Business Direction 10

Direction

Business

Business growth

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WELCOME TO THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EDITION OF BUSINESS DIRECTION.

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The autumn period is always an important time for the Chamber and businesses in the two counties.

hwchamber.co.uk Business Direction, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s 60 page, full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people. Distributed to 6,000 businesses including selected retail outlets and Tesco stores across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

editor Kelly Betts 0845 641 1641 ext 213

kellyb@hwchamber.co.uk

editorial businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 0845 641 1641 ext 213

production & deSign Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2385

The weather and the Olympics had a detrimental effect on many businesses through the summer which makes this period even more important. We have seen a gradual improvement in a number of areas and a number of key projects moving forward. Two notable ones that have made significant progress in the last few months are the City Centre development and the Enterprise Zone in Herefordshire which will both be key regeneration projects for the whole of the county (and beyond!) and in Worcestershire we are also looking forward to the opening of the Worcester Arena.

Here at the Chamber, we have just finished two of our major events of the year, the Chamber Business Awards and the Worcestershire Business Expo. We are pleased to note that Paul Busby (Viezu) has won West Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year in the British Chamber of Commerce awards and the Chamber has been shortlisted for Chamber of the Year. Watch this space, or the website for updates on the results

of these two nominations. The Overall Winner of this year’s Awards were Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management who are featured as our big interview in this edition, talking about the growth of the business. >> Page 24 This leads us perfectly onto the theme of this edition – Business Growth. We have a number of companies who have grown over the past 5 years in all sectors. All of them contribute to the local, regional and national economy and should be encouraged and supported.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and look forward to the English Mutual Carol Service on the afternoon of Monday 17 December, the Chamber will be there and we encourage all other local businesses to come along and get into the Christmas spirit.

mikea@hwchamber.co.uk

CoNtENtS

www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

adVertiSing

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37 Training planner

4 Chamber news

39 Chamber training

5 Business news

40 Chamber Events

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feature editorS

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49 Business news

www.hwchamber.co.uk/businessdirection Tel: 0845 641 1641

21 Business news

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22 Conference Worcestershire

51 Business news

23 Conference Worcestershire

53 New members

30 Cover story: Business Growth

56 Movers and shakers

32 Big Interview: Andrew Gibson

58 Last word

Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2336

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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within this publication. Editorial submissions are included at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in articles and letters within this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber. All offers, promotions and competitions appearing in Business Direction are the sole responsibility of the advertiser/ promoting party and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.

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November/December 2012Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERNEWS

BROMSGROVE MAN NAMED WEST MIDLANDS ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR A local businessman is proving that ‘Business is Good for Britain’ after transforming his start-up into a world leader in vehicle tuning and electronic control unit remapping.

the world, supporting over 375 dealers and offices in over 36 different countries.

Paul Busby has been named as the Chamber Awards ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ for the West Midlands after beating off competition from across the region.

Paul Busby said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award representing our region, to be recognised in this way is truly very special indeed.

We are big supporters of the Chamber of Commerce, the support they have given Viezu over the years has been really important to our growth and success, we are always very proud and pleased to work with the Chamber”

Judges were impressed by the way he launched Viezu in 2008 with the vision of revolutionising the industry through the development of new products and a commitment to unrivalled customer service.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards 2012 will be celebrated at the Gala Awards Dinner in London on Thursday 29 November where the eventual winners will be announced.

Viezu, a member of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, has successfully established itself as one of the leading vehicle tuning companies in

www.viezu.com Paul Busby receiving his award from Mike Ashton.

THE CHAMBER WELCOMES JIM MCBRIDE Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is welcoming Jim McBride as the new Chamber President. Jim will be replacing former President, Graham Biggs who carried out the role for two years.

Jim commented: “Now we are coming out of recession we have a brilliant opportunity to show what our two counties have to offer both in terms of quality and scope of our businesses. It will make others realise what a great place it is to live and work and come and join us” www.hwchamber.co.uk

The Chamber of Year award will go to the Chamber in the network that demonstrates vision, aspirations and excellence across all core areas such as representation, international trade, membership, marketing & PR and finance.

Commenting on the appointment, Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce said: “We are very grateful of the support Graham Biggs has provided over those years and will be continuing to work closely with him especially in Herefordshire. Jim McBride is well respected locally and has taken over the role, full of energy to help the Chamber and local businesses.”

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Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are celebrating after being shortlisted for a British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Award. The organisation has been shortlisted in the Chamber of the Year category in the 2012 Chamber Awards.

The Chamber Awards are organised to recognise and promote the success and achievements of the 53 Chambers in its accredited network and their member companies.

Jim is currently the Chairman of Lesk Engineering Group. He has a wide range of experience across several industrial sectors in both large and medium sized organisations. As well as working in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Jim also has experience of working overseas.

Jim’s first major representation role as President was the Worcester to China mission on Monday 8 to Thursday 18 October. Lead by the Worcestershire Ambassadors and the University of Worcester, Jim represented the Chamber and Worcestershire County Council in developing links with Economic and Educational opportunities for the future.

HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE CHAMBER SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD

Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is a real honour that our Chamber has been shortlisted for this award. In the last few years the team has worked hard to develop the company in all areas of the business and we have had some really good successes.

We are looking forward to the award ceremony on Thursday 29 November and wish Paul Busby from Viezu success in the category of Entrepreneur of the Year.” www.chamberawards.co.uk/2012/

Jim McBride

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BUSINESSNEWS

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDED CONTRACT FOR WORCESTER’S TOURISM AND CITY CENTRE SERVICES Worcester City Council’s Cabinet has recently agreed to award a contract to Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce to run tourism and city centre management services for the city.

The Chamber will take over the service from existing provider VisitWorcester in February 2013 and the new contract will run until March 2015.

The decision – which is subject to legal formalities – was made after a competitive commissioning process.

VisitWorcester also tendered for the contract.

The Chamber of Commerce has gained a track record in tourism work, having run the Destination Worcestershire service for the past 18 months. The majority of contracted staff from VisitWorcester are expected to transfer to the Chamber, which will establish a new service specifically for promoting tourism in the city and organising city centre events.

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The Chamber will provide a range of services, some of them familiar and some new and different. They will include responsibility for providing tourist information, a range of events, Christmas lights and the Christmas Fair.

www.visit worceste rshire.org

THE NEW APPROACH TO VALUE FOR MONEY From next year there will be a lot of publicity and talk about a new approach for this crucial subject in these troubled times. At long last there is Government recognition that the ‘Social and Environmental’ value of a trade should count just as much as quality and price. To lead this approach a new piece of legislation will require all spenders of public funds to consider more than just the ‘bottom line’ and to award contracts in a way that enhances, not damages, the local community.

Clever businesses will follow suite, and will also recognise this added commercial advantage of projecting their social value when submitting proposals, or realising that they can create a local benefit or value through the way that they commission work.

The Board Development Agency is working with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber to promote and provide practical help with these ‘Social Value’ calculations, using a technique known as ‘The Social Return on Investment’. If you would like more information on this please contact the Chamber Team on 0845 641 1641 or email goodbusiness@hwchamber.co.uk

AUTUMN /WINT ER 201 2

the buSineSS direction themeS for 2012/2013 are:

GREAT NEWS IF YOu’RE A WORCESTER CITY BuSINESS!!

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with Worcester City Council to identify barriers to growth and to raise awareness of the Business Support Services available to small and medium sized companies who pay their rates to Worcester City Council. Just some of the services include a grant scheme for businesses wishing to grow between 1-5 years old and financial support to take on an apprentice.

Developing Global markets

Mar/Apr

Herefordshire and Worcestershire as a Tourism destination

May/Jun

Online Revolution

Jul/Aug

Investing in Herefordshire

Sept/Oct

Corporate Social Responsibility

Nov/Dec

Innovation

If you have any press releases or articles please send them to businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk

If you pay your business rates to Worcester City Council and want to find out about the opportunities available please contact the Chamber Team on 0845 641 1641 or email worcestercity@hwchamber.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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Jan/Feb

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R J Francis & Co CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS

FRIENDLY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE • Accounts Preparation • Company Audits • VAT returns and PAYE • Book Keeping Service • Tax Planning and Finance Advice

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November/December 2012

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BUSINESSNEWS

AGENCY RELEASE A NEW ‘TOOL’ TO PROMOTE BUSINESS GROWTH Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber Patron Member and regional marketing communications agency, Nexus Creative Limited, have launched a new service specifically developed to support businesses focusing on growth.

Having used the programme to focus their own business strategy this year, Nexus have seen their most successful year in over a decade.

“We’ve created The Laurus Programme to provide a modular approach to marketing. We realised that we worked in one of two ways with our clients, either on a project by project tactical basis or long term monthly ‘retainer’ contracts. The clients who retain us naturally benefited from the full marketing service but the clients that used us for a ‘one-off’ tactical solution such as a website, did not and in many cases commissioned the project without completing the necessary research into their market or establishing a strategy to measure success against.” commented Nigel Harte, Managing Director of Nexus Creative. www.nexuscl.com

Nigel Harte Managing Director of Nexus Creative

uNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER LEADING THE WAY Three years ago Worcester Business School launched its ‘Leading to Excellence’ Corporate programme. The Leadership and Management Development courses provide flexibility and choice at affordable prices. They combine the latest ideas with guidance on their practical application in a variety of workplace settings and have already proved popular amongst a variety of organisations.

Worcester Business School has a team of tutors specialising in corporate programmes and who have a wealth of practitioner experience working across a range of sectors.

Artist impression of the new developments at the County Ground

REDEVELOPMENT AT WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY CRICkET CLUB Work is expected to get underway shortly in the comprehensive redevelopment of the County Ground at New Road. The new Premier Inn hotel is part of an extensive redevelopment, which also includes the construction of new conference and executive facilities for the Club. Once complete it is hoped to create more than 70 full and part-time jobs within the hotel and Cricket Club.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, David Leatherdale, commented: “In this economic climate, businesses of all types need to use their resources effectively to survive and compete.

Programmes can be accredited to the University’s Undergraduate or Postgraduate scheme, or unaccredited, according to employer preference. www.worcester.ac.uk

We are doing just that at our New Road ground, investing in our facilities to help secure the future of the Club and drive success on the pitch. The new development will add both cricket and non-cricket facilities including conference and banqueting suites as well as new executive areas for members, to complement the Graeme Hick Pavilion completed some three years ago making us a 365 day destination, and further helping to attract investment into Worcestershire.” www.wccc.co.uk

CHAMBER HR WEBSITE AND ADVICE LINE

Trained HR Professionals are on hand 24 hours a day to offer advice on employment issues via the telephone or dedicated website.

Contact your Chamber representative for a Username and Password.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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MEMBERBENEfItS

DONUTS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have launched two resources in order to support businesses, the Marketing Donut and the Start up Donut.

The Donuts are host to expert advice, business offers and deals and real life case studies. The website features a variety of articles to provide you with advice and inspiration to apply to your business. Articles that are available for you to view at the moment include:

THE FUNDING FINDER The Funding Finder is a resource offered by the Chamber providing details of a range of funding opportunities and grants available to businesses.

This includes European, public sector, lottery, Venture Capital and loan funds.

Your search can be refined to show local, regional and national funding opportunities. A team of funding professionals analyse a range of information to showcase the most relevant to your business through a Newsflash service, auto alerts and authoritative articles.

The Funding finder also offers help and advice when it comes to securing funding. Resources available include ‘How to write a business plan’ and a full explanation of each funding method is provided.

Some examples of funding that you could be entitled to on the Funding Finder at the moment include:

■ Sales techniques and associations ■ Increasing sales through customer feedback ■ How to re-launch your business

Title of Funding: Business Booster Grants Funded by: Local Government Authority Value: £2000 Contact: Your Local Government Authority

■ Exploiting gaps in the market

Title of Funding: Exceed: - Midlands Advantage Fund Funded by: Midven Limited Value: Up to £750,000 Contact: Midven - 0121 710 1990

■ Why it pays to profile your customers

Title of Funding: Innovation Networks Grant Scheme (West Midlands) Funded by: Coventry University Enterprises Limited Value: £10,000 Contact: Coventry University Enterprises Limited, 0247 623 6391

■ How to make a professional practice ■ Keep profitable customers coming back for more ■ How to encourage word of mouth and many more If you would like to read more about the Donuts, please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/

marketingonlineinformation

For more funding opportunities or more information about these grants visit

www.hwchamber.co.uk/funding-finder

STANFORD MARSH, STRATEGIC MEMBER Stanford Marsh Group have been a ‘Strategic Member’ and have been sponsor of the Manufacturing Forum for the past 12-months and have just extended this arrangement. Talking about their Strategic Membership, Adrian Painter said: “We feel being members of the local business community is more important than ever before in the current economic climate. Businesses alike are finding the recession tough and it is becoming more important that we should look to trade locally, in order to support local jobs and communities within the two counties.

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have helped us to achieve this by providing an excellent platform from which to showcase the products and services that we offer.

Group. Rather than adopting a direct sell approach we have developed relationships and spent time understanding the needs of clients in order to fulfil their business aspirations.”

Stanford Marsh Group offer Design office Solutions from ‘conceptual design software’ through to ‘finished print equipment’ (both 2D & 3D), from the industry leading software and hardware developers. Clients range from local authorities, architectural and construction companies through to manufacturers. www.stanfordmarsh.co.uk

We have found that being part of the Chamber has increased the general awareness of the Stanford Marsh

FUNDING FINDER

A funding search which provides details of a range of funding opportunities and grants available to businesses, including European, public sector, lottery, Venture Capital and loan funds. Chamber members have the additional benefit of email alerts when new relevant funding opportunities are available.

Tel: 0845 614 1641 or email www.hwchamber.co.uk/funding-finder 08 BD10.indd 8

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BUSINESSNEWS

Award winning Arts Centre, Artrix

A RECORD YEAR FOR ARTRIX Artrix, Bromsgrove’s Award Winning Arts Centre, has announced a record year of achievements in the publication of its 2011/12 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Chase Hotel

THE CHASE HOTEL – THE JEWEL AT THE ‘HEART OF ENGLAND IN BLOOM’

The busy programme of almost 500 events and a similar number of workshop sessions attracted over 100,000 visitors and sales of 58,500 tickets, leading to a record turnover of £860,000. The Arts Centre was delighted to have been awarded the Community Enterprise of the Year Award for 2011 by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

The 301 seat auditorium at Artrix is programmed now at full capacity and the studio is being developed successfully as an intimate performance space, ideal for specialist music, theatre, comedy and film. www.artrix.co.uk

quality of care, describing the gardens as ‘impressive and maintained to an exacting standard’.

Robert Owen Group

Entrants from as far afield as Birmingham & the Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire had an opportunity to showcase their lovely gardens and green fingers.

The Robert Owen Group has been given approval by the Department for Education to establish the new Robert Owen Vocational School. The School will be a 14-19 state School, opening under the Government’s Free School programme and will serve Herefordshire and the region. The curriculum will offer students a balanced education, with a mix of vocational qualifications, work experience, core qualifications including GCSEs, and residentials and outdoor education, all leading to a new Vocational Baccalaureate qualification. The curriculum will be individualised to students’ needs.

