lifestyle
Havering Business Awards 2013 Enter now!
Succession Plan
Who would you want to gain control of your business?
Doing Good...
It’s good for business
Deborah Meaden She’s a dragon with a heart
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The RM Business Team Editor in Chief Tony Wittridge tony@rmbusiness.co.uk Editor Amber Sudbury amber@rmbusiness.co.uk Art Editor Jade Warrington jade@rmbusiness.co.uk Brand Sales Manager Rob Wittridge rob@rmbusiness.co.uk Sales Manager Simon Parry simon@rmbusiness.co.uk Networking Barry Hicks whatson@rmbusiness.co.uk Administration Brooke Warrington brooke@rmbusiness.co.uk Other Contributors: Katie Flynn, Jessica Groom, Hayley Baldwin, Warren Knight, Yvonne Bendall, Cllr Michael White, Cllr Ron Ower, Steve Aston, Jill Poet, Wayne Heath, Kevin Hayler, John Parrett and Colin Brush.
From the
Editor Love her or loath her, Margaret Thatcher will go down in History as one of this countries power figures. Not everything she did worked, or won over public favour, but she did make a difference. Nobody is perfect and we all make bad decisions. Having debated this topic with Thatcher lovers and loathers, I have observed that the general consensus is that she did what she thought was right, maybe not necessarily what was right, but she saved the country from bankruptcy, all be it at a high cost, some have said. I find it very sad that anyone would celebrate the death of a person that served our country the best they could. She was neither a terrorist nor a murderer, and I don’t recall even half the reaction when Osama Bin Laden was shot and killed, for crimes that literally shook the world. The logic baffles me, but maybe that’s because I don’t fully remember the Thatcher years. I admire her tenacity, self belief and the fact that she reached the top of her profession in male dominated society. I wouldn’t call myself a feminist, but I do know that there are still elements of sexism in the workplace, and I have only recently been personally reminded of this. From outside of the organisation, there were a few people that believed that the editor of this magazine should have been a man. Anyone that truly believes that simply doesn’t know the power of a woman. Anyway, I must dash as I’m off to powder my nose.
Amber
Amber Sudbury Editor
Tony Wittridge Editor in Chief
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Contents 16
10
30
10
Business Focus
34
Business for the soul
48
Lifestyle
16
Work Force
38
Legal
51
Competition
22
Sales & Marketing
40
In the borough
52
Technology
28
Money Matters
42
What’s on
54
Classified
Tweets of the month Karren Brady @karren_brady 8 Apr “Want something done? Then ask a woman” RIP Margaret Thatcher Richard Branson @richardbranson 12 Apr There’s no greater education for an entrepreneur than starting a biz that doesn’t quite take off
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump 15 Apr My heart goes out to the people of Boston on this terrible day!
Danny Sullivan @dannysullivan 16 Apr It’s like playing hide-and-seek remembering where Gmail hides things like the CC option. Sometimes more is less.
Danny Wallace @dannywallace 3 Apr The greatest trick the Devil ever played was pretending it was a newspaper.
6 rmbusiness.co.uk
this month’s lifestyle news
Image courtesy of google.com
Iron Lady Laid to Rest Twenty three years on from her final days at No.10, the 17th April 2013 marked the day of Margaret ‘Maggie’ Thatcher’s funeral. Held at St Paul’s Cathedral, guests included the Queen as well as many other people of importance, and of course, family and friends. This is the first time that a monarch has attended a former prime minister’s funeral since Winston Churchill’s in 1965. Security over London was tight, although crowds were smaller than expected in some places. The former prime minister was given full military honours and her coffin arrived on a gun carriage, drawn by six black horses. Inside the church more than 2,300 guests paid their respects to Lady Thatcher, lead by her two children and two grandchildren. A few rows back sat Chancellor George Osborne, who was said to have tears running down his face. Sir Terry Wogan, Jeremy Clarkson, Katherine Jenkins, Joan Collins and Lord Lloyd-Webber were all at the funeral.
Margaret had planned her funeral down to the smallest detail and as she wished, her granddaughter, David Cameron and the Bishop of London all performed readings. Music by British composers was played at the beginning and end of the service, with hymns reflecting aspects of Lady Thatcher’s life. They included ‘He Who Would Valiant Be’ and ‘Love Divine All Loves Excelling’ to mark the influence of her Methodist upbringing and ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’ because of her love for the nation. Ken Clarke, who played a series of roles in Lady Thatcher’s Cabinets, stated that people celebrating her death are “adolescents making silly points”. He continued, “being as objective as I can be, she was the first woman prime minister. She was the longest-serving prime minister in modern times. And she changed the country on a scale which no other prime minister came near. She was a huge national personality”. 7
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interested in...
Devoted to sharing ideas worth spreading, this non-profit organisation began in 1984 and delivers informational talks on Technology, Entertainment & Design with the aim to bring people together, share ideas and get people thinking. Describing themselves as a global community, they welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. They believe that ideas change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world, and TED are committed to offering some pretty amazing knowledge from some pretty amazing people to all that will listen, for free. We must warn you though, you may find yourself watching TED for hours. www.ted.com
8 rmbusiness.co.uk
Q&A
What are your thoughts on a 20% penalty For Late VAT payments? I believe there has been some success where you can demonstrate the penalty is disproportionate to the offence however your problem here is the pattern of late payment. HMRC’s practice of producing the penalties retrospectively has come under much judicial criticism although I am not sure that particularly helps either.
Consistently late, yes, but rather like the late SA penalties now coming through, you get the impression that the Revenue deliberately don’t warn taxpayers so that they can drop on them from a greater height and hit them with massive and totally disproportionate penalties. I’d like to think that this practice might be brought to a halt by the courts. How many warnings should they send? One a month, one a week? We know from personal experience that some people will ignore the lot. Maybe harsh penalties are the only way to make them take notice, and even then there are some who will continue to ignore the problem.
My MD had to go to court in London regarding penalties received for late payment of PAYE during the year 2010 2011. I agree with others, this ‘new’ system has not been advertised un like Self Assesment and even VAT , also Why are HMRC treating PAYE different to VAT, it’s still HMRC getting tax payments. Late payments for VAT will initiate a Yellow letter advising of possible penalties or surcharges that maybe imposed on the business. PAYE paid late & the business gets a letter maybe 18 months after the late payment and a demand to pay a penalty. The fact that HMRC are a faceless entity is not helpful either, many businesses are struggling to survive & HMRC with these penalties have just made thing harder. I am a busy man that works every hour of every day. It was not deliberate it was when I had the time. If we knew there was a penalty system that would charge some companies £2,000 every month in a penalty charge (not tax or interest) then we would of paid on time.
9
DEBORAH:
retirement just isn’t an option
10 rmbusiness.co.uk
business focus
Dragon’s Den is no place for the faint-hearted, and Deborah Meaden is anything but. A successful businesswoman with a keen interest in helping others achieve success, she’s a dragon with a heart.
W
hile Deborah Meaden may come across on Dragon’s Den as a hardnosed businesswoman who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, it’s a character assessment that defines her unfairly. Certainly, she reserves the right to get a little tetchy with entrepreneurs who arrive unprepared, or whose business acumen verges on naive, but Meaden is keen to point out that there’s much more to her than her TV alter ego.
As a mentor I get involved in spotting things that are wrong, and from there I empower people to do it for themselves.”
“Is it a front? Certainly not,” she begins. “I get genuinely exasperated with some people who pitch to us. But I believe I am firm, fair and reasonable. There is a compensation given the pressure of the environment, but if someone doesn’t know what revenue their company turned over the previous year, then they really shouldn’t expect anything other than short shrift!”
However, it’s not your typical retiree’s lifestyle. Between attending business meetings in London and travelling from her home in Somerset to Salford, where Dragons’ Den is filmed, there must be little time to truly relax. “Sometimes I get the balance wrong,” she admits, “but mostly life is very nice. I meet amazing people, go to great places and have wonderful experiences!”
Business is in Meaden’s blood. At just 19 she started her own business in Italy, selling ceramics. Like all of the other dragons, she started from scratch - the foundations of business came through graft, insight and inspiration. For that reason, much of the satisfaction that comes from helping those who do make it out the other side of the den is in the mentoring – a side to the business Deborah clearly enjoys. Indeed, recently she has again found herself fronting the Local Business Accelerators campaign. The scheme finds the most promising fledging businesses across the UK and provides them with free advertising in their local papers, plus ongoing mentoring support. Over 500 local newspapers are taking part and £15million worth of free advertising is available for businesses aged one to five years old. The winner, to be selected in October, will win Meaden’s mentorship for a year. “I’m delighted when people I’ve invested in succeed,” she says. “I like to see people take responsibility and start something from nothing.
It is an enviable situation Meaden finds herself in. Genuinely self-made and now, still shy of 55, she is retired, and has the freedom to choose what she wants to do – which is business, of course! “I just love it so much,” she enthuses. “I can’t imagine not carrying on.”
The continuation of Meaden’s almost lifelong passion for commercial success has seen her amass a reported wealth of around £40million. Following the failure of her ceramics enterprise in Italy, she joined her family’s Weststar Holidays business, quickly expanded it from one to five holiday parks and, 10 years later, sold it on in a deal worth £33million. Having kept a 23 per cent stake in the business, she relinquished that in 2007 for another £19million. Meaden looks back on that time as “a learning process that has shaped and stayed with me for my whole career”. Since then she has gone on to remain a powerful businesswoman, thanks in no small part to her involvement with Dragons’ Den – for which she is surely best known.
was a new challenge,” Meaden admits. “We’ve had a fantastic time and, I think, inspired business people across the UK and beyond to believe they can take their small business on to great things. That’s a massive achievement.” The 11th series, due to air later this year, has two new dragons, with cloud computing pioneer Piers Linney and interior design success Kelly Hoppen replacing Theo Paphitis and Hilary Devey. Despite the roster changing again, Meaden says it will be business as usual. “People are always coming into the den with ingenious ideas to solve business or consumer problems,” she says. “As the UK is a nation of creators, there’s a driving force here behind servicing needs while making money. And every year I’m more and more impressed. The downturn has forced many people to stretch themselves, but there are some really outstanding projects put before us and I really look forward to the next ones. It’s exciting stuff.” Meaden is happy to share her own secrets of success with those who would dare to step into the den. “I see businesses all the time making the same cardinal sin – they forget to listen to their customers,” she says.
It’s essential to find out what your customer wants and even more essential to provide it
The series, which has just finished its tenth run, has always had a fairly fluid line-up, with Meaden taking over from Red Letter Days boss Rachel Elnaugh in 2006. “I was intrigued and it
“And business is all about keeping a cool head. You need to believe in what you’re doing; you cannot sell yourself short. That’s how I built what I have.” 11
12 rmbusiness.co.uk
lifestyle
“You never get a second chance to create a good first impression” John Parrett, owner of Fox Tailoring, has echoed this statement for many years. His theory is, if you look and feel good, you perform better at what you do - poetry to any employer. With background experience working for such elite companies as Burberry, Daks and Austin Reed, John started Fox Tailoring 10 years ago. His philosophy was that people are so busy with their work/lifestyle that time is limited to go shopping. Fox Tailoring solve this problem by bringing the shop to you.
At the end of the day says John, its all about trust. The confidence it instills in our clients is amazing. The biggest compliment I have been given is when one of my clients ordered 4 suits. The first 3 were fabrics of his choice. The 4th he left to us to select fabric and styling. Needless to say he was very pleased with the outcome.
Although having a showroom based in Hornchurch, Essex, Fox Tailoring's Visting Tailoring Service is very successful.
What we can bring to our clients is personal service, confidence, in depth knowledge of fabrics, styling and personal detailing ultimately resulting in a great garment.
Image is vital in business and 75% of the companies order book is geared to businesswear, the rest being Weddings and Special Occasions. Although mainly suits, 2 and 3 piece, Tweed jackets, Blazers and Trousers are also popular requests, as well as Made To Measure Shirts.
