A to Z search of keyword metadata

Gaelic education The creation of Gaelic medium pre-school playgroups, mother and toddler groups and nursery schools has emerged as a fundamental element in the chain of measures for the re-generation of Gaelic.

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 ...

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 ...

Community Action Grants Helping to develop communities' assets, culture and heritage

HIE Network News News from around the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Network.

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 ...

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... Wrong-foot the competition Use these strategies to keep your business ahead of immediate rivals Treat your business to an image makeover. Consider rebranding - a strong brand will differentiate your business from others ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

sales network care Promoting your offline sales outlets

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

live sales help Sales help online

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 ...

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: ...

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 ...

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... 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 ...

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: ...

Choosing a Broadband service As Broadband becomes available across most of Argyll in ...

Satellite systems Information on Broadband satellite systems available in Argyll and the Islands

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 ...

scambusting Online fraud? Don't be suspicious, check it out.

Blue Reef Cottages Blue Reef Cottages, Isle of Harris, five star self catering accommodation

Quality of life The breathtaking scenery and ancient heritage of the Highlands and Islands blend with modern amenities and a progressive business environment in the Highlands and Islands to offer a quality of life that is second to none.

Get Ready for Work A 13-week training programme for school leavers and young people aged between 16 and 18.

Skillseekers Training support for young people aged 16-17 years, going into the labour market and working towards a vocational qualification.

Gaelic education The creation of Gaelic medium pre-school playgroups, mother and toddler groups and nursery schools has emerged as a fundamental element in the chain of measures for the re-generation of Gaelic.

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.

Whisky tips Tips and advice to make whisky tourism work for you

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.

Ancestral Tourism Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland are working in partnership with the industry to deliver the Ancestral Tourism initiative. A series of activities will be delivered to ensure that opportunities for ancestral tourism are maximised.

Archived LEF minutes 01-02 Archived LEF minutes and agendas for 2001-02

Aviemore Aviemore, leading the way as a world-class Highland resort

Background to ancestral tourism initiative In both the new Strategy for Tourism and the more recent Tourism Framework for Change, ancestral tourism is identified as a potentially significant niche market.

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

Business events Business events in the Highlands and Islands

Business leadership Why business leadership is important for the future success of tourism

Business leadership Leading the tourism business from the front

Clachaig Inn Hospitality Assured acrredited hotel, the Clachaig Inn, Glencoe

Consultations Details of consultations and the types of consultations that HIE respond to

Country Sports Business opportunities for country sports tourism

Current vacancies Current job vacancies.

Driving change Innovative tourism, the next generation

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

E-business Trading and marketing online for tourism businesses

Essentials Hot tourism topics - what tourism operators need to know.

EU funding links EU funding links

EU news and developments The latest news and developments from the EU

EURADA The European Association of Regional Development Agencies.

Euromontana The European multisectoral association for co-operation between and development of mountain territories.

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.

Expedition blogs and updates Latest (and live) blogs and updates from Karen Darke and the expedition team in Greenland.

Financial assistance Financial assistance for tourism

Food and Drink Business opportunities in food and drink tourism

Food for thought Food and Drink is now worth £950 million per annum to Scotland. The key consumer demands in this sector are online reservations

Forest Recreation Business opportunities in forest recreation tourism

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

Gaelic and Culture Business opportunities in Gaelic and cultural tourism

Go Green Where to get advice on going Green

Golf Business opportunities for golf tourism

Government consultations Details of recent responses by HIE to consultations by the Scottish Government and UK Government on issues affecting the Highlands and Islands.

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

Grow your business How HIE Argyll and the Islands provides support to businesses

HIE - board and management team Details of the HIE board and senior management structures.

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.

Highlands and Islands European Partnership HIE's Brussels representation.

HISTP Highlands and Islands Enterprise work in partnership with the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme in order to ensure that the HIE area secures maximum benefit from European Union transitional funding.

How we operate HIE Argyll and the Island's position within the HIE network and core values

Influence Influencing tourism in the Highlands and Islands

Innse Gall Community, in its truest sense, has been the real foundation of the culture of the Western Isles for many centuries. It is the area's most essential strength and it affects all that the people of the area do and achieve.

Internationalisation Tourism in the Highlands and Islands performs on the world stage, so fundamental to capturing our share of the market is the development of international clientele.

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.

Keeping tabs on what's on How tourism businesses can keep tabs on events in their local area

Market research Tailored market research reports offer companies a crucial business edge in the export market.

Marketing One of the most effective means of increasing market share is the deployment of best practice marketing methods.

Marketing Marketing tourism in the Highlands and Islands

Marketing advice New product development, expansion plans and new market help.

Moray Moray undoubtedly forms one of the country's most beautiful landscapes. Yet, this is no Highland wilderness, for between the snowy peaks of the Cairngorms and the sandy shores of the Moray Firth you will find a population of over 97,000.

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

News media enquiries Contact HIE's communications team

Northern Periphery Programme The Northern Periphery Programme is one of the European Union funding programmes to encourage transnational co-operation. The Highlands and Islands of Scotland are covered in this programme and the International affairs team operates the Scottish regional contact point.

Operating plan This operating plan outlines how HIE proposes to deploy its resources over the next two years. This operating plan outlines progress in the HIE network's eleventh year and indicates how HIE proposes to deploy its resources over the next two years. It reflects the priorities on which the Network will focus its activity. These are, in turn, based on the principles contained in the Network’s strategy: 'A Smart Successful Scotland - the Highlands and Islands Dimension'.

Orkney Orkney's economy has traditionally been based on farming and fishing, but the tourism and food processing industries are rapidly becoming significant employers - capitalising on the islands' unspoilt environment.

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

Our location HIE Inverness and East Highland is the local economic development agency for the Highland capital Inverness and its surrounding area, including the Black Isle and Easter Ross, Badenoch and Strathspey

Our Profile HIE Inverness and East Highland is one of nine LECs in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Network.

Our work with communities Here you can learn about how we can help in community land and community energy issues, arts, culture, heritage and more.

Performance The targets we aim to achieve

Pride and Passion Promoting pride in our tourist industry

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.

Quality and training Quality assurance in tourism

Quick tourism facts Quick facts about tourism

Scottish tourism statistics Quick Scottish tourism industry statistics

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

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

Shetland Shetland is a group of over 100 islands lying on the 60th parallel some 200 miles north of Aberdeen.

Skills and training Skills and training for tourism businesses

Skills for individuals If you are registered unemployed you may be eligible for funding under the Individual Skills Grant or the Training for Work schemes.

Skillseekers & Modern Apprenticeships Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships - structured training programmes

Skye and Wester Ross HIE Skye and Wester Ross is in business to expand the economy of the area and to assist its people to make the best of every opportunity available to them.

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

Taster tours Tourism taster tours and showcases

The Internationalisation Story The internationalisation of tourism presents big opportunities - and challenges.

Tourism HIE is a key source of advice and support for tourism businesses.

Tourism links Tourism related links

Tourism marketing and promotion While VisitScotland promotes Scotland as a whole, tourism businesses also have a responsibility to undertake their own marketing and promotion, building on national and regional activity.

Tourism news and events Latest news for the tourism, travel trade and hospitality sector in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Tourism news archive Archive of tourism news and hospitality-related stories

Tourism skills development The key to effective staff development and training is to link it directly to your business objectives.

Tourism: facts and figures Tourism industry facts and figures

Western Isles The geography and economics of the Western Isles

What is community land ownership? A simple working definition of community land ownership.

Whisky tips Tips and advice to make whisky tourism work for you

Wildlife Business opportunities in wildlife tourism

World-class destinations What do we mean by world-class destinations?

World-class destinations Developing world-class visitor destinations

HIE Inverness and East Highland Inverness and East Highland

HICEC news Latest news and views from the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company.

