IN THE MAY GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- Free IT Workshops
- 50,000 Reasons to enter Chamber Awards
- Chamber HR Update: Performance - the Risk of Youth
- Coping with Energy Highs
- University seeks Judges for Research Festival
- Website launched to Support Three Universities for Business Initiative
- Business Link Update
- New Invest Developer Appointments
- College Governer Vacancy
- The Musical Interlude
- Discover the Belgian Market
- Sichuan-Leicestershire Business Matchmaking Event
- 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.
FREE IT WORKSHOPS
A series of free IT workshops, designed for SMEs and supported by Business Link, are scheduled for the coming months. Details are as follows:
Date: Workshop:
19 May Optimising Your Pay Per Click Campaign
21 May Developing a Pay Per Click Campaign (Beginners)
30 May Procuring IT Equipment (AM) half day
30 May Using Technology on the Move (PM) half day
19 June Planning a Successful Website
3 July Getting the Most Out of Microscoft Office
10 July ICT & Information Security (AM) half day
10 July Understanding Microsoft Vista (PM) half day
17 July Search Engine Optimisation & Web 2.0
In addition a number of web academy clinics, funded by Leicester Shire Economic partnership, will be running at the Beauchamp College Training Centre. The clinics will run one day a week over a 3 week period and you will need to commit to all three dates. The clinics are free for delegates to attend but only companies based within Leicestershire, with a Leicestershire postcode will be eligible to book. Details are as follows:
Web Academy Clinics – Online Marketing
Date: 12 June / 20 June / 24 June
Time: 8.30am – 5.00pm
Web Academy Clinics - Online Marketing
Date: 1 July/ 9 July / 16 July
Time: 8.30am – 5.00pm
For more details contact Kam Atker at Leicestershire Chamber on Tel: 0116 204 6614, Email: atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk or visit the Ebusiness website at: www.ebusinessclub.biz
50,000 REASONS TO ENTER CHAMBER AWARDS
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is encouraging UK businesses to enter this year’s Chamber Awards, for the chance to win £50,000 courtesy of the RBS Group. Now in its fifth year, the Chamber Awards 2008 sets out to identify outstanding business achievement within the UK business community. There are eight different categories of awards and companies can enter as many as they wish. The categories comprise:
- Most Promising New Business
- Award for Innovation Through Technology
- The Green Award
- Entrepreneur of The Year
- Achievement in International Business
- Award for Excellence in People Development
- Business of the Year
- Award for Excellence in Customer Service
The top prize of £50,000 will be awarded to the company that the judges agree should win the overall Award for Outstanding Business Achievement and will be announced along with the national winners at the gala dinner and award ceremony on 27th November 2008 at the Natural History Museum in London.
The Chamber Awards will be judged in two stages at both a regional and national level. The closing date for entries is 27th June 2008. Those businesses that enter by May 30th 2008 will be entered in a draw to receive a £200 voucher from a selection of high street retailers.
Entry forms and judging criteria can be obtained by visiting: www.chamberawards.co.uk . All entry forms must be completed and submitted electronically. The awards are open to all businesses who are members of an accredited chamber of commerce
CHAMBER HR UPDATE: PERFORMANCE - THE RISK OF YOUTH
A recent tribunal case has raised the importance of careful documentation of performance during probation and the need to be aware that younger employees can raise a claim under the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.
The worker in question had been employed for a couple of months as an office administrator in a small engineering firm. The firm contended that her performance was poor during the probationary period. Unfortunately for the firm they were unable to support this argument, further they had failed to use a competency based procedure for recruitment or in the termination. The evidence failed to support their contention that the employee was not up to the job.
The employers contended that she was only doing 90% of her job and that she must improve in the forthcoming months. At the same time they arranged for an older employee to undertake some of the work. She was perceived as having more experience and an inference was drawn by the tribunal that there was deemed to be a link between age and ability. The employee’s termination was undertaken but no formal meeting took place or notes kept. The employee alleged that she had been dismissed because she was too young for the job. The employer could not recall such a conversation. The employee was dismissed without notice. Her subsequent claim was successful and resulted in an award of some £16,000.
COPING WITH ENERGY HIGHS
Energy markets are again in turmoil with record highs being posted on gas and electricity base load prices. Wholesale gas prices have risen by approximately 110% since February 2007 and electricity prices have risen by around 135% over this time.
"The markets are being driven by high coal and oil prices along with the economic growth experienced in China and India who are purchasing as much base fuel as possible," explained Jeff Wealands, Technical Director for Utility Auditing, which supplies the Chamber Utilities™ service.
