Close Up by Benham Publishing Limited

Contents Contacts

Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Stable Block, Brewery Drive, Huddersfield HD4 6EN Telephone 01484 483660

Area office for Wakefield New Commerce House, 168 Westgate, Wakefield WF2 9SR Telephone 01924 311600

Area office for Calderdale Suite 8, The Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX1 5ER Telephone 01422 399422

Executive Director Andrew Choi

Membership and Events Manager Tracy Smith

Marketing Manager Ellie Lyon

Production & Design Benham Publishing Limited Email studio@benhampublishing.com Telephone 0151 236 4141 www.benhampublishing.com

Media Number 1334

Advertising Telephone 0151 236 4141 Mobile 0784 111 5444 alison@benhampublishing.com

Disclaimer Benham Publishing Limited or the Chamber cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and the Chamber.

Welcome Welcome to the last issue of our Close Up for Business magazine in 2013, we hope that you have a particularly productive end to the year and equally hope that your start to the new calendar year is a positive one. As both the national and the regional debates continue over our physical connectivity and infrastructure requirements, in particular over high speed rail, I believe it’s important not to lose sight of how important digital connectivity is to Chamber members. With this in mind, we welcome the public and private sector initiatives aimed at providing businesses with access to high speed fibre optic broadband although we believe progress in Yorkshire (and the UK) to be slow and uneven. This is particularly frustrating for us given that the Chamber is looking to implement a hosted VOIP

42 telecommunication solution for our Wakefield office to help us improve our service even more. This edition of Close Up for Business takes a considered look at social media, which, of course, has increased our appetite for bandwidth speed and reliability and has radically changed the way we connect and interact with the world. I look forward to hearing the thoughts and views of all our important contributors and readers alike. In other news, our Enterprise Agency’s work with entrepreneurs and start up businesses has received a further extension of its funding from Jobcentre Plus and we have recruited three experienced advisers to assist in this important area of business support. On international trade, we are working closely with the Leeds City Region and UKTI on the “We Are International” campaign and have also added an additional apprentice to our team to ensure it has the capacity to fully support our exporters.

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Chamber News Members News Charity News Membership Benefits MY Export Hub Training International Trade West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency Chamber Chatter Business of the Month Chamber Policy Cover Feature Big Interview Manufacturing & Engineering New Members Patrons View Member Offer of the Month Networking Events Training Events Chamber Connect Last Word Movers & Shakers

As always, at this time of the year, we have intensified our efforts to help you find new customers and suppliers through our entire range of networking activities. This includes an exciting new trade conferences venture across the region to widen your routes to market at every opportunity during the year ahead. We have also introduced even more membership benefits including access to high quality and up to date data lists and other valuable ways to improve value for money. Although the economic picture shows promise, we understand how tough it is out there and we wish you every success in 2014 and hope you will use your Chamber even more along the way.

Andrew Choi Executive Director

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ChamberNews

BitesizeNews British Chambers visit Ascensor benefit from free Chamber membership Birstall based digital marketing experts Ascensor were the lucky winners of the business card draw at October’s Kirklees Business Conference. On winning a year’s free membership, Ascensor’s Account Executive Hannah Firbank commented. “We are delighted. The free coverage within the high profile quarterly magazine, Close Up, is great for Ascensor’s marketing. The benefits of being a member look great; we can’t wait to take full advantage of the networking events and free publicity. Having built up the business through networking, at Ascensor we are always looking to meet more businesses in the area to work together.” Welcome Ascensor into membership by tweeting @Ascensor #WellConnected and visit www.ascensor.co.uk.

New member benefit for 2014 In a bid to ensure membership of our Chamber goes further than ever, you will soon be able to purchase data lists for targeted marketing campaigns direct from us. With high integrity business data for more than 50,000 Mid Yorkshire businesses, we’re offering regularly updated records from Mint including Dun & Bradstreet and Companies House. What’s more, members will benefit from a 50% discount (compared to the industry average of 15p per record) on data lists enabling you to target a specific sector, geographic area, businesses with specific turnovers and contact information from Director level. The minimum order will be £100 and information on how you can benefit will be announced shortly.

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Mid Yorkshire manufacturer Last autumn, we were visited by representatives from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

PR Manager Lisa Morrison and Marketing Manager Danny Jack visited our marketing and membership departments to see how our Chamber is helping businesses and how we have locally executed the national brand awareness campaign. Chamber President David Horsman, Head of Policy Steven Leigh and Marketing Manager, Ellie Lyon, then took the duo to visit successful long

standing Calderdale member company Metaldyne who showcased their impressive factory to the team. Managing Director of Metaldyne, Keith Eagle, explained how the international manufacturer designs and supplies metal-formed components and assemblies for powertrain applications including engine connecting rods, transmission valve bodies, forged and finished differential gears and pinions, differential assemblies, balance shaft modules, crankshaft dampers and crankshaft pulleys. Keith also explained how membership of the Chamber has helped Metaldyne. “The Chamber has been a very helpful conduit in assisting Metaldyne to access government funding opportunities, and generate awareness of our business in the region. We look forward to continuing the relationship in the future”.

Evolution of our region’s business conferences We have taken over the running of the Hillrich business conferences in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, with founder, Danny Matharu staying on board to take the hugely popular events forward. Executive Director, Andrew Choi said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the Chamber to build on the great success of the annual business conferences in Mid Yorkshire. The events provide a fantastic platform for local companies to get in front of decision-makers and do businesses together. They offer outstanding connections right on our doorstep, which is what the Chamber is all about.” Danny Matharu added, “I could think of no better placed organisation to take on the running of the conferences and look forward to working closely with the Chamber on the next stage of their evolution and development.” As in previous years, there will be a series of business-themed activities in the same week as the conferences and local businesses will be at the heart of it all through hosting their own inspirational best-practice events. We’re close to finalising the 2014 business conferences calendar following on from their successes last year which saw more than 1600 delegates attend in total.

The calendar will begin with a Calderdale Business Conference in Halifax at The Shay Stadium in April, followed by Wakefield in June and Kirklees will return in October. For the first time, Calderdale will host its own Business Week and we are calling on local businesses to think about holding a seminar or workshop on a professional topic. To reserve a stand, enquire about sponsorship or for more information on running your own event during the business weeks, please contact Tracy Smith at tracy.smith@mycci.co.uk.

ChamberNews

New Chamber Patrons

Chamber members hear from LEP chair

We have agreed a new partnership with Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (KSDL), operators of The John Smith’s Stadium.

Chamber members had the opportunity to hear directly from Roger Marsh, the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) chair, at a recent Chamber council meeting held in Huddersfield.

partnership is a fantastic opportunity for the Chamber to support an important local resource, The John Smith’s Stadium. We are looking forward to adding the experience of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd to our family of Patrons, which will benefit our members and the wider business community.”

Under the agreement, KSDL becomes a full Patronage member of the Chamber and the Chamber becomes an official partner of the Stadium company. Executive Director, Andrew Choi, said: “This new

Stadium Managing Director Gareth Davies said: “It is a very natural relationship for us to underpin with a formal agreement and one which I believe will grow strongly. We intend to be active Patron’s of the Chamber in Mid Yorkshire and are also proud that the Chamber wishes to partner with us.” See more information and KSDL’s first Patrons View on page 38.

Three new starters to share expertise in business We have recently appointed three people to our subsidiary company, The West Yorkshire Enterprise Agency (WYEA), to further assist start up businesses under the Government’s New Enterprise Allowance scheme. Brij, based in Wakefield was recently employed as both a start-up adviser and a European programme project coordinator making him ideal for the role. Joe, who used to work for WYEA, has extensive start-up, business support and loan fund experience and is based in Halifax.

Alyas Hussain and Brij Chaggar have been appointed as business start-up advisers and Joe Cahill a start-up and access to finance advisor, to work across our Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale offices. Each brings extensive business support and industry experience in a bid to help individuals with enterprise ambitions to start their own business.

Alyas works from our Lockwood office and brings significant local expertise gained from his recent work at the Kirklees Youth Enterprise Centre. Prior to that he worked for several years in financial services after running his own businesses. Alyas explained “I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to help budding entrepreneurs and established businesses achieve their goals.” To find out more about the WYEA and the business support on offer, visit www.wyea.co.uk.

Members received an update from Roger on the progress of the LEP, with details of funding and an assessment of challenges facing our region. The LEP has ambitious plans to grow the economy of the city region, tackling areas such as skills and employment, business innovation and growth, transport, and planning. Roger Marsh took his position as LEP chair in July this year, having previously worked as a senior partner at PWC and undertaken a secondment to the Cabinet Office in 2007 as director general, strategic finance and operations. Roger remarked on the development of the Leeds City Region’s Strategic Economic Plan and the LEP’s objectives to achieve above trend growth of 2.6% per year in the period to 2030. This could help create 60,000 jobs and return the city region to pre-recession employment to balance economic growth with a substantial and continued decrease in carbon emissions. He emphasised that all the activities of the LEP should be relevant, essential, and enabling to the growth of our region’s economy. Members then had the opportunity to ask questions and there was a lively discussion around the challenges faced in Mid Yorkshire, in particular skills shortages and the need for greater transport investment. Members stressed the need to tackle the mismatch between the supply of skills and the requirements of businesses, as well as the continuing and growing gap in infrastructure investment between the North and South of our country. Roger was unequivocal in his ambitions for our region and spoke with enthusiasm about the great potential of the city region economy. Chamber policy meetings are an opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and stakeholders at local, regional and national levels. All members are welcome to attend. For details of upcoming meetings see www.mycci.co.uk.

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TransportLaw

Tempted to try trucking? It seems so easy, buy or hire a goods vehicle and start delivering to your customers. You have control of when your products are delivered and more control over costs. Yet each year, many a business finds that it has fallen foul of the rules.

If you are going to use a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight over 3.5 tonnes then it needs to be operated under the regulatory regime supervised by the Traffic Commissioners. Subject to a few exceptions, if it is being used for hire or reward or in connection with a business then you need an operator’s licence. Use a vehicle without authority, then not only could you be convicted of an offence and fined up to £5000 but also risk losing the vehicle. You need to make an application under the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 for an operator’s licence before you start operating.

Operating the vehicles safely You have to show that you have satisfactory arrangements for maintaining the vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition, for complying with either domestic or EU drivers’ hours rules and ensuring that vehicles are not overloaded.

Show us the money? To transport your own goods you will have to show access to £3100 for the first vehicle and £1700 for each subsequent vehicle. It is a continuing obligation and consists of having available sufficient financial resources to ensure the establishment and proper administration of the business carried on or proposed to be carried on under the licence.

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The key questions are: • How much money can the operator find if the need arises? • How quickly can he find it? • Where will it come from?

Somewhere to park? You need to specify where the vehicles will normally be kept and advertise that location within a paper circulating in the locality. The advertisement needs to be within a statutory format; if not, the application will be rejected. Where a vehicle is “normally kept” is a question of fact and degree, however traffic commissioners take a dim view of vehicles being parked regularly at an unauthorised location. Using a place as an unauthorised operating centre is an offence.

Are you fit to hold an operator’s licence? When making the application you will be asked to declare details of the financial history of previous companies and previous convictions. Take care that the information supplied is correct. If the form is completed by a member of staff, the Traffic Commissioner is entitled to conclude that it will be checked by the applicant, a company secretary or director. If it later transpires that there are mistakes in the form, then this would go to whether the applicant is fit to hold a licence.

If you are considering running your own goods vehicles then contact me for advice on this or any other aspect of road transport law. 01756 790631 info@christabelhallas.co.uk www.christabelhallas.co.uk Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA number 488651

MembersNews

New Chamber member expands team

BitesizeNews

Wakefield based marketing agency and new Chamber member Northern Light Media are delighted to announce the recent addition of The University of Huddersfield Journalism graduate Anthony Bowyer to the team.

Codeblue partners with Arrow Self Drive

towards the job and we have already seen his hard work and skills making an impact within the business.” As an Online Copywriter and Marketing Executive, Anthony will be heavily involved in the search engine optimisation (SEO) side of the company and making sure that clients search results remain at the very top of the Google rankings. After his employment, Bowyer said: “I am extremely pleased to join a progressive and forward thinking company and to get a job so soon after graduating is great for me.”