The competition judges commended The Chase for its

www.robertowenschool.co.uk

The Chase Hotel in Ross-on-Wye beat off entrants from all over central England to pick up gold this month, winning the coveted category of ‘Hotel and Pub Grounds’ in the prestigious Heart of England in Bloom Awards.

www.chasehotel.co.uk

You’re in expert hands.

Nuffield Health Hereford Hospital Call 01432 355131 or email he.clinicbookings@nuffieldhealth.com Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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foCUSoNlEgAl

ADvERtoRIAl

QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright to motivate team members to reach certain performance targets. For example you could award shares on reaching certain milestones such as sales or profit targets.

Such schemes can also enable the gradual transfer of ownership of the business to those working in the business or to family members in an orderly and tax efficient manner.

In this the first in a series of articles on legal issues affecting chamber members, David Bayliss, Commercial Solicitor at QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright discusses how to protect your business from risks of losing key people.

“Golden handcuffs and carrots.”

Have you ever considered what would happen if a key member of your team was offered a better deal and moved to pastures new?

How would it affect your company?

Probably badly. There are however, a number of ways you can reduce the risk of this happening. Employee share option schemes are one such method. Broadly, a company can offer a key team member an option to receive shares at an agreed value provided they remain with the company for a specific number of years.

Share options can be similarly used

There are a number of schemes available some of which are tax approved so that the employee does not pay income tax or national insurance on the shares. In addition, the costs of setting up the scheme can, in many circumstances, be offset against corporation tax.

“In sickness and in health”.

We have discussed ways to retain key team members but there are some things that remain in the hands of the Gods, namely critical illness and death.

Taking the example of a small company with 2 shareholders: Frank and Eddie. Frank and Eddie got along famously and ran a successful business until the grim reaper eventually caught up with Eddie.

This left Frank with big problems in two respects. Frank did not get on with Eddie’s Wife (Mrs Eddie) who was set to inherit Eddie’s shares in the company. Whilst the business was successful, Frank could not afford to buy Mrs Eddie out but really did not want her involved in the Company and neither did Mrs Eddie for that matter! The problems were multiplied by the fact that Eddie was such a key person in the

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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business he needed to be replaced otherwise the business would surely fail.

Frank’s problems could have been solved if they had visited QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright and discussed a Shareholders Agreement that included what is known as a Cross Option. In essence, a cross option is where an insurance policy is taken out either by the shareholders or the company on the shareholders’ lives.

The policy would have paid out on the death of Eddie to allow Frank to purchase Eddie’s shares or the company to buy back those shares.

We could have also discussed Key Man insurance which would have paid out to cover the costs to the business of losing Eddie’s skills and having to recruit a replacement.

Shareholders agreements can also cover many other points such as what happens if a shareholder wants to sell their shares, restrictions on competing against the business, voting rights and situations where the shareholders cannot agree on certain decisions.

QualitySolicitors Parkinson Wright can guide you through the process of setting up these essential safeguards. For an initial discussion contact David Bayliss on 01905 726789 or email dab@ parkinsonwright.co.uk.

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BUSINESSNEWS

MERGER CREATES COMMERCIAL pROpERTY CONSuLTANCY WITH uNRIVALLED COVERAGE OF WORCESTERSHIRE AND BEYOND Staff from GJS Dillon LLP

Two leading independent Worcestershire commercial property consultancies have merged to form a new firm of Chartered Surveyors, which will offer clients a comprehensive property service and unrivalled geographical coverage, throughout Worcestershire.

Worcester based Guise Jones Sawyer and Bromsgrove based JP Dillon have merged into the new partnership of GJS Dillon LLP. The principals of Guise Jones Sawyer and JP Dillon, respectively Philip Jones and John Dillon, both become partners in the new, five-strong firm.

“With JP Dillon best known for its industrial and office agency and Guise Jones Sawyer’s focus on consultancy and professional surveying work, our new firm will provide an improved service for all

its existing and prospective clients” said GJS Dillon Partner John Dillon. www.gjsdillon.co.uk

SANCTUARY SCOOPS APPRENTICESHIP EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

NEW SYSTEM EXTENDS MALVERN INSTRUMENTS MARkET REACH

Leading UK housing and care provider Sanctuary Group has been named one of the best employers in the West Midlands after scooping an award for its apprenticeship programme.

On Wednesday 12 September 2012 Malvern Instruments launched an exciting new addition to its award-winning and market-leading Zetasizer family of particle characterization systems. Introduced to audiences around the world in the space of just 24 hours, via a series of live web presentations, the new high specification range topping Zetasizer Nano ZSP can be used to measure a variety of nano-sized materials, but is particularly well suited to the needs of those involved in analysing proteins, in industries such as biopharmaceuticals.

Sanctuary took the accolade for Macro Employer of the Year (5,000+ employees) at the West Midlands regional finals of the National Apprenticeship and Training Awards.

David Higgs, Head of Marketing at Malvern said, “The Zetasizer Nano has a distinguished pedigree and this new addition to the range allows scientists to make highly sensitive measurements of proteins. These are especially important in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Biopharmaceuticals are a rapidly growing type of medicine where the active ingredient is a protein and the Zetasizer Nano ZSP is one of an expanding portfolio of products that Malvern Instruments offers this dynamic market sector.” www.malvern.com/nano-zsp

DRpGROup ANNOuNCE £2.6MILLION INVESTMENT IN NEW MIDLANDS pRODuCTION FACILITY The drpgroup have announced the purchase of a brand new, 4.2 acre site which will become their new head office.

With 50 new people joining the group in the past two and a half years, the old facilities have been expanded, updated and invested in constantly to support the dynamic growth of the business. This move comes with the idea of creating a space for further expansion and investment as the business continues to grow. The size of the new facilities will allow the group to aim to employ a further 100 people over the next three years. www.drpgroup.com

The scheme has been designed to recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices and businesses that employ them.

Karen Woodward, Divisional Apprenticeship Director from the National Apprenticeship Service, commented: “I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Sanctuary.

They are a testament to the many benefits apprenticeships and training they bring to businesses, allowing employers to tap into new talent, up-skill their staff and grow.”

Amanda Gonsalves, Sanctuary Group’s Director of HR, said: “We’re thrilled to receive this award. Sanctuary employs over 200 apprentices and this scheme is an integral part of the Group’s talent agenda. Our apprenticeship programme is an increasingly popular route and these young people bring real value to our business.” www.sanctuary-group.co.uk

An artists impression of drpgroup’s new Head Office

CHAMBER LEGAL ADVICE LINE

This service offers members unlimited access to free help and advice on commercial and employment law, environmental health, taxation and VAT issues.

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FUNDING URGENTLY NEEDED for students selected to represent Wadokai England

This year 10 students from Hon Yoso Kai Karate School Worcester have been selected to represent Wadokai England in the Federation of European Championships on the 2nd 3rd and 4th November in Venice Italy.

The 10 students range between 10 and 19 years and are in need of help to cover their flights and Hotel costs, which are around ÂŁ350.00 per student.

This will be the biggest contingent of students to be selected from all the clubs around England.

Hon Yoso Kai Karate School Worcester is now recognised as one of the Top traditional Wadokai Karate Schools in England and teaches children from the age of 5. Fees for training are kept to minimum allowing interested students to try sport and useful life skills and body movement.

Hon Yoso Kai travels around the country attending competitions and also need help with equipment costs. CAN YOU HELP? List of students and ages selected to represent Wadokai England Katrina Wilson 19, current European Senior Ladies Champion and current under 18 World Champion leads squad Joe Mulcock 19, making his debut appearance.

Kathleen Finney 17, current four times European medallist.

Sam Smith 17, also current four times European medallist Tara Wilson 15, on her return to the Wadokai England Squad.

Kirstie Emery 15, current double European medallist

We are looking for sponsorship, can you help?

Ellie Sanders 15, making her debut appearance.

Courtney Smith 13, making her debut appearance Sophie Hall 11, current European bronze medallist Melissa Griffiths 10, making her debut appearance.

The students do not receive any funding at this time and they travel all over the country competing in competitions and training.

If you can help please Contact David Wilson Mob: 07933 326 935 Email: david_wilson31@sky.com www.honyosokaikarateschool.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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www.payroll-services.uk.com November/December 2012

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BUSINESSNEWS

ATMAN strategy-BECOMING AN INTERNATIONAL BRAND Atman Strategy, a Worcester based Training and Consultancy Company has seen tremendous growth in the last couple of years. Atman has quickly become an international brand with contracts being signed and negotiated in places such as Dubai, Europe, the U.S and Africa.

At the beginning of next year the company is set to open an office in Kuala Lumpur, built upon a partnership that will see them providing training and consultancy across South East Asia. Although these are incredibly exciting times for Atman overseas, they are not forgetting their roots. Their dedication to helping local companies in Worcestershire and the rest of the UK continues unabated in sectors as diverse as IT, Waste Management and Recycling, Defence, Environmental Protection, Engineering, Manufacturing

John Atkinson and Tony Copeman at the Head Office in Worcester

and Professional Services etc. The Atman team continues to grow in order to assist their clients make significant step changes and to achieve real shifts in performance. www.JoinedUpStrategy.com

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat…

St Michael, the Archangel is the Patron Saint of sick and dying people and also of the police and security forces, soldiers, sailors, paratroopers, fighter pilots, marines, ambulance drivers and paramedics, radiologists and radiographers, greengrocers and milliners…amongst others!

There are a number of customs and traditions associated with celebrating the Feast of St Michael on the September 29th when traditionally, goose is eaten.

Folklore suggests that ‘he who eats goose on Michaelmas Day, shan’t money lack or have debts to pay. ’It was the day that the bailiff or reeve of the manor made out the accounts (Accountants, make note) As a Quarter Day, when rent and debts were due, tenants seeking delay of payment would buy a goose as a present for their landlord! (Letting Agents, make note). It was also the custom on this date as Winter and darker days approached, for the owners of printing works to hold a feast at which he provided goose for his workforce, to help them through the months to come when work would be short (Printers, make note).

Lawyers celebrate the start of the Michaelmas term with a Feast – historically this was the Quarter day when a reeve was elected from the peasants and the day that magistrates, mayors and Councillors are elected; (Councils and legal firms, make note) The legends and traditions are many and there is probably a relevance to almost every business and public services in Herefordshire. St Michael is seen as a warrior, triumphing in the fight and the protector against the dark of the night. It is therefore very fitting for the Hospice to carry his name and also very fitting for local businesses to consider how you can help us in our quest to protect, support and be alongside those facing their own battles and untimely deaths.

Christmas is coming and the geese are getting fat – please help us not to want for money this coming year.

Ledbury companies shared the cost of the Defibrillator equipment.

BROMYARD ROAD BUSINESSES PROVIDE A DEFIBRILLATOR FOR LEDBURY As part of their ongoing training programme for the Drivers’ Certificate of Professional Competence, employees at ABE (Ledbury) Limited have been improving their first aid skills which included action taken in the event of a heart attack.

They learnt that statistically, heart attack survival rates are greatly improved with defibrillation and Clive Brooks, Chief Executive, was so impressed that he investigated the possibility of having a defibrillator installed on-site.

The Community Heartbeat project provides the specialist equipment

which can be installed in any location and accessed by a code. This is available for the whole community as the emergency services can give the security code to anyone who dials 999.

When neighbouring businesses heard about the project, they were keen to make a contribution. Bevisol, European Aviation, The Helping Hand Company, Hills of Ledbury, Jaga Heating, QCold, Sequani, Watsons Fuels and Wye Fruit have all shared the £2000 cost for the equipment with ABE. www.communityheartbeat.org. uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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There are many fun ways (and some serious) in which your business could engage with us and many reasons for doing so – one in three people will come in contact with Hospice care. How many of your workforce might that be? Consider the mutual benefits of a relationship with the hospice – the PR, the public perception, the internal perception and morale of your workforce, partnership working and unique opportunities for team building, joining in or running events. Please consider how you could help us.

We receive just 10% of our funding from statutory sources. Therefore, we have to raise £3.8m each year through fundraising and the support of our communities. This coming year, we have an additional challenge - to raise sufficient funds to undertake a much needed redevelopment of the Hospice buildings and surrounds – we need an additional £8m to build a new reception leading to a 20 bedded Inpatient unit with a bereavement suite, accommodation for families and access to the support of a Therapies suite for assessment, readaptation and rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and complementary therapies. Does your business feel it can help us in any way to sustain our revenue income or contribute to our new building? Will you join the Companies who are already supporting our Capital Appeal and our work?

If you would like to know more, please contact Ruth Denison, Head of Fundraising at rdenison@st-michaels-hospice.org or Nicky West CEO at nwest@st-michaels-hospice.org or call us on 01432 851000

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INtERNAtIoNAltRADE

MALVERN FESTIVAL OF INNOVATION The first ever Malvern Festival of Innovation was created to showcase research and development, explore how others are innovating and discover what’s coming next.

All of which are critical for future international trade and collaboration.

Speaking at the event was Andrew Humphries. Andrew is a Dealmaker for the Global Entrepreneur Programme at UK Trade and Investment and leads the work supporting entrepreneurs at the Tech City Investment organisation based in London. The Global Entrepreneur Programme at UK Trade and Investment aims to attract the world’s best sustainable, early stage companies and entrepreneurs to set up their global Head Quarters in the UK.

With many examples of successful local technical expertise who exhibited at the event it is important that the future of innovation is supported and developed. QinetiQ Malvern have provided major sponsorship for the event along with UKTI West Midlands and continue to impact on the supply chain around the technological agenda.

If you have a technological product or solution that could have international applications talk to the UKTI advisor team on 0845 641 1613 For more information, visit

www.festival-innovation.com

The secrets out; one of the best ways to accomplish business growth is through exporting.

Not only can you ensure survival and growth, but you can gain inspiration and ideas to spur you to develop new and modified products. Engage in a whole new world of exciting opportunities. Step by step, UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire are here to help you achieve great success in international markets. A new service dedicated with support for export finance expertise is now available to support growth.

Export Insight visits are brand new and offered at a nominal charge of £99 + VAT per company and provide non exporters with an excellent opportunity to familiarise themselves with the basic principles of International Trade.

Companies that export grow faster and survive longer than those that don’t. To new-comers, exporting can be a daunting thought – UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire are here to help and are offering a low cost and accessible way of expanding your business’s horizons.

A WORLD AWAITS – IT’S TIME TO GO GLOBAL UK products, services and expertise continue to be in demand across the world. Why not unlock your company’s potential and begin trading in overseas markets.

EXPORT INSIGHT VISITS An unrivalled opportunity to expand your business overseas:

Phill Potter, Export Finance Advisor

If would like more information or a full list of countries available on the programme, please email Lindas@hwchamber.co.uk or call one of the Trade Advisers at UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire on 0845 641 1613

Phill Potter has been appointed Export Finance Advisor at the West Midlands Chamber of Commerce LLP. With a responsibility to help exporters gain access to government schemes and other finance products. Phill wants to support and advise Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses on all export finance related matters.

Every business is unique and will have its own concerns when it comes to finance. If you would like to speak to Phill about the personalised service he can offer you and your business, please contact p.potter@uktiwm.co.uk or call 07866 480996 For more information on the compelling range of services UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire has to offer, contact a Trade Advisor on 0845 641 1613. Each service has been intelligently created to suit the needs of your company.

