In 2019 I approached the Federation of Small Businesses asking if I could work with them on trying to make it easier for small businesses to access and work in the public sector. They invited me to set up and Chair a Special Interest Group (SIG). The SIG is made up of small businesses and public sector organisations and our one exam question is centred around that widening participation agenda.
We have 4 activity streams in the SIG, one of which is SME/VCSE development program. We've called it Go4Growth and it's a free (forever) program and community.
Go4Growth as a team is made up of several small businesses working together to help other SMEs and VCSEs to navigate the sometimes complex world of the Public Sector.
We have a built a program that we believe can help any smaller business, regardless of type. Here are just a few of our current focus areas:
1. Helping businesses to grow in the Public Sector
2. Building relationships or taking the first steps to supply the Public Sector
3. Collaborative working or consortia/partnerships
4. Building greater economic resilience for the future
5. Recovering from the impacts of COVID-19
6. Dealing with Brexit, environmental or other issues
Our program offers support in various ways; our aim is to ensure it's accessible to everyone, personalised to your business so support is given in a way that makes the most sense and adds the most value to you.
I'm really proud to be Go4Growth, I'm proud of the program, how quickly we have developed it and how only a few weeks in we are seeing more and more businesses get involved so already we're identifying barriers and helping businesses to overcome them.
For any small businesses or VCSEs out there reading this blog, give me a shout. The program is there to help you grow in the public sector and connect you with a fast growing business community.
Gill
gill@go4growth.co.uk
www.twitter.com/Go4Growth_UK
www.LinkedIn.com/Company/Go4Growth
www.facebook.com/Go4GrowthUK
www.facebook.com/groups/Go4Growth