How can we help you? Call us on 01206 548 833 No Images? Click here We've been shortlisted for a national award!We're delighted to announce that we've been shortlisted for the 2017 National Enterprise Network (NEN) Awards, which recognise the UK’s leading business support organisations. Colbea has been shortlisted alongside Yorkshire Coast Enterprise and Transmit Start Ups in the Enterprise Support Organisation of the Year (turnover under £750,000), for a year in which we've delivered 1,289 business services and won funding from the Natwest Skills & Opportunities Fund to launch ‘In the Market for Success’ – a fully-funded business start-up package for women across Essex. Speaking about this year’s nominees, Dawn Whiteley, CEO of the National Enterprise Network, said, “The organisations featured on the 2017 National Enterprise Network Awards shortlist have all clearly demonstrated excellence in the delivery of enterprise support. It was clear from all of this year’s entries that there are some fantastic enterprise initiatives and truly dedicated individuals within our network. We’ve always been proud of the work of our members and congratulate everyone who has been shortlisted. We look forward to announcing the names of the category winners in December.” The winners will be announced on Friday 1st December at the NEN Annual Conference at the RBS Conference Centre in London. Thankyou to everyone who came to our Annual General PartyThe third Colbea AGP was a great success, we hope you enjoyed the evening! A big thanks go to our event sponsors – Spotlight Sound and of course our hosts Wivenhoe House – and our keynote speaker Jenny Parrett from Woofs’n’Wiggles – Colchester’s first ever doggy day-care centre, I’m sure you’ll agree she did a great job and certainly looked the part! Click here to see more from the AGP, including our 1-minute catch-up video! Congratulations to our Business Award WinnersDuring the event we presented the 2017 Colbea Business Awards to a collection of fantastic local business people. Click here to find out more Taking care of business with eezeA Colbea Success StoryOver in Colbea’s Colchester Business Centre, the minds behind It’seeze Web Consultants are hard at work – and business is good. Established in September of 2008, It’seeze provide “Professional, affordable website design and full ongoing website support services to local SMEs.”. Just as this description suggests, this company is passionate about supporting local SMEs; offering them access to an effective website of their own whilst considering stringent budget margins. This is an ethos that Managing Director Oliver Brock shares with his company. Oliver describes the process of starting a business as “something I always knew I would do one day - It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” despite having had no previous encounters with business management. “The biggest step was at the start, giving up a well-paid job, company car, twenty-five days’ holiday and a secure salary. All with two small children and a mortgage to pay for.” Meanwhile, in the Colbea Community...A Free Resource to Serve the Colchester Community The Colchester Website – Serving the Colchester Community – is a free information portal created by local business owner Marc Allington. Marc, who’s business Solve with Software is based at the North Colchester Business Centre, has created the site to help people and businesses of Colchester share information, events, jobs and knowledge. To find out more, visit colchester.website and take a look for yourself! Or join now, it’s free, via the colchester.website/join page. Marc is looking for sponsors to help keep the Colchester Website free for the community, to contact email marc@colchester.website or call 01206-848428. Have you employed a new member of staff? Or seen an older one retire? Have you been shortlisted or even won an award? Or an exciting new contract? Have you moved office? Or maybe you’re celebrating a year in business, or 2 or 5 or 25? We want to hear about it! And share what's great about you and your business with the Colbea community.Support our IM4S Businesswomen on Market DayThis Saturday 4th November. Come and find us on Colchester High Street Market from 9 AM - 4 PM. Coming up at COLBEAWhat is your Greatest Challenge for 2018?14.11.17 8AM-10AM - BIG October - at North Colchester Business CentreWhat will be your greatest challenge in the year that lies ahead of us? What are the problems you have experienced in 2017 that you want to prevent occurring in 2018? What is it you really want to achieve? What are the issue you want to resolve? During the November meeting you will be actively involved in defining your challenges and issues and preparing for the year ahead. If you are seeking change during the next twelve months (or even if you want to keep things the same!) then be prepared to think differently and act differently to get what you want. Led by Trevor Edwards - Colbea Business Advisor & Trainer Trevor is vastly experienced in business problem-solving and coaching, helping you find the way from where you are to where you WANT TO BE. Anytime - BOOK your FREE One-to-One session with a COLBEA Business Advisor. Our experienced, accredited advisors have been there and done it in business, and are here to help you do the same! Call 01206 548 833 Supporting our Sponsors - Thanking our AGP SponsorsWe're extremely thankful to both Wivenhoe House for hosting our 3rd Annual General Party, and to Spotlight Sound for providing expert sound and lightning management. We've received lots of positive feedback from the event, and both event sponsors play a huge part in that. Thankyou. We would like to say thank you to all of our sponsors for helping COLBEA support the businesses of Colchester. Is £2K of FREE* business support for you? Ask these businesswomen... Our third IM4S Course is our most popular yet, it was fully-subscribed a week before! Click the button to make sure you're first to know when you can sign up for Course 4. "The coaches have been inspiring and motivational" - Jen Thomas"Starting a business can be a lonely experience, but with a supportive network it's a lot more fun." - Kate Cox "I have never felt so enthusiastic about or inspired to produce a spreadsheet!" - Carol Hennahane Click here to find out what else our IM4S graduates have been saying about the programme...F |