We want more entrepreneurs from across the UK to apply for our Shell LiveWIRE Awards & join our winners (see our updated Google Map http://bit.ly/cGzAqh)

New article '5 Tips On How to Make the Most of a Business Break' to come up with new ideas by @emmaljones of @e_nation added to Shell LiveWIRE Business Library http://www.shell-livewire.org/business-library/starting-a-business/generating-ideas/making-the-most-of-a-business-break/

Enterprise City - Deloitte & Academy for Chief Executives offer £6,000 worth of free business support in Birmingham http://bit.ly/9MgWmN

In September, Doug Richard's School for Startups will deliver a remarkable hands-on boot camp called MADE: In 48 Hours, designed to get more than 300 businesses online, literally, overnight.

In 48 Hours is a unique ‘boot camp’ to unlock the potential of a digitally enabled business for up to 150 small businesses. School for Startups (S4S) will bring content, hands on help and teaching to ensure all delegates finish the 48 hours with their business transformed and their expectations awakened.

Shell LiveWIRE members can get a 20% discount* on the standard ticket price of £375 by following the instructions below;

Event Information

MADE: In 48 Hours
Date: 10^th - 11^th September 2010
Location: Sheffield Hallam University

In 48 hours participants will learn:

• How to secure their identity, profile and brand across the web
• Become top listed on Google Local and Google Product
• Become a Google Merchant
• Leverage Amazon Marketplace, Amazon Webstore and Amazon Fulfilment to drive sales and lower costs
• Become an Ebay Vendor
• How to find and leverage the specialty web markets for their product or service
• The 5 key principles of successful search engine optimisation
• The 7 key tools for success with Google Adwords
• How to use link backs and get others to link to a site
• How the professionals use Facebook to drive sales
• What makes Twitter successful for small businesses
• Where LinkedIn can change their lead flow
• How to write blogs that drive sales
• Marketing through Flickr
• How to monitor a brand and find out what the world is saying about it

All entrepreneurs will need to bring to this event is their laptop. Doug and the School for Startups team will do the rest.

Ticket Information

Standard Ticket Price = £375, but Shell LiveWIRE UK members can obtain an exclusive 20% discount code* by logging in to My Business Kit on the main Shell LiveWIRE site and going to 'Special Announcements'. Not yet a member? Register for your FREE Shell LiveWIRE account.

Further Information

For further information about this event please download the brochure below:

MADE In 48hrs Brochure (PDF, 496kb)

In our latest Shell LiveWIRE video masterclass, Neil Wilkins (Viper Marketing) talks about how to become a more effective and positive marketing leader at: http://www.shell-livewire.org/video-lounge/?video=1279016666.050

2003 Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year winner Michael Welch (Blackcircles.com) offers an insight into what difference winning the award has had on his business.

Read more at: http://www.shell-livewire.org/business-library/starting-a-business/finance-and-funding/young-entrepreneur-of-the-year/yeoy-michaelwelch-interview/ 

For any young entrepreneurs / businesses based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England - the first ever Newcastle Enterprise Awards are now open for entries at: http://www.newcastleenterpriseawards.co.uk (closing date 14th August).

Info below...

LOOKING FOR NORTHERN STARS

The Newcastle Enterprise Awards are now open for entries.

These special Awards are not about being the biggest, the most profitable or even the best in the region, they are about celebrating the achievements, talent and passion of those who have really made a difference.

Is that you or someone you know? To find out more about the twelve awards open for entry, visit the competition website www.newcastleenterpriseawards.co.uk

Remember, shy bairns get nowt, so don’t be shy and make sure you enter the first ever Newcastle Enterprise Awards!

Closing date for entries:  Saturday 14^th August 2010

Winners announced:       Friday 8^th October 2010

The Awards

Enterprise/Business Journey Awards (individual, group or business)
Star Pupils | Star Beginner | Star Collection | Community Stars | Star-Ship Enterprise | Ethical Stars

Enterprise/Business Supporters Awards (individual)
Shining Light for Youth Development | Shining Light for Inspiring Education
| Shining Light for Enterprising Excellence | Shining Light for Enterprise | Shining Light for Doorstep Development

Lord Mayor's Award (individual, group, business or organisation)
Lord Mayor's Enterprise Award

I've just added a short piece on what an elevator pitch is and where to go for tips and inspiration to the Shell LiveWIRE Business Library at:

http://www.shell-livewire.org/business-library/starting-a-business/the-elevator-pitch/

Take a look and please feel free to leave comments, feedback or links to other useful resources to the bottom of that page (you need to be logged in to do this)!

Thanks
Paul

Shell LiveWIRE Business Barometer (April 2010) - survey results (PDF, 634kb)

Carried out just before the 2010 general election, this survey asked over 700 Shell LiveWIRE members / young entrepreneurs what they thought the next Government could do to support small businesses in the UK, what the main hindrances to starting up were, their thoughts on the global recession, and who they thought was the most enterprising nation in the world.

To read / download these survey results and other Shell LiveWIRE research go to: http://www.shell-livewire.org/business-library/resources/research/