| NEW YEAR BUZZ ABOUT GROWBIZ
There is so much buzz around GrowBiz just now at the start of 2009. This is a brief summary of what is going on.
GrowBiz only works because people are talking about it to the people they meet
and introducing the Enterprise Facilitator, Fiona, to new people all the time.
If you are a panel member and haven't called Fiona for a while to do some introductions,
do it now (07912 786864), and it doesn't matter how long ago you last spoke with her, or
whether or not you've come to a recent panel meeting. The work is still being done -
clients are still emerging from the introductions we did so successfully in the early months.
Now we need to 'prime the pump' to stimulate a continuing flow of clients as this new year progresses.
If you're interested in becoming involved with running the GrowBiz project, call Wendy on 01821 640238.
Fruits of our combined labours over the last year or so are now ripening - just look at what is going on:
5 January - we met with an administrator for the Rural Tayside LEADER Programme and
finalised our application for funding from June 2009 to September 2010.
We should hear from them at the end of the month.
8 January - Fiona and project Chairman Wendy met Kenneth Stephen, a journalist
who has been commissioned by The Courier to do a piece on the two Tayside Sirolli projects.
Look out for the story in the next week or so.
The analysed outcome of our December Client Survey has been presented, which is full
of great positive feedback on the project so far. Many thanks to Doreen MacIntyre for this.
12 January - three panel members and Fiona are meeting with John Swinney to discuss
the success of our project to date and to establish his attitude towards our future.
15 January - Wendy will be meeting with Shelley at the Economic Development Unit to
discuss the design of materials for use in our February/March awareness raising collaboration.
19 January - we will be visited by an assessor for the BURA awards as we have
successfully won through to the second round.
22 January - Sirolli representatives Ned and Linda will be in the area and will
meet with Fiona, myself and attend our directors' meeting in the evening.
29 January -the first panel meeting of 2009 - we intend to start the year with
renewed enthusiasm and commitment. 7.30, Alyth Town Hall.
2 - 6 February in conjunction with the council we will have an exhibition stand
in Tesco in Blairgowrie. Panel members will be present some of the time handing
out leaflets (new ones are in preparation) and talking to passers by.
14 February - a second gigantic book sale in Blairgowrie Town Hall. A great
opportunity to support the project and meet volunteers already involved.
24 February - panel meeting time again at Blackwater Hall.
March - public meeting in Blairgowrie to follow up interest derived from the
February exhibition in Tesco.
All the peripheral and PR activity is encouraging and good, but at the heart
of our project are the people in the community at large. Keep talking about GrowBiz,
commit to joining the panel and begin introducing Fiona to your contacts.
Fiona is on 07912 786 864. Wendy (chairman) is on 01821 640238.
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