Business Connect Magazine - August/September 2014 by BusinessConnectPublishing

TRAFFORD’S FREE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MAGAZINE

TRAFFORD BUSINESS

connect www.traffordbusinessconnect.co.uk traffbizconnect

August/September 2014

Informed Solutions Discover a hidden jewel of an SME nestled in the heart of Altrincham Situated in one of Altrincham’s iconic buildings are the headquarters of global IT and management consultants Informed Solutions. Trafford Business Connect caught up with CEO and notable SME thought leader Elizabeth Vega for an in-depth interview.

Putting Trafford Business Expo on the map Full report on the Trafford Business Expo 2014 on July 1 at The Point, Emirates Old Trafford.

Chamber Awards October 16 will see the Altrincham & Sale Chamber Business Awards take place at the Best Western Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham. Full preview of the awards and sponsors inside.

Blasted for 6! Coverage of LCCC’s new approach to marketing their NatWest T20 Blast cricket season. Review of an evening’s cricket with a difference!

Building stronger links with Trafford Park Full report on a third successful networking lunch bringing Trafford Park businesses together with presentations from Peel Holdings and TfGM.

Elizabeth Vega, CEO of Informed Solutions, pictured outside their Altrincham Headquarters at the Old Bank House

Inside this issue... Business News Trafford Business Expo 2014 LCCC T20 Trafford Park Informed Solutions Trafford Pledge Social Media Franchising Finance Wellbeing Diary Dates Places to Meet...

CONNECTING BUSINESSES ACROSS TRAFFORD

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

contents 4 news

All the latest from around Trafford and beyond.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS

connect

24 comment

28 review

editorial

Subscription is easy. Simply visit www.traffordbusinessconnect.co.uk and click through to subscribe, where you can register your details to receive an electronic link to the magazine as soon as it is published.

Exclusive interview with Elizabeth Vega, CEO of Altrincham’s Informed Solutions. The LifeCentre Sale’s community conference venue.

Full report on the Trafford Business Expo 2014.

30 focus

Trafford Park Metrolink full review of the scheme as it goes to public consultation. Networking in Trafford Park Presentations from Peel Holdings and TfGM. T20 Blast Howzat! - LCCC role out new business model to bring in sell-out crowds.

36 social media

Generating sales using LinkedIn plus what’s next after the ‘Big 3’?

12 22

adver tise

We offer a fantastic range of advertising opportunities, from full pages through to eighth pages that offer advertising at extremely reasonable rates.

digital marketing

Discounted packages are available on request for series bookings.

Google shopping.

39 web design

For more information please download a copy of our media pack found on our website: www.traffordbusinessconnect.co.uk or alternatively please email: advertising@traffordbusiness connect.co.uk or phone:

Advantages of responsive site design.

40 finance

Tax aspects of different business formations.

Here at Trafford Business Connect we are on the lookout for both news articles relating to business activity within Trafford, or educational articles that can help businesses at any level. If you regularly send out press releases, or if you are looking for press coverage of a newsworthy event, please get in touch either by phone or send an email to editorial@ traffordbusinessconnect.co.uk

Paul Mirage

42 franchising

• 07708 987518

Two essential articles - entering into a franchise, plus is your business ready to be franchised?

44 wellbeing

Looking at Goals and how best to measure them.

45 diary dates

welcome

to the latest edition of Trafford Business Connect and join the

Business networking events over the coming months.

fastest growing business to business forum in Trafford.

places to meet

Trafford Business Connect is a fresh business to business bi-monthly magazine that is unique. It is the only B2B magazine in circulation that is specific to the borough of Trafford.

List of venues and facilities supporting business across Trafford.

Jon Cheetham

What’s more - it’s completely free. Trafford Business Connect offers a detailed look at business life throughout Trafford and its surrounds, featuring local news and articles on a fantastic range of business topics. PUBLISHED BY

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Business Connect Publishing Limited, 8 Eastway, Sale, Cheshire M33 4DX Tel: 0161 969 8632 Email: enquiries@businessconnectpublishing.co.uk www.traffordbusinessconnect.co.uk P U B L I S H I N G

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ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS Algy Cole (ColeWrite Copywriting), Alex Peterson (PixelAir Web Design) Photography by Martin Hambleton, Tobias Pearson and Hannah Sutcliffe.

DISCLAIMER Whilst we have taken all reasonable steps to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information contained within this magazine, we give no warranty and make no representation regarding the accuracy or the completeness of the content of this information. Consequently we accept no liability for any losses or damage (whether direct, indirect, special, consequential or otherwise) arising out of errors or omissions contained in this magazine. Views expressed in Trafford Business Connect in editorial or advertising content are not necessarily those of it’s publisher Business Connect Publishing Limited. The publisher cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies supplied to us in editorial or advertising material.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

Forever Manchester Stephensons reaches shortlist partners with Trafford for family law accolade Business Connect Greater Manchester’s community foundation Forever Manchester and Trafford Business Connect magazine have announced an official partnership. Going forward we will be supporting the foundation in raising their profile throughout the business communities of Trafford and surrounding boroughs. Community foundations are charities located across the UK dedicated to strengthening local communities, creating opportunities and tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion. They do this by matching donations to community groups and local people who are passionate about making a difference. There are 55 community foundations across the UK. Forever Manchester is the community foundation for Greater Manchester and supports all ten boroughs of the region. Last year Forever Manchester gave £4.2m to local communities - specifically grass roots charities that usually struggle to be noticed against the larger, better-funded organisations.

Forever Manchester appoints new president In further news Brother UK managing director Phil Jones has taken on a new role as Forever Manchester marks their 25th anniversary. One of the North West’s leading business figures, Phil has been appointed president of Forever Manchester, and is the first appointment from the wider business community. Phil will serve a three-year term in the role, and commented: “Forever Manchester makes an extraordinary difference to ordinary people living in communities across Greater Manchester. Unlike the big national and regional single-issue charities, Forever Manchester backs good ideas and projects that are hyper-local and provides funds to people that would otherwise have no access to funding. “As president I’m going to help Forever Manchester realise its ambition to help more people across our region, by raising awareness of

how it gives people and companies a different way to channel charitable giving directly into communities. “Put simply, the foundation acts like a secret millionaire, giving money directly to people and organisations that often fly under the radar but which The Family team at Stephensons (pictured at the People’s History Museum in Manchester) make a massive difference to people The Family department at The team, which is one of the in those local communities.” Stephensons Solicitors LLP is largest in the country, also works in celebrating after reaching the Phil Jones’ appointment follows the partnership with other agencies/ success of Brother UK in being named shortlist for a national award. charities to tackle issues such as one of the UK’s ‘Best Companies to domestic abuse and has expanded Stephensons has been shortlisted, Work For’ by the Sunday Times and with new offices in Altrincham and along with three other firms from recognition for its environmental, Hammersmith, London in the last across the country, in the Family Law employee engagement and social Firm of the Year category at the annual 12 months. inclusion initiatives. Jordan’s Family Law Awards. The event Mike Devlin, managing partner of the recognises the important work of Phil commented: “At Brother, we’ve 90-strong Family department, said: those working in family law across the developed a blueprint for how “Our Family team has worked hard country and celebrates successes and companies can achieve success by over the last two years to adapt our outstanding achievements. embracing a new approach to what’s offering to ensure those who need traditionally been described as CSR. Stephensons’ Family department has family legal advice can still access it. Part of my role as president of Forever implemented a range of initiatives to We are so pleased to be considered Manchester will involve speaking to ensure people can still gain access to for this prestigious award and are the business community, sharing my justice following the decline of legal looking forward to the event.” experience and showing how Nick aid funding including fixed fees and and his team make a big difference several expert teams who specialise in The Jordan’s Family Law Awards will through their work with employers domestic abuse and care cases as well be held at The Brewery in London on and communities across the region.” as mediation and divorce. 8 October 2014. Nick Massey, chief executive of Forever Manchester, said: “This is a great birthday present for Forever Manchester as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. We’re delighted that Phil has agreed to take on this important role. It further strengthens our commitment to work with the business community to develop thriving local communities.” The Duke of Westminster has been president of Forever Manchester for more than twenty years, and has agreed to become Honorary Life President as part of the organisation’s move towards fixed-term presidencies. Phil Jones, Brother UK managing director, takes over the role of Forever Manchester President

Superconnected in Manchester In 2011, Government set aside £100 million for an Urban Broadband Fund (UBF) to create up to ten SuperConnected Cities across the UK. This was followed in 2012 by more funding of up to £50 million for a second wave of cities to benefit from this programme, offering individual grants through the issue of connection vouchers up to the value of £3,000. The current list of cities eligible for grants for connecting individual businesses to high speed broadband stands at 22, of which Manchester and Salford are included. Grant application is available through both Salford and Manchester Council websites, at the following links: www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/ manchester/ www.connectionvouchers.co.uk/ salford/ There are both limited grants

available, and limited sites they are available for. Only specific postcodes are covered, but by visiting the above links you can enter your postcode to check for availability. The grants are designed to help fund a high-speed broadband connection for small and medium-sized businesses, charities, social enterprises and other not-forprofit organisations in Manchester and Salford, and will cover up to £3,000 of the connection costs. That’s usually enough to pay for all the work - you just pay the VAT, any amount over £3,000, and the monthly subscription cost. A grant can be for an individual organisation; or several organisations can apply as a group through a landlord or agent. Applying is simple - complete your application, obtain a supplier quote from someone like Metronet(UK), and you could save up to £3,000 in connection costs.

August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Trafford Housing Trust awards £1.6m new build contract to Wates Trafford Housing Trust has named Wates Living Space as its preferred build partner for the development of 9 brand new homes in the centre of Sale in Trafford. The housing contractor will provide a mix of 9 new four and five bedroom homes on Atkinson Road, to be released by Trafford Housing Trust for private sale. Construction began in June 2014, with completion scheduled by spring 2015.

scheme, also located on Atkinson Road in Sale. Named in honour of PC Fiona Bone, a policewoman from Sale who lost her life whilst on duty in September 2012, the 71-unit development will provide extra care accommodation and facilities for 100 vulnerable and elderly people when it opens later in the year.

In the past year, Wates has used its presence in Sale to not only deliver quality new homes for local people, but also to make a lasting impact on The contract further strengthens the 8 year partnership between Wates and the surrounding community through Trafford Housing Trust, which has most the creation of employment and training opportunities. recently resulted in the construction of the £7m Fiona Gardens project, Lee Sale, Regional Business Director Trafford Housing Trust’s largest and for Wates Living Space, comments: most prestigious extra care housing “Our appointment to this project by

Trafford Housing Trust serves as great testament to the quality of work we carried out at Fiona Gardens. “Fiona Gardens was a rewarding project to deliver and one that we are The Fiona Gardens Handover

Building Control ‘Building Excellence Awards’ for his work there. We look forward to maintaining a presence in Sale, where we have been warmly welcomed by the local community.” Larry Gold, Managing Director, Developer for Trafford Housing Trust comments: “This is another high quality scheme designed to enhance Trafford and we are delighted to award this contract to Wates, given the high standard of their work with us on Fiona Gardens.”

particularly proud of - most recently, Project Manager, Joe Rawlinson was recognised by the Local Authority

Larry added: “Through developing open market sale housing the Trust will be able to generate additional funds to invest in creating more affordable housing across Trafford to meet local need.”

Russells Construction appointed to White City project

Derwent Holdings invests £6.5m in retail park revamp

The White City retail park in Trafford is to undergo a £6.5 million revamp with the creation of five new build units, totalling 59,000 sq ft of additional space. Ten of the existing units will also be refurbished and the pedestrian walkways improved as part of the investment by owner Derwent Holdings, bringing the total space at the park to 148,000 sq ft.

refurbishment of existing buildings will be undertaken toward the end of the programme in phase three.

Russells Construction director Gareth Russell said: “The redevelopment of White City is our third retail park project for Derwent Holdings and we’re delighted to have been appointed to deliver it over the coming year. Building on our Trafford Park-based contractor Russells experience of similar projects in Hull Construction has been appointed to and Walkden, we have planned a the build, following the delivery of phased programme which will allow similar schemes for Derwent at the park to remain fully operational the Ellesmere Shopping Centre in throughout the build and existing Walkden and the Anlaby Retail businesses to continue trading.” Park in Hull. The contractor has commenced the 52-week programme David Lyons, Derwent Holdings group managing director, said: and units will be available for “We are making a significant occupation by spring 2015. investment in modernising the The works will be phased to minimise facilities at White City and providing disruption for the park’s existing additional retail space at what is tenants and customers, which include already a well established out-of-town Pizza Hut, Currys, SCS, Dreams, shopping destination. We’re pleased Furniture Village and Halfords. Four to have Russells Construction on new-build units will be constructed board once again and look forward at the west end of the site in phase one, before the fifth new build is built to the completion of the project in spring next year.” on the east side near to the Currys store in phase two. The majority of the

The refurbishment will see the

existing units modernised with new glass facades and ceramic rain screen cladding, and brought up to modern building regulations with improved energy efficiency, with the newbuild sections designed to match. The use of glass canopies not only gives the buildings a more modern appearance, but serves to benefit customers who will be protected from the rain while walking from store to store. Manchester’s AEW Architects was responsible for the design and

planning for the development. AEW’s Nigel Machin, who works on schemes for Derwent across the UK, said: “The retail park is being entirely rebranded and brought into line with Derwent’s signature design for its retail parks across the country. By using high quality design and materials, Derwent is raising the bar in terms of what is expected in out-of-town locations.” Stephen Perrett of Cheetham and Mortimer has been appointed as the letting agent.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

Multiple award wins for Vickers Energy Group L-R Lucy Meacock, Host of the Trafford Business Awards David Hilton, Managing Director at Vickers Sarah Martin, Vertical Sales Manager at Metronet (UK)

Vickers Energy Group a ‘Gold Award’ in the ‘Built Environment’ category at the Green Apple Awards 2014. The awards recognise and reward environmental best practice around the world and Vickers were commended for their energy management system, which has enabled their customers to reduce energy consumption and save thousands of pounds in the process.

Vickers then triumphed again at the Trafford Business Awards, where they Vickers Energy Group is celebrating were presented with ‘Green Business multiple ‘green’ award wins this month, of the Year’. The awards celebrated having scooped a ‘Gold Award’ at the achievements of local businesses the Green Apple Awards and ‘Green and commended Vickers on their Business of the Year’ at the Trafford work, improving the carbon footprint Business Awards. of many local and national customers. The Green Organisation awarded

Vickers design, manufacture, install

Green Apple Awards L-R Charlotte Scott, Marketing Executive at Vickers, Miss UK Green Queen Sophie Desbrow and Nathan Richardson, Business Development Manager at Vickers

and maintains advanced energy management systems that are tailored to each customer and their clients include Stagecoach, National Express, RAF Museum Cosford, Caterpillar and Rolls Royce. The systems revolutionise energy consumption, save money and improve the company’s environmental rankings. Over 10 years Vickers have saved their customers 10.5 billion kWh of energy and reduced CO2 emissions by 2 million tonnes, equating to

savings of £200m. David Hilton from Vickers said: “We are delighted that we have won both of these awards this month. Both awards are testament to the results of our energy management systems and satisfaction of our customers. “Like The Green Organisation, we are encouraging businesses to consider their Carbon footprint and implement corporate social responsibility programmes, as well as helping them save money on their energy bills.”

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August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Technology Strategy Board offers Innovation opportunities for business in 2014-15 Innovative businesses are to benefit from a wealth of support and opportunities over this financial year, as outlined in the Technology Strategy Board’s 2014-15 Delivery Plan.

help showcase innovative companies to potential investors.

