One Stop Shop programme enables catalyst for change in WSX Enterprise’s business support offerings
One of six European partners, WSX Enterprise has been an active partner in the One Stop Shop (OSS) programme. This 4-year programme was designed to increase the effectiveness and competitiveness of SMEs in the UK and its goal was to share good practices and improve business support for start-ups. The programme has been funded by Interreg Europe.
The last One Stop Shop (OSS) programme conference was held in Antwerp in November and Julia Pearson, WSX Enterprise Programme Manager presented on the learning and actions as a result of the programme.
Experts in the field
During her presentation, Julia stated that WSX has interacted with more than 5000 business start-ups and SMEs since 2020. As an organisation, we are well-placed to do this, as Julia said,
“WSX Enterprise is a highly experienced business support not-for-profit organisation. Our aim is to provide practical, expert and independent support to empower entrepreneurs and businesses to create sustainable success.”
A changing landscape
But Julia explained that the business support landscape is changing, partly due to our post-pandemic world and partly due to an increasing number of younger entrepreneurs. Therefore, the type of service offered must adapt to those changes,
“Statistics show that more than 170K ‘Generation Z’ (18–25-year-olds) are now directors of companies. There is an increasing number of young business owners. The support provided therefore needs to include this younger age group and be more dynamic. We found that moving towards digital tools in addition to traditional 1-2-1 business mentoring enables a different yet more effective way of business support in the 21st century.”
OSS European Partners gathered at the last programme conference
Adapting to change
“The development of tools like Success2Startup tool, the Business Growth Snapshot tool and the Transformational Business Support programme with its raft of online videos and virtual drop-ins plus traditional 1-2-1s has enabled us to do just this. Being adaptive and dynamic in our approach to business support has meant a new service can be offered to everyone whatever stage of their journey: pre-startups, start-ups or established companies. It also means a comprehensive package can be supplied to our stakeholders such as Local Enterprise Partnerships and County Councils.”
In summary, Peter Grant, Chief Executive of WSX Enterprise highlights how enlightening the OSS programme has been for the organisation,
“Being part of the OSS Programme helped us to rethink and redevelop our 21st Century Transformational Business Support. The first programme workshop on digital business support hosted by us in Hampshire proved a catalyst for rethinking how we support businesses in the future and meant we could hit the ground running at the outset of COVID”.
More information on the OSS Programme can be found on their website.
Transformational Business Support
The pioneering Transformational Business Support scheme helps businesses work smarter, grow faster and win more customers. Benefitting over 1500 people so far it includes 24/7 access to over 200 online tutorials on a wide range of subjects; twice-weekly drop-in sessions with business experts; an option of 1-2-1 business support from our expert advisors.
For more information, see the website or contact the team at contact.tbs@wsxenterprise.co.uk
WSX Enterprise Ltd
A non-profit organisation WSX Enterprise Ltd runs a wide range of projects delivering business support in the UK as well as working with partners in Europe. As some examples, our projects support access to finance, digital skills, start-up guidance, and general business advice. Our team includes a wide range of business advisors with a breadth of industry experience supporting small and medium-sized businesses across our region.
