22nd May 2012
Bedford helps businesses to “Think Big”
22nd Nov 2006
The Bedford i-Lab in Priory Business Park played host to “Thinking Big”, a regional networking event offering business advice to small-medium sized companies on Friday 17 November.
“Thinking Big” offered a day of seminars, presentations and breakouts, developed to offer guidance and advice to smaller companies in the Bedford area. Go to 'On line reference library' in the website 'BDA, Members Login area' to access the presentations.
Speakers included John Appleby, General Manager of Facilities and Planning at London Luton Airport, Dr Elly Philpott from the University of Bedfordshire, John Elsey, Assistant General Manager of health club group, Fitness First, and local entrepreneur, Colin Aitkenhead from Sticmatz. Phil Simpkins, Bedford Borough Council’s Director of Financial Services, also offered his suggestions for doing business with local government.
Peter Hughes, Chair of the Bedford Development Agency explains: “Bedford is “Central for Business” and we’re keen to support local businesses to grow the economy. “Thinking Big” is all about Bedford companies working together to develop the local economy and increase the competitiveness of local enterprises. The Bedford Development Agency is helping to promote the development of a local sustainable supply chain, and the event is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to do business better. Tickets sold out in just 24 hours, testimony to its usefulness and popularity in Bedford.”
The University of Bedfordshire gave an overview of the latest trends in business, and “top tips” for suppliers wanting to improve their business performance. Dr Elly Philpott comments: “Suppliers need to get the basics right – quality, cost, delivery, innovation and effective management. They should know their market and how it trades, employ lean supply tactics adding value for the customer, be e-aware and keep up to speed with environmental developments.” The University offers a selection of ways to help SMEs, from training to innovative testing and consultancy.
John Appleby from London Luton Airport, provided valuable insight into procurement procedures. As an employer of 22,000 people with a turnover of £75-80 million, the airport was keen to inspire SMEs to “think big” by offering advice on how to approach and secure a contract with a large company.
The audience also heard from Colin Aitkenhead, a director of young Bedford company Inertia Concepts Ltd, creator of Sticmatz® – a super sticky dashboard mat – launched in 2002 by UK industrial design graduate Matt Aitkenhead. “With support from the Prince’s Trust Charity, I got my product into the market – and won a UK government award for design and innovation.” Matt continues, “I wanted to share some of the methods I used to get the product into major outlets.”
For more information about business in Bedford and forthcoming events, please visit the website: www.investinbedford.com
