Monday 31 October 2011

The Network Effect

The Enterprise Europe Network is a European Commission funded project that provides business and innovation support to local companies looking to access new and exciting markets. In this post Elizabeth McNeil explores what it means to be part of this Network.

We define ourselves as a Network but what does that really mean?

The Enterprise Europe Network spans 50 countries and is made up of close to 600 partner organisations employing 3,000+ advisors. The organisations include chambers of commerce, enterprise agencies, regional development organisations, research institutes, universities, technology centres and innovation centres.

Our Network covers the 27 Member States and, contrary to the name, extends far beyond Europe.

The European Commission has recently extended the reach of the Enterprise Europe Network by opening new contact points in Japan and doubling its presence in China.

We now reach southern Mediterranean countries, with eight contact points in place in Tunisia, a longstanding partnership renewed in Egypt and Moroccan branches to be set up soon.

Other new countries to have recently joined the Network include Ukraine, Moldova and Mexico.

At the heart of this is free business and innovation support for SMEs looking to access new and exciting markets. All done through our network of colleagues.

If you are looking for market information or have questions about doing business in a new country; need assistance in accessing EU Funding; or want to identify business opportunities based on technology compatibility, trade or manufacturing requirements the Network can help.

We have trusted colleagues that we can call upon to assist you in finding the information and local business contacts you need.

This is the Network effect!

For more information and a list of the countries we cover please visit the Enterprise Europe Network’s website.

Please e-mail me at elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk if you would like information on doing business in any of our partner countries.

Friday 21 October 2011

Low carbon makes business sense


The Enterprise Europe Network aims to help all companies, of all sizes, across Scotland. In this blog, Elizabeth McNeil discusses low carbon and looks at what it means for all companies, not just energy businesses.

 
Low carbon is often associated with renewable energy. And while that is true, the low carbon agenda isn’t just for the big energy firms. Reducing your carbon footprint can also increase your bottom line.

Not only is adopting low carbon technologies and practices is the right thing to do in the fight against climate change, it can also save Scottish companies millions of pounds.

Simple things such as cutting out business travel and using video conferencing, fitting speed limiters to company vehicles, cutting energy costs and switching machines off after use, can make significant savings.

Even something as apparently trivial as keeping a single computer and monitor switched on 24 hours a day can cost £50 a year – so imagine those costs multiplied across a large business with dozens of machines.

Adopting a low carbon culture can also enhance a company’s reputation, as many businesses are finding that increasing numbers of their clients are making choices based on how environmentally sound a company is. 

While Scottish companies and organisations are working to become models of low carbon best practice, the switch to a low carbon economy is also seen as increasingly important to Scotland’s bottom line as a whole.

According to the Scottish Government, Scotland’s low carbon market is forecast to rise to around £12 billion by 2015-16 – over 10 per cent of Scotland’s GDP. Overall jobs in the low carbon economy could rise from 70,000 to 130,000 by 2020 to become over 5% of the Scottish workforce.

Becoming a low carbon business is easy and the benefits are clear, but there’s no definitive rulebook on how to reduce your carbon footprint. Every business is different and it’s important to consider your individual circumstances when striving to go low carbon.

Small changes can lead to big improvements and huge savings. To get you started on the path to low carbon success there is a varied menu of support available; here’s a few I like:

Scottish Enterprise
Scottish Enterprise works in close partnership with the Carbon Trust, Zero Waste Scotland, Energy Savings Trust and Business Gateway to offer practical advice and assistance, helping you realise your company’s low carbon potential.

Free support ranges from workshops and training on business efficiency and Lean Management to masterclasses in innovation and one-to-one consultancy. Download the guide to see how you and your business can benefit from these services.

Sustainable Food & Drink
Sustainable Food & Drink is a joint venture between the European Development Fund and SEEKIT to help Scottish SMEs in the food and drink sector bolster their business competitiveness through effective management of carbon emissions.

The scheme provides free support to eligible businesses – often equivalent to up to eight days of private consultancy – covering carbon, energy, waste, and networking and collaboration. For more information on the scheme’s services and eligibility criteria visit the website.

Scottish Environmental Technology Network
SETN holds events to encourage discussion around environmental issues and helps connect clean technology businesses with Scotland’s research base. It also offers information and advice on such areas as green procurement and global markets and can provide seed funding through the SETN Innovation Grant. For more information pleae visit the SETN website.

For more information please get in touch with me at elizabeth.mcneil@scotent.co.uk.