BUSINESS
June / July 2014
CONNECTED SUFFOLK
Flexible capital to maximize your business Are you a small or medium sized UK business looking for funding?
See how Fleximize can help your business grow‌ LIMITED COMPANIES Leading B2B Magazine
SOLE TRADERS Business Networking
PARTNERSHIPS Featured Local News
Does your business have a Twitter account? There is now over 500 million registered accounts worldwide!
Can you believe over 65% of UK businesses now have a Twitter account?
We here at Business Connected understand your time is valuable and we are here to help. LinkedIn, Facebook and now Twitter! Twitter is growing so rapidly.
We can set up, manage and run your account. We can set up, manage and run your complete twitter campaign.
Our Twitter service includes: Page branding 3 month Twitter strategy 4 tweets per day Replies to all incoming messages Attracting new followers (Average 1000 new folllowers in 90 days) Links to your website and other social media
BUSINESS
C ON N E C T E D Follow us on Twitte r @Connected_Essex
Here is an outline of our great value Twitter service. Not only will it help with your companies marketing but will also open you up to a whole other world of social media.
BUSINESS
June / July 2014
CONNECTED SUFFOLK
Flexible capital to maximize your business Are you a small or medium sized UK business looking for funding?
See how Fleximize can help your business grow… LIMITED COMPANIES Leading B2B Magazine
SOLE TRADERS Business Networking
PARTNERSHIPS Featured Local News
Get In Touch Tel: 01702 513113
Email: info@businessconnected.co.uk
Or Visit: www.businessconnected.co.uk Follow us on Facebook
Welcome... Welcome to the June / July edition of the Business Connected Suffolk magazine. Our Ipswich networking events are in full swing and coupled with the success of our Essex events we are pleased to announce we are moving our events from bi-monthly to monthly, full details can be found on page 5. We were delighted to meet lots of our readers recently at Trinity Park where we exhibited at Anglia Business Expo where it was refreshing to see so many businesses in one venue. This edition’s front cover and lead feature is brought to you by Fleximize who are a UK-based direct funding company based in Ipswich and London. We also feature a great H&S update, auto-enrolment the latest business coach feature now brought to you by ActionCOACH, a great article on the latest mover and shaker, delve further in to the world of Business Connected’s Premier Partners as well as bringing you the latest news from around Suffolk. It’s been great to meet so many new faces over the last few months and we look forward to meeting many more over the summer.
Contents 06 Lead Feature 07 Fleximize 08
www.facebook.com/ BusinessConnected Follow us on Twitter
Richard Pond Managing Director
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Business Advice Pension Automatic Enrolment
Charity News CHAPS - The Men’s Health Charity
@Connected_Essex
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any way without prior written permission of Business Connected Ltd.
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Suffolk Round Up -
18 19
Suffolk Networking Events -
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Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions.
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Printed in the UK by Printwize www.printwize.co.uk
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News From Around The County
Recommended by Business Connected
Movers & Shakers Digital Expert Joins Design Agency
H&S Update Health & Safety - The Basics
Business Coach How to Build Your Business in 2014
Technology Update Google Glass, Yes or No? www.businessconnected.co.uk
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BUSINESS
CONNECTED SUFFOLK
About us Business Connected helps businesses across Suffolk and Essex to be seen on a variety of platforms. Our aim is to bring local businesses together via our unique countywide b2b magazine which is printed and distributed to over 6000 businesses in each county as well as our online version which can be found on our website and is emailed to over 50,000 businesses.
even throw in a free review. We handle many email campaigns and our technical guys love nothing more than playing with data and arranging amazing looking monthly newsletters. Many of our loyal customers
came
to us in the first place Our
website
www.businessconnected.co.uk
gets
as
they
wanted to be seen
1000s of visits daily from companies and individuals
in
print,
who want to stay abreast of all the business news from
at
around the county. Our news stories are updated daily
across the social
and sit comfortably next to our business directory,
media
our events page and our online magazine.
but couldn’t find
events
online, and
platforms
a company that If you prefer more face to face contact then cast
could cater for everything. That’s until they came
your eyes to the following page and read about our
across Business Connected. Why not give us a call
exciting business networking events that we hold in a
today and maybe we can help you too. Call us today
variety of venues.
for a chat on 01702 513113.
As social media becomes more popular Business Connected leads the way with our social media service, we can set up, run and plan your social media campaign, so if you haven’t got that Twitter account set up yet or your LinkedIn company page isn’t showing the sorts of returns you had hoped for, then why not let Business Connected take a look. We will
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www.businessconnected.co.uk
OUR EVENTS
To book tickets for any Business Connected event please visit: www.businessconnected.co.uk/our-events or call 01702 513113
Here at Business Connected we love to network, it is how we grow our business. Networking done right can be one of the greatest assets to any company. We work hard to make sure that all our guests get the most from our events. Even before the event starts we send over the full delegate list so you can plan your networking the day before. Then on the day our delegates can ask the Business Connected team to make the introductions for you. We also pick the very best venues, stick to a proven formula, throw in a couple of prize draws and have free parking at all events. Still not convinced then pop over to www.businessconnected.co.uk and have a look at a video of our past events. 7:30am Guests arrive 45 minutes for open networking.
Breakfast
8:15am
Full English or continental served with tea, coffee and juices & of course a great vegetarian option.
Breakfast is served, 45 minutes to network with your table (8 to 10 to a table).
9:00am Speakers address the room, prize draws and Business Connected Magazine is handed out. 9:15am
Speakers finish allowing time to open network with the room.
All venues have free parking on site.
