Business Support

At Cause UK, we’ve been thankful to the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership during the pandemic. Clair has been active on the LEP’s Winning Pitch Investment Readiness programme, which provides…

At Cause UK, we’ve been thankful to the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership during the pandemic.

Clair has been active on the LEP’s Winning Pitch Investment Readiness programme, which provides support helping SMEs best prepare in accessing finance and overcoming some of the immediate challenges through the pandemic. During the Zooms, she’s helped out fellow attendees with PR.

Project manager at Winning Pitch, James Clayton, said: “Clair has continued to be a valuable member of the SME community, providing a variety of support to her fellow peers on PR and on a pro bona basis – ranging from start-ups to established businesses. Before and during the pandemic, Clair helped secure high-profile media coverage for members of the programme looking for investment. “

The LEP is also supporting SMEs in the region with COVID-19 Recovery Grants. We’re thrilled that a number of organisations have chosen to use this grant on Cause UK services.

Peter Dickinson, MD of Harrogate Business Advisors, is one such organisation, recognising that businesses who want a market share post-pandemic, need visibility and positive profile.

We were tasked with raising Peter’s profile in the geographical patch he works in – the Harrogate District. This week, we kick-started with a comment piece in the Yorkshire Post. Read it here.

We also issued a press release on his latest initiative, offering subsidised sales training to SMEs in the Harrogate District, managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges.

The story ran in local business media, including the Harrogate Advertiser series, Business Leader and the Yorkshire Times. Full press release below…

Subsidised Training to Help Harrogate Businesses

Harrogate businesses can receive 40% funding towards training to help up-skill staff to help survive the pandemic.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the district are encouraged to take advantage of Higher Performing Workplaces (HPW), funded by the European Social Fund and managed by the West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges.

Official training provider, Harrogate Business Advisors, is part of the HPW scheme with a focus to help businesses drive their sales activity.

With many businesses closed or semi-operational in lockdown, Harrogate Business Advisors urge that now is the time to train and upskill staff.

Peter Dickinson, MD of Harrogate Business Advisors, said: “Businesses need to urgently improve the skills and productivity of their workforce to survive, and ultimately bounce back, from the pandemic. It really is survival of the fittest. A business’s strength depends on its staffs’ skills and talent in a fast-moving market.”

Peter said: “I’ve helped a Harrogate business to go from start-up to £2.2M turnover in one year. Business owners usually bring us in when they are facing a drop in business or their growth plans are not being achieved quickly enough, which is more prevalent in the pandemic. We swiftly identify the issues and put plans in place to drive sales forward, with tailored training for salespeople.”

An accredited sales trainer and speaker for Go Giver International, Peter Dickinson has 15 years’ experience assisting accelerated business growth, often using subsidised funding to provide a greater return on investment.

Peter said: “I specialise in coaching and mentoring business leaders to drive sales activity and ultimately double revenue and profit. The HPW training is designed to be results-driven by developing internal talent.”

Harrogate Busines Advisor is the only training provider in Harrogate delivering the official scheme, with a focus on Sales. Other HPW training is available on re-skilling in areas including HR and Leadership.

Only SMEs in the Harrogate, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield or York district are eligible for the subsidised training. The focus is on but not limited to sectors in Creative, Digital, Finance, Business, Hospitality, Tourism, Low Carbon, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, Medical Technology, Transport and Logistics.

Peter added: “Harrogate is known for its innovative, independent business spirit and as a home to global brands, but we’ve been hit hard by lockdowns, with many businesses needing to pivot to survive. It’s vital we increase the skills levels in our local community.”

Harrogate Business Advisors has helped hundreds of business owners, creating millions in profit and hundreds of new jobs across the district.

ENDS

Harrogate Business Advisors