business development

Business Development Solutions A Guide To Achieving Your Business Potential Introducing our Business Development Solutions All the help and advice you need to grow your business potential If you have the imagination, ambition and energy to grow your business in new and exciting ways, this brochure is the perfect starting point. In it you will find a summary of Invest Northern Ireland support across areas such as strategy development, people development, research and development, exporting, energy management and e-business. As Northern Ireland’s leading economic development agency, we are committed to increasing the wealth and prosperity of Northern Ireland by delivering expertise and resources to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses. Our aim is to enable our clients to be entrepreneurial, innovative and achieve international success. We do this by providing an extensive portfolio of advice, assistance and support for businesses of all sizes within every industry sector. Our programmes have a single, common goal – to help your business achieve the level of turnover and performance that you believe it is capable of. Business Development Solutions is focused on businesses from the manufacturing or international tradeable service sectors that have the commitment and capability to grow in export markets. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Our team of Specialist Advisors and Client Executives offer a service tailored to your particular business requirements. However, most programmes have eligibility criteria that you will need to meet. Starting with our Business Health Check, we will put in place a comprehensive plan of action to help you increase your competitiveness and realise your ambitions. Use our extensive portfolio to energise your business At Invest NI we have the expertise to boost every level of business performance Here is an overview that will make it easier for you to understand all the ways we can support business growth and competitiveness. We have six areas under a central theme of ‘Innovation Through’ and each one details the advice, assistance and support available for businesses of all sizes within every industry sector. 1 STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS HEALTH CHECK STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME INNOVATION SERVICE DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME PROPERTY SOLUTIONS BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES SELECTIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NIBUSINESS INFO.CO.UK PASSPORT TO EXPORT EXPORT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE MARKET RESEARCH IN-MARKET SUPPORT MARKET VISITS GRADUATE PLACEMENT PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT PEOPLE EXCELLENCE DIAGNOSIS AWARENESS WORKSHOPS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEAR-MARKET PRODUCT PEOPLE EXCELLENCE CONSULTANCY HUMAN RESOURCE ADVICE MENTORING AND NETWORKING BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME INNOVATION THROUGH AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS EXCELLENCE E-BUSINESS AND ICT TECHNICAL ADVISORY UNIT TECHNICAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ENERGY ENVIRONMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORY UNIT 2 Begin with a Business Health Check The first step in helping your business grow The Invest NI Business Health Check is available to all our clients and will help you create a plan to support the growth, profitability, turnover and value of your business. It is a vital part of our portfolio and will help you to identify your corporate goals and priorities. HOW IT WORKS The Business Health Check reviews your current business performance against similar organisations in the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond. This will identify your strengths and opportunities for improvement and will help you focus valuable resources on the activities that will deliver the most benefit. By determining what your business improvement needs are, we can work with you to decide what level and type of support and advice might be appropriate. WHAT IT WILL TELL YOU The Business Health Check identifies industry benchmarks, key themes and specific areas for improvement. This information can then be developed into a personalised improvement plan linked to follow-on Invest NI support and advice. Your Client Executive will help you put this plan together. FREE OF CHARGE The Business Health Check leading to the improvement plan will be carried out completely free of charge. Any Invest NI follow-on support is subject to further discussion and agreement between you and your Client Executive. GET STARTED If you believe that your business could benefit from a Business Health Check, please contact your Client Executive or Bronagh Doyle, Business Improvement Services. T : 028 9069 8405 E : bronagh.doyle@investni.com 3 “ “ The Business Health Check process meant taking the time to stand back and look at the direction in which the business is going; that was very useful. Gary Castles, Director Geoff Castles Boilers We felt the Business Health Check was a worthwhile exercise, highlighting areas for improvement within our business. Our client executive was very helpful and explained the process exceptionally well. Chris Dees Complete Beverage Service ” “ ” Real business benefits Real business feedback The Business Health Check helped us look at all operational matters of the business with a fresh pair of eyes. M Ferguson, Director Vector Environmental ” 4 1. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT 2. PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT 3. TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT 4. TECHNICAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 6. PASSPORT TO EXPORT 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Strategic Development Most businesses manage their day-to-day operations well. What is difficult is finding the time to step back and look at the longer-term strategic issues, both internal and external. And yet, if a business does not devote time and attention to such issues, it leaves itself vulnerable. Business Challenges The rapid globalisation of commerce is creating both huge opportunities and considerable threats for Northern Ireland businesses. If you ignore opportunities, you may limit the growth of your business and lose out to competitors who make the most of such chances. Worse still, ignoring the threats is a sure route to failure, whether through one quick disaster or slow decline. Our Strategic Development portfolio helps businesses to recognise important strategic issues and develop the skills and processes to deal with them successfully. Invest NI specialists can advise you and help you access development programmes, market research, business sector information and financial support. Business Benefits All businesses can benefit from developing or refining a strategy that differentiates them from the competition. The planning process itself will mean gathering key information about the industry sector or global trends that may affect the business’s future. Introducing a culture of continuous development at all levels, identifying how and where to innovate, improving design competence or securing medium-term property needs for business expansion are just some of the other benefits of developing a holistic business strategy. Target Audience The portfolio works best for management teams who recognise the need to address the strategic issues affecting their business. The most successful will be those who are: • willing to learn; • receptive to guidance from business specialists and industry experts; and • prepared to invest in developing the necessary teams at all levels within their business. For more information, please contact Denzil Morrow. T : 028 9069 8391 E : denzil.morrow@investni.com For more information on Selective Financial Assistance, please contact your Client Executive. 6 AREAS OF EXPERTISE STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT To help you develop a sound strategy Invest NI offers one-to-one consultation with a strategy expert who will work with you and your management team over a period of time. The aim is to develop a strategy that will highlight company strengths and areas for improvements, and differentiate you from competitors. This will bring long-term profitability in an increasingly competitive environment. A key element is developing the strategy skills of your team to keep the strategic plan up-to-date in the future. INNOVATION SERVICE Innovation is key in helping businesses grow and achieve a strong market position. This service aims to demystify and build confidence about innovation. We can help you to identify the area you need to innovate in, whether services, products, processes, people, culture or customer related activities. The Innovation Service will challenge your perceptions and will show you how to create and sustain a culture of innovation by breaking through the barriers to creativity, identifying new business opportunities and converting ideas into profit. DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME Effective design is a powerful business tool. We offer a range of initiatives and programmes that will help you develop design knowledge and skills. Our Design Development Programme team will provide advice on how to harness design to deliver considerable commercial advantage by differentiating products and services and by building brand recognition and reputation. PROPERTY SOLUTIONS Our Property Solutions team can help you become more competitive by working with you to find the best solution for your accommodation needs. Our support includes providing property market information, property searches and assistance and site sales. Assistance can be financial or advisory. BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES Businesses need accurate and relevant commercial intelligence to help them compete in an increasingly global marketplace. Our Business Information Services provide access to a wealth of published and electronic business information including industry overviews, key contacts, market information and company profiles. SELECTIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Invest NI will help clients to explore all commercial funding sources before committing our resources. Support will be directed towards: Projects which have: • a strategic focus on markets outside Northern Ireland; • increased employment, new skills or growth in value-added opportunities; • innovation, advanced technologies and strengthened design capability; • accelerated growth or production targets; • new, value-added products or services; and • university or research linkages. Businesses that show: • continuous commitment to becoming internationally competitive; • linkages between projects and strategic corporate objectives; and • commitment to international standards of performance. Projects that have a positive impact on the wider economy by: • having strategic importance for their business sector; • offering opportunities to local suppliers or distributors; • locating in areas of greatest social need; and • focusing on high growth sectors. 7 People Development Establishing a good strategy with appropriate goals is an important first step on the path to business success. However, implementing this strategy successfully depends on the people in your business. The solutions offered under our People Development portfolio are designed to improve the competence and motivation of your staff. Business Challenges Businesses in Northern Ireland can no longer compete on price alone. To survive and thrive, businesses must move up the value chain and offer specialist goods and services that lower-cost competitors cannot. This can only happen if staff at all levels are clear about what they have to do, are competent to do it, and are motivated to perform effectively and to the best of their abilities. A workforce that is continuously improving standards of quality and service will help you stay ahead of your competitors. Business Benefits The benefits of a well-managed and motivated workforce include lower staff turnover, higher morale and higher productivity levels. You can also increase your profitability by differentiating your business from the competition through excellent customer service. Excellent customer service depends on your people being highly competent and well motivated, which, in turn, depends on good people management. So to improve your bottom line and business performance, good people management skills are essential. This, in turn, will help you achieve longerterm strategic goals such as customer satisfaction and increased profitability. Target Audience Our portfolio of People Development services will benefit businesses that: • recognise their people are their best asset; • plan to maximise the contribution from them; • are receptive to guidance and advice; and • will invest in and develop the necessary teams at all levels within the business. For more information, please contact Karan Donnelly. T : 028 9069 8398 E : karan.donnelly@investni.com 8 AREAS OF EXPERTISE PEOPLE EXCELLENCE DIAGNOSIS The first step in developing people excellence is to identify the people management issues that you need to address. An Invest NI Business Advisor will meet with you to discuss this and – using a diagnostic process – will draw up an action plan listing the key areas and solutions for you to prioritise. AWARENESS WORKSHOPS Following the diagnosis of your needs, the Business Advisor may recommend that you attend one of our awareness workshops. These are delivered by external consultants taking an ‘action learning’ approach and cover: • best practice; • leadership and strategy; • performance and reward; and • compliance, including health and safety, recruitment and selection, and employment law. Our Business Advisors will provide follow-up support. PEOPLE EXCELLENCE CONSULTANCY If you have a particular people-related issue, we can provide experienced industry practitioners to support you on a one-to-one basis on a range of topics such as: • human resource strategy; • family business matters; • recruitment and selection; • corporate social responsibility; • diversity and work-life balance; • total compensation strategy and systems; • benchmarking, networking and HR metrics; and • best practice training, development and Investors in People. HUMAN RESOURCE ADVICE Invest NI has a small team of HR Advisors, all of whom have experience of HR management in the Northern Ireland private sector. These Advisors can provide you with advice, guidance and signposting on all the main HR issues. They will also guide you through the support available in our People Development portfolio. MENTORING AND NETWORKING We can help your business by drafting in experts to help overcome a problem or barrier to growth such as: • Non-executive Directors helping companies excel in key areas; • advice and signposting for small businesses from industry experts; 9 • a highly experienced Interim Manager to deliver key projects without significantly increasing overheads; • one-to-one executive coaching for Managing Directors; • strategic links with other businesses or people in the private sector; • collaborative networks to enable small businesses combine their resources to win new business; and • mentoring programmes for management, and trade and marketing teams. BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMME The Business Improvement Training Programme can help you improve business performance by providing practical and financial support for training and development activities. These aim to raise the skill levels and motivation of your managers and workforce. Assistance is only available for projects which demonstrate the potential for significant business improvement. Technology and Process Development It is widely recognised that improving processes and using resources in the most productive way will increase capacity and boost the profits of any business. Our Technology and Process Development portfolio can help you use business improvement techniques, and deal with e-business, information and communications technology (ICT) and technical issues. Business Challenges Businesses trading in a global marketplace must take advantage of any technology, techniques or new thinking that can sharpen their competitive edge. The increasing emphasis on environmental issues is also affecting both working practices and profitability. Although most businesses can see the advantages of streamlining processes and improving systems, they are cautious because of the