Technology Voucher Consultant Fee Methods

Why Do Companies Need Consultant Services When They Can Apply for Technology Vouchers and BUD on Their Own?

In fact, companies can indeed apply for Technology Vouchers and BUD (Business Environment and Upgrading Programme) on their own, but many companies choose to use the services of Hong Kong subsidized consulting companies for the following reasons:

1. We have rich experience and expertise: Our professional consulting team has extensive experience and expertise in applying for Technology Vouchers and BUD funds, which can help Hong Kong companies increase their success rate in the application process.

2. Time and resource savings: Writing application documents, preparing data, and communicating with government departments can be very time-consuming. Our professional consulting team can help companies complete these tasks more efficiently, allowing them to focus on their core business.

3. Follow-up and support: If problems arise during the application process or further information is needed, our consultants can respond quickly and effectively and provide the necessary support.

4. Ensuring data integrity and quality: Our consulting team reviews all submitted data and documents to ensure their integrity and quality, avoiding rejection due to oversight.

5. Familiarity with policies and updates: Government policies and requirements may change. Our government-funded consultants keep a close eye on these changes to ensure that applications align with the latest policies and requirements.

6. Post-project management and reporting: In addition to the initial application, many times regular progress reports and final reports are required. Our consultants can help manage the entire project process, ensuring all reports are completed on time and of high quality.

In summary, while companies can apply on their own, our consulting services offer greater efficiency, expertise, and completeness, making it more likely for companies to successfully obtain funding and ensure smooth project execution.

The Primary Concern of Most Clients is How Much the Consultant Fee?

Based on the experience of Hong Kong Subsidized Consultants Limited’s Technology Voucher consultants, most clients are primarily concerned not with “whether they qualify for the Technology Voucher application” but with “how your fees work.” It is reasonable to think about things from a cost-benefit perspective in business. Typically, the fee structure for Technology Voucher consultants is divided into two main types: fee based on the percentage of the grant and fixed fee. Below is a brief introduction to these two fee structures in the market:

Fixed fee:

Our fee structure is a fixed fee, which can be a fixed amount or calculated based on the workload of the application project, not related to the amount of the grant, generally ranging from thousands to thirty thousand Hong Kong dollars. Since consultant fees are independent of the application project, consultants have no incentive to steer clients toward unnecessary technology solutions. Furthermore, the process of interaction with consultants is more direct and prompt. Many companies may not be allowed to pay consultant fees with grant funds for institutional reasons, making fixed fees more friendly in accounting treatment.

Fee based on the percentage of the grant:

Most Technology Voucher consultants on the market mainly adopt the “fee based on the percentage of the grant” charging model, with commission rates typically ranging from 5% to 20% and usually advertised as “no success, no fee.” As the name suggests, the advantage of this Technology Voucher consultant service is that if the Technology Voucher application fails, the applying company does not have to bear a monetary cost (though other costs like manpower, time, business opportunities, etc., are unavoidable). Therefore, companies often view it as an opportunity to “give it a try” because failure seems to incur no actual loss. Additionally, since consultants only get paid after a successful application, this model incentivizes consultants to give their best effort to maximize the grant amount.

However, since consultant fees are calculated based on the grant amount, the higher the grant amount, the higher the consultant’s commission. This can lead to consultants actively pushing for larger grant projects and even introducing unnecessary system features during the application process. While costs in the short term may be unclear due to government funding, long-term system maintenance costs must be fully paid, potentially causing a long-term burden on businesses.

In summary, independent Technology Voucher consultants do not have the same structural incentive to maximize the grant amount as “no success, no fee” intermediary consultants. Therefore, clear explanations before commissioning are crucial to build trust between clients and consultants. Hong Kong Subsidized Consultants Limited recommends that companies not only consider the price but also focus on the consultant’s professional capabilities and reputation when choosing a consultant provider. Choosing the wrong intermediary consultant can lead to future risks and problems, and companies may be deceived by dishonest providers. Therefore, when choosing a Technology Voucher consultant provider, it is better to be cautious rather than seeking a cheap option to avoid future regrets.

In conclusion, whether choosing a fee based on the percentage of the grant or a fixed fee Technology Voucher consultant, companies should make wise choices based on their own situation and needs. By selecting the appropriate fee structure and the right Technology Voucher consultant, companies can better utilize Technology Voucher resources and achieve sustained business development and growth.

How can Technology Voucher Consultants Benefit Businesses with Technology Vouchers?

Success Case 1: A small to medium-sized enterprise utilized a Technology Voucher consultant who charges based on the grant percentage, successfully applied for a Technology Voucher, and implemented an efficient production management system, significantly boosting production efficiency. Although consultant fees were related to the grant amount, the company ultimately achieved significant benefits.

Success Case 2: A large enterprise chose a Technology Voucher consultant with a fixed fee structure, allowing the company to budget and plan consultant fees clearly without being influenced by the grant amount. The company successfully applied for a Technology Voucher and implemented a complete supply chain management system, improving logistics efficiency and saving costs. Since consultant fees were independent of the grant amount, the company could carry out project development within a reasonable budget, ensuring stability for future operations.

It’s worth noting that in recent years, the number of government funding programs and related intermediary consultant companies has increased dramatically. Therefore, businesses should exercise caution when applying for Technology Vouchers and selecting Technology Voucher consultant providers. Hong Kong Subsidized Consultants Limited recommends that businesses not only consider price but also focus on the consultant’s professional capabilities and reputation. Choosing the wrong intermediary consultant can lead to subsequent risks and problems, and businesses may be deceived by dishonest providers. Therefore, when choosing a Technology Voucher consultant provider, it’s better to choose carefully rather than seek a cheap option to avoid future regrets.

In conclusion, whether choosing a fee based on the grant percentage or a fixed fee Technology Voucher consultant, businesses should make wise choices based on their own situation and needs. By selecting the appropriate fee structure and the right Technology Voucher consultant, businesses can better utilize Technology Voucher resources and achieve sustained business development and growth.

Why Do Government Personnel Sometimes Have Conflicts with Government-funded Consultants?

In recent years, we have found that government personnel may sometimes have certain tensions or conflicts with our consultants. This is mainly due to the following reasons:

1. Unclear responsibilities: Government employees may perceive that the role of consultants overlaps with or disrupts their work. Consultant involvement may make some employees feel that their positions are threatened. In reality, consultants complement rather than compete with government departments.

2. Different work cultures and values: Consultants typically come from the private sector, and their work methods, thought processes, and values may differ from the culture within government departments.

3. Asymmetric information: Consultants usually conduct in-depth research and provide recommendations. If these recommendations diverge from the existing views within government departments, or if the department believes that consultants haven’t fully understood the issues, misunderstandings can arise.

4. Questioning qualifications: Some government department employees may question whether consultants genuinely have enough expertise and experience to handle specific problems or projects.

Tensions and conflicts result from a combination of factors, including unclear responsibilities, differences in work culture, expectations management, and communication issues. To reduce such tensions, establishing good communication and mutual trust is crucial.

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BUD Special Fund for Purchasing Machinery and Relocating Facilities: Quotation Guidelines

BUD Fund Special Fund Application and Quotation Guidance

The BUD Special Fund provides grants of up to HK$7 million to support Hong Kong businesses in investing or expanding into Mainland China or economies with which Hong Kong has signed free trade agreements. The scope of BUD funding includes projects related to brand development, upgrading and transformation, and/or expansion into Mainland China and free trade agreement economies. Upgrading and transformation can involve transitioning from an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to an Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) or Own-Brand Manufacturer (OBM), product strategy, new product development, manufacturing technology upgrades, process and business automation, management systems, business process reengineering, quality improvement, and enhancements in warehouse management, fleet management, and distribution management systems.

Segmented production line expansion is advantageous for BUD Fund applications. For example, when a Hong Kong business establishes a production line in ASEAN countries and applies for the BUD Special Fund, they can receive funding for leasing/fit-out of new units, utilities, purchasing or leasing machinery and equipment, and even acquiring molds, specialized, and computer hardware/software for manufacturing new products.

The government sets a maximum funding limit of HK$1 million for each BUD Special Fund project. When formulating their BUD Special Fund project application strategy in line with their investment plans, Hong Kong businesses should avoid affecting the approval process due to the project’s scale and budget being too large. Evaluating the project’s complexity, required time, and funding for each stage and breaking down the investment plan into different projects can provide more flexibility in project execution.

For the enhancement of existing production lines, after multiple rounds of optimization, BUD Special Fund applications for purchasing machinery, equipment, or molds with the goal of expanding capacity have been accepted. Given the unpredictable economic climate, some businesses view production line downtime as an opportunity to restructure internal production lines and use funding to upgrade equipment, waiting for the right time to rebound.

Crystal Clear Toys Utilizes BUD to Relocate Production Lines to Cambodia

Crystal Clear Toys Manufacturing Limited, a medium-sized toy manufacturer in Hong Kong with over thirty years of history in the toy industry, primarily operated its main production lines in Guangdong. However, due to rising production costs in recent years and fluctuations in the economic environment, the company faced significant pressures. This situation became even more challenging when disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, led to production line shutdowns.

During this difficult period, the company’s leadership decided on a strategic realignment. They recognized Cambodia as an attractive manufacturing base due to its lower production costs, abundant labor resources, and free trade agreements with multiple countries. Consequently, Crystal Clear Toys Manufacturing decided to relocate a portion of its production lines to Cambodia.

To execute this plan smoothly, the company applied for the BUD Special Fund. With the grant, company executives started purchasing machinery, equipment, and molds required in Cambodia. Simultaneously, they established partnerships with the local government and industrial zones to ensure a smooth relocation and restart of production lines.

The funding not only aided Crystal Clear Toys in successfully transferring its production lines but also provided training and technical support, enabling the company to adapt quickly and enhance efficiency in the new production base. Moreover, due to Cambodia’s favorable geographic location, the company could conveniently provide faster deliveries to its Southeast Asian customers.

As a result, with the assistance of BUD funding, Crystal Clear Toys not only weathered the economic downturn but also achieved greater success in new markets.

Crystal Toy Utilizes BUD to Relocate Production Lines to Cambodia

Crystal Toy Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has over thirty years of history in the Hong Kong toy industry, specializing in the production of high-quality plastic toys. While the company had experienced steady growth over the past decade, increasing production costs in China and uncertainty in the global economic environment began to put pressure on its profit margins.

The company’s management saw the potential of Cambodia as a new manufacturing hub, especially considering the country’s recent economic growth, favorable policies for foreign investment, low labor costs, and production expenses. Consequently, Crystal Toy Manufacturing decided to establish new production lines in Cambodia.

To ensure the success of this strategy, Crystal Toy Manufacturing applied for the BUD Special Fund. Upon approval, the company initiated a series of actions, from acquiring advanced toy manufacturing machinery and molds to establishing a new factory in Cambodia and training local staff to ensure production quality and efficiency.

An important part of BUD funding was technology transfer. With the assistance, Crystal Toy Manufacturing was able to transfer the expertise and technology it had accumulated in Hong Kong to Cambodia, successfully establishing production standards in the new location that matched those of its Hong Kong factory.

Before long, the company’s new factory in Cambodia was operational, significantly reducing production costs and expanding sales to Southeast Asian markets. With the success of this endeavor, Crystal Toy Manufacturing began considering further expansion of its production bases in other Southeast Asian countries.

IT Company Uses BUD to Establish Operations Center in the Philippines

Blue Sea Network Technology Limited, with over twenty years of experience in the Hong Kong IT industry, is renowned for providing customized software solutions and data management services. However, in recent years, the company has faced business pressures due to increased competition and rising costs.

Considering the rise of technical talent, English communication skills, and lower operational costs in the Philippines in recent years, Blue Sea Network Technology decided to establish its software development and customer support center in the Philippines.

To successfully transition its operations to the Philippines, Blue Sea applied for funding from the BUD Special Fund. After receiving the grant, the company initially conducted market research and site selection, subsequently leasing office space in Manila. Funds were also used to purchase new server hardware and software licenses.

The company utilized the funding for recruiting and training local staff to ensure seamless collaboration with their team in Hong Kong. Additionally, investments in video conferencing systems and cloud solutions guaranteed real-time communication and data synchronization between the two teams.

