Economic Development Group

Business Centres Networking Group

Hotel Kaiser, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Tuesday 17 June 2003

Minutes, conclusions and actions

Present

2.  Introduction
Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) welcomed everyone to the meeting and outlined the agenda. 

3.  Aims
It was agreed that the overall aim of this Group is to benefit professional Business Centre Managers and the companies who operate from Business Centres.  Through this project, Business Centre Managers will gain information about how other Centres operate within the North Sea area, and businesses will have the opportunity of developing new trade links locally and internationally.

It was agreed that the aims of the Group are:

• to encourage best practice management of Business Centres,
• compare different methods of business incubation support and
• improve networking between SMEs locally, nationally and internationally. 

It was agreed that entrepreneurship and business growth are the key aims of successful Business Centres and also of the NSC Group.  It was recognised that as each area around the North Sea operate differently, there is a good opportunity for sharing best practice.  This could form the basis of a future Interreg Project application.

4.  Networking
The Group discussed problems experienced by local Business Centres and SMEs - and the need to encourage them to communicate and network effectively.  It is important that this networking is undertaken on different levels - locally, nationally and internationally.

5.  Definition
The Group discussed the definition of a "Business Centre", as often this depends on management structure and organisation.   The Group agreed that there is a wide variety of Business Centres - usually offering some form of special support or service attractive to the business community.  The Group agreed that, for the purposes of this project, the definition of a Business Centre should simply be "a building with multiple occupancy."

6.  Measuring Success
The Group discussed different measurements of success used for Business Centres.  (Various indicators may be used eg occupancy rates, number of start up businesses established).   In England, for example, benchmarking and performance indicators are being developed to monitor success. 

7.  Facilities for SMEs
The Group discussed the possibility of developing some sort of Business Centre "Club Facility".  This could help companies visiting Business Centres in participating regions within the North Sea area.  It was agreed, however, that at this stage it is difficult to assess likely demand from the private sector and the availability of facilities.  There may also be problems defining criteria for SME eligibility.

8.  Conclusions
The Group agreed that the best method of developing a project is to start working with Business Centre Managers.  This would establish the level of participation, and key issues, at a local level.  It may be possible to develop additional initiatives through the Business Centre Managers, and with individual SMEs at a later stage.

The Group agreed that the project required a number of different stages:

Stage 1
Carry out a survey of existing Business Centres and Business Centre Managers.  This would identify how many Business Centres exist in the member regions, who operates them, how the Centres are managed and how they measure success.  This survey would also help to identify areas of best practice and specialist support.  The results could also lead to increased networking between Business Centres.

Stage 2
This could introduce the possibility of encouraging dialogue with businesses operating in the individual Business Centres, and also identify opportunities for increasing economic activity locally, nationally and internationally.

Stage 3
The final stage could identify different methods of assistance for Business Centre Managers and SMEs in the future.

The Group discussed the example of the "Scandinavian Triangle Project" for maritime businesses.  There may be an opportunity for Business Centre Managers in the North Sea area to meet together in a similar way.  The Group agreed that the NSC network offered strong political links between the member countries, and should be used in developing this type of international project idea.

Alan Russell suggested the Group could start by visiting a number of different types of Business Centres in Fife to study how they were operated.  Group members could also use this opportunity to exchange experiences from their areas.   This Study Tour could take place as part of the planned NSC BDG meeting in October.

9.  Timescales
The Group agreed that if this is to form the basis of a new Interreg Project application, then everything must be in place by 1st March 2004.

10.  Actions
Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) will send out a questionnaire (with a deadline) to all Group members requesting information about the Business Centres within their area (eg number of businesses, types of business, management structure etc).  Group members should also identify which Business Centres they think might be interested in taking part in an international best practice project.  In addition, Group members should include any assistance or ideas to help progress this project.

Alan Russell (Fife Council, Scotland) will use the results of this survey to develop a project paper.

The Group Co-ordinator will circulate details about the proposed Business Centre Study Tour in Fife, Scotland on Thursday 2 October 2003.

11. Date of next meeting
 The next meeting of the Business Centres Networking Group will be in Fife, Scotland on Thursday 2 October 2003.