BusinessMatters Quarterly Magazine of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce
ISSUE17 SPRING2014
Building a Stable Future Michael Owen Page 10
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BusinessMatters
CONTENTS
ISSUE17 SPRING2014
05
07 09
19
10
04
NEW BENEFIT FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS
10 AN ASIDE WITH MICHAEL OWEN
20
05
SOLVE SKILLS MISMATCH OR RISK FUTURE PROSPERITY SAYS BCC
STARTED WITH ALEX 12 GETTING FRANKLIN & MICHAEL WILLIAMS
23
06
HOW I WORK
BURY YOUR HEAD IN THE 15 DON’T SAND AHEAD OF WINDOWS XP’S
08
AUTO ENROLMENT: PREPARING FOR THE ‘STAGING DATE TSUNAMI’
END OF LIFE WITH MWL
19 24 HOURS
Contact: Daniel Shires Communications Manager West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Riverside Innovation Centre 1 Castle Drive, Chester CH1 1SL
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Telephone 0845 884 2384 production@distinctivegroup.co.uk www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk
33 38
BIG INTERVIEW WITH ASKAR SHEIBANI BUSINESSES TO GET PRODUCTIVITY BOOST WITH OPENING OF NEW LEAN ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL TRADE JUST ONE MORE THING
Advertising John Neilson Commercial Director Telephone 0845 884 2343 john.neilson@distinctivegroup.co.uk Contributing Editor John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com
Disclaimer
Distinctive Publishing or West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.
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CHAMBER NEWS
New Benefit for Chamber Members Chamber members can now access a specially tailored credit insurance policy as a brand new perk of their membership package.
Colin Brew
West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with Euler Hermes to offer this bespoke new service, which aims to safeguard businesses against the failure of a customer to pay their debts. Chamber credit insurance will cover members nationally as well as internationally, meaning they are protected against a range of risks including political factors which could result in late payments. Lee Trollope, commercial business consultant for Euler Hermes said: “In today’s economic climate, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to trade safely and securely, due to the risk of global insolvency and bad debt. “Our new Chamber credit insurance policy is tailored specifically towards Chamber members to help them safeguard against customers who fail to pay their debts. Unfortunately, this is becoming more and more common due to customers becoming insolvent, or simply because they fail to pay within the agreed credit period. “Euler Hermes global business intelligence network enables us to access up to date information of over 40 million businesses globally. This information enables you to find out just how creditworthy your existing and potential new customers are.” Colin Brew, executive director of the Chamber said: “We’re delighted to have teamed up with Euler Hermes to offer this new, exclusive benefit to our members. They can contact Lee directly on 07879 600 507, by email on lee.trollope@ eulerhermes.com or find out more by visiting www.chambercreditinsurance.co.uk.”
Glyndwr University Launches InBusiness Network Glyndwr University Business School has launched their new InBusiness Network which aims to provide stronger links between industry, academia and their students. The network is designed to give back to the individuals, businesses and organisations who work with the Business School and to reward them for their engagement with the InBusiness Team. This exclusive network is available to any and all companies who engage with the Business School in one or more of the following ways: n Commission a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) or strategic insight programme (SIP) project n Utilise the professional development programmes available for staff development n Utilise the extensive consultancy services offered by the Business School team
n Provide work experience to Business School students through a placement n Engage with Business School students through our think tank sessions to share ideas and add a practical dimension to their studies n Develop bespoke training programmes that harness the expertise of the Business School team and their associates n Provide case studies and/or projects within the existing curriculum for the Business School students. There are a number of additional rewards offered to members of this exclusive network. They include the following opportunities:
n Exclusive ‘member only’ networking events n Invitation only lunches in the Executive box at the University Racecourse stadium for football and rugby matches n Invitation only networking dinners n A licence to utilise the InBusiness Network logo on company websites, recruitment and marketing materials. For more information or to speak to one of the team email c.crawshaw@glyndwr.ac.uk or call 01978 293885.
n A series of learning and development workshops aimed at increasing knowledge and promoting shared learning amongst the business community
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CHAMBER NEWS
Solve Skills Mismatch or Risk Future Prosperity says BCC The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has published its Skills and Employment Manifesto, setting out ways to radically transform the systems that educate our young people, and recommendations for training our adult workforce. The national business organisation said employers consistently tell it that there is a mismatch between what they are looking for in their staff, and the skills, experience and attitude offered by too many prospective candidates. They stated the Prime Minister regularly refers to a global race, yet BCC believes that in the 21st century it is the countries with the most skilled workforces (both young and old) that will be the ultimate winners.
Nora Senior
The Manifesto calls for: n Ensuring that ‘employability’ skills are at the heart of how schools are assessed and rated n Investing in quality careers education for all young people, including regular, quality contact with a variety of employers n Using Chambers to offer independent advice and support to SMEs to increase investment in apprenticeships and workplace training n Clear, universally understood qualifications for literacy, numeracy, computing and foreign languages n Qualifications to be consistent and clear, to enable employers to understand an individual’s competencies n Tax incentives for the development of foreign language and export skills n All employment policy to become the responsibility of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) n Universities to work with Chambers of Commerce to promote enterprise among a wider range of students, and to ensure university courses are relevant to future job opportunities n The government to give employers a choice on how they receive government funding for apprenticeships, either directly through the tax system or via their chosen training provider. Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Skills will decide who wins and who loses in a 21st century economy, yet employers across the UK constantly say they struggle to find prospective employees, particularly those leaving education, who have the right skills to succeed in the workplace. “Although we believe that successive governments have failed our young people by not properly equipping them for their future careers, it is time to break away from the blame game. Various organisations and sectors continue to blame each
other for a lack of ‘work readiness’ among young people, but it is time for everyone to accept some responsibility, and find ways to move forward.
Government, schools, colleges and employers must all work together in the coming months and years to ensure that the UK has a workforce that is ‘fit for purpose’.
“The world has changed at a rapid pace. If Britain doesn’t keep up, employers who are unable to access the skills they need or those unwilling to invest in training will lose business to other firms at home and abroad, putting us at a disadvantage. Simple measures, such as investing in quality careers education, making employability a key measure for schools, and supporting interaction between pupils and local employers, will deliver more jobs and growth in the long-term. “Government, schools, colleges and employers must all work together in the coming months and years to ensure that the UK has a workforce that is ‘fit for purpose’. Failure to do so risks consigning generation after generation to a less prosperous future.”
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HOWIWORK I’m Kate Smith and This Is…
Tell us a bit about you, your background and what brings you to this role.
I worked for Lloyds Bank for 30 years and for the last 10 years as a regional manager in wealth management. I left Lloyds to work with a longstanding friend in her financial services company; my friend asked if I would consider taking qualifications in will drafting and after some consideration decided that I would. It would be fair to say that on leaving the bank I did not envisage having to take exams again as I had spent much of my working life studying for one thing or another! I found that I really enjoyed this new challenge and set up my own company offering a will writing and estate planning service.
How do you manage your to-do list? I write a to-do list each day and ensure that all items are ticked off before finishing for the day. The tasks on the list are prioritised to ensure that I hit deadlines and I’m not rushing and making mistakes. Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without? My heat bonding machine. What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else? Multi tasking! After bringing up two children and working it has always been important to juggle the needs of family, clients and work.
What one word best describes how you work?
What’s your sleep routine like?
Enthusiasm
I like to be in bed by 11pm on a weeknight and will sleep soundly until my alarm jolts me into the world at 6am.
What’s your workspace like? Mostly very ordered as I like a tidy desk and with so much paper involved it’s important to keep order. I am happy having a heavy workload but like to have order within my workspace and am more effective in this environment. What apps/software/tools can’t you live without? My will drafting tool and also the online lasting power of attorney application. What are your best time saving tricks?
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Get out of the swamp! This means if you cannot influence or change something then leave it alone. Finally, have you got any other ‘lifehack’ tips for getting things done better you’re able to share? Sadly not, I don’t think that I have anything further to add!
Planning my appointments to reduce travelling time wherever possible and leaving sufficient time to complete administration.
Environmental Charity Supporting North Wales Businesses and Their Customers Businesses across North Wales have been benefitting from a host of special events in early 2014 organised by Wrexham-based environmental charity Groundwork North Wales. The charity, which is based in Tanyfron on the outskirts of the town has hosted its North Wales Skills Roadshow as well as emergency first aid at work sessions. The Skills Roadshow visited venues across the region during January to illustrate to local employers how Groundwork North Wales can help and support them recruit and retain employees. Groundwork North Wales is the environmental charity with a green heart, which has worked across North Wales for over 21 years. In addition to improving the
environment they also offer a range of accredited training and assist businesses to save money and reduce CO2 emissions by managing their energy and waste more efficiently. Their services to employers include training on health and safety at work, first aid at work, paediatric first aid, manual handling, fire safety and much more. The training can take place at Groundwork’s training centre or the customer’s place of work. Buying services from Groundwork means any profit is ploughed into community project work to create a better environment for businesses and their customers; projects include improving school grounds, developing community gardens , supporting people with disabilities to improve their health and wellbeing and wildlife and nature conservation.
Karen Balmer, executive director of Groundwork North Wales said: “We’ve very much enjoyed touring North Wales during January and sharing what we can offer with businesses across the region. “We would like to talk to Chamber members about the range of training, resource efficiency and environmental services which we can offer. We work across all six counties of North Wales and last year alone we delivered 107 projects, helping improve the quality of people’s lives, their prospects and potential and the places where they live, work and play. I am sure Chamber Members will be surprised at just what we can offer and we look forward to their enquiries.” Contact Groundwork North Wales on 01978 757524, by email on info@groundworknorthwales.org.uk or via www.groundworknorthwales.org.uk.
Business Matters
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RIVERSIDE INNOVATION CENTRE
GROWINGATTHERIVERSIDE David Lowe
Marketing Manager, Grassroots Interactive Coaching
“Would you try to learn to swim or ride a horse with coaches or trainers with no experience of doing it themselves?” That’s the question posed by David Lowe, marketing manager of Grassroots Interactive Coaching; a business set up to provide a resource for football coaches at grassroots level with resources such as training drills, tactical advice, formations and much more via an app and website. “It’s always baffled me why we’re happy for youngsters to learn to play football from people who graciously give up their time, but frequently don’t have any formal training themselves,” he said. The company has been up and running since November 2013, when David and his business partner Andrew Johnson moved into their offices at Riverside Innovation Centre (RIC), Chester. The RIC is a unique, purpose built site with state of the art facilities providing a blend of business support to new and growing businesses and has been instrumental in supporting their route to market. Whilst living in Spain, David noted how advanced Spanish coaching methods were for young people when compared to those used in the UK, he said: “Back home people were still trying to get kids interested in football training using plastic cones as their main teaching aid, which got me thinking there had to be a better way of doing it. “When I returned home I decided to go and study a degree in computer sciences from the University of Chester. My dissertation covered my passion of using technology in grassroots football and how it can be used to enhance it. As I was writing I realised I had an idea forming and was inadvertently putting together a business plan of sorts.” After completing his studies, David attended a twoday business start-up course at the RIC; an event which would conclude with an opportunity to pitch for the chance to secure office space at the facility. Despite not having a formal business plan for his idea prepared, David decided to present, he said: “I wasn’t really ready; I could talk the talk but didn’t have any detail to back things up, meaning I didn’t get the space at that point. “I’d always thought Andrew would make a great
David explains a drill to a young player
business partner because we’d met at university and I knew how good he is with programming and technical work. Initially I’d lost his phone number, but after tracking him down I told him about the idea and he loved it.” Together David and Andrew focused on putting together a robust business plan and securing monies to support their venture, before returning to the RIC and asking to pitch again. To the delight of the pair it was second time lucky as they were offered office space to help develop their business last November. Now, David and Andrew are hard at work with the goal of making Grassroots Interactive Coaching the leader in its field, David said: “Quite a few companies are doing something similar, but we’re trying to overtake them as our product is our prime focus. It’s for people who give up their time to coach to the best of their abilities, but don’t have the time or skills to produce proper drills or tactics.
