1. business and industrial

THE
Voice
September/October 2014
Leicestershire,
Northants &
Rutland
Your regional magazine from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
We’re backing the largest
business event in Region
D
AVE NICHOLLS, Regional
Chairman, Federation of
Small Businesses has declared:
“We are delighted to once again
be the main sponsors for LBE14.
Welford Road
Stadium, and (below
left) Dave Nicholls
How to grow your business through
e-commerce globally
• 13.30: Growth Accelerator can help
you drive your business forward
• 14.15: How to do business with
Leicester City Council, Leicestershire
County Council and ESPO
• 15.15: Hints and tips on bid writing
We are also running a Meet the Buyer
event. You will be able to register on the
day for a 10 minute, one-to-one meeting
with buyers from local authorities, public
sector organisations, developers and
more. Get there early and make your
Small Business Saturday
bus is back on the road
2, 11, 12
Regional News
Consumer Law
3
Employment
3, 4
Environment
10
Farming, Fish & Food 9, 10
Financial & Legal
5-8
www.fsb.org.uk
Local trade challenge
How? That’s easy. Please
get in touch with Maxine
Aldred, Development
Manager, on 0116 259 7707
or maxine.aldred@fsb.org.
uk and hear how you can
promote your business on
this special day or keep
watch on our regional
website.
4
Health & Safety
8
Taxation
10
Telecoms
9
VAT
Regional Contacts 12
OUR campaign
celebrates independent
small businesses on
and off the high street
and encourages local
and central government
to help small business
survive and flourish.
This will be your
chance to spread the
VOICE EDITORIAL: This publication is produced
by and published for the Federation of Small
Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool
Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE.
© Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all
rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: 01253
361179 Email: james.connor@fsb.org.uk.
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation
of this publication errors or omissions are not the
responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses
and opinions expressed are those of the authors and
are not necessarily the policy of the Federation.
word. Get involved and
support our Keep Trade
Local Challenge between
3 November and 12
December.
The winner will receive
a hamper of local
goodies. Keep watch for
full details of how you
can take part.
WELCOME to this
latest edition of YOUR
Regional Voice
bringing you
up-to-date news
from the FSB.
To advertise
your business
in this
Leicestershire, Northants & Rutland
Voice
THE
CONTENTS
THE FSB Small Business
Saturday Bus will be
touring around our Region
celebrating the importance
of small businesses.
Activities will be taking
place in various locations
across the three counties
and we would like our
members to get involved.
reservation. Come along to Welford Road
Stadium (home of the Tigers), Leicester
on 2 October from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Meet with around 90 exhibitors, take
advantage of the anticipated visitor
footfall of around 800 businesses.
Take the opportunity to source new
suppliers, find new clients, visit the FSB
stand, meet with fellow FSB members
and FSB Service Providers.
If you would like further details please
visit our regional website www.fsb.org.
uk/leics-northants-rutland or www.
hi2events.co.uk
CONTACT
“This business event is the largest
and most successful business event held
in Leicestershire and covering the East
Midlands. We would urge businesses to
come along, meet with exhibitors and
businesspeople attending, take part in
the workshops, speed networking, Meet
the Buyer. We look forward to welcoming
you on the 2 October.”
LBE14 is YOUR event and has been
created to support you as a business
owner. The day is packed with seminars,
workshops, speed networking, to name
but a few of the activities of the day.
As main sponsors the FSB are holding
workshops as follows:
• 9.45: How to
do business with
Leicester City Council,
Leicestershire County
Council and ESPO
• 11.00: Hints and
tips on bid writing
• 12.00: Grants
and business
support
• 13.00:
magazine call Angela
Tinto or Tricia McDougall
on 01536 747 333.
For editorial content,
contact Maxine Aldred
on 01162 597 707 or
email at
maxine.aldred@
fsb.org.uk
Page 1
Business support is here
SETTING up and
running a business
can be a daunting
prospect. But it is
also one of the most
rewarding things that
you can do and can
be one of the most
positive changes
someone can make for
themselves and the
community they live
in.
We at the FSB
believe that anyone
who has a good idea
and takes a risk to put
it into practice and
grow a business is an
entrepreneur. These
are the people that we
champion – the Real
Life Entrepreneurs.
