Archive - April, 2009

A guide to delivering equality and diversity in business

April 30, 2009 in Advice, Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

An equality policy reflects your business’s commitment to equal opportunities; promising to treat all employees, and potential employees, fairly and considerately. To ensure that your business is delivering an effective equality and diversity policy ACAS recommend’s that you:

1. Review your existing equality policy and action plan – or write a new policy if you don’t have one.


2. Monitor how the policy is working in practice – this is the critical stage in delivering equality in the workplace.

3. Take action, where needed, to address inequality and promote diversity

 ACAS has published a new guide for employers which can help you to review your equality policy and action plan – or to write one. It also has a useful question and answer section, along with a sample equality policy and monitoring form:


Delivering Equality and Diversity (Needs Acrobat Reader to open)

A 12 page summary is also available:-

Delivering Equality and Diversity: A Summary Guide (Needs Acrobat Reader to open)

Business gloom at budget news

April 23, 2009 in Economy, Policy & Legislation with 1 Comment

GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce members have reacted with a mixture of anger and disappointment to the Chancellor’s budget.

Accountant Geoff Gollop said he thought it was bizarre that the Government were apparently setting out to reward failure. He said he believed there was no proper understanding of the importance of owner managed businesses in bringing the country out of the economic downturn and he was less confident today than he was before Mr Darling’s speech in the House of Commons.

“Loss making businesses are being given extended credit from the revenue before having to pay their tax whereas there is no benefit to those companies which have taken the prudent course and set aside cash to meet the bills when they come in. Similarly, people who have worked hard to increase their income levels beyond £150k are being hit with an increase in income tax.”

“At first sight it looks as though the increase in allowances against capital investment is helpful but in my experience very few SME’s spend up to the current level of allowance,” said Mr Gollop.

Elizabeth Miles, CEO of Iken Business Ltd, which provides document and e-mail management for lawyers and other professionals, said she was anxious about the level of borrowing, although she believed an energetic investment programme could help improve confidence.

“I expect the public sector will come under great pressure to demonstrate efficiencies. Ironically, whilst we don’t want to benefit from the misery of others, that may help our business because we have no borrowings, have re-invested in the company and can provide the support that the public sector will need to hit the targets they will be set,” she said.

James Durie, Director of the Initiative for the West of England, said he thought the Chancellor was taking a high risk strategy on borrowing based on some optimistic growth targets and he was disappointed that little had been said which would tackle some of their prime concerns.

“Of course we welcome the increased investment in the environment but there was little in this budget which suggested we would see an improvement in our transport infrastructure which is a key concern of our members and we would also have liked to see measures which would help companies to find new foreign markets. Equally, holding the level of business rates is all very well, but it’s not enough and people with empty buildings will continue to feel their pain,” added Mr Durie.

For information about the Budget 2009 go to BBC website

Chambers of Commerce membership soars in difficult times

April 17, 2009 in Economy with 2 Comments

Networking with Chambers of Commerce

Networking with Chambers of Commerce

GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce, the network of Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire Chambers, experienced a bumper month for recruitment in March, exceeding all previous records by attracting 66 new members in just one month.

Rising to the challenges faced in an economic downturn, businesses are seeking new ways to keep business buoyant, and are taking advantage of organisations which can help them to add value and access new opportunities for development, such as maintaining sales, identifying new markets and investing in staff development – areas in which the Chambers of Commerce is already helping over 2000 members across the West of England.

Nigel Hutchings, General Manager of GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce, says “In these challenging times, a cost which is not attributable to the core work of a business may be seen as dispensable. However, we’re finding that both potential and existing members are realising that membership of their local Chamber is key in discovering new markets and accessing relevant advice to continue profitable trading.”

Networking through the Chambers of Commerce, which organises over 70 events and seminars each year across the region, has recently soared in popularity as it offers an alternative and cost-effective approach to traditional marketing – as well as an opportunity to take part in one of the region’s most active business communities.

And those members who are too busy to attend events are taking advantage of a range of online services that can help them to network online, access vital business information and promote their business – all for free.

GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce recognise the value in developing online opportunities for its members; re-launching the members’ zone on their website to offer an enhanced online service, which includes a more interactive online directory entry and improved promotional tools where members can promote their news, events, offers, jobs, case studies and tenders for free. The Chambers also facilitate online networks and access to news and business opportunities through social media, such as Twitter and LinkedIn.

In addition, ‘MyHRGuide’ is also now available free to full members via the members’ zone, providing instant access to a range of downloads. Small to medium businesses with little or no HR function will find this service invaluable in helping to guide their HR policies and processes.

Far gone are the days of an ‘old boy’s network’; modern Chambers of Commerce have evolved with the times, enabling a strong and dynamic community in which a diverse cross-section of businesses and individuals can thrive.

Active members can expect to gain value from a wide range of business benefits that include advice, information, networking events, representation and promotional opportunities, as well as significant discounts on many GWE Business West services.

For more information about GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce call 01275 373 373 or visit www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk