A to Z search of keyword metadata

Premium concern Under Injury Cost Recovery (ICR) legislation introduced in January 2007, the NHS can claim back treatment costs of up to £37,000 from a business, via its insurance, if an accident is the result ...

10 ways to ...get through the summer For many firms, the longer days of summer means having to manage annual leave for employees and reduced workload for a few months. There is also the warmer weather and the problems this can bring. ...

10 ways to... advertise on a budget Don't blow your advertising budget on an expensive radio advert which goes out at 3am. Spread your risk and save money by investing in a range of low-cost advertising options Use your local press. ...

10 ways to... assess if 2006 was a good year for your business With the year drawing to a close, now is a good time to look back and reflect on what your business has achieved over the past 12 months. Use these indicators to find out how 2006 was for you You ...

10 ways to... Be a more environmentally-friendly business According to research from the Carbon Trust, an average office-based business wastes £6,000 per year by leaving equipment on at weekends and bank holidays. The message is clear - being more ...

10 ways to... Get more out of business meetings Meetings are vital tools to move a business forward, but all too often they can prove a frustrating waste of time. With simple preparation, you can increase your chances of getting the best from the ...

10 ways to... get more out of your staff in 2007 Many people can lack focus and enthusiasm when they return to work following the Christmas break. So what can you do to get more out of your employees in the year ahead? Carry out regular staff ...

10 ways to... Improve the image of your business Although you may not realise it, many people will judge your business on its looks. A scruffy or out-of-date image is likely to make people think the same about your products or services. Simple ...

10 ways to... make more sales Take an objective look at your existing sales strategy. Do you have the right approach? If not, adopt a more customer-focused sales strategy and re-evaluate its success in six months. Look at what ...

10 ways to... Prepare for Christmas Whether you're gearing up for your busiest annual period or planning to shut down between Christmas and Hogmanay, there's plenty to do in the weeks to come. Planning now can prevent headaches later ...

10 ways to... Promote a new offer No matter how good your new product or service is, it won't do as well as you deserve unless you promote it properly. Try these road-tested techniques. Your key customers are the most likely to ...

10 ways to... set up a green supply chain Selecting and managing your suppliers so you receive the most environmentally friendly products and services can reduce your costs, underpin a positive PR strategy, and increase your customer base. ...

10 ways to... spring clean your business Review your business plan. Be honest - are you on track to meet your targets? Consult with peers or a business mentor and update the plan with realistic objectives for the coming year. Are you ...

Are you eligible for a grant? With a combined value of £50 billion, there are more than 4,500 grants available to businesses in the UK. SMEs qualify for 96 per cent of business grants. Grants are almost always awarded for a ...

Avoiding Christmas party mishaps By law, businesses can be held responsible for their employees' behaviour - even at a work event outside normal working hours. For example, if an employee behaves badly towards another worker ...

Body language According to renowned expert Robert Phipps, the main problem with body language is that every intention of creating a good impression often disappears once we start talking to someone. "Most ...

Business benefits The facts speak for themselves, it's a business no brainer when it comes to broadband benefits

Business gifts and VAT The importance of looking after important customers has been known ever since people began trading. But when it comes to business gifts, what can you claim for? When it comes to VAT, what are the ...

Business links There are various ways to network, ranging from attending regional business events and sector-specific conferences, to informal social gatherings and online discussion forums. "People think of ...

Buying a franchise Buying a franchise gives you the opportunity to capitalise on an established brand. "Franchising is a business relationship between someone with a proven idea [the franchisor] and someone else ...

Capital allowances Businesses can claim a type of tax relief, known as capital allowances, against some business purchases and investments. In practice, claiming a capital allowance means that you set off a proportion ...

Case law: employees' negligence can affect employers' health and safety liability A recent court ruling may help employers who face health and safety claims when employees have not followed correct procedures. Under the health and safety legislation, employers are required 'to ...

Case law: employer liable for bullying and harassment at work Businesses may be held liable for bullying or harassment by their employees in the course of their work, the House of Lords ruled recently. An NHS Trust employee complained that he was being ...

Case law: employer liable for indirect racial discrimination An employer has been found liable for racial discrimination following a racist remark made by a supervisor which was overheard by another employee. Businesses must have clear policies on all ...

Case study: How delegating benefits my business "It became apparent that my employees were capable of doing some of my work themselves. Whenever I was away, they dealt with things effectively."The company had reached a critical stage and ...

