Interface matches firms with academic partners

What will 2018 bring for your business? Whether it’s new customers, a better product, streamlined processes or improved services, have you thought about working with an academic partner to help achieve your next goal?

 

Local businesses such as Craine Communications in Oban, Johnnie Mac’s Oysters on Lismore, Staffin Community Trust on Skye and Tarbet-based Zing Organics have all benefited from being matched to academic expertise to help develop their ideas.

 

After learning more about their business challenge, Interface was able to match them with academic partners following a search for relevant expertise across Scotland’s universities, research institutes and colleges.

 

Whether it is a large international conglomerate or a small family-owned business, Interface can help.

 

'Interface provides a free and impartial service, open to businesses and organisations alike, wherever they are in Scotland,' said Interface business engagement executive Carol-Ann Adams.

 

'Businesses of all sizes can collaborate with universities, research institutes and colleges to help drive their ideas forward. You have the opportunity to work with academics based anywhere in Scotland – and you choose which one best suits your needs.'

 

No matter the type of business, there is expertise available to help it grow. While tourism, food and drink, engineering, energy and IT are some of the industries that have received assistance from Interface, their friendly experts can work with any type of business in any industry sector.

 

'Interface will support and guide your business through the process of being matched with academic expertise and can help source funding options to help offset project costs,' Carol-Ann added.

 

'Impacts for the businesses we work with range from employing more people and expanding product ranges, to breaking into new markets and increasing turnover. In fact, 79 per cent of Interface-assisted businesses have or expect to increase turnover.'

 

Interface makes it easy for businesses to get a helping hand and, in a recent survey, 98 per cent said they were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with Interface’s service.

 

Stuart Craine, of Craine Communications, said: 'I would highly recommend this Interface experience to any company looking to progress with an idea or a project. To tap into such an academic source has been extremely valuable.'

 

For more information on Interface visit www.interface-online.org.uk/oban-times, or contact the team: Lorraine.thomson@interface-online.org.uk, call 01463 245263 (for businesses in Argyll and the Isles) or Carol-Ann.Adams@interface-online.org.uk, call 01463 245 262 (for businesses in Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross).