news Archive 10/2009

Global Entrepreneurship Week takes place from 16 – 22 November 2009. It’s a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, with millions unleashing their enterprising talents and turning their ideas into reality.

Thinking about starting a business? Take the plunge. Already up and running? Get bigger and better. Been trading for years? Find out how to grow.

Wherever you are with your business, Global Entrepreneurship Week is a great chance to take it to the next stage.

The British Library’s Business & IP Centre are holding a week of special events and workshops to help you on your way.

  * Develop essential skills
  * Get inspiration and confidence
  * Meet great contacts

Each day has a different theme, focusing on a particular area of business with a range of unique workshops and events including free “Innovation Surgeries” with Business Link.
If you’ve got a new product idea, meet one of Business Link’s expert advisors to discuss in confidence how you can develop it into a successful business.
For more details and to book your place see www.bl.uk

With two weeks to go until entries close, the City of London Corporation is calling all businesses who recognise that sustainability equals recovery to enter the Sustainable City Awards – to be in with a chance to win a coveted ‘green gong.’
The Sustainable City Awards are open to all organisations from the private, public and third sectors. Whether you represent a multinational corporation or a community-run action group, the City of London Corporation welcomes your application.
For all the details of the categories, application forms and details of how to apply, go to www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The National Apprenticeship Service launched the ‘Good for Business’ campaign on 22 October 2009. The campaign will run until the end of November and then for a further month of activity in January 2010. ‘Good for Business’ will target employers, to communicate and explain the benefits that apprentices can bring to their business. The aim of the campaign is to engage employers, explaining the benefits of employing apprentices and as a result, increase the number of Apprenticeships available, in particular to those aged 16-18.

The ‘Good for Business’ campaign is a continuation of the work that started in February and March this year, with the Sir Alan Sugar TV advertising, which was very successful at raising awareness and employer interest in Apprenticeships. The ‘Good for Business’ campaign will build on this success by focusing on detailed messages to employers about the tangible benefits apprentices can bring. The campaign will aim to convert the high interest from employers to see them offer more Apprenticeship places.

Following a period of employer research on Apprenticeships, the campaign will draw attention to the fact that apprentices can increase overall productivity and efficiency in a business. It will also demonstrate that apprentices are a good investment for organisations, bringing new ideas lower recruitment and training costs, and provide loyal staff who match the employers’ business needs.

The campaign will use a variety of communication channels including national and regional press and radio advertising, PR, digital and direct marketing. It will target employers of all sizes throughout different sectors, including both the private and public sector. In addition, there will also be ‘Good for Business’ collateral for providers and colleges, available on the Apprenticeships website.

See www.apprenticeships.org.uk for more information.

Hackney residents will get the chance to have their say on a proposal to build a wind turbine on Hackney Marshes. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has proposed putting a turbine on East Marsh to generate local renewable energy as part of the legacy of the 2012 Games.

If the 120 metre high turbine goes ahead, it will offer Hackney the opportunity to buy green energy for up to 25 years, cutting carbon emissions significantly and potentially saving money. The Council could also receive rent for the land the turbine would sit on, which could be invested in sports and playing facilities on the Marshes.

See the Hackney Council website for more information and to complete the survey. www.hackney.gov.uk

REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Tuesday 24th Nov 2009 9.00am – 5.00pm
London South Bank University, 103 Borough Rd, London. SE1 0AA

Are you a small to medium sized enterprise interested in becoming more sustainable? Then come to this free event on practical sustainability. Sustainability is a key requirement in working for many large organisations and developing an environmental policy and action plan could help address this.

Workshop Aims and Content

This is a day long workshop preceded by the preparation of your organisation’s carbon footprint.  We will help you measure your free carbon footprint, which you will then use during the workshop in order to develop an environmental policy and action plan. This whole process will change your future business as well as reduce the impact on the planet.

After the workshop, LSBU and Carbon Smart will assess the outcomes of your policy and action plan.  The best three submissions* will have the opportunity to be rewarded with vouchers worth £3k of expert consultancy to help implement your action plan. 

Who can attend:

The course is suitable for London based small to medium enterprises with between 1 and 249 employees who are looking to develop their environmental policy and become more sustainable.

How to book:

Please email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 020 7815 6944 / 34

For more information visit:

For more information visit: http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/rbdo/external/SustainableBusiness24Nov09.pdf  ” title=“http://www1.lsbu.ac.uk/rbdo/external/SustainableBusiness24Nov09.pdf”>www1.lsbu.ac.uk

To celebrate the opening of the brand new shop in Hackney, the Bottle Apostle will be holding an official opening party, all weekend on 24th & 25th October 2009.
There will be tastings, free advice, tips & introductions to the world of wines. Also lots of freebies, tasty food and the launch of a fantastic competition to design the very first Bottle Apostle wine bottle.
Go along and bring your friends on Saturday 24th October 10.00am to 8.00pm & Sunday 25th October 10.00am to 6.00pm. 
Bottle Apostle 95 Lauriston Road E9 7HJ Tel : 020 8985 1549 www.bottleapostle.com 

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Read more about Bottle Apostle in the IiH case study: The Bottle Apostle