A to Z search of keyword metadata

Facing Redundancy? HIE Caithness and Sutherland, Jobcentre Plus, the Highland Council – work together to assist in coping with the redundancy situation.

Parental rights "You need to ensure you are up to date with parental rights," says Alan Phillips, employment helpline manager at Croner Consulting. "Employment tribunals make large awards against ...

Other consultations Details of recent responses by HIE to consultations from other bodies on issues affecting the Highlands and Islands.

RSAMD research 2005 The aim of this study is to map out the story of people who have taken part in Fèisean, and to ascertain how their participation has influenced their life, their career, and crucially, their attitude to the Gaelic language.

Get involved! In addition to having to find partners to work with us on the design and development of the inclusive technologies, we have also had to raise £36,000. We are very grateful for the generous support that has been extended so far. However, we are still short of our final target, and are keen to raise it—not only because it will make the expedition itself viable but also because we will then be well on our way to facilitating winter wilderness access to other disabled adventurers.

Breaking up a business: how to avoid trouble There are many reasons for wanting to set up in business with other people, particularly friends and family. But it brings its own risks too, including the legal, administrative and financial ...

Collaborating for contracts Teaming up with another small firm through a sub-contract or joint venture can greatly increase your chances of landing public-sector and corporate contracts. This in turn provides multiple benefits ...

Highlands and Islands European Partnership HIE's Brussels representation.

I want to find a partner to help me develop my business... Many small business owners find it hard to take their firm to the next level. It can be hard to find the resources you need without overstretching yourself. Sharing the load with a business partner ...

Nordic-Scottish Partnership Collaboration between Nordic countries and the Highlands & Islands

Partnership for Rural Inverness and Nairn Working together on sustainable development

Networking A crucial element of the work of Highlands and Islands Enterprise's International affairs team is networking, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

Q&A: Maternity and paternity leave Steve Williams (SW), head of equality services at Acas, explains what the recent changes to maternity pay and leave mean for employers. How much time off is allowed for maternity leave? SW: ...

Annual pay reviews If the wages you pay are competitive and you have policies and procedures already in place relating to pay and performance appraisals, annual salary reviews will be much easier. "Individual pay ...

Is This Your Problem? My employee has asked for a pay rise...An employee asking for a pay increase is an everyday fact of business life. There might be numerous reasons why they believe they deserve more, including ...

Out-of-court settlement According to research from the Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG), almost a third of UK firms went to court in 2005 to chase money owed by business customers. However, the organisation argues that ...

Case study: How supporting charity has strengthened my business THE ISSUE: The mutual benefits of giving to good causesTHE SOLUTION: "I set up Happy Computers in 1990 with the aim of making a positive impact through everything the firm does. We're in ...

Doing your bit "Supporting charities and getting actively involved in the local community is a rewarding experience for businesses, regardless of their size," stresses Susan Hinchcliffe, regeneration and ...

Marine Energy - Wave Harnessing Argyll's wave energy to produce Renewable power

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 ...

Performance Performance indicators

Performance Edge About the Performance Edge Programme Great businesses and need ...

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 ...

10 ways to... get the most from your suppliers Making your business matter to your supplier can reduce your costs and improve the quality of goods and services you buy. Tom Whitney helps you manage your suppliers Underpin your supplier ...

Performance The targets we aim to achieve

TMU downloads and forms TPI report, TRIS request, contact details and period dates documents for download

Nordic-Scottish Partnership Collaboration between Nordic countries and the Highlands & Islands

Personal Development Individual advancement and assertiveness

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 ...

Can I keep my number? Can I keep my existing phone number with broadband?

Placenames Wherever Vikings settled they left a rich legacy of place names. Here are some examples: Modern ...

Graduate Placement Work placements for undergraduates and graduates.

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 ...

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

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 ...

I want to go on holiday but I'm worried about the effect it will have on my business... It's easy to think everything will fall apart if you're away from your business for more than a few days. But, if you take a few simple steps, things are unlikely to come to a standstill (or worse) ...

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 ...

Projects and Actions 5 PROJECTS AND ACTIONS Project and action priorities are listed under the five headings. Under each priority one or ...