“The great thing is the product could be adapted to other sports in future, as our app is basically an interactive chalkboard. For example American Football is one we’re looking at for the future.” Being based at the RIC has provided the pair with the vital support they’ve needed during their initial months of operation, David said: “It’s been great. There’s people here all the time to lend a hand, whether it be financial or marketing advice, or just having access to people with experience in different fields. “Working with businesses in a similar position to us has also been extremely interesting, even though the products and services we’re offering are different. You pick up hints and tips from each other which helps your learning curve. “The best advice I can give is to have a target and keep aiming for it. The only thing that can stop you succeeding is yourself; I got knocked back first time but I didn’t give up.”
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CHAMBER NEWS
Auto Enrolment: Preparing for the ‘Staging Date Tsunami’ October 2012 saw the introduction of Workplace Pension reform which, over the course of the next four to five years, will see the vast majority of UK employers begin to make contributions into a qualifying pension scheme for their eligible staff. The first year of auto enrolment has seen the largest employers within the UK comply with these regulations. Most commentators have judged that auto enrolment has been a success. The Department for Work and Pensions recently estimated that only 9% of auto enrolled employees had opted out (source: DWP August 2013). However, most of the companies who have gone through the staging process have the resources and experience of dealing with pension schemes and generally aggressively communicated the positive benefits of Workplace Pensions to their staff. The major challenges are only just starting; for employers, providers
and pension professionals alike. Over the next 18 months over 30,000 firms with between 50 and 250 employees will reach their staging dates, with over 500,000 firms of between one and 49 employees to follow. Many traditional pension providers are placing restrictions on who they will deal with. Prudential and Scottish Life have both indicated that they won’t deal with employers with less than 12 months to their staging date. If an employer is not prepared its only option may be to go with the default government endorsed NEST scheme whose capacity to successfully accept every enquiry is untested. The Pensions Regulator has made it clear that it will use the considerable powers at its disposal to enforce auto-enrolment compliance with those who don’t abide by the rules. Chamber members Moneytree believe there are four key first steps you should take:
1. Know your exact AE staging date. Input your PAYE reference number on The Pensions Regulator website (http://bit.ly/ stagingdate) if you’re not sure 2. Be clear about which members of staff are eligible for AE
3. Begin planning at least six months before your staging date. 4. Ensure the advisers and providers you use fully understand and are compliant in managing the AE processes and pension schemes.
Five Decades of Family Tradition A Flintshire company is keeping things in the family well into its fifth decade of operation. More than 50 years after been established, Deeside and Welshpool-based recycling company Parry & Evans have welcomed a fourth generation of family members into their team. Parry & Evans have provided recycling services to Wales and the border counties since 1961, when J.M. Parry spotted a niche market and began recycling hessian sacks, paper bags and baler twine. Mr Parry’s son-in-law John Evans later got involved and the Parry & Evans name was born.
In 1977 the third generation joined the company when grandson Steve became involved as new partner. Whilst Mr Parry has subsequently passed away, more recently Steve’s sons Lee and Jordan Evans have joined the family business following the completion of their degrees in Environmental Management at Loughborough University.
200 skips nationwide, as well as working in a franchise partnership with confidential waste destruction firm Reisswolf, which allowed the company to open a third premises in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. For more information visit www.parryandevans.co.uk
Today the company employs more than 100 people, operates more than 30 vehicles and
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CHAMBER NEWS
Ian Fletcher
Lord Mayor ‘Unzips’ Shama’s New Business The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Chester Jill Houlbrook unzipped a specially made giant six foot zip to officially open The ZipYard garment repair centre in Chester.
SMEs Optimistic for 2014 SMEs are feeling optimistic about the year ahead according to business coaching service GrowthAccelerator. In a poll of its clients, around three quarters (73%) said they were feeling optimistic about the year ahead. When asked what they believed to be the biggest driver of revenue growth in 2014, over a third (39%) answered ‘investment in marketing’. Almost a quarter (22%) said that increasing the size of their team would be the biggest revenue driver, but also believe it’s important to invest in their existing teams.
Owned by Shama Perveen, the ZipYard is located on Frodsham Street in the city at a new purpose designed centre. The business aims to offer a fast, professional clothing repair service with on-site seamstresses and private changing rooms. Shama holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry and was a teacher at Urmston Grammar School, Manchester for eight years before deciding to pursue a lifelong ambition to run her own business. The inspiration to set up the Chester branch came from being a customer at the ZipYard in Altrincham; Shama who lives is Knutsford liked what she saw and set about looking for the ideal location to open her own centre. Shama said: “I discovered the ZipYard in Altrincham a couple of years ago, and as the mother of three fast growing children it seemed I was always having to get their clothes taken up or let down. I thought the concept was just brilliant and could see myself being the owner of a ZipYard centre.
“I really enjoyed teaching but the time was right for me to take on a new challenge and the ZipYard seemed to tick all the right boxes. “There’s a real demand for a quality alterations and repairs in this area and I’m sure local people will love the services we offer. No appointments are necessary and we’ve got private fitting rooms so we can do any measuring right here. Most people don’t have the time or skills to repair or alter their own clothes and so many good garments are going to waste just hanging in the wardrobe, now they can bring these in and we’ll give them a new lease of life. “Our seamstresses are amazing – if it can be done they can do it!” The ZipYard concept began in Ireland and the first UK centre was opened in Llandudno in 2011. There are now 17 centres throughout the country including Chester, Wilmslow and Marple in the north west with Liverpool opening soon. For more information contact 01244 344225.
They also say that developing a strong business plan is fundamental to their growth efforts, with over a third (34%) citing this as a key revenue driver for them in the year ahead. Ian Fletcher, Growth Manager for Cheshire West, said: “For all businesses looking to grow, planning is absolutely vital and our clients are particularly aware of this.” GrowthAccelerator is delivers uniquely tailored advice and support to fast-growing businesses. The service matches experts in business to companies with high growth potential, to provide a bespoke programme of coaching, connectivity, workshops and leadership training, all designed to help business owners and directors ensure their companies fulfil their growth potential. Further information is available at www.growthaccelerator.com.
Business Matters
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AN ASIDE WITH…
ANASIDEWITH
MICHAEL OWEN
Building a Stable Future How do you top a sporting career that saw you play for some of the world’s top football clubs, score 40 times for your country and be named European Player of the Year in 2001? It’s a difficult challenge, but one local footballing hero Michael Owen is striving to do as he transitions from his legendary career in soccer to owning and running his Manor House Stables in Malpas, looking after the next generation of football stars with his management company and becoming a TV pundit. Despite retirement being one of the few certainties
in a sportsperson’s career, it’s surprising that many are unprepared for when the day they hang up their boots comes. Others however hardly have time to stop as they transition to their new lives… for example Nikki Lauda started and airline, George Foreman became the face of grilled meat, whilst Vinnie Jones became a ‘Hollywood Hard Man’.
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this in a more sustainable, ethical, transparent and business-like manner than possibly you witnessed at times during your career; is this the case and do you feel you’ve identified a gap in the market? MO: That’s exactly right. I always remember how vulnerable I felt when Liverpool told me I ought to appoint an agent. Thankfully I chose well, but it could have been very different. It’s very hard to trust people in this industry as why else would somebody want to represent a player other than because it makes financial sense to their respective business? Don’t get me wrong, I want a successful business too but there are ways and means on how to go about things and the best interests of the lads I represent come first. MO: It is. There are many things I couldn’t do as a footballer that I’d like to do now. Apart from spending time with my family, enjoying watching my racehorses and fulfilling sponsorship agreements, I would love to try skiing and maybe try my hand at horse riding. DS: How important was it for you to have your interests in place as a ‘plan b’ when the time came and your ‘first’ career ended? MO: Very important; retiring aged 33 may sound good fun, but having nothing to wake up to can be a huge problem if you don’t prepare yourself for it. We have seen on many occasions how retiring so young has caused all sorts of issues for ex footballers and I was determined that I had to avoid something similar happening to me. DS: Have there been skills or practices learned from your football career you’ve been able to transfer across to business, or have you had to develop new ones? MO: Football is a business and watching how some of the great managers deal with situations is not that different to any other industry. In many ways I had a good head start as I’ve always been involved in owning businesses; a physiotherapy clinic and a racing stables are just two of the ones I own. DS: Can you describe the pride you have for building the Manor House Stables from scratch and being able to provide opportunity for a wide variety of people in the current economic climate? MO: I bought Arable Farm around eight years ago with the vision of creating Manor House Stables. We put in a gallop and converted a grain store into 20 stables. We only had around five clients to start but gradually built the business. As of today, we train around 90 horses, have over 200 clients, employ 40 people and have one of the best training facilities in the country. You could say I’m pretty proud of it! For Michael however, his future beyond football was mapped out long before he scored his final goal. Daniel Shires spoke to him to find out what lessons his sporting career had taught him as he shifts gears into business…
MO: I don’t miss playing. The only time I got itchy feet was when I was in the tunnel for Liverpool vs Manchester United earlier in the season. The atmosphere was electric. I used to love those big occasions! DS: West Cheshire and North Wales is very proud to have had a man and sportsperson of your standing represent the region over your career, so as a local boy who grew up here, has raised his own family here and now gone into business here, what makes living and working in this region special for you? MO: It is simply home! I have travelled to virtually every country in the world but there is no better feeling than heading home to see family and friends. DS: Looking ahead, do your potential achievements in business, whether it be horse training and racing, player management or media work hold similar or differing allures to those provided by league winners medals or the FA Cup in the past? MO: Nothing will ever reproduce that feeling of scoring an important goal in front of millions of fans around the world. The sooner you realise that that chapter of your life has finished the better. Watching my four kids grow, helping to develop a promising player into a top flight professional and being there to watch my horses cross the line in front go along way to plugging that hole!
DS: The Manor House website mentions growth of the business has spiralled; is your plan to continue in this vein or look for incremental year on year growth both at the yard and the racetrack?
