BSSEC » 2011 » March

Social enterprises are ahead of the game in using social media

March 31, 2011

Thanks to Mark Ellerby who tweeted this (or something: anyhow, he uses social media successfully)… Interesting research just published by O2 indicates that social enterprises are far in advance of conventional SMEs in their adoption of social media as a key part of marketing, PR

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Social enterprise welcomes Shadow Minister and local MP

March 31, 2011

Several high-profile visitors dropped into an Erdington community centre following the launch of the Labour Party manifesto. Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Caroline Flint and Erdington MP Jack Dromey visited the Lakeside Children’s and Family Learning C

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The current onslaught on arts funding is part of a bigger backlash

March 31, 2011

The current decimation of arts projects following huge cuts in funding to the Arts Council has received massive coverage in the media. But an aspect of this current crisis in the arts that has been less widely discussed is what lies behind it. I believe it is the Arts Council’s

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Our Life seeks community empowerment associates (Manchester)

March 30, 2011

I’ve just noticed on the Social Enterprise Live! blog that Manchester-based community empowerment social enterprise Our Life is seeking associates to work in the north-west — see their PDF here to apply.

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Live from Voice 11

March 30, 2011

Just been to look at Birmingham’s Shop for Change exhibition at Voice 11. It looks wonderful. Eight organisations are displaying their wares. We have Textiles by St Annes, iSE, Harris and Harris Accountancy, Concept Conference Centre, Citizen Enterprises, Enta, Roots HR. We̵

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Wei says social investment and payment-by-results contracts will easily exceed cuts in local authority funds to the sector

March 29, 2011

The government’s big society advisor has said that new social investment methods and payment-by-results contracts will easily exceed the current loss of third sector funding fuelled by public spending cuts. Lord Wei also said, however, that in order for social investment to rea

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All Saints Action Network hold social impact workshop in Birmingham

March 29, 2011

All Saints Action Network in partnership with the Social Audit Network is holding ‘An Introduction to SOCIAL IMPACT MEASUREMENT’, a half-day seminar for voluntary and community groups and social enterprises. This will take place from 9.30am – 1pm on 21 April 2011 at the

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Business Link WM announces winding-down arrangements

March 28, 2011

For those interested in emerging business support arrangements, Business Link West Midlands has just issued a statement regarding its managed winding-down arrangements between now and the end-November 2011. Statement As you may be aware a final decision on the future of Business Link

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Opportunity to tender: inclusion on the Staffordshire & West Midlands Probation Trust qualified provider list — Community Payback Services

March 28, 2011

Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust invites expressions of interest in tendering for inclusion on its Qualified Provider List for Community Payback Services. All details in this PDF. Supplier briefing event Please note that a supplier briefing w

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What is ‘people-powered change’?

March 25, 2011

Today the BIG Lottery has announced that ‘people-powered change’ will be the new underpinning principle of its English programmes. People-powered change, the funder says, is ‘not a new programme you can bid to’, it’s the ‘over-arching banner under w

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Enta’s childcare trainees are first class!

March 25, 2011

Seven teenagers from Birmingham have become the first students to complete a new childcare course – with one already employed at a city nursery. The 16 to 18 year olds this month completed the first-ever pre-apprenticeship Caring for Children programme run jointly by training provider

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finditinbirmingham announces April networking event — book now!

March 24, 2011

How will the budget affect your business? Book now for finditinbirmingham’s April breakfast networking event – and be in the know with the UK’s leading taxation expert… Date: Thursday 07/04/2011 Time: 7:00am – 9am (registration from

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Office for Civil Society announces recipients of ‘strategic partner’ funding in the final year of the fund

March 22, 2011

Third Sector Online has coverage here regarding final recipients of funding from the Strategic Partners Fund before it is wound-up in 2014. The successful bidders are: Acevo in partnership with Euclid Network and New Philanthropy Capital £415,000 Community Foundation Network in partne

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Pyjama party brings Comic Relief to Erdington

March 21, 2011

Erdington, nursery, social enterprise, toddlers

Lakeside Nursery in Erdington embraced the spirit of Comic Relief by hosting a pyjama party for youngsters and staff – raising more than £100 for charity in the process. But there was little danger of the tots nodding off in their nightwear, with home-baked cakes, hot chocolate,

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Recovering customer loyalty when things go wrong

March 18, 2011

I’ve just come across a book called A Complaint is a Gift: Recovering Customer Loyalty When Things Go Wrong, by Janelle Barlow and Claus Moller (published by Berrett-Koehler Books (you can find it by a Google book-search here). I was looking at pp.125 onwards in particular,

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Social Impact Bonds

March 14, 2011

For anyone who is interested in current debates regarding the development of the Social Impact Bond (a means whereby private investors can invest in and receive a financial return from the government based on specific social outcomes being achieved) but who couldn’t be at

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Getting sales and marketing – Right from the start!

March 14, 2011

Would you like to develop a strong marketing and sales strategy for your social enterprise or small business? This fun, interactive session will teach you the main marketing and sales principles that will enable you to develop a strategy that will reach your target markets and sales.

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Who Are Birmingham’s The Most Influential Twitterers?

March 12, 2011

Twitter is one of the world’s largest social media mediums and is regularly used as a way to promote what is happening in the Social Enterprise Sector or by social enterprises to market their products and services. Over the last few years Twitter has gained in popularity and the

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iSE launches ‘Social Enterprise Journey’

March 11, 2011

Are you considering setting up a social enterprise? Wondering whether you have the drive to become a social entrepreneur? Want more information about what is involved in setting up a new social enterprise? Then iSE has just the event for you.

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BSEEN: Graduate Entrepreneurship in Birmingham

March 10, 2011

“The Future of Graduate Entrepreneurship” took place at Birmingham Council House earlier this week – an event showcasing the work of the BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) programme, which provides graduates and students with the help

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