Business Matters 9 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

issue

09 SPRING

businessmatters Quarterly Magazine of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce

Chamber News

The Big Interview

West Cheshire to pioneer local services revolution

Partnership the key to fostering innovation

Patrons News

Development plans to maximise benefits

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce

businessmatters West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Riverside Innovation Centre, Castle Drive Chester CH1 1SL Telephone 01244 669988 Fax 01244 669989

info@cepnwchamber.org.uk www.wcnwchamber.org.uk Registered Company No. 173634

Contributing Editor John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com

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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.

CONTENTS 04

WELCOME

CHAMBER EVENTS

NEWS

SPOTLIGHT ON WREXHAM

NEWS

THE BIG INTERVIEW

NEWS

CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITIONS

NEWS

MEMBERS OFFERS

PRODUCTIVITY

NEWS

PATRONS PAGE

NEW MEMBERS

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

20 QUESTIONS

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n WELCOME

The media have started 2012 as they ended 2011; reporting about the business sector like it’s metaphorically ready to pack its bags and get out of town or worse, hooked up to a life support machine. However, West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce is seeing things a little differently. We see a sector that’s working hard to adapt and recover from what’s been described in some quarters as ‘20helleven’; a sector that’s picking itself up and dusting itself off, ready to do things a little differently in the months and years ahead. And whilst it’s concern to see statistics indicating a fifth of shops in some of North Wales biggest shopping centres lie empty, we know first hand that business groups across the region are working together to find solutions. We also know that local education providers are looking to the future, developing practical courses and qualifications to benefit the sector long term. The Chamber itself is experiencing an extremely busy start to the year. We’re welcoming new members all the time as well as processing many export documents for regional businesses trading internationally. As always our events schedule is packed, with eight planned for March alone; of course they’re free to attend for Chamber members, meaning a sole trader can cover half the cost of their yearly membership in a single month! We’re also pleased to say we’re backing the ‘Business is Good for Britain’ campaign organised by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). BCC want to highlight how business is a force for good and essential to the UK’s recovery, for more information visit www.businessisgoodforbritain.co.uk. Your contribution is also essential; by completing the BCC’s quarterly economic survey, you can have your say and help inform this essential document. If you’re a Chamber member we’ll send this directly to your inbox, or you can find out more on the BCC’s site here http://bit. ly/bccquarterlysurvey. Business Matters continues to evolve too. Subtle tweaks are being made now and for the coming editions; if there’s anything you’d like to see that we’re currently missing, please let us know through the contact details on page 3. Our monthly email newsletter has also been freshened up and is now a sister publication to this magazine; Business Matters Monthly. You can sign up to receive it by visiting the news section of our website http://bit.ly/wcnwnews and completing the form on the right hand side. Best wishes,

Colin Brew General Manager

Chamber Concern at Empty North Wales Shops New figures showing a fifth of shops in some of North Wales biggest town centres are empty is a concern. That’s the view of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce following publication of statistics by the Local Data Company. Whilst all the North Wales centres were above the United Kingdom average vacancy rate of 14.3%, they were much higher than Cwmbran (6%) and Abergavenny (7.9%) respectively: n Rhyl: 20.3% n Caernarfon 19.7% n Colwyn Bay 19.5% n Wrexham 16% n Llandudno 15.7%.

The Local Data Company says 2012 is likely to get worse for high streets, citing factors like weak consumer confidence and the continued growth of supermarket and internet shopping. Richard Thomas, Chamber vice chair for North Wales said: “These new figures are a concern, but unfortunately not surprising or unexpected. Consumer habits are changing at a rapid rate and it’s up to the retail sector to work with local business leaders and councils to find ways to stem this growing tide. “Despite the gloomy outlook, there’s plenty of good work going on in terms of business groups working together to find solutions, as well as the development of practical qualifications at our regional colleges to help people develop their skills. Based on these results, it would also seem prudent to use towns like Cwmbran and Abergavenny as examples of good practice to see what other locations can learn from them.”

Test Drive the Best Postgraduate Talent Around Chester Business School is set to launch a new business masters degree designed to enhance the knowledge and skills that significantly improve employability.

n Be the first to meet and assess the most outstanding postgraduates without recruitment costs?

The new programme combines unique advanced business practice and business theory development with a one year programme that incorporates two periods of twenty weeks paid work placement.

n Enhance existing staff skills

Would you like the opportunity to:

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n Develop or improve an area of your business? n Gain new insights that could help to improve profits and alert you to the latest business techniques

n Gain fresh perspective and inspiration from motivated young talent. n The course is scheduled to begin in September. For more information visit http://bit.ly/chesterbusinessmasters

NEWS n

West Cheshire to Pioneer Local Services Revolution A revolutionary new way of delivering public services which aims to boost the quality of life for all residents is to be pioneered in West Cheshire.

The North West Fund

The government has chosen the borough to stage its groundbreaking Community Budgets initiative. The move hands Cheshire West and Chester Council and its partners the opportunity to influence what is potentially the biggest shakeup of local spending in decades.

The North West Fund is a £185m evergreen investment fund, providing debt and equity funding from £50,000 to £2m to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in, or relocating to, the North West of England.

From 2013 all services provided by the public, voluntary and community sector in the borough may be funded from one ‘local pot’.

The fund provides flexible funding options through six sub funds tailored to different business stages and sectors (venture capital, development capital, business loans, biomedical, environmental and energy, digital and creative).

“Cheshire West and Chester are one of our four ‘pool to save’ pioneers that can bring about truly local services that knock out bureaucratic processes everywhere and upend Whitehall’s monopoly over public money that’s hemmed in frontline workers for decades.”

Many entrepreneurs are already growing their businesses in partnership with the North West Fund. To find out if your business is eligible, discover more information about the application process as well as watch testimonial videos, visit www.thenorthwestfund.co.uk

Although full details are yet to be worked up, it is expected 150 local services could be involved; creating a potential budget of £3bn to £4bn. Eric Pickles MP, secretary of state for communities and local government said: “We need to end the ‘silo control’ and start a local service revolution that puts people at the heart of spending decisions and saves the money needed to pay off the deficit.

Coordinating funding will drive back the barriers of silo working, putting residents at the heart of spending decisions rather than individual organisations. The Community Budgets bid; developed by the council and its partners sets out a vision to boost the quality of life for every individual, family and community. Under the proposals, local people will be empowered to solve local problems in thriving, sustainable and safe neighbourhoods. Children and families will be given the best

start in life and older residents will have the support and confidence to lead independent lives. The borough is one of four areas in England tasked with developing a blueprint that can be replicated by other local authorities. Council leader Mike Jones, chairman of the West Cheshire Together Partnership, said: “It is an enormous achievement to be selected to stand at the forefront of a revolutionary shift in the way public services are delivered in England. “It represents a powerful vote of confidence in this authority and our track record of working with our partners to make things happen. “For West Cheshire, Community Budgets are about much more than just ‘joining things up’. “The focus is on outcomes, not organisations to boost the quality of life for all our residents. “We have been handed a golden opportunity to transform the way public services are delivered. The eyes of central government and the rest of the country will be on us to see how it is done.” Titled ‘Altogether Better’, the Borough’s Community Budgets bid outlines the various ways in which the council works with its partners to benefit residents. The Ellesmere Port ‘Our Place’ initiative is cited as a local ‘laboratory’ where the concept is being successfully implemented on a smaller scale. Councillor Justin Madders, Labour Group leader said: “The innovative work of the Our Place team has put the council in a prominent position nationally to deliver this project. This is an opportunity to roll out their work across the whole of West Cheshire. “Together with our partners, we will look to develop a strong vision for reform of local services. “It is a massive culture change, but the aim is simple; to deliver services differently and more efficiently, in a way which makes a difference to peoples’ lives. “The system we develop in West Cheshire will not only transform the way services are delivered locally, it will inform the future of local public services in England. “It is a great responsibility, and one I am sure will bring even greater rewards for the people of West Cheshire.”

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n NEWS

Poor Air Connections Could Hamper UK Investment 67% of business leaders in Brazil, China, India, South Korea and Mexico say better air connections from their home country to France, Germany and Holland mean they are more likely to do business with those countries rather than the UK 92% say direct flights are important to inward investment decisions. 62% say they will only invest in the UK if flight connections are improved. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) calls for government to urgently set out a clear aviation strategy that includes measures to keep Heathrow competitive as a global hub and build new routes to emerging markets over the next ten years. New research shows business leaders in high growth or emerging economies see direct air links as vital to maintaining the UK’s prospects in global markets. Nine out of 10 (92%) of these business leaders say direct flights influence their inward investment decisions; while eight in 10 (80%) say they would trade more with the UK if flight connections were improved to their home markets.

