance; and
• Assisting 195 businesses with improved environmental management;

The project will provide two types of support:

• Up to six hours of advice to all eligible small and medium enterprises – including social enterprises – to help identify opportunities for businesses to sustain performance, develop and grow.
• Up to 40% financial contribution towards external advice or consultancy, leading to improved business performance, job creation, job safeguarding and Gross Value Added growth.

Successful Small and Medium Enterprises will be identified on the basis of a selection process balancing developmental needs, capacity for growth and ability to support investment.  Supported activity, which contribute to the successful early and continued growth of businesses in the North East will include: Business and financial planning;
strategic marketing consultancy; design consultancy; HR consultancy and product development consultancy.

To access this new service, please call the Business & Enterprise Group on 0191 426 6408 or email enquiries@business-enterprise.net

The European Regional Development Fund 2007-13 Programme is bringing over £300m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support.  It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the region’s productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

BtoB, a subsidiary of the Business & Enterprise Group, one of the country’s leading specialists in business improvement services – has been appointed to operate a major manufacturing conference in Scotland and to run supply chain seminars for a North East Council.

The contract for Scottish Enterprise helps the Business & Enterprise Group to firm up its national presence, along with its role in delivering the New Enterprise Allowance in Scotland, Wales and London.

BtoB has also won a contract to deliver four supply chain development seminars for Middlesbrough Council and together the new work, worth £150,000, boosts BtoB’s standing and allows the company to diversify into new industry sectors and regional markets.

Andrew Wilson, Regional Director of BtoB based in Newcastle, said: “This is yet another affirmation that BtoB has the capability to help businesses to develop and grow which is vital at this time.

“It is extremely pleasing to win public sector contracts – especially when that work will have a knock on effect of helping North East firms win more business.”

Alastair MacColl, Chief Executive of the Business & Enterprise Group, said:  “This is another step forward for the Group and for the team at BtoB.

“As a national company with its HQ in the North East we believe winning contracts like these helps us to establish how much we have to offer in each of the UK nations.”

*In September BtoB won contracts to deliver trade missions to Brazil, China and Canada on behalf of UK trade & Investment (UKTI), and to provide procurement support and advice across North Tyneside to enable companies in the area to compete for public sector opportunities.

BtoB is a subsidiary of the Business & Enterprise Group – one of the country’s leading specialists in business improvement services. 

As well as organising the missions to Brazil, China and Canada on behalf of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) BtoB has been appointed by North Tyneside Council to provide procurement support and advice to enable companies in the area to compete for public sector opportunities. 

As part of this contract between now and April 2012, BtoB will be working with more than 80 SMEs across North Tyneside to help them win new orders. 

UKTI runs sector specific trade missions and this significant contract win involves UKTI’s environment and water (sector) team, who are based in London. 

Andrew Wilson, Regional Director of BtoB based in Newcastle, said: “We’ll be recruiting 20 companies from across the UK that are looking to invest in new foreign markets. As part of the project we recruit the companies, organise the logistics, visas and accompany the visits. 

“The firms could be from anywhere in the UK – they might be working in the fields of environmental technology, waste management water or energy efficiency. 

“Bto B has built a strong reputation for delivering international trade contracts on behalf of UKTI and this latest coup reaffirms our strength in supporting businesses to develop and grow. 

“Equally as important will be our work for North Tyneside Council to deliver procurement and supply chain support to SMEs – helping them win new contracts from the public sector. 

Alastair MacColl, Chief Executive of the Business & Enterprise Group, said:  “This is a really positive announcement for the Group and for the team at  BtoB.  As a national company based in the North East we are absolutely focused on helping to  boost jobs and opportunities both in our region and around the UK at a time when it is vital to  stimulate private sector growth. 

*Any North Tyneside firm interested in speaking to BtoB should contact Andrew Wilson on 0191 281 5777.

The ‘New Enterprise Allowance’ (NEA) Loan Service will be delivered with our lead partner firm GLE Group in Scotland, Wales and London on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

And, with NEA high on the Government’s political agenda as its flagship enterprise initiative, Chief Executive of the Business & Enterprise Group Alastair MacColl, says it is great news for the expanding company.

“We have developed a comprehensive portfolio of services- tailored to meet the specific need of businesses – and are delighted to have won this high profile contract. It reinforces our national capacity and adds to a series of recent successes for us.

“This new contract expands our role in the regions and enables us to help more people who have great ideas for new businesses to get them off the ground, creating economic growth and jobs.

“Our experience in this field is vast and we believe that coupled with GLE’s expertise, together we are the right people to help get the most out of this scheme, which is designed to promote self-employment to those who are unemployed.”

The Business & Enterprise Group is a rapidly growing UK-wide company working for household name clients such as Marks and Spencer, Heathrow Airport, United Utilities and NPower and this work on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions adds to the list of prestigious clients.

The NEA front-end of the Loan Service will be delivered by the Business & Enterprise Group’s Investment Centre which last year alone delivered funding contracts worth just under £12million to over 3,700 firms.

The New Enterprise Allowance is available to those who have been claiming jobseekers allowance for six months or more. It will provide access to business mentoring, financial support and help with capital start up costs via £1,000 loans.

Applicants will have to be able to demonstrate their business is viable and has potential for growth to be eligible for the NEA Loan.

We have provided:

• One central call to action for all customers across our portfolio of services, ensuring a simple and easily accessible business improvement service.
• Dedicated business advisers to assess customers’ needs through an initial diagnostic and work with them to identify appropriate support.
• A full telephone-based advisory service delivered by our Business Support Advisers to provide efficient, effective and targeted support to customers.
• Toolkits, one-to-one support and access to funding.

Business & Enterprise Group, in collaboration with One North East, delivers the rural business support elements of the programme. Our Rural Business Advisers are talented professionals with specialist knowledge and experience of running rural businesses. They work with farming communities, providing a range business improvement services, including information, advice and guidance; and help to access the RDPE funds which are administered through the Investment Centre.

Since the plan was launched in 2007, Marks and Spencer has reduced its environmental impact, developed new sustainable products and services, helped improve the lives of people in our local communities and saved around £50 million by being more efficient.

A Flexible Framework with prioritised objectives was created by our specialists and implemented throughout the business. It is used to help procurement managers and buyers to provide clear requirements to suppliers and to make decisions based on the supplier’s prioritised contribution to Plan A.

Using the Flexible Framework, Marks and Spencer has implemented a systematic programme of training, measurement and process changes to ensure that the change in behaviour is embedded in the longer term.

Visit the Action Sustainability website for more information and to access our sustainable procurement services.