Onlincolnshire and the University of Lincoln are inviting businesses to get up to speed with the fast-paced world of digital technology.

They’re holding a workshop at the university’s Lincolnshire Leadership and Management Centre (LLMC) on 2^nd December to highlight the opportunities for growth and the support that is available to businesses at the university.

Led by Professor Ted Fuller the discussions will focus on the benefits of superfast broadband and how businesses can tap in to the skills and expertise of academics and researchers working at the university.

“We want to support local businesses,” explained Professor Fuller, “by helping them to harness the power of superfast broadband and the opportunities it provides for innovation and growth.  In a digital economy, every business has to rethink and reorganise their approaches to business, just to stay in the game.

“The university’s academics are keen to share their knowledge and expertise and I would urge people who plan to take their business to the next level to come along to the workshop and explore ways to realise their potential.

“It is worth pointing out, however, that this is not a one-off event but rather the start of a longer term project to develop a network of small and medium-sized enterprises who are forward-thinking broadband users.”

Stuart McFarlane from onlincolnshire is one of the speakers lined up for the event. He says Lincolnshire businesses need to embrace new technology.

“To avoid being left behind their competitors county firms need to get up to speed with the digital world and there’s a lot of support available to help them do so,” explained Stuart.

“Besides this workshop which is being run by the university, Lincolnshire County Council’s onlincolnshire project offers a range of fully-funded courses in online marketing, ecommerce and social media which are free to attend.

“It has also set up five Lincolnshire Technology Hubs in Mablethorpe, Louth, Horncastle, Boston and Lincoln which are home to a wide range of digital equipment including 3D printers, cameras, laser cutters and a milling machine.

“Businesses can use the technology for free with just a small charge for materials and access free support and advice so there’s really no excuse for being left behind.”

Although the workshop is free, places are limited so booking is essential. For more information or to reserve your place please contact Jane Deville on 01522 835562 or email jdeville@lincoln.ac.uk

For more information about onlincolnshire please visit www.onlincolnshire.org or follow @onlincolnshire on Twitter. You can also like the onlincolnshire Facebook page www.facebook.com/onlincolnshire

Ends

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire

• onlincolnshire is a Lincolnshire County Council-run project which is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
• In March 2013, the council signed a £48 million contract with BT to provide superfast broadband to at least 88% of county properties by 2016, with the remaining properties having access to at least of 2Mbps broadband. A further investment of £2.8 million was announced in February 2014 which has increased the number of properties to 89%.
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
• Some internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 12 Mbps, according to Ofcom.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
kate@weareshootingstar.co.uk
01522 528540
07733 230293
@KateStrawson
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