Issue 12 | Summer 2019

Gri n Chapman announces new partner 28

New Essex online business showcase directory launches 5

Essex Business Excellence Awards nominations open 41

Disability in the workplace – challenges remain 56-57

Expect more care and expertise for all your commercial needs

Expert legal and financial services in Essex

Call us on 0800 013 1165 www.teeslaw.com Guess which business owner has switched to a Real Time Accountant?

2 It’s a labour of love BusinessTime in Essex ELCOME to which showcase the very is published by the summer best the county has to offer. Colchester-based Nominations close on June issue of PJR Communications. W 14, so don’t delay – more on BusinessTime in Essex – page 41. Publishing Editor and a particularly warm Elsewhere in this issue, we Peter Richardson one to the 15 brand new look at the challenges still 01206 843225 advertisers joining us for facing people with disabilities or 07778 067614 the fi rst time. in the workplace (pages 56 and 57) whilst throughout the [email protected] Putting together this magazine following pages I hope you’ll has become a real labour of love Sales nd a wealth of news, views as it introduces me to so many Vivienne Richardson great businesses run by people and information on the Essex with a passion for what they business scene. 01206 843225 do. I am genuinely humbled I hope you enjoy this Designed by and grateful that increasing summer issue. As I always numbers are choosing to work Dean Allen Design say, none of it would be possible without with us at BusinessTime in Essex, both in the 077939 89441 printed magazine and online, to promote their your support so a most sincere thank-you business. to everyone joining the growing ranks of Mailed out by businesses choosing to use us as a key Talking of BusinessTime in Essex Online, Direct Solutions our amazing and exciting (we don’t do communication vehicle. We’ll be back on understatement here!) online Business September 1 but, in the meantime, do pay us 01255 221322 Showcase is now live. Further info on this can a visit at www.businesstimeinessex.co.uk and To advertise or feature be found on page 5 and, trust me, it’s a great keep up with the very latest business news and cost-effective vehicle for promoting your in the next issue of across the county. business to thousands of would-be customers. BusinessTime in Essex, We’re also excited and delighted to be the contact Peter or Vivienne exclusive local media business partner in as detailed above. this year’s Essex Business Excellence Awards Publishing Editor

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3 If you have a business dispute worth Resolving a dispute can take between £10,000 and £25,000, you can considerable time, effort and money count on Birkett Long to fix the fee from that you could better use to operate, the outset. We’ll take you through the manage, or grow your business. Birkett process and tell you about any additional Long will help you to resolve the costs that might crop up (like court fees disagreement as cost effectively, and for example). If we can help you avoid with as little damage to relationships, issuing court proceedings, we will. as possible.

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4 Showcase your business in some style and substance F the many ways Online – the digital hub of the you can promote county’s only business magazine. your business, The Business Showcase will be O constantly promoted via print the new Essex Business and social media advertising to Showcase is all set to ensure it is regarded by the Essex become a fi rm favourite. business community as the place to look if you want to do business Brought to you by BusinessTime with other Essex businesses. in Essex, this newly-launched The Business Showcase will be online directory-plus is an category indexed. You can select amazing opportunity to up to three categories in which showcase all the good things you wish to be listed and the about your business to the whole Business Showcase will be county’s largest business Google search compliant. community for the incredibly Google loves the high level and reasonable price of £200 a year or, if it’s friendlier on your ever-changing nature of the budget, just £20 a month. content on the BusinessTime in Essex website (try Googling Business Showcase offers you: phrases such as ‘business news • your company brand/logo and in Essex’, ‘Essex business scene’ business pro le banner or ‘Essex business news’ and • 300 words summarising what see how high BusinessTime in your business is all about Essex ranks), so the chances of • product/service gallery your company appearing high on feature Google ratings via inclusion in the Business Showcase are good • company/product video feed Once you register on the • facility to tell others about Business Showcase, you’ll be your USPs and why they able to do everything from should buy from you selecting your preferred payment • location map and contact method and creating your details bespoke account, to inputting • links to your website and your content. Simple to follow chosen landing pages. instructions will guide you It’s an intuitive,  exible and through every stage. easy-to-use platform which Then, you can sit back safe in the enables you, via a unique login, knowledge that at least £200 of to input your own material your valuable annual marketing within the Business Showcase budget has been wisely invested. design template and then to edit To view the Business Showcase, as often as you choose. You can go to www.businesstimeinessex. update it to publicise a special co.uk/showcase or to create your event or business promotion. own Showcase for your business, In effect, you have your own live, mini website sitting within go to https://www.businesstimeinessex.co.uk/directory- a directory which is an integral part of BusinessTime in Essex registration/ An even better deal for advertisers and charities!

Advertisers: the business community, we are offering registered charities Advertise in the next (September) issue of BusinessTime in a 50% discount on our Business Showcase subscription fee Essex and you’ll enjoy a 25% discount on your rst year’s bringing the price down to just £100 plus VAT a year or £10 subscription to the Business Showcase – bringing the price plus VAT a month. down to just £150 plus VAT a year or £15 plus VAT a month. To capitalise on these great discounts, email Editor Peter Charities: Richardson at [email protected] or phone him on 01206 843225. Knowing the importance charities place on engaging with

5 If business is a battle, what better place to train your people than a battlefi eld?

Above Left OLX at Waterloo: “Corporate Battlefi elds has been very effective in bringing to life the key principles of Mission Command at Waterloo. They provided relevant lessons from the military world, which are very applicable to the business world that I live in. My team left the two-day session with an enhanced focus of resources, as well as practical tools to align strategic intent and improve empowerment.” Martin Scheepbouwer - CEO OLX Graeme Above Centre: eBay’s senior team from St Jose, California at Pont do Hoc above the Normandy D-Day Beaches Event Aims: Values and strategic intent Above right: Leventhorpe School Sawbridgeworth. The Head Teacher’s Team at the home of the Apache Attack Helicopter at Wattisham in Suffolk. When was the last time you left a leadership training session feeling emotionally committed to what you have learnt? With good leadership you have a chance; without it, you have none. Successful leaders of both small businesses and large organisations have crucial attributes and skill sets. They possess a vision of where they are going, the ability to inspire, motivate and effectively lead those around them and crucially they retain a cool head in a crisis. We believe that leadership theory can be experienced, powerfully and memorably, by walking in the footsteps of those who have been forced to make crucial decisions on the battlefi eld and in campaigns that have determined our political landscape and nation states. For leaders such as Napoleon, Wellington, Slim, Eisenhower and Churchill, the history is written – for them there’s no going back – but for us there’s huge power and opportunity in examining not only their decisions and actions, but the intense emotional circumstances in which those decisions were taken. We have analysed how Second Lieutenants led on the Somme in 1916, or how Divisional Commanders led at Waterloo in 1815, or indeed how the most senior Generals failed to lead at Arnhem in 1944. And this same research method has discovered parallels for every management situation. We know how the best leaders in history dealt with the realities of leadership under extreme pressure and we have converted their experience into something that can make a real difference in your organisation. So why is a battlefi eld the toughest classroom to take your team? It is because on a battlefi eld, as in business, there is always someone on the other side of the hill thinking and acting against you. Business Lessons and leadership learning derived from the battlefi eld brings wider and deeper thinking. The principles of leadership do not change, only the circumstances. Developing business people, through battlefi eld insight Serious Business

Tel: 01277 890470 | www.corporatebattlefi elds.com 2007

6 Queen’s Award for Ultimotive ULTIMOTIVE Ltd of Colchester has Export sales account for 39% of the been awarded the Queen’s Award company’s business, which experienced growth of almost 300% in the period 2015-17. for Enterprise, in recognition Notably, at a critical time for British exports, of the company’s excellence in Ultimotive’s global reach is still accelerating. international trade. International markets include Australia, Qatar, Turkey, Sweden and Jordan. 2019 will Ultimotive, which employs 13 staff, develops, see the company’s footprint expand further manufactures, markets and supplies as it launches exciting new products in Asia. innovative chemical cleaning products for the global automotive industry. Founded Managing Director, Andy Smith, said: “The in 2003 by Managing Director Andy Smith, Queen’s Award for Enterprise is probably the company supplies major brands under the most prestigious business award and licence including Williams F1, MotoGP, to be recognised for our contribution to Michelin, Turtle Wax Pro, Stayzon and its own international trade re ects the global Andy Smith MD Ultimotive Ltd label Caiman. appetite for our products.” Energy market study to identify new opportunities HE North Essex Energy renewables, gas and new nuclear. International Port, a deepwater Group (NEEG) has The energy sector offers signi cant harbour with a proven track record in opportunities for local businesses. the offshore sector and with available Tcommissioned Nautilus Recent industry forecasts from Nautilus operational space Associates Ltd to deliver a suggests more than £10.8bn of new • investment in new forms of heat market study to identify new capital investment is planned in major and power including ground source energy and infrastructure related energy (via micro grid generation), project opportunities for projects before 2025 and is set to anaerobic digestion and solar power. businesses within the energy increase to £59bn by 2040. Established in 2018, NEEG is a group of sector in North Essex. During the next 10 years, businesses public and private sector organisations will be able to access signi cant working together to unlock energy and The new study will also engage with opportunities in North Essex, including: low carbon-related growth in the North businesses and organisations across • construction of Sizewell C, a 3.2 GW Essex area and beyond. the county to identify key issues, nuclear power station, and Bradwell Current members include Colchester opportunities and challenges facing the B, a 1 GW nuclear power station, with Borough and Braintree, Maldon, and sector’s growth. a combined capex estimated at £17 Tendring District Councils, Essex In addition to the study, an energy sector billion County Council as well as the South business database will be created which • new investment in over 5GW of East Local Enterprise Partnership, will be used by the NEEG to distribute offshore wind farms in the Southern Colchester Institute, University of Essex, industry updates, business training, North Sea Haven Gateway Partnership, Harwich networking opportunities and more International Port, and the Greater • decommissioning of end-of-life oil South East Local Energy Hub. tailored to the energy sector. and gas production infrastructure North Essex has a key role to play in To sign up to future information, • piloting new local energy generation opportunities and sector updates from supporting the UK’s energy provision and storage technologies in three as the industry adapts to meet new NEEG, register your company details new garden communities comprising here: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ challenges through clean energy 43,000 houses production primarily through offshore energysectordatabase • offshore access via Harwich Business exhibition returns for its fourth year ESSEX Chambers of Commerce is place on Tuesday June 11 between 10am calendar and we see many businesses once again hosting Discovering and 3pm and is free to visit, with free car booking to exhibit year after year. We believe parking included. Following the close of the it provides an ideal platform to promote Business in Essex at Chelmsford exhibition there will be the opportunity for a business and demonstrate the strong City Racecourse for the fourth year. further networking over afternoon tea with entrepreneurial attitude that exists in Essex. I The event brings together a wide refreshments provided by Essex Chambers’ look forward to seeing friends old and new at range of exhibitors representing patron, Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree jam fame. this year’s event.” businesses of all types from SMEs Speaking about the event, Essex Chambers To nd out how to be part of the event, through to major companies. Chief Executive, Denise Rossiter said: either as an exhibitor or a visitor, “Discovering Business in Essex has become phone 01268 209052 or go to www. DBIE, as it is commonly known, takes an essential part of the county’s business discoveringbusinessinessex.co.uk

7 Barclays has partnered with Supporting business MarketInvoice to help businesses in a myriad of ways

turn outstanding invoices into cash important aspect of our work and, in addition to the two mentioned above, When landing big-name clients meant putting an end to supplier  nance, Malcolm Watson needed to rethink his we have also taken a group of exporters Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive 1 to Westminster to meet the Trade Policy company’s cash ow strategy. Here’s how his bank, Barclays, worked with MarketInvoice to  nd an invoicing of Essex Chambers of Commerce, Minister, George Hollingbery MP. It is solution that could keep up. re ects o n the varied nature of the important Ministers hear rst-hand how Chambers’ work and its overriding payroll had become a MarketInvoice, I have KNOW we say it all the time, businesses are doing and what needs to objective which is to support the challenge. total  exibility. I get the but I really don’t know where be done to support them. We are there multitude of businesses operating “Some of the team have cash I need, when I need to do just that. this year has gone. It doesn’t across Essex. been working here since it. It just works.” I An area where we are having real they left school,” Malcolm Having invoice nance seem that long ago that we success is the Business Crime Strategic explains. “I’ve known them in place means that were celebrating Christmas and HEN William Watson Board that we set up in partnership with for years. When you’re a STS2000 can ful l its now Easter has come and gone make sure they are as prepared as they founded STS2000 in small business, your staff commitments – both Essex Police and the Police Fire & Crime can be for the future. We are running a Commissioner. Already we have seen 1997, self-checkout are like family so making to its staff and their and we have summer on the variety of training courses on exporting W sure they get paid on time clients. With easy access the creation of a dedicated Business tills had only just been horizon. delivered by experts in their eld and has to be a priority.” to funding, Malcolm can Crime Team within the Police and we designed to help you succeed. Get in introduced in the UK. A little keep business running In the recent local council elections, we will be working with them to help shape Malcolm has had a touch to nd out more. over 20 years later, it’s hard to business account with smoothly. have seen some changes in the make-up their policies in tackling crimes against believe there was a time before It’s not all work though and we have Barclays for 45 years. Want to fi nd out of the council chamber. As a Chamber businesses of all types around the shoppers could single-handedly Knowing he’d need to of Commerce, we hope any changes county. our usual round of networking events. Rob Gall more? We like to think that ours are that scan and process their own look for another funding that happen will be positive ones as our On a different theme entirely, we have solution, he didn’t hesitate to get in purchases. Providing IT support Visit https://www.barclays.co.uk/business- councils can have a major impact on been developing the training that we bit different to some others on offer touch with his Relationship Manager, Ben banking/borrow/invoice- nance/ how well our members’ businesses will in Essex with some interesting new services to the major players Chapman. Barclays’ partnership with offer Chamber members, and non- in this multi-billion-pound Barclays business managers are here to do in the next few years. members, around the county. Our venues and some interesting speakers MarketInvoice had just been launched, and to entertain you. I say entertain as we industry has become STS2000’s Ben saw that invoice nance would be a share their expertise and support you and Recently we met with Kit Malthouse popular courses on GDPR and cyber- believe that everything we do should be bread and butter. good t. your cash ow journey so please get in MP, the Housing Minister, to hear security will be continuing and we have enjoyable and that you should leave our “In this time-critical scenario, it was touch by contacting Rob Gall, Barclays Area more about some of the Government’s new courses helping you develop your 2 events with a positive feeling, something STS2000 remains a family-run business imperative to identify a speedy solution to Business Manager, on 07775 543586. plans on housing and what they might skills in the use of social media for your that’s de nitely needed at the moment. with William’s son-in-law, Malcolm, at meet the client’s required needs,” says Ben. mean to businesses. Apprenticeships business, including the use of videos to the helm. They provide specialist services MarketInvoice was in touch with Malcolm Is your business eligible? will be important in helping deliver promote your product or services. If it As usual, BusinessTime in Essex Editor, to the computer industry including within a matter of hours, taking time to the skills needed in the construction all gets a bit too stressful thinking about Peter Richardson, has put together refurbishment and testing as well as Your business may be eligible3 to fund really understand the business and the sector and as part of our engagement these then we also have a workshop on another set of interesting stories from the repair and storage of PC and EPOS some of its invoices if: funding requirement. with Ministers we have also met with stress management in the workplace to businesses large and small in Essex equipment. Their combination of specialist • you sell goods or services to other “It was evident that MarketInvoice shares the Apprenticeship Minister, Anne help relax you. IT technical skills, experience and businesses (B2B) and I hope you enjoy reading them. We our core service values to deliver the best Milton MP, to brief her on some of the are a county of great entrepreneurs resources is unparalleled in the market. • your business is a limited company If you are an exporter, we are here to possible outcomes for our mutual clients,” challenges businesses face in getting help you too. Whilst we still don’t know and I enjoy celebrating them every day Over the years, Malcolm has worked with says Ben. “It was a pleasure to work with or limited liability partnership (LLP) suitably skilled staff. what is going to happen with exports in my work with Essex Chambers of a wide variety of top-name clients, from MarketInvoice and a fantastic opportunity registered in the UK leading supermarkets and department to offer a valuable new solution to • you have a minimum turnover of at Our ability to get to key ministers is an to the EU, we are helping businesses Commerce. stores to IT manufacturers and telecom my client. I very much look forward least £100,000, with no bankruptcy companies. The margins are very strengthening our partnership and working or insolvency proceedings against competitive in his line of work, so cash ow with them more closely in future.” your business or any of its directors. is always on his mind. Now, Malcolm doesn’t have to worry about To fund your whole debtor book your Have you tried our new shopping basket? “We’d been using supplier nance for waiting 60 days for his clients to pay. With business must have: many years as a way of paying our NO, we’re not running a you to purchase tickets to more than is the only way we get information MarketInvoice, he can turn outstanding • an annual turnover of at least suppliers on credit,” says Malcolm. “But last one of our events whenever you want. about all our events direct to you. If you invoices into cash straightaway. £500,000 supermarket but we have year, we won contracts with new big-name If you are a member, as an additional don’t want to receive them you can, “The cash ow squeeze we were dealing • been trading for a minimum of two introduced a feature of the clients where this wasn’t an option. Having bene t, if you access the system through of course, opt out but then you won’t to cover upfront supplier costs before with last year was really stressful,” adds years Chambers’ website loved by the members’ section of the website know what you are missing out on and getting paid for the work put a real strain Malcolm, “so it was a massive relief to get • a compatible accountancy package. when you are making a booking, your what opportunities we are giving you to on our cash ow.” it sorted quickly and get back to business other online retailers - the as usual. The team at MarketInvoice has online shopping basket. personal details will automatically be engage with other businesses across the Once work for these clients was completed, made the whole thing very easy. entered using the information from your county. STS2000 had to wait up to 60 days to be We don’t get many, if any, complaints membership. If you are not a member Finally, a request. Not to buy more paid. With so much of their cash tied up in “This was the rst time I had come across outstanding invoices, covering fortnightly an invoice nance solution that lets you about our events, but one grumble then this is one more reason why you tickets from us, though we hope you choose which invoices to fund. With that has come up time and time again should be! will, but to let us know how easy you is about being able to buy tickets for nd our online booking system or how 1 We’ll refer you to MarketInvoice, which is a separate legal entity to Barclays. We have a commercial interest in their business. If your application is approved, the product will be provided and Talking of our events, you will no doubt administered by MarketInovice and you’ll be asked to accept their terms, conditions and operations. A portion of the revenue will be shared with Barclays Bank UK PLC. more than one event at a time. In fact, be aware of the various marketing we could improve our email marketing 2 Charges may apply when using a mobile phone or when calling from abroad previously you couldn’t do it online so to you. If we don’t hear from you at 3 Subject to application, industry and/or sector. Terms and conditions apply. emails that we are sending out about Barclays Bank UK PLC. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register we have added a ‘shopping basket’ to the them. We know that sometimes such [email protected] we’ll No. 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322 Registered Of ce: 1Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank UK PLC adheres to The Standards of Lending Practice which is monitored and enforced by The Lending Standards Board. Further details can be found at www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk. booking section of our website to enable things can prove a nuisance but this assume we’re getting it right!

8 Barclays has partnered with Supporting business MarketInvoice to help businesses in a myriad of ways turn outstanding invoices into cash important aspect of our work and, in addition to the two mentioned above, When landing big-name clients meant putting an end to supplier  nance, Malcolm Watson needed to rethink his we have also taken a group of exporters Denise Rossiter, Chief Executive 1 to Westminster to meet the Trade Policy company’s cash ow strategy. Here’s how his bank, Barclays, worked with MarketInvoice to  nd an invoicing of Essex Chambers of Commerce, Minister, George Hollingbery MP. It is solution that could keep up. re ects o n the varied nature of the important Ministers hear rst-hand how Chambers’ work and its overriding payroll had become a MarketInvoice, I have KNOW we say it all the time, businesses are doing and what needs to objective which is to support the challenge. total  exibility. I get the but I really don’t know where be done to support them. We are there multitude of businesses operating “Some of the team have cash I need, when I need to do just that. this year has gone. It doesn’t across Essex. been working here since it. It just works.” I An area where we are having real they left school,” Malcolm Having invoice nance seem that long ago that we success is the Business Crime Strategic explains. “I’ve known them in place means that were celebrating Christmas and HEN William Watson Board that we set up in partnership with for years. When you’re a STS2000 can ful l its now Easter has come and gone make sure they are as prepared as they founded STS2000 in small business, your staff commitments – both Essex Police and the Police Fire & Crime can be for the future. We are running a Commissioner. Already we have seen 1997, self-checkout are like family so making to its staff and their and we have summer on the variety of training courses on exporting W sure they get paid on time clients. With easy access the creation of a dedicated Business tills had only just been horizon. delivered by experts in their eld and has to be a priority.” to funding, Malcolm can Crime Team within the Police and we designed to help you succeed. Get in introduced in the UK. A little keep business running In the recent local council elections, we will be working with them to help shape Malcolm has had a touch to nd out more. over 20 years later, it’s hard to business account with smoothly. have seen some changes in the make-up their policies in tackling crimes against believe there was a time before It’s not all work though and we have Barclays for 45 years. Want to fi nd out of the council chamber. As a Chamber businesses of all types around the shoppers could single-handedly Knowing he’d need to of Commerce, we hope any changes county. our usual round of networking events. Rob Gall more? We like to think that ours are that scan and process their own look for another funding that happen will be positive ones as our On a different theme entirely, we have solution, he didn’t hesitate to get in purchases. Providing IT support Visit https://www.barclays.co.uk/business- councils can have a major impact on been developing the training that we bit different to some others on offer touch with his Relationship Manager, Ben banking/borrow/invoice- nance/ how well our members’ businesses will in Essex with some interesting new services to the major players Chapman. Barclays’ partnership with offer Chamber members, and non- in this multi-billion-pound Barclays business managers are here to do in the next few years. members, around the county. Our venues and some interesting speakers MarketInvoice had just been launched, and to entertain you. I say entertain as we industry has become STS2000’s Ben saw that invoice nance would be a share their expertise and support you and Recently we met with Kit Malthouse popular courses on GDPR and cyber- believe that everything we do should be bread and butter. good t. your cash ow journey so please get in MP, the Housing Minister, to hear security will be continuing and we have enjoyable and that you should leave our “In this time-critical scenario, it was touch by contacting Rob Gall, Barclays Area more about some of the Government’s new courses helping you develop your 2 events with a positive feeling, something STS2000 remains a family-run business imperative to identify a speedy solution to Business Manager, on 07775 543586. plans on housing and what they might skills in the use of social media for your that’s de nitely needed at the moment. with William’s son-in-law, Malcolm, at meet the client’s required needs,” says Ben. mean to businesses. Apprenticeships business, including the use of videos to the helm. They provide specialist services MarketInvoice was in touch with Malcolm Is your business eligible? will be important in helping deliver promote your product or services. If it As usual, BusinessTime in Essex Editor, to the computer industry including within a matter of hours, taking time to the skills needed in the construction all gets a bit too stressful thinking about Peter Richardson, has put together refurbishment and testing as well as Your business may be eligible3 to fund really understand the business and the sector and as part of our engagement these then we also have a workshop on another set of interesting stories from the repair and storage of PC and EPOS some of its invoices if: funding requirement. with Ministers we have also met with stress management in the workplace to businesses large and small in Essex equipment. Their combination of specialist • you sell goods or services to other “It was evident that MarketInvoice shares the Apprenticeship Minister, Anne help relax you. IT technical skills, experience and businesses (B2B) and I hope you enjoy reading them. We our core service values to deliver the best Milton MP, to brief her on some of the are a county of great entrepreneurs resources is unparalleled in the market. • your business is a limited company If you are an exporter, we are here to possible outcomes for our mutual clients,” challenges businesses face in getting help you too. Whilst we still don’t know and I enjoy celebrating them every day Over the years, Malcolm has worked with says Ben. “It was a pleasure to work with or limited liability partnership (LLP) suitably skilled staff. what is going to happen with exports in my work with Essex Chambers of a wide variety of top-name clients, from MarketInvoice and a fantastic opportunity registered in the UK leading supermarkets and department to offer a valuable new solution to • you have a minimum turnover of at Our ability to get to key ministers is an to the EU, we are helping businesses Commerce. stores to IT manufacturers and telecom my client. I very much look forward least £100,000, with no bankruptcy companies. The margins are very strengthening our partnership and working or insolvency proceedings against competitive in his line of work, so cash ow with them more closely in future.” your business or any of its directors. is always on his mind. Now, Malcolm doesn’t have to worry about To fund your whole debtor book your Have you tried our new shopping basket? “We’d been using supplier nance for waiting 60 days for his clients to pay. With business must have: many years as a way of paying our NO, we’re not running a you to purchase tickets to more than is the only way we get information MarketInvoice, he can turn outstanding • an annual turnover of at least suppliers on credit,” says Malcolm. “But last one of our events whenever you want. about all our events direct to you. If you invoices into cash straightaway. £500,000 supermarket but we have year, we won contracts with new big-name If you are a member, as an additional don’t want to receive them you can, “The cash ow squeeze we were dealing • been trading for a minimum of two introduced a feature of the clients where this wasn’t an option. Having bene t, if you access the system through of course, opt out but then you won’t to cover upfront supplier costs before with last year was really stressful,” adds years Chambers’ website loved by the members’ section of the website know what you are missing out on and getting paid for the work put a real strain Malcolm, “so it was a massive relief to get • a compatible accountancy package. when you are making a booking, your what opportunities we are giving you to on our cash ow.” it sorted quickly and get back to business other online retailers - the as usual. The team at MarketInvoice has online shopping basket. personal details will automatically be engage with other businesses across the Once work for these clients was completed, made the whole thing very easy. entered using the information from your county. STS2000 had to wait up to 60 days to be We don’t get many, if any, complaints membership. If you are not a member Finally, a request. Not to buy more paid. With so much of their cash tied up in “This was the rst time I had come across outstanding invoices, covering fortnightly an invoice nance solution that lets you about our events, but one grumble then this is one more reason why you tickets from us, though we hope you choose which invoices to fund. With that has come up time and time again should be! will, but to let us know how easy you is about being able to buy tickets for nd our online booking system or how 1 We’ll refer you to MarketInvoice, which is a separate legal entity to Barclays. We have a commercial interest in their business. If your application is approved, the product will be provided and Talking of our events, you will no doubt administered by MarketInovice and you’ll be asked to accept their terms, conditions and operations. A portion of the revenue will be shared with Barclays Bank UK PLC. more than one event at a time. In fact, be aware of the various marketing we could improve our email marketing 2 Charges may apply when using a mobile phone or when calling from abroad previously you couldn’t do it online so to you. If we don’t hear from you at 3 Subject to application, industry and/or sector. Terms and conditions apply. emails that we are sending out about Barclays Bank UK PLC. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register we have added a ‘shopping basket’ to the them. We know that sometimes such [email protected] we’ll No. 759676). Registered in England. Registered no. 9740322 Registered Of ce: 1Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank UK PLC adheres to The Standards of Lending Practice which is monitored and enforced by The Lending Standards Board. Further details can be found at www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk. booking section of our website to enable things can prove a nuisance but this assume we’re getting it right!

9 Accelerate innovation in your business

If you’re looking to develop a new Sector-wide expertise product or improve a process, At Essex we work with businesses from IT, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships telecoms, logistics, finance, defence, agriculture and manufacturing. Our current KTP portfolio focuses (KTPs) at the University of Essex on areas such as data science, embedded systems, can give your business a competitive artificial intelligence, big data and robotics. advantage. The benefits of partnership KTPs are an established and successful initiative, n Access to highly qualified and motivated graduates funded by Innovate UK and research councils, that n Links to university expertise bring together businesses with research expertise. n Innovative solutions to help your business grow They’re a three-way partnership between your business, a leading academic and a high-calibre n Ideas to help develop your company for today’s postgraduate associate and can last between markets 12 months and three years. n Investment in research and development

n KTPs are eligible for R&D tax credits

The facts

TOP TOP TOP 5 20 3

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Robert Walker, Head of Business Engagement Talk to us about University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park Colchester, CO4 3SQ collaboration and joining T 01206 874076 E [email protected] our business community www.essex.ac.uk/business

10 Planning ahead to make the most of new tax year 1. Consider using the Annual Investment 3. Plan your salary as owner, shareholder Allowance (AIA) to invest in your or director with tax liabilities in mind: business: AIAs are a capital allowance where possible, it’s important for that can be used by you to invest in shareholders and owners to consider assets that you keep to use in your restricting their income to reduce tax business, often referred to as ‘plant and liabilities by considering the relevant machinery’. income bands (£37,500 for basic rate Planning for a new tax year is nobody’s From 1 January 2019, the AIA amount (20%), up to £150,000 for higher rate idea of fun. In fact, most businesses increased to £1 million and 100% (40%), and over £150,000 additional rate are breathing an audible sigh of relief of this can be claimed. While many (45%)). Another important consideration after completing and  ling their year- businesses are aware of AIA, some is the effective tax rate for those earning between £100,000 and £125,000, which end returns. However, now is an ideal don’t comprehend the implications of amounts to 60%. You can reduce your tax time to look forward to a new  nancial committing to the investment and how liabilities by deferring income, making year and review the business’ medium the bene ts are structured, especially the pension payments or giving income- to long term goals. Lee Styles, Tax speci c rules which apply to straddling yielding assets to spouses/civil partners Associate at Rickard Luckin, offers periods. Think about this and discuss with lower income. Tax savings can also these  ve top tips to making the most with your accountant to ensure you’re be made by business owners where their of a new tax year. taking advantage of opportunities to children participate in the business by advance your business and its assets. making use of their personal allowances. 2. Plan your Research and Development 4. Be aware of upcoming tax incentives: in Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS) (R&D) timeline: if you’re looking to from 1 April 2020, the Corporation Tax advance in your industry and your work rate will reduce to 17% (down from 19%). and Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) are a relates to science or technology, you In order to bene t from this, businesses way to reduce the income tax liability could be eligible for R&D relief. Like all may wish to defer generating income by up to 30% of the amount invested. good tax planning, it’s best to speak to and make full use of their allowances The maximum amount you can invest your accountant about this early in the and deductions at the lower rate. Discuss year so they can con rm if you qualify this with your accountant to make per year on which you can claim and plan your tax year accordingly. Small sure you’re making the most of this income tax relief for is £200,000 for VCT and medium sized enterprises (SME) opportunity. and £1 million for EIS. Although these — those who have less than 500 staff 5. Clever tax planning can benefi t schemes can be effective, there is an and have a turnover of under €100m — everyone: for the tax year 2019-2020, element of risk involved so do speak to can qualify for up to a 230% deduction everyone can take advantage of on their yearly pro t on qualifying the maximum £20,000 tax-free ISA your accountant before making a nal expenditure. allowance. For higher earners, investing decision.

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12 Campaigning together to secure A120 dualling

HE A120 is a major economic campaigned with Essex Chambers of corridor linking Stansted Commerce and Essex County Council to Airport to Harwich port and secure the funding needed to get the A120 T dualled. I have held debates in Parliament and also links Colchester and Braintree, met and questioned Government ministers Priti Patel, MP for Witham, states the two key towns for economic growth extensively to put our case for investment importance of businesses throwing and regeneration. Almost all major across. their support behind the campaign to businesses and many SMEs in the Having persuaded the Government to jointly secure dualling for the A120. fund a feasibility study with Essex County county would have used it at some Council, route options have been consulted on point and will be familiar with the and a proposed favoured route has emerged. delays, congestion and accidents This proposal will link Braintree to the A12 now. Other schemes across the country also which pose a risk to human life, close to Kelvedon and would provide road want access to the limited pot of funding disrupt journeys and ultimately users with a modern new road. A strong case which is available. I will continue to make the is already being put forward to include this case in Parliament and raise with Government can cost individual businesses scheme in the next Road Investment Strategy thousands of pounds a year. ministers directly while at a local level I for the period 2020 to 2025. am working with the Essex Chambers of That means increased costs for It is estimated there would be £350 million in Commerce and Essex County Council to bring business, fewer jobs and our fi rms bene ts to freight traf c, improved journey together the voices of business. being less competitive. times valued at £48 million, fewer accidents, less traf c through local villages and over To do this effectively we need your help. The single carriageway stretch which runs £2 billion in gross value added to the local Your views on the road, its impact on your between Marks Tey and Braintree through economy through new jobs, business and businesses and comments in support for the my constituency is already regarded as being housing. Investment in dualling the A120 dualling scheme could make all the difference one of the most dangerous roads in England alongside the widening of the A12 will send to persuading the Government to back Essex and is not t for purpose for the volumes out a powerful signal to investors that our and back the A120. If you would like to join of traf c using it. A decade ago, a proposed county is open for business. our campaign and speak up in support of scheme to dual this road was abandoned but While we have a strong and robust case for the dualling of the A120, get in touch with now we have a new opportunity to secure the investment, we must continue to press and my of ce at [email protected] or investment needed to upgrade this road. persuade the Government of the merits of on 020 7219 3528 or write to me at House of Since being elected in 2010, I have committing to fund the A120 dualling scheme Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.

13 30:30 Essex challenges workplaces Why so blue? The state HE Active Essex From taking a brisk lunchtime walk to getting Foundation, a charity involved with a local dance or tness class, of accountants’ websites cycling to work or signing up for a Parkrun, providing life-changing T there are plenty of activities for individuals, support to Essex communities families and workplaces to take part in. in Essex in 2019 through sport and physical Regular daily exercise is proven to lead to activity, has launched a great personal bene ts, such as increased E analysed one hundred viewers to get in touch. energy and stamina, positive mental well- accountants’ websites The results? There is, shall we say, ‘room for campaign to tackle high levels improvement’. The most apparent cause for Prosper provides branding, being and improved sociability from joining across 12 towns in concern (with some notable exceptions) is website design and marketing of inactivity in Essex. activity sessions and meeting new people. It W Essex, based on the results that clearly the vast majority of accountants for accountants and  nancial can also improve concentration at work. do very little to differentiate themselves from Currently, the level of physical activity returned from Google Maps consultants. As part of its ongoing one another via what is arguably their most Jason Fergus, Trustee of the Active Essex in Essex is 26%, higher than the national when searching for the term important marketing asset. research into the market, it decided Foundation and Head of Active Essex and average of 25.1%. The 30:30 Essex challenge ‘Accountants in Town Name’ for The rst thing we noticed was that many of to conduct a survey into the state the Essex Local Delivery Pilot, recently spoke hopes to tackle these levels of inactivity by example. the websites lacked any real structure to the of accountants’ websites in Essex. inviting everybody in Essex to complete 30 about tackling the root cause of inactivity way they presented written information to Prosper’s Ben Stanbury reveals the minutes of physical activity for 30 days in the at Elevate, the UK’s leading trade event for We wanted to search for accountants in a way their viewers. Overly wordy, busy page layouts results. month of June. physical activity. we felt that anyone might do so themselves if confused the eye, and often any discernible Spencer Pratten they turned to Google and felt location-based hierarchy of information (such as a clear results were a fair and democratic way to positioning statement) was not present. He said: “Essex is proud to have some approach this. This lack of differentiation extended to the an SSL certi cate, and 18% were not mobile- friendly. The average number of social media fantastic sports and physical activity We didn’t use any special software to look at choice of predominant brand colour. 59% of facilities and local clubs, but unfortunately site metrics, other than free tools provided by the websites we looked at chose blue as a links was1.7 (Twitter and Linkedin) and the average number of Google reviews was 2.1. not all residents are aware of the Google and Mozilla, and of course, using our main or secondary colour. This breaks down However, it’s not all bad news. Hats off in no opportunities that are out there and the own trusty eyes. We looked at some technical into 34% using blue only, and 25% using blue and a secondary colour. Blue may be the particular order to Lucentum, Number Cloud, bene ts of getting active. metrics (which would affect the quality of the Working Well in Essex viewer’s experience) and we looked at some accepted colour of trust but it’s also the colour CBHC and Ellacott Morris for a combination of “The 30:30 Essex challenge is all about elements of the site design itself (colours, of cliche in this industry it seems. stand-out design, attention-grabbing colour, A FREE healthy lifestyle programme reinforcing the importance of living hierarchy of information etc). Performance-wise, on average most websites use of illustration or catchy copy that made for businesses in Essex a healthier and more active lifestyle, We also looked at factors such as whether the performed fairly in Google Lighthouse for memorable websites that stood out among a sea of blue. connecting residents with the range of site contained a blog, calls to actions or links rankings of performance, accessibility, best practice, and SEO, (with average scores out of activities / sports clubs in their region and to social media pro les to see which practices To view and download the full illustrated were really demonstrating their expertise and 100 of 64, 70, 75 and 88 respectively. report visit the Prosper website at hopefully overcoming some of the barriers engagement, and if they were encouraging Alarmingly, 42% of sites tested did not have www.prosper-agency.com/resources that lead to inactivity in the process. There are no targets to beat, no mountains to climb, just 30 minutes, for 30 days, your way!” Chelmsford’s Spencer Pratten, 64, captain of England’s Walking Football squad, is one of 30 champions of this year’s campaign who will inspire 30:30 Essex participants with his story this June. He said, “I have always been a lover of sport and football in particular. Walking football has simply changed my life and has shown me that there are opportunities to keep active out there for everyone, no matter what age I am! “I’m very excited to be supporting and taking part in this year’s 30:30 Essex campaign. Staff benefits include: It really is as simple as taking a brisk walk every-day and perhaps building up to Free staff NHS and lifestyle checks something more like trying out a Walking Free NVQ L2 standard training for Workplace football session!” Health Champions Free Mental Health First Aid England training Sports clubs and organisations in Essex are encouraged to add their June activities on the Managers and Staff Stress Awareness training 30:30 Essex open activity map for a chance of On-going support for Workplace Health Champions Employer benefits include: winning a prize of up to £750 for their club. Confidential on-line staff survey Improved productivity Families who want to set a bigger challenge NHS Stop Smoking support Reduced sickness absence can also sign up to the rst 30:30 Essex Healthy eating and physical activity Obstacle Race in Thorndon Country Park, Enhanced employee engagement interventions for staff near Brentwood on June 29. Most importantly, Improved corporate image within the community And much more! all funds raised from the race will go to the This service is commissioned by: Active Essex Foundation charity and will help For more details contact Essex Lifestyle Service support sport and physical activity projects 0300 303 9988 or email: [email protected] in Essex. www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk For more information and to sign up to this year’s 30:30 Essex challenge, please visit PFL-2432-1825-02 www.3030essex.com.

14 30:30 Essex challenges workplaces Why so blue? The state HE Active Essex From taking a brisk lunchtime walk to getting Foundation, a charity involved with a local dance or tness class, of accountants’ websites cycling to work or signing up for a Parkrun, providing life-changing T there are plenty of activities for individuals, support to Essex communities families and workplaces to take part in. in Essex in 2019 through sport and physical Regular daily exercise is proven to lead to activity, has launched a great personal bene ts, such as increased E analysed one hundred viewers to get in touch. energy and stamina, positive mental well- accountants’ websites The results? There is, shall we say, ‘room for campaign to tackle high levels improvement’. The most apparent cause for Prosper provides branding, being and improved sociability from joining across 12 towns in concern (with some notable exceptions) is website design and marketing of inactivity in Essex. activity sessions and meeting new people. It W Essex, based on the results that clearly the vast majority of accountants for accountants and  nancial can also improve concentration at work. do very little to differentiate themselves from Currently, the level of physical activity returned from Google Maps consultants. As part of its ongoing one another via what is arguably their most Jason Fergus, Trustee of the Active Essex in Essex is 26%, higher than the national when searching for the term important marketing asset. research into the market, it decided Foundation and Head of Active Essex and average of 25.1%. The 30:30 Essex challenge ‘Accountants in Town Name’ for The rst thing we noticed was that many of to conduct a survey into the state the Essex Local Delivery Pilot, recently spoke hopes to tackle these levels of inactivity by example. the websites lacked any real structure to the of accountants’ websites in Essex. inviting everybody in Essex to complete 30 about tackling the root cause of inactivity way they presented written information to Prosper’s Ben Stanbury reveals the minutes of physical activity for 30 days in the at Elevate, the UK’s leading trade event for We wanted to search for accountants in a way their viewers. Overly wordy, busy page layouts results. month of June. physical activity. we felt that anyone might do so themselves if confused the eye, and often any discernible Spencer Pratten they turned to Google and felt location-based hierarchy of information (such as a clear results were a fair and democratic way to positioning statement) was not present. He said: “Essex is proud to have some approach this. This lack of differentiation extended to the an SSL certi cate, and 18% were not mobile- friendly. The average number of social media fantastic sports and physical activity We didn’t use any special software to look at choice of predominant brand colour. 59% of facilities and local clubs, but unfortunately site metrics, other than free tools provided by the websites we looked at chose blue as a links was1.7 (Twitter and Linkedin) and the average number of Google reviews was 2.1. not all residents are aware of the Google and Mozilla, and of course, using our main or secondary colour. This breaks down However, it’s not all bad news. Hats off in no opportunities that are out there and the own trusty eyes. We looked at some technical into 34% using blue only, and 25% using blue and a secondary colour. Blue may be the particular order to Lucentum, Number Cloud, bene ts of getting active. metrics (which would affect the quality of the Working Well in Essex viewer’s experience) and we looked at some accepted colour of trust but it’s also the colour CBHC and Ellacott Morris for a combination of “The 30:30 Essex challenge is all about elements of the site design itself (colours, of cliche in this industry it seems. stand-out design, attention-grabbing colour, A FREE healthy lifestyle programme reinforcing the importance of living hierarchy of information etc). Performance-wise, on average most websites use of illustration or catchy copy that made for businesses in Essex a healthier and more active lifestyle, We also looked at factors such as whether the performed fairly in Google Lighthouse for memorable websites that stood out among a sea of blue. connecting residents with the range of site contained a blog, calls to actions or links rankings of performance, accessibility, best practice, and SEO, (with average scores out of activities / sports clubs in their region and to social media pro les to see which practices To view and download the full illustrated were really demonstrating their expertise and 100 of 64, 70, 75 and 88 respectively. report visit the Prosper website at hopefully overcoming some of the barriers engagement, and if they were encouraging Alarmingly, 42% of sites tested did not have www.prosper-agency.com/resources that lead to inactivity in the process. There are no targets to beat, no mountains to climb, just 30 minutes, for 30 days, your way!” Chelmsford’s Spencer Pratten, 64, captain of England’s Walking Football squad, is one of 30 champions of this year’s campaign who will inspire 30:30 Essex participants with his story this June. He said, “I have always been a lover of sport and football in particular. Walking football has simply changed my life and has shown me that there are opportunities to keep active out there for everyone, no matter what age I am! “I’m very excited to be supporting and taking part in this year’s 30:30 Essex campaign. Staff benefits include: It really is as simple as taking a brisk walk every-day and perhaps building up to Free staff NHS and lifestyle checks something more like trying out a Walking Free NVQ L2 standard training for Workplace football session!” Health Champions Free Mental Health First Aid England training Sports clubs and organisations in Essex are encouraged to add their June activities on the Managers and Staff Stress Awareness training 30:30 Essex open activity map for a chance of On-going support for Workplace Health Champions Employer benefits include: winning a prize of up to £750 for their club. Confidential on-line staff survey Improved productivity Families who want to set a bigger challenge NHS Stop Smoking support Reduced sickness absence can also sign up to the rst 30:30 Essex Healthy eating and physical activity Obstacle Race in Thorndon Country Park, Enhanced employee engagement interventions for staff near Brentwood on June 29. Most importantly, Improved corporate image within the community And much more! all funds raised from the race will go to the This service is commissioned by: Active Essex Foundation charity and will help For more details contact Essex Lifestyle Service support sport and physical activity projects 0300 303 9988 or email: [email protected] in Essex. www.essexlifestyleservice.org.uk For more information and to sign up to this year’s 30:30 Essex challenge, please visit PFL-2432-1825-02 www.3030essex.com.

15 Businesses – gain clout, go cloud-side!

AM noticing a trend among the us: “The KS Connect team has been highly more dynamic owner-managed  exible in scoping service speci cation and monthly fees to our business needs. They businesses that I work with at I remain responsive to our appetite for Nicki Savill, director of business Kingston Smith. The ones with adopting new cloud-based accounting outsourcing at Kingston Smith, tools to keep improving the ef ciency of PLMR is an award winning public affairs, PR and digital real fi re in their belly are not explores the bene ts of cloud afraid of embracing technology. our ways of working and ultimately our marketing agency. We are the only full service public affairs members’ experience. In a nutshell, they accounting for owner-managed They are forward-thinking and have made our accounting function pain- businesses. Kingston Smith is a top agency in the East of England. Based in the heart of always looking to future-proof their free!” 20 accounting and business advisory Chelmsford, with offices in Norwich and Cambridge, our business. One particularly pertinent example I’m  rm with an of ce in Romford, Essex. seeing these days is how readily these locally based consultants provide: They know that digital solutions are the forward-thinking business owners are way to make their business as streamlined embracing Making Tax Digital (MTD). and automated as possible. It’s these Rather than seeing it as a compliance nances, these businesses often prosper businesses that will thrive in the future. burden, they have their eye on the end- more quickly.” These business owners want a tailored game not the immediate obstacle. They To nd out how MTD can bene t your PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS  exible approach that will enhance their see that, once all the systems are set up, business and drive its ef ciency, come to day-to-day business operations. Our becoming MTD-compliant is actually our seminar for Essex business owners on a side bene t to the entire process of cloud-accounting platform, KS Connect, Wednesday 26 June. The ‘Embracing MTD optimising their business’s ef ciency and gives them access to real-time nancial to help your business prosper’ seminar information about their business’s robustness. promises to be a lively and inspiring PR AND MEDIA RELATIONS performance, monitors their KPIs and We partner with Xero, one of the leading produces benchmarking reports. This discussion. For more information and to MTD-compliant software platforms. Gary sign up, visit www.kingstonsmith.co.uk/ critical insight helps them make better Turner, co-founder and MD of Xero, said: event/making-tax-digital-3 business decisions, plan ahead and handle “Small business owners may see Making any tricky cash  ow issues. Tax Digital as another thorn in their So, don’t be daunted by change. Channel PLANNING COMMUNICATIONS Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West side, but our research also shows that, that re in your belly, get with the cloud London Business, said after working with once business owners get on top of their and look to the future.

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and specialisms from health and • MAKE SURE YOU COMPLY WITH THE LAW. social care, education, the built Asbestos is a killer, so it is hard to believe it was used so extensively in years gone by, in buildings and domestic Wood & MDF Dust, Weld Fumes, Paint Spray Fumes, Norwich environment, financial services, appliances. It was not until 1999 that asbestos was fully banned Grain Dust, Flour Dust, Vehicle Exhaust Fumes. energy and many more. in all new builds. The ban also made it illegal to manufacture and supply asbestos products in the UK. Cambridge To get in touch to discuss your If you have concerns over the presence of asbestos in your contact the LEV Man now communications needs please email home or commercial building, we can arrange a survey and advise on how to manage or remove it. Chelmsford [email protected] or call 0741 586 Telephone: 01206 240370 or 5676. Tel: 01322 273517 and speak to one of our Email: [email protected] consultants. The LEV Man Hophouse, Colchester Road, West Bergholt, CO6 3TJ INNER CIT Y www.thelevman.co.uk ENVIRONMENTAL 10% Discount for Essex Chambers Members www.innercityenvironmental.co.uk

16 Businesses – gain clout, go cloud-side!

AM noticing a trend among the us: “The KS Connect team has been highly more dynamic owner-managed  exible in scoping service speci cation and monthly fees to our business needs. They businesses that I work with at I remain responsive to our appetite for Nicki Savill, director of business Kingston Smith. The ones with adopting new cloud-based accounting outsourcing at Kingston Smith, tools to keep improving the ef ciency of real fi re in their belly are not explores the bene ts of cloud afraid of embracing technology. our ways of working and ultimately our members’ experience. In a nutshell, they accounting for owner-managed They are forward-thinking and have made our accounting function pain- businesses. Kingston Smith is a top always looking to future-proof their free!” 20 accounting and business advisory business. One particularly pertinent example I’m  rm with an of ce in Romford, Essex. seeing these days is how readily these They know that digital solutions are the forward-thinking business owners are way to make their business as streamlined embracing Making Tax Digital (MTD). and automated as possible. It’s these Rather than seeing it as a compliance nances, these businesses often prosper businesses that will thrive in the future. burden, they have their eye on the end- more quickly.” These business owners want a tailored game not the immediate obstacle. They To nd out how MTD can bene t your  exible approach that will enhance their see that, once all the systems are set up, business and drive its ef ciency, come to day-to-day business operations. Our becoming MTD-compliant is actually our seminar for Essex business owners on a side bene t to the entire process of cloud-accounting platform, KS Connect, Wednesday 26 June. The ‘Embracing MTD optimising their business’s ef ciency and gives them access to real-time nancial to help your business prosper’ seminar information about their business’s robustness. promises to be a lively and inspiring performance, monitors their KPIs and We partner with Xero, one of the leading produces benchmarking reports. This discussion. For more information and to MTD-compliant software platforms. Gary sign up, visit www.kingstonsmith.co.uk/ critical insight helps them make better Turner, co-founder and MD of Xero, said: event/making-tax-digital-3 business decisions, plan ahead and handle “Small business owners may see Making any tricky cash  ow issues. Tax Digital as another thorn in their So, don’t be daunted by change. Channel Andrew Dakers, Chief Executive of West side, but our research also shows that, that re in your belly, get with the cloud London Business, said after working with once business owners get on top of their and look to the future.