For further information visit www.foxtailoring.com, call in the showroom for a coffee and a chat or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn
We appreciate that businesswear is more of a uniform and is not a cheap acquisition, but the feeling of having your own unique suit, styled to your taste and fits well is a confidence boosting experience, says John. We understand that a Made To Measure Suit costs. We start at £495 for a 2 piece pure wool suit but can go to over £1000 for luxury 'Saville Row' fabrics. We therefore offer a ' Business Start Up Wardrobe' package to help our clients on their way and also have ' Corporate Packages' to establish businesses with excellent savings as well as ' Loyalty' schemes for recommending clients to us. Detailed information on these packages will be given in future editions. Although based in Essex the client base of the company stretches from London and Home Counties down to the south coast and along as far as Devon. Our clients range from young men starting out in business or getting married who want a slim, figure hugging silhouette, through to classic business men and senior citizens who still like to look and feel good at a ripe old age. In addition to this John trained as a ' Colour Consultant' some years ago. This training has enabled him to offer advice on what specific colours clients should wear to look there best. This is based on their personal skin, eye and hair colouring. It is a science that works and together with styling that fits your body shape - you do get a unique outfit that is completely individual.
Fox Tailoring, 187 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6LL 01708 563 995 | E-mail john@foxtailoring.com Twitter: @Foxtailoring | LinkedIn: John Parrett | Facebook: Fox Tailoring
2013
The dawn of a new business era in Havering – are you ahead of your time? The Havering Business Awards now in their ninth year, is your chance to put yourself, team member or your company in the spotlight. 2013 inspired by the Art Deco times of the 20th century, we feel we relived the 'depression' of the 1930s and are ready to start the 'roaring' twenties all over again. Councillor Robert Benham, cabinet member for community empowerment says, “I am very proud to say that Havering has a wonderful mix of business types, from manufacturing to marketing many of which are amongst the best in the world”. Last year's Havering Business Person of the Year, Warren Davis from Ignite said, "I'm overwhelmed, and that's the best way to put it. It's quite emotional as I really didn't think I would win”. Acumen Design won Best Business in the Community, Director Ray Calder said, “It means a lot to everyone, especially during these struggling times, it makes us extremely proud to take this award tonight”.
01708 560 056
14 rmbusiness.co.uk
www.haveringbusinessawards.co.uk
Entries are now open
lifestyle
To apply Call: Click: Visit:
The awards helpline on 01708 560 056 www.haveringbusinessawards.co.uk Awards Workshop. Email to book your place info@haveringbusinessawards.co.uk
The categories for 2013 are:
Why enter?
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• Networking at Workshops • Access to Marketing Consultants to assist with your entry • Appraisal from independent judges • Widespread publicity and recognition • Entry to the Online Havering Business Directory • Networking at the Finalists Breakfast • Winners logo for 2013 for use on stationary and marketing materials • Finalists will recieve 2 free tickets to the awards ceremony and MORE networking!
Apprentice of the Year Best Business in the Community Best Hospitality in Havering Business Person of the Year Business to Business Customer Care Award Excellence in Marketing Employee of the Year Green Award Growing Business Havering Business of the Year The Innovation Award New Business of the Year Staff Training & Development Award Young Entrepreneur of the Year Small Business of the Year
Please note these are subject to change.
Sponsorship What better way to get involved with the Havering Business Awards 2013 than become a sponsor of the event. We have sponsorship opportunities available from £75.00 so call 01708 560056 or email info@haveringbusinessawards.co.uk for more information. RMBUS1
15
6
work force
ways to Love Your Commute
Colin Brush has been travelling around and into London for nearly 20 years and here he shares the secrets of turning the commute into an uplifting and rewarding experience. For most of us the daily commute is a daily grind, wearing us both down and out. So it’s unsurprising that so many of us seek escape, whether through sleep’s cloudy oblivion, sandblasting our ear canals clean with Skrillex (turned up to 11), being hypnotised by a phonesized screen or simply trying to stop our eyeballs being squeezed out of our head by the mother of all hangovers. Yet with just a little bit of planning and a clear (i.e. not hungover) head, there are more enjoyable and productive ways to spend the hour or so which bookends the working day. 16 rmbusiness.co.uk
work force
Read a book
Smart Tubing
This may seem obvious, but since the arrival of Metro, there are disappointingly few people now reading books on public transport. Books are bulky and your choice of reading matter might not be something you wish to share with your fellow commuters; besides, unless you’ve mastered the art of the one-handed page flip while standing on a moving bus or Tube you’re likely to fall into a fellow commuter’s lap. Solving all these problems, of course, are e-readers and tablets: there’s no telltale cover; they’re light and thin; and best of all they’re one-handed (presumably cottoned on to fast by readers of EL James). Your next problem is choice. If you’ve got a short commute, or a lot of changes, then Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon or Will Self’s Umbrella may prove hard work.
This I discovered working in a map shop. There was once a little guide for time-strapped Underground users, which explained, for every line and station, the carriage to board in order to make the fastest possible exit or interchange when you got off. There is now an app for this – Tube Changer – and it seems to me that here the commute is turned into a race against the clock. Not only might you shave valuable minutes from any complicated Tube journey but also you’ll have great fun trying to beat your own and others’ PBs. Don’t forget your stopwatch.
You’ll be forever reading the same, quite possibly incomprehensible, page over and over. There are countless other books about London but I’m just going to mention one new series: Penguin Underground Lines. Twelve books, each written about one of the 12 LU lines in celebration of the Underground’s 150 years. If nothing else, you might come to understand why it is, at 8:30am every Monday morning, you find yourself 60 feet under the earth. Best for: great all-rounder Not so good for: pedestrians. Walking and reading leads to accidents. Try an audio book.
Write a book No, I’m not mad. If your commute is an hour a day then you could easily be getting 500 words down. That’s 250 every half hour; 125 every 15 minutes; less than 10 every minute. Doesn’t sound too hard, does it? Do that five days a week and in 52 weeks you’ve written 130,000 words: a longer-than-average novel. Obviously, you need a longish commute, almost certainly a seat, and a little elbow room. Some kind of recording device is essential: laptop, tablet, or the tried-and-tested pencil and paper. If you’re using a screen get one of those filters that prevents your neighbour from reading what you’re writing (believe me, they will, and you’ll be able to tell and it plays hell with your mojo). Still unconvinced? Anthony Trollope wrote his bricks on the train while travelling around Ireland as a postal surveyor’s clerk. In fact, if he finished one, rather than settle back and enjoy the view, basking in a warm self-satisfied glow, he’d turn the page and start on the next. What’s stopping you? Best for: train journeys with a seat Not so good for: crowded bus or Tube
Best for: Tube journeys with at least a couple of changes Not so good for: anything else
Make up Stories Your fellow commuters are an endless source of fascination. Why not imagine their daily lives? Get all Sherlock Holmes, looking out for clues which indicate their profession (security passes are a dead give-away). Where’d they buy their shoes? Why is that designer suit looking so tatty? Is she a natural or bottle blonde? Which London tribe do they belong to? But don’t stare too hard (see Knitting). Geoff Ryman wrote a cracking novel called 253 about all the passengers aboard one full Bakerloo Line train, giving each character a whole page (see Write a Book). Best for: Tube, where you get to stare at other passengers Not so good for: bus and train
Observe the City For many years I took either the 26 or 388 bus to work, from Hackney Wick to the Strand or Embankment. Seeing the vertiginous flux within the City was often breathtaking. I’d watch old buildings coming down, leaving sockets of space, and new ones going up over periods that ranged from months to years. Daily you’d barely notice the difference, but after weeks of activity you’d get jolts of shock as some new perspective appeared, as if overnight. I could literally see the city altering before my eyes. Now I commute by train from Hastings and get to observe early-morning wildlife, like foxes hunkered in snowy fields or fawns flitting across misted golf courses. The landscape transforms with the seasons, and watching it brings changes in you. Best for: bus, train or walking Not so good for: Tube, the view is terrible; cycling, you’ll hurt yourself
Knitting If words aren’t your cup of tea then how about wool? Not only do you look obscenely industrious when you knit, but also you’re armed. The incessant click-clacking of your needles reminds fellow commuters that any unwanted attention is easily repulsed with a poke in the eye. You also look creative and interesting even though your brain is likely cruising the Elysium Fields on autopilot. Best for: great all-rounder/short sitting journeys on bus and Tube Not so good for: standing on bus or Tube. You’ll have someone’s eye out
London Calling is the capital’s premier arts and culture resource, showcasing all that mustn’t be missed in art, entertainment, museums, music, theatre, festivals and more. Find it at www.londoncalling.com.
17
work force
“ m o fr k c a b e “ bounc ck a b t e s r you
No one likes to see their idea fail, but not everyone will take it on the chin, separating the donkeys from the lions. When donkeys run businesses and face a setback, they will admit defeat and groan “oh well,” Eeyore style. They think they have tried and it hasn’t worked. Lions, on the other hand, will feed off the failure, claw their success back and pounce on the next opportunity. “It is a real cliché, but every successful entrepreneur will have had set backs. The key is learning from them and not repeating the same mistakes,” says Ian Cooper, author of The Financial Times Guide to Business Development. So how do you learn from your mistakes? If you’re a donkey you might as well stop reading now, there’s grass that needs chewing. Listen up lions, here’s how to conquer the business jungle. Why it’s happened Cooper says there are three common reasons for a business idea not working. “1) Failure to ask the right questions before launching the business. 2) Lack of the appropriate personal performance business skills. 3) Lack of proper testing of the idea.” Best-selling business author Robert Ashton agrees, adding that another big killer of young businesses is cash flow. “You create ambitious projections for your new business and then run out of money when sales pick up more slowly than you expected,” he says.
don’t worry when people say you’re too expensive; they always say that. You need to compare your price with what else is out there in your marketplace.” And if in doubt, play it safe; business is not all about taking wild risks. “It is about making sensible and sound judgements based on information that is usually available. Test as much as you can, so you have as much information as possible,” says Cooper. “This way any risks you take are calculated ones, which then ‘stack the odds’ in your favour.” Martin Engleman’s top recovery tips: • Don’t be afraid to ask business colleagues, sources of finance, suppliers or clients for help • Identify the business area of the problem; is it operational, marketing, or finance? • Check out the provenance and financial integrity of clients before you do business with them. • Call your accountant, business consultant and mentor regularly. • Check your cash flow and bank statements daily. • Make networking a regular part of your normal business timetable to raise your profile and opportunities • Try and remain positive; see it like climbing a mountain.
But not all setbacks are a surprise. Ashton says the most obvious way you can tell a business is not working is by comparing the performance against the business plan. “There are four important numbers to watch. 1) Sales 2) Costs 3) Productivity (your own time will be a major cost) and 4) Debtor days (the average length of time it sees a customer to pay you). Watch these, keep selling and you won’t stray far off track.” So when you spot a sign leading you to Slumpville, take another route.
Just starting out? Ashton’s advice is a must to avoid pitfalls. • Don’t try to be unique, just different from something your customers are familiar with and understand. • Have a simple plan and make sure you can succeed if your business grows 25% more slowly than you expect • Use your existing skills and networks so people can see you know what you’re doing and can justify to themselves giving you a try. • Never stop selling because the more people who know what you do, the more successful you’ll be. • Expect the unexpected. Businesses are dynamic and your marketplace will constantly evolve. Be prepared to be surprised and always liking to learn and adapt. • Try to make mistakes as early as you can, because the bigger the business the costlier the mistake can be.
How can I fix it? However, if you do find yourself in desolate territory, there are ways to get out. Ashton suggests starting with the customer. “Asking them why they’re reluctant will help you get your product or service right. Oh, and
For more advice, contact Ian Cooper: www.financialtimesguidetobusinessdevelopmentblog.com Robert Ashton: www.robertashton.co.uk @robertashton1 or Martin Engleman: www.businessadvisoressex.co.uk
Having said this, sometimes not all fails are avoidable. “If your bank or a client has gone bust, that’s beyond your control, but if you lost a client through bad management or decision making, then review and change weaknesses to minimize a similar occurrence,” says Business Advisor Martin Engleman.
