Norfolk Voice 14

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How to create business relationships that last Big Interview John Thew, Further

Chamber creates the ultimate business opportunity

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce The Ultimate Business Network

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2013

SNS THE SEA OF

2013 OPPORTUNITY The Conference for Offshore Energy Southern North Sea Conference

5th & 6th March 2013, Royal Norfolk Showground, Norwich

Book online at www.eeegr.com

Our biggest exhibition and conference so far National and international delegates & speakers Prime networking opportunities

CONTENTS

Contents.

03 04 05

Chamber News

08 09

Chamber News

12 13

Chamber Policy

16 17 18

The Chamber’s key campaigns for 2013 include: Unlocking the potential of Norfolk’s young people; Developing Norfolk’s Urban Growth Centres; Improving Norfolk’s Infrastructure; Developing supply chain opportunities; Improving support for Norfolk start up businesses.

The Norfolk Chamber network of members is massively influential and it is unusual to find any key initiative happening in Norfolk which doesn’t have a Chamber member involved and driving it forward. Being part of that network not only drives local economic development but is good for your business.

Making new and maintaining strong contacts is a vital way to find and keep long-term business, so in this issue of Norfolk Voice we look at networking, face-to-face-business and relationship-building.

There is no doubt that people buy from people and that those who get out there and make new business contacts reap the rewards.

Our Big Interview features John Thew, new MD of SEO and social media agency Further Search Marketing. The company’s ethos is to help their clients find, engage and convert their audience, the very essence of relationship building.

Our Last Word candidate is Laura Claxton, MD of Claxton Engineering, which leads the way in offshore services for well systems, pipelines and structures.

2013 may be challenging but together we can unlock the potential of Norfolk’s economy and its businesses.

Member News

07

15

As we start a new year there is much to look forward to despite the challenging economic climate in which we find ourselves. From the dualling of the A11 and faster broadband, to amazing supply chain opportunities in the energy and life sciences sectors.

Welcome/Contents

26 27 39

5

International Trade The Big Interview Knowledge Article Cover Feature Membership News

40 41

Chamber Events

43 44

Member News

45

Take a Break

47

New Members

49

Chamber News

50

The Last Word

8

16 Norfolk Voice is a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce publication.

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

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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

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE3

NORFOLK VOICE

Intersecting and interconnecting in 2013

Streamlining is key at HR Forum.

DAVINA TANNER President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

The theme of this issue of Norfolk Voice is networking. What an interesting subject...The word networking is bandied about all over the place. We talk to our colleagues about attending ‘networking events’ and discuss ways to ‘expand our network’: but what does his mean in practical, business terms?

Oxforddictionaries.com offers two definitions of the noun network: (1) an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, and (2) a group or system or interconnected people or things. Within that second point the definition goes on to describe ‘a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes’. Three words stood out for me: intersect, interconnect and exchange.

The intersect part is easy. There are many opportunities to meet potential business contacts. But far too often, we attend networking events with the sole objective of selling our services. Professional networkers tell us that we must have a target list and work the room to ensure we meet the ‘right people’ and make our elevator pitch effectively and assertively.

Interconnecting is when it gets a bit trickier. That’s the part when you identify whether there’s any common ground to work from. For me, networking is about building long term relationships; getting to know and trust people so that you are happy to communicate openly and honestly.

It’s only after some degree of mutual trust and respect has been established that you’ll feel confident enough to exchange information and work out if mutually beneficial opportunities do exist.

I believe that whilst formal networking has its place, there is no substitute for investing time in getting to know people. Being prepared to invite someone for a cup of coffee and not always feeling the need to have ‘an agenda’. Some of the most exciting, sustainable and profitable ideas come from two trusted friends or colleagues having a cuppa.

As we kick-off another new year I’m hoping that, as Chamber members, we’ll find many more ways to interconnect. It’s vital that we embrace practical partnership working if we are to re-energise our business community and start to see significant economic growth in our region.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

At our latest HR Forum, on 14 November, Nicola Butterworth and Harriet McInnes from Howes Percival led an afternoon of ‘Streamlining Employment Law’, identifying current issues affecting employers and those involved in HR. The Howes Percival experts focused on recent case law developments and proposed legislative changes to cover a number of key issues including: employment status, equality and diversity, whistle-blowing, pensions and Government’s reforms of employment law.

Nicola and Harriet used a variety of interactive activities and real case law examples to unravel each issue, providing all-round advice, tips and key information to delegates.

The session concluded with an ‘Employment Law Surgery’ session which gave delegates an opportunity to ask questions about issues currently facing their business.

Our next HR Forum will be taking place on Wednesday 6 March 2013, sponsored by Birketts LLP. For more information or to book a place, go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

Be part of the chain.

Don’t forget to register on our new website to keep up to date with supply chain opportunities for EDF Energy’s Sizewell C project. 80% of the contracts awarded for this project will be nonnuclear, so there are huge opportunities for companies from a broad range of industries. www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

MEMBER NEWS

Sporting life brings success for construction firm.

Construction firm R G Carter triumphed over eleven other companies in a seven-month sporting challenge that helped to raise £2,500 for the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind (NNAB).

The construction firm took the trophy in the third annual Arnolds Keys Sports Challenge, which saw solicitors, bankers, architects and property consultants doing battle in sports including touch rugby, canoeing, a multi-sports Olympic challenge, ten-pin bowling and darts.

Accountants PKF took second place, with Arnolds Keys themselves in the bronze medal position.

The Arnolds Keys Sports Challenge was established by the Norfolk property firm to offer networking and social activities for professionals across Norwich, and to raise money for its charity of the year, which for 2012/13 is NNAB. The trophy was presented to R G Carter by

The winning team from RG Carter with Olympic torch bearer Nicky Wardale and Jeremy Goss from the NNAB

Arnolds Keys partner Craig Knights after the final event, a pub quiz hosted by the City College’s St Andrew’s House Conference Facility.

Mr Knights said: “Networking is such an important part of business nowadays, so we decided

Intelligent Fingerprinting wins EDP One to Watch award.

UEA spin-out company Intelligent Fingerprinting was named the region’s One to Watch at the EDP’s annual Business Awards ceremony held at the Holiday Inn in Norwich.

CHAMBER DIGEST Saffron Housing creates 20 Apprenticeships South Norfolk-based Saffron Housing has agreed to invest a minimum of £90,000 in a new apprenticeships project.

The new Saffron Apprenticeship Programme will enable 20 local businesses to take on their first apprentice next year.

The category identifies a company from within the EDP’s Future 50 family of businesses able to demonstrate a pioneering approach to business and with the potential to flourish and deliver impressive results.

Saffron aims to reduce the risks for local employers by taking away the administrative burden when employing the apprentices.

Intelligent Fingerprinting was one of three finalists competing for the award, which was sponsored

by NWES.

The programme is a partnership between Saffron Housing Trust, Broadland Council Training Services, Diss High School and author and social entrepreneur Robert Ashton.

Professor David Russell received the award from BBC Look East’s Stewart White.

For further information about the awards, visit www.edpbusinessawards.co.uk

that we should try and inject some fun into the process, as well as the opportunity to indulge in a little exercise, at the same time as raising money for a local good cause. In Olympic year, there was a particular enthusiasm for sporting activities from all of the teams.”

Professor David Russell

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

COMMS SUPPLY

Comms Supply issues new year challenge to Norfolk business community.

ADVERTISING FEATURE Karl Alderton

“If we can’t save your business money on its telecoms bills we’ll donate £50 to your chosen charity.”

An EDP Future50 company, Comms Supply is the brainchild of telecoms specialist Karl Alderton. It provides a wide range of business telecoms services: from comprehensive phone, mobile and broadband packages to simple line rental. Comms Supply delivers innovative and flexible communications solutions that help businesses to thrive.

“I spent several years working for one of the largest telecommunications suppliers in the UK and had become frustrated by the service that my clients had to accept,” explains Karl. “I founded my original company, Comms Consulting Ltd, with the sole purpose of helping SMEs to make informed decisions about everything to do with phone systems, broadband, mobile communications and the wider issues surrounding effective telecoms such as disaster recovery and issue resolution.”

“Comms Supply was born when I struggled to find suppliers who had the same attitude to customer care as I did. I decided the only way to ensure the bespoke solutions I recommended would come to fruition in a cost effective, professional and timely manner was to deliver them myself.”

Comms Supply now provides an award-winning range of services to a varied mix of clients from across the East of England and beyond.

“Responding quickly to our customers and providing them with honest answers is at the heart of our approach and we’re very proud of this”, continues Karl. “Not having up to date information is the most frustrating part of any telecoms issue: that’s why making sure customers know what’s happening at every stage is so critical.”

“Saving customers money is one of our priorities and the reductions we’re able to achieve range from 10% to a massive 70%, depending on the individual requirements of each business,” explains Karl. “But the ongoing relationships we develop are equally important. Our aim is to be a trusted, independent business partner; there to advise on how to make telecoms work smarter for any type of organisation through the lifetime of the business.”

To kick off the new year, Comms Supply will be donating £500 to a Norfolk charity. Any business or organisation that signs up for a free telecoms audit before February 28, 2013 will be able to nominate their chosen charity to receive the donation. All the charity names will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random.

Following on from each audit, if Comms Supply is not able to save any business money on its monthly telecoms costs, Karl has pledged to donate £50 to that organisation’s chosen charity.

For more information or to book a free Comms Supply telecoms audit, please call 0333 2020 900 or visit www.commssupply.co.uk.

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER NEWS

Business Conference brings success for all.

More than 150 Norfolk businesses attended the Norfolk Chamber’s Unlocking Success Business Conference, held at OPEN on 23 November.

Delegates heard expert advice from business and industry professionals to help them ‘unlock success’ in their business – and it didn’t disappoint. Some of the most influential business leaders from the region learnt the secrets of success from speakers who both inspired and motivated their audience.

The event was hosted by ITV Anglia’s Business Correspondent Matthew Hudson, who expertly guided the day’s packed programme of knowledgeable speakers. Delegates representing a variety of business sizes and industry sectors heard from Martyn Pellew, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, about the challenges facing the UK economy and what the BCC is doing to help businesses and stimulate growth.

Rob Mears, Managing Director of Bernard Matthews UK, and Robert Ashton, The Barefoot Entrepreneur, talked of unlocking success as a Norfolk business, how being based in the county has proved advantageous and how the entrepreneurial spirit is still strong for Norfolk businesses.

The delegates heard opening statements from both South West Norfolk MP, Elizabeth Truss, and Shadow Minister Chi Onwurah MP. Following the statements, delegates were asked to vote for which topic they would like the MPs to discuss.

The two most popular choices, with 30% of the vote each, were ‘how do we encourage entrepreneurship among young people?’ and ‘business needs top-class infrastructure to grow – how can we address this challenge?’

Liz Truss said young people should be armed with basic skills such as mathematics and science and advised that the Government wanted to ensure that schools had the freedom to teach in new and exciting ways and be able to collaborate with local businesses at a much earlier stage to ensure the future workforce had the necessary skills. She also highlighted that funding was now in place for improving broadband and the dualling of the A11 was underway.

Chi Onwurah said that encouraging entrepreneurship in young people was absolutely key. She highlighted that this generation was the

first generation not to be able to expect a better standard of living than previous generations.

Young people need to be encouraged to see setting up a business as a viable option and there was a need to enthuse the education system with entrepreneurial spirit. She also advised that infrastructure was essential to creating an economic platform for investment.

The Conference closed with internationally recognised motivational speaker and author, Mark Rhodes, who shared with delegates how he has achieved every goal he has ever set himself and how they can do the same for what they want to achieve in their business.

Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “At a time when we hear a lot of doom and gloom, it was great to be truly inspired by our speakers about how to unlock success. The atmosphere in the room was buzzing with business being done within the networking breaks. We are so fortunate to have loyal members that are able and willing to sponsor these events that really help the wider Norfolk business community.”

The event sponsors, Norse Commercial Services and TEN Group, both agreed the conference was essential for motivation businesses in a time of austerity; Peter Hawes, Managing Director of Norse, said: “Amid these highly challenging economic conditions, it is vitally important that Norfolk businesses are creative and imaginative in finding new ways of unlocking success. This conference has encouraged a spirit of enterprise, explored fresh ways of working and offered tips and

advice from experts who really know what makes businesses tick. As a dynamic Norfolk-based business, a major employer and a passionate believer in the importance of innovative thinking, Norse is delighted to have played a key role in such a high-profile gathering.”

Dick Palmer, Group CEO of TEN Group said: “Unlocking Success is a timely theme for all those seeking creative and effective solutions to the constraints and opportunities before us in a climate of austerity – for the established business community in Norfolk, for start-ups and entrepreneurs, as well as for those in the public and voluntary sectors.”

CHAMBER DIGEST Newmarket Holidays delighted with another award win Tour operator Newmarket Holidays picked up the Best Tour Operator to Italy accolade at the British Travel Awards in London.

Andy Jones, Air Product Director, who has overseen the company’s holiday programme throughout the Mediterranean for the past 15 years, said that he was delighted that the work of the team at Newmarket and in Italy had been rewarded.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

3sun Group’s new premises opened by Olympic medallist.

3sun Group, a specialist provider of products and services to the energy industry, officially opened its new Great Yarmouth Headquarters, following an investment of £500,000.

Team GB Olympic Bronze Medallist Anthony Ogogo, who is from the Lowestoft area, officiated at the event and presented a plaque to 3sun Group managing director Graham Hacon to mark the occasion.

The Group’s commitment to the new HQ at Boundary Road in Great Yarmouth will see the office and workshop facilities brought together on one site and provide a base which can handle the company’s current rapid expansion and growth plans.

The new premises will provide more than 10,000 square foot of additional space compared to the facilities in Beacon Park, Gorleston.

Graham Hacon, managing director at 3sun Group, said: “Our growth plans are currently going full steam ahead and I am delighted to announce this investment in our future. It has taken time to find the right location and we are delighted to be now operating from one integrated site.

“By investing in our Great Yarmouth base we are investing not only in the company’s future but in our employees and in the local area also and, although we will continue to grow internationally, our headquarters will remain here.”

Investment boost for green-fingered business.

A company that produces environmentally-friendly weedkiller has received a £250,000 investment to help it develop the product.

Graham Hacon with Anthony Ogogo

Free Wi-Fi at 100 Stations.

The money comes from a £30 million fund dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses in the East achieve low carbon growth and boost sustainable enterprise.

The Low Carbon Innovation Fund, which was launched in 2010, is a £30 million venture capital fund operated by the Adapt Low Carbon Group, based at UEA, and managed by Turquoise International.

Companies interested in the fund should contact Kevin Murphy on 020 7248 1506 or visit www.lowcarbonfund.co.uk

Train operator Greater Anglia is working with The Cloud to introduce free Wi-Fi at 100 stations across the region.

The service will be rolled out over the next few months, meaning visitors at train stations including Cambridge, Norwich and Stansted Airport will be able to access the fast, free internet connection for anything from email access to web browsing.

Weedingtech, which designs and manufactures non-toxic weed control technology for use in agricultural, municipal and domestic markets, received the money from the Adapt Group’s Low Carbon Innovation Fund, based at the University of East Anglia in Norwich

The project comes as Greater Anglia continues to enhance the service it offers customers and deliver on its franchise commitments, from improved information provision to station facilities and train services.

The investment will help the company begin mass production in the UK, set up distribution in other countries and secure two jobs at their Cambridgeshire base with four more created.

Customer Service Director Andrew Goodrum said: “We are seeing a huge number of passengers using mobile devices and wanted to provide them with a fast, reliable Wi-Fi so they can work, shop or browse easily.”

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

CHAMBER NEWS

A warm atmosphere at Chill Time!

The latest in the current series of Chill Time! events was as lively as always, as members of the Norfolk Chamber did some after hours networking over cocktails and canapés at Vodka Revolution in Norwich on 30 October.

Michael Rooney, Fundraising Manager from the Break Charity, talked about how local businesses can get involved in their latest project the GoGoGorrillas and he also explained the importance of the local charity’s work.

Attendees then took part in a ‘trick or treat’ lucky dip as they got into groups to make either a cocktail of their choice or a spooky Halloween concoction. It was a great way to get everyone mixing and making new connections as well as cocktails.

The event saw many new Chamber members attending and Robbie Scourou from Nomad

Cooperative Ltd said: ‘It was our first Chamber event and both myself and my business partner Brad found it really useful.’

Clare Wiltshire, Events Co-ordinator at the Norfolk Chamber said: ‘It was really great to see our members networking and talking business in a relaxed atmosphere and there was a real buzz

Norse boosts UK economy by £234 million a year.

A report has estimated that Norfolk-based company Norse contributes about £234 million a year to the UK economy through its facilities management, property services and care homes contracts.

The group is bringing jobs and prosperity worth millions of pounds to communities across the UK, according to the report by SQW, a provider of research, analysis and advice on sustainable economic and social development.

Experts estimate that the business contributes the £234 million through its services, wages and procurement of supplies. The figure includes Norse’s effect on supplier companies, job creation and the spending power of its workforce.

public money through a growing number of strategic partnerships with local authorities.

According to the study, Norse pays wages and salaries of £136 million a year nationally, has a directly employed UK workforce of more than 8,900 people and spends £76 million on supplies.

Peter Hawes, Managing Director of Norse Commercial Services, said: “We have always been extremely proud of the important role Norse plays both in Norfolk and across the UK and that has now been both highlighted and reinforced by the findings of this comprehensive analysis.”

throughout the evening. It followed on from one of our Meet the Chamber events so it gave new members the chance to see how the Chamber brings local businesses together.’

To book future events contact the Events Team: 01603 625977 and events@norfolkchamber.co.uk

CHAMBER DIGEST Occupational health firm announces improved services A leading occupational health company has announced further improvements in the provision of services to clients dealing with its Great Yarmouth clinic.

Occupational health nurse Sue Wallis RGN Dip HE (Occupational Health) has become the first member of staff at the local branch of RS Occupational Health to become accredited in carrying out Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) assessments, a vital service for the many local clients who need to adhere to associated legislation.

Norse supports about 12,300 jobs across the UK, as well as helping to save millions of pounds in

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK     

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THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

FOCUS ON ENGINEERING

CREATE CONSULTING ENGINEERS LTD

Comms Supply issues new year challenge to Norfolk business community.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

The shortage of houses being built in the UK is a major issue for both the government and the house building industry.

The greater Norwich area is planned to have an additional 36000 houses constructed by 2025.

This level of growth is unprecedented in this area and will be a major challenge for planners, engineers and architects.

The team at Create Consulting are ready to meet this challenge, assisting clients from both the public and private sector bringing forward development proposals across the UK. Create provides expert advice to landowners from the very initial concept stage of ‘What can I do with this land?’ through to the preparation of detailed planning proposals and their supporting technical documents. This can vary from small developments of one or two plots, up to a major New Market Town development of up to 10000 dwellings.

Create’s wide range of planning services, means that they can cover all of the technical reports required to support a planning application.

These can include Flood Risk Assessments, Transport Assessments, Ground Conditions and Contamination, Energy Assessments, Water Cycle Studies, Utility Reports, Foul and Surface Water Drainage, Structural Assessments, Air Quality, Noise and general infrastructure. If it is a complete package of engineering services required to support a planning application, Create are also able to arrange ecology surveys as part of the package offered.

Recent planning successes have included significant development schemes in Wymondham, Aylsham and Bixley. Create are currently working on a number of major residential proposals in the North East growth triangle of Norwich and South Norfolk.

Create’s involvement with the development proposal does not end with the grant of planning. The infrastructure and structural design team are working on a number of major projects for residential housebuilders. preparing detailed design drawings for schemes across the UK. The team can also assist with the preparation of legal transfer drawings, sales particulars, and the management and supervision of the actual construction process.

Whilst Create regularly work for developers and housebuilders, they have been recently working with a number of Parish Councils providing expert advice, developing evidence to enable them to object to developers proposals which place too much burden on the existing Infrastructure. They have also assisted in the preparation of strong evidence bases required to support the development of a neighbourhood plan.

Create also work with the social housing sector and see this as being a strong area of the market over the next few years. Many of the technical requirements are identical for social and free market housing, however the primary function is to provide houses rather than to make a profit. However with available funds becoming incredibly tight, even social housing developers are having to look at ways of generating additional income to enable their developments to be realised. This can include the provision of a number of free market houses, alongside the affordable housing element.

Create’s Residential team are currently working on a range of mixed use schemes comprising retail, leisure and general community uses. The scheme which we have just been commissioned on is the conversion of redundant commercial offices into high quality residential flats. Our commission on this scheme is predominantly structural with support from our energy and civils teams.

Create’s multi disciplinary team, based in Princes Street Norwich, can assist with any technical issue associated with all types of residential development. If you think you may own some land that may have development potential or already have a site that you would like to progress to construction then please contact Jonathan Cage on 0845 450 7908 or by email: jonathan.cage@createconsultingengineers. co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

Green shoots in challenging times.

Norfolk businesses attending the Chamber Bank of England lunch at Dunston Hall, Norwich, highlighted that, despite the tough economic climate, signs of improvement are showing in some sectors.

Topics covered at the lunch included access to finance, for which a lively debate advised on the best ways to access finance and what the UK banks were doing to support the SMEs. A discussion was also held on the merits of leasing business premises over buying them.

Blair Ainslie, MD for Seajacks, Great Yarmouth, said: “Both the oil and gas and the renewable offshore sectors were strong, but going forward, more definition was needed from the Government on subsidies for offshore wind, as the industry needed longevity and certainty for the next ten years, not just the next five, to maximise on growth potential.”

The engineering sector also appeared to be doing well and Paul Moughton, MD of Moughton

Engineering, said that despite the recession his sector of engineering was doing very well. He put his success down to being flexible enough to react to his clients’ needs at short notice.

The retail sector highlighted that, whilst growth had been good last year, this year they were expecting to remain on a level, especially as the Olympics, the Jubilee celebrations and the weather all had an adverse effect on their growth.

The IT/Technology sector noted that whilst growth could still be seen in IT infrastructure,

the bespoke software market was proving to be a fast growing market. Graham Duckworth, MD of Green Duck, identified that he had seen a shift in where his company was aiming. He said: “To accommodate work with some of my larger public sector clients has meant increasing staffing levels and the company is moving to new premises.”

All agreed that the successful businesses were those who had a ‘can-do’ attitude and had adapted to the new tougher economic conditions.

Great Yarmouth: Time to ‘talk up’ the town.

The latest meeting of the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council was chaired by the new President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council, John Morse from Gardline, at which the members debated how best to ‘talk up’ Great Yarmouth.

It was agreed that more effort should be made to highlight the positive aspects of doing business in Great Yarmouth. Cllr Trevor Wainwright, Leader of the Great Yarmouth Borough Council, emphasised that the Cabinet was very keen to work alongside the business community to drive economic growth in Great Yarmouth. One suggestion was a summit meeting to be held in the New Year to create a plan of action that will encompass two key objectives: support for local businesses and support for inward investment into Great Yarmouth.

The Chamber Council will take a cross-section of Great Yarmouth Chamber members and hold one-to-one conversations with them as to what their main concerns are, how the Chamber can engage further with these members, and what we can all do to create economic prosperity in Great Yarmouth.

John Morse

Great Yarmouth Chamber Council members also decided on a dialogue exercise with Chamber members based in Great Yarmouth.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

John Morse said: “I believe that it is important for the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council to lend its weight and full commitment to a process of enthusiastic regeneration of Great Yarmouth, and we will now take an active lead in this process, on behalf of businesses in the town.”

If you are a Great Yarmouth Chamber member and wish to be involved in the dialogue exercise, please contact Nova Fairbank on Tel: 01603 729713 or Email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk.

CHAMBER POLICY

Change to Norwich city centre debated.

Representatives from Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council attended a recent meeting of the Norwich Chamber Council to present the proposed improvements planned for St Stephens Street and the Chapelfield North Area and to listen to the comments from the members of the Norwich Chamber Council.

The aim will be to reduce this number by: a) removing the general car traffic, of which the majority is using St Stephens Street as a route to another destination; and b) diluting the number of buses by changing the bus traffic flows. The public consultation for these improvements is currently underway and closed on 3 December 2012.

The aim of the proposed improvements is to create a better transport system for the future of Norwich city centre, with improved access for buses, cycles and pedestrians. The proposals will still allow cars to access all current car parking facilities, however the access routes to these car parks may alter. The proposals would also change pedestrian flows around Chapelfield Gardens and cycle routes would be improved

They also highlighted that for parents with young children and for those in the city for business purposes, access to the city centre by bus was not always practical. Therefore continued access to the car parks was essential, especially as Norfolk is a predominantly rural county and cars are essential to those without access to decent public transport links.

Norwich Chamber Council members highlighted concerns that at present car drivers seem to be more willing to stop at pedestrian crossings than bus drivers. If general traffic was removed from St Stephens Street, would this cause increased safety worries for pedestrians trying to cross?

Members queried whether the increased bus traffic and the change in general traffic flows would affect the ‘drop off’ for the Free School on Surrey Street, which is located at the bus station?

from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and the University to the city centre.

At present, statistics show that, over a 12-hour period, 3,000 vehicles access St Stephens Street.

West Norfolk: It’s good to talk.

At a recent West Norfolk Chamber Council meeting, a lively discussion was held on topics ranging from broadband and the regeneration of the town centre, to increasing Chamber engagement with the local business community.

The members agreed that more effort should be made to highlight the positive aspects of doing business in West Norfolk and discussed how to ensure the West Norfolk business voice is heard. They decided on a dialogue exercise with Chamber members based in West Norfolk.

The Chamber Council will take a cross-section

of West Norfolk Chamber members and hold one-to-one conversations with them as to what their main issues are, how the Chamber can engage further with these members, and what we can all do to create economic prosperity in West Norfolk.

Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council, said: “It is important that the business community plays an active part in helping to promote economic growth in West Norfolk. Engaging on a one-to-one basis with local businesses will contribute towards the ‘voice of West Norfolk business’ being heard at a local, regional and national level.”

The West Norfolk Chamber Council members also highlighted that improved broadband in West Norfolk is an essential tool to promote economic growth and will help level the playing field for SMEs. Currently, the larger organisations can afford to install fibre-optic cables to their business premises. However, for smaller organisations this cost is prohibitive. Over the next 12 to 18 months BT will be improving access to broadband and is currently rolling out fibre-optic cabling in Clenchwarton and West Lynn. West Norfolk Chamber Council members are keen to see that businesses throughout West Norfolk benefit from the anticipated broadband improvements.

The King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) was debated. This initiative involves the regeneration of the town by linking the retail core with the historic town centre. This regeneration will be fundamental in improving what King’s Lynn has to offer and will help attract both tourism and business to the area, and the West Norfolk Chamber Council is in full support of this project.

If you are a West Norfolk Chamber member and want to be involved in the dialogue exercise, please contact Nova Fairbank on 01603 729713 or email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY JULY/AUGUST 2011 2013

PAGE13

Comms Supply Ad_Chamber Voice_86.5x110_07.12.12_Layout 1 12/12/2012 10:5

John Gostling Joins Breakwater IT Breakwater IT are pleased to announce the appointment of John Gostling as head of the company’s Service Desk Team.

John has been an IT professional for many years and has valuable outsourced IT experience with other local IT service providers.

John says ‘I’m delighted to join Breakwater IT who I see as being an IT company that is both professional and forward thinking and is now rapidly growing its business across the region. Breakwater has a really interesting mix of clients across many different sectors and I’m looking forward to meeting those clients and working closely with them in the future.’

Also joining the company this month is Amy Mansfield who is taking up the role of Client Support Agent helping to liaise with clients as the company continues its commitment to excellent customer service. Also joining the business are three other systems engineers as Breakwater looks to strengthen its team across the board.

These additional appointments come as the company takes over an additional floor of its building to share with its telecoms partner Comms Supply. As well as providing more space, facilities will include a new demonstration area to showcase to clients new technologies both in telecoms and IT. 2013 definitely promises to be a very exciting year for all concerned at Breakwater!

Tel: 01603 709300 Email: enquiries@breakwaterit.co.uk

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CHARITY BEGINS WITH A

FREE AUDIT Book a free business telecoms audit with Comms Supply before 28 February 2013 and you could win £500 for your favourite local charity.

And if Comms Supply is unable to save your business money on monthly telecoms charges, we will donate a further £50 to your local charity of choice.

0333 2020 900 www.commssupply.co.uk

Telephone Systems | Broadband | Fixed Line Solutions | Cloud Telephony | Mobile Solutions

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Opportunities in India.

Norfolk Chamber was delighted to welcome Kevin McCole, Chief Operating Officer of UK India Business Council, to Norwich, when he briefed local businesses on the opportunities available to them in this vibrant market.

Kevin provided delegates with a detailed look at the individual sectors that are very strong in India, and many questions were asked by the delegates as their interest grew.

UKIBC has been planning a Trade Mission to India which takes place in January. The delegation will be visiting Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Pune. The timing of the Mission allows delegates to attend the annual Vibrant Gujarat Conference and make use of the UK Desk.

Due to the massive potential of India to UK exporters, Norfolk Chamber will be holding a larger event with UKIBC during 2013, so look out for further details.

Tracey Howard, International Trade Director

Have you considered India as an export market for your business?

What business opportunities are available in India?

India may be a complex and challenging market, but it is a one that cannot be ignored

by UK companies that are seeking to expand and go international. India is the second fastest growing economy, after China, is a key partner for the UK and one of our most important markets in the world. Bilateral trade is growing at 30-40% a year, and investment, in both directions, is on a similarly strong upward trend.

The recently published report by UK India Business Council (UKIBC) identifies and outlines the opportunities in the next generation cities in India where UK companies can build long term relationships in the coming times. There are 16 broad sectors in which proactive UK companies can increase their profitability and international competitiveness:

The business opportunities, which a few years ago existed only in the traditional economic heartlands of Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, have now stretched to the emerging cities of Nagpur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Jaipur, to name but a few.

The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6-7% this year. Enormous opportunities are opening up for British business. India estimates it needs to invest some $1 trillion in infrastructure over the next five years and $143 billion in healthcare.

The Indian Government aims to train 500 million people by 2022. A growing middle class is fuelling demand for quality consumer goods and services.

n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Aerospace (civil) Automotive Agribusiness Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals Construction Creative and media Education, skills and leisure Engineering Environment Financial and legal services Healthcare and medical ICT Oil and gas Power Transport Water

An evening of Turkish delight.

Businesses were given invaluable information on the young, vibrant, growing market of Turkey, during an International Trade Event organised by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and sponsored

by Barclays and UK Trade & Investment.

2013 continues with ‘Spotlight on…. Dubai’, which is being held on 21 January 2013, at Trox UK Ltd, Caxton Way, Thetford IP24 3SQ. Dubai is regarded as a regional trade hub through which many markets are accessed, including Iran and Saudi.

Yuksel Akca, Chief Commercial Counsellor of the Turkish Embassy, travelled up from London and gave delegates some valuable facts and figures about the Turkish economy, as well as details of the business sectors where opportunities can be found by UK exporters.

Matthew Dabbs, of Barclays, delivered an informative workshop covering their suite of services under the brand ‘Business Abroad’.

Matthew also provided useful guidance on a number of payment terms that exporters could consider when trading overseas, and advice on Foreign Exchange options.

The seminar was held at the premises of local exporter Fluke, based at Hurricane Way, Norwich. Keith Betts and Gavin McQuillian explained how successful Fluke has become over the years, with overseas trading playing an important role.

Dubai purchases over 80% of all UAE imports.

Exporters would usually visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi, leaving the smaller Emirates under the management of distributors or agents with headquarters in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Tracey Howard, International Trade Director of Norfolk Chamber, said: “The delegates were delighted with the amount of information that Yuksel provided, which gave them a clear indication that Turkey is definitely a thriving market to consider.

“We hope that the success of this first seminar will lead to a growing following of the series, which will continue through to March.”

Speakers will include Gill Targett-Adams, Export Finance Adviser of UK Export Finance, Fayha Sultan, Government of Dubai, Dept of Tourism and Commerce and Ian Sams of Trox UK Limited, a local firm who have been exporting to Dubai for many years. A workshop will be delivered by one of the series sponsors UK Trade & Investment, covering their range of schemes which help companies begin or increase their export business.

For more details on The Global Marketplace Series, take a look at www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE15 PAGE15

NORFOLK VOICE

THE BIG INTER Exciting times ahead in an ever-changing industry.

When John Thew became Managing Director of Norwich online marketing agency Further in June 2011, it marked a return to an area that has always played a key role in his life.

Although he was born in London, his grandmother came from Gorleston and, having become interested in marketing while studying population demographics at The London School of Economics in the late 80s, he decided on a career in Direct Marketing.

An early role at Reader’s Digest involved a lot of campaign work with Norwich Union, with frequent trips to Norwich. Having married Natalie in 1993, he even had his stag weekend on The Norfolk Broads.

“However, it’s no longer an industry that can be called ‘new’ so clients, rightly, expect their budgets to be earned rather than burned. How each service provider reacts to that will be a major determining factor in their ongoing economic health. We expect a period of considerable consolidation over the coming years.

“Further has survived and continued to grow throughout the recession, reporting a 24% increase in fee income in the past year, while the industry itself has seen single digit growth.

“How have we managed this? The challenge is to continue to embrace new technologies and the opportunities they provide for our clients. The Internet gets ever faster, WiFi is becoming more prevalent, 4G will take over from 3G and new devices and software get released daily”.

It is that capacity of the industry to constantly adapt that presents the biggest challenges, according to John.

His road back to Norwich took in his first agency role with Wunderman, in Surrey, working on the Ford Motor Company account, and a spell at Agency.Com where he worked with clients including British Airways, BT, Heineken, Intel and One2One.

He said: “Customers expect high quality, engaging content from the companies they deal with - as well as the opportunity to interact with those companies - and now have the means to express their satisfaction and dissatisfaction to the world.

More recently, he ran a user experience consultancy, Flow Interactive, after which the role at Further came up.

“Historically, we’ve been best-known for our search marketing work but, as compelling online content has risen to the fore, we’ve placed greater emphasis on integrating the two. We are not just about SEO any more, but ‘contentdriven marketing online’ – marketing that helps clients to ‘Find, Engage & Convert’ more of their audiences by creating winning strategies which then guide search, content and social media marketing campaigns.

He said: “Further’s focus on setting measurable objectives and helping clients to achieve those objectives was hugely attractive to me. From a team of two in 2006, Further is now 27 strong and growing rapidly. Our HQ is in Norwich and we have a fledgling sales office in London.

“We work with global brands like AVG and Beko, as well as successful local companies including Adrian Flux Group, Archant, Economy Car Hire, and Richardson’s Boating Holidays. Last year we won a clutch of the online marketing industry’s top awards for the effectiveness of our work at both a UK and European level.”

He is excited by the opportunities presented by the industry, saying: “Online media will continue to command an ever-greater share of activities related to work, shopping, bill paying and an increasing variety of leisure interests. Therefore, the future is bright for the online media industry.

Meanwhile, the pace of technological change makes it hard for any one client company to keep current, thus presenting advisory opportunities for the likes of Further.

“We have a whole new team of digital editors, journalists and writers, and Further is now delivering to the exciting new agenda. As a demonstration of how Further has changed, we have recently released a brand and marketing refresh, with our new website taking centre stage in conveying the new messaging. “ He is confident about 2013. John said: “Our main challenge at the time of writing is finding suitable new city centre premises to allow us to continue our growth in Norwich.

We’ve run out of desks where we are.

“We will continue to evolve our services as well as react to the increasing, but very welcome,

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

challenges posed to us by our growing clientbase. In spite of the persistent recession, Further is looking forward to a very exciting 2013. We’ve put in a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure we hire the right new colleagues and that our processes scale with us.

“We are humbled by the stature of companies already expressing interest in our new services and we’ll be announcing another two very exciting wins in the next couple of weeks. The team is larger and stronger than ever before, we are gaining greater national coverage in the industry and business media and, most importantly, we are a team with complete clarity about what we are looking to achieve for ourselves and our clients.

“Like everyone else, we hope that an air of confidence finally comes back to the economy but, no matter what happens, we feel that we are in a terrific position to lead the way in our sector having done so much of the ground work during 2012.

“We want to be in our new offices as early as possible in 2013 and, by the end of the year, be able to reflect on another profitable year for our existing clients and confirmation of a successful first year for all of our new clients.” www.further.co.uk

Further has survived and continued to grow throughout the recession, reporting a 24% increase in fee income in the past year, while the industry itself has seen single digit growth.

THE BIG INTERVIEW

RVIEW

By John Dean deangriss@btinternet.com

John Thew Managing Director of Norwich online marketing agency Further

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE17

PAGE TITLEVOICE NORFOLK

KNOWLEDGE

All at sea with Twitter?

Grab a floating spar. information overload is a definite problem and some information slips out without me noticing) the best explanation for why Twitter worked: think of Google as a library – you go there to access archived information, digest it and move on. Think of LinkedIn as it was designed – an online version of offline networking. You go there to hook up with people, share a few opinions on relevant matters and then move on.

I’m a little shamefaced to say that I was a bit of a latecomer to Twitter.

For someone who makes a living by being on top of technology, media trends and communication ... I really was a bit slow off the blocks.

I knew about Twitter, of course, but had only ever looked at it in passing – and hastily dismissed it as a pointless stream of inconsequential babble from a group of over self-publicists and narcissists.

Who, after all, is interested in the 140 character meanderings of c-list popstars and self-help gurus?

Ouch! Looking back at that statement I hang my head; I am shamed.

I thought I knew better, categorising myself as an “expert” in social media goings-on - and consigned Twitter to background noise without proper thought or consideration.

I am converted and I humble myself at the altar of the almighty Tweet.

Not that I was all wrong, of course (I rarely am, as my partner and children will be quick to confirm). There’s a hell of a lot of inconsequential babble from far too many c-list personalities. But this is the … well, choose your own metaphor as I hesitate to use “scum on the surface” … they may be perfectly nice people in their day jobs – and I don’t have to read their outpourings. But, underneath the flotsam (nice word, especially when separated from its customary partner) there is a rich vein of usefulness to be tapped into.

Twitter, in fact, rules!

I’m going to digress: a quick definition, just for interest’s sake.

Flotsam: debris/wreckage found floating on the surface after a shipwreck.

Jetsam: materials/objects thrown from a ship before or during a shipwreck.

In my mind, this makes Flotsam the swirly rubbish you need to cut through: Jetsam is the valuable stuff, stuff that your floundering mariner considers worthy enough to try to save.

Now, think of Twitter as a 19th Century coffee house. This coffee house is filled with professional, intellectuals and artists. There’s a constant flow of traffic in and out of the doors and conversations going in every direction. There’s a table by the window filled with half a dozen people who work in the same trade as you, they’re busy spinning ideas at one another – swapping stories of the latest developments in the industry. They offer you a seat and you join the flow of words and ideas, adding your own where they contribute.

By Harry Greiner

That’s Twitter. Real-time, fast-flowing, easy to sift and categorise (just move tables) and madly exhilarating. Yes, occasionally the air-headed lute and viola star’s conversations from the next table float into your consciousness – but it’s your fault for listening, you can always tune them out!

City College Norwich

Twitter is my social media Jetsam – very nearly lost in the sea of information but gladly salvaged.

Go on, try a bit of beachcombing of your own.

Twitter is a medium that requires you to be a careful scavenger - ignore the Flotsam and salvage the Jetsam.

(The author would like to seriously apologise for the overhwelming amount of mixed and jumbled metaphors in this post – but, in truth, is unable to.)

I first started realising that Twitter had real value when I heard about “PLNs”; Personal Learning Networks. Anything with the word “learning” in tends to prick my interest, so I followed up on these references and found that PLNs referred to the practice of following a group of people in your chosen industry/field in order to learn from what they were tweeting about.

I tried it, I loved it. Overnight I found I was getting a steady flow of information and insights that were useful and stimulating for me.

And then I started sharing what I was learning, and adding a few bits of my own until I realised one day that Twitter had become a tool I couldn’t do without. I slowly realised why (this was my “revelatory” moment), Twitter was effective, real-time conversation - and it really benefitted me on a personal and professional level.

The other day I heard, or read, can’t remember where unfortunately, (sorry,

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

For more Knowledge articles, or to submit an article, go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk

your fu ture is ni nf on ormal pe busin chat ess o rso r nal affa irs

re tu

Fo ra

ou r fu

• • • •

Call Mark Curtis

Phone: 01485 572253

info@ruralbroadband.co.uk www.ruralbroadband.co.uk

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www.larking-gowen.co.uk Offices: Bungay • Colchester • Cromer • Dereham • Diss • Fakenham • Holt • Ipswich • Norwich

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RED LODGE KARTING Mingle with the professionals at Red Lodge Karting, and you might even meet a champion. Recent visitors to the popular track have included reigning World Touring Car Champion 2012, Rob Huff.

Established 17 years ago, Red Lodge boasts a 1200m floodlit circuit, and incorporates a 700m circuit and karts ranging from 160cc up to 270cc capable of reaching an impressive 55mph!

You’re sure to experience a day to remember, and its dedicated event coordinators are happy to advise on the most suitable karting option, so you’ll leave wanting to come back again.

All race events receive exclusive use of the venue, racing 270cc karts ideal for corporate presentations or product launches, as well as company leisure days, hen and stag dos, team building, work outings, birthday parties or any other occasion.

Available race formats include sprint racing, Grand Prix and team endurance, which can take place on either the 700m or 1200m circuits.

For individuals, adults and children wanting to have a go, prices start from £16, and karting is suitable for novice or experienced drivers. Gift vouchers are available to purchase throughout the year.

Advice and guidance is always available from helpful staff, to get you out on the circuit. You can even discover your lap times to the closest 100th of a second, thanks to specialist computerised equipment.

Refreshments are available on-site from vending machines, while hot food can be pre-arranged from the Pit Stop Cafe, depending on the notice given and the group size attending. You are welcome to bring along a picnic as there are plenty of grassed areas.

All drivers are provided with a race suit, crash helmet, gloves and shower-proof suit (in adverse weather). All karts are checked daily by mechanics and safety marshals positioned around the track when racing is in progress. A full safety briefing is always given.

Visit Red Lodge Karting in the village of Red Lodge on the B1085 just off the A11.

For more information call (01638) 552316 or email racing@redlodgekarting.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE19

NORFOLK VOICE

The East Anglia Commercial Skills Centre Achieving business success through the development of commercial skills

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Our experienced team provide practical training and advice to improve your performance Call to discuss your needs

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Email: info@anglia-business-academy.co.uk www.anglia-business-academy.co.uk

Support your local

Hospice Your local Hospice shop needs donations of good quality clothing, shoes, accessories, books, CDs, toys, games & furniture We provide palliative care to people with cancer, neurological and other life-limiting conditions, to enable them to live life to the full for whatever time is left. Our shops play an essential part in raising vital funds for the continued support we give to our patients, carers and their families in your area.

We have shops in Snettisham, King’s Lynn, Downham Market, Fakenham, Wisbech, Hunstanton, Dereham, Holt & Swaffham If you would like more information about our shops, donating goods or volunteering, please call 01485 543163 or 01553 767752 or warehouse@norfolkhospice.org.uk

Supporting Patients, Carers & Training locations in Norwich, Cambridge, and Bury St Edmunds

Families in Norfolk & the Fens Registered Charity No 1062800

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We deliver over 70 different courses, including • HABC Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering • First Aid at Work • Getting to Know Your Digital Compact Camera • Getting the Most out of eBay • Introduction to Excel • Get Media Savvy • An Introduction to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Blogging for Small Businesses

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 ecocentre@broadland.gov.uk   www.broadland.gov.uk/trainingcourses

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BCTS offers a wide range of courses for all ages and abilities.

Whether you are learning for business or pleasure, we have courses to meet your requirements.

Our training takes place at the Council's purpose built Eco Business Training Facility in Rackheath. The address is 1, Ramirez Road, Rackheath Industrial Estate, Rackheath, Norwich, NR13 6LR. Our two training rooms; The Jubilee Room and The Olympic Room are fully equipped with up to date technology and designed to offer a unique learning experience. The training rooms are also available for hire for meetings or training. Call 01603 295021 to check availability or to book.

Tutors are also able to customise courses to suit your organisation, BCTS can deliver onsite training in your business or other facility to suit your needs.

You can check the course prospectus online including new courses now available www.broadland.gov.uk/trainingcourses Book a BCTS courses online 3 Call to register on 0800 3891113 and you will receive a Login ID and password 3 Once you have a log-in and password you can check availability and book online 3 If you prefer, call us to request an enrolment form, which we can send to you via email or post.

3 Please contact us if you require a hard copy of either the course timetable or the BCTS course prospectus

LEGAL

Getting on the right side of the law.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Tax savings for innovative companies.

During tough times, many companies make cutbacks but one area that remains untouched is legal services.

That’s because those people who have tried to save money by dispensing with the services of a solicitor have often found themselves deep in trouble; in the law, ignorance tends not to be accepted as a good defence.

The reason lawyers are so important lies in the sheer complexity of law, a complexity that is constantly changing. Each year brings amendments, revisions and whole new areas of legislation so keeping on top of the changes is crucial for any company, whatever field they are involved in. It’s so easy to miss a change that can have a major impact on the way a business operates. Also, very few laws are simple so in an age where a compensation culture is increasingly prevalent, getting the right advice at the right time is important.

Take export law as an example. The international trade in products is a complicated one for companies. Different regulations surround what can and cannot be exported or imported and the situation differs depending which country is involved. Often lawyers are needed to help businesses negotiate their way round the regulations and ensure that their clients do not break UK or foreign laws. Giving that advice is a highly specialised field.

Or take general business law; everything from health and safety rules to retail legislation can

present challenges and a single mistake can lead to a potentially costly breach. The result could be a fine, a court appearance or a large compensation pay-out. Understanding the law in the first place can prevent such unpleasantness.

There is also a myriad of law surrounding competition: when is an advert unfair, is a product over-hyped, are the statements made about it correct, is an unfair advantage being taken over a competitor? We have all seen rulings against companies by the Advertising Standards Authority underlining the warning that anyone making claims about their product or company needs to take great care. Getting it wrong can lead not just to financial implications but damage to the image of a business.

Another rapidly expanding field is environmental law. Gone are the days when reducing emissions was a good thing to do but one not generally enforced by legislation. Today, European and UK law demands that companies meet their environmental targets and lawyers can be invaluable in helping them understand the nuances of a form of legislation that is everchanging.

Each and every one of these may require expert legal guidance and it is always worth seeking out those companies that specialise in the field in question. A general lawyer, for instance, may not know enough about patents law to give adequate advice - but is likely to know someone who does.

These days, however, many law firms are appointing specialists to their staff so that they can deal with as wide a range of legal issues in-house.

Whatever your company’s area of expertise, the basic, overriding message is never to mess with the law. Ignoring the advice can be as costly as it comes.

The upcoming Patent Box legislation allows companies who own patents to get a reduction on the rate of corporation tax that they pay.

It is part of the government’s plan to encourage innovation in this country, and to offer a competitive tax system so that multi-national companies will base their R&D in the UK. It is hoped that this will create high value jobs and maintain the UK’s position at the forefront of technology.

The scheme comes into effect on 1st April 2013 and it essentially allows companies to pay a 10% rate of corporation tax (instead of the usual 23% next year) on profits ‘attributed to patents’. It is being phased in over a 4 year period so that 60% of the benefit is available from April 2013, 70% from April 2014 and so on until the full benefit is available from April 2017.

Profits ‘attributed to patents’ include worldwide sales of a patented product, worldwide sales of a product containing a patented component, licensing royalties, sale of a patent, damages awarded in patent infringement cases and one or two further streams derived from commercialising a patent.

If you would like to know more information about the upcoming changes then please get in touch with ip21 on 01603 457008 or send an email to richardjones@ip21.co.uk Richard Jones Business Development Coordinator for ip21

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE21

A specialist Intellectual Property company that moves with the times At ip21 we pride ourselves on offering a full range of IP services, as well as IP advice and support tailored to the commercial benefit of our clients.

O Patents O Trademarks O Licensing O Design Rights O Litigation O Portfolio Management O IP Valuation O IP Budgeting

Tel: +44 (0) 1603 457008 Norwich Tel: +44 (0) 2033 271310 London www.ip21.co.uk

13651 BK Richard Pooley Ad_Layout 1 12/12/2012 10:19 Page 1

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Hingham House 1 Market Place, Hingham Norfolk NR9 4AF Tel. 01953 851125 Fax. 01953 851194 Email. storyrobison@btconnect.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE23

NORFOLK VOICE

New Design Facility for Warren Services.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Warren Services were involved in building Om, the giant robot which formed the centre piece of the record breaking Take That Progress Tour

Warren Services is delighted to introduce Christian Deas, its Technical Design Manager who is heading up the new design facility at the ever growing Thetford based precision engineering company.

Christian says: “I have been in engineering for nearly 25 years now, starting as an Aeronautical Technician Apprentice at the now defunct British Aerospace site at Hatfield in Herts. When the site closed I worked for my parents engineering

business working on the shop floor learning CNC programming and setting, component assembly and finishing before moving into a design and technical sales position travelling all over the world designing products for major fibre optic telecommunications companies. I have worked in various local companies designing components for the white goods, automotive, scientific instruments, converting machinery and compressed air sectors.

Warren Services are a family owned and run, ISO 9001:2008 certified business, offering a wide range of engineering services including: CNC machining; laser, water and EDM wire cutting; welding; fabrication; painting; and mechanical and electrical assembly for a variety of industries including stage automation; oil and gas; and specialist vehicles sectors. To complete the manufacturing package, I was brought on board to set up a design office offering new product design (NPD); design of jigs and fixtures; special purpose machines and equipment; and also value engineering.

As markets become more competitive, there is a greater requirement to reduce manufacturing

costs. This comes down to product design, mainly design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA). We will be able to work closely with companies to help “re-engineer” their products to make them more cost effective to manufacture, reducing part count, manufacturing times and material wastage.

Since starting the design office this year, Warren’s scope for its BSI certification to ISO 9001:2008 has already been extend to cover design services.

“I hope to take on more design staff as this part of the business grows, starting with a design apprentice. As an ex-apprentice I feel that the best way to learn a trade is through an apprenticeship.

You are paid to learn and gain the necessary hands-on experience which is invaluable.”

Christian Deas

As an ex-apprentice I feel that the best way to learn a trade is through an apprenticeship. You are paid to learn and gain the necessary hands-on experience which is invaluable.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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NORFOLK VOICE

How to create business relationships that last.

