ESSA

Dear Student,

Before you head home for the Christmas holidays, we’d like to let you know about a fantastic initiative that is open to you. We have decided to be a part of this fantastic initiative as, not only does it give you access to prize money of £95,000, it will provide you with a great platform to showcase you and your society.

The RBS Enterprising Student Societies Accreditation (ESSA), sponsored by LinkedIn, recognises and rewards student societies for the activities they are already doing. The accreditation is free; sign up you society here www.theessa.com/sign-up-here/ and enter the competition here www.theessa.com/the-competition/ to win your share of the £95,000 prize money.

Have a fantastic Christmas holiday and see you in the New Year! 

Join us for the final MBG of 2011

Thursday 15th December

Join us for the final Monthly Business Group of the year. This month we will be holding a drop in session in Innospace for those of you who want to ask any questions, network further or just want to round off a year of informative workshops.

The NW HE Enterprise Champions Team and Innospace representatives will be on hand to answer any of your questions about mentoring, support, enterprise and starting your own business.

The room will be open for anyone to drop in from 11 am and we will be on hand until 2pm.

A small buffet will be available for those who join us. So come and share a mince pie with us and celebrate what has been a fantasic forst eyar for the Monthly Business Group

Date: Thursday 15th december

Time: 11am

Venue: Innospace (Anthony H Wilson)

MMU Enterprise Academy Off to a flying Start

MMU students choose to learn more about Entrepreneurship through a bespoke course developed by NW HE Enterprise Champions

The MMU Enterprise Academy launched on Wednesday 23^rd November which saw 25 enthusiastic students sign up to a 5 week course focussing on Enterprise.

The sessions are based around the I-plan model which was developed by the NW HE Enterprise Champions. Each session is interactive and covers different aspects of Entrepreneurship: Innovation, Pitching, Leadership, Action and Negotiation.

The first session was led by Haydn Insley from the Fab Lab based in Ancoats. The students learnt to look at innovation from all angles, including how ‘not to be’ innovative before building a Faberge egg holder out of any materials that they could find. A very regal design received commendation from Haydn and the Enterprise Champions team amongst some extremely witty presentations.

It was fantastic to see so many students volunteer to take part in this course and we cannot wait for the next session. MMU’s very own Jeff McCarthy will be showing the students the difference between the good, the bad and the ugly pitches seen in the business world on Wednesday 7^th December. They will also be given the task of developing a pitch about our incubator – Innospace. This will be a great introduction for them into the start up business world, and who knows, we may pick up some marketing tips.

To find out more about the course and the project please visit http://www.mmucfe.co.uk/services/providing/enterprise-champions/

If any students would still like to attend the remaining four sessions please e-mail l.rimmer@mmu.ac.uk

The NW HE Enterprise Champions project is ERDF and is therefore subject to specific eligibility requirements. 

Enterprise Academy Q & A

1.         What can I expect to gain from attending this programme?

Enterprise Academy is a programme of five interactive workshops targeted at third year students and alumni to raise their awareness of enterprise and making self- employment a viable option in current job market.  Led by the MMU Enterprise Champion team attendees will work with a team of industry specialists to give them access to the latest knowledge, networks, information and skills necessary to achieve their goals.

2.         I’m not sure what I want to do when I leave university so how will Enterprise Academy help me?

That does not matter.  Enterprise Academy will provide you with essential knowledge and skills that will enable you to become an enterprising graduate.  All graduates need to develop additional skills to ensure they stand out from the competition.  You will be supported to shape out your emerging ideas for the future or even come up with new ideas with skilled people who will give you the support you need.  If you don’t have a business idea, don’t worry come along and learn about how to build your personal brand.

3.         Why is this programme important for me as a student?

Studying for a degree is a fantastic experience but having additional skills, knowledge and experience will ensure you stand out from the crowd. Enterprise Academy will equip you with practical knowledge that you can apply to your own field of study.  It is increasingly important to be able to demonstrate that you can be an enterprising person able to innovate and lead.  Enterprise Academy will develop you to achieve this.

4.         I am really busy with my course, how can I fit this in?

The Enterprise Academy workshops take place once a month on a Wednesday afternoon from 1pm to 4pm which is the time for taking part in electives.  Enterprise Academy is perfect to complete in addition to your degree course as it will enable you to develop additional and essential skills, knowledge and experience to enhance your future prospects.

5.         What kind of support and direction can I hope to get in terms of becoming a better enterpriser?

Enterprise Academy is built around a brand new learning framework called I-plan.  I-plan focuses on developing five essential entrepreneurial skills.  Each interactive session will enable you to know more about each topic, try out each skill and apply it to your own situation.  All you have to do is sign up.