The world awaits.

EXPORT DOCUMENTATION

The E-cert online provides you with a fast, easy and secure way of submitting your export documentation.

Chamber Members receive a 50% discount.

UKTI Herefordshire & Worcestershire 016 BD10.indd 16

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INtERNAtIoNAltRADE

BAGS OF OPPORTUNITIES! Stourport-on-Severn based company ‘Turtle Bags’ discovered the possibilities of exporting during a trip to Bangladesh. On her return, the founder of the company, Beth Williams spoke to Uk Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire about the service Passport to Export; a UkTI programme that gives exporting companies the tools they need to grow their business internationally.

With financial help from UKTI, the company attended the British Eco Design Showcase in Paris. During the trip, company members met representatives of UKTI Milan who invited Turtle Bags to join its Green Closet ecological fashion show. Turtle Bags now have a credible relationship with an Italian distributor and are hoping to open a shop in Milan.

Beth Williams, of Turtle Bags, Stourport-on-Severn, said: “I didn’t hesitate to sign up for Passport to Export. It is a really practical course and intelligently put together.”

The company has also been approached by a Canadian distributor hoping to import string bags. At present Canada has no lightweight and eco-friendly reusable bags so Turtle Bags are exploring the potential of this market, using UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS).

If you would like to find out more about the services UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire offer, please call one of Trade Advisors on 0845 641 1613 or email internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk

EXPORT WEEk Monday 12 November will see the start of Uk Trade and Investments most anticipated week of the business year.

Export week brings together the experts, current exporters and companies interested in expanding into international markets.

The week is part of a campaign led by Trade & Investment Minister Lord Green to increase the number of British exporters by roughly a quarter, meaning about £36 billion could be added to the UK economy.

to offer and hear from speakers with real life experiences of doing business overseas, this week is not one to miss.

UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire are encouraging small and medium sized businesses to involve themselves in Export week and familiarise themselves with the unlimited opportunities of International Trade.

Export week will comprise more than 100 individual events around nine regions of the UK, find out where you can get involved. Contact the UK Trade and Investment Herefordshire and Worcestershire team on 0845 641 1613. www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk

With an opportunity to receive invaluable, bespoke advice, explore the range of services UKTI has

0845 641 1613 internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESSNEWS

GOUGH BAILEY WRIGHT TO SUPPLEMENT MARKETING DRIVE FOR ‘TOMATO PILL’ ATERONON Gough Bailey Wright is celebrating a new business win after being appointed by Ateronon, a one-a-day naturally-sourced food supplement for people with concerns about their health or high cholesterol levels.

The midlands-based, full-service marketing agency will help increase awareness and drive sales of Ateronon by providing PR, social media, digital and creative services.

Ateronon is the latest client to join Gough Bailey Wright’s expanding portfolio and the business win has come at a time when the agency is celebrating a Birmingham Post Business Awards nomination for Best Marketing and Creative Communications Company and three nominations at the CIPR PRide Awards.

Managing Director, Sue Bailey, comments: “We’re delighted to be providing such a wide range of marketing services to Ateronon, a very exciting account that we have won upon recommendation.” www.gough.co.uk

FLEXIBLE WORKING IN THE UK The Recruitment and Employment Confederations recent ‘Flexible Work Commissions Report’ confirmed that flexible work in all its forms is growing in the UK. Those companies that have weathered the downturn best and are returning to growth the quickest are the ones who have developed and implemented flexible working solutions.

Hewett Recruitments temporary staff divisions have echoed these findings, with demand for temps, contractors and interims increasing steadily across all sectors. The biggest growth area has been seen in the industrial division. Diane Hall-Smith, who has been responsible for supplying Hewett’s team of thousands of industrial temporary workers for over 20 years explained: - “We have seen a marked increase in demand, particularly from manufacturers who rely on us to manage their flexible workforce and meet the challenges of their fluctuating order books.

We are able to respond immediately with our ‘army’ of reliable temps….ramping up with whole shifts of operatives or supplying individual skilled workers as and when required. We handle everything including the payroll, we can give health and safety briefings and inductions and bespoke management reporting to ensure productivity needs are met and quality standards are achieved. It’s cost effective and totally flexible.” www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

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Gough Bailey Wright won the contract with Ateronon upon recommendation.

£22M PASSIVHAUS CONTRACT GETS GO AHEAD A £22m contract to develop Habberley Learning Campus in Worcestershire has been granted planning, and is set to become one of the most extensive Passivhaus projects in the UK to date.

The site - which is already occupied by Baxter College and St John’s Primary School - will be refurbished and developed alongside construction of the new Wyre Forest Special School.

Speller Metcalfe, an SME building contractor in Worcestershire, has been chosen as construction partner by client Worcestershire County Council. Steve Speller, Joint Managing Director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “Not only is this the first project of its kind in Worcestershire, but also a fantastic opportunity for us an SME to deliver our expertise on such a large-scale project.”

Refurbishment works of the primary school and college are also incorporated, as well as the design and build of a new Science block and Early Years Hub, with the whole project set to complete in 2014. www.spellermetcalfe.com

Artists impression of the development at Habberley Learning Campus

November/December 2012

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BUSINESSNEWS

English Mutual Award for Employer of the Year - Curo Chartered Accountants

Central Technology Belt Award for Excellence through Innovation - TextLocal Ltd

Oakland International Award for Growth Business of the Year Award - Worcestershire - Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management

Malvern Instruments Achievement in International Business - Metrasens Ltd

The University of Worcester Award for Sustainability - Kanes Foods Ltd

Worcester, Bosch Group Award for Business of the Year - Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management

PHOTOS: MIKE HENLEY

The winners of the chamber business Awards Worcester, Bosch Group Award for Business of the Year Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management Oakland International Award for Growth Business of the Year Award - Worcestershire Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management Worcester City Council Award for Most Promising New Business - The Smart Actuator Company Ltd

Oakland International Award for Growth Business of the Year Award - Herefordshire- Ambrey Risk Ltd

CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2012 in association with Worcester, Bosch Group

The winners of the Chamber Business Awards 2012 in association with Worcester, Bosch Group were announced on Thursday 20 September at a glittering ceremony held at the brand new Three Counties Showground in Malvern.

The Awards, organised by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, take place annually and are an unquestionable success year upon year. This year was the Chamber’s eleventh Awards ceremony and was celebrated with a theme of Business is Good for Britain and achievements including the Olympics. The ceremony was attended by over 400 people including some of the two counties’ most influential business men and women.

For the first time, this year the Chamber Business Awards incorporated the Worcestershire Ambassadors Corporate Social Responsibility Awards, designed to recognise and applaud businesses across Worcestershire for their ongoing commitment to and efforts to give something back to their community.

Phil Dutton, Head of the Worcestershire Ambassadors

English Mutual Award for Employer of the Year Curo Chartered Accountants Malvern Instruments Achievement in International Business Metrasens Ltd

commented; “The Corporate Social Responsibility Awards which is in its third year, is an ideal platform for showcasing Worcestershire businesses, highlighting their commitment, innovation and creativity in integrating Corporate Social Responsibility into the business culture.”

Central Technology Belt Award for Excellence through Innovation TextLocal Ltd

Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce said: “2012 has been a great year for Britain with so many high profile celebrations that have really put us in the spotlight of the world. Businesses have been taking advantage of this and our winners are excellent examples of businesses that are leading the way. I want to congratulate all our winners and those that entered as the standard was really high.”

University of Worcester Award for Sustainability Kanes Foods Ltd

The Chamber Business Awards are created to celebrate the success that flows through Herefordshire and Worcestershire and applaud the businesses that keep the two counties thriving.

Not only do the Awards offer an excellent opportunity for local companies to showcase their achievements and celebrate their successes but it also gives them an opportunity to rejuvenate their own business and learn best practice from winner’s stories.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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Oakland International Award for Growth Business of the Year Award - Herefordshire Ambrey Risk Ltd

Worcester City Council Award for Most Promising New Business The Smart Actuator Company Ltd

The winners of the Worcestershire Ambassadors CSR Awards Worcestershire Ambassadors CSR Environmental Awards sponsored by mfg Solicitors LLP Greenworks Solutions Worcestershire Ambassadors CSR Community Category sponsored by Handelsbanken University of Worcester Worcestershire Ambassadors CSR Individual Category sponsored by Brockencote Hall Glyn Harding - University of Worcester Ian ‘Spike’ Betterton - Vestia Community Trust Jean Wilson - Judy Owen Worcestershire Ambassadors CSR Workplace and Staff sponsored by Sanctuary Housing Eco2Solar

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Email: enquiries@shredability.co.uk 020 BD10.indd 20

November/December 2012

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BUSINESSNEWS

THURSFIELDS TRIUMPH IN NATIONAL LEGAL AWARDS Thursfields Solicitors have beaten off other major regional players at this year’s LFS Conveyancing Awards to take the prize as Regional Conveyancing Firm Of The Year for the West Midlands and Wales.

The LFS Conveyancing Awards recognise those who deliver a best in class conveyancing service. Thursfields won the hotly-contested category for its commitment to providing the best in class client care.

The judges said: “They have thought a lot about making their service more easily accessible, understood, and have clearly given personal service a very high priority.”

The judges also complimented the firm on its internal procedures and its approach to customer care and how it monitors its service. www.thursfields.co.uk

DOUBLE 2012 GOLD FOR SECURITY COMPANY

HEREFORD CATHEDRAL pROFILES COuNTY IN LONDON

Hereford-based Octaga Security Services has struck gold for a second time in Olympic year, having been awarded the prestigious NACOSS Gold accreditation for alarm and CCTV installations.

The Choir of Hereford Cathedral will once again be profiling the best of Herefordshire at its annual Advent carol service in the Guards’ Chapel, Wellington Barracks in London on Tuesday 4 December. The evening, which is supported by a number of key London and Herefordshire businesses and Hereford Futures, draws together over 500 friends and supporters. This year’s event will also be attended by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

Directors and staff at Octaga are celebrating a golden summer. This latest award coming as it does on the back of the retention of their Security Guarding Gold medal and being awarded their highest ever score by the Security Industry Authority’s (SIA) Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) which puts them in the top 4% of UK security companies.

“It is always a wonderful evening,” said Glyn Morgan, Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, “not least as it helps to raise the profile of the county with a supportive and influential congregation. We are fortunate to have, among many others, a number of asset managers among our supporters and we hope that the evening endorses the opportunities and quality of life that Herefordshire has for investment.”

The NACOSS medal is awarded only to companies that meet the industry’s highest standards of business excellence, ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management, and proving technical expertise in working to appropriate British Standards. www.octaga.co.uk

Octaga driving to success

Among the stars joining the packed chapel will be Oscar nominated actress Miranda Richardson, new star of Downton Abbey Matt Milne and writer, Sir Roy Strong. Invitations for the evening can be obtained from the Trust office. www.herefordcathedral.org

FOREIGN EXCHANGE SERVICE

Through Western Union Business Solution’s global network of dedicated foreign exchange specialists and extensive support system, the Chamber’s service can help you do business with ease across borders and time zones.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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feature

Getting the message right Branding is crucial for businesses of any size. A product or company whose name is ingrained in the public consciousness dramatically increases its chance of pushing up sales.

Those businesses that take the science of product recognition seriously have achieved success by creating a brand that stands out in customers’ minds. Products that have a positive association and a recognised name have a higher perceived value than their competitors.

Yet despite its importance, branding can sometimes be overlooked by businesses, some confident about the quality of their product without investing in marketing or smaller firms who believe that branding is for the big boys with their deep pockets.

However, it is worth remembering that all big companies started small and that it was canny marketing that set them all on the path to rapid growth.

That does not happen by accident. So what are the key issues in establishing a brand?

Well, a good brand creates a visual, emotional, and cultural connection with the customer. Whether it be children playing in the garden while swigging a particular soft drink (we bet you can name one, underlining the power of branding) or athletes testing strength and sinew in their snazzy trainers (we bet you can name those as well), the emotional attachment created by the brand translates into sales.

The right name is key. Is it one that can be instantly remembered or is it too wordy, too obscure? Is it off-putting or does it sound friendly? Is it right for the target market? Will a pensioner go for Wow! drink or will Summer Fruits work better? It’s about knowing your market, understanding your customer.

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If you examine some of the great brand names, they tend to be short. One word usually, two at most, sometimes three. Snappy, easily remembered. This was underlined when the Consumer Superbrands league tables were published for 2012.

The annual tables are based on the opinions of marketing experts, business professionals and thousands of British consumers and there are two sets of results, Consumer Superbrands (the UK’s strongest business to consumer brands) and Business Superbrands (the UK’s strongest business to business brands).

There may still be those who wonder if all this attention to the science of branding really matters. A good product’s a good product fancy advertising or not, surely?

A moment or two considering the humble baked bean should suffice as an answer (and we reckon you‘ve thought of one product already). We all know that Heinz leads the market and, yes, there are similar products out there, yes they may be as good, but where does the shopper’s hand go first in the supermarket?

The one with the strongly defined branding, the one with the positive connections, the one with the instantly recognisable colour scheme that has not changed on its labels in years and the name everyone remembers because it’s short and snappy.

Understanding such concepts can translate into strong revenues for a company. It is estimated that good brand name recognition can increase profits by between 10 to 20 per cent. Or put another way, if you ignore the idea of branding that’s between ten and twenty per cent that your company is not receiving.

Successful branding; it’s a people thing It’s no good working hard to develop a brand if it’s not properly managed. One of the key messages for those that advise on branding is that everyone associated

with the company in question should understand the thinking behind it so that they can convey the right image to the public.

Nothing destroys all that good marketing work more effectively than promotional materials going out with mixed messages. This is about a uniform approach to placing an image of the product in the consumer’s mind. Vary it and the consumer becomes confused.

A new report from the Chartered Institute of Marketing showed that seven out of ten marketing and brand experts questioned in a survey believed that creating a good customer experience was more important than issuing huge amounts of marketing material.

Only 25 per cent said that they felt their company’s staff embodied the brand on a day to day basis and only 24 per cent feel staff understood its importance.

Thomas Brown, Institute Head of Insights, said: “This is one of the most important findings of our report, the fact that while brand experience is talked about among the executive team and everyone recognises its importance, customers do not necessarily see it because it does not reach operational processes.“ In addition, only 14 per cent of respondents said that customer needs were the main driver of their businesses, citing the likes of financial factors instead.

An example of a company that insists that its staff properly serve the brand is Walt Disney, which insists that staff working on its movies or in its theme parks understand the importance of the concept.

The company includes brand awareness in the professional development training that it runs through its Disney Institute,.

Underpinning the Institute’s work is the statement: “Brand loyalty is a reciprocal relationship that begins with the business. A business must be loyal to its customers in order to receive loyalty in return.

At Disney, long-lasting relationships evolve: Guests become friends and friends become family.”

November/December 2012

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wer of Video o p e th r e v o c is D

site to life Bring your web

High Definition Tell your story in

7 THINGS NEXUS CREATIVE THINk YOU SHOULD kNOW ABOUT ‘BRANDS’ AND ‘BRANDING’ 1.

A ‘brand’ is the recognisable visual/audio components that create an understanding of what the consumer can expect from a product or service combined with the experience of the interaction with the business.