With BUD funding, Blue Sea Network Technology’s branch in the Philippines quickly became operational, not only providing the company with additional software development capabilities but also offering 24-hour customer support services, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction.

The successful business transition also allowed Blue Sea Network Technology to allocate more resources to research and development and expand into other Asian markets, identifying more business opportunities.

Plastic Bag Manufacturer Utilizes BUD to Establish Production Line in Myanmar

Golden Prosperity Plastic Bag Products Limited has been one of the leading plastic bag manufacturers in Hong Kong since the 1970s. The company’s product range spans from food packaging bags to large-scale logistics plastic bags. However, in recent years, the company faced unprecedented pressures due to rising production costs, tightening environmental regulations, and international calls to reduce plastic waste.

Considering the low labor costs, abundant resources, and potential for growth in the Myanmar market, Golden Prosperity decided to establish a new manufacturing factory in Myanmar, focusing on producing biodegradable plastic bags.

With the assistance of the BUD Special Fund, Golden Prosperity acquired land in Yangon, Myanmar, and introduced advanced bioplastic technology. These new technologies not only made their products more environmentally friendly but also opened up new market opportunities.

Funds were also used for training local staff to ensure they had the right production skills and quality control procedures. Additionally, Golden Prosperity established a research and development center focused on researching more sustainable and innovative plastic alternatives.

Following the successful transition to Myanmar, Golden Prosperity not only improved production efficiency and reduced costs but also successfully expanded into the local market. Their biodegradable bags received a warm welcome in Myanmar and neighboring countries, leading to rapid growth for the company in a short period.

BUD Quotation Pitfalls

In accordance with the requirements of the BUD Special Fund application, all procurement activities must adhere to established procedures, including: drafting quotation invitation letters, obtaining written quotations from suppliers in accordance with the purchase order value, and even conducting public tenders. The relevant guidelines are as follows:

BUD Special Fund applications must adhere to procurement procedures:

Purchase order value	Procurement procedure
>HK$2000至HK$50,000	Inviting at least two suppliers to submit written quotations.
>HK$50,000至HK$300,000	Inviting at least three suppliers to submit written quotations.
>HK$300,000至HK$1,400,000	Inviting at least five suppliers to submit written quotations.
> HK$1,400,000	Public tender

When submitting quotations for the BUD Special Fund application, the references provided will impact the approval committee’s consideration of the funding budget for the BUD project. Therefore, it is recommended that businesses, after thoroughly referencing market information, have a dedicated person write the quotation invitation and initiate the project quotation process.

During the execution of the quotation process, companies should properly store quotation forms and correspondence with suppliers. This is crucial for the BUD Special Fund’s project verification. The absence of quotation forms or the failure of companies to adhere to the required procedures, thus violating the “lowest bidder wins” quotation principle, is a common and potentially fatal mistake. Additionally, when inviting quotations, attention should also be paid to the BUD Special Fund’s guidelines regarding “anti-collusion.”

BUD Application Guide (Part 1): Reducing Labor Costs with BUD Consultants

Comprehensive View of Government Grants

Hong Kong Grant Consultants Limited specializes in providing “BUD Special Fund consulting services” to Hong Kong businesses. With a wealth of successful cases, we assist businesses of all industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises, first-time applicants, joint ventures, and companies with diversified equity holdings. We offer end-to-end planning and application services for BUD Fund projects, ensuring successful applications and prompt receipt of high-value BUD Special Fund grants, making it easier than you might think.

Our professional team of grant consultants can provide one-stop government grant consulting services tailored to your business needs. Our goal is to “utilize government grants and seize business opportunities” to serve your company.

Overview of Government Grants: Technology Voucher Consulting Services, EMF Consulting Services, BUD Special Fund Mainland Program, BUD Special Fund Free Trade Agreement Program

To learn more about the BUD Special Fund, contact our BUD Special Fund consultant at (+852 9867 6897) for a free case assessment.

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12 Successful BUD Fund Cases

The BUD Special Fund provides up to $7 million in funding to assist Hong Kong enterprises in entering the free trade zones/mainland China market, developing their brands, and upgrading their transformations. Many companies that have attempted to apply for BUD funding find the application process quite cumbersome. The application form alone spans several dozen pages, and it must meet all the requirements. As a result, many businesses ultimately fail in their attempts, hindering opportunities for business development. BUD consultants are here to share 12 successful examples of BUD Mainland Special Fund projects. These projects cover industries that we encounter in our daily lives, including products and services, and BUD projects typically include exhibitions, brand development, system upgrades, and more, making them highly relevant.

Wine Sales - Creating a Brand and Establishing an E-commerce Platform

As Chinese consumers increasingly prioritize quality of life and taste, the demand for red wine in the market continues to grow. A Hong Kong-based red wine company recognized this opportunity and decided to enter the domestic market, aiming to expand its sales network through its own brand and an e-commerce platform.

The company implemented a series of measures:

Creating their own brand: The company conducted market research, defined its target customer groups, and created several in-house red wine brands based on their preferences and needs.
Establishing an e-commerce platform: Recognizing the growing trend of online shopping, the company decided to build its own e-commerce platform to provide a convenient shopping experience.
Upgrading the logistics chain: Red wine requires specific storage and transportation conditions, so the company increased its investment in upgrading the entire logistics chain to ensure that the product maintained its optimal quality from production to the hands of consumers.

With the support of the BUD Special Fund, the company took the following actions:

Quality inspection: To ensure that product quality met domestic market standards and consumer expectations, the company, with the support of the BUD Fund, conducted ISO quality inspections and product certification.
Establishing the e-commerce platform: Increasing online sales channels.
Market promotion: The fund also supported the company in conducting various market promotion activities, including online advertising, wine tasting events, and participation in domestic wine exhibitions, enhancing brand awareness.
Employee training: The fund also supported training for company employees to enhance their professional knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the domestic market.

Results: With the support of the BUD Special Fund, the company successfully entered the domestic market. Their in-house brand gained recognition among consumers, e-commerce platform sales continued to grow, and the upgrade of the logistics chain ensured product quality and consumer satisfaction, thereby enhancing overall competitiveness.

