Seeker News - Issue 8

FREE

MIND MATTERS

ISSUE 08 – OCTOBER 2012

Tony Buzan talks to Seeker News

HIGH FLYER

Noel Gallagher at the BIC seekernews.co.uk 1

For the latest news visit our website at www.seekernews.co.uk

2 seekernews.co.uk

When your face just doesn’t fit Steve Cook Editor Seeker News

C

ommunication is a vital part of business, whether it’s internal communication within your team or external communication sending sales letters, press releases or newsletters.

In the 21st century we’re all used to online communication – email, forums, Twitter and Facebook.

Using social media has become an everyday activity for most of us – there are now an estimated 30 million Facebook users in the UK alone. That’s around half the population of the country.

So if I’m on there – and so is half the population – then what of the others?

Well, recent research has suggested that employers are increasingly suspicious of employees that don’t use Facebook.

It seems prospective employers are thinking candidates have something to hide by not being on Facebook – maybe their profile was so full of unsavoury material that they’ve been deleted, or perhaps they’ve been stalking an ex.

Some have gone so far as to suggest people who don’t use Facebook might even be psychopaths and point to the likes of Norwegian serial killer Anders Breivik, who used MySpace (remember that?) rather than Facebook; and James Holmes, the so-called Batman shooter from Aurora, Seeker News is published by Seeker Editor: Steve Cook – steve@seeker.uk.com Deputy editor: Nick Churchill – nick@seeker.uk.com Associate editor: Dawn Cook – dawn@seeker.uk.com Photography: Steve Cook Siân Court – sian@seeker.uk.com

Colorado whose network of choice was Adult Friend Finder.

All of which seems pretty extreme and is perhaps symptomatic of a world in which many people want easy and instant access to key information – even the inner workings of a person’s character it seems.

Writers: Steve Cook, Nick Churchill Advertising: Tracey Parrack – tracey@seeker.uk.com Seeker Keel House, 244 High Street North, Poole, BH15 1EA www.seekernews.co.uk www.facebook.com/seekernews © 2012 Seeker. All rights reserved.

Seeker is a Business Solent Champion seekernews.co.uk 3

SeekerNews

MinD how you go Mind Maps creator Tony Buzan talks to Seeker news editor Steve Cook

I

t’s one of the most underused assets of your company and despite its power to transform your business it doesn’t appear anywhere on the balance sheet.

It’s the key to success and failure and it was the driving force behind the formation of your business in the very beginning.

4 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

“The crash was not because business suddenly went bankrupt.

There was a bankruptcy, but it was a bankruptcy of thought.”

7I’m not talking about your product, your funding or even your staff. This asset was the crucible in which your business idea was born – I’m talking about your mind.

There are few people who know more about the inner workings of the human mind and the abilities it possesses than Tony Buzan.

The creator of Mind Maps and author of numerous books on subjects from speed reading to the nature of genius, Tony Buzan has established a worldwide reputation as a thinker and lecturer.

He’s in great demand and, at 70, shows no sign of slowing down.

“My mum was a lecturer and she was fired at the age of 65 because it was the retirement age. So she said ‘I am a gerontologist, I am studying the process of ageing in a human being and just when I’m entering an advanced age you’re telling me I have no right to talk about the subject.’

“So she retired but continued to work. She had her first business card made and it said: Jean H Buzan: re-tyred and inspired. She lived until she was 94. She was in the gym until her early 90s, she was doing her crossword, playing mind sports, physical exercising and socialising all the time. She said: ‘I look in the mirror and think who’s that? She looks older than I am!’

“You have this growing resource of intellectual capital and people who are 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, they have got a resource they can put into the bloodstream of industry and create wealth from it. Society should forget what old means. What are the words that connect to old people?

Decrepit, old, smelly, grumpy and on and on it goes. In the past they were elders, patriarchs, matriarchs, oracles, sages, the wise ones and on and on. We have to think of the positive.” seekernews.co.uk

seekernews.co.uk 5

SeekerNews

“All times are times of opportunity.”

7It is this strong conviction in the power of positive, considered thought that he feels is the key to recovery and that a lack of it caused the collapse that has left the economy in its current state.

“The crash was not because business suddenly went bankrupt.

There was a bankruptcy, but it was a bankruptcy of thought. There was not much thought and some of the thought was inadequate thought so intellectual capital was very small.

What business will need in the future – and will always need – is entrepreneurship, the generation of ideas and vision.

“You have to learn how to think logically, how to think imaginatively, how to think socially, how to think ethically, how to think mind and body connectivity, no matter what country you’re in, what age you are, your business has to have a positive vision, it has to help humanity, it has to generate wealth.”

And Tony feels that thought is a resource that defies Keynes’ laws of supply and demand.

“What’s the limit of thinking?

There is no limit, so you can supply infinitely, building business, and the resource is human.”

There is a difference though between thought and intelligent thought, between education and learning, he says.

“The financial columns are usually written by not particularly wealthy people, telling you how to become wealthy. So, how do they know if they haven’t made any money and if they’re not particularly creative themselves?

“The Wall Street Journal did a very interesting editorial in the 6 seekernews.co.uk

middle of the crash saying the world has now gone into a recession and quite possibly a depression, who’s leading us? They checked all the main people in governments and international businesses and the number one qualification of the

Thinking ahead The Mind Your Head Conference was organised by Dorchester-based business management training company Training For Results.

Run by Rosie and Ken Barfoot, both of whom have trained in creative and lateral thinking techniques, Training For Results is now working with Tony Buzan’s Brain Trust Charity.

The Mind Your Head programme was created as part of their 2012 Phoenix Legacy project, a community volunteer organisation for the over 50s with more than 150 enrolled members. With the aim of enabling greater mental activity to sustain well-being in the over 50s, the group completed a garden regeneration project at The Crossroads Centre in Weymouth, before enlisting local businesses and organisations to support Mind Your Head.

Forthcoming course: z Mind Your Head: Engage the Brain, Engage the Team October 9, 9.15am-4.45pm Dorset Advocacy, Poundbury October 23 & November 6, 9.15am4.45pm Aylott Room, Stratton

Contact: z www.trainingforresults.co.uk 01305 261540

leaders was an MBA – Master of Business Administration. What is administration? It is the use of one small aspect of intelligence, ordering things, listing things, noting things in one colour, mono chromatics, mono tonic, which is boring and those leaders led the entire herd over the cliff with their MBA. “There needs to be a new degree – an MBI or an MBT. An MBI is a Master of Business Intelligence or MBT: a Master of Business Thinking. That’s not just thinking about your business and the bottom line it’s thinking about the resource in your company.”

Resources and opportunity are the key to recovery according to Tony Buzan, internal resources and the ability to analyse results in the same way that Olympians review their performance in order to achieve their goals.

“The world needs to change and to shift its focus into a more realistically idealistic future. All times are times of opportunity.

When you are taught as most people are, that these are times of no opportunity or stress or disaster, then they’re thinking themselves into a negative spiral which is a waste of time.

“As a business person, or as a family member, or as a mum or dad, or a kid you have to look at the dominant qualities in those successful Olympic athletes. Success can often mean that you lost fabulously, but what did you learn from that? How did that make you stronger?

“The athlete will learn everything from success – how did I do that?

I followed good models, I had a mastermind team, I was persistent, I was committed, I was visionary, I was helping others and they helped me, I was fundamentally optimistic about the future, I was positive, I was upbeat, I arranged the relationship between my brain and my body – and all of that applies to a business.”

SeekerNews SeekerNews For the first time ever a private contractor has been given permission to put up a marquee on Bournemouth beach.

Seventa Events & Hospitality were commissioned to organise a party for 500 guests and worked with the Westbeach venue, which ran the catering and bars.

In a 24 hour operation, Seventa started to set up the marquee at 6am on the day of the party, a job that took six hours. the party ended at 1am the next day and the de-rig began two hours later, with the beach restored to normal by 7am.

The fight for social freedom words: nick churchill

E

nterprise software giant Salesforce has caused a storm of protest by attempting to trademark the term ‘social enterprise’.

And a Dorset charity is throwing its weight behind a not-in-our-name campaign to put pressure on the American firm to drop its application.

“We are disappointed that Salesforce is attempting to trademark the term ‘social enterprise’,” says Lucy Culkin, business development manager at Sequal Solutions, the social enterprise linked to Bournemouth-based charity BCHA which provides help with housing, learning and living to homeless adults and young people.

“Over the past couple of years we have worked hard, along with others in the sector, to widen the public’s knowledge about what a social enterprise is and the benefit of these organisations to the local community.

“If Salesforce was successful in its bid, we feel it would undermine all this hard work and confuse people.”

Social enterprises – businesses that put community and environmental aims before profits – are angry

that Salesforce is attempting to trademark the term in the EU, US and Jamaica, arguing that companies in the information technology sector looking for new ways to connect with customers, partners and employees are empowering them with what the company calls “social enterprise technologies”.

However, Peter Holbrook, chief executive of Social Enterprise UK, said Salesforce “seems to fundamentally misunderstand what social enterprises are”.

Sequal Solutions is backing the efforts to challenge the bid.

“We are supporting Social Enterprise UK’s campaign in the hope Salesforce will listen and reconsider its attempt to trademark social enterprise,” says Lucy Culkin.

“It has taken a long time for the industry to establish this term as a way of recognising the social benefit and value of organisations operating as social enterprises. If Salesforce is successful it will undervalue everyone’s hard work over the last few years and most likely endanger the future progress of the social enterprise sector.”

New club launch

Seeker Business Club launches on October 12 at Hotel du Vin, Poole with a two-course meal and guest speaker.

The Club will alternate between breakfast and lunch and move between venues in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and further afield.

Seeker MD Steve Cook is a great believer in the power of networking and in businesses getting together to share ideas and experiences as well as do business.

“Seeker was built on networking and continues to find the energy for growth on the same principals,” says Steve.

“I have learned many great things from meeting and talking with fellow business owners so it seems the next logical progression is to establish Seeker’s own event.”

With free or discounted places available for Seeker News advertisers, Seeker Business Club places can be booked at www.seekernews.co.uk/businessclub

Toast for Teachers

Teachers Building Society picked up Best Local Building Society at the What Mortgage Awards – the second consecutive year the Dorset-based mutual has landed the coveted title.

Chief executive James Bawa collected the trophy at a gala event presented by What Mortgage editor Joanne Atkin.

“Just being nominated for the second year running was a huge source of pride for the whole team at Teachers,” he said.

“Winning again is fantastic, particularly as the award is the result of nominations from our customers, so it’s real recognition for the truly personal service we strive to provide.” seekernews.co.uk 7

8 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

Hospital high

The standard of care for cancer patients at Poole Hospital has been rated amongst the best in the country in a new national survey.

The 2011/12 National Cancer Patient Experience Survey found that 94 per cent of patients rated their care as ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’, giving Poole the highest score recorded amongst participating trusts.

In 40 out of 70 questions asked, the responses from patients regarding their care at Poole Hospital were in the highest scoring 20 per cent of all trusts in the country; none were in the lowest scoring 20 per cent.

Centre revamp

Regeneration plans for Bournemouth town centre took another step forward as planners have approved proposals for new student housing and a multistorey car park.

The Bournemouth Development Company’s £22 million scheme to create three blocks of student housing at Madeira Road West Car Park for up to 378 students of the Arts University College at Bournemouth, and a 400 space car park have been granted planning permission by the Council’s Planning Board.

The proposals will create revenue for the Council to improve other parts of the town.

Bournemouth’s famous Pimms deckchair has returned to the town to take up permanent residence.

The deckchair, taller than a double decker bus, was commissioned by the drinks company to mark the start of British Summer Time and first appeared on Bournemouth beach in March.

Mark Smith, director of Bournemouth Tourism, said tourists and locals alike had enjoyed the deckchair.

“We even had some petitions to bring the deckchair back,” he added.

picture: SiÂn cOurT

Call for councils to help small businesses L ocal authorities could do more to help Dorset’s small businesses access contracts and boost the economy in their communities.

That’s the message from the Federation of Small Businesses which has launched a national procurement best practice checklist aimed at local councils.

Of the 148 UK local authorities that responded to the FSB’s survey on procurement, more than a third do not actively record the location of spend and almost half do not know the size of business they trade with.

In the south west, this falls to 27 per cent that don’t record location, but 53 per cent that don’t know the size of business.

“Local authorities are there to

improve the lives of those living within their communities and key to this is boosting the local economy by using and supporting local companies,” says Neil Eames, FSB development manager for the Wessex region.

“There are a number of steps we would like to see local procurers take to maximise opportunities for small suppliers. We would very much like to see as many as possible work with their local small businesses and the FSB to see what can be done to help them make things more accessible for small businesses.”

The FSB is calling for local councils to: z Record and analyse where and with which businesses money is spent. This should include the size of business

– whether micro-, small – or mediumsized. This data should be transparent and publicly available. z Actively support small firms with the tender process and develop the potential of their local small businesses. z Streamline and standardise prequalification processes, including simple systems for the lowest value contracts. z Provide detailed, specific and timely feedback to all unsuccessful businesses so they are better placed to bid in the future. z Break contracts into smaller lots where possible. z Use Contracts Finder to advertise procurement opportunities. seekernews.co.uk 9

SeekerNews

“Finally, a practical Business Growth Event for Dorset’s elite business owners…” ow ne rs k n ow

b us in es s er su cc es sf ul up s gs in th or T he 18 do n 't k n ow es s ow n er s in us b t os m t an d do (t ha S! !! , N o B ** ** ** , N o T he or y f uf Fl o N – do n' t do !)

There are a lot of people working very hard out there -­‐ they are driven and passionate about growing their business, but they are not achieving the levels of success they had hoped for. Book your place on a Proper Business Growth Event and you'll leave with Tools, tips, tricks, secrets and techniques that will help your business grow.

Short, sharp and made you want to rush off & implement it” – Angus Reid, Shop Surplus UK

War

If £ ning : 4 muc 9 is t oo h t in y o in thi our b vest us s is NOT iness, for you .

“It was like an “espresso” of knowledge.

Mee t Ali C a rter – Dorset’s multi-award-winning winning Business

Growth Advisor – helping business owners escape mediocrity & live the lives they deserve to live

A PROPER BUSINESS GROWTH EVENT

Thurs 25th October, 2:00 – 4:30pm at The Cow, Ashley Cross, Poole

Tickets £49 49 – use promo code ‘Seeker-­‐40’ before 14th October for 40% off!

Book your place online visit

ProperBusinessDorset.eventbrite.

ProperBusinessDorset.eventbrite. co.uk co.uk Or call Katy on 01202 509016

We provide creative material to the highest standard • • • • • • • • • • •

Corporate Identity Brand Building Literature Advertising Multimedia Packaging Signage Web Development Design & Hosting Search Optimisation E-commerce

01202 700443 ideas@bluewaterweb.co.uk www.bluewaterweb.co.uk

10 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

The Bournemouth International Airport based distributor for Pilatus, the Swiss aircraft manufacturer, has opened a new sales operation on Jersey to provide advice and arrange demonstration flights for the nine-seat luxury executive aircraft, the Pilatus PC-12.

With UK sales and maintenance continuing at the Bournemouth Pilatus centre, former international sales and business development

executive Matt Mackenzie has been appointed as Group Sales Director to support potential customers from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Spain and Gibraltar.

The UK Pilatus Centre expects to boost sales of the $4.6 million PC-12 in the coming months as more frequent business flyers recognise the need to avoid airport queues and enjoy the advantages of owning their own aircraft.

Trio climb aboard LEP A

leading light in the marine industry, a natural born seller from the world of retail and a professor in environmental geology have been appointed at the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, Tony Brown CEO of Beale Plc and Professor Matthew Bennett of Bournemouth University have recently joined the board of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership – a new organisation set to drive and expand Dorset’s economy.

Chairman Gordon Page welcomed them, saying: “I am delighted to welcome Jim Stewart, Tony Brown and Matthew Bennett to the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

“With their wealth of knowledge and experience in their industry sectors we

can bring even more entrepreneurial drive to the table whilst representing Dorset’s key sectors. We are confident this drive will bring us increased access to Government funding and ultimately improve Dorset as a place to do business.”

The LEP has already attracted nearly £50 million of investment for the county and substantial sums are expected in the near future. Some £10 million has been allocated from the Government’s Growing Places fund to boost jobs and housing and more than £38 million to deliver superfast broadband across Dorset by April 2015.

Recently the government granted Dorset more than £12million to improve the east-west corridor between Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

Final folk

This year’s Wimborne Folk Festival is to be the last as organisers say they can no longer afford to stage the weekend-long event.

In a statement on the Festival website they said: “We are convinced this is the right time before it all gets too frustrating and we stop enjoying it” and blamed “those people and businesses that make a lot of money on the back of our year round hours of voluntary hard work but give nothing in return”.

One of England’s largest annual folk music and dance events, the volunteerrun Festival was first staged in 1980 and regularly attracted crowds of up to 30,000.

Local music fan James Marshall has set up the Save the Wimborne Folk Festival page on Facebook.

One-day Sale

Former Seeker News cover star James Sale hosts a one-day personal development workshop on November 2.

In the first part, entitled Developing Self Awareness and Belief, he’ll reveal the three brains and discuss the seven success elements of life.

Part two – Developing Your Creativity and Purpose – offers self-hypnosis techniques and an examination of why creativity is central to the human experience. seekernews.co.uk 11

SeekerNews

The crowning of a new champion

S

eeker has become a Business Solent Champion, pledging to work with one of the area’s leading business engagement organisation to establish the region as the south coast’s premier place to work, invest, live, study and enjoy.

By connecting business leaders to drive economic prosperity, Business Solent aims to put local businesses in the driving seat and promote what the region has to offer in terms of investment potential, innovation and growth.

“Seeker News has a track record of providing information and educational articles designed to help businesses grow and we see a great shared ideal with Business Solent in helping business owners for the good of the local economy,” says Seeker MD Steve Cook.

“Businesses thrive by working together and through the sharing of knowledge and ideas.

Seeker is proud to help Business Solent spread this message to businesses throughout the region.”

Business Solent covers an area from Weymouth in the west to Chichester in the east, up to Basingstoke and back west to Salisbury.

The West Solent region focuses around urban Dorset with Bournemouth and Poole at its heart, but also incorporating Christchurch, Ferndown

Geoff Paterson of Business Solent presents Seeker MD Steve Cook with the Champions plaque

and Wimborne; and further west to Blandford Forum, Dorchester, Weymouth and Salisbury.

Building on the success of Business Southampton and the lessons learnt; Business Solent works to raise the profile of the Solent region both nationally and internationally.

A Dorset law firm has formed a specialist banking department to handle more than 40 cases involving the mis-selling of interest rate hedge products.

The worst examples involve business owners in their 60s or 70s who have been encouraged to take out complex forms of derivative exceeding 20 years.

One client has to reach the age of 93 before being able to retire and sell the business without a breakage cost in excess of £400,000.

Ellis Jones Solicitors is acting nationally for care home owners, caravan park operators, hoteliers, pub owners and property developers. Some of the cases are progressing to the High Court.

The Financial Services Authority has reached agreement with Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Royal Bank of Scotland/NatWest to provide ‘appropriate redress’ where mis-selling has occurred.

The mis-selling involves interest rate hedges, a complicated form of derivative sold to small – and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

But the move, involving banks reviewing each case individually under the supervision of an independent adjudicator, has been criticised in some quarters.

Often known as interest rate protection they were sold by the UK’s biggest banks on the basis that they would act as a hedge or a form of protection against a rise in interest rates.

However, due to the complexities of the structured product, the customer often did not appreciate – or was not even aware – of the significant risk they were taking on.

Headed by solicitor William Fox Bregman, pictured, Ellis Jones’ specialist 12 seekernews.co.uk

banking department is advising on cases where the client’s exit fee under the swap exceeds £700,000.

The exit fee can be triggered simply by the sale of the business and/or repaying the loan.

“One of our clients described it as like being mugged, then having the sentence handed back to the mugger to decide,” says William.

“By any standards, this is a huge scandal which we predict will dwarf the issues and costs surrounding Payment Protection Insurance.”

SeekerNews Seven jet setting Japanese students have recently completed three weeks’ intensive training at Bournemouth and Poole College’s Lansdowne campus.

The girls studied an airline cabin crew course before returning to Jogakuin College and University in Osaka to resume their studies.

“We had a wonderful time and learned so much,” said 21-year-old student Shoko Koga.

“The college staff have made us feel so welcome. We all fell in love with Bournemouth and its lovely climate. Maybe one day we will be serving Bournemouth people on long haul flights to our own country.”

The College has developed a global reputation for training cabin crew and has been forging strong links with Japanese colleges.

It is now looking to promote the course in other Asian and Far East countries.

From left Sena Yokoi, Kumi Nagase, Shoko Koga, Aimi Kashiwa, Yuriko Makino, Michika Nonoguchi, Chie Arima

SeekerLetters

Sceptical over billions on offer

I

’ve just been reading the September issue of Seeker News and was initially very excited to read the article on page seven trumpeting the Bank of England’s multi-billion pound scheme to make cheaper loans available to businesses.

