DDU Newsletter for February 2009: Issue 64
Monthly news and events from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Digital Development Unit...
Included in this edition:
Paul is a winner as he's awarded a 'Pat on the Back' for outstanding achievement
Free events - legal issues of trading online and support for manufacturing companies
Government tenders available through an online portal
Is your online business legal?
Are you aware of the legislation covering your web site?
From the Disability Discrimination Act and EU Regulations to your trading terms and conditions - does your web site conform and are you protecting your business?
This free event is intended to introduce owners and managers of SME businesses to the issues of good legal practice for your business website. Our speaker from Forbes Solicitors, is an expert in IT and E-commerce law.
Date: 26th February 2009, 8:30 for 9:00am start, buffett breakfast provided.
Venue: Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Furthergate, Blackburn BB1 3HQ
Manufacturers' Survive & Thrive: Leading through Uncertainty
Free event on how to guide your business through tough times
Nothing will have prepared you for the worldwide economic turmoil that threatens your survival and future growth, yet your workforce is looking to you for leadership, firm direction and strength of purpose. We begin The Manufacturers Survival Series with expert economic insights and winning strategies you can employ to guide your company along the rocky road of recession and achieve the best possible outcomes for your business and people.
Date: 4th March 8:00am-12pm, Myerscough College, Preston
This is one in a series of four events running throughout March for manufacturing companies in Lancashire.
See Events list for other topics.
'Pat on the Back' for our Paul
Paul White, the Innovation & Technlolgy Manager here at the Digital Development Unit was amongst the winners of the first ever Local Strategic Partnership awards ceremony that was held at Blackburn Rovers on 26th January. Adam Scott, Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment presented Paul with the award for outstanding achievement in economic regeneration. Paul said the award was recognition for the work the DDU did. "There is a real human side to our work. This award recognises the work we do to support people to promote innovation."
See an example below, Louvretie UK, of how Paul and the DDU team can assist local entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
Looking for IT skilled graduates?
Lancaster University have an interactive website, The ICT Job Shop, which is dedicated to helping both North West based IT businesses and Lancaster University IT students to find one another for part-time, full-time and casual employment opportunities.
Supply 2 Gov - Tendering Opportunies
Supply2.gov.uk is the only official Government lower-value (typically below £100,000) contract opportunity portal, created by the Government to provide small businesses with access to lower-value public sector contracts – a huge potential market expected to exceed £175 Billion this year within the UK alone. Selling to the public sector is often considered too difficult and such opportunities too remote by many companies that could and should be considering the public sector as a key potential customer. Access the site via the link below to view current tendering opportunities.
Local News for February 2009
No holding back Louvretie
Louvretie UK Ltd was registered by David Howarth in October 2008, with an aim to wholesale the new and unique tie-back product specifically designed and tested for vertical window blinds. The company had one patent pending initially, and a plan to sell the product both to the trade and as a retail item by website or mail order. A small trial tool was commissioned by David.
David approached Burnley Enterprise Haven for help, and attended the “Enterprise Island” training event, where he was introduced to the DDU No Limits Eureka scheme. Eureka has assisted him to commission 3D CAD solid models to facilitate toolmaking, strength analysis of the design, and illustrations for registered design and marketing purposes. Further assistance has been given with a prototype injection moulding tool, and a display stand. Part funding has been awarded by Eureka towards the work. The product is now in production with an initial order for 5,000.
Shaping their future
Fitzpatrick’s (UK) Ltd is a quick-response fabrication and sheet metal company, based in Nelson, specialising in one-off and prototype fabrications in stainless steel, aluminium and steel. Over the past 12 months the company has been moving from its traditional engineering markets to more specialised sub-contract work from the automotive and construction sectors. In order to take full advantage of the new market opportunities, the company needed to upgrade its performance management systems.
The DDU gave expert advice and guidance and located the right supplier to undertake this project. Profit Optimiser of Burnley was selected to apply their consultancy model to the company and the DDU provided funding to help with the costs which has resulted in more efficient matching of market opportunities with operational capabilities, more efficient control of budgets and ultimately growth in sales, profitability and jobs.
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