Frequently Asked Questions

How will Inside Industry help me improve my business performance?

It will teach you about the principles of a particular best practice topic and then show you in a practical way, how you can implement your new learning into your business. At the workshop you will learn the basic principles, at the factory visit you will see how the best practice has been applied and the benefits, at the onsite best practice implementation day we will help you transfer your learning into your business context.

How can a visit to an factory add value to my business?

You will be able to get a strong feel for how these companies have become so successful in a particular best practice area. Use the visit as an opportunity to discuss and debate with the company and other people, your thoughts on a particular best practice topic to increase your knowledge and gain practical solutions to specific problems.

The performance of these companies will also provide you with bench marks for your own performance.

How relevant is an Inside Industry visit to the needs of the small, fast-growing business?

Experience has shown that companies of all sizes benefited from company visits under the old Inside UK Enterprise programme. Under this previous programme, visitors found that they gained most by visiting factories outside their own industry sector. Furthermore, they found that best practice and business success could be passed from small companies to global operators and vice-versa.

What can I gain from visiting businesses outside my own sector?

All businesses face common problems. What differs is the approach to these problems and by looking outside your own industry sector you will find different processes, technologies and solutions that could make a significant contribution to your own business performance.

Common ground is reached when specific concerns of visiting businesses match the areas of best practice expertise of the host company. What is important is that all visitors play an active role in their own business improvement process.

How open are the Companies?

First time visitors will be surprised by the willingness of hosts to share their experiences. Visitors are invited to learn about the company at every level. Above all, visitors say that they benefit not just from seeing what went right but finding out what went wrong.

Why are companies so keen to participate in Inside Industry?

Companies join the programme, not just because of the wider recognition that involvement brings, but because it makes sound business sense to do so. The experiences, insights and feedback, they gain from visitors act both as a motivator for staff, and a measure of their own continuous improvements.