news Archive 04/2010

Assess your business’ readiness for growth

Building on the successful Business Health Check service,

Health Check for Growth is a hands-on, free business performance review with an independent business adviser that will help you exploit your business’ growth potential.

Business Link advisers will help you to create an action plan for growth which will look at a range of business issues including:

  * planning and strategy
  * innovation
  * access to finance
  * exporting
  * capital investment
  * an analysis of the new skills required to drive growth, including support through the Train to Gain Leadership and Management programme

Advisers will help you to access the full range of government and private sector support that may be available to help implement the plan.

If your business would benefit from a Health Check for Growth please call the Business Link Helpline on Tel 0845 600 9 006 to arrange an appointment with a Business Link adviser.
Go to the Business Link website at www.businesslink.gov.uk to access their on-line guides to growing your business.

KNOWLEDGE CONNECT is a dynamic and practical programme that’s helping London’s businesses succeed by introducing fresh ideas, new knowledge and practical skills to help them realise their goals and ambitions.

Delivered by branding experts from the University of Greenwich Business School, this branding MasterClass Workshop will equip you with fresh approaches that will enable you to take control of your branding strategy and transform your business into a vibrant brand that will attract new customers and retain existing ones.

Topics to be covered include:
• What is a brand?
• Why brands fail.
• Understanding the branding process.
• Protecting the brand.
• Brand communication.
• Brand equity.
Brand management in different sectors.

Access to this workshop is free to small and medium sized trading businesses located within London.

Places are allocated on a first come first serve basis. Registration is limited to one participant per business. If you wish to attend, please contact Iwona on 020 7164 2045 or at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

For more information about Knowledge Connect and how they can help your business, go to www.knowledgeconnect.org.uk

Hackney Enterprise Network are running a seminar this to give their members advice on how to approach those ‘pre-qualification questionnaires’ when bidding for the first time - and to help them complete a finance application form.
HEN are introducing a new series of networking events which also feature a chance to get ‘top tips’ on a variety of business related subjects. Come and network with other companies whilst meeting up with advisers who can talk about subjects all businesses want to understand better.

These events will provide some basic advice on the things to look out for and the pitfalls to avoid.

Future seminars will give Hackney based businesses the opportunity to learn about CompeteFor, the website for accessing contracts within the London 2012 Supply Chain. You will hear how the website works and how to get the best from it for your business. Another HEN event will give you the opportunity to meet directly with officers of the London Borough of Hackney to hear about Business Rates and Procurement.
Thare will also be a talk with Jamie Hindhaugh, Head of Production London 2012, at the BBC. Jamie will discuss how the BBC buys services from smaller companies in specialist areas. How can Hackney media companies learn more about joining the BBC supply chain?

To attend any of these events you must be a member of HEN.
For more information and to register for the Hackney Enterprise Network,please go to the HBV website at www.hbv.org.uk/hackneyenterprisenetwork
# Call the HEN hotline on 020 7241 7066, or
# visit them at HBV Enterprise Centre in Dalston Lane, E8.

Barclays Bank are running a competition open to budding entrepreneurs, start-ups and existing businesses, the Barclays One Small Step Competition

2010 will continue to be challenging for businesses and Barclays Bank wants to help. So in addition to the free support they offer all companies, they’re going to give a £50,000 boost to ten brilliant business ideas out there.

The aim of the Barclays Business Take One Small Step Competition is to find people with ambition, passion and, most importantly, a great business idea.

The brief is open — it could be a lifelong ambition or a recent brainwave. It could be a personal experience or a distant dream. Even a revolutionary concept that changes the world. It’s an open invitation and anyone with a great business idea and the drive to make it happen could win.

Do you have a great business idea? From start-ups to existing businesses, anyone can pitch for the chance to turn a great idea into an even better reality.

To find out more, to enter and to register your idea, go to the One Small Step website at: www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk

The Business Startup show is more than just an exhibition.
This free event takes place at ExCel London on the 20th and 21st May this year.

The Business Startup show is all about giving the best quality advice to people who want to start up a business, or who already run one

Business Startup is free for anyone thinking about starting a business or expanding a business.
With over 140 seminars, over 200 exhibitors, advice, opportunities, and much more it is should not be missed.

The seminar speakers include former Dragons Rachel Elnaugh, Richard Farleigh and Doug Richard, ex-Apprentice Claire Young and Julie Meyer of Dragons Den On-line, among many others.

Events at the show include the Midas Touch: Has your business got what it takes? More importantly, have you? Convinced you could persuade a panel of wealthy entrepreneurs to give your business the financial boost of a lifetime? Well then, here’s your chance! You could get the opportunity to come face-to-face with a panel of potential investors, pitch your business plan, and, if it’s good enough, take home a big cash injection!

To find out more and to book your free tickets, go to www.bstartup.com

Cuff & Taylor are looking for contractors to supply portaloos for the Lytham Proms - or maybe your company can provide passenger transport services for children and young people with special educational needs in Haringey. If your company can provide vehicles ranging from minicabs, MPVs, single wheelchair access adapted vehicles, vans, minibuses (including fully accessible with access platform) and coaches.
These and many other opportunities can be found by logging on to the CompeteFor website at www.competefor.com