Norfolk Voice 04

voic e

norfolk

The world of retail Changing perceptions about the retail sector

Big Interview

Social networking

Andy Wood

Is it the answer to all our problems?

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce The Ultimate Business Network

maY JUNE 2011

CONTENTS

Contents.

03 04 05

Chamber News

07

Chamber News

08 09

Business News

12 13

Chamber Policy

15 Summer is just around the corner and there is a real feeling of optimism in the region. It was very clear at our B2B2011 Spring event at the end of March that businesses are being proactive, talking to each other and maximising every opportunity.

One of the areas we are looking at in this issue of Norfolk Voice is retail, a sector which has recently seen its ups and downs. But Norfolk has a superb range of outlets which are going from strength to strength – and this means they are firmly in touch with what shoppers want in a downturn; great style, superb quality and good value.

Welcome/Contents

16 17

Social Media – the new diet pill

18

Chamber Events

21

Chamber News

22 23

The Big Interview

24 25

Changing perceptions about the world of retail

35 36 37

Chamber News

40

Chamber News

43

Training

44

Chamber News

44 45

We are featuring two very influential businessmen in this issue – to learn more about the secrets of their success and what makes them tick! They are Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams – one of the region’s most successful brands. He’s the subject of the Big Interview on page 22 And David McNally, CEO of Norwich City Football Club, will answer some searching questions in The Last Word on page 50.

Norfolk Voice is a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce publication.

Take a Break

47

New Members

49

Movers and Shakers

50

The Last Word

All editorial and general enquiries: info@norfolkchamber.co.uk Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Norwich Office: 9 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich NR4 6DJ Tel: 01603 625977 Fax: 01603 633032

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

22

Chamber Savings

Our next big event is Sustainability 2011 on 12 May, and you can read all about it in the show supplement inserted within this magazine. This event is all about helping you to identify business opportunities in the sustainable supply chain, and we have lined up a three-track programme to help you gain full commercial advantage of this growing market. Get involved, come along – it’s free to attend – or book a stand.

Keep sending us your stories, ideas and feedback for Norfolk Voice. It’s your magazine, and with your help it will continue to be a hugely valuable source of information.

16

International Trade

24 PRODUCTION & DESIGN Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2384 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk ADVERTISING Helen Longley, Business Development Manager, Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2332 email: helen.longley@distinctivepublishing.co.uk FEATURE EDITORS John Dean & Francis Griss email:deangriss@btinternet.com E-BOOK www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk/publications

DISCLAIMER Distinctive Publishing or Norfolk Voice 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 Norfolk Voice.

CHAMBER’S GOLD PATRONS

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE3

NORFOLK VOICE

Is your business card sending out the right message?

Contractor helps youngsters learn about safety.

Barry Dennis President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Leaving a business exhibition is a bit like a schoolboy going home from the Norfolk Show. You walk out clutching a carrier bag with someone’s logo splashed all over it. Inside is your booty – brochures, leaflets, pens and business cards.

If you are like me, you will also come away wishing you hadn’t eaten quite so many free chocolates, which are available on most stands! If you are like me also, most of the brochures end up in the recycling bin.

The key items are, of course, the business cards. The person you accepted it from will be desperately hoping that you contact them.

Well that’s what you promised when you took two of their chocolates and a free pen.

I’ve been looking at some business cards that I’ve picked up recently and I’ve realised that there must be lots of people who are very disappointed when no-one makes contact.

If you are one of those people, I can now tell you most likely why – YOUR BUSINESS CARD IS AWFUL!!!

I’ve seen some real howlers. The biggest mistake is having information such as phone number and email address in very small type. I had one the other day that I had to use a magnifying glass to read. Ok, I know my sight isn’t as good as it used to be, but I normally get by with my Plus 2 reading glasses.

Colour can also be a mistake. Light green on black doesn’t work. Nor does pink on black. Some are too complicated in their design. One I came across recently was printed both sides. It didn’t really look like a business card. I was somewhat confused when I read “This is not proof of ID.” One had a stained glass window on the cover with contact details printed over. It was very pretty, but you couldn’t read any of the information.

A classic was one that had on the back a coupon for me to fill in. It said “If you are interested in our products please complete and return this card in an envelope to the address overleaf.” On the other side was all the info I needed – phone numbers and email address.

Why would I post my inquiry and not either email or phone?

One of my favourites, and probably most expensive, was a business card made from aluminium. I couldn’t read the essential contact information, but it’s great for chopping up herbs in the kitchen!

I’ve had a look at my business card and I have to say that I think it works because it includes a comment from Prince Charles about me, which people always comment on.

Does your business card get noticed – for the right reasons? It might just be worth a look.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Ivor Goodsite, the Considerate Contractors Scheme character helping youngsters learn more about the construction industry, has visited pupils from a primary school in Gayton, near King’s Lynn.

Ivor teamed up with King’s Lynn-based Chalcroft Construction, surveyors Russen and Turner and housing association The Guinness Trust to help the children of Gayton CE VC First School learn about site safety and the industry.

And not only were the children able to meet Ivor, and visit a nearby site where Chalcroft has been building homes on behalf of The Guinness Trust, but they have also been invited to come up with a name for the road on which the development stands.

The company plans to choose a couple of winning suggestions and submit them to the local council for consideration.

Georgina Clark, from Chalcroft, said: “As a local construction contractor, we believe that we have an important role to play in ensuring that young children are made aware of the possible dangers of a construction site.

Events like this also show youngsters that the construction industry can be a great career – we might see some of these children when we are recruiting in years to come.”

CHAMBER NEWS

One year down the track.

The Norwich in Ninety rail campaign has marked its first anniversary with a renewed call for improvements.

Bringing together private and public stakeholders to achieve a better service on the mainline between London and Norwich, it builds on the Down the Line campaign launched by Regional Cities East, and was established by partners including Shaping Norfolk’s Future, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

The campaign has developed a long-term vision for the line which includes: n A ninety-minute journey time between Norwich and London n More reliable services, improving upon recent performance that has been poor compared with similar routes

n Production of an independent report which showed upgrading the Norwich to London line would bring £3.7bn in economic benefits

National Express East Anglia (NXEA) has introduced Wi-fi facilities on its Norwich to London intercity service.

n The introduction of Wi-fi on Inter-City services

NXEA secured £346,000 from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils towards the installation of the equipment.

n Some faster peak and off-peak trains between Norwich, Ipswich and London and some additional carriage capacity n The announcement of investment in train cleaning equipment and customer service staff by National Express East Anglia n The introduction of more trains on the southern end of the route to ease congestion The campaign is now being backed by partners in Suffolk and Essex including Suffolk County Council, Essex County Council, the Haven Gateway Partnership and the East of England Development Agency. Norwich in Ninety is also a key priority of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

The campaign will be lobbying for:

n More train capacity to overcome peak hour crowding, particularly at the southern end of the route – but without downgrading to commuter-style carriages

n Improvements to reliability

Over the past year some important steps forward have been made to realising this vision, including:

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said:

n Provision of free Wi-fi services to all passengers

n Continued improvements to cleanliness n Improvement to customer services

“Achieving improved train travel between Norwich and London continues to be high on the agenda for Norfolk businesses. It is great that we have made progress and the business community needs to continue driving this campaign to achieve all our aims.”

Andrew Chivers, Managing Director of NXEA, said: “The project to install Wi-fi on our intercity trains is a tremendous example of how a regional partnership can deliver a successful outcome in such a short period of time, ensuring major and significant benefits for rail passengers in the East of England, and illustrates our ongoing commitment to invest in improving train services for our customers.”

Shona Johnstone, EEDA board member, said: “Wi-fi has been identified as a key priority for business travellers on the Norwich to London line. It is just one of the improvements in our vision for the Great Eastern Main Line, which also includes faster journey times and greater capacity on trains.

Over the next few weeks the focus of the campaign will be to lobby for more improvements under the short term franchise contract which is being let by the Department of Transport this year, and to see greater improvements when a new long term franchise is let in 2013.

n New, spacious, clean and comfortable InterCity-style trains

n Significantly raising the profile and economic importance of the line with former Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, current Transport Secretary Philip Hammond and DfT officials

Rail service gets Wi-fi.

“Achieving this vision would bring significant benefits to businesses in economicallyimportant towns on the line such as Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford – and make them prime locations for job creation.

These improvements will also make rail a more attractive mode for business travellers, reducing road-based travel and congestion, and reducing carbon emissions too.”

New faces on board.

We are delighted to welcome two new faces to the Norfolk Chamber Board. They are Bobby Burrage, above right, executive creative director of The Click Design Consultants; and Gary Howard, director of employer partnerships at City College, Norwich.

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE5

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CHAMBER NEWS

London 2012.

At Lloyds TSB Commercial, we believe the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will have a hugely positive impact on Britain. It will touch every person in the country and, with branches on practically every high street, we are uniquely placed to bring the benefits of the Games to communities the length and breadth of the country beyond London.

As part of Lloyds Banking Group, Lloyds TSB Commercial is doing everything it can to help its customers make the most of the opportunities the Games represent.

Last year, we pledged to make available at least £1 billion of loans over the next two years to eligible firms across the UK, as part of our drive to help businesses benefit from the Games.

To help firms, we’ve created an official Business Guide to London 2012, which is free to download at www.lloydstsb.com/london2012business.

The best advice is for businesses is to act now if they haven’t already. Start thinking about how you can get involved by considering the wider implications of London 2012 and what opportunities will be available for your products and services.

Companies wishing to tender should visit www.london2012.com/business to access ‘CompeteFor’, the official business portal for Games-related contracts. It acts as a brokerage service between buyers throughout the supply chain and potential suppliers.

While most of the larger, direct London 2012 contracts have already been allocated, the official tendering website ‘CompeteFor’ still has opportunities for SMEs to tap into a wider pool of contracts further down the supply chain.

There are almost 140,000 businesses currently registered on the London 2012 ‘CompeteFor’ website, around three quarters of which are SMEs, while approximately 1,000 buyers use the site to advertise contracts.

The site features some great information, including a list of top tips for suppliers. It’s simple and easy to use and for the sake of a small

n Steve Elsom, area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in East Anglia

amount of time in your working day, registering could bring great rewards.

Just as athletes train, prepare and ensure they are fit and ready to compete, businesses need to do the same to be able to capitalise on every opportunity London 2012 will present.

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE7

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

A night to remember – and all for a worthwhile cause.

Mentor successes.

Outset Norfolk, an initiative to boost the number of start-ups in the county, is going from strength to strength. To date, nearly 60 mentors have donated 1,500 hours of their time to assist the programme, supporting potential entrepreneurs to develop business ideas. With demand for start-up support being higher than anticipated, Outset’s mentoring and coaching programme is extending its services to include its Business Startup training courses. If you would like to find out how you can get a mentor to help you develop your business idea then email info@outsetnorfolk. co.uk or call 0800 032 7851. You can also visit www. outsetnorfolk.co.uk where you will find full details.

The Doc pops into Lotus HQ. n Guests at the ball in their finery

On 11 March, some 200 people made a beeline for the Marriott Sprowston Manor Hotel & Country Club for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Spring Ball.

This elegant evening was raising funds for the Rotary House for Deaf, the Lord’s Mayor’s Civic Charity for the year.

Anglia TV presenter Jonathan Wills opened the evening followed by addresses from the Lord Mayor, Tom Dylan, and Richard Hey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Rotary House for the Deaf.

A silent auction was held throughout the evening and entertainment was provided by the ‘Sound of Michael Bublé and Friends’ and a DJ. The event was organised by the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Lovell, Adnams, Norse and House of Fraser.