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• YOUR DUST AND FUME EXTRACTION SYSTEM MUST BE TESTED BY LAW. • BE SAFE IN THE KNOWLEDGE YOUR STAFF ARE SAFE FROM INHALING HARMFUL SUBSTANCES. • MAKE SURE YOU COMPLY WITH THE LAW. Asbestos is a killer, so it is hard to believe it was used so extensively in years gone by, in buildings and domestic Wood & MDF Dust, Weld Fumes, Paint Spray Fumes,

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17 Essex led project could unlock £26m to boost business productivity in the East HE University of Essex is will submit their bids to UKRI in late UK Industrial Strategy to stimulate leading a £50,000 project 2019. greater investment in Research and Development to drive innovation.” that could bring further If successful, Essex is looking to secure T £26m to carry out projects designed to Essex will work alongside the University Government investment worth drive substantial economic growth in of Hertfordshire, Middlesex University, up to £26m to the Eastern the region. the John Innes Centre, Rothamsted region to help local industries The University of Essex-led bid aims to Research and NIAB and has full increase productivity. improve the productivity of the local support of South East Local Enterprise rural industry by improving its value Partnership, Essex County Council and Essex is one of 24 ambitious projects and supply chains by bringing together Herts Local Enterprise Partnership. that received early-stage funding from researchers, industry and primary Agri-Tech East, the East of England Agri UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) producers. business network, is also a key partner to develop full-stage bids that could Dr Robert Singh, Deputy Director to the bid. lead to signi cant economic growth in (Enterprise) at the University of Essex, The East of England is uniquely placed places across the country. said: “The University of Essex is to undertake this programme of Each of the shortlisted projects from delighted to be the lead partner on this innovation in having both substantial the rst wave of the UKRI’s Strength in exciting project that will for the rst capabilities from the University of Essex Places Fund has been awarded up to time bring together researchers and and local industry but also a largely £50,000 in early-stage funding, which primary producers from across the East rural geography where communities will allow applicants to develop full- of England. This regional intervention would directly bene t from the stage bids. Teams behind these projects is in line with the objectives of the improvements in productivity forecast.

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Legal 500 Leading Individual, Richard Porter, leads the TSP Legal 500 Top Tier rated Employment Law team at TSP. He was joined in 2019 by Jolyon Berry, providing further heavy weight support for TSP’s Employment Law clients. Richard Porter Jolyon Berry The team, which includes Sam Welham and Naomi Baker, provides clients with a broad spectrum of legal advice and guidance on all aspects of Employment Law. They can work closely with you and your business to help ensure that your business is operating to the current legal requirements, providing practical advice on a wide range of policies and procedures.

18 Essex led project could unlock The top three meeting must-haves HERE are several important such as the unique and historic Colchester elements that need Castle, Colchester Events Company has something for everyone. considering when it comes to £26m to boost business T Technology: in today’s high-tech world, booking a meeting or conference delegates will expect meeting rooms to be space. From the number of fully equipped with the latest technology, delegates that the meeting venue especially when making presentations productivity in the East or speeches to a larger audience. All of can hold, to the refreshments available, and the technology Colchester Events Company’s venues HE University of Essex is will submit their bids to UKRI in late UK Industrial Strategy to stimulate come complete with AV equipment and 2019. greater investment in Research and needed to make your event a high-speed gigabit Wi-Fi, meaning your leading a £50,000 project success, you need to keep a variety delegates or guests can stay connected If successful, Essex is looking to secure Development to drive innovation.” that could bring further of factors in mind to ensure your for the duration of their stay. As well as T £26m to carry out projects designed to Essex will work alongside the University this, all its spaces can be adapted to suit Government investment worth drive substantial economic growth in of Hertfordshire, Middlesex University, event runs smoothly. the needs of delegates, with a variety of the region. up to £26m to the Eastern the John Innes Centre, Rothamsted One of the most crucial considerations is table and seating arrangements easily region to help local industries The University of Essex-led bid aims to Research and NIAB and has full nding a meeting space that is  exible. incorporated into your events plans. increase productivity. improve the productivity of the local support of South East Local Enterprise This means that the event can be tailored Refreshments and catering: when rural industry by improving its value Partnership, Essex County Council and speci cally to your needs, something that it comes to event catering, meeting is extremely important for both corporate Essex is one of 24 ambitious projects and supply chains by bringing together Herts Local Enterprise Partnership. everyone’s requirements isn’t always and private events. straightforward. It’s highly likely some that received early-stage funding from researchers, industry and primary Agri-Tech East, the East of England Agri delegates may have speci c dietary business network, is also a key partner Colchester Events Company’s expert team UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) producers. have identi ed three key points to look for requirements such as vegan, vegetarian or to develop full-stage bids that could Dr Robert Singh, Deputy Director to the bid. when choosing a  exible venue. Colchester Town Hall gluten/dairy free. It’s therefore important lead to signi cant economic growth in (Enterprise) at the University of Essex, The East of England is uniquely placed Location: just 50 minutes by train from are all close to Colchester’s centre and the you have a wide-range of inclusive places across the country. said: “The University of Essex is to undertake this programme of central London, and minutes from the A12, excellent transport links that the town catering options available at the meeting Each of the shortlisted projects from delighted to be the lead partner on this innovation in having both substantial if convenience is what you need from your offers, meaning guests will have no trouble space to ensure everyone is catered for in meeting space, then Colchester has the getting to and from the meeting venues. an easy and stress-free manner. Colchester the rst wave of the UKRI’s Strength in exciting project that will for the rst capabilities from the University of Essex answer. Events Company can arrange award- Places Fund has been awarded up to time bring together researchers and and local industry but also a largely Whether you are looking for a location in Ensuring the venue is accessible to a wide the heart of the town such as Colchester’s winning catering teams who produce a £50,000 in early-stage funding, which primary producers from across the East rural geography where communities range of people is extremely important. impressive Town Hall, a larger space for sumptuous range of dishes, and before you will allow applicants to develop full- of England. This regional intervention would directly bene t from the Colchester Events Company has three conferences such as Charter Hall, or prefer book you can browse through an extensive stage bids. Teams behind these projects is in line with the objectives of the improvements in productivity forecast. excellent locations to choose from. They a meeting space with a stunning backdrop range of menus.

SOLICITORS fOR IndIvIduaLS We remove and buSIneSS commercial rubbish T 01206 574431 tsplegal.com simply, efficiently, cheaply Legal 500 Leading Individual, Richard 07748 628727 Waste carrying license Porter, leads the TSP Legal 500 Top Tier gandrwasteservices.co.uk number CBDU187862 rated Employment Law team at TSP. He was joined in 2019 by Jolyon Berry, providing Commercial removals, further heavy weight support for TSP’s refurbishment, storage Employment Law clients. or maintenance Richard Porter Jolyon Berry The team, which includes Sam Welham and We are the experts who turn your business problems into business-like solutions – Naomi Baker, provides clients with a broad spectrum of promptly, professionally and cost-eff ectively legal advice and guidance on all aspects of Employment Leadership and Management Trainers A trusted Essex family-run business for Law. They can work closely with you and your business Developing Your People more than 30 years, our storage and to help ensure that your business is operating to the For Improved Performance removal company can do it all. current legal requirements, providing practical advice on www.rcla.co.uk a wide range of policies and procedures. 0844 5499007 01245 225420 www.allcrates.com

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20 Marketing is a food, not Talking Business a medicine with Editor, Peter Richardson. VERY now and then, you million and then sit back and think – dear old marketing – well, can’t little come across a brilliant made it, no need to market anymore? Sally over there be responsible for that Did CoCa Cola bosses sit back and think when the ling’s up to date (OK, it could Ephrase and wish you’d – hey, we’ve got them hooked, now let’s be little Simon also – don’t want to fall been clever enough to have just watch us become one of the biggest foul of the sexist brigade). thought of it yourself. businesses in the world. No, because The harsh answer is no, little Sally or they knew and still know that to move Simon can’t handle it – because they I did so recently – and it’s this: marketing forward you can’t stand still. No matter don’t understand it any more than you is a food, not a medicine. Think about it. how well things are going, you need to do. It will be like the blind leading the How many of you treat marketing (even keep pushing the brand. blind and will assuredly end up in tears. once you can get you hear around I was talking the other week to the Marketing needs to be handled by exactly what marketing means) as being owner of a business still in its rst year marketing specialists. You don’t well down the list of business priorities – who was bemoaning the fact that after necessarily need to employ one on something to worry about only if you’re a very promising start, things were a large salary. There are very many not busy enough that you actually have quiet. What’s you marketing strategy, I excellent marketing consultants out time to even consider whether you enquired. Oh, I can’t afford marketing – there in Essex, willing and able to should be marketing or not? For too all my money has been spent on setting offer hours, days or weeks a month – many business people, marketing is the up the business, came the reply. providing your business with regular airy-fairy part of running a business, This kind of misguided thinking is everyday nourishment which should which can swallow seemingly endless one of the reasons so many otherwise negate the need to take future funds whilst showing immeasurable successful businesses end up failing. unpleasant medicine. Yes, of course results. You only worry about marketing They get comfortable feeling busy for it costs – but then so do all the other when the work dries up, right? a limited period - until they suddenly aforementioned specialists most Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! realise their sales have dropped off a businesses need to survive and prosper. cliff. By then, it’s too late and they have As the phrase says, marketing is a food, My everyday role (it may of cially be to play catch-up with their competitors. not a medicine. Treat it as a medicine publishing-editor but that is a wonderful and chances are you are already I think one of the issues with marketing euphemism for writer/salesman/ suffering pain – and as we all know, is too many businesses, even if they collator/proof-reader/tea-maker) medicine can be nasty to take and acknowledge they need it, will not involves me speaking to businesses, there’s no guarantee it will work. entrust it to an expert. They’ll employ encouraging them to promote what or outsource nance, HR, technical and they do with the wider Essex business No, the way to treat marketing is as even health and safety specialists, but community and it never cease to an essential food for your amaze me the reluctance business. In the same way of so many to grasp the you feed your body every day opportunity. with essential nourishment Of course, you could soldier to keep it strong and working, on, happy to convince marketing is the food to yourself you’re too busy to keep your business healthy. have time to think about Wait until the orders dry up marketing, that most of and you’ve waited too long. your work comes through Convince yourself you’re recommendation, that you so busy you don’t need tried marketing once and it to market your business didn’t work or that it’s simply and you’re living in a fool’s a waste of money. But sooner paradise. or later, chances are you’ll Show me one large, catch a cold – or something successful company that nastier – and then you’ll doesn’t still constantly wish you treated marketing market itself. Did Sir Richard more like steak and chips Branson make his rst rather than as paracetamol.

21 Get fi t as a team and Simarco Brexit-prepared T’S fair to say that, just like 10-year extension to the lease on our main partner of choice for businesses both premises in Witham. When we took up large and small operating in a wide range the economy in general, residence there in 2009, we had 60 staff and of industrial sectors. Furthermore, in an the logistics sector has a turnover of just over £9 million. Now, 175 industry in which change of partnerships improve productivity I colleagues work at three facilities in the is common, many of our local clients been affected by a feeling of town and that number will increase still have been with us for a decade or more, further in the coming months. underlining the emphasis which we place Healthy and relaxed people perform or part company invoice or discounts uncertainty in recent years. N the modern world, “We understand the importance, though, on doing great work and maintaining better at work as they have more focus for individuals (available for ve or showing your employees that The June 2016 referendum vote in favour of not simply adding more personnel relationships. and con dence, and regular exercise more employees). you value them is essential if of leaving the European Union has meant but making sure that our workforce can “That rapport has proven to be even more I reduces health problems and improves Memberships at Leisure World logistics rms and their clients trying to develop its full potential. In addition to important since rms were forced to weigh you want to sustain or increase concentration. second guess what the future may hold. helping existing staff gain professional up the potential impact of Brexit. Our role Colchester include use of its Activa quali cations, we have been keen to attract has involved not just moving freight but Nevertheless, despite the failure to resolve their productivity. The most A solution to this problem could be gym with more than 100 workstations, young talent, working with South Essex ensuring that we can offer well-informed what shape Brexit will take (or if it will successful way of doing this is to provide your employees with a functional training a rea, more than 90 College on an apprenticeship scheme advice on what might happen if the UK even happen), Witham-based Simarco designed to make Simarco - and, by does eventually leave the EU. subsidised or discounted membership group tness classes a week and a 25m has experienced tremendous growth in through an employee benefi ts association, the wider logistics profession “We have worked with our European to a local gym, pool or spa. By providing swimming pool. the period since the public vote on EU - an attractive career choice. Since the scheme, and it’s an added withdrawal. partners to put comprehensive a membership as an employee bene t What’s more, you can add Aqua Springs scheme’s launch, 85 per cent of those contingencies in place to limit the bonus if it’s something that will you will be empowering your employees spa for as little as £7.50 a month. Aqua Managing Director, Trevor Scott, said: “Last who have completed their 12-month potentially negative effect of tariffs. Simarco to take control of their own health, year, our turnover exceeded £57 million paid apprenticeships have been given has also won the right to have all of our benefi t your company as well. Springs spa is a place of tranquillity, - a gure which meant we featured on a permanent jobs. while clearly illustrating that your care UK depots designated as External Transit comfort and relaxation. It’s a wonderful list of Essex’s 100 largest businesses for a “We have gone even further and - with Storage Facilities (ETSFs), reducing the delay A tter workplace can make a big as a business. way for your employees to relax and second time. Some of that performance a wealth of experience in handling large which might otherwise be involved in rms difference to your business but Leisure World is one of Colchester’s destress as they indulge in Jacuzzis, was down to our decision to invest heavily volumes of exports - have created a in Essex and further a eld moving goods motivating employees to stay healthy in expanding our road, sea and air services bespoke freight forwarding quali cation across European borders. largest leisure centres, with over saunas, steam, salt inhalation and both in the UK and abroad. That investment which is more relevant to that increasingly “It’s more evidence of why, for a company and think about their wellbeing can be 25 years’ experience in keeping its aromatherapy rooms. has not just been in our operational important area of our business than like Simarco, even the challenges posed by one of the more challenging business members motivated and feeling t – so For more information about corporate infrastructure but our people too. anything previously available. Our Brexit don’t undermine Essex’s status as a commitment to Essex has not only been problems for employers. why not let them help your employees membership packages, please visit “We now employ 330 staff at eight sites great place to do business. Because of that across the country but we are proud to re ected in the size and quality of our The healthier your workforce is, the do the same? www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/ we are pleased to announce that we have consider ourselves as a wholly independent workforce but our standing with companies strengthened our relationship with Essex fewer costs your company will incur Leisure World has packages to suit all membershipoptions or email contact. business whichBusinesstim_halfPage_2019.pdf counts Essex as its 1 15/05/2019across the14:19 county. Chambers of Commerce by becoming its as a result of illness and absence. businesses, large or small, including full [email protected] heartland. Earlier this year, we secured a “Simarco is regarded as the supply chain latest patron.”

GET THE DATA YOU NEED TO BOOST C YOUR BUSINESS M Y

CM

MY MAKE AN EVENT

Our multi-award winning CY team collect and standardise CMY OUT OF ANY OCCASION the data you need to take your business to the next level. K Whether you need a flexible space for networking or exhibitions, a stage to deliver an So, if you need: important seminar, a formal board meeting or an inspiring brainstorming session, • Agricultural and construction stats Colchester Events Company has the ideal venue. • Global registrations data • Material handling figures Our portfolio of exceptional spaces has the ideal solution to accommodate your • Mobile crane equipment stats needs with our convenient and accessible central Colchester locations. Get in touch today to give your business ‘The Systematics Advantage’. COLCHESTER TOWN HALL / COLCHESTER CASTLE

Please call us on: 01245 326703 CHARTER HALL / COLCHESTER CASTLE PARK Colchester Amphora Trading www.systematics-int.co.uk Contact us: 01206 506905 | [email protected] is wholly owned by www.colchester-events.co.uk Colchester Borough Council.

22 Get fi t as a team and Simarco Brexit-prepared T’S fair to say that, just like 10-year extension to the lease on our main partner of choice for businesses both premises in Witham. When we took up large and small operating in a wide range the economy in general, residence there in 2009, we had 60 staff and of industrial sectors. Furthermore, in an the logistics sector has a turnover of just over £9 million. Now, 175 industry in which change of partnerships improve productivity I colleagues work at three facilities in the is common, many of our local clients been affected by a feeling of town and that number will increase still have been with us for a decade or more, further in the coming months. underlining the emphasis which we place Healthy and relaxed people perform or part company invoice or discounts uncertainty in recent years. N the modern world, “We understand the importance, though, on doing great work and maintaining better at work as they have more focus for individuals (available for ve or showing your employees that The June 2016 referendum vote in favour of not simply adding more personnel relationships. and con dence, and regular exercise more employees). you value them is essential if of leaving the European Union has meant but making sure that our workforce can “That rapport has proven to be even more I reduces health problems and improves Memberships at Leisure World logistics rms and their clients trying to develop its full potential. In addition to important since rms were forced to weigh you want to sustain or increase concentration. second guess what the future may hold. helping existing staff gain professional up the potential impact of Brexit. Our role Colchester include use of its Activa quali cations, we have been keen to attract has involved not just moving freight but Nevertheless, despite the failure to resolve their productivity. The most A solution to this problem could be gym with more than 100 workstations, young talent, working with South Essex ensuring that we can offer well-informed what shape Brexit will take (or if it will successful way of doing this is to provide your employees with a functional training a rea, more than 90 College on an apprenticeship scheme advice on what might happen if the UK even happen), Witham-based Simarco designed to make Simarco - and, by does eventually leave the EU. subsidised or discounted membership group tness classes a week and a 25m has experienced tremendous growth in through an employee benefi ts association, the wider logistics profession “We have worked with our European to a local gym, pool or spa. By providing swimming pool. the period since the public vote on EU - an attractive career choice. Since the scheme, and it’s an added withdrawal. partners to put comprehensive a membership as an employee bene t What’s more, you can add Aqua Springs scheme’s launch, 85 per cent of those contingencies in place to limit the bonus if it’s something that will you will be empowering your employees spa for as little as £7.50 a month. Aqua Managing Director, Trevor Scott, said: “Last who have completed their 12-month potentially negative effect of tariffs. Simarco to take control of their own health, year, our turnover exceeded £57 million paid apprenticeships have been given has also won the right to have all of our benefi t your company as well. Springs spa is a place of tranquillity, - a gure which meant we featured on a permanent jobs. while clearly illustrating that your care UK depots designated as External Transit comfort and relaxation. It’s a wonderful list of Essex’s 100 largest businesses for a “We have gone even further and - with Storage Facilities (ETSFs), reducing the delay A tter workplace can make a big as a business. way for your employees to relax and second time. Some of that performance a wealth of experience in handling large which might otherwise be involved in rms difference to your business but Leisure World is one of Colchester’s destress as they indulge in Jacuzzis, was down to our decision to invest heavily volumes of exports - have created a in Essex and further a eld moving goods motivating employees to stay healthy in expanding our road, sea and air services bespoke freight forwarding quali cation across European borders. largest leisure centres, with over saunas, steam, salt inhalation and both in the UK and abroad. That investment which is more relevant to that increasingly “It’s more evidence of why, for a company and think about their wellbeing can be 25 years’ experience in keeping its aromatherapy rooms. has not just been in our operational important area of our business than like Simarco, even the challenges posed by one of the more challenging business members motivated and feeling t – so For more information about corporate infrastructure but our people too. anything previously available. Our Brexit don’t undermine Essex’s status as a commitment to Essex has not only been problems for employers. why not let them help your employees membership packages, please visit “We now employ 330 staff at eight sites great place to do business. Because of that across the country but we are proud to re ected in the size and quality of our The healthier your workforce is, the do the same? www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/ we are pleased to announce that we have consider ourselves as a wholly independent workforce but our standing with companies strengthened our relationship with Essex fewer costs your company will incur Leisure World has packages to suit all membershipoptions or email contact. business whichBusinesstim_halfPage_2019.pdf counts Essex as its 1 15/05/2019across the14:19 county. Chambers of Commerce by becoming its as a result of illness and absence. businesses, large or small, including full [email protected] heartland. Earlier this year, we secured a “Simarco is regarded as the supply chain latest patron.”

GET THE DATA YOU NEED TO BOOST C YOUR BUSINESS M Y

CM

MY MAKE AN EVENT

Our multi-award winning CY team collect and standardise CMY OUT OF ANY OCCASION the data you need to take your business to the next level. K Whether you need a flexible space for networking or exhibitions, a stage to deliver an So, if you need: important seminar, a formal board meeting or an inspiring brainstorming session, • Agricultural and construction stats Colchester Events Company has the ideal venue. • Global registrations data • Material handling figures Our portfolio of exceptional spaces has the ideal solution to accommodate your • Mobile crane equipment stats needs with our convenient and accessible central Colchester locations. Get in touch today to give your business ‘The Systematics Advantage’. COLCHESTER TOWN HALL / COLCHESTER CASTLE

Please call us on: 01245 326703 CHARTER HALL / COLCHESTER CASTLE PARK Colchester Amphora Trading www.systematics-int.co.uk Contact us: 01206 506905 | [email protected] is wholly owned by www.colchester-events.co.uk Colchester Borough Council.

23

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24 Are limiting beliefs holding you back?

Claire Rich, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist & High Performance Coach explains why overcoming limiting beliefs is essential for a healthy mind, body and business.

designed to be as individuals but the LIMITING belief is them from seeking change and taking people who raise us and share our positive action. Instead, they usually end lives all have a huge in uence on our a powerful piece of programming which affects our belief programming that up using their time and energy to nd A coping strategies, and worst still, ways to system. It then becomes the nature is connected to your belief simply avoid their fears and limitations versus nurture syndrome. Depending system. It is toxic as it affects which are when fears and true phobias on our personality type and who is the way you think, feel and are born. These fears and phobias then in uencing us, we shift from who we are react to everything you do by begin to take over their life because they by origin (which naturally works best are not addressed and gradually creep for us), to a tweaked version that we creating stress and confl ict in into other areas of their life too, until are taught is socially acceptable or the your mind. their world becomes really small and way we ‘should be’ to t into the world. even more restricted. A limiting belief It is pretty obvious that thinking and This con ict produces symptoms such is, therefore, an extremely powerful and acting in a way that is not natural and as fear, stress, anxiety, procrastination, dangerous thing. It can damage your instinctive to us is detrimental to our panic attacks, mood swings, anger mind, body and business often without outbursts, low self-esteem, lack of health, wellbeing and success. Having a you even realising. Are you prepared to con dence and self-belief, trust issues, belief system running on programmes let that happen to you? depression etc. It can even create based on someone else’s personality physical illness such as migraines, back Nobody is exempt from having limiting type and belief system is always going ache, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and beliefs. The truth of the matter is, to create con ict and problems in our bromyalgia because of the powerful you don’t have to have had a terrible psyche and is no good for us. mind/body connection. Limiting beliefs life, come from a broken home, The great news is that clinical dysfunctional family or suffered from prevent you from achieving your goals hypnotherapy can help you identify and emotional, physical or sexual abuse for easily, if at all, and hold you back from overcome those limiting beliefs that are faulty programming to be accepted into being the best you can be. So it is safe holding you back because hypnosis gives your subconscious mind. It happens to say that you will not maximise your us direct access to the subconscious part automatically to us all regardless of who performance, wellbeing and success of your mind. Once we have identi ed unless you overcome them. Ask yourself we are and what we do. Examples of some powerful limiting beliefs are: your unique barriers to personal and honestly, are limiting beliefs holding you business growth and success, we can do • I’m stupid and always have to work back? More importantly, do you want to the important reprogramming needed to overcome them so you can play and stay harder than everyone else free you from them for good, so you and at the top of your game? • I never get anything right, no matter your business can thrive. Limiting beliefs are so powerful they how hard I try High Achievers are very emotionally can make us feel as if we have always • people are luckier and more intelligent and self-aware. They have big been a certain way and that is why successful than me dreams, visions and missions so they most people struggle to believe that • I’m not good enough they could ever be any different. This • I’m a failure need to be smart and nd the best, most negative programming comes from • I’ll never amount to anything in life time ef cient way to fast track their the subconscious part of the mind and • I don’t deserve to be happy. success. Clinical hypnotherapy and High is usually so engrained that it feels The list could go on but you get Performance Coaching allows them to normal, natural and instinctive to be the gist. They are usually accepted do this, which is why they are smart and this way. The subconscious mind is the into the subconscious mind in our use it to get ahead of the competition, so ‘control room of everything’ we do in formative years when we are most they can play and stay at the top of their life! So you can understand why the impressionable. This is because when game. To nd out more about our Richer majority of people don’t actually believe we are born our subconscious mind Life Programme, please visit www. they could ever change. This is precisely can be likened to a blank canvas. We clairerich.com Our High Performance why you will hear them say, “it’s just the are born with our natural instincts Coaching could help you nd the way to way I am!” Unfortunately, fear keeps which are perfect for the way we are a richer life.

