The Hertfordshire Business Independent April 2011

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JENNIE BOND

Jennie Bond – Britain’s best loved MRXUQDOLVW UHŔHFWV RQ KHU WLPH DV Royal Correspondent

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issue April 2011

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EDITOR’S  WELCOME

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April is a busy month this year. Not only are we making preparations for the Royal Wedding and the upcoming extended holidays, but also last month’s Expo went with such a success that we are still feeling the after-­ math! See our special on page 20 for the latest news and photos. This month we caught up with BBC Royal Corre-­ spondent, Jennie Bond who spoke to us about her personal achievements to fit in with our Royal Wedding issue. We also take a look at some of you RXW WKHUH ZKR DUH DOVR ORRNLQJ WR EHQHĂ€W IURP WKH ELJ day. Let us know what your plans are too! If that wasnt enough, while wedding preparations DUH LQ IXOO VZLQJ ZH DW 7KH +%, RIĂ€FHV ZHUH IHHOLQJ quite patriotic. It got us thinking about what made us proud to be British and looked up some of the best brands we have to offer. Read all about it on page 18. :H DOVR ORRN DW VRPH RI WKH EHVW ZD\V WR VWDUW \RXU EXVLQHVV LQ RXU Ă€QDQFH VSHFLDO VXSSOHPHQW DQG WKHQ ZH DUH RII IRU D VSLQ LQ WKH ODWHVW DGGLWLRQ WR WKH 3HXJHRW Ă HHW WKH -XVW WR URXQG RII ZH FDWFK XS ZLWK 6WHSKHQ . $PRV IRU D TXLFN FKDW 6XFK D GLIĂ€FXOW MRE someone has to do it!

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04

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£350K  ENTERPRISE  BOOST  FOR  REGION’S  ENTREPRENEURS

Budding entrepreneurs across Hertfordshire received a welcome boost after the go-­ahead was given to expand the support available to the region’s start-­up businesses. Local enterprise agency Wenta joined forces with strategic partners to secure more than ÂŁ350,000 funding to develop new ‘My Incubator’ centres in Potters Bar and Watford. The new centres will form part of a strategic support network providing access to multiple business advisors across the region. Wenta currently runs two other My Incubator centres, in Stevenage and Luton. ‘My Incubator’ will offer a full range of support for pre-­start, new or early stage businesses and social enterprises that require workspace and facilities, with an advisor on hand to ‘mentor’ through the early stages of start up. Chris Pichon, Wenta’s Chief Executive, said: “In such uncertain times ‘My Incubator’ provides a much needed beacon of light for start ups who are working hard to make their venture a success but need expert, ongoing guidance on the best way forward. These funds will trans-­ form the prospects for start-­up businesses in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and create true centres for enterprise rather than just managed workspaces.â€? .

HERTFORDSHIRE  MAN  HELPS  SMES  EXPAND  INTO  ASIA A new service to help British businesses break into Asia has been launched by a Hertfordshire business PDQ &)2 6HUYLFHV $VLD KDV EHHQ VHW XS E\ 'RXJ $OOLVWRQ ZKR QHJRWLDWHG WKH VDOH RI WKH Ă€UVW 606 system into India, using Singapore as a hub. The company will help British businesses capitalise on the generous Singapore business land-­ VFDSH ZKLFK LQFOXGHV WD[ IUHH SURĂ€WV IRU WKH Ă€UVW WKUHH \HDUV IRU VWDUW XSV 9$7 DW MXVW SHU cent, and a low personal tax rate. Doug says it’s not just the low taxes and government incentives that make Singapore an attractive place to do business: “The country has a very familiar environment for British EXVLQHVV ZLWK (QJOLVK DV WKH Ă€UVW ODQJXDJH VWURQJ KLVWRULFDO WLHV DQ (QJOLVK EDVHG OHJDO V\VWHP and a strong British business network,â€? he said. :LWK WKH 6LQJDSRUH EXGJHW EXLOGLQJ XSRQ D UHFRUG SHU FHQW JURZWK LQ *'3 'RXJ VD\V this increase consolidates the country’s position as the major gateway into the Asian region for British business, especially SMEs and start-­ups. “Singapore is strategically located between China and India and already has a low corporate WD[ UDWH RI SHU FHQW ZLWK Â… RI SURĂ€WV WD[ IUHH IRU HDFK RI WKH Ă€UVW WKUHH \HDUV IRU VPDOO privately owned start-­upsâ€?, he said. ´7KHUH¡V DOVR DOUHDG\ LQ SODFH DQ HIIHFWLYH SHUVRQDO WD[ UDWH RI SHU FHQW RQ WKH Ă€UVW Â… earned, and 20 per cent tax for every additional ÂŁ1 earned thereafter. In contrast to the UK, WKHUH FRQWLQXHV WR EH QR FDSLWDO JDLQV WD[ RU LQKHULWDQFH WD[ DQG WKH HTXLYDOHQW RI 9$7 remains much lower.â€? The good news about Singapore as a gateway is spreading fast in the UK. The British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore has seen its membership double over the past four years to well in H[FHVV RI D WKRXVDQG PHPEHUV 0HDQZKLOH Ă€[HG DVVHW LQYHVWPHQW FRPPLWPHQWV IURP (XURSHDQ FRPSDQLHV VXUJHG IURP SHU FHQW RI WKH WRWDO LQ WR SHU FHQW LQ For more details see www.cfoasia.com.sg

NEW  HEAD  POST  AT  KPMG  3URIHVVLRQDO 6HUYLFHV )LUP .30* +DV $SSRLQWHG 6LPRQ +DPPHUVFKPLGW WR +HDG 8S ,WV 3HUIRUP-­ ance and Technology Practice in Hertfordshire. 7KH SRVW ZLOO VHH 6LPRQ OHDG D WHDP RI FRQVXOWDQWV IURP .30*¡V 6W $OEDQV RIĂ€FH DGYLVLQJ FOLHQWV based in Hertfordshire and North London on complex business issues including cost optimisation, Ă€QDQFLDO PDQDJHPHQW DQG WHFKQRORJ\ LPSURYHPHQW 6LPRQ MRLQHG WKH Ă€UP IURP 'HORLWWH ZKHUH KH VSHQW VL[ \HDUV DV JURXS VDOHV GLUHFWRU RI LWV &RQVXOWLQJ Alliances practice. Prior to this, he worked within commercial and operational roles for eight years, following over a decade spent serving as a pilot in the armed forces. Commenting on his new challenge, Simon Hammerschmidt said: “These are interesting times for businesses. Even with the short-­term outlook for the economy looking uncertain, growth is starting to appear on the agendas of many management teams. Companies are increasingly turning to us for help and advice to manage the issues they face and we expect demand for our services will only increase further.â€? KPMG’s national Performance & Technology business has grown to employ over 1,000 people DFURVV WKH 8. VLQFH LWV FUHDWLRQ Ă€YH \HDUV DJR ZLWK DQQXDO UHYHQXH RI Â… PLOOLRQ LQ WKH \HDU HQGHG 6HSWHPEHU DQ LQFUHDVH RI SHU FHQW RQ WKH SUHYLRXV \HDU

&OHDQ HOHFWULFLW\ SURYLGHU *UHHQ (QHUJ\ 8. LV KHOSLQJ WR FUHDWH /RQGRQ¡V JUHHQHVW hospital buildings by donating all its winnings from a national customer service competition towards the redevelopment of Great Ormond Street Hospital. The Hertfordshire-­based company, which provides green and renewable electricity to homes and businesses across the UK, won Cisco’s Customer Kings competition for outstanding customer service, netting a ÂŁ5,000 prize. This donation forms part of a huge investment by the hospital to provide world-­class facilities IRU SDWLHQWV DV ZHOO DV Ă€QGLQJ QHZ DQG LPSURYHG ZD\V WR WUHDW FKLOGKRRG LOOQHVVHV The redevelopment, due to be completed in May 2012, will see 20,000 square metres cleared for brand new buildings to house operating theatres and outpatient wards, allowing more children to be treated. 7KH SURJUDPPH LV HVWLPDWHG WR RIIVHW LQ H[FHVV RI WRQQHV RI &2 HPLVVLRQV ZLWK D cleaner, greener combined heat and power (CHP) unit providing the hospital’s heating and cooling as well as its own green electricity. Additionally, many of the new buildings will have green roofs, encouraging biodiversity in the city. “We feel we won the award for simply doing what our customers expect of us, so we wanted to donate the money to a deserving cause,â€? said Green Energy UK founder and Managing Director, Doug Stewart. “I know from personal experience what a great organisation Great 2UPRQG 6WUHHW +RVSLWDO LV Âľ “Alongside its pioneering research to provide future generations with preventative medicine as well as cures and remedies, it’s trying to build the greenest facilities around, so it’s VXVWDLQDEOH WRR ZKLFK UHDOO\ Ă€WV ZLWK *UHHQ (QHUJ\ 8.¡V ZRUN WRZDUGV D FOHDQHU HQYLURQPHQW Âľ *UHDW 2UPRQG 6WUHHW +RVSLWDO¡V 'LUHFWRU RI 'HYHORSPHQW %LOO 0F*LOO VD\V ´7KLV ZRUN XQGHU-­ OLQHV *UHDW 2UPRQG 6WUHHW¡V FRPPLWPHQW WR PDLQWDLQLQJ DQG DGYDQFLQJ LWV SRVLWLRQ DV RQH RI the world’s leading centres for paediatric care and research.â€? 1RQH RI *UHDW 2UPRQG 6WUHHW¡V JURXQGEUHDNLQJ ZRUN WR KHOS VLFN FKLOGUHQ ZRXOG EH SRVVLEOH ZLWKRXW WKH KHOS RI GRQDWLRQV %\ 6HSWHPEHU WKLV \HDU *UHDW 2UPRQG 6WUHHW QHHGV WR UDLVH the remaining ÂŁ300,000 towards a new ÂŁ4m neurosurgery operating theatre. You can help WKH KRVSLWDO UHDFK LWV WDUJHW E\ GRQDWLQJ SOHDVH FDOO RU YLVLW www.gosh.org/donate.

JUBILEE  HOUSE  â€˜JUBILANT’  AT  SUPPORT  Adults with severe learning disabilities DUH WKH ODWHVW WR EHQHĂ€W IURP D FKDULWDEOH IXQG UXQ E\ IDPLO\ Ă€UP Austin’s. The independent funeral directors have handed over a cheque for Â… WR :HOZ\Q *DUGHQ &LW\ EDVHG Jubilee House Care Trust. The money will be used to refurbish a sensory room at Jonquil Close – a purpose-­built bungalow which is home to six residents with severe learning GLIĂ€FXOWLHV Austin’s, which has eight branches throughout Hertfordshire, already donated ÂŁ2,000 in September 2010 to get the project off the ground. Claire Austin, Managing Director of Austin’s said: “We are delighted to have been able to help Jubilee House which does such a wonderful job at providing care and support for adults DQG FKLOGUHQ ZLWK OHDUQLQJ GLIĂ€FXOWLHV Âľ The Austin’s Charitable Fund raises money in a number of different ways including through the generosity of bereaved families who donate to it in memory of a loved one;Íž from dona-­ tions made at the annual Christmas carol service at Harwood Park Crematorium and from a percentage RI $XVWLQ¡V DQQXDO SURĂ€WV $ GLIIHUHQW FKDULW\ LV FKRVHQ WR EHQHĂ€W each year and since its inception in WKH IXQG KDV UDLVHG RYHU Â… for local organisations.

05

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DONATION  HELPING  TO  CREATE  GREEN  CHILDREN’S  HOSPITAL Â

HERTFORD Â MUSEUM Â BIDS Â FAREWELL Â TO Â CURATOR Â Â

NEW  AWARDS  LAUNCHED    An exciting new business awards scheme was launched in the East of England this week in front of an audience of leading local business men and women. Unveiling the brand new awards at a business networking event hosted by The Business Club, organiser Damian Cummins said the British Business Champions awards would recognise the success, innovation and talent of British companies. A number of leading business groups are spon-­ soring the awards including The Hertfordshire Business ,QGHSHQGHQW /XWRQ $LUSRUW 5HVRXUFH (IĂ€FLHQF\ (DVW 7KH Business Club, BNI, 4Networking, Women in Business and Business Scene. Initially run as regional awards, the winners of the 11 regions will go head to head to compete for the prestigious national titles at a glittering awards ceremony in November. There are a total of 15 categories including service excellence, business innovation and employee of the year which are open to three sectors: small, medium and corporate businesses. Ian Cording, FSB Regional Chairman for Beds, Herts and Cambs, which is one of the key sponsors of the East of England regional awards, hosted the launch ceremony and urged local businesses to enter: “The British Business Champions Awards 2011 are all about having a platform to celebrate the success of businesses in the East of England. They will increase both business and visibility for those who take part.â€? Damian Cummins added that winning awards is not only about the feel good factor: “Research has shown that 82 per FHQW RI EXVLQHVV GHFLVLRQ PDNHUV DUH SRVLWLYHO\ LQĂ XHQFHG E\ the term ‘award-­winning’. It is also great PR and does wonders for staff morale.â€? British Business Champions is the only truly independent organisation to host a national business awards scheme and it has already generated huge interest amongst the business community. 7R Ă€QG RXW PRUH YLVLW ZZZ EULWLVKEXVLQHVVFKDPSLRQV FR XN The closing date for entries is May 31 2011.

