Edition 99: Week commencing Monday 11 July 2011
Edition 99: Week commencing Monday 11 July 2011 NWES is pleased to support Essex Voice of Business Online. NWES operates a number of managed workspace centres for small and growing businesses including in Harlow and Thurrock. Business support services are also available in Castle Point, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock If you are looking for office space please call 0845 60 99 99 1 Finding what you want! Headings in Essex Voice of Business Online have now been colour coded to make it easier for you to find the items that interest you most. Events – a full listing of events through until 2012 can be found at Essex Events Tender Opportunities Workshops and Seminars Apprenticeship Opportunities FSB Updates Lobbying and Campaigning Issues Information and Consultations Special Offers and Discounts for FSB Members Business Awards Advertisements Southend Voice of Business Breakfast Briefing: How To Win Public Sector Contracts – FREE TO ATTEND - LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! Leigh-on-Sea: Thursday 14 July 2011 7.30am until 9.30am A FREE TO ATTEND EVENT Dominic Collins from Essex County Council‟s 2012 Legacy Team will explain how to win Olympic contracts through CompeteFor Alice Ashley, Head of Procurement at Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will explain how to win contracts through the local authority Jill Poet of the Organisation for Responsible Businesses will be explaining how to achieve accreditation. PLUS Enjoy a breakfast bap while you network with other local businesses Book Now! Green Market Place – LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! Basildon: Monday 11 July 2011 Organised by Basildon Green Business Forum and Essex FSB this popular event includes seminars and a market place providing advice and information on green related issues to boost your business profits and reduce your carbon footprint. Bookings for exhibitors are now being taken and the event is free to attend. Book Now! Harlow Voice of Business Briefing: Using Social Media To Get New Business, Keeping On The Right Side Of The Law and How To Access Finance For Business – LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! Money Back Guarantee! Harlow: Thursday 14 July 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm Marketing expert Steve Clarke will share practical tips on how to increase your sales and if you don‟t think they will work for your business he will give you your ticket price back! FSB Legal Services will explain how they help you stay on the right side of the law. Experts from FSB Insurance Services will explain the best way to get the right insurance cover for your business at the most competitive price and also give details of the No Win, No fee debt collection service available. Book Now! Using Your Voice! Essex FSB uses data from members to help its lobbying and campaigning – the recent survey on apprenticeships identified more than 1500 potential new apprenticeship possibilities and that data helped us put together a bid for £5 million from the Regional Growth Fund as it gave hard evidence of the new jobs which would be created. Our thanks go to all who completed that survey! Each month there is a Voice of Small Business Survey which gathers data on current economic conditions and key issues of concern to members. The data gathered is used for national and local lobbying. More than 4,400 members are already participating in that survey panel taking 10 minutes each month to tick the survey boxes which apply to them. BUT WE NEED YOU TOO! The more members who participate in the survey the better the quality of data we have available so if you are not already receiving that monthly survey please sign up for it here. Thurrock Voice of Business Briefing Thurrock: Wednesday 27 July 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm Book Now! Looking To Increase Your Profit Margin And Maximise Your Sales? Plan For Success, In Just Four Hours – 13% Discount For Essex FSB Members, Now Just £26! Ipswich: Thursday 14 July 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Chelmsford: Tuesday 19 July 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Billericay: Thursday 11 August 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Ipswich: Saturday 13 August 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Ipswich: Thursday 08 September 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Thurrock: Saturday 17 September 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Planning for Growth is an interactive and inspiring four-hour workshop to provide you with the skills and tools you need to improve your bottom line and increase your business value. Is it for you? If you are a small business owner/manager, have been trading for at least one year, employ less than five people and want to grow your profits, then yes, it is for you. To book your place at the FSB Member’s rate call our Events Booking team on 0845 601 1000 and quote: FSB. Chelmsford: Voice of Business Briefing Chelmsford: Wednesday 17 August 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm Book Now! Business Network Groups Essex FSB supports a number of regular Network Groups which have a good track record of helping members win new business. Rainham: Tuesday 12 July 2011 7.45am until 9.30am Book Now! Holland-on-Sea: Wednesday 13 July 2011 7.30am until 9.30am Guest Speaker is Neil Thomson - ReMaDe Essex - Essex County Council - Matter Can Neither be Created nor Destroyed (A Waste Perspective). Book Now! Wickford: Wednesday 13 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Brentwood: Thursday 14 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Havering and Redbridge Joint Meeting: Friday 15 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am This is a joint event is in partnership with The Queen‟s Theatre, Hornchurch. Book Now! Witham: Friday 15 July 2011 4.30pm until 6.30pm Book Now! Chelmsford: Friday 15 July 2011 4.30pm until 6.30pm Book Now! Eastwood: Monday 18 July 2011 4.00pm until 6.00pm Book Now! Leigh-on-Sea: Tuesday 19 July 2011 7.30am until 9.00am Book Now! Basildon: Wednesday 20 July 2011 7.30am until 9.30am Book Now! Thurrock: Thursday 21 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Maldon: Friday 22 July 2011 4.00pm until 6.00pm Book Now! Colchester: Friday 22 July 2011 4.30pm until 6.30pm Book Now! Rawreth: Wednesday 27 July 2011 11.00am until 12.30pm Book Now! Redbridge: Friday 29 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Grays: Tuesday 02 August 2011 8.00am until 9.00am Book Now! Westcliff-on-Sea: Wednesday 03 August 2011 7.30am until 9.30am Book Now! Billericay: Thursday 04 August 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Hornchurch: Friday 05 August 2011 7.30am until 9.00am This event is in partnership with The Queen‟s Theatre, Hornchurch. Book Now! Join Essex FSB And Come To SIX Events Free – Save up to £120! From Tuesday 01 March 2011 there is a new special offer from Essex FSB. Every member that joins will be able to attend SIX Essex Voice of Business Briefings free of charge and they can choose any six in their first two years of membership. Around 30 Essex Voice of Business Briefings are held each year at different venues across Essex, Havering and Redbridge offer: Information on how to boost your business from experts in marketing and sales Details of the latest offers to help cut your business costs on everything from bank charges to fuel The opportunity to network with fellow business people from across Essex, Havering and Redbridge A buffet to enjoy while networking If you are not an FSB member you are welcome to attend these events but there is a cost, usually £20, to cover food and venue charges incurred by Essex FSB. The annual subscription to join the FSB for a sole trader is just £120 so you can save that by attending your six free events! More details on this offer More details on FSB membership Event details and booking PLEASE NOTE: If you joined Essex FSB since 01 March 2009 you should have received details of how you too can attend SIX Essex Voice of Business Briefings free of charge before Saturday 31 December 2011. Funding Information For Businesses Chelmsford: Monday 11 July 2011 1.30pm until 4.30pm Speakers topics include EU and Innovation Funding Support Service – Derek MacLeod, TUV NEL and Enterprise Europe Network – Hendrik Pavel, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) The event is hosted by e2v technologies which was the only local firm to successfully bid for Regional Growth Fund money in Round One. More details by email Dragon Jelly Leigh-on-Sea: Thursday 14 July 2011 9.00am until 5.00pm A jelly is an opportunity for those who work alone or are self employed to work with others. Book Now! LLEA Network Event Colchester: Wednesday 20 July 2011 6.45pm until 8.30pm More details Designers Network Meeting Colchester: Monday 25 July 2011 4.30pm until 7.30pm The Designers Network, Essex County Council and the University of Essex invite designers from the East of England to an evening get together in the iLab. Sally Brazier from the Designers Network will be hosting the evening, demonstrating the Business Model Canvas to help you design how your business will compete in the future. Book Now! Business Breakfast Briefing: The Implications of the Greek Economic Crisis for the East of England Colchester: Tuesday 26 July 2011 7.30am until 9.30am This free to attend event at the University of Essex will be chaired by Professor Eric Smith, Head of the Department of Economics with contributions from: Professor Paul Whitely (Government), who will be discussing the politics playing out in London; Professor Emil Kirchner (Government), who will be discussing the impact of the crisis on the Euro and the European Union; Dr Miltos Makris (Economics), who will be presenting the Greek economic outlook; Dr Gianluigi Vernasca (Economics), who will be commenting on the economic impact on the UK and our region. Book Now! Essex Police Consultation Rayleigh: Wednesday 27 July 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm This consultation event will be held at Rayleigh Market, Market Place, Hockley Road, Rayleigh. Business Networking Charity Golf Day In Aid Of Brainwave Great Totham: Thursday 08 September 2011 More details ARE YOU CLAIMING ENOUGH TAX CREDITS? Did you know that many business owners are missing out on opportunities to increase their tax credit entitlement – often by £1,000s? Most accountants do not provide advice on tax credits and therefore you are probably not hearing about the ways you can increase your claim. Cornerstone Accountancy offers a FREE review of your current position and we will only charge you a fee if we can increase your entitlement. In the first instance please send an email with your name and business type (sole trade etc) to [email protected] to receive further information. 