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
The Kickstart Scheme: Kickstarting the Future
York & North Yorkshire LEP Kickstarter Danny talks about the benefits of the Kickstart Scheme for both businesses and young people.
Free online business school for start-ups launches
York and North Yorkshire entrepreneurs of the future are being offered FREE places on an acclaimed start-up workshop to turn their hobbies and dreams into a business.
Business support webinars successfully delivered alongside local partners and experts
We have been increasingly delivering free business support through a range of digital channels in response to Covid-19. In May 2020, we formed a working group with North Yorkshire County Council and Make It York to roll out a pilot programme of free webinars.
Events
17th September 202110:00 am - 3:00 pmFREE
6-17 September - Start your business today with our free online course
Do you want to start your own business, but not sure where to begin? Join our free business course starting 6 September.
13th October 202110:00 am - 11:00 amFREE
13 Oct - The UK exit from the EU and its effects on the agricultural industry
This free webinar with Agricultural Business Training (ABT) will help you understand how income could be affected by change, what opportunities lie ahead in the agricultural industry, and where you can gain further information and support.
10th November 202110:00 am - 11:00 amFREE
10 Nov - Farm business basics
This free webinar with Agricultural Business Training (ABT) will help you increase your basic farm business skills, financial knowledge and enable you to gain a better understanding of VAT categories and how to comply with future legislative changes.
Resources
Immigration webinar: Living, working and studying in the UK after Brexit
This free webinar with the Home Office provides details of the new immigration system post Brexit, what it means for your business and for those living, working and studying in the UK
Peer Networks programme
Ambitious businesses in York and North Yorkshire have the opportunity to come together and work collaboratively as part of our new Peer Networks programme.
6 benefits to business - download all guides
Download all of our free guides on how to be more sustainable in your business and start benefiting from the circular economy.
