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,

The Saturday prior to the Bank Holiday, it was panic stations!  My first proper audition to go on a TV cookery programme and I was already panicked.  

My sponge cake was a disaster (because yours truly grabbed hold of the flour without checking it was plain or self-raising and unfortunately, she used plain!) so had to be re-done; the whipping cream for the white chocolate mousse was over-whipped, thanks to a five-second distraction, courtesy of Mummy… so that whipped whipping cream turned into butter and buttermilk; the only thing that went right was the strawberry sauce and compote, made with Pimms!

By the time I got myself ready to go to London Studios in Waterloo, my cake was looking less than desirable.  Having made a second cake, I didn't allow enough time for it to get cold before layering it with said white choc mousse and strawberry compote.  But all the contestants I met and who saw this creation looked at it as though they had their noses pressed by the shop window, imaginary forks and spoons in hand…. 

I did my two sections to camera, after which I had to face the judges and was shaking a leaf.  It was awful; given that I've never done this sort of thing before (I've done TV but usually as someone sitting in the audience ready to give my opinion when that split-second opportunity arises!), I was a bit scared to have my baking scrunitised by women who seemed more at home as ladies who lunch than not….

The only thing that let me down - according to the judges after sampling my "Wimbledon Set-Point Dessert" was the presentation.  They thought the dessert idea was great, they liked the taste of it (thank God…!) and yes, they made a few suggestions: essentially, what this boiled down to was less cake (although admittedly, most people would have been with the cake as it was) and more elegant dessert at the Ritz (which I have to confess, got me thinking)….

The final upshot: well, yours truly wasn't selected to go forward onto the programme, "Britain's Best Dish" but on the strength of actually making the auditions, of course, I'm disappointed about not making the cut but overall I think I've not done too badly - in fact, once I've put the picture up of said dessert, I'm more than happy to take orders for those looking to impress their friends and business associates over afternoon tea!

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,

The small business competition season is now getting into its stride: for those who can't get enough, here's one for women only - sorry, guys….

Best, Caroline

THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR UK 'S BRIGHTEST IDEAS IN FEMALE INVENTORS & INNOVATORS AWARDS

Women across the nation have the chance to be recognised as the British Female Inventor or Innovator of the Year 2009 with the launch of the latest competition by the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN). This would include women that are exceptionally creative, inventive, innovative, entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, technologists, designers from all sectors and background right across Britain .

The awards event which officially opens on Wednesday 4 March is organised to celebrate and promote the creative, inventive and innovative products and services by women. This year includes awards categories for Health & Beauty, Most Innovative Technology, Foods, Best Product Design and Packaging, Exceptional Creative Items in Arts and Crafts, Best Innovative Business Idea, Science and a category for Higher Education & Learning Institutions such as universities and colleges. There are 10 categories in total including the main award Female Inventor of the Year 2009.

Established eleven years ago, the awards are the most extensive platform for the recognition of women's inventive and innovative ideas developed in scientific laboratory to the ideas developed at home on the humble kitchen table. Founder, Bola Olabisi who has since launched the competition in other countries, says that the UK event is growing from strength to strength.

"The 2009 event will be the most significant so far, reflecting a diversity of innovations from various sectors. We welcome ideas from women of all backgrounds - scientists and engineers working on patented inventions to women with no previous research and development experience who have come up with an excellent gadget or a new way of doing something," says Bola.

Previous winners in the awards include Tanya Ewing, inventor of the energy monitoring device, Dr Maire McLoone, inventor of a product that enhances security mechanisms to protect the public from cyber criminals, such as hackers and identifies thieves, Morag Hutcheon, inventor of a music sampling device built into a standard CD jewel case, Deborah Leary, the inventor of Forensic Anti-Contamination Stepping Plates for crime scenes, Mandy Haberman, the inventor of the Anywayup Cup to prevent toddlers spilling their drinks and Dr Diana Hodgins with her nanotechnology innovation, the small-scale Solid State Gyroscope which detects angular spin in moving objects.

The theme of this year's event is ‘Making Connections With Innovative Business Solutions' and will include several high profile industry speakers from various backgrounds. The closing date for awards entries is 29 May 2009. For further information about the award categories and entry forms visit www.gwiin.com or email us on office@gwiin.com

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Dear SBUK readers,

Now in its sixth year, the O2 X Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of small businesses across the UK. Looking for home grown businesses to enter this year's award for the chance to win £5,000 (not to be sniffed at in hard times!), mentoring from a leading industry figure, and a phone package from O2 among other things….

To enter visit www.O2.co.uk/xawards or email O2xawards@O2.com for entry forms - closing date is 1 August 2009. Good luck - best, Caroline

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Dear SBUK readers,

I've come across some details for a competition being run by Edward de Bono - http://www.debonosociety.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2696260%3ABlogPost%3A368  - if you're entering, good luck! 

Best, Caroline

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Dear SBUK readers,

If you're looking for a small business competition to win, here's some details - enter and good luck! Best, Caroline

BusinessZone.co.uk is offering a fantastic £50,000 package to the entrepreneur crowned winner of The Pitch 2009, a nationwide search for Britain's best new businesses. There are five regional heats plus a grand final where you could walk away with top-class advice and practical help on PR, marketing, doing business online and creating a recession-beating business plan! To take part, download the application form or visit The Pitch website.

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Dear SBUK readers,

For those of you with entrepreneurially-minded teenage children, you might want to guide them towards this competition as seen on www.startups.co.uk website - best, Caroline 

Entrepreneurial young people are receiving encouragement, as a new ‘build a business’ scheme launches.

A new scheme, fronted by entrepreneur and founder of the MOBO Awards, Kanya King, has launched in schools nationwide on the back of figures showing 81% of children aspire to run their own business.

The ‘build a business’ campaign will see schoolchildren setting up their own local businesses.

Schools around the country are being invited to submit for proposals for a business that will add value to their community. Thomson Local, the organisation behind the campaign, is to shortlist 50 schools, which will receive a £100 bursary to help them bring their business to life for a hands-on enterprise experience.

Kanya King, ambassador of the project, said: “I’m delighted to be involved with Thomson Local in a project that encourages enterprise in young people. I hope this initiative will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to get out there and set up a thriving local enterprise because creating and growing your own business can be enormously rewarding and satisfying.”

A call has gone out to business people to act as mentors to participating schools by registering as a ‘local business hero’. Business people can register their interest at www.thomsonlocal.com/buildabusiness.

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Dear SBUK readers,

If you have the time (and resources!), here's a competition you might be interested in - details listed below and good luck!

Best, Caroline

The search is on to find the UK's most exciting and innovative small companies… is yours one The One?

Competing in The Pitch 2009, entrepreneurs in five regions will present their product or service to a panel of leading business experts.

Five winners plus a wildcard entry selected by members of BusinessZone.co.uk will go through to a live grand final in London where a victorious entrepreneur will walk away with a package of business support prizes worth £50,000!

Are you up to the challenge? Enter your business today!

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Dear SBUK readers,

The BBC is always looking for interesting people to take part in programmes, from game shows to documentaries. Why not take part in one of their programmes? If you're interested, this is the link: www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow  - and good luck!

Best, Caroline

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