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NEWS Chancellor calls on SBS to develop New Women’s Enterprise Action Plan RDAs will be called to account if women’s business support
Increased regional emphasis on Women’s Enterprise Female dominated self-esteem industry worth £15 billion Economic inequality begins on day one of work Women business owners call on government for more childcare help
Non - Members Edition 28 –
November 2004 Number of businesses started last year highest since records began |
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EVENTS Enterprise Week Invest in Successful Women Entrepreneurs USA/Europe Enterprising Britain Policy Summit: Cultural Revolution in the Making Commonwealth Business Women’s Network Seminar |
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RESEARCH Launch of Minority Ethnic Women into Business Start-ups (MEWBS) ‘step-in and step-up’ Seminar Report Who is being served? McDonald’s and the UK enterprise agenda |
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NEWS
Chancellor calls on SBS to develop New Women’s Enterprise Action Plan Gordon Brown has announced two new measures to boost the development of women’s enterprise. Firstly the Small Business Service (SBS) will develop a national and regional action plan to meet the enhanced target of the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise that, by 2006, a fifth of all businesses should be women owned. Secondly the SBS will establish a panel of key players from the women’s enterprise sector to advise on the action plan, help explore proposals for a new national women’s business council and champion female entrepreneurship. The announcements were made at a ‘Gender and Productivity’ summit, organised by the Equal Opportunities Commission to coincide with the launch of their publication ‘Britain’s Competitive Edge: women, unlocking the potential’. The report focuses on the persistent gender pay gap in the UK and argues that gender inequality is damaging Britain’s productivity. Read the report at: http://www.eoc.org.uk/cseng/policyandcampaigns/productivity_women.pdf
RDAs will be called to account if women’s business support providers go under warns Minister Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will be judged harshly and will have to account for how they are distributing resources, if leading women’s business support providers go under says Minister for Small Business Nigel Griffiths. The Minister was speaking in Westminster at a PROWESS member’s event to launch the report ‘Show us the Money: the state of women’s enterprise support’. The report finds that Business Links are the only support providers who feel fairly confident about their future funding – 80% of their customers are men. It raises very real concerns that a funding crisis will soon force flagship women’s business support providers to close. Acknowledging the concerns Mr Griffiths also emphasised that lots was being done and that women owned businesses were ‘now at the heart of government policy’. He referred to the fact that by Christmas there will be four Regional Women’s Enterprise Coordinators in post. PROWESS is calling for a coherent funding strategy from Government and the RDAs, who from 2005 will gain most of the responsibility to deliver the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise. ‘Show us the Money’ can be downloaded at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/publications.html
Funding transition could leave Women’s Enterprise sector having to start from scratch In 2005 responsibility for the coordination of business support in England will pass from the Small Business Service to the nine Regional Development Agencies. The RDAs will quickly gain a huge responsibility to deliver the aims of the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise. Whilst PROWESS welcomes the positive steps most regions are taking to develop their women’s enterprise strategy, this needs to be taking place much faster and more coherently. Further delays could leave the sector having to start from scratch. A new PROWESS report ‘Bridging the Enterprise Gap’ calls for RDAs to develop a strategic approach to women’s enterprise and to recognise that the entrepreneurial potential of women is a huge untapped resource for regional economies, it is potentially an easy win for them. The report also recommends that RDAs support a ‘Active Brokerage’ model of delivery to ensure clients get the most appropriate business support. Through case studies, the report captures the experience of the Phoenix Development Fund to pass on to regional policy makers and practitioners. Download: Bridging the Enterprise Gap at: http://www.prowess.org.uk/about/publications.html
Increased regional emphasis on Women’s Enterprise Women’s enterprise is moving up the regional agenda as three Regional Development Agencies launch or initiate strategic action plans. Advantage West Midlands will launch, The Action Plan for the West Midlands Forum for Supporting Women’s Enterprise on 16 November in Coventry. The Forum is a strategic group focusing on increasing economic growth through influencing policy to increase the number of women-led businesses in the region. (Further information: eventsteam@coventry.ac.uk). The East of England Development Agency are currently inviting feedback on their draft Women’s Enterprise Strategic Framework, see: http://www.exemplas.com/about/11612_15131.asp. And the South East England Development Agency will be holding a Women’s Enterprise Regional Stakeholders Forum on 25 November. This will be a chance to meet Irene Goh the new Women’s Enterprise Coordinator for the region and to take part in break out discussions on the way forward for the South East. Further details: Stephanie.marshall@businesslinksurrey.co.uk
