West Midlands Knowledge (WMK) is a project funded by Advantage West Midlands, operated by Birmingham Forward on behalf of the six sub-regional networks, Birmingham Forward, Alliance 4 the Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire First, finest (North Staffordshire), SucceSS (South Staffordshire) and Telford Business Partnership.
Its objectives are to position West Midlands Professional Services as an expert centre in the UK, exploit areas of current strength, increase turnover in regional firms, identify and develop new business opportunities, increase levels of collaboration, encourage networking and improve innovation and business processes in smaller BPS firms.
We will do this by focusing on 5 key market areas which are: low carbon, ageing population (split into financial management and healthcare), ICT & Digital and Islamic finance. Firms will be asked to initially come along to dissemination events across the region which will have industry experts to explain the sector, client side representatives to demonstrate the fee earning opportunities and then followed by firms in the region who have already embraced the market areas and how they went about it. Following on for these events we will then organise facilitated 'growth networks' where different firms and businesses will come together in small groups to share ideas within their chosen area. Over the course of the project we will be starting up 50 growth networks and engaging directly with over 200 businesses and aim to raise the GVA of all firms involved.
If you would like a more detailed break down of the project click here for our Phase 2 Delivery Plan for more information.
For a pdf handout about WMK click here.
Interested? Well if you are a part of a business or firm who are already making progress in these areas, an expert who would be willing to share some of your expertise or simply someone who wants to get involved then please make contact with Carolyn Pearce on carolyn@wmknowledge.co.uk or 0121 632 2214.
Events and activities to encourage more West Midlands firms to take up the challenge of growing their business
We’re going to create new knowledge through our work and make links to expertise that can help professional services firms in the West Midlands to grow market share in new and existing markets.
Over two years, we will hold regular conferences and workshops, create and distribute regular e-bulletins packed with useful information and travel the region to spread the message.
Providing a clear picture of professional services capabilities in the West Midlands and the markets they serve – now and in the future
We have a strong track record in business and professional services, lots of achievements to celebrate and plenty of world-leading expertise.
This part of Knowledge is all about sharing that. We will make sure that our rising stars become better known within the region, nationally and internationally
Clarifying our strengths, understanding future market opportunities and linking the two together.
Our intelligence gathering will cover new market opportunities, national and international trends that our firms should be in the know about and opportunities that can be revenue generating in the short term.
We’re also looking at how are firms in the region innovating to give themselves the edge for the future.
Click the area title to find out more.
Supporting businesses as they increase turnover, create new jobs and continue to grow!
When we’ve created the intelligence, shared the information, created awareness, found the expertise and helped firms to collaborate, we expect that they will be on-track for growth in new or existing markets.
We want to make sure that growth is sustained, that firms really gain market share in areas that are important to them and generate profits for their firm and long-term benefit for the region.
So we have made links with other organisations that can provide support in the next stages of growth.
Helping businesses to work together to grow market share and break into new markets Collaboration is at the very heart of what we do.
All over the world, forward-thinking companies are identifying ways in which they can work with others to mutual advantage.
Teaming up with others can either create the mix of expertise that clients are demanding or give them the scale to go for bigger contracts. We can help to broker and support those partnerships through our Growth Networks.
Identifying leading-edge thinking in areas of market growth and sharing that knowledge widely
Through Knowledge we will make connections to world class expertise and bring leading-edge thinking into the reach of all our firms.
Our focus is clearly on areas where we can generate real profits in the near-term, where knowledge can be quickly applied.
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West Midlands Knowledge,
1 Victoria Square,
Birmingham,
B1 1BD
Tel: 0121 632 2214
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