These are the views of 350 business travellers who are directors of companies in Brazil, India, China, Mexico and South Korea in a survey commissioned by the BCC and Heathrow Airport While 82% of the overseas business respondents see Heathrow, the UK’s hub airport, as being a major contributor to the UK economy, 64% believe the UK will miss out on economic growth because of London’s declining flight connections to growth markets. A similar proportion (67%) feel that better air connections with France, Germany and Holland mean they are more likely to do more business with those countries rather than the UK; and 62% will only consider trading with the UK in future if flight connections to their home markets are strengthened. Heathrow is already full, operating at 99.2% of its annual flight capacity, creating a ‘connectivity crunch’ that is preventing the UK from linking with the trading partners of the 21st Century. John Longworth, director general of BCC said: “There is an aviation shaped hole in the government’s growth strategy. While businesses very much welcome ambitious infrastructure projects like high speed rail, they can’t catch a train to China or Brazil. The UK will miss out on investment and jobs if the government does not act now to improve capacity at our airports, strengthen links between regional airports and develop more connections to emerging markets. Growth cannot wait, while

Britain dithers, our international competitors are forging ahead.” “Encouraging more trade between UK firms and overseas markets is crucial to the rebalancing of our economy. But while firms are being urged to trade with new partners in emerging markets, they are hindered by the lack of connections to these countries; in turn hurting both inward investment and Britain’s export potential.” The UK’s aviation connectivity crunch already means that: n Airlines are prevented from developing new routes from the UK’s global hub to emerging market destinations such as Manila, Guangzhou, Mexico City and Jakarta n 21 emerging market destinations now have daily flights from continental European hubs but not from Heathrow; this lack of connectivity is already costing the UK economy £1.2bn a year in lost trade n UK businesses trade 20 times as much with those countries that have daily direct flights compared to those countries that have less frequent or no direct services n There was only a small increase in passenger figures to and from China through Heathrow, up by just 57,509 (3%) in 2011, less than the overall increase in passenger numbers at the airport n Paris and Frankfurt already have 1,000 more flights each year to the three biggest Chinese cities than London and almost double the number of flights from Heathrow. Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said: “The view from business leaders in emerging markets is alarming. If anyone doubted that Heathrow’s capacity crunch is harming UK growth then here is the evidence; business leaders in the world’s fastest growing economies say they are being put off from investing in the UK because of a lack of direct flights. Capacity constraints are damaging the UK economy today when the country can least afford it. “A new hub airport has been proposed in the south-east, but this has a projected cost of £50billion and may take decades to build. In the intervening period we would be handing over on a plate the UK's historic trade advantages to our European competitors.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

NEWS n

Chester Bids to Bring Green Investment Bank to City Cheshire West and Chester Council is bidding to bring the government’s Green Investment Bank (GIB) to Chester.

“This is about putting Chester on the map in terms of financial and environmental services. Many established and new local businesses looking to move into these sectors could benefit greatly from having the largest grant funding available on our doorstep.”

GIB is the world’s first investment bank dedicated to ‘greening’ the economy and promoting economic growth for UK businesses at home and abroad.

n Offshore wind power generation

The first priority sectors for the bank, subject to approval by the European Commission are:

n Commercial and industrial waste processing and recycling

Designed to accelerate private sector investment in the UK’s transition to a green economy, the bank will offer grants from over £3bn of funds before 2015 and create 50 to 70 jobs in the area. Councillor Mike Jones, leader of the council said: “Chester is already a hotspot of knowledge and expertise in financial services, renewables and energy and has a skilled workforce that is ready to go. That, coupled with our plans for a central business district close to the railway station, means that we have a uniquely skilled and established infrastructure that matches the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ requirements for the GIB. “With hourly services from the railway station to London we can bring the bank close the financial world, whilst offering the great quality of life available in Cheshire.” Building on the city’s impressive track record in leading the way for financial service products

n Energy from waste generation n Non domestic energy efficiency n Support for the Green Deal. The current criteria say that the location should: n Be able to recruit and retain the specialist staff needed to run the organisation and banks for over two decades, the council is now looking to local businesses to throw their support behind the project. Councillor Herbert Manley, executive member for prosperity said: “We are looking for businesses across Cheshire to endorse our plans to bring the GIB to Chester. Introducing this to the city could have a tremendous impact on local businesses, giving them access to supply chains, helping to grow businesses within the financial and environmental areas and increasing access to specialist skilled staff.

n Enable the GIB to work closely with other parties involved in deals as well as other investment bodies, project developers and green technology providers n Be in a location that provides good value for money, to ensure that the GIB is cost effective. The government’s property unit was scheduled to produce a shortlist in February followed by location visits, with a final location decision expected April 2012.

Broadband as Easy as AB… Internet Slow internet is a thing of the past for a local housing association thanks to AB Internet. Working in partnership with other system intergrators, the Lincolnshire based firm produced a network to link Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd Housing Association’s officers in Denbigh and Bala. They constructed a special 100mb link between the offices and completed the project in late January on time and on budget. The network was planned and constructed entirely using wireless technologies, satisfying both Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd and coping with the demanding requirements of the north Wales terrain.

The housing association’s network supports video conferencing, voice calls between the sites, email services, web browsing, file transfer, plus connectivity for remote workers throughout north Wales. One of the great benefits this network will bring is high speed internet for business and residential customers in Bala and beyond for the all important ‘digital inclusion’ project in north Wales. As a result, whole communities can benefit from this technology from here on; and this network is built to last for years to come. AB Internet has a long history of providing internet access and network solutions for housing associations including “Lighthouse”; Lincoln University’s student accommodation landlords.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n NEWS

Business is a Force for Good A survey of more than 2,000 members of the British public shows the overwhelming majority of people believe that businesses are ‘good’ for Britain as long as they comply with the law, pay their taxes, and make a profit (82%). are doing their utmost to find new markets and grow their firms, despite the difficult economic challenges they face. The British public is savvy and recognises that business is a force for good. They are the ones that live and work in business every day. But it is those in government, the policymakers and the commentators that we need to convince.

The findings, from a survey carried out by ComRes for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) also show that a majority of Britons believe local businesses play an important role in local communities (73%). Nearly half (46%) believe new or international companies will generate economic growth here in the UK, compared to only 20% saying this will come from government. It also shows they are not particularly optimistic about the future. Only 14% think the economy will improve in the next 12 months, and the majority (67%) believe unemployment will get worse. The research is part of the BCC’s Business is Good for Britain campaign, which highlights the role of business as a positive force for the UK recovery, success of local communities and people.

How the Public Views Business 82% of respondents believe businesses that comply with the law, pay their taxes and make a profit are good businesses (65% still believe this is the case no matter what sector they are in) 73% agreed that local businesses play an important role in their local community. Chambers of commerce believe businesses are at the foundation of their local communities and help to create the wealth which allows them to thrive More than two-thirds of those surveyed (72%) believe that a company’s first priority should be their employees, whilst 29% believe it should be to their owners and shareholders. This highlights tension between different business objectives, with the public clearly less favourable toward business profits than to provision of employment

31% believe the public sector is better than the private sector at delivering economic growth and jobs, suggesting that most of the British public support the view that the private sector is the UK’s real ‘economic engine’ 59% agreed with the statement ‘the UK is no longer a major trading nation’. In fact, the UK is the world's third largest exporter of services and tenth largest exporter of manufactured goods 54% believe ‘businesses make a fair contribution to supporting public services’ although for people aged between 18 and 34 this dips to 47%. This suggests younger people are more disillusioned with the business community. The Public’s Prediction for Economic Growth and How They See Business’ Future Role 79% of respondents believe creating new jobs should be a high priority for UK firms, compared to generating a profit (43%) 46% said new companies and international companies will generate economic growth, while only 20% believed this would come from central government. This result suggests that future government actions must focus on supporting and empowering business growth 14% of people expect the economy to improve over the course of 2012. This underscores the need to persevere with measures to stimulate business growth, while reducing the deficit 67% expect unemployment to get worse, with only 7% expecting improvement. This is in line with the BCC’s latest economic forecast which predicts unemployment will reach 2.77m by the end of this year. John Longworth, director general of the BCC said: “Businesses up and down the country

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

“Business is at the centre of the economy, and only the private sector will drive recovery and help deliver public services, like education, healthcare and pensions. It is the foundation of local communities, creating the wealth that helps them thrive, providing hard working people with purpose and self-respect, plus employment and training for those that want to learn. More than two thirds of people said the private sector is better at delivering growth than the public sector. While the public sector has a vital role to play, the private sector is our real economic engine. “It is worrying though that more than half said Britain is no longer a major trading nation. There are thousands of fantastic companies in this country, both in manufacturing and services that bust this myth. And there are thousands of others who have products ready for the export market, but they need support and encouragement to break into new markets and boost their orders overseas. “The British public thinks job creation should be a high priority for UK businesses. But businesses can’t do this alone. The government must create the best possible environment to allow firms to grow. Cutting burdensome red tape and implementing its promised credit easing measures would give companies the confidence they need to take on more staff. “What's more it’s concerning that many members of the public seem to think that profit should not be one of business's top priorities. But without profits, businesses can't generate employment, pay more in tax, or expand into new markets. Profit and success are an essential part of enterprise and our future prospects." David Cameron, the prime minister said: “Britain's history is built on having some of the most innovative, dynamic and creative businesses in the world. Their success is crucial for this country’s future so I want this to be the year we really get behind them, with more people starting and growing their businesses. They are the engines of new job creation and economic growth that this country depends upon."

