European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009,
Following a meeting with Northern Film and Media, we thought this might be of interest to some of you:
On 20 and 21 April 2009, within the context of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009, the Committee of the Regions jointly with the European Commission will organise a two-day ‘Forum’ to showcase the creativity of Europe’s regions and cities. The event will also show how the promotion of creativity and innovation can play a key role in successful economic development strategies.
The aim of the Forum is two-fold: firstly, to create a platform for exchange between regions, cities and experts with experience in promoting creative industries and innovative approaches in the fields of arts and culture; science, research and innovation; media, information and communication technologies; urban development and urban creativity; and, social innovation.
Secondly, to invite 100 young creative talents from all over Europe. These 'creative talents' may include artists, architects, designers, film directors, internet experts or others who have contributed to the development of their local economies e.g. by setting up their own businesses in creative industry fields.Regions, cities as well as candidates for the 'young creative talent' slots are invited to send their applications by 31 January 2009.This is the weblink.
Thursday 29 January 2009
Thursday 22 January 2009
New Entrepreneurs' Forum Chairman announced
NEW ENTREPRENEURS' FORUM CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCED
Following three years of growth under the leadership of Paul Walker (who himself followed the tough act of Sir Peter Vardy) we're delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Maxfield as the new Entrepreneurs' Forum Chairman.
Tom has been actively involved with the Forum, the inspiration behind the If we can you can campaign, as a board member since the very beginning and takes on the role at a time when entrepreneurs continue to buck the trends.
Barclays head of research into SMEs is on record as saying that the contraction in start-up activity that they would have expected, given the scale of economic downturn, has not materialised going into the New Year.
In his address yesterday evening at another packed Forum event (clearly a day for landmark events on both sides of the Atlantic) Tom summed up the positive mood of the collected members:‘The entrepreneurial spirit that brings all of us together is in rude health and because entrepreneurs regard failure as nothing more than a temporary setback we expect the Forum to play an increasingly active role as economic conditions worsen.
‘There's lots of anecdotal evidence to suggest that as bright and successful people are made redundant they will seize the opportunity to do what they probably should have done years ago - turn that brilliant idea into a business and work for themselves instead of someone else.
‘The Entrepreneurs' Forum occupies a privileged position and we are uniquely placed to present the collective views of our membership in a timely fashion and based on what is actually happening in the marketplace. This puts us in a strong position to represent the region's business community and even, dare I suggest, influencing government policy in the North East.
‘So if we ask you for your view on an issue or topic that affects the business community let's have a prompt response - don't be shy in telling us what you think.
‘Let's ensure that in these uncertain times we are all available to contribute, to offer help and advice freely and to share our experiences for the benefit of others; so that collectively we ensure that the entrepreneurial spirit in the North East continues to shine brightly.
‘Above all it's important that we understand the needs and the desires of members so that we can provide a programme that reflects what you expect to get out of being a member.
‘As Chairman, I expect to be accessible so feel free to praise, to whinge, to observe, to comment or to make suggestions. Above all, don't be passive. I want to ensure that the Forum continues to be passionate about business, that we continue to connect on a very personal level and that everything we do is relevant to your needs.'
We look forward to working with Tom over the coming months on exciting new developments for the Forum and If we can, you can.
You can read Tom's inspirational story by clicking www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/entrepreneurs/tom-maxfield
Following three years of growth under the leadership of Paul Walker (who himself followed the tough act of Sir Peter Vardy) we're delighted to announce the appointment of Tom Maxfield as the new Entrepreneurs' Forum Chairman.
Tom has been actively involved with the Forum, the inspiration behind the If we can you can campaign, as a board member since the very beginning and takes on the role at a time when entrepreneurs continue to buck the trends.
Barclays head of research into SMEs is on record as saying that the contraction in start-up activity that they would have expected, given the scale of economic downturn, has not materialised going into the New Year.
In his address yesterday evening at another packed Forum event (clearly a day for landmark events on both sides of the Atlantic) Tom summed up the positive mood of the collected members:‘The entrepreneurial spirit that brings all of us together is in rude health and because entrepreneurs regard failure as nothing more than a temporary setback we expect the Forum to play an increasingly active role as economic conditions worsen.
‘There's lots of anecdotal evidence to suggest that as bright and successful people are made redundant they will seize the opportunity to do what they probably should have done years ago - turn that brilliant idea into a business and work for themselves instead of someone else.
