IN THE JANUARY GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- Go International in 2008
- Invite to Music Day
- Chamber Launches New Carbon Footprint Service
- ICT Support Programme Networking Launch Events
- Blogging for your Business - Presented by Microsoft
- Business Link Update
- intellectual Property Events
- The Search is on
- 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.
GO INTERNATIONAL IN 2008
The Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce has announced the dates for the first group of export courses taking place in 2008. The one-day courses are designed to help local companies get to grips with the paperwork and procedures involved in trading internationally and exporting or importing goods. Chamber members can book for these courses at a specially reduced rate.
- 30th January 2008 Export Foundation Course
- 5th February 2008 Export Documentation Course
- 20th February 2008 Export Letter of Credit
- 27th February 2008 Import Foundation Course
For more details contact Kam Atker, Events Liaison Officer, on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or email: atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk. Alternatively you can visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and select what’s on/events.
INVITE TO MUSIC DAY
Join the Philharmonia Orchestra for a day at the circus! The popular annual Family Music Day will take place on Sunday 3 February 2008 at 12 noon at De Montfort Hall, Leicester, with percussion and craft workshops preceding a special live concert. Early booking is recommended!
Click here for more information and booking details.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to be a member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER LAUNCHES NEW CARBON FOOTPRINTING SERVICE
Chamber Utilities™ has launched a new carbon footprinting service to help members calculate their carbon emissions and minimise their environmental impact.
Environmental performance is becoming increasingly important to business success and your carbon footprint is the measure of the amount of carbon (mainly carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels, but also some other greenhouse gases) your organisation emits.
There are many versions of calculators available for carbon footprinting and this can be an extremely complex task because your carbon footprint will be made up of both direct emissions (e.g. carbon emissions due to your business operations, such as energy consumption at your premises, fuel use due to business mileage, etc) and indirect emissions from use of products and services through your supply chain.
A key component of your ‘direct’ carbon footprint is use of energy in buildings. One way of reducing this is to carry out an energy survey, where an energy consultant will visit your site and identify inefficiency, producing a follow-up report to prioritise recommendations for savings. On average, businesses can save nearly a fifth of their energy bill through introducing simple energy efficiency measures, many of which are low or no cost. This will have a big impact on reducing carbon emissions and for many businesses can equate in monetary terms to a five per cent increase in sales.
Energy Consultants from service provider Utility Auditing Ltd have undertaken the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Footprint training to qualify them as assessors, so in addition to helping you save energy, they can also calculate your reduced carbon footprint.
Becoming more energy efficient will profit both your business and the environment, but new Government regulations are also ensuring organisations fulfill their environmental responsibilities. One aspect of European legislation is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which will introduce the need for energy performance certificates for display in public buildings and when commercial buildings are constructed, sold or rented.
When you consider statistics showing that the average UK business is wasting up to 20% of the energy it buys, it’s apparent that every business can do its bit to combat climate change. Even a small office can emit three to five tonnes of carbon dioxide a year through lighting, heating and office equipment. Companies taking responsibility for energy conservation will not just reduce costs and harmful greenhouse gas emissions, they will also reap the benefits of enhanced reputation. Legislation and public pressure are making it increasingly difficult for organisations without ‘green credentials’ to be competitive.
While businesses can’t reverse environmental damage already incurred, they can play their part in preventing further damage - by managing energy more effectively, environmental impact will be reduced. Chamber Utilities™ provide businesses with professional support to stem energy wastage and purchase gas and electricity at the most competitive prices.
The Chamber Utilities™ service is delivered by Utility Auditing Ltd (UAL), part of the Ener-g group. UAL is an authorised Carbon Trust consultancy and can assist eligible companies in carrying out carbon footprint assessments and obtain free or subsidised Carbon Trust energy efficiency surveys and support.
UAL can also help you to implement survey report recommendations and follow up actions. Companies can gain access to 0% interest Carbon Trust loans and advice on Enhanced Capital Allowances, which will often offset the cost of implementing energy efficiency measures, such as energy saving products or replacement equipment.
