InvestSefton Consultancy Support for Small Businesses

To provide appropriate diagnosis of fundamental, underlying business & management issues using diagnostic tool. Devise an action plan for growth. Complete all required Place Based Business Support Paperwork. Signpost to relevant alternative support outside of the PBBS

Assist Sefton SMEs improve cyber resilience and security awareness whilst reducing risk of cyber attacks, data breaches, and financial loss. To include assessments, recommendation of practical measures and support with implementation, network, device, secure storage security advice and advice on phishing malware, ransomware prevention and backup and disaster-recovery methods.

Assist Sefton SMEs improve emotional wellbeing, resilience and mental health awareness by introducing measures and techniques to reduce management and staff stress, absenteeism and low morale. Including developing or reviewing and updating wellbeing policies, processes and toolkits. Improving stress management and implementing resilience-building techniques, advice on healthy workplace cultures and early identification of wellbeing issues. Providing advice on how to manage workloads, establish boundaries and understand team dynamics.

Strengthen the export capability and readiness of Sefton SME’s, support existing exporters to expand into new countries or sectors, assess readiness of business for international trading, advise on routes to market, distribution channels, agents and partnerships. Offer guidance on export regulations, documentation, customs and compliance. Provide support on logistics, tariffs and shipping processes.

Support Sefton SMEs to become investment ready, improving their understanding of external funding opportunities and investor requirements including strengthening financial management and strategic planning, review or support the development of relevant investment materials, provide advice on suitable routes to finance based on maturity and sector and support SMEs to understand risk, due diligence and investor expectations.

To provide support and advice (not representation) relating to contracts, terms and conditions, company structure and governance, IP, Data Protection and GDPR, supplier and customer disputes and employment law.

Provide guidance and support on the production of policies and procedures, employee handbooks, contracts of employment, staff management, performance, appraisals, absence, disciplinary/grievences.

To develop marketing plans, campaigns, branding etc. Provide online marketing advice. Monitor and measure the impact and performance of the marketing activity.

Create 360-degree digital marketing strategy, setting up and effectively using social media business accounts, embedding and building a digital brand, building an audience with engaging content and generating sales. Social commerce solutions for retail.

Business strategy development and implementation, process review, growth plans, financial planning, KPI development, culture change, performance management, leadership and team building, coaching and mentoring and reviewing/devising business proposals.

Conducting Gap Analysis, enhancement of existing systems using appropriate ISO tools, implement any new processes required, conduct a formal check of newly implemented processes, benchmark and identify gaps in quality.

Provide advice on design and implementation of financial processes, bookkeeping and finance management, budget setting, financial forecasting, credit contract and understanding tax and VAT

To assist businesses who have potential to win work through a tendering or bid process. Eligible businesses will have limited or unsuccessful experience of winning tenders and bids, Procurement Specific Questionnaires, CDP etc or may require more complex support due to nature of the applications.

Improve practical knowledge of low-cost AI solutions suitable for SMEs with measurable productivity benefits, provide advice on data management and responsible use of AI, signpost SMEs to further innovation support and funding opportunities.

Support SMEs to commercialise their creative output and access new markets, advise on revenue models, monetisation and diversification strategies, provide IP, rights management, royalty and licencing frameworks advice, provide strategic marketing and branding advice and advise on funding bids and grant opportunities