IN THE NOVEMBER GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- Chamber Flushes Out Costs
- Regional Winners Announced
- Getting The Edge
- Be Green At Christmas
- Local Toastmaster Given The Presidential Treatment
- emda Energy Efficiency Programme
- Wish Upon A Star
- Overseas Opportunity
- The World's New Business Centre
- Forthcoming Chamber Events
GET INVOLVED
If your company would like to help the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce continue to provide this informative e-newsletter Good Morning Leicestershire and raise the profile of your own business at the same time then please talk to Sharon Jeffrey on 0116 204 6618 to discuss sponsorship opportunities, preferential rates are available for Chamber Members.
CHAMBER FLUSHES OUT COSTS AT LOCAL ENGINEERING FIRM
Cressall Resistors has put a stop to spiralling water costs thanks to help from the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Utilities team.
Surveyors from Utility Auditing, which delivers the Chamber Utilities service, carried out a free desktop water charges audit for theEvington Road-based company. Anomalies were identified and a subsequent site drainage survey highlighted that the company was being overcharged for its waste water disposal.
Negotiations with the water supplier resulted in a refund of £11,000 for overpayments made during the past six years and a re-assessment of current rates, which will save the company an additional £2,400 per year.
Sarah Martin-Smith, Financial Controller for Cressall, said: "We were delighted by the savings achieved which we are re-investing in the continued growth of the business. The money will go towards purchase of a new coiler, which will mean we can double our capacity and dramatically increase productivity. We are a dynamic company and our staff has grown by a third in the past 18 months. We hope that this investment will mean we can take on and train even more new employees."
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Group MD Martin Traynor added: "Chamber members are eligible for a free annual assessment of all their utilities – from water to energy and telecoms. Those taking advantage of this valuable, no obligation service are reaping competitive advantage through driving down their costs and driving up their environmental performance. This is a superb route to taking cost out of any business and we urge all Chamber members to put the Chamber Utilities service to the test."
To find out more contact Chamber Utilities™ on: 0845 120 2423, www.chamberutilities.co.uk
REGIONAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Michael Associates Ltd, a member of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce has been announced as the regional winner of the Microsoft Award for Impact of Technology On Your Business (less than 50 employees) in the East Midlands for the Chamber Awards 2007.
Michael Associates Ltd won the Microsoft-sponsored award because the judges were impressed by their use of freely available products to enhance communications in the business with minimal cost implications. The technology implemented is used by clients as well as staff with potential to improve external as well as internal communications.
Pall-ex Group, another member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, was announced as the regional winner of the Business of the Year Award in the East Midlandsfor the Chamber Awards 2007.
The company transports non-hazardous palletised freight and won the Blackberry sponsored award because judges were struck by the company's clear understanding of the needs of its customers, partners and staff.
Both companies will now go through to national judging and the chance to win the top prize of £50,000, courtesy of Royal Bank ofScotland. The national winners of the Chamber Awards 2007 will be announced at a Gala Dinner at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London on the 29th November 2007.
GETTING THE EDGE
The Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, along with Business Builder, part of the Chamber group, is to run a series of training courses geared towards helping local businesses gain the competitive edge.
The dynamic, thought provoking workshops, which have been designed to give Leicestershire business people the practical tools and techniques to develop their business and improve their competitive edge, will run throughout November and December. The first workshop will be Essential Leadership on 20 November followed by The Art Of Being Brilliant on 26 November, Dynamic Change Management on 29 November and Essential Marketing Principals on December 5th.
Workshops can be booked individually or people can choose to attend all four, prices start at just £90 and subsidized packages are available. For more information please contact Business Builder on 0116 258 7354 or email:info@bizbuild.co.uk
BE GREEN AT CHRISTMAS
The time has come, according to sustainable businesses experts Envirowise, for responsible businesses in the Midlands To lead the way in a festive revolution.
Three-quarters of a billion Christmas cards are likely to be sent this year, each with an associated financial and environmental cost. Envirowise is urging Midlands companies to switch to sending their season's greetings electronically – and with the festivities fast approaching, has given them the way to do so.
