Social Media Why No1? Why is it useful to follow on Twitter?

 Because you can gather info and opportunities on a daily basis that will be over before they can make it into the monthly newsletter.One such was @ValerieDwyer 'Social Media. So What'. Free Vocus Virtual Conference! Check out this valuable free online event you could have joined Vocus Virtual conference   Need any help getting started? Just email us                                       back to top...

SPOTLIGHT - Women of Worth Most Innovative Business 2011 Lorna Taylor, founder of Jolly Back Enterprises. It's amazing how winners levitate towards each other, some mysterious force of attraction? I had gone to sit with Lorna at WIB conference without even knowing that she was in this year's finalists.We're going to hear a lot more about Lorna and her innovations. Former paediatric

physiotherapist Lorna invented an ergonomic chair designed for adults such as teachers who work at low heights with children. In just over a

Lorna's Jolly Back Chair

year, Lorna, who has three small children, has  

Lorna Taylor, Anne Widdecombe, Penny Mallory

designed and brought the product to market.

The chair, manufactured in Northamptonshire, sold by a network of distributors covering the UK.  Lorna received support from Business Link and Healthcare and Bioscience iNet to get her idea off the ground. She is now developing other products for adults who work with children, and also offering back care consultancy to schools and nurseries. Visit      back to top... 

CONGRATULATIONS Simon Procter wins Vivienne Westwood Royal Ascot Campaign!

Simon Procter, one of our many Prince's Trust Start-up prot�g�s, a talented multimedia artist, is an international and celebrity photographer for top couture designers, models and catwalk shows at the premier fashion events around the world. His work features in major -a whole colour section in The Sunday Times Magazine last year. Simon's recent shoot of John Galliano's final collection for Christian Dior is a tribute. We couldn't resist sharing these fabulous images from his new campaign for Vivienne Westwood and Royal Ascot. Hope that you like them as much as we do! More of Simon's exciting work - Visit Simon's site & Simon's agency             back to top... 

Creatives Copyright Protection Tool

Myows (My Original Works) is a design and copyright protection tool. Users can register their designs or other copyrighted work, such as written content and blogs, logo, photographs etc. As soon as you upload an Original work on Myows, a copy of that work is time- and date-stamped and saved on our secure servers. Uploading your work on Myows provides you with valuable evidence as well as an effective deterrent measure designed to prevent theft. The tool can help get unauthorised copies of copyrighted work removed. More.. for free copyright management and protection.                               back to top...

AWARDS - Chamber Awards 2011Celebrating a Year for Growth  

To reward and recognise the most innovative and successful businesses. 2010 winners included PerCurra Ltd a home care services company/ They received two East Midlands awards - Most Promising New Business and the Awards for Excellence in Customer Service. Details enter here                                                       back to top...  

AWARDS - China UK Entrepreneurship Challenge! Deadline 19 March 2011   More details 

FUNDING- Innovation boost continues for healthcare and bioscience

  Stephen Clark of Medilink reminds us of this regional initiative launched three years ago by emda that is providing a major boost to innovation within the region's healthcare and bioscience sector and helps entrepreneurs such as Lorna Taylor and her Jolly Back Enterprises, so if you know a budding inventor or innovator, pass on this information.  

   Inspired by the East Midlands Innovation Council, developed by emda and managed by Medilink East Midlands, the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet has helped over 500 businesses in the region with their innovation projects. The aim of the iNet is to raise the level of innovation and increase competitiveness through coordinating support to businesses. It brings together regional businesses, universities, NHS researchers and other business support organisations into a network of potential collaborators.  Healthcare and Bioscience iNet or email iNet    Medilink events and information 

    ERDF general informationTo find out more about ERDF, the East Midlands regional strategy for delivering the funds, how to apply for funding and how the programme is managed, visit East Midlands ERDF

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 FUNDING SOURCES

Is raising funding for you or your business an issue? A clear vision and detailed Business Plan will serve you well when approaching funders.  Remember also how much weight is placed on the talent within your business, this can often swing the final decision in your favour. Tried all the usual routes without success?  Someone objective from outside your business may see what's missing in your approach. Or approaching a different source may help. For personal borrowing at great rates try Zopa and for great rates for business try Funding Circles

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EVENTS ONLINE (No need to travel!) 

