b4 buckinghamshire issue 4

MagazineB U C K I N G H A M S H I R E E D I T I O N

Employee Care the Top Priority

P R • N E T W O R K I N G • C O M M U N I C A T I O N • P R O P E R T Y • R & R • I T

B U I L D I N G B R I D G E S B E T W E E N B U S I N E S S E S

I S S U E 4 S P R I N G 2 0 1 3

A D V I C E • C O N F E R E N C E • E D U C A T I O N • H E A L T H • M A R K E T I N G • H R

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B 4

BP Collins LLP take a closer look at the issue of social media in the work environment

For High Wycombe-based chartered accountants The Fish Partnership

We spotlight the launch of the Bucks Ambassadors’ Awards

Setting Socal Media Standards

Celebrating Business in Bucks

So What is B4?

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B4 is the fastest growing business to business network, providing over 500 businesses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire andBuckinghamshire with four great platforms to promote and connect their businesses. It's a business network with adifference where we facilitate face to face contact with other Members at B4 events held in iconic locations.

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Why Not Upgrade to an Ambassador?Becoming an Ambassador gets a face to represent your business in the B4 community. Your chosen Ambassadorwill feature alongside your listing in the magazine directory, on your on line business directory listing and also in theAmbassadors’ section on the B4 website. Being an Ambassador gives you something in common to approachother B4 Ambassadors throughout the network.

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Become a B4 Member in less than 24 hoursHere's what we need to get you started:1. Your Logo - high quality is a must and in one of the following formats: jpeg, eps, pdf, ai2. Between 50 and 300 words about your business - See the website for some great examples3. Basic contact details - Basic contact details e.g. Address, telephone number, email address

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Welcome to Issue 4.

This issue of B4 sees the first of a series of integrated supplements in the magazinewhich appears in all three editions of B4 – Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.Over the past two years, having interviewed some of the Thames Valley’s leadingeducational establishments, I have seen the link between these establishments andthe local business communities in which they are located increasingly work togetherfor the ultimate benefit of their pupils and students. Hence, we have published TheBusiness of Education which shines a light on some of the initiatives already in placeand exciting plans for the future.

I am pleased to welcome back our regular contributors to this edition of B4, including BPCollins who provide us with a fascinating insight into the world of social media in theworkplace. We have also started working in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business Firstto provide members with an irresistible package of benefits and promote some of theexcellent BBF initiatives such as the forthcoming Buckinghamshire Ambassadors’ Awards.

We welcome Right Hand HR and The Archive Centre to this edition of B4 plus the many newB4 Buckinghamshire Members who have recently joined, taking our overall B4 membershipto well over 600 Thames Valley Businesses.

This issue also sees the results of a Lingo Telemarketing survey which many of you will havekindly participated in, the launch of B4TV and the Seven Minute Success Interviews and theB4 Events Diary in association with BBF.

2013 sees a fantastic series of events lined up at some fabulous locations including TheVineyard, Buckinghamshire New University, Rhodes House, Aylesbury College, The OakleyCourt, The Forbury Hotel, The Manor Hotel, Hawkwell House Hotel, The University of OxfordExamination Schools and Blackwell’s.

For members, please make sure you register for these events as soon as possible – see theB4 Events tab on the B4 website and the Diary Page in this issue – and for those of youthinking about joining B4, why not come along to see what B4 is all about? We’re alsocurrently looking at the B4 membership structure and so those of you who are on the vergeof joining might be advised to do so sooner rather than later!

Enjoy B4

welcometo B4

B4 Magazine was established to provide Oxfordshire businesses with a clear voice to raise their profileand to help businesses connect. With B4 Berkshire and now B4 Buckinghamshire, we hope to achivegreater success now that the model has been established and refined. Direct mailed to three thousandbusiness decision makers in Buckinghamshire every quarter, and with a further four and a half thousandcopies circulated to key outlets, featured businesses and made available at B4 events, we hope to makeour mark in Buckinghamshire businesses. See more at www.b4-business.com.B4 is funded by paid for display advertising and editorial, although some editorial is granted withoutcharge at the discretion of the Editor. Please call us to find out how you can get involved.

WHY NOT FOLLOW B4 MAGAZINE AT @B4Bucks

www.b4-business.com

ContactsIf you want to contact B4 MagazineTelephone: 01494 [email protected]

Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford, OX3 0BT

ChairmanColin [email protected]

EditorRichard [email protected]

Art EditorKeith [email protected]

Assistant Art EditorRob [email protected]

Assistant EditorLorna [email protected]

B4 EventsTina [email protected]

ProofreaderSue Rosser

Editorial contributors

Elton BoocockJames WhiteKelly StroudLucy HolmesMichael BarrattPhil StrachanSimon DeansTony ThomsonTracey Jefferies

B4 PhotographyRob ScotcherGleed Photography

Studio PhotographyGleed Photographywww.gleedphotography.co.uk

SubscriptionsFor free Subscription, please contact:Telephone: 01494 [email protected]

Each business with a Buckinghamshirepostcode is entitled to one free copy per issue.For additional copies and for businessesoutside of Buckinghamshire, there is an annualsubscription charge of £25.

© Designs-on Ltd and B4 Magazine.Whilst every attempt has been made toensure that the content of this publication isaccurate and correct in every way, thepublishers cannot be held responsible or liablefor any inaccuracies or errors within thepublication. Information reproduced from thispublication is permitted with the expresspermission of the publisher and theadvertiser, where relevant. All information iscorrect at time of going to press.

B4 Magazine is printed by

B 4About Magazine

Richard Rosser Editor

www.stonestheprinters.co.uk

27. BoxingClever

Featuring David Coulton

41. On Board

Featuring Lisa Williams

36. SocialMedia

Written by EltonBoocock

74. B4TV

Featuring Jackie Jarvis

Inside

20SPOTLIGHT20 Developing skills vital for business growth: A focus on National Apprenticeship Week

40 If You Have to Think….It's Too Late: With British motorsport legend Robb Gravett

45 Mark McGeehan: B4 meets the PGA Qualified Professional at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club

47 The Business of Education: Our new supplement looks at the interaction between the education sector and the local business community

70 Is B4 Speaking Your Lingo?: The findings of Lingo Telemarketing's B4 member research

84 B4: Art & Interiors: Sarah Wiseman talks to Carol Peace about her wonderful sculptures

22LEAD22 Setting social media standards in the workplace: BP Collins LLP look at social media and office productivity.

11NEWS11 B4 News15 Bucks New University17 BDO19 B4 Events Diary21 BBF

27SERVICES27 Boxing Clever: With David Coulton of The Archive Centre

30 Growing your business and seeking new opportunities through learning more about your customers: Part 5 of the story of Modern Direct Marketing

34 Cause for alarm at home!: There’s no place like home in the eyes of a burglar!

38 Leading the way in nationwide, next day delivery and value: With Paul Milbourn of London & Counties Office Supplies

28ADVICE28 Employee care is top priority for award winning accountants: For High Wycombe-based chartered accountants The Fish Partnership

www.b4-business.com6

42HR42 Putting people first: With new B4 Bucks Ambassadors, Right Hand HR

www.b4-business.com 7

B4 contents

36MARKETING36 Social Media: Getting Underneath the Numbers:

With Elton Boocock of Urban Media

86 A Great Time to Talk Turkey!: B4 Platinum Ambassador, Phil Strachan, talks to B4, hot off the press!

74 B4TV - 7 Minute Success Interviews: B4 are moving into video and we spotlight our interview with Simon McCrum of Darbys

76HEALTH76 The B4 Bike Ride from Edinburgh to Blenheim Palace: Join in, sponsor us, donate - find out how to here

88CONTACTS

25BBF25 Guy Lachlan joins Buckinghamshire Business First: We throw the spotlight on Guy

26 East West Rail: Where everyone’s focus should be

33 Celebrating Business in Bucks: The Buckinghamshire Ambassadors’ Awards start in style

41 On Board: We meet Lisa Williams, Managing Director of John Lewis 72

WIDER B472 Your Manor: B4 enjoyed a simply divine stay at The Manor Hotel, Weston-on-the- Green, the new home of The Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards

78 Destination Blenheim Palace...: A role to play on the global stage

80 Exciting Times: Claire Stiles talks to B4 about the forthcoming changes at WILA and the company's 20th birthday

B4 Platinum AmbassadorsWe would like to thank our B4 Platinum Ambassadors for supporting B4 Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. To findout more about joining them and over five hundred B4 Member companies, please call us on 01494 373183.

B U C K I N G H A M S H I R E

B E R K S H I R E

Residential Letting · Property Management

meetoxfordshire

D E S I G N & P R I N T

AN

D

CPSD E S I G N P R I N TP U B L I C A T I O N SO X F O R D

With annual memberships starting at £150+VAT*, entitling you to a business directory listing and unlimitedpress release, event, job vacancy and offer uploads, it’s no wonder our membership is increasing daily.Members are also invited to events in all B4 areas, up to 12 per annum. Call us now on 01494 373183 tobook your membership or e-mail [email protected] for more details. The B4 Website – the most efficient way to network your business from your PC!

*Quoted rate is Membership for single person businesses. Rate increases for 2 to 5 employees to £250+VAT, 6 to 20 employees to £375+VAT per annum, £500+VAT for 21 to 50, £900+VATfor 51 to 100 and £1200+VAT for over 100 employees. The Ambassador scheme is separate and subject to a different charge.

B 4

O X F O R D S H I R E


B4 news

David Podger, Managing Director of ThamesValley Training & Development, explains thebackground to the company’s creation and itsstrategy for the future.

“I don’t know how familiar you are with the variouseconomic assessments produced for the countiesmaking up the Thames Valley, but one of theinteresting issues common to them all is that thereis a significant disparity between the relatively lowskills levels in certain parts of the region, and thetypically highly-skilled nature of the jobs available.

“As an example, one of the industries employingthe largest number of people across Oxfordshire,Berkshire and Buckinghamshire is the IT sector, andyet many IT companies struggle to recruit suitablyqualified IT technicians. At TVT&D we offer industry-recognised vendor certification from HP, Cisco andMicrosoft – which are all passports to jobs inbusinesses throughout the Thames Valley and therest of the country. Further still it’s not just ITtechnicians that are in demand; similar level rolesare available for accounting technicians, sales

people and supervisory staff in manufacturing.”

Thames Valley Training & Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bucks New University, hasbeen set up to help companies and individualsacross the region get the qualifications they needto meet the challenge of economic growth.

This is part of the University’s strategy ofengagement with the wider community. AsProfessor Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor and ChiefExecutive of Bucks New University explainedrecently: “The University is committed to theregion’s contribution to economic growth byhelping business to recruit the right people now.We also aim to ensure that in five years’ time, thereare not the same skills gaps as there are at present.Our aim at Bucks is to prepare a pipeline of peopleready for work with the right kind of skills andattitudes.”

David Podger continues: “We are pleased to be partof this commitment to the region. So, if you areeither an employer who wants to upgrade the skills

of an existing workforce, or an individual looking toinvest in a new career, contact us to find out howThames Valley Training & Development can helpyou get the qualifications that count.”

David Podger, Managing DirectorThames Valley Training & DevelopmentT: 01494 603060W: thamesvalleytraining.com

Helping to Bridge the Skills Gap

For most professional advisory firms,recommendation is a powerful source of newbusiness. Yet few have a process in place tomaximise this source of work – and so miss outon great new clients.

Recognising this, Milton Keynes-based marketingfirm Culminas has launched a brand–new serviceto help advisory firms unlock this valuable sourceof new business. The Advocacy Model starts withidentifying their ideal client and then putting inplace a simple process to help other to identify and

recommend them.

Director Cathy Rhodes is excited by the possibilities:“Advisory firms do great work in buildingrelationships with clients and other serviceproviders – often, all it takes is a few tweaks hereand there to join it all up and maximise the returnfrom their efforts.”

[email protected]

Referrals Marketing: A New Service Takes Flight

A Roundtable hosted by leading local solicitors,Gardner Leader, and involving business leaders

from the Thames Valley region, has revealed thebiggest legal challenges facing business owners.

Companies across Berkshire, Oxfordshire andBuckinghamshire joined Newbury & Thatchambased law specialist, Gardner Leader, to discussconcerns and share solutions. Around the tablewere founders of Wilson Partners Limited, LaudisBusiness Advisers, 100 percent IT, Three StepsConsulting, Vici Language Academy and Eyes WideOpen.

A range of subjects were covered including the

complexities of employment law particularly; unfairdismissal claims, flexible working and the newmaternity legislation. Issues were also raisedaround the Bribery Act and what constitutes asbribery versus hospitality, as well as questionsaround succession planning and the legalitiesbehind online and social media communications.

Read about the issues raised in the March editionof B4 Magazine Berkshire. For any questionsregarding the areas discussed, please contactGardner Leader on 01635 508080 or visitwww.gardner-leader.co.uk

Gardner Leader identify the legal business challenges of 2013

Cognitive Neuroscientist and Age Specialist DrLynda Shaw from Chalfont St Giles plans tofund key pieces of equipment for BrunelUniversity’s Progeria Research Fund in 2013.

The aim is to support scientific research intoHutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome, a raregenetic disease causing premature ageing inchildren. The first signs of Progeria often beginwithin the child’s first year and include growthfailure, loss of body fat and hair, aged-looking skinand stiffness of joints. As the child and the diseasedevelop, children can start to suffer from

osteoporosis and heart disease, many dying fromheart attacks and strokes in their teens.

“The research of Brunel University and myspecialism in ageing has made choosing theProgeria Research Fund as my charity of the year avery easy decision.”

“For every new client, new contract, speakingengagement and books sold, I pledge to donatemoney to support this vital research.”

www.drlyndashaw.com


B4 news

Dr Lynda Shaw helps vital progeria research

Reasons you should choose Hartwell House: 24years of Red Star experience. Luxury, comfortand style. Proven service levels. Value formoney. Easy access to motorways, airports andrail. Meeting and dining rooms. Superb Spa.Experienced support staff. Privacy and quietsurroundings

In addition to all of the above we are offering forApril 2013 a 24hr delegate rate of £215 + VAT(saving £50 pp) and a 8hr rate of (£65 + VAT

(saving £30pp) or if it is just accommodation youare looking for then in April rooms are from £125+ VAT for single occupancy inclusive of cookedbreakfast, free wifi and use of the Spa.

Hartwell is characterised by discretion and comfort,rather than ostentatious luxury, and by the dignityof its architecture, setting and history. All of whichgoes to ensuring guests leave knowing they havehad a true country house experience.www.hartwell-house.com

Why you should choose Hartwell House for meetings and special events

The Young Enterprise Awards took placerecently at Buckinghamshire New University; acommon theme running through the teampresentations was that planning, teamwork andcommunication were essential to success inbusiness.

Karen Pawlowksa, judging for the Media Awardsponsored by Take One TV, remarked that, “Thosesame three things are also essential to the creationof good video; good video never just happens, it’salways the result of careful planning, teamwork and

communication. When done well, video on ahome page makes a business 53 times more likelyto be found, and once found the quality of thatvideo will be a key influencer on the viewer’sperception of the business.”

The Media Award for the TV Advertisement thatcarried the best visual message and would giveconfidence to potential customers was won byHighcrest Academy for their company, Voyage.

www.takeonetv.com

The Telegraph Young Enterprise Media Award

Age UK Bucks is reaching out to theBuckinghamshire business community to helpthem continue to provide vital services to thegrowing community of older people in thecounty. Fundraising Manager Evelyn Daley says:“Funding cuts have resulted in us entering anew phase in our fundraising efforts and we’relooking for local businesses to partner.”

The charity puts the interests of older people livingin the county at the centre of everything they do,helping them to achieve and maintain their

independence and wellbeing. They’ve put togetheran exciting programme of activity for 2013,including a Golf Day where companies can putforward teams of four to play, and a Treasure Huntwhich can double as a team-building exercise atthe same time as fundraising. “We would like tohear from any organisation who can help by takingpart in an event, sponsorship or providing prizes,”says Evelyn. Tel: 01296 431911 for moreinformation.www.ageuk.org.uk/buckinghamshire/

Looking for corporate partners

Craig Clements of Brunel University, Dr Lynda Shaw.

Business continuity planning and managementare essential components of modernorganisational activity and enable anorganisation to maintain critical functions at alltimes, throughout routine working as well asunplanned events and incidents.

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range ofcontinuity and resilience-related educationalprogrammes. Its undergraduate, postgraduate andprofessional courses, such as the BusinessContinuity Institute (BCI) Diploma and the MScBusiness Continuity, are delivered in both

attendance and online formats to suit individualstudents' learning needs.

The BCI Diploma is a 30-week, distance learningprogramme which covers the BCI Good PracticeGuidelines, and current and future risk and impactplanning and management. It is designed todevelop practitioner knowledge and skill levels inthis business critical management function, andprovides a route into full membership of the BCI.

For those who wish to develop their knowledge inconsiderably more depth, there is the MSc BusinessContinuity, Security and Emergency Management.This programme runs part-time for 18 monthsthrough a combination of online learning andattendance at workshops at the University's HighWycombe Campus, and is designed to providestudents with the high-level knowledge, confidenceand capability to operate successfully in the modernbusiness environment.

The University has a number of mature studentswho have begun the part-time master's degree inBusiness Continuity, Security and EmergencyManagement. Many of these students currentlywork in a range of business organisations and havedecided to enrol on the course to get a step aheadand provide the crucial business continuity functionthat all companies need.

According to Phil Wood, Head of the Departmentof Security and Resilience, which delivers the MScBusiness Continuity: "Business continuity planningallows organisations to be prepared for unknowneventualities and times of change. Its importancecannot be underestimated if organisations are toweather the storms that will undoubtedly beencountered during their lifespan.

“The University is a leading provider of training inthis field and we have designed a series ofeducational programmes which will suit thebusiness continuity needs of all types and size oforganisation. The challenges facing organisationscontinue to grow and it is often surprising to find,on close observation, how many such organisationsdon't have the knowledge, people or plans to dealwith them. Those who study with us are requiredto demonstrate depth of knowledge and capabilityin this field, thus making them a huge asset fororganisations that want to remain competitive intimes of stress and in the demanding and dynamicoperational environment."

For further details about the business continuityprogrammes available at Bucks New University,please go to bucks.ac.uk or call 0800 0565 660.

news

15

Business continuity planning - how prepared is your organisation?

www.b4-business.com

Phil Wood, Head of the Department of Security and Resilience.

Business continuity courses are taught at the award-winning Gateway building at Bucks New University’s High Wycombe Campus.

The Oakley Court Hotel has vast experience of hosting major conferences in stunning

surroundings making it an inspired choice of venue. Hold your conference at Oakley Court

and you’ll impress, captivate and inspire your delegates.

We guarantee the very best in service standards offering conference suites and executive

boardrooms within a prestigious location. Our unique rooms range from original rooms in

the Mansion House which are over 150 years old with high ceilings and original features, to

a purpose built function room called The Boathouse on the banks of the River Thames.

It’s not only the picturesque riverside setting that creates the wow factor; extensive leisure

facilities, fine dining and impeccable service all play their part in creating a memorable

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An inspired choice of venue

At A Glance

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news


Following the commencement of the BusinessBarometer in 2012, BDO has launched the firstof its quarterly surveys for 2013. This quarter thefocus is on FINANCING THE BUSINESS ANDFUNDING GROWTH.

The Q4 Thames Valley Business Barometerpublished in January 2013 showed that economicconfidence and business sentiment for the regionas a whole had strengthened, after a clear levellingout in the previous quarter. However, therecontinued to be caution when respondentsconsidered the performance of their ownbusinesses, with lower expectations, especiallywhen it came to profitability, and access to fundingremained an issue for many.

On funding investment, Simon Brooker, partner andhead of BDO in the Thames Valley commented:“The emphasis on the need for robustness is amarked change we’ve seen building over the yearwith a ‘flight to quality’ as those with finance to lendhave a much clearer aversion to risk taking.”

This quarter, in addition to general economic

confidence and business performance thebarometer looks at funding structures withinThames Valley businesses. Are businesses lookingfor additional funding – and if so, what is available?What options are there when it comes to fundingfor growth and is access to finance still a majorissue?

TAKING PART IN THE SURVEY

The Q1 barometer survey will close on 28th March2013. To take part now, put THAMES VALLEYBUSINESS BAROMETER into your search engine.This will take you through to the Barometer pageon the BDO website where there is both an onlinesurvey and the option to download a hard copy ofthe survey to complete. Alternatively, [email protected] for a link to thesurvey and also for a copy of the Q4 report.

NOMINATE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE PROFILEDIN Q1

A selection of Thames Valley businesses have theopportunity to be profiled alongside the full survey

results, giving their own perspective on operatingwithin the region. If you would like to nominate yourbusiness to be interviewed, please contact Karenfor more information.

