Boost Bulletin!

Boost blog July 2019 

Mock interviews at Pendle Vale College - I'm a business advisor with this school, and one of the experiences they provide for their students is the dreaded interview!!! About 10 business volunteers rocked up to help Nasima and her team give the students their first (in some cases) taste of interviewing. It was not "as bad" as some of the students thought, and some were fantastically good at being interviewed. I'm not sure I was that confident or articulate at that age (and probably not even now!). If you fancy giving a little back, more details here:

https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/programme/enterprise-adviser-network/

If you cannot commit to this much time, how about "give an hour" or pledge to bring on an apprentice, all options here:

https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/lancashire-skills-pledge/

Charlie Rea and Angela Smith of RTC North - had the pleasure of meeting with Charlie and Angela, super passionate and committed individuals who are also super keen to do MORE IN LANCASHIRE. They are part of the Innovate UK 'family' and part of the Enterprise Europe Network – if you are looking to innovate and grow internationally, these guys may well be worth talking to:

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/boost-and-co/innovate-uk-family/

If this link does not work, try the support available page as we are in the process of moving it there!

HOT 100 breakfast - our friends at LBV launched their annual HOT 100 businesses in Lancashire, this is calculated on PROFIT rather than turnover and works with another 'Boost & Co' partner, Haworth's Chartered Accountants. More details below, however the breakfast got me thinking about ways that I might start to animate our Boost & Co partners more, so watch this space, plus they served REAL FRIED BREAD (such a treat!).

https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/uncovered-the-companies-and-areas-driving-lancashires-growth

Family Business Excellence, Lancaster University - this is part of the Lancashire Forum, but a pivot towards the special interests and dynamics of the family business. The launch of the programme was held at the splendid Stanley House. Family businesses seem to be getting some love here in Lancashire, with 'Be the Business' also launching some new services, so if you are a family business it might be well worth stating your #GrowthConversation. One of the really nice nuances of the new Family Business Excellence programme is that they encourage more than one person to attend (2 max.) so that the generational aspects can be exposed and worked on!

https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/business/sme-programmes/family-business-excellence-programme/ 

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/support/lancashire_forum/

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/support/be-the-business-family-business-programme/ 

Michael Finnigan (i2i) - Michael is one of my favourite people (I do have a lot). Michael's passion, enthusiasm and energy are something to behold. If you have ever heard him speak you will know what I mean - I liken him to evangelist preacher. Who knows, he may have inadvertently helped me land on my business card job title as Boost Evangelist!  One thing is certain, Michael loves what he does and it's infectious! He has delivered a few masterclasses with Lancaster University and NatWest, but I'm keen to scope out so much more, and along with Ross Beresford I'm confident there is more to come. They are particularly keen to give back, which is music to my ears! It is also worth noting that in the early days of Boost, Michael was one of our ambassadors, something I will always grateful for.

https://i2ihq.com/

E3 business awards - I say this every year, but it's certainly one of my favourite awards. I love the sharing nature of the food (great curry) but I always look forward to Mubarak's opening speech as it is always positive, considered and inspirational, and this year was no different. Also congratulations to all the winners, but the usual extra dollop of joy to those from #Lancashire! I think I have heaped praise on Mubarak before but it warrants repeating that he is a wonderful collaborator!!!

https://www.1eventsmedia.co.uk/e3businessawards/

NATWEST women in business roundtable - taking our lead from the Rose Review, myself and Heather consulted our friends and contacts that are passionate and committed to supporting and signposting women in business and helping break down some of the barriers to accessing the support available. More importantly this was not a moaning shop, this was a proactive attempt to scope out the 'art of the possible' and look at how we better communicate the wealth of support, talent and enthusiasm available in Lancashire to embolden and foster female entrepreneurialism. Thanks to all that came along, the notes and digest will be sent out real soon -  as I write this, Heather has just been calling me!!! (if this is of interest, please get in touch with either Heather or myself - #GrowthConversation)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-alison-rose-review-of-female-entrepreneurship

https://www.rbs.com/rbs/news/2019/03/alison-rose-review-of-female-entrepreneurship-sets-out-recommend.html

Random catch up with Andy Traynor and Jonathon Nelson – I bumped into these two guys whilst they were about to catch up over coffee in Preston. Both finance people, Jonathan works on the Access to Finance service and Andy works on NPIF, part of the British Business Bank! Both are massively important services in Lancashire and without a doubt hugely important to ALL business. If you are thinking of bringing in some new finance into your business it is well worth starting here:

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/support/access-to-finance/ 

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/boost-and-co/fw-capital/

Nasir Kothia, eBusiness UK - Nasir was not originally able to attend the E3 business awards, but later was, which led him to bump into me, so we arranged to meet! A date was set, and three hours later, after putting the world to rights, we both agreed that there's plenty of collaboration space, looking forward to seeing them go up in the Boost &Co hall of fame and working with you in the near future. #GrowingLancashire I'm always inspired by the people I meet and the depth of the unseen activity – there really are so MANY amazing businesses in Lancashire.

https://www.ebusinessuk.com/

Stephen Bolton catch-up - I have already mentioned LBV, but cannot help but note my recent meeting with Stephen - so much to talk about and so many ideas. We don’t meet up often enough, but when we do…………..Thank you Stephen for continuing to champion Boost and the support you provide, not only through our paid activity but also the nice value added touches as a proactive Boost & Co partner – long may it flourish.

https://www.boostbusinesslancashire.co.uk/boost-and-co/lancashire-business-view/

KEEP ON BEING AMAZING :)

Podcast recommendation(s) going to give you two and caveat this with i have only listened to both these just twice, so yet to make my mind up, but from what i've heard, ive enjoyed: