1. Supplier Engagement: Collaboration in Bristol

2. Dick Willis CNR Ltd 01275 394727 dwillis@cnr.co.uk

3. Background Compliance with Government’s target to trade online by 2005 Targets for prompt payment Improved procurement practice, (in 2002/3 they spent £324M over 19,000 suppliers) The opportunity to provide Bristol businesses with wider trading opportunities The opportunity to achieve ‘joined up’ public sector trading through partnership activities with other organisations. H.E., F.E., Health Sector, Police, other Authorities

4. Background Existing LSC – Business Link skills project S.West pilot between learndirect and UK online for business Need to achieve market penetration E-Procurement will affect 800,000 SMEs Recognition of common agendas with Bristol City Council

5. Who’s involved?

6. Awareness road show [Ufi] 1:1 ‘holistic’ diagnostic [Business Link West] ‘Agents of Change’ student placements Further training [LearnDirect] eBusiness Club & other advisory services Invitation from the Public Sector body Basic IT skills training [BLW Training Suppliers] e C a p a b I l I t y M a r k Original model

7. Set up Supplier analysis (19,000 suppliers) Initial awareness event (May) 90% of attendees wanted to participate. Kick Start team established IT@Work funding and staff securedIT@Work Processes agreed and marketing collatoral produced.

8. Current process 1 Kick Start team coordinate. KS team invite SMEs to awareness event hosted by learndirect Key information collected (issues/concerns/ interest) Data protection authority gained for partnership sharing (via an extranet)

9. Current process 2 Some companies fast-tracked to @UK plc –@UK plc visit with member of KS team Other companies visited by Business Link for diagnostic –Action plan with referral for action: @UK plc Task oriented ICT training learndirect IT surgery for problem solving Student placement

10. Supplier analysis Kick Start Team prioritise Invitation to attend event Interested and capable Event Interested but incapable Diagnostic visit Visit by @Ukplc and Kick Start team Sign-up and trading Task oriented training learndirect IT clinic Placement

11. Outcomes and lessons Invitation must come from Council Targeted phone calls [from KS team] are more successful than letters What’s in it for them..? Clear messages Collect information once only KS team and @UK plc visit together 100% sign-up from those visited The next problem is getting buyers to use the system!

12. Dick Willis CNR Ltd 01275 394727 dwillis@cnr.co.uk