Enterprise Europe Network Scotland: Recent Episodes
Enterprise Europe Network Scotland
The Enterprise Europe Network is your local gateway to a wealth of information on doing business, finding collaborative partners and increasing your competitiveness in Europe. Our expertise and services are available free to businesses in more than 50 countries. This channel is provided by the EEN in Scotland.
In this podcast, we talk about LIFE, bad song lyrics and Ken's favourite Europop floor filler.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the LIFE programme and of the EU Habitats Directive, both approved on 21 May 1992 and LIFE is the EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental, nature conservation and climate action projects throughout the EU. Since 1992, LIFE has co-financed some 4306 projects.
For the 2014-2020 funding period, LIFE will contribute approximately €3.4 billion to the protection of the environment and climate.
Interested? You can find more information about the LIFE programme and forthcoming webinars here: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
Find your local Enterprise Europe Network office here. In Scotland and want to contact us? Our website is here (http://www.enterprise-europe-scotland.com/) and you can email us using info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com.
Next episode - all about the Scottish Space industry!
The Enterprise Europe Network is the world's largest support network for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) with international ambitions. We help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make the most of business opportunities in the EU and beyond.
We have thousands of local experts providing support to access finance, help you research your markets and find international partners.
This podcast tells the story of one client, let's call him Torquil. Yes, that's his real name.
We tell the story of how our FREE services will support his dream. His dream is to develop his innovative product called the Human Energy Storage Unit (HESU), a device that can charge batteries from human emotion.
His new battery technology could be world beating, but he needs our support.
Torquil is not one of those walk-in robots from the street, he made an appointment.
And he is holding his severed head under his arm.
Fear not! Camille Moran our EEN Specialist advisor is on hand to guide him through our FREE services.
We will help him researching his market. Find partners to work with in emotionless and emotion-full countries. And we will help him access Horizon 2020 funding for innovation to develop his idea further.
Who knows we might even help him re-attach his head.
funding #robots #business
What do you do when your ambitions are frustrated? And when a solution appears, there is still an obstruction to progress? This client story demonstrates how the Enterprise Europe Network can help in even the most extreme situations.
This Xmas podcast was devised and performed in 40 minutes with some sound effects added later.
We wish you a very merry Christmas and Happy New year and look forward to helping you internationalise your business in 2017!
Love from The Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team x
This podcast is about how we helped two Scottish businesses in the food and drink sector. You will hear from Susan O’Neill of Alliance Wine and Luke Fenton of Thistly Cross Cider tell us about what that did for their business (and can do for your business) if you want to expand or grow your business internationally. How can we help your business? If you are considering international markets or are already in international markets and want to expand , get in touch. Our services are fully funded by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the EC, what have you got to lose?
If you are a food and drink company, email debbie.walker@scotent.co.uk and if you are not in food and drink, email us on info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com to be connected with your Scottish sector specialist linking you into our network of valuable on the ground information and support.
Not in Scotland? Find your local office here : http://een.ec.europa.eu/
Our next episode will be our Xmas episode. Each year we save Xmas. Will we manage it this year?
In this episode, Ken finds out about the fully funded coaching integrated into the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument programme.
He talks to Bernd Reichert, Head of Unit for SMEs in the Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) in Brussels. Bernd explains the reasons for integrating (and funding) the coaching service within SME Instrument. Jasper Hemmes, coaching manager in EASME talks about the unexpected results companies experience. The ability to "see ourselves as others see us" (from the poem To a Louse by the Scottish poet Robert Burns) is a gift few of us take advantage of.
Coaching offers an outsiders view. It reveals things business owners no longer see, whether that is shabby carpet or a major omission in their business model or team.
There is evidence that businesses who receive coaching support stay on the market longer than those that do not.
Don Cullinane, is a business innovation coach for SME Instrument. He tells Ken about being on both sides of the coaching process.
Alison Munro director of Sector Innovation at Scottish Enterprise talks about the value of coaching in the context of current Scottish business support.
And finally, Camille Moran explains how coaches are appointed to companies. Want to become a coach? You can register to become a coach here.
Welcome to podcast episode 108 when we talk about doing business in China and India. Enterprise Europe Network and in Scottish Development International in Scotland cover everything that you could need because we've been supporting businesses on the ground in most countries for many years. Listen to Uzair and Huishan's advice for businesses. If there was one overriding message it is this : “Don’t wait, act now” .
Get along to The SME China Forum on 21 September in Glasgow. https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/events/2016/09/the-sme-china-forum-2016 Contact us, or call 0300 013 3385
In Scotland and want to find out more about EU funding and internationalising your business? Email us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com, contact us on twitter (@eenscotland) or leave a comment on this page and we will get right back to you. Thanks for listening!
This podcast features NetThings, a Scottish company that was recently successful in getting their project funded through the Eurostars Programme.
Eurostars supports the development of rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services that help improve the daily lives of people around the world. You can get 60% funding to work on your own project with one collaborative partner. And the programme enjoys one of the best success rates in the EU funding field, on average 23%.
Ian Clark, NetThings' marketing manager describes why and how they applied and gives us his top tips for a successful application. If you are interested in Eurostars, get in touch, we can help you apply and make your application as good as it can be! The UK National Contact Point for Eurostars Graham Mobbs described Eurostars in a very concise 10 minutes a few audioboom podcasts ago and we recommend you listen to H2020 Hacks: Eurostars Super-tips!
