Two dates for seminars to start 2010. The first one on Monday, March 8, with EEDA, Barclays and the University of Hertfordshire will introduce you to accessing finance, funding and graduates to support your growing businesses. The second event a Spee

Two dates for seminars to start 2010.

The first one on Monday, March 8, with EEDA, Barclays and the University of Hertfordshire will introduce you to accessing finance, funding and graduates to support your growing businesses. The second event a Speed Networking Seminar on Friday, March 26, always attracts lots of different businesses so book in quickly.

1. Accessing Finance Via EEDA, Barclays and Introducing the KTP Scheme

Title: Accessing Finance via EEDA, Barclays and Introducing the KTP scheme Date: 8th March Presenters: Annabel Grant, EEDA; Christine Cary, Barclays; Claire Higgitt, University of Hertfordshire Venue: Business & Technology Centre Cost: �15 + VAT Time: 10am - 1pm Registration: http://www.btcstevenage.co.uk/Accessing_Finance.html Directions: Map and Directions

EEDA has launched a new and improved portfolio of financial products to help support businesses in the region. In addition to grants, EEDA now offer a range of business loans and a new programme that helps access the most appropriate finance for their investment needs for now and the future.

The session will cover an overview of:

� Grant funding available from EEDA, (Proof of Concept, Grants for Research and Development,Grants for Business Investment)

� Loan funding available from EEDA for both start up and established businesses

� EEDA's new Understanding Finance for Business Programme.

Bank Finance

* The current market and an overview of Banks appetite for loans and commercial mortgages

* An inside view as to what the Banks are looking for when assessing your lending request.

* Giving yourself the best chance to get lending at the best rates

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)

KTP's help businesses innovate and grow by applying University expertise. Each Partnership attracts a grant towards the cost of employing a graduate, supervised by a University academic expert to complete a project on new product development, management systems, strategic marketing and many other areas. Partnerships can be between 10 weeks and 3 years long.

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2. Speed Networking

Title: Speed Networking Date: 26th March Presenters: Bob Ferguson Venue: Business & Technology Centre Cost: �15 + VAT Time: 10.30-12.30pm Registration: http://www.btcstevenage.co.uk/Speed_Networking.html Directions: Map and Directions

In this interactive session you will explore the interpersonal communication skills that bring networking success: -

� The way to select the right events

� How to Introduce yourself (The Elevator Pitch)

� What to say to get the result you want

� How to move into groups of people

� Constructing an effective 60 second networking introduction

� The way to exchange business cards

� How to develop a good conversation

� What to do after the meeting

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3. Innovative Talk Newsletter Sign - up

Sign up to receive our Bi monthly Newsletter Innovative Talk - http://www.btcstevenage.co.uk/newsletter.html

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4. Green IT - An Introductory Seminar

ConnectSphere would like to invite you to an interactive seminar introducing Green IT. The seminar will be presented by Ian Salvage and Shirley Lacy. This seminar is part of our 2010 seminar series.

The topic of Green IT has started to appear on boardroom agendas. High costs, uncertain energy supplies, impeding legislation and pressure from competitors to clean up are all driving improvements in this area. Many organisations are keen to understand what this might mean for them. Others have started to factor environmental considerations into their strategy, but are struggling to come to terms with the best course of action for their particular circumstances.

The aim of this seminar is to help you understand the issues that you and your organisation may face and to provide guidance on approaching these issues.

Who should attend?

Company directors, data centre managers, all stakeholders in service management including business owners, IT Directors, IT managers and service professionals

When?

Thursday 25th February 2010

8.30am - 12.30pm

Where?

Business & Technology Centre, Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2DX

Registration

This is a FREE event and places are limited to one per organisation

For a registration form please contact Sangeeta Bhovan

Email: sangeeta@connectsphere.com

Phone: 0845 8382345

Online: www.connectsphere.com/seminars-and-events