WEB CONSULTANT n

Exclusive Deal for Chamber Members Members of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce have access to exclusive offers which could save them money on their premiums from AXA PPP healthcare. By taking out insurance with AXA PPP healthcare for you or your business, the company will give you: 10% cashback on premiums when you join and at each renewal, or 50% discount on Chambers membership for three years. In addition to this exclusive offer, AXA PPP healthcare will also provide your employees with a free employee assistance programme, which offers expert support and guidance for everyday problems, including debt and work stress. If you are new to private medical insurance, or looking to save money on your existing cover, call AXA PPP healthcare on 0800 38 77 54 and mention that you’re a member of the Chamber. Lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored for training and quality assurance.

Fill Your Vacancies for Free! Cheshire West and Chester Council are offering businesses across the county support in helping them fill job vacancies for free. As part of the national Work Programme initiative to support people on benefits move into employment, the Council will use its database of jobseekers to provide suitable candidates for vacant positions in a similar manner to a recruitment agency. They offer a bespoke service requiring varying levels of involvement, including: n Collating and assessing completed applications n Interviewing potential employees to employer criteria n Ongoing support and monitoring after employment

Hi, I’m Bill Jones of www.webconsultantuk.co.uk I bought my first NCR computer in 1971 and developed a keen interest in the technology and subsequently, the internet. Now Richard Hartley and I work together to advise on websites and the use of QR (quick response) codes. Nowadays the internet is big business, so businesses must make it big on the internet. Usage in the UK is now 82%, so you could say a business not on the internet is not in business! Generally websites serve two purposes; to provide information and to sell products and services. Historically, brochure-style websites have sufficed but now, as a wider range of organisations look to sell their products and services online a new concept is required. You can have a brilliant website, fabulous products and great prices, but if your website is not found by search engines then your potential income can be drastically reduced. The solution is the use of quick response or ‘QR’ codes. With the rise of smart phones, potential customers can access your site and products at work, in the street, at home or wherever the mood takes them. Despite this convenience, two problems have arisen: n Smart phone keyboards are small, sometimes making it difficult to type a long web address n Some websites are not optimised to display on them. Whilst these restrictions could cost your business, smart phones can download QR reader ‘apps’ which read codes and link users to webpage or other functions of your choosing. All websites built by Big Red Rocket are QR code and smart phone optimised to ensure your business is at the forefront of this change. To be ‘Quite Ready’ for this, contact me at bill@bigredrocket.co.uk or telephone 01829 271720

n Provide a free work trial to assess the applicant* *Subject to a definite job outcome. If you’re interested in finding out more about the service, contact Louise Livesey, employer engagement officer by calling 0151 356 6667 or email louise.livesey@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n NEWS

Survey Shows Networking as Top Perk of Chamber Membership West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 annual survey has shown members value networking opportunities and access to perks like HR and legal support as the best reasons to join the organisation. Distributed electronically in December to more than 700 businesses across West Cheshire and North Wales, the annual survey asked for their views on a range of subjects like issues that concern their business, government legislation and the best types of networking. The survey was designed to be brief, asking focused questions the Chamber felt would help identify areas of success and improvement. More than half of the people (56.5%) who responded said they joined the Chamber for access to high quality networking opportunities and events. 13% said access to membership benefits was the main factor to signing up, whilst 8.7% said it was to stay informed about local business news. The survey identified issues that concern members across the region, with 27.8% of respondents saying that competition/reduced market due to the economy was the biggest problem. 26% said it was the possibility of a double dip recession, whilst 11% suggested finding recession support. Members also felt the Government needed to do more to: n Interviewing potential employees to employer criteria n Interviewing potential employees to employer criteria n Support SME’s to ensure larger corporations pay their bills within 30 days n Reduce bureaucracy and ‘red tape’ wherever possible as it is a waste of money and resources n Make planning processes more efficient and deal with tax evasion n Reduce or abolish insurance premium tax as it acts as a barrier to business. More than 60% of respondents said Government legislation had in some way affected their business: n Lack of funding slowed the housing market n Levies charged across the insurance industry relating to PPI’s has led to businesses paying for indiscretions of others

n New employment laws in a positive way and the rate of VAT negatively n Bureaucracy through health and safety as well as employment legislation n Consistency of employer supported childcare benefits has been positive. After identifying networking opportunities as the strongest reason to join the Chamber, members felt that business to business events, networking events organised jointly with other organisations and seminars as the most useful types. They dismissed sports themed events, curry nights, speed networking or other ‘gimmicky’ opportunities as least useful. Members were also asked which priorities the Chamber should focus on, with 25% asking us to develop new business opportunities. 21.5% asked us to provide more support for businesses, whilst 18% want us to do more to support the regional economy. Some respondents also identified other areas they felt the Chamber should consider: n More networking events n Ensure regional situation is main focus rather than national issues n Review/expand range of training courses/ events to cover up to date legislation n Information on grants that may be available for small businesses. Richard Thomas, Chamber Vice Chairman for North Wales said: “As a membership organisation, our members are our focus and priority in all the work we do. As always the annual survey has been an invaluable tool for Chamber members to have their say on the organisation and the work both the staff and directors complete on their behalf. “The 2011 survey has provided some extremely interesting results, especially that members value our high quality networking events as a key reason to join the Chamber. It has also helped us understand the areas that are their concern and where we should be looking for ways to provide support.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Hospice Launches 10k Midnight Walk Nightingale House Hospice has launched its annual Ladies’ Midnight Walk and set the date of Saturday June 30th. Based in Wrexham, the popular event will begin at the stroke of midnight and take in a route of 10 kilometres (or 6.5 miles). This makes the walk slightly shorter than previous years, however organisers listened to feedback from past events before making the change. Margaret Hollings, event and fundraising manager said: “The shorter route is to encourage more hospice supporters to take part, as feedback showed that a lot of people were apprehensive about the 10 mile challenge in previous years. “We hope the decision does not deter the more experienced walkers as it’s still going to be a fantastic event, just with less blisters!” You can register for the walk online or download a form www.ladiesmidnightwalk. co.uk. You can also pick up a form from your local Nightingale House Hospice charity shop, the hospice itself, or a number of other local businesses. Registration costs £12 and sponsorship for the challenge is encouraged. Margaret said: “However much you can raise, be it a few pounds, hundreds or thousands, you will still be helping Nightingale House continue to offer their specialist palliative care as every penny counts.” In 2012 it will cost £2.54m to run the hospice, equating to nearly £7000 per day. Around 19% of this comes from the local health board, which is only enough funding to support the hospice for 69 days a year, meaning the organisation relies greatly on the generosity of the communities we serve to raise the additional funding for the remaining 296.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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NEW MEMBERS n

New Members

For more information on chamber membership contact 01244 669988 or visit www.cepnwchamber.org.uk

Welcome to our new members Sealex Limited Poole Hall Road Poole Hall Industrial Estate ELLESMERE PORT CH66 1ST 0151 357 1551 Terry@Sealex-Ltd.uk.com Mr T M Marray Energy Procurement ENER-G House 1st Floor Daniel Adamson Road SALFORD M50 1DT 0844 2251650 mail@utilityauditing.co.uk Ms Alison Heart BAI CLAIMS SERVICES Popular House Park West Sealand Road CHESTER CH1 4RN 01244 370077 angelaevans@baiclaims.com Ms Angela Evans Integer Data Limited Riverside House River Lane Saltney CHESTER CH4 8RQ 01244 689308 gjones@integerdata.co.uk Mr Graham Jones Back to Health 160 Chester Road Garden Village WREXHAM LL12 8DS 01978 264531 tccwrexham@tiscali8.co.uk Mr Peter Wagenaar Catherine Harrison Arts Three Jays House 93 Green lane CHESTER CH3 5LB 01244 401145 catherine@catherineharrisonarts.co.uk Ms Catherine Harrison Rachael Davies 2 Gayton Close Upton CHESTER CH2 2HS 07738 121326 rdavies@pfpswm.com Ms Rachael Davies Eco Vert Solutions Ltd 1 Old Barn Kinnerton Road Lower Kinnerton CHESTER CH4 9 AE 07703 504381 tim.hulse@ecovertsolutions.co.uk Mr Tim Hulse Snelson Technologies 89 Queens Road Vicars Cross CHESTER CH3 5HE 01244 311110 david.snelson@snelsontechnologies.com Mr David Snelson

Sustainable Supply Chains Limite Spitalfields Bannel Lane BUCKLEY CH7 3AP 07815 041677 stuart@sustainablesupplychainsltd.co.uk Mr Stuart Davies

Green Grounds Ltd 50 Dunmore Road Little Sutton ELLESMERE PORT CH66 4PD 07789 341998 simon@greengrounds.co.uk Mr Simon Stickland

Falcon Forwarding Ltd Technology house Rhewl RUTHIN LL15 1TN 01824 230032/07940 322848 sharon@falconforwarding.co.uk Ms Sharon Peasley

The Lobster Pot Ty Colbi Rhyowyn HOLYHEAD LL65 4EU 01407 730588 tristan@thelobsterpot.com Mr Tristan Wood

Red Door Below Blossoms Hotel St. John Street CHESTER CH1 1HL 01244 329871 bdm@reddoor.uk.com Ms Lia Kennedy

4Site IT Solutions Ltd Golborne Lodge Technology Centre Whitchurch Road Milton Green CHESTER CH3 9DR 0844 2499886 Mr Gavin Garnett