MO: As everybody knows, a footballer’s career is a relatively short one and with that in mind, I prepared myself for the day I had to hang up my boots. Having set up Michael Owen Management Ltd to look after some of our next generation of footballers, not to mention the media work I do, it’s safe to say I’m busier now than I was as a player!
MO: We are still looking to grow the business. Considering the current financial climate, it’s amazing that we have continued that growth over the past few years, especially in an industry like this one. It’s our ambition to be consistently competing at the highest level providing pleasure for our owners along the way. To do that you need huge investment and inevitably success on the track goes a long way to securing it.
DS: Active sportspeople say their focus is only on their next game, so is it exciting to have a broad set of new opportunities ahead to challenge you?
DS: You plan to support the careers of young footballers through Michael Owen Management Ltd. The tone of your blog suggests you want to do
BM: How’s retirement treating you?
DS: David Coulthard described his switch from active F1 driver to announcer as initially jarring as he found he missed the feeling he got from competing. How have you found the transition?
Business Matters
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GETTINGSTARTED GETTING STARTED
Alex Franklin & Michael Williams
Michael and Alex
Founders and Co Directors, A.M. Custom Clothing
An accidental idea and fortuitous circumstance put two young entrepreneurs on the path to business success after they came together to form their own clothing company. Alex Franklin and Michael Williams set up A.M. Custom Clothing in July 2013 with the aim of producing ethically conscious and environmentally-friendly corporate wear. The pair of University of Chester graduates were running separate businesses at Riverside Innovation Centre, Chester; Alex focusing on a consumer-based eco/ethical brand, whilst Michael ran a growing clothing company that was expanding into the B2B market. After spotting the links between their work, they decided to join forces, combining their skills and resources. Aged 23 (Alex) and 21 (Michael) respectively, both are already experienced hands in business, Michael said: “I’ve been running businesses since an early age and have been able to build up a wealth of knowledge in supply chain management and entrepreneurship, supported by my degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship and work as president of the Chester Enterprise Society. “I set up my first business aged 16, before selling it in 2012; it’s something I’ve always wanted to do as it provides a great opportunity to do good and really make a tangible difference.” Conversely Alex comes from a design background, working as a freelancer whilst at the University of Chester, before setting up eco fashion brand Albatross Clothing, he said: “Starting a business for me was the result of a very cliché moment; after suffering a life threatening illness this changed my outlook and goals and led to my ambitious attitude and desire to make an impact.”
It’s something we’re very proud of winning, as for us our main achievement has been how we developed our company and our business model
Since teaming up, the pair have hit the ground running and used both their diverse skillsets to full, Michael said: “As directors we’ve had to take on a number of jobs from web design and marketing to networking. There is a great deal of variety to our responsibilities, although now we have a team behind us we are able to focus on developing the company.”
Alex and Michael’s product is targeted at two main markets; environmentally and ethically focused companies looking to clean up their supply chain and reflect their values in their work wear, and secondly businesses identified as bigger polluters who could use the products to benefit their corporate social responsibility. “We’ve just released our newly improved Fairtrade line, which has been produced in factories powered by renewable energy and set to be one of our biggest sellers this year,” said Michael. “We’ve developed a partnership which has allowed us to be the first UK company to supply a range of this leading standard of product, as well as working a number of charities and non profits and continuing to redevelop our website.”
“Our days are very varied,” added Alex. “On one we might be speaking with the university about sustainability, the next we’ll be hands on within the business and developing a marketing campaign.”
Alex and Michael’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, as they won #02SmartaBiz, an award presented by O2 and Smarta to businesses considered to be among the smartest, innovative businesses in the
UK, Alex said: “It’s something we’re very proud of winning, as for us our main achievement has been how we developed our company and our business model. Things have gone far better than we originally anticipated, having quickly developed relationships with a number of larger clients and expanding the company faster than we expected. “We’re also very proud of the product lines we’ve been able to launch ahead of our competitors, as our main goal is to lead change within our industry. We hope eventually it will be standard practice in textiles to be both environmentally friendly and ethical.” Michael added: “Businesses have responded very well to what we’re offering, in fact we’ve not spent a penny on advertising, yet we’ve managed to gain clients including universities, councils and global organisations. This has been through good PR and word of mouth. We offer great products and service and word about us has spread fast.”
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Floral Pavilion Theatre & Conference Centre With views over the Mersey Estuary and the Liverpool Waterfront, the Floral Pavilion Theatre & Conference Centre offers a dynamic corporate, cultural and prestigious business and leisure environment with a flexible multipurpose space for hosting a variety of events from small meetings, seminars and sit-down gala dinner for 300 to exhibitions, larger conferences, receptions and trade shows. There is high quality in-house catering and bars service, free WIFI, enhanced technical specifications with a full technical team and dedicated Conference Centre support staff who are on-hand to work with you throughout the planning of your event, offering advice, guidance and support as required.
Trust employees for business growth A new Capital Gains Tax relief to be introduced this April recognizes that a high level of employee ownership and engagement can increase business productivity. In fact, a 2014 report by CASS Business School suggests Employee Owned Businesses have been more resilient through the recession than their non-employee owned equivalents. For many businesses, employee ownership can offer a competitive advantage. A big challenge for business owners facing their succession planning is deciding what form of exit works for them. The changes to the Capital Gains tax regime offer an alternative approach that may safeguard jobs and that could also reduce an owner’s tax exposure when they sell a controlling stake in their business. Changes to Capital Gains rules on disposal of shares by business owners could reduce liabilities for
the sale to nothing - if the business owner sells a controlling interest in the company to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). At the Wales Co-operative Centre, we have received support from Welsh Government and European Union Regional Development funding to implement employee ownership in Wales. These new tax measures should lead to a marked increase in indigenous employee owned business in Wales over the next few years. For further information on how we can help business owners to assess their companies’ suitability for conversion to employee ownership, visit the website www. walescooperative.org/employee_ buy-outs or contact 03001115050. Rhian Edwards is manager of the Welsh Government and ERDF funded Succession Project at the Wales Co-operative Centre.
Business Matters
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ADVERTORIAL
Is an opinion still good enough to rely on? Question’s to business owners/directors:
Q. What is the most important part of your business? The people within it? Q. What is the most difficult part of planning your business growth? Having the right people to do it? Q. What is the largest cost to your business? The labour cost? So... Is a recruiter’s opinion good enough to select the staff to join your business? Or… Would you like to see science added to the selection process... an opinion backed up by theory and practice!
KPI Recruiting has set up a new training facility that replicates the exact roles for which people will perform within the industrial sector. The facility which has been designed together with KPI’s clients, using the expertise from companies’ trainers, health and safety managers and production/logistic managers has enabled KPI to set up aptitude tests that can quickly identify where a person skills are suited and importantly …not suited! The aptitude tests include order picking with scanning equipment, manual handling, safe knife use, packing on a working production line, food preparation, container unloading and palletising have proven to have a direct impact on clients productivity. They have proven to reduce cost; attrition and the time spent training new starters whilst also increasing accuracy, quality and standards.
“The initiative has been well received by our clients. We have invested a huge amount of money and time to ensure we are at the forefront of our industry. We use the expertise of our clients to develop aptitude tests and training to ensure we deliver an outstanding service and most importantly have a greater impact on their businesses. Our service has proven successful largely due to the partnership approach and the fact we tailor each test/training to match the clients environment” Ryan Jardine, director The industrial sector has fallen behind many of the other industries as it has been seen for a long time as an unskilled sector. However, if you ask every warehouse manager and every production manager in the country, they will tell you that you can get good loaders and bad, fast packers and slow, accurate order pickers and inaccurate etc. Proof that the industry is not suited to everyone and that simply sending ‘bums on seats’ or ‘arms and legs’ is no longer good enough.
If you would like to make an appointment to see our training / testing facility please call 01244 289800.
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Deeside a: Evans Business Park, Zone 1 Deeside Industrial Estate, Deeside, CH5 2JZ t: 01244 289800 w: www.kpir.co.uk e: deeside@kpir.co.uk Business Matters Branches also in Crewe and Stoke on Trent
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MWL SYSTEMS
Don’t Bury Your Head in the Sand Ahead of Windows XP’s End of Life Chamber patrons MWL Systems are dedicated to providing the highest quality IT support and services to you and your business. Over many years, we have earned an enviable reputation for providing IT solutions and support to businesses ranging from the SME to public sector organisations. Our team of experts work at the cutting edge of information technologies, designed to make businesses run both efficiently and cost effectively. Keeping abreast of any changes or developments which may affect the smooth running of day-today operations is one of our priorities. One of the biggest industry changes which is of concern to organisations we are speaking to currently is the imminent demise of Windows XP and Office 2003 support from Microsoft. To help you manage this significant change, we’ve compiled the following summary, to help answer any concerns or questions and help you ensure your business IT support remains intact throughout this major transition:
On April 8th 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide technical support and security updates for Windows XP or Office 2003
If you or your company is still using Windows XP operating systems and Office 2003 productivity software, it is essential you consider updating prior to April 2014.
Why is Microsoft ending support for Windows XP and Office 2003?
In 2002, Microsoft introduced its support lifecycle policy which was based on customer feedback to enable more transparency and predictability of support for all of Microsoft’s products. As per this policy, Microsoft Business and Developer products, including Windows and Office products, receive a minimum of 10 years of support (five years mainstream support and five years extended support), at the supported service pack level. After an allowance period, Windows XP and Office 2003 will finally go out of support on April 8th. So if your organisation has not started the migration to a modern desktop, you need to get your skates on to ensure you remain on supported versions of Windows and Office.
What does the end of support deadline (April 8th, 2014) really mean for your business?
It means you should take action… now. After April 8th there will be no new security updates, no non-security hotfixes, no free or paid for assisted support options and no on-line technical content
updates for Windows XP and Office 2003. NB: Running Windows XP and Office 2003 in your environment after their end of support date may expose your company to security and compliance risks. It is commonly known that unsupported and unpatched environments are vulnerable to security risks. This may result in an officially recognised control failure by an internal or external audit body, leading to suspension of certifications, and/or public notification of the organisation’s inability to maintain its systems and fundamentally, its customer information.
What next?
Talk to the team at MWL Systems; for more information about the implications to your business and advice on the most appropriate and cost effective options available to you, call us on 01978 858300.
Matt Kinglsey-Williams
What can I do to keep in line with Microsoft Requirements?
Get current with Windows and Office. This has benefits well beyond keeping you supported. It offers more flexibility to empower employees to be more productive, while increasing operational efficiency through improved PC security and management. It also enables your organisation to take advantage of latest technology trends such as virtualisation and the cloud. Business Matters
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Fun & Effective IT Training ByteBack Training, based in North Wales, provide a wide range of fun and effective IT training courses for companies and organisations throughout Wales and the North West. Good computer skills are essential in today’s business world. From the complete beginner to the more advanced user our wide range of courses will enable you to develop your knowledge and maximise your skills. Training can be delivered from our standard course outlines or tailored to suit your needs. We also deliver bespoke training, including writing the courseware to accompany the training. You may have a fully equipped IT training room available or we can bring our laptops to set up a training room for you or attend one of our scheduled open courses. Or perhaps you would prefer to train smaller numbers of staff in your normal office environment – this works very well too.
