GWE Business West has made a positive step to help local business and the economy fight the very real effects of recession by enabling Fredericks Foundation to establish a Lending Hub for Swindon and Wiltshire.
Fredericks Foundation was set up in 2001 by a successful entrepreneur, Paul Barry-Walsh, and helps disadvantaged people who aspire to become entrepreneurs to start and grow their own businesses. The charity also provides a range of business support and microloan funding to new and small companies.
To help combat local unemployment, redundancy, company insolvency and downsizing, as well as the related social impact, GWE Business West will make a significant investment of £100k in the Lending Hub over 3 years.
GWE Business West will also provide additional support. Free office and meeting space at Park House Business Centre in Swindon’s historic Railway Village, as well as resource and expertise
Established in Swindon as a major player in economic development for nearly 25 years, GWE Business West is well placed to participate. Its knowledge of local companies and contacts will help identify local people willing to get involved in managing and growing the fund, and in making the final decision on requests for loans.
Nicky Alberry, Chairman of GWE Business West said, “Although community funds exist in other parts of the region, this is an innovative response to supporting new and young businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire at a time when mainstream financing is hard to access. In stable economic conditions, there will always be a need for this kind of lending. But in a recession, which has had a major impact on Swindon and Wiltshire’s economies, it is especially important that this assistance is available.”
Charles Dodwell, Chief Executive of Fredericks Foundation said “Having an enterprise community hub in Swindon is more than a desirable objective; it is an essential component of Swindon and Wiltshire’s economic recovery and future prosperity. We will consider you for a loan and business support if you can demonstrate that you have made a genuine application for funds to your bank or a mainstream lender – and that you have been turned down. Your business can be at any stage: you may require money to start-up; capital to expand your business; or funds to bridge a gap. Whether you are a sole trader, in a partnership or have a limited company you may be eligible for a loan.”
Start-up businesses are offered up to a maximum of £10,000, though the average loan is less than £5,000. For established businesses with a financial track record the maximum loan is £20,000.
A hub for Swindon and Wiltshire will complement Fredericks Foundation’s other operations across much of the South of England including Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and the West Country.
For further information, visit www.fredericksfoundation.org. If you are interested in volunteering to help Fredericks Foundation, email volunteers@fredericksfoundation.net. If you are interested in becoming a partner, email partners@fredericksfoundation.net
Some of Swindon’s biggest businesses have signed up to support a campaign to ‘back’ Swindon in a bid to attract inward investment into the town centre.
Swindon’s excellent location makes it a major hub for businesses with company’s such as Honda and Zurich already based in the town. So positive is their experience of operating here, they have signed up to back The New Swindon Company’s latest marketing campaign ‘Swindon: we’re here – why aren’t you?’, an initiative that will market Swindon as a destination of choice to more than 3,000 businesses along the M4 corridor, from London to Bristol.
The concept behind this campaign, which is based around a dedicated website launched in September, is to provide companies interested in re-locating with information on what Swindon has to offer, along with local business advice and investment opportunities.
Councilor Phil Young, Lead Member for Regeneration, at Swindon Borough Council commented: “Swindon has a great offering – a fantastic location, competitive property prices and a successful local economy.
We already have a large number of well known businesses operating from the town centre and over recent months have seen increased demand for office space from companies looking to move from London, Bristol and Bath. With the delivery of a £1 billion regeneration scheme underway, which will bring with it a number of new developments and top class office, retail and residential space, things look set to get even better.”
Carol Heneghan, Director of Marketing at The New Swindon Company added: “Significant investment is required in order to attract a broad range of businesses and create a more vibrant town centre, and so the aim of this campaign is to get Swindon’s positive messages out there. Local companies Honda, Zurich, GWE Business West, Monahans, Howard Tenens and Wow! Creative have already signed up to ‘back’ Swindon, and our aim is to get as many businesses as possible to come on board and recognise what the town has to offer.”
Mike Godfrey, Senior Manager and Chief Engineer at Honda, said: “We came to Swindon for a number of reasons. The town has an excellent skills base and a large number of people with a background in manufacturing and engineering. We were able to move straight into a large site with options for future expansion, and this combined with existing infrastructure that could link us to the main supplier base, ports and airports made it an obvious choice.”