25 Start up Fast growth Established Expansion Succession Maturity

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26 What can you do if your web developer lets you down? Edward Powell, Disputes Senior HO remembers agreement, timescale or design can Solicitor at Attwells, which has announcing to their be unforeseen without the bene t of of ces in Colchester and Ipswich, hindsight. Excuses may be considered examines the best ways to resolve a W peers or family reasonable and trusting such a dispute when your website developer members ‘I’m going on the professional, understandable. fails to deliver what - and when – internet’, likewise the dial tone It is always important, as with any service you were expecting. agreement, you keep records of your your PC would make during the communications. It has been reported 10 to 15 minutes it took to get a that 30% of web design agreements have date. If the date is of great importance (for connection? no written contract, whilst 60% have no example if you are launching a new brand written timescale. Also ensure you keep or product) you should make sure “time is I’m going back to a time when mobile a record of emails, meetings and phone of the essence” when discussing a website phones were like bricks and the infamous calls. I personally have a notebook on my and include those words in any written ‘Yuppy Love’ Only Fools and Horses desk and will jot down things agreed. You agreement. Some developers will agree at episode was aired when Del Boy fell could also ask your service provider to the outset to pay damages for delays but through the bar hatch. I remember the con rm the conversation with an email. then the argument normally arises where excitement of receiving an email and our Equally, although I’m probably preaching the developer says they are waiting for Yellow Pages directory being left on the to the converted, read several reviews and information from the customer and are door step because it was three inches research your web developer beforehand. therefore not a fault for the delays. thick. But let’s say you have done all that but Both sides in a dispute usually have the Back then if you required a plumber, despite this your web developer has failed option of issuing court proceedings but it electrician or a solicitor you would to deliver. What can you do to resolve the is often faster and cheaper to employ a search your Yellow Pages. This is despite issue or get your money back? mediator to help resolve a dispute. A web the internet being invented in 1983. When in dispute with a web developer it is developer’s standard terms and conditions Nowadays a website is an integral part important to ask yourself what you want (if any form part of the contract) may have of any business enabling you to convey and make that clear to the other side. a clause requiring the parties to try and your brand and sell your goods or services Some people are happy with a discount settle a dispute through alternatives to to a wider audience. We all seek rst on the total fees to re ect delays and court proceedings. page positioning and dabble in social dissatisfaction. Others are happy to pay When I am acting for clients seeking to media. However, building a website the full price as long as it is delivered in reclaim monies paid to web developers it is still very much considered a ‘black full by a set date. is important to ask if they are “good for the art’ a professional service shrouded The most common area for a dispute that money”. You can’t get blood from a stone in mystifying technology, terms and I advise on is delay. The law does allow for is an old adage which rings just as true in technique. delays in development so even if a xed the internet age. It is better to agree stage Therefore, detecting early signs that date is in the contract you may not be able payments over the course of a websites something is going wrong with your to force a developer to comply with that developments to avoid being heavily out of pocket and attempting to get money back from a company that has already spent it on staff and other overheads. The value attached to this project along with personal and professional considerations may be factors on whether or not to take legal action. However, Attwells does offer a case assessment. You can make an appointment to visit our Colchester of ce or arrange a phone meeting. We will consider the merit of your case at this time and may ask you to bring a copy of your contract, along with an outline of key moments. Attwells will always offer you an honest assessment of your case outlining the process, including legal fees and any implications going forward. This information will be presented to you in a form of a letter a few days after your visit. This will give you time to consider your position.

27 New Partner for Colchester accountancy fi rm OLCHESTER-BASED Grif n Chapman was established over 75 accountancy fi rm, Griffi n years ago and provides a comprehensive range of accountancy services with a CChapman, has announced particular focus on family businesses, new the appointment of a new Partner, business start-ups, private clients, charities Thomas Maddocks. and not-for-pro ts, schools and academies. Thomas added: “We are very proud as a Thomas has 11 years’ experience within the rm to have a strong focus on family-run profession, achieving his ACA quali cation businesses, of all size. All the partners in 2012 and joined Grif n Chapman in in Grif n Chapman have extensive and 2015 as a client manager. His principle specialised knowledge of the various focus is within Grif n Chapman’s family legalities and practicalities faced by family Thomas Maddocks business sector where he works proactively businesses, and together with our genuine with a broad portfolio of owner managed personal approach, we can assist our clients us to share best practice and draw on businesses of varying sizes across a broad with all their requirements. To recognise expertise from other rms within the Group range of industries. He also leads the this knowledge and experience we have which allows us to build relationships rm’s computer services and cloud-based established a family business department.” with various specialists, should our clients accounting offering. “We understand the particular and need to bene t from this type of technical Thomas said: “I am delighted to become a often unique challenges faced by family support,” added Thomas. Partner of Grif n Chapman. The rm is going businesses. We keep up-to-date in connection with legal obligations, as well as Grif n Chapman is a long-standing from strength to strength, and I am looking sponsor of the Colchester Half Marathon, forward to working with Dan Aldworth and changes and developments that can provide demonstrative of the rm’s commitment Carolynn Pissarro to keep this growth going. exciting new opportunities.” to supporting the community in which it The accountancy profession is going to Grif n Chapman is one of a small handful of change during the next few years, with the Essex accountancy rms who are a member works. “We provide a comprehensive service increasing roles of cloud-based software and of the UK200Group, the UK’s leading for clients in the charities sector and are automation, as well as Making Tax Digital association of independent chartered members of the Charities and Education now coming into force. I am looking forward accountants and law rms, with connections Specialists Group of the UK200Group and to helping lead the rm through these around the world. keep abreast of all new initiatives in the advances in accounting practice.” “Membership of the UK200Group enables charities world,” said Thomas.

Horizon Construction, established in 1999, has a growing customer base across East Anglia, London and Kent, and team of almost 50 staff across the Colchester and London offices, with a combined turnover approaching £30 million.

Building the future, restoring the past

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• Colchester & London • Working in the healthcare and sports & offices commercial, residential leisure sectors • Design & build development, • Tendered & negotiated education, automotive, • Small works contracts

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28 New Partner for Colchester Increase in fi nancial penalties for businesses who accountancy fi rm breach employment law OLCHESTER-BASED Grif n Chapman was established over 75 It will be up to an employment tribunal years ago and provides a comprehensive S part of its ongoing desire accountancy fi rm, Griffi n to improve workers’ rights to look at the facts surrounding your case range of accountancy services with a and decide whether or not an employer Chapman, has announced particular focus on family businesses, new C and in line with its Good has committed an aggravated breach. Jonathan Insley, Senior Associate the appointment of a new Partner, business start-ups, private clients, charities A Work Plan, the Government has This is likely to include taking into and not-for-pro ts, schools and academies. at Tees Chelmsford of ce, explains Thomas Maddocks. increased the maximum fi nancial account the size of your organisation, the Thomas added: “We are very proud as a length of time that the breach has been how employers need to be ever Thomas has 11 years’ experience within the rm to have a strong focus on family-run penalty for those who deliberately happening, and the behaviour of both more mindful of ensuring they do profession, achieving his ACA quali cation businesses, of all size. All the partners mistreat their staff (known as an parties. It will consider factors such as the not breach employment law, as in 2012 and joined Grif n Chapman in in Grif n Chapman have extensive and length of time the business has been in maximum penalties for mistreating specialised knowledge of the various ‘aggravated’ breach of employment 2015 as a client manager. His principle operation, whether it’s a micro business, staff quadruple to £20,000. focus is within Grif n Chapman’s family legalities and practicalities faced by family law) from £5,000 to £20,000 for any if it has only limited HR support, whether Thomas Maddocks business sector where he works proactively businesses, and together with our genuine breaches occurring on or after 6 it is considered to have made a genuine with a broad portfolio of owner managed personal approach, we can assist our clients us to share best practice and draw on mistake or if it is in formal insolvency April 2019. award has been made to the employee, businesses of varying sizes across a broad with all their requirements. To recognise expertise from other rms within the Group proceedings. Employers who continually the nancial penalty must be 50% of the range of industries. He also leads the this knowledge and experience we have which allows us to build relationships So, what are employment law breaches? get it wrong are likely to be particularly amount of the award (subject to minimum rm’s computer services and cloud-based established a family business department.” with various specialists, should our clients Employers may be found to have breached frowned upon. and maximum limits). accounting offering. “We understand the particular and need to bene t from this type of technical an employee’s rights if they break the The new system serves as a means Thomas said: “I am delighted to become a often unique challenges faced by family support,” added Thomas. terms of an employment contract. It could to encourage proper compliance with An employer does not have to pay the full businesses. We keep up-to-date in employment law, with employers who Partner of Grif n Chapman. The rm is going Grif n Chapman is a long-standing be something like expecting staff to work penalty if they pay 50% of the penalty connection with legal obligations, as well as different hours or for less pay or changing believe they can ignore the law now being from strength to strength, and I am looking sponsor of the Colchester Half Marathon, within 21 days of the written notice, even forward to working with Dan Aldworth and changes and developments that can provide a job description without consent. subject to more severe nancial penalties. if they have not yet paid the compensation exciting new opportunities.” demonstrative of the rm’s commitment Carolynn Pissarro to keep this growth going. A breach can be termed ‘aggravated’ where It is therefore hoped this increase in due to the employee. The tribunal will to supporting the community in which it the maximum nancial penalty, plus The accountancy profession is going to Grif n Chapman is one of a small handful of an employer’s behaviour is deliberate also consider the employer’s ability to pay. Essex accountancy rms who are a member works. “We provide a comprehensive service clari cation on when an employer can change during the next few years, with the or committed with a degree of malice, The employer will pay the penalty to the increasing roles of cloud-based software and of the UK200Group, the UK’s leading for clients in the charities sector and are expect to receive a penalty, will act as a and relevant to this is whether or not Secretary of State. automation, as well as Making Tax Digital association of independent chartered members of the Charities and Education the organisation has a dedicated human more robust deterrent. now coming into force. I am looking forward accountants and law rms, with connections Specialists Group of the UK200Group and resources team, or if the organisation The minimum penalty is £100 and the If you require further advice on this or to helping lead the rm through these around the world. keep abreast of all new initiatives in the has previously ignored a particular maximum, for breaches occurring on or any aspect of employment law for your advances in accounting practice.” “Membership of the UK200Group enables charities world,” said Thomas. employment right. after 6 April 2019, is £20,000. If a nancial business, give me a call.

Horizon Construction, established in 1999, has a growing customer base across East Anglia, London and Kent, and team of almost 50 staff across the Colchester and London offices, with a combined turnover approaching £30 million.

Building the future, restoring the past

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...without compromise Free2Move Lease provide Free Service and MOT reminders with mileage monitoring and a service booking line. citroen.co.uk • Colchester & London • Working in the healthcare and sports & Fuel consumption figures for New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV: MPG (l/100km): Combined 35.2 (8.0) to 47.1 (6.0), CO2 emissions: 132 – 118g/km. The grouped figures shown above show the lowest and highest performing results for this model. Consult your dealer for information on specific examples. The fuel consumption you achieve, and CO2 produced, in real world conditions will depend upon a number of factors: including the accessories fitted (post registration), variations in weather, driving styles and offices commercial, residential leisure sectors vehicle load. There is a new test WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) used to measure fuel consumption and CO2 figures. These CO2 figures, however, are based on the outgoing test cycle NEDCeq (New European Driving Cycle Equivalent), calculated using an EC correlation tool which converts WLTP figures to NEDC. These figures are used to calculate tax for first registration. You should only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested using the same technical standard. development, ‡Offers apply to qualifying new models ordered & registered 01/04-30/06/2019 or until such time as offers/prices may be withdrawn by Citroën at its complete discretion for business users only, excluding National Fleet customers as defined by Citroën UK & exclude VAT. Contract Hire rentals shown apply to New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV - Flair PureTech 130 • Design & build • Tendered & negotiated S&S 6-speed manual & an advance rental of £1,368 will be required. Actual model shown: New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV PureTech 130 S&S 6-speed manual Flair Plus advance rental £1,536 followed by £256 per month. Contract Hire quotes require 35 monthly rentals on a 36 month agreement of 10,000 miles per annum. You will not own the vehicle. Contract Hire rental includes delivery to dealership, Citroën Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Excise Duty & Government First Registration Fee. Metallic paint optional at no extra cost. Excess mileage charges of 6.25 per mile may apply if the agreed annual mileage is exceeded. Contract Hire rental rates have been calculated with the appropriate manufacturer’s support education, automotive, applied to the OTR price. All rentals are subject to VAT at 20%. Free2Move Lease reserve the right to amend any of the rentals quoted without notice. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Over 18s only. Finance provided by and written quotations available on request from PSA Finance UK Ltd (company registration number 01024322) t/a contracts Free2Move Lease, RH1 1QA. Roy H G Tolley Ltd trading as Roy H.G. Tolley Ltd is acting as a credit broker and not a lender. To finance your vehicle we may introduce you to a limited number of lenders. Commission may be received. Offers & specification correct at time of going to press from participating Dealers. Terms & conditions apply. Please ask us • Small works for details. Subject to stock availability.

ROY H.G. TOLLEY LTd 01206 574488 01206 755415 www.horizonconstruction.co.uk 71 GOSbECkS ROAd, COLCHESTER, CO2 9JS dealer.citroen.co.uk/Colchester

29 Protecting your interest in your limited company HAREHOLDERS’ agreements shareholders, they may similarly be provided with a tag along right to force through the help manage and minimise sale of their shares if a majority shareholder Sthe risk of internal confl ict is looking to exit by way of a sale. between management, by defi ning It is entirely possible that a majority shareholder may seek to simply have pre- Businesses often begin life as and outlining the responsibilities emption rights granted in their favour, of the parties involved through a thereby providing them with the right to a limited company. In the early stages of a business, focus tends formal written contract. acquire minority holder’s shares as and when they choose to sell. to be on developing the business A shareholders’ agreement will also set out Where there is not a signi cant variance in and shareholders often don’t plan how con icts should be resolved should they the percentage shareholding of the parties, properly for the future. Shareholders arise in the future. This can be particularly rights of pre-emption, or rst refusal, may can bene t greatly from putting a valuable to a business as, when owners spend be appropriate. This will give the existing shareholders’ agreement in place, as time arguing with one another, they are not shareholders the rights to buy a selling a mechanism for dealing with future concentrating on the business. shareholder’s shares before they are offered changes of circumstance, as Tim Field I am often asked to draft shareholders’ to a third party. from Essex solicitors, Birkett Long, agreements or provide advice concerning The most signi cant problems tend to explains. investment into a company limited by shares. arise when two individuals both hold 50% Whilst there are a number of important of the shares, with there being no majority considerations, a key aspect is often putting shareholder who can take control. In this dispute, should one arise in the future. an effective exit strategy in place, along with situation, perhaps agreement of a Russian If an employee holds shares in the company, when and how shareholders are allowed to roulette clause could break the deadlock. In transfer their shareholding and realise their this case, one party offers either to buy the perhaps as an incentive, what happens when investment. shares of the other party or to sell its own that employee leaves the employment of the company? Provisions for good and bad types A wide variety of clauses can be drafted to shares to the other party (but not both) at suit the varying needs and requirements of a speci ed price. The party in receipt of the of leaver can be used to regulate how much the parties and their unique situation - it offer can either accept the offer or reverse the employees are paid for their shares upon is certainly not a case of one size ts all. It offer at the same price. leaving the company. It may be that if they may well be that a majority shareholder will Key to all dispute resolution clauses is that are dismissed for gross misconduct (a bad require certain rights to drag their fellow they should be mutually agreed between leaver) a nominal value should be paid for shareholders into a sale of their shares, if the parties before a dispute arises, with their shares, whilst if they are retiring (a good a suitable offer is received to purchase the an acceptance that the chosen resolution leaver) a more generous payment might be company. As a concession to the minority method would be a fair way to resolve a appropriate.

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30 Protecting your interest Collaboration is key RAINING comes in ensures that Colchester Institute continues in your limited company to offer provision that is rmly entrenched many shapes and sizes. in regional requirements, as underlined by HAREHOLDERS’ agreements shareholders, they may similarly be provided All businesses and our commitment to STEM, where we have with a tag along right to force through the T seen big increases in subjects including employers have different training help manage and minimise sale of their shares if a majority shareholder manufacturing, digital media and science. Sthe risk of internal confl ict is looking to exit by way of a sale. requirements and each employee This certainly also applies to the new BEng between management, by defi ning It is entirely possible that a majority has their own training needs. (Hons) Engineering, developed during two years of cooperative effort with our key shareholder may seek to simply have pre- Businesses often begin life as Adam Ward, Director of STEM and outlining the responsibilities emption rights granted in their favour, Therefore, it is essential that external stakeholders, which will underpin of the parties involved through a thereby providing them with the right to a limited company. In the early existing and potential skills gaps the academic knowledge required by Innovation at Colchester Institute, acquire minority holder’s shares as and when stages of a business, focus tends Manufacturing Engineer Degree apprentices explains how a key aspect of the formal written contract. to be on developing the business or areas of improvement are they choose to sell. during the nal stage of their training. relationship between training and shareholders often don’t plan identifi ed and agreed upon by both Apprentices will be equipped with the A shareholders’ agreement will also set out Where there is not a signi cant variance in provider and employer is the how con icts should be resolved should they the percentage shareholding of the parties, properly for the future. Shareholders parties prior to any commitment understanding required to operate ef ciently at a high level within the sector by facing real- clari cation of the objectives required arise in the future. This can be particularly rights of pre-emption, or rst refusal, may can bene t greatly from putting a and investment in training. valuable to a business as, when owners spend be appropriate. This will give the existing shareholders’ agreement in place, as environment challenges, which in turn were by the business for developing their used to inform the curriculum. time arguing with one another, they are not shareholders the rights to buy a selling a mechanism for dealing with future The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy staff. concentrating on the business. shareholder’s shares before they are offered changes of circumstance, as Tim Field With the continual evolution of the brought about a major transformation in engineering sector, the frequent impact of I am often asked to draft shareholders’ to a third party. from Essex solicitors, Birkett Long, the way tapprenticeship programmes were agreements or provide advice concerning The most signi cant problems tend to new technological advances has fuelled a explains. designed and how they would be delivered need for engineering graduates who are investment into a company limited by shares. arise when two individuals both hold 50% higher education programme of study as part going forward. Large employers were those educated on the latest industry developments. of an apprenticeship, allowing for  exible Whilst there are a number of important of the shares, with there being no majority impacted the most, being confronted by a The rise of lean technologies and the routes into graduate roles within these considerations, a key aspect is often putting shareholder who can take control. In this dispute, should one arise in the future. challenge not only to ensure they understood an effective exit strategy in place, along with situation, perhaps agreement of a Russian increasing importance of sustainable companies. If an employee holds shares in the company, the Levy, but that they took full advantage of initiatives means the need to stay current has when and how shareholders are allowed to roulette clause could break the deadlock. In its bene ts. The bene ts that apprenticeships can provide this case, one party offers either to buy the perhaps as an incentive, what happens when never been more important. transfer their shareholding and realise their This is where a training provider has a unique are genuine to employers, with the cost of investment. shares of the other party or to sell its own that employee leaves the employment of the The engineering and manufacturing sector position between the future workforce and training being offset within a couple of years shares to the other party (but not both) at company? Provisions for good and bad types comprises a large proportion of small and A wide variety of clauses can be drafted to industry, being ideally placed to offer expert of completion through increased productivity. suit the varying needs and requirements of a speci ed price. The party in receipt of the of leaver can be used to regulate how much medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) nationwide. support and guidance. Hosting a series of As a college, we have worked side-by-side with With external stakeholders on board, the parties and their unique situation - it offer can either accept the offer or reverse the employees are paid for their shares upon forums dedicated to the Levy has enabled these vital local businesses to ensure that our a thoroughly responsive and current is certainly not a case of one size ts all. It offer at the same price. leaving the company. It may be that if they the creation of a multi-sector employer curriculum is designed to meet their needs, as programme was designed, utilising a may well be that a majority shareholder will Key to all dispute resolution clauses is that are dismissed for gross misconduct (a bad ‘community’, where practices, concerns, well as those of larger, levy-paying rms. mutually bene cial partnership which clearly require certain rights to drag their fellow they should be mutually agreed between leaver) a nominal value should be paid for issues and ideas could be pooled, shared and demonstrates that the transfer of knowledge shareholders into a sale of their shares, if the parties before a dispute arises, with their shares, whilst if they are retiring (a good Involving key local stakeholders through analysed. is a two-way route between education and a suitable offer is received to purchase the an acceptance that the chosen resolution leaver) a more generous payment might be embracing a collaborative, industry-led company. As a concession to the minority method would be a fair way to resolve a appropriate. Maintaining a collaborative approach approach, has facilitated the design of a industry.

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And if rnrs you have more specific travel nuiring out tri to uti t inius in rury requirements,you have more the specific friendly travel office teamrequirements, will gladly the assist friendly you in office creatingteam will a gladlyno obligation assist you in customisedcreating a no quote. obligation All Klarners executivecustomised vehicles quote. areAll availableKlarners rit ir Klarners 2019 Brochure forexecutive private vehicles hire., making are available the Klarners 2019 Brochure journeyfor private as enjoyablehire., making as the the Everything you need for a comfortable journey, destination.journey as enjoyable as the Everythingyou you won’t need go for hungry a comfortable or thirsty! journey, i inornrsohsou destination. you won’t go hungry or thirsty! The business changed hands in February of this year, from Trevor Klarner to his brother Graham. Since the rohur ursions takeover,The business staff changedhave been hands busy in launching February a of brand this year,new websitefrom Trevor and updating Klarner theirto his social brother media Graham. platforms Since to the correlatetakeover, withstaff theirhave 2019been brochure.busy launching Graham a brand has greatnew websiteaspirations and for updating the business, their social with mediaplans to platforms expand theto existingcorrelate fleet with and their increase 2019 brochure. the businesses Graham profile has withingreat aspirations the local community. for the business, Klarners with are plans passionate to expand about the partneringexisting fleet with and like increase-minded the organisations, businesses profile doing within everything the local they community. can to provide Klarners outstanding are passionate quality, exceptional about i ytrisrnrsohsou safetypartnering and valuewith likefor -money.minded Whenorganisations, clients traveldoing with everything Klarners, they they can can to providebe sure tooutstanding expect an quality,exceptional exceptional service ...enjoy the journey... fromsafety staff,and valueand a forwarm money. welcome When from clients the friendlytravel with drivers Klarners, whose they knowledge can be sure of the to expectroads knows an exceptional no bounds! service 33 from staff, and a warm welcome from the friendly drivers whose knowledge of the roads knows no bounds! Don’t make change disruptive MEs are dynamic, • we are emotional beings. Organisations Adapt and unpredictable and fragile. that thrive on people also thrive on emotional reactions and are subject to SSustaining performance whilst negative as well as positive emotional developing new business and responses tackling the changes that come • we are creatures of habit. Even those of us embrace change or with growth provides a signifi cant who claim to enjoy change are hardwired to follow self-created rituals that make challenge for business leaders our working days more predictable and and recent research has found ef cient. • we crave simplicity. The complexity of the get left behind that many attempts at business Matthew Emerson, Director of Stuart Allan is a business consultant growth fail due to inattention to world brings a wealth of opportunities but Blackmore Four, asks are you and growth specialist based in at an individual level, we embrace things we realise it or not, this deep-seated organisational attributes above that are made simple for us innovating, transforming or TUART Allan tells Business Colchester, Essex and works with anxiety is behind most of the decisions anything else. • we assume the worst. We have evolved disrupting your business? Time in Essex why companies throughout the South-East. to respond to threat with fear and we make (or fail to make). During the fl exibility is a must-have to Stuart founded Essex-based premium Advances in IT, changing market forces, shifts subsequent survival behaviours. If S course of my work, I see people doing the in the political and legal landscape as well as changes ignite fear – fear of not knowing, survive and thrive in business. same frustrating, painful things every day dessert company Indulgence Patisserie the demand to improve ef ciency and reduce fear of losing employment, fear of not clarity to the organisation about what to simply because they are part of what they Ltd in 1987, turning it into a multi- expect. cost put signi cant pressure on business liking what’s next – then we ght it, run “If it ain’t broke”. This phrase, or versions see as tried and tested processes. million-pound international operation leaders to create new ways of doing business. from it or simply just don’t do it. 3. PARTICIPATE: purposefully seek ways of it are common in my conversations If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll by the time of its sale in 2013. The need to maintain employee engagement, So, how do we overcome these hard-wired in which you can personally participate with new clients. In my experience, a get what you’ve always got (Henry Ford) organisational performance and productivity attributes so that the inevitable change in the change process and ensure fear of adapting and changing processes, Accredited to the Government’s means you must be thoughtful and creative required in your business can be successful? participation and leadership of change people, products or services is the Do you remember getting your rst Growth Accelerator Programme, about what kind of change you make and Consider these four Ps (the Blackmore Four from all levels of the organisation. It’s easy key single factor in underperforming computer or mobile phone? Remember Stuart is a Business Mentor with the how you go about implementing change. Ps) for people to opt out if those in positions how alien it felt? Technology has been a British Army and has recently been Business growth requires change. However, 1. PREPARE: set context and identify speci c of in uence abstain from the process. businesses. huge step change but in a few short years appointed as the on-site business most change initiatives (deliberate, managed drivers for change. Clearly articulate the 4. PERSIST: foster and encourage The challenge for most businesses is that we have adapted to not being able to live change) fail to meet their stated objectives. possibilities for your business and people, determination and persistence we are trading in a time of unprecedented coach at the Essex CEME Campus. developing a sense of urgency without without it, and the business bene ts it You are likely to have your own experiences through recognition of achievements, change, whether that’s technology, politics, of failed change that may have led to the creating anxiety - this isn’t about ‘lighting brings. communication of future milestones and competition, expectations or employee unintended loss of key clients or market a re’ but being objective in creating a When change does happen, it’s fascinating progress reporting. Keep the change alive culture; the stakes have never been higher. share, loss of credibility, loss of employees vision of the future that will inspire action. to see how transformational it is in every Helping him to take ownership of the and nd opportunities to re-enforce the The business environment is shifting at a or reduction in employee engagement and 2. PLAN: whether you live by ve-year or aspect of the business, often instantly. changes that needed to be made, and to ‘new’ into everything you’re working on. pace and only progressive business leaders productivity. At the heart of this failure is ve-minute plans, to manage change in The trick is to explore change, to see how let go of the pain points made this possible human nature. Organisations with people your organisation effectively, it’s important Are you managing change effectively in your who lead with adaptability and  exibility it looks and feels and what measurable in less than three months, delivering a at the core are still subject to the following to develop a clear approach, staff and business or is change just happening to you will win. huge ROI on his consultancy investment. attributes: organise your team effectively and give regardless? bene ts it can bring. Once you have So, what makes us so resistant to change? control of it, you can deliver change on A great bi-product of the change process is Habits are generally top of the list. your own terms as part of a business seeing how business owners start to enjoy Business owners who talk about feeling strategy that will deliver enduring working on the business again, sometimes ‘stuck’ are generally working with the dividends. for the rst time in years. A clear roadmap, same tools and processes that worked I am currently working with a regional a solution to historical pain points and perfectly ten years ago, and they can’t building rm. The owner has spent more pro t in the bank makes for a happy see what’s gone wrong. The trick is not to years building up a great reputation but client! try to reinvent the wheel, but to use new managing almost identical crises over and As a footnote, if this article has inspired methods and technologies to adapt tried over again, causing huge frustration and you to make some changes, don’t overlook and tested methods to perform in today’s nancial losses. Bringing in new people, the most important element – your economic arena. processes and technology to the business employees. Involve them in your plans and The biggest barrier to business ef ciency has transformed the organisation, its share the positive vision of how change is fear of, or resistance to change. Whether outputs, pro t margins and capability. Hylands Estate off ers an will look for them and the business they work in. Get stakeholders onside and impressive setting for holding you’ll have a powerful team to take your Business & Corporate events. business to the next level. Surrounded by 574 acres of peaceful parkland, our opulent period interiors within So, the question is, can you afford the house and our crisp, not to adapt? If you would like a contemporary Grand Pavilion discussion around implementing can provide the perfect setting change and what it could look like for you business event. for you and your business, contact • Rooms available from 10 - Stuart on 01206 523394 or visit 300 delegates. www.stuart-allan.co.uk • Competetive delegate rates • Excellent transport links • Free WIFI • Free Parking

www.hylandsestate.co.uk | 01245 605500 | [email protected]

