Leeds Catalyst

http://www.my-catalyst.co.uk

This blog is no longer updated (as of 01/08/09).  For up to date information please visit:

myCatalyst's new Website

School for Social Entrepreneurs

Firewalk @ Shine

In support of Refugee Week, Shine will be hosting the amazing and extra-ordinary firewalking extravaganza.  Under the guidance of professional firewalker Lisa Clifford, this is the perfect opportunity to be involved in an inspiring challenge which will open your mind, overcome your fears and raise money for a great cause!
 
Date:      Saturday 25th July 2009

Time:      5pm - 10pm

Venue:    Shine

Cost:       £100 per person*

Places:    Limited

*There are two ways you can cover costs.. the first is to contribute £100 which includes the firewalk, workshop preparation, food and drink, a photo of your experience and a £40 donation to the Refugee Forum.  The second is to raise as much sponsorship money as possible - anything over £60 will be donated to the Refugee Forum.

Throughout the evening, Lisa will show you how you can do way more than you previously considered, with the finale culminating in a walk over hot coals, walking through fire!   She believes that this historical practice really is mind over matter and will "prove to yourself you can do anything you put your mind to".

Participants required.  For further information contact a member of the Shine Team on 0113 388 0000.  

Thanks!

myCatalyst™ on Twitter

You can now follow myCatalyst™ on Twitter!  We will update each month with details of our networking events.

 

http://www.twitter.com/mycatalyst

My Desk is my Castle

myCatalyst™ have been thinking about the different ways people choose to use our centres and how to make sure people can have their own quiet  time when they need it.  We know there’s times when you’ll want to chat and there’s times when you’ll need to get that report done so we’ve come up with the marvellous idea of desk flags.  We will be giving all members a little red flag to display on their desk whenever they are really busy so that people know when to approach you and when to leave you to your mountain of paperwork!  Pick yours up on your next visit to Shine myCatalyst™ .

Social Enterprise Yorkshire & the Humber Awards

Hi Everyone,
Now in its 6th Year the Social Enterprise Yorkshire and the Humber awards aim to celebrate and recognise the achievements of social entrepreneurs in the region.

Sponsored by Business Link the SEYH Awards provide a platform for Social Enterprises in Yorkshire and the Humber to showcase themselves and their achievements, culminating in an awards dinner to be held on 21 October 2009 at Doncaster Racecourse.

The Awards:

There are five award categories:

• Start up of the Year
• Social Enterprise in Education
• Innovation in Enterprise
• Social Entrepreneur of the Year
• Social Enterprise of the Year
  

Judges will be looking for outstanding examples of businesses that are delivering real social impact and competing effectively in a commercial market.

Why Enter?

The SEYH Awards is a fantastic way to promote your social enterprise whilst also celebrating the achievements of the social enterprise sector within the region.

If you would like to enter please click on the following link:

http://www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/Top-Level-Nav/Social-Enterprise/SEYHawards.aspx

Regards Louanne

Louanne Roberts
Social Enterprise Start Up Adviser
Business Link Yorkshire

Mobile 07764 158224

www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk <http://www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/>

Business Link Yorkshire
1 Capitol Court,
Capitol Business park,
Dodworth,
Barnsley
S75 3TZ

You're Hired!

Volunteering River week around Thwaite Mill

We are working with Aire Action and BTCV to provide a team of volunteers to work at Thwaite Mill in Stourton on Thursday 9 July. I've attached details including the activities that volunteers would be involved in, and they would be working with a team of volunteers made up of other businesses. We have a few places left so please let me know if anyone's interested.

Shell
Shelley Riley
Business Broker
Leeds Ahead
1 Park Row
Leeds
LS1 5AB

Tel: 0113 246 7877
Mobile: 07912 391 085
www.leedsahead.org.uk <blocked::http://www.leedsahead.org.uk/>
Leeds Ahead - unlocking the city's potential

Volunteering River week around Thwaite Mills

The river and canal corridors are being increasingly recognised and treated as a valuable resource for Leeds. As well as being an important wildlife corridor, the waterways are now attracting waterside developments and are increasingly used for recreation and leisure activities.  Increasing awareness and utilisation is creating a demand to improve and maintain the appearance, quality and access to the waterways to support this increased use.

Volunteers from businesses can help improve our waterways and encourage more people and wildlife to use them. There many ways to look after and improve the waterways and waterside land such as clearing litter, improving footpaths, recreational facilities and improving wildlife habitats.

The volunteering river week in July will be a great time to enjoy and improve the waterways for the local communities. Improvement projects this year will focus around the site of Thwaite Mills which is a fully restored working watermill on a unique island between the River Aire and the Aire & Calder canal. Thwaite Mills is also surrounded by deprived the deprived communities and transitional urban areas, Belle Isle, Richmond Hill and Halton Moor, which are well connected to Leeds city centre, particularly by the river and canal corridors.

Activities on 6, 7 and 9 th July at Thwaite Mills will offer various tasks under the supervision of the local BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) and YWT (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) groups. A range of tasks will allow volunteers to contribute to maintaining and improving the waterfront, wildlife areas and educational space at Thwaite Mills. 

Tasks will involve opening up footpaths and the towpath walkway, clearing vegetation, creating a ‘dead hedge’, building a barrier fence, painting the garage and warehouse as well as creating wildlife habitats for school groups to investigate.

Aire Action Leeds is a river management partnership (Leeds City Council, Environment Agency, British Waterways and Yorkshire Water) with an aim to ‘Create better waterways for wildlife and people, now and in the future’. 

 

The Aire Action Leeds partnership involves a number of organisations working together to protect and improve the appearance, wildlife richness and encourage more people to actively use the waterfront whether they live, work or visit the waterways and their waterfront.

MEDIA Call for Proposals

12 June 2009  The following MEDIA Call for Proposals has opened:   Promotion - Access to Markets Call for Proposals 09/2009   Deadline:  7 August 2009   For events starting between 1 January 2010 and 31 May 2010, or for annual activities in 2010 relating to computer-based information tools for the audiovisual industry. This scheme is for organisers of promotional events within  Europe .  See here for full details Please do not hesitate to contact MEDIA Desk UK if you have any questions about making an application. We can be contacted on 0207 861 7511.  Change your account settings Leave the mailing list Our privacy policy Visit our home page

Ethically sourced, affordable Fruit and Veg at Hillside myCatalyst™

Recently one of our members, Lee Griffiths, based at Hillside myCatalyst™, won the Strictly Come Business competition for his start-up business Holbeck Foods.

Click here to read more about Lee's inspiring story to build his business in the face off incredible odds:

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-fruit-and-veg-king.5343328.jp

myCatalyst™  would like to congratulate Lee for his achievements and to promote the healthy living style of Holbeck foods, you can now by fruit and veg when you visit Hillside myCatalyst™.  Look for Lee's stall next time you drop by.

Holbeck Foods also sell produce at Holbeck Community Food Market which will now run every Saturday at St Matthews community centre (the old Church) from 9am till 1pm.  As from Sat 20th of June Holbeck Foods will deliver fruit and vegetables by bicycle trailer to Elderly residents of Holbeck. This is can be arranged by contacting Karen on 07786037539. 

Beeston Festival

On Sat 13th of June Holbeck Foods will be operating from 2 locations, Holbeck Community Food Market as normal as well as Beeston festival. We hope to see you there for a fun day out.  

Swapshop!

  Hi All,

   We now have a swapshop board in Shine myCatalyst™ (and
   soon at Hillside) for people to offer and request services on.
   If you need anything and you've got something to give back, get
   yourself in here and bring the board to life!

   For instance, you could request an hour's help with marketing in
   return for an hour of project management help; a piano lesson
   for some catering; a business book for a language CD.

   Pretty much anything! And the more you swap services with
   people, the greater your network will become. Trading is a great
   way to drum up new customers! If they like what you offer
   they'll come back and pay for it one day!

   Get Connected!

   "I do you a solid, you do me a solid"

myCatalyst(TM) Opening Hours

myCatalyst(TM) opening hours are changing on a trial basis but don't worry - we still cover the daylight hours and you should be out there enjoying your summer anyway!  