DO YOU WANT TO INCREASE STAFF PRODUCTIVITY? If the answer is YES, which we know it will be, we bet you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to achieve... and all in 30 minutes, 3 times a week during the normal working day. Exercise during the workday improves job performance, British research has shown. A study by Jim McKenna from the University of Bristol showed that after exercising, participants returned to work more tolerant of themselves and more forgiving of their colleagues. Their work performance was also consistently higher, as shown by better time management and improved mental sharpness Researchers expected that midday exercise would enhance mood. But the boosts in productivity surprised them, proving that workplace exercise programs benefit more than just the workers - they give companies more efficient employees who work better together. Health care costs can be expected to go down for employees who exercise regularly at work, resulting in fewer sick days better attendance and more cooperation between co-workers
Here are just a few press headlines: • Exercise Boosts Work Productivity • One Easy Way To Reduce Workplace Stress And Enhance Productivity • People who exercise on work days are happier, suffer less stress and are more motivated Daily Mail • Exercise equates to productivity: study • Wellness in the Workplace: How to Increase Employee Productivity with a Plan for Healthy Living. Corporate Wellness Magazine • Time Out for Exercise Improves Productivity • Healthy Eating, Exercise Linked With Workplace Productivity. The Business Advice Forum
The Evidence is overwhelming
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19
10 ridiculous rules enforced at work Some work regulations are laughable, especially since the majority have nothing to do with the Health and Safety Executives. So let’s poke fun at the most ridiculous rules ever enforced. 1. Castle View School in Canvey Island recently banned triangular flapjacks after one was thrown and hit a boy in the face. Following the incident, dinner staff were asked to cut the snacks into squares instead. That’s ridiculous; everyone knows a circle is the safest shape. 2. Last month, staff at the BBC were told they are not allowed to pick up hot sausages with tongs or make their own toast in case they burnt themselves. 3. Handling hot food isn’t the only time the BBC have enforced a crazy ban. Back in December they forbid employees from bringing in Christmas trees as the lights had not passed safety tests. I bet their Christmas party was wild! 4. Tim Banister, 35, from Hampshire, was told he could not carry a drinks tray in the pub as a new rule meant “specialist training” was required. If Tim can dress himself, make his way to a bar and manage the challenge of ordering multiple drinks, we think he deserves a tray. 5. A Cambridgeshire public hall said knives were too dangerous for the kitchen. RIP buttered bread. 6. Forget scissors and staplers, beware of the paper clip! NHS Manchester issued an edict, banning all metal paper clips after a member of staff cut their finger. It’s understandable; staff may not have been surrounded by plasters or had any medical training. 7. A bus driver refused to allow a customer to board while carrying a hot drink in case it spilled. 8. A coffee shop refused to fill a customer’s reusable cup with coffee, citing health and safety. However, there are no HSE regulations that prevent the use of reusable cups. They sound like “the cup is half empty” kind of people. 9.
When Charlotte Cubitt, 85, from Colchester, decided to get rid of her old TV she contacted her local council who offered a removal service. However, a council officer informed her that staff wouldn’t be able to enter her home and remove the television on the grounds of health and safety, and was told to drag it to the kerb for collection!
10. Think it can’t get much worse? Enter the Health and Safety Executive HQ. In 2007, employees were banned from moving furniture, including their own chairs, in case they cause themselves injury. If they want something moved they are required to book a porter and wait up to two days for it to happen. 20 rmbusiness.co.uk
Employee rights National Minimum wage
New employee Laws The right to unpaid parental leave increased from 13 weeks to 18 weeks on 8th March 2013. The 90-day consultation period where 100 or more redundancies are proposed reduced to 45 days on 6th April 2013.
Aged 21 and over - £6.19 ph Aged 18-20 (inclusive) - £4.98 ph
The standard rate of statutory sick pay increased in April 2013.
Under 18 years of age - £3.68 ph Apprentices under 19 years of age or in the first year of their apprenticeship - £2.65 per hour
Statutory Rights
The limit on the statutory guarantee pay, that is the amount paid in lay-off or short-time working situations, has gone up to £24.20 per full day since 1s t February 2013. Unless you have turned 16 by August 2013, all young people in England will have to participate in education or training until the age of 17 (if a child is currently in year 10, this will increase to 18).
The right to paid maternity and paternity leave. The right to work until you are at least 65. The right to receive notice of dismissal, as long as you have worked for the company for more than 1 month. The right to paid holiday. The right of an itemised pay slip.
Robertson Milroy
Chartered Accountants & Tax Advisors • Tax Advise including Capital Gains Tax & Inheritance Tax Planning • Audit, Accountancy, VAT, Payroll etc • Personal Tax Returns • Retirement Strategies & Estate Planning • Business Start-Ups • Strategic Business Planning & Advice • Corporate Finance
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Positive Social Media amber sudbury is a Marketing enthusiast specialising in PR, digital marketing and Social Media, helping SME’s grow their business through fantastic online communications, solid content strategies and the thorough understanding of client’s objectives. What interests you the most about social media? Everything. All of it. I probably enjoy the strategy aspect of it the most. Understanding the needs of a business, the customer’s needs, figuring out how to best meet these, and then creating a well rounded social media marketing plan that will satisfy both. I love that you can type something in a few minutes and then in the next minute, it could be viewed by someone still in their pyjamas eating breakfast in Kentucky, its crazy. Do you find it hard to keep up with the forever changing social media world? I love it; it keeps me interested. If it were static and unchanging, I’d get bored. The great thing is that there’s always something new to learn with social media, there’s always something new to try or a better way of doing an old thing; it’s great. By its very definition it’s social; you can connect with people that would previously have been very difficult to reach, maybe even impossible. Recently I did an interview with England Netball player, Jo Harten, simply because I tweeted and asked her for one. How easy is that? Most people have at least one personal social media account, what are the main differences between a personal social media account and a business’s social media account? This is a good one. I’ve lost count the amount of times I’ve heard, ‘oh I’m on Facebook, I can do that’, or ‘My son/daughter/nephew etc is on Facebook and that twitter thing’. If you went to get your car repaired and the
22 rmbusiness.co.uk
mechanic referred to your wheels as, ‘those turny spinney things on the bottom of your car’, would you feel comfortable placing your means of transportation into his hands? Me neither. And this is the difference. Using social media for business requires an extensive knowledge of each platform being used, copywriting skills, the ability to come up with and execute a solid content strategy, understanding the business that you are using social media for and its competition, knowing how to handle negative comments; it’s not simply posting a few tweets and Facebook statuses. Many businesses like to use social media as a way of lead generation. I have seen many a case where enquiries have been completely halted in their tracks due to inexperience in dealing with customer enquiries. I’ve seen 10 tweets go out one day and none the next. Consistency is key; keeping everything regular and continuous gives customers the reassurance that you’re not going anywhere and that you’ll be there, if and when they might need you. Why do you think social networking has become so popular for businesses? There are two main reasons among many. Firstly, it’s the online version of word-of-mouth and referrals. Take Facebook for instance. You can see when a friend likes a page, comments on a photo or shares a post, and it’s easy for you to then go and check it out. With Twitter, businesses can tweet company news, links to their blog etc and you know the best
lifestyle
thing? It’s free. You don’t have to pay for these platforms. That doesn’t mean that social media is free though. Oh no, you definitely get what you pay for. The guys that are good want paying accordingly, and rightly so, as the same with any skill. It’s not a job for your assistant, it’s not even a job for the employee that has done 14K tweets; it’s a job for someone who knows how to write appropriately for the audience that they are speaking to. It’s for the person who knows that some platforms aren’t right for that particular business, and it’s for the person that knows how to analyse data and respond accordingly.
What are they having trouble with? Answer them! Kittens may not be the answer, so find out what is. Look for businesses that compliment what you do and comment on their page, how can you mutually benefit another company?
This advice may be over the top for a smaller business perhaps, but I would argue that it would depend on how much you value your brand.
Don’t forget to analyse your data. What types of posts are getting the most engagement, and at what times? Use the answers that you get to hone in on what and when are the best times to reach out to your customers. It takes time in the beginning, but you’ll be grateful for it in the future.
What do you believe are the top 3 features that make a company’s social media effective/successful? • Always think about the end user; the cus tomer or client. • Have a totally awesome content strategy • Use the correct platforms for your business. Where are your customers? Consistency. Oops, that’s four. They’re all important. What are your top tips to keep the audience engaged with what you are posting? Pictures of kittens. No, not really, but joking aside, throwing in a few images of kittens isn’t going to hurt, it’s the most viewed thing on the web and people love them. Understanding what your customers want to see, read etc is key to engagement. What is your target market asking?
Ask questions and keep it visual; we all like looking at nice things. A Facebook page consisting of only text isn’t going to engage most people, for lack of a better phrase, jazz it up.
What don’t you like about Social Media? Apart from inconsistency; blatant self promotion. Your audience doesn’t want to know about whom you are or what you can offer on every single tweet or Facebook post; it’s really boring. You may be supercagafagalistic, but how does that benefit your customer? Nobody likes the friend that constantly talks about themselves and it’s the same principle with social media. It’s all about giving, so keep on giving and you’ll keep on getting. www.positivemedia.co.uk amber@positivemedia.co.uk Twitter @PositiveMediaPR
23
Understanding Your Market
U
nderstanding your target market is key in developing a successful business. By acknowledging and acting upon what customers require, you are guaranteed to provide them with a good quality service or product. It takes time to gain a full understanding of your target market, but it will definitely be worth it. You will need to research, analyse and plan, to ensure that you are reaching out to your ideal customers. To be able to understand who you need to appeal to, you need to have a strong understanding of your business. You need to ask yourself what the purpose of the business is and also the products or service it provides. You then need to discover your target market; this is where market research is required. Once you have identified the specific group of people that you need to be reaching for, you have to locate these people and there are several different ways of finding them, for example, via social media and advertisements. Once you know where your customers are and who they are, you can start to build a fairly accurate picture of who you are selling to and where to find them, you can also start to gather information about your competitors. A good knowledge of how your competitors approach customers is advantageous; this could inspire you to think of a new way of connecting with your customers. If you analyse their methods, you could spot a flaw
24 rmbusiness.co.uk
and be able to amend this and use it to your benefit. By keeping up-todate with competitors’ plans and customers’ opinions of them, you will be able to stay ahead of the trends and better your chances of gaining a larger customer base. You can keep tabs on competitors’ prices and offers to make sure you are within the correct range. Once you have developed a clear customer base, listening to their thoughts, criticisms and opinions are essential. If you interact with customers, this is a clear way of showing that you have a genuine interest in what they have to say and that you value their opinions. If you make a customer feel valued they are more likely to use your company again. It is always risky to simply assume what customers think and feel and this is why it is important to ask them. It is hard to hear criticism of your business and products, although sometimes it is necessary. If you assume what your customers are thinking, it is unlikely that you will have any negative comments; therefore your company will struggle to change and improve.
Market Research Market research is divided into two categories; qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data is used to discover opinions and beliefs, and examples of this type of data are interviews, focus groups and questionnaires. Quantitative data is used to measure and predict; examples of quantitative data are in-depth interviews either online or on the telephone. The main difference between the two is that qualitative data cannot be analysed, whereas quantitative can meaning that it can be made into statistics such as, ‘80% of people thought the company fulfilled their needs’. It is usually recommended that a company carries out both types of research.
● New Apprenticeships
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opportunities for 2013 ● Apprentices generate
sustainable growth for employers ● Business funding
and incentives are available For more information on our quality assured apprenticeship opportunities contact:
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our Business Services Team
01708 462800 employerenquiry@havering-college.ac.uk www.havering-college.ac.uk Havering College of Further and Higher Education Ardleigh Green Campus, Ardleigh Green Road Hornchurch, Essex RM11 2LL
25 50512BM 15/3/13
The Importance of Knowing your Customer, Market & Competition W
hen it comes to selling online, research is your best friend. For you to have a successful business, you first need to understand the importance of knowing your ideal customer, the market your business sits in and finally, the competition.
