_20 January 2012
09.00 – 12.30 (including breakfast)
Lifescan Scotland, Beechwood Park North, Inverness, IV2 3ED

SMEs are key drivers of the Scottish economy. They make up 99.9% of all businesses, employing 61.5% of the private workforce and contributing 48.5% of private sector turnover. They clearly have an important economic and social role to play both as employers and key local actors.

As Scotland’s lead organisation in corporate responsibility, Scottish Business in the Community is facilitating a series of free workshops to support SMEs in applying sustainable business principles to harness and drive leadership in Scotland.

The workshops will feature an overview of sustainable leadership and procurement from a global, European and national perspective and will examine the key drivers and influences.

There will also be an outline of SBC’s project to maximise opportunities through responsible business practices in order to gain a competitive edge and add value to your business.

What will be covered?
Developing Values-based leadership – why it’s important to raise ambitions and skills of the leaders of small businesses.
Entrepreneurship and innovation – how we can help you to identify opportunities for new products, services and new market opportunities.
Effective Skills Utilisation – why ensuring that the skills of your workforce are best used to achieve growth ambitions. This is linked to issues such as workplace health and wellbeing and community engagement.
Adding value through a comprehensive approach to sustainability.

What we do Scottish Business in the Community is the only organisation supporting and challenging its members and partners to improve their impacts in the workplace, marketplace, community and environment.

“SMEs are the future for a successful Scotland – generating the vast proportion of wealth and employment. Be a leader by demonstrating your credentials and gaining the business benefits through working with Scottish Business in the Community”
Alex Neil MSP, Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Investment
 
In association with
 
 
_The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition together with their event partners SEuk and CEiS Events, are making considerable progress on developing a unique and exciting programme for the Social Enterprise Exchange on Tuesday 27 March 2012, together with a range of pre and post event activities. They are really excited by the feedback they’ve had since the event date was announced, with a number of delegates and exhibitors confirming that they will be there. The event venue is the SECC in Glasgow and bookings will be opening soon, they hope to see you there. Book now for great early bird discounts here.
 
 
___23rd November 2011 Time 12.30 noon – 2.30pm
Venue: Albyn Housing Society Ltd,
68 MacLennan Crescent, Inverness, IV3 8DN
Cost £15 for members (lunch included)

ACOSVO are pleased to welcome our speaker Yvonne Strachan, Deputy Director of Equality Unit and Third Sector Division, Scottish Government
Overview
12.30     arrival, tea / coffee / lunch
1pm       introductions
1.15        Update from Yvonne Strachan re Equalities / Third Sector Division and key messages
1.30        questions / discussion
2.00        comments and discussion from participants
2.20        Future plans for network
2.30        finish

Cost is £15 for members and for £20 non members
To book a place click here to access the online booking form


 
 
 
 
One of the most productive ways to get anything done and to move forward is to talk to someone about what you are doing. That is exactly what Social Enterprise support agency HISEZ are planning on doing next week when Brian Weaver comes to the Western Isles to discuss the free support available.

Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ) delivers support for new start and established Social Enterprises from across the Highlands and Islands. HISEZ works in partnership with the Just Enterprise consortium.

Just Enterprise supports the enterprising third sector in Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Government, Just Enterprise assists social enterprises who show the greatest potential to grow and develop sustainably - that could be in terms of income, employment or contracts secured.

Brian Weaver will be holding free networking lunches at Ravenspoint in Lewis , Cothrom in South Uist and Barra Learning Centre in Castlebay which are open to anyone interested in finding out more or who are involved in Social Enterprise. The theme is ‘Creating Enterprise to enable Social Benefit’ and will explore successful models of Social Enterprise, how you start a social enterprise as well as what support and resources are available to you.  In addition to this, there will be plenty of informal networking opportunities, which anyone attending a HISEZ networking lunch has agreed is invaluable.

Come along to find out:
  • More about Social Enterprise
  • If Social Enterprise can benefit your community or organization
  • How you can generate income to support social change
  • What support and opportunities are available
  • Who is already a Social Enterprise in your area and how they did it

Sign up now for these free events:

Tues 8 Nov - Creating Enterprise to enable Social Benefit – Ravenspoint
Wed 9 Nov - Creating Enterprise to enable Social Benefit - Cothrom
Thurs 10 Nov - Creating Enterprise to enable Social Benefit – Barra Learning Centre

 
 
Exceptional leadership is needed to run a social enterprise, meeting a social purpose while balancing the books.

