Archive result for February 2012
Rural-Net presentations now on the website
We are now able to make the presentations from the meetings available on line. You can access the latest presentations and those from past meeting via a link on the page for each Rural-Net group. Alternatively, you can follow the links below.
New bring a guest offer launched
Some of the members of Rural-Net have been asking how they can get new businesses involved in the network on a ‘try before you buy’ basis. We are delighted to announce the launch of the ‘Bring a Guest’ offer to enable members to spread the word about Rural-Net.
If you know someone who you think would enjoy the Rural-Net experience, you simply need to let us know the name of the business and a contact name and email address of the person who you would like to bring, send it to rural-net@wsxenterprise.co.uk and we will do the rest.
And, as an added incentive, if your guest decides to join Rural-Net, you will get an additional one month free added to your membership.
Rural-Net Launch video
A video of the launch event at Kingston Maurward is now available. If you couldn’t make the launch or just want to see if the cameras caught you, please take a look.
Full House for Launch of Rural-Net
More than 200 company owners and directors packed the conference hall of Kingston Maurward College for the launch of a Dorset-wide business support network.
Called Rural-Net, it has been set up by WSX Enterprise, the not-for-profit business support agency based at Poole with support from the new Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.
Rural-Net Launch at Kingston Maurward College
At the launch event details of the scheme were outlined by WSX Enterprise’s Ian Girling and Matthew Butcher, while Government minister Oliver Letwin spoke of the value of the new initiative, and LEP chairman Gordon Page explained how the LEP had supported the initiative.
Said Mr Letwin:
We are in incredibly difficult times, but there is nothing this country deals with better, and I am constantly amazed by what is achieved in Dorset.
Dorset has some very big and very successful firms, as well as loads and loads of tiny but energetic businesses which in many cases will be the employers of the future.
We are on the move, and this scheme will be part of it.
Rural-Net will meet regularly in six hubs around the county, enabling rurally-based company owners to sharpen their skills, exchange ideas and hear from experts on business issues.
The chairman of the Marshwood group, centred around Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis, is John Colton.
He said:
Running a small rural business can be a pretty lonely operation, so it is invaluable to meet up regularly with people in the same position. You gain strength from realising that you are actually one of many, and being able to compare notes.
Matthew Butcher, enterprise manager for WSX, said:
So many people responded to the launch of Rural-Net that we had to double the number we had originally planned for.
That confirms us in our belief that it is the right answer for company owners needing to network, stay up to date and develop their skills.