NORTH NORFOLK PATHFINDER BUSINESS ADVICE PROJECT Presentation to Pathfinder Conference 22 March 2011 Ian Groves
THE PATHFINDER AREA
BUSINESS ADVICE PROJECT Available to all businesses in coastal communities, Stalham and Happing Partnership area Up to £1,550 of free business advice Consultation with Business Link East £450 voucher to offset against specialist advice Business planning Follow-on projects
BUSINESSES SIGNED UP 185 meetings attended between June and December businesses signed up in total – 75% from coastal area All communities between Sheringham and Waxham and inland
RESULTS SO FAR Specialist advice being provided in a variety of areas – Marketing and planning most popular Many have requested business planning Bigger issues also raised Very positive feedback...
ISSUES OUTSIDE PATHFINDER Sea defences Coast road Community projects Bus services Signage Local area marketing
LESSONS LEARNED High levels of entrepreneurship and cooperation Many businesses can be assisted with issues Flexibility in response A welcome boost to local businesses...
Business Planning, Strategy and Advice Andrew Wilson
NWES BIS registered Enterprise Agency N Norfolk for 10 years 9 delivery staff Support track record 9500 support sessions
NWES Delivery Build on partners work Business planning Strategy based Risk identification Market & PR positioning Financial projections Client driven
Project Changes Strategy / Advice Relationship duration Extension NWES produced
Client Barriers Access to Finance Client perception? Business viability concerns Security Solutions Business Plan Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme (EFG) Joint meetings with banks CDFI fund
Client Barriers Planning permission Perception? Solutions Named planning contact Business Plan
Client Barriers Rollback land costs No saleable asset for contribution Infrastructure Solutions Business Plan CDFI Loan Grants
Client Barriers Unviable businesses Not erosion linked Client unaware Solutions Strategy discussions Client decision Business Plan
Client barriers Business acumen No monitoring No planning Solutions Establish systems Professionals engaged by vouchers Ongoing support
What next? 33 referrals so far 30 still active More NWES driven Project Toolkit
Summary Business Planning, Strategy and Advice Intensive relationship Evidence of success Work in progress