Chairman of GWE Business West, Nicky Alberry said, “One of GWE Business West’s core aims is to make Swindon one of the best places to live and work by enabling the local business community to play a part in influencing the way our area is shaped, managed and developed. We fully support any campaign that helps to create a prosperous local environment and will be assisting The New Swindon Company in spreading the message that Swindon presents major opportunities for business.” Go to http://www.newswindonbackingbusiness.co.uk/ for more information on Swindon’s regeneration plans, investment opportunities and testimonials from businesses already operating successfully in the town.
This week’s guest blogger, GWE Business West Chamber of Commerce member soVision, a leading ICT services, web design and hosting company based in Bristol has just published some invaluable advice for any business thinking of setting up a new website or perhaps redesigning an existing site.
Jason Wyatt, Technical Director at soVision explained. “We get approached by lots of small and medium sized businesses wanting to create their first website or perhaps upgrade an existing website or add some new features. Often though they aren’t really sure what they want or what will work best for them. Because of this we felt it would be helpful to give some guidance to the SME sector on how to approach developing or enhancing their website.”
The new guidance which is available as a free PDF download outlines three essential questions any business should be asking themselves before they start.
- What do I want my website to do?
- How do I want my website to be organised?
- What do I want my website to look like?
Packed full of handy tips and invaluable advice the new guidance gives lots of examples and illustrations and outlines a detailed 3 Step model to help shape your thinking.
Jason explained further. “Sadly, we have lost count of the number of businesses who have come to us for advice after having made expensive mistakes with their first ventures into the online world. Businesses which have ended up with a website that cost them a lot more than they first imagined or with a site that simply doesn’t do what they want it to do.
“The approach we are suggesting is designed to avoid clients wasting time and money. Our free guidance download should be really useful to the SME sector and we are of course very happy to give further advice on an individual basis. It’s common sense really but it’s surprising what a big payoff just an hour or so sat down quietly thinking about what you really want to achieve can do to get a clear view of what you want.”
To download the new guidance go to: http://www.sovision.com/thinking-about-a-new-website
Please contact : Jason Wyatt – email : jw@sovision.com – 0845 450 3669
In spite of the challenges faced by businesses during an economic downturn, business across the region appears to be buoyant, with The Business Show Bristol 2009 proving to be a sell-out within the first few weeks of its exhibition sales launch.
Over 550 businesses have pre-registered to attend the show, which takes place on Wednesday 16th September at Brunel’s Old Station, with a further few hundred anticipated to turn up on the day.
“There’s never been a better time to network, share knowledge and connect with fellow business people than during a recession, and a show of this nature can only be good for business.” said John Savage, chief executive of GWE Business West.
Organisers of the show, GWE Business West, have seen an 8% increase in their networking events programme bookings over the past year, and have adapted to the recession in offering a number of new opportunities and changed formats, including during the planning stages for The Business Show.
“This year, with the current economy and in anticipating reduced budgets, we planned the show to offer a variety of differently priced exhibition stand options. However we’ve been pleasantly surprised to see the traditional shell scheme stands being snapped up, with only a small number of businesses taking the lower-priced pop-up pitch option.’ says Susie Parker, marketing manager.
It proves that putting on a show of this type is still very much in demand. Businesses are focusing on keeping their profiles raised and in taking full advantage of opportunities to network and share knowledge, despite these challenging times.”
Now in its third year, with two more shows already scheduled for 2010 in Bristol and Bath, The Business Show is the leading business to business exhibition and networking event for businesses in the region and across the South West.
Sponsored by Business Link, O2 Telefonica and JLT Group Ltd, the show will feature around 80 exhibitors, a seminar programme sponsored by Leigh Court, free speed networking sessions sponsored by Smart Training, and a conference café sponsored by UKTI and Thermae Bath Spa, where delegates may connect and purchase lunch and refreshments.