RESULTS IN MAY

The report of the findings will be available in earlyMay, and a review of the results will take place atthe next Twenties Club breakfast meeting on 14thJune 2013.

The BDO Thames Valley Business Barometer is acollaboration between BDO LLP and businessnetwork The Twenties Club, providing a quarterlysnapshot of business and economic confidence inthe Thames Valley. The results offer a compellingstreet-level view of business sentiment, helping toinform decisions on growth, investment andemployment in the region.

For more details, please contact: Karen MeenderinkTel: 01189 254448 or Email:[email protected]

BDO launches the Q1 Thames Valley Business Barometer

measuring results business barometer

www.meetoxfordshire.com contact us now call 01608 731802

� Follow us on Twitter @meetoxfordshire

Meet Oxfordshire is the first point of contact for anyoneconsidering the county for a meeting, conference or event. Ourservices include free venue finding and accommodation bookings.

Oxfordshire is guaranteedto get everyone thinking

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B4 diaryEvent Organiser Venues Date Time Event Details

Blackwell’sExamination SchoolsRhodes HouseThe ManorHawkwell House

11th Apr4th Jul12th Sep2nd Oct21st Nov

6.00pm““““

B4 Members & Guests’ Networking Events

Bucks New UniversityAylesbury CollegeThe Compleat Angler

25th JunTBCTBC

6.00pmTBCTBC


Oakley Court HotelThe VineyardThe Forbury Hotel

TBC28th Aug17th Oct

6.30pm6.00pm5-8pm


Royal Berkshire Conference Centre

16th Apr 9.00amTVT&D will be exhibiting at ‘The Future of Berkshire Business’ Expo

The Clare Charity Centre, Saunderton

27th Apr 9.00am

‘Barclays Cashflow Challenges Clinic’ in partnership with Buckinghamshire Business First- Aimed at helping small businesses understandthe importance of managing and forecastingcashflow and how to do it successfully. To book please visit: cashflow-challenges-clinic.eventbrite.com

Bucks New University, High Wycombe Campus

27th Apr 11.00am

Undergraduate open day - find out more aboutBucks New University's great range of under-graduate courses. Full details at:bucks.ac.uk/opendays

Bucks New University, High Wycombe Campus

1st May 5.00pm

Postgraduate and professional open evening -this event offers a great opportunity to find outabout Bucks New University’s postgraduate andprofessional courses. Full details atbucks.ac.uk/openevenings

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

23rd May 6.30pm

Buckinghamshire Ambassadors EnterpriseAwards - Dedicated to recognising the achievements of companies in Bucks. Honouring leadership, vision, innovation andstrategic accomplishments. To book please visit: buckinghamshire-ambassadors.org

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

O X F O R D S H I R E

In Association with Buckinghamshire Business First

B4 Members can feature their events on this page, subject to availability – please get in touch for your complimentary listing.

B E R K S H I R E

One education establishment leading the way in terms of apprenticeships and developing closeworking relationships between education and local businesses is Aylesbury College.

In support of National Apprenticeship Week, Aylesbury College hosted an important business breakfast,sponsored by The National Apprenticeship Service, which featured a comprehensive overview of how torecruit apprentices and young talent. The free event was supported by Buckinghamshire Business First,Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bucks County Council and local businesses. Guidance and best practiceshared at the event covered areas such as how to fill skills gaps, improving the bottom line, motivatingworkforces, obtaining funding towards training costs, receiving contribution towards salary costs andbenefiting from free vacancy matching services.

The event was also supported by Aylesbury Enterprise, a new initiative and brainchild of Aylesbury College’slatest recruit Director of Business and Curriculum Development, Tim Keighley. Aylesbury Enterprise hasbeen launched as a further development in the College’s key business offering and is designed to ensurethat the skills and qualifications employers have come to rely on are both current and job-relevant. As thebusiness services arm of the College, Aylesbury Enterprise will work closely with a range of employers tohelp them grow, develop and reach their potential through cost-effective, results driven training andinnovative business consulting. Aylesbury Enterprise will offer apprenticeships, business training as well asa hub for networking and business innovation.

Tim Keighley joins Aylesbury College from Wiltshire College and brings with him to the role a strongcombination of senior business experience, teaching qualifications and Further Education experience. AsDirector of Business and Curriculum Development Tim will be focussed on developing a curriculum thatmeets the further education needs and wants of local businesses, including bespoke training courses,legislative training, diplomas and apprenticeships.

Commenting on his new role, Tim Keighley said: “I am very pleased to be working with the team atAylesbury College. I see great potential for growth for the College by working more closely to meet needsof local businesses. Further education establishments don’t often look beyond the student population tosee how they can help the wider community through learning and development, and this is the area I willbe focussing on. I want employers to be using Aylesbury College as a one stop shop for learning anddevelopment, where we can deliver high quality training to their employees which will benefit theirbusiness.”

Under Tim’s guidance, Aylesbury College will be exploring the additional skills and learning that youngstersrequire to be employable, in addition to the curriculum, to ensure employers view them as truly workready. It will also be encouraging employers to up-skill existing staff to maximise potential. Tim will beconducting meetings with many local businesses over the coming months to ascertain these educationneeds.