34 Don’t make change disruptive MEs are dynamic, • we are emotional beings. Organisations Adapt and unpredictable and fragile. that thrive on people also thrive on emotional reactions and are subject to SSustaining performance whilst negative as well as positive emotional developing new business and responses tackling the changes that come • we are creatures of habit. Even those of us embrace change or with growth provides a signifi cant who claim to enjoy change are hardwired to follow self-created rituals that make challenge for business leaders our working days more predictable and and recent research has found ef cient. • we crave simplicity. The complexity of the get left behind that many attempts at business Matthew Emerson, Director of Stuart Allan is a business consultant growth fail due to inattention to world brings a wealth of opportunities but Blackmore Four, asks are you and growth specialist based in at an individual level, we embrace things we realise it or not, this deep-seated organisational attributes above that are made simple for us innovating, transforming or TUART Allan tells Business Colchester, Essex and works with anxiety is behind most of the decisions anything else. • we assume the worst. We have evolved disrupting your business? Time in Essex why companies throughout the South-East. to respond to threat with fear and we make (or fail to make). During the fl exibility is a must-have to Stuart founded Essex-based premium Advances in IT, changing market forces, shifts subsequent survival behaviours. If S course of my work, I see people doing the in the political and legal landscape as well as changes ignite fear – fear of not knowing, survive and thrive in business. same frustrating, painful things every day dessert company Indulgence Patisserie the demand to improve ef ciency and reduce fear of losing employment, fear of not clarity to the organisation about what to simply because they are part of what they Ltd in 1987, turning it into a multi- expect. cost put signi cant pressure on business liking what’s next – then we ght it, run “If it ain’t broke”. This phrase, or versions see as tried and tested processes. million-pound international operation leaders to create new ways of doing business. from it or simply just don’t do it. 3. PARTICIPATE: purposefully seek ways of it are common in my conversations If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll by the time of its sale in 2013. The need to maintain employee engagement, So, how do we overcome these hard-wired in which you can personally participate with new clients. In my experience, a get what you’ve always got (Henry Ford) organisational performance and productivity attributes so that the inevitable change in the change process and ensure fear of adapting and changing processes, Accredited to the Government’s means you must be thoughtful and creative required in your business can be successful? participation and leadership of change people, products or services is the Do you remember getting your rst Growth Accelerator Programme, about what kind of change you make and Consider these four Ps (the Blackmore Four from all levels of the organisation. It’s easy key single factor in underperforming computer or mobile phone? Remember Stuart is a Business Mentor with the how you go about implementing change. Ps) for people to opt out if those in positions how alien it felt? Technology has been a British Army and has recently been Business growth requires change. However, 1. PREPARE: set context and identify speci c of in uence abstain from the process. businesses. huge step change but in a few short years appointed as the on-site business most change initiatives (deliberate, managed drivers for change. Clearly articulate the 4. PERSIST: foster and encourage The challenge for most businesses is that we have adapted to not being able to live change) fail to meet their stated objectives. possibilities for your business and people, determination and persistence we are trading in a time of unprecedented coach at the Essex CEME Campus. developing a sense of urgency without without it, and the business bene ts it You are likely to have your own experiences through recognition of achievements, change, whether that’s technology, politics, of failed change that may have led to the creating anxiety - this isn’t about ‘lighting brings. communication of future milestones and competition, expectations or employee unintended loss of key clients or market a re’ but being objective in creating a When change does happen, it’s fascinating progress reporting. Keep the change alive culture; the stakes have never been higher. share, loss of credibility, loss of employees vision of the future that will inspire action. to see how transformational it is in every Helping him to take ownership of the and nd opportunities to re-enforce the The business environment is shifting at a or reduction in employee engagement and 2. PLAN: whether you live by ve-year or aspect of the business, often instantly. changes that needed to be made, and to ‘new’ into everything you’re working on. pace and only progressive business leaders productivity. At the heart of this failure is ve-minute plans, to manage change in The trick is to explore change, to see how let go of the pain points made this possible human nature. Organisations with people your organisation effectively, it’s important Are you managing change effectively in your who lead with adaptability and  exibility it looks and feels and what measurable in less than three months, delivering a at the core are still subject to the following to develop a clear approach, staff and business or is change just happening to you will win. huge ROI on his consultancy investment. attributes: organise your team effectively and give regardless? bene ts it can bring. Once you have So, what makes us so resistant to change? control of it, you can deliver change on A great bi-product of the change process is Habits are generally top of the list. your own terms as part of a business seeing how business owners start to enjoy Business owners who talk about feeling strategy that will deliver enduring working on the business again, sometimes ‘stuck’ are generally working with the dividends. for the rst time in years. A clear roadmap, same tools and processes that worked I am currently working with a regional a solution to historical pain points and perfectly ten years ago, and they can’t building rm. The owner has spent more pro t in the bank makes for a happy see what’s gone wrong. The trick is not to years building up a great reputation but client! try to reinvent the wheel, but to use new managing almost identical crises over and As a footnote, if this article has inspired methods and technologies to adapt tried over again, causing huge frustration and you to make some changes, don’t overlook and tested methods to perform in today’s nancial losses. Bringing in new people, the most important element – your economic arena. processes and technology to the business employees. Involve them in your plans and The biggest barrier to business ef ciency has transformed the organisation, its share the positive vision of how change is fear of, or resistance to change. Whether outputs, pro t margins and capability. Hylands Estate off ers an will look for them and the business they work in. Get stakeholders onside and impressive setting for holding you’ll have a powerful team to take your Business & Corporate events. business to the next level. Surrounded by 574 acres of peaceful parkland, our opulent period interiors within So, the question is, can you afford the house and our crisp, not to adapt? If you would like a contemporary Grand Pavilion discussion around implementing can provide the perfect setting change and what it could look like for you business event. for you and your business, contact • Rooms available from 10 - Stuart on 01206 523394 or visit 300 delegates. www.stuart-allan.co.uk • Competetive delegate rates • Excellent transport links • Free WIFI • Free Parking www.hylandsestate.co.uk | 01245 605500 | [email protected]

35 Don’t turn a blind eye to creating a good impression

BUSINESS isn’t just about what it does – it’s Aabout how it appears to its customers and indeed, its staff. Whilst perception isn’t everything, often people will judge you by the impression you give.

One Essex company which knows this more than most is John’s Blinds & Curtains. Established since 1975, the family-run business has a well-earned reputation for supplying all types of blinds & curtains to homes and, increasingly, commercial premises. Sue and Steve Baisden took over the the best possible components business 12 years ago from her father are used. This increases the and two years ago opened a new longevity of each blind system,  agship showroom and workshop in track or pole plus the curtains Wickford to complement its Romford we sell,” said Steve. outlet. More and more businesses John’s Blinds & Curtains offers are utilising the bespoke service a wide range of blinds & offered by John’s Blinds & Curtains curtains and a vast selection and Steve believes this is because rst of fabrics and swatches. Their impressions count. products include: “A business should want to present • Roller blinds a rst-class impression to customers • Wooden, faux wood (PVC) and staff and that could be anything and aluminium Venetian from a smart reception to a blinds comfortable working environment. • Vertical blinds Almost everything we do is made • Perfect Fit blinds especially for your windows in your • Roman blinds of ce or home. Made to measure is • Commercial blinds exactly that, made to your precise • Curtains & Soft furnishings. speci cations. Be it Venetian, Vertical “Where we score above other or Roller blinds, nearly all products are blind and curtain companies company. “We are equally happy made from scratch, using UK made is our commitment to nding solving a one-window problem as well components and expertly built to the perfect, bespoke solution to a as redesigning an entire building’s meet the highest standards. customer’s needs. We don’t do off-the- window dressing needs. Our family “We pride ourselves on our after-sales shelf products and don’t sell on-line. business ethos means we treat each service. Most of our products are Every job is a one-off and our expert customer with the same high level of fully serviceable which means we can team will take the time to sit down service and care. That’s why so much maintain them, while our staff are with the customer and discuss exactly of our work comes from word-of- all employed by us – no commission what it is they need. Everything from mouth recommendation,” added Steve. salesmen and no high-pressure the smallest details, such as the colour selling. 80% of our business is word-of- of the chain, to installing when best mouth and we are extremely proud of convenient for the customer, will be Contact: that fact. discussed and actioned on. There’s a 01708 200309 We are always looking to increase our lot of choice out there in the Window product portfolio giving our customers dressing world and we deal with all [email protected] the leading manufacturers,” said Steve. more choice. Nearly all of our products www.johnsblinds.co.uk are made in the UK, so we know only No job is too big or too small for the

36 Essex and the East: Don’t turn a blind eye to already doing it? HE Northern Powerhouse. the boxes for what central government The Midlands Engine. wants to see and wants to support. Across its Industrial Strategy and wider creating a good impression How about the Eastern Simon Darby is the Head of agenda, futureproo ng the UK economy T East of England at PLMR, Flank, Estuary Turbine or Essex so that it is generating the companies, BUSINESS isn’t just industries and jobs that will enable the a leading UK integrated Incubator? communications agency. about what it does – it’s UK to grow and prosper over the long term is one of the core priorities for about how it appears to It is fair to say that - as a region - in A recent years Essex and the wider East national policymakers. The ‘industries and the East, they are critical issues its customers and indeed, its of England has sailed slightly under of tomorrow’ is a hackneyed term, but staff. Whilst perception isn’t the radar, both politically and in public essentially captures where government that need to be addressed to facilitate is focusing its attention. It is also an growth in the region. everything, often people will consciousness, compared to other geographic areas of the UK. agenda that Essex and the East can Greater focus needs to be given to judge you by the impression demonstrate it is already delivering on. In part, this is the result of a political ensuring school-leavers and graduates you give. calculation made by successive Of course, the focus on boosting high- have the requisite skills and abilities Conservative administrations (under growth future industries is inextricably to take jobs in the sectors – such as One Essex company which knows this both Cameron and bound up in the UK’s ongoing Brexit advanced manufacturing more than most is John’s Blinds & May) to focus attention and ntech – that are likely Curtains. Established since 1975, the towards Manchester and to grow in importance for family-run business has a well-earned Birmingham with an eye the region. Whilst certain reputation for supplying all types on rebuilding the party’s areas of Essex (and the of blinds & curtains to homes and, electoral base beyond East more generally) are increasingly, commercial premises. the South East. It is also developing a more pro- the best possible components Sue and Steve Baisden took over the testament to the effective development approach to are used. This increases the business 12 years ago from her father lobbying and relationship housing, this needs to be longevity of each blind system, and two years ago opened a new building among key local broadened so that skilled track or pole plus the curtains  agship showroom and workshop in and regional policymakers people and families are we sell,” said Steve. and businesses to make Wickford to complement its Romford attracted to the region – or the case for investment outlet. More and more businesses John’s Blinds & Curtains offers have the housing options to and successfully position are utilising the bespoke service a wide range of blinds & remain here. On transport, curtains and a vast selection themselves as strategic offered by John’s Blinds & Curtains greater East-West road and of fabrics and swatches. Their economic geographies, and Steve believes this is because rst rail links have long been impressions count. products include: capable of delivering the industries, jobs and an ambition, but a greater “A business should want to present • Roller blinds communities the UK needs. focus on multi-modal a rst-class impression to customers • Wooden, faux wood (PVC) methods of transport needs Essex, the Thames Estuary and staff and that could be anything and aluminium Venetian and broader East of England, to be fostered to improve from a smart reception to a blinds settlement and the need for the UK to connectivity and ef ciency. comfortable working environment. in comparison, has not been placed on reposition itself vis-a-via Europe and • Vertical blinds Who needs to be making this case? Almost everything we do is made a similar level in recent times. To an wider world economies. More broadly, • Perfect Fit blinds extent the area is often perceived to be especially for your windows in your the UK’s departure from the EU creates It goes without saying that the region’s • Roman blinds more af uent – less in need of economic of ce or home. Made to measure is a huge opportunity for Essex and policymakers have a key role to play • Commercial blinds intervention, political focus and thus exactly that, made to your precise the East to demonstrate its strategic – and in many instances are already • Curtains & Soft furnishings. support – whilst also a more disparate speci cations. Be it Venetian, Vertical importance to the UK, as a whole. making the case. From local authorities “Where we score above other and less cohesive region of the UK – less Across its seaports and airports, Essex or Roller blinds, nearly all products are company. “We are equally happy and LEPs to the various ‘corridors’ and blind and curtain companies easy to package up into a single whole. and the East is the ‘gateway’ to the UK - made from scratch, using UK made growth regions, it is vital that all the is our commitment to nding solving a one-window problem as well a position that will become increasingly components and expertly built to This need not be the case. Indeed, in a region’s stakeholders are singing from the perfect, bespoke solution to a as redesigning an entire building’s vital from a trade perspective once meet the highest standards. period where regions are increasingly the same hymn-sheet. This has enabled customer’s needs. We don’t do off-the- window dressing needs. Our family Brexit is nalised. Again, the region – having to pit themselves against one other regions to present themselves “We pride ourselves on our after-sales shelf products and don’t sell on-line. business ethos means we treat each another – for both UK and overseas as a logistics and infrastructure hub as coherent and strategic economic service. Most of our products are Every job is a one-off and our expert customer with the same high level of investment (the ongoing battles - needs to demonstrate its strategic geographies – Essex and the wider East fully serviceable which means we can team will take the time to sit down service and care. That’s why so much between the northern regions and importance and also how it has the needs to follow suit. maintain them, while our staff are with the customer and discuss exactly of our work comes from word-of- London being a case in point), it is vital capabilities to smooth and effectively all employed by us – no commission what it is they need. Everything from mouth recommendation,” added Steve. that Essex and the wider East continues facilitate trade and investment into the Ultimately, businesses have a critical salesmen and no high-pressure the smallest details, such as the colour to raise its pro le. UK in the coming period. role in this. They are the ones that selling. 80% of our business is word-of- of the chain, to installing when best As well as shouting about what it is are delivering day in, day out across Contact: The county and the wider region mouth and we are extremely proud of convenient for the customer, will be are very well placed to do this. From already doing and what it can do in the the county; the ones that know how that fact. discussed and actioned on. There’s a 01708 200309 innovative advanced manufacturing; future, the region also needs to be bold better infrastructure can improve their We are always looking to increase our lot of choice out there in the Window burgeoning life sciences and medtech in highlighting what it needs to succeed business; the ones that know what skills product portfolio giving our customers dressing world and we deal with all [email protected] companies; to established nancial in the longer term. Whilst issues they’ll need employees to have in the the leading manufacturers,” said Steve. more choice. Nearly all of our products www.johnsblinds.co.uk services and emerging ntech sectors, around skills, homes and transport coming years. It is vital that they make are made in the UK, so we know only No job is too big or too small for the Essex and the surrounding areas tick infrastructure are not unique to Essex their voices heard.

37 An open invitation to build a stronger community RGANISATION behaviour school-leavers. meetings, fancy a spot of lunch or afternoon consultant Margaret “Beyond offering industry placements, tea or would like to reward your employees, Wheatley said, “there is no work experience and apprenticeships, we have refreshments, lunch and afternoon O local businesses can support their local tea available in our Princes Room power for change greater than a college by getting involved with college life. Restaurant at our Princes Road campus. community discovering what it Students need and greatly value hearing From September, if you or your employees cares about.” from employers about what life is like in the would like some pampering we have a real world. They are keen to understand special offer of 20% off for business people It is a sentiment echoed by Sarah Hamilton, the expectations employers might have and for use within our newly opened Princes Director of Business Services at Chelmsford the qualities employers might look for in College. Sarah said “We are a community: a prospective employee. The Government Salons. Treatments range from hairdressing a business community. And communities recently introduced the Gatsby benchmarks cut and colour to luxury manicures, only thrive when we help one another. As a to drive standards in careers provision in pedicures and eyelash tints. college, Chelmsford focuses predominately schools and colleges and expects them “A strong community communicates well on education and training, but we can also to be fully met by 2020. These include together - so if there’s something you’d like help you, as a business owner, with advice ensuring students have access to mentoring to ask, raise or discuss with Chelmsford and guidance on careers, funding available opportunities, enterprise schemes, hearing College we invite you to get in touch. We are for training and of course match you from guest speakers about different facets eager to listen. If you have a new idea to with apprentices and students looking for of industry, gaining rst-hand experience of share or if there’s any way we can help you industry placements, work experience and work through work shadowing and making or your business, please let us know. The employment. new connections through networking, main college number to call is 01245 265611. “Next year, T Levels (a new quali cation helping young people build their con dence If you’d like to discuss apprenticeships in combining classroom learning with ‘on- and broaden their vision. If you would like the-job’ experience) will be introduced to be part of this, Chelmsford College would particular please contact Dave Cornwell or and Chelmsford College will help support love to hear from you! Annette Sonnet on 01245 293119 or email employers prepared to offer three months’ “You are warmly invited to visit the college [email protected] or sonneta@ industry placements to young people. T to see behind the scenes at our next open chelmsford.ac.uk Our college website also Levels are being heralded as one of the main evening on Monday 24 June from 6-8.30pm. features our latest news and updates at technical education choices for post-GCSE If you’re looking for a venue for business www.chelmsford.ac.uk .”

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38 An open invitation to build How can you become the ‘employer of choice’? a stronger community HEN it comes to recruiting reputation and popularity as an employer, for your company in 2019, and its employee value proposition. Not RGANISATION behaviour school-leavers. meetings, fancy a spot of lunch or afternoon every company is a well-known brand, but it is most defi nitely a consultant Margaret “Beyond offering industry placements, tea or would like to reward your employees, W it doesn’t mean people won’t want to work work experience and apprenticeships, ‘candidates’ market’ out there, with for you. If you can ensure you look after your Wheatley said, “there is no we have refreshments, lunch and afternoon O local businesses can support their local tea available in our Princes Room the lowest unemployment levels staff, pay competitive salaries and, most There are a few simple steps you can power for change greater than a importantly, reward your staff – whether college by getting involved with college life. Restaurant at our Princes Road campus. for 40 years. So, what can you do as follow, some of which may require Students need and greatly value hearing through relevant training programmes or a community discovering what it From September, if you or your employees some investment, but it will be worth from employers about what life is like in the a company to stand out from the suitable work/life balance – then you will be cares about.” would like some pampering we have a more attractive to candidates. real world. They are keen to understand competition? How can you make the effort when you are inundated special offer of 20% off for business people It is a sentiment echoed by Sarah Hamilton, the expectations employers might have and Train to retain. A company’s most valuable with applications for the jobs you for use within our newly opened Princes sure candidates choose you and Director of Business Services at Chelmsford the qualities employers might look for in asset is its workforce. When a company are advertising, explains Amanda Salons. Treatments range from hairdressing your brand over the other companies College. Sarah said “We are a community: a prospective employee. The Government invests in training, employers quickly Coulson, CEO & Founder, SVC Group a business community. And communities recently introduced the Gatsby benchmarks cut and colour to luxury manicures, they are in contact with regarding see increased motivation, employee empowerment, staff retention, improved – Recruitment & Training. only thrive when we help one another. As a to drive standards in careers provision in pedicures and eyelash tints. job opportunities? And how can you quality of service and ultimately increased college, Chelmsford focuses predominately schools and colleges and expects them “A strong community communicates well ensure your current staff want to pro ts. on education and training, but we can also to be fully met by 2020. These include together - so if there’s something you’d like training, then your company should stay with you? Sometimes clients think the answer to their help you, as a business owner, with advice ensuring students have access to mentoring to ask, raise or discuss with Chelmsford de nitely look at quali cations from The skills shortage is recruitment, and we know and guidance on careers, funding available opportunities, enterprise schemes, hearing Institute of Leadership and Management College we invite you to get in touch. We are The basics employees look for are for your this through our recruitment side of our for training and of course match you from guest speakers about different facets (ILM) – the largest awarding body for eager to listen. If you have a new idea to company to be clean, safe, have free parking business. Clients often come to us and say, with apprentices and students looking for of industry, gaining rst-hand experience of professional management quali cations share or if there’s any way we can help you and good kitchen facilities. But what else “we need more staff”, but sometimes the industry placements, work experience and work through work shadowing and making across Europe. Managers put their learning or your business, please let us know. The should you offer? answer isn’t more people… it’s training, employment. new connections through networking, into practice as they progress, realising an main college number to call is 01245 265611. When researching your business, candidates development and coaching they need. There “Next year, T Levels (a new quali cation helping young people build their con dence immediate bene t to their businesses. If you’d like to discuss apprenticeships in will really delve deep into your company may be people within your business right combining classroom learning with ‘on- and broaden their vision. If you would like and your brand. They will look at brand now who are crying out for development. 83% of employers plan to offer training and particular please contact Dave Cornwell or the-job’ experience) will be introduced to be part of this, Chelmsford College would awareness, vision and values, competitive Not only can it boost morale and help those upskilling opportunities to their staff in 2019. Annette Sonnet on 01245 293119 or email and Chelmsford College will help support love to hear from you! salary/package, reward and recognition, individuals, but it also helps to boost your Will you be joining them, and signing up employers prepared to offer three months’ “You are warmly invited to visit the college [email protected] or sonneta@ culture and environment and a good work/ bottom line. your staff for relevant training programmes? industry placements to young people. T to see behind the scenes at our next open chelmsford.ac.uk Our college website also life balance. But how do you know which are the best I really do encourage you to do this. Afterall, Levels are being heralded as one of the main evening on Monday 24 June from 6-8.30pm. features our latest news and updates at Employer branding is key. This is the term courses? If you are looking for exceptional it is your company which will reap the technical education choices for post-GCSE If you’re looking for a venue for business www.chelmsford.ac.uk .” commonly used to describe an organisation’s and accredited management leadership rewards!

