News

September 14, 2012

Also in the news this week - 14 September 2012

Awards for SMEs that "shine online"

Euronews and Google have launched a competition for European small and medium-sized enterprises that use the internet to attract new customers, grow their market share and take their businesses global. Entrants must tell their story in a short video for a chance to win prizes including a mini-documentary about their business to be aired on Euronews and a bespoke online training session with Google experts. The one-minute videos, which must be in English, should be uploaded to www.youtube.com/euronewsbusiness by 23 September. Categories include women in business; going international; and growing online.

Do you want to reinvent your life?

True North Productions is making a new series for Channel 4, Compare your life, featuring couples and families that want to relocate and set up their own business, following the successful production of a pilot show. Are you and your partner fed up with your current jobs and quality of life? Do you want to pack it all in, sell your house and start a new life running your own business? The programme-makers are promising to provide expert help and a dedicated research team to make your dreams a reality. To find out more, you can email the production company at compareyourlife@truenorth.tv or telephone 0113 394 5489.

Website of the year awards 2012

Now in its fourth year, the Good Web Guide Website of the Year Awards 2012 is looking for websites that demonstrate innovation, passion and a commitment to harnessing the full power of the web. Prizes are worth a total of £5,495 and entries must be submitted by 30 September. The judges — including Alex Chesterman of Lovefilm and Zoopla, Julie Meyer of Ariadne Capital and Chris Turner of Springwise — will draw up a shortlist before the public will get the chance to vote for their favourite site in The People's Choice Award.

Small businesses lack confidence with social media

A survey by Groupon of 360 SMEs has found that less than half (42%) are using social media, despite the fact that nine out of ten (90%) believe that the power of such networks have the potential to increase business growth. According to the report, companies recognised that reaching a wider audience (54%) and interacting with customers more easily (16%) were among the benefits of using sites such as Facebook and Twitter. However, a lack of confidence (23%), along with perceptions of it being a time-consuming activity to manage (54%), are cited as key reasons why so many are not using this platform. Groupon has produced a mini-guide to social media that is available for download here.

Women's entrepreneurship festival

Women Outside The Box — the first ever women's entrepreneurship festival in the UK — will be held in Bristol on 8 October 2012 at the Arnolfini and M Shed. The how-to workshops include sessions on how to launch a start-up, how to sell anything with confidence, wealth dynamics, access to funding, writing your strategic sales plan and how to start exporting. Some 25 speakers will include Sarah Cressall who has built a large family-oriented franchise. There will be more than 100 exhibitors and advice points as well as a chance to pitch for funding, volunteers or mentors.

Celebrating the year of the co-operative

Co-operatives from across the UK and around the world will be coming to Manchester to celebrate the close of the United Nations International Year of Co-operatives. Co-operatives United is to be held at Manchester Central (previously GMEX) for three days from 31 October 2012. Aimed at anyone looking to find out more about co-operatives, the event includes three exhibitions, ten conferences, 150 workshops, 200 exhibitors and hopes to attract 10,000 people.