Acquire additional plant and equipment When you are considering an investment in plant and equipment there may be financial support to help with the capital cost

Media Library Streaming Media Content from LearningWorks

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

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. ...

government consultations 2007 HIE responses to consultatons during 2007 can be downloaed from this page

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 ...

Pool House Hotel The award-winning Pool House Hotel in Wester Ross

email: the elephant task Taking ownership of that email box

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.

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) ...

Send a postcard Send a virtual postcard from the Highlands and Islands

Send an e-card Send a free ecard from Hospitality Assured

LEC postcode breakdown postal codes clarifying the breakdown of trainees from RACE between the new Inverness and Skye LEC areas

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 ...

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 ...

SCHRI SCHRI provides grants and expert advice on small scale renewable projects, such as the installation of solar panels and wind turbines at community centres, schools and individual households.

Power to protect Surviving power surges, brown out and lightning

Location location location This downloadable, short Powerpoint presentation makes, in an entertaining but graphic way, an important point about the Highlands and Islands and its location at the edge of the European continent.

Positive press Good publicity in trusted media is a powerful tool for building recognition with potential customers, suppliers and investors. Like word-of-mouth recommendation, it is usually considered more ...

Small is beautiful Being small does not have to be a barrier to success - in fact, it can be a positive strength. Large organisations may seem to have many markets sewn up, but their one-size-fits-all approach to ...

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 ...

Finding the right location for your business A hairdresser on an industrial estate will never attract as many customers as one in a town centre. A white-goods seller in a narrow lane will find receiving and making deliveries onerous. Being in ...

Flood alert "About 25 per cent of small firms fail within a year of suffering serious flood damage," warns Ron Whitehead, chairman of the Flood Protection Association. "Get help from professionals ...

My landlord has set an unreasonable rent... Renting can make good sense financially; it ties up less capital than buying a property, leaving you with more cash to use elsewhere in your firm. It also provides you with financial security, as ...

My premises have been hit by disaster... If your premises are hit by a disaster, you are not alone: according to the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) nearly one in five businesses suffers a major disruption every year. This could be ...

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 ...

Property Help with finding industrial sites and units within the Inverness and East Highland area

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 ...

Presentation skills This course is designed to help staff and managers develop a professional approach to presentation techniques, which builds confidence and projects a professional image. The course can be either a one or two day workshop depending on the needs of the client.

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 ...

Archive news This archive of our news releases stretches back to 1996. You can use our 'advanced search' function to make the most of its contents.

Positive press Good publicity in trusted media is a powerful tool for building recognition with potential customers, suppliers and investors. Like word-of-mouth recommendation, it is usually considered more ...

Recent news Recently-posted headline news from the HIE website home page.

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 the most from your suppliers Making your business matter to your supplier can reduce your costs and improve the quality of goods and services you buy. Tom Whitney helps you manage your suppliers Underpin your supplier ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 unfair commercial practices Very few businesses set out to coerce or mislead people into buying something they don't really need, and unscrupulous, over-zealous and uninformed traders are held in check by a raft of consumer ...

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 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 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 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 ...

Case study: How I manage my seasonal business THE ISSUE: Surviving year-round when running a seasonal business THE SOLUTION: "We sell clothing and equipment for watersports such as surfing and diving. Our busiest time of year is between ...

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 supporting charity has strengthened my business THE ISSUE: The mutual benefits of giving to good causesTHE SOLUTION: "I set up Happy Computers in 1990 with the aim of making a positive impact through everything the firm does. We're in ...

Case study: How updating my business plan benefited my firm THE SOLUTION: "I launched the business with my wife in 1991, since when we have expanded to employ 55 people. Although writing our business plan was one of the first things we did, we originally ...

Case study: How we became an eco-friendly business THE SOLUTION: "Our managing director, Mandie Kemp, set up the company in 1995, since when it has grown to employing 14 staff. In 2003, Mandie decided both the business and the environment would ...

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 ...

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 ...

Collaborating for contracts Teaming up with another small firm through a sub-contract or joint venture can greatly increase your chances of landing public-sector and corporate contracts. This in turn provides multiple benefits ...

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 ...

Creating a code of conduct "Research shows that businesses with a code of ethics outperform those that don't," asserts Simon Webley, research director for the Institute of Business Ethics. "It's one of the tools ...

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 ...