However, on re-reading it, I am now very sceptical about it actually working. Banks are always boasting how much they are lending already when, the reality is, if they do it is on even more stringent terms than previously.

Graeme Leach, chief economist at the Institute of Directors says: “The Bank of England will lend Treasury Bills to the banks, in the hope that they will use them to provide more and cheaper loans to companies and consumers.”

No Graeme, “in the hope” should be replaced simply by one word “must”, otherwise the banks will just borrow cheaply and if they do lend on the same terms as prevail now.

He is however right in saying that companies and consumers will only borrow if they have confidence and the banks currently do not give this confidence.

Barry L. White, FCILEX Barry White PR Services

Editor’s reply You’ve pointed out the obvious flaw in the system Barry, we all know that the carrot

Got something to say? Send your thoughts to steve@seeker.uk.com

doesn’t work with banks and no amount of gentle persuasion from the politicians will do anything to help the situation.

As a major shareholder in the banks and as provider of these Treasury Bills the Government must use its authority to tell banks what they must do, not simply imply it and hope that they will do the right thing.

The problem is that those children eventually have to try to find work and not being able to spell hinders that somewhat. Also, suddenly being thrust into a competitive, commercial job means they are often sent into shock at the reality of the difference between a cosy little classroom and a work environment where people actually dare to tell them what to do.

Schools’ grade expectations

I am not sure if a new, more vigorous exam is the complete answer as the root of the problem lies with the standard of teachers and the inability to apply any form of discipline, but it’s a start.

D

id schools really think they could continue to increase the number of children coming out of education with higher and higher grades without somebody pointing out that this is completely unrealistic?

Quite simply either our children are getting cleverer and cleverer and our teachers are getting better and better, or the exams are getting easier and easier.

The simple fact is, and surely no one other than a teacher trying to justify their school records in order not to be downgraded would even try and argue this, the exams have been dumbed down to a point that is bordering on ludicrous.

If this is not true then how does anybody explain why I continually see CVs from people that have apparently done quite well as far as gaining GCSEs are concerned, but who are unable to spell or grasp any form of grammar?

Phil Harmsworth MIOR The Work Shop Resourcing Ltd

Editor’s reply It has long been obvious to anyone with half a brain that the exam pass rate had to eventually go down, when you’re already running at a 98% pass rate you haven’t left yourself much room for improvement.

The dumbing down of the education system has done nobody any favours least of all the pupils who, equipped with their meaningless certificates, leave school with a sense of entitlement that anything is within their grasp with nothing but the smallest of obstacles to bar their way.

Like you, I’m not entirely convinced that the EBacc is the solution, especially since it sounds like the creation of a Government committee in the sitcoms Twenty Twelve or The Thick of It. seekernews.co.uk 13

SeekerNews

inspire C h a r t e r e d Ta x A d v i s e r s & C h a r t e r e d Certified Accountants

a t r e x “ To e ting la stimu necial e and b t” effec

inspire

Here at Inspire, we strive to exert a “stimulating and beneficial effect” on our clients’ businesses; after all, that’s what inspire means.

C h a r t e r e d Ta x A d v i s e r s & C h a r t e r e d to exert C Here e r t i f i at e d Inspire, A c c o u nwe t a nstrive ts

a “stimulating and

We do this effect” by providing services after such all, as beneficial on ourinnovative clients’ businesses; fixed-fee compliance, financial director on demand, that’s what inspire means. proactive tax advice and outsourced finance functions.

We do this by providing innovative services such as

financialowner-managed director on demand, Iffixed-fee you run compliance, an entrepreneurial, proactive tax advice and outsourced finance company which needs more support from functions. your accountants, whether it’s on special projects or If you runfian entrepreneurial, ongoing nancial reportingowner-managed and tax advice, company we which love needs moreto support from your accountants, would to talk you. whether it’s on special projects or ongoing financial

reporting and advice, would loveout to talk Call us now ontax 0800 077 we 6410 to find howto you.

Inspire can help your business.

Call us now on 0800 077 6410 to find out how Inspire can help your business.

37 Commercial Road Poole Dorset BH14 0HU T: 0800 077Poole 6410 F: 0800 BH14 077 6411 37 Commercial Road Dorset 0HU t. 0800 077 6410E:f.info@inspire.uk.net 0800 077 6411 W: www.inspire.uk.net e. info@inspire.uk.net

www.inspire.uk.net

DO THE RIGHT THING NOW

{

}

Save time and money later It is a legal requirement to issue all employees with a contract of employment and the sensible thing to also issue an employee handbook

Streetwise HR takes a no-nonsense approach to costly employee issues Limited offer – please quote ‘HRsup0051’ Tailored employee HR package Bespoke contract of employment and employee handbook just £500 (usual price £1,000) Absolutely essential for every company

0844 682 7488 www.streetwisehr.co.uk 14 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

senior appointments Store & Secure: Lucy and Sophie Maidman

C

oncentrating on a close-knit team culture, introducing family members to Bournemouth’s Store & Secure helps reinforce its here-to-help ethos.

The self storage centre behind Castlepoint is sister company to well known local removals firm Maidman’s, which has been in operation for 33 years having been set up by managing director Brian Maidman.

Now, two family members are playing a leading role in the business.

Lucy Maidman, was first introduced to Store & Secure in 2010 as facility manager and the recent introduction of her sister Sophie brings more emphasis to a family run business.

“Introducing family members presents an interesting new dynamic,” says Brian Maidman. “Over the years the businesses have created close-knit teams, based on support, trust, unity and closeness. By introducing family, it helps to re-emphasise the team ethos.”

Eco Sustainable Mel Western, Sally Spencer Expanding organics recycling company Eco Sustainable Solutions has appointed two new account managers.

Lucy, 24, comments: “Brian is my dad and he’s also my employer. I know what standards he aspires to and what he expects from all of us. That way, the company culture becomes easier to fit into.”

Sophie, 22, adds: “As the newest recruit, I have to prove myself just as much as any new member, if not more.

It’s been something I’ve been looking forward to being part of. I’ve seen the company develop, in the background, now I’m at the forefront and hopefully part of its future.”

A&T Farm Team: Hazel Jury

Hazel, who also got married in Ireland this summer, joined Alan & Thomas in 2009, but has more than seven years’

Bournemouth Collegiate Bernie Shrosbree, Kate Shaw Bernie Shrosbree, a performance coach to the Red Bull F1 Racing team and Mark Webber, has been appointed Director of Performance and full time performance coach at Bournemouth Collegiate School.

Kate Shaw has been appointed the school’s new head of development and alumni relations.

The rural and agricultural team at Poole – and Gillingham-based Alan & Thomas Insurance is celebrating the recent promotion of Hazel Jury to Account Executive.

The five strong team, headed by director Simon Reeves, looks after the insurance and risk management needs for a large number of the south west’s farms and estates, working closely with some of the UK’s leading insurers.

Mel Western will specialise in the Parley-based company’s equestrian products, while former QE School student Sally Spencer, from Wimborne, will handle a range of Eco’s products.

John Hussey Lester Aldridge LLP experience in the insurance industry.

“This promotion is thoroughly deserved,” says Simon Reeves. “Hazel has built up a sound knowledge base of the local farming industry and clients often praise her for her efficient and wellinformed advice and guidance.”

Law firm Lester Aldridge LLP has strengthened its real estate department with the appointment of new partner John Hussey.

John specialises in commercial property law.

Introducing Engage Executive Jobs, a new division from the dynamic and professional team at Jobshop UK. With years of experience Engage Executive Jobs are offering a personal, ethical and honest service, making them a perfect recruitment partner for you.

ENGAGEEXECUTIVE JOBS .COM FROM THE TEAM BEHIND JOBSHOP UK

1 The Triangle, Bournemouth, Dorset BH2 5RY Phone 01202 67 44 88 Fax 01202 83 01 68 email@engageexecutivejobs.com

READ NExT MONTH’S ISSUE FOR THE FUll STORY ON THE EngagE ExEcutivE JOBS lAUNcH EvENT. seekernews.co.uk 15

SeekerNews

vinyl countdown? words: NICK CHURCHILL picture: STEVE COOK

T

echnology has long been the mother of invention, but sometimes its maternal instincts manifest in unexpected ways. The advent of photography didn’t kill portrait painting, it just made it change. And so it is with music downloading – new technology is replacing the old, but not killing it.

A new documentary film, Last Shop Standing takes a look at how independent record shops are making a stand against the onslaught of the download. But instead of simply eulogising the nostalgic merits of record shops, the film celebrates their very uniqueness as the thing that will see the best of them survive.

Since the 1980s more than 2,000 record shops have closed, but a couple of hundred still remain and Dorset is fortunate to have two of them – Wimborne’s Square Records and Bridport Music.

“It’s funny but the very fact we exist at all seems to amaze some people – we had a woman in the other day who was whooping and shouting that she’d found a real record shop,” says Square Records’ Paul Holman whose family has sold music in Wimborne since 1974.

“I come here to work every day so it’s not a foreign land to me, but it struck me that perhaps people genuinely don’t know record shops even exist any more.”

Paul, who features in the film, makes no bones about the fact that like many other shops Square Records has faced – and continues to face – an uncertain future.

“We’ve had to diversify to survive. The chart market is dead as that’s all downloads, but we stock a lot more specialist titles in jazz, blues and classical for instance. We listen to what our customers want from us and advise them about other music they may like – that’s what sets shops like this apart from the supermarkets and online retailers.”

16 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

Paul Holman at Square Records, Wimborne

Musicians like Richard Hawley, Johnny Marr, Paul Weller and Dorset’s own Billy Bragg all talk passionately about record shops in Last Shop Standing – former Smiths guitarist Marr only half-jokingly calls his love of music an affliction – wondrous places filled with racks of music waiting to be discovered.

“The funny thing is we’re starting to see a bit of that adventurous spirit coming back,” says Paul. “We’re seeing kids, teenagers, coming in and talking about how many ‘vinyls’ they’ve got. They just want the physical format, something on vinyl and they don’t seem too bothered about what it is. My hope is they go home and actually listen to it and start discovering music that’s new to them.”

Although record shops have fallen by the wayside in many towns, attendances at music festivals and gigs have increased in recent years. It seems the social aspect of music, the collective experience, remains important and the last few record shops could benefit.

The mood has been propelled by the annual Record Store Day in April when various artists and labels release very limited editions just for that day. This year saw more than 400 different releases by some of the biggest names in music.

“It’s true that some new acts get a break on Record Store Day but the major labels still see it as a hassle to make short-run copies of product they won’t see a return on – and yet they miss the point that it gets people back in the shops, especially young people, buying music and thereby securing its future,” says Paul.

