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Calling all SMEs in Bedfordshire! The University is working alongside the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) to promote the benefits of EU funding to Small and Medium Enterprises.
Those SMEs who have been involved in past EU projects report increases in productivity, exports, and sales of new to market/company products or services. What’s more, both managers and staff obtain valuable skills for business growth and longevity.
There are currently opportunities for SMEs to join EU projects in a number of areas, with eHealth rapidly becoming a popular choice. eHealth refers to a broad spectrum of ICT initiatives, which make use of digital data that is both stored and retrieved electronically for clinical, educational and administrative purposes.
Due to the enormity and potential of this technological innovation, research and development in eHealth requires the involvement of both public and private sector organisations, and seeks the assistance of large, medium and small companies. The EU should be considered a business investor, providing funding for SMEs who collaborate and form relationships with other European organisations.
For more information about current funding opportunities in eHealth or the application process (deadline January 2010) visit www.useanddiffuse.eu to download the ‘Making European Research Work for Your Company… for Busy Professionals’ handbook. You can also contact Dr Elly Philpott LARCI Fellow at the University of Bedfordshire at elly.philpott@beds.ac.uk.
One of our local partners, Central Bedfordshire Council, is hosting ‘A Business Breakfast’ in early December, to ensure that local business owners are kept up to date with changes to Government policy following the Spending Review.
Richard Carr, Chief Executive of Central Bedfordshire Council will lead the event which aims to engage with Bedfordshire businesses and address the new challenges we now face.
The event will also feature a presentation on ‘Winning Public Sector Contracts’ followed by a chance to find out how you can represent business and commerce in Bedfordshire in the ‘Be an Ambassador’ presentation.
The event will be held on 6th December at the Council Chamber in Chicksands, beginning at 7:30am and finishing by 10:30am (doors open at 7:00am). For more information or to book your place for this event, call 01582 522448 or email events@chamber-business.com.
Here at the Knowledge Hub, we take pride in the work we do, supporting local businesses and organisations in their growth and development by providing excellent advice, training, cutting-edge research and networking initiatives.
We are constantly seeking to improve on what we deliver and how we deliver it, as well as expanding our reach by offering a universal service that any business will find beneficial.
We want to canvass your ideas and opinions on all aspects of the Knowledge Hub and University:
Have you attended any of the events hosted by the Knowledge Hub? What did you think of them?
Is there anything you would like us to include in our regular eZine or do you have a topic in mind that we haven’t covered yet?
What do you think of the University? What future developments would you like to see in terms of courses offered, services, and improvements to existing courses?
How easy is it to access the research you are looking for at both the University and the Knowledge Hub? What could we do to improve this and assist you further?
We welcome all feedback, suggestions and comments… your feedback is very important to both our development and yours. If you would like to contact us to discuss this further, give us a call on 0800 328 5334 or drop us an email at knowledge@beds.ac.uk.
Click here for Top Tips.
Following on from the Knowledge Network’s ‘Food-related Tourism’ event, where local food producers and traders were given the opportunity to meet and develop new relationships, as well as hear how important Food Tourism is to local economies, we caught up with Josie Chamberlin of J. Robarts & Son Limited to find out how her business has benefited from the event.
“I was introduced to the Knowledge Hub by Helen Corkill from the University of Bedfordshire, who recommended that I attend an upcoming event highlighting the importance and sustainability of sourcing food locally,” Josie Chamberlin told Gary Kirkby, Knowledge Network manager.
Josie runs a family grocers and wine merchants in Codicote, Hertfordshire, which was founded in 1841 and has remained in the family ever since. “Our future depends on the business being open to change and our willingness to adopt new, attractive products for our customers,” said Josie.
“We are really passionate about ensuring that we give our customers what they want,” she continued, “and with consumers having greater interest in where food comes from, its authenticity and how many miles it travels before reaching the shelves, I was prompted to consider the amount of local produce we stocked.”
Also at the event was John Harper, owner of Harpers Farm Shop in Studham, Bedford who, along with a number of other suppliers, was offering samples of his produce.
“I tasted my way through what was on offer at the event and that’s when I came across Harpers,” said Josie. “The food was of exceptional quality and I was impressed with the professionalism, enthusiasm and expertise of John and his team.”
J. Robarts & Son Limited has been trading with Harper & Son Ltd. since the end of September and is confident that this will be the start of a long and prosperous relationship.
“I definitely recommend the Knowledge Network events to local businesses,” said Josie. “Since attending ‘Food-related Tourism’ back in September, I regularly check for networking opportunities that will help to drive our business forward.”
Josie Chamberlin is based at J Robarts & Son Limited, 80 High Street, Codicote, Hertfordshire SG4 8XQ, tel. 01438 820205.
The
Knowledge Network regularly hosts events, exhibitions and network meetings for
business in Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. For more information,
please visit www.theknowledgenetwork.co.uk
or call 0800 328 5334.
The increasingly ageing population is a serious problem. The ratio between workers and retirees in the UK currently stands at 3:1, and is set to increase by 2050 to 2:1. This will result in a significant shortage of carers to support the elderly. We are hosting a Knowledge Network event which will present university research into robotic homecare systems to help combat this problem.
The event, the final one of the ‘Changing Lives’ programme 2010, will take place on 24th November and will present details of a £3m EU funded ICT project which focuses on research into the development of a robotic homecare system to assist the elderly and encourage independent living for less-able-bodied individuals. The aim is to develop a system that can operate in an unstructured environment and understand its users’ intentions by observing and reacting to the users’ behaviour, thus achieving a seamless operation, in a symbiotic relationship.
The team of researchers, led by Carsten Maple, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) will open their work to the public at the Knowledge Network event on Wednesday 24th November 2010 at 6 pm at Putteridge Bury Conference Centre. For more information please visit the website or call 0800 328 5334.
Fit your studies around work and family with our distance learning ISMM courses. You can now study Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) accredited courses in your own time and receive an ISMM Award, Certificate or Diploma on completion.
Courses include:
ISMM Level 3 Advanced Sales & Marketing
Focusing on sales and marketing at an operational level, this course aims to cover both the theoretical and practical angles of sales and marketing required to be a sales professional. The course is aimed at practising or potential sales professionals.
ISMM Level 4 Operational Sales & Marketing Management
This course will focus on operational sales and marketing but from a managerial perspective and will cover both theory and practice.
ISMM Level 5 Account Management and/or Sales Management
This course aims to provide practising or potential account and sales managers with the training and knowledge required for their formal development in this role.
Course fees vary depending on the ISMM Level and whether the student completes an Award, Certificate or Diploma. Fees cover the cost of all course materials and remote tutor support. For more information, visit the website or email knowledge@beds.ac.uk or call 0800 328 5334
