2012: Let's talk business

Business owner Sonia Brown and leading specialists will host a Let’s Talk Business: Procure 2012 seminar to help local business skill-up for Olympic contracts. Here she explains the day and invites applications for the free event.

Although businesses are facing one of the bleakest and challenging operating times in decades, the recession is providing a much needed opportunity to pragmatically step back, review and reassess the future as they seek solutions to beat the cuts and stay afloat in the impending financial downturn.

The boom is a distant memory as businesses tighten their financial belt; eliminate internal excess and seek to innovate for real growth in the market. 

This is a time where a lull in business means a visit to your accountant or business advisor to grasp the benefits in the market place for your products and services.  But more importantly it’s time for entrepreneurs to brush up on some well neglected training in marketing, procurement, networking and leadership skills.

Rob Grover, Partnership Manager, Business Link in London says “In the last three years, the number of London-based Black and minority ethnic businesses we have engaged with has grown from less than 27,000 to over 66,000 a year. BAME-owned businesses are keen to benefit from our services and in the last year over 4,000 met a Business Advisor for a business review.

The diversity of small businesses in London is a key feature of the Capital’s creative potential for economic growth and innovation and will play a key role in pulling the economy out of recession.”

Regionally, the National Black Women’s Network has been working closely with Birmingham City Council, Business Links West Midlands and the Ethnic Minority Business Forum to showcase the talents, raise concerns and inspire positive action for ethnic minority and women led businesses through customised programmes.

This month sees them all come together with leading procurement specialists to host the Let’s Talk Business: Procure 2012 seminar which aims to provide practical solutions to the issues that impede local businesses from engaging in the procurement process and more importantly, cash in on the 2012 bonanza.

Facilitated the National Black Women’s Network and partners the conference will offer insights into current and future procurement issues, tendering procedures, changing demands and the capabilities required of businesses to manage procurement projects.

Finditinbirmingham is part of Birmingham City Council's response to the economic downturn.  Its objective is to help local small businesses by making supply opportunities more visible, and helping entrepreneurs to up skill so that they can compete effectively for business.

 “I have always maintained that business of all sizes should have the opportunity to provide services and tender for work where feasible” says Cllr Alan Rudge.  “Although large organisations may be able to provide lower prices due to their economies of scale, sometimes smaller and medium sized organisations are able to offer a more personal touch and approach than larger organisations. This seminar will provide helpful tips on how business of all sizes can play their part in the market.”

Birmingham City has already secured training camps for two of the biggest teams in world athletics, the USA and Jamaican track and field teams plus a reported £15million contract in preparation for Olympics 2012.

 “Supporting entrepreneurship and helping companies increase their ability to compete successfully for opportunities created by 2012 are important for the growth of our regional economy “ says Ian Grewcock, Business Support Director at Business Link WM.

”We are pleased to continue our partnership with NBWN and support this important event as it will give attendees an insight into how businesses in the West Midlands are competing successfully for new opportunities and provides practical advice on procurement and tendering processes."

Sonia Brown is the founder of the National Black Women’s Network; the Let’s Talk Business networking forum and more recently the professional social media site sistatalk. She is a well sought out speaker on women and enterprise issues and is the business editor for the Voice Newspaper.  For further information visit the website.

*The Let’s Talk Business: Procure 2012Seminar takes place on Monday 15th November at the Copthorne Hotel, Piccadilly Circus, Birmingham between 6-9:30pm.  To book your £free place visit: letstalkbusines: Click here