For further details contact Chamber Utilities™ on 0845 120 2423 or visit: www.chamberutilities.co.uk
ICT SUPPORT PROGRAMME NETWORKING LAUNCH EVENTS
East Midlands Chambers of Commerce have recently secured funding through the East Midlands Development Agency to manage a regional Business Link ICT and eBusiness Advice and Support programme which will include the delivery of FREE events, workshops and provide capital grant funding.
Join us for a networking breakfast to hear about how your business can benefit from this new and exciting service and sign up for future events and workshops.
Agenda
08:30 to 09:00 - Registration and Breakfast
09:00 to 09:45 - Business Link ICT Programme launch followed by Q & A
09:45 to 10:30 - Networking and close
Who Should Attend?
Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) based in the East Midlands Region that are looking to keep up to date with the latest ICT or wishing to invest in future technology and require funding support.
Dates:
Leicester 22 January 2008 The Leicester Stage Hotel
Loughborough 12 February 2008 The Quorn Country Hotel
Please note that places are strictly limited on a first come, first served basis.
If you can't remember your eBusiness Club username and password simply enter your email address atwww.ebusinessclub.biz/password_request.htmland you will be sent a reminder. To be removed from the eBusiness Club mailing list, please email enquiries@ebusinessclub.biz with "Unsubscribe" in the subject.
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BLOGGING FOR YOUR BUSINESS - PRESENTED BY MICROSOFT
Microsoft staff began blogging over 5 years ago, and during that time noticed a shift in customer and audience perception. Through the use of their innovative blogging guidelines, smart managers and customer interaction through WIkis and blogs Microsoft have brought about a measurable upswing in satisfaction. These technologies have shown "the human face" of Microsoft to their customers and are helping to change customer perception.
Join us around the East Midlands in January, February and March for our FREE Blogging For Your Business breakfast briefing. Delivered by Microsoft, this briefing will show you how starting a blog can increase your business whilst improving interaction and satisfaction with your customers.
The morning will start with a light breakfast, registration and networking at 8.30am*, and the presentation will begin at 9.00am. The presentation will end at 10.30 with an opportunity to ask some questions and carry on networking with the experts and other delegates.
Who Should Attend?
If you are a business owner or manager and have a strong desire to grow your business whilst improve communication with their customers using Blogging then this event is for you.
Roadshow Dates
Leicestershire : National Space Centre
Date: Thursday 31 January 2008
"Non-attendance: Demand for places on eBusiness events is extremely high. Should you fail to attend without providing at least 5 working days cancellation notice, or send a substitute from your own organisation, we reserve the right to charge your company an administration fee of £25 + VAT.
For more information on these events or to book your places contact Kam Atker on 0116 2046614 or email atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
REVIEW LAST YEAR'S PERFORMANCE
Once your business is established and running well, you may be inclined to let things continue to run as they are. However, it's actually time to plan again. After the crucial early stages, you should regularly review your progress and decide where to take your business next. Business Link East Midlands offer an informative guide that takes you through this essential process, detailing the stages you should go through to assess how well your business is performing, highlighting your strengths and areas that could be improved and suggesting the actions you need to take to implement the improvements that you've identified…
BusinessLink's guide to reviewing your business performance
TEN WAYS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORKFORCE
Promoting staff health can boost productivity and lower absenteeism within your business. Business Link East Midlands has produced ten top tips to show you how your business can maintain a healthy workforce during 2008 and beyond. The tips include information about assessing the risks, optimising working conditions, promoting a healthy work-life balance and explains how to deal with employees should they become ill…
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EVENTS
Entrepreneurs across the East Midlands can give their businesses a head start in the New Year thanks to a series of events to help them make the most of their intellectual property (IP). ProspectIP, an innovation initiative of De Montfort University (DMU) in Leicester, is organising the free events in Leicester, Northampton and Nottingham.
The sessions aim to guide people through the IP issues that can arise when setting up and running a business, such as patents, trademarks and copyright.
The events, which are available by prior booking, are:
Wednesday 16 January 'Every Business Owns IP - What Does Yours Own?' at Sunley Management Centre, Northampton University, 1- 4pm. An interactive IP workshop hosted by experts from the UK Intellectual Property Office. One to ones with innovation managers from ProspectIP are also available.