To meet Scotland's present and future challenges, innovative, sustainable solutions are required. Leading Growth will bring leaders from different organisations, working in social enterprise, for a powerful learning experience, that links leadership theories to your practice.

Based on action learning, this leadership journey will give you regular time and space to reflect, share your experiences with peers, and find support, learning and insight in return. Gain the tools and strategies you need to develop your abilities as an effective leader capable of meeting the challenge of growing your organisation to maximise your social impact.

Topics include:
  • Leadership Roles and Theories 
  • Emotional Intelligence 
  • Negotiation & Motivation 
  • Setting and Communicating Direction 
  • Action Learning
To find out more and to book your place click here
 
 
As part of the national Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, Rag Tag n Textile is presenting our Bond themed fashion shows at:
  • Kyleakin Hall on Saturday 1st October
  • Tigh na Sgire in Portree on Tuesday 4th October
  • The One Touch Theatre in Inverness on Thursday 6th of October. 
Every show will start at 7.30pm and the fashion shows are free in Skye and Lochalsh (though there will be amazing raffle prizes).  Ticket for the Inverness show can be purchased from Eden Court box office http://www.eden-court.co.uk/

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Wednesday 5th October 2011, Glasgow
10am-4pm

Firstport is looking for social enterprises interested in gaining external advice and support from PwC volunteers for our upcoming EVOLVE event.
 
EVOLVE events  are one day skill sharing sessions, matching social enterprises with volunteers from commercial businesses.  
 
The sessions bring together social enterprises and a small group of corporate volunteers for one day to help develop the social enterprise. Working alongside the volunteers, you will take a strategic look at your business, identifying strengths, weaknesses and challenges ahead. They will also help you to put together an action plan that will give you greater confidence to drive your business forward.   At the same time, you will help the volunteers to understand what social enterprise is all about by telling your story,inspiring them through the work that you do and the difference your organisation makes in the community.
 
We have worked with local SME's as well as corporate giants including PwC, Lloyds TSB, HBOS and Scottish Gas and we have received some fantastic feedback from participants.
 
“The team of volunteers were professional and interested.  It is great to have involvement from somebody who is not as close to it as we are, and especially when those people are experts at business advice, focused on the bottom line.  We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them.  I hope they all got something useful out of it too.”
 
Interest in EVOLVE events is always high and sessions are often oversubscribed.  We have a limited number of places available for this event and registering your interest does not guarantee a place.  Social enterprises will be chosen to participate in the event based on their suitability. If you are interested in attending, please complete our registration form by following the link below.   Please be aware that at least two individuals from each social enterprise must attend.
 
Register here http://evolveoctober.eventbrite.com

 
 
ABSEN Conference & AGM—Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Wed 5th, Tue 6th & Friday 7th October, 2011
Have you booked your place yet?
As you are probably aware the ABSEN Conference and AGM will take place on the 5th, 6th and 7th of October, 2011 at the Victoria Hotel in Rothesay. Time is running out and if you intend coming along please get your booking in now! If you are not a Member—join now at no cost. The full agenda is available here
  • You could win £500 !
  • Hear the Big Lottery update
  • Free business support from Just Enterprise
  • Mike Russell MSP will be there on Friday—fancy a word?
  • Councillor Rory Colville—Spokesperson for Third Sector &Communities joins us on Thursday
Download the application form and send them to Bill Stewart as soon as possible on 07932622952 or by e-mail at
william.stewart@absen.org.uk

Don’t forget your 2 minute Pitch for the Dragon’s Den Competition!!
If you have a good business idea why not enter the competition? Its absolutely FREE and you could win a prize of £500 and support for your organisation. All you have to do is make a two minute presentation to four “dragon’s”, answer some questions and the prize could be yours! Download the form now

Applications for the conference, accommodation and workshops are being dealt with on a first come first served basis. We have now received a significant number of bookings so if you haven’t sent yours in yet, get it in now and give yourself a
chance of attending the workshops and visit of your choice, and getting a place at the Policy Breakfast.
 
 
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If you have any further questions please call or email : Darren Robbins at Highland Birchwoods Tel 01463 811606 email Darren.Robbins@highlandbirchwoods.co.uk Mike Weston at The University of the Highlands and Islands Tel 01463 279263 email mike.weston@uhi.ac.uk