7KH FXUDWRU RI +HUWIRUG 0XVHXP KDV VWHSSHG GRZQ IURP WKH UROH DIWHU nine years to support her husband in his photography business. Helen Giles, who oversaw the ÂŁ1.2m refurbishment of the Bull Plain building, had her last day on March 4. She said: “It’s really sad to be leaving – Hertford Museum is like one big family to me and I will miss everyone greatly. It’s been much more than a job to me – I am emotionally attached to the place and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.â€? Among her highlights are leading the redevelopment project and working with a wide range of people, including staff, volunteers, trustees and supporters. The museum has recently had help from members of the Hertfordshire Regiment Association and the Royal Anglican Regiment, which donated ÂŁ1,000 and two pieces of regimental silver. The model of a First World War soldier, which was presented to the Hertford detachment of the regiment by the Hertford branch of the 2OG &RPUDGHV¡ $VVRFLDWLRQ DQG RQH RI +HUWIRUG¡V ZDU PHPRULDO will be added to the museum’s collections. Major Richard Gould, the assistant regimental secretary of the Royal Anglican Regiment, said: “The Royal Anglian Regiment is your local county regiment and greatly values its links with the counties and their former regiments. The donation has been made to foster and strengthen those links by helping to fund the Hertfordshire Collection and the stories it tells to the greater public.â€? The museum still needs votes to win the prestigious ÂŁ100,000 Art Fund 3UL]H 9LVLW ZZZ DUWIXQGSUL]H RUJ XN IRU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ

ST  JOHN  AMBULANCE  OFFERS  ON-­â€?SITE  TRAINING  FOR  AGRICULTURE  INDUSTRY /HDGLQJ Ă€UVW DLG RUJDQLVDWLRQ 6W -RKQ $PEXODQFH LV RIIHULQJ RQ VLWH training to farms and agriculture-­related industries in Hertfordshire in a bid to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in the region. According to the Health and Safety Executive, agriculture has the highest rate of fatal injuries of all industries in the UK as well one of the highest rates of major injuries*. Falls from heights and slips and trips were the two main causes of major injuries in agriculture-­related industries, with handling incidents by far the most common cause of injuries that affected workers for more than three days. A high number of injuries were also caused by moving machinery, falling objects and unsurprisingly, by animals. St John Ambulance has a range of courses that can be delivered on-­site to help farmers and other agriculture-­related businesses in-­ FOXGLQJ Ă€UVW DLG DW ZRUN HPHUJHQF\ Ă€UVW DLG DW ZRUN PRYLQJ DQG handling and a new health and safety basics course. Sue Skoyles, Regional Training Manager for St John Ambulance’s Commercial Training Division in the East of England, said: “The statistics for agriculture-­related injuries make worrying reading. There is no doubt that having people on farms and in the workplace who DUH VSHFLĂ€FDOO\ WUDLQHG LQ Ă€UVW DLG FRXOG EH WKH GLIIHUHQFH EHWZHHQ a life lost and a life saved. Recent research has shown that two out of three people wouldn’t know what to do in an emergency so it is important that farms and other workplaces have people trained to GHDO ZLWK WKHVH VLWXDWLRQV 8OWLPDWHO\ WKH WUDLQLQJ ZLOO EHQHĂ€W HPSOR\HUV because staff won’t be getting injured and taking time off.â€? St John Ambulance trainers are fully equipped to offer training courses on the farms themselves, if the client can get a group of six people or more together. For more information on St John Ambulance courses please contact 0844 324 5535 or visit www.sja.org.uk/training. * Taken from Health and Safety Statistics 2008/2009 see www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/industry/agriculture/index.htm

06

NEWS Â IN Â BRIEF Â

NEW  BUSINESS  COMPETITION  LAUNCHED  IN  HARLOW Budding entrepreneurs in and around the Harlow area are being given the chance to enlist the help of top industry professionals in a new business competition. The Initiative Award, which was launched in March, is aimed at people with innovative ideas who want the chance to win a six-­month business support package which will include business accommodation, mentoring and support. The competition is the idea of local businessman Robert McGowan, a director of Harlow Business Centre owners REM Properties Ltd, who said: “Getting a job in WRGD\¡V PDUNHW FDQ EH UHDOO\ GLIĂ€FXOW DQG , NQRZ KRZ FKDOOHQJLQJ LW LV WR VWDUW XS a new business. We thought that if we could help someone to set up a business which in turn would employ more people, then we could really create something good in the area.â€? 7KH GHDGOLQH IRU HQWULHV LV $SULO DIWHU ZKLFK D VKRUWOLVW RI Ă€QDOLVWV ZLOO EH DQQRXQFHG and they will be invited to present their business plans to a judging panel who will select the overall winner. The winner will receive the specialised services, support and mentoring of local industry experts from a range of areas including legal advice, accountancy, business accommodation, IT, banking and marketing. $OO DSSOLFDQWV PXVW EH \HDUV RU RYHU OLYH LQ WKH +DUORZ RU %LVKRS¡V 6WRUWIRUG DUHDV DQG EH D Ă€UVW WLPH FRPSDQ\ RZQHU RU GLUHFWRU 7KH FRPSDQ\ PXVW EH QHZ RU D home business, had no previous name and offer an innovative service or product to the market place. )RU PRUH GHWDLOV FRQWDFW *D\QRU 3HUNLQV RQ RU email initiativeaward@harlowbusinesscentre.co.uk. Application forms can be downloaded from www.harlowbusinesscentre.co.uk/.initiativeaward

LETCHWORTH Â COMPANY Â EXPANDS ELECTRONIC Â DESIGN Â SERVICES Â

PAY Â DEAL

Thousands of staff at banking giant Santander are being urged to accept a pay deal worth 3.1 per cent, union leaders have announced. 7KH &RPPXQLFDWLRQ :RUNHUV¡ 8QLRQ VDLG ORZHU paid employees would receive higher increases, ZKLOH VRPH VWDII ZRXOG UHFLHYH D SHU FHQW SD\ ULVH $URXQG ZRUNHUV ZLOO EH EDOORWHG over the next few weeks.

NEW Â LOOK Â HIT

Private equity owners of New Look have slashed the value of their stake in the retail chain after tough high street conditions caused a fall in sales. The blow comes after New Look revealed falling sales over Christmas and January with a 9.1 per cent drop. Investor group SVG Capital which owns a 27.7 per cent stake in the retailer, revealed it has almost halved the value of its holding in the fashion group.

PIZZA Â SLUMP

3L]]D GHOLYHU\ Ă€UP 'RPLQR¡V KDV VHUYHG XS D SHU FHQW ULVH LQ DQQXDO SURĂ€WV EXW UHYHDOHG its record of double digit sales growth came to a halt in January. This marks a sharp drop on the rate of 10.3 per cent seen in the previous quarter when the snow and hit TV shows such as The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing kept customers at home. The slow down in sales growth was met with disappointment in the City after the 11 per cent rise in the same period a year earlier.

TV Â DEAL

0HGLD FRPSDQ\ 'RUL 0HGLD *URXS KDV VROG its interactive reality control game format, X0DQ WR ,79 6WXGLRV $PHULFD ZKLFK SURGXFHV SURJUDPPHV VXFK DV Âś+HOO¡V .LWFKHQ¡ 7KH X0DQ show sees eight contestants enter a “labâ€? for 21 days, during which their every move is controlled by viewers and they have to score ‘life-­points’ to win.

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The Letchworth based company, a leading provider of electronic computing solutions, is expanding its engineering teams and moving into brand new premises at Aylesford Court in May, with purpose-­built design studios and large research labs. In addition, DSL has established strong relationships with leading vendors such as AMD, Microsoft Windows Embedded, Insyde and XJTag. ´:KHQ RII WKH VKHOI SURGXFWV GRQ¡W PHHW WKH UHTXLUHG VSHFLĂ€FDWLRQ PRVW FRPSDQLHV don’t have, or want to invest in the in-­house skills and design tools to deliver state-­of-­the-­art custom design. Increasingly they prefer to work with a UK-­based SDUWQHU WR SURYLGH JUHDWHU VXSSRUW Ă H[LELOLW\ DQG TXDOLW\ Âľ VDLG 'HUHN &DUSHQWHU managing director at DSL. ´2XU JURZLQJ FXVWRP GHVLJQ FDSDELOLWLHV SURYLGH KLJKO\ HIIHFWLYH ÂśRQ GHPDQG¡ development services that remove on-­going design overheads from our customers and provide a cost-­effective, risk free approach to resolving project overload or resource shortages.â€?

@britbizchamp – Thanks to all of you who came to see us at the Business Growth Show. @gladlib – Love books? Stay in a library! We have great rates available for our beautiful 4* accommodation

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@KatrinaSargent – So proud to have been part of team of Herts Expo. I have spent the day reading all the fab comments from delegates and exhibitors alike!

AN Â INTERVIEW Â WITH

JENNIE Â BOND Â Â

With  the  Royal  Wedding  in  full  flow,  who  better  for  The  HBI  to  interview  than  Britain’s  best  loved  former  royal  correspondent  Jennie  Bond!  We  caught  up  with  -HQQLH WR Ĺ™QG RXW ZKDW VKHÄľV EHHQ XS WR VLQFH OHDYLQJ WKH UR\DO UHDOPV RI WKH %%& and  unveil  the  secrets  to  her  successful  career. :KHQ ZDV LW WKDW \RX Ĺ™UVW GLVFRYHUHG \RXU MRXUQDOLVWLF ĹšDLU" , GLGQ¡W SODQ WR EHFRPH D MRXUQDOLVW DOWKRXJK WKH LGHD RI EURDGFDVWLQJ KDG DOZD\V DSSHDOHG WR PH , KDG LPDJLQHG , ZRXOG WHDFK EXW D EULHI H[FXUVLRQ LQWR WKDW Ă€HOG DV D FODVVURRP DVVLVWDQW LQ )UDQFH DV SDUW RI P\ )UHQFK GHJUHH SURYHG GLVDVWURXV , KDG OLWWOH RU no authority over the pupils -­ preferring to befriend them -­ and found the whole business absolutely exhausting. Then a couple of my 8QLYHUVLW\ IULHQGV ZHQW LQWR MRXUQDOLVP DQG WKH YDULHW\ DQG XQSUHGLFWDELOLW\ RI WKH MRE DWWUDFWHG PH

<RXU Ĺ™UVW MRE LQ MRXUQDOLVP ZDV D UHSRUWHU IRU WKH 5LFKPRQG +HUDOG DQG WKHQ WKH Uxbridge  Evening  Mail.  Did  you  always  have  high  ambition  and  determination  to  EH UHFRJQLVHG DQG WR JR IDU"

$IWHU 8QLYHUVLW\ , ZURWH WR GR]HQV RI ORFDO QHZVSDSHUV DURXQG WKH FRXQWU\ RIIHULQJ P\ VHUYLFHV , WROG GUHDGIXO OLHV DERXW KRZ ZHOO , NQHZ WKHLU SDUW RI WKH ZRUOG DQG ZKDW DQ DVVHW , ZRXOG EH WR WKHLU SDSHU )HZ UHSOLHG VRPH VDLG , ZDV RYHU TXDOLĂ€HG RQH DORQH LQYLWHG me to an interview. The editor sat behind a desk, with his feet up -­ no shoes -­ and eating a raw onion. He had long, dark hair and a big PRXVWDFKH +H DVNHG PH SURELQJ TXHVWLRQV DERXW P\ H[SHULHQFH LQ MRXUQDOLVP , XVHG D IHZ H[SOHWLYHV WR H[SODLQ LW ZDV PLQLPDO EXW , ZDV D UHDG\ VWXGHQW +H JDYH PH WKH MRE , KDG QR FDUHHU SODQ DOWKRXJK , KDG DOZD\V IHOW WKDW , ZRXOG EHORQJ DW WKH %%&

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0\ DSSRLQWPHQW DV 5R\DO &RUUHVSRQGHQW ZDV D ELW RI D VKRFN , KDG QHYHU EHHQ LQWHUHVWHG LQ WKH UR\DO IDPLO\ KDG EHHQ YHU\ KDSS\ DV a general reporter covering anything from plane crashes to politics or court cases, and had no desire to specialise. However -­ it was of-­ fered -­ and I reluctantly agreed to do it for one year. 14 years later I was still doing it because the royal story became so important and fast moving.

Out  of  the  14  years  you  were  the  Royal  Correspondent,  what  was  the  toughest  SDUW RI WKH MRE"

You  are  one  of  the  most  well  known  ZRPHQ LQ MRXUQDOLVP LQ WKH 8. EXW ZKR LV LW WKDW \RX ORRN XS WR"

7KH WRXJKHVW SDUW RI WKH MRE ZDV EHLQJ RQ FDOO 0\ GDXJKWHU was born at the start of my tenure as royal correspondent and it was hard on family life to be called away so suddenly and so frequently. I could not have managed without my husband, who JDYH XS KLV MRE DQG ORRNHG DIWHU RXU OLWWOH JLUO EULOOLDQWO\ JLYLQJ PH peace of mind whenever I marched out of the house at 3 in the morning or was away on a long royal tour.

I think Joanna Lumley is a real star. She’s so accomplished and clever, a talented actress and presenter, a vehement campaigner -­ absolutely fabulous in every way!

7KH WUDYHO ZDV SUREDEO\ WKH PRVW HQMR\DEOH DVSHFW RI WKH MRE I went round the world several times with various members of the royal family. We -­ the rat-­pack -­ worked hard and played hard.

You  were  the  BBC  Royal  Correspondent  for  14  years  and  left  to  spend  more  time  with  your  family,  is  this  something  you  PLVV GRLQJ" , OHIW WKH MRE DIWHU \HDUV EHFDXVH ZH KDG PRYHG WR VRXWK Devon as a family -­ and it became impossible to try to be a wife DQG PRWKHU DQG D FRUUHVSRQGHQW PLOHV DSDUW , DOVR IHOW , KDG covered the very best of that story -­ everything from toe-­sucking GXFKHVVHV WR GLYRUFHV GHDWKV DQG MXELOHHV , GRQ¡W PLVV LW DW DOO because I still get involved in big royal stories, but have the huge pleasure of being able to say “Noâ€? if someone asks me to take part and I’d rather go for a walk on the beach! I am no longer on call, my life is my own and I am in control.

