Welcome to the
Knowledge Peers Newsletter

What happened - ‘Technology: Transforming Growing Businesses?’

Thanks to everyone who made it along to our event at the Design Council last week – ‘Technology: Transforming Growing Businesses?’ tackled some of the challenges that Cloud, Virtual Working and ‘Bring Your Own’ are throwing up for SMEs. It was great to hear from speakers Tony Lavender at Plum, and Nick Gill, Planning Director at DCH – they both raised questions about how ‘social’ business development is becoming.

You can hear our speakers and panellists in bite-sized interviews we ran on the night. Nick Gill wrote a great a blog on the evening and has posted up his presentation – take a look here

Watch videos from the night here

 ‘Web Enabled Growth’: New Talking Guide released

Web services, cloud based software and infrastructure are having a transformative effect on growth businesses. This Talking Guide (created from the insights of experts in words and video) tackles the challenges and advantages that arise from embracing new web-based technology.

The Talking Guide includes insights from Phil Carnelley, Research Director at PAC, Ian Anstey, UK Manager, SAP Business By Design and Drew Rockwell, CEO at MDS.

Download the Guide here

Sponsored by:

‘Why parting is such sweet sorrow’ – the first piece from our new blogger, Leonor Stjepic, CEO at RAFT

“I was not a romantic teenager.  I didn’t kiss posters of popstars before I went to bed.  Nor did I consume romantic novels and sigh for a strong man to sweep me up and carry me away.  (So it was hugely ironic that I met my husband by fainting into his arms – but I digress). I thought Romeo and Juliet were soppy.  And I could never understand the line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

As I grew older, I understood it even less.  I’ve had to say goodbye to people.   Parting was painful and there was nothing sweet about it.
I didn’t really understand it until I started managing staff..."

Want to read the full blog? Click here

Two weeks to go – ‘Marketing: a Controversial Spend?’

October 4th 2011, 6pm

Should you spend more money, time and effort on your marketing? Rather than accepting the donating public's wariness of charity marketing, how can you persuade them otherwise? In what ways can you internally justify and make a business case for your marketing spend?

We will find out what marketing-savvy charities, both small and large, are doing right and what their approach to marketing is.

Speakers include Judith Brodie (Global Brand & Funding Director at VSO) and Judith Davey (Director of Performance & Accountability at ActionAid).

Register here

An interview with the Business and Enterprise Minister - what is Mark Prisk doing to help UK business?

We were delighted to interview Mark Prisk MP on what the Business and Enterprise Minister's plans are - for growing and established buisnesses alike. As well as removing the barriers that come between enterprises and Government Contracts, what support is being provided for Britain's 'economic bedrock' - our businesses?
Watch Mark's Case Study

"Fundraising is at a crossroads" - Oxfam GB's Director of Finance and Information Services, Bob Humphreys

Pitching for Management

Sponsored by Lloyds TSB Commercial and in association with Intramezzo and UKBI Connecting local businesses with top-level senior talent

Pitching for Management connects senior executives looking for new career challenges with exciting companies looking to add expertise to their teams.

So, if you are interested in helping to build the next Twitter, Apple or Starbucks; this is the event for you.

Regional events cost £20 to attend, launch events are free of charge and London is £35 to attend including supper. Come and see dynamic companies pitch for your expertise. Reserve your place here

Upcoming dates include:

October 2011
Manchester
Sheffield
Cambridge
London


November 2011
Newcastle
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Liverpool