Come and discuss new ways to develop your arts business practice, sharing, networking and developing your ideas, with help from the Arts Council, Business Link Yorkshire and the West Yorkshire Lifelong Learning Network (WYLLN). This is your opportunity to share best practice and explore new ideas for developing your arts business with your peers.

This is a facilitated discussion event where everyone will have the opportunity to contribute and decide on the priorities for each session. Five discussion themes will be covered in parallel during each of the Workspace sessions, and delegates will have the opportunity to move between these streams throughout the day.

Discussion themes include:
• What examples can we learn from already?
• What support agencies are there to help?
• What additional ideas are there? E.g. debt finance, mergers, shared resources
• What Continuing Professional Development (CPD) provision is there available to support your skills development?
• What do we understand creative enterprise to be? Participate in a live research project with Dr Tim Deignan

This is a free participatory workshop being held at the Electric Press in Leeds from 12pm until 5pm, including an optional ticket to the Creative Networks event at Leeds College of Art from 6pm, with Sir John Hegarty from famous advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH).

For more information or to book your place please download the booking form or email holly@ntileeds.co.uk

Speakers for the evening will be Emma McGrattan and Emma Smith-Howe. Emma McGrattan is the senior vice president for Engineering at Ingres. A leading authority in DBMS technologies, Ms McGrattan has been instrumental in the ongoing success of the Ingres product line. She will talk about women in science and the challenges that they face. Emma Smith-Howe will tell us more about HIVE and provide a demonstration of this fantastic 3D facility that all participants will have an opportunity to experience.The evening will be informal, friendly and chilled. For just £10, you can enjoy some food, drinks and the chance to network. There are only 20 places available for the event so you’ll need to be quick!

For more information or to book your place please visit http://hullgirlgeekdinners11032010.eventbrite.com

This event is supported by the University of Hull, Imagine DPM, nti Leeds and the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC)

]]> http://www.ntileeds.co.uk/events/hull-girl-geek-dinner-11th-march-2010/feed/ http://www.ntileeds.co.uk/blog/open-source-for-business-os4b/ http://www.ntileeds.co.uk/blog/open-source-for-business-os4b/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:37:27 +0000 Sally Paddock http://www.ntileeds.co.uk/?p=6668

Open Source for Business (OS4B) is the exciting joint venture from Yorkshire Forward and nti Leeds, designed to help regional businesses make the most of open source technology to benefit from cost effective IT solutions. Open source Zend and PHP training courses benefit your business solution to provide you with the skills for doing business better.

Whether you’re a small business trying to grow or a larger, more established corporate organisation, OS4B can provide you with the resources you need. Make connections, save money and improve your skills.

What is Open Source?  How do I integrate Open Source into my business?  How can I save my business money?  Access training funds

Much like the nti’s coworking space here at Old Broadcasting House,  jTribe’s offices in Melbourne and Sydney provide space for like-minded coworkers. The unique  coworking space alongside the iPhone Development course, proved an appealing draw for Patrick.

Whilst he was with us, we asked Patrick for some comments to pass on to you.

“Prowling the internet for potential iPhone Apps courses, nti was first on the Google list to fit the dates,  and course specification that I was looking for.

“The course was thorough and in-depth. I have some previous experience in creating iPhone applications, but the course has given me the foundation and knowledge to take this much further.”

nti’s iPhone Development course is recommended for developers working for design agencies and software companies who need to create native Apple iPhone apps. For further details on the course specification, visit the iPhone Development web page here. Clients who are closer to home in Yorkshire and Humber can also benefit from saving 60% on the full price, with  no air fares to pay for either.

The duo also work with local businesses relying heavily on student-spend, and national charities who are looking to increase student involvement. Magpie’s hard work has recently paid off with a nomination for the prestigious Sir Peter Thompson Award for Enterprise and Business.

Magpie provides a range of design and marketing services - from branding, publications and advertising to websites, digital marketing and distribution, specialising in communicating to a student audience. Magpie has mainly grown their business through word of mouth and referrals, so what does the next step look like?

Gerard comments, “There’s a big, untapped market out there! We provide bespoke, tailored solutions in design and marketing that communicate our clients’ messages to a student audience.”

Visit Magpie Comms at www.magpiecomms.com.

Hegarty started in advertising as a junior Art Director at Benton and Bowles in 1965, and through an incredibly rich and illustrious career was awarded in May 2005, the International Clio Awards, Life Time Achievement award for his outstanding achievement in the industry and in 2007 he received a knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours.

An incredibly warm and generous speaker, Sir John, who was named “the Master of Creative Rebellion” by the Independent, will pose that the “most important question a creative person uses; ‘why?’.

Registration will begin at 6pm and the presentations will begin at 7pm. This event to be held on Thursday 25th March and FREE to creative industry professionals. If you would like to join us please contact Creative Networks on 01422 399444 or email Bridge at bridgetm@leeds-art.ac.uk. Look forward to seeing you there!

Guardian Local aims to explore new models for journalism and social engagement through a mix of reporting, collaboration engagement with local communities, organisations and groups and aggregation.

Check out their  review of the Leeds Girl Geek Dinner on 11th February that featured two inspirational speakers from the games industry.

You can contact Leeds Beatblogger John Baron by email, and on Twitter @GdnLeeds

After the main presentation at Old Broadcasting House, there will be a question and answer session, an opportunity for the group to discuss the many aspects of image selection and processing.

A charge of £2 will be made on the door, and no pre-booking is required. Register your interest on Facebook here.

These companies will now work in small groups with senior subject experts in both children’s content and technology, to learn more about working with the BBC and develop their ideas at intensive workshop days. Four final projects will be commissioned  for CBBC and Cbeebies.

@North will encourage and support the development and delivery of multi platform content for children, and build a supply base of independent companies to work with BBC Children’s. The project is being run in partnership with the regional screen agencies - Northwest Vision and Media, Northern Film and Media and Screen Yorkshire, who are all hosting @North events for companies in their regions.

Yorkshire Companies Taking Part in @North

Fuse8, Leeds

Chameleon TV, Leeds

DESQ, Sheffield

Digital Welly, Leeds

Gamerholix, Leeds

MadeByPi, Leeds

MezzoFilms, Leeds

Numiko, Leeds

Rattle, Sheffield

Sense Internet, Leeds

Swamp, Leeds

Tuna Technologies, Sheffield

Tumeric Media Ltd, Barnsley

The Workshop, Sheffield

Yoomee, Sheffield

Capsule Films, Leeds

Team Cooper, Sheffield

True North Productions, Leeds

Stripey Design, Sheffield

RadioWaves, Leeds

Congratulations to you all from nti Leeds.  Final successful commissions are likely to be announced in September 2010.

Issues of special interest to women in the games industry will be brought to attention and address the games industry’s gender imbalance and develop a fuller understanding of games and game playing.

Academic and industrial perspectives on groundbreaking work in computer games research, games development and games education, will be highlighted throughout the two day event from 25th-26th March 2010. Join in at The University of Bradford in cooperation with Bradford College by booking your place online today!

In 1994, Linda appeared on the BBC programme Home Front. In the following year, she made the pilot programme of Changing Rooms that later became a huge hit.

After thorough research and earning years of experience, Linda Barker has designed and developed a wide range of ‘Linda Barker’ branded products that include rugs, lighting, wallpaper, kitchen storage, scented candles, china, curtain accessories, textiles and gift wrap.

Gaining success and confidence, she launched her own mail order business ‘Really Linda Barker’, and later in 2006, she opened first high street shop in the UK for developing her business.

The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre will be open from 5.30pm for registeration and the event will start at 6.30-8.30pm on Thursday 4th March. Although this event is FREE the hosts reserve the right to charge £20 + VAT for places booked and not taken or for attendees who join the event without booking. Don’t miss out - book your place online today.

For Graduates…

You will be assigned a mentor to help you plan your professional development and you will also become a sponsored member of our pioneering coworking space at Old Broadcasting House, which will enable you to work alongside current members. During the time you are here you will be encouraged to get involved in the Leeds grass roots community, attending meetups, coffee events and evening presentations depending on your particular area of specialism (for example Open Coffee Leeds, Creative Networks, GeekUp Leeds, Barcamps, Hackspace etc) to start building your network of contacts which will be crucial to getting started.

Who is it aimed at?

nti works is aimed at individuals who have graduated from HE courses in the past five years, whose degree subject covers the digital sector (eg Computing, New Media, Media Technology), who may have done some external client work as part of their course or project and who are currently looking to either freelance or set up their own business. You must be considering freelancing or starting a business as your next route. We aim to offer the places to people who will benefit most from this opportunity. That means being prepared to be an active participant.

There are currently 15 places available and demand is high so please contact us as soon as possible. There is an additional cohort commencing in March.

What does it cost?

There is no charge for this programme. However we reserve the right to charge you if you take a place and do not attend the core training dates we agree with you. The value of the nti works package is in the region of £1500 per person.

What happens at the end of the programme?

You can join our coworking community at a reduced rate. We can also arrange for further training although it is envisaged that you will start to find work and we can potentially help with that, subject to demand in your particular area.

