Innovation SME’s products and services in
natural area – good practice guide
OVERVIEW OF THE POWYS STUDY
Presented by Vanessa L Garwood
Regeneration Manager, Powys County Council,
(PP07)
INTERREG IVC
Interregional Cooperation Programme
European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013
1
Overview of the Study
4 potential contractors were contacted with 3
showing an interest in the study
Of these 1 declined and 2 submitted tenders
We appointed: Rural Development Solutions
The Principal contractor was
Dr Iain Skewis
2
Stage One
21 SMEs were contacted in this stage
Mostly by Face to Face Interview some by
telephone
20% were from the PP07 area the others from
Scotland and Ireland
The SME questionnaire was used to create
narrative reports
3
Stage One: Observations
• Outside the obvious Tourism businesses it
was difficult to ‘fit’ SMEs into the Study
Themes
• Perception is as important as reality
• Financial values can be attributed to
scenery
4
Stage Two: Selected SMEs
4 SMEs have been selected for in depth study:
1. Isle of Mull Cheese (Island off mainland
Scotland)
2. Wolftax, Laggan (Mainland Scotland)
3. Strathspey Railway (Mainland Scotland)
4. Trail Kilkenny (Ireland)
5
Early Conclusions
Human features:
• Family engagement, values and aspirations
are important
• Independence and autonomy
• Loyalty to community and location
6
Early conclusions
Business features:
• The smaller Successful SMEs tend towards
multiple operations (e.g production and
tourism)
• Regional characteristics can influence
business ideas
• Niche markets and high quality are important
7
Early conclusions
Support Interventions:
• Timely
• Appropriate
• Imaginative
• Collaborative
8
Stage Three
Watch this space !
9
Thank you
10