PRIME business club

Date: Wednesday 15 July and Tuesday 8 September, 2009
Time: 10am - 4pm
Venue: Central London

Meeting and building relationships with business contacts can be a real challenge, especially if you’re starting from scratch. This networking event will make it easy and enjoyable for you to meet like-minded people in an informal setting.

The event will include:

Networking activities

Hints and tips on how to best use your time to make quality contacts and what to do with them after the evening is over

One-to-one business advice sessions with John Mitchell

One-to-one benefits advice sessions with Shirley Spong

Workshop with Penny Power on how to network effectively both at the event and online, and how to turn those new contacts into business

Inspirational story from the guest speaker 

Event speakers

John Mitchell

John is an acknowledged specialist on self-employment for disabled and disadvantaged people who has recently assisted the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in the development of the Business Support Simplification Programme launched in 2008.

Shirley Spong

Shirley started work for Greenwich council in 1983 providing free legal representation.
After three years she moved to work in a law centre as a specialist tribunal worker in what was then the third poorest borough in London. Shirley is currently working with Business Link in London to develop supportive and accessible programmes for would-be Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs that overcome the barriers that the benefit system creates.

Penny Power

In 1998 Penny came up with the idea of Ecademy, a Social Business Network to connect business people for learning, career and business development. Glenn Watkins joined Penny right at the beginning becoming Chief Executive in 2001.

Glenn built the business whilst Thomas Power took over as the front person for Ecademy. Penny spent time bringing up the children, remaining in the background of Ecademy, but always watching and contacting members.

Booking details

Reserve your place at this event on Wednesday 15 July, Stamford Street - Opens in a new window

Reserve your place at this event on Tuesday 8 September, Euston Road - Opens in a new window

Business Link Enterprise Gateway Service, East Sussex is running a programme of FREE workshops.

Building Business Confidence
This FREE start up service builds your confidence through workshops, networking and one to one advice.

Four Simple Steps to Help you

 Step 1 - Personal Empowerment

Empower yourself! How to set goals, improve your confidence and communication and find your inspiration for business.

Step 2 - Beginners’ Market Research

How to research the people that matter, and understand the facts and figures you need to increase your confidence for business.

Step 3 - Business Basics and Budgets

Helping you decide if running a business is for you - giving you the essential grounding that you need and a clear next step action plan.

Step 4 - An Introduction to Tax

A no-nonsense tax workshop including straight-forward layouts, giving you confidence in your record-keeping and form-filling.

Workshop dates:

Tuesday 30 June, Hailsham - Step 1: Personal Empowerment

Wednesday 17 June, Hailsham - Step 2: Beginners’ Market Research

Wednesday 8 July, Hastings - Step 2: Beginners’ Market Research

Monday 22 June, Hailsham - Step 3: Business Basics & Budgets

Thursday 16 July, Hastings - Step 3: Business Basics & Budgets

Wednesday 24 June, Hailsham - Step 4: An Introduction to Tax

Monday 20 July, Hastings - Step 4: An Introduction to Tax

 To find out more or to book on to an event please contact Guy Walsh on 01444 259 329, email him at guy.walsh@businesslinksussex.co.uk or visit www.bringyourideastolife.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/

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/

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/

Date: Thursday 28 May 2009 - Friday 29 May 2009

Time: 10am to 5pm both days

Venue: ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock,London E16 1XL

Status: PRIME exhibiting

PRIME has a stand (740) at this excellent free show. Come and talk to us.

Business Startup 2009 is a large event with 230 exhibitors and a programme of over 140 seminars. Both the show and the seminars are free. You can order tickets online at www.bstartup.com, or phone 0800 328 0467.

GETTING THERE
ExCeL London is located 10 minutes from Canary Wharf, in the heart of the former Royal Docks. The site is bracketed by three Docklands Light Railway stations, and has parking for 4,000 cars. Venue details.

PRIME is currently working with Success Doncaster to help you assess your idea and decide if this could be the right move for you. To take up this offer you should reside in the DMBC area.  

For more information about starting your own business come along to our free Workshop Session for beginners!!

We will focus on:

• What your strengths are and how you might be able to use them by working for yourself
• What you have to do to ‘officially’ start ‘trading’
• How to start looking for customers, finance and premises

To book your FREE place call PRIME on: 0800 783 1904

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is running a series of free evening workshops about self-employment during May. Each event is about a different topic - you can go to any or all of them.