This year, GWE Business West Events have increased the show’s popular seminar programme, presenting five topical business seminars which will include: ‘Mastering Leadership’ with speaker William Montgomery from TEN; ‘Social Networking – (Don’t) Just do it’ with Neil Wilkins from Viper Marketing and Communications Group; ‘How to build a fan base for your business’ with Roy Sheppard from Reputation Marketing; ‘Feeding the green shoots – Tips to help your business grow and thrive’ with John Moorehouse of Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons and ‘Emotionally Intelligent Leadership’ with Andrea Ryland of Andrea Ryland Consulting.
Another new feature to this year’s event will be the ‘Speaker’s Corner’ where delegates may talk directly with speakers throughout the day, extending the opportunity for individual Q and A sessions.
The show’s location at Brunel’s Old Station, which sits next door to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, provides easy access to the event as business people located across the South West can opt to jump onto a train, hop off to attend The Business Show, and then return to business within a matter of hours.
For full information and to register to attend the show visit: http://www.businessshowbristol.co.uk/
Delight has been expressed by the West of England’s leading business organisation at the news of a £1bn plan to electrify the rail line between Bristol and London.
GWE Business West has long argued in favour of the improvement, which will provide a real shot in the arm for the local economy.
Managing Director, John Savage, said one of the reasons the Bristol City Region was so productive was its proximity to London.
“We already produce more economic output per person than any other part of the UK, outside London. With the improvement in rail connectivity, I have no doubt that we will do even better in the future. This will make our area even more attractive to businesses and it will draw more people to live and work here. It is also the first step in producing better links to the rest of the South West,” he said.
Electric trains are lighter and more energy efficient, they are 20% cheaper to buy than diesels and 35% cheaper to operate. They should reduce journey times, improve reliability and reduce the environmental impact of train services.
The project, which will take eight years to complete, will include the installation of overhead power lines and the demolition of some tunnels and bridges.
The Business Show Bristol 2009
The Business Show returns to Bristol on 16th September 2009, at Brunel’s Old Station, between 9.30am – 4.30pm.
The Business Show is the key business-to-business exhibition event in Bristol, open to the wider business community across the South West.
The show will feature a range of exhibitors, a seminar programme, 6 free speed networking sessions and a conference café – as well as wider networking opportunities throughout the day.
FREE entry for registered visitors.
View more information about this key event plus highlights from last year’s Bath Business Show by visiting our main website via link below.
A range of regular stands and affordable pop-up pitches* starting at just £75 are now on sale!
Register to attend or book a stand at The Business Show Bristol 2009.
*Pop-up Pitch option is available exclusively to GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce members. If you would like to consider joining us to take advantage of this option click here
New event series launched: 'Breakfast at Caffe Carluccio's'
The GWE Business West Events team, led by events programme manager, Amanda Davey, manage a full cross-regional programme of varied events designed for business.
The team are in the process of evolving the events programme to reflect the current economy, changing markets and customer expectations. Event attendance prices have been reduced across the programme, where possible, and the team have also introduced a number of exciting new networking opportunities into the calendar.
GWE Business West Events remain one of the top reasons why members join our Chambers of Commerce network and provide a dynamic range of business to business networking opportunities to the business community across the region. In fact, event bookings show an 8% increase during the period Nov – May 08/09, as compared with the previous period for 07/08, despite the current economic climate, with the events team managing an astounding 4265 delegate bookings in the last 7 months.
The economy has simply challenged the team to adapt our networking opportunities and formats to match evolving markets and to suit business needs.
New events in the programme include ‘Breakfast at Caffe Carluccio’s’, a new monthly breakfast series open to all businesses for just £8.69 + VAT, which offers a fresh format where delegates can present on their business for two minutes. The first event took place yesterday, already generating positive feedback from members.
Emi Carmichael, account director at SiteClick Ltd told us. ‘Yesterday’s Speed Networking and today’s Carluccio’s Breakfast were by far the best day-time events I’ve attended! Networking is about business, and the bottom line is that I met many like-minded, positive decision makers this morning. I’m confident that I’ll be meeting, recommending and doing business with some of the people I met at Carluccio’s today. I would personally recommend this event to any business that is looking to network and raise their profile in Bristol – I’m just off to book my place at the next event as I’m sure it will sell out soon!’