• Five new Launchpad funding competitions will run, providing support to SMEs in geographical The Delivery Plan, which was published clusters. July 1, set out their priorities for • Specialist advisors will help accelerating innovation across the UK. business to take advantage of the It describes the board’s work over the EU’s €79bn Horizon 2020 innovation year as they continue to build their and research programme, and the support for innovation and lay the Technology Strategy Board will foundations for economic growth. lead a consortium bid to deliver Among the plans: the Enterprise Europe Network in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. • They will continue strong support They will also open a permanent for SMEs through Smart, SBRI office in Brussels to champion British and other programmes, and will innovation abroad. launch a new, UK-wide SME growth programme providing a package of skills, mentoring and coaching support to help innovative micro and small companies to grow their businesses and attract potential investors.

• Two new Catapult centres will also be created, designed to accelerate innovation in energy and precision medicine, which will take the total number of Catapult centres to nine.

• There will also be a new online platform, developed with partners, to

• The Energy Catalyst will be established - a funding programme

to support early-stage innovations through to commercial viability, following the model of their successful Catalysts for the biomedical, agri-tech and industrial biotechnology sectors.

services more quickly to market. Support is closely aligned with the government’s industrial sector strategies and with its focus on the ‘eight great technologies’ - satellites, energy storage, agri-science, synthetic biology, advanced materials, big data, robotics and autonomous systems, and regenerative medicine.

Technology Strategy Board Chief Executive, Iain Gray, explained: “The 2014-15 Delivery Plan raises the Board’s ambitions to a higher level, enhancing support for UK companies David Willetts, Minister for through a range of targeted programmes and opening up lucrative Universities and Science said: “We are global leaders in innovation, pathways into Europe.” Innovation to spur growth and the Technology Strategy Board plays a crucial role in maintaining The 2014-15 Delivery Plan lays out this, ensuring that great British in detail how the Board will support ideas can be transformed into great innovative business, with a budget British products. for the year of over £400m. The “Innovation is booming in this plan spells out how they will fund country, and it is part of our long-term 88 different competitions for grants economic plan to invest in ambitious across a range of priority areas or entrepreneurs and businesses, to themes, and provide other support help them grow and succeed in the to encourage innovation and help businesses to bring new products and global race.”

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

The Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Business Awards The Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual Business Awards on 16 October 2014. Not one but two media sponsors are supporting the event. Trafford Business Connect will represent the B2B media community with the Sale and Altrincham Messenger as the B2C supporter.

of Commerce, Altrincham & Sale provides business support, business mentoring, unrivalled networking, training sessions, local knowledge and an invaluable database to it’s members.

Sue Aldridge, the Chamber’s President comments: “We have over 200 members from many industries The event recognises business success plus we have strong links to other in the local area and is a firm favourite local business groups. We are also among the local business community. supportive of others as a non-political As a staunch friend of the Chamber, the Best Western Cresta Court Hotel will be hosting it, offering a complimentary champagne reception followed by a three course meal.

and very sociable organisation”. The Chamber holds its annual Awards Evening to recognise successful local businesses and high achievers. This year, it will be on 16 October and there are 10 categories all sponsored by local businesses and organisations. The event will be hosted by popular BBC presenter Gordon Burns, returning after the inspirational 2013 event which he also hosted. Gordon said: “I am very flattered to be invited back to

The Chamber’s motto is ‘taking business to new heights’ and has been helping its members do this since 1909. As one of the longest established independent Chamber’s

host the Altrincham & Sale Chamber Business Awards again this year and only too delighted to accept. It is always a pleasure to meet so many of the businesses who come along and support the evening and to welcome the winners and runners up who are rewarded for all their hard work.” Every Award category is sponsored by established Altrincham and Sale businesses and organisations. Nominations for an Award can be about a supplier, a client or a customer and all come from Chamber members themselves. They are judged by the Chamber’s Board and winners and runners-up are announced on the evening. Last year, 145 guests enjoyed the prestigious event and this year’s Business Awards promises to surpass this high standard. Chamber members now regard the Awards as a potent opportunity to showcase their business and the work of their staff, and at the same time to enjoy themselves with new acquaintances and old friends. The date for the diary is 16 October 2014 at the Best Western Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham.

Are you looking to promote your business within Altrincham, Sale and the surrounding area? Then join the Chamber today and start saving £££s Did you know the Chamber can provide you with: • Business Support • Business Mentoring • Unrivalled Networking • Training Sessions • Local Knowledge • Invaluable Database And huge savings across a range of services from telephone costs and accountancy to meeting rooms and video conferencing; VAT checks and printing costs to advertising and radio commercials and much more...

The Chamber really is the ‘One Stop Shop’ to service your business. To enquire about membership contact Paul at the Chamber on; 07708 987518 or call 0161 941 3250 Follow us on Twitter @altichamber paul@altrinchamchamber.co.uk www.altrinchamchamber.co.uk

There are 10 categories to the 2014 Business Awards, with each category being sponsored by a particular business or organisation: Category Sponsor Small Business of the Year Slater Heelis Start Up Business of the Year Sale & Altrincham Messenger Retailer of the Year Dr Jackie Campbell Property Team of the Year Trafford Business Connect Young Apprentice of the Year Trafford College Provider of Professional Services The Web Studio Leisure & Tourism Tree Communications Charity of the Year Myerson Employee of the Year Colemans ctts Business of the Year Trafford Council Media Sponsors:

TRAFFORD BUSINESS

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August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Altrincham Based Informed Solutions win Prestigious Nominet Internet Award “This success demonstrates the exceptional results that can be achieved when innovative SMEs and public bodies work in true partnership, and we would like to thank our clients, LGBCE, for trusting our company to support its digital transformation objectives”.

Pictured with Informed Solutions CEO Elizabeth Vega (Holding the Award), Left to Right; Judging Panel Member Robin Hough, Editor of Guardian Media network; Richard Phillips, Informed’s Technical Consultant on the project; Sebastian Uhlig, Informed’s Service Delivery Manager; Paul Collins, Informed’s Business and Client Services Manager; Seth Finegan, Informed’s Director of Consulting Services; Journalist and Broadcaster Kate Russell, Event Host; Judging Panel Member Julian David, CEO of techUK

Altrincham based IT Consultancy Informed Solutions have beaten strong opposition to win the prestigious national Nominet Internet Award for “Digital Innovation in Public Services”. Informed won the award for the web-based public consultation portal it has delivered with the Local Government Boundaries Commission for England (LGBCE). The consultation portal, built on the InformedCONSULT platform, has transformed delivery of a key democratic process through a digital service which enables the public to review and comment on proposed electoral boundaries from their PC or mobile device. It has increased public engagement by over 100%, empowering citizens while realising significant budgetary savings. The award was presented at a

ceremony at the London Film Museum on Thursday 3 July, with finalists invited to a Parliamentary Reception to meet local MPs and key government officials on Wednesday 9 July. Elizabeth Vega, CEO of Informed Solutions, said: “We are thrilled to have won the Nominet Internet Award for Digital Innovation in Public Services, particularly in light of the formidable strength of the other finalists. We are equally proud to have worked with LGBCE on this great exemplar of digital citizen engagement, helping transform the systems underpinning our democratic process. Informed Solutions is committed to delivering innovative online public services and it is extremely gratifying to have our work recognised by such a prestigious industry award.

Max Caller CBE, Chair of the LGBCE said: “It is fantastic news that the Commission’s consultation portal has been acknowledged as an industry exemplar by the Nominet Internet Awards. This award is recognition of the success that the portal has had in empowering local communities through the innovative use of digital technology.” Eleanor Bradley, Chief Operating Officer at Nominet said: “In the year that marked the 25th anniversary of the web, it is fantastic to see the UK continue to lead the way in online achievement and innovation. This year’s winners of the Nominet Internet Awards demonstrate the extent to which the internet can be used in inventive ways to support the UK’s digital economy and be a real force for good. I congratulate Informed Solutions and the LGBCE on their award win, and thank all our winners for their efforts in helping to make the internet a better, more helpful place for us all.”

Key Health Service contract win In other news for Informed Solutions, greater collaboration between IT experts across the NHS will be

enabled by a new system which is being developed by the Altrincham based independent SME. The newly created Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) is charged with managing the multitude of IT systems and suppliers inherited from predecessor bodies, which include the former NHS Information Centre and NHS Connecting for Health. HSCIC has commissioned Informed Solutions to develop a secure collaboration solution that will unlock and join up individual areas of local IT expertise, enabling closer collaboration between experts developing an Enterprise Architecture practice. This will open up the potential for greater integration and re-use across Health and Social Care. A key objective is to improve the ability to manage the IT estate across HSCIC. Informed’s Managing Consultant David Lawton said: “We’re very excited to have been chosen to deliver this project which is a critical part of enabling a step change in the way that national health IT systems are developed and managed. “Whilst the requirements are challenging, our track record for delivering similar complex data and systems integration projects is second to none and we are looking forward to working closely with our clients at HSCIC to deliver a world class solution.”

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

New multi-million pound Greater Manchester broadband project launched by TfGM and BT

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Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of TfGM, said: “Safety is always at the top of the agenda for our bus stations, and defibrillators really can make the difference between life and death for someone whose heart has failed.

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L-R at Shudehill Interchange Dr Jon Lamonte, Chief Executive of TfGM, David McNally, Community Resuscitation Manager for the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.

TfGM has worked with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust to install automated external defibrillators (AED) at 16 bus stations across the county.

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In other news concerning TfGM lives could be saved in and around transport interchanges, thanks to new

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A 300-space Park and Ride facility at Sale Water Park, free for Metrolink passengers to use, will serve the line.

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The 14.5km route, delivered by the MPT consortium, is one of the biggest live civil engineering projects in the country.

All of the existing highway and street lighting and road signs along the entire route have been renewed and significant urban realm improvements have been made around each of the line’s 15 new stops.

Chorlton Bus Station

Trams started to run along part of the route from Monday 23 June as the very first stages of a thorough testing and commissioning process got under way.

Several major purpose-built structures have been built as part of the programme, including a viaduct over the Mersey Valley, two new bridges over the M60 and M56, and the Ringway Road dual carriageway and underpass at Manchester Airport.

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TfGM have also announced the new Metrolink line to Wythenshawe and Manchester Airport will launch before the year is out - more than 12 MONTHS ahead of schedule.

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LOW BAR

Trams to Manchester Airport to arrive more than A YEAR early

EDGE

STRETFORD

“Superfast broadband is quickly

TfGM and BT will work with eight

The project is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), BT and the eight Greater Manchester Councils.

Regional Director, said: “We’re delighted to be playing a part in this digital revolution for Greater Manchester and believe the GMCA vision for 2020 is achievable. The

The Get Digital Faster programme is being delivered by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and BT on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). This builds on existing commercial fibre broadband networks already put in by a Residents or businesses who want to range of providers to extend availability. find out more about Get Digital Faster The project is due to be delivered can visit www.get-digital.info by March 2016 and could see an Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Oldham estimated £80 million boost to Greater Council’s Cabinet member for Manchester’s economy. Employment and Enterprise said

Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Stockport Council, lead local authority for the project, said: “It is excellent news (L-R) Deputy Executive Leader of Oldham Council Shoab that we have been able to unveil the Akhtar, Mike Blackburn, BT North West Regional Director region’s first Get Digital Faster cabinet and Eamonn Boylan, Chief Executive of Stockport Council and have taken a significant step partnership has got off to a great towards making Greater Manchester start and we’re already delivering one of the world’s top 20 digital cities fibre connected cabinets ahead by 2020. of schedule.” Mike Blackburn, BT North West

The Business Growth Hub and local councils will also work with local businesses to provide them with the skills and expertise necessary to make the most of the opportunities that an enhanced broadband network will provide.

becoming as essential as gas, water and electricity both at work and in the home. I am keen for superfast broadband to be available to as many residents and business as possible.”

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Greater Manchester Councils (Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Wigan, Stockport, Oldham, Tameside and Trafford) to install the green street cabinets and networking which will supply high speed fibre broadband.

A £15m project, aiming to boost the Greater Manchester economy by delivering high-speed fibre broadband to a further 45,000 homes and businesses in the region, has been launched with the announcement that the first fibre enabled cabinet is now live.

MOSS NOOK

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Some stop names subject to confirmation Stop locations are indicative Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2010 © Transport for Greater Manchester 2013 13-0608-131417

someone to have an accident or fall ill while travelling, but there are times when our staff are called upon to give first aid and they take this duty very seriously. “Our bus stations are all in busy areas which means the devices can also be used if there’s a situation nearby.” David McNally, Community Resuscitation Manager for the North West Ambulance Service, said: “Our aim is to ensure there are defibrillators at as many public locations as possible.

“Using the defibrillator within four minutes of collapse gives the best possible chance of survival.” Defibrillators are now installed at Altrincham, Ashton, Bury and Rochdale and Shudehill Interchanges, Bolton, Hyde, Leigh, Manchester Airport, Middleton, Oldham, Stockport, Wigan and Wythenshawe Bus Stations, and Travelshops at Eccles and Piccadilly Gardens. Go to page 30 for a review of the TfGM Trafford Park Metrolink under consultation

August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

£45m Metronet (UK ) Buyout hails new Geographic Expansion The management team of Metronet (UK), the fast-growing hybrid wireless and fibre Internet service provider, has led a £45m secondary management buyout of the business, backed by ISIS Equity Partners. Manchester based Metronet (UK) is a business only Internet Service Provider that combines innovative wireless technology with traditional fibre to deliver connectivity solutions from leased lines to complex, multi site networks across the UK. The company now boasts over 1,200 customers from SMEs to blue chip organisations such as Manchester City Council, Arqiva, ao.com, Autotrader, Umbro and Capgemini. Elliott Mueller, CEO, has led the business since 2007, alongside James McCall, who founded Metronet (UK) in 2003 with the operational team of Steven Axon, Craig Timmis and Lee Lawrence. Over the past year, the company has seen its first million pound month,

were named as Supplier of the Year at the UKIT Industry Awards, has been the top supplier on the Government’s Connection Voucher Scheme and only 6 weeks ago, announced that it was on track to connect 50% of Manchester’s most important buildings. Metronet (UK) has grown from Manchester roots to cover Greater Manchester, Greater Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Warrington, Chester and Crewe. The investment by ISIS will support the business as it continues its rapid growth into new and existing territories, with a national vision firmly in sight. Matthew Caffrey, ISIS Equity Partners, said, “ISIS is backing an outstanding team and a compelling, disruptive customer proposition that is competitively and technologically differentiated from other ISPs by its wireless technology. We are very excited to partner with Metronet (UK) during its next phase of growth and look forward to continued

being provided a complete resilient network in a contract worth £200k from Metronet (UK). The network contract is part of a £1.75m multi year contract that IT infrastructure and managed service specialist ANS are providing to support FCHO’s responsive working and customer service initiatives.

Metronet(UK) CEO, Elliott Mueller

expansion and success.” Elliott Mueller, CEO, Metronet (UK), said, “Metronet (UK) has enjoyed a decade of growth and is now seen as one of the leading lights in the industry. This funding partnership will bring new faces and even more energy to the management team, and will be the springboard for our expansion across the country.”

