Eureka - The ultimate business membership network in ... · prepare your introduction. l Take a genuine interest in others–once in a conversation, listen to others and show an interest

Building relationships…Kingston Business Expo...Page 8 • Networking News...Page 10

EurekaThe Business Magazine for the Kingston area

AUTUMN 2013

10861Eureka September 2013_Eureka Autumn 2013 19/09/2013 14:05 Page 1

October 5 Kingston Spotlight Live Music Competition*

10 Chamber Networking Breakfast John Lewis, Kingston from 8 – 9.30am

13 Kingston Run Challenge

24 Kingston Business Excellence Awards 2013Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremonyat Holiday Inn Kingston

31 Kingston Night MarketMemorial Square*

31 Halloween Walk*

November 6 Chamber Supper Club Evening 6 – 9pm

10 Remembrance Service in the Memorial Gardens

14 Chamber Networking BreakfastBentalls, Kingston from 8 – 9.30am

14 Christmas Lights Switch On*Kingston Town Centre at 6pm

16 Park & Ride Starts (Ends Saturday 4 January)Season Tickets available for local staff

December1 Advent Calendar Service,

All Saints Church, 6pm

3 Chamber Christmas Shopping EveningJohn Lewis, Kingston from 6 – 9pm

11 Chamber Theatre Evening to seeThe Snow GorillaThe Rose Theatre, Kingston

12 Chamber Networking BreakfastHoliday Inn Kingston 8 – 9.30am

19 Chamber Christmas Party6pm onwards

To book a Chamber event visit www.kingstonchamber.co.uk*For an up-to-date list of events in Kingston visitwww.kingstonfirst.co.uk

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Dates for yourDiary

To keep up-to-date with allKingston Chamber events‘Like’ our facebook pageand follow us on Twitter.

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BUILDING RELATIONSHIPSIn business, it's not who you are, it's who you know. Andthe best way of getting to know people that could help yourbusiness grow is by attending our networking events. Hereare a few tips to help you to build powerful businessrelationships:

l Prepare for your networking events – just turning upwill not impress! Decide who you would like to meet andprepare your introduction.

l Take a genuine interest in others – once in aconversation, listen to others and show an interest.

l Networking is not selling – networking is aboutbuilding relationships, getting to know, like and trustothers. Talk about your business to establish whetherthere is mutual interest, but your only objective should beto agree that a further discussion could be useful.

l Spend time with people you don’t know – you needto go through the ‘know, like and trust’ process beforethey will buy or recommend.

l ‘Trust’ is really important – do this well and you willhave strong business allies. Develop a reputation that saysthat you are reliable.

And finally…

l Don’t promise something that you know you cannotdeliver!

Jerry IrvingCEO, Kingston Chamber of Commerce


Membership: Jerry Irving • Finance, Events and Administration: Wanda McFarlane • Membership and Events: Amanda Mellett

Editorial, Advertising, Design and Production: The Creative People www.thecreativepeople.co.uk

Event Photographs: Keith Hern www.keithhern.com, Mark Goodman www.accomplish.co.uk and Karen Powell www.thecreativepeople.co.uk

The Royal Borough of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Suite Eight, First Floor Offices, Kingstons House, 15 Coombe Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT2 7AB T 020 8541 4441 E [email protected] W kingstonchamber.co.uk

Eureka is compiled with the utmost care, however, the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

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Maybe it is a reflection on the packed schedule ofevents we have delivered so far this year that I find itsurprising to be already welcoming you to the Autumnedition of Eureka. Apart from our regular networkingevents, where average attendance this year hasincreased by over 20%, worthy of particular note isthe Kingston Business Expo. Originally intended to bea ‘fairly modest affair’; the event grew into a comprehensiveexhibition of business networking excellence and was declared ahuge success by all who were involved. The theme for the Expowas about how working together would help to deliver success andI would like to thank everybody: Kingston University, the standholders, seminar speakers and, most importantly, my own Chamberstaff and directors for demonstrating the theme so well.

Ever since my appointment as Chief Executive I realised that a keyingredient to providing a truly valuable service to my members ishaving a user friendly, informative and interactive website. Andso it is with real excitement that I can announce the launch ofKingston Chamber’s totally new online package. Filled with newfeatures, including a ‘Member to Member Offers’ facility, it willnot only deliver significant additional support to all our members,but also help to attract new ones. Please take some time toexplore the new site - we welcome any feedback you may have.

The finalists for the Kingston Business Excellence Awards havenow been announced and shortlisted companies now go forwardto the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on 24 October. I wishthe very best of luck to all of you and I look forward to seeing youall at this great celebration of Kingston’s finest businesses.

Finally, a big thank you to all those who participated in theDragon Boat Challenge this year! Our team and sponsors raised over £500 for our chosen charity, Love Kingston. We will be organising more fund-raising events later this year. To find out more about the charity and how to donate go towww.love-kingston.org.uk

ContentsBuilding Relationships 2

From our President 4

New Chamber Website 5

Members News 6

Meet the MD - Paul Geoghegan 7

Kingston Business Expo 8

Education and Training 9

Networking News 10

Planning for Christmas 11

Kingston Business Excellence Awards 12

FromtheCEO+++

Jerry IrvingChief Executive, Kingston Chamber of [email protected]

New members+++ContactJihad ChemaitellChaitana IyengarJohn SweeneyDenise WoodsMarc SandfortDonna HillHilary GanderLee MasonJon WellsKiran RaoShobana Iyer

Activity/BusinessPrinting and Leaflet DistributionMarketing and Digital OutsourcingMarketing ConsultancyCollectables – Teddy Bears/Soft ToysHotelDirect MailLeadership and communicationsIT Consultancy, Voice over IP, and IP PBX SystemsIndoor Golf SimulationDomiciliary CareLegal Services - Commercial Barrister

CompanyChemaitelli LimitedCleanslate Communications Group LtdDemandGen Consulting LtdDragon ToysHoliday Inn Kingston SouthIMX LimitedLevel Vision LimitedOptimal Projects LtdSurbiton Indoor Golf LtdSure Care North SurreySwan Chambers

Front Cover Left - Right: Kingston Business Expo 2013; Turk Launches pier; Chamber Dragon Boat Crew; Direct Colour; Chamber Breakfast at The French Tarte; Chamber Breakfast on board Turk Launches.

Love Kingston is the official nominatedcharity for the Kingston Run Challenge 2013.

Michelle Boundy, Chief Executive ofSurreySave, will be running in her wedding dress on 13 October to fundraise for Love Kingston. "I’m going todo the Kingston Run Challenge on my first weddinganniversary, so I will acknowledge the date and wear mywedding dress”, says Michelle. “Running the KingstonChallenge is one way we can raise awareness ofSurreySave in Kingston and let people know that there isa better alternative to payday lenders!”

SurreySave is one five local projects supported by LoveKingston. All funds raised are divided equally betweenthe projects and a Kingston Legacy Fund that supportscharitable activity year on year.

http://humanrace.co.uk/events/running/kingston-run-challenge


Divorce rate rising among the over 60sFigures from the Office for National Statistics show increasingdivorce rates amongst the over 60s. There are three mainreasons for a rise in the divorce rate amongst this age group.

l Overall, a loss of stigma in being divorced.In the 19 years between 1991 and 2010 there was athreefold increase in the number of divorces to 1.3 million.As divorce becomes more common, so the stigma declines.

l Increase in life expectancy. In 1991 a man aged 60could be expected to live a further 21 years. By 2010 thishad increased by a further five years. Consequently, evenwith a small change of divorce during each year ofmarriage, marriages are now more likely to end in divorceand less likely to end in the death of one spouse.

l More women in the labour market have built up theirown pension. This means that women are now moreable than ever to support themselves outside of marriagethan was previously the case.

These reasons are in addition to traditional challenges for oldercouples with ‘empty nest syndrome’, where children have lefthome and couples no longer have offspring as a means of‘keeping things together’.

There are issues particular to divorcing couples in later life, notso prevalent earlier on.