It’s the age old question - how do you develop business relationships and how do you ensure that they last?

For many businesspeople, walking into a room of prospective clients they do not know can be extremely daunting but, according to Peter Foster, a Director of Hugh J Boswell Ltd and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, good planning can work wonders.

Peter said: “The means of effective networking is to select the events you really want to be at and keep going to them. Be consistent about that; people need to keep seeing you which, in time, leads to building up meaningful relationships.

“Once you have built a relationship, it makes it easier to secure work because you have built up that trust. That relationship will start deepening from day one and in the end, even though it may take time, you will reap the benefits.”

Jane McCall, of Highway to Training, agrees.

She said: “People make the difference, people make things happen. There are benefits to social networking such as Linkedin and Facebook but the real difference is when people interact with each other.

“In a business-to-business environment, the benefits can be two-fold; the personal interaction and the working relationship that can be built between the individual businesses involved.

“The Norfolk Chamber are proactive in their involvement and support the membership in many ways and with many events, when you meet and network with them there is a definite sense of rapport and desire to make things happen. This is reflected throughout the various and very different business people I have spent time with, and shared ideas with, since joining the Chamber of Commerce early this year.”

“Too many people spread themselves too thinly, flitting from event to event and not really achieving anything. Good business relationships do not happen instantly. They take time and effort and you need to make sure you use your time wisely. Being seen at the right events is part of that.”

Mark Ellaway, of Norfolk company Bigfork Ltd, said: “In my experience, if you want to get the best out of networking then follow these simple rules.

“Firstly, don’t expect to get sales leads from every event but go in there with the aim of meeting lots of business people and talk about their business.

“Recommendations and referrals are the best sales leads so you are building a network (the clue is in the title) not ruthlessly gunning for sales leads which won’t work.

“Attend lots of different networking events and find out which ones you prefer. Some events have a set format and others are just informal gatherings. Finally, don’t forget to follow up.

“Most networkers are not very good at this, so make sure you keep the business cards of everyone you have met, send them an email and add them to your email list/crm system and connect to them on LinkedIn. Networking is fun and is one of the best ways of meeting lots of business people who may become customers, suppliers, referrers and even friends.”

And Nikki Butterworth, of Howes Percival LLP, said: “You need to be strategic and make every conversation count. Try to distinguish yourself from everyone else, ask open questions and look for something in common to discuss. This will help establish a stronger connection. Try to attend the same networking events on a regular basis as this is most likely to build long-term relationships.

Peter also says that it’s crucial to respect the process of networking events. He said: “I think it’s important to put something back. Too many people see networking as simply an opportunity to take. You should contribute to the events.

It’s not enough to walk up to someone and give them a cheesy sales talk. It has to be more meaningful than that.

“Don’t deposit business cards in your desk drawer to gather dust. Find ways to stay in touch in people you meet, pick up the telephone, invite them to networking events, or send them an interesting article.”

Jane McCall

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Nikki Butterworth

COVER FEATURE

Relationships Doctor’s Clinic for Nervous Networkers.

Walk up to a group of strangers? Talk about yourself?

Nose around in other people’s lives and jobs? Aren’t these the things our parents told us never to do?

Getting cosy with your rivals?

It may not be as daft as it sounds

Maybe that’s why so many people find networking such an uncomfortable prospect.

But we all have at least a sneaking suspicion that networking is good for our careers, so here are some tips from Chris Liles, of Relationships Doctor Ltd, that can take the pain out of networking…

1. Take small but regular doses. You only get more nervous by avoiding a dreaded situation.

Ease yourself into networking gently over a period of weeks e.g. stay on after any business meeting for an extra 10 minutes to chat to a colleague you don’t know that well. Take it up to 20 minutes during a coffee break at the next event you attend and then 30 minutes mingling e.g. during a conference lunch. Fairly soon you could be ready to spend an hour, or even two, over drinks and nibbles networking like a pro at any business event.

2. Go with a buddy. Accept an invitation from someone in your target network who can be there to meet you to help you to integrate faster and more gently via introductions. Try not to cling to your buddy all night though, otherwise your networking mission will have failed. You may also have hijacked his/hers.

3. Get yourself a sound bite or two. When someone asks what you do, have a prepared phrase to get the conversation off to a flying start. Start with a short one (10-15 words) ensuring it is enough for them to decide if they want to know more. If they ask for more details give them a slightly longer version with extra information (prepare two or three sentences). Ensure your scripts focus on benefits to your listener.

4. Open up the conversation. To encourage people to get the conversation rolling, ask them open questions that begin with What, Why, When, How, Where, Who. Be prepared to answer these yourself, again with short answers (15 to 20 seconds). People can always fish for more if they want. Lack of such preparation is often what creates Nervous Networkers, so be ready.

5. Looking good. If you get self-conscious, give your confidence a head-start by checking your personal presentation. Consider the formality or informality of the venue or ask event organisers in advance about dress codes so you can prepare and feel as confident as possible as you enter the room.

6. Go all Blue Peter and make yourself a badge that you can use for any networking opportunity. People often glance around the

A recent survey of UK SMEs revealed that many believe the key to helping business growth could lie with working with competitors.

Chris Liles

room looking for their next conversation and if they can see something interesting on your badge it helps them choose you. Don’t just use your business card. My badge clearly says “Chris Liles – Business Relationships Mentor” then in smaller letters “Relationships Doctor Ltd”. This is enough to spark interest and for people to say “What does a Business Relationships Mentor do then Chris?”. An eye-catching piece of jewellery or tie can have the same conversation-starting powers - as long as it doesn’t get attention for the wrong reasons!

7. Remember their name. There’s nothing quite as memorable as someone who remembers you. Repeat their name silently to yourself whilst you are looking at them, to help it lodge in your sub-conscious e.g. “Hello Dee, so what does a Life Coach do?” Subsequently record all names, trades, personal details on your database to help you remember them when you revisit that network - people will be impressed and flattered by your ‘memory’.

8. Arrive early and find your soulmate. If you arrive early you can (a) familiarise yourself with the environment at leisure but more importantly (b) meet similarly keen networkers – you already have either your punctuality or your nervousness in common! Or both! Be honest about your apprehensions – there’s nothing like confessing your nerves to put someone else at ease!

9. Stay right until the end. Sometimes people who were distracted by others during the session will say ‘Oh I’m glad you’re still here, I’m keen to speak with you’. They would probably not have approached you after the session by email, phone etc.

10. Have fun. Once all the above are in place you can be a confident networker and enjoy seeking out new friends you haven’t yet met.

Relationships Doctor Ltd helps business people boost relationships with staff, colleagues, bosses, suppliers, prospects or customers.

According to the survey carried out for catering firm Just Eat, working with companies in the same industry or location was seen as more important in helping business grow in the next twelve months than a resolution to the Eurozone crisis.

Thirty per cent of UK SMEs said that working with competitors would help their business grow most in the next twelve months, compared to just over a fifth (21%) who felt that a resolution to the Eurozone crisis would help.

The survey also found that many businesses were already working in some way with other businesses from their industry or local area, with just 14 per cent never working with their competitors.

That number would jump up to just over a fifth of businesses if the economy was in a better position, with 22 per cent saying they would be less likely to cooperate with a competing business if the economy improved, suggesting that the recession has brought businesses closer together.

David Buttress, MD UK for Just Eat, said “We’ve uncovered a real culture of collaboration in businesses in the UK. These are the sort of small, ambitious companies that have been identified as being the key to kick starting Britain’s economy and it’s heartening to see that a significant proportion are looking at what they can do with their competitors to grow business, rather than relying on government hand-outs or non-existent bank funding all the time.”

The survey questioned 1,004 businesses ranging in size from one employee to 250 employees with the work carried out in summer 2012 by Opinion Matters. Just Eat, which started life in Denmark in 2001, is based in London and is active in 13 countries.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE27

NORFOLK VOICE

PR & MARKETING

Keeping on top of the message in a changing world.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Marketing and communication is changing and changing rapidly and the reason is social media.

The sector is no stranger to change. When it comes to distributing press releases, for instance, the traditional way for decades was by post until the advent of fax, which was itself soon supplanted by email. Suddenly, a press release can reach a myriad of media outlets in seconds.

But even that process, speedy and efficient as it is, has been overtaken by Social Media and the way it allows people to comment immediately on a company‘s pronouncement. Today, the industry is contending with changes wrought by the likes of Twitter, Facebook and their ilk, all of which are rewriting the rules like never before.

PR professionals, while concerned that it is more difficult to control the message on Social Media,

can nevertheless see great opportunities in the new ways of contacting customers directly.

and taking advantage of the links of U-Tube for viral marketing.

For them, the main issue remains that Social Media allows a message to be questioned within seconds. Keeping track of comment has become a major part of the PR professional’s working day.

They can see that a short film showing someone enthusing about a product can be a very effective marketing tool.

Some of the gloomier pundits have predicted that this is end of traditional PR because now everyone can practice it, everyone can get a message out. PR professionals will tell you that the web’s dramatic expansion does not mean that more traditional outlets are being ignored.

Newspapers, radio and television remain important, it is just that for many PR specialists hits on the web is where their successes are increasingly being recorded. Certainly being recorded first.

The cannier practitioners can see the advantages offered by the new platforms. PR is not dying, it’s just evolving.

Marketing companies, too, are showing increasing levels of imagination as they respond to the new world. They are experimenting with the likes of podcasts, audio files, flash banner advertising and video, which offers opportunities for companies commissioning corporate films

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Marketing companies are also taking advantage of the exciting revolution in handheld technology and the opportunities it offers for downloads. The Age of the App is upon us, too.

However, another media which is still popular is the most traditional one of all. For many companies, producing their own print publications remains the key to success and those who succeed are the ones who value creativity above everything else, who dedicate time and effort to getting the look and the text right so that they make for attractive and informative reads.

For all marketing experts, though, one thing has not changed. Success is about making the client stand out. Whether it be attractive adverts in magazines and newspapers or inventive use of downloads and websites, creativity holds the key to success. And that won’t change.

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PAGE29

NORFOLK VOICE

Don’t use ME Steve Jenkins MCSD

Are you getting your message front of the right people?

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Great public relations does what it says on the tin: helps you build relationships with the people – or publics – that are important to your business. These relationships are critical because we choose to do business with people who we trust and respect.

In a world where time, money, resource and expertise are so precious, PR can often get pushed to the bottom of the priority list.

But the reality is that PR is happening all the time; it’s not something that can be switched on or off. From how a visitor is greeted in your reception, to whether a call is returned as promised; the accuracy of a newsletter or brochure that’s sent out, to the knock on effect of a positive (or negative) story in the media. Every time you communicate with someone it will affect their opinion of you and the way you do business.

So, as PR is already part of your business, why not do it well?

Until the end of February, we’re offering to lend you our expertise... for free. All we ask is for an hour of your time. In return we’ll review your existing communications plan or make recommendations for getting the best out of a project that’s important to you. Plain Speaking PR works with clients of all kinds in a variety of ways; from helping them raise their profile to supporting them with internal communications; from writing award submissions to organising events. We won’t recommend implementing PR tactics if we don’t honestly think they will add value to your business.

If you’d like to find out more please contact Pippa Lain on 01603 487 291 or email pippa@plainspeakingpr.co.uk

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE31

NORFOLK VOICE

BE BRAND

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This practical training helps you implement your new plan in real-time, with the full support of professionals who have walked their talk. www.thepushacademy.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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We’re full of fresh ideas, and would love to share some with you – give us a call today on 01603 699954 or visit osbornenash.co.uk to find out more.

CONFERENCES AND EXHIBITIONS

Innovation the key in the world of conferences and exhibitions.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Norwich Cathedral hospitality.

Like the rest of the economy, the conferences and exhibitions industry has been through challenging times but the signs are that innovation continues to offer hope for the future.

The main reason for the sector’s resilience, according to industry experts, is its ability to constantly try out new things while never losing touch with the needs of its clients.

That has been underlined by several sources, including the report compiled jointly by the Events Industry Forum and the Business Visits & Events Partnership, which suggested the future could be bright for the industry.

It highlighted opportunities for growth in the UK Events Industry, which it suggested can grow from its existing £36.1 billion, to £42.2 billion in 2015 and £48.4 billion in 2020.

So what are you looking for if you are trying to organise a conference or exhibition and need to select a venue? One of the key factors is a good location, somewhere that is easy to reach and attractive for delegates. If the directions look too complicated, some attendees may think twice about attending. So think road and rail links when you choose.

When assessing the venue you are looking at other factors as well. Can it 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? In short, can it cope?

The good venues are the ones that can tailor themselves to providing the exact needs of the event organisers and are prepared to be flexible.

