Business Transformation - new activities support and funding

1. Peer Network - The SW Customer Focused Transformation Network - with over 350 members. Network activity includes 3 conferences a year, site visits to other regions or industry to see best practice in action and the facilitation of Action Learning Groups e.g. SW ERP Group.

   Potential authority funding – None directly, but the conferences are free to attend. The next conference is the Culture Change conference in Exeter on 12-Dec-08
   

2. Advisory Support – Business transformation support from SW RIEP advisers for ‘first port of call’ advice, signposting councils to sources of support (because the RIEP has a unique view of what’s available), assisting councils with procurement of consultancy support, assisting with the facilitation / brokering of partnerships, acting as a ‘critical friend’ at project boards, or for document review (where the sector also benefits through the RIEP extracting and disseminating the learning).

   Potential authority funding – None directly, but the service is provide free-of-charge.

3. Guidance, tools, case studies and newsletters – The RIEP has developed guidance and case studies relating to Business Transformation (see Existing products and useful resources) and will continue to do so. A newsletter is published every 2 months and includes short, sharp articles and news and views on Business Transformation activity within and outside the region from the perspective of customers, suppliers and network members.

   Potential authority funding – N/A
   

4. Skills development - A range of subsidised courses and free e-learning modules relevant to Business Transformation.
   
   Potential authority funding – All courses are subsidised by the SW RIEP at 50% or more. As well as the public courses, councils can apply for subsidised on-site courses.

5. Funding for innovation & collaboration - Grant funding for business transformation, will be prioritised towards ‘path finding’ projects that incorporate a degree of innovation and collaboration (from which the rest of the sector can learn) and/or risk or difficulty (such that without grant support the project might not be undertaken).

   Potential authority funding – In 2008/9, the 2-tier partnerships have been invited to apply for £40k grants in support of 2-tier working. ‘Small project’ grants of typically £20k a time will be made available in future years.

Contact Anita Tadayon on 07885 363408 or anitatadayon@yahoo.com for any further information regarding the Business Transformation Programme.