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"My business has been up and running for a few years but I feel it’s becoming stuck in a rut. I’d really like some guidance on what I can do to stay competitive and increase my profits… "
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Sustaining and growing a business isn’t easy. If you are running an established business you will know that it requires vision, flexibility and hard work. You need all your skills to manage customers and employees and develop your products and services, whilst organising marketing, monitoring cashflow and avoiding burnout! |
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Just call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline on 020 8680 6161 and ask to speak to a business advisor to find out what help is available and how you can access it.
We run these workshops to enable your company to think about other areas of business such as environmental challenges and profit-making, developing a full marketing plan and ways to increase profitability.
For details, call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline on 020 8680 6161.
If you need more hands on support we can offer 1-2-1 advice sessions with a consultant to put your business on a firmer footing. The service involves a free one-day diagnostic and development of an action plan as well as some follow up support.
For details, call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline during office hours on 020 8680 6161
We can put you in touch with mentors who can offer you individual support, discuss the issues you are facing, and help find solutions.
For details, call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline during office hours on 020 8680 6161
We organise these groups to look at issues specific to certain industries like fashion for example. Through these meetings, you can form valuable contacts as well as gain advice and mentoring opportunities.
Please call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline on 020 8680 6161 to find out if there is a network group for your sector.
Town planning issues are very complex and can often make or break expansion plans. That’s why we have set up a Business Friendly Planning service which aims to help and support businesses through the planning process.
The service is free and available online, over the phone or can come and visit you. It is staffed by senior planners dealing with enquiries ranging from running a business from home or commercial premises, to developing planning applications for redevelopment or adaptations.
Call the Business-Friendly Planning Service on 020 8726 6800, ext 62041, or email your questions to:
michael.obrien@croydonenterprise.com or chris.werren@croydon.gov.uk
Croydon Enterprise’s business premises service is designed to help businesses find premises that match their needs. You might be looking for your first commercial property or a bigger one to suit your growing business.
The service is free and provided by experienced property consultants with an extensive knowledge of the commercial property market. They are able to help identify your property needs, provide advice on costs and tenancy issues and work with local commercial property agents to ensure that people are fully informed about the market in Croydon.
For details call our consultants:
Paulette Redwood-Baker
Email: paulette.redwoodbaker@croydonenterprise.com
Tel: 07786 277681 or 020 8090 5574
Paul Baverstock
Email: paul.baverstock@croydonenterprise.com
Tel: 07825 754585 or 020 3326 0473
Franchising allows smaller companies to turn an existing business into a franchise which other investors can buy into. Our ‘Franchise 4 Croydon’ service provides information, advice and guidance on purchasing a franchise or franchising your business.
Delivered by our partners South London Business, all the services are free and impartial, and include setting up seminars between potential franchisors and franchisees, workshops, access to potential franchise opportunities through whichfranchise.com, and continued business support.
For information on Franchising 4 Croydon, call Julie Harries at South London Business on 020 8256 1293 or visit: www.southlondonbusiness.co.uk
This service provided by the London Innovation Centre (LINNOC) offers support through mentoring and a programme of events and interactive workshops to encourage you to keep your eyes and ears open to new ideas and new approaches.
Sign up for a session with one of our trained Innovation Coaches who will suggest the right next step for you. Alternatively, you could take part in one of our workshops – whether you’ve never thought about running a business before, or you’re just starting up.
For details of ‘Ideas into Business’ workshops, call LINNOC on 0845 262 8545
Croydon Enterprise wants local firms to export goods and services and grab new trade opportunities in the borough. Already, successful trade missions to Prague and Warsaw, South Africa and Holland have led to big value export contracts for local firms. For a subsidised fee, participants can enjoy fully organised trade missions to explore market potential for investment and joint venture opportunities. No matter the size of your business, this is an amazing opportunity to uncover new markets and expand your operation onto the global stage.
For information on international trade missions and upcoming trips, call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline on 020 8680 6161.
Croydon Enterprise knows how important winning contracts are to businesses. This procurement project will support participants through training workshops, one to one support, on-line toolkits and meet the buyers events. Participants will learn how they can successfully sell their products and/or services to major buyers in the public and private sector.
They will also get the opportunity to have a fixed appointment with some of these buyers and this will all hopefully lead to increasing turnover and productivity. Croydon Enterprise has teamed up with Business to Business Ltd to provide this free service
For more details visit:
http://compete.croydonenterprise.com/about
Financial support is available to help businesses grow.
- Test trading grants – up to £250 to test your product, kick start your business or buy a new piece of equipment
- Credit Union Enterprise Loans and Capacity Building – from £251-£2,000 loans to start a new business or launch new products.
- Croydon Enterprise Loan Fund – funding sources for people seeking anything from £2,001-£50,000. This package will help you put a proposal together.
Support and advice is also available and you could even be offered a mentor to help you manage your business idea. Also included in this scheme are our Business Angels. These are a group of business investors willing to invest more than £50,000 in local entrepreneurs. If you are looking for this kind of investment you would need to pitch your idea to the Angels.
For further information on any of these schemes, or to find out which type of funding is best for you, call the Croydon Enterprise business hotline on 020 8680 6161.
For all queries about doing business in Croydon and how Croydon Enterprise can help you, call the Business Hotline on 020 8680 6161, or email: info@croydonenterprise.com |
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