Why Choose Us? All our training courses are delivered in a friendly, easy to understand way, at a pace to suit your needs by approachable, experienced trainers. Courses are delivered in Microsoft products including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Project and Outlook from beginners to advanced users in all versions. ■ Social Media, SEO - Maximising the potential of your Website Training ■ In-house Computer Training ■ Laptops Provided ■ Full range of Open Courses ■ Bespoke Training ■ Email Helpline
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Tel. 07770 472488 BM17.indd 16
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www.ByteBackTraining.co.uk 27/02/2014 13:57
TREE FROG CREATIVE
Top tips to make sure your marketing in 2014 is more effective than ever Step 3. Set a Budget
Have you ever heard statements like “Half of your marketing works and half does not… and you never know which half”? Despite what some advertising sales people would have you believe, it has never been more simple to not only plan your marketing, but also to measure the results and see what works and even more importantly, how much it is costing for your business to ‘buy’ each customer, at the end of the day that is all that marketing is… Spending money to buy customers who will then buy from you.
This is the bit that many businesses forget about. When we talk about marketing budgets we all too often think about how much we can afford to spend each month on marketing. However, the way that you should be looking at it is how much can you afford to pay for each new customer that you gain. For the sake of argument, if an advert or email campaign brings in 100 new leads and out of that 100 people 10 buy from you, your conversion rate is 10%. so simply take the cost of the marketing activity and divide it by the number of buying customers and that will give your your cost per customer.
Step 1. Know Your Target Market
It sounds obvious, but knowing your target market is vital to creating a successful marketing campaign. If you think that your business can do anything for anyone think again… Take McDonalds for example. Just about any one in the country can buy a burger from them (and most of us have), but if you take a closer look at their marketing, you will see that they have split ‘everyone’ into different profiles or target markets. One advert may be focused towards people who start work early, another may look at their gourmet or speciality burgers, or where their meat is sourced from. Adopting the same approach in your marketing, no matter how small or large the budget, will make your marketing more effective and allow you to push the right buttons with your prospects.
Obviously if it is costing you £100 per customer and your average profit from a sale is £20, you may have some problems unless you make sure that, that person comes back time and time again.
Step 2. Have a Plan
Planning your marketing is key to a successful campaign. It allows you to plan your marketing, gauge what works and most of all, make sure that what you say you are going to do gets done. This can then be pinned to the wall near your desk and used as a reminder each week or month. But whatever you do, remember to look at your marketing plan regularly, not just at the beginning and end of the year.
This is something that we help our online customers do on a daily basis. If you would like to know more about how we can help you grow your business online please call one of our team on 01244 535760. Read the full article at www.treefrogcreative.co.uk
Business Matters
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24HOURS... Robert Ellis
“I run through the post at 11am, before hosting our staff meeting. This gives me the opportunity to brief the team on any clients we may have won and keep them up to date with potential prospects. When this finishes at around 11.30am, I spend an hour speaking to clients and answering their questions on a variety of subjects.”
Principal Accountant, Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers
What makes a business more than meets the eye? Great customer service? Rewards for loyal clients? What about providing added value throughout your customer’s experience?
Following lunch with clients which sometimes takes place at a nearby Italian restaurant, he typically spends his afternoon meeting with other customers and his staff. He’s also keen to get involved with marketing and once a month features in a financial and business slot on Wrexham’s Calon FM radio station, he said: “I talk about everything topical at that moment, from business practices and tax opportunities listeners can take advantage of. It’s a vital way for us to reach out to people in the area especially as we have an office on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Robert Ellis, principal accountant of Ellis & Co Chartered Accounts and Business Advisers has spent 25 years doing exactly that. Originally from Hoylake, Robert returned to the North West after working as a chartered accountant in London for 12 years, he then opened his own practice with the aim of offering unrivalled accountancy services as well as contemporary and bespoke business advice. Since it was established a quarter of a century ago, Ellis & Co has gone on to become one of the most renowned and recognisable business names in the region. Today the company employs a team of 14 members of staff across offices in Chester and Wrexham, providing a host of services including business development and consultancy, startup advice, forensic investigation services as well as, of course, accountancy. “It’s amazing how businesses develop over time,” says Robert. “I think what sets us apart from other practices is our ability to offer accountancy advice, in addition to a wide range of business and consultancy services.” As principal accountant, Robert’s responsibilities include the management of his staff across both company offices and overall responsibility for all client accounts. He also delivers business development and advises customers on maximising their profits and
24 HOURS
“In the evenings, if I’m not finishing around the usual time of 6.45pm, I’ll often head to the Riverside Innovation Centre in Chester for events hosted by the Chamber. It’s a great opportunity to meet with other like minded business professionals and remind people of the free one hour consultation that we offer. I’ll also attend other networking groups that offer speaking opportunities, as it is important to showcase our services.”
minimising their tax liabilities. “My role is very varied and can involve helping a client set up a limited company one minute, to hosting an advice surgery for start up businesses the next,” he said. Robert arrives at the office before the switchboard opens at 9am following his short commute from Christleton, so he can be up to speed with his emails and the day’s news before work officially begins.
After responding to messages and reviewing enquiries from the company website, he confirms client appointments and identifies which networking events to attend. From 10am he meets his first client of the day. He said: “This can involve reviewing a company’s management accounts, forecasting annual profit and tax bills, before exploring opportunities to reduce a client’s tax liabilities for example.
Robert describes meeting new clients and helping them grow their business as the best part of his job, and following a positive 2013 for the company, Ellis & Co is looking forward to further growth this year, he said: “We are currently revisiting our website and increasing our marketing through social media. Our plans for 2014 are to expand the practice turnover further and continue to focus on expanding the services we provide to clients.” Find out more about Ellis & Co at www.ellis-uk.com.
Business Matters
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BIG INTERVIEW
THEBIGINTERVIEW
CEO passes on wisdom to help new business flourish Askar Sheibani started his telecoms business Comtek more than 20 years ago and has built it to an international concern employing 150 people in five centres across Europe.
Askar Sheibani CEO of Comtek
After proving his mettle in the highly technical field of telecom infrastructure hardware repairs and support Askar has been asked by the Welsh Government to use his entrepreneurial skills to help others turn their business ideas into successful companies. Based at the Deeside Industrial Park near Chester, Askar has already made a big difference locally and is set to roll his big ideas out on a wider scale, possibly across the European Union. He said: “Our company is a fast growth company and is growing globally. I am using the experience we have to work with the community, the Welsh Government and the UK Government to promote entrepreneurship and business startup - particularly in Wales. “At the moment I am an advisor to the Secretary of State for Wales and
also I help the business minister from the Welsh Government, Edwina Hart. She has asked me to promote entrepreneurship in Wales.” Askar, who is chairman of Deeside Industrial Park, campaigned for the area to be made an enterprise zone, an initiative he estimated will bring around 7,000 jobs to an area known for its advanced manufacturing economy in industries such as aerospace and technology, with 34 per cent of the local workforce employed in manufacturing. To finesse the plan for encouraging entrepreneurs to make a success of their business ideas he began a pilot scheme to find out what help was needed to improve the success rate. By bringing schools, colleges, universities, Jobcentre Plus, business people and voluntary sector organisations such as the Prince’s Trust on board the initiative was able to offer expertise on all aspects of setting up and running a business. The whole thing was co-ordinated by Communies First at Flintshire County Council. The breadth of organisations involved also meant they had access to entrepreneurs in more deprived areas which traditional initiatives would not reach. Candidates were chosen at a Dragons’ Den-style event with an initial eight going forward to the scheme. It was hoped to have 20 potential entrepreneurs attending an enterprise club within the first 12 months. However, the scheme actually attracted more than 55 entrepreneurs within the first year. They all benefited from compulsory
fortnightly Enterprise Club meetings where they learned about many aspects of running a business from keeping accounts to marketing and the whole thing cost only £1,400 for the year, with volunteers giving all their time for free. Askar said: “You don’t need to throw money at a project for it to be successful, you need to motivate individuals throughout the business community and all stakeholders. The people enjoy doing this and feel the success of their involvemen. “Because there was no direct Government involvement they didn’t tell us how we should run everything.
Business Matters
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We could work it out ourselves and it has been so successful that the Minister is asking me to roll it out into Wrexham. There will be a report before the end of this year which will go to the Welsh Government. There will also be a documentary on the project. It is all very exciting.” Although there are no figures available yet on how successful the mentoring and enterprise club programme has been, Askar is convinced that it will be considerably better than the success rate for unsupported business start-ups. “I found that throughout Europe there are various schemes to
promote entrepreneurship but business start-up is very poor, particularly in Wales where it is below the UK average”. “There is a preconception that people are not successful because they don’t have access to funding. The reason they are not successful is that they have an idea but they don’t have the right skills to move it forwards. There are enough grants and financial support available, they don’t know where to find the skills.” By giving the people with business ideas the skills to set up a company, manage it well and sell their product the Enterprise Club guides
entrepreneurs over those first hurdles and creates successful businesses. The first event for the start of the Wrexham club, which is also being supported by Colin Brew, Executive Director from the Chamber, will be on January 31, but the most important date is March 28, when the Dragons’ Den event will be held at Wrexham FC, which is giving its support for free. The project is also being actively supported and coordinated by Wrexham County Council, Coleg Cambria, Glyndawr University and local business people. The target for the Wrexham
club will be to have 40 people attending the scheme within the first twelve months. There will also be employers with vacancies at the event in the hope that they will be able to provide jobs to some of those who don’t make it on to the programme. Askar has now been approached by interested organisations throughout North West Wales and it is hoped to spread the Enterprise Club programme further across the country. He said: “Everyone involved is energised and excited by the project.”
Business Matters
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KNIGHTS LLP
Settlement Agreements: An Easy Way Out for Employers? A happy, motivated and efficient workforce is a key component of a successful business, and good employment practices are therefore important.