Buandra 10 Y Bryn Glan Conwy COLWYN BAY LL28 5NJ 07740 087425 steve@buandra.com Mr Steve Cobley SDRS-UK Limited Herons Way Chester Business Park CHESTER CH4 9QR 01244 893157 james.kemp@sdrsuk.com Mr James Kemp Jaspers Maes Celyn Farmhouse Northop MOLD CH7 6AN 07887 868054 simonhadleys@gmail.com Mr Simon Hadley Mustard Print Unit 44 Evans Easyspace Minerva Avenue Chester West Employment Park Sealand Road CHESTER CH1 4QL 01244 389360 info@mustardprint.co.uk Ms Paula Holland

Timothy Byram Solicitors 21 Hawthorn Avenue Connahs Quay DEESIDE CH5 4FT 0754 6911862 tim.solicitor@gmail.com Mr Timothy Byram Poultry Logistics Services 1 Larksfield Close Hope WREXHAM LL12 9RQ 01978 762082 plservices@btinternet.com Mr Dave Shaw Agile Group 2 Chapel Court Wervin Road Wervin CHESTER CH2 4BT 0844 5672007 pete@agilegroup.co.uk Mr Pete Stevens Stephen Need 5 Court Avenue Hailwood Village LIVERPOOL L26 6LD 0151 498 4233 stephen@maintancesolutionsgbltd.co.uk Mr Stephen Need

Scarlet Arch Ltd 3 Grey Friars CHESTER CH1 2NW 01244 401213 daniel.owen@scarletarch.co.uk Mr Daniel Owen CMC Intl Limited 47 Watergate Row South CHESTER CH1 2LE 01244 323322 info@cmc-int.com Mr Carl Anians

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Have You Discovered that just Doing More of The same Will Not Get You Something Different?

If you are ready to try something different and are prepared to look at your organisation, regardless of size, in a different way; then we can help you move from surviving to scaling. You know your business better than anybody else but we may be able to help you see aspects of it in different ways which will help you perform better, with whatever you already have. Otherwise you can always continue to do more of the same and hope for a different outcome.

0845 4742720 Email Info@integrallifecentre.org www.integrallifecentre.org

INTERNATIONAL TRADE n

Dragon’s Den Star Urges UK Firms to Find Opportunities in Asia whether it’s identifying a gap in the market or introducing something new, do your research and above all, don’t be afraid of exporting.”

UK Business Ambassador Tamara Mellon and Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis joined forces in February to encourage UK companies to look at the many opportunities that exist in Asia. The pair were speaking at Explore Asia, a UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) event that highlighted business opportunities in 12 high growth Asian markets.

Tamara Mellon, UK business ambassador, said: “Growing your brand or business overseas is always daunting but the opportunities are out there, particularly within the diverse and dynamic emerging Asian economies. So,

Theo Paphitis, chairman of Boux Avenue lingerie and Ryman Stationery said: “From China to South Korea and the Philippines to Singapore, Asia’s economies are going one way and that’s up. I would urge UK companies, particularly SMEs, to up their game and capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities in these markets. If they don’t they will risk being left behind!” Sir Philip Hampton, Chairman of RBS, said: “RBS is committed to supporting exporting as a key driver for economic recovery. Nearly two thirds of our customers identified Asia as the market with the greatest future opportunity, yet less than half understood how to export there. Working closely with UKTI we have been providing practical, accessible solutions to SMEs across the country so they can take advantage of the fast growing Asian market.” Over 20 business experts from the UK’s Embassies and High Commissions across Asia, business people already succeeding in the region and legal and financial advisors also took part in the event to share their knowledge and experience of what is needed to succeed in the respective Asian markets. Lord Stephen Green, minister for trade and investment closed the event by hosting an evening reception for delegates and invited guests, and urged them to act on the advice and support received during the day. Explore Asia is part of UKTI and RBS’ regional roadshow which took place in February. For more information, please go to www.businessinasia.co.uk It will also provided a platform to launch the findings of a new UKTI report “Smart Cities of the Future in Asia: The Opportunities for UK Business’. These findings identify and explore key initiatives across ten high growth markets across Asia and highlight actual business opportunities for UK companies. The event also began the Asia Task Force’s search for the UK’s most inspiring and innovative exporters to Asia, the ‘UK Business Success in Asia Showcase’. For further information on how to apply for the showcase please visit www.businessinasia.co.uk for details and a nomination form.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n CHAMBER EVENTS

Chamber Events in March and April West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce provides a host of events and training opportunities every month for both members and non members alike. In the current climate where we are all measured to seek the best value for our investment, standards of quality must be maintained. This is where the Chamber comes in. Our events calendar is full of networking events and opportunities across the region each month, all of which are free to members. Non members are welcome to attend too. The events calendar is updated each month and can be found at http://bit.ly/ chambereventsandtraining; so watch this space and make sure you don’t miss out. You can view events by week, month or list view making it simply for you to keep up to date with what's happening in your Chamber. Some of our most popular events include:

Networking Events Networking is one of the best ways to promote a company and word of mouth is a great way to recommend business. The opportunity it provides for raising company profiles, building profitable relationships and providing a platform for finding out more about local firms is simply invaluable. Our most popular networking event is undoubtedly the Chamber Business Network. Held on the first Thursday of each month, the Business Network is social event taking place between 4.00pm and 6.00pm at the Riverside Innovation Centre, Chester. Each event is themed and includes guest speakers, but the aim is to give delegates the chance to network in a relaxed atmosphere.

Social Events Whether you're new to West Cheshire and North Wales, or have lived in the area for years, finding people with shared interests can be tricky. So what's the answer? The Chamber regularly organise evening events such as our annual dinner, a summer cocktail party and more, making it easy for professionals to meet people in West Cheshire and North Wales.

Training Courses The Chamber’s trainers span many areas of expertise. We believe that learning should be fun, exciting and productive. Our strength lies in our ability to design outcome focused courses, tailored to match your needs. Our multidisciplinary working has enabled groups to create a positive learning experience and a firm platform from which to transfer new skills to the workplace. We endeavour to ensure: n Learning is the key to personal, team and organisational fulfilment n A positive impact on the bottom line, customer relations and cultural values of your organisation n Meaningful learning to enable individuals and organisations to face the challenges of modern society, with confidence and skill n A ‘can do’ attitude by empowering your staff to move forward purposely n You benefit from the experience of world class training at competitive rates n You receive highly professional administrative support from your first contact, through to successful completion. For more information on both events and training visit the Chamber’s website on www.wcnwchamber.org.uk, by email on info@cepnwchamber.org.uk or by calling 01244 669988. March and April are packed months for events organised and supported by West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

JobsFair, Wednesday 7th March

Mold Business Forum hosted by Barclays Bank, Wednesday 7th March Organised by Mold Business Forum and hosted by Barclays Bank, this event covers the theme of access to finance lending with the business manager Richard Abley.

If you have vacancies, whether part time or full time, want to take on an apprentice, then Cheshire West and Chester Council can help you for free. The council are inviting a range of jobseekers; including graduates and students via the University of Chester and offering a range of support to jobseekers including CV writing, mock interviews and confidence building.

The will be held at Bennett Brooks, Mold. Places are strictly first come, first serve.

For more information email peter.beswick@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Mersey Dee Alliance Innovation Network, date to be confirmed

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Speed Networking, Thursday 8th March Organised jointly by the Chamber and the CEPN Business Forum, a fun evening of networking from 5.30pm at the Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port. Price is £10, don’t forget your business cards!

The MDA Innovation Network is a growing network to assist with growth of ‘knowledge

CHAMBER EVENTS n

based’ businesses in the natural economic area of the North Wales/north west border.

Commission on Devolution in Wales Breakfast, Friday 30th March

Book your place by emailing mda@cheshire.gov.uk.

The Commission hold a business breakfast at the Atrium Suite, Red Wither Tower, Wrexham Industrial Estate between 8am and 10am. The breakfast event is free to attend.

Business Networking, Wednesday 21st March Organised in conjunction with Neston Chamber of Trade, the networking event will feature a presentation on the Portas Review of the retail sector. Held between 6pm and 8pm at The Brown Horse, Neston. The event is free to Chamber members.

Nurturing New Business, Thursday 22nd March Organised in conjunction with Cheshire West and Chester Council. Further details will be released in due course.

This is an opportunity for Chamber members to hear more about the Commission’s work and contribute to the debate. For further information or to register to attend, email commissiononwelshdevolution@walesoffice.gsi. gov.uk or contact the Chamber.

Chamber Business Network, Thursday 5th April Held on the first Thursday of each month, this social event aims to get members and nonmembers from across the region together and talking about the issues that matter to them in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Taking place between 4.00pm and 6.30pm, the event will feature representatives from the National Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) discussing their 1600 Club. As always all events are free to Chamber members, whilst non members are welcome to attend, take part and enjoy too. Visit the training and events section of the Chamber website for more information.

NWPA, Tuesday 24th April An event focusing on business crime. Further details will be released in due course. To register or find out more about all these events, please contact the Chamber office on 01244 669988 or email info@cepnwchamber.org.uk.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Made in Wrexham. Built for the future. Everyone needs a ‘thing.’ A talent or skill they’re known for. Something that makes them stand out.