LITTLE GREEN SHED QP

2. ‘Branding’ is the method of associating visual and non-visual attributes to a business, product or service, to create perceptions and trigger emotions.

GreenShed

5. Consider your brand as part of the customer experience, from the point when they first become aware of the brand, the first contact, the point at which they purchase and the follow-up service you offer. Providing a better experience than your competitor at all of the brand touch points will give you a competitive edge.

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3. Your brand should clearly convey what your business does, what the business values are and what your brand’s personality is. If you don’t define these things potential customers will have to make up their own mind.

4. Creating the correct perception is essential to good branding, however whatever you decide your brand stands for make sure you deliver on the promise, otherwise the consumer will feel let down.

6. Realise that having a brand is only the start - you must communicate to an audience, this is where marketing comes in, to build brand awareness.

Contact Peter Barry

7. Remember that the people within your business are brand ambassadors, who play an important part in defining your brand.

Nigel Harte – Nexus Creative – Branding from the inside out.

01905 821919 www.nexuscl.com

After accepting the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘when’ of branding, a company needs to put its good intentions into practice.

‘How’ to do it effectively means selecting a supplier who also understands these principles – this is where Sign-Rite UK Ltd can help.

For 26 years this design-led, creative team has worked with companies who are keen to promote their business and improve their profile.

“We have practical solutions to the ‘how’ of effective communication with your customers,” said Creative Director Clancy Wilson.

“We can help you at all the points of contact with your customers: van and lorry liveries, shopfronts, building and business unit signage, window displays, exhibition stands and stalls.

We help and advise on product advertising, packaging and point-of-sale – from providing eye-catching and brand-supporting images to banners and label printing.

We promise to co-ordinate your image throughout your relationship with us, working with web-designers and printers, and ensure that future

our business standards reflect on your business

needs, from health and safety signage to parking signs, always project the image you choose.

All our work is designed to increase the impact of our customers’ messages, bringing about good communication with their target markets, in creative and innovative ways.”

For branding with ‘stopping power’, contact Sign-Rite on 01568 616171 or visit their website at www.sign-rite.co.uk

Sign-Rite’s trained and qualified staff work all over the West Midlands, from a base on Leominster Enterprise Park.

Contact Sign-Rite for a free, no-obligation, assessment of the practical expressions of businesses’ current branding and for suggested ways to improve effectiveness.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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WHAT’S IN A BRAND? it StartS inSide I also said that a brand is the very essence of an organisation. So it’s vitally important that every person within the company understands it and becomes part of it. This is why, before any external marketing is even considered, a business needs to ensure that it communicates with every one of its own people at every level of the business.

by michelle wright Gough Bailey Wright Whether a company spends millions on creating its corporate identity or just a few pounds getting some letterheads designed, every business has a brand. I like to think of a brand as a personality. The very essence of an organisation.

So what does that mean in real terms? Well, many people just think a brand is about the company’s logo and nothing else. But that’s just a visual symbol that represents an organisation, product or service. A brand tells a story: it represents the values of an organisation and provides insight into the experience that a customer can expect.

Through this, the whole workforce will understand, believe in and live by the values that make the company unique. These brand values define the ethos of the business. They are what make you an organisation that customers want to do business with. They determine how you will be seen by customers, stakeholders, potential employees and the communities in which you work.

They also underpin everything you do – from dealing with an invoice query or answering the telephone to delivering your products or services.

the bottom line Of course, the ultimate aim of a successful brand is to attract customers and win business. So your

brand values need to ring through clearly in every communication you have with the outside world.

At this stage, it’s important to put together a communication plan that’s designed – at every step – to influence the way that potential customers think.

This where all marketing should start, with brand awareness.

One thing’s for sure though: a brand should never stand still. Over time, all brands will need to be revitalised to stay effective in a changing market. Every brand needs to stay relevant to its audiences to ensure the continued success of the organisation.

Rebranding can take the form of a complete overhaul – or perhaps more of a refresh or gentle evolution. For any company, a rebrand can act as a powerful springboard for development, growth and diversification. You know how you feel after a makeover or a few weeks of good exercise? A new you? Ready to take on the world? That’s how it could feel to be part of your business.

Michelle Wright is Client Services Director and Partner at Gough Bailey Wright - a multi award-winning, full service marketing agency based in Bromsgrove. 01527 579 555, email michelle.w@gough.co.uk

When you first meet someone, you begin to form an opinion of them very quickly. Do they have integrity?

Are they fun and funky? Honest and open? Straight talking? Serious? Intelligent? Sympathetic? Annoying even? Whatever they are, you make up your mind and decide whether you want to be associated with them.

The same holds true when you’re deciding whether you want to become involved with an organisation.

It’s a very similar decision-making process based on whether your early impressions of that business are positive or negative.

That’s what I meant when I said that a brand is an organisation’s personality.

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Can we get into your shoes They say that to truly understand what

As a full service agency that combines

makes someone tick, you need to walk

award-winning creative, PR and digital

a mile in their shoes.

teams, we have the resources - and

Which neatly sums up how we approach rebranding projects. We take the time to

the expertise - to deliver those results for your business.

listen. To really get to know your company.

So give Michelle Wright a call on

Where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been, where you are and

01527 579555 for an informal chat.

where you want to be. Because to us,

You never know. This could be the

rebranding is about more than a new

perfect fit.

logo. Much more. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about generating great results that make a positive impact on your bottom line.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce gough.co.uk

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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The language of branding: my brand personality.

Your brand is all about the Attributes of your business, your Values and a simple one sentence Proposition that describes what the business is all about.

A+ V+ P = your brand personality.

Your personality and the look become the brand.

Each and every brand should choose an intended personality based upon the brand’s aspirations and its customers’ current perceptions of the brand. It is not what we think… It is what our customers think that is important.

We communicate that personality using carefully selected adjectives that describe the brand as if it was a real person. So for example we’re talking about quality, innovation, being distinctive and desirable, inspirational and memorable.

Your brand personality is unique and elements of it are only used selectively; because we cannot be everything all the time. We act differently when looking at different audiences, and your brand personality allows you to flex to your customer requirements - but always behaving in a manner that reinforces your brand values.

Guy Marson

Remember. You only use 2 or 3 elements of the brand personality at any one time and you must not try to reflect all of them in everything. That is just not possible.

Your brand is important.

If you use it, you own it.

If you own it, no one else can.

If you don’t, you disappear…

Guy Marson Creative Director Modus Creative 01905 731529

sight_concern_worcs_logo_multi colour.esp

OPENhouse 01905 731529 moduscreative.co.uk 01905 734640 modusprint.co.uk 028 BD10.indd 28

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New for 2012:

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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coverfeature

When advertising really clicks Pay per click (ppc) is one of the methods often talked about as a way for companies to drive traffic to their websites.

A solely Internet-based model, the practice sees companies placing online ads which link through to their websites. The company pays the hoster of the ad an amount of money for each click-through.

Sounds good but does it actually work, how much time and effort is involved, how much will it cost and is it worth it? We asked some local experts.

How to generate quick leads Ben Kinnaird from Rather Inventive, guides people on the use and strategies involved when marketing online.

“Pay per click can be one of the best ways to spend your marketing budget but it depends on your audience.

Google Adwords, for example, work well when targeted at people who know what they want and are being specific in a search such as ‘makita 18v combi drill’.

Return On Investment (ROI) may vary depending on what you are offering. A product should give a higher

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of monitoring your advert, 15 minutes every day over the first few days to make sure you making the most of your budget, should suffice.

Ben Kinnaird Rather Inventive

conversion rate than a service, for example. Either way, if an advert brings in customers from which you turn a profit, even after the ad cost, then the budget can be as large as the business you can handle.

Many factors influence conversion but usually it comes down to relevancy of the ad keywords, clarity of the offer and cost and is it is an impulsive or a considered purchase?

The advantage of pay per click advertising is that it is a quick lead generator and most people should be able to setup an ad. However, I’d recommend taking your time on the first one. It will probably take an hour to setup, including taking time to read the help guides. In terms

There are many different online advertising companies, including Facebook and LinkedIn, but the Google Adwords is a good place to start. I’d recommend trying it out and, if you get more leads, work out the cost to acquire them over income generated. If you continue to make your desired profit overall, then keep running the adverts while refining the keywords and advert copy to get even better results.”

Ben’s top three tips for success Keep the message simple Have a strong action such as ‘call’ or ‘buy’ Link to a relevant product or service page on your website, not just the home page

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CovERfEAtURE keeping control of your adVertiSing Helen Coldicott, Coldicott Freelance Training, helps businesses make more money by giving them the skills to manage their own social media and online marketing in a simple, consistent and effective way.

“If your potential customers use Google to search for your products and services, Google Adwords could be a great sales and marketing tool for your business.

When your customers search for your products your ads appear, they then decide if they wish to click on these to access your website where they can purchase your products.

Google is by far the world’s leading search engine that people use to find products and services followed by Bing and Yahoo but it depends where your market is based as to which tools they use to search, LinkedIn and Facebook ads work in a similar way but are usually targeting different people.

For me, the best thing about ppc is the amount of control it gives you, including; your customer’s geographic location, when your ad appears, which ad shows, which search terms trigger which ads, where you direct people, which devices your customers use and how much you’re prepared to spend.

One of the things that puts people off is that they don’t understand how Google Adwords works and worry that costs could spiral. However, one of the great advantages of ppc is that once you know how to set up a campaign, you have complete control over how much money you spend per day. Depending on how much money you’ve got to spend, this can be as little as fifty pence to thousands of pounds a day.

A good place to start would be to concentrate on promoting just one thing. This might be a product that gives you a good return, or an event that’s happening soon.

How much you are prepared to spend on the advertising depends how much profit each sale gives you.

You do need to understand the difference between click-throughs and conversions. You are paying for every click on the advert this might not necessarily lead to a sale.

One last thing; a tool like Google Adwords gives you very detailed reporting, so quite quickly you can refine your campaigns because you know who’s searching for what, when, which ads lead to sales and which don’t, something that’s always been a bit of a gamble with traditional advertising. “

helen‘S three tipS for SucceSS Goal - Decide from the outset what it is that you want to sell. How many more would you like to sell each month?

Budget - How much are you prepared to spend to achieve those goals?

Convert - When people reach your website, is everything focused on making that purchase easy?

why reSearch iS crucial Iain Coplans, a partner at QuickWins! Marketing, a digital marketing agency and software house based in Worcester, who helps clients by developing effective websites and developing and implementing integrated search and social marketing plans;

“It is a natural step in your planning to make assumptions about the market. It is when we fail to validate these assumptions that we expose ourselves to problems. Unfortunately, too many websites, social media plans and ppc campaigns are produced without the appropriate empirical market research. The result of invalidated marketing, is marketing that fails to deliver.

Here’s a practical example. Most solicitors would never describe themselves as an ‘accident lawyer‘. Yet when we research how the UK market search on Google for solicitors when in need of support to make a personal injury claim, we find that ‘accident lawyer‘ is one of the most popular terms used.

This research creates conflict. We may have assumed people would search for ‘solicitor‘ or ‘personal injury lawyer‘ because that is the language we have used in-house to describe the type of work we do.

When we undertake research to validate our assumption, to test our ideas as would a scientist looking for the Higgs Boson particle at CERN, we need to embrace the results, whether we like them or not. If we ignore the term “accident lawyer” then we ignore the market and in doing so, allow our competition to gain business that should be ours.

When it comes to choosing words and phrases you should ask what language does the market use to describe your products and services? The Google External Keyword Tool is a great place to start. Also, what language are your competition using in their ppc campaigns? Learn from the language your successful online competition target in their websites and social media.

Use ‘exact match‘ when creating your advert, otherwise you will find many unqualified visitors click your advert and waste your money.

When you find a winner, slowly increase the spend to improve your position and find the most effective combination of cost and conversion. Test and test again, and when you finish testing, test again.”

MENTORING If you feel that you and your business could benefit from being mentored but you’re not eligible for this scheme contact the Chamber on 0845 641 1641 to discuss other mentoring programmes.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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Biginterview

LAWRENCE RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT WORCESTER, BOSCH GROUP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNER:

What inspired you to enter the Chamber Business Awards 2012 in association with Worcester, Bosch Group?

At the Chamber Business Awards ceremony that took place on Thursday 20 September at the Three Counties Showground, Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management were awarded the Business of the Year following success in the Oakland International Growth Business of the Year category. The company has experienced significant growth in recent years and we spoke to Andrew Gibson, Chairman of the company about their success and what the award means to them.

We had two key reasons for entering the awards: 1. Our staff work hard to deliver the services and support the growth of the business and external recognition from the Chamber gives them a real lift.

2. We are proud to work with and deliver services to Worcestershire companies and entering the awards helps to raise our profile and credibility in the business community in which the Lawrence team lives and works.

What are the core elements of the business?

What do you consider is the main reason that you won the award?

The Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management core business model is based on diverting waste from landfill through reuse, recycling and recovery of materials. We operate as an integrated collection and processing business to the construction, commercial, industrial, local authority and domestic sectors. Put simply, we run a fleet of collection vehicles across Worcestershire and the West Midlands to collect materials from our customers. These materials are delivered to the Forge, our Material Recycling Facility in Kidderminster, along with material from third parties.

At the Forge we process the materials to maximise reuse, recycling and recovery.

We were able to demonstrate substantial growth in a very tough market, flexed our plan when required and are clear about what we want and need to do in the future.

What has been the main factor that has meant that Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management has significantly grown in the last few years?

A combination of several things so difficult to name just one. We understand the market and have

developed our infrastructure and services to meet demand, people that work for Lawrence Recycling care about delivering excellent service and getting it right, we understand what we are good at and areas where we can/need to improve.

What does winning the award mean to you?

External recognition from the Chamber gave the business huge buzz and in many ways we felt humbled to be recognised across business sectors and not just in the one we operate. It has certainly inspired and spurred us on to keep focused on our plans for growth.

Phone number: 0844 800 7713 Website: www.lawrencerecycling.co.uk Twitter: @LawrenceRWM

The Lawrence Recycling and Waste Management core business model is based on diverting waste from landfill through reuse, recycling and recovery of materials. We operate as an integrated collection and processing business to the construction, commercial, industrial, local authority and domestic sectors. Put simply, we run a fleet of collection vehicles across Worcestershire and the West Midlands to collect materials from our customers. These materials are delivered to the Forge, our Material Recycling Facility in Kidderminster, along with material from third parties. At the Forge we process the materials to maximise reuse, recycling and recovery.

032

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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Biginterview

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CoNfERENCEWoRCEStERSHIRE www.conference-worcestershire.org

worceSter racecourSe eaStnor caStle Eastnor Castle sits dramatically in the foothills of the Malvern’s, surrounded by a beautiful 5,000 acre Estate and is available for conferences and meetings on an exclusive hire basis. Eastnor Castle is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty yet only 10 minutes from the national motorway network. Team building and outdoor activities are also available. www.conference-worcestershire.org

Worcester Racecourse nestles on the banks of the River Severn, in the heart of the historic town of Worcester. Twenty one National Hunt racing fixtures are planned for 2013 to run from April to October and will include themed weekend days, evenings, and week days perfect for Corporate entertaining/ celebrations. Highlights in the diary are the Sunday Family race days (Sunday 12 May and Sunday 23 June) and the ever popular Ladies Day (Saturday 1 June).

With two different priced enclosures, discounted packages for groups, an excellent viewing restaurant with a great reputation for food, private boxes, Marquees and free parking, there are packages and prices to suit all pockets. Promotional opportunities include annual banner sites, race or full day sponsorship and race-card and fence/hurdle advertising. This picturesque racecourse also provides the perfect venue for non-racing events such as conferences, meetings, parties, weddings and exhibitions, with room capacities from 10 – 300 people. The dedicated sales team is ready to help plan your visit to the course and tailor a package to suit your needs. www.conference-worcestershire.org

ShelSley walSh hill climb

worceSterShire wildlife truSt

At all of the events at Shelsley Walsh, hospitality is available for you, your clients and guests on one of the three flat areas over looking the hill climb course. Marquees and catering are available via the onsite caterer and local marquee supplier.

Alternatively you can make your own arrangements. If you are interested in hosting a company day out, contact Shelsley Walsh with your requirements so they can help tailor your event to maximise your day out at the Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb.

A comprehensive range of meeting rooms for large and small groups. All of the rooms have the best aspects of a modern building but with the character of a traditional farm building set on a wildlife friendly farm. It is a great mix for businesses looking for all the professional facilities but with that added difference.

The organisations that use the facilities will be actively contributing to everything the Trust is doing for wildlife in the county.

www.conference-worcestershire.org

www.conference-worcestershire.org

ROOM HIRE

The opportunity to hire spacious and well-equipped rooms at the Chamber’s head office in Blackpole, Worcester.

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CoNfERENCEWoRCEStERSHIRE www.conference-worcestershire.org

NEW VISIT WORCESTERSHIRE AUTUMN WINTER 2012 MAGAZINE hagley hall Hagley Hall is the 18th Century home of Lord & Lady Cobham and provides unlimited possibilities for the corporate client. Set in 350 acres of spectacular landscaped parkland, the Hall, with its ornate state rooms and rich Rococo decor, offers a splendid and unique venue for your event. www.conference-worcestershire.org

The new Autumn/Winter Visit Worcestershire Magazine is full of ideas to inspire your visitors. Why not promote the magazine on your website or via your email signature to help encourage longer stays or repeat visits to the county. This is the visitor magazine for Worcestershire, be proud of your county and show off it’s best assets to your visitors.

Email tourism@visitworcestershire.org for an image of your preferred size and the link to use for visitors.

weSt bromwich albion football club The Hawthorns is a highly impressive venue with all the service and expertise in event planning you need for success. WBAFC are continually striving to improve the facilities and services to ensure each event exceeds expectations.

There is an exciting range of menus to choose from, offering a superb quality of cuisine to delight every culinary palate at excellent value. Whether it is business or pleasure that brings you to the Midlands, West Bromwich Albion F.C. is a superb choice for your event: The Stadium has excellent road communications lying right in the heart of the Midlands. 1minute drive from the M5 junction 1 and access to the M6 motorway links.

■ Conference rooms with a capacity of between 8 - 300 ■ Versatile conference rooms all furnished to the highest standards ■ Over 300 free secure onsite parking spaces ■ Day delegate from as little as £30.00 + VAT (Min numbers will apply) The Hawthorns welcome the opportunity of showing you the facilities and to discuss any requirements you may have regarding your event. www.conference-worcestershire.org

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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ADvERtoRIAl

DISCOVER THE VALUE OF YOUR STAFF It is common knowledge that staff development and training is a key factor in the success of businesses across all sectors.

When faced with today’s turbulent financial environment, managers know that getting the most out of their staff is paramount. That’s why North East Worcestershire (NEW) College in Redditch and Bromsgrove has developed a comprehensive programme of bespoke training solutions and qualifications to ensure that your employees are equipped with the key skills to get your business through these tough times.

The skills shortage and the pressure this places on employers is a common theme with nearly half of the 694 organisations surveyed by the Confederation of British Industry and the vocational qualifications body EDI telling researchers they were struggling to find staff with skills in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Hereford and Worcestershire has a number of training providers and pathways available for current staff and

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young people to develop the skills that businesses need, be it through work-based apprenticeships or via more traditional teaching methods. However, to ensure that your investment in pays off, it’s important to work closely with a training provider that can tailor their training programmes to develop your staff and take your business forward.

Training providers need to play a role in supporting local businesses too, and that’s why NEW College prides itself in ensuring the delivery of work-ready candidates with the relevant knowledge and experience to fill the skills-gap.

NEW College is working hard to promote the need for vocational skills whilst matching the requirements of local companies, having already proven itself as a Beacon College offering qualifications and training to all areas of the local community and beyond. From school leavers through to business leaders, NEW College continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting employers and potential employees with bespoke programmes and participation in events such as the forthcoming Skills Show at the NEC.

skills and Apprenticeships, and is set to inspire the fashion designers, web developers and engineers of tomorrow. The Skills Show will play host to a range of skills competitions, awards and activities. Set to be the skills event of the year, the show will highlight the vital importance of skills to economic growth in the UK. Taking place over three days, within 50,000sqm of space, and with tens of thousands of visitors expected to attend, NEW College will be taking a prominent role in supporting learners from all over the country, helping them to discover their future options and determine their next step. The College will be showcasing links with Harley-Davidson and a range of employers and Universities from the local area. The College will be giving young people the opportunity to ‘have a go’ at a range of training activities, giving them a glimpse into a rewarding future at work.

Join NEW College at the Skills Show by visiting www.discovernewcollege.com or phoning (01527) 572705.

The Skills Show is a unique annual celebration that offers exciting opportunities in further education,

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trainingplanner

training planner

Managing Absence Wednesday 12 December 2012 £90+VAT Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions

NOVEMBER COURSES Managing Performance in the Team; empowering your team to deliver results Tuesday 13 November 2012 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members PowerPoint for Presentations (2007); book as part of our presentation skills package to receive the second course half price Fri 16 November 2012 Fri 8 March 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Introduction to Selling Techniques Monday 19 November 2012 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Effective Credit Control Tuesday 20 November 2012

£150+VAT Members / £188 Non Members+VAT

Essential Presentation Skills; book as part of our presentation skills package to receive the second course half price £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Monday 26 November 2012 Getting to Grips with Social Media Tuesday 27 November 2012 £80+VAT Members / £95+VAT Non Members Finance Skills for Managers; for any staff needing an understanding of basic financial competencies £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Wednesday 28 November 2012

DECEMBER COURSEs Advanced Microsoft Excel (2007) (aimed at employees within a financial role) Wed 5 December 2012/ Fri 22 March 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Visual Presentation Skills Thursday 13 December 2012 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Writing Effective Marketing Copy Friday 14 December 2012 £80+VAT Members / £95+VAT Non Members

JANUARY COURSES Getting the Most from Social media (Intermediate Session) January 2013 - Hereford February 2013 - Worcester £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Writing Effective Press Releases Friday 18 January 2013 £80+VAT Members / £95+VAT Non Members The Effective PA Monday 21 January 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members The Role of the Team Leader; planning, organising and delegation Tuesday 22 January 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Managing Appraisals in the Team; appraisals, motivation, recognition and reward Wednesday 23 January 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Introduction to Microsoft Excel (2007) Friday 25 January 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Effective Time Management Monday 28 January 2013 £150+VAT Members / £188+VAT Non Members Microsoft Access 2007 - Understanding and Developing Databases (2 day course) Thursday 31 January – Friday 1 February 2013 £225+VAT Members / £275+VAT Non Members

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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THE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SERIES WITH VEENA ALLISON (1/2 DAY WORKSHOPS)

How to manage under performance Wednesday 9 January 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Managing Disciplinary Issues Wednesday 13 February 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Managing Employee Grievances Wednesday 13 March 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Managing Conflicts in the Workplace Wednesday 17 April 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Equal Opportunities Dignity and Discrimination Wednesday 8 May 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Bullying / Harassment in the Workplace Wednesday 12 June 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions Managing Change Wednesday 10 July 2013 £90+VAT to Members per session or £595 for all 8 sessions. £110+VAT to Non Members or £695 for all 8 sessions

International Trade Courses Global Branding Business Breakfast Thursday 8 November FREE Incoterms Thursday 22 November £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Basics of Export Documentation Wednesday 27 November £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Winning Orders Overseas - Getting Your Strategy Right Thursday 28 November £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Tariff Classification Thursday 6 December £270+VAT Members/ £300+VAT Non Members Letters of Credit Business Breakfast Monday 10 December FREE Managing Agents and Distributors Tuesday 15 January £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Export Finance Wednesday 16 January £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Export Licensing Thursday 17 January £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members International Trade Compliance Management Wednesday 23 January £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members What’s New - Changes in International Trade Thursday 24 January £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Import Procedures Tuesday 5 February £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Letters of Credit Thursday 7 February £270+VAT Members / £300+VAT Non Members Dealing with your first export Thursday 14 February £270+VAT Members/ £300+VAT Non Members

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worcestershireexpo

WORCESTERSHIRE BUSINESS EXPO Worcestershire Business Expo, in association with Worcestershire Business Central, returned to the Sixways Stadium on Thursday 18 October and in its twelfth year running, was the most successful one yet!

The 2012 Expo featured companies from across the two counties showcasing their products and services, offering everyone that attended a fantastic chance to network and create business leads, as well as engage in a variety of stimulating seminars.

The day started with the keynote speaker; Lord Andrew Adonis, involved in a round table discussion with business leaders about the skills and education agenda, before he presented to the networking breakfast and hosted a question and answer session.

The Expo was officially opened shortly after 9.30am

by John Hobbs, Worcestershire County Council and held a positive atmosphere throughout the whole day.

All stands had something different to offer and were enjoyed by exhibitors and attendees.

Seminars throughout the day were delivered by Mike Jones, Simon Williams and Elliott Silk all of which generated positive feedback and offered practical and useful advice on a variety of different subjects.

Nicky Griffiths, Director of Business Development at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce commented:â&#x20AC;?The day was a huge success, I

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spoke to a lot of stallholders on the day and they said they were busy and generated lots of leads - which of course is the whole point of the expo. We are planning an even bigger event in March and we hope to see you there.â&#x20AC;?

SPONSORS

events ltd

Bookings are now being taken for the next Chamber Expo taking place on Thursday 14 March. If you book before the end of the year there is a 20% discount.

Keep an eye on www.hwchamber.co.uk for updates on this event!

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worcestershireexpo

Thanks to the Chamber for organising the Expo, we will definitely be back in March.

Great atmosphere at the Chamber Expo today, local companies enjoying the day and doing business.

Louise Hewett

Hamish Gill

Hewett Recruitment

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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F8 Creates

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chamberevents

Paralympics swimmer attends networking event Paralympics Swimmer, Claire Cashmore recently attended one of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce networking events at Hills Ford & Hills Contracts newly refurbished car showroom.

Claire was born without a left forearm and has been a British Paralympics Swimmer for a number of years. At this years Paralympics games, Claire achieved her first silver medal in the 100m Breaststroke and went onto win Bronze two days later in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay.

The event gave attendees the chance to hear of Claries Paralympics experience, view the latest vehicles in the Ford range and the opportunity to network with other local businesses.

Networking breakfasts are a fantastic way of raising your profile and making new contacts. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking new opportunities, this event promises to be worth your while.

For future Chamber events, please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk

Claire Cahsmore attending the Chamber networking event

HR Forums IN ASSOCIATION WITH HEREFORD- Tuesday 13 November

WORCESTER- Tuesday 27 November

REDDITCH- Wednesday 5 December

Time: 11.30am - 2.00pm Venue: Burghill Valley Golf Course, Tillington Road, Burghill, Hereford, HR4 7RW. Cost: £22.50 (inc of VAT) for members, £30.00 (inc of VAT) for Non members.

Time: 11.30am - 2.00pm Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Graeme Hick Pavilion, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ. Cost: £22.50 (inc of VAT) for members, £30.00 (inc of VAT) for Non members

Time: 11.30am - 2.00pm Venue: Southcrest Manor Hotel & Spa, Pool Bank, Southcrest, Redditch, B97 4JS. Cost: £22.50 (inc of VAT) for members, £30.00 (inc of VAT) for Non members.

Legal Speaker: John Merry, Partner and Head of Employment Law at Lanyon Bowdler.

Topic: Employment law and workers rights, ‘ How employers can short-cut dismissal processes by offering severance terms.

HR Speaker: Darren Fielding, Director at GSEC Enterprise Ltd. Topic: International Business Travel Safety Awareness.

The forum will help highlight to participants how to avoid and minimise dangers and threats that he/she may encounter whilst travelling on business trips overseas.

Legal Speaker: Heath Thomas, Partner, Harrison-Clark LLP

Legal Speaker: Sally Morris, Commercial Development Partner at MFG Solicitors LLP.

Topic: The legal side of health and safety, current legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

Topic: Sally will talk around HR policies, and what companies should have in place.

HR Speaker: Dawn Hardman, HR Manager, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

HR Speakers: Louise Hewett, Hewett Recruitment and Colin Foxall, Nexus Creative Limited.

Topic: Methods of risk assessment, explanation of IOSHH and the importance of providing information, instruction, supervision and training to all staff.

Topic: The Importance of Employer Branding.

The history, background and relevance to any organisation of Employer Branding.

We can now provide confirmation of attendance to the HR Forum, which you can use towards your CIPD CPD portfolio. If you would like more details or wish to book your place contact the Events team on events@hwchamber.co.uk or call 0845 641 1641 040 BD10.indd 40

November/December 2012

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Malcolm Harbour MP and Anthea McIntyre MEP Insight Breakfast Event

Networking Events Hereford Networking Breakfast

Wednesday 7 November 07.30am-09.30am Burghill Valley Golf Course, Tillington Road, Burghill, Hereford, HR4 7RW £15.00 + VAT Members, £30.00 + VAT Non-members

Date:

Friday 25 January 2012

Time:

08.30 - 10.00am

Venue: Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Graeme Hick Pavilion, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ Cost:

political drive to reform outdated Single Market rules. Malcolm will be joined by Anthea McIntyre Conservative MEP. Anthea recently told Europe, growth plans don’t create jobs, businesses do. She will talk about her role as employment spokesman in the European parliament.

Worcester Networking Breakfast

Tuesday 20 November 07.30am-09.30am Worcester County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ £15.00 + VAT Members, £30.00 + VAT Non-members

£15.00+VAT Members £30.00+VAT Non-members

North Worcestershire Lunch

Malcolm is the Chairman of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee. He will be talking about the Single Market Act, which launched a major

Malcolm Harbour MP

Wednesday 21 November 12.00pm-2.30pm Holiday Inn Bromsgrove, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, B61 9AB £17.50 + VAT Members, £30.00 + VAT Non-members

Pershore/Evesham Breakfast

Women’s Business Forum Date:

Wednesday 28 November

Time:

09.30am-12.00pm

Venue: Webbs, Worcester Road, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcester WR9 0DG Prices: £17.50+VAT Members, £35.00+VAT Non-members Come join us again for our next Women’s Business Forum; the forum aims to meet the needs of women at all stages of their business development, providing expert advice, inspirational speakers and innovative learning that will support you to build those all important business relationships.

