IN THE OCTOBER GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- Unique Opportunity at LCFC
- Leicester Great For Business Competitiveness
- IT Workshops
- £40,000 Boost For SMES
- Corporate Relay Challenge
- The Musical Interlude
- Evaluating the Impact of the Economic Climate
- Special Olympics Coming To Leicester
- Free Equality Rights courses held across East Midlands
- Business Link Update
- GCC Europe EXPO
- 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.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY AT LEICESTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB
Business people can join Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce on 25th October at Leicester City Football Club for a home game against Northampton. Tickets are £20 for members and £30 for guests, this includes exclusive use of a private hospitality room, buffet food, car parking, interval tea and coffee and good seats for the game. Please contact Sharon Jeffrey at the Chamber on 0116 204 6618 or email: Jeffrey.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk for further information and tickets.
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: Workshops:
23 October Advance SEO & Web 2.0
30 October Getting The Most Out Of Microsoft Office
6 November Developing A Business On Ebay
13 November Advance SEO & Web 2.0
18 November Developing A Pay Per Click Campaign
27 November Online Marketing For Exporters (AM)
12 December Successful SEO For Beginners
17 December Planning A Successful Website
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:
WebAcademyClinics – Online Marketing
Date: 20 Oct / 24 Oct / 4 Nov
Time: 8.30am – 5pm
WebAcademyClinics - Online Marketing
Date: 11 Nov/ 17 Nov / 25 Nov
Time: 8.30am – 5pm
To secure your place on any of these free events or to discover how ebusiness can benefit your business, please visit www.ebusinesslub.biz or contact the Business Link eBusiness Programme Team direct on 0845 603 8370
LEICESTER GREAT FOR BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS
Leicester is the second most improved city in the UK for business competitiveness according to a new survey. The survey was based on localities improving their competitiveness between 2006-08 and Leicester was the only East Midlands city to appear in the Top 10 of the survey. The annual UK Competitiveness Index, conducted by the Centre for International Competitiveness, ranks 407 local areas according to what they offer to growing businesses and entrepreneurs. The survey was topped by Durham and excluded London.
£40,000 BOOST FOR SMES
Small businesses with big ideas to tackle climate change are being urged to compete for awards of up to £40,000 each as the Shell Springboard programme opens for its fourth year.
With the Government pledging a million new ‘green collar’ jobs over the next two decades, Shell Springboard is urging UK SMEs to capitalise on the growing market opportunity by applying for a financial boost from the programme. James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK, said: "SMEs are a vibrant and creative sector of the economy, so they're ideally placed to be climate change entrepreneurs."
Shell Springboard offers a financial boost for UK businesses with compelling ideas for tackling climate change. These must be ideas which:
- Will lead to greenhouse gas reductions
- Are commercially viable
- Are innovative
Up to six awards of between £20,000 and £40,000 are on offer in each of three UK regions. Last year awards of £40,000 were made to five businesses from across the UK.
The deadline for 2008 entries is 7th November 2008. Full details and an online application form can be found at www.shellspringboard.org.
CORPORATE RELAY CHALLENGE
Freeth Cartwright Solicitors Leicester office are organising and sponsoring a Corporate Relay Challenge over the half-marathon course as part of the Leicester Marathon 2008 which takes place on Sunday 19th October.
The nominated charities for this event are LOROS, Rainbows and St John's Ambulance, each a worthwhile charity which provides invaluable help and support to the local community.
Freeth Cartwright would like to extend an invitation to you and your organisation to enter a relay team. The entry fee is £100 per team plus any additional donations, with all funds going to charity. The relay teams will comprise a team of 4 runners who will each run a leg of approximately 3.25 miles over the official half marathon course. The relay and the main marathon will start and finish at Victoria Park in Leicesterand Freeth Cartwright are organising hospitality and refreshments at the finish. It is hoped that many local companies will be keen to participate and make this a day to remember.
For more information contact Sally Stephens on 0116 248 1146 or email: sally.stephens@freethcartwright.co.uk.
THE MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Stravinsky'sThe Rite of Spring, now regarded as one of the most significant and influential works of the twentieth century,will be performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra under conductor Charles Dutoit. Janine Jansen will also be performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto at De Montfort Hall, Leicester on Friday 21 November 2008 at 7.30pm.
Click here for more information and booking details.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to be a member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE
Developing strategies for future direction.
Specifically aimed at SMEs Leicester Business School, part of the De Montfort University, is running an interactive workshop which is designed to enable organisations to create strategic options to address current economic challenges.
The event will take place on the 11th November, 10.00am - 4.00pm at The Management Suite, High Cross Centre, Leicester. To reserve your place at this event contact Helen Fairhead on 0116 2577192 or email hfairhead@dmu.ac.uk
SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMING TO LEICESTER
The 8th Special Olympics GB National Summer Games 2009 will take place in Leicester between 25th and 31st July 2009. Involving 2700 athletes, 1200 coaches, 1500 volunteers, 6,000 families, 21 sports and 7 days of achievements, there are lots of ways you can get involved.