HIE Moray Welcome to the HIE Moray website. As one ...

HIE Lochaber Welcome to the HIE Lochaber website. As one of ...

HIE area maps Maps of Local Enterprise Companies in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

Scottish Enterprise Scottish Enterprise is the economic development agency for southern and eastern Scotland.

Scotland - the place Introducing two important websites to help you learn more about Scotland

HIE Review 2008 New online publication A broad range of transformational projects ...

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.

Green Tourism Green or sustainable tourism: what it means for the Highlands and Islands

Grow your business How HIE Argyll and the Islands provides support to businesses

Innse Gall Community, in its truest sense, has been the real foundation of the culture of the Western Isles for many centuries. It is the area's most essential strength and it affects all that the people of the area do and achieve.

Location The Scottish Highlands and Islands - the ideal place to live, work and learn.

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

Our location HIE Inverness and East Highland is the local economic development agency for the Highland capital Inverness and its surrounding area, including the Black Isle and Easter Ross, Badenoch and Strathspey

Skye and Wester Ross HIE Skye and Wester Ross is in business to expand the economy of the area and to assist its people to make the best of every opportunity available to them.

Scottish Co-investment Fund The Scottish Co-investment Fund (SCF) is a market driven, highly innovative service aimed at substantially increasing the number of and capacity for investment of private sector investors active in the Scottish early-stage business market.

E-business survey 05 The Scottish e-Business Survey (SEBS) was conducted by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise in partnership during June and July 2005. The aim of the survey was to provide an accurate picture of current adoption levels and likely future trends in e-business usage.

Key findings Key findings and downloadable reports

Introduction Business growth plays a key role in the creation of employment and income

Business support We work with many types and varying scales of business. Share your vision with us and discover how we can help.

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.

Explore new markets or improve your marketing There are a variety of ways HIE can assist within the fields of exporting, marketing and research and development.

Exporting information and advice on exporting support for the area’s businesses and trade partners at a local, national and international level.

Upgrading premises or find new premises Owning considerable amounts of office and factory space as well as substantial tracts of development land, our network of Local Enterprise Companies are well placed to assist with your property requirements.

The Scottish Land Fund The Scottish Land Fund grant programme is now closed to further applications. It has been succeeded by the Big Lottery Fund programme - Growing Community Assets.

SLF achievements The Scottish Land Fund has assisted 150 communities to acquire land and develop land-based projects since its launch in February 2001

Introduction The area - the people - the economy

More video clips Learn more about the HIE network, its area of operation and its work; Sample the flavour of the forthcoming Highland 2007 - Scottish year of Highlands and Islands culture; Take a quick tour of our LEC locations and check out how our young people are keeping abreast of the latest IT developments.

Influence Influencing tourism in the Highlands and Islands

Scottish tourism statistics Quick Scottish tourism industry statistics

Captain's Galley EatScotland award winner, Captain's Galley, Scrabster, Caithness

Travel and Lodgings policy Modern Apprentices and Skillseekers Travel & Lodgings ...

Training management unit SDS Highlands & Islands training management unit (TMU), situated in Lionacleit on the Island of Benebcula in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, offers services to companies which provide training opportunities under the Government's national training programmes.

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.

Search Search ...

search(ing)engines Listing of features on searching and search engines

search by domain Searching tip using domain name registrations

site searches Adding a site search

Marketing Marketing tourism in the Highlands and Islands

Optimisation How to make web pages search engine-friendly in order to achieve the best possible ranking.

search engines Refining search engine results

Promotion Promoting or marketing a web site takes place both online and off. Discover techniques to help boost your web site traffic.

search engines Refining search engine results

Optimisation How to make web pages search engine-friendly in order to achieve the best possible ranking.

search(ing)engines Listing of features on searching and search engines

Searching Tips and hints on more efficient and productive methods of searching the internet.

Searchable directories Search for businesses; arts, cultural and training events; and commercial and industrial property for sale or lease in the HIE area.

search(ing)engines Listing of features on searching and search engines

Searching Tips and hints on more efficient and productive methods of searching the internet.

