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Business Focus Restaurant Reviews Property Business Advice Motor Section Going Green Recruitment Competition Well Being Charity

Competition win an IPhone 4s page 21

Funding Helps Local Business Leader To be a Cut Above the Rest

Motoring reviews Pages 27/28 Page 3

NatWest: Supporting SME Ambitions

Food Review Rose & Crown Pages 16/17

Stephen Smith, CEO of EMB, the leading enterprise and economic development company that delivers a range of business improvement services, welcomed the announcement of a business boosting initiative by Skills Minister John Hayes.
Full Story on Page 4

Page 2 - Editors Letter, Features & contents

Editors Letter
So as we fall upon the festivity period and the dawn of a new year, perhaps its time to reflect on what the past year has brought to us and what the new year will bring to us. With the childrens excitement running through the house, we should all consider just how lucky we really are. As bleak as the economy may have seemed weve all managed to see another year through relatively unscathed. Okay so Greece and Ireland may be still in the peak of an economic meltdown but all is not lost and hopefully time will prove to be a great healer, albeit with a little assistance from the EU! With recent reports that each family will spend up to 700 per household for Christmas, now is the time to really take care of our finances. Its a great thing to enjoy the holiday period, but remember that we all have to face up to the reality of the new year and the costs of our spending, so make sure you spend wisely! I realise that our thoughts will naturally turn to gifts, food and wine but if you are careful a little can go a long way. If we reflect on the past year we can say that weve enjoyed a somewhat decent summer both in terms of weather and business enterprises. We have seen people even more determined to take on the struggles of our economy and start-up their own enterprises in an attempt to get them through the recession. With so much backing being given to support these individuals, weve seen growth in all sectors, so surely what the government and banks have seen gives us an insight into what we can do to emerge from the state we find ourselves in. With the above in mind and on a more cheery note, Business 2 Business News is One Year Old. Like all new businesses weve had our struggles but weve come out on top and have seen the business grow from strength to strength. We are hoping to expand in the new year to concentrate on new areas and hope to be able to continue the growth in the years to come to areas much further afield, so definitely watch this space. More excitingly our last networking meeting of 2011 is fast approaching and numbers are already looking great. We would love to see you there and perhaps share a drink, or two, pre-empting the Christmas holidays and to see what everyone will be doing in the new year to improve, change or even grow their business. I will be doing a brief, yes brief, speech about our new funding adverts and a little on what has happened during the past year and what we will be doing in the new year. Its quite unbelievable just how fast a year can go but all we can do is hope that the next year is as good to us as the last. Please visit www.business2businessnetworking.eventbrite.com and register your details now. Remember there are no membership fees and everyone is more than welcome. We look forward to seeing you all at club Kingswood on the 1st December. On a personal note, I must say a special thank you to all our team who put Business 2 Business News together each month. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year

Editorials and Features

Page 3: A head for business with NatWest Page 4: Local Funding for EMB Page 6: Restaurant Review Edward Halls Chef of the Month Page 5 Page 12: Expenses how much are they costing Page 13: Recruitment with GibsonClark Page 14: Green Act Now with Low Carbon Page 15: Female Entrepreneurs Standing Page 19: Improve Business Opportunities Page 21: Quiz on Sea Page 22: A better world for supply chains Page 23: All Things Bright and Beautiful Angela Kimberley Business Focus Page 10 Page 24:Perfect Eggs Benedict Page 25: Green fields awarded for training Page 26: Who is your audience with I am Emily Page 27/28: Motoring reviews Page 29: Business is Sobering Page 30: Dividends for Free lunch Rose & Crown Restaurant review Page 16/17

Page 18 Win an Apple iphone 4Gs

Best Wishes Dominique Assistant Editor Business 2 Business News

MPVs What's best for you? Page 27 & 28

Dedman Gray Failing to Plan Page 9

The Team Editor: Wayne Rudd

wayne@business2businessnews.com

Assistant Editor: Dominique Evans

info@business2businessnews.com

Head of Production: Thomas Rudd

thomas@business2businessnews.com

Business Focus Editor: Angela Kimberley

contact@angelakimberley.co.uk

Business 2 Business News Ltd

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Business 2 Business News | Banking With NatWest | Page 3

NatWest: Supporting SME Ambitions

Our customers and supporting UK Businesses are at the heart of everything we do at NatWest. Thats why weve spoken to 8000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to gain a deeper insight into what is really important to them.
John Kain from NatWest explains: We are responding to the research and using it to shape the way we work. We are ensuring that everything we do is about helping customers achieve their ambitions whether they are immediate needs and goals or longer term plans. W e want them to have the confidence to achieve their ambitions through working w ith us. Ahead for B usiness encapsulates our commitment to making banking simple for all and offers SMEs a relationship team that understands their ambitions and can deliver transparency and added value through business and sector expertise. We are proud to be leading the way with regards to the Government lending initiatives such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and European Investment Bank schemes as well as specific sector funding packages. But we understand that growth is not the main ambition for all SMEs. For many the focus is survival and day to day cash flow. This is where our teams of locally-based Business Managers and Relationship managers can help, alongside sector specialists in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and franchise all of whom are working towards industry accreditations to underpin their expertise. Wider banking needs can also be accommodated through invoice finance to help with late payments and protection against bad debtors, structuring asset finance solutions as well as support of overseas trade activity and dayto-day domestic and online banking. With over 1.2 million of the UKs SMEs banking with The Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest, our team genuinely understands the challenges faced by small businesses. For further information get ahead and contact John Kain on 07753 833028 or email john.kain@rbs.co.uk SECURITY MAY BE REQUIRED. PRODUCT FEES MAY APPLY. OVER 18s ONLY ANY PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE YOUR HOME, MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT

I
John Kain Director Commercial Banking

n listening to our customers a sense of disengagement and lack of trust is clear, with many feeling that banks are out of touch and only 40% believing they have a role to play in supporting their business ambitions. The remaining 60% felt that banks had no role and a key reason for this is that their bank has not demonstrated or shown they can help (SourceOnline Business Panel, iCD, September 2010 n=1,259). This powerful and honest feedback is key in helping us understand and respond to these concerns, driving our desire to become the bank of choice for UK SMEs.

At home in the world of work.

trying to juggle family life with making a living. The latest research from pollster YouGov on behalf of Microsoft suggests a growing number of people start running small businesses from home while holding down a fulltime day job. The study found that 28 per cent of Britons are selling goods or services from home and, of that number, nearly half are doing it to supplement their income or to establish a business while still having the security of regular employment. W hile the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) states t hat sm all b usi ne sse s employ 58.2 per cent of the UK's workforce, the bedroom business phenomenon continues to grow and the figures could be much higher. Technology advances make working from home more effective and convenient. Skillfair found that 96 per cent of homeworkers were happy with their ability to communicate, suggesting that internet connectivity levels and other devices, such as WAP, ha ve l e sse ne d t he ne e d f o r entrepreneurs to work from an office. You Gov confirms that three -q ua rter s of t he peo pl e surveyed said they felt it was easier to run a business from home today, citing e-mail and the internet as key components. An overwhelming 94 per cent agreed that a business with direct access to technology was more likely to succeed. Those w ho w ish to remain contracted to an employer find that teleworking from home offers a more secure solution. Acc ording to Labour Forc e statistics for the past four years, the numbers of teleworkers has been increasing by about 15 per c e nt a ye a r t o 1 . 8 million. Businesses that use the services of home-workers are benefiting from lower costs and high productivity levels opposed to employing staff on site. Small firms are outpacing their larger counterparts in flexible working practices. Some 72 per cent of small business decision makers said they would allow their staff to work remotely compared with 44 per cent of those in larger firms. The survey by business communications provider Mitel found that smaller firms have a m ore open attit ude toward embracing new internet technology and IP telephony, allowing them to extend their talent pool nationally and internationally with remote staff. This is a big advantage for companies that are looking to increase their profit margins. Working from home is a growing trend, but the situation doesn't suit everyone. Some find that they can't switch off from work and find that the arrangement impacts on home and family life. Others find the isolation difficult to cope with. The Skillfair survey revealed that working from home was far from easy, with over half of those quizzed saying that they worked longer and harder away from the office. Of those surveyed, 32 per ce nt com pla i ne d t hat distractions in the house had an adverse effect on their work. A survey by printing supplier Lexmark suggested only 44 per cent of people were satisfied with their hom e office space and, despite the conveniences that working from home can provide, the majority of respondents found it hard to work effectively. Despite these downsides, the advantages of working from home still tip the balance. With job-for-life notions becoming a trend of the past, people are changing view s of employment in the UK and are embracing home-working to give them more flexibility and a better quality of life.

The Woes of WI-FI on the Move

Sitting for hours on end in an airport is no one's idea of fun. Once you've read your book, scanned through the newspaper and walked through the duty free shop for the hundredth time there's simply not hing lef t to do. You can become desperate for a distraction of some kind and if you're travelling on business this will be the time you get out your laptop to do some work. Frustratingly though, more and more people are finding it difficult to access the internet while on the move. Business travellers are crying out for better wifi connections at airports and on trains. Not only do they feel they are provided with a substandard service, they also feel they are being royally ripped-off. Research by website silicon.com has found that business travellers believe it's harder now to get online at airports and railway stations than it was a year ago. Frustratingly, many believe it's losing their company business. In fact 20 per cent cited that as a major problem, compared with 18 per cent in 2006. So what's going on? More people are travelling for business, yet this research is saying that it can actually hinder their operations rather than enhance them. At the same time, the survey reveals that the actual demand for the internet while in transit is on the up, as it is in hotels and coffee shops which often advertise themselves as wi-fi hotspots. Tony Hallett, site director of

More than 2.1 million people work from home and some 8 million spend at least som e of their working week in the house instead of at the office, according to the Of f ic e of N a t i o na l S t a t i st i c s (ONS). Working from home offers m a ny a d va nt a ge s a nd i s a n at t ra ct i ve o pt i o n f o r t od a y' s budding entrepreneur or teleworker. Being able to work at your own speed, in your own environment without the daily commute is encouraging an increase in homeworking initiatives and "bedroom start-ups". The Health and Safety E xecutive estimated in 2003/04 that 2.2 million people in Great Britain were suffering from an illness that they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Estimates also indicate that self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety account for an estimated 12.8 million reported lost working days per year in Britain. As a result, many people are looking to escape from the pressures of their jobs and the stress of commuting and are finding that working from home provides a viable solution. In research conducted by Skillfair, 84 per cent of home workers said they were happy with the work-life balance that homeworking brings. Starting up a home business not only offers flexibility and a better working environment, but is also a cheaper option and a safer way of starting out when you're conscious of your finances in those crucial early days of going it alone. It is also ideal for parents who are

silicon.com, says: "We are witnessing a boom in people usi ng t he i nter net rem otely, whatever their method, but with this research users are telling us that the service they receive just isn't good enough. "Coupled with connections being just too hard to make, new questions we have asked show us users feel the y a re c harged too m uc h. B usi ne ss travellers contribute a disproportionate amount of revenue to the travel industry and hotels, yet are b e i n g e xp l o i t e d . They are not asking f o r f r e e c o nne c tions, just a fair fee and a reliable connection." Keen to be at the cutting edge of dem and, Virgin Rail has already recognised the need to expand internet access for its customers. While w i-f i ac ce ss ha s been readily available to first class passengers for some time, 2007 will see an initiative to begin extending the service for all travellers on board its high speed trains. Launching the service on its West Coast Main Line service, it will allow all passengers to browse the web and download digital data on rail journeys. Of the business travellers surveyed, 82 per cent were based in the UK with 66 per cent of those travelling to UK towns and cities using the rail network and 48 per cent using domestic airlines. The research also showed that international business travel has increased by 3 per cent on average in the past year. The survey found that 89 per cent of travellers thought hotels, in particular, charged too much for internet access. So the demand is clearly there, but providers need to up the quality of their supply and take a long hard look at the fees they charge.

Page 4 | Business 2 Business News | EMB

FUNDING HELPS LOCAL BUSINESS LEADER TO BE CUT ABOVE THE REST

many more years of top class service to clients. Stephen Smith adds, "We are responsible for delivering business improvement services right across the Central England area, and we hope that many other local business owners will engage with us to make the most of this initiative to boost their business, and in turn, the local economy." A match funded grant of up to 1,000 is available to be spent on leadership training and coaching t ha t he l p s g r o w t he b u si ne s s, i m p r o v i ng productivity and competitiveness. The programme also includes a free co nsul t at i o n w i t h a n expert Advisor before the training commences, as well as a free followup to discuss the impact of the training and any f urt he r sk i l l s ne ed s. S kil l s Mi ni st er, Jo hn Hayes said: This Government will back businesses that want to boost their skills. Were spending more than ever o n a p p r e n t i c e s h i p s, f ree ing up tr a ining providers from red tape, a n d f o c u si n g p ub l i c spe nd i ng w here it i s most needed to drive growth. Effective leadership can make the dif f erence be twee n survival and growth, and this fund will give vital support to entrepreneurs who want to continue to d e v e l o p t h e i r businesses. Geoff Russell, Chief Executive, Skills Funding Agency added: "This fund will he lp m a ny l ead er s of sm a l l a nd medium sized enterprises grow their busine ss thro ugh har nessi ng the talents of their staff. Skills are critical to the future development of businesses. B y of f ering a helping ha nd t o thousands of organisations we expect to see more leaders develop the skills they need to help their businesses achieve their potential."

tephen Smith, CEO of EMB, the leading enterprise and economic development company that delivers a range of business improvement services, welcomed the announcement of a business boosting initiative by Skills Minister John Hayes. "The Leadership and Management development grant scheme is a great opportunity for senior leaders of locally b a se d sm a l l a nd m e d i um s i z e d enterprises (SMEs). It will enable them to take advantage of funding that will support leadership and management trai ni ng to he lp t hem grow the i r businesses." Around 13,000 small and medium sized businesses and social e nt e r p r i se s t ha t d e m o n st r a t e a potential for growth will benefit from the Leadership and Management development grant. This w ill help stimulate innovation and employment, boosting the economy and helping develop a bigger and more cohesive soc i e t y. E sse x- ba se d b usi ne ss

S tew art R oberts H air S tudio ha s and succe ss. T hro ug h LMA S , already benefitted from the scheme Stewart was able to access funding and is gearing up to celebrate its 25th t hat e nab le d him to und e rt ak e Anniversary in Leadership and style in 2013. M a n a g e m e n t Ow ner S t ewar t development for says that working himself. This included w i t h t h e attending a specialist Leadership a nd course w ith a small Management group of other salon Advisory Service owners who were all (LMAS) run by looking to inject new EMB has been a life into their Stanfordgreat boost to his Le-Hope based skills, confidence businesses. Over a a n d i n t ur n t h e year, I will have Stephen Smith, CEO of EMB business. The attended six workshops development opportunities accessed and the ones Ive been on so far have through LMAS have been really useful proved invaluable in helping me to and are he lp i ng bot h m yse lf the create a business plan and improve business to realise our full potential. staff development, motivation and HR N ext year w e w il l m ark S tew art policies. LMAS provides eligible Roberts Hair Studios 25 years trading organisations with access to support with a relaunch of the business and and f undi ng to he lp de ve lop t he weve got a great team who are all leadership and management skills of a excited about continuing our growth key member of staff. The service is

delivered in Central England by EMB, a leading e nterprise and econom ic development company responsible for d e l i ve r i n g a r a n g e o f b u s i n e s s improvement services. Im really pleased with the positive changes happening as a result of honing my Leadership & Ma nagem ent ski l l s through LMAS, adds Stewart. It has injected new enthusiasm into my work and this is rubbing off on staff. We have a very motivated team here and as part of our development we are putting in place a more formal system to ensure people are recognised and rewarded for their customer care and performance. Everyone is very positive about the changes to the business and our future development. Two of our managers are also developing their skills in order to help implement and support the changes and weve taken on a new member of staff. The f uture is looking very positive and the business is in a strong position to grow, develop and provide

Contact the Leadership and Management Advisory Service on 0845 894 8969 or email lmas@embltd.co.uk to book your free personal leadership and management assessment or visit www.embltd.co.uk/lmas to find out more.

Business 2 Business News | Page 5

LOCAL BUSINESS WOMAN RAISES 13,000 TO LAUNCH NEW CHARITY..