Female dominated self-esteem industry worth £15 billion The number of life coaches, self help gurus, dieticians and cosmetic consultants is booming. The women dominated self-esteem industry is now estimated to be worth around £15 billion according to a new report from the Work Foundation. http://www.theworkfoundation.com/pdf/Self_Esteem_at_work.pdf
The inaugural National Enterprise Week will take place from 15 – 21 November. To celebrate the success and anticipate future successes of aspiring women business owners, Wednesday 17 November has been designated the day to focus on Women’s Enterprise. On that day PROWESS members will be running local and regional events for women who might be considering starting a business. All events are listed on the PROWESS website www.prowess.org.uk and on the national campaign website www.starttalkingideas.org. It is hoped this will become a high profile annual event designed to promote, support and celebrate women in enterprise Economic inequality begins on day one of work Women aged between 16-17 with jobs earn on average 16 pence per hour less than their male counterparts according to a new report from the TUC. The report claims that ‘deep-rooted inequalities in pay and employment prospects begin from day one of their (young people’s) working lives’. The report ‘Young at Heart’ also finds that British teenagers mirror the wider workforce in their choice of career with gender segregation just as apparent amongst young people as it is amongst the older generation. 14% of young men aged 16-17 work in manufacturing, compared to just 6% of young women. Public services jobs account for 10% of the employment of young women, compared to just 4% of young men. The report calls for greater gender equality within work and in access to training opportunities including work-based learning. Read ‘Young at Heart’ at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/learning/tuc-8853-f0.cfm#_ftn15
Women business owners call on government for more childcare help Improved childcare availability came out as the top demand of women business owners when asked in what area they needed more government support. The finding was included in a new Barclays Small Business Survey of female and male business owners. It also found that 62% of male business owners said their partner minded the children (if they had them) whilst they were working, just 13% of women owners were able to say the same. Overall the findings suggest that less discrimination is being experienced by female business owners, but significant barriers, such as childcare, still remain. When asked whether the present government was committed to the establishment of small businesses especially those run by women, 60% of females and 48% of males felt that it was not. Download Barclays Small Business Survey, Women in Business 2004 at: www.business.barclays.co.uk
New female focused business support material available A new marketing service has been launched to assist people delivering start-up and business advice to women entrepreneurs. It begins with a set of objectives and finishes with measurable results. The package includes 24 ‘How to Do It’ titles designed to grab the attention of entrepreneurial women, identify their needs and deliver appropriate support. Karen Gill, Co-founder of Everywoman Limited said “Women’s enterprise is right at the top of the agenda for Regional Development Agencies and Business Link Operators. There’s some excellent work being done, but the Government’s targets are very tough, and business support services are extremely stretched. This package of services is a powerful solution”. Further details: Karen Gill, Everywoman Ltd, 020 7471 8140, www.everywoman.co.uk
Number of businesses started last year highest since records began The number of business started last year was the highest since records began in 1994 according to statistics released by the Small Business Service. There were an estimated 189,000 registrations for VAT last year – an increase of 8.1 per cent on 2002. Such high levels of self-employment are encouraging but these statistics need to be broken down by gender. Disaggregated data is essential at time when it is recognised by Government and others that helping more women to start and grow businesses is essential for the UK economy. www.sbs.gov.uk/analytical/statistics/vatstats.php
Enterprise encouraged amongst female ex-offenders The Small Business Service (SBS) has approved £1.8 million funding for two projects aimed at rehabilitating ex-offenders through enterprise opportunities. In Credit, plans to establish a network of women recently released from prison who want to start their own enterprise. Business in Prisons have also received additional funding. Announcing the new funds Nigel Griffiths, Minister for Small Business said “The costs of re-offending to society and to victims are enormous. For a significant number of offenders and ex-offenders, self-employment is the best way out of the cycle of re-offending”. Further details: Eileen Lennon, in credit, 07795236804. |