This change is due to our host buildings' security provisions.

Hillside myCatalyst(TM)

Monday - Friday 8am - 10pm

Saturday - Sunday 9am - 6pm

Shine myCatalyst(TM)

Monday - Friday 7.30am - 11.00pm

Saturday - Sunday By appointment only - If you wish to use the centre on a weekend you must notify Sally or Chandy (sally or [email protected]).  The centre will only open if there are enough people to justify it being opened.

As always, centres are manned and laptops available to borrow from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

WE NEED YOU!

• Want to earn some extra cash?
• Can you drive?
  

MyCatalyst™ is looking for someone to spread it’s word (other wise known as leafleting 5000 flyers) across West Yorkshire.

Interested?

Please put together a simple proposal which includes:

• how many flyers you would be able to distribute (you can work in a group) per day
• Your availability
• What you would be wanting to charge
• Your full name and address
  

Email this to [email protected]

UK Media Desk Newsletter

12 May 2009

NEWS

 

Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces), directed by Pedro Almodovar

17 MEDIA-funded films in Cannes 

This year there are 17 MEDIA-funded films screening at Cannes International Film Festival, which share a total of over €3 million in funds from the MEDIA Programme. Films include Pedro Almodovar's Los Abrazos Rotos (Broken Embraces),Ken Loach's Looking for Eric and Andrea Arnold's Fish Tank.Read more

 

 

MEDIA Information Day in Cannes

The MEDIA Programme will hold an Information Day on 15 May during the Cannes International Film Festival. The day will include presentations on MEDIA-supported VOD projects and a seminar on MEDIA International. Read more

 

 

Adrian Sturges, Producer on the Move 2009

Producers on the Move - Adrian Sturges

UK producer Adrian Sturges has been selected to participate in the prestigious Producers on the Move programme which celebrates its 10th Anniversary during the Cannes Film Festival. Sturges is amongst 23 up-and-coming independent European producers taking part in the programme which aims to increase the producers' international profiles. Read more

 

 

European Audiovisual Observatory seminar in Cannes

This year's European Audiovisual Observatory afternoon seminar in Cannes is entitled Show Me the Money! Monitoring film revenues and collecting rightsholders' money. It will take place from 4-6pm on 17 May 2009 at the Salon des Ambassadeurs, Palais des Festivals. The conference is freely accessible to all those holding a festival or market accreditation, but registration is necessary. Read more

 

 

Meet MEDIA-funded training courses in Cannes

Eight European training courses including Sources 2, ACE, EAVE and Insight Out, will be presented during Cannes at a workshop organised by MEDIA Desk France with the Antennae of Strasbourg and Marseilles. The workshop will give filmmakers a chance to speak to representatives from the courses. It will take place on 17 May from 3pm - 5pm at Espace Pantiero. Read more

 

 

MEDIA International -  €5 million budget for 2009

The Call is still open for applications to this year's MEDIA International scheme, which aims to reinforce co-operation between EU and non-European professionals from the audiovisual industry, on the basis of mutual benefit. MEDIA International has a budget of €5 million and runs in parallel to the existing MEDIA 2007 Programme. Read more

 

 

Gomorrah, directed by Matteo Garrone

Automatic scheme closes on 29 May

European distributors have until 29 May to apply for grants. The scheme rewards distributors for all paid admissions for European non-national films they have released in a year.  Read more

  

 

 

 

  

€4 million for European theatrical releases

The latest results have been published for the MEDIA Selective Scheme (deadline 1 December 2008). 34 titles were selected in this round, with €3.9 million being awarded for their theatrical release costs. British distributors received €312,000 to release eight European titles in the UK and Slumdog Millionaire received €635,000 for its European releases. Read more

 

 

24 promotional events share €2.6 million of MEDIA support

MEDIA will support 24 promotional events in the second half of 2009, which improve European audiovisual professionals' access to markets.  Amongst the winning bids are the well-established Cartoon Forum, Sunny Side of the Doc and The Amsterdam FORUM for Co-financing Documentaries. Read more

 

 

Igam Ogam, produced by Calon, received MEDIA TV Broadcasting funding

€3.7 million MEDIA funding awarded to TV productions

The latest results have been published for MEDIA's Television Broadcasting funding scheme and over €3.7 million has been awarded to independent production companies across Europe.  From the UK Calon and Brook Lapping Productions were both awarded funds. Read more

 

 

European Commission publishes a report on home entertainment

The MEDIA Programme Unit at the European Commission has published a study on the role of SMEs and European audiovisual works in the context of the fast changing and converging home entertainment sector (PayTV, home video, video-on-demand, video games, internet, etc).Read more

 

 

MEDIA Desk UK - new web and email addresses

MEDIA Desks across Europe have changed their web and email addresses in order to be consistent with one another. Our new name is MEDIA Desk UK and our new web address iswww.mediadeskuk.eu. For all MEDIA contact details in the UK read more.

 

 

FUNDING 

 

 

Upcoming MEDIA deadlines:

 

Producer's Support - TV Broadcasting 26 June 2009

Producer's Support - i2i Audiovisual 7 July 2009

 

Distribution - Automatic Scheme 29 May 2009

Distribution - Selective Scheme  1 July 2009

 

MEDIA International - 2 June 2009

 

 

NETWORKING

 

MeetMarket Pitching Workshops - Edinburgh, London and Cardiff

UK MEDIA offices are supporting pitching and marketplace workshops aimed at preparing producers for The Sheffield Doc/Fest and MeetMarket. The workshops will be held in Edinburgh, London and Cardiff over the coming months.  For more information and details of how to reserve a place read more

  

Documentary in Europe - call for submissions

The call for submissions for the 13th edition of Documentary in Europe has opened.  Submissions are invited for both the Match Making session and Pitching Forum. The deadline is 13 May 2009. Read more

 

 

Forthcoming events

MEDIA Stand at Marché du Film Cannes Film Festival, 13-22 May, France

EFP presents Producers on the Move, 13-24 May, France

Cracow Film Festival, 29 May-4 June, Poland

Zlin International Film Festival for Children and Youth, 31 May-7 June, Czech Republic

Midnight Sun Film Festival, 10-14 June, Finland

MIFA Annecy International Animation Market, 10-12 June, France

Sunnyside of the Doc, 23-26 June, France

EFP presents Variety Critics' Choice: Europe Now, 3-11 July, Czech Republic

Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival, 4-12 July, Portugal

Documentary in Europe, 8-11 July, Italy

ERA New Horizons Film Festival, 23 July - 2 August, Poland

Networking Calendar

To see the complete list of upcoming markets and events, which you can sort either by date of submission or date of the market / event itself, click here

 

 

 

TRAINING  

 

 

Documentary Campus in Manchester

Documentary Campus (formerly known as Discovery Campus) runs its well-regarded Masterschool every year, with four Open Training Sessions running alongside it. This year's 2nd Open Training Session, Faster, Leaner, Keener, Meaner - Survival of the Fittest in Factual, is coming to Manchester in May. Deadline to register is 15 May 2009. The session will focus on recession survival strategies, looking at more cost-effective production methods, as well as introducing new players in the international television industry. Read more

 

 

Media Business School - Marketing & Distribution (MD)

Media Business School is back with its highly successful Marketing & Distribution (MD) course which focuses on the marketing and distribution of feature films and is aimed at European film executives with experience in production, marketing, distribution, acquisitions, sales or exhibition. Applications are also accepted until 1 June 2009 from marketing executives from other fields, wishing to move into the film industry. Read more

 

 

Multi Platforms Business School  

Media Business School is also introducing a new course this summer, Multi Platforms Business School (MPBS) for which potential applicants need to apply by 9 June 2009. MPBS is a project-based workshop designed to give producers of audiovisual content a creative environment in which they can advance the development of their multi-platform project. The target trainees are producers, designers and directors of audio-visual content for exploitation on TV, web, PC, game consoles and mobile devices. Read more

 

