Business Support Programmes and Projects

E-Business Byte
The E-Business Byte project aims to provide small businesses with the knowledge to evaluate the benefits and potential of e-business and e-commerce. 300 businesses across Norfolk will have valuable opportunity of free hands-on, one-to-one specialist consultancy to both see how their business could benefit and identify the best way of getting there. E-business is about using IT to ensure you can compete and grow.

You don't have to be located in a city to access the world and market your goods and services. E-business and Broadband can provide much more than just fast internet access - for example, fast turnaround on sales, banking and marketing to new potential customers. Adopting e-business may well mean the difference between success and failure for your business.

Advice can be provided on the following:

• E-Commerce: On-line Sales/Purchasing, catalogues, stock control
• E-Marketing and websites: Utilise your systems and website to maximum marketing effect
• Business Processes: System integration, Customer relationship management, workflow etc
• Financial: Accounts recording, analysis, cash-flow, on-line transactions, on-line banking
• Connection / Communication: Provider options, analogue, ISDN, Broadband options and related costs
• Security: Data protection, anti virus applied/updated, firewall, spyware anti pop-up, scams and backup
• Website: Design, development, re-design and updating/maintenance
• E-Training: Industry standard software (what is available and/or possible)
  

To qualify for this free service your business will need to meet the following criteria:

• Be based in Norfolk
• Be VAT registered and trading for 12 months or more
• Employ between one and not more than fifty people
• Not be more than 25% owned by a company or group of companies
• Have had a Business Health Check / Review within the last 12 months (or plan to have one*)

You pay nothing - and your business will benefit from this free expert advice. Keep up with the rapidly changing world of commercial IT, its potential and reap the benefits for your business - your competitors will!

Places are limited and allocated on a first come, first serve basis so hurry, call now for information* or to register for your place - contact details: Theresa Bailey on 01603 472288 or email: businessbyte.adult.edu@norfolk.gov.uk

The Project was developed jointly by Norfolk County Council's Adult Education Department (who will also deliver the project) and the Economic Development Unit, with additional financial support from the East of England Development Agency, Business Link for Norfolk and the seven district councils (including NNDC).


e-start Norfolk

This is a free email crash course for anyone thinking of starting a business. It is the additional feature of this year's Business Start Up programme which is also ideal for those already working who need to research and plan their ideas thoroughly before making a commitment to start and run their own business.

The guides are e-mailed to the recipient over a six week period. For the first week a daily bulletin is sent covering topics such as researching your market, raising money, starting up legally, information and support available and who to tell before you start. This is followed with weekly detailed support and guidance giving hints, tips and ideas to help you succeed in a readable, fun format which is easy to absorb. You can access this service on www.startquest.net/businesslink4norfolk


Norfolk Business Start Up Programme
This is a programme of support for people starting their own business, with funding from local authorities and Business Link. It provides training over seven days, including advice and support in the preparation of a business plan and the development of budgeting, financial planning and marketing skills. The programme is delivered locally by the local Enterprise Agencies, and further information about the programme can be obtained from either:

NEATBUSINESS
Suite 9, The Royal
25 Bank Plain
Norwich
Norfolk
NR2 4SF
Telephone: 01603 283465
Fax: 01603 283467
E-mail: enquiries@neatbusiness.co.uk
Website: www.neatbusiness.co.uk
NEAT delivers training in Norwich, Cromer and Fakenham.

Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES)
Queen's Road Business Centre,
Queen's Road,
Great Yarmouth,
NR30 3AT
Telephone: 08456 099991
Fax: 01493 330754
E-mail: info@nwes.org.uk
Website: www.nwes.org.uk
NWES delivers training in North Walsham, Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn.


Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service (NORBAS)
The Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service is the new name for the agricultural advisory service that was established in September 2000, a Shaping the Future initiative. The Rural Business Advice Service is dedicated to help Norfolk farming and rural businesses generate sustainable growth and to embrace change.

Independent experienced professionals provide a free service in:

• Support to individual farming and rural businesses
• Advice and support to public and private sector partners
• Skills development to enable continued competitiveness within business

The DEFRA funded Farm Business Advice Service is available from the team as a variety of business support services. Whether you need a business health check or have an idea for expanding or venturing into a different field of business, the team is available to help:

• Assessment of present business
• Opportunities for development
• Guidance on grants available
• Help preparing a business plan
• Gauging market potential for your ideas
• Develop your own and staff's skills
• Ongoing monitoring and support

The Norfolk Rural Advice Service has been involved in many different projects over recent years. Below are some of the areas farmers may, and indeed have, diversified and extended into:

• Farm shops
• Leisure & recreational facilities
• Vermiculture
• Food processing
• Alternative crops
• Environmental crops
• Equestrian facilities
• Office / workshop space
• Workforce training
• Tearooms
• Holiday accommodation

In developing links between agriculture, food and rural partners and the professional bodies and establishments that correspond with them, the Rural Business Advice Service strives to make information and support as widely available and accessible as possible. For further information contact:

Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service
Easton College
Easton,
Norwich
Norfolk
NR9 5DX

Telephone: 08457 218218
Website: www.ruraladvice.co.uk


NWES Advance
NWES Advance is a Business Enterprise Loan Fund available to those who wish to start-up in business or expand an existing business in the East of England and are unable to access finance elsewhere. They exist to encourage and promote positive social and economic change within the counties of the region. Whether this is through the assistance of the creation of new businesses, new jobs or growth, NWES Advance offer all the advice, support and training necessary to do this. For full details please visit: www.nwes.org.uk


Supplier Support Scheme
Norfolk County Council offer free impartial and confidential support and advice on all aspects of environmental/resource management, to businesses based in Norfolk.

The award wining Supplier Support Scheme offers:

• a baseline environmental review of your company to identify key issues and provide a prioritised action plan
• support on planning and implementation of environmental management systems (EMS)
• access to expert advice on issues such as water and energy efficiency, waste minimisation, pollution prevention and legal compliance
• awareness sessions through training workshops and seminars, giving you practical advice and the confidence to apply it to your organisation.

Increase your profit and improve your competitiveness. Contact an advisor today on 0844 800 8004, email: environmental.advice@norfolk.gov.uk or visit www.big-e.org.uk/sss