A full programme of
business support is
now running through
Leics, Northants &
Rutland and we hope
that members will take
advantage of these
programmes to help
with business growth.
Skills for Business Growth Programme outlined
THE Skills for Business
Growth Programme aims
to give new and growing
businesses the skills they
need to give them a better
chance of success.
It will do this by providing
information and guidance
in essential business topics;
it will facilitate business to
business connections and
expand networks; it will
encourage the new business
owner to pursue their
venture with confidence.
The programme workshops
are running through
Leicestershire and Rutland
(shortly to be introduced
into Northants – although
businesses from Northants
are welcome to take part)
as follows: A series of free
monthly two or three hour
workshops on the following
topics:
• Vision and Business
Planning for the lifecycle of
your business.
• Managing your finances
• Customer expectations
• Sales
• Social Media & Marketing
• Art of Networking
Who should attend these
workshops?
• Business people that
have set up their business
and want to succeed
• Business people that
have been in business for
some time but need to focus
on their business going
forward
Commenced July 2014:
4 – 7pm: Council Chamber,
NW Leics District Council
Offices, Whitwick Rd,
Coalville
Commencing 10th Sept,
5 – 8pm: Venue TBA. Market
Harborough
Commencing 16th Sept,
5 – 8pm: Council Chamber,
Rutland County Council
Offices, Oakham
Commencing 30th
Sept, 5 - 8pm:
Leicester College,
Leicester
Full details on
the Programme and
how to book your
place is available
via www.
fsb.org.uk/
leics-northants-rutland.
Thanks goes to:
Ruth Hague and Joanna
Winterton,
InTandem
Consulting
Ltd for
running
the Vision
and
Business Planning,
Managing your finances and
Customer Expectations
workshops (www.
intandemconsulting.
Lawrence
Laidlow (www.
lawrencelaidlow.
co.uk) who will be
covering the Sales
Training workshops.
co.uk)
Effective skills programme starts in January next year
THE NEXT EFFECTIVE
Leadership Skills
and Business/
Personal Development
Programme will run
from January 2015.
People are finding
they need to work
and manage smarter
than ever before. The
world has changed
and the methods that
worked in the past are
no longer necessarily
suitable. To survive
in this new business
climate and to take
advantage of the
opportunities that will
appear, people and
organisations have
to massively improve
their personal,
management and
leadership skills. Our
modular programme
is a highly practical
and interactive, with a
high level of delegate
participation and
facilitation. Modules
typically consist of
Voice
THE
Page 2
short presentations
and examples
followed by group and
individual exercises,
‘real-time’ coaching,
feedback, games, selfreflection, simulations
and the application
of the tools and
techniques learned to
real business issues.
This teaching method
maximises relevant
learning and enables
effective transference
back to the business.
Thanks goes to
Kevin Bragg and Sarah
Higgins, the trainers
for this programme.
Kevin Bragg,
Virtual Business
Partner (www.
virtualbusinesspartner.
co.uk), said:
“Entrepreneurs are
searching for training
courses and mentors
who can show them
the ropes of how to
short-circuit their
entrepreneurial
journeys. Our
FSB Leadership
programme helped
the attendees with
their vision of the
future and the steps
to achieve that vision
both in business
terms and within their
personal development
terms.
“I thoroughly
enjoy being in the
company of business
people following their
Entrepreneurial spirit.”
Sarah Higgins,
Sarah Higgins
Corporate Coaching
Ltd (www.
corporatecoaching.
co.uk), said: “This
programme is
important for small
businesses because it
takes you out of your
normal day to day and
gives you valuable
time to invest in your
learning, reflection
and strategic
visioning. The
Leicestershire, Northants & Rutland
programme assists
you to enhance your
business strategies
as well as your own
personal development.
It is based on growing
your entrepreneurial
leadership i.e. how
to develop the skills
required in effectively
leading yourself, your
colleagues/partners/
stakeholders and your
business.
“The attendees
gained value from
not only the course
content, but also from
sharing experiences
and best practice with
each other.
“I championed
the programme
because I specialise in
supporting business
leaders to maximise
their personal
effectiveness and
leadership to optimise
their business
success.”
l We will be
running a new
Management Skills
Programme – details
are being finalised
but will be available
on our website
www.fsb.org.uk/
leics-northants-rutland
www.fsb.org.uk
FSB members (l-r) Duncan Mitchell, Dave Nicholls,
Adrian Forsell, Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP, John
Hardwick, James Nunn following a private meeting
in Northampton with Rt. Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP,
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Members with Ed Balls, Shadow
Chancellor and Toby Perkins MP
FSB member, Arnab Dutt of Texane Ltd represented Leics.
Northants & Rutland region with a delegation of FSB members
attending a meeting at the Cabinet Office to discuss Export matters
Celebrating the FSB’s 40th Anniversary. Justin Urquhart Stewart
was keynote speaker and wowed the audience with his straight
talking, but often hilarious look on the economic situation. Thanks
goes to FSB members: Elsby & Co and Anstee & Co for their
sponsorship. l-r: Vimal Chauhan, Rowena Limb, Dave Nicholls,
Clare Elsby, Adrian Forsell, Justin Urquhart Stewart, John Hardwick,
Caroline Anstee, Peter Anstee
Interns plan for SMEs
THE FSB’s Q2 statistic
that almost 60 per
cent of small firms
aim to grow over the
next 12 months sends
a positive signal that
economic recovery is
strong.
However, coupled with
this buoyancy, there is an
inherent challenge. Over
a third of companies fear
skills shortages will preclude
growth. One answer to
this skills issue may be
easier than initially thought
however.
Firstly, the University
of Leicester is dedicated
to growing its own talent
pool (around 40 per cent
of individuals studying
in the East Midlands will
remain local). Secondly, the
Career Development Service
is rolling out a unique
internship programme to
help smaller businesses
develop a pipeline of talent.
This enables businesses to
attract a pool of prospective
candidates ahead of a
recruitment need and
identify whether they fit
with the organisation and
also helps manage their
development by instilling key
knowledge and skills upfront.
To support this
activity, the Service
commits to preparing
all students to be workready before application,
and assist companies
with their salaries. For
more information email:
internships@le.ac.uk
Diary of upcoming business events and meetings
Wed 3rd
September @ 6pm
Leicester City
Networking, Chef &
Spice Restaurant, 1
Andrewes St, Hinckley
Road, Leicester
Fri 5th September
@ 8am
FSB Breakfast
Club, De Vere
Venues, Staverton
Park, Daventry Rd,
Staverton, Daventry
Wed 10th
September @ 6pm
No Nonsense
Networking, Costco,
Westmoreland Ave,
www.fsb.org.uk
Thurmaston, Leicester
Wed 10th
September @
4.30pm
Info2Grow, Hinckley
Masonic Hall, St Mary’s
Road, Hinckley
Fri 12th September
@ 7am:
Northampton
Business Breakfast
Meeting
Westone Manor
Hotel, Weston Favell,
Northampton
Wed 17th
September @
12.30pm:
Louisa’s Place launch
event
4a St Mary’s Road,
Market Harborough
Fri 19th September
@ 7am:
East Northants
Business Breakfast
Meeting
Kettering Park Hotel,
Kettering
Thurs 25th
September @ 4pm:
Skills for Business
Growth Programme
North West Leics
District Council Offices,
Whitwick Road,
Coalville
Fri, 26th
September @ 8am
FSB Breakfast Club,
Silverstone Golf Club,
Stowe, Silverstone,
Bucks
October Northampton Branch
Quiz Night, details TBA
Wed 1st October
@ 6pm
Leicester City
Networking, Chef &
Spice Restaurant, 1
Andrewes St, Hinckley
Road, Leicester
Thurs 2nd October
@ 9.30am to 4.30pm
Leicestershire
Business Event 2014
Leicester Tigers
Stadium, Aylestone
Road, Leicester
Fri 3rd October
@8am
FSB Breakfast
Club, De Vere
Venues, Staverton
Park, Daventry Rd,
Staverton, Daventry
Fri 10th October @
7am:
Northampton
Business Breakfast
Meeting
Leicestershire, Northants & Rutland
Westone Manor
Hotel, Weston Favell,
Northampton
Fri 17th October @
7am:
East Northants
Business Breakfast
Meeting
Kettering Park Hotel,
Kettering
Fri 24th October @
8am:
FSB Breakfast Club,
Silverstone Golf Club,
Stowe, Silverstone,
Bucks
Thurs 30th
October @ 4pm:
Skills for Business
Growth Programme
North West Leics
District Council Offices,
Whitwick Road,
Coalville
Voice
THE
Full details &
online booking:
www.fsb.org.uk/
leics-northants-rutland
Page 11
Members supporting the
next generation
FOR the second year
running the FSB
Leicester City Branch
is pleased to be
supporting the Peter
Jones Academy run
locally at Leicester
College.