£200k contract win with First Choice Homes Oldham Oldham’s largest social landlord, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), is

The not-for-profit organisation, which manages 12,000 homes in the borough of Oldham, appointed ANS to design, install and manage its IT infrastructure. As ANS and Metronet (UK) have a strong partnership for the delivery of telecommunications, Metronet (UK) were the clear choice to provide FCHO’s Internet connectivity. Metronet (UK) is the WAN provider of choice for many housing associations across the North West, supporting infrastructure for well known names such as Trafford Housing Trust, City West Housing, Eastlands Homes, Mosscare Housing and Villages Housing.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

Many Hands charity campaign receive boost from local businesses Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity (RMCH Charity) are in the process of raising over £50,000 towards the enhancement of the Hospital’s Burns Unit with this year’s Many Hands Campaign. The campaign, which first launched in 2008, encourages north-west businesses to support the charity by signing up to a fundraising target of £1,000 each over the course of twelve months. and has also pledged a prize of a personal visit to the headquarters In return, all participating of the business which comes businesses are invited to attend four networking events throughout up with the most innovative the year, which began with a launch fundraising idea. event at Manchester’s Midland Theo will form part of a four-man Hotel on March 13, hosted by BBC judging panel to assess all entries, North West news reporter Mark alongside RMCH Charity Chairman Edwardson. Maurice Watkins CBE, former Trafford Business Connect are proud editor of The Insider Michael to be able to support the campaign Taylor and businessman Gary as media sponsors, and were in Chaplin, who won the award for attendance at the latest of the four networking events which took raising the most money during the place on July 17 at the Manchester last Many Hands Campaign. Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel. The event was a great success with many businesses networking over snacks and drinks on a perfect summer’s early evening.

Theo Paphitis

Melissa Burton

In addition to the networking opportunities was an inspiring presentation by Melissa Burton of supporting business Goody Good Stuff, which has seen a rapid growth as a global brand over the past few years. Renowned businessman and longterm supporter of RMCH Charity Theo Paphitis is spearheading the fundraising campaign for the third time. The long-time Dragons’ Den star took part in a Q&A session at the campaign’s launch event

Commenting on the campaign, Theo said: “Many Hands is an excellent initiative which affords small and medium-sized businesses the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to their local hospital charity. A small business can easily deem its fundraising potential as too slight to be worthwhile but this campaign highlights the reality that by joining together we can make a big difference to a most worthwhile cause.” Maurice Watkins said: “We are very grateful to Theo for his continuing involvement in this fundraising campaign. His profile and very many accomplishments in

Originally opened at the old Booth Hall hospital site in the 1950s before transferring to the new Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital site in 2009, the specialist Burns Unit deals with thermal injuries of all types and level of severity suffered by children from across the northwest. Funds raised by the Many Networking at the Manchester Marriott Victoria & Albert Hotel Hands Campaign will be used to create therapeutic and interactive the business world make him ideally artwork and play opportunities to make the Unit as child-friendly as placed to inspire other business owners to engage actively with their possible and to provide distraction from burns treatments which are local community and we are very confident that his support will help often very painful and distressing. us to achieve this year’s £50,000 If you would like to know more fundraising target.” about the campaign and the crucial Monies raised by this year’s campaign will support the enhancement of the hospital’s Burns Unit, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary.

work the RMCH Charity is doing please contact Joel Oxberry, Corporate & Individual Fundraising Manager on 0161 276 4601, or email joel.oxberry@cmft.nhs.uk

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

Trafford Council demonstrates its support to high street businesses Trafford Council took to the high street in its efforts to ensure eligible retail businesses are aware of, and benefiting from, the new business rate relief scheme introduced in April 2014. This is part of its commitment to support local high street businesses and its town centres. The scheme means all eligible occupied retail premises with a rateable value of £50,000 or less are eligible to business rate relief of £1,000 a year for the 2014/15 and 2015/16 financial years.

Council officers visited businesses in Stretford Mall on 9 July, to advise them of the scheme and encourage them to sign up. Eligible premises are those which are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs. The relief is not available for financial services (e.g. banks, building societies and betting shops etc.), medical services (e.g. vets, dentists, doctors etc.), professional services (e.g. solicitors, accountants, financial advisors etc.), Post Office sorting office and other services (e.g.

Gateley lawyer receives top pro bono honour

estate agents, letting agents and employment agencies). Executive Councillor Patrick Myers said: “The Council is committed to supporting all its local high street businesses. Trafford has excellent town centres offering local people and visitors a good choice of shopping opportunities and this is something we continue to build on. “Making sure all eligible businesses take advantage of this rate relief is another way of ensuring the future of our high streets as shopping destinations.”

Any businesses wanting more information or to clarify whether they are eligible for this relief need look no further than the Council. They can contact the Business Rates department by telephoning 0161 912 2346 or via email business.rates@trafford.gov.uk for free advice and guidance. Alternatively they can apply online at www.trafford.gov.uk/retailrelief For further information about business support in Trafford visit www.trafford.gov.uk/business

MSP secures planning to kick-start the next generation of science and technology innovation

responsible for Manchester trainees at Gateley and was previously a member of the Legal and Education Group of the Law Society.

Paul Rose - a Real Estate partner at law firm Gateley - has become one of only five professionals in the entire country to be awarded an inaugural honour for his commitment to pro bono work. The lawyer was awarded the title of LawWorks Fellow by a prestigious panel of legal experts, including former Attorney General for England and Wales, Baroness Scotland, and Michael Napier QC. Paul, who specialises in noncontentious construction at the firm’s Manchester office, has dedicated the last 15 years to pro bono work. He was a founding member of the North West Legal Support Trust and is an honorary lecturer at the University of Manchester and the city’s University of Law. Since 2010, he has been the partner

Paul commented: “I have worked alongside LawWorks for a number of years across a range of pro bono initiatives. To be one of only a handful of legal professionals to be acknowledged as a LawWorks Fellow is an absolute honour, particularly given the prominent judging panel who awarded the inaugural titles.

Manchester Science Parks (MSP) has secured planning for Manchester’s first purpose-built innovation centre, which supports collaboration between entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers and businesses.

“The work that is done in training and developing hundreds and thousands of young lawyers - both in-house and through universities and law schools - is extremely important in helping to shape the next generation of legal professionals and one that I remain very dedicated to.”

The approval for the new build 60,000 sq ft ‘Heart of the Park’ at MSP, is the first step in a strategic expansion plan that will see MSP triple its Corridor campus from the current provision of 350,000 sq ft to 1 million sq ft of space by 2018. The development is the first new build on-site in nearly 15 years.

Rod Waldie, head of the Manchester office at Gateley, added: “Paul has shown over many years a strong commitment to the development of employees. Not only has he worked tirelessly with trainees, but he has been responsible for designing training programmes for all sectors of the firm and, in particular, a bespoke business management programme for partners.”

The scheme has been triggered by a huge surge in demand from innovation-led businesses involved in the science and technology sectors which are driving strong growth in the UK economy. Just over 18 months ago the University partners, the local authorities and MSP brought in commercial developer and property partner Bruntwood to spearhead the City’s response

to this demand. Currently, the MSP portfolio is experiencing 95% occupancy with strong interest from existing customers looking to expand and from new customers looking for collaborative and innovative workspace. Rowena Burns, Chief Executive of MSP said: “The key to success for the Corridor, for MSP and for Manchester lies in the power of the partnerships between our knowledge institutions, collaborations with healthcare providers and industry and the willingness of our public sector partners to reach out and become part of an economy which will be driven by open innovation. “The creation of this new building is just another step on the MSP journey, but this new centre of excellence will provide a heart for MSP’s growing community of collaborative businesses and is also a ‘shot in the arm’ for the science economy in the North”

SALE FC

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FREE TICKE Open the exciting new season at Sale FC Rugby Club with an action packed day of entertainment for the whole family... Help celebrate a new era of top class Rugby at Sale combining all the latest in big family days out with a club steeped in glorious history.

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The big game features Sale’s first XV going into battle against Cleckheaton, followed by a festival of Mini and Junior Rugby showcasing the future stars of the game. Enjoy a day for the whole family and come along to meet past heroes, international players and surprise guests. Help celebrate one of Sale’s biggest names with a ceremony dedicating the main stand to Richard Trickey.

The future of Sale FC Rugby Club is firmly anchored in it’s rich history. To complement this, a new era is being welcomed with a fresh approach, inviting the local business community to partner the club with a dynamic new approach to grass roots rugby. Be a part of this exciting new journey. If you would like to find out about the fantastic opportunities available to partner Sale FC please call Mike Jefferson on 07867 128463 How to use your FREE TICKET. Please fill out your details, cut out and bring along with you on Saturday 20 September 2014. One ticket per individual, couple or family. If you require additional tickets for colleagues or clients simply take a copy of the ticket and pass on!

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

£100 million funding made available to support domestic supply chains Companies can now bid for a share of £100 million from a government scheme to help them strengthen their domestic supply chains and help bring manufacturing back to the UK. The funding will provide research

and development support, skills training and investment capital and encourage major new suppliers to ‘reshore’ in the UK. It comes from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI).

Five previous rounds of AMSCI funding have secured nearly half a billion pounds of public-private investment for 44 projects in the UK. Business Secretary, Vince Cable said: “A strong manufacturing sector is vital to a balanced economic recovery, and I want to ensure that Britain’s supply chains are up to the task of supporting the sector in the long term.

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The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) is a funding competition designed to improve the global competitiveness of UK advanced manufacturing supply chains and encourage major new suppliers to locate in the UK. Four national rounds and a regional scheme are now active where 44 projects have received a joint publicprivate investment of almost half a billion pounds. Just over £200 million of public funds leverages nearly £300 million of private investment, and over 180 organisations, many of them SMEs, are involved in delivering the benefits of these projects in increased capabilities, better co-ordinated supply chains.

Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “This is another welcome boost for British manufacturing, which will have a positive impact on the wider economy. Our own research shows that in the last 3 years, 1 in 6 companies have re-shored production back to the UK with many turning to a UK-based supply chain

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It has also included the creation of a ‘National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme’ led by the Aerospace Growth Partnership to address skills shortages and improve R&D collaboration in the aerospace sector. The £35 million project aims to create nearly 5,000 jobs in the supply chain.

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Full competition details and information can be found on the AMSCI 2014 website:

Previous recipients of AMSCI funding have included technology for increasing the scale of 3D printing of metals; and reshoring the manufacture of cats’ eyes from overseas to the UK.

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The manufacturing sector supports two and a half million jobs and contributes almost £140 billion a year to the UK.

“Our industrial strategy, which has given business the confidence to invest, is paying dividends in the reshoring we have seen so far. We will continue to support businesses to secure more highly skilled jobs and a stronger economy.”

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for parts and components. High value manufacturing creates jobs and wealth here so I’m delighted to see the government getting behind it.”

It’s estimated that over 15,000 direct and more than 15,000 indirect jobs have been created or safeguarded. TRAFFORD

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

Kuits acts for Paul Scholes on new column for Paddy Power Rob Buckley

Manchester law firm Kuits has advised on the negotiations surrounding Paul Scholes’ contract to write an exclusive online column for betting and sports news provider Paddy Power. Scholes, who played 718 games and scored 155 goals in his twenty years as a player at Old Trafford, will provide expert analysis of footballing news and events, specifically around the World Cup and other upcoming high profile sporting events. Partner and head of Kuits’ commercial team, Rob Buckley, said: “We are delighted to have advised Paul on his contract, and wish him and Paddy Power well with their collaboration.” Kuits Solicitors have been based in City Centre Manchester for over

100 years and specialise in a range of areas, including corporate, commercial, banking and finance, employment, commercial property, litigation, intellectual property, family, residential property, tax, and probate. They are also a member of TAGLaw®, a worldwide alliance of more than 145 independent law firms with more than 9,000 lawyers in over 80 countries.

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

news

iBAN scheme rolls out iBAN is a messaging system intended for use by businesses in the community who would like to be made aware of the latest cons and scams. Anyone can become a member of iBAN which is a new initiative by Trading Standards at Trafford Council.

recorded phone message or email. They can choose one method or both depending on their preference. For telephone messages there is an option to have the message repeated and select the times of day they wish to be contacted.

iBAN is short for ‘informed Business Alert Network’, and Trading Standards are currently asking businesses to join up as soon as possible.

Vigilant Members can be the eyes and ears of Trading Standards and have in the past provided vital information that has led to victims being saved money and crooks being caught. From time to time Trading Standards will also consult the members to seek their views on issues that affect the local area.

The scheme is an early warning system designed to warn businesses about the latest scams and rip-offs aimed specifically at small to medium sized enterprises. These may be fake invoices, bogus directory entries, advertisements in emergency service directories or fake emails from “HMRC”. All are designed to deceive businesses which may already be struggling to survive, much less grow. Trading Standards are also intending to broadcast changes to legislation in a timely fashion. The scheme is free to members, who can receive information by pre-

FASCIAS

BANNERS

INTERNAL SIGNAGE

Once signed up members’ details are kept on a secure database and will not be disclosed to any third party. If they want to leave iBAN at anytime their details will be deleted and they will receive no further messages. If you want to speak to anyone about iBAN, or would like to join, please contact Julia Bentley on 0161 912 1377 or email trading.standards@ trafford.gov.uk

EXTERNAL SIGNAGE

August /September 2014

New Hotel agreed as part of £1billion campus masterplan

The University of Manchester has signed a deal to build a new hotel and an Executive Education Centre for Manchester Business School (MBS) on its Oxford Road campus. Bruntwood will develop the 326-room hotel in a 19-storey building under an investment deal with M&L Hospitality Group. The landmark development, designed by architects BDP and Leach Rhodes Walker, will provide high-end accommodation for visitors to the University, its business school and the wider city. The hotel, which forms part of

ESTATE AGENCY SIGNAGE

WINDOW GRAPHICS

MAGNETIC VEHICLE SIGNAGE

Bruntwood’s wider redevelopment of Manchester Business School (MBS), will adjoin a new two-storey Executive Education Centre, which will provide a new home for the business school’s corporate leadership and management programmes. The development is part of the University’s £1billion Campus Masterplan, which will create some of the most modern campus facilities in the world along the southern gateway to the city, known as the Manchester Corridor.

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news The Trafford Pledge launches at

Emirates Old Trafford

Council Leader Sean Anstee pictured left with pledge partners, and right with businesses signing to the pledge.

Monday 7 July saw the official launch take place at Emirates Old Trafford by Trafford Council. The Trafford Pledge will provide opportunities for young people to be matched with local businesses who commit to offering employment support through local jobs, apprenticeships, work experience or mentoring. The ultimate goal will be to reduce youth unemployment in Trafford by helping local businesses to enjoy the benefits of local employment opportunities. The Pledge is being rolled out across the Borough following the success achieved through the smaller Partington Pledge pilot scheme. Since it was launched in April 2013 it has seen 20 local companies sign up and 34 per cent of young unemployed Job Seekers in Partington secure employment. Partnering the Council as part of the Trafford Pledge are Trafford College, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Your Housing, Trafford Housing Trust, Connexions and Lancashire County Cricket Club Foundation. The response from businesses has already been extremely positive. Manchester United Football Club, Premier Inn, Carrington Business Park, Alstom, Duro Felguera, Big Life, Cartwrights, Peel and TNT are just some of those who have

signed up already. The Trafford Pledge was launched alongside the Big Hit, an intensive week-long employability programme for up to 30 young unemployed Trafford residents. It combines confidence building, motivational work, training in personal development and team building alongside mock interviews and careers counselling. A Jobs Fair followed the launch on July 7 with live job vacancies being offered by local businesses. The Big Hit is aimed at 18-24 year olds and a further event for 16-19 year olds organised by Connexions took place at Old Trafford Community Centre between 3pm and 5pm on Wednesday 16 July. Trafford Council Leader Sean Anstee said he is delighted to see the Boroughwide scheme being launched. “The Council is committed to doing everything possible to ensure our local young people have the best possible training and employment opportunities available to them. The success of the Partington Pledge has been fantastic and has given us the best possible foundation to extend the initiative across the Borough. “The commitment of local partners and businesses has been key to the success achieved so far and I am sure by nurturing this and

encouraging more local businesses to get involved we will, together, be able to provide even more local opportunities for young people.”

