Island Business Online

Members in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sector are being encouraged to take advantage of new short courses specially developed on the Island.

Support for the OneWight Campaign is continuing to grow as the final deadline for signatures to the petition approaches.

GKN Aerospace in Cowes has delivered the 1,000th nacelle for the Lockheed Martin C-130J military airlifter in a highly successful 17 year production activity - and with production rates set to increase from 18 aircraft sets a year in 2008 to near double that in 2011.

This series of events is a unique opportunity for you to gain insight into how new technologies can help boost your productivity as well as save you money; not only this, it is also a great way to network with colleagues over breakfast.

The South East Partnership vision is to encourage and inspire world-class performance, creating a positive legacy for every young person, business, and community in the South East.

If your customer service is exceptional, then not only will your business benefit, but you can expect repeat business and referrals from happy customers, writes Business Link South East.

For manufacturers in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area committed to maintaining and improving environmental credentials in order to keep ahead of the competition, MAS South East is offering a free one-day intensive workshop focused on environmental requirements for the manufacturing industry.

Earlier in the year the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth Electric Economy Drive (HI-SPEED) consortia submitted an expression of interest to Government to install charging points for electric vehicles, as part of the 'Plugged-In-Places' initiative.

Investors in People is the most successful framework for business improvement through people in the UK; it is used by more than 35,000 organisations in over 50 countries, from start–ups with two people to major players employing hundreds of thousands.

The South East of England is set to become a land of opportunity for older people in the next five years, writes Business Link South East.

Gaining new contracts and generating sales to grow the business will be prime objectives for companies exhibiting and visiting at Business South 2011.

While scientific evidence points to the power of intuitive decision-making, there may be a need to justify a decision if things go wrong, especially in a high risk context, advises Business Link South East.

Sharpen up your business image and increase your profits at a free half day design workshop, on 6 October at Port Solent.

Responding professionally to messages from customers can be an all-important deciding factor in winning or retaining business, writes Business Link South East.

A new network has been set up to bring more innovation to market in the field of advanced materials for challenging environments, writes South East Business Innovation & Growth.

Newport-based training firm HTP is one of 12 work-based learning providers highlighted in a recent Ofsted report for excelling at providing apprenticeships, NVQs, and other vocational qualifications for young people and adults.

Innovative businesses in the Solent region are being invited to enter Collaborate2Innovate 2010 Business Panel Challenge with an opportunity receive free access to expert financial and legal advice and the chance to pitch to investors.

Fuel and energy prices are rising all the time, impacting everyone's bottom line; here's a review of some cost-saving options including details of the latest new technology and best practice ideas, writes Business Link South East.

A number of Business Link events are planned for August and September covering various aspects of marketing your business.

Since the credit crunch, small businesses have reduced their borrowing from banks with figures* showing only 18 per cent of small firms have approached the banks for new credit in 2010, writes Business Link South East.

A recent survey of small business owners revealed that a third saw sales and marketing as an area of weakness in their company, writes Business Link South East.

Barratt Homes has been named as the development partner to take forward a 180 home development on the Cowes Waterfront Initiative, which will support visionary plans to regenerate East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Well-established Swanage dive outfit Divers Down are very pleased with their new South Boats catamaran, currently in-build under the 'Kit & Fit' scheme at GRP Laminates on the Isle of Wight.

SEEDA has approved £1.5m of Collaborative R&D funding for this year in support of the aims of the International Space Innovation Centre at Harwell.

According to recent statistics, malicious security attacks on businesses have risen markedly in the past year, writes Business Link South East.

JMP Partnership, a family business based on the Isle of Wight, specialise in the recovery of penalty charges from financial institutions, writes Jon Platt.

Innovative businesses in the Solent region are being invited to pitch for free expertise and support as part of the Collaborate2Innovate 2010 event taking place on 2 November at Lakeside 1000 in Portsmouth.

The OneWight campaign has published the six most likely options for dividing up the Island into different Parliamentary constituencies, if current Government plans get the go-ahead.

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), together with Crest Nicholson, hosted a 'foundation laying' ceremony to mark the official start of the £500 million Centenary Quay development at Woolston Riverside.