Digital Services from the Library

Business & IP Centre Worcestershire

A thriving business community in Worcestershire Libraries

The British Library and 15 library authorities across the country comprise the Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Network; a national network providing targeted help to aspiring entrepreneurs and early stage new businesses and helping established small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to scale.

Building on established business services at The Hive, Business & IP Centre Worcestershire provides a business support and signposting service for local pre-start, early start and growth businesses.

We expect to launch BIPC Worcestershire fully across Worcestershire Libraries later in 2020. In the meantime, we will continue to develop and provide online business services from our Digital Library Hub.

For further enquiries regarding BIPC Worcestershire please email: BIPC@worcestershire.gov.uk

Book FREE business webinars from BIPC Worcestershire

Online business support is available through a series of free webinars from BIPC Worcestershire and the national BIPC network. Find out more and book your place here – BIPC webinars

Free Reset Restart programme

We know this is a difficult time for small businesses and business owners. BIPC have developed a dedicated programme to support SMEs across the country, all of which can be accessed remotely, wherever you are. Open to all business owners, especially those in the first years of trading, the Reset. Restart programme is here to help you transform, future-proof or grow your business through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 

The Worcestershire BIPC is running a series of FREE webinars and one to one sessions with business experts to support local businesses who are adapting to the challenges of Covid. The topics range from business planning through to marketing, finance and wellness. 

To book your FREE place go to our Eventbrite page (opens in a new window)

Access useful resources from the British Library national Business & IP Centre

Industry Guides Information for understanding intellectual property (IP) and for researching key industries

BIPC TV  BIPC You Tube channel featuring speeches from inspiring entrepreneurs and expert business advice

Business & IP Articles Top tips and advice on starting and growing your business and protecting your intellectual property.

Business & IP Blog Written by members of the Business & IP Centre team and expert partners; discusses business, innovation and enterprise.

Access business reference information

COBRA (Complete Business Reference Adviser)

Free to all library members, COBRA is an online business reference library, containing factsheets, contacts, key market issues and trends, sources of funding and support to help entrepreneurs plus hundreds of practical guides to starting up more than 350 different types of business.

COBRA is available from home for a limited period whilst libraries are closed. Enter your library membership number in the login box to explore.

Watch this ‘how to use COBRA’ video to get you started

Join Worcestershire Libraries ‘Business book group’

Led by a local business expert, the business book group is an opportunity to network with like-minded people whilst developing your business knowledge. Reading and sharing business books is a great way for entrepreneurs to stay informed regarding business trends, learn new skills and develop innovative ways of working. Monthly discussions take place on the last Saturday of every month.

Join Worcestershire Libraries Business book group

Download business e books from our digital library

Worcestershire library members have full access to digital library resources. Not a library member? Join online for Digital membership

Explore the wide range of business e books now available to download. Business e books

Book online business courses from Adult learning Worcestershire

Online courses to support business enterprise are now available to book online with Adult Learning Worcestershire. For the full list of courses currently available to book go to the Adult Learning Worcestershire course booking site

 

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Additional resources available online

• Blue Orchid – Provider of market-leading support programmes for business start-ups and growing SMEs, along with bespoke consultancy services across the UK
• Worcestershire Business Central  - The Worcestershire Business Central Growth Hub was established in 2016 with the core aim of supporting high growth SMEs to further grow and develop. The support provided through the Growth Hub helps businesses to develop their internal capability in order to improve their productivity, grow and create jobs.
• Support for businesses – The Worcestershire County Council online portal for local business support resources
• Gov.uk – Government advice and valuable links to financial support for businesses during coronavirus (COVID-19)