1. Kathryn Wagstaff Interim Business Relationship Manager Economic Development Unit Worcestershire County Council

2. What is Worcestershire. Business. Central? Why do it? Who is it? What is it?

3. What 1270 businesses said…..

4. Who is involved? Worcestershire County Council, Redditch Borough Council, Worcester City Council, Wyre Forest District Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Wychavon District Council, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, National Apprenticeship Service, Job Centre Plus and FE and Training providers etc etc etc etc …… Businesses!

5. What is Worcestershire.Business. Central? Web based portal providing a single point of contact/access for all business support needs www.business- central.co.ukwww.business- central.co.uk Business response desk 0300 123 1440 info@business-central.co.uk info@business-central.co.uk Business Account Management

6. Our response

7. Worcestershire. Business. Central

8. Our Services/products 1.Business Opportunities– FinditinWorcestershire, link though to UKTI (Chamber). 2.Business Support – Business Start-up, Resource and efficiency, Business growth, Business grants and loans. 3.Inward Investment 4.Worcestershire Property Search 5.Skills Development - Graduate internship Programme link with FE colleges and Training Providers, JCP, NAS.

9. Market testing

10. Worcestershire. Business. Central offers a number of interactive applications: Events calendar Online business directory Property Search Grant Finder News section

11. Interactive applications - Events

12. Business Directory

13. The future Monday 8 th October went live Tuesday 20 th & Friday 23 rd November -Market Testing and customer feedback Full Launch - End of January 2013 www.business-central.co.uk 0300 123 1440 info@business-central.co.uk let us know what you think is good (and not so good!)

14. Our services/products 1. Business opportunities

15. Why was Finditinworcestershire developed? A networking and support project for business – borne out of demand To support the local economy and sustain local employment To encourage trade between Worcestershire businesses, strengthen the supply chain To improve access to procurement opportunities – private and public sector contract opportunities are more visible To help us develop better relationships with businesses to be more responsive to their needs

16. What is Finditinworcestershire.com? 2 parts 1 Website – find a supplier, tender notices, business news, events Promoting business to business (B2B) trading: Providing a "match-making" service, linking buyers and sellers. Showcasing local businesses Highlighting contract opportunities (Not a business to consumer facility) 2 Breakfast networking meetings – expert speakers

17. Key facts Launched by Worcestershire County Council in February 2011 Over 3500 members to date Nearly 700 business opportunities Brought over £50 million worth of opportunities together in one place Average of 120 attendees at each Breakfast meetings Open to Businesses, public sector organisations and the voluntary and community sector can register

18. What next? Register on Finditinworcestershire to find suppliers and promote sub-contract opportunities: Find suppliers for any of your projects (generate email alert) Register for you to hear about opportunities Get to know the local economy and companies to help you become aware of future development projects Come to our networking meetings If you have a major project locally we can organise an event for you to meet potential local suppliers We can help you register and upload opportunity details. (Relevant local suppliers receive an automatic alert about the opportunity) *It is all FREE*

19. Contact details Worcestershire. Business. Central for help or information, contact Kathryn Wagstaff kwagstaff@worcestershire.gov.uk 01905 766896kwagstaff@worcestershire.gov.uk Finditinworcestershire for help or information, contact Emily Marsh emarsh2@worcestershire.gov.uk 01905 766897emarsh2@worcestershire.gov.uk

20. Any Questions?