Try these four Wrexham businesses for starters. They’re all enjoying success thanks to a forward-thinking mindset, quality of staff and the right location for their business.

“That’s my thing. That’s what I do.”

From its base on Wrexham Industrial Estate, the lens manufacturer is immersing itself in ‘app’ technology that will help opticians in lots of different ways.

So what’s Wrexham’s thing? The answer is simple. INNOVATION. Wrexham has always played it’s part in pushing the world forward with new ideas and technology. We can’t help ourselves. It’s in our blood. From the radical techniques used by Thomas Telford to build Pontcysyllte Aqueduct over 200 years ago (now a World Heritage Site), to ground-breaking work going on right here and now at Glyndwr University. And we’re exactly the same when it comes to manufacturing. We like to do things differently. And better.

Hoya apps for iPad and iPhone

Martin Batho explains: “We’re really excited about these tools, which will help opticians bring products to life for their customers. “For example, the apps will demonstrate the effect of different lenses in real life situations, providing a pretty exciting and informative experience.” And the best bit? If you choose the right optician, you could try these apps for yourself! Just go to www.hoya.co.uk and click on ‘dealer locator.’

Silvergate smells success Silvergate Plastics is also based on Wrexham Industrial Estate. And there are two things at the heart of its success: innovation and customer engagement. The business recently helped a client develop a unique car air-freshener featuring scented plastic. The fragrances are encapsulated within a slow-release polymer, which extends the life of the product. “In principle we can produce any fragrance in any colour,” says managing director Tony Bestall. “The moulding clips onto the air vents on the dash board. Air then passes over it and odours are released. The odours intensify as the moulding warms up.” This is just one example of how the company is applying polymer science to everyday life. It’s clever stuff. www.silvergate.co.uk

Moving forward with Brother Here’s another example of a manufacturer that likes to innovate. Wrexham-based Brother Industries has always moved with the times, pioneering new product solutions to meet customers’ needs, as well as constantly searching for improved efficiency and productivity.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL n

The toner cartridge recycler, printer and consumables maker was recently shortlisted for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Manufacturing Excellence Awards. Colin Brown, the institution’s director of engineering, says: “Brother Industries is a fantastic business that is helping to ensure manufacturing remains at the heart of Wrexham’s economy.” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

Porvair takes the lead

Cytec is making materials for use in high performance aircraft and race cars.

Porvair Technology in Wrexham is a world leader in the development and supply of products used in filtration and separation.

Nu Instruments designs and produces state-ofthe-art scientific equipment used by boffins all over the world.

Marketing manager Roy Rigby explains: “Expanding on our manufacturing successes and incorporating our core competencies allows us to offer partnering and contract manufacture to a host of industries.

The list goes on.

“Built on over 30 years of experience, our team of design engineers, production specialists and scientists are on hand to share and support clients from concept through to full production.” www.porvairfiltration.com

To find out more about manufacturing in Wrexham – or any other business sector – talk to Mike Bather in Wrexham Council’s business development team on 01978 667000, or email mike.bather@wrexham.gov.uk Alternatively, find out how Wrexham is talking to the world about innovation by: following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wxmsayshello

So there you have it… Four examples of forward-thinking manufacturers who’ve based themselves in Wrexham. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

or finding us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wxmsayshello

Now we know what you’re thinking. When people say “that’s just the tip of the iceberg”, it usually means the opposite. There’s no more to tell. You’ve heard the whole story. But not this time. There really are lots of other manufacturers doing some pretty exciting things in Wrexham. We just don’t have time to talk about them all here. For example, Sharp Manufacturing in Llay is plugging the world into the sun with its solar panel production.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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SPOTLIGHT ON WREXHAM n

Why do business in Wrexham? There are plenty of reasons to do business in the Wrexham area. One of its major strengths is location. Sitting near the conurbations of the north-west of England, Wrexham is also within easy road access of Birmingham and the Midlands, making it an attractive proposition for businesses seeking to locate their operations. Underlining that advantage is the fact that Wrexham is within a two hour drive of one third of the UK’s population and half of its manufacturing industry. There are other advantages, too. For example, recent figures showed that manufacturing productivity in Wales is 8.6% above the UK average and that wages and salaries remain marginally below average. The combination of good manufacturing productivity and competitive salaries come together to make the ‘Unit Labour Costs (ULC)’, the labour cost necessary to produce a standard unit of output. Recent figures showed that Wales has the lowest regional manufacturing ULC of any UK region. North East Wales itself, where Wrexham is situated, has the second highest productivity rate in the whole of Wales and the third lowest ULC (13.2% below the UK average). These factors make the area attractive for new businesses because they know they can operate competitively. Diversity is important as well because a wide

variety of companies gives the local economy a strong base when battling through difficult economic times. Sectors strongly represented in the local economy of Wrexham and further afield in the travel-to-wok area include engineering, automotive components, packaging, healthcare/medical/pharmaceutical,

electronics, optical fibres/opto-electronics, food processing, aerospace, chemicals and plastics Among sectors doing well are opto-electronic, whose companies between them employ 2,450 people and generate a turnover of £276m and, to the north of Wrexham, 15-20 companies which are involved in the avionics and aerospace industries. Wrexham itself is home to a number of world class companies and there is a high level of foreign investment. To find out why companies site themselves in the area, Wrexham County Borough Council surveyed businesses, asking them what they saw as major advantages for the area. The answers identified: n Geographical location and transportation links n Availability and competitive price of land/ premises n Quality and attitude of the work force n High Productivity/Low Unit Labour Costs n Good quality of life n Good educational and leisure facilities n Quality of support and assistance given by the council’s Business Development Team It all adds up to a compelling reason to do business in Wrexham.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n THE BIG INTERVIEW

big the

interview

Paul Kirkbright

Director of the University of Chesterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Riverside Innovation Centre

Partnership the key to fostering innovation

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

THE BIG INTERVIEW n

In an increasingly competitive age, Paul Kirkbright is a man who believes passionately that a bright business idea should not fade away because of a lack of co-operation among the organisations that could have supported it. Paul, who is Director of the University of Chester’s Riverside Innovation Centre, is committed to partnership as a way of helping businesses start, survive and thrive and is adamant that effective co-ordination is what is needed to create success stories. The Centre, which is funded by European money, was launched in September last year and has embarked on a rolling programme of events, including conferences, workshops and seminars, all designed to introduce local businesses to cutting edge thinking and best practice. Located on the bank of the River Dee in Chester, the Riverside Innovation Centre is dedicated to inspiring and developing business potential and offers: n Incubation units – 15 full equipped and supported business start-up units; n Accelerator Units – space for early stage business ideas and concepts to grow; n Access to business advice and guidance – from concept to commercialisation; n Free access to two networking lounges for informal meetings and discussion; n State of the art conferencing/meeting/event facilities – all with latest ICT. Paul comes to the Centre after a varied career, including cutting his teeth working within a Training and Enterprise Council (TEC), which later merged with its local Chamber of Commerce, and a spell within the corridors of Whitehall as Executive Manager for energywatch – the gas and electricity consumer rights watchdog – working alongside the then Department for Trade and Industry. He arrived at the University in 2006, as Deputy Director for Business & Community Development and later as Head of Corporate Policy, before picking up his latest challenge last October – heading up the new Centre and the critical part it will play in moving forward the University’s innovation, enterprise and commercialisation activities. Paul said: “The Vice-Chancellor has a very clear vision of the pivotal role the University plays in Chester, Warrington and across the sub-region as a whole – especially in regard to

collaboration with, and support for, our region’s business community. A key element of the Innovation Centre’s role is to provide a location within which businesses can access the expertise of the University and of all our partner agencies, whether that is via formal attendance at conferences, seminars and workshops or more informally through day to day interaction with RIC staff – either way the Centre provides a platform for innovative, creative thinking.” While acknowledging the value of qualifications and accreditation, Paul’s experience is that there is a market of businesses and individuals who are looking for something more immediate and more accessible, yet complementary. He said: “By offering access to short, sharp, intensive learning opportunities, we are addressing that demand. We want more companies to send their staff to us to develop their skills, widen their experience and expand their professional networks. Our vision is that someone can come to an event at RIC one evening and then go back to work the next morning ready to make a difference to the bottom line. “There is a proven and increasingly vocal need for the type of extensive expertise and advice we are offering access to. Businesses need the kind of high quality, relevant support that the University and its partners can offer. “There are manifold ways in which we can help businesses. However, in the unlikely event that there is a specific request which cannot be met by the University, we remain committed to resolving this, whether that be via another institution or a partner organisation like the Chamber of Commerce, with whom we work closely. Indeed one of the great strengths of the Innovation Centre is the co-location of the Chamber team alongside the RIC Innovation and Enterprise team.