Hollywood music mogul Doc McGhee has taken time out of touring to pay a visit to the Lotus headquarters at Hethel.

Music manager Doc, the brains behind acts such as Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, James Brown and Diana Ross and credited with the revival of rock legends Kiss and Guns and Roses, made the visit while touring with rock group Vintage Trouble.

Going for Gold.

He said: “These cars have blown me away. Living and working in LA, I see Lotus cars from time to time and I love the look of the Evora, I think it’s a great car.

We are delighted to announce that insurance specialist Hugh J Boswell Ltd has joined Breakwater IT and Chapelfield as a Chamber Gold Patron.

Peter Foster, Account Director at Hugh J Boswell Ltd, said: “We have been a member of the Norfolk Chamber for many years. By becoming a Gold Patron we can work even closer with this influential business group, to complement our own strategy and help support the many activities they are involved in. We are delighted to be on board.”

n Lotus Evora

“The future range looks incredible. I can totally see some of my boys feeling very at home in the Esprit and Elite – and put me down for an Eterne.

These cars rock!“

n Peter Foster, with Norfolk Chamber CEO Caroline Williams.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Lotus Director of Corporate Operations, Gino Rosato, said: “It was great to have Doc McGhee here. We’ve known and worked with each other for many years now and to be able to show him rather than just tell him about our plans is great. I think our cars are perfect for the kind of superstars he represents so his visit here was time well spent.”

BUSINESS NEWS

Support ‘home grown businesses’ call from Foundation East.

Community finance company Foundation East has launched its ‘support home grown local business’ campaign to encourage new members.

This year, the mutual society has loaned £750,000 to businesses that had been refused bank finance despite having a viable business plan.

n Graham Sillett

selling food, including pitta bread, sandwiches and bagels.

In 2007, his partner moved away and Daniel found a new business partner – Andrew Lees – who invested in the company, which then became Sir Juiced Catering Ltd. Soon Daniel and Andrew had bought another trailer and business was doing well but almost immediately the country-wide recession set in.

Daniel said: “Businesses on the Meridian Business Park were closing down and we were losing trade. People didn’t have money to spend. It was like everything was against us. With young families to support we had to start thinking outside the box.”

These companies, along with those to which the society lent in previous years, continue to prosper. Foundation East, a membership society, wants to build on its successful model and loan even more in the coming year.

The Chancellor’s incentive for people to leave money in their wills for charity is welcomed

by Graham Sillett, tax partner of chartered accountants Lovewell Blake – but he fears it may not be enough to make a real impact.

One business which is thriving as a result of Foundation East’s help is Sir Juiced, from Norwich, which provides a catering service for business people in the area.

David Coe, a goldsmith from Norwich, has also benefited from a Foundation East loan. He repairs and restores antique jewellery and, with the help of Foundation East, he purchased the latest technologies so he could expand the services he offers.

Norwich entrepreneurs Daniel Hill and Andrew Lees gained help from Foundation East which has enabled them to grow a successful catering business from its smoothie and juice bar origins.

Daniel first set up Sir Juiced in 2006 following a trip to Australia and New Zealand where he was blown away by the success of juice bars which he saw doing a fantastic trade. After a year, Daniel and his business partner had started

Will relief be enough to benefit charities?

Sir Juiced used the £10,000 loan from Foundation East towards buying a van to take their service on the road and fitting out a unit in the Norwich Fish Market, which is used for food and drink preparation.

Daniel said: “The banks were so unhelpful.

They just weren’t interested in helping us so we approached Foundation East. They were more than happy to help us. They were brilliant.”

Goldsmith David Coe said: “Before I got the funding, I was stuck in a rut and in a small workshop. I wasn’t able to expand the business.

When I moved into larger premises, this was a new start for me and I could think about buying the latest equipment. The cost of the move, new benches and the laser was high, but the loan from Foundation East helped make it possible.”

Katy Ford, Chief Executive, Foundation East said: “Our members get a real sense of achievement when the companies Foundation East has supported do well, and many feel there is a real social return on their investment, particularly when the businesses take on new employees.”

MAY/JUNE 2011

A 10 per cent discount is being allowed on inheritance tax (IHT) for people leaving 10 per cent of their estate to charity. On a £1 million estate donating £100,000 to charity, the amount of IHT would reduce from £270,000 to £207,000. However, the other beneficiaries would see their share of the estate reduce by £47,000.

“This is a nice idea,” says Mr Sillett. “It would amount to an overall tax saving of £63,000 saving on a £1 million estate but I suspect this will not be a tempting option for smaller estates because of the reduction in the amount left to the other beneficiaries,” says Mr Sillett. “Most people with estates of this value do think first of benefiting their children, but for those with significantly larger estates it could well be more attractive.”

He also welcomes the Chancellor’s increased tax relief for entrepreneurs. The increase from £5 to £10 million in the Entrepreneurs Relief for capital gains tax will provide a reward for those who have built a business, he says.

“The lower 10 per cent tax rate provides a generous relief if you fall within the quite strict rules.”

Please contact Graham Sillett on 01603 663300 or email gms@lovewell-blake.co.uk if you would like to discuss this matter.

PAGE9

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NORFOLK VOICE

Right conditions are needed for growth to succeed at national, regional and local levels.

There has been much talk about what could be done to stimulate growth.

The business community I represent has said repeatedly that it will work together with Government and with local authorities across the country, to ensure that our economy begins to move forward.

The blame game perpetuated in much of the media has been an unwelcome distraction. It is now time to make sure that an agenda for growth is put in place at a national, regional and local level. We must focus on delivering the right conditions for businesses to prosper, on developing innovative ways in which the private sector can drive economic expansion, and on

assisting the public sector to restructure the way it works and the way it thinks.

Companies can only operate successfully against a backdrop of certainty, whether they are quoted PLCs with global ambitions, or small businesses serving a scattered rural community.

That’s why many welcomed the pro-growth message of the Coalition Government when it came to power some eleven months ago. Since then, however, we have witnessed more rhetoric than substance. On behalf of our members, we have expressed concern about the direction of a number of policies. Policy must be crafted to encourage directors, investors, shareholders or co-managers to feel confident about economic recovery.

Costly changes in employment legislation, the introduction of ‘localism’ as our planning system’s new watchword, complex new bribery legislation and the impacts of pension reform, are among the issues where we share our members’ concerns. Such issues are especially

Norfolk’s Business Leaders and MPs meet to move forward.

important to the small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who are the backbone of our county’s economy. One of our biggest challenges during 2011 will be to convince senior politicians from the Prime Minister downwards to think ‘small’ and ‘medium’ before they think ‘plc’.

There are tremendous opportunities ahead for us. I am optimistic about Norfolk’s prospects, but we first require the correct structures for growth.

A radical agenda for growth must be put in place that accompanies the raft of cuts being made to restore our public finances to health.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER DIGEST Banking advice In March, Norwich Area Chamber Council hosted a meeting with NatWest, Lloyds TSB and HSBC to discuss how the banks could work more closely with and support SMEs. Their advice to businesses was that more robust forecasts and management information would help increase their chances of achieving a successful outcome.

Keep in touch

n MPs Chloe Smith, Norman Lamb, left, and George Freeman on the panel

Eight of Norfolk’s nine MPs and nearly 80 business leaders attended a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce event on 18 March, with the aim of tackling a range of issues affecting Norfolk.

The event, held at Dunston Hall, included presentations from the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and National Express East Anglia, as well as a speech from David Frost, the Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce.

Continuing our strategy to keep our members in touch with their local MPs – on 1 April the West Norfolk Chamber Council and members from the area met with Henry Bellingham MP to discuss RAF Marham, the proposed incinerator and reducing red tape. n North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb talks to business leaders

A question and answer session followed between the business leaders and a panel of MPs, which comprised Richard Bacon, Henry Bellingham, Norman Lamb, George Freeman, Brandon Lewis, Chloe Smith, Elizabeth Truss and Simon Wright.

Topics discussed included improving transport and communication infrastructure, delivering job growth through local enterprise and skills, and cutting the cost of doing business.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber, said: “It was a real coup that the majority of Norfolk’s MPs made time in their busy schedules to discuss these vital issues with business leaders.

Unfortunately Keith Simpson was unable to attend at the last moment, but the enthusiasm of everyone attending showed there is real commitment in Norfolk to improving business opportunities and working together to find practical solutions.”

CHAMBER POLICY

Top Labour MP gets around table with Norfolk Chamber.

Board meet for first time.

The Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise board met for the first time on 6 April. Board members are: Neville Reyner CBE DL - Chair of the Board - Chair of Anglia Components Limited Professor Mike Thorne PhD - Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University Dr Lynn Morgan - CEO of the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Allan Arnott OBE - Operations Director at Caterpillar’s Industrial Power Systems Division Professor Sir Richard Friend FRS FREng- Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Cambridge Mark Reeve CITB - Managing Director of Chalcroft (Construction), King’s Lynn

n Members of the Norwich Chamber Council, with MP John Denham (pictured centre front)

Trevor Ellis MBA - Managing Director of CS Ellis Group (Haulage), Rutland John Bridge OBE - Chair of the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has hosted a round table discussion with John Denham MP, Shadow Business Secretary, and Chamber members who represent key business sectors in and around Norwich.

some of the main issues raised, his advice on broadband was that to continue to capitalise on growth areas the infrastructure was vital and he would continue to raise the issue with the government at every opportunity.

John Denham made a special request to meet with Norfolk Chamber members during his Norwich visit, in early March, as part of his ‘national conversation’ tour to find out more about people’s concerns and hopes for the future.

On the subject of red tape, John Denham said the Labour Party would be taking a fresh look at the amount of red tape facing businesses, and they are prepared to admit that the cumulative effect of all the legislation is onerous on smaller businesses.

Future growth will be with the small to medium sized businesses and they should not be penalised.

The aim of the round table discussion was to address the opportunities and issues faced by key sectors. These included manufacturing and engineering, renewable energy, broadband, tourism, business support, construction planning and insurance.

John Denham commented that it was really good to see such a diverse range of sectors represented within Norfolk. In response to

Dr Robert Swann MBA PhD - Entrepreneur specialising in technology and high-tech start up companies Cllr Jill Tuck - Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council Cllr Sian Reid - Leader of Cambridge City Council

Caroline Williams, CEO of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “We were delighted that John Denham wanted to engage with the Norfolk Chamber and discuss the areas that affect businesses. The meeting has now opened the dialogue with the Labour Party and we will continue to work with John Denham to influence future Government policy.”

The new network will help ensure that businesses are the heart and soul of local enterprise partnerships. It will provide a forum for local business leaders to share ideas, solve problems and get the latest data they need to promote economic growth across the country.

Cllr Terry King - Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services at Rutland County Council Cllr Ian Bates - Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council

LEP Board recruitment.

New Anglia LEP is in the process of recruiting five outstanding business leaders for its new partnership board. Its primary role will be to represent the views of private sector businesses, ensuring that decisions are taken in the best interests of New Anglia’s business community as a whole.

British chambers to facilitate local enterprise partnerships.

The British Chambers of Commerce, working with local business people all around the country, will bring together a new, national network for local enterprise partnerships.

Cllr Marco Cereste - Leader of Peterborough City Council

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, who will Chair the new network, said: “Business leaders across England have given their time and their energy to developing new local enterprise partnerships.

This new network will give them the opportunity to share their experiences, solve some of the problems that come with new ways of working, and develop an even stronger understanding of how to grow their local economies.

The board will be chaired by one of the five business leaders and include representatives from local authorities and higher/further education.

Peter Barry, Joint Chairman of New Anglia Development Group, has said that this is a great opportunity for the Norfolk and Suffolk business community.

Norfolk Chamber has been very involved throughout the process and is looking forward to working closely with the new board to drive Norfolk’s economy forward through the new LEP.

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE13

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Why we must export our way towards a sustainable recovery.

Global trade is vital to the UK and the Norfolk economy. If we are to retain our place at the economic top table, we must create more goods and services that the rest of the world wants to buy, and export more of what we already produce.

According to a recent British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) survey, which included Norfolk Chamber members, 27 percent of manufacturers said they did not export at all. This suggests that many businesses could spend more time developing new products, adapting existing products for export, or scoping out potential new markets for their goods.

Both business and Government are in agreement that any successful recovery in the UK will have to be export-led, but this will only happen if the number of companies that export increases. British companies must become more

adept at selling their goods abroad – not just in Europe, but into high growth developing markets such as India, China and Brazil. The BCC survey showed that of those businesses that currently export, over 80 percent trade with other EU members, with comparatively fewer trading with emerging markets. This means Britain’s exporters are reliant on slow-growth markets – rather than countries experiencing rapid economic growth.

But it is not solely the responsibility of businesses themselves to improve British exports. The Government, too, has a very important role to play. Services provided by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) need to be better matched to the needs of small and medium-sized companies and measured by real results on the ground, rather than the number of companies contacted or the number of charged-for reports sold. Trade promotion, whether run by UKTI or others, must be regarded as an essential expenditure rather than simply a ‘nice to have’.

disadvantage when attempting to access statebacked trade finance and insurance support for high-value high-growth developing markets, considered by the private insurance market as too risky. One in ten exporting companies feel they have lost business to overseas competitors – in countries like China, Germany, and the USA – as a direct result of their inability to access competitive trade finance products and services.

The Government must revise the new Bribery Act to ensure it does not stop first-time exporters in their tracks with large amounts of new red tape. Secondly, the Export Credits Guarantee Department and UKTI will require reforms to offer maximum, not minimum, levels of support for SME exporters. However Norfolk businesses can rest assured that, all along the way, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will always be there to help.

A barrier companies often face when trying to export their goods is the right access to trade finance. The UK Government provides very little in the way of state-backed export trade finance or trade credit insurance compared to all of Britain’s major competitors.

Exporters often rely on this support, as exporting can be high-risk for many businesses, especially small and medium-sized firms. The research has shown that even before the recession, British companies suffered from a structural

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Social media – the new diet pill? interaction, the chance to chat to colleagues, to share work problems.

Now, the slimming pill for e-Learning is upon us, social media. By signing up to Facebook or similar and building a Twitter community, we will be able to replicate that human interaction, and do so in a way which is all zeitgeisty and down with da yoof and more suited to our multitasking times. The universal panacea for lonely e-Learners is upon us, praise be.

Except it’s not!

Social networking is transforming the way we communicate. But is it the answer to all our problems? And if so, how do businesses use it? Robin Hoyle, above, Head of Learning at Infinity Learning, offers some thoughts.

With any area of dissatisfaction there’s a natural human desire for the one-stop cure – the silver bullet. Take the slimming pill. Now, intellectually and rationally, we all know that losing weight is tricky but there’s only one sure way of achieving success – eat less, do more. Despite this, emotionally we want the quick fix, the magic cure which will banish bingo wings and give us a six-pack your granny could do her washing on.

With e-Learning everyone wants it because they recognise that the cost of people attending face-to-face courses is unsustainable in more straitened times, but there’s a dissatisfaction.

Feedback says people miss the human

Again, rationally and intellectually we know that many of the attempts to harness the power of social media become a damp squib pretty quickly. The posts dry up, the trainers lose interest after spending their time talking to themselves and even social media evangelists explain that it’s only by posting a blog (rather than by reading the often ill-informed or self-promoting posts of others) that we actually learn anything through reflecting on our experience enough to articulate it and package it for general consumption.

What’s more, using Facebook is a particular issue. How does Facebook make money? It gathers personal information, parcels it up and makes it available to those who would wish to commercially exploit it. It is simply an advertising channel.

Imagine you enlist the support of Facebook to create an on-the-cheap learning community.

Assuming anyone uses it, perhaps their presence indicates a willingness to learn, a desire to invest time in their own development. Perhaps they will add the occasional frustration about their current employer and the lack of opportunity to progress. Now that’s not useful to anyone who might want to target advertising at your learners, is it? Oh, hang on, what if you were a savvy recruitment consultant looking for dissatisfied Generation Y’ers with a hunger for self-improvement? Perhaps the Facebook model works after all, just not for you and your ability to retain those in whose development you have invested.

However, online collaboration does have a part to play in the modern learning environment.

Cut through the hype. Your learners, be they graduate trainees, middle managers or customer service teams, have no real desire, nor sufficient time in their working day, to initiate a series of online discussions in the hope of using the reflective process to develop their own skills and understanding.

What they do want to do is look things up which explain things they can’t find in the bland corporate communications of modern organisations. When I’m visiting a place and have to stay over, I’ll often consult online reviews on hotels, making my purchasing decision on the comments I find there. These are things that aren’t in the brochure. I trust these reviews so much more than the artful photographs which show some kind of dream bedroom.

But while I will visit Trip Advisor or any of the other sites with guest reviews, I don’t necessarily contribute to these sites nor feel compelled to do so. I may, if invited, award some stars for bedroom cleanliness, value for money or customer service or whatever I’m being asked, but I am primarily a passive recipient of the views of others. And that’s how 90 per cent of people who log on to these sites interact with them.

When I do feel moved to enter a star rating (and assuming it’s not too much trouble and I’m not too busy that day) I become an active recipient in this transactional network. Very rarely, maybe on two visits to one of these sites out of 100, I’ll add a comment. At that point I become an active participant in the transactional network.

That process is how your learners will use your user-generated content in a transactional network that you can set up as an aid to learning. About 90 per cent of them will use what’s there as an information resource, go there, look things up and go away again. Eight per cent of visitors may participate in something like a rating process, simple, tick box, no real reflection beyond a short internal debate about four stars or five stars. About two per cent will

The problem is that social media is social – not work. In their spare time, people act differently than they do during their working hours. Frankly, this seems pretty desirable to me.

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actively participate and add comments.

How do you make sure it’s the right two per cent? From reading reviews on amazon.com and the like, clearly there are people who make it their business to review electronic gadgets. Obviously, they have time on their hands and a deep and abiding love for the subject under discussion and their own opinion of it. I’m not sure though that their work colleague counterparts are the people who you would necessarily consider to be the most

appropriate people to express their views about a new process, product or customer service initiative.

So to make your transactional network flourish you need to recruit some active participants.

The people who know what life is like on the front-line and can comment on how things happen, how they could happen and how their experience helps them. You then need to give them time to contribute – make it part of their job, measure them at annual appraisal time on the number of posts they have made.

Having selected some pretty bright people who you would like to be the informal voice of

the organisation, get out of their way, let them say what they think (so long as they don’t say anything personally offensive about anyone). As our social media evangelists have recognised, by so doing you will gain a double benefit.

Information which some people may genuinely find useful and may well trust more than the official corporate line because it comes from an authentic source, and an opportunity for these individuals to develop themselves through the process of reflection in which they have engaged. You might even gain some insights into the organisation and how things actually happen in the real world, rather than the sunny day environment often imagined in the world of training.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

CHAMBER EVENTS

Diary Dates.

MAY

Sustainability 2011 12 May John Innes Centre, Norwich A must-attend event to help you identify business opportunities in the sustainable supply chain.

The event comprises a three-track programme designed to help you understand and take full commercial advantage of the huge benefits of this growing market.

12 Sustainability 2011 Conference & Exhibition WHEN? Thursday, 12 May, 8:30am – 3:30pm WHERE? John Innes Centre, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT? A three-track conference programme and exhibition to help you identify business opportunities in the sustainable supply chain.

For stand bookings contact Debbie Sykes: debbie.sykes@norfolkchamber.co.uk or for more information: www.sustainability2011.co.uk

JUNE

9 Business Breakfast Norwich: Olympic Opportunities WHEN? Thursday, 9 June, 7:45am – 9:30pm

Track One Opportunities in the Sustainable Supply Chain

WHERE? Sprowston Manor, Norwich

Track Two Trends in the Energy Industry Track Three Using Sustainable Practices to Gain Market Edge Top industry speakers including EDF Energy – New Nuclear Build, May Gurney, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Anglia Farmers, InCrops Enterprise Hub, and many others.

Read all about it in the Sustainability 2011 supplement inserted within this magazine, or go to www.sustainability2011.co.uk

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? With London’s 2012 Olympics now just over a year away, we look at some of the ways in which you, your business and your local community can play a part. With guest speakers Steve Turner, Managing Director, Bramley Lakes Ltd, and Steve Elsom, Area Director Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking East Anglia. We will also have a guest Paralympian speaker.

For more information: laura.henderson@norfolkchamber.co.uk

16 High Five Lunch, West Norfolk WHEN? Thursday, 16 June, 12:00pm – 2:00pm WHERE? Best Western Knights Hill Hotel, King’s Lynn WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Details to be confirmed.

For more information: megan.grint@norfolkchamber.co.uk

23 Chamber HR Forum, Norwich: Temporary Work Law update WHEN? Thursday, 23 June, 2:00pm – 5:00pm WHERE? Dunston Hall, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT? A must for all HR professionals to keep up to date with new legislation. Sponsored and presented by Adecco.

Further details to be confirmed.

For more information: megan.grint@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JULY

5 Business Networking Breakfast, Great Yarmouth WHEN? Tuesday, 5 July, 7:45am – 9:30pm WHERE? Grosvenor Casino, Great Yarmouth WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Details to be confirmed.

For more information: megan.grint@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

The Ultimate Business Network

The Ultimate Business Network

7 Half Day Conference: Infrastructure East WHEN? Thursday, 7 July, 8:30am – 2:00pm WHERE? The Forum, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Details to be confirmed.

For more information: laura.henderson@norfolkchamber.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Information not fluff.

By Chris Batten

advertising fluff; information is the new currency of business, the new doorway to sales!

www.chris-batten.com

The Long Tail of marketing This theory, first written about by Chris Anderson in his book, The Long Tail, is very interesting and very important for any marketers and particularly relevant to this book. His ideas are about the Web’s economic shift away from the mainstream markets toward a multitude of smaller niche products and services.

In today’s markets the strategies which centre on being informative and educational work better than just delivering predictable fluff.

This is particularly true in the B2B sectors and becoming more commonplace in the B2C sectors too. Increasingly people are using the Web for selection, if not the actual purchase.

There is still a divide, both in the UK and the US, where the male is more likely to investigate and buy on the Web, whereas females will investigate on the Web but still enjoy the whole shopping experience. The key message is content Advert_408915_AW-02.pdf 25/02/2010 12:13:24 rich websites are what people want, not just

In essence the theory is that as a global culture and economy, we are increasingly shifting away from the mainstream products towards a much larger volume of niches. He describes this as the small number of mainstream at the head of the demand curve and the many smaller niches at the tail of the curve. He states that as the cost of production and distribution fall, particularly online, there is less need to group

products and consumers into the one size fits all containers. Without any constraints of space and other similar bottlenecks of distribution, the narrowly targeted goods and services can be as economically attractive as mainstream fare.

I can highly recommend the book and the blog www.thelongtail.com.

If you look around you can see some of the most successful internet businesses leverage this, so called, long tail to reach under-served customers and satisfy demand for products not found in traditional stores, for example, Amazon. So, like many others, I subscribe to the belief that today’s marketers must shift their thinking from the traditional ‘short head’ of mainstream marketing to the masses to a strategy of targeting the under-served using the Web and all the new technologies that have sprung up over the last few years (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ipatter and many more).

The key message is content rich websites are what people want, not just advertising fluff.

Chris Batten RAINMAKER

C

M

Y

Your Personal Rainmaker

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Free weekly business tips and leadership hints. No tricks, no catches, simply email yes to hello@chris-batten.com with your preferred email address for delivery.

K

www.chris-batten.com

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Thomson and Joseph celebrates 60th Anniversary.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Thomson & Joseph looks back and reflects on 60 years of business.

Thomson & Joseph Ltd, universally known as T&J, was established in 1951 by Dr Colin Thomson and Mr & Mrs Ernest Joseph.

Brothers-in-law, Dr Colin Thomson was a medical doctor and Mr Ernest Joseph was a pharmaceutical chemist. They were both in the British Army of occupation in Germany at the end of World War II, and being involved in providing medical support for the local population, saw the opportunity to import basic medicines, such as Aspirin, Paracetamol and Codeine Phosphate, into the UK from the re-emerging German pharmaceutical industry which, prior to World War II, had been the largest in Europe.

And so T&J was founded in London in 1951, just off Baker Street. However, on the day T&J was launched, 11 May 1951, somewhat inauspiciously Ernest (Joe) Joseph found himself in hospital with appendicitis. It was left to his wife and fellow director, Betty Joseph, to start the business on its 60 year journey.

T&J’s pharmaceutical activity developed through the 1950s and 1960s until the 1968 Medicines Act came into force in the UK. This

Mr Ernest “Joe” Joseph, the remaining member of the three original founders of T&J says: “Congratulations to the Directors of T&J, Dr David and Mrs Ros Atherton, and congratulations and thanks to all staff members, past and present, without whose input none of this long and successful story could be told.”

n Thomson & Joseph staff: Helen, Pandora, George, Frances and Julie statute radically changed the pharmaceutical industry by introducing stricter regulation on the manufacture and importation of medicines.

As a result, T&J moved away from importing drugs such as Aspirin and started sourcing raw materials for the UK pharmaceutical industry which grew rapidly in the 1960s.

During this period T&J relocated from London to Norwich, and initially rented offices at the top of Castle House in Castle Meadow. T&J developed a specialisation in sourcing mineral salts from European manufacturers, particularly Bismuth and Magnesium salts, which were used in digestive medicines. They also started to import alkaloids from India, which are natural plant chemicals used in a wide range of medicinal products.

During the 1970s, T&J extended its mineral interest to cover both the UK chemical industry and agriculture, specifically the animal feed industry. Within the chemical industry T&J became a significant supplier of high quality metal salts to the catalyst industry, which supports a wide range of industries including oil refining and auto exhausts. And, indeed, this activity represents an important part of the business today. Working with principal metal salt and mineral manufacturers in France and Germany, T&J also became a key supplier of trace element salts to the animal feed industry.

In 1985, T&J relocated to Plumstead Road, Norwich, where we remain to this day. Dr Thomson had already sold his interest in the business, when in 1987 Mr & Mrs Joseph decided to retire. An existing customer from the animal feed industry, Dr David Atherton and his wife Ros, purchased T&J in May 1987, with the intention

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

of expanding the agricultural business, whilst retaining the existing activities.

Today, T&J has three main business interests: n the original chemical and pharmaceutical raw material distribution business. n an agricultural interest which specialises in the mineral nutrition of soils, plants and animals, focusing particularly on the dairy cow. To support this activity, T&J has a sister company Albion Laboratory Services Ltd, which arranges the analysis of agricultural samples as a sales support operation. n food manufacturing, specialising in the production of high quality preserves using locally sourced fruit, vegetables and sugar.

Operating under the Norfolk Garden Preserves label, the main sales outlets for the 55 products covering jams, jellies, marmalades, chutneys and lemon curd, are farm shops, delis, cafés and tourist outlets across Norfolk.

Sixty years on, T&J remains a family owned business which has adapted to changing market needs through diversification and specialisation.

It looks forward to remaining part of the Norfolk scene and to sourcing new and innovative products and services for our customers in the 21st century.

Thomson & Joseph Ltd T&J House, 119 Plumstead Road, NORWICH, Norfolk. NR1 4JT Tel: 01603 439511 or Email: enquiries@tandj.co.uk

CHAMBER NEWS

New Chamber angels

Win an indulgent Pamper Package at Sprowston Manor Increasing the membership of the Norfolk Chamber provides greater opportunity for everyone involved, as it increases our mix of sectors and businesses. This in turn provides our membership with increased potential to lead generate and identify business opportunities. So we are encouraging our existing membership to enhance the diversity available by identifying potential new members to the ultimate business network. So if you know of a business that would benefit from being part of our growing dynamic network please refer them to us through Chamber Referral.

This quarter you can win an indulgent Pamper Package for two people at Sprowston Manor, including one night’s accommodation in a deluxe bedroom, full English breakfast, and a 60-minute ESPA Full Body Massage.

So How do I enter? How do I refer? n Look out for the Chamber Referral cards at events, or n Email your referral to debbie.sykes@norfolkchamber.co.uk and we will complete the card for you.

Entries for this promotion will be taken until 31 July 2011 and winners will be notified directly as well as publicised through Chamber media channels before 8 August 2011.

n Laura Henderson, left, and Megan Grint

We are delighted to welcome two new events co-ordinators to the Norfolk Chamber team. Laura Henderson previously worked for Stratton Motor Company, where she organised racing and track days. She said: “I’m really excited to be part of the Chamber team and my aim is to play a key role in delivering a wide range of high quality events.”

Before joining the Chamber, Megan Grint was manager of Thompson Holidays, at both Lowestoft and Norwich branches. “This is a really challenging and interesting role and I’m learning something new every day.”

With tall oak trees lining the drive to the stately 16th century manor house, Sprowston Manor exudes a historic charm and famous Marriott service.

We will inspire you with timely, manor house traditions in a fresh and playful way. A perfect venue for residential conferences, away-days, ‘blue sky thinking’, team meetings and training. Unwind in the renovated La Fontana SPA, or relax in the leisure club by the tropical style pool, dip into the spa bath, steam yourself or work out in the gym. Play golf on the 18-hole, championship course. Corporate golf days and golf and/or leisure memberships also available. Quote NCOC for special offers. For exceptional dining, the AA two Rosette restaurant THE Restaurant & Bar 1559 is open for dinner six days per week. ZEST is bright and relaxing and open all day, seven days per week. A great place to meet for a coffee, lunch or dinner with friends or family.

Terms & Conditions: Subject to availability at the time booking. Treatments must be made at reservation stage. Cannot be exchanged for any other product or services. Not available on a Saturday (room or treatments). Additional treatments at extra cost. Valid to 30 Nov 11.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

ANDY WOOD.

THE B

Achieving success in a challenging marketplace.

Although he has enjoyed a successful career in the brewing industry, Andy Wood actually started his working life in the insurance sector.

He said: “I began my career at Norwich Union, which at the time was recruiting people in droves as its business was expanding rapidly. I soon found out what a terrific business I had joined and benefited from a wonderful internal training and development programme. This reignited my interest in personal development and learning and ultimately led to my completing an MBA and then much later a Doctorate from Cranfield University.”

Having spent several years in the industry, Andy found himself looking for a fresh challenge – and his eye came to rest on one of the finest brewers around.

He said: “During the mid 1990s, the insurance industry and Norwich Union were changing rapidly and I had become restless working for a large, and at the time, somewhat bureaucratic organisation and decided to leave.

“I joined Adnams and found many of the same values I had experienced in the early days at Norwich Union, with the added benefit that I was working for a business that was actually making a tangible product. Working with a great team of people I was able to make an impact and was asked to join the Board in 2000, becoming MD in 2006 and CEO in 2010.”

The company faces daily challenges working in a marketplace that is always competitive.

Andy said: “Adnams operates in a sector that faces many challenges, including a tight regulatory regime, social change, health concerns and simultaneous market consolidation and fragmentation to name just a few.

“The dual strengths of the Adnams brand and the great team of people we have working with us means we have developed an agility and adaptiveness that enables us to be able to react quickly and creatively to challenges in the market, turning these into opportunities. The recession has not been easy for a consumerfacing business, but the loyalty of our customers and commitment of the Adnams team has meant we have navigated stormy waters better than most and importantly have been able to maintain a dividend to our shareholders.”

Successful as the company has been, Andy still feels that businesses like Adnams require support, while also acknowledging the growing concern surrounding the damage that can be caused by irresponsible drinking.

He said: “Successive Governments have not been kind to the alcohol industry and often it feels unjust that Government takes a ‘one size fits all’ approach that sees Adnams, a business that seeks ‘to do things right’, caught up in a prohibitive taxation and regulatory regime aimed at curbing the behaviour of the few.

“This is not special pleading and we understand the impact alcohol can have on lives if it is used to excess, and will not shy away from our responsibilities in this area. We just seek some balance, encouragement and support from Government for enlightened businesses such as our own, that take their role as good corporate citizens seriously. Alas, I do not predict change here any time soon.”

Nevertheless, he remains cautiously optimistic, saying: “2011 looks to be a year where consumer confidence will remain fragile and for a consumer-facing business that is never good news. We have worked hard to drive innovation and cost effectiveness throughout our internal operations and our supply chain and are even generating our own green energy.

Innovations such as these provide us with a hedge against spiralling fuel and energy costs and has contributed to our being able to hold the price of Adnams beer to our own pubs and to freetrade customers in Norfolk and Suffolk for a third successive year.

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“We fundamentally believe in the pub industry and believe we should be doing all we can to support it through the difficulties it is currently experiencing. We have to earn the loyalty of our customers every day and whether visiting one of our pubs, shops, hotels or drinking a pint of Adnams in the local, we hope we deliver a great experience and great customer service. It is these things that will underpin all that we do in 2011 and beyond.

“Times are tough, but I remain very optimistic for the future. I am hugely privileged to be CEO at Adnams Plc. It is a great company that always tries to do the right thing.”

As a major supporter of Local Enterprise Partnerships, Andy believes that much can be done to promote the area’s economy.

He said: “This is a big economic experiment by Government in attempting to get the private and public sector to develop a shared vision for economic growth. It is early days but I have been greatly encouraged by the willingness of private sector business leaders to get involved and the openness with which the public sector has responded and welcomed that involvement.

“Time will tell whether such an initiative will be able to be judged a success, but it does represent an opportunity for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk to take more control over their destiny. This is something we will need to do, as it seems Government priorities are currently elsewhere in the UK. “Across Norfolk and Suffolk we have some great assets, Norwich Research Park, Innovation Martlesham, a thriving digital and creative industry, some big hitters in the financial services sector, wonderful tourism destinations and the largest development of renewables taking place anywhere in the world off our coastline. Some terrific growing businesses are located here. All will need skilled people in the future and the involvement of the UEA and further education colleges, such as Norwich City College in the Local Enterprise Partnership provides us with a great opportunity to ensure industry gets the skilled workforce it so desperately needs.”

THE BIG INTERVIEW

BIG INTERVIEW

By John Dean

deangriss@btinternet.com

Times are tough, but I remain very optimistic for the future. I am hugely privileged to be CEO at Adnams Plc. It is a great company that always tries to do the right thing.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Changing perceptions about the world of retail.

For many years, the retail profession has been dogged by a perception that it is a transient career, one that does not really offer opportunities for advancement.

