What is it? 

• Expert Help can provide your business with up to five days of fully funded specialist business advice on a variety of topics from strategy, finance and marketing to new IT systems and energy efficiency.
• It is an approved list of high calibre experts that are already selected and ready to engage, so you don’t need to worry about finding a specialist to do the work. 
• It is free help and support from a specialist to enable a new project, help introduce new skills to the business and in some cases provide hands-on support depending on the project itself.
• It’s open for applications through to 31 March 2025 or earlier if the funding is fully spent before then.
• It’s available to your business at no cost other than your time and commitment to the project.
• It can be accessed through a conversation with a Business Gateway or council advisor and a simple two-page application process outlining your project idea and need for support.
• It is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Who’s eligible?

• A business or social enterprise based in and trading from North Lanarkshire.
• The business is a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (up to 250 employees).
• You must be able to explain why you need the support and how this will help your business grow.
• The business is up to date with Non-Domestic Rates for your business premises, or if you work from home, council tax, or if in arrears, have an up-to-date repayment plan in place.

Who’s not eligible?

• Any business in arrears with Non-Domestic Rates for your business premises, or if you work from home, council tax, without an up-to-date repayment plan in place.
• Businesses operating in the following sectors:
  • gambling/betting
  • drinking place that does not serve food
  • credit union

What can it be used for?

Up to five days of fully funded specialist business advice for any of the following topics:

Business Financial Management

Support across a range of areas focussed on the efficient and effective management of your business funds. This support will give you the financial skills and knowledge to meet your business objectives.

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • Support on how to plan, organise direct and control financial activities.
  • Helping you to prepare and source business funding.
  • Support and Advice on how to improve the financial health of your business including debt management and mitigating rising costs.
  • Company Valuation; and
  • Taxation including R&D Tax Credits

Business Development and Strategy 

Support to help you assess your business, identify areas of improvement, and support the formulation of a plan to help the business reach your strategic goals and objectives. It offers 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 topics that are offered include:
  • 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.

Human Resources, Leadership and Skills

Providing a range of support on human resource matters, leadership, and management. It will help to provide advice on existing human resource policies and requirements, support leadership development processes and equip businesses with the tools to promote a positive and productive working environment.

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • 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 analysis and training procedures.
  • Workplace Innovation including but not limited to culture, communications, productivity and fair work practices.

Procurement

Providing a range of support to help your business navigate the procurement process.

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • Bid / Tender support.
  • Procurement regulations and legal advice.
  • Contract supplier management support.
  • Market analysis and understanding.
  • Staff training on procurement (multiple attendees).

Marketing

Support to help your business undertake market research and formulate a plan to support the promotion and selling of your products and/or services with a view to increasing sales. 

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • 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.

Information and Digital Technology

Provides support for digital projects, building skills and capabilities that increase digital knowledge and help your business to reach its goals and objectives.

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • Analysis of the Digital Capabilities of your 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
  • Cyber security.

Energy Efficiencies and Net Zero

Support you to reduce your businesses greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • Energy Audits and action plans, including recommendations on Control and Efficiencies.
  • Low Energy / Sustainable Production Processes.
  • Waste Management.
  • Reviews and Planning.
  • Net Zero Carbon Targets.

New Market Opportunities and Internationalisation   

Support your business to access overseas markets, supporting the opportunity to reach a wider customer base and increase sales.

• Examples of topics that are offered include:
  • Support for Exporting (out with the UK)
  • Market Analysis and Development.
  • Structuring for Internationalisation.
  • Documentation advice for exporting.

How to apply?

If you already have an existing contact with the Business Gateway please progress an application through your contact. If you don’t have a contact, we would encourage you to get in touch with the Business Gateway to progress an application. Alternatively,  if you wish to make an application directly please email experthelp@northlan.gov.uk to enquire and one of our advisors will be in touch to discuss this with you.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.