Business Connected is pleased to be moving our networking events from bi-monthly to monthly from this summer. We also have meetings across Essex at Colchester United, Essex Cricket Club and Southend Airport. For more details on all our events and for tickets please visit www.businessconnected.co.uk/our-events.
www.businessconnected.co.uk
05
Flexible Capital to Maximise Your Business Our Story Individually, we have worked in many areas of finance including consumer lending, corporate finance, and venture investing. One thing we all recognize is the remarkable impact access to capital can have on a business. So as a team, we set off to build the best independent small business finance company in the UK. At Fleximize small businesses can enjoy a borrowing experience previously reserved only for big corporates. We do this by harnessing technology to simplify the funding process while keeping personal relationships at the heart of every decision we make. For business owners, this means a quick application with minimal paperwork, a dedicated relationship manager and fast access to funds. At Fleximize, we are dedicated to making it easier for small businesses to finance their growth.
Business Funding Case Study Paul’s electronics business looked like every small business owner’s dream. Demand for his product was high and the business was enjoying a period of rapid and sustained growth. Paul knew that he was going to need to find finance fast if he was going to take full advantage of this bumper season so he came to Fleximize and in only a few days his business secured the funding it needed and Paul was able to keep in control of his growing business. In Paul’s own words: “We needed access to expansion financing that was cost effective, flexible and able to grow with our expansion. We found the team at Fleximize to provide the exact services that we were seeking. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Fleximize”.
www.fleximize.com Call us: 020 7100 0110 Email: support@fleximize.com 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE
Fleximize is a UK-based direct funding company and web platform launched in January 2014. Our mission is to help small and medium British businesses grow by providing them with flexible financing solutions tailored to their unique needs and preferences. We are striving to provide our clients with experience and service traditionally available only to larger corporates. Your dedicated relationship manager will guide and support you from the moment you apply - no bouncing from person to person or waiting for hours on hold.
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Business Advice
Pension Automatic Enrolment - What Is All The Fuss About?
Fiona Cowie, Pensions specialist talks about automatic enrolment and the reality for small businesses.
I
n October 2012, the UK Government’s new Workplace Pensions Reform legislation came into effect. For the first time, all UK employers are required to automatically enrol employees who meet certain minimum criteria into a qualifying workplace pension plan and make minimum contributions to that plan. You may know this as ‘Automatic Enrolment’. After a number of years of hearing about automatic enrolment, the practical reality has now finally arrived for small and medium sized businesses! Employers with between 1 and 250 employees must meet the new pension automatic enrolment requirements on specific dates over the next few years. A significant number of small businesses are burying their heads in the sand, choosing to leave the planning right until the last minute. Small business owners and managers are asking “What is all the fuss about?”. Many believe that automatic enrolment means simply putting in place a pension plan. Other small businesses that already have a company pension plan believe that there is nothing else they need to do to meet the automatic enrolment obligations. This could not be further from reality. So what IS all the fuss about? It is a common misconception that automatic enrolment is all about the pension plan. The pension plan is important, however, research and experience suggests that only around 10% of the additional work that automatic enrolment will bring to a business is related to the pension plan. More than 90% relates to additional employee data management, administration, business processes and payroll activities. These can quickly have a huge impact on small businesses, putting strain on already stretched internal resources and adding significant additional cost.
Does automatic enrolment affect me? If you are a UK business and you have at least one UK based employee, automatic enrolment will apply to you.
workforce every time you run your payroll, automatically enrol employees who meet specific age and earnings criteria into your pension plan, make contributions into the pension plan, communicate with all employees on automatic enrolment and keep records for 6 years.
When do I need to do it? The Pensions Regulator has written to every employer with a Staging Date. This is the date on which you must meet your new legal obligations. You can find out your Staging Date at www.tpr.gov.uk
What happens if I don’t act? The Pensions Regulator has the power to issue fines for noncompliance. The initial fixed fine is £400 followed by £50 to £10,000 per day for continued non-compliance.
Where do I start? There are useful sources of information on automatic enrolment at www.tpr.gov.uk and at the government provided pension scheme website at www.nestpensions.org.uk. Fiona Cowie of Essential HR Solutions has the expertise to explain the new automatic enrolment legal requirements in plain English, saving you time and taking away the worry of getting something wrong. She can provide practical advice on everything from how to find a qualifying pension plan, to dealing with employee data and communication. Fiona works with local service providers such as your accountant, payroll provider and IFA and others in the wider pension’s arena such as www.pensionplaypen.co.uk to ensure the most cost-effective solution for your business. She can help you to analyse the likely cost of automatic enrolment so you can plan ahead with confidence and she will also work with you to ensure that you get the best value from your additional spend and help to keep staff productive and motivated through this period of change. Visit www.essentialhr.co.uk/pension-auto-enrolment/ or call Fiona on 01245 349492 to find out more.
Why do I have to do it? Meeting the automatic enrolment regulations is a legal requirement. If you are a UK business and you do not do it, you will not be meeting your legal obligations as an employer.
What will I be required to do? In very broad terms, you will need to put in place a pension plan that meets minimum requirements, assess your
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www.businessconnected.co.uk
Tel: 01245 349492 Web: www.essentialhr.co.uk Fiona Cowie, Pensions Specialist
Ipswich Town Football Club Portman Road Suffolk’s Number One Venue
Meet At The Number One Venue! Are you planning an event, conference or meeting? If so, then why not hold it at ITFC? Ipswich Town Football Club is a unique venue, with excellent facilities and an award winning hospitality and catering team. The venue provides an inspirational backdrop for any meeting or occasion With easy access and on-site parking facilities, our venue is in a prime location for your next meeting, evening event or exhibition.