However, an initiative has been launched in Norwich which aims to change that view and encourage increasing numbers of talented people to choose retail as a viable career.

The RETAIL skills academy in Norwich, part of the National Skills Academy for Retail network, is led by local retailers. One of five National Skills Academies at City College Norwich set up to provide skilled workforces for local business and industry, its aim is to recruit and train talented people.

Based at the Chapelfield Shopping Centre in the centre of Norwich, the academy comprises a training suite designed and equipped for retail learning and development, an outlet providing information and advice about retail training, qualifications and business services and a shop where aspiring and existing retailers can learn, develop and showcase their retail skills.

The RETAIL skills academy aims to: n Improve the productivity of small and medium sized independent retailers n Optimise the impact the retail sector has on the local economy n Improve the perception of retailing as a career choice n Accelerate the success of individuals beyond their own expectations

The academy is aiming to change the perception of the retail sector. We want so show people that retail is a credible, exciting and rewarding career.

n Become recognised as the leading authority on retail skills and knowledge in Norwich.

Academy head Sue Dougal said: “Norwich is the biggest retail centre in the East of England. A lot of retailers need specialist support rather than generic training.

“One of the advantages of the academy is that we can offer tailored training. We can ask retailers ‘what are the barriers for you?’ then work to overcome them.

“The academy is aiming to change the perception of the retail sector. We want to

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

show people that retail is a credible, exciting and rewarding career.

“We are going out there to demonstrate that there is so much more to retail than standing behind a till, that there are opportunities for them to develop. For instance, you might get someone with an interest in fashion or gadgets who could find the opportunity to specialise in that area of retail. We are looking for people with real talent and enthusiasm and we want to show them retail can offer them real opportunities to diversify and progress.”

The academy offers services including:

Training Training will be offered ranging from preemployment training for those entering the sector to advanced business skills for retail owners and managers.

Training includes products developed by retail experts such as Mary Portas, and programmes accredited by international brands such as World Host.

Some retail businesses opt for bespoke staff training designed to overcome a business barrier, manage change or support a new venture.

COVER FEATURE

A range of short courses will enable local retailers to access affordable training at convenient times which have an immediate impact on performance. Examples include social networking, visual merchandising, retail law and selling through personal styling.

service, buying and visual merchandising to finance, supply chain management and marketing. ego, a fashion boutique for Norwich, will be operated by students and trainees. When they leave they will be ready to add real value to local businesses.

Qualifications

Work Placement

A range of qualifications are available for both full time students and those who wish to learn while they earn.

Those who train or study with the RETAIL skills academy are carefully matched to vacancies within local retailers. Retail businesses registering for this service receive advance notice of trained retail talent ready to enter, return to or progress in the workplace.

Full time students can study for the industrybacked Diploma in Retail Business, while those already employed in retail can choose from qualifications such as apprenticeships, advanced apprenticeships for specialist roles or the Foundation Degree in Retail.

The National Skills Academy for Retail provides a framework of qualifications recognised by the retail sector and available through the RETAIL skills academy.

Work Experience The RETAIL skills academy provides a unique opportunity for individuals to learn, practice and showcase a broad range of retail skills in a live trading environment. Skills range from customer

Business Improvement The RETAIL skills academy employs retailers and ex-retailers from small independents to international and iconic multiples. This expertise and experience is available to local businesses and individuals. They offer a range of services from consultancy and mentoring to training and mystery shopping.

Sue Dougal said: “Our message is that, whatever age the students are, retail offers an exciting career with great prospects. We point to the fact that Terry Leahy, who was CEO of Tesco, started his career stacking shelves.”

Factfile Meet the Board City College Norwich works with industry specialists and the Academy board comprises a range of local retailers.

Representatives from City College Norwich and the RETAIL skills academy are joined by: Bennetts Retail Business Link Castle Mall Shopping Centre Chapelfield Shopping Centre Colman’s Mustard Shop and Museum Debenhams Jarrold Retail John Lewis Partnership Marks and Spencer Norwich City Centre Partnership Norwich Market Vanilla

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Things they are a changing in the conference world.

The conference industry is witnessing plenty of changes as companies and organisations seek to make their events ever more relevant to their delegates.

One of the fields in which changes are being seen is the use of IT. Although the idea of ‘Death

by PowerPoint’ is not as popular as it once was, there is still a need for technology. For instance, many speakers will make ready use of laptops, bringing their information in on memory sticks.

Good conference venues, therefore, have to make sure that they can handle those kind of needs and also that they have high-speed, wireless Internet. Indeed, some venues offer free Internet access to all event and training organisers. The venues that lag behind on the IT front are those that will find themselves struggling to maintain their bookings.

What venue managers are also seeing more and more is the need to be flexible and fastmoving. Changing economic times require quick thinking and many organisations and companies are organising events at short notice to keep pace with changes in their sector. The conference venues that react are the ones who will be successful, even if that means staging events with only three or four months lead time.

There is also a growing need for larger numbers of breakout rooms so that conferences can allow for a more flexible experience which allows for workshops to take place. The day of the big hall and a single point of focus is

disappearing into history in favour of something more inventive.

Another change is the need for venues to demonstrate their environmental credentials.

Many organisations are attempting to show that they are green and that their suppliers are green. So, more and more venues are being asked for sight of their environmental policy and evidence of practical demonstrations of environmental concerns such as the use of recycled pens and measures to save energy.

Then there is the need to cater for all tastes.

The face of conference catering is changing drastically because consumers have become more concerned, and more educated, about enjoying a healthy diet. Venues know that they now have to provide a large variety of healthier choices and that it is no longer enough to offer a carvery and little else.

So, when assessing the venue, conference organisers are looking at a number of 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.

One approach is to bring in a specialist company to organise your conference. The staff at these companies live and breathe event organisation and will have encountered just about every problem presented by the process. Yes, it may add a little to the cost of organising a conference, but specialists make sure that they run smoothly - and will sort any problems on the day.

Another advantage is that because they are so experienced, they will know all the key venue staff in an area and will already have a good working relationship – and may even be able to negotiate good deals.

The venues that lag behind on the IT front are those that will find themselves struggling to maintain their bookings.

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CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE NORFOLK VOICE

DRAYTON LODGE BUSINESS CENTRE Drayton Old Lodge is a superb example of an Edwardian country manor, set in 10 acres of wooded grounds, just 5 miles from the city of Norwich.

Drayton Old Lodge is a stunning Edwardian Country Manor set in 10 acres of wooded grounds, creating many photo opportunities.

Whatever you’re looking to be in business, Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre is the perfect place.

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

Getting exhibitions right can really make things happen.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Staging an exhibition is a complex task and one that really does require some expert input. Whether it is staff at specialist venues or outside exhibition organisers, they will tell you that there is a lot to think about to ensure that the event goes smoothly.

The first consideration is the nature of your event.

Do you need a large hall or will something a little more intimate work? Atmosphere is important to the success of exhibitions, so getting it right is important. Too large a hall and it can feel

impersonal and intimidating, too small and visitors feel cramped and uncomfortable.

That atmosphere extends to the setting of the stages, stands and stalls. Do you want them in a regimented layout or do you want them more flexible? What will make your delegates feel most at home?

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. You want them to feel well-disposed towards the exhibitors and creating irritation defeats the object of the exercise completely.

There are other things to consider as well. If it is your event, you will want to make sure that people know about it so it is important to get your branding well displayed, not just at the venue, but in all the promotional material that is printed or goes online.

However, it is also important to recognise the needs of exhibitors and to make sure that they are well represented as well. 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.

Crucially, an exhibition needs support on the ground. All venues, or specialist exhibition companies, ensure that they provide an experienced team to project manage the event, playing a key role in the planning and on the day itself. A good on-site team is needed for all sorts of jobs, from providing a registration desk to guiding visitors around the venue.

Having a good team allows the organisation staging the event to concentrate on the many other issues that confront them during exhibitions, including meeting clients and prospective clients and fostering those relationships that lead to new contracts.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Mortons

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2011 has seen the launch of our new venue finder service, which offers a selection of exquisite venues. This service enables our clients to build a tailored event to meet their exact needs. Working in partnership with some of our associates, we can supply your event with digital assistance, events management and catering, whilst you enjoy the privacy and grandeur that any of our venues offer.

Event Ideas at some of our selected venues or your own premises include: n AGM followed by an early evening super n Team building day followed by dinner and dance n Product Launch with evening drinks and fireworks Morton’s Event Hire develops bespoke solutions for corporate events. If you’re launching a new product, showcasing something unique or simply celebrating your success, we can work with you to provide a service second to none. We have local experience of food festivals, Norfolk Show,

Aylsham Show, product launches, wedding fairs and much more.

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER NEWS

Care company is created.

Call for action as region falls into the gender gap.

A new public sector care company has been launched to help Norfolk meet the changing needs of its older population and the increasing demands on social care services.

The number of women holding senior management positions in private businesses across the Eastern region is one of the lowest in the UK, according to research. n Alison Seekings

Findings from the International Business Report, produced by accountants and business advisers Grant Thornton, shows that just 18% of boardroom positions in the East are occupied by women, compared to the national average of 23%. The UK average has risen by 2.1% on 2009 figures.

The Eastern region fares only slightly better than the South West, West and Wales, which has the lowest number of female senior managers at 16%, followed by the Midlands at 17%. The North, North East and North West boasts the highest number of women holding top jobs at 26%, while London and South has 25%.

The national picture shows it is still proving difficult for women to rise to the top in private business, with only 3% of companies being led by a female CEO. This compares to a 10% average across the European Union.

Alison Seekings, Partner at Grant Thornton East Anglia, said: “Although the number of women in the UK’s private company boardrooms has increased marginally, the progress is too slow.

“Private businesses are generally doing better than listed companies on boardroom diversity, but it is worrying to see how few women are coming through to the top level of organisations.

Private companies make up the backbone of UK plc and it is a poor reflection on the whole economy that the improvement on this issue is so minimal.

“A diverse boardroom, which reflects the customer base it serves, leads to better decisionmaking and a sustained business performance.

UK companies are losing out by not developing

the potential of the entire work force and we risk falling behind other economies if radical change is not taken to address this issue.”

The UK ranks 5th of the 13 European Union countries surveyed on its number of female boardroom executives, ahead of Spain and Italy at 22% and France at 21%. However, the UK still lags behind Poland, which at 31% has the highest number of women senior managers in the EU and Sweden at 30%.

This, combined with the council’s ongoing work with independent providers, will result in the creation of an extra 2,500 places in housing with care schemes or care homes across the county.

Management of the council’s 26 care homes and the care service within its 13 housing with care units has transferred to Norse Care, along with all 1,650 staff employed by the service.

The UK also trails behind some of the emerging economies such as China and Brazil, where women occupy 31% and 29% of board seats respectively.

Alison said: “Women today represent nearly 60% of graduates in the European Union, and girls are continuing to outperform boys at school and enter the workforce in equal numbers. This talent is currently under-utilised by the UK’s private sector and represents an opportunity to strengthen the capability and capacity of senior management.

“It is crucial that companies look seriously at how they create an environment to realise the full potential of women. Imposed quotas, such as the European Commission’s proposal to require all publicly listed companies to have at least 40% of women on the boards, need to be considered with care.

“Instead, initiatives such as mentoring schemes, which showcase ‘real women’ senior leaders as opposed to perpetuating the ‘superwoman’ myth, would be helpful. It is also important for investors to question businesses on how they are going to ensure they have talent pipelines that will generate a diverse leadership for the future.”