Gemma Firth, 29, from Chelmsford has launched a new charity Never Alone based on her own experiences caring for her husband who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in April last year. Never Alone (neveralone.org.uk) is an online support network for all carers of loved ones who have an illness, disability or just generally require support. Never Alone received official charity status this week and, to mark the occasion, Gemma organised a golf day and ball to raise funds for the new charity. Both activities took place on Saturday 15 October and were a resounding success. The golf and ball rai se d a g ra nd tota l of 13,0 80.72. Gemma comments: We hope Never Alone becomes a place that you can find comfort and support, somewhere for you to escape online without needing to leave your loved one alone. I wanted to create an environment that is safe and fun, where members can chat, as well as get support and advice if they need it. During my husband Marks treatment, despite having an amazing support network around me, sometimes I j ust w anted to talk to someone w ho understood exactly how I was feeling. Gemma continues: The support and generosity shown by people this Saturday was overwhelming. I cannot thank them enough for getting Never Alone off to a great start as an official charity. Gemma has plans to expand the site to serve as a portal through to various official information sites. This, Gemma knows, will be a very helpful feature, especially when you have just found out about an illness, disability or injury and don't know where to start. She is also seeking support from local businesses in order to build up funds to provide people who are unable to pay for care with the money to do so. Gemma lives in Broomfield, Chelmsford with her husband Mark, and is Marketing and Business Development Manager for Matthews the Printers, one of the UKs leading print companies. Her achievements include the conversion of 22 new business opportunities equating to an annual turnover of over 2 million. You can read more about Gemmas story here at www.neveralone.org.uk/about-me

Chef of the Month

Edward Halls Chef Patron Rose & Crown

Edward Hall began his culinary career towards his late 20s when he realised that his career wasnt what he really wanted to be doing. With a deep passion for cooking, Edward decided to pack in his old working life to concentrate on a new start within the cooking industry. With no catering qualifications and only his passion to go by Edward set his sights on the ultimate goal. I gained most of my training on the job and practised a huge amount at home, I also worked for free at butchers and fishmongers on my days off to improve my skills. I did attend college part time and travelled to London from North Norfolk weekly to study patisserie. Edward grew up enjoying fabulous, simple home cooking and continues with this ethos today. To become a chef, I trained in some of the UKs most demanding kitchens. I worked under Marcus Wareing at two Michelin starred Ptrus, and spent nearly two years at Michelin starred Morston Hall, in Norfolk. Ed has, what most would consider, horribly long days. With six days per week in the kitchen and all the other business activities on Mondays when the Rose & Crown are closed, life certainly doesnt seem to calm down for Mr Halls. It was only in 2010 that he decided the time was right to bring his hard-won culinary skills home and became Chef Patron of the Rose & Crown. The charmingly cosy, yet luxurious gastro pub is located in the heart of the Essex Countryside in a beautiful 17th Century building. A blend of quaintly picturesque and modern, the Rose & Crown features rustic wood beams and roaring open fires with sophisticated and contemporary dcor throughout and a relaxed ambiance. The Rose & Crown is perfect for Sunday lunch, special occasions, business meetings, small family weddings, private dining or just a spontaneous treat. The Rose & Crown offers every customer an exceptional drinking and dining experience achieved through attention to detail, respect of the ingredients and by ensuring that everything simple thing they do is done perfectly. For the full review, please see page 16 & 17 For more information, please visit: www.roseandcrownhorkesley.co.uk

Page 6 | Business 2 Business News | Get Out There MTB

et Out There MTB is not just your average Mountain Bike coaching and guiding company. Incorporating Management Team Building packages, coaching and their Portable Mountain B ike E xp er i e nc e, t her e re a l l y i s something for everyone. The portable 'North Shore' style track, which is a raised timber structure, can be used

almost anywhere, indoors and out and has so far been used at schools, for private tuition and at public events and shows all over the country. Add to this their fleet of high quality mountain bikes and safety helmets, t he y r e a l l y d o o f f e r t he w ho l e package. Get Out There MTB have developed a new and exciting Management Team Building Program which is already creating quite a buzz with some of their c l i e nt s. T he pr o g ram which not only involves the fun and skill elements of Mountain B iking also incorporates proj ect pl a nni ng/m a nagem e nt/ delivery, budgetary control, de sig n m a na gem e nt, m a na gem e nt de ve l o p ment, proj ect recovery, team building and leadership. As this is a bespoke service, any other management training needs can also be included. The program is best suited for 2 teams of up to 7 participants per team and would normally run over one full day. They can however cater for larger groups and longer packages. Why not give them a go and Get On Track with their Be-Spoke Team Building package! Now onto Get Out There MTB's Portable Mountain Bike Experience.... Can't

get to the mountains or trail centres? Then let them bring them to you! Since starting out in mid 2010, Get Out There MTB have taken their North Shore track and delivered a fun and exciting experience to over 1000 people. Mountain Biking is a fun and healthy sport, but with the need to normally travel into the countryside, it's not always accessible to everyone. This is a great way to introduce a fantastic and growing sport to people in inner city areas or to take into schools. Whether it's to provide some fun for a few hours, or to have some technical coaching, this is an e xc e l le nt w a y to tak e t hi s spo rt

anywhere. The sport of Mountain Biking is growing at an amazing rate, with trail centres cropping up all over the UK. With Hadleigh Farm in Essex being the proud hosts of the Mountain Bike Cross Country Event at the 2012 Olympics, there really has never been a better time to get involved in this exciting sport. Get Out There MTB provide an excellent coaching package at Hadleigh Country Park which will take in some of the beautiful Country Park and can also include some of the North S hore track as a coachi ng tool. They can cater for schools, corporate fun days, 1 to 1 and group sessions and can include the hire of

bikes and helmets. Bikes and helmets can also be rented separately for your own private or corporate use. Their clients include Derby, Leicester and Cambridge Council, Ford (EDAP), SERCO Docklands, The CTC, Bike Club, St Thomas More High School and Mud Sweat and Gears.

Luke Farey Get Out There MTB Tel: 01702 710406 Mob: 07853 137504
Email: luke@getouttheremtb.com Web: www.getouttheremtb.com

A Taste of the Mediterranean brought to the Southend Coastline ...

are more than capable in their field. The atrium room, upon our visit, was in the process of holding a large 60th birthday party celebration, which left us a little uncertain as to what the service would be like. Surprisingly with just 3 members of staff and the owner all running around attentively we were not left waiting at all and service was exceedingly smooth. The dcor within the Lemon Tree is clean and fresh and presented with a very pleasant Med atmospheric feel. Diners are seated immediately and given menus promptly, although it is well worth noting that there is a specials board with a large array of exciting additional options. Another new addition to the kitchens is the stone baked oven to cater for the new pizza varieties currently on offer. The benefit of this is that the starters of stone baked garlic bread are simply divine with a mild garlic and olive oil topping. We could have kept eating this if we hadnt already anticipated just how much food was still left to be served. After the exceedingly pleasant aperitif came the starters. One the greatest things about the menu at the Lemon Tree is the selection of starters available. Simply outstanding. We had 3 very different starters each as sumptuous as the next. First on offer were the King scallops served with Italian Sausage and a pomme puree, the only complaint that could be made about this would be to serve more, it just didnt seem enough. Secondly were the Lamb meatballs served with Apricot, Saffron and Tomatoes. This was served to a child who has a very fussy palette and he couldnt stop eating it, this was the biggest thumbs up we could possibly ask for. Last by absolutely no means least were the seasons Mussels, which could be served in either a cream and onion sauce or a tomato sauce. Myself and my 10 year old daughter opted for the cream sauce and werent left disappointed. With two large portions served with a plate for the shells and a finger bowl, the mussels didnt last very long, they were simply delicious, we could have ordered more and more and more. From the excellence of the starters we knew we could expect more of the same for the main course. For the children, the orders were slightly unadventurous and consisted of Spaghetti Carbonara and Spaghetti Bolognese. But as perhaps unexcited as we initially thought both were full of flavour and probably could have fed them twice over. Both dishes were thoroughly enjoyed with each child declaring they would happily eat it all over again (bef ore realising that there was dessert to follow!) Next inline for t he mains was the classic fillet steak dolce latte coupled with seasonal vegetables and a red wine sauce. The steak had been cooked medium-rare and was succulent and cut with pure ease. The dolce latte and red wine sauce were a stunning accompaniment with the plate being left as clean as could possibly be. Lastly came the monkfish cooked in a white wine, mushrooms, prawns and fish veloute, seasonal vegetables and sauted potatoes. The flavours were simply gorgeous. For any fish fanatic this restaurant certainly doesnt disappoint. Feeling as content as we were, we were then presented with an eclectic mix of desserts. The special for the day was the sponge pudding with syrup sauce, custard and cream which certainly took us back to our school days but in an extremely pleasing way. Next on the agenda, as could be predicted for a young child, was the chocolate mousse cake. It was an extremely generous portion that stayed on the plate for as long as it took to serve! A raving review was given with a request for me, sadly declined, Lastly was the kiwi sorbet which was the most surprising of all. What had been anticipated as perhaps being rather bland, was stunning, with a real taste of kiwis and a texture that was more than delightful. Each of us had a taste and contemplated ordering another round of desserts. To summarise, the Lemon Tree certainly has something to offer every one. The portions are consistently generous with a guarantee that you wont leave hungry. Perhaps a little expensive for the area, but definitely well worth the

he Lemon Tree,

based on Southchurch Road, just moments away from the centre of Southend, is a quaint little restaurant that brings an authentic taste of the Med to Essex. From the exterior you would be forgiven in thinking that this restaurant didn't have a great deal to offer, but you would be truly mistaken. Having underdone a recent transformation with the addition of a stunning atrium to the rear section, the stunning surroundings certainly dont fail to deliver. From the atrium room you get the benefit of seeing directly into the kitchens to see the chefs at work, not only does this give you a sense of pride that the owners have but also a degree of assurance that the chefs

money. For those who wish to dine on a lower budget, the restaurant now offers a week deal special that from between Sunday and Thursday who can have two courses for just 9.99. The Lemon Tree also offers you a traditional roast lunch on a Sunday which is truly exquisite. I would highly recommend paying the Lemon Tree a visit, whether you are a meat eater, a fish lover or simply a sweet fanatic everything is simply wonderful. The restaurant is open 7 days a week, it is well worth booking beforehand but if you are in the area, I would definitely take the chance and walk in, you wont be disappointed at all.

For more information please contact

The Lemon Tree Southend-On-Sea Tel: 01702 467 793

www.lemontreesouthend.co.uk

Business 2 Business News | Page 7

Eastwood - 199,995
Located on a good sized corner plot within walking distance to local shops and bus routes is this Three Bedroom Semi Detached House. Offers lounge, dining area and kitchen. Additional benefits include double glazing, radiator and detached garage. No Onward Chain.

Eastwood - 184,995
A two bedroom semi detached bungalow close to local bus routes and shops. The property offers a lounge, bathroom with separate w.c,kitchen breakfast room and rear garden. Some updating/modernisation required.

Eastwood - 224,995
A well presented two bedroom detached bungalow in the Heycroft School Catchment Area. The property provides a good size lounge and conservatory, modern fitted kitchen and a four piece bathroom suite.

For more information on theses properties and more contact jubilee property on 01702 512002

www.jubileeteam.com

Business Sales

SHENFIELD - HOT/FAST FOOD TAKEAWAY 85,000 Leasehold plus SAV Outstanding location - Approx. 500 sq. ft. Fitted & equipped to high standard Secure Lease Prime location

BASILDON - COFFEE SHOP & SNACK BAR 54,000 Leasehold plus SAV 1st Class Cappuccino/Coffee shop Approx. 800 sq. ft. - Seating for 74 270,000 per week footfall Superb back up kitchen

CHELMSFORD - ESTABLISHED GIFT SHOP 95,000 plus SAV Established in 1992 Approx. 500 sq. ft. New lease available - Business with potential Good location

Thinking of Selling Your Business

We have many interested buyers looking right now. Contact us for a valuation or marketing appraisal.
SOUTHEND - PIZZA & HOT FOOD TAKEAWAY 29,500 Leasehold plus SAV Approx. 600 sq. ft. A5 Planning permission Secure renewable lease - Also delivery business Quick sale required

Telephone our specialist business consultant Gerard Biagioni 01702 311037

COLCHESTER - RESTAURANT 25,000 plus SAV Spacious upper parts G/F approx. 3,750 sq. ft. 140 covers Secure lease On outskirts of town centre

ORSETT HEATH/ GRAYS CONVENIENCE STORE 49,500 Leasehold plus SAV Ideal husband/wife business Completely unopposed position Close A13 Suit first timers - Renewable lease

SOUTHEND - RETAIL PREMISES WITH A3 USE RENT 40,000 per annum Over 3,300 sq. ft. Super location - Hugh basement Heavy footfall Suit retail or A3 Use

BRENTWOOD - NURSERY & GARDEN CENTRE 799,950 Freehold Established approx. 60 years 20,000 sq. ft. commercial elements Lovely 3 bedroom det bungalow Approx. 14 acres - No onward chain

103 The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3HQ T: 01702 311037 | F: 01702 587970 | E: gerardbiagioni@dedmangray.co.uk | W: wwwdedmangray.co.uk

Property With Dedman Gray | Business 2 Business News | Page 9

Failing to Plan, is Planning to Fail.

Q. And how do you plan to do
that?
Its not easy, but I honestly believe that if you provide a Quality service, people recognise and appreciate it. If you do that, you win the trust of your Client. Once you have the trust of your Client, things become a lot easier. In fact, I like to think of our relationship with Clients as more of a partnership, both of us working together with purpose and a common aim. Now and again, we are asked for advice on subjects we are not familiar with, and in those cases, rather than say we cannot help, I want to be able to refer the Client to someone who can. This becomes more possible by forging strong relationships in other key sectors, Finance, Accountancy, Business Rates etc. etc. We already have close links in some of these sectors and are always looking at ways to improve these, and make new relationships along the way.

Q. Are you confident of selling

businesses when things are so tough?
Absolutely! I think people can get carried away with all they hear and read. Yes, things are tough, but, as the sayi ng go e s, w he n t he g o i ng g e t s tough Ive lost count how many times Ive heard the phrase you cant sell a business in this climate! To me, there is nothing more challenging than proving that wrong! Tell me something is impossible, and Ill try and find a way to make it possible. With all the technology available to Agents today, many things are a lot easier. First we had word processors, then faxes, followed by mobile phones, texts and emails. However, all of a sudden, Agents were no longer speaking to their Clients. Nothing will replace or be better than speaking to people. It is fundamental to what we do. But, even more important than that, is listening to people. I believe you cant do a creditable job for your Client unless you have listened and understand what they need and want.

Gerard Biagioni

Business 2 Business News caught up with Gerard Biagioni of Dedman Gray to ask a few Questions on selling businesses in these times.

what goals he has. Before joining Dedman Gray, Gerard spent 29 years with Salmon Charles Business Agents, and has brought with him a number of substantial Clients.

Q . First of all, how have you

settled in?
Its been a lot easier than I could have hoped for. In fact, the hardest part has been remembering I now w ork in Thorpe Bay instead of Ilford! Getting used to new technology is always a challenge, but my new colleagues have made it a lot easier than I anticipated. Other than that, selling Businesses from Offices in Thorpe Bay is no different than from anywhere else. Until I joined Dedman Gray, I was responsible for a substantial area covering all of London as well as the inner Home Counties. Now its mostly Essex with a few trips into the neighbouring Home Counties. Ive found that a lot more manageable and easier to handle. Not only that, its not so hard to become familiar with a smaller territory. Ive also handled the sale of a few industrial units along the way, and that has been a new challenge.

erard joined Dedman Gray in June. His remit from Director Mike Gray is to develop the Business Sales side of the Companys activities. Dedman Gray already has an unrivalled reputation in both the Commercial & Residential sectors. Mike Gray recognised that the development of a dedicated Business Sales department would result in the Company being able to offer a com plete rang e of services. Gerards Business Sales experience spans almost 30 years, during which time he has become familiar with most topics relating to the sale of most types of businesses, especially Catering & Licensed Premises, Leisure & Retail businesses. These topics include planning, licensing and landlord & tenant issues. We asked Gerard to tell us

Q. What should someone do if

they decide to sell their business?
Thats easy. Phone 01702 311037 and ask for me! A famous American businessman once said failing to plan, is planning to fail. In other words, planning is actually bringing the future into the present, so that you can do something about it today. If the plan to offer a business for sale is the right one, the business will sell. Dedman Gray can offer a tailor made plan to get the job done. The only thing we ask of our Clients is that they have what I call reasonable expectations.

Left Gerard Biagioni / Right Mike Gray

they decide to sell their business or Commercial property. When that happens, Ill be satisfied, and know weve got things right. I know Mike Gray shares this philosophy, which underpins everything we do. I also want to share everything Ive learned with my new colleagues, and to learn from them. I dont think youre ever too old to learn something!

Q. Gerard. What are your aims?

Ultimately, I want Dedman Gray to be the only name people think of when

For more information contact Gerard on 01702 311037

103 The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, Essex SS1 3HQ T: 01702 311037 | F: 01702 587970 | E: gerardbiagioni@dedmangray.co.uk | W: wwwdedmangray.co.uk

Angela
Improve Efficiencies

Kimberleys
Save Energy

Business
Save the Environment

Focus
Save Money

Goals that are not written down are just wishes because the will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital
ment initiatives, funding and grants and always ask them the same questions; What are you trying to achieve? What barriers are you facing? W hat will help you becom e successful? Over the past year I have been working with a number of businesses coaching them to develop, plan and deliver their business strategies and goals. Having a business coach can be a maj or benefit to a business. A good business coach should also be able to help you ident if y the sc hem es a nd gra nt s relevant to your business strategy. Business Coaching - 1000 match funded grant For an eligible business employing 2 or more staff, the leadership and management scheme (LAMAS) provides a match funded grant of up to 1,000 to be spent on leadership training and coaching that helps grow the business, improving productivity and competitive-

By Angela Kimberley
Business woman of the year The Lantra Women and work Skills coach of the year, awarded Small Business to Business at the Essex Countywide Business Awards.

contact@angelakimberley.co.uk

What is going on?

New figures published show a rise in unemployment w ith over 150,000 redundancies, government ministers have been presented with a series of c o nc e r n s r e g a r d i n g t he 1 . 4 b n apprenticeships policy, and with more than 21,000 regulations active in the UK today what is going on?? The government white paper A Plan for Growth alongside the budget is the first phase of a comprehensive growth review that will run for the life of this parliament. The government wants to achieve sustainable growth across more sectors and across more regions but is it too much too late? So what has been done by the government in the last 12 months?

Set out reform plans for Civil Service Training (m ore modern, efficient and cost effective) Introduced a moratorium on new r eg ul at i o n f or m icr o e nt er p r i se s, a nd d r o pp ed proposals for new regulations that were going to cost 350 million a year S et o ut p la ns f or 2 1 new Enterprise Zones, with extra ta x br e ak s a nd sup e rf a st broadband Boosted tax reliefs on new investments by reforming the Enterprise Investment scheme, and increasing small firms Research and Development tax relief to 225% by 2012 Cut Corporation tax by 2% to 26%, with further reductions to 23% in the pipeline Invested 1.4 billion in apprenticeships La unc hed t he 11 m i l l i o n m atch f unded Grow th a nd Innovation Fund La unc hed t he 80 m i l l i o n Community Big Society Fund Doubled the lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs Relief to 10 m illio n - Its to reward endeavor! Launched plans for business mentoring schemes In ve st e d f und i ng t ow a rd s Leadership and Management de ve lopm e nt f or 13, 000 businesses

ness. The programmes includes a free consultation with an expert adviser before the training commences, as well as a free follow-up to discuss the impact and any further skills support needed. Enterprise and Education - Calling all Schools, Colleges and Universities A ng e l a K i m b e r l e y L t d w o r k s i n partnership with Inspire Education to d e l i ve r a r a ng e o f p r o g r a m s t o establish and help raise the aspirations and develop the employability skills of young people. Angela Kimberley Ltd is pleased to a nno unc e t ha t w e now ho ld t he Licensee agreement for Essex for delivery of Inspire Education programs. Inspire Education has developed a range of programs aimed t o m ot i va t e st ud e nt s about the world of work and teach them the skills they need to m anage their ow n careers independe ntly. All programs are mapped to the principles of Statutory Im pa r t ia l A d vi c e a nd Guidance and the recommendations of the Matrix Standard. Furthermore all trainers are members of IEBE to assur e q ua lit y a nd comm itm ent to e xcellence. The Inspire Education programs have been created for educators with the following objectives:Achieve academic excellence Motivating students to achieve results Reduce the number of NEET Inspire students to independently manage their futures Delivering excellent quality impartial advice and guidance

We have a selection of programs that cover a range of topics to include:Employability Skills Employable You CV Writing Interview Coaching Job Hunting Goal Setting All programs are delivered in 2.5 hour sessions to up to 100 students by an accredited licensee. The employability skills training programmes is also available as a 12 hour workshop delivered in 6 x 2 hour sessions to 30 pupils at a time giving a more in-depth and personalized service. Tender and Procurement Winning Business With the Public Sector The public sector spend has risen from 150 billion on goods and services during 2007/2008 to an estimated 220 billion. That makes it big business and represents a massive opportunity for SME's. In addition the government

contracts is often seen as highly challenging, especially by small businesses who feel shut out by w hat t h e y s e e as complex, form and lengthy p r o c e sse s. O ur range of workshops and coaching is desig ned to he lp you develop your know ledge and capacity to understand how the public se c t o r d o e s b us i ne s s b ut m o r e importantly how to access it. Winning Business Programmes Our winning business programmes has been designed with your needs in mind whether you are a small or large organisation we can work with you on our 5 day programmes or can provide you with modular delivery be-spoked to your organisation. We will help you to:-

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

H o w c o nt r a c t s a r e d e f i ne d , advertised and managed Met hod s a nd app ro ac he s to search for and find public sector opportunities Understand the key stages in the tendering process Developing your bidding strategies De ve lo p ing yo ur b usine ss development teams Winning business

Understand how the tender and procurement system works and how to find new business quickly and easily

have just announced new measures to support small business to make it easier to do business with the public sector and have set a goal to have a quarter of government procurement directed to SME's. They also aim to remove qualifying barriers that prevent small businesses accessing Government contracts. W inni ng public

Develop business strategy Identify resources

your your

If you would like more information on any of our programs please contact Angela Kimberley on 07814 883380 or e mail contact@angelakimberley.co.uk

Plan for winning business Business registration Deve lop ing yo ur tender Delivering your tender O ur r a n g e o f w o r k s h o p s a n d business performance coaching will provide you with:-

So, with so much going on how do businesses understand how this might affect them and how they can benefit from government changes and schemes? I r e c e i ve m a n y q u e st i o n s f r o m businesses on how to access govern-

1. 2.

An introduction to the public sector and procurement How to deal with the challenges and barriers when dealing with public bodies

www.angelakimberley.co.uk

Page 11 | Business 2 Business News

Hot Shots Stand up for Society...

Entrepreneurs are ruthless, money grabbing, jet-setting, shrewd operators, who'd think nothing of running down your granny in their Bentley if they saw a business opportunity within her pension scheme. W ell, that' s quite a stereotypical view of successful business folk, but it's one that's constantly reinf orced by TV show s such a s Dragon's Den and The Apprentice Celebrity entrepreneurs are always pretty scary and you get the impression that you really wouldn't want to make them cross. Thankfully, in real life not all successful business people are nasties and there's a new breed of high-flyers being labelled social entrepreneurs. It simply means that this lot have a visible conscience and work for the good of the world. A report recently released by advisory group SustainAbility explores how business partnerships with social entrepreneurs have reaped big benefits for companies and communities alike. According to the research, these partnerships are managing to make heady progress in solving many of the social and environmental challenges people have been struggling w i t h f o r d e c a d e s . With its survey of some 100 social entrepreneurs, SustainAbility aimed to find out about the challenges faced, as well as their perspectives on the opportunities they believe are available. Interestingly, many of ventures were centred on the health and energy markets. John Elkington, founder and chief entrepreneur of SustainAbility, explains: "Social entrepreneurs question the w ays t hi ng s have always been done. By reconsidering how market needs are best met and who the consumers are - and might be, and by being transparent and accountable while rebooting the process of value creation, these people are set to have a profound impact on the world's most complex societal and environmental challenges. "Their impact may be limited by their current scale, but could be limitless with the right business partners. We see this as the next wave of change." The survey findings did show that the entrepreneurs faced a variety of limitations in their work, but access to capital was overwhelmingly cited as the main challenge. A huge 72 per cent said finding money was a problem. The second most cited issue was the promotion and marketing of organisations. In addition to that, many people said they found it tricky to develop their organisation and balance their need for talented professionals who were also passionate

about the main goal. But one of the most interesting aspects of the report was that these people don't want to go it alone. The majority of those questioned were only interested in partnerships with other companies. Paul Achleitner, chief financial officer at insurance and asset management firm Allianz, says: "Social entrepreneurs are one potential wellspring of insight and inspiration. Individuals from Bonn to Bangalore are seizing the chance to turn challenge into opportunity, in the process pioneering new markets. "Microfinance, as an example, is now a $9 billion market that is increasingly

empowering citizens to realize their full potential in society. Our hope is that collaborating with creative thinkers will help our people realize their full potential - and to better serve the needs of p r e se nt a nd f ut u r e c u st o m e r s. " Path is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving global health. Its president, Chris Elias, explains why organisations benefits from working with social e ntreprene urs too. "Combating socio-economic problems

across the world is easier for a more nimble organisation that can gain access to markets that a more established corporation may not be welcome to enter," he says. "However, to increase our programmes' scope and scale requires skill sets and finances that many entrepreneurs don't have, but businesses do. At Path we count on government, foundation, corporate and individual donations and partnerships to make a greater impact."

Page 12 | Business 2 Business News

Better out than in?

hether large or small, c o mp an i es f a c e t h e

problem of employing staff who, in many instances, are not able to tackle every aspect of the business, either through a lack of talent or of resources. This can adversely affect the growth of the enterprise and as a result of the many different elements it takes to run a business successfully, more companies than ever are turning to outsourcing a range of tasks to third parties, according to the National Consumer Council (NCC). Outsourcing is all about contracting with a third party to provide a service or perform a function that could be, or was previously done, by employees. The idea is that the process can be done cheaper ,w ithout reducing customer service levels. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that, since 1990, outsourcing has grown immensely, with 70 per cent of organisations doing so in order to focus attention on core functions tasked wit h de velop ing new business. IT functions account for 28

and development costs, substantially enabling those charged with growing a business to be given tangible developmental support norm ally d i r e c t e d t o o t he r p a r t s o f t he business. This type of outsourcing w i l l no t us ua l l y be r e l e va nt to industries without bulk processing divisio ns. However f inancial institutions in particular are finding huge benefits to this arrangement, according to the Financial Services Authority. It reports that some 35 per cent of financial companies have outsourced some or all of their data processing over the past five years with corresponding business growth across the sector of 28 per cent. This may not be all due to outsourcing given the much publicised growth of lending of late but the cost savings are nonetheless immense. Outsourcing can be a difficult and fraught process but no matter what function is hived off, as well as being able to concentrate on core business issues without the normal financial

Expenses Cost Firms a Fortune

After enjoying a delicious meal with your friend in a swanky restaurant, you'd be forgiven for feelings of anxiety as the bill arrives. But, there's nothing better than the moment when your friend grabs the bill, whips out a credit card and says those magical words, "D o n' t w or r y, I' l l p ut t hi s o n e xpenses". Everyone loves a genuinely free dinner. But these little 'extras' are costing UK companies a staggering 1 billion a year, according to research by hotel chain Travelodge. The survey polled 4000 people and revealed that 22 pe r ce nt of t hem a dm itted to re g ul a r l y f i d d l i ng t he i r com pa ny expense claims. Businesses are footing the bill for purchases ranging from the weird to the wonderful. Alcohol and clothes were most common, but people were also cheeky enough to claim for vet's bills, holidays and in one case a pregnancy testing kit. "Our research certainl y hig hl ig ht s som e outrageo us f lo uting of expenses claiming policies," sa i d G uy P a r so n s, c hi ef operating officer at Travelodge. "But it is everyday claims that are being m anipulated o n a m ore regular basis. Extra mileage claims or the odd bottle of wine while entertaining can really rack up a business's bill over the year." Most people don't realise the impact their actions could have over the course of a year. Apart from c o st i ng a f o r t une , t he se fraudulent claims could also land a business in hot water. Companies really need to get a grip on the monitoring of e xpe nse s if the y w a nt to reduce spiralling costs. When the time comes for tax audits, i f a f i r m c a n no t p r o v i d e receipts for expenses, it will find that it cannot deduct VAT paid on staff purchases from its total VAT bill. Unaccounted for payments made to staff will be classed as benefits in kind, which means they are subject to both tax and National Insurance. This could eventually lead to a whopping great tax bill that the company is unprepared for. "Well run firms control the cost of business travel, setting budgets for both transport and accommodation," says Stephen Alambritis, chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses. "Controlling costs across the business underpins future growth and success." The problem is if your company does not have a clear set out and widely distributed policy about business expenses, then you are opening yourself up to problems. There are a few ways that expenses could be kept to a minimum and by setting out a policy for those w ho use expense accounts it should be possible to avoid any nasty surprises. Research shows that 84 per cent of employees in the UK regularly take overnight business trips. So companies need to ensure that there is a policy in place outlining what is and isn't acceptable and ensure it's kept up-to-date. The policy needs to incorporate guidelines about how to organise and finance a trip. A company handbook is a good place to keep such a document so that everyone has access to it. Once guidelines are agreed, businesses need to make sure that when claims are processed through the account departments they are checked. Vigilance has proven to be the key to keeping costs in check.

per cent of all outsourcing. This represents a large cost base for organisations, but one that does not appear to be intrinsic to developing a company' s f inancial fortunes. Outsourcing this area, according to the NCC, frees up to 15 per cent of the average organisation's operating budget, allowing these funds to be ploughed into business development activities, which typically take up a p p r o xi m a t e l y 1 8 p e r c e n t o f budgets. R educ i ng headcount, traditionally a company's highest cost ba se, b y o ut so urc i ng no n - co re functions such as human resources, accounting and administration can free resources to focus on business de ve lo pm e nt act i vi t ie s. T hi s i s especi al l y pert i ne nt gi ve n ON S f i nd i ng s t hat i n 6 0 pe r ce nt of organisations, sales personnel are outnumbered two to one on average by those engaging in administrative roles. W hile it w ould be glib to assume that administrative staff do no t ad d va l ue t o t he b usi ne ss development process, having people dedicated solely to this area is bound to bring benefits. Business process outsourcing has become extrem ely popular over recent years as the types of tasks u nd e r t a k e n a r e m a i nl y r o ut i ne repetitive processes but still requiring specialised skills. Outsourcing this pa rt ic ul a r b usi ne ss f unct i o n to organisations with a lower cost base has the potential to reduce training

overheads, capital is released to invest in product development and business growth activities that may not have been viable or possible previously, An often forgotten benefit of outsourcing is that organisations have access to first class capabilities and best practice being undertaken by specialist companies. This, as well as streamlining an organisation's processes and procedures, may make it more attractive to business prospects from new and existing clients w ho see the company as having reinvented itself and being more competitive and innovative. For all the benefits of outsourcing, Douglas Brown, in his book The Black Book of Outsourcing: How to Manage the Changes, C hal l enges and Opportuni ti es , reminds firms focused on outsourcing for business development reasons that every time a project or process is pushed out of an organisation, assets a nd int e lle ct ua l c ap it a l a re lost. Brown advises caution that the outsource provider could end up knowing an organisation's business better that it does. It is therefore important to invest time and energy in m apping o ut t he rea so ns f or outsourcing taking place, w ith a particular focus on ensuring that work that advances the state of a business is kept in-house.

Head Start Recruitment with GibsonClark and Business 2 Business News

G ibsonClark Recruitment

(GCR) is an independent recruitment agency who services the Essex and London area. We have a passio n to de li ver e xp erti se a nd c o m m i t m e nt t o b u s i ne s se s a n d individuals during the recruitment process. Co-founded by Directors who have experience in HR Management and the Employment Sector we pride ourselves on delivering excellent service. Having started this company I constantly hear that clients now prefer the boutique agency where they know they can speak to one individual for all their requirements and obtain a more personalised service. As a result, Gibson Clark have teamed up with a network of boutique agencies

across the UK. This means companies can experience the boutique service no matter where there requirements are. Instead of dealing with a variety of account holders in one large agency or juggling different service agreements, you can speak to us and we can ensure that you w ill receive one account holder, one service agreement and the same personal service no matter where your requirement. THE CLIENT W e approach recruitm ent f rom a business prospective which allows us to establish and maintain exceptional relations with you. By understanding your business and skills required we can source the best candidate for your

vacancy. We compliment this service by ensuring we place candidates in positions suited to their ability, talent and personality. Understanding our clients requirements is key to building and de ve lop i ng a successf ul partnership. Achieving an accurate understanding of your business and office dynamics helps to ensure our candidates are appropriate for your company. Searching for the very best talent around can be hard work and time consuming. We know exactly how to locate and handpick the best candidates from a wide range of individuals. Alternatively we can offer you a service where we partner with you to take your recruiting to the next level. The goal? Improve your hiring results and reduce

your costs. We become the voice of your recruiting team, and take responsibility for the process and results of your recruitment. THE CANDIDATE W ere interested in heari ng f rom talented, hardworking and reliable individuals who will add value to our c l i e n t s b u s i n e s s. W e k no w o u r candidates act as representatives for us and are our greatest assets. We take a personal interest in you and work with you all the way, offering an informal and friendly service. We understand it can be a stressful and worrying time looking for a new job, completing application forms and attending interviews. Thats where we can help to make it as painless and stress free as possible. We listen to your requirements, discuss your interests and ambitions, we are passionate about helping, supporting and giving advice and guidance to people who are looking for their next car ee r m o ve. A s m uc h a s i t i s important we find the right candidate for our clients it is just as important to us that we find the most suitable position for our candidates. W e find this personally rewarding. We always like to arrange a meet with our candidates and like to do this on an informal basis so we can get to know

the real you and find out exactly what kind of position you are looking for. We can help yo u w ith yo ur C V and application and make you feel fully prepared before any interview. H aving m utua l trust i s e xtrem ely important in business and we keep that in mind with everything we do. Gibson Clark specialise in the following area s: HR, B ank ing, F ina nc e/ Accounting, IT, Administration, Project M a na g e r s, R e g i o na l M a n a g e r s, Business Development Managers

We believe in Great Recruitment for Everyone.

I will be writing articles on recruitment over the coming months, if you would like to advertise your vacancy or offer suggestions on articles you would like me to cover, please contact me at

Recruitment
World Sales Media Ltd are recruiting the following:
Interview Tip Be prepared Once you have been selected for an interview it is vitally important you are as best prepared as possible. Some key preparation you can do is to make sure you know your CV thoroughly and understand what would be expected from you in the role you are interviewing for (read the job specification fully). It is always important to check out the website of the company you are going to see so that you learn more about the company and where it is possible read information on the people you are interviewing with. I always tell candidates to find out something unique, it takes a bit more work but it shows you are keen to impress. by Jo Gibson

01268 544711
contact@gibsonclark.co.uk or go to www.gibsonclark.co.uk

Telesales position to sell advertising in

Business 2 Business News

The ideal candidate will have had previous Telesales experience in advertising this is a commission and salary based Position OTE 25.000 p.a (after trial period ) We are also looking for Field Sales Staff, The ideal candidate should have field sales Experience, hold a full driving licence. This is a commission based and salary based position with OTE 40,000 (after trial period) To apply send your CV and a covering letter to

Advertise a Position For Only 9.99 To advertise a job in Business 2 Business news Call 01702 308140

jobs@business2businessnews.com

Page 14 | Business 2 Business News | Low Carbon Business

Positive or Negative on Green? Act now either way!

Peter Wognum Programme Manager rate Social Responsibility, which (in a remarkably short 15 pages!) pretty much says that since youre not doing your bit voluntarily, the EU intends to codify your responsibility into a law, the Unfair Comm erc ia l Pr ac t ic e s D ire ct ive (Directive 2005/29/EC), foreseen for 2012, and will consider the need for possible specific measures on this issue. If youre still out there (!) what this means in plain English is that if you say youre doing something, be ready to prove it as greenwashing is about to be com e outlawed and you ll be fined and bear in mind that if you come under the aegis of the Companies Act 2006, not acting on CRS has not been an option since the end of 2009. The second bit of news is that it fairly certain that the UK Government will reduce the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for small solar installations (> 4 kW) to 21 pence per KWh, down f rom the curre nt 43.3 pence per kWh for retrofit instal lations a nd 37.8 pence per kWh for new build facilities; similar reductions apply all the way up the kW scale. DECC said the changes are necessary to secure the long-term viability of the solar industry in the UK... Solar experts, on the other hand, claim that the Government needs to effectively double investment on solar PV to 2015 and that investment will kick start a solar revolution in the UK which will deliver 140,000 jobs by end 2015 among other claims. Either way, and whatever your opinion, if you want to benefit fully from the FiT, install before the end of 2011 or youll be penalised for delaying your decision to generate a percentage of your own electricity or heat (in the case of thermal PV) and the same thoughts are being are voiced around the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), so and end of year review of the feasibility of alternative energy generation technologies would be very much in order for any business with premises. As I said at the top, whether you are positive or negative about the whole green agenda, there are some actions to be taken even if they just comprise a review of the companys claims and actions; whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, mines a large one!
Peter.wognum@lowcarbonbusiness.org.uk

A couple items of note for businesses this month; both reflect on the different directions that the UK Government and the EU are heading in on the green issue.
First, lets talk about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The European Commission has previously defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis [source: COM(2001)366]. The Commission has recently published COM(2011) 681 final, A renewed EU strategy 2011-14 for Corpo-

www.lowcarbonbusiness.org.uk

Essex Eco Solar Ltd

Two Reasons why now is the time to install your Solar Electricity System Angela Kimberley Ltd works in partners h i p w i t h E s se x E c o S o l a r w ho specialise in providing a wide range of services to improve efficiencies, save energy, save money and save the environment. This month why not take a look how you can save energy and make money at the same time? Installing a solar electricity system is a safe investment opportunity with a high return, providing a guaranteed income ta x free per year through the Governments Feed in Tariff scheme. Two Reasons to act now! The feed in tariff higher rates are available until December this year after this date new entrants to the scheme will receive a lower rate for each unit of electricity they generate We will offer you a 5% discount on your installation if you order your solar electricity system during November 2011. Return on Investment The feed in tariff incentive means the combined income and savings on a typical Solar PV system is between 10 and 15% per year (calculated over a 25 year investment period). This sounds pretty impressive compared to your average savings account and, to make things even more attractive this income is tax free, index-linked (to the Retail Price Index) and guaranteed by the government for 25 years. What is Solar PV? Solar electricity PV systems convert the energy from the sunlight into electrical energy. Electricity generated from your solar panels is free, clean and abundant. It is estimated that in 2010 over 16,000,000 kW of PV capacity were installed around the world which shows

how w idespread and accepted the technology is. How much will it cost? The size and cost will depend on how m uc h r oof sp ace is a va ilab le. Remember, Solar Panels can be ground mounted as well. We will also work with you to suit your budget and can even arrange finance for you! And remember if you sign up during November you will receive a further 5% discount. Essex Eco Solar can offer As an established, local and reputable business with 35 years experience in the Electrical and Building Industry, we can offer many benefits of working with Essex Eco Solar Ltd and our Sister Company GSK Contracts Ltd. Free Energy Audit We provide a free energy audit at no obligation. Fina nce - W e can advi se yo u or arrange finance for you, to ease your start up costs. Tariff Registration We take care of all the paperwork requirements to register you for the Feed In tariff. Maintenance W e offer on going maintenance and support and can monitor your system remotely 24 hours a day all year, enabling us to ensure that maximum performance of your system is being maintained. One Company - One Contact - Many of o ur c om p et i t or s ar e no t MC S r e g i st e r e d a nd s u b - c o nt r a c t t he installation. With Essex Eco Solar Ltd you deal with us from installation to on going maintenance giving you peace of mind. www.essexecosolar.co.uk enqiuires@angelakimberley.co.uk

in place to maximize the value of their business when they come to sell. Presenting at the seminar will be Lake Falconer, Tony Stairs and C hris W alkl ett. T he se e ng ag i ng a nd entertaining speakers are all specialists in this area and bring decades of practical experience of these issues from working in big 4 accounting firms, venture capital and industry. All of these presenters will be available to speak w it h p erso nal l y af ter the seminar. Attendees will get a detailed course pack to take away. PEM Corporate Finance is a leading i nd e p e nd e nt c o r p o r a t e f i na nc e specialist which works primarily with owner managed businesses in Essex, East Anglia and London, advising on all aspects of corporate finance transactio ns, f rom m ergers and acquisitions (M&A) and company sa le s to m a na gem e nt b uy - o ut s (MBOs). The seminar will take on 24th November at the Holiday Inn Brentwood. Confidential bookings can be made online at http:// pemcf.eventbrite.com. Alternatively, places can be booked by contacting Hannah Croft on 01223 728 280 or emailing hannah@pemcf.com.

NO EXIT OR SUCCESSION PLAN?

YOU ONLY SE LL OF PASS ON YOUR BUSINESS ONCE YET 95% of B US INESS OW NER S HA VE N O EXIT OR SUCCESSION PLAN B usi ne ss ow ners can begi n the process of e xit a nd succe ssio n planning at PEM Corporate Finances f ree B usi ne ss E xi t S tr ate g ie s Seminar this November. Informative and packed with practical insights the event is designed to help entrepreneurs to get on track for a successful exit when the time is right. The lively half-day seminar covers business exit by trade sale and also the alternative strategy of achieving succession by selling to your team in a management buyout. The seminar gives practical guidance on key issues facing most business owners such as valuation, timing, the best exit route, grooming the business and saving ta x. T he f oc us i s o n e nsur i ng business owners have strategic plans

Interview Tips
Be prepared once you have been selected for an interview it is vitally important you are as best prepared as possible. Some key preparation you can do is to make sure you know your CV thoroughly and understand what would be expected from you in the role you are interviewing for (read the job specification fully). It is always important to check out the website of the company you are going to see so that you learn more about the company and where it is possible read information on the people you are interviewing with. I always tell candidates to find out something unique, it takes a bit more work but it shows you are keen to impress.

by Jo Gibson

Business 2 Business News | Page 15

Female entrepreneurs stand alone..

In partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a new global survey of 600 wealthy individuals published as Barclays Wealth Insights: A Question of Gender reveals that the vast m aj ority of w om e n are now generating their wealth independently. Gone are the days when inheritance and marriage were their lead sources of money. Business success is now driving female wealth creation globally and it' s resulting in a larger number of high net worth women. The growing economic power of w om en ha s sig nif ica ntl y i ncreased between 2006 and 2007 and it becomes really apparent when you take a look at a compilation of movers and shakers such as the Sunday Times Rich List. There used to be 81 women on the list. Tthere are now 92 and their combined wealth is around 33.27 b i l l i o n . Behind the US, the UK has the highest proportion of women in managerial positions among OECD countries, with 117 female directors of FTSE 100 companies, while 77 per cent of those companies have at least one woman on their board. And it's predicted that by 2020 the number of female millionaires will be higher than male millionaires, at around 53 per cent - so it will still be pretty close. my Nauiokas, managing director and head of brokerage at Barclays W ealth, says: " A Q u e s t i o n o f G e n d e r p r e se nt s a fascinating global picture of women and w e a l t h t r e nd s, i n p a r t i c ul a r t h e evidence which points to more women becoming independently wealthy via their job, ownership of a business or from personal investment. "While the more traditional drivers of wealth still play a part, they are no longer the dominant forces they once were. While it is not necessarily a case of providing women with a different service or products, it is crucial that the wea lt h m a nag em e nt ind ust r y understands the motivations and needs women have, and that a one size fits all approach to managing this increasingly influential audience may not work." The survey also revealed that women are a lot more cautious than men, and that could be why they're able to hold on to their money well. It showed that women are less likely than men to invest in the riskier end of the financial spectrum, such as private equity, der ivat ive s o r he dg e f und s. Even more differences between the genders are highlighted when you look at the handling of a windfall. W hen asked how they would spend a cash windfall of 100,000, the majority of men surveyed said that they would prefer to put the money in the stock exchange, but a large percentage of women said that they would cautiously invest in their private pension fund. Nauiokas says: "Women will alter their approach as they reach their goal and will often act to protect what it is they have built up. But equally, when they are in the mindset that 'this is for investment and saving', women are very diligent and plan well. They are also absolutely more disciplined in allocating a figure for the spending pot to enhance their lifestyle and enjoyment."

o longer w ill you find a great woman behind every great man: these days women are out in front and they don't need anyone lurking in the shadows behind them. A recent report by Barclays Wealth, reveals that the

affluence and influence of women is growing and it's largely down to their own enterprises. Female entrepreneurs are on the rise and it's exactly this business success that is driving female wealth globally.

Page 16 | Business 2 Business News | Rose & Crown Great Horksley

Rose and Crown, Ed and shoulders above the rest...

Weve all heard of a place that you simply must go to and, more often than not, been left a little disappointed. I can wholeheartedly say that this is not the case for The Rose & Crown. We had heard through the grapevine about The Rose & Crown in what can only be described as ultra modern gastro meets fine dining. Try as he might, Ed Halls, who is Chef and Patron, will try and convince you that the food on offer isnt at all fine dining, it just comes very close to it without the fine dining prices. On what was a very grim, wet and windy day, we bustled into a quaint looking pub and were warmly greeted by Bar Manager John. Straight away you are taken aback by the old beams and the ornate features that adorn the premises. Ed has taken the interior dcor to the next level by creating a warm and friendly atmosphere whilst keeping it modern and fresh. I was pleasantly surprised that considering the time of our arrival the restaurant appeared busy with a mixture of clientele ranging from the young to older generation. With just 3 members of staff on hand everyone appeared under control and attentive with no apparent issues seen or heard. Minutes after being seated we were asked for our drinks order. We had been previously informed that we would be sampling a selection of favourite dishes in order to give a fair review of what everyday diners would eat, so werent sure what to really expect other than what had been previously reviewed as great cuisine. John was to

chorizo being one of the best he had ever sampled. I would guess this to be to each individual palette as to what works and what doesnt. Something that the Rose & Crown specialises in is Dedham Vale Beef. For those of you not aware of the difference, Dedham Vale beef is specially catered to ensure its traceability and is dry aged for between 28 - 35 days. So perhaps it came as no surprise that our second main course would be a fantastic fillet of beef with twice cooked chips, served with an accompaniment of slow roasted tomatoes with garlic and thyme. Oh my.. For the first time I can say what it means for meat to simply melt in your mouth. Heavenly seasoned to the point you could almost taste each grain of salt and pepper, not over stated with a sauce, although should you require one there are a few on offer ranging from the classic black peppercorn sauce, wedge of Cropwell Bishop Stilton or Barnaise Sauce. This, for most people, would

the best sausages Ive ever tasted (much to the dismay of Mum)
have been enough to write a more than healthy review, but we were also granted the luxury of two sumptuous puddings. For someone not overly keen on coffee flavoured desserts we were treated to Coffee Crme Brulee with a side helping of small home-made Cinnamon Doughnuts served with a Caramelised Dipping Sauce. The Crme Brulee was freshly made with real espresso coffee as opposed to artificial coffee flavouring, which led to an intensely warm taste and finished with the classic crunch to the top. I could have happily eaten a few more if I hadnt already eaten so much already. The doughnuts were simply delightful, being light and fluffy and balancing the ever so sweet but ever so delicious dipping sauce. Last, but by no means least, was the Milk, Dark & White Chocolate Trifle with Fudge Brownie pieces, Chocolate Custard, Mousse & Shavings. For all chocolate addicts out there, this is a treat to behold one in which I thought I had died and gone to heaven. This really did speak for itself, with no words really adequate enough to describe it. Whilst allowing our food to digest we could hear numerous comments from young diners as to how the sausages they had ordered were the best they had ever tasted, much to the dismay of his parents, whilst another older gentlemen stated that the mussels were quite simply divine with only a small critique that they should have been served with a finger bowl. If this is the only negative comment a restaurant can

be our host for the majority of our visit and the food started out with two hot rolls with room temperature butter, a simple but ever so important fact most restaurants seem to forget. We were then presented with not one but two delicious starters. Our first offering was a Pumpkin and Parmesan Soup made freshly in the morning. With a rich, thick and creamy texture you would be forgiven in thinking that the strong flavours of the parmesan cheese would overpower the pumpkin, but after getting the heady taste of the cheese the pumpkin gently comes through to give a wonderful aftertaste, gentle enough on the palette. Simply Devine! Whilst we thought the starters couldnt have been much better, we were then presented with the exquisite Salt and Pepper Squid with Lemon & Chilli Oil. The sensation and tenderness of the squid was out of this world. Having been quick fried the

ease in which you could cut the squid was superb and this topped with the gentle heat of the chilli oil was quite simply perfect, a dish I wouldnt hesitate to say would be hard to beat. With a few moments to appreciate what we had just eaten we were shown the wine list. Great thought and effort has been put into the availability of wines with all of the staff having had sommelier training and expansive knowledge of the wines on offer and to what it would compliment. We were presented with again two main dishes. First on offer was a simply pan fried fillet of cod served on a bed of Chorizo, potato and tomato. Whilst the cod was cooked to perfection, my own personal tastes found that the chorizo became slightly overpowering and took away some of the flavour of the cod. My co-conspirator however found it a delightful concoction with the

derive from its clientele then other establishments are definitely going to struggle in living up to the exceptionally high standards of The Rose & Crown!

For more information on Edward Halls or the Rose and Crown contact : Edward Halls Chef Patron at Rose & Crown Nayland Road Great Horkesley Colchester Essex CO6 4AH
Tel: 01206 271 251 E: info@roseandcrownhorkesley.co.uk W: roseandcrownhorkesley.co.uk

Business 2 Business News | Rose & Crowne | Page 17

Edward Halls Chef Patron at Rose & Crown

What do you do to ensure the quality of the food going out to customers? Taste, taste and taste again! Every sauce, ice cream, garnish and vegetable is tasted before it is sent out. Secondly is sourcing the very best ingredients, if you start with exceptional produce then you have a head start in terms of flavour and texture. Thirdly is my obsession with perfection and being committed to exceeding customers expectations Winning the One Competition must have been a huge achievement for you. Tell us what you have done and plan to do with the prize and how it will assist in the growth of The Rose & Crown. Winning the ONE Competition last year was an incredible achievement, the Rose & Crown has benefitted from a prize that is making a huge difference. We have undergone a branding and design overhaul from Zeal Design which has lifted us into a new dimension, this has been tied in with loads of free advertising and exceptional PR from Voice Communications in Braxted. We have had accounting from LB Group and Consultancy from Angela Kimberley and Julie Clements at Faith Performance. All these things have added tremendous value and given us exposure well beyond our normal reach, it will secure my business for the long term and allow us to continue being the best. You have a new scheme called The Business Club. Explain a little bit about it.

Business 2 Business news caught up with Ed Halls to ask him a few questions on food, idols, gadgets and his gastro pub restaurant. Did you always want to be a chef? Not at all, I didnt become a chef until I was 28 when I realised that if I loved something that much I should do it for a living. When I was much younger I wanted to a fast jet pilot! Where did you train? Because I started later a gained most of my training on the job and practised a huge amount at home, I also worked free at butchers and fishmongers on my days off to improve my skills. I did attend college part time and travelled to London from North Norfolk weekly to study patisserie

Who is your Chef Idol and why? Not sure if I have a chef idol, I tend not to idolise many people, I admire many chefs and appreciate the passion, hard work and commitment it takes to reach the highest levels; working with Marcus Wareing at Ptrus was a unique insight into what it takes to be the best. What advice would you give to someone wishing to pursue a career as a chef? Work hard, put your head down and learn as much as you can, challenge yourself to be good at the things you dont enjoy doing. What is incident? your funniest kitchen What is a typical day like for you? as a chef you develop a slightly bizarre sense of humour and often find yourself laughing uncontrollably at the smallest things, often other peoples misfortune. There is never any sympathy in a kitchen; if someone burns or cuts themselves everyone laughs at you and youd better not make a big deal of it or you get verbally torn apart. What is gadget? your favourite kitchen (Apart from horrendously long hours!) In the kitchen by 8am most days, prepping all the fresh produce thats delivered that day, we do lunch service and then have a couple of hours off. We are then back at 5.30 to get the kitchen lit up and ready for dinner service at 6pm, we finish and clean down anywhere from 10pm-12am depending on how busy we are. I do six days per week in the kitchen and do all the other business activities on Mondays when we are closed. What are your biggest challenges considering todays economy? By far the biggest challenge is getting customers through your door for the first time, we work hard to deliver so we get a lot of repeat business and recommendation but we are in the country and advertising is very expensive. Dominique Evans Assistant Editor Business 2 Business News really enjoy Malaysian food and authentic Chinese cuisine but few things compare to the dry aged local steaks we get at the Rose & Crown! The Rose & Crown Business Club has recently been launched to encourage business people to visit us particularly at lunch times. The business club offers discounts and extends special offers over weekday lunches to any business that has a membership card which is free. We offer an ideal meeting place and offer excellent food and service so it is particularly good for client entertaining. Anyone who is interested in membership need only call or email and we will send a membership card to them. Membership also offer a discount on our Christmas function menu. Many thanks to Edward for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk to us and to wish him and the Rose & Crown all the best for the future.

Hard to remember individual incidents,

Not really a gadget but our lava rock chargrill, it takes our steaks to another level, so many people fry a steak but this gets a fantastic char and great steak better! What is your favourite meal / thing to eat? I love food so this is a tough question, I

Page 18 | Business 2 Business News |

Competition - Win an IPhone 4Gs

How much is the Business Coaching fund grant
(seem page 10)

A - 5000 B - 3000 C - 1000

Enter by Emailing the answer, your name and company details to

competition@business2businessnews.com
Terms & Conditions. ELIGIBILITY: This competition is open to any person resident in the UK who is 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees of Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd or its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising or promotion agencies are not eligible, nor are members of these employees families (defined as parents, children, siblings, spouse and life partners). TO ENTER: Email competition and submit your name, postal address, email address and Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd entry. Entries will not be returned. No purchase entry. Incomplete, damaged, defaced or illegible entries may be deemed invalid at the sole discretion of Business 2 Business News. Entry constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd reserve the right to disqualify anyone in breach of these Terms and Conditions. TIMING: This competition runs from 12.00:01am GMT on 20th September 2011. The closing date of this competition is 11.59:59pm GMT on 1st December 2011. Completed entries must reach Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd no later than the closing date. USE OF DATA: Personal data which you provide when you enter this competition will not be used for future marketing activity outside of Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd. SELECTION OF WINNERS: The winner will be determined by a random. The panel of judges will include at least one independent member. The winner will be notified by email by 1st February 2008. The winner may be required to become involved in further publicity or advertising. PRIZE: The first prize is a Apple Ipad2 (Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd) Prizes as stated and non transferable. No cash or other alternatives available. Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value. The prize will be sent by 28th December 2011 WINNERS LIST: The winner consents to their surname being made publicly available. The winners names will be available for a period of 2 months after the closing date by email request. OTHER: No correspondence will be entered into regarding either this competition or these Terms and Conditions. In the unlikely event of a dispute, Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd decision shall be final. Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd reserve the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw this competition at any time without notice.. Promoter: Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd, Business 2 Business News Ltd Or World Sales Media Ltd

Theres more to Southend than just the Helen Mirren and the Worlds longest pleasure pier (1.3 miles in case you didnt know). We have two football clubs, two rugby clubs, a strong athletics facilit y plus venues for all kinds of activities from sailing to skate boarding and taekwondo to tango. We als o have a young, adventurous population t h a t l ov es t o t r y n e w things. So how do you put them in contact with each other? Simple; Live Fit Magazine, launching in

November 2011. Live Fit is the brainchild of James P o e t , t h e yo u n g a n d dynamic head of Olive Juice Media Ltd, expert in getting his clients messages in front of their customers. Live fit is unique for Southend because it is the only local magazine that will target 18-35 year olds with news and features that will not j u s t m a ke i n t e r e st i n g reading but will make them want to get out and try something new. It will give sporting clubs, health, beauty and l i f e s t y l e For more information busi ness es a on Live Fit, voice to let Olive Juice Media or themselves be James Poet visit heard by new www.olivejuicemedia.co.uk customers. For example

who else can tell budding Cage Fighters where they can train for free? Or where skate boarders can buy the latest Vans shoes while being clued up on where the y can skate competitively? Or which Yoga teacher advises rugby players? Or where some of the best aroma therapists can be found? Only Live Fit. Live fit may be distributing FREE to a target readership of 60,000 but its success will be based on reader loyalty and that loyalty will depend on the quality of the writing. So if people are reading Live Fit for the features then it stands to reason that they will be captive for any advertising message published alongside. Live Fit will be distributed free from Waitrose, Southend Leisure and Tennis Ce n t r e , s p o r t s c l u b s , s p or ts sto r es, le is u r e centres, 3,000 local businesses as well as hand 2 hand. Live Fit a r e a ls o s ett in g u p a membership where local sports and fitness fans can receive great discounts from local busin esses and man y other benefits. So who is on board? Well Southend United Football Club for one, as are Parasport, Parkwood Leisure and there are others signing on every day. W ant a Voice? Call Live Fit.

S ma rtw a te r R e d u c i n g Crime F i g u r e s
A s a detective w ith the W est Midlands police, Philip Cleary was often frustrated when confronted by the simple problem of successfully matching stolen property to its rightful owner. Aside from any altruistic motivation, the problem was a real one for police: successful prosecutions rest upon proving guilt and the mere act of finding boxes of stolen electronic goods in a person's bedroom do not constitute that proof - how can they say property is stolen if it can't be traced back to a specif ic individual? Cleary was sufficiently taxed by the problem that he gave some thought to solving it. Of all the options, he had identified forensic science as the ultimate fear of most criminals. Regardless of alibis, if forensic evidence can tie a person to a place or item, it provides an irrefutable link. He noted that a f orensic "trap" w as a pote nt deterrent against crime, a fact borne out by cases where forensic science had led to a reduction in criminal activity. Cleary engaged his brother Michael, a chartered chemist and member of the Royal Society of Chemists, to develop a scie nce to m ake a solution possible. That solution was Smartwater, a non-hazardous, coded combination of chemicals in an aqueous mix. When dry, it is virtually undetectable in normal lighting, but glows under ultraviolet light. It is almost impossible to remove completely and successful analysis could be obtained from a trace less than half the size of the full stop at the end of this sentence. E ac h batc h of S m artw ate r i s u n i q ue , m a n uf a c t ur e d u nd e r

l a b o r a t o r y c o nd i t i o n s w i t h a database maintained by the Home Office Forensic Science Service. Every consignment of aqueous solution has a unique chemical make-up that contains thousands of aluminium coated particles, each with a unique numerical identifier. Together, these variables make it mathematically impossible for any two codes to be the same. The patented system used offers a potential four billion possible codes, although in theory, a few changes could make this number infinite. The solution can be painted on to an item and is then only undetectable under UV light. In essence, Smartwater is analogous to DNA profiling, linking a marked item of property back to a specific

individual. However, regardless of the be nef it s i n be i ng ab le to successfully charge the perpetrators of theft or robbery, in an ideal world you would prevent the crime tak i ng p lac e. T he ar re st a nd conviction of those responsible d o e sn' t ne g a t e t he se nse of violation felt by their victims, nor does it reduce the pernicious fear of c r im e t ha t af f e ct s w ho le communities. And it's here that Smartwater really provides the key. A recent criminal trial at the Old Bailey heard that robbers Sean and Vincent Bradish had originally targeted Thomas Cook Foreign E xchange Counters, but w ere forced to switch their attention when they discovered that the t r a ve l a g e nc y ha d f i t t e d t he

Smartwater system. After being sprayed by one of the devices d ur i n g a r a i d o n o ne o f t he company's offices, Sean Bradish was said to have been horrified to discover its crime fighting potential a nd t he com p a ny w a s ne ver targeted by the pair again. It's easy to understand the fear that such a system can engender in criminals when you consider that having been sprayed, a criminal could get involved in a simple fracas one Friday night and end up charged with numerous robberies simply because the Smartwater showed up on him back the police station. W ith U V suite s i n a n i nc r e a si ng n um b e r o f p o l i c e stations, t hat threat is a real o n e . T he s y st e m ha s b e e n adopted by a number of police forces in the UK, including Greater Manchester Police, which in a high profile exercise recently agreed to apply Smartwater to the property in over 100,000 homes in the Oldham area of the city in a bid to reduce crime figures. In addition, officers have targeted active burglars by carrying out searches of their homes in order to recover stolen property, checking on-site to see if it has been marked with S m artw a te r. T he com p a ny' s scientists have also developed a way of inserting a unique identifier code to polymer-based products and textiles at a molecular level, thus providing a chain of continuity and identification from remains even when fire reduces an object to ash. Smartwater employs over 40 staff from its base in S hropshire, b ut a nticipates doubling in size in the next two years to cope with demand for its products. With blue chip companies including Microsoft, British Airways and Tesco adopting Smartwater, and exports to countries across the world increasing, it looks like that target is well within reach.

Business 2 Business News | Page 19

Improve Business Opportunities

There are endless tomes on bookshelves dedicated to the theme of improving busine sse s a nd t he w ays i n which to go about it. The steps needed to develop commercial opportunities are often plain commonsense though and do not ha ve to b e pro hi b it i ve l y expensive. Regardless of the company size, to be successful in business some kind of a development plan needs to be put in place to set out the organisation's stall to attract customers. This plan does not have to be costly, nor does it need a c r e a t i ve m a st e r m i nd t o design it. What is required is the development of a vehicle t h a t w i l l c o n ve y st r o ng m essage s to p ote nt ial customers. To be successful, a business does not ne ce ssa r i l y ha ve to actively promote its products and services, but advertising m ay j ust reach a raf t of customers who may not be aware of the goods on offer. A sales and marketing plan can provide a business with a se nse of purpo se a nd helps provide a focus on who the target audience should be. Any business development plan needs to have various supporting elements behind defining the product or service being promoted will help develop parameters to which business development activities can be linked in order to understand how products or services can be delivered and how they will meet the needs of customers. Identifying the ideal custom er w il l m ean t hat activities aimed at developing the fortunes of organisations can be properly and effectively tailored and, by k now i ng w ho t he ta r get audience is, time and money will not be wasted. Competition exists in every form in the world of business and every company, large or small, needs to differentiate itself from the competition in order to stand out and be recognised. Developing a unique selling point pays a key role in business development activities and can render the competition helpless, leaving the way open to corner the marketplace and capture a whole new set of customers. In the same way as having a unique selling point helps an organisation to grow and thrive, developing a niche allows a business to focus its business development and sales efforts. Doing so will allow an enterprise to make its product or service indispensable to the market, creating a correspondingly high demand for it. Organisations need to be highly aware of the need for their products and services in the consumer chain and that the re is a susta inab le m a r ke t . B y u nd e r t a k i ng astute business practices using such techniques as customer surveys and due d i l i g e nc e p ro g r am m e s, b usine ss de ve lo pm e nt activities can be aimed at keeping prod ucts a nd services front of customers' minds. For a business to succeed in attracting and retaining customers it must be credible. B usiness development opportunities can often be seized only once, because customers ne ed t o k now t ha t t he busi ne ss t hat t he y a re dealing with is trustworthy and that what will be delivered to them is as promised. In many instances, customers will give b usine sse s o ne chance and one chance only to prove their worth. T hi s i s w he n b usi ne ss development activities can be e a si l y f o i l e d b y a n inattentive sales person w ho f ai l s to l i ve up to customer expectations and leaves the client with a negative impression of the organisation . That will be difficult, if not impossible, to change and can render useless any work done to develop business. Consistency of approach needs to underpin t he day to day dealings of an organisation. W hen attem pt i ng t o w i n custom, business development work needs to take this into account. An upside of operating a consistent business is that costs can be properly managed by using resources at hand rather than needing additional or new o ne s beca use of app lying inco nsist e nt pra ct ic e s t o t he wa y a company operates. Working in this manner will do credit to the work being done by those trying to identify new sales and business opportunities as their predictions for t he f ut ur e g row t h a nd profitability of the business is more likely to be on track, addi ng cre dib i l it y to t he process or anyone involved in creating a business plan it can be difficult to quantify the em otiona l co nnectio n or bond needed in order to Governments in the Eurozone again looked over the precipice last week before taking two steps back. In Greece and Italy, the price of multilateral and market support, respectively, was the replacement of elected prime ministers by technocrats. Lucas Papademos and Mario Monti are regarded as the independent minds and steady hands to deal with the crisis. They are also seen as more likely than elected leaders to push through the austerity packages and economic reforms, which creditors a nd ot her go ver nm e nts ha ve d emanded. Alongside this, pressure is rising on the European Central Bank (ECB) to act as a lender of last resort, as other central banks do, although that contravenes the Treaty of Maastricht. All of this reflects the considerable costs that would flow from, either a disorderly default or, worse still, a country exiting the euro.

reach o ut to c ustom ers. However this element should never be underestimated w hen w orking out how a busine ss i s to grow and develop. Hard as it is to

attract customers, the task w ill be m ade even more difficult without a well thought out st rategic b usiness development plan in place.

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Open 7 days a week Monday to Saturday 11am till 2.30pm & 5am till 10pm Sunday | 11am till 3pm & 5am till 9pm

Business 2 Business News | Page 21

Quiz on Sea

The Kursaal Function Suite is hosting a Corporate quiz league Sponsored by Business 2 Business News

The Extremely Entertaining Local Quiz

Entry is 39.99 per team (max. of 8per team)

Starts Thursday 2nd February 2012 & every 1st Thursday in the month
Doors open at 6.30pm Quiz Starts at 7.30pm Food Available Pre-book as limited spaces are available

The Kursaal Function Suite..

A
lthough the Kursaal as a finally complete building is still largely unoccupied on the lower floor, on the first floor the function suite has grown from strength to strength since opening in 2008.
It was started b y local yo ung entrepreneur Matthew Chambers who

From large all day job fairs through to small intimate meetings there are two rooms available for events and also a balcony area. Kitchens have also been installed and the venue can supply all your needs including refreshments and catering. The head chef can devise any menu required including dietary needs. The function suite has its own m anageress Cather ine w ho is responsible for weddings and functions. Together they have formed a great team and brought in a new supervisor Leanne Ditton to help with extra business matters. The staff are all fully trained with qualifications and last year the function suite won New Company at the District Business Awards. The organisation are building a brilliant reputation both locally and further afield for good value and excellent customer service. Going into 2012 there are plans to increase business awareness to show what there is to offer at the Kursaal function Suite. The website has been upgraded and is very informative but keeps to the point w ith w hat the customer requires.

came from an entertainment background. Havi ng run several very successful nightclub events in Essex and London he felt their was an opportunity in Southend for a function venue. Matthew noticed a gap in the market and wanted to bring a new

approach but keep the tradition of high quality. Since forming, the business has branched out from just a place for special occasions and become a S o ut he nd B or o ug h C o unc i l approved and recommended place for business, networking and training.

