Whilst [tiny] loves to support business, the Biz2012 event at the O2 has been one of the most poorly organised things we have ever attended.
Rather than rewrite, we’ll direct you to this article by Amanda Hill – God take pity on anyone who purchased a VIP ticket – it’s been a shocker.
http://thesocialmediacafe.visibli.com/share/gr0SBM
- No signage
- Staff no idea whats happening
- Late running
- No timetable
- Gave up on ‘registration’ and just opened doors to all comers
- Miles away from anywhere (basically in the car park)
- Scruffy – half-finished inside
- FREEZING cold
- Nothing new
- No programme
- No access to main theatres where ‘celebrity’ speakers are unless you PAY for the FREE event
- Billing itself as a great event – but truly embarrassing
- Wrong venue, wrong wrong wrong… should have been Olympia or Excel
Who needs to be fired over this mess?
However – we were pleased to see the exhibitors making a real effort and putting on great shows of their own!
With sorrow.. [tiny]
PS
Lets see if things improve tomorrow
Could I be an entrepreneur?
For some people the word entrepreneur habitually means the big tycoons, Trumps, Dragons and Virgins of this world – in reality it is anyone who chooses to brave moving away from PAYE, 9 to 5 and start up a business for themselves, no matter how big or small.
Increasingly necessity driven, starting a business is becoming THE career move, you don’t always need finance, offices and masses of equipment. Home-based is where it can all begin, depending on your idea.
Your business could be your passion for baking, your invention, your creativity, website building skills or.. spotting a gap in the market. Whether it’s muffins or mechanics what’s holding you back?
What do you need?
It might be a business partner, money, advice or even a good supplier of ballpoint pens.
So, is there a business in you?
[tiny] think there’s an idea lurking inside the minds of everyone – but how to take it forward.
We really love the Business In You campaign by Start Up Britain. You can find mentors, advice on finance, admin and a whole lot more…
GOOD LUCK!
BBC News – Virgin Media wins London Underground wi-fi contract
Will it ever end? I fear a Microsoft style backlash against the currently ‘new black’ brand… too much?
BBC News – Virgin Media wins London Underground wi-fi contract.
More information on mobile broadband at 4g Media (www.4gmedia.co.uk)
and on money…. www.virginaccounts.co.uk and www.virginfinance.org.uk
The UK government plans to fundamentally overhaul the way medicines are paid for, introducing a value-based pricing system, in 2014.
The White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS also proposes changes to the role of NICE and structural shifts in the way NHS budgets are handled, with control of 80% of funds passing to GPs.
The change to value-based pricing will not happen immediately – the current PPRS scheme will first be allowed to run its course to 2014. After that drug prices will be set according to the value medicines provide, with access likely to be no longer limited by NICE-set cost-effectiveness thresholds.
“This will help ensure better access for patients to effective drugs and innovative treatments on the NHS and secure value for money for NHS spending on medicines,” the government noted in the White Paper.
In the interim period the government will set up a new Cancer Drug Fund from April 2011 to improve patient access to treatments.
A different role for NICE
The White Paper also tasks NICE will developing new standards for the commissioning of all NHS care and payment systems, and against which progress on improving outcomes will be judged.
NICE will set out authoritative standards and indicators for each part of the patient pathway in a change of direction that will rapidly expand its existing work programme.
The Institute’s prime focus to date has been to assess the cost and clinical effectiveness of medicines, but in June it produced the first three standards, on stroke, dementia and prevention of venous thromboembolism. Each standard is a set of 5-10 specific, concise quality statements and associated measures and within the next five years NICE will be expected to have produced 150.
The White Paper also proposes putting NICE on a firmer statutory footing, securing its independence and core functions and extending its remit to social care.
The Industry reaction to NHS White Paper
The ABPI said it approved with the governments stance on the importance of setting quality standards “for the new era of GP-led commissioning” and welcomed NICE’s involvement in the process.
Then Director-General Dr Richard Barker said: “The ABPI believes that this expansion of NICE’s remit to promote clinical best practice is a higher priority for the future of the NHS than the overly narrow cost effectiveness calculations on new medicines it currently conducts.”
But he was far more cautious when it came to the proposed pricing changes, noting only: “The new Government also proposes to introduce a Cancer Drugs Fund and to review how better to reflect value in the pricing of NHS medicines. We look forward to working with the Government to develop these proposals further whilst maintaining the stability of the current PPRS agreement.”
Things are very uncertain at the moment, the ABPI is under new leadership and [tiny] thinks that the mind-set will change from a focus on niches (cancer) to marketing and pushing this economically vital industry from the trade association.
[tiny] have good experience in value-based pricing in pharmaceuticals, and beyond. We also have excellent partners in Market Access, Training and Government Relations.
Email us today for a chat.
www.business2government.co.uk For business links – dealing with Government
Keep an eye out for our general Value-based Pricing Article this week – relevant to all markets!
So.. the Olympics are coming… are you prepared?
Lots of good news!
- This is a massive opportunity for your small business to cash in, but you need to start planning now. Officials think it’s a no brainer and you’ll be swimming in money, see the 2012 view here Mark, small business representative | London 2012.
- The FSB is equally optimistic, and have a really useful guide:
London Olympics 2012 contract opportunities
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT – BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
via London Olympics 2012 – Federation of Small Businesses – FSB – UK small business support organisation.
- Don’t miss out on events! just a quick google search will reveal scores of free resources.
See this from the Evening Standard:
A word of warning though…
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has told firms to be ready for the challenges, as well as the opportunities, involved. The warning comes as new research shows half of UK Small and Medium Enterprises expect no disruption from the Games.
- Some 55% of London’s SMEs believe the Games will not impact on them at all.
- Nearly three-quarters of those businesses surveyed thought London 2012 would not impact on sales.
- Only 14% were concerned about transport issues, and less than one in 10 were worried about staff availability, according to the research carried out for Deloitte.
The influx of tourists, athletes, officials, sponsors and international media offers a massive potential source of business: research earlier this summer suggested the UK would benefit from a £750m consumer spending boost in the seven-week period.
Don’t be complacent
- This is an ideal time to start that business you’ve dreamed of
- It’s a great time to grow sales & get exposure
- Make sure you have travel and continuity plans
- Make sure your staff and suppliers do the same
- Check with TFL and LOCOG regularly for updates
- Plan, research, test, plan again, test again – then enjoy!
London 2012 organisers say that they have consulted small businesses throughout the planning process, offering information and workshops on how to make the most out of the Games.
If you need any help or advice on how to capitalise on London 2012 – get in touch tiny by EMAIL or at the WEBSITE
Is your small business hoping to capitalise on the 2012 Games? What help do you need? Are you based in the London Olympics area? Send us your comments, experiences and questions using the form below.
[tiny] attended the launch of The Contemporary Textiles Fair last night in Teddington, it’s the third event like this we’ve been to and it’s great to see so many creative folks, upcoming designers and fantastic micro businesses.
A couple of designers really grabbed out attention…
Jillian Hurst and her fantastic chairs and ‘poofs’ – really cool stuff to put your bum on (sorry for the quality of the photos!)
Elizabeth Chester, Tapestry Weaver, and these amazing hanging tapestries (the photos don’t do them justice)
And.. [tiny] favourite Laura Rose Textiles, who you should comission for work immediately! … sharing a stand with the glowing Lotus Blossom
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 March 2012
10am–5pm
The Contemporary Textiles Fair, an established event on the Landmark’s calendar, will again be bringing together more than 75 designer makers exhibiting and selling a stunning range of hangable and wearable art including embroidery, devore, weaving, hand-knits and much more. Felting demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.
Get yourself down for a bit of culture and couture….
… and a s a final plug – any of you lovely people requiring help with promoting your business, online of offline can get in touch with us at info@tiny-business-solutions.co.uk – or through the website www.-tiny-business-solutions.co.uk
If you have your own design blog – please get in touch as we are still getting a crowd together for a (late) launch of http://www.wearwhen.co.uk which will be a free landing page for your own blog – advertised by [tiny] to promote fun, food, fashion and little businesses.
[tiny]
As a small business ourselves, we are the ideal choice to get your first small business website online. We can also redesign your old sites, set up an online shop for you and we specialise in create logos, brands, help you to blog and much more…
For example our small business website design start up website package is priced at only £385 and offers a professional solution at an affordable price. For details of what is included please see the panel on the right hand side.
Our very affordable pricing, free updates built into your agreement, and a process that develops your website according to your vision – you’ve landed in the right to start or grow your online presence.
Our prices are low, a basic site will cost around £300, most of our customers spend about £500 on a basic site to get it well publicised.
A ‘basic package’ might include
- Website address
- Two years web hosting
- Custom designed design
- Up to ten web pages
- Graphics
- A contact & enquiry form
- Ten email addresses
- Submission to Google, Bing & Yahoo
- Free updates ‘tweaking’ for one month
Of course this is all customisable, and for a small fee (£10 – £70) we can promote your page to over 400 search engines, push it up the rankings – and will keep doing so for 12 months.
We provide on-going support from an hourly rate, or an annual price to be agreed. This is ideal if you want to regularly update your pages.
Then there’s a more advanced site, something you’ll need maintaining often – perhapaps a booking system or online shop. We still offer great value on these sites, get in touch for a chat about your needs!
VISIT www.tiny-business-solutions.co.uk
EMAIL info@tiny-business-solutions.co.uk
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