<RX Ĺ™QLVKHG UXQQHU XS LQ WKH WKLUG series  of  the  reality  show  I’m  a  Celebrity‌Get  Me  Out  of  Here!,  in  which  WKH Ĺ™QDO HSLVRGH UHFHLYHG YLHZLQJ Ĺ™JXUHV RI PLOOLRQ making  it  the  most  watched  programme  on  ITV  and  BBC  One  that  week.  As  a  result  of  this,  you  managed  to  UDLVH D WRWDO RI d IRU WKH Devon  Air  Ambulance  Trust.  Is  this  charity  something  you  are  still  LQYROYHG LQ" I still support the Devon Air Ambulance and managed to win a further ÂŁ10,000 for them on Family Fortunes. I’m a Celeb was brilliant fun, it changed the public’s perception of me and allowed PH WR EH P\VHOI RQ 79 IRU WKH Ă€UVW WLPH

Did  you  ever  think  that  it  would  have  DWWUDFWHG WKLV PXFK DWWHQWLRQ" We never imagined it would turn out to be such a huge show -­ but we were an interesting cast ... Jordan and Peter Andre, Johnny Rotten, Kerry Katona and Lord Brocket‌. to name but a few.

Women are now at the forefront of many businesses -­ it’s no longer noteworthy that a CEO is female. The newsroom has changed a great deal over the years and quite often women are in the PDMRULW\ , WKLQN +HOHQ 0LUUHQ LV LQVSLUDWLRQDO VR LV +LODU\ &OLQWRQ LQ KHU RZQ ZD\ DQG WKHUH DUH TXLWH D IHZ ZRPHQ 30V QRZ , ORRN EDFN RQ WKH GD\ WKDW 6XH 0DF*UHJRU DQG , ZHUH WKH Ă€UVW two women ever to present Radio Four’s Today programme together (and a newspaper sent along a photographer to record the event). How absurd! I now look forward to the day when gender shouldn’t even be worth discussing.

Your  career  spans  from  a  reporter  on  the  Richmond  Herald  to  regularly  fronting  on  BBC  Breakfast  News,  BBC  One  O’Clock  News  and  BBC  Six  O’  Clock  News  to  being  the  BBC  Royal  Correspondent.  What  do  you  think  PDGH \RX VR VXFFHVVIXO LQ \RXU FDUHHU" I have always been very conscientious and believe that if you DUH JRLQJ WR GR D MRE LW LV ZRUWK GRLQJ LW ZHOO 7KDW KDV KHOSHG PH in my career -­ and I’m sure I have had a bit of luck along the way. I wish I had taken more risks and believe THAT is the key WR JUHDW VXFFHVV :KHQ , MXPSHG VKLS DQG JDYH XS P\ VDIH MRE VL[ \HDUV DJR , Ă€QDOO\ WRRN D KXJH ULVN $QG LW KDV SDLG RII KDQG-­ somely in all sorts of ways.

Do  you  have  any  secrets  or  top  tips  to  WKLV VXFFHVV" To be successful I do not believe you have to be ruthless -­ in fact I think a little humility along the way helps a great deal. But if you are going to do or say something -­ try to do it with some authority. This DSSURDFK KDV VHUYHG PH ZHOO IRU H[DPSOH DUULYLQJ ODWH LQ 0RV-­ cow on an historic visit by the Queen, I raced to the Kremlin without any accreditation, and simply swept past the guards saying loudly that I was from Buckingham Palace. It worked wonders and got me ULJKW LQ ZLWK WKH 4XHHQ DQG 3UHVLGHQW <HOWVLQ DQG DOO WKH RWKHU MRXU-­ QDOLVWV ZLWK ZKRP , VKRXOG KDYH EHHQ ZLWK LQ WKH Ă€UVW SODFH

Have  you  got  anything  else  coming  up  WKDW \RX DUH FXUUHQWO\ EXV\ ZLWK" Lots of Cash in the Attic, a new consumer affairs series called Rip 2II %ULWDLQ IRU %%& 2QH PRUH *UHDW %ULWLVK 0HQX DQG , KDYH MXVW Ă€QLVKHG D GRFXPHQWDU\ DERXW WKH 5R\DOV LQ WKH ODVW ZDU

'R \RX KDYH D PRWWR" Aim for the stars -­ and you might hit a lamp-­post is the motto that has always worked for me!!

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Being  an  inspirational  woman  yourself,  do  you  feel  there  are  enough  responsible  and  inspiring  women  around  at  the  moment  that  women  can  ORRN XS WR"

AGENCY Â HIGHLIGHTS Â VALUE Â OF Â SCHOLARSHIP Â SCHEME +DYLQJ D XQLYHUVLW\ GHJUHH LV QRW DOZD\V HQRXJK WKHVH GD\V WR PDNH \RX VWDQG RXW IURP RWKHU FDQGLGDWHV DW MRE LQWHUYLHZV 6R WR EH DEOH WR DGG D \HDUÄľV ZRUN H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH WUDYHO LQGXVWU\ WR \RXU &9 FDQ RQO\ LPSURYH \RXU FKDQFHV RI EDJJLQJ WKDW GUHDP MRE +D\OH\ 0F.HFKQLH ZKR LV RQ D RQH \HDU SODFHPHQW DW 0XQG\ &UXLVLQJ DV SDUW RI D d VFKRODUVKLS VFKHPH DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI +HUWIRUGVKLUH DJUHHV WKHUH FRXOGQÄľW EH D EHWWHU ZD\ WR JHW D WDVWH RI KHU SRWHQWLDO IXWXUH FDUHHU Â

+D\OH\ VDLG ´(YHU\ERG\ FRPHV RXW ZLWK D GHJUHH WKHVH GD\V VR \RX QHHG WR KDYH H[SHULHQFH ,W¡V DOVR JLYHQ PH FRQĂ€GHQFH VNLOOV and contacts – all invaluable.â€? Mundy Cruising started the scheme in 2002 as a way of sourcing fresh ideas and talent for the business. The business pays Hayley ÂŁ1,000 a year towards her studies, plus a salary while on her one-­year placement. Managing director Edwina Lonsdale said: “It’s fantastic to have new blood in the company and get new ideas. It’s important that we never think we know it all. We consider this an investment back into our industry.â€? +DYLQJ DQ H[WUD SDLU RI KDQGV LQ WKH RIĂ€FH KDV DOVR JLYHQ WKH EXVLQHVV WKH FKDQFH WR WDFNOH SURMHFWV LW RWKHUZLVH PLJKW QRW KDYH GRQH said Andy Harmer, sales and marketing director for Mundy Cruising’s The Cruise Portfolio, general sales agent for four luxury cruise lines. Hayley has already spearheaded a project on Facebook to see how The Cruise Portfolio’s brands could make use of social networking sites. Harmer added: “With the growth of social media, someone Hayley’s age is more likely to have an insight into how it works. That insight is really important.â€? Hayley, who is in her third year of a four-­year International Tourism Management BA honours degree, already has her heart set on working in travel, particularly in marketing. “This one year of experience is equal to three years’ study – if not more,â€? she said.

HOW  A  SCHOLARSHIP  SCHEME  COULD  HELP  YOUR  BUSINESS ‡ ,GHQWLÀHV QHZ UHFUXLWV IRU \RXU EXVLQHVV ZKHQ YDFDQFLHV DULVH ‡ %ULQJV IUHVK LGHDV DQG YLHZV LQWR WKH EXVLQHVV SDUWLFXODUO\ IURP D \RXQJHU SHUVSHFWLYH ‡ (QVXUHV QHZ VWDII DOUHDG\ KDYH VRPH H[SHULHQFH RI WKH EXVLQHVV ZKHQ WKH\ VWDUW ‡ %RRVWV VWDIÀQJ OHYHOV LQ D FRVW HIIHFWLYH ZD\ ‡ ,QYHVWV LQ IXWXUH LQGXVWU\ UHFUXLWV

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LEGAL Â COLUMN

CORPORATE Â MANSLAUGHTER

An organisation is guilty of corporate manslaughter if the way in which its activities are managed or organised causes a death and amounts to a gross breach of a duty of care to the person who died. A substantial part of the breach must have been in the way activities were organised by senior management. The criminal offence of corporate manslaughter was introduced in DQG LQ )HEUXDU\ &RWVZROG *HRWHFKQLFDO +ROGLQJV /WG EH-­ FDPH WKH Ă€UVW FRPSDQ\ WR EH FRQYLFWHG RI WKH RIIHQFH DQG Ă€QHG (ÂŁ385,000, payable over 10 years). Sentencing guidelines suggest a Ă€QH RI Â… RU PRUH VR WKLV ZDV D VPDOO Ă€QH UHĂ HFWLQJ WKH VL]H RI WKH Company (which only had one director) but it is still considerably more than the Company’s annual turnover. The Company’s director would also have faced trial on a charge of gross negligence if he hadn’t EHHQ IRXQG XQĂ€W WR VWDQG WULDO A geologist working for the Company was investigating soil conditions in a 3.5 metre-­deep trench when it collapsed. He was left working DORQH LQ WKH WUHQFK WR œÀQLVK XS¡ ZKHQ WKH &RPSDQ\¡V GLUHFWRU OHIW IRU the day. Shortly afterwards the trench collapsed, burying him up to his head. The owner of the land climbed into the trench and removed some of the soil to enable the victim to breathe, but more earth fell quickly into the pit covering him completely and despite the landowner’s Bob Fahy, Solicitor best efforts, he died. lor Walton 16x4:aa Master 18/1/11 14:22 Page Matthew Arnold & 1the Baldwin LLP system In convicting the Company, the jury found that Company’s www.mablaw.com of work was wholly and unnecessarily dangerous. Hazards associated ZLWK ZRUNLQJ LQ H[FDYDWLRQV DUH ZHOO NQRZQ 7KH +6( Ă€UVW SXEOLVKHG

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7KHUH KDV DOUHDG\ EHHQ RQH PDMRU ZHGGLQJ ZLQQHU The Epiphany Platinum Clad Diamonique Oval &OXVWHU 5LQJ D UHSOLFD RI .DWH 0LGGOHWRQ¡V EHLQJ sold by QVC for ÂŁ32.42. After the engagement was announced, overnight sales of the imitation were increased by over 800 per cent. Sue Leeson from QVC said, “The huge demand for Kate’s replica ring shows that she is blossoming into a real trend setter. She has an impact on British style.â€? The ring cost ÂŁ28,000 when it was bought by Prince Charles for Diana Spencer in February 1981. In today’s prices the oval 18-­carat blue sapphire VXUURXQGHG E\ GLDPRQGV ZRXOG FRVW Â… DOWKRXJK .DWH¡V DQG LWV OHJDF\ LV SULFHOHVV /LQGD .HOOQHU 35 ([HFXWLYH DW (UQHVW -RQHV DQG + 6DPXHO VDLG WKHUH LV GHĂ€QLWHO\ D ´.DWH 0LGGOHWRQÂľ HIIHFW DV LQWHUHVW LQ VDSSKLUHV DQG VDSSKLUH ULQJV KDV VRDUHG ´6LQFH .DWH 0LGGOHWRQ DQG 3ULQFH :LOOLDP DQQRXQFHG WKHLU HQJDJHPHQW (UQHVW -RQHV KDV VHHQ VDOHV RI VDSSKLUH ULQJV JURZ E\ SHU FHQW FRPSDUHG WR WKH VDPH period last year,â€? she said. ´7KHUH KDYH EHHQ QHDUO\ SHU FHQW PRUH VHDUFKHUV IRU VDSSKLUHV RQ ZZZ HUQHVWMRQHV FR XN 2Q WKH ZHHN of the announcement this was up over 100 per cent compared to the year before.â€? H. Samuel has also seen sales of sapphire and diamond rings rise by 30 per cent.

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Simon Wandsworth had 20 years of experience with web agencies before he created his specialist site. Within weeks of the royal couple announcing their engagement, www.theroyalweddingwilliamkate.com was up and running. “We sell literally everything and anything to do with the royal nuptials, even ‘Prince William’ champagne and insurance for street parties� Simon said. “We keep everyone up to date with news and gossip and have huge numbers of people making enquiries with us everyday.� By February 1, the site was the number one hit for royal wedding products on Google. “Demand has gone ballistic since then,� Simon said. “We’ve supplied to countries all over the world. We’ve had requests from all over North America, Canada, South Africa and Hong Kong.� Simon hopes the business will still remain lucrative after the wedding weekend: “We aim to move into more of a memorabilia site, but there will still be loads of revenue we can sell;͞ DVDs, copycat dresses, prints. We work closely with the Press Association and we will resell their collection of wedding photos.� “This kind of business couldn’t have happened in Charles and Diana’s time. Kate and William are the 21st century wedding. I was in a fortunate position to launch this site at the time. I couldn’t have done it three years ago.�

UW XH ZRUW in show OH Ă RFN OLRQ ZR LQ UHYHQ from Visit Brita RYHU Â… PLO H[WUD SHRS KLJKHU h K ² F rc H X X a YHU rese EH P HYHQ VDZ R XUH ZLOO RI WKLV U ould ZHGJH HGGLQJ LQ GLFWHG WKLV Ă€J sm revenue c UH ri Z 'LDQD¡V SLWDO DQG LW¡V S ptials. The tou u D n F ’s H K te \V WKH W Ka WR QGRQ VD am and U 9LVLW /R terest from IR for Willi million. U H J g in DQD 0 top ÂŁ62 6PLWK 8. 35 0 nt’ for leveragin royalty are big D e d 5HEHFF is ‘a pivotal ev monarchy an d China. n don,â€? g re weddin markets whe Russia, India a t asset for Lon , g n il a in z rt rg ra o k B e p n r im em l ba particula g is an ts. ditiona draws, in of the weddin aking, the ad omestic marke e e d p m s e in d n y iv ll a rr a ra d “The ti e n to inbou . “Gen GV ected she said good for both ople are exp QG DV WZR WKLU e is D p y UV 0 a H 0 ld d G u li ,0 Q H ho co 80 e, they KLJK VS itional 2 my.â€? An add H\ WHQG WR EH don at this tim s visitor econo les where -­rocket, tional K l’ n 7 a o W it L . ly to sky nowdonia Na p h a it e a rt is k c o v li N e WKH 8 ie to re th S to a d to e g a te st in th c re o , v e a o n o ve Sand p are ex million b nd Kate are m rty prices in the n of Llangolle ft in visitors. executi GHUIXO f 0 6 ie 1 h ÂŁ c a w li provide big day, Will a the RAF. Prope the market to e a sharp up ays Visit Britain R WKDW¡V D ZRQ m and s , a se O V e h After th e is serving wit the Dee Valley on Castle will cross Britain,â€? H DW %DOPRUD g castles. Willi most rf in e LP c ta the Prin st hotspots like rtress Caerna elcome boos WKH\ VSHQG W nd awe-­inspir visitors. It is th s a ri w QG l fo and tou the medieva t to deliver a V 8QLYHUVLW\ D tastic scenery em to oversea HULQJ Z d n se th FRQVLG Park an al Wedding is LHG DW 6W $QGUH s which has fa to talk about FDVWHUV ry weddings G y e G le D o c a WX R n UR V W a e E h OH h a in c “T e XS UOG DQG If ordin s us the y will liv ´7KH FR WKH ZR duct in itself. 'DZH Scotland. The le, which give .â€? DFURVV ro UV p y H p r e tr u Z fo h n o t LH u rn c e co boos OLRQ Y s a nic l monster. a mode eeds a KUHH ELO ost for th Kate are l publicity bo WHG WR UHDFK W ost vital it succ le commerica u b F rf J SURMH t in 3D, it is alm an unstoppa wonde is n ZHGGLQ :LWK WKH screen the eve royal wedding a plans to usiness, then b are big

