Business Brief - Winter 2012

Tamworth & Lichfield

1

16th Quarterly Issue

Business E-Brief

WelcomeWelcome to the Business E-Brief I am Deb Baker,local business person and new Chair of theBusiness and Economic Partnership (BEP). Asincoming Chair I’d like to thank my predecessor

Peter Farmer for his hard work in setting the direction for the BEP.

There have been two major pieces of work we have been focusing on recently;the second Pop Up Show held at Drayton Manor and the consultation on theGreater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBS LEP)Strategy for Growth. Our second no frills Pop Up Show was a success and weintend to deliver another larger scale event next year. One of the mostimportant things we have been involved in is writing a response to theconsultation on the GBS LEP economic strategy. This level of interaction withlocal small businesses is rare across the LEP and is just the start of raising ourand your profile across the LEP region. These activities and advances allrequire good partnership working and improved communications.

In the New Year there will be quite a few enhancements to the BEP. The first ofthese will be a new website, which will go hand in hand with the Business E-Brief.We’ll be able to publish your news stories more regularly on the site, in more detailand use Twitter to promote them. If you would like any further information or haveany suggestions please email me: [email protected].

On a personal note I want to thank retiring Lichfield District CEO, Nina Dawes,for all her sound advice and support of the BEP. I wish you all a happyChristmas and a healthy and prosperous 2013!

Deb Baker (Chair of the Business and Economic Partnership)

To create a globally competitive cityregion the LEP’s proposed strategysplits the economy into three ‘pillars’– Business, People & Place. Underthese pillars are a total of five majorpriorities. These are:

• A new ecosystem for businesssupport, enabling businesses tostart and grow with locallyrelevant support and finance

• Clear leadership in key sectorswhere the LEP has existing

strengths and opportunities

• An overhaul of the skills profileacross the GBS LEP, creating aUK-leading talent pool

• Substantially improvedconnectivity within the LEP, theUK and to international markets

• Better use of our physical assetsand environment, supporting thedevelopment of vital housing andemployment land

On November 13th the BusinessNetworks Forum (BNF) held ameeting of local businesses, many ofwhom represented local BusinessNetworking Groups, to discuss aresponse to the strategy. Opinions,issues and potential solutions werediscussed resulting in an official BNFresponse. The main issues raised bylocal businesses were as follows:

This article continues on page 8

Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

In This IssuePage

Business news 2, 3, 8

Grant funding 4

£1,000 up for grabs from Think Local 4

Ask the experts sponsored by Q & A Management Services Limited 5

Xmas retail initiatives 6

Business Networks Forum update 6

Announcing BusinessNetworking Awards 7

16th quarterly issue delivered electronically to local businesses and public sector organisations

Sponsored by Q & A Management Services Ltd

Local businesses make their views count on Economic StrategyThe Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership recently held a consultation ontheir White Paper Strategy for Growth. The White Paper explained the LEP’s aspirations and vision,and the consultation allowed all the partners and stakeholders involved to input, challenge anddiscuss with them the things that matter most for regional growth.

Business news in brief

2 Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

Moving forward by getting the basics right!

Malcolm Gibbs has held senior positions, technical andproduction, in different types of industries and thereforehas a broad experience of operational systems and ofcourse some of the problems. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, etcare management control systems that demonstrate toyour customer that you are a worthy supplier however; it

does not have to be difficult. In fact it must be SIMPLEand not take too long to achieve. We are so confidentthat we can help any type of company we encourage youto take up the offer of asking us to meet with you anddiscuss whether or not ISO 9001 is suitable for yourcompany. We will tell you the truth and hopefully help youon the way to achieving a testimonial like the one [email protected]

Hot wheels and glamorousgeeksRugeley-basedmarketing agencyMMS is embracingits creative side forcomics andbecoming candidover cars, followinga spate of newlocal business winsscooping the PRaccounts forMother’s Basement – a Stafford-based online one-stopshop for movie and comic book merchandise andmemorabilia, and specialist car retailer Vision Vauxhall,in Walton on the Hill. The PR team behind Mother’sBasement won the business after pitching the idea of ahigh-profile media and public relations event, whichmirrored the client’s strapline – “We sell stuff to geek outover.” The ‘Geek Revolution’ campaign came to life inBirmingham city centre and involved a well-known radioDJ, a bevy of glamorous geeks and a social mediavideo, which revealed shoppers’ geeky secrets.Managing Director Glen Mitton says: “We are thrilled tobe working with such a diverse mix of clients, and theserecent new business wins further complement ourportfolio of local and national clients.”www.mitton.co.uk

TSRN celebrates 10 yearsFrazer Sneddon at The SalesRecruitment Network (TSRN) has avery good reason to be crackingopen the champagne. November2012 saw him celebrate his Lichfieldrecruitment company’s 10 yearanniversary. Specialising in salesand marketing recruitment, TSRNalso recruit in many other areas,including the hotel and hospitalitysector. Clients come from local,national and international companies,and once they have used Frazer’sservices they tend to keep usingthem! So how does a recruitmentcompany weather some of the mostdifficult economic times in livingmemory? “Recruitment is on thefront-line,” says Frazer, “but we simply focus on our clients’needs in a changing world, adapting and tailoring ourservices. We offer everything from a no-frills advertisingservice right through to the full recruitment model.”www.tsrn.co.uk

”You’re in control, you keep your promises andif things go wrong you put them right.”Would you be proud if your customers gave you that as a testimonial? You should be as it makes aclear statement that you are a trusted supplier/subcontractor. The way to promote a testimonial suchas this is to be different from your competitors and - excluding price - show that you care about yourwork and meet your customers’ requirements. Most purchasing decisions are not made on pricealone, although you must be competitive, but based on a combination of Quality, Service AND Price.

If you don't sell on price alone how do you prove to your customer that your product/service is ofgood quality and you provide good service? The most effective way is to attain the InternationalBusiness standard of ISO 9001 or its derivatives as many of your customers are using it as a filter to select their suppliers.

Benefits of ISO 9001:

• Suits all types of businesses,large or small – manufacturing orservices

• Greater success with tenders

• Reduced costs and re-work

• Improved customer satisfactionand loyalty

• Increased profitability

• Competitive advantage

• Proven to help win and retainbusiness

Frazer Sneddon, The Sales Recruitment Network

The MMS PR campaign ‘GeekRevolution’ took over the streets ofBirmingham

Disclaimer: The Business and Economic Partnership has taken all reasonableprecautions to ensure that information contained in this document is accurate butstresses that the content is not intended to be legally comprehensive. It isrecommended that no action be taken on matters covered in this documentwithout taking full advice.) If you do not wish to receive the Business Brief pleasecontact Matt Fletcher on 01827 709 382 or email [email protected]

Malcolm Gibbs,CEng, MIET,

MCMI, MSAE, FIIB– Q & A

ManagementServices Limited

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3Now delivered electronically to thousands of local businesses and public sector organisations

Pickerings Solicitors win national awardTamworth-based Pickerings Solicitors LLP hasscooped the title Local Law Firm of the Year at360 Legal Group’s prestigious national legalconference and awards dinner. The Judges werelooking for clear evidence of legal expertise andservice delivery designed to meet the needs ofthe local community together with a willingnessto engage with the local community andPickerings Solicitors LLP clearly demonstratedtheir commitment. There was fierce competitionfor this award from firms across the UK, butwhat made Pickerings stand out from the restwas the variety of different ways in which theywork within their locality, from sponsorship ofsports projects through to support for the local

hospice. Having recently been awarded Lexcel and CQS accreditation, the firmare proud to offer a high quality expert service in a local setting to businessesand individuals in Tamworth and throughout the Midlands. Sue Hatton, BusinessManager at Pickerings Solicitors LLP, said: “'Our team is delighted to receive thisaward, which acknowledges our long-term commitment to providing quality legaladvice in an accessible local setting.” www.pickerings-solicitors.com

Rugeley-based GMP Design, aleading UK pub, club and restaurantdesigner specialising in the leisureindustry is bucking the economictrend with orders worth nearly £4million. They are expanding with newjobs to cope with a flood of lucrativecontracts including an in-houseplanning consultant and a third paidintern under their internshipdevelopment programme and theyare now looking for a full timeadministrator to cope with theincreased workload, along with fitters

to help with projects. GMP alsorecently worked with LichfieldAccident and Repair Centre whenthey were asked to revamp thebiggest nightclub in York with acutting-edge design resulting in therescue and refurb of a 38 year-old VWcamper van. The garage restored thevan to its former glory before cuttingit in two to get it inside the club andonce inside it was re-assembled andfitted out with nightclub-style seatingto fit in with the new theme.www.gmp-international.com

21 years of success for Cathedral Chem-DryLocal business owner Neil Weyham has been running Chem-Dry franchise,Cathedral Chem-Dry in Lichfield, since 1991 and has been awarded the title of‘Best Midlands Franchisee’, as his company celebrates 21 years in business.Neil says: “It’s fantastic that out of the 300 Chem-Dry franchises runningnationally, of which about 40 are Midlands based, our business has received thishigh accolade. We’re over the moon!” Cathedral Chem-Dry isn’t new to winningawards, having being crowned ‘Chem-Dry Marketerof the Year’ two years running, plus winning thecompany’s ‘Perpetual Excellence Award’ in [email protected]

Left to right Adrian Jolly - Chem-Dry Network ServicesDirector, Paul Brown - Sponsor from Driez UK, NeilWeyham - Cathedral Chem-Dry and Pam Thompson -Chem-Dry Franchising Director

Sue Hatton, Business Manager –Pickerings Solicitors LLP receiving award from Viv Williams of 360 Group.

New jobs created and a camper van saved by GMP

GMP Design’s restored camper van in situin York nightclub.

A step in the rightdirection for Olympicwater polo athlete Rosie Morris, Team GB OlympicWater Polo Athlete, recently visitedTamworth based Footsteps TreatmentClinic for surgery on her ingrown toenail. Footsteps specialises in Podiatry(Chiropody), Sports Injury andPhysiotherapy. Podiatrist Sue Pikewho carried out the procedure said"My profession brings me into contactwith a variety of people but it's nottoo often I get to treat an Olympian! It was a real pleasure and honour totreat such an inspirational athlete plusit was fascinating to get somebackstage information about theOlympics and the life of a professionalathlete." www.footsteps-clinic.co.uk

Free training for westmidlands employers BDS Learning has won a £0.4m contract fromCalderdale College to deliver a range of NVQand Literacy/Numeracyqualifications across theWest Midlands.

This is part of a national contract, co-financed by the Skills FundingAgency and European Union SocialFund, aimed at employees aged 19+,without 5 A*-C GCSEs. First groupson the programme include a taxi firmfrom Birmingham (14 x CustomerService) and an engineering companyfrom Tamworth (2 x Team Leading).www.bds-uk.co.uk

sponsored by


Grant funding for business growth On offer is a grant of between £10,000 and maximum £15,000 for 45% of a project, basedon the eligibility criteria below. The Business Development Programme is a brand newscheme for local businesses in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local enterprise area.Funded by the European Union the fund runs from September 2012 until May 2015.


£1000 prize up for grabs to mark ‘Think Local’ milestoneCompanies in Staffordshire will be given the chance to win£1000 of PR and marketing support as part of a newcampaign run by Think Local 4 Business (TL4B). Theinitiative, which aims to promote local trading across theCounty, will give a business boost to the 1000th memberthat signs up to the groundbreaking concept. All firms needto do to be in with a chance of winning is create a profile onwww.thinklocal4business.co.uk, the online platform used toencourage inter-trading, promote local enterprise andshowcase contract opportunities.

With 970 firms already signed up, it is expected that themilestone will be reached in the lead up to the Think Local 4Business Show due be held on 29th November in Burton-on-Trent. And in an additional ‘Christmas present’ from ThinkLocal, any company who registers by December 24th willalso be entered into a prize draw to win a month’s freeadvertising on the website.

“Since we transferred from local authority control to private sector ownership at the start of October, we’ve had over100 new companies join the ‘local’ movement – the fastest growth since it launched three years ago.” Explained PeterFarmer, Director of TL4B and Managing Director of The Grapevine.

“£50,000 of new business has been generated in the last month and we expect this figure to grow significantly withthe Think Local 4 Business Show on the horizon.” Explained James Roberts, Board Member.

Left to right Peter Farmer, Director of TL4B and JamesRoberts, Board Member.

Businesses must:

• Be an existing small to medium enterprise tradingfor six months or more

• Employ less than 250 people

• Have a current business plan

• Have an expansion plan in place

• Have a viable project that qualifies for the minimumgrant of £10,000

• Create new jobs / safeguard existing jobs as adirect result of the project implementation

• Be based in, or relocating to the GBS LEP area

• Be in one of the eligible business sectors

Examples of some of the revenue costs eligible are:

• Up to three days of accredited business advisorsupport

• Removal costs

• Expansion of existing premises

• Rent and rates associated with moving to newpremises

• Installation (heating and lighting)

• Installation of cabling as part of the relocation /expansion

• Signage

• Marketing and branding

The grant is equivalent to 45% of eligible costs subject to satisfying criteria and approval by an awarding panel. There will also be an administration fee of 1.5% of the project costs, which will be deducted from the first grant payment.To establish if your business qualifies for consideration and eligible costs or for further information and an applicationform please contact Matthew Fletcher on [email protected] or 01827 709 382.

sponsored by


Ask the experts – about quality standardsSponsored by: Q & A Management Services Limited

Q

A

We asked Malcolm Gibbs of Q & A Management Services, a quality professional who has beentrading for 19 years offering Quality Services to a wide range of companies in both manufacturingand service industries, to tell us what every business needs to know about quality standards.

Why should I bother with ISO 9001, I know companies who have the"badge" and it just means that theymake bad products – but consistently?

I agree that obtaining ISO 9001 is aboutsystemising your business and aiming forconsistency in the manner in which you satisfyyour customer requirements. However, it is ajaundiced view that expects having the "badge"alone will improve your product or service. I likenit to looking after your car. If you do nothing toyour vehicle, except maybe put in fuel, it willappear to work fine for a while. However, if youdo not service or clean it, you will start to noticethat it becomes less reliable than it used to be(and in this story so will your customers).Eventually, maybe through an accident or apuncture, you will have to spend additional timeand money to get it back on the road when allthat was necessary was to have a plan of regularservice and maintenance.

You decide - many customers use ISO 9001 as a“filter” to decide whether or not to give you theirbusiness. It may not always seem fair but that isthe way it is.

Isn't it all about paperwork?

No. There is paperwork involved, but, only whereit adds value to the process. ISO 9001 is aboutestablishing a Quality Management System,which if it is appropriate will include no additionalpaperwork than you already have. In fact it mayreduce it.

What are all these standards about, I can't keep up?

It is true that there are many standards, whichmay affect your business such as ISO 14001(Environmental Management), BS OHSAS 18001(Health & Safety Management System) etc. Butthe good news is that they are all based on ISO9001. So getting this basic standard is aplatform for all your future requirements.

QA

Q

A

sponsored by

http://youtu.be/BLSISmZ3z4Q


What would you do with £1000 to spend inLichfield and £500 to spend in Tamworth?

Lichfield city centre traders and the Lichfield Town TAChristmas Shopping Crawl has been launched to givelocal shoppers a chance to win over £1,000 in cashand vouchers. The campaign is supported by morethan 20 local retailers, as well as the new LichfieldTown Team, Lichfield District Council, The Best ofLichfield, the Lichfield Gazette and Design Pit.Tamworth town centre retailers and Tamworth Councilhave launched their own Countdown To ChristmasTrail and one lucky shopper will win £500 in cash.

To be in with the chance to win, you first need to pickup a Shopping Crawl or Christmas Trail Passport thatwill either arrive through your letterbox shortly, or isavailable at all of the stores taking part in thisfantastic festive offer.

Local independent retailers in bid to boost Christmas sales

The Business Networks Forum isrun by local businesses withsupport from the local council’sBusiness Development Team.Giving businesses a voice onlocal and national businessissues Ambassadors from localnetworking groups, individualbusinesses and organisationsattend. We have been very busyco-ordinating the response ofsmall local businesses to theGBS LEP Strategy For GrowthWhite Paper, see main story onpage 1 and continued on page 8.Our next meeting that takesplace on 5th December will see anew style format as the BNFaims to become a more action-oriented group pursing issues onbehalf of local businesses. Thefirst issue we are tackling in thenew format is the subject ofparking and traffic flow inTamworth and Lichfield. All localbusinesses are welcome toattend BNF meetings. Pleasecontact Matt Fletcher. Contactdetails on page 8.