Anthony joins as the new Online Copywriter and Marketing Executive and comes with a wealth of experience having spent three years at The University of Huddersfield and undertaking work experience at Huddersfield Giants. He gained valuable experience working on their match day programme, as well as regular blogging and working on various online projects. Managing Director Chris Elliott said: “Anthony really impressed us with his confidence and positive outlook

“I am an ambitious young man and I am looking to develop my career under the guidance of Chris Elliott and Jonathan Scott, as we all work together to help Northern Light Media continue to grow in the coming years.” Northern Light Media provides a complete range of professional marketing services varying from corporate identity, web design, brochures and exhibitions to long term strategic marketing plans and execution. Find out more on Northern Light Media at www.northernlightmediauk.com.

Build a business to be proud of in 2014 2014 sees Business Doctors launch an exciting selection of new workshops and seminars across the Mid Yorkshire region. Taking a starting point of business growth through good strategy and planning, the first quarter of 2014 sees events with an emphasis on assisting businesses to understand how best to access finance and funding to help support business growth.

All events are free to Mid Yorkshire Chamber members.

Planning to succeed as a business can sometimes lead to the requirement for an injection of cash, an investment in the future of the business. Business Doctors will be bringing together experts in the field of finance and funding to help business owners understand how to successfully plan and apply for the support and money to grow.

Future 2014 events will include seminars showcasing best practice methodology on strategy and planning, marketing and sales and leadership and management. At this stage we are talking to potential partners to help with promotion and presentation of these events. If you feel you may have something to offer to an audience of Mid Yorkshire business owners then contact jamesb@businessdoctors.co.uk for further information.

For more information and to book on an event visit the website at www.businessdoctors.co.uk/yorkshirewest or view pages 42-43 for more information.

In the meantime if you would like to talk to a Business Doctor about the support available now for your business then call 0845 293 8465.

Codeblue Communications are pleased to announce their working relationship with Arrow Self Drive. The partnership is aimed at utilising Arrow’s van hire to assist customers in reducing their fleet operating cost, by supplying vehicle tracking and in-vehicle crash cameras to help reduce accidents and near-misses. Customers who have taken the service have reported fuel savings, increased productivity and reduced incidents. Find out more about Codeblue at www.codebluegroup.co.uk.

Pennine Business Partners on the move! Pennine Business Partners, who have established themselves as a leading supplier of business support services, have moved to new offices to join the Chamber at Lockwood Park. Headed up by Lynn and Steve Bradley, Pennine Business Partners provides HR, Health and Safety and Marketing support to local businesses. Steve commented “moving away from our home base opens up a new chapter in our business development. The environment at Lockwood Park reinforces the professional approach that we take to our business. We are pleased to have the facilities to host business meetings and training events.” The move coincides with Pennine Business Partners extending their business support services to include Health and Safety. Welcome Pennine Business Partners to their new offices on Twitter @PennineBP.

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CharityNews

Sparkling celebration raises money for local charities

Wakefield Civic Society gets set to celebrate its first 50 years! Established in 1964, Wakefield Civic Society is getting ready to mark its 50th anniversary in 2014, with plans for 50 activities and more new blue plaques to come (taking the total in place up to, yes, 50). The society is also hoping that more businesses will show their support by taking out corporate membership. By joining as a corporate member you will be helping the society to continue its good work in trying to ensure that Wakefield is an attractive place in which to live or work and that it is a city which appeals to visitors. Membership includes the benefit of special events, with other corporate members, social events with the rest of the membership, or special team events for your colleagues such as guided walks and talks – as well as supporting your local area. Society president Kevin Trickett explains “We already have over 20 businesses and organisations enrolled as members – it would be great if we could get that up to 50 by the end of next year”. If you’d like to know more, have a look at www.wakefieldcivicsociety.org.uk/corporate-membership

This winter saw a glamorous celebration, sponsored by ourselves, with a fantastic evening of entertainment for the Charity Dreamgirls’ seventh year charity concert. Founding partner of member company Insight with Passion, Kate Hardcastle provided an evening of entertainment at Huddersfield’s Town Hall.

Thank you for helping us help our charity members

The concert was in aid of Kate Hardcastle’s charity Positive Image and fellow member Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice. The glamorous ‘diva’ themed concert featured a variety of vocalists from The X Factor’s The Risk to The Voice’s Jaz Ellington. Amongst the acts also featured Angie Brown, Melanie Masson, Hot Gospel, Voxe and the Charity Dreamgirls themselves, with a range of hits which got the audience on their feet. The night was finished with a special guest performance from M People’s Heather Small. VIPs were then invited to Huddersfield’s Grosvenor Casino for an after party including canapés and champagne. Find out more and view pictures from the night at www.charitydreamgirls.co.uk and follow @CharityDreamGRL on Twitter.

FREE supplies for charities across Yorkshire Member company Yorkshire Office Contracts are offering a free ‘Office Supplies Starter Pack’ for up to six UK registered charities based in Yorkshire. On offer are two packs with an RRP of £75 and four packs with an RRP of £50, including A4 Paper & assorted every day use stationery items. You can apply by emailing Yorkshire Office MD John direct at john@officecontracts.com quoting your charity registration number, contact name and delivery address for supplies. The offer also includes free delivery Monday to Friday, the closing date is 20th January 2014.

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October’s annual dinner saw us present charity member Forget Me Not with a £600.00 cheque for sponsorship raised when six Chamber staff ran the Huddersfield Hilly Half Marathon. We also presented The Town Foundation with a cheque for another year’s support of their Early Kick Off breakfast club which Headteacher of Hillside Primary school accepted alongside Town Foundation representatives. And our members dug deep too as Wakefield Hospice held a table collection. Funds raised on the night amounted to a superb £935.60. With gift-aid on those donations, this added a further £182.90 bringing the grand total to £1,118.50. Daphne Leach told us “I’m absolutely delighted with this, as you can imagine. A big thank you for nominating Wakefield Hospice as your chosen charity that evening – we truly appreciate your ongoing support.”

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MembershipBenefits

Five ways to use social media for your business

Social media is a growing trend amongst businesses. The opportunity to be online cannot be missed in this technological age. Social media is a great, FREE marketing tool, saving you money from your marketing budget and giving your business access to a whole world of new customers and suppliers. Even better, it’s accessible from your desktop PC and mobile devices.

Grow your online presence

Increase your SEO

Interact with us

Social media increases the awareness of your company and providing useful links to your site will increase visits to your website. In turn this maximises your chances of being found in search engines such as Google. Remember the 80/20 rule: 80% of your social media posts should be informative with 20% allowed for promotional posts. If your messages are too sales focused you’re likely to turn users off.

And finally, once your social media sites are growing, interact with your local Chamber. Members benefit from our interactivity across social media. Tag us and we’ll like and re-tweet your posts. If you attend our events take a look at our YouTube channel and Facebook page; you may be included in our videos and images! And get involved and use #JoinYourChamber and #WellConnected to showcase how we’ve helped your business on Twitter. Not yet a member? See how we’ve helped businesses like yours through our YouTube channel.

You may have a website but how do your potential customers know about it? Use social media to spread the word about your products and services online and engage and interact with clients about your business to drive interest and visitors to your website. Start a blog, tweet at events, create a hashtag, upload videos to YouTube and post photos to Facebook to engage your audience and get them interacting with you.

Get a helping hand

There’s a channel for every business

Social media management tools such as Hootsuite and TweetDeck offer a helping hand once your social media channels have grown. They allow you to manage and schedule your social media activity, permitting a 24/7 presence online. This allows you to have a presence on all channels but prioritise where you need to be ‘live’ as this doesn’t replace engagement with Tweeters as it happens.

These days there’s more than just MySpace and Bebo – there’s a great range of social media sites to suite any businesses needs. YouTube, Facebook and Pinterest showcase your business activities in a visual way and the Chamber uses these channels to publicise a wide range of events and testimonials from happy members. Twitter allows for immediate interaction with ‘followers’, a snapshot of your business in just 140 characters, which can be a useful tool for ‘live’ updates.

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@MidYorksChamber

Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

WhatMembershipMeansTo..

Forget Me Not encourages businesses to socialise Jason Costello, corporate partnership manager for Forget Me Not Children’s hospice invited the Chamber marketing team to the hospice to understand the benefits of social media to the charity. Forget Me Not Children’s hospice has been around for 12 years and cares for children with life-limiting conditions and their families throughout Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Since December 2012 it has also provided care and offered respite to children and families through its ‘Hospice at Home’ service. The charity currently supports more than 80 children and their families within its brand new hospice building, situated at Russell House, Huddersfield, officially opened by HRH Princess Beatrice of York in June 2013. Jason described the hospice’s goals: “We need to continue to grow and raise awareness, utilising the Chamber’s benefits, so that all families know that we are here.” The hospice has been a Chamber member for three years and Jason described the benefits. “We are part of the community that the Chamber serves,” he said, “We mirror the same areas of contact throughout Mid Yorkshire, which supports us in getting known within the business community.” Jason explained how he gains a lot from our networking and training events: “The areas I’ve been mostly successful in are the Chamber events; 60 Useful Minutes, MY Network and Last Friday Club have all been a great help to the charity.” Social media makes up a significant part of the hospice’s media mix. “Social media allows us to interact with our supporters with whom we engage daily,” Jason said, adding, “The Chamber assists us by getting the word out further about the charity, through its ‘liking’ ‘re-tweeting’ and ‘commenting’ of our posts.”

For more information on Forget Me Not visit www.forgetmenotchild.co.uk and follow @ForgetMNotChild on Twitter. Become a member and benefit from raising awareness of your organisation as Jason and the hospice has, by contacting rachel.dickie@mycci.co.uk.

Social media allows us to interact with our supporters with whom we engage daily. The Chamber assists us by getting the word out further about the charity, through its ‘liking’ ‘re-tweeting’ and ‘commenting’ of our posts.

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MyExportHubTraining

British Chambers of Commerce

Courses in exporting The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has ten nationally accredited core courses in exporting and international trade.

How UKTI utilise social media UKTI maintains a dynamic approach to the use of social media in order to deliver up-todate news, event details and global business opportunities to businesses in the UK and beyond. Different platforms serve to either push content out globally or further promote content already available in different mediums.

Together the courses offer export curriculum, providing invaluable basic exporting skills for small and large companies alike. Applicants must demonstrate knowledge of the subject, with their performance marked by external examiners upon completion of each module and successful candidates will receive a certificate. By completing the final six courses the candidate achieves a nationally recognised Foundation Award in Exporting. The courses are suitable for both experienced and inexperienced exporters. The next six courses are as follows:

Import Procedures: Tuesday 21st January 2014 09:30 - 16:30

Agents and Distributors: Tuesday 18th February 2014 09:30 - 12:30

UKTI’s Twitter coverage is three-tiered with headquarters, regional and overseas teams all maintaining accounts. This serves to deliver market or sector specific flows of information. For instance, a construction company in Yorkshire interested in opportunities in the Czech Republic may follow @UKTIYorkshire and @UKTI_Prague, while an American manufacturer of solar cells looking to expand into the UK may be more interested in the content provided by @UKTI_Energy and the central @UKTI feeds. Our regional @UKTIYorkshire account is dedicated to providing the latest information about events within the region and timely international trade news. We also promote business wins from companies working with UKTI and any subsequent media coverage they generate. UKTI’s LinkedIn group is another medium for content push. With more than 23,000 members, this group has access to varied discussions ranging from the UK economy to sector specific analysis and debate. This is a great

Understanding Exporting and Export Procedures: Wednesday 5th March 2014 09:30 - 16:30

Preferential Trade Agreements and Rules of Origin: Wednesday 26th March 2014 09:30 - 12:30

Customs Procedures and Documentation: Tuesday 15th April 2014 09:30 - 16:30

Incoterms (half day):

Useful Links Website: www.ukti.gsi.gov.uk Twitter: twitter.com/UKTI and twitter.com/UKTIyorkshire

Tuesday 13th May 2014 09:30 - 12:30 Individual full day courses cost £175 (+VAT) for members and £200 (+VAT) for non-members and individual half day courses cost £100 (+ VAT) for members and £125 (+ VAT) for non – members. Or book these six courses (half and full day courses) for £850 (+VAT) for members and £1000 (+VAT) for nonmembers to complete the Foundation Award in exporting.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups/UK-Trade-InvestmentUKTI-1769629/about Open2Export Network: opentoexport.com Flikr stream: www.flickr.com/photos/ukti

All of the above courses will take place at our Lockwood offices, Huddersfield.

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/UKTIWeb

For more information and to book, visit www.myexporthub.co.uk/events.

The UKTI Blog: blog.ukti.gov.uk

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InternationalTrade

Find an expert to help you export Contact info: Simon Andrews

Marketing & Relationship Manager

UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber

Exporting can be an intimidating prospect, even for firms already familiar with trading overseas.

