Wednesday 24 August 2011

Business Idea Competition


Create (part of Inverness College's Highland Centre for Enterprise & Innovation) have launched this year's Business Idea Competition for would-be entrepreneurs in the Highlands & Islands, Perthshire and Moray.

"At CREATE we want to help all learners to acquire an enterprising mind-set. We seek to inspire and support students to realise their potential and to develop entrepreneurial behaviours and skills for business and self employment. The UHI Business Idea Competition is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has an interesting and innovative business idea.

The competition is open to everybody aged 16 or over living in the Highlands and Islands, Moray or Perthshire. It is very straightforward to enter, with only four questions to answer. 


If you have more than one idea why not submit them all? You may submit as many applications as you wish, however you can only save and submit one application at a time using the on-line form.

Completed entries must be received by the judges by 26 October 2011 to be eligible to win a share of the £7,000 prize fund.

Shortlisted candidates must be available on the Finals Day, Wednesday 16 November 2011, to come to Inverness College UHI to discuss their idea with our panel of expert judges and attend the prize giving event."


The very simple application form can be found at at www.createhighland.com

Thursday 18 August 2011

Scottish Crofting Federation - Training Courses



The SCF is hosting training courses for crofters and small landholders.

Lairg, 6th September: Introduction to Cattle Care 
Caithness, 17th/18th September: Dry Stone Walling
Lairg, October (TBC): Sheep Husbandry

A poster  and further details can be downloaded here or by emailing: training@crofting.org

Monday 8 August 2011

Workshops for the Creative Industries

 

Cultural Enterprise Office workshops
Wednesday 14th & Thursday 15th September 2011

Timespan, Dunrobin Street, Helmsdale, Sutherland, KW8 6JX

HI-Arts Craft Development has commissioned the Cultural Enterprise Office to run two Free workshops this September in Timespan in Helmsdale.  In addition to the Creative Industry professionals who'll be presenting the workshops, Business Gateway (i.e. me) will be on hand to answer any general business queries.

The first workshop is on the 14th September from 1.00pm to 4.00pm (althouh there'll be networking and advisory oportunities from 11.30am) and covers operating, financing, and making a living from a creative business  - whether you're at the planning stage  - or an existing business looking for some reassurance.

On the 15th September from 10.00am to 1.00pm, the workshops will address probably the trickiest part of running a creative business; costing and pricing your work.

For more information and booking details, follow this link

Business Gateway Record Keeping Workshop

A Record-keeping workshop is planned for the 26th August in Helmsdale.  

This free 1-Day Course will provide the knowledge and skills to manage your finances -  and advises you as to what records need to be kept to comply with current legislation.   As with all BG workshops, it's also a great networking opportunity.

For details and to book a place, contact Lesley Allan on: 01463 713889 or email: lesley.allan@highland-opportunity.com

Wednesday 3 August 2011

New Chief Executive Officer for HOL

Highland Opportunity Limited has appointed Marie MacKintosh as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Marie has a wealth of experience in Economic Development, having worked for HIE, Inverness & Nairn Enterprise and the Inverness City Partnership. We welcome her to the HOL team.

Monday 1 August 2011

Lochinver Mission - Open Day

 
The newly-completed Lochinver Mission is now fully operational and will be having its official opening on the 10th August with a day of entertainment.  For full details, take a look at the Mission's FaceBook page

Rachel Sermanni at Kildonan Church

Rachel Sermanni, supremely-talented singer-songwriter from Carrbridge. will be performing at Kildonan Church on 10th August 2011 at 7.00pm.  (There's a bus from Timespan, Helmsdale at 6.30pm).

For more details, contact: Timespan

Here's a taster:




Silvercise.me

SilverCise.Me

 Entrepreneur and Innovator, StevenReeves (based in Dornoch)  has just launched his new website:  Silvercise.me .  The site, which will eventually provide a platform for his assessment innovations, is a networking and information portal for all those interested in age-related and quality of life issues. 


Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice

There was a nice article about Helmsdale Charcoal & Coppice in the P&J this weekend:

Press and Journal - Article - Mike’s burning ambition sees his business grow