The links mentioned in this podcast:
H2020 Hacks: Eurostars Supertips : https://audioboom.com/boos/3775639-h2020-hacks-eurostars-super-tips Eurostars website : https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu/ Find your local EEN office : http://een.ec.europa.eu/about/branches EEN Matchmaking events : http://een.ec.europa.eu/tools/services/EVE/Event/ListEvents
In Scotland and want to find out more about EU funding and internationalising your business? Email us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com,contact us on twitter (@eenscotland) or leave a comment on this page and we will get right back to you.
Thanks for listening!
When you expand your business to another country, you need competent and trustworthy partners. The Enterprise Europe Network helps you find them.
Our business database contains thousands of company profiles. This podcast is about how you can use the Enterprise Europe Network business database to raise the international profile of your business and find amazing and unique partners to manufacture, distribute co-develop and supply your products, ideas and business.
Ken Gordon caught up with Tim Benzie, one of our EEN business profile experts to find out how you can use this unique database. #business #partners
This months podcast is all about the business to business (B2B) partner brokerage services that our network holds around the world, usually as part of a major technology or sector conference. We have organised four in the last month, so Ken thought this would be a great time to ask Karen how they work and get some tips about how to get the most from them. The B2B events offer the opportunity to add to your conference experience by arranging short 20 minute meetings with people who want to meet you. Your company will be publicised through the B2B catalog and website that is active after the event as well as before, and the practical sit-down nature of the meetings mean you can bring your product along to show off first hand. And of course when your meeting is successful and you want to develop your relationships, the EEN is here to provide you with local tailored support to move things on. You can find your nearest and next event on the Enterprise Europe Network website here (http://een.ec.europa.eu/). In this podcast our events coordinator Nikki joined us to keep us on the right track and retained a dignified silence throughout. A bit like our former colleague Billy Wong, who you can hear (or more specifically not hear) in this episode from 2012 (http://eenscotland.podbean.com/e/the-return-of-eric-the-dog/)
In Scotland and interested in attending a B2B event? Email us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com or contact us on twitter (we are @eensotland) or leave a comment on this page and we will get right back to you.
Welcome to our second show of two thousand and sixteen, a consolidation of all our H2020 SME Instrument Hacks in this podcast include tips from valued network colleagues, Jo Oliver from Avanticell and Adam Christie from Calcivis, two successful applicants.
For 7 years we have been providing support to Scottish companies who are interested in European funding for research and development and if they decide to apply, we provide guidance and access to the best experts available to make sure their applications are as good as they can be and this applies to all the funding in Horizon 2020: the main programme, SME Instrument, Eurostars and Fast Track to Innovation. Even if you are not quite sure if they suit your business, we are here to help you make your mind up and our services are funded by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Commission and so to you (if you are in Scotland) they are free.
Email us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com, contact us on our twitter @eenscotland or leave a comment here on audioboom and we’ll get right back to you.
Not in Scotland and wondering where YOUR local EEN is? Our network covers more than 60 countries so we are likely to have valued colleagues in your country that will help you in exactly the same way that we help our Scottish companies. Find your local office contact details on the list on http://een.ec.europa.eu/ or drop us an email or a comment on this page and we'll find out and send you the details.
Welcome to our 2015 Xmas podcast, a completely improvised episode, devised and recorded in 40 minutes. It was supposed to be an hour but someone needed the room.
This episode is set on earth the near future when humans live and work in tall high rise buildings in the clouds and the whole of the Enterprise Europe network (yes, all 600 organisations) are in the same building. Xmas is threatened when Santa's sleigh develops a problem. Will the EEN Scotland team manage to fix the problem in time? Will they get pompoms like Elvis the Elf and Why did they not get an invite to the Brazilian EEN party downstairs? Listen and find out! Enterprise Europe Network Scotland wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We look forward to helping your business make the most of EU opportunities in Europe and beyond in 2016. Not in Scotland? Well that's a shame. You can find your local office here (http://een.ec.europa.eu/) . Our valued colleagues are all as nice as us but just don't wear tartan as often ... or beards. Enjoy!
A Eurostars project can address any technological area for any market, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service.
There are two calls for proposals each year until 2020 and the next one is on 18th February 2016. The September 2016 date is still to be announced.
If you are a UK based research performing SME, would like a 60% grant to work on your own project and to collaborate with other like-minded organisations in the EU member states and beyond, check out the Eurostars web page on www.eurostars-eureka.eu .
Welcome to the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland podcast EPISODE 100!
You may have noticed a gap in our regular podcast schedule and that is because we have been developing and bedding in our new European Funding support service. Details at the bottom of this page.
We hope you’ve had a great summer. The Scottish Summer is unique perhaps in that it is when you notice parts of your house are not watertight but we’re a hardy bunch and will wear kilts, sandals and eat ice cream in the rain. The summer clothes are now back in the cupboard and autumn is upon us.
We couldn’t let this special occasion pass without a look back at some of the old episodes.