Contact our experienced Conference & Events team on 01473 400580 to find out more or visit: www.numberonevenue.co.uk
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Charity News
CHAPS – The Men’s Health Charity
C
HAPS Men’s Health Charity aims to be a single, independent and authoritative source of information and an advocate for men’s health issues in Essex. Why? Because men are notoriously reluctant to seek medical care and advice. Too many are unaware of the significance of warning symptoms or ignore them till too late and present with advanced or incurable diseases such as cancer. Perhaps this is why our cancer cure rates still lag behind those of most of our European neighbours. Here in Essex we are luckier than in many parts of the country with people living longer than the average across the UK. But we cannot be complacent as there remain many local areas of social deprivation closely linked to poor survival rates. For instance a man living in Jaywick is likely to live 13 years less than one only 5 miles along the coast in Frinton! How can CHAPS make a difference? We believe that by constantly highlighting the causes of premature death in men, constantly repeating the early warning symptoms that indicate underlying disease and constantly promoting the benefits of awareness, early detection and prevention, we can save lives and make a difference.
commonest cause of male deaths and impotence which is frequently an early warning sign of serious underlying heart disease.
Fortunately we perceive that men themselves are beginning to take active steps to safeguard their health and the men’s health agenda is getting much more publicity and support. CHAPS has now run 3 successful annual Men’s Health Days at The Weston Homes Community Stadium in collaboration with Colchester United and the number of men coming for heart checks, prostate cancer checks and aortic aneurysm screening has increased each year from nearly 200 to over 300 this March. Because of this success we have received a Big Lottery Fund grant and been engaged by Enable East to run health days across East Anglia with ma jor events at Southend United on May 19th, Newmarket Racecourse on 7th June, Ipswich Town Football Club on 16th October and with Clacton Lions on Opening the event at the Weston Homes 13th November. Community Stadium are Chris Booth, In subsequent issues Business Chief Inspector Richard Phillibrown and Connected will deal with specific the Mayor and Mayoress of Colchester, conditions and offer advice on how Cllrs Colin and Laura Sykes to get the best out of various medical services available to you for their detection and treatment. I hope this will serve as a useful introduction and pointer for the future.
The queue waiting to come in So far CHAPS has produced booklets and leaflets that tackle important questions, describe the main problems that afflict men, Mr Chris Booth, FRCS and provide specialist advice. Our Men’s Health Passport Consultant Urologist & Clinical Director lists “red flag” symptoms, outlines the benefits (and risks) CHAPS Men’s Health Charity of cancer screening programmes and provides a handy Master Weavers House format for keeping key personal medical data. Southfields Dedham We are expanding the range and number of organisations Essex CO7 6AH for whom we can provide speakers on men’s health and related topics such as the NHS reforms, not just to men’s groups but to women’s groups as well. Women are much more familiar with the benefits of screening! If you need a speaker, please contact us – the talks are free but donations to the Charity are welcome. The diseases we continue to target for special attention are prostate cancer – now the number one male cancer diagnosed in the UK – heart disease, which remains the
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www.businessconnected.co.uk
Tel: 01206 321253 Email: chris.booth@chaps.uk.com Chris Booth, FRCS, CHAPS Clinical Director
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Suffolk Round Up
News From Around The County Anglia Business Exhibition is a record-breaker Firms from across Suffolk and beyond showcased their products and services recently at the Anglia Business Exhibition. The event, organised by the Ipswich & Suffolk Small Business Association (ISSBA) and previously known as the Suffolk Business Exhibition, was rebranded this year to reflect its growing reputation and support around the region. Suffolk Chamber of Commerce was again lead partner with ISSBA in organising the event, which was held at Trinity Park, Ipswich, and attracted a record total of more than 150 exhibitors. The event was officially opened by Mark Pendlington, chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, who praised the two organisations for creating an exhibition which, he said, had become important not just for small businesses but also for large firms and for anyone with a business idea.
Ipswich-based marketing firm Crafted has appointed five new starters Paul Miller takes on the role of PPC executive to help promote the agency’s clients across the range of paid search channels, including Google AdWords, display and social media advertising. Ben Ward has been appointed as account manager. A graduate from Goldsmiths University London, Ben relocated to Ipswich for the position after spending time with a Brighton media agency. Emma Andrews comes on board as head of client services (acting), managing a team of account managers to shape clients’ on-going digital strategies. Andrew Fiddy joins Crafted’s creative department as senior designer with 14 years’ experience in website and digital design. Paul Bloomfield, a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Paul has been appointed as developer within the technical team to produce efficient and functionally rich websites, apps and technical solutions.
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>>>> > >>>> Head of sales and marketing Tom Gillman said: “Adding new talent to the team provides us with the strength to take on more projects and maintain the level of service our clients have come to expect. It’s great to have them in our team.” Suffolk and Cambridgeshire solicitors firm Charles Fraser & Co has strengthened its team with the appointment of a new partner.
Enterprise agency Menta unveils new-look board of directors
Suffolk enterprise agency Menta has welcomed five new members to its board, and paid thanks to three long-serving directors who have stood down. The new directors include Emma Finn from New Anglia LEP, Mike Faers of Food Innovation Solutions, Rob Masson from MI UK, Dayle Bayliss of Dayle Bayliss Associates and Andrea Mayley from St Edmundsbury Borough Council. All take up their voluntary positions immediately. Menta chair Jane Vincent and chief executive Alex Till welcomed the new directors at a luch event held at Ravenswood Hall, near Bury St Edmunds, where presentations were also made to the three retiring directors, Trevor Hawkins, Justine Murray and Phillip Merchant.
New partner at firm of solicitors will focus on property sales and management
Anglia Business Expo – Winners
Mark Beaton has joined Charles Fraser & Co after 20 years of working in property law at Suffolk, most recently at Ashton KCJ.
Keep Calm and Take a Selfie - Is what Free Rein challenged both the exhibitors and visitors to do at the recent Anglia Business Exhibition, and as a result had people queuing up to submit their entries via the iPads on their stand, via their own smart phone and directly via twitter when they got back to their offices the following days.