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39 HR – can any business function successfully without it? IR Richard Branson once with customers and collaborate on contract HR professionals, from an HR decisions. HR can add value to a company administrator to a highly quali ed HR famously said, “train by promoting this link and persuading director. people well enough so they company leaders to train and develop “Our service is all about providing the right S employees and reward strong performance can leave but treat them well solution for the speci c circumstance. We through regular compensation and bene t will take the time and trouble to sit down enough, so they don’t have to.” reviews.” with a client and explore exactly what “Hiring and retaining talent is a their need is. There is no ‘one size ts all’ This, in essence, encapsulates much of foundation of high-performing companies solution with us. Each business is different what the still often maligned human and is essential for small businesses and and will have different HR requirements,” resource function is all about – and any start-ups that want to grow. Here, HR can added Sarah. business ignoring this advice does so at add value by building and managing the their peril, suggests Sarah McKee-Harris, “Everything we do is geared towards systems that recruit, attract, hire, train, Founder and Director of Essex-based HR nding the most effective and ef cient motivate and retain a company’s best specialists, Kingswood Group. HR solution for any given organisation, employees. whatever its size. Remember, nothing any Sarah has been specialising in working “Another way HR adds value to a business does is more important than with organisations since 2005 to source business is through legal protection from hiring the right people – except perhaps and hire HR professionals, largely across discrimination and wrongful termination retaining the good ones!” said Sarah. London and the home counties. Her lawsuits. HR professionals must be company, Kingswood Group, partners with Kingswood Group is a sponsor/judge in continually up to speed on employee companies to recruit HR professionals on the professional services category of this laws and educate business owners and a permanent and contract basis as well as year’s prestigious Business Excellence managers. offering a more  exible approach to HR via Awards Essex. a consultancy service. They must also design hiring and promotional systems that promote Her experience ranges from successfully fairness and equality. Interview questions partnering with smaller rms looking to that align speci cally to a job, for instance, hire their rst HR professional all the way minimise risks of a discrimination claim. to working with global nancial services This element of HR becomes increasingly looking to expand their HR function. valuable as workplaces become more Sarah has a passion for working within diverse,” said Sarah. HR recruitment and has built a strong network of HR professionals offering Whilst Sarah recognises many companies different experience; in terms of specialist still aren’t devoted followers of Sir Richard HR skills, industry background and level of Branson’s thinking, she believes there is a expertise. discernible switch in attitudes towards HR. “Used properly, HR adds great value to “The HR profession is, without doubt, any company’s business performance. A now more highly respected, evidenced by business strategy and a good HR strategy the increasing degree-level quali cations should be inseparable. Recruiting the of those working within the industry. right staff and retaining and developing This in turn has resulted in a demand existing staff are central to just about for enabling and commercial HR people every business goal a company can set,” rather than the ‘HR police.’ Yes, making said Sarah. sure a company stays on the right side of legislation is absolutely vital, but so Yet still there is a reluctance from some is enabling a company to realise its full business bosses to take the HR function potential by partnering with the company seriously, something which frustrates to help make commercial decisions,” Sarah. added Sarah. “For companies that consider employees Kingswood Group is different to most their most valuable assets, a strong HR HR agencies in that it is equally adept offering is essential. In the most general at recruiting HR staff and offering HR sense, HR can contribute In the motivation consultancy services. of workers to perform at the highest level possible and maintain an organisational “We have a highly experienced team of culture of high morale. A well-run human HR associates with specialist HR expertise resources function manages an essential to work on a consultative basis with an link to company success, quality workers organisation. This could be either during and exceptional performance. The long- its growth period when there isn’t the Contact: term success and nancial performance budget to hire an HR professional or more 01206 482022 / 07743 864737 of a company is usually directly strategically during a time of signi cant correlated to the talents, motivation and change or growth within the organisation. [email protected] accomplishments of its people. “Alternatively, we can use our search www.kingswoodgroup.org “People make and sell products, work expertise to recruit permanent and

40 ADVERTISINGBusiness FEATURE Excellence HR – can any business function successfully without it? BusinessAwards Excellence return Awards ROM internationally- quality of drink. IR Richard Branson once with customers and collaborate on contract HR professionals, from an HR decisions. HR can add value to a company administrator to a highly quali ed HR run businesses to The black-tie event will take famously said, “train by promoting this link and persuading director. up-and-coming place at one of Essex’s most people well enough so they company leaders to train and develop “Our service is all about providing the right EssexF are here to celebrateiconic venues, Essex County S employees and reward strong performance companies who are set Cricket Club and, as well as can leave but treat them well solution for the speci c circumstance. We through regular compensation and bene t will take the time and trouble to sit down to make a big impact rewarding business success, enough, so they don’t have to.” reviews.” with a client and explore exactly what in the future, Essex has the night will also provide the “Hiring and retaining talent is a their need is. There is no ‘one size ts all’ This, in essence, encapsulates much of opportunity to raise much- foundation of high-performing companies solution with us. Each business is different proven to be a hotbed what the still often maligned human needed funds for charity. and is essential for small businesses and and will have different HR requirements,” regional success resource function is all about – and any of business success in start-ups that want to grow. Here, HR can added Sarah. All money raised on the business ignoring this advice does so at add value by building and managing the recent years. night will go the way of their peril, suggests Sarah McKee-Harris, “Everything we do is geared towards systems that recruit, attract, hire, train, the awards’ of cial charity Founder and Director of Essex-based HR nding the most effective and ef cient And in order to celebrate this motivate and retain a company’s best HR solution for any given organisation, partner, Lord’s Taverners. The specialists, Kingswood Group. success, the Business Excellence employees. whatever its size. Remember, nothing any UK’s leading youth cricket Sarah has been specialising in working “Another way HR adds value to a business does is more important than Awards Essex is set to return to with organisations since 2005 to source and disability sports charity business is through legal protection from hiring the right people – except perhaps the county later this year. and hire HR professionals, largely across supports disadvantaged and discrimination and wrongful termination retaining the good ones!” said Sarah. London and the home counties. Her Taking place on Thursday 26 disabled young children across lawsuits. HR professionals must be acknowledged for its fantastic work in company, Kingswood Group, partners with Kingswood Group is a sponsor/judge in September, the awards brings together the country and relies on charitable continually up to speed on employee its sector which has seen it gain clients companies to recruit HR professionals on the professional services category of this people from across the region for a night donations to fund its efforts. A game of laws and educate business owners and such as Wembley Stadium, Reading & a permanent and contract basis as well as year’s prestigious Business Excellence of celebration and recognition of their stand-up bingo and silent auction will managers. Awards Essex. Leeds festival and Tottenham Hotspur. offering a more  exible approach to HR via success during the past 12 months. take place to raise money for the charity. They must also design hiring and a consultancy service. People of all ages and from across a With new businesses opening their promotional systems that promote Nominations for this year’s awards Her experience ranges from successfully doors in the region on a regular basis, fairness and equality. Interview questions number of sectors have a spotlight will close on Friday 14 June and for partnering with smaller rms looking to there is also an award that celebrates that align speci cally to a job, for instance, shone on them at the awards with 14 hire their rst HR professional all the way the impact these companies make to the more information on how to nominate, minimise risks of a discrimination claim. categories up for grabs. to working with global nancial services regional business community. Nominees visit the dedicated website https:// This element of HR becomes increasingly From internationally run highly trained staff of drivers. looking to expand their HR function. This includes the evening’s most businessexcellenceawardsessex.co.uk/ valuable as workplaces become more businesses to up-and-com- As well as being home to a for this category will be hoping to follow Sarah has a passion for working within sought-after award,whole Company host of large of businessesthe diverse,” said Sarah. ing companies who are set in the footsteps of The Bottle Club which The night will be hosted by TV comedian HR recruitment and has built a strong to makeYear. a big Awardedimpact in the to thatEssex onealso embracesbusiness SMEs that and the ‘SME Business of the Year’ was victorious last year. An online drinks Mark Dolan and Denise van Outen. F or network of HR professionals offering Whilst Sarah recognises many companies future, standsEssex has out proven above all others, last year this still aren’t devoted followers of Sir Richard to be a hotbed of business celebrates one particular small retailer delivering a range of wines, more information get in touch with different experience; in terms of specialist award went the wayor mediumof transport sized business group, who Branson’s thinking, she believes there is a success in recent years. beers, spirits and soft drinks directly Shannon Taylor at event organisers HR skills, industry background and level of And in order24x7 to Ltd. celebrate With this a  haseet a ofproven more track than record of suc- discernible switch in attitudes towards HR. success, the Business Excellence cess. In 2018 this category went to clients, the business is dedicated Champions (UK) plc. Call 08453 31 30 31 expertise. 1,000 vehicles, one area it specialises “The HR profession is, without doubt, Awards Essex is set to return to the way of Imaginators. A print to providing customers with the best or email [email protected] “Used properly, HR adds great value to the countyin later is thisthe year. transport productionof children. company It often who are now more highly respected, evidenced by experts at delivering solutions any company’s business performance. A Taking placehelps on children26 September who are vulnerable get business strategy and a good HR strategy the increasing degree-level quali cations the awards brings together people for music events, festivals and to school with theirsporting energy-ef occasions, cient the business should be inseparable. Recruiting the of those working within the industry. from across the region for a night of celebrationvehicles and recognitionand highly was trained acknowledged staff for of their fan- 2018 AWARDS right staff and retaining and developing This in turn has resulted in a demand of their success over the last 12 tastic work in their sector which for enabling and commercial HR people drivers. dedicated to providing their cus- taged and disabled young chil- existing staff are central to just about months. People of all ages and has seen them gain clients such tomers with the best quality of dren across the country and rely as Wembley Stadium, Reading every business goal a company can set,” rather than the ‘HR police.’ Yes, making from across a number of sectors drink. on charitable donations to fund As well as being home& Leeds to festival a whole and Tottenham sure a company stays on the right side have a spotlight shone on them at The black-tie event will take their efforts. A game of stand-up said Sarah. the awardshost with 16of categorieslarge businesses, up Hotspur. Essex also place at one of Essex’s most icon- bingo and silent auction will take of legislation is absolutely vital, but so for grabs. With new businesses opening Yet still there is a reluctance from some embraces SMEs and the SME Business ic venues, Essex County Cricket place to raise money for the char- is enabling a company to realise its full This includes the evening’s most their doors in the region on a reg- business bosses to take the HR function Club and as well as rewarding ity. potential by partnering with the company sought afterof awardthe Year ‘Company celebrates of ular basis, one there particular is also an award seriously, something which frustrates business success the night will The night will be hosted by TV to help make commercial decisions,” the Year.’small Awarded or to medium that one sizedthat celebrates business the impact which these Sarah. business that stands out above all companies make to the regional also provide the opportunity to comedian Mark Dolan and TV added Sarah. has a proven track record of success. raise much needed funds for presenter Denise Van Outen. “For companies that consider employees others, last year this award went business community. Nominees Kingswood Group is different to most the way ofIn transport 2018, groupthis 24x7category for this went category the will way be hoping charity. For more information about this their most valuable assets, a strong HR Returning in their role as ‘Official year’s awards, including sponsor- HR agencies in that it is equally adept Ltd. Withof a Imaginators. fleet of over 1,000 A printto follow production in the footsteps of The offering is essential. In the most general vehicles one area they specialise Bottle Club who were victorious Charity Partner’ all money raised ship opportunities please con-tact at recruiting HR staff and offering HR company expert at delivering solutions sense, HR can contribute In the motivation in is the transport of children. last year. An online drinks retail- on the night will go the way of Shannon Taylor at Champions consultancy services. They oftenfor help music children events, who festivalser who deliver and a range of wines, Lord’s Taverners. The UK’s lead- (UK) plc on 08453 31 30 31 or of workers to perform at the highest level email stay-lor@championsukplc. “We have a highly experienced team of are vulnerablesporting get to school occasions, with beers, the spirits business and soft wasdrinks di- ing youth cricket and disability possible and maintain an organisational their energy efficient vehicles and rectly to clients the business is sports charity support disadvan- com. Mark Dolan 2019 HOST: Mark Dolan 2019Denise HOST :Van Denise Outen Van Outen culture of high morale. A well-run human HR associates with specialist HR expertise resources function manages an essential to work on a consultative basis with an link to company success, quality workers organisation. This could be either during its growth period when there isn’t the Contact: and exceptional performance. The long- Corporate Risks F OR YOU term success and nancial performance budget to hire an HR professional or more 01206 482022 / 07743 864737 of a company is usually directly strategically during a time of signi cant correlated to the talents, motivation and change or growth within the organisation. [email protected] accomplishments of its people. “Alternatively, we can use our search www.kingswoodgroup.org “People make and sell products, work expertise to recruit permanent and

41 Prospecting is all about the prospects, not the suspects

HE salesperson who along the way. When you’re prospecting, ‘You never have to like prospecting, you’re like the Coast Guard’s search and claims to like making cold you just have to do it.’ So says Rupert rescue team, looking for a small raft of Miles, managing director of training calls hasn’t made any. shipwreck survivors in a vast ocean. The T work may be long and tedious, but the goal company, Sandler Essex, who How can anyone like a process that is certainly worthwhile and rewarding. explains how to tackle prospecting produces such an arena for rejection? Of course, along the way the searchers will and make it work for you. When sales people say they like come across all kinds of interesting crafts – prospecting, what they may mean is this: ’I colourful sailing boats, magni cent yachts, don’t mind paying the price of prospecting even an ocean liner or two– in their search many small sh. Other days you’re throw to reach my objectives’. Many sales people for the survivors’ raft. That doesn’t mean back only a few. The one thing you must haven’t reached that stage. If you’re still they call off the search! Similarly, you will do, however, and do with consistency that at the stage where prospecting means encounter many interesting suspects, but borders on obsession, is cast your net! After dialling numbers hoping the line is busy… you never want to call off your search for all, that’s your job! or driving around the block for two hours the prospect who needs you. Your goal so you can build up your nerve to call on is simply to weed out the suspects who If you would like to learn more about a complete stranger, don’t worry. You’re don’t qualify as prospects, as quickly and the Sandler rules of prospecting, such OK. You just haven’t learned to focus on ef ciently as possible. as, “every unsuccessful prospecting call the end result… instead you’re focused on Cold calling, like other prospecting earns compound interest”, and how to what you have to do to get the end result. activities, is a selection activity– it’s all develop the mindset and behaviours that Prospecting is simply the act of nding about separating prospects from suspects, will bring you success in even the most prospects – those people who need your nothing more and nothing less. When it’s competitive markets, please get in touch product or service – while they are hiding time to prospect, and it usually is, think of to register interest in my next Sandler one- in a sea of suspects. You must keep your yourself as being like the shermen who, day Prospecting Boot Camp in Chelmsford focus on that goal: nding prospects. You upon pulling up the nets must sort through on Monday July 15. You’ll nd my contact can’t let your attentionBusiness become Time in Essex diverted Quarter Page Ad - Feb_2019the catch.pdf and throw back all the sh that details in the advertisement on page 30 of by the many suspects you will encounter are too small. Some days you’ll throw back this issue.

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CMY We believe in giving our clients time in order that we can understand their priorities K and challenges. Above all, we aim to give tailored advice - both to businesses and individuals - that has impact and value.

01206 715000 www.bakerchapman.co.uk Contact Andrew or Jackie [email protected] 3 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1DZ

42 Prospecting is all Taking up the 2019 Fireball about the prospects, 007 Challenge, far from dull HOEVER thought the con ned to a wheelchair and needs not the suspects full-time care. This is our small way of world of insurance is assisting the cause.” a rather dull and staid HE salesperson who along the way. When you’re prospecting, ‘You never have to like prospecting, W The MS Society is the UK’s largest you’re like the Coast Guard’s search and place might have to think again! organisation dedicated to supporting claims to like making cold you just have to do it.’ So says Rupert rescue team, looking for a small raft of Miles, managing director of training more than 100,000 people, their families shipwreck survivors in a vast ocean. The Peter Collins is Managing Director of calls hasn’t made any. company, Sandler Essex, who and carers, affected by multiple T work may be long and tedious, but the goal Southend-based insurance Brokers sclerosis (MS). MS is the most common explains how to tackle prospecting How can anyone like a process that is certainly worthwhile and rewarding. Bespoke Risk Solutions and Leisureworld neurological disorder among young and make it work for you. produces such an arena for rejection? Of course, along the way the searchers will (GB) and, later this year, he and adults and is usually diagnosed between When sales people say they like come across all kinds of interesting crafts – three friends will be embarking on a the ages of 20 and 45. prospecting, what they may mean is this: ’I colourful sailing boats, magni cent yachts, challenging 1,800-mile European road don’t mind paying the price of prospecting even an ocean liner or two– in their search many small sh. Other days you’re throw The focus of the Society is to provide to reach my objectives’. Many sales people for the survivors’ raft. That doesn’t mean trip, motoring through eight countries in support today, whilst funding vital back only a few. The one thing you must four days. James Bond lms, motoring through haven’t reached that stage. If you’re still they call off the search! Similarly, you will do, however, and do with consistency that medical research to nd a cure for the at the stage where prospecting means encounter many interesting suspects, but borders on obsession, is cast your net! After Peter will be joined by Rob Hayward eight countries (France, Switzerland, future. Key services and projects include dialling numbers hoping the line is busy… you never want to call off your search for all, that’s your job! (team Mustang) and Ken Balneaves Austria, Italy, Lichtenstein, Germany, a national freephone helpline, support or driving around the block for two hours the prospect who needs you. Your goal and Martin Duffell (team Bentley) as Luxembourg and Belgium) in four days so you can build up your nerve to call on If you would like to learn more about for young people caring for families or is simply to weed out the suspects who in two high performance motor cars - a a complete stranger, don’t worry. You’re don’t qualify as prospects, as quickly and the Sandler rules of prospecting, such they compete in the 2019 Fireball 007 relatives with MS, funding a dedicated OK. You just haven’t learned to focus on ef ciently as possible. as, “every unsuccessful prospecting call Challenge, a route which takes in a Ford Mustang 5.0 litre GT convertible MRI scanner for the diagnosis of MS, the end result… instead you’re focused on Cold calling, like other prospecting earns compound interest”, and how to number of iconic locations from James and a Bentley Continental 6.0 litre GTC providing award-winning information what you have to do to get the end result. activities, is a selection activity– it’s all develop the mindset and behaviours that Bond lms. convertible. This adventure will test our publications, and offering welfare grants Prospecting is simply the act of nding about separating prospects from suspects, will bring you success in even the most Peter said: “This is an entirely self-funded driving skills, willpower, endurance and for home adaptations and wheelchairs. prospects – those people who need your nothing more and nothing less. When it’s competitive markets, please get in touch friendships! to register interest in my next Sandler one- road trip with 100% of donations (plus The event starts on September 13. product or service – while they are hiding time to prospect, and it usually is, think of “Rob’s wife, Teresa, has had Secondary in a sea of suspects. You must keep your yourself as being like the shermen who, day Prospecting Boot Camp in Chelmsford any gift aid) going to the MS Society for Anyone who would like to support Peter focus on that goal: nding prospects. You upon pulling up the nets must sort through on Monday July 15. You’ll nd my contact research, campaigning, support and Progressive Multiple Sclerosis for around and his friends can donate by going to can’t let your attentionBusiness become Time in Essex diverted Quarter Page Ad - Feb_2019the catch.pdf and throw back all the sh that details in the advertisement on page 30 of information. We will be driving some 25 years. Her condition has deteriorated https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ by the many suspects you will encounter are too small. Some days you’ll throw back this issue. of the iconic roads featured in the over time and she is now completely Team/fi reball007

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CMY We believe in giving our clients time in order that we can understand their priorities K and challenges. Above all, we aim to give tailored advice - both to businesses and individuals - that has impact and value.

01206 715000 www.bakerchapman.co.uk Contact Andrew or Jackie [email protected] 3 North Hill, Colchester, CO1 1DZ

43 How RTLS makes life safer for your staff TLS indoor and outdoor information immediately. The data that is positioning systems consist of displayed normally shows how far away the two parts, the Bluetooth indoor distance is and how much time it will take to R reach that destination. positioning and the GPS outdoor Some of the simplest, however, may de ne positioning system. Because the these systems as some of the latest advanced If you are looking for a more updated safety of your workers ultimately technologies, including those that detect emergency safety solution for your depends on how fast the response present geolocation. In particular, as it applies organisation you should take into is to any given situation, these new to a speci ed target. These targets may be in consideration the range of systems a diversity of environments and settings. For that there are today, including real technological advance solutions are instance, the target may be a vehicle, an item a great way to maintain the security or items, and even a person. time location systems. But what of employees and may be just what As previously discussed, RTLS consists of is RTLS? John Moran, Operations you need. two parts. The rst part to RTLS is the indoor Director at Wickford-based Minerva Bluetooth positioning systems. Beacons are Fire & Security, explains. With the use of these systems, as well as installed and connected to the LAN of the other integrated solutions, safety response building premises. In order for it to work, any teams are noti ed automatically when a permanent discoverable Bluetooth device may be in areas that may not be as visible as distressed employee is in trouble. To eliminate can be registered to the system, for example others. However, with the use of these new any unnecessary delays, this technology will a Bluetooth ID badge or a digital radio. The Real Time Location Systems, these workers’ display the employee’s exact location on the sensors can pick up the location of the device, can be found and treated much easier. screen so that emergency teams can take making it possible for the location of people or In addition to tracking staff for protection control of the situation and get them to a vehicles to be tracked. purposes, some companies are using this type safety zone within a minimum amount of The second part to RTLS is the GPS outdoor of technology to track workers’ activities. It time. Employees can be safeguarded at all positioning system which can locate and really does not matter if the workers are in the times, wherever their location. monitor objects around the facility too. eld or off-site, this technology is incorporated Real time data is information which is If an employee were to exit the building into RFID-enabled badges. delivered immediately after collection. premises, the Bluetooth connection of the Real Time Location Systems have become a Because of advancements in technology, real- handset would switch over to a GPS signal staple in many different industries today. With time data is used in many different situations automatically making the tracking possible. this technology, companies can track a wide today. For instance, if you want to know how When people work on hazardous jobs, range of different activities including locating long it will take to travel from one destination anything can happen throughout the course workers in unsafe environments via the use of to another, a real-time system will show this of their day. Unfortunately, some activities their employee RFID-enabled badges.

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44 Direct mail should be an essential ingredient of your marketing recipe N today’s digital world, your key messages incorporating direct mail into c. copywriting – often forgotten but a vital your marketing campaigns is ingredient to a successful campaign I d. CTA – strong Call-to-Action essential to ensure your brand e. great print! – it should be a given is considered trustworthy and to but choose a reputable, experienced remain at the forefront of your supplier to avoid disappointment. customers’ thoughts. Case studies 4. Integration – including print as part show that direct mail is not just of a multi-channel campaign with Direct mail works…if it didn’t why effective, but more effective than personalisation throughout is a powerful are so many huge corporations, solely digital campaigns. tool. like Amazon, F acebook, Uber, 5. Analysis – did your campaign achieve AirBnB and, more recently, Net ix, To create an effective direct mail (or any what it set out to do? If it fell short, learn turning to print to increase revenue, direct marketing) campaign we would suggest what was wrong. If it was successful, following these steps: tweak and improve to run it again. asks Andy Pond, Head of Automated 1. Planning: Done well, a direct mail campaign can help Integrated Marketing ( AIM) at a. set your goals you improve customer engagement and, Southend-based Formara. b. identify your target audience ultimately, lead to higher sales. c. create a brief So is direct mail better than email d. assign budget. campaigns? marketing campaigns, the response rate is just 0.12%. Just using these ballpark gures 2. Data Management – good quality data While creating a standard email newsletter is means that direct mail is nearly 37 times allows you to: easy to do, direct mail allows you to be much more effective than email! a. personalise content making it relevant more creative and create something tangible to the recipient that will stick around with your audience for However, in our opinion, an ideal marketing b. create an impact with personalised much longer than email. Various studies have campaign would integrate both print and graphics shown that Direct Mail is effective - in fact, digital channels to deliver the right message c. carry out A/B testing to see what works there are many studies that found direct mail to the right person when they want it and in d. achieve postal discounts. is more effective than digital campaigns or their preferred channel. All channels need to 3. Creative – we could talk for hours on advertising alone. be measurable and adaptable to the audience. this subject but here are a few points to According to the Direct Marketing Association There are many online marketing tools out consider: (DMA), a stand-alone direct mail campaign there but few support a measurable print a. envelope – does this encourage the without any other digital touchpoints can channel – so take care when selecting your recipient to open it? achieve a response rate of up to 4.4%. This ideal partner to your next ‘multi-channel b. use the design to create ‘Ampli ers’ to gure may seem low, but for email-only marketing campaign’.

