What's new
Our first Newsletter
We have produced our first Newsletter. It covered European food clusters. Food clusters are companies that are working / collaborating together in some way to improve profitability. We also provided a useful tool - a TOWS matrix which is similar to a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) but is more geared to actions rather than description.
How well was the Newsletter received? From our survey all respondents thought it was 'good' or 'excellent' (the scale went from very poor, poor, average, good to excellent), 80% thought it was relevent to them and 80% found it interesting. Interestingly in the comparison of the TOWS and SWOT tool 17% said they would use a TOWS and 67% said they possibly would.
A new Wholechain flyer
It looks great - even though I say so myself. Please click here. Thanks to Ginny of http://www.freelance-artwork.co.uk/ and to Carrie, my sister, for her excellent proof reading.
Supply Chain Excellence workshop
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society recently held this workshop for local food business owners. Organised by George Hamilton of Growing Routes and Keith Barriball of SmithsGore, it was a very exciting concept that ties in with ideas on clusters and also learning with others in such groups. Sam Hoste discussed food clusters with the participants and tied this into innovation in SMEs.
What we are working on
I'll expand on the use of participatory workshops in an article shortly. Group participation and forming groups of like-minded business owners features in a number of projects that I am undertaking relating to Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Supply Chains.