1. Apply for the programme on the Leeds Met Economic Challenge Investment Fund web site here. You should also email an up-to-date copy of your CV to info@ntileeds.co.uk by the same deadline. Only applications for which we have a registration and CV will be considered.

2. A limited number of places are available and it is likely that this offer will be over subscribed. Applying does not guarantee you a place.

3. Applications will be considered and offers made by email or mobile phone. You should be contactable if we need you to provide any further information.

4. Successful applicants will be asked to reply to accept their place.

5. The following applies to successful applicants only:

6. Put the core training dates in your diary.

7. You will be invited to an initial meeting to discuss your training requirements and start to plan the outcomes for your three month programme.

8. After the initial meeting you will also have a training plan of nti courses that you will be attending and other actions as agreed. Check the courses available on www.ntileeds.co.uk If there is an exam make sure you do it to get the certification for your CV

9. You will arrange to meet your assigned mentor - details will be sent to you after the initial meeting, when a matching exercise in undertaken.

10. Throughout the three months you need to make sure you are contactable - e.g. by mobile and email, and actively taking part in on line forums and discussions as well as making the most of the opportunities that come your way.

Contact nti Leeds on 0845 122 1555 or by emailing mailto: info@ntileeds.co.uk
Twitter www.twitter.com/lindabroughton and www.twitter.com/ntileeds
Web site http://www.ntileeds.co.uk

For Employers…

nti Works is a new service which provides access to a range of creative and technical talent based in and around Leeds, giving you the potential to gain additional resource, as and when you need it - at the same time, helping the next generation of professionals become established in the sector.

We are currently working with new graduates to help them gain professional skills and accreditation, through our nti course portfolio, whilst working on projects in our coworking space here at Old Broadcasting House. All of the graduates are from technology based programmes and their skills and expertise varies from Ruby programming and PHP through to animation, and design, as well as web and mobile apps.

It is early days for this new service, and our aim over the coming months is to develop the service to provide you with details of the members and their skills via this web site. We also aim to open up the service to include our more experienced coworkers and small businesses that are also members of our coworking space.

If you would like to use the service, please call us on 0845 122 1555 or email us at info@ntileeds.co.uk. There are other ways you can get involved. You can offer to mentor a new nti works graduate, or put forward a short project. If you reguarly work with freelancers, or if you are experienced yourself, do you have any tips or techniques that could be helpful that you could share? Please get in touch with nti: info@ntileeds.co.uk or call 0845 122 1555.

Discover the benefits of varied solutions from the powerful Linux operating system to the problem solving project management expertise of Agile development. See a solution develop around your needs that can integrate with other products you may purchase with future developments.

At the heart of Open Source for Business (OS4B) is a centre of excellence for helping business make the most of cost cutting and tailor made software alternatives using Open Source solutions. After all, saving money and improving sustainability is vital to any business success.

Based in the heart of Leeds city, Old Broadcasting House provides an unparalleled training ground for your business needs. Holding state-of-the-art training suites that hold 28″ Apple Macintosh running Windows and OS X and so many creative and digital people here, you are invited to champion the business excellence of open source with us.

Take a look at our evolving portfolio of training courses. Current funding means that if you are based in the Yorkshire & Humber the price may be discounted by up to 60%. The funding is designed to help your business develop these skills, and to assist you in your quest to differentiate your staff from the competition by having them certified to vendor standards. We aim to have a comprehensive list of Open Source Support for businesses to leverage benefits of open source.

If you feel that you need some training, information on hiring or would simply like to know more, please feel free to contact Project Development Manager, Geoff Gifford, on 0845 122 1555 or email geoff@ntileeds.co.uk

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The main aim of the event is to share experiences of projects, providing you with the opportunity to hear about individual case studies, consider whether you may wish to adapt these for your own contexts, share your views in a short workshop, and network with colleagues interested in leadership and management, employer engagement and progression.

Whether your an employer, Information, Advice and Guidance Advisor, or academic staff interested in progression and employer engagement, come along to Room 1.33 Leeds Business School, University of Leeds on Tuesday 9th March 2010.

To reserve your place, please complete the booking form available here, and return to Anne Hellawell by Thursday 4th March 2010.

This FREE event is an opportunity to network with other employers and women in the Science, Engineering and Technology sectors, plus hear from three fantastic speakers and air your views in the workshops.

Join in at the Rosebowl on Friday 26th March, 9.30am-1pm with lunch included. To register your place and to find out more, contact info@ukrc4setwomen.org or phone 01274 436 485. Alternatively, you can access the UK Resource Centre for Women web page here.

This workshop is for you if you are a women qualified in science, engineering, technology or the built environment. If you have an idea about setting up a SET consultancy come along to this FREE event on Monday 22nd February, 9.30am-4.00pm, at The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Halifax, HX1 5ER. For further information contact info@ukrc4setwomen.org or visit the Get SET for Self Employment web page here.