Ceri Hughes, Partner
However, even the best run ships can experience choppy waters and Knights recognise that, in practice, dealing with workforce issues will often be a balancing act between adhering to good employment practices and minimising risk whilst seeking to avoid significant drain on management resource that could otherwise be focused on ensuring efficiently and effectively operation of the business. In some cases where there is a dispute between the employer and the employee, they might agree to bring the employment relationship to an end by entering to enter into a ‘settlement agreement’. In essence, under the terms of the settlement agreement the employee agrees to waive their right to bring specified claims against their employer, usually in return for payment of a settlement sum. Helpfully for employers, a new statutory provision (section 111A of the Employment Rights Act 1996) was introduced in July 2013 aimed at facilitating confidential pre-termination negotiations, even where there is no pre-existing dispute between the employer and employee. If such negotiations are not successful in concluding an exit under a settlement agreement then (subject to certain conditions being met) the negotiations could not be referred to in a future unfair dismissal claim brought by the employee. However, caution is advised to any employer wanting to commence confidential pre-termination negotiations, as the confidentiality protection granted by the new provisions only applies in relation to ordinary unfair dismissal claims. Therefore before commencing exit negotiations, employers ought to consider what possible claims the employee may potentially have against the employer. If an employee has any other potential claims (eg discrimination or automatic unfair dismissals), the confidentiality protection would not apply in relation to those claims and so if the employee were to issue such proceedings, details of the negotiations would be admissible. Further, there are certain conditions to be satisfied in order for the negotiations to have the confidential protection. Fortunately for employers, ACAS have provided a code of practice on settlement agreements,
which outlines both statutory requirements and good practice considerations to guide employers through this tricky area. The code states that it is good practice to allow an employee to be accompanied at the negotiation meeting by a work colleague, trade union official or trade union representative. An employer also needs to allow the employee a reasonable period of time to consider the proposed settlement agreement, with ten calendar days generally being seen as a reasonable period. Further, the employee will need to receive independent legal advice on the settlement agreement. If an employer engages in ‘improper behaviour’ (which could include not allowing the employee reasonable time to consider the proposal) or discrimination during exit negotiations, it could lose the confidentiality protection and details of the negotiation could be admissible in future legal proceedings.
new confidential negotiation provisions do not mean that negotiating an employee’s exit is now risk free. However, alongside other recent employment law changes relating to dismissals (eg the two year service requirement for unfair dismissal claims and the new cap on unfair dismissal compensation), the overall framework is positive for employers and, generally, there is now more scope for mitigating the risk of any exit discussions. If you require any assistance in proposing or negotiating a settlement agreement or simply want to find out more, please contact a member of Knights’ Chester Employment team on 01244 896600.
Any settlement discussions still need to be approached with care; the introduction of the
Business Matters
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CHAMBER NEWS
Specialised Solutions for World’s Fastest Growing Detergents Market A North Wales company who lead the way in producing and supplying bleach activators have cleaned-up with an exclusive contract in China. Holywell’s Warwick Chemicals have reached an agreement with Shanghai Saifu to be their sole distributor in the country, whose detergent market is emerging and evolving at an extremely fast rate. Saifu have appointed Michael Xian, a dedicated technical engineer to work exclusively on Warwick projects at their laboratory in Shanghai, as the company introduce Mykon Cold wash into the Chinese market. Mykon Cold Wash has been specifically designed for Asian washing conditions, activating the bleach rapidly and maintaining the concentration in the wash water even when water quality is poor. In addition, Chinese detergent manufacturers, now will have the benefit of comprehensive locally based technical support (previously delivered remotely) from Warwick’s Technology Centre in Mostyn.
Businesses to Get Productivity Boost with Opening of New Lean Academy KZN Solutions have announced the opening of a Lean Academy based within the General Motors Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The academy will deliver Lean training tools and techniques using one of only a few state-of-the-art simulated working environments (SWE) available in the UK and the only SWE in the north west. The company is on target to create up to 12 permanent jobs which will be tasked to deliver Lean training for 500 people per year from across every business environment. The Lean Academy has been designed for employees of all levels working in the manufacturing, transactional, warehousing, logistics, service and education sectors. Along with the SWE it will provide an IT suite, several breakout rooms and conference facilities. Michael Bainbridge, director of KZN Solutions
said: “For a number of years now our staff have been responsible for the delivery of Lean training across various sectors, the results of which have seen a significant increase in production and a more motivated workforce. “We now have the opportunity to take this knowledge and experience into the wider business arena, hence the Lean Academy. By adapting the SWE to suit any working environment/sector, every business type can access a range of enjoyable and easy to understand training and deployment modules from Strategic Deployment to Operational Excellence in a prestigious non-threatening environment. “Already we are working with organisations within Higher Education, Automotive, Logistics, Engineering and we will be welcoming our first trainees into the Academy at the end of March.”
Michael, who holds an MA in Applied Chemistry said: “My role is to provide technical support for customers and to work with them to enable them to harness the benefits of the best in bleaching technology. “There are over 4,000 detergent manufacturers, distributors and agents nationwide, actively promoting development of the retailing network, not just in the biggest cities, but also in suburban and rural areas. Online sales are growing quickly too, and having technical and testing support available on a local basis will help to revolutionise the way China approaches laundry and detergents. We are looking forward to seeing the market for Mykon Cold Wash continue to expand as consumers become more and more aware of the benefits.” Revenue in the detergent manufacturing industry in China has been increasing at an average annualised rate of 9.6% over the past five years to $26.2 billion in 2013. Asia now represents the fastest growing market in the world for laundry detergents, as consumers become wealthier and more aware of hygiene. This rapid growth has presented some difficult challenges to detergent manufacturers. Washing in China has traditionally been in cold, and sometimes poor quality water. China has tended not to use bleach in laundry detergents because traditional TAED granules, which activate the bleach, do not work well under these conditions.
Business Matters
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CHESHIRE PBS CHESHIRE CHESHIRE PBS PBS CHESHIRE PBS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS CHARTERED CHARTEREDACCOUNTANTS ACCOUNTANTS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
You have the knowledge and expertise to run your You You have havethe the knowledge andexpertise expertise totoexpertise run runyour your business, letknowledge us use ourand knowledge and You have the knowledge and expertise to run your business, business, letyour letusususe useour ourknowledge knowledge and andexpertise expertise to ensure business complies with all current let us use our knowledge and expertise tobusiness, to ensure ensureyour your business complies with with allallcurrent current legislation andbusiness that youcomplies are able to make those to ensure your business complies with all current legislation legislation and andthat thatyou you are areable able totomake make those those important business decisions based on accurate legislation and thatdecisions you are able to make those important important business business decisions based based ononaccurate accurate information. important business decisions based on accurate information. information. information. We are a small, friendly firm of chartered accountants We We are area asmall, friendlyfirm firm ofofchartered chartered accountants accountants situated insmall, the friendly Cheshire countryside with easy access We are a small, friendly firm of chartered accountants situated situated inin the theCheshire Cheshirecountryside countrysidewith witheasy easyaccess access and free parking. situated in the Cheshire countryside with easy access and andfree freeparking. parking. and free parking. We can provide a custom made service to suit We We can can provide providea acustom custommade made service service totosuit suit each individual’s We provide complete We can provideneeds. aneeds. custom made service to suit each each individual’s individual’s needs. We We provide provide complete complete administration services including: each individual’s needs. We provide complete administration administration services services including: including: administration services including: n Completion of Annual Accounts nnCompletion CompletionofofAnnual AnnualAccounts Accounts n Completion of Annual Accounts n S/A Tax Returns (incl. online filing) nnS/A S/ATax TaxReturns Returns(incl. (incl.online onlinefiling) filing) n S/A Tax Returns (incl. online filing) n Vat returns (incl. online filing) nnVat Vatreturns returns(incl. (incl.online onlinefiling) filing) n Vat returns (incl. online filing) n Payroll Services (incl. RTI submission) nnPayroll PayrollServices Services(incl. (incl.RTI RTIsubmission) submission) n Payroll Services (incl. RTI submission) n Production of Letters, Invoices and Quotes nnProduction ProductionofofLetters, Letters,Invoices Invoicesand andQuotes Quotes n Production of Letters, Invoices and Quotes n Sage support nnSage Sagesupport support n Sage support n Business start up advice and support nnBusiness Businessstart startupupadvice adviceand andsupport support n Business start up advice and support
About our Team About Aboutour ourTeam Team About our David Jones F.C.ATeam David David Jones Jones F.C.A F.C.A Proprietor David Jones F.C.A Proprietor Proprietor
Proprietor David started his career in industry David David started hisqualified his career career inasindustry inaindustry and started originally Cost & David started his career industry and and originally originally qualified qualified asas ainCost aHe Cost & & management Accountant. then and originally qualified as Cost & management management Accountant. Accountant. HeaHe then then decided to change direction and management Accountant. Heand then decided decided tototo change direction direction and moved achange local firm of chartered decided direction and moved moved to to ato local achange local firm of of chartered chartered accountants tofirm gain his chartered moved to atolocal firm of been chartered accountants accountants to gain gain his his chartered chartered qualification. David has running accountants to gain his chartered qualification. qualification. David David has been been running running his own business forhas 35 years. David has been running hisqualification. his own own business business for for 35 35 years. years. david.jones@cheshirepbs.co.uk his own business for 35 years. david.jones@cheshirepbs.co.uk david.jones@cheshirepbs.co.uk david.jones@cheshirepbs.co.uk
Claire Gordon MAAT Claire Claire Gordon Gordon MAAT MAAT Manager Claire Gordon MAAT Manager Manager
Manager Claire recently joined the business Claire Claire recently recently joined joined thethe business business having 17 years previous experience Claire joined the business having having 17recently 17 years previous previous experience experience working foryears chartered accountants. having 17 years previous experience working working for chartered chartered accountants. accountants. She isfor AAT qualified and currently working for chartered accountants. She She is AAT is AAT qualified and and currently currently studying forqualified her ACCA qualification. She is is AAT qualified and currently studying studying forextremely for her her ACCA ACCA qualification. qualification. Claire proficient in Sage studying for other her ACCA qualification. Claire Claire is extremely is extremely proficient proficient in Sage in Sage and various software. Claire is extremely proficient in Sage and and various various other other software. software. claire.gordon@cheshirepbs.co.uk and various other software. claire.gordon@cheshirepbs.co.uk claire.gordon@cheshirepbs.co.uk claire.gordon@cheshirepbs.co.uk
Mary Lancaster Mary Mary Lancaster Lancaster Administrator Mary Lancaster Administrator Administrator
Administrator Mary has worked for David for 5 Mary Mary has has worked worked for David David forfor 5 5 of years. She has aforbroad knowledge Mary has worked forisDavid foron5 hand years. years. She She has has a broad a broad knowledge knowledge of of payroll and vat and always years. She has a broad knowledge of payroll payroll and and vat vat and and is always is always onon hand hand to answer any queries you may have. and vat and isyou always onhave. hand to payroll to answer answer any any queries queries you may may have. to answer any you may have. Simply drop offqueries your records with us Simply Simply drop drop off your records with with usfrom us or arrange foroff usyour torecords collect them Simply offus records with us or you or arrange arrange for us toyour to collect collect them them from from anddrop wefor will do the rest, we can or arrange for usdo tothe collect them from you you and and wewe will will do the rest, rest, we we can can also arrange for our staff to come and you and we do the rest, we can also also arrange arrange forwill for our our staff staff to to come come and complete work at your premises if and also arrange for our staff to come complete complete work work at at your your premises premises iftime if and required leaving you with more to complete work at your premises ifto to required required leaving leaving you with with more more time time concentrate onyou making your business required leaving you with more time to concentrate concentrate onon making making your your business business a success. concentrate a success. a success. on making your business mary.lancaster@cheshirepbs.co.uk a success. mary.lancaster@cheshirepbs.co.uk mary.lancaster@cheshirepbs.co.uk mary.lancaster@cheshirepbs.co.uk Contact us: Contact Contact us:us: Cheshire Contact PBS us: Cheshire Cheshire PBS Unit 3B,PBS Country Design Centre Cheshire PBS Unit Unit 3B,3B, Country Country Design Design Centre Centre Cotebrook Unit 3B, Country Design Centre Cotebrook Cotebrook Tarporley Cotebrook Tarporley Tarporley CW6 9DY Tarporley CW6 CW6 9DY 9DY CW6 9DY
Tel: 01829 760256 Tel: Tel: 01829 01829 760256 760256 Fax: 01829760256 700265 Tel: 01829 Fax: Fax: 01829 01829 700265 700265 www.cheshirepbs.co.uk Fax: 01829 700265 www.cheshirepbs.co.uk www.cheshirepbs.co.uk www.cheshirepbs.co.uk
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CCBUSINESS
Introducing your local Digital Business Advisor - Ian Marshall Connecting Cheshire Superfast Business has recently appointed Ian Marshall as the Digital Business Advisor across the West Cheshire Region. Ian has over 12 years of experience professionally advising small and medium sized businesses across a variety of sectors including Digital and Creative industries. Prior to this he worked in marketing and communications for corporate organisations, in the public sector and he has also operated his own creative and marketing services business.
