The latest news from Aston University's Business Partnerships Unit. http://www1.aston.ac.uk/bpu-blog.rss A team of business and IT students from Aston University have set up a limited company, Aston Community Consulting, offering free of charge business consultancy services to local small businesses. The students are all part of 'SIFE Aston' which is a local branch of the international non-profit organisation Students in Free Enterprise. SIFE encourages university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=387 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:04:33 GMT 20120501110433 Tue, 01 May 2012 11:04:33 GMT 20120501110433 Wed, 09 May 2012 11:11:54 GMT 2012050911111154 Aston University recently held an event to raise awareness of the breadth and quality of Knowledge Transfer activities that the University is involved in. Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) is a Technology Strategy Board Programme whose mission is to promote and support research into the development and exploitation of technology & innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase economic growth and improve quality of life. Aston University are currently.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=389 Wed, 02 May 2012 12:56:17 GMT 20120502125617 Wed, 02 May 2012 12:56:17 GMT 20120502125617 Wed, 02 May 2012 12:56:17 GMT 2012050212125617 With increased calls to cut employment red tape to enable small businesses to take on more staff to reduce unemployment, Graduate Advantage (GA) an internship finding service based at Aston University, is offering a cost-saving solution. Small businesses within the West Midlands have the opportunity to reduce the time they spend on recruitment, and can save up to £400 in Employer's National Insurance costs through GA's free Payroll & HR Services. Research.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=396 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:51:33 GMT 20120503105133 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:51:33 GMT 20120503105133 Thu, 03 May 2012 10:52:03 GMT 2012050310105203 10,000 Small Businesses is an innovative fully funded programme designed to unlock the economic and job creation potential of small businesses and social enterprises from across the Midlands (East and West). The Programme is delivered by Aston Business School in partnership with the Goldman Sachs Foundation and it is targeted at the owners or the most senior decision takers who have clear ambitions to expand their small businesses or social enterprises. For full details.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=397 Wed, 09 May 2012 11:09:00 GMT 20120509110900 Wed, 09 May 2012 11:09:00 GMT 20120509110900 Wed, 09 May 2012 11:11:34 GMT 2012050911111134 Getting on with the Boss! Developing a relationship-based approach to leadership The Centre for Executive Development at Aston Business School invites you to the sixth master class in our Sixty Minute series in which Professor Robin Martin, Work & Organisational Psychology Group, illustrates the importance of a relationship-based approach to leadership. The presentation will focus on how the relationship between manager and subordinate develops and relates to employee and.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=409 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:56:11 GMT 20120517115611 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:56:11 GMT 20120517115611 Thu, 17 May 2012 11:56:28 GMT 2012051711115628 Thursday 14 June and Monday 18 June 2012 Bioenergy business briefings at Aston University Are you a SME based in the West Midlands? Would like to find out how the rapidly developing field of bioenergy could benefit your business? The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) based at Aston University is currently looking for a range of West Midlands based businesses to join a local bioenergy supply chain that it is forming. EBRI has received a grant.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=415 Fri, 25 May 2012 10:55:23 GMT 20120525105523 Fri, 25 May 2012 10:55:23 GMT 20120525105523 Fri, 25 May 2012 10:55:52 GMT 2012052510105552 Aston Biomaterials Research Unit (BRU) and Visioncare Research Ltd have joined forces via a CASE Award to research the discomfort faced by some users of extended wear contact lenses. Silicone hydrogel lenses are increasingly popular due to their ability to be worn for extended periods of time or even overnight; this is possible because they allow more oxygen to the corneas than other lens materials. However, one disadvantage often cited by wearers, is a build-up on the lens of naturally.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=416 Mon, 28 May 2012 15:01:03 GMT 20120528150103 Mon, 28 May 2012 15:01:03 GMT 20120528150103 Mon, 28 May 2012 15:01:29 GMT 201205281530129 The LUX-OPC (Optical Performance Lab) based at Birmingham Science Park Aston is recruiting for an Optical Engineering Technician. LUX-OPC (Optical Performance Lab) is considered a leader in the fields of goniophotometry and spectroradiometry, leading the way in light testing and measurement within the UK helping lighting manufacturers and SMEs develop cutting edge technologies and energy saving products. The lab boasts newly developed state of the art facilities..... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=433 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:22:14 GMT 20120612142214 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:22:14 GMT 20120612142214 Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:22:31 GMT 201206121422231 Four new start-ups have each received a £10,000 incubation package, triggering the launch of their tech businesses at Birmingham Science Park's Entrepreneurs for the Future Centre (e4f). A total of 58 companies are currently based at - or have graduated from - the business incubation centre, 13 of which specialise in digital gaming. wallFour, Jamo Games, We Wana and Untyped will receive expert advice and mentoring to achieve investor readiness, as well as.