UK Trade & Investment

Mob: +44 (0)7739 647 388

Language barriers, foreign business culture, taxes and duties and the sheer volume of regulation can make exporting seem daunting. However, there is a wealth of assistance and expertise for local firms to

E-mail: s.andrews@uktiyorkshire.co.uk

tap into for guidance, advice, funding or support. That’s why MY Export Hub is developing a new site to help exporting

medium to interact with UKTI staff from all corners of the organisation with a diverse range of personnel interacting on a daily basis. In addition, UKTI also maintains its own export centric social community, Open2Export, allowing users to share knowledge and experience relating to international business through this peer-to-peer network. For both Twitter and LinkedIn services, image hosting is handled by Flickr, with galleries of UKTI events, activities and trade missions available for perusal. These galleries are linked to relevant discussions on other social media platforms, as well as targeted e-shots from across UKTI. Video content is hosted within UKTI’s YouTube account, with new content appearing almost daily. YouTube allows ‘playlisting’ of select videos to streamline content browsing, allowing videos to be grouped such as the ‘Britain is GREAT’ campaign and the ‘Our Export Challenge’ case study series. Content can be linked to or embedded to web pages for convenient browsing. Each exporter’s interaction with UKTI on all of our platforms is seamless, with dedicated personnel on hand to help and support those interested. We look forward to building upon our already strong social media presence and invite you to join us on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube/Google+, Flickr and beyond.

companies access this local support. Bringing together the many export support providers in our Chamber’s membership and across the region, it will provide a single point of entry for exporting firms to a wide range of expert assistance. From help with everything from your export strategy to language expertise and from finance to freight, our new directory will provide you with the expert advice and support you need through every stage of your export journey. Our new site will be launching in the first quarter of next year and listings on the site will be free for all Chamber members who provide support or advice to exporting firms. Look out for more information in the coming months, or call Samuel Lewis, export and policy adviser to discuss on 01924 311 613.

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MD5 is celebrating ten years of providing leading digital forensic services to the region, the country and even the globe, all from its Yorkshire base Its might not rival California’s Silicon Valley just yet, but it has proven to be just fine for MD5 and its clients, who trust its expertise to recover and present data from any electronic devices whether it is for criminal trial, corporate investigation or eDisclosure exercise. Along its journey, highs have included being the first company in its peer group to achieve ISO accreditation for its lab and processes. Crucial to spreading MD5’s presence around the globe has been the success of its own software (Virtual Forensic Computing) which is used by computer forensic experts around the world; it makes it easy to turn a machine on virtually without risking changing any source data. As the company has grown, it has also added data recovery to its portfolio. The company’s aim for the next 10 years is to grow the business through continued investment in technology. For example, investment in eDisclosure hardware and software has brought new capability to MD5 and its clients. Using its eDisclosure service MD5 can help you to identify and present the relevant documents from within the mass of electronically stored information (ESI) in a forensically sound fashion. Founded in 2003 by the former head of the digital forensics unit of the National Crime Squad and an experienced solicitor in criminal law, MD5 is regarded as one of the UK’s leading computer and mobile phone forensic companies. Clients include large multinational businesses, government and law enforcement agencies, law firms and accountants.

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If you call Business Development Manager, Marc Lees on 01924 220999 he will be happy to offer a free consultation and discuss your requirements.

MD5 evidence you can trust

FDSGroup

Wakefield business set for a milestone anniversary year Wakefield based business fds is starting 2014 on a high! Not only are they celebrating their 25th anniversary year (plans are bubbling away for a party during the summer) but they are embarking on the year from their brand new, completely renovated Georgian offices in Wakefield city centre called fds House. Run by Senior Partner Jo Haigh, an award winning dealmaker and speaker, fds comprises; • fds Corporate Finance, a boutique corporate finance house that works with businesses whose turnover is between £2m and £10m, assisting SME’s in many including selling your business and shareholder issues. • fds Knowledge, a specialist training and development business who provide bespoke director training for businesses across the country, specifically written for directors and those who are working towards or aspire to work in a director-level post. • fds Group, a business development, consultancy and support company who can help you find the best mentor, NED or coach for a business. • And fds Silver Exit which works on business sales and acquisitions with deal values up to £1million. SME’s have supported the British economy for many years and will be key to the rejuvenation and resurrection of British business, since its inception by Jo Haigh back in 1989 fds (then known as fds Director Services) has always been focused on helping small businesses achieve great things. This focus has meant fds has played a pivotal role in over 325 local and national deals over the past 25 years and Jo herself has served as inspiration for many successful business people along the way providing NED and mentoring support and sharing her vast business knowledge. She was voted Sunday Times NED of the year earlier this year.

As well as fitting out fds House with purpose built offices and a boardroom, fds are also using their new space to showcase Yorkshire artists in their brand new art gallery Epiphany. Utilising a large ground floor open plan space fds have chosen to display the work from some handpicked local artists and promote the regions talent. fds employs eight staff; two partners - Jo Haigh and Mike Rosser, two directors - Poonam Kaur, and Stephanie Osman and four invaluable research, marketing and support staff, Claire Howarth-Coyne, Lia Stothart, Luke Howell and Bethany Gatley. Luke, Lia and Beth joined the business at different times but each came to fds via apprenticeship schemes and have contributed massively to the businesses strides into social media and bringing its online presence to the forefront. Offering opportunities to local young people is something fds are passionate about and would like to see more of in other businesses in the region. As well as preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary with a summer party fds are also looking forward to the next 25 years, planning, developing and running events for local businesses and business owners. Such events include; The Thursday M+tch, a networking event for business owners and managers held once a month at the Theatre Royal, breakfast and evening seminars on topics including from valuing their business to preparing for sale, and a new entrepreneur investment event called Impress 2 Invest, details of which will be available soon. FDS House 3-5 Tammy Hall Street Wakefield WF1 2SX 01924 376 784 Jo Haigh – Senior Partner Jo.haigh@fdscfs.com

fds’ new home firmly plants their roots in Wakefield, occupying a prime location just off Crown Court right behind Wakefield Town Hall, this beautiful Georgian building has undergone a full facelift to press out its wrinkles and bring it back to its former glory. Adding a few touches that reflect the company’s personality and its four core values; be kind, work hard, stay positive and have fun, the new office retains many of the buildings original features and brings back to life one of the city’s forgotten gems.

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Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2014! Kelly Smith, Lynn Mortimer and all the team at Juice Personnel would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every Client and Candidate who have not only supported them through out 2013, but who has worked with them for the last 10 years. The local independent agency has continued to grow despite tough economic times and currently provide temporary and permanent services in 4 sectors including Commercial, Logistic, Care and Therapy. Kelly and Lynn have a growth plan for the next 5 years which will hopefully see the launch of a new division, as well as continued growth of the day to day business.

Lynn Mortimer and Kelly Smith, Directors Having celebrated their 10th Birthday earlier this year, Juice Personnel has proved to be one of the long standing independent local agencies and are proud to be providing local businesses with a first class recruitment service. The team celebrated in style by hosting a garden party for all their business associates and also used it as a great opportunity to raise money for their nominated charity, Wakefield Hospice. A great day was had by everyone who attended and Juice raised over ÂŁ700 for the great cause.

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Welcoming three new members of permanent staff this year, Juice has recruited Bethany and Blake who are recent college leavers and who have joined us on apprentice schemes as well as Christopher Frost who has joined our on site team at NEXT plc as our Driver Trainer / Assessor. Both Kelly and Lynn sincerely thank everyone who has helped achieve this success and would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014 If you would like to receive further information on any of Juice Personnelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services, please call on 01924 377500 and our team will be delighted to assist.

Bethany Linley and Blake Butler, Apprentices

WestYorkshireEnterpriseAgency

New businesses grow with social media A fresh approach to managing social media When Nicola Mellor from Huddersfield was made redundant selling horse boxes she decided to set up her own business doing something she loved. She had always handled sales and marketing in previous roles and enjoyed using the different platforms. She also recognised the emerging trend and coupled with seeing the potential that could be ignored by businesses too scared or too busy to use social media, she set up a business to manage social media accounts on behalf of businesses. Nicola said “When I was networking in person and discussing social media, I quickly identified how daunted people were and also they mentioned they didn’t have time. So having spotted a need, I can now act as their inhouse social media expert and take the pressure off them.” She continued “Twitter is probably my favourite platform, just because it opens a whole new world and can connect you with people you never thought possible. Of course, I’m a big fan of Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram too and they all have different uses.” Nicola practices what she preaches and has won business through making connections on Twitter and has most recently worked with Six Star Holidays, a luxury holiday company.

Kevan raises a glass to success! Being made redundant as an Industrial Sales Director created the opportunity for Kevan from Huddersfield to set up a business that he and his wife had always talked about. This gave him the opportunity to do something he enjoyed and was passionate about. “We’re big foodies and have made our own fruity vodka and sloe gin for years and always said it would be a good business opportunity. So last September we launched Fruity Tipples. We have five different flavours, blackcurrant, strawberry, raspberry, lemon, and cherry and we are launching cranberry & orange this winter. We are expanding the range and growing quickly, supplying farm shops, delis, wine shops and garden centres and we have had fantastic feedback from customers and consumers” shared Kevan. Kevan uses social media as a way to get feedback and engage with consumers and customers and has lined up meetings with stockists after connecting on Twitter. Taking part in things like Twitter ‘hours’ such as #holmfirthhour , #yorkshirehour, #colnevalleyhour, and #huddersfieldhour has helped raise his profile with local people and has helped form relationships. www.fruitytipples.co.uk

@FruityTipples

“Andy Lee from Andy Lee Coaching mentored me. Working with Andy has been amazing. He is really supportive and has given me confidence that I can do it and I feel I can ask him anything. I can see how rewarding it must be and I’m interested in becoming a mentor in the future to help someone else setting up their business.” The rise of social media has had a huge impact on the demand for Nicola’s services and she has even got involved with the Chamber’s social media, featuring on a video on the Chamber’s YouTube channel describing what the benefits of the popular networking event, MY Network Huddersfield are to Nicola and her business. www.pepamint.co.uk

If you would like more information about becoming a mentor or would like to help another mentee, please email info@wyea.co.uk or call 01924 786500.

@PepamintMedia

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Strategic vision – local perspectives: the Huddersfield MBA At The University of Huddersfield we’re approaching 30 years of delivering our MBA. That consistency and sound knowledge is reflected in the way we meet the aspirations of managers from a variety of organisations, large and small, private and voluntary. meet the changing needs of the business environment. We don’t believe in standing still, and neither do our students. That’s why they join us, to develop as managers, decision-makers and leaders. You’ll benefit from a high quality, vibrant and professional learning environment in our £17m Business School (opened 2010). You can also choose a part-time study pattern that suits you, by opting for either block teaching interspersed throughout the year or regular weekly classes.

Our strong MBA brand is based upon quality delivery and shared passion; we try and meet the needs of our students individually alongside benefiting from the network of shared experience available in or MBA cohorts. You’ll discover a real diversity in the classroom and a supportive learning community. We aim to give you the tools to return to your workplace and make a real impact.

Why choose the Huddersfield MBA? Having celebrated our 25th university in 2010, the Huddersfield MBA has evolved and developed to

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We encourage wide-ranging ways of looking at and interpreting world issues and our MBA lecture programme brings guests in to share perspectives on art, philosophy and literature. We also enjoy close links with professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI) and Northern Leadership Academy.

The Specialist MBA At Huddersfield we’ve introduced a number of specialist routes to our MBA programme. These routes build on the core management disciplines of our well established Huddersfield MBA programme.

The following MBA routes provide you with industry specific insights into important and growing niche sectors: • Legal Practice Management • Creative Industries • Hospitality Management

Contact: E-mail: mba@hud.ac.uk Tel: 01484 472746 Web: www.hud.ac.uk/uhbs

ChamberChatter

Social Networking Join us and the business community online! We’re proud to boast more than 3,500 followers on Twitter, 155 Facebook likes, almost 200 LinkedIn group members and 400 LinkedIn page followers. This quarter we also celebrate more than 250 YouTube hits, after launching videos last summer. Here are our favourite Tweets and Topics from the last quarter…

Chris Taylor @HolmfirthLawyer Thank you @MidYorksChamber for a great Annual Dinner last night, excellent entertainment and flawlessly delivered. Jacob Hill @TheLazyCamper @achoi0505 @MidYorksChamber @ClareFrisby @StavrosFlatley @rorybremner Organised amazingly. Hats off to Andrew and Tracy and the team!