Case study: How I chose my business location THE SOLUTION: "My partner and I have four businesses based in Peterborough and Birmingham and we are about to open our fifth restaurant and pub, Oaka, in Kennington, London. "It was ...

Case study: How I keep my team united THE ISSUE: Maintaining a harmonious team.THE SOLUTION: "I founded the business with my partner in December 2002. As commercial insurance brokers, more than 60 per cent of our workforce is made ...

Case study: How networking benefits my business THE ISSUE: To generate more business by raising profile THE SOLUTION: "When I started the company in 1990, building a network was important to help grow the business. I thought about contacts I ...

Case study: How referrals benefit my business THE ISSUE: How to generate more business. THE SOLUTION: "I set up Affinity with my business partner in 2000. Referrals have been responsible for many of the jobs we've done. "In the wedding ...

Choosing an online payment system Being a successful e-retailer is not just about having an attractive website or offering the best deals; repeat sales are also dependent on making payment easy, and Internet shoppers are no longer ...

Commercial mortgages While leasing and renting offer flexibility, the main benefit of buying your premises is that the property becomes an asset that adds value to your business, particularly if property prices continue ...

Company cars and tax This year's Budget brought reforms aimed at encouraging businesses to take a more environmentally-friendly approach to transport. The Government has introduced a new system of road tax, Vehicle ...

Company identity theft Company identity fraud takes place when criminals misuse a legitimate firm's identity to obtain goods or services fraudulently. Not only can this leave you to foot the bill, but your credit rating ...

Corporate Homicide Workplace fatalities are not as rare as you might think. According to the Health and Safety Executive, 220 employees died at work and 117 members of the public lost their lives because of ...

Countdown to October age discrimination legislation Businesses need to be aware how they will be affected by the wide-ranging Employment Equality (Age) Regulations, which come into force on 1 October. Managers are advised to review their ...

Creating a healthy workplace All businesses are legally obliged to carry out a health and safety risk assessment of their premises once a year. But in addition to this check of the basic safety essentials of your premises, ...

Credit-checking customers "If you don't run credit-checks, the worst-case scenario is you won't get paid, of course, but it could simply mean you'll always get paid late," warns Philip King, director general of the ...

Customer enquiries It has been estimated that poor response to customer enquiries loses an average small business in the UK four customers each year - thought to amount to some £16,000 in profit. "Most ...

Delegating Are you always over-stretched and constantly having to work long hours? Are you reluctant to let anyone else make important decisions? Are some tasks being rushed or not completed because you simply ...

Developing a green travel strategy According to the Energy Savings Trust (EST), just one in five firms has considered the impact of work-related travel on the environment. Yet transport is one of the biggest contributors to the ...

e-Communities Project information on e-communities project and first e-Day event at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Skye

e-Communities study The e-Communities study was commissioned by HIE and in partnership with Skye & Lochalsh Council for Voluntary Organisations (SLCVO) to establish the attitudes and levels of engagement in ICT among community groups in the pilot area of Skye & Raasay. The study includes information on skills and confidence levels, areas of activity and inactivity, and attitudes towards ICT as a tool for further development of the community sector in the Highlands and Islands.

End game "Many owner-managers put a lot of hard work into building up their business only to throw away the possible rewards by failing to plan their exit," says Business Link Berkshire adviser Keith ...

Financial forecasts Of all the financial information you need to help you keep your business healthy, cashflow, sales and costs forecasts are the most important. The more frequently you do them, the better your chance ...

Fire-risk assessment The introduction of new regulations in October 2006 means that the previous system of fire-safety certificates for premises has been abolished. The employer or 'responsible person' for the premises ...

Getting ready for Christmas "Most businesses can do well at Christmas, but it will be particularly good for businesses that sell products or services which can be given as gifts," says Peter Nowlan, director of ...

Have your say: draft WEEE Regulations published Following numerous delays, a timetable has now been set for UK businesses to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. The purpose of the Directive is to ...

Have your say: mediation rules for sheriff courts Under new rules proposed by the Mediation Committee of the Sheriff Court Rules Council, businesses in dispute with each other would have to consider using mediation and alternative dispute ...

Helping hands Work placements come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from internships linked to universities to informal arrangements with people who knock on your door. But they all give you an opportunity to ...

Homeworking Under current employment law, employers are obliged to 'seriously consider' requests for flexible working from employees with children under the age of six or employees with children with ...

How I made an insurance claim THE SOLUTION: "I became a Pirtek franchisee in November 2005. As part of the franchise agreement, I took out contents insurance and business interruption cover straight away. It's just as well ...

