PRESS RELEASE

31 March 2010

End Kent 2020 on a high

Kent business professionals will be encouraged to ‘reach for the sky’ at a forthcoming business dinner, with an uplifting talk from Britain’s first female fast jet pilot.

Jo Salter will be the guest speaker at the Kent 2020 Business Dinner, which will take place from 5.30pm to 9.45pm on Thursday, April 22, straight after the main exhibition at the Kent Showground, Detling, near Maidstone.

Jo, who flew a Tornado GR1, was one of only five female fighter pilots in the world. She now runs workshops, seminars and high performance coaching sessions, where she speaks on personal development, meeting challenges and succeeding in the face of adversity.

Carole Black, Events Manager at Business Support Kent, said: “Jo has occupied the enviable position of being at the top of her game, a place many business professionals would aspire to get to. I would urge people to book now and hear firsthand the attributes and dedication needed to be the best at what you do.”

Kent 2020 attracted some 4,000 visitors last year and is the South East’s largest business conference and exhibition. As well as providing opportunities for networking and generating sales leads, delegates can also attend workshops and get invaluable advice from a panel of successful entrepreneurs.

Carole added: “Kent 2020 provides delegates with the opportunity to pick up a wealth of advice and tips, and many people may leave at the end of the day with big plans on how their business should progress forward. Often the realisation of such plans can seem far in the future, so why not use Jo’s speech as the motivational lift you need to realise your goals are achievable and turn ideas into action.”

Tickets, which cost £34.50 +VAT, include a reception drink and three-course meal plus wine. Tables of ten are also available for £300 + VAT. Tickets can be booked when you register as a delegate for Kent 2020 or when you book a stand. Visit www.kent2020.co.uk or call 01732 878016.
ENDS
PICTURE: Jo Salter, guest speaker at the Kent 2020 Business Dinner.

For more media information, please contact:
Tony Buddin, tony.buddin@businesslinkkent.co.uk or 01732 878067

Notes to editors

Business Support Kent CIC is a Community Interest Company with a mission to help businesses, start, grow and innovate in an increasingly low carbon market. In 12 years we have worked with over 20,000 local companies, supporting them through a range of publicly funded programmes, sharing our expertise and knowledge. We work closely with key government teams in BIS, DECC, DEFRA, Regional Development Agencies and Local authorities to understand and translate complex policy requirements and targets
into real business action.
 
We are a provider of business support services under the government ‘ Solutions for Business’ brand accessed through Business Link.

We are specialists in working with UK partners to manage and monitor European
funded programmes, currently operating Interreg, IVA and IVB, ESF, ERDF, CIP
work streams. Our pan European partnership working has enabled us to
bring a unique perspective to many of the issues facing small businesses.
 
Our reputation in providing specialist services for business in competitiveness, innovation and sustainability is growing internationally.
 
And above all we are a social enterprise. We are part of the small business
community and have huge insight into how to inspire action and all of our work is
designed to help the UK’s business community grow and prosper.

PRESS RELEASE

26 January 2010

KENT SME TURNOVER AND RECRUITMENT EXPECTATION ARE RISING ACCORDING TO BUSINESS LINK RESEARCH

19% of Kent SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) plan to take on staff during 2010 according to Business Link’s research* around attitudes to economic recovery published this week. The research also reveals that SME optimism levels, related to growth in their company’s turnover, have returned to pre-recession levels. Kent SMEs expecting turnover growth dipped to only 26% in March 2009 and rose to 43% in November 2009.

According to the research, more than a third (34%) of Kent SMEs are preparing for better times by training their staff or investigating training and more than half (57%) expect to expand in the medium to long term.

South East trends
Across the South East, the business and financial sector is the most optimistic with 47% expecting their market to improve and 20% of that sector expecting to take on staff, this equates to 170,000 businesses looking to recruit in 2010.

The research identified common characteristics among those businesses (48%) of across the South East which are expecting their turnover to expand in the next year, these included:

• Happy to use business support (61%)
• Use planning tools, either a business plan, sales & marketing or training plans (77%)
• Have a website (78%)

Ross McNally, Chief Executive, South East England Chambers of Commerce, commented: “Chamber of Commerce members in the South East of England are certainly expressing a positive outlook for 2010 with positive signs of recovery in parts of manufacturing and across key service sectors for the region. They welcome and intend to take full advantage of the business support services available.”

Tony Logan, Business Adviser Manager at Business Link in Kent, said: “The research confirms the upturn in business attitudes in the region which Business Link Advisers are noticing through their meetings with companies and sole traders.

“Optimistic businesses are open to using business support and use planning tools. Business Link provides free support and can help you to produce an action plan for your enterprise. So to make sure that you are doing all you can to prepare for the economic upturn and explore ways to gain the initiative ahead of your competitors, get in touch with us.”