Make your Connections Count this November! Rebecca Greenhough Marketing Assistant at Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Join us for Connections Count networking on Thursday 7th November 09:30am - 11:00am at the National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield. It is FREE to members and just £5.00 to nonmembers including breakfast and the opportunity network with a range of businesses. It also gives delegates the chance to present an elevator pitch to fellow attendees, to get your company out there. Book your place now on our website: http://ow.ly/qjOQS Sam Melton, Gareth Glendinning BA(hons) DipPFS like this 3 comments Gareth Glendinning BA(hons) DipPFS Wealth Management & Pensions: Creating, building and protecting wealth (Twitter: @GarethG_Wealth) Looking forward to catching up with everyone at NCM. Ellie Lyon Marketing Manager at Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Look forward to seeing you there Gareth!

Rory Bremner @rorybremner @townfoundation: @Stephen_Baxter @MidYorksChamber @ClareFrisby @fatjacko @TheLazyJacob @CedarCourtHotel looking forward to this eve!

Mark Butterick Director, Reach Higher Human Resources LTD Really looking forward to tomorrow’s event and being able to present this month’s member offer. Many thanks to our wonderful friends at MYCC for their fantastic support. Rebecca Greenhough likes this

‘Like’ us on Facebook by searching for Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

You can also find us on Google+ and YouTube now too!

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The Business of the Month Award is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield; each month a new winner is chosen and all 12 then go through to the annual Business of the Year award. The ceremony will be held in July where an overall winner will be named. News of previous winners can be found on the Eaton Smith and the Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s websites. Contact Ian Greenwood at Eaton Smith on 01484 821389 for more information.

Statement Wakefield based design, digital and marketing agency and Chamber member Statement, has been awarded the Business of the Month for September. Established in 2008, the founding members who were running an international online retail business identified a niche in the market to offer high quality website design and digital services, ensuring excellent customer service was focused on which was lacking in the industry at this time. The business has grown steadily by using this commercial opportunity to create a design, digital and marketing agency that was centred not only around excellent work, but great service as well, an ethos which remains the key to everything that Statement does. Operating in the design, digital and marketing sector they provide a range of services to SMEs, education, voluntary and public sector organisations in Wakefield and across Yorkshire, including the Chamber, Wakefield College, Peter Jones China, Unique Wakefield and the Ridings Shopping Centre among others. They are also actively involved in supporting a number of charities and digital related projects which contribute to the local community, including MY Network Wakefield; the Wakefield Digital & Creative Community, the Wakefield Literature Festival, and staff have even ran a marathon to raise funds for a local hospice. The judging panel were impressed by the clear and honest ethos that the firm operates with and the impressive client list which they have grown and developed over the years, particularly over the past 18 months, and with ambitious future growth plans they are gaining a reputation as one the leading design, digital and marketing agencies in the region.

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Dan Conboy, Client Services Director said â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were absolutely thrilled to hear that Statement had won the Business of the Month award for September! A big thank you to our team for all of their hard work and to our clients who provide us with fun and challenging briefs for their design, digital and marketing projects. We pride ourselves on getting involved with many great projects which are related to and contribute to the region, so to receive this award recognising that was a great honour.â&#x20AC;? Pictured left to right: Ellie Lyon Clive Smetham St John Emms Alison Palmer Tom Smith Dan Conboy

Chamber Sagars LLP Catalyst Finance Eaton Smith Statement Statement

The Business of the Month Award is run by Eaton Smith Solicitors in association with Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and UKTI. It is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield to apply.

BusinessoftheMonth

LSi Ltd Cleckheaton based promotional merchandise and clothing supplier, LSi Ltd, has been awarded the Business of the Month for October. Formed in 1994 by Lloyd Simpson, the business has grown steadily to become one of the leading promotional merchandise companies in the UK and the largest of its kind in Yorkshire. LSi specialises in providing companies with promotional items to promote their products and services, personalising anything from pens and pencils through to umbrellas and corporate uniforms. For the first few years the business grew steadily in line with most start-ups and after 5 years with the emergence of email and the internet the business rapidly expanded. Over the past 19 years, LSi has employed in excess of 100 people, most living in the Kirklees area, and has also worked closely with many local companies to help promote and market their own brands. The judging panel were impressed by the steady organic growth the company has demonstrated and the fact that LSi has experienced record

breaking sales figures for 2013, which is a trend that looks set to continue.

Pictured left to right: Annie Bradley

UKTI

Lloyd Simpson, Managing Director said “To win this award is the icing on the cake for 2013, we started the year with a move to our fantastic new offices, in February we won a national award from the BPMA, in October we opened what we believe to be the largest merchandise showroom in the UK, taken on 5 new members of staff this year and exceeded all our sales forecasts. To be recognised for our efforts is just reward for the talented and hard working team of 30 people we have here at LSi. This will give us great impetus for next year our 20th Anniversary.”

Ellie Lyon

Chamber

customers and they have adapted their business to offer exactly what customers are after. Their success has led to an ever increasing number of parties being hosted across their two ranges, these being PopKidz and Club Fusion. A large range of parties (including a variety of themed parties) and seasonal events has seen them more than triple their bookings over the last 12 months and they have also won the Netmums Best Children’s Party Venue (Yorkshire and Humberside Region) Award 2013. Expansion plans are in place with a further venue opening in Halifax in early 2014 and franchising opportunities are under way.

Pictured left to right:

Wendy Parkin

LSi Ltd

Claire Jobling

LSi Ltd

Sarah Pounder

LSi Ltd

Steven Pollitt

Eaton Smith

Chris Dickinson

LSi Ltd

Lloyd Simpson

LSi Ltd

Steve Stocker

Barclays

Dennis Scholefield

LSi Ltd

PopKidz Huddersfield based children’s party hosting company, PopKidz, has been awarded the Business of the Month for November. Based in Marsh, PopKidz is a purpose designed party venue for children aged 3-16, which includes a DJ booth, dance floor, bespoke seating, chandeliers, led lighting and a cocktail bar where parents can book a stylish, affordable and hassle free birthday party. The business was formed by Victoria Allan who whilst working as a chartered tax advisor was disappointed with the choice available for a children’s party, and decided on a new business venture which became PopKidz. Opening in 2010, the business was slow to take off until the appointment of a full-time manager and additional investment during 2012 allowed the business to advertise and expand resulting in record bookings and much improved profits for 2013. The judging panel were impressed by the application from PopKidz in that, beyond the obvious enthusiasm that shone out, PopKidz has clearly worked hard to listen to feedback from

Jo McBeath

UKTI

Alyas Hussain

Chamber

Chris Brown

Brantwood Financial Planning

Chris Taylor

Eaton Smith

PopKidz

Jayne Clowes

Eastwood & Partners

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MembersNews

Harder working health cover for your employees Westfield Health, provider of the exclusive Chamber Health Plan, has recently revealed its new brand which includes a new logo and strapline – ‘Harder Working Health Cover’. The new-look branding has been designed to combine key company strengths including Westfield Health’s position as number one in the corporate-paid cash plan market, its unrivalled heritage and also its not-for-profit status. The Chamber Health Plan is available to members of the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce. Established almost a century ago, Westfield Health is a leading provider of corporate health insurance. With a range of flexible and innovative healthcare plans, the company provides cover for over 400,000 policyholders and over 8,000 companies nationwide. The Chamber Plan offers a valuable, low-cost employee benefit to help keep your workforce fit and at their healthy best. Cover starts at just £1.10 per employee, per week, and money can be claimed back towards essential health costs including; eyesight tests, glasses and lenses, dental treatment and a variety of therapy treatments and counselling services.

The Plan also includes access to Best Doctors®, an expert second medical opinion service and Westfield Rewards, an online discount shopping portal. What’s more, you can enhance cover even further with the award winning Hospital Treatment Insurance, providing quick access to surgery and medical procedures, helping you to manage staff absence levels more effectively. From just £1.24 per employee, per week, this groundbreaking health offering can be purchased as a standalone benefit or combined with The Chamber Plan for even more comprehensive health cover. To find out more www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber.

How Westfield Health works harder for Pennine Business Partners Husband and wife duo, Steve and Lynn Bradley started Pennine Business Partners in 2010. Pennine Business Partners provides strategic, tactical and practical hands-on support for businesses in two key specialist areas, marketing and HR. Steve explained to the Chamber marketing team that the next step for Pennine Business Partners is to significantly grow over the next two years, having laid solid foundations already for their business. The pair have recently moved in to new office accommodation (see Member news page 7) and hope to take on more staff and expand the breadth and depth of support and services offered to their clients. Steve explained the importance of Chamber membership to his business. “We have been members of the Chamber from very early in the development of our business,” he said, ”Membership has helped us grow and become established in the market”. He added, “Membership provides us with the opportunities to meet and share business experiences with other like-minded business owners. Plus it gives us the opportunity to increase our commercial knowledge by attending training sessions and events”. Steve and Lynn make good use of one of the Chamber’s member benefits, Westfield Health, a discounted business healthcare plan. Running a small people-focused business, Steve and Lynn understand the importance of ensuring staff are fit and healthy and, should they need it, have health cover and support available. Steve said, “We have both come from a corporate background where employers funded private healthcare provision for us.

The Westfield Health scheme that we have taken up via the Chamber enables us to provide similar cover for us and our family”. You can find out more about Pennine Business Partners at www.penninebusinesspartners.com and follow them on Twitter @PennineBP. #JoinYourChamber and follow @MidYorksChamber on Twitter.

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ChamberPolicy

Digital infrastructure -

Steven Leigh Head of Policy and Representation

Key to our economic future

For further details call

Digital communication technologies are an increasingly vital component of our national infrastructure, and a progressively important aspect of our national competitiveness.

07809 658533 or email: steven.leigh@mycci.co.uk

The plan has identified several aims; to help address the productivity gap, to improve the City Region’s inward investment offer, to increase business start-up rates, to support growth in key sectors, to boost innovation and knowledge transfer, and to improve access to employment for excluded groups.

The advent of global communication networks has revolutionised business; has made vast and distant markets accessible and has changed the way in which we market and broadcast products and services. Businesses in all industries and sectors now rely on fast and reliable internet connections. Whether it is to communicate instantly with clients or partners across the globe, or to engage directly with customers and colleagues in our own local area these connections are critical to business. It is therefore crucial that our digital infrastructure is fit for purpose. Not only is this an essential factor of our businesses effectiveness, but it will increasingly be a consideration for foreign investors looking to locate in our country. For this reason the Leeds City Region (LCR) and its constituent local authorities have identified digital infrastructure as a priority for investment. The West Yorkshire Local Broadband Plan is aiming to ensure that all areas of our region have access to superfast broadband by 2015. This forms the first part of a 20 year vision for our region, set out in the LCR Digital Infrastructure Plan. This plan represents an ambitious vision for boosting our region’s economic competitiveness, extending new opportunities and growing our economy through exploitation of digital communication technologies.

The UK’s digital economy is substantial, representing 8.3% of GDP, more than that of the United States, Japan, China or Germany. The National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) found that the digital economy comprised 270,000 active companies, representing 14.4% of all companies in the UK. However, only 25% of total broadband subscriptions in the UK are superfast, compared to 35% in Sweden and 52% in the Netherlands. It is evident that the UK has a head start in a fast growing sector, with entrenched expertise, innovation and experience among mature and new firms. However, it is essential that this potential is not squandered because of Government underinvestment in the infrastructure required to support the digital industry. There must be full recognition of its size and importance - as well as the enormous potential it presents for leveraging our national expertise and experience within the UK as well as in valuable export markets. In 2010 the UK Government set 3 targets: to increase Next Generation Access to 90% of the population, to provide 2mbps access for the final 10% of the population, and to extend mobile coverage to 99% of the population. In order to reach these targets the Government allocated £530m to the Broadband Delivery Programme, a further £150m to the Urban Broadband Fund and £20m to the Rural Community Broadband Fund, and set aside £150m for the Mobile Infrastructure Project to cover rural “not-spots”. These are creditable schemes and will help to deliver greater coverage and access. However, these initiatives should be partnered with a concerted effort to increase take-up, particularly among small firms, and consideration should be given to the future skills needs of an increasingly digital-focused economy. Particular attention should be given to business, especially micro and small companies, to transition to the new realities of a connected digital economy. Finally, the significance of this infrastructure should be recognised in a longterm plan, which will provide a clear direction of travel for investment – both public and private – and which will deliver greater certainty for businesses and investors.

