The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 36: April/May 2018 | Page 6

BUSINESS ADVICE CALLING ALL LIMITED COMPANIES If you’re running a limited company in the Swindon and Wiltshire area with an ambition to grow, speak to Oxford Innovation to see if you qualify for 12-hours free business growth funding. Oxford Innovation is a delivery partner for the SME Growth Project, a Government initiative aimed at encouraging small businesses to thrive and prosper. Working across the country, Oxford Innovation has to date helped over 5,000 businesses grow and develop, opening doors to over £100m of external funding to support their plans. It can be lonely being a business owner, not knowing who to entrust and confide in or where to turn to for the right advice. And, when you’re caught up in the day to day running of a business time just runs away with you and best laid plans end up getting put on hold. Oxford Innovation works with its clients to give clarity, looking at where a business currently is and where it wants to go. Their unique and highly acclaimed GrowthMapper business diagnostic tool is used to guide the process. Asking 100 questions, the online questionnaire maps business and employer cohesion across key areas of the business. This includes sales and marketing, strategy, leadership, operations and innovation. The Business Exchange (TBE) took advantage of the free funding in January 2017 and in a year we’ve nearly doubled our revenue. Theda Gray who is delivering the project locally worked with TBE owner Anita Jaynes on a five-year plan looking at profit margins and additional products and services to aid growth. Parts of the plan you can actually see being put into action in this magazine, such as The Techies a new awards initiative in Swindon and Wiltshire recognising the tech and IT industry. Having a plan and sticking to it has been scientifically proven to double or even triple your chances of success. By visualising the plan and referring to it regularly you’re reminded of the commitment you’ve made to yourself and your business. Once the 12-hour sessions have come to an end, Oxford Innovation can work with you to apply for match funding to achieve your future growth aspirations. Grant funding is available from £2,000 - £10,000. To find out more about the 12 free hours of funding email Theda Gray: [email protected] or Chris Sheehan: [email protected] or call 01865 261460 Oxford Innovation’s business coach and strategist - Theda Gray Theda started her career in two family run businesses and truly understands the challenges owner-run and managed businesses face. She is also a qualified chartered management accountant and looks at a business holistically, from strategy to software, systems and financial foundations. For more info: www.oxfordinnovationservices.co.uk @OI_HighGrowth Need finance? Speak to SWBF South West Business Finance (SWBF) is open for business and is currently helping a number of businesses across the south west region acquire the funds they need to go for growth. Corsham-based SWBF is made up of a team of commercia