For further information, please contact Sarah Cornes [email protected]

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Whenever you need legal advice, whatever the reason, TWM Solicitors can help. Whether a business or private legal matter, ours is an attentive and personal service. We are one of Surrey’s leading law firms and our expertise and local knowledge is combined for the benefit of our clients.

For a no obligation discussion, visit our web site, email [email protected] or call 020 8946 6454

Here when you need us

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After a sizzling summer businesses are back in harness, and generally encouraged by growthin most sectors as economic recovery begins to gather pace.

Certainly in the legal services sector my firm has experiencedgrowth in property work, both residential and commercial, over thelast two quarters. The increasing buoyancy in the property marketis rippling out from central and SW London, and recent reportshave tipped Kingston in particular to be a hot spot of growth.

Most businesses will initially manage increased activity withexisting employees, but the business community hope that beforelong we will be in a position to increase recruitment locally, inparticular providing more youngsters with greater opportunities tofind full time work in the area. Kingston’s substantial retail sectorshould benefit from improved credit conditions and increase inhousehold disposable income. For Chamber members thesummer has been one of variety, with networking events at theRose Theatre; a balmy summers evening at Minima Yacht Club;and a very well attended and buzzing event with LondonChamber of Commerce at Warren House. Many new members, as well as established contacts have been welcomed.

Social media is an invaluable marketing tool, but cannot top thesignificant benefit of personal introductions and of building andmaintaining business relationships through face to face contactthat Chamber networking events offers.

Sarah Cornes, Partner TWM Solicitors LLPEmail: [email protected]

From our President

10th Anniversary Fundraiser2014 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Kingston-based charity Momentum. Since its inception the charityhas supported many families in London and Surreyundergoing treatment for cancer or a life-limitingcondition. Momentum has two holiday homes in the New Forest to send families away for special breaks andthe charity has also raised over £250,000 for projects atKingston Hospital to improve the healing environment for very sick children.

As a member of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce,Momentum is now actively seeking corporate sponsorshipfor their 10th anniversary fundraiser on Sunday 4 May2014 at The Brewery www.thebrewery.co.uk. 400 guestswill enjoy dinner and a spectacular Las Vegas themedone-off show, featuring performers from the West End.The event will celebrate the charity’s achievements overthe last decade and will generate essential funds toenable Momentum to continue their work supportinglocal families. This is a fantastic opportunity for businessesto support a really worthwhile local charity. Momentumare continuing to workwith Kingston Hospitaland are now alsoworking on projects at St George’s Hospital.

For more information visit www.moment-um.org or callCharity Director Bianca Effemey on 020 8974 5931.


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We are thrilled by the launch of our new website, notonly its exciting new contemporary look but also itsenhanced member to member features and addedbusiness support facilities.

Brand new for 2013 is a fantastic business support resourcesection which provides up-to-date no-nonsense information,videos and online tools designed to make launching a newbusiness or running your current one easier, more efficient andrewarding. It includes information and guides to starting up,marketing, law, tax and IT issues, all in one place and free toaccess online. You will also receive a brand new e-newsletterwith useful hints and tips, business news and advice.

We have also created the new site to provide members withmore opportunity to interact and promote their businesses.The new ‘Member to Member Offers’ feature, for example, willallow members to promote a specific offer to other Chambercolleagues. This will encourage members to visit the websitemore often and actively search for services and products,knowing they can get a great member to member deal!

A Chamber membership card has been considered manytimes and we have finally decided to go ahead and produceone. However, we wanted our membership card to beforward thinking and reflect the modern feel of our newwebsite - so we have taken it online! You can nowdownload your membership card through your unique login

details on our website, save it on yoursmartphone and then all you need to dois show it to participating memberbusinesses to gain your offer. The addedadvantage of this is that you can sendthe card to your colleagues within yourorganisation to enable them to access the offers too!

Finally, we wanted the website to be able to promotemembers’ businesses beyond our network and so we havemade the business directory section public where it waspreviously only accessible to members. This, we believe, willprovide yet another way for members to publicise themselvesin the wider business community.

New website and new waysto connect with members

2013/14

MEMBERMEMBERMEMBER

Starting up a new business?Design can be a powerful means of conveying your message.A well designed business card is a must to create a good impression – this is crucial to the success of your business.

