8.30am – 10.00am Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce sponsored breakfast, hosted by Angie Robinson, CEO of GMCC

Stephen Haines, Sales Director, Facebook

Learn all you need to know about managing sales teams and expanding your businesses from Stephen Haines, an inspirational figure at the top of this field.

Stephen Haines is the Sales Director at Facebook, where he brings more than a decade of sales experience to the team. Prior to Facebook, Stephen worked at Yahoo! Uk & Ireland where he generated consistent year on year double digit revenue growth. Stephen’s experience is in managing and motivating a large workforce and he has a great reputation in harnessing the power of his teams; operationally and commercially. Ultimately his ability to pick winning partnerships, opportunities and technologies is his driving force in his role at Facebook.

10.30am – 11.30am Business Link Innovation Lounge

Kristina Grimes and Jennifer Celerier, KGJCP, 'The Apprentice candidates'

Hand picked from a nation of aspiring business wannabes, Kristina Grimes and Jennifer Celerier went on to prove their business acumen by impressing Sir Alan Sugar (and the nation) in consecutive weeks on famed television show; BBC’s The Apprentice. Kristina was runner up 2007 much to public outcry and being famed as ‘the one that should have won’. Jennifer, despite her unquestionable ability was shown the door in episode 7 due to her lack of knowledge of ‘Kosher’ in 2008.

The two have now joined forces to form their own company, set up to compensate for the deficit of quality Business and Performance Excellence Training in the UK, combining motivational training with skill set. They will deliver a fun filled hour session focusing on:

The Economic Climate – friend or foe – find out how to turn adversity into opportunity
The Apprentice – Secrets of the show
The Real Sales Pitch – what is it that sets you above your competitors
Q & A – ask and you will receive the answer!

12.00pm – 1.00pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Lyndsay Menzies, Managing Director, bigmouthmedia

Lyndsay Menzies is a business woman with a no-bull can-do attitude, this attitude is the reason she has been able to grow Bigmouthmedia into a clear leader in its field despite the fast changing world of digital Media. Lyndsay will be speaking at Business North West 2008, revealing to exhibitors and visitors alike how she has turned bigmouthmedia into the multi award winning agency that it is with the highest client and staff retention in the industry.

1.30pm – 2.30pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Darryn Lyons, Founder, Big Pictures

Darryn Lyons is the face behind one of the world’s biggest picture agencies and the ultimate celebrity guru. His aim is simple, yet effective, “I like thinking and, if you're going to be thinking, you may as well think Big!”

Darryn, originally from Australia, moved to London in 1987 working as a freelance reporter for The Daily Mail.  By 1992 he had set up his first business, Big Pictures a picture agency providing photography for news organizations. Today Big Pictures is the largest celebrity picture agency in the world.

Speaking at Business North West, Darryn will discuss how he has managed to develop and build his empire around business acumen, common sense, and a good deal of daring.  As Lyons says himself, “I started out with $500, if I go back with $500, I’ve had a bloody good time.”  He isn’t going anywhere.

3.00pm – 4.00pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Ian Creek, Marketing Manager, NewZapp

Want to be an email marketing expert? This seminar draws on years of experience and best practice guidance to deliver everything you need to know in less than an hour. You'll learn how to build high quality lists, design eye catching emails and implement best practice. This is possibly the most informative and valuable e-marketing seminar you'll ever attend. You'll walk away with invaluable knowledge that will ensure you're competitive in the digital age.

4.30pm – 5.30pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Julie Meyer, Chief Executive, Ariadne Capital

Julie Meyer has 18 years of investment and advisory experience, helping start-up businesses and industry standards to emerge and establish themselves. Julie is well-known for founding First Tuesday, the largest global network of entrepreneurs, which many credit for igniting the Internet generation in Europe. Today Julie is Chief Executive of Ariadne Capital, she has overall general and financial management responsibility for the group which she founded in August 2000.

Named a "Global Leader of Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum and one of the top 30 most powerful women in Europe according to the Wall Street Journal, Julie will be speaking at Business North West discussing her mission to back the best entrepreneurs in Europe with global ambitions.