“We believe passionately that an idea should not fail just because someone could not offer the right support for it. If we find we cannot help an individual, then we make it our business to find the someone who can. Paul can see the bigger picture for the University of such an honest approach, offering both front-line assistance and, where appropriate, acting as a facilitator. He said: “There are long-term benefits for us either way. If you get a start-up company that emerges from one of our incubation units and which needs expertise that we do not possess at that time, then we can direct them to someone else, but they may come back to us further down their business journey at a time when they are looking for specific support that we can offer.” His comments about supporting innovation mirror national sentiments. According to the Government’s Innovation and Research Strategy for Growth: ‘Our universities, research councils and businesses are national assets that form the foundation of the UK’s future competitiveness. However, if we are to realise our vision for the UK’s future we need to strengthen our innovative capability and encourage further investment in innovation. The Government is putting innovation and research at the heart of its growth agenda through greater investment and increased collaboration ensuring that the UK has a promising future.’ Paul Kirkbright is very clear about how the Innovation Centre can help further those aims. He said: “We want the Centre to widen its reputation for being energetic and responsive; somewhere that is recognised as an environment that is engaging, stimulating and exciting. Our message is that we are a business that is open for business with business.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n BUANDRA LTD

They say that Data is the New Oil, really? There is a lot of talk in business circles around the importance of data and the strategic asset this presents to any business. the ability to liberate related information, and further enhance this, will allow your business to optimise the way it operates, generate savings and improve margins. In today’s economy the need to remain competitive has already squeezed margins on your supply chain with your customers, but have you considered exploring contribution to margin improvements by your own supply chain. Be it through collaboration or just simply by improving visibility on spend there will inevitably be unrealised benefits waiting to be exploited.

Steve Cobley, Principal Director, Buandra

This may be true but the greatest benefit must be to those businesses where costs are buried away in legacy systems, and disparate repositories of data exist. But is business data really as valuable as everyone’s appreciation on the value of oil. We may not be able to control the price of oil or the price we all pay at the pump, but we can control the value we liberate from data within our business.

Buandra is a local business to North Wales and the North West that has expertise in cloud based technology and data liberation to deliver bottom line contributions to your business. Having 20+ years experience in Enterprise Business Applications we know how to liberate data and unify these data repositories into meaningful business assets that enable senior managers to develop effective strategies and optimise their supply chain both to

In my experience, and having built a business that works with clients to exploit and refine this natural reserve there are too many examples where businesses have failed to exploit. The challenge is that a number of senior managers in business view “data” as an IT issue and hand the problem over to their resident “IT professionals”. This may be adequate for their current operations but when you come to appreciate that the number of business transactions carried out over the internet will exceed 450 billion per day by 2020 the scale of the problem becomes very evident. Irrespective of how many transactions you carry out the move, by technology, to transition businesses to cloud-based technology will increase your need to consider data as a business issue and not a technology issue. The cloud will liberate the business from the dependency on IT operations to manage this environment. However, the demographic data captured by existing systems has value, and

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

their customers and also to their supplier community. Not only that but we can help you understand the way business technology is moving and explain why the Cloud should be embraced and not feared. Let Buandra work with your business to find the right direction, through effective business intelligence, generated by aggregated data and unified from the right applications. We work with you, enhance your technology footprint, liberate your business assets and ensure skills transfer are carried out to the business owners. But don’t take our word for it we have numerous projects we can put you in touch who have experienced savings well in excess of the investment made. Want to find out more, or have a project in mind then get in touch.

Welcome to Days Hotel Chester North - The Gateway to Wales!

Our unique location on the North Wales border, close proximity to Chester City Centre and the M53 / M56 motorway network means we are ideally placed to explore the local area and beyond, with Liverpool, Manchester and The Wirral in easy reach. From weddings, family celebrations, private and corporate dinners, to meetings, seminars or training events, our function rooms offer some of the most spacious and flexible conference and banqueting facilities in North Chester.

• Free High Speed Wi-Fi • Modern, comfortable bedrooms. • Gym, Heated Pool • Jacuzzi, Sauna & Steam room. • Ideal venue for business meetings & events.

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01244 830332

info@dayshotelchesternorth.co.uk

Based on a minimum of 8 delegates. Subject to availability. T&C's apply

Main meeting room hire 3 serving of tea/coffee & assorted pastries l Standard equipment l Complimentary parking & delegate porterage l Use of the leisure club facilities l l

Business open day on Thursday 29th March 12 noon - 8pm. For catering purposes please telephone or email if you would like to attend and have an opporutunity to try out our hospitality and see what Walton Hall has to offer businessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. n Fully Licensed

Three-course dinner l Overnight accommodation l Mercureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearty British breakfast l

for more information or to make a booking call: 0844 815 9001 Option 3 Email: csales.mercurechestereast@jupiterhotels.co.uk Mercure Chester East Hotel. Whitchurch Road, Christleton, Chester CH3 5QL

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n Functions and conferencing,

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n 18 hole Golf course

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n Set in 32 acres of parkland

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Have you thought about hosting your training course or conference in a ancient abbey venue that dates back to 1278? The ambiance, seclusion and breathtaking surroundings act as a amazing counter balance to the business of doing business.

For more information please contact us: Email: enquiries@vra.co.uk Tel: 01606 301291

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITIONS n

Events industry has ‘major role to play in UK economic growth’ If anyone ever doubted the importance of the events industry to the UK economy, then a recently released report underlined the point perfectly. The report, which was circulated amongst Members of Parliament, outlined ways in which the UK events industry can work together with national and local government to increase Britain’s competitiveness internationally, and provide a boost to the economy. Presented to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events and other MPs, the report was compiled jointly by the Events Industry Forum and the Business Visits & Events Partnership. It highlighted opportunities for growth in the UK Events Industry, which it suggested can grow dramatically from its existing £36.1 billion, to £42.2 billion in 2015 and £48.4 billion in 2020, as well as helping the 25,000 companies that rely on it. The authors said that Ministers needed to offer support for the sector but MP Nick de Bois said: “This is not just about coming cap in hand to government, but about a collaborative effort to work together.

“Events in Britain represent a major opportunity for growth for UK plc and a chance to underline our place as a centre for global business.” The report says that as well as the economic value of the industry, the sector provides ‘invisible benefits’, supporting exports and positioning the UK as the centre of international business, intelligence and knowledge sharing. It also underlined the vital role events play in bringing together ‘global leaders and thinkers to discuss, debate, learn and share’. Phil Mist, representing the Event Industry Forum who provide the secretariat to the Parliamentary Group, said: "With the countdown to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games and The Queen’s Jubilee well under way, the UK events industry will undoubtedly again show the world that organising major outdoor and sporting events is one of our specialities, and because of our expertise, the UK economy as a whole will benefit accordingly". Michael Hirst, Chairman of the Business Visits & Events Partnership, said: “This report comes at a crucial time for the UK economy as the Government considers its growth agenda. “The UK events sector is well set to play a pivotal role in facilitating economic growth and added employment by showcasing Britain as a world class destination for international conferences and trade shows, as well a staging its great sporting and cultural events and festivals.” Those words ring true for the many business people for whom conferences and exhibitions are the places to create and cement those personal contacts upon which the economy relies, as well as to learn about new products and services. So what are you looking for if you are trying to organise an event? How do you make sure that it plays its part in economic growth?

Nick de Bois

Well, one of the key factors is a good location, somewhere that is easy to reach and that looks attractive for delegates.

When assessing the venue you are looking for a number of other important factors. Can the venue cope with the numbers expected to attend, has it got a good meeting room, will it provide equipment like projectors and Internet access, are the staff friendly and flexible in helping you meet your needs? If the answers to those questions are yes then the event is likely to be a success. The good venues are the ones that can tailor themselves to providing the exact needs of the event organisers. One approach is to bring in a specialist company to do it. The staff at these companies will have encountered just about every problem presented by the process. Similarly, specialist help is invaluable when staging an exhibition. Whether it is staff at specialist venues or outside exhibition organisers, they will tell you that there is a lot to think about to make sure it runs smoothly. The first consideration is the nature of your event. Do you need a large hall or will something a little more intimate work? Is it formal or informal? They are salient questions because atmosphere is important to the success of exhibitions and getting it right matters. Whatever the choice, it is vital that visitors can easily understand the layout and find their way around with the minimum of fuss. Large exhibitions can be bewildering events so adding to visitors’ problems with poor layout can only detract from the success of the event. In a world where business people feel more pressured than ever, wasting time getting lost at an exhibition is unlikely to foster much in the way of goodwill. Throughout the process, it is important to recognise the need of exhibitors and to make sure that they are well represented. They need to feel part of the occasion. Getting that right creates a sense of goodwill which helps an exhibition turn into a success. One of the other things that makes an exhibition successful is a sense that something is happening so it is useful to have staged areas for demonstrations and performances, or for companies to show their products at work. Such activities, with the interest they attract, makes an exhibition feel like it is alive. All good exhibitions have a touch of theatre about them. It’s what singles out the poor ones from the good ones.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n NEWS

Trade Confidence Index The third DHL/British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Trade Confidence Index, a measure of the UK’s exporting health, reveals that growth among UK exporters slowed during the last quarter of 2011. The index, which draws upon a survey of over a thousand exporters and an analysis of export documentation (required of all UK companies exporting goods outside the EU), shows a muted outlook for domestic and international trade activity in 2012. Trade documentation data for UK goods exports in Q4 2011 shows a 3.7 percent increase on the same quarter last year, demonstrating that growth in export goods continued. Additionally, a third of (34%) respondents stated that their export orders increased in Q4, comparable to 35% in Q2 and Q3 respectively. John Longworth, director general of the BCC said: “The latest DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index shows that the increase in export orders seen after the recession continues, but the pace of this growth has slowed for the fourth quarter in a row. As problems in the Eurozone rumble on and sterling remains strong, our exporters are facing a challenging trading environment. Falling confidence means many exporters are delaying decisions to invest and take on staff, affecting the UK’s economic prospects and the move towards the ‘rebalancing’ we need to see.

