@ the consultation stage

Is there a place for Mentoring within the LEP framework?

peterts — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:25:38 +0000

At the present time there is a great deal of speculation about the role of the LEPs in economic development, and it seems likely that greater input from business can only make economic planning more realistic. On the other hand stimulating growth from those sectors which have the most potential, primarily established SMEs and secondarily start-ups, will require pragmatic measures to make sure that they get the support they need.

Now here’s the truth of the matter

There is no doubt that better availability of finance is essential, but as Group member Peter Watson recently said to me there is an equal need for good, sound strategic advice which can often open up new horizons for small companies and bring about the kind of economic growth which is needed. He went on to say that delivering this advice does not need some public sector broker, but the private sector business support community is fragmented these days and many SMEs do not have the time to shop around. Therefore the formation of a team of mentors based within LEPs, or possibly the new growth hubs, could provide the kind of focal point to which SMEs can turn.

He is well aware of course that Government is equally enamoured of mentoring having announced a national scheme last November which will provide an on-line portal from which companies can seek a mentor. As currently envisaged a wide variety of professional bodies and other social enterprise organisations will be listed and the SME will have to choose a body which seems most appropriate.

But the problem is this

It remains to be seen how effective this model will be and whether there will be any national or local funding to support the Government scheme. At this stage it would be prudent to not expect any; therefore SMEs will have to pay for what they get.

On the basis that most small companies turn to people in their local business community for advice he feels a local team of mentors may be more likely to deliver the service which is needed. It is in all our interests to see our economy become stronger, and most people have a positive motivation to see their local communities thrive. Business mentoring is one way of sharing knowledge and experience to mutual benefit. Would you agree with him?

Now wouldn’t a standard document for LEP submissions have been a good idea?

peterts — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:02:20 +0000

I have been browsing through several of the proposals that some of my RDA to LEP LinkedIn Group members have been kindly collecting and posting on their web sites. There are over 50 submissions so I just checked out a few. Even so one aspect of this process hit me from the word go.

Perhaps my quality management background is too much to the fore, but surely to goodness wasn’t this the time to have a standard document for the LEP teams to complete. There are all sorts of designs and presentations in the mix so the process of assessing them is naturally going to be subject to some considerable variation because of all the different input formats. This naturally begs the question as to how consistent the outputs will be. Is it asking too much that when we are attempting to reduce waste that the very vehicle that is offered up as the alternative at least takes this on board in its own processes and help sets the benchmark.

Now I know there are advantages is allowing individual flair and style to be permitted in presentations. However, with the tight timescale in place in my humble opinion it should have been a priority to facilitate a standard appraisal system for everyone’s benefit . . . . . or is it just me?

Plans on the move in East Midlands

peterts — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 09:44:24 +0000

Whilst the consensus was that proposals had to be submitted to central government by September 6th, it appears those in the East Midlands have wasted no time in putting forward their views.

Two articles from the BBC show not only a desire to complete the exercise by the end of July but that three days later that this had been achieved. A decision is due in September as to whether these plans have been accepted.

Interesting to read the comment about how Derby felt they were the bottom of the pile and to see three universities on board. Do you feel this is a step in the right direction?

Heads up! For RDA read LEP in 2 years.

peterts — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:02:29 +0000

It can’t have escaped the notice of consultants and advisors can it that the coalition government have announced that Regional Development Agencies are to be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships by March 2012?

What might be less common knowledge is that local councils have until just September 6th to discuss with their business leaders how best and just where to set up these LEPs. A meeting took place yesterday in London and you can catch up with that here. Then they are expected to have recommendations in place by the end of the year to go before the Regional Growth Fund chaired by Lord Hesletine according to this article.

It is therefore worth your while to make sure you get represented either on your own behalf, through your company or your local business network organisation. Secretary of State, Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable has himself suggested that representations should be made to local councils in relation to what private resources exist in their area. A letter to your local MP might also be useful.

So what course of action would you recommend to ensure we get a fair hearing? Let us know what you think. Most important, take some action before this passes you by. Come on!