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Digital health checks help businesses do more with technology

Digital health checks help businesses do more with technology

Adopting digital solutions can mean better customer experiences, improved productivity, enhanced security and more, but knowing where to start can be a stumbling block for many business owners.

There is good news for businesses struggling to get to grips with how digital technologies can improve their business, as they’ve been thrown a lifeline from the Leicestershire Business Gateway Growth Hub. The Growth Hub is offering a number of digital services, including free digital health checks and consultancy to small and medium-sized businesses. However, with limited funding available companies are being asked to act quickly in order not to miss out.

Growth Hub advisers, together with a range of digital specialists, are working with businesses to understand their aspirations and provide action plans to help them, not only see potential opportunities, but also develop appropriate digital strategies.

Technical support from specialists is focused on improving performance and reviewing current practices. Other areas of support include accessing grant funding, selling online, website development, selling through platforms like Amazon or eBay, integrating stock systems or customer relationship software.

As well as the free consultations, specialist digital marketing support is also available to tourism, hospitality, leisure and retail businesses, sectors that have been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns. This includes free access to a digital marketing expertise, creation of a three-month action plan and peer-to-peer networking; that help businesses to connect with like-minded companies to share experiences and ideas.

In addition, a Business Growth Grant from £2,000 to £25,000 is available providing a 35% contribution towards capital costs to support growth and development; for example, towards innovative technology products or services that improve performance.

Growth Hub Manager, Jon Egley commented:

“We’re living in a fast-paced digital era and we’re keen to help businesses grow, be sustainable and remain competitive. There’s no better time to change, adopt new systems, processes, or ways of working. Digital transformation could help SMEs cope with not only the current challenges of the pandemic but also create enough agility to deal with what comes next.”

Ian Lockwood is director of Boom Online, the creative agency providing specialist digital support on behalf of the Growth Hub. He added:

“This type of support really gets to the heart of helping businesses make the greatest impact on their digital marketing and use of technology. We’ll be working directly with businesses on their specific challenges, whether that’s helping them improve their website, get more visitors from Google, or reach more people on social media. The support is tailored to each businesses’ specific needs and provides access to consultancy and expertise that would normally cost hundreds of pounds.”

Businesses interested in finding out more should complete an enquiry form on the Growth Hub website www.bizgateway.org.uk/enquiry or call 0116 366 8487.

The Business Gateway is one of 38 growth hubs across the country. Growth Hubs bring together the best of public and private sector partners to promote, co-ordinate and deliver business support based on local needs, funded by, and working in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Some of the services are funded by the European Regional Development Fund too.

The Business Gateway Growth Hub service is delivered in partnership with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership Limited (LLEP).

 


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