“Companies across the country are exporting innovative, best of British products and services, but we want to see thousands more take the plunge and start selling overseas. Trading with new markets can be a daunting prospect, and that’s why businesses need more support from the government. Chambers of commerce help thousands of businesses take the first steps to exporting, but many tell us they need more help from government in areas like trade promotion and finance.

“We need to create an exporting culture by helping our businesses take to new markets on trade missions, and other promotional activity. But it starts earlier than this, we need exporting to be in our business DNA - that means teaching business students and entrepreneurs the basics. The recovery will be longer and more hard fought than many first realised, but Britain has the talent, the energy, and the enterprise to make its way in the world. All we need is an environment that puts business first.”

Sole Traders Can Benefit from Chamber Membership There’s never been a better time for sole traders aiming to grow their business to benefit from the expertise and support of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce. With the media dominated by talk of global recession and austerity measures, the Chamber is on hand to provide networking opportunities, public relations support or even legal advice to help give your business the very best chance of success. Sole traders who become Chamber members can benefit from: n Startup advice n Legal expenses insurance up to £65,000 covering issues including tenancy, tax and jury service, with a 24 hour advice line

n Free entry to regular, tailored networking events with introductions to attendees n Promotion of your PR and marketing materials through our website and social media feeds n Access to our extensive mailing lists of businesses across the region n Discounted training n Comprehensive export advice and document service n Free HR advice if you choose to employ staff. Patrick Kingsley Williams of MWL Systems, Wrexham said: “I am proud that our company is a member of the Chamber, which I believe to be the best business support organisation in the region. We benefit from connections made with companies of all sizes at the Chamber’s frequent networking events and also from many of its free advisory services.” Colin Brew, general manager of the Chamber

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

said: “As a sole trader, every business decision is down to you and you need to be confident you have the knowledge and information to reach the right ones. “Sole traders who join the Chamber can treat our business specialists as additional members of their team. We’ll give expert guidance and provide resources, helping sole traders save time and money and be in the best position to grow their business successfully.” Becoming a member of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce is simple; just contact our membership manager Rebecca Fletcher on 01244 669988 or email info@cepnwchamber.org.uk for more information. The Chamber has been supporting businesses in the region since 1921, and currently represents the employers of around 90,000 people to help deliver savings for business, promote regional growth, as well as represent member views to government.

NEWS n

Boost for Skillshare Initative The Skillshare initiative in Chester has been boosted after securing funding from the Office of Civil Society for an 18 month part-time development worker. Skillshare aims to strengthen the links between local businesses and charities by offering a simple yet highly effective way for businesses and professionals to donate their professional expertise and skills. This post is part of a successful £386,564 bid by a consortium of eight West Cheshire voluntary sector infrastructure organisations to the Office of Civil Society’s £30m Transforming Local Infrastructure Fund, delivered by the Big Fund (the non-lottery arm of the Big Lottery). It is one of only 70 grants awarded nationally and will enable the consortium to redesign and integrate the current provision of support services to best meet the needs of front line voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises. Carol Berry, chief officer of Chester Voluntary Action which manages the Skillshare initiative in Chester and the lead body for the consortium said: “This post will help us to continue this important initiative which offers

local charities free access to much needed and often expensive professional skills and expertise, such as legal advice, accountancy, HR support. This is especially important at the present time when many local groups are struggling to meet the increasing need and demand for their services from some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.

employment, HR and health and safety law compliance issues. “These are all excellent examples of the local business community working together to support the valuable and important work undertaken by local charities and voluntary groups.” Skillshare has a wide range of supporters including lord lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Ellis Whittam, West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and the Best of Chester.

“The initiative is going from strength to strength with over 50 businesses having registered their support and we are already having some early success stories. Overbyte Interactive for example has helped The Joshua Tree, a charity which supports families with children who have life threatening illnesses to develop their website and raise their internet profile. DTM Legal has provided professional support to LIVE, an organisation which supports young people with disabilities, whilst Ellis Whittam is currently supporting the DIAL House disability advice and information centre with

If you would like to use your professional skills to help support a local charity, or if you are a local charity and think you could benefit from some free business expertise then please contact Joanne Walton at Chester Voluntary Action on 01244 401900 or joanne.walton@chesterva.org.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n PRODUCTIVITY

Business Cards

Tips to Build a Stronger Network Networking is an important part of the Chamber’s annual calendar of events and a vital skill when looking to develop your business. Unfortunately not all of us are great at it, so LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman spoke to CNN Money to give some ‘pro tips’ on how to get better at nurturing a professional network in the days after an event: The next day: Look at your calendar for the past six months and identify the five people you spend the most time with… are you happy with their influence on you?

The humble business card; since the 19th Century it’s been as much a part of networking and meetings as a handshake to seal a successful deal. Business cards are a small concise and effective way to exchange lots of contact information in a short space of time. However for smaller businesses they can be costly to produce and a cost time as their details need to be reproduced elsewhere for storage. Whilst for many business cards are an invaluable tool for breaking the ice, there are free digital alternatives online for people and businesses looking for new ways to promote and advertise themselves or their business.

Bad Passwords Could Cost You Dearly We all know the importance of keeping secure passwords for visiting both business and personal websites to make sure our data is safe as houses... Don’t we? Last year, the databases of Sony’s PlayStation Network, Facebook and RockYou were targeted by ‘hacktivist’ groups like Anonymous and LulzSec, who’ve shown that they can access so called ‘secure’ data at levels, including

Self promoting websites like www.flavors. me, www.about.me and LinkedIn allow you to provide context about who you are as well as your contact details, meaning you get a lot more value from your online presence with very little effort required. They let you include links to other pages in your email signature, making it simple to share information easily. Another alternative is to email a vCard contact sheet from Microsoft Outlook, or use an app like Cardflick.

the London Metropolitan Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. In the case of RockYou, a single hacker was able to download the login and password information of more than 32 million users, then release the passwords (without matching logins) just to prove how unsecure the data was. Security firm Imperva subsequently went through the data to analyse how secure the passwords were and found that the top five used passwords were: 1. 123456 2. 12345 3. 123456789 4. Password 5. Iloveyou Amazingly, around 300,000 people were using ‘123456’... round that closer to half a million if you count people using other linear numeric patterns.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

The next week: Introduce two people who ought to know each other. Then thing about a challenge you face and ask for an introduction to a connection in your network who could help. Imagine you lost your job today; who are the 10 people you’d contact for advice. Don’t wait, invest in those relationships now. In the next month: Identify a weaker tie with whom you’d like to build an alliance. Help by giving them a small ‘gift’, such as an article or job posting. Going forward: Create an ‘interesting people fund’ which you automatically funnel a certain percentage of your wage. Use it to pay for coffees and occasional travel to meet new people and build existing relationships. Read more at http://bit.ly/bmbuildnetwork

Imperva suggests the following tips to make sure you don’t fall victim a future security breach: Your password should be longer than six characters with a mix of upper, lower and special characters It should never be a name, slang word or word in the dictionary. Also should not include part of your name or email address Use passphrases instead of passwords, even if short on space. Turn a long phrase into a jumbled short one Use a different password for every single site you use. Before hurriedly logging on to change your LinkedIn or Facebook password now, you can learn more about bad password practices at http://bit.ly/passwordworstpractices

PATRONS NEWS n

Hill Dickinson Appointed to Finance Wales Legal Panel Following a successful and competitive tender process, leading commercial law firm, Hill Dickinson has been appointed to provide a comprehensive range of legal services to Finance Wales, as part of its legal advisor panel. This appointment represents a significant recognition of the comprehensive legal expertise provided by Hill Dickinson through its ever expanding Chester and Liverpool offices. Finance Wales, which operates under the FW Capital brand in the North West of England, provides commercial funding to small and medium sized businesses throughout Wales to enable them to realise their potential for innovation and growth. Hill Dickinson is one of six firms to have been appointed to the Finance Wales legal framework which will operate for a period of three years, from 1st February 2012 through to 31st January 2015. Hill Dickinson’s tender, led by Sally Wightman and Craig Scott, partners in Hill Dickinson’s Corporate North team, put together a bespoke team of advisors to provide a full range of legal services relating to Finance Wales’ investment activities. Areas of advice covered will include corporate finance, commercial, FSA, fund

management, intellectual property, consumer, public law, employment and Consumer Credit Act advice, as well as litigation services. Sally Wightman, firm partner based in Hill Dickinson’s Chester office said: “Finance Wales plays a unique role in the Welsh economy, providing valuable commercial investment to SMEs across Wales. The organisation requires a broad spread of legal services and advice and, given our wide ranging commercial and private equity investment expertise, we are able to service all of their requirements. “We are also able to channel the weight of a leading, national law firm through both our Chester and Liverpool offices, being ideally situated for investments throughout northern and central Wales. We look forward to working with Finance Wales over the next three years as individual investment opportunities and projects arise.”

