IN THE JANUARY GOOD MORNING LEICESTERSHIRE
- In Troubled Times...
- Chamber Supports Enterprise Expo
- Celebrate Women of Achievement 2009
- Leicestershire Chamber Directory open for advertising opportunities
- University Seeks Volunteers From Business Community
- Funding For Directors Development Programme
- Graduate Employers sought for Mentoring Event
- The Musical Interlude
- Business Link Update
- 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.
IN TROUBLED TIMES...
As a Chamber we fully understand that running a business is hard work and that keeping up with your responsibilities can be a major drain on resources. Particularly relevant in these troubled times we would like remind our members that they can access a free Business Rescue and Insolvency Helpline run by Chamber Member F A Simms & Partners plc specifically for Chamber members.
Available weekdays between the hours of 9am and 5pm the Helpline can answer any queries relating to Business Rescue & Recovery Advice and Corporate & Personal Insolvency Advice.
There are no time limits on calls to the Helpline so you can rest assured that you’ll get the best possible advice. The consultants who man the Helpline draw on their own extensive experience to provide practical solutions and guidance on complex compliance issues.
If you wish to access this service then you can call 0845 3090430.
CHAMBER SUPPORTS ENTERPRISE EXPO
Around 50 companies from Leicestershire and neighbouring counties will exhibit and stage workshops at a new event being held at Mallory Park race circuit on the 24th March 2009.
The Leicestershire Enterprise Expo 2009, for which the Leicestershire Chamber is a supporter, will take place over three floors in Mallory Park’s corporate hospitality suite, with additional external marquees and exhibition space. The major objectives of the event are to stimulate trade via the exhibition, enhance skills through the workshops and generate awareness for exhibitors through networking.
Exhibitors will use the most direct form of marketing – face to face – to promote products and services to a targeted audience. There will be themed zones to the event including:
- Business Issues (legal, finance, business advice)
- Perpetual Motion (logistics, storage, vehicles)
- Living Connections (PR and marketing, graphic design, technology and innovation)
- Sphere of Influence (training and development, recruitment, HR advice)
- Green Shoots (environmental, energy efficiency, waste reduction)
- Powerful Promotions (media, conferencing, corporate hospitality, promotional gifts)
- Healthy Living (fitness clubs, corporate activities, tourist venues, small hotels and guest houses)
Exhibitors will be invited to offer exclusive promotions only available on the day to visitors. It’s planned for many of these promotions to be featured in pre-event publicity.
For more information, contact Sue Langley of BDI consultants on Tel: 0845 450 0448, email: suelangley@bdiconsultants.co.uk or visit: www.leics-enterprise-expo.co.uk
CELEBRATE WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT 2009
Sadly the success of women in our society - in business, the community or at home - often goes unrecognised. At a prestigious gala dinner to be held on 20th March the successes and achievements of local women will be celebrated when the winners are announced for Young Achiever of the Year, Business Woman of the Year, Rural Business Woman of the Year, Woman with Determination, Woman in the Community and Woman of the Year.
The Women of Achievement Awards 2009 Gala Dinner will be held at Leicester City Football Club, The Walkers Stadium, Leicester.The evening will be hosted by BBC news anchorwoman Kay Alexander and the guest speaker will be Cheryl Baker of Bucks Fizz fame. Tickets are priced at £50 per person or £470 per table of ten and include a four course meal. Discounted rates are available for finalists, their guests and local community groups.
For more information or to reserve your place please call Headstorm Marketing onTel: 0870 170 9697, Fax: 0870 199 1464 or email: woaawards@headstorm.co.uk
LEICESTERSHIRE CHAMBER DIRECTORY OPEN FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
From the beginning of February all Chamber members will be contacted by the publishers of The Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Directory 2009-10 to give you the opportunity to give your company some extra promotion within it.
Thousands of business people meet and do business with each other through Chamber of Commerce networking events each year. Advertising in the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce Directory in another important opportunity to raise awareness of your company amongst the business community in our region.
The directory will be posted out to all members in June this year and, as well as containing full listings of all Chamber members, also provides a detailed guide to the services the Leicestershire Chamber has to offer.
Don't forget that one of the benefits of Chamber membership is your automatic inclusion into both this and the East Midlands Chambers Directory which is published at the end of the year.
