A six-month programme of support to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through the coronavirus pandemic.has been launched by The British Library and the Northamptonshire Business & IP Centre (BIPC).
Open to all business owners, especially those in the first years of trading, the Reset. Restartprogramme aims to help business owners transform, future-proof or grow their business through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Business leadersare invited to join one or more of a series of ten monthly webinars for practical, jargon-free training and advice; network with other entrepreneurs and receive further tailored support from your local BIPC.
The webinars will repeat each month and cover topics including: opportunities in the ‘new normal’, product and service innovation, marketing, finance and new business models.
Participants will be also pointed towards further support from their regional library-based Business & IP Centre, including 1-1s with local experts in business planning, marketing and finance, and networking with the local SME community. With social distancing and the “rule of six” set to continue into the coming months, sessions will take place remotely where appropriate.
Libraries Minister, Caroline Dinenage, says: “The Reset. Restart scheme from the British Library will provide the practical help and skills that entrepreneurs need to recover from the impact of coronavirus and grow successful businesses. Thanks to our £13 million investment in the network, more businesses, jobs and local economies across the country can benefit from the invaluable expert advice available through this fantastic institution.”
Roly Keating, Chief Executive of the British Library, says: “As it becomes increasingly clear that Covid-19 is a long-term challenge to the way we all live and work, the British Library has redoubled its commitment to ensuring that all entrepreneurs and SMEs in the UK can access the skills and information needed to adapt and flourish.
“We are delighted to join with our public library partners to launch Reset. Restart and provide tailored, sustained support not only to our national SME community, but to every business owner affected by the current crisis. At a time when entrepreneurs face an unprecedented array of challenges, whether rewriting their entire business model, marketing to a new audience or building a digital space, our goal is to ensure that the path to transformation and renewal is accessible to all.”
The Reset. Restart project runs alongside the day-to-day services provided by the BIPC Northamptonshire, one of 14 regional Centres in the British Library’s BIPC Network. The Centre offers free and low-cost access to business intelligence, market research, 1-1s, training and IP support to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and more established SMEs in Northamptonshire.
Booking and further details about BIPC Northamptonshire and the Reset, Restart scheme available here.