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 ...

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 ...

How we prepare for Christmas THE SOLUTION: "Insideout opened its first store in Tavistock in March 2004 - we now have three stores in Devon. We sell a range of gifts and homewares, including jewellery and decorative ...

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 ...

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 ...

Sector economic profiles Profiles of the key economic sectors in the Highlands and Islands (2007).

Choose a Sector Directory of organisations dealing with sectoral information

Sector Skills Councils Directory of Employer-led organisations by business sector

HIE Sectoral Profiles Business sector reports from HIE in pdf format

Email Love it or loathe it, there's just no escaping from email. Find out more about taming your inbox and contacting customers by email.

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 ...

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, ...

Untangling wires only Broadband providers are now offering ‘wires only’ packages, we take a look at the issues

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 ...

Skillseekers Are you aged between 16-18 and in employment, or self employed? Why not work towards a qualification linked to your employment?

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 ...

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 ...

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... Wrong-foot the competition Use these strategies to keep your business ahead of immediate rivals Treat your business to an image makeover. Consider rebranding - a strong brand will differentiate your business from others ...

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 ...

Customer profiles Understanding your customers is the secret of successful selling. Existing customers are important sources of information. The more you know about them, the easier it can be to increase their ...

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 ...

How I clinched deals with supermarkets "I launched the business because I wanted to produce premium-quality sausages that were affordable and aimed at the mainstream market. Many independent suppliers ignore the supermarkets and just ...

How I stay close to my customers THE SOLUTION: "About 80 per cent of my business comes from existing customers. It's much easier than chasing work from new customers. Keeping close to my clients enables me to understand what ...

How we prepare for Christmas THE SOLUTION: "Insideout opened its first store in Tavistock in March 2004 - we now have three stores in Devon. We sell a range of gifts and homewares, including jewellery and decorative ...

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

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: 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: 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: 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: ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

Up close and personal "If you don't stay close to your customers, you risk losing them to your competitors," warns Jo Bowen-Jones, enterprise development director of Greater Merseyside Business Link. ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Selling Selling online is the ultimate goal. Find out what you need to know about web sales.

Selling on eBay Guide to eBay trading

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 ...

Richard Wakeford The theme running through Richard’s presentation is change. How rural Scotland engages with the rest of the world is changing. The way people live and work in rural Scotland is changing. And the speed and depth of change is increasing.

Business Skills Seminars HIE Skye and Wester Ross aims to enable access to training locally, as part of its overall commitment to training for business and life long learning for all.

Optimisation How to make web pages search engine-friendly in order to achieve the best possible ranking.

optimising images Optimising images for search engines

September 2006 Issue Lots of up-to-date news, reports and advice for fledgling or established businesses.

September 2007 Issue Lots of up-to-date news, reports and advice for fledgling or established businesses

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 ...

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 ...

Customer service We aim to provide the best possible service to the individuals, businesses, organisations and communities with whom we work, and to demonstrate maximum transparency in all of our operations.

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 ...

Service Industries Service industries cover a wide span of economic activity and CASE policy for assistance to businesses in this ...

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 ...

ISP / supplier Info Find a broadband supplier.

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 ...

How do I connect it all up? How do I set up a broadband connection?

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 ...

Settlement profiles Socio-economic profiles of key settlements in the Highlands and Islands (2007).

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 ...

John Shaw Moray tyre business takes a firm grip Ex-aircraft ground ...

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 ...

Decline of Norse The turning point for Norse rule in the British Isles came in 1014 at the Battle of Clontarf in which Brian Boru, King ...

Shetland Shetland is a group of over 100 islands lying on the 60th parallel some 200 miles north of Aberdeen.

Shetland Local Economic Forum Action Plan The Shetland Local Economic Forum Action Plan

Annex A GENERAL AND MULTI-SECTOR Highlands and Islands EnterpriseRegional economic, skills ...