4N Networking Groups Basildon: Friday 22 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Bishop’s Stortford: Thursday 14 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Braintree: Tuesday 12 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Chelmsford: Thursday 21 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Colchester: Friday 15 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Dunmow: Tuesday 12 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Harlow: Friday 22 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Leigh-on-Sea: Wednesday 13 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Maldon: Tuesday 19 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Romford: Thursday 14 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Saffron Walden: Tuesday 19 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Waltham Abbey: Friday 15 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Witham: Tuesday 19 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am These groups meet fortnightly. More details Bishop’s Stortford Breakfast Club Much Hadham: Wednesday 13 July 2011 8.00am until 10.00am Book Now! Bishop’s Stortford Business Connections Much Hadham: First and Third Tuesday of each month 6.00pm until 8.00pm Book Now by email BNI Witham BNI is launching a new group in Witham with anticipated September start date which means there are vacancies in all business categories. More details by email Breakfast for Business..... And Lunch Too! Colchester: Wednesday 13 July 2011 6.45am until 8.30am – then fortnightly Colchester: Thursday 14 July 2011 11.45am until 1.30pm – then fortnightly Witham: Thursday 20 July 2011 6.45am until 8.30am – then fortnightly Book Now by email! BRX Stansted Airport Stansted: Every Thursday 7.00am until 9.00am More details by email Business United BNI. Dagenham: Every Friday 11.45am until 1.45pm Book Now by email Business Lounge Network Group - Discount for Essex FSB members Shoreditch: Thursday 14 July 2011 7.30pm until 10.00pm Book Now! Catalyst Network Group Colchester: Every Wednesday 6.45am until 8.30am What makes Catalyst Business Networking unique is our approach, we hold cutting edge „business clinics‟ and „business education‟ slots which turn our group into a think tank geared for your success. You may also be surprised to hear that our primary goal is NOT referrals. Our prime focus is on the growth of the business and the business owner, because of this deep relationships are built and high quality referrals naturally follow. Book Now by email Chafford Hundred Mum’s Business Club Chafford Hundred: Monthly Meetings This is a networking group that meets at least once a month and it is for mums in business, about to start a business and not sure of the business idea. Mums business club gives us an opportunity to chat in an informal environment with the kids too and explore new possibilities. More details Chelmsford Business Connections Chelmsford: First and Third Thursdays of each month 7.00am until 8.30am No Membership fee, £25 per month for two breakfasts. More details Chelmsford NetLinked Group Chelmsford: Alternate Wednesdays 7.30am until 9.00am More details Chingford Business Network Chingford: Second Tuesday of each month 12 noon until 2.00pm More details CM Connected Network Breakfast High Ongar: Friday 15 July 2011 7.30am until 9.30am Networking event in partnership with CM Connected magazine. Essex FSB will have an information stand at this event. Book Now by email Colchester Connected Networking Breakfast Colchester: Friday 29 July 2011 7.30am until 10.30am Regularly more than 200 local business people attend this event – are you missing out? Essex FSB will have an information stand at this event. Book Now by email! Colchester Jelly Network Group Colchester: First Friday of every month 9.30am until 5.30pm This is a free to attend network group. Book Now! Danbury Business Networking Danbury: Third Wednesday of every month 4.30pm until 6.30pm More details Essex Business Club Chelmsford: First Tuesday of each month 7.30pm until 9.30pm Ideal for the new business start-up, feeling its way into the business community, and small business wanting to expand. The Essex Business Club is a member-run networking and support organisation for businesses in Essex. Our members include start-ups, micro businesses and larger enterprises across a wide range of products and services. More details Essex Business Forum Great Warley: Every Thursday 6.30am until 8.30am More details Essex Business Network Basildon: Thursday 14 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Billericay: Thursday 04 August 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm – Christian Business Network Group Billericay: Thursday 14 July 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm – Social Networking for Business Brentwood: Thursday 21 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Chelmsford: Friday 15 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Chelmsford: Friday 29 July 2011 12 noon until 2.00pm – Lunch Group Romford: Wednesday 13 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Southend-on-Sea: Tuesday 12 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Witham: Tuesday 12 July 2011 7.00am until 9.00am Essex Business Network offers relaxed and informal business networking with no gimmicks, committees or grading of networkers. Book Now! Essex EventNet Bishop’s Stortford: first Thursday of each month 12 noon until 2.00pm Chelmsford: last Thursday of each month 12 noon until 2.00pm More details Essex Property Network Brentwood: Tuesday 12 July 2011 6.30pm until 9.30pm A networking group for anyone involved in the property industry. Book Now! Grapevine Network Group Chelmsford: Friday 22 July 2011 5.00pm until 7.00pm Chelmsford: Friday 19 August 2011 5.00pm until 7.00pm Chelmsford: Friday 16 September 2011 5.00pm until 7.00pm Book Now by email Hello Network Group Harlow: Monday 18 July 2011 08.00 until 10.00am then fortnightly More details LLEA Network Event Colchester: Third Thursday of each month 6.45pm until 8.30pm More details Network Group at CEME Rainham: Every Friday 7.00am until 9.00am Why not give this new network group a trial? Book Now by email. Newport Business Association Breakfast Newport: Friday 29 July 2011 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now by email Nexus Networking Group Great Warley: Every Thursday 6.45am until 8.30am Book Now! PING (Park Inn Network Group) Harlow: First and Third Friday of each month 8.00am until 9.30am From Friday 06 May 2011 PING combines face-to-face breakfast networking with hints and tips about the effective use of social media. Book Now! Select Network Business Breakfasts Brentwood: Every Friday 7.00am for 7.15am start until 9.00am. Chelmsford: Every Wednesday 7.00am, for 7.15am start until 9.00am. Visitors £15 for first breakfast meeting, then FREE voucher for next meeting. More details Stansted Professionals Lunch Stansted: Friday 05 August 2011 12 noon until 2.00pm Book Now by email Southend Network Group Southend-on-Sea: Friday 05 August 2011 1.00pm until 3.00pm A free to attend network event. Book by email. Southend Peers Business Network Southend-on-Sea: Every Thursday 7.00am until 8.45am This network group is looking for new members. More details by email The Lead Generation Club Network Group Braintree: Every Tuesday 7.15am until 9.00am Book Now by email Dunmow: Every Wednesday 7.30am until 9.30am Book Now by email Thurrock Mum’s Business Club Thurrock: Monthly Meetings This is a networking group that meets at least once a month and it is for mums in business, about to start a business and not sure of the business idea. Mums business club gives us an opportunity to chat in an informal environment with the kids too and explore new possibilities. More details Wake Up Business Club Basildon: Every Tuesday 6.45am until 8.30am Book Now! Clacton Air Show Clacton-on-Sea: Thursday 25 August 2011 and Friday 26 August 2011 The Clacton Air Show celebrates its 20th year this year and is the biggest event in the Tendring District‟s event calendar and is estimated to attract in excess of 120,000 visitors over two days. The event is well supported by the local, regional and national media and is a well-established event in the air show calendar. The show site stretches along Clacton‟s seafront and features on site catering, trade stands, entertainment and attractions. There is no entrance fee for this event. Various promotional opportunities are available including: o taking trade space o advertising in the official souvenir programme or o sponsorship opportunities available. More details Saffron Walden Speed Exhibition Stand Bookings now being taken Saffron Walden: Tuesday 27 September 2011 10.00am until 3.30pm Essex FSB will be exhibiting at this event. More details East London Business Expo Stand Bookings now being taken: discount for Essex FSB Members Dagenham: Wednesday 12 October 2011 10.00am until 6.00pm Exhibition open Dagenham: Wednesday 12 October 2011 6.00pm until 8.00pm Networking Reception These events are free to attend for visitors. More details Register for free attendance Chelmsford Business Showcase Chelmsford: Tuesday 15 November 2011 9.30am until 4.30pm This hugely successful and popular event held at Anglia Ruskin University and sponsored by NatWest bank includes some 40 exhibition stands plus seminars on key business issues, all free of charge. More details by email Business Start Up Show London: Wednesday 16 November 2011 and Thursday 17 November 2011 More details Hornchurch Business Exhibition and Network Event - Stand Bookings now being taken Hornchurch: Monday 28 November 2011 6.00pm until 8.30pm The Queen‟s Theatre once again organises this popular annual event which attracts many visitors. More details by email Harlow Business Exhibition Harlow: Friday 15 June 2012 9.30am until 4.00pm More details to be announced. Update Your FSB Email Preferences FSB members can now update their email preferences easily by logging onto the FSB Update Facility. You can update your email addresses, select whether or not you wish to receive general emails from the FSB and also how you wish to receive the Annual Report paperwork. 