Chamber Joint Area Council Meetings Mid Yorkshire Chamber lunchtime Joint Area Council Meetings for members are held every couple of months throughout the year, and they are an excellent forum for discussion. Members wishing to attend any future meetings will be made to feel most welcome. For upcoming meetings visit www.mycci.co.uk/events.

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CoverFeature

On shifting sands understanding the legal challenges presented by social media There are very few businesses nowadays that do not use the wide ranging benefits of social media to increase sales. Whereas 20 years ago, most businesses were limited to local newspapers or radio to raise their profile, today the market is potentially limitless via social platforms, of which there are hundreds, most of them free. However, there can be legal issues arising from something as widely used as social media, particularly in relation to employment law where the lines between the workplace and an individual’s personal life can become increasing hazy. That has certainly been the experience of staff at Ramsdens Solicitors, an award-winning Legal 500recommended with offices in Halifax, Wakefield and Huddersfield. Gareth Dando, Associate Solicitor at Ramsdens, said: “The importance of social media cannot be overestimated.

Getting your social strategy in place and ensuring you have the right ‘spokespeople’ for your business will create your own audience that you can talk to as often as you like about whatever you want and that’s the beauty of social media.

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CoverFeature “Getting your social strategy in place and ensuring you have the right ‘spokespeople’ for your business will create your own audience that you can talk to as often as you like about whatever you want and that’s the beauty of social media.

It is vital for employers to put in place a clear social media policy but, in itself, this is not enough. That policy has to be properly explained to employees so that they are aware of its terms. Every business is different and has particular needs and the policy needs to be written to meet those needs.

“More and more employers are encouraging employees to use social media to promote their business but both employers and employees need to be sure that they know what they can and cannot do right from the outset. “We have seen an increase in cases involving social media over the past three years and the problem is, the lines do get blurred. “For all we are working on shifting sands, some basic employment law principles do exist; an employer needs to make sure that the actions of an employee can be proved to damage the business before they seek to dismiss them. “Some cases are clear. Take a salesman who goes onto social media to say that his company is ripping people off. Clearly, that impacts on his ability do his job and on the employer. “But in some cases, the issues are more uncertain, particularly when they relate to something that an employee does on their own private platform. “It is vital for employers to put in place a clear social media policy but, in itself, this is not enough. That policy has to be properly explained to employees so that they are aware of its terms. “Every business is different and has particular needs and the policy needs to be written to meet those needs.

Gareth Dando, Associate Solicitor at Ramsdens

“It should give examples of what is and is not acceptable behaviour and set out the sanctions for any breaches of it.” According to the firm, legal issues that arise from social media activities fall into five main areas: • Soliciting customers by using social networks such as LinkedIn. • Who actually owns the information about customers that may be held by employees on their phones or tablets. A recent case shows that courts may find that contacts in an employee’s LinkedIn account belong to the employer. • Employers have the option of asking the court to grant an injunction where former employees attempt to try to misuse contact information once they have left employment. • Online bullying or discrimination. • Damage to a business’s reputation caused by something an employee posts on social media. According to Gareth, clearly specified ground rules will minimise the potential for problems. He said “It is important for employers to deal with issues reasonably. In unfair dismissal cases, for example, the Tribunal will take into account factors such as the employee’s previous disciplinary record, whether the employee tried to remedy the problem and apologised and what damage was done to the business.

Sinead (Marketing Director) collecting silver award in October for ‘Best Use for Social Media’ having won gold the year before “It is virtually impossible for an employer to try and limit an employee’s use of social media outside of the workplace, but where that use impacts on your business you can exercise some limited control but it is sensible to obtain some legal advice before starting any disciplinary process. “Employees’ may struggle to claim a right to a

private life under Human Rights Legislation if they have posted something online. The Courts have viewed this information as being in the public domain. “However if information is only available by searching an employee’s online profile, this is more likely to infringe the right to a private life.“

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BigInterview

Forget the technology -

the human touch is what matters

Marketing and sales technology is changing at a breathtaking speed and the key reason is the impact of social media. Companies can see great opportunities in new ways of contacting customers directly through the likes of Facebook and Twitter. But does it really work? And does it lead to more sales? The answer, according to Janet Bebb, of Huddersfield-based member company Social Progress, is that online selling can work but only so long as companies remember that the personal touch remains paramount. The company, which recently celebrated its second birthday, specialises in social media training, consultancy, public speaking and general support. Janet set up the business after working in business support and change management roles, including for Business Link, and said: “I first became

involved with social media through Facebook and LinkedIn. “I think what makes me different is that I come to social media not from a techie direction but from a personal direction. “It is not enough to say ‘we do social media and we have something to sell’ and expect to sell your products, you have to work hard online at building relationships with your customers. “A good analogy is a shop. The same product might be in two shops but you would choose the shop you prefer, the one that is more welcoming. It is the same online.”

Give freely and don’t look for something in return. Just be happy to have helped another person along the way. To me that’s what networking, business communities, contacts are all about, looking for ways to help others.

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She sees a strong parallel between online selling and more traditional methods of years gone by in that both rely on the personal touch. “You need to regard social media in the same way you would regard face-to-face networking. “I could stand in the middle of Huddersfield and try to sell my products but it would not work without the personal touch and it is the same online.” Janet believes that online sellers can learn much from more ‘traditional’ methods of selling. She said: “When I was a lass, my dad would go ‘to see a man about a dog’ – it was a saying I heard many times which meant something was needed and he was going to meet someone to discuss this. “My dad started his own business, sand blasting coal blackened terraced houses in the 60s to make ends meet. He was a carpenter by trade and, as times changed, he had to look for other ways to earn a living. “How did my dad find clients? How did he find suppliers? Where did he buy his equipment from? He went ‘to see a man about a dog’, in other

BigInterview

words he used his networks. He went out to talk to people, who knew people who wanted his services and who could supply him with his equipment. “People who knew my dad knew he did a good job, at a good price. He worked on his customer service and delivered. He knew if he gave great service then; guess what, they’d tell their neighbours, the man down the pub, the woman in the corner shop, the lady at bingo. “What dad also understood is that if you help others, you get something back. Give freely and don’t look for something in return. Just be happy to have helped another person along the way.

People who knew my dad knew he did a good job, at a good price. He worked on his customer service and delivered. He knew if he gave great service then; guess what, they’d tell their neighbours, the man down the pub, the woman in the corner shop, the lady at bingo.

Janet Bebb Founder and owner of Social Progress

“To me that’s what networking, business communities, contacts are all about, looking for ways to help others.

companies have to respond to them. Comments on Twitter can’t be ignored or removed by companies.

“So what’s changed in today’s world? Not a great deal other than the tools we use. We no longer go down the pub but we do get together through online social networks and networking events. We’re building communities online.

“I talked to one company that did not want to go online because it was concerned about the complaints that it might generate.

“If you give something, it helps build up those online relationships and the result is that social media is having a beneficial effect on business. “It is allowing businesses to be open, honest and show their integrity. Businesses which don’t hold these values can be open to complaints online and

“My response was that they should correct the bad practices within their company rather than hiding away. social media is encouraging more openness.” It is also moving rapidly. Janet sees Facebook and Twitter retaining their importance but also points to the emergence of Google Plus, which she believes will grow in influence, Pinterest, which is image-

based and Twitter’s Vine service for short videos. She said: “social media is developing at a fast pace but, however it develops, the human touch will remain important.” Janet is providing a 60 Useful Minutes session at the Chamber’s Huddersfield offices 25th February on Google+ What’s all the fuss about & do I need it? Read more about the session and how to book on page 43.

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ManufacturingEngineering

Manufacturing out of a recession As has been widely reported in the national media, and confirmed by the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey [QES] (which feeds in to the British Chambers of Commerce national survey) there are some signs that the Governments intended rebalancing of the economy towards manufacturing is beginning to produce results. The Chamber has many member companies which are also members of the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturers Alliance (CKMA), and their Chairman, Gary Smith who is a Director of local glass company Novaglaze, also now reports that in certain areas our manufacturers are experiencing an upturn in order intake. This is encouraging news, because over the last five years companies across all sectors have found conditions very difficult, as evidenced by reduced sales, decimated profit margins, cash flow issues and other financial constraints.

Manufacturers have benefitted from pockets of support throughout the recession, and together with other business support organisations such as the Chamber, the CKMA has been able to advise members on a wide number of issues, including the availability of grants, other financial support and business advice. The Chamber works very closely with UKTI to encourage existing exporters, as well as businesses new to exporting, to look overseas for additional sales, and CKMA have collaborated with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to run cost reduction and efficient manufacturing projects in an effort to become more competitive in home and export markets. Support has also been forthcoming from Calderdale and Kirklees Councils respectively, both turning up trumps by offering grants, loans and in some cases helping companies to secure

Gary Smith, Director of Novaglaze and Chairman of the Calderdale and Kirklees Manufacturers Alliance prices with delivery schedules fully tuned to additional factory space. The University of Huddersfield have also provided much help and constructive support by conducting assignments and projects free of charge in an effort to help improve products and manufacturing processes to provide the essential competitive edge which is necessary to win new business.

increasingly-demanding customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requirements. It is reassuring that through the CKMA our local manufacturers are able to benefit from mutual support, with many of the larger companies offering factory visits so that other manufacturers can witness different processes and discuss how

It is gratifying that through teamwork, support and good management many manufacturers in our Chamber area have survived the recession and have also used the downturn wisely, by laying down foundations for growth and prosperity so that the manufacturing sector will be in a position to take advantage of new opportunities as economic conditions improve. As we now manufacture out of recession there is a new awareness and expectation within supplychains that suppliers must be ultra-responsive to customer needs, with new and improved products being made available at globally-competitive

problems are solved. Best practice groups are now flourishing, and directing their attention to a much wider range of common issues such as new pensions legislation and health & safety in the workplace, so that our manufacturers can collaborate on achieving optimum solutions at the very best value for money. It is certainly becoming clear that small local manufacturers can provide valuable services to the larger companies, and this in turn results in the expansion of local supply-chains which is good for our local manufacturers as well as being highly beneficial to the wider economic prosperity of our region.

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ManufacturingEngineering

Broadbent Stanley With a heritage stretching back some 130 years in the manufacture of large capacity lathes, Halifax, West Yorkshire based Broadbent Stanley is one of the oldest established machine tool company’s in the UK - but is no slouch when it comes to ‘state of the art technology’. In addition to their current range of world beating, large capacity manual, oil

cases (pipes) up to 10 metres in length, and catering for all types of drill

country lathes, they also offer a range of large capacity, flat and slant bed

heads, stabilisers, fishing tools and hydroclean bars, it appeals to both OEMs

machines utilising the latest in CNC controllers and drives.

and repair shops. With sales in excess of 50 units, the Yorky has been further

Says Managing Director, Graham Thomas “For more than 50 years we have

developed with the addition of a fourth axis enabling melon and double helix

been a major supplier to the oil, gas and petrochemical industries around the

forms to be ground.

world with our horizontal and vertical turning lathes, planomills, horizontal borers and VMCs, but in more recent years adding the class leading Yorky Type ‘O’ range of oil field grinders to our portfolio.”

There is also a Yorky type ‘R’ variant, manufactured exclusively for grinding rubber rolls up to 10 metres in length producing all types of forms including plain, taper, convex and concave along with all types of grooving.

Purchased some six years ago from the receiver of another, now defunct,

Yorkshire machine tool company, Graham Thomas immediately recognised

For more information on Broadbent Stanley and its products and services,

the machine’s potential and has since developed the machine substantially,

please contact Graham Thomas on +44(0)1422 835266 or check out our

now offered in semi-automatic and full CNC guise. Capable of grinding drill

website www.broadbentstanley.co.uk.

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NewMembers

Welcome to new members..... Absolute Media (UK) Ltd Absolute Media (UK) Ltd provides radio advertising, video production and audio recording. Absolute Media has the tools to deliver a radio campaign on a national, regional or local basis in a cost-effective manner.

Adept Motif Adept Motif optimises websites to deliver strong results and satisfied customers. By understanding your business and your customers they create digital solutions that deliver the results you need.

Andrew Wilkinson Design Andrew Wilkinson Design is a CAD draughting service for industrial and architectural metal work projects. They are an industrial racking, shelving and mezzanine floors installer and supplier.

Arets UK Ltd Arets UK Ltd is part of the Toyo Ink Group and supply high quality UV and conventional ink to the printing industry. Along with coatings and varnishes specifically developed for the sheetfed and packaging markets.

Arif Games Arif Games creates awe-inspiring video games with highly-polished visuals, powerful soundtracks and professionally written stories that bedazzle and emotionally move people, for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.