The following courses for audiovisual professionals are also currently accepting applications:

 

 

Screenwriting

eQuinoxe Germany: International Screenwriters' Workshops and Masterclasses
The International Screenwriter's Workshops and Masterclasses offer intensive and comprehensive one-on-one advisor/writer training. The aim of the workshops is to provide writers with the tools to improve their storytelling skills. Deadline: 29 May 2009. Read more

ScripTeast 2009
ScripTeast is a programme for experienced authors, to help screenwriters predominantly from Eastern and Central Europe to overcome the barriers they face. The initial workshop takes place in Sterdyn, Poland, with further sessions in Berlin and Cannes next year. Deadline: 30 June 2009. Read more

SOURCES 2 - Script Development Workshops
SOURCES 2 is an advanced training programme for European film professionals working in the field of script and story development. SOURCES 2 Script Development Workshops consist of a seven-day workshop, followed by a small group session or an individual consultation. Apply now for the third workshop, taking place in Graz, Austria, in November. Deadline: 1 July 2009. Read more

 

 

Management

 

L'Atelier - Masterclass 2009-2010

L'Atelier - Masterclass is a year-long training programme for budding European film producers and distributors. It is aimed at European graduates of film schools and/or professionals with several years of professional experience in film. Deadline: 29 May 2009. Read more

 

PRIMEPACKAGING 2009

PRIMEPACKAGING provides comprehensive support in script development, market research, financing, distribution, world sales and games/interactive media.  The course offers two full scholarships. Deadline: 5 June 2009. Read more

 

Cartoon Masters 2009

Cartoon Masters training events are specially designed for the animation industry, to bring professionals up to speed with all the latest issues. Cartoon Digital has already taken place, but there are two workshops remaining, Cartoon Finance and Cartoon Digital. Next up will be Cartoon Finance, taking place in Munich, Germany, in June. Deadline: 15 June 2009. Read more

 

ACE 2009

ACE offers continuous training for advanced producers who have already produced one feature film. Applicants need to have an internationally-targeted feature film project in development. ACE lasts 14 months, from November 2009 to December 2010. Deadline: 22 June 2009. Read more

 

 

New Technologies

 

TOSMI 2009

TOSMI focuses on Blender (open source software) and features sessions dedicated to modeling, animation, materials, lighting, rendering, compositing, sound and video editing. Participants are trained to work with open source solutions, and to customise them to their needs, enabling independent professionals to produce quality content at lower production costs. Deadline: 20 June 2009. Read more

 

 

Marketing/Distribution

  

CICAE: Art Cinema = Action Management

CICAE's Art Cinema = Action Management course is about developing the skills necessary to manage an arthouse cinema. The course includes: background essentials, case studies, masterclasses and workshops. The format of this intense programme is designed to foster interaction between the participants. Deadline: 29 May 2009. Read more

 

 

Initial Training

 

Summer Media Studio

Summer Media Studio is an international film workshop for European film students. The Studio is a blend of theoretical and practical training and will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the summer. Each team will develop then shoot a short documentary film with a professional crew.Deadline: 15 May 2009. Read more

 

 

Training Calendar

To see the complete list of upcoming training courses, which you can sort either by date of submission or date of the training itself, click here. 

 

MEDIA training guide for 2009
The 2009 edition of Where to be Trained in Europe, which lists all MEDIA-supported continuous training courses, is also available. You can download it by clicking here. 

 

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Free Small and Medium Sized Business Support Programmes

This update e-mail contains a number of entries - please scroll down.


Free Small and Medium Sized Business Support Programmes

The SME Knowledge Network @ Bradford University School of Management, a World Class Business School.
 
June 2009
 
 
Leading Successful Change
2nd and 3rd June (2 day workshop)

Leading Successful Change helps leaders develop the skills they need to bring about lasting change with minimum disruption to operations.  It provides them with specific guidance and the opportunity to work with a toolkit of practical techniques for engaging their people positively in achieving change. Key learning outcomes include:

·        Understand the root causes of why people struggle with change – the 5 forces of change
·        Learn lessons from a variety of case study examples from business and public organisations
·        Work together to apply practical techniques for avoiding the pitfalls of change and for engaging people positively with change
·        Learn how to equip your senior and middle managers to become successful change leaders in their own areas
·        Learn how to embed change within your organisation so that it sticks

If you would like to sign up to this event please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

 
Mediation in context
3rd and 4th June (2 day workshop)
 
Mediation for Managers provides participants with a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of mediation, and how best to apply them when employees are in dispute. The workshop gives participants improved communication and problem solving skills and allow them to work more effectively with complex and highly emotional complaints. Participants will learn how to effectively persuade staff and service users to resolve complaints through mediation and how to structure an effective mediation session. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the common reasons for workplace conflict
• Identify the key concepts of mediation
• Successfully persuade employees to participate in mediation
• Structure a effective face-to-face mediation session
• Use effective communication skills to build rapport and identify the interests of employees
• Help employees take a constructive approach to conflict that involves looking for win/win agreements
• Improve communication and understanding between employees
• Identify how mediation can fit into their organisation’s strategic approach to managing employee disputes

If you would like to sign up to this event please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
 
Exit Strategy - Evening Workshop - 9th June

Heaton Mount, Bradford University School of Management
5.00 - 5.30pm registration, followed by the speakers and then a networking buffet at 7.15pm

This session helps to pull the jigsaw together – what are the short and medium term preparations for sale or succession. What exactly should you be thinking about when it comes to moving on? How do you realise the value in the business – what are the key valuation methods? How do you make sure it’s in a safe pair of hands? Intermediaries – who should you be talking to and what about? Preparation up front is important – a business needs to be in a fit and attractive state to pass it on, don’t leave until the last minute, forewarned is forearmed.
 
If you would like to sign up to this event please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
 
Influencing and Negotiation
9th and 10th June (2 day workshop)
 
The successful leader builds and maintains contacts within and outside the organization, challenges conventional thinking and introduces new perspectives. Influencing and negotiations have a lasting impact on organizational performance and culture. Yet, we tend to negotiate without preparation, resulting in poor outcomes and unworkable relationships. This workshop explores the need for effective influencing skills, considers influencing strategies and explores best practice negotiation practices. Key areas that will be addressed in the group are:
• Mapping your preferred influencing style
• Identifying strengths and limitations
• Preferred behaviour characteristics
• The negotiating process, including buyer and seller strategies and planning for negotiation
• Negotiation phases, including recognition signals
• Making and controlling concessions
• Managing the finish/closing the deal.
 
If you would like to sign up to this event please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
 
Working on Sales
8th and 15th June  (staggered 2 day workshop)

This is a staggered two day workshop taking you from basic to advanced sales skills working in the real context of your own businesses’ sales issues and working out what you need to do to take your business to the next level in sales. It will develop your understanding of the mindset of your customers and getting close to them, and then how to manage the relationship and customer contact through to sale and after. Key areas that will be addressed in the group are:

·        The Psychology of Selling
·       Motivating & Relating to Customers & Clients
·       The Power of the Telephone as a Sales Tool
·       Promoting, Presenting & Packaging Your Products & Services
·       Managing Successful Sales Meetings
·       Making a Successful Sales Presentation
·       Objection Management
·       Negotiation Techniques
·       Preparing a Powerful Proposal
·       Closing the Deal – Techniques to Increase Your Closure Rate
·       Sales Forecasting – Focusing Efforts on Winnable Business
·       Building a Sales Network

If you would like to sign up to these events please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
 
Director Support Network

This Network is FREE and encompasses small groups of Directors working together to identify and unpack business problems and formulate ways of tackling these from the experience of the group. Group sessions are professionally facilitated and can be supported by coaching in between sessions which allows you to embed solutions in the workplace and to keep a check on implementation. Additional expert advice, should it be required, is drawn into the group. If the group decides it needs a specific knowledge input, whatever that might be, for example on marketing or strategy. Research indicates this is one of the most effective Learning and Support mechanisms for Directors.
 