For more details visit:www.sol2009.com
FREE EQUALITY RIGHTS COURSES ACROSS THE EAST MIDLANDS
Chesterfield Law Centre, a registered charity, is pleased to announce that for the third year running, they are able to offer free discrimination training courses. Please click on the link for a copy of the training brochure with details of course content as well as a list of venues and dates for the courses.
Funded by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission from September 2008 until March 2009 17 courses on Equality Rights will be held right across the East Midlands. The training will cover all aspects of discrimination from employment rights for older people, through to rights to access goods and services for people of all faiths and beliefs.
The training courses are for employers, service providers, HR workers and managers in the voluntary, public and private sector organisations and individuals who experience discrimination in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. For more information, please contact the Law Centre on 01246 550674.
To book a place, please email on clc@chesterfieldlawcentre.org.uk
HELP FOR BUSINESS WITH LATEST REGULATION CHANGES
Business Link has published a free fact sheet highlighting details of the new legislation that came into force on 1st October. Twice a year (on 6 April and 1 October) key Government departments issue new regulations and make changes to existing ones. Some of the changes simplify existing legislation for businesses.
Changes include the following areas: the national minimum wage, occupational pension schemes, employers' liability compulsory insurance, trade marks and trade mark applications, limited liability partnerships and doorstep selling.
Business Link aims to help businesses understand and comply with the regulations that apply to them. Stephen Smith on behalf of the regional Business Link service said: "Clear guidance on regulations is one of the many benefits businesses get from using the Business Link service. We know that this is important information and are happy to help our clients access guidance on how to comply with the latest business regulations announced."
Business wanting to request a copy of the free fact sheet should email: info@businesslinkem.co.uk or call the regional Business Link service on 0845 058 6644.
BEAT THE CREDIT CRUNCH
You can use Business Link East Midlands tools and guides to get advice that could help your business combat the effects of the credit crunch. The potential impact of the credit crunch may be a worry for some businesses. Business Link have a range of resources that can help organisations take steps toprotect themselves and prepare for the adverse business conditions. The business health check tool can help identify areas that could help improve performance and your chances of survival. It is also important to think about managing risk in order to prevent crises that can be foreseen.
To read the full article visit:
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands/creditcrunch
GCC EUROPE EXPO
GCC EUROPE EXPO will take place between 12-13 November 2008 at Olympia 2 Exhibition Hall, London. The premier event to facilitate trade and investment between the Gulf countries and the EU, it has over 150 exhibitors, 100 speakers plus EU and GCC country specific dedicated seminar sessions. For the latest information and registration visit: www.gcceuroexpo.com
REGENERATION UPDATE SEMINAR
Sponsored by the Skills Pledge
Date: 28 October
Venue: Leicester Tigers
Time: 7.30am – 9am
Cost Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
The Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC), a public and private sector partnership currently tackling the physical regeneration of around 1000 acres of central Leicester, launched its Regeneration Master plan back in November 2002. John Nicholls, Chief Executive of LRC will bring us up to date and share insights on where it all goes from here.
BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENING
Sponsored by The Business Booster
Date: 4 November
Venue: TA Centre, Brentwood Road, Leicester
Time: 6pm - 8:30pm
Cost:Place only, no display stand (inc. VAT)
Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
Place & Space for display stand (inc. VAT)Chamber Members £55 / Standard £65
Price includes a buffet meal and drink on arrival
Hosted by East Midlands Reserve Forces, this event gives members an opportunity to reserve space for a stand, exchange company literature over a glass of wine and gain an insight into the valuable work of the Territorial Army. During the evening delegates will be invited to place their business cards into a hat and after a buffet meal several will be selected at random, allowing the card holders the opportunity to give a short presentation on their business.
Space For 20 Pre-Booked Exhibitors
BREAKFAST SPEED NETWORKING
Sponsored by The Business Booster
Date:3 December
Venue: Belmont Hotel, De Montfort Street, Leicester
Time: 8am - 9:30am
Cost: £20 Chamber Members Only
Come and network over breakfast with fellow Chamber members. Looking for new contacts? Want to raise your business profile? Then bring along your business cards and join us on 3rd December for this speed networking event, which aims to bring together the business community to enjoy networking opportunities with a full English breakfast in the comfortable surroundings of the Belmont Hotel in Leicester.
ANNUAL LUNCHEON 2008
Sponsored by Charles Street Buildings (Leicester) Ltd, Freeth Cartwright Solicitors and the Royal Bank of Scotland
Date: 5 December
Venue:Leicester City Football Club, Leicester
Time: 11.30am – 4.30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £55 / Standard £65. Tables of ten available at £520 for Chamber Members and £570 standard.
The guest speaker for this year's annual lunch is household name and top entertainer and comedian Tom O'Connor. The popular annual luncheon event attracts some 500 local business people to network each year and is often a sell out so be sure to book your places early!
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