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August 08 - Would you like to learn how to make your business more successful?
23/08/2008 21:42:02
On Thursday 9 October 2008, the first Salford Business Support Showcase is taking place at the Innovation Forum on Frederick Road. With registration and coffee from 9am, the event starts at 9.30am and will finish at 12 noon. There will also be ample networking opportunities for businesses attending the event.

John Wilkinson OBE kindly agreed to open the event and introduce each of the eleven business support partners on the day. These are:

     • Business Link North West
     • Business Support Solutions
     • Chapel Street Business Group
     • Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal for Communities
     • Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
     • Innovation Forum
     • Northwest Regional Development Agency
     • Salford City Council
     • Salford Hundred Venture
     • University of Salford
     • UK Trade & Investment

Businesses will be able to visit all of the support partners’ stands and find out exactly what help and assistance is available to them, and, more importantly, what they need to do to access that support. The event is aimed at businesses (or those thinking of starting a business) in and around the Salford area. Limited companies, sole traders, social enterprises, not-for-profit businesses are all welcome.

In addition, businesses will have an opportunity to network with other businesses on the day and also take part in a unique speed networking session, which will be facilitated by Mark Simpson of Simpson Burgess Nash. Mark has been networking for over ten years and is one of the best business networkers in the North West. After the introductions Mark will share his top tips on how to network effectively and those wishing to join the speed networking session can do so between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Salford Business Support Showcase is free to attend and those interested should either call 0161 278 2519 or email events@innovation-forum.co.uk to register.

July 2008 - Business Support Showcase is coming to Innovation Forum
07/07/2008 14:18:44
Want to learn about the support – much of which may be free – available to you and your business? Could your business benefit from targeted support initiatives and offerings? If so, you will want to attend the first Business Support Showcase event taking place at Salford’s Innovation Forum in October. There will also be a speed networking session with other businesses for those who are interested.

Mark Simpson, of Simpson Burgess Nash Chartered Accountants, will give everyone an introduction on how to network effectively and he will also manage the speed networking session to ensure that everyone has a place and that it runs smoothly.

‘The support is there, but if no one knows about it they can’t benefit. Our objective is to provide a focal point for Salford businesses to access the support and assistance that are vital to their continued success,’ commented Hazel Taylor, Facilities Manager of the Innovation Forum. Salford’s business support providers have joined forces to promote the broad selection of assistance available to businesses at the event.

The Innovation Forum is a state-of-the-art building offering business accommodation with offices for one to 40 people. Modern venue facilities, excellent catering support and a convenient location with free parking also makes the Innovation Forum an ideal venue for events of this kind. To view any of the available offices contact Sandra Ross at sandra@innovation-forum.co.uk.

Information will be available shortly about this event and you can register your interest now by emailing events@innovation-forum.co.uk.

June 2008 – It’s arrived! Costa Coffee snack pod
07/07/2008 14:16:48
Come check out the Costa Coffee snack pod at the Innovation Forum, located on the ground floor in the atrium. The snack pod serves the same hot drinks, sandwiches, snacks and cakes you’d expect to find at one of the larger Costa Coffee cafes.

Whether you’d prefer a shot of espresso to start your day, a frothy cappuccino with a sprinkling of chocolate, a latte with loads of milk and flavour or a mocha for the ultimate coffee indulgence – you don’t need to travel far to enjoy the refined taste and appeal of one of the UK’s finest gourmet coffee shops.

As well as offering the finest coffee, Costa has a wide range of alternatives including hot chocolate, teas and infusions, iced coffees and even frescato – a range of ice blended drinks.

The Costa Coffee snack pod is another example of the commitment the Innovation Forum has made to provide the very best facilities to tenants and visitors alike. If you are looking for an informal place to hold your next business meeting, why not stop by the Innovation Forum off Frederick Road in Salford (M6 6FP) – the Costa Coffee snack pod is open between 9am and 5pm.

June 2008 - Boot Camp winners Let Loose Design Ltd in the Innovation Forum
07/07/2008 14:16:03
Let Loose Design Ltd, winners of the University of Salford Enterprise Academy Boot Camp, have completed their move into the Innovation Forum as part of their prize. University of Salford design graduates Paul Dawson and Dwain Brandy impressed judges at the intensive four-day course last July with their business plan to offer high quality design and branding to companies with smaller marketing budgets – as well as giving students access to a ‘real world’ work environment.

Paul and Dwain won £5,000 worth of business support from the University of Salford, including advice from a business mentor and accommodation for their new company for 12 months. The Innovation Forum, a project managed by the University of Salford and Salford City Council and funded by NWDA, ERDF and Charleston and Lower Kersal New Deal for Communities, is already home to 17 businesses.

With the University's help Let Loose Design have been able to develop a pricing strategy for their work and further develop the market segmentation ideas which helped them to win the original Boot Camp. Dwain Brandy said, "Working with our business mentor has really helped us develop some of the ideas we've had. At the Boot Camp we knew we had a good idea which was well thought out, but with help we've been able to fine tune our plans and are now in a position to start trading more actively."

June 2008
07/07/2008 14:15:26
Esay Solutions (www.esay-solutions.co.uk) and Let Loose Design (www.letloosedesign.co.uk) move into the Innovation Forum.

May 2008 - Bookings soar for the Innovation Forum
07/07/2008 14:14:59
As has already been demonstrated by several events held at the Innovation Forum, the building provides a first class venue space for events and conferences. A visible, convenient and easy-to-find location - readily accessible by pubic transport - the Innovation Forum also has free secure car parking at the rear of the building. With professional and experienced support staff and a range of modern purpose-built conference spaces, the Innovation Forum is proving to be a popular venue for businesses and professional organisations alike.

In addition to its ample interior spaces and visually impressive atrium, there is also access to the University of Salford catering team, who are amongst the most capable and experienced professionals anywhere. There is also the latest AV equipment and wi-fi and internet access as well.

‘We are very proud of the venue space. There is a lot of experience and enthusiasm within our team and we are able to provide a very competitive premium service,’ said Sandra Ross, operations manager of the Innovation Forum.

April 2008 - Business Means Innovation Seminar
07/07/2008 14:14:33
The Business Means Innovation Seminar on 24 April was hosted by Commerce GM magazine and the Innovation Forum. Sponsored by the Environment Agency, the free event covered a range of business related topics including sustainable procurement, legal advice for growth, business planning, business technology support and cost-effective marketing techniques.

The two hour event attracted owners and directors of small to medium sized enterprises dedicated to driving their businesses forward. Providing material and ideas for delegates to incorporate immediately within their own businesses, the event was designed to offer real benefits for those who attended. A fabulous buffet and networking followed the event.

Speakers at the event were the Environment Agency, Chafes Solicitors, Clarke Nicklin Chartered Accountants, Star Technology Services Ltd and Elite Edge Marketing Consultants Ltd. This event is the first seminar in the “Business Means Innovation” series and the Innovation Forum will continue to look for opportunities to develop these types of events to support local businesses.

April 2008 - Salford Business Awards Innovation Award winners RTS Flexible Systems
07/07/2008 14:13:54
The Salford Business Awards (SBA) 2008 presentation ceremony and dinner was held on Thursday April 17 at the Compass Room in the Lowry Centre at Salford Quays. The ceremony was attended by over 150 local businesses, sponsors and Awards finalists and was marked by the Award presentations to the category runners-up and finalists.

The Innovation Forum sponsored the Innovation Award, and both the runners-up and finalist awards were presented by Kevin Brady, Assistant Chief Executive of Salford City Council (SCC). SCC are key partners in the management of the Innovation Forum building and also in the development of the Salford Business Awards, alongside the University of Salford and the Chapel Street Business Group. The evening’s after dinner speaker was Adrian Van Klaveren, Controller of BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.