Anyone wishing to find out more please check out the website www.kursaalfunctions.com

Page 22 | Business 2 Business News | ORB

Can supply chain dynamics create a better world?

transparency; and acknowledges and addresses societal impacts. Many organisations are already embedding a better way of doing business and many more will follow, driven by external demands that make it a priority in their risk management strategies. There is of course much more to be done. We may only be chipping away at the tip of the iceberg of greed driven capitalism, but the rate of change is gathering momentum at an incredible pace. And thats when these dynamics will really begin to bite, because as an organi sation accepts those new commitments there is an increasing awareness of how its supply chain impacts reputation. W hen bigger com panie s, ce ntra l a nd loca l authorities, the NHS and other big institutions start to insist that their suppliers, not j ust direct but right through the supply chain, demonstrate t h e i r s o c i a l a n d e n v i r o nm e n t a l credentials, we will see a major shift in be ha vi o ur . N o l o ng e r w i l l t he se considerations be a nice to have, they w i l l b e a m ust ha ve - a s so m e businesses are already finding out. To re-enforce this argument, you only have to look at recent events at EU and national level: On 25 th October the European Commission published a new policy on corporate social responsibility with an agenda for 2011-2014 that will st r e n g t h e n t h e r e q u i r e m e nt f o r sustainable and responsible business practices. On 19th October the Social Value Bill passed through the House of Commons Committee Stage. The bill has general cross party support and has been introduced to drive social value in commissioning. i.e. local authorities will need to consider the economic, social and environmental im pacts of the ser vice s t he y commission. Clearly, it will become increasingly important for companies to dem onstrate t he ir socia l a nd environmental credentials if they wish to secure contracts with local authorities. As supply chain dynamics ensure an increasing number of businesses are committed to reducing environmental impacts and adding societal value, we will see a shift in business that really can help to create a better world for now and for future generations. It is surely something we would all like to see: a form of capitalism that embraces more than just the quickest way to the biggest profits? But are you ready? Can you evidence that you are a soc ially and environmentally responsible business? Are you sure you will be able to retain the contracts you already have and gain new ones? Should you be taking action now? Jill Poet is the Managing Director of the Organisation f or Responsible B usi ne sse s ( OR B ) a nd a l so t he architect of The Responsible Business Standard, an auditable certification designed specifically for SMEs. The Standard has been validated by Anglia Ruskin University.

upply chain dynamics can impact considerably on our society and current evidence indicates that it may play a key role in shaping our future. Creating a better world and a reasonable future for our children and their children must be fundamental to all of us as individuals. But we need to also consider how this impacts on a business level both in the short and

longer term. For whether or not we agree with the Occupy movement, the majority do clearly agree that capitalism as we currently know it is broken. The publics trust has been lost and there is a huge outcry for institutions of all types, from banks to local authorities, to embrace a better way of working: a way of doing busine ss that em braces lo ng -te rm i sm ; va l ue s et hi c s a nd

www.ResponsibleBusinessStandard.org.uk.
particularly impacting on medium sized businesses, where owners cite the problems caused by seeing to the time-consuming legislation that has to be followed regarding employment and accounting regulations. Horgan continues: "Many entrepreneurs are caught in a regulatory trap: too big to manage regulations on their own but not big enough to employ others to e a se t he b ur d e n. D e a l i ng w i t h seemingly endless red tape is often at the expense of spending time on other priorities, such as business and product development. There are many things that business owners can do to reclaim precious time. Some banks will work with companies to conduct a review of their operational processes, identifying cost and time savings. One easy way to save time is to bank onli ne, as the research indicates, businesses that adopt new technologies are already enjoying shorter working weeks." Actually finding the time for business development remains the area where bosses feel they invest less time than they ideally should. A bout one i n 10 owners never has the time to pursue essential activities for the future of the business. But maybe the concept of a good work-life balance is a popular modern day phenomenon that is a healthy alternative to slaving away for years at your desk. When questioned on the subject, most SME owners said they craved more leisure time. Asked what they would do if they could free an extra hour each day by changing the way they worked, 72 per cent said leisure, with just a measly 5 per cent saying new business activities. You know what they say... all work and no play & hellip

opened each morning for air to blow throughout t he h o u s e a n d bring the humidity down, damp dusting can greatly improve situations as can replacing carpets w ith hard w ood floors.

All Work and no Play

Next time you clock up a f e w e xt r a ho u r s overtime during the week at work and you're at home feeling tired and more than a little bit sorry f or yo ur self af ter an exhaustive few days, spare a thought for small business owners. While most of us may find ourselves addi ng f our or f i ve ho urs to t he w eek, these hard workers spend an average of 61 hours a week busy toiling: the average working week for most of us is 37.4 hours. But it seems that these entrepreneurs are retaining some sort of loose grip on the situation. According to research conducted by Barclays about UK business stars, it seems that despite the fact that managers are working long, long days during the week, many are drawing the line at working over the weekend. Recognising the importance of spending couple of days away from the office, 43 per cent now say that they no longer allow themselves to work on Saturdays or Sundays. This figure is up from 36 per cent in 2003. Brendan H organ, comm ercial director at B arclays Business Banking, explains: "Long hours have always been a bi-product of running your own business, but it does seem that over the past couple

Indoor Allergy Week is from 14-20th November 2011

Allergy Essex is a Corporate Sponsor of Allergy UK the leading Allergy and Intolerance Charity. Did you know? Indoor allergens most commonly affect the nose, chest, skin and eyes. The most common symptoms of indoor allergy are: itchy, runny or congested nose, sneezing, irritable airw ays, co ug hi ng, t i g ht c he st, w heez i ng, shortness of breath, itching, watering or inflammation of eyes, itchy skin, rashes, w heals, congested sinuses and headaches as well as disturbed sleep and poor concentration. Most symptoms are worse indoors, in bed or the early m orni ng. D ust Mite a llerg y, Eczema and Asthma can be worsened at this time of year due to increased humidity in the household, central heating and lack of ventilation. What can you do about it? The first and most important way to help reduce the symptoms of indoor allergy is to make sure that window s are

How can we help? Allergy Essex are a Colchester based C om pa ny w ho pr o vid e pr od uc t s designed specifically for special dietary needs, medical conditions and allergies. Our products are also suitable for mainstream users by adding their own ingredients. We offer 2 main product ranges, Safety Alert Products such as Mediband Silicone Medical and Allergy Alert bracelets saving vital seconds in an emergency situation by speaking for you when you can't. Our second range is our food products that help those with special diets, medical conditions and allergies. Our brand is an online portal as well as having a walk in shop at Colchester Business Centre. We are open 10am until 4pm and welcome anyone to visit outside of these hours by appointment.

Michelle Merrett can be contacted on 01206 899183 or 07801 730623 www.allergyessex.co.uk

of years, business owners are making conscious decisions to keep the long hours to Monday to Friday wherever possible, w hile allowing time for leisure, family and friends at the weekends." But it's not just the dayto-day running of operations that's keeping managers busy. The research found that it's often the increasing burden of complying with business regulations that's keeping people burning the candle at both ends. On average, entrepreneurs spend more than 15 hours per week on administration. Think about it -that's an extra two days a week. Not surprisingly, many of them are pretty fed-up with it too. In fact, 60 per cent think it hinders them from actually doing business. This is

Business 2 Business News | Page 23

All Things Bright & Beautiful...

Gardening on a low budget
For me the garden is an amazing place. Your garden should be like a piece of heaven, something for you to relax in and, most of all, to smile at. Your garden should be constantly changing with seasons and forever inviting you in. However, bare in mind one thing, your garden is essentially an extra room to your home, your added bonus. It can be a dining room, a play room, a relaxing room or even your supermarket. Pretty much any thing you want it be. In these days, when building developments are growing like mushrooms after rain, any green space is becoming precious and valuable. If you are smart, your garden can add considerable value to your home. In recent studies, carried out by real estate agencies, cleverly designed gardens can increase the value of your home by between 7-15%. So if you w ant to g i ve yo ur garde n a litt le makeover here are some tips which wont break your bank account. The Pressure Washer a good powerful machine, which will do all the hard work f or you. Yo u ca n use it on yo ur driveway, patio, paths and even fencing if it is solid enough. A few pots with bedding can brighten up any dull corner. You can even get nice bedding now. W hen it comes to planting up your flower beds, patience is the biggest money saver. You can grow lots of plants from bulbs. You should ideally plant bulbs for a Spring display now. If you wait until January, some bulbs will be cheaper, and if the ground isnt too hard, they will still come up nice and strong. Sowing seeds. Some plants will self seed, so you wont have to buy them again. C heck out your local g a r d e n c e nt r e s f o r c l ea r a nc e o r seasonal sales. Garden centres will also sell perennial plants that have finished flowering for a fraction of their original price. Get them, plant them and wait. They will come up with beautiful flowers next season. Some might even produce a second round of flowers. If you not sure which plants are annual and which perennial, just ask the staff, theyll give you all the information you need. Most of all Be Creative. Growing your own is a very popular concept these days. You can incorporate vegetables and herbs in your flower bed, definitely not boring. Artichokes have lovely architectural leaves, which will add interest to any garden. Thyme is a great hardy ground cover and comes in different colours, as does sage. Chives have nice flowers like mini alliums. A couple of sweet corn plants bring height to your garden. And best of all you can eat them. Children love fruit even more

when they see it grow. The excitement of seeing blackberries and raspberries growing and when they are ready to eat almost becomes to much and better yet are cheaper to buy as canes. You can also get them thorn free to make it safe for children to pick. If you are still worried about spending costs, ask around. Dont forget: If you dont ask, you dont get! Speak to your friends and family. There are a lot of plants, cuttings or even seeds that you can take from existing crop. Split them or divide them, share them with your neighbours. Alternatively you can sign up with freecycle.org and see what they have to offer. Remember one thing, bedding is for pots, basket and planters. Filling up flower beds with beddings can turn out to be costly. So put your boots on and lets go gardening. Im glad my garden is my office.

Clues
Clues Across
1 Corrosive (7) 5 Occur again (5) 8 Pain (4) 9 Weight for athletes (8) 10 Tree (5,8) 13 Insect (4) 14 Always (4) 17 Questioning (13) 19 Vision (8) 20 Way out (4) 21 Examinations (5) 22 Plotter (7)

Alex Evans
For more information please contact

Evans on Earth on 07983 951368 www.evansonearth.co.uk

Clues Down
2 Nautical securing device (6) 3 Relation (7) 4 Pointer (9) 5 Garments (5) 6 More pure (7) 7 Narrated (7) 11 Vigourous (9) 12 Three-pronged implement (7) 13 Accumulates (7) 15 Utmost (7) 16 Courteous (6) 18 Destroys (5)
SOLUTIONS to Crossword Across: 1 Caustic 1 Recur 8 Ache 9 Dumbbell, 10 Horse chestnut 13 Gnat 14 Ever 17 Interrogation 19 Eyesight 20 Exit 21 Tests 22 Schemer Down: Anchor 3 Stepson 4 Indicator 5 Robes 6 Cleaner 7 Related 11 Energetic 12 Trident 13 Gathers 15 Extreme 16 Polite 18

Page 24 | Business 2 Business News

Perfect Eggs Benedict

Poached eggs and ham on English breakfast muffins with a creamy Hollandaise sauce makes for a perfect Sunday morning brunch. If you can't find tarragon vinegar, use white wine vinegar instead. INGREDIENTS For the sauce: 125g butter - 2 egg yolks 1/2tsp tarragon, vinegar, salt. ice cold water , lemon juice a pinch of cayenne pepper For the muffins: 1 English Breakfast Muffin, 1 slice ham 1 poached egg M E T H O D 1. Melt the butter in a saucepan and set aside, but keep warm. 2. Find a small glass bowl that will fit over a saucepan. Add the eggs, vinegar, salt, and a splash of ice cold water. Whisk for several minutes. 3. Bring a pan of water to a simmer and place the bowl on top of it. Whisk continuously until the sauce is pale and has thickened - this should take between 4 and 5 minutes. 4. Remove the pan and bowl from the heat. Carefully add the melted butter in stages, whisking until incorporated. 5. Add a dash of lemon juice and cayenne pepper to season then set the sauce aside until needed, keeping warm. 6. Slice a muffin in half and toast. Top each half with a slice of ham and a poached egg, spooning over the warm sauce. Eat immediately.

The Morning after the Night Before

If you've ever woken up the morning after the office Christmas party and vowed never to drink again as long as you live, then you're probably all too

f am ili ar w it h the most unw el com e re minder of a good night out - t he ha ng over. A lucky 25% of revellers w ho are naturally more resistant to the more unp l e a sa nt e f fects of the festive tipple will get away with it, waking up bright-eyed and b ushy tailed as usual the following morning. But for the rest of us mere mortals, how can we quell the throbbing head and queasy stomach to make it to the office on time and avoid the pointing and laughing? What causes a hangover? Many of the most unpleasant hangover symptoms are caused by one thing: dehydration. Alcohol has a diuretic effect on the body,

and the resultant fluid loss is responsible for the thumping headache and dizziness. Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining, causing the accompanying nausea, and if you're particularly unlucky, vomiting, which in turn can contribute to yet more dehydration. As if that wasn't enough, while it may feel like you sleep the sleep of the dead after a good sinful, alcohol disrupts REM sleep, leading you to feel tired, unrepressed and sluggish upon waking as your organs try desperately to repair the damage. Avoiding it in the first place Obviously, the only fool proof way to avoid a hangover is not to drink in the first place. But since that's not particularly likely at this time of the year, employ the following strategies during the night out for maximum damage limitation in the morning: Eat before you hit the town: A full stomach will slow the absorption of alcohol. A high-fat meal may be the best defence, as fat is digested more slowly and may stop the alcohol from irritating the stomach lining. Drinking a glass of milk before you go out may be an old wives tale, but it's one that seems to work. Alternate with

non-alcoholic drinks: For every glass of the good stuff, drink an equivalent amount of water or juice. Avoid fizzy drinks though, as the carbonation can l e a d t o m o r e a l c o ho l b e i ng a b sorbed. Get some fresh air: If it's safe to do so, try walking home afterwards. Don't go straight to sleep: while it's tempting to crash out the minute you get through the door, drink a pint of water and some fruit juice before bed. The juice will help keep your blood sugar up during the night and the Vitamin C will help speed up the elimination of the alcohol. Curing it If you tried all the above strategies yet still got clobbered the next morning, the following fail-safe hangover cures will help replace the lost vitamins and fluids and have you on the road to recovery in no time: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the headache, but avoid aspirin - it can irritate already-fragile stomachs. Try a long shower, and alternate between hot and cool water. Antacids can help settle a queasy stomach. If you prefer a more natural approach, ginger herbal tea also works well. If you can face it, a full English is often the best food-based

hangover cure. Eggs are full of cysteine, which is said to speed the elimination of alcohol from the liver, and it's a great excuse to treat yourself to a fryup. But if the idea is just too much to handle, try a banana instead. Bananas are high in potassium - a mineral often lost through drinking - and magnesium, which can relax the pounding blood vessels that contribute to the headache. They're also a natural antacid, which will calm irritated stomachs. And if you're in the 'love it' camp, Marmite on toast can give you a welcome Vitamin B boost. Steer clear of the coffee it's also a diuretic. Drink plenty of water and fruit juice instead to replace vital lost fluids and sugars. Go for a brisk walk - it might be the last thing you feel like doing, but getting the heart pumping and the blood circulating can make you feel less sluggish. Finally, take heart that you won't feel this bad forever. The majority of hangovers are over in 24 hours or less - just enough time to hit the next Christmas party and do it all over again.

Business 2 Business News | Page 25

Local Sponsorship Makes Good Business Sense...

home uncovers a multitude opportunities w ith m ore authe ntic roots i n local communities than those we see on the front pages." Guy adds: "Local sponsorship is rewarding for staff too. Get them involved in local projects and negotiate some time out for your employees to spend with your sponsorship partner and their projects and events. This shows you as a caring employer that rewards with meaningful community integration. The expertise, enthusiasm and skills that your staff might bring to a sponsored project can also be highly effective and much needed". the employee benefits are a point that the support network Business Link makes too. They advise: a good reputation makes it easier to recruit employees. ,Employees may stay longer, reducing the costs and disruption of recruitment and re-training, Employees are better motivated and more productive. Guy concl udes: "There are thousands of corporate sponsorship seekers active in the UK at any one time, but they are not all the same; neither are the reasons that sponsors want to spend money. "Often these opportunities will be of interest to local businesses as well as branches of larger ones, both for gaining profile in their communities by supporting local initiatives, and for simply giving something back to the communities they operate in. Their sponsorship needs are smaller than their national counterparts."

ponsorship of community activities is a way for a business to reach potential customers while also raising its profile. In addition, supporting local projects brings a wealth of benefits to staff as well as giving a crucial boost to the efforts of local people. Providing sponsorship for an individual, a local team or community event or project shows corporate social responsibility (CSR), which in itself provides an ideal opportunity to generate positive media coverage. This "earned" publicity is free of charge and is immeasurable in terms of equivalent advertising spend because it is usually more targeted and more e n g a g i ng a n d h a s b e e n d e e m e d interesting and topical by editors. In

practical terms, sponsorship has more impact because it can be interactive inviting the audience to try and enjoy and then share the experience with others. And on the subject of interaction, local sponsorship means there is proper community involvement, which is an allr o und r e w a r d a nd a g e n ui ne b o nus. Managing Director and owner of the web based Sponsor Monster service, Guy Wimpory says: "Don't underestimate how many of your local sponsorship opportunities really rely on their corporate funding. Chances to make a real difference to a community whilst seeing commercial benefits can have a longterm effect for both parties. "It's not all about The Olympics. Looking closer to

otential Plus Ltd was established in 2001 by Darren Broad as a one-man business, o p e r a t i ng a s a n i nd e p e nd e nt f reela nc e co nsulta nt, i n cl o se collaboration with other training organisations. After 4 years Mark Sim p so n j oine d D ar re n a s a business partner and together, with and other like-minded consultants, expanded Potential Plus Ltd. This enabled the sourcing o f t he i r o w n c l i e n t s a n d t h e development of an improved and expanded portfolio through a wider association with specialists. The goal for Potential Plus Ltd is to establish a core set of clients, to create long-term relationships and to help the organisations they work with to grow and improve through constantly stretching individual and team performance. In meeting this challenge, to both our clients and ourselves, we collaborate w ith i nt er na l t ra i ne r s a nd e xt e r na l providers to provide an extended knowledge base and deliver a first

class product. Training has now been delivered acr o ss a var iet y of dif f ere nt industries and in many different countries, and has provided our consultants with a vast amount of experience adding positively to the m ater ia l a nd de l i ve r y of eac h programme. Our consultants have all been selected t hrough recommendation and association, are dynamic, energetic and are able to adapt to meet the demands of the different groups they deliver to. We are still a small quality driven business that focuses on the needs of the clients and adapts to enable a smooth integration of any training w e und e r t a k e . O ur st r a p l i ne Developing W inning Attitudes encapsulates exactly what we do in each of the companies with whom we work. The feedback we receive indicates that we achieve this and we are proud the say we make a difference.

