FREE
ISSUE 09 – NOVEMBER 2012
FELIX
Why we need a another hero
PMQ
What would you ask David Cameron?
A-LAD-DIN POOLE! Win tickets to see the panto – and meet the cast
INSIDE 8-PAGE SPECIAL ED
ITION
ISSUE 2 OUT THIS MONTH!
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The man who fell to Earth
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s Troy Bolton* famously sang: “We’re all in this together.” We is mightier than me, as they say. It’s a given that the power of many, working together for the common good can achieve so much more than a solitary effort. In this month’s issue we take a look at the success of the Red Bull Stratos team where the skills and efforts of many finally narrowed down to enable a single man, Felix Baumgartner, to achieve something amazing. The power of teamwork is essential to business and can enable smaller companies to punch above their weight by sharing resources. How about trying to harness that power to help your business over the
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
Steve Cook Editor Seeker News
two months that remain of 2012? You can lay the groundwork now for a collaboration that could reap major rewards next year. Try teaming up with another business to jointly develop a product or participate in some affiliate marketing to put your businesses before each other’s clients. You could even try setting up a Mastermind group, or virtual board where you act as a sounding board for
ideas and hold each other accountable for delivery of new projects. Industries may vary but the majority of business obstacles are universal and what worked for someone else may well work for you. Seeker Business Club launched last month with a packed room of businesses all keen to work together, creating business opportunities and sharing ideas. So get out of the office, talk to other business owners, treat others as potential collaborators rather than competitors and let’s use the rest of the year to step up our game for success in 2013. * If you don’t know who he is Google him – or ask a 10-year-old!
Writers: Steve Cook, Nick Churchill Advertising: Tracey Parrack – tracey@seeker.uk.com Seeker Keel House, 244 High Street North, Poole, BH15 1EA Tel: 01202 779604 www.seekernews.co.uk www.facebook.com/seekernews © 2012 Seeker. All rights reserved.
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pictures: COVER, PAGES 3, 17, 18, 19 RED BULL CONTENT POOL – RED BULL STRATOS JAY NEMETH, BALAZSGARDI.COM, JÖRG MITTER, LUKE AIKINS; PAGE 5 CONSERVATIVE PARTY/PAUL TOEMAN seekernews.co.uk 3
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ask DAVE
Imagine you’ve got the ear of the Prime Minister, what would you ask him? Seeker News is launching a new feature this month. We’re calling it PMQ – Prime Minister’s Questions – and we’ll be inviting local business leaders to tell us what they would like to ask the Prime Minister and why. words: NICK CHURCHILL
W
ith little more than 900 days to the next General Election the Coalition Government is suffering a bad case of mid-term blues. While the Conservatives have a leader who is more popular than his party’s policies, Labour has the opposite problem – despite Ed Miliband’s wellreceived Conference performance – and the Lib Dems are floundering with some polls putting their standing in single figures. Most governments grapple with the challenge of mid-term renewal, but for a Coalition the process is complicated further by the fact the parties will eventually have to separate and emphasise their differences. Some commentators fear the Coalition Government will drift without direction through the second half of its term, as consensus on new policies grows increasingly elusive. The Prime Minister’s speech at the Conservative Party conference went some way to steadying the ship, but is it enough? “The issue as I see it, is that David Cameron has over-promised and is perceived to have underdelivered,” says John Cornish, MD of Salisburybased project planning specialists, Micro-Planning International. “He has said it was now getting personal and that he must do more to communicate his message to the voters and convince us his is the only way. That’s a bit Machiavellian!”
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“No government in history has ever cut their way out of recession”
Many business figures point to the lack of certainty in the economy at the moment, which makes it difficult to plan effectively. Consequently, decision-making tends to be reactive. “What business leaders tell me is that first and foremost they want competence and certainty from the Government,” says Lord Knight of Weymouth, a Privy Councillor and former South Dorset MP who is now a director of business consultancy Step-A International. “They can’t plan if things keep changing and things like the series of u-turns on the Budget and the debacle of the West Coast mainline franchise damage confidence in there being the necessary competence in Government.” Fair from improving under the Coalition, Lord Knight reports the situation has actually deteriorated. “One senior business figure said to me a couple of months ago, ‘I often disagreed with ministers in the last government but at least they were competent and when they took a decision you knew they would carry it out.’” John Cornish suggests sustainable recovery is largely a matter of proper planning. “Government would do well to adopt the fundamentals of project management to build consensus from all stakeholders – consider risks, define who does what, for how much and by when. “Good project managers take ownership, they might hand-over responsibilities, but they never duck out from being accountable. There is no real difference between Government and project managers who can deliver a programme of projects, a portfolio of projects or single projects. It’s only a question of scale – the fundamental methodology holds true for all sizes.” Former banker Nigel Martin, now a Young Enterprise volunteer advisor and tutor, believes the recovery depends on education. “I would ask if I could see more detail on education proposals, educational aspirations and turning the economic tide,” he says. “David Cameron gave an inspiring speech to conference, but in order to see it become a reality, we all need to rise to the challenge to keep the country back on track and gather more momentum.” But others take a far more fundamental view on the Government’s central policy as determined by the Strategic Spending and Security Review in 2010. “The other thing business desperately needs is growth,” says Lord Knight. “That needs consumer demand to grow and banks to lend. Both are stuck. No government in history has ever cut their way out of recession. “The budget deficit will only close when growth returns and with it more businesses and people paying tax and fewer being paid unemployment benefit,” he adds. “In the South we desperately need more affordable housing. The Government should start by funding the construction of more homes and forcing the banks it now controls to lend.” What would you like to ask the Prime Minister? Have your say in our LinkedIn group at www. seekernews.co.uk/pmq seekernews.co.uk 5
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PM
T
he name Haskins was first connected with Dorset horticulture in 1882, when Harry Haskins founded a nursery in Poole. In May 1969 at the age of 20 Warren Haskins, his great grandson and now chairman of Haskins Garden Centres, took control of the business following the death of his father. At that time its turnover was £17,000 pa and it employed seven staff. Well known internationally for its innovative and inventive approach to garden retailing, the company now employees more than 700 full – and part-time staff at four centres in southern England and its head office in Ferndown, with an annual turnover of £30 million. Warren also launched the first Hobbycraft store in 1995. The chain of 47 stores was sold in 2010 in a multi-million pound acquisition. After a tough year of trading for retailers, hindered not only by the economic climate but very unseasonal weather that dramatically affected the horticultural industry, here are the five questions he would most like to put to David Cameron.
Warren Haskins chairman Haskins Garden Centres
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What are you going to do to stimulate and help young entrepreneurs so that it is easier for start ups? Recessionary times create a breeding ground for young entrepreneurs but they need help and stimulation, most governments tend to ignore them but many of our most successful business have started in a very small way.
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Do you have any plans to stimulate the economy again by temporary changes to the VAT rate? Changes cause nightmares for many businesses and in particular retailers. When the former government reduced VAT last time for just 13 months, my business had the problem of changing around 200,000 price labels at the outset and then changing them back when it finished.
3
What can you do to help businesses take in young staff to train up? With so many youngsters unable to find challenging employment there is going to be a big gap of skill shortages at some point in the future.
4
Can you do anything to ease the burden of the Business Rate Tax? It is a problem for many businesses, preventing start up, expansion and very often survival. It pushes up prices to the consumer and suppresses the business property market.
5
How much time to you manage to spend in your garden? I am sure that the pressures on you must be very intense and spending time in your garden is a great escape and exercise and the fresh air will help you sleep. seekernews.co.uk 7
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SeekerNews
Speaking with Angels E ntrepreneurs from across the Wessex region are continuing to contact a Southbourne businesswoman who questioned government minister Vince Cable about his credibility to advise microbusiness owners.
Samantha Acton, who runs Domestic Angels home help service, tackled the business secretary over his lack of experience of running a business with fewer than five employees. “Microbusinesses account for 95 per cent of the businesses in Dorset and yet government ministers and the people that run business organisations have little or no actual experience of them,” says Samantha. “Dr Cable didn’t try to hide that fact, but then reverted to a pat answer about approaching banks for funding and cutting red tape. “If he bothered to find out about what it’s really like to run a business at this level he would be trying to do things that can really make a difference, such as raising the VAT threshold, not launching headline-making business banks
Samantha Acton has attracted lots of support for her efforts to make Vince Cable pay attention to the smallest businesses
that will only add to the debt burden for microbusiness owners.” Samantha gave Dr Cable a pen which he promised to use for the rest of the month to remind him to consider microbusinesses in his policy meetings. “Nothing I’ve seen or heard from him since makes me think he has kept that promise, but our exchange of words has certainly struck a chord across the area and I’ve had a string of messages of support.” Heather Martyn, a director at Bournemouthbased electronic design company Ammtek, echoes Samantha’s message to the minister. “Some of these microbusinesses are our future SMEs or, eventually, large organisations and our Government needs to be able to offer incentives to these microbusinesses to become employers and to grow sustainably,” she says. “Apprenticeships are a good start but don’t solve all issues. I welcome further communication with Dr Cable and his department on this subject.”
SeekerNews Send us your news stories and photos. Unlike some other local publications we don’t charge for editorial coverage. Email us news@seeker.uk.com Bournemouth digital agency 3 Sided Cube has been honoured with a visit to The White House as guest of the American Red Cross. Managing director Duncan Cook was invited to Washington for a special presentation in honour of the international aid organisation, for which 3 Sided Cube has created a series of successful first aid apps for tablet computers and smartphones. The event was part of Champions of Change, a White House initiative designed to recognise individuals and organisations for their humanitarian work. The First Aid App, which won a European Digital Communication award for Best Mobile App in Berlin the same day, has been downloaded more than one million times since July and has connected 2,400 people in the US to emergency services. A graduate in 3D Design from Arts University College, Bournemouth, Duncan founded 3 Sided Cube in 2009 in the University’s Enterprise Pavilion business incubator. Today the business employs seven staff and has created apps for leading brands including Boots, the RNLI and Essilor. seekernews.co.uk 9
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Saluting those about to Rock R ock Recruitment Specialists are launching the Rock Star Awards to celebrate talented business people in Dorset aged 16-26 and the companies that develop them.
The Rock Recruitment Star of the Future Awards comprise six categories to highlight outstanding young employees, students and entrepreneurs in the area.
Several local companies have already become sponsors of the awards – Fire
During the first half of 2012, Poole has seen 908 new companies registered, a 3.5 per cent rise on the same period in 2011. Second quarter data for Poole is also impressive, with 462 companies being registered – more than any second quarter on record for the town. The Report links growth in company registrations to the town’s Tourism Strategy that aims to “maintain and enhance the quality of Poole’s natural resources that are the foundation of the tourism product.” “The rise in company registrations that we have seen so far this year is a fantastic sign that the economy of Poole is doing well, despite challenging conditions,” said Peter Valaitis, managing director of Duport.co.uk.
“This event has been a long term ambition of mine after many years of recruiting in this area because I have seen just how many talented young people are entering our workforce, beginning their careers and shaping the future of our business community,” says Angela Fletcher, pictured, Rock Recruitment Specialists’ MD. “I am also impressed with so many local employers who nurture and develop their staff to such a phenomenal level. It is therefore a delight to launch The Rock Star Awards, recognising companies that share these values and celebrating talented people in Dorset.”
Record start-ups
Poole has broken its own record for the number of new companies formed in a half year, according to the latest Duport Business Confidence Report.
Gail’s guest spot
Gail Reynolds, the Six Million Pound Mum featured in Seeker News 3, who made her fortune as an Avon agent, is this month’s guest speaker at Dorset Women In Business.
Radio, Inspire Professional Services Ltd, Breeze Volkswagen, RIAS, WDS Global and Bournemouth University. The application process will be launched at a drinks reception on November 15 with a gala dinner awards presentation in June next year. Full details at www.rockstars.uk.com.
The informal networking group meets at Kingston Lacy on November 6 from 9-11am.
Tour with Tobias
Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood welcomed 38 pupils from Bournemouth Collegiate School to the Houses of Parliament last month for a special tour of the Palace of Westminster. He also spoke to them about various aspects of the political process and how Parliament fits in with local government and the European Union. The students also learned about Tobias’ background, education and rise in politics as the MP talked about his position as PPS to the Minister for Europe, David Liddington MP in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
A legal lift
Bournemouth hotel The Green House has been named AA Eco Hotel of the Year 2012-13, sponsored by British Gas, at the AA Hospitality Awards. The award, presented by Kate Silverton at the London Hilton, Park Lane, recognises a clear commitment to sustainability, demonstrated through good practice and policy to make a positive contribution to reducing impact on the environment. In addition to the standard eco steps such as energy saving light bulbs and
recycling, The Green House has spent the past four years instigating more than 100 eco initiatives including locally-sourced carpets and furniture made from storm or tree surgeon-felled timber, as well as electricity generated on-site, eco paint and wallpaper and even a company car that runs on used cooking oil from the kitchen. “At The Green House, we live and breathe sustainability; spoiling our guests without spoiling anything else,” says general manager Olivia O’Sullivan.
The Legal 500, the world’s largest legal guide, has recommended the services of Dorset solicitors, Coles Miller. Now in its 25th year, the latest edition of the publication recommends Coles Miller for their work in the fields of insurance and personal injury claims. “To be recommended by the Legal 500 is something that we are extremely proud of,” says Lee Taylor, marketing manager at Coles Miller. seekernews.co.uk 11
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Free book 4 you
Investment management company 4 Shires Asset Management is on a mission to enhance returns and reward long term clients with a stake in the business. Jeremy Le Sueur, who founded the company in 2012, is an experienced City fund manager who was nominated UK All Companies Fund Manager of the Year in 2005. 4 Shires’ free book shows the effect of costs on portfolio returns. For example, 4 Shires can bring down the total cost of ownership to below 1.9 per cent a year. Over 10 years this saving could earn the client between 10.4 per cent and 21.8 per cent extra based on 5 per cent pa compound growth. 4 Shires is also inviting certain clients to participate in 10 per cent of the company’s shares for the first £100m of client assets that come under its management. More information at www.4-shires. com
Hard a port for visitor push K ey players from Dorset’s tourism businesses have joined forces with the county’s ports and airport to look at new opportunities to market it as a destination and attract new visitors.
Hosted by the Dorset LEP, business leaders held a workshop with representatives from the Manchester Airport Group and Portland Port to explore ways of targeting the potential visitor market that currently passes through Dorset’s ports and airport. The cruise market is expanding despite the recession and it was agreed there is a big opportunity to market Dorset to the increasing number of cruise guests expected to be visiting either Poole or Portland Port over the next five years. Information about Dorset’s offer will be marketed by both ports to encourage those visiting to stay in Dorset and explore all the county has to offer.
Inspiring award
Local accountants and tax advisers, Inspire, have been awarded Best Innovative Medium Sized Firm in the UK at the recent 2020 Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate success and achievement in the accountancy profession and Inspire was the only firm on the south coast to win an award, which was in recognition of the excellent client-based approach and the innovative and proactive manner in which they support their clients. Speaking of the achievements, Inspire director Warren Munson said: “This win really recognises the outstanding level of service the team at Inspire provide and which has been supported by the results of a recent client survey. “It is a real achievement and recognition of the hard work put in by the entire team at Inspire.” This win follows previous awards for the firm including last year’s win at the British Accountancy Awards for Best Independent Firm in the South West. 12 seekernews.co.uk
Tuckton estate agent Mr Green is celebrating its third anniversary with owner Simon Ward very buoyant about the future. Established in 2009 in an attempt to offer an estate agency that did things differently, Simon says his main intention was to make it easier for people to move home. “As an agency, we would always be on our customer’s team – none of these funny onesided contracts,” he says. “Our approach is to just be honest, upfront and clear about what we’re going to do... and then do it.” Simon hit the national press in 2010 when he was featured in a story in The Sun newspaper about estate agents that told the truth. “We’ve now helped loads of people move home, including those that had been stuck on the market for years,” says Simon. “With a lot of hard work, we’ve built a business that can continually help people in the future.”
Representatives of Dorset’s tourism industry will also work with Bournemouth Airport (MAG) to help attract airlines for European routes and possibly routes further afield in the future. Targeted marketing will be aimed at both business and leisure travellers. Dorset LEP Tourism Champion, Bruce Grant-Braham, says: “The workshop exceeded all my hopes. The opportunity to hear directly from top level representatives of Dorset’s ports and airport and to formulate preliminary strategies was excellent. “This is the start of an ongoing process and the necessary communication channels have been established between the key players in Dorset’s tourism economy.” The Dorset LEP was launched in May 2012 to boost jobs and economic prosperity across Dorset. It is driven by the private sector and works in partnership with local authorities.
SeekerNews He’s famed for digging for answers – but Jeremy Paxman found himself digging the dirt during a visit to the Tank Museum at Bovington.
Capable of housing 120 vehicles in stable environmental conditions, it will be first time many of them will be on display.
The host of BBC 1’s Newsnight, renowned for calling a spade a spade, volunteered to break the earth on The Tank Museum’s latest building project whilst filming a documentary about the First World War.
The building will include an exhibition explaining how the Museum maintains and cares for its unique collection of armoured fighting vehicles and provide the facilities to allow simultaneous volunteer led conservation projects.
In July, the Tank Museum learned it had been awarded £2.5m towards developments including a 40,000 sq ft Vehicle Conservation Centre.
Building work has now begun on the VCC, which will be open to the public next autumn.
A right gem
Having worked on major awards dinners, conferences and exhibitions for a host of high street brands, event manager Sarah Hodson wanted to branch out on her own – and decided the seaside was the best place to do it. “There’s a wave of optimism about this area, especially after the success of the OIympics when the whole world saw the beautiful Dorset coast,” she says. Sarah set up her company, Red Sapphire, earlier this year and went to work as site manager on this summer’s Sand Polo event at Sandbanks. “I worked alongside the event director on all stages of the operation, from first build to the return of the site to beach,” she explains. Sarah has since been working on a variety of projects with Dorset companies as well as supporting larger event organisations.
Jeremy Paxman hard at work, (from left) watched by museum director Richard Smith, facilities manager Roy Hicks and project manager Stewart Spearman.
“I have a broad range of experience, including technical ability, so I know exactly what a client needs to achieve the event they want. “Essentially, I bring the experience of having worked on large-scale events within the reach of small to mediumsized businesses.”
Going in for the CIL
T
own planning experts Tanner & Tilley are warning housing developers in the Poole area to submit their planning applications ahead of the new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to be introduced by Poole Council in January. The CIL will be applied to new house building and major retail schemes and will replace the existing system of developer contributions which have been secured through legal agreements between the Council and developers. The new tariff will be a nonnegotiable fixed charge on housebuilders and major retail developers aimed in part at meeting Poole Council’s £200 million funding gap in providing for the town’s future infrastructure needs including education and health facilities, the cost of the Twin Sails Bridge, Town Centre Green Space and transport infrastructure, strategic beach works, flood defences and community facilities.
Peter Tanner “Whilst on paper this level of increased developer contribution may appear to be viable, in reality developers will be expecting to offset these additional costs of development on what they pay for the land,” says Tanner & Tilley MD Peter Tanner. “In the current market it is unlikely that they will be able to recoup these additional costs by increasing the sale price of the new homes as the market will not stand it.
“I suspect that owners with land or property suitable for development, will simply choose not to put it on the market. This will further reduce the availability of sites for development, resulting in fewer homes being built to provide for the Borough’s housing needs.” Tanner & Tilley have examined what effect the CIL will have and estimate that for a typical development comprising the replacement of an existing dwelling on a large plot with three new family houses in the north of Poole developers will have to pay a tariff £16,500; an increase of about £3,850 on the current level of developer contributions. “It would be far more sensible to allow the economy to pick up before bringing these charges into operation,” says Mr Tanner. “Delay in introducing these charges will allow the housing sector time to recover rather than placing a further obstacle in the way of providing for future homes.” seekernews.co.uk 13
SeekerNews
Specialist surveying and construction consultancy Rund Partnership has opened a new office in Bournemouth. With an extensive portfolio of clients Rund’s team has expertise across a number of disciplines including sustainability, building surveying and employer’s agent services. The expansion into Bournemouth underpins their position as one of the leading commercial surveyors in the south west region. “It is an exciting period of significant milestones for Rund,” says director Richard Mussell. “In addition to opening our third office, this year we have celebrated the company’s 25th anniversary. We are confident about building upon our success in neighbouring counties and this was accentuated by the support from our Dorset contacts at our launch event in October.”
Students get PC in job hunt J ob hunting for young people has never been tougher, but in just eight months some 500 Bournemouth and Poole College students have jobs thanks to the innovative e-Labs facilities. The unique system at The College’s North Road Poole and Lansdowne Bournemouth campuses enables students to promote themselves to employers online, while at the same time taking advice from professional advisors from the Reed NCFE employment partnership. There are 42 computer terminals available to help put students in contact with employers who have
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registered with The College and four staff from Reed are on hand to offer advice and guidance. Since the launch in March almost 120 employers from a range of industries including hospitality, engineering, retail and banking have registered with e-Labs and in 36 cases have taken on more than three students. College principal Lawrence Vincent says: “We are the first college in the country to be working with Reed NCFE on this ground breaking initiative. In just eight months the new service has proven its worth to both our students and local employers.”
Chat on change
Director of the Year, Robert Varley of the Met Office in Exeter is among the guest speakers at a one-day conference to be hosted by Dorset Institute of Directors at Bournemouth University on December 5. The conference, Differing Standpoints – Converging Views, aims to address the tensions between the public and private sectors and how delegates can work together to discuss and implement a route of change for Dorset. “We’re delighted to welcome Robert Varley. He is responsible for 700 specialists at 50 sites across four continents and a directorate budget of £42m,” says Warren Munson, Dorset’s IoD chairman. Mr Varley’s key strategic focus includes the resilient delivery of global safety-of-life services, driving service excellence and efficiency, increasing operational sustainability and growing turnover in the commercial arm of the Met Office. To book places contact IoD South West on 0117 905 5050.
