New President appointed for Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative

December 15, 2009 in Bristol with Comments Off

GWE Business West is delighted to announce that Michael Bothamley, Regional Senior Partner at commercial law firm Beachcroft LLP, has been appointed President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative following its Annual General Meeting on 9 December 2009. He takes over from Guy Stobart.

As President of the Bristol Chamber, Michael will represent the interests of the West of England business community. He will also chair the West of England Initiative Advisory Board which drives strategic policy initiatives in the Bristol City region, often in partnership with the four local authorities.

In addition to being Regional Senior Partner of Beachcroft’s largest regional office, Michael is also one of seven members of the Beachcroft LLP Board, as well as chair of B2, the firm’s volume claims business in Newport. He has been actively involved in a number of local charity and voluntary organisations for many years, including The Prince’s Trust, the Tobacco Factory Arts Trust, Bristol Zoo and Clifton Rugby Club. He is also a Governor of Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School.

Working with spreadsheets – how data in a mess can hamper a Business.

December 11, 2009 in Guest Bloggers with Comments Off

Guest Blogger: Member, James Geldart, MD at Nuvola Ltd.

James Geldart, Nuvola

Meet Joe the gardener. Joe worked in financial services until a couple of years ago. He was made redundant, but this gave him the chance to re-evaluate his life. He took his redundancy pay and set up Joe’s Gardens. A year later, his wife started helping with bookings and enquiries to meet growing demand.

Business is blooming. Joe’s finding juggling all the jobs stressful. Let’s look at Joe’s business systems. When he started, he set up a spreadsheet containing details of his customers. He made another spreadsheet with the one-off jobs, and another one containing regular maintenance contracts. Now his spreadsheets are massive. He’s got a big photo folder, sorted by customer name. When his wife talks to a customer from 2 years ago, she normally knows the person and finds their details easily. They want to employ someone to ease workload and are worried that this person will never find old customers’ details and their business will lose the personal touch. Also, scheduling jobs can be difficult. Recently they’ve double-booked themselves and found that they were paying a contractor for an afternoon of doing nothing. It’s difficult to predict their earnings and sales forecasting takes a while each month as Joe uses a calculator, totting up figures from his spreadsheets.

Joe is fictional. Many small business owners, especially those with rapid growth, find that their systems are in a similar state, and this is where software can help.

In Joe’s case, we’d look at putting in three key things:-

a log of all past jobs with photos, linked to customers so that searching on customer name will bring up all the details of what’s been done
a schedule to see at a glance who’s doing what, where and when, and slot new jobs in accordingly
sales pipeline functions so that potential customers are followed up properly and they can see at a glance how much income is to be made in the future

The system would be available online at all times and will store this key business data securely off-site without any extra effort.

Does Joe’s story sound a little like your business? If so, please give us a call!

JAMES GELDART 0117 230 9510
www.nuvola.co.uk
james@nuvola.co.uk

Women’s Networking with GWE Business West

December 10, 2009 in News, Events, Opportunities with Comments Off

For 2010 we have a new programme ahead for women’s networking. Our first two events take place in January and March:-

Women’s Networking Evening with Harvey Nichols

Sue Stones, Harvey Nichols

Thursday 21st January 2010 at 6.00pm.

Join us for a women’s networking evening event at the brand new International Luxury lifestyle store, Harvey Nichols, in Bristol. Includes a 3-course meal with a glass of wine.

General manager Sue Stones who originally trained in fashion design will provide you with style tips for spring/summer 2010

Sue Stones is General Manager for Harvey Nichols Bristol and has worked with Harvey Nichols for 7 years, firstly in Edinburgh as Womenswear sales manager and then as Finance and Operations manager before moving to Bristol in July 2008 to run Harvey Nichols newest store.

Originally trained in fashion design, Sue worked with Jaeger in product development after leaving college before moving to Edinburgh and embarking on a retail career with Jenner’s, at the time the oldest independent department store in the world.

