Stafford Eye

Your BUSINESS Newsletter ISSUE 06 WINTER 2010

Welcome to Stafford …

The business focussed newsletter sent out to all businesses in the Borough, produced by Stafford Borough Council and Think Local 4 Business. In producing this magazine we want to ensure that you know about the assistance and advice that is available to companies in the Borough, as well as asking you what you would like to hear about in future editions of the Stafford Eye. There is news about a loan scheme for those who find traditional banks have not been able to offer the funding they need. We have information on people who can offer free advice on starting a business, marketing, and a company offering office space with no long contracts to be tied into.

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THINK LOCAL!

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COULD YOU WIN BUSINESS?

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RURAL HUB

We have news on companies who are succeeding in Stafford, getting the message out there that even in these difficult economic times, Stafford Borough has companies who are succeeding when it comes to manufacturing and expanding worldwide.

If you have any comments about this newsletter, or if you have a story about your business that you would like to see featured in the next edition of the Stafford Eye, then please let us know. You can contact Tara Hollingsworth on: Contact Tara Hollingsworth Tel 01785 619 597 Email thollingsworth@staffordbc.gov.uk

We are also working on ideas to try and find new business for local companies through events like ‘Meet The Buyer’ that we are planning for next year.

Essential Contacts and much more…

…

Read on

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ISSUE 06

Addmaster, a Stafford company leading the way in Europe

Addmaster top 5 tips 1 Plan, Plan, Plan!

Like any start-up business, you need a business plan. This should be your first step as it will give you, and your business a sense of direction and something to measure your performance with. And, yes, you may not be able to plan for everything that will happen on the way, but by setting out a clear, aimdriven plan, it will not only help you clarify your goals but help you get there.

As a starting point, why not begin researching things like how/where you are going to trade, how much money you will need to make, what method of payments you will use, foreign regulations? You need to look at everything, but don’t let this groundwork put you off because it will be worth it in the end.

2 Believe in your products It’s important that you know the products you are selling, so if you have a particular interest in a certain product that you are familiar with, this will bode you well when it comes to selling it effectively and targeting the right markets. Every product I believed in sold well and the ones I didn’t…didn’t.

Don’t be tempted to buy new stock in bulk, yes, you can make excellent savings but be sure you are going to be able to sell it again at your end!

3 Embrace the Internet…

Paul Morris / MD of Addmaster

Addmaster is Europe’s leading supplier of performance additives for a wide range of applications and industries. By working in partnership with its customers and focussing on research and development, highly innovative additives have been created and successfully introduced into many manufacturing environments.

Addmaster’s advanced products are being used by many of the world’s industry leaders in the plastics, paper, paint, textile and coating industries. Addmaster, founded in the year 2000, sees its major objective as capitalising on the lack of innovation which exists in these industry sectors, and has won many business awards for innovations in product development and marketing.

Paul Morris, the MD of Addmaster, gives his advice on making a success of your own business.

“Starting a successful business is never easy, and establishing your own exporting company is certainly no exception. I started Addmaster – a Staffordshire based plastics and additives supplier – nearly 10 years ago now on a £5k loan from a grandparent. Three months later, I had paid that loan back. Business is all about perseverance, and taking the rough with the smooth it takes time, careful planning, commitment and most of all, determination.

If you have this then you have the qualities it takes to succeed but where do you start? Opposite are my five top tips to starting your own exporting business, crack these and you will be on to a winner.”

If you would like to know more about Addmaster, you can contact them on: Tel 01785 225 656 Email info@addmaster.co.uk Website www.addmaster.co.uk

…And invest in a good, foolproof website.

This will be the face of your business and in the world of import/export this is most definitely a ‘must’ as this is the first place buyers will go to learn about your business, your products and your reputation. Here, you can create an online catalogue of all your products and provide visitors with all the information and contact details they’ll need, but whatever you do keep it simple as nothing puts people off like a page full of jargon and an over-complicated webpage.

4 Regulations and Rules What regulations and rules are in place in your country? What applies to you? The export and import industry, like any industry, is regulated and there are certain policies and systems that will affect you so you need to pay close attention to these in order to stay on top and avoid any potential threatening issues to your business. Start by looking at licensing; do your products need one? Goods such as chemicals, foods and animals etc require a certain license for export.