We have talked about our free business services in the context of cowboy’s meeting in a bar in the The Last Chance Saloon for FP7, we met ourselves 100 years in the future in Our EEN Services 100 years in the future. which turned into a sci-fi-meets-business-support story arc covering two episodes (Doing Business in the Benelux and The Return of Eric the Dog) and we talked about Eurostars funding on a train (Eurostars goes to Falkirk)!
We even recorded a podcast "live" in front of an audience in Dublin - Enterprise Europe Network Live in Dublin . You can hear in our voices how edgy we were when faced with a big audience.
Our seasonal shows have included our Halloween specials ( It’s Halloween 2012!), where our first silent character Billy Wong (who is a real person) made the first of several appearances and here’s a little known fact. Billy speaks for the first and only time at the end of our April 29th 2012 episode called The Return of Eric the Dog .
On the subject of Eric the Dog, he joined us for some shows, got lost in the future and when we got him back he was a robot and ( oh ... spoilers) just listen to …Our EEN Services 100 years in the future. Doing Business in the Benelux and The Return of Eric the Dog.
Each year we have festive fun when we make a Xmas Special and without spoiling things too much, we always end up saving Christmas. In 2012, we even explained how the great Fire of London (Who stole Xmas?) and more recently helped Santa's elves deliver presents using our amazing network colleagues.
Thanks one and all to those valued colleagues who joined in including former team members, artists, geniuses and poets all, who were part of our podcast team : Anis Mourad, Liz McNeil, Billy Wong, April Kelly, Brian Connolly, Lesley Ann Doyle and Stephen Armstrong.
OUR NEW SERVICES - if you are a small company (SME) based in Scotland and have an application to make to H2020, Fast track to Innovation, SME Instrument or Eurostars get in touch.
We have free proposal analysis, accessing our unique and evolving knowledge that help you shape your organisation to present the best, most polished application possible. It is free, more comprehensive than before and so if you’re based in Scotland and are applying for funding under Horizon 2020, SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation or Eurostars.
Follow us on twitter @eenscotland and follow our valued colleagues in the UK on @EEN_UK for news, tips and events.
Give yourself a head start in proposal writing by subscribing to the Enterprise Europe Scotland YouTube Channel and watching our SME Instrument evaluator top tips videos.
Welcome to our May podcast, show number 98!
You might have noticed (if you are a regular listener) that we talk about the amazing funding opportunities for small businesses that lie in the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument and we do our best to give you the best information and tips for success. This month, we have a treat for you dear listeners; this show features an SME Instrument success story from an innovative Scottish organisation called Avanticell, who were successful in applying for SME Instrument phase 1.
AvantiCell Science Ltd was founded by Jo Oliver and Colin Wilde in 2006 to exploit know-how and proprietary technology for the culture of mammalian cells. Their technology has developed to encompass 3D cell-based analysis, and the ability to handle and analyse a wide range of test materials. They decided to apply to SME Instrument and their journey to success is filled with learning for us all.
How did they do it? Jo Oliver CEO of Avanticell offers their tips including :
The project has got to fit with your corporate direction; if it doesn’t then SME Instrument is probably not for you. ... you have got to approach the application process as if it was a business plan. Your technology might be incredibly exciting to you but you must refrain from going into too much detail and keep focussed on the business plan, you’ve got to convince a group of people, the assessors, to part with relatively small sums of money in the first instance but assuming you are doing this with the intention of going on to a phase 2 application, with much bigger sums of money involved, how would you convince a group of investor? It’s exactly the same argument you have to address in your application. The competition analyses I think is very important, it is important in any aspect of business that you know who you are up against, and you need to demonstrate that you understand that and how you are different, why are you going to win and they are not going to win, and so that side of it is absolutely vital. Jo also comments on their use of their own template.
And of course Jo advises to engage with European Enterprise Network very early on the process.
Jo made use of the extensive support we offer, and our services are free! So if you are in Scotland and you have a project application ready for SME Instrument, please get in touch.
Pretty much every company we speak to in Scotland that is successful in SME Instrument has a unique story to tell and there will be more success stories in future podcasts.
For future events, tips and information, check our website at www.enterprise-europe-scoland.com / sign up for our regular e-alert newsletter that tells you about forthcoming events as well as any companies that are looking for partners for their projects.
Follow us on twitter @eenscotland; follow our valued colleagues in the UK on @EEN_UK and the dedicated twitter for SME Instrument follow @H2020SME.
Welcome to our April 2015 podcast, podcast episode number 97! This podcast is about the new Horizon 2020 pilot programme called Fast Track to Innovation (FTI).
The Fast Track to Innovation pilot is a fully-bottom-up measure in Horizon 2020 to promote close-to-the-market innovation activities, and open to all types of participants. Launched at the beginning of this year, you might have seen it cropping up on the internet and we though a podcast on the subject is long overdue.
Recently Jane Watkins, the UK National Contact Point for SME Instrument, Fast Track to Innovation and Access to Finance made a presentation about FTI at an event in Edinburgh and Ken spoke to her afterwards for you dear listeners.
If having listened to Jane you want to apply, you can contact her by email. Her email address is NCP-SME@innovateuk.gov.uk and we recommend you check out the official FTI website and the UK Horizon 2020 website,
On twitter for FTI news and events, follow @EU_H2020, @EEN_UK and of course us @eenscotland .
