PRIME business club

Thinking of starting a business? Do you have an idea for a new business venture?

Are you interested in turning a hobby or interest into a business?

Even the brightest ideas sometime need a little help to get them off the ground. With the right support, advice and encouragement anything’s possible.

SELECT PROGRAMME

The SELECT Programme is a series of free workshops designed for anyone over 50 thinking about starting their own business or planning on becoming self-employed.

Training workshops

The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce can give you all the support and training you need. They are running a number of FREE workshops designed for anyone over 50 who is thinking about starting their own business or planning on becoming self-employed. These workshops will help you develop the skills you need to get your business off the ground - everything from developing your ideas, writing your business plan, developing a marketing plan and much more.

Is self-employment right for you? 8 June 2010

Ideas generation, 15 June 2010

Starting your own business and generating finance, 22 June 2010

Starting your own consultancy, 30 June 2010

Tax, Pension and Benefit Implications, 6 July 2010

E-Marketing, 13 July 2010

They also provide a range of services that could help to make a difference to your business.

• One-to-one business advice
• Essential business skill training
• Outplacement and redundancy support services
• Career coaching and guidance
• Interview technique skills and job search
• Personality profiling
• Mentoring
• Monthly business club

To book your FREE place on any of these workshops or to find out further information call Rebecca Burnett on: 0131 221 3190 or e-mail: rebecca.burnett@edinburghchamber.co.uk

If you have a health condition or disability that is making it difficult to get back into work then this free workshop about self-employment may be for you.

The Work for Yourself programme is open to people living in the areas covered by Bolsover District Council (including Clowne, Elmton with Creswell, Pinxton, Scarcliffe, Shirebrook, South Normanton, Tibshelf and Whitwell) and Chesterfield Borough Council (including Rother and Staveley) who are not working and have long-term health conditions or disabilities.

Topics include:
Learn about self-employment.
Hear how we can help you start your business.
Be a “Dragon” - testing out business pitches.

If self-employment is not for you, Phoenix Enterprises will be available to advise on overcoming barriers (including debt, criminal convictions), how to access funding for training, arrange work trials and placements etc.

To book a place or join the Work for Yourself Programme, contact Disability Dynamics on 0845 459 2547 or 01252 721239 or email theresa@disabilitydynamics.co.uk

Are you aged 45 or over?

Have you been made redundant in the last 18 months or currently threatened with redundancy?

Do you have a business idea?

Are you almost ready to go self-employed?

Do you have a London postcode?

The Centre for Micro Enterprise, a unit within London Metropolitan University has funding to support a small number of people who want to go self-employed.

They are offering an eight day programme delivered over eight weeks. The course is designed to help you to develop your skills to enable you to set up your own business.

Course Content includes:

• Business self image and networking
• Designing your business plan
• Market research and market planning
• Finances and HMRC information
• E-commerce and ICT
• Pitch and present
• You and the law

The programme starts on Tuesday 02 March 2010 and will be delivered at London Metropolitan University, 84 Moorgate, EC2M 6SQ.

If you are interested please call: 020 7320 1383 or email: info@upturnonline.co.uk

Please note, participants will be selected if they fit the requirements of the funding regulations and places on the course will be offered on a first come-first served basis.

The City Business Library has just moved, and is running a series of free events of interest to small business startups in its swanky new but historic premises.

Located in the City of London near Moorgate, CBL is the largest specialised public reference library in the country dedicated to practical business information. You can use it for free and there are no membership requirements.

The new address from Feb 2010 is: City Business Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH. Map of new location (PDF)

Here are some of the upcoming workshops

Setting up a Limited Company

Wednesday 3 March
2.15 – 4.15pm
Talk

Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs staff will look at the tax implications of setting up a limited company in the UK.
Free - but you must book in advance

Web Optimisation and E-Marketing

4 March
13.30 -4.30pm
Afternoon seminar

Business Link staff will use this non-technical workshop to help small businesses to learn about marketing your business through good website design and by optimising to gain improved ranking on Google; about domain names, key words and email marketing, and about the business uses of social networking.
Free - but you must book in advance

Importing and Exporting    

Wednesday 10 March
2.15 – 4.15pm

Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs staff will outline customs procedures and possible ways of reducing costs in relation to the import of goods into the EU and export outside the EU.
Free - but you must book in advance

Low cost marketing 

Thursday 11 March
10-12 noon

Business Link staff www.businesslink.gov.uk/london will help small businesses discover the most cost-effective ways to market their businesses.
Free - but you must book in advance

To book a place on any of these courses, telephone the City Business Library on 020 7332 1812 or email cbl@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Business Link, the governments main business support service, are putting on some events for Women in West Sussex who are thinking of starting a business. These particular events are only for women who live in West Sussex.

Thinking of working for yourself? Interested in self-employment or running a small business? Want to work in away that suits you and your lifestyle?

Business Link offers free business start up workshops. Both workshops will be held at the same venue.

Venue: Field Place, The Boulevard, Durrington, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 1NP

Planning for Success - Tuesday 2nd February 2010, 10:00am till 4:00pm

The workshop covers: What is in your business plan? Why you need one and what goes in it?

By the end of the workshop you will be able to: Understand the basics of planning for your business. Gain insight into how you can ensure you comply with legislation. Complete an individual workshop action plan detailing your next steps.

Managing Money - Tuesday 9th February 2010, 10:00am till 4:00pm

The workshop covers: Estimating your incomes. Calculating your costs & profit. Vat, record keeping & national insurance.

By the end of the workshop you will be able to:Understand fundamental financial issues involved in running a business. Understand the Business Link package and what happens next. Gain support and ideas from fellow participants.

Numbers are limited. To avoid disappointment call Nicola Bannell on 0845 600 9006 to book your FREE place. You can also email Nicola.bannell@businesslinksussex.co.uk

The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country.

It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local organisations and representatives of national bodies such as PRIME that can provide support and advice to local businesses. The organisations chosen all operate on an “other than for profit” i.e. non-commercial basis.

At this free event you will have access to a full team of experts who provide advice and technical support on a range of subjects, covering every stage of your business from start-up, through growth and expansion to pension arrangements when you retire. Free seminars cover topics such as meeting government regulations, funding, marketing and enhancing your business through new technology.

Click on the link below to find out more and to book your place.

Website Link: http://www.businessadviceday.gov.uk/events/

50 plus and thinking about self-employment?

Come a long to a unique event especially tailored for the over 50s who are considering starting their own business.

• Hear from and meet local people who have successfully started their own business.
• Get the lowdown from an expert who will boost your knowledge and confidence to tackle problems and improve your chances of success.
• Meet a wide range of organisations that will provide practical advice, guidance and support to help you realise your business potential.

This event is FREE to attend.

You can book your place via any of the following:
FAX TO: 01752 770184

E-MAIL TO: enquiries@blpeninsula.co.uk

Or alternatively PHONE ON: 0845 600 9966

PRIME is unable to take bookings directly.

The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country.

It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local organisations and representatives of national bodies such as PRIME that can provide support and advice to local businesses. The organisations chosen all operate on an “other than for profit” i.e. non-commercial basis.

At this free event you will have access to a full team of experts who provide advice and technical support on a range of subjects, covering every stage of your business from start-up, through growth and expansion to pension arrangements when you retire. Free seminars cover topics such as meeting government regulations, funding, marketing and enhancing your business through new technology.

Click on the link below to find out more and to book your place.

Website Link: http://www.businessadviceday.gov.uk/events/

Monday 9th November 2009
Time: 14:00 - 19:30
Venue: Business and IP Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB

Have you got news for us?

The British Library is putting on a practical and interactive workshop to unlock the world of the media to new and small businesses.

Daily Express Small Business columnist Maisha Frost and Enterprise PR Specialist Louise Third of Integra Communications Ltd have joined forces to create a highly practical and interactive workshop for the British Library Business & IP Centre.

Get the insider’s key to unlocking the world of the media.

Delegates will be shown how to work with the media to achieve optimal coverage, learning how to identify what is “news” for their business, gaining the techniques needed to write an effective press release, and cultivating their selling skills to convince an editor to run their story

Next Workshops:

Monday 9th November 2009
Monday 8th March 2010

Prices:
2009:   £85 (+vat) per person, includes buffet and workshop materials

2010:   £95 (+vat) per person, includes buffet and workshop materials

Click on the link to book your place www.integracommunications.co.uk/mediaworkshop  
 

Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop in Manchester city centre.

* Decide if self-employment is right for you
* Hear from older entrepreneurs who have gone ahead and started.
* Meet local organisations that can help you
* Meet and network with your peers

Here’s the programme.

1pm Welcome, and what PRIME can do to help.
Chuffy Jenkins of PRIME.

1.25 pm – Making the most of the internet for your business
Ian Stobie, PRIME.

1.55 pm – What help is available locally
Steve Connolly, Business Link.

2.05 pm – Olderpreneurs who have gone ahead and started up
Lyn Siddle, Portland Hall Spa
Sharon Lawrence, Flying Changes PA
Jackie Hatton, Country Cousins Lifestyle Gift Shop

2.50 pm – Refreshment break

3.00 pm – Question & Answer session, an opportunity to ask the
panel your questions.

3.30 pm – How to network effectively leading on to speed networking.

4.15 pm – Session close.

This event is for anyone in their fifties or sixties in the greater Manchester area - so you can still come along if you live in Bury, Macclesfield, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford or anywhere else nearby.

Like other events in PRIME’s roadshow series, the emphasis throughout is on helping you establish whether self-employment is the right thing for you. This event is suitable for those still at the ideas stage, and those with a firm plan in mind who are almost ready to go ahead. You can find out the practical steps involved and hear from people who have already done it before making the leap.