Group sessions last for a morning or an afternoon and there are typically about six meetings in a six month period. If you would like to sign up to the Director Support Network please contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
 
 
 
Owen Whitehouse
Associate Director
SME Knowledge Network
 
E-mail: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> 

LSx 2009

Hey everyone, LSx 2009 (the second Leeds Web Festival <http://lsx09.com> ) got off to a great start earlier this week with the the May edition of OpenCoffee <http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/2408058/> , the Digital Britain unconference <http://dbucyh.eventbrite.com/>  as well as a meetup of the Leeds Hackspace <http://leeds.hackspace.org.uk/> community.

We have lots more planned, throughout the remainder of May - notably around the last weekend with BarCamp 2009, Future of Web Apps, Girl Geek Dinner & Physical Computing 101.

Head on over to http://lsx.09.com <http://lsx.dotnorth.org> for a full schedule and details how to register for individual events.

So what's coming up...
12th may innovation north 2009 showcase <http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/inn/news_innovation_north_showcase_2009.htm>
Leeds Met's undergraduate expo, showcasing the work of this year's graduating class in music technology, sound, games design, animation, special effects, creative media and computing.

19th may hackspace <http://leeds.hackspace.org.uk/>
Hackspace is an alternative term for Hackerspaces <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackerspace> , a physical place where anybody with an interest in technology can meet up, socialize and collaborate on project within a vast range of technologies and languages.

20th may geekup <http://geekup.org/events/133/>
An evening social of internet industry workers, including a trio of brief 20:20 talks - Clare Lindley on Creating iPhone apps with PhoneGap, Phil Helliwell on What your BIG-IP can do for you & Jonathan "Squigfried" Powell on Hack Spaces, and why having one in Leeds will be awesome.

27th may girl geek dinner <http://leedsgirlgeekdinners.com/>
An evening buffet accompanied by keynote speakers representing the best femalte talents in the technology sector. Seedcamp <http://www.seedcamp.com/>  CEO, Reshma Sohoni <http://www.seedcamp.com/pages/about_team#reshma> , and Democracy PR's founder, Jennifer O'Grady <http://www.democracypr.com/our-team.html>  will be one of the featured speakers, with around 70 guests drawn from the city's most talented and respected female professionals in creative and digital.

28th may future of web apps tour <http://events.carsonified.com/fowa/2009/tour>
Ryan Carson's renowned conference comes to Leeds for the first time, at the city's newly opened Rose Bowl. The theme is Cloud Computing - with speakers from Microsoft, Amazon and Salesforce.

29th may physical computing 101 <http://physicalcomputing.eventbrite.com/>
tinker.it <http://tinker.it/>  an innovative consultancy that's bringing together the physical and digital worlds through creative technologies will be leading a day long Beginner's Guide to Arduino, to help novices and experts alike learn how to build small electronic widgets!

30-31st may cupcake camp <http://cupcakecampleeds.eventbrite.com/>
An afternoon of cake--related debauchery - bringing together the ancient elemental power of sugar, cream & flour in an orgy of cakey goodness! Eight master bakers will battle to the death - to win your confection affection - only one will prevail, while others will be sacrificed on a moist, spongy altar...dripping with jam.

30-31st may barcamp leeds {2009} <http://barcampleeds.com/>  &
BarCamp Leeds is the city's third 'unconference', a event where the folks that attend create the programme of sessions themselves. BarCamps are open, participatory, democratic, 'workshop' events; the organisers and sponsors simply provide wireless broadband, a venue, beverages and food! The attendees provide the content - and the buzz.

3rd june exposure leeds <http://exposureleeds.org/>
The city's photographic community is supporting LSx by running 60-90 minute workshops photography workshops with a technological bias - some topics might include Flickr, Photoshop, HDR, PhotoSynth and Lightroom.



We're pretty sure there's something here that'll appeal a little to everyone across Leeds' digital communities (and seriously, everyone likes cake!). LSx has been built by all of you

So jump in, take your pick and we hope to see you around LSx in the next few weeks :)

Discover the Income Opportunity of 2009 with Redress Claims and earn between £100k to £500k from your existing clients

“Discover the Income Opportunity of 2009 with Redress Claims and earn between £100k to £500k from your existing clients”

Don’t miss out on this FANTASTIC opportunity with Redress Claims. Our package Has been EXLUSIVELY developed By Redress Claims to suit intermediaries just like you. Not only do we pay commissions FASTER THAN ANY OTHER COMPANY – MORE IMPORTANTLY WE PAY MORE!!!!! Use our programme to develop and work with new and existing clients to build an excellent revenue stream. We have extensively researched the market and worked very closely with Introducers to ensure our proposition has MAXIMUM BENEFITS for both yourself and your client.  

Why Redress Claims?

A few reasons which make Redress Claims to right choice for you!
 
·        Easiest and most profitable income opportunity of 2009!!

·        Marketing material and ongoing support/training provided, Online case tracking – Keeping you updated

·        Claims handled: Credit Cards, Loans, Payment Protection

·        Case Tracking

·        Average client has 4 claims

·        Average Commission for your business £1200 - £1500 per client

·        We have a proven track record in dealing with unenforceable credit agreements and recovering unlawfully added PPI Premiums – Don’t settle for second best!


·        Start earning today, No risk - Hassle free process

·      Get to your customers before someone else does!
 
Credit Card / Loans: Unenforceability
 
Why not help your customers to potentially wipe their credit card and loan debts. If your customer can answer yes to the following they could be an application away from saving Thousands.
 
·        Was your Credit Card/Loan issued before April 2007?

·        Do you have a balance greater than £2k?

Fast Track Your PPI Cases

Join our industry exclusive offering and have your cases completed with 4 months. If any of your clients have PPI policies with the following lenders – Fast Track the cases via Redress Claims. Why wait 9 months when we can work to having your cases turned around in 4 months.
 

In excess of 80% of secured loans sold directly by lenders in the last 5-10 years have had PPI added unlawfully and in many cases WITHOUT the client even knowing. This has led to the FSA fining many banks for mis-selling PPI. Alliance & Leicester £7 million, Liverpool Victoria £840k, GE Capital Bank £610k, HFC Bank £1.085 million are examples of a few.


Lenders accepted via our Fast Track route;
 
Alliance and Leicester
Egg                                         
HFC Bank
Woolwich
Tesco Personal Finance
Sainsbury
Mint
Citi Financial
Goldfish
Halifax
RBS
HSBC
NatWest
Barclays
Abbey National
Beneficial Finance


Testimonials

Mortgage Broker from Ripon:
“With the mortgage business slowing down this has been a godsend. After mortgage broking for the last 5 years and sick of the FSA making it more tedious and difficult day after day I’m now involved with  a business where processes are simple and the income stream is far superior to my mortgage income. Thank you Redress Claims for shedding some light at the end of what seemed like a never ending tunnel”

Accountant From Leeds:
“I’ve been able to integrate the whole process into my current business setup without any problems. Their flexible approach and support in getting me up and running was very important.  The time it takes to deal with each customer is surprising short. As an accountant it’s enabled me to make more money from my clients as well as helping them out. They save money – I make money. A Win Win situation! ”

Induction Seminars
All introducers are invited to our training and induction seminars which provide you with a  STRAIGHT-TALKING  insight into the financial claims industry. LET US HELP YOU MAXIMISE YOUR POTENTIAL and allow you to EARN THOUSANDS. Call 0844 824 6676 to book a place onto one of our next seminars.


Jaspreet Sahota
____________________________________________

Business Development Manager&brkbar;

Redress Claims
Bradford Chambers Business Park
New Lane, Bradford
BD4 8BX
 
e: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
w: www.redressclaims.co.uk <http://www.redressclaims.co.uk/>
m: 07967 161627
t: 0844 824 6676
f: 0871 989 6312 
 
Redress Claims is a trading styles of Redress
Financial Management Ltd and is regulated by
the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated
claims management activities. Registration number
CRM16616 recorded at claimsregulation.gov.uk.
  

‘NO-NONSENSE GUIDE’ TO HELP BUSINESSES FIND FINANCE

Full No Nonsense Guide.

