Business Support and Expert Help Services 2025–2029

Description

North Lanarkshire Council (the “Council”) in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) (and collectively known as the “Councils”) are seeking to appoint a range of skilled business Contractors across a variety of disciplines to deliver business support and expert help services for Lanarkshire based SME’s. The Framework Agreement for Business Support and Expert Help Services 2025 – 2029 shall allow Lanarkshire based SMEs to receive: - between one (1) and five (5) days “Expert Help Support”; - access to various “Training and Support Workshops”; and / or - access to “Specialist Support Surgeries”. The main aim of the Framework Agreement is to ensure that suitably qualified consultants are available to provide Lanarkshire based SMEs with bespoke advice and support, focusing on sustainability and growth areas such as: - reviewing existing processes, strategies, policies or plans; - supporting businesses to improve these accordingly or to introduce new processes, strategies, policies or plans as required; - Introduce new products or services; and - Reach new markets The overall objective of the Framework Agreement is to ensure Contractors deliver business support and expert help services which augment the core Business Gateway service and wider business support offerings, and which support businesses throughout Lanarkshire. The overarching aim of what the services are being asked to achieve are: - To support the growth of an entrepreneurial culture within Lanarkshire; - To ensure all businesses are able to access appropriate business support; - To support employment opportunities and inclusive growth; - To support the growth and development of key priority sectors and areas of economic importance; - Deliver an agile service, responsive to business needs that joins seamlessly with Business Gateway services, and other local authority and partner services; and - To support the economic recovery and growth of Lanarkshire The main detailed objectives and outcome targets for the delivery of services via this Framework Agreement which all activities are tailored to deliver are: - Growth in employment, safeguarding existing jobs, and reduction in unemployment, economic inactivity and under-employment; - Increase in equitable opportunities to those from areas of deprivation, women, BAME, disabled persons and young people; - Increase in the skills of the Lanarkshire working population with skills meeting the demands of the jobs market; - Increase growth, businesses and employment in locally important sectors; - Increase in internationalisation of businesses; - Increase in digital capabilities of businesses; - Demonstrable increase in new business support initiatives and partnership working; and -Support and develop supply chains Full details of required services are contained within the procurement documents located on the PCS-Tender System. Lot 1: Financial Management The Financial Management Lot will provide support across a range of areas focussed on the efficient and effective management of business funds. It is anticipated that support will help to equip businesses with the financial skills and knowledge to meet their objectives. Examples of some topics that could be offered under Financial Management are: -Support on how to plan, organise direct and control financial activities; -Helping businesses to prepare and source funding; -Support and Advice on how to improve the financial health of a business including debt Management and mitigating rising costs; -Company Valuation; -Taxation including R&D Tax Credits; and -Preparation of business forecasts e.g. cashflows, P&Ls and balance sheets . Lot 2: Business Growth and Development The Business Growth and Development Lot will provide support to help Service Users assess their business, identify areas of improvement, and support the formulation of a plan to help the business reach their strategic goals and objectives. It is anticipated that it will offer support to help the development of new processes, products and/or services to affect positive change, increase sales, enter new markets and/or improve productivity. Examples of some topics that could be offered under Business Growth and Development are: -Strategic review and forward planning; -Change management support; -Support to develop new and/or improved processes, services and/or products and integrate these into the business; -Support to increase productivity; -Business viability and resilience planning; and -Preparation of business plans . Lot 3: Human Resources, Leadership and Skills The Human Resources, Leadership and Skills Lot will provide a range of support on human resource matters, leadership, and management. It is anticipated that it will help to provide advice on existing human resource policies and requirements, identification of skills and training needs, support leadership development processes and equip businesses with the tools to promote a positive and productive working environment. Examples of some topics that could be offered under Human Resources, Leadership and Skills are: -Support and advice on employment policies and benefits, fair work practices and other HR related queries; -Support and advice for staff recruitment; -Leadership, management and organisational development support; -Training needs analysis, skills plans and training procedures; and -Workplace Innovation including but not limited to culture, communications, productivity and fair work practices. . Lot 4: Procurement The Procurement Lot will provide a range of support to help businesses navigate the procurement procedure. Examples of some topics that could be offered under Procurement are: -Bid / Tender support; -Specification writing; -Public procurement regulations; -Private sector procurement approaches; -Social value, sustainability, and Fair Work First; -Contract Supplier Management (CSM) support¹. -Market analysis and understanding ¹CSM could include reinforcing the purpose of CSM, what to expect within CSM (performance meetings, scorecards, mitigation / improvement processes etc,), and the potential risks and outcomes of poor performance through CSM i.e. contract termination.; and This Lot seeks to complement and not duplicate the services delivered via the Supplier Development Programme . Lot 5: Marketing The Marketing Lot will provide support to help businesses to undertake market research and formulate a plan to support the business in promoting and selling their products and/or services with a view to increasing sales. Examples of some topics that could be covered under Marketing are: -Market analysis and identification of key customers; -Support to develop a sales and marketing strategy; -Support with digital marketing including advice on how to market and retail online. This may cover topics such as social media platforms, website content and design, data analytics and search engine optimisation; -Branding, advertising and promotion; -Content support and copy writing; and -Creating video content. . Lot 6: Information and Digital Technology The Information and Digital Technology Lot will provide support for digital projects, building skills and capabilities that increase digital knowledge and help businesses to reach their business goals and objectives. Examples of topics that could be offered under Information and Digital Technology are: -Analysis of the Digital Capabilities of a business and identification of improvements in efficiency and productivity; -IT systems and process advice; -Support to increase productivity and efficiencies through automation and artificial intelligence; -Website and app development; and -Cyber security. . Lot 7: Energy Efficiencies and Net Zero The Energy Efficiency and Net Zero Lot will support businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Examples of topics that could be covered under this Lot are: -Energy Audits and action plans, including recommendations on Control and Efficiencies; -Low Energy / Sustainable Production Processes; -Waste Management; -Reviews and Planning; and -Net Zero Carbon Targets . Lot 8: New Market Opportunities and Internationalisation The New Market Opportunities and Internationalisation Lot will support businesses to access new geographic markets, including overseas markets, supporting the opportunity to reach a wider customer base and increase sales. Examples of topics that could be covered under this Lot are: -Support for Exporting (outwith the UK); -Market Analysis and Development; -Structuring for Internationalisation; and -Documentation advice for exporting .