Charles Fraser & Co is linked to Irena Spence and Co so is represented in both Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge. In his new role, Mr Beaton will look at all aspects of property sales and management in the region including residential sales and landlord and tenant law. He said: “The property market has come a long way since the start of the credit crunch. Landlord and tenant activity has grown over the period as more people have moved to rental rather than enter into new mortgage contracts.”
The winners of the ‘selfie’ competition were Caroline Gould of CG Events Suffolk and Richard Pond of Business Connected whose selfies were immortalised in icing, sponge, jam and cream as ‘mini-me’ selfie cakes. Richard commented “The ‘selfie’ competition was light hearted fun at a business exhibition it does highlight the opportunity that exists by engaging people via social media”.
Source One wins new contract in Ipswich Source One Consulting, the office interiors specialist based in Ipswich, has been awarded the contract to work with Scrutton Bland for their new office development in Ipswich. As part of the £1 million refurbishment of the Crown Street office, Source One will be supplying office furniture and related equipment for the new site, including workstations, seating, storage and meeting room furniture.
BUSINESS
CONNECTED SUFFOLK
For more from around the county and to find the sources to all of these and many more Suffolk news stories please visit www.businessconnected.co.uk Business news stories are updated every day.
www.businessconnected.co.uk
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Suffolk Networking Events Recommended by Business Connected
June
June
June
June
June
02
03 & 17
10 & 24
10 & 24
11
Office Drinks Ipswich
4N Ipswich
4N Bury St Edmunds
BoB Club, Ipswich
Felixstowe
Bar 16 & Kitchen,
The Oyster Reach,
Oakes Barn,
NWES Premises,
Business Lunch
Ipswich IP4 1AY
Ipswich IP2 8ND
Bury St Edmunds
Ipswich IP2 8SJ
The Brook Hotel,
6.30pm to 9.00pm
8.00am to 10.00am
IP33 3PH
7.15am to 8.30am
Felixstowe IP11 7PF
6.30pm to 9.30pm
June
June
16
17
June
1.00pm to 2.00pm
June
June
18 19 24
Ipswich
WiRE - Women in
CoastalNet
Stowmarket Chamber
Ipswich
Entrepreneurs’ Lunch
Rural Enterprise
Ufford Park,
of Commerce
Professionals Lunch
Holiday Inn,
14-20 Fore Street,
Melton IP12 1QW
Stowmarket Golf Club,
K Bar & Grill,
Copdock IP2 0UA
Ipswich IP4 1JU
9.30am to 11.30am
Stowmarket IP14 3DA
Ipswich IP1 1TW
11.45am to 2.00pm
7.00pm to 9.00pm
6.45am to 8.30am
12.30pm to 2.30pm
Flexible, productive net You can network at any 4Networking breakfast (8-10am) or lunch (12.00-14.00) gr you can network anywhere, anytime. Our meetings are relaxed, friendly and open t 18
www.businessconnected.co.uk
For more information on any of these events please call Richard on 01702 513113
Sponsored by
July
July
July
July
July
01, 15 & 29
07
08 & 22
08 & 22
08 & 27
Office Drinks Ipswich
The Lead
4N Bury St Edmunds
BoB Club, Ipswich
The Oyster Reach,
Bar 16 & Kitchen,
Generation Club
Oakes Barn,
NWES Premises,
Ipswich IP2 8ND
Ipswich IP4 1AY
The Oyster Reach,
Bury St Edmunds
Ipswich IP2 8SJ
6.30pm to 9.00pm
Ipswich IP2 8ND
IP33 3PH
7.15am to 8.30am
7.00am to 9.00am
6.30pm to 9.30pm
4N Ipswich
8.00am to 10.00am
July
July
July
July
July
09 15 16 21 29 Felixstowe
WiRE - Women in
CoastalNet
Ipswich
Ipswich
Business Lunch
Rural Enterprise
Ufford Park,
Entrepreneurs’ Lunch
Professionals Lunch
The Brook Hotel,
14-20 Fore Street,
Melton IP12 1QW
Holiday Inn,
K Bar & Grill,
Felixstowe IP11 7PF
Ipswich IP4 1JU
9.30am to 11.30am
Copdock IP2 0UA
Ipswich IP1 1TW
1.00pm to 2.00pm
7.00pm to 9.00pm
11.45am to 2.00pm
12.30pm to 2.30pm
tworking across Suffolk roup across Suffolk. With over 5000 4Networking meetings a year across the UK, to anyone, so please book into one today. For full details visit www.4networking.biz www.businessconnected.co.uk
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Movers & Shakers
Digital Expert Joins East Anglian Creative Design Agency Alex Ward
A
lex Ward MCMI, former Digital Director of Colchester-based Mosaic Publicity, has joined Bures-based sustainable design agency Zero Above as part of a growth strategy to extend the scope of the business’ senior level team. Prior to working at Mosaic, Alex honed his expertise working with a diverse range of sectors and ran his own design agency for ten years, working with a range of high profile UK brands. Most recently, Alex has specialised in creating and managing innovative digital marketing projects and joins Zero Above as its Head of Digital. In addition to his new post at Zero Above, Alex works as an Acting Special Chief Inspector in the Essex Police Neighbourhood Policing Command unit. Having been
About Zero Above Zero Above is a multi-award-winning, Essex-based sustainable design agency which has been carbonbalanced from its creation two and a half years ago. Set up by its working partners, each sharing a vision for sustainable business, the agency offers comprehensive services for brand and marketing strategy, digital marketing, design and print, web design and development, exhibition and signage, and of course mobile App development. Zero Above approaches every project as a unique piece of work for its clients, and with the skills, commitment and experience in the team, they are able to offer a multi-disciplinary service designed to deliver great results every time. “We call it Develop-Design-Deliver - and we can deliver the whole process from start to finish, or any stage in isolation depending on your needs.” Visit www. zeroabove.co.uk or tweet @zeroabove for further information.