“Music will always be important to people, it’s too powerful not to be, but how we consume it is changing. All my customers are different – from people that don’t have computers to people that refuse to listen to music online.

“But they’re all attracted to the shop by the same thing – they like to browse and discover things they didn’t know they wanted. It’s a unique experience you don’t get with Spotify or buying online which can be a cold, clinical business.”

Last Shop Standing (Blue Hippo Media/Proper) is available to buy on DVD now. seekernews.co.uk 17

SeekerNews

Google

away?

thrown your

site

Let us put it back where it belongs MfP Website Marketing SEO, Web Development, PPC & Internet Consultancy 01202 257423 www.consultancymarketing.co.uk mfp halfpage ad.indd 1

18 seekernews.co.uk

15/08/2012 20:54:16

SeekerNews

Negative

PLUS Why Google+ is a ghost town

G

oogle has claimed 170 million users for Google+, the network it promised would fix online sharing, but other reports say it is a ghost town and rank it bottom of the social media list for sharing stories.

So what is the truth?

Social media agency Umpf analysed 100 random online entertainment, health, business, technology and general news stories to look at how many times each story was shared by Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn and Twitter users.

Their survey revealed Twitter to be the most active social network for sharing stories, followed by Facebook, LinkedIn and Google+.

The finds included: z For every 100million Twitter users, 197.3 people were likely to share an online story z For every 100million Facebook, 41.8 people were likely to share an online story z For every 100million LinkedIn users, 15.2 people were likely to share an online story z For every 100million Google+ users, six people were likely to share an online story Google+ was designed to be the most socially-integrated network, but there is clearly a gulf between user numbers and their willingness to share online content.

“Whether or not this lack of social sharing is down to dormant accounts, user apathy or counter-intuitive functionality remains to be seen,” says Jon Priestley, of PR and Social Media agency Umpf.

“One thing is certain, though; Google+ is not hitting the targets it set out to achieve and has not gained ground on its rivals as a place where social sharing characterises user activity.”

‘Google+ is not hitting the targets it set out to achieve’

seekernews.co.uk 19

20 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerNews

Unnatural selection

G

oogle has changed the way it notifies webmasters of suspected unnatural linking – the kind of links that are built rapidly in large quantities often by automated software.

Thousands of webmasters received a message from Google in February that said: “We’ve detected that some of your site’s pages may be using techniques that are outside Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. Specifically, look for possibly artificial or unnatural links pointing to your site that could be intended to manipulate PageRank.”

This resulted in many sites losing rankings and therefore business.

Google recently sent a wave of similar emails, but this time the situation was slightly different as Matt Cutts – the head of Google’s webspam team – came out the next day and told us not to panic.

The suggestion was that Google may have penalised sites for having what it called “spammy links”, but it was

Having hand-coded his first website in 1997 and immediately immersed himself in online marketing, Dr Ian Smith of MfP pioneered the use of search engine optimisation to improve Google rankings. But the SEO landscape is changing all the time and in this monthly column he looks at what it means for your business equally possible they were merely highlighting they didn’t trust certain links on those sites.

Not surprisingly, loads of people panicked – how do we tell the difference and how do we fix it?

Google then changed the message to say: “We’ve detected that some of the links pointing to your site are using techniques outside Google’s Webmaster Guidelines.”

This seems to be more of an alert than a warning, but most people are still not sure how to deal with it.

Here’s my guide to what to do if you get a Google warning:

z Check for a drop in search traffic to your site. z Make sure the anchor text on your links uses the name of your site and not a torrent of keywords – so, it should be “Joe’s Widget site” rather than “blue widgets, big widgets, best widgets” etc. z Selective link building still has value – Google is not the only search engine out there – just be discerning and go for quality over quantity. z Keep writing great content. Fresh, relevant content is the single most important thing you can do to improve your search engine ranking. z Oh, and don’t panic!

Can you help inspire the next generation?

by HANNAH COOK Young Enterprise

T

he Olympics might be over, but now the success of Team GB’s athletes should be an inspiration to all of us as we raise the aspirations of young people and ensure they are prepared for work and life.

Young Enterprise delivers enterprise and employability education programmes in most secondary schools in the area, but we can only achieve this with the support of the wider community.

Last year the One Community project launched in Boscombe and Christchurch and this year is set to expand further. The project is all about collaboration and preparing the young people for their adult lives.

One of the pupils last year said their favourite part of the project was: “budgeting and finding out about the reality of my dream life and how hard I will have to work for it”.

One of the volunteers involved said: “I gained a lot of satisfaction in knowing that I had been able to help some of the young people to understand how and why it is necessary to try to plan ahead for their future and hopefully given them some confidence to do so.”

As we move in to the second year the project continues to grow and develop, but we need more volunteers to come forward to share their knowledge and experience with the young people.

Please can you help?

Volunteers from the business community are needed to help inspire the next generation – it could be as little as a few hours when you can, two hours a month, or perhaps a regular weekly commitment to advise a company.

Venues, funding and administrative support is also very much appreciated.

If you think you can join more than 100 active local Young Enterprise volunteers and be part of our amazing 50th anniversary year, get in touch.

To contact Young Enterprise, email Hannah at hannah.cook@young-enterprise. org.uk or call 07789 938511 seekernews.co.uk 21

ß

ß ß ß

ß

Candidates for permanent positions are being screened and selected based on; Attitude (through competency based interviewing) and Personality Fit (using Insights’ profiling tool) as well as relevance of Experience, Qualifications and Skills.

Candidates references are being taken prior to interview and feedback is provided before the interview takes place.

Effective recruitment is a difficult skill-set to learn, hone and maintain so professional recruitment qualifications are a must.

As an intermediary between a relatively small pool of talented candidates and a relatively large pool of employers, your Agency needs to build & maintain a very strong brand that attracts potential candidates from which to select from.

Innovative & effective candidate attraction and interviewing must consume considerably more time within your Agency than sales activities which call on a set of skills that don’t benefit clients.

www.rubiconpeople.co.uk

22 seekernews.co.uk

01202 680311

SeekerNews

Understanding the net

L

et’s deal with the elephant in the room right from the start.

Regional newspapers got it spectacularly wrong when it came to diversifying into the worldwide web as it became clear that advertising revenues through the medium of print were going to decline.

Editorial teams were targeted with introducing their readerships to the website’s offering... and they did it brilliantly.

Urged on by newspaper group bosses anticipating future digital success, they grew audiences that might have terrified newspaper sales managers, but they opened the door to advertising teams to capitalise on this mighty beast, instantly accessible from your home or work computer.

Surely as the print revenue fell, the increasing money made through digital advertising would meet it going down?

Not quite. In fact, nowhere near it, which is just one of the reasons why regional newspaper groups are struggling.

Neal Butterworth, Editor-in-Chief of the Bournemouth Daily Echo for 13 years, now runs Neal Butterworth Media and his seminars centre on his 12 Golden Rules for working with the local media. This is the sixth of his Seeker News columns – penned from his new home in Spain – highlighting the rules and taking a sideways look at the media.

Advertisers should follow the audience. If you’ve got an awful lot of people that advertisers want to reach using the web, then advertisers will go there. But why aren’t they?

To be honest, the medium is quite often misunderstood as much by the people selling the advertising as those paying for it.

But that’s still a hefty audience and strategic advertising via print and online can be extremely beneficial if you’re getting the editorial support to go with it.

It’s lovely to open the paper and see that photo and press release given a decent amount of space.

header and seeing that name pop up should be just as satisfying.

So ensure your editorial is featured both in print and online. Find out who deals with the digital input and develop the same relationship with them as a reporter. After all, if speed’s the need, digital has it.

Use your own website to link to theirs, with links via your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Neal’s site www.nealbutterworth.co.uk will shortly be updated after his move to Spain, but don’t hesitate to email him at neal.butterworth@gmail.com for details of Neal Butterworth Media’s services.

But these days, keying in your business name in the website’s search

Get modern

Dismissal dilemma

by SAMUEL ADAMS

by DEBBIE COHEN

Direct2Digital

The rise of technology has brought vital changes in every sector and we have seen many beautiful websites because of it. A website which was created 10 years ago will now appear dull because of new effects that evolve as browsers do.

Today, compare your website with others in your market and identify whether it’s modern, considering the following: Big Photography catches the attention Anything that is big in size captures the attention easily.

Using big background images, sharp colours and bold fonts in your layouts will give a modern look. Large pictures in background offer immersive user experience and attract wide audience.

Responsive Web Design Responsive web design layouts allow website layout to transform itself for mobile device, for which we can’t ignore.

Page Effects Page Effects attract the attention of readers if they are interesting and not annoying.

But play intelligently and use jQuery effects which are also supported by mobile browsers.

Icon Graphics Use of minimalism via icon graphics is also trendy because they look good, load easily and gives lot of details at once. Graphic Icons web layouts are simple, unadorned, colourful and fulfils the fundamental needs of a website.

Your website could be the first experience of your business that a prospective customer has – make sure it stands out from the crowd.

Streetwise HR

In spite of recent proposed changes, nothing is ever simple when it comes to dismissals.

As an employer you may think there are ways in which you can dismiss employees without any recourse. This is rarely true.

One of the most common types of tribunal claim is unfair dismissal and according to the Tribunal Service’s annual figures, a total of 46,300 unfair dismissal claims were received between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

Many business owners believe they are aware of what can and can’t be done, but often this is not the case.

It’s not surprising many people are confused, so what are the things you can’t do? z If an employee doesn’t turn

up to work for a period, you can’t just assume they have dismissed themselves. There is always a process to follow to ensure you are protected. z When it comes to dismissing an employee don’t assume you can do so instantly because you can’t! You need to ensure you follow a fair and legal process. z Only employees with at least two years’ service are able to claim unfair dismissal.

Wrong! Before April 6, 2012, employees with one year’s service can also take a claim for unfair dismissal.

There are other risks that you may need to consider, so before you utter the words: ‘You’re fired!’ just stop and think about what other issues there may be.

If you’re in any doubt, seek the advice of a professional. seekernews.co.uk 23

Breeze. Your destination for everything Volkswagen.

Does your Volkswagen need a holiday? Does it need to go somewhere to rejuvenate, be pampered or to treat itself to some new accessories? Then there’s only one destination worth mentioning, Breeze Volkswagen. Your car will return refreshed, with a healthy glow and nothing but fond memories. Breeze, a breath of fresh air.

Breeze Volkswagen Yarrow Road, Tower Park, Poole BH12 4QY. Telephone 01202 713000.

24 seekernews.co.uk www.breeze-volkswagen.co.uk

SeekerMotoring

Nice as spy T

o celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise and the release of Skyfall, the 23rd film in the series, October 5 has been declared Global James Bond Day. And a new feature documentary, Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007, will be also be unveiled.

Directed by Stevan Riley, it focuses on three men with a shared dream – Bond producers Albert R Broccoli, Harry Saltzman and author Ian Fleming – and is the thrilling and inspiring narrative behind the longest running film franchise in cinema history which began in 1962 with the world premiere of Dr No in London on October 5, 1962.

Daniel Craig is back as Bond in Skyfall, in which his loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt

her. With MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

All of which means renewed interest in Bond In Motion at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. With 50 vehicles on show to represent the 50 years of Bond, it is the biggest exhibition of Bond vehicles ever staged.

Alongside the most famous vehicles like the Aston Martin DB5 and the Lotus Esprit S1, there is a host of treasures dating back to From Russia With Love including the elegant Fairey Huntress Speedboat, Goldfinger’s 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, the buzzing autogyro from You Only Live Twice and Octopussy’s screeching Acrostar Jet alongside cars, bikes, trikes, sleds and boats.

European vehicle sales continued to fall last month, down 8.2 per cent to 970,271, according to market researchers JATO Dynamics. Bucking the trend though, only the UK from Europe’s five biggest markets, reported an increase – up 9.3 per cent.

Local authorities have put in more yellow lines and increased the number of traffic wardens in the past year, cutting down the amount of free parking available to Britain’s cash-strapped motorists.

Sales in Germany, the region’s largest car market, were down five per cent and seven per cent in France, but in Italy car sales dropped nearly 22 per cent and Spanish car sales plummeted 26 per cent.

Nearly a fifth of councils have cut back on free street parking in the past 12 months, according to research carried out

by LV. However the number of parking attendants, or civil enforcement officers, has risen by nearly six per cent since 2008.

The Peugeot 208 has joined the list of Europe’s best-selling cars at number five, with sales of 17,986, although the Volkswagen Golf compact continued to be Europe’s top-seller ahead of the VW Polo and Ford Fiesta.

There are now 3,841 traffic wardens, compared with 3,630 four years ago.

Town halls raked in some £340 million in parking fines over the past 12 months with nearly 10 million fixed penalty notices a year being handed to drivers.

Cars used in films starring Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig all feature in the exhibition, and there are a few record-breakers on display too including the Aston Martin DBS Stunt Car from Casino Royale.

Drivers find loud music a real turnoff and many even want it banned, according to a new survey.

More than half of those asked (54 per cent) want volume controls on in-car music to stop it becoming a distraction, according to the poll by Allianz Your Cover Insurance.

Based on responses from 1,000 motorists, the study also found that 63 per cent get annoyed by other drivers playing loud music with some 22 per cent of male drivers and 12 per cent of women saying they had, or had almost had, an accident due to listening to music. Jazz and blues fans were most likely to be distracted by their music, while those playing classical music were least likely to become inattentive. seekernews.co.uk 25

SeekerNews

It’s time to put down the toys and get serious about advertising Call Tracey on 01202 611168 or email tracey@seeker.uk.com

seeker half october.indd 1

26 seekernews.co.uk

21/09/2012 10:21:52

SeekerCharity

Inspirational efforts

A

team from Inspire Professional Services in Poole has completed the 2012 Gold Challenge, covering 2012 km running, walking, cycling or rowing by the beginning of the London 2012 Olympics in aid of the charity Diverse Abilities Plus.

Now, Inspire director Warren Munson is to take part in a Poole to Paris cycle ride at the end of September, as part of the attempt to reach the £1,500 fundraising goal by the end of the year.

“It’s great to help out a local charity,

especially one dedicated to such a worthwhile cause,” says Warren.

“While all the running and cycling has exhausted me, it’s been good fun and I’m just focused on reaching our fundraising target, which I’m confident we will do.”

Diverse Abilities Plus works with families to help meet the needs of local people of all ages with physical and learning difficulties.

The charity is dedicated to supporting needs today and the needs people will have tomorrow while enabling them to experience a lifetime of opportunities

and challenges. To donate towards The Gold Challenge contact Inspire on 0800 077 6410. z Diverse Abilities Plus has launched a new school holiday project that will benefit children and their families in both North and West Dorset.

The new service, called Play Opportunities, follows the award of £280,358 by the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme.

To find out more call 01202 718266 or visit www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk

Advocating funds

Dorset Advocacy, which represents the rights, wishes and needs of the disadvantaged across the county is seeking a much-needed boost by raising £50,000 over the next two years.

The charity’s Got a Voice? Got a Choice! campaign aims to deliver support to people isolated by dementia or learning disabilities.

Dorset Advocacy now helps around 500 new people every year.

“Having an advocate on your side means that you don’t have to face abuse or discrimination alone, your advocate will help you to speak up and challenge it,” says Michael Pochin, development manager at Dorset Advocacy.

“Our volunteers will visit people regularly to make sure they are getting the care and help they need and are not neglected or mistreated.”

Dorset Advocacy helps disabled people, people with learning disabilities, older people and carers to overcome stigma and discrimination.

Visit www.dorsetadvocacy.co.uk

Get a year’s worth of glorious Dorset views for under a fiver – the Julia’s House Calendar 2013 is on sale now.

The charity calendar, sponsored by local businesses and featuring stunning landscape scenes by local photographer

Roger Holman, costs £4.95 with proceeds going to the Dorset children’s hospice.

Copies are available from the charity’s ten shops around Dorset, online at juliashouse.org or by phoning 01202 644220. seekernews.co.uk 27

SeekerCharity

Jet propelled fundraising

T

he Wessex Autistic Society is pleased to announce Hurn-based jet maintenance facility, CSE Citation Centre is a finalist for the Business Charity Supporter of the Year Award at the Wessex Charity Awards.

Having cycled 350 miles, completed hours of volunteering and managed fundraising events raising more than £10,000 in aid of local charity, it is time for the energetic employees at CSE Citation Centre to sit back and relax for a night.

Gemma Saunders, Corporate Partnership Officer at The Wessex Autistic Society, says: “The partnership with CSE has been an incredibly positive one for everyone involved. The company’s staff have really embraced the opportunity to raise funds for a local charity and it is a truly inspiring benchmark for what a business and charity can do together.

“CSE Citation Centre’s fundraising efforts, over the past three years, amount to more than £30,000. These vital funds have been used to buy essential resources and equipment for our students at Portfield School. Nominating them for the award is the least we can do to say thank you.”

Operating specialist education, social care and advocacy services throughout Dorset, Hampshire,

Well travelled – the fundraising cycle team from CSE Citation Centre

Somerset and Wiltshire, The Wessex Autistic Society is dedicated to campaigning for positive change to make the world a more accessible place for people with autism and their families.

To find out more about the charity visit www. twas.org.uk

Fit for forest

Forest Holme Hospice has joined forces with boot camp business, Forest Fit Club, to create Fund Raise & Get Forest Fit, a grueling outdoor exercise challenge and raise much-needed funds.

Qualified instructors from Forest Fit Club will take participants through four challeneging exercise zones including Sand-Hill Sprints, Ultimate Endurance and Ab Blast.

The challenge, at Moyles Court, Ringwood on October 13, is suitable for all levels of fitness.

“The experienced instructors will tailor the exercise zones to ensure that each participant is able to train within the limits of their abilities,” says Hannah Parsons, events and corporate fundraiser at Forest Holme Hospice.

“By registering for this event you are not only raising money for a great cause, but you are giving yourself a purpose to train,” says Oli Hare, managing director of Forest Fit Club. “With a fitness goal you will achieve better and faster results.” z The Secret Wardrobe, Forest Holme’s new vintage-style charity shop, is set to open on October 20 in Poole’s Dolphin Centre.

Selling vintage clothes, art deco-style jewellery and shabby-chic furniture, all the proceeds will go to the Poole hospice, which cares for patients with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

28 seekernews.co.uk

Jenny Shannahan-Creasey from Apple Home Improvements, is gearing up for the Ladies Who Ride charity ride Christchurch-based Apple Home Improvements has pledged its support for the Ladies Who Ride... Ride Hard motorbike charity race, in aid of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

and local businesses like Apple Home Improvements,” said Jenny Shannahan-Creasey, sales and leads co-ordination manager for Apple Home Improvements, a keen rider for more than 20 years.

Due to take place on September 22, the south’s leading home improvements company provided the high-viz jackets for the marshalls and stewards of this women-only, around the Isle of Wight race.

“I enjoy the power and freedom of riding my bike so I jumped at the chance to get involved to keep the charity going and possibly help save another biker’s life.”

“The air ambulance is totally self-funded and can only keep going with help from the community

To help Jenny and her fellow lady bikers in their quest, log on to www. justgiving.com/chris-wrightson to donate, quoting Apple and your name.

SeekerCharity

Strictly business

S

eeker News editor Steve Cook is sharpening his tongue and polishing up his score cards in readiness to sit on the judging panel for this year’s Business Come Dancing competition.

Set to take place on October 18 at the Hotel Piccadilly in Bournemouth, the third annual contest is being organised

by Wessex Cancer Trust and stars eight Dorset businessmen and women who will each train with a professional dance partner.

The contestants are: Karen Starbuck (House of Fraser), Steve Goslin (Alan & Thomas Insurance Group), Crispin Cormack (Coles Miller Solicitors), Sharon Canning (Move On Rentals), Darren Northeast (Darren Seeker news editor Northeast PR), Emma Steve cook strutting James (Tasty Marketing), his stuff in 2010 when Ian Rodd (Ward Goodman) he finished runner up and Angela Fletcher (Rock Recruitment).

Commercial Insurance Solutions Top 100 Independent UK Broker* Competitive premiums from UK’s leading insurers Dedicated teams specialising in motor trade, property, manufacturing and wholesale, retail, Offices in Poole, Gillingham and Frome heritage, leisure, agriculture, transport, private Free review of current insurance arrangements medical and personal high net worth insurance

01202 754900

info@alan-thomas.co.uk

www.alan-thomas.co.uk * Top 100 Independent Brokers 2011 published by Insurance Age in association with Cornell Consulting Alan & Thomas Insurance Group is a trading name of Alan & Thomas Insurance Brokers Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Business Magazine ad 123x185mm.indd 1

18/04/2012 09:54

seekernews.co.uk 29

SeekerArts

picture: steve cook

review

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds + Graham Coxon Windsor Hall, Bournemouth International Centre

T

ime was when Bournemouth seafront became the geographical focus for the so-called Battle of Britpop, that moment in August 1995 when Blur and Oasis released singles on the same day.

Blur’s Country House famously pipping their northern rivals’ Roll With It to the top spot was followed barely a month later – on September 18 – by its physical representation in Bournemouth where Blur were to play a (relatively) low-key warm up date at the Pier Showbar in the shadow of the International Centre’s arena-sized hall that was to have been filled by Oasis and their merry men.

In the event, unrelated circumstances caused Oasis to reschedule their tour for October and Albarn et al claimed another (Pyrrhic) victory in the media-fuelled war of words.

All of which throws a degree of context on the once-unthinkable prospect of Blur guitarist Graham Coxon opening for Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher.

Much can happen in 17 years and no sooner has Coxon’s obvious distaste for Country House, the song that precipitated all this in the first place, resurfaced on Blur’s Olympic kiss off gig in Hyde Park than he is throwing himself headlong into a full-on arena tour to draw attention to

30 seekernews.co.uk

his deft and unflinchingly accomplished eighth solo album, A+E, with its klingy-klang neu! beats and penchant for the motorik pulse.

Songs like City Hall and What’ll It Take are delivered without concern for the predominately middle-aged ear drums that receive them as two guitars, two basses, keys and drums are added to Coxon’s own turned-up-to-11 instrument, the better to deflect attention from his inspirationally reedy vocal. His set is mostly drawn from A+E, but there is room for a cursory You and I before the closer, Ooh Yeh Yeh, grinds to its leaden halt and he clears the stage for the main event.

When it arrives, packing a classy light show, backdrops, the Crouch End Festival Chorus and three-piece brass section, that main event seems strangely pedestrian after Coxon’s frantic efforts to defy expectations. Opening with his former band’s (It’s Good) To Be Free – an assertion of liberty later echoed by also revisiting Whatever – Gallagher is in no mood to challenge his audience unduly.

Limiting on-stage commentary to a few thank yous, some half-hearted banter with an apparently punchy front row mosher and something about Manchester City, he plays most of the High Flying Birds’ album, one new song (Frequency – one of

his psyche-drone poems with a spaghetti western theme twist, politely received) and a liberal sprinkling of Oasis tunes.

The show provides ample scope for comparison. The new band – Tim Smith (guitar), Russell Pritchard (bass), Mikey Rowe (keys) and Bournemouth’s own tub thumper Jeremy Stacey as solid as ever on drums – is streets ahead of the old lot and take established faves for a fine old walk. Tellingly, Oasis b-side Half A World Away is resurrected as a kind of prequel to the HFB’s world weary AKA… What A Life!, both of them playing better than the re-appraisal of Talk Tonight.

Noel still writes songs that make grown men cry – The Death of You and Me, with its Kinksian stylings, If I Had a Gun and its heavy sigh lyrics – and some of those blokes have been with him for nearly 20 years now. There’s familiarity in the relationship, an ease of understanding and absolute faith that each will do the other proud.

But perhaps creativity would be better served if Noel were to take a leaf out of his old mucker Paul Weller’s book and stretch himself musically, test the faithful and be brave enough to just see what happens.

Nick Churchill

SeekerArts Horace Panter, best known as the bassist in Brit-ska institution The Specials, shows his first art exhibition in Bournemouth at Metropolis Art this month.

Although he graduated with a Fine Art degree from Coventry’s Lanchester Polytechnic in 1975, Horace’s art career only really took off late last year with a solo show at The Strand Gallery in London.

His paintings – such as Fruit Girl at the Beach, pictured here – are drawn from the experiences, places, people and pictures he has encountered on his travels.

“Horace’s work immediately appealed to me, both as a collector and commercially,” says gallery owner Vicki Angus, who wants to build a long-term relationship with Horace as an artist, introducing his work and taking in new works as they are completed.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s young persons’ membership scheme, BSO Vibes is entering its second season with internationally acclaimed cellist Julian Lloyd Webber as patron for the next two seasons.

He’ll launch Vibes’ second season this month with an exclusive master class for four promising young cellists from across the region followed by a BSO Vibes Event, which offers access to an open rehearsal, artist interview and

meet and greet as well as the BSO concert. “ I am delighted to become the first patron of BSO Vibes,” says Julian. “This scheme is a fantastic way for young people to engage with a world class symphony orchestra.

“I have a huge personal interest in education through classical music and audience development and I am delighted to be involved with the exciting growth of BSO Vibes in the coming years.”

The 2012-13 events include appearances from Tasmin Little, James MacMillan, Kirill Karabits, Benjamin Grosvenor, James Ehnes and Maxime Tortelier.

“His use of colour can be intense making the images joyous and uplifting, whether of robots, famous blues musicians or hoodies.”

October 24 Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666 www.bsolive.com

October 5 (for six weeks) Metropolis Art, Westbourne 01202 768525 www.metropolisartworks.com

Now in its 16th year, Britain’s longest running rural film festival is to pay tribute to screen queen Elizabeth Taylor by showing a series of her greatest movies in various participating venues.

Having fashioned a career that spanned six decades selecting highlights was no mean feat, but the Purbeck programmers have done a fine job selecting National Velvet (1944), Father of the bride (1950), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), Little Women (1949), Suddenly Last Summer (1959), Giant (1956) and Cat on a Hit Tin Roof (1958).

Foundation gallery at Durlston Country Park in Swanage features items from the British Film Institute and Exeter University’s Bill Douglas Centre that tell the story of early cinema from its birth in 1895 October 12-27 various venues 07939 968238 www.purbeckfilm.com

The Festival has also lined up a rare chance to see some vintage Hollywood comedies on the big screen including Charlie Chaplin in The Circus and the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup.

A special exhibition in the Fine

seekernews.co.uk 31

Life Planning

Skipton Building Society

Free Will Worth up to £180†, for every Skipton customer

To become a Skipton customer and benefit from this offer, simply… pop in to your local branch at 44 - 50 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth

or call us on 01202 317596 skipton.co.uk †Terms and conditions apply, ask in branch for full details. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Skipton Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) under registration number 153706 for accepting deposits, advising on and arranging 32 seekernews.co.uk mortgages and insurance. Stock Code 300384_18/09/12

MY BUILDING SOCIETY

SeekerArts

Toyah STORy words: nick churchill

T

oyah Willcox regularly plays her hits to thousands in 1980s revival shows with the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Rick Astley and Banarama, but she also tours in her own right and is returning to some of the darkest material of her 35-year career in The Changeling Resurrection II tour which arrives in Bridport this month.

“The Changeling was a very difficult album for me, it was very difficult to write, I wasn’t very happy at the time – it was 1982 and I was so famous I couldn’t leave the building without being escorted and everyone wanted the Toyah they saw on Top of the Pops, nobody cared much about the Toyah that was the real me,” she says.

Darker than her earlier records, it has been credited as a major influence on the post-punk Goth movement of the early 1980s.

“The funny thing is how many of the songs seem to be about the world of today – Creepy Room sounded totally absurd in 1982, but it resonates with the way policing is carried out through the internet. I thought I’d left those songs back in 1982, but it has been really interesting to revisit them now – it’s as if I needed the 30 years to become the person that could really sing them.”

Toyah knows Bridport well having lived at Evershot Manor with her Wimborneborn husband, King Crimson founder Robert Fripp.

“I always liked Bridport, it has a wonderfully creative and diverse community,” she says. “We had an art dealer opposite the town hall that we loved.”

As the music industry struggles to adjust to the changing business

landscape of the digital era artists have had to diversify in order to survive.

For Toyah though, it’s business as usual. Her acting career runs parallel to her singing and she has presented TV shows including Songs of Praise and The Good Sex Guide Late, voiced children’s TV characters, written an autobiography, taken part in I’m a Celebrity..., and made herself available as an inspirational speaker.

“You have to diversify, although for me it was never a conscious decision, it’s just what I do. The beauty is that every time something dries up you move on to the next thing. What time teaches you though is that you can always go back and pick up where you left off.”

She also self manages.

“That’s important,” she says. “You just get to the stage where you’ve lost so much money that it has to stop. In the past I’ve employed people to do that for me then had to spend half my time undoing the mess they made; or there are others who earn their 20 per cent then take you for another as well, so now I keep the percentage... but I have to earn it, I’ve never been busier!”

As willful as ever then, Toyah revels in her past even as it becomes her present and, as she’s booking shows for 2013 and 2014, her future as well.

“I’ve done lots of different things because I’m not at all snobby about what I do, I just have to be working.

As you mature you bring a confidence with you so I know I can sing, I know I can write, present, whatever and I find I can still inhabit my songs. I’m very proud of that.”

Read the full interview at www. seekernews.co.uk/toyah Electric Palace, Bridport October 26 01308 426336 www.electricpalace.org.uk seekernews.co.uk 33

ly Dorset’s on s t r o p s E E R F magazine

Feel like breaking free from the usual monotony? www.seekernews.co.uk/sportmag To advertise, call Tracey on 01202 611168

34 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerSport

Quest for decent leisure facilities O

lympic silver medalist and mum, Gail Emms, is encouraging parents to check local leisure centre facilities are part of Sport England’s quality scheme, Quest.

The national scheme ensures leisure centres meet a number of standards including health and safety, child protection, lifeguarding and cleanliness of pool water. Similar to Ofsted for schools, Quest rates leisure centres and health clubs according to their overall performance.

“As a mum I know that safety is parents’ number one concern,” says Gail. “We are asking parents to do the Quest check which will give them peace of mind that their leisure centre is committed to safety and quality.”

Every leisure centre that undertakes Quest has to complete a rigorous one-day assessment across all areas of operation, carried out by an experienced leisure industry

Seek it out

After a busy time in the transfer window, Cherries manager Paul Groves was delighted to secure his latest coup – a new Mercedes-Benz E 200 CGi Coupé.

Dorset’s only free monthly sports magazine, Seeker Sports is available now from the Club Shop at AFC Bournemouth’s Goldsands Stadium.

As well as news and interviews from Cherries and Pirates, Seeker Sport covers the wider world of sport in Dorset and we want to hear what you’ve been up to.

SUPER FLETCH

ISSUE 01 – SEPT/OCT 2012

Cherries legend writes for Seeker Sport

Whether it’s rugby or rounders, golf or gymnastics, hockey or handball, tell us about it.

SPORT IN DORSET THE WONDERFUL WORLD OFSHIRT – PAGE 8 WIN A SIGNED CHERRIES

TITLE HOLDER Pirates 1-2-3 at Speedway GP

seekersport.co.uk 1 For the latest news visit our website at www.seekersp ort.co.uk SEEKERSPORT 1.indd 1

The deadline for the next issue is October 8. Send news releases and photos to the Seeker Sports team at info@seeker.uk.com

Paul Groves and sales manager Martin Slater

Groves, who was appointed as manager on a permanent basis in May, picked up the car as part of an ongoing partnership between the club and Mercedes-Benz of Poole.

It is also available at Poole Stadium, home of Poole PIrates.