8.30am – 10.00am The Manchester Evening News sponsored breakfast

Max Clifford, PR Guru, Max Clifford Associates Ltd

Max Clifford, the UK’s most powerful PR guru will share his wisdom, entertaining anecdotes and advice on the power of PR. With a fantastic reputation and over 40 years’ experience in the business, his advice on achieving column inches and securing return on investment will be invaluable.

Responsible for some of the UK’s most famous headlines, Max is now just as instantly recognisable as many of his renowned clients. Respected by a variety of journalists, Max regularly breaks stories and protects reputations, anticipating scandalous revelations that would do unprecedented damage to the careers of world-famous stars. Max works with a number of household personalities such as Simon Cowell and Peter Jones on a daily basis, looking after interests and protecting their careers which have taken years to build. Protecting his clients from the prying eyes of the British press is a large part of Max’s role, however he specialises in orchestrating high-profile and attention-grabbing PR campaigns that propel his clients into the limelight.

During these difficult economic times, SMEs need to embrace marketing and PR opportunities in order to enhance visibility and manage their reputation in front of their target audience. However, often when trading is difficult, PR and marketing budgets are the first to be slashed, when in fact they could be the key to survival. Max will give you great advice on why public relations is so important and the most effective way to get a message across to your target audience. His inspiration, enthusiasm and advice are set to wow all who attend his session and leave you with a revitalised perspective on PR.

10.30am – 11.30am Business Link Innovation Lounge

Tim Roberts, Managing Director, I-COM

Maximising the potential of your website!

Practical tips and advice on how to increase visitors to your website, conversion levels and profit generated… Are you getting a good return from your website?

If not, you need to attend Tim’s session as he will be giving advice and tips on how to make the most of your internet presence. Having a website is not enough - potential customers need to be able to find it - and once there be persuaded to buy or contact you. After attending this seminar, you will be well equipped with a number of simple techniques and strategies that will benefit your business.

Research has shown that companies who continue to market in an economic downturn surge ahead of those that don’t! In these uncertain times, one thing is for certain - internet usage is still ever growing, and marketing your business online can provide SME’s with cost effective, affordable, targeted, and measurable results. It works!

12.00pm – 1.00pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Dennis Turner, Chief Economist, HSBC

Dennis is an entertaining and experienced speaker. Having been with HSBC for 20 years, his principle role is advising lending bankers on economic trends, not only at national level, but also on industries and regions. He has a unique approach to the task facing the new Chancellor, Alistair Darling, following Gordon Brown's move next door and not only will he provide you with valuable information, especially in the face of the current economic climate but his unmistakeable speaking style will have you breathless with laughter!

1.30pm – 2.30pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Ben Kench The CanCanMan

Building a Business in Tougher Times - How you can speed up your  Business despite a slow down!

Business can be tough at times, but does it have to be so tough?
You're not afraid of hard work but wouldn't you like to ease the pressure slightly?
Why does it sometimes feel that you're running to stand still?!

In this powerful session Ben will share proven ideas and techniques that you can take away with you to make a real difference NOW when you need it most.  This programme will energise and inspire you to go forward confident in the knowledge that you can win if you just adjust a couple of points. As the UK's foremost Small Business Growth Specialist Ben will draw on vast experience in the real world to help you succeed- AND be giving away business guidance Freebies to make certain you follow through... 
Do NOT miss out!

3.00pm – 4.00pm Business Link Innovation Lounge

Andrea Winders and Tina Dutton, Founders of Pink Ladies

Pink Ladies; a women only cab service, started without external investment by two female entrepreneurs from Cheshire, who over its short existence have encountered probably more barriers than a mature business faces ever in its life.  Their motto is “never accept no”, and any adversaries who have encountered the ladies will probably appreciate that they have been “pinked”.

Their talk will include the story of the company from conception to date, and will outline some of the challenges, some of the funny bits, and some of the “this could be the end of the road” stories.

Already the subject of a proposed BBC comedy drama, due to be screened autumn 2009, Tina and Andrea are presently writing a book to act as an inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere.