‘Global Entrepreneurship: Driving the Recovery'
Monday 16 November, 09:30 - 12:00 - British Library Conference Centre
http://www.bl.uk/bipc/workevents/global/global.html• Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009 will launch in the UK at the British Library Business & IP Centre - positioning entrepreneurship as a global force for economic and social change
• Key events include In Conversation with Sir Alan Sugar (Tuesday 17 November) and Extraordinary Entrepreneurs Evening (Wednesday 18 November) with UK's leading female entrepreneurs such as Linda Bennett, Julie Meyer and Rachel Elnaugh
• Introducing a packed week of seminars, workshops and one-to-one advice sessions from the British Library's Business & IP Centre - providing the UK's entrepreneurs with the inspiration and information to take the plunge
The key to recovery in a recession is innovation. In order to stimulate growth, enterprising individuals need to be supported as they strive to exploit hidden opportunities, revolutionise entire industries and kick-start economic development. Recognising the need to nurture this enterprising spirit on a global scale, Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009, a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people, kicks off on Monday 16 November with a launch event at the British Library's internationally acclaimed Business & IP Centre.
Introduced by Chief Executive of the British Library, Dame Lynne Brindley, this exclusive invite-only launch event welcomes a panel of renowned enterprise experts including CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, Carl Schram, and Head of Global Economic Research at Goldman Sachs and creator of the BRIC's acronym, Jim O'Neil, to discuss the crucial role entrepreneurs are currently playing in driving global economic recovery as well as MD, Google UK Matt Brittin, and CEO Alibaba.com, David Wei China's biggest internet-business.
Providing access to an unparalleled collection of business material including £5 million of market research data and over 37 million patents, the British Library's Business & IP Centre sits at the heart of the UK's SME community, providing guidance to over 30,000 entrepreneurs every year.
Throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week the Business & IP Centre will host a special series of seminars, workshops and one-to-one advice sessions designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the information and skills to make it in the world of business. Covering everything from market research to developing business plans, these events offer users just a sample of the support available through the Business & IP Centre, and how, with support from the British Library, that initial spark of inspiration can be turned into a successful business (full details below).
Isabel Oswell, the Head of Business Marketing at the British Library, said:
"In these challenging times, enterprising individuals provide the economy with much needed inspiration and ambition, but need support in their efforts to drive recovery. Dedicated to supporting the UK's SME sector, the British Library's Business & IP Centre is delighted to be working with Enterprise UK to host the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs from around the world to seek out advice and develop their ideas into the businesses of the future."
Benita Matofska, Head of Global Entrepreneurship Week, said:
"The British Library Business & IP Centre offers an amazing array of resources for small businesses and budding entrepreneurs. They are yet again hosting a wide range of events during the week and we hope that they inspire a new bunch of entrepreneurs to take the plunge!"
Speaker interview opportunities include:
• Johnny Martin - Finance expert. After a twenty year career, which included selling three businesses for Baring Venture Partners, JO Hambro and Monument Trust, and raising some £25m, from 2004 he has dedicated himself to explaining finance.
• Cally Robson - Certified coach, product development specialist and founder of She's Ingenious! Cally has been working one-to-one with inventors and entrepreneurs with new ideas since 2003, after a career in new product development and finding her way through the innovation process with her own design for a new kind of crockery system.
• Rachel Elnaugh - founder of Red Letter Days, Author of Business Nightmares, former Dragon and
leading business mentor.
• Suzanne Cleal - founder of business coach company Striding Out, which helps female entrepreneurs explore potential markets and how to pull investment together.
• Rasheed Ogunlaru - Leading UK-based life coach, business coach and motivational speaker. Rasheed helps people of all backgrounds achieve greater success, confidence, balance and fulfillment in all areas of their lives, careers, relationships and business. He is the business coach partner of the Business & IP Centre and co-author of A Zest for Business.
• Tom Jeffs - Lucidica's very experienced Chief Technology Officer - Lucidica specialises in providing IT support, consulting and training to small businesses - those with 1-50 staff.
• Jim Shaikh - Inventor of Yoomi bottle, self-heating baby bottle and Business & IP Centre Case Study of the Month.
British Library Global Entrepreneurship Week Events Programme
Business Basics Day - Monday 16 November
On Monday we're starting from scratch - crack the essential topics that you'll need to understand to get going in business.
Identifying International Markets
UK Trade & Investment and Business Link
10.00 - 12.00, free
Experts from UK T&I and Business Link will help you understand the differences between the main prospective international markets, so you can identify the best ones for your business.
Business Planning Toolbox
Business Plan Services
10.00 - 14.00, £35
Anyone can write a business plan, but not many people can write a good one! Learn how to write one that gets results, whether compiled for internal use or to raise finance.
Beginners' Guide to Business Finance
Johnny Martin
18.00 - 20.00, £18
A jargon-busting session to help you understand the essentials of finance, from viability to breaking even, so that you can be confident about managing your accounts and speaking to potential funders.
Innovation Day - Tuesday 17 November
Innovation is all about ideas. Learn how to make the most of your ideas, by protecting and exploiting your intellectual property.
Innovation Surgeries
Business Link
9.30 - 17.30, free
If you've got a new product idea, meet one of Business Link's expert advisors to discuss in confidence how you can develop it into a successful business.
He stole my idea! What can I do about it?
Halebury
10.00 - 11.30, £15
What action can you take? How much will it cost? Find out how to protect your business and brand and learn from real cases of IP infringement, from cybersquatting to trademark use.
Protecting your IP in America
UK Trade & Investment
15.00 - 18.00, £25 + VAT
There is so much potential in taking your product to the US market. Find out what you'll need to bear in mind to keep your intellectual property safe, and see profit as a result.
Inspiring Entrepreneurs - In conversation with Lord Sugar
In partnership with HSBC Start-Up Stars
18.00 - 21.00, £10 (£7.50 concessions)
Join us for a very special evening with one of the nation's best known entrepreneurs. Put your questions to Lord Sugar; find out about his path to success and his inspirations along the way. This event is also being made available as a free webcast at
http://www.inspiringentrepreneurswebcast.co.uk/Women's Enterprise Day - Wednesday 18 November
Over half the people that come through our doors are women. On Wednesday, meet a whole host of female entrepreneurs, from the big names to women that are just getting started.
1-to-1s with our product design coach
She's Ingenious!
9.30 - 17.00, free
Meet Cally Robson; product design coach and inventions expert. She's offering confidential advice for women with new product and invention ideas. Talk through your ideas and plan your route to market.
Extraordinary Entrepreneurs Evening
Women Unlimited
18.30 - 21.30, £65.00
Fine dining and networking with a stellar line-up of entrepreneurs, including Linda Bennett (LK Bennett) and Karen Hanton (Top Table), in Library's lovely Terrace Restaurant.
Social Enterprise Day - Thursday 19 November
Entrepreneurs are agents for change. Even if you don't want to take the leap to start a social enterprise, find out the steps you could take to make your business more ethical and have a positive impact.
Social enterprise networking breakfast
Unltdworld
8.00 - 10.00, free
Online community UnLtdWorld connects over 12,500 social entrepreneurs. Talk to, and get advice from, London's social entrepreneurs, at this networking breakfast.
Sustainable supply chains
Supply London
14.00 - 17.00, free
Find out about sustainable business practices and discover practical ways to understand and improve your supply chain.
Managing an Ethical Business
Red Ochre
14.00 - 17.00, £10
Whether you're just starting a business, or already up and running, what are the practical steps that you can take to make your business more ethical?
Social Leadership Award Winners
Ogunte Tribal Network
18.00 - 20.00, free
Meet and hear from past and present winners of the Social Leadership Awards. Come along if you're starting an ethical enterprise and are looking for inspiration and real advice.
Home Enterprise Day - Friday 20 November
More and more entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the flexibility their careers offer them and are choosing to work from home. Why not check out our free e-course on intellectual property, join an online life-coaching seminar -
http://www.bl.uk/bipc/global, or come along to the centre to network with other home workers.
IT for your home office
14.00 - 17.00, free
An efficient IT setup is essential for any home worker. Learn tips and tools which will help you work from home effectively: getting good broadband; backing up files and protecting them from viruses, and sending large files and sharing documents.
Making it as an Entrepreneur
Rasheed Ogunlaru
10.00 - 13.00, £25
Successful people in all walks of life share three qualities; vision, self belief and action-taking. This workshop with life and business coach Rasheed will help you to understand your values and priorities, clarify where you want to be in 3-5 years, and map out the key steps you'll need to take to move forward. A mini version of this seminar is accessible free on our website.
For more information about the Business & IP Centre's full programme of advice sessions, workshops and events, please visit
http://www.bl.uk/bipcThis social media news release and more content is available at: -
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