100 Apprentices in 100 Days – The South Essex Challenge! The National Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with the Essex Enquirer, The Federation of Small Businesses and the provider network, is about to embark on an ambitious campaign to increase the number of Apprenticeship opportunities on offer in Essex and would like to invite you to be part of it. The Essex 100 in 100 campaign, launched on 16 June, aims to generate 100 Apprenticeship opportunities across the local area within 100 days. More details Get Involved by email Essex Apprenticeship Scheme Subsidies Essex County Council has announced details of funding it has received to support the salaries and training of apprentices in Essex – in some industry sectors this can be 100%. If you are considering taking on extra staff the Essex Apprenticeship Scheme could be a cost effective way of recruiting. More details Apprenticeships: Support and Guidance The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has responsibility for the development and growth of Apprenticeships in England. Locally the NAS is working with partners, including Essex FSB, and businesses to support the expansion of Apprenticeship opportunities in the county. To find out how Apprenticeships can be good for your business in Essex. More details Or call one of the Employer Services Managers below: Dorothy Holland (Thurrock, Brentwood, Epping, Harlow and Uttlesford) T: 07766 780737 Rachel Dawson (Southend, Rochford, Castle Point and Basildon) T: 07810 757254 Apprenticeship Subsidies Available in Southend-on-Sea! The Low Carbon Business Programme is now offering subsidies to help SMEs take on apprentices. In addition to the business audits, signposting and grants already available through the Low Carbon Business Programme we can now offer financial support in taking on an apprentice. What's in it for you? The Programme will provide a significant contribution towards the wages of the apprentice The apprentice will receive a FREE sustainability workshop place so they can measurably help your business improve and grow More details Apprenticeships: Innovative Training – Staff development opportunities for FSB members! Lota Training are an innovative training provider with sites across Essex, delivering Apprenticeship training with a real understanding of the needs of the employer. Lota was created to bridge the gap between education and business and now offers a wide selection of courses to compliment businesses in Essex. Lota strives to be the provider of choice for employers and learners alike. Our commercially experienced staff are committed to delivering quality training solutions that have a real impact on the individual and the success of any organisation. Lota delivers Apprenticeships and business training in the following occupations: Business Administration Customer Service Hospitality & Catering Engineering IT Professional Construction (multi-trades) Childcare Team Leading Management Motor Vehicle Repair In addition, to ensure our apprentices are more mobile in the current job market, Lota offers FREE DRIVING LESSONS (terms and conditions apply) to all learners on an Apprenticeship. Why don't you benefit from our free apprentice recruitment service and start to "Grow Your Own Talent"!! Contact Wendy Twydell for further information. Enhance Your Workforce LifeSkills is a National Training Provider. Our Employer Responsive Division is based in Basildon and caters for all ages but especially the 16 – 18 year olds across Essex. The Apprenticeship Training Programme is where we match suitable employers with high calibre 16-18 year olds while they are studying for their NVQ/QCF Level 2 Certificate in Business Administration Apprenticeship or NVQ/QCF Level 2 Certificate in Retail Apprenticeship. They will then receive enhanced Customer Service training or training in their chosen qualification which will lead to the learner being able to go on to complete their level 3 qualifications. The course length depends on the apprentice‟s ability and is typically between 9 and 12 months. The first 6 months will consist of students spending their time split between attending one of our Training Centre‟s completing their learning and the remaining time with you grasping valuable firsthand experience The following three to six months will be with you five days a week while LifeSkills enhance their qualifications e.g. complete a Diploma in their chosen qualification (Business Admin or Retail) or a Certificate in Customer Service. Your financial contribution is £100 per week and LifeSkills offer reimbursement options for the time learners spend off the job at college. We also offer a full range of NVQ training packages for all your existing staff. If you would like to support a local young person with no financial exposure please email Stuart Goudge Internship Opportunities from Redbridge College Redbridge College is looking for six week long work based placements during July and August for students following Business Administration and Creative Media courses. If you choose to take on an intern you will be able to interview them to make sure they are a good fit for your business. More details by email Card Processing Charges – Half Price For FSB Members From this summer there will be a minimum charge introduced across the industry for monthly processing fees for credit and debot cards. Typically this will be £20 per calendar month and any card processor whose transaction charges are less than this will pay that minimum fee. The FSB has reached agreement with Streamline, which handles around half the card prcoessing transactions in the United Kingdom, so FSB members will have a minimum monthly charge of £10 – half the usual price. FSB Members with questions about card processing should contact FSB Customer Services on 01253 336000. Not Yet A Member? This is yet another way that businesses can save on their running costs by joining the FSB with annual subscriptions starting at £120 – details here Register To Receive Tender Opportunities If you want to bid for public sector contracts register your details here to receive regular email alerts. Procurement Website Opens For Business As announced earlier this year, and reiterated at the FSB‟s National Conference, the Government is looking to make public sector procurement easier for small businesses. It has now launched its Contract Finder website and a feedback form if you have any problems. Have You Experienced Problems With The Procurement Process? You can now report any problems you have with the procurement process to the Government through the Extended Supplier Feedback Tender Opportunities via Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service Below are details of a selection of tenders issued by public sector organisations in Essex, Havering and Redbridge. Chelmsford: Other Community, Personal and Social Services Reference: 193578) Deadline: Thursday 14 July 2011 South Essex: Refurbishment of Mechanical Services and Associated Work (Reference: 7620) Deadline: Friday 15 July 2011 Rainham: School Catering Services (Reference: 193588) Deadline Monday 18 July 2011 Southend-on-Sea: technical inspection and testing services (Reference: 187467) Deadline: Tuesday 19 July 2011 Braintree: Park and Playground Equipment (Reference: 209155 ) Deadline: Tuesday 02 August 2011 Rainham/Ingrebourne: Ingrebourne Hill Vegetation Maintenance Contract (Reference: 2798) Deadline: Wednesday 04 April 2012. For more information on any of the above contracts please contact Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service at [email protected] or telephone 01245 492535. GEKES LEP Tender Opportunities via Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service Below are details of a selection of tenders issued by public sector organisations in the area covered by the Greater Essex, Kent and East Sussex Local Enterprise Partnership Kent: PCT Mailings (Reference: 6605) Deadline: Thursday 14 July 2011 Lewes: medical practice and related services (Reference: 196860) Deadline: Monday 18 July 2011 Maidstone: supply of photocopiers to schools (Reference: 187273) Deadline Monday 25 July 2011 Maidstone: repair and maintenance work (Reference: 187463) Deadline: Thursday 28 July 2011 Eastbourne: Records Management system (Reference: 196792) Deadline: Wednesday 10 August 2011 West Malling: Subsidised Bus Services (Reference: 209334) Deadline: Monday 22 August 2011 Eastbourne: Taxi Services (Reference: 176456) Deadline: Monday 11 January 2012 East Sussex: Costal flood risk modelling (Reference: 6964) Deadline: Monday 20 February 2012 For more information on any of the above contracts please contact Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service at [email protected] or telephone 01245 492535. Tender Opportunities From London Olympics LOCOG are advertising the following tender opportunities connected with the London Olympics. Deadlines usually refer to last date for expression of interest. 1. More than 200 boats in total, including over 150 RIBS of varying sizes, engines of differing power, work boats, sailing-related competition equipment, and specialist craft such as Jet Skis and Zap Cats. 2. Medical Goods for Emergency Services Room including veterinary supplies and medical grade furniture. More details. Tender Opportunities From Basildon Borough Council We have received the following tender opportunities from Basildon Borough Council: 1. Insurance Broker Services. Deadline submission of quotation 12:00 noon, Tuesday 05 July 2011 More details Tender Opportunities From Southend-on-Sea Borough Council We have received the following tender opportunities from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council: 1. Local Involvement Network (LINk) 2. Tender for inclusion onto an Approved List, for Community Support 3. Expressions of Interest for Ground Floor Extension & Refurbishments to The SEEVIC College 4. Remodelling Works - Westwood and Longmans 5. Tender for Public Toilet Cleaning Service More details Make Sure You Have Your Say On The Issue Of The Day The FSB „Voice of Small Business‟ Survey Panel is growing and the data gained from it is being used not only in the media, but in Parliament to give strength to arguments put forward on behalf of members, and to ensure the interests of small firms are at the top of the political agenda. FSB members can have their voice heard by signing up to the FSB Survey Panel. Find out more about the survey. Business Awards Everywoman Business Awards THE NatWest everywoman awards are now open for entry to female entrepreneurs across the UK. Application Deadline: Friday 22 July 2011 More Details British Business Champions British Business Champions is the only truly independent organisation staging high profile awards in every region of the UK culminating in a prestigious annual national finals event. There are five categories for small businesses and six categories for medium sized businesses. If in Essex Register HERE for East of England Regional Business Champions Awards. Application Deadline: Wednesday 27 July 2011 If in London Register HERE for London Regional Business Champions Awards Mumpreneur Awards These awards have 10 categories Application Deadline: Wednesday 29 July 2011 More details Internet Business Awards These awards have 31 categories Application Deadline: Friday 31 July 2011 More details Southend Business Awards These awards have 13 categories open to businesses in the Castle Point, Rochford and Southend-on-Sea Council areas Application Deadline: Friday 19 August 2011 More details Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards (up to 6 x £1,000 each month) If you're aged 16-30 and need funding to get your new business idea or project off the ground, the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards offers up to 6 x £1,000 prizes every month to the most innovative ideas submitted by new businesses (in their first 12 months of trading). Winners of the monthly Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards will also be offered a range of 'value-added prizes' throughout the year. You've got until the last day of the month to enter the awards so apply now by logging in at the bottom of this page! New for 2011 Each month, the three Grand Ideas Award winners with the highest judges‟ scores will automatically be put through to our „Hot 40‟ shortlist for the £10,000 Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, with the remaining winners added to a pool of „sift entries‟. Read more about our Changes to the Shell LiveWIRE Awards. Apply online now for the chance to win £1,000 and £10,000 for your business. Rochford Sports Awards Now Open If you have a sports team at your business or a member of staff who coaches or plays in a team and you are based in Rochford make sure you nominate them for one of the six award categories. Deadline: Wednesday 28 September 2011 More details Dartford Crossing: Consultation On Thursday 30 June 2011 Roads Minister Mike Penning launched a consultation on the future charges for the existing Dartford Crossing and plans for another crossing. That consultation was due by 31 December 2011 but still better late than never! Essex FSB is working with Kent and Medway FSB and Greater London FSB to prepare a response to the consultation and have also asked for it to be placed on the agenda of the next LEP Board meeting later in July. Read the consultations here Send your views to Essex FSB Development Manager Keith Brown. And Broken Promises In his announcement on Thursday 30 June 2011 Roads Minister Mike Penning said that with “immediate effect” tolls would be lifted whenever queues reached 10 miles (Junction 28 for A12 at Brentwood in Essex or Junction 4 for Orpington in Kent). On Friday 01 July 2011 BBC Travel reports said that the queue on the Essex stretch reached 12 miles, well beyond Junction 28, and those queues lasted for more than four hours according to the travel reports. Essex FSB has written to Mr Penning asking him why we should trust him when the Highways Agency keeps ignoring his instruction and the promises he makes are broken – in this case in less than 24 hours! Independent Retailer Month – July 2011 There are a number of ways you can take part to support independent retailers including: I love this shop because.... complete the sentence with your video comments on the YouTube channel Download the logos from Flikr so you can show your support – 3 sets available, sized for web and large format print “Like” the facebook page so you can both share what you are doing for Independent retailer month, spread the word AND when we reach 100 likes someone who has liked the page will get a little prize!! Join the Linkedin “Independent and SME retailer forum” to network online with others who share common interests Follow our hashtag on Twitter and see tweets from both sides of the Atlantic - #IndieRetail Subscribe to The Retail Champion Blog (via email or RSS, the widgets for each are in the right hand panel) to receive a blog-a-day for Indie Retail throughout July... Keep an eye on all of the social media, and the news page of the website – www.independentretailermonth.co.uk/news Competition Law Guidance The Office of Fair Trading has published new guidance for businesses on competition law compliance. This includes specific advice for Directors, general guidance for all businesses, a quick guide to competition law compliance and a short film. Bribery Act Now In Force The Bribery Act came into force from Friday 01 July 2011 meaning that it is now a corporate offence for failing to prevent bribery in business. Businesses can avoid conviction if it can show that it has adequate procedures in place to prevent bribery. The FSB has worked with the Ministry of Justice to produce a Quick Start guide for small firms to help get to grips with the Act. Find out more about this and what procedures businesses can put in place. Red Tape Challenge The Government‟s „Red Tape Challenge‟ is still open and is looking for input on the challenges faced on health and safety, enforcement and regulations. Deadline is Saturday 30 July 2011 Health And Safety Review The Government has launched a review into Health and Safety legislation. The review looks in detail at all Health and Safety regulation and asks that organisations that respond detail which regulations are necessary/redundant and why. We have recently written a paper on the burden of regulation and will follow up with a response to the review. If you have any thoughts on Health and Safety legislation then Sara Higham would like to hear from you. HM Revenue And Customs Campaign HMRC has announced an initiative to crack down on VAT rule breakers. The campaign will focus on individuals and businesses who are trading above the VAT threshold but who have not yet registered for VAT. This campaign will be launched later in the summer and we will send further updates when they are available. Tell Priyen Patel about your thoughts on this initiative. Speak Directly With High Street Banks Better Business Finance – part of the Bank Taskforce – is organising a series of events up and down the country so small firms can talk directly to the UK‟s biggest banks. Find out more about the initiative and events in your region. Problems With Certification Bodies The FSB would like to hear from members that have experienced problems with certification bodies for standards such as ISO 9001 because they were not UKAS accredited meaning the certificate was not then accepted. Review of Data Protection Act Data Protection legislation is currently being reviewed at EU level. The FSB wants to make sure that any revised regime takes account of the interest of small businesses and we are looking to hear about members experiences of the Act. Maldon Think Local Scheme Launched: Now On Twitter Essex FSB has been working with Maldon District Council, Maldon District Business Partnership and Maldon Business Association to develop a Think Local campaign for Maldon. Maldon Member of Parliament John Whittingdale launched the scheme on Saturday 21 May 2011. It is free to join the scheme. Follow on Twitter @ThinkLocalMald More details Find Out About IT e-skills UK – the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology – has produced an IT explained handbook for businesses getting started with IT which can be downloaded for free. Fraud Guidance For Businesses The Fraud Advisory Panel has updated guidance around pre-employment screening and has range of other free guidance for businesses on its website. Practical Crime Reduction Online Tool Designed To Help Save Losses From Your Business Research shows that the average small business loses £3,000 every year, yet there are simple things which can be done to significantly reduce crime and save money. To help, the Design Council and the Home Office‟s Design and Technology Alliance have developed a free, online resource for small businesses to ensure that businesses address crime. Reduce Mobile Phone Theft Essex FSB and Essex Police are working together to try and reduce the incidence of mobile phone thefts in the county and YOU can help by easily protecting your own handsets by registering your mobile phone and IMEI number at www.immobilise.com To find your IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number key in *#06# Your IMEI number will appear as 14 to 17 digits on your mobile phone screen – this number is unique to your phone. If your phone is stolen, contact your mobile phone operator with your IMEI number so your phone can be „disabled‟ and so useless to the thief. This information is automatically placed on the National Mobile Property Register, which is searched regularly by all UK police forces. Registering the details makes it more likely that you will become reunited with your mobile phone if it is recovered by police. £2 Million In Grants For Thames Gateway Businesses The Thames Gateway Low Carbon Business Project has up to £2 million in grants available to help businesses in the Thames Gateway reduce their costs and their carbon footprint by becoming more energy efficient. More details Where Can You Get THIS Much for only £120 a Year? If you are not yet an FSB member then you need to ask yourself why not? Subscriptions start at £120 per year and the benefits available are many including free business banking, free 24/7 legal advice line, tax investigation cover, preferential rates on credit and debit card processing and discounts on petrol and diesel. More details Subscription Rates Check out the details on Recruitment Video. NWES News – 50% Off Video Conferencing At Enterprise Hub NWES is offering discounts on packages available at Harlow Enterprise Hub. The Harlow video conferencing unit will allow you to communicate with another video conference system anywhere in the world without the need to travel, accommodating up to twelve people at any one time. Room hire is charged by the hour, please call 01279 311 400 for availability. If you are trying to set up in business and need help or support call 0845 60 99 99 1 or visit www.nwes.org.uk . SmartPhone Usage Survey A quick survey by Southend-on-Sea Business Partnership. Complete survey here Transforming Regulatory Enforcement The FSB is looking for small firms to tell us their stories, both good and bad, on regulatory enforcement and what would make their experience better. This will be used to feed into a Government consultation so that it gets the approach to regulatory enforcement right. Calling All Defence And Security Firms NDI UK – the Northern Defence Industries – is offering FSB members discounted rates to exhibit at the Defence and Security International exhibition taking place at the ExCeL centre between 13-16 September. Email NDI UK for more information. Question From Small Business Minister Mark Prisk MP Small Business Minister Mark Prisk is seeking views from businesses on the following question: How could we encourage more business people to become mentors and more businesses to benefit from an experienced business mentor? More details Southend Business TV Now On Air A dedicated TV channel for Southend-on-Sea based businesses is now available. View here. BIS Outreach Programme A new initiative from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) whereby civil servants will undertake short placements in your organisation. The Outreach programme aims to increase understanding and strengthen relationships between the department and its stakeholders. BIS staff will visit your organisation for one to two days to learn about how you operate, the challenges you face and your views on government policy. You can agree with the civil servant in advance about how you want the placement to run. More details New Radio Station For Colchester and Clacton-on-Sea Radio Wivenhoe is due to start broadcasting in July to provide a local radio station for the CO postcode area. More details Keep In Touch With The LEP The East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Local Enterprise Partnership is developing a number of initiatives aimed at helping businesses including on: procurement broadband energy security food security transport infrastructure You can get the free weekly email newsletter issued by the LEP by sending your email address to [email protected] to keep up to date on conferences and projects involving the LEP. Billericay Student Seeks Electronics Work Placement A Sixth Form student from Billericay School is seeking a one week work experience placement in the electronics industry starting on Monday 18 July 2011. More details by email Free CCTV Check Up For Retailers From Essex Police Do you have CCTV installed in your premises? Would you like the police to successfully prosecute your shoplifters / offenders? Well-planned, effective CCTV, that produces clear images of offences and offenders, can be an invaluable tool in the prevention and detection of retail crime. Unfortunately many systems installed in shops have badly placed cameras, produce poor images or cannot download footage for use in court proceedings. For a free assessment of your CCTV system and advice on achieving the best possible evidence, simply telephone Peter Caulfield Ad Cert ED&CP , Essex Police Crime Reduction Advisor & Architectural Liaison Officer on 07791 601591 so that I can make an appointment to visit you. Coaching for High Growth (CHG) - Subsidised by the East of England Development Agency CHG is part of the Government‟s “Solutions for Business” portfolio of business support products. Funded by EEDA the objective of CHG is to increase the stock of strongly-growing businesses in the region. The programme will run until March 2012 and will support a total of 100 businesses over this period. CHG offers a 5-month programme of support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region with the potential to achieve high growth. In the context of this programme high growth is defined as a growth rate of no less than 20% per annum for a 3 year period. The core of the programme is delivering high-calibre coaching to participating companies. The coaches play a major role in helping the client business to achieve their growth potential. Companies that are recruited to the programme will send 2 – 4 members of their management team to a Growth Pathfinder Masterclass to take a fresh look at what they want to achieve and allow them to develop a simple plan to deliver on their goals. The Masterclass will be facilitated and enable companies to work with coaches to identify a Pathway to Growth in their business. An action plan will be produced to focus on where the coaching support can help the companies to address the areas for development. To be eligible for CHG businesses must meet the following criteria: Be based in the East of England region: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Employ no more than 250 employees Have been trading for at least a year Have a turnover of no less than £100,000 and no more than £10,000,000 in the last financial year Have the potential and the desire to achieve 20% annual growth in sales turnover Be willing to pay a company contribution of £250 to £500 towards the cost of the programme, depending on the number of days coaching undertaken Places are limited and there is strong demand. The next Masterclasses are on: 12 July 2011 8.30am until 5.00pm Hethel Engineering Centre, Norwich 19 July 2011 8.30am until 5.00pm St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge 20 September 2011 8.30am until 5.00pm St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge If you think your business would benefit from having a coach who helps you take a step back and exploit the growth opportunities you believe exist, apply at www.stjohns.co.uk/coaching Courses To Help Rural Businesses LandSkills East has been set up to provide rural businesses with improved access to skills and training courses in Essex. Bursary funding is available between £500 to £3000 per application and is worth 50% of the cost of the training activity with a minimum application of £1000. More details Resource Efficiency Review Tool Resource Efficiency East has developed a simple Resource Efficiency Review Tool, which can identify where a business might be spending too much on resources. The Review Tool offers a good starting point to identify areas where resource efficiency improvements can be made within your business. The Business Resource Review Our team of specialists can examine your use of energy, water and materials (waste) via our free core service. The Review is a fully funded, onsite examination of resource use, conducted by one of our team of advisors. From the Review the advisor will provide a report including recommendations and guidance on how you can increase your resource efficiency. The advisor will then provide follow-up support by email and telephone to assist you to implement the recommendations contained in the Report. More details Additional Staff At No Cost To Business Work Experience is one of a number of initiatives that falls under the umbrella of „Get Britain Working‟ and will offer a work placement of between 2 to 8 weeks. Work Experience can benefit many young people aged 18-24, who have been claiming Jobseeker Allowance for at least 13 weeks and is aimed particularly at those who might have barriers to finding employment. What are the benefits? supporting young people in the community - providing a positive Work Experience placement offers young people the opportunity to understand and develop skills relevant to the world of work and support them to become work-ready. Extra resource - Work Experience placements can provide the additional resources to take forward projects within an organisation that otherwise might not have been carried out. No wage costs involved to the organisation offering a Work Experience placement. Customers will remain on any benefits they are claiming whilst undertaking the placement and will receive support to meet travel and childcare costs. More details by email £1,000 For Your Training! A match funded grant of up to £1,000 can be spent on leadership training and coaching that helps grow the business, improving productivity and competitiveness. The programme also includes a free consultation with an expert adviser before the training commences, as well as a free follow-up to discuss the impact of the training and any further skills needs. SME leaders should contact the Leadership and Management Advisory Service to book their free personal leadership and management assessment. More details Free Press Coverage For Good News Stories If you or your business is based in Braintree, Colchester or Tendring Council areas the Colchester Gazette and Essex County Standard is looking to hear from you. If you have taken on new staff or promoted someone within the company send them the details for their Movers and Shakers column. If you have won an award, made a major investment in the company, opened new premises, won a major contract or launched a particularly innovative or interesting new product or service that may be what they need for a good news story about local businesses. BUT it must be REAL news not just an attempt to advertise your business free of charge! More details from Vanessa Moon. 3Sixty Launched To Help Essex And East London Businesses Epping Forest College is committed to working closely with the local community, and offers a range of training, apprenticeship, recruitment and education services ideal for businesses in south-west Essex and north and east London. The College‟s dedicated employer responsive unit, 3SIXTY has the independent expertise to assess and advise on the relevant training and funding available and how this can be delivered in a time a place to suit the employer needs. More details Cost Effective Research For Your Business Would you like to target students at the University of Essex more efficiently? We are a student led marketing and market research company based at the University of Essex and we can provide targeted primary market research just for your business. We also offer free basic consulting. Find out more by email Low Carbon KEEP Programme The Low Carbon KEEP Programme is a unique opportunity for SMEs in the East of England to access funding to support knowledge transfer partnerships with expert knowledge bases such as universities and colleges. The benefits of working with such a knowledge base are numerous and many companies have successfully accessed expertise and assistance through formalised knowledge transfer partnerships which they would not otherwise have had the resources to engage with. A successful project under the Low Carbon KEEP programme would see an appropriately qualified graduate employed by the knowledge base partner, but working as a fully engaged member of staff within the recipient SME and supported by an expert academic for half a day every week. The project itself must have a low carbon theme, however how carbon (or carbon equivalent) savings can be achieved is limited only by the imagination of the project itself. Savings can be created within the business itself, perhaps through a resource efficiency project, upwards through its supply chain or downwards into its customer base, via the development of a new product or service. Innovative projects are encouraged but simple projects with a high degree of replicability have equal value to the success of the programme. Funding is available now and until the end of December 2013 and the knowledge base can be located anywhere within the UK. More details University of Essex Jobs Online Promote your part-time or full-time opportunities to the University‟s students and graduates on the newly enhanced Jobs Online vacancy board. Register here for this free service