Beauty Products - Participating in Exhibitions and Upgrading Systems

In the past 30 years, with the rapid development of the Chinese economy, consumers have become increasingly focused on personal care and beauty, leading to the prosperity of the beauty products market. A beauty product brand agent based in Hong Kong with 20 years of establishment decided in 2019 to further expand its market share domestically and improve its business operations efficiency while increasing its business volume.

Here is the expansion strategy of the beauty product brand agent, BeautyX, in the domestic market:

Participating in exhibitions: The brand decided to participate in beauty product exhibitions in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Shanghai to directly interact with target customers while showcasing and promoting its range of agent products.
Upgrading CRM system: To manage customer information and sales data more effectively, the brand invested in upgrading its CRM system. The new system could centralize customer consumption behavior, product sales channels, sales records, and customer distribution information.
Recruiting and training employees: After recruitment, the company organized a series of training activities. In addition to specialized CRM system training, all new employees underwent onboarding training on the company’s culture and product knowledge to ensure they fully understood the company’s core values and product features.

With the support of the BUD Special Fund, the company achieved the following progress:

Exhibition support: Through the fund’s assistance, the brand was able to participate in more exhibitions, expanding its brand exposure domestically and attracting a significant number of potential customers.
CRM system upgrade: The fund provided the necessary financial support, enabling the brand to upgrade its CRM system, thereby improving the efficiency of sales and customer management.
Training: The fund also assisted company employees in gaining CRM system training, ensuring they could fully utilize the new system’s features to better serve customers.

Results: Thanks to the support of the BUD Special Fund, the visibility of this beauty brand in the domestic market significantly increased, and the exhibition participation yielded noticeable results. Furthermore, the upgraded CRM system enhanced their business operations efficiency, enabling the brand to promote products and services more effectively and respond rapidly to market changes, greatly improving its competitiveness.

Cosmetic Sales – Promotion and Repackaging

To carry out market promotion, advertising strategies are crucial. A cosmetic company, with the help of the BUD Fund, placed advertisements in local top beauty and cosmetic magazines and also revamped its product packaging to give the brand a fresh and youthful appeal. Additionally, the cosmetic company participated in major beauty expos, establishing connections with several influential distributors and buyers.

Children’s Clothing Brand – Online Advertising and Mobile Applications

In response to a new generation of parents willing to invest in their children’s clothing, the children’s clothing brand decided to expand its reach. They launched various online advertising campaigns and introduced a mobile application for promotional purposes. Furthermore, they utilized funding to hire staff to explore different sales channels to ensure the brand’s penetration in the market.

Footwear Company – Establishing Online and Physical Stores

To capture a significant market share, opening retail locations is essential. Additionally, with millions of internet users in China, setting up an online store and engaging in online promotion is crucial. Simultaneously, the company received funding to hire additional personnel to expand their sales team and enhance customer service and logistics quality.

Watch Manufacturer – Upgrading Factory Equipment

With the support of the BUD Special Fund, a traditional watch manufacturing facility introduced various automated production equipment, automating many labor-intensive processes and significantly improving product quality. After the upgrade, production costs were reduced by approximately one-third, enhancing market competitiveness.

Clothing Brand – Brand Enhancement and Promotion

Facing the shifting tides of the times, a former garment factory decided to establish its brand. They repositioned themselves in the market, hired professional brand designers to redesign their logo and storefront, and utilized various channels such as WeChat, Weibo, mobile applications, and websites to promote their new-generation brand.

Toy Manufacturer – Brand Development and Omni-channel Sales

Seeing declining profit margins in contract manufacturing, a toy manufacturer decided to create its brand, developing new educational toys for children. They also embraced omni-channel sales, including physical stores and online shops, to cater to a wide customer base.

Electronics Company – Research and Equipment Upgrades

Innovation and change are essential to gain customer trust. An electronics company, with the help of the BUD Special Fund, hired digital researchers to enhance product functionality for use in various household appliances. To assure customer confidence, they also acquired various testing equipment and certifications, ensuring product quality.

Logistics Company – System Upgrade

In the information age, system applications are indispensable. With funding from the BUD Fund, a logistics company upgraded its logistics and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This not only made daily operations more efficient, saving costs, but also allowed for the analysis of customer habits and changing needs, thus improving sales methods and products to better satisfy customer requirements.

Accessory Manufacturer – Patents and Sales Channels

Domestic consumers place a high value on brands. Traditional accessory manufacturers used the BUD Fund to develop their own brand products, apply for patents, establish a professional sales team, create sales points, and promote their products online.

Snack Retailer – Brand Development and Market Promotion

Through advertising, a healthy snack brand was established, and awareness among partners was enhanced. Participating in expos not only promoted the products but also provided insight into consumer tastes, allowing for clearer direction in product development and sales strategies.

BUD Application Success is Guaranteed

The BUD program is a practical solution that benefits various businesses. To successfully apply and secure up to 2 million in funding, the BUD consulting team is your valuable ally. Hong Kong Funding Consultants Limited is a renowned government-funded brand with the motto “No success, no fee.” If you wish to apply for BUD, business owners should seek the assistance of Hong Kong Funding Consultants Limited.

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BUD Fund Expanding Mainland E-commerce: 6 Key Douyin Live Streaming Tips Recommended by the Official

HK$4 million BUD special fund to help expand the mainland e-commerce market |

HK$7 million BUD Special Fund Supports Expansion into Mainland E-commerce Market

With the rapid growth of the mainland e-commerce market, a new wave of live streaming e-commerce has opened up broader opportunities for sales. It is estimated that by 2022, the mainland e-commerce live streaming market will reach a market size of several hundred billion. Hong Kong companies looking to seize this golden marketing opportunity not only need sufficient budgets but also effective influencer marketing strategies. Utilizing the BUD Special Fund designed for Hong Kong companies to fund advertising promotions can not only upgrade brand image but also expand the mainland market.

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and the China Internet Network Information Center, the number of mainland internet live streaming users is expected to reach 560 million, accounting for 62% of the overall internet users. E-commerce live streaming has a massive audience, and they highly favor the live streaming sales model. Douyin, with over 400 million daily active users, precise recommendation mechanisms, and a wealth of influencer resources, has become a platform where businesses vie for attention.