6.         Who is coordinating the event?

The North West Enterprise Champions team have designed, written and planned Enterprise Academy. We have helped over 1,000 MMU students to become more enterprising or launch their own business since 2008 (and we are passionate about it!).  we have helped over 50 North West students, graduates and alumni to start their own business.  We run a catalogue of workshops and courses as you can see here

7.         How do I know if Enterprise Academy is right for me?

Every new graduate needs more than a good degree to succeed after graduation. Employers are increasingly expecting their new recruits to have a working knowledge of how organisations work, be they big businesses, small businesses or social enterprises in both the public and private sectors. Enterprise Academy is designed specifically to equip you with those essential skills, knowledge and experience. You will meet new people and it will be fun too!

8.         What kind of experience do the coordinators of the event have in this area?

The coordinators have a collective experience of over 50 years in helping people like you to develop their enterprise knowledge, skills and experience.  We are also experienced at helping graduates to start their own business. We can’t wait to meet you and learn about your ideas for the future.

9.         Is this really completely free? Where’s the catch?

Yes. Enterprise Academy is completely free to attend but the value is priceless. Not only that you will receive a certificate of completion so you can celebrate your achievement and demonstrate your enterprising skills.

10.       How do I sign up?

It’s simple. All you have to do is http://enterpriseacademy.eventbrite.com  

Last Chance to Apply for your place on the Enterprise Academy Programme!

We are now inviting the last round of applications for the Enterprise Academy and with just 20 places left you need to act quickly!

How? Simple!

First: Check you are available 1pm – 4pm on the following dates:

Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Wednesday 7th December 2011
Wednesday 11th January 2012
Wednesday 8th February 2012
Wednesday 14th March 2012

Second: Register your interest:

http://enterpriseacademy.eventbrite.com 

Fingers and Toes crossed that you are successful! Find out more about the programme here

We are an ERDF funded project which does mean that we can only accept students and graduates that fit a certain criteria. Please apply and we can help assess your eligibility. In the event that you are not eligible we will sign post you onto a suitable alternative

The I-Plan Model

Introducing the I-Plan model - the framework for Enterprise Academy. Created and developed by the Enterprise Champions at MMU, the framework will be completed over 6 sessions centred around Innovation, Pitching, Leadership, Action and Negotiation. Each session will see you Know, Try and Apply!

Places are limited: Apply now: www.enterpriseacademy.eventbrite.com

Enterprise Academy Launch!

Applications for the Enterprise Academy are now open! 

Enterprise Academy - five interactive workshops built around the brand new I-plan model that supports you to become enterprising

Enterprise Academy is a programme of 5 interactive workshops that support students and graduates to become enterprising.  Enterprise Academy is built around a brand new learning framework called I-plan.  I-plan focuses on developing five essential entrepreneurial abilities. 

Each interactive session will enable the attendees to know more about each topic, to try them out and apply it to their own situation.  Each session will be led by an expert from industry who has practical experience. 

The Enterprise Champion team will facilitate the sessions and provide one to one and full group support so that each attendee reaches their full potential.

You will MUST attend ALL 5 sessions to complete the course. Please DO NOT sign up if you cannot make the following dates:

23rd November 2011 

7th December 2011 

11th January 2012

18th August 2012

14th March 2012

http://enterpriseacademy.eventbrite.com/

Once you have signed up a member of the team will be in touch to confirm your eligibility for the course. We have limited places available!

We are ERDF Funded

Join The Enterprise Academy facebook page here

Enterprise Champion & Innospace attend MMU Open Day

Over 8000 college students wandered around MMU on Wednesday 19th October. We based our stand with the Student Life section in Geoffrey Manton campus and gave out leaflets and information about how MMU can help you develop a business ideas and increase your knowledge of Enterprise.

Claire & Emma making our stand look beautiful

Amongst the 'where are the toilets?' and 'where is lecture theatre 2?' questions we met some very enthusiastic students who were already thinking about starting a business. We talked them through our range of activities and gave out our brand new flyer that is now available on the web (please click the picture below).

If you visited us on Wednesday, pleas join our Facebook group and get to know us.

Centre for Enterprise Supporting Macmillan Coffee Morning!

Charity events are a great way to get the creative juices flowing - or in our case, the mixing bowls out!

Friday 30th September saw the Enterprise Champions join their fellow Centre for Enterprise members in a charity coffee morning. The event is run every year to raise money for Macmillan Nurses. You can find out more about the charity here http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

Have you done anything enterprising for a charity event? Let us know!

NACUE Society Boot Camp

Just signed up to the MMU Enterprise Society? Already involved with an enterprise society? The Manchester NACUE Society Boot Camp is this weekend!

With the PM David Cameron calling it the decade of the entrepreneur, there’s never been a more important calling to enterprise societies than now.

http://www.wix.com/vlennox/tour#!programme

Want a free £500 for your business start up?

Simple! Enterprise Nation just need toy to get as many votes as you want pounds!