An awards ceremony
was held recently at
Leicester College and
this year the local
FSB Leicester City
Branch sponsored
the Inspirational
Learner Journey Award
2013/2014. The FSB
Leicester Branch
Chairman presented
the award to the winner
Mirajuddin Hazarbuz.
He has a very clear
vision of what he
wants to achieve with
aspirations to become a
Chartered Account. He
knows that this can only
be achieved by his own
hard work, focus and
determination which
is something that he
demonstrates every
day. Miraj is an example
of the type of learner
that we all wish for and
as a result he is a joy
STUDENTS from schools
across Leics & Northants
took part in the FSB/Young
Enterprise Business of Life
Challenge. Heats were
held with FSB members
helping students to turn
their ideas into business.
This was an inspiring
programme contributing
to the development of
relevant employability
skills and attitudes
including teamwork,
problem solving,
numeracy, communication,
confidence, risk taking,
organisation, creativity,
self management, analysis,
customer awareness, land
leadership. McGivernU
Music were announced as
the winners.
to teach. His tutor has
said that being part of
his learning journey is a
privilege.
Examples like this
truly demonstrate
the beliefs of Peter
Jones himself, that
‘entrepreneurs are not
born, they are made.’
We, the FSB, look
forward to building
and developing local
entrepreneurs with the
Peter Jones Academy.
Vimal Chauhan,
Leicester City Branch
Chairman
Students enjoying the
Business of Life Challenge
REGIONAL OFFICERS
BRANCH OFFICERS
REGIONAL CHAIRMAN:
Dave Nicholls
Telephone: 07415 411067
VICE CHAIRMAN: Clare Elsby
Telephone: 01604 678470
VICE CHAIRMAN: Tim Watt
Telephone: (0116) 270 6042
SECRETARY: Elaine Vandelli
Telephone: 0116 240 2330
TREASURER: John Hardwick
Telephone: (01509 236858
NAT. COUNCILLOR:
Adrian Forsell
Telephone: (01858) 565410
DEPUTY NATIONAL
COUNCILLOR: John Hardwick
Telephone: (01509) 236858
LEICESTER
CHAIRMAN: Vimal Chauhan
Telephone: (07973) 800507
SECRETARY: Trevor Wood
Telephone: 07941 208 957
Voice
THE
Page 12
The FSB recently sponsored Stephenson
College’s Dragons’ Den. Sam Halton
gave an outstanding presentation, was
confident and the judges had no doubt he
was an entrepreneur in the making. John
Hardwick presented the trophy to Sam.
SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE
CHAIRMAN: Kevin Bragg
Telephone: 01455 843806
SECRETARY: Elaine Vandelli
Telephone: (07802) 492348
NORTHAMPTON
CHAIRMAN: Keith Turner
Telephone: (01604) 622101
SECRETARY: Sandra Bassett
Telephone: 07889 328 416
Leicestershire, Northants & Rutland
EAST NORTHANTS
CHAIRMAN: Eddie Rodwell
Telephone: (01536) 742166
SECRETARY: Alison Hadley
Telephone: (01933) 413222
NORTH LEICESTERSHIRE &
RUTLAND BRANCH
CHAIRMAN & SECRETARY:
Steve Envis
Telephone: (0116) 269 4393
MEMBERSHIP ADVISORS
Kevin Turton: 07812 352165
Les Larkins: 07979 055176
www.fsb.org.uk