In Brief: Leeds University Business School; University of Hull; Franchise show; Bosch

LEEDS University Business School is helping Yorkshire companies meet the challenges and reap the rewards of doing business abroad through an educational programme developed in partnership with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI).

The International Business Development Programme is aimed at business owners and senior staff in medium-sized businesses across the region.

Participants will be helped to develop a bespoke export growth plan for their business by international business experts from the university, business leaders who have successfully exported abroad and UKTI advisers.

UK companies are being encouraged to export to markets beyond the European Union, but many business owners may feel that they first need to develop greater knowledge and confidence in terms of strategy, selling into new markets, legal issues and business ethics.

The programme, which launches in January 2014 and is part-subsidised by UKTI, is designed to enable participants to think about core exporting issues and priorities and develop a plan to help them achieve their ambitions.

The programme comprises four two-day sessions, with a final wrap-up session at which participants will present the export growth plans created during the programme.

To find out more contact Martin Tudge on 0113 344 3915 or email M.Tudge@leeds.ac.uk

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THE first phase of the £27.4m redevelopment of the University of Hull’s  Brynmor Jones Library is providing students with new and more flexible ways of working.

WiFi-enabled devices can now be used to locate books and journals, reserve study rooms and print documents remotely.

Dr Richard Heseltine, University librarian and director of library and learning innovation, said: “Students today study in a huge variety of ways and it’s essential that the library, which has always been at the heart of the academic student experience, meets their needs in every way it can.

“We are transforming what was a tired, old building into something modern and flexible, with purpose-built spaces for group study and more innovative ways of learning.”

The new Reading Room, which is situated in the original brick building at the front of the Brynmor Jones Library, has been restored to its former significance. The overhead lights are exact reproductions of those that can be seen hanging the in same space in photographs taken in the 1960s. Also completed are the third and fourth floors of the library tower, which was built slightly later and officially opened in 1970.

When complete, the whole ground floor will be open to all, with a new art gallery.

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EAST Yorkshire based small business owners are being invited to the launch of the Yorkshire & Humberside Franchise Show.

The free event and exhibition taking place on November 21 at the KC Stadium will features more than 25 franchise and business opportunities, all of whom have an East Yorkshire licence available for sale.

Organiser Mark Monument said: “Clearly, the main aim of the expo is to find locals who wish start their own business. But the expo is a great networking event for existing local businesses owners to find, meet and network with dozens of prospective new franchised companies that might well be setting up in Yorkshire over the immediate few weeks and months.”

Mr Monument also points out that local business owners who have thriving, innovative businesses should attend the ‘franchise your business’ section aimed at local companies with expansion plans to consider franchising the concept beyond their East Yorkshire base.

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RESEARCH from electrical and engineering giant Bosch has revealed that people in Sheffield and Leeds think manufacturers and Government should take more responsibility for energy efficiency.

Sheffield respondents felt manufacturers could do more to create energy-efficient products (89%), with more than three quarters (91%) believing that Government incentives should be introduced. Leeds respondents also felt manufacturers could do more to create energy-efficient products (87%), with more than three quarters (also 87%) believing that Government incentives should be introduced.

Bosch UK has conducted a survey to understand the general public’s attitude and behaviour towards energy efficiency.The research has revealed that the majority of Britain wants to become more energy efficient, with more than three quarters of Sheffield residents (76%), and more than two thirds of Leeds residents (62%), citing a lack of education as a barrier to achieving this.

Overall British people think that they can only make small savings, with 68% of people thinking they can save just £100-£250 according to research by Bosch UK. In reality, figures from the Energy Saving Trust suggest that the average household could save up to £325 per year – £8.6bn across the nation.

 

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