Businesses simply register online to use the free e-Christmas cards at www.envirowise.gov.uk/e-card. Templates can be personalised by choosing from twelve separate designs and then adding a company logo and personal message.
The Envirowise online e-Christmas card campaign is now in its third year; last year subscribers sent more than 54,800 e-cards, saving over a tonne of paper, not to mention the environmental costs of production and delivery. The goal this year is for even more savings – and companies in the Midlands can play their part in this.
Visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/e-card today to register for the free service. For free advice and support on a wide range of issues relating to sustainability call 0800 585 794 or visit www.envirowise.gov.uk.
LOCAL TOASTMASTER GIVEN THE PRESIDENTIAL TREATMENT
Well known Leicester toastmaster Mike Jacobs has been elected President of The National Association of Toastmasters (NAT), the most prestigious toastmaster organisation in the UK.
An international toastmaster, Mike is well known throughout the region and the UK and can be seen officiating at every kind of event from corporate functions, awards ceremonies, civic banquets and weddings through to open days, product launches and sports dinners. He officiated when HM the Queen opened The National Space Centre in Leicesterin 2002.
Appointed by his peers Mike commented: "The National Association of Toastmasters is the most prestigious nationally based organisation of its kind in the UK and to be elected its President is a very great honour. I am very much looking forward to my term in office and my appointment has shown that Leicester is a force to be reckoned with in the world of toastmastering."
EMDA ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME
Businesses in Leicestershire who are keen to reduce the impact of rising energy costs on their profits can benefit from a free support package being offered by EMDA.
The EMDA Energy Efficiency Programme is offering businesses the opportunity to receive a free on site energy survey which will provide them with an easy to understand report showing where energy saving opportunities exists. Assistance is also available by way of non repayable grant funding to help meet the costs of undertaking remedial action.
Marcus Pearson, responsible for delivering the programme on behalf of EMDA says "This programme has already helped over 40 businesses in the region to reduce their energy bills by over £420000, enhancing company profitability and the environment. The opportunity to receive both free impartial advice and access to non repayable funding has been of massive assistance to these companies and they will see the benefits of improving energy efficiency for many years to come. As fuel prices rise the benefit of reducing consumption has even greater impact on business profits and sustainability."
To find out more about the programme or apply to take part, contact Marcus by telephone on 07920 563555 or by email at marcus.pearson@pera.com
WISH UPON A STAR
For the past 17 years, local charity When You Wish Upon a Star has been dedicated to granting the wishes of children suffering from life threatening and terminal illnesses - in this time it has made the wishes of over 12,000 very special children become a reality.
Due to an increasing number of wishes from the Leicestershire region the charity is proud to host its first Great Leicester Santa Run on Sunday 2nd December at Victoria Park, Leicester to help raise funds.
The charity is inviting people to take part in a 1.6km sponsored run, jog or walk around Victoria Park. Entry fee is £10 per adult and £5 for children (under the age of 15) All adults will receive a free Santa suit and children will receive an elf hat to run in and keep. Entrants will receive a medal for taking part.
Register online at www.thesantarun.org.uk or alternatively call Rose on 0115 979 1720.
OVERSEAS OPPORTUNITIES
The Arab-British Chamber of Commerce has announced its strategic partnership with the Global Investor Window 2007 meeting, taking place on 13th December 2007 at the Institute of Directors in London.
This event will provide an opportunity for you to introduce your company, projects and services to major Gulf and global investors and business leaders. It will cover different streams including Energy, Real Estate, Manufacturing and Services. There will be an exhibition, expert presentations, networking and the opportunity for pre-arranged, one-to-one meetings.
If you are a member of the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce then you are eligible for a 15% discount on the participation cost, so please quote the reference number: GIW2007/ABBC when booking.
For more information please visit the event website www.uciconferences.com/london for a full programme and registration form. Alternatively you can call 0208 998 8890, or email: ben@uciconferences.com for further details.