Useful info from Yorkshire Forward

 
SME Knowledge Network - Business Support Programmes

Whether you are a Social Enterprise, a micro business or a larger medium sized firm the SME knowledge Network has something to offer you.
 
Further funding from Bradford Council and the ERDF, Yorkshire Forward and the Higher Education Funding Council means you may now be eligible for business support from the University even if you are based outside the Bradford area.  In the last 18 months we have worked with hundreds of businesses, through master-classes, coaching and mentoring , Consultancy and Research, Director Support Programmes and courses of all shapes and sizes. The success of the SME Knowledge Network and its Business Support Programmes over the years has now been recognized with large national funding awards, which we can turn into real action in the region.
 
If your business, your suppliers or customers need help, drop us a line.
 
We can provide FREE development pathways for your business that can help deal with the now and prepare you for the future.
 
Get in touch, we are a network, we work and we think well together.
 
 
Owen Whitehouse
Associate Director
SME Knowledge Network
 
Mobile: 0778 573 0437
E-mail: [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evening Master-class

Hiring and Firing: a reality check

May 12th
 
Heaton Mount, Bradford University School of Management
5.00 - 5.30pm registration, followed by the speakers and then a networking buffet at 7.15pm

What’s the best way to proceed? How many times have you heard about that square peg in a round hole? This session provides a strategic view on getting people into the business and how to avoid a sticky end when a business and its employees might not be seeing eye to eye. The session suggests ways of thinking about hiring and firing that take it beyond a functional necessity and more as a tool for bringing the business together and taking it forward to greater heights.

Speaker: Dr Robert Wapshott, Bradford University School of Management
Before his academic career, Robert worked in the manufacturing and service industries. He was employed in HR, organisational change and operations management at a sports car manufacturer. While working for an outsourced recruitment service-provider, he worked with leading diagnostic and forensic science firms. Robert teaches in areas including human resource management and the management of change. He focuses in particular on exploring the nature of employment relationships in small firms and the role played by factors such as organisational objectives, client influence, and employee-management interactions.


You can book online, so don’t miss the chance to get involved http://www.brad.ac.uk/smenetwork/ <http://www.brad.ac.uk/smenetwork/>  
 
To join in or reserve a place at the forthcoming event you can e-mail me, Owen Whitehouse, directly at [email protected] <[email protected]> or by replying to this e-mail.
 



 “Bradford University truly is a best practice organisation and could be used as a benchmark for other
 universities in how to deliver great customer focussed services.” – Customer First

 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Managing Innovation
 
2 day event, 12-13 May


Lead by Dr Nigel Lockett
Free places at this event are available to comes on or who which to sign on to SME Knowledge Network - Business Support Programmes- Technological advances, dynamic markets, new forms of competition, globalisation, economic downturns and climate change bring with them challenging pressures and opportunities for managers who have the tools to capitalise on them. Manager's Toolkit gives you the means to utilise these new opportunities and overcome the associated challenges.

What does this course cover?

Successful managers need to embrace change, encourage creative thinking and manage the innovation process to bring successful products/services to market before the competition.

This event will help you develop an innovation strategy and ensure your organization embraces innovation for business success. You will learn how to eliminate the barriers to innovation, how to set an innovation agenda and start the process of developing cutting edge products/services for business growth.

• The "innovation process"
• The four main types of innovation: product, service, process and business innovation
• Key aspects of managing innovation:
  
  • Developing an innovation strategy
  • Developing winning ideas
  • Building an innovative organization
    
• Determining performance - the innovation audit
• Making it happen – barriers to innovation, managing change and overcoming the barriers.
  

How will my business benefit?

• Changing the organizational culture so it encourages creativity and innovation
• Determine current performance levels and learn how to create a more innovative organization
• A focus on delivering innovative new products and services.

To join in or reserve a place at the forthcoming event you can e-mail me, Owen Whitehouse, directly at [email protected] <[email protected]> or by replying to this e-mail.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
New part-time MSc course in Human Resource Management

I am pleased to tell you about our new part-time MSc and Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management which we are offering at Bradford University School of Management, from September this year. Aimed at HR professionals wanting to progress their career, or those who would like to change their career path into HR, it's an exciting and innovative new programme . It's also the only one of its type in the north of England, and is accredited by the CIPD. Please follow the link below to the flyer containing the key programme-related information, as well as a link to our website.

VIEW THE FLYER <http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/brochures/mschrmptflyer.pdf> (PDF) | VISIT THE WEB PAGES <http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/progs.php?section=prog&text=mschrmptataglanceenews&id=mschrmpt>

The course will start in September 2009, running on Tuesday afternoons and evenings from 1pm to 7.30pm in term time. Application forms may be requested or downloaded by following the link below.

APPLY HERE <http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/management/external/progs.php?text=applyptmschrmenews&id=mschrmpt>

LAUNCH EVENT INVITATION

I would also like to take this opportunity of inviting you, or any friends or colleagues who may be interested in this programme, to join us at our launch event on 18th May at our Emm Lane campus, at 6pm, where you will also be able to see first-hand the beautiful setting, facilities and resources we have here.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE AT THE LAUNCH EVENT <http://www.bradford.ac.uk/management/mschrmptlaunch>

Please contact me via email or telephone, and I will be pleased to provide further information about the event or programme.

Kind regards
Dr Carol Atkinson
Director of Studies Designate MSc Human Resource Management

Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
Telephone: 01274 238 919

myCatalyst Easter Opening Times

Shine myCatalyst

Friday 10th April Closed

Saturday 11th April 7:30am - 2:30pm

Sunday 12th April Closed

Monday 13th April Closed

Hillside myCatalyst

Friday 10th April Closed

Saturday 11th April Closed

Sunday 12th April Closed

Monday 13th April Closed

Rise myCatalyst

Friday 10th April Closed

Saturday 11th April Closed

Sunday 12th April Closed

Monday 13th April Closed

UK Media Team Call for Proposals

1 April 2009   The following MEDIA Call for Proposals has opened: *  Automatic Scheme for Distributors (03/2009) Deadline - Generation Stage:  29 May 2009 (we strongly advise distributors to send in their applications before going to Cannes) By this deadline distributors need to report on all paid admissions between 1 January and 31 December 2008, per title, for European non-national films (with first copyright established in 2005 or after) to check if a film has already qualified as European or not please consult the MEDIA film database (if a film already has a nationality allocated and mentions YES to European, there is no need to provide info & financing plans on the film) if a distributor has released a film in both the UK and Ireland, they will need to prepare a seperate admission statement for each territory the reinvestment stage starts on 1 August 2009 (this is the earliest date of signature of co-production / licensing agreements for modules 1 & 2, and earliest release date for module 3) final deadline to use up the funds is 1 October 2010.  Read full details here       *   Please do not hesitate to contact MEDIA Desk UK if you have any questions about making an application. We can be contacted on 0207 861 7511.

Yorkshire Association of Business Angels is on the lookout for exciting high growth businesses!

YABA continues to attract many new and keen Business Angels with money to invest and skills and experience to offer – in fact 9 new investors since January 2009!

Please pass on these details or get in touch with us if you think you or your client has a business suitable for Angel investors
 
We publish executive summaries on our extranet each fortnight – summary guidelines are attached and the next publication date is 15 April
 
We have six investment forums planned this year, the next one is on Tuesday evening 19th May in Leeds
 
Full details are also available on our website www.yaba.org.uk <http://www.yaba.org.uk/>
 
The Plan of Action giving information about presenting at a forum is available on request and includes all the relevant deadlines.
 
Please contact either myself or Barbara Greaves if you or your client would like to discuss the above further.
 
Many thanks and I hope to hear from you soon.
 

Charlotte Atkinson – Administrator
Yorkshire Association of Business Angels Ltd
 
t. 01423 810149
 
Next YABA Investment Forum - Tuesday19th May in Leeds

Choctastic

Join the Chocolate Revolution!

£££ Shell Grand Ideas Awards £££

(New) Shell LiveWIRE 'Grand Ideas' awards - £1,000 for innovative ideas
Shell LiveWIRE has launched a brand new awards scheme to complement our prestigious 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award'.