Doing your bit "Supporting charities and getting actively involved in the local community is a rewarding experience for businesses, regardless of their size," stresses Susan Hinchcliffe, regeneration and ...

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 ...

Finding the right location for your business A hairdresser on an industrial estate will never attract as many customers as one in a town centre. A white-goods seller in a narrow lane will find receiving and making deliveries onerous. Being in ...

Green is good Helping the environment and running a profitable business do not have to be mutually exclusive. Saving energy, recycling and reducing pollution can cut your operating costs; capitalising on their PR ...

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 ...

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 ...

How to update your business plan Your business plan should be a document that works ...

I want to find a partner to help me develop my business... Many small business owners find it hard to take their firm to the next level. It can be hard to find the resources you need without overstretching yourself. Sharing the load with a business partner ...

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 ...

I'm struggling to get a bank loan... Small firms are often viewed by the banks as high-risk borrowers and find it tough to get loans at the best of times. During economic uncertainty - such as that caused by interest-rate rises ...

In and out of season "Your cheques could bounce and your standing orders could be left unpaid because you have no money coming in during the quiet season," warns Mark Lister, business adviser for Business Link ...

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 ...

I've got more business than I can handle... Too much business can present a big challenge to a small firm with limited resources. If unprecedented demand leaves you struggling to fulfil orders, you risk damage to your reputation and loss of ...

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 ...

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 landlord has set an unreasonable rent... Renting can make good sense financially; it ties up less capital than buying a property, leaving you with more cash to use elsewhere in your firm. It also provides you with financial security, as ...

My premises have been hit by disaster... If your premises are hit by a disaster, you are not alone: according to the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) nearly one in five businesses suffers a major disruption every year. This could be ...

Non-hazardous waste disposal: your obligations Businesses generating hazardous waste are accustomed to following strict rules governing disposal. Since 31 March 2007, the Landfill Regulations 2003 (Scotland) have obliged firms to "treat" ...

Online business networking Making the right contacts can be crucial to developing your business. But traditional networking can be very hit or miss, and spending valuable time calling potential contacts only to be rebuffed, ...

Positive press Good publicity in trusted media is a powerful tool for building recognition with potential customers, suppliers and investors. Like word-of-mouth recommendation, it is usually considered more ...

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 ...

Profiting from service providers Employing an external service provider can be the most cost-efficient way to deal with many of the processes that underpin your business. Most businesses rely on other firms for a wide range of ...

Q&A: Chasing late paying customers René de Sousa (RdS), senior procurement specialist at the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and member of the Better Payment Practice Group (BPPG), tells Tom Whitney how you can ...

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 can Acas help my business? Acas assistant director of individual conciliation, Ron Woods, tells Afsheen Latif how small businesses can benefit from his organisation's services.What kind of problems does Acas deal with? RW: ...

Q&A: Local networking Heather White (HW), director of networking consultancy The Magic of Networking, tells Tom Whitney how networking locally can help you develop your business.Why should I network locally?HW: It keeps ...

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: 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: Preparing for a tribunal claim Ron Woods (RW), assistant director of individual conciliation policy at Acas, explains how to prevent employment tribunal claims and what to do if one is made against you. What claims do small firms ...

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: Tax-efficient borrowing Stuart Rogers, corporate tax consultant at Target Accountants, tells Simon Wicks how you can borrow money tax-efficiently.I've taken out a loan to buy equipment for my business. Can I claim any of ...

Rules for online trading The ease with which you can start trading online means that what begins as a way of shifting unsold stock or making pin money can quickly become a main source of income. But sidestepping the ...

Sales forecasting According to Geoff Hurst, marketing director at the Chartered Institute of Marketing, sales forecasting is a cornerstone of the business-planning process. "Sales forecasting is essential. If you ...

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 ...

Small is beautiful Being small does not have to be a barrier to success - in fact, it can be a positive strength. Large organisations may seem to have many markets sewn up, but their one-size-fits-all approach 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 ...

Tax breaks for green vehicles According to the Energy Saving Trust, annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from UK road transport have doubled to 38.5 million tonnes since 1970. The Government is hoping to cut this figure by ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

I need to raise my prices but fear I'll lose sales... Increasing prices involves some risk, but if you handle ...