Another member, Alastair Sawday, chairman of the Alastair Sawday Publishing Company Ltd says. ‘I hugely enjoyed my breakfast at Carluccio’s, the breakfast was delicious, service excellent and generous, and the format of giving us all 2 minutes to say our piece was stimulating as well as entertaining. In fact, where else can you listen to a dozen people briefly and efficiently telling you about their commitment and passion for their work? I learned a lot, was provoked into generating some powerful ideas, and made some contacts that I will certainly follow up. Two hours well spent!’
A further opportunity is a new regular event format designed as part of our Women’s Networking series, ‘Just a Minute!’ Dedicated to women in business, delegates wishing to present for three minutes can place their business card in a hat on arrival at the event to be drawn at random when the event is opened.
To view our full programme of events visit http://www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk/
- Eight out of ten believe personality traits drove them to success
- Only 14% see education as influencing factor
- ‘Obsessive Optimism’ identified as key trait for success
Great entrepreneurs are born, not made, according to the findings of a study published today to launch the O2 X Awards. Findings from the research concluded that boardroom success has got more to do with personality than it has with formal education, great connections and learning from those with more experience.
The study, commissioned to launch the O2 X Awards, which recognise and reward successful small businesses, was created by O2 to determine whether entrepreneurialism is a matter of nature or nurture.
Researchers surveyed more than 500 small businesses, conducted over ten hours of one-one-to interviews with a group of entrepreneurs and carried out in-depth research into the backgrounds of some of the UK’s best known businessmen.
Education, for many, had little impact on the road to success, with only 14% of those included in the study placing significant emphasis on the importance of their formal education on their business achievements and less than a third (31%) had studied business or for a specific business qualification.
Whilst over two thirds (67%) recognised the importance of life experience and previous employment in nurturing these qualities, the research indicates that these traits are inherent rather than learnt. Six out of ten entrepreneurs (60%) launched their first business by the age of thirty and on average had spent less than ten years in the work place before venturing out on their own.
In terms of starting up their own business, less than a fifth (17%) received direct financial backing from their families and cited that family connections had not helped them get a foot up on the career ladder.
The researchers found that the vast majority (84%) of the entrepreneurs in the study shared a distinct set of traits that were the reason for their success. None of the traits were learned, rather they were all present as part of the individual’s personality and constitute the DNA of the entrepreneur.
The five key personality traits forming the entrepreneur DNA:
1. ‘Obsessive optimism’: this approach to business creates a resilient attitude to failure and setbacks, an essential trait when starting out as your own boss .
2. Enjoyment of responsibility: a highly developed sense of responsibility enables successful business people to view responsibility as an attraction rather than a burden.
3. Desire to achieve: a major driver of entrepreneurial behaviour which enables successful business people to be single-minded about achieving their goals in spite of obstacles.
4. The reward of hard work: small business owners are driven by reward, both in the monetary sense, but also in the more emotional sense of reward and pride in driving their business forward.
5. The urge to be self-employed from childhood: This trait was present in nearly half (48%) of those questioned and also a common trait amongst celebrity entrepreneurs such as Sir Alan Sugar .
Finally, friends, not family, were seen as the people most likely to help them on the road to success. Over three quarters (76%) of those questioned had other small business owners in their close circle of friends and over half (54%) were actively encouraged by friends to start out on their own.
The research marks the launch of the O2 X Awards 2009 which is looking to find the UK’s best Male, Female and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Now in its sixth year, O2 will reward the most original and innovative businesses with a cash boost of £5,000 as well as mentoring from a business expert and marketing support. To find out how to enter, visit www.o2.co.uk/xawards
Simon Devonshire, Head of Small Business Marketing, O2 commented: ‘Our research demonstrates that there are prevailing qualities common to successful entrepreneurs, whether they are just starting out, right through to some of the UK’s most celebrated entrepreneurs. The ‘obsessive optimism’ trait is arguably more important than ever in the current economic climate. With SMEs facing economic setbacks, an optimistic and resilient outlook is essential to maintain confidence in their business.’
‘O2 is passionate about small business and the O2 X Awards is a great platform to reward the UK’s best entrepreneurs. Previous winners of the O2 X Awards have gone onto achieve great things and used their O2 X Award win as a springboard to successfully grow their business.’
