be enterprising. Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. Derwentside DC
Derwentside District Council
Derwentside Council engaged Viretec to develop an innovative online support package of web-based services for start-up businesses, as part of their successful Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) project, called Be Enterprising. Viretec's expertise in e-business technology and practice has been essential in creating a community of businesses and support groups that are going for growth!


The Challenge
To create an innovate service package for start-up businesses, the LEGI project team needed partners who had a deep understanding of the latest wave of internet technology and how this can be successfully applied to small businesses. They also looked for first-hand knowledge of small businesses and e-business government support programmes. Viretec's background in business support programmes and the expertise of the team in internet and collaborative technologies made them the perfect choice!

"This is the most innovative business support programme in the North East of England and we are proud to lead the field. Our clients are as pleased with their support services as we are with our partners."

Elliot Patterson,
Be Enterprising
Programme Manager

The Approach
Viretec, working in close partnership with GreySky Consulting , proposed an innovative web service model to provide a more effective delivery platform than an ordinary web portal. The solution comprises a simple website with membership management, which provides access to the all important suite of services. The services were configured to integrate into the LEGI support processes, and included versions of;

- Vonage and Skype communications tools
- VHQ WebOffice with custom databases
- Sage Online50 Accounts
- Web Conferencing via WebEx Meetings.
The benefit of this approach is its flexibility and the ease of managing a wide range of services - always being able to offer the latest technology solutions and services in this fast moving area.

The Outcome
Following a successful pilot with 10 companies, the LEGI project launched the Be Enterprising start-up support programme in late 2007. The programme is currently supporting a large number of local start-up businesses who are all using the web-based solutions and training packages to develop their businesses. This part of the programme will support around 100 start-up businesses at any one time from their inception to becoming established and surviving on their own.

What Next?
Viretec Consulting has in-depth experience of public sector business support programmes. Contact us to find out how we can help you to develop successful business support programmes in your area.