offered by the Career Centre. £8 million Available For Low Carbon Investment The Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF) is a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supported venture capital fund. It is seeded with £8 million from the ERDF and matched with private sector investment and will run until December 2015. The fund will make early-stage equity investments into small and medium sized enterprises within the East of England that are developing new and innovative products or processes in a low carbon, environmentally sensitive manner. The definition of low carbon companies also includes companies producing low carbon products, supplying low carbon services or companies seeking to invest in low carbon equipment or processes to become low carbon in their operational activities. This could include those developing alternative energy sources or reducing existing carbon emissions amongst others. More details Ofcom Broadband Interactive Map Ofcom has just launched an interactive map of fixed broadband across the UK, based on data provided by communications providers. The map, covers 200 local authorities and details: the availability of superfast broadband, average broadband take-up, average actual speeds and the percentage of homes with broadband currently not receiving 2Mbit/s speeds. Free Website Development – Easy To Follow! Getting British Business Online is a campaign that Enterprise UK runs in partnership with Google, along with other partners including BT and e-skills UK. The scheme is aiming to give free business websites to 100,000 businesses and entrepreneurs in Britain to tackle the current situation where more than 1.5 million businesses have no active web presence. More than 45,000 businesses in the UK have already launched a new website for their business as a result of the Getting British Business Online campaign which is a joint initiative led by Google, BT, Enterprise UK and e-skills UK. One Essex business owner we know has already used this service to develop his own website. Former Essex FSB Development Manager now has a website for his business Terry Taber Talks and you can see for yourself the type of site you can construct. New Enhanced Credit Check Service – special for FSB members! Regular readers of this newsletter will know that Essex Libraries Business Information Service provides free Company Credit Checks. This gives you a chance to check out who you are doing business with and whether they are reliable and credit-worthy – essential information in the current economic climate. But wouldn‟t it be useful to know about any significant changes to those companies that you regularly do business with? Well, now you can! The Business Information Service is now offering an enhanced service – exclusively for FSB members. Just tell them the companies you are interested in (up to a maximum of 5) and they will send you an email every time a change is registered. This includes: Change in credit limit New annual accounts A writ or CCJ added Change in director‟s details Company status change To request a credit check report or register for the alerting service send an email to [email protected] or call the Business Information Service on 01245 492535 quoting your FSB membership number. Setting Up A New Company? Essex County Council Business Information Services has added a new service to its portfolio aimed at helping set up new firms in the county. The service includes: A free company name check Certificate of Incorporation Memorandum and Articles of Association Minutes of the first meeting Share certificates Unlimited resubmissions should your application be rejected for any reason Free telephone support The application process takes about 15 minutes and your company will usually be registered within 24 hours. More details Local Authority Consultations Braintree: Local Development Framework Core Strategy More details Hadleigh: Town Centre Masterplan consultation More details Havering: Proposed Speed Table, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham More details Further information by email. Deadline: Friday 22 July 2011. Havering: St Edwards Way/ Mawney Road, Romford - Proposed Changes To The Junction Further information by email. Deadline: Friday 22 July 2011. Southend-on-Sea: Draft Licensing Policy More details Southend-on-Sea: Selective Licensing of Homes in Multiple Occupation Policy More details Southend-on-Sea: Selective Licensing of privately rented accommodation Deadline: Friday 23 September 2011 More details Thurrock: Economic Recovery and Growth Plan More details Need a Free Company Credit Check? Essex Libraries Business Information Service has always provided free reports on Limited Companies, but now we can provide you with free credit checks. In the current economic climate it‟s become even more important to check out with whom you‟re doing business. Do you know that they are reliable and credit-worthy? Why not save yourself some time and money by getting us to email a CreditSafe report direct to your desktop. In addition to director information and balance sheets, reports also include credit ratings and limits, County Court Judgements and mortgages. More details by email. £10 For Every New FSB Member Recommended By A Friend! If you are already an FSB member you KNOW the benefits membership brings including: Free legal and tax advice Access to free business banking Discounts on fuel Preferential rates on credit and debit card processing plus much more and all for an annual subscription that starts at £120! With 210,000 members nationally the FSB is the largest business organisation in the UK BUT we aim to get bigger! Here in Essex around 50 new members are joining each month but we want to double that number with your help. More members means a stronger voice representing small businesses which is why the FSB has launched a new scheme encouraging existing members to recommend business colleagues join too. For every referral YOU make who joins £10.00 is available as a ‘thank you’ for the referral. Joining the scheme is easy just log on to Recommend a Friend, enter your membership number and Vcode (on your membership card or available from Essex FSB Development Manager, Keith Brown) then enter your colleagues details and leave the rest to the FSB. Business Courses On Offer From NWES Harlow: Thursday 21 July 2011 9.30am until 4.00pm Business Planning Workshop. Harlow: Thursday 04 August 2011 9.30am until 1.30pm Business Ideas Workshop is your first step on the journey towards self employment. Harlow: Wednesday 24 August 2011 9.30am until 4.00pm Business Planning Workshop. More details Book Now by email Free Webinar From The Prince’s Mayday Network: Leadership Skills For A Sustainable World Tuesday 19 July 2011 3.00pm until 4.00pm To enable the potential of business to play a lead role in moving towards a sustainable economy, it is critical that individuals at every level in all types of businesses are equipped with the skills they need to take action. To a large extent, it is not the required leadership skills that are new – but this vastly more complex context in which they need to be applied. More details Coaching Skills Accreditation Course - FSB Member’s Buy One Get One Free London: Wednesday 07 September 2011 and Thursday 08 September 2011 Whether you use coaching already, or want to add it to your repertoire of skills, with this workshop you can learn and experience the fundamentals of the coaching process. Suitable for people wishing to coach in the personal or business areas. Book Now by email Looking To Increase Your Profit Margin And Maximise Your Sales? Plan For Success, In Just Four Hours – 13% Discount For Essex FSB Members, Now Just £26! Ipswich: Thursday 14 July 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Chelmsford: Tuesday 19 July 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Billericay: Thursday 11 August 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Ipswich: Saturday 13 August 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Ipswich: Thursday 08 September 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Thurrock: Saturday 17 September 2011 9.00am until 1.00pm Planning for Growth is an interactive and inspiring four-hour workshop to provide you with the skills and tools you need to improve your bottom line and increase your business value. Led by an entrepreneur who runs a number of successful businesses himself, the workshop uses unique concepts and approaches that you can apply to your business straight away. Whatever your growth aspirations are, this workshop will set you on the right track to achieve them. You will leave with a Business Growth Plan that will put you on the road to improving profits and increasing sales, and as an added bonus you will then receive ongoing support from your own Small Business Adviser who will be on hand to help you put that plan into action. The value of this workshop is £130 but the subsidised cost for any business is just £30 and as a member of the FSB you are eligible to attend at a cost to you of just £26. (We regret that due to funding restrictions this special offer is only available to FSB Members based in Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk or Suffolk) The four hours you spend working ‘on’ your business, rather than ‘in’ it is priceless. What does it cover? Understand business aims and growth aspirations Define key financial and market objectives Identify issues and opportunities in your business and look at the best way to use them to your advantage Take away unique tools such as the „profit builder‟ Develop a successful Business Growth Plan. Is it for you? If you are a small business owner/manager, have been trading for at least one year, employ less than five people and want to grow your profits, then yes, it is for you. To book your place at the FSB Member’s rate call our Events Booking team on 0845 601 1000 and quote: FSB. Free Training Workshops The University of Greenwich is holding a number of workshops free of charge for eligible London businesses. Find out more. Harlow Council Free To Attend Courses Harlow District Council‟s Economic Development Team is running a programme of HMRC courses to help local businesses: Harlow: Tuesday 12 July 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Newly Self Employed: The Basics Harlow: Thursday 04 August 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Business Expenses and Capital Allowances Harlow: Wednesday 07 September 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Online Harlow: Wednesday 05 October 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Newly Self Employed: The Basics Harlow: Thursday 10 November 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Business Expenses and Capital Allowances Harlow: Thursday 01 December 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Online Harlow: Thursday 19 January 2012 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Book Now! HMRC Free To Attend Courses Harlow: Tuesday 12 July 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Newly Self Employed: The Basics Chelmsford: Tuesday 19 July 2011 - How VAT works Chelmsford: Tuesday 19 July 2011 - VAT – Trading with other countries Colchester: Thursday 21 July 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Online Colchester: Wednesday 27 July 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Paying Expenses and Giving Benefits to Employees Harlow: Thursday 04 August 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Business Expenses and Capital Allowances Chelmsford: Thursday 18 August 2011 – Outward Processing Relief Colchester: Thursday 18 August 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Newly Self Employed: The Basics Chelmsford: Tuesday 06 September 2011 - How VAT works Chelmsford: Tuesday 06 September 2011 - VAT – Trading with other countries Harlow: Wednesday 07 September 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Online Colchester: Tuesday 13 September 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Business Expenses and Capital Allowances Harlow: Wednesday 05 October 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Newly Self Employed: The Basics Harlow: Thursday 10 November 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Business Expenses and Capital Allowances Harlow: Thursday 01 December 2011 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Online Harlow: Thursday 19 January 2012 11.00am until 1.00pm – Self Assessment Book Now! Thurrock Council Courses Grays: Wednesday 13 July 2011 9.30am until 12.30pm – Win More Business Grays: Tuesday 19 July 2011 9.30am until 12.30pm – Benefit From A Greener Business Book Now! University of Essex Courses – Discount Available For FSB Members Southend-on-Sea: Tuesday 12 July 2011 9.30am until 4.30pm – Building and Planning A Website Southend-on-Sea: Tuesday 26 July 2011 9.30am until 4.30pm – Presentation Skills Book Now! Leadership and Management The Leadership and Management programme offers up to £1000 of funded training for company Directors and Senior Managers of companies. It also includes funding for leaders of charity, voluntary or not for profit organisations. It is often difficult for managers and owners within small to medium sized businesses to identify and source appropriate management training and development solutions to improve management skills - this is where our dedicated Leadership and Management Specialist Advisers can help. Each employer can benefit from up to £1,000 of grant support for leadership and management training. The first £500 does not require a contribution from the employer and should be used for directors/leaders/senior managers. The subsequent £500 must be 'match funded' by the employer and is available for senior members of the management team. Apply here for funding Funding Still Available Beyond 2010 is a programme that offers businesses in the East of England funding and support for higher level training opportunities that focus on improving business performance. Contact Tracy Beavan at Project Skills Solutions How Good Are You At Getting Your Business Out There? CK Academy is able to offer funded training for you and your team to a value of £1500 More details SME Leadership Training Master Classes – Essex FSB Discount + £500 free! Chelmsford based Essex FSB member Pro-Action is offering a 10% discount to FSB members booking on one of their business improvement courses. Funding is currently available for these courses £500 unmatched and a further £500 matched so business leaders/ owners can have £1500 of invaluable training for a net spend of £500. They are not sure how long this funding will remain available given the current climate so would suggest those that qualify take full advantage. More details Safety Courses – Discounts Available For FSB Members AM Safety Specialists Limited runs a programme of courses covering many aspects of health and safety at work. Discounts are available for FSB members quoting membership number when booking. More details. Book Now by email! Saint FM Advertising Rates – 20% Discount For FSB Members Saint FM has devised a unique package for FSB members which includes a further 20% discount on our prices. Advertising starts at £25 per week, with a minimum of a 1 month contract. This would buy a minimum of 3 plays a day, 3 days per week. As a special promotion Saint FM is also offering within this price, a hyperlink from our website to the customers. Please be aware that there is also a £100 fee for the production of the jingle. Saint FM also accept payments in instalments. More details by email SME Discounts.com - 40-90% Discounts on Marketing, Operations, IT and Financial Services SME Discounts.com is the “Groupon for B2B services”. We send exceptional deals on business products and services to our members (Free to sign-up) via email. Exceptional in Price (40-90% discounts on RRP) and on Quality (we pre-qualify each supplier before they are allowed to create deals). So you can cut costs and rest assured that you‟re engaging with credible suppliers. We also offer a £6 referral fee for every new member you invite to the site (credited to your account when they sign-up and make their first purchase). Warehouse and Storage Needed An Essex FSB member is looking for around 100 square metres of warehouse or storage space with a small office within 15 minutes drive of Basildon. If you can help email SME Discounts.com - Attract New Business Clients with No Upfront Costs SME Discounts.com is the “Groupon for B2B services”. We send exceptional deals on business products and services to our members (Free to sign-up) via email. If you‟re providing B2B services or selling B2B products, why not feature a discounted deal? It‟s an easy, simple, fast and effective way of attracting new clients. Best of all is that there is no upfront costs. We simply take a commission on each Sale we produce. No Sales No Fee. Simple. It‟s FREE to register simply go to: http://www.smediscounts.com/uk-national/page/company FSB members pay only 15% commission instead of the normal 25%, so be sure to state this we speaking to us! (We‟ll call you once you submit your first deal) Dragon Enterprise Centre Half Price For FSB Members As a special promotion Dragon Enterprise Centre would like to offer you 50% off the normal price the next time you hire our boardroom or conference rooms for the day. So if you are thinking of planning that next meeting or training day then why not take full advantage of our great offer and have full exclusive use of the room between the hours of 08:00 – 18:00 with complementary tea, coffee making facilities and biscuits for you and your attendee‟s throughout the day all included in the discounted fee. The Boardroom - Seats 12 people with a normal price of £79.00 – You would only pay £39.50 The Conference room – holds up to 70 people with a normal price of £99.00 – You would only pay £49.50 More details by email Need Office Space In South East Essex? – FIRST MONTH FREE then 10% Discount For FSB Members Dragon Enterprise Centre off Progress Road in Leigh-on-Sea is offering this special deal for Essex FSB members on their easy in, easy out, purpose-built serviced office space which includes telephone and internet access. More details by email Furniture Available Brentwood‟s Lighthouse Project has a number of office desks and pedestal drawers & storage units for sale. The furniture is „Cherry Executive‟ type and all the items are in good condition. Qty 5 „2 Drawer storage units‟ (H-80cm. W-100cm. D-54cm) £30 per item. Qty 8 „Corner type desk‟ (H-72cm. W-180cm. D-120cm) £30 per item. Qty 4 – off „Pedestal drawers‟ (H-72cm. W-42cm. D-60cm) £25 per item. More details by email Are You Reaching Your KPIs Or Are You Unsure? – 33% Discount For FSB Members We will help you measure your KPI‟s so that you can monitor your company‟s progress. 33% discount to all FSB members. More details Discounted Ergonomic Chairs All FSB members a 15% discount across all of our products at www.uniqueposturalsolutions.co.uk To take advantage of this offer members should email orders to [email protected] so the discount can be applied and an invoice generated. Generate More Business With Printable Discount Vouchers! - £10 OFF For FSB Members Every month townvoucher.com, the No. 1 Discount Voucher Scheme for Colchester, publishes discount voucher features in the Colchester Gazette and the Colchester Circle Magazine. Small, local businesses can potentially reach up to 77.000 customers each month with their voucher offer by combining these features and the free of charge online opportunity of townvoucher.com. townvoucher.com uses modern media channels like facebook, twitter and the iPhone to get the discount voucher offer to as many potential customers as possible. FSB members pay just £89 for a voucher spot in the feature of their choice. Contact by email and quote FSB Offer New Business Centre Units Available In Nazeing Just 10 minutes from M25 J25/26 M11 J7. A Development of 6 New Self contained B1/B8 Units Ready for Occupation April 2011. 