This beautiful photograph of Leeds was taken Paul Campbell from The effective group.
Being such an exciting, vibrant and ambitious urban metropolis, Leeds is a city that’s geared up for business.
At the beginning of the 21st century Leeds was voted by Omis Research as ‘Britain’s Best City for Business’. In the pursuing years Leeds has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the largest financial centres in the UK outside London, generating 4% of the UK’s economic output.
If you are thinking about starting a business in Leeds, you are in the right place. Business opportunities in this Yorkshire city are immense and their is plenty of help in Leeds for startup business.
If you are about to embark on a business venture in Leeds, have a read of our two part series of blogs aimed to help your venture into the entrepreneurial world of commerce run smoothly.
In part one we explore some of the key networking events, groups, services and advice that may prove vital in getting your Leeds’ based business off the ground and up and running.
Networking events in Leeds
Networking is an important element of building a business. Actively networking with experts, peers, financiers and other entrepreneurs can be one of the best ways to accelerate business growth.
Being a city of commerce and a metropolis of business opportunity Leeds has a vibrant networking event scene.
Take a look at three key networking events and groups in Leeds.
. The PA Hub Leeds Event in Partnership with Leeds Bradford Airport and KLM
On Thursday 24 July, 2014 the PA Hub Leeds Event will be taking place at the Crowne Plaza Leeds. The event is geared towards helping personal assistants, executive assistants and virtual assistants’ network.
The PA Hub Event will begin with informal networking which gives attendees the opportunity to meet other assistants and chat over canapés and wine. This informal and friendly networking event includes main speaker Deborah Ogden who has successfully launched her own company talk about some key issues regarding PA and networking.
. Early Evening Networking at the Leeds Marriot
On Wednesday 17 September, 2014 the Early Evening Networking Event will be taking place at the Leeds Marriot. Designed specifically for female entrepreneurs, this event is a great way for women starting businesses to meet other like-minded women for an evening of networking with light refreshments and drinks.
For more information visit the Forward Ladies website.
. Leeds Breakfast Networking
Held on Friday 18 July 2014 the Leeds Breakfast Networking at the City of Leeds YMCA provides the perfect opportunity for start-ups to meet people in a myriad of sectors. Leeds Breakfast Networking
Members include tax advisors, HR professionals, insurance experts and corporate solicitors and that’s just for starters.
Chatting to such important experts within the business sector over a tasty breakfast could prove invaluable in helping your business move forward.
For more information on the key networking event in Leeds visit the Leeds Business Forum and get signed up for Auditels monthly newletter for networking events in Leeds.
Key occupations that can help your Leeds start up
This networking event in Leeds is particularly useful as introduces and connects start-ups and SMEs to key occupations that can help a business grow.
Key industries to help new businesses include:
. Accountants:
The strategic methods of a qualified accountant can help examine your business ideas, manage growth and evaluate profit potential. Accountants can prove instrumental to preparing businesses for growth. Being the biggest financial district outside London there are hundreds of chartered accountants in Leeds.
Visit the Find a Chartered Accountant website and search through the 232 registered accountants in Leeds.
. Business Advisors
Business advisors provide start-ups and SMEs with crucial business advice, business plans and strategies to help you reduce operational expenditure, reduce risks and improve profit margins.
. Marketing consultants
A marketing consultant can be a cost-effective way to give your small business the leverage it requires. An experienced and talented marketing consultant will bring their marketing expertise to help market your brand and improve the condition of your business.
Being a breeding ground for businesses there are hundreds of marketing consultants in Leeds who will create a strategic marketing plan and take your business to the next level.
Services for business
There are numerous services available in Leeds to help people get their business ventures off the ground.
Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber
The Chamber’s Enterprising Leeds project provides intensive business support and coaching to individuals thinking about starting a business in Leeds.
Hosting money saving services, mentoring and support and events and training the Chamber can be just what you need to give your business a push in the right direction.
For more information on how the Chamber’s Enterprising Leeds project can help your Leeds-based start-up visit the official website.
Business & IP Centre Leeds
The libraries of Leeds are home to Business & IP Centre Leeds (BIPC Leeds). BICP Leeds offer one-stop information to support all your start-up ventures.
The organisation also offers regular evening Enterprise Clubs designed to help anyone thinking about starting a business in Leeds. For more information click here.
Office options for start ups
Spending money on hefty office overheads is quite simply a non-starter for many start-ups and small businesses. Whilst working in isolation from home isn’t exactly ideal for networking and meeting potential clients and employees.
Communal working spaces provide a cost-effective solution for small business to thrive from a communal working environment without having to fork out on expensive office rent. Co-working space in Leeds like Carrwood is the perfect office space for start up businesses in Leeds.
Possessing a vibrant office scene Leeds is home to a number of co-working centres providing well-facilitated and creative environments for start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes.
Situated on the outskirts of Leeds with easy motorway access Carrwood Park provides the pulsating co-working space many start-ups and smaller companies yearn.
If you want to gauge an understanding of how our communal working centre can help evolve your Leeds business from a start up to an established brand try co-working in Leeds anf come for a viewing of Carrwood’s co-working space.