Scaling your business
Your business is established but you need support to take it to the next level.
Ready to scale your business but need help?
Now you’re in a position where you can sustain growth in your business without feeling the impact in other areas, you may be looking at ways to accelerate this further. To achieve this, you might require support with moving premises, investing in technology or seeking out new markets.
Regardless of your ambitions, it is worthwhile formalising existing processes that may have been more fluid while the business was growing from a start-up. This will create fixed structures that will form a solid foundation for handling accelerating growth.
In addition, this will allow you to evaluate your processes. Doing so could highlight ways in which you can streamline operations and improve efficiency, which will have a positive impact on your finances.
You may also want to explore investing in robust software and systems. These will help you to overcome rising organisational challenges, including tax and regulatory requirements, as well as those associated with a growing workforce.
We want to support businesses that are scaling up as large organisations are important to driving innovation, nurturing skills and creating new opportunities in our region. Whether you are located here or looking to move to the area, our expert team provide personalised help aimed at supporting scaling up businesses to achieve their aspirations.
Scaling a business:
5 questions to ask
- Can I support accelerating growth within my business?
- Do I have sufficient cash flow to support a higher level of growth?
- Is there the right infrastructure and workforce locally to sustain your plans
- Are there opportunities to expand globally?
- What systems do I need to maintain quality and service while scaling up operations?
Scaling a business: Common questions
There is a range of support that scaling businesses can access through their Local Enterprise Partnership, the Government and local authority. This can include assistance with business rates and grants for investing in equipment and infrastructure that will positively impact jobs in the region. There is also support for businesses that want to upskill their workforce, as well as create opportunities for apprentices.
Make UK can provide consultancy and training for large businesses, and Innovate UK, Sparkfund and the British Business Bank are trusted sources when considering finance options your expansion plans. In addition, if you are looking at new export markets, the Department for International Trade can provide assistance in this area.
Financial support for scaling businesses in the York and North Yorkshire region is frequently changing. You can speak with our team about your growth plans and find out more about what you may be eligible for.
North Yorkshire County Council has a business engagement officer who acts as a channel through which businesses can engage directly with the planning and infrastructure team. This ensures that large-scale projects and planning applications are clearly communicated, and allows for an open and constructive dialogue to be established.
The York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Y&NYLEP) are also working closely with businesses to share intelligence and ensure that they have a voice when it comes to local concerns over skills, access, infrastructure & supply chain.
As well as the opportunity to access financial assistance, there are many benefits to locating your business in North Yorkshire. As well as outstanding transport links and access to crucial supply chain companies, our region has a wealth of skilled worker and a quality of life that is the envy of many. You can book an appointment with one of our growth managers, who would be delighted to go into more detail and discuss your individual business needs.
Being more sustainable makes good business sense. It can foster respect from customers and employees alike, and can positively affect your bottom line too. There are some simple steps that your business can take including recycling, looking at energy use, reducing travel for meetings and reviewing your supply chain.
As part of the Local Enterprise Partnership, we are closely linked with Circular Yorkshire. Here you will find a range of case studies from other businesses adopting a more sustainable approach and our six benefits to business.
You need to ensure that a person from outside the UK has permission to work in the UK if you employ or intend to employ them. You also need to ensure that and documentation that they supply is genuine and that workers from specified countries are registered with the Home Office’s Worker Registration Scheme.
In addition, now that the UK has left the EU, migrant workers from the EU must apply for the new settlement scheme. Full details and a toolkit for employers is available from the government website.
Our region aims to cultivate innovation in a diverse range of sectors including food and drink, low carbon digital, bioscience and manufacturing. Our Growth Managers can put you in touch with relevant organisations and highlight the financial opportunities that will support your plans.
Innovate UK is also set up to accelerate innovate and drive investment into research and development. They can help you to connect with the right people to turn your ideas into commercially successful products and services.
Small to medium-sized enterprises can access the Skills Support for the Workforce Programme. This a free service aimed at enabling businesses to achieve their growth plans by upskilling their existing workforce. The service can work with you to identify skills gaps and recommend tailored training solutions.
In addition, businesses can look to use their apprenticeship levy to upskill their existing employees. More information can be found in our guide:
The Department for International Trade has designed its new Internationalisation Fund to help SMEs who are looking to grow their businesses internationally. It offers match funding of between £1,000 and £9,000. You can find out more about the fund and how to apply on our Import and Export page here.
Articles
First York launches £20,000 fund to boost eco-friendly sales for small businesses
The York Go-Greener Fund will support small businesses' growth by helping them build on and develop sustainable products and services that directly appeal to consumers, helping them consider eco-friendly choices in what they buy.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
9th - 15th May is Mental Health Awareness Week, an annual campaign that promotes open discussions about mental health. In our blog, we've collected some mental health and wellbeing resources to help you create a supportive work environment.
York St John opens new start-up centre to offer free help for businesses to innovate and grow
York St John University is delighted to announce the opening of dedicated city centre start-up facilities to support business in York. A partnership with the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub will also support local independent enterprise.
Resources
Free Webinar :Getting started with data protection: what every business needs to know
This webinar will take a simple look at some of the practical measures a business needs to put in place to help them comply with their UK GDPR obligations.
Featured Webinar Playlist: Wellbeing
Learn how to build resilience and communication, create a positive work environment, and support the mental health of both your team and yourself with our free wellbeing webinars playlist.
Grow Yorkshire: Introduction to Food and Drink Commercial Agreement
This Grow Yorkshire webinar, featuring presentations from partnering organisations, will introduce you to the new Crown Commercial Service Food and Drink Agreement and discuss how it can help you join the supply chain.