£3

professional, all with senior manager positions, as well as receive a mystery visit. Centres striving for a more advanced Quest accreditation have to complete further assessments and receive two mystery visits, with one being from a person who works outside the leisure industry.

Mike Lyons, BH Live director of leisure facilities says: “Both the Littledown Centre and Stokewood Leisure Centre have the Quest accreditation and there are plans for Pelhams Park Leisure Centre to take part in the scheme within the next year.

“We are proud to be operating high quality leisure facilities which are recognised nationally, and Quest enables us to identify potential improvements which in turn benefits our customers.”

To check that your local leisure centre is Quest accredited, look out for the Quest sign or ask the centre manager.

20/09/2012 11:30:17

“In my job I do a lot of travelling and it helps to be able to drive in comfort,” says Paul. “The quality of cars from Mercedes Benz is unparalleled and I’m looking forward to spending some time behind the wheel this season.

“Everyone at the club really appreciates all the help we get from supporters, sponsors and local business and hopefully we can all play our part in a successful season.”

Mercedes-Benz corporate sales manager Martin Slater adds: “We are delighted to support AFC Bournemouth and wish them all the best for the season.

“Paul and his staff have put together an exciting squad and we are looking forward to watching their progress.”

Mercedes-Benz of Poole has also supplied cars to former managers Eddie Howe and Lee Bradbury over the last three seasons. seekernews.co.uk 35

SeekerSport Megs Wilson on the rower with soccer presenter husband Bob Wilson and Matt Arnold of the Gym Shack

A rowing challenge in East Dorset is set to make a life-enhancing difference to seriously ill people.

The event organised by the Gym Shack at Parley Golf Centre raised money for the Willow Foundation, the golf centre’s nominated charity for the year and the only charity in the UK to provide positive

and life-enhancing special days for seriously ill 16 – to 40-year-olds.

It was founded by Bob Wilson, the wellknown TV football presenter and former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper, and his wife Megs as a lasting memorial to their daughter, Anna, who died of cancer aged 31 in 1998.

Living it up with a brand new sponsor M arking a perfect start to the new season, its first in National League 2 South, Bournemouth Rugby Club has landed its biggest-ever sponsorship deal, with Ringwoodbased Churchill Retirement Living.

Churchill is the fastest growing privately-owned company in the retirement market and now enjoys a highly visible profile at all Lions’ games.

“We approached Churchill because we felt they had the same trajectory as the club – locally based but expanding,” says Bournemouth RFC’s vice chairman Anthony Williamson. “I know it will be a fantastic partnership. Our club

36 seekernews.co.uk

is strictly amateur and we’re determined to keep it that way, so sponsorship deals such as this are crucial to the club’s future.”

Churchill Retirement Living’s chairman and group managing director Spencer McCarthy adds: “We are delighted to sponsor Bournemouth Rugby Club because they are a local organisation with the ambition to be recognised at a national level.

“This sponsorship opportunity along with others will help us to expand the company in line with our ambitious goals for the next five years. We are all looking forward to seeing the company name at the new season’s games.”

The sponsored rowing took place on September 15 at the golf centre’s open day.

Living near Bournemouth and a regular on the driving range at Parley Golf Centre, Bob said: “This will help us send people who are seriously ill on special days with their loved ones.”

Drive for hospital

A charity golf day at Parkstone Golf Club has raised a massive £18,000 for Poole Hospital’s endoscopy department.

The event was the fourth golfing day the club has organised in support of the hospital, raising a fantastic £57,000 over the last four years.

The funds raised will go towards purchasing a state-of-the-art ScopeGuide for the endoscopy department, which will result in shorter procedures and enhanced patient comfort. It will also be a valuable teaching resource for staff.

“We are extremely grateful for the support from the local golfing community and local businesses, who all helped to make the event such a success,” said Guy Nash, consultant colorectal surgeon at Poole Hospital.

“The new equipment will further enhance the service provided to our patients at Poole.”

SeekerChristmas

seekernews.co.uk 37

SeekerChristmas

never too early to plan that Christmas party

C

hristmas is coming and if you haven’t started planning already it’s about time you did.

There are parties to organise, Christmas cards, gifts, food, drink and favours – and that’s before you start thinking about family!

Planning a good business Christmas party is relatively straightforward and can be seen as a uniquely seasonal team building exercise when colleagues get involved.

That said, business parties require a certain level of professional decorum that family and personal gatherings do not, so it’s a good idea to talk to people about their preferences first, especially if the Christmas party is the only holiday bonus offered to employees.

Business Christmas parties may be

planned by one person, but it is also possible to form a party committee.

If the party has a small budget and will be held at the office, try enlisting some employees to help decorate before the party starts To make sure your festivities are ho ho ho, not no no no, make sure you know how many people need to be catered for and if there are any special dietary requirements. On a related issue, some employers have taken to hosting Winter or Holiday parties so that staff members that don’t celebrate Christmas can also be included.

The Christmas bonus may be a thing of the past, but how about using the festive season as an excuse to incentivise staff and reward their efforts with a few treats, from money

urban-reef-seeker-news-christmas-ad.pdf 9/13/2012 3:00:39 PM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

38 seekernews.co.uk

behind the bar to subsidising their party or even small gifts? Check with your accountant, but even the Taxman shows he has a heart at Christmas and small business owners may be able to take advantage of a seasonal tax break that allows them to spend up to £150 per employee on the function.

Most companies with a large workforce will be mindful of the potential benefit in kind tax charge on their employees for the Christmas party which would result in a tax charge to the employees and a class 1a National Insurance charge of 13.8 per cent on the employer. The full cost of the function is deductible for corporation tax purposes but under the exemption the company also saves the 13.8 per cent National Insurance charge. The employee is not taxed on

SeekerChristmas

the benefit in kind either.

Company owners are also advised to consult their HR advisers well in advance of the festive season and decide how to ensure employees behave appropriately and how to deal with worse-for-wear workers who turn up late the morning after the big event.

Inform everyone of party etiquette in advance. Essentially, without wishing to put a dampener on anyone having

a good time, the business party is an extension of the workplace and the same rules of professional conduct should apply. Equally, employers are responsible for the protection and safety of their employees and these rules still apply at the office party.

Even when the party’s over there are potential issues to be considered.

The proliferation of social media sites such as Facebook means your staff – or their partners – might be tempted

to post inappropriate photo on the internet. This could lead to a loss of reputation and trust between staff and even land individuals in serious hot water.

Many companies now have social media policies for this reason.

You don’t want to be a killjoy at Christmas, but it is wrong to assume that anything goes just because ‘tis the season to be jolly!

A business owner’s guide to make this your best Christmas party ever z Party policy: Your Christmas party is a work activity so you’d be well advise to establish some guidelines from acceptable standards of behaviour to health ans safety responsibilities, even a grievance procedure. z Take your partner...? If you invite employees’ partners to the party be aware that must also include same-sex partners to avoid potential sexual orientation discrimination claims. z Your round...? If you’re supplying the alcohol, set a limit on how much money you put behind the bar. If you are seen as encouraging the consumption of alcohol you could be legally responsible for an employee’s welfare if a drink-related incident should befall them. z Mind your P’s: Avoid discussing pay, promotion or prospects with employees at the party, particularly if you’ve had a few. Your staff might, quite understandably, expect you to honour drunken promises. z Passion killer. Most employers have a view on workplace relationships, although few of them have a firm policy. Let your views be known in advance as a misplaced encounter, however brief, under the mistletoe can cause repercussions in the workplace that last for months. z The morning after. Your staff have a contract with you to be fit enough to carry out their work and it’s up to you to decide how lenient you want to be about late arrival and working with hangovers.

Christmas Party Lunch at

the queens hotel and spa With three choices of settings to enable you to host your party according to size and style. The Queens Hotel is the perfect venue to enjoy a Christmas Party Lunch with friends, family or colleagues.

Choose from the mouth watering menu overleaf.

All dishes are freshly prepared onsite by our team of highly experienced chefs. Great value at £16.25 per person – festive decorations, Christmas crackers and party hats included.

Call the sales team on 01202 554415 Emma or Richard will be delighted to take your call and talk through the options available. seekernews.co.uk 39

SeekerChristmas

Do they know it’s national Trust

Sparkle Appeal

Looking for the perfect gift – you’ve just found it National Trust membership gives the freedom to explore breathtaking countryside, houses, gardens and coastline for a whole year.

From just £18.75 07767 464596 elaine.arnold@nationaltrust.org.uk

A gift to help build a new therapy centre for children and young people with complex disabilities will really make their Christmas Sparkle.

Victoria Education Centre, 12 Lindsay Road, Poole BH13 6AS 01202 758309 dnewbury@victoria .poole.sch.uk www.sparkleappealdorset.org

Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance

Diverse Abilities Plus

What better present to give, than the Gift of Life. Help us continue our work by texting: DSAA12 £5 to 70070 today.

01823 669604 info@dsairambulance.org.uk www.dsairambulance.org.uk

A donation could help fund vital respite and fun activities for children with physical or learning disabilities and their families, across Dorset – a wonderful Christmas gift.

01202 718266 fundraising@diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk www.diverseabilitiesplus.org.uk

BCHA

Dorset Blind Association

Buy an alternative gift or make a donation this Christmas to make a real difference to the life of someone affected by homelessness or domestic violence. Over 100 gifts to choose from, including 10 hot meals for £6 or a personal alarm for £7.50.

01202 410587 www.shop.bcha.org.uk

Can you imagine what it would be like to live with severe sight loss?

We help up to 1,000 people each month who face that challenge not just at Christmas but on a daily basis.

Please make a donation to help us continue that vital work.

01202 712869 www.dorsetblind.org.uk.

Hadland Foundation

British Kidney Patient Association

Please help us to support vulnerable families within the local community, who do not have the opportunity to receive care, or achieve emotional stability this Christmas 01202 551553 info@hadlandfoundation.co.uk www.hadlandfoundation.co.uk

40 seekernews.co.uk

Life for patients with advanced kidney disease can be mentally and physically challenging over long periods of time. The British Kidney Patient Association works to improve the quality of life for kidney patients. We provide valuable advice, information and much needed financial support for patients and their families.

01420 541424 www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk

SeekerChristmas

Christmas?

Supporting local charities this yuletide

Lewis-Manning Hospice

Julia’s House

Caring for people with cancer Christmas gifts for the Breathlessness Clinic: Hand held fans £4 Neck cushions £9 Treatment stools £57 Privacy screens £245 maria@lewis-manning.co.uk

Every moment is precious for our children – and so is every donation that enables us throw a lifeline to families who need our support at Christmas and year-round.

01202 644220 www.juliashouse.org Facebook: juliashousedorset Twitter: Julias_House info@juliashouse.org

Poole Hospital Charity Charity Number: 1058808

Help us to raise money for Poole Hospital this Christmas Calendars Christmas Cards Raffle - Cash Prizes!

Donate unwanted gifts, foreign coins and mobile phones and help us to raise funds for Poole Hospital.

Contact us for more details

01202 01202 448449 448449 01202 01202 44 449 fundraising@poole.nhs.uk fundraising@poole.nhs.uk 01202 448449 01202 448449

The Wessex Autistic Society Giving Cash Not Cards gives you the chance to make 2012 a really special Christmas, supporting those affected by autism in your community. Our marketing materials help you share the Christmas cheer and spare the headache of organising corporate cards.

01202 703595 www.twas.org.uk 448449 gemma.saunders@twas.org.uk

Leaf

Margaret Green Animal Rescue

Will you make a difference to blood cancer patients and their families in Dorset and Hampshire by supporting Leaf and making a donation in lieu of Christmas cards this year?

Natasha Jones www.leafcharity.com tash@leafcharity.co.uk

Looking for a Christmas Gift with a difference? Sponsor a Cat Pen or Dog Kennel as a gift and receive a gift pack including pen, fridge magnet and car sticker, as well as a certificate and a personalised plaque at your chosen site. You’ll also receive regular updates on the animals that have been through your pen or kennel. 100% of all donations go directly to animal welfare.

01929 480474

variety Club

Mosaic

Variety – the children’s charity.

As unpaid volunteers we know every penny raised supplies life changing equipment for those needing it.

01202 708412 07724 446508

Mosaic is a Dorset-wide charity supporting bereaved children & young people. Christmas can be a difficult time of year for children who have had a loved one die. A donation to Mosaic will ensure that we can help them through the difficult times by offering support and advice.

01258 837071 www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.uk katie@mosaicfamilysupport.org seekernews.co.uk 41

SeekerChristmas

Ten tips for problem-free Christmas shipping words: HOWARD WOODWARD, Mail Boxes Etc you’re sending packages by courier be aware 1Ifthey won’t take batteries, alcohol, aerosols, perfume or flammables. out about import prohibitions/restrictions by 2Find country at www.fedex.com When sending packages by courier the cost will 3unnecessary depend on size as well as weight, so remove empty space by making the box smaller. This will also make it stronger.

Want your package to arrive in one piece? Make 4fragility sure you pack it properly, taking account of the of the contents. Don’t skimp!

Packages can be subject to rough treatment 5contents when sent by courier. You need to protect the against pressure, compression, shock and vibration.

assume that just because you’ve put a 6Don’t ‘Fragile’ label on a package it’s going to be handled any more carefully. It won’t! of the damage caused to packages sent by 7Most courier occurs to the bottom surface, corners and edges, so pack accordingly!

Sending china or glass by courier? Always, always 8layers. double-box with plenty of cushioning between the a painting? Masking tape any glass, cover 9Sending images without glass in acid free tissue paper, bubble wrap and pack into an art box. always helps if you’ve got the original box and 10Itpacking when sending a PC, laptop or TV, but bear in mind the original box was probably designed for storage purposes rather than the rigours of a parcel delivery system. Additional packing may be necessary – as a rule of thumb around four inches of protection is required all the way round.

For further help and guidance on packing and shipping either documents or parcels, contact the experts at Mail Boxes Etc on 01202 299151 (Bournemouth Lansdowne) or 01202 292831 (Bournemouth Triangle).

42 seekernews.co.uk

Autumn

ISCOVER

Fall in to fashion at Dolphin with stylish shoes, beautiful bags and gorgeous garments

/DolphinShoppingCentre

including River Island, Beales, Next, BHS, M&S, Primark & Animal.

@DolphinShopping

seekernews.co.uk 43

D Club

September 6, Chewton Glen

Colin Chastey, Liz Davies

Tom Doyle, Chris Doyle

Ianthe Slinger, Barbara Woodifield, Melanie Glass

Stuart Bunce, Michael Stocken, Ianthe Slinger, Steve Cook

Alex Eaton, Carlie O’Neill, Mike Clark

Nigel Soloman, Barbara Woodifield

Paul Gowing, Jo Cook

Alison McRobbie, Melanie Glass

Andrew Alder, Mike Clark

DCCI Networking Lunch September 12, Branksome Beach

Tom Ross, Brian Maidman, Mark Whittam

Carly Brown, Carolyn Shepherd, Caroline Gogan

Jazmin Halcrow, Anthony Tilley

Philip Cubitt, Mark Webster

Ed Crowther, Rob King, Victoria Jones

Kevin Reid, Jill White

Julie Hudson, Zena McIntyre

Peter Scott, Mike Clark, Paul Collins

Karen Alexander, Darren George

44 seekernews.co.uk

SeekerSocialDiary

IoD Breakfast

September 11, Cedar Room, Haskins

Geoff Patterson, Simon Face, Malcolm Scott Walby

Francis Holland, Claire Edginton

Philip Warr, Susannah Brade-Waring

Leslie Spiers, Angela Fletcher

Dr Dave Richards, Sue Kerr, Ian Thurgood

Liz Davies, Linda Haycox, Paula Thompson

Ross Thornley, Simon Walker

Gary Seneviratne, James Stelfox

Warren Haskins, Warren Munson

Free downloads of all images on these pages from www.seekernews.co.uk/photos

Peter Jones Academy opening September 12, Bournemouth & Poole College, Landsdown Campus

Louise Garner, Jacky Grant

Paul Cheater, Paul Marks

Alan Tait, Peter Lunn, Lara Tyler

Rob Mitchell, John Parrett

Lawrence Vincent, Jon Porter

Lucy York, Louise Garner

Paul Marks, Sharon Collett, Jenifer Salahuddin, Julian Ahmed

Lesley Walford, Lawrence Vincent, John Stone

Robert Braithwaite CBE MBE opens the Peter Jones Academy seekernews.co.uk 45

SeekerSocialDiary

Seeker Business Club launches

S

eeker Business Club launches on October 12 at Hotel du Vin, Poole with a two-course meal and guest speaker.

The Club will alternate between breakfast and lunch and move between venues in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and further afield.

Seeker MD Steve Cook is a great believer in the power of networking and in businesses getting together to share ideas and experiences as well as do business.

“Seeker was built on networking and continues to find the energy for

growth on the same principles,” says Steve.

“I have learned many great things from meeting and talking with fellow business owners so it seems the next logical progression is to establish Seeker’s own event.”

With free or discounted places available for Seeker News advertisers, Seeker Business Club places can be booked at http:// seeker-oct2012.eventbrite.co.uk/

events listings OCTOBER 3 – 8am Business Bites, Bournemouth & Poole College, Lansdowne, Bournemouth.

01202 205500, http://thecollegeoctober3 busbites.eventbrite.co.uk OCTOBER 4 – 6pm DJC – Meet and Drink, Hot Rocks, Bournemouth.

Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk OCTOBER 5 – 7pm DJC – The Twilight Ball – Free for DJC Members or only £45 to non members, The Norfolk Royale Hotel, Bournemouth.

Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk OCTOBER 8 – 9.15am DCCI ‘ Behind the Scenes’ at the BU Media School – £15, Talbot Campus, Bournemouth University.

Sylvie Wilson, sylvie.wilson@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714805 OCTOBER 8 – 6pm Streetwise Business – Simply Networking, LV=Streetwise, Unit 1 Roundways, Elliott Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8JJ. Chris Odell, chris.odell@streetwise business.co.uk, 01202 805011 OCTOBER 9 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – Resilience=Success with Vanda North, Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Visitors Centre, Blandford, DT11 9LS. Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@ wsxenterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063 OCTOBER 9 – 6pm Hardy Rural-Net – Sales: Customer Care, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, DT2 8PY. Chris Darlow, chris.darlow@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01202 607541

To receive Seeker news hot off the press each month sign up online now at seekernews.co.uk/subscribe

OCTOBER 10 – 5.30pm IoD – A high performing board & how it can add value to a SME, 2nd Floor, Executive Business Centre, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth, BH8 8EB. Kate Chastey, kate@thepassionate pa.co.uk, 01202 802863 OCTOBER 11 – 12pm PBWLC – Networking Lunch, Storm Fish Restaurant, Poole.

Tracey Wood,mail@businesswomens lunchclub.co.uk , 01202 674488 OCTOBER 11 – 6pm East Dorset Rural-Net – Sales: Identifying your USP, St Leonards Hotel, 185 Ringwood Road, St Leonards, BH24 2NP. Chris Darlow, chris.darlow@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01202 607541 OCTOBER 12 – 12pm Seeker Business Club, Hotel du Vin, Poole Dawn Cook, dawn@seeker.uk.com, 01202 779604, http://seeker-oct2012. eventbrite.co.uk/ OCTOBER 16 – 6pm North Dorset Rural-Net – Sales: Customer Care, The Olive Bowl, Gillingham, SP8 4PX. Chris Darlow, chris.darlow@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01202 607541 OCTOBER 17 – 12pm DCCI Networking Lunch, Chewton Glen Hotel, Hampshire.

Sylvie Wilson, sylvie.wilson@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714805 OCTOBER 17 – 7.30pm Mr Kyps Charity Band Night. Ticket £12 in advanced or £15 on the door, Mr Kyps, Poole.

OCTOBER 18 – 6pm Abbey Rural-Net – Identifying your USP, The Eastbury Hotel, Sherborne, DT9 3BY. Chris Darlow, chris.darlow@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01202 607541 OCTOBER 18 – 6pm DJC – Meet and Drink, Banana Wharf, Poole Quay.

Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk OCTOBER 19 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – Focus on Business with David Pitfield, The Norfolk Royale, Bournemouth.

Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063 OCTOBER 24 – 12pm DCCI – ‘Meet the Neighbours’ Networking Lunch with Salisbury Chamber, Burley Manor Hotel, New Forest, Hampshire Sylvie Wilson, sylvie.wilson@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714805 OCTOBER 24 – 4pm Business Essentials – FREE Workshop on ‘Innovation and Entrepreneurship’ Bournemouth & Poole College, North Road, Poole.

01202 205500, http://thecollege october24busessentials.eventbrite.co.uk OCTOBER 24 – 6pm Marshwood Rural-Net – Do you really need more customers? Highlands End, Bridport, DT6 6AR Chris Darlow, chris.darlow@wsx enterprise.co.uk, 01202 607541 October 25 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – Stumbling Blocks with Steve Cook, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, DT2 8PY Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@wsxenterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063

KEY DJC Dorset Junior Chamber DCCI Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry IoD Institute of Directors PBWLC Poole Business Womens Lunch Club 46 seekernews.co.uk

seekernews.co.uk 47

48 seekernews.co.uk