How can we help?

Whatever stage you are at, you can meet with an experienced local business adviser, by phone or video call, to discuss your business. Whether you are looking for an independent sounding board to bounce ideas off or a trusted guide to help your business achieve its ambitions, our advisers can help.  As well as years of experience in helping businesses, all have also either run their own business or spent time in the commercial world. 

Advisers can offer support on a wide range of topics, from improving profitability and sustainability, understanding legal and regulatory requirements, to getting a new business off the ground, exploring options for businesses in difficulty, or funding for growth. 

Our advisers can also signpost you to other relevant services, make referrals, share useful contacts and help you navigate the wider business support landscape. 

To request an appointment with an adviser contact us at business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555

We recognise that sometimes a quick discussion with an expert is needed for a specific question or issue. We can arrange a 1 hour surgery with one of our subject specialists, at no cost to you.   The range of expert help topics includes;

• HR - recruiting and developing people, becoming an employer, legislation, redundancy
• Digital - content management tools, website building, development and review, online trading, social media platforms, SEO, content creation, cyber security, infrastructure and communication equipment, choosing and briefing contractors
• Marketing - planning, competitor and market analysis, customer profiling, branding and brand development, reviewing and improving activity
• PR - planning and delivering PR, writing content, managing negative PR
• Tendering & Supply Chains - understanding and preparing for the tender process, creating tender documents, improving bids, managing supply chains, expenditure analysis, sourcing suppliers, contracts and agreements, added value and community benefits
• Finance and funding - financial analysis, financial planning, identifying funding gaps and funding sources, profit analysis, debt management, tax obligations
• Internationalisation - preparing for export, choosing markets, identifying opportunities, international sales online, finding agents, distributors and suppliers, legislative requirements, importing 

In depth expert help, from a half day to two days of support, is also available.  Find out more at Fully funded expert help | Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk)

To request an expert help surgery contact us at business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555

Looking for financial support for your business? Our knowledge of the funding landscape means we can work with you to identify which funds you qualify for and help you prepare an application. As well as signposting a variety of funding schemes delivered via other organisations, we can talk you through the funding available from the Council Financial support and grants for businesses | Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk) . Business Gateway does not provide grants or loans directly.

To find out more about funding for your business contact us at business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555

Navigating the wider business support landscape can be complicated.  We use our understanding of what other organisations can offer to help you access the right support for you.  We work closely with the enterprise agencies and can refer you on for support where relevant.  Our local knowledge can help you make useful connections quickly, to organisations or other businesses. 

To discuss which partner referrals or connections may be relevant for your business contact us at business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555

A wide range of guides, covering market and sector information, business rules and regulations, industry snapshots, area profiles and market research are available via Business Gateway Argyll and Bute. We also have access to an extensive portfolio of editable documents and contract templates, helping you create the terms and conditions, contracts, policies, procedures and risk assessment forms for your business.

To request a guide, template, market research or pro-forma contact us at business.gateway@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604555

Businesses based in Argyll can apply for grants and specialist advice funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

The Business Gateway team can help you access the right support for your business.  

Find out more - Financial support and grants for businesses