Finally here’s something brand new! If you are in Scotland and looking to do business in Europe, the new Scottish EU Funding Portal is designed to help companies access European funding. #FTI #Horizon2020
Our team (based in Scottish Enterprise) is the Scottish part of the Enterprise Europe Network, a network spanning more than 50 countries, opening doors for SMEs that want to grow and one of the most popular topics with our clients is the funding available under the Horizon 2020 SME Instrument.
The SME Instrument is a really great opportunity for Scottish SMEs to develop their products and ideas and every month we all gather in Enterprise Europe Network towers in deepest Scotland to analyse the latest SME Instrument applicant information. We pour over the spreadsheets of performance stats and consult our evaluator colleagues to make sure our advice is accurate and relevant to you.
Some countries seem to be more successful than others and while we were wondering why and stroking our imaginary silver beards, someone said “why don’t you just ask them?” So we did!
In this podcast our valued colleagues Natalia, Laura, Carolina, Sorn, Layla, Michael and Bernd Reichert, Head of Unit “SMEs in Horizon 2020" at the European agency for small and medium enterprises give their top tips for success in the SME Instrument.
Our network in more than 50 countries is here to help you develop your business. You can find your local contact by visiting www.een.ec.europa.eu and click on the map.
Horizon2020 #H2020 #SMEInstrument
Now that Horizon 2020 (H2020) has been running for a short while, we thought in this podcast that we should highlight the support vouchers that are available for Scottish SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) to explore the opportunities that are available. To apply for support, phone Interface 0131 651 4791, visit the Interface website on www.Interface-online.org.uk to find links to the applications form and to tread about a recent success story for Black & Gold, a Scottish company that produces a high quality, premium cold pressed rapeseed oil which is distributed throughout Scotland and the UK.
If you have been listening to our previous podcasts you will know that we are very excited about supporting Scottish companies to engage with the SME Instrument, part of Horizon 2020.
By applying to the SME Instrument, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises that are EU-based or established in a country associated to Horizon 2020 can now get phased, progressive and complimentary funding and support through the SME Instrument for innovation projects that will help them grow and expand their activities into other countries – in Europe and beyond.
There is around € 3 billion in funding over the period 2014-2020 for the SME Instrument, and the programme is designed for high-potential SMEs to help them develop groundbreaking innovative ideas for products, services or processes that are ready to face global market competition.
For a quick briefing on the key issues around eligibility, application timing and tips for success , check out our recent podcast , SME Instrument looks for Champions.
But is it truly available to ALL organisations?
Dear listeners, this short dramatised podcast examines what happens when a very unusual Scottish organisation enquiries about the SME Instrument.
Find out more about Scottish creepy crawlies here. http://www.snh.gov.uk/
Will someone please turn the light off?
H2020 #SMEInstrument
This is the latest podcast in Enterprise Europe Scotland’s H2020 Hacks series. Today on our show, Ken Gordon and Camille Moran lament the end of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and celebrate the results from the first SME Instrument cut-off.
We discuss how to avoid being a ‘loser,’ and what future applicants (or past applicants with access to a time machine) should know to win.
As promised, here are:
Statistics from first cut-off SME instrument statistics for the first cut-off date of phase 1 released. 6 Lessons Learned: SME Instrument: 6 lessons learnt from the first evaluation .
H2020 #SMEInstrument #EUfunding
Welcome to our latest our latest Horizon 2020 Hacks podcast.
Regular listeners will know that the Enterprise Europe Network spans more than 50 countries and we have a wealth of practical knowledge and experience that you can use to develop your business. Oh ... and our services are FREE as well.
Our H2020 Hacks series is aimed at giving you practical tips that will give help you decided whether you should apply and if you do, that will enhance your project application, giving it the best chance of success.
We thought you'd be getting tired hearing our voices, so we recently asked our colleagues to record their three top tips for success.
And so without further ado ... Ladies & gentlemen, animals of the world & sentient beings across the universe (you never know) , we present ... Horizon 2020 tips from our network colleagues in Catalonia and Northern Germany!
Welcome to the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland Horizon 2020 SME Instrument News Desk!
Our reporter Camille Moran summarises the results from the second cut-off of Horizon 2020’s SME Instrument phase 1. You can check the details from EASME here.
"Our advice is find the awardees in your region, and ask them to write your next proposal!"
The applications for SME Instrument phase 2 (first cut-off date) on 9 October 2014 have been made available. Executive Agency for SMEs received 580 proposals. Some details here.
Want to find out more about how SME Instrument can help you bring your innovative products to market? Get in touch with the Enterprise Europe Network! Our services are fully funded by your local organisations and the EC, so they are FREE!
While we help Scottish businesses only, we have valued colleagues providing the same services in more than 50 countries in nearly 600 organisations. Find your local office contact details on the list on this page or drop us an email or a comment on this page and we'll send you details.
BONUS H2020 Hacks! - This podcast includes H2020 hacks from Simon Poulsen from the Enterprise Europe Network in Denmark recorded a few months ago at the Edinburgh Festival.
2014 was an amazing year in Scotland; so many events, the year of homecoming, the XXth Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, not to mention the referendum.
It's time for our annual review of the preceding year and so here are our three most popular podcasts from 2014!
Every year the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team have a team Christmas lunch and this year Ken and Jane were on their way to the restaurant when Ken remembered he had forgotten his "Secret Santa" gift !