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46 Will your business be Knockout champions? USINESSES across Essex environment, whilst helping raise funds are being invited to battle for such a worthy cause.” it out for the honour of Debbie de Boltz, Fundraising Manager B at Farleigh Hospice, said: “We are becoming Farleigh Hospice’s delighted to be working with Rickard ‘It’s A Knockout’ champions. Luckin for this exciting corporate challenge event. ‘It’s A Knockout’ This perfect team-building event, which provides great entertainment and is is being sponsored by accountancy rm, open to everyone, from the athletes Rickard Luckin, offers guaranteed mad amongst you, to the thinkers and the moments, belly laughs and nostalgia. Farleigh Hospice supporters, cheering their team on.” On Thursday July 4, corporate teams All the money raised by this event delegation skills, boosting morale and will battle it out to win school sports will help Farleigh Hospice continue to con dence, building trust and friendly day challenges with a twist; giant provide care and support to anyone penguin costumes, huge in atables, competitiveness. affected by a life-limiting illness or soaking sponges, wacky relay races and Steve Revill, Commercial Director at bereavement. enough foam to ll a bubble factory! Rickard Luckin, said: “We look forward The event will take place from 4pm- Competitors will be in for an evening to working with Debbie and the team 8pm at Heybridge Swifts FC, Heybridge, of brilliant fun and your business at Farleigh Hospice on making this Maldon. Enter your team of 10 for just will enjoy all the bene ts of team- event a huge success. It’s a great way £500. For more information, email building, including improving for us to build relationships with [email protected] or communication skills, leadership and businesses across Essex in a fun- lled call 01245 457411. Essex solicitor celebrates 50 years in legal profession BIRKETT Long solicitor, John In 2009, after 40 years with the same Long offers to its staff an enjoyable Morgan, is celebrating 50 years rm, retirement was beckoning, but working environment and to its clients he decided that he did not want to put a professional and friendly service. My in the legal profession and ten aside the accumulated expertise and accepting to join them proved to be a years with the Essex law fi rm. acquaintances of those years and he very happy decision and I look forward was delighted to be offered a chance to continuing to contribute to the rm’s John was born in Southend on Sea and to work as consultant to Birkett Long. growth.” has spent his life, both personal and He joined the rm to assist with their professional, in south east Essex. business development, in particular on His interest in the law began in the his home turf of south Essex. middle years of his schooling at Over many years in practice he Southend High School for Boys and acquired a loyal client following. continued through a degree course in Many chose to keep in touch and have Law at Lincoln College Oxford. Like enjoyed his support and the services of many others, he found the intricacies his colleagues at Birkett Long in the ten of the law both fascinating and years since. Hence, he now marks his challenging. 50 years in the legal profession. In March 1969, he joined a recently- John says “The changes in the law established practice in Basildon, and the profession have been many becoming a partner there, and and signi cant in that time, and in subsequently co-founding a new particular technology has had its rm out of that earlier practice. That impact – fax machines have come was indeed a major, but rewarding, and gone and much else has moved challenge for John. on. However, a constant is that Birkett

47 Oaks Hospital – here to provide quality healthcare to private and NHS patients

ENTION Oaks Hospital By opting for private healthcare at Oaks Hospital, you don’t even have to have in Colchester and most private health insurance but can pay for people will think of it your own treatment. It offers competitive M all-inclusive prices, wherever possible, as a very high-quality private designed ton cover all nursing and medical hospital, available only to the care, the hospital stay and consultants’ more affl uent members of the fees. As a private patient you would bene t local community. from Ramsay Health Care’s Private Patient Pledge, which offer all patients: Whilst the rst part is undoubtedly true, as staff at the hospital pride themselves • Flexible appointments to suit you and in delivering quality healthcare to all t around your commitments patients, it may surprise people to discover • Your choice of specialist consultant, that 65% of people treated at Oaks are and consultant-led care throughout NHS patients. Thanks to the national your surgery and recovery Choose and Book programme, patients can • No cancellations unless there is a choose to have their treatment at Oaks if medical reason which affects your their condition is appropriate. health The good news for the thousands of NHS • No waiting lists patients able to enjoy the hospital’s rst- • A xed price package with no hidden class facilities is that those facilities are extras constantly improving through continued investment. October will see the opening • Unlimited aftercare of a fourth state-of-the-art laminar  ow • 0% nance scheme to spread the cost of part or all your treatment theatre as well as a static MRI unit and a required. This facility ensures patients surgical admissions unit. spend a reduced amount of time at the In addition, Oaks Hospital can: Hospital Director, Amy Simpson, who has hospital, where clinically appropriate, and • often carry out your appointment, any been with Ramsay Healthcare for the can return to their normal activities as tests and results on the same day past 10 years and at Oaks Hospital for soon as possible. • offer many procedures that can be three, believes this latest development The hospital is strictly regulated and performed under local anaesthetic will cement Oaks’ position as a leading audited by the Care Quality Commission, or as a day-case to help you recover provider of the highest quality healthcare the governing body responsible for quicker in the area. maintaining standards in healthcare, and • provide you with a safe, clean “We are proud to work closely with the was rated ‘good’ in all ve categories in its environment and guarantee a private NHS in offering our services to local latest CQC inspection en-suite bedroom for your inpatient people and our latest expansion, at a cost The hospital offers a full range of recovery, with open visiting hours of £7.1 million, shows our commitment hospital services and treatments The hospital regularly hosts to providing the very best healthcare including orthopaedics, general surgery, complimentary patient information facilities. It will enable us to signi cantly diagnostics, men and women’s health events which give you the opportunity to increase our capacity to help us cope with services, ophthalmology (eye surgery) as meet some of the hospital’s consultants the ever-increasing demand from a rapidly well a specialist services such as cancer who are experts in their speciality, and growing local population,” said Amy. care, Private GP services and cosmetic help you understand all the options of Oaks Hospital is part of Ramsay Health surgery. Diagnostic facilities include an care available to you. Please refer to the Care, one of the largest providers of ultrasound room, large x-ray department, hospital’s website for further details. independent healthcare services in the digital mammography and mobile MRI Getting in touch with Oaks Hospital world. Established in 1964 in Australia, and CT scanning facilities. It also has an could not be easier. To book a private it has has grown to become a global onsite physiotherapy department with appointment or to nd out more healthcare group operating more than chartered physiotherapists and a information including guideline prices, see 220 hospitals and day surgery facilities fully equipped gymnasium. It has 57 the contact box below. across 11 countries including Australia, bedrooms, including three twin-bedded England and France. As well as Oaks, the rooms, all with en-suite facilities to ensure group includes Spring eld Hospital in all patients bene t from complete privacy Chelmsford. throughout their stay. Contact Oaks Hospital opened in 1994. Its If you have private medical insurance, consultants are supported by a team of you can be reassured the Oaks Hospital 01206 752121 highly experienced and friendly nursing works alongside all the major health staff. A Resident Medical Of cer is insurers including BUPA, AXA-PPP, Aviva, Private.patient.coordinator@ available 24 hours a day, seven days a Vitality Health, WPA and Cigna. Oaks has ramsayhealth.co.uk or oaks. week for all patients. Its 11-bay Day Care a dedicated Private Patient Manager to [email protected] Unit is fully equipped to cater for patients assist you withb accessing services if you undergoing short surgical procedures are insured or choose to self0fund your www.oakshospital.co.uk where a bedroom or overnight stay is not treatment.

48 Control your Oaks Hospital – here to provide quality healthcare to private and NHS patients business and

ENTION Oaks Hospital By opting for private healthcare at Oaks Peter Disney of Colchester-based Hospital, you don’t even have to have fi nances better accountants, Wood and Disney, in Colchester and most private health insurance but can pay for looks at how monthly management your own treatment. It offers competitive people will think of it HY do some be too late – a problem so large that it accounts can bring so much more M all-inclusive prices, wherever possible, as a very high-quality private businesses appear can either be extremely expensive and added value to a business. designed ton cover all nursing and medical dif cult to rectify or it may even be hospital, available only to the care, the hospital stay and consultants’ to get so much terminal. If it can be recti ed at this fees. W more affl uent members of the late stage it will not be fast, it will not be As a private patient you would bene t more from their monthly local community. easy and it certainly will not be cheap. So what do you need to do? Use from Ramsay Health Care’s Private Patient management accounts than your accountant to monitor your Pledge, which offer all patients: If you catch a problem when it is small, monthly gures, to look for problems Whilst the rst part is undoubtedly true, others? it is fast to rectify, it is easy to solve as staff at the hospital pride themselves • Flexible appointments to suit you and and opportunities so that you can t around your commitments and inexpensive to put right. A simple in delivering quality healthcare to all Well rstly, perhaps some see concentrate on what you do best. change of direction, an easy change in patients, it may surprise people to discover • Your choice of specialist consultant, accountants as a necessary evil: Ask him to provide you with easy your procedures or a small correction in that 65% of people treated at Oaks are and consultant-led care throughout someone they have to refer to once a to understand graphs and key your surgery and recovery the way you do business. NHS patients. Thanks to the national year because the government insists performance indicators so you can Choose and Book programme, patients can • No cancellations unless there is a they keep accurate books and records so Most problems start small and then easily and quickly understand what is choose to have their treatment at Oaks if medical reason which affects your the Inland Revenue can collect their tax. grow unnoticed over a period of time, so going on, saving you huge amounts of their condition is appropriate. health In fact, it seems sometimes you are it is essential that if you already prepare your most valuable asset – your time. The good news for the thousands of NHS • No waiting lists paying one person just to tell you how monthly management accounts, you patients able to enjoy the hospital’s rst- Receive information in a non- • A xed price package with no hidden much to pay someone else. Where is the use them effectively. class facilities is that those facilities are extras accountancy way, using simple language constantly improving through continued value in that? Certainly you need to speed up the and pictures rather than reams of • Unlimited aftercare investment. October will see the opening Isn’t this a bit like paying an preparation of these accounts so you hard to understand gures. Demand of a fourth state-of-the-art laminar  ow • 0% nance scheme to spread the cost experienced sales person just to make get your information as soon after advice and recommendations rather of part or all your treatment theatre as well as a static MRI unit and a required. This facility ensures patients the coffee or do the ling? Are you not the month-end as possible. Receiving than options and warnings. Financial surgical admissions unit. spend a reduced amount of time at the In addition, Oaks Hospital can: wasting the huge amount of experience gures towards the end of the following vigilance is one of the hallmarks of a Hospital Director, Amy Simpson, who has hospital, where clinically appropriate, and • often carry out your appointment, any that your accountant has gained over month means if a problem has successful company and many business been with Ramsay Healthcare for the can return to their normal activities as tests and results on the same day the years? Seeing both success and occurred, yet another month has gone owners learnt this hard lesson during past 10 years and at Oaks Hospital for soon as possible. • offer many procedures that can be failure, and understanding why the by before you can begin to rectify it. the last recession. three, believes this latest development The hospital is strictly regulated and performed under local anaesthetic difference has occurred? Having both will cement Oaks’ position as a leading Many business owners believe they have We have created a systematic process to audited by the Care Quality Commission, or as a day-case to help you recover the quali cations and the practical to wait for every outstanding invoice provider of the highest quality healthcare the governing body responsible for quicker experience to enable him to recognise help our clients achieve the growth and in the area. before they can close-down the month, success they deserve and ultimately the maintaining standards in healthcare, and • provide you with a safe, clean both problems and opportunities. This “We are proud to work closely with the was rated ‘good’ in all ve categories in its otherwise the gures will be incorrect. freedom to do what they want to do. environment and guarantee a private experience has to be priceless, so are However, this is less important than NHS in offering our services to local latest CQC inspection en-suite bedroom for your inpatient Our system can help you with a number you using it? speed when it comes to monthly people and our latest expansion, at a cost The hospital offers a full range of recovery, with open visiting hours of key frustrations such as: of £7.1 million, shows our commitment Many small businesses prepare accounts, whereas annual accounts hospital services and treatments The hospital regularly hosts to providing the very best healthcare monthly accounts and gain a small need accuracy with speed being of a • pro ts are too low including orthopaedics, general surgery, complimentary patient information facilities. It will enable us to signi cantly bene t from doing so but, as they would diagnostics, men and women’s health events which give you the opportunity to secondary consideration. • competition is making life harder increase our capacity to help us cope with prefer to spend their time ‘doing what services, ophthalmology (eye surgery) as meet some of the hospital’s consultants Most business owners are working so • you have to work too hard the ever-increasing demand from a rapidly they do best’ and do not wish to study well a specialist services such as cancer who are experts in their speciality, and hard in their businesses, they do not growing local population,” said Amy. for an accountancy degree, they are • you are not enjoying life as much care, Private GP services and cosmetic help you understand all the options of have time to stand back and look at Oaks Hospital is part of Ramsay Health surgery. Diagnostic facilities include an not necessarily getting the valuable these days care available to you. Please refer to the where they are going. Time is a luxury Care, one of the largest providers of ultrasound room, large x-ray department, hospital’s website for further details. information available from their gures. • too much within your business relies independent healthcare services in the digital mammography and mobile MRI and few of us ever nd the time to Getting in touch with Oaks Hospital Imagine being able to receive fast, upon you world. Established in 1964 in Australia, and CT scanning facilities. It also has an work on our business rather than just could not be easier. To book a private timely guidance on what you have just it has has grown to become a global onsite physiotherapy department with working in it. Surely then the chance • there are too many problems appointment or to nd out more healthcare group operating more than chartered physiotherapists and a done enabling you to quickly decide of identifying opportunities or positive information including guideline prices, see • cash  ow is tight and customers are 220 hospitals and day surgery facilities fully equipped gymnasium. It has 57 what you need to do next. Imagine not trends earlier must be priceless? the contact box below. slow to pay. across 11 countries including Australia, bedrooms, including three twin-bedded having to wait until after the year-end Why not create an early warning England and France. As well as Oaks, the rooms, all with en-suite facilities to ensure but each and every month receiving system, to direct you towards positive group includes Spring eld Hospital in all patients bene t from complete privacy practical advice right away. Imagine trends so that luck becomes yours to Chelmsford. throughout their stay. Contact receiving advice to enable you to make control. Someone once said that luck Oaks Hospital opened in 1994. Its If you have private medical insurance, effective decisions and exploit your true is opportunity meeting preparation. 01206 752121 business potential. consultants are supported by a team of you can be reassured the Oaks Hospital But if you fail to spot the opportunity highly experienced and friendly nursing works alongside all the major health And what about dealing with problems soon enough, all the preparation in the staff. A Resident Medical Of cer is insurers including BUPA, AXA-PPP, Aviva, Private.patient.coordinator@ faster too? world will have been in vain. If you can available 24 hours a day, seven days a Vitality Health, WPA and Cigna. Oaks has ramsayhealth.co.uk or oaks. If you have to wait until the end of nip any problems in the bud and spot week for all patients. Its 11-bay Day Care a dedicated Private Patient Manager to [email protected] Unit is fully equipped to cater for patients assist you withb accessing services if you your accounting period to be advised opportunities as soon as they appear, undergoing short surgical procedures are insured or choose to self0fund your www.oakshospital.co.uk of a problem, perhaps because it has how much more successful would your where a bedroom or overnight stay is not treatment. suddenly become highly visible, it could business become?

49 Whether battlefi eld or boardroom – Mission Command is key! ORPORATE BATTLEFIELDS Ltd is well above its weight. It has been forged in a small, unique company offering the furnace of stress and pressure, shaped something radically different in by the hammers of complexity and fear and C has never failed those who have trusted it to terms of learning and development. provide a keen and unblunted edge to their Its programmes deliver solutions to leadership. Whilst founded in the practice of management teams on battlefi elds by war in 19th century Europe, it is absolutely correlating the outcomes of battle to relevant to business in the 21st century. Shell, today’s client-required solutions. Its Harvard, Diageo, Brother UK and many other You may have heard of Mission organisations use Mission Command. It Command in the military context. different approach to management suits small businesses as well as large and training won the HSBC Start Up ultimately brings peace of mind to those who You’re probably asking how Award in 2007 and a place among use it. something designed to work in battle the county’s top 50 companies for Mission Command is a system which can work in a civilian organisation innovation on the Innovation 50 decentralises command to lower levels of and, speci cally, how it can help your programme, judged by Essex County authority in order to optimise an organisation’s business. Graeme Cooper, Managing performance. The model co-locates authority Council and Anglia Ruskin University. Director of Brentwood-based and responsibility but without ever removing Corporate Battle elds explains how. Most people’s impressions about the military responsibility for overall success or failure are formed from watching war lms. The from the ultimate leader. Whatever your thoughts about the military, stereotype is of an autocratic, in exible and We often nd that some element of Mission often slow-witted organisation. In reality the you can bene t by learning from their mistakes, and successes. There are striking Command will form part of the solution. We military are very sound at delegation, terri c parallels with what the armed forces are team spirit, clarity of goals and cheerful use the past to illuminate your business future required to do and with what you are required by encouraging delegation not abrogation. resilience. to do: to deliver results in conditions which can The leadership model that the British Armed be lled with uncertainty, complexity, risk and Our classroom is the battle eld as there is no Forces operate to is called Mission Command. hostility. Making consistently good decisions in tougher place to take a team for leadership The model is not a panacea. It is one of all circumstances demands the resilience and learning. Whether on the English Civil War numerous organisational models. However, con dence to manage pressure and adversity. battle elds of Naseby or Marston Moor, it has been adapted and re ned from the At Corporate Battle elds, we don’t have a set Waterloo, the D-Day Normandy beaches, or Prussian model – Auftragstatik – by the British solution off the shelf regardless of the issues the surrounds of Colchester Castle experiential Military (and NATO) since the 1980s and has that need addressing. We will analyse the education delivers wider and deeper thinking withstood the very different requirements of needs of your organisation; agree them with the Cold War, Peace Support Operations, Peace you and then produce an individually tailored in an innovative, unique, bespoke, proven and Keeping and intense War Fighting. programme exactly measured to meet those inspiring way. The battle eld is the classroom Mission Command allows the Army to ght needs. and not the purpose.

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50 Whether battlefi eld or boardroom – Mission Command is key! How Essex businesses ORPORATE BATTLEFIELDS Ltd is well above its weight. It has been forged in a small, unique company offering the furnace of stress and pressure, shaped something radically different in by the hammers of complexity and fear and C has never failed those who have trusted it to terms of learning and development. provide a keen and unblunted edge to their Its programmes deliver solutions to can access the UK leadership. Whilst founded in the practice of management teams on battlefi elds by war in 19th century Europe, it is absolutely correlating the outcomes of battle to relevant to business in the 21st century. Shell, today’s client-required solutions. Its Harvard, Diageo, Brother UK and many other You may have heard of Mission organisations use Mission Command. It Command in the military context. different approach to management suits small businesses as well as large and space export market training won the HSBC Start Up ultimately brings peace of mind to those who You’re probably asking how Award in 2007 and a place among use it. something designed to work in battle the county’s top 50 companies for Mission Command is a system which can work in a civilian organisation access to ‘new space’ opportunities. Low and, speci cally, how it can help your HE UK space sector was innovation on the Innovation 50 decentralises command to lower levels of Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite missions and programme, judged by Essex County authority in order to optimise an organisation’s business. Graeme Cooper, Managing valued at £14.8 billion in performance. The model co-locates authority access to their data is no longer just Council and Anglia Ruskin University. Director of Brentwood-based 2018 and this is expected and responsibility but without ever removing Corporate Battle elds explains how. for the very big players. As such, tech responsibility for overall success or failure T Most people’s impressions about the military to rise to £40 billion by 2030, start-ups, in and outside of the space are formed from watching war lms. The from the ultimate leader. Whatever your thoughts about the military, creating some 30,000 skilled sector such as technical businesses stereotype is of an autocratic, in exible and We often nd that some element of Mission often slow-witted organisation. In reality the you can bene t by learning from their 1 whose capabilities could be applied to mistakes, and successes. There are striking Command will form part of the solution. We jobs . With such a positive military are very sound at delegation, terri c the industry are being targeted with parallels with what the armed forces are team spirit, clarity of goals and cheerful use the past to illuminate your business future outlook, the opportunities for required to do and with what you are required investment. resilience. by encouraging delegation not abrogation. to do: to deliver results in conditions which can SMEs look set to rise. New space tech companies are building The leadership model that the British Armed be lled with uncertainty, complexity, risk and Our classroom is the battle eld as there is no Forces operate to is called Mission Command. tougher place to take a team for leadership smaller satellite systems, often using hostility. Making consistently good decisions in Consider for a moment these facts and ESA Copernicus Sentinel-5P Satellite The model is not a panacea. It is one of all circumstances demands the resilience and learning. Whether on the English Civil War off-the-shelf components, which are gures:2 Copyright ESA/ATG medialab numerous organisational models. However, con dence to manage pressure and adversity. battle elds of Naseby or Marston Moor, far cheaper to make than previous it has been adapted and re ned from the At Corporate Battle elds, we don’t have a set Waterloo, the D-Day Normandy beaches, or • space sector productivity is nearly Prussian model – Auftragstatik – by the British systems. This has made using satellite them to compete and grow using space solution off the shelf regardless of the issues the surrounds of Colchester Castle experiential three times the national average, with Military (and NATO) since the 1980s and has that need addressing. We will analyse the technology more accessible for a range technologies and applications. education delivers wider and deeper thinking a skilled workforce creating £140,000 withstood the very different requirements of needs of your organisation; agree them with of organisations, from energy companies With this in mind, on May 14, in the Cold War, Peace Support Operations, Peace you and then produce an individually tailored in an innovative, unique, bespoke, proven and of value per person to agriculture businesses. They are not Keeping and intense War Fighting. inspiring way. The battle eld is the classroom Chelmsford, Teledyne e2v, UKspace, programme exactly measured to meet those • year-on-year growth is ve times all traditional space companies; some Mission Command allows the Army to ght needs. and not the purpose. Innovate UK, and SPRINT came together greater than the wider economy since are more general tech companies. to host an SME Forum on how industry 1999 The satellite services and enabling can collaborate to help grow the UK • £415m has been invested by industry technologies can be described as space space market. in research and development (2014- imaging, earth observation, radar, GPS For Teledyne e2v, collaboration 15) and GNSS, communications, timing in the interests of advancing • 36.4% of turnover is generated by and emerging is quantum technologies humanity’s understanding of space Branding, Design and Marketing for exports and arti cial intelligence space-based is their lifeblood. As a global leader in • the space sector has tripled in value operations just to list a few. Financial Consultants and Accountants since 2000. specialised components, subsystems, Essex’s own Chelmford-based company, manufacturing and engineering services, The global space economy market is Teledyne e2v, is a world leader in Download free copies of our website valued at between £155 billion and £190 Teledyne e2v has collaborated with the design and manufacture of CCD hundreds of companies to provide billion, and estimated to grow to £400 and CMOS imaging sensors for space and social media guides today. Visit 3 innovative solutions in medical, billion by 2030 . In 2015, the UK Space missions, boasting a proud heritage www.prosper-agency.com/resources Innovation and Growth Strategy set out science, space, defence and industrial supplying the majority of the European applications. its target of achieving 10% of the global Space Agency’s space science and Earth As an example of how funding can space market, which is estimated to be observation missions as well as for 4 help a company grow, Teledyne e2v’s £400 billion by 2030 . NASA. Quantum Technologies group is working There are a relatively small number Mark Bown, Marketing Manager at of very big players in the UK who are in partnership with the University Teledyne e2v, said: “We are seeing a of Birmingham, RSK, and Gooch and involved in space. However, there is a trend for more and more SMEs entering myriad of opportunities coming from Housego, toward the development of a the space market at tier 1 and 2 level quantum gravimeter for subterranean but also in the supply chain by adapting surveying in civil engineering their core capabilities to address new applications. With a growing global opportunities that exploit the space interest in technologies built from domain.” game-changing academic research, There are a host of funding Teledyne e2v has secured £6m in grant opportunities and support for UK SMEs funding from the UK government’s ten to help them grow and in turn develop year, £1Bn programme to industrialise the UK space market from Innovate UK, quantum technologies. Catapult Satellite applications, UKspace Sources: 1 London Economics/UK Space Agency; Trade Association and their SME Forum 2 Prosperity from Space UKspace; 3 Space Sector and also SPRINT (SPace Research and [email protected] +44 (0) 1787 866003 Report to House of Commons, UK Parliamjent; 4 Teledyne e2v CASPA small satellite illustration Innovation Network for Technology) The Space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS) Copyright Teledyne e2v which provide support to SMEs, helping update report 2015.

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52 Go all-inclusive this summer MPLOYING the services of a Admire the view: nothing smacks more of a contract cleaning company lack of pride than dirty windows! Improve the should be one of the most kerb appeal of your business by keeping the E outside glass clean and show your staff you Simon Biggs, Partner at East cost-effective appointments you care about the environment they work in by will make. At the same time, it regular cleaning of the inside glass. Anglia’s largest commercial cleaning does warrant a robust procurement Deep clean: food preparation areas, kitchens, company, Monthind, looks at the process to ensure you get it right. washrooms, of ce areas, carpets, upholstery bene ts of employing a full-service It’s not just about the quality of the and public areas will always bene t from contract cleaning company and scheduled deep-cleaning. It will extend the cleaning; think about the service why you shouldn’t just apply the life of xtures and ttings as well as tackle all-inclusive ethos to your summer capability you need to keep your allergens, parasites and mineral build up, business running smoothly all year- such as limescale. holiday. round. Waste disposal: whether it’s clinical waste, IT equipment or general waste from clearance, as Monthind, you have access to a wealth Take it outside: a full-service provider will such as end of tenancy cleans, knowing that be able to keep the external areas of your your contractor will dispose of all rubbish of skills and experience when you need it. premises clean and tidy too. From sweeping safely and in compliance with the relevant By being able to add ad-hoc services as and your car park to cleaning your gutters, legislation can save you a lot of time and when you need them you will save the cost of everything from fascia, cladding, signage, expense. going through the procurement process time bin storage areas and solar panels can be Janitorial supplies: give your procurement and time again. It’s dif cult to put a value on kept pristine with either a one-off or routine department a break and leave your the trust that you have in a contractor that schedule. contractor to source and supply the you have worked with for a length of time, Emergency cleans: whilst emergency complementary services and consumables but with Monthind you will be secure in the cleaning is often synonymous with biohazard you need for your washrooms and other knowledge that every service we provide is cleaning, which is a specialist cleaning service common areas. Because we buy in bulk and delivered with the same attention to detail predominantly for biological hazards, it can work in partnership with suppliers, you can and high quality. also be required following events such as be con dent that we will always provide the So, don’t just embrace the all-inclusive model accidental spillage or acts of vandalism, such best value for money. for your summer holiday! Add it to your as graf ti. By choosing a full-service contractor, such facilities management model.