Written by Warren Knight www.warrenknight.co.uk @wvrknight
Successful business people, not just in the UK will all speak the same story - know your buyers wants, needs and behaviours better than you do your own family. Try and find out as much information as possible when brainstorming your customer because this could be the key to making sure you’re selling well and you’re selling right.
and regional information including population census. Google Insights is also a great place to find information about the hottest topics. You should also consider using the advanced search options for social media, specifically LinkedIn. For you to keep track of all the information you collect from various sources, I suggest creating an excel spreadsheet and also creating three different mind maps based on your ideal customer, market and biggest competitors. Looking at your competition is where it gets really interesting. This is your opportunity to research those who are business leaders in your sector and really understand what makes them tick, or not in some circumstances. Using a tool like Mention will allow you to research a business and see what people are saying about it. This may be your chance to really find out what your customers want and what your biggest competitor is, or isn’t doing about it.
We will have customers representing different levels of value. We might have new customers - perfect for that initial upsell, we might have loyal customers - ideal suit for a retention strategy and finally dishonest customers - sometimes best avoided altogether. There will be so many It is so important to know your customers, factors that determine a customer’s market and competition so that your business value and once you have figured out can be a success. what really makes them engage with you as a business, you will be able to market your business the right way. A great tool that Without this knowledge you will help you create a recipe are taking your business into of information for social the online world blind in the media is IFTTT.
hope of succeeding
26 rmbusiness.co.uk
When it comes to researching your business market, start with available published research information available online. This can include statistics around how big the overall market is, what the latest trends are and if it is growing, or declining. My advice is to look at National Statistics to gain information on social, economic, business
Always have a clear goal and define what works for you at every stage of your business journey. If you are finding out the right information and applying it to your business plan and strategy, make it a habit.
sales & marketing
Goodbye
Y
ou may or may not have been flummoxed by the sudden outpour of hysteria on the web over the announcement that Google Reader was to be no more. Whether down to nostalgia or genuine sorrow for its death, on July 1st Goggle Reader will cease to exist, leaving the Really Simple Syndication program by the wayside in favour of investing more into Google+, so it has been rumoured.
reader Charlotte Hill, a spokesperson from Change.org said, “People were clearly shocked and dismayed about Google’s decision and they came to Change.org to make their voices heard.” And The Verge said that “The death of Google Reader could spell doom for the RSS protocol itself, which has seen waning popularity since the rise of social sharing services.”
Launched in 2005 in an effort to make it easy for people to discover and keep tabs on their favourite websites, the service will be retired on July 1st. Using a technology called RSS, shortened from Really Simple Syndication, users were able to follow pretty much anything that desired from the web.
Brian Shih, former Google Reader product manager wrote “I’ve always been confused why a company with the mission to ‘organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful’ never valued a product that did that on very personal level,” he wrote. “Particularly in a world of increasing information overload, a product designed to take in a variety of sources and present them efficiently and cleanly certainly seems like it would provide value.”
Only a few years ago, Google Reader was the equivalent of today’s Facebook Likes and Twitter retweets, measuring how popular a story was and displaying the number of subscribers to an RSS feed. Users have been given three months to find a replacement and transfer any information that they have onto something else.
“I’ve known that Google either hasn’t understood or cared about Reader for years. I’m less sad for the loss of a product that I loved and more for the loss of what it could have been, given the proper investment. The bright side is that there are now lots of people out there thinking (and working) on that future. Let’s just hope they don’t get acquired by Google.”
After the announcement on the Official Google Blog, Software engineer, Alan Green, made this announcement, “We have just announced that we will soon retire Google Reader (the actual date is July 1, 2013). We know Reader has a devoted following who will be very sad to see it go. We’re sad too. There are two simple reasons for this: usage of Google Reader has declined, and...
Despite the outcry, Google reader will soon be gone. The only question now is, what will everyone use in its place?
...as a company we’re pouring all of our energy into fewer products. We think that kind of focus will make for a better user experience To ensure a smooth transition, we’re providing a three-month sunset period so you have sufficient time to find an alternative feed-reading solution. If you want to retain your Reader data, including subscriptions, you can do so through Google Takeout. Thank you again for using Reader as your RSS platform.” Google’s main goal, to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful, seem to have been thrown out the window with this recent news. Surely that’s exactly what Google reader does for its users? 27
With over 17 years experience in the finance and banking industry, Annecto UK Director Kevin Hayler, will be sharing his wealth of knowledge on a broad range of payment and finance services. We interviewed Kevin to find out a little more about Annecto UK, and what we can expect over the coming months.
What was your inspiration for starting Annecto? Well, Annecto means to connect and that is our entire philosophy. We want to make connections with businesses to help them grow and thrive in a tough climate. Retailers are finding it more and more difficult to survive, never mind to upgrade technology and move forward when they are struggling to stay afloat. We want to make it easier for them to do this through strong advice and financial relief. Retailers have been feeling the pinch since 2009; with a significant change in the way consumers now shop and ecommerce currently accounting for 15% of all retail sales, they need to stay ahead of the curve and that’s where we come in. What is your background? I’ve worked in the Credit Card industry for over 17 years, starting in 1995 with Barclaycard as a Sales Manager then progressing through the ranks before moving to Bank of Scotland in 2003. From there I moved into the world of Independent Sales Organisations in 2007 and specialised in building Sales Divisions and training them on how to work with SME’s. This experience has given me a very rounded view of the Card Processing market in the UK and I have a deep understanding of the SME sector and what Independent businesses need from their suppliers. Starting your own business is a daunting experience, what have been the main roadblocks for you? Put very simply, money and advice. Getting hold of the funding for my business was a huge challenge when it shouldn’t have been. Surely, after all that’s
happened in the last 5 years, this is the wrong attitude. We need to invest in great ideas and people who are willing to see them through. My advice: It’s daunting going it alone, and I found that there was no-one to guide me through the minefield. You simply have to learn every step of the way and accept that you will make mistakes. The key is to learn from those mistakes and to not make them again. I bring this into my business advice and talk openly about the mistakes I made so that a new business owner doesn’t make them. What do you think are the traits that every entrepreneur should have in order to be successful? Drive, commitment and a total belief in what they are doing. These are needed to overcome the hurdles that you will undoubtedly face. However, I also believe that you should surround yourself with a network of successful people, listen to their experiences, and learn from the things you hear. What do you think sets your business apart from others like it in the industry? My personal experience in the card processing industry has helped me gain a solid understanding of the needs of retailers in the UK and beyond. Our one-to-one business advisors are that bit more personal than a telesales exec or a website. We assign a personal advisor to all of our clients who will select the right products, provide real savings and then do everything we can to provide outstanding service for them.
Where do you see the business a year down the line? Since we launched in 2012 we have hired 60 agents and advisors and our team will continue to grow as our client base does. We want to become the voice of the industry. Our goal is to grow and change the perception of the credit card industry through great service, solid advice and true value for money. We will provide products that help SME owners save money and products that will help businesses grow through capital investment and through schemes that help increase customer footfall & trade. Where do you see the future of the industry? As regards to retail, and card processing specifically, we’ve seen a lot of buzz of late around both contactless payments and mobile wallets. Both are exciting developments, and although it may be some time before mobile wallets become anywhere near mainstream, contactless payments have already started to take off across the UK and Ireland. The convenience factor and time saving nature of this will become a major attraction for people making small purchases, specifically those who don’t like carrying cash around.
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The challenge that faces both of these forms of payment is how many consumers view them with a kind of hesitation and have trouble trusting the technology. I recently wrote a blog post on this very topic. (www.annectouk.wordpress.com). After experiencing contactless payments first hand for the first time, I wanted to share my thoughts and inform people about the technology, the security, and the underlying need. Hopefully I helped to quash some myths and discomfort on the subject. What I do know is that the current climate is challenging but also exciting. Especially if you are prepared to understand the changes that are happening and embrace new technology. Your customers are changing the way they shop, are you changing with them? www.annectouk.co.uk 0800 131 0049 hello@annecto.co.uk Linkedin - annectoukLtd Twitter - @annectouk
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All Annecto terminals will be set up and tested before they are delivered to you, therefore we know they already work. They will have your merchant number and details already loaded so all you have to do is to plug it in and you are ready to go.
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Still a trader at heart
Partnerships, trading, investments and Dr. Martens, Steve Durham is a straight talking city trader with charm and suave to boot, and here he tells Amber Sudbury why leaving your ego at the door and choosing the right partners, is key to success. 30 rmbusiness.co.uk
money matters
Whenever you’re involved in a partnership, it’s so easy to say, ‘I’ll ask one of my old mates’, but as a partner, you need someone who will contribute and actually make you money. It’s okay having someone who can do your accounting or a junior staff member, but in a partnership, you’re looking for someone that will benefit you, someone who can bring something that you can’t. Partner in city based financial company Principle Trading, Steve Durham is a city trader at heart. And by trade I mean, we don’t invest in the client. We don’t take big views on the market, we don’t say ‘oh its going up, it’s going down’, we basically trade. We’re like a hub; if people want the price of something, they come to us. They call it a market maker, it is what it says, we make markets. People come up to us and say ‘oh Steve, what’s the price of this’ and I tell them the price, they then either deal with us or they don’t. That’s a simplistic way of saying it, but that’s what we do. Winding down to working two days a week, Steve spends the rest of his time investing in interesting and innovative businesses such as Essex based dance festival, We Are FSTVL and luxury men’s designer, A.Savage.
expanding to include sunglasses. There’s a level of £300, if it’s less than £300 people will buy it, it would be very hard to sell a £1500 suit online. It was Justin Bieber’s birthday the other day and I know this because he was pictured with a Savage jacket on, he was in London and did filming wearing a £2,500 Savage jacket, that publicity is great, but to be fair, his fans aren’t going to go out and buy a two grand jacket, but a £200 pair of sunglasses, we’ll sell a thousand of those on the website if he’s wearing them. Anything less than £300 will sell in quantity, so it’s about us trying to find the right price level. Long story short, Savage are saying ‘look, we can do great t-shirts and we can do them cheaper’, so it’s more a case of price. Luxury will sell for a good price. People will say ‘no, I’m not going to spend £150 on a bottle of wine’, trust me they won’t, it’s worth it, but they won’t do it, but they’ll say, ‘I’m going to buy a t-shirt for 150 quid,’ go figure! They will do that, isn’t it funny how the world works? But if Bieber’s wearing it, they will get it.