After progressing through their management trainee scheme she became a Buyer/Manager on women’s designer and contemporary fashion at Jenner’s, before leaving to join Harvey Nichols at the opening of their first Scottish store.

Venue: 27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, Bristol BS1 3BZ

Prices to attend: GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce Full Members: £25 (+ VAT)
Subscribers / Non-Members: £30 (+ VAT)

Book Now

Women’s Networking Evening with Tina Coulsting Carter

Tina Coulsting Carter

Tuesday 16th March 2010 at 6.00pm.

Join us for women’s networking evening with guest speaker Tina Coulsting Carter, director at Mentor Consultancy and a renowned specialist in presentation and communication skills, as well as the author of get the Presentation X-Factor. The evening includes a two course meal and a glass of wine.

TINA COULSTING CARTER is a director at Mentor Consultancy and a renowned specialist in presentation and communication skills.

Formerly a university teacher she has developed an approach, which builds confidence and enables speedy development of transferable communication and influencing skills.

Applying her expertise to management development programmes, Tina has, since 1999, worked with many corporate and public sector clients on pitch presentations, conference rehearsals and personal development for leadership.

She is the author of Get the Presentation X-Factor.

Venue: Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol, BS1 6TY

Prices to attend: GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce Full Members: £14.50 (+ VAT) Subscribers / Non-Members: £28 (+ VAT)

Book Now

Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner 2010

December 10, 2009 in Bristol, News, Events, Opportunities with Comments Off

The Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner 2010, which celebrates business across the region, will be held on Thursday 25th March at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel.

Rt Hon David Davis MP

With Guest Speaker Rt Hon David Davis MP

We welcome the Rt Hon David Davis MP as guest speaker at the Bristol Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner 2010. This prestigious event, which celebrates business across the region and attracts over 400 guests, takes place at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel on 25^th March.

David Davis served as Conservative Party Chairman and shadow Deputy Prime Minister, but to many he is best known for resigning his seat and stepping down as shadow Home Secretary on a point of principle in 2008. He won the resulting by-election with a resounding 72% of the vote, and has since continued to campaign for civil liberties.

Before entering the Commons, David worked as a troubleshooter and strategist for Tate & Lyle, becoming a main board director. Apart from driving the recovery of loss-making subsidiaries he was central in major reconfigurations of the overall company. He also contributed pieces to the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times on subjects from industrial relations to management techniques – and wrote a book based on his experience. How to Turn Round a Company is as relevant today as it was when first published in 1989.

Soon after being elected to Parliament David was invited to join the Government. His first appointment was in the Cabinet Office, where he was given responsibility for policy delivery and public service performance, and some aspects of intelligence oversight. He then moved to the Foreign Office as Europe and Security Command Minister – overseeing most European and international negotiations including NATO enlargement, the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and the updated Geneva Convention. As befits a politician with a degree in molecular science, David also served as Science Minister.

When New Labour were elected David became Chairman of the all-powerful Public Accounts Committee – and stood for the leadership of the Conservative party.

Book Tickets Online

£95.00 + VAT – GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce Full Members
£120.00 + VAT – Subscribers & Non Members
Tables of 8, 10 or 12 are also available.

Sponsored by Continental Airlines and Lloyds.

GWE Business West comment on Pre-Budget Report

December 10, 2009 in Policy, Legislation with Comments Off

Nigel Hutchings, Director of GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce: responds to the pre-budget report.

“The Chancellor is right to say that this is a critical time for our economy. He said he wants to ensure recovery and promote growth, both of which we fully support as objectives. Similarly his pledge to aid investment in modern, knowledge based industries is very much in line with our position.”

“Small and medium sized businesses will welcome measures such as extending the scheme which gives extra time to pay tax, the extending of empty property relief, the freezing of levels of Corporation tax for small businesses and the extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme.”

