YTKO programme director Helen Trudgeon explains how business collaboration could be key to the future success of your business

1. The perfect YTKO programme director
Helen Trudgeon explains how
business collaboration could
Partner to Succeed be key to the future success of
your business
Collaborate to Truro-based Black Cat Public Relations
is currently involved in two collaborations
get ahead with Partner to Succeed. MD, Tim Bow-
cock, says: “Anyone who knows anything
The importance of business col- about Partner to Succeed will be able to
laboration cannot be understated, see the massive potential benefits. There’s
particularly here in Cornwall where really no other organisation that brings
in the region of 80% of companies businesses together in quite the same way,
employ fewer than five people. How- and it’s a role that needed filling. I also
ever, by working in collaboration with think that YTKO have appointed the right
another business, you benefit from people here; people who understand the
the opportunity to pool capabilities local business environment and will be
and share resources. able to think laterally.”
How does collaboration “Companies are better What is a
benefit my business? collaboration?
Sharing resources, infor- equipped to maintain Collaboration can
mation and risk, means a competitive edge.” be categorised into
companies are better three broad areas:
equipped to maintain a competitive edge,
especially in today’s economic climate. The 1. Co-development Where a company
result leaves you both stronger and ready identifies an area of its business that
to move forward with added confidence. would benefit from the development of
new products or services. They then
About YTKO seek out a partner with this capability
To help with this collaboration process, and, through collaboration, take advan-
YTKO has been appointed by the RDA tage of the partner’s expertise.
as part of the Convergence programme 2. Co-production Where a company has
for Cornwall. This three year project to identified a business opportunity but
support around 380 businesses has been has insufficient capacity or capability to
awarded almost £1.35M of investment with satisfy demand, collaboration can help.
an additional £150k coming from the RDA. 3. Co-distribution Where a company
requires access to new markets for
YTKO specialises in business growth expansion. By working with a partner
for start-ups and SMEs, and for larger with access to additional markets they Tel: 01872 613000
companies seeking expansion opportuni- can offer a wider portfolio. Web: www.partnertosucceed.co.uk
ties. The company’s particular strengths
include bioscience, medical devices, This enables businesses to achieve
media, electronics, ICT, engineering, increased growth and success through
nanotechnology and the environment – all access to broader opportunities.
areas in which Cornwall excels.
How can Partner to Succeed help?
YTKO will seek to marry businesses As the ‘third partner’, Partner to Succeed
with complimentary strengths to achieve is with you through every step of the proc-
greater market share, improve turnover ess, using the skills and resources at our
or smarter ways of working – and share disposal. Areas of assistance could include:
the risk through support from the ERDF
Convergence Programme. • Marketing strategies
• Market exploitation
About Partner to Succeed • Researching markets
Partner to Succeed delivers the collabora- • Supply chain development
tion programme here in Cornwall, employing • Sharing best practice
a skilled team with extensive local knowl- • Access to industry standards accreditation
edge that ensures we know and under-
stands the economic landscape of the Our business model is simple: we make
county and appreciate the challenges our clients’ businesses more successful by
unique to Cornish business. increasing revenues and market share.
20 Business Clinic www.businesscornwall.co.uk Business Cornwall Magazine - October 2009