This article shares the 6 key rules for attracting traffic to Douyin live streaming rooms recommended by Douyin officially. The BUD Special Fund’s Mainland program can assist Hong Kong companies in entering the mainland e-commerce platform, including hiring influencers for product promotion, advertising on e-commerce platforms and social media, planning, production, design, and shooting costs, all of which can be included in the scope of BUD Special Fund funding. In addition, while using BUD funding to purchase equipment, making good use of funding for advertising promotion can bring a higher return on investment.

Short Video Promotion

Before starting the live streaming, use short videos to preview the live content to fans, and succinctly describe the live time, content, and highlights in the video caption. Usually, posting a preview at least 3 hours in advance can achieve the goal of attracting traffic. If the live content is very important, you can announce it 1 day or even 3 days in advance.

Homepage Announcement and Preheating

Setting a fixed live time helps to obtain a stable audience. Remember to announce the live schedule on your Douyin account’s homepage for easy reference by fans.

Adding POI Points in Live Streaming Rooms

During the live streaming process, add POI points (Point of Information positioning). Douyin will draw traffic from POI based on the “location-based positioning” principle and push messages to fans. This not only helps with more precise marketing but also brings more marketing creativity to Douyin live streaming. For example, businesses offering services can distribute coupons in the live streaming room, allowing fans to obtain coupons and visit the store for services and discounts, converting online traffic into offline business.

Live Streaming Calls to Action

Repeatedly remind viewers to follow your Douyin account during the live streaming. Once they click the follow button, Douyin will automatically send a live streaming reminder to ensure they don’t miss your next live stream. This helps effectively guide viewers to the next live stream. Additionally, you can frequently announce the time of the next live stream during the current live stream because viewers who are currently watching the live stream are clearly interested in your content. Directly appealing to these highly targeted viewers can bring higher value.

Buying Traffic

Creating live streaming content requires manpower and costs. To achieve cost-effectiveness, a certain number of viewers are needed. For businesses accumulating fans, directly purchasing traffic is the fastest way to boost the popularity of live streaming rooms. Purchasing traffic from Douyin’s commercial tool “Toutiao Engine” is an encouraged traffic acquisition method by Douyin.

External Traffic

Multichannel traffic acquisition, such as announcing in advance on Weibo, WeChat Official Accounts, and Little Red Book, can guide people to your Douyin live streaming room. Generally, effective operation of Douyin marketing requires at least 2 to 3 months to see results such as the growth of Douyin fans. When deploying strategies such as Douyin marketing and Little Red Book marketing, companies should be well-prepared in terms of marketing budgets and make good use of the BUD Special Fund to sell advertisements or carry out various marketing plans. This has become a new way for Hong Kong companies to seek funding.

BUD Fund Application Emphasizes Project Rationality

The Mainland program of the BUD Special Fund can provide each eligible Hong Kong company with HK$7 million, with a funding ratio of 50% of the total project cost. While the BUD Fund offers substantial funding, it has strict requirements for the reasonableness of measures, budgets, implementation schedules, and BUD Fund project quotations. Errors in documents, incomplete measures, or unreasonable budgeting can lead to delays in the BUD Fund application process, and the application may be rejected or result in significant discrepancies in funding expectations.

For companies applying for BUD funding for the first time, BUD applications involving multiple measures, complex investment relationships, or companies lacking personnel to handle applications, using BUD Special Fund managers can help save time and reduce risks.

BUD Fund Consultants Have First-Hand Information

We have a deep understanding of the requirements for BUD Fund applications and approvals, helping to avoid various delay risks that may arise after submitting the application. Since the launch of the BUD Special Fund program, we have provided services to companies of various sizes. In addition to the BUD Special Fund, we also provide consultant services for other funding programs, aiming to maximize the amount of funding from an overall perspective.

To learn more about the BUD Special Fund, feel free to contact our BUD Special Fund consultants for a free case assessment.

10 Successful Examples of Technology Voucher Usage in 2021

Starting from 2020, facing the dual pressures of social movements and the pandemic, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong are encountering unprecedented challenges. However, many businesses have already begun to take advantage of the funding opportunities provided by the Technology Voucher Program (TVP) to upgrade and transform against the market trend. Below, we have compiled 10 successful cases of TVP applications and implementations in 2020, hoping to share their successful experiences.

The Technology Voucher Program (TVP) offers eligible Hong Kong businesses a 75% subsidy for upgrading and transforming their technology solutions, thus enhancing operational efficiency. Each company can accumulate up to HKD 600,000 in subsidy amounts, and recently, restrictions on “related organizations” have been lifted. If you are considering applying for TVP, you may want to consider hiring professional TVP consultants to assist you.

10 successful examples of using TVP for upgrading and transformation:

1. Hong Kong Printing Company Improves Digital Marketing Management System Using Technology Voucher

We are a professional packaging company, focusing on providing high-quality packaging products such as gift boxes to businesses. Our clientele spans across various industries, including jewelry companies, wine merchants, watch brands, and more, and our business extends not only within Hong Kong but also receives widespread recognition domestically and internationally.

Driven by the global trend of digital marketing, we have actively established various online promotional channels, including websites, social media, search engine marketing, and trade advertising platforms. However, each of these promotional channels generates a large volume of data independently, and the lack of effective integration and management of this data has become a challenge for our marketing department colleagues. They urgently needed a way to coordinate the data from various channels, assess promotional effectiveness, and formulate marketing strategies efficiently.

To enhance the management of digital marketing, optimize promotional efficiency, and make better use of big data in formulating marketing strategies, our management decided to introduce the Technology Voucher (TVP) program to assist us in improving our company’s systems. By configuring cloud-based big data systems and an automated digital marketing management platform, we can integrate data generated from different channels and achieve comprehensive performance optimization. This TVP program not only enables the marketing department to have a clearer overview of the overall online promotion landscape but also helps us formulate effective online and offline marketing strategies (O2O marketing strategies). Through the application of the TVP program, our company is better equipped to address the market challenges of the digital age and achieve greater business success.

