June 2012 Issue 02www.torfaenbusinessvoice.co.uk
@TorfaenBizlinkd.in/torfaenbiz
E-NEWSLETTER
IN THIS ISSUE:• Torfaen Google Juice Bars• Mobile Marketing• Responsible Business Practice• Torfaen Business Voice Renewals
NEXT EVENTThursday 28th JuneEnergy Saving Workshop
FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Welcome to the first edition of theelectronic Torfaen Business Voicenewsletter. You will have received thisthrough your email and we hope thatyou continue to enjoy reading it. Whynot pass it on to other colleagues andclients – they’re only a click away!!
Our first event of the 2012-13 membership yearwill be on 28th June when we will be welcoming agreat speaker, Lee Evans, from the Carbon TrustWales.
Specifically aimed at SME’s, Lee’s workshopentitled ‘Energy Saving’ will offer practical adviceon subjects such as: chimney sweeps (maybenot),monitoring energy consumption (Yes) andhow best to reduce your energy needs (Yes). Leewill help us understand how all of this cancontribute to improving our business bottom line(Yes). Other topics covered will include energyefficiency actions, opportunities for renewableenergy and current and future support plusfinancial incentives. And this is just a taster of thethings on offer. See page 3 for further details.
I’d like to thank all of you who have renewed yourmembership over recent weeks. It is great to seeso many of you deciding that TBV is worthwhileand beneficial to your business. If you haven’t yetrenewed your membership, then please do sosoon. Please use the attached form with thisnewsletter to renew – or if you have never been amember before, why not join. It’s fantastic valuefor money.
Remember this is your Business Club. Support usin our actions to provide a vibrant experience forour members. I look forward to seeing you all onJune 28th.
RegardsDennis Ricketts
ChairmanTorfaen BusinessVoice
CONTENTS:Page 3: Next Event & Last Event
Page 4: LMW, Torfaen Business Voice Renewals& Torfaen Business Voice Seminars
Page 5: Torfaen Google Juice Bar
Page 6: Mobile Marketing
Page 7: Maxim Business Solutions & Business Cards
Page 8: A new IT company
Page 9: Responsible Business Practice
2012 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Thursday 28th JuneEnergy saving workshop
Thursday 27th September Facilitated networking
Thursday 6th DecemberChristmas event
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NEW MEMBERS:We would like to welcome the followingbusinesses as new members ofTorfaen Business Voice
AVA Security & Communicationswww.ava-cctv.co.uk
Bell I T Solutionswww.bellitsolutions.co.uk
Best of Torfaenwww.thebestof.co.uk/torfaen
Bob Shepherd Associateswww.bobshepherdassociates.co.uk
BRAND CYMRUwww.brandcymru.co.uk
Concord Cash & Carry Ltdwww.concordinter.com
Genesis Vehicle Solutionswww.genesisvehiclesolutions.co.uk
NWL Serviceswww.nwlservicesltd.co.uk
TSO Creativewww.tso-creative.com
All information contained in this newsletter is based on copy supplied bycontributors and is believed to be accurate by the publisher.PDF E-Newsletter by Marshall & Hicks Print Media - 01495 750143 -www.marshallandhicks.co.uk
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NEXT EVENTCARBON TRUST ENERGY SAVING WORKSHOPOn Thursday June 28th Torfaen BusinessVoice is partnering up with Carbon TrustWales to hold a carbon reductionseminar for Torfaen Business Voicemembers.
The Energy Saving Workshop is aimed at small andmedium sized enterprises (SMEs) to support themwith their carbon reduction efforts. The event willcombine an energy management workshop withthe chance to have a one-to-one consultation withLee Evans of Carbon Trust Wales.
Key areas that will be introduced during theworkshop include updates on available support forenergy efficiency initiatives, governmentlegislation, energy units, metering, and keytechnologies such as biomass boilers, combinedheat and power (CHP) systems and energy efficientlighting. Attendees will also be shown how toconduct a simple walk around survey of theirpremises which can serve as a starting point forany improvements.