We are offering new Chamber members the opportunityto have 250 letterheads and 250 business cards designedand printed for just £350*

Call Karen on 020 8398 5700or email: [email protected]

* Subject to final specifications.

Rotary Dragon Boat Challenge

With a renamed team, KC and the Sunshine Crew, a manager,coach and three training sessions under our belt, the KingstonChamber team was ready to do battle in this year’s Dragon BoatChallenge. And so the competition day arrived and, determined tobeat last year’s performance and raise as much money as we couldfor our nominated charity, Love Kingston, we paddled like crazy ineach of our qualifying matches. Our times improved each race andour best meant we were well up on 2012’s competition placingbut, unfortunately, we were not quick enough to make the final.

The excellent news was that, irrespective of missing the final, weall had a great day and in all we raised in excess of £500 for ourLove Kingston charity. My thanks to all our supporters, butparticularly to the ‘Sunshine Crew’, who gave up their time andmoney to compete on behalf of the Chamber in such a popularKingston event.

I hope to see you all again next year!

Jerry Irving


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Members news+++

Alternative Radio ShowKeith Hern has been living with a canceroustumour for over a year now. In August2012 the only medical option was thesurgical removal of his entire right lung.Keith decided against this, and opted fora completely non-medical approach.

This approach involves working with a nutritionist who is not only diet-focused, but uses supplements and acouple of new pieces of technology. The nutritionist has set up a radio stationwww.naturalhealthradio.co.uk and Keith has a slot at 10amevery other Friday. Initially he is focussing on interviewingalternative/complementary practitioners he has worked with,and as the audience figures grow the aim is to develop it intoan online chat show. His first interview with Donna Blinston,http://donnablinston.com/ focused on neuro-linguisticprogramming http://naturalhealthradio.co.uk/keith-hern-wk1/. His next guest was Patricia Peat fromwww.canceroptions.co.uk. Future guests will includeprofessionals in acupuncture, Quantum Touch, yoga,aromatherapy, and one amazing cancer patient whosetumours healed so quickly the medics were totally baffled.

Keith has also set up a new website to promote hisinspirational speaking www.keithhern.co.uk, and Keith HernPhotography has been shortlisted in the Kingston BusinessAwards for the Entrepreneur of the Year category.

For further information email [email protected] or call07900 826714

Building Business Relationships

Earlier this year we lookedclosely at where ourbusiness was coming fromand we decided we wanted more local business. This ‘Localism’ is important to us, particularly as relationshipscan be founded and developed because you are a part of a community.

So, how could we become visible locally? We joined Kingston Chamber of Commerce in July and beganmeeting other local business people face-to-face in anenvironment that was relaxed, yet focussed on local business.A curry evening at Monty’s, networking drinks at the MinimaSailing Club and Kingston Business Expo have provided us withopportunities that have developed into new business fromfellow chamber members Bentalls, The Holiday Inn Kingstonand The Creative People.

A great start! And exactly the type of key local businesses towhom we can offer a different level of service – simplybecause we are local, visible and care.

Mark Attwater, Director, Direct Colour Ltd, Email: [email protected]

Help Kingston become adementia-friendly town!There are currently 800,000 peoplediagnosed with dementia in theUK. But because it’s so difficult toget a diagnosis, experts think the real number is closer to 1.2 million. With an aging population, it’s going to get worse.

So what can we do? Dementia Friends is an initiative launched by the Alzheimer’sSociety earlier this year. Its aim is to create dementia friendlytowns and communities. It does this by educating as manypeople as possible to recognise the signs.

My Mum has dementia, so Graham and I have first-handknowledge of what a scary world it can create for sufferers,and how difficult it is for their carers. We became DementiaFriends in June and want to help put Kingston on the mapas a dementia friendly town.

It’s not a massive commitment, but if we each do a little bitwe can help to make the world a little easier and lessintimidating for dementia suffers.

The Chamber has very kindly agreed to Graham giving a 10-minute introduction to Dementia Friends – what it is andwhat it involves – at the Chamber networking breakfast onThursday 10 October.