“As a long established business in the Carrington area, Air Products have always maintained close links with the local community.

New business, Jump Nation, are one of the businesses who signed the Trafford Pledge on Monday. Business owner, Michelle Ball, said: “As a new business moving into Trafford, we are pleased to be signing the Trafford Pledge and committing to taking on some local talent to be part of Europe’s largest indoor trampoline arena.

“We are delighted to be involved in the Trafford Pledge and will be developing a new apprenticeship opportunity to bring new talent into our Carrington plant. The youth of today have to be given opportunities to learn and develop skills so that they can support our business now and for the future.”

“We are looking for young people with enthusiasm and passion that we can train up to become an integral part of our team and this has given us the perfect opportunity to find some.” Steve Jones, Plant Manager, from Air Products (BR) Ltd, is equally enthusiastic about their involvement in the Pledge:

For further information about the Trafford Pledge, please visit the Council’s website at www.trafford.gov.uk/ business/trafford-pledge/ the-trafford-pledge.aspx or contact the team on 0161 912 4085 or by email to traffordpledge@outlook.com

August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Franchise industry booming as thousands flock to new venue “It’s been great. The range of companies and the variety of seminars are both excellent, and I have enjoyed interesting face to face discussions with companies such as McDonald’s.” Michael Obideyi, an IT consultant living in central Manchester, was one of thousands of eager entrepreneurs who helped to create a lively and busy atmosphere as they crowded into the recent British Franchise Exhibition at its superb new venue, EventCity, Manchester. There were many of the big franchise brands present alongside many smaller franchise companies - all keen to offer a fantastic range of opportunities to the large number of visitors aiming to become business owners. Samuel Odiana, a materials manager in the computer industry from Wigan commented: “I was inspired by what I have found out today and will be meeting several companies again.” Echoing this, Khalid Khan, a textile industry manager from Barnsley said “It’s been worth coming here from South Yorkshire and getting here was no trouble. We came to look at food companies but also unexpectedly found some good ideas in the fitness sector that we wouldn’t have found on the Internet.“ Gary McConville, a utilities worker from Bickerstaff near Liverpool, summed up the experience of many saying: “There is everything

that anyone needs to know about franchising and plenty of different opportunities to suit everyone. This place really broadens the mind about what opportunities are out there.” The majority of visitors had done a lot of research beforehand and arrived at the exhibition with a real enthusiasm to get down to business. Many, including Steve Loofe, an electrical tester from Middleton had preplanned to meet with people they had already identified. ”I came here to talk to property franchises as it is better to meet face to face especially with the senior managers rather than discuss deals over the phone. I’ve had several good meetings and have more planned in future.” Large crowds packed into the McDonald’s Open Sessions, specifically created for The Franchise Exhibition, with managers and franchisees explaining all about being a McDonald’s franchisee. Insight into operations, finances and the support system offered by one of the world’s

Business Club donate over £5,000 to charity Founded by local entrepreneurs Laura and Nathan Evans, the business group has a light hearted approach to networking, yet are totally focused on helping the local community with the majority of money raised pledged to a great variety of local good causes. Recently the membership celebrated passing the £5,000 mark with total donations to date standing at £5,250.

Timperley & Sale Business Club have been meeting regularly every Friday morning at the Bean and Brush Café in Sale for just over three years.

If you’d like to know more about the group or would like to come along one Friday morning for networking please give Laura Evans a call on 07976 894419, or Brad McBride on 0161 973 8448.

biggest brands gave visitors masses of information to consider.

Sales at organisers Venture Marketing Group concluded: “We are always looking to There was not an empty seat in the create the best possible event house at the Growing Your Own for exhibitors and investors by Business seminars with their line-up of continual improvement. The move inspiring business achievers including to EventCity was part of this policy The Apprentice star Neil Clough, and all the evidence and feedback successful internet entrepreneur we have received indicates that this Darren Ratcliffe and cake company has paid dividends. With the superb founder Allison Whitmarsh, who access to major motorways in all earned the backing of Deborah directions, more people have come Meaden on Dragon’s Den, all from Yorkshire, Merseyside, Cumbria, offering plenty of valuable advice. Derbyshire and Scotland and many Adrian Goodsell, Head of Franchise visitors have liked the atmosphere.”

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

news

BBQ: done the mancunian way

Forever Manchester host their Summer Social BBQ business networking event in typical Mancunian fashion It turned out to be a close thing, but choosing the first day of August to host Forever Manchester’s annual Summer Social BBQ was always going to be hit or miss with the often notorious Manchester weather. After a good few weeks of glorious sunshine and mediterranean temperatures it was quite simply bad luck that the heaven’s opened the moment the first sausage started to sizzle. Still, we’re seeing Mancunian fighting talk when it comes to the weather (it doesn’t rain ALL the time - only when you plan a BBQ!), and having a great time at another popular and well-attended date on the Forever Manchester business networking calendar was never going to be in doubt. Every month Forever Manchester - Greater Manchester’s community foundation charity - hosts a first friday event, bringing the local business community together for a fitting end to the week (Poets day, after all...) currently taking place at the Bay Horse pub in the Northern Quarter. August however marks a special event in the form of the Summer Social BBQ and a venue with an outdoor space suitable for the BBQ was chosen. The event brings together supporters and businesses from events throughout the year in a lively summer party atmosphere. Despite the weather, the Atlas Bar,

situated conveniently adjacent to Deansgate train station and tram stop, offered the perfect venue for a lively mix of business networking and general partying.

Bones

the Ambassadors from the local business community that give so much of their time to the charity.

Nick commented: “It is down to many of the people here today that we have enjoyed such great The event kicked off with a brief success over the past year. The introduction by Nick Massey, Chief tireless efforts of our Ambassadors Executive of Forever Manchester, thanking all the supportive businesses and the supporting business community have lifted our profile over the year for their help and incredibly, not to mention raised dedication, including the charity’s thousands of pounds for our many Ambassadors - volunteers from the many corporate supporters who help good causes. promote and raise funds throughout “I’m especially grateful to the year. Colemans ctts in Old Trafford Next to take the mike was Tony Walsh, who are currently undertaking a Forever Manchester’s very own poet- gruelling bike ride, and Brother UK for a 3 peaks challenge, all in aid in-residence. Tony went down a storm of Forever Manchester. with a newly commissioned piece ‘We’re planning an abseil on called ‘Silver Sparks’. 6 September and we’re aiming to By this time the party atmosphere raise £6,000, so we’re looking for was well and truly underway, and 60 people to take part. the final artists to entertain us were Manchester acoustic duo ‘Bones’ who “Also, as its our 25 year set the mood nicely for the weekend. anniversary, the gloves are off when it comes to raising our Back to the weather, and by this time profile, and we’re looking to bring the rain could only be described as in many more businesses this year ‘torrential’ - deluging down on the to support our incredible range Atlas Bar outside terrace. However, of grass roots community-based a set of large awnings provided the good causes.” perfect protection for the hungry From a business perspective partygoers and the delicious BBQ there is much to be gained by proceeded without a hitch. supporting such a worthwhile Catching up with Chief Executive organisation like Forever Nick Massey, it was clear that Manchester. Not just in the the success enjoyed by Forever satisfaction of supporting local Manchester is due in no small communities, but in the reciprocal part to the enthusiasm by the boost in profile by teaming up Forever Manchester team, also, the with Greater Manchester’s only businesses that support them and community foundation charity.

Tony Walsh

Nick Massey

For further information about Forever Manchester, please contact:

Jean Mills, Head of Business Development

0161 214 0955

on or by email

jean@forevermanchester.com Selected photographs courtesy of Hannah Sutcliffe

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

Auction Finance shortlisted for Business of the Year Out of hundreds of entrants across the region, Auction Finance, the provider of flexible, short-term funding for property purchases at auctions, has been shortlisted for ‘Business of the Year’ in the E3 Business Awards. The Cheadle-based business fought off strong competition from some of the region’s most highly regarded and fastest growing businesses to grab a place in the highly contested category. Scott Hendry, director at Auction Finance, said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted in such a competitive category and delighted our business is being recognised amongst some of the most successful in the North West. As we celebrate ten years of lending this year, we’re seeing a

significant increase in the appetite for property purchases at auction and, as a result, will continue to deliver flexible funding solutions for property professionals and auction houses. “We are committed to supporting the region’s economy by providing jobs and comprehensive training programmes. We’re looking forward to the awards ceremony and wish the best of luck to all the other nominees.” Launched last year, the annual awards celebrate companies and individual entrepreneurs in the North West that are helping to boost the region’s economy by making a meaningful investment in enterprise, education and employment. The awards dinner will take place on Thursday 18th September 2014 at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

auction rooms across the UK.

Since 2004, Auction Finance has lent more than £120m to clients, which in turn has led to £250m of property being purchased through

Loans from Auction Finance typically vary from £20,000 to £3m, with an average loan size of circa £85,000. Funds can be transferred just 24 hours after completion. Auction Finance was previously named Supplier of the Year in the Products for Funding category at the Landlord and Letting Awards 2013.

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

comment

Running a global SME from the hea In the heart of Altrincham in the Old Market Place is the Old Bank, head office of IT and management consultants Informed Solutions. Trafford Business Connect met CEO Elizabeth Vega and chatted about one of Altrincham’s most unheralded yet successful SME’s, which over the past 22 years has become a trusted market leader with clients that span Central Government, Oil and Gas, Nuclear, Emergency Services and Financial sectors.

“The principles behind our name reflect our intention to provide clients with the ability to make informed decisions on the breadth, diversity and scale of data they hold and collect, using digital enterprise solutions and cutting edge technology. We then push a stage further by empowering those organisations to monitor and benchmark their operations, as a means of supporting continual business improvement.”

Informed’s stunning grade II listed headquarters provided an impressive backdrop to an insightful interview with the dynamic and welcoming head of this rapidly expanding global mid-tier ICT business, with existing offices in London, Melbourne and Sydney and ambitions further afield in Europe and the US.

Tell us about your journey?

Elizabeth is a committed champion for SMEs and their central role in the UK’s economic structure, particularly in leveraging growth following a deep and lengthy recession. She sits on the Cabinet Office’s SME Panel of thought leaders and has recently been voted to the Main Board of TechUK - the leading trade body which represents the views of more than 850 member companies across the full spectrum of the UK’s ICT industry. We started by asking Elizabeth: Informed Solutions – tell us how you arrived at this name? “From a background of very heavy technical innovation projects with high profile clients like Reuters, I made a conscious move to create a fresh new business with a clear and concise set of corporate values. Informed Solutions was started in 1992 and the ethos behind the business is to offer meaningful technology investment to clients, adding commercial value to both their top and bottom line.

“Starting in 1992 in the depths of a recession, our business model was created to operate effectively within difficult trading conditions. The Company’s management systems are lean, responsive and scalable and designed to serve a market that is challenging and demanding. This made us as close to recession-proof as possible and pretty much ensured that the only way was up, despite poor economic conditions. “A lot of the success and robust strength of our business is down to the fact that as well as investing in talent development and high technical competence, we offer genuine innovation, even during recession. If you are required to cut back your budgets, you need to do things better and more cost effectively. Innovation is not just gizmos and gadgets, it’s a fresh and insightful way of doing something better by thinking outside the box. Another key principle is that we do business ethically, treating both our staff and suppliers with respect and honesty. Because of this, not in spite of it, it’s possible to be commercially successful in even the toughest of times because those you work alongside support you. “These are the points of reference for the corporate culture of Informed Solutions, and are the reason I started the business in 1992.

It would have been easy to carry on my personal journey with one of the large consulting groups, but I felt passionate about those values and wanted to take the chance on presenting clients with a business offer built on those values.” What have been your greatest achievements since starting the business? “There was a shift early on in our growth where we became regarded as trusted advisers, underpinned by the three cornerstones we aspire to; innovation, excellence and integrity. Our uncompromising commitment to integrity has kept our clients loyal and supportive over the bad times and ensured that both clients’ and our own businesses have kept progressing positively. “Innovation is also becoming an increasingly important requirement from clients confronting the fact they have systematically under-invested in the last 4 years and need to catch up with a recovery which now seems to be accelerating.” Why do you think you have been so successful? “Firstly talent management - taking the time to pick the right people who share the same values, cultural fit and team working ethos. We nurture and develop them and together, they and the company grow and achieve success; together we are stronger and better. “A major investment for us has been to sign up to all the key international standards, and our corporate governance benefits from running all the relevant management systems. For example, we are one of the very few mid-sized companies accredited up to international information

security standard (ISO Security 27001). We also have very high levels of professional indemnity cover to take on large and high risk projects, so clients know that we have been carefully vetted by insurers and can trust our capabilities. “We’ve also invested heavily to get onto key government frameworks which enable us to compete for significant contracts. In real terms we are often the only SME alongside all the big household names which inevitably means we stand out and warrant a closer look.” Do you still see yourselves as an SME? “We are extremely proud to be a mid-tier company. It hasn’t been easy growing the business in recent years. As a successful and growing SME we can attract and retain great talent. Training and nurturing staff is still assigned to our senior people, a characteristic of mid-tier businesses that we have ensured stays firmly in place. It makes for an inclusive experience for the whole company which is one of the cultural strengths of all the best SMEs.” What made you choose to site your headquarters in Altrincham? “We decided at the outset to invest in business premises that reflected a company with substance and gravitas. Having commissioned surveys in a number of major cities, I soon found that a northern work ethic offered a distinct advantage over the more transient workforce of London. When looking at Manchester, Altrincham stood out as a perfect choice due to its great location; transport links, proximity to Manchester Airport, fantastic corporate and local culture. Essentially, it’s a great place to do business from. The availability of the grade II listed Old Bank building was also a huge attraction. The building is magnificent but was utterly derelict, so we worked closely with Trafford

August /September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

art of Altrincham Council’s Conservation Officer and the end result is a building that is functionally high performing and reflects our values as a business. Many clients also use our facilities, so we see it as a crucial and worthwhile investment.” You are regarded as a key opinion former and highly visible champion for SMEs particularly within the ICT sector, how did this come about? “My career in professional services has always been one of delivering results and providing advice and guidance, so I feel comfortable in offering my thoughts and opinions. It wasn’t until a few years ago, just before this recession took hold, that the opportunity arose to share my ideas on a wider scale. Just before the recession arrived, when there were early indicators that action was needed, we quickly made provisions to make the business robust enough to navigate the next few years. I also wrote a letter to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, outlining our experiences and my views. “I felt very strongly that with (what was then) 15 years’ experience of UK public sector procurement and prevailing attitudes towards SMEs, urgent reforms were needed, as were leaders and champions of change from the most senior levels of government. This would become even more relevant when the full impact of the oncoming recession hit and public budgets were cut back. SMEs needed a level playing field and a fairer chance of competing for available public sector contracts. A structural reform of the public sector procurement process could be instrumental in that.

“From there, my letter resulted in an invitation to sit on the Cabinet Office’s SME Panel, which is a group of business and thought leaders working alongside Nick Hurd and reporting directly into Francis Maude. I wouldn’t presume to be described as an adviser, but we offer candid opinion on the impact on SMEs of Government’s changes or proposed changes. “There have also been many opportunities to work with the private sector and I was recently elected to the Main Board of techUK. I feel very strongly that SMEs must petition together from a position of strength to receive a fair share of both public and private sector contracts in the UK and beyond. For example, development of SME Consortia is one of the vehicles that have real impact for supporting the sector and I am passionate about championing such options so they become more mainstream and accepted.”

To find out more about Informed Solutions see www.informed.com or contact Paul Collins on 0161 942 2000

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

comment

Enabling a greater vision for Trafford The LifeCentre is one of the newest conference and meeting venues in Trafford, found nestling in the leafy suburbs of Sale on Washway Road. Director Sean Sankey is passionate about the role of the site, especially within the local business and general community: “Everyone reading this magazine cares about Trafford continually moving towards a greater degree of flourishing. We want to see local people growing in their skills and capacities. We understand the importance of connections being made between companies, the public and third sector across the area. And we all want to see Trafford being a place which gets richer each year and in every sense. “At the LifeCentre we’ve been genuinely stunned ever since our opening in February 2013 at the progress we witness first hand, with our borough returning once again to its full potential. The recession bit hard but it seems business - and

in particular, collaboration between businesses - is biting back.

workplace and rebuild their careers.

The Trafford Partnership hosted its “As a meetings and conference venue annual conference recently with us, in the heart of Sale, week in, week out with more than 250 people from we host all kinds of networking groups, Trafford Council, Trafford College, The Community Ambassador Programme, training courses, skill-shares, public Police, Housing Associations and local forums and company get-togethers. enterprises coming together to build What we see is a borough that is connections that will make a long term thriving and a community with difference to the prosperity of our area. ongoing commitment to invest in the economic and social improvement “And whilst much of the activity in of the whole area. the centre is about building a better “One of our regular clients, Blue Orchid, is a major provider of business start-up and growth support in the UK. We love seeing delegates come out of their sessions swapping ideas on how they can immediately go back to making a positive difference in their business and their community. “In the last few months we’ve had more than 50 young and unemployed people attend two-week intensive Back to Work training courses at the LifeCentre, being equipped with the essential skills to get back into the

tomorrow, another more nostalgic group meet to help everyone remember where we’ve come from. Sale Civic Society meet every other month to remember our heritage, with speakers helping attendees go deeper into our local history and the stories that helped build our borough into the place we’re now proud to live and work in. “The vision we have as an organisation feels vibrant to us, simply because it seems to be shared by so many. We know that we exist to act as a hub in

seeing Trafford transformed. Why not pop in sometime to see what’s going on and whether there’s a part for you and your business to play.” The LifeCentre is open throughout the week and since launching they’ve played host to private, public and third sector meetings and conferences from a myriad of clients, mostly through repeat business and recommendations. They offer free parking, free wifi, generous meeting room sizes, an on-site café, a full catering service and the highest levels of service. For more information visit www.lifecentremcr.com or call Andy on 0161 850 0770.

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

review

Trafford Busines

The

You really couldn’t have asked for a better day to host the Trafford Business Expo 2014. Tuesday July 1 was a glorious sunny summer’s day basking in 22 degrees of sunshine, perfect for bringing the visitors out to such an iconic venue as The Point, Emirates Old Trafford. The day started with a steady stream of exhibitors, boxes, pop-ups, wheely bins and busy activity setting up the stands on the 2nd floor of The Point. It was a testament to the encouragement from organisers James Caldwell and Eve Powis from Innov8, in a pre-show briefing a few weeks earlier, that had the exhibitors going that extra mile in the sheer variety of memorable activities that

‘‘

were geared to engage the visitors. Innov8 have been organising conferences and exhibitions across the UK and beyond for a great range of clients, and following the success of the Stockport Business Expo over the past few years, they launched the same successful B2B formula for Trafford. As sole media sponsors Trafford Business Connect ensured the event had a big promotional push, and sure enough a few weeks before the big day we saw all 52 stands completely sold out, plus visitor registrations beating original expectations by substantial amounts. The show itself opened at 10am, and with an eager queue building

up outside the doors the expo opened with a rush of visitors and a mad scramble by exhibitors putting together last minute touches to their stands. The venue was perfect, especially on such a hot day, with a row of open doors leading to an outside balcony overlooking the newly

The Trafford Expo was a huge success for the RRG team. We had 6 vehicles on display right outside reception. We also researched and contacted our database to invite customers to come down to the LCCC and see the new models and to book a test drive. The Expo was at a great venue, very well situated for commuter links, and I’ve never seen people queuing to enter a B2B event like this before. There were great interactions and people were genuinely interested in our cars. The food and drinks provided were of an extremely good quality and they ticked all the right boxes - it was the best Expo I’ve attended and we will definitely be back next year. Warren Eaton, RRG Toyota Group Manager

modernised grounds of Old Trafford. Not that the exhibitors had chance to take advantage of the lovely weather as hundreds of visitors descended on the stands in a steady stream throughout the day. The organisers had the foresight to set up break-out areas flanking the stands, and these proved especially crucial for

‘‘

Free Seminars A huge part of the attraction of the Trafford Business Expo was the inclusion of free seminars by a high profile range of speakers. Throughout the day the free seminars took place in breakout suites at The Point, where capacity was reached at all the presentations. These were all geared to add value for any business that wished to learn more about specific areas of business growth, and the four speakers did not disappoint with a varying range of experiences and topics covered.

Alex McCann

Lynn Martin

Brigit Egan

Andy Preston

Altrincham HQ

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The Oakridge Centre

The Future of Sales

ess Expo 2014 exhibitions of antique cameras, cupcakes, sweets, drinks, corporate gifts galore, and ever-popular free giveaways from most of the exhibitors.

supplementary meetings and general networking amongst both visitors and exhibitors. As promised there were four speakers presenting free seminars throughout the day in adjacent suites, and these too proved incredibly popular and were full to capacity. The exhibitors themselves certainly rose to the occasion and there were a fantastic array of stands all making sure they left a memorable impression with the visitors. Darbys Solicitors were noticeable with the addition of a rather handsome live eagle keeping a close eye on proceedings. There were 3D Printers being demonstrated, free massages on a purpose built massage chair, scalextric competitions,

Oatway of Ralli Solicitors of Sale, and their advert can be found on p12.

The event proved a great success with many exhibitors more than happy with the constant stream Trafford Business Connect was also of businesses throughout the day. keen to add to the occasion with our Trafford Business Connect has already extremely popular ‘Hook a Duck’ committed to next year’s expo with competition, offering a free quarter Innov8, and plans are in place to page advert in this very edition for make it an even bigger and better the lucky winner. Each participant experience for everyone. Latest news filled their details on a draw ticket is that at least a dozen exhibitors and the winners were drawn at have made it clear that they wish to random - congratulations go to Chris sign up as soon as possible.

Book your stand on the Trafford Business Expo 2015 Go online for more information and to book your stand:

www.trafford-business-expo.co.uk

Richard Smith, Sales Executive, Stephens & George

‘‘

We have attended 10 exhibitions this year and I can honestly say the Trafford Expo was by far the best. The venue was excellent and conveniently located, the organisers were very professional and best of all there was significant footfall. A sign of a good exhibition is noise. The more noise you can hear the busier it is and hopefully the more business you will do. Well that theory rang true for Premium Collections as we were kept busy most of the day and at one point had three people queuing to speak to us. Post event we have several meetings arranged with prospective clients. We look forward to the same event in 2015.

Paul Daine, Managing Director Premium Collections Limited

‘‘

The Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University exhibited for the first time, and it was refreshing to see new faces. A particular benefit was the recruitment of companies to our growth programmes, establishing communication to another local authority, finding a potential associate trainer and networking in a superb venue with people genuinely interested in our activities.

‘‘

James Caldwell, Director of Innov8, Organisers of Trafford Business Expo 2014

‘‘

Just like to mention what a fantastic day Stephens & George Print group had at the Trafford Business Expo. This was our first expo in the North West and I was pleasantly surprised with the variation of businesses and the number of people attending which made a great atmosphere.

‘‘

We are delighted to have organised an event that has been so widely praised by companies across Trafford and Greater Manchester. We set out a very clear vision for the event early on that it should allow businesses that are based or trade within Trafford to find new partners, clients and suppliers to push their business growth forward. The feedback from Exhibitors and Visitors has overwhelmingly confirmed that we met this ambition. Our aim now becomes to make the Trafford Business Expo even bigger and more dynamic for 2015.

‘‘

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

Adrian Stores, Business Recruitment Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University

Metrolink Trafford Park Line Transport for Greater Manchester has launched a Public Consultation on the proposed extension to Metrolink through Trafford Park. The Public Consultation runs until 26 September 2014.

The proposed Trafford Park Line will provide improved public transport and access to employment, business, retail and leisure opportunities along the route as well as provide connections to the wider, expanded Metrolink network. The new line will also offer a genuine alternative to car travel for businesses and employees as well as support regeneration and economic growth in the area.

Invite us to your workplace The Metrolink Trafford Park Line team are available to attend your premises to provide an overview of our proposals and answer any questions you and your employees have about the scheme. We can offer: • one-to-one meetings • presentations to larger groups of employees • drop in sessions at your workplace

Public exhibition dates Come along to one of our exhibitions to find out more about our proposals: Date

Venue

Time

Friday 8 August

intu Trafford Centre – Ground Floor, Lower Peel Avenue

10am to 10pm

Thursday 14 August

The Lowry Outlet Mall – Salford Quays

10am to 8pm

Friday 15 August

Imperial War Museum North – Trafford Wharf Road

10am to 5pm

Sunday 17 August

intu Trafford Centre – Ground Floor, Orient Way

10am to 6pm

Tuesday 19 August

MediaCityUK – The Open Centre

10am to 6pm

Thursday 21 August

intu Trafford Centre – Ground Floor, Lower Peel Avenue

10am to 10pm

Wednesday 27 August

intu Trafford Centre – Barton Square

10am to 6pm

Friday 29 August

Imperial War Museum North

10am to 5pm

Saturday 30 August

intu Trafford Centre – Ground Floor, Orient Way

10am to 9pm

Friday 5 September

intu Trafford Centre – Ground Floor, Lower Peel Avenue

10am to 10pm

Tuesday 9 September

St Antony’s Centre – Third Avenue, Trafford Park Village

9am to 6pm

Friday 12 September

EventCity – Foyer

10am to 4.30pm

We would like to hear your views If you would like us to arrange a meeting or an event at your premises at a time convenient to you, please contact the Metrolink Trafford Park Line team on 0161 244 1555.

www.tfgm.com

To tell us what you think of the proposals and for more info: • Visit www.tfgm.com/haveyoursay • Email us at future.metrolink@tfgm.com • Phone us on 0161 244 1555

• Write to us at: Transport for Greater Manchester, Metrolink Trafford Park Line, Freepost RRHE-RKUU-KSJY, Manchester M1 3BG

Produced by Transport for Greater Manchester Design Team © 14-1032/4429-A4-Press-0714

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

focus

Public asked to get on board with Trafford Park Metrolink line A major public consultation on plans to build a new Metrolink line through Trafford Park was launched on Friday 4 July. Transport for Greater Manchester is developing the 5.5km line, which will run from the existing Pomona stop on a largely off-street route through to the intu Trafford Centre. People will be able to have their say on the tram line proposals over the following 12 weeks, with fourteen staffed drop-in events arranged at public venues along the route.

A series of visuals have been released (pictured below) showing services calling at six new stops, planned near to key destinations including Wharfside for Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum North, Trafford Park Village, Parkway, EventCity and the intu Trafford Centre. The detail of the alignment may change as the design is developed.

I’d now encourage anyone with an interest to take a look at the proposals online or come along and talk to our staff at one of the drop in events.

Peter Cushing, Metrolink Director at Transport for Greater Manchester said: “This new tram line proposal is great news for the Trafford area. Metrolink will offer excellent transport connections to local businesses, shopping and leisure opportunities along the route - while also opening up links to the wider tram network, which will cover around 92km when the new Airport line opens later this year.

Trafford Park is the largest major employment centre outside the city centre with more than 1,300 businesses and over 33,000 jobs and employees travelling from across the region.

“We’re really keen to get people’s views on the proposed Trafford Park Line and have already started talking to businesses and stakeholders.

“The feedback we get over the coming months will help us finalise a scheme that works well for everybody before we apply to government for statutory powers to construct and run services on the new line.”

The new Metrolink line will vastly improve sustainable transport links to the area and give more people across Greater Manchester better access to jobs and leisure. The proposed route runs from the Pomona stop along the Manchester Ship Canal, following Trafford Wharf Road and Warren Bruce Road before running through the Village area of

Trafford Park. It then runs through the Parkway Circle area, where a nearby Park and Ride is proposed, and crosses the Bridgewater Canal before terminating at the intu Trafford Centre. The new line would also allow for an increase in services for cricket and football match days and events at Old Trafford through a proposed new turn back facility at Warren Bruce Road – similar to that serving the Etihad Campus at Velopark. The budget for the project has been estimated at £350 million and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) officials are actively exploring funding opportunities with the government. The GMCA has already approved an initial £37 million of funding to get the scheme ‘shovel ready’, which included an order for 10 new trams to serve the line. Ordering the vehicles early ensured

‘‘

I am really pleased to be able to welcome the consultation on extending Metrolink to Trafford Park. This will be a line not just for Trafford, but for all of Greater Manchester and is about connecting people with jobs, and businesses to markets.

‘‘

More information is available at www.tfgm.com/TraffordParkLine and any comments on the proposals can be made online, by completing a response form in the consultation brochure, or by sending an email to future.metrolink@tfgm.com

I urge everybody to support the consultation. Sean Anstee Leader of Trafford Council

TfGM secured the best price by maintaining the current supply stream from Bombardier, which is already providing a total of 94 new trams for the Metrolink network. The new line could be built as early as 2019/20, but this would be subject to the timescales involved with securing both the necessary powers and full funding.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

focus Paul Newman, Director of Communications, MediaCityUK - Peel Holdings

Building a stronger future for Sponsored by Metronet (UK) and Trafford Business Connect magazine, there was a warm welcome speech from Laura Nevin, Account Manager of Metronet (UK). Also in attendance was Jean Mills, Head of Business Development for Forever Manchester, which is NiTC’s chosen charity.

‘‘

Trafford Park TfGM, on the proposed MetroLink from City Centre through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre (which is currently under consultation), also, Paul Newman, Peel Holding’s Director of Communications for MediaCityUK.

In keeping with the sunny afternoon A successful networking a delicious lunch was served on a event such as this one is summer’s BBQ theme. Then it was a fantastic platform for TfGM to promote down to the presentations starting with Lindsay Durham taking us the proposed Trafford Park Line. It offers the opportunity to demonstrate through the proposed route of the Trafford Park Metrolink. Lindsay went the real value of the scheme with our into detail on the rollout timings, future customers and understand the benefits the new line will bring to their route and benefits for not just Trafford but the whole of Greater Manchester. own business.

‘‘

Lindsay Durham External Relations Manager, Then it was Paul Newman’s turn to introduce us to a little history Transport for Greater Manchester

The next NiTC Trafford Park Networking event at ‘On the 7th’ at the Landing, MediaCityUK will be taking place on Thursday October 8 from 12noon until 2pm.

BOOK NOW Call Steve Kettle on

07585 002386

for further information and registration details. Sponsored by:

TRAFFORD BUSINESS

connect

of Peel Holding’s involvement in the regeneration of the local area (both past, present and future) and specifically the growth of MediaCityUK. Paul said: “History is important to us as a business, and our relationship with this area is firmly rooted in the original docks and the historical infrastructure surrounding them. In the 1980’s there was a question mark over this part of Manchester and Salford, and it was at this point that Peel acquired the Manchester Ship Canal Company and became heavily involved in the long term development of the Quays and the surrounding area.