2. Hong Kong Traditional Flower Shop Enhances Website and ERP System with Technology Voucher

From the name of a flower shop, you might associate it with a traditional business model. However, as modern consumers’ demands for quality continue to rise, the floral industry must also evolve. We are a company specializing in providing printing services such as gift box packaging to businesses. Our clientele includes jewelry companies, wine merchants, watch brands, and more, and our business extends across Hong Kong, domestically, and internationally. However, with digital marketing becoming a global trend, we deeply realized the need to keep up with the times and leverage modern technology to drive our business.

To meet the ever-changing market demands, we have established various online promotional channels, including websites, social media, search engine marketing, and trade advertising platforms. These channels have brought us more exposure and business opportunities. However, the abundance of data generated from different online channels presented us with a challenge: how to coordinate these channels, execute marketing strategies more effectively, and enhance overall business performance.

To address this issue, we decided to leverage the support of the Technology Voucher program to improve our internal systems. We invested in upgrading our Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and received a 75% subsidy of the original cost. The upgrade of this system not only helps us manage logistics processes more effectively but also integrates data, providing more precise market analysis and strategy formulation. Additionally, we invested in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) promotion, optimizing our website content and structure to improve our rankings on search engines and attract more target customers.

Through the implementation of the Technology Voucher program, we have not only successfully improved internal process efficiency but also achieved more accurate market analysis and strategy formulation. Our marketing team can now have a clear overview of the overall online promotion landscape and formulate online and offline marketing strategies (O2O marketing strategy) more effectively. Simultaneously, our new website and optimized SEO strategy have attracted more potential customers, bringing us more business opportunities.

In summary, our story demonstrates how, with the support of the Technology Voucher program, we have leveraged modern technology to enhance our internal systems and improve overall business performance. We have not only better met customer demands but also gained a competitive advantage in a highly competitive market.

3. Clinic Utilizes Technology Voucher to Enhance Operations and Management

In Hong Kong, with over three thousand Western medical clinics, the need for modernizing clinic management systems has become increasingly urgent as traditional methods no longer suffice to handle the growing complexity of the healthcare environment. These clinics must not only meet the needs of patients but also effectively manage medical resources.

To address this challenge, many Western medical clinics have begun to leverage the Technology Voucher funding program to upgrade their clinic management systems into more modern and intelligent versions. The new systems not only efficiently manage medical resources but also offer specific features such as patient scheduling, medication sensitivity monitoring, and key medical history prompts to ensure patients receive higher-quality medical services.

However, this upgrade involves not only hardware and software improvements but also the support of network technology. Clinics require a robust website for patients to conveniently book appointments and inquire. Through Search Engine Optimization (SEO) promotion, the clinic’s website becomes more discoverable to patients, attracting more traffic and appointments.

This upgrade also involves data security and privacy. Medical information is highly sensitive, so the new systems need to comply with strict data protection standards, including encryption and firewall measures, to ensure that patients’ personal data remains confidential.

In conclusion, through Technology Voucher funding, Western medical clinics are able to achieve a comprehensive upgrade of their clinic management systems. Additionally, through website development and SEO promotion, they can better meet patient needs, improve service efficiency, and ensure data security and privacy. This successful example not only demonstrates the application of Technology Vouchers but also showcases how technology brings practical changes and improvements to the healthcare sector.

4. Jewelry Retailer Utilizes Technology Voucher to Establish Online Store and Mobile App for Increased Sales Channels

As a jewelry retailer, the company already had an informational website in place. However, the website’s functionality was limited, only allowing periodic posting of brochure content. To better meet the needs of modern consumers, the company decided to leverage the Technology Voucher funding program to bring about more innovation.

One of the goals of this program was to establish a modern online store to allow customers to conveniently browse and purchase the company’s jewelry products. Additionally, the company would develop a user-friendly mobile application to enable customers to shop and inquire easily on their mobile devices.

This online store and mobile app would be integrated into the same system, ensuring that customer data remains synchronized and manageable across different platforms. This would enhance the shopping experience, and customers would also have the opportunity to accumulate loyalty points, increasing their loyalty to the brand.

It’s worth noting that the company would also use this new system for more online promotional activities. This would include strategies such as keyword advertising, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and social media promotion to expand the reach of their jewelry products, enhance brand awareness, and boost sales performance.

In conclusion, through the Technology Voucher program, the company aims to redefine its jewelry retail business in a modern way. This comprehensive solution will not only establish a strong online presence but also lead to more growth and success, better catering to the ever-evolving market demands.

5. Logistics and Freight Company Enhances Quoting and Ordering Processes Using Technology Voucher

In the field of logistics and freight transportation, the nature of traditional industries often requires significant manpower to handle the quoting process. This sometimes results in quoting times exceeding the actual delivery time, creating an asymmetrical situation. To address this issue, the new generation of leaders in a logistics and freight company decided to make improvements and implement innovative solutions with the assistance of the Technology Voucher program.

The core of the new solution involved establishing a modern logistics system while launching an online customer quoting platform. Through this platform, customers could easily submit quoting requests by logging into the official website of the logistics company. The system would automatically calculate the required costs and delivery times based on customer needs, making the quoting process more efficient and accurate. Furthermore, the system had established connections with several major freight companies to identify the most suitable shipping options and competitive prices, providing customers with more attractive choices.

This improvement not only saved manpower resources but also directly benefited customers. With the support of the Technology Voucher program, the logistics and freight company received substantial funding, alleviating cash pressure during economic challenges and providing robust resource support for the company’s modernization transformation.

In conclusion, with the assistance of the Technology Voucher program, this logistics and freight company successfully achieved a modern logistics system and an online customer quoting platform, offering customers more convenient and efficient services. Simultaneously, the company was able to stand out in a competitive market, improve business efficiency, and achieve sustainable development goals.

6. Restaurant Utilizes Technology Voucher to Enhance Food and Beverage Operations

In Hong Kong, the food and beverage industry is considered a highly significant sector. According to government statistics, there are approximately 18,000 eateries in Hong Kong, employing over 240,000 people. In recent years, with the continuous improvement of technology and the decrease in hardware costs, many large restaurant chains have adopted food and beverage management systems, including POS (Point of Sale) sales management, reservation and queuing systems, online ordering, and kitchen management functions. Notably, these advanced food and beverage systems are no longer limited to large corporations; even small tea houses and local eateries can achieve modernization through the Technology Voucher program to adapt to the changing times.