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=444 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:51:44 GMT 20120628125144 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:51:44 GMT 20120628125144 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 12:51:44 GMT 2012062812125144 Greater Birmingham and Solihull local enterprise partnership (GBSLEP) invite you to join them for a free event; 'Shaping the future for Mid-Sized Business investment – challenges and opportunities' Recognising that investment is a key issue faced by Mid-Sized Businesses and that keeping up with this complex and changing arena is a challenge in itself, this first open event seeks to make sense of the complexities around investment. An expert panel will be on hand.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=454 Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:24:45 GMT 20120719142445 Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:24:45 GMT 20120719142445 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:24:37 GMT 201210111532437 Aston Business School is hosting a series of Master Classes designed to help leaders gain perspective on today's most pressing business issues. The next Business Master Class on the subject of sales and marketing will be held on Wednesday 24th October 2012, 08:30-10:00 at Aston Business School, Birmingham. The presentation will focus on the major changes markets have gone through in recent times, including those that were already going on prior to the financial crisis. For.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=516 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:17 GMT 20120921114917 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:17 GMT 20120921114917 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:49:44 GMT 2012092111114944 The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is running a series of one day workshops about Government support for R&D and Innovation for small and medium sized enterprises over the next few months. The content of the workshops will include: R&D tax credit, patent box, accessing Technology Strategy Board initiatives, maximising the value of intellectual property for competitive advantage and using design to add value and help your business grow. Each session will be.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=524 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:23:06 GMT 20121011152306 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:23:06 GMT 20121011152306 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 15:24:15 GMT 201210111532415 Aston University is involved in a new innovative scheme offering recent graduates and students the opportunity to get their own businesses off the ground. BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) provides an attractive package of Intensive Business Start-up support for students and graduates launching their own business ventures. The programme will provide new businesses with dedicated incubator space where budding entrepreneurs can benefit from day to day help.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=526 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:34:31 GMT 20121012083431 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:34:31 GMT 20121012083431 Fri, 12 Oct 2012 08:34:31 GMT 201210120883431 Aston Business School, in conjunction with Lancaster School of Management and the Warwick Institute for Employment Research, has won funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for a prestigious seminar series focused on human resources management and innovation. The series encompasses 5 separate one-day events, starting with the opening seminar on: Monday 29th October 2012, 9.30- 5.00, Aston Business School: Room G8, Main Building. This exciting series offers a forum.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=528 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:14:00 GMT 20121015091400 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:14:00 GMT 20121015091400 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:14:44 GMT 201210150991444 On Thursday 18th October, Professor Dame Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, will be chairing the Boulton & Watt Commemoration Lecture given by Professor Ric Parker: 'Blue Skies to Green Skies: Aero Engineering Technology to mitigate the effect of aviation on the environment'. The lecture will be held at Birmingham Metropolitan College (Matthew Boulton Campus), arrival time 6.30pm for a 7pm start, refreshments will be provided on arrival. Visit:.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=530 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:32:52 GMT 20121015163252 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:32:52 GMT 20121015163252 Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:07:38 GMT 201210151750738 Aston University is supporting Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012 - a practical week which enables people to learn more about the wealth of support that is available to entrepreneurs in the UK. Global Entrepreneurship Week helps to connect people, share ideas and explore issues in order to drive the next generation of business owners. Pass it on This year's theme is 'Pass it on' passing on the practical help and support needed by early start-ups and.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=531 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:44:42 GMT 20121017104442 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:44:42 GMT 20121017104442 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 10:46:03 GMT 2012101710104603 The Aston Inaugurals will showcase and celebrate the research of four of the University's newly appointed professors on a diverse range of topics throughout the academic year 2012/13. The first lecture in the series will be given by Professor Andrew Pitt, School of Life and Health Sciences on Thursday 29th November. More than just “stinks”: using chemical tools to unlock biology. To book a seat, email events@aston.ac.uk, or for further information call,.