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part of a specialist Chelmsford-based operation for the last five years, Alex puts in about 20 hours a week managing around 50 people in many areas including operational planning and deployment. “I love being part of pushing an organisation forward and making a difference,” says Alex, “whether that’s in the creative industry or in policing. Zero Above has been working on some increasingly high-profile and innovative projects, so I am looking forward to helping to deliver projects and developing our talented digital team.” Following on from projects with clients including The Church of England, Cancer Research UK and Chelmsford Cathedral, the agency has been looking to evolve its digital marketing offering. With Alex’s personal skill set on board, Zero Above will be able to accelerate its digital portfolio including website design and optimisation, PPC, SEO and user experience. “I wanted to join an agency that was ethical and morally led,” says Alex, “in addition to its sustainable ethos, Zero Above has a great portfolio and is well-respected for its creative and digital work in the marketplace.” “In the past Zero Above has done great work with Cancer Research UK, MIND and a number of other charities. The agency also never fails to ensure that its own business is carbon balanced and that its carbon footprint is offset with a validated emissions reduction project – that’s something that I can really subscribe to.”
Do you have what it takes?
Bu of W sin the inn es UK er s O ’s pp Be or st tun ity
To join The World’s Number 1 Business Coaching Team... What sets ActionCOACH apart?
The returns are market-beating; on a single-operator licence for £41k including training, you can expect a six figure income with our guaranteed business model, if you meet 7 non-negotiables to be awarded the franchise.
“The quality of individuals in our network is second-to-none.” Lucas Vigilante, Franchise Partner
Here are just a few reasons why the best people are choosing to invest in the UK’s best: ✔ Client generation centre means you can focus on the fun stuff ✔ Opportunity to make a meaningful and major difference ✔ CompareTheFinancialMarkets.com’s Best UK Business Opportunity ✔ Access to a great support team and over 3,500 strategies and tactics to assist in your day-to-day business coaching ✔ Guaranteed £8,500 to £14,000 monthly income by month 7 - ask us about the terms and conditions ✔ First to achieve 5 Star Franchisee Satisfaction Status
“It’s run by a great team in the UK who are fun to work with and always looking for ways to ensure the best chance of success.” Andy Hemming, Franchise Partner
Watch the opportunity overview video at actioncoach-franchise.co.uk/overview It could be the best 6 minutes you’ve ever invested.
To find out more call Rainy or Sam on: 01284 701 648
0844 800 7371 www.chevingtongroup.co.uk
Suppliers of Professional Workplace Solutions Chevington Services specialises in making your workplace better. Not just with great products, but with great services delivered by great people ! Friendly, well trained, knowledgable personnel delivering efficient, reliable services are the reasons why our customers choose Chevington.
We’re built around servicing your business with the very best and the best prices
The business has moved on from being focussed only on water coolers to now much more of an overall environmental services provider. We are now able to supply, service and maintain a wide variety of services for the business sector. It now operates in three main areas which each have their own appeal and use to business:
Waste Processing • Chevington Services can supply equipment that you can use to make money from your waste, waste compaction is an easy way to turn your waste paper and cardboard into £££’s, so you benefit and not the refuse company.
Vending • Modern and stylish vending machines now available, which can supply freshly ground coffee, snacks and cold drinks.
Water • Water dispensers available in a variety of styles and capabilities. • Bottled water in branded glasses. A business chooses from a selection of bottle style which is branded in their way to provide freshly filtered water to its customers, as an alternative to the more expensive ‘branded’ water. Very popular to offer this to customers, and is a cheaper alternative for business, but also more environmentally friendly as it does not require lorries travelling up and down the country refilling and collecting.
g n i h t y l n o e h t s i This p u w e r c s r e v e l l i w e w f or you!
MARKETING DEVELOPMENT WEBSITES EMAIL DESIGN
0844 586 0020
BUSINESS OBJECTIVES WITH NO LIMITS DESIGN
CREATIVITY
STRATEGY
RESULTS
Suffolk County Council Procurement
“We’re open for business” Aidan Dunn - Head of Corporate Procurement At the recent Anglian Business Exhibition Aidan Dunn, Assistant Director Strategic Finance and Head of Procurement Resource Management of Suffolk County Council gave a great speech, here are the findings.
Some Headline Figures • In 2012/13 we spent £434m • On average 52% of our spend goes to Suffolk Postcodes • 91% of invoices are paid within 30 days
What do we spend it on? • Community Care • Waste Disposal and Landfill • Roads maintenance and construction • Passenger transport • Buildings maintenance and construction • Public Health Services • Average around 60 contracts awarded each year • 95% of contracts have a new supplier following tender • 64% are awarded to local companies
But… what’s in it for me? We want to do more… How do I become a supplier?
Identify
• Suffolk Sourcing • Twitter @SuffolkSourcing and @SuffolkPCM • Contracts Finder
Engage
• Supplier Market Engagement • Register your interest • Work with commissioners and other providers to influence our specification
Submit
• Complete a tender • Submit using Suffolk Sourcing • Receive feedback on the tender outcome
Adult Care 42% Children’s Care 20% Highways and Economy 20% Public Protection, Fire etc. 2% Public Health 1% Resource Management inc. Property 13%
What we need from you • Your experience • Innovation • Flexibility • New ideas • Drive • Commitment to work with us All of which adds up to…
What a good offer looks like • Cost • Quality - Meets EU and equivalent standards - Technical support and installation where needed - A clear understanding of the requirement and how to deliver it • Social Value Environmental Social Economic
How can we help? • Free Tender Training • Suffolk Sourcing Help and Support • Social Media • Buyers available throughout the afternoon
Aidan Dunn Assistant Director Strategic Finance and Head of Procurement Resource Management | Suffolk County Council | Endeavour House | 8 Russell Road | Ipswich | IP1 2BX Tel: 01473 264394 | Email: aidan.dunn@suffolk.gov.uk | www.suffolk.gov.uk
Call 07876 688996 or email mark.reynolds@grouptrader.com to see how Grouptrader can deliver for you and your business.
H&S Update
Health & Safety - The Basics
H
ealth and safety can be a minefield for those who are not “in the know”. It has also suffered a lot of bad press, many myths surrounding health and safety add to the confusion and some companies use “health and safety” as an excuse to cover up poor customer service. The best starting point is the HSE website http://www.hse. gov.uk/ it provides many tools for small businesses starting out. If you are a small company employing less than five people then providing you are not carrying out “high risk activities” then you should be able to manage your health and safety yourself. To give you the confidence to do this and to gain “competence” you should really look at some kind of training such as an IOSH Managing Safely course. Ultimately as an employer you have a responsibility to ensure that your employees are safe, in this day and age there is no reason why anybody should get injured at work. Applying some basic principles, planning tasks properly and asking yourself questions like what could go wrong? Who could get hurt? Then looking at what you can do to protect those people.
Risk Assessment Many businesses struggle with risk assessment, they either tend to over complicate it or ignore it all together, I have lost count of the times I have been asked for an approved template, or the right template, there is no such thing.
5 Steps to risk assessment 1. Identify the Hazards. “A hazard is something (e.g. an object, a property of a substance, a phenomenon or an activity) that can cause adverse effects.” - HSE. Document any hazards that you identify. 2. Decide who and what can get harmed and how. Employees, members of the public, customers etc. and how could they get hurt? Could something fall on them? Could they trip over something? 3. Evaluate the risk and decide on precautions. What is the likelihood of the hazardous event occurring? What is the possible severity of the hazardous event? Then decide what you can do that is reasonably practicable to reduce the likelihood of the hazardous event happening, these are called control measures. To give you some idea on control measure here is the hierarchy of what you should be looking for. a. Elimination – Do you really need to do the task at all? b. Substitution – Can you achieve the same outcome by doing it more safely? c. Engineering controls – Can you add guards, local exhaust ventilation, physical barriers to protect people?
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d. Administrative controls – Carry out a risk assessment, write safe systems of work, increase signage etc. e. Personal Protective Equipment – This is always the last option, the trouble with PPE is that you have to rely on your staff wearing it, also, the hazardous event will still happen, but the injury should be less severe. 4. Record your findings and implement them. There are many templates you could use, you need to find one that works for you, the most important thing is to actually do what your risk assessment says you do! 5. Review your assessment and update if necessary. You should review your risk assessment periodically, with higher risk tasks and fast changing industries this should be very often, regardless of the task you should review your risk assessments at least annually. Also, if there is a change in process, manning or equipment used then you will need to review the risk assessment.
Documentation If you employ five or more people then by law you are required to have a written health and safety policy, written risk assessments specific to your business. These documents should be used as a tool to communicate to staff what is required of them and what your commitment is to ensure their health and safety. In addition, if you have a visit from the HSE they will expect to see these documents, and in the worst-case scenario, these documents will be used as evidence should an accident occur. See below for a typical list of documents: • Written health and safety policy • Risk assessment COSHH assessments Manual handling assessments DSE (Display Screen Equipment) self assessments Fire Risk Assessment • Accident book • Training records • Safe systems of work • Method statements There is much more to health and safety, depending on what industry you are in and what tasks you carry out as a business. Hopefully this article will get you started on your journey to a safer workplace. If you require any assistance with your health and safety please do not hesitate to contact our qualified consultants on 01206 262117. * Written by Mal Greenleaf, SVC Group
Health & Safety The SVC Group provide health and safety support, in Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and across the UK.
Fully Qualified Practitioners Our SVC health and safety team are fully qualified, experienced
Health & Safety Support Services
H&S professionals, with qualifications from the National Examination
HEALTH & SAFETY AUDITS
Board Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) and also membership
HEALTH & SAFETY MANUAL
to the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
STRONG AND UP TO DATE H&S POLICY
Peace of Mind
GENERAL RISK ASSESSMENTS
We provide our clients with the assurance that we have knowledge of, and adhere to, the most up to date health & safety legislation.
SPECIFIC SITE/BUSINESS RISK ASSESSMENTS
We provide advice and support based on good business ethics and
MANUAL HANDING RISK ASSESSMENTS
sound business reasoning.
COSHH ASSESSMENTS
If you had a visit from the health & safety executive would you feel
VDU ASSESSMENTS
confident that you are doing everything in line with current health
DRIVING POLICY
and safety legislation?
MATERNITY RISK ASSESSMENTS
For more information on HR, contact Mal Greenleaf on 01206 262117 or mgreenleaf@svcgroup.co.uk or visit www.svcgroup.co.uk
Business Connected @Ipswich Town FC
Photographs by Emily Fae
CHEVINGTON
CFL
FINANCE & LEASING LTD
01787 312 817 www.chevingtongroup.co.uk
TA I L O R E D S O L U T I O N S T O S U I T Y O U R B U S I N E S S N E E D S
Leasing and Finance for Companies in Suffolk, East Anglia and the UK
Securing funding takes time and effort no matter how experienced you are. The good news is we’re here to get the finance you need, and to make the process as straightforward and stress free as possible.
Chevington Finance and Leasing is a family run business that specialises in bespoke finance and leasing packages to companies within the UK. We pride ourselves on outstanding customer service and can tailor a package to your business needs.
