ENTER THE CHAMBER AWARDS 2006 NOW FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN 25,000 POUNDS!!
The British Chamber’s of Commerce Chamber Awards are once again open for entries!! Now in it’s third year the awards are the only scheme open exclusively to members of accredited chambers of Commerce from across the UK.
There are 7 categories to choose from, with something for every kind of business and once again the overall ‘Winner of Winners’ grand prize of £25,000 is up for grabs, courtesy of Microsoft.
So what have you got to lose? To enter visit the Chamber Awards website at www.chamberawards.co.uk and choose from the following business categories:
The Microsoft Award for Innovation Through Technology – sponsored by Microsoft – for companies that recognise the role that technology can play in improving the business
- Business Commitment to the Community – for businesses who make a difference to communities
- Business of the Year – the accolade for overall business achievement
- Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by the Telegraph Business Club - for people who stand out from the crowd in business
- Exporter of the Year – sponsored by Travelex - the award for companies with a strong export sales strategy
- Most Promising New Business – sponsored by BT - designed to specifically recognise the success of companies that have been trading for 3 years or less
- Skills and Workforce Development – to recognise companies that focus on developing their workforce
The awards are free to enter and companies can enter as many categories as they wish. The closing date is June 26th 2006, so don’t delay and download your entry forms today!
If you submit your completed entries by May 31st 2006 you will be entered into an Early Bird Draw to win a car navigation system worth over £300!
NEW ENERGY DIRECTIVE FOR BUILDING OWNERS
From 6 April 2006, the new EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD) came into force as part of a Europe-wide initiative to cut carbon emissions.
Under the new Directive, owners and operators of commercial properties will be required to carry out a professional energy rating assessment of their premises. They will also be encouraged to take measures to improve energy efficiency.
Much of the detail of how this will affect property owners and operators is still being worked out by the Government but it is apparent that there will be a mandatory inspection and certification process.
Utility Auditing Ltd, which delivers the Chamber Utilities™ energy management and procurement service, will deliver EPBD inspection services as part of its exclusive package of assistance to members. The company is expanding the programme of services provided by its national team of Carbon Trust consultants to include EPBD assessments and certification.
As such, local Chamber members will be among the first in the country to get their non-domestic properties properly and speedily certificated and labelled.
Companies wishing to improve their energy efficiency in readiness for compliance with the new directive may be eligible for a free Carbon Trust energy survey, which is available to businesses spending in excess of £50,000 per year on their energy bill.
Typically businesses are wasting up to 20 per cent of their energy and a Carbon Trust Survey will identify precisely where the wastage is occurring. Chamber Utilities™ can carry out the Carbon Trust surveys on behalf of business and help with implementation of energy efficiency measures to realise impressive savings.
For further information about EPDB or to apply for a free Carbon Trust Energy Survey, contact Chamber Utilities™ on 0845 120 2423, info@chamberutilities.co.uk
WESTFIELD COMPLETES AWARDS HAT-TRICK!
Westfield Health, the Chamber’s preferred provider of corporate healthcare, has scooped a major award at the Employee Rewards & Benefits awards ceremony.
The Sheffield-based national organisation has fought off competition from many of its UK health insurance market rivals to win Healthcare Cash Plan Provider of the Year at the national magazine's first ever awards ceremony. Westfield was also short-listed in the category for Sickness Absence Solution Provider of the Year at the awards.
To find out how your company could benefit from the Chamber Primary Health Plan call 0845 602 1629, email: enquiries@westfield-health.org.uk or visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber
NEW MEMBER BENEFIT NOW AVAILABLE
Due to the increasing burden of employment legislation and the proliferation of "no win no fee" solicitors, dealing with employment issues is becoming increasingly difficult, time consuming and costly. Keeping pace and, more importantly, ensuring compliance with the never-ending stream of employment legislation is a major burden for local businesses.
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are acutely aware of the need to provide you with practical assistance to help with employment law and human resource issues. As a result, through the British Chamber of Commerce and Qdos Consulting and Composite Legal Expenses, we are providing you with access to Chamber HR- a complete employment and human resource solution -as part of your membership.
Chamber HR offers:
- A compliant contract of employment
- A compliant employee handbook
- A compliant health and safety policy
- Web access to over 150 downloadable policies, procedures, documents, letters, templates and fact sheets
- Unlimited access to a 24/7 human resources helpline
You should have received information and contact details on this new service from Leicestershire Chamber, however, should you require further information then contact us on 0116 247 1800.
Curry Networking Evening
Date: 26th April
Time: 6pm-8.30pm
Venue: Curry Pot Restaurant, Belgrave Road, Leicester
Cost: £25 Chamber Members / £35 Standard
Business Women's Link Evening
Date: 27th April
Time: 6pm-8.30pm
Venue: Holiday Inn Leicester
Cost: £17.63
Sales and Account Management Training
Date: 3rd and 4th May
Sales and Account Management in conjunction with Business Builder and Ivan Lawrence Coaching.