SeekerNews
Kite takes off with Dorset designs
C
hildren’s clothes that feature designs inspired by the natural landscape in Dorset are being exported to eager customers as far away as Japan, Russia and South Africa. The clothes have been designed by Kite, a planet-friendly childrenswear brand based at Ashley Cross, Poole. The Kite team consists of husband and wife duo Richard and Jo Spragg, as well as siblings Roger Hakes and Ally Tyler. It was established in 2007 and has enjoyed consistent growth over the nine collections launched to date. Overseas customers account for a third of Kite’s sales and, building on early success in continental Europe, newly-signed outlets in Japan, Russia and South Africa have taken Kite’s worldwide reach to 250 stockists in 20 countries. “Many of our garments are inspired by the beautiful landscapes and colours that surround us in Dorset, whether it’s our fantastic beaches, coastline or the beautiful Purbeck hills,” says chief designer Jo Spragg. “The fact that
we’re now distributing to customers across the world shows that people clearly like the Dorset influences that we bring out in our unique designs.” Kite’s popularity is also driven by strong ethical and environmental principles. It is one of only a handful of UK clothing brands to have been certified by the Soil Association to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and in August Kite was invited to speak at a business conference in Weymouth organised by the Government’s trade promotion body UK Trade & Investment to give its expert opinion on sustainable trading. Roger Hakes, one of Kite’s directors, says: “The feedback we get from our international customers is that they love our designs, the quality, and that they really believe in the same ethical and environmental principles that have underpinned the Kite business since we started trading five years ago. That’s something we’re keen to build on, so that our customers can continue to buy with confidence.”
Kite specialises in designing and manufacturing organic clothing for babies and children from 0-11 years old
Lord for lunch
Oscar and BAFTA-winning film director Lord David Puttnam paid a visit to the Arnewood School in New Milton to witness its cutting-edge e-learning programme. The acclaimed producer requested a visit to the school after hearing about its innovative use of technology to boost learning when he met with headteacher Chris Hummerstone at an event in London. While in New Milton, he opened the school’s new science suite and vocational rooms for beauty and hairdressing before joining staff, student digital leaders and governors for lunch prepared by NVQ catering students.
BBQ for CLIC
Big-hearted staff at Sembcorp Bournemouth Water (SBW) have rallied round to help raise money for CLIC Sargent by donating proceeds of their annual lunchtime barbecue to the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people. Scott Glover, a production controller with SBW, is hoping to raise at least £1,600 for the charity with a number of activities. He was prompted to act after seeing how the charity came to the aid of his nephew, Ryan Glover, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of two. Now eight years old, Ryan is well and his MRI scans show no trace of cancer. However, Scott said he wanted to do everything possible to help raise money for CLIC Sargent. To make an online donation visit www.justgiving.com/scottglover2013. Text donations can also be sent from a mobile phone by texting OOPS76 and the amount you would like to donate (Eg OOPS76 £1) to 70070. seekernews.co.uk 15
SeekerNews
Do You know a ROCK ? Announcing: The Rock Star of the Future Awards The lifeblood of any industry is its new recruits. Rock Recruitment are launching an exciting awards event to celebrate talented business people aged between 16 and 26 in Dorset and the companies that develop them into the business stars of the future. www.rockstars.uk.com
Sponsored by:
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SeekerNews
H
eroes, role models, mentors... it’s funny how their very definition has changed in my lifetime – and not for the
better. I grew up with a very specific type of hero, the Antarctic explorers Scott and Shackleton, military figures like Douglas Bader and Lawrence of Arabia; and a then-current crop of heroes – the astronauts Armstrong and Glenn. Today, it seems to be all about X Factor contestants, overpaid sportsmen and reality TV stars. When Felix Baumgartner stepped out of his capsule 24 miles above the New Mexico desert on October 14 I was transported back to the time when I watched the first Space Shuttle launch. This was history, this was real human drama and this was the greatest adventure of this century. So what can businesses learn from the success of the Red Bull Stratos mission?
words: STEVE COOK
Skyfall seekernews.co.uk 17
SeekerNews
The big idea
Nothing happens without first coming up with the idea. Like many before him, Felix Baumgartner watched the 52-year-old footage of US Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger complete the world’s highest parachute jump. I’ve seen that footage, but the thing that sets Felix apart from me is that he had the experience and background as one of the world’s top BASE jumpers and the first man to parachute across the English Channel to know that he could go higher. If you’re going to have a dream it might as well be a big one.
Drive and determination
Ah, but how many people have come up with a bright idea only to let it whither on the vine of inaction? Hard work and determination are essential elements of anything that’s worth achieving whether that’s building a successful business or becoming the first man to break the sound barrier without an aircraft.
The team and planning
To make his dream a reality Felix had to build a team capable of taking him to the very edge of space and whilst he didn’t have the support (and money) of the US Government to do this, he did have the resources of Red Bull behind him. This is the same company that funds not one, but two Formula 1 teams as well as virtually every extreme sporting spectacle in the world. As Felix Baumgartner said before the mission: “The reason I believe we’re going to be successful is we’ve put together an incredible team of experts and we have gone about this in a very carefully planned, scientific
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way. I didn’t want to go from zero to hero – instead we’ve done lots of tests to progress gradually, step-by-step, toward the final goal. Each test has taught us something.”
The right mentor
X Factor contestants can be mentored by Louis Walsh, or perhaps an ex-Spice Girl, but Felix Baumgartner picked a real life hero to be his mentor, the only man who could really understand what he was trying to do because he’d done it himself, even if it was a lifetime ago. Colonel Joe Kittinger made history when on August 16, 1960 he took the “highest step in the world” to set four world records jumping from a balloon at 102,800 feet. During the build up to the mission he acted as Felix’s mentor and surrogate father; and during the mission as Capcom (capsule communications) he was the only person to speak directly to Felix.
Coping with setbacks
In the build up to the final mission the team suffered many small and large setbacks – the capsule was damaged on a test flight, weather delays and a balloon was wrecked on a previous launch attempt. Dr Andy Walshe, Red Bull Stratos High Performance Director, said: “I think one of the great lessons we have learned is perseverance throughout the programme. Having the faith to commit to what you believe in. We have had several setbacks during the course of the programme, but that’s a flight test programme, something no one has ever done before. Every time we have been knocked down, then it’s just about get up and go again. And that’s the sign of a great group of individuals.”
SeekerNews
“Every time we have been knocked down, then it’s just about get up and go again”
Bravery
In all walks of life and business personal bravery is required to achieve great things, whether it’s being brave enough to ask someone for a date or putting your business reputation at risk in order to go for a big deal. Stepping off a platform 24 miles above the Earth takes the good, old-fashioned, fear of death type of bravery. Felix temporarily pulled out of the mission after he suffered panic attacks due to feeling claustrophobic freefalling in a space suit. He overcame fears with the help of a psychologist. We will never know exactly how Felix felt in the moments before he stepped off that platform, no matter how experienced he was it was still a step into the unknown. There are many things that can spur us on to bigger and better things – the desire for the rewards, the pain of going without or the need to feel validated – and sometimes you just need to feel inspired.
Stunt of the century Felix Baumgartner’s extraordinary exploits have also generated a swathe of excellent publicity for the skyfall’s sponsors, Red Bull. And Red Bull’s staggered release of images, video and comment has been an object lesson in information control and management. Here are five reasons why this is the PR stunt of the century... Anticipation. Whether or not the high winds that caused the postponement of the original attempt were real, it was a stroke of PR genius to tease the world’s media with what might have been, while also generating a genuine TV Event for the actual attempt. Mission Control. Just in case there was any danger that Felix’s jump wasn’t
dramatic enough, Red Bull laid on a room full of engineers, flight monitors, weather experts and sundry other boffins to watch their computer screens and punch the air when he landed. Restrained branding. Red Bull’s management of the whole exercise was so sophisticated they even took a lessis-more approach to the size of their branding on Felix’s spacesuit. Social media manipulation. Some bright spark at Red Bull left a Facebook post containing a four letter word live for three hours until it started attracting mainstream media coverage. Tribute shows. How many of us tittered as we watched the Lego homage?
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Do something for tomorrow today! Plant a tree in the Seeker News orchard
“Based on previous experience, this is not only a great way to work with the local community, but it also promotes our business in a very positive manner. The brand exposure is superb and we had a superb day out in the process!” Emma James, Tasty Marketing
Tree cheers! W
e’re planting an orchard next month – and we’d love you to join us! Seeker News has teamed up the National Trust to help recreate an orchard that once grew alongside the kitchen gardens at Kingston Lacy. It’s a great community project that also gives local businesses the chance to get involved, engage with the Trust… and maybe try a bottle of Seeker Cider at the end! The plan is for Seeker News and other businesses to each plant an apple tree in the community allotments by the kitchen gardens, a beautiful family space the National Trust wishes to develop even further. The fruits of the two-year project will culminate in the production of Seeker Cider created from the orchard apples and a corporate event to celebrate the involvement of the businesses and the project’s success. “By restoring the original orchard, the National Trust and Seeker News are bringing together local businesses to give something back and create something for all to enjoy,” says Seeker News editor Steve Cook.
words: REBECCA CROSSLEY
And businesses have already been eager to get involved. “A love of trees and nature is part of our culture at Mad River, so being able to plant one, watch it grow and then produce some great cider together was too good an opportunity to miss,” says Cia-Louise Coton, owner of Mad River, the Bournemouth-based brand communications agency. “This is a fantastic chance to engage with the National Trust, opening up even further opportunities for volunteering, using Trust properties for events, receiving discounted membership, not to mention a valuable association with the Trust,” adds Elaine Arnold, the Trust’s
business development manager for Bournemouth and Poole. The first step of the project is on November 28 at Kingston Lacy, with the planting of the trees at 11am. Businesses will pay £60 to be involved, which buys the apple tree plus soup and a roll for the representative doing the planting. To get involved, contact Seeker News at info@seeker.uk.com or call 01202 779604.
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Taking care of business is vital at every level, but making sure you have the right accountant can make or break your business. You work hard to earn your money and you need your accountant to work hard to help you hang on to it. We’ve compiled a handy checklist to help you choose the accountant that’s right for you and your business.
Size matters
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Broadly speaking, choosing an accountancy that is similar in size to your own business is a good rule of thumb when it comes to filtering out the various choices open to you.
Ask your prospective accountant for information about popular accounting packages – either ones they use themselves or that they could advise you to use to keep track of your finances.
Take a look at the accountants’ client list, or ask which industry sectors their client list covers. Some companies specialise in certain sectors.
Feedback
Ask your prospective accountant for testimonials from clients, or even better, ask to speak to a cross section of their clients so that you can find out what they are like to work with.
Talk! Talk! Talk!
Let’s face it, you’re going to be trusting your accountant with a detailed and intimate working knowledge of your business, so it’s worth getting to know them. Part of building that relationship is to ask them for advice about your business and seek their input in the decision-making process.
You don’t have to be qualified to call yourself an accountant or a book-keeper, but there are regulations governing the accounting operations of many businesses and if laws are broken it is you and your business that pays the price.