He added: "Reduced gas flows into the UK along with ‘outages’ at power plants over the winter have exacerbated matters - driving prices ever upwards. Markets are also affected by global political and natural events. One thing is for sure – price stability in the wholesale energy markets is a thing of the past and locking into long term fixed contracts is looking increasingly attractive."
As well as negotiating the best price on gas and electricity, with impending legislation to reduce carbon and consumption, it is more essential than ever before for organisations to improve their efficiency. Most organisations can cut consumption by up to 20%, which can help mitigate rising costs.
For help and advice on cutting costs and improving energy efficiency contact Chamber Utilities™ on Tel: 0845 120 2423 or visit: www.chamberutilities.co.uk
JUDGES WANTED FOR FESTIVAL OF POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH
An appeal is going out to local business leaders and professionals to act as judges at an event aimed at showcasing the best of student research at the University of Leicester.
The university is ranked as a top 20 research university and is planning to stage a festival showcasing exciting and innovative postgraduate research to businesses and members of the public. The Festival of Postgraduate Research on 26th June introduces employers to the next generation of innovators and cutting-edge researchers, and gives postgraduate researchers the opportunity to explain the real world implications of their research to a wide ranging audience. The university is seeking local professionals and business representatives to act as judges at the festival. Judges will be required to assess the poster presentations given by researchers from disciplines across the university including the biological sciences, business, science, engineering, education, social science and the arts.
Volunteering to act as a judge at the festival represents a time commitment of around 4 hours from 9.30am onwards. No academic background or specialist knowledge is required to take part, and full briefing and judging criteria will be provided on the day. A complimentary lunch is included during which you will have the opportunity to speak to researchers and senior university staff.
Anyone interested in being a judge at this year's Festival of Postgraduate Research should contact Shirley McCaugherty by 30thJune, Tel: 0116 252 5117 or email: sbm11@le.ac.uk
WEBSITE LAUNCHED TO SUPPORT THREE UNIVERSITIES FOR BUSINESS INITIATIVE
Earlier this year Invest Leicestershire co-ordinated the launch of the major ‘Three Universities for Business’ project, created to showcase the wide range of complementary specialist services on offer from De Montfort University, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester for local and regional businesses. A website is now available to support this campaign at www.3u4b.com where businesses can download a copy of the associated brochure and register their interest in future engagement with the universities
NEW INVEST DEVELOPER APPOINTMENTS
Invest Leicestershire has welcomed two new members to its Investor Developer team. Jo Pagett previously worked as a Quality Manager and Tourism Development Manager for Leicester Shire Promotions. Colm Fox has wide experience of developing business accounts overseas (in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Australia) and has worked for service sector businesses based in the Midlands, London and Dublin.
COLLEGE GOVERNOR VACANCY
A vacancy for a College Governor has arisen on the governing body of Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College, a successful sixth form college, judged by Ofsted in November 2007 to be ‘outstanding’ in all aspects of its work. Enthusiastic and committed people with an interest in education as well as relevant business, professional or community experience are sought for the position. This is a voluntary role which will require the flexibility to attend meetings and training events, often taking place outside the college day.
If you are interested in learning more about the duties and commitments of this position please contact the Clerk to the Corporation for an information pack and application form:
Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth I College, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RJ; Tel: 0116 223 1900 or email: carolyn.davies@wqeic.ac.uk
THE MUSICAL INTERLUDE
The Philharmonia Orchestra draws it’s concert season at De Montfort Hall to a close with two spectacular concerts. The first on 2 June 2008, features exciting young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading the orchestra in Shostakovich’s dramatic Symphony No. 5. On Wednesday 18 June 2008 there will be a superb programme, Songbirds of the Silver Screen, celebrating classic songs from Judy Garland, Doris Day and Liza Minelli – not to be missed! 2 June Sponsored by the Helen Jean Cope Trust. 18 JuneSponsored by North Midland Construction.
Click here for more information and booking details.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to be a member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
SELLING TO BIG BUSINESS
Winning a contract to sell to a big company can be just what you need if you are going to grow your business, but getting your foot in the door can be nigh on impossible. Whether you are an independent food manufacturer trying to win an initial order from a supermarket or a small IT firm pitching to supply a major banking group, securing your first big order can be a real turning point.
As well as the obvious financial rewards, doing business with a large firm will bring you credibility and the confidence to grow quickly. Once you have sold to one large organisation, it becomes easier to get a foot in the door with the next one.
For more information visit:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=5001034768&site=140
DO YOU HAVE AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Whether you are ready to grow or ready to keep growing, HighGrowth East Midlands can help you.
HighGrowth East Midlands is the exciting new flagship business support scheme from the East Midlands Development Agency (emda). It offers world class support to innovative and ambitious high growth businesses and aims to unlock their potential and help them create greater profits and achieve sustained growth.