Ascensor Ascensor help businesses become successful online. They design and build websites of all shapes and sizes, and digitally market websites and business online, through working with a range of professional partners.

Audrey Erbany Audrey Erbany is a professional, contemporary artist with an impressionistic style. Her paintings are mainly oil paint on canvas and for her sculptures she works in bronze, wood, stone and ceramic.

Baby Lounge Ltd Baby Lounge offers a unique experience to parents and babies as a place to relax, feel safe and stimulated and make new friends, with a feeling of being in your own lounge. Classes are offered in the Calderdale area.

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Bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bake House Bakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bake House provides smoking hot, exclusive high quality designer fashions. They use only their trusted suppliers, in order to offer some of the finest and unique, ethically sourced, timeless pieces of designer couture.

CTI Travel Ltd CTI Travel Ltd is one of the top 15 travel management companies in the UK. They bring together travel and hotel experts in to one seamless travel company, with the goal of delivering a precisely tailored travel solution.

Daisy Chain Beauty

Be First Be First offers innovative, fun and interactive courses including; emergency first aid, first aid at work, sports first aid, paediatric first aid and pet first aid. All recognised by HSE and certified by first aid awards.

Big Zoo Media

Daisy Chain Beauty is a home based beauty therapy room offering a range of beauty enhancements, including waxing and eye treatments. Treatments are provided by owner Lucy Wadsworth, situated in Todmorden.

Evening Star

Big Zoo Media support businesses in delivering engaging multi-platform media content, with over 15 years creative audio, video, radio and web experience. They offer podcasts, internal communication audio, promotional web videos, viral animations and education courses.

Evening Star is based in Brighouse but covers Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees. The proprietor Richard is experienced, reliable helpful and offers a traditional handyman service as well as services suited to this digital age.

Boston Healthcare Ltd

Exportwise Solutions

Boston Healthcare Ltd is an independent, over the counter medicine company. Founded in May 2011, promoting to doctors and pharmacies in the UK and looking to expand its businesses worldwide.

Exportwise provide a range of flexible and bespoke export development solutions including outsourced import/export management to SMEs. Based on hands-on experience they are able to deliver successful and cost effective support.

Cannonball Events Ltd Cannonball Events Ltd offers innovative road and trail running events in West Yorkshire and Lancashire. All abilities are catered for and races are designed for fitness, fun and personal best chasing (PB), with an element of challenge.

CKR Furniture Spraying and Polishing Specialist CKR is a local specialist offering a bespoke furniture painting and polishing service. Services include water and heat mark removal from table tops, scratches and blemishes touched up and hidden and re-polishing and rejuvenation.

Corvus Air Cargo Ltd Corvus Air Cargo Ltd prides themselves on their expertise and comprehensive knowledge of all air transport modes required. They are fully regulated by IATA and have listed agent status with the Department for Transport.

Freybo Designs Freybo Designs is a fine portrait artist working on large scale pieces that can be produced on canvas or directly onto walls within the business. Alongside producing, designing and arranging the printing of specialised greeting/postcards as promotional work for businesses.

Guidedotyou Change Solutions GuideDotYou provides cost effective and measurable change management solutions, supporting clients to increase their skills, solve real business problems, improve performance and achieve great results.

Hillrich Hillrich based in Birstall, provide temporary and permanent people support to the UK health & social care sector. Hillrich also run sector specific business to business conferences.

NewMembers “As a start up business I have found the support of the Chamber invaluable. The training and networking events such as Connections Count are very well organised and attended by a wide variety of local businesses. I highly recommend the Chamber and the opportunities it offers to its members.” Kevin Deutsch, Sales Coach, Sales Assistance

Northern Light Media

Juice Care Ltd Juice Care Ltd are a specialist service provider with a dedicated team of professionals who boast over 18 years combined experience within the care industry. They provide support to adults and children in their own homes throughout West Yorkshire.

Northern Light Media is a full service marketing agency providing a range of creative services including web design, branding, SEO, design and strategic marketing. They pride themselves on being open and honest in providing a professional service.

Kruk.co web development kruk.co provides cost effective web solutions and web applications for small businesses and individuals. Also offering support with website positioning, marketing, bridging with Twitter, Facebook and protecting customers’ data against spam and cold callers.

Plenitude Productions Ltd Plenitude Productions Ltd creates film and digital content, offering full production services for commercial, promo or online content. Links with both production crews and professional equipment services makes for a competitively priced and extremely high end product.

Light as Air Light as Air owner John Fleming provides children’s entertainment through performing magic shows and balloon modelling for various occasions and celebrations.

RKH Consultants RKH Consultants specialise in providing brokerage and consultancy services to corporate businesses and SMEs by comparing potential costs with all the suppliers, making significant savings on bills.

LiquiDance LiquiDance is a fast-developing performance school offering classes for boys and girls from the age of three to 18. They aim to develop confidence and technique in a fun and welcoming environment.

M & J Trading M & J Trading is a market trader of children’s clothing ranging from the age 0-10 years. They have bases in Todmorden, Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Hebden Bridge.

MoneyCorp MoneyCorp are one of the UK’s fastest growing foreign exchange companies, serving customers for over 30 years. They offer a number of foreign exchange services, ranging from simple one-off payment solutions to high-level risk management strategies.

Moore Finance Moore Finance are one of the UK’s leading lease brokers, bringing the facilities of top international finance houses to construct bespoke leasing and asset packages, enabling financial and sales opportunities for your business.

Sales Assistance Sales Assistance provides high quality, bespoke sales coaching and training to support organisations in realising their full potential and gaining increased sales and profitability with more clarity in their sales activities to ensure continued success.

Smedliz Treasures Smedliz Treasures sells elegant and affordable treasures, the majority of which have free shipping. They offer a range of costume jewellery, ladies scarves and handbags lovingly handcrafted, using the highest quality products.

SO Oakley Ltd SO Oakley Ltd manufactures and sell a range of innovative and fun, battery free products. The first of which being LightBuddy, using light to make you, your children and your pets safer when out at night.

Tech Monkey Crew Tech Monkey Crew is a northern based company, supplying backstage personnel to theatre and entertainment events. All crew members have an excellent reputation having been built up over the years through working in the industry.

The Modern Language School The Modern Language School offers classes for adults in throughout Kirklees, providing education in French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese in a relaxed but focused atmosphere. They also offer one to one children’s classes in languages, for business and exam coaching.

Tranquil Flame See-Zee Ltd See-Zee Ltd is one of three companies working in a variety of sectors, including the design of consumer electronics, development of hydroelectricity as well as the future production of feature films.

Tranquil Flame provides alternative therapy and coaching, offering a diverse range of therapies, helping people to empower themselves and supporting the enhancement and improvement of health and general well being.

True Fleet Shaun’s Walls Shaun’s Walls provides a dry stone walling service in Calderdale, alongside also offering various other small-scale plumbing and building services.

True Fleet is an independent company founded by Paul O’Leary. True Fleet provides impartial vehicle advice and services that have been gained from over 20 years of working in the fleet, contract hire & leasing industry.

Simply Architectural Ltd Simply Architectural Ltd provides an honest, professional service to home owners, surveyors, builders and other architectural practices. Providing support, advice and design expertise from inception to completion.

Uncle Sam’s Uncle Sam’s is a mobile catering van available for hire in Wakefield. It is ideal for parties, weddings, birthdays, and galas. Uncle Sam’s also provides children’s entertainment upon request.

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PatronsView

Follow me, follow you Social media is here to stay. It seems to evolve at an increasing speed and forms a major part of the fabric of a lot of organisations. But how do businesses best embrace this new phenomenon? A good approach is to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve out of it. Meaningful goals might include:

David Butterworth Managing Director Wheawill & Sudworth Limited

01484 423691 david.butterworth@wheawills.co.uk www.wheawills.co.uk

• New business It is easy to get new business but securing quality over quantity is more of a challenge. A more considered and informative approach to social media often produces the best results. For example, LinkedIn has been a great source of the right sort of new revenue for my firm.

• Communication If you are looking to make some sort of contact with new people and businesses, Twitter is quick and easy way to get started. Keeping up with your followers might be a different story though! • Information To impart information to customers and contacts, a decent website is still good value for money. Distributing apps can be an immediate and well received option. If important developments are taking place in your sector, keeping people

advised via a professional and userfriendly app is five star communication. • Image Having some social media outlets can also be an effective way of creating and promoting the right sort of image for your business. It doesn’t have to be cutting edge. The important point is to be seen to be au fait with change and to be leveraging opportunities out of it for the mutual benefit of you and your customers.

Don’t be anti-social When someone utters the words ‘social media’ to you, how do you react? Are you comparing numbers of

waves for yours, the fundamental

time consuming as you want it to be.

Twitter followers or just left

benefits from having a social media

Initiatives such as

wondering why some people see the

presence can be significant.

#YorkshireHour on Twitter are a

At the Wildcats it’s hugely important

great way of networking every

to us and as well as our main club

Wednesday from 8-9pm and whilst it

accounts on Facebook and Twitter

doesn’t beat face-to-face interaction,

Whether you love it, hate it or can’t

that each allow us to reach over

it’s another way to get yourself out

quite work out how to use it, it’s

10,000 people, our commercial,

something that’s not going to go

retail and lottery departments all

need to post almost every meal they have on Instagram (a photo sharing site, in case you’re wondering)?

Andy Morgan Media and Marketing Manager Wakefield Wildcats

01924 211611 andymorgan@wakefieldwildcats.co.uk www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk

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there and ‘meet’ potential clients.

away anytime soon. Whichever

have their own Twitter handles that

So, the next time someone asks you

category you fall into, there’s one

means they can respond to relevant

about social media, make sure you

thing you should do with social

queries via an official source and

respond by directing them to your

media – embrace it.

target a specific audience.

company’s Twitter or Facebook

Each business is of course different,

You shouldn’t be frightened about

page. Just make sure you don’t post

and whilst it may not cause great

using social media and it’s only as

what you had for dinner on there…

PatronsView

Clear the fog – tweet or blog Social Media can be a scary prospect but if you use it strategically your business could see the benefits very quickly. Before you decide to start blogging

their Facebook page with very little

who are your “friends” (or people

or tweeting remember the 80-20

effort.

with permission) share your

Is there any common ground

documents.

rule. 80 % of your posts must be informative and not sales based in nature and the remaining 20% of your posts can be promotional.

between Cloud Computing and Social Media? The simple answer is “Yes”, both provide a level of file

You may not feel brave enough to

sharing available anywhere you

tweet or blog yourself, but there are

have a computer and an Internet

Just as well, really, can you imagine a law firm using Facebook to store their files and records? Conversely, cloud computing is no place to tell

Danny Walker

the world what cereal you had for

Managing Director IT Farm

ways you can benefit your business

connection. Both have the “friends”

by finding out what your competitors

or “sharing” concept, but with cloud

breakfast. The two overlap in what

are up to by looking at their tweets,

computing the approach is driven

they can do. They rarely overlap in

blogs or what they are posting on

from privacy, only letting the people

the reasons for their use.

0845 600 1652 danny.walker@itfarm.co.uk www.itfarm.co.uk

Social media and the law The conflict between the advantages of and risks posed by social media will always be difficult for employer’s to reconcile. A strong social media presence can be an invaluable tool for communication and marketing, but in the wrong hands social media can facilitate bullying, behaviours likely to harm business reputation, and even criminal activity – so much so that the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued guidelines for use by the Crown Prosecution Service in determining when to bring charges in cases involving social media.

employer – this will allow for consistency in message and a degree of control over the social media activity. I would also strongly recommend that all employers have a social media policy that sets out what is and is not permitted behaviour – from accessing Facebook from a work PC to making comments that may implicate the employer’s business on Twitter (even if made outside normal working hours).

database of contacts has shifted to

I would suggest that employers consider limiting the number of employees who are permitted to use social media sites “on behalf of” the

Another key consideration for employers should be the protection of business contacts. Increasingly, the old fashioned address book or

the employee’s job description

contact lists on LinkedIn. This shift makes it more difficult for an employer to claim that those contacts belong to their business – again, a clear policy will help here. It is advisable to make clear that an employer email address should be used to open the LinkedIn account and that all content should be

Kate Booth

cleared by the employer before

Employment Solicitor

publication. And, it is advised that specifies that they are cultivating business connections via LinkedIn on behalf of the employer.

Eaton Smith

01484 821309 katebooth@eatonsmith.co.uk www.eatonsmith.co.uk

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PatronsView

Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd (KSDL) are the latest Patrons to join the Chamber The team behind The John Smith’s Stadium (JSS) advise how they use social media and how they suggest to members that it generates business… As a forward thinking organisation, the team at JSS know the importance on engaging with customers via social media platforms. Active ‘tweeters’, JSS have found that communicating through the likes of Twitter and Facebook helps build relationships, allows for direct targeting through profiling and builds a personality around the brand that customers and potential customers can interact with.

Gareth Davies Managing Director Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd

01484 484128 gareth.davies@ksdl.org.uk www.johnsmithsstadium.com

The team are realistic and recognise that for them, social media shouldn’t be used in isolation as a sales tool. However they have found that using associated social campaigns generates awareness of events and ultimately drives ticket sales by building positive brand perception and recognition. When formulating a social media plan you must have clear, measurable objectives and every

business may have different objectives. For JSS the objectives of using social media is to create awareness of the facilities on offer and events throughout the year. The Stadium is not just for Football and Rugby, it is a community hub for the whole of Kirklees to make use of. The campaigns drive interested users of social media to the website where details of events and activities can be found. JSS also value the importance of monitoring activity, which they do via social media management and monitoring software, which allows them to be in complete control of campaigns - from forward planning to ‘of the moment’ interactions. It also allows insight into the bigger picture, to see how campaigns impact upon the audience, what works well and what may require

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some tweaking to increase positive results. As well as social media marketing, email marketing is extremely important when targeting groups of potential new customers and engaging with current ones. JSS rightly sees data as an essential marketing tool and recognises the importance of directly engaging with the right audience on devices increasing in popularity, such as mobile and tablet devices, used more frequently to make purchases. As 45% of people are now opening and reading emails on mobile devices, we know that now is the time to be moving forward with digital engagement. To ensure we are connecting with customers, look out for JSS’s mobile site which will be launched early in 2014.

MemberOfferoftheMonth

Get noticed and benefit from huge savings through the Chamber’s Member Offer of the Month To discuss how your company could take advantage of the Member Offer of the Month and other publicity opportunities, contact Chamber Marketing Assistant Becky Greenhough on 01484 483 678.

View the variety of additional member benefits on offer through previous deals: November

Reach Higher HR (RHHR) provides specialist HR consultancy services to organisations across the UK and offered an unbeatable 50% discount to new customers for the first three months of service provision. The service is usually £500 per day, offered to members at just £249 per day. For more information on what Reach Higher HR has to offer, view their Connect Card deal on page 46, visit www.reachhigherhr.co.uk and follow @ReachHR on Twitter.

December

January

Panovista Marketing create actionable online marketing strategies and produce and manage bespoke automated marketing systems for businesses.

Huddersfield Town’s sister company Canalside will be offering 3 months gym membership at Huddersfield Town’s Canalside Stripes Gym for just £45 (usually £60). Plus a free HTAFC water bottle for the first 10 Chamber members who sign up.

December offered members the chance to benefit from new leads when purchasing Panovista Marketing’s lead generation solution Lead Hawk, for 12 months. Usually £494, members pay half price, just £247 for the year. If you have missed this deal, benefit from a free month’s trial of Lead Hawk at www.panovistamarketing.co.uk.

Simon Martin of Capable IT who specialises in business analysis, took advantage of September’s offer benefiting from Panda IT’s free web hosting platform for a whole year: “The Chamber’s Member Offer by Panda IT for free, blazing fast and faultlessly reliable web hosting, has been a great boost to my business. I’d have no hesitation in recommending Rob and the team to any business that needs excellent service and a personal approach.”

View more details at www.mycci.co.uk/getconnected/member-offers or contact Canalside’s Duty Manager on 01484 537720.

Look out for future offers coming soon from: February

March

April

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MembersNews

High-profile dealmaker’s latest book unlocks boardroom secrets for managers Multi award winning dealmaker, speaker and author Jo Haigh is celebrating the recent launch of her latest book. Set to equip the ambitious with an insight into reaching the boardroom, the book is endorsed by serial entrepreneur James Caan. ‘The Keys to the Boardroom, How to Get There and How to Stay There,’ is the fifth book authored by Ms Haigh, a partner of Wakefield Chamber member fds Corporate Finance and fds Knowledge, a specialist training and development business. Both companies have offices in Wakefield, London and Birmingham. Jo has 25 years plus experience as a director and non-executive director in which she has bought and sold over 300 companies. The book, launched at The Hepworth, Wakefield last November, will help ambitious people to deal with boardroom dynamics, politics and prejudices. Said Ms Haigh, whose high-profile accolades includes the 2013 Sunday Times NED of the Year title: “Many people aspire to reach the boardroom but only a few achieve this goal. At the same time the director’s role is under unprecedented scrutiny with a raft of statutory regulations on how directors should behave. The Keys to the Boardroom provides a wealth of real life examples which will be invaluable to managers embarking on this journey.”

Statement adds sparkle to Peter Jones Christmas campaign 2013 Wakefield-based design, digital and marketing agency, Statement, were approached by Peter Jones to give their Christmas marketing campaign a contemporary festive feel. A friendly, family-run retail business which also originated in Wakefield, Peter Jones have over fifty years’ experience of supplying an unrivalled collection of china, crystal, collectables, cookware and commemorative gifts with a personal touch, earning their reputation as one of the UK’s leading suppliers of prestige branded gifts.

Peter Jones’ Christmas catalogue 2013

Harry Hall, of Statement’s creative team, was only too happy to don his Christmas hat in October, ready to produce a high quality mail order Christmas catalogue design and engaging point of sale displays for ten stores across Yorkshire, with a little added sparkle.

Statement also produced digital artwork designs and provided guidance for store window displays. With only a short time in which to turn around this exciting project, Statement thoroughly enjoyed working with Peter Jones’ team. Dan Conboy, Client Services Director said, “We’re always looking to develop relationships with other Wakefield businesses and it’s been a real pleasure to work with Peter Jones on the development of their Christmas creative campaign. The Peter Jones team, whilst having a clear set of objectives, were open and receptive to our ideas. I think this collaborative approach has worked really well; the final result is modern and eye-catching whilst complementing the heritage and reputation of the Peter Jones brand. We look forward to continuing to work with the Peter Jones team on future design, digital and marketing projects.”

Designer & Front End Developer Harry Hall

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NetworkingEvents

What? Come along and enjoy tea, coffee, a light breakfast and an opportunity to make some valuable new contacts. Every delegate will get the chance to introduce their business in a oneminute presentation and then follow-up new leads over breakfast. It’s a great way to make new contacts in a friendly but focused way. You’re also welcome to bring your company literature and banner stands.

When? The first Thursday of every month from 9.30am – 11.00am but please note Connections Count won’t be running in January due to the New Year break.

06th February – Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX1 5ER. 06th

March – Wakefield, please go online at www.mycci.co.uk/events for venue information. 03rd April – Cedar Court Hotel, Ainley Top, Lindley Moor Road, Huddersfield, HD3 3RH.

How? It’s FREE to members and just £5 to non-members. Book online at www.mycci.co.uk.

More info:

Where?

Book your place online or for more information call Rachel Dickie on 01924 311605 or email rachel.dickie@mycci.co.uk.

We rotate the location to cover the whole Mid Yorkshire region in the following order:

Follow @MidYorksChamber and #ConnectionsCount on Twitter.

MY Network Wakefield

What?

MY Network Wakefield is very informal, just turn up and take advantage of this great opportunity to make some valuable new contacts in a relaxed setting. Join us for networking made easy!

MY Network Huddersfield is very informal, just turn up and take advantage of this great opportunity to make some valuable new contacts in a relaxed setting. Join us at this breakfast networking event.

This event is run in partnership with Barclays, Copiserv, First Choice, Ramsdens Solicitors, Statement, and the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

This event is run in partnership with Ramsdens Solicitors, Smiles and The Media Centre.

When?

The third Wednesday of the month from 9.00am – 11.00am.

The second Friday of the month from 12.30pm - 1.30pm.

Where? The Hop, 19 Bank Street, Wakefield, WF1 1EH.

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When?

Where? The Media Centre, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1RL.

How?

No need to book, just turn up!

More info:

Follow @MidYorkshireNet and #MYNetworkWakey on Twitter.

Follow @MidYorkshireNET and #MYNetworkHUD on Twitter.

What?

Where?

These monthly, lunchtime, business networking meetings are very informal with everybody just chatting/mixing/mingling and making new contacts.

Bar Eleven, Harrison Rd, Halifax, HX1 2AF.

How?

This event is run in partnership with Barclays, Begbies Traynor and Ramsdens Solicitors.

It’s completely free to attend, just turn up and the first drink is on us. There are no fees and no pressure!

When?

More info:

The last Friday of the Month 12.30pm – 1.30pm.

Follow @LastFridayClub on Twitter.

The Last Friday Club will meet on 20th December, rather than the 27th, due to the Christmas break.

MY Network Huddersfield

What?

For further information and to book visit www.mycci.co.uk/events or contact rachel.dickie@mycci.co.uk / 01924 311605.

TrainingEvents

60 Useful Minutes Our popular programme of 60 Useful Minutes events returns in 2014 to equip you with tools to grow on social media whilst making sure you’re complying with the law and benefitting from a number of business support seminars.

21 Jan Wake The perils and pitfalls of social media Chadwick Lawrence know that social media can be an excellent marketing tool for businesses however, companies need to remain cautious as employees can seriously damage a business’s reputation through personal use of such sites. Make sure you’re clued up in this seminar presented by Mandy Walton, a member of the employment law team at Chadwick Lawrence LLP.

28 Jan Hudd

4 Mar Hudd

Access to finance for business growth

Lattitude7: A networking skills masterclass

The Business Doctors will be on hand to give you the confidence you need to prepare yourself and your business for a successful application for finance by developing a clear picture of where you want to take your business in the future.

Is networking a bit of a puzzle to you? Do you hate walking into a room full of strangers; actually talking to people and trying to think of something to say?

25 Feb Hudd Google+ - What’s all the fuss about & do I need it? You might be forgiven for thinking Google+ is just another social media site to take your fancy but you’d be wrong. Janet Bebb from Social Progress will deliver this informative session to help you understand why your business needs a Google+ presence and how to make best use of the social media platform.

Well, if so, Martin Haigh from Lattitude7 will help you put the pieces together, dispel your fears and build your confidence so you can become an effective networker.

25 Mar Hudd Find the right funding and support to grow your business The process of finding out what funding and support is relevant to your business and what criteria you need to meet can often be confusing. The Business Doctors, in partnership with the Chamber and Growth Accelerator, will advise business owners looking to grow their business where to turn for help.

All 60 Useful Minutes events are held at the Chamber’s Huddersfield/Wakefield offices and are FREE to members and just £5.00 to non-members. A light breakfast will be provided from 8.30am with the session commencing 9.00am-10.00am. Book your place at www.mycci.co.uk/events

Business doctors coaching taster session 11th Feb 08:30 - 10:30 Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX1 5ER Delivered by the Business Doctors and Growth Accelerator in conjunction with us at the Chamber, this is an opportunity for hardworking business owners to step away from their office. Come along and share issues with business experts, and learn more about the support available to help with strategy, planning and growth in this coaching session. This event is FREE to attend for all but limited to just ten spaces.

2014 is YOUR year to grow! 23rd Jan 09:30 - 12:00 National Coal Mining Museum, Caphouse Colliery, Wakefield, WF4 4RH. Stewart Leahy of The Design Mechanics and Martin Haigh of Lattitude7 present a highly interactive workshop to show you how you can position your business for growth in 2014. Learn key communications skills, ways to build rapport with clients and how to present your key marketing message to clients and prospects and build an automated lead generation process. Delegates attending this event are also given the opportunity to participate in an underground tour of the Coal Mining Museum. This event is £5.00 to all attendees.