5 Seeking Suppliers In the world of export it is fundamental to your businesses longevity to seek out reliable business suppliers and wholesalers.

When selecting suppliers you should look at factors such as: Price; is it competitive or can you haggle this?

R eliability; Have they been in business for some time? What do people think of them?

S peed; can your supplier be trusted to deliver your product on time I t’s vital that you pick your suppliers carefully and once you have them, treat them well in order to build strong foundations for the future of your business.”

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Think Local 4 Business At the heart of ‘Think Local 4 Business’ is a free of charge brand new dynamic and interactive website. Through the website local businesses have access to: A n improved and more flexible business directory offering over 30,000 local supplier details.

M ore interactivity and ability to inter-trade with local authorities and other local businesses.

E asily identified tendering opportunities and purchasing requirements Locally tailored business support opportunities M ore comprehensive news and events with the ability for local businesses to market their success stories.

T he ability for businesses to market themselves to other Staffordshire based businesses, free of charge.

T he ability to buy advertising space to reach all visitors to the site.

Whilst this website is now live, it needs your input in terms of adding your information and using it to make it a fully functioning site.

‘Think Local’ the Staffordshire wide initiative designed to encourage businesses to trade locally with each other, has just been re-launched thanks to continued funding from Stafford Borough Council and all other Staffordshire local authorities.

The new ‘Think Local 4 Business’ initiative is about encouraging inter-trading amongst businesses in the County and encouraging the public sector and larger commercial organisations to recognise the benefits of using local suppliers. Thinking local to buy local means more successful businesses through opportunities such as reducing transport & logistical costs, building stronger relationships between suppliers and helping to stimulate competition and drive up quality. Benefits for the local area are maintaining and creating more jobs for local people, reducing environmental pollution through lowering the carbon footprint and reducing waste by cutting down on the need for packaging.

So in future, remember to…

‘To help get the message across of the advantages of thinking local to buy local for all our local community, I would particularly like to hear from local businesses that have a story to tell about trading with another local business where by they can clearly demonstrate some tangible benefits’.

Mary Timmis.

If you want to find out more about the opportunities this initiative can pose for your business: Contact Mary Timmis Economic Development Officer Stafford Borough Council

Tel 01785 619 584 Email mtimmis@staffordbc.gov.uk Website www.thinklocal4business.co.uk

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Does your business supply to the public sector?

Have you ever wondered where to start?

Well look no further

Could you win business like this company?

Stafford Borough Council is supporting the Think Local 4 Business message, by employing a local company to provide its communications systems. Voice 2 Voice, an independent telecommunications business based at the Technology Park in Stafford have successfully secured a major contract with Stafford Borough Council to provide all of their calls and telephone lines.

V2V who now employ 8 people, offer creative bespoke solutions tailored to the needs of individual companies. They won the contract by offering innovative ways of making savings with a commitment of making even further savings throughout the lifetime of the contract. In fact Stafford Borough Council have already made savings of 20% and estimate that through utilising the free audits offered by Voice 2 Voice this figure is set to increase. One particular area of savings is where the offer includes free calls amongst Council staff, so in essence all internal calls are at no cost.

Said Paul Knott Account Director at Voice 2 Voice, “We provide a comprehensive service to all sectors of the community along with government, commercial, education, health and the charities industry. What makes us different to other providers is that we are committed to partnership working,

always looking for innovative ways of using technology to maximise output. Customer service is an important element in retaining and growing our customer base. We take great pride in understanding the needs of companies and this type of service is just one of many where by we are able to help businesses save money�.

Think Local 4 Business provides a free to use website which includes information on trading with local authorities and other local businesses, as well as tendering opportunities.

In March 2011 your business could have the opportunity of meeting some key purchasing decision makers from the public sector on a one to one basis; Organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire County Council, Stafford Borough Council and Stafford Hospital to name but a few. This exciting event currently being planned to be held in Stafford, will also host other activities such as networking opportunities and seminars on how to do business with the public sector.

Stafford Borough Council will fund the event with support from other organisations such as Think Local 4 Business and Stafford Chamber of Commerce.

Whilst this event is still in the planning stage we would still like to hear from companies who would like to know more as it progresses and be involved in the event.

To get involved or if you want a chance to promote your business like V2V: Contact Mary Timmis Economic Development Officer Stafford Borough Council

Tel 01785 619 584 Email mtimmis@staffordbc.gov.uk Website www.thinklocal4business.co.uk

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United Business Centres for all your office accommodation needs United Business Centres are specialists in helping to provide SME’s with excellent serviced office accommodation and meeting facilities.

From start-up companies to established corporate offices, we will work with you to understand your requirements and make sure your space is furnished and equipped to meet your expectations.

Our all inclusive cost means you will not receive any hidden charges. Line connections, telephone handsets and office furniture are all included in your monthly rent along with a free concierge service. The only additional cost you’ll pay for are your own phone calls and they’ll always be at substantial discount.

Our flexible terms from 3 to 12 months combined with professional support and competitive rates and with no capital outlay will give you peace of mind.

We understand that your office is special to you, which is why we are committed to understanding your business needs and providing the assurance you need for your investors and shareholders that you are getting great value for your money.

access to the complete business package.

United Business Centre is on Parker Court on Staffordshire Technology Park, Stafford’s principal out-of-town high quality business park. It is approximately two miles from the town centre, with a wealth of local amenities, and three miles from junction 14 of the M6. Newly built, the 10,070 sq ft building includes air conditioning, suspended ceilings, recessed lighting and a lift. The UBC branding is low profile, so you can promote your own brand without being eclipsed by ours. Car parking for staff and visitors is on-site.

If you would like to know more about us: Contact Emma Harris

With Serviced offices, Meeting rooms, Virtual offices, Hot desks and Video-conferencing available at all our centres, you’ll find it easy and affordable for your company to have

Tel 01785 330 602 Email Emma.Harris@ubcuk.com Website www.unitedbusinesscentres.co.uk

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Staffordshire Rural Hub is a network for businesses that are serving a common purpose; the sustainability of the rural economy Steve Grice of BCRS and Matt Taylor of Screensafe

Could you benefit from Staffordshire County Councils Support Fund?

The Hub enables rural businesses to explore alternative business opportunities so they can make informed decisions, improve profitability and help regenerate the rural economy.

Staffordshire Rural Hub can offer a number of benefits to rural businesses including; Networking Training Seminars Signposting

Loans company Black Country Reinvestment Society (BCRS) has teamed up with Staffordshire County Council to create the Staffordshire Business Support Fund (SBSF). The £1m fund, managed

by BCRS, is available to small businesses based in Staffordshire who are eligible for loans of up to £50,000.

ScreenSafeUK is based at the Astonfields Industrial Estate, Stafford and provides drug, alcohol and DNA testing for employers and organisations.

The company also offers a variety of occupational health products and services including medical and screening programmes and claim to offer the UK’s widest and most accurate range of analysis for testing for the presence of narcotics. ScreenSafeUK is accredited to ISO 9001:2008 and to ISO/ IEC 17025 standards via internationally recognised bodies. The company borrowed £50,000 from the SBSF to re-focus the business.

Steve Grice, business development manager at BCRS, said “The SBSF is a pioneering approach. It’s a great example of a cooperative financial instrument run by its members as a mutual, not a bank. We have found a huge range of needs in Staffordshire from viable businesses needing finance that previously would have approached their bank. Our flexible lending criteria include taking into consideration the character of the business owner and an exploration of the local context. We’re delighted to be able to assist ScreenSafeUK – the company has a great product and a very sound future.”

To find out more about the fund, you can:

Help in accessing grant funding Best practice visits The Hub has events, business training and information opportunities coming up in December and anyone is welcome.

Thursday 2 December

P rivate appointments with Business Link (for all businesses) and the Rural Enterprise Grant team for farmers and land based enterprises.

Wednesday 8 December

M arketing and sales: this is Lottery funded. A workshop and networking at Amerton Farm with international specialist, Peter Whitehead of IMG. It is aimed at producers, community groups and local food businesses.