Enter your details, what you want the money for and action your social networks and vote! vote! vote!

http://www.enterprisenation.com/fund101/

The EC Project reaches 100!

We have officially reached our 100th beneficiary since the project started in late 2010. This is a huge number and it also brings with it our 1000th hour of enterprise delivery. 

But no time to stop! With The Ideas Factory and Enterprise Academy launching next month its work as usual in the office. We will be visiting the faculties late October - tour dates will be announced soon!

Future Pro Manchester Professional Innovator Challenge 2012

Pro Manchester are once again searching for Manchester's most innovative student and we’d LOVE an MMU student to win! How? Well, Future Pro Manchester is giving Manchester students the chance to pit their wits against the city's most innovative thinkers and take part in the future Pro Manchester Professional Innovator Challenge 2012. Sponsored by Beever and Struthers, the challenge offers a great opportunity for students to show they’ve got what it takes, with the ability to innovate and seize on opportunities. Last year’s winner, Danny, said “being a part of this competition really opened my eyes to what I can achieve in the future and it has really boosted my confidence.”

Find out how to enter and what the competition involves: http://www.futurepromanchester.co.uk/proinnovator2012

Do you want to talk about the Future Pro Manchester Professional Innovator Challenge 2012 on Facebook? You can! http://www.facebook.com/mmuenterprisechampions

Monthly Business Group - September

You may think that tax has nothing to do with starting a new business or that is just too dull to think about. Well think again. At the September Monthly Business Group Declan Slattery from the Manchester Office at HM Revenue and Customs talked a room of budding entrepreneurs through the basics of tax and we learned that it has a lot to do with starting a new business. From basic book keeping to self-assessment Declan showed us that tax does not have to be taxing! This month we were joined by budding entrepreneurs wanting to start businesses as diverse as marketing to product design.  You don’t  need to have a business idea to attend, simply turn up and join in. We look forward to meeting you in October.


Sign up now! http://innospacemonthlybusinessgroup.eventbrite.com/

Start Up Britain comes to Manchester

In a week where Mancunians are displaying their love for the city, Start Up Britain decided at the last minute to change their tour bus schedule and roll into Manchester City Centre as opposed to just the scheduled Manchester Science Park stop.

Project staff Claire & Emma were glad to see
the bus arrive in Manchester

As a project that encourages students and graduates to start up businesses the NW HE Enterprise Champions welcomed the inclusion of our city centre and hope to see more activities in the future.

If anyone would like to learn more about the government initiative Start Up Britain please visit their website at www.startupbritain.org 

Monthly Business Group - August

The Monthly Business Group for August touched on Social Enterprises and how businesses can become more ethical. Vanessa Augustus* vibrantly led the session with some extremely thought provoking questions and messages. We were taken through what a social enterprise and a social entrepreneur was and looked through local examples. We also analysed the larger firms and the social responsibility news stories we had come across. 


The session proved a great way to show pre start businesses how beneficial it can be to have your  ethical practices in place from the start.

Monthly Business Group -
Meets the 3rd Thursday of every month

*Vanessa Augustus is the Director at a Manchester based social enterprise, the Social Solutions Academy.  She has worked in the Third Sector for nearly twenty years.  Working at the heart of the community Vanessa is a creative social innovator trainer and coach. Vanessa self-financed the Social Solutions Academy (SSA) in September 2009. This pioneering approach to brokerage support and building partnerships across sectors has successfully supported over 350 social entrepreneurs, public sector representatives and private sector executives.

MMU CfE help the Manchester Riot Clean Up!

It was a scene we didn't want to see in our working city of Manchester - the streets paved with glass, shops burnt out and goods looted during the riots on Tuesday 9th August 2011. We all watched, from the comfort of our Sofas, on the news channels as the violence spread throughout our city. This was where we spent at least 5 days a week, helping students and graduates to set up businesses. To watch as established businesses were trashed and brought tumbling down in a matter of minutes was heart breaking.

Quickly the e-mails and the text messages were exchanged as we all volunteered to join the @RiotCleanUp already organised for Manchester the following morning.

The extent of the damage could be seen from the moment we turned into Chorlton Street. The City College walls were adorned with graffiti and the small glass blocks on the front of our building had been smashed. We borrowed some brooms from Steve in House Services and set off to meet the others with their big tongs in Piccadilly Gardens.

Jennie & Lucy show off their riot clean up skills.
Slightly dodgy photography by Laura

After a pep talk from the organisers and many local councillors we set off on a tour of the damage and swept up any broken glass we found on the way. The council had done a fantastic job of clearing up over night which left us with little to do until we approached the probation office at the end of canal street. The streets were covered in glass and we joined a lone man in his mission to clean it up.

We had done all that we could and returned to our desks still wondering what the looters were going to do with just one trainer from the display they had stolen. But still we did everything that we could, even if it was just a small donation of time.