cost implications, concerns over disruption, and a lack of understanding of proposed technologies. The challenge is for businesses to embrace change and take advantage of the tools that will deliver success. Business Benefits Successful businesses increase productivity and efficiency while minimising investment in plant, machinery and equipment. By improving processes and investing in relevant technologies your business will benefit from: • increased throughput; • increased turnover through release of capacity; • improved lead times and on-time delivery; • reduced WIP, scrap, raw material stock and re-work; • improved quality and reliability of processes; • improved supplier performance; • improved customer relationships and management; and • improved morale and involvement of all in continuous improvements. Target Audience Our Technology and Process Development portfolio will benefit businesses that recognise that improving their processes and ICT will help them get the most out of available resources. The support provided by our E-business and Technical Advisory teams is available to all businesses in Northern Ireland. For more information, please contact Lynne Williams. T : 028 9069 8407 E : lynne.williams@investni.com 10 AREAS OF EXPERTISE PROCESS EXCELLENCE We can help you choose the right techniques to improve the performance of your business. These techniques can help you with every aspect of your operations from customer relationship management, waste elimination and quality management, to supply chain management and maintenance of equipment. Specific techniques that we can help you implement include: • Six Sigma; • Lean Manufacturing; • Balanced Scorecard; • Theory of Constraints; • Self Managed Teams; • Business Improvement Agent; • Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI); and • Quality Management Systems, including European Framework Quality Model (EFQM), BS 7909 Security Standard or ISO 14000 Environmental Standard. E-BUSINESS AND ICT E-business is all about finding smarter ways to work by using ICT to make your business processes run more smoothly and efficiently. You can improve the way you interact with your customers and increase customer retention by using technologies that have a direct impact on the capability of your business and your ability to grow. Invest NI can help you identify and quantify the potential benefits that embracing ICT and e-business can offer. Our ICT Advisors offer free practical and impartial advice to businesses considering investing in ICT, helping you to get the hardware and software solutions best suited to your particular business needs. Our E-solutions Centre gives visitors the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations of a range of information and communication technologies relevant to business. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your ICT requirements in detail with an expert from the E-solutions Centre to help you decide your next step. TECHNICAL ADVISORY UNIT Our Technical Advisory Unit (TAU) can help you with technical issues relating to: • health and safety; • environmental regulation; • engineering and manufacturing; and • product and process control and development. The TAU also carries out technical audits, and can help with sourcing raw materials, product testing, compliance, quality control, CE marking and developing technologies. If you need information about patents, trademarks, intellectual property, or industrial standards, you can also use our Technical Information Service. With access to over 2,000 commercial databases, this is a unique business resource for businesses requiring answers to technical questions in a hurry. 11 Technical and Sustainable Development Our Technical Advisory Unit (TAU) and Energy and Environmental teams offer free advice and services to business to help them solve technical, energy efficiency and environmental problems. We also encourage and support businesses in implementing best practice to achieve sustainable development. Business Challenges Businesses in Northern Ireland face increasing legislative, financial and customer pressures, forcing them to identify their energy usage and environmental impact and take action where necessary. Despite recognising the potential financial and ecological benefits, small and medium-sized enterprises sometimes struggle to take the practical measures necessary to align their processes with current legislation and efficiency thinking. This is often due to time constraints, a lack of resources, or not being aware of their obligations. This is compounded by the fact that product and process development and intellectual property rights (IPR) have become increasingly important and can present barriers to business growth. Business Benefits Businesses can make substantial savings by reducing waste and introducing best practice in the areas of energy usage and environmental impact. By being able to access information on environmental legislation, companies can also ensure that they are legally compliant. We also offer a scheme which encourages the use of local technology suppliers, ensuring that emerging technologies are promoted and that Northern Ireland businesses can benefit. The TAU provides professional and impartial advice on a wide range of technical, environmental and regulatory issues. The Technical Information Service can assist with comprehensive advice on IPR and standards. Target Audience The portfolio of services is aimed at businesses that want to make cost savings and become more efficient. All private sector businesses and voluntary organisations with annual energy costs of more than £50,000 can use the services. Those spending less than £50,000 per annum can get helpline advice from an Energy Consultant. Technical advice is offered free of charge to all businesses seeking assistance with product and process development, engineering, CE marking, health and safety or regulatory problems. For more information, please contact Colin Frazer. T : 028 9069 8773 E : colin.frazer@investni.com 12 AREAS OF EXPERTISE ENERGY Reducing energy use can increase the profitability of your business. Our Energy team delivers seminars and workshops on energy related topics and also provides independent design advice about energy-efficient building design. Free on-site energy surveys will help you assess the overall energy use of your business. Our team also provides advice on potential areas of savings and offers additional consultancy support for more detailed assessment on specific areas such as the feasibility of combined heat and power. In association with the Carbon Trust, we offer interest-free energy efficiency loans of between £5,000 and £200,000 to established businesses planning to replace or upgrade existing equipment with a more energy-efficient version. You can get immediate specialist advice by ringing our free Energy Helpline (0800 085 2005) or consulting our large library of independent technical publications on energy efficiency, many of which can also be downloaded from the Carbon Trust at www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy. ENVIRONMENT Our environment-focused services include the Green Technology Initiative, which offers threeyear, interest-free loans of up to £50,000 towards the cost of capital equipment to improve air quality, and reduce emissions and pollution. We also provide advice via the Environmental Enquiry Point (0800 262227) and the www.niwasteworks.com website. This is a waste directory for businesses, featuring everything from waste management options to best practice information. TECHNICAL ADVISORY UNIT Our Technical Advisory Unit (TAU) can help you with technical issues relating to: • health and safety; • environmental regulation; • engineering and manufacturing; and • product and process control and development. The TAU also carries out technical audits to test the health of your business in areas such as energy and environment, waste management, effluent treatment, production and process control and water usage. If you need information about patents, trademarks, intellectual property, or industrial standards, you can also use our Technical Information Service. With access to over 2,000 commercial databases, this is a unique business resource for businesses requiring answers to technical questions in a hurry. Also available is a free British Standards loan service for small businesses interested in accessing this information. 13 Research and Development Research and development (R&D) and the commercialisation of science and knowledge are key drivers of industrial competitiveness. To develop a successful economy we need businesses to invest in R&D, and we need collaboration between industry and the universities to ensure effective knowledge transfer. Having the right supporting infrastructure in place is also vital. Business Challenges The pace of technological change means that R&D should be central to the strategic development of every business. However, many businesses are reluctant, in the face of the perceived high risks involved, to invest in strategic or pre-competitive R&D. The delay in commercial return of such research often makes it unattractive to private sector investors and makes it difficult for businesses to raise the necessary capital to carry out the project effectively. Higher Education Institutions also have a key role to play in promoting future economic growth through their R&D activities, but the challenge remains to translate these activities into commercial applications. Business Benefits Businesses that invest in knowledge creation and exploitation are in a better position to compete in a global marketplace and often experience higher than average growth rates. As innovation is a complex process, easy wins can be gained from accessing knowledge through collaboration with others. Investing in industrially relevant research will drive forward innovative areas of R&D, which could lead to new industries. R&D can include technology development for improving products or processes, or it can solve specific technical problems. Centres of Excellence are pivotal to achieving commercial and market-orientated collaboration between industry, academia and government. As well as building business competitiveness, the Centres will increase the number of skilled researchers in Northern Ireland. Target Audience Support is targeted at Northern Ireland based businesses and universities with strengths in technologies that have global opportunities. Projects can either be company-only projects or partnership projects and will be critical to the participant’s business development objectives. For more information, please contact Andy Reilly. T : 028 9069 8765 E : andy.reilly@investni.com 14 AREAS OF EXPERTISE NEAR-MARKET PRODUCT AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT We want to change attitudes to research and development and show businesses the benefits of keeping pace with technological developments. One of our key objectives is to increase the number of well-designed, commercially successful Northern Ireland products introduced in both home and export