New Digi-Growth Programme Open for Applications
June 3, 2020
The digital agenda has become popular with many companies as they adapt their business models during the current coronavirus pandemic. The council is delighted to launch its ‘Digi-Growth Programme’, which will offer support to Lisburn Castlereagh businesses as they progress through their digital transformation journey.
This project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Growth & Jobs Northern Ireland (2014-2020) Programme. It is being delivered on behalf of the council by Profile Tree.
Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Development Committee Chairman, speaking about this innovative and timely programme, said: “Many businesses are now operating differently than they were at the start of the year. Some have taken to online sales and customer service like it is second nature as they have escalated plans they had in the pipeline; and others are just finding their feet in this new terrain. This programme is a very timely intervention and has the capacity to assist local businesses find digital solutions to help them survive the expected economic downturn due to Covid-19.
“This programme has three streams, will continue until the end of 2022 and is expected to create at least 287 jobs. During the course of the programme, we intend to offer mentoring support and digital health checks to 340 local businesses. This will help them enhance their ecommerce capabilities and integrate digital technologies within their businesses to improve engagement in a manner that suits the customer. I would encourage local businesses to identify a stream that is applicable to them and sign up so we can get support as soon as possible.”
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, commented: “In the last ten years digital transformation has had a powerful influence on how we do business and keeping up with this rapidly changing environment is fundamental in today’s business world. To help businesses here foster a digital culture we are delighted to support the Digi Growth Programme. This programme will provide businesses in the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area with one on one mentoring support and the essential digital skills to help them remain competitive.”
The three streams are:
Stream 1: Introduction to Ecommerce, Digital Marketing, New Technology (200 businesses receiving 12 hours mentoring)
This may include selling via established ecommerce websites, using social media to highlight and sell your products and a technology audit.
Stream 2: Developing your ecommerce digital offering / technology offering (80 businesses receiving 18 hours mentoring)
Focus areas of support will include ecommerce strategy development to incorporate online sales, marketing and advertising. Such a strategy will lead to maximum customer engagement in a digitally focussed world.
Stream 3: Ecommerce & Technology for export and business growth (60 businesses receiving 24 hours mentoring support)
Focus areas of support will include the integration of export into ecommerce strategy, financing potential business growth and using data analytics to support your product development and sales potential.
For more information on this programme or to obtain an Expression of Interest Form please email: emma.fearon@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk
