Overview
Small Business Week was a dynamic and eventful week, bringing together businesses, government agencies and advice organisations in a wide range of events and discussions in locations across the UK.
The week debated the issues that affect the small business community and sought to develop ways to support its long-term success. It also provided businesses with access to invaluable resources and advice specifically designed to help them compete and thrive.
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What's happening during Small Business Week?
There was an extensive events and activity programme before, during and after Small Business Week. To see full details of these activities, click below on the ‘Events listing’ tab.
Each day within Small Business Week also saw a range of initiatives and activities at locations across the UK. A series of web seminars, guides, masterclasses and live events are be available to view on this site. A number of events were also held across the country. To find out what happened each day click here.
Small Business Week Supporting Partners
Small Business Week brings together a range of government, business and independent organisations that are committed to ensuring the success of the small business community.
They are:
BT Business is BT's specialist division dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses. We are passionate about understanding the issues and opportunities facing this community and design our services exclusively to meet business needs.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is the national body for a powerful and influential Network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK; a Network that directly serves not only its member businesses but the wider business community.
everywoman is the UK’s leading provider of training, resources and services that support women in business.
Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers.
NatWest is the leading bank for small business. With a network of over 1,600 branches and 1,681 Business Managers, no one is better placed to help businesses succeed.
Growing Business magazine is the UK's leading magazine for entrepreneurs.
Click on the logos to find out more about each partner
Events Listing
Throughout Small Business Week, a series of face-to-face events happened around the country and online. These were dedicated to exploring the issues small businesses face, share perspectives on the state of the small business nation, explore what SMEs need in order to survive and thrive in today and tomorrow’s business world and give access to practical resource and advice to do this.
To find out more about the Small Business Week programme, click here.
To find out about events that happened in the lead up to, during and post Small Business Week, click here.
Mentoring Programmes
Mentors can provide your business with advice, skills and new ideas to help you succeed at all stages of your business journey.
There are many rewards to business mentoring for both the mentor and mentee. Whether you are looking for extra support from an experienced and successful organisation or hoping to mentor someone, there are a number of mentoring schemes around the country that you can get involved in.
To find out about, and take advantage of mentoring schemes in your area that can help your business thrive, click here.
Further Links
BT Business Insight includes advice, guides, case studies and articles, helping UK SMES at all stages of their business development.
Enterprise Nation hosts the UK’s largest website for people starting and growing a business from home.
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is the global body for professional accountants.
HMRC is responsible for collecting and providing advice around tax for UK businesses.
The Design Council is the UK’s national strategic body for design. Its mission is to inspire and enable the best use of design to make the UK a more competitive, creative and sustainable nation.
The Prince’s Trust Business Programme has helped more than 70,000 disadvantaged young people into business since 1983. The Trust is also launching its Business Club, creating a nationwide alumni network for Trust-supported businesses.
The Federation of Small Business (FSB) is Britain's biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business.
FreshIdeas Events run conferences, seminars and networking events for SMEs and corporate women in business covering a range of topics from branding, mentoring and online opportunities, to discussions on the advancement of women in business
e-Skills UK is a not-for-profit, employer-led organisation, that brings together employers, educators and Government to address together the technology-related skills issues.
J4b is providing complimentary access to their grants & funding information during Small Business Week
Competitions
FreshIdeas Events are launching The Mentor Competition, which gives women across London the opportunity to have some of the UK's most high profile and successful businesswomen work with them to help them achieve their goals, offering invaluable insights from their own business experiences.
Visit FreshIdeas Events for more information or to download an application form.
Start-Up Grant
To celebrate Small Business Week, BT Business will help one budding entrepreneur take their business to the next level with a fantastic and substantial business grant. BT Business are looking for an entrepreneur that not only has a brilliant, innovative and unique business idea but who also demonstrates the pioneering qualities needed to succeed.
Click for more information.
The BT Business Mentors
BT Business will be launching their own mentoring programme, where senior executives will provide guidance to small businesses plus a competition to win mentoring sessions with Dragon’s Den business tycoon, Peter Jones.
Click for more information.
Web Seminars
Throughout Small Business Week, a series of online events took place on this site. These were dedicated to exploring the issues small businesses face, sharing perspectives on the state of the small business nation, exploring what SMEs need in order to survive and thrive in today and tomorrow’s business world and giveing access to practical resource and advice to do this.
Monday: Live Small Business Week launch event from BT Tower. Watch replay here
Tuesday: Competing and thriving in the current economic climate. Watch replay here
Wednesday: Getting a competitive advantage with flexible working. Watch replay here
Thursday: How responsible business practices can help you thrive. Watch replay here
Friday: Innovation - how to drive business success. Watch replay here
