Renewable Process & Energy Industries Conference

Humber Chemical Focus and North Lincolnshire Council are holding a Renewable Process and Energy Industries event with speakers from industry leaders including Drax and Vireol and others including the Renewable Energy Association, The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation and Growth Team and Yorkshire Forward.

Renewable energy has become an integral part of the Government's longer-term aim of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% by the year 2050. The rise of renewable energy presents a host of opportunities for businesses who already operate across sectors such as power generation, chemicals, petro-chemical, fuel manufacturing, bio-energy and natural oil processing positioning the region to play a pivotal role in reaching those targets.

This is an ideal opportunity to hear about current issues and developments affecting business, investment and the region's industrial and geographical elements making it a prime location for development of the renewable sector. The conference will be an excellent opportunity to network with industry leaders and discover new projects and companies developing in the Humber region.

Where: Forest Pines Hotel, Ermine Street, Brigg, DN20 0AQ
When: 9am - 1.30pm including lunch
Fees: £100 (sponsorship packages are available)

To book your place or for more information contact: laura.gray@humberchemical.co.uk or telephone 01469 552841.

'Can do' with an Open Mind with Alastair Campbell

The NHS Hull is delighted to have secured Alastair Campbell as the keynote speaker at their Business Week event. Alastair has had a long, successful career as political adviser, journalist, writer and campaigner despite coping with a history of depression. His illness was not a barrier to operating in the highest levels of government.

In a recent CBI survey, only four out of ten employers said they would employ someone with a history of mental illness, yet in reality 30% of people in work have mental health problems. With stress, anxiety and depression being the main causes of sickness absence, failing to address mental health at work is estimated to cost British business £26 billion each year. Alastair is supporting a national campaign to end discrimination on the grounds of mental ill health. 'It takes time to break through stigma and change attitudes' he says, 'we need to keep talking about it to make it happen. Employers can play a key role in this.'

Look out for the NHS Hull stand at the Chamber Expo. Companies will receive advice, information and an occupational stress check.

Where: Hull Truck Theatre
When: 11.30 am - 1.30 pm including a buffet lunch
Fees: £20 per delegate - places are limited to 3 representatives per organisation

To book your place or for more information contact: evelyn.krasner@hullpct.nhs.uk.

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Biz Ed with Martin Bayfield

Business Education Day, organised by the Humber Economic Partnership, returns, and this year will encourage the "can do" approach in the students from 16 schools representing Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire.

Students will participate in this opportunity to mix with businesses, compete against each other in a "Dragons' Den" style competition, and be motivated and inspired by the Biz Ed founder, and local successful businessman, Paul Sewell, who's company, Sewell Group, was recently voted as one of the top 100 employers in the UK. This year, motivational speaker Martin Bayfield will be on hand to encourage and influence the youngsters. Martin, whose rugby career came to a shock halt with a neck injury, has a natural gift and a charismatic personality. A mere 6ft 10in and 20 stone, he is a presence in every sense of the word.

KCFM 99.8 will be heavily involved in the day, and will do live links on air from the event and Breakfast Show presenter, and local media personality, Steve Jordan will compare the event.

Where: Reeds Hotel, Far-Ings Road, Barton upon Humber, DN18 5RG
When: 9.30am - 3.15pm

Many business people have found this to be a rewarding event to attend; to book your place or for more information contact: kcarroll@humberep.co.uk.

'Can do' Working with the Media

Simon Taylor has handled crisis communications and managed reputations for dozens of major organisations and knows exactly what to do and say when placed in the media spotlight. Such expertise doesn't come naturally for anyone, however, but is the result of an ongoing process of forging strong relationships with our friends in the media.

In this intriguing workshop experience, Simon will explain how to get the media onside and working effectively to disseminate the information that you require in the public domain. The former head of communications in a large PLC and England's biggest unitary authority will also share his trade secrets that lead to getting to know the influential people within media outlets. In addition, participants will receive some expert media training and leave the session with much more than a mere understanding of how the newsprint and broadcast media works but will be armed with the tools required to take a proactive approach to working with the media.

Where: Mercury, Kingston House, Saxon Way, Priory Park, Hessle, HU13 9PB
When: 9.30am - 11:30am

To book your place or for more information contact: businessweekevent@mercury-marketing.co.uk or ask for Kelly on 07967 150229.

Use Your Local - Higher Skills and Business Success

The economic downturn is providing a major challenge for businesses, but some will be better prepared than others to adapt. Those who invest in their most important asset - the skills of their workforce - will be better placed when signs of the recovery start to appear.

