Overview
During the week of 19 October, 2009, government, business and independent organisations came together to drive commercial, industry and government support for the UK's 4.7 million-plus smaller enterprises.
Small businesses set the agenda for the week themselves by contributing to the 2009 Business Pulse. This was the largest ever survey of the UK's small businesses, and measured the health, drivers and inhibitors to successful business across the UK. The findings of the 2009 Business Pulse highlights the support that smaller businesses need from commercial and non-commercial organisations, and therefore underpinned the events, roundtable discussions, web seminars and advice clinics which took place throughout the week.
Small Business Week Supporting Partners
Small Business Week brought together a range of government, business and independent organisations that are all committed to ensuring the success of the small business community.
They were:
BT Business is BT's specialist division dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses. We are passionate about understanding the issues and opportunities facing this community and design our services exclusively to meet business needs.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for a powerful and influential Network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK; a Network that directly serves not only its member businesses but the wider business community.
everywoman is the UK's leading provider of training, resources and services that support women in business.
Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers.
NatWest is part of one of the world's largest financial services groups.
ACCA is the global body for professional accountants.
Growing Business magazine is the UK's leading magazine for entrepreneurs.
The Design Council is the national strategic body for design.
Youth charity The Prince's Trust gives unemployed young people the skills to find a job or start-up their own business. The Trust has helped more than 74,000 young people set up in business since 1983.
The Carbon Trust's mission is to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, by working with organisations to reduce carbon emissions now and develop commercial low carbon technologies for the future.
Click on the logos to find out more about each partner
Business Pulse 2009
The largest survey of small and medium businesses to take place this year, the 2009 Business Pulse.
The results of the Business Pulse are now available.
Survey Results
Events Listing
Click on the map opposite, to see the full list of events happening in your area. These events are dedicated to exploring the issues small businesses face, sharing perspectives on the state of the small business nation, exploring what SMEs need in order to survive and thrive in today and tomorrow's business world and giving you access to practical resource and advice to do this.
Further Links
BT Business Insight includes advice, guides, case studies and articles, helping UK SMES at all stages of their business development.
Enterprise Nation hosts the UK's largest website for people starting and growing a business from home.
HMRC is responsible for collecting and providing advice around tax for UK businesses.
The Institute of Directors is Europe's largest membership organisation for business leaders.
The Federation of Small Business (FSB) is Britain's biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business.
FreshIdeas Events run conferences, seminars and networking events for SMEs and corporate women in business covering a range of topics from branding, mentoring and online opportunities, to discussions on the advancement of women in business
e-Skills UK is a not-for-profit, employer-led organisation, that brings together employers, educators and Government to address together the technology-related skills issues.
J4b is providing complimentary access to their grants & funding information during Small Business Week
Web Seminars
Monday 19th October at 10.30am - The 2009 Business Pulse: UK businesses speak out
In the last year, the UK's 4.7 million small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. But, how have smaller enterprises faired in the recession and what are the drivers and inhibitors to successful business across the UK?
Our panel comprising Lord Digby Jones, former director general of the CBI and Peter Jones the accomplished entrepreneur and dragon from TV's Dragons Den, at the launch of this year's Small Business Week at the BT Tower, will debate the findings of the 2009 Business Pulse - the largest survey of small businesses to take place this year.
All our web seminars are packed with practical advice, tools and tips for you to take away.
Click here to view a replay of this web seminar
Tuesday 20th October 2009 at 12.00pm - How to succeed with effective business management in any climate
Good business management is essential to business success at any time, and never more so than in the current economic climate. Our panel comprising experts from Business Link, ACCA, NatWest, Prince's Trust and BT will discuss the importance of good business management, from having effective resilience/continuity plans to good fiscal management, and the avenues available to small businesses to obtain funding.
They will also explore the importance of controlling costs through effective working practices such as flexible working and highlight some of the technologies available to small businesses to help them in this.
All our web seminars are packed with practical advice, tools and tips for you to take away.
Click here to view a replay of this web seminar
Wednesday 21st October 2009 at 12.00pm - How to get noticed online and win business
The online world is changing and the recession has fuelled a shift in what consumers are looking for. Our expert panel from Growing Business, Everywoman, Lattitude and BT will discuss the changing face of online marketing and consumer online purchasing - what's driving the way people buy online now and how businesses can adapt to meet this challenge.
It will also look at the growing development of social networking and how businesses can respond to this as a powerful marketing opportunity.
All our web seminars are packed with practical advice, tools and tips for you to take away.
Click here to view a replay of this web seminar
Thursday 22nd October 2009 at 12.00pm - How to gain competitive advantage by doing business differently
Every business, no matter how small, must innovate and evolve to maintain a competitive advantage, particularly in the recession. Join experts from Business Link, The Carbon Trust and BT who will explain the imperative for small businesses to constantly challenge the way their do business and how every business can do this, no matter how small or what they do.
They will also explore some of the technologies and applications available to small businesses now to help them to run their business differently, particularly during these challenging times.
All our web seminars are packed with practical advice, tools and tips for you to take away.
Click here to view a replay of this web seminar
Friday 23rd October 2009 at 12.00pm - How to realise your business potential today - London 2012
London 2012 represents one of the biggest opportunities for UK businesses for many years. Our expert panel from CompeteFor, LOCOG and BT will provide a practical guide on how to engage now with the opportunities that The Games bring, how to make the most of them and what the potential rewards are.
They will also explore the wider area of how small businesses can be more effective when tendering for business generally, particularly from larger corporates.
All our web seminars are packed with practical advice, tools and tips for you to take away. .
Click here to view a replay of this web seminar
