London Wins The Olympic Race

Congratulations to London who piped Paris to the post to the election to host the 2012 Olympics.

Here at the North West Business Club, we have already held discussions with colleagues in the London Development Agency about how we can support the Olympic Legacy Programme.

There is no doubt that Manchester's success with the 2002 Commonwealth Games with key factors such as regeneration, facility after use and legacy helped shape London's bid and made it more credible.

So, well done London - we look forward to working with you!
 

Dear Business Club Member

Welcome to this month's Business Club Update.  Thank you as always to everyone who has contributed a news story, put forward a member offer or indeed attended one of our events in June. We are also delighted to report that this month our membership topped 8000 highlighting the value and interest of the Business Club across the region both for large and small businesses.

"The Business Club has been extremely successful in creating opportunities for local business," explains Joanna Bruce, Head of The Business Club. "Since the Games, maximising benefit for North West organisations from sporting and cultural events has remained a key part of the Business Club’s objectives; which in turn helps to create a lasting legacy for the future growth of business in the area’.

Two such events which took place last month included our Women in Business Reception and the awards reception for the BUPA Great Manchester Run Corporate Challenge. For new members and those unable to attend here's a brief snapshot of these two events given below.

Two TV shows that we here at the Business Club have promoted over the past months are The Apprentice and another BBC programme, Dragons' Den. The emergence of business as a form of entertainment is featured in Charlie Lambert's excellent Media Watch. He points out that the American version of The Apprentice, featuring Donald Trump, is currently being aired on BBC2 and BBC3 - check out TV listings for more info. To participate in the next UK edition of the show, visit www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice and apply online. In addition, the excellent EN Magazine has announced that Sir Alan Sugar will be the guest speaker at the North West Deal Awards Dinner 2005 on Wed 28th September at The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. Contact Kevin Spencer for details on sponsorship and tickets. E Mail: Kevin.spencer@excelpublishing.co.uk.

July's edition features some exciting services for small businesses, two reader offers and numerous events ranging from sport and tourism to business networking and trade delegations so we hope there is something of interest for all our members.

Best wishes to you all

The Business Club

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Business Club News

Our Women in Business Reception provided local business women with an opportunity to hear from three inspirational speakers and network with fellow leaders across the north west and was organised as part of the celebrations around the 2005 UEFA European Women’s Football Championships. Over 150 women attended this free networking lunch at the City of Manchester Stadium, organised by the Business Club, with speakers that included TV presenter Esther McVey, nominated this year for Merseyside Woman of the Year and Cheshire Woman of the Year and Rachel Bridge, Editor of the Sunday Times business section who focused on successful female entrepreneurs and how they ‘made it’. The delegate feedback was extremely positive and a comment from Christine Gooddy, Business Development Manager, Corporate Deposits at The Co-operative Bank best reflects the general consensus of opinion:"The Women in Business reception was an extremely enjoyable event. The speakers at the reception were positively inspirational and it was very uplifting being surrounded by so many females who've made the leap of faith to set up in business for themselves." A good number of delegates also indicated that they would be interested in getting involved in the North West Strategy Women’s Enterprise Group and in receiving a copy of the associated steering group prospectus.

In addition winners from this year’s BUPA Great Manchester Run Corporate Challenge celebrated their success at an awards reception sponsored by MIDAS. Over 2000 runners, twice the number that competed last year, in 111 teams representing solicitors, accountants, banks and businesses participated in this years Corporate Challenge, making the largest annual event in Manchester’s corporate calendar, the most successful to date! Winners received wooden engraved plaques and champagne at the reception, held at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel and hosted by Paul Dickenson, ex-international athlete and commentator for the BBC. Winning teams included Knight Frank, Access Advertising, Bruntwood Limited, Pannone and Partners and Faubermansell. Individual awards were also presented to Colin Gell from Swinton Colonnade for fastest male runner and Helen Moore from ICI Dulux for fastest female runner.

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Free service for small manufacturing-based companies operating in Merseyside 

The Agility Centre was established in January 2000, and is part-funded by the ERDF under the Objective One scheme. The Centre operates with two full-time project managers, a marketing analyst, three company associates and two full-time PhD students.