All About Apprenticeships Cheshire West and Chester Council’s young skills coordinator Paul Valentine is working to ensure businesses are informed about the benefits of recruiting young people and the support available for taking on an apprentice via government. Paul came through the apprenticeship model himself and is passionate about the positive impact work based learning can have, he said: “our team’s vision is that apprenticeships are chosen increasingly by businesses and young people throughout Cheshire West and Chester. “It is also vitally important for me to develop employer support to stimulate increased take up of apprenticeships from local businesses giving young people real options of opportunity within their chose career path.” To find out more about apprenticeships and the incentives on offer from government look at

the websites below: http://bit.ly/y4wYXO http://bit.ly/zgpoRv Paul is happy to offer help and support for any businesses considering offering apprenticeships. Contact Paul on 07795305311 or paul.valentine@ cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

aspects of business, whether it is a simple request for a factsheet on employment legislation or a complex mailing list. With access to an experienced business Librarian using reputable business databases to locate the information that you need. They provide market research reports, product searching, trade name and credit checking, mailing lists, factsheets and statistics. Whether you are an established business or just thinking about starting up on your own BIS can help you. Most enquiries are free, with charges being made for premium services. Email bisep@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/bis for more information.

BIS Helping Your Business Bloom! BIS provides current, reliable, cost effective and customer focused information on all

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

QSL Solutions is a Business Improvement Facilitation company based in North Wales What is Business Improvement Facilitation? It is the principle of providing support to a business, using lean enterprise and six-sigma principles. Diagnosis before prescription and dealing in data are the key tenets. What is it not? Giving your business a series of lectures or formulaic proposals. It is about listening to you to understand your issues and then working with you to develop and deliver a strategic improvement plan. Dr. Ashley Darby, Managing Director, has been practicing lean enterprise and six-sigma for 10 years. A wealth of experience in automotive, plastics, ceramics and general engineering businesses, he has always sought improvements in transactional as well as operational processes. Follow Ashley on LinkedIn

Contact us for an initial consultation: E: ashley.darby@qsl-solutions.co.uk M: 07715 359125 Directors: Ashley Darby & Alison Darby

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LDF Specialist Funding Solutions Giving your business the credit it deserves Established in 1986 and part of the Investec group of companies, LDF aim to provide businesses with a full spectrum, flexible finance solution that encompasses all business types and requirements, including: Professions Finance Tax bill funding | VAT loans | Professional Indemnity Funding | Aged Debt Practice Acquisition | Buy In | Buy Out | Fee Block Purchase | Equipment Asset Finance Equipment Finance | Refinance Supplier Finance Equipment Finance options for your customers Vehicle Finance Business & Personal Contract Hire | Finance Lease | Hire Purchase | Lease Purchase Specialist Finance Merchant cash advance | Buy to let mortgages | Secured loans For more information on our funding facilities or to discuss how LDF could assist your business, please contact us today on:

01244 527300 Ashley Darby

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Chester Lawyers Achieve Qualification Success The calibre of legal and professional expertise provided to clients by Hill Dickinson’s Chester lawyers has been further enhanced thanks to a raft of qualifications achieved by the specialist team. Property lawyer Clare Lowe and private client lawyer Philippa Lewis have both been successful in acquiring key industry accolades, underlining their expert knowledge and capabilities. Clare recently passed a course and exam to gain Fellowship of the Agricultural Law Association (ALA). The course covered aspects of property and land law, common agricultural policy, and trust and tax law relating to agriculture and estates. Philippa has passed the first of four exams required to obtain Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) status. These exams will enhance Philippa’s specialism; inheritance tax, trusts and estates within the Private Client Team at the law firm.

Clare commented; “The award of ALA Fellowship is a great achievement for me personally and for Hill Dickinson’s Chester based Agriculture Team. This demonstrates our commitment to providing a bespoke, high quality service to farmers and landowners”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

Philippa says; “The CTA qualification is recognised and respected internationally as a mark of technical excellence and professional integrity. This will further strengthen the Private Client Team’s offering of high quality advice to clients in the tax, trust and estates area.”

SOCIAL MEDIA n

Social Media Cheatsheet Social media can be a intimidating sight, especially for small businesses. However webblog www.flowtown.com have stepped in to take some of the mystery away with their social media ‘cheatsheet’. You can download the full document at http://bit.ly/cheatsocialmedia, but we’ve summarised the key points here: Social Media Overview Facebook A large social network where people exchange messages and report status updates. Great for brand exposure and customer relations. Not search engine optimisation (SEO) friendly.

Twitter A microblogging service that allows users to send text based posts of up to 140 characters. Ability to quickly respond to clients and customers. Promotion must find balance between content and spam. Large follower drop off rate.

Terminology

Allows other users to tell you they appreciate a piece of your content.

1: Decide if video creation and content will benefit your business. If yes, set up a YouTube account.

POKE A way to interact with friends that has social/ flirting connotations. Avoid in business situations.

2: Once your first video is posted, share it through other social media platforms.

STATUS

3: Connect with customers by ‘liking’ or commenting user testimonials.

A microblogging feature to inform others of your actions or thoughts.

TAG

YouTube users have the ability to vote videos up or down with the ‘like’ or ‘unlike’ buttons.

Marks a photo or video with text to identify a person.

VIEW Refers to user count, which keeps a record of the number of views a video receives.

YouTube

Terminology

A video sharing website popular for user generated content, video clips and blogging.

1: Create your Twitter ID. Use either your business name or a term your customers will recognise.

One of the best venues to build your brand through video blogs and tutorials. Traffic is often limited to the site and difficult to redirect back to your website.

Google+ A social network operated by Google with profiles, status updates, ‘circles’, ‘hangouts’ and ‘sparks’. Easy way to interact with clients and customers. Can be integrated with other Google applications. Administration is difficult and some small businesses find clients don’t use the service.

1: Set up personal profile before you create a company page (it’s against T&C to create a profile for your business).

1: Use the step by step guide to setup your Google+ account.

2: Follow other users in your field, clients and customers. 3: Recruit followers by letting people know you’ve joined the site. Post to other social media platforms with links back to Twitter.

@ Use this to reply to a public message from another user.

2: Connect your Google+ page to your website and colleagues, plus your favoured newsfeeds. 3: Begin posting content like status updates, videos and photos.

CIRCLE The term for your friends or followers.

GREEN

This indicates you are ‘retweeting’ a post from another user.

When marked green a post is public.

DM Terminology

Terminology

You can only send a direct message to someone who is following you.

BLUE When blue it’s only for people in your circle.

HANGOOUT A group video chat for people in your circle.

Used to categorize tweets and keep them grouped together.

2: Create your company page then add information, pictures, videos, events and links to your website. 3: Join groups that are relevant to your business and company interests.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

n 20 QUESTIONS

20 Questions Interview

Name: Robert Ellis Job Title: Principal Company: Ellis & Co What brings you to the industry? A fascination with the intricacies of the business world.

What do you always carry with you to work? A clear head in the morning, saving the red wine for the weekend!

What advice would you give anybody wanting to get into this industry? Just do it, see how you like it and if you don’t like it, move on and try something else. There is nothing worse than doing something every day you don’t want to do.

Would you say you live for work or work to live? Many of us get the balance wrong and after initially setting out to work to live, the balance changes to living for work. I am seeking again to readdress this in 2012.

What is the most important thing you look for in a new recruit? Someone with a sense of humour, a willingness to express themselves and a desire to learn. If you could employ anybody from the world of business who would it be and why? Everton Football Club manager David Moyes. He is a great motivator of people and an inspiration on what can be achieved on a tight budget.

Who in your view is your industry’s role model and why? Sir John Harvey Jones for his honesty and openness. What is your biggest achievement? Surviving three months in hospital when only 12 months old.

As a business person, describe your three main qualities? Commercial awareness, a full understanding of the accounting and tax industry and strong ambition.

What was your first job and the amount in your first pay packet? An articled clerk to a firm of chartered accountants in Liverpool earning £10 per week.

And your worst quality? Never saying ‘no’ to a new challenge.

If you could chose to work for any company in the world which would it be and why? Join a fast growing company at the outset like Facebook, which offers substantial share options to employees.

What has been your most satisfying moment in business? Helping our clients’ businesses grow, making them more profitable and ensuring they pay minimum tax.

Who is the most famous person you have ever met – what were they like? David Richards; a winner in rallying who went on to set up Prodrive and now has a worldwide business.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

If you won the lottery would you retire? Certainly not! If you enjoy what you do why give it up? I would however cut down to three days per week and really enjoy the extra family time. Do you make time for lunch every day? Twice a week I go out for lunch, otherwise I have a sandwich in the office and work through aiming to finish earlier in the evening. What is a normal day for you? Start at 8am and continue through to 6:45pm. If you could work in a completely different field what would it be? In the building industry, renovating residential properties and building a portfolio. If you could turn the clock back what would you have changed about your business career? Not a lot... perhaps accepted one of the partnership opportunities in accountancy practices in London offered earlier in my career; but I really enjoy running a business with a brilliant management team. What hobbies do you have? Sailing in Treaddur Bay in Anglesey in the summer and skiing in the winter.

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