A SERIES of seminars for small and medium size businesses in the East of England looking for advice and guidance on how to best prepare their companies for growth during the credit crunch is being held in Stevenage tomorrow (Friday). The seminar at the Bu

A SERIES of seminars for small and medium size businesses in the East of England looking for advice and guidance on how to best prepare their companies for growth during the credit crunch is being held in Stevenage tomorrow (Friday).

The seminar at the Business and Technology Centre in Bessemer Drive, is aimed at directors and senior executives of businesses and will explore and identify critical elements companies have to consider in order to drive forward sustainable business improvement and growth in these challenging economic conditions.

Speakers will offer advice on finance, HR, sales and business support and will include Walter Herriot OBE, the managing director of Thye St John's Innovation Centre Ltd. The centre, is regarded as a model for assistsing newc businesses, particularly those linked to universities.

In 1999 he was awarded an OBE for services to businesses in the East of England and in 2006 he received the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion and was appointed visiting professor at the University of Hertfordshire.

Also speaking will be Patrice Love, chief executive of Brightstar Managed Services who offer consultancy services in HR, finance, business planning, PR, events, sales and marketing.

These services are delivered by experienced associate partners and therefore add particular value to start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises who require specialist expertise in these areas but want to keep costs and overheads down at this crucial stage of a company's growth strategy.

Another speaker will be Andrew Watkin, a qualified accountant who focuses on business tax and accountancy advice, together with a range of specialist projects including raising of finance and the buying and selling of companies.

Also in attendance will be James King, who has more than 27 years experience in senior sales, sales management and business development. In 2006, he founded a sales and management training company, James F King & Partners Ltd (www.jfkandpartners.com) which works with companies to identify their sales performance and revenue generation challenges and implement appropriate strategies for pro-active or remedial action.

Opportunities in the Credit Crunch will take place at The Business and Technology Centre from 11.30am to 2.30pm. To register for the seminars or to find out more information contact Helen Ashby on 01438 310047 or email Helena@hertsbic.co.uk

A2K (Access to Knowledge) is supported by Hertfordshire Business Independent, Baker Watkin, Brignalls Balderston Warren, JG Consulting and Stevenage Borough Council.