1100 Sq Ft Open Plan, Kitchen Facility Inc Fridge, Tiled Bathroom, Gas Central Heating, 2 Parking Spaces, High Security Doors and Roller Shutter, Lighting, Power and Fire Alarm Fitted, Flood Lit Exterior, Low Rateable Value, Small Business Relief Rates Available. More details by email Limited Ricoh A3 Colour offer - with Free delivery! Special Offer For FSB Members While stock last, DOTS have a very special offer for FSB Members only. This is for the brand new Ricoh colour MFD the MPC 2030, which prints and copies at 20 pages per minute in full colour improving the quality of your output. This fantastic machine will also scan directly to your network enabling you to communicate information faster. The kit is serviced by the manufacturer directly which ensures fantastic reliability. At only £15.00 per week this kit is normally cheaper to run than a standard A4 desktop printer. To enquire please email David Broomfield quoting 'Ricoh FSB offer'. Special Radio Advertising Packages From Phoenix FM Major Sponsorship Packages Weather, Travel, Local Events Guide or Sponsorship of our daily Breakfast, Lunch or Drive Shows Guaranteed minimum 24 mentions per day As a FSB Member you also get our spot advertising package worth £1,995 per year FREE of charge Spot Advertising Your 30 Second advert broadcast 4 times a day, 365 days a year FSB Members get 1 extra free advert per day and get another EXTRA FREE advert per day so that‟s 6 adverts a day for your money. Show Sponsorship Sponsor credit given throughout a weekly 2 hour show and show promo with sponsor credit aired an additional 3 times a day FSB Members get an additional show promo with sponsor credit each day 365 days per year More details by email CEME Savings For FSB Members! As a result of the partnership developing with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), CEME CC is offering a discount of 20% on room hire bookings to all companies that belong to the FSB. CEME CC has been working with FSB for six months by providing a venue free of charge for networking events. CEME CC hosts these Network Events on the second Tuesday of every month; and in July and November the FSB Rainham Voice of Business Briefing is held. This offer is available to all FSB members and includes The Pod, The Box and The Boardroom. For further details and Terms and Conditions please call 020 8596 5151 or email [email protected] Driving Lessons Offer – 20% More For FSB Members! Essex FSB member Farrah Driver Training is offering FSB members wishing to learn to drive their first 12 hours @ £15.00 per hour for FSB Members. Normal website offer is first 10 hours @ £15.00 per hour for the general public. More details of geographical areas covered. Book Now by email. A Picture Paints a Thousand Words – Less Than Half Price! So speak to your potential clients with the right images using this special offer. www.KeithHoskinsPhoto.com is offering a package, of half a day photography, full edit and image enhancement for just £99 (usual price £200). This includes all images on disk with full copyright release. There are only six per month available for February so be quick as its first come first served! Contact: [email protected] Opportunity for Experienced Business Consultants The Organisation for Responsible Business is looking for experienced business consultants throughout the UK who would like to include ORB consultancy in their repertoire. The new Bronze, Silver & Gold Standards are auditable accreditations applicable to businesses of all sectors and all sizes, although predominantly designed for SMEs. More details Half Price Business Coaching for FSB Members Loughton based business coach Sue Taylor is offering Essex FSB members half price coaching on Mondays. More details by email Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel – 20% Discount on Lunch in Thyme Restaurant for FSB members The Waltham Abbey Marriott is situated on Junction 26 on M25. At present we do business lunches at Thyme Restaurant from 12.00 to 2.30pm. We guarantee to serve three course meals in 45 minutes. We are delighted to offer 20% discount on business lunches for all FSB members, where they can have a quick lunch meetings. Special Offer For Essex FSB Members in CM6, CM7, CM77, CB10 and CB11 Postcode Areas Essex FSB member Activ Web Design is offering fellow Essex FSB members a half price e-mail marketing campaign with a brochure or e-commerce website (£125 instead of £250) More details Book Now by email Special Officers From Advanced Digital Graphics Discounts 20% discount on outdoor PVC banners and a 10% discount on roller banners are available for Essex FSB members from Witham based Advanced Digital Graphics. Quote your membership number to receive the discount. More details Order by email Free Health and Safety Tips From Helmsman Services Directors and Senior Managers, whether you like it or not YOU are responsible for your organisation's Health and Safety and YOU could be prosecuted if there is a problem. Download your FREE '12 TOP HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR DIRECTORS AND OFFICE MANAGERS' that will help you understand more about what is expected of you And remember, the minimum fine that has been recommended for a prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act is a crippling £500,000! For your free booklet, click here Banners And Promotional items Image On offers a vast range of personalised clothing, Banners and Roll up Stands in addition to Business Cards, Personalised Gifts and Vehicle Graphics to name just a few, all with a minimum order of just one item across the range. Essex FSB members can receive discounts between 10% and 20% More details Order by email Office Space In Braintree... Modern Office space in Braintree, close to all amenities, small private estate, reception area, ample free parking, kitchen area, toilets desk, part or whole office for rent. More details by email ...And In Brentwood... Mews location on a secure site in central Brentwood near the High Street, railway station and M25 Junction 28. Single office approx. 300sq.ft. for £4,500 p.a. including all services except electricity and communications. One car parking space plus visitor‟s space adjacent to the office. Conference room also available. More details by email ... And In Brentwood Again... Close to Brentwood Railway Station and available Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.00pm More details by email ...And in Galleywood... Located on the main road between Galleywood and Great Baddow this office space would suit a start up or young business. More details by email ... And In Rochford... A freelance web designer is offering free office space in Rochford with the opportunity for some work too. More details by email ...And Office And Storage Space in Romford An Essex FSB member has the following newly built premises available in Victoria Road, Romford 1 x 750 sq ft Storage area with roller shutter door. 2 x 250 sq ft Offices 1 x 750 sq ft Office space Plus car parking, Communal toilets and kitchen facilities and services. More details by email. Discounts Available at University’s Enterprise Hub Essex FSB members can receive a 10% discount on conference and meeting room hire at the University of Essex Business Hub, Gateway Building, Elmer Approach, Southend on Sea SS1 1LW. More details by email Corporate and Promotional Supplies Our in house embroidery and screen-print ensures most competitive prices including preferential rates for FSB members. Suppliers to FSB, if it takes a logo we supply it More details. Business Coaching Available Essex FSB member and Loughton businesswoman Sue Taylor of All About You, Life Coaching and Educational Consultancy is offering FSB members a 10 per cent discount on coaching and mentoring sessions. More details Don’t Hide the Good News! Essex Voice of Business Online has proved very popular with lots of positive feedback and we know that leading councillors, some MPs and even the Government Office in the East of England are reading it every week. To date we have more than 10,000 subscribers and want that number to increase so please forward this to business colleagues you think may also benefit and encourage them to subscribe using the link below – this is a FREE service supporting businesses in Essex, Havering and Redbridge. Please keep sending your comments and items for inclusion to Essex FSB Development Manager Keith Brown. To subscribe free of charge to Essex Voice of Business Online, please send a blank email to [email protected] and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject. (Leave the body blank). Essex FSB On Air Essex FSB now has a weekly slot on two local radio stations sharing business news and comment. You can hear us each Tuesday at 5.00pm on Phoenix FM to discuss business news from Brentwood, Billericay and surrounding areas. You can listen at 98FM or online You can hear us each Wednesday at 5.30pm on Saint FM to discuss business news from Maldon, Burnhamon-Crouch, Danbury, South Woodham Ferrers, Tiptree and surrounding areas. You can listen at 94.7FM or online Copies of each week‟s briefing notes can be viewed at Essex Voice of Business on Radio. If you are a business in those areas and have an item for inclusion on the news email details to Essex FSB Development Manager, Keith Brown, by Friday of each week for the following week‟s broadcast. Copies of the weekly scripts can be found at Essex Voice of Business on Radio. Twitter You can now follow FSBEssex on Twitter to keep up to date with latest news and offers. More than 1,900 people already follow us – make sure you don‟t miss out! Linked In Group For Essex FSB Essex FSB now has a special group on Linked In where members can share views and discussions as well as keep up to date with the latest media news and events from Essex FSB. More details Follow the FSB on FaceBook You can follow the activities of the FSB by joining our official fanpage on FaceBook. Become a fan to view regularly updated events, photo galleries, lobbying information and have the opportunity to add your own photos and discuss current small business issues. The Small Print! To stop receiving Essex Voice of Business Online, please send a blank email to [email protected] and type UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject. (Leave the body blank – not even your email signature). Inclusion of any event or offer in this newsletter is for information only and does not imply that it is endorsed by Essex FSB in any way and details should be confirmed with the organiser direct. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this newsletter errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the compiler or of the FSB. Unless specifically stated goods or service mentioned are not endorsed by the compiler of the FSB which does not accept, endorse or accept any liability for any goods, services or events featured in this newsletter. AccessAbility Help Please contact [email protected] if you would like this document in an alternative format or if you require any AccessAbility help. Essex FSB represents more than 4,000 businesses in Essex, Havering, Redbridge, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock local authority areas. You can keep up to date with the latest news from Essex FSB by following us on Twitter or by subscribing to the free Essex Voice of Business Online newsletter - just send a blank email to [email protected] and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject. (Leave the body blank) Keith Brown Essex Development Manager FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) T: 01277 365244 M: 07917 628928 W: www.fsb.org.uk/essex The information contained in this email is strictly confidential and for the use of the addressee only. Notice is hereby given that any disclosure, use or copying of the information by anyone other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may be illegal. If you have received this message in error please notify the sender immediately by return email. Neither the sender nor the FSB accept liability for any damage sustained as a result of software viruses and advises that you carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment. 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