The objective of The Agility Centre is to ensure that companies are best placed to thrive and prosper in environments that are characterised by turbulence (i.e. subject to high rates of change). The Agility Centre work with companies to ensure that they are in the best position to profit from this "turbulence". First, a needs assessment is carried out. The Centre then follow through with a suite of tools and methods that are tailored to company’ needs.

This involves four steps:

Step 1. Understanding
The first task involves data gathering to find out how robust the company is in terms of its operating environment. This involves an agility audit supported by activities such as value stream mapping and process analysis.

Step 2 Communication
Following data gathering a two-part report is produced. The first part of the report highlights company vulnerabilities, whilst the second part offers recommendations for assisting companies to become robust in those areas where they are vulnerable.

Step 3 Project Implementation
An action plan for change is then agreed. Agility Centre resources are then allocated to assist companies to become more agile. Initially, The Centre can offer one-man-month of effort to bring about change.

Step 4 Support
The Agility Centre like to think that the work they do within companies speaks volumes. They try to establish longer-term links with the company so they might be considered the "first port-of call" for advice, skills and expertise that may be needed for the long-term future of the company.

Charges
Providing a company is an SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) and operates in within the Objective One region there is no charge for Agility Centre services.

Contact Details:

The Agility Centre,
The University of Liverpool Management School,
Chatham Building,
PO Box 147,
Liverpool
L69 7ZH

T: 0151 795 3641 or 3642
F: 0151 795 3640

www.agilitycentre.com

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Setting Up Schemer’s Going to 100% Design Liverpool and Manchester Design Initiative is proud to announce that three of this year’s Setting Up Scheme intake have been accepted onto their collective stand for 100% Design. MORE INFO >>

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Three quarters of a million pounds for economic growth Economic growth in Cumbria will be boosted by £794,000 of grants from Cumbria County Council. MORE INFO >>

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Moreson Conferencing Names Shane Liddell As UK and European Sales Representative MORE INFO >>

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SKILLSACTIVE Sponsors exciting new community award SkillsActive is working with the Nancy Ovens Trust to sponsor an exciting new skills development bursary aimed at coaches or leaders. MORE INFO >>

Getting behind business in Merseyside

As part of the build up to Capital of Culture in 2008, Liverpool businesses are being offered extra help and support by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), in partnership with Business Link for Greater Merseyside.

Michelle Melling, HMRC Senior Business Manager in Liverpool said:

"Liverpool will benefit from the Capital of Culture award by bringing an estimated £2 billion of investment, create 14,000 new jobs and attract an extra 1.7 million visitors to the city. The increased tourism will generate an extra £50 million expenditure a year up to and beyond 2008 for the local economy."

"HMRC are here to help businesses prepare for these fantastic opportunities and effectively manage this growth, today, tomorrow, and beyond 2008. Specialist tax advisers are working in partnership with Business Link to ensure local businesses prosper during this exciting period for the city."

"All businesses in Merseyside will receive details of the local helpline, 0845 330 0151, in the post and a reminder of the free business advice services we offer. It makes sense to get your taxes right first time and take advantage of the various schemes designed to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs."

Whether you are in business already or thinking of starting up you can find out more about how to make all areas of business tax and duties easier including:

• Making tax payments easier
• Help to manage cash flow
• Extra time to pay your VAT
• Self assessment for the self-employed
• Quick and easy Internet tax returns and payments
• PAYE
• Imports and exports
• Trade information
• Excise duty on road fuels and oils
• Environmental taxes

Warning for local fraudsters HMRC, however, won’t turn a blind eye to businesses attempting to abuse the tax systems. Michelle Melling added a warning: "We will also support a ‘level playing field’ for business competition by targeting those businesses that are acting dishonestly. Why should a few spoil it for the majority."

