Annual Survey for Life Sciences enterprises in Scotland

Question Title

* 1. Which statement best reflects your organisation’s biggest priority of 2019? (please select one)

Accelerate sales performance

Prepare for the commercial launch of a new product or service

Find the right partner or joint venture in order to scale the business

Enter the next stage of research as part of a commercialisation plan for a new product or service

Carry out a new research project to find new applications for an existing product

Scaling manufacturing capabilities

Growing the product development team

Growing the commercial team

Contingency preparations for Brexit

I’m not aware of our organisation’s priorities

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. Which of the following reflects the biggest challenge your organisation faces in achieving your answer to Question 1? (please select one answer)

Securing the right level of investment or funding for research

Securing the right level of investment for marketing and sales activities

Finding the right scientists for product research and development

Finding the right people for commercial activities

Increasing our presence in the UK and international markets with a small team and limited promotional budget

Identifying and engaging the right clients

Accessing potential partners and collaborators

Uncertainties around Brexit

I don’t know what my organisation’s biggest challenge is

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 3. Which best describes your organisation’s funding needs in 2019 in order to achieve its growth strategy? (please select one answer)

We need to access over £1 million in investment in order to achieve the organisation’s growth strategy

We need to access around £250k - £1m

We need to access around £50k-250k

Less than £50k

We don’t need any funding or investment in 2019

I don’t know my organisation’s investment needs

Question Title

* 4. Which of the following best describes your or your team’s most important skills development needs? (please select up to two)

Technical skills to keep up with a fast-moving market

Technical skills to develop existing IP

Leadership skills

Delegation techniques

Coaching and training skills

Market analysis and strategy development

Sales and business development effectiveness

Pitching for investment

Market analyses and customer insights to support investment pitches

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 5. If Life Sciences Scotland were to share knowledge from experts and insights from your peer group, which of the following best describes the value this might offer you? (please select up to two answers)

I’d make time to regularly attend minimal cost (~£25) half day masterclasses on specific business topics that are relevant to me (e.g. securing investment, digital marketing, recruiting talent)

I’d make time to regularly attend minimal cost half day sessions on personal development skills (presentation skills, leadership skills, how to network, LinkedIn)

I’d prefer to attend a whole day’s training course covering 3 topics once or twice a year

I’d make time to attend an event simply for the opportunity to network

I’m unlikely to be able to prioritise time to attend an event and would prefer to read articles in my own time

I’m unlikely to find time to attend events or engage with content online

Question Title

* 6. The Life Sciences Scotland (LSS) website and social media channels have been up and running for just over a year now. Which best describes your current experience with LSS? (please tick all that apply)

I follow LSS on Twitter

I follow LSS on LinkedIn

I subscribe to the newsletter

I have previously read the news items or articles published on the LSS website

I regularly read the news items or articles published on the LSS website

I send LSS our news and events to enhance the profile of my organisation

I have visited the website in the last year

I have never visited the website but I am interested to see the resources and information available

I’d like to know more about how the LSS website can help me

I have never visited the website and am unlikely to in the future

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 7. Brexit. Which best describes the impact the current plans for Brexit is likely to have on your organisation? (please select those that apply)

It may make it harder to employ high calibre scientists from across the EU

It may make it harder to employ talented leaders from across the EU

It may make it harder to employ commercial teams in the EU

I rely on imports from the EU and I am concerned there will be delays and stock shortages

I rely on exporting to the EU and I am concerned there will be delays in my ability to ship

I’m concerned there will be less funding available

I’m concerned there will be complications in accessing VC investment from across the EU

The length of time the process is taking is paralysing customer decision-making and slowing the market

I operate in a regulated market governed by EU laws or trading boards

It may result in my organisations having to relocate from Scotland and the UK

Brexit is likely to provide me with an opportunity as my main competitors are from the EU and customers are starting to look for UK suppliers

Brexit is likely to provide other opportunities for my organisation (please expand)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 8. Which of the following best describes how your company has benefited from being physically located in Scotland? (please select up to 3 answers)

Access to talent emerging from Scotland’s Universities

Access to world leading research

The strong investment environment

Guidance and expertise from the Scottish support agencies and innovation centres

Funding from the Scottish support agencies and innovation centres

The funding competitions (e.g. Scottish EDGE)

The support and networks that come from being part of one of the Biohubs (e.g. BioCity, Clinical Innovation Zone, BioQuarter, Roslin etc.) in Scotland

The accelerator programmes across Scotland

Collaborating with NHS Scotland

The appetite for networking and collaborating

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. Life Sciences Scotland is industry-led and our activities are driven by people in the same situation as you. Which of the following activities would add the most value to you and your organisation? (please select up to 3 answers)

Sharing insight and education via online articles

Sharing insight and education via regional events

Sharing experiences and case examples among peer groups

Signposting organisations and opportunities that can support your organisation

Providing a platform for you to share your news and insights

Connecting to others through social media

Connecting to others through events

Raising the awareness of individuals in the sector and their capabilities

Sharing the latest news in Life Sciences in Scotland

Sharing the latest news in Life Sciences from beyond Scotland

None of these things are likely to add value to me or my organisation

I am not aware of Life Sciences Scotland but would like to understand more

I am not aware of Life Sciences Scotland and it is unlikely to add any value to me or my organisation

Question Title

* 10. Which of the following best describes the subsector in which your organisation operates?

Pharmaceutical Services

Medical Technologies

Digital Health

Regenerative Medicine

Industrial Biotechnology

Animal Biosciences, Aquaculture and Agritech (AAA)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. Which of the following topics or personal development areas would add enough value to you for you to make time to attend a low cost (approx £25) event in Glasgow or Edinburgh? (please select up to three)

Funding and Investment

Marketing Analysis

Digital Marketing

Leadership

Recruiting talent

Networking skills

Presentation skills

Selling skills

Negotiating skills

Other (please specify)