For more information and to book visit www.mycci.co.uk/events

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LegalFeature

Countdown to Christmas comes with a warning for consumers As online sales continue to surge litigation lawyer Claire Monkhouse gives a reminder of what to watch out for, and what protection consumers have when buying those carefully chosen presents for family and friends. For many, online shopping seems so much easier than stomping round the high street, but with the growing number of web-based retailers, many of whom cannot be identified offline, consumers need to take care to find out who they are dealing with and move quickly if there’s a problem - such as damaged goods or where things are not as advertised. New regulations are in the pipeline, with a draft Consumer Rights Bill and the implementation of parts of the European Consumer Rights Directive, all intended to give consumers more protection, including extended cancellation periods for online orders and clearer time limits for complaints. Until next year when these are introduced, there are still two main pieces of legislation that protect you when you’re buying those presents. Firstly, there’s the Sale of Goods Act, which applies whether you’re buying on the high street or by mail order or online. This states that anything you buy must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose. The purpose could be a specific purpose that you asked the retailer about and for which they confirmed it would be suitable. That’s particularly relevant these days when people are looking for technological compatibility: – for example if you were to ask if a minispeaker system will work with a particular model of smartphone and the retailer says yes. If anything goes wrong with the purchase, any claim must be made against the retailer as your rights are against the retailer who sold it to you, not the original manufacturer. If the product is faulty, you can choose to reject it and get a refund, but currently the law says you must do this within “a reasonable time”. What is reasonable depends on the product and how obvious the fault is. Generally, it’s best to act quickly and aim to return things within the first four weeks. If it’s too late to reject and receive a refund, you still have a right for faulty goods to be replaced or repaired. But if you’re buying online or by mail order, you have added protection through the

Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations which give you the right to cancel the order and get your money back if goods are not delivered on time: - generally within 30 days if no other date was agreed, and you may be able to claim compensation for anything that arrives late, or not at all. You also have the right to a seven day cooling-off period after you’ve ordered in which to cancel the order. Distance selling regulations only apply where a trader routinely does business through distance selling, which is assessed by whether they have standard procedures and contracts in place for this. If it’s a Christmas ‘pop-up’ or a supplier who does not regularly sell in this way, then you will most likely be limited to the protection of the Sale of Goods Act alone.

If you’re unsure about an online site for any reason, make some simple checks, such as ensuring if there are some alternative (off-line) contact details, seeing if you can find customer reviews on other sites and always make sure you’re on a secure page before providing any credit card details. Happy Christmas shopping! For more information on this subject please contact Claire Monkhouse on 01484 821405 or at clairemonkhouse@eatonsmith.co.uk

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ChamberConnect

Enjoy exclusive long term business discounts What?: Access to a range of offers, negotiated for your business as part of your membership package. You can also participate by offering your own discounted products and services.

How?: Offers are available across a range of categories including Business Travel, IT, Business Services, Cars and Motoring and Lifestyle. You can access all the Connect Card offers via the website.

Why?: Your Connect Card is a value added service that could represent significant savings for your business. By participating as an offer provider you can gain increased brand exposure and create new business opportunities.

Why Mid Yorkshire Chamber?: Mid Yorkshire Chamber is in a unique position to connect you to these benefits, not only via our own membership but that of the British Chambers of Commerce, working at national level.

Please see some of our local offers below

Reach Higher HR offers businesses a flat all inclusive day rate for Chamber members of £350 per day, as apposed to the usual £500 day rate for HR services, for the first three months of any service provision. For more information visit Reach Higher HR’s website www.reachhigherhr.co.uk and submitting an enquiry form or call 07805 468101.

Panda IT Solutions is pleased to offer fellow connect card members an exclusive 15% discount on all it’s IT services, ad hoc or full annual support contracts, web design, off site back ups, web hosting and more. This includes a free, no obligation, consultation, to discuss matching Panda IT’s services to your business needs. Contact: 0845 095 0025 E: rob@pandaitsolutions.co.uk W: www.pandaitsolutions.co.uk

Copiserv provide cost effective photocopying/desk top printing solutions to SME’s across Yorkshire. For Chamber members, we guarantee to reduce your existing photocopying equipment TCO by at least 10%, and OR save you at least 15% on your desktop printing costs. For more information please call 01924 298926 or email sales@copiserv.co.uk.

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Northgate Vehicle Hire are offering Chamber members the following heavily discounted rates on vehicle hire: • CDV Vehicle Peugeot Partner Diesel - £64.10+vat per week • SWB Transit 280 - £91.20+vat per week • LWB Mercedes Sprinter - £125.80+vat per week • Luton with tail lift - £130.00+vat per week • Ford Tippers - £114.80 +vat per week Contact: 01484 767064 E: tamara.nikitin@northgatevehiclehire.co.uk W: www.northgatevehiclehire.co.uk

Business Doctors offer a free business health check worth up to £1000. Are you a successful business owner? Striving to achieve growth? Frustrated by slow progress and poor staff performance? It’s tough taking your business to the next level but we’re here to help. For an independent, positive and practical view of your growth challenges call 08452 938456. Business Doctors, Glyde House, Glydehgate, Bradford BD5 0BQ.

Log into the MY Chamber section at

www.mycci.co.uk to view all Connect Card offers

PropertyFeature

Landlords be aware... CRAR is coming! The widely trailed new Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (‘CRAR’) procedures are set to come into force from 6 April 2014 as a part of the Taking Control of Goods Regulations 2013. These new regulations relate to the procedure for taking control of goods under Schedule 12 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007. This has significant implications for landlords of commercial property, providing a new statutory code in relation to the procedure for commercial rent arrears recovery under section 72 of the Act. This replaces the common law right to ‘distress’ i.e. distraint on goods. The current remedy allows a landlord or certified bailiff, acting on the landlord’s behalf, to enter leased commercial premises occupied by a defaulting tenant and remove and sell goods owned by that tenant up to the value of the rent arrears. This effectively allows a landlord to recover rent arrears without initiating court proceedings.

The new system will introduce a requirement for the landlord to serve a “notice of enforcement” on the tenant before becoming entitled to send in certified bailiffs (‘enforcement agents’) to exercise CRAR. Crucially, a seven day notice period will apply, though the court will have the power to order a lesser period of notice where it is likely that the debtor will move or dispose of goods to prevent enforcement. Landlords will not be entitled to use CRAR against a tenant unless the outstanding amount is equal to or greater than seven days rent arrears, this being a higher threshold than the one day minimum that currently exists.

CRAR will only enable landlords to recover unpaid rent, to include VAT and interest, but critically not related costs such as service charges and insurance. Landlords will not be able to use the remedy where the property or any part of it is being used for residential purposes, unless this is in breach of the terms of the lease. This will no doubt be seen as a welcome development by tenants; landlord’s less so, as the age old, but highly effective remedy of distress, will be rendered very much toothless by these changes. Jason Metcalfe is a Director of Hanson Chartered Surveyors

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EarthtestEnergy

Renewable heat payments confirmed for ground source heatpumps The tariff for the installation of Domestic Ground Source Heat Pumps was announced on July 15th. The domestic tariff rate has been announced as 18.8pence per kilowatt hour. The domestic scheme will pay out for 7 years for every kilowatt hour of heat generated by a domestic heatpump. In addition an annual payment of £230 will be available if the house is metered. The government will be introducing the domestic tariff payments next summer 2014, however they will include any ground source heat installations from this summer 2013 in the new tariff. The Non Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) has been running since last November and Earthtest Energy acquired the first ever RHI for one of our commercial clients. The RHI for commercial and industrial properties has doubled for installations after January 2013 making it an attractive financial proposition to install ground source heat in these premises. The heat produced will not generally be metered, but calculated by the installer on a deemed basis, dependent upon the house type, construction and location. There is an opportunity for home owners with very efficient systems to receive higher tariffs if they agree to the efficiency of their system being metered. A condition of eligibility will be that the house is insulated to economic levels, and there will be loans available through the Green Deal to finance the required insulation. New homes and major renovations will be eligible for Renewable Heat Incentive Tariff payments proved they satisfy the insulation requirements of the current building regulations. The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Policy will be published in Autumn 2013 and the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme will be launched in Summer 2014. For a typical existing 4 bedroom house we would expect to install a 12kilowatt heatpump and for this to earn £5,500 per year or £38,500 plus inflation over the 7 year payment period. For an older 4 bedroom house particularly in a rural setting, we would expect to install a 24 kilowatt heatpump, and for this to earn £11,000 per year or £77,000 plus inflation over the 7 year payment period.

Larger houses with indoor swimming pools would need a 45kilowatt system and could expect to earn £24,000 per year or £170,000 plus inflation over the 7 year payment period. Of necessity these predictions are generalised. Send us details of your house and your post code and we will let you have details of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Tariffs you may receive, and a fully costed proposal for your home FREE of charge. The government sees this scheme as a key part of their strategy to reduce carbon emissions, so we expect the payments to be generous, but they will not be available forever.

Buy early to avoid disappointment! At Earthtest Energy we are available to assist to make the right decisions. earthtest energy is a MCS accredited and registered installer of heat pumps bridge mills, huddersfield road, holmfirth, west yorkshire, hd9 3tw info@earthtestenergy.com www.earthtestenergy.com

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LastWord

Movers&Shakers sponsored by

The Last Word

David Blakemore is a Garden Designer based in the heart of Yorkshire who has a real passion for creating beautiful gardens that become true outdoor living spaces.

Answered by Ashley Barrowclough FCA, Proprietor of Balance Accounts

See www.davidblakemore.com or call 01977 602 019 and discover the really friendly and professional services of David Blakemore Garden Design.

Currently the proprietor at Balance Accountants in Holmfirth, Ashley Barrowclough has just celebrated 20 years in the role but still retains the energy and drive that is needed to make the business successful. Born and raised in Huddersfield, married for almost 30 years to local girl Elizabeth and currently running a local accountancy practice — all indicate that Ashley has led a fairly steady and uneventful life. However a six year stint in South Africa where he was a partner with Pricewaterhouse Coopers threw up more than enough excitement for one lifetime. On arrival in South Africa the plane crashed at Bloemfontein airport and subsequent events included a high speed motorway crash, being charged by a bull elephant in the Kruger National Park, fleeing from a military coup with machine gun fire rattling all around as well as confrontations with highly poisonous snakes, giant spiders, sewer crabs and crocodile sized lizards. Life back in the UK at the helm of Balance Accountants certainly seems sedate by comparison but it still throws up its fair share of interesting and challenging work!

was your first job and what you could do another job what Q.What Q.Ifwould it be? was the pay packet? A part time job on a A.greengrocers stall in

N/A—totally happy with the A.job that I do.

Huddersfield Market—£5 per day.

person, what are your Q.Asthreea business main qualities?

Q.toWhatwork?do you always carry with you A. Simple briefcase containing A.everything I need for the day’s work.

was your biggest mistake in Q.What business?

is the biggest challenge Q.What facing your business?

off without a proper A.Started business plan then proceeded

with red tape and A.Coping administration—it gets in the way of real work.

If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business?

A.Reduce Red Tape. What can you see from your office window?

hills and sheep—one of A.Fields, the benefits of working in an out of town location.

Empathy with clients, strong belief in teamwork and a desire to stand out from the crowd.

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David holds a BSc in landscape and garden design and the experience to help his customers make their gardens something special.Whether it’s a practical space for a family garden or a more spectacular design to wow your friends, David will help you every step of the journey.

David Ridgway was first elected as a Kirklees Councillor in 1996. He was the Mayor of the Borough in 2012/13. After a career in textiles and the financial services industry, David has recently set up a business consultancy called Transforming Connections. He is now working to ensure that the Kirklees area in particular and West Yorkshire in general successfully ride out the recession. David believes that by bringing a vibrant Chamber and an innovative University together with a forward-thinking Council, we can create a positive environment for business growth and inward business migration.

LMD Services is a sales agency that offers business development services to companies who wish to sell into the SME sector in the Yorkshire & Humberside region, across a variety of core services for small business covering merchant services, short term business funding, EPoS, networking and telecommunications services. After 25 years in IT & networking sales, Mark started his own business, a identifying the areas where he could best put to use his business and ICT knowledge to help small businesses grow. LMD Services are going strong having acquired PaymentSense as a major client who are one of the UK’s most successful merchant services providers having 30,000 active merchants currently. Mark, with his family in Huddersfield is very proud of the reputation he has gained for fairness and honesty with existing customers.

to chase work by cutting prices.

advice would you give to Q.What aspiring entrepreneurs? Prepare a detailed working A.business plan, differentiate your product/service from your competitors and don’t try to compete purely on price.

do you most admire in Q.Who business? I like Alan Sugar because he A.started with nothing and has grown a significant business empire but has remained pragmatic and down to earth.

Samantha Melton, a former Senior Event Executive at the Tower of London has been appointed as Event Sales Co-ordinator at the National Coal Mining Museum for England. Sam was named in Event Magazine’s 100 Club, as one of the top 100 events people in 2009. Sam said: “I am really pleased to be working at the Museum. My initial agenda is to develop daytime conferences to provide a quality, simply priced offer. I’m also looking forward to developing plans for corporate and private evening/weekend events. The Museum is very flexible and suited to a wide range of uses.”