For more information on the services and help available contact Greater Merseyside Business Link on 0845 330 0151 between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

 

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Simply the Best! Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Award Winners Celebrate Success The cream of Lancashire and Blackpool's thriving tourism industry were celebrated in style today at an awards lunch organised by the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board. MORE INFO >>

Regional Attraction Fund (RAF) Attracts Top Names to the Region North West Vision has made two more awards from its Regional Attraction Fund attracting Channel K Productions and Baby Cow. MORE INFO >>

Trade delegation to Bangkok, Thailand 17th - 24th July 2005, Bolton Wanderers, Everton and Manchester City

ChamberLink International Trade Centre, in association with UK Trade & Investment and The International Trade Centre for Greater Merseyside, is organising a business delegation to coincide with the Asia Tour featuring three key football clubs: Bolton Wanderers, Everton and Manchester City. This is a unique opportunity for companies to be part of this prestigious visit, and to use the high profile Tour to showcase Northwest products and services. The market visit will be particularly relevant to companies in Sports & Leisure, Education & Training and ICT Industries

Various receptions will be held (in market), and they provide an excellent opportunity for Northwest companies to network for business opportunities. The Tour and trade delegation are expected to attract considerable media coverage and it will be a great opportunity to attract VIPs and key decision makers to our events. There will be a briefing at the British Embassy in Bangkok and an official reception at the Ambassadors residence for local companies and organisations. Beyond the reception and seminar programme, there is opportunity for delegates to have individual business meetings, follow up new contacts or undertake additional market research.

Companies are invited to apply for one of the limited places, which will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, at an all inclusive cost of £1595 covering travel, hotel, business group visits and meetings, plus business networking events.

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Smith & Smith P.R. win African development account in run-up to G8 Summit Cheshire-based Smith & Smith P.R are celebrating a very topical international account win, having been appointed to handle press and P.R. for Avenir-NEPAD, MORE INFO >>

The Loop- Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here. This is the War Room 'The Many Challenges of Leadership.' 6pm, Thursday 14th July 2005, Urbis

Brought to you by CIDS, THE LOOP provides a regular masterclass and get-together for established businesses in design, music, fashion, architecture, visual arts, film, TV, video games and the professional services that support them. From MDs to CEOs, Advisors to Investors, Mavericks to Academics, The Loop will provide a high level platform to learn, network and make deals.

The Loop returned in September 2004. If you would like to be added to the mailing list please register at theloop@cids.co.uk. 

Lucinda Williams at The Bridgewater Hall supported by Laura Cantrell Lucinda Williams at The Bridgewater Hall supported by Laura Cantrell on 26th July 2005. MORE INFO >>

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Microsoft Office Six Degrees Network run an event on the first Wednesday of every month at Tiger Tiger, Manchester. MORE INFO >>

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Norwich Union World and Commonwealth Trials & AAA Championships           Are being held in Manchester this Month MORE INFO >>

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IoD North West Golf Day A great opportunity to network with senior business leaders, win fantastic prizes on offer and raise money for the Cheshire Wildlife Trust. MORE INFO >>

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Do you need to negotiate better to get what you want? ‘What women want' looks at different negotiating styles and what we can learn from them. MORE INFO >>

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Corporate Discussion Group in conjunction with Institute of Directors Felicity Goodey of the Tourism Forum for England's North West will speak at this breakfast event. MORE INFO >>

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Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup is taking place 31 July 2005 at  Salford Quays & City Centre MORE INFO >>

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Networking4business In conjunction with DS Training Solutions Ltd network4business offers you a unique, educational and fun event designed to provide a mix of networking and teambuilding activities. MORE INFO >>

15% discount on signs from Wayfinder  

Wayfinder UK Ltd of Bury has linked up with Danish Sign Company, DanSign to exclusively distribute their modular signage systems throughout the UK.


Mike Slater, Wayfinders MD says:

Club members can benefit from a 15% discount for a limited period. Please contact Mike Slater on 0161 797 4490.

New contemporary jewellery website is a gem plus members get 10% discount Award winning contemporary jewellery designer, Colette Hazelwood would like to introduce to you her new website selling contemporary silver jewellery at affordable prices. MORE INFO >>

Mando Group launch new European website for Capcom

Mando Group the Wavertree-based web development and design consultancy have just launched a new website for Capcom’s European operation.

Capcom, one of the biggest games publishers in the world, commissioned the Liverpool company to redesign its consumer website, following a pitch involving national agencies. Capcom’s brief was to create a site that worked harder for the company with flexibility to highlight games, news features and polls.

The site www.capcom-europe.com showcases current and forthcoming Capcom games including the Resident Evil series, Megaman, Devil May Cry and the Onimusha series, and will eventually feature the Capcom Europe back catalogue. 

Eg.G Produces M.E.N. Arena Website Campaign Manchester Evening News Arena has commissioned Eg.G again to deliver a billboard and six-sheet campaign to advertise the launch of their revamped website. MORE INFO >>

44media and KRO join forces to produce media package Manchester based new media agency 44media have won the contract to produce and develop the printing solutions and corporate branding for Kro                 MORE INFO >>

Manchester Gold - A career mentoring programme bringing students and employers together

Manchester Gold is a successful career mentoring scheme linking undergraduates and postgraduates at The University of Manchester with employers. It aims to strengthen links with employers and alumni of all sectors and improve the employability of our students. Manchester Gold is managed by the Careers Service of The University of Manchester and is now in its fifth year.

How can Manchester Gold benefit me and my organisation?

• Raise your company’s profile on campus
• Establish and maintain close links with the university
• Target high-quality students
• Develop your coaching skills
• Meet other participating mentors at networking events
• Share the knowledge and experience you have gained in the workplace

What commitment is involved?

There is no cost involved other than the mentor’s time, which is approximately 12 hours over the academic year, comprising:

• Attending a short induction in November in either Manchester or London
• Meeting with a student approximately four times between November and April

What is covered in the meetings?

Manchester Gold is a career mentoring programme aiming to improve the employability of our students and strengthen our links with employers.

In the past, mentors and mentees have discussed a range of issues, including:

• What the mentor’s job entails
• Advice on CVs, applications and interviews
• Networking skills
• Presentation skills
• Advice on further study
• Opportunities within the mentor’s organisation or industry

Want to know more?

For further information, or to express an interest in becoming a mentor, please call the Manchester Gold team on + 44 (0)161 275 2828 or email caroline.carlin-nuttall@manchester.ac.uk

You can also find out more about the programme, and register as a mentor, by visiting our website for recruiters: www.manchester.ac.uk/manchestergold

Or visit our website for students: www.manchester.ac.uk/careers/manchestergold

Regional Attraction Fund (RAF) Attracts Top Names to the Region North West Vision has made two more awards from its Regional Attraction Fund attracting Channel K Productions and Baby Cow. MORE INFO >>

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Free information on interviewing skills Preparation, preparation, preparation, that’s the key message being given to businesses on interviewing staff with more advice on the subject freely available from a local training company. MORE INFO >>

New magazine for women in business

The Women 4 Success magazine is a brand new magazine aimed at women who either have their own business or who are looking to start up in business. The first issue contains inspirational stories, events, news and business opportunities.

Featured articles include top tips for entrepreneurs from Rachel Elnaugh, founder of the £25 million Red Letter Days, networking 4 success, goal setting, an introduction to public relations and how to choose the right home business.

You can register online at www.mbjpublications.co.uk  to receive your free copy of the magazine.

Fluid Style Fluid Creativity has been challenged with the task of working with a new designer clothing retailer Brand Neusense MORE INFO >>

pro.manchester annual dinner hailed great success  with guest speaker William Hague                                         Full details of Pro.manchester Events for the comming year MORE INFO >>

The Council of Management of Lake District Summer Music announces the appointment of new Chairman Bruce Pimlott has been appointed new Chairman of The Council of Management of Lake District Summer Music. MORE INFO >>

New Filmmaking Talent Wanted!

www.northwestvision.co.uk/page/digitalshorts2005 

Northern Exposure at the BBC The BBC's Northern Exposure programme invests in writers in collaboration with theatres, and arts organisations across the North. MORE INFO >>

Regional Portal Co-ordinator CIDS is looking to recruit someone with an excellent understanding of web and database technology, good knowledge of the creative industries sector. MORE INFO >>

• Visit our directory on a monthly basis and make a goal to make contact with five other members - they could be potential suppliers, customers or promotional partners so what have you got to lose.
  
  
• Update your member profile to ensure that it contains current pertinent information - this is your shopwindow to other members so make the most of it

Our next copy deadline is Wednesday 20th July 2005 for our August edition so we look forward to receiving your news, pictures and diary dates marked for the attention of Tracy Bosanko and sent to info@nwbusinessclub.com