Monday 13^th October – Friday 17^th October

Monday 13^th October saw the launch of Small Business Week 2008, a week-long campaign dedicated to championing the 4.3million-plus small enterprises in the UK. The annual campaign, which began with a launch event at BT Tower, brought together small businesses from across the country, independent business organisations, Government agencies, regional influencers and media and aimed to better understand the small business community, provoke debate around its changing needs, and develop ways to further its long-term success.

In its inaugural year, Small Business Week provoked unprecedented debate among, and wholehearted support from, business organisations, government, suppliers, the media, analysts, and small businesses themselves. Drawing on the feedback from last year's campaign and bearing in mind today's current economic and political climate, the theme for Small Business Week 2008 is "mentoring".

This theme was explored via a series of events and research analysis. Small Business Week 2008 will help to recognise the importance of this sector to the UK economy, will share perspectives on the state of the small business nation, and will explore what SMEs need in order to survive and thrive in today and tomorrow's business world.

Under the mentoring umbrella the below issues will be discussed and debated during Small Business Week 2008, with relevant partners offering advice and support on each;

• The economy/taxation
• Flexible working - the impact for employees and employers
• Responsible business - CSR
• Marketing yourself effectively
• Human capital - skills/resource - attracting the right people
• Business agility and competitiveness
• Innovation

Further details on the events that took place can be viewed at the dedicated microsite: http://www.sbw08.co.uk/

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Understanding economic climate

Understanding flexible working

Understanding responsible business

Understanding winning retaining customers

Understanding Your Busines Journey