Speaker::

Julia Williams, Director from Premier Places.

Julia will be giving an insight to her unique career which has spanned two very different industries and will share how she is taking her business from good to great all with a fresh injection of ideas, innovation and intrigue.

Speaker:

Sally Palethorpe, Managing Partner from Inspired Partners.

Sally will be sharing some of her experiences around achieving sustained business change. She will help us to understand why ‘change’ can be such an emotional time for the individuals involved and offer some tactics to smooth the way. Sally will be talking us through the ‘change curve’, a theory she believes everyone in business should understand as it explains why we respond as we do to change on occasions and it helps us to empathise with others when they are being taken (unwillingly at times) on a change journey.

Next Women’s Business Forum: Wednesday 30 January 2013 Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BD10.indd 41

Thursday 29 November 12.00pm-2.30pm Worcester Road, Wood Norton, Evesham, Worc £15.00 + VAT Members, £30.00 + VAT Non-members

North Worcestershire Breakfast Tuesday 4 December 07.30am-09.30am Webbs of Wychbold, Worcester Road, Wychbold, Droitwich, WR9 0DG £15.00 + VAT Members, £30.00 + VAT Non-members

North Worcestershire Christmas Lunch Wednesday 12 December 12.00pm-2.00pm West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF £21.00 + VAT Members, £36.00 + VAT Non-members

North Worcestershire Christmas Evening Networking Tuesday 18 December 4.30pm-6.00pm St Andrews House Hotel, St Andrews Road, Droitwich, WR9 8AL £10.00 + VAT Members, £15.00 + VAT Non-members

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BD10.indd 43

043 1/11/12 10:57:24

BUSINESSNEWS Staff at Rogers Barber Shop celebrate 30 successful years

Renewable Project Coordinator Kath Turner sitting in Oakland International’s new electric car.

CHARGING AHEAD WITH GREEN TRANSPORT Demand for electric access points across the Midlands is only set to increase as growing numbers of electric vehicles take to the UK’s roads. One forward thinking business, Oakland International, not only purchased an electric car, but also installed a public charging access point, having been approved under the Midlands Plugged in Places scheme.

some time now, so the Nissan Leaf is a good first step to testing the technology in a business setting.

Kath Turner, Oakland International’s Renewable Project Coordinator, explained the company’s electric strategy: “There has been an interest in electric vehicles for

www.oakland-international.com

Although we only have one car at present, it forms part of the company’s overall move towards carbon neutrality; improving the environment, reducing reliance on petrol or diesel vehicles, with the long-term intention to purchase further cars in the future.”

WE ARE A GROWING BUSINESS...

Rogers Barber Shop, based in St Johns, Worcester, is proud to announce ‘30 successful years’ in business.

Having survived the first recession back in the 1980s, and continuing to grow now despite the current economic climate, the team at Rogers have seen their fair share of changes over the past 30 years, as Chris explains: “These days it’s much more acceptable for men to take pride in their appearance, so we’ve adapted to this trend. We offer a wide range of modern styles, yet we are still busy with traditional cuts. We’ve also introduced lots of new hair styling products for our customers as we’ve seen a huge increase in demand for these.”

To reflect the changing ways in which people use barber shops, Chris worked with local marketing agency NinetyFive Creative in 2009 to re-brand the shop. www.rogersbarbershop.co.uk

DRPGROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AWARDED MICHAEL BRINTON PRIDE OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The drpgroup’s Managing Director Dale Parmenter on Saturday 6 October was awarded the Michael Brinton Pride of Achievement Award by Worcestershire Ambassadors for his outstanding achievement in business, and his support for CSR projects throughout the county.

The Worcestershire Ambassadors share a common enthusiasm to create a county to be proud of, they strive to support local charities and support local events. www.drpgroup.com

CHAMBER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

Excellent preferential rates for company owned / leased vehicles on roadside assistance from the AA. Discounts of up to 61% are available. Call 0845 641 1641 for more information.

044 BD10.indd 44

November/December 2012

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CHAMBERpolICY

TIMETABLE: EMPLOYER DUTIES FOR PENSION REFORM Employer duties will be phased in over 5 years from 2012. Larger employers will have their duties imposed first, smaller employers last. Any employer with less than 50 employees will have their staging date set depending on the last two digits of their PAYE reference number.

size of employer

staging date

120,000 – 800

Over 12 dates from 1 October 2012 to 1 October 2013

799 – 250

Over 3 dates from 1 November 2013 to 1 February 2014

Full details of every staging date can be found on the Pensions Regulator website at www. thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/pensions-reform/ duty-dates-timeline.aspx.

249 – 50

Over 12 dates from 1 April 2014 to 1 April 2015

For further information relating to Pension Reform contact English Mutual, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Key Employee Benefits Partner, email evolve@englishmutual.com

49 – 30

Over 3 dates from 1August 2015 to 1 October 2015

Less than 30 employees

Over 16 dates from 1 January 2016 to 1 April 2017

New businesses with first PAYE income payable from 1 April 2012

Over 7 dates from 1May 2017 to 1February 2018

MEET YOuR CHAMBER REpRESENTATIVES: STUART SPEIGHT is the Vice President of Herefordshire Area Council and represents members in the Construction industry at the Area Council.

What does your company do?

IE Developments Limited - We are an award winning, innovative property development company, specialising in high quality, energy efficient homes in and around Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Why did you join the Chambers Area Council?

Being a firm believer in Herefordshire, it’s people and what it has to offer, I wanted to give my experience and knowledge to the Chamber for the continued promotion of the county and it’s future What piece of advice do you think is most important in business?

Always have a plan, a direction and a challenge.

What is the most useful Chamber service your company uses?

The excellent communication and synergy it has with the Local Authority. The Chamber has a good working relationship with the local council which makes it easier to move projects forward with proper dialogue and consultation. www.iedevelopments.co.uk

Stuart Speight Vice President of Herefordshire Area Council

DISABILITY POSITIVE Do you know enough about the Equality Act, about reasonable adjustments in the workplace, and about your responsibilities towards disabled employees?

If not, then you should book a place on the afternoon seminar on Thursday 6 December at the Point4 in Hereford (HR1 1DT).

As part of the Disability Positive initiative, two key speakers will be coming to Hereford to share a wealth

of experience with you. Richard Rieser is the Director of Disability Equality in Education and a campaigner for social justice, and Sandy Bannister is the Equality and Diversity Programme Manager at Worcestershire County Council. The session will introduce employers to their responsibilities under the Equality Act, and then look creatively at the full scope of reasonable adjustments.

Registration starts at 1pm, with the seminar running from 1.30-4.30pm. The fee per delegate is £25.

Numbers are restricted, and booking is essential. Book on-line at www.disabilitypositive.org or call

01432 260216.

BCC PROPOSES GROWTH VOUCHER TO HELP 20,000 BUSINESSES The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has recently proposed the introduction of a £100m Growth Voucher scheme, open to up to 20,000 small and medium-sized businesses.

The vouchers worth £5,000 would be offered to businesses, and allow them to access advice to help them grow. Advice would focus on issues such as exporting, HR, access to finance, marketing, and help with the planning system. The scheme would generate

activity in the domestic business services market, boosting business investment and the productivity and growth potential of small and medium-sized businesses.

Businesses applying for the scheme would need a demonstrable business growth plan. Vouchers could only be spent on gaining advice, rather than to boost working capital, and would have a time-limit on their use. The £100m cost of the scheme could be found from other business support programmes, for example future rounds of the Regional Growth Fund.

TRANSLATION SERVICES

The Chamber of Commerce offers a fast and skilful translation service to promote your business abroad, both face-to-face and written communications. Chamber members receive a discount on this service.

Visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/translation-and-interpretation-service.aspx

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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045 1/11/12 10:57:35

Quality Consultancy (Established 1997 by Julia Meaden)

Networking with a Difference!

Established three years ago by Julia Meaden, Quality Consultancy the Business Improvement Network (BIN) continues to aim to be different and to make a difference to small and medium size companies in Worcestershire and the surrounding area..

The BIN meets bi-monthly in central Worcester with a member driven agenda based on their hot business topics. The Network is aimed at Owner/ Managers and Directors of companies, all sectors are welcome. Based on the principles of action learning – the BIN has a practical action orientation.

“DJD Architects have been members of the Business Improvement Network since its inception. We get real business benefits from attending the BIN which is well facilitated by Julia Meaden. The focus is on input around core business topics and action – what can we do to improve how we operate and the results that we achieve. We have no hesitation in recommending the BIN.” Kevin Davis, Director, DJD Architects, Worcester.

You are cordially invited by the BIN members to attend our next session ‘Leading Business Improvement’ on Tuesday 27th November.

To book your complimentary place, please call Julia Meaden, Quality Consultancy

Paul Barton

MALCOLM SCOTT CONSuLTANTS GAIN LISTED BuILDING CONSENT FOR OFFICE SIGNS Malcolm Scott Consultants are practicing what they preach and have gained listed building consent and advertisement consent for their Grade II listed Offices to acknowledge the company’s 30 years in business.

The office building dates back to circa 1820, probably during the reign of King George IV. Malcolm Scott Consultants were naturally keen to work with Worcester City Council Officers in order an appropriate design could be brought forward which respected the building but at the same time gave the firm the visibility it required.

07931 369114

or email jamtfx@globalnet.co.uk

Gaining listed building consent for the signs involved detailed negotiations with Officers, and the approved scheme balances the need to preserve the special architectural and historic merit of the building with a business need to increase the practice’s presence locally.

OVER 25 YEARS in WEEE RECYCLING Surplex UK Limited, although only formed in 2004, is managed by an experienced team, some of whom have been involved in waste electronic recycling for over twenty five years. We have a wealth of experience in all sectors of electronic waste recycling and believe we offer one the most comprehensive and professional WEEE recycling solutions in the business.

We do not, however, sacrifice our ethics for profit:What we do:-

The sign should help the firm maintain the growth which the company has enjoyed recently. Paul Barton said ‘ Our work with Historic Buildings naturally helped with the design and with negotiations, and we are pleased the consents recognise we have occupied the building for over a quarter of a century. We are in effect part of the building’s history.’

Paul Barton is a Director at Malcolm Scott Consultants.

For further information, please contact Paul Barton at: Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd, Grove House, 1 Loves Grove, Worcester, WR1 3BU T: 01905 726353 F: 01905 611221 E: paulb@malcolmscottcons.co.uk

What we are:-

Aim to recycle 100% of all material received

Fully insured

Provide a secure service with carefully vetted staff

Fully prepared

Fully licensed

Destroy all data howsoever stored Provide detailed inventory of the equipment removed Provide all paperwork required by the WEEE directive Deal with UK waste in the UK What we do not do:Export waste Divulge your data to any other party

Unit 12, Link Business Centre, Malvern, Worcs, WR14 1TF

Tel. 01684 568789 046 BD10.indd 46

info@surplex.co.uk www.surplex.co.uk November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:57:46

ARE YOU ABOVE OR BELOW THE LINE? “What defines us as individuals is the way we respond to challenges” Jim Rohn.

Life is full of challenges whether it’s the egg and spoon race at primary school or growing the award winning marrow at age 76 on your alotment. In Nelson Mandela’s book ‘The Long Walk to Freedom’ he spoke about conquering the steep and slippery slope of apartheid and when he got to the top of the hill he looked around to see nothing but more hills – even having achieved so much he needed another challenge.

Business growth and success is no different – so get used to it. And if you don’t set your own challenges, others will set them for you.

If we look at the culture in the UK, the news is full of doom and gloom because that’s what sells. Our favourite topic is the weather! When faced with new challenges we question ‘Why me?’ and view it negatively, blame someone else; make excuses or reasons why not denying it was ever something we could overcome. With this outlook we stay in B.E.D with Blaming, Excuses and Denial.

But there is a different way. Our first reponse, whatever the challenge, could be ‘How?’ ‘How can we make it happen?’ We can always step back – but the first response should be to view it positively. In so doing we take control of the O.A.R: Ownership, Accountability and Responsibility.

This decision to go ‘above the line’ is one we can make and will determine our success or failure. Some people will dwell on the past; become victims and mix with those who reinforce this view. Others will plan for the future; set out to be victors and naturaly attract others who think the same. The choice is yours – will you be above or below the line? www.arrivista.co.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE LEP LAUNCHES PLAN

mal scott consult hP edit

The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership is launching their Business Plan on Friday 9 November 2012 at their mid-term Conference. The Business Plan will outline the Partnership’s focus to create the right environment to create economic growth and jobs.

This business plan sets the scene for moving forward, highlighting where the LEP will make a difference and can add value. In order to make a real change it will be important that the LEP provides proactive leadership to achieve results and the desired outcomes, but the partnership will also need to be reactive to opportunities that are presented to it.

The Business Plan identifies four strategic objectives; national profile and promotion, employment and skills, access to finance and planning development and infrastructure. A number of key stakeholders and partners of the LEP are coming together to focus on key actions and activities.

Following the Conference the business plan will be available on the new Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership website www.wlep.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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ADvERtoRIAl

TLA BUSINESS SERVICES: HELPING YOU BUILD YOUR BOTTOM LINE “These businesses need a lot more than an accountant who just tells them how much tax to pay; they need someone to help them pay less tax,” he said.

“And they don’t just need to know what profits they made last year; they need someone to help them grow their profits.”

A Worcester accountant is putting his ledgers aside in a bid to offer practical help and advice to ambitious local businesses.

Rachel Carr - Director

FINDING GOOD BUSINESS SOLUTIONS IN ADVERSITY A SPECIAL FORCES SENIOR MANAGERS PERSPECTIVE. Consider the path less travelled. When times are tough we can too often stick with what we know. By having the foresight and taking the time to consider the other pathways available, the missing and best success solutions will more often than not be forthcoming.

Challenge your thinking. It is amazing how many people think they know it all and within a military environment this could well be the day you die!

(OK so this is a bit extreme for the world of business.) It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, you can always and should always be prepared to effectively develop your skills and those of your team.

Making a tough call. Whether it is having to reduce your employee head count or knowingly putting you and your team in harms way; these are never easy decisions to make, or indeed actions to take. Have confidence in your decisions by ensuring you have explored every option available to you. If you can’t clearly articulate the reasons & rationale for the decisions you are making, you haven’t thought your decision through.

Rachel Carr - Director M: 07886 266617 E: rachel@businesscheckmate.co.uk www.businesscheckmatetraining.co.uk Business CheckMate Ltd. are a Hereford based training and coaching organisation.

048

BD10.indd 48

Mike Tombs, a senior accountant with direct management and board experience across a range of industries, says many businesses have the ideas, the energy and the ambition to grow, but lack the business knowledge and experience to make it happen.

TLA Business Services will help businesses get their structure right and work with them to produce a strategy for growth, with measurable goals and the tools and the skills to make it happen.

“These are tough and highly competitive times,” said Mike. “But there are real opportunities out there.

Our objective is to help them realise their ambitions and make a significant difference to their bottom line.”

Visit www.tlaservices.co.uk for more information

Mike launched TLA Business Services earlier this year with the specific aim of offering practical business advice alongside conventional accountancy services.

X-CITING TIMES AT XITEk! Malvern electronics company, Xitek, have lots to celebrate after 15 years in business.

Founded by Martin Richards and Andrew Perkins, the company is now based at B2 Haysfield Business Centre in Spring Lane North, and has continued to go from strength to strength, recently increasing staff numbers significantly.

profile as our order book grows and are delighted that Xitek’s export market has expanded significantly during 2012.”

Xitek offer a complete design, prototype and manufacturing package with software expertise and that personal touch.

Find out more at www.xitek.co.uk

Sales Director, Andrew said “We have an excellent team and we are very proud of our ISO 9001 : 2008 accreditation which is entirely due to the dedication and loyalty shown by our employees. We are raising our

November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:58:01

BUSINESSNEWS

WORCESTER 1651 - A FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE Following the Battle of Worcester’s 361st anniversary, local enthusiasts from the Battle of Worcester Dinners committee have published a new collection of historical research.

A remarkable collection of writings by prominent UK historians has been published for the first time by the 2012 Battle of Worcester Dinner Committee. Spanning 179 pages, the coffee-table sized book combines nine essays from celebrated writers including Professor Ronald Hutton and Professor Richard Holmes, with full colour photography, illustrations, maps, portraiture and additional material from local archives and local authors.

PAYING EMPLOYEES IS CHANGING From Monday 1 April 2013 most employers will have to report to HMRC every time they pay an employee rather than once a year as they do now.

Known as Real Time Information (RTI) employers will no longer have to submit one end of year return but will need to make a submission every time a payment is made to an employee, so if you pay your staff weekly you will make a submission every week!

More information will also need to be sent to HMRC for example number of hours worked, this will be used for tax credit purposes.

Employers will not be able to send the required RTI information via PAYE online, so dedicated software will now be required.

Hayward Wright are currently involved in the HMRCs pilot scheme which is running now so if you would like advice and guidance please do not hesitate to contact rti@haywardwright. co.uk or 01527 69321 www.haywardwright.co.uk

The committee decided to put together a book based on these talks at their annual dinners. Each essay in the book been taken from a talk given at dinners from between 1994 and 2012 and collectively these essays provide a unique reference for students of the seventeenth century and for all those interested in local history.

The book is available from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Worcester Guildhall Tourist Office, Worcester Cathedral, The Commandery, Droitwich Tourist Office, Upton Wines or direct from Vaughan Wiltshire at wiltshireford@btconnect.com Price £15.00

WEBSITE TO PROMOTE TRADE IN HEREFORD CITY CENTRE A new website has been launched which is designed to promote trade in Hereford city centre.

Hereford’s Best is an online directory listing over 300 retail opportunities and leisure activities for the city of Hereford. This website allows shoppers and visitors to view details of the varied independent and national retailers in the city, as well as to access information on leisure activities that are available.

This is a free service provided by Hereford Futures to businesses trading in the city centre. Visitors to the website can also print off a voucher and claim a free Hereford’s Best shopping bag from the Visit Herefordshire shop on King Street. www.herefordsbest.com

DATA FOR MARkETING

Preferential rates for Chamber members to purchase data for marketing with BlueSheep and Marketingfile. Call 0845 641 1641

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BD10.indd 49

049 1/11/12 10:58:13

BUSINESSNEWS

COMING SOON... PR AND MARkETING WORkSHOPS

THE GROWTH ACCELERATOR SCHEME...

HELpING AMBITIOuS COMpANIES TO MAXIMISE GROWTH GrowthAccelerator is a new, premium service that will help England’s brightest growing businesses achieve their ambitions with rapid, sustainable growth.

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF pR & MARKETING Using effective PR helps maintain a positive public image for your company or brand. Are you a small or medium sized business? Would you like to make your marketing more cost effective, trustworthy and reach a wider audience?

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have teamed up with local marketing and social media experts to develop a series of 7 business focused Marketing workshops specifically designed for SME’s who may not have a dedicated marketing department.

These workshops would also be ideal for any member of staff who has PR or marketing responsibilities as part of their day to day job role.

Workshop 1: Getting to Grips with Social Media Tuesday 27 November 2012 Your Tutor: Iain Coplans of QuickWins Marketing Amid the mass of social networking sites and tools, how do you know where to start? We will show you!

Understand the wonderful world of Social Media; LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for business and how embracing them can increase your bottom line.

Workshop 2: Writing Effective Marketing Copy Friday 14 December 2012 Your Tutor: Adrian Barradell of Clarify Copywriting Turn uninspiring, ineffective copy into high-impact writing. Clear, concise, and credible writing is an essential element of any successful business communication, from e-mail/ newsletter copy to Web page content.

Workshop 5: Search Engine Optimisation - Get to the Top of Google!

Wednesday 6 March 2013 Your Tutor: John Chacksfield of SharpMonkeys Ltd Aimed at small business owners, or anyone responsible for increasing their website’s traffic including individuals in a Web development, PR or Marketing role.

Find out how search engines work, what influences them, how to get your website performing and optimised well in Google. This is a practical approach to how SEO works and will help to demystify SEO and what you’re paying for

Workshop 6: Monkey Marketing 27th February 2013 Your tutor: Michelle Mills-Porter Monkey Marketing is an ATTITUDE! Learn how to release your creativity and unleash your personality through all of your marketing, taking examples from some of the most outrageous brand leaders out there.

Spend time brainstorming with each other, for each other, and come up with some marketing strategies that you would never have dreamed of!

Workshop 7: Raising your Profile Wednesday 20 March 2013 Your Tutor: Caroline Leah of Caroline Leah PR

Workshop 3: Getting Your Story Out

Thinking outside the box. Networking, Promotions, Events, Sponsorship and other routes to market. It’s all about getting your brand out there. Overcome any fears about pushing yourself forward and create a more empowering perspective on profile raising. Understand your brand and achieve the visibility you want.

Friday 18 January 2013 Your Tutor: Jane Sullivan of Black Pear Media

The Investment: Book individual workshops for

Think like a journalist for the day. We will help you to hook and engage your readers, and support you in practicing and crafting a press release.

Workshop 4: Social Media Business Bionics!

Friday 8 February 2013 Your Tutor: Helen Coldicott of Coldicott Freelance Training Design your own Social Media Business Strategy. We’ll show you how to attract the right people, engage with your followers and how social media can ‘pump up the volume’ on all your marketing campaigns. Takeaway a practical template that can be used time and time again for all your social media marketing.

050 BD10.indd 50

Once on the GrowthAccelerator scheme, businesses can access up to £2000 per eligible individual with no limit on the number of senior managers in a company able to participate.

The business is required to pay 50% of the total course cost, matching the grant pound for pound.

The Leadership and Management enhancement package is an integral part of GrowthAccelerator. It offers access to training to develop the skills, competences and capabilities of senior managers

eligibility: Businesses must first apply & be accepted as a GrowthAccelerator business. Employees are eligible if one of the following applies: ■ They are the Key Decision Maker (Owner Manager, MD, CEO) ■ They are a member of the Senior Management team ■ They have strategic responsibility for the overall direction of the business ■ Registered in England ■ Have between 10 - 250 employees ■ Have a turnover of less than £40m.

To find out more about this fantastic initiative to support the growth of your business and staff, give us a call on 0845 641 1641 or email michelles@hwchamber.co.uk

£80+VAT or book all 7 workshops for only £449+VAT - that’s just £64.00 per workshop. (Non Members are charged at £95+VAT per workshop or £549+VAT for all 7 workshops) Why not join us after each workshop for a light bite to eat and a spot of networking.

For more information or to register your interest for this series or any other course, please contact Michelle or Olivia on 0845 641 1641 or email

training@hwchamber.co.uk

November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:58:16

BUSINESSNEWS

FIVE MINUTES WITH...

Helen Moore and Steve Meredith

GOOD NEWS FOR CLIENTS AS QuALITYSOLICITORS GORDON LuTTON BRINGS IN EMpLOYMENT AND TAX EXpERTS The recent recruitment of two exceptional professionals has significantly enhanced QualitySolicitors Gordon Lutton’s Employment and Tax services.

Helen Moore joined the firm in July to head up the employment practice. Helen has more than 11 years experience in representing employers and employees and has handled a number of high profile cases. Her recruitment means QS Gordon Lutton are now able to offer a broader range of employment services including HR advice to businesses and an employment law

clinic to give free initial advice to those experiencing problems within the workplace.

Steve Meredith is a Chartered Tax Advisor. He joined the expanding Wills, Trusts, Tax and Probate team in September and specialises in inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning for farmers and business owners. Steve was also a qualified solicitor for many years so has a unique insight into complex tax planning. www.qualitysolicitors.com/gordonlutton/

pREMIER pLACES EXpANDS TO NORTH OF COuNTY Award winning letting agent Premier Places announces plans to expand across the county. A growing demand for homes in the north of the county has led to Worcester-based Premier Places securing rental properties and recruiting new landlords in the Droitwich, Redditch and Bromsgrove areas.

We meet Carl Larkin, Business Manager at the new Stock N Lock self storage facility on the Venture Business Park, St Johns, Worcester. what doeS your company do?

Stock N Lock is Worcester’s only purpose-built self storage centre and we offer self storage ‘solutions’ to both business and home owners alike. Our brand new facility has over 680 self storage units and rooms from as small as 10 square foot to large 300 ‘square footers’.

in what SectorS are your clientS? All sectors! Our clients and their businesses are as diverse as you can imagine from start up companies to multinationals, as well as domestic clients using self storage for just as many different reasons as you can imagine.

by the agency, which is also offering new landlords a free managed service for three months and a let one, let one free incentive to sign up.

what adVice would you giVe firmS?

www.premierplaces.co.uk

We’d be happy to tailor storage solutions for each individual client, be that arranging flexible hours of access, or creating a space and storage package that is totally responsive to your needs.

Premier Places’ in-house property management team has experienced a recent increase in demand for properties outside the city and intends to meet the demand by launching an aggressive recruitment campaign to secure new property owners in the area.

Bespoke packages for landlords and competitive fees are provided

If you’ve got a space problem – let us at Stock N Lock help you find the right answer!

beSt thing about running the buSineSS? People. People interest me, and you need to be a ‘people person’ to enjoy working in the self storage industry. Good customer service also creates word of mouth which is the best way of marketing for any business.

and the worSt Experienced team extends service across the county.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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Never really being able to properly ‘switch off’; I’m always wondering how I can do better tomorrow. www.stocknlock.co.uk

051 1/11/12 10:58:24

Hello!

We would like to introduce ourselves as Evesham’s newest letting agency, Belvoir! With over 15 years’ experience and 145 locallyowned and managed branches across the country, Belvoir are an award-winning national network with the key benefit of local insight. Belvoir are proud to be the lettings specialist, offering a professional yet personal service to Landlords and Tenants.

If you are thinking of letting your property or renting a property, please get in touch and give us the chance to show you what we can do.

To book your free, no-obligation property and rental appraisal or register your property search requirements, please call us on 01386 388065 or call in to see Melanie Carter and her team at 47 High St Evesham WR11 4DA We look forward to meeting you!

LANDLORDS! TENANTS!

Professional Line Marking Ser vices

The letting specialist is now on your doorstep

Based in the West Midlands we can provide all your line-marking needs. Thermoplastic playground designs and more….. We are happy to assist throughout the planning process and within a budget, working around curriculum and busy times in the work environment to alleviate disruption.

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Indoor and outdoor safety marking Car Parks Tennis Courts Playgrounds Sports Grounds Gymnasiums Ground Maintenance

For further information, and to read what our customers say about us, visit: www.pl-linemarking.co.uk t: 01905 345452 m: 07896 233866 e: info@pl-linemarking.co.uk

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November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:58:50

newmembers BELBROUGHTON Blue Tesla Marketing Ltd 01562 730595 www.blueteslamarketing.com

Herefordshire Cricket Ltd 01432 275189

Blue Arrow 01905 724549

Duncan Loughrey: Photographer 07971193921

Clarity Solutions 0845 1662603

KIDDERMINSTER

Ecotec Services Ltd 01905 729659

Business Skills a Division of Stourbridge College 01384 399658

Intelecomm (UK) Ltd 01905 726555

www.herefordcb.play-cricket.com

www.duncanloughrey.co.uk

BEWDLEY CPM Stourbridge Ltd T/A CJ Media 01299 861484

BROMSGROVE Bromsgrove Rugby Football Club 01527 874690 www.bromsgroverfc.co.uk

Amazon Air and Water Limited 01527 836178 www.amazonairandwater.co.uk

DROITWICH SPA Gaudet Luce Ltd 01905 796375 www.gaudet-luce.co.uk

EVESHAM M&J Carter Limited T/A Belvoir Evesham 01386 388065 www.belvoirlettings.com/evesham

The Wood Norton 0843 357 5585 www.thewoodnorton.com

HEREFORD HP Bulmer Ltd 01432 352000 www.scottish-newcastle.com

Hoople Ltd 01432 260655 www.hoopleltd.co.uk

www.bskills.org

LFI (UK) Ltd 01299 251035 www.lfiuk.com

LEOMINSTER M and M Direct Ltd 08716 641300

Herefordshire Golf Club 01432 830219 www.herefordshiregolfclub.co.uk

Kinetic Six Ltd 0330 330 5624

Zenith Limited 01886 880988

www.zenithltd.co.uk

Meridian (Speciality Packaging) Ltd 01684 578441 www.meridiansp.co.uk

Solar Solutions Malvern Ltd 01684 893000 www.solarmalvern.com

Business Doctors 0845 293 9682

www.executivetravelengland.co.uk

Little Chicken Marketing 07876 566303

www.littlechickenmarketing.co.uk

www.londonhouseinternational/worcester

www.overtsoftware.com

Peter Derek Taylor 01905 616746 Rogers Barber Shop (Worcester) Ltd 01905 429032 www.rogersbarbershop.co.uk

OUT OF AREA

www.businessdoctors.co.uk

Towry Ltd 0121 456 0800

MUCH COWARNE

Santander Corporate Banking 07803 376981

Herefordshirechauffeur 01531 641 997

www.herefordshirechauffeur.co.uk

www.force3security.co.uk

Ignite Performance Ltd 07715 764352

ROSS-ON-WYE

www.santandercb.co.uk

Begbies Traynor 07801 818831 Babcock Training 0121 252 3119

www.babcocktraining.co.uk

Stylus 07896 358810

www.stylus.uk.com

Nova Training 01902 366278

www.novatraining.co.uk

C-Fury Limited 07813 834 737 www.c-fury.com

www.kinetic6.co.uk

WORCESTER

Whitehall 01432 272898

B Innovative Web Design & Marketing Ltd 01905 352974

www.white-hall.co.uk

L&M Executive Travel 01905 672078

Overt Software Solutions Ltd 01905 755546

Force 3 Security Ltd 01527 585282

www.trekitt.co.uk

www.intelecomm.co.uk

MALVERN

www.goherefordshire.co.uk

Trek Kit (Hereford) Ltd 01432 263335

www.ecotecservices.co.uk

London House Services Hereford and Worcester 01299 825862

REDDITCH

www.anubisltd.com

www.claritysolutions.co.uk

www.mandmsports.com

Goherefordshire 01432 277077 Anubis Associates Ltd. 01432 851656 / 07974 019 062

www.bluearrow.co.uk

www.binnovative.co.uk

Chamber Legal Expenses Insurance

No matter how well you plan and manage your business you never know when you are going to face unexpected legal fees. Members are entitled to free Legal Expenses Insurance (terms and conditions apply). Call 0845 641 1641

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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053 1/11/12 10:58:53

ADvERtoRIAl

Kidwells Team with Tom Emmett, Hereford Harriers wheelchair basketball team member.