Avocado Design were the Innovation Award 2008 runners-up and RTS Flexible Systems were the winners on the night. ‘We were delighted to be involved in the Salford Business Awards 2008. This type of event to celebrate the achievements and successes of Salford businesses is vital to the business community, and complements our own commitment to Salford businesses,’ said Hazel Taylor, facilities Manager of the Innovation Forum.

April 2008
07/07/2008 14:13:24
YQ North West (www.yqnorthwest.com), Business 4 Breakfast (www.bforb.com) and Contempus (www.contempus.com) move into the Innovation Forum.

March 2008 - Innovation Forum Official Launch
07/07/2008 14:12:56
The Innovation Forum launch event on Friday, 7 March 2008 was marked by the unveiling of a plaque by Salford MP Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The plaque was made up of several brick ‘slips’ representing the colours of brick seen in buildings throughout Salford – colours which became the inspiration for the building’s unique colour palette.

The event was attended by over 100 guests, including the many partners involved in the planning, funding and construction of the £9.6m building. The Mayor of Salford, Councillor Valerie Burgoyne was amongst the guests along with the Leader of Salford City Council, Cllr John Merry, Professor James Powell OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Enterprise & Regional Affairs at the University of Salford and local entrepreneur Geoff Howard, CEO of the Continuity Shop and Innovation Forum tenant.

‘The day marks an incredible achievement for us - a lot of people have worked very hard to make this project happen. The Innovation Forum is now poised to be the focal point for innovation, wealth creation and community engagement,’ commented Hazel Taylor, facilities manager of the Innovation Forum.

March 2008
07/07/2008 14:11:50
MCIN / Social Media Centre (www.mcin.net), Apple Dynamics (www.appledynamics.com) and Comparison International (www.comparisonintl.com) move into the Innovation Forum.

February 2008 - The first annual Salford Business Awards (2008)
07/07/2008 14:10:43
With over 70 submissions for awards already, the Salford Business Awards 2008 demonstrates the determination and enthusiasm local businesses possess, and also shows just how much the local business community values the same recognition enjoyed through other established business awards. All involved agree it is a positive showing for this inaugural awards event.

If you would like further information about the Salford Business Awards, want to download an application form or would like to sponsor one of the awards please visit www.salfordbusinessawards.co.uk. You might also like to visit Salford Business Week to see what other business related activities are happening around Salford in April. The Innovation Forum would like to wish all entrants in the Salford Business Awards 2008 the very best of luck.

February 2008
07/07/2008 14:10:03
11 out of 10 (www.11outof10.com) and North Point PR (www.northpointpr.com) move into the Innovation Forum.

January 2008
07/07/2008 14:09:39
Apollo AC (01617433548) and UNIVIB (www.univib.com) move into the Innovation Forum.

November 2007 - Innovation Forum sponsor the Innovation Award and are proud to be part of the first annual Salford Business Awards (2008)
07/07/2008 14:08:07
Salford’s Innovation Forum has chosen to sponsor the Innovation Award at the first annual Salford Business Awards. Developed by the Chapel Street Business Group and supported by the University of Salford and Salford City Council, the Salford Business Awards 2008 is the city’s first official business awards.

‘The Salford Business Awards are a valuable choice for our sponsorship. Not only are we able to be a part of the first Salford Business Awards, but we are also able to sponsor the Innovation Award – which is an obvious choice really. Innovation is a key requirement for tenants within the Forum building, and this sponsorship is an excellent way for us to show our commitment to innovation and the Salford business community,’ commented Sandra Ross, operations manager of the Innovation Forum.

November 2007
07/07/2008 14:06:05
Continuity Shop (www.continuityshop.com) and Presteigne (www.presteigne.co.uk) move into the Innovation Forum.

October 2007
07/07/2008 14:05:45
Loop Marketing (www.loop-marketing.co.uk) and Logistique ( www.logistique.org.uk) move into the Innovation Forum.

August 2007
07/07/2008 14:05:17
IT Start (www.it-start.co.uk) and Red Button Films (www.redbuttonfilms.co.uk) both move into the Innovation Forum.