One approach for conference originators is to bring in a specialist company to do the legwork The staff at these outsource companies will have encountered just about every problem presented by the process and take all the worry away from the company originating the event.

Linked to the conferences and exhibitions market is the need to offer corporate hospitality as part of the package and many conference and events organisers are integrating such attractions into their events.

A recent report by Market Intelligence provider Key Note said that, although the economic downturn resulted in a significant drop in activity in the corporate hospitality sector, some companies still saw good reasons for continuing.

Key Note said that the total value of the UK corporate hospitality market fell by 2.5% to £1.2bn between 2007 and 2011 but that some companies have continued to invest in corporate events, recognising that strengthening the relationships between client and business partner during a recession is more important than ever. Spectator sports remained the most popular choice for provision of corporate entertainment, including everything from a trip to the races or a visit to see a football match.

As a result, the company believes that the corporate hospitality industry will increase by 8.5% to reach a value of £1.34bn in 2016.

Stunning facilities and first class catering. Norwich Cathedral provides the complete venue for your business needs.

Able to accommodate up to 150 delegates, the Weston Room offers a bright and spacious venue with state-ofthe-art AV equipment ideal for meetings, training, conferences and exhibitions.

For those early morning meetings, the Refectory provides a flexible space for up to 40 guests and with licensed bars available in both function rooms, they also provide the perfect setting for private events and celebrations.

Norwich Cathedral is situated in the heart of within easy access of road and rail networks. Free on-site car parking is also available making the Cathedral the ideal venue for all types of business events.

Further information can be found at www. cathedral.org.uk and for enquiries and bookings, please contact 01603 218322 or hospitality@cathedral.org.uk

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE35

NORFOLK VOICE

The East’s leading eco venue for conferences, meetings, education and events.

Hold your next event in our landmark timber framed building set within organically managed grounds and surrounded by open countryside. EcoTech has 6 conference rooms to suit all needs, a 240m2 exhibition area and a 100 seat lecture theatre/cinema. The centre is easily accessed from the A47 and parking is free. Catering features delicious organic, fair-trade and local produce.

The venue is also licenced for alcohol and entertainment. EcoTech is a great venue that also delivers all the right sustainability messages to your audience with a sun tracking solar array on site and the world’s only wind turbine that is open to the public to climb. At 67m our viewing platform has breathtaking views of the Norfolk countryside. The climb is a great team building opportunity in itself!

BOOK YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE AT THE BROOK HOTEL NORWICH

JANUARY/MARCH 2013 CONFERENCING OFFER Chamber membersclaim your complimentary 2 servings of tea/coffee when...

Paying a full room hire charge for a Conference Room-

With a variety of conference rooms to choose from,

why not visit and view our newly-

refurbished facilities including break-out areas and private patio area.

Book your next event at Ecotech, we promise to look after you and the environment.

Call Penny on 01760 726 736 pmileham@ecotech.org.uk www.ecotech.org.uk

The Brook Hotel Norwich-

great location, superb facilities and excellent value for your next event.

Brook Hotel 2 Barnard Road Bowthorpe Norwich Norfolk NR5 9JB

01603 741161 / 07436162515 Email: gm@brookhotel.co.uk www.brookhotelnorwich.com

EcoTech Conference Centre • Turbine Way • Swaffham • Norfolk PE37 7HT

Hospitality

at Norwich Cathedral

A unique and prestigious venue in the heart of Norwich For further information and to book contact 01603 218322 or hospitality@cathedral.org.uk Delegate rates from £25 + VAT per person

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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MEETINGS CONFERENCES EVENTS SGP064 SGP064

PLT0049 PLT0049 PLT0049

r r r r r r r r r

Tel: Tel: 01362 01362 857100 857100 www.southgreenpark.co.uk www.southgreenpark.co.uk Mattishall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 3JY

Mattishall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR20 3JY

Are you looking for a meeting venue central to East Anglia?

Making business meetings a success in East Anglia!

n n n n n n

Five purpose built meeting rooms available with a varying capacity of 2 to 72 delegates, all offering a variety of easily configurable layouts All rooms served by top quality on-site catering AV equipment included in the cost of room, Wi-Fi Hotspot Ideally located between Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Kings Lynn in the town of Thetford just off the A11 Thetford train station within an easy walking distance On site parking

T: 01842 768300

E: bookings@keystonetrust.org.uk

www.keystonetrust.org.uk/business Keystone Innovation Centre, Croxton Road, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 1JD

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

Setting the standard for training and conference facilities in Norwich.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Nial Adams with a PUSH Academy delegate

Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre offers a very high standard in business accomodation. From a relaxed environment if you are just popping into their convenient coffee lounge for a quick catch up meeting over coffee, through to highly competitive daily delegate packages for conference and training customers. In the following Case Study Nial Adams, Director of The PUSH Academy describes his experience of this popular Norwich venue.

Case Study The PUSH Academy finds its business ‘home’ at Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre For a number of years PUSH Academy has used the flexible space at Drayton Old Lodge for a range of things - mostly as a venue for events, presentations and training days but also for other services, such as private meeting rooms for clients and larger spaces for Board Meetings.

is prestigious, well presented and extremely well serviced, it offers a host of other major benefits. A large and comfortable lounge where delegates can meet, talk and relax over coffee is extremely beneficial. The bar and restaurant area also enables them to meet all catering requirements in one place and the simple fact that the venue is easily accessible and provides free parking makes life so much easier for all concerned.

In choosing a home for PUSH Academy Nial Adams, Director and Principal Tutor, and his colleagues wanted to find a venue that not only ticked all the boxes in terms of facilities but also offered an exceptional level of service.

‘Yes’ says Nial, ‘it’s a fierce and competitive market out there, so any business worth its salt should know that a high quality of service is a simple way to increase the value of its customers experience.

The PUSH Academy helps new and growing businesses access core business knowledge and to gain practical support. Their programmes are aimed at business owners and managers and they seek to create an environment where delegates can extract themselves from the dayto-day of running a business and take time out to invest in new knowledge and focused planning.

Consequently, the quality and location of their training venue is essential.

PUSH look for facilities that can provide appropriate space to work in, as well as the right atmosphere and environment and have found that Drayton Old Lodge is ideally suited to this. Apart from the fact that the building itself Picture credit: www.ido-photography.co.uk

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

In this area Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre excels. From the Senior Management team, through to all staff, there’s a strong and visible commitment to giving real service.

‘Rather than a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, as with some venues, we’ve always found that Drayton Old Lodge really take time to consider what we actually want and not just what they feel they have to offer. This personal and professional service has certainly been one of the main reasons for us in choosing Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre.

‘Having used the venue and worked with many different members of the team over several years now, we have no doubt that we made the right decision in choosing Drayton Old Lodge as home to our Training Centre for The PUSH Academy.’

For more information on Drayton Old Lodge Business Centre call 01603 861 600, go to www.space2b.co.uk or email enquiries@draytonoldlodge.co.uk For more information on The Push Academy call 0843 289 6877 or go to their website at www.thepushacademy.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Get the most from events and networking.

By Chris Perry Membership Manager, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

When speaking to new businesses, the first piece of advice I give is to get out there and meet other businesses face to face.

Even in this digital age of social media, real people still buy from real people and this is even more the case if you set your potential customer sights higher up the ladder.

This can be daunting if you’re not a natural people person, but in today’s world it is becoming more and more of a must as we are in a very competitive business environment and the race to get your brand noticed is harder than ever.

If you are new to networking or attending business events, then here are my top 10 tips on networking and choosing the right event. n First rule of networking? It is not all about sales. You are going to be with professionals from established businesses, so ask them for advice and opinions. You will be surprised how much they want to help you when you’re not pushing a sales pitch down their throats. n Try informal events first: If you’re new to networking, pick an informal fun event with an activity. This will allow you to meet other people in a relaxed atmosphere and mix with others sharing a common goal. A good example of this is our evening Chill-Time! events or bowling nights. n Take a friend: If you are a sole trader and haven’t been to an event before then take a friend or even a friendly client/supplier for support. n Tweet your attendance: If you are going to an event, then use every social media feed you can and say that you’re looking forward to going. This is a great way to pre-arrange an introduction and an excuse to just say hi. n Choose a wide range of events: Not just your sector: The best networkers I know go

Chris Perry

to all sorts of events, ranging from fun to political, engineering to finance. You never know who you will meet, so NEVER make assumptions.

n Maximise your exposure: Go to breakfasts, lunches and an evening events if you can, as you will catch the early risers and the night owls.

n NEVER avoid political or economic events/ conferences: I have spoken to too many businesses who say that these types are events are boring and not for them. That may be true for some people, but there’s a theme that runs through the Chamber network: Political/Economic events = Influential delegates , influential delegates = The big businesses, Big Business = Attracts the SME businesses and so on. This all equates to a huge range of opportunities.

n Have an opinion: At many Chamber events you will get the opportunity to ask a panel of speakers a question. If you are brave and do so, then I guarantee that like minded-people will approach you afterwards to talk to you.

n Never assume: Never think just because you may be a small business that our larger corporate members won’t want to talk to you, or even do business with you. They will be looking out for that bright new idea or supplier to help them grow as well.

n Research the Delegate list: The unique thing about Norfolk Chamber events is that you get a delegate list 48 hours in advance. Use it and research a bit about the people or businesses attending. It will go a long way to making a lasting first impression if you know about their business values and passions.

If you decide to just take one of these tips on board, then I am sure that you will come away from a Chamber event with lots of opportunities and contacts. See you at the next event!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

Chamber creates the ultimate business opportunity.

Opportunities 2013

MEET THE

BUYER

INFORMATIVE

2

NETWORKING

UNITED

Norfolk Chamber will be providing businesses with the ultimate opportunity to do business, at their ‘Opportunities 2013’ event on 14 March, at Norwich City Football Club.

The free-to-attend business event is four events in one and incorporates Open4business, a Meet the Buyer event delivered in conjunction

BUSINESS

WORK SHOPS

EXHIBITION

with Norfolk County Council. This will enable businesses to pitch their products and services to key private and public sector buyers at prebooked, 10-minute one-to-one meetings.

The Business Exhibition at the event is divided into six businesses zones: Enterprise, Advice & Finance, Hospitality & Leisure, Technology, Promotion & Marketing and HR & Training.

Caroline Williams said: “The exhibition pulls together the very best suppliers in Norfolk to showcase both new and well-tested products and services that are available you start or grow your business.”

The third element the event is a series of 40-minute, informative and interactive workshops, designed to help businesses to boost their knowledge and skills and give a real business edge.

The event will also bring together for the first time a wide range of networking groups under one roof at a special lunchtime event called Networking United. This is a great opportunity for members of existing networking groups, as well as those who are new to networking, to bring along some business cards, meet new people and forge long-lasting relationships..

Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber, said: “Opportunities 2013 has something for everyone.

It’s free to attend, and packed with great ideas, business solutions and chances to network and make new contacts. It really is a must attend for any business.”

To book a stand at ‘Opportunities 2013, or find out more about the event, go to www.norfolkchamber.co.uk, or call 01603 625977.

The exhibition pulls together the very best suppliers in Norfolk to showcase both new and well-tested products and services that are available for you to start or grow your business.

Opportunities 2013 14 MARCH 2013, 10.00 - 17.00 NORWICH CITY FOOTBALL CLUB TOP OF THE TERRACE & NORFOLK LOUNGE

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

01603 625977 #Opportunities2013

CHAMBER EVENTS

Diary Dates.

January 2013 Branding Norfolk: A Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast WHEN: Thursday 17 January, 07:30-09:30

opportunities in an informal setting over a game of bowling, followed by a buffet. Register as a team of up to 6, or as an individual to be allocated a place on a team. Bring out your competitive side to win the highly sought after Super Bowl Challenge trophy, with certificates for both highest and lowest scoring teams.

Senior Consultant of The Middle East Association and find out how to access the impressive market of Saudi Arabia. Delegates will be provided with advice and tips on what to look out for when looking to export to Saudi Arabia for the first time, whether you have never shipped overseas before, or are a seasoned exporter.

WHERE: Great Yarmouth Racecourse WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The Norfolk Chamber are looking to set your business up for a prosperous 2013 by holding a networking breakfast that will focus on the importance of branding and how your business can benefit. The two expert speakers, Simon Middleton - Founder of Brand Strategy Guru and Pete Waters - Brand Manager for Visit Norfolk, will share their knowledge with you and how it can help your business. Simon will provide working examples of local companies that have followed simple branding principles and seen positive results and Pete will share the branding strategy behind Visit Norfolk and how branding principles have helped to shape this.

Spotlight on...Dubai

HR Forum

February Spotlight on...Angola WHEN: Wednesday 6 February, 15:30-18:00 WHERE: Dunston Hall, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Come and hear from Gill Targett-Adams of UK Export Finance and Rita Roberts of Angola Business 4 u and find out how you can access this exciting market. Steve James from HMRC will deliver a workshop explaining more about Export Compliance. This is an ideal event for both exporters and nonexporters. The series is sponsored by Barclays and UKTI.

WHEN: Wednesday 6 March, 14.00-17.00 WHERE: Dunston Hall, Norwich

The MPs Event 2013 WHEN: Friday 8 February, 15:00-18:30 WHERE: Dunston Hall, Norwich WHAT’S IT ABOUT: The MPs event 2013, sponsored by Norse, Dunston Hall & Greater Anglia, aims to bring together Norfolk’s nine MPs to discuss key issues affecting Norfolk. Last year over 120 influential Norfolk Businesses took part in the event. Book your place now to ensure your company forms part of this influential delegate list.

High Five Breakfast WHEN: Monday 21 January, 15:30-18:00

WHEN: Friday 15 February, 07:30-09:30

WHERE: Trox UK Ltd, Thetford

WHERE: Knights Hill Hotel, King’s Lynn

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Hear from Gill Targett-Adams of UK Export Finance, Fayha Sultan of the Commerce Section of the Govt of Dubai and our host, local exporter Ian Sams of Trox UK. UK Trade & Investment will deliver a workshop advising how they can help you begin or increase your export business. Gain advice and tips for both experienced and first time exporters. The series is sponsored by Barclays and UKTI.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the Norfolk Chamber for a business networking breakfast in West Norfolk, the perfect way to start your day. Sponsored

by Lloyds TSB and King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council.

Super Bowl Challenge

Spotlight on...Saudi Arabia

WHEN: Thursday 24 January, 17:30-20:00

WHEN: Tuesday 5 March, 15:30-18:00

WHERE: Hollywood Bowl, Norwich

WHERE: Dunston Hall, Norwich

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the Norfolk Chamber for bowling, business and a buffet. The Super Bowl Challenge is a fantastic evening of networking

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Come and hear from Mike Spicer, Senior Policy Advisor of the British Chambers of Commerce and David Lloyd,

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Join the chamber for an afternoon of accessing specialist knowledge essential for any HR professional. Sponsored by Birketts LLP.

Opportunities 2013 WHEN: Thursday 14 March, 10:00-17:00 WHERE: Norwich City Football Club WHAT’S IT ABOUT: This B2B Exhibition incorporating a Meet the Buyer is a must-attend for all Norfolk businesses. With informative workshops and a networking zone there are plenty of ways to enhance your business. Visitors can attend for FREE. Sponsorship and stand bookings available.

Spotlight on...Emerging Europe WHEN: Tuesday 19 March, 15:30-18:00 WHERE: Sprowston Manor, Norwich

March

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: Hear from David Riches, Operations Director, British Chambers of Commerce and Paul Taylor, Regional Director of Central & Eastern Europe, British Embassy Prague and find out how you can access the outstanding markets within Emerging Europe.

Delegates will be provided with advice and tips on what to look out for when looking to export to this region for the first time, whether you have never shipped overseas before, or are a seasoned exporter.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

Low priced electrical products for businesses Our fully trained, knowledgeable team members have over 90 years experience supplying domestic and commercial electrical products to trade and businesses.

Call our National Sales team with any enquiry on 01603 750444 or email norwich@get-ted.co.uk.

!

NEW

Tel: 01603 750444

Email: norwich@get-ted.co.uk

L COMMERCIA er al de y laundr for East Anglia

Branches at: Norwich s Peterborough s Ipswich s Kings Lynn s London s Colchester s Cambridge s Birmingham. VIsit www.get-ted.co.uk for full branch details.

BEST TRADE PRICES ON ELECTRICALS Newman & Co

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors Real Time Information (RTI) Most employers will soon be receiving a letter from HMRC informing them of the new regulations for submission of payroll information that from April 2013 will be mandatory for all small businesses and other entities employing staff. Submission of payroll information will need to be made electronically on or before payments are made to employees and the information employers hold relating to their staff must match HMRC’s records if submission difficulties are to be avoided. It seems that HMRC are also hoping to have ironed out any teething problems with the new system before April, from the trials that they have undertaken. We cannot, therefore, expect a soft approach to penalties and interest. However, HMRC will know exactly how much PAYE and NIC they are owed each time a submission is made so that we can expect swift action by their debt collection department if this is not paid by the due date. All in all it means that in the months before April, employers need to review their current payroll processing solution and assess whether it is suitable for this significant change.

Annual Investment Allowances (AIA’s) The Chancellor’s autumn statement brought the good news that AIA’s have been increased from £25,000 to £250,000 from 1st January 2013, for a twoyear period. This gives the opportunity of planning capital expenditure now to reduce tax in both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 tax years.

Wayne Goddard FCCA (Director of Newman & Co. Chartered Accountants)

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Newman & Co Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors

Newman & Co Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors have been serving local businesses and individuals in East Anglia for over 20 years.

We offer a range of services tailored to suit our clients’ individual needs that include: Tax Returns, Advice and Planning Preparation of Annual Accounts l Bookkeeping services and Management Accounts Preparation l Payroll Services including Real-Time Processing l VAT Returns and Advice l

l

We provide an efficient, friendly and competent service through our professionally qualified staff and believe that there is real value in developing long-standing professional relationships with our clients.

Please contact us to arrange a free initial consultation.

4b, Church Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4DD T: 01379 640640 E: diss@newmans-online.co.uk W: www.newmans-online.co.uk

MEMBER NEWS

Musicians wanted to expand Come Singing groups.

A group that uses song to help people with dementia is seeking to use a £1,775 grant to expand its activities across Norfolk — and is looking for more musicians.

Come Singing, which provides 17 therapeutic singing sessions each month, mainly in care homes, day centres and hospitals, received the grant from the LB150 Challenge set up by chartered accountants Lovewell Blake to support community activities.

Heather Edwards, a music lecturer at the University of East Anglia, said: “With the increase in dementia, there is a pressing need to recruit and train more skilled musicians who with support volunteers can lead new groups.”

The LB150 Challenge was set up in 2008 to mark the 150th anniversary of Lovewell Blake with a project to raise £150,000 over five years for good causes. It has already provided more than 80 grants totalling well over £120,000 through the Norfolk Community Foundation. *Musicians can contact Heather on 01603 452404 or e-mail heatheredwards.music@gmail.com

Heather Edwards (UEA), Maggie Wheeler (Chair of NSFT Mental Health Trust) and Sue Kemp (Lovewell Blake).

Chamber start-up commences project in Great Yarmouth.

Symmetris Broadband Ltd has become one of the newest startup members of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.

The company specialises in delivering fast, reliable broadband without the need for a telephone line, using a combination of hybrid fibre optics and wireless technology. It serves business and residential customers, delivering speeds from 2Mbps to 1Gbps.

Symmetris recently went live with its service in Great Yarmouth in partnership with Blackwell Print. The process involved several other local companies, including Swift Taxis for granting permission for use of its 250 ft mast and Access Inspection Developments Ltd for providing the climbers/riggers.

Managing Director Michelle Brumfield is keen to recruit employees locally, and as a result, smaller firms have been engaged to provide specialist materials and labour.

Symmetris was keen to join the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce because it recognised that, through the variety of networking events on offer, there would be opportunities to build contacts.

Another big advantage to joining the Chamber was seen as the benefits which can be gained from its online PR facilities.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

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NORFOLK VOICE

MEMBER NEWS

Unlock the Code to build brand loyalty.

Custom colour QR Codes, with built in company logos, are now hitting the marketplace.

And it’s their newness that gives them the edge.

These new ‘QR Codes on the Block’ are set to create a whole new wave of brand loyalty.

They’re loud and bold and designed to shout your company colours. But their prime purpose is to drive traffic!

Condensing a ‘look’ into an image can be challenging, but this is where design creativity lets you shine out from the blackness. After all why be square, when you can be gloriously magnificent?

A One Way Ticket Where will you send your customers after they’ve scanned your colourful creation? To an opt-in page on your mobile optimised website? To your company app to build brand loyalty and share information?

Be inventive in using your code’s uniqueness to get the desired reaction.

Tracking The new breed of Colour QR code comes with in-built tracking, and the ability to change the destination URL. You’re not limited to a ‘onceand-for-all-time’ destination!

If you’re using testing and tracking then you’ll know that stats help you understand patterns of behaviour.

Steal The Advantage Your advantage is in getting ahead of the wave and being amongst the first to embrace the custom QR Code.

They won’t be ignored. Colour speaks. And your branding will win every time over the standard.

Remember: We notice new. New creates curiosity.

Contact us now to get your QR Code and engage your customer in a new, colourful way Geraldine Jozefiak at Think Mobile Media.

SSI’s Australian project proves personal delight for Sam. The US-owned company has manufactured single-cable launched survival capsules for the offshore oil and gas industry for more than 40 years. It provides the equipment, servicing and knowledge to achieve a safe evacuation when an emergency occurs on an offshore installation.

Great Yarmouthbased Survival Systems International UK is to open its first service company in Australia, which is a dream come true for one-time apprentice Sam Dye.

The Australian initiative could not have been more timely for Sam, who recently married Jenna, who has relatives in Australia.

Sam said: “It’s a great personal opportunity for me and an excellent start to our new company in Australia. Our long-term goal is to expand our operation across the continent.”

Sam will head up the new business as regional manager following several years working with SSI clients in Australia.

He said: “I’ve long had an ambition to live and work in Australia so it could not have worked out better.”

Sam Dye

Sam joined SSI as an apprentice with day release to Great Yarmouth College and is now senior technician with worldwide experience.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

George Teece, SSI’s vice-president Eastern Hemisphere operations, said: “Australia has long been a target for our future growth and development and I am really excited about opening another service company for SSI.” SSI’s Australia office and workshop will create a third international outlet overseen by the company’s Great Yarmouth base, adding to those in Dubai and Malaysia.

TAKE A BREAK

Ridley Pinstripe.

Sudoku Jan-Feb

It’s lunchtime on Monday and forget the weekend, I’m in a new office at Barking, Madd and Madd. Yes, dear reader, my talents have finally been recognised and old Rids has been seconded to a major project!

Well, I say my talents have been recognised; what the Operations Manager actually said, apparently, was: ’Who do we have who does naff all and who won’t be missed?’ Harsh, perhaps, but this is my big opportunity and I am prepared to grab it with both hands.

It all started when the local paper ran an article reporting our ‘success’ in the Plain English Campaign Awards for our reference in company literature to a Mobile Transportation Facilitation Vehicular Product Deliverance System which actually referred to our lorries.

The result was that the board decided we needed to go on a Jargon-busting campaign and turned to the PR and marketing departments, both of whom claimed they were far too busy and said: ‘Why don’t you try that useless little apoth in Procurement, he’s always banging on about wanting to help and we don’t imagine anyone will miss him?‘ Again, harsh but fortune shines on the brave, I always say.

So it was that I found myself in the Operations Manager’s office being briefed on Operation Plain Speaking. All very exciting after three years as Assistant to the Assistant (Stationery), dealing primarily in marker pens, I can tell you.

“Richard,” says he as I sit down.

“Ridley.”

‘Ridley?’

“Yes, sir. Mum was a Coronation Street fan and Dad was alcoholic. My first name’s actually Newton but Ridley sounded better.”

He looked confused. “Right,’ he said then spied the newspaper article on the desk. ‘I assume you know what this is about?”

I nodded. “Communicating in a clearer manner.”

“Precisely,“ he said, waving the newspaper at me. “We’re a laughing stock and I am determined to eradicate pointless jargon from this organisation.”

“A spade’s a spade, sir,” I said brightly.

‘We don’t use spades, Robert. Concentrate, man!’

Answers in the next edition “Yes, sir, sorry, sir.”

He started walking round the office.

“We must start,” he said, “by picking the low hanging fruit so that we cover all directions of the compass and have a storyboard viz a viz our future direction of travel on the journey upon which we have embarked. It’s time for some blue sky thinking, to put it all in the cappuccino maker and see if it comes up frothy.

“I am not the type to whistle past the graveyard or ignore what‘s being said in the weeds, oh no.

No, I want this project to wash its face, wipe its feet and…”

Sudoku Answers Nov-Dec

Cartoons

“Put its own hat on?” I asked cheerily.

He gave me a stern look. ‘Are you taking this seriously?” he asked. “Because I don’t want you if you’re not. Mark my words, I want one belly button to push and we have to make sure we eat our own dogfood. We need joined-up thinking to come up with an end-user perspective which pushes the envelope so we can run it up the flagpole. Clear?”* “It’s a steamy novel about an accountant – Fifty Shades of Red”

I nodded. “No.” So here I am in my new office, clearing my desk before I go back to the world of stationery procurement. Or, as I noticed on the door to my old office a few minutes ago, ‘Administration Equipment Implementation Supplies.’ * Glossary to the Operations Director’s speech it’s all meaningless

Ridley

“There’s still a lot of backstabbing but it’s all done by computers now.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE45

NORFOLK VOICE

Specialised Management Services achieve 55% Financial Growth Specialised Management Services Ltd (SMS), a subsidiary of Alderley plc, announces today the ongoing successful growth of the company under new General Manager, Dave Howlett. Since taking on his new role in November 2011, SMS have achieved their best ever financial results with turnover increasing by 55% from the previous financial year. Secured orders during the year have seen SMS deliver into the Norwegian and North American sectors as well as continuing their growth within the UK Continental Shelf.

