Young Enterprise Scotland - Here We Go Again!

 

The Young Enterprise Scotland year is about to kick off. It comes around faster every year. Last night we attended an Induction event for Advisors and Teachers in the Crown Court Hotel, Inverness and heard about the exciting events coming up in 2011/2012.

Highland students normally do very well in this competition (see, for example, earlier posts about Farr High School). However, there is still a need for business-sector Advisors; either for the duration of the competition or just to provide some one-off specialist advice to enthusiastic and committed would-be enterpreneurs.

If anyone wants to offer their services, contact Area Co-ordinator, Linda Thomas (Email)

Just Enterprise - For All your Social Enterprise Needs

Just Enterprise is a new access portal for all enquiries regarding support for Social Enterprises.  In addition to plenty of online information, the site will link clients to the most appropriate form of assistance, funding, training etc. and help guide them through the often confusing support network. 

"Just Enterprise is a new consortium bringing together Scotland's key social enterprise support agencies to provide business support and development services to Enterprising Third Sector Organisations across Scotland. Its principal role is to deliver the Scottish Government's contract for Business Support to the Enterprising Third Sector. In doing so, the focus of the consortium is to ensure an enterprising third sector can grow sustainably in the challenging economic conditions expected in coming years.

The Just Enterprise consortium consists of CEiS, HISEZ, Firstport, the Social Enterprise Academy, Forth Sector Development, Community Enterprise Ltd, CEMVO Scotland, Lanarkshire Enterprise Services, Ready for Business and Inspiralba."

Here's the link:   Just Enterprise

Sutherland Businesses in the News: Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes

Bob Christie & Sandra Callus of Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes (pic: Clive Grewcock)

Congratulations (again) to Bob Christie of Sutherland Savoury Oatcakes in getting their perfect product into a hamper as part of the inaugural flight from Inverness to Amsterdam.  Along with chocolates from Durness-based Cocoa Mountain,  the oatcakes were part of a selection which represented some of the best produce from across the Highlands.

Here's a link to the Northern Times article: Link

Sutherland Businesses in the News - Leigh Sedgley

Leigh Sedgley (pic: Euan Callus)

Sutherland businesses continue to feature in news releases.  There's a great article in the Press & Journal about "Living the Dream", Leigh Sedgely's burger van situated on the spectacular clifftop at Stoer. (However, it's difficult for any article to do justice to Leigh's bacon rolls!).

Here's a link to the P&J Article: Link

Bye Bye, David

David Owen, Highland Opportunity's Company Manager, left us last week at a small lunch attended by Highland Opportunity staff  - where he was presented with a token of our respect for what he has achieved over the past ten years. Highland Opportunity has thrived under his leadership and is a major player in many forms of enterprise support across the Highland region.

David 's retirement, however, doesn't  mean gardening, pipe and slippers but will involve him using his considerable experience and entrepreneurial skills to develop new opportunities in the North of Scotland.  We wish him every success and know that we will be working with him in the future.

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

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

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

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.

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

 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