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.

Steven Fitzgerald and Katia Di Nallo are the proud owners of a new lifestyle shop in Shanklin; Lime opened its doors last month, aiming to offer fresh and colourful products for the home from around the world.

Life is never dull for the Chamber's Group Marketing Manager Zoe Stroud who joined the chamber two years ago.

First opened to the public 300 years ago, Shanklin Chine is one of the Island's most enduring attractions, its beauty drew special praise from John Keats and Jane Austen, among many other visitors.

Over the past few months I have been out and about on the Island enjoying what has been an exceptional summer, writes columnist Steve Blamire.

It is estimated that between 70 - 75 per cent of businesses that suffer a serious fire, do not survive as a result; can you or your business afford to suffer a fire of any sort? Writes columnist Mark Lee.

Barry Groves, International Trade Manager for the Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry explains the help available for Island companies looking to develop into export markets.

Cash flow is one of the most important aspects of running any business, and there are a variety of ways to boost the cash flow of your company.

GKN run a range of training programmes for apprentices and realise they bring great benefit to the company; Janet Westwood, Training and HR Officer for GKN told us more about what they offer.

As one of the Island's largest employers, GKN Aerospace is involved in various training and apprenticeship programmes. 

Unitrain provides bespoke training courses in IT, personal development, project management and management sales; Kieren Chapman, Director of Unitrain talks about his business and how the training sector is coping through the recession.

Kieren Chapman , Director of Unitrain, formed the company in 2007, after moving to the Island to get away from the rat race.

Jon Ely, Chief Executive of the UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) talked to Island Business about training for the maritime sector and the challenges faced by the charity in the current economic climate.

The UK Sailing Academy (UKSA) was founded in Cowes in 1986 by MFI creator Noel Lister, an entrepreneur and keen sailor; based in Cowes the charity was set up to achieve two things; personal development and maritime education.