I'm considering suing one of my customers for a small claim... Pursuing a debt through the courts should always be a last resort. Often the threat of legal action is enough to make customers pay. But if you have explored all other means, is it worth taking a ...

I'm feeling completely stressed... If you're constantly feeling tired, irritable and anxious, you could be suffering from work-related stress. The long-term effects can include depression, high blood pressure and heart disease, so it ...

Insurance claims Should your business suffer damage or a loss, you need to begin by deciding whether you should make a claim on your insurance. It might mean you have to pay excess on your policy, which is why, for ...

Is this your problem? I need to make sure my recruitment advertisement is legal and effective...Taking on an employee is a major step for all business, but recruiting the right person is particularly crucial to a small ...

Is this your problem? One of my staff has accused another employee of sexual harassment... Not only does sexual harassment make the victim's life a misery, it can land your business in very hot water unless you act ...

Is this your problem? I need to make sure my business is properly insured... While the business insurance you need by law is usually fairly minimal, it can pay to have extra protection in a crisis. But choosing from the ...

Is this your problem? A competitor has opened up near to my business...It may be hard to see the silver lining, but things might not be as bleak as they first seem. There are ways to safeguard your business - you ...

Keeping it in the family "Family businesses are bound together by more than just commercial interests," says Grant Gordon, director general of the Institute for Family Business. "This can make them stronger, but ...

Make global connections One of our key aims is the development of new links between the Inverness and East Highland area and the rest of the world.

Managing anti-social employees "Bad habits such as untidiness and a lack of personal hygiene can cause offence at work," says Dr Jaafar El-Murad, lecturer at Westminster Business School. "Too many long personal phone ...

Managing your suppliers "It pays to spend time building good working relationships with your suppliers - it will help you get the best deals," argues Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) senior ...

Measuring up "A business-performance review is an essential management tool," says Roger Hetherington, adviser at Business Link Suffolk. "It's important for business owners to know how well their ...

Monitoring staff in the workplace There are any number of legitimate reasons for wanting to monitor your staff in the workplace - you could be concerned about breaches of company Internet policy, for example, or worried about ...

My employee has lied on their CV... One thing you can guarantee when recruiting is that some applicants will try to mislead you about their skills, experience, references or qualifications. In fact, according to Risk Advisory Group ...

My supplier has overcharged me... Finding out you've been overcharged can make you feel angry, and that all trust between you and you supplier has been shattered. But before you complain, check your facts carefully.Is the price ...

New family-friendly legislation receives Royal Assent The Work and Families Act 2006 has received Royal Assent. As well as granting working parents new rights to more maternity and paternity leave and pay, there are a range of measures designed to make ...

Online marketing An accessible website or targeted email can be effective ...

Planning your personal pension According to the Office of National Statistics, less than half the self-employed people in the UK pay into a pension. "Many self-employed people who are earning a lot of money assume they will ...

Political correctness at work Research by the insurance firm Hiscox has found that 41 per cent of small-business owners consider it acceptable to refer to employees as 'love'. Six in ten have no qualms about hugging a colleague. ...

Premises security "More than ever, securing your premises is important," warns Ian Johnson, chairman of the Security Consultancies Section at the British Security Industry Association."For a start, you ...

Public-sector contracts Public-sector organisations in the UK (eg central government departments and agencies, the NHS and its local trusts, the MoD, Northern Ireland Assembly, National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish ...

Q&A: Closing a sale Ian Cochrane (IC), associate at sales-training consultancy Gazing Performance, reveals how to close a sale.When should I be looking for buying signals?IC: Throughout the four stages of the selling ...

Q&A: Disputing an invoice What I can do to avoid this happening? KS: "Disputes occur when businesses fail to agree terms in advance. Time spent clarifying exactly what each party does and when - including standard ...

Q&A: How do I manage flexible working? Lynette Swift (LS) is managing director of flexible-working consultancy Swiftwork. She talks to Tom Whitney about the benefits. What is flexible working? LS: "It's a work pattern that includes ...

Q&A: Making the most of surplus cash Rob Simpson (RS), managing director at Independent Financial Adviser Simpson Financial Services, tells Tom Whitney how small-business owners can get higher returns for their surplus funds.What ...

Q&A: Modern apprenticeships Tom Whitney talks to Scottish Enterprise's director of skills programmes, Dougie Somner (DS), about how Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) can help your business.What are Modern Apprenticeships?DS: They ...