“However, we are very disappointed that the new improvements to provide high speed rail services were limited to the north west of England. Our transport infrastructure is crying out for improvements. Meanwhile the increase in National Insurance contributions will hurt our businesses.”

Let us know your views?

Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce joins GWE Business West

November 30, 2009 in Gloucestershire with Comments Off

Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) is looking forward to a future as part of the GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce network.

The permanent merger was passed unanimously at GCCI’s AGM on Tuesday, 24^th November.

GCCI will keep its base at Chargrove House, Shurdington, and will continue with its current trading name. Its assets will be transferred to GWE Business West from April 2010.

The merger is intended to secure GCCI’s future. And will give Gloucestershire a louder voice as part of an influential Chambers of Commerce network that also covers Bristol, Bath, and South Gloucestershire. It will also benefit from GWE Business West’s influence and activities across Swindon, Wiltshire and the South West.

Director of GWE Business West Chambers of Commerce, Nigel Hutchings said: “Our Chambers of Commerce network has many benefits for Gloucestershire. We are delighted they are joining us.”

“Providing business leadership, business membership and business services, GWE Business West is continually expanding its scope. We ensure the ‘voice of business’ is heard in important economic debates, using our partnership links with the public and private sectors. Our range of business support and membership services are regularly reviewed and developed to meet demand. “

GCCI Managing Director John Cripps said: “A merger was the only way forward. This is a highly positive outcome that will give us strength. It ensures our future and will give our members an enhanced range opportunities and benefits.”

GCCI President Martin Quantock pointed out that the county is an essential part of the Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire triangle, and relies on industries such as aerospace, hi-tech companies, and financial services. He said: “The triangle is the highest GDP earner in the UK, second only to London. We must make sure our voice is heard.”

John Savage, Managing Director of GWE Business West said: “Over the next 5 years, we are confident we can substantially grow membership and become the single voice for South West business. There is no catch. The area we cover is a natural gathering. We must work together to expand our influence using our joint interests to keep and grow our local chambers.”

When do you cut your Marketing budget?

November 20, 2009 in Guest Bloggers with Comments Off

Guest Blogger: Member Ron Pearce, Chester Presentations

Talk to decision makers in SME’s and larger organisations and they will usually insist that you should never cut back your Marketing spend during a recession. Staying visible to your market and reassuring clients that you are ready, willing and able to do business is vital. Keeping your head down until the hard times blow over is not a serious option for forward focused companies.

Demands on the marketing budget are heavy at any time and in a recession it’s all the more important to carefully assess and try to measure where best to use limited resources. Continuing to run a regular advertisement in your trade journal will remind readers you are still around but is it really good value for money month by month? Allocating more of your spend below the line is worth thinking about. If you are a business to business marketer, branded promotional products can often deliver better £1 for £1 results.

I’ve been looking at a national survey carried out for the British Promotional Merchandise Association. It revealed some interesting attitudes and perceptions. Here are some of them:

Of those surveyed, results show:

92% believe branded merchandise increases company brand awareness.
76% say they can name a brand or company/organisation featured on a promotional item on their desk, without having to look for confirmation.
Over half (52%) purchased from companies branded on a promotional product kept on their desk.
82% would keep an item they were given than give it away

The survey identified the top 10 items people keep on their desk. They included pens, calendar, mouse mat, post-it notes, mug, pencil, desk pad, calculator, diary and a notebook.

Most of us are grateful for a Christmas gift of a bottle of something alcoholic to celebrate the festive season, but who remembers who gave them what by New Years day? For less money, giving a branded gift that will be around in 2010 sounds like a better investment to me.

Having been in business long enough to remember previous recessions, I have come to appreciate how essential it is to take care of the customers we have. Keeping in touch with decision makers and reminding ourselves that the best prospect for new business is our existing customer. How often have you called to speak to a client only to find they have moved on? Without making a nuisance of yourself, an occasional email or telephone call, can keep you in the driver’s seat. Having more than one contact in the organisation is also good practice. Surprises are not often pleasant.