Raising prices "Setting your prices too high will reduce sales," warns Business Link Devon and Cornwall adviser Penny Heath. "But if you handle things carefully, you can avoid losing customers and ...

I need to raise my prices but fear I'll lose sales... Increasing prices involves some risk, but if you handle ...

Raising prices "Setting your prices too high will reduce sales," warns Business Link Devon and Cornwall adviser Penny Heath. "But if you handle things carefully, you can avoid losing customers and ...

Running A Profitable Business Through Good Food Costing, Pricing And Control Aimed at those working to achieve and maintain excellent standards of housekeeping

Pride and Passion Promoting pride in our tourist industry

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 ...

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

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 ...

Priorities HIE network strategy and the key tasks in our area

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 ...

Data protection/privacy The HIE network is committed to protecting the privacy of those using our internet sites and the confidentiality of the personal information with which our clients provide us.

Local Economic Forum Local Economic Forums exist to improve partnership working in local economic strategy, and in particular to ensure that the private sector has the chance to contribute to public sector planning.

Membership At present the Inverness and East Highland Local Economic Forum has members drawn from key public and private sector organisations.

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.

UK grid connection charges This study examined EU directives relating to renewable energy and the grid - and compared UK practice with other European countries, notably the three leading renewable energy producers: Denmark, Germany and Spain.

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 ...

Innovation Exploiting new business ideas

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.

Sell the benefits "A feature is simply a characteristic of your product or service, such as a kettle with a 2000- watt heating ring" explains Guy Aston, SME director at sales-training company Huthwaite ...

Ancestral tourism product development The Ancestral Tourism Initiative is working with businesses across Scotland to develop new and existing products for the ancestral tourism marketplace.

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 ...

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 ...

Board member profiles View personal profiles of each of our board members and the latest register of board members' interests.

I need to raise my prices but fear I'll lose sales... Increasing prices involves some risk, but if you handle ...

Raising prices "Setting your prices too high will reduce sales," warns Business Link Devon and Cornwall adviser Penny Heath. "But if you handle things carefully, you can avoid losing customers and ...

Running A Profitable Business Through Good Food Costing, Pricing And Control Aimed at those working to achieve and maintain excellent standards of housekeeping

Selling to big businesses "Whether you are an independent food manufacturer trying to win an initial order from a supermarket or a small IT firm pitching to supply a major banking group, securing your first big order can ...

EU funding links EU funding links

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... approach new customers Advertise somewhere new. Research publications that would appeal to your target market. Start with your local press and then consider regional and trade publications. Look for free sources of ...

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 ...

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.

Property Help with finding industrial sites and units within the Inverness and East Highland area

Property Provision SALE manages a range of light industrial and commercial property at a number of locations through Skye & Lochalsh

Property provision HIE Orkney can purpose build properties for industrial and commercial use. These are then offered to local businesses for lease.

Shoplifters are plaguing my business... Shoplifting is the same as any other form of theft and, as such, is classed as an arrestable offence. This means you can detain a shoplifter by making a citizen's arrest. Police advise caution, ...

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 ...

Corporate governance The governmental / public sector environment in which HIE operates.

Local Economic Forum Local Economic Forums exist to improve partnership working in local economic strategy, and in particular to ensure that the private sector has the chance to contribute to public sector planning.

Membership At present the Inverness and East Highland Local Economic Forum has members drawn from key public and private sector organisations.

HIE Service Charter This charter sets out the high standards of service you can expect from HIE.

Europe Direct Library EDHI has a library of European documentation. Details of free European publications are provided and an on-line document request service is offered.

Publications This page contains links to downloadable files of documents commissioned by Shetland Enterprise or issues of current significant interest.

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 ...

Hydro energy Hydro-Electric power is still the dominant technology for renewable ...

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

10 ways to... get the most from your suppliers Making your business matter to your supplier can reduce your costs and improve the quality of goods and services you buy. Tom Whitney helps you manage your suppliers Underpin your supplier ...

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. ...

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 ...

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 ...

Profiting from service providers Employing an external service provider can be the most cost-efficient way to deal with many of the processes that underpin your business. Most businesses rely on other firms for a wide range of ...

Tax breaks for green vehicles According to the Energy Saving Trust, annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from UK road transport have doubled to 38.5 million tonnes since 1970. The Government is hoping to cut this figure by ...