|
Creative new business approach impresses government minister |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 30 October 2006 |
|
Margaret Hodge, Minister of State at the Department for Work & Pensions visited the Studio Cooperative this week as part of the Labour Party campaign to support emerging businesses.
The Minister was impressed with the i6 Charlotte Square building, home of the Studio and showed a great interest in how their cooperative business model has brought together creative professionals as members and also encouraged collaborative working amongst the emerging businesses based in the recently opened business incubator. The Minister said “I was extremely impressed by the innovative and creative work in Newcastle , small businesses are helping drive the regeneration of the North East and are very important for the creation of new jobs. It is a shame that the businesses I spoke to are not receiving more support from the Lib Dem Council”. Bruce Allinson and Deryck Harlick from the Studio set the scene at i6 Charlotte Square for an informal and informative discussion with the Minister, Councillor Nick Forbes, (Deputy Leader of the Labour Group ) and Studio member Mancala. Other businesses who took part included: Grey Ridge, Aegis IT and Quand Medical, all of whom have looked to each other for support in their formative development. In their short time as tenants at i6 these companies have networked, consulted and advised each other formally and informally as well as directly given business to each other. Bruce made a short introduction on how the Studio’s cooperative structure brings huge benefits to the agency, its members and clients. By being part of a network of committed and likeminded creatives they are able to feel the benefit of working in a large agency whilst maintaining their commercial independence. Bruce went on to say “We have worked hard to support our members and neighbours helping them where ever we can to build their businesses and I can honestly say I do not believe the Studio would not have become so well established in such a short time without that same level of support being given reciprocated. We have welcomed this opportunity to illustrate how strong a business can be with a little support and ask the question how hard is it for businesses without this support and how much better could we be with a little extra support from the public sector”. Through membership of the Studio, creative professionals have access to extensive resources and contacts allowing them to make huge savings on fixed overheads such as salary and rent. These savings can be diverted to creative input, and ultimately mean a quality service for their clients Robert Momich from Quand Medical went on to illustrate how the Studio has influenced other businesses into looking at collaborative working by explaining how his business was helped with the graphics interface on their invention’s prototype. Quand Medical’s new ground-breaking device has subsequently caught the imagination of potential investors and partners. The collaborative business relationship has therefore come full circle as increased commercial interest means Quand have asked the Studio to create the brand and presence for their invention at the Philips “Hospital of the future” exhibit in France next month. David of Aegis IT went on to comment that in the absence of quality networking opportunities facilitated by the city council, sharing a building with other businesses such as the Studio had inspired him to bring i6 tenants together to discuss how they can support each other. All present were happy to put their names to the Labour Party petition, calling on Newcastle City Council to give more support to and help stimulate new business creation in the city. The knock on effect of more this would be more jobs, more wealth and more revenue which would mean more investment in services across the city. Meanwhile, Studio members and our friends in i6 will continue to give support to each other. Ends For more information contact: Bruce Allinson theStudio
6 Charlotte Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4XF
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.thestudio-group.co.uk
tel: 01912111976
mobile: 0773625062 |
|
theStudio Stuff