DDU Newsletter for June 2009: Issue 68
Monthly news and events from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council's Digital Development Unit...
Included in this edition:
Find out more about overseas trading at the Lancashire International Trade event
Leading Search Engine Optimisation expert Jan Klin, offers our subscribers free online lessons
Digital Britain report: How Britain needs to develop to be competitive in the digital era
Insider Business Finance Conference 09
The Insider Business Finance 09 Conference will bring together funders with businesses. The world has turned upside down in the last year. As banks rebuild their balance sheets and change their pricing models, businesses are facing a new business finance landscape.
But there is funding out there. The Northwest Regional Development Agency is launching a new Venture Loan and Capital Fund at this event. And we want this positive event to introduce businesses and advisors to the wide range of funds available from banks and other financiers in the present market.
Date: Monday, 29 June 2009
Location: The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
Time: 09:00 to 17:00
Ticket: £45 + VAT each
Lancashire International Trade Event 2009
With its cultural diversity and wealth of experience in manufacturing, retail, ICT, tourism, agriculture and the provision of services - Lancashire should be at the forefront of international trade.
At this free event, delegates will learn about, the benefits of trading overseas, the help available to start and increase international trade, key tax aspects of trading overseas, advice on legal issues, protecting intellectual property, shipping & investment in the Gulf and investment opportunities. Key speakers include the Chief Executive from East Lancashire's Chamber of Commerce and Patent Attorneys from legal experts Appleyard Lees.
Date: Friday 26 June 2009, 8:30am to 12:00pm
Venue: Blackburn Enterprise Centre, Furthergate, Blackburn, BB1 3HQ
To reserve your place email: internationaltrade@veritassolicitors.co.uk or call 01254 504 999
Search Engine Optimisation - Free online lessons
We at the DDU have always emphasised the importance of Search Engine Optimisation in order to have a successful online business. We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer you free valuable SEO information from one of the leaders in this field. Jan Klin has presented a number of our popular events and has kindly agreed to release two lessons a month for us to distribute to you.
"So, here it is, your guide to optimising your website –all the tools, techniques and tricks to ensure you get good Google rankings and more web based business. You know all the positive arguments for getting free advertising on Google so I wont bore you by repeating all the compelling statistics – you know its now an essential requirement for every modern business regardless of what you are selling.
Will it take that long? No, not for most sites –it may only take a few weeks for some but longer for those with brand new sites. But, once its done its done. Once you are getting good rankings it will be difficult to dislodge you. Its time investment now but by Christmas ( I know, only 190 shopping days left!) you’ll be saying thanks Jan. You might even send me a Christmas card." Jan Klin, Jan Klin & Associates www.janklin.com
Lesson 1 - Essential Pre-requisites
Lesson 2 - Google Webmaster Central
Digital Britian
On 16 June the Government published The Digital Britain Report, its strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy.
Digital Britain measures include:
- - A three-year National Plan to improve Digital Participation
- - Universal Access to today's broadband services by 2012
- - Next Generation fund for investment in tomorrow's broadband services
- - Digital radio upgrade by the end of 2015
- - mobile spectrum liberalisation, enhancing 3G coverage and accelerating Next Generation mobile services
- - robust legal and regulatory framework to combat Digital Piracy
- - support for public service content partnerships
- - a revised digital remit for Channel 4
- - consultation on funding options for national, regional and local news
£2million Fund for Action on Climate Change
A £2million fund has been launched, providing grants of between £100,000 and £500,000 to new projects that can demonstrate significant carbon savings - accelerating the Northwest region’s transition to a low carbon economy.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is inviting expressions of interest in The Carbon Challenge Fund, which is targeting organisations and businesses that show an innovative and replicable approach to energy efficiency, renewable energy, low carbon transport and construction. The deadline for expressions of interest is 3rd August 2009.
Local News for June 2009
Flying high
For a number of years Jeff Hoyle of Magni Gyro UK has been working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to get approvals for the Italian made Gyrocopters to fly over the British Isles. Along with this, it was strategically important for the company to have a secure distributor agreement in place before the long awaited approvals where granted. The company approached the Digital Development Unit for help.
On the 24th of April flight testing of the M16 was successfully concluded and on May 20th the gyrocopter was granted full CAA approvals.
The DDU assisted the company with legal advice during contract negotiations with the Italian manufacturer.
Hot off the press
Slater PR Ltd has been operating in Blackburn since 2001 and has grown into one of the leading PR companies in Lancashire. They have developed a reputation for a high quality and speedy service for the management and delivery of PR campaigns for businesses and public sector organisations both locally and nationally. The nature of the PR business means that they also need to deliver PR material to clients and media throughout the UK.
The client identified the need for a web site presence for marketing and credibility purposes but following discussion with the Digital Development Unit, Slater PR identified an opportunity to improve the speed, accuracy and quality of material by using a web presence to deliver client material.
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