Membership
You’ll find some peace of mind if your accountant belongs to certain respected trade bodies. The letters ACA or FCA indicate membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants; AAT is the Association of Accounting Technicians; while ACCA or FCCA signify they belong to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
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SPECIAL EDITION
ISSUE 2 OUT THIS MONTH
CHRIS HOLDER On top of the world
EDDIE HOWE Howe we missed him
seekersport.co.uk 1
For the latest news visit our website at www.seekersport.co.uk
david james mbe
picture: STEVE COOK 2 seekersport.co.uk
SeekerSport
A little taste of Seeker Sport W elcome to this special edition of Seeker Sport that we’ve put together just for the readers of Seeker News – issue 1.5! Seeker Sport is the new free monthly sports magazine for Bournemouth, Poole and East Dorset – featuring match action, posters, news and interviews from the Cherries, Pirates, non-league football and the wonderful world of sports in the area. Issue 1 was a big hit with fans and as a freely distributed publication it offers a great route to market for advertisers and exceptional value for money. Coming up in issue 2 we’ve got an interview with Cherries’ strike ace Marc Pugh and a look back at the Pirates’ season – including captain Chris Holder’s world title win.
Chris Holder
Steve Cook Editor Seeker Sport
It’s a great time for sports in the area with the return of manager Eddie Howe to the Goldsands Stadium and a world champion at Wimborne Road. Sports fans are eager to pick up a copy so why not put your business in front of them now? Call Tracey on 01202 779604 for more details, or email tracey@seeker.uk.com. I hope you enjoy this taster of Seeker Sport and here’s to a winter of sport as glorious as the summer’s triumphs.
Eddie Howe
seekersport.co.uk 3
SeekerPirates
KK’s grand day
Krzysztof Kasprzak has secured his place in the 2013 Grand Prix series by narrowly winning the hard-fought GP Challenge in Gorican. Claiming his third win of the night in his final ride by beating current GP rider Peter Ljung and Swindon’s Troy Batchelor, together with the rider he replaced in the Pirates’ side, Adrian Miedzinski, Leszno-based KK was assured of his place by right in next year’s world championship.
Pirates 61 Lakeside 30 October 1, Wimborne Road
“That was very hard work,” he said immediately afterwards. “It was a very tough meeting. Not just tough for me but tough for everyone because we only had three places for the Grand Prix next year and we all wanted to be there. “I was happy I went through without having to do more rides.”
Darcy Ward
Krzysztof Kasprzak
Wild about Ward
Ludvig Lindgren
Darcy Ward will have the opportunity to rival Chris Holder for the 2013 World Speedway Championship. The 29-year-old Aussie, pictured, has been named as one of the four wildcard nominations for next year along with Martin Vaculik, Jaroslaw Hampel and Tai Woffinden. The quartet complete a stellar field for next season’s World Championship after being granted spots by the SGP commission. They are joined in the competition by automatic qualifiers Chris Holder, Nicki Pedersen, Greg Hancock, Tomasz Gollob, Emil Sayfutdinov, Antonio Lindback, Fredrik Lindgren and Andreas Jonsson. Krzysztof Kasprzak, Matej Zagar and Niels-Kristian Iversen complete the field after clinching the top three places in the Grand Prix Challenge at Gorican.
Well equipped
Chris Holder and Darcy Ward are the latest beneficiaries of Pirates’ Rider Equipment Fund. The league’s leading lights both received handouts of £500 each from the Fund, the year-round scheme that raises money to support the team’s riders. 4 seekersport.co.uk
Chris Holder Piotr Pawlicki
SeekerCherries
Cherries 1 Hartlepool 1 September 15, Goldsands Stadium
Top speakers
AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust National Citizen Service graduates Molly Burden and Jessica Bugh are to speak to a packed venue at the O2 Arena about their summer of voluntary community work. Having completed their GCSE exams, the girls spent the summer with the Trust taking part in outward bound activities and delivering social action projects in the community. As a result they are now looking forward to speaking at a national graduation ceremony. “The girls have represented the Trust and the club with dignity, respect and with a great work ethic,” says Steve Cuss, head of the Community Sports Trust. “Their opportunity to speak at the O2 is a reward for a summer of hard work where they supported the renovation of a local school field and a small church’s care room.”
Shaun MacDonald
Lee returns
Harry Arter
Former Cherries manager Lee Bradbury is the new manager of Conference South side Havant & Waterlooville. Bradbury, 37, had been out of football since being sacked by Bournemouth in March until he took a coaching post at Portsmouth in September. But after just a month at Pompey he has returned to management following Stuart Ritchie’s sacking by Havant & Waterlooville.
Steve Cook
Harry Redknapp
The Cherries’ job was Bradbury’s first in management and the former Portsmouth and Manchester City striker led them to the League One play-offs.
Lewis Grabban
Online access
To keep up to date with the Cherries’ latest community programmes and schemes visit the Community Sports Trust’s new official website at www.afcbst.co.uk. The Trust runs a range of initiatives across Bournemouth and Poole and reaches more than 2,000 school children each week, as well as the weekly free Saturday club at Iford Lane. seekersport.co.uk 5
SeekerFootball
Great Scott steps up words: RICHARD BUTTON
I
t’s a fact of footballing life that some players can hack it at the higher level while others can’t. Wimborne Town’s Scott Arnold is one of those players who most certainly can. For the 27-year-old Magpies skipper is playing a key role in the Magpies’ revitalised form in only his second season playing Southern League football. “You play proper football in the Southern League,” he insists. “You can’t drift in and out of a game. Players have to be more clued up at this level and it has definitely improved my game. I was always told I could play Southern League football, but before I came back to Wimborne I never took the step up.” Arnold first arrived at Wimborne as a raw 18-yearold. Within half a season he was in the first team, then managed by his dad Paul. The Magpies were then a reasonably successful Wessex League side and he continued playing at Step 5 in a spell at Bournemouth Poppies. Then in the summer of 2011 Arnold was offered the biggest opportunity of his footballing career. Steve Cuss was named as manager at Cuthbury. Left with only a handful of players the new boss had to rebuild and Scott’s name was high on the list of possible recruits. “I was his first signing,” Scott says. “And to come back as skipper was a real honour. I’ve always loved Wimborne Town FC.”
Scott Arnold has been in top form for the Magpies
Meanwhile, the Magpies’ skipper insists that brighter times are ahead at Cuthbury following two seasons of struggle. “We now have a strength in depth which we didn’t have last season. That means the side can be changed around and still be strong.” z A short video taken by Tom Jeffes led to him becoming something of a radio star. The Wimborne striker used his smartphone to film Harry Rednapp’s team talk to the Andy Culliford All Stars side at last month’s benefit game at Cuthbury. The video was sold to The Sun for £1,000 which was donated to the Andy Culliford Support Fund.
Flaming ’eck
Football club chairmen have been known to breathe fire, especially after a poor display, but Bashley chief Richard Millbery is actually going to take a walk on the flames! And it is all for a great cause. Millberry, along with several members of the club is to embark on the fire walk to help raise funds for the Oakhaven Hospice as well as the football club. It will take place in the Oakhaven Hospice Garden on November 7.
Club movements
Sean Leadbetter has opted to return to Pete Alvis’ Ringwood Town side after a short stay at Wessex Premier Bournemouth Poppies.
Meanwhile, Hamworthy United have made a double swoop with the capture of Dave Sturgess and Paddy Hester. Sturgess arrives at the County ground from Southern League Poole Town. However, he is dual registered which allows him to play for either club. Hester is a bright young prospect for the Hammers and had spent the previous season at AFC Bournemouth. 6 seekersport.co.uk
Former England international football legend Paul Merson will join comedian Scott Charlton to raise a laugh ande a few eyebrows as guest speaker at Poole Town’s annual Sportsman’s Dinner on November 22. Now in its 22nd year, the event at the Premier Inn on Westover Road, Bournemouth, is sponsored by recruitment specialists Rubicon People. “We are delighted to be sponsoring such a high profile event, it gives us the chance to mix in a social occasion
with some of our clients and also the opportunity to meet other local business people, many of whom require staff either permanent or temporary,” says Jessica Jones, Rubicon’s commercial director. “This was an opportunity that we simply could not miss and furthermore we are great supporters of Poole Town FC.” Tickets are £40 per person (£375 for table of ten) to include a three-course dinner and coffee. Details on 01202 770160 or naomi@janejonespr.co.uk
SeekerSport
Yachting
The Royal Yacht Association is offering sailing clubs across the region the opportunity to sign up for free interactive workshops this winter. These will provide information and advice on securing the long term future of yacht clubs and sailing clubs and preparing for a successful 2013 season. From understanding membership to racing development, funding advice and communication planning, the RYA Club Workshops, supported by Gallagher Heath, have been designed to cover the issues that could make a big difference to a club.
In the James Cracknell Rowing Challenge four rowing machines were set up and year 8 pupil Ben Cavill, year 12 pupil Anna Majasevic and teachers Robyn Chambers and Richard Harrison-Poole raced over 100m. The contest was won by Richard Harrison-Poole, Head of PE, in 16.8 seconds, closely followed by Robyn Chambers, Anna Mojasevic in third place and Ben Cavill in a very commendable 20 seconds, which earned high praise from James who said the performance “pretty exceptional for a 12-year-old”.
“Following a fantastic summer of sport, we know that clubs are determined to capitalise on this excitement and are busy planning for 2013 and beyond,” explains Graham Manchester, RYA Strategic Lead on Adult Participation.
Cracking guest
“We have been working very closely with clubs across the country to understand the challenges and issues that are most commonly being faced. These RYA Club Workshops will last for two and a half hours and will provide opportunity to hear about best practice, share ideas and to move ahead with positive actions.”
ROWING
For a list of workshops and information on how to sign up visit www.rya.org.uk/go/clubworkshops
O
lympic rowing champion James Cracknell brought both his gold medals to Bournemouth Collegiate School to open its new Performance Sports Centre. Excited pupils and staff welcomed the double gold medal winner for a day-long visit during which he also launched a 100m rowing challenge to beat his 13 second personal best - which students readily accepted. “I am a huge supporter of sport in schools and just wish that we had had a sports academy whilst I was at school. It could have spurred things on earlier in my career,” said James. Principal Stephen Duckitt welcomed James, saying: “He epitomises everything that we stand for as we encourage our pupils to embrace challenges in life with open arms and always strive to be one’s best.” One member of staff particularly pleased to see James was Head of Science, Stephen Pumphrey, who taught James at St Catherine’s in Guildford and was described by James as “the most inspirational
teacher ever” in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. James spoke to the school assembly, recalling recalled his frustration at twice being selected for the Olympics in 1992 and 1996, but being unable to make the starting line in either because of a broken shoulder and being struck down with tonsillitis. Summing up his attitude to his sport and his life, he said: “Plot a pathway to make your journey. Do it in small steps to make sure it’s a steady path and have belief that it’s your medal to win!” Bernie Shrosbree, Director of Performance at Bournemouth Collegiate School, said James’ visit had been inspirational. “The School has recently launched a Rowing Academy for its pupils so it is very fitting that James Cracknell was able to come along and we feel incredibly privileged to have him here. He has certainly been an inspiration to our school community today and it was wonderful to be able to show him our amazing new Performance Sports Centre with its state of the art training facilities.”
Distance running
Bournemouth runner Steve Way, 38, ran out winner at the first Purbeck Marathon.
Clocking in a time of 2hrs 50mins it marked a first win for the Bournemouth Athletic Club man. Runners followed pathways from Swanage Downs through Kimmeridge and past Lulworth firing ranges to Creech, Corfe Castle and back to Swanage. Profits go to Swanage Carnival and next year’s race is set for September 15.
