Blue Orchid: New funding boost for social enterprises - 10 March 08
A leading North West business support agency is urging social entrepreneurs to take advantage of Gordon Brown’s  pledge to pump £10m into the sector.

Blue Orchid, which delivers business start up advice to thousands of firms across the region, said the initiative is part of a wider government drive to encourage social enterprises. Social enterprises are businesses with social or environmental objectives whose surpluses are reinvested into that purpose, rather than being driven by a need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.

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Aspiring social entrepreneurs invited to Manchester workshop - 20 February 08
Aspiring entrepreneurs interested in setting up a social enterprise are being invited to a free awareness workshop in Manchester.

The event is being held by business support agency Blue Orchid at the Kath Locke Centre in Moss Side on February 26 between 2pm and 4pm and bookings need to be made in advance.

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Small firms urged to tackle credit crunch "head on" - 07 January 08
A leading business support agency says small firms need to ‘thoroughly examine’ alternative finance sources as the credit crunch bites harder in 2008. Blue Orchid, which advises thousands of firms across the North West, said firms are finding it increasingly difficult to source cash from...

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Free New Year seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs - 03 January 08
Aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start the New Year by becoming their own boss are being invited to a series of free seminars across Manchester. The free to attend sessions are targeted at all would be business owners...

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Would be business owners invited to Moss Side - 04 October 07
Would be business owners in inner city Manchester are being invited to a free business workshop on October 19 in Moss Side. The workshop is being held by business support agency Blue Orchid at the Phil Martin Centre, 137 Princess Road, between 2pm and 4pm...

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New Manchester operations manager for Blue Orchid - 03 October 07
Leading North West business support agency, Blue Orchid, has appointed a new operations manager in Manchester. Jan Foster will manage Blue Orchid’s contracts to develop enterprise in deprived areas for the North West Development Agency and Manchester City Council...

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A "banana skin" for business owners, Blue Orchid warns - 01 October 07
A business support agency is urging business owners to start preparing for a raft of new regulations that are due to be introduced on October 1. Blue Orchid Managing Director, Jim Crook, said the date, nicknamed red tape day...

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"In the City" warm up workshop - 28 Sept 07
Musicians and professionals striving to make it in the music industry, are being invited to an 'In the City' warm up seminar hosted by Inspiral Carpets bass player, Martyn Walsh. Martyn, who is working for business support agency Blue Orchid, is holding the event, titled ‘Infiltrate’ at...

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Oldham workshops for would be business owners - 21 Sept 07
Aspiring business owners in Greater Manchester are being invited to a series of entrepreneurial workshops in Oldham. The free to attend workshops are targeted at all would be business owners particularly in deprived areas. The in-depth sessions aim to give advice, support and...

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Road Thrill - 20 Sept 07
When Liverpool’s celebrities and party people want to travel in style, they call on the services of the city’s very own Mr.T. George Cover’s company, Prestige Traveller, offers luxury transport in an American Chevy which is a dead ringer for the vehicle made famous in The A-Team TV series...

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Face up to facebook - 14 Sept 07
Blue Orchid, a business support agency, has urged small firms to crack down on users of Facebook, the online social network. Apart from the associated productivity issues, Blue Orchid's MD Jim Crook warns...

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Business support agency urges crackdown on Facebook - 08 Sept 07
The UK's four million small firms need to take a tough stance on Facebook the latest website to explode on the scene, a leading business support agency warned last night. Blue Orchid, which provides business advice to thousands of firms, is responding to reports that Lloyds TSB...

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Social Networking - XX Sept 07
Jim Crook, Managing Director of business support agency Blue Orchid, warns business owners to take a tough line on social networking websites amid growing concerns of dropping staff productivity and security risks...

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Business workshop for rockers - 30 August 07
Musicians striving to make it in the music business are being invited to a workshop at Oldham’s Castle venue on Union Street hosted by Inspiral Carpets bass player Martin Walsh. Oldham born Martin, is working for business support agency Blue Orchid which advises start up businesses...

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Blue Orchid's rapid growth continues - 10 July 07
One of the North West’s fastest growing companies has secured two major new contracts. Business support agency Blue Orchid has won contracts with the North West Development Agency (NWDA) and Manchester City Council (MCC), to encourage and nurture entrepreneurs...

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