They decide to quickly visit the Glasgow German Christmas Market and stumble upon a surprise while trying on hats that saves all the children round the world. Yes, we're that good!
Caution, this podcast features Scottish elves. Scottish Elves are a thing. .... (sigh) no, not Scottish Elvis, that's a different thing.
Huge thanks to Jake Watters for the toy sound effects; Jake, you have amazing toys!
To all of our listeners where ever you are, from all of the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team, have a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Our next podcast will be our best of 2014 podcast. See you in 2015!
christmas
Scotland's renewable energy projects span everything from single community wind turbines to solutions for large housing associations.
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly accessible to all kinds of groups - including rural and urban communities, and there's a wealth of support available.
This podcast is about a new support fund called The Renewable Energy Investment Fund (REIF) and Ken Gordon interviewed Andrew Smith, Head of the Renewable Energy Investment Fund.
REIF helps finance renewable energy projects across Scotland and the REIF team can also advise on your funding proposition, and point you towards other sources of support.
With £103 million of ring-fenced funding available to provide commercially priced loans, equity investments and guarantees, REIF will consider projects that support the delivery of energy from a renewable source or represent an innovative renewable energy technology.
If you're interested in community projects, there's more information from the Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), which works closely with REIF.
This podcast is introduced by Ken standing on a beach on a chilly sunny Sunday afternoon in the Scottish seaside town of Troon. Yes. He did get his feet wet and no he did not get an ice cream.
If we said, "what do you know about Strasbourg?" you would of course say, "why it is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament."
Well done. Ten points.
Did you know that they have several large manufacturing organisations based there? Do you know the key sectors in the region? They have their own regional dialect - have you ever heard someone sing a song in that dialect?
Well wait no longer friends! Our valued Enterprise Europe Network Strasbourg colleagues Ursula Gori-Kaminski, Clio Brivois-Poupard and Caroline Kolb provided you with all the above information and more when our very own Ken Gordon interviewed them recently.
You will also find out the answer to the question "Where is Brian?" which was really useful to us when we were looking for our umbrella recently. Confused? Listen to the podcast and all will be revealed.
Before the New Year holiday and we had to return to work, try to remember our login passwords and where the shortbread tin was hidden, we recorded a podcast featuring our top 5 most popular podcasts of 2013. We did this to remind us of (a) what we do and (b) how much fun we had in 2013 making podcasts and getting your feedback.
A huge thank you for listening to our podcasts in 2013 and we are looking forward to helping you get the most out of the Enterprise Europe Network in 2014 in business collaborations, getting research funding and much more.
ecember is here dear listeners and while your Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team are busy helping local businesses connect across the world, our minds are turning to the Christmas festivities.
In this, our third festive podcast (here are Xmas 2011, Xmas 2012), the team face a very difficult problem that can only be solved using the mighty resources of the Enterprise Europe Network spanning more than 50 countries across planet earth.
Listen to find answers to the following questions :
Why did Ken and Camille go into the stationary cupboard? What is the meaning of the large Victorian knocker? Can the Enterprise Europe Network save the day?
Join Stephen, Brian, Lesley, Ken and Camille as they try to save Christmas!
To all of our listeners where ever you are, from all of the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team, have a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Our next podcast will be our New Year 2014 podcast. See you in 2014!
P.S. If you ever wonder how we put our podcasts together, there is a special “making of” feature at the end of this podcast.
In Scotland there is a unique organisation called Interface – The knowledge connection for business, that helps Scottish small businesses access the specialist expertise, knowledge and facilities in Scotland’s world class universities and research institutions and their services like ours, are FREE. The director of Interface, Siobhan Jordan kindly gave us some time recently to talk about what they do and to give us some examples of the support they have given Scottish organisations.
In the EU and thinking about doing business in China?
Get in touch with the China IPR SME Helpdesk!
Ken recently met Philippe, Jennifer and Ben from helpdesk team and they told him all about all their FREE services as well as some cautionary tales about doing business in China.
The China IPR SME Helpdesk supports European Union (EU) small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to both protect and enforce their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in or relating to China, through the provision of free information and services.
You will get jargon-free, practical, confidential advice on intellectual property and related issues as well as training , materials and online resources. If you are interested in doing business in China, what are you waiting for?
In this podcast we caught up with our valued colleague Tracey Ward.
Tracey is the digital health specialist in our Scottish team and she kindly gave us some of her valuable time to talk about the Ambient Assisted Living Joint Programme (AAL), which is currently looking for proposals related to the theme “ ICT-based Solutions for Supporting Occupation in Life of Older Adults”.
The deadline for projects is 30th April 2013.
What links Scotland to the model T Ford?What links the East Ayrshire village of Newmilns and the new Steven Spielberg movie Lincoln? What do you think about when you think of Scottish textiles?
Kilts, tartan, cashmere and tweed?
Well that's roughly what we were thinking about until we spoke to Stewart Roxburgh of the Scottish Textiles team in Scottish Enterprise.
More than 200 of the world’s biggest fashion brands like Burberry and major stores like Brooks Brothers and Saks Fifth Avenue come to Scotland for textiles, and Scotland’s textile industry includes high performance leather and very sophisticated hi-tech fabrics. Stewart told us how the most successful businesses in Scottish textiles are cultivating the premium or luxury end of the market; the biggest barriers to success; the power of emphasising provenance and building compelling stories, and why market intelligence is key to building your business.
It's the start of a New Year and the Enterprise Europe Network already has a very full calendar of events for 2013.
In this podcast, Ken and Liz highlight a few of those including the Missions for Growth where you will be able to meet and discuss business ventures with major companies and entrepreneurs in the major non-EU markets.
And in Scotland there are many events including:
Life Science Partnering Event in Edinburgh on 7 February 2013 (CLOSING SOON - BOOK TODAY!)
Scottish Renewables Annual Conference 2013 Business Partnering event, in Edinburgh from 18 - 19 March 2013
Scottish Technology Showcase in Glasgow on 11 June 2013
In Europe you will find us at:
European Seafood Exposition 2013 in Brussels from 23 - 25 April 2013
Mobile World Congress 2013, in Barcelona 24 - 28 February 2013
CeBit in Hannover Germany from 5- 9 March
There are more events than we could list here or mention in this podcast and more are being added all the time. Check out our events calendar , register as a subscriber to our website to received email notification and to make sure you don't miss out on updates and new events in Scotland.
Happy New Year and warmest greetings for 2013 from the Enterprise Europe Network team in Scotland.
In our team, 2012 was extremely busy, with lovely new people joining the team and a load of events and missions all because there is a growing demand for our FREE services to businesses. In making this, our second annual New Year "top five" compilation, we were surprised which shows were the most listened to, in 2012. You might be too.
Over recent months we have recorded Xmas messages from our valued colleagues across our network, so if you ever doubted we have local contacts in most places AND if you want to know Xmas greetings in other languages, listen in and be amazed. P.S. We're still not sure what our Korean colleague actually said, so if anyone can translate, drop us a line
December is the month with the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the longest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. Fact!
The month of December is filled with preparations for Christmas, and we all look forward to good cheer and family gatherings. In the Enterprise Europe Network Scotland office, Anis, Liz and Ken are preparing for their second Xmas podcast but their plans to decorate the office with a Xmas tree and fill it with mince pies, presents and all things shiny are in danger of being thwarted.
Will they be able to save Xmas? What is Eric the dog dressed up as this year to get through security?
Do you remember last years (2011) (Scottish Xmas Podcast) with the mince pie eating competition, the magic trick and carol singing?Well this one has more Dickens references, ridiculous chases and explains how the Great Fire of London started.
The Enterprise Europe Network is the worlds biggest business support network and our services are FREE because they are fully funded by your local organisations. Need help growing your business, need market research information or want to license your technologies? Contact us our services are FREE. What have you got to lose?
Have a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Watch out for our special Xmas bonus podcast featuring our network colleagues.
Having a network in over 50 countries provides us with lots of things to talk about and we love it when we can feature the voices of our network colleagues - more valued colleagues and their top tips coming soon!
In this show, in celebration of this podcasting milestone Ken, Anis and Liz talk about how and why we started podcasting, our favourite shows, how we make them and why things sometimes go wrong.
We also include some recordings that have never been broadcast before and our 5 tips for successful podcasting and social media success.
In this podcast we are joined by Sarah Deas, Chief Executive of Co-operative Development Scotland. Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS) is a subsidiary of Scottish Enterprise working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise. CDS supports the growth of co-operative enterprises in Scotland, from developing consortia to employee buyouts. CDS will guide businesses through the process, including access to funding and legal models.
As usual Ken and Anis have a fantastic business idea for Sarah to consider. Will it be eligible for support? Listen and find out.
Find out more about CDS by: Visiting the Co-operative Development Scotland Website Telephone to +44 141 951 3055 Or by email to: info@cdscotland.co.uk
This year we investigate the fifth floor , talk about Halloween customs from far afield, find a ghostly dog and try a traditional Scottish Halloween game, dooking (or bobbing) for apples.
What is Eric the dog dressed as? What happened to Eric's dad? What does Liz have round her neck?
Our network of nearly 600 organisations in over 50 countries has expanded yet again. Morocco has joined the Enterprise Europe Network, opening five new offices : 3 in Casablanca and 2 in Rabat, so we decided to make this podcast all about doing business in Morocco.
Listen to this podcast to find out :
Which member of the EEN Scotland team has been to Morocco? Where couscous was invented (and it's not where you think). The key business sectors in Morocco. Tips on how to do be successful in those first business meetings. The Enterprise Europe Network is your local route to developing your business and our services are fully funded by your local organisations and the EC, so they are FREE! Get in touch. What have you got to lose?
Did you know that Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 July to 31 December 2012? It is the first time the country has held the Presidency since it joined the EU in 2004 and reason enough for us record another of our "Doing Business in..." series. Learn about famous Cypriots, their key business sectors and where love was really invented.
We were talking about the fantastic opportunity for organisations in the final calls for FP7 the other day. "It's like it's in the last chance saloon", Liz said. Well she is from Boston (and in the UK legally). FP7 funding is open to businesses, universities and research institutes involved in cutting edge research. The Enterprise Europe network in more than 50 countries, is here to help you get information about what is involved and how to get involved. Listen and find out more.