Kickboxing
Several Dorset fighters appeared at Absolute Adrenaline - Platinum, the sold-out fight night at Bournemouth’s O2 Academy. The original fightsport brand presented the International kickboxing Federation (IKF) European K1 Light Heavyweight title bout between England’s Scott Clist and Estonian Andrej Manzolo. Bournemouth’s own John Whittam defended his IKF English KBX Light Middleweight title against Rob Ellick; while Bournemouth boy Fred Harrington faced Dorchester’s Tom Lawson in an all-Dorset IKF Southern Area K1 Light Heavyweight title contest. seekersport.co.uk 7
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
8 seekersport.co.uk
SeekerNews
appointments Engage
Dickinson Manser Franziska Prosch De Escate Poole and Broadstone law firm, Dickinson Manser has announced Franziska Prosch De Escate has qualified as a Solicitor.
R
eady, steady, Tweet. That’s how Dorset’s newest executive recruitment company, Engage, was launched to a packed room of local business people at the Norfolk Royale Hotel. After directors Tracey Wood and Frances Miles had engaged their audience with a presentation newly appointed executive recruitment director, Lucy York invited guests to start tweeting about the launch. The Engage team welcomed Kevin Green, CEO of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, who joined them for the launch. He gave a thought provoking
presentation about the UK recruitment market. “We are very excited by the positive comments from attendees and the consensus is that Engage will fill the gap for a much needed quality executive search and selection partner,” says Frances Miles. Feedback from the guests proved positive, with Sue Kerr from People Matter commenting: “Great brand, great concept, desperately needed in Dorset.” Chris Wilkinson, from HR Department, added: “Fantastic day. Can’t believe that someone hasn’t thought of the name before; says exactly what they intend to do.”
Barker Group: Gavin Le Maistre Bournemouth domestic and commercial laundry and dry cleaning company Barker Group has appointed Gavin Le Maistre as Sales and Marketing Director. Gavin will oversee the expansion of the Group’s services into Greater London and continued growth and development of the business at both regional and local levels. The company came close to folding in 2005 when a devastating fire destroyed their Winton factory, but thanks to industry and loyal customer support Barker Group is now the fastest growing
We are 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.
Since starting her training with the firm in 2010, Franziska has gained wide experience in all aspects of residential property work and has been appointed as an Assistant Solicitor in the Property/ Commercial Department, based in the Poole office. Although her main focus is on residential property, she also assists the firm’s Partners and Associates in handling commercial property matters.
Harold G Walker Solicitors Maria Shaw Maria Shaw has joined the Christchurch office of Harold G Walker Solicitors. A solicitor for 23 years, she has specialised in the preparation of Wills, probate and estate administration, trusts, powers of attorney and deputyship matters. “Every adult should make a Will,” she says. This important document can address problems which may arise on death.”
and one of the largest independent laundry and dry cleaning companies on the south coast. Managing Director, Matthew Barker joined his father in the family firm in 1990, and bought the business in 2000. “Our success is testimony to the skill and dedication of the people within the Group. We see Gavin’s appointment as the next stage for the company, as we develop and expand our domestic and commercial operations in London and the south.”
Nicola Lowe, managing partner at Harold G Walker, says: “We are delighted to attract a solicitor of Maria’s experience. Her enthusiasm will benefit all our clients but especially those that visit our Christchurch office and help to service an important need in the community.”
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What is Google Authorship?
I
f you’ve ever dipped your toe in the water of SEO you’ll know that content is king – and the worldwide web is inundated with content.
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
The problem is that not all content is king; in fact some of it is just dreadful and some of it is stolen from other sources! Google has now introduced Google Authorship in an attempt to link a piece of content with an author via a Google+ profile. If you notice a listing similar to this within a search you know the author has registered an authorship profile.
That’s fine in that it might help the reader find better content, but how does your business benefit? Google will rank your authorship, so a good selection of well-written content with your name on it will indicate to Google that you are an authority in your field and this will reflect in your rankings.
Attaching authorship to your content will enable Google to find and penalise (other) duplicate content far more accurately. But how do you get authorship? You need to create a Google+ Profile and link it to your website. Simple... Well, maybe not! A Google+ Profile must be created in the name of an individual, not a business. A Google+ Page for a business can then be created within a profile as a single profile can have numerous pages – different branches of the same business or even completely different businesses – and a page can be linked to more than one profile, but a page cannot exist in isolation. Google Authorship can only be assigned to a person’s profile, which
Unkindest of cuts by DEBBIE COHEN Streetwise HR
Many business owners will not have seen economic times quite like these before and will be tempted to follow the trend and cut back staffing levels. Shedding staff is often seen as a quick and easy way to improve cashflow – especially when orders slow up and the future is uncertain. At one end of the scale, some businesses are using the economic situation to weed out staff they have had issues with for years. At the other end, there are businesses that are letting go an abundance of knowledge, experience, loyalty and all those invaluable things, simply because they are concerned about their cash situation.
But the saddest thing is when businesses make redundancies even though there are other options. Redundancy should only be considered as a last resort and it is important that any redundancy programme, if there has to be one, has a fair and transparent selection criteria to ensure that decisions made are the correct ones for the company so that it can operate out of any downturn. Whatever the reason for letting staff go, it’s never easy on anyone. Uncertainty only makes things worse, so it always helps to seek the advice of a HR professional as early as possible before the process begins.
has raised a number of questions about what happens if the profile owner leaves or if the business is sold and there are companies creating fictitious profiles to overcome this. Frankly, I am not sure Google has fully thought this aspect through. Creating a profile and adding authorship can be a complex process. You are required to create a profile, which needs to include a fair bit of personal information, ideally including a photograph of yourself. You will then need to create a page for your business and link your website to your profile in order to establish authorship. I have a detailed explanation of the method I have found the easiest on my blog at www.consultancymarketing. co.uk/blog/authorship/.
MERRY
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Call Tracey on 01202 779604 or email tracey@seeker.uk.com
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Know what makes a good story
‘W
ouldn’t it be nice if you could put some good news on the front page of your paper?’ Yes, I used to say, but only when the day arrives when people start buying newspapers because they are guaranteed to cheer them up. Bad news sell newspapers. Full stop. However, it’s good news that sells the newspaper itself, the brand that represents your newspaper in the minds of the readers. Therefore newspapers thrive on good news, so accept that it’s going to form part of a balanced, entertaining and informative product just as much as you have to accept that mayhem and destruction will dominate the front page splash. The power of the press is about having an impact on people’s lives, not on their sensibilities. That’s why the stories that you’re trying to get into the press have to be as engaging and involving as possible. The job of PR professionals is to help
Neal Butterworth, Editor-in-Chief of the Bournemouth Daily Echo for 13 years, launched Neal Butterworth Media and his seminars centre on his 12 Golden Rules for working with the local media. This is the seventh of his Seeker News columns – penned from his new home in Spain – highlighting the rules and taking a sideways look at the media. their clients determine what news is and what it is not.
If it’s a contract or an expansion, tell the tale in all its glory.
An internal event at your company might make a better story for your monthly newsletter or blog than trying to send out a media alert and get coverage.
You are promoting your business to those who don’t currently use you, so a nudge about your growth is always worthwhile.
Ask yourself the difficult question: If I was reading this story about someone else’s company, would it make me want to read it all the way through? If the answer’s no, don’t panic, but do think carefully about what you’re trying to tell people and whether a wily news editor is going to give it plenty of space or demote it to a brief.
The most important thing when you try to pitch a positive story to a reporter is to make sure you have a real story, and that your story is relevant to anyone else but yourself. While Neal’s website is undergoing a minor gentleman’s makeover to reflect his working life in Spain, feel free to email neal.butterworth@gmail.com with any queries. Hasta luego!
It is not difficult to sell a positive story to a newspaper, but jobs and statistics are important.
Uncovering the real gems
O
ne of the most important things a business needs to do to sustain profits and ensure longevity is to create a compelling narrative about itself, a story. That story is the diamond the organisation owns and which reflects on its own being.
Stories can clearly convey the value proposition more effectively than any other mechanism; they differentiate the product or service from the competition; they can justify premium pricing. Stories can also heal organisations (and individuals) where damage has been done. But generally speaking what marketing companies and internal marketing functions do is polish, present and beautifully brand a false diamond. They are betrayed by phrases like ‘committed to excellence’, ‘quality first’, ‘being the best’ or ‘we care for …’ which pile cliché upon cliché, based on a cliché-d mission statement that sounds just like everybody else’s mission statement. All false.
Real diamonds are found deep underground. For ‘ground’ here read ‘subconscious’ and when they are found they don’t look like diamonds – more like raw lumps of coal. Knowing where the diamonds are and how to dig for them is what most marketing companies rarely do. Why? Because this is to enter the deep world of ambiguity and uncertainty – it’s not part of the MBA course and it can’t be done by ticking boxes or by having too systematic a process in place. And it takes time. On the other hand, get a compelling story and the world – the customers – loves it. Take Apple: their story is that they are a philosophy company. They study the philosophy of aesthetics and the beauty of technology. Making profits is a byproduct of their obsession with this beauty. Thus, finding and extracting diamonds – stories/ narratives – should be a primary function of marketing. If it isn’t, no matter how well a product or client is polished, they will only ever shine with an artificial lustre.
James Sale FRSA is a director of Motivational Maps Ltd, an organisation with more than 90 management consultants and business coaches licensed to use its unique product in the UK and abroad. He’s also a recognised expert on motivation and the world’s top authority on Motivational Mapping and its application-rich set of tools – reward strategies, management development, appraisal and team building. seekernews.co.uk 29
Feel at home with Breeze. Oh dear, he forgot the yoghurt again! Never mind, it’s nice to know people can treat Breeze like a home from home. While the latest models can be viewed in our comfortable and modern showroom, behind the scenes your car can benefit from our 18 bay state of the art workshop. All this keeps the faces of our dedicated workforce smiling and means our expertly trained technicians can also deliver every time. Breeze, a breath of fresh air.
Breeze Volkswagen Yarrow Road, Poole, Dorset. Telephone 0845 3370 645 30 seekernews.co.uk www.breeze-volkswagen.co.uk
SeekerMotoring
Bourne ultimatum S
tudents at The Bourne Academy in Bournemouth were left open mouthed as an Apache helicopter from 673 Squadron Army Air Corps made a very special landing on the school sports field. Engineering is one of the Academy’s specialisms and the visit was designed to inspire more students to follow a career in engineering, especially as there is huge demand for more apprentices to study engineering. Guided by teachers, the Bourne Engineers school engineering team built and raced their own electric car – the Bourne Bullet. They have successfully entered the Greenpower South West regional qualifiers at Merryfield, winning best newcomers and qualifying for the finals at Goodwood. “This has been truly amazing and inspiring for me and my fellow students,” says Year 10 Engineering student Hannah Booth. Richard Youngs, the Academy’s director of business strategy and a former Apache squadron commander and instructor, adds: “When Bourne Academy’s £10 million sixth form opens in September 2013 our students will have the opportunity to continue their education as well as build meaningful links with both further education and employers.
From left Bruce Grant-Braham, Chairman of Poole Tourism Partnership, Margaret and Rosemary Ponting-Fry, Bike of the Year winner Allen Millyard and Adrian Cormack from event sponsor Coles Miller LLP
Poole-based chartered builders, Greendale Construction is working closely with Breeze Van to ensure the commercial vehicle centre in Southampton remains open during its complete redevelopment. The refurbishment will deliver a completely fresh look with a new
The Bourne Engineers with the Bourne Bullet and Apache helicopter
“We aim to build on the success of the Academy and develop strong relationships with the commercial world so we can provide high quality, motivated and employable business leaders of the future.” The 2012 season of Coles Miller Dream Machines ended last month on a high with hundreds of bikers and spectators enjoying the season finale the Bike of the Year award. This year saw the new David “Midge” Holloway Trophy for Bike of the Year presented by Rosemary Ponting-Fry in memory of her uncle Midge Holloway, a Dream Machines regular from Poole who died in April. Open to winners of the weekly Bike of the Night heats, the finale saw 19 bikes welcomed back to compete with voting cards handed out to fellow bikers and spectators. The trophy was won by Allen Millyard from Thatcham with his Millyard Viper V10 who also received, £300 cash, a £150 voucher (courtesy of Bikes Legal Defence), a free MOT (courtesy All2wheelers) and a family ticket to Beaulieu National Motor Museum.
entrance portal, upgraded external areas and make overs for the showroom, service reception and customer areas. Work should be completed next month. “I’m delighted that the refurbishment works have started and I can assure all our customers that we are open
for business as useful,” says Tim Treweeks, head of business at Breeze Van. Greendale director, Chris Kane adds: “We have been working closely with Breeze on this major investment for them for many years and look forward to developing a greatly improved Centre.” seekernews.co.uk 31
SeekerCharity
Jive talkin’
T
he room buzzes with expectation as the competitors nervously await their turn, mentally rehearsing all of the intricate steps that they’ve learnt through blood, sweat and (in Emma James’ case) a black eye. The tension is unbearable as their minds suddenly go blank – “I can’t remember any of it, it’s all gone, “ Darren Northeast tells me in the bar. Judges are introduced: Suzanne Hancock, a professional dance adjudicator (at least there’s one person that knows what they’re talking about!); Michael Kurn, an up and coming TV sports presenter with ambitions of appearing on TV’s Strictly; local boy and 2012 Olympic volleyball player Dan Hunter; and yours truly, a lowly magazine editor who was runner-up two years ago. Late stand-in Ruth Kerley, of Coles Miller Solicitors, is up first, soliciting for fun as Mrs Mop performing an energetic Lindy Hop that gets the audience warmed up for the entertainment to follow. Karen Starbuck knows about beauty as head of the beauty department for House of Fraser and her Samba has the room dreaming of Rio’s beautiful shores and Latin beats. Maybe this will be the inspiration for Olympian Dan’s hopes for gold in 2016. Like an Argentine gaucho, Darren Northeast of Darren Northeast PR struts into the fray, commanding the floor, his partner and the room. He’s also brought the noisiest contingent in the crowd and they bring the atmosphere of Buenos Aires’ Bombonera Stadium to the Piccadilly Hotel. Forget Maradona’s Hand of God, this is the Tango of God. Ward Goodman’s Ian Rodd has a head for figures as an accountant, but I have to admit to him that because of his dance
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words: STEVE COOK partner Emma’s figure I missed most of his dancing! You can see the concentration behind his eyes and it’s not until he gives head judge Suzanne his Cha Cha Cha hip wriggle that he relaxes and starts to enjoy himself. This is going well, the standards are high and everyone’s having a great time even if Karen Rhys of the Wessex Cancer Trust has added a sign to the desk in front of me labelling me as the dastardly judge Craig Revel Horwood! The Jive has won both previous Business Come Dancing events so the pressure is on for Tasty Marketing’s Emma James. Those that know Emma will confirm she speaks at a million miles an hour and this is how she dances. She’s a dynamic ball of energy bouncing around the dancefloor. Move On Rentals’ Sharon Canning is all smiles and sexy wiggles as she begins her routine alone on the dancefloor. Joined by partner Mario it’s an explosion of Latin heat, especially at the end of the routine when her hand reaches for his thigh only to land slightly higher than expected!
Winners Darren Northeast & Caroline Pope
There’s no playing it safe for final contestant Steve Goslin of Alan & Thomas Insurance. Stripping off to reveal his rippling muscles the testoterone causes many a sigh from the ladies in the room. This American footballer (the game with helmets and padding rather than a Yankee soccer player) swaggers his way through a fully comprehensive Salsa routine that keeps the temperature high. So, everyone has danced, the scores are in, and the contestants’ heart rates return to a semblance of normality. It’s the closest of results (only seven points separate first from last), but Darren Northeast emerges as a worthy winner with Steve Goslin second and Ruth Kerley and Emma James joint third. Another triumph for Karen Rhys of the Wessex Cancer Trust, Terri Flett of Hotel Piccadilly and the team of extremely talented, and patient, professional dancers. And so it’s over for another year, the professional dancers can have a rest and the contestants can put away their sequins. Many will be inspired to enter next year, it’s all for a great cause and you’ll come away with an amazing experience and some great memories. So when Karen comes calling to ask if you’ll compete, say yes and remember – keep dancing!
SeekerCharity
Blind get a shot at brand new activity words: NICK CHURCHILL
D
orset Blind Association members have their sights set on a new acoustic shooting club opened last month at Canford School. Made possible by a £6,800 donation from the Talbot Village Trust, an independent charity that has supported causes in Dorset for more than a century, the club is the brainchild of former Royal Marine and Canford School Combined Cadet Force instructor, Ray Gunning. “My daughter suffered a major brain injury three years ago that left her blind with no visual perception and partially disabled,” he says. “Before the accident she had been extremely competitive so I was searching the internet for activities she could pursue which is how I came across acoustic shooting and as she belongs to Dorset Blind Association I approached them to see if we could work together to make this happen. “I’m very proud to see this up and running and hope it can bring enjoyment to as many people as possible.” Instead of having to aim by looking through sights, a blind or visually impaired shooter listens to an audio signal that rises in pitch as the point of aim moves closer to the centre of the target. All blind and visually impaired shooting is done with .177 air rifles
The Mayor of Bournemouth’s charity quiz night will be held at the town’s Premier Inn on November 16, from 7.30pm. The event will benefit the mayor’s Charity Fund supporting Bournemouth Leukaemia Fund, The Jon Egging Trust, The Jigsaw Appeal for Women and Springbourne Family Centre. Tickets are £10 per person to include a buffet, available from the Mayor’s PA Hazel Randall on 01202 451117 or hazel.randall@bournemouth.gov.uk; or Estelle Wilson on 07772 860268 or estellemwilson@gmail.com.
From left, Jonathan Holyhead, chief executive officer Dorset Blind Association; Katie Cox, Talbot Village Trust; Ray Gunning, Dorset Acoustic Shooting Club, John Lever, headmaster Canford School at a range of 10 metres on roundel targets that are white in the centre with shading outwards through progressively darker grey tones, on a black background. Light reflected from the face of the target is picked up by a device that looks like a telescopic sight mounted on the rifle. The light level registered by the sensor is converted into a sound signal which the shooter hears through headphones. “This is a very exciting development and owes much to Ray’s drive, commitment and enthusiasm for the project,” says Jonathan Holyhead, chief executive officer of Dorset Blind
Association. “We are extremely grateful to Canford School for making the facilities available to us and, of course, to Talbot Village Trust for funding the equipment. Acoustic shooting is not yet recognised as a paralympic sport, but if that changes we could have a team ready for Rio in four years time!” Gary Cox of Talbot Village Trust, which has distributed more than £12 million to help hundreds of projects in the last 15 years alone, adds: “The Trustees felt this was a groundbreaking idea that would make a big difference to the Association’s members and were delighted to be able to help.”
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has paid thanks to supporters, expatients, local schools and businesses after the success of the first-ever National Air Ambulance Week. Organised by the Association of Air Ambulances, the aim of the campaign was to raise awareness of the work of air ambulance charities and encourage people to support their local service. Messages of support were received from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Vice-Patron, Jenson Button and Patron of the Air Ambulance Association, Sir David Jason. seekernews.co.uk 33
SeekerCharity
LV= staff have painted new murals in the children’s unit, day surgery and maternity unit at Poole Hospital, brightening the environment for young patients and their parents. As part of their community project, 100 staff from the finance team spent a dayr at the hospital stencilling and then painting the new artwork. If your workplace would like to support the hospital, call 01202 448449 or email fundraising@poole.nhs.uk.
Phyllis honoured for her 57 years of charity work
Why would five successful businessmen want to get on their bikes and cycle 235 miles in 20 hours losing 15,000 calories and 14 litres of fluid?
W
The Sparkle Appeal is aiming to raise £5 million for a new hydrotherapy pool at the Victoria Education Centre (VEC) in Poole.
essex Charity Awards recently honoured charities from across the region at a gala presentation evening for 300 guests at Winchester Guildhall. In recognition of 57 years of tireless work Phyllis Edwards, founder of Diverse Abilities Plus in Poole, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Phyllis founded the charity by joining with other families to offer care and services to adults and children with learning and physical disabilities. She has been recognised by the staff and users of the charity for her outstanding commitment to the charity. Heartwarming films of the exceptional work of the 16 finalists were screened at the third annual awards presentation, hosted by cricketing legend David Gower OBE and organised by Winchester-based, CHARISMA Charity Recruitment. Guests included representatives of charities and businesses, the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Winchester, Mayor and Mayoress of Southampton
34 seekernews.co.uk
and the Hon Mrs Virginia Lovell, the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. As well as receiving hand engraved trophies, each winning charity received a cash donation. “This wonderful evening celebrated the best of human nature – philanthropy in its true meaning,” says Jenny Warner, founder of Wessex Charity Awards. “All the charities nominated for an Award were congratulated for their dedication and commitment to helping others.”
The winners
Best Fundraising Project of the Year Simon Says Volunteer of the Year Kelvin Smith (Parity for Disability) Charity Business Supporter of the Year CSE Citation Centre Chief Executive of the Year Leanne Hubbard (Southampton Sight) Charity of the Year The Rowans Hospice Lifetime Achievement Award Phyllis Edwards, Founder of Diverse Abilities Plus
To help raise money for inspiring local charity, The Sparkle Appeal. Simon White and Jeremy Gill from Enhanced, together with three business colleagues, took up the challenge, got on their bikes and headed for Paris.
To support the team visit www. virginmoneygiving.com/team/ Poole2Paris
Nine businessmen and women from the Bournemouth area have been arrested for crimes against their colleagues and charged with raising funds for charity! This year’s charity Jail and Bail event saw a Dorset Police Special Constable arrest six fundraising fugitives and lock them up in a mock jail in Bournemouth Square. The final three were arrested at an AFC Bournemouth Business networking breakfast and held until they raised enough bail money using their phones and laptops to contact as many people as they could to get donations. The events raised around £4,000 for the Lewis-Manning Hospice and The Wessex Autistic Society.
SeekerLiving
Doctor
HUE words: DAWN COOK pictures: SIÂN COURT
W
hy is it some people seem to know exactly what to wear? Not only do they know what clothes suit them best, they also know the colours they can wear and what make-up works for them. Are they born with this knowledge, or does someone teach them? My guess it’s the latter and their tutor is someone like Sandra Attrill, a House of Colour image consultant. Over the course of a couple of sessions she will work out your colour ‘season’ and point you in the direction of the right clothes, make up, jewellery and colours to help you feel better about yourself. And that’s what it all boils down to – if you look great, you’ll feel great. The first step is to determine skin tone. Mine is warm, which means rich, earthy autumn colours suit me best. It turns out I instinctively tend to wear those colours, although Sandra employs the 80/20 Rule – you can wear colours from outside your spectrum, but they should never comprise more than 20 per cent of your whole outfit. It works as well. I have a top that I really like but it isn’t one of my colours and yet I often get compliments when I wear it, possibly because I wear it with colours that are from my spectrum. Sandra says the most important area to concentrate on is the cameo area – the upper torso. And it’s the same for both women and men, who Sandra also provides guidance for. It’s what most people look at when they meet someone for the first time. Get that right and you can be sure of having a person’s attention for your meeting or presentation. The colour and make up session is followed by a style consultation in which we talk about body shape and which clothes look best. All of which sounds like a fine excuse to go shopping. However, although she offers a personal shopping service, Sandra is quick to point out she isn’t on a mission to make us completely overhaul our wardrobes – she just wants to see the right clothes worn well.
Sandra Attrill and Dawn Cook
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SeekerNews urban-reef-seeker-news-christmas-ad.pdf 9/13/2012 3:00:39 PM
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SeekerLiving
Learning the
ropes words: DAWN COOK pictures: SIÂN COURT
I
t’s raining. I’m cold, wet and a bit miserable. It’s Friday afternoon and there’s a bottle of wine at home with my name on it. So why on earth am I stuck up in the air, legs like jelly, hanging on to one length of rope while standing on another? My sense of adventure definitely got the better of me this time – and my dignity quite literally hangs in the balance. Altitude High Ropes Adventure at Littledown Park is Bournemouth’s latest outdoor attraction. Aimed at families, as well as schools, youth groups and companies, it’s an ideal team building exercise, or just a good day out. Courses are split between the five metre Confidence Course and the adrenalin-pumping ten metre High Ropes Course, or as I called it – You Must Be Joking! At five metres you have to negotiate the crawl tunnel, cargo net, log bridge, swinging logs and the parallel ropes that proved my undoing. Fortunately, with experienced instructors on hand and a safety harness attached there was really nothing to fear but fear itself and with a bit of coaxing and cajoling I managed to inch my way to the safety platform. It was then I realised I had the Power Fan Descender to face – a leap of faith of more than 11 metres. You step off the platform and plummet towards the ground before a brake stops you inches from a nasty accident. As with the rope course, I was pleased I did it – but not too sure I wanted to go back for another go. The same cannot be said of the 50 metre Zip Wire though – whizzing across the Littledown Lake on the end of a wire, I could do that all day! Actually, it was all good fun, even in the rain! Braver members of our team than I went for the 10 metre High Ropes and finished the course on a real high – totally exhilarated. Maybe I’ll have to get brave and go back after all... seekernews.co.uk 37
SeekerArts
review
Sean Hughes: Life Becomes Noises Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne
N
ever one to pander to the expectations of an audience, Sean Hughes opens a show about the death of his father by ambling on stage dressed as a jockey who has just w won on the Derby. Within minutes he has co-opted a supporting cast from members of the audience and introduced a comedy show that’s rooted in one of life’s most charged situations – the loss of a parent. His delivery implies (or betrays?) his hyperanxiety about losing a man with whom he never felt he had a great relationship, but initial discomfort about participating in another human being’s catharsis is soon dispelled by Hughes’ artful joke telling and ability to shock, shame and share. He rails against the pathetic rules that prevent experimental cancer drugs being given to dying patients in their 70s and 80s “because they’re too dangerous” and highlights the equally horrific reliance on dispensing chemotherapy to them instead. Such elements are not the obvious stuff of comedy, but Hughes uses the experience as a portal to a range of related subjects and along the way he tackles plenty of his own failings, possibly offends women who go to snooker matches, lauds the NHS and skewers the way it’s managed. This is fine, unexpectedly uplifting comedy that plays on the emotions, but doesn’t manipulate them, to emerge with hope in its heart. Nick Churchill
WIN!WIN!WIN!WIN!WIN!W
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SeekerArts Time to check your facts because the Horrible Histories are on the rampage again! Following the sell-out success of last year’s Ruthless Romans and Awful Egyptians, Birmingham Stage Company return to Poole with Vile Victorians and Terrible Tudors, two separate stage shows based on the best-selling books. In Terrible Tudors we hear the legends (and lies!) about the torturing Tudors, find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and survive the Spanish Armada as it sails right into the audience! Vile Victorians lifts the lid on the baby farmers, delves into the filth of the factories, slums and sewers – and throws us headlong into the Charge of the Light Brigade. Both shows are adapted from Terry Deary’s hugely popular books. The BBC TV series won both the British Comedy Award for best TV Sketch show and the RTS Best Children’s TV programme and the Terrible Tudors book was voted Best Book of Knowledge of All Time by Blue Peter viewers. November 20-24 Lighthouse, Poole 0844 406 8666 www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Following his highly acclaimed, Sony Award winning and Writers Guild Award winning Radio 4 comedy show Mark Steel’s In Town – and the publication of a book of the same title – writer and stand-up comedian Mark Steel brings the stage version to Wimborne. A celebration of small town life and quirks in an age of homogenised high streets and bland town planning, Mark Steel’s In Town is a different show every night, for Mark has committed to performing a routine about the history of every town he appears in – something he might regret! November 15 Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566 www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk
Just in case you need reminding, Christmas is on its way... And what finer way to get in the mood than at the annual Bournemouth Schools Music Association carol festival? The town’s festival curtain raiser is more than 60 years old and includes performances from school across the borough. As well as a host of favourite carols, the programme features hand bells, violins, poetry, dance and drama. November 20, 21 Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth 0844 576 3000 www.bic.co.uk
WIN!WIN! WIN!WIN!WIN!WIN! WIN meet and greet It’s panto time again... oh yes it is! And the producers of Aladdin at Poole’s Lighthouse have offered Seeker News a special meet and greet ticket for one lucky reader to take their family to see the show for free... and meet the stars including Ray Quinn, Don Maclean and Tim Flavin afterwards. To enter simply tell us which TV dance contest was won by Ray Quinn in 2009. Answer in an email with your name, address, daytime phone number and a note telling us where you picked up your copy of Seeker News. Write ‘Panto Competition’ in the subject line and send it to panto@seeker.uk.com to reach us by noon on December 5. The winner must be available for the 7pm performance of Aladdin at Lighthouse on Monday, December 10.
tickets to Aladdin
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SeekerArts
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ritish pop music icons Squeeze have unveiled their unique Pop Up Shop. The band are calling it “a combination of new songs and technology, of musicianship and experience.” Essentially, it’s a clever new spin on the traditional merchandise stand, with the added bonus of being able to buy a CD of the night’s show – as local fans will be able to do when Squeeze play the O2 Academy Bournemouth on November 23. The band is blessed with fans who still cry out for music in the old-fashioned sense – that they can touch and feel. But to exist in an industry where the outlets for physical product are diminishing, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford will be taking their Pop Up Shop on tour. Thirty five years after their first record release they are embracing technology to ensure that they remain as relevant and accessible as ever. At the end of each of the 22 nights of the tour Glenn and Chris will move from the stage to the Pop Up Shop, performing as they go. Fans will then be able to buy a recording of that night’s show which will include new Squeeze songs. “When Squeeze signed to a major label in 1978 the phrase they used to describe our first album was ‘A Giant Step Sideways’!” says Glenn. “That world no longer exists and I definitely don’t mourn its passing. I love the opportunities and surprises thrown up by the digital age and the fading away of the major labels. “Being able to innovate and take control of our own destiny is something I could only have dreamt of back then. So this Pop Up Shop tour is where we’re at now... a combination of new songs and technology, of musicianship and experience that make this tour for Squeeze ‘A Giant Step Forward’.”
Squeeze first played Bournemouth on May 20, 1977 at the Village Bowl, before they even had a record deal. They were the opening act on Blondie’s first ever European date. Also on the bill were Television and Chelsea.
To develop the shop Chris and Glenn are working closely with Sandbag, a merchandise company who only source ethical products which is an important factor for the band. “With the traditional record label no longer relevant for us, our relationship with the merchandisers is increasingly important in order to help us deliver quality products for our fans” explains Glenn. Fans will be delighted to hear that Glenn and Chris have been writing new material, the first in 14 years, and that these songs will be available at the shows. “It’s taken a long time to get ourselves back to the writing table, mainly because we’ve been touring our greatest hits packages in the UK and in the States,” says Chris. “Time for new material, and things have moved on. The tour and album will prove I hope that we can move with the times and use our imaginations to sell our songs. “I’m looking forward to next year and holding the old fashioned version of the new album in my hands, but for the meantime we are tooled up like travelling sales men and going on the road with new songs and our live show.”
The world’s best-loved musical, The Sound of Music arrives in Christchurch this month. Staged by Theatre 2000, the familiar story follows the Von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains and will doubtless work its magic once again - for young and old alike. With its unforgettable score The Sound of Music brims with some of the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, The Lonely Goatherd, Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and of course the glorious title song. November 21-24 Regent Centre, Christchurch 01202 499199 www.regentcentre.co.uk 40 seekernews.co.uk
SeekerSport
Praise from a hero
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alklands War veteran Simon Weston OBE praised the club’s new set up at AFC Bournemouth’s second successful Directors’ Dinner. The inspirational guest speaker delighted the 140 senior business people at the exclusive event in the Goldsands Stadiums’ Champions Top Floor Restaurant. “I didn’t know much about Bournemouth apart from my real hatred for the time when they beat Man United in the 1980s,” said Red Devils’ fan Simon. “I was very pleasantly surprised. The set-up was brilliant and the evening was thoroughly enjoyable.” The night was hosted by Nigel Hedges, president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce,
and £740 was raised for Macmillan Cancer and Diverse Ability Plus. “The speech from Simon Weston was inspirational, a mixture of hard-hitting war stories and anecdotes from his life, and it really made the night something else,” said Cherries legend Steve Fletcher. z AFC Business is AFC Bournemouth’s free-to-join business club and is a partnership between AFC Bournemouth, Signpost HR Solutions, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Hill Osborne and Macmillan Cancer Support. The Christmas Lunch is at Sevens Boatshed in Poole Park on December 5. Places can be booked on 0844 576 1910 or email commercial@afcb.co.uk.
Cherries ambassador Steve Fletcher and Simon Weston OBE
Arena opportunity
Businesses are being urged to support aspiring young showjumpers and dressage athletes by sponsoring a new equestrian arena.
Parley Equestrian Centre, which hosts regular British Showjumping events, has planning consent for a second arena. A series of sponsorship packages is now being offered to businesses; providing an opportunity to advertise within the arenas, event schedules and website and the chance to present prizes. For details call Julie Atherton on 07757 609587.