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Enterprise Week 15 – 21 November, Various Locations The UK’s first Enterprise Week will involve many hundreds of activities all over the UK offering inspiration and practical advice for people who want to make their ideas happened. The week will include enterprise in all its forms – business start-ups, non-profit, social enterprise and enterprising activity by employees within existing organisations. For a full list of events taking place see: http://www.starttalkingideas.org/the_directory/index.php. For details of events taking place as part of Focus on Women’s Enterprise see: http://www.prowess.org.uk/
Invest in Successful Women Entrepreneurs USA/Europe 18 – 19 November, Paris, full conference rate €250 (FEW members) €350 Non – Members) Putting women entrepreneurs from all over the world in touch with each other and investors, is the key idea of this venture conference. It is aimed at all members of the entrepreneurial community dedicated to building and growing businesses founded by women: the women entrepreneurs themselves, investors, senior management in major multinationals, professional service providers, future entrepreneurs (both men and women), and Government and quasi-governmental institutions. www.investinentrepreneurs.org
Enterprising Britain Policy Summit: Cultural Revolution in the Making 15 November 2004, London, £379 (Full Rate) Launching the first ever National Enterprise Week, the summit will offer delegates the opportunity to help develop the policy agenda to bring about a step change in the UK’s enterprise capability. It will look beyond the activities of Enterprise Week and ask how to sustain promotion of enterprise in schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, neighbourhoods, towns and regions. In addition the nominations for the 2005 Enterprise Britain will be announced at the summit. The competition – to select the British Capital of Enterprise will recognise the towns, cities and places throughout the UK, which are successfully driving forward their enterprise performance, and each year identify the UK capital of enterprise. www.starttalkingideas.org
Commonwealth Business Women’s Network Seminar 12 November London £99 The day will focus on sharing best practice on support mechanisms and institutional frameworks promoting women entrepreneurship. The aim will be to develop policy recommendations in areas critical to the growth of women-owned SMEs. This includes access to finance and markets, the business environment, technology, globalisation, international trade and management issues. http://www.cbcglobelink.org/ |
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Rural Women’s Network Business Awards 2004 There are five nomination categories in the Rural Women’s Network Business Awards: Best Start-up, Most Innovative Business, Best Existing Business, RWN Training Award and Best Rural Woman Entrepreneur. Each award carries a £500 prize. The winners will be announced on 3 December at the Roundthorn Country House Hotel, Penrith at the Networking Auction and Business Awards Ceremony. The closing date for applications is Friday 12 November. Full details and application form at: www.ruralwomen.org.uk/enterprise/business_awards/index.htm
It has been a month of awards success for the Rural Women’s Network (RWN). Firstly their client Tina Strong won ‘Rural Business of the Year’ at the 2004 NFY Countryside Awards for Excellence and they themselves won ‘Most Innovative Cumbrian Business Support Provider’ at the Pride of Cumbria Awards. These accolades recognise the success RWN have had in making business support more accessible to rural women. Commenting on the double award success Joanna Elwen, Business Development Coordinator said “These awards reflect the constant efforts RWN makes to improve business support services for female entrepreneurs by raising the quality of provision whilst ensuring services are user friendly, it is fantastic that Tina’s business success has been recognised. Her drive and determination makes her a real inspiration to other women”. http://www.ruralwomen.org.uk/ |
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RESEARCH This section is restricted to PROWESS Members. More details: |
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This section is restricted to PROWESS Members. More details: |
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Business Link Kent – Social Business Liaison £25K This new position is being introduced to build knowledge and enterprise opportunities for social businesses and young entrepreneurs throughout Kent. You will quickly build an understanding of local and national issues around social business, young and social entrepreneurs. Following this a key aim of the role will be to develop a supportive environment for social business support which positions Business Link Kent as a social business champion. Closing date for applications is 15 November 2004. For further details contact: Michelle Dixon on Tel: 01732 878002 or email at michelle.dixon@businesslinkkent.com |
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New members of PROWESS include:
University of Warwick Science Park www.warwicksciencepark.co.uk Leicestershire Asian Business Association www.laba.org.uk Yvonne Field Associates www.yfassociates.co.uk Let’s Twist! Sheffield Hallam University www.shu.ac.uk |
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PROWESS - the UK-wide advocacy network for women’s enterprise support © PROWESS Ltd 2004. Lion House, 20-28 Muspole Street, Norwich NR3 1DJ Tel 01603 762355 Fax 01603 227090 www.prowess.org.uk - the UK-wide gateway to local women friendly business support |
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