Business events and opportunities

South Cambridgeshire District Council works with many organisations to facilitate opportunities for local businesses from free events, support and advice, local schemes and opportunities.

Opportunities

Business Support Fund given £20K boost

The Business Support Fund was set up by South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC), in partnership with Business Link, using £50,000 to help local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the economic downturn. As the scheme was so successful the council has added a further £20,000 which is now available to businesses.

To be eligible, the business must be based in the district, must qualify as an SME and must be able to prove it has suffered financial hardship as a result of the recession. Claims must be made by recommendation to Business Link, where a trained advisor will determine eligibility as well as the type of support and training required.

Contact Business Link on 08457 17 16 15 or via www.businesslink.gov.uk/east (This link will open in a new window).

Cambridgeshire Slivers of Time (This link will open in a new window)

Cambridgeshire Slivers of Time provides flexible staffing at short notice. With no minimum booking time, you pay only for the exact hours and skills you need - meaning cost-effective solutions for peak period support, one-off jobs, and flexible staffing for varying workloads.

Offering the same hour-by-hour flexibility to workers, they can access workers unavailable to others - professionals offering available hours alongside the day to day workforce. Including web designers, PR specialists, telemarketers and secretaries, their flexible system offers exactly who you need, exactly the hours you need, costing you exactly nothing more.

If you'd like to find out more, visit www.cambridgeshireslivers.com (This link will open in a new window), or contact Wendy Carr, Business Development Manager, at 07515 995576 or wendy.carr@anglia.ac.uk. (This link will open in a new window)

www.competefor.com/london2012business

What do the Olympics mean for businesses in this region?
Find out what opportunities there might be for your business around the London Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The Queens Award for Enterprise 2010

Do you know of someone who promotes business enterprise skills and attitudes in the UK by encouraging, training or mentoring others? Perhaps you would like to nominate them for this award?
Contact: The Queen's Awards Office, Enterprise Directorate, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET.

Helpline: 020 7215 6880 | Fax: 020 7215 5770 | Email: info@queensawards.org.uk (This link will open in a new window) | www.queensawards.org.uk/individual (This link will open in a new window)

Events

'Growing Your Business' Support Days

When: 13 July 2010 (09:30 - 16:00)
Where: Bedford College

Details
Held over two days, this event is designed for Small to Medium Businesses to help them better understand ways in which they may develop their businesses and cut costs. The programme will include seminars and workshops on a range of subjects to help your business, including:

Managing Your Carbon Footprint
Using the Internet to Grow Your Business
Smart Metering
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
Renewable Energy Technologies such as Solar PV, Solar Thermal & Heat Pumps
There will also be opportunities to gain free tailored advice and guidance from leading experts and suppliers as well as take advantage of special offers for Renewable Training and MCS Registration.

There is a nominal charge of £30 per attendee to cover lunch, refreshments and information & guidance materials. Places are limited, book early!

Download: Growing your business (GYB) event flyer | GYB - registration form | GYB - venue information

Contact: Richard Impey on 01234 291 900 or Email: rimpey@bedford.ac.uk (This link will open in a new window)

Useful Information

Credit Crunch - Weather the Storm

Whether you're an individual, family or business, this is a guide to the national and local organisations that can advise and support you through the economic downturn.

Weather the Storm is brought to you by Cambridgeshire Together (This link will open in a new window), a group of the county's most influential organisations. It's priority is to ensure that everyone is supported during the difficult times ahead.

Business Link

How Business Link can help your business through the economic slow down.

A free health check for your business
Call Business Link on 08457 17 16 15 and one of their advisers will carry out a free confidential health check of your business over the phone. You will be asked some specific questions to help identify how your business is performing and highlight any potential issues. If further in-depth support is needed, a Business Link adviser will meet with you at your workplace to further diagnose your needs.

By taking stock of where your business is currently, you will be in the best possible position to take early action and increase the chances of your business surviving the economic downturn.

Businesses that get help from Business Link do better: 81% of businesses that get help from Business Link survive to their third year in comparison to the national average of 68%.