Q&A: Objections to a sale Guy Aston, SME training director at Huthwaite International, talks to Georgina Harris about limiting the chances of being faced with sales objections. Why do customers make objections? GA: ...

Q&A: Registering for VAT Paul Taylor (PT), consultant at independent tax advice service VATease, explains how to register and whether there are any benefits to doing so early.Do I have to register for VAT if I am ...

Q&A: Self-assessment tax returns Tom Whitney asks Simon Littlejohns (SL), tax partner at accountancy firm PKF, how those affected should prepare for the 31 January personal tax self-assessment deadline. What are my legal ...

Q&A: Setting up a basic IT system Geoff Higginbottom, Network Services Director at Octavia Information Systems, talks Afsheen Latif through the ins and outs of setting up a basic IT system. How do I assess my IT needs?Ask yourself ...

Q&A: Stating your case to the bank Ross Keaney of Bank of Scotland Business Banking (HBOS), talks to Georgina Harris about the best way to approach banks for money.What do I need to know before I start? RK: "Before the meeting ...

Q&A: Valuing a business Rob Harman, partner at accountants Morris Owen and adviser to Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, talks to Georgina Harris about the best ways to value a business.What are common reasons for ...

Q&A: Website accessibility Richard Morton (RM), designer of accessible websites at QM Consulting, tells Afsheen Latif about making websites fully accessible.Where should I start?RM: Make sure your website is just as easy to ...

Recruiting overseas staff "There are lots of reasons to recruit people from abroad," argues the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) international manager Frances Wilson. "Overseas candidates ...

Remortgaging to raise finance According to principal of independent financial advisers Norwest Consultants, Harry Katz, remortgaging can be a cheap method for small businesses to raise money. "The advantage is it's cheaper ...

Road safety "One-third of road deaths each year in the UK are linked to work," reveals Tony Moore, facilities manager at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. "Beside the human cost, ...

Selling online "Every day you're not selling online, you're losing money," warns Janet Coombs, owner of Blue Ribbons sugarcraft centre in East Molesey, Surrey. After having a basic version created in ...

Selling to big retailers Securing your first big order to supply a major retail chain can be a turning point for your business. As well as the obvious financial benefits, getting your product on the shelves can boost your ...

Software licensing Market research firm IDC has found that more than a quarter of the software used in UK businesses is unlicensed. It may not seem a major offence, but software companies are cracking down on ...

Succession planning According to a 2005 survey from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), 30 per cent of small-business closures take place because of the lack of an effective succession plan. ...

Ten ways to... improve your presentation skills A presentation is a great way to deliver your key business messages to customers, staff or investors. Here are ten ways you can improve your skills to make your presentations pack more of a punch ...

United we stand "A team that works well together will deliver better returns, so taking steps to support that team makes good commercial sense," says Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) ...

Updating your business plan "Your business plan needs to be updated at least once a year," says Alan Smithson, adviser at Business Link Cumbria. "However, if there is a major shift in your market, it will need an ...

Why homeworking is good for my business and my employees THE SOLUTION: "The business was set up in 1994 and we now employ 55 staff. We've always offered flexible working, including the opportunity of homeworking for employees who need it. It's good ...

Word of mouth Referrals are recommendations about your services or products made by satisfied customers to others. Their power is greater than any paid-for form of marketing or advertising because they are highly ...

Writing a winning sales proposal When looking for new suppliers, most organisations will ask for a written proposal following a meeting or a tender notice. What you include in your proposal and how it is presented will be a key ...

Develop your hi-tech idea The Highlands and Islands of Scotland possesses a wealth of well-educated and talented people, none more so than in the new high-tech industries.

Delegating Are you always over-stretched and constantly having to work long hours? Are you reluctant to let anyone else make important decisions? Are some tasks being rushed or not completed because you simply ...

Case study: How I chose my business name THE ISSUE: How to choose an effective business name THE SOLUTION: "I was trying to come up with a business name for two years before I decided on Spa Fabulous, and we finally opened the salon in ...

Choosing a name for your business Inspiration for business names can come from almost anywhere. Some names are playful, such as The Cod Father fish-and-chip shop. Others, such as The Village Bakery, are more functional.But all ...

Company identity theft Company identity fraud takes place when criminals misuse a legitimate firm's identity to obtain goods or services fraudulently. Not only can this leave you to foot the bill, but your credit rating ...

Investors in People A national standard which sets the level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people.

