The British Library's Business & IP Centre provides resources and services to help entrepreneurs, innovators, and business researchers with inspiration, protecting ideas, and developing businesses. It offers a range of online and physical resources, workshops and training sessions, and opportunities for advice from experts. The Centre has welcomed nearly 300,000 visitors since opening in 2006 and aims to support London's business community.

1. Moving up the Value Chain -
from Readers to Customers and Clients
Neil Infield – Manager Business & IP Centre
neil.infield@bl.uk - @ninfield (twitter) - ninfield.wordpress.com
What is the British Library for?
We exist for anyone who wants to do research –
for academic, personal or commercial purposes
i.e. You!
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2. Inspiration
To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be a pathological
optimist and believe you can change things.
But you've got to know what you need to do, and how to do it.
The Centre can help you find out, and that can have such a
powerful effect.
Dame Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop
Property Information Managers Forum.- 2012 Sept - Neil Infield - Manager Business & IP Centre
Inspiration
I had my idea, because it was successful,
inevitably it was copied and because I had
patents I was able to go to court and
defend my idea and enforce my patent
rights…
Overall it's been really an amazing journey
and I've learnt a huge amount and the
Library and the Business & IP Centre has
been a hugely important part of everything
that I've done
I recommend the Business & IP Centre as
a safe haven for inventors.
Mandy Haberman
Inventor of the Anywayup Cup
Property Information Managers Forum.- 2012 Sept - Neil Infield - Manager Business & IP Centre

3. The first place to come for
entrepreneurs, innovators and business researchers
Get inspiration
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The first place to come for
entrepreneurs, innovators and business researchers
Get inspiration Protect your ideas
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4. The first place to come for
entrepreneurs, innovators and business researchers
Get inspiration Protect your ideas Develop your business
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Our survey said…
Q1. What was your reason for using the Business and IP Centre
Reading Room today?
Understand
market/customers/clients
55%
Help write a business plan 21%
Quiet working space 19%
Develop idea 18%
Help launch new business 12%
Help expand business 10%
Test feasibility of business
idea 8%
Studying 8%
Help protect idea/design 6%
Find out if idea/design
original 5%
Base: All setting up/running business and
Patent search 5% living/working/setting up business in London (155)
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5. Our survey said…
Q2 Have you used, or do you expect to use any of the following
material today?
Online resources 54%
Market Research reports 40%
Journals/magazines 33%
Directories 22%
Company Annual Reports 15%
Business help/start up books 14%
Daily Newspapers 14%
Trade literature 13%
IP publications 12%
BL industry information guides 10%
Business/Management text books 9%
Base: All setting up/running business and
Journals from main catalogue 6% living/working/setting up business in London (155)
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What we have done
Since opening in March 2006, we have…
Welcomed nearly 300,000 people
through the doors…of whom over 25,000
have received direct advice, guidance
and training
Delivered over 3,000 workshops and 1:1
advice sessions and established high
profile ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’
Exceeded our LDA targets for delivering
business advice and employment
support
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6. A selection of our online information sources
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Trade
directories

7. Trade and
business journals
cover mainstream
sectors
And niches

8. And niches
within niches
Competition
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9. Industry
Guides to
get you
started
17
Download and take home
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10. Choose your service
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Building partnerships to spread the word
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11. Free workshops
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Partner Workshops
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12. Hands on training
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Inspiration
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13. Get free expert advice
Mark Sheahan Stephen Fear David Warrilow
Inventor Entrepreneur Patent and trademark
in Residence in Residence attorney
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Engage with our Social Media activities
British Library Entrepreneur and SME Network has over
1,800 members.
Our BIPCTV YouTube channel showcases our Inspiring
Entrepreneurs events and our success stories.
340,000 views
3,800 followers on Twitter
Over 5,000 members
Steve Van Dulken – The Patent Blog
Neil Infield – In from the Outfield
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14. Trained Business Advisors
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Information professionals: old and new
Old New
Gatekeeper Collaborator
Online searcher Trainer
Custodian of collections Facilitator
Service provider Information advisors
Information gatherer Problem solver
Library process Business process
Inward looking Networker
Source: Lesley Robinson, Lesley Robinson Consultancy Services Ltd, www.lesleyrobinson.co.uk
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15. Property Information Managers Forum.- 2012 Sept - Neil Infield - Manager Business & IP Centre