‘The Entrepreneurs' Forum occupies a privileged position and we are uniquely placed to present the collective views of our membership in a timely fashion and based on what is actually happening in the marketplace. This puts us in a strong position to represent the region's business community and even, dare I suggest, influencing government policy in the North East.
‘So if we ask you for your view on an issue or topic that affects the business community let's have a prompt response - don't be shy in telling us what you think.
‘Let's ensure that in these uncertain times we are all available to contribute, to offer help and advice freely and to share our experiences for the benefit of others; so that collectively we ensure that the entrepreneurial spirit in the North East continues to shine brightly.
‘Above all it's important that we understand the needs and the desires of members so that we can provide a programme that reflects what you expect to get out of being a member.
‘As Chairman, I expect to be accessible so feel free to praise, to whinge, to observe, to comment or to make suggestions. Above all, don't be passive. I want to ensure that the Forum continues to be passionate about business, that we continue to connect on a very personal level and that everything we do is relevant to your needs.'
We look forward to working with Tom over the coming months on exciting new developments for the Forum and If we can, you can.
You can read Tom's inspirational story by clicking www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/entrepreneurs/tom-maxfield
Friday 16 January 2009
Here Come the Recruitment Girls..
Here Come the Recruitment Girls...
The former co-director of recruitment agency Recruitment Now is returning to his roots - allowing his wife and business partner to take full control of the business.
If we can, you can member Peter Nixon launched Gateshead-based Recruitment Now alongside wife Sarah more than four years ago.
Now, with the business raking in a turnover of more than £1.6m and rising to be one of the region’s leading agencies in both permanent and temporary recruitment, Peter is returning to work for his long established family business - Newcastle plant and site accommodation hire company Nixon Hire.
Recruitment Now’s managing director and fellow If we can, you can member Sarah Nixon said: “Peter’s remit was always to help me get Recruitment Now established and now that we are in our fifth successful year, he is returning to his family business where he always remained as a director.
This will allow me and my team to take the business forward. For the first time we are an all-girl recruitment agency.”
With permanent staff recruitment at an all-time low due to the current economic climate, Sarah has driven the temporary side of the business forward to new heights in the last quarter, investing in payroll services, new E-Marketing software and pricing structure. As a result, the company’s turnover soared in 2008 and is set to grow even further in 2009.
Peter Nixon said: “Having taken time out to help Sarah start Recruitment Now in 2004, the timing was right to leave her to it and return to my plant hire roots. Sarah is a strong woman with bags of drive and enthusiasm and I’m sure the business will continue as strong as ever with her at the helm.”
Having moved into new premises, ‘The Big Yellow Building’ on the Team Valley industrial estate in May, Recruitment Now has cemented itself as a leading supplier of temporary and permanent staff. Sarah said: “It’s no secret that we are facing troubled times economically in the UK and, as such, companies are less likely to commit to permanent staff.
“We realised this and so made a massive effort to drive the temporary side of our business by adding new divisions and providing admin support to our top temporary consultants. We are now able to offer temporary staff in the catering, commercial office and training, engineering, technical, industrial, and driving divisions and have over 300 temps out each week.
“On the permanent side of the business we have not been affected but have had to reduce our fees in order to make our service affordable for our repeat clients.
“We firmly believe that those with the right staff, external support network, attitude, drive and determination will remain successful.”
The former co-director of recruitment agency Recruitment Now is returning to his roots - allowing his wife and business partner to take full control of the business.
If we can, you can member Peter Nixon launched Gateshead-based Recruitment Now alongside wife Sarah more than four years ago.
Now, with the business raking in a turnover of more than £1.6m and rising to be one of the region’s leading agencies in both permanent and temporary recruitment, Peter is returning to work for his long established family business - Newcastle plant and site accommodation hire company Nixon Hire.
Recruitment Now’s managing director and fellow If we can, you can member Sarah Nixon said: “Peter’s remit was always to help me get Recruitment Now established and now that we are in our fifth successful year, he is returning to his family business where he always remained as a director.
This will allow me and my team to take the business forward. For the first time we are an all-girl recruitment agency.”
With permanent staff recruitment at an all-time low due to the current economic climate, Sarah has driven the temporary side of the business forward to new heights in the last quarter, investing in payroll services, new E-Marketing software and pricing structure. As a result, the company’s turnover soared in 2008 and is set to grow even further in 2009.
Peter Nixon said: “Having taken time out to help Sarah start Recruitment Now in 2004, the timing was right to leave her to it and return to my plant hire roots. Sarah is a strong woman with bags of drive and enthusiasm and I’m sure the business will continue as strong as ever with her at the helm.”