Ian Marshall CEO of Comtek
is great to be providing support to business that are looking to grow, generate new sales and create jobs for the Cheshire economy.
So far Connecting Cheshire Superfast Business has assisted 150 business and aims to provide full support to 900 businesses by June2015. Ian said: ‘I am delighted to join the programme. Given the challenging economic conditions for SMEs, it
“Connecting Cheshire Superfast Business offers fully funded support to help eligible small and medium sized businesses in the Cheshire and Warrington area, identify, maximise and profit from the opportunities that new technologies present.
and the latest thinking from industry experts on digital technology and opportunities for businesses. “I would encourage any SME businesses in the area to get in contact to take advantage of this fully funded support”. For more information please visit www.ccbusiness.co.uk
“The programme has a team of expert advisers, a range of events on topics offering inspirational insights, practical solution and technology specialists. The Knowledge hub holds a selection of top tips, guides
Benefit
from digital technology and faster broadband. Fully funded support to inspire and transform your business. Register now at www.ccbusiness.co.uk This programme is delivered by Peninsula Enterprise and Groundwork Cheshire in partnership with the EU European Regional Development Fund 2007-13, Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington Borough Council Business Matters
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When it makes sense to ask for help
Pick and mix One big advantage of outsourcing business support services is that SMEs can pick and mix the kind of services that they require. They may already have a selection of specialist skills in-house and require additional support on only a few specific elements of a project. Going out of house to specialist business support companies allows them to bring in those skills as and when required.
Being in business can be a challenging task at the best of times. So much to do, so much information to absorb, not enough hours in the day. That is where business support companies come into their own because they can offer assistance in areas including finance, marketing, HR, administration and training. They bring essential knowledge to SME owner and take many of the worries away from the daily task of running a business. The advantages of outsourcing such services for SMEs are many, including the fact that it can represent a flexible approach to problem-solving. Support companies are often prepared to negotiate advantageous softcellhalf.pdf
1
terms and conditions for clients, perhaps based on a job-by-job basis or a fixed-price project cost. That means that a SME can sign a deal that is specifically tailored to its needs, which can work out more cost-effective.
It makes sense to do so. Very often, a small business does not have in-house specialism in all the disciplines it requires and battling on without seeking expert help can turn out to be a false economy.
And even though the company is not employing a full-time member of staff itself, it is still supporting jobs within other companies. Such arrangements can help both parties grow.
Take HR, for example. Workplace legislation changes at such a rapid rate that a SME needs specialist support to ensure it does not fall foul of employment law.
of business and it often makes sense to buy it in. The same with training, vital in order to ensure that employees possess the very latest knowledge and skills. Marketing is another example. Companies can try to do the work themselves but it often makes sense to bring in professionals who can write compelling copy, source professional images, communicate with the media and harness the power of social marketing platforms to raise their clients‘ profiles. Administration is another popular area of business support; whether it be administrative support, office management or providing business premises, it can save a lot of time and effort to buy it in.
Finance is the same. SMEs need expertise in such a complex area 26/11/2013
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Paul Humphreys Credit Insurance Brokers Paul Humphreys Credit Insurance Services Limited was established in September 1998 following a management buyout of the Credit Insurance Division of Staffordshire based Claverley Hyde Insurance Brokers Limited. The original business began in February 1994 and quickly grew to be one of the largest independent specialist credit insurance brokers in the UK.
We would be pleased to offer members a 5% discount for the first year on any new credit insurance policy placed though our company. We are also happy to discuss general terms and availability of cover on a strictly no cost or obligation basis.
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Space to succeed Rookery Hall offers extensive and flexible meeting and event facilities with inclusive day and residential delegate packages available for 8 up to 200 people. Benefits include: • Free high speed WiFi • Natural daylight • Air conditioning • Complimentary onsite parking • Direct access to terrace or lawn areas • Instant proposal via quote generator system • All prices quoted inclusive of VAT 2014 Christmas Party Night dates available now, midweek from £29 per person and weekend from £35 per person. Private company parties catered for for up to 150.
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INQUINAMENTO SOLUTIONS
Inquinamento Solutions Has over 25 years experience as an environmental, quality and health and safety manager and has skills in management systems implementation, training and auditing. Having worked for an international accredited certification body for 10 years in a senior management role, Ken has provided advice to a wide range of industry sectors and has delivered quality and environmental management systems, been the author of books on environmental management implementation, with world wide readership, during this period. Having worked with both large and small organisations across a wide range of sectors including retail and wholesale trade, forestry, hotels, pharmaceuticals, automotive, food manufacturing, chemicals, plastics, textiles, paper and pulp mills, construction, recycling and medical devices, he believes his strength is in assisting smaller companies obtain external certification to improve their business practices and thus improve their profitability as such organisations do not always have the expertise or resources available internally.
Ken Whitelaw – Director
By assisting such companies to implement robust, appropriate and cost effective management systems, they can reduce their business risks. Small businesses are the life blood of the UK economy and need to be supported in a practical and cost effective way. Currently he is the director of his own consultancy delivering implementation, training and auditing in quality management (ISO 9001), environmental management (ISO 14001) and health and safety management (OHSAS 18001). He is also the external technical advisor to several North West based accredited certification bodies. He offers clients the following services: n Gap analysis audits – identification of gaps in the clients management systems – complete with a fully documented report with action plans and practical time scales to obtain external certification; n Health and Safety workplace risk assessments and hazard identification; n Legal and regulatory compliance audits – full review of the client’s compliance to environmental and health and safety legislation; n Environmental impact assessments – identification of environmental risks; n Internal audits of existing certified management systems – with fully documented report suitable as evidence to demonstrate to external certification bodies; n Internal auditor training – to suit client’s requirements and suitable as evidence to show to external certification bodies ; n ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 awareness training courses – bespoke to client’s needs and requirements.
Some frequently asked questions…. Q. Why do smaller businesses like mine need to have a certified management system, be it to ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems Standard), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems Standard) or OHSAS 18001 (Health and Safety Management Systems Standard), when I have been running the business for many years very profitably and with few or none environmental or health and safety issues? A. Most larger organisations have had ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 firmly embedded in their culture for many years, with OHSAS 18001 gaining momentum, and as time goes on they expect their supply chain to do likewise. They see external certification as a means of reducing their business risks – product liability, adverse environmental claims by pressure groups and legislation, plus litigation threats and heavy fines and imprisonment through poor management of safety. Not to mention any adverse publicity which could taint their ‘Brand’ name. And so they require their suppliers to do likewise so as to not have any weak links in the supply chain. Q. Is a quality management system such as ISO 9001 or an environmental management system such as ISO 14001 only suitable for larger companies? A. No – a management system can (and is) used by many smaller companies – the key is to make it practical and suitable for the companies products, services and environmental impacts. Q. Will implementing a management system such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 involve many extra costs, extra paperwork, create layers of bureaucracy and not add any value to the business? A. Not if carried out in a manner suited to the business needs of the organisation. Many organisations who have been successfully certified have reduced paperwork, streamlined operational processes due to continuous improvement. In many cases if an organisation is reasonably successful in its business, it is probably meeting many of the requirements of the ISO standards although perhaps in a less organised manner. Q. I have been told by a key customer that I must obtain ISO 14001 certification so that I can continue to be on their supplier database. My business is very small and I do not cause any pollution. To implement an ISO 14001 management system would cost too much and could adversely affect my profitability? A All businesses have an impact upon the environment – at the very least, the use of energy, water, fuel for company vehicles. Energy costs and fuel costs continue to rise so any reduction in consumption will increase profitability. By implementing a practical and workable environmental management system , costs of implementation will be minimised, and cost savings can be made in utility bills, reduction of waste and achievement of compliance with environmental legislation. Q. My key account customer requires me to have a certified environmental management system in place within 12 months time or he will move the majority of his business to another supplier. I am not sure what I need to do to reach the Standard required? A. The best approach is to undergo a “gap analysis” of your current systems, procedures and processes. This will be a ‘one off’ check of short duration and low cost, which will allow you to identify shortfalls in your current systems, with an action plan to enable you to progress stepwise towards external certification.
inquinamentosolutions@aol.co.uk Business Matters
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EVANS EASYSPACE
Making it easy for you to do business Evans Easyspace is the UK’s leading provider of innovative office space, self-storage and workshop space targeting small to medium sized businesses. The easy- in, easy-out terms make the process hassle and stress free with the 2 month notice period. The centres offer a fibre-optic, super-fast, super reliable broadband and a wide variety of services ranging from meeting rooms to conference facilities. There are 10 sites in the North West: Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool Sycamore, Bolton, Chester, Darwen, Ellesmere Port, Queensferry, Rochdale, and two centres in Stockport. All sites except Merchants House in Stockport offer free parking facilities at the business centres. The company prides itself on the quality of their centre managers who always go above and beyond to make sure clients receive the best experience possible from Evans Easyspace. For more information about Evans Easyspace visit www.evanseasyspace.com or call 0800 039 3900.
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We’re passionate about print! Looking for a printer for your next print project? Then look no further, with Charlesworth Press you can expect … • Competitive pricing on brochures, catalogues, magazines, corporate literature, & much more • Full colour printing from short runs up to thousands of copies • Wide range of binding options including soft bound, hard bound, wiro & spiral bound • Dedicated Account Manager to help & advise throughout the process • Accredited to ISO 9001 Quality standards • Environmentally friendly ISO 14001 & FSC production • PLUS lots of care & attention to detail!! Working hard to support Chamber members throughout West Cheshire & North Wales
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Business Matters
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Creative Taskforce to Boost Trade by £500m Global, factorydesign, Populous and the V&A. They span the transport, healthcare, retail, cultural developments and global sports sectors. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The growing appetite for British design offers many opportunities for innovative firms of all sizes to boost their overseas trade and attract new investment. Collectively the creative industries already generate more than £36 billion a year for the UK economy (£70,000 every minute) and employ 1.5 million people. “From airport interiors to ground-breaking medical devices and design exhibitions, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and are crucial to building a stronger economy. With new support from UK Trade and Investment, we want to help creative SMEs access more high value supply chain opportunities across the globe.”
