A joined-up approach

In July, Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards joined with Devon County Council’s Business Support and Innovation team, which runs programmes across the Heart of the South West area.

As well as sharing an ambition for business growth and protection, we both work to create a thriving business community, and have microbusinesses and SMEs as our target customers.

Joining forces means the skills of both teams can be used together to provide an innovative approach to economic development. It also means we will be able to work together to provide local businesses with better access to funding opportunities and support to help them survive and thrive.

Find out more about Business Support and Innovation. Follow them on Twitter at @DCCeconomy.

In this newsletter we'll keep you up to date with news and opportunities to benefit your business - such as the Fast Track to Growth programme, see right.

Watch out for delivery card scam

Royal Mail are warning about a scam involving 'missed delivery' cards.

The scam cards look similar to the ‘Something for You’ cards you get from Royal Mail when you have missed a delivery. They use the same colours, headings and layout. The only clear difference is the fake cards do not have the Royal Mail logo on them.

The cards ask you to call an 0208 number to re-book a free delivery, then you are put through to an automated message and asked to leave your details and ‘consignment number’. Victims have claimed that calling the number – which isn’t registered to Royal Mail – has cost over £45.

To protect yourself:

• Look for the Royal Mail logo on the card.
• Check the address and contact information on the card – does it match your local Post Office branch?
• If you don’t recognise the name or address on the card or are not expecting a parcel from this address, ignore it.
• Never call a number you don't recognise.
  

Support for social enterprise

More than 60% of social enterprise employers report that competition in the market is an obstacle to the success of their business a survey has found.

One way to overcome this challenge is to take a fresh look at your business and honestly evaluate your offer, the price-point, how you position yourself compared with other providers and what makes you different.

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place so it’s also an idea to involve your existing customers, previous customers, suppliers and stakeholders to achieve a balanced view. Learning where your strengths and weaknesses are can make establishing your competitive edge much simpler.

For more funded support on how to gain competitive edge, go to the Enhance Social Enterprise web pages.