The Report covers the findings of the South East Business Monitor, a survey of 203 SMEs in Kent carried out in November 2009.
ENDS

*Hot Topic Flashlight No 28: Preparing for Economic Recovery, is available at www.businesslink.gov.uk/southeast/research.

Media contacts

For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Philip Jones, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

To speak to Siobhan Smith, Business Link’s Regional Insights Manager, about the research, contact Francesca Fogell, Regional PR Executive, 01483 713343, Francesca.fogell@businesslinksurrey.co.uk

Notes to editors

Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser.

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.

SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency, is the Government-funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK’s economy. Through supporting businesses, encouraging innovation, developing skills and engaging with public and private partners, we aim to create a successful, sustainable future for the region.

PRESS RELEASE

21 January 2010

GET READY FOR KENT 2020

Businesses wanting to make the most out of Kent 2020 should attend a pre-conference networking event to get tips on how to maximise the opportunities available.

Business Link in Kent is running a free ‘Make More Money by Competing To Win’ seminar, which is exclusively for Kent 2020 exhibitors and delegates, and will take place on Monday 29 March at the Ramada Hotel in Maidstone. The seminar will run from 8.30am to 10.30am and will be presented by motivational speakers Malcolm Gallagher and Neil Annis.

Carole Black, Events Manager at Business Link in Kent, said: “Kent 2020 is the largest business conference and exhibition in the South East and companies should really take advantage of the benefits that this scale of event allows. This seminar will help people to do this, whilst also providing excellent networking opportunities which can then be built upon at Kent 2020.”

Malcolm Gallagher, a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing, helps businesses grow their profits by competing effectively. His special expertise lies in sales, marketing and customer care for industries including hospitality and food and drink.

In his ‘morning of answers’, Malcolm will not only help businesses to create a ‘make more money from Kent 2020′ plan, but also explain to companies the best ways to reach their potential, find and win new customers and set services and products apart from other competition.

To book a place at the seminar, visit www.kent2020.co.uk or call 01732 878016.
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For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Victoria Grigg, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors
Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser.

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.

Closing date: 18 January 2010
ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT - Full Time

c£18,000 pa

Business Support Kent has one key priority: providing real and specific assistance for start-up and small and medium-sized businesses to make a measurable difference in enterprise, competitiveness and sustainability.

Our Sustainable Business team has a requirement for a part-time Administrative Assistant to work specifically on the Energy Grant project and our Business Development team has a requirement for part-time general admin support. Main duties of this role will be:

• Initial point of contact for all referrals to and communications for the Energy Grant project.
• Sending out information packs and smart meters and maintaining on-going communications regarding SME progress through the Energy Grant scheme.
• Processing Grant applications, maintaining records of cost and carbon savings for reporting purposes.
• Data entry onto claim spreadsheets for Business Development.
• Collating and collecting evidence to support claims.
• Issuing and managing the collection of timesheets.

This role requires a friendly, helpful, customer service champion with a ‘can do / will do’ attitude. You also need to be methodical and accurate with good, basic admin skills, excellent communication skills and experience of data inputting.

The company is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be given equal consideration regardless of age, disability, ethnic or national origin, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Interested? Please send your CV plus covering letter of application to Ellie Langridge at Ellie.Langridge@businesslinkkent.co.uk by 18 January 2010.

PRESS RELEASE

8 December 2009

DRAGON WILL DELIVER AT KENT 2020 VISION

James Caan, one of the fearsome dragons from the BBC series Dragon’s Den will be the speaker at next year’s Kent 2020 Vision event.

Kent 2020 Vision ‘10, the South East’s largest business conference and exhibition, will take place on Thursday 22 April from 8am - 5pm at the Kent Showground in Detling, Maidstone, where Mr Caan will give a speech to local business people on the top tips for success and the best attitude to have to achieve any goal.

James Caan, who joined the hit BBC series Dragon’s Den in 2007, began his career by founding a recruitment company in his 20s, which he later grew to an enterprise value of £130 million. Mr Caan is now CEO of private equity firm Hamilton Bradshaw, which has investments in 43 companies and a combined turnover from the businesses of over £400 million.

Carole Black, events manager at Business Link, said: “Having someone as successful as James Caan as our speaker is very exciting as he really is an aspirational figure in terms of his business achievements. Would-be entrepreneurs should make the most of this fantastic opportunity by booking a free place to attend, and I would urge those who haven’t already to book their place now and make the most of Mr Caan’s advice.”

Kent 2020 Vision allows companies to increase awareness of their products or services, whilst also coming into contact with businesses that can prove difficult to reach. The networking opportunities available also provide an environment through which new sales leads can be generated.

