Published at 12:32, Tuesday, 06 November 2012

HOW can local businesses benefit from harnessing the enthusiasm and expertise of highly motivated graduates and undergraduates without it costing them a penny?

That’s the question which will be answered by Jackie Gregory from Lancaster University at the Ulverston Business Alliance meeting at the Lanternhouse in The Ellers, Ulverston on Thursday between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Ms Gregory will explain how the university’s ‘Unite with Business’ scheme offers small to medium sized businesses a business support programme, to increase business innovation performance and productivity.

Business support is provided via graduates, final year undergraduates and postgraduate university students.

These individuals work within a business for a period of 20 days, addressing a skills or resource shortage; for example designing or redesigning a website, developing a communications or marketing strategy or even prototyping a new product.

During the 20-day period the student or graduate’s salary is paid via the project. The cost to the business will be one of time only to ensure clear business objectives are met.

The placement hours can be spread flexibly over a period of several months where this meets the needs of the business, and allows students or graduates to fit the work round their study commitments.

The meeting will also include a presentation by Carl Glynn of South Lakeland Credit Union Study Group on its recent work. There will be networking opportunities and UBA chairman Archie Workman will provide an update on the Ulverston Broadband Alliance and its drive to include Ulverston in the high speed broadband roll-out.

It costs £3 per person to attend, which includes tea and coffee. Visit www.ulverstonbusinessalliance.ning .com to learn more.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk