BPS - Business Service

Business Strategy

Business Strategy examines where the business is now and where it wants to be in the future. It uses SWOT, PEESTO, Boston Grid and other evaluation techniques to identify likely internal and external impacts and determine best strategic direction.

Business Profiling

Business Profiling sets out the business's present situation. It provides a detailed view of the business such that anyone would be able to become familiar with it. It considers:-

Business Planning

Business Planning, whether it be new or a review of an existing one, evaluates the present position of the business, identifies issues and sets out prioriites for action. It uses evaluative techniques to explore future impacts on the business so that appropriate action can be considered and implemented.It covers:-

• business strategy
• marketing
• product development
• transport and logistics
• staffing
• finance

Feasibility Studies

Feasibility Studies evaluate new ideas, initiatives and projects to determine their viability. Break even points are determined related to both the time required and the capacity to deliver. They consider:-

Change Management

Change Management takes an already decided issue and organises the necesary changes in  consultation with those affected. This, very people focused, activity requires sensitive handling, which may benefit from the involvement of someone not connected with the business.

Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise support is provided to existing enterprises and new ones emerging from the Voluntary and Community Sector, particularly thosde wanting to provide public services through Service Level Agreements and Contracts. Help is available for both social organisations wanting to become more enterprising and less grant dependent and enterprises wanting to become more socially aware.

Social Firm

Social Firm support to existing and emerging Social Firms, whether they are fully independent or still set within the Social Services system. Help is available to improve financial viability and reduce grant dependency yet still provide a caring supportive environment for the servcice users.

Training - accredited

Training can be designed and delivered to meet the needs of the business or organisation. It can be accredited through the Open College Network (OCN), providing credits within the new National Framework. Credits build into certificates and diplomas at levels appropriate to the ability of the learner.

Existing accredited courses can be used or a new accredited course can be designed to meet the specific need. The training can cover any topic from manual / technical skills at Level 1 to business skills at Levels 2 and 3. There is the potential to use these to access degree level courses, bringing about a significant improvement in workforce skill levels.

Resource Efficiency & Lean Manufacture

Resource Efficiency provides a rewiew of existing business practices to determine where and how resources could be reduced and what savings could be made. Where some investment is needed, payback times are determined alongside the longer term savings. Lean manufacturing applies similar principles to manufacturing processes so that products are made as efficiently as possible. All savings achieved come off the bottom line and so have a 100% impact on profit margins. Resource Efficiency and Lean Manufacture cover areas such as:-

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Energy Efficiency is determined by comparing the energy usage per square metre by business type with best practice standards. Whether the intention is to prove how energy efficient a business is or to identify where savings can be made, the objective is to reduce escalating energy costs. The Climate Change Levy is already taxing energy inefficent businsses heavily. Knowing what you can do and how you can recover some of the levy for your business may help to reduce future energy charges. Renewable Energy is becoming increasingly popular as new technologies develop and businesses start to worry about their control of energy supplies. Renewable energy reduces the costs of supply from the energy companies and can pay back the capital cost in more acceptable timescales. There are limitations to be considered based on  the particular circumstances of the business.

The business is evaluated through an energy audit and strategy covering:-

   Renewable Energy intiatives include:-

• wind turbines
• solar panels for water heating
• photovoltaic power
• water turbines and hydro electric power
• wave power

Waste Management & Recycling

Waste Management determines how the business is dealing with the escalating costs of waste disposal and what potential exists to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle existing waste streams. It sets out the existing waste profile through a Waste Audit and considers the best available disposal options, setting out the costs and savings achieveable with pay back times. Even if many parts of the waste stream are already being recycled, there is a need to look at the rest, since recycling opportunities are constantly changing. Waste streams to be considered are :-

Transport Efficiency and Travel Plans

Transport Efficiency evaluates existing business transport arrangements. A Transport Review and Strategy would identify improved efficiencies for the business and ppossible savings in time, resources and costs.Travel Plans consider existing staff travel arrangements and the impact these have on the business. Reducing car dependence could be beneficial to both the business and the individual.

Transport Efficiency would consider:-

Climate Change

The impact of Climate Change on the business is considered. New business opportunities and local geographical impacts such as flooding and extremes of temperature are considered. A Climate Change Strategy determines the impacts on the business and sets out mitigating options, adaptability and new product opportunities. Business may be vulnerable in areas such as :-

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