These Dr Marten’s (Steve points to the cool as a cucumber black doc martens that he’s wearing) it’s a collaboration with Dr. Martens and Savage; Robbie Williams wore those with his suit at the Brits. We retailed them at £300, Dr. Martens usually retail at £80-90, so people are thinking, These Dr Marten’s are a why would we buy those? collaboration with Dr. As soon as you half them in the sale to £150, people were buying Martens and Savage; Robbie 10 pairs at a time. So in terms of Williams wore those with his the business, it is finding the price structure that suits people. Even suit at the Brits with coffee, if a few years ago someone said, I’m going to spend There are still a few balls to be juggled with £3 on a cup of coffee people would say ‘who that, but it’s going really well. Savage used are you? The Queen? Bill Gates? You’re mad!’ to sell everything out of the studio and people Now no one gives a monkeys, used to come in and say, ‘ill provide you with I see school kids in these coffee shops, they go your 4 suits.’ They would come in, measure up; in there and their spending £2.50 on a coffee now we get people come in from the street. and a muffin, they’re getting done over, that’s We try to sell other ranges; we’ve got great something that you can put together yourself for about 30p. t-shirts, jeans, leather jackets and we’re
In terms of retail, some things are selling really well and others are a hard sell. Alternative energy is booming at the moment. I have invested in a few things and one of them said look, we don’t need your money - the best business to get in is the ones that don’t want your money! There are certain businesses like this that are booming, I think we’re in a period at the moment where things that aren’t selling won’t sell for 2 or 3 years. If you see houses that aren’t selling or cars that aren’t selling, those aren’t going to turn around in the next couple of years, that’s my view on the market. With the pressure to look good, continuous government drives to stay healthy and shows such as Biggest Loser promoting a healthy & active lifestyle, staying in shape and paying attention to what we eat is something that we’re all now very conscience of. People are still spending money; they’re just changing the way they do things and choosing to spend it differently. They tend to be slightly more environmentally aware, I suppose they think they’re being kinder to the environment, kinder to their body’s, maybe they’re not going on stag weekends but they’re spending 80 quid a month on gyms and stuff like that. Conscientious shopping is big and conscientious energy consumption, well energy consumption in general. Beginning his career at Williams and Glyn’s in 1982, Steve worked there for five years before realising his desire to work as a trader, preferring the manic and chaotic atmosphere of ‘the pit’. You see it still in America, there’s all the men and, well women too, all shouting at each other. It’s just like the old fashioned stock exchanges. That started in 1984 and I knew someone who worked there. I was always like, ‘that’s more me’, I like getting in there, getting stuck in and shouting, it pays more money which is what you want when you’re 18 years old. I’ve worked for banks, but really and truly, I love the ‘pit’. It was called the pit for a reason, hundreds of blokes in there all screaming at 2 31
o’clock in the afternoon after we’ve all had 3 beers and a big lunch; you can imagine how aggressive it can get. I’m still a pit trader at heart; I’m still on the phone shouting and all the rest of it, but it’s getting tiring. In those days we had to stand up 8 hours a day and you weren’t even allowed to eat in there, so you had to go to lunch for half an hour then carry on. Now we sit down, it’s all on computers and still mostly done over the phone. 300-500 phone calls each day is not easy to do, you do get tired and that’s putting it mildly! Working in the back office, Steve became a trader in 1990 by working his way through the company and is now in his 24th year. In 1987 I finally got an interview through someone that I knew, which is funny because for years I was qualified enough. I had the right exams behind me, I had all of my O levels, I’d worked for a bank, I just couldn’t get a job. All of a sudden I know someone, and I get a job the next day. So how do you know if someone will make a good trader? There’s just no easy way to tell, Steve explains...
or sleep for a week. It really affected me – it’s not nice. You can really hate the way someone works, they can be the biggest slob going, and I’ve had to sack people like that, but it’s still horrible when you have to do it, you actually think to yourself, do they deserve it? That’s how you have to justify it, it’s because they deserve it, but when it comes to doing it, it’s a horrible thing to do. Steve believes that there’s one underlying principle for succeeding as a trader, and you may be surprised to discover that it’s pretty straight forward, as long as you can leave your ego at the door. If you haven’t got an ego, you’ll make a good trader. The reason being, if you do a bad deal and you know you’ve made a bad deal just after you’ve done it, you need to forget your ego and the fact you’re going to make a loss on it and just get out of it. You’ve got to say, I’ve done a bad deal’ and just scrap it.
A lot of people can’t do that, they have trouble admitting that and they will say, ‘well I’ve done it, I know I’m going to be right and I’m going to be proved right’ but eventually it sends you bankrupt. It’s If you haven’t got an ego, like a bad business, if you’re losing you’ll make a good trader 10 grand a week you’ve got to say ‘this is losing me money and I’ve got to get out of it and I don’t care that everyone knows I’ve lost 100 grand on it, that In all my years there is no way, even if I doesn’t matter to me’ – so leave your ego at sit with them for an hour or two and have home and you’ll be a good trader. conversations with them, there’s no way I can tell if they’re going to be a good trader or not. That’s the secret to being a good trader and It is very difficult and it takes years and years really, to being a good business person. We’ve of experience, some people give up and some all made mistakes, like in America people don’t people carry on, you just never know, it’s really take you seriously as a business person unless hard to tell. you’ve gone bankrupt at least 3 times because you need to live through it. You need to make With no easy way to determine if someone is those mistakes to learn and we’ve all been going to be a good trader or not, it’s a tough there, where our ego or our lack of discipline industry to succeed in and not everyone gets to has got to better of us and it is, it is down to keep their job. discipline, when people say ‘I think that’s going to work eventually,’ no, if the figures are telling No one likes to make people redundant. I’ve you it’s not working then scrap the idea. been in a situation where it wasn’t my company You have to go with the facts and figures. but I was head of the department and my boss was making people redundant, I couldn’t eat 32 rmbusiness.co.uk
“if the figures are telling you it’s not working then scrap the idea. You have to go with the facts and figures”
Do you have a
lifestyle
Business Succession plan? You’ve worked hard to build your business, so it makes sense to protect it. But while you probably already have cover for your buildings, contents, cars and materials, have you covered your single biggest asset — your key employees, or yourself if you’re a business owner.
Many people think that the unexpected won’t happen to them, but here are some statistics that might make you think again:
Likelihood of at least one partner/director dying before age 65*
Likelihood of at least one partner/director getting a critical illness before age 65**
Number of partners/directors Age 2 3 4 5 10 35 13% 19% 25% 30% 51% 40 13% 18% 24% 29% 49% 45 12% 17% 23% 27% 47% 50 11% 16% 21% 25% 44%
Number of partners/directors Age 2 3 4 5 10 35 50% 65% 75% 82% 97% 40 49% 64% 74% 81% 97% 45 47% 62% 72% 80% 96% 50 44% 58% 68% 76% 94%
*Based on mortality data from TMN00 (temporary assured lives, male non-smokers, 1999-2002) at five plus years’ duration. **CIBT02. Based on 1971-2003 population data and experience, published in SIAS paper Exploring the Critical Path, 2006. Males, stand-alone, extended cover, including own occupation and total and permanent disability.
Who would you want to gain control of your business? What is business protection? Businesses look to protect themselves against every eventuality, buying cover for your buildings, contents, materials and cars. However, the majority of business owners don’t cover their single biggest asset – their employees. Business protection is about insuring for the unexpected and protecting all types of business if something were to go wrong. Business protection can help make sure that your business continues to trade and allows you as the owner to maintain control while making sure dependants receive a fair value for their share of the business. Business continuity Business continuity is the plan that has been put into place by a business to make sure that it can continue to trade, even if the unexpected were to happen. So what would happen if your business lost a key employee or director due to ill health or death? To make sure that the business can continue, you the owner who may be key to the business yourself - need to consider if your business: • could continue to trade or would suffer financially if you lost an employee who was key to the business • would have the necessary cash flow to replace any loss of profit or repay any outstanding loans, including directors’ loans
Business succession Frequently, little or no consideration is given to the succession plans for a business. Business succession planning involves transferring the ownership and control of a business, most likely through retirement, to new management. It’s a key part in protecting the stability and continuity of your business. Business owners must also think about what you’d want to happen if you were to suddenly die or become critically ill. Who would you want to gain control of your business? How and where would the money come from to make sure that this happened? Succession works in four main ways: • Handing over the ownership to a family member • Handing over the ownership to the remaining business owners • Appointing an external successor • Disposing of the business through a sale, management buy- out, management buy-in or voluntary liquidation While there are no hard and fast rules on succession planning, it’s important that as business owners, you link it to the needs and interests of the co-owners and dependents. Planning should start as early as possible to avoid conflict and confusion at the time of handover. This will also increase the chances of future business success.
Steve Aston Financial Adviser & Business Protection Specialist, Moneysprite Tel: 07950 709226 Email: steve.aston@moneysprite.com 33
business for the soul
A Sure way to save the environment Unilever have recently released their brand new invention; the compressed deodorant can. It all seems highly logical, remove the amount of gas and keep the same amount of product, helping to save the environment; great! Unilever claim that the new 75ml container will last just as long as the normal 150ml deodorant as they have changed the spraying system so that it now requires less gas to release the deodorant. Sure, Vaseline and Dove sprays are now all available in the new compressed packaging. The reasoning behind a smaller can isn’t simply to look cute or fit in a handbag easier, but rather reduce Unilever’s Carbon Footprint. Smaller cans mean less materials used and less environmental waste. Most local authorities will accept empty deodorant cans for recycling, plus steel and aluminium can be recycled over and over, further improving your Carbon Footprint as there is less metal to recycle and therefore less energy needed. As well as being compressed, the product inside has also been improved. Sure Compressed uses ‘motionSENSE technology’, Dove Compressed has a ‘softer spray’ and Vaseline Compressed contains ‘Pro-Derma’, so the new smaller and compressed cans have given Unilever the perfect platform to launch all of their new features at once. Being aware of your Carbon Footprint has become essential over the past few years, and Unilever have now provided a way for everyone to do their part and take an active step to improve theirs. Based upon people using an average of 5 cans per year, if one million people switched from larger cans to the new compressed containers, together we could save 720 tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to an annual consumption of 32,700 trees and enough aluminium to make 20,500 bikes. That’s impressive.
Chelmsford Star Co-Operative Donates a Van to Charity In 2006 Chelmsford Star Co-Operative started supporting a number of different local charities every year. Staff attempted to raise as much as possible through different events and initiatives. Over the past 6 years they have raised over £144,000 for the Essex Air Ambulance, Helen Rollason Heal Cancer, Little Havens Children’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, Families InFocus (Essex) and Re-Cycle: Bicycle Aid for Africa. They will also be working with Canine Partners this year who train dogs to help transform the lives of disabled people.
34 rmbusiness.co.uk
In early April, a van was donated to the Re-Cycle: Bicycle Aid for Africa. The charity founder Merlin Matthews was highly grateful for the donation and said “this will allow us to expand and collect from more drop-off points which we are keen to set up.” Re-Cycle: Bicycle Aid for Africa has made a huge difference to more than 16 under-developed countries. As something we take for granted, in some of these countries, a bicycle is the first step to independence and rising out of poverty.
Doing Good is Good for Business Doing the right thing doesn’t just make you feel warm and fuzzy; it also provides a competitive advantage. Consumers may not ask about your ‘social and environmental’ activities, but if you proactively and authentically market your good deeds, such as community fundraisers, or reducing your environmental impacts, customers are more likely to choose your business over a Consumers are fed up with a greed driven society and now favour competitor that doesn’t appear to share these values. If you sell to the public and / or private sector, it is absolutely ethical businesses over those simply out to ‘make a quick buck’. This is good news for most business owners who are decent people essential that you understand and demonstrate good CSR practices wanting to do the right thing. The business world is changing and if you want to win new contracts or keep existing ones as CSR is ‘Doing Good’ is definitely good for business. rapidly being driven down the supply chain. Waving your ‘wad’ raised a laugh in the 80s as Harry Enfield’s Loadsamoney character made a mockery of Thatcher-era cash flashers. Fortunately, the days of boasting about bulging bank balances on brick like phones are long behind us, and a new era of responsible business is dawning.
But what do we mean by doing good in a business context? Perhaps you have heard the term Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR? The EU definition of CSR is ‘the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society’. This is something most big companies are aware of but understandably, some smaller companies haven’t heard the term or don’t fully understand it. CSR isn’t just about being philanthropic and throwing money at good causes – although many of us make charitable contributions, which of course is a good thing. CSR is about embedding a set of ethics and values at the very core of your business. It’s about considering your impact on people and the environment. By people we mean your staff, local community and even the wider community. We prefer to call this way of operating ‘responsible business’ but CSR trips off the tongue nicely – and is a term all businesses should be familiar with.
And please, don’t ever think your business is too small to make a difference - if the UK’s 4.5 million small companies each make their own small contribution, it adds up to a HUGE difference!
Jill Poet managing director of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses (ORB) www.orbuk.org.uk www.ResponsibleBusinessStandard.org.uk 35
a great business as, Warren Buffet describes e competitive advantage abl “a business with a dur run… because sooner or that even a moron could running it.” later a moron will end up s, but an OK starting Not the best of description at business really does gre a of ion point. The definit that you work in. depend on the business ll it climbs a tree means Judging a fish on how we just how great of a iate rec that you’ll never app swimmer it is.
What Makes a Great Business?
y research to find out Doing your own compan to the people that matter what is considered great, . the most, your customers
What does ‘Great’ mean?
profitable year after year
contribut ion to societ y
36 rmbusiness.co.uk
longevity
for d e t c e p res ents m e v ie h ac
fun place to work
style of business grity e t in . g . e
business for the soul
What Do Customers Consider as a ‘Great’ Business Let’s start with customers. From research, here are four factors, which in the minds of customers would make a company great.
Integrity
Answer difficult questions fairly, honest and straight, dependable, ethical.
Compassion
Approachable, dedicated, personal, always helpful and responsive, committed always have time to discuss problems, and care.
Communication
Good at listening, expressing things in layman’s terms, lucid, good at questioning, making it simple and grasping real needs quickly
Delivering Products or Services that Work
Delivers what is really wanted or promised and that the solution really does the job, persistent – sticks with any problem, practical, good at problem solving, identifying the real problem, technically competent, knowledgeable.
What Employees Consider as a ‘Great’ Business Now consider what your staff would deem to be a great company. Again by enquiring staff, here are four factors that have been identified.
Challenge and Variety
Constantly doing something new, always changing, constant challenge.
Doing Something Worthwhile
Doing something good and worthwhile, feeling that they are really achieving something.
Gaining Skills and Experience
Intellectually fulfilling work, challenges all abilities and pushes comfort zones, increases confidence, builds experience and continuous education.
Influence
Opinions valued, input on what’s going on, have impact on success and involvement in everything.
All this leads to you staff being proud of their company. What Owners (and You) Consider as a ‘Great’ Business Lastly, let’s consider what the owners or shareholders would deem as a great business.
Survival
Approximately 70% of businesses have failed by year 5, so the first thing is survival, to ensure their investment of money and time is protected.
Profits
A better than average return for the type of business, year after year.
Enjoyment
They’re and you’re happy with their/your investment of money and/or time, the customers and staff are happy. You love your work so much that you can’t wait to get to the office each day. They’re all smiling owners or managers.
So what would you say makes a great business? Now’s the perfect time to find out what your customers, employees and shareholders consider to be the definition of a great business and see how well you fulfil that criteria.
37
legal
Abide, Obey, Comply
Why the increase in Compliance Officers is Better for Business With the amount of people working in London steadily growing each year, there are hundreds of different jobs and tasks completed each day, but what positions really are booming? ‘The biggest growth in the city? Compliance officers and lawyers. You need a lawyer’s opinion and for them to say can we do this?’ Steve has been a trader in the city for 24 years and has seen the number of lawyers and compliance officers gradually increase, changing the way he does business. ‘Our job has always been in the City and we would push the boundaries to see what we could do, now we go to lawyers and say ‘look, can we do this,’ because there’s so many rules and regulations. I think it goes by the old logic, if you are doing something that you wouldn’t like people reading in the paper the next day, then don’t do it. I think that’s a great rule for life as well as in business.’
38 rmbusiness.co.uk
The role of the compliance officer is to make sure that the employee is aware of its importance, playing a key role in risk assessment in close collaboration with lawyers and the executive committee. They also analyse and report on best practices to be implemented within the company. This increase makes perfect sense as we have only just seen the introduction of the level 4 diploma in the financial industry, and as the rules and regulations become stricter since the bailouts of the banks, businesses can expect to see tighter rules, with the sole aim to prevent other catastrophes like that of 2008, taking place.
Symons & Gay
LLP Solicitors Romford solicitors’ firm Symons and Gay is looking with us today. The secret to our success is that we forward to celebrating its 102nd year in business this offer a friendly approachable service and provide June. Suzanne Wilson-McMahon and Jacqueline advice in a relaxed but professional atmosphere.” Stringer are the current practice partners at the helm. The firm, in South Street, The firm has achieved Romford, provides a broad externally certified quality “The fact that we have been range of legal services to marks including Lexcel, individuals and small to which is the confirmation going 101 years shows we medium-sized organisations. of compliance with the must be doing the right Law Society’s Practice things. Our loyal and Founded in 1911 by the Management Standards; dedicated staff, who have Gay and Symons families, CQS, the Law Society’s the practice has built up a conveyancing quality been with us many years, large network of contacts in enable us to develop personal scheme. The firm offers the area and has extensive Legal Aid where still local knowledge. Its services relationships with our available. Symons and Gay clients, who trust us to give include residential and offers a home or hospital commercial conveyancing, visit service for those unable them the right advice.” landlord and tenant advice, to get to the office due to employment law, probate disability or ill health, as well wills, powers of attorney, company work including as a free 30 minute no obligation consultation. business acquisitions and disposals, family law and more. For more information visit www.symons-gay.co.uk or for Jacqueline Stringer call 01708 744211. Jacqueline Stringer said, “We serve ordinary, everyday people and a lot of our clients have been with us for many years. One of our oldest clients whose father came to us at the beginning, 101 years ago, is still
Symons & Gay
LLP Solicitors
01708 744211
www.symons-gay.co.uk | office@symons-gay.co.uk
Symons & Gay LLP was founded in 1911 and has been in business in South Street Romford ever since. Symons & Gay have an experienced team of Solicitors and support staff offering different areas of legal expertise, including Domestic & Commercial Conveyancing, Wills, Probate, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Deputyship, Litigation, Landlord & Tenant, Employment and Family Law. The firm provide Legal Aid where applicable. Symons & Gay feel their success is due to them being a friendly and approachable firm. We like to think that clients will receive professional advice but in a relaxed manner. The firm have Lexcel, the Law Society’s quality accreditation along with CQS, the Law Society’s conveyancing quality scheme. The firm offer a home or hospital visit for those unable to get to the office. We also provide a free 30 minute no obligation consultation.
39
BUSINESS GROWTH PROGRAMME Councillor Michael White, Leader of the Council for London Borough of Havering Havering Cabinet has agreed a programme to support business growth in the borough at its meeting in April. The programme focusses on helping businesses to create jobs, enhance the prosperity of the borough and the wellbeing of local people Economic growth has become Central Government’s top priority. The Council has an established programme of business support that contributes towards the delivery of the Living Ambition goal to create prosperity for local residents. This new programme seeks to build on the existing services, to provide a coordinated programme to help businesses grow, create jobs and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery.
The new system will mean Councils will retain a proportion of any rise in business rates income... A vibrant business community is more important than ever. Economic growth is the top priority of Central Government, who recognise the vital role that Local Authorities have to play in shaping and supporting the local economy. The Mayor has also prioritised economic growth in the Economic Development Strategy and the creation of the London Enterprise Partnership. It is well recognised that growth contributes to other priorities such as job creation and well-being. Government has created incentives for Councils to drive growth through the localisation of business rates.
Many businesses are based only in Havering and the main reason for this is that the business owner also lives in the borough. The sectors with most businesses in the borough differ from those with the most employees. The three sectors with most businesses in Havering are Construction, Retail and Professional, and Scientific & Technical Services. The sectors that employ the most people are Human Health & Social Work, Retail and Administrative & Support Services. Theme one focusses on attracting new businesses to the borough through good transport links, the availability of land and office space for employment uses and the proximity to markets in London and the south-east.
Services include a programme of training and networking events, business advice and support, promotion of town centres and improvements to infrastructure. Businesses have the opportunity to raise issues or concerns with the Leader on a regular basis through his quarterly networking events and excellence is celebrated through the annual Business Awards.
The Council will work closely with other organisations to promote key sites and sectors within Havering. There will also be a boost to the amount of Business accommodation available in the borough and a plan to develop and support proposals that address any shortages or tackle over-supply.
The Council proposes to review its current procurement policy and help local businesses to compete and win contracts for Council goods and services. In addition to this, residents and existing businesses will be encouraged to buy local. Town centres will be promoted, with a programme of promotional activities including retail directories, specialist markets and Christmas Lights switch on events.
As a consequence it is more important than ever that the Council prioritises economic growth. The borough’s business community is dominated by small enterprise. Over 90% of the businesses in the borough employ fewer than 9 people and over 70% have a turnover of less than £250,000 per annum.
The Council already delivers services to support the business community and, as planning authority, the Council seeks to implement a positive approach to development by the business community.
40 rmbusiness.co.uk
Proposals to deliver these four objectives are set out under three themes: • Promoting investment in Havering • Encouraging existing businesses to grow • Transforming customer services for the business community
Proposals will build on the existing inward investment service, which works with landowners and property agents to promote the borough and manage inward investment enquiries. Alongside the inward investment service the Council has recently launched a business start-up programme to support people setting up new businesses in the borough.
Theme two concentrates on alleviating the pressures faced by nearly 8,000 existing businesses in the borough, to overcome issues and to facilitate growth. The Council can help create the right conditions to promote growth by, for example, creating a simple, fair regulatory system, promoting business friendly planning policies, and offering a business support programme targeting businesses with the potential to grow.
The new system will mean Councils will retain a proportion of any rise in business rates income... but a reduction will mean that there is less money for the Council to fund public services.
The Business Growth Programme has four objectives: • To grow the business base • Create jobs • Improve efficiency in the delivery of Council Services to businesses and increase satisfaction of business customers • To grow NNDR income in line with expectations to fund local services
Finally, theme three will focus on how the Council can improve the way it communicates with businesses. The Council will provide efficient customer service, offering a single point of contact for enquiries, joining up services more effectively and managing transactions with the business community more effectively and efficiently. The website will also be improved to provide a wealth of useful information and contacts for businesses to use.
in the borough
don’t give up before your idea has had a chance to blossom Easter has come and gone and the school holidays are over but the awful dismal cold weather remains! Well, despite the miserable weather and all the doom and gloom recently around business and unemployment, there has been a ray of sunshine from the growth in ‘start up’ businesses, including many choosing to working from home. Is it something you have ever considered? Have you ever wondered why the great cake maker Mary Berry is a household name but your Auntie Jenny, a fantastic, artistic cake maker is known only to her close family and friends? Have you thought, ‘why is someone else becoming rich and famous doing what you can do even better?’ Well maybe this is your moment, a great time to follow your dream or perhaps you’re desperate to break out of unemployment. With low ‘start up’ costs, the opportunity to work around school times and the chance to be your own Boss, starting your own business has lots of appeal. There’s a lot of information available out there, and here’s some advice from yours truly: Firstly, think it through and don’t confuse your project with your dream. Your dream is your ultimate destination, a project is just a step along the way. Talk to people who are already walking the path that you are about to take, and learn from their experience. What you don’t know can be learned. To build a successful business, identify your strengths and weaknesses and farm out the parts that you’re not good at or bring in an expert as a partner. Starting your own businesses is also about developing yourself. Make personal growth a part of your daily routine, and in order for your enterprise to reach its fullest potential, you need to reach yours. There is a difference between an expense and an investment; make sure you know the real difference. Many new ‘start ups’ see any financial outlay as an expense, and while you will have costs associated with your business, spending money now to produce a greater good in the future, is an investment. Become knowledgeable about your subject and network, network, network. Attend the opening of an envelope and talk to businesses, customers, and anyone that may require your services. And finally, be patient. Many people think their idea has failed, when in reality, they themselves have simply run out of patience. They give up before their idea has even had a chance to blossom. They say patience is a virtue, and for most entrepreneur’s, patience is an on-going challenge. But stick with it and believe in yourself and your product or idea, keep going and continue to follow your dream. Don’t forget to check out the LBH Business Events page at www.havering.gov.uk for all our free business events including the Nat West Mobile Business School. This FREE mobile business school, with information for potential ‘start ups’ will be in Romford Market Place – 9th May 2013 10am to 3.00pm, and always remember, I am at the end of the telephone if you would like some advice. Yvonne Bendall Business development Officer London Borough of Havering 01708 432871
COUNCIL TAX FREEZE Councillor Ron Ower Readers would have been pleased to see that Havering’s Council Tax has been frozen again this year. This follows incentives from the Government with the grant that they awarded to Havering Council. This is of course very welcome during a time when the price of food and petrol has risen dramatically. During the debate on Council Tax for 2013/14, my Residents Association colleagues and I proposed several amendments which could have been delivered without costing an extra penny. By saving £200,000 through cut backs on councillor’s allowances, £134,000, and improving cash flow, £66,000, we could have funded a £70,000 Community Support Bank where voluntary groups would be able to make grant applications of up to £5000. During a time when funding is increasingly more difficult to obtain, we wanted to help the many volunteers who give up their time to so many wonderful local causes. We also suggested an additional £100,000 worth of funding, aimed at promoting the borough of Havering as a place for people to do business and not merely travel through. Havering has a wide number of locations where businesses could set up; Havering has a lot to offer. We also proposed putting £30,000 into the budget to introduce a 2 hour free car parking period in council owned car parks on the weekends leading up to Christmas and through to the new year. More and more Councils are doing this to assist local shopping centres which are under fierce competition from Lakeside and Westfield, Stratford. Sadly these were not agreed to. We will fight on and hope to persuade other councillor colleagues to support these in the future.
