businessesBuilding resilient

Specialist support to help SMEs overcome challenges and maximise opportunities.

businesses to create over 1,918 jobs, develop new products, improve productivity and achieve their growth ambitions.

A Bespoke Approach

The programme provides tailored business support and one-to-one coaching for high growth businesses and ambitious start-ups across the county. Business owners are provided with access to a highly experienced team of business coaches, who cover all areas of business including marketing, productivity, strategic planning, finance and leadership.

As businesses are exposed to a tightening economy, they face multiple pressures from inflation, supply chain challenges and reduced consumer spending. It is now more important than ever that businesses have access to high-quality business support services and specialist expertise to help them remain resilient and competitive.

Oxford Innovation Cornwall, which is designed and delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice and fully funded by the European Regional Development Fund, has supported over 6,000 businesses in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly since 2009.

In fact, the current coaching programme (also known as Transform) has supported over 3,000 SMEs in the county during the last six years, playing a significant role in helping local

Businesses on the programme also benefit from access to a series of interactive workshops as well as a comprehensive suite of resources and tools. This includes GROWTHmapper® - the UK’s leading business diagnostic tool - which provides valuable insights into the perceived strengths and weaknesses of a business, so that support can be tailored to the needs of each client. Developed by Oxford Innovation, GROWTHmapper® has been used by over 35,000 businesses on national and regional business support programmes across the country.

Accessing Proven Expertise

Andrew Upton, delivery manager and coach at Oxford Innovation Cornwall, says: “There are a lot of pressures and responsibilities resting on the shoulders of a business owner, particularly in these challenging times. Taking time out to sit down with an experienced business coach can provide a valuable opportunity for a business leader to look at their business objectively, analyse issues and tap into external independent expertise to help them move forward.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with so many incredible businesses over the years. Now more than ever it’s essential that businesses have the support and tools they need to overcome challenges and identify new opportunities to ensure future success. This in turn will enhance the local economy, job opportunities and the prosperity of local communities.”

With over 30 years of experience in helping SMEs grow, Oxford Innovation Advice has been engaged in ‘levelling up’ and supporting businesses in Cornwall for over 12 years –enhancing the economy, lives and prosperity of communities and individuals across the county. With funding through the European Regional Development Fund coming to an end in June, businesses looking to access support from this current programme should apply as soon as possible.

For more information on the programme visit, www.oxfordinnovationcornwall.co.uk or call 01872 300116.

Success Stories Idenna

Idenna has been benefiting from the advice and guidance of specialist business coaches from Oxford Innovation Cornwall for many years.

James Neale, creative director of Idenna, says: “Having a coach has been invaluable to us as a business. I think having an outsider’s perspective is crucial; sometimes you’re too close to what’s going on and it can be tricky to look at things objectively. Our coach is honest, savvy and always helps us refocus our strategies to make sure we’re covering all bases.”

Gripsure

Oxford Innovation has supported non-slip decking specialist Gripsure across several coaching programmes dating back to 2011.

MD Mike Nicholson says: “The insights our coach offered into brand building, market research and consumer marketing were very thought provoking and also timely for us, and the session has helped clarify our thinking on some new product introductions to the consumer market. Once again OI prove to be providing just the right support at the time when it is needed most.”

Letter Box Hamper

To help maximise its growth potential, Letter Box Hamper received support from multiple specialist coaches from Oxford Innovation Cornwall.

Jonathan Winfield, founder of Letter Box Hamper, says: “I’ve been really impressed with the quality of the coaches. And the way that the programme is delivered – it very much slots around you. It’s tailored around you, which is brilliant. The time I have invested into the coaching is paying dividends.”

Boost Innovations

Boost, a pioneering start-up which has designed a new type of breast prosthesis, is going from strength to strength recently winning the West Country Women’s Award for Small Business of the Year and is now breaking into international markets.

Co-founder of Boost, Sam Jackman, says: “One-to-one coaching is really important because each business is different with different challenges. It is so beneficial to be able to unpick an issue with someone who has the knowledge and experience to help you. We’re so lucky in Cornwall to have access to this support. I can’t stress how important it is to business owners like myself.”