The new 'Grand Ideas' awards will see Shell LiveWIRE giving away £1,000 per week to start up business who have the most innovative ideas and projects they want to fund.
The Grand Ideas Awards will give young entrepreneurs a chance to fund innovative ideas around their business start, and have the chance to fund something that other organisations might not be willing to do.

They are looking for people who have innovative ideas and projects that need funding to get them off the ground. These can be ideas you have as part of your business start - for example getting prototypes built, wacky marketing schemes, publicity stunts - the sky is the limit!
Eligible applicants must: be aged between 16-30 (inclusive) on 31 December 2009;live in the United Kingdom; have or about to have a legal business operating in the UK; have not previously won a Shell LiveWIRE award.

5 winners will be chosen each month to be awarded £1,000 for their business.
The deadline for the awards is the last day of each month. The awards will be judged by an independent panel of guest judges, aiming for one lot of awards per month going to the 'elevator pitch' vote - where the Shell LiveWIRE community can vote on who they think should get the funding by watching the applicants video and then voting online.

Shell LiveWIRE UK, Design Works, William Street, Felling, Gateshead NE10 0JP
Tel: Lo-call 0845 757 3252 Fax:  0191 423 6201 Email:
[email protected] Website: http://www.shell-livewire.org

Reduced cost First Aid Training!

Hi All,

Helen from Underwood training is offering a reduced price training place for an Emergency First Aid course on Wednesday 25th March 2009 being held at St Gemma’s Hospice. 

This is an excellent opportunity for any small business owner as these courses are a must and can be very expensive.

Details: Emergency First Aid for the Appointed Person
Date: Weds 25 March 2009
Venue: LS17 6QD
Time: 9am – 4 pm
Cost: Usually £75 but for Catalyst members recommended by Wendy: £30.

Just contact Helen using the details below and let her know Wendy from myCatalystTM sent you this offer.  First come, first served.

Helen
Underwood Training
07971 298 265
0845 650 5660
www.underwood-training.co.uk <http://www.underwood-training.co.uk/> 

FREE Employment Rights Advice...

Available in MARCH 2009 only!

 PERS     PAY AND EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS SERVICE

 

FREE Employment Rights Advice and

Redundancy Training & Toolkit

                      

Do you work for, or support, a Voluntary Sector Organisation in West Yorkshire?

 

·        Could you benefit from talking through issues at work with a specialist employment rights advisor?

 

·        Do you need guidance or clarification on how to implement policies and procedures that impact on staff?

 

·        Are you faced with dealing with redundancy and need support?

 

If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of these questions then you are entitled to receive free advice and information by calling PERS Employment Rights Helpline on

 

01924 428030

 

Opening Hours: Mon & Fri 10am -1pm; Tues 10am -4pm & 5:30pm – 7.30pm; Wed & Thurs 10am-4pm

 

NOTE: we are currently only funded to continue to provide this service from April 09 to Leeds & Wakefield VCS organisations, other districts in West Yorkshire may only take advantage of this offer during March 09.

 

Plus FREE* Redundancy Training Course

on  Monday 23^rd  March (9:30-1:00) at Action Halifax. For further information & booking forms contact Ros Campbell: 01924 428033  [email protected]  or via our website http://www.pers.org.uk/services.htm#train

*Bookings will be taken with a £5 refundable deposit. Participants who fail to attend will forfeit the refund.

 

PERS Redundancy Toolkit

PERS, with support from WYLDA and Voluntary Action Calderdale, has created a new redundancy toolkit for voluntary sector organisations. The Redundancy Toolkit is now available on the PERS website at

 

http://www.pers.org.uk/redundancytoolkit.pdf.

Pay & Employment Rights Service (Yorkshire) Ltd

 

Unit 14, Batley Enterprise Centre,

513 Bradford Road,

Batley

WF17 8LL

T: 01924 428033

F: 01924 440906

E: [email protected]

W: www.pers.org.uk

 

Pay & Employment Rights Service (Yorkshire) Ltd is a company registered in England  (number 2201619) and a Registered Charity (number 1097401)

 

Opportunities for Professionals of the Audiovisual Industry

23 February 2009

 'Preparatory Action' Call for Proposals:

 MEDIA International

(MEDIA International/2009/1)

Pre-registration (recommended) deadline: 25 May 2009

Deadline: 2 June 2009

    See here for full details

 MEDIA International is a Preparatory Action running alongside the existing MEDIA 2007 Programme, and aiming to reinforce cooperation between EU and non-European professionals from the audiovisual industry on a basis of mutual benefit.

 MEDIA International offers financial support for the following initiatives, proposed by consortia consisting of an EU coordinator and partners from EU and non-European countries:

• Training of audiovisual professionals/students/trainers in the areas of production, co-production, distribution and promotion
• Promotion at the development or production stage to help audiovisual/cinematographic works access the  international market
• Distribution of cinematographic works by encouraging long-term cooperation between European and non-European professionals (distributors and/or sales agents and/or producers etc)
• Screening of cinematographic works in cinemas
• Improving and increasing potential audiences for audiovisual/cinematographic works and supporting film literacy events. 

The budget for this Preparatory Action is €4,960,000.
 

*Please do not hesitate to contact the UK MEDIA Desk if you have any questions about making an application. We can be contacted on 0207 861 7511.

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Buy your fruit & veg at Hillside on a Wednesday!

Want cheap fruit and veg from local suppliers?  Visit Holbeck Food Enterprise on a wednesday to get you greens cheaper than the supermarket prices and ethically sourced.  It tastes better that way!

Do you need volunteers in West Leeds?

Do you know of any voluntary work that could be done in the West Leeds area for a team of 12 Probation Officers, offering their services for a half day and would like to tie it in with ‘diversity month’.   

If so contact  Helen Cherry 078666 36146

IT Companies – Free Promotion!

Yorkshire Forward are currently compiling a supplier database of IT companies in the region and are looking for companies that wish to be included.  Its free and they will be promoting it all over the show so if you are interested please email [email protected] with the following details

• Contact Name
• Organisation Name
• Telephone number

The consultant compiling the database will contact you afterwards for more information.

Dragons Den on BBC 2

New way to connect!

As you know myCatalyst centres are getting better every day and we are listening to your feedback in order to improve your experience of the centres.  

A popular request was to have a big noticeboard where everyone can write messages and communicate with each other.  These are now in the centres and are ready for you to start using them however you like.  You will find a tray in each centre with myriad bits of sticky tape, magnets and velcro for use on our new boards.  You can also stick up a box of your business cards.  So, if you need a product or service, want to advertise a promotion etc. write it on the board and others will contact you.  

Rise Closed 12-13th February

Hi all,

I'm afraid Rise myCatalystTM will be closed on Thursday 12th February and Friday 13th February due to unforeseen circumstances.  Both Hillside and Shine will still be open 9am - 5pm as usual so perhaps this could be an opportunity to check out a new centre!

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.

Best Regards,

Sally Marshall

myCatalystTM Flexible Host

Addressing Young People's Challenging Behaviour: A call for ideas

Sometimes challenging behaviour indicates a young person in a terrible situation – sometimes they are just acting up.  Either way, responding to challenging behavior appropriately is complex.  Across Leeds and the surrounding local authorities, people in the public and third sectors are using their passion and ingenuity to support young people.  But no one person has all the answers and we can always do better.

Innovation Exchange, supported by the Cabinet Office, is working with Education Leeds to create a Festival of Ideas on 24th March 2009, drawing together commissioners, investors and supporters around the best innovations in this field.  The event will particularly focus on young people as they approach 16 and then as they move into post-16 provision, with issues ranging from support services within schools and alternative education to positive activities beyond school and specialist work to support whole families.

So, if you have a fledgling proposal or an innovative project in this space, we want to hear from you, and the very best ideas will receive a Festival invitation.  Let us know your solution to the issue of young people’s challenging behaviour.
 
