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The British Library's Business & IP Centre has supported over 100,000 aspiring entrepreneurs since opening in 2006. The service provides access to a wealth of research material, a comprehensive workshop programme, and advice from a variety of experts. The Centre's new interactive website offers users a simple 'how-to' guide on how the Library's services can help businesses conduct market research, develop business plans, and protect their valuable ideas.
The Centre, supported by the London Development Agency, provides a single access point to help entrepreneurs and SMEs in London gain access to and exploit existing and new business and IP information, and other relevant content and data, guided by Library information experts and associated partners.
The new site forms a key part in the Library's ongoing efforts to embrace technology and connect with existing and potential users in online environments. Frances Taylor, Marketing Manager for the Business & IP Centre, said: 'We're continually experimenting with new developments on the web, to reach out to new audiences and improve access to our resources. Social media provides a fantastic platform for us to talk directly with small businesses and to help facilitate networking; an essential task for entrepreneurs."
Social networking is an important component of the site with over 1,000 Twitter followers, 2,500 Facebook group members and 640 LinkedIn group members. The Centre says that their online networking efforts have brought together users from a huge variety of sectors, creating new forums for entrepreneurs to share information, learn about the British Library and be inspired.
Video is another powerful business tool for the Library with their YouTube channel having over 60,000 plays since its launch. Among the business stars featured are Stelios (easyJet), Martha Lane Fox (lastminute.com), and the late Dame Anita Roddick (The Body Shop).
The Library is particularly proud of their webcasts which allow greater access to the Centre's popular 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs' series. Users can log on and put their questions to star panellists in real time from anywhere in the world. The site also has a resident patent expert blogging for 4,000 entrepreneurs every month.
http://www.bl.uk/bipc/index.html |