10 ways to... Improve the image of your business Although you may not realise it, many people will judge your business on its looks. A scruffy or out-of-date image is likely to make people think the same about your products or services. Simple ...

optimising images Optimising images for search engines

protect images Counter measures to protect your images

disabled access Making sites accessible to all

Case study: How referrals benefit my business THE ISSUE: How to generate more business. THE SOLUTION: "I set up Affinity with my business partner in 2000. Referrals have been responsible for many of the jobs we've done. "In the wedding ...

Word of mouth Referrals are recommendations about your services or products made by satisfied customers to others. Their power is greater than any paid-for form of marketing or advertising because they are highly ...

Limiting your risk Being a sole trader is a great way to start a business. It is inexpensive and there is little form-filling to do. But you are personally responsible for any losses the business makes. Restructuring ...

Ten ways to...get more customers through your door Winning sales from people who would not otherwise know about your business, let alone visit your premises, will make a considerable difference to your firm. Here are some simple things you can do to ...

10 ways to... make more sales Take an objective look at your existing sales strategy. Do you have the right approach? If not, adopt a more customer-focused sales strategy and re-evaluate its success in six months. Look at what ...

Adults For people who have faced setbacks such as sudden redundancy or long-term unemployment, feel excluded for a variety of reasons or simply want to improve your skills, we can offer assistance through a variety of methods.

A member of my team has handed in their notice... Staff turnover is a fact of life for any business, and even your most dedicated employee will want to move on to a fresh challenge eventually. It might be a surprise when a key member of your team ...

Highlands and Islands Enterprise Services provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise include support for high growth businesses, workplace training and development, assistance for community and cultural projects and measures for environmental renewal. These activities are primarily delivered by local area teams. Whether you are looking for business finance, community broadband solutions or simply browsing our job vacancies, we hope you enjoy exploring our website.

Excellence in Education through Business Links EEBL aims to strengthen industry links with education by providing teacher placements.

Manufacturing Briefing on the manufacturing sector

Renewable energy The renewable energy resource in the Highlands and Islands is world leading, if you are interested in locating here, we can assist your business.

Excellence in Education through Business Links EEBL aims to strengthen industry links with education by providing teacher placements.

A96 Corridor The coastal plain between Inverness and Nairn presents a ...

Beauly and Strathglass Beauly (population 1,500) is the principal local centre for the west of the area. The village continues to support a ...

Business Plan Business plan 2006-09

Business skills One-day seminars covering a range of different business topics

Communications The area has high quality road, rail, air and sea links. Future growth, however, will depend on helping to create better transport and communication links.

Develop your skills We work with individuals, businesses and partners to help people develop their skills.

Drumnadrochit Drumnadrochit is a main service and route centre. The ...

Economic profile Inverness is developing as centre for high technology manufacturing. Lifescan Scotland, formerly Inverness Medical and now owned by Johnson and Johnson, is the largest private sector manufacturer in the Highlands with more than 1300 employees. Other significant sectors include timber processing which is facing an increasingly competitive environment.

Fort Augustus Fort Augustus (population 600) is the principal service centre in the southern part of the area. Local facilities ...

Get Ready For Work New training and learning opportunities for young people

Introduction The HIE Inverness and East Highland Area

Inverness Inverness (population 66,000) commands a strategic position where the Great Glen meets the Moray Firth. Located at the ...

Inverness and East Highland The Highland capital of Inverness and the leading Moray Firth town of Nairn lie at the heart of the HIE Inverness and East Highland area. Boundaries take in Auldearn to the east, Dalwhinnie and Fort Augustus to the south and Garve to the north and west.

Issues The area has witnessed strong population and economic growth over the last 30 years. If we are to build on the progress achieved organisations in the area need to address a range of key economic development issues.

Make global connections One of our key aims is the development of new links between the Inverness and East Highland area and the rest of the world.

Manufacturing Briefing on the manufacturing sector

Nairn Just 16 miles east of Inverness, Nairn occupies a commanding position at the centre of the Inner Moray Firth.The ...

Overview Our 'growing business' team aims to support local businesses and enable them to meet the challenge of the new global economy.

Performance Performance indicators

Principles and policies Prioritising our resources and working in partnership with other agencies and groups.

Priorities HIE network strategy and the key tasks in our area

Process Our commitment to customers

Skillseekers Creating a better skilled and qualified workforce

Social profile Our most important asset is people. The area as a whole has enjoyed a phenomenal rate of population change over the last 30 years, dominated by the City of Inverness and nearby Culloden which together house more than 80% of the population.