Although the number of women in the UK’s private company boardrooms has increased marginally, the progress is too slow.

Norse Care Ltd is wholly-owned by Norfolk County Council and operates within the existing County Council-owned Norse Group of companies. Over 15 years, Norse Care will invest in and replace the council’s current care accommodation.

Derrick Murphy, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “Norse Care offers the best of both worlds – commercial know-how but with a strong public sector ethos, and the best means of retaining the skills of our highly regarded care staff.

“Our existing care accommodation has served us well, but our buildings are becoming outdated, with small bedrooms, limited disabled access and few en-suite bathrooms. With a growing older population with changing needs and priorities, we are facing ever greater demands on our social care services. I firmly believe that creating a public sector care company gives us the opportunity to do the best we can by our older people, allowing the council to continue to play a key role in shaping the service’s future while boosting investment in the service through the increased flexibility afforded by the commercial expertise of the Norse Group.”

Tony Williams, Norse board member and councillor with responsibility for Commercial Services on Norfolk County Council, said: “Norse Care is being created with a strong commitment to meet the needs and expectations of Norfolk’s older people at its heart, and the plans to transform the care accommodation that have been developed with the County Council will help us to achieve this. The scale of the task means this is very much a long-term project that will take up to 15 years to accomplish.”

For more information about residential care visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/adultsocialservices.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Fresh solutions from Chamber Utilities.

Chamber Utilities has been re-launched with a revitalised new brand and a comprehensive range of solutions to cost-effectively buy and manage electricity and gas consumption.

Step one: REGISTER Chamber Utilities offers a new, no cost Renewal Reminder Service that stops you missing your contract renewal dates and paying over-inflated ‘out of contract’ tariffs. Ask your Chamber for a Renewal Reminder form.

Step two: PURCHASE Chamber Utilities is an independent energy broker who takes away the complexity and risk of energy purchasing and secures the best gas and electricity tariffs to suit your business.

Step three: MONITOR Chamber Utilities bureau service will validate your bills and look for incorrect charges, ensuring you only pay for what you use and giving you peace of mind to focus on your day-to-day business.

Step four: CONTROL Knowing how you use your energy is key to saving it. Smart metering services and monitoring and targeting tools can track and analyse consumption, helping you find ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Step five: SAVE Chamber Utilities offers a dedicated independent energy, carbon and water consultancy service. We can advise you on generating your own energy and making money from it. We can also help you reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency, with access to a variety of solutions including building management systems, lighting, heat pumps and CHPs. Chamber Utilities is part of the global ENER-G group, a recent National Business Award winner. ENER-G has a £130 million turnover and operates in 18 countries. The company was one of the founder members of the Utilities Intermediaries Association (UIA), created to bring best practice and transparency to the way electricity and gas brokers do business.

Go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk to find out more.

Potential rewards for ‘early birds’.

Energy analysts from Chamber Utilities are advising members to be proactive and start planning now for their 2011 and 2012 contract renewals – to be ready to take advantage of potential dips in the market and achieve the best forward price.

Experts predict that as the economic climate slowly begins to recover, energy prices are likely to increase in line with increasing demand.

Mark Alston, General Manager for Chamber Utilities, explains: “A new energy contract can be secured well before termination of the current

them onto a further year contract at a tariff of their choice was grossly unfair and must be stopped.

one, therefore start to monitor the wholesale marketplace now and look for opportunities to lock into price dips. Potentially there are rich dividends for the ‘early bird’.”

Ofgem warns energy suppliers of bad contract practice The regulator Ofgem in a recent report warned energy suppliers that penalising a company who missed their contract renewal date by putting

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

To help members, and many have fallen foul of this practice, the Chamber through their new Chamber Utility energy service are offering members a simple way to register a contract termination date so they can be advised well in advance of the notice period. This allows a member to have a choice of the best energy prices and feel assured they won’t get caught out.

Called the Renewal Reminder Service, a member can register online www.chamberutilities.co.uk. The service is FREE and a member can also benefit from the having their new contract negotiated for them with impartial advice given at all times.

It makes sense to play safe and register now.

CHAMBER SAVINGS

Commercial Savings For Your Company.

As a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce you are entitled to a number of Commercial Benefits including Healthcare Plans, HR Support, Purchasing Discounts and Insurance Coverage that will not only help you save on operational costs, but can also be passed on to the benefit of your employees.

Negotiated at a national level and leveraging on the buying power of The British Chambers of Commerce Network of county chambers, service rates are free or at least comparable to those procured by large-scale corporations.

Below is a summary of each offering. Contact debbie.sykes@norfolkchamber.co.uk to find out more.

Chamber Legal

Chamber Health 1

Chamber Utility Auditing

FREE 24/7 Legal Helpline + Legal Expenses Insurance with up to £670,000 of indemnity, worth a minimum of £125 for the smallest business.

Chamber Optical & Dental Healthcare Plan from Westfield – provide your staff with healthcare from as little as £1.10 per week. Holistic treatments also included.

Free comprehensive review of your utility bills by approved specialists to make sure your business is getting the most competitive rates.

Chamber HR

Chamber Health 2

CHAMBER DIGEST

FREE 24/7 HR Helpline + Online Resource with downloadable templates, policies and updates on employment law worth a minimum of £350 for the smallest business.

Chamber Private Healthcare Plan from AXA PPP Healthcare.

Chamber Purchasing

Chamber Debt Recovery

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and AF Affinity have joined forces to give you access to Chamber Purchasing. Your business can now leverage on the buying might of Anglia Farmers through its subsidiary AF Affinity, enabling you to buy goods and services at very competitive prices.

Debt Recovery Service – Free initial letter and a small fixed fee if the debt is recovered. No charge if the debt is not recovered.

Chamber Finance

Chamber AA Fleet

FREE business banking for one year for established business and 3 years’ free banking for start-ups with Natwest as a Chamber Member.

Save up to 61% on AA Fleet Membership for company vehicles with Chamber Fleet Assist

Council reduces cost of trade waste service Small businesses could benefit from a cheaper trade waste service from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk following a policy review by HM Revenue’s and Customs.

Previously, VAT was charged on the Borough Council’s Trade Waste Service, but with effect from 1 April, the council no longer ads VAT to trade waste invoices. For those businesses that are registered for VAT, the change will be of no significance, but those not registered for VAT or partially exempt from the tax will not have to pay the additional 20% VAT. Barry Brandford, Waste and Recycling Manager, said: “This is really good news for businesses and charities who are not VAT registered. Without this change, the cost of a weekly collection of a 240l trade waste bin from 1 April would have been £397.08 per annum.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

Founded in 1987, The Personnel People is one of Norwich’s longest standing independent recruitment consultancies.

Properties to let Industrial retail office Various locations in and around Norwich.

We provide full coverage of the whole region and offer a service that is as individual as each client or candidate that we deal with.

We operate separate departments recruiting permanent, contract and temporary staff across a wide spectrum of industries. Throughout all divisions we have dedicated, skilled and motivated recruitment professionals whose aim is to provide the best recruitment service available, in a timely manner and with total customer satisfaction as their primary focus.

We are constantly striving to move with the times and pride ourselves on providing our clients with top quality personnel that reflect the qualities we adhere to – flexibility, responsiveness and capability.

For more information please contact Jill Manthorpe or Jennifer King on 01603 213452 or visit our website

www.norwich.gov.uk

Our new website is being launched in May. For full details on our services and the vacancies we have available please visit us at:

www.personnelpeople.co.uk Tel: (01603) 761717 norwich@personnelpeople.co.uk 12 All Saints Green, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 3NA

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Chapelfield continues to enhance Norfolk’s retail offering.

As one of the largest shopping centres in the East of England, Chapelfield continues to go from strength to strength. Over the past five years, the 530,000 sq.ft centre in Norwich has attracted many prestigious retailers to the region, including some that have chosen to locate their only East Anglian branches here.

New store openings announced in recent months have included Italian food specialists Carluccio’s, one of Sweden’s best known brands Clas Ohlson and stylish fashion labels Hollister Co. and Superdry. Tempting these influential brands to Norwich is an impressive achievement, especially considering today’s tough

marketplace. Home to more than 90 shops, cafes and restaurants, it is clear that Chapelfield has played a significant part in helping to cement Norwich’s position as one of the top ten shopping destinations in the UK. Davina Tanner, Chapelfield’s general manager, said: “One of my main priorities is, and always has been, to work on enhancing the customer experience. This is something that translates across many levels, not least in terms of building and maintaining an eclectic portfolio of retailers within the shopping centre.”

Well-known Italian deli and restaurant, Carluccio’s, is due to open in May and will complement the already excellent range of dining choices on Chapelfield Plain. Carluccio’s aim to provide great quality, authentic, Italian food at sensible prices; everything is freshly prepared on the premises each day using the best, fresh and natural ingredients. Chapelfield will be Carluccio’s only location in Norfolk.

Swedish mega-brand Clas Ohlson, which offers an eclectic range of goods including hardware, furniture and electrical products, opened in time for last Christmas. Its Norwich launch was the talk of the town, with a special celebrity guest appearance from Coronation Street and Boyzone star, Keith Duffy.

Hollister Co., part of the All-American casual lifestyle brand Abercrombie & Fitch, has brought a little bit of Southern California to Norwich; with

the opening of its new store on the upper ground mall of the shopping centre last December.

With an energy that’s effortlessly cool, Hollister’s popularity was demonstrated by the phenomenal queues on opening day. Hollister’s arrival, coupled with the launch of the stunning Superdry store, a brand that has achieved international cult status, makes Chapelfield a haven for the fashion conscious.

Other recent openings include the Adnams Cellar and Kitchen, where customers will find an award-winning selection of beers, wines and spirits, plus stylish kitchenware and food gifts. Oil & Vinegar, another store unique to Norwich, at Chapelfield, offers a vast selection of imported olive oils and vinegars, pesto and tapenades, appetizers, marinades and sauces, dressings, mustards, salts, exotic herb mixes and much more.

Davina Tanner said: “Chapelfield is the shopping destination of choice for so many people, because they know here they will find aspirational stores, many that are the only ones of their kind in Norfolk. As well as a great fashion offering; the Disney Store, Apple Store, Pandora and House of Fraser have all located their only Norfolk stores here.”

For more information about Chapelfield, including special events at the shopping centre, see: www.chapelfield.co.uk.

MAY/JUNE 2011

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NORFOLK VOICE

CHAMBER NEWS

Two nights Chamber 5ives – it’s a winner! to remember.

Nathan Stannage, of MKM Building supplies, has won last quarter’s Chamber Referral Scheme prize – a two-night stay for two at Dunston Hall.

n Grosvenor Casino’s winning team

The first Chamber 5ives first Football League has been won by Grosvenor Casino, in Great Yarmouth. Many congratulations to them.

The team said they had a great time getting fit, teambuilding and had also gained valuable brand coverage for Grosvenor Casino in the wider business community – as the progress of the teams was covered through Chamber media channels.

We are now organising our Summer League, which starts on 5 May and runs for a maximum of 15 weeks. Matches will be held on Thursday

evenings at 6.15pm. So if you are a Chamber member and you want to show off your ball skills and promote your business at the same time, sign up now.

And to ensure you look professional on the pitch, there is a FREE Macron kit from TCN Merchandise for everyone in the first 8 teams to sign up.

The League is organised by the Norfolk Chamber in conjunction with the Norfolk FA. To find out more about how you can be a Chamber 5ives team, call Lisa Li on 01603 729707, or email lisa. li@norfolkchamber.co.uk

n Nathan Stannage, right, receiving his prize from Dunston Hall operations manager David Graham.