Legends who lunch
England rugby legends Jason Leonard and David Duckham were guest speakers as Dorset disability charity, Diverse Abilities Plus held its second annual rugby lunch at Hoburne Holiday Park, Christchurch. The lunch raised £11,500.
Former Cherries and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp attracted national newspaper attention when he returned to the dugout – at Wimborne Town’s Cuthbury ground. Harry managed a team of local non-league footballers against an AFC Bournemouth side to raise money for Wimborne stalwart Andy Culliford who, despite suffering from motor neurone disease, showed he still has a deft touch. Playing for the Cherries in the first half, Culliford was denied from the penalty spot by Jason Harvell. In the second, wearing All Stars’ colours,
he also came close, flashing the ball just wide of the far post. The All Stars, buoyed by Harry Redknapp’s pre-match talk, took a two-goal lead as Gosport Borough’s Justin Bennett scored twice in a minute before Cherries pulled one back in the dying minutes of the first half. In the second period Wimborne’s Tom Jeffes added a third for the All Stars, while the Cherries were unlucky enough to twice hit the woodwork. With just minutes left on the clock Andy Culliford came off to a standing ovation from the 756 fans. seekernews.co.uk 41
SeekerNews Advertisement feature
The FJB Collections’ in-house objective
B
ournemouth and Poole’s largest independent hotel group, the FJB Collection is proud to announce its new peninsula hotel management team. The Collection’s in-depth training and personal development plans, in line with its successful Investors In People programme, have proved extremely fruitful. Following a series of in-house promotions under the guidance of new group operations director Greg Giles, the FJB Collection’s new peninsula hotel management team is now firmly in place. In conjunction with the new group positions, long established members of the FJB team Martin Taylor and Sebastien Chene have taken new roles within the Collection of group operations manager and group wedding planner respectively. Joining them and Daniel Cullen (design and marketing coordinator) are Dider di Mario, Eloise Flinter and Barrie Elsden, who have stepped up to fill the roles of group revenue development manager, group housekeeper and quality controller and group bars manager.
From left: Catherine Adcock, Louise Davis, Eloise Flinter, Greg Giles, Sebastien Chene, Didier Di Mario, Barrie Elsden, Daniel Cullen The new team will manage the dayto-day running of the three unique and beautifully positioned four-star hotels on the exclusive Sandbanks Peninsula – The Haven, The Sandbanks and Harbour Heights. The FJB Collection firmly believes the new group structure and combined running of the three hotels will help unlock the value and potential of the business during these economic hardships. And, with the new combined
peninsula sales and events team now in place, at The Sandbanks Hotel, the Collection’s target of seeking new business and a well developed calendar of events is now in full swing. Commenting on these appointments, group operations director Greg Giles says: “I am really looking forward to working with such an enthusiastic and hard-working team. If you get the people right, the rest will follow and the creative thinking within this group will be sure to drive FJB forward and into exciting times for 2013.” To find out more about FJB Collection events and for further information please visit www. fjbcollection.co.uk or call 0845 337 1550.
let’s do lunch £15.99 – 3 courses £12.99 – 2 courses £9.99 – Main course 2-4-1 on all glasses of wine Visit the Green Room, at the Green House hotel, to enjoy our fresh and seasonal sandwich menu and set lunchtime menu. The Green Room offers a carefully selected variety of organic and biodynamic wines to complement your meal. The Green Room also offers private dining for lunches. Visit our website and join our mailing list for special invitations to our Green House showcase events. Stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter for exclusive offers from the Green House. 4 Grove Road, Bournemouth BH1 3AX www.thegreenhousehotel.com info@thegreenhousehotel.com 01202 498 900 @greenroomrest www.facebook.com/thegreenroomrestaurant
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SeekerSocialDiary
Club together
N month.
ew faces, good food, great company – Seeker Business Club proved an instant hit with a capacity launch event at Hotel du Vin, Poole last
“We had an amazing response to our first lunch,” says Seeker MD Steve Cook. “There was a real buzz in the room, it was very friendly and people were genuinely excited to be there.” The region’s business community was well represented, but the lunch was also notable for the number of new faces that attended. “A significant proportion of those present were not regulars on the business scene, but Seeker News readers that were attracted to the event by the magazine,” explains Steve. Feedback from the first event has been incredibly positive. “I have attended many networking lunches and have got to the point where I tend to avoid them,” says guest speaker Roger Allen of Poole-based digital agency Zeta. “Then along comes first the Seeker News magazine which I actually enjoy reading. Next is Seeker Business Club and its superb inaugural lunch at Hotel du Vin.
Invitations to the Club will soon be at a premium.” The view is echoed by Carly Bowen from Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who says: “The first Seeker lunch was fantastic. I spoke to some lovely people and had an entertaining afternoon.” Cllr Xena Dion, the Borough of Poole’s cabinet portfolio holder for Environment, Transportation and Local Economy welcomes Seeker Business Club as a reflection of the area’s thriving economic activity. “Seeker Business Club’s first networking event provided a really great place and atmosphere to strengthen existing business links and create new ones,” she says. “If Seeker’s first guest speaker is anything to go by, members and guests can look forward to hearing first hand innovative tips and ideas to help make their business a success from people who are recognised leaders in their field.” Seeker Business Club reconvenes for lunch on November 16 at the Sandbanks Hotel and December 14 for Christmas lunch at the Green House, Bournemouth. Places for both events can be booked at www.seekernews.co.uk/sbc
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SeekerSocialDiary
Seeker Business Club October 12, Hotel du Vin
Zofia Graboswka-Allen, Joanne Guy, Carly Bowen
Martin Regan, Diane Bantten
Cllr Xena Dion, Roger Allen
Henry Waterfall-Allen, Geoff Paterson
John Andrews, Nigel Leonard
Tracey Parrack, Deborah Wackett
Colin Chastey, Dorothy Brown
Sue Ferguson, Tim Morgan, Karen Candy
Laura Hancock, Jayne Courtney
Heidi Cardoza, Andrea Beech
Jenny Brown, Cerrie Simpson
Kerri Young, Simon White, David Davidson
Anne Greenhill, Louise Davis
Tracey Wood, Frances Miles, Dawn Cook
Tom Ross, Sophie Cort
Dave Brown, Ianthe Slinger, John Corderoy
Dawn Cook, Nigel Leonard, Steve Cook
Jessica Jones, Paul Gowing, Steve Cook, Sue Ferguson
Free downloads of all images on these pages from www.seekernews.co.uk/photos 44 seekernews.co.uk
SeekerSocialDiary
DJC Ball
October 5, Norfolk Royale Hotel
Chris Slatter, Kathryn Sutcliffe, Leslie Spiers
Sara Gilak, Harriet Mitchell, Jonathan Gilbert, Lalitha Dodwell, Claire Bunton
Max Bracher, Sue Franklin, Jeff Bowden
James Ireland, Sophie Morris, Aaron Lawes, Neil Walpole
Ross Coombes, Bambi Hawkins, Becki Woods, Matthew Smith, Nicola Janes
Kathryn Sutcliffe, Chris Dowing, Rachel Parker
Susie Sanusi, Andy Parker, Nicola Janes, Ross Coombes, James McDougal
Amy Cousineau, Amanda Stoodley
Hazel Hatch, Steve Cook, Maria Tidy
Steve Clarke, Dan Carey
Dave Brown, Chris Watts
Peter Hastrop, Carly Bowen, Luke Price
Eric Lee, Mike Clark, Adrian Coles
Tori Freestone, Ann Lampitt
Peter Swift, Peter Ward, Chris Kane
Warren Munson, Mark Liddle
Kim McMurray, Kerry Huston-Kypta, David James
Sam Freeman, Natasha Keskin, David Audis
BCF Lunch September 28, Cafe Shore
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events listings November 1 – 6pm DJC – Meet and Drink, Hot Rocks, Bournemouth Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk November 6 – 9am DWIB – Women Only Networking with Special guest speaker Gail Reynolds ( The 6 Million Pound Mum), Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, BH21 4EA November 8 – noon PBWLC Networking Lunch, Storm Fish Restaurant, Poole Tracey Wood,mail@businesswomenslunchclub.co.uk , 01202 674488 November 11 – 5.30pm Streetwise Business – Simply Networking, LV=Streetwise, Unit 1, Roundways, Elliot Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8JJ. Chris Odell, chris.odell@streetwisebusiness.co.uk, 01202 805011 November 13 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – The Full English with Caroline Bell & Ann Symes, Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Visitors Centre, Blandford Forum, DT11 9LS Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@wsxenterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063 November 13 – 6pm DJC Leadership Skills, The Cottonwood Boutique Hotel, Bournemouth Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk November 14 – noon DCCI Networking Lunch, Hall & Woodhouse Brewery, Blandford Sylvie Wilson, sylvie.wilson@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714805
To receive Seeker News hot off the press each month sign up online now at seekernews.co.uk/subscribe November 20 – 8am DCCI Shore Start Breakfast, Cafe Shore, Sandbanks Sylvie Wilson, sylvie.wilson@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714805 November 22 – 8am-10am Total Tax Limited and Trethowans Solicitors Business Breakfast – How business owners can keep their tax bill low and boost the value of their business, The Green House Hotel, Bournemouth BH1 3AX Aimee Burnet aimee@totaltaxlimited.co.uk 01425 656440 November 28 – 4pm Business Essentials, FREE Workshop on ‘Effective Leadership’, Bournemouth & Poole College, Lansdowne, Bournemouth. 01202 205500, http://thecollegenovember28 busessentials.eventbrite.co.uk November 29 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – Mind Full or Mindful with ALison Moore, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, DT2 8PY Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@wsxenterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063 November 29 – 8am Business Bites, FREE information on grants and initiatives to benefit your business, Bournemouth & Poole College, Lansdowne, Bournemouth. 01202 205500, http://thecollegenovember29busbites. eventbrite.co.uk
November 15 – 8am Business Bites – FREE information on grants and initiatives to benefit your business, Bournemouth & Poole College, North Road, Poole. 01202 205500, http://thecollegenovember15 busbites.eventbrite.co.uk
November 29 – 7pm Dorset Business Awards Gala Dinner, Lighthouse, Poole Shirley Ewart, shirley.ewart@dcci.co.uk, 01202 714812
November 15 – 6pm DJC Meet and Drink, Banana Wharf, Poole Nikki Janes, nicola@djc.org.uk
November 30 – noon BCF Lunch, Cafe Shore, Sandbanks Ann Lampitt, ann@bizzcomm.biz, 01202 656100
November 16 – 7.45am BusinessXchange Breakfast – Creating Charismatic Sales Messages with Carol Bentley, The Norfolk Royale, Bournemouth Laura McHarrie, laura.mcharrie@wsxenterprise.co.uk, 01305 837063
December 5 – 9.30am Full day IoD conference: Differing Standpoints, Converging Views, £65, Bournemouth University 0117 905 5050
November 16 – noon Seeker Business Club, The Sandbanks Hotel, Poole Dawn Cook, dawn@seeker.uk.com, 01202 779604, http://seeker-nov2012.eventbrite.co.uk/
December 14 – noon Seeker Business Club, Green House Hotel, Bournemouth Dawn Cook, dawn@seeker.uk.com, 01202 779604, http://seeker-dec2012.eventbrite.co.uk/
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
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