The traditional paper and pen order-taking method used in the past by small restaurants and tea houses is being replaced by modern iPad-based ordering systems. Nowadays, customers can even place orders using their smartphones with simple instructions, reducing the possibility of human errors and improving efficiency. The investment in technology has made ordering easier, faster, and enhances the overall dining experience.

With the support of the Technology Voucher program, many small food and beverage operators have been able to upgrade their systems, including the addition of company websites and SEO promotion, providing customers with a more convenient ordering experience. This modernization not only improves operational efficiency but also makes the restaurant more attractive, attracting more customers. This success story demonstrates that the application of technology vouchers can bring significant competitive advantages to food and beverage operators and promote the modernization of the entire industry.

7. Tutoring School Upgrades Administrative Management System and Adds Website with Technology Voucher

The operation of a tutoring school encompasses various aspects, including administrative staff, full-time and part-time tutors, as well as communication with parents and students. To manage these aspects more effectively, a tutoring school decided to implement a brand new administrative management system. This system aims to provide more convenient services, allowing parents to stay informed about students’ learning progress, homework performance, and school announcements through the school’s website or mobile application at any time. Simultaneously, tutors can easily access class schedules and effortlessly record student performance.

This improvement not only makes the school’s administrative work clearer and more accurate but also saves a significant amount of manpower resources, reducing the occurrence of human errors. Additionally, the school’s material and exam database plays a crucial role in the tutoring center. In the past, these important assets were protected only through hard drive backups, which were not sufficiently reliable. Now, with the support of the Technology Voucher, the school can introduce cloud technology to manage these material and exam databases, ensuring the security and reliability of company assets.

Through the funding provided by the Technology Voucher, the school was able to realize modern improvements such as adding a company website and conducting SEO promotion, further enhancing the efficiency and management level of the school’s operations. This story demonstrates how Technology Vouchers can promote the modernization of educational institutions, provide higher-quality services, and lead to more efficient school operations.

8. Laundry Shop Enhances Management System with Technology Voucher

Laundry shops have traditionally relied on customers’ receipts to locate garments, which can be a time-consuming process due to the variety of clothing items in the shop. This is especially challenging for orders that require dry cleaning and need to be transported to a laundry facility, as it can easily lead to the disorganization of customers’ clothing. To address this issue, one laundry shop chose to utilize the support of the Technology Voucher program and introduced a dedicated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) management system. This system installs RFID tags on each laundry bag, allowing it to identify and track the precise location of each garment. Now, by simply scanning customers’ receipts, the system can display the exact location of the clothing, making the retrieval process more precise and efficient.

With the funding provided by the Technology Voucher program, the laundry shop successfully implemented the RFID management system, reducing the manpower costs that were previously required. Additionally, the introduction of this system significantly improved the company’s operations and enhanced overall productivity. Furthermore, with the support of the Technology Voucher, the laundry shop was able to establish a company website and conduct SEO promotion, further enhancing the customer service experience and strengthening connections with customers. This successful example demonstrates how the Technology Voucher program can assist traditional industries in achieving modernization, improving efficiency, enhancing service quality, and ultimately providing businesses with a competitive advantage.

9. Training Company Adopts Virtual Reality (VR) System with Technology Voucher

In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) have experienced rapid development and have found widespread applications in various fields. In this context, a technology voucher applicant specializing in visual arts education decided to expand its business by offering more corporate training services. With the funding support of the Technology Voucher program, the company introduced a Virtual Reality (VR) system. This system not only significantly simplifies the creation of physical scenarios that used to require a considerable amount of time and resources but also allows for customization based on the learning needs of trainees.

In the past, creating physical scenarios was a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. However, now, through the VR system, this process has become more efficient. This not only saves time and costs but also enables virtual scenarios to be adjusted flexibly according to different training requirements. The same set of educational materials can be reused in various contexts, thus improving resource utilization efficiency. Additionally, the support of the Technology Voucher program provided the company with the opportunity to establish a company website and conduct SEO promotion, better promoting its VR training services to attract more potential customers.

This successful story illustrates how the Technology Voucher program can assist businesses in innovating in the rapidly developing field of virtual reality, improving efficiency, and, through company websites and SEO promotion, better promoting their services and gaining a competitive edge in the market.

10. Business Consulting Firm Utilizes Technology Voucher to Develop Appointment and Document Management System

The applicant is a professional business consulting firm serving listed companies, and their operations involve numerous sensitive and confidential documents, along with frequent meetings and communications with clients. In light of the social events and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, transportation disruptions posed a significant challenge, causing inconvenience to their business operations. To address these challenges, the consulting firm decided to develop an Appointment & Queueing system that allows clients to easily schedule meetings with consultants at their convenience. Additionally, the company developed a Document Management & Mobile Access system to efficiently, securely, and conveniently manage confidential documents.

It’s worth noting that these technological solutions not only helped the company adapt to the impacts of the pandemic but also brought about increased business efficiency and flexibility. The use of the Appointment & Queueing system enables clients to book meetings at any time and from anywhere, while the adoption of the Document Management & Mobile Access system ensures convenient and secure document management. Furthermore, these systems made remote work feasible, reducing the need for in-person interactions between employees and clients, effectively mitigating health risks and minimizing disruptions to business operations.

In the face of the current economic challenges, this is a moment to move forward. Through the above story, we share some successful cases of technology vouchers, with the hope of providing reference for businesses considering applying for technology vouchers. Now, once the application is submitted, technology voucher projects can be initiated promptly, allowing companies to benefit immediately. Feel free to consult with the technology voucher consultants at the Hong Kong Productivity Council to begin your journey of technological advancement.

