Business development and advice

Cost of doing business support

Cost of doing business: get practical support

Rising costs are a significant challenge for businesses and employees. These difficult times are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Find out about the practical resources and support we can offer to help your business. We’ll update this page regularly as new support becomes available.

Ongoing impact on business performance

43% have experienced worker shortages

44 % affected by rising energy costs

72% affected by rising costs

(having to absorb costs, increase selling process or change suppliers)

How we can help

Our support and resources can help you to adapt and navigate the rising costs of doing business in a number of ways.

We can help your business take action to:

  • Reduce costs
  • Improve your productivity
  • Enter new markets
  • Bring about positive change in your workforce or people
  • Manage your finances more effectively

Find Business Support

You can find guidance on reducing the costs of running your business on the Find Business Support website.

Business development and advice

Need support to take your business where you want it to be? Our specialist advisers can help you overcome day-to-day challenges, enhance your business practices or explore new markets and opportunities to grow and scale your company.

Learn more about our business development support

Workplace innovation support 

Our workplace innovation services and best practice guidance will help empower your staff to make your business more efficient, productive and profitable.

Get workplace innovation support

More details on our support

Step 1

Online resources

Step 2

Specialist engagement

Our specialists can help your business by:

  • Providing impartial advice and guidance ​
  • Helping you to identify and develop​ projects
  • Offering direct project delivery support ​
  • Helping you navigate the support landscape​

Step 3

Business case development

We can also provide help with business case development, including:

  • Help with technical and financial feasibility ​
  • Options appraisal​
  • Developing support applications​

Step 4

Funding and grants

Looking for funding to grow your business or launch a new project?

  • We can help you navigate the funding landscape in Scotland
  • Our support can help your business find and access the right funding, and, in some cases, offer our own funding

Learn more about our funding and grants support

Step 5

Partner funding and support

You can also find support and funding from our partners, including:

Next steps

We know it can be difficult to tackle challenges that seem overwhelming. Get further guidance and find out how other businesses have taken the first step with our support.

Aldomak: using renewable energy to beat running costs

Find out how Glasgow-based, family-run confectioner Aldomak is actively embracing renewable energy due to cost of living pressures.

Find out more about Aldomak: using renewable energy to beat running costs

Five ways to boost workplace innovation

With the cost of doing business rising, workplace innovation can deliver a range of benefits. Learn five ways to help maximise the potential of your workforce by improving workplace practices.

Find out more about Five ways to boost workplace innovation

How to access finance and secure funding

Watch our series of financial readiness guides to learn about different types of funding for your business and how we can help you to access it.

Find out more about How to access finance and secure funding

Get in touch

Still not sure what support your business needs? Get in touch with us.

Contact us