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copycat dress that sparked a fashion frenzy: the EDUJDLQ EDVHPHQW YHUVLRQ RI .DWH 0LGGOHWRQ¡V ht blue engagement dress, costing only ÂŁ16. kalike – based on the ÂŁ349 Issa silk wraparound, HQ Ă \LQJ RII WKH VKHOYHV QDWLRQZLGH DQG LV WKH ny’s best ever selling dress online. cked down what seemed to be one of the last re-­ g dresses in Hertfordshire, at the Baldock branch, k version of the dress in a size 16. omer rep from the branch said there was a huge in the ‘Kate’ dress and has sold really well, even any advertising. DUFKDQW 7HVFR FORWKLQJ EX\HU VDLG ´:H KDYH een a dress sell out so fast. It seems many wom-­ DG\ ZDQW WR HPXODWH WKH HOHJDQW .DWH 0LGGOHWRQ d I have no doubt that she will become the next on on the high street.â€? .DWH¡V LQĂ XHQFH WKDW WKH ZKLWH 5HLVV Âś1DQHWWH¡ KH ZRUH IRU KHU RIĂ€FLDO HQJDJHPHQW SKRWR-­ has been exchanging hands on eBay since De-­ U DGYHUWLVHG IURP Â… 7KH GUHVV VROG RXW RUHV ODVW \HDU er, it is the choice for the big day that still has still fashion industry guessing. Wilding, directing manager of Expressions ear in Hitchin said Kate’s wedding dress will give a chance to highlight designers while the wed-­ fts will showcase our outstanding craftspeople, glass and textiles. onally would like to see her in something that KOLJKW KHU VLOKRXHWWH Ă€WWHG WR VKRZ RII KHU ORYHO\ ZLWK D Ă€VKWDLO DQG ODFH RYHUOD\ Âľ VKH VDLG ´7KH g will encourage couples to get married. Once nounce the designer, the dress will be copied in s. I anticipate girls will come into the shop and the ‘same style gown that Kate had.’â€?

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THE  W ATERI NG-­â€?HO LES

Companies are cashing in on everything that can bear the couple’s image;Íž from key rings to coasters, from baby bibs to commemorative coins, with UHODWHG VDOHV HVWLPDWHG WR WRS Â… P LQ WKH 8. Castle Rock in Nottingham has created special real DOH Âś.LVV 0H .DWH¡ ZKLFK LV DYDLODEOH RQ GUDXJKW at the brewery and other local pubs all this month. A limited amount will be available in bottles for collectors. Castle Rock’s head brewer Adrian Redgrove says it’s the ideal way to toast the couple’s future KDSSLQHVV ´.LVV 0H .DWH LV HOHJDQW WDVWHIXO DQG British to the core.â€? Souvenir sellers are able to breath a sigh of relief when a royal tea towel commission was given the go-­ ahead. Buckingham Palace initially refused to give the item the seal of approval in January, labeling it ‘disposable’ and in ‘poor taste’. Asda supermarkets spokeswoman Clair Hufton said: “Demand for our Kate and Wills celebration merchandise has so far been unprecedented, with online orders for mugs from as far away DV -DSDQ $V D UHVXOW ZH¡G DOVR H[SHFW WKH RIĂ€FLDO WHD WRZHO WR FOHDQ XS Âľ :LOOLDP DQG .DWH KDYH DSSURYHG WKH ÂśRIĂ€FLDO¡ PHUFKDQGLVH IRU WKHLU PDUULDJH 7KH 5R\DO &ROOHFWLRQ UDQJH LQFOXGHV D WDQNDUG DQ HLJKW LQFK SODWH DQG D SLOO ER[ LQ (QJOLVK Ă€QH ERQH china. Each item is exclusively hand made in Stoke-­on-­Trent using methods that have UHPDLQHG XQFKDQJHG IRU \HDUV 1XDOD 0F*RXUW\ +HDG RI WKH 5R\DO &ROOHFWLRQ¡V UHWDLO GLYLVLRQ VDLG WKH PHPRUDELOLD KDV Ă RZQ RII WKH VKHOYHV ´7KLV FKLQD UDQJH LV DOZD\V RXU EHVWVHOOHU ,Q RXU VKRSV LW¡V SUREDEO\ VHOOLQJ DERXW WLPHV DV PXFK DV DQ\WKLQJ HOVH DQG DERXW SHU FHQW RI RUGHUV KDYH come from oversees, with greatest demand from American and Commonwealth countries. It really has caught us all unaware. The factories are thrilled. They are employing more staff. We anticipate this demand is going to continue now right through to the summer.â€?

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PATRIOTIC Â PRODUCT Â

6,Ĺ´< 6289(1,5 25 0$' 0(5&+$1',6(" $V WKH ZHGGLQJ EHWZHHQ .DWH DQG :LOOV DSSURDFKHV WKLV PRQWK 7KH +%, EULQJV \RX D UXQ GRZQ RQ WKRVH ZKR KDYH VWDNHG D FODLP RQ WKH UR\DO FRXSOH WR ERRVW WKHLU RZQ SURĹ“OH DQG JHQHUDOO\ EDVN LQ WKH ZDUP JORZ RI D UR\DO URPDQFH 8QRIĂ€FLDO PHUFKDQGLVH PDUNLQJ WKH ZHGGLQJ RI 3ULQFH :LOOLDP DQG .DWH 0LGGOHWRQ LV VDWX-­ rating the market, with manufacturers and retailers cashing in at every opportunity. The Centre for Retail Research estimates the royal wedding will provide a ÂŁ515.5 million boost to retailers, with souvenirs bringing in ÂŁ222 million.

ROYAL Â WEDDING Â GNOMES

% 4 RZQHU .LQJĂ€VKHU LV PDQXIDFWXULQJ FRPPHPRUDWLYH UR\DO ZHGGLQJ JQRPHV ZKLFK DUH set to go on sale from mid-­April and will be priced at ÂŁ12.98 each, or ÂŁ20 for the pair. “We expect demand for the gnomes to be very high as royal items are always sought after as a collectible item,â€? said Tom Kuhr, Garden Equipment Buyer at B&Q. “While some people may turn their nose up at gnomes thinking they’re a little kitsch, we feel there is room for humour in everyone’s lives, and the garden should be no excep-­ tion. However, with the interest in the royal wedding and the number of collectors of royal memorabilia, I wouldn’t be surprised to see our gnomes popping up on Antiques Roadshow in the future.â€?

SID Â AND Â NANCY

NO  VAT  INCREASE  ON  â€˜OFFICIAL’  BRANDING To help hard-­up Britons, the Queen decided not to pass on the higher rate RI 9$7 DW KHU JLIW VKRSV 7KH GHFLVLRQ FDPH DV GHPDQG IRU WKH RIĂ€FLDO PHU-­ chandise celebrating the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton reached ‘phenomenal’ proportions -­ 30 times greater than anticipated. A notice was posted in the windows of the gift shops at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh announcing its prices have been frozen. The sign, sitting alongside a portrait of Wills and Kate, states: “The Royal Col-­ lection will not be increasing its prices IROORZLQJ WKH ULVH LQ 9$7 Âľ

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It is understood that tens of thousands RI WKH RIĂ€FLDO FKLQD SODWH Â… WDQNDUG (ÂŁ35) and pill pot (ÂŁ25) have been sold DOUHDG\ ZLWK DOO SURĂ€WV JRLQJ WR WKH Royal Collection Trust, which maintains the Queen’s art collection. We asked some residents in Hertford-­ VKLUH ZKDW WKH\ WKRXJKW RI WKH 9$7 freeze on the merchandise. Sam Barrs, 30, said: “Hardcore royalist fans will buy the goods whatever the price.â€? Tom Hipwell, 22, says: “That sort of souvenir stuff tends to be rubbish, KHQFH ZK\ 9$7 KDV EHHQ GURSSHG WR promote sales. It’s not really a matter of debate is it? You can’t stop people spending their money on tat.â€? .DWH ,UZLQ VDLG ´, WKLQN LW¡V LPSRUWDQW to realize some people do want to be part of the experience. I’m really glad this decision has been made, as I am on a budget and would like to have some-­ thing to remember the occasion by.â€?

Prince William and Kate Middleton have been transformed into the infamous punk couple Sid and Nancy in the latest piece of artwork inspired by the royal wedding. Artist Rich Simmons, 24, a Prince’s Trust ambassador, has created a mural on London’s 6RXWKEDQN LQ KRQRXU RI WKH SDLU ZKR ZLOO ZHG LQ $SULO ,Q WKH DUWZRUN :LOOLDP DQG KLV ÀDQFHH both wear leather jackets, and Kate is in a miniskirt while holding a cigarette and the prince VSRUWV D GRJ FROODU DJDLQVW WKH EDFNGURS RI WKH XQLRQ à DJ 7KH DUWLVW WRRN KLV LQVSLUDWLRQ IURP WKH SKRWRJUDSK RI 6H[ 3LVWROV EDVVLVW 6LG 9LFLRXV DQG KLV JLUOIULHQG 1DQF\ 6SXQJHQ E\ V SKRWRJUDSKHU -DPLH 5HLG

WASHING Â UP

Procter & Gamble is launching a commemorative Fairy Liquid bottle to mark the wedding. The FMCG giant has obtained royal approval to produce a commemorative bottle of the household product to celebrate the royal wedding. The company is already a royal war-­ rant holder. $ VSRNHVZRPDQ IURP WKH /RUG &KDPEHUODLQ¡V 2IĂ€FH WKH RIĂ€FH UHVSRQVLEOH IRU SURYLGLQJ JXLGHOLQHV RQ WKH XVH RI WKH 5R\DO $UPV FRQĂ€UPHG WKDW WKH\ KDG EHHQ DSSURDFKHG E\ WKH brand “out of courtesyâ€? for approval of the product, which has been granted.

SPECIAL Â EDITION Â SICK Â BAG

Lydia Leith, a graduate from the Edinburgh College of Art has designed a sick bag, similar to those used on airlines, to mark the upcoming royal wedding. The bags, which cost ÂŁ3, come in a choice of red or blue, are decorated with a crown, a drawing of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the slogan, ‘Throne Up’. Even more bizarrely, the limited edition VLFN EDJ KDG FRPSOHWHO\ VROG RXW LQ LWV Ă€UVW ZHHN RI UHOHDVH DQG /HLWK LV FXUUHQWO\ LQ WKH SURF-­ ess of designing more.

LITERATURE

Mr Men has introduced a new character, Little Miss Princess, to mark the 40th anniversary of the popular children’s book series created by Roger Hargreaves, and also to coincide with the wedding. The new Little Miss will appear in two new books – ‘Little Miss Princess’, the 34th Mr Men title QRZ RQ VDOH DQG Âś/LWWOH 0LVV 3ULQFHVV DQG WKH 9HU\ 6SHFLDO :HGGLQJ¡ D FRORXULQJ DQG VWLFNHU storybook, available from 4 April. David Riley, managing director of Egmont, admitted the new character had been commissioned in spring last year, before Prince William proposed, but said he was “delightedâ€? with the tie-­up. Âś/LWWOH 0LVV 3ULQFHVV DQG WKH 9HU\ 6SHFLDO :HGGLQJ¡ IROORZV Âś/LWWOH 0LVV 3ULQFHVV¡ DWWHPSWV WR get to an important wedding on time, but is hindered by Mr Men mishaps along the way.

UNOFFICIAL Â WEDDING Â PLATES

'HVLJQ DJHQF\ .. 2XWOHW KDV EHHQ RYHUZKHOPHG ZLWK RUGHUV IRU WKHLU XQRIĂ€FLDO UR\DO ZHG-­ GLQJ SODWHV 7KHUH DUH Ă€YH SODWHV RQ VDOH ZLWK RQH RI WKH PRUH SRSXODU GHVLJQV VSRUWLQJ WKH ORJR Âś7KDQNV )RU 7KH ([WUD 'D\ 2II¡ 7KLV LV UHIHUULQJ WR WKH ZHGGLQJ GD\ EHLQJ GHFODUHG DV DQ RIĂ€FLDO QDWLRQDO SXEOLF KROLGD\ 7KH FRPSDQ\ EHOLHYHV WKH SODWHV UHSUHVHQW D PRUH PRG-­ ern Britain and gently puncture the sense of reverence around the royal engagement of William and Kate. Interest in the plates has gone global, with a surge in sales from Canada, America, Germany and Japan. 'DYH %HOO 0DQDJLQJ 'LUHFWRU .. 2XWOHW VDLG ´:H IHOW WKDW VRPHWLPHV %XFNLQJKDP 3DODFH are a bit straight-­laced. They don’t have much humour in their announcements or how they treat themselves. They are very reverential so we wanted to treat the royal wedding with a bit of irreverence. We felt that it would engage a little bit with the British population if we had a little bit of fun with it.â€?

THE Â ROYAL Â WEDDING Â DATE Â ,6 ,7 %$' )25 %86,1(66" Â

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce believes the date of the nuptials isn’t a bad thing and says there will be winners and losers in business. Chief Executive Tim Hutchings said manufacturers will be the ones to lose out the most: “It will be a massive inconvenience for them to keep starting up and closing down machinery over the holiday period, but pubs and bars will be delighted. It is disruptive to the normal run of things, but businesses should look to how they can take advantage of the situation, even if it just means knowing employees will come back from the break rested.� Tim doesn’t want to take a negative line: “There are too many people who look to the gloomy side of everything at the moment. The wedding will raise the morale of the country, a time when we could really use a boost.�

7KH +%, WKRXJKW ZHľG DQVZHU \RXU TXHVWLRQV RQ WKH LPSOLFDWLRQV RI WKH DGGLWLRQDO SXEOLF KROL GD\V DQG \RXU OHJDO REOLJDWLRQV 'R , KDYH WR JLYH VWDII DGGLWLRQDO WLPH RII RQ WKH H[WUD SXEOLF KROLGD\V" Not automatically – and many employers, especially those which operate on a seven day week basis, will have no option but to keep staff working as usual.

additional costs if your business would struggle to afford to pay an extra day’s holiday. If your business will remain open on the public holiday, you could tell staff that if they want the time off, then they should request holiday as usual through your holiday request procedures. 7KLV ZRXOG EH VXEMHFW WR \RXU XVXDO UXOHV VXFK DV ´Ă€UVW FRPH Ă€UVW servedâ€?) and would be taken from their annual holiday entitlement. If you feel you need to close the business on the additional public holiday, but will not be making payment for the additional holiday, you should notify all staff that they must take a day’s holiday from their entitlement on that day. You should do this in writing as soon as possible, but by law you must give employees at least two clear days’ notice of your requirement before each public holiday.

%XW ZRQľW PDQ\ HPSOR\HUV VLPSO\ JLYH VWDII WKH H[WUD KROLGD\ IJ , GRQľW ZDQW SHRSOH WKLQNLQJ ,ľP PHDQ" For some businesses, especially small businesses, it will not be an easy decision whether to ask staff to take holiday from their entitlement or simply to take the line of least resistance and pay for the extra time off. However, in tight economic circumstances, paying an extra day’s holiday for no extra work might mean the difference between breaking even and making a loss – so you should not take the decision lightly. You also need to be aware that if you grant an additional day’s holiday for the Royal Wedding in 2011, you will be setting a precedent which implies you will grant an additional day’s holiday for the Queen’s Jubilee in 2012 as well. You have the right to manage who takes holiday and when and your employees’ contracts of employment will normally state this quite clearly. However, it’s best to be prepared for the rush of holiday requests and to be clear about your staffing requirements and on how you will handle holiday requests. If you don’t intend to give employees the extra time off, make sure you tell them and the reason why.

Conditions on extra public holidays can be found in employees’ contracts of employment. If they specify particular days, then employees have the right to take these off, but any additional time off will normally be at the discretion of the employer.

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BY Â LINDSEY Â AGNESS

BEST  OF  BRITISH  BUSINESS 35(3$5$7,216 )25 7+( 52<$/ :('',1* $5( ,1 )8Ŵ 6:,1* $1' +(5( $7 7+( HBI,  WE  ARE  FEELING  VERY  PATRIOTIC.  WE  THOUGHT  WE’D  CELEBRATE  A  LITTLE  AND  CHAMPION  SOME  OF  THE  BEST  %86,1(66 %5,7$,1 +$6 72 2))(5 7+,1. :(ľ9( 0,66(' 620(7+,1* 287" GET  IN  TOUCH  :  editor@businessindependent.co.ukEHQHřWV RI WKH FKDQJH SURJUDPPH EATING  OUT:  J  D  Wetherspoons

J D Wetherspoon is a pub chain, founded in Watford in 1979, and currently own 797 sites across the country. Wetherspoons pioneered non-­ VPRNLQJ DUHDV HYHQ EHIRUH WKH +HDOWK $FW LQWURGXFHG D 8. ZLGH VPRNLQJ EDQ 7KH FRPSDQ\ DOVR RZQV D FKDLQ RI QHZHU VW\OH EDUV under their Lloyds No. 1 brand, and a string of hotels across the country. - ' :HWKHUVSRRQ SODQV WR LQYHVW Â… P LQ QHZ SXEV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ RYHU WKH QH[W Ă€YH \HDUV DQG WKH\ IUHTXHQWO\ GRQDWH WR YDULRXV charities and local good causes. Their fundraising efforts helped raise over ÂŁ190,000 in 2009 alone for 3,000 children undergoing treatment LQ WKH 8. IRU &DQFHU DQG /HXNDHPLD :HWKHUVSRRQ UHSRUWHG UHFRUG VDOHV LQ WKH \HDU WR -XO\ ZLWK WDNLQJV JURZLQJ E\ SHU FHQW DQG SUH WD[ SURĂ€W XS E\ SHU FHQW WR Â… PLOOLRQ UHGXFHG WR Â… PLOOLRQ DIWHU RQH RII FRVWV :HWKHUVSRRQ FODLPHG WR EH ´WKH RQO\ ODUJH SXE Ă€UP ZKLFK RSHQV DOO LWV SXEV HDUO\ in the morningâ€?, serving breakfast and coffee as well as other meals and drinks. 7KH FRPSDQ\ DLPHG WR UHGXFH HQHUJ\ FRQVXPSWLRQ E\ SHU FHQW LQ DOO RI WKHLU SXEV LQ DFKLHYLQJ WKLV FRXOG UHVXOW LQ IHZHU tonnes of CO2 emissions. Their recycling efforts received national recognition in 2009, when they were awarded the ‘Environmental Hero’ from David Bellamy OBE.

TECHNOLOGY:  Dyson  Vacuum  Cleaners

If you’re planning on having a last minute spring clean before the Bank Holiday, then why not rely on one of Britain’s best built machines, a new limited edition Dyson? 1RUIRON ERUQ -DPHV '\VRQ LV UHQRZQHG IRU KLV LQQRYDWLYH GHVLJQ RI PRGHUQ YDFXXP FOHDQHUV 6LQFH KLV Ă€UVW PRGHO ZDV EXLOW LQ KH KDV remained one step ahead in its engineering development. Rumour has it, he got his inspiration whilst visiting a local saw mill. He noticed how saw dust was removed from the air by large industrial cyclones and adapted the process to his vacuum cleaner’s technology. James Dyson is now estimated to be worth ÂŁ700m and Britain’s 37th richest man. 7KH QHZHVW RI WKH '\VRQ Ă HHW WKH '& 'UDZLQJ LV D XOWUD OLJKWZHLJKW FRPSDFW PRGHO DQG SDUW RI WKH %DOO UDQJH DQG WKH FRPSDQ\ UH-­ cently brought out a range of hand-­dryers, the ‘AirBlade’.

CARS:  Rolls  Royce/Bentley

5ROOV 5R\FH LV DQ DHUR HQJLQH PDQXIDFWXULQJ FRPSDQ\ IRXQGHG LQ LQ 0DQFKHVWHU 7KH FRPSDQ\ LQWURGXFHG WKH YHU\ Ă€UVW 5ROOV D WZR F\FOLQHU 5R\FH LQ 3ULFHG DW Â… LW¡V ZRUWK Â… WRGD\ 5ROOV 5R\FH PRYHG IURP 0DQFKHVWHU WR &UHZH LQ DQG WRGD\ WKH KHDGTXDUWHUV DUH ORFDWHG LQ *RRGZRRG 7KH FRPSDQ\ KDV ZRUNHG ZLWK WKH OLNHV RI RWKHU FDU JLDQWV %0: DQG 9RONVZDJHQ 5ROOV 5R\FH ZHUH HYHQWXDOO\ UHEUDQGHG XQGHU %0: DV ´55Âľ ZKLFK LV D ORJR ZRUWK Â… P 1931 saw the introduction of its rival, Bentley. The two car brands were pratically identical apart from the radiator grille and other minor details. Founded in 1919, Bentley is a British manufacturer of automobiles and was previously known for its rotary aero-­engines. 7KH RULJLQDO %HQWOH\ PRGHO ZDV D OLWUH ZKLFK ZDV FUHDWHG LQ DQG IROORZHG E\ D OLWUH GXH WR WKH KHDY\ ERGLHV RI WKH FDUV 7KH Bentley cars became famous thanks to the James Bond novels, as the car that he drove throughout his career but unfortunately it changed IRU WKH Ă€OPV 7KH *UHDW 'HSUHVVLRQ GHVWUR\HG GHPDQG IRU WKH FRPSDQ\¡V H[SHQVLYH SURGXFWV DQG LW ZDV Ă€QDOO\ VROG WR 5ROOV 5R\FH LQ ,Q 5ROOV 5R\FH VHSDUDWHG IURP %HQWOH\ GXH WR WKH UHEUDQG XQGHU %0: 6LQFH %HQWOH\ KDV EHHQ RZQHG E\ WKH *HUPDQ FRPSDQ\ 9RONVZDJHQ

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SHOPPING  FOR  THE  OUTDOORS:  John  Lewis  and  Waitrose. Â

John Lewis Partenership has a rich history and maintains its place in the heart of many British people. Founded LQ 0U -RKQ /HZLV VHW XS D GUDSHUV VKRS LQ 2[IRUG 6WUHHW LQ /RQGRQ ZKLFK ODWHU GHYHORSHG LQWR D GHSDUW PHQW VWRUH 7KH SDUWQHUVKLS ZDV WKH ÀUVW WR H[SDQG SRZHU VKDULQJ SROLFLHV E\ VKDULQJ WKH SURÀWV WKH EXVLQHVV PDGH DPRQJ WKH HPSOR\HHV 7RGD\ WKH GLUHFWRU RI WKH -RKQ /HZLV EUDQG HDUQV … D \HDU

Waitrose was founded in 1904 by Wallace Waite, Arthur Rose and David Taylor.

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Taylor left after two years and the Waitrose was adopted. In 1937 the company was taken over by John Lewis Partnership. Waitrose attempts to differentiate itself from its competitors by offering high quality food and placing emphasise on a stand-­ ard of customer service. As a result, it has the reputation of being more expensive and is popular with the middle classes. The company has a royal warrant to supply groceries, wines and spirits to the Queen. :DLWURVH KDYH MXVW VWDUWHG XS D QHZ UDQJH RI UHFLSH FDUGV which boast all the best of the British seasonal produce. Some of these recipes are endorsed by well known chefs, Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal.

SHOPPING Â AL Â FRESCO: Â M Â & Â S. )RXQGHG LQ /HHGV LQ E\ 0LFKDHO 0DUNV DQG 7KRPDV 6SHQFHU WKH PDMRU %ULWLVK UHWDLOHU 0DUNV 6SHQFHU QRZ KDV VWRUHV ZRUOGZLGH LQFOXGLQJ LQ ,UHODQG (XURSH DQG HYHQ &HQWUDO $VLD 0RVW VWRUHV VHOO IRRG DQG FORWKLQJ EXW VLQFH the brand has started turning out furniture, home appliances and technology.

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The business made its reputation in the early 20th century on a SROLF\ RI RQO\ VHOOLQJ %ULWLVK PDGH JRRGV ,W ZDV WKH Ă€UVW %ULWLVK UHWDLOHU WR UHDFK D SUH WD[ SURĂ€W RI Â… ELOOLRQ LQ $OWKRXJK a few years later it fell into a crisis, due to a loss of customer OR\DOW\ ZKLFK ODVWHG IRU VHYHUDO \HDUV WR ZHUH WKH ÂśJROGHQ¡ \HDUV IRU 0DUNV DQG 6SHQFHU GXH WR WKH LQFRPH from their well know British high quality goods. 2001 brought many changes to the company due to the in-­ WURGXFWLRQ RI WKH FORWKLQJ OLQH ´3HU 8QDÂľ DQG WKH DFFHSWDQFH of credit cards which made it more of a variety from children to adults. The credit crunch brought a constant struggle to the com-­ pany a few years ago which meant that they lost some of their YDOXDEOH FXVWRPHUV EXW WRGD\ 0DUNV DQG 6SHQFHU LV ZRUNLQJ to strengthen the company’s overall brand image and target-­ ing sales of between ÂŁ800m and ÂŁ1bn for which they will in-­ FUHDVH FDSWLDO H[SHQGLWXUH WR Â… P WR Â… P RYHU WKH QH[W three years.

BUSINESS BUZZED .5,66 $.$%86, %(Ŵ2:(' BUT FERRARI HAS LITTLE TO WORRY ABOUT! REPORT FROM THE HERTFORDSHIRE BUSINESS EXPO

7KH WUDIœF MDP MXVW WR JHW LQWR WKH FDU SDUN RI 7KH 5DPDGD -DUYLV +RWHO :DWIRUG IRU +HUWIRUG VKLUHĵV œUVW %XVLQHVV (;32 ZDV D FOHDU LQGLFDWLRQ RI MXVW KRZ PXFK LQWHUHVW WKHUH LV LQ EXVLQHVV GHYHORSPHQW ZLWKLQ +HUWIRUGVKLUHĵV VPDOO WR PHGLXP EXVLQHVV HQWHUSULVHV 7KH HOHFWHG 0D\RU RI :DWIRUG 'RURWK\ 7KRUQKLOO (sic) ķ7KH FKLFN ZLWK WKH FKHTXHV QRW WKH ELUG ZLWK WKH EOLQJĸ ZDV œUVW WR KLJKOLJKW WKH SURDFWLYH QDWXUH RI EXVLQHVVHV LQ WKH UHJLRQ WHOOLQJ WKRVH DVVHPEOHG WKDW RI DOO WKH PDQ\ EXVLQHVV œJXUHV RYHU ZKLFK VKH KDG WR SRXU VKH ZDV GHOLJKWHG WR FRQœUP WKDW EXVLQHVV LQ WKLV DUHD FRQVLVWHQWO\ RXWSHUIRUPHG WKH UHVW RI WKH 8. 6KH KHDUWLO\ WKDQNHG WKH RUJDQLVHUV 7KH +HUWIRUGVKLUH %XVLQHVV ,QGHSHQGHQW DQG 7KH %XVLQHVV &OXE :HVW +HUWV IRU VHOHFWLQJ KHU KRPH WHUULWRU\ WR ODXQFK WKLV LPSRUWDQW HYHQW

SPEAKERS : STEVE CLARKE, DEXTER MOSCOW & PENNY POWER 2YHU VHYHQW\ EXVLQHVVHV KHOG VWDQGV DW WKH (;32 DQG WKH HYHQW ZDV WKURQJHG ZLWK YLVLWRUV IURP EHIRUH WKH GRRUV RIÀFLDOO\ RSHQHG WR well past 4:00pm, when Kriss Akabusi could still be seen amongst the business owners, chatting, laughing and above all inspiring us all to “get Jiggy with Change!” “Cause it’s the only thing in life and business that is guaranteed”. 2YHU SHRSOH UHJLVWHUHG IRU WKH HYHQW PDQ\ DOVR UHVHUYLQJ VHDWV IRU RWKHU NH\QRWH VSHDNHUV LQFOXGLQJ 3HQQ\ 3RZHU 'H[WHU 0RVFRZ and Steve Clarke. 1DW:HVW ZHUH WKH PDLQ VSRQVRUV VXSSRUWHG E\ +LOOLHU +RSNLQV 0\,QFXEDWRU :(17$ DQG :DWIRUG &RXQW\ &RXQFLO

Kriss Akabusi was the keynote speaker of the afternoon and the roars coming from the main event +HUH DW +%, ZH EULQJ \RX DOO WKH ODWHVW DQVZHUV IURP RXU WHDP RI H[SHUWV 7KLV PRQWK ZH KDYH EHHQ LQ auditorium might have made by-­ passers believe there was a football XQGDWHG ZLWK UHTXHVWV IRU VRPH RI WKH EHVW WLSV IRU VHWWLQJ XS D EXVLQHVV JHWWLQJ VWDUWHG DQG ZKDW WR match going on whilst the assembled GR ZLWK ZHEVLWHV ,I \RX KDYH D EXUQLQJ TXHVWLRQ IRU RXU H[SHUWV ZK\ QRW JHW LQ WRXFK E\ HPDLOLQJ XV" businesses were treated to a rerun of WKH IDPRXV *ROG 0HGDO ZLQ IRU WKH HGLWRU#EXVLQHVVLQGHSHQGHQW FR XN 8. [ P 5HOD\ 7HDP DW WKH 7RN\R Olympics. This time however, the au-­ dience were treated to a live com-­ mentary from Akabusi who, through the build-­up, shared the trials and tribulations of his career, a fine lesson to any business suffering from the strains of recession. The message was clear -­ it’s not how many times you win but how often you get up after a fall, dust yourself off and put yourself back in the arena.

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PUTTING Â VAT Â AT Â THE Â HEART Â OF Â YOUR Â BUSINESS CAITRIONA Â HUNT Â : Â KPMG

ġ9$7 LV IRU PRVW FRPSDQLHV WKH WKLUG ODUJHVW FDVK IORZ LQ WKH EXVLQHVV DIWHU VDOHV DQG WKH FRVW RI VDOHV ,W QHHGV WR EH DSSURDFKHG OLNH DQ\ RWKHU FDVK DVVHW HVSHFLDOO\ QRZ WKDW WKH VWDQGDUG UDWH LV DW SHU FHQWĸ VD\V &DLWULRQD +XQW +HDG RI 7D[ DW .30* LQ +HUWIRUGVKLUH 3XW VLPSO\ LI \RX SD\ PRQH\ WR +05& EHIRUH \RX collect it from your customers then you will have an additional funding issue to deal with and many busi-­ nesses do not plan for this, or look to improve their position in this respect. There is also a huge potential advantage to be made from exploring whether or not your item should be zero rated for VAT rather than standard rated, as a 20 per cent lower price point can mean many more sales if your products are ultimately bought or used E\ Ă€QDO FXVWRPHUV That was an argument that Innocent, the company that produces a popular range of smoothies, recently ORVW ZKHQ LW WULHG WR SHUVXDGH +HU 0DMHVW\¡V 5HYHQXH DQG &XVWRPV +05& WKDW LW ZDV VHOOLQJ D ´OLTXHĂ€HG fruit saladâ€? rather than a standard rated “beverageâ€?. Because the raw ingredients would normally be zero rated as fruit, Innocent argued that simply whizzing them up into a smoothie should not make the resultant product liable for a 20 per cent VAT charge, but a tax tribunal disagreed. The dispute began in April 2007, when Innocent tried to claim back the VAT charged on each bottle of VPRRWKLH VROG RYHU WKH SUHYLRXV WKUHH \HDUV ² D Ă€JXUH running into many millions of pounds but ended in an +05& MXGJPHQW WKDW GHFODUHG WKH LWHP ZDV LQGHHG D EHYHUDJH DQG VXEMHFW WR VWDQGDUG UDWH 9$7 British consumers currently pay no VAT on “essentialâ€? foods and drinks, but pay the full amount on other LWHPV LQFOXGLQJ Ă€]]\ GULQNV DQG IUXLW MXLFHV It’s a complex area and one that can be worth a lot of money to a business if the decision goes the right way for the company involved, so keeping a very FORVH H\H RQ FDVH ODZ LQ (XURSH DV (8 ODZ WDNHV SUHFHGHQFH RYHU 8. 9$7 OHJLVODWLRQ LV DOVR LPSRUWDQW in managing VAT effectively. 7KH UHOLDQFH RQ (XURSHDQ FDVH ODZ UHĂ HFWV WKH IDFW that VAT is essentially a European tax, although the way VAT law has been interpreted across the various (8 WHUULWRULHV GRHV VRPHWLPHV GLIIHU

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The zero rating that keeps down the cost of things like children’s clothes, most foods and newspapers in WKH 8. VLPSO\ GRHVQ¡W H[LVW LQ RWKHU FRXQWULHV ZKHUH there is a variety of rates for such products. :KLOH .30*¡V LQGLUHFW WD[ VSHFLDOLVWV ZRUN ZLWK clients to ensure any new rulings coming from Europe are quickly applied in this country, much of our day-­ to-­day work is much simpler and involves helping clients make VAT work better for them in everyday terms. There are a number of ways in which we can help companies make sure that the interface between FDVK Ă RZ DQG 9$7 LV DV HIĂ€FLHQW DV SRVVLEOH We can also give advice on risk management. VAT is a tough tax to control and if a business makes an error it needs to demonstrate it took ‘reasonable care’ or it may face a penalty. The fact that there is QR GHĂ€QLWLRQ RI ÂśUHDVRQDEOH FDUH¡ LQ WKH OHJLVODWLRQ means companies have to have the right processes and controls in place in order to mitigate the risk of a penalty being applied. The rules around VAT, which are already complex, tend to change as a result of individual cases that are then enacted into law. This means that change is dictated by the timing of key cases and not necessarily by Budget announcements. 7KH QDWXUH RI WKH WD[ DOVR PDNHV LW YHU\ GLIĂ€FXOW IRU companies who don’t have an in-­house specialist – DQG QRW PDQ\ GR ² WR GHDO ZLWK LW $ UHFHQW .30* study of organisations across 27 countries found that despite the global shift towards indirect tax, VAT remained under-­resourced, under-­measured and under-­managed in many businesses. This creates FKDOOHQJHV LQ PDQDJLQJ ULVN DQG PHDQV VLJQLĂ€FDQW RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR FUHDWH YDOXH LPSURYH FDVK Ă RZ DQG HQKDQFH ERWWRP OLQH SURĂ€W DUH PLVVHG Caitriona Hunt can be contacted via e-­mail at caitriona.hunt@kpmg.co.uk

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British consumers currently pay no VAT on “essentialâ€? foods and drinks, but pay WKH IXOO DPRXQW RQ RWKHU LWHPV LQFOXGLQJ Ă€]]\ GULQNV DQG IUXLW MXLFHV

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YES!

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1DWZHVW DGYLVH \RX WR GR \RXU ÀQDQFLDO KRPHZRUN DQG SUHSDUH WKHVH GRFXPHQWV EHIRUH \RX DVN IRU \RXU ORDQ ‡ $ FRPSOHWH EXVLQHVV SODQ ZLWK GHWDLOV RI \RXU FDSLWDO FDVK EDODQFH DQG FDVKà RZ SDWWHUQV SURÀW DQG ORVV IRUHFDVWV DQG VDOHV IRUHFDVWV IRU WKH QH[W WKUHH WR ÀYH \HDUV ‡ Your assets and how you will secure the loan ‡ Past three years’ accounts for any previous businesses you have run ‡ (PSOR\PHQW UHFRUG KLJKOLJKWLQJ VLJQLÀFDQW DFKLHYHPHQWV ‡ References and testimonials from previous employers and customers. ‡ Show solid evidence that your business has the means to pay the funds back

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Step  One:  Plan

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Step  Two:  Seek  advice

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Step  Three:  Explore  your  options

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BARCLAYS

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0DNH VXUH \RXU EXVLQHVV LGHD LV YLDEOH %DUFOD\V IUHH /HW¡V 7DON %XVLQHVV ,GHDV VHPLQDU FDQ KHOS \RX GHWHUPLQH ZKHWKHU \RXU QHZ EXVL-­ QHVV LV OLNHO\ WR EH SURĂ€WDEOH SURYLGH \RX ZLWK H[SHUW DGYLFH DQG JLYH \RX WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ WR QHWZRUN ZLWK RWKHU EXVLQHVV RZQHUV 0DNH D Ă€QDQFLDO SODQ ZLWK \RXU DFFRXQWDQW 7KLV VKRXOG FRQWDLQ \RXU EXGJHWV DQG VDOHV IRUHFDVWV DV ZHOO DV \RXU SHUVRQDO Ă€QDQFLDO plan. *HW Ă€QDQFLDO VXSSRUW 7KLV FDQ EH LQ WKH IRUP RI D ORDQ RU JUDQW 0DNH VDYLQJV D SULRULW\ EHIRUH \RX VWDUW 7KDW ZD\ \RX¡OO DOZD\V KDYH D FDVK UHVHUYH WR FDOO RQ LI WKH XQH[SHFWHG KDSSHQV 0RQLWRU \RXU FDVKĂ RZ HYHU\ ZHHN %XW ZDLW XQWLO WKH HQG RI WKH \HDU EHIRUH \RX FDOFXODWH \RXU SURĂ€W Stick to your budget -­ Staying on top of your bookkeeping will help you achieve this. If you’re not sure how to do this, Barclays offer a service to help you do this.

Keith Watson, HSBC’s Area Commercial Director for Hertfordshire and South Bedfordshire said: “Ensuring that your business plan is up to date is crucial if you are looking to apply for funding in the IRUP RI FUHGLW EXVLQHVV ORDQV RU RYHUGUDIW IDFLOLWLHV 0DNH VXUH \RX have an up-­to-­date and detailed business plan. This is essential both for businesses that are established and seeking funding for IXUWKHU SURMHFWV RU H[SDQVLRQ SODQV DV ZHOO DV WKRVH LQWHUHVWHG LQ VWDUW XS Ă€QDQFH %H VXUH WKDW FRQWLQJHQF\ SODQV DUH LQ SODFH SUH-­ senting alternative scenarios for the business in the event that trad-­ LQJ GRHV QRW PHHW IRUHFDVWV +LJKOLJKW NH\ Ă€JXUHV DQG WUHQGV DQG make sure you can explain anything unusual.â€? The HSBC Knowledge Centre is also a great source of advice for people looking to start a business or for those who are already up and running www.knowledge.hsbc.co.uk.

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LEASING Â VEHICLES Â

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LEASING Â IT Â

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Call answering services such as AllDayPA.com answer calls 24 hours a day for over 23,000 clients in the UK. They provide a telephone answer-­ ing service that caters for all needs from small reception desk answering to handling round the clock customer support queries. Centres such as these are useful tools to free up staff time but are also useful to help handle any advertising calls that may be incoming.

GET Â SMART!

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PIGGYBACK Â YOUR Â ADVERTISING

According to J. Donald Weinrauch, co-­author of The Frugal Marketer, entrepreneurs are missing a trick when it comes to advertising mate-­ rial. Don’t be afraid to include it in other mailings, such as in invoices, and not only will this help you spread the word about your business and to keep your details in front of any customer, it will also save you postage and other costs. Likewise, make the most of your point-­of-­purchase RSSRUWXQLWLHV E\ WXFNLQJ FRXSRQV QHZVOHWWHUV RU RWKHU SURPRWLRQDO Ă LHUV LQ WKH EDJ ZLWK FXVWRPHUV¡ SXUFKDVHV

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It is free to spread your good reputation around just by telling others what your existing customers say about you. Ask for a testimonial, or ask for a personal view of what they’ve gained from using your products or services in presentations or informal conversations, your sources can encourage others to use your products or services.

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BUY Â RECYCLED Â PRINTER Â CARTRIDGES

Check Google or your Yellow Pages for a local recycled printer cartridge supplier. There are literally hundreds of places you can pick these XS IURP IRU D IUDFWLRQ RI WKH SULFH <RX FDQ DOVR EX\ WKHVH IURP VXSHUPDUNHWV EXW DQRWKHU FKHDSHU RSWLRQ LV WR MXVW UHĂ€OO WKHP \RXUVHOI RQFH they have run out.

SHOP Â AROUND Â FOR Â AN Â OVERNIGHT Â COURIER

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BE Â RELUCTANT Â TO Â GIVE Â CREDIT

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GO Â GREEN! Â

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STOP Â PAYING Â FOR Â SOFTWARE

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BUY Â YOUR Â OFFICE Â FURNITURE Â AND Â EQUIPMENT Â SECOND Â HAND In turn, why not help out another small business and pass anything on when you no longer need it?

TURN  OFF  EQUIPMENT  WHEN  IT’S  NOT  BEING  USED

This can reduce energy consumption by 25 per cent;Íž turning off the computers at the end of the day can save an additional 50 per cent.

LIGHTEN Â UP

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TAKE Â A Â PACKED Â LUNCH

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REPAIR Â THINGS

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Not only is this great for the environment, it is great on the wallet too.

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CONSIDER Â YOUR Â TRANSPORT

Could you share a lift with somebody, take the bus or even walk to work? Avoiding the car will save on petrol and could even keep away any expensive parking costs.

GET Â MORE Â CASH!

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OFFER Â EXPERT Â ADVICE

Why not set up a networking group, or for the more adventurous try teaching a class, speaking at a community meeting, or writing an article for a local paper. This may mean investing a little cash in some resources, but in the long term it will help to establish you as an expert and people will be more keen to buy from you. This can also be a fairly low cost way to get attention for your business.

GET Â MOBILE

PRODUCTISE Â YOUR Â KNOWLEDGE Â

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STRETCH Â YOUR Â BUDGET Â WITH Â A Â GOOD Â OLD Â BARTER

Swapping one product or service for another is a good way to avoid cash outlays-­and unload slow-­moving inventory. If you’d rather not bar-­ gain with other businesses directly, hire a commissioned barter broker (listed in the Yellow Pages under “Barterâ€?), or join a Barter club or group.

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Are you staying in one place too long, and are you able to move around a little more than you do? If you can afford to go mobile then this could be a much more cost-­effective way to run your business. The costs of establishing a permanent retail location can be steep, with leases spanning three to ten years-­carts, kiosks and temporary spaces can be an easier way to get a foot in the door with a lot less risk. If not, SHUKDSV \RX FDQ EH PRUH Ă H[LEOH WR WUDYHO IXUWKHU WR PHHWLQJV ZKLFK ZLOO QRW RQO\ EH PRUH DSSHDOLQJ WR WKH FOLHQW EXW \RX ZLOO DOVR UHDFK D further customer base. Mobile arrangements make it easy for entrepreneurs to come in, try it out for a month, and if their product isn’t work-­ ing, shift to a new product line or close up shop and move to a new location.

ALDERMORE  ON  ROUTE  TO  SUCCESS  WITH  M1  APPOINTMENT $OGHUPRUH WKH QHZ %ULWLVK EDQN ZKLFK PDUNHWV D UDQJH RI Ă€QDQFH IDFLOLWLHV WR VPDOO DQG PHGLXP VL]HG EXVLQHVVHV 60(V KDV DSSRLQW-­ ed an associate director to head up its expansion into the Northern +RPH &RXQWLHV DQG 0 FRUULGRU LQFOXGLQJ +HUWIRUGVKLUH Aldermore is a new name in British banking and is one of the most VWURQJO\ FDSLWDOLVHG EDQNV LQ WKH 8. %DFNHG E\ $QD&DS )LQDQFLDO 3DUWQHUV //3 DQG 0RUJDQ 6WDQOH\ Alternative Investment Partners and operating from nine regional of-­ Ă€FHV $OGHUPRUH ZDV WKH Ă€UVW RI WKH QHZ ZDYH RI SRVW FUHGLW FUXQFK EDQNV WR EH ODXQFKHG LQ WKH 8. $OGHUPRUH UDLVHV GHSRVLWV IURP FRQVXPHUV DQG OHQGV WR 8. KRPHRZQHUV DQG VPDOO DQG PHGLXP sized businesses. $OGHUPRUH OHQW PRUH WKDQ Â… P WR 60(V LQ LWV Ă€UVW PRQWKV DQG

continues that impressive growth. As a British bank, Aldermore is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is registered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which means customers’ savings are protected up to the VWDWXWRU\ OLPLW RI Â… SHU SHUVRQ $OGHUPRUH LV DOVR D PHPEHU RI WKH &RXQFLO RI 0RUWJDJH /HQGHUV 3DXO /HY\ ZKR MRLQV IURP &DS &RUSRUDWH DQG &RPPHUFLDO %DQNLQJ Advisory, will be responsible for developing Aldermore’s offering in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire, including the busi-­ ness centres of Watford, St Albans, Stevenage, and Luton. Paul has \HDUV¡ H[SHULHQFH LQ WKH UHJLRQ¡V LQYRLFH Ă€QDQFH LQGXVWU\ KDYLQJ also spent time at Fortis and Lloyds Bank. Commenting on his appointment, Paul Levy said: “Aldermore has an enviable track record of completing great deals and I look forward to continuing this work in supporting the growth ambitions of businesses in Hertfordshire as the economy picks up its recovery.â€? ,DQ &ODUN UHJLRQDO PDQDJLQJ GLUHFWRU LQYRLFH Ă€QDQFH DW $OGHUPRUH LQ WKH 6RXWK (DVW VDLG ´:RUNLQJ FDSLWDO DQG FDVK Ă RZ LVVXHV DUH VWLOO SULPDU\ FRQFHUQV IRU 60(V DV EDQN IXQGLQJ UHPDLQV GLIĂ€FXOW to access. Paul has a great deal of experience working with Hertfordshire businesses and will be a valuable contact for those looking to secure alternative funding lines to fuel organic and acquisitive growth.â€?

SALES Â COLUMN

QR Â CODES THE Â SMART Â REVOLUTION...

:KDWÄľV WKH ODWHVW EX]] LQ VDOHV DQG PDUNHWLQJ" 45 &RGHV What  are  QR  codes,  how  do  they  work  and  what  can  they  GR" +HUHÄľV WKH TXLFN ORZ GRZQ NH\ Ĺ™JXUHV DQG WUHQGV DQG make  sure  you  can  explain  anything  unusual.â€?

Chances are -­ you were thinking like so many people -­ “What are those all about. Just another fancy manufacturers type of bar code?â€?... well you were not too far wrong, but get ready -­ things have changed. A QR code is a two dimensional barcode which can now be read E\ D IUHH $SS RQ MXVW DERXW DQ\ PRELOH VPDUWSKRQH ZLWK D FDP-­ era. Quick Response indicates that the content of the barcode can be quickly and easily decoded. 7KH 45 FRGH ZDV Ă€UVW XVHG LQ E\ D VXEVLGLDU\ RI 7R\RWD 7KH initial usage was for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing. We’ve moved on! During the last few years the QR code has slowly found its way into the marketing world due to the connection with mobile phone applications -­ and now it’s set to explode! , SUHGLFW WKDW 45 FRGHV ZLOO SOD\ D VLJQLĂ€FDQW UROH LQ \RXU PDUNHWLQJ materials over the coming months -­ if they haven’t already. It strikes me that the use of QR codes is only restricted by your LPDJLQDWLRQ <RX SRLQW \RXU FDPHUD SKRQH WR WKH 45 &RGH MXVW like snapping a photo. VoilĂ : the browser on your phone launches, directing you to the web-­ SDJH RU SURJUDPPH WKDW ZDV OLQNHG WR WKH VSHFLĂ€F 45 FRGH \RX MXVW VFDQQHG &UHDWLQJ WKH FRGHV LQ WKH Ă€UVW SODFH DOVR RQO\ WDNHV VHFRQGV DQG again can easily be done via a free web site -­ without any knowl-­ edge of coding whatsoever. <RX¡YH QRZ RSHQHG XS D ZKROH QHZ ZRUOG %XW LW¡V QRW MXVW DERXW pointing you to websites... QR codes can be used (and are being used!) for;Íž * Special offers and promotions * Coupons and competitions 0DSV DQG GLUHFWLRQV * How to guides * Promotional video * Sending photographs 0HQXV * Event bookings and registration * Name badges at seminars * Estate agent signage... the list is endless. You can create QR codes for phone numbers, contact details, emails, data lists, or for whatever your mind creates the need for.

I was told by a client of mine recently that they thought this would be going mainstream very soon as they had spotted one on a lamppost in Bishops Stortford. I don’t know about you, but sounds like it’s mainstream alright!! ,W¡V RIĂ€FLDO 45 FRGHV KDYH DUULYHG

As with all good marketing you must be able to measure the re-­ sults. With QR codes you can very simply measure the data -­ based on the number of scans, the number of responses, the dates and WLPHV SHRSOH XVHG WKHP 8VLQJ WKLV LQIRUPDWLRQ \RX FDQ GHWHUPLQH the effectiveness of this exciting new marketing channel. This is relatively new to lots of people -­ so as you add this to your arsenal of marketing materials -­ be prepared to do a little explaining DW Ă€UVW Like I said, these are cropping up everywhere. Here’s one of the most fun applications I’ve seen so far -­ “Geek Coutureâ€? -­ go ahead and scan it -­ it’s not half as frightening as you might imagine.

As ever -­ Just ping me an email if you’d like to NQRZ PRUH 6WHYH#(XUHNDVDOHV FR XN 2U VFDQ this code and join me on Facebook. there’s lots of talk on there about all things sales and marketing

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This fancy looking monochrome bar code is a QR code, (Quick Response Code). All you need to do in order to unlock the code is download a QR code reader app to your smart phone. I use “i-­nigma 4â€? – it’s incredibly quick -­ and it’s free. Down load it and scan this code... Activate the app – point it at the QR code and bingo! It takes you straight to the page of my website I choose to send you to. Youcan view the text, watch a video -­ navigate around my website all on the go and on your smartphone.

THE Â RESILIENCE Â OF Â BRITISH Â AGRICULTURE ,17(59,(: :,7+ -21$7+$1 78Ĺ´2&+

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Armed with a strong farming background, thanks to growing up on a small arable plot in Hertfordshire, and a degree in Agricultural Management from Wye College in Kent, Jonathan Tulloch joined Hardcastle Burton LLP in 2002. ´:KHQ , ZDV VWXG\LQJ , ZDQWHG WR XQGHUVWDQG WKH ILJXUHV EHKLQG EXVLQHVV UDWKHU WKDQ MXVW WKH GD\ WR GD\ RSHUDWLRQVÂľ KH VDLG “There are so many ongoing changes in the current agricultural climate and our company assist clients with the restructuring of their businesses to improve profitability and tax efficiency.â€? Now a partner at the company, Jonathan provides guidance to most areas of the business, from investment in machinery, share farming and co-­operation agreements to sale and acquisition of land. Hardcastle Burton LLP also provides extensive management support including targeted benchmarking comparisons, sophis-­ ticated forecasting and advice on farm diversification. They also compile an annual post harvest survey, which measures the crop yields from their regional farming clients and provides an analysis of the results with a commentary on significant business issues. “We deal with a broad range of business, from tenant farmers to large traditional farming estates,â€? Jonathan said. “The busi-­ ness opportunities are vast.â€? Jonathan says agriculture is in its own bubble in comparison to the rest of the economy. “It is a buoyant time for the arable farming industry,â€? he said. “But we must not forget that milk and pig production is faring less well.â€? The outlook for arable farmers in 2011 looks good, although the weather over the next few months will have an important effect on arable harvest volumes and business profits. “Agriculture isn’t part of the ‘Boom Britain’ consumer culture. The well known statistic in the marketplace is that only around seven per cent of the agricultural industry’s net worth is borrowed money. This business is a remarkably low risk area.â€? Farming went through its own recession for a number of reasons between 1998 and 2004, but is historically an extremely resilient marketplace. People will always need food, but for farmers, there is quite often far more to their business than simply food production. The credit appetite of the sector for example, is constant and consistent, being mainly based on machinery which is highly specialised and in need of regular replacement – and thus well suited to finance and leasing. Another recent trend that could be the saviour of the farming industry is the falling value of sterling – making British products cheaper than those imported from the continent. “A weak pound has given us great meat export prices. People still need to eat and the weather is promising a good return,â€? says Jonathan. In some areas the exchange rate will work against farmers, with inputs such as fuel and fertiliser both imported and therefore subject to the volatile currency markets. “Fuel is a huge expense at the moment,â€? says Jonathan. “The price of fertilisers is constantly increasing through imbalanced marketing.â€? Farming, per se, can survive even a long recession, but one worry is for those who have invested in developing farm buildings to bring in a rental income. They could find their revenue dries up as tenants become increasingly scarce. “One consequence of recession is a contraction in the number of start-­up companies and the knock-­on effect from that is there are fewer and fewer businesses looking to rent premises. So in the best case scenario, rental values go down, while, in the worst case scenario, farm buildings sit unused and with no prospective tenants,â€? said Jonathan.

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Despite the headlines of banks raising interest rates, halting lending and cutting overdrafts, the major agricultural lenders have been keen to stress they are still open for business. “Banks do want to see that new debt is affordable;Íž revenue must continue coming into the business to make the repayments,â€? stresses Jonathan. “However, while the Bank of England is generally reducing the amount of credit available, it has not frozen loan applications. Agricultural lending is bucking the nationwide trend.â€? Jonathan says, on the whole, his clients are happy in their industry. “The long-­term outlook for agriculture is positive. There is far greater risk to our clients these days when it comes to understanding when to sell, buy or lease. Our company helps to mitigate the risk of the market going against them and our customers are very happy with the service we offer. “It’s very important farmers understand their cost structures and the cost of producing their crops. Then they can make informed decisions. The market is constantly reacting;Íž we can help you stay on top of it.â€?

For more information: jonathant@hardcastle-­burton.co.uk Are you a farmer living in Hertfordshire? Send us your views: editor@businessindependent.co.uk

THE  NEW  GAMING  MOBILE ,W DOO EHJDQ LQ ZLWK Âś6QDNH¡ Unlike today’s mobile games, which usually have to be pur-­ chased, this came pre-­installed on a variety of Nokia phones and could not be copied off or removed. ‘Snake’ and varients like ‘Tetris,’ became the most played mobile games on the SODQHW (YHQ Ă€YH \HDUV DJR PRVW people had never even thought of buying a game on their mobile phone. Flash forward over a decade and total global revenues from mobile games are now estimated to rake LQ RYHU ELOOLRQ Â… E E\ according to Futuresource Con-­ sulting, an analyst group special-­ ising in the mobile industry. In fact, in 2010 alone, the iPhone was H[SHFWHG WR LQFXU PRUH WKDQ billion in app sales, three times more than what Android was expected to bring in. Not bad for a market that a few years ago, was about as niche as you could get. Sony Ericsson has really been un-­ der pressure to reinvent its mobile gaming platform, which launched LQ DQG DVLGH IURP PLQRU UHĂ€QHPHQWV KDV UHPDLQHG ODUJHO\ unchanged. In recent years, sales of the PlaystationÂŽ console have JUDGXDOO\ GHFOLQHG )LJXUHV IURP 2FWREHU DW 6RQ\ QHW VKRZ WKDW WKH FRPSDQ\ VKLSSHG PLOOLRQ 363V GRZQ IURP PLOOLRQ WKH previous year. Enter the company’s strategy to bring PSP gaming to mobile phones. The Xperia™ PLAY, formally dubbed the PlaystationÂŽ phone, is one of three of the latest launches by the global brand and the only phone LQ WKH ZRUOG WKDW FRPHV ZLWK FHUWLĂ€HG WHFKQRORJ\ IURP 6RQ\ 3OD\VWDWLRQŠ The launch of PLAY has been the ultimate corporate tease. The build up to this new device has been so tantalising and with details just out of our reach, we’ve chewed all our nails down to the quick in frustrated anticipation. Names of networks who would stock the phone were only released in mid-­ February and when we spoke to WKH SKRQH FRPSDQLHV QRQH KDYH RIĂ€FLDOO\ XQYHLOHG ZKDW SULFH SODQV they will offer on it. The Xperia™ PLAY will be available on a total of Ă€YH 8. QHWZRUNV ² 2UDQJH 7 0RELOH 2 DQG 9RGDIRQH Johnny Minkley from Eurogamer.net said: “I think this is a very smart move for Sony Ericsson. It shows that they are taking seriously the threat that Apple poses to them in the mobile gaming market.â€?

BUT  C A N  T H E  P L AY  TA K E  O N  THE  0,*+ 7 < , 3+ 2 1 ( " Essentially, it’s a touch-­screen smart phone with a slide-­out control pad. It’s not as techno-­lust svelte as the iPhone, but it comes pre-­ loaded with games and the controller has the well-­known Sony PSP layout. The handset sports a best in class 4â€? screen and superfast chipset, to give users the same feel as a portable games console with their mobile phone. The touchpad in the center is apparently multi-­ touch. With a front-­facing camera, users can instantly upload their pictures to social networking sites. According to Sony Ericsson’s ‘gaming ambassador’, Jonas Berg, the controller is designed to free up the display for game viewing, so that players don’t need to use an onscreen ‘virtual joypad’. “When playing games on a smartphone device, you’re actually covering up part of the experience... we’ve added the next layer of gaming,â€? he explained. While it’s thought that as many as 50 games will be available at the launch, including Guitar Hero, Sims 3 and Assassin’s Creed, the GHYLFH ZLOO FRPH SUH ORDGHG ZLWK Ă€YH JDPHV RQH RI ZKLFK LV VDLG WR be the PS1 platformer, Crash Bandicoot.

Boasting Google’s Android 2.3 system (aka Gingerbread), along with a custom Sony Marketplace, you can purchase and download games designed for the new platform, have faster internet browsing DQG D PRUH HIĂ€FLHQF\ WR PDQDJH DSSV 7KH GHYLFH LV VSRUWLQJ D *+] 4XDOFRPP 060 D FKLS VLPLODU WR WKH RQH IRXQG LQ WKH * EXW 0+] IDVWHU 0% RI 5$0 *% RI 520 DQG WKH VFUHHQ LV LQ WKH UDQJH RI WR LQFKHV )RU 6RQ\ EXIIV \RX¡OO EH LQWHUHVWHG WR know that there’s no Memory Stick slot here, but there is support for micro SD cards. Sony Ericsson did divulge a bit of a clue as to the Xperia™ PLAY’s UK RRP. In a European competition, in which winners can win one of the GHYLFHV LW¡V VWDWHG WKDW WKH SKRQH ZLOO VHOO IRU ½ H[FOXGLQJ 9$7 and $400 in the US. It’s likely the UK price will be somewhere between ÂŁ400 and ÂŁ500. Frankly, it would be very surprising if it was less than ÂŁ400, given the past pricing of mobiles and smartphones. Hope springs eternal, though. The Xperia™ Play is widely seen as an attempt to breathe new life into the platform in the face of competition from games-­capable smart-­ phones, but it’s seems there has been more of a tightening of the chest for Sony Ericsson. In late February, Play.com posted full pricing and UHOHDVH LQIRUPDWLRQ GHVSLWH RIĂ€FLDO ZRUG IURP 6RQ\ (ULFFVVRQ 7KH VLWH stated that the phone was available to pre-­order and was due for release on 28 March. The handset would cost ÂŁ519.99. The Xperia™ PLAY also popped up on ‘unlocked-­mobiles.com’ pegged with a 0DUFK DUULYDO GDWH DQG DQ HYHQ KHIWLHU Â… SULFH SRLQW A spokesperson from Sony Ericsson told us they were unaware of this OHDN LQ WKH EXLOG XS WR WKH RIĂ€FLDO ODXQFK +RZHYHU WKH FRPSDQ\¡V 3UHVV 2IĂ€FH GLG UHOHDVH WKLV VWDWHPHQW WR XV ´,Q WHUPV RI WKH DYDLO-­ ability, the Xperia PLAY will be available globally in selected markets from March 2011. Pricing wise, it’s a premium smartphone and various retailers will be pricing it accordingly.â€? The Xperia™ PLAY is a fantastic idea, but some might say it looks a bit dated. Is a controller really needed now that we have touch screen phones? However, some ‘traditionalists’ would argue the phone could bring back the success of PlaystationÂŽ and it will enable you to feel more ‘in touch’ with the game. We think the range of PlaystationÂŽ 1 titles and Android underpinnings may endear it to some gamers, though it’ll be interesting to see how it fares against rival mobiles: Nintendo’s imminent 3DS, and Sony’s own NGP, due out at the end of the year. As a stand alone gaming device, it should make happy the consumers who want to bring a little nostalgia into their lives.

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“LIVE  IN  YOUR  WORLD.  PLAY  IN  OURSâ€?  -­â€?  PLAYSTATION  2.

DECLUTTER Â YOUR Â OFFICE Â

NETWORKING Â 2)),&( 25*$1,6$7,21 &$1 %( $ %,* &+$Ĺ´(1*( Â

WHETHER Â YOUR Â OFFICE Â IS Â AWAY Â FROM Â YOUR Â HOME, Â IN Â A Â SHED Â AT Â THE Â BOTTOM Â OF Â THE Â GARDEN Â OR, Â SIMPLY Â A Â CORNER Â OF Â YOUR Â HOME, Â MAKE Â SURE Â YOU Â MAKE Â THE Â BEST Â OF Â THE Â SPACE Â YOU Â HAVE.

CONNECTING Â IS Â NOT Â ENOUGH BY Â ANDY Â LOPATA

Whenever  I  ask  groups  in  training  sessions  for  their  preconceptions  of  â€˜networking’,  there  will  often  be  a  number  of  negative  views,  particularly  among  larger  businesses.  Participants  often  see  networking  as  manipulative,  insincere  people  using  others  to  their  own  ends  or  unnatural.  Many  also  see  professional  networks  and  social  contacts  as  very  separate  areas  of  their  lives. Events over the last few months have served to provide a counter argument, in favour of the power of professional networks and the strength of the genuine friendships built within. On Sunday 19 February I received first an email and then a call from colleagues in the Professional Speaking Association to break the dreadful news that one of our colleagues, Clive Gott, had suffered a fatal heart attack the previous day. Despite it being a Sunday, people across the PSA were calling each other to break the news and console each other. The response on social networks was equally powerful with people posting blogs, status updates and tweets with their memories of Clive. Clive’s Partner, Elaine, who he met through the PSA, was inundated with genuine good wishes and support through-­ out the period after his death. , ZHQW WR /HHGV ODWHU WKDW PRQWK IRU &OLYH¡V IXQHUDO 7KHUH ZHUH PHPEHUV RI WKH 36$ IURP DOO DFURVV WKH 8. WKHUH DQG people whom Clive had helped as a mentor or speaker. The affection in which people held him was genuine. Effective networking is not about visiting event after event and simply swapping business cards and elevator pitches. Strong networks become communities where people build long-­term friendships. At the risk of being clichĂŠd, they are there for each other through good times and bad and, in cases such as this, provide personal support as well as professional. If you have one goal in your networking, make it to build strong, long-­term relationships with people you meet. If you provide that true support and friendship, no one can claim that your efforts are insincere, manipulative or anything other than genuine. Happy Networking! -­ Andy $QG\ /RSDWD LV RQH RI WKH 8.¡V OHDGLQJ EXVLQHVV QHWZRUNLQJ VWUDWHJLVWV DQG FR DXWKRU RI WKH Amazon.co.uk bestselling book ‘and Death Came Third! The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public’. For more information visit www.lopata.co.uk

VISIT  OUR  WEBSITE,  www.businessindependent.co.uk  FOR  A  FULL  ROUND-­â€?UP  OF  THE  REGION’S  NETWORKING  EVENTS.

NETWORKING Â EVENTS Â IN Â MARCH

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Watford -­ Every Friday, Southern Cross Hotel St Albans – Every Thursday, County Constitutional Letchworth – Every Thursday, The Art Place www.brxnet.co.uk

7+( %86,1(66 &/8% 30IJ 30 +DUSHQGHQ $SULO +DUSHQGHQ +RXVH +RWHO :DWIRUG ² $SULO 5DPDGD -DUYLV +RWHO www.the-­businessclub.org

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Watford – 7 April, Indoor Bowls Club

Berkhamstead – 28 April, Pizza et Pizza St Albans – 6 April, The Black Lion Hotel

$0 +HPHO +HPSVWHDG ² $SULO Ramada Jarvis Hotel www.viva-­networking.co.uk

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(OVWUHH ² $SULO &RUXV +RWHO +DWĂ€HOG ² $SULO 5DPDGD +DWĂ€HOG +RWHO Hemel Hempstead – 8 April, Ramada Jarvis Hotel 6W $OEDQV ² $SULO 9HUXODP *ROI &OXE :DUH ² $SULO 7KH 5RHEXFN +RWHO :DWIRUG ² $SULO 5DPDGD :DWIRUG :HOZ\Q *DUGHQ &LW\ ² $SULO +RPHVWHDG &RXUW +RWHO 6WHYHQDJH ² $SULO .QHEZRUWK *ROI &OXE www.4networking.biz

OUT  OF  THE  GARAGE  AND  INTO  THE  REALMS  OF  AUDI  AND  VOLKSWAGEN  :  3(8*(27Äľ6 ġ3(8*(27Äľ6 65 $1' &21&(376 *$9( 86 +23( 7+( +(/3(' 86 %(/,(9( $1' 7+,6 0217+ :,7+ 7+( /$81&+ 2) 7+( ,7 +$6 %(&20( '(),1,7,9(/< 62 3(8*(27 HAS  FINALLY  DITCHED  ITS  BUG-­â€?EYED,  JOKER-­â€?MOUTHED  DESIGN.â€?  BBC1  â€“  TOP  GEAR Many  decades  ago,  Peugeot’s  cars  were  known  for  being  a  modest  but  critical  cut  above  Citroens,  Renaults  and  also  Vauxhalls,  but  in  the  past  few  years,  the  styling  has  become  more  and  more  challenging  on  the  eye,  with  overgrown  grilles  and  odd  proportions.  Of  the  big  three  )UHQFK PDUTXHV 3HXJHRW EHFDPH WKH RQH VWUXJJOLQJ PRVW WR find  an  identity. However,  THE  FRENCH  CAR  MAKER  IS  HITTING  THE  RESET  BUTTON  :,7+ ,76 1(: )$0,/< 6('$1 7+(

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I have just done Comic Relief then I am off to take part in the Melbourne Comedy Festival for the month of April. I then return to the UK to finish the tour till end of May. I also have a new BBC standup show in the planning stages so it’s a busy time ahead!

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That was a boyhood dream come true as I have always been interested in magic so I really enjoyed it!

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Polypropylene and PVC products. Paper over board and other materials. Retail & display packaging. Ring binders. Sales presenters. Conference folders. Point of sale items. Boxes and cases. Clear pockets. Tab dividers. Complete fulfilment. Bespoke and tailored designs.

Carefully designed products still need to be enticingly displayed. Packaging, merchandising, dispensing and labelling, weight, VL]H DFFHVVLELOLW\ KDQGOLQJ DQG VWDELOLW\ DOO GHWHUPLQH ÀQDO VKDSH Each solution is unique. Each created according to need. Brief us and we’ll show you how. Bespoke may cost less than you think. Come and see us and our initial designs will be FREE!

T 01442 200 613 E martin@phillipsplastics.co.uk W www.phillipsplastics.co.uk Phillips Plastics Ltd, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1EH

Business

FREE of charge BlackBerry® ™ Curve 9300 with protective case and car charger. £15.00 user line Rental + £5.00 BlackBerry® service. BlackBerry® Curve™ 9300 Contract includes: Unlimited calls to landlines 01,02 & 03 Unlimited UK text messages 24 Month next day exchange warranty on the handset Unlimited Voicemail Unlimited calls to users in the group Unlimited* UK Data & Browsing *(Fair Usage Policy Applies)

Call FREE on 0800 124 4004 or email enquiries@mobileaccountsolutions.co.uk Awarded Best Retention Performance by T-Mobile for 2008, 2009 and now 2010.

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