Did you know that if you are based in Scotland, you can apply join the Design Innovation Support programme and get free advice from the design Innovation Studio at Glasgow School of Art? The launch workshops are being held all over Scotland. Listen and apply now!
On World Politeness Day, Ken and Liz explain our FREE information services for businesses. Did you know that we can find you information about regulations, legislation, EU policy, VAT and taxation AND information about your competitors.
Listen to some unusual examples from our vast list of many thousands of enquiries, including toilets, CE marking, a device to make you "walk on water" and barbecue grills. Yes, we really cover all products in more than 50 countries.
If you want to expand your business overseas and need information to inform your decision or to give you peace of mind, get in touch. Our services to you are free and we are here to help. What have you got to lose?
Contact us politely please by emailing info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com, telephoning our Glasgow number 01412282397 or dropping a comment here on our audioboo page.
In the summer, when the rain is less heavy, we like to take our lunch to eat in the local park. Join us as over our pic-a-nic lunch as we catch up what we've each been doing, and learn about the new Eco-Innovation initiative. If you have a great business project that could make Europe greener but you don't know how to get it off the ground, the 2012 Eco-innovation call for proposals may be for you! Get your skates on though because you have until 06 September 2012 at 17:00 to apply.
We often talk about doing business in different countries but in this podcast we talk about our very favourite country SCOTLAND!
How does our (some would say damp) Scottish climate lead to world leading science ? Why does Liz (who is from the USA) enjoy living in Scotland? What happens when we mention Stirling?
If you've listened to our podcasts before, you will know that we think everything of worth in the world, was invented in Scotland (including trees, clouds and the sky).
From a very very big list, Anis, Ken and Liz list their five top reasons for doing business in scotland.
We've had "podcast in front of an audience" on our big podcast wish-list for a while and so we decided to record a podcast as part of the workshop, completing the whole workshop plus podcast in one hour! Hear our valued network colleagues Sunny Claire from Enterprise Europe Network in the Midlands, Kenny Legg from Enterprise Europe Network South, Alison Witham Enterprise Europe Network Midlands and Ross Thomson from from Enterprise Europe Network Scotland make their podcasting début to tell us some success stories from the UK Network.
In this podcast, Glasgow-based Kraft Architecture talks to Vicki Ronaldson from the SMART: SCOTLAND team, and Anis Mourad of Enterprise Europe Network Scotland about how a SMART: SCOTLAND grant and European business advice catalysed the commercialisation of their Scottish, low carbon construction business, which has seen a 5-fold increase in turnover.
Ken and Anis recently met Can Kartoglu and Beril Kirci, our Enterprise Europe Network colleagues from Istanbul.
Fortunately Ken and Anis were wearing their podcasting sporrans and they grabbed the opportunity to recorded a short interview with them about doing business in Turkey.
Find out the secrets for business success in Turkey and a fantastic fact that you might not know.
Ken and Liz meet up with Gemma Connelly to talk about Scottihs Enterprise logoR&D Tax credits.
What are they and how can companies benefit from them, what are the eligible costs and how do you claim?
Listen in and find out!
What is a normal day in the life of the EnterpriseEurope Network Scotland team? Does it involve : 1. Coffee, shortbread, wearing tweed and learning Scottish Highland dances? 2. Or does it include investigating a portal to the future that appears in the stationary cupboard (Billy's favourite place) in the middle of recording an episode about Framework Programme 7 , the EU's prime source of funding for collaborative R&D?
The other day , in a somewhat reflective mood, your Enterprise Europe Network Scotland Podcasters compiled a list of their tips to get through life, based on their experiences both in life (one of them is very old) and in helping businesses take advantage of European opportunities.
Here is a compilation of the 5 most popular podcasts of 2011, so that you can relive them in all their magnificence, or catch up with them if you missed them.
In this episode, the Scottish EEN team travel 100 years into the future and find some curious changes have taken place.
In our latest podcast we travel 100 years into the future. We made 3 different trailers. This is number 3. Which do you like best? Check back here on March 19th http://eenscotland.podbean.com/
In our next podcast available on March 19th, the team travel forward 100 years. This trailer is very cute. You will find it here http://eenscotland.podbean.com/
In our next podcast available on March 19th, the team travel forward 100 years Find it here. http://eenscotland.podbean.com/
An interview with our Italian colleague Francesca about doing business in Italy, including a fantastic fact that really rocked our world.
Want help doing business in Europe? Contact us now using info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com or call us on 0141 228 2797
An interview with one of our Estonian Network colleagues about doing business for the first time in Estonia. Includes a fantastic fact that few people know!
An interview with one of our Romanian Network colleagues about doing business for the first time in Romania. Includes a fantastic fact that few people know!
As the office lights dim and darkness falls let us tell you about Halloween customs and more. If you listen carefully, you might find the answers to the questions: * What are we dressed as ? * Which member of the team does not say a word? * What kind of animal is Eric and why did security let him in? * What .... was on ... the card?
One of the services the Enterprise Europe network provides, is business to business brokerage. Often this brokerage is part of a major international conference, so it adds significant value to your conference visit to have guaranteed meetings with business of your choice.
There are two major conferences in Life Sciences coming up in October and November and in this podcast, we talk with our valued colleague Dr April Kelly about what is involved in taking part in brokerage and the benefits that they bring.