Enrolment onto the programme is not a continuous process but will happen at specific times in 2008 and 2009. The remaining application deadline for 2008 is for Growth Readiness companies on Sunday 1 June 2008.
For more information visit:
SPOTLIGHT - HERE'S HOW WE DEVELOPED OUR STAFF THROUGH TRAINING
Leicestershire based Lestercast Ltd manufactures high quality, precision investment castings in a range of metals and alloys for numerous industrial and commercial applications.
You can watch the video case study of how Lestercast worked with Business Link to develop their staff.
For more information visit:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=CASE%20STUDIES&site=140&itemId=5001030005
DISCOVER THE BELGIAN MARKET
24 – 25 June 2008
The European Enterprise Network (EEN) invites you to take a look at the Belgian market and find out how you can begin selling products and services to Europe.
Belgium holds abundant opportunities for SMEs in the food and drink, leisure, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, security, education and skills sectors. UK exports are highly sought after and were worth £11.7 billion in 2007.
During this visit the Director of Trade and Investment will give a brief presentation on the market and an informal reception will be held at the Ambassador’s Residence, providing you with the opportunity to network with guests including distributors of UK products in Belgium.
Cost £239. Places are strictly limited. Book early to avoid disappointment.
For more information contact Laura Grieve or Alison Witham on Tel: 0845 601 1038 or Email: laura.grieve@dncc.co.uk / alison.witham@dncc.co.uk
SICHUAN-LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS MATCHMAKING EVENT
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of twinning links between Leicestershire and Sichuan Province, China, Mr Huang Xiaoxiang, Vice Governor of Sichuan, is bringing a trade delegation of up to 50 businesses to Leicester to seek business partners, distributors and investment opportunities.
The date is currently scheduled as June 17th in Leicester and the East Midlands China Business Bureau is working with partners to organise the business matchmaking event on the day.
For further details or register your interest please email:
CherylCranness@emd.org.uk or Tel: 0116 257 5611
THE GLIDING EXPERIENCE
Date: 20 May
Venue: The Gliding Centre, Husbands Bosworth
Time: 9.30am – 2pm
Cost: Winch Package £45 /Aerotow Package £65
Experience the spectacular views of south Leicestershire in silent flight from the cockpit of a modern glider - an exclusive, discounted opportunity for Chamber members to take the ‘Gliding Experience.’
NETWORKING WITH THE NEIGHBOURS - CROSS THE BORDERS TO GAIN NEW BUSINESS
Date: 16 June
Venue: Barcelo, Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Cost: Chamber members £25 + VAT
Price includes a buffet meal and drink on arrival
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are pleased to bring you, "Networking with the Neighbours" a new event, sponsored by Parkes Office and Event Solutions Limited, which will give you an opportunity to speed network with members of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber - raising your profile across a whole new region, making business acquaintances and increasing potential business opportunities.
INTEGRA CORPORATE HOSPITALITY EVENING "OKLAHOMA"
Date: 17 June
Venue: Kilworth House Hotel Open Air Theatre, South Leics
Time: 6pm - 10pm
Cost: £48 to include show ticket and refreshments.
For many years now Integra has been hosting an annual corporate hospitality evening and this year, at the open-air theatre set amidst the magnificent surroundings of the Kilworth House Hotel in south Leicestershire, the show will be the ever-popular musical Oklahoma.
BLABY AREA LUNCHEON
Date: 4 July
Venue: Westfield House Hotel, Blaby
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Cost: £25.00, one price only
Join the chamber and guest speaker Andrew Robathan MP for the latest in the series of popular area luncheon events.
INTEGRA - GOLF DAY FOR BEGINNERS
Date: 8 July
Venue: Beedles Lake Golf Club, East Goscote
Time: 8.30am – 2pm
Cost: £40 includes breakfast and lunch
Are you a novice golfer? Would you like to learn? Then why not join us on this new venture to find out the fundamentals of golf? This great day will include practical tuition by the club’s golf professionals and tips & techniques, what clubs to use, weight, style and size, plus the opportunity to network amongst other business women.
SUMMER NETWORKING BARBECUE
Date: 19 August
Venue: Highpoint Conference Centre, Leicester
Time: 12 noon - 2pm
Cost: £20 includes glass of wine or juice and BBQ food
The Chamber's Summer Networking Luncheon provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy an informal summer barbeque in the inspiring setting of Highpoint, who are kindly hosting this event. Attendees will be able to network and exchange company literature over a glass of wine and a buffet barbeque.
For more information on these Chamber events please call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614, email: atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk or alternatively you can visit the Chamber website at: www.chamberofcommmerce.co.uk and select What’s On/events