Stands start from £372 + VAT which includes access to electricity and the internet on the day, free promotion of a company’s website on www.kent2020.co.uk, a place on a ‘Maximising your Exhibition’ workshop, as well as a hot or packed lunch delivered to the stand.

To pre-book a stand, or a place as an attendee, visit www.kent2020.co.uk or call 01732 878016.
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PICTURE: James Caan will be guest speaker at Kent 2020
For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Victoria Grigg, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors
Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser.

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.

PRESS RELEASE

7 December 2009

UK LEADERS IN THEIR FIELD

The team at Business Support Kent CIC (Community Interest Company) is celebrating being a finalist in the national Green Business Awards 2009, which recognise the work companies have done in promoting energy efficiency and the implementation of green business practice.

More than 120 businesses were nominated but the West Malling based company was one of very few small businesses to be recognised in the nationwide awards, which were handed out at a glittering ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Business Support Kent CIC was recognised for its marketing and communication of energy efficiency to small businesses in the south east. They reached the final of the Marketing and Communications category, which was won by British Gas New Energy. Other big name competitors in the awards included Marks & Spencer, BT and 02.

Business Support Kent CIC has, through its SEEDA funded work with Business Link, in the last two years encouraged more than 10,000 companies to take energy-cutting action, reduce waste and help develop their green credentials.

The UK Green Business Awards are run by Management Today magazine and Environmental Data Services. A spokesman for the awards said: “Given the credit crunch, the recession and raising the bar on our screening criteria, we believe this was a very strong performance from the entrants.”

Erica Russell, market development manager, sustainable business, for Business Support Kent said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award, especially when you consider that we are such a small organisation and the competition was from some of the country’s biggest names.

“Our passion and drive is to help small companies really make a difference, not just to their bottom lines but also to their long-term future.”

She added that 2010 would be an even more significant year for the organisation with projects including: a major construction event in Tonbridge in February; a £500 energy saving grant scheme to manage; an Enviroskills programme with more than 1,600 participants and the Eco Zone at April’s Kent 2020 business exhibition.

To find out more about Business Support Kent visit www.businesssupportkent.co.uk or call 01732 878000.

ENDS
For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Georgette McCready, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE

28 October 2009

INNOVATION CENTRE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH A FULL HOUSE

A business centre in Thanet built in the grounds of the Marlowe Academy is celebrating its first birthday with every office occupied and marking the success of a unique work experience scheme with local students.

The Marlowe Innovation Centre in Ramsgate, which provides office and studio workspace for 25 small businesses, is not only full to capacity but has a waiting list of people wanting to become tenants.

The centre, in Marlowe Way, offers tenants a fully staffed reception service with the chance to rent space in its bright and airy premises. Small and start-up businesses have the choice of their own office or they can use the centre as a virtual office.

Students from the neighbouring Marlowe Academy are benefiting from the expertise on site, as each small business at the centre has agreed to offer ongoing work experience to youngsters from the school. These partnerships have included a professional photographer spending a day at a careers fair, sharing his advice, and a series of weekly one-to-one advice sessions between an experienced solicitor and a law student from the academy.

Business Link, the publicly funded business advice and support service, is one of the professional organisations running regular free workshops and one-to-one sessions for Marlowe tenants.

Marlowe’s manager, Leza Riley, who has been at the centre since its launch, said: “The centre is very much a start-up business too and our tenants have been able to use us as a business model. I organise professionals to come in and give talks to the tenants, which has been useful for them. HSBC and the Chamber of Commerce have both been in and the Business Link workshops, which are open to people from the community, have been much appreciated too.

“The centre looks out directly onto the school and is a constant reminder that these youngsters are our future. The small businesses who sign up as tenants here are committed to offering work experience in a number of ways and our own not-for-profit ethos means there will be a growing fund which will help finance local kids through university.”

For more information about the support available, call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006. To find out more about the Marlowe Innovation Centre visit www.marloweinnovationcentre.co.uk or call the centre manager on 01843 598600.

ENDS

PICTURE: some of the tenants at the Marlowe Innovation Centre, Ramsgate

For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Georgette McCready, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors
Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser. 

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.

PRESS RELEASE

27 October 2009

RETAILERS RISE ABOVE THE RECESSION

More than three quarters (80%) of retailers* in Kent are confident of surviving the recession, according to the latest research from Business Link.

However, one in four (26%) of the owners of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) interviewed for the quarterly South East Business Monitor had seen a drop in customer numbers over the past 12 months. Almost half (49%) of the retailers reported lower spend per customer and 55% had adopted discounting.