To attend this event and benefit from this opportunity, simply respond to this ‘Call for Ideas’ on the Innovation Exchange <http://innovation-exchange.org/leeds-festival-of-ideas-information-for-third-sector-innovators/> website. Please note that the submission deadline is Wednesday, 4th March at 5.00pm.

Don’t give your idea away, but don’t keep it to yourself.  Help it to fly with Innovation Exchange and Education Leeds.

The third and public sectors are teeming with great ideas, but too few of them change the world. Innovators, investors and commissioners often lack each others’ phone numbers and the capacity and incentive to collaborate. As a result, innovations may get a start, but struggle for the connections and resources to sustain or scale.   Innovation Exchange’s Festivals of Ideas exist to tackle this problem. These high-quality one-day innovation events connect public sector commissioners with the most innovative leaders of third sector organisations large and small to identify opportunities for innovation and build alliances around ideas. Networking, workshops and open space sessions are combined to develop ideas with clearly-identified owners and next steps.
 
Innovation Exchange is a collaboration of the Innovation Unit, ACEVO and Headshift.  It is primarily funded by the Cabinet Office, with sponsorship from NESTA and Department of Health.

Fixdit.com

User-led innovation is about to explode - New online technology is the future way in which everyday consumer products can be innovated by the very people who use them.

Everyone has ideas about what they want from the everyday objects they surround themselves with and many have general views about the sorts of product improvements they would like to see. But few have the mind of an inventor and even fewer have the technology through which to express their ideas.
 
At the same time, manufacturers and marketing departments increasingly respect the wishes and ideas of their customers but can’t always find a way to let customers express what they mean without looking foolish.
 
Fixdit is a pioneering open source platform that lets people express their product ideas and issues in a structured way through an in-browser 3D interface that allows everyone to get as close to the objects as possible and interact, making user-led innovation not only practical but also easy and fun. New or better ideas do not always emerge from formal research and development and users need to play an increasingly play an active part in identifying needs and finding solutions.  A ‘user’ can, of course, be an individual, a school class, a community or a business.
 
Fixdit’s founder Ashley Davison says “Customers should be able to feel they can have a say in how something they use everyday is improved. Fixdit lets consumers tell companies in a structured way what they would like and the business can really see in 3D what they client really meant. Now everyone can be an innovation genius, to everyone’s mutual advantage."
 
Note to editors
Background information on Fixdit, any technical details, features, screenshots or other media are available on request. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Interviews with the founder Ashley Davison are also available.

Contacts

Contact Ashley Davison
Tel: 01727 868623
Mob: 07962111542
Email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
http://www.fixdit.com/contact

Telephony @ myCatalyst centres

 
  Take advantage of the myCatalyst™ phone packages….     


Package 1 – Calls and nothing but the calls

What do you get?

·      No annual contract. You are in charge. All we ask is that if you wish to terminate your telephony account then just give us two weeks notice

·      Fast set up

·      Calls charged at local BT rates

·      Line rental for just £2.50 per month

·      The option of including a Personal and Professional Answering Service

·      Use of all telephones in all THREE Centres thanks to your own personal pin number

What are the costs?

·      A one off refundable deposit of £25.00

·      Line rental £2.50 per month

·      All calls you make are charged at local BT rates



Want all of the above and more?
 
 
Package 2 –A Personal and Professional Messaging service

A personal answering and messaging service maybe just what you need to add that extra touch to your business.
 
All calls will go directly to our wonderful receptionists who can:

·      Greet in professional and friendly manner

·      Transfer the call directly to you

·      Take down your messages

·      Notify you of any messages via text or email.

What is the cost?
 
·      £35 per month, inclusive of up to 50 messages per month*


*Any messages exceeding that amount will be charged at £0.95 per message. They will be itemised on your monthly bill. All outbound calls will be charged at BT Rates. Monthly line rental is £2.50.
 
Want to get calling?

Easy. Just speak to a member of the myCatalyst™ team. Even easier- just reply to this email

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009

NOMINATIONS EXTENDED!

If you haven't already entered your company or project into the Yorkshire Digital Awards, you now have until the 13th February to do so. 

Entering is free and couldn't be easier -  just click here  to be taken to the nomination form.

Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards 2009 
Thursday 7th May 2009 
Saviles Hall, The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds 

Are you bowled over by some of the talent you have seen in the Yorkshire digital and creative sector? Perhaps you work in the sector itself, and feel the project you are working on at the moment, or the piece of technology you are developing, really needs wider attention. Even if you don’t work directly in the industry, perhaps you have seen a mind-blowing website that establishes a new benchmark in quality, or a new digital equipment you think could really make a difference to our lives or the way we do business. 

Whatever your situation, if you wonder why so many companies still seem to think they have to go to London for creative work done when so much excellent work goes on up here, then the Insider Yorkshire Digital Awards are for you. Whether you are in the industry or just an interested observer, we want to hear from you. 

This successful awards programme, now in its tenth year, acknowledges and promotes digital companies in Yorkshire and the Humber who are really pushing the bar in creativity and technological prowess. There are clearly benefits to winnng too. Huddersfield-based Liquid Accounts, for example, won the Best Application of Internet Technology category in 2008. “Winning that has really given us a boost,” says marketing director Lisa Kendrick. “It has opened up a number of doors for us, and it has given us the confidence to go on to bigger and better things. Finally, it was a great do that allowed us to let our hair down and celebrate three years of hard work.” 

Here at Insider we think it’s really important to talk up the importance of the creative and digital sector at a time like this as well. Too much of what the industry does in this region is still taken for granted, yet the possibilities of what the industry could achieve – both for itself and for the regeneration and future development of Yorkshire as a whole – are enormous. 

That’s one reason why this year we are introducing a new award for best new talent*. The award will be open to any student in their final year of study on a creative or digital course in a Yorkshire institution who can demonstrate by their project work and their ideas that they really are the “next big thing”. We want to be first to give them recognition and make them aware too that there is plenty of work on offer up here in Yorkshire. 

So do you need any more reasons? Why not enter now? 



 

How to Enter 

Entries are open to any digital company that is based in Yorkshire and the Humber. Please be aware that companies will be restricted to enter a maximum of two award categories. The awards categories are: 

Best Web Design Company sponsored by Yorkshire Forward 
Best IT Consultancy 
Best Business to Business Website sponsored by NYnet 
Best Business to Consumer Website sponsored by Invest in Bradford 
Best Application of Internet Technology sponsored by Yorkshire Forward 
Best Digital Start Up sponsored by Barnsley Digital Media Centre 
Best Game sponsored by Screen Yorkshire 
Best Entertainment Site 
Best e Learning Initiative 
Best Application of Mobile Technology sponsored by 4iP 
Best New Talent sponsored by Leeds College of Art & Design 



 

If you wish to submit an entry to the Awards, without any further obligation, please click here for a nomination form. *We will not be seeking formal nominations for the Best New Talent award. These will be sought individually from college tutors. 
Entries Close: Friday 13th February 2009 



 

Attending The Dinner 

Based on response to the black tie dinner/disco last year we expect an audience of over 300 and demand for tables to be high. Therefore early booking of tables is advised. Table reservations will be held pending payment and will be booked on a first come first served basis. Please click here for a table booking form and return it to us as soon as possible to secure your table.  

Should you require further information regarding the awards or the dinner itself, please call Lynda Craig or Helen Rangeley on 0161 907 9704 or email [email protected]. 



Win a bottle of bubbly!!

Hi All, 

We would like your feedback on myCatalyst and for your trouble you could win a nice bottle of bubbly.

Download Feedback Form 

Web Design Sales Job Opportunity

Exentrix Design Agency - www.exentrix.co.uk <http://www.exentrix.co.uk/> is located in the heart of Bradford, West Yorkshire and within our services we specialize in Web Site Consultancy and Development / Graphic Design / Corporate Branding, and the associate services allied to these. The business was established in 2004, and today enjoys an ever increasing client base throughout the UK. We use leading edge techniques in building our web sites and can provide search engine optimization as examples of our development capacity.

