Lewisham Libraries recently had its first Innovating for Growth Workshop
as part of a partnership with the British Library Business and Intellectual Property Office. The Innovating for Growth programme is a tailored three-month business support initiative for scale-ups run by the British Library Business & IP Centre to deliver workshops to support small businesses and entrepreneurs in London. It is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.
The two day event took place in Deptford Lounge on 28th and 29thSeptember 2017.
The first day of the fully booked event started off with Lucan Richards from Centa Business Services who delivered his “Get Started” workshop. He covered various aspects such as how to identify market opportunities, produce a clear business plan, raise finance from banks, investors or other sources of funding as well as developing a successful marketing strategy.
He also talked on the paperwork that needs to be filled out from Companies House and the pitfalls that new entrepreneurs could face.
The second day on Friday 29 September consisted of two workshops from
staff at the Business and IP centre. These were How to use the Business & IP Centre and How can I protect a business idea.
The first session, How to use the Business & IP Centre presented by Nigel Spenser.
He covered many of the resources, events and activities that the BIPC have as well as detailed information on how to access them. He gave a practical introduction to databases and resources such as Factiva, Mergent and OneSource. These would allow you to find out: who your competitors are, how to keep up to date in your field and what to do if you looking to investigate niche markets.
staff at the Business and IP centre. These were How to use the Business & IP Centre and How can I protect a business idea.
The first session, How to use the Business & IP Centre presented by Nigel Spenser.
He covered many of the resources, events and activities that the BIPC have as well as detailed information on how to access them. He gave a practical introduction to databases and resources such as Factiva, Mergent and OneSource. These would allow you to find out: who your competitors are, how to keep up to date in your field and what to do if you looking to investigate niche markets.
The afternoon session, How can I protect a business idea was presented by Sonya Pinnock. The session provided a basic introduction to patents, trade marks, registered designs and copyright and provides a foundation to our ‘Mini-Masterclass’ series. She showed the delegates what actual patents looked like and what the Intellectual Property Office does. She talked about what could and could not be protected by copyright. Also the delegates learned about copyright rules in different countries. She also covered trademarks and where to find more information about these concepts. The delegates were very lively and on both days stayed to discuss and make connections with each other. Their feedback about the quality of the speakers and their knowledge was very positive. Thanks to all the staff who worked hard to put the event together.
About the Speakers' Organisations
Centa Business Service is a not for profit social enterprise, with a strong emphasis on helping those groups who need the greatest support to reach their potentials. They have over 30 years experience of providing impartial advice. They give hands on support to start-up and trading businesses; from securing finance, to mentoring, expanding business ideas, training and practical help to set up and run a business. Last year they advised 1,800 people, helped start over 100 businesses, trained 400 people and helped 500 existing business improve their performance.
British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre support entrepreneurs, SMEs and innovators from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and growing a business. There is a programme of free and low-cost events and workshops on a range of topics including business planning, marketing and intellectual property. They provide a comprehensive collection of databases and publications with free access to market research, journals, directories and reports worth thousands of pounds. There are ten National Network Business & IP Centres across the UK.
British Library Business and Intellectual Property Centre support entrepreneurs, SMEs and innovators from that first spark of inspiration to successfully launching and growing a business. There is a programme of free and low-cost events and workshops on a range of topics including business planning, marketing and intellectual property. They provide a comprehensive collection of databases and publications with free access to market research, journals, directories and reports worth thousands of pounds. There are ten National Network Business & IP Centres across the UK.
Providers of business support in Lewisham
Cockpit Arts provides incubation units in Deptford for creative practitioners and start ups.
http://cockpitarts.com/about-our-incubators
London Borough of Lewisham provides signposting to sources of advice, support and training
for start ups and small firms. It also provides information about council-owned land and premises
available to rent and buy and an online directory of local firms and services.
For more information about business advice, go to:
www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/advice/Pages/default.aspx
For more information about commercial land and premises, go to:
www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/planning/landandpremises/Pages/council-land-andpremises.aspx
To view the online directory of local firms and services, go to:
www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/business/Pages/Business-directory.aspx
South East London Chamber of Commerce provides business advice, information and events
to firms in south east London.
www.selondonchamber.org
Voluntary Action Lewisham provides advice, support and training to new and established social
enterprises in Lewisham.
www.valewisham.org.uk
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