http://vps1.shine-marketing.co.uk/~rbkcoc/index.php en info@shine-marketing.co.uk Copyright 2010 2010-02-08T14:51:01+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/small-business-urged-to-plan-ahead/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/small-business-urged-to-plan-ahead/#When:14:51:01Z  Planning for Growth by Jerry Irving “We plan for every important decision in our personal lives and yet, for many, when it comes to our businesses, we are prepared to let fate take over” says Jerry Irving, Chief Executive of Outlook, providers of Business Planning and Business Support Services. Why Plan? Although, logically, most would accept that planning should be an ongoing process for all businesses, there is, however, a range of arguments which owners of small and medium sized businesses have supported for many years in their attempts to refute this view. Although, logically, most would accept that planning should be an ongoing process for all businesses, there is, however, a range of arguments which owners of small and medium sized businesses have supported for many years in their attempts to refute this view. ·         Some feel no need to plan as they have always done well in the past ·         Some have entrepreneurial natures which reject formality, discipline or “ working to order” as alien to their natural behaviour and so they simply do not feel comfortable with it ·         Some have no faith in planning as circumstances are always likely to change and when this happens the plan becomes invalid. So why plan in the first place? ·         Some are unable to accept the concept of developing something which is meant to be interpreted as precise and accurate and yet it is constructed largely from probabilities and “guesstimates”. Planning does become slightly more flavoursome, however, in the case of owner managed businesses where there comes a time in the life of the shareholder(s) when their thoughts turn to exiting, handing over or realising their asset. Here they begin to consider the longer term view and begin to “do some sums”.   Despite these arguments there are many who do support the logical view by preparing annual plans and monitoring their performance against them. Most likely, they have from the start and they take considerable comfort and motivation from the feeling of understanding, control and professionalism this gives them. “Planning for growth” is an expression which infers the existence of SMART objectives, focus, single-minded determination and a desire to achieve excellence in business performance management as a result of good planning. Those who plan effectively for growth will increase their probability of success for several reasons: ·         The potential for growth within the current and future business environment is more likely to be researched ·         Implementation and management is made easier with a set of reasonably prescribed forecasts (many formalised into targets) against which the business will be able to review its progress ·         A good planning process will involve all the key players in the organisation. This will help to cement the validity of the plan thus ensuring commitment to its success   2010-02-08T14:51:01+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/chamber-members-get-rewarded-for-getting-healthier/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/chamber-members-get-rewarded-for-getting-healthier/#When:14:49:21Z Join the health club in Surbiton that rewards you for getting healthier. Whether you want to lower your cholesterol, lose weight or get fitter, at Nuffield Health we’ve put together a range of rewards to keep you motivated. Join the health club in Surbiton that rewards you for getting healthier. Whether you want to lower your cholesterol, lose weight or get fitter, at Nuffield Health we’ve put together a range of rewards to keep you motivated. Achieve your goals and you could enjoy rewards* like:   • FREE month’s membership • FREE personal training sessions • FREE health MOTs • FREE massages and spa treatments Text “PASS” along with your full name and *Terms and conditions apply. Visit nuffieldhealth.com/rewards for full details.   Kingston Chamber Members Offer: £74.50/month for a 3 month commitment or £68.00/month for a 12 month commitment, the joining fee is just £29.00.  This includes a health MOT on joining with a three month follow up which allows new members to earn a FREE months membership.  To Join contact Sue - Corporate Lead Generator, Nuffield Health Fitness & Wellbeing on 0208 335 2900 quoting your Kingston Chamber membership details.  