Lee Evans, Carbon Trust Wales Account Managerwho will be running the workshop said: “It’s a
popular misconception that only bigbusinesses can make financialsavings by reducing their carbonemissions but this isn’t the case. Many small tomedium sized enterprises would be surprised bythe amount they stand to save through energyefficiency.
“Simple measures such as ensuring all lights areswitched off before the last person leaves thebuilding and shutting down office equipment overthe holidays are effective and easy to implement,and can yield significant reductionsin energy bills as well as abusiness’s carbon emissions.
The Energy Saving Workshop isbeing held at Greenmeadow GolfClub and will take place from6.30pm.
We anticipate that interest in this event willbe high so if you’d like to attend please [email protected] [email protected] book your place.
LAST EVENT - NEW CONTACTS, NEW FRIENDSOn Thursday 29th March we held a facilitatedspeed networking evening which gave TorfaenBusiness Voice members and their guests theopportunity to introduce their company to tablesof listeners. The room was bustling and membersgot to know each other better. The result? Newcontacts and potential business opportunities.
The evening ended with the usual buffet and theopportunity for further informal networking.
Thank you to those who came along and madethis a successful evening – and also to MarkBellew for hosting the activities on the night. Thenext facilitated networking activity will be onThursday 27th September so please make a noteof it in your diary.
Reserve Your Places for our event in June:Next event (energy saving workshop): Thursday 28th June 6.30pm promptat the Greenmeadow Golf Club, Cwmbran
Simply e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or telephone: 01633 648 644Remember if you are a member you are entitled to 2 FREE places at this event.
Non-members are very welcome at a cost of £20.00 per person.Please make cheque payable to: Torfaen County Borough Council
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TORFAEN BUSINESSVOICE RENEWALSThe new Torfaen Business Voice membership year hasalready started (March 2012). We are pleased to seethat so many of our members have renewed theirmembership and we hope that you will continue totake advantage of all the benefits that are associatedwith being a member of one of South East Wales’ mostpopular business clubs (in our opinion!).
If you still haven’t sent your form in to us please do soas soon as possible. This will ensure that yourmembership continues until March 2013 and with allof the coming year’s quarterly events covered withinthe fee, being a member of Torfaen Business Voiceprovides excellent value for money.
Please send your form and payment to:Torfaen Business Voice, Business Marketing, Ty BlaenTorfaen, Panteg Way, New Inn, Pontypool. NP4 OLSPlease contact Jo or Cheryl on 01633 648644 if youneed a form. Thank you.
TORFAEN BUSINESSVOICE SEMINARS 2012Throughout the new membership year, we will berunning a series of evening workshops based on topicsthat are of interest to SME’s.
The next will be based on ‘Safety at Work’ and will bedelivered by Mike Bethune of MB Training at the EcoBuilding, Springvale Industrial Estate on 12th July.
Workshops are limited to 20 people (members only)and will cost £15.00 per person, to include lightrefreshments. Starting at 6.00pm and finishing atapprox 7.30pm, they offer a chance to hear expertspeakers and enjoy some informal networking.
2012 MEMBERS SEMINARS
12th July 2012Eco-building, Springvale Industrial Estate,CwmbranMike Bethune - mbtraining“Safety at work – things you need to know”
25th October 2012Technium Springboard, Llantarnam Park,CwmbranGareth Waters & Chris Taylor - BrandCymru“Building a Brand”
We expect these seminars to fill up very quickly soplease book early to avoid disappointment.Please email [email protected] [email protected] to reserve your place.
www.lmw.org.ukfind outmore at
Think again.
Think you’re too smallfor leadership and
management training?
www.lmw.org.ukfind outmore at
DID YOU KNOW?Private sector businesses in Wales canaccess up to 70% funding* tosupport leadership and managementdevelopment training under theEnhancing Leadership and ManagementSkills (ELMS) programme.*Funding is part funded by the European Social Fund(ESF) delivered through the Welsh Government
Business?
Boost your leadership andmanagement skills to take
your business to the next level
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GOOGLE JUICE BARCOMES TO TORFAENYou may have heard about Google Juice Bars in the media and press over the last fewweeks and months. This innovative scheme is part of The “Getting Welsh Business Online”(GWBO) initiative and comes on the back of a successful pilot in Liverpool during autumn2011. It aims to help small to medium sized businesses overcome the most commonchallenges associated with getting online for the first time. It can also help those whoalready have an online presence to develop a more effective web presence to attract newcustomers and maximise their growth potential.
The Economic Development team at Torfaen County Borough Council (which includesCath Thomas, Dawson Evans, Joanne John, Cheryl Williams and Gaynor Wakeling) hasbeen working in partnership with local web developers and Google, to enable businessesacross the Torfaen area to access free help and advice to get their businesses online. The first Torfaen GoogleJuice Bar was held at the end of May at SRS in Blaenavon and provided an opportunity for small businesses tomeet on a one-to-one bases with a local Google trained web developer. Fifteen FREE sessions lasting 40minutes each were made available to businesses in the area and these were fully booked within 24 hours ofadvertising. Demand is certainly out there for small business website advice & support!
Feedback from the businesses who attended these sessions has been positive and they left their sessions withworthwhile information that will push their business forward in this digital age.
Typically businesses were introduced to:
• Getting a free website for the business and learning how to update it
• Getting advice on how to improve a current website
• Reaching local customers by registering with Google Places
• Using Google Analytics to learn about their customer
• Learning how to advertise online
The team at Torfaen County Borough Council is keen to continue with supporting businesses in their onlineand digital objectives. Please contact us if you are either interested in attending a future Torfaen Google JuiceBar or if you would like to let us know what sort of advice and support you would like to see in the future.Please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Torfaen County Borough Council, Economic Development team, pictured belowfrom left to right: Joanne John, Cath Thomas, Cheryl Williams and Dawson Evans
TORFAENGOOGLE JUICE BARWEB DEVELOPERS
The world of digital mediais shifting again, and thenext big contender ismobile marketing. Theconcept of ‘mobilemarketing’ involves severaltechniques, such as mobilewebsites, social locationmarketing, SMS and MMSmarketing, mobileadvertising and mobileapps.
As the use of smartphones andtablets continues to rise, morepeople are accessing onlineinformation on their handheld
devices. This provides businesses with an excitingopportunity to expand the reach of their messagesto the palm of their audience’s hands.
Mobile technology is developing a strong presencein people’s lives transforming the way companiescommunicate with their target audience,particularly as the fusion of social media, location-based marketing and mobile (SO LO MO) gatherspace. So, gone are the days when mobileadvertising was a one-way messaging strategy(SMS marketing), today, it is two-way channels ofcommunication, where potential customers areactively seeking out local businesses on theirmobile devices through a variety of channels.
As a business owner, consider if mobile marketingis for you and determine how you can leverage
the potential offered. Forexample, evaluate how it canhelp you achieve your goals,determine if it fits within yourexisting marketing and takenotice of how competitorsare using mobile. If youevaluate that mobilemarketing is right for yourcompany, start by gettingeducated and by putting astrategy in place thatcomplements your overallmarketing strategy.In fact, if your company islooking to embark into the world of mobilemarketing and you aren’t sure where to start, werecommend that you consider creating a mobileversion of your website at a bare minimum. But beaware that ‘mobile friendly’ is more than makingyour desktop website fit mobile screens. You needto focus on the user and how they will beaccessing your site ‘on the go’ and there are manytactics to consider, ensuring the user experience isa positive one.
WSI 4 Web Business is offering a FREE copy ofa Mobile Marketing Strategy Guide to TBVnewsletter readers.
This will provide guidance on how toimplement a mobile strategy and tips on howto develop a mobile friendly website.
Please contact Mark Bellew viaemail: [email protected].
MOBILE MARKETING IS CHANGING HOW WE DOBUSINESS - By Mark Bellew, WSI 4 Web Business
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MAXIM BUSINESSSOLUTIONS EXPANDSMaxim Business Solutions are bucking the currenteconomic downturn and have moved to largeroffices just north of Pontypool. Financial supportfrom the Local Investment Fund scheme hasenabled the company to purchase new ITequipment, TV screen and other IT related services(thanks to Gaynor Wakeling from Torfaen CountyBorough Council for her help). It has also allowedthem to update their website www.maximbs.com
Maxim’s new office space now includes a purposebuilt training area, kitchen facilities and an openplan office with the option of expansion if required.
