Improving Business Support

The research commissioned by MEEM indicated that mainstream business organisations were not meeting the needs of minority businesses; hence there is a real need for specialist minority business support organisations.  MEEM was the first organisation to encourage all business support agencies to adopt a framework for a collective approach to delivering services aimed at meeting the specific needs of minority businesses.  This has contributed to a more engaged and focused business support network.

With support from emda, MEEM has made progress in developing the capability of partner organisations to ensure the effectiveness of the services they provide to customers.  This has resulted in a wider range of bespoke services to minority businesses; greater consistency in their approach to assisting minority businesses; and, in some cases, accreditation to formal quality standards.

MEEM has assisted its well established partners in Leicestershire (LABA, LESBA and LACBA), Northamptonshire (NAACBA) and, Nottinghamshire (FEBA).  It has also actively encouraged the establishment of the relatively recently formed Derby Minority Enterprises (DME) to provide a strategic voice for minority businesses.  In addition, MEEM has worked closely with Business Link for Lincolnshire and Rutland to ensure that the needs of local minority businesses were met.

Across the region, MEEM has worked closely with a wide range of organisations to encourage referrals to its partners and, in turn, to encourage its partners to work with mainstream organisations.  It has also encouraged and helped its partners to participate in local strategic and community partnerships.

MEEM has forged strong links with the Chinese community through the Chinese Scholars and Students association and the Chinese Welfare Associations. There are more than 60,000 Chinese students in the UK, 3,000 in Nottingham alone. This provides MEEM with a unique opportunity to explore trade links and joint ventures especially with the twinning of the city of Chongqing with Leicester, and Nottingham University’s close ties with Ningbo.