Top training award for Greenfields Community Housing

more motivated because they are happier in their work, but the y reap t he be nef its of productivity, profitability and competitiveness. Julie Breed, Head of Human R esources at Greenf ields said: We applied for an award to recognise the significant culture change we achieved by using the international Mary Go be r C ust om e r S e r vi ce training. As well as giving all st a f f t w o d a y s i nt e n s i ve t r a i n i ng i n t he c ust o m e r service language and psyc ho log y m et hodo l og y, several staff at all levels then volunteered to be trained as i nt e r n a l c o a c h e s. T h e se coaches continually reinforce the Gober Method principles through refresher training to remind staff about aiming for e xc e l l e nc e i n d e l i v e r i n g customer service. I am very proud of everyone at Greenfields and this award r e c o g ni se s t he i r c o nt r i b ut i o n i n d e li ve r i ng e xc e lle nc e f o r o ur customers. W inning a National Training Award can directly impact on an orga nisat ion s success. Forty percent of recent winners have seen bottom line benefits as a result of winning, with one in five stating that they had seen an increase in the number contracts secured following their Award and one in three stating that their organisations had become

For references or more details on Potential Plus Ltd please visit our web site at

www.potentialplus.net
or contact enquiries@potentialplus.net

n Essex based housing association has beaten off stiff competition to scoop a prestigious award for d elivering o utstand ing training programmes.
Br a int r e e b a se d G re e nf ie ld s Community Housing was named the National Training Awards 2011 East of E n g l a n d w i n n e r i n t h e M e d i um Employer Category at a ceremony on W ednesday 5 October, w here the

award was presented by high profile businessman Theo Paphitis. The 2011 National Training Awards celebrate and showcase Investors in People accredited em plo yer s t hat dem onstrate organisational benefits gained by directly linking the training needs of their staff to the business needs of their organisation. John Hayes, Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister, said: The National Training Award winners show that firms that invest in workforce skills gain real dividends. Not only are their employees

more efficient. This year, National Training Award Winners were provided with the unique honour of celebrating their success on a global stage at the worlds largest international skills competition, World Skills London 2011. This event enabled NTA winners to dem onstrate their comm itm ent to developing skills and raising standards as well as showcasing their success

along side ot her top i nter natio nal businesses and organisations.

For more information visit www.nationaltrainingawards.com

Page 26 | Business 2 Business News

The Spyware Enigma..

Ever experienced any of the following problems with your computer: random pop-ups appearing on your screen, unwanted and unnecessary toolbars appearing in your browser or suddenly everything loads at such a slow speed you want to hurl the hardware out of the window in frustration? Well, it could be bad news. Chances are you may have a spyware virus attacking your system.

They're annoying and remain a mystery for many of us, but spyware viruses are prevalent and continue to pose a serious risk to all businesses. These viruses can track our computer usage from the key strokes we use, the websites we browse, the information w e e nt e r o n sc r e e n, t hr o ug h t o accessing our hard drives and stealing important data. Apart from the obvious

destruction they leave in their wake, the danger is escalated when you consider that many people have no idea where they are coming from. A recent s u r v e y b y i nf o r m a t i o n s e c u r i t y solutions company Peapod showed t ha t 7 3 p e r c e nt o f b us i ne s se s suffered a spyware invasion last year and a significant 19 per cent could not pinpo int it s or ig in. T his sim p ly

highlights that a huge number of companies are risking their business by not thoroughly protecting their networks. The survey analysed the extent of the damage that could be done by a sp yw are vir us, a n orga ni satio ns' internal computer usage policies and their deployment, as well as how instant messaging (IM) technology is made secure. The findings revealed

t ha t w hi le m a ny b usi ne sse s a re attem pting to put in place safety barriers such as banning IM in the workplace, methods used to enforce t hi s are of te n o ut of date. M o st respondents said that they adopted port blocking techniques to control IM. B ut t he prob lem i s t hat m ost IM programmes are port evasive - they will often find an alternative route if the default port is blocked. Organisations open themselves up to greater risk by not recognising that IM networks are designed in such a way that they can evade many of the security controls put in place. So for those employees hell bent on spending the day chatting online, ways around a ban can be found and the potential to encounter a virus considerable. Chris Durnan, managing director of Peapod, comments on the findings: "As the survey shows, technology is not the only answer when viewed in isolation. It is also down to the user to play a key role in ensuring that spyware doesn't get a foothold in the Infrastructure." He continues: "In the case of instant messaging this is a particularly relevant point. IM is a communications tool with some pretty emphatic benefits for those who use it correctly, but carries a nasty sting for anyone careless or ignorant." It seems that most organisations don't consider IM as important as email, so it's just not monitored very often. This is surprising, for many people in the communications business are keen to point out that in legal terms they are pretty much the same thing and open to the same potential risks. "It's worrying to think that with all the focus on archiving email records that the same does not apply to instant messaging," says Sarah Carter, EMEA strategic partner manager of communications company Face Time Communications. "With all the concerns about legal and standards compliance, it's clear that there is a huge potential for organisations to catch a cold in the near future." But it's one thing to catch a cold and deal with a few sneezes in the machinery but it's quite another to find yourself with a virus so disabling you end up with a network that's completely bed-ridden and unable to operate.

Who is your audience?

come on to the what? What do they want? W hat are you going to offer them? And finally why? Why do they want your product or service? W hy should they do as you are asking them? It is a simple set of questions but if you apply the who, where, what, why to your campaigns it gives you a clearer understanding of your product or service and why people might buy into it it also helps you keep it relevant to your audience. If you define your audience as females for example, the who, where, what, why will help you identify exactly what kind of females these are. T hey co uld be career focussed business women, women with young families, environmentally conscious, girly girls there are various groups that people can fit into and some of these groups will have a cross over, they maybe career focussed business women with a young family but you need to pin point where your product sits and what group youre aiming it at. Where your audience live, what area they live in and where they go, even down to what supermarket they shop at is important. People respond to different messages, colours and designs and these need to be targeted to your chosen group. Have a look at how other advertising campaigns talk to their customers. You will get a different type of message from W a it r o se t ha n yo u w i ll t o A ld i customers and you will get a different design for Primark than you will for Monsoon. They are aimed at different people therefore they tap into that audiences emotions, aspirations and needs. The what and the why are the areas where you have to be really clear on your product or service offer. You need to put yourself in someone elses shoes and decide what they are going to get from you and why they would want it. Your USP (unique selling point) is important here. W hy would they come to you if someone down the road is offering the same or similar? Is it because you are better value, do you provide a better service? If so, how do yo u pro vide a bette r ser vice? Questioning yourself and playing devils advocate is the best way to do this put every barrier you can in your way so that what your offering is clear and concise and you always have somethi ng to b ack up yo ur claim s. The amount of times I have gone into a company and asked them w hat their USP is and when Ive questioned it, it becomes apparent that they chose a string of words that sounded good but they have nothing to back it up. Just imagine if a customer were to question you or ask you to back up what you believe to be your USP could you do it? It is important to see how other companies advertise to similar audiences, big name brands spend thousands upon thousands of pounds profiling their customers and identifying their audiences and theres a lot a small business can learn from looking at how they sell, where they sell and what techniques they are using. You can also do your own research by sending out a simple questionnaire to your customers and finding out what they want and why, you can do this online free of charge with Survey Monkey and similar programmes or you can get people to fill in a quick tick sheet when they come in to your shop or place of work, if you dont think people will fill something out offer them an incentive in return for their information. Once you have the data, use it wisely and listen to the feedback and

use any negative feedback constructively to improve on what you currently have. If you are doing a campaign yourself you should be set up with a clearer idea of how you want to sell and who your audience is. If you are using a designer or marketeer to create your campaign you are in the best position to brief them in on exactly what you want and you will get far better results than if you are unclear about your product or service.

If you need help identifying your audience or getting the right message to the right audience have a chat to i am emily www.iamemily.co.uk

Aiming a campaign at the correct audience is key. For all campaigns you ne e d t o f i r st l y d e f i ne w ho yo ur audience are. Are they male or female? Are they young or old? The next question is where? Where are they in the country? Where are you most likely to capture this audience? W e then

Page 27 | Business 2 Business News | Car Review

Chevrolet Orlando bloom-ing Good Value...

this could range from DVD players in the rear seats, roof box, dog guard or tow bar. The simplest of touches creating a brilliant overall package. Protection & Safety For the safety conscious out there, the Orlando is designed to protect. Being a parent to two young children, safety is paramount. As standard is the ISOFIX system on the outer 2nd row seats, which secures the child seats to the vehicle both quickly and effectively. Something that acts as considerable reassurance. There are also front, side and curtain airbags which come as standard, as do anti-lock ABS brakes, a reinforced safety cage and a steering column specifically designed to absorb m axim um im pact. A n E lectro nic Stability Control system averts slides by autom atically applying corrective braking to the appropriate wheels to he lp reg ai n co ntrol. O ne of the simplest but effective features available on the LT and LTZ models is the intelligent park assist system protecting the vehicles exterior, whilst making parking that much easier. Summary

Toomey Southend
The engine was quiet, virtually silent and all the dials were simple enough to understand, without someone having to go over the handbook with me. To briefly summarise its overall performance, versatility, space and price were outstanding. Those on a strict budget but still wanting something with a real presence should look no further.

Overall Ratings
Comfort - 9/10 Handling - 10/10 Performance - 10/10 Ride - 10/10 Versatility - 10/10 External Noise - 10/10 Interior - 10/10 Interior Storage - 10/10 Price - 10/10 Running cost - 10/10 Overall Rating - 99 / 100

he Toomey Motor Group is one of the UK's leading motor dealer groups based in Essex,
with new and used car dealerships for Vauxhall and Chevrolet, alike. Toomey Southend ensures that all aspects of your New or Used car and after sales requirements are dealt with swiftly and in a non-pressurised manner. Operating with so many new car dealerships and used car dealerships means the Toomey Motor Group are the number one choice for new and used car offers in Essex. With over 1000 used cars in group stock, and an ever-changing used stock, Toomey are bound to have the car to suit you. The Toomey Group offers excellent finance packages to

Toomey will always have the right p a c ka g e. Of f e r i ng t he c om p l e t e package Toomey Vauxhall also provide Vauxhall finance services as well as Vauxhall servicing and Vauxhall parts. The Chevrolet Orlando The Chevrolet Orlando definitely makes a great first impression. Being given the opportunity to test drive the latest in its stunning MPVs was definitely an eye-opener considering how swamped the market is at the moment with the large f am ily car s a nd t he rece nt releases from Peugeot and Toyota to name but a few. Without sounding biased to any particular model, each had qualities in their own right, but what couldnt be beaten was the fantastic value for money. It is always stated and pretty much proven that you pay for what you get, and I for one certainly wont dispel this. However, as great as

panel lighting leaving a subtle touch of sophistication. The dials are located to ensure inf ormation is effortlessly viewable and easy to comprehend. The seven seats are spread over the t hr ee row s w i t h t he sec o nd row boasting a 60/40 split whilst both the second and third row fold completely flat, in a very swift and easy motion.. E ve n t ho ug h t he O r l a nd o l o o k s compact from the exterior, the interior is deceptively large. Legroom is generous with headroom being ideal for even

The Chevrolet Orlando is a fantastic seven seater that provides excellent value for money. It covers every aspect for both the business operator and more importantly for the family. The safety features on the Orlando are considerably impressive and certainly take into account everyday concerns for the average road user. As expected prices do vary but when costs start from just 10,995 on the road for the LT model and from just 17,995 for the 2.0L diesel LTZ model

the tallest passenger, something I can guarantee due to my partner being a slightly taller than average 6ft 6! The interior also boasts cleverly placed storage compartments behind the radio in the centre console, doors and rear cargo areas. suit all budgets with outstanding offers at their new car dealerships and used car dealerships, whether you're looking for low rate finance or low deposits, the other MPVs are in this day and age especially, financial restraints are always at the forefront and for this very reason alone the Orlando definitely wins my vote. Whilst I was given the basic model to trial run, it had everything the f amily user and business user could possibly need. Specs & Options The smooth finish of the Chevrolet Orlandos dual cockpit is complimented by a stylish blue instrument The Orlando doesnt compromise on performance for the convenience of seven seats. Engine options between a 1.8l 5-speed petrol engine or a 2.0l diesel model which comes as either an autom atic o r 6 - speed m anua l. Personal preference would be the 2.0l diesel as this has a fantastic pull and really comes into its own. The gear shifts silkily smooth leaving the overall ride quality perfectly balanced. The Chevrolet Orlando was built for those who value flexibility. To complim ent w hat is alread y a versati le vehicle, a wide range of accessories are available to take it to another level

there i s som et hi ng de si g ne d f or everyone. The storage for me as a parent was on par with the best of the best with ample space for the chunky pushchair and shopping bags. As compared to both Peugeots 5008 and Toyotas Verso the versatility of being able to combine a vehicle to cover both the business user and the family user was integral. With the added bonus of being such great value for money there really wasnt a negative to be found.

For more information on the Chevrolet Orlando please contact Dean Birkumshaw At Toomey Vauxhall Southend On 01702 563 054

5 year warranty

Page 28 | Business 2 Business News | Car Review .