They have also expanded their team of trainers andpractitioners which has allowed them to offeradditional areas of expertise such as HR Servicesand Health & Safety training to further enhancetheir already comprehensive range of services whichalso covers topics such as Six Sigma, Lean,Engineering Skills and Management Training andDevelopment. They are also able to offer accreditedtraining such as NVQ’s and VRQ’s via their status asan EAL Centre and ILM accredited training centrecovering Certificate, Award and Endorsedprogrammes.
The company has worked with the WelshGovernment plus sector skills council bodies such asSEMTA and Improve to obtain funded training(sometimes as much as 100%) for their clientshaving successfully worked with schemes such asthe Tailor Made Training Initiative, ProAct, ReActand Skills Growth Wales over the last two years.
If you would like to discuss any trainingrequirements you may have or the possibility ofworking with Maxim in the future they can becontacted on
01495 774433 orEmail [email protected]
WHY BUSINESSCARDS ARE STILLIMPORTANTTOOLS IN 21STCENTURYNETWORKING
The humble business card hasbeen around for Centuries. Also known asvisiting cards and calling cards, they firstappeared in China in the 15th century, and inEurope in the 17th century. The footmen ofaristocrats and royalty would deliver these firstEuropean visiting cards to the servants of theirprospective hosts solemnly introducing thearrival of their owners. Business cards havebeen the most common commodity to expectfrom any professional irrespective of theindustry. Right from providing your businesstitle or promoting your credentials, to a simpletool for attracting leads and referrals; abusiness card serves many purposes.
Since your business card often makes that all-important first impression to potentialcustomers, it is essential that the initial firstimpression is eye catching and memorable.Avoid the mundane. While the information onbusiness cards is fundamental, their appearance(design, print quality and quality of card) isparamount. Thickness and finish of card stock,the quality of design and ink colours all matter.In every kind of business undertaking, youwant to stand out from the competitors andgive yourself an edge. Start with your businesscard.
When considering your next batch of businesscards, don’t be tempted to skimp on quality ordesign. Just because one printing companymay be offering 500 for £5, doesn’t mean youaren’t going to get a generic design with ageneric font. Just think, at your nextnetworking event, you could be swappingcards with someone who has the same designas you! Not very impressive to other potentialcustomers!
Article provide byGareth Waters - BrandCymru
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Pictured top from left to right:Matt Henderson, IT Consultant, Jane Anslow, Jeff Anslowboth of Maxim Business Solutions
Information Technology is a great tool forbusiness if it is used correctly. For the last10 years, Victoria Bell and Benjamin Kaniahave worked for various globalorganisations supporting the growth ofbusiness through IT. On 1st March 2012they launched their own company inCwmbran called Bell IT Solutions Ltd,focusing on supporting micro/small andmedium sized businesses in South Wales.
Bell IT Solutions Ltd design and build sophisticatedwebsites compatible with mobile devices, to keepWelsh companies up-to-date with the tablet andsmartphone revolution. Websites can be integratedwith social media and online e-shops. They canalso be displayed in multi-languages and aresuitable for all types of event booking and otherbusiness applications. The company also providesfull web hosting, data storage and completesupport for their clients online presence.
For businesses who want to create and maintaintheir own online presence, the company offersregular workshops on the free website builder toolWordPress. The next workshop will be held onTuesday 12th June at the Llantarnam Grange inCwmbran. Instruction is available in English,German or Polish. For more information please goto: http://www.bellitsolutions.co.uk/wordpress-workshops/
Bell IT Solutions Ltd also develop IT solutions forthe daily running of a business. If you need abusiness email system, online calendar facility orshared contacts, a low-cost solution can beprovided.
If you need to store and process information, BellIT Solutions will develop a system using free opensource technology. Open source technology islicense-free which means that everyone in yourorganisation may use a copy of the software at noextra cost. This really helps small businesses tooperate as effectively as a large organisation at afraction of the cost. For example, you may need asystem to capture all your prospects and customers(i.e. a customer relationship management systemknown as CRM) or maybe a simple accountancypackage to balance your books.
Bell IT Solutions has also supported TorfaenBorough Council as one of their nominatedGoogle Advisors, providing local businesses withfree 40-minute sessions as part of the GoogleJuice Bar initiative.
Bell IT Solutions are a hands-on team who likenothing more than helping businesses grow. Theyprovide excellent technical support and facilitiesand are thrilled at becoming new Torfaen BusinessVoice members.
Bell IT SolutionsInnovation for your BusinessChapel Lane | Cwmbran | Torfaen | NP44 2PP
T: 01633 864366 | F: 01633 864472E: [email protected]: bellitsolutions.co.uk
Tweet @bellitsolutionsFB: facebook.com/bellitsolutions
A NEW IT COMPANY WITH FRESH IDEAS!
SPECIAL OFFER - WORDPRESS WORKSHOPS
3 Hour ‘Absolute Beginner’ Workshop3 Hour ‘Beyond the Basics’ Workshop
Training Documentation ProvidedBring your own Laptop! Free WIFI Available
Morning Sessions 09:30 – 12:30Afternoon Sessions 13:30 – 16:30
Cost £55+VAT per Person per WorkshopIncludes Tea, Coffee and Biscuits
Workshops held in Cwmbrân, Torfaenand are available in English, German or Polish
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SIZE DOESN’T MATTERRosie Sweetman, Deputy Director, BITC WalesYou’ve got a team of people dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); you’ve got aCSR budget; you’ve got complex global suppliers all vetted by your procurement team; andyou’re BIG! CSR is for the big boys right?
Actually no! CSR, or what is now increasingly referred to as Responsible Business Practice (RBP), is an issue that allcompanies of all sizes need to factor into their business planning. In a nutshell, size doesn’t matter!
Small to Medium Sized Enterprise (SMEs) which don’t usually have a dedicated CSR resource are frequentlyinvolved in many responsible business initiatives. They don’t necessarily call it CSR or RBP or any other jargonterm, but being responsible is a fundamental part of who they are and how they operate.
BITC Wales works with a broad range of SMEs in Wales and has developed a number of useful and practical toolsfor the SME market. Our Responsible Business check up is an online gap analysis tool to help smaller organisationsdevelop a strategic approach to CR; and our series of workshops ‘Responsible Business Essentials’ covers key topicsto enable smaller companies, or units of larger companies, to maximise the business benefits acting responsibly.
Rosie Sweetman, Deputy Director BITC Wales explains “We are increasingly workingwith SMEs to help structure, measure and communicate their RBP activities. For somebusinesses identifying and structuring the broad range of activity they alreadyundertake is not a simple task. This is why it is so important to have organisationssuch as BITC to support companies”.
Alan Brayley, Managing Director AB Glass explains why they joined BITC Wales “Beingresponsible has always been core to how AB Glass operates. As a company we havestrong values and great green practices. We wanted to make sure we structure andprofile all our responsible business activities, including our environmental, workplaceand community practices. Joining BITC is part of making this happen”.
MAKING RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICE WORK FOR YOUBusiness in the Community has found that RBP can be most effective in bringing business benefit when itis not separate to the core running of the business.
RBP needs to be integrated into the planning and operations of the organisation to ensureconsistent reinforcement of what your company stands for. Many smaller companies candevelop this culture far swifter than larger companies which can have more complexcommunication channels.
So what do we mean by Responsible Business Practice? Being responsible is aboutachieving commercial success in a way that honours ethical values and respects people,communities and the natural environment. Responsible businesses manage theirinternal processes to ensure a positive impact on both the business and society.
The business benefits for an organisation that does consider responsible businessissues can include increased brand value and a positive reputation; direct financialimpact; a motivated, skilled workforce; reduced operational risk; improved relationswith suppliers and other stakeholders and greater scope for innovation. Thesebenefits are of interest to all companies no matter what size!
If you would like to discuss your responsible business practicesplease contact Rosie Sweetman, Deputy Director BITC Wales at:[email protected] or telephone 029 2078 0050. www.bitc.org.uk/wales
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