Notably our staff have successfully completed work for - Hugo Boss, Heinz, Durex, IRN-BRU, Housing Association Yorkshire & Humberside, (Shelter), Altour Group (one of the largest tour operators in the world). For a fuller a more complete picture please visit the web site and look at portfolio.

Most recent assignments includes a Contemporary Hair Salon, Liverpool Furniture Company and Kashmir Crown Bakeries (all e-commerce) and Hope Africa, a charitable organization.
 
Within each client based projects we are keen to fully understand our clients business, quite simply “tell us about your business” and reflect this within our concise delivery of the requirement, thus giving complete satisfaction. We are keen to establish a close working partnership within the way we operate, thus ensuring complete communication and ongoing developments and importantly satisfaction. What we firmly believe makes us stand out from other web site development companies, is a thorough understanding and professional approach to our clients total requirements - “we listen”, have attention to detail, via breadth and depth of skills, and have a recognized method of project delivery from start to finish.

PLEASE COULD YOU HELP ? We are looking for a dynamic sales person, to work on a commission only basis to begin with. This would suit someone with industry knowledge who perhaps has other business interests but would like this challenge. I have a specification which I have attached once again for your information. Should you wish to forward this email to anyone who may help please feel free to do so.



Martin W Jones
ICT Adviser / Consultant
Round Foundry Media Centre
Foundry Street
Leeds
LS11 5QP

Web:  www.martinwilliamjones.com
Tel:   +44 (0)870 990 5277
Mob:   +44 (0)780 316 8932
Fax:   +44 (0)870 420 2400

‘Raising the Standard of ICT and Business Advice’.
Technology Means Business - The industry standard for integrated ICT & business advice

Free IT NVQ Level 2

The course and funding is open to anyone as long as they haven’t got a qualification in IT (unless NVQ Level 1) at the moment.
 
The course is split up into 5 units, 1 mandatory and 4 optional.
 
The layout of the course can be done in a couple of ways.
 
The delivery of the course is set that our assessor will come out to the workplace providing workbook (s) to each learner and leave the book with them to work through.  The NVQ is based around evidence collation.  
 
We have been advised to estimate that each learner has between 30 minutes to 1 hour with the assessor going through the workbooks, or we can provide a classroom training session whereby we are there for ∏ day for each unit.   
 
The aim is that the assessor will come out at intervals until the course is completed. We advise that the length of the course can be between 3-6 months.
 
The business will decide on how the training is given.
 
If this is of interest to the business or if you know of anyone that is interested please let me know.
 
Many thanks
Charlie
 
Charlie Lister
Business Development

Tel:  01302 381602
Fax: 01302 381604
Web: www.acsdoncaster.com <http://www.acsdoncaster.com/> 

Download Nvq-l2 

Free Voucher Distribution Service

Dear Colleague,

To support businesses during this challenging time City Centre Leeds and
Radio Aire have teamed up and are offering something that is so great
you won't be able to say no!

If your business has produced some promotional vouchers you may be able
to have them distributed for you by the fantastic Radio Aire street team
- they will even come and collect them too!

Working on a first come first served basis special wallets are being
filled with great offers and promotions from businesses over the city
centre and are being distributed out on the streets and at the Ice Cube
on Millennium Square.

To get involved simply:
1.   Decide how many vouchers you want to include - anywhere up to 3,000
is
great.
2.   Pick a collection date - either Monday 9th February or Monday 2nd
March
3.   Complete the attached form and fax it back to Radio Aire on 0113
283
5501 or alternatively send by email to [email protected]

Please note that we cannot include vouchers for alcohol and all vouchers
must be valid until the end of March 2009.

Don't hesitate to contact me should you have any query.

With kind regards,

Laura Nicholson
City Centre Leeds
City Development Directorate
6th Floor, Leonardo Building
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD

Tel:  0113 247 4719
Fax: 0113 224 3434
www.citycentreleeds.com
www.leeds.gov.uk    

Download Radio Aire fax back form[4] 

Sharing the Success Business Growth Fund

Sharing the Success have just launched a Business Growth Fund Grant Programme!  Download the file below to see if you are eligible and apply.

Download Application Form 2009

Key Fund Job Opportunity

Key Fund Yorkshire
Client Officer (Investments

 

£24,586- 26,213 (depending upon experience)

 

The Key Fund is a dynamic exciting company, delivering European, Regional Development Agency and other funds to support social and economic regeneration in communities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

We wish to widen our staff team for a fixed period to Mar 2010.  The successful candidate will need to demonstrate proven experience and have an understanding of significant loans/grants development and monitoring processes for new and developing enterprises. 

Some flexibility in working hours will be required. 

Own transport will be essential 

For an application pack contact 0845 140 1400 or e-mail janet.norman @keyfundyorks.org.uk

Closing date for submission of applications:   Monday 9 February 2009

Key Fund Yorkshire is an equal opportunities employer.

 

Zarida Hussain - Beauty Therapy Parties

Are you wanting to be pampered?  Why not book Zarida for a pamper party?  I am a qualified beauty therapist based at Hillside myCatalyst^TM  centre offering beauty treatments for parties of 3-10.

- Hen parties & wedding preparations

- Girl’s night in

- Company away days

Services include Facials, Waxing, manicures, pedicures, acrylic nails / gel nails, makeup and henna.  I will come to you!  Discounts given for large bookings.  Contact me now on 07505 190616 or email me at [email protected]

 

Sheffield Creative Lounge opens

Special Offer from Latitude 53

A Client Is Not Just For Christmas!

We all know how it feels to receive a greetings card - we know that it's a personal communication.
Imagine how your highly valued clients and customers will feel when they receive a card from you...

Here at Latitude 53 we believe in the power of personalised communication.
Mass mailouts have a role to play in marketing but so too does a programme of regular personalised communications - perhaps with your most valued clients and customers.
We are talking about HAND WRITTEN and HAND SIGNED cards with HAND ADDRESSED envelopes - the personal touch. NO mail merging and NO address labels!
Find 3 or 4 reasons to send your most valued customers a card over the year - the goodwill it sends out will generate more direct business and lead to more referral business.

Happy birthday -> thank you for doing business with us -> we've not been in touch for a while -> we saw this and thought of you -> thank you for paying on time

For January and February we have 25% off all card orders.  Get YOUR LOGO and a SHORT MESSAGE on a stunning art card.
100 A6 cards will cost just £52.50 plus VAT and delivery

When you add in the cost of a stamp it works out about £1.00 per communication - or £3-4 per client per year.
Compare that to the average spend of your customers or just your top spending customers and it works out as a very cost effective way of retaining those customers and getting them to spend more with you.

VISIT OUR ONLINE GALLERY OR CALL 0113-2740351 NOW AND PLACE YOUR ORDER
www.latitude53.co.uk/shop <http://www.latitude53.co.uk/shop>

Entrepreneurs Sought to Inspire Pre-Starts and New Starts across Yorkshire

An opportunity has arisen for Yorkshire Entrepreneurs who have been in business longer than 12 months to address small audiences of new businesses across Yorkshire via specific seminars.   These seminars are split into two parts: Expert and Experience.
The ‘Expert’ will speak on a specific topic (Sales, Marketing, Money & Mindset) and the ‘Experience’ will be local and speak on their entrepreneurial journey covering what they have come up against, good and bad and how they have overcome factors to continue trading and become a success. The ‘Experience’ will also cover ‘What to Expect When Running a Business’. Any interested Entrepreneurs will speak for 45 - 60 minutes and overall, the aim of these seminars is to offer advice and real life examples of running a business by people who actually run a business.
myCatalyst associates are urged to put themselves forward as the ‘Experience’ side of this programme to assist further with the entrepreneurial culture of Yorkshire. Seminars will take place in North, South, East and West Yorkshire, starting February 2009 through to March 2009. Also involved is Channel 4’s ‘The Secret Millionaire’ Carl Hopkins. There are both speaker fees and expenses available.
All interested parties should contact Danny Matharu of Hillrich on 07904 873 202 or email [email protected]

Free marketing health check with Opportunity Marketing