For farmers in the New Year

Soils workshops Matt Taylor, managing director and owner of ScreenSafeUK said, “I’m very pleased with BCRS and the SBSF. I initially approached several banks with the same result – “No”.

Steve Grice was very helpful and full of advice and offered the kind of service I expected from a bank. The result is that I now have total control over the future of ScreenSafeUK.”

Contact BCRS Tel 08453 13 84 10 Email enquiries@bcrs.org.uk Website www.bcrs.org.uk Contact Screensafe Tel 08450 50 55 90 Email enquiries@screensafe.co.uk Website www.screensafe.co.uk

S cience trials in Staffordshire, organised by the Hub, as part of an EU wide ‘Efficiency20’ project to improve fuel efficiency in tractors on the farm orkshops for farmers on IT packages, W such as Planet software to monitor nitrates to improve efficiency.

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If you would like to attend any of the events, or know more about Staffordshire Rural Hub: Contact Frances Beatty Staffordshire Rural Hub, County Showground, Stafford, ST18 9TB

Tel 01785 255 305 Email info@staffordshirehub.org

How do I find out about‌?

Be apart of Stafford’s future

For future editions of the Stafford Eye, we want to hear from you about the questions or problems that you would like the answers to. We can then find out the answer for you and publish it in our next edition in the Spring of 2011, or if your problem needs a quick response, we will contact you directly.

For instance, some of the following might be questions you need answers to; H ow do I go about employing someone to expand my business?

H ow do I find out what my obligations are under data protection laws?

W here can I go to get help reducing my energy and heating costs?

W ho can I speak to about Health & Safety law?

If you want us to feature a subject you want to know more about, we will get the experts advice and feature it in our next edition, or contact you directly.

Contact Tara Hollingsworth Stafford Borough Council Civic Centre / Riverside / Stafford ST16 3AQ

Tel 01785 619 597 Email thollingsworth@staffordbc.gov.uk

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ISSUE 06

positive marketing on a negative budget Hands-on Workshops for West Midlands Businesses

Reserve yo

u e

FREE* plac r

NOW!

Now is not the time to reduce marketing activity!

Many businesses are facing real pressures on costs and too often marketing is the first to suffer.

This 1-day course will demonstrate how to reach new customers and maintain existing relationships through a proactive marketing approach and from the basis of a very low or zero budget. In fact, we’ll demonstrate how to get others to pay for your marketing.

This is an interactive workshop delivered by Les Jones who has spent his career advising businesses on the importance of brand, design, creativity and communication. Les will not only explore the underlying theory, but will also help you develop plans that you can implement immediately in your own business.

Aimed at Owners and Key Decision Makers in West Midlands Businesses , the workshop will cover;

• Why is marketing more important when customers stop buying?

• Who are your and potential customers?

• Why do your customers buy from you?

• What are you selling?

• Why is branding and image important?

• 7 killer zero-budget marketing ideas!

* Cost: This course is FREE for qualifying companies. Usually, this is any West Midlands company employing between 5 and 249 staff, that hasn’t benefited under the Director Development Programme previously.

Participating companies will be able to claim back the whole programme fee (£500 + VAT) from Business Link West Midlands. VAT is payable on all courses and can be claimed back by VAT registered businesses

Call Paula on 01785 827600 to reserve your place 28th October 2010 : 9am - 4pm Moat House Hotel : Acton Trussell : Stafford : ST17 0RJ

25th November 2010 : 9am - 4pm Hilton Hotel : Paradise Way : Coventry : CV2 2ST Refreshments and Lunch will be provided

Presenter : Les Jones is Creative Director at Winning Moves, he is a recognised business speaker and is co-writer and designer of the successful business innovation book Blah!Blah! Blah! His engaging and thought provoking approach will help you challenge your business from different perspectives leading to the creation of new ideas and strategies that you can implement immediately into your business.

If you need this information in large print, Braille, other language or on audio cassette, please contact:

Email info@staffordbc.gov.uki Tel 01785 619 300i

Thankyou

Feedback from previous workshops...

“Inspirational approach with real world applications” “Incisive, practical and very, very enjoyable” “Excellent communicator with very relevant messages for every business”