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How to roadmap your business on the route to success

30 September 2011

 

Future planning is vital for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the North East. The University’s Science 2 Business Hub is hosting a free event to explore this process on Thursday 6 October.

Entitled ‘Strategic Roadmapping for North East SMEs’, it will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham, DH1 5TA, from 9.30am to 5.00pm. The S2B Hub is an industry-led partnership that drives to create projects and innovative solutions for ‘science using’ SMEs in the North East.

Roy Huzzard, S2B Project Manager, said, 'This event could prove vital in helping to map the future of your business.

'We’ve brought together a wealth of international experience to share essential roadmapping skills and knowledge, all aimed at improving individual businesses. Strategic roadmapping is fast becoming the key enabling business tool, allowing companies to link technological capabilities to products and business plans so that technology and strategy go hand-in-hand.'

Diverse speakers Speakers will include:

• Dr Gernot Klotz, Executive Director for Research and Innovation – European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) Dr Klotz’s presentation offers an insight into the European vision and how businesses can plan better, and react faster, to develop a clear vision for the future. • Dr Juha Kaskinen, Director of the Finland Futures Research Centre • Dr Robert Phaal, The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) • Cameron Ross, The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) • Professor Munir Ahmad, from Teesside University’s School of Science & Engineering.

IfM will be offering an exclusive workshop to show how solid principles can be used to understand future opportunities, capabilities and challenges for North East SMEs. There is also a free opportunity for a two-minute pitch to highlight your company’s activities and requirements. For more details call 01642 738200, or email s2b@tees.ac.uk

The S2B Hub project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, securing £942,860 ERDF investment. The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013 is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme which runs from 2007 to 2013. This is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development.

• The ERDF Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is focusing on: Innovation – promoting science technology and innovation in businesses and institutions across the region. Enterprise and business support – encouraging more people to start up in business, particularly those in disadvantaged areas, and helping established businesses develop, grow and innovate.

• Over £300m ERDF is available for the region from 2007-13. ERDF investment is limited to 50% of total eligible cost and must be matched by other public and private sources. For every pound of ERDF investment, we lever another pound for the key priorities of innovation, enterprise and business support.


 
 
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