Why buy 2 when 1 will do! Work, Family and Cost, Business 2 Business News test drove the Peugeot 5008
space to spacious seating, parking assistance and head up display, the 5008 certainly caters for everything. For even more freedom, all the seats in rows 2 and 3 fold individually and flat in addition the front passenger seats fold flat. Legroom has been generously thought about w ith clever storage solutions and up to 2,506 litres of luggage space should the need arise. Extra storage continues throughout the cabin including extra space in the row 2 foot wells. A nice additional extra depending on the model purchased is the Panoramic Cielo Roof, something on the model we had. This certainly provides a sense of f r e e d o m a n d sp a c e . T h e he a t reflective, tinted glass filters out 90% of the suns ultraviolet rays, in addition an electric sunblind covers up the roof at the simple touch of a button. One of the nicest small touches which shows how much Peugeot thinks of its target clientele are the items designed to suit families needs. These range from 12v chargers to additional lighting with a portable torch installed in own recess cradle that is always fully charged. Summary The 5008 certainly speaks for itself. Whilst being an ideal mode of transport for the business user it also doubles as a perfect family vehicle, a unique feature to combine two functions into one. Prices due vary on the selected optional extras but for even a basic model carries all the useful tools and comforts that you should expect. The storage for me was what became a maj or bonus, with pushchairs and for todays fuel prices. Available from only 249 per month for business users. please contact Mark Fennell at Toomeys on 01702 563155 or e mail mark.fennell@peugeotmail.co.uk

Peugeot 5008

he 5008 is one of the latest and most practical MPVs that Peugeot has brought to the market, thanks to a range of practical and user friendly initiatives. The spacious cabin and flexible, user-friendly seating are to name but a few. It also has a refined and interior quality on par with the best MPVs available on the market today. W hilst being stylish, dynamic and ver sa t ile , t he Pe ug eo t 5 00 8 is enjoyable to drive as it is practical for families as well as for business users. I had the opportunity of test driving the mid level 5008 which was at first a little daunting. Being a more experienced driver of the smaller cars, I wasnt too sure what to expect and by what Im told started driving as if I were in an articulated lorry! On a plus point, this didnt last too long and the ease in which I was able to adjust to the size and handling of the 5008 was

surprising even to me. The 5008 delivers handling, performance and technology that make the drivi ng experience truly pleasant. With regards to the actual build of the 5008, the sharp and dynamic shape imposes a bold and distinctive impression while the raking windscreen gives a breath taking view. The 5008s cabin has been designed around the driver and provides a very smooth ride. Practically the Peugeot has everything, especially a parent, could ask for. From the simple things of ample boot

Peugeot 5008 Ratings Comfort - 10/10 Handling - 10/10 Performance - 9/10 Ride - 10/10 Versatility - 10/10 External Noise - 9/10 Interior - 10/10 Interior Storage - 10/10 Price - 8/10 Running cost - 9/10 Overall Rating 95 / 100
shopping for all family requirements, there is ample space. For the business aspect and deliveries and collections you couldnt ask for more either, a happy combination of being able to save on having to have more than one vehicle per household considering todays market and financial expectations being placed on families and businesses alike. Trying to find a negative was somewhat difficult with the only small negative being the loudness of the air conditioning to demist the windscreen. This was really the best we could come up w ith! Overall its fantastic to drive, does everything it promises to do, looks great and works very economically on fuel considering its size, surely a must For more information on Toomeys, Peugeot, the 5008 or any other model please contact Mark Fennell at Toomey Peugeot Southend on 01702 563155

Toomey Southend

Safety and Endurance when it matters - The New Toyota Verso.

of the seats was by the far the easiest and quickest out of the test drives experienced. In total the Verso has an impressive 180 litre capacity with additional storage under the 3rd row of seats should you wish to keep items stored away safely and discreetly (only available on models taking the tyre repair kit). Spare tyre variants come with a useful 52 - litre box and tool storage spaces that sit above the spare tyre but beneath the deck floor. Coupled with a useful drawer below the front negative that could be found was that I found the engine quite loud which could be a little annoying at times. Again there were not many negatives that could be found and o ve ra l l i t w a s a ve r y pleasant experience. The d r i ve i t se l f w a s ve r y smooth and effortless and thoro ug hl y e nj o yab le. With such crucial detail paid to fuel economy the Toyota Verso certainly deserves its place as one of the best MPVs on the market. Prices start from just 17,505 for the T, 19,065 for the TR and 24,200 for the T-Spirit.

Accessories available with the Toyota Verso ranging from the Protection Pack, Style Pack and the Satellite Navigation System pack (available in two options depending on which model of Verso is opted for). Contract Hire Toyota has a very attractive package for the business user. With an initial down payment of 791.07 plus VAT with a remaining 35 payments of just 263.69 plus VAT thereafter, this certainly makes for a more flexible approach for the business which is financially conscious. With an average MPG of 53.3 mpg it definitely makes it economically friendly.

Toyota Verso Ratings

Comfort - 10/10 Handling - 9/10 Performance - 9/10 Ride - 10/10 Versatility - 10/10 External Noise - 7/10 Interior - 10/10 Interior Storage - 10/10 Price - 8/10 Running cost - 10/10 Overall Rating 93 / 100
For more information on Lookers Toyota , please contact Tracey Noakes at Lookers Chelmsford Tel: 01245 462 222
www.lookerschelmsford.toyota.co.uk

This year Toyota introduced its latest MPV onto the market. What makes it so different from the rest you might ask. As with the few Ive had the opportunity of test-driving recently, the Toyota Verso has one plus point above the rest and that is its adaptability to its interior, but Ill go into that shortly. As Ive already made apparent, Im used to the smaller car and so being able to adjust to the larger vehicle is a huge goal I set f or m yse lf a nd f or t he ca r manufacturers. The Toyota Verso somehow manages to suit both the larger and smaller individual whilst not compromising on space or comfort. The model tested for this review was the 2.0l D-4D TR and as experienced with the Peugeot 5008, it certainly packs a punch, which Ive found is needed to carry its size. Whether its designed for family or business use the Verso has the benefit of having Optimal Drive. This essen-

tially means that it has reduced CO emissions, better fuel economy and an enhanced performance and ensures you no longer have to give up performance to benefit from lower CO and improved economy. There are optional engine specs to choose from whether it be the 1.6 or 1.8 Valvematic 6 speed manual petrol engines to 2.0l diesel engine. The diesel option uses sophisticated diesel technology to achieve approximately 51 mpg. For those wanting that little bit more there is a M ult idr i ve S -V er sio n, w hic h comprises the latest continuously variable transmission technology and takes the effort out of changing gear whilst consuming less fuel than a conventional automatic. As I mentioned earlier the adaptability within the Verso is simply outstanding. It has 32 seating combinations with an array of clever storage solutions. The ease in which you could fold flat 1 or all

passenger sear, additional storage within the middle console box and, as appreciated by most, cup holders available for every seat, nothing seems to have been left out. Safety is paramount these days and as with many of the MPVs available on todays market, the Verso also encompasses the ISOFIX system but it has the additional benefit of using Whiplash Injury Lessening seats (WIL) and active headrests which reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of a rear-end collision. Seat belt pre-tensioners and force-limiters also installed help to reduce injury to the chest. There are numerous Option Packs and extensive

Recoverable to Recyclable 95% of the new Verso is recoverable, 100% of materials are coded and the f o ur hea vy m et a ls ha ve b e e n eliminated completely. In addition, according to Toyota policy, they offer all Toyota drivers new and innovative ways of returning their old cars. For more information visit w ww .toyota.co.uk/environm ent or contact your local Toyota Centre. Summary The Toyota Verso has a great feel to it and is certainly one of the easiest MPVs to adjust to. Storage is more than ample and with so many additional extras this certainly is a vehicle that you can make your own. The only slight

Business 2 Business News | Page 29

Doing the knowledge

for that and it happens time and time again. Businesses lose out because they're just not giving their existing customers the attention they deserve. So how do you make sure that you're keeping everyone happy? In a nutshell, you need to know who your customers are w hat they want. S uccessf ully managing your relationship with your customers involves digging a little deeper and finding out more about their purchasing habits, their opinions and their preferences. Record this data, as profiling individuals makes for more effective marketing and will lead to a increased sales. You may also need to rethink your operations to improve customer service and marketing. It's all about enhancing the customer experience, and while implementing methods for customer development may take some time and a significant monetary investment, the rewards will be ap pa re nt i n no t im e a nd w i l l strengthen the business considerably. So how do you go about it? Well it's best to look at the process and break it down into steps. The first step will be to collect as much data as you possibly can from your existing clients. Capturing this information will mean that you can see exactly who your customers are and their shopping patterns and behaviour. If your business is operating a website then that's an ideal way of collecting data, as the customer is doing half of the work for you already by entering their personal information on to the site. Make sure the informatio n g lea ne d i s o n a ce ntra l i sed database so it can be accessed and updated by all relevant people. The se c o nd st e p i n vo l ve s a na l ys i ng customer behaviour. If this all sounds a bit Big Brother that's because, well, it is. But it does allow for a deeper understanding of how to address customer needs. There are plenty of data tools and software available now to allow you to collect, profile and develop sales strategies from this information. The third step will take you to a more efficient form of marketing. Once you've gathered the information, you need to make sure that what you do with it isn't a complete waste of time and money. What many firms find is that although they have a wide and varied database of customers, in fact most of their profit is generated from a small percentage of customers. Find out who these people are and target them by rewarding them as your most loyal customers. It's a pretty simple concept really: nurture your current customers and your brand and reputation will go from strength to strength.

Creating a happy, harmonious and ongoing relationship with

customers is an achievement and an admirable accomplishment for any business. Listening to what consumers need and accurately responding is the key to success, but let's face it, it's not always that easy. There's no doubt that the bette r a com pa ny se r ve s it s

customers, the more success it's going t o w e l c o m e t hr o u g h t h e d o o r s. Businesses spend millions trying to attract new customers or win back lapsed ones and yet often neglect to de ve l o p t he i r e xi st i ng c ust om er relationships. How annoying is it to find out that your current mobile phone netw ork provider is off ering new

customers a deal that is half the price of your package? And what do you get f or yea r s of lo ya lt y to t he sam e company? Absolutely nothing - often, not even a discount on your calls. So at the first opportunity you show them who's really boss, cut your losses, and head off to a company that will give you a better deal. No one would blame you

Business is a sobering affair

T
he idea of mixing business with pleasure has always been met with a raised eyebrow or two. It conjures up images of drunken businesspeople propping up the bar in late night watering holes, pouring out their l at e st w o e s to a pr ac t ic a l stranger who they seem to have f orgot te n i s a l so t he ir c l i ent. The next morning, said businessperson wakes with a throbb i ng headac he a nd a vague recollection of inviting the client over for Christmas dinner. Oh dear, what kind of impression does that make? Thankfully, the modern business world has developed f ar m ore successf ul a nd sophisticated ways of impressi ng cl ie nts. T he p re va il i ng a t t i t ud e i s t ha t yo u d o n' t necessarily need to lose the fun, but you do need to keep it prof e ssio na l a nd, w her e possible, sober. Corporate days out are commonplace now, as are working dinners and networking events. But most entrepreneurs will shy away from inviting potential clients to the pub these days, according to new research released by Barclays. Most people expect professional meetings to be run in a professional environment. Now, that's not too much to ask is it? The traditional methods of doing deals in golf clubs or social clubs have fallen out of favour according to the survey. They no longer answer to Business says: "The entrepreneurial spirit is at an all-time high in the UK thanks to the profile of successful selfmade celebrity millionaires like Sir Alan Sugar and the BBC's Dragons and over 100,000 new businesses are formed every quarter across the UK. "But the new world of the internet is still to catch on, especially for networking, as entrepreneurs would rather go to a formal networking event rather than make contact with people online where only 9 per cent do any networking. "Perhaps it is down to the fact that many small businesses are sole traders and organised events allow you to meet others and discuss issues face to face, something a chat room will never be able to do. At Barclays, we believe it's vital that businesses are encouraged to get together and are given the kind of forums or advice, whether in person or online, where they can spend their time most productively." The survey re sul t s c e rt a i nl y b ac ke d up hi s se n t i m e nt s. It f o u n d t ha t S M E managers still place great importance in going for the personal touch, with 61 per cent of the people questioned saying organised shows and networking events were their preferred way to build up personal contacts for their business. Yet interestingly, in Scotland things are a little different. There is still a propensity to mix busi ne ss w ith pleasure there, as bosses north of the border are three times more likelyto network in a bar. Well, they do say that old habits die hard.

the need for professionalism by today's entrepreneurs. So where can people look for good business interaction or networking? The internet would seem the obvious place. But hang on... that's not where they're going. The research

uncovered that the internet isn't holding the answers for once. It seems people are not relying on it for effective business networking either. Despite the fact that every man and his dog is listed on some sort of social networking

site now, whether that is MySpace or Facebook -respondents to the survey said they felt that there was a real lack of appropriate sites dedicated solely business networking. John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local

Page 30 | Business 2 Business News

Free lunches bring dividends

Everyone loves a free lunch but we all know that there's really no such thing. Organisations spend plenty of money on corporate entertainment for a whole host of valuable reasons. Contacts need to be made, deals done and there's no harm in a bit of team building with clients. Events are viewed as a chance to have face-toface conversations and get to know the people you are work ing w it h. British companies spend over 750 million a year on corporate hospitality and it's a market that growing by 10 per cent a year. Leading hospitality packages include weekend trips to Europe, days at the races, Six Nations Rugby, boat trips and attendance at all manner of cultural events. B ut corporate entertainment shouldn't be dismissed as just a luxury perk for well-established organisations. Its main aim is to create brand loyalty. Smaller companies often miss this point and shy away from this kind of networking because of the enormous bills they believe it could rack up. But it's time for a rethink. There are ways to schmooze those key people that don't need to cost the earth. The payback can be measurable and significant and the benefits could be immediate. The small things can count. You don't necessarily need to take people out on extravagant days to the races - it may be just as effective to take someone out for lunch in the pub to say thank you or to discuss plans f or f uture partnerships. Spending quality time building a relationship with clients will mean that when they need a service, they will think of you first. It's simply a very effective way of getting to know your client. When making business deals, the organisations that have the better working relationship s with the clie nt will undoubtedly have the upper hand. If the cost is still a niggling issue, then it's worth planning ahead. Establish which events you want to run or attend, as this will aid with budgeting and deciding which clients are appropriate for those events. Try to plan for the year ahead, but make sure to allow some flexibility for events that may crop-up unexpectedly. There are a few key ways to ensure you get the best from the day. These include knowing your clients and so being able to pick events that will best suit them. It's also a good idea to decide what you want to achieve beforehand and make that happen, so w rite dow n yo ur o bj ectives f or the day. Be sure to invite a good mixture of new and well-established clients. But don't be too ambitious when it comes to group size. Small, intimate groups often work better together. Don't be too alarmed if you get knock-backs from clients. It's worth understanding that some people may feel unable to attend a corporate hospitality event due to their company culture, unless, perhaps, you combine it with a product launch or presentation. Finally, remember that feedback is key to ensure you have the best possible outcome from the day. Have a debriefing session with staff afterwards and pool your comments and thoughts. Your research and feedback from the event can be used in the planning of future events.

Business 2 Business News | Page 31

Safety comes first According to employers, the most important asset of a company is its employees, so it falls to those in charge to ensure their safety at all times while working or on company business. With recent changes in legislation concerning, in particular, the ramifications on employers of breaching the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, employers have to ensure all aspects of employee behaviour, while working, are properly scrutinised and assessed. Essentially a company is guilty of breaching safety law if the way in which its activities are managed or organised by its senior management team amounts to a gross breach of duty of care. In this respect, the duty of care an employer needs to extend to its workers when using company vehicles is complex and far reaching. The statistics do not make easy reading. The UK has the sixth-highest number of road deaths in Europe, according to data from the European Transport Safety Council. With company vehicles making up about 10 per cent of the total number of cars on Britain's roads, the potential for safety breaches being of a serious nature are growing. Fleet managers of organisations that operate company cars report that, in most instances, written policies cover the responsibilities of drivers and employers when it comes to safety standards and who is responsible for which elements. This is vital when it comes to checking a car's roadworthiness, even one that does not have to undergo an MOT until it is three years old. As a result of a roadside survey undertaken on company cars, the RAC found that over 14 per cent of vehicles would fail an MOT inspection because of illegal tyres, which are a contributing cause in 20 per cent of road accidents. Adrian McCarthy, head of inspection services for the RAC, says: "Issues such as regular tyre checking should form part of a safety regime signed up to by every business driver and monitored by the company or a third party." Safety might well be high on the fleet manager's agenda for legislative and best practice reasons, but ensuring company vehicles are safe can also add to a company's bottom line. For example, low tyre pressures can reduce a car's fuel economy by as much as 3 per cent. An important caveat to the company car safety debate is when employees are using their own vehicles on company business, otherwise known as "grey fleet" use. The danger here lies with a grey fleet driver whose own car has defects and something happens while on company business. Under the law, the driver's company could be sued for failing in its duty of care to the public, which can have major reputational and financial ramifications. The element of grey fleet use represents the biggest single safety issue facing organisations that use company vehicles or permit employees to use their own cars on company business, according to an ongoing Total Motion vehicle monitor survey. A quarter of fleet managers say roadworthiness of their grey fleet is a major safety concern and with 60 per cent of private vehicles being used on company business not being properly maintained or inadequately insured, the problem is a serious one. The Association of Car Fleet Operators suggests that in order to overcome this issue, organisations should think about investing in pool or hire cars, which are generally better maintained but more expensive to operate and not as lucrative for employees using their own cars and claiming generous mileage allowances. As well as having to implement legislation relevant to company car users such as enforcing the smoking ban, prohibiting the use of mobile phones when driving, checking the validity of the employee's right to drive and carrying out regular risk assessments relative to company car driver's safety, the fleet manager could well be forgiven for having to check their job title has not changed to Big Brother.

Grit MGP & JD Bug Scooters now in Stock

www.gripsbikes.co.uk - Tel: 01268 776661 - Grips Bikes, 56-58 Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 7JP

Working Together can Produce Fantastic Results How well do the people in your organisation get on?

Acquisitions, take-overs and mergers means that many cultures are being smashed together without any real thought of the consequences to the people or the organisation. Conflicts arise, disciplinarians take up time and performance management drains the life out of morale. Staff sickness and absenteeism goes up and so does the cost to the business. Potential Plus Ltd is a training consultancy that works on Developing Winning Attitudes - this is something that impacts all of the issues, described above. More often than not, people have the capability to do a great job otherwise why would they have been recruited in the first place? So what happens, what changes to turn someone from great to mediocre? In our experience, its is normally down to three things: lack of purpose, lack of autonomy and lack of personal development. Potential Plus engages its audience to re-light the passion, find direction and create a desirable future, which, in turn develops harmony within teams, departments and organisations.

To book a 45 minute showcase and experience what we offer call our team on +44 (0) 1202 381990 To find out more on what we offer please visit

www.potentialplus.net