A drive to help the UK’s creative companies win high value contracts overseas has been launched by the government. UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) will support a taskforce of the UK’s top 100 creative sector small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to win £500 million worth of high value overseas contracts in the next three years. The initiative is part of a government plan to get 100,000 more UK businesses exporting. Companies on the taskforce include Zaha Hadid Architects, The British Museum, AKQA, ADCreative London, FutureBrand, Mother, ES
Each company in the taskforce will have its own international expansion plan and participate in a minimum of two overseas visits each year to target high value projects. They will also receive training, support and networking opportunities directly related to these high value opportunities from UKTI and work with international trade advisers to identify the projects they are most qualified to bid for. Until recently the market for UK creativity was limited largely to Western Europe but as new markets mature and global trading channels widen, the demand for British creative expertise is escalating. The interest, particularly from emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East and countries like Russia and Brazil, is based on Britain’s reputation as a leader in creative industries. For more information www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/ukti
From airport interiors to ground-breaking medical devices and design exhibitions, the creative industries account for around £1 in every £10 of the UK’s exports and are crucial to building a stronger economy.
Boosting Exports Must Be a National Economic Priority Says BCC n The UK deficit on trade in goods and services was £3.2bn in November 2013, compared with a deficit of £3.5bn in October 2013, but the October deficit was revised up sharply from the £2.6bn initially estimated n There was a deficit of £9.4bn on goods in November, partly offset by a surplus of £6.2bn on services n Imports from the EU increased to £19.2bn in November, a record high n In the three months to November 2013, exports of goods were 1.5% higher than in the same three months of 2012, but imports of goods were 2.2% higher. Commenting on the UK trade figures for November 2013, published the Office of National Statistics, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Although there was a small fall in the trade deficit, these figures are disappointing and indicate a large deficit in the fourth quarter. However, it is not entirely surprising, our economy is growing at a faster pace than those of our major trading partners in Western Europe, and imports tend to increase in such circumstances. Longer term comparisons show that exports are increasing, but this is at a slower pace than is needed. “Boosting exports must be a national economic priority, particularly when it comes to diversifying our exports towards faster-growing economies outside the EU. Even within Europe, there is scope to do this, as central and eastern European economies such as Poland are growing faster than our traditional trading partners. More support for SMEs looking to trade internationally is needed, and this means giving UK businesses more resources in areas such as trade finance, insurance and promotion.”
Business Matters
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CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER
Doing Business with Cheshire West and Chester Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) expects to spend approximately £260m a year on a range of goods, works and services from third party suppliers. The council has a remit to obtain best value, as an essential requirement and is one that can’t be achieved without the support of all our suppliers. We are looking to increase the value of local spend; by local we mean where the council trades with suppliers located within the CWaC postcode boundary (approximately £66,538,000 per annum). In addition, the council trades with a number of suppliers whose head office is located outside of the CWaC boundary, though these suppliers directly provide a service to the council which has a positive impact on the local economy (eg provide a local service, such as care homes, employing local people etc) which we estimate increases the local spend to circa £117,000,000 per annum. All contracts from CWaC are placed on The Chest, the North West procurement portal. By registering your company details on The Chest you can unlock procurement opportunities within all local authorities across the north west of England (www. the-chest.org.uk) The council is committed to grow local spend, improving access to opportunities and encourage collaboration amongst supply chains. With this in mind we have commissioned www. finditincheshireandwarringon.co.uk an online business portal which offers local businesses the chance to ‘find’ information, advice, events, business support and crucially opportunities around the lower value procurement opportunities. Companies are encouraged to register their details on the site for free. CWaC regularly offer support to develop local businesses (demonstrated via our training and support) developing their skills to use the tools available to them to benefit their business. We run events in partnership with a range of private and public sector partners; these include social media sessions, SEO, brand and marketing, LinkedIn and networking. Also we have recently supported
a series of tender workshops, including a general introduction to tendering and sessions on ITT (invitation to tender), PQQ (prequalification questionnaire) and collaborative working. We have also supported developing links to suppliers around our local supply chain and have recently hosted Meet the Buyer sessions with Wates Construction. Sub-contractors across Cheshire were given the opportunity to tender to become part of a regional supply chain to work on the delivery of two new leisure centres in Cheshire. The two events sought to identify suppliers and sub-contractors for the £15m Ellesmere Port Sport and Leisure Village and £14m Northwich Memorial Court. We are currently planning Construction Connect 2 on June 25th at Winnington Park Recreation Club between 11am and 7pm, which brings together the Councils framework providers and the local supply chain to explore opportunities emerging from our capital and regeneration programmes. If you would like any more information about any of the above contact business@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
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HOW TO?
HOWTO?
ProTips WorkDuring‘PowerHours’to GetMoreDoneinLessTime
PR is the new SEO
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is not dead, it’s very much alive and kicking according to Chamber members Outwrite. The only aspects that are dead are the old processes and action plans. Optimising a website to give it a higher chance of appearing on page one of Google for targeted phrases is still the aim. The only difference is how you make this happen: focus on content.
Brief history
Google’s goal has always been to provide the searcher with a list of websites that best answer their query. Its old algorithm would look for simple signs such as a high number of mentions of a certain phrase and a large amount of links from external sites. Manipulation of the search engine’s algorithm soared. Methods such as keyword stuffing or buying and generating thousands of links from meaningless pages provided a way for websites to beat the system.
The result? The user was presented with websites that did not answer their search query.
Penguin and Panda
In April 2012, Google announced major changes to its algorithm. Panda was introduced to assess the content on the site, while Penguin targeted websites that exploited the link building process. The up-shot? If your website has repetitive or meaningless information or builds a network of links from poor quality sites, it will be penalised and drop down the rankings.
Why does this mean that PR is the new SEO? Because PR professionals are experienced and qualified in producing high-quality, engaging content. Google’s updates have
forced websites to cater for users, as opposed to optimising for a search engine. If the content on your site satisfies the needs of the visitor, working your way up the search rankings will naturally follow. Also, Google looks for your website to have links coming in from reputable sources. It would much rather you have a smaller number of these links from respected news sites or blogs, compared to a higher number of links from poor quality sites. As well as using the content to attract such links organically, a certain amount of relationship building is required. Traditionally, PR professionals have built strong relationships with the media. The ability to build such relationships with a targeted online site is crucial to link building.
Staying Productive in an Open Working Environment Ringing phones, pinging e-mail… coworkers’ ringing phones and pinging e-mail. How is anyone supposed to get work done in this place? A new study of ‘open-plan offices’ finds that this type of workspace can make it hard for employees to do their jobs, according to productivity website Lifehacker. “Our results categorically contradict the industry-accepted wisdom that open-plan layout enhances communication between colleagues and improves occupants’ overall work environmental satisfaction,” the study’s authors write in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, adding that “the open-plan proponents’ argument that open-plan improves morale and
productivity appears to have no basis in the research literature.” The main complaints about open plan offices centre around noise and lack of privacy; neither the intention of the original proponents of them as working environs, who hoped they would help make co-workers available to each other and allow them to easily collaborate on new ideas. In fact a study released in 2013 showed that people who are frequently asked to provide help in open plan offices frequently performed worse than the people asking for help, as they had to keep reacquainting themselves with their work. So how can you tune out of the open office? Look around one today and you’ll see many workers deal with
this problem by wearing ear buds or headphones playing music. Experts say this can help with office noise as it can effect motivation, so asserting some control over our environment can help. That said, a 2010 study says absorbing new information is best done with music off, serving as a distraction for cognitively demanding tasks. Balance seems to be achieved by listening to music they like and are familiar with, with the Journal of the American Medical Association reporting that surgeons carrying out lab tasks work more accurately when music they enjoyed was playing.
To put the age-old wisdom of ‘work smarter, not harder’ into practice, Startup Workout’s Kevin Fleming suggests using concentrated ‘power hours’ where you unitask on that one project…http://bit.ly/KCcnhG
Five Things Successful People Do Before 8am Love it or hate it, utilizing the morning hours before work may be the key to a successful and healthy lifestyle. That’s right, early rising is a common trait found in many CEOs, government officials, and other influential people… http://bit.ly/1bOswM6
Three Simple Rules to Sustain Creativity Creative work isn’t easy, and it’s pretty often that people find themselves stuck in a rut, with some type of creative block, or just plain unmotivated to work. Writer Michael Nobbs, who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, has three rules that he follows every day to help him maintain his creativity… http://bit.ly/LAJjb6
Break Big Tasks Into Smaller Pieces to Avoid Distractions When you’re working on that big project, it always feels like the best time to go do the dishes, organize your sock drawer, or check Facebook. To keep momentum going, break your big project down into the same size tasks as the ones that are distracting you… http://bit.ly/1bfLIhP
Business Matters
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TECHNICALLY
TECHNICALLY
Humble Office Printer Heading for Major Overhaul
Microsoft Testing Windows 8 Update That Boots to Desktop By Default Tech website the Verge is reporting Microsoft are planning to alter the way its Start Screen works in Windows 8.1. While the software giant originally released Windows 8.1 last year with an option to bypass the ‘Metro’ interface at boot, sources close to Microsoft have said the upcoming update for Windows 8.1 will enable this by default. Like other changes expected in the new update, sources say the reason for the reversal is to improve the operating system for keyboard and mouse users. It’s reported latest internal builds of Windows 8.1 have the boot-to-desktop option enabled by default. The update is still in development, and Microsoft could alter this further before its released, but it's currently being changed to appease desktop users who have struggled to adapt to the tiled interface, reversing parts of Microsoft’s original vision for Windows 8. Critics argued Microsoft simply forced the tiled interface onto desktop PCs with little regard for keyboard and mouse users, the company pitched its ‘Metro’ environment as the future of Windows. Tom Warren, reporter at the Verge said: “Microsoft has been paying close attention to telemetry data that
shows the majority of Windows 8 users still use a keyboard and mouse and desktop applications. This same telemetry data was used to justify the removal of the Start button shortly before the Windows 8 release, and contributed to its eventual return in Windows 8.1. Microsoft may have wanted to push touch computing to the masses in Windows 8, but the reality is that users have voiced clear concerns over the interface on desktop PCs. “Microsoft is also addressing other parts of feedback around Windows 8.1, especially concerns from businesses who are rapidly trying to move away from Windows XP ahead of the support cut off in April. Additional changes include shutdown and search buttons on the Start Screen, the ability to pin Windows 8-style apps on the desktop task bar, and a new bar at the top of Metro apps to allow users to minimize, close, and snap apps. “These changes, and the default boot-to-desktop option, are part of small improvements ahead of a larger changes in Windows 9. Microsoft is expected to allow ‘Metro’ apps to run in separate windows on the traditional desktop. Windows 8.1 Update 1, meanwhile, is expected to debut in March, ahead of potential Windows 9 details at the Build developers conference in April.”