www.nuffieldhealth.com 2010-02-08T14:49:21+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/kingston-chamber-what-are-we-like-first-impressions-by-a-new-member/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/kingston-chamber-what-are-we-like-first-impressions-by-a-new-member/#When:14:48:39Z What are we like? A newcomer’s viewpoint Linda Richards of Databac – a family owned manufacturing business in Kingston, spanning four decades, joined Kingston Chamber in December and these are her first impressions. On a very snowy Wednesday morning in January – I walked very slowly and carefully to Unilever House for the new members meeting of Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Due to the bad weather only a handful of us made it for the induction. We all introduced ourselves and within minutes we found that we could all introduce at least one person to a possible client – not bad!! Linda Richards of Databac – a family owned manufacturing business in Kingston, spanning four decades, joined Kingston Chamber in December and these are her first impressions. On a very snowy Wednesday morning in January – I walked very slowly and carefully to Unilever House for the new members meeting of Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Due to the bad weather only a handful of us made it for the induction. We all introduced ourselves and within minutes we found that we could all introduce at least one person to a possible client – not bad!! I had already been pleasantly surprised at my first breakfast meeting at the Hotel Antoinette finding a group of extremely friendly people, no circles that were hard to break into, in fact as soon as anyone joined the group I was in, everyone stopped talking and focused on making that person welcome. Breakfast itself was good; everyone introduced themselves to the others around the table which was interesting. A good idea I found was that you can put your business card into a ‘pot’ (if you want to!) and if you are lucky and yours is pulled out, you get the room for a few minutes – sounds daunting I know – but we all have to sell ourselves and a little more practice wont go amiss, plus everyone gets to know a bit more about you, your business or what ever you’d like to talk about. To find out more about Databac see http://www.databac.com or to talk to Linda 020 8546 9826 or email lrichards@databac.com 2010-02-08T14:48:39+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/executive-futures-a-new-service-for-unemployed-professionals/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/executive-futures-a-new-service-for-unemployed-professionals/#When:11:05:23Z Kingston Chamber are delighted to announce a new service for local residents who have been made redundant and who are looking for a like-minded support network.Executive Futures is a new service run by Kingston Chamber in partnership with Kingston University, Kingston College and Kingston Council. Funded for 15 months, the service will offer advice and support to professionals looking for work, self employment, business start up advice and networking. Over 40 professionals have already joined and two have found new opportunities since joining. Many have taken up our services which include CV clinic, interview and career coaching, enterprise and start up workshops and volunteering opportunities. Anyone wishing to register themselves for the initiative should send a brief cover email and current cv to executivefutures@kingstonchamber.co.uk - Please contact us for details of our next Open Day and to book a place on 020 8541 4441. Ask to speak to Jenny Butler. 2009-07-31T11:05:23+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/smes-can-win-business-from-public-sector/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/smes-can-win-business-from-public-sector/#When:11:42:23Z Selling to the public sector represents a fantastic opportunity for your company. Contract opportunities with Government are of increasing importance to SMEs, representing a valuable route to a growing market offering SMEs stability and business growth. Register on http://www.supply2.gov.uk for FREE and view contract opportunities which could provide your company with a new route to growthAll public bodies should be viewed as a key potential customer! Public procurement in the UK is worth around £175 billion a year Local government spends £27 billion on bought-in goods and services Regional spend in the NHS is estimated to be around £12 billion Civil government spend £15 billion Up to 600 new contract opportunities a week What are the benefits of selling to government? Public sector organisations are good customers: They have to be fair, honest and professional in the way they choose suppliers and in any dealings with them They are less likely to be subject to fluctuations in the market They pay promptly and in line with agreed contract terms They pay accounts within 30 days (or any other agreed credit period) of receiving a valid bill or invoice Register on http://www.supply2.gov.uk for FREE and view contract opportunities which could provide your company with a new route to growth. For helpful hints and tips also see http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/ Local to Kingston? Make sure you don't miss out from local procurement opportunities! Call Kingston Chamber now to get a copy of The Royal Borough Business Directory and then make sure you are featured in the new edition coming soon. Call 0208 541 4441. 2009-07-19T11:42:23+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/kingston-chamber-leads-on-local-economy-and-skills-debate/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/kingston-chamber-leads-on-local-economy-and-skills-debate/#When:14:59:29Z Kingston Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Lisa Gagliani is to chair a meeting of the Borough's leaders in a bid to provide support to the business community through this difficult time.The local council has drawn together all the interested parties from education and business to focus on the current recession and ways in which local businesses and residents can be supported.  The Council has a number of committees looking at other important areas within the community plan, but until now there has not been an agreement as to how to deliver the economic, skills and sustainability strategy in full. Chamber chief executive Lisa Gagliani has been asked to chair the group.  "It is vital," she says, "that this group agrees an action plan and starts delivering real support quickly - what none of us need is another talking shop - instead we need to come up with some real joint working plans that will make a difference to small firms in particular and provide opportunities to the growing number of highly skilled residents who have been made redundant. It is also obviously important to maintain initiatives that support the vulnerable and ensure that there is fair opportunity for all."  The first meeting of the group will take place on January 23rd. 2009-01-21T14:59:29+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/council-contracts-seek-chamber-businesses-to-supply/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/council-contracts-seek-chamber-businesses-to-supply/#When:08:26:17Z The Royal Borough of Kingston is always keen to spend its money on essential services using local suppliers and small firms whenever possible.  A fine example of this is a recent contract for design and print work with about £1M over three years - which was featured on the councils business site and highlighted by Kingston Chamber Chief Executive, Lisa Gagliani, to around half a dozen likely candidates with about six weeks notice for the bid.At time of writing, we know at least two of the firms have submitted bids, one of them prepared with assistance of yet another chamber member.  The Jam Agency, who spotted a gap in the market for helping with some of the essential formalities, leaving the business to fill in the gaps and get on with their day job. To find out  more about what the Council buys and how to be on the tender list see: www.rbk.kingston.gov.uk and search on business. London 2012 is also procuring a range of services at the moment - for more information and a current list, email Lisa@kingstonchamber.co.uk.  2008-08-18T08:26:17+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/new-diner-for-bentalls-with-chamber-member-make-over/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/new-diner-for-bentalls-with-chamber-member-make-over/#When:08:22:17Z Frank B's the American Diner in Bentalls, which opened last year has been such a success that it needed to be enlarged and repositioned.  So Greg Hughes, Managing Director of Bentalls sought a local firm to help with the project and found Chris Zulerons at Vision Shopfittting Ltd, based off Villiers Road at a Kingston Chamber Breakfast Meeting.  The ‘make over’ ( somewhat of an understatement, I believe) is almost complete and will welcome Chamber members on October 2nd when Bentalls hosts the Kingston Chamber monthly business breakfast there. It’s another prime example of Kingston chamber helping to facilitate business to business in the borough and a testament to our members who are willing to trust and share in each other’s business development and mutual growth. To book a place at the October 2nd Networking breakfast at Bentalls click here! 2008-08-18T08:22:17+00:00 http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/news/story/the-royal-borough-of-kingston-upon-thames-business-directory/ http://kingstonchamber.co.uk/nes/story/the-royal-borough-of-kingston-upon-thames-business-directory/#When:08:20:56Z Business Directories are widely recognised as key publications that enable local companies and organisations to trade with each other, and promote themselves to a wider audience.  The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames Council and Kingston Chamber of Commerce are committed to supporting the local economy, and we are delighted to announce the production of a new and improved Business Directory to enhance the development of our Borough’s economy in local and national markets.The new edition will be published as a high quality, full colour, two-thirds A4 publication.  It will be widely distributed over a two-year period, being made available to businesses and residents through all of the usual official channels, and will also appear in electronic format as a fully integrated CD Rom and web site. To ensure that the highest standards are maintained, we are working in partnership with Burrows Communications Ltd to produce the directory.   The Directory will be available from September onwards to all local firms via Kingston Chamber of Commerce. Telephone 0208 541 4441 or email marketing@kingstonchamber.co.uk.   In addition, the cd rom can be upgraded at extra cost so that further functionality and updates can be incorporated. News 2008-08-18T08:20:56+00:00