We are an independent finance and leasing company who underwrite all of our financial solutions. We are not a broker and as such you will be dealing directly with the decision maker. Finance packages are available from as little as £500 to £100,000.
Business Coach
How to Build Your Business in 2014
W
e have been seeing the economic indicators steadily going the right way in recent months but how are you using this change in environment to ensure you build your business? At ActionCOACH we use a six step process to coach clients through to ensure that they systematically and methodically keep moving in the right direction. Here is an outline of these six steps:
Step One – Mastery Before any business can grow it has to ensure it is stable and in control. There are four areas that need to be addressed in this step. They are :Destination – have you got a business plan that will support your personal goals and ensure your business supports your life? Financial – do you know your business numbers and do they show that if you grow your business revenues you will also grow your profits? Delivery – Do you offer products or services that your customers value and that keep them loyal to you?
to know your numbers. Break your recent business performance down into these numbers and see what you learn from them. Then set an improvement target for each area and see what profit result that would deliver. NB if you grow each area by 10% you will see an increase in profits of 61%. Then decide what strategies you need to implement to achieve this target and take appropriate action. There are a list of strategies available for each of these five ways that I coach my clients on to assist in the achievement – 353 in all. It is the implementation of multiple small improvements that deliver big results reliably rather than looking for “the big idea”!
Step Three – Leverage Once profits and cash are reliably being generated within your business it is time to think about how you can implement business systems that grow your business efficiency and start to give you more time to spend ON the business rather than IN it. The focus here should be on systems, people and their use of time. A simple way to look at it is – systemise the routine and personalise the exceptions.
Step Four – Team
These four areas need to be in a state that you can answer YES to each of these questions before you can move to Step Two. Spending time on this step provides the foundation for sustainable and profitable business growth.
This is when an owner can really believe they are building a structure for further growth. Most of the time is being spent on developing the team, so the team looks after the customers, the customers provide profit and cash for the business and the business truly supports the owner. Areas where I suggest you focus on here are recruitment and retention of staff, implementation of a business culture and “rules of the game” – the way the team members behave as part of your team, creating a business vision and mission.
Step Two – Niche
Step Five – Synergy
This is the step where you set a plan to systematically grow profit and cash in the business. ActionCOACH use a five way method where attention is turned to five areas where results can be improved that direct affect business profits. These are best explained in these word equations
Implement a general manager to run the day to day aspects of the business.
Time – Is there enough time in your business to enable you and your team to do all that needs to be done to take your business forward?
Lead Generation X Conversion Rate = Number of Customers Number of Customers X Number of transactions per customer X Average transaction value = Turnover Turnover X Margin = Profit. To grow your profits you need to select strategies to implement to improve your numbers in the five areas of focus – lead generation, conversion rate, number of transactions per customer, average transaction value and profit margins. How do you do this I hear you cry!! Well first you need
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Step Six – Results Decide what your exit strategy is and implement it. This may be buying another business, selling the business for maximum value or other outcomes such as making nonbusiness investments to grow your personal wealth as a result of the business results you have built. So there you have it, a six step method to grow your business and to achieve your personal goals. Thanks for reading. I hope you can take some lessons from this and apply them in your business and use this as a structure for future business plans. If I can help you on your journey please contact me and ask for a complimentary coaching session so I can show you how you can achieve this in your business.
Introducing Roger Pemberton What clients are saying about Roger: “Roger has helped me to develop and put in place many systems which have made running the business so much easier for me. He has shown me how to get the best from my staff and how to introduce new ways of marketing products both in store and online. The main benefit for me personally has been that instead of having to work twice as hard I have been shown how to successfully delegate tasks to other members of staff. This restructuring has allowed me the peace of mind of being able to take days off without worrying or returning to stressful situations. Roger has given me the structure and impetus to carry the business forward following a difficult and uncertain time.” Chris Wright, Blyth & Wright
“Quite simply it does what it says on the tin - ensures action is taken in a logical manner to free business owners from the daily pressures of working in their business - now working less than 1 day per fortnight in my business and it is also beginning to grow after being hit by the state of the economy.” Chris Sexton, Norfolk Water Company
“It is the best money I have ever spent. It has moved our business on 10 fold and we would not have done that without Roger.” Simon Gray, Credo Asset Finance
“Roger was recommended to me by a colleague and has proved to be invaluable in helping me to take my business forward. At the time I was working more hours than there were in the day and I found it very difficult visualising where I wanted my business to be in the future and how I was going to get it there! With his help and advice I have been able to take on new members of staff enabling me to spend more of my time promoting my business and gaining new customers and increasing my company’s profits. As my business grows which it has done by 30% since Roger has been helping and advising me I look forward to continued growth with his support and guidance. Thanks Roger it’s been a fantastic year.” Debbie Smith, Executive Maintenance
“It has been brilliant. We have trebled turnover this year from last year having Roger here for 3 months.” Linda Laxton, British Wildflower Plants “We have been using Roger Pemberton since January 2011. Best business decision I have ever made. Very efficient, very effective and very successful.” Simon Eastwell, Managing Director, HRM Boilers Ltd “Roger has provided very welcome support to our growing charity. With budgets tight and resources inevitably stretched, Roger gives good advice, and is well connected locally. One of his key strengths is that he has no political agenda within anyone’s organisation and is therefore able to act as a confidential sounding board, offering insightful, practical, unbiased and well respected opinion.” Cathryn Parrish, Big C
“Taking Roger and ActionCOACH on has been the single best thing we have done for our business. With his help we have truly turned a corner and by setting procedures and measurable targets we are expanding confidently and seeing increased profits as well. Thanks Roger.” Graham Duckworth, Green Duck
Roger Pemberton ActionCOACH Business Coach T 01508 494414 or 07511 969690 F 01508 494414 E rogerpemberton@actioncoach.com W www.actioncoach.com/rogerpemberton
Technology Update
Google Glass, Yes or No?