41
THE RM BUSINESS GUIDE to
NETWORKING
Written by Barry Hicks What sort of networking is best for your business? There’s no easy answer to this question as every business is different and we all want to attract new buyers or suppliers. There is always cost involved whether it’s your time or a membership fee, or the price of an event, so how do you measure how effective the networking events that you’re attending actually are and what are the main reason for you going along in the first place? Would it be for the prestige, leads, sales, knowledge or actual new business? In a nutshell, we all want to promote our business and target potential customers whilst increasing our sales and profits. Therefore, look for a network group or event that is local, attracts like minded business people and is affordable. You can visit these groups once or twice before making the commitment to join, and in this time, you can gauge if it is for you or not. I would suggest having a plan, a budget, and a way of remembering the people that you meet, as everyone is a useful contact, even competitors. If you network you will pick up useful information which may help your business or other businesses, so be prepared to listen rather than over sell. Many of you who read this column will be experienced networkers, so what are your objectives when you network? If you have any networking news or involved in organising a network group or event in the coming months please email me the details for consideration to be included on these pages. 42 rmbusiness.co.uk
The RM Business Team visited two network events on Friday 5th April 2013. The first event was hosted by the Queens Theatre in conjunction with the Havering Chamber of Commerce (HCCI), London Borough of Havering (LBH) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) the champagne and pastries were sponsored by Osteria Due Fratelli of Hornchurch. The monthly breakfast meeting starts at 7.30am and gets underway at just after 8.00am and the only cost is if you buy refreshments. Depending on the number of people attending, everyone gives a brief introduction of themselves and their company, after which there’s plenty of one to one networking takes place. Alex Armstrong, Chairman of HCCI, led the meeting and spoke about the Metro Bank Networking Event as well as the forthcoming public question time with Andrew Rosindell MP. Introductions followed during which FSB, the Queens Theatre and LBH said a few words about their future events. Occasionally there are guest speakers and the event can be sponsored. The Queens Theatre is a brilliant venue for this type of networking and parking is easy. The RM Business magazine was distributed to the 50/60 attendees and there were many favourable
comments. Amongst the attendees were many first timers who I understand will be coming again. This is a great event for local networking or businesses who are first time networkers who go on to join many other groups through this breakfast meeting. Hope to see you there and please come and say hello if you do attend. The RM team then moved on to The Biscotti Meeting at Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood. This meeting starts at 9.15am and you can attend anytime up to 11.45am.The group meet monthly on the first Friday of the month and attract 30 or so businesses from the local Brentwood and Essex area and Marygreen Manor makes a relaxing environment in a delightful hotel. Biscotti do not charge for membership, although a charge may apply for refreshments etc. The meetings are very informal and many attendees stay for the whole time as people turn up at different times. The meetings are run by Geeta Dhir, Lorna Slade, and Richard Pond and if you would like to attend either just turn up or contact them through the Biscotti Brentwood website. This event is worthwhile attending and again the RM Business Magazine was well received and many contacts were made.
what’s on 1st May Eppnet Business Networking
Essex Business Club
Moulsham Mill, Chelmsford - 7.30pm www.essexbusinessclub.org.uk
Meet The Bell Epping - 7.15am www.eppnet.co.uk Contact. Tom Arnold 07971962617
8th may
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
Redbridge College - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Marygreen Manor Breakfast Meeting 7.45am www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk/events.php
2nd May Nexus Network Group
Meet De Rougemont Manor - 6.30am www.nexusnetworking.co.uk
Essex Business Forum
Meet Warley Park Golf Club - 6.30am www.essexbusinessforum.com
BNI Barking & Dagenham College Integrity Chapter - 6.45am Contact Stephen Webb 01708855125 -Saftey Assured Ltd
Essex Business Network
Marygreen Manor - 8am Basildon Campanile Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Brentwood Networking Group Meet Old Brentwood Ashwells Road 8am Contact, Colin Kirby 07717855435
3rd May Essex Business Network
Chelmsford Golf Club - 7am Witham, White Hart Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Havering Chamber of Commerce
Essex Business Network
Eppnet Business Networking Meet The Bell Epping - 7.15am www.eppnet.co.uk Contact. Tom Arnold 07971962617
9th May Nexus Network Group
Meet De Rougemont Manor - 6.30am www.nexusnetworking.co.uk
Essex Business Forum
Meet Warley Park Golf Club - 6.30am www.essexbusinessforum.com
BNI Barking & Dagenham College Integrity Chapter - 6.45am Stephen Webb contact 01708855125 -Saftey Assured Ltd
The Business Cafe
Meet The Barn Brasserie, Great Tey - 6.45am www.businesscafe.biz
Barking & Dagenham
Chamber of Commerce - SJE Women in Business Breakfast – OPEN TO ALL 7.45 for 8.00am
The Magic of Adopting a dot.com WOMEN IN BUSINESS 7.45am www.bdchamber.co.uk
Essex Business Network
Queens Theatre, Hornchurch - 7.30am www.haveringbusiness.co.uk
Marygreen Manor - 8am Basildon - Campanile Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Biscotti Brentwood
Brentwood Networking Group
Marygreen Manor, Brentwood - 10am www.businessbiscotti.co.uk
7th may Essex Business Network
Southend, Park Inn Palace Hotel - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Meet Old Brentwood Ashwells Road - 8am Contact Colin Kirby 07717855435
10th may Essex Business Network
Chelmsford Golf Club - 7am Witham, White Hart Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Business Growth Show
9am - 3pm 1 Drummond Gate,Westminster, London SW1V 2QQ www.thebusinessgrowthshow.com
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce AGM & Networking
St Martins School, Hutton - 6.30pm www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk/events.php
14th May Essex Business Network
Southend, Park Inn Palace Hotel - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Barking & Dagenham Chamber of Commerce SJE Trade Local Networking Evening OPEN TO ALL 6.00pm to 8.00pm www.bdchamber.co.uk
Redbridge College’s Free Business Network 6.00pm to 8.00pm www.redbridge-college.ac.uk
15th May Essex Business Network
Redbridge College - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Eppnet Business Networking Meet The Bell Epping - 7.15am www.eppnet.co.uk Contact Tom Arnold 07971962617
16th May Nexus Network Group
De Rougemont Manor - 6.30am www.nexusnetworking.co.uk
Essex Business Forum
Warley Park Golf Club - 6.30am www.essexbusinessforum.com
BNI Barking & Dagenham College 6.45am Stephen Webb contact 01708855125
Essex Business Network
Brentwood Marygreen Manor - 8am Basildon Campanile Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
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Brentwood Networking Group
Meet Old Brentwood Ashwells Road 8am Contact, Colin Kirby 07717855435
Warley Park Golf Club - 6.30am www.essexbusinessforum.com
Essex Business Forum
Newham Chamber of Commerce
17th May
BNI Barking & Dagenham College
28th may
Essex Business Network
Chelmsford Golf Club - 7am Witham, White Hart Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
20th May EBANG
Dragon Enterprise Centre, Rayleigh - 3.45pm www.businessadvisoressex.co.uk
21st May Essex Business Network
Southend, Park Inn Palace Hotel - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
22nd May Essex Business Network
Redbridge College - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Eppnet Business Networking
6.45am Stephen Webb contact 01708855125
The Business Cafe
The Barn Brasserie, Great Tey - 6.45am www.businesscafe.biz
Friends of The City Chelmsford Breakfast
7.00am to 9.00am aaron.desmond@backhouse-solicitors.co.uk 01245 893404 or 07802 807197
Southend Peers Breakfast Meeting
Park View, Chalkwell Park - 7.30am www.networking-on-sea.co.uk/mtgs
Essex Business Network
Brentwood Marygreen Manor - 8am Basildon Campanile Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Brentwood Networking Group Old Brentwood Ashwells Road - 8am Contact, Colin Kirby 07717855435
The Bell Epping - 7.15am www.eppnet.co.uk Contact Tom Arnold 07971962617
24th may
23rd May
Chelmsford Golf Club - 7am Witham, White Hart Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Nexus Network Group
Essex Business Network
West Ham United - 7am www.newhamchamber.com
Essex Business Network
Southend, Park Inn Palace Hotel - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
29th may Essex Business Network
Redbridge College - 7am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
30th May Nexus Network Group
De Rougemont Manor - 6.30am www.nexusnetworking.co.uk
BNI Barking & Dagenham College 6.45am Stephen Webb contact 01708855125
Essex Business Network
Brentwood Marygreen Manor - 8am Basildon Campanile Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
31st may Essex Business Network
Chelmsford Golf Club - 7am Witham, White Hart Hotel - 8am www.essexbusinessnetwork.co.uk
De Rougemont Manor - 6.30am www.nexusnetworking.co.uk
Do you offer B2B services?
Network with other businesses and build relationships
People buy from people & this is a fantastic opportunity to interact with other local businesses & showcase your products & services.
Find others to collaborate with
Limited stands available.
13 June 2013
For further information and to book:
FREE ENTRY Love Business Expo Harefield Manor 11am – 5pm info@lovebusinessexpo.biz
Build on the meet, like, know and trust ethos Meet new suppliers who could save you both time and money
0845 431 0305 www.lovebusinessexpo.biz
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rm business
We are looking for a Start_ up business to Feature We are looking for a business that is at the very start of their journey to run as a monthly feature. The feature will run for 5 months and follow the progress that your business makes along the way, including what has worked well for you, what hasn’t, the lessons that you learn etc. This feature will begin in our June issue and forms will need to be received by us on or before the 17th May. The successful candidate will be selected on the Monday 20th May. We would like to note that we welcome entries from sole traders, freelancers, limited companies etc, as long as you have been trading for less than 6 months. Criteria • You must be a start up business • You must have been trading for less than 6 months • Your business must be in Essex Visit www.RMbusiness.co.uk to apply
Venue Solutions A new conference and events destination is on the map to serve East London and Essex. Havering College of Further and Higher Education is making its state-of-the-art facilities available for hire as part of an exciting initiative for 2013. The award-winning college in Hornchurch, Essex, is the premier choice for businesses and the public sector seeking a quality flexible and competitive location for professional meetings, exhibitions, conferences and training sessions. Hi-tech state-of-the-art recording and performance studios are also available.
For further information contact Estates Department 01708 462733 estates_helpdesk@havering-college.ac.uk www.havering-college.ac.uk Havering College of Further and Higher Education Ardleigh Green Campus, Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch Essex RM11 2LL
50513BM 15/3/13
Duke of Essex
POLO
GRAND PRIX 2013
NEW VENUE! NEW LINE UP! NEW EVENT! Saturday 13th July 2013 Hylands House TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
www.dukeofessexpolo.com TICKET HOTLINE
08451 246 123 Hylands Park, Old London Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8WQ
The Duke of Essex Polo Grand Prix 2013 raising funds in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity
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Tick Tock,
NEW WATCH A watch is an essential accessory for every businessman and businesswoman. Although every gadget and gismo can tell you the time, the watch will never be replaced. With just a flick of the wrist, its face tells you just what you needed to know. No pass codes, no cases. But wrist wear doesn’t just tell the time. James Bond models aside, watches reveal style and status. From dainty designs by DKNY, to lush oversized shapes from Dreyfuss, watches reflect personality and moods. Manicured nails and firm handshakes are standard, but a striking watch peeking out from under your jacket will give first impressions an added boost. Strap on a new identity; it’s time for a change.
