News
Part Time FD for DraycirRichard Gant, East Midlands Principal for Business Club members The FD Centre has just gained a new client via one of our meetings in April. Richard has been engaged by fellow members Draycir Limited, a Leicester based software developer, as their Part-Time Finance Director to help with strategic planning and business development. Draycir develops produces and markets a range of business software some of which integrate with proprietary software such as Sage 50, 100 & 200, Navision, Microsoft Dynamics and many more.Kathy Lawler from Draycir Comments "Since the first time I met Richard the relationship between our two companies has progressed, the FD Centre are now promoting Draycir's products nationally. I never expected to achieve this great result from my first Business club meeting". The FD Centre is a national network of over 100 qualified and experience Finance Directors with big company experience that operate across 16 regions of the UK and who provide analysis, advice and positive intervention when it's required, at a fraction of the cost of an in-house FD.
To contact The FD Centre, please call 01572 759557 or email Richard Gant at richard.gant@thefdcentre.co.uk
To contact Draycir Ltd, please call 0845 1232941 or email Kathy Lawler at kathy.lawler@draycir.com
Created on: 27 August 2010
Booked Your Summer Hols Yet?
No? Not a problem, as a member of The Business Club Leicester, you are able to benefit from discounted rates at http://www.cyprusapartmentpyla.com/ Situated in Pyla Village Resort, Cyprus, our luxury two-bedroom apartment has views across the fields to the hills and access to a beautiful swimming pool, gardens, tennis courts and other amenities.The apartment is in a relaxing, peaceful location, perfect for recharging your batteries and having a break away from the grind of everyday life. Pyla is a quiet village in eastern Cyprus and local attractions include bars and tavernas in Pyla within a pleasant five-minute walk from the apartment. Larnaca, only ten minutes away, is an upcoming modern town still retaining a rich heritage; its busy town centre has lots of shops and hostelries, a harbour and a yacht marina.The Cypriot motorway network helps to make Pyla a great base to explore all the delights the island has to offer. The border to Northern Cyprus is a short drive away from Pyla.
To enquire about availability, or to discuss the cost or hiring this stunning apartment call Gary Metcalf on 07860 422457 or email gary.metcalf@gemini-wm.com
Created on: 27 August 2010
New Website is Picture Perfect
Ian Pickering Photography are proud to announce the launch of our their new website www.ianpickering.com with lots of exciting new products that the company have been working on for the past few months. "We will be adding to the blog as and when we can," said Jo Pickering, "and of course, there are always little things that need finishing, which will also be done very soon - but, hey, have a look, let us know your thoughts. Any feedback would be gratefully received".
Through the website and emails, the studio will keep everyone informed of any new offers they are running as the year progresses, So if you know anybody who requires a professional photographer, whether it be for a wedding, event, family portrait or Commercial / Industrial project, then please pass on their details.
Also, at a recent event, Jo was keen to promote their funky 'Photoparty' - something to do with the kids during the hols, or even for a hen party, birthday or other celebration. Invite your friends to come along to Pickering's Studio, where they can get dressed up, made up, and have their photos taken LIKE REAL MODELS. After that you can view the slides and get the photos of the party! Sounds like fun.
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To contact Ian Pickering Photography, please call 01455 271371 or email Jo at jo@ianpickering.com
Created on: 27 August 2010
Leicester Catering Company invest £85,000 in new premises and kitchens
Leicester Catering Company are building on their success of recent months by buying their premises and revamping the existing kitchens to provide enhanced preparation and cooking facilities. The Caterers who have seen orders for their office and wedding buffets grow month on month since the launch of the business in March, now feel that the time is right to push to expand the business.
Steve Thatcher said " This is a really exciting time for Jenny and I at the moment and the purchase of the shop premises has been an ambition of Jenny's for some time. The extended preparation area will enable us to significantly expand the scope and scale of our operation."
With weekend weddings now complementing the lunchtime and evening buffets for businesses, the business looks set for continued growth.
Also, remember that the company are offering a 10% discount for Business Club members who order a buffet in August? Well, it's still not too late to take this up, quote the "lbc" offer.
To contact Leicester Catering Company, please ring 07837 608220 or email Steve or Jenny at jenny@leicestercateringcompany.co
Created on: 27 August 2010
Campanile Hotel
Free meeting room hire to Business Club Members for the month of July & August
Only at Campanile Hotel Leicester
Offer extended to September
Call now on 0116 2616600
Campanile Hotel
1 Bedford Street North
Saint Matthews Way
Leicester
LE1 3JE
Tel 0116 2616600
www.campanile.com
Created on: 27 August 2010
From small Acorns.....
Richard Hopwood is pleased to announce that following negotiations with Peter James Estates, Richard has acquired their shareholding within Peter James Lettings Limited and the business has been renamed Acorn Lettings Midlands Limited in anticipation of the imminent acquisition of another local lettings agency. The Head Office remains at Birstall in Leicester under the capable control of Linda Hammond. From this base we are able to cover the whole of Greater Leicester and clients will soon be seeing our eye-catching new boards around the city. Whilst a web site is currently under preparation all properties remain advertised on Right Move just as in the Peter James Lettings era. Richard and Linda look forward to dealing with clients both old and new in what promises to be an exciting new era for them.
To contact Richard, please ring 0116 2677890 or email Richard at nsv.leics@nsv.uk.com
Created on: 27 August 2010
Exciting Seminar for SMEs from Bibby
Bibby Financial Services together with Smith Partnership and Venturn Ltd, invite you to attend our Breakfast Meeting focusing on Business Turnaround - Retaining Control.
As a valued intermediary and as someone who is at the forefront of supporting the UK's small and medium sized businesses, I am delighted to invite you to a Breakfast Meeting which will tackle the topical area of Business Turnaround and how you can help your clients retain control of these situations.
Bibby Financial Services and a select panel, Rachel McCahill-Brown of Smith Partnership, Stephen Moon of Venturn Ltd and David Webb of Bibby Financial Services will explore the issues and risks surrounding business turnaround and will share their experiences and thoughts on how to help businesses retain control in these difficult and uncertain times.
Initially Stephen will be exploring the different ways that directors and business owners can identify potential problems, how best to react to these problems and the options available pre formal proceedings.
Rachel will then be unravelling the array of formal proceedings which may be an option should businesses need to take formal action and how this affects the businesses ability to trade or not depending on the circumstances.
And finally David will highlight how Bibby Financial Services financially supports these businesses though these uncertain times and the options available in whatever format the future holds.
The Breakfast meeting will take place on Wednesday 8th September 2010 at the Leicester Marriott Hotel adjacent to junction 21 of the M1. The event will commence at 7.45am where guests will be treated to breakfast followed by an informative panel discussion and the opportunity to share your experiences and network with people from the local business community.
Book your FREE place today!
Places are limited so we would encourage you to book early, should you have a business colleague or associate who would like to attend feel free to pass this invite on.
Please respond to Kerry Jones - kjones@bibbyfinancialservices.com by Monday 23rd August confirming your attendance.
Created on: 27 August 2010
121s going telephonic
That's probably not even a word, but never mind. The Business Club Surgery sessions, where we sit down 1 on 1 with a member to help them with their business, or an aspect of the Club, are going very well. We've had some great feedback and want we do more. Since we realize that some of you can't come out to see us, we've introduced a quick phone service which may help. This will allow Business Club members to book 20 minute phone calls with us. It's easy to do, log on to Contact Manager and print off the 121 questionnaire from the shared document section, fill it in and either fax or email back. We'll email you the time of the phone call, and that's it. So if you can't make a Surgery session due to time, give this a try.
Created on: 27 August 2010
Jenny's Vanilla Cupcakes
Makes 12
Ingredients - all to be at room temperature
110g unsalted butter
225g caster sugar
2 large eggs
275g self raising flour
120ml semi skimmed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Icing - all ingredients at room temperature
110g unsalted butter
60ml semi skimmed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
500g icing sugar
Preheat oven to 160 C (fan), 180 C,350 F,Gas 4
In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is pale and smooth, which should take about 5 minutes with a hand mixer. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the flour to the mixture and mix, then add the milk, a little at time.
Spoon the mixture into the cupcase cases, filling to about two thirds full. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown and slightly raised.
Remove from the oven and leave in the tin for about 10 minutes before placing on a cooling tray. Once cold, ice with vanilla buttercream and decorate.
For the icing, place all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until it is smooth and creamy
To contact Leicester Catering Company, please ring 07837 608220 or email Steve or Jenny at jenny@leicestercateringcompany.co.uk
Created on: 27 August 2010
Get more out of the summer lull
If your business slows down a bit in summer, there are several things you can do to use this time to your advantage.
• Review your website and update by removing old information and freshening up your copy.
• Update your ezine or other Free Offering Review your free offering(s) for relevance to your customers.
• Consider holding a sale of one or more of your products. It might just be the push customers need to buy.
• Get to grips with social networking
• Review your client and prospect lists, when did you last ring them
Maria Deacon-Viney
Executive & Personal Performance Coach
www.remarkablesuccess.co.uk
07988 407176
Created on: 27 August 2010
Regular Risk Assessment Can save Time and Money
A risk assessment is an important step in protecting your workers and your business, as well as complying with the law. It helps you focus on the risks that really matter in your workplace - the ones with the potential to cause real harm. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip, or cabinet drawers are kept closed to ensure people do not trip. For most, that means simple, cheap and effective measures to ensure your most valuable asset - your workforce - is protected. The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as 'reasonably practicable'.
A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures. Accidents and ill health can ruin lives and affect your business too if output is lost, machinery is damaged, insurance costs increase or you have to go to court. You are legally required to assess the risks in your workplace so that you put in place a plan to control the risks.
For more advice, please contact Steve Ruddick of Browns Health & Safety on 01455 203600 or email steve@brownshealthandsafety.co.uk
Created on: 27 August 2010
Ten Excuses to contact potentials or customers that have gone quiet
• Congratulating them on a recent news article off their website
• Emailing them your latest news - from your enewsletter or off the website
• Wanting to give them a bit of industry intelligence that they may not know about
• Inviting them along to a business event as your guest
• Sending them a new piece of literature
• Because you always like to catch up with contacts from time to time
• It's their birthday (N.B It really is, you've made a note)
• Wanting to put them in touch with a new business contact
• You've got a new product or service, would they like to trial it
• Because you just wanted to say hi
For more reasons to contact potential clients, please contact Craig from The Business Club on 08432 181669 or email craig@the-businessclub.org
Created on: 27 August 2010
Raffia keep you out of the bad books
Here's a great tip to ensure that you never forget a birthday, anniversary or other important event again. Let the Raffia Reminder Service remember for you. Either telephone or email members Raffia Flower Design with your details, or fill out the cards that are left at Business Club events, and include the name of the person to receive the flowers, along with their birthday/anniversary or other important date, and Raffia will do the rest. "We will call on the number provided, that only the customer will answer," says Director Mark Hill, "we'll do this about a week before the event to get the details of the order. It's one less thing to remember, as we say - Give us the date and the flowers won't be late!"
To register for the service, contact Raffia on 0116 260 0400 or email reminder@raffiaflowers.co.uk
Created on: 27 August 2010
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