• Is self employment right for you? 6 May
• Ideas generation Thursday 7 May
• Starting your own business Tuesday 12 May
• Starting your own consultancy Thursday 14 May
• Self employment: tax, pension and benefit implications Tuesday 19 May
• e-marketing Thursday 21 May 2009

To book or find out further information call Rebecca Pilch at Edinburgh Chamber (not PRIME) on 0131 221 3190 or email rebecca.pilch@edinburghchamber.co.uk

Note: A chamber of commerce is a voluntary association of local businesses in a particular area. Its activities will generally include lobbying, training and various kinds of business networking event. Legally their status varies. The most ancient ones, including the Edinburgh Chamber, have royal charters.

Some of them are pretty substantial organisations. The Edinburgh Chamber claims over 2,000 members and has more than 50 staff. It puts on many other events throughout the year, which are open to non-members. Generally there’s a fee. Here’s the Edinburgh Chamber’s full event list

Date: Monday 23 March 2009

Time: 10am - 1pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME event

PRIME is running a free workshop for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Find out if self-employment is right for you. The workshop will help you identify skills you have, explore business ideas and produce an action plan to take those ideas forward.

To book your FREE place call PRIME on 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Date: Tuesday 31 March 2009

Time: 5pm -7pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME Business Club event

 ‘A good website will make money not cost money’

 Do I need one?

What do I put on it?

How much will it cost?

How do I get one?

Do I need to understand how it works and how to change it?

Mike Teare from Abbeydale Associates will guide you smoothly through getting your business on to the World Wide Web. This session is also useful for anyone with a website who wants to check if it’s working effectively. This is a FREE event.

“We’re not spotty geeks!

We’re not prima donna designers!

You’ll get sound advice from plain-speaking Yorkshiremen

We’re highly recommended - ask any of our clients”

Abbeydale Associates

www.abbeydale.net

To book your free place telephone 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Click here for event location

Date: Monday 23 March 2009

Time: 5pm -7pm

Venue: The Circle, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW

Status: PRIME Business Club event

‘Let’s talk finance’   

An opportunity to spend the evening with three knowledgeable speakers and ask them questions on the topic of finance and tax. This is a FREE event.

Lee Siddall is a Business Specialist for HSBC, he will talk about account opening, savings, business insurance, lending (commercial credit cards, loans, overdrafts), external lending options as well as business plans and cash flow forecasts.

There will be a selection of brochures and copies of business plans and forecasts to take away.

Neil Flowers is one of the Financial Planners at the HSBC city centre branch, and his role covers a host of different products such as investments, protection (both personal and business), pensions and wills, which he will discuss and answer any questions about.

Cynthia Chamberlain is a Business Advisor for HMRC, she will give a presentation entitled ‘thinking of working for yourself’. The presentation will cover:

• How to register as self employed
• National Insurance
• Tax allowances and rates
• Record keeping
• Tax returns
• Payment of tax/NIC
• Employing someone

You will also be given details of where you can get free help to give you the confidence to get your tax right first time.

To book your place telephone 0800 783 1904 or email prime@ace.org.uk

Click here for event location

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: www.businessadviceday.gov.uk

Date: Thursday 26th February 2009

Time: 5:15pm - 7:30pm

Venue: The Circle, 3 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4WF

Status: PRIME event

Confidence and motivation for business
Facilitator
Pat Carr
From 360 Degree People a Coaching and People Development Company
http://www.360degreepeople.co.uk/

Some days you may feel more confident than others about starting your business or finding new customers. This session will help you to say “yes I can” and give you tools and techniques to stay motivated and confident in what you’re doing. Pat Carr is an experienced coach, trainer and consultant who set up her own business in her 40s and has enjoyed great success. She is looking forward to working with PRIME and unlocking the potential of everyone who attends the session.

For more information and to book your place please contact Sara Robinson on 07833178682 alternatively book via the PRIME central office on 0800 783 1904. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
email prime@ace.org.uk

PRIME has other free workshops coming up for anyone who is over 50 and thinking about becoming self-employed or starting a business in Sheffield.

Venue map

Date: Friday 13 March 2009 - Sunday 15 March 2009

Time: Friday 13 March 1pm - 7pm, Saturday 14 March 10am - 6pm and Sunday 15 March 10am - 5pm

Venue: Olympia (Grand Hall), Hammersmith Road, West Kensington, London W14 8UX

Status: PRIME exhibiting

PRIME has a stand (N12) at the show, and is also giving talks and holding a drop-in one-on-one information clinic.

One Life is a large event with over 300 exhibitors and a programme of more than 100 seminars. It’s advisable to book in advance for the seminars, which are free.

Tickets cost £16 on the door, or £14 if you book online (£15 for phone bookings) from the exhibition organisers. They cost £12 if you are over 60. http://www.onelifelive.co.uk/book-tickets.aspx 

STOP PRESS
PRIME has a limited supply of free tickets - email prime@ace.org.uk 

Nearest tube: Kensington Olympia (District Line). Overground train services run by Silverlink and Southern go to the same station.