Retailers (including motor and wholesale businesses) account for more than 19,000 SMEs in Kent, half of which are shops. The research found a link between having a website, a broad customer base, and loyal customers and those retailers expressing most confidence for the future.

Retailers from across the South East that are part of a chain or wider group identified key challenges as: responding to competition (65%); improving staff performance/skills (64%); reducing waste/improving energy efficiency (61%); developing management/leadership skills (46%) and recruiting skilled staff (40%).

Tony Logan, Adviser Manager at Business Link, said: “Business Link can help retailers identify areas of improvement, whether it be to attract more customers, increase unit spend per customer or improve their stock turn. It is certainly worth retailers engaging with their local business adviser for a free business health check.”

Business Link’s free retail guide, which includes practical advice on how to increase footfall, improve sales and reduce costs, is available at www.businessquestionsanswered.co.uk/retail.

To arrange to speak to a Business Link adviser for advice and a free business health check, call 0845 600 9 006.

ENDS

For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Richard Coleman
Maxim
01892 513033
rachel@maxim-pr.co.uk or richard@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors
* 91 small and medium sized retailers were surveyed in Kent
South East Business Monitor is a quarterly survey of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) based in the South East, conducted by the region’s Business Link Providers. Every three months, at least 1,200 telephone interviews are carried out with business owners and senior decision makers, to give an ongoing ‘temperature check’ of business issues and concerns. The survey results are weighted to reflect the size and structure of the SME universe in the South East. Business Link uses the insights gained from this research, to help tailor business support services to meet the expressed needs of business owners.

Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser. 

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.

 
SEEDA is the Government funded agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England – the driving force of the UK’s economy. Our aim is to create a prosperous, dynamic and inspirational region by helping businesses compete more effectively, training a highly skilled workforce, supporting and enabling our communities while safeguarding our natural resources and cherishing our rich cultural heritage.

PRESS RELEASE

26 October 2009

1,000TH BUSINESS GETS A HELPING HAND

Business Link in Kent is celebrating helping its 1,000th customer through its Business Review service, launched just over a year ago.

Fitzgerald Conservation, a specialist paper preservation and restoration company in Sevenoaks, undertook a Business Review at one of Business Link’s Boost Your Sales and Profits workshops, which take place regularly across the county.

Sole trader paper conservator Julie Fitzgerald founded the business eight years ago and has worked with museums, institutions and individual clients all over the world restoring precious documents and paintings. Registered on the UK Institute of Conservation’s Conservation Register, Julie has a specialist studio where she painstakingly restores paper items which have been damaged by light, insect infestation, damp or sticky tape.

But, she said: “As a sole trader you tend to find yourself so busy with the every day business of getting on with the job that you don’t get the chance to look at the bigger picture. This was the second Business Link workshop I had attended and I find the trained advisers really help me to refocus on what I am doing and look at my business in a fresh light.

“Fitzgerald Conservation has a website which is functional but perhaps a bit dated, so my Business Link adviser offered to put me in touch with a local website designer. During the Business Review it was also suggested I use the European Enterprise Network to make contact with European museums and archives.”

As a result of the Business Review Fitzgerald Conservation is now planning to make use of Business Link’s skills support service and the supplier matching service. Julie will also look at attending local business events and networking as well as investigate website search engine optimisation techniques.

Julie added that she valued the professional support of the Business Link advisers and the chance to share experiences with other sole traders that she met at the workshop.

Tony Buddin, Head of Marketing at Business Link, said: “The Business Reviews have been a great success since their launch last June. They offer small businesses an impartial and professional assessment of how they are faring and how they could grow. We would like to congratulate Fitzgerald Conservation on being our 1,000th customer and look forward to helping many more small businesses in Kent.”

The workshops are designed to help business owners increase their sales and profits and to create a financial plan to work from. Attendance is free for Kent based self-employed and owner managers with no more than two full time employees.
 
To apply for a free workshop place and for more information about the support available, call Business Link on 0845 600 9 006.

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PICTURE: paper conservationist Julie Fitzgerald
For more media information, please contact:
Rachel Knight or Georgette McCready, Maxim, 01892 513033 or email: first name@maxim-pr.co.uk

Notes to editors
Business Link in Kent provides the information, advice and support businesses need to start, maintain and grow a business. It exists to help anyone thinking of starting a business; to help small and medium-sized businesses to grow and to help businesses deal with problems, challenges and opportunities. Over the last year Business Link in Kent provided support to over 4,000 people considering starting a business and to 1,500 who actually started. Over 20,000 businesses were assisted with general information and advice with more than 2,500 being assisted in depth by a Business Link adviser. 

The Business Link service in Kent and Medway is delivered by Business Support Kent Community Interest Company.