WE ARE kIDWELLS We are a dynamic firm of specialist solicitors on Rotherwas Industrial Estate. We purchased and converted our building to assist us in our quest to maintain excellence; we are proud of what we do and boast that over 95% of our clients come from being referred by other clients. Our staff are really our family; we work as a team to ensure the very best results are achieved at every stage.

Our staff work in the most modern solicitors offices in Herefordshire; we have 5 star facilities that all enjoy, our clients have the use of our building in that they have the very best that receptions have to offer with a warm welcoming environment. Our clients are greeted in an atmosphere that leaves them fully relaxed and able to concentrate on the issues they come to discuss with us. We offer massive parking, wheelchair access, not just wheelchair friendly but wheelchair access designed. We have a rest room for men and women that offer full showering in absolute luxury also wheelchair designed to enable staff and clients alike to prepare for the day or their conference by freshening up; we boast a fully conversant green transport policy which we encourage staff and clients to make use of.

Our building sees us the lawyers and support staff receiving the most up to date training on the advancing state of the law in our purpose built conferencing facility where our clients are invited to come and become involved in the training that we give

054 BD10.indd 54

12 months longer than normal solicitors before they qualify to ensure they are fully able to deliver this goal.

From the Hereford community we have trainee solicitors, paralegals, an accounts apprentice and many more to come. We have regular local school pupils for work experience; read their blogs on our web site and see that all who experience Kidwells from work experience, to clients including referral professionals such as accountants, surveyors, engineers and more importantly, other lawyers who feel there is no better law firm than us.

Michael Horne, Sharon Edelstyn, Paul Mullard and Julie Ferguson

and receive; our Employment department runs regular seminars and mock tribunals to assist our clients in understanding where the pit falls really lye when investigating HR issues.

Our purpose built conference rooms will enable our clients to comfortably mediate settlements to their issues in order to avoid court; comfortable happy environments lead to very acceptable settlements.

This is just the beginning for Kidwells as there is a great emphasis on training to ensure what is being delivered now is taught to locally sourced people to enable them to carry on with the deliverance of excellence at every level; our trainees have to spend

Our teams are made of qualified Solicitors in Civil and Commercial litigation, Mediation, Wills and Probate, Family, Employment, Human Resources and Military all supporting our free department where we set out to assist those in genuine need, free of charge.

As a team we donate money and services to the needy, recently we sponsored Hereford Harriers by providing them with funds to buy specially designed sport wheelchairs that will see disabled youngsters enjoy life through sport; please do see them on our web site as they make us proud.

This is us, Kidwells, the family that deliver excellence.

November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:59:15

01905 455227 www.hoge100.co.uk enquiries@hoge100.co.uk

Ever seen ERP, Finance, CRM, eCommerce, HR & Payroll in one integrated system?

No? Nor had we until we saw GREENTREE Greentree is a leading business software provider with over 12,000 users worldwide. They are unashamed technology and business buffs; fanatics; addicts. Call them what you will, they have one obsession: building the best business software. It’s incredibly flexible, everything’s totally integrated and it’s here in Worcester.

HOGE 100 Hoge 100 Business Systems is a business-focused software supplier and developer: a Greentree partner based in Worcester that develops integrated systems and combines innovative business software solutions with practical experience to deliver an integrated solution that's exactly right for you and your business.

YOU We know there are many excellent businesses in Hereford and Worcester that could do even better if they had the right management systems. So we’re offering a system that contains the ultimate business painkiller and multivitamin. It’s the sort of system that can help transform your company, making it primed for business.

We write bespoke software too. Why not call us?

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BD10.indd 55

055 1/11/12 10:59:15

moverSandshakerS

Peter Keeton Joins the Keynetix KeyLAB Team BEN WHITTLE, GREENEARTH ENERGY Greenearth Energy is delighted to welcome Ben Whittle to the company.

Ben has worked in the renewable energy industry for nearly 10 years spending his time installing, project managing, designing and specifying solar thermal systems. He has specialised in working on solar thermal design, but is knowledgeable on most aspects of renewable energy. www.greenearthenergy.co.uk

Keynetix are pleased to announce that as a result of the recent success of the KeyLAB program, Peter Keeton has joined Keynetix to further strengthen the KeyLAB team. Peter has over 40 years of experience working in and managing geotechnical laboratories for Soil Mechanics and has been an influential member of the CEN European standards working group on geotechnical testing.

“We are delighted to have such a prominent member of the geotechnical testing fraternity join the team.” said Keynetix Managing Director, Dr Roger Chandler “It is a sign of the strength of the KeyLAB product that Peter has chosen to come and work with us and we look forward to his expertise helping customers get even more benefits from the product.”

ANDREW BAKER, LANSDOWNE RODWAY ESTATES Lansdowne Rodway Estates has announced the senior level appointment of Andrew Baker as its new Estates Surveyor. Working across the Lansdowne Rodway and Crown House Developments’ commercial property portfolio, Andy’s appointment signals further expansion for Lansdowne Rodway.

Andy is responsible for managing all the commercial properties owned by Lansdowne Rodway Estates and Crown House Developments. The portfolio includes Blackpole East, Venture Business Park (both in Worcester) and Keytec 7 Business Park (in Pershore).

Alexandra joins the team after recently completing a degree in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Worcester. She will support the marketing team in the development and delivery of various marketing activities, including social media campaigns for a range of clients. www.ninetyfivecreative.com

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Managing Partner, Mark Ashworth comments: “As the size of the Kendall Wadley team grows, it is important to reflect the level of expertise and experience of certain staff. Nicky, Christine, Carole and Richard have continually demonstrated this together with their commitment to Kendall Wadley” www.kwca.co.uk

TRIPLE PROMOTION AT THURSFIELDS SOLICITORS

www.keynetix.com

Three promotions at Worcestershire based Thursfields Solicitors have created a new Partner and two new Associates.

Ninetyfive Creative has recruited two new members of staff. Accounts Assistant Pearl Weller and Marketing Assistant Alexandra Burnett.

Pearl has gained valuable accounts and business management experience over the years and is currently studying for a level 3 AAT Diploma at Worcester College of Technology. As well as managing accounts and all aspects of administration, Pearl will be focussing on improving business performance.

Kendall Wadley has announced the promotion of some senior staff to the position of Associate. Nicky Gutteridge, Christine Perks, Carole Liddle and Richard Booth have all been awarded the promotions within the accountancy firm.

www.lre-chd.co.uk

Peter was one of the original beta partners for KeyLAB when it was initially developed in 2002 and has been a user and implementer of the system ever since.

PEARL WELLER AND ALEXANDRA BURNETT, NINETYFIVE CREATIVE

KENDALL WADLEY

Lanyon Bowdler training contracts Three new trainee solicitors have embarked on the first step of their legal career having successfully secured training contracts with law firm Lanyon Bowdler.

Beth Harrison, David Pugh and Timothy Roberts commenced their training contracts at the beginning of September, with Beth and David taking up their first seats in clinical negligence, whilst Timothy joins the personal injury team. www.lblaw.co.uk

ADRIAN LAMBERT, RURAL MEDIA The Rural Media Company Board of Trustees announced that it has appointed Adrian Lambert as Artistic Director of the Hereford based digital production and education charity. This is a newly created post which follows a two month review and re-organisation of the company.

Associate Solicitor Sarah Ingles has been promoted to Partner and works as the head of the probate department. Sarah deals with all aspects of Wills, Inheritance Tax, Powers of Attorney and also specialises in the Administration of Estates.

Gill Calder has been promoted to Associate within the probate department. Gill specialises in Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Administration of Estates. Gill regularly speaks at seminars on estate planning.

Adrian, who has a theatre and TV background, joined Rural Media from the BBC in 2002 and has been the driving force behind many of the charity’s award-winning productions and community projects.

Corporate and Commercial Solicitor Andrew Bradley has been promoted to Associate. Andrew undertakes corporate, corporate recovery and commercial work, with a particular focus on company and business acquisitions and disposals and general commercial contract work.

www.ruralmedia.co.uk

www.thursfields.co.uk

November/December 2012

1/11/12 10:59:26

MovERSANDSHAkERS

little chicken marketing angela thornton and lucy thorpe-gunner, quality SolicitorS lumSdonS

Little Chicken Marketing, a new marketing management company hatches this autumn.

The Worcester-based company hopes to ruffle some feathers offering strategic and tactical marketing support for SME businesses that need additional input to grow.

Founders Jo Morgan and Jo More both have extensive experience in marketing.

Working closely with their clients as a partnership, Little Chicken Marketing deliver comprehensive strategic marketing plans with clear actions designed to boost profits and support growth. www.littlechickenmarketing.co.uk

kiran mudhar and Jade dixon, StripeS Beauty therapists Kiran Mudhar and Jade Dixon have been announced as new members of the Stripes team at 13 The Foregate. The appointments came in advance of the launch of Beauty at Stripes on Thursday 25 October.

Kiran adds: “The women who shop at Stripes care passionately about their style and how they look, and beauty is a major element of that. We aim to get them looking and feeling amazing in every way!” www.stripesfashion.co.uk

Quality Solicitors Lumsdons, based in Stourport-On-Severn and Worcester have recruited two new members of staff, Licensed Conveyancer Angela Thornton and Paralegal Lucy Thorpe-Gunner.

Lucy will be assisting within the Family Department who specialise in all aspects of divorce, separation, associated financial matters, domestic violence and children matters on a private and publicly funded basis.

Angela specialises in all types of Residential Conveyancing. She has many years experience and has been qualified since 1997. Angela’s career has given her the opportunity to work for some of the top law firms in the Country and has seen her undertake managerial and supervisory roles along the way. She is dedicated to providing an excellent level of client care to the clients of QualitySolicitors Lumsdons. www.qualitysolicitors.com/lumsdons

tereSa curran, Valeo SerVice uk Valeo Service UK, the leading automotive component supplier for the independent aftermarket, has strengthened its crash repair team with the appointment of a new product manager.

John keane, moduS creatiVe Worcester full service creative agency Modus Creative has lured John Keane to join its team at Board level in the role of Group Sales and Marketing Director.

Teresa Curran will manage the company’s engine cooling and climate control product lines, having gained a variety of experience through previous product management roles.

Modus’ Managing Director Roger Marshall says: “John believes firmly that regional agencies such as Modus have huge scope to deliver to clients better than anyone because of the size and approach we take. We are enthusiastic about the future and are expecting an exciting build up and entry into 2013!”

www.valeo.com

www.moduscreative.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BD10.indd 57

harriSon clark Leading regional law firm, Harrison Clark, has welcomed its first ever apprentice at its Hereford offices, a brand new role for the solicitors.

Abigail Williams has joined the firm after completing her A-Levels at St Mary’s High School in Hereford and the 18-year-old will now support the rest of the Hereford team with office administration duties while learning the workings of a successful solicitors practice at the same time.

funny blood reacheS target Funny Blood, a local good cause raising public awareness and funds for research into a rare blood condition, has reached their £5,000 target and can now apply to the Charities Commission to become a Charitable Trust.

Funny Blood was founded by Ruby Edwards in 2009 after her son – Noah - was diagnosed with Platelet Function Disorder and Thrombocytopenia. Since then, Funny Blood has gone from strength to strength gaining both local and national recognition. In 2011 the team was honoured at 10 Downing Street with David Cameron PM and in 2012 appeared live on BBC Breakfast TV. Locally, Funny Blood has also gained valuable support from businesses such as the award-winning Curo Chartered Accountants, Harrison Clark, Peplow Jewellers, Holywell Spring Water, Modus Print, Nexus Creative and the team at F8 Creates, the design experts responsible for creating Plato the Funky Dragon

Advertise on the Chamber website for just £40 per month Call 0845 641 1641 Advertising@hwchamber.co.uk

057 1/11/12 10:59:47

lastword

NEXT ISSUE... DEVELOPING GLOBAL MARKETS

E &

The next edition of BD will focus on Developing Global Markets so for the last word in this edition we are focusing on a couple of recent visits by Chamber representatives to promote trading with Worcestershire businesses across the world.

CHAMBER LEADS BUSINESS DELEGATION TO BRUSSELS On Wednesday 17 October, West Midlands Chambers of Commerce LLP led a delegation of businesses on a two day trip to Brussels which included Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Mike Ashton and representatives of member company borwell.

The visit, included several panel discussions involving a number of the region’s MEPs, provided local businesses with a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge of how the EU works and gain a greater understanding of EU funding and current and future EU employment initiatives.

Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire said “Chambers of Commerce provide an integral platform for businesses to engage with politicians, both locally and nationally.

This trip provided an opportunity for Chamber members to engage with the legislative process in Brussels; enabling members to raise any issues they have with legislation that is stifling business growth. This visit was excellent for our members and forged important links with EU Institutions”.

TAKING TRADE TO CHINA – AND BRINGING IT HOME TO WORCESTERSHIRE Chamber President, Jim McBride recently undertook a trade mission to China with local businesses and representatives from the county.

The trip took place from the Monday 8 - Thursday 18 October and included; Phil Dutton, Chair of the Worcestershire Ambassadors, Robin Walker MP, Eric Brown from UK Trade & Investment, Steve Taylor for the Local Enterprise Partnership, Frankie Tsang of the Worcestershire Chinese Association, Ivan Knesovich of West Midland Safari Park, John Nixon and Mark Richardson from the University of Worcester, Andrew Manning Cox of Wragge and Co Solicitors and Wayne and Nicola Thomas from Thomas Guise Solicitors.

The trade mission centred around three cities; Guangzhou, Nanning and Hezhou and aimed to build lasting friendships and cultural links between the two regions, identify opportunities for investment for Worcestershire businesses in China as well as for Chinese businesses for inward investment into Worcestershire.

Send your Developing Global Markets stories to businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 058 BD10.indd 58

November/December 2012

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the BUSINESS unit

EMPLOYER TRAINING & APPRENTICESHIPS We are committed to enhancing business prosperity by delivering training that is of a high quality, cost effective and delivered flexibly...

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BD10.indd 59

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the value of your staff business training solutions delivered across the west midlands apprenticeships & NVQS źƢ Business Administration źƢ Customer Service źƢ IT Users źƢ Team Leading źƢ Management źƢ Accounting (AAT) źƢ Hairdressing & Barbering

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At t he NEC Birmingham from th e 15 t h - 17t h N ov e m be r 2012.

Call us on (01527) 572705 for compl e m e nt ar y t i cke t s t o t h e opening and closing ceremonies. L i m i t e d qu ant i t i e s av ai l abl e .

www.discovernewcollege.com Untitled-7 160 BD10.indd

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