All PRIME events are free. As a charity we are interested in helping people make the right decision - to start in business or do something else. Our role is to provide you with good information so you can make a well-informed decision.

Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop at the British Library (centrally located between London’s Euston and Kings Cross stations).

* Decide if self-employment is right for you
* Hear from older entrepreneurs who have gone ahead and started.
* Meet local organisations that can help you
* Meet and network with your peers

More details about the programme are below.

Like other events in PRIME’s roadshow series, the emphasis throughout is on helping you establish whether self-employment is the right thing for you. This event is suitable for those still at the ideas stage, and those with a firm plan in mind who are almost ready to go ahead. Find out the practical steps involved and hear from people who have already done it before making the leap.

All PRIME events are free. As a charity we are interested in helping people make the right decision - to start in business or do something else. Our role is to provide you with good information so you can make a well-informed decision.
This event is part of PRIME’s Olderpreneur Roadshow. For list of other cities visited click here.

London programme

6.00pm – Arrival, registration and refreshments

6.15pm – Welcome speech – Laurie South, PRIME
6.25pm – Starting your own business. How PRIME can help - Chuffy Jenkins, PRIME
6.45pm – Quick and easy ways to promote your business - Helen Ashley, Upward Curve PR
7.00pm – Your next step, Business Link for London
7.05pm – Help and Advice from the HMRC team
7.10pm – Available resources, British Library

7.25pm – Break

7.35pm – Olderpreneurs who have gone ahead and started up.
Cecile Trijssenaar, Top Match West London
Clare Flynn, Make it and Mend it
Suzy Kilgour, Walking Workouts
8.20pm – Question and answer session following on to informal networking

9.00pm – Close.

Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE taster workshop at Aston University, near Birmingham city centre. View map and directions (PDF)

* Decide if self-employment is right for you
* Hear from older entrepreneurs who have gone ahead and started.
* Meet local organisations that can help you
* Meet and network with your peers

Moe details about the programme and speaker line up will be posted here closer to the day.

Like other events in PRIME’s roadshow series, the emphasis throughout is on helping you establish whether self-employment is the right thing for you. This event is suitable for those still at the ideas stage, and those with a firm plan in mind who are almost ready to go ahead. Find out the practical steps involved and hear from people who have already done it before making the leap.

All PRIME events are free. As a charity we are interested in helping people make the right decision - to start in business or do something else. Our role is to provide you with good information so you can make a well-informed decision.

This event is part of PRIME’s Olderpreneur Roadshow. For list of other cities visited click here.

Are you over 50 and thinking of starting a business or becoming self-employed? Then come along to PRIME’s FREE Essential Enterprise Day in Telford.

FREE presentations by acclaimed National and West Midlands speaker Kate Rigby on “Growing People Growing Profits Growing Your Business”.

FREE Presentation by a Marketing Expert on how to market your business.

FREE Presentation by HM Revenue and Customs on Tax and NI - what you need to know.

FREE WORKSHOPS (4.00pm to 5.30pm - main event starts at 1pm)
New to self employment? Is it for YOU?
Why is business planning so important?

Plus! How to network effectively, and speed networking at the event.

Free Tea and Scones  

 Book your place NOW - call 0800 783 1904

The Open Day programme is the biggest government business support road show, designed to provide free information and support to businesses, through a series of exhibitions across the country.

It is organised by HM Revenue and Customs, who invite local organisations and representatives of national bodies such as PRIME that can provide support and advice to local businesses. The organisations chosen all operate on an “other than for profit” i.e. non-commercial basis.

At this free event you will have access to a full team of experts who provide advice and technical support on a range of subjects, covering every stage of your business from start-up, through growth and expansion to pension arrangements when you retire. Free seminars cover topics such as meeting government regulations, funding, marketing and enhancing your business through new technology.

Click on the link below to find out more and to book your place.

Website Link: http://www.businessadviceday.gov.uk/events/

Make Your Mark is running a series of free to attend events for budding entrepreneurs this autumn. During these events you’ll:

• Hear how a Make Your Mark Ambassador started their business.
• Work out what you do best and ‘reality check’ it with others.
• Hear best selling business author Robert Ashton’ ten top start-up tips.
• Meet local business advice agencies and others able to help you.

Make Your Mark is a campaign founded by the four leading UK business membership organisations - the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors.

Nottingham - Weds 30^th September 

Registration from 1800 for 1830 - 2100

Take Control Today, is entrepreneurship right for you?

You need a change. Perhaps you’re worried about job security, or simply want more control over your life and destiny. Whatever’s driving you, working for yourself is an option you need to consider. You probably don’t want to build an empire, but you do want to take control and make a difference.

Meet people who’ve already done it and learn how to market yourself from a local expert. It’s free to attend!

Venue: East Midlands Conference Centre, B University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RJ

Free parking on site

Find out more and book your free place today at www.passionsintoprofit.org.uk