Tim’s skills come from a background of running successful food and leisure businesses for 12 years beforeretraining as a teacher in further education. As a teacher he specialised in maths, helping adults apply it toeveryday business. It was during these times that Tim developed a passion for further education, and therole it could play in helping businesses retain and develop staff, improve profitability and businessperformance. Tim worked his way up through the ranks of Andover College before being head-hunted byWiltshire College for the role of Director of Wiltshire Enterprise.

To find out more about Aylesbury Enterprise, please call us on: 01296 780224 or visitwww.aylesburyenterprise.co.uk

Apprenticeships are back onto the media agenda this week as David Cameronpledges to make apprenticeships the ‘new norm’ for school leavers whodecide against going to university. The Prime Minister has called on employers,educators and MPs to expand on apprenticeship roles for young people tomeet this goal. This announcement coincided with the start of NationalApprenticeship Week, an initiative designed to celebrate apprenticeships andthe positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the economy.

DEVELOPING SKILLS VITALFOR BUSINESS GROWTH


B4 SPOTLIGHT

“I see great potential for growthfor the College byworking moreclosely to meetneeds of local businesses”

A campaign launched by Buckinghamshire Business First andBuckinghamshire County Council to support improvements in broadbandcoverage in parts of the county which don’t currently have access or suffervery slow connection speeds, has secured the support of over 10,000residents in Buckinghamshire.

From town to town and even street to street, connection speeds varysignificantly. Some of the areas which suffer from particular difficulties include

• Large swathes of the Vale of Aylesbury • North and south of Amersham and Chesham• Rural areas in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First, Philippa Batting said:“We’re living in an increasingly digital society, with more and more services andinformation becoming available online all the time. The fact that so manypeople have signed up to this campaign demonstrates that people haverealised the importance of securing better broadband for Bucks.”

Chris Rawson, Broadband Project Manager at Buckinghamshire Business Firstgoes on to say: “Despite this great response, we still need more support.

Securing better broadband for Bucks is a major priority and will significantlybenefit the lives of people in the county. We would encourage people to takeaction to help us achieve our aims.”

Residents can check their current internet connection speed and register theirinterest in superfast broadband at www.superfastforbucks.org - it only takesa couple of minutes and doesn’t cost a penny.

By registering, residents will be helping Buckinghamshire Business First andBuckinghamshire County Council demonstrate to broadband service providersthat there is strong demand for superfast connectivity in Buckinghamshire.

The campaign is backed by the Bucks-Herts Broadband Project, which will utilisepublic and private sector funding to invest in broadband across the county. Thisis expected to increase superfast broadband coverage to 90% of premises inBucks by 2015, with work commencing later this year.

Twitter users can join in the conversation and help spread the word with#superfastforbucks

www.bbf.uk.com

news

21

Campaign to bring superfast broadband to Buckinghamshire has securedsupport of over 10,000 residents

www.b4-business.com

Philippa Batting Managing Director Buckinghamshire Business First

Jo Davis, employment law partner atleading Buckinghamshire and ThamesValley law firm B P Collins LLP, takes acloser look at the issue of social media inthe work environment and sets out someguidelines which can help.

“It’s really important for employers to ensurethey have an effective social media policy inforce and that staff are trained so they fullyunderstand the rights and wrongs of what isallowed,” said Jo.

“An effective written social media policy willrestrict usage of social media websites withinworking hours, allows the employer to takedisciplinary action regarding comments ifnecessary and avoid potential liability if theissue comes to court or an EmploymentTribunal.”

And, while she says it’s impossible to restrictwhat employees do in their free time, if theiractions have a negative impact on yourbusiness reputation, you can act.

In one case, explains Jo, a manager left hismobile phone unattended and colleaguesposted a comment on his Facebook profilesaying: “Finally came out of the closet. I amgay and proud.” The manager was upset,embarrassed and distressed because hisfamily and friends could see the post. He wasnot gay and his colleagues knew he wasn’t.

He successfully claimed harassment on thegrounds of sexual orientation against hisemployer, arguing that the comments wereposted by his colleagues in the course of theiremployment, during working hours andinvolved dealings between staff and theirmanager.

“It is a defence to such claims if the employerhas taken all reasonable steps to prevent thediscriminatory act complained of. Employersare in a much better position to successfullyclaim this defence if they have a written socialmedia policy, backed up by staff training,making it clear such actions are not allowed

and could result in disciplinary proceedingsand dismissal,” said Jo.

“The policy also needs to make it clear thatdiscrimination on ground of sexual orientationcan occur even if the target does not have theorientation alleged by the perpetrator and theperpetrator knows this.”

In another case, an Employment Tribunalruled that an employee who made derogatorycomments about her work and colleagues onFacebook was unfairly dismissed by heremployer.

The employee was 'friends' on Facebook withcurrent and ex work colleagues and also withstaff from one of her employer's major clients,Volkswagen. She posted a comment saying 'Ithink I work in a nursery and I do not meanworking with plants'. When an ex-colleaguereplied 'Ya, work with a lot of planks though!'she replied '2 true'.

The comments were visible to all herFacebook 'friends', including those fromVolkswagen. Two of her colleagues, who werealso 'friends', reported her to their employer.

The employer instigated its disciplinaryprocedure and she was eventually dismissedon grounds that her comments couldpotentially damage the employer'srelationship with Volkswagen and itsreputation.

The Tribunal ruled that the dismissal wasunfair as it was not within the band ofreasonable responses open to an employer.This was because, among other reasons, thecomments were relatively minor, theemployer had no evidence to show if therelationship with Volkswagen had beendamaged and, lastly, it had failed to consideran alternative option, such as demotion.

Jo continued: “Employers should make sure itis reasonable, in all the circumstances, todismiss an employee for posting derogatorycomments about their work on networkingsites, taking into account factors such as theseriousness of the comments and who cansee them.

“It also helps to set out specific penalties ifthere is a breach, rather than having to rely onmore general grounds.”

She suggests a written policy which gives clearguidelines to employees on what they canand cannot say about the company; explainsthe company’s approach to issues, such asmonitoring social media postings, and howdisciplinary rules will be actioned.

Many businesses now encourage employeesto use LinkedIn and Twitter to network withprofessional colleagues and clients but whathappens if those individuals decide to jumpship and set up their own business or,perhaps worse still, join a competitor? TheirLinkedIn and Twitter accounts are suddenly avaluable way for the departing employee totell their professional contacts that they’ve leftand where they can now be found.

“It’s all very well encouraging staff to beinvolved with clients online, but from abusiness and employment perspective, Iwould urge caution,” said Jo. “If you had anemployee who was leaving and proactivelywrote to clients to let them know where theywere going, that would be consideredsolicitation.

“The fact that if they update their online

SETTING SOCIAL MEDIASTANDARDS IN THEWORKPLACETry as we might, it’s very hard to escape the clutches of social media. Whereas once the workplace wasexactly that – a place to do work – today it seems you are just as likely to find employees tweeting awayto their friends or posting pictures on Facebook, as opposed to doing something more productive.


“a written policywhich gives clearguidelines to

employees on whatthey can and

cannot say aboutthe company”

www.b4-business.com

profile, notification is automatically emailed to theircontacts which can be very damaging to yourbusiness.”

Jo recommends companies consider ifemployment contracts need additional clausesinstructing individuals to delink from existingprofessional contacts on termination ofemployment and can advise further on the topic.

Overall, the tide of social media complaints isincreasing rapidly; complaints about crimesinvolving social media have risen by 780% over thelast four years.

Recently, the Crown Prosecution Service laid outinterim guidelines which aim to raise the thresholdagainst which people can be prosecuted and helpto protect online freedom of speech.

The guidelines are designed to create a balancebetween maintaining the law and protectingpeople's freedom of expression. It means onlymessages which pose valid threats of violence,constitute consistent harassment or break courtorders could lead to prosecution under the newrules. Grossly offensive messages would only beprosecuted if they surpassed a particularly highthreshold.

Jo concluded: “Clearly the nature of commentsposted on social media sites will be very wide-ranging and people have the right to communicatein ways which some may find obnoxious ordisagreeable.

“While only those at the higher end of the spectrumwill now face prosecution, employees can still do alot of damage to a brand’s reputation and causeoffence to others if they are allowed to do so.Having a social media policy in place ensuresemployers can act promptly to redress thesituation.”

Contact Jo Davis for advice on your employmentlaw matters on 01753 278659 or [email protected].

23

B4 LEAD

“Overall, the tide of social media complaintsis increasing rapidly;complaints aboutcrimes involving

social media haverisen by 780% overthe last four years”

Jo Davis, Employment law partner at B P Collins LLP Phot

ogra

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And

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Glee

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09/11/2012 10:46

10:46

Prior to acquiring Jones & Cocks in 2009, Guypursued a career in aviation, firstly with MarshallAerospace in Cambridge, and theninternationally with Honeywell in Phoenix,Arizona, and then Prague in the Czech Republicfrom where he ran their European BusinessAviation Aftermarket business. After leavingHoneywell in 2007, Guy relocated toBuckinghamshire where he served as ChiefExecutive of a national trade associationresponsible for representing the interests ofBusiness Aviation in the UK.

Guy and his wife Claire bought Jones & Cocks in2009 in order to enjoy a more local and family-orientated working life. They have three youngchildren who attend school in Waddesdon and whooccasionally help out with the business. Guy hasan HND in Mechanical Engineering from OxfordPolytechnic.

Guy explains why he joined BuckinghamshireBusiness First and how he hopes to use hisposition on the board to support local business.

‘I joined Buckinghamshire Business First in 2010after running my business for a year. I wasparticularly interested in the organisation'scommitment to representing the views and needsof businesses in the county. It is vital for the private

sector to be represented in Parliament andBuckinghamshire Business First has become aninfluential organisation doing just that.

‘My own reasons for joining the BuckinghamshireBusiness First board are threefold. Many of mycustomers are small manufacturers - the ‘thinkers’and ‘doers’ - and they aren’t often well representedin the business community. My aim is to encouragethese businesses, which are the lifeblood of the UKmanufacturing industry and indeed the localeconomy, to get more involved in business groupsand make sure their voices are represented withinGovernment. To really survive and thrive, thesecompanies need to work together to ensure theyget the support they need.

‘Bucks is a great place to do business, with what Iconsider to have the best infrastructure in thecountry, with great transport links and a can-doattitude.

‘Localism gives us a great opportunity, but we haveto make sure that it doesn't become nimbyism. Toensure growth in the county we should give newhousing and industrial developments theconsideration they deserve rather than dismissingthem out of hand. We also need to ensure thatnew developments are planned to benefit thebusiness community and that they include space

for businesses to grow.

