Sister Business

Dear SBUK readers,

If you're outside London, here's some news from the Flying Start newsletter that might be of interest - enjoy… Best, Caroline

O2 Awards – We can help you WIN!
If you are thinking about sending an application you have until 1st August to enter at http://o2-business.com/business. Why not send your application to support@flyingstartonline.com  and we will review and provide some hints and tips!!

eMentoring – Get your Business Idea moving
Get the most out of FlyingStartOnline by using our latest service, eMentoring. This provides a page where you and your Mentor/Mentee can create a mentoring schedule, setting actions and dates, sharing documents and messaging each other. We have created two mentoring schedules, one is an Action schedule which is freeform text and the other is a set business planning task list.

Upcoming FS Programmes – Fast Track to Start your Business
•    Sports Business (technology, service or product related) – 8th June
•    General Business (University of Bolton) – 15th June
•    Royal Engineering Academy Programme – 22nd June
•    Rural Enterprise Programme – 29th June

Enterprise Societies – Sustainable Support for YOUR Society
We are providing online FS website, Free Workshops, Business Start-up Funding, Access to University Resources and Staff, FlyingStart Business Start-Up programmes and Funding to run each Society. Contact events@flyingstartonline.com  for more information.

MIT Expertise At London Workshop
Apply now for a two-day workshop, 15th-16th June in London. If you match certain criteria, you could attend free. 'Global Sales Strategies for Ambitious Entrepreneurs' will delivered by MIT Entrepreneurship Center MD Kenneth P Morse and experienced venture capitalist Laura Barker Morse.

One delegate selected for this London workshop could win a a sponsored place on the one-week MIT Entrepreneurship Development Programme in January 2010 in Massachusetts. Email anny@global-sales.org  for more information.

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Dear SBUK readers,

New event details from Prevista just in - if you're interested, please see below - best, Caroline

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Dear SBUK readers,

Hot off the press today, here's some details on a forthcoming event on branding (may be useful if you can get past the politics…) - best, Caroline

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Dear SBUK readers,

If you're in the creative industries, Croydon-based and interesting in expanding your network, here's details of a forthcomng event next week… I might even get down there myself if I can pack in everything I need before this event! 

Have a good Bank Holiday weekend - best, Caroline

Make time on thursday for…

Croydon Designers Networking Event!

…meet other creative people/ businesses in Croydon, bring lots of business cards.

Come and join us to share ideas and expand your contacts.

Date:     Thursday 28th May 2009
Time:     6pm
Venue:  Tiger Tiger, Croydon (16 High Street, Croydon, CR0 1GT)

Travel information: http://www.tigertiger-croydon.co.uk/findus/
Contact email: info@croydondesigners.com

Who should come? All Creative businesses, designers, video and film producers, photographers, pr and media people, printers, web designers etc.

RSVP to this notice to reserve your place now [Your Name, Your Company, # people]

Croydon Designers is the network for creative businesses in Croydon.

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Dear SBUK readers,

Just in case you were curious about some of those competitors, Real Magazine has the details online…. best, Caroline

 The Real Business / LDC Hot 100 2009 has landed!  Find out more here: http://www.realbusiness.co.uk/HOT100

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Dear SBUK readers,

If you - or anyone else you know - are at uni, and looking to start your own business, here's an initiative you might be interested in pursuing - details below and good luck - best, Caroline

In conjunction with the University of Bolton, the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship is offering a FREE national General Business Programme for final year students, postgraduates and graduates (within five years of completing their studies) with a business concept or idea they want to develop and launch within 12 months. The FlyingStart Programme begins with a 3-day course at the University of Bolton, on the 15th, 16th and 17th June 2009. Candidates must be currently studying or graduated from a UK university in the North West and can be from any degree (full-time or part-time). The main aim is to have graduates trading or growing businesses with 12 months. The Programme ensures that all new graduate businesses: • Understand the business model - how to make money • Have a ready-made national and regional network; • Have a dedicated mentor and business support; • Understand the ‘know-hows’ and ‘know-whos’ of practical business. The Programme will take up to 30 participants, and provide the one-to-one mentoring, support and training needed to turn every idea into a business. It is customised to suit the needs of each participant and individual one-to-one mentoring is provided free for a full 12 months following the course. The programme is completely free to participants and includes: • 3-day residential course where participants acquire business skills and build their contacts network; • personalised 1-2-1 mentoring – support and guidance for 12 months; • focused follow up meetings where participants can receive further help. The deadline for applications is 17:00 on Thursday 4th June 2009. For more information or to chat about whether or not this FlyingStart Programme is right for you, please contact Flying Start Events Co-ordinator David Benson – david.benson@ncge.org.uk. Please visit the following link to apply: http://private.flyingstartonline.com/calendar/programmesview/25

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Dear SBUK readers,

Just seen this in one of my subscription newsletter and thought you might be interested - details listed below – best, Caroline

 Recieve a FREE Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion sample (while stocks last) by sending your details to customerservice@etbrowne.co.uk and quoting 'Bounty'.  

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Dear SBUK readers,

Here's some news items that may be of interest which I hope will prove useful reading - best, Caroline

Online guide for affiliate marketing novices

The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) has issued some guidance on affiliate marketing. The guidance offers an introduction to the concept, covers the different types available and has tips on when to use it in your business.

Guidance on the new trade credit insurance scheme

The Government's trade credit insurance top-up scheme came into operation on 1 May and it has issued guidance about how the scheme operates. The guide covers business eligibility, details of cover limits and operational details about the scheme.

Guide to securing business angel investment

Business angel firm Beer & Partners has produced a guide to securing business angel funding in the downturn. The guide covers the funding options available and the pros and cons of each. It also has tips on securing funding successfully.

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Dear SBUK readers,

Here's a quick glimpse of news items from the SageHello newsletter that might of interest - hope it's useful - best, Caroline

Ethnic minority businesses championed

James Caan, of Dragon's Den fame, has called for more entrepreneurs from black and ethnic minorities make their ideas happen, creating an extra 100,000 run businesses in the UK. Caan set out his vision at his first meeting as the new co-chair of the Department for Business's Ethnic Minority Task Force by saying: "It is more important than ever that we create an environment where anyone with ambition, passion and a good idea, no matter what their background, can succeed. Research has found that there are a great number of talented individuals who never move from thinker to doer". I want the Ethnic Minority Task force to enable them to make that jump and create extra 100,000 businesses."

Women in City still facing glass ceiling

Women earn up to 60% less than men in the finance sector, according to a new Equality and Human Rights Commission report. The research indicates that the pay gap is more than twice the national average, despite an equal number of men and women in the sector. Women working in the fund management, stock broking and future trading areas suffer the largest pay gap, the commission says. Over 70% of men in the financial sector earned more than £29,400 in 2007/8, while 70% of women earned less than £29,500. Trevor Phillips, who chairs the commission, said: "We are losing or not taking advantage of talented women from a crucial industry: something we can ill afford in these troubled times."

Beat the deadline!

Employers are being reminded to file their Employer Annual Returns by the 19th May deadline, or they could end up with a late filing penalty. HMRC is also reminding those with 50 or more employees that they must file their 2008-09 Employer Annual Returns online, or they could face an additional penalty. Smaller employers, with fewer than 50 employees, can still file their return on paper, but those who file online will qualify for a £75 tax-free payment. To file online, employers must first register with HMRC's PAYE Online for Employers service. It can take up to a week to get the activation PIN after registering, so employers are advised not to leave registration until the last minute.

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