South Loch Ness The area defined as South Loch Ness contains a number of small settlements including Dores, Errogie, Farr, Foyers, ...

Strengthen your community Empowered communities, proud of their culture and heritage and supported by a strong social infrastructure, are able to drive their own development thus retaining and attracting people to live, work, learn and play in our area.

Workforce skills support Supporting businesses that are committed to the lifelong learning of their employees

Influence Influencing tourism in the Highlands and Islands

About HIE Highlands and Islands Enterprise is based in Inverness and has administrative offices in Dingwall, Auchtertyre and Lionacleit in Benbecula. Local offices across the area are the prime point of contact for businesses, communities and individuals looking for our assistance and advice.

Community Toolkit Informational Swiss Army knife

Europe Direct Europe Direct Highlands & Islands - one of the European Commission's official information relay networks.

HICEC resources In partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Highland Council recently produced this toolkit highlighting opportunities for communities to benefit from renewable energy production and use.

HIE's international role Highlands and Islands Enterprise has an international affairs team charged with ensuring the promotion and continued development of the Highlands and Islands area in a global environment.

Info, news and events Learn more about how your tourism business can benefit.

Locate your business If you are interested in locating your business in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, contact our competitive locations team.

Employer Information information about skillseekers for employers

Future Skillseekers Information for future Skillseekers in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Choosing an online payment system Being a successful e-retailer is not just about having an attractive website or offering the best deals; repeat sales are also dependent on making payment easy, and Internet shoppers are no longer ...

Q&A: Setting up a basic IT system Geoff Higginbottom, Network Services Director at Octavia Information Systems, talks Afsheen Latif through the ins and outs of setting up a basic IT system. How do I assess my IT needs?Ask yourself ...

Q&A: Website accessibility Richard Morton (RM), designer of accessible websites at QM Consulting, tells Afsheen Latif about making websites fully accessible.Where should I start?RM: Make sure your website is just as easy to ...

Software licensing Market research firm IDC has found that more than a quarter of the software used in UK businesses is unlicensed. It may not seem a major offence, but software companies are cracking down on ...

Unemployment Unemployment details for the HIE area on a monthly basis.

About HIE Highlands and Islands Enterprise is based in Inverness and has administrative offices in Dingwall, Auchtertyre and Lionacleit in Benbecula. Local offices across the area are the prime point of contact for businesses, communities and individuals looking for our assistance and advice.

Develop infrastructure Important for developing existing business and attracting new industries is the support infrastructure of the Highlands and Islands.

Transport infrastructure Transport infrastructure is an essential component to the long-term future of the Highlands and Islands.

Initiative at the Edge This is a partnership programme involving communities in specific ...

Community investment Improving the quality of life for all

How to appeal an HM Revenue & Customs decision Over 87,000 tax complaints were registered against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in 2005. If you have a problem, a fixed complaints procedure is in place which you must follow. First stepsYou can ...

Meetings The Local Economic Forum meets quarterly. In addition it meets with neighbouring forums from time to time - to discuss issues of common interest.

Recent LEF documents The LEF agrees an action plan with the Scottish Executive. You can download key Local Economic Forum documents here.

In-migration 2003 Research among in-migrants to three parts of the Highlands and Islands (Arran, Wester Ross and Skye and Raasay) was undertaken in 2003.

An eye on the market Innovation is at the heart of every viable business idea, but "new" can quickly lose its gloss in a competitive marketplace. Rivals will waste no time improving on your offer, and customer ...

Develop your hi-tech idea The Highlands and Islands of Scotland possesses a wealth of well-educated and talented people, none more so than in the new high-tech industries.

Driving change Innovative tourism, the next generation

Innovation I have a business problem that I think could be overcome with the help of a graduate work placement. Can you help me find an appropriate graduate?

Innovation Exploiting new business ideas

Innovation Innovation in tourism

Innovation Support Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise is committed to encouraging businesses to innovate, to improve their competitiveness and provide for future profitability and growth.

Marketing Making sense of the marketing jigsaw

Product or process innovation Innovation is the process by which businesses improve their competitiveness and profitability through the continuing adoption of relevant new products and ideas.

Research and development Research and development support for businesses in the Highlands and Islands.

Innovation contacts This page displays telephone and email contacts for the LEC Innovation contacts

Funding innovation Business Advice and information on Innovation

Innovation Forss ‘Innovation Forss’ is a programme that brings together the ...

Innovation support Incorporates the Expert Help Programme and the Small Company Innovation Scheme.