Dave brings more than 20 years’ experience within both electrical and hydraulic engineering disciplines having proven experience in design, project management and team leadership. Dave joined SMS in 2005 as a Senior Proposals Engineer and progressed to Project and Operations Manager before being promoted to General Manager.

Tony Mansfield, Managing Director, SMS, comments “This has been a fantastic year for SMS, not only have we seen a financial growth of 55% but we have also increased our employee numbers by 31%. Dave has been instrumental at SMS in helping drive the business forward. It has been through his dedication and team leadership that we have become a trusted partner for major EPC’s and producers within the oil and gas industry.”

Dave Howlett, General Manager says,

“We have always had a good team at SMS and without everyone’s dedication we would not have grown to where we are today.”

Dave continues by saying, “My role as General Manager is to grow and strengthen the team at SMS, with the ultimate goal to continue to be the best in this market increasing service and quality.”

About Specialised Management Services Ltd (SMS) Specialised Management Services Ltd (SMS) is a leading global manufacturer of equipment and provider of maintenance/installation services for the oil and gas industry, specialising in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical control systems. Bases in Great Yarmouth and Aberdeen are supported internationally by our parent company Alderley plc.

More information about SMS can be found at: www.smsgrp.com.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

NEW MEMBERS

New Members.

Abbey Chemicals

F.P. Food & Beverage Ltd

01493 850303

07990 503 983

www.abbeychemicals.co.uk

Food (Poultry)

01603 660000 www.abbotfox.co.uk

Flagship Housing Group

0845 258 6148 www.flagship-housing.co.uk Housing Associations

Estate Agents

Archive-Vault Ltd

01603 720722 www.archive-vault.co.uk Data Storage

Bristow Helicopters

01603 309200 www.bristowgroup.com Transport

Caistor Hall Hotel

01508 494998 www.caistorhall.com Hotels

Certax Accounting (Central & East Norwich) Ltd

01603 821014 www.certax.co.uk Accountancy Services

CIM Signs & Graphics

01603 722399 www.cimdisplay.co.uk Marketing Services

Community Advise

07575 578431 Retail

DeVirsity Ltd

01603 789720 www.devirsity.com Furniture Manufacturers/Suppliers (inc office)

01603 861 617 www.maximiseservices.com

Chemicals

Abbot Fox

Maximise Engineering Services Ltd

Foodcare Systems Ltd

Engineering

Moughton Engineering Ltd

01493 650195 www.moughtonengineering.com Engineering

01553 770444

Nelson’s Journey

www.foodcaredirect.com

01603 414104

Food Safety

www.nelsonsjourney.org.uk Charities

Gauthiers Trading Limited

01953 798606 www.gauthiers.co.uk Wholesalers/Distributors

GS Hotels Ltd

01603 741161 www.brookhotel.co.uk Hotels

Imagine Spa

01603 712550

Oilfield Supplies and Services Limited

01263 732343 www.oss-ltd.net Oil & Gas

Paul Harrison Photography

07789 792910 www.paulharrison.me Photography

Permastore Limited

Leisure

Manufacturing

www.permastore.co.uk

Print Box Print Management

01328 712153

01603 300790

www.kissworks.co.uk

www.printboxuk.com

Engineering

Printers

0333 210 0245 www.lakecontrols.co.uk Procurement

Martello Associates Ltd

www.riversidedental.co.uk Health Care

SNBS Ltd

01603 612244 www.snbsltd.co.uk Consultants (Marketing)

SPC Technologies Limited

01328 864082 Manufacturing (Plastics)

Su Ingle Media www.suingle.co.uk Media

Symmetris Broadband Limited

07747 474519 www.symmetris.co.uk

01379 870723

Lake Controls Ltd

01603 920 313

07789 430642

http://imaginespa.co.uk/blofieldheath/ home/

Kiss Works Ltd

Riverside Dental

Broadband

The Guild Social Economy Services CIC

01603 482220 www.the-guild.co.uk Business Support Services

The PUSH Academy

0843 289 6877 www.thepushacademy.co.uk Learning and Development

Utilitywise Plc

0191 4254849 www.utilitywise.com

Reepham High School & College

01603 870328 www.reephamhigh.com Education

Energy and Utility Services

Wordperfect Print

01508 557777 www.wordperfectprint.com Printers

Relationships Doctor Ltd

Zing Insights Ltd

08448 708196

07885 253525

www.martello-associates.co.uk

0844 800 9588

www.liles.co.uk

www.zinginsights.com

Consultants (Business/Management)

Training Providers/Services

Market Research

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE47

NORFOLK VOICE

MIGRATION SOLUTIONS LTD

The Cloud has arrived in Norwich!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Recently, the Cloud arrived in Norwich. This is a good thing for businesses in East Anglia and further confirms that Norwich is fast becoming recognised as the technology hub for East Anglia.

There is a huge amount of hype around what exactly the Cloud is and how it might be of benefit to a business. Here we hope to give some clarity about what exactly the Cloud is. Firstly, let us describe exactly what a Cloud is – it is something that is generally white and fluffy that’s up in the sky somewhere. It is not, as much of the hype would have it, the panacea to all things. It is, however, a generic term for a delivery mechanism for providing technological solutions to business needs.

What does this all mean in real terms? Firstly, we should explain the different types of ‘Cloud’.

There is Public Cloud, Private Cloud and Hybrid Cloud. Public Cloud is a way of delivering a technological solution that is shared by many organisations or individuals. A good example of Public Cloud might be Amazon EC2 or Windows Azure for a business, or Dropbox or even iTunes for an individual. Private Cloud is exactly that.

Private Cloud is a technological solution that’s availability is restricted to a known set of users, such as a company or organisation. An example of Private Cloud might be using virtualisation to improve utilisation of servers or providing a shared infrastructure that can be used by many users within an organisation. Hybrid Cloud is, as its name suggests, a hybrid of Public Cloud and Private Cloud. A good example of a Hybrid Cloud might be where an organisation uses

‘virtual desktops’ for users that is provided from servers that are controlled by the organisation, but allows users to use public cloud storage such as Syncplicity or ShareFile.

the provider who both owns and maintains it. An example of SaaS might be Salesforce.Com or Microsoft 365 where you don’t own or run a copy of the software, but merely pay for it as you use it.

So, why are we not describing what this technological solution is? Because it is many things. Cloud services might be split into three discrete types of technological solution. The purists out there may argue with this, but basically there is Infrastructure as a Service, (IaaS), Platform as a Service, (PaaS), and Software as a Service, (SaaS). IaaS is also sometimes know as Hardware as a Service, (HaaS). IaaS is a business model whereby the provider owns the hardware, (servers, storage, network, etc.), and customers pay for its use on a pay-per-use basis.

The aforementioned Amazon EC2 service is an example of IaaS. PaaS is a way to rent hardware, operating systems, storage and network capacity over the Internet. The business model allows the customer to rent virtualised servers and associated services for running existing applications or developing and testing new ones.

An example of PaaS might be the Google App Engine that lets anyone build an application, (software), based on Google’s scaleable infrastructure. SaaS is where a user effectively rents the use of an application, (or software), from

With all these different types of Cloud service, it may appear a little confusing. That’s where MigSolv comes in. We can guide you through the various ‘flavours’ of Cloud computing, help you to understand what may be appropriate and of benefit to your business and, with our Cloud partners at The Gatehouse Data Centre in Norwich, we can provide world class Cloud services.

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

If you would like to know more about how MigSolv can securely and safely protect your computer equipment whilst you get on with your business, call on 08451 42 42 42 or email AskUs@MigSolv.com

CHAMBER NEWS

A week in the Life of an Apprentice...

Katie Downes Membership Assistant at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Began the day the same way I always do; checking e-mails, going through my in-tray, answering phone calls, just catching up with outstanding stuff. Then Monday morning meeting where staff talk about what will be happening during the week. Been a busy day today with lots of new members coming in, so new member packs to collate and send out and phone calls to answer.

Been a good day today, normal start, then went out to see a new venue for one of our Meet the Chamber events so I can start to get everything planned for that. I also managed to get lots of membership renewals sent out today.

A really interesting day.

Went out with Chris Perry, our Membership Manager, to meet a new member and have a look around their premises, very interesting people, then pretty busy in the office with plenty of emails and phone calls.

Thursday Lots of phone calls, trying to set up meetings for the Membership Manager with members and potential members. Had to be creative with times and locations, so it was a challenge, then updated the member database.

Friday It was the Unlocking Success Conference today, which was a great event. Very well attended.

I worked on reception and helped people find their way around. A great week overall, the good thing about working at the Chamber is that two days are never the same, Plenty of variety and challenge.

50th start-up to join Chamber.

Spurgo has become the 50th start-up company to join the Norfolk Chamber since April, and is already reaping the rewards.

Run by Howard Frost, who has spent 25 years in market research, Spurgo helps companies to achieve their full potential and focus fully on customers, through changes in management style and structure.

Howard Frost commented: “I attended a Meet the Chamber event and was blown away by the positive attitude and their dedication to supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

There was a real buzz. What they are doing is of huge value to my business and as far as return on investment, which is a key focus for me, the publicity and support I will receive from the Chamber is an investment that represents exceptional value for money. The people I have met so far at Chamber networking events are in a similar position to me and have a very innovative way of looking at business. To grow my business I need to be part of that too.�

Howard Frost

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE49

NORFOLK VOICE

The last word.

Name: Laura Claxton Company: Claxton Engineering Job title: Managing Director Biog: Laura was born in Norfolk and always lived locally, now with her fiancé and two Golden Retrievers.

Decided to join the family business, an offshore service company and continue her studies on a part-time basis (best of both worlds). Worked her way up, getting involved in lots of areas as you do with a family business but has always enjoyed looking at ways to improve and develop things.

The family business became part of the Acteon Group in 1999 and she later took up the role as MD. Now with the business for 20 years but still finds it exciting working with a great team and pushing on with global expansion plans.

What did you want to be when you were young?

My favourite game when I was young was to play at banks, my poor mother would have to play the customer and generally it involved me stamping lots of paper….I would put Coca-Cola into a mug pretending it was black coffee…as naturally that was the height of sophistication!

Then as a teenager I was interested in Law or Public Relations – both of which come into my role now at different levels.

What could you not live without?

his links to Norfolk. Boris Johnson would just have me in stitches with his ability to bumble and say whatever comes into his head…I think he’s such a great character and it would be great to hear about what his day was like.

one near to where I moved to where as you leave they say “do well”….how nice is that?!

What is, in your opinion, the greatest invention ever?

Negativity and apathy…..interestingly, the two traits often seem to go hand in hand.

Those who know me would probably say for me it should be Sat-Nav as I have a terrible sense of direction but definitely for me it would be the world-wide-web. Having just about finished a major house renovation project, the internet has been invaluable and I’ve used it every evening either to save time on the daily chores like banking or shopping but generally just to source suppliers – I’m old enough to remember the world before the internet and it’s revolutionised things… it’s fab!

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

What is most valuable lesson you have learnt in life?

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

I’ve travelled a fair amount but like Dorothy said there’s no place like home…it would be in Norfolk but perhaps on the Broads, I would love to be near water and have a boat.

Having my family relatively nearby, living across the world from them wouldn’t be for me, life is too short.

A (very) close second would be the support of the offshore engineering and wider business communities in our region, that network is invaluable and something our whole business is truly grateful for.

What makes you angry?

A good coffee, to keep me going until I plan my next move.

Treat others as you would want to be treated – just try to be the best person you can be.

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

What is the best thing about Norfolk?

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

I’m a big fan of Coco Chanel but I suspect she would be a picky eater so strike that… it would be Stephen Fry and Boris Johnson.

Like a lot of people I find Stephen Fry just so interesting and witty, I’m certain the conversation would never run dry…plus he has

It’s funny when I was younger I would grumble that nothing ever happened but now as an adult Norfolk has the things I really value such as the countryside, a sense of calm and security.….I also really like the many little sayings that crop up in the micro-areas of the region…I just noticed

THE MAGAZINE OF NORFOLK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

Well my dogs have a pretty nice life but perhaps a Cockerel…I like to be up really early as it feels like just for a moment you’ve got the world to yourself– I could do my job then take it easy for the day – doesn’t sound too bad does it?

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