Certainly, David. Here’s a focused Executive Summary highlighting the strategic provision of an AI support service for small businesses in Southport, designed to establish the town as a national exemplar in AI adoption and capability development:
🧭 Executive Summary: AI Support Service for Small Businesses in Southport
🎯 Strategic Aim
To establish a town-wide AI support service—anchored by the Southport Innovation Centre—that empowers small businesses to adopt, experiment with, and scale AI capabilities. This initiative will position Southport as a model AI-enabled town, demonstrating how local ecosystems can lead national transformation.
🧱 Core Objectives
- Enable AI Capability Development: Treat AI as a strategic skill for businesses and the town, with structured support for growth.
- Deliver Tiered Support Services: Offer scalable access to AI tools, training, and experimentation environments tailored to business needs.
- Foster Inclusive Innovation: Ensure all businesses—regardless of size or sector—can participate in the AI transformation.
- Benchmark and Monitor Progress: Track AI maturity across the town to ensure continuous improvement and exemplar status.
🛠️ Service Components
1. AI Training & Skills Development
- Modular training pathways: from AI awareness to applied use
- Integration of traditional management with AI-era skills (agility, ethics, strategy)
- Focus on planning, security, and ethical AI in fast-moving environments
2. Online Knowledge Hub
- Centralized access to guides, prompt libraries, templates, and case studies
- Tiered access for different user groups (basic, advanced, innovation centre staff)
- Embedded Copilot support for document analysis, summarisation, and drafting
3. Practice & Experimentation Environment
- Shared Windows 365 desktops for secure, cloud-based AI trials
- Thin Client devices for low-cost access
- Kanban boards and agile workflows for managing AI experiments
4. Capability Assessment & Monitoring
- Copilot Studio agent (Capability Coach) for self-assessment and progress tracking
- Town-wide AI Capability Index and Innovation Centre performance dashboard
- Annual “AI in Southport” report to showcase impact and attract investment
💷 Licensing & Infrastructure
| Tier | Services | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Access | Web Copilot, Outlook.com, Knowledge Hub | ~£345/user |
| Advanced Access | Microsoft 365 + Copilot + OneDrive | ~£517/user |
| Innovation Centre Tier | Windows 365 + Copilot + shared tools | ~£850–£1,000/user |
🌍 Strategic Impact
- Southport becomes a living model for AI-enabled local economies
- Small businesses gain competitive advantage through accessible AI tools
- Innovation Centre leads national dialogue on inclusive, ethical AI adoption
- Framework is scalable to other towns and regions across the UK
Would you like this formatted into a stakeholder briefing or visual campaign asset? I can also help design a rollout roadmap or capability maturity model to accompany it.
can you explain the advantages to an individual of using a combination of Microsoft 365, Copilot and the tools in Copilot Lab.
Absolutely, David. For an individual—whether a student, professional, creative, or retiree—the combination of Microsoft 365, Copilot, and Copilot Lab tools offers a powerful, accessible way to amplify productivity, creativity, and learning. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages:
🧠 Why Use Microsoft 365 + Copilot + Copilot Lab?
🔹 1. Microsoft 365: Your Digital Workspace
- Familiar tools, supercharged: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams—all enhanced by AI
- Cloud-based and secure: Access your files anywhere, collaborate in real time
- Integrated ecosystem: Seamless flow between email, documents, calendars, and meetings
🤖 2. Copilot: Your AI Assistant Across 365
- Smart writing & editing: Drafts emails, reports, proposals, and creative content in seconds
- Data insights: Summarises spreadsheets, finds trends, and generates charts in Excel
- Meeting support: Prepares agendas, captures notes, and suggests follow-ups in Teams
- Learning companion: Explains complex topics in simple terms, tailored to your style
🧪 3. Copilot Lab: Personalised Learning & Skill Building
- Prompt guidance: Teaches you how to ask better questions and get more from Copilot
- Use case templates: Offers ready-made prompts for writing, analysis, planning, and more
- Skill development: Helps you build confidence using AI tools creatively and effectively
- Accessible to all: Designed for beginners and experts alike—no coding required
🌟 Combined Benefits for Individuals
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Time-saving | Automate routine tasks, freeing time for what matters most |
| Confidence boost | Get help with writing, planning, and decision-making—even in unfamiliar areas |
| Creative expansion | Explore storytelling, design, and innovation with AI as a co-creator |
| Inclusive access | Supports different learning styles, languages, and accessibility needs |
| Future-readiness | Builds digital fluency and AI literacy for evolving careers and personal growth |
🧭 Real-Life Examples
- A student uses Copilot to summarise research and draft essays
- A small business owner builds a marketing plan using Copilot Lab templates
- A retiree explores digital art and storytelling with AI-generated prompts
- A parent uses Copilot to help children learn science or write creatively
- A community volunteer drafts funding proposals and event plans with AI support
Would you like a visual guide or printable handout summarising this for your audience? I can also help tailor examples for specific roles—educators, creatives, small business owners, or families.
Southport Innovation Centre 