Having moved into new premises, ‘The Big Yellow Building’ on the Team Valley industrial estate in May, Recruitment Now has cemented itself as a leading supplier of temporary and permanent staff. Sarah said: “It’s no secret that we are facing troubled times economically in the UK and, as such, companies are less likely to commit to permanent staff.
“We realised this and so made a massive effort to drive the temporary side of our business by adding new divisions and providing admin support to our top temporary consultants. We are now able to offer temporary staff in the catering, commercial office and training, engineering, technical, industrial, and driving divisions and have over 300 temps out each week.
“On the permanent side of the business we have not been affected but have had to reduce our fees in order to make our service affordable for our repeat clients.
“We firmly believe that those with the right staff, external support network, attitude, drive and determination will remain successful.”
Thursday 8 January 2009
IWCYC Challenge Update: Michelle Taylor
IWCYC Challenge Update: Michelle Taylor
Having her own business was something Michelle Taylor had been passionate about for a number of years. After gaining vast amounts of experience in her role as Head of Design at Playboy Intimates, she confided in her parents about her dream of running her own successful lingerie brand.
Her parents had seen the If we can, you can campaign featured in the local press, and gave Michelle the website address. Michelle says, “I went online and starting reading all the stories of people just like me, and I started to think, maybe I could do this too, maybe I can take this idea and make it real. I found the site so inspirational, and entering the ‘If We Can, You can Challenge’ was honestly the catalyst I needed to make a start. I know it sounds mad but I thought if I tell someone else in the outside world about my idea I’ll have to do it!”
It was clear from the get go that Michelle had a real passion for entrepreneurship. She’ll no doubt not thank me for this, but to quote her from her original ‘IWCYC Challenge’ entry form, Michelle said, “My reason for entering the competition, though I am quite nervous about it, is the fact that I am so passionate about the North East that I want to try and bring my skills back to the area and eventually provide a platform for young designers to flourish without having to take their talents away to the South.”
A strong statement indeed. So after Michelle re-located back to her home town of Hartlepool and handed her notice into Playboy, what happened next?
“It was an incredibly apprehensive time,” says Michelle. “I first tried to get my freelance business up and running to provide a steady stream of income whilst I designed my own brand, but it was still a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure how much work I was going to get.
I managed to get a few clients in America and have gradually built my freelance contacts up, but I have to be honest and say it was a tough summer. I did a project for one lady who even though she loved what I’d done, ignored all of my invoices. When you rely on people paying you promptly so that you can pay your council tax, it can be a nerve-wracking time.
I’ve learnt so much from that experience though. I’m now taking on bigger projects and I always negotiate to be paid 50% upfront. I’m also doing some consultancy work for people who want to source Far East manufacturing, so my freelance business has definitely built up.
My own brand has gone through quite a number of significant changes. Originally I was planning to do a range for the DD+ market, but after conversations with my business mentor I decided that as a result of the current economic climate, I would perhaps struggle to compete with the big names for a mid-market priced lingerie brand.
I know what I can compete with is high level design and luxury fabrics, and so I’ve recently been working on my own lingerie brand ‘Tallulah Love’, with the aim of selling it in shops like Fenwicks, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. It’s just about finished and I’m about to send it across to Hong Kong with specifications for it to be manufactured with my contractor there.
I’m also just starting to work on a new range called ‘Conflict’ which is inspired by my lovely new fella who has a very good eye for style. It’s for men and women and it’s quite an edgy urban-wear brand.
There's loads going on at the moment. I've been in touch with a lawyer who's helped me to believe I really can reach for the stars. I'd been looking at grants and he said, "Michelle with your experience I really think you should apply for some of the bigger grants available " I kept asking, "Are you sure?" but he seemed to display a lot of confidence in me which I'm so grateful for.
Bizarrely, I’ve also just done an interview with Radio Tees. Someone had seen me in the Hartlepool Mail in connection with’ If we can, you can’ and said she thought I was an inspiration as an entrepreneur particularly in this current climate, and would I come on the show and talk about my journey and perhaps shell out a few hints and tips for any aspiring designers?
I was baffled but said I’d love to, and happened to mention that my mam always listened to the show, to which she said, “Bring her on too!” They had a microphone all set up for her, and we’d been sat down ten seconds before we were live so it was a bit hectic but really good fun. I feel like everything’s taking off and although it can be stressful and I work long hours, I’m having the time of my life at the moment.”