商業管理成功例子政府商業資助政府資助顧問科技科技券科技券顧問資訊科技

BUD Fund拓內地電商：抖音漲粉商機變現

BUD專項基金助拓內地電商市場

抖音突破4億日活躍用戶數量，「抖音漲粉」成為開拓內地消費市場的重要戰綫，以下一文分享如何做好抖音營銷，讓商機變現。網上銷售成主流銷售管道，港資商家要打開競爭激烈的內地電商市場，便要預留充足預算於社交平台和網紅營銷，BUD專項基金內地計劃可提供最高HK$700萬資助額，為港商提供資金鏈開拓內地電商市場。

主打短視頻抖音帶貨力高

善用社交電商和網紅帶貨都是打開內地消費市場必要的營銷策略，小紅書、抖音、快手因具有驚人的帶貨力，成為商家必爭之地。根據《2019網紅電商生態發展白皮書》，傳統電商的購買轉化率為0.37%，社交電商為6%至10%，具有一定私域流量的頂級網紅電商能達到20%。疫情後的營銷模式亦起了深度變化，「直播電商」成為主流銷售模式並吸引大量消費群聚集，抖音和快手擁有大量網紅資源，亦是快手和抖音營銷被看高一綫的原因。

抖音是短視頻分享平台，以大數據和AI分析用家的瀏覽、點讚或留言等每個舉動，讓抖音掌握用家的面貌並自動推送迎合喜好和需要的內容。用家不需費神搜尋便有源源不絶的內容供應，大量用家黏貼在抖音上正好為品牌商和零售商提供營銷的商機。

抖音漲粉要訣

抖音的品牌理念是「創作」、「共享」，以「全民創作」推動「相互分享」和「互動互聯」，要做好抖音營銷，便要做好「創作」與「互動」兩大重點。

從互動層面看，要快速抖音漲粉要訣未必是網紅助陣。比起千金買網紅而得的短暫爆發力，要經營好抖音號，粉絲互動、高頻更新、獨特暱稱、玩法挑戰、具話題性和參與性都是缺一不可的營銷操作。每周更新(最低限度)和透過「選評論置頂」與粉絲互動有助於抖音找到並推送你的內容給粉絲和合適的群眾，漲粉速度便有望加快。相反，不定期更新內容或只偶爾與粉絲互動難免在抖音的評分與推送機制下失分，令投放在抖音的資源變得事倍功半。

先做內容再做營銷

誰都知道在社交媒體(包括抖音)上，Content is King，可是對於初以抖音營銷的商家，往往遇到「不知創作甚麼內容」的問題。以下5個官方推薦的方法，讓你快速建立內容和漲粉。

「模仿」和「熱話」是內容創作法入門。「模仿」即是先在抖音中參照目標市場相近競爭者的內容與模式，注入自己的創作角度，令內容在相近之中爆發新思維新訊息。「熱點」是把創作結合熱門話題，據抖音分析，追「熱點」是打造「單挑爆款」的最簡單方式。

「場景擴展」、「反轉」和「嵌套」是抖音漲粉的進階玩法。簡單來說，「場景擴展」是用目標用戶關注的話題創作場景，藉以引起關注和分享；「反轉」是在內容創作上加入衝擊認知和情緒的原素，令目標群看過以後難以釋懷，引起他們點讚或關注；在創作中加入「吐糟」位是「嵌套」的其中一個方法，目的是為觀眾提供話題，引起轉發分享和評論。從以上可見，引起共鳴、製造話題和引發反饋互動都是漲粉的要訣，不但可以帶動內容轉發，甚至帶動從綫上伸延至綫下的互動。

低成本高效益的網紅營銷法

抖音的時尚達人平均紛絲量達129萬以上，以網紅結合抖音營銷可以迅速建立品牌和促銷，不過KOL網紅所費不菲，或許更貼合大品牌的選項。相反，KOC、納米網紅、微網紅所需預算低得多，而且他們的粉絲群定位精準能提高互動質量。對於中小型品牌商和零售商，一般的建議是選用粉絲量在10,000-100,000的網紅，在精準渠道上進行深化。

電商平台為內地消費市場打開前所未有的商機，不過在營銷策略、內容創作、網紅合作等層面上都需要投入資金。BUD專項基金內地計劃正好合港商提供高額度資助。

適用於BUD Fund的營銷開支

除了以BUD Fund買機器拓生產，BUD Fund亦可協助香港中小企發展品牌和拓展內銷。

針對開拓內銷的計劃，可申請BUD資助的項目包括：廣告開支、香港及內地的專利/商標註冊費用、製作或優化APP、優化公司網站等。聘請抖音網紅、度橋創作、製作和投放廣告的開支都適用於BUD Fund申請，不過，要注意BUD專項基金對相關項目的資助比例上限和採購程序都有標準要求，申請時亦要先搞清是自行投放或是聘用advertising agency代辦。要BUD申請成功得到審批，在制訂預算、時間表和計劃書上都有仔細的條件需要滿足。

邊類公司適合聘請BUD顧問？

根據BUD申請程序，公司需要在交齊文件和資料後先等初步審批，這個初步審批最快也要等足一個月，如果到時才發現因種種原因未能符合資格，便要重新申請。你需要自行查找問題和修正，重新申請亦代表你要再等一個月待申請初步審批，當然往後還要審視你的措施、預算和措施建議是否合乎理據，額外提交文件、資料，如果未能釋除審批委員會的疑慮，申請有機會大幅被削減資助甚或被退回，如此耗費時間，你的商品會錯過了多個個營銷黃金檔期？

高額度的資助固然能襄助港商在內地大展拳腳，但BUD專項基金作為公帑，自然對申請設下嚴謹的審批關卡，對於初次申請BUD Fund、投資關係複雜或BUD項目具複雜性的企業，BUD基金顧問是你的資助好幫手。

Autus商助是專業的政府資助顧問，我們自BUD專項基金出台起，已提供全面的資助諮詢與服務，累積豐富的BUD Fund申請成功個案。我們從BUD Fund項目預算到申請，以第一手專業資助資訊助你避開延誤或資助被大幅削減的風險，以「善用政府資助，搶佔營商機遇」的宗旨助你賺盡最大化資助與時間值，搶佔內地市場先機。

政府資助一覽：科技券顧問服務、EMF顧問服務、BUD專項基金內地計劃、BUD專項基金自貿協定計劃

BUD專項基金知多啲，聯絡我們的BUD專項基金顧問 (+852 9867 6897)作免費個案評估。

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