markets. This area of support focuses on helping businesses carry out R&D that will result in a marketable product. Both financial and advisory assistance is available which is tailored to the size and needs of individual companies. INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH If you want to undertake a research project that will help you gain new knowledge which will ultimately lead to the development or improvement of products or services, we may be able to offer financial assistance. RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE The establishment of Centres of Excellence stimulates leading-edge, commercially-focused research, which will improve the competitiveness of Northern Ireland industry. These Centres are currently working on cutting-edge research in many areas including engineering, functional genomics and proteomics, pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology. The Centres of Excellence are a partnership between government, businesses and the science base to maximise the impact of investment in R&D. They also provide high-technology business incubators and showcase best practice. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER Knowledge transfer can improve the innovation performance of any business. Successful knowledge transfer requires effective linkages between third-level education and industry. Our Knowledge Transfer Partnerships bring together businesses, research bodies and recent graduates to work on mutually beneficial company-based projects. Industrially relevant linkages with organisations outside Northern Ireland can be achieved through our Research and Technological Development Networking Programme, which assists local businesses and research organisations to access state-of-the-art technologies and expertise. TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION If you have developed an innovative technology or process, we can help you locate European organisations interested in using your technology, or assist you in further development. This collaboration may lead to licensing, commercial agreements or technical assistance. 15 Passport to Export Success in export markets is crucial to the long-term growth of local businesses and the economy. Northern Ireland needs a strong, vibrant business sector with the commitment and capability to operate in an increasingly challenging global environment. Passport to Export is a range of services and programmes to help businesses access world markets. Business Challenges Trading overseas can be daunting and whether you are exporting for the first time or expanding into new markets, there is a lot to learn and often a lot at stake. Many businesses offer products and services that are highly attractive in world markets, but they lack the knowledge and resources to exploit export opportunities. Your decisions need to be supported by expert advice, reliable data and professional and accurate research – all crucial when trying to gain a foothold in an overseas market. Business Benefits Passport to Export offers a comprehensive range of support and advice tailored to the growth objectives of your business. The portfolio has been developed in conjunction with the Northern Ireland export community and it provides assistance in areas businesses really need such as training, planning and ongoing market support. You can increase your chances of export success by developing a sound knowledge of current and potential customers and markets, and focusing resources on the most commercially viable markets. Target Audience Passport to Export will benefit those businesses that have a strong desire to grow in export markets and are willing to invest the necessary time, resources and money to achieve this. Passport to Export is designed to support all Northern Ireland exporters, but with special provision for first-time exporters and more experienced exporters seeking to enter new markets. You may need to satisfy eligibility criteria to access certain services and programmes. For more information, please contact Christine Browne. T : 028 9069 8034 E : christine.browne@investni.com 16 AREAS OF EXPERTISE EXPORT SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Building capability in exporting is a key priority for many exporters whatever their track record. We offer a series of one-day specialist workshops which give participants the skills and confidence to enter and develop export markets successfully. The workshops are organised under two categories, Core Export Knowledge for those developing an export strategy, and Essential Export Skills for those responsible for day-to-day export activities. They cover topics ranging from export market planning to practical export administration. MARKET RESEARCH You will increase your chances of winning new business overseas by having a thorough understanding of the market. Our Business Information Services offers free advice on how to set about export market research. Our European Information Centre, part of a network of 200 centres throughout Europe, has an extensive collection of reports with statistical, market and sector information. You can also get specialist market research by accessing the services of UK Trade and Investment and the Overseas Market Introductory Service, which is available in over 200 markets. Staff based in embassies, consulates and high commissions can provide market assessments, advice on market approach and can identify agents and distributors in your target market. IN-MARKET SUPPORT Once you have decided on a target market, a well-connected