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Chamber Offices, New Walk, Leicester
Cost: £200+ vat Chamber Members / £240 + vat Standard. Price includes buffet lunch.
Telephone Techniques Training
Date: 10th May
Telephone Techniques in conjunction with Business Builder and Broaden HR Limited
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Chamber Offices, New Walk, Leicester
Cost: £125 + vat Chamber Members / £165 + vat Standard
Presentation Skills (Two day course)
Date: 15th and 16th May
Presentation Skills (Two day course) in conjunction with Business Builder and Ivan Lawrence Coaching.
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Chamber Offices, New Walk, Leicester
Cost: £200 + vat Chamber Members / £240 +vat Standard
Chamber Golf Day with the support of Sturgess Volvo and O2
Date: 17th May
Time: from 8.30am
Venue: Parkhill Golf and Leisure Club, Seagrave, near Loughborough
Cost: £48.50 Chamber Members / £58.50 Standard
President's Gala Dinner In conjunction with Leicestershire Cares, sponsored by SFS Legal
Date: 23rd May
Time: 7pm-11pm Venue: Ramada Leicester Hotel
Cost: £49.50 Chamber Members / £59.50 Standard
Table of ten: £470 Chamber Members / £570 Standard
For more information or to make a booking call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and click on what’s on/events.
Budget Day March 2006
The Budget Speech given on 22 March is, necessarily, a summary of the measures to be undertaken by Government and the underlying detail is extensive and important to particular kinds of business.
Headlines for businesses:
Tax – Treasury to consult on harmonising NI and PAYE to cut administration cost to employers. No cut in Climate Change Levy, but more investment in helping to increase energy savings. Motor Fuel Duty frozen until September. Home Computer Scheme axed.
Productivity – increases in science research funding. Improved R&D Tax Credit Scheme.
Training and Skills – second chances to catch up on education for people aged up to 26 and a new focus of FE courses to make sure that these meet employer’s needs.
Housing – Licensing of multi-occupied residences ODPM, Real State Investment Trusts and extension of shared ownership to help maintain volume of first-time buyer market.
Key documents published with the Budget:
These provide strong indications of the basis for future economic policy making by the Government.
- Devolving decision making: 3 – Meeting the regional economic challenge: The importance of cities to regional growth
- Employment opportunity for all: Analysing labour market trends in London
- Financial services in London: Global opportunities and challenges
- Productivity in the UK 6: Progress and new evidence
- Science and innovation investment framework 2004-2014: next steps
- The climate change levy package
To view the Chancellor’s speech or access the Budget Report, visit the Treasury’s website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk
MARKET VISIT SUPPORT: BUSINESSES ARE INVITED TO JOIN A VISIT TO RUSSIA (Moscow with the option for St Petersburg)
Date: 12th - 16th June 2006
The Leicestershire UK Trade & Investment Team (UKTI) are taking the lead in the UK’s export initiative to Russia in June 2006. Whilst the Russian market will still require a careful approach and long-term commitment, the opportunities are incredibly vast in such a wide range of sectors including clothing & textiles, DIY & construction materials, media, hi-tech production & engineering, communications, food & drink processing, household goods, furniture upholstery, services, cosmetics, healthcare & pharmaceutical and oil & gas. Trade between Russia and the UK has increased significantly over recent years.
This market visit includes:
- £300 travel grant to a limited number of companies
- Full support from your local UK Trade & Investment Team
- British Embassy Commercial Team advice and support in market briefing & reception for customers and contacts
- Pre-briefing and publicity & trade visit brochure
For further information please contact:
June Palmer, International Trade Project Officer
UK Trade & Investment
Charnwood Court
5B New Walk
Leicester
LE1 6TE
Tel: 0116 2587328
Fax: 0116 2855951
Email: jpalmer.ukti@blleics.co.uk
UPCOMING EVENTS
Senior Commercial Officer, Taipei April 26th 2006
We are delighted to confirm an informal workshop with Lynn Li, the senior Commercial Officer from Taipei. Lynn's team covers Construction (Fire & Security, Sports/Leisure Infrastructure), Power, Rail, Oil/Gas, Aerospace.
During the workshop, Lynn will introduce the business opportunities in Taiwan in the above sectors and will give an overview on how to do business with/in Taiwan.
Paying and Getting Paid April 26th 2006
The East Midlands International Trade Association (EMITA) is an independent association established to promote international trade and export expertise amongst the regions businesses. The latest seminar will be held in Northampton and will concerned with how to ensure payment from overseas companies.
Creative Industries
There is continuing work with the Creative Industries companies which has culminated in the organisation of a dedicated 2 day Passport to Export workshop. There has also been a recent successful research visit to Tokyo for design-makers which is part of the on-going support for companies within the design, media and performing arts areas.
For further information on any of the above, please contact your local UKTI team on 0116 258 7329 or export.ukti@blleics.co.uk
CHARNWOOD EXPO
Charnwood Together is promoting a programme of events about business in the Borough both now and in the future. The programme targets a wide range of business interests and will run over 10 days beginning 2nd May 2006.
Charnwood EXPO is targeted at both businesses themselves and organisations supporting and working with businesses here.
To see the provisional programme of events and for further information go to www.charnwoodbusiness.com/expo.html
NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARDS 2006 SEEK UK'S BEST IN CUSTOMER SERVICE DELIVERY
The coveted National Customer Service Awards 2006, sponsored by Customer Management, has opened for entry in a search to find the country’s top performing customer service individuals and teams. The closing date for completed application forms is Wednesday 17th May 2006.
Now in its 7th year the National Customer Service Awards provides a platform to recognise the best in customer service delivery from individuals and organisations. The awards promote the highest standards in customer service and the growing interest in improving service levels and the benefits that arise from satisfying and retaining customers and are very much the ‘Hallmark’ of customer service delivery in the UK.
Made up of 33 categories, the awards are rigorously judged by an independent panel. One outstanding customer service team will be presented with the flagship Customer Service Team of the Year Award.
Companies and individuals can find out more www.customerserviceawards.com, email info@customerserviceawards.com or phone the Entries Team on 0207 378 1188.
BT LAUNCHES A SEARCH TO FIND THE UK'S OUTSTANDING ENTREPRENEURS
BT Business has launched a search to find the UK’s 20 most exciting entrepreneurs as part of a new initiative to celebrate the achievements of small businesses.
"Essence of the Entrepreneur" aims to identify businesses that are doing something unique and that are finding new ways to do business with the help of technology. To celebrate their achievements, renowned celebrity photographer, Perou, will photograph the 20 chosen entrepreneurs.
The photographs, which are intended capture the lifestyle of the entrepreneurs as well as what it is that makes their businesses unique, will go on to feature in a
high-profile London exhibition.
Perou has photographed celebrities from Coldplay and U2 through to Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and David Beckham. He has worked on high-profile fashion campaigns for Vivienne Westwood, shooting her two most recent campaigns and has shot covers and features for Vogue, GQ, Arena, and Dazed and Confused amongst others.
A panel of experts, including Coffee Republic’s Sahar Hashemi, Teresa Graham OBE, John Dunsmure, the Managing Director of British Chambers of Commerce Enterprises and Gavin Dollin, Head of Business Link National Partnerships, will choose the 20 small businesses.
Andrew McGregor, Head of Marketing and Strategy for BT Business Broadband, said: "Essence of the Entrepreneur is designed to celebrate the people who drive the UK’s 3 500 000 small businesses. Entrepreneurial businesses are flourishing in the face of the changing business world and it is extremely important that this is recognised. We want to break down the barriers for small businesses and technology is enabling entrepreneurs to do this."
Businesses must submit their entries on or before April 30 2006. They must be privately owned and employ fewer than 75 people and be able to demonstrate that they are doing something unique, that technology has played a part and explain the potential in the business for future growth.
Full details of how to enter, along with terms and conditions can be found by visiting: www.btbroadbandoffice.com/entrepreneur.
STAGGER 9 TO 5 FOR STAGGERING BENEFITS
Organisations and employees across the UK are being invited to take part in Work Wise Week (3 - 9 May 2006) and help create a 'smarter' working Britain.
Staff and employers alike are being asked to spend the week trying out smarter working practices, such as flexible working, mobile working, remote working and working from home, so they can see for themselves the benefits and practicalities of this modern day approach to working.
Work Wise Week marks the start of Work Wise UK, a major three-year initiative with broad government, business and union support, which will encourage the widespread adoption of smarter working practices across the UK. This will revolutionise the way people work and lead to increased business productivity and competitiveness, reduced transport congestion and pollution, improved health, assist disadvantaged groups and harmonise work and family commitments.
The aim is to increase the number of people currently enjoying smarter working from 3.1 million to 14 million, half the working population, within three years.
Many smarter working practices are very simple to implement, and it is these that organisations are being encouraged to try during Work Wise Week:
·Allowing staff to come in either an hour later or an hour earlier, with a reciprocal hour shift at the end of the day. This would enable staff to avoid the busiest travel times, effectively staggering the rush hour and making the journey far more tolerable for everyone.
·Allowing staff to work from home on Friday 5 May. Even a small reduction in the number of people traveling on the roads or by public transport on that day will have a significant effect on congestion and overcrowding.
The concept of smarter working has been around for many years but it is the recent advances in technology which will have had a huge part to play in facilitating its wider adoption. The continuing widespread growth of faster broadband across the UK and the great steps made in mobile technology, are opening the door for a large cross-section of the UK population to benefit from smarter working.
Further information about Work Wise UK and how organisations can participate in Work Wise Week can be found on the website www.workwiseuk.org