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=532 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:54:15 GMT 20121019085415 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:54:15 GMT 20121019085415 Fri, 19 Oct 2012 08:55:29 GMT 201210190885529 In the next decade, the bioenergy sector will generate more than £12billion of new business opportunities across the UK. The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston University is offering support to companies within the West Midlands to ensure that businesses in the region take full advantage of this high-growth market opportunity. EBRI invites you to attend a free bioenergy briefing and tour of our innovative Bioenergy Demonstrator Plant currently based.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=534 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:01:46 GMT 20121024180146 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:01:46 GMT 20121024180146 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:27:58 GMT 201210242082758 In association with the achievers academy for women, Aston Business School is hosting a one-day conference on 'Opening Doors' for Leading Women in Corporate Life or Running their own business. The event will take place on Friday 9th November 2012, 09:30 - 16:00 in Aston Business School, Birmingham. The conference will include a wide range of workshops on a variety of topics, some examples include: · A plan for managing yourself and your.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=537 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:56:17 GMT 20121030105617 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:56:17 GMT 20121030105617 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:06:18 GMT 2012103011110618 On 7th November, Aston Business School is hosting an open workshop on Climate Change Issues and Environmental Performance facing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in India and the UK. Climate change represents one of the most serious environmental challenges faced by humanity today. Its causes and effects, as well as the potential solutions to this challenge, cut across every nation and sector of the economy, ultimately affecting every human being in some way. The workshop is part of a.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=539 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:54:17 GMT 20121102095417 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:54:17 GMT 20121102095417 Fri, 02 Nov 2012 09:57:41 GMT 201211020995741 Aston Business School is offering a programme of free support to manufacturing SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the West Midlands to help them to understand how to strengthen their relationships with customers, create new and resilient revenue streams and set high barriers for competitors, through a process called servitization. All of the support is available free of charge to eligible companies as it is part funded by the West Midlands European Regional Development Fund. Eligible.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=544 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:26:51 GMT 20121111172651 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:26:51 GMT 20121111172651 Sun, 11 Nov 2012 17:27:41 GMT 201211111752741 Aston University's Business Partnership Unit, who provide the link between businesses and the academic expertise and innovative research taking place at Aston University in areas including Business, Engineering, Languages and Life and Health Sciences, have recently welcomed two new members to the team; Emma Sutton, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator and Chethan Chauhan, Marketing Administrator. Both of the roles will offer marketing support to the Business Partnership Unit by managing the.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=545 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:29:11 GMT 20121112142911 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:29:11 GMT 20121112142911 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:31:33 GMT 201211121423133 Aston's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Julia King, has written a guest article for the Guardian: Helping a few bright pupils won't promote social mobility. Read here: http://goo.gl/Avak3. In a response to a recent report published by the Sutton Trust, Professor King argues that the Higher Education sector "should focus on sustained, well-funded and co-ordinated outreach that does not simply aspire to create more applications for (the most highly selective) 13 universities." At.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=547 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:29:49 GMT 20121116122949 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 12:29:49 GMT 20121116122949 Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:13:13 GMT 201211161751313 Professor Dame Julia King, Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, received her DBE for services to education and technology in the Queen's Birthday honours. She was presented with the Award by Her Majesty the Queen, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 21st November 2012. Professor Dame Julia King has been the Vice-Chancellor of Aston University since December 2006, is a member of the Board of Universities UK and Chair of the Higher Education Statistics Agency,.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=553 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:19:04 GMT 20121127151904 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:19:04 GMT 20121127151904 Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:37:55 GMT 201211271643755 Designed and delivered by world-leading experts in entrepreneurial education, the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme is helping Midlands small business and social enterprise leaders enhance the skills, strategies and networks they need to fulfill their businesses' growth potential. The 10,000 Small Businesses programme will be of interest to ambitious Midlands business leaders who: are the owner or.... http://www1.aston.ac.uk/business/blog/?blogpost=555 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:59:24 GMT 20121203115924 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:59:24 GMT 20121203115924 Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:00:32 GMT 2012120312120032