Business Networks Forum Update

Business Networks Forum Co-ChairsLeft to right: Karen Nicholls – RoarMarketing Limited, Tracy Pound –

MaximITy Limited.

Business BitesLichfield-based consultancy Data andProcess Advantage (DPA) have branchedout to the Middle East. They havecompleted a strategic process review forthe Regulation and Supervision Bureau,Abu Dhabi, the independent regulatorybody for the water, wastewater andelectricity sector of the Emirate of AbuDhabi. DPA Director, AnnSchwarzenbach, said “It’s been veryeasy to work in Abu Dhabi. I wouldencourage any business in our area tolook at the opportunities in the UAE.”www.dpadvantage.co.uk

Already a recognised Microsoft, Citrixand Cisco commercial training partnerEZE Training recently gained the statusof Microsoft IT Academy and ApprovedCity & Guilds Centre. EZE Training isnow embarking on a new and excitingscheme in collaboration with City &Guilds to deliver intermediate advancedand higher apprenticeships.www.ezeit.co.uk

SBXL, with offices in Lichfield andTamworth, is a leading retail researchfirm and has brought Ian StrachanCommunications on board to raise itsprofile in the retail, specialist andbusiness media. SBXL, which recentlyfeatured on Gloria Hunniford’s BBCprogramme “Rip-Off Food”, counts mostUK supermarkets among its clients, aswell as retail outlets and brands acrossEurope, North America and the Far East.www.ianstrachancommunications.co.uk

sponsored by


Announcing the BusinessNetworking Awards 2013

sponsored by

On Saturday 26th January 2013 Drayton Manorwill host the Business Networking Awards at aglamorous black tie gala dinner with first-classentertainment.

Local dignitaries’ have confirmed their attendance includingthe MP for Tamworth, Mayor of Tamworth, Deputy Mayor ofLichfield and Lichfield Council Chairman and some sponsorshave already signed up including Drayton Manor, NorthwoodLettings, Silverpoint Inventories, Greenshoot HR and theBusiness Networks Forum.

The awards are the brainchild of local businessman andcurrent Chair of business networking group Business B4Work, Dave Harper of Silverpoint Inventories Limited. Theawards are supported by all the local business networkinggroups listed below and the Business Networks Forum.

Local businesses can get involved in a numberof ways:

• Enter for an Award or nominate another localbusiness. The deadline for completed entry/nominationforms is 12 noon on Friday 14th December 2012. Termsand conditions apply.

• Become a Sponsor or Advertiser opportunities rangefrom £50 to £1,000

• Book a Seat at the Event for just £35

Visit www.businessnetworkingawards.co.uk or contact DaveHarper [email protected] /07914 048 915regarding advertising, sponsorship, booking seats andinformation on entering the awards. Contact Matt Fletcherat Tamworth Borough Council. details on page 8, forinformation on entering the awards.

Business networking is an effective and low-cost way to market your business and generate sales, and wehave a thriving community of business networking groups in the Tamworth and Lichfield Area. If you have nottried business networking before, why not give it a try? Here’s a list of our local business networking groups.

4 Counties Networking Group - www.fcng.co.uk

B2B Tamworth - www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk

Best Of Lichfield - www.thebestof.co.uk/lichfield

BNI – www.bni-europe.com/uk

Business 1st – www.business-1st.org

Business AM - www.businessam.net

Business B4 Work - www.businessb4work.co.uk

Connect - www.connectingwomen.co.uk

Fish & Chip Fryday - www.linkedin.com/groups/Fish-Chip-Fryday-Sutton-Coldfield

Professionals At Cathedral House Business Breakfast Club - www.cathedral-house.co.uk

Women In Rural Enterprise Network - www.wireuk.org

Tamworth Breakfast Group – www.tamworthbusinessbreakfastclub.org.uk

The Women’s Business Clubs – www.thewomensbusinessclubs.com

If you know of any other local business networking groupsplease send your details to Matt Fletcher at TamworthBorough Council, see contact details on page 8

B2B Tamworth sponsor Sharon Fox Cancer CentreLocal networking group B2B Tamworth has announced that theSharon Fox Cancer Centre will be their charity for 2012/2013.Sharon who was herself suffering from cancer when she foundedthe Centre has built an incredible organisation from nothing toshow compassion and support to anyone suffering from or affectedby cancer. B2B Tamworth will be supporting the Cancer Centre invarious ways for example they will be holding a raffle at their blacktie Christmas Party at Marston Farm Hotel on 14th December andSharon Fox and her husband have been invited to attend.www.b2bclubnetworking.co.uk


Tamworth marketing consultancy, RoarMarketing Limited works in partnership withthe Business & Economic Partnership toproduce the Tamworth and Lichfield Business E-Brief.Contact Karen Nicholls at Roar Marketing,[email protected], www.roarmarketing.co.uk.

Matt Fletcher’s department is the central link between thepublic sector and local businesses, so if you have anyqueries about any of the articles in this issue or just don'tknow who to speak to on business issues please contactMatt on 01827 709 382

or email [email protected]

For sponsorship and advertising opportunities pleasecontact Karen Nicholls or Matt Fletcher and please sendyour news stories for the Business E-Brief (with picture orlogo) to Matt Fletcher at Tamworth Borough Council.

The BusinessBrief is collated,written anddesigned inTamworthand Lichfield.

Contact us

Matt Fletcher, SeniorEconomic DevelopmentOfficer, Shared ServiceTamworth BoroughCouncil and LichfieldDistrict Council

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Local businesses make their viewscount on Economic Strategy(continued from page 1)• the ability of the LEP to deliver the

strategy without any budgets orspecific financial support wasquestioned though it wasrecognised that the role of the LEPwould be to communicate with,direct and influence bodies toachieve the overall aims andobjectives and the strategy

• It was felt that the importance andvalue of the role that small andmicro businesses play in theeconomy was not referred to ormade clear enough

• There is too much focus on thelarger cities in the LEP area andthe impact of larger businesses,too much focus on Birmingham in

particular, although it wasunderstood that by focussing onthese areas and larger businessesthat could attract significantinvestment, which would have apositive “ripple” effect on thewider business community

• To many Ambassadors it initiallyfeels like the LEP is going back toprevious strategies andapproaches that have been tried inthe past – supporting large scaleindustry and historically strongsectors such as automotive andmanufacturing

The result of this consultation was thelocal business population submittedits response to the LEP raising our

profile and opening the doors forfuture discussion and involvement.The role that local businesses haveplayed in submitting their responsehas already been noted as extensiveand appreciated, small business viewsare often hard to gather in such acomprehensive way.

The next steps will be the publicationof a final version of the LEP strategy inthe New Year, then it will be the role ofthe BEP and the BNF to ensure thatthe LEP does what it has said it will toencourage and drive economicgrowth. If you would like a copy ofthe BNF response to the LEP strategyor a copy of the strategy itself pleasecontact Matt Fletcher, details below.

South Staffordshire College is forgingstrong links with local motorcyclemanufacturer Triumph that will benefitboth Motor Vehicle and Engineeringbased students and Media studentsare working on a brief to revisit thebrand heritage of Araldite® adhesives,one of the DIY market’s best knownproduct ranges.

When Triumph Motorcycles contactedthe College’s Motor Vehicledepartment to ask if they would beinterested in some motorcycle enginesfor training purposes, they weredelighted to take them off their hands.And Triumph’s generosity has notstopped there. The Hinckley-basedcompany has donated motorcycles,components and fuel injection trainingrigs worth in the region of £40,000.

The Media students are workingtowards a dragons-den styleshowdown where a number of teamswill pitch a proposed 30-second TV

ad to an expert panel. The judges willinclude representatives fromAraldite®’s international marketingteam.

South Staffordshire College’s Level 2 IMI Motor Vehicle Students with Triumph motorcycles

College students work with Triumph and Araldite

Documents

Business Brief - Winter 2012