Thursday 17 January 'Making the Most of Your IP' at The Village Hotel, Chilwell, Nottingham, 5 - 7.30pm. In partnership with Nottingham-based intellectual property specialists AdamsonJones, this seminar will focus on maximising the value of IP, protecting against competition and increasing the chances of investment.
Wednesday 23 January 'Intellectual Property for Musicians' at DMU's Institute of Creative Technologies, Leicester, 5 - 7.30pm. This seminar offers musicians guidance on their legal rights and how to control use of their work. It will cover licensing and copyright, particularly in the context of the changing digital media environment.
ProspectIP is a DMU initiative to assist the commercialisation of novel ideas in the East Midlands. DMU was one of only five universities in the country to receive special funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to support initiatives of this kind.
The training sessions provided by ProspectIP support its key business of providing a fully-managed process for the effective commercial exploitation of inventions and IP. This process is open to all sizes and sectors of business as well as individuals, providing assistance with the protection, development and commercial exploitation of the invention/intellectual property while allowing the inventor to retain ownership of their IP.
To book a place or for more information on these events please visit the ProspectIP website: www.prospectip.co.uk/events
SEARCH IS ON FOR APPRENTICE AND EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has begun its search for the East Midland’s top apprentices and employers with the launch of the Apprenticeship Awards 2008. Employers of all sizes and all sectors of industry across the region are being encouraged to enter the prestigious awards.
The regional awards will culminate with a glamorous celebration event, as hundreds of apprentices and employers head to the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on 20th May 2008 for the largest regional celebration of young people, employers and learning providers involved in vocational learning.
The Apprenticeship Awards are held annually to celebrate the success of apprentices who have made a real difference to their future and to the organisation they work for. They also recognise the work of employers who are successfully tackling skills shortages to build their future workforce through apprenticeships.
Employers are eligible to enter one of four categories depending on their company size; Micro (1-9 employees), Small (10-49 employees), Medium (50-249 employees) and Large (250+ employees). They are assessed on a number of criteria including implementation of the apprenticeship programme, clear demonstration of the way apprenticeships have benefited their business and the level of support provided to their apprentices.
In addition to the employer awards, there are four categories open to apprentices - Apprentice of the Year, Advanced Apprentice of the Year, Young Apprentice of the Year and Personal Achiever of the Year.
To enter the awards, or for more information, call 0845 058 0490 or email realsuccess@headstorm.co.uk. All completed applications must be made before 29 February 2008, with all the finalists attending the East Midlands awards ceremony. All regional winners will go forward to judging for the LSC’s national Apprenticeship Awards 2008, with an awards ceremony on10 July 2008 at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London.
JOINT NETWORKING EVENT WITH LEICESTERSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Date: 24 January
Venue: Holiday Inn, off Junction 18 of M1
Time: 12 noon - 2:30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £20 +VAT / Standard £30 +VAT
Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Chambers have teamed up to bring you a cross- county Meet & Eat networking lunch
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? The rising tide of new rights for employees in recent years has had significant implications for business owners, directors and senior management.
INTEGRA FASHION SHOW
Date: 21 February
Venue: The Belmont House Hotel, De Montfort Street, Leicester
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £30
Come and join your fellow Integra members at our first fashion show your chance for an exclusive viewing of the spring and summer collections from local boutiques.
AN EVENING FULL OF INDIAN SPICES
Chamber Networking events are sponsored by The Business Booster
Date: 6 March
Venue: Signature Restaurant, London Road, Oadby
Time: 6pm – 8.30pm
Cost: Chamber members £25 / Standard £35
Leicestershire Chamber invites you to join us for a networking evening with an Indian touch at one of Leicestershire's well-known Indian restaurants. Signature Restaurant will be providing a delicious buffet banquet, with several Indian starters and main courses, you can eat as much as you like and go back for more as many times as you want.
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2008
Date: 14 March
Venue: Leicester City Football Club, Leicester
Time: 7pm - midnight
Cost: £50 per person / £470 Table of ten
Price includes a four course meal, discounted rates available for finalists, their guests and local community groups.
This unique celebration is designed to capture the achievements of women in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The gala dinner evening will commence with a wine reception, followed by a sit-down dinner, special guests include Kay Alexander and Jennie Bond.
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.uk and select What’s On/events