UNIVERSITY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FROM BUSINESS COMMUNITY
The University of Leicester Work Experience Fair 2009 is being held on the 5th February in the Queens Hall, Student Union, University of Leicester Campus from 11am – 3pm. This is an annual event and attracts around 750 – 1000 students. Twenty five organisations (commercial, public sector and charitable) exhibit in the hall, promoting their work experience opportunities for paid, unpaid, causal work, industrial placements, summer and vacation work. Work experience is a vital means for students to gain commercial and professional skills - education and a degree is not enough in this competitive market. The university encourages students to gain employability skills such as time management, team work, problem solving, decision making etc by taking on a variety of work experience roles throughout their time at university.
The University of Leicester also runs an interactive zone at the event which has a range of stands offering careers advice and guidance, including a CV Clinic. The university is looking to recruit volunteers to check student CVs and give advice on how they would be able to ‘sell’ themselves better on that document. The CV Checkers are recruited from local businesses and organisations, meaning that students get to benefit from networking and meeting people from local companies as well as gain advice on their CV from a ‘real working person’. The benefits to the CV Checker are that they get to give something back to their local university, they can network with the companies exhibiting and, of course, the other CV checkers. Additionally, they can promote their business to students if appropriate.
The university is looking for volunteers to commit to giving between 1 hour - 1.5 hours of their time on the day and the time slots are:
- 11:00 – 12:30
- 12:30 – 14:00
- 14:00 – 15:00
CV Checkers would need to arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before their allotted slot. The fair will be quite busy so they should allow time for parking and reaching the venue. Refreshments will be provided throughout their CV checking slot and a lunch voucher to the value of £5.00 will be provided for all CV Consultants which can be used at any of the University of Leicester catering outlets.
CV Checkers will spend between 5-8 minutes with a student checking through their CV, giving advice and guidance on structure, content and quality of their CV based on their business expertise. Information about the fair can be found at: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/careers/events/fairs/wefair
Those interested in finding out more about volunteering as a CV Checker should contact Karen Sylvester on Tel: 0116 252 2068
FUNDING FOR DIRECTORS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
To successfully develop your business you need to develop yourself and ensure that as a director you are equipped with the latest skills, knowledge and understanding to be a leader in your field. The Chamber Training Director’s Development Programme will not only ensure that you are aware of your legal responsibilities but also provide you with the essential skills to develop your business in the direction you want. A further bonus is the opportunity this presents to network with like-minded individuals.
The courses below are part of the suite of seminars specifically designed for directors.
Understanding Company Accounts – The Essential Cost Management Tool
1 Day
Date: 29 January 2009
Fee: Chamber Member £230 / Non Member £265
Key Objectives:
- Understanding the law concerning preparing & distributing financial statements
- Appreciating the law, safeguarding the financial assets of the company
- Understanding forecasts, budgets, profit & loss accounts, balance sheets
Strategic Business Planning – A Framework For Success - 2 Days
Date: 12 & 26 February 2009
Fee: Chamber Members £400 / Non Members £460
Key objectives:
- Determining the business strategy
- Compiling a business plan and understanding the key elements
- Exploring the business environment
Inspirational Leadership - 1 Day
Date: 5 March 2009
Fee: Chamber Members £205 / Non Members £240
Key objectives:
- Recognise the difference between leadership and management
- Identify alternative leadership styles
- Understand what motivates people
Business Link funding is available for those interested in attending Director Development Training courses which are held at the Bosworth Hall Hotel, Market Bosworth.
To book a place or for more information please contact Fay Brown, Business Development Team, on Tel: 024 7623 1122 or e-mail: brown.f@cwtcov.co.uk
GRADUATE EMPLOYERS SOUGHT FOR ONE-OFF MENTORING EVENT AT UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER
The University of Leicester runs an employability skills course known as the Leicester Award. This programme aims to help students recognise and develop the transferable skills that we know employers seek - working in teams, communication skills, the ability to prioritise, self awareness, presentation skills, problem solving and decision making – to name but a few!
As part of the course students prepare and present a ten minute presentation which are assessed by guest employers invited to campus for the day. Not only is this a great opportunity for our students to network with graduate recruiters, it is also an excellent chance for employers to enhance their profile on campus and meet some of our most talented and promising students. This has proven to be a popular and very enjoyable event for employers in the past. There is no fee to attend and lunch will be provided. If you would like to be involved please contact us at laes@le.ac.uk for more information. The student presentation dates for 2009 are: Saturday March 21st, Thursday March 26th and Wednesday April 1st.