presence on the ground is essential. Our In-market Support teams provide local knowledge and contacts, and the Trade Advisory Service offers personalised guidance. If you are interested in growth through partnership with overseas businesses, our Strategic Business Alliance service can facilitate introduction. Serviced workspace and meeting facilities are available in a number of Invest NI overseas offices for businesses to use on market visits. Finally, for businesses interested in establishing a market presence in the United States and the Middle East, the Northern Ireland Technology and Development Centres in these countries provide business incubation services. MARKET VISITS Taking part in overseas events is a very effective way for new or inexperienced exporters to test markets, gather intelligence, attract customers, appoint agents and ultimately make sales. We can support your taking part in a trade mission or being part of a delegation to an exhibition. As well as financial support, we provide a high level of practical support including briefings before you go, and mentoring in the market. Selected events are covered each year and are outlined in our Trade Events Programme. GRADUATE PLACEMENT Exploring new markets can consume considerable resources. Our graduate placement programmes can help you approach new markets by using the skills of talented graduates. You can use the ninemonth placement to gain valuable market intelligence such as information on competitors, distribution, pricing and legal requirements. We offer two types of graduate placement: Connections operates in Great Britain or Ireland, while Explorers looks at placements in the rest of the world. 17 Keep up to speed with practical business advice NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK is a website that provides businesses in Northern Ireland with free access to the key information, advice, funding and training that can deliver business success. With over 5,000 pages of relevant business information, the site has been written by business people for business people and is endorsed by all government agencies and departments. 18 NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK From June 2006, NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK will provide small to medium-sized enterprises with a single point of access to information and services, making it easier to find the information they need online in one co-ordinated source. This frees up time for entrepreneurs and business people to concentrate on running their business. The benefits to businesses include: Simplifying people management Entrepreneurs will be able to find out how to better manage their payroll and human resources through simple guides and tools. There are 11 key topics that are covered by the site: STARTING UP These guides aim to provide an understanding of the many things you need to think about when you are running a business. They cover areas such as reasons for going into business, funding, taxes and managing a business. TAXES, RETURNS AND PAYROLL Understanding annual tax, VAT returns, National Insurance and ensuring that you pay your employees properly are fundamentals for every business. Whether you are starting a business, employing people for the first time, setting up a limited company or growing your business, you'll find tax planning advice and information here to point you in the right direction. Helping you to reach your potential and boost your growth NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK has an easy-to-use searchable database of over 2,600 government funded business support products ranging from grants and loans to consultancy support. There is also a training directory featuring over 500,000 courses, events and seminars. Local content Readers will find information that is specific to Northern Ireland including trading with the Republic of Ireland and locating property for sale or rent. Access to details of over 40,000 Northern Ireland companies will also be available. Reducing the time spent researching rules and regulations Businesses will be able to find out quickly and easily what regulations apply to them and what action, if any, they have to take. Interactive features There are over 50 interactive business tools to make life easier for small businesses, such as the facility to register for important business information updates, or to download an employment contract. 19 NIBUSINESSINFO.CO.UK EMPLOYING PEOPLE Whether you are looking at taking on your first employee or already have a team of workers, this section will help you find the information you need. HEALTH, SAFETY AND PREMISES Health and safety at work is a major consideration and every business must be aware of health and safety legislation that applies to them. This section highlights many of the health and safety issues that affect your business. EXPLOIT YOUR IDEAS New products and services are the lifeline of all businesses. Investing in research and development is crucial to business growth. This section provides information on R&D, help for inventors and advice about protecting your intellectual property. IT AND E-COMMERCE E-commerce is a term for all business done electronically and includes computer systems, databases, e-mail, websites and using business software. The decisions made about business technology will be among the most important your business will ever take. SALES AND MARKETING Getting your sales and marketing right is crucial for a successful business. This section can help develop a sales and marketing plan and provide tips for taking action. These guides contain a wealth of practical advice and information on establishing successful sales and marketing methods and policies. INTERNATIONAL TRADE The decision on whether to import or export needs to be given careful consideration. This section provides practical advice and basics for trading internationally. GROW YOUR BUSINESS Businesses need to find ways to grow. Fastchanging markets mean you can never rely upon a loyal customer base and you should never ignore opportunities to extend market share or develop new lines. You will find information here to help you plan growth carefully. BUY OR SELL A BUSINESS Whether you are thinking of buying a business or selling your own business, it is essential that you know what your legal requirements are and what obligations you have to employees. Find out the details in this section. YOUR TYPE OF BUSINESS A key section that allows you to see the regulations, licences, and key trade bodies that apply to your business. 20 Contact Information STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT Areas of Expertise Strategy Development Innovation Service Design Development Programme Property Solutions John McAleavey Lucy McCann 028 9069 8810 john.mcaleavey@investni.com Contact Name Denzil Morrow Simon Quinn Telephone 028 9069 8391 E-mail denzil.morrow@investni.com TECHNICAL AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Areas of Expertise Energy Environmental Technical Advisory Unit Contact Name Sam Knox Fiona Walker Telephone 028 9069 8851 028 9069 8787 E-mail sam.knox@investni.com fiona.walker@investni.com heather.mawhinney@investni.com 028 9069 8403 simon.quinn@investni.com Heather Mawhinney 028 9069 8798 028 9069 8282 lucy.mccann@investni.com 028 9069 8126 johanna.lagan@investni.com RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Areas of Expertise Near-market Product and Process Development Andy Reilly Colin McManus Mark Berry Roisin Goodwin 028 9069 8765 028 9069 8775 028 9069 8823 028 9069 8846 028 9069 8823 andy.reilly@investni.com colin.mcmanus@investni.com mark.berry@investni.com roisin.goodwin@investni.com mark.berry@investni.com Contact Name Telephone E-mail Business Information Services Johanna Lagan Selective Financial Assistance Please contact your Client Executive. PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT Areas of Expertise People Excellence Diagnosis Awareness Workshops Contact Name Karan Donnelly Karan Donnelly Telephone E-mail 028 9069 8398 karan.donnelly@investni.com 028 9069 8398 karan.donnelly@investni.com 028 9069 8398 karan.donnelly@investni.com 028 9069 8398 karan.donnelly@investni.com 028 9069 8396 alan.ritchie@investni.com Industrial Research Research Infrastructure Knowledge Transfer Technology Collaboration Mark Berry People Excellence Consultancy Karan Donnelly Human Resource Advice Mentoring and Networking Business Improvement Training Programme Karan Donnelly Karan Donnelly Alan Ritchie PASSPORT TO EXPORT Areas of Expertise Export Skills Contact Name Telephone E-mail 028 9069 8398 karan.donnelly@investni.com and Knowledge Market Research Christine Browne Christine Browne Christine Browne Christine Browne Denzil Morrow 028 9069 8034 028 9069 8034 028 9069 8034 028 9069 8034 028 9069 8391 christine.browne@investni.com christine.browne@investni.com christine.browne@investni.com christine.browne@investni.com denzil.morrow@investni.com TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT Areas of Expertise Process Excellence E-business and ICT Technical Advisory Unit Contact Name Lynne Williams Jane Thompson Telephone E-mail 028 9069 8407 lynne.williams@investni.com 028 9069 8806 jane.thompson@investni.com In-market Support Market Visits Graduate Placement Heather Mawhinney 028 9069 8798 heather.mawhinney@investni.com 21 Local Office Network HEADQUARTERS Bedford Square Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7ES EASTERN LOCAL OFFICE Bedford Square Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7ES SOUTHERN LOCAL OFFICE Drumalane Mill The Quays Newry BT35 8QF NORTH EASTERN LOCAL OFFICE Clarence House 86 Mill Street Ballymena BT43 5AF CRAIGAVON OFFICE Oracle Conference Centre Upper Bann Institute 36 Lurgan Road Portadown BT63 5BL E : info@investni.com T : 028 9023 9090 F : 028 9043 6536 E : elo@investni.com T : 028 9023 9090 F : 028 9043 6536 E : slo@investni.com T : 028 3026 2955 F : 028 3026 5358 E : nelo@investni.com T : 028 2564 9215 F : 028 2564 8427 E : slo@investni.com T : 028 3839 0140 F : 028 9043 6536 Coleraine Londonderry Ballymena NORTH WESTERN LOCAL OFFICE Building 1, Ulster Science and Technology Park Buncrana Road Belfast WESTERN LOCAL OFFICE Kevlin Buildings 47 Kevlin Avenue Omagh BT78 1ER COLERAINE OFFICE Science Innovation Centre Cromore Road Coleraine BT52 1ST FERMANAGH OFFICE INTEC Centre 36 East Bridge Street Enniskillen BT74 7BT Omagh Craigavon Londonderry BT48 0JB E : nwlo@investni.com Enniskillen E : wlo@investni.com T : 028 8224 5763 F : 028 8224 4291 E : nwlo@investni.com T : 028 7028 0055 F : 028 7028 0088 E : wlo@investni.com T : 028 6634 3942 F : 028 6632 8337 T : 028 7126 7257 Newry F : 028 7130 3191 22 If you require this brochure in an alternative format (including Braille, disk, audio cassette or in minority languages to meet the needs of those whose first language is not English) then please contact: Invest NI’s Equality Team T : 028 9069 8315 Textphone: 028 9069 8585 E : equality@investni.com Bedford Square Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7ES T : 028 9023 9090 F : 028 9043 6536 www.investni.com