Enterprise UK, the campaigning organisation which gives people the confidence, skills and ambition to be enterprising, is holding a free event at the Waterfall in Derby on Wednesday 25 November (6.30-9pm) designed to help and support anyone who is considering the option of working for themselves.
With the current economic climate making job security a real concern for many, the event will offer advice and support to anyone who is thinking about setting up on their own with inspiring business advice and top tips from successful entrepreneurs. It will also offer practical information to help people make that all important first step.
Attendees can also take advantage of a full online accountancy package worth £200 donated by Duane Jackson, founder of Kashflow. Around 1,000 packages are available to participants at the event which is just one in a series to be held across the country.
The ‘Take Control Today’ event offers the opportunity to meet likeminded people who have already started their own business and to find out how to do the same. Speakers will include Derby entrepreneur Harry Skidmore, chief executive of Easi-Bind International, who will be there to share his top tips on why the recession is a good time to start a business and to share the story of how he set up his first business when he was 21 years old.
Harry Skidmore said: “Just because there is a recession on, it doesn’t mean people stop spending. They are just much more careful about getting value for their money. From every recession emerge innovative entrepreneurs who recognize this. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) can be more flexible and during this recession, the resources and advice available to SMEs has never been richer or more readily accessible, including software and facilities on the web, virtual PAs and collaborative working tools.”
Scott Cain, Deputy Chief Executive of Enterprise UK, said: “Turning our talents into viable businesses often stalls because we lack the confidence and contacts to give it a go. Our Take Control Today events help inspire people to take up the support they need, and provides practical, grounded advice from people who have done it themselves. The events will help you take control of your ideas and opportunities.”
This event in Derby is just one of a wider series of ‘Take Control Today’ events happening around the country. The events aim to demonstrate that even in times of recession there are entrepreneurial opportunities out there and to connect attendees to the advice and support they need to take their idea to the next level.
Best selling author of ‘How to Build Your Reputation‘ and top business speaker Rob Brown from Nottingham will also be sharing his business secrets. Rob says: “It doesn’t matter how good your business is, or how good you are. People buy people. So you’ve got to market yourself and ensure that when people want what you do, they come to you first. That means marketing yourself, raising your visibility, building your credibility and enhancing your profitability.”
To register for this event visit: www.takecontroltoday.org.uk
-ENDS-
Issued on behalf of Enterprise UK by Lava. For further information please contact Louise or Steph at Lava on 01522 842 800 / 07870 567 968 or steph@lavapr.co.uk / louise@lavapr.co.uk
To view all of Lava’s recent press releases or to sign up to receive them via RSS please visit http://www.lavapr.co.uk/press-releases or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lavapr
For more information on the event contact: Matt Black, Entrepreneurship Now Coordinator. T: 020 7430 8059
Notes to Editors
Enterprise UK
Enterprise UK gives people the skills, confidence and ambition to be enterprising, through four programmes of work promoting enterprise for now and for the future, globally and locally. It was founded as a campaigning organisation in 2004 by the British Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, the Institute of Directors and the Federation of Small Businesses. Back then their name was Enterprise Insight. It is primarily funded by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), and Peter Jones is Chair. It is best known for running the Make Your Mark campaign, which encourages enterprising activity amongst young people, and co-founding Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Kashflow
KashFlow is chaired by The Rt Hon Lord Young of Graffham – former Chairman of Cable & Wireless and former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. It has won various accolades including beating Sage, Quickbooks and all other products to win a SME-voted award for Best Small Business Accounting Software. The product is delivered using the increasingly popular Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. The company was started by Duane Jackson, a care-leaver with no qualifications, after he received a start-up loan from the Prince’s Trust. www.kashflow.co.uk