Aquaspeed watch Rotary
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£119
Cream mock croc River Island
£35
lifestyle
Half Skeleton Strap watch Dreyfuss
£1,695
Rose gold chronograph watch Marc Jacobs £209
Hustle Brown Leather Strap Quartz watch Black Dice
Silver bracelet watch Rotary £66
£125
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Concept BMW X-PHWOOAAARRR! Every new BMW X model is a trailblazer. Indeed, the world premiere of the first BMW X model (the BMW X5) in 1999 saw the BMW Group call into being the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment – one in which BMW X models remain the market leaders. The BMW X3 and BMW X1 were likewise the first SAVs in their class and continue to set the pace among their rivals today. This development took on a new dimension in May 2008 with the introduction of the BMW X6 – the first Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). This still unique concept brought together the rugged looks of a BMW X model with the emotion and sporting character of a BMW Coupé for the first time. The enduring popularity of BMW’s first SAC is demonstrated by its consistently high sales figures. The short history of the BMW X range is already a successful one. Since the first BMW X model took to the stage, average sales across the 50 rmbusiness.co.uk
BMW X line-up have been on a constant upward curve: one in four new BMW cars globally is now a BMW X model. With the BMW Concept X4, the BMW Group offers a preview of the future of the BMW X family. It takes no more than a glance to see how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model can blend with the genes of a BMW Coupé. The new Sports Activity Coupé concept from BMW is poised to continue the success story of the BMW X6 in a new vehicle class. Eye-catching proportions, tight contours and high-quality details produce an unrivalled product character brimming with emotional appeal, dynamism and the sturdiness you would expect from a BMW X model, while at the same time holding out the promise of outstanding performance and driving dynamics. All of this can be experienced when the BMW X4 production model rolls out of the factory for its market launch, scheduled for 2014.
The second Sporty Activity Coupé in the brand´s model range will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the competence centre for BMW X models which also produces the BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X3. The sporting character of the BMW Concept X4 is articulated by its dynamic lines as well as its proportions. With a body length of 4,648mm, a width of 1,915mm and a height of 1,622mm, its exterior dimensions signal sporting elegance and powerful robustness. In addition to a long bonnet, short overhangs and set back passenger cell, its signature BMW features include a long wheel-base measuring 2,810mm, while 21-inch light-alloy wheels lend an added flourish to the athletic bearing of this Sports Activity Coupé. For more info – www.bmw.co.uk
COMPETITION lakeside WIN
ÂŁ500
VOucherS
sign up to the rm business e-newsletter for your chance to win! www.rmbusiness.co.uk
Technology Love them or hate them, mobile phones have become a necessary part of our everyday lives, whether you use yours to unplug or plug yourself into work. New models emerge every month, and it’s not just the consumers who have to keep up. New apps, accessories and software updates are always being developed to iron out the latest phone flaws. Here are the latest essentials to keep your device in top shape, on full power and working like a secretary.
SMS-Save My Screen! Be honest, are you a dropper? Picture the moment when you pick up your phone from the pavement and, with shaking hands, slowly turn it over to check your...yep...shattered display. If this scenario sounds all too familiar, a new idea by Apple could be a real screen saver. The technology giants want to create a tiny gizmo that sits inside the phone and shifts the weight of it mid-air so that it lands screen side up. It detects when an iPhone or iPad is falling, and then transfers its centre of balance so that it doesn’t land on any of its fragile parts, like a corner of the screen. Obviously the phone will still get damaged, but as the processor tells the system how fast the device is falling and how far it is from the ground, the blow to the floor won’t be as fatal. However, this gadget is only a patent, and as with all applications, it is never certain that the company behind the concept will ever actually use it in a finished product. It joins the list of other Apple patents, including Sat-nav trainers proposed in 2008 and the invisible Mac keyboard from 2012. Apple proposed the patent for the phone flipping technology back in 2011, but the recent grant could be down to demand. Studies by uSwitch reveal that dropped phones account for four out of ten phone insurance claims. It’s a good idea, and it’s likely to go down well, but maybe they should just use stronger screens instead? Once again, Apple have planted yet another money-making seed.
micro fuel RECHARGER
Phone running out of juice? Give it a little boost with the world’s smallest phone charger. Technology company Devotec has created the new device, which is no bigger than a key ring. It has 220mAh of battery to give a good few hours of extra standby or half hour of talk time. It’s also fully rechargeable and will store power for a month. Plus it’s in the shape of a Jerry can, and that’s just cool. It’s compatible for smartphones, but the creators are working on a future model for the iPhone, which could also power the iPad mini. The product is currently on funding platform Kickstarter, and has raised well over its $20,000 goal. By the time this goes to press it could be yours to own.
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technology
iKIT NUCHARGE The iKit NuCharge claims to be the “most advanced battery case ever made.” It uses a removable battery that connects to a special case that you keep on your phone permanently. This interchangeable battery is charged via USB and can double an iPhone 5’s battery life. Its 1900 mAh capacity will give you a standby time of 225 hours, and up to 8 hours of talk time or 3G surfing. Other impressive functions include the integrated aluminium kickstand, so your hands are free while watching videos or using FaceTime. It also has a LED power indicator, interchangeable case covers, easily accessible syncing and full access to buttons and the camera function. The gadget is also a recently funded Kickstart project, so the price is yet to be announced, and they start shipping April 1st.
GOOGLE keep Organisation is an essential skill for any businessperson, but not all are blessed with incessant diary keeping and memo jotting habits. Recently, Google launched a note-taking software, designed to help the unorganised and delight those that get their kicks from to-do lists. The software is called Google Keep, but will it stay for long? Google Keep is very similar to Microsoft OneNote and current market leader, Evernote. Reminders and tasks can be made and stored in various forms. To-do lists, memos, images and voice recordings that convert to text are available on the (currently) Android only app. Notes can be viewed as either a list or a grid resembling tidy sticky notes. Different colours can also be assigned to notes, you can have a single or multi column view, and everything you save is synced to you Google Drive account. Sounds useful, right? However, there are concerns that Google have been too slow in pinning themselves on the note board bandwagon. Maybe this software is just a rebound they’re indulging in after the death of Google Reader, but as it’s free, we can only say give it a go!
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sponsored by rewards
Goodfellas Our team includes cosmetic dentists, dental implant specialist, root canal specialist, orthodontist, general dentists, hygienists and care nurses. All our dentists have the highest level of training and experience and are involved in the training of other dentists. We understand the amazing impact a beautiful healthy smile has on a person.
Goodfellas is an Italian family run barbers in upminster, owned and managed by award winning hair dresser Gianni Daniello. The team at Goodfellas boasts over 25 year of Italian academic experience and has in just over 3 years established Goodfellas Barbers as a favourite for many men looking for the perfect cut.
T: 01708 442114 W: www.perfectsmilespa.co.uk E: jas@perfectsmilespa.co.uk
T: 01708 222555
Located in the heart of Romford’s town centre. The Liberty is the region’s top shopping destination. With over 100 top name shops, including a wide range of fashion and lifestyle retailers, as well as many independent names, there is something for everyone.
RM Rewards directory service is a great way to connect to local businesses, we have hundreds of listings and cover everything from health and beauty to entertaining the kids plus many of our listings are offering deals, discounts and freebies there really is no reason to look anywhere else!
This business was started to help any organisation, running commercial vehicles, save money and reduce their carbon footprint. Our aim is to ease the financial pressure of fuel costs for you. We offer a customised, innovative and focused service to meet your needs and allow the greatest benefit to be achieved.
T: 01708 746 529 W: www.theliberty.co.uk E: information@theliberty.co.uk
T: 01708 475789 W: www.rmrewards.co.uk E: hello@rmrewards.co.uk
Symons & Gay provides a broad range of legal services to private individuals and small to medium sized commercial organisations and non profit-making bodies of all types. It undertakes work funded privately and work funded by the Legal Services Commission and other third parties. T: 01708 744211 W: www.symons-gay.co.uk E: office@symons-gay.co.uk
T: 01277 626571 W: www.fuelandhealthsave.co.uk E: info@fuelandhealthsave.co.uk
Conference Centre
If you are looking for top class entertainment at your corporate event then look no further. He’s the master of mix and mingle, and does ticks quicker than you can say abracadabra. The man with the tricks Barry Hicks is a fantastic addition to any event, contact him today to see how he can add a bit of magic to your presentation. T: 01708 551 530 W: www.magicenigma.co.uk E: admin@magicenigma.co.uk
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The Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) is a worldclass research, skills, education and business campus in East London. CEME is unique in linking education to business, helping to improve the skills and prospects of local people enabling them to find employment within the manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors. T: 0208 5965400 W: www.ceme.co.uk E: info@ceme.co.uk
We offer free, impartial and independent advice to businesses; identifying and delivering training to meet business needs. One of the key goals of the service is to make sure that both the training and the skills advice are impartial, flexible, responsive, and offered at a time and place to suit businesses. T: 01708 462800 W: www.havering-college.ac.uk E: employerenquiry@havering-college. ac.uk
classified
Netlaw Media is an established UK based legal information, education & training organisation incorporated to deliver worldclass SRA CPD accredited law events, conferences, training programs & on-line media to the UK, European and Global legal sectors and hold a record of selling out seven major law events in succession. T: 0203 1764200 W: www.netlawmedia.com E: enquiries@newlawmedia.com
Kosho now in its 2nd year as raised the standard for bars in Essex providing the best music, atmosphere & drinks deals in town. The stylish West End theme makes it the trendiest bar in Essex which is why we hit capacity every night. If you would like to hire Kosho exclusively for your company we can cater for all events from corporate meetings to pop video shoots, available from Sunday to Wednesday. T: 07501 314589 W: www.koshobar.co.uk
Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry represents over 200 Businesses who employ over 2,750 people. We have been around for 25 years and now we have a new business address and a new partnership, working for business with the London Borough of Havering. HCCI is the voice of business in Havering. T: 07913 477 631 W: www.haveringbusiness.co.uk E: office@haveringbusiness.org.uk
Just Shutters is the leading Plantation Shutter Company in the South and East of England. We are a local family company founded by Chris and Helen Rocker in 2006 and they still run the company on a day to day basis and ensure that we maintain the very highest standards coupled with over 25 years expertise in Plantation Shutters, we are specialists in the field and work only with Plantation Shutters. T: 0845 894 0700 W: www.justshutters.co.uk
The Deaf Agency helps to break down communication barriers between deaf and hearing people, providing flexible, competitive, stress-free communication support. Additionally, we also offer fun tailor-made Deaf Awareness workshops, British Sign Language workshops or a mixture of both, depending on your needs – useful for continuing professional development.
LightWave Business is Cloud SaaS specialist. We have developed websites and internet applications for over 13 years, working globally with Labour Government, Carphone Warehouse, Siemens Hearing and more. We provide the complete package including Purchasing of Equipment and Services, IT Communications, Home/Office Support and Project Planning and Management. T: 0845 5080247 W: www.l-w-b.co E: mail@l-w-b.co
Positive Media believe that successful communication is at the core of every successful business. Piecing together the necessary components to create a winning marketing campaign entails creativity, passion and a successful understanding of the campaigns end goal. T: 01708 475767 E: hello@positivemedia.co.uk W: www.positivemedia.co.uk
T: 07951 820341 E: info@deafagency.co.uk W: www.deafagency.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE CONTACT 01708 475789 www.RMbusiness.co.uk
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