June 01 2007

The Growing Your Own Business Showcase & Conference, taking place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 June 2007 at the SECC, Glasgow, will provide the perfect opportunity for small business owners to find out all they need to know to develop and grow their company.

This event, co-located with The British Franchise Exhibition, will feature leading established companies and experts who will offer invaluable advice and services to enable businesses to expand much faster, increase their efficiency, and most importantly, improve their profitability.

The free conference provides practical advice and information on all aspects of growing a business. Speakers include successful entrepreneurs who will provide thought provoking case studies as well as business experts who will be on hand with invaluable advice.

Highlights include an opening keynote address from Gordon Richardson, entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Beanscene, the coffee and music house chain, entitled ‘The driving force behind entrepreneurs’. Gordon will advise on maintaining business resilience and how to thrive in competitive markets. As a pioneer of emerging music artists, Gordon founded his expanding coffee and music house chain around his strong belief in getting new music heard, using the coffee houses as a platform. Gordon has also established a unique in-store and online radio station and has pioneered a music download service in his coffee houses.

Other speakers include business growth adviser Graham Laird from Business Gateway. A partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Executive and Local Authorities, Business Gateway aims to support economic development in Scotland by providing a one-stop shop to help grow or start a business. Graham during his address will be discussing how best to obtain the right sources of funding and the common mistakes made by small enterprises.

The final presentation of the day will be from Shaun Anderson, web marketing director of Hobo, who will give an insight into improving website functionality and web marketing options. Shaun as a leading web and search engine designer has worked with leading brands such as Barratt Homes, Richmond Bathrooms and East Kilbride Shopping Centre.

On Saturday 9 June, John Lilley, senior vice president of MRINetwork Worldwide, a leading innovator in recruitment will be providing essential business-planning tips. John has overseen the development of the international network of MRI through new office start-ups, and has helped support the expansion of franchise master licenses throughout the world.

Concluding the seminar programme will be Ruth McKay, founder of Unique Marketing Solutions, offering her ideas and thoughts on creative and effective ways of marketing. Ruth, who was featured in a Channel 4 documentary on entrepreneurship, has successful built up a leading professional and creative marketing company servicing businesses in the implementation of effective marketing strategies.

Seminar schedule:

Friday 8 June 2007

10:30 – 11:00
Opening Address: The driving force behind entrepreneurs
Gordon Richardson, founder, Beanscene


12:30 – 13:00
Obtaining the right sources of funding
Graham Laird, business growth adviser, Business Gateway


14:45 – 15:15
Improve your website functionality
Shaun Anderson, web marketing director, Hobo


Saturday 9 June 2007


11:30 – 12:00
Fundamental tips for planning
John Lilley, senior vice president, International Operations, MRI


13:45 – 14:15
Vital marketing tips for small businesses
Ruth McKay, founder, Unique Marketing Solutions

The combination of the Showcase and Conference brings together all the knowledge and expertise that an entrepreneur needs to grow a business successfully.

The event takes place at Glasgow’s SECC and is open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday 8 and 4pm on Saturday 9 June. For more information on Growing Your Own Business call 0870 7771082 or visit www.growingyourownbusiness.co.uk for more information.

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