Carol Daniels, NEN Operations Director, attended the launch of the LONDON E-Business Support Programme delivered by NEN members Business for London on 22 February 2024.
Over the next two years, the Programme will empower the capital’s SMEs to boost their business growth, enhance efficiency and increase their resilience, by adopting and effectively utilising digital tools and technology within their day-to-day business practice.
The LONDON E-Business Support Programme is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered through Business for London, a long-established consortium of 7 business support organisations operating across the city.
This Programme has received £2,858,421 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to provide this vital support to London’s businesses.
The process
Once registered, businesses will receive 1-2-1 advice and support from dedicated E-Business Advisers, specifically tailored to the needs of their individual business. The initial meeting will consist of a Digital Audit of the business to identify its current use of digital tools and technology, and from this, a bespoke Digital Action Plan with key recommendations will be created for the business. Further, 1-2-1 support will assist owners in implementing the suggested actions.
In addition, businesses will be invited to regular networking events and encouraged to enhance their digital skills and learn more with a range of live webinars and online tutorials – covering a comprehensive range of topics. The programme is set to empower 1,103 business owners across London to:
- Build a strong online presence for their business
- Maximise the website’s search engine ranking (SEO)
- Enhance online marketing & social media – including email marketing and video work
- Utilize e-commerce and online payment
- Improve customer service
- Use digital tools like AI to maximise business efficiency, save time and money
- Improve cyber-security, data storage/back-ups
The impact of the programme across the capital will mean 825 jobs will be safeguarded and 100 new jobs created across the city.
Carol Daniels, Operations Director, National Enterprise Network, said: “I am honoured to have been a part of the launch of this meaningful programme. The evening was truly inspirational! I was delighted to witness the enthusiasm and determination that Business for London evidently possesses in supporting businesses across the capital. I look forward to hearing many more success stories about this initiative in the future. At NEN, we believe that fostering a collaborative environment and facilitating avenues for support is crucial in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit. Together, we can pave the way for a thriving and resilient economic landscape in the capital and beyond.
Eligibility
To be eligible to register for the LONDON E-business Support Programme, business owners should be running a business which is registered for over 1 month (with Companies House or HMRC); the business should be located in a London borough.