In this podcast, Ken and Anis find out about Polish sectors and regions and are joined by Scottish team colleague Anna Chomicka who gives them five very useful phrases to use in Poland, especially for those of us men and women blessed with luscious red beards.
The Enterprise Europe Network helps small business to make the most of the European marketplace. We have close to 600 member organisations across the EU and beyond in 50 countries. We have a local office in most big cities!
We have 30 member organisations in Poland in Bialystok, Gdansk,Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Kraków, Lódź, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Poznań, Rzeszów, Szczawno Zdroj, Szczecin, Toruń, Warszawa, Wroclaw and Zielona Góra.
Interested in doing business in Poland? What have you got to lose? Our network provides FREE advice.
Get in touch by emailing us at info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com
Our network Spans 49 countries, 600 organisations and 4000 people. Over the years we have been supporting organisations who want to take advantage of European opportunities, several myths have arisen about the Enterprise Europe Network in Scotland.
- Do we work outside Europe?
- What size of organisations do we support?
- Do we all have red hair and beards?
The Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team discuss & dispel the myths. They even talk about people from Stirling!
If your business would like to take advantage of EU opportunities, the Enterprise Europe Network is here to help.
Contact us now using info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com or call us on 0141 228 2797
Ken and Anis meet Michael Cannon, who runs the Innovation Grants team in Scottish Enterprise and ask for support for their brilliant idea for heated tartan trousers!
SMART: SCOTLAND provides discretionary grants to support technical and commercial feasibility studies, and research and development (R&D) projects.
Technical and commercial feasibility studies are defined as studies involving early stage R&D to enable informed decisions on the technical and commercial feasibility of a new product or process. Support is available on a discretionary basis at up to 75 percent of the eligible project costs. Projects must last between 6 and 18 months, and the maximum grant is £70,000. One third of the grant is paid upfront when the project starts. The remainder is normally paid quarterly in arrears against claims submitted.
R&D projects are projects that aim to develop a pre-production prototype of a new product or process. Support is available on a discretionary basis at up to 35 percent of the eligible project costs. Projects must last between 6 and 36 months, and the maximum grant is £600,000. The grant is normally paid quarterly in arrears and minimum project costs should be £75,000.
Any small to medium sized enterprise (SME) that meets the eligibility criteria may apply for our R&D grant, irrespective of whether they receive support for a feasibility study.
Would the innovation grants support their brilliant tartan trousers idea? Will he tell them to belt up and fly off? Or will there be a turn-up for the books?
The Enterprise Europe Network helps small business to make the most of the European marketplace. We have close to 600 member organisations across the EU and beyond in 48 countries.
In this podcast, Ken and Anis catch up with Jasper Hemmes, who runs one of the Enterprise Europe Network teams in the Netherlands.
Hear all about doing business in the Netherlands, about key cultural nuances, clog & frogs and a fascinating fact that few people know!
Interested in doing business in the Netherlands? Our network provides FREE advice to our organisations to help them take advantage of European opportunities.
What have you got to lose? Get in touch!
The Enterprise Europe Network Scotland team deliver around 20 events per year, ranging from EU Information & Business Case clinics, EU Funding Awareness & Surgery events to Business Matchmaking and Collaboration events where you can find collaborative partners. We also attend events as guest speakers and of course to learn new things. To sum it up, that's a lot of events and a lot of delegate badge injuries (some still have pins on them).
How do you approach strangers? What to wear? Danger food and the best delegate packs.
In this podcast, our team took time out to give you their top tips that will enable you to get the most out of your next conference. We did all the hard work so you don't have to.
Are you facing problems doing business in another EU country? Do you find it difficult to comply with EU law?
The European Commission wants feedback on what impact its legislative proposals and initiatives are having on small businesses. It’s ready to listen to the problems you face doing business at home or across Europe.
When drafting proposed laws affecting businesses, the Commission also consults small businesses to make sure it cuts red tape and helps you to make the most of opportunities in the European Union. It has designed a number of consultation tools to listen to your views.
In this podcast , Ken, Anis & Liz explain how you can get answers to your questions and help the European Commission improve legislation for your business. Three platforms are described : * The European Business Test Panel (& how you can join it), * the Solveit database (an on-line problem solving network and network of national centres) * the Enterprise Europe Network's SME Feedback.
The Enterprise Europe Network will connect you to these tools. We'll get your message across, using all the feedback channels available – from commenting on planned legislation and taking part in test panels to proposing alternative solutions.
Contact us now using info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com or call us on 0141 228 2797
In this podcast, Anis, Ken and the team talk about the benefits of Eurostars; who is eligible and how Eurostars works. Alongside the Technology Strategy Board in the UK, we raise awareness of the Eurostars programme.
SMEs find it extremely useful support for the development of new products, processes and services and the collaborative aspect of Eurostars brings access to transnational and international markets.
The Eurostars Programme is dedicated to "R&D performing SMEs" and is co-funded by the European Communities and 33 EUREKA member countries.
CAUTION : this podcast contains a dream sequence and may cause drowsiness!
Note : Part of this podcast was written and performed by K Gordon, A Mourad and K Legg at the Enterprise Europe Network UK & Ireland Conference in Belfast in early 2011.
Want helping doing business in Europe? Contact us now using info@enterprise-europe-scotland.com or call us on 0141 228 2797