Networking Lunch - Big Opportunities for Small Communities

15th September 2011

*Lairg Community Centre
Tuesday 18 October 2011
12 -- 3pm
*
*What are the challenges for privately owned businesses in the Highlands?
* Succession. Sustainability. Generating sales.

*What are the challenges for Social Enterprises in the Highlands?
* Succession. Sustainability. Generating sales.

This is a networking lunch with a difference -- it's about bringing together the private
sector businesses and social enterprises in rural communities. This event is open to
private businesses as well as social enterprises.

Both sectors are involved in developing future enterprise in the local area and there is support available to communities to enable them to develop a plan for an enterprising future.With examples of communities who have worked together to build on the success of privately owned businesses as well as businesses who use the services of social enterprises, this networking lunch is an opportunity to explore the similarities of working that these organisations are trying to achieve and if there is a way to work together in the future to secure jobs, generate enterprise and support the local economy.

*Hosted by HISEZ and Acquiring Business 4 Good
*
*Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone (HISEZ)* delivers support for new start and established Social Enterprises from across the Highlands and Islands. HISEZ works in partnership with the Just Enterprise consortium. Are you interested in starting a social enterprise or do you need assistance to develop and grow your existing social enterprise? Just Enterprise business support, start-up, procurement and learning services are available to help. Contact Lindsay Dunbar, Events and Communications Officer, 01463 715 533 or lindsay.dunbar[AT]hisez.co.uk

Acquiring Business for Good
http://www.socialfirms.org.uk/whatwedo/businessacquisition.asp runs from January 2009 until March 2012, and supports more people who are currently excluded from the labour market into employment, by acquiring businesses and converting them to Social Enterprises. Contact Karen Anderson, Business Acquisition CoordinatorTel: 07771818277 or karen.anderson[AT]socialfirms.org.uk

Information on the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition
http://www.scottishsocialenterprise.org.uk and Senscot http://www.senscot.net/ will
also be available at this event