Advance Rural Lincolnshire is working with the District Councils as a needs driven solution to

offer help at a local level, whilst 'joining up' opportunities that already exist. The end result for local businesses is easy access to relevant and affordable business solutions that will add value and sustainability to our local economies!

Lincolnshire County Council developed the project as a result of published evidence. Sources found that the three districts involved were lagging, identified by low and falling GDP, adverse industrial structure, weak skills and other performance indicators. The result is that indigenous SMEs are experiencing greater barriers to success than those located elsewhere in the region and nationally.

Transitions, The Cambridge Management Consultancy has developed a programme to help these companies, the Accelerated Business Development Programme. The companies on the programme will gain the confidence that will come from:

• Knowing exactly where you are going.
• Having a realistic action plan.
• Being on top of your finances.
• Avoiding nasty surprises
• Developing new business contacts
• Sharing problems and worrying less
• Objective, impartial help and advice

Above all, having a real sense of being in control through the knowledge that it is you driving the business and not it driving you!

The three areas that are being served by the programme are South Holland, East Lindsey and West Lindsey.

For more information on the Accelerated Development Programme please contact Gill Ellis gill@transitions.co.uk