Boost for Local Business Growth

Trading conditions are tough for the business community in SE London, to survive and grow many companies are seeking to diversifying into new markets. To assist Greenwich and Lewisham businesses, the European Regional Development Fund jointly with Greenwich and Lewisham councils are from now until March 2011 funding a ‘Business Growth Programme’. Professional support designed specifically for businesses that are ready to grow right now is being provided by South East Enterprise (SEE) across a range of specialist areas.

SEE are delivering the support from local offices in Greenwich and Lewisham – Jeremy Hedger SEE’s Area Director commented
…….We have over 20 years experience working with and supporting local established businesses across south east London. Our experienced business professionals deliver in-depth support and advice which, under the Business Growth Programme, is completely free. So far under this programme we have supported over 150 local businesses, which has ranged from practical advice on tendering, seeking out new public and private sector contract opportunities, right through to one to one coaching and expert advice on sales, marketing, HR, e-commerce, accessing finance and financial planning……

The programme is tailored to the needs of established businesses in both boroughs; it provides a structured framework for them to achieve tangible results and maximise opportunities for new sales in the business to business sector. It aims to help local business owners and managers achieve the sustained growth and viability needed to create and safeguard local jobs.

Steve Nelson, Principal Director of the SE London Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the programme saying
…….This is a really great offer, many SELCC members in both boroughs have signed up and are already benefiting from the support. SEE’s specialist advisers work individually with each business owner or manager to set realistic and tangible growth targets, together they then work out a growth development action plan to achieve these within a set timeframe. My advice for any businesses wanting to grow now is to sign up to the Business Growth Programme – there is no charge and its strictly confidential….

For further details of the Business Growth Programme the SEE website is www.seenterprise.co.uk Tel 020 8305 2222 email info@seenterprise.co.uk

Green Up - Profit Through Efficiency @ University of Greenwich

13th July 2010
Venue
University of Greenwich
Queen Anne Court
Greenwich Campus
Greenwich
SE10 9LS
Website
Visit the venue website
Time of Event
5pm - 9pm
5pm: Drinks and Canapes on arrival
7:50: Networking, drinks and finger buffet

Event Details
FREE EVENT
Headline Speakers:
James Cleverly, London Assembly Member, Chairman of London Waste and Recycling Board
Neil Johnston, Director, Institute for Sustainability

Do you want to know how you can Increase your business efficiency to save your company time?
Would you like to pick up tips and ideas that can enhance your company's energy efficiency and save your company money?
Would you like to hear how to make the best use of your company resources to maximize productivity?

BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW ONLINE www.gre.ac.uk

Beautiful Foods benefit from Start-up Advice to Business Growth

Caroline Afolalu set up Beautiful Foods Ltd in 2002 at the Lewisham Business Centre to produce ‘Chin Chin’, an African snack food range, and supply a general event catering service. 

It soon became apparent that there was a niche market for ‘Chin Chin’. Caroline, working with SEE advisers, re-focused the original business plan. Beautiful Foods purchased new machinery, took on more staff and in 2004 Caroline’s husband Tunde joined the company to handle finances, leaving Caroline free to develop the ‘Chin Chin’ range market penetration. 

Beautiful Foods is now recognised as one of the leading suppliers of African snack products across London and is available in most independent ethnic food stores. 

SEE advisers helped Caroline re-brand ‘Chin Chin’. The ‘Tabitha’ label was launched in 2009 aimed at the supermarket supply chains. ‘Tabitha’ is now stocked by selected Tesco and Sainsburys stores. Asda are discussing trialing as an ethnic food line. 

As Caroline says “In the beginning we didn’t really specialise and offered a general catering service and food for weddings and parties. 

I have worked closely with SEE advisers from the early days of start-up onwards and attended their free workshops and Master Classes. This practical advice and support has helped us to grow Beautiful Foods into a profitable and Beautiful sustainable business.”

www.beautifulfoods.co.uk

Business Growth Advice From SEE Helps APPA

When Kyla Aitken and fellow-director Imran Umar formed Tri UK Ltd they had a mission to help public and voluntary organisations deliver better support for people with disabilities, at home and in the workplace. 

Kyla and Imran turned to SEE for professional support. As a result they have transformed many internal procedures and achieved a better understanding of their business, setting in place a sustainable plan for growth which has enabled them to win new business in the public sector and care organisations.

Kyla and Imran have re-launched as ‘appa’ and moved to new offices in North Greenwich; all part of their business model for growth. Today appa, with the continued support of SEE, are a market leader in the provision of specialist services for people with disabilities.

As Kyla says, “The new branding will reflect our continued growth in the delivery of training and skilled services including: direct care; educational support; interpretation and British Sign Language services; for public authorities”. 

“One of our prime concerns was lack of knowledge and skills to complete often complex tender documents. Working with SEE business advisers many hours were dedicated to reviewing and upgrading our presentation and tendering documents. This has had a positive outcome leading to business growth outside of the local area.”

www.appa.me.uk

SEE featured in Greenwich Time

SEE was recently featured in Greenwich Time to bring attention to the support that SEE provides to businesses in the area FREE of charge. Recently SEE has secured European funding under the Business Growth Programme, which runs until March, 2011.

Participating businesses benefit from a flexible package of one-to-one support from the SEE team, free advice from specialist external consultants and attend regular master classes and practical workshops geared to address specific business areas. Read the full article published in Greenwich Time.

New Course Programme May to July 2010

We now have dates for our workshop programme, including some new courses: Business Differentiation, Social Networking for Business, How to Write Effective Sales Proposals and Marketing your Business in the Digital Age to mention just a few.

Use this link to see the full course programme dates and booking information .
Email us at info@seenterprise.co.uk to find out more or call Joanne or Bridget on 020 8305 2222.

SEE wins High Impact Badge of Honour for Global Entrepreneurship Events

South East Enterprise ran 2 events during Global Entrepreneurship Week back in November 2009: a Speed Network event to launch the 2010 Lewisham Mayors' Business Awards and an evening networking event in Greenwich with an inspirational speaker Mark Shaw who gave a talk on the use of Twitter and social networking for business. Both of these events were well attended and were awarded the High Impact Badge of Honour for organising inspirational, high quality activities during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009.

All the events during Global Entrepreneurship Week were evaluated through pre-registration data and post-event surveys from event organisers and from participants to see which ones would be awarded the High Impact Badge of Honour.  Only 34 organisations were awarded this special status to more than one of their GEW2009 events!