Hope to see you there!

Elaine Swift, Elaine Swift Writing [email protected] and Graham Taylor, Aspects Consulting Ltd


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1 Tell us about WPA and your role?Western Provident Association is one ofthe top three private medical insuranceproviders in the UK. Founded over 112 years ago in Reading, Berkshire, itis now based in Taunton, Devon.

If there is one thing that makes usstand out from many other medical insurance providers it isthis; WPA is a not for profit organisation, meaning thatthere are no shareholder dividends to pay, and no pressureto make profits. This leaves the company free toconcentrate on giving incredible customer service.

As an example, in a recent NOP poll of Doctors andConsultants over 74% said they would recommend WPAto their friends and family. The UK’s largest provider wasunder 7%! We are understandably very proud of thisresult as it clearly shows why WPA is so popular with ourcustomers.*

My company, Private Medical Associates Limited, isappointed by WPA to be the interface between customersand the company. It is another unique example of howWPA care for customers. Each client has a dedicated‘associate’ assigned to them within the company.

My role is to make sure each customer is completely happywith their medical insurance.

2 How do you engage with local companies?We work with companies of all sizes from 3 to 250employees. Many companies who are with either one of thebig two providers have found that their medical insurancecosts have escalated by a huge amount in the past year or so.

We work with these companies to give them the same orenhanced cover for a cost that is often 20% to 40% lessthan they have been paying.

3 Why did you join Kingston Chamber of Commerce?I want us to be part of the local business community and totake an active part in the continued growth of Kingston asa vibrant business area. KCC is an ideal way for us to dothis by meeting other business owners and managers.

4 What are the future plans for the business?We will continue to grow, but outright growth is not themain goal. We have a portfolio of over 1,000 clients andour main aim is to provide them with the best possibleservice at very competitive cost.

Paul GeogheganDirector of Private Medical Associates LimitedAppointed Representative of WPAEmail: [email protected] www.WPA.org.uk/paulgeoghegan

Meet the MD – Paul Geoghegan, Director of Private Medical Associates Ltd

*The full results of this poll are available on our website at www.wpa.org.uk

Join the health insurer consultants recommend the most

74% of doctors surveyed would recommend WPA to family, friends and colleagues over other leading health insurers.

* Based on a survey of 1086 consultants & GPs with a private practice. Survey conducted by GfKNOP Dec. 2012; 591 responses received (54% response).

Paul GeogheganT: 0208 979 6054E: [email protected]

1. Valid for WPA Flexible Health policies (essentials, premier & elite) bought between 12/09/2013 and 30/11/2013. Free cover for your family member (or 25% discount for single cover) is a first year discount only. A 10% discount is applied in the second year of cover. Available to new WPA customers, subject to medical underwriting. Full terms & conditions at wpa.org.uk/family WPA is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. 09/13517

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The Kingston Business Expo 2013was declared a huge success byexhibitors and visitors alike. After a four year hiatus theKingston Business Expo was back,bringing together some of thebrightest businesses and keenestentrepreneurial minds the boroughhas to offer in one of the UK’s mosthighly revered business schools.

On the 20 June, close to 500 peoplecame together to showcase theirservices, share ideas and createnetworks and business contacts at theKingston Business School on theUniversity Campus, Kingston Hill.

MP for Kingston and Surbiton, EdwardDavey, kicked off proceedings to agroup of nearly 100 local businesspeople at the day’s networkingbreakfast by praising the businessinitiatives seen throughout hisconstituency during these challengingfinancial times.

Immediately following the businessbreakfast, the newly appointed Mayorof Kingston upon Thames, CouncillorPenny Shelton declared the KingstonBusiness Expo officially open.

Throughout the course of the day over40 exhibitors displayed their productsand services, showcasing everythingfrom accounting to teeth whitening, aunique show of local and independentservices from across the length andbreadth of the borough.

The Expo also included a range ofbusiness seminars by inspiring speakers.The headline speaker was the founderof the national franchise ‘thebestof...’,Nigel Botterill, who was keen todispense his pearls of wisdom on howto build your business, attract newcustomers and how to make the mostof the ever changing technologicallandscape.