THE MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra under Martyn Brabbins,Stravinsky’sPetrushkaisthe brilliant burlesque score that animates the puppet Petrushka. In the composer’s words Petrushka is ‘suddenly endowed with life, exasperating the patience of the orchestra’. Joining them to performMozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 K491 will be the renowned Japanese pianist Noriko Ogawaat De Montfort Hall, Leicester on Wednesday 4 February 2009, 7.30pm.
Click here for more information and booking details.
The Philharmonia Orchestra is proud to be a member of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
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
EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON WITH MARY ROGERS, AREA DIRECTOR OF THE LEARNING & SKILLS COUNCIL
Sponsored by the Skills Pledge
Date: 22 January
Venue: The National Space Centre, Leicester
Time: 12:30 - 2:30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
Includes buffet lunch and a welcome drink.
Mary Rogers, Area Director for Leicestershire Learning & Skills Council (LSC), will talk about how skills issues are affecting Leicestershire’s businesses and how addressing these will ensure that businesses remain sustainable in spite of the current economic climate and how the LSC is working to help businesses during this tough time.
BUSINESS NETWORKING LUNCH - LEICESTERSHIRE MEETS NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Date: 27 January
Venue: Holiday Inn, Rugby, Junction 18 off M1
Time: 11:45am - 2:30pm
Cost: Chamber members only, £25 plus VAT
Price includes 3 course meal.
This joint event is being hosted by Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce and will give businesses from both counties an excellent opportunity to network and exchange company literature with fellow attendees over a 3 course lunchtime meal. Looking for new contacts? Wanting to raise your business profile?
Need to identify new, competitive suppliers? Then join us for this lunch
EMPLOYMENT LAW SEMINAR
In Association With Freeth Cartwright Solicitors
Date: 24 February
Venue: Leicester Tigers, Aylestone Road, Leicester
Time: 7.30am - 9.15am
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
Join us for one of our regular seminars which are brought to you in association with Freeth Cartwright Solicitors to help to keep you up to date with the latest legislation changes and how they affect your business.
LEICESTER SOUTH AREA LUNCHEON
Date: 27 February
Venue: Holiday Inn Leicester, St Nicholas Circle, Leicester
Time: 12 noon - 2:30pm
Cost: Chamber Members £25
One in a series of area luncheons with local MPs, this event will give you the chance to speak to Sir Peter Soulsby MP about local issues. Peter has lived in Leicester South for over 30 years and throughout his public life he has campaigned for the very best for all our communities. He was knighted by the Queen in 1999 for Services to the City of Leicester.
CURRY NETWORKING EVENING
Sponsored by The Business Booster
Date: 3 March
Venue: The Tamarind Restaurant, The Peepul Centre, Belgrave, Leicester
Time: 6pm - 8:30pm
Cost: ChamberMembers £25 / Standard £35
Leicestershire Chamber invites you to join us for a networking evening with an Indian touch at the Tamarind Restaurant. Situated inside the Peepul Centre this quality 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. So why not join us for this networking evening, sponsored by The Business Booster?
DATA PROTECTION SEMINAR
In Association With Howes Percival LLP
Date: 18 March
Venue: Howes Percival, Bede Island Business Park , Leicester
Time: 8am - 10am
Cost: Chamber Members £25 / Standard £35
Price includes breakfast.
Join us for an informative and instructive seminar brought to you in association with Howes Percival. Alex Payton will explain how the Data Protection Act impacts on employment relationships and Sophia Smith will then consider certain aspects of the Data Protection Act from a commercial perspective, including corporate transactions, marketing and the company website.
WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2009
Date: 20 March
Venue: Leicester City Football Club, The Walkers Stadium, Leicester
Time: 7pm - midnight
Cost: £50 per person or £470 per table of ten. Includes a four course meal. Discounted rates are available for finalists, their guests and local community groups.
This unique celebration is designed to capture the achievement of almost any woman in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The success of women in our society often goes unrecognised, be that in business, the community or at home. Women are a crucial part of our social fabric and this prestigious gala dinner seeks to bring local women together and award them for their achievements.
For more information on these Chamber events please callKam Atkeron Tel: 0116 204 6614, email: atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk or alternatively you can visit the Chamber website at: www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and select What’s On/events