Even in these austere times, with the government clawing back any spare funding they can, there are still pockets of opportunity. The TR&DE programme from UKTI offers up to £3000 (which supported companies must match to give a total of up to £6000 funding) to SME  businesses based in the North West who get involved with Research & Development to support activity to promote export trade.

The programme also offers (in addition to the funding) access to international trade expertise from Grant Thornton and EV.

Funding can be used for a range of activities including:

• Market research projects for new overseas market entry
• Assistance with international marketing and branding, including website development and marketing materials
• Advice relating to international commerce and e-commerce protocols
• A review of existing IP assets and protection, strategy and future requirements
• Legal advice around international commercial agreements
• Attendance at overseas conferences
• Assistance in identifying and recruiting new staff to help enter international markets

The programme is limited to a maximum of 230 companies and applications must be made by 19 August 2011

Here is some further info from UKTI: Introduction to the TR&DE funding programme

Or contact me: davidw@bsamarketing.com for more details and to help you:

Be Heard and Be Valued.

Many business owners know that they could be doing more with the internet to promote their company but often they are not sure where to start.

Search Engine Optimisation, Sponsored Links, Website Updates, Blogs, Social Networking and E-mail marketing are just some of the options on offer. Which can be most beneficial to me? – or should I be looking at a strategy combining a number of approaches?

As an accredited associate of the Manufacturing Advisory Service – North West, BSA Marketing can undertake a comprehensive review of your web strategy to help clarify your options and show the best way forward.

If your North West based business is an SME* involved with the manufacturing/processing sector then the review could be100% funded** so there would be no cost to you. Get more information on the web reviews here

Even better, if you decide on things you want to do, you may be eligible** for further government subsidised project implementation work. Get more information on subsidised** project work here

NOTES:

*SME definition:

Companies with up to 250 employees and/or up to €50m turnover. In addition, no more than 25% of the company should be owned by a group with more than 250 employees and/or €50m turnover.

**Eligibility and Availability:

• All MAS services are subject to availability and eligibility criteria.
• Free reviews and subsidised project work are available to North West based small and medium size (SME**) manufacturers or related companies (including research, design, logistics & warehousing etc).
• Large North West manufacturers and related companies can benefit from a free MAS review if they engage their suppliers to benefit from the MAS programme.
• Due to limited availability, MAS North West reserves the right to prioritise its subsidised services.
• Companies not eligible for MAS subsidised support can purchase MAS services at standard rates.

Pursuing our philosophy that “We want to teach people how rather than simply do it for them!” BSA Marketing will be on the road in Buxton next Tuesday to promote our grant supported Marketing Mentoring Programme at the free Do business in Buxton event.

If you can get to Buxton on Tuesday, we would be delighted to talk to you about how you can access FREE (Grant Supported) Marketing Training to help you take your business forward.

Alternatively, give us a call on 0845 050 1023, and we would be delighted to discuss the possibilities with you.

A quick post to wish you all a happy new year.

To celebrate the start of 2009, we are happy to open up our Protx integration offer to everyone. So simply contact us and we will start the ball rolling

BSA Marketing have recently been accepted as a Protx Partner.

Protx is one of the UK’s leading e-commerce payment gateway providers. The system is inexpensive, and very easy to integrate with the CRE loaded e-commerce Platform.

To launch this, and to support ukbusinessforums.co.uk (a great place to get help on a wide range of business matters), if you are a member of the forum, and you apply for your protx account through us, we will integrate the gateway into your CRE or OsCommerce e-commerce system for free (Normally £75+VAT).

Find out more about Protx or Apply for an account here.

If you are not a forum member, you can find out how to join here

To celebrate the launch of BSA Marketing’s self serve e-mail marketing tool “E-MailWorks”. We have a special launch offer running until 31st October. Sign up before then & we will add 50% to the number of included e-mails on monthly plans. Click here for full details of plans available.

And remember, unlike many other self serve email marketing tools, E-MailWorks includes full marketing backup from BSA Marketing’s chartered marketers.

To sign up for a free trail account, click here