‘‘

“As a larger picture we began to join

“MediaCityUK in turn was developed out of the regeneration in the area, and was originally geared to a decision of the BBC to move operations from London to Manchester. 10 years ago this policy became known as ‘The Out of London Strategy’, and it was a unique opportunity to ensure Manchester became the new ‘MediaCityUK’. Contracts were signed and building began in 2007 with Peel Holdings being only one of many interests in the negotiations led by the City Council. “Today this area is now at the forefront of the UK media industry employing 7,000 people across a huge range of media companies and ancillary businesses. As well as the BBC, ITV moved into MediaCityUK in 2010, initially with their news services plus their iconic £45million Coronation Street development on the Trafford Park side. “Another key element of our strategy is to ensure aspirational developments are encouraged, particularly in the educational sector.

As well as the University of Salford and Salford City College, there is the University Technical College which is situated on Broadway and is due for opening September 2015.” Paul finished with a question and answer section, in which he fully supported TfGM’s proposed Metrolink through Trafford Park (which would ultimately link the Trafford Centre directly to Manchester City Centre and the new HS2 rail structure).

‘‘

Trafford is a great place to do business and we are really pleased to support NiTC’s Trafford initiative. We supply Internet services to around 40 organisations in Trafford and we see every day the extraordinary level of expertise and industry in the area. The Trafford networking lunches give us the chance to catch up with our current customers and also meet potential customers and inform them of how we can help. Laura Nevin Account Manager, Metronet(UK)

As NiTC’s chosen charity I was pleased to see such a great turnout of diverse businesses from Trafford Park and beyond. It was good to meet in such a unique and well situated venue, and the presentations were particularly relevant in proposing to bringing the Businesses of Trafford Park together with the new developments and proposed Metrolink infrastructure. Jean Mills Head of Business Development, Forever Manchester

‘‘

As well as a diverse range of businesses attending, there were presentations by Lindsay Durham, External Relations Manager for

the dots in 2000 by acquiring the Port of Liverpool. This gave us strategic access to not just the waterways but a lot of the adjoining land mass on a corridor 35 miles long linking Liverpool and Manchester.

Lindsay Durham, External Relations Manager, Transport for Greater Manchester

‘‘

Networking in the City hosted it’s 3rd Trafford Park networking event on July 10 at ‘On the 7th’, The Landing, in the heart of MediaCityUK overlooking the northern edge of Trafford Park.

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

focus

Emirates Old Trafford have a blast with new T20 format The concept of T20 cricket has been well established over a number of years now. In an attempt to freshen up the sport and bring it in line with other major events, a shortened version of the game was conceived where both teams played a fixed 20 overs, and in the event of a tie the match would go to a single over per side played as an eliminator. Twenty20 cricket, or as it’s known now - T20 - is played as an exciting supplement to the usual longer games, and is time limited to a match lasting 2 -3 hours. This brings it in line as an event with many other sporting experiences. It is with this in mind that the LCCC have been looking at a fast moving and exciting new business model for delivering what has become a fast and fresh new look at Cricket. The whole concept runs at breakneck pace compared with the normal sedate approach of the traditional game, and the LCCC have mixed this up with pumping rock anthems, flame throwers, dancing drummers

and live music during half time and immediately after the match. Trafford Business Connect were invited on June 6 to experience the new format for ourselves, and I must say the whole event proved just how exciting the concept of T20 could be. The game was part of the NatWest T20 Blast season – played over a 10 week period this summer. Lancashire Lightning were playing Yorkshire Vikings and the match certainly didn’t disappoint - unless you were a

Lancashire supporter that is.

fans expressing their approval on Having won the toss, Lancashire made the concept. It was particularly encouraging to see so many families a very formidable 179-6 with Tom enjoying the event, and the inclusion Smith making 55 and Paul Horton, of family-only stands helped to 60. Slight second favourites at the establish LCCC’s offer as something beginning of their reply, Yorkshire for everyone to enjoy. eventually won, thanks to a terrific 55ball innings of 88 from their Australian The recent massive investment (which is still continuing) in Emirates signing Aaron Finch and helped by Old Trafford seems to be enjoying the umpires’ decision to penalise Lancashire six runs for a slow over rate an equal amount of success in the by adding six runs to the White Rose’s sporting offering as it is currently enjoying on the corporate side. total at the start of the final over. For any institution on this scale it is Instead of needing 15 to win the so important that every aspect of game, which would have been a tough ask with Kabir Ali bowling well, the business is constantly assessed Andrew Gale’s men needed just nine, and reviewed, and if our experiences and Richard Pyrah’s decisive six settled of June 6 are anything to go by, then Old Trafford’s credentials as matters with three balls to spare! a multi-purpose venue offering The game was fast, eventful and such a positive experience for colourful, both in the sporting action both the corporate and consumer and overall presentation. Couple this marketplace are going to stand well with a tie-in with XFM who provided for it’s future success. live music in a deal that spanned the remaining Friday evening fixtures at Old Trafford, and the scene was set for an event that provided a fantastic evening of entertainment that seemed to hit home with the sellout 16,000 capacity crowd. XFM bought in two headline acts to kick off the season. The first was Liverpools’ Cast, providing a perfect start to the summer season of T20 blasts. Then Reverend and the Makers provided the action on June 6. It’s not unusual for live music to be showcased at sporting events, however, in this case a full set was played immediately after the sporting action had concluded which certainly offered something new to the Cricket fans attending. As mentioned the evening was a sell out with 16,000

August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Building brands from On the edge of Trafford Park, overlooking MediaCityUK, Wodehouse Direct is an established marketing agency where brand building meets cutting edge digital thinking. The company also has offices in Chester and Liverpool catering for a broad UK client base. They are passionate about the services and brand equity they provide. Breaking free from the stereotypical manufacturing based business that is usually associated with Trafford Park, Wodehouse is an excellent example of the type of forward thinking service sector company that are growing in strength and numbers across the Park. Along with many other creative and cutting edge businesses they have long ago realised the strategic importance of locating in the area, not just for the fantastic infrastructure and transport links, but the huge variety of potential customers in the largest industrial park in Europe.

Trafford Park Wodehouse was established in 2003 by a group of like-minded, focused individuals with agency experience combining 35 years of expertise of marketing brands, using graphic design, printing, web and digital technology. Wodehouse always had a passion for the end product.

The company is headed by Managing Director, Martin Kemp with his team, from cutting edge offices in Warren Bruce Court, Trafford Park. The client base is diverse, encompassing

construction, leisure, retail and the highly specialised charity sector, having the experience and skills to research, plan and advise on local, regional and national campaigns.

Wodehouse offer traditional published and broadcast media, but also the diversity of direct mail, large format poster campaigns and digital marketing. Wodehouse’s social media campaigns are also an effective marketing tool with eyecatching design, regular updates and statistical analysis. Creative print design remains central to the business, as a tangible item of literature even in a digital age is often a major part of a client’s requirement. Their expertise within direct mail helps achieve low cost packs with high impact as part of an integrated

campaign. Wodehouse Direct Mail has grown from referrals which is a great complement to the level of service provided. A dogged determination and belief in the company has kept Martin resolved to progressing the business offering through a challenging economic climate, he said “Our knowledge and expertise is a huge asset to the Northwest highlighting the creative talent and skills in the area. We’re genuinely looking forward to the future”

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

social media

Generating leads with LinkedIn LinkedIn is arguably the first choice of social media site favoured for use by business. Leads are the lifeblood of any business and without them a business withers and dies. Here is an overview of how to get the best use out of LinkedIn to generate those leads.

Overview This guide is divided into four key areas to generate leads. These areas include the profile, group discussions, content sharing and group ownership. These four specific areas are what are used every day to successfully drive targeted traffic to a particular client:

Profile Naturally you need a LinkedIn account and thus business profile in order to use LinkedIn. Firstly, it must be understand that LinkedIn is driven by search. Second, an understanding is needed that the search engines rank the pages and profiles on LinkedIn based on keyword relevance. Knowing this information means you can show up in LinkedIn search results and regular search engine results just by having your profile keywords optimised. A keyword optimised LinkedIn profile is the first place to start getting organic and targeted traffic to your business. Once you have this information your goal is to optimise your LinkedIn profile with keywords in the same locations as the top results.

Join Group Discussions

LinkedIn currently has over 300 Million users and around 128,000 groups with around 6 - 8,000 groups created each week. The first place to start is joining 50 targeted groups that would have your target market as members. When choosing the groups to join, join the largest groups that match your search results. With that out of the way, it all begins with offering value to the groups. For the first few weeks you want to participate in existing discussions offering value and tips. The reason for this is that the group owner has the ability to monitor new members through moderation settings, which they can use for all the group members. Your goal is for the group owner to recognise you as a valuable contributor, not spammer. The intention is that you will get attention as an influencer in the group, and members will click on your profile and website. This will allow for you to take it to the next critical step to generate significant leads, which we will cover next.

Content Sharing After you have added valuable discussion and tips to existing group conversations for at least two weeks, you are now ready to share at the maximum two times per week your own website links/content. The result of sharing this content will

drive potentially 300-500 targeted visitors to your website in a single day when shared to all 50 targeted groups.

This strategy, when implemented with everything I have shared, will result in massive targeted traffic to your website, article, blog, squeeze page, etc. Use wisdom though and don’t post directly to sales pages.

Group Ownership As a LinkedIn group owner you can send a dedicated email to the members of the group one time per week. This message goes directly to their email inbox. Groups grow from 500 members on up to over 1 Million members currently. Remember as we stated in the introduction, 8,000 groups are created every week. This is a big clue for you when considering starting a group. When you join your 50 groups you can click on the member’s navigation tab within a group you belong to and hover over member profiles to send them a direct message.

message members who are part of the same group; you just cannot use any software to accomplish this task.

To Conclude LinkedIn can be an extremely valuable asset to any company, utilising it correctly will not only increase your exposure but will in turn maximise your leads and grow your client database. As with all online media it takes time and patience, something which is hard to allocate if you have a busy company to run. To understand this fully, plus to maintain best practice it is advisable to consult with a professional. This guide forms only one of many different strategies when raising your profile and generating sales leads for your business, however, hopefully it demonstrates the real potential power of social media when used tactically by a professional Social Media Consultant.

We have found sending them a short message with the subject “Personal invite to XYZ community” and a link to the group we have created gets an average of 20-30% of them joining the group. Now when implementing this free strategy, be sure not to send over 400 to 500 messages in a day or use any kind of software/robot. LinkedIn states this is against the terms of use. You can however

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

Social Media... what next after the big So often when we talk about Social the year they are living in. Media Platforms it’s about the big 3 - The companies that grow in Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook. the future will be the ones that understand where the world is now Occasionally a dialogue will and where it’s going rather than start about the pros and cons of Google+, but in the main it’s about doing as they always have done. the Big 3.

YouTube

But what else should you be looking Recent stats released revealed that at as part of your Social Media one in three Britons view at least one arsenal and how can you use these online video a week – that’s a weekly platforms to boost your business? audience of more than 20 million Let’s look at 5 of the Best to fit within people in the UK alone. Just think your Social Media and Content about that figure for a while! Marketing Plans. YouTube naturally is the most wellknown name in the online video market and offers the option to I recently delivered a talk on embed videos on your website. Content Marketing and explained

Instagram

the benefits of Instagram in reaching a younger tech savvy audience but the landscape is changing and whilst Instagram is still the domain of teenagers who got there early to avoid parental snooping - the fastest growing demographic on Instagram is now 40-60 year olds!

Chances are your businesses is already producing content that can be used for video, whether it’s the last business networking presentation you delivered or re-purposing your latest written blog into easily editable chunks, you can explore further on video.

traditional social media channels. These audio clips can be used as an extension of your written blog to increase the time people spend on your website or to back up testimonials with audio from clients. With many of us spending large amounts of our time on computers - an audio clip that plays in the background while we’re getting on with our daily work is a useful asset.

But big takeaway - if I was a recruitment company or a B2B company looking to grow with new staff or an apprentice - I would be using Instagram to play the long game in terms of showcasing the business as a good place to work and attracting staff that understand

Audioboo allows smartphone and website users to record audio, upload and playback digital audio recordings of up to 10 minutes long. These can then be shared via other social media channels, embedded on to your website, and users have a profile on the website akin to

Medium Medium I’ve selected as a curveball as 99% of Trafford Business Connect readers won’t have heard of it - yet it was founded by Twitter co-founders Evan Williams and Biz Stone in August 2012. They describe it as ‘a new place on the Internet where people share ideas and stories that are longer than 140 characters and not just for friends’.

At the moment it’s used a lot more in the States than it is in the UK, but Pinterest I’m going to cover briefly due to the names behind it, it’s worth as for the vast majority of businesses keeping an eye on it as a platform. reading this article it will not be The interface to blog on is as relevant. intuitive and as easy to use as Whilst some will debate the platform has a value for all, when it comes to Social Media I always go with the thought - where is your time best spent?

So if you are a craft, wedding, interiors or e-commerce business I’d recommend you spend a large amount of thought and time to how Often video marketing fails at the Social Media and content marketing first hurdle due to perceived cost you would utilise Pinterest to gain is about being in the place where of entry, and while a video with full sales and web traffic. When people your customer’s eyes are, and production values may be expensive are on Pinterest they are in buying whilst a lot of noise is made about to produce every single week, there mode or planning to buy mode so Instagram Selfies or Food Porn (yes, such a term does exist) it does is the ability to produce high quality it’s time well spent. videos on an iPhone, microphone have other uses. For other businesses, especially and stand. In fact some of the Instagram works for several reasons: B2B, it says a lot that one of the leading marketing experts simply biggest tech websites Mashable 1. People often digest information use their web cam to record some pin of the latest Amazon Fire Phone better visually through images of their most viewed videos in the has been hearted and re-pinned rather than the written word. thousands. less than a pair of curtains from an 2. You can tell the story behind your The 2nd reason video marketing interior company. The same applies company and offer a behind the fails is a video is produced without to many of their infographics. scenes view. considering the actual distribution, 3. Mobile 1st Platform - so it’s always and this is where the big 3 platforms within your customer’s reach. of Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook Whilst many use LinkedIn or Twitter come in alongside a strong mailing for distribution channels - Instagram list. is about consuming the content within the app itself rather than At one point in our lives most of us linking out to your website, so the will have listened to a podcast or an creative process is one that needs audiobook. planning.

Audioboo

Wordpress and will challenge the subjects you write about to further enhance your blogging content on your own website.

What next? Go investigate - think how you can use these platforms for your business - Just Do It!

Alex McCann Altrincham HQ www.altrinchamhq.co.uk

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

digital marketing

Google shopping and the virtues of internet marketing

Internet marketing is changing. In this article we try to explain recent shifts, and to re-affirm the value of working with a reputable search marketing agency. The value of internet marketing cannot be understated. Once unfamiliar acronyms, like SEO and PPC, have now entered common parlance in the business world. While most businesses recognise the value of building their internet profile - seeking to climb up search engine ladders - the ground beneath their feet is constantly shifting. Again, we find it is google transforming the world of e-commerce, with the rise of google shopping a significant force in the last couple of years. With ongoing changes to key word text ads and now google phasing out Product Listing Ads (PLA), replacing them with ‘shopping campaigns’, it is important to grasp what this means for internet marketing. Visibility on the internet has to rank among the top marketing strategies for any business. I do not need to convince you of the significance of google, now both a noun and a verb lodged securely in the Oxford English Dictionary. We all know that everybody, everywhere, googles everything, all the time. So it is hardly surprising that businesses need to understand and utilise the power of google. The burgeoning of SEO consultants and search marketing agencies marks this transformation in the world of commerce. Businesses now find themselves investing real money in SEO - familiarising themselves with PPC, backlinks, adwords as well as tapping into social media marketing. In this article we discuss recent transformations in internet marketing, reaffirming the importance of dynamic SEO work.

is the best medium for your business objectives. Using social media needs to be done for the right reasons and it isn’t necessarily top priority for all of us. Google shopping on the other hand is something we would be unwise, or rather blind, to ignore. While not so long ago, text ads on google were all the rage, we find that PLAs are now much more popular with e-commerce advertisers. PLAs allow advertisers to include an image, price, description and business name - we are probably all familiar with these boxes appearing on google when we search for things. PLAs can have a higher return on investment when compared with text ads. The first thing to do when working on increasing your e-commerce marketing strategy is to set up a google merchant centre account. For keeping on top of your google shopping account it is definitely advisable to work with a search marketing agency. Quite simply, they save time and increase profits…at least those who know what they are doing. So what’s new about all this? Firstly, PLAs do not work solely on the basis of keywords. Ads are positioned based on your merchant centre product feed. This means you provide information on your products and google uses this information to match customer’s searches. What this also means is that you have to ensure your product feed is kept accurate and up to date. In the SEO world this is a significant transformation in the way we work. But just as we began settling in to our latest acronym, PLA, it turns out google are phasing them out and replacing them with ‘Shopping campaigns’. Google state they are simplifying the process and making the management of ads more retail centric. Fundamentally, ‘Shopping campaigns’ will look much the same as PLAs, so customers won’t notice a difference. What is changing is the management, monitoring and optimising of campaigns, giving more opportunity to place your products in front of searchers ahead of the competition.