Shetland Economic Development Forum Information about the Shetland Economic Development Forum

Shetland Economic Development Forum - agenda and minutes of meetings Links to the Agenda and Minutes of Shetland Economic Development Forum meetings.

Shetland Economic Development Forum - Surveys and Reports This page contains downloadable files of surveys and reports commissioned by the Shetland Economic Development Forum.

Shetland Local Economic Forum Action Plan The Shetland Local Economic Forum Action Plan

Skills for businesses or community groups Assistance for staff training

Skills for individuals If you are registered unemployed you may be eligible for funding under the Individual Skills Grant or the Training for Work schemes.

Skillseekers & Modern Apprenticeships Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships - structured training programmes

Start your business Advice and assistance for starting up a new business

Community Economic Development Supporting small-scale development at local level

Strengthen your community Help with advice and funding for new and existing community enterprises.

HIE-Shetland-links Links to businesses and organisations in Shetland

Contact Us Key contact details for the organisation

Develop your skills Shetland Enterprise is committed to developing the skills of the workforce to help businesses in Shetland become more competitive, innovative and customer oriented.

Customer commitment The HIE network aims to provide the best possible service to the individuals, businesses, organisations and communities with whom we work, and to demonstrate maximum transparency in all of our operations.

Skillseekers & Modern Apprenticeships Skillseekers and Modern Apprenticeships - structured training programmes

Annex D SIC Forums Shetland Islands Council has established a number ...

lef_membership Membership list and key contacts for Shetland local economic forum

Local Economic Forum Information about the Shetland Local Economic Forum and link to the National website

Operating plan This operating plan outlines how HIE proposes to deploy its resources over the next two years. This operating plan outlines progress in the HIE network's eleventh year and indicates how HIE proposes to deploy its resources over the next two years. It reflects the priorities on which the Network will focus its activity. These are, in turn, based on the principles contained in the Network’s strategy: 'A Smart Successful Scotland - the Highlands and Islands Dimension'.

Ministerial Comments Update Paper No. 3 20th November 2001 Forum Action Plans Purpose 1. ...

Local Economic Forum - Minutes of meetings - 2001 -2004. Minutes of LEF meetings held from 2001 - 2004, available as downloadable files.

Conferences, presentations & workshops Details of conferences, presentations and workshops relating to the Shetland Local Economic Forum

Business Directories Search these business directories or add your company's name here

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, ...

The weakest link Narrowband delivery?

E-Commerce Software Examples of e-commerce shopping cart systems

keyboard shortcuts Quick keyboard shortcuts

tech tips Tech tips for e-business and small to micro-sized companies

Cultural support Help for community events

Taster tours Tourism taster tours and showcases

Q&A: Managing staff on long-term sick leave Acas policy adviser Margaret McMahon outlines your responsibilities and the steps you can take to help employees back into work with minimum disruption to your business.What constitutes long-term ...

ICT Technology Projects Tiree Community Wireless Broadband project and the Argyll and Islands Community web portal

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 ...

web sights Casting a critical eye over your web site

Promotion Promoting or marketing a web site takes place both online and off. Discover techniques to help boost your web site traffic.

site searches Adding a site search

pouring content Content management systems - points to consider

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.

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.

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

Community training Skills training for community groups

Develop your skills There are many different ways in which we can help you to develop your skills, whatever your age or circumstances.

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

Developing your skills Summary of programmes and assistance HIE Innse Gall delivers to help develop skills in the Outer Hebrides.

Get Ready for Work Information about the Get Ready for Work training programme

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 ...

HIE Skye and Wester Ross Our mission is to develop the economy, skills and ...

MA Awards 2005 MA Award winner's names for 2005 ceremony

Meeting UK buyers at specialist food and drink shows Helps producers optimise their product sales pitch and introduces them to selected UK buyers.

volunteers highlighting the importance of volunteers, how they can support community projects and how to recruit and maintain strong relations with them

Skills and training Skills and training for tourism businesses

Q&A: Modern