Nathan said: “I recommended a company to the Chamber because I felt there would be a real synergy and they would benefit from the Chamber’s wide range of services.”

David Graham, Operations Manager at Dunston Hall, said: “Dunston Hall is delighted to support the Chamber Referral Scheme. It is a great way to grow the local economy and encourage new members to come on board. We hope Nathan enjoys his stay here.”

The next prize is a pamper package for two at Sprowston Manor, see page 21. If you want to know more about the scheme, go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk, or email your referral to debbie.sykes@norfolkchamber.co.uk

Accolade for businesses.

West Norfolk businesses were recognised at a dinner held at the Town Hall in King’s Lynn.

Awards were presented to Arbuckles American Restaurant, in Downham, which scooped the Young Business of the Year Award, Bespak, which picked up the Manufacturing Business of Year Award, and Ikon Fashions which claimed Service Business of the Year Award.

The Mayor’s Awards for Business Achievement have celebrated the efforts of local businesses

since 1989, and this year’s winners join a hall of fame, which includes well-known names such as Adrian Flux & Co, British Sugar, Congham Hall Hotel, Foster Refrigerator and Williams Refrigeration, along with Swains Voice & Data, Norfolk Green Coaches, SealSkinz and Stream Foods and last year’s winners Polar Systems Limited, Jordan Fitness and Rise Scaffold Services Ltd. The Mayor’s Awards for Business Achievement are organised by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk and sponsored by Lynn News, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, Business Link and the West Norfolk Partnership.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER DIGEST Centre award Norfolk County Council has won an award for its ‘innovative and inspiring’ Engineering Centre at Hethel. The council was named as winner in the Economic Development and Regeneration category at the 2011 LGC Awards held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The awards recognise excellence, efficiency and best practice within the public sector. Norfolk County Council-run Hethel Engineering Centre, near Wymondham, has been a huge success since it opened in 2006, acting as an enterprise hub to support new and established advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses.

You can

count on us

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www.lovewell-blake.co.uk Offices: Great Yarmouth 01493 335100 | Halesworth 01986 873163 Lowestoft 01502 563921 | Norwich 01603 663300 | Thetford 01842 755032 Market day offices: Aylsham, Diss, Long Melford and North Walsham

Breckland Precision Engineering Ltd

• Fast efficient service • Cheap • One off to batch quantities • Machining in various mediums • CNC milling and turning • Free quotes • Personnel service Breckland Precision Engineering Ltd, Units 9-10, Coughtrey Industrial Estate, Griston, Thetford, Norfolk Ip25 6qb

Registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk, under reference number C002613207. Lovewell Blake LLP is an appointed representative of Lovewell Blake which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Telephone: 01953 885363 Fax: 01953 885933 E-mail:bpe03@aol.com www.bpe-cncprecision.co.uk

Broadlands Catering LTD

29 Old Post Road, Briston, Melton Constable Norfolk.

Tel: 01263 862206

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE41

TRAINING

Why training is important for your business.

Increase your competitive edge and profitability

There are real and tangible reasons why you should invest in training for your employees including:

Skills training helps you to improve the quality of your product and keep you at the forefront of your industry. While there are many factors that combine to make your business more competitive, skills training can assist with: n Creating a culture of innovation n Improving staff retention rates

Improved skills available to your business No business can remain static. It is important that every business keeps pace with changing market conditions and technology.

Skills training will help your business produce a better product or service, increase the flexibility of your staff to perform a range of tasks, reduce overheads through, for example, the more efficient use of existing facilities and increase your capacity to adapt to new technology.

n Improving internal communications

Meet regulatory requirements, industrial awards and enterprise agreements

n Minimising downtime n Reinforcing the values of your business

Compliance with external and internal award requirements is vital to your business. Many employers recognise they have jobs that require vocational training to meet these requirements.

In a complex business environment, the right employee training will enable you to meet your obligations and ensure that your business is maintaining professional and industry standards.

n Succession planning.

To find the right training for your business, visit www.skillupnorfolk.co.uk to quickly and efficiently search for the training course that can improve your business. Skill Up Norfolk is run by the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce on behalf of Norfolk County Council.

St John Ambulance offers on-site training for agriculture industry.

First aid organisation St John Ambulance is offering onsite training to farms and agriculture-related industries in Norfolk in a bid to cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in the region.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, agriculture has the highest rate of fatal injuries of all industries in the UK as well one of the highest rates of major injuries.

Falls from heights and slips and trips were the two main causes of major injuries in agriculturerelated industries, with handling incidents by far the most common cause of injuries that affected workers for more than three days.

A higher proportion of reported injuries in agriculture were also caused by moving machinery, falling objects, falls from height and moving vehicles and unsurprisingly, the

proportion of injuries caused by animals was more than 11 times greater than other industries.

other workplaces have people trained to deal with these situations.

St John Ambulance has a range of courses that can be delivered on-site to help farmers and other agriculture-related businesses, including first aid at work, emergency first aid at work, moving and handling and a new health and safety basics course.

“It is also important that other elements of health and safety are covered to prevent accidents, such as moving and handling principles and that people involved in agriculture are aware of the latest developments in that field and our training can cover all those elements.“

Sue Skoyles, Regional Training Manager for St John Ambulance’s Commercial Training Division in the East of England, said: “The statistics for agriculture-related injuries make worrying reading. There is no doubt that having people on farms and in the workplace who are specifically trained in first aid could be the difference between a life lost and a life saved.

St John Ambulance trainers are fully equipped to offer training courses on the farms themselves, if the client can get a group of six people or more together. St John Ambulance has 35 training venues across the East of England in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

“The minutes after someone is injured by machinery or kicked by an animal, for instance, could be vital if there was someone on hand to treat a patient while you wait for an ambulance.

For more information on St John Ambulance courses available in your area or to book a course please contact 0844 324 5535 or visit www.sja.org.uk/training

“But recent research has shown that two out of three people wouldn’t know what to do in an emergency, so it is important that farms and

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE43

NORFOLK VOICE

CHAMBER NEWS

Ten minutes a day keeps the clutter away.

Most small business owners will know what it feels like to be drowning under the mass of clutter that can accumulate when you are too busy running your business to worry about tidying and organising. But decluttering expert Cassie Tillett is reminding folk that committing to just a few minutes a day will ensure you have your admin running just as efficiently as your business.

Cassie Tillett, of Norwich, is a professional declutterer (www.workingorder.co.uk) and cofounder of The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (www.apdo-uk.co.uk) she works with many small business owners who simply can’t seem to get on top of their paperwork and clutter.

It’s hard to get motivated when you are drowning in a deluge of paperwork created by the daily grind of business and so Cassie has put together a few simple tips to help you get on top of your clutter and leap into Spring as you mean to go on.

Your (Junk) Mail The deluge of paper through the letterbox both solicited and unsolicited can be a real clutter challenge, so decide now how you’re best going to deal with it. Perhaps have an area where you can have a recycling bag in close proximity to a shredder and waste bin (for those that arrived enclosed in plastic).

Try to develop the habit of immediately disposing of those you’re really unlikely to need and having a weekly sort-through of ones you do keep, so the mountain doesn’t get out of control and start spreading around your home.

Your Paperwork Paper is one of the most difficult things to keep organised. But spending a few minutes each day could totally transform the way you feel about this particular type of clutter, and relieve the stress of ignoring the ever expanding pile of paperwork.

n Before

destroyed, by mistake – would you care? If the answer’s a resounding no, then you know how to treat it.

Archive: This is the stuff that you absolutely don’t need every day, or even every week or month, but perhaps might need to refer to a couple of times a year.

Filing: Once the Junk is out of the way, it’s surprising how much sense the filing starts to make. Separate, Separate, Separate. Put into ring binders or lever arch files or drop files.

Junk: More often than not this is the biggest pile.

These items are ready for the bin. But remember to shred anything that contains personal information.

Don’t punish yourself if you don’t get this decluttering activity all done in one hit. Like unwanted weight gain, ten years worth of office paperwork and stationery is not going to be sorted in an afternoon. Break it down into smaller chunks and take it in easy stages following these key principles.

Most used = nearby. Least used = furthest away. So if you have a drawer right next to your workstation, don’t fill it up with old cheque book stubs and pens that don’t work. It’s prime space.

Use plastic folders to keep all paperwork for one project in one place.

Think height. Think corners. Think under and over.

Make the most of the space you have.

Separate: Pull all the offending paperwork into one place – away from the bookshelves, away from clothes, away from the rest of the household.

Be thorough. You have three choices with any kind of mess: (a) live with it, (b) throw it all out wholesale, (c) sort it. Until you’ve been through everything, you have no idea what might come out and bite you.

Divide: Then sort out which items belong together and place them in their respective homes.

Your To-Do Lists

Keep: How do you decide when to junk?

Quite simply ask yourself: if you lost it, or it was

I love ‘to-do’ lists. Sad, but true. I always have, right from the days of organising homework. They are useful things – providing that you keep just

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

n After

one, all in one place – multiple lists are the best way to challenge your sanity. Computerised To-Do lists are the perfect way to keep on top of your daily tasks and reduce time spent keeping your life organised!

My top choices are: TeuxDeux: A To-Do list where tasks are put either in a Day, or on the Someday list. If you click to strike it through, it stays on that day (so you can look back and see what you’ve achieved); if you don’t, it automatically moves on to the next day. Drag and drop items between Days or the Someday list. That’s it. Elegant, simple and beautiful.

Evernote: Huge capacity. Upload scans, photos from computer or phone, handwritten notes, screenshots, web pages, voice memos; the possibilities seem limitless. Geek heaven.

Toodledo: has much of the simplicity of TeuxDeux, but with the options to categorise, prioritise, date and star. It’s nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as TeuxDeux nor does it have the multimedia capacities of Evernote, but I love it.

All are compatible with the iPhone. www.apdo-uk.co.uk

TAKE A BREAK

Ridley Pinstripe.

SOLUTION

Continuing the exclusive diaries of go-getting lower ranking business executive Ridley Pinstripe.

Quiet day at the offices of Barking, Madd and Madd. Monday afternoon, everyone still recovering from the weekend.

However, the peace and quiet of a normal working day in Stock Control, punctuated only by snoring, was shattered with the arrival of Lionel Toupe, the Head of Human Resources, Personnel Facilities and Anything Else That No One Else Wants To Do.

Sudoku Easy

He looked a touch flushed – well, a touch orange if the truth be told, but that was probably down to that unfortunate electrical problem with the sunbed at the gym.

“A great opportunity has presented itself in Stock Control,” he said, reading from a pink memo.

Regular readers will recall that pink memos are reserved only for projects suggesting innovation.

With the result that we rarely see them.

“In a fast-moving world, business opportunities are to be embraced with enthusiasm as our workforce seeks to develop new skills in a changed environment,” he read, “which is why Barking, Madd and Madd has launched Opportunity P45 for those personnel who seek to better their working conditions.”

There was the sound of pennies dropping all round apart from Thick Ted, my colleague in post-it notes, who said with dismay: “But I don’t want to improve my working conditions.”

“Well, that is a complacent attitude,” said Lionel, before proceeding to mix his metaphors furiously, “because life is about reaching for the sky and pulling down opportunities which you can run up the flagpole ... er, back to the blue sky where they came from in the first place.”

“So what exactly are these opportunities?” asks I, not really wanting to know the answer.

“Well,” said Lionel, couching his words carefully, “after we lost the worple sprocket contract to the Village Collective in Eastern Europe, the managing director decided that we needed to re-evaluate the skills base of the company and drive it forward with a programme of managed training opportunities, which are, as we speak, coming down the tracks towards us.”