THE WORLD'S NEW BUSINESS CENTRE
Whether it's Abu Dhabi purchasing a major stake in Volkswagen, record aircraft orders from the UAE's airlines, Qatar buying a 17 % stake in Sainsbury's or Dubai & Qatar becoming the biggest shareholders of the London Stock Exchange, the United Arab emirates (UAE) and Qatar have lately attracted plenty of admiring headlines from the international press. All this simply reflects the current economic boom in these two countries and their growing reputation as the worlds' new business centre.
Both countries are major trading partners for UK companies and EMITA will explore the potential opportunities to develop your business in this region at its
seminar, UAE and Qatar- The World's New Business Centre.
Speakers at this seminar will include:
- Abdeslam El-Idrissi, Director of Trade Services at the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce, who will give an insight into the exciting business opportunities in the UAE.
- Steve Barton, Area Manager for UK Trade & Investment in the East Midlands, who will tell us why Qatar is being considered by many as a future rival for the UAE.
- Derek Wilson, Managing Director of Elevation Rigging, who will share his practical experience about how he succeeded in gaining entry into and securing a long-term contract with the National Exhibition Centre in Abu Dhabi.
To register your attendance visit www.emita.org.uk and select "events"
CHAMBER ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, Charles Street Buildings (Leicester) Ltd and Freeth Cartwright Solicitors
Date: 7 December
Venue: The Walkers Stadium, Leicester
Time: 12.15pm – 4pm
Cost: Chamber Members £49.50 (Table of 10: £470)
Standard £54.50 (Table of 10: £520)
The guest speaker this year will be Jim Bowen, already well known to TV viewers through top TV game showBullseye which was avidly watched by over twelve million viewers, attaining ‘cult’ status among university students. Instantly recognised throughout the UK, Jim is in great demand in the corporate world where his varied stage and screen experience is invaluable.
CHRISTMAS JOINT NETWORKING EVENT WITH LINCOLNSHIRE, DERBYSHIRE AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE CHAMBERS
Date:13 December
Venue: Newark Showground, Newark
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Cost: All Chamber Members £17.50 +VAT / Standard £27.50 +VAT
Exhibition Stand £30 +VAT
Price includes a 2 course Christmas dinner with coffee & crackers, plus wine reception. Please note that all bookings for this event must go through Lincolnshire Chamber on Tel: 01522 523333.
Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Chambers have all teamed up to bring you a cross county Meet & Eat networking lunch – an event specifically designed to encourage inter-trading amongst members. If you are keen to promote your organisation in these counties then come along and tell your fellow diners about your products or services in this organised but relaxed environment.
REGENERATION UPDATE SEMINAR
Date: 16 January
Venue: Leicester Tigers Ground, Leicester
Time: 7:30am - 9:30am
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35 Includes full English breakfast
An update by John Nicholls, chief executive of the Leicester Regeneration Company, on the city centre regeneration, including a look at work currently in progress plus what will be happening during 2008.
JOINT NETWORKING EVENT WITH LEICESTERSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Date: 24 January
Venue:Holiday Inn Rugby, Junction 18 of the M1
Time: 11.45am - 2:30pm
Cost: £25 + VAT - Note that this event is only open to Chamber Members
Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Chambers have teamed up to bring you a cross county Meet & Eat networking lunch.
As well as an opportunity to network informally before the lunch itself, you will have the opportunity to move tables after each course, providing you with a group of new contacts to whom you can directly present your offer.
This event is going to be extremely popular, so early booking is essential!
EMPLOYMENT LAW SEMINAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH FREETH CARTWRIGHT SOLICITORS
Date: 5 February
Venue: Leicester Tigers Ground, Leicester
Time: 7:30am – 9am
Cost: Chamber members £25 / Standard £35
This informative seminar will cover Managing Sickness Absence and look at how to deal with long-term and repeated sickness absences.
HEALTH & SAFETY SEMINAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH PENINSULA
Date: 19 February
Venue: The National Space Centre, Leicester
Time: 8am – 10am
Cost: Chamber Members £20 / Standard £25
This seminar will look at the Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act 2007 and ask, can you afford to get it wrong?
Networking events organised by the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are sponsored by The Business Booster.
For more information on these Chamber events please call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or alternatively you may visit the Chamber website at:www.chamberofcommmerce.co.ukand select What’s On/events