Ecademy Digital Mindset free live webinaire, 23 March 2011

Penny Power FREE live webinar on March 23rd at 6.30pm GMT part of their Ecademy Digital School project. The aim is to help business owners, sole traders (and employees) from all industries and backgrounds with their understanding of "digital" and "social media".
    In her experience over the last 13 years of teaching Social Media Penny has focused on how to build Social Capital in life. She knows that the most critical starting point is to understand the 'social' aspect of doing business. The webinaire will look at this and create anchor points for your marketing online.Penny will speak in plain English.You can find out more & book onto the webinaire here..  back to top...

EVENTS- Online Marketing Conference & Exhibition, EMCC, 21 March 2011 Introduction to Social Media for Business and What's New in Search have waiting lists for cancellations but there's a big exhibition where you can ask advice. ebusinessclub    back to top... 

EVENTS -Marketing & Social Media For Social Enterprises, Enterprise Centre, Pride Park, Derby. 23 March 2011

Free event includes lunch. Master class aimed at organisations that want to gain a better understanding of how to market their products or services. They will learn how to promote their products and services using permission marketing and by generating referrals, and consider how utilising social media could present new opportunities for their organisation.   More information 

EVENTS - Make it Happen! The Akabusi Company, Whittlebury Hall, 25 March 2011

Kris Akabusi's second Make it Happen event, Make it Happen 2011 will provide the opportunity for like minded people to meet subject matter experts in individual and team motivation, sales, marketing/branding, finance, futurology, recruitment and team building. Look out for our friend Jo Cameron and her High Performance Academy. More...

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EVENTS - Angels Den - where entrepreneurs and investors meet - Funding Clinic, 30 March 2011

The last March Funding Clinic in the East Midlands. If you have not yet done so book your place now   There's also  5^th April SpeedFunding Free to attend!  email Becky   or visit  Angels Den       back to top,,, 

EVENTS - Inspired Entrepreneur Nick Williams, 'The Business You Were Born To Create', High Wycombe, 30 March 2011

Learn the differences between being an ordinary entrepreneur and an Inspired Entrepreneur. Find how you can bring the love, the meaning and the money together.  Discover the importance of authenticity and leadership in building your business successfully.  Plus:- How to deal with and beat the fear, self doubt and resistance that you'll encounter; how to generate income from the work you love doing and how to succeed through following your sense of joy and artistry rather than struggle.  More 

EVENTS - Beginners Bootcamp, Gibsmere, Nottinghamshire, 1 April 2011

WIRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) Members East Midlands Nannies & Au Pairs personal invitation to you to. Anne says  "Spring into action and join me  at a beginners boot camp at Gibsmere House . I can promise you a fun and inspirational day which will include exercise to suit all levels if fitness, tips on diet and exercise to fit into your busy schedule! Beautician and hairdresser on hand for tips and advice. Fantastic prizes to be won. ALL proceeds going to Beaumont House. The day starts at 10.00 am and finishes at 2.30pm . All refreshments, snacks and lunch provided!  email 

Winning Business in the Renewables Sector, Hull, 1 April 2011

Renewables Network 

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EVENTS -Ladies Football Lunch, Derby County FC, Pride Park, Derby, 8 April 2011

Invitation to meet the team over lunch, from Rebecca Walmsly.email Rebecca for info. 

EVENTS- Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2011, London Hilton, Park Lane, 19 May 2011

More details...                                                         back to top... 

QUICK QUIZ - How Internet Savvy Are You?

This test has four sections, takes just a few minutes to complete and will give you advice and guidance after each stage. When you're done, it will assess your overall threat level based on your answers. See if you can recognise a scam, phishing, malware and counterfeit goods sites. Take the test                                         back to top.... 

The Prince's Trust Women's Leadership Group is an innovative fundraising initiative with a dedicated committee of leading, influential women committed to raising funds to help young women get their lives back on track. Of the 40,000 young people The Trust helps each year, only 15,000 will be young women. And the majority of donors are male. Their mission is to involve more women in their work and to motivate female supporters to help them to help more disadvantaged young women than ever before. More....        back to top...