Actually they were coming in the door towards us, but why quibble with words at a time like this? Anyway, a managed training opportunity

SUDOKU 04 – EASY

actually looks like a post girl clutching a large sack.

SUDOKU 03 – HARD

“What exactly is this?” I asked dubiously.

“Well,” said Lionel, “Opportunity P45 is an exciting initiative which means that some workers can move on ... and, er, out.”

“You mean some of us are getting the sack?” asked Anxious Archie in Procument (Envelopes (Window)), glancing at the post girl and clearly not realising the irony of his comment.

“Er, yes,” said Lionel and the post girl helpfully held up her sack for all to see then proceeded to produce redundancy letters.

“This is disgraceful,” said someone.

“Yes, but at least it isn’t Christmas Eve,” said Lionel. “Like we usually do. Besides, we have set a re-training programme to help you explore other career paths.”

SOLUTION Solution Issue 3 SOLUTION

It was a somewhat crazy morning as a group of shovel-wielding labourers, confused road sweepers and, bizarrely, a couple of basket weavers, wandered around the factory, accompanied by someone from the JobCentre and desperately trying to interest people in their jobs.

In the end, our union representative was called in and took a tough negotiating line.

“If our people go, I go,” he said belligerently before being handed his letter.

Oddly enough, I saw him making wicker baskets at the arts centre that night.

Ridley

SUDOKU 04 – EASY

Competition winner Keen Norwich City fans will know that the answer to our free tickets competition was ace goalscorer Grant Holt. The winner was Sandra Hart.

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE45

NEW MEMBERS

New Members.

Lloyds TSB Bank Plc

Vancouver Ltd Partnership/Vancouver Quarter

Colin Grooms Solicitors

0845 300 0000

01553 819901

01603 931032

Banking – Banking Services

Retail (Shopping Centres)

Solicitors

The Vancouver Quarter Shopping Centre offers shoppers a wide range of facilities. With a vast range of shops offering everything from fashion and electronics to gifts and toys.

A specialist family law practice.

Comm-Tech Voice & Data 01493 748274 Telecommunications A Vodafone Platimum Partner providing mobile phone and fixed-line business communications savings review.

Aalco 01603 786501 Metal Stockholder

Norfolk Adult Education Service 01603 666021 Education

Poultex Limited 01603 886940 Training Providers/Services Poultex is a traditional and online international meat and poultry sales and marketing company responsible for importing and exporting thousands of tonnes of raw and prepared meats and poultry worldwide.

Distinctive Publishing 0191 4788300 Media

Aalco is one of the UK’s largest independent metal stockholders with an extensive inventory of Aluminium, Stainless Steel, Copper, Brass and Bronze in all semi-finished forms.

Natwest Bank 07770 961067 Banking – Banking Services

Armchair Mortgages

01493 601372 Oil & Gas Coil Services PNS offers Oil & Gas & Process Integrity Services, including; Nitrogen Purging, Helium leak testing,drying, Pneumatic testing, Bolt Tensioning, Bolt Torque, Camera inspection and Chemical cleaning.Core business includes supply of Coil Tubing and Wire Line Services

Website Designers Freelance web developer creating social networking sites for managing events such as weddings, parties, and family reuinions.

Tastes of Anglia 01473 785883 Food/Soft Beverages Regional Food & Drink Agency of the East of England representing producers of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambs, Beds and Herts.

CHAMBER DIGEST

01508 480880 Mortgages (inc Commercial) A mortgage & insurance broker directly authorised by the Financial Services Authority.

Polkadotfrog Ltd 01603 337000

Coil Services PNS UK

Fitsolve Ltd 01603 622455

Recruitment Polkadotfrog offers companies a refreshingly different and tailored recruitment service, supporting start ups and established businesses to take the stress out of recruitment.

Recycling plan Norfolk County Council has announced plans for a household waste recycling centre in Thetford, with a planning application for the proposed £1.1m development at Telford Way Industrial Estate site to be submitted in June. Ann Steward, Cabinet member for Sustainable Development said: “A new recycling centre in Thetford is part of our commitment to push up refuse and recycling rates in the county and reduce the amount of rubbish we send to landfill. Sending waste to landfill hurts the environment and costs us dearly because of escalating government landfill tax.

Thetford needs a new recycling centre because the existing site can’t deliver the level of service which residents want from their local centre.”

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE47

Colin Grooms Solicitors Norfolk Family Law Specialists n Divorce, Finances

n Cohabitation Agreements

n Ancillary Relief

n Pre-Post Nuptial Agreements

n Adoption

n Civil Partnerships

n Maintenance, Domestic Disputes

n Regulated by the SRA No 557102

Like doctors, there are many types of specialised solicitors throughout Norwich. Divorce law is filed under the classification family or matrimonial law. We are specialists in divorce law.

We are well aware of UK laws and how they can change.

If you’re considering separation or a divorce, you’ll require the services of a solicitor in Norwich. Even if your case is simple and you’re organised, you will still need an initial consultation with a family law solicitor. Family law solicitors are qualified to give you expert legal advice regarding your specific situation. Specific details regarding finances and children can be discussed with a family law solicitor. It’s recommended that you trust the advice of your family law solicitor.

If you want to save costs, there is no VAT payable on all bills raised in 2011 thus giving an immediate 20% saving plus, we will not be beaten on costs and have the benefit of expert advice tailored to your needs and at no inconvenience to you simply call 01603 913032 or email enquiries@cg-family-solicitors.co.uk to talk to a real Family Law Specialist.

Or visit www.colingroomssolicitorsnorwich.co.uk

The Principal, Colin Grooms is a Family Law specialist with many years of experience in dealing with these sensitive matters.

Colin qualified as a Solicitor in 1993 and worked for two large firms in Kent both with national reputations for excellence. Colin was Head of the Family Law Department and a Partner prior to moving to Norwich in 2003 where he joined a local firm of solicitors as Partner and Head of the Family Law Department.

Colin’s wide experience in family law has enabled him to understand the emotive and sensitive issues that can surface at a time when his clients need direction and support and to properly deal with those issues with professionalism and expertise.

Colin’s professional qualifications are second to none. He is an accredited Family Law Specialist with Resolution first for family law and is an accredited member of the Law Society Family Law Accreditation Scheme. He is also a Resolution trained Collaborative Lawyer.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Promotion for Paul.

Global entrepreneur joins iPatter.

Business and financial adviser Grant Thornton has promoted Paul Addison to the position of Director in the East Anglian team.

Growing online business ipatter.com has appointed serial entrepreneur and author Chris Batten as Head of Global Sales and Marketing.

Chris has more than 15 years’ experience in business and, as well as running organisations across the UK, US and Middle East, has acted as a business mentor to 250 companies across the world. Chris will work alongside ipatter.com founder Andy Fisher to develop and oversee strategy for the business.

Since the New Year ipatter.com has launched in USA and Australia, and it’s shortly to be launched in Northern Ireland.

Andy said: “Chris’s appointment is a key part of the next stage of our development and his

n Andy Fisher, left, and Chris Batten

knowledge, expertise and contacts will be invaluable to the business. Rarely do you meet someone with such integrity and passion for both life and business – we are delighted to have him on board.”

Chris said: “I’m very fond of ipatter and what it can offer businesses wanting to market themselves online. As a new method of supporting business development, it’s right up my street.”

I’m very fond of ipatter and what it can offer businesses wanting to market themselves online.

Property maintenance firm appoints Operations Director.

Property 1st, an independent property maintenance firm, has appointed Nicholas Stratton as Operations Director to take over the daily management of the family-run business set up 13 years ago.

The Sprowston company provides property maintenance and refurbishment for commercial and domestic clients in East Anglia, with commercial clients making up 75% of its business.

Customers include Constitution Motors, Larking Gowen and Martin & Co letting agents.

Nicholas, who joined Property 1st in 1999 as a carpenter before being promoted to Contracts Manager, will now have a greater input into the management of the business.

He said: “This is an exciting time to take on this position as we aim to improve market share in the commercial sector. The business is looking to strengthen its profile across East Anglia and become the first contact for building emergencies.”

Managing Director Roger Gidney said: “I knew Nicholas would be an asset to our company from the first moment I met him. He has been invaluable in the growth of our business over the last few years and we’ll work closely together to develop new contracts and maintain a high level of service to our customers.”

n Paul Addison

Paul, who specialises in business recovery and reorganisation, working from the firm’s offices in Ipswich, Cambridge and Norwich, said: “Our East Anglia recovery and reorganisation team work hard to provide businesses across the region with expert advice and support, to help them restructure both financially and operationally, and I am looking forward to building on these partnerships in the future.”

An ACCA qualified accountant and Licenced Insolvency Practitoner, Paul graduated in 1992 with an Accounting and Finance degree before starting his career as a trainee with Grant Thornton.

After 15 years of working in London, Paul made the move in 2008 to look after clients across East Anglia. He has worked on a number of high profile assignments including ITV Digital, Wimbledon Football Club and MBM Produce.

Paul also spent 19 months on secondment with HSBC Bank, gaining valuable knowledge in bank financing.

Grant Thornton Office Managing Partner for East Anglia, Richard Proctor, added: “As a valued member of our expanding East Anglian team, we would like to congratulate Paul on his promotion. Paul has a wealth of experience in recovery and reorganisation which has, and will continue to, benefit businesses across the region.”

MAY/JUNE 2011

PAGE49

NORFOLK VOICE

The last word.

Name David McNalley Company Norwich City Football Club Job title Chief Executive BIOG: Prior to joining Norwich City Football Club in June 2009, David was Chief Executive at Fulham and Sales and Marketing Director with Celtic. Before working in the football industry, he held a number of roles at blue chip companies including Courtaulds Textiles, Sara Lee, L’Oreal, Max Factor and ColgatePalmolive.

What did you want to be when you were young?

What is the best thing about Norfolk?

Professional footballer.

Norwich City Football Club.

What could you not live without?

If you only had a £1 left in the whole world what would you spend it on?

My family…and football.

If you could build a house anywhere in the world where would it be?

Food.

What is in your opinion is the greatest invention ever?

Brancaster Beach.

Mosquito nets.

What makes you angry?

What is most valuable lesson you have learnt in life?

Injustice, intolerance and discrimination of any kind.

No one will do it for you. It really is up to you.

If you could invite any two people to dinner who would they be and why?

If you could come back as an animal in your next life what would it be and why?

Margaret Thatcher and Arthur Scargill. I would mediate!

A swan. Loyal, family-orientated, beautiful, brave …and they can fly!

© Sascha Drenth

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

MANUFACTURING

tailored s o l u tio ns

Tailored Solutions are Independent Financial Advisers, and as such we can offer you unbiased financial and mortgage advice from the marketplace.

There will be many times during your life when you will be required to make a decision. Many of these will involve making a financial decision.

As Independent Financial Advisers we aim to put you in an informed and improved position. We are able to take a holistic view of your situation and financial needs and therefore ensuring that any decision you make in one area does not adversely affect another.

All of our advisers hold the Certificate in Financial

Tel: 01603 221160 Fax: 01603 221165

Planning (Cert PFS) with many working towards or already attained the Diploma in Financial Planning (Dip PFS). We also actively encourage our office support staff to study towards these exams.

Based in Norwich we are able to provide consultations in the comfort of your own home, place of work or at our offices.

Whether you are looking for advice in a specific area or a full financial review you can be confident that we are in an excellent position to help you.

www.ifaifa.co.uk Email: enquiries@ifaifa.co.uk