Since more than ten years, Business Region Göteborg has offered small and medium-sized companies a business development program for sustainable and profitable growth. Our business development program, Expedition Forward, is designed for the leaders of companies that have the potential to grow in markets that are larger than just the local ones.
What is Expedition Forward?
During the economic crisis at the beginning of the 90's, the embryo for the Business Region Göteborg growth program began. The goal was to help small and mid-sized companies to grow and increase the number of jobs available. Over the years, the growth program has developed in response to companies' needs. Companies have really appreciated the program and many new jobs were created.In 2007, Business Region Göteborg decide to evaluate the current growth programs, (Growth 2000, Growth Micro) . The new program, Expedition Forward, was launched in 2009 and has close to 700 member companies. Its development was partially funded by the EU's regional structural fund.
Program description
Expedition Forward is a growth program and a big network mainly for smaller company that aim to grow. We start with the motto: "Running a company is an exciting adventure. Growing with your company is an ambitious expedition."We want to inspire and encourage companies to want to and dare to grow. We want them to gain the energy necessary to handle the challenges they are up against.Our goal is to see that companies attain healthy and sustainable growth, i.e. that they grow with profitability and consideration for the environment as well as social aspects.Through Expedition Forward, company management learns what sustainable growth is and how it is created. Our activities build on seven parts which create growth (based on research in that area):
This is how it works:
A company becomes a member of Expedition Forward and pays a member fee. A manager or management team from the company participates (not other coworkers). Expedition Forward is divided in different stages into which the company is "placed", depending on where they are in their journey. The company has a person at Business Region Göteborg who is the "customer contact" that follows the company in its journey of development. Together with the company, an action plan is drawn up for the company's journey of growth where we match company needs to the different activities we offer, including:
1. Counseling
-Business counseling: Business Region Göteborg has 46 contracted consultants with differing areas of expertise to whom the company can turn to for help
-Recruitment: Two representatives from the Swedish Public Employment Service work at Business Region Göteborg and help member companies find qualified personnel
-Financing: in conjunction with ALMI
2. Courses
Courses are offered at every stage according to the needs of the companies at that "level".
Courses are tailored from a growth perspective and developed by Business Region Göteborg.
3. Leadership seminars, workshops and different networks
For courses, networks and business counseling, the company pays fees additional to the member fees. Our efforts are on an advisory level. We don't work on an operative level at companies. The companies do the work!
How does Expedition Forward help? How does it promote entrepreneurship?
Company management gets:
- Better knowledge of how to develop their business and grow
- Clear tools for business development and growth
- The opportunity to meet other leaders from different branches to share their experience
- Inspired and revved up to continue their journey
Quotes from some member companies:
"Skilled strategic help"
They were sharper than we expected. We got assistance in how to refine our message to promote company growth.
"They have the ability to listen and understand"
In my eyes, Business Region Göteborg stands for a high level of expertise and interesting strategies for growth. A laid-back, comfortable environment where both small and big companies find themselves.
"You get actual help"
Resolute help for, among other things, recruiting and an important sounding board
for many other issues. Positive inspiration, good ideas and new ways of looking at things.