We never stop looking for new business but we try to keep the balance right. Ignore your loyal clients at your peril.

Being seen and heard in 2010 will be a priority for any organisations determined to find their way out of the recession. Sending your clients a positive upbeat message builds confidence and trust. Is there an alternative way forward?

To find out more about branded promotional merchandise to help you stay front of your clients minds, click on http://www.chesterpresentations.co.uk/ or call Ron Pearce on 01453 828815.

Swindon: We’re here – why aren’t you?

October 23, 2009 in Swindon with Comments Off

Some of Swindon’s biggest businesses have signed up to support a campaign to ‘back’ Swindon in a bid to attract inward investment into the town centre.

Swindon’s excellent location makes it a major hub for businesses with company’s such as Honda and Zurich already based in the town. So positive is their experience of operating here, they have signed up to back The New Swindon Company’s latest marketing campaign ‘Swindon: we’re here – why aren’t you?’, an initiative that will market Swindon as a destination of choice to more than 3,000 businesses along the M4 corridor, from London to Bristol.

The concept behind this campaign, which is based around a dedicated website launched in September, is to provide companies interested in re-locating with information on what Swindon has to offer, along with local business advice and investment opportunities.

Councilor Phil Young, Lead Member for Regeneration, at Swindon Borough Council commented: “Swindon has a great offering – a fantastic location, competitive property prices and a successful local economy.

We already have a large number of well known businesses operating from the town centre and over recent months have seen increased demand for office space from companies looking to move from London, Bristol and Bath. With the delivery of a £1 billion regeneration scheme underway, which will bring with it a number of new developments and top class office, retail and residential space, things look set to get even better.”

Carol Heneghan, Director of Marketing at The New Swindon Company added: “Significant investment is required in order to attract a broad range of businesses and create a more vibrant town centre, and so the aim of this campaign is to get Swindon’s positive messages out there. Local companies Honda, Zurich, GWE Business West, Monahans, Howard Tenens and Wow! Creative have already signed up to ‘back’ Swindon, and our aim is to get as many businesses as possible to come on board and recognise what the town has to offer.”

Mike Godfrey, Senior Manager and Chief Engineer at Honda, said: “We came to Swindon for a number of reasons. The town has an excellent skills base and a large number of people with a background in manufacturing and engineering. We were able to move straight into a large site with options for future expansion, and this combined with existing infrastructure that could link us to the main supplier base, ports and airports made it an obvious choice.”

Chairman of GWE Business West, Nicky Alberry said, “One of GWE Business West’s core aims is to make Swindon one of the best places to live and work by enabling the local business community to play a part in influencing the way our area is shaped, managed and developed. We fully support any campaign that helps to create a prosperous local environment and will be assisting The New Swindon Company in spreading the message that Swindon presents major opportunities for business.” Go to http://www.newswindonbackingbusiness.co.uk/ for more information on Swindon’s regeneration plans, investment opportunities and testimonials from businesses already operating successfully in the town.

soVision offer free website advice for SMEs

September 29, 2009 in Guest Bloggers with Comments Off

This week’s guest blogger, GWE Business West Chamber of Commerce member soVision, a leading ICT services, web design and hosting company based in Bristol has just published some invaluable advice for any business thinking of setting up a new website or perhaps redesigning an existing site.

Jason Wyatt, Technical Director at soVision explained. “We get approached by lots of small and medium sized businesses wanting to create their first website or perhaps upgrade an existing website or add some new features. Often though they aren’t really sure what they want or what will work best for them. Because of this we felt it would be helpful to give some guidance to the SME sector on how to approach developing or enhancing their website.”

The new guidance which is available as a free PDF download outlines three essential questions any business should be asking themselves before they start.

What do I want my website to do?
How do I want my website to be organised?
What do I want my website to look like?