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53 The importance of staff training as a statutory defence N Antuzis v D J Houghton [2019], under more pressure which is either useful in settlement negotiations or a way of statutory directors were held to ensuring that the successful Claimant gets Ibe liable personally for inducing compensated. breaches of employment contracts The Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Academy offers training to managers and when the company was guilty of directors on a number of Employment Law not paying the National Minimum topics, all of which have been designed to Access to the civil courts and the Wage, not paying holiday pay and decrease the risk of ‘getting it wrong’ and to Employment Tribunal has been curtailed increase the validity of the statutory defences in recent years and the number of claims of making unlawful deductions that are available to companies who are in by staff against their employers has from wages. dispute with their employees. There are two decreased, but it also seems to be the case different training packages available. that the courts are  nding more and more The court found that because the duties (to The rst TSP HR Academy, which will ways of holding errant companies and pay NMW/holiday pay etc.) were statutory commence in June, will focus on Employment directors to account when claims that are ones, there was a failure by the directors Law and its practical application in the work brought are successful. Thompson Smith to comply with their own statutory duties place. In six tutorial sessions over a term and Puxon’s employment law specialist, towards the company which created a of three to four months you will explore Jolyon Berry, explains the importance of potential liability to a third party (in this the discrete and important parts of the staff training as a statutory defence. case the employees) for inducing breaches of relationship between businesses and their contract (by the company). staff. In a group of no more than six delegates This case is hot on the heels of the case of you will receive training on some of the most All the courses are interactive and Timis & another v Osipov [2019] in which important aspects of working with staff. collaborative and delegates will receive a a whistle blower brought a successful The TSP Academy is also able to offer a suite comprehensive set of speaker notes and detriment claim against the non-executive of half-day or full-day in-house training suggestions for further reading. You can nd directors who carried out a dismissal process sessions for you and your staff. These in the face of the employee having made courses will help to keep your managers up out more about the training services that the protected disclosures, personally. to date with current Employment Law and TSP Academy has to offer at www.tsplegal. Of course there are a myriad of statutory its practical application in the workplace. com Alternatively, Employment Law specialist duties that companies owe staff, service users The sessions will take place at your business Jolyon Berry, who is the speaker and host, etc. and by putting the statutory directors premises or a location to suit your business would be happy to discuss your requirements in the dock alongside the company, it is a needs. The training is for groups of all sizes, or to give advice on any speci c employment novel way of putting corporate defendants up to 30. issues that you may have.

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54 The importance of staff training as a statutory defence Market smarter to N Antuzis v D J Houghton [2019], under more pressure which is either useful statutory directors were held to in settlement negotiations or a way of get more customers ensuring that the successful Claimant gets be liable personally for inducing compensated. I your market. Make marketing listen to breaches of employment contracts The Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) IRST and foremost, you when the company was guilty of Academy offers training to managers and have to plan for growth. your customers. By gathering and using directors on a number of Employment Law customer insight, you’ll create stronger Access to the civil courts and the Growing a business is not easy and not paying the National Minimum topics, all of which have been designed to Plan where growth will marketing messages that will stand out decrease the risk of ‘getting it wrong’ and to Employment Tribunal has been curtailed F the pressure to make every pound of Wage, not paying holiday pay and come from. Will it come from compared to your competitors. increase the validity of the statutory defences in recent years and the number of claims of making unlawful deductions marketing spend deliver is enormous. that are available to companies who are in by staff against their employers has new products and services or Sales alignment: when marketing and There are plenty of marketing dispute with their employees. There are two decreased, but it also seems to be the case from wages. current ones? Will you enter sales teams work together to achieve tactics to utilise, but the challenge is different training packages available. that the courts are  nding more and more revenue goals, they dramatically The court found that because the duties (to knowing which ones to choose. Kim The rst TSP HR Academy, which will ways of holding errant companies and new marketing or focus on improve marketing ROI, sales pay NMW/holiday pay etc.) were statutory commence in June, will focus on Employment directors to account when claims that are Moore, marketing strategist and further penetration into existing productivity, and, most importantly, ones, there was a failure by the directors Law and its practical application in the work brought are successful. Thompson Smith owner of Colchester-based KG Moore to comply with their own statutory duties place. In six tutorial sessions over a term and Puxon’s employment law specialist, markets? Will you grow the growth. My career started in sales, Limited, suggests you listen to your towards the company which created a of three to four months you will explore Jolyon Berry, explains the importance of that’s why I nd this objective easier market, gather insight and use this potential liability to a third party (in this value of existing customer the discrete and important parts of the staff training as a statutory defence. than most marketers. Make sure you intelligence to create a strategic plan case the employees) for inducing breaches of relationship between businesses and their accounts? What will you do are running monthly joint sales and contract (by the company). to enable better, smarter marketing staff. In a group of no more than six delegates to make sure you retain your marketing meetings and get both This case is hot on the heels of the case of you will receive training on some of the most decision-making in order to achieve All the courses are interactive and Timis & another v Osipov [2019] in which important aspects of working with staff. clients? How will you balance departments talking and working your growth objectives. collaborative and delegates will receive a a whistle blower brought a successful The TSP Academy is also able to offer a suite together. comprehensive set of speaker notes and campaign activity and growth detriment claim against the non-executive of half-day or full-day in-house training Sell in steps: when you buy from a new suggestions for further reading. You can nd directors who carried out a dismissal process sessions for you and your staff. These hacking tactics? company, there is always a perceived Step 3: Full product or service in the face of the employee having made out more about the training services that the courses will help to keep your managers up risk in changing suppliers. Will your protected disclosures, personally. to date with current Employment Law and TSP Academy has to offer at www.tsplegal. There are many more questions that Once you’ve won their trust, you are product or your services be as good, Of course there are a myriad of statutory its practical application in the workplace. com Alternatively, Employment Law specialist need to be asked during the planning in a better position to upsell your Jolyon Berry, who is the speaker and host, better or worse than the last supplier? duties that companies owe staff, service users The sessions will take place at your business process. The decisions you make will higher value product bundles or service would be happy to discuss your requirements These are all things that a new prospect etc. and by putting the statutory directors premises or a location to suit your business impact how your marketing budget is in the dock alongside the company, it is a needs. The training is for groups of all sizes, or to give advice on any speci c employment with agonize over. Where possible, make packages. allocated. Smart budget allocation will novel way of putting corporate defendants up to 30. issues that you may have. their buying-decision easier, by removing enable you to focus your spend and get Step 4: Repeat business the perceived risk. You can achieve this better results. by taking a staged approach to selling. Make it easier for customers to re- This will help purchase. Create sustainable and them make repeatable sales results that increase decisions faster, in a predictable way over time. 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If you know who you are experience your brand and what it them everything at once. Deliver what • we always see the big picture, ensuring you achieve big results targeting, have you also made sure your would feel like to be your customer, to is relevant and at the right time in the • our work is always centred around impact and outcome marketing communications are reaching use your product, or your services. buying process. them? When was the last time that Step 2: The initial product or To set your business on the road to achieving its full potential, you pro led your prospect database to service Don’t get caught up in the temptation ensure you’ve got the right prospects on to succumb to marketing tactics that without the growing pains... Once they’ve experienced your freebie, your list? It’s easier to nd customers if offer them a lower cost item to get promise hundreds of leads overnight. you know who you are looking for. Make them to part with their cash. 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55 Most disabled people remain frozen out of the world of work says charity chief STAGGERING 73% of disabled workers in Athe UK say they have stopped working due to a disability or health condition, according to new research from disability charity Leonard Cheshire.

These latest ndings reveal an unacceptably harsh landscape for disabled workers, with: • 66% of managers saying the cost of workplace adjustments are a barrier to employing a disabled person – up from 60% in 2017 • 24% of UK employers saying they would be less likely to hire someone with a disability • 17% of those that had applied for a job in the past ve years saying the employer withdrew the job offer as a result of their disability. Attitudinal barriers continually featured measures exist to support individuals just the right thing to do, they are a legal in the latest research. Of the employers to get jobs or prevent those in work requirement, and it is shocking that that said they were less likely to employ from falling out of employment due to so many are overlooking the positive someone because they were disabled, a disability or health condition. All of us contribution disabled people can make 60% were concerned that a disabled must redouble our efforts to challenge to their organisation. Employers need person wouldn’t be able to do the job. outdated attitudes to disability and to make a change now and we need Of the disabled people who applied for accelerate the positive change that them to monitor recruitment, retention a job in the last ve years, 30% said they enables talented individuals to gain and and progression of disabled staff. Once felt like the employer had not taken keep jobs.” they understand the full picture, they them seriously as a candidate. Similarly, will be able to take action to remove the during the recruitment process, just 20% In some more promising news, barriers faced by disabled people.” of these disabled applicants were made Leonard Cheshire’s research found the aware of workplace adjustments that proportion of employers in the UK who Leonard Cheshire’s latest research also could be made to support their disability, say they would be more likely to employ reveals increased awareness amongst such as assistive technology or  exible someone with a disability has almost UK employers of the government’s working. doubled, from 11% in 2017 to 20% in Access to Work scheme, up to 59% from 2018. Greater numbers of employers in 41%. However, of the disabled people Neil Heslop, Chief Executive Of cer at the UK are also reporting that in the last who say they currently received or have Leonard Cheshire, said: “Our research 18 months they have hired a disabled previously received Access to Work’s reveals a tough and unwelcoming person, with a rise from 69% in 2017 to support, 69% reported waiting more employment landscape for disabled 79% in 2018. than three months for their application people despite overall employment to be approved. Tellingly, only 23% of levels climbing to record highs. Most Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive disabled people in the UK currently disabled people in 2019 remain frozen of the Equality and Human Rights receive or have previously received out of the world of work. Commission, said: “Even the smallest of changes can make a dramatic difference support through Access to Work. “More employers need to seize the in helping a disabled person achieve Leonard Cheshire is now calling on the opportunity of the untapped talent their full potential at work. Reasonable government to strengthen and promote of disabled people. Straightforward adjustments in the workplace aren’t the scheme.

56 Most disabled people remain Proper training is key USAN Pattrick, Director For instance, if you have someone who of Dancing Giraffe, has a vision impairment they may ask for frozen out of the world of the technology to be able to enlarge the Sa Colchester-based print so they can read the information organisation which provides a or they may need Braille to read their platform to inspire, inform and instructions. This is where Access to Work comes in. The prospective employer can work says charity chief represent the Essex disabled arrange for the technology to be provided community, said: “I agree for the prospective employee and it will be with everything that Leonard paid for as part of the employee’s Access STAGGERING 73% of to Work. The equipment does not belong disabled workers in Cheshire is saying. However, to the employer though. It has to go with the UK say they have it comes down to training and the employee as part of the bene t to get A that starts right from the top. disabled people into work if the employee stopped working due to a moves on. disability or health condition, “Even if the chief executive is willing to “Many employers think there is no help or according to new research employ disabled people, sometimes it is the Susan Pattrick support but there is. Yes, it can be dif cult training of his or her line managers that to start with but after the initial dif culties from disability charity Leonard fails because they don’t understand the “We are so used to that template where all the employer gets used to it and will nd Cheshire. variety of disabilities that there are. Each non-disabled people t into it that when it that the employee is a good advertisement person with a disability is an individual. If comes to disabled people, business tends for disabled people in work. But as I said These latest ndings reveal an you have two people employed with the to t them all under one umbrella. They before, it is the training that is important unacceptably harsh landscape for same disability, each person will require need to have line managers trained to and the time spent training the line disabled workers, with: different support to be able to do their job understand and deal with every disability manager in dealing with a disabled person because they are individuals. No ‘one size and that comes down to asking each will be of bene t to the business in the long • 66% of managers saying the cost of ts all’ will ever cover that aspect. individual what they need to do their job. run.” workplace adjustments are a barrier to employing a disabled person – up from 60% in 2017 • 24% of UK employers saying they would be less likely to hire someone Understand and comply with a disability • 17% of those that had applied for a job in the past ve years saying the employer withdrew the job offer as a with Equality Act result of their disability. “Managers can often fall foul of disability Attitudinal barriers continually featured AI Booker, who runs measures exist to support individuals just the right thing to do, they are a legal discrimination through assuming that it in the latest research. Of the employers Tiptree-based HR to get jobs or prevent those in work requirement, and it is shocking that is OK to discuss an applicant’s disability that said they were less likely to employ consultancy, Booker HR, from falling out of employment due to so many are overlooking the positive K at interview or by making assumptions on someone because they were disabled, a disability or health condition. All of us contribution disabled people can make said the research conducted by what they believe about a disability or have 60% were concerned that a disabled researched themselves. The Government must redouble our efforts to challenge to their organisation. Employers need Leonard Cheshire highlights person wouldn’t be able to do the job. has some helpful advice for employers: outdated attitudes to disability and to make a change now and we need that despite legislation Of the disabled people who applied for 1. You can’t ask questions about disability accelerate the positive change that them to monitor recruitment, retention a job in the last ve years, 30% said they protecting disabled workers and health on an application form or enables talented individuals to gain and and progression of disabled staff. Once felt like the employer had not taken existing for quite some time, during an interview before the offer of keep jobs.” they understand the full picture, they them seriously as a candidate. Similarly, a job has been made, unless it relates to will be able to take action to remove the challenges in this area remain. during the recruitment process, just 20% In some more promising news, an intrinsic part of the job. barriers faced by disabled people.” Kai Booker of these disabled applicants were made Leonard Cheshire’s research found the He said: “The most relevant law in this 2. You can’t reject a disabled candidate aware of workplace adjustments that proportion of employers in the UK who Leonard Cheshire’s latest research also area is currently the Equality Act 2010. In just because they’re disabled because the same and appoint the best person considering Leonard Cheshire’s research I could be made to support their disability, say they would be more likely to employ reveals increased awareness amongst that would be unlawful disability for the job based solely on their skills, believe that even in 2019, many companies discrimination. You need to be sure that such as assistive technology or  exible someone with a disability has almost UK employers of the government’s experience and quali cations. If the doubled, from 11% in 2017 to 20% in Access to Work scheme, up to 59% from would bene t from revisiting the Equality they can’t do the job before you reject successful candidate has a disability working. Act to make sure they a) understand it and 2018. Greater numbers of employers in 41%. However, of the disabled people them on that basis. then ensure you explore what reasonable Neil Heslop, Chief Executive Of cer at b) comply with it. the UK are also reporting that in the last who say they currently received or have “So what is reasonable? Again, the adjustments can be made and involve Leonard Cheshire, said: “Our research 18 months they have hired a disabled previously received Access to Work’s “The Equality Act 2010 sets out a number Government provides clear guidance: occupational health, human resources reveals a tough and unwelcoming of protected characteristics which person, with a rise from 69% in 2017 to support, 69% reported waiting more Once you have offered someone a job you and Access to Work expertise and support employment landscape for disabled employers, managers and workers must can ask unlimited questions about their as needed. If an employee is diagnosed 79% in 2018. than three months for their application people despite overall employment not discriminate against. Disability is one disability and health, including questions with a disability during their employment, to be approved. Tellingly, only 23% of levels climbing to record highs. Most Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive of those protected characteristics. about sick records. You can make the job the same advice applies: avoid drawing disabled people in the UK currently disabled people in 2019 remain frozen of the Equality and Human Rights “The of cial de nition of a disability offer conditional on the answers to these immediate conclusions, obtain expert receive or have previously received advice and guidance and, where possible, out of the world of work. Commission, said: “Even the smallest of under the Equality Act 2010 is ‘a worker is questions, providing it is reasonable to do changes can make a dramatic difference support through Access to Work. disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they so given the nature of the job. Once a job support the employee to continue in their “More employers need to seize the in helping a disabled person achieve Leonard Cheshire is now calling on the have a physical or mental impairment that offer has been made, the offer of the job role via reasonable adjustments. This is opportunity of the untapped talent their full potential at work. Reasonable government to strengthen and promote has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative can also be made conditional on passing a not always possible, but in those cases it is of disabled people. Straightforward medical. still vital to consult the relevant expertise adjustments in the workplace aren’t the scheme. effect on their ability to do normal daily activities.’ “The core message is, treat all applicants before making a decision and nding yourself in breach of the Equality Act.”

57 A great time to go wild ESEARCH has consistently This year the Trust turns 60 and there’s shown that participants feel nothing better than a birthday to celebrate. It is incredible to think that back in October Rhappier, healthier and more 1959 a committee of just 13, headed up by connected with nature at the end Her Majesty’s Lieutenant of Essex came together for the inaugural meeting of the of 30 Days Wild. Last year, close to Trust, known then as The Essex Naturalists’ 2,200 individuals, families, schools Trust. A lot has changed in 60 years but and businesses signed up in Essex the drive to protect wildlife for the future This June, Essex Wildlife Trust is and for the people of Essex has certainly challenging you to make time for and this year we want the county remained. to be even wilder. nature. 30 Days Wild is back for As someone who has only worked for its  fth year and it’s the month for the Trust a short time, it is eye-opening everyone to re-connect with wildlife Will you encourage lunchtime walks? Walk/ to see all the great heritage that exists cycle to work days? Or will you encourage and strength of partnerships that have and their wild side. All you have to staff to take up the challenge in their been built with the community do is make a bit of time for nature, own time; maybe putting up a of Essex. The interaction with every day, for all 30 days in June, as bird feeder in their garden, members, with the public, trying their hand at wildlife EWT’s Karen Dixon explains. with schools and businesses photography or simply of Essex is commendable sitting in your garden and certainly worth those celebrations. From taking part in our with a cold beverage at celebrating. Of course, the end of the day, being Anniversary Species Survey, joining our in my role as Corporate serenaded by birdsong. campaign for a wilder future, attending Coordinator I am acutely Wildfest, taking part in 30 Day Wild, cycling Sign up now to get you aware of the dif culties and your company started and uncertainty we face the Tour de Tendring, playing at our Golf on your wild journey. Visit in this country at the day to renewing your m embership. There www.essexwt.org.uk/30-Days- moment, economically and are so many ways to support the work of Wild for more information and ecologically. Which is why now is the Trust and help the wildlife of Essex. My to sign up. the time to pull together, to embrace hope is that more people like you celebrate We’d love to see what ideas you come up a wilder future for our country, our seas with – tag Essex Wildlife Trust on social and our county. Which brings me back with us this year and for many more years media and we can share with our 34,000 to celebrating – this year we have some to come. followers. fantastic ways for everyone to be a part of Visit www.essexwt.org.uk

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58 A great time to go wild Smart drones using AI to unlock ESEARCH has consistently This year the Trust turns 60 and there’s shown that participants feel nothing better than a birthday to celebrate. It is incredible to think that back in October new business opportunities happier, healthier and more 1959 a committee of just 13, headed up by R reception across the industry because of connected with nature at the end Her Majesty’s Lieutenant of Essex came OLCHESTER-BASED together for the inaugural meeting of the Above Surveying is its innovative nature and the fact that of 30 Days Wild. Last year, close to Trust, known then as The Essex Naturalists’ it combines the latest technology with sound market knowledge to deliver a high- 2,200 individuals, families, schools Trust. A lot has changed in 60 years but showing how smart C performing, end-to-end product. the drive to protect wildlife for the future drone technology can unlock and businesses signed up in Essex This June, Essex Wildlife Trust is “We owe it to our clients to keep pushing and for the people of Essex has certainly challenging you to make time for new markets as it launches and this year we want the county remained. the boundaries of technology to maintain a to be even wilder. nature. 30 Days Wild is back for a new Knowledge Transfer cutting-edge service which will enable the As someone who has only worked for its  fth year and it’s the month for solar sector to maximise ef ciency and to the Trust a short time, it is eye-opening Partnership (KTP) with the everyone to re-connect with wildlife lower the cost of utility scale solar – vital in Will you encourage lunchtime walks? Walk/ to see all the great heritage that exists cycle to work days? Or will you encourage University of Essex, which will a highly competitive energy market.” and strength of partnerships that have and their wild side. All you have to staff to take up the challenge in their The Knowledge Transfer Partnership been built with the community do is make a bit of time for nature, use AI to develop advanced solar panels across utility scale solar farms. own time; maybe putting up a We aim to deliver a range of solutions that programme is a world-leading programme of Essex. The interaction with every day, for all 30 days in June, as solar inspection services. bird feeder in their garden, can be utilised at scale in order to address funded by Innovate UK that helps members, with the public, trying their hand at wildlife EWT’s Karen Dixon explains. The goal of the partnership is to automate forthcoming industry challenges through businesses innovate by connecting them with schools and businesses photography or simply and reduce the number of human our latest partnership with the University to the UK’s wealth of academic resources. of Essex is commendable sitting in your garden interventions required when operating of Essex.” A carefully recruited Computer Vision and certainly worth those celebrations. From taking part in our with a cold beverage at drones and processing imagery data Above Surveying is starting its second researcher known as the KTP Associate - will celebrating. Of course, be based at Above Surveying full-time and the end of the day, being Anniversary Species Survey, joining our collected during an inspection by using Knowledge Transfer Partnership with the in my role as Corporate work closely with the University of Essex’s serenaded by birdsong. campaign for a wilder future, attending Embedded Systems. University’s School of Computer Science and Coordinator I am acutely academic team, managing the project. Wildfest, taking part in 30 Day Wild, cycling Above Surveying’s recent success is creating Electronic Engineering to further develop Sign up now to get you aware of the dif culties jobs in the region with the company its high-tech service, to continue to support Robert Walker, Head of Business and your company started and uncertainty we face the Tour de Tendring, playing at our Golf planning to recruit a further ten members their ambitious growth in the UK sector and Engagement at the University of Essex, on your wild journey. Visit in this country at the day to renewing your m embership. There of staff in 2019 to meet demand. The in international markets. said: “Computer vision is a cutting-edge www.essexwt.org.uk/30-Days- moment, economically and are so many ways to support the work of new partnership with the University will Through the partnership, Above Surveying technology in modern business and the Wild for more information and ecologically. Which is why now is the Trust and help the wildlife of Essex. My also allow Above Surveying to expand its is combining academics in the elds of AI University of Essex has a wealth of leading to sign up. the time to pull together, to embrace international reach even further. and computer vision with valuable market academics in this space. We are excited to hope is that more people like you celebrate We’d love to see what ideas you come up a wilder future for our country, our seas Will Hitchcock, Managing Director of Above intelligence to deliver a range of services work with Above Surveying on a second with – tag Essex Wildlife Trust on social and our county. Which brings me back with us this year and for many more years Surveying, said: “There is now a pressing that will prove valuable to the utility-scale Knowledge Transfer Partnership and share media and we can share with our 34,000 to celebrating – this year we have some to come. need to be able to identify and report on solar industry. our expertise and campus facilities to followers. fantastic ways for everyone to be a part of Visit www.essexwt.org.uk a wide variety of issues identi ed within Will added: “Our offering has had a fantastic support their ambitious growth plans.”

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61 Surveyors Cup to be biggest yet URVEYORS from the moved up a gear with a move to a new photography students to use the venue, Play Football in Romford, and construction industry will tournament to get work experience for adopting a World Cup theme. those interested in sports photography. line up at Play Football S Ex-West Ham captain and Talksport This year, 40 teams have registered and Romford for the Surveyors presenter, Alvin Martin, was appointed the draw to see place teams into eight to act as MC. Billericay-based McKagans groups was made by Alvin Martin at Cup fi ve-a-side tournament on sports physio company was employed to Play Football in Romford. Alvin will once June 21. provide sports massage while Romford- again take the Mic on June 21. based Conte Catering delivered a The Surveyors Cup is organised by stunning BBQ. The tournament will be the biggest Essex-based Downwell Group which 32 teams took part as competing World yet and also sees the introduction of provides demolition, asbestos removal, Cup Countries on one of the hottest a penalty shoot-out competition to and scaffolding services to a wide range days of the year. The tournament was run alongside the tournament. Grays of clients from the construction and won by Paragon Building Consultancy. Athletic will be providing a goalkeeper. property industries. Downwell uses the The tournament is in its fth year and tournament to raise its popularity has increased year on money for a charity year. The rst tournament saw 12 teams and last year raised compete with Calfordseaden taking more than £2000 for the the title. The tournament was the idea Free Kicks Foundation of Downwell Business Development which provides football Manager, Alan Knight, who wanted to experiences to terminally create an event that would attract the ill or deserving children. younger members of the Surveying This year it is raising profession to reinforce the Downwell money for the Jermain brand. Defoe Foundation. The tournament has paid dividends in Downwell also provides terms of Downwell developing business opportunities through relationships with the competing local colleges for companies. Last year the tournament

he column which proves you can mix business with pleasure, with Denise Rossiter, Chief REVEALED! TExecutive of Essex Chambers of Commerce

In no more than 100 words, detail your I wanted to be a nurse. people, so it would have to career to date… Best piece of career be a vet. I started my career working in my dad’s advice you’ve given… If you had a magic wand butcher’s shop serving the public from You don’t get anything for and could change one the age of 7, so customer service was nothing, work hard and thing in business, it would drummed in at an early age. While at believe in yourself. be… school, which I disliked immensely, Best piece of career Reduce red tape for I became a dancing teacher, turning advice you’ve received… business and introduce professional at 15, and continued teaching fairer demands on SMEs. until I was 18. I left school as soon as I Work hard and never give could and worked in London at Barclays up. Hobbies/interests… Bank. I left there and worked in the music Your two perfect dinner Art, food, theatre, walking industry which sent me to the States guests, one business, one and laughing. for three years. I returned in the early- pleasure… Favourite ever book/TV programme/fi lm/ 80s to a recession but acquired a job as Business: Isambard Kingdom-Brunel, meal/country visited… a credit manager in a wine company. I a man with a head full of ideas and an Rebecca, Fawlty Towers, Driving Miss stayed in that industry for many years ability to get things done which changed becoming the rst lady director. I then the country. Pleasure: Tommy Cooper, an Daisy, roast beef and Greek Islands with a made a move to the business networking absolute one-off who has always made rucksack on my back. world, initially through my own company, me laugh Tell us something about you that might Networking-on-Sea. I was offered a job The secret of running a successful surprise people… at Essex Chambers of Commerce in 2004 business is… I was a voluntary worker for 10 years and have been there ever since lobbying looking after the elderly. for business, pestering MPs and generally Be prepared to do anything your staff can trying to get the business voice heard do. If I ruled the world, the fi rst thing I’d do for Essex. I was delighted when I was If you weren’t in your current profession, is… appointed CEO in 2010. what might you likely be… Make sure everyone gets a decent Childhood career ambition… I love animals, sometimes more than education and three meals per day.

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63 Where next?