T
here has been much talk about Google Glass over the last few years, so how far are we from seeing hoards of people on public transport wearing this sci-fi looking creation? Well the answer is I am not sure. Will it take it off for the masses? I hope so, It certainly will make a refreshing change than seeing a nation with their eyes glued downwards tapping away on small boxes and bumping in to people in the street. So what is Google Glass, if you haven’t been caught up on this new tech age device then let me explain. Google Glass is in effect a wearable computer and in simple terms a device built in to a pair of glasses. To get a list of options you say ‘ok glass’ there is also a Google Glass app called MyGlass. Google Glass displays information in a smartphone-like hands-free format allowing a number of features including hands free photography operated by the sound of your voice, integration of social media which in turn allows you see an image take a picture and upload to twitter for example whilst not using you hands. You can send sms messages, access sat nav and go nuts in google hangouts. Google search is the most-used search engine on the World Wide Web, so why shouldn’t it be available at a blink of an eye. If like me you are forgetful then have reminders beamed in front of your face with Google Now which is an intelligent personal
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assistant developed by Google that is available within the Google Search mobile application. It’s surreal but what new technology isn’t at first? They come in charcoal, tangerine, shale, cotton and sky or to me and you that’s black, orange, grey, white and blue. Google Glass officially is available to buy across the pond as of last month. So what are the upsides and downsides? Well the battery bulges behind your ear which is too big and doesn’t have a great battery life, barely enough for a full days use. It is surprisingly light though and fits in to pockets so don’t worry Google aren’t going to make you carry it around in its own brief case. It is extremely lightweight and weighs just 42 grams. Original prices for developers was £900 but the consumer model is expected to be considerably less. In summary Google Glass isn’t there yet and is a product plagued by bugs with poor battery life. It’s disorienting with lots of headache reports and you currently still need a smartphone to get the most functionality out of it but hey what new gizmo hasn’t got its floors. Google will sort these issues and when they do sign me up as this is one gadget I wont want to be without. * Written by Simon Peterson
Stand out from the crowd.
Is your company’s brochure making the right impression? Call us on 01376 500900 or visit www.printwize.co.uk to discover what we can do for you.
LITHO & DIGITAL BUREAU 01376 500900 info@printwize.co.uk www.printwize.co.uk
Business Connected launches our
Premier Partner Scheme Designed to support companies who need to introduce a co-hesive and co-ordinated marketing strategy or a company who wishes to enhance an existing offering. We provide companies with an effective, structured solution at an affordable price. How often do you promise yourself that you’ll invest more in social media, run regular email and print campaigns but simply don’t have the time or expertise to do it? Our Premier Partner Scheme could be the answer.
BUSINESS
CONNECTED SUFFOLK
Exclusivity – We only work with one company of any type within the county. Business Connected Magazine – A full page in every edition of this magazine, we print and distribute 6000 copies, email 30,000 copies as well as uploading to the Business Connected website and social media sites. Social Media – Yes you may have a Twitter / LinkedIn / Facebook account but how about a helping hand, we can set up and run your account, interact as a “raving fan” or simply come over and give you regular training to all your staff. Email Campaigns – Need to get the message out the masses? we have a number of options which we can tailor to suit the needs of your business. From monthly newsletters, your logos and links on our email campaigns or simply a help with data. Networking Events – Many people know Business Connected from our countywide events and we want you to be part of them, fancy being a speaker or displaying your banner at all our events? Being a Premier Partner of Business Connected gives you tickets and access to all of our events from Ipswich to Southend and everywhere in between. Website – Our Business Connected website gets thousands of visitors a day, being a countywide news based website we are the number one place to find business news. We are offering our premier partners prime advertising space throughout the site. Account Manager – Probably the most important feature of the Partnership scheme. Our account managers are working around the clock to find our partners leads, from the many networking events we attend and run to the list of leads. Our staff are introducing and passing referrals on a daily basis.
To find out how to become a Premier Partner and to see if your business category is still available then give us a call today and we can pop in for a chat and run you through the many features of becoming a Business Connected Premier Partner. 01702 513113.
The all-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Born to Drive. Introducing the sensational new Mercedes-Benz C-Class - available to pre-order from Lancaster Mercedes-Benz Corporate now. The new saloon is designed from the ground up to give class-leading performance, cutting edge style and pioneering technology - not to mention just 104 g/km^ and up to 70.6 mpg combined*.
From just £339 a month** PRE-ORDER TODAY FROM LANCASTER CORPORATE
Contact us on 0844 649 7074 for more information
@lancastermb
Lancaster Mercedes-Benz Corporate Whatever your business needs, you can trust our Essex and Suffolk expert teams to help you every step of the way. Let us know what you’re looking for - and we’ll take care of the rest. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL FLEET SPECIALIST
Chelmsford Colchester & Ipswich Southend & Lakeside
John Vickers Kim Hutson Adam Fisher
0844 649 7074 0844 649 7075 0844 649 7076
*Business Users Only. Advance payment and fee applies. All payments subject to VAT: Finance based on Contract Hire agreement, 10,000 miles per annum. Excess mileage charges may apply. Rental includes Road Fund License for the contract duration. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Orders/credit approved on selected new C-Class models between 1 May - 30 June 2014, registered by 30 September 2014. Subject to availability. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Some combinations of features/options may not be available. Credit approved subject to status by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services UK Limited, MK15 8BA. Prices correct at time of print 05/14 - subject to change at any time. Model pictured is representative only and may not reflect the actual specification featured.