To see Michelle’s new branding, click on her holding pages www.tallulahlove.com and www.designbyconflict.com, and read her inspirational story by clicking www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/entrepreneurs/michelle-taylor
Michelle is also one of the featured entrepreneurs in our new documentary, ‘Tears and Triumphs’ alongside Matt Scott and Ken Fryer. The second episode will be released shortly (including Michelle and her mam’s radio stint) but you can see the first episode by clicking http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=govFNk3KDOk&feature=channel_page
Having her own business was something Michelle Taylor had been passionate about for a number of years. After gaining vast amounts of experience in her role as Head of Design at Playboy Intimates, she confided in her parents about her dream of running her own successful lingerie brand.
Her parents had seen the If we can, you can campaign featured in the local press, and gave Michelle the website address. Michelle says, “I went online and starting reading all the stories of people just like me, and I started to think, maybe I could do this too, maybe I can take this idea and make it real. I found the site so inspirational, and entering the ‘If We Can, You can Challenge’ was honestly the catalyst I needed to make a start. I know it sounds mad but I thought if I tell someone else in the outside world about my idea I’ll have to do it!”
It was clear from the get go that Michelle had a real passion for entrepreneurship. She’ll no doubt not thank me for this, but to quote her from her original ‘IWCYC Challenge’ entry form, Michelle said, “My reason for entering the competition, though I am quite nervous about it, is the fact that I am so passionate about the North East that I want to try and bring my skills back to the area and eventually provide a platform for young designers to flourish without having to take their talents away to the South.”
A strong statement indeed. So after Michelle re-located back to her home town of Hartlepool and handed her notice into Playboy, what happened next?
“It was an incredibly apprehensive time,” says Michelle. “I first tried to get my freelance business up and running to provide a steady stream of income whilst I designed my own brand, but it was still a leap of faith. I wasn’t sure how much work I was going to get.
I managed to get a few clients in America and have gradually built my freelance contacts up, but I have to be honest and say it was a tough summer. I did a project for one lady who even though she loved what I’d done, ignored all of my invoices. When you rely on people paying you promptly so that you can pay your council tax, it can be a nerve-wracking time.
I’ve learnt so much from that experience though. I’m now taking on bigger projects and I always negotiate to be paid 50% upfront. I’m also doing some consultancy work for people who want to source Far East manufacturing, so my freelance business has definitely built up.
My own brand has gone through quite a number of significant changes. Originally I was planning to do a range for the DD+ market, but after conversations with my business mentor I decided that as a result of the current economic climate, I would perhaps struggle to compete with the big names for a mid-market priced lingerie brand.
I know what I can compete with is high level design and luxury fabrics, and so I’ve recently been working on my own lingerie brand ‘Tallulah Love’, with the aim of selling it in shops like Fenwicks, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Harrods. It’s just about finished and I’m about to send it across to Hong Kong with specifications for it to be manufactured with my contractor there.
I’m also just starting to work on a new range called ‘Conflict’ which is inspired by my lovely new fella who has a very good eye for style. It’s for men and women and it’s quite an edgy urban-wear brand.
There's loads going on at the moment. I've been in touch with a lawyer who's helped me to believe I really can reach for the stars. I'd been looking at grants and he said, "Michelle with your experience I really think you should apply for some of the bigger grants available " I kept asking, "Are you sure?" but he seemed to display a lot of confidence in me which I'm so grateful for.
Bizarrely, I’ve also just done an interview with Radio Tees. Someone had seen me in the Hartlepool Mail in connection with’ If we can, you can’ and said she thought I was an inspiration as an entrepreneur particularly in this current climate, and would I come on the show and talk about my journey and perhaps shell out a few hints and tips for any aspiring designers?
I was baffled but said I’d love to, and happened to mention that my mam always listened to the show, to which she said, “Bring her on too!” They had a microphone all set up for her, and we’d been sat down ten seconds before we were live so it was a bit hectic but really good fun. I feel like everything’s taking off and although it can be stressful and I work long hours, I’m having the time of my life at the moment.”
To see Michelle’s new branding, click on her holding pages www.tallulahlove.com and www.designbyconflict.com, and read her inspirational story by clicking www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk/entrepreneurs/michelle-taylor
Michelle is also one of the featured entrepreneurs in our new documentary, ‘Tears and Triumphs’ alongside Matt Scott and Ken Fryer. The second episode will be released shortly (including Michelle and her mam’s radio stint) but you can see the first episode by clicking http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=govFNk3KDOk&feature=channel_page
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