Using social media sites is clearly one way to broaden our approach to internet marketing, and in some instances it can pay real dividends. Again, it would be trite to remark on facebook or twitter’s popularity - we tweet, we like, we google (tell us With changes afoot it is crucial that something we don’t know!) However, it cannot be assumed that social media you keep on the ball. While google

‘Shopping campaigns’ are likely to be user-friendly and well designed, maintaining them effectively will be far from simple. In the same way that SEO work is painstaking; increasing internet traffic requires a meticulous and deep approach to internet marketing.

partner who can demonstrate intimate knowledge of internet marketing geared to servicing their customers’ needs.

While every company has different SEO needs, with some able to meet these needs in-house, the ever-shifting terrain often justifies working with a reliable search marketing agency. Good internet marketing requires constant analysis, reviews and tweaking. Attention to detail is the order of the day. Understanding the shifts in google, and in internet marketing more broadly, is rigorous work. It’s crucial you choose the right digital marketing

Howard Jones Jungle Associates www.jungle-media.com

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August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

web design You’ve got a great business and you’re the proud owner of a beautiful website. But when it comes to mobile, your site just doesn’t look quite so good. The content doesn’t fit, the images are squashed, the text is illegible.

devices becoming more accessible, the rate is set to increase this year. Rather than designing websites specifically for iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Blackberry, etc, a website should have the technology to automatically respond to the users’ preference.

If you’re not happy with the way your site looks from your mobile phone, you can bet your customers aren’t either. In 2013, 61% of adults in the UK had used a device such as a mobile phone or a tablet to access the internet, and almost all of these (94%) had accessed internet ‘on the go’. The most popular Responsive web design uses “media way to access internet ‘on the go’ was queries” to adapt the design and from a mobile phone with over half of layout of your website specifically for all adults (53%) accessing the internet the device it is being viewed on. With this way. This has more than doubled this in mind, making your website since 2010. responsive will make it future-proof, According to an eBay and Deloitte requiring you to have only one Study, Smartphones and tablets are website that is coded to adapt to all screen sizes including mobile phones, creating a breed of ‘Super Shoppers’ tablets, PCs, TVs, watches, glass walls, that account for 70% of UK retail spend (£200bn in 2013). whatever the future may hold!

Why Responsive?

What is Responsive Web Design?

61% of adults in the UK last year accessed the internet through their mobile phone or tablet. With these

Super Shoppers use omnichannels via various devices, pausing their shopping, and resuming again, at

home, on the bus, whilst in-store, to look at prices and reviews, deciding when and where to shop, stockchecking, and hunting for mobile and social media offers. Customers fully expect their favourite stores to be joined up to their websites.

chance that they will leave and go to another website.

Are you leading your customers to sites they can’t see?

It’s therefore crucial when choosing the right web design company to work on your site, that you ensure they can build responsive websites, and like ourselves ensure your site are built mobile-first to ensure complete functionality.

78% of daily active use of Facebook comes via mobile access. There are similar figures for the use of other social media sites. A business that interacts with it’s customer base on Facebook, Twitter, etc, will find that it is essential to have a mobile friendly site.

It is also said that if they have a positive experience with your mobile website, they are 67% more likely to make a purchase or use a service. (Google Think Insights).

It should also be noted that 25.8% of emails are opened on a mobile device and so, any marketing sent via email, should contain links to mobile friendly websites. If a user does land on your mobile website and is frustrated or doesn’t see what they are looking for, there’s a 61%

Alex Peterson Pixel Air www.pixel-air.co.uk

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

finance

Tax aspects of the different business formations

Starting up a business of your own is a big step and not one to take lightly. The taxation of your business is only one of many commercial and legal aspects of starting a business that you will need to consider and you should choose which structure is right for you based on more than just the tax issues alone.

Unincorporated businesses (sole traders or partnerships) A new business should register with HMRC on commencing to trade. Income tax is paid on the profits of the business. The amount that the proprietor, or a partner in a partnership, draws out of the business (referred to as ‘drawings’) is irrelevant. Profits are taxed on a current year basis although a new business will be subject to special rules. An optional basis for calculating taxable profits has been introduced for small unincorporated businesses for 2013/14 onwards. Business losses may be carried forward to set against the profits of future years but not carried back or set off ‘sideways’ against other sources of income.

Limited companies If you operate as a limited company, there is a legal separation between you as the owner and the company itself. This means you cannot use the company bank account as if it were your own! This requires a certain amount of discipline without which all kinds of legal and tax related difficulties can occur. Directors of a company will normally be paid a salary and this is taxed under PAYE as for all employees. The cost of this, including the employer’s NIC, is generally an allowable expense of the company. Shareholders of the company in contrast may

be rewarded by the payment of dividends on their shares. In most small companies the directors and shareholders are one and the same and so they can choose the most tax efficient way to pay themselves. Using dividends can result in savings in NIC. Unlike sole traders and partnerships who pay tax on profits only (and drawings are ignored), companies have two layers of tax. The first is corporation tax which is due on the company’s profits, and the second is tax payable by directors and shareholders on money they take out of the company, however this can also have further tax implications depending on levels of income. The profits of a limited company are calculated in a similar way as for unincorporated businesses and the same rules with regard to expenses and capital allowances generally apply.

Do I need to register for VAT? VAT is a tax ultimately paid by the final consumer and businesses act as the collectors of the tax. VAT is chargeable on the supply of goods and services in the UK when made by a business that is required to register for VAT. A business must register if its taxable supplies exceed an annual figure, currently £81,000. If taxable supplies are less than this a business may still register voluntarily. VAT can affect competition and will improve profit and can be especially relevant for new businesses because there are often high initial set up costs that carry VAT. On the other hand, registration comes at the cost of having to meet onerous record keeping requirements, a need to submit online VAT returns and pay online and on time. As well as a fundamental need to get it right!

Failure on any of these points exposes the business to penalties which, in some cases, can be substantial.

please speak to your accountant or business advisor to help determine which business formation is the best option for you.

When you first register for VAT you can reclaim input tax on goods purchased up to four years prior to registration provided they are still held when registration takes place. VAT on services supplied in the six months prior to registration may also be reclaimed. We have just touched on the subject of tax for the differing business formations, and there are many more issues to consider. You can download a free tax guide from our website www.lwaltd.com, or

Les Leavitt Leavitt Walmsley Associates Chartered Certified Accountants www.lwaltd.com

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

franchising

Are you considering

entering into a franchise?

Franchising is becoming a popular business option for those who do not wish to set up a business from scratch. Household franchises such as Costa and McDonalds have finessed their model and success is clearly lucrative. As a budding franchisee, you should be mindful of the following:

Do you know the contract? Franchisors will have substantial contract documentation. It will typically cover issues such as using the franchisor’s name, if the business is a limited company (this is usually the case to enable liability to be limited for the franchisee), the territory the franchisee is permitted to operate in, the term of the

franchise, equipment and products to be provided, if premises are to be provided, payments and royalties, training, advertising and marketing costs, auditing and accounting requirements, Intellectual property and data protection issues. The contract is accompanied by an operations manual which will cover training and staffing requirements, grievance procedures, pricing policies, accounting procedures and maintenance of equipment, etc. These documents carry considerable legal significance and it is wise to get it checked by your solicitor since they are often weighted heavily in favour of the

franchisor. As a franchisee it is important not to agree to overly onerous terms which do not suit your short or long term objectives or your ability to commit time and money.

You are likely to be controlled tightly in order to protect the brand and deliver consistently in order for the brand to remain strong, undiluted, uncompromised and profitable.

Has there been a pilot franchise and have you fully researched the business?

So, if you are a creative entrepreneur with a vision for a unique business, then franchising will clip your wings and frustrate you. If the franchise is successful, you may be tempted to go it alone but there are likely to be significant legal implications as a consequence to doing this which may involve you in expensive litigation. You do not own the customers you have built your relationship with!

The franchisor should have taken advice as to whether the business model is appropriate and run a pilot to test the market and the commerciality and improvement requirements of the franchise. If you are a guinea pig then the risks are weighted strongly against you and you risk being the victim of teething problems or worse; total business failure which could be devastating to you financially. Typically a pilot would be expected to run for at least 6 months. Franchisors often run ‘discovery days’ which will give you a chance to ask further questions and meet like minded franchisees who can give you their view on running the business.

Fines and Penalties? Read the small print. There may be fines and penalties if the franchisee does not perform in accordance with the contract. As a franchisee you have an obligation to continually develop and improve the business and there will be control mechanisms to ensure this is met.

Is your business plan credible? Going through the process of preparing a business plan is an excellent medium to flush out any doubts you may have to focus your mind on the real implications of entering into a franchise. Many businesses fall at the business plan hurdle and if you are looking externally to fund your business costs then this document must be thorough enough to persuade a funder to release cash to you. The franchisor can assist you with this but do seek advice from accountants who see business plans frequently. An accountant may pick up something that casts doubt on the financial viability of the business.

Do you have creative ideas? The benefits of having a tried and tested business model, a recognised brand name and a support team behind you are indeed appealing, especially considering that 8 out of 10 new businesses fail. However, do consider that you are likely to have very limited ability to be creative or shape the business.

Kay Kennedy Darbys Solicitors www.bluelaw.co.uk

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August/September 2014

Can your business be franchised?

Franchising is a proven method of business expansion. It has been used successfully in almost every business sector by companies of all shapes and sizes. But does your business have what it takes? Here we outline 10 Franchising Essentials. Before beginning a Franchise Development Programme, the consultant should undertake research into the business to determine its suitability for Franchising. We need to be sure that this is the best route for the business, that the management are prepared to cope with the changes franchising will bring, and that the timing of the launch will maximise the chance of successful Franchisee recruitment. Your business is ready for franchising when you can demonstrate the following essential factors: Differentiation In order to compete effectively in the busy franchise marketplace, a franchise organisation must be adequately differentiated from its franchised competitors. This could be a distinctive product or service, a reduced investment cost, a unique marketing strategy, or specific target markets.

Credibility Your company must be credible in the eyes of prospective Franchisees if they are going to spend their money on a franchise. Credibility can be reflected in a number of ways, such as the size of the organisation, the number of units, the number of years in operation, the quality of your publicity, consumer awareness of your brand, the success of the pilot operation, and the strength of

the management team.

Market trends and conditions Market analysis acts as a general indicator of success for the Franchise and should be used to refine your long-term plans. It is important that the market for your products or services is viable in the medium to long term. Is the market growing or consolidating and how will that affect your business in the future? What are your franchised and non-franchised competitors doing? Are you likely to be able to find a buyer for your franchise network when you decide to move on? Successful pilot operations You can’t Franchise an “idea”. A pilot operation is necessary to demonstrate that the system is viable. It will also act as a testing ground for new products, new services, marketing techniques, merchandising, and operational strategies in the long term. Transferability of knowledge It is vital that it is relatively easy to teach a Franchisee how to operate a replica of your business. You must also be able to provide this education in a relatively short period of time. If your business is complex you will find that your recruitment will be restricted to prospective Franchisees that are already experienced in your field, thus reducing the marketability of your proposition. Documented systems All successful businesses have systems and, in Franchising, these must be documented and communicated effectively to your Franchisees. Your company policies, procedures, systems, forms and business practices should

be presented in a comprehensive and user-friendly operations manual, which is provided to Franchisees as part of their Franchise Package.

Affordability and return on investment A franchised business must be affordable to its prospective Franchisees and profitable, both for the Franchisor and for the Franchisee. In addition to this, the Franchise must provide enough profit after payment of fees to the Franchisor for the Franchisees to earn an adequate return on their investment of time and money. This profitability is relative and must be measured against the investment to provide a meaningful figure, with Franchisees achieving a significant return on investment by the third year of trading. Commitment Successful Franchisors are committed to building long term relationships with their Franchisees that are mutually rewarding. There is a strong link between the strength of these relationships and the profitability of the franchise. Strong franchisee relationships enable the Franchisor to sell their franchises more effectively, introduce necessary changes into the system more easily and motivate franchisees to provide a consistent level of service to their customers.

Consider how you will cope with the resource demands the Franchise will bring, such as franchise marketing, lead handling, franchise sales, training and multi-operations management, and build a strong supporting team. Capital Franchising is a relatively low-cost means of expanding a business but it is certainly not a “no cost” option. A franchisor needs capital and resources to implement a Franchise Development Programme and to recruit Franchisees. There should also be adequate finance available to support the growing Franchise network, especially in the early years. If, having considered these 10 Franchising Essentials, you think that 2014 is the right time to Franchise your business, get in touch with a franchise management consultancy to put your plan into action. You may be also eligible for assistance with fees through the Growth Accelerator programme.

Strength of management The most common contributors to the failure of start-up franchisors are understaffing and a lack of experience at the management level. New franchisors often try to do everything themselves, taking on roles in which they have little or no experience.

Tony Irwin FDS North www.fdsfranchise.com

Discover your full franchising potential TONY URWIN

A leading figure in the UK franchising industry, Tony managed the franchising efforts of Clarks Shoes in the UK and Disney in the Middle East, before establishing FDS North in 1999. Under his direction, FDS North has developed a sterling reputation as the North’s premier franchise management consultancy.

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TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

August /September 2014

wellbeing

Make your goals a

positive experience

Setting goals should be a positive experience. They should inspire us and keep us moving in the right direction. But it’s important to set our goals well or we may find ourselves distracted by other people’s agendas and end up allowing their wishes to hi-jack our own. We can waste a lot of time focussing on something that may not be positive or in our best interests. Let’s look at ways to make your goals a positive experience: Set goals that feel right for you, otherwise it’s hard to remain fully committed. A positive goal continues to motivate us during setbacks and times when nothing

seems to be going right. There may be occasions when we need to adjust, adapt, or compromise our plans, but when a goal feels right we can see beyond any short-term difficulties and remain inspired to carry on working with determination towards the bigger picture. Ensure that some goals add value to you life. You may be keen to give something back to your community, perhaps feel it’s important to volunteer to help a local project, animal shelter or youth project. You may want to spend time cooking meals for the elderly or homeless, teach adults to read, plant trees, work to support a local amateur dramatic group. Others may find it difficult to compromise and support you in

Do you want the publicity, but don’t have time to write it?

your pet project. At those times you may need to be firm and explain how much it means to you. Failure can be an important lesson and a positive experience as we strive to reach our goals. Mishaps and setbacks can be regarded as part of the process, almost as an opportunity for a practice run or dress rehearsal where we iron out the blips and learn better, more effective ways of doing things. Not every goal will automatically take you where you want to go but moving in the right direction may even introduce a better outcome, a different master plan or a rather interesting detour along the way. And, indeed, failure sometimes brings along completely new, previously unconsidered ideas and opportunities. Mistakes are an important part of learning new skills and exploring uncharted waters. There’s a saying that a person who never made a mistake never made anything. Staying safe and avoiding risk might be a comfortable place, especially if there is much stress in other areas of our lives, but mistakes can provide positive experiences to learn and move forward, becoming stronger and better equipped for the future.