The space is organised into twelve generously spaced work ‘Pods’, equipped with desk, chair, side table and additional chairs, a Mac Pro computer, and an Apple 30″ studio display. Two pods have two screens to make editing more efficient. Software available includes OSX, Windows, the Adobe Master Collection , Apple Pro creative software (Logic, Motion, Aperture, Final Cut) and 3d Studio Max.

Members have access to meeting rooms, a coffee area that is great for meeting clients, and black and white printing.  Fax, photocopying and 3D printing are available for extra charges. Membership costs just £70 + VAT per month.

Old Broadcasting House is a great alternative to working from home. You work for yourself because you value your independence and want to develop your ideas. Old Broadcasting House lets you have all of this as well as the advantages of being part of a team - feedback on your ideas, collaboration opportunities, referrals and introductions.

If you are interested in the professional creative space we offer, call us on 0845 122 1555, come to an event or course, or simply call in.

Current members include Kensei Media, Outpost North, Nicely Sliced, True Media, and Carbon Imagineering. We’re also pleased to welcome new member John Baron, the journalist responsible for the new Guardian Local Leeds site. Follow his hunt for news across Leeds on twitter.

With a particular focus on supply chain opportunities, CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching buyers with potential suppliers. It also facilitates access to focused business support, through the national Business Link network, helping to boost the long–term competitiveness of your business.

Registering on CompeteFor will bring you closer to accessing new business opportunities relevant to your sector. This service is delivered through a partnership between public and private sector organisations, working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).

Any business can register on CompeteFor. It’s easy, free of charge, and only needs to be done once to access thousands of contract opportunities. To apply for contracts advertised on CompeteFor, you must complete and publish a full business profile. Once published, your business profile will be used to match your business with contract opportunities you can then apply for. You can also use CompeteFor to search for suitable businesses to partner with.

Visit the CompeteFor website for further information…

The two teams will use the Jam Jar Collective’s FriiSpray to draw out the clues, which will be streamed from venue to venue. FriiSpray is an open source, virtual-graffiti tool that allows you to draw with light using infra-red technology and brand new software - click here to see how it works.

The York event will be taking place in Pulse, 25 Fossgate from 7.00pm until 9.00pm. Drinks and nibbles will be provided, but you are welcome to bring other beverages if you like.

This event will take place on Tuesday 16th February and is free of charge. To book a place at the York venue, contact Kat Hetherington on 01904 870054 or email kat.hetherington@scy.co.uk.

To book a place at the Scarborough venue, contact Adrian Riley on 01723 363310 or email adrian@electricangel.co.uk.

The events will connect the North West, Yorkshire and the North East, giving a detailed picture of who is doing what, where and how. Industry specialists will deliver their insight into what the industry can expect for the future.

Who is the Crossover Business Lab for?

The Crossover Business Labs are designed for small to medium sized creative businesses based in the North of England. They are particularly suitable for companies operating in the audio-visual industries (operating in the film, tv, web, mobile, games and animation sectors) seriously interested in corporate growth by exploring new business models, extending beyond their current markets and developing new partnerships and collaborations.

What will it involve?

Topics covered in the Business Lab will include:

- New business models: the pace of change and disruption in the media industries suggests that only the agile will flourish. How does a company break into new markets and generate revenue from new sources?

- Frameworks for collaboration: Relationship modeling a framework for understanding your business and its place in cross platform working: developing ideas, making them happen, structuring relationships with partners.

- Strategic Planning: How might our business approach cross platform work and where are the gaps. How does an enterprise develop a structure which will allow for growth in new markets?

- Getting outside help: how do you find the right people to act as ‘jungle guides’ in new markets and to provide  appropriate financial, legal, management advice?

- Access to finance: sources of investment for corporate as well as project development.

The Lab will comprise a blend of presentation, workshop activity and round table discussion. There will also be some opportunity for one-to-one consultation with visiting experts.

Who will be leading the Lab?

Mentors and speakers on the Business Lab will include expert facilitators from the Crossover team and leading professionals: people who have built successful creative enterprises, specialist lawyers and accountants, representatives of trade bodies.

What will it cost?

There is no cost for participation in the Business Labs apart from travel and accommodation, if required.

Where will it be?

The Lab will be held at a central venue in the North of England which will be announced shortly.

Who should apply?

The Crossover Business Lab is designed for owner/directors of companies working in the audio-visual entertainment sectors in the North East, the North West and in Yorkshire.

For further information contact tom@sidf.co.uk or to book your place, visit the registration form here…