Keynote Speaker: Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham Kt, British Ambassador for UK Trade and Investment and former CBI Director General and UK Skills Envoy. It's now more than two years since Sandy Leitch published his report; Review of Skills - Prosperity for all in the global economy. Lord Jones will share his views on skills and business success, and how the relationship between employers and education providers can be a 'win-win'. Lord Jones will also inaugurate the new Logistics Academy Yorkshire and Humber during this event. Introduction by Captain Richard W A Brough BA, FICS, FNI, RNR, Managing Director, UK Port Services Limited and Chair of the Hull and Humber Ports City Region Employment, Enterprise and Skills Board.

This event is jointly hosted by the Yorkshire & Humber East Lifelong Learning Network and the Hull and Humber Ports City Region Employment, Enterprise and Skills Board.

Where: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby
When: 3.30pm - 5:00pm

To register your interest in this event, please email: k.alsop@hull.ac.uk

'Can do' Change - and Make it Stick!

Proven ways to introduce better work practices and ensure they are carried out

Change is at the heart of business success, and this masterclass demonstrates how to plan, implement and lockin sustained change and improvements in your business. You will leave the workshop with a personal strategy for implementing change in your own workplace using basic principles and practical techniques that can be applied immediately.

Please join us for the afternoon session - 'Essential negotiation skills'

Who should attend?
Those whose business success depends on their ability to initiate and drive change successfully and who believe they can do so more effectively than they are at present.

Where: Ramada Jarvis, Willerby
When: 9:30 - noon

To book your place visit: www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/events or by ringing 08456 048048.

Essential 'Can do' Negotiation Skills

How to achieve your objectives and ensure everyone else feels a winner

Negotiating is at the heart of business activity, whether that negotiation is with suppliers, staff, clients or any other of the many stakeholders businesses have. This masterclass introduces delegates to the basic skills required to carry out effective negotiations.

Please join us for the morning session - 'Introduce and manage change'

Who should attend?
Everyone who is tasked to achieve objectives, needs to influence others to achieve their goals or feel they need to develop their basic skills.

Where: Ramada Jarvis, Willerby
When: 12.30pm - 3pm

To book your place visit: www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/events or by ringing 08456 048048.

Good Business is about Diversity

Rikki Arundel knows all about discrimination. Despite being a top international motivational speaker, when she changed gender all speaking work stopped and it has taken her years of hard work to overcome that challenge. But the market of diverse people frequently discriminated against in this region is growing fast and you may be missing out. With an estimated 20% of the population in the region being from either the gay community or minority ethnic communities, and 25% of the population being discriminated against because of mental health and other disability issues, it is a big market to miss out on. In this lively, interactive seminar you will learn how to engage with "hard to reach" communities and ensure that you position yourself as a preferred supplier. Diversity training is no longer a "Nice to do" activity - in harsh economic times it's a "Must do" activity - don't miss this session - places are strictly limited.

Where: Hull Truck Theatre
When: 2.30pm - 4:30pm
Speaker: Rikki Arundel, Director, GenderShift Ltd
Fee: £20 (pay by credit card online)

To book your place got to www.GenderShift.com and click on Diversity. Or call Gendershift on 01482 441002 ext 207 - or email sales@gendershift.com

Be Inspired to 'Can do' with Hamish Taylor

With a CV that the Times described as "takes some beating" Hamish Taylor was appointed Head of Brand Management at British Airways at the end of 1993 taking responsibility for the airline's passenger brands with major product relaunches of Club Europe, Club World and First Class - including the introduction of flat beds.

At the age of 36 he was appointed Managing Director of the troubled Eurostar (UK) Ltd and, following its turnaround, became CEO of Eurostar Group. In 1999 Taylor was appointed CEO of Sainsbury's Bank and achieved significant growth by urging it to behave like a retailer rather than a financial institution. As CEO for the Vision UK consultancy he brought the concept of Commitment Based Management techniques to the UK.

In 2004 he established his own company which under the Skills Exchange Network name consulting with business leaders to encourage breakthroughs in people, process and/or product by looking outside the current environment to other industries, skills or disciplines.

Where: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby, HU10 6EA
When: 6.30pm - 8.30pm

To book your place visit: www.businesslinkyorkshire.co.uk/events or by ringing 08456 048048.

North Lincolnshire Business Forum

supporting business growth in North Lincolnshire

The North Lincolnshire Business Forum provides North Lincolnshire businesses with practical business advice seminars to help maximise trade and improve profitability.

The Forum was founded by three of the area's leading professional firms, Symes Bains Broomer, HSBC Commercial and Forrester Boyd, to create a means for local businesses to meet periodically to hear from industry and business experts about key issues and opportunities. North Lincolnshire Council also supports the Forum.

During Business Week 2009 the North Lincolnshire Business Forum will focus on 'Managing Your Business in Tough Times'.

Where: Forest Pines Golf and Spa Resort Hotel, Ermine Street, Brigg, DN20 0AQ
When: 3.30pm - 5.30pm

For more information or to book a place, contact Nicola Trussell, North Lincolnshire Council on 01724 297331 or email Nicola.Trussell@northlincs.gov.uk