Integra |Enterprise Matters Articles .: Press releases, articles and other material from Integra Communications | b2b pr and business communications from Nottingham based pr agency

Required reading for writers and researchers of SME issues
The latest edition of Business Adviser, the journal of the business support profession, is just out. A rich source of ideas and contacts, the 42 page magazine features Clive Woodward’s tips for coaching success, a leading academic on why Government should leave small businesses to their own devices and a battlefield expert on what military history has to offer business decision making. As usual, there is a host of other material relevant for anyone interested in enterprise. If you would like to receive a free copy of Business Adviser please email editor@integra.gb.com with your contact details.
(No rating) 12-9-2006 Views: 411

National Enterprise Week
13 – 19th November 2006Content and comment from Integra clientsSocial Enterprise Day –Thursday 16 November Striding Out, the network for young entrepreneurs is holding the In2SocialBusiness event in partnership with Social Enterprise London.Heather Wilkinson, founder of Striding Out can provide comment and access to her members as case studies.New Entrepreneur Scholarships Awards – Thursday 16 NovemberThe National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) will host the NES Awards in London for the best regional businesses nominated from the NES programme.George Derbyshire, Chief Executive of the NFEA can comment on business support policy and can provide access to the NES Awards winners.Women’s Enterprise Day – Wednesday 15 November Prowess Executive Director, Erika Watson, can comment on policy towards enabling more young women to start in business.Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) Director, Izzy Warren-Smith OBE can comment on the opportunities open to young women who want to stay...
(No rating) 12-9-2006 Views: 424

Nottingham University Business School teams up with the Business StartUp Community
Nottingham University Business School has teamed up with the fast growing small business community “Business StartUp Community” to develop the influential Business Barometer which has been run by the University since 1999. The University’s Business Barometer is designed to provide a monthly survey of the views and perspectives of small business managers on topical themes. The result is a long term survey of the changing opinions of this vital business group as well as a snap shot of their viewpoint at any time for informing government policy and commercial decisions.Katie Moore, Managing Director of StartUp Community says, “The nature of a good partnership is that each partner brings something to the relationship. The University Barometers give our members the opportunity to express their opinions on issues which affect their businesses in a way that means that their viewpoint will be registered by relevant government and commercial organisations. In return the community provides...
(No rating) 26-2-2007 Views: 662

Enviro-Entrepreneur School 2007 Dates Announced
The Enviro-Entrepreneur School is to run twice in London this year, allowing 60 people to participate in the popular programme which has already helped just under 100 ‘enviro-entrepreneurs’ research or launch sustainable businesses. At a time when the market for environmentally-friendly goods and services is booming, these Schools prepare innovators and designers for the reality of business life. Places are fully-funded with a small charge for materials and refreshments.Alice Whiteley attended the Summer 2006 School in London and is about to open her first Loop store in Ealing. "Kids’ stuff is made to last beyond a few months but ends up in the loft. Through Loop, parents can sell quality kids clothing, toys and equipment and buy nearly-new for their child’s next growth spurt. All in a stylish and convenient store on their local high street. Good for the environment and good for parents’ wallets too!" Alice found the School allowed her the opportunity to step back from all...
(No rating) 26-2-2007 Views: 463

Personal Deals unite staff and their bosses
Company bosses should look long and hard at how they are managing relations in the workplace according to Michael Wellin, author of a timely new book.Recent research carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development suggests that relationships between staff and their managers are deteriorating. Poor communication in the workplace and a lack of trust on both sides is leading to underperformance, low productivity and high levels of staff turnover.In his book, Michael Wellin has drawn from his own research and consultancy experience to describe the Personal Deal, the deal made between employers and colleagues at work. Get it right and both business performance and personal fulfilment rise significantly. Get it wrong and suffer the consequences of misunderstanding, stress, lower commitment and performance."I wanted to redefine the Psychological Contact, a concept which has been around for over ten years, and make it easy to understand and use”, says Michael....
(No rating) 26-2-2007 Views: 408

Izzy’s Outstanding Contribution
Founder of Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE), Izzy Warren-Smith OBE won the overall national Prowess award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Women’s Enterprise Development’ at a ceremony this month. Izzy Warren-Smith has been at the forefront of rural economic development for many years and passionately believes that the contribution of rural women in business should be valued and supported.Typical of the work that WiRE undertakes is its role as part of the West Midlands Regional Women’s Enterprise Unit (RWEU). Female engagement in self-employment in the West Midlands is so low that the route adopted was to combine the strengths of rural and urban business support services into one delivery organisation. Strategic policy and funding are driven by Advantage West Midlands and the European Social Fund bringing together operational partners Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE), the Women’s Business Development Agency (WBDA) and Prowess, the association of women’s enterprise providers....
(No rating) 26-2-2007 Views: 383

Call yourself a Writer?
The Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) holds its annual conference in Nottingham in September. These dedicated upholders of correct English are constantly on the watch for their client’s grammatical faux pas; protecting them from ambiguity and misinterpretation.To celebrate their arrival in Nottingham the Society launched a Nottinghamshire Proofreading Challenge and were guests on a BBC Radio Nottingham breakfast show when listeners were challenged spot the errors in various pieces of prose. Sara Hulse, the SfEP’s PR Director, says of the upcoming conference: “Those who have attended previous conferences know what a valuable experience it is – not only to develop new skills but to network with other members and pick up valuable hints and tips. This year’s programme promises to be as interesting, informative and inspiring as ever.”SfEP spokespeople are available for comment and opinion - contact Louise Third louise@integra.gb.com or 0115 906 1377For more information about...
(No rating) 12-9-2006 Views: 450

Coming soon!
‘Networking in Business’ – what SMEs have to say about it The latest research report from the Small Enterprise Research Team (SERTeam) at the Open University Business School reveals just how important – or otherwise – networking is for business success. Report author Professor John Stanworth looks into preferred methods of networking, time devoted to the activity and estimated financial benefits, amongst other matters.The Lloyds TSB-sponsored report is valuable reading for organisations who market and run Networking Clubs, as well as SME owners who might just be missing-out.Contact louise@integra.gb.com for further detailswww.serteam.co.uk
(No rating) 12-9-2006 Views: 375

How Extreme is Your Communication?
Journalists can test their powers of communication in the Experiential Learning Zone at the World of Learning exhibition, NEC Birmingham on 14 November 2006. Diana Gibb, Director of KD Partnership the Zone sponsor will demonstrate “Extreme Dialogue” throughout the event.“Extreme Dialogue” is for leaders and managers responsible for performance, who require a high degree of communications skills to diagnose problems, give feedback effectively, challenge poor performance and help others to constantly learn. The suite of products have been developed from a combination of Senge’s systems thinking and personal mastery, David Grove’s clean language, and Tompkins and Lawley’s symbolic modelling.Part of Extreme Dialogue’s attraction is its tools which include extended play, a web-based process for mapping information in a creative and energising form to encourage faster generation of ideas and solutions; and wordplay, which uses a set of cards, is a technique for eliciting deeper...
(No rating) 12-9-2006 Views: 440

Delivering Enterprise Solutions
Despite its boring name the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) operates on the front line. Its members are the independent organisations that in large part actually deliver the small business support and advice services funded through the DTI and Regional Development Agencies. Don’t miss its annual conference.The NFEA’s 13th Annual Conference – Delivering Enterprising Solutions – is to be held 19 -21 September 2006 at the Chesford Grange Hotel, Warwickshire and anybody interested in what is really happening in enterprise support should be there.The theme for the conference is "Delivering Enterprising Solutions" focusing on social enterprise, regional initiatives and sector skills. This year there are more interactive sessions and opportunities for delegates to network.The rising importance of enterprise is marked by the fact that for the first time, a Cabinet Minister is speaking at the conference. The Right Honourable Stephen Timms, Chief Secretary to the...
(No rating) 11-8-2006 Views: 384

Help – I need an Interpreter!
Recent survey work by leading translations company London Translations has revealed the scrapes that business people can get into when they lack the language skills to cope with an unexpected situation. The survey confirms the need for an innovative instant telephone interpretation service called LanguageBridge which London Translations is rolling out nationally this month.The survey of over one thousand London Translations Limited clients asked if they had faced unforeseen situations, emergencies or dilemmas which required an instant interpreter. The results covered lost land deals, negotiating Moscow’s backstreets, misunderstandings in restaurants and even medical emergencies. Had these people been able to dial-up an interpreter on-the-spot there is clear evidence the outcome would have been very different.A typical exampleAlthough fluent in five languages Marie-Hélène Dubois, partner in Weston and Dubois the Spanish-based luxury property investment company, has no doubts that...
(No rating) 11-8-2006 Views: 397

Enterprising Women take it to the WiRE
Across the East of England enterprising women from rural areas are getting together to revitalise their local economies. As part of the recently-launched Enterprising Women programme across the East of England, the national business support organisation, Women in Rural Enterprise (WiRE) has announced plans to set up local Networking groups for women who run, or may be thinking of running a rural business. A recent survey of members conducted by WiRE has confirmed that women play a vital role in the diversification of the rural economy, with 31% providing business services. However growth is still contained as 75% of the businesses are home-based and 68% say their turnover is £50,000 or less. Any woman can register an interest in joining a Network Group, and has a chance to win a year’s subscription to WiRE as well.Business partners Carole Reich and Charlotte Howarth understand how important advice and training are to the success of their firm, Making Marks which is based in Bexwell,...
(No rating) 11-8-2006 Views: 418

Enterprising Journalist Wanted
Striding Out, the ground breaking network for young entrepreneurs, is offering a free place to a national business journalist with the bottle to join in the second Striding Out Extreme Weekend to be held in October.Following the success of the first Striding Out ‘Extreme Weekend’ held in Worcestershire in July, founder Heather Wilkinson will be leading a second event based in Cornwall. All participants will engage in a Group Business Action Coaching Session on Saturday. Each individual will be asked to present a ‘topical’ issue, opportunity or idea to the group, to receive feedback, thoughts, ideas or contacts to help them plan a framework for action. The session aims to add value to personal and professional development , through the collective gathering of knowledge, experience, and contacts. All participants are invited to bring their knowledge, skills, questions and experiences to the table to share and tap into the thoughts of others attending.Heather explains, "To...
(No rating) 11-8-2006 Views: 580