You want an article in Trafford Business Connect and elsewhere. You want to get your message across, to inform and persuade. But you just don’t

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There are often significant external factors to consider when we decide to set business and personal goals. Responsibilities can weigh heavy as the impact of our actions on our important relationships is revealed. Family and friends may be required to make sacrifices as the financial implications or the demands of any short or long-term commitments are gradually discovered. Some goals may require a significant amount of time to be dedicated to studying and learning new skills, long hours may need to be worked or there could be a requirement to regularly travel away from home. Status, opportunities for career development and level of personal satisfaction may all need to be

considered as the side effects of our goals are thought through. Be sure to give yourself credit at each stage as you progress towards achieving your goals. That way you make it a positive experience as you congratulate yourself on reaching each significant milestone. Whether it’s losing weight, training for a marathon, completing a project, setting up a new venture, determine to set interim markers where you pause, maybe take a break, enjoy some time out for fun, a breather and praise yourself for what you’ve learned and achieved so far. Remember, it’s often the journey or process of getting from A to B that’s the most satisfying aspect of a goal rather than successfully achieving the final result. Yes, the goal itself provides motivation for all your efforts, but it’s the journey itself that by providing the opportunity to learn, to add quality and purpose to your life is the real gift of any goal. Enjoy and be mindful of what you’re doing rather than swiftly move from one goal to the next. Value the satisfaction that each success brings into your life. And don’t forget than even if a goal doesn’t deliver what you’d originally hoped for, you’re more likely to have challenged yourself, developed, learned more and had a more interesting time than you would done have without it.

Positive goals add value to your life.

Susan Leigh MNCH (ACC) Councillor and Hypnotherapist www.lifestyletherapy.net

August/September 2014

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

diary dates Altrincham & Sale Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Matters - Networking and breakfast Thursdays - 4 Sept, 6 Nov 8.30 - 10.00am Venue Cresta Court Hotel, Church Street, Altrincham WA14 4DP Cost £10 Autumn Lunch Friday 12 Sept noon - 2.30pm Venue The Mere Court Hotel, Warrington Road, Mere WA16 0RW Cost £30 Contact Anne Jardine 0161 941 3250 anne@altrinchamchamber.co.uk

Blue Orchid Trafford Business Network Networking Weds 20 Aug 10.00am - 12noon Venue Altrincham Town Hall, Market Street Altrincham WA14 1PG Cost Free Contact 0161 341 0245 www.blueorchid.co.uk

Bowdon Business Group Thursday - 4 Sept 4.00pm - 6.00pm Venue Bowdon Club, South Downs Road Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3DT Cost £5 Thursday - 18 Sept 9.00am - 11.00am Venue Café Seven, Vicarage Lane Bowdon, Cheshire WA14 3BD Cost £5 Contact David Bellin 0161 883 0308

Bowdon Business Club Weekly every Friday - early networking includes full breakfast 6.45am - 8.30am Venue Mercure Bowdon Hotel, Langham Road, Bowdon WA14 2HT Cost £10 Contact Mark Haywood 07968 156 211

Business Breakfasts First Tuesday of the month Breakfast and Networking 8.00am - 9.30am Venue 47 King Street West, Manchester M3 2PW Cost £10 Contact Barry 0161 839 1929 info@47kingstreetwest.com

Business Growth Hub Digital Thursdays - Drop-in sessions Every Thursday 1.00pm - 5.00pm Venue Manchester Central Library, 2nd Floor Business & I.P Centre, Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PD Cost Free Contact 0161 237 4478 Ursula.Stawik@businessgrowthhub.com

Business for Breakfast Networking, plus breakfast Weds 6 Aug 9.15 - 11.00am Venue Sale Golf Club, Golf Road, Sale M33 2XU Cost £10.00 Contact Stephen Iacovou 07872 463690

Business over Breakfast Networking, plus breakfast - Fridays - 6 June, 15 Aug, 29 Aug, 12 Sept, 26 Sept, 10 Oct, 24 Oct 7.00 - 9.00am Venue La Vina, 105/107 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BQ Cost £15 Contact Tracy Heatley 07812 076946

Business Planning Workshop Professionals in Business Wednesday 10 September 9.20am - 4.50pm Venue Mercure Bowdon Hotel, Langham Road, Bowdon WA14 2HT Cost £195+VAT (Early Bird £95 available) Contact Mark Dyble 07931 882 555 mark.dyble@sme-businesssolutions.co.uk

Carrington Business Park Networking - Tuesdays 16 Sept, 14 Oct, 18 Nov 9.30 - 11.30am Venue Carrington Business Park, Carrington, Manchester, M31 4DD Cost Free Contact Susan Renshaw 0161 776 4000 susan.renshaw@cbpl.co.uk

Enterprise Nation Startup Saturday One day business start-up class Saturday 13 Sept 10.00am - 3.00pm Venue Manchester Central Library, Elliot House, 151 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD Cost £32.45 Contact www.enterprisenation.com

Forever Manchester First Friday Club Networking - First Friday of every month Friday 5 Sept 4.00 - 6.00pm Venue The Bay Horse Pub, 35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA Contact Jean Mills 0161 214 0955 jean@forevermanchester.com

FSB Manchester and North Cheshire Regional Golf Day Friday 3 October 9.00am - 6.00pm Venue Northenden Golf Club, Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester M22 4FR Cost £40 each, £140 team of 4 Contact Simon Edmondson 07766 493 428 fsb@edmondson.eu

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Action for Business Manchester Weds 20 Aug 7.30am - 9.30am Venue Cloud 23, Hilton Deansgate, M3 4LQ Cost £15 Chamber Networking at The Venue Expo Tues 2 Sept 1.00pm - 3.00pm Venue Event City, Phoenix Way, Off Barton Dock Road, Urmston M41 7TB Cost Free Property & Construction Section Seminar Fri 19 Sept 7.30am - 10.00am Venue Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street Manchester M2 3JL Cost £30 Action for Business Salford Weds 24 Sept 7.30am - 9.30am Venue The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays M50 3AZ Cost £15 Women in Business Lunch Tues 30 Sept 12noon - 2.00pm Venue Malmaison Hotel, 1-3 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 3AQ Cost £25 Technology Breakfast Seminar Weds 8 Oct 7.30am - 9.30am Venue The Point, Emirates Old Trafford LCCC, Talbot Road, Old Trafford M16 0PX Cost Free Contact events@gmchamber.co.uk 0161 359 3597

Trafford Park Networking, plus meal Wednesday 8 October 12.00noon - 2.00pm Venue On the 7th, The Landing, Blue Tower, MediaCityUk, Salford M50 2ST Cost £25 Contact Steve Kettle 07585 002386

Rotary Club Altrincham Networking, Dinner - Every Monday 7.00pm Venue Cresta Court Hotel, Church Street, Altrincham WA14 4DP Cost £12 Contact Ken Garrity 0161 929 0142 kengarrity@hotmail.com

Rotary Club Sale Networking, Dinner - Every Tuesday 7.00pm Venue The Belmore, Brooklands Road, Sale M33 3QN Contact Peter Munday 0161 969 1391 Mari Griffin 0161 962 6078

Spectra Business Seminar Mon 15 Sept 7.30 - 9.00am Venue Altrincham Town Hall, Market Street, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 1PG Cost Free Contact 0845 224 7013 info@spectragroup.co.uk

The Business Network Manchester Business Lunch and Presentation Thursday 28 Aug 10.00am - 2.00pm Venue The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Salford, Manchester M3 5LH Cost £39.95 Contact Helen Bennett 0870 751 7523

The Talk Networking and Lunch - Thursdays 21 Aug, 25 Sept, 30 Oct 12noon - 2.00pm Venue Avalanche Restaurant & Bar 2 Booth Street, off Albert Square Manchester M2 4AT Cost £26.40 Contact 0845 689 0226 office@thetalkofmanchester.co.uk

The Venue Expo 2014 Monday 1 & Tuesday 2 September 10.00am - 4.00pm Venue Event City, Phoenix Way, Off Barton Dock Road, Urmston M41 7TB Cost Free

Timperley & Sale Business Club Weekly Networking every Friday - early networking includes breakfast 6.30 - 8.30am Venue Bean and Brush Café, The Old Sorting Office, 12 Hayfield Walk, Sale M33 7XW Cost £5 for guests Contact Brad McBride 0161 973 8448 Laura Evans 07976 894419

Trafford Business Expo 2015 Tuesday 30 June 10.00am - 4.00pm Venue The Point, Emirates Old Trafford LCCC, Talbot Road, Old Trafford M16 0PX Cost Free Contact James Caldwell 0844 887 1550 james@innov8-conferences.co.uk

Urmston Networking at the Grill Second Thursday of every month 14 Aug, 11 Sept, 9 Oct, 13 Nov 3.00 - 5.00pm Venue The Grill at 27, 29 Station Road, Urmston M41 9JG Cost £5.95 Contact Alex McCann 07806 774279 alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk

Vibrant Network Networking, plus breakfast Tues 12 Aug - every fortnight 9.30 - 11.30am Venue Chiquitos, Salford Quays, Capital Quay, Manchester M50 3WL Cost £15 Contact Rose Cleaver-Emons 07739 748978 Weds 20 Aug - every fortnight 8.00 - 10.00am Venue The Secret Garden, 11 Barton Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 2PD Cost £15 Contact Steve Crohill 07787 425125 Weds 20 Aug - every fortnight 11.30am - 1.30pm Venue Central Perks, 77 - 79 Chapel Street, Manchester M3 5BZ Cost £15 Contact Steve Crohill 07787 425125

Women’s 20/20 Women’s networking - second Wednesday each month - 10 Sept, 8 Oct, 12 Nov 12.15 - 2.30pm Venue Mercure Bowdon Hotel, Langham Road, Bowdon WA14 2HT Cost £15 for non-members Contact Julie Gray enquiries@2020network.co.uk

places to meet

TRAFFORD BUSINESS connect

Bean and Brush Art Café

Mercure Bowdon Hotel

Address 12 Hayfield Walk, Sale M33 7XW Contact 0161 973 2140 Facilities Café, Food, Drink

Address Langham Road, Bowdon WA14 2HT Contact 0161 928 7121 Facilities Hotel and Leisure, Free Parking

Bizspace Address Contact Facilities

Atlantic Business Centre

Atlantic Street, Altrincham WA14 5NQ 0161 926 3600 Conference Rooms, Café Empress Business Centre

380 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9EA 0161 877 5579 Meeting Rooms, Offices

Bowdon Rooms The Cinnamon Club Address Contact Facilities

The Firs, Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2TQ 0161 926 8992 Conferences, Boardroom, Live Music

Café Gourmand Address 221 Ashley Road, Hale WA15 9SZ Contact 0161 929 6050 Facilities Coffee and Patisserie Shop

Carrington Business Park Address Contact Facilities

Carrington Lane, Carrington, Manchester M31 4DD 0161 776 4000 Café, Conference Rooms

Costa Coffee Address 75 School Road, Sale M33 7YF Contact 0161 973 2259 Address 33-35 George Street, Altrincham WA14 1RN Contact 0161 929 0382 Address Century House, Ashley Road, Hale WA15 9SF Contact 0161 926 9913 Address Golden Way, Urmston, Manchester M41 0NA Contact 0161 926 7707 Facilities Coffee, Snacks

Cresta Court Hotel Address Contact Facilities

Church Street, Altrincham WA14 4DP 0161 927 7272 Snack, Rest, Hotel, Free Parking

DeVere Venues Address Contact Facilities

Cheadle House, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle SK8 3FS 0161 492 100 Conference, Leisure, Restaurant

Eaton Place Business Park Address 114 Washway Road, Sale M33 7RF Contact 0161 905 1424 Facilities Meeting Rooms, Offices

Mersey Farm Address Contact Facilities

Carrington Lane, Ashton On Mersey, Sale M33 5BL 0161 962 8113 Restaurant, Hotel, Free Parking

August /September 2014

Are you squeezing the most from your advertising budget?

On The 7th The Landing Address Contact Facilities

The Blue Tower, MediaCityUK, Salford Quays M50 2ST 0161 686 5500 Bar, Restaurant, Conference Rooms

Red Rooms Meeting rooms for hire across a range of Bruntwood properties Address Station House, Stamford New Road, Altrincham WA14 1EP

111 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2HY

Centurion House, 129 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WR

City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester M1 4BT

Lowry House, 17 Marble Street, Manchester, M2 3AW

Manchester One, 53 Portland Street, Manchester, M1 3LD

St James, 61-95 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FQ

For a FREE review of your marketing and promotional activity CALL NOW on

0161 291 0224

Contact 0843 504 4753 Facilities Offices, Meeting Rooms

St Anthony’s Centre Address Contact Facilities

Eleventh Street, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1JF 0161 848 9173 Conference Rooms

San Carlo Fiorentina Address Contact Facilities

Manchester Airport, Marriott Hotel, Hale Road, Hale Barns, Cheshire WA15 8XW 0161 904 5043 Bar & Restaurant

The Life Centre Address 235 Washway Road, Sale M33 4BP Contact 0161 850 0770 Facilities Meeting Rooms, Café

The Little Deli Company Address Contact Facilities

42 Stamford Park Road, Hale WA15 9EP 07921 717548 Meeting Rooms, Café

JON CHEETHAM DESIGN DESIGN AND MARKETING SERVICES

DESIGN • ADVERTISING • BRANDING PACKAGING • PRINT • NEWSLETTERS CATALOGUES • POS • WEBSITES CORPORATE IDENTITY • DIRECT MAIL

Gastronomy Address 191 Ashley Road, Hale WA15 9SQ Contact 0161 928 7870 Facilities Deli, Coffee Shop

McGregors Address Contact Facilities

29 Stamford New Road, Altrincham WA14 1EB 0161 928 1487 Natural Organic Food Served

www.joncdesign.co.uk 42 Highcrest Avenue, Gatley, Cheadle SK8 4HD e. jon@joncdesign.co.uk

Leavitt Walmsley Associates YOUR LOCAL AWARD-WINNING ACCOUNTANTS AND BUSINESS ADVISORS

Leavitt Walmsley Associates Ltd is an award-winning independent firm of chartered certified accountants based in Sale, headed up by directors Les Leavitt and Steve Collings. The firm provides a range of business solutions to a national client base including: • Audit and accountancy • Business support and networked services

“

I have had the pleasure of having LWA as both our company accountants and personal

advisors for the last 10 years. I have always found the

• Company secretarial and payroll • Corporate and personal taxation • Non-executive Finance Director solution • Specialist audit and compliance expertise for Academies

practice very helpful and most importantly very practical. Our business has grown dramatically during the last decade and LWA have proved very diligent advisors. In short I cannot recommend LWA highly enough.

”

Richard Dears, Managing Director, Remstone Group

For a no-obligation opportunity to find out how LWA can help you with a FREE business review illustrating your business’ growth potential, please get in touch and simply quote ‘TBCM review’ to book your appointment.

Leavitt Walmsley Associates Limited, 8 Eastway, Sale, Cheshire M33 4DX T 0161 905 1801 E mail@lwaltd.com www.lwaltd.com

Business Connect Magazine - August/September 2014

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