Scaling your business
Your scaling business is established but you need support to take it to the next level.
Scaling 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
From Grants to Growth: Securing Funding for Rural Business
Rural subsidies are complex – so we asked our rural business specialist Nick White to give us his top tips for getting the funding your business needs to succeed.
Webinars launched to support business grant applicants
Two new webinars have been launched for applicants of the North Yorkshire Small Business Grants scheme which will reopen on 6 May 2024.
Work with the Growth Hub: Opportunities Now Live
We are now procuring a series of specific business support programmes, as part of North Yorkshire Council’s SPF plans.
Events
01st May 20249:00 am - 10:00 amFREE
1 May - Ian Walker: Routes to Finance for Start Ups & SME’s
Join us at the Enterprise Centre as we invite Ian Walker to deliver a support session on the best 'Routes for Finance for Start Ups & SME's.
08th May 20247:45 am - 9:15 amFREE
8 May - Merchant Adventurers' Business Breakfast
Expand your support and client network and hear more about the members of the Company of Merchant Adventurers at this business breakfast.
15th May 20245:00 pm - 7:00 pmFREE
15 May - York Business Networking Event
Join the second York Business Networking Event to meet other local professionals, make connections, and grow your business!
Resources
Webinar Recording : Are you up to Standard? Officially…
Whether you are selling a products or services, you want to make sure you’re up to the standards. In the UK, Trading Standards teams enforce over 80 parliamentary acts and pieces of legislation. So, are you up to their standards?
Young Entrepreneur Guide
Do you have a business idea? Or do you want to work for yourself? Then the Young Entrepreneur Guide is here to help you!
Webinar Recording : Creating Videos for Your Business
Daniel Pingstone of Fly Flow Media recently delivered two webinars in partnership, looking at how to create videos for both products and service based businesses. In this condensed recording, Dan covers the content shared in each of those sessions.