2014 looks set to be the beginning of a printing revolution as 3D and selective printers took centre stage at January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The usual mix of TV’s, audio equipment and gadgets were overshadowed by a host of 3D printers able to produce three dimensional shapes and products in a variety of materials, including chocolate. For the first time manufacturers showcased the technology at a ‘consumer level’ price point, with printers on display costing between $1,000 for entry level models and $5,000 for professional levels. Whilst 3D printers have been used to create objects like shoes, guitars and even prosthetics, CES 2014 marked the first time they’ve been used to create food. The device’s accuracy when producing things like chocolates and sweets allows them to create complex designs that would not be possible using traditional methods. Also on show was a new printer which selectively prints parts of documents and can turn them into labels, which the developers hope will stop users having to print out entire pages when for example they only needed someone’s address.
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NEW MEMBERS
NEWMEMBERS Aerial Studio Borris Wrexham Cheshire LL13 9TW 01978 363388 info@aerialstudios.co.uk Mr David O’Conner
Fastafix Ltd PO Box 12 NESTON Merseyside CH33 9AR 07960036816/07960400942 info@fastafix.co.uk Mr Gary Madden
Ambleside Clinic 42 Vicars Cross CHESTER Cheshire CH3 5NL 01244 344131 carlreynolds@mac.com Mrs Carol Reynolds
FCC Environment Ltd Bryn Lane Wrexham Industrial Estate WREXHAM Wrexham County Borough LL13 9UT 01978 666700 ian.hird@fccenvironment.co.uk Mr Ian Hird
Arbonne CHESTER Cheshire 07787 568699 annandiain@myarbonne.co.uk Mrs Ann Girling Arboreal CHESTER Cheshire 01244 348400 nick@arboreal.co.uk Mr Nick Gilliam Benenden Health Holgate Park Drive YORK North Yorkshire Y026 4GG 07740 421992 nikki.mccreary@benenden.co.uk Ms Nikki McCreary Brands Solution Ltd Dragon Hall House Whitchurch Road CHESTER Cheshire CH3 9DU 0044 1829771704 steve@brandssolution.co.uk Mr Steve Morris Chateau Rhianfa - Amazing Venues Beaumaris MENAI BRIDGE Gwynedd LL59 5NS 01248 713656 martinp@chateaurhianfa.com Mr Martin Page D H Lewis 55 Maesnewydd ABERDOVEY Gwynedd LL35 0PD 07450 284279 dave.lewis@inexpress.com Mr Dave Lewisw Easyonlinerecruitment Ltd Unit 5 Glendale Business Park DEESIDE Flintshire CH5 2QP 01244 533147 anna@easyonlinerecruitment.co.uk Ms Anna Rowson-Smith
Gekko UK Limited Units 1 & 2 Riverside Business Park Cefn Y Bedd WREXHAM Wrexham County Borough LL12 9YG 01978 761122 info@gekko-uk.co.uk Ms Jackie Tsai Giggles and Games WREXHAM Wrexham County Borough 07709 000956 alice@gigglesandgames.co.uk Ms Alice Murray Groundwork Cheshire Yarwoods Arm Navigation Road NORTHWICH Cheshire CW8 1BE 01606 723175/723160 info@groundworkcheshire.org.uk Mr David Marnell ICS (Industrial Services)Ltd Unit 8 Chapel Court Wervin CHESTER Cheshire CH2 4BT 01244 371167 sales@icsindustrialservices.co.uk Mr Peter Thomson Inquinamento Solutions 1 Sheldon Avenue Vicars Cross CHESTER Cheshire CH3 5HF 01244 313145 kenneth.whitelaw@yahoo.co.uk Mr Kenneth Whitelaw Intramed UK Ltd Unit 2 Coed Y Parc Industrial Estate Bethesda BANGOR Gwynedd LL57 4YY 01248 600666 alan@blizzardsurvival.com Mr Alan Stott
Janet Webster HR Consulting Beechcroft Froggatt Edge Froggatt HOPE VALLEY Derbyshire S32 3ZB 07850457369 janet@jpwebster.com Ms Janet Webster JM&D Limited Old Coach House Bickerton Road Cholmondeley Cheshire SY14 8AQ 01829 772551 dan@jmandd.com Mr Dan Hassall Mako Creative Solutions Unit 1 Pinfold Lane Llay Industrial Estate South Llay Wrexham County Borough LL12 0PX 01978 856456 dave@makocreative.co.uk Mr David Savage Marketing Projects Projects House Skips Lane CHESTER Cheshire CH3 7BE 01244 330000 marketing@marketingprojects.co.uk Ms Jane Harrad-Roberts Matt Burton Associates 5 Hilliards Court Chester Business Park CHESTER Cheshire CH4 9QP 01244 689440 james@mattburtonassociates.co.uk Miss Emma Martin MB Consulting Services Encil Y Coed Llechwedd CONWY Gwynedd LL32 8DQ 07813583844 mike@mbconsultingservices.net Mr Mike Bromilow Meridian Advisory Limited 7th Floor North Tower 55 Baker Street London W1U 8EW 020 7478 9228 pl@meridianadvisory.co.uk Mr Peter Lowe
Nuffield Health The Grosvenor Hospital Wrexham Road CHESTER Cheshire CH4 7QP 01244 684324 catherine.milner@nuffieldhealth.com Ms Catherine Milner Pro Outsourcing 10 Yarwood Drive WREXHAM Wrexham County Borough LL13 9UJ 07845 360353 tom.evans@pro-outsourcing.co.uk Mr Tom Evans Prudential Financial Planning Stirling STIRLING Stirlingshire FK9 4UE 07876 641696 michael.hawthorne@prudential.co.uk Mr Michael Hawthorne Road Range Deeside Second Avenue Zone 2 Deeside Industrial Estate DEESIDE Flintshire CH5 2NX 01244 838280 commercials@roadrange.co.uk Miss Zophie Lippek Road Range North Wales Unit 10 Tremarl Industrial Estate LLANDUDNO JUNCTION Gwynedd LL31 9PN 01492 580027 commercials@roadrange.co.uk Miss Zophie Lippek Roomzzz Apartments Nuns Road CHESTER Cheshire CH1 2ND 07590 950217 sukhjit@roomzzz.co.uk Miss S Heyer Soup Creative Ltd 18 Gladstone Avenue CHESTER Cheshire CH1 4JU 07512 756045 emma@soupcreative.co.uk Miss Amma Garland
Stark Export Focus Ltd 60 Hafod Park MOLD Flintshire CH7 1QW 07870 539907 becky@starkexportfocus.co.uk Ms Becky Stark The Charities and Business Hub Llandudno 07774 011085 ubastawy@cbhub.co.uk Mr Usama Bastawy The Management Centre Bangor Business School College Road Bangor Gwynedd LL57 2DG 01248 365900 info@themanagementcentre.ac.uk Ms Sian Parry The Zipyard 43 Frodsham Street CHESTER Cheshire CH1 3JJ 01244 344225 shama@chester.thezipyard.co.uk Ms Shama Perveen Thisladyloves.com Suite 50 Friars Nook CHESTER Cheshire CH1 1AD 07920 729394 tracey@thisladyloves.com Ms Tracey Thomas Tutors4GCSE Holly House Village Road Christleton CHESTER Cheshire CH3 7AS 0800 048 8864 enquiries@tutors4gcse.co.uk Ms Sharon Hughes Vehicles for Business EllKat House Coed Aben Road Wrexham Industrial Estate WREXHAM Wrexham County Borough LL13 9UH 07764 687877 davedavies@v4b.co.uk Mr Dave Davies
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JUST ONE MORE THING… 1. What brought you to your current job?
My husband needed a new website and we couldn’t afford to pay someone else, so I decided to learn how to do it myself and really enjoyed it. I thought there was a gap out there for a company producing low-cost websites especially for startups and small businesses. 2. What inspires you?
Nature, beautiful art, lovely objects… as Keats said: “A thing of beauty is a joy forever” 3. Who do you admire?
Creative, hard-working people who have made a success of their business such as Kelly Hoppen. Also people who quietly help others like a lady I read about who takes people off the streets to stay in her home through the charity Nightstop. I find people like that a real inspiration. 4. What advice would you give someone aiming for a job like yours?
You need to be prepared for a lot of hard work and be very self-motivated, remembering it’s fun to work for yourself if you can make it work. Learn all you can about what you want to do, be prepared to pick yourself up again if things don’t work out quite as you’d planned and always be ready to reinvent yourself and keep developing your skills and yourself as a person. 5. Tell us about your most memorable moment or greatest achievement in life.
My greatest achievement is bringing up my darling foster daughter with my husband. My most memorable moment is hard to say, as I have had so many, some good, some bad! At school it was winning a cup for poetry and coming second in a national art competition. Personally my wedding day is certainly up there. 6. What was your childhood ambition?
To be a mermaid! I loved swimming in the sea and never wanted to come out, literally!
FOLLOW ME Twitter accounts worth your time ... Lifehacker: @lifehacker Tweets: 25,000 Following: 27 Followers: 1,200,000
Christina Brown
Christina Brown Creations
7. If you were Prime Minister, what one change would you make to help business?
Why so good? Provides daily productivity tips for getting things done. Example: Put that stack of old magazines to good use by setting up a trade to bond with coworkers: lifehac.kr/QwVdNTh
I would fund business directly through the government, not rely on banks to lend money. Ideally every small business starting up would receive at least £5000 to start advertising and promoting itself.
Business Wales: @_businesswales
8. What are you listening to, watching, reading or playing at the moment? I have enjoyed listening to Daft Punk’s new album Random Access Memory and I enjoy watching University Challenge, Top Gear and any good movies. I am currently reading Clive Cussler’s book ‘Storm; I like his adventure stories. I am just waiting for Ian Rankin’s new book to come out in paperback as he is probably my favourite modern author. 9. What couldn’t you live without?
My faith. It has kept me going through thick and thin and is a constant source of happiness and inspiration.
Tweets: 5,588 Following: 728 Followers: 10,800 Why so good? Get the lowdown on information, guidance and support for businesses direct from Welsh Government. Example: Could you save on your businesses’ energy bill? We have a specialist environmental advisor in North Wales who can help.
10. Describe a perfect Sunday…
I would go to a church service in the morning as usual as this is one of the highlights of my week, have a delicious lunch and then go out with some friends and family to somewhere beautiful like Bodnant Garden or if the weather is really nice, to a beach on the North Wales coast. We’d have a good walk and then finish off with some fish and chips at Conwy, watch a movie at home and then have a bath and an early night!
Sir Patrick Stewart: @SirPatStew Tweets: 398 Following: 117 Followers: 939,000 Why so good? For a serious actor, Sir Patrick knows how to lighten up your Twitter feed with well-timed and subtle comedy. Example: Football!
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