Packed full of handy tips and invaluable advice the new guidance gives lots of examples and illustrations and outlines a detailed 3 Step model to help shape your thinking.

Jason explained further. “Sadly, we have lost count of the number of businesses who have come to us for advice after having made expensive mistakes with their first ventures into the online world. Businesses which have ended up with a website that cost them a lot more than they first imagined or with a site that simply doesn’t do what they want it to do.

“The approach we are suggesting is designed to avoid clients wasting time and money. Our free guidance download should be really useful to the SME sector and we are of course very happy to give further advice on an individual basis. It’s common sense really but it’s surprising what a big payoff just an hour or so sat down quietly thinking about what you really want to achieve can do to get a clear view of what you want.”

To download the new guidance go to: http://www.sovision.com/thinking-about-a-new-website

Please contact : Jason Wyatt – email : jw@sovision.com – 0845 450 3669

Business optimism at The Business Show Bristol 09

September 17, 2009 in Bristol, News, Events, Opportunities with Comments Off

Over 700 attendees and 90 exhibitors flocked to Bristol yesterday for The Business Show which was organised by GWE Business West. Attendees not only came from Bristol and Bath but from further afield including Exeter, Wales and Bournemouth.

Now in its third year, with two more shows already scheduled for 2010 in Bristol (15th September) and Bath, The Business Show is the leading business to business exhibition and networking event in the region and across the South West.

Feedback from the show has been extremely positive with many visitors already enquiring about next year’s show. Exhibitors included Continental Airlines, Barclays, Enterprise Europe Network South West and UKTI.

Gerrard Halsey of Crown Worldwide Group, a relocation management company, found exhibiting particularly beneficial. He said “I am delighted with the bespoke enquiries which have led to a number of good quality leads.”

One of the most popular seminars of the day was ‘Social Networking – (Don’t) Just Do It!’ by Neil Wilkins, Viper Marketing & Communications Group. Over 50 people attended the seminar and gained valuable tips on how to use social media.

“The show of hands from the seminar was quite enlightening. 50 people present, 40 using Facebook, 30 using LinkedIn and 20 using Twitter. Just one person raised their hand to confirm they are seeing a real business benefit from using social media and online networking. The seminar outlined that the starting point to see such benefit is clear strategic thinking; matching business goals and an understanding of where target customers and prospects are using social media tools; before embarking on regular blogging, tweeting and online networking. The few who have taken this approach are already starting to see a measurable business benefit…. the rest of us should follow.” he said.

Roy Sheppard from Reputation Marketing, whose seminar ‘How to create a Fan Club for your Business’ also attracted a large number of delegates, said: “There really is a great buzz and this is a perfect networking opportunity for businesses.”

Sponsors of the show were very impressed. Corinne Watt, Business Link, stressed that the event helps businesses increase their profile and Miranda Swain, regional acquisition manager, O2 Telefonica, believes that business shows like these are very important as they give local businesses the opportunity to network with other companies and allow them to obtain more awareness for their products and services.

Gary Chambers, Jardine Lloyd Thompson UK Limited, one of the country’s leading providers of insurance solutions, said “The free flow of ideas in a warm, friendly environment and the support available for businesses makes for a fantastic business networking event.”

Hilary Faulkner, Smart Training & Recruitment, a training services provider and sponsors of the speed networking sessions, said: “We deliver government funded training and the show has enabled us to raise awareness of this. The response has been great and we are going away with many enquiries. The speed networking sessions were fully booked and the whole event certainly helped create a business community.”

“In a tough economic climate, it is important that businesses network and share knowledge. This year’s show attracted over 700 visitors and 90 exhibitors from far and wide providing companies with this opportunity which can only be beneficial for business.” said Phil Smith, Managing Director of GWE Business West.

To view clips from The Business Show Bristol 09, as featured on BBC Points West on 16th September, click on the links below:-

1.30pm BBC Points West News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4eqnlKEOOk

6.30pm BBC Points West News http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhpVa5OJio

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