Business Support Consultancy Panel DPS

Description

The proposed programme of support (1:1 and 1:many) funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, will continue to build on the work of 3 successful BEIS funded 121 programmes and past ‘Growth Hub Guru’ workshop programmes.It is the Council’s intention to establish a panel of consultants who will deliver 121 specialist support to a wide range of trading businesses from new start ups through to those with growth aspirations.The scheme will run from mid June 2023 to complete by March 2025The 1:1 consultancy support will be fully funded to participating SME businesses and will aim to support businesses with the delivery of their aspirations through practical support. However, there will be two other support focuses namely increasing business resilience and to support productivity improvements. Lot Lot 1: Gateway workshops: Lot 1: Gateway workshops It is intended that "hot" topics or other pertinent issues will be identified and small events or workshops will be held that focus on the subject matter.These workshops will be delivered mainly online due to not having a designated events space for in person workshops. However opportunities may arise for in person workshops if event space becomes available at no charge.They will act as a gateway to further support from the Team – whether that be from the 121 consultancy programme or anything else that may be relevant.There will be an expectation that approved panel members will work with the Invest Telford team when requested, to identify topics for workshops based on known demand from businesses.Workshops are charged by the hour (hourly rate is £125) invoices will include costs for delivery time and in certain circumstances ‘prep time’ – prep time is defined as the creation of a new workshop topic at the request of the event organiser or the significant amendment of an existing workshop topic. The inclusion of prep time is at the agreement of the Project Manager.When the workshop is delivered virtually it takes the following format;•Maximum length for an online workshop is 2 hours•Course materials/presentations must be provided by consultants•If you decide that the workshop would be supported by the provision of handouts/accompanying documents – then this is included in the core delivery time cost and cannot be paid for separately or in addition to.•The consultant will host the workshop via their chosen platform and provide the joining instructions to the event organiser so they can be sent out to attendees the day before the event is scheduled.•The event organiser will attend the beginning of workshops to welcome and promote Invest Telford business services.•Feedback forms will be issues via email by the event organiser. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 2: General - Multi-disciplinary: Lot 2: General - Multi-disciplinary Description of procurement: This category is in place for businesses who have expressed a desire to grow or improve their practices but do not neatly fit into a specific support specialism.Therefore consultants applying to deliver this Lot will need to have a wide ranging knowledge across all areas of the business and do a level of diagnostic work to see what is needed.Support Activities could therefore include business planning, high level financial planning (non accountancy accredited) e.g. looking at pricing, existing financial forecasts and budget. As well as sales and marketing strategy and other operational areas of the business. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 3: Financial Planning & Accessing Finance: Lot 3: Financial Planning & Accessing Finance Financial planning support provided under this Lot would be from certified Accountants to offer specialist financial advice and guidance on detailed forecasting and budgeting.Accessing finance advice and guidance can be provided by any consultant or broker that can demonstrate expertise and knowledge in this area as part of the process. As well as other finance options they will need to understand the grants that are available locally and refer these to Invest Telford Team where appropriate. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 4: Social enterprise and CICs: Lot 4: Social enterprise and CICs Consultant that specialises in Social Enterprises and CICs – support could include:-a. Providing advice and guidance to an existing trading business that wants to set up as a Social Enterprise or CICb. Providing guidance on sources of finance open to Social Enterprises and CICsc. Helping business owners understand more about what it means to be a social business. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 5: Digital - Supporting businesses to get online: Lot 5: Digital - Supporting businesses to get online a. Advice and guidance on the creation of new websites or improvement of existingb. Digital marketing and social mediac. Advice on the creation of apps or similard. Advice on staying safe online - cyber security. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 6: Digital - Implementation of systems: Lot 6: Digital - Implementation of systems a. Advice and guidance on implementing CRMS, new stock control systems or other relevant digital systemsb. Advice on moving towards systems certifications. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 7: Operational effectiveness: Lot 7: Operational effectiveness Advice and guidance on the implementation of relevant new processes and systems to increase efficiency and effectiveness.This activity may specifically support effective Supply Chain Management for example when the new process and systems relate to the flow of goods, data, and finances related to a product or service, from the procurement of raw materials to the delivery of the product at its final destination. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 8: Sales and Marketing: Lot 8: Sales and Marketing a. Advice and guidance on improved sales techniques to increase turnoverb. Advice and guidance on marketing practicesc. Creation of sales and marketing strategiesPlease note that all activities delivered through this Lot must upskill the business owner and isn’t hours of time to deliver specific marketing work or campaigns. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS Lot Lot 9: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Lot 9: Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Helping businesses reduce their environmental impact and work towards being carbon neutral;Specific activities could include;a. Guidance to understand environmental legal obligations.b. Provision of an environmental action plan consisting of short and long-term goalsc. Analysis of the initial environmental action plan and research further optional solutions (guidance, funding, other support channels).d. 1-2-1 support on how to get started with the environmental action plan.e. A carbon foot printing advisory session could be included if the businesses wanted to calculate this. Additional information: There is no guarantee of the volume of work, or if call-off contracts will be awarded for any or all Lots, during the lifetime of the DPS