The day was also filmed by South WestLondon TV and their report can beviewed online http://bit.ly/150m4uO

Overall the Kingston Business Expo2013 was declared a huge success by exhibitors and visitors alike,proving that communities andbusinesses can survive, and thrive,tough economic climes if we worktogether.

Kingston Business Expodeclared a huge Success!

“It’s great to see the return of theKingston Business Expo after fouryears. It was a busy and lively eventwith a good number of exhibitorswith a steady stream of visitors. This is precisely the kind of thing a thriving business community needs and a great launch pad forsubsequent business expos beingheld every year.”

Andrew Marsh, Director of The Best of Kingston

Shoppinglocal.info is a business listings website to encourageresidents in the Royal Borough of Kingston to discover thedelights of shopping locally. It is funded by the Surbiton,Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committees ofKingston Council and aims to support local businesses bypromoting local trade.

All listings are free, so sign up your business now! You canalso place voucher offers through the site as an incentive toencourage more customers to your shop or restaurant.

FREE trial membership to Kingston ChamberKingston Chamber of Commerce are currently offering 3 months FREE trial membership to the Chamber to allindependent retailers who add their business to the site.

Please visit the Business Users page and scroll down to revealfull details of the offer: www.shoppinglocal.info/BusUsers.php

shoppinglocalin the Royal Borough of Kingstonin the Royal Borough of Kingston

.info

in New Malden High Street

in Surbiton Town Centre

in Surbiton Parades

in Maldens & Coombe Parades

in Tolworth Broadway

in Chessington & Hook Parades

in Tolworth Parades

in North Kingston Parades

www.shoppinglocal.info

8


9

Education andtraining+++

Are you a small or medium sized business?

Do you have a million and one things to dowith the day job andfind that you justdon’t have all thebusiness knowledgeyou need?

Let Kingston College help you!

Our Aspire range of courses will allow you to access theEssential Business training you need whether it’s preparing abusiness plan or learning the basics on finances and book-keeping to make sure you keep your cash flowing plus sales& marketing for sustained business growth

We know your time is limited which is why our training canbe delivered in the evening or during the day. Our sessionsare delivered by professional trainers at Drapers Court,Kingston Hall Road.

The cost for a single session is £135 and for all 8 sessions,£595. Call our Employer hotline on 020 8268 2861 andquote EB for a 5% discount for Chamber members if youbook all 8 sessions before 31 October 2013.www.kingston-college.ac.uk

Essential Business at Kingston College

New Start Programme Success Story– Ocansey Bianchi

In July 2012, Daniela Bianchi of Ocansey Bianchi joined the New StartProgramme, a Jobcentre Plus and Kingston Chamber initiative. Danielagraduated from the London College of Fashion in 2010 where shecompleted a course in Fashion Design and Technology for Menswear.However, in a very competitive international marketplace she wasfinding it difficult to get her very distinctive clothes in front of the right people.

The New Start Programme helped Daniela to focus on the areas whichher business needed to get off the ground. A Business Plan made herreally focus on her target market and various methods to reach thatmarket, together with the finances involved.

In September 2012 Daniela gained sponsorship from Eye Wear Designer, Colin Leslie, for her SS13 Runway Show whichtook place at the May Fair Hotel during London Fashion Week. In July 2013 Daniela showed her SS14 collection for twoweeks in Wimbledon which proved to be a terrific success. Although Daniela started with men’s clothing, she now designsand makes for women too – and there were quite a few pieces I would be very happy to wear!

I’m delighted to say that Daniela is a Finalist in the Merton Business Awards 2013 and I’m looking forward to seeing hername up in lights this September and onwards – a very talented young person with a bright future. Visit her website formore information www.ocanseybianchi.com.

Christina Jackson, Business Coach, ActionCOACH Email: [email protected]

Management and Professional Training

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10

Networking news+++Breakfast at the Rose TheatreOur July Breakfast took us to the fabulous Rose Theatre, where we gathered in the upper circle bar area which offersspectacular views of Kingston Market Square and the Guildhall. Our hosts provided a delicious buffet of hot bacon andsausage rolls, pastries and coffee which allowed plenty of opportunity to network on an informal basis. Lisa from the RoseTheatre gave us an overview of the upcoming shows and also how businesses can get involved with the theatre on acorporate level. This year’s Christmas performance of the Snow Gorilla sounds unmissable and the Chamber will be offeringmembers an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the performance together in December!

Lunch at BrownsWe started the August Bank Holiday in style with alunch at Browns in Kingston. It always has a greatatmosphere and delicious menu and this time wasno exception. The Carpaccio of Lime & ChilliMarinated Pineapple proved a surprising hit beingthe dessert of choice by most of the lunch party!We were especially pleased to be joined by somepotential members who commented:“It was great to meet you and the other Chambermembers on Friday. I had a really lovely time andyou were all so friendly! It’s great to be made tofeel so welcome at a networking event, so thankyou for having me and I hope to see you at anotherevent soon!”

What more can we say!

Breakfast at The French TarteThe Summer holidays didn’t deter members and guests frombooking our August breakfast at The French Tarte. It’s always apopular venue, but this year we had a waiting list for attendees!Sarah and Eric are always hugely accommodating and wemanaged to squeeze almost 30 members into the petite patisserie to enjoy probably the best croque monsieur and pastries outside France! Networking created a real buzz and Sarah was kind enough to tell us a little about their plans toextend the service offered by the cafe in the near future.

.Kingston Chamber is the first port of call for Polymer banknotes!Our most recent breakfast took place on board Turk Launches New Southern Bell. Despitethe inclement weather we were treated to a wonderfully picturesque trip from Kingstontowards Twickenham, via Teddington Lock.

We were joined by the Bank of England who spoke to Chamber members about the recent announcement that they are considering introducing polymer banknotes in 2016. No free samples were available, but we were some of the first people to get our hands onexamples of the new notes. Their visit to Kingston Chamber marked the start of a UK wideconsultation process to gauge public opinion. A decision is expected in December 2013.


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Business Resources

Christmas Corporate Branding Gifts

CHOCOLATE BARSUNIQUE GREETING CARDSGOLF BALL SLEEVESBOTTLE LABELS AND BOXES

All of these, and much more, can be branded with your company details or personalised or both. The choice is yours.Call us on: 020 8541 098201932 856131Or visit www.v3print.com

Personalise your Christmas with V3

creating an indelible image

tcreaat

ting an indelible image

Planning for ChristmasTake the stress out of Christmas this year and choosefellow Chamber members to help you with your plans.

l Book your staff Christmas party early to avoiddisappointment. The Holiday Inn Kingston South andHotel Antionette are hosting fun, themed party nightsduring December. Or you can party on the river on boarda Turk Launches' Christmas party boat. Deliciousseasonal menus are being offered at The French Tableand Warren House.

l Order your Christmas cards and branded calendars inplenty of time – last posting date for 2nd Class PostBusiness Mail is 18 December.

l Pop down to Kingston Antiques Centre in Old London Roadand discover the delightful teddy bears at Dragon Toys.

l Book tickets to take your family and friends to The RoseTheatre Kingston to see their Christmas production, The Snow Gorilla.

Take advantage of late night Christmas shopping after work –many stores in Kingston are open late throughout Novemberand December.

Don’t miss the Christmas Light Switch On evening inKingston on 16 November!

Visit www.kingstonfirst.co.uk for details of events happeningin Kingston over the festive period.


At Menzies, we understand that running your business todeliver the profits you long for can be complex and challenging.As a business owner you need to stay ahead and maximiseprofitability so you can increase the level of income youextract from it.

But how can you ensure your business delivers what you need?

Finding the right advice when you need it often marks thedifference between success and crisis. We understand howyou think and can help you implement the right profit makingstrategies, whilst at the same time increase the level of energyand focus to bring positive change in your business.

To find out how we can help you please [email protected] or visit

www.menzies.co.uk

Isn’t it time you started workingon your business, not in it?

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH


Documents

Eureka - The ultimate business membership network in ... · prepare your introduction. l Take a genuine interest in others–once in a conversation, listen to others and show an interest