‘This would also help keep young people in Bucks,since house prices in the area do mean that it’smore difficult for them to get on the propertyladder and they move away. We need to encouragethe next generation to remain in Bucks but atpresent the prohibitive cost of housing is forcingthem to look elsewhere to establish their careersand start their families. These young people areafter all the future lifeblood of our local economy.

‘I would encourage all businesses in the local areato join Buckinghamshire Business First. It’s animportant resource which exists to support localbusinesses and encourage economic growth. Ibelieve that the priorities for the area are to furtherimprove transport infrastructure, such as the localroads, support the creative industries, which are,after all, what the success of Bucks was built on andthe school system, which offers opportunities thattruly benefit our young people.’

‘I am delighted to have joined the board ofBuckinghamshire Business First and hope that I willbe able to represent the views of the localmanufacturing industry to help them get thesupport they need on both a national and localbasis.’www.bbf.uk.com


Guy Lachlan is the latest addition to the Buckinghamshire Business First board. Guy owns and operates Jones &Cocks, a retail hardware and gas supply company founded in Aylesbury in 1899, serving commercial and domesticcustomers around Aylesbury Vale. The company's subsidiary, Classic Oils Ltd, sells specialist lubricants and relatedproducts to the classic car, motorcycle and steam engine market, primarily through online sales.

GUY LACHLANJOINS BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BUSINESS FIRST

B4 BBF

“I would encourage all businesses in the local area tojoin Buckinghamshire Business

First. It’s an important resource which exists to support local businesses and encourage economic

growth”

Each new multi million pound rail developmentis justified with the same benefits – there willbe ‘more services running, shorter journeytimes, better connections, improved services,reduced congestion on the roads, financialbenefits for all.’ But it is rare to see a businesscase for a railway that promises to deliver onevery one of these benefits as convincingly asEast West Rail.

That is why BTVLEP, along with BuckinghamshireBusiness First and business groups all with thehope of an ever more prosperous Buckinghamshirein their hearts, are supporting these plans withgusto.

The economic case for East West Rail is impressive–up to 12,000 more jobs, an increased annualregional GDP by £38m and £17m a year more intax revenue to the Exchequer. This brings real valuefor money for the £500m total investment into the

project. Given the locations East West Rail will serveand the great use commuters will get from it, EastWest Rail has an unprecedented Benefit to Costratio of 6.3 to 1 – and is expected to operatewithout public subsidy within five years of opening.

But put that to one side and it still sounds goodwhen you boil it down to how much easier andmore pleasant travel will be for people just lookingto get around. Better connections will enable railtravel between Oxford and Bedford in just one hour– half the time it takes to make the journey by road– with stops at a new station for Winslow. TheMarylebone to Aylesbury service will be extendedto Milton Keynes, with an interchange at Winslowto connect to stations between Oxford andBedford. Sweet relief for those tired of long,congested journeys by road or the inconvenientcommute into London just to get back out again.The new rail journey and reduced journey timeswithin the region – and beyond – will make

Buckinghamshire an even more attractive place forexisting and new business to be located.

The East West Rail line won’t carve up a lot ofprotected countryside either, as many of theupcoming improvements will see mothballed orunderused rail lines being re-commissioned. Trackswill be upgraded between Oxford and Bicester, andAylesbury and Claydon Junction, and disused trackbetween Claydon Junction and Bletchley will bereconstructed. And a brand new station at Winslowwill benefit the town and surrounding villages.

These improvements to the rail network willsubstantially boost the efficiency and productivityof the county.

So roll on 2017 for the start of East West Railservices; we are eagerly awaiting the first arrival!

Visit www.eastwestrail.org.uk to stay informed

Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local EnterprisePartnership (BTVLEP) is a business-led ‘partnershipof equals’ between local government and theprivate sector, building the conditions forsustainable economic growth in Buckinghamshire.The engine that drives BTVLEP is BuckinghamshireBusiness First, a not-for profit enterprise with a

wholly private sector board that is open to everyBuckinghamshire business to join for free.

It is our ambition to ensure all business leaders arekept informed and have a say in the direction ofthe local economy. To that end, we will bring youinformation in each edition of B4 this year about

infrastructure projects supported by BTVLEP andBBF that will bring economic benefits to our county,the Entrepreneurial Heart of Britain.

Alex Pratt, Chairman Buckinghamshire BusinessFirst & BTVLEP.www.buckstvlep.co.uk


When it comes to trains, East West Rail is where everyone’s focus should be, and ours certainly is at BTVLEP.

Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP)

EAST WEST RAIL

B4 BBF

Iain Stewart MP for Milton Keynes South, Graham BothamPrincipal Strategic Planner, Network Rail, Cllr Peter Hardy- Buckinghamshire County Council – Chair of the EastWest Rail Joint Delivery Board (Western section) andCabinet member for Planning and Transportation forBuckinghamshire County Council and David Sexton - RailStrategy Manager, Department for Transport.


B4 SERVICES

Despite talk of the paperless office there is nolet up in the paper trail generated by businessesand organisations. As we all should be wellaware, for operational and statutory reasonsrecords must be kept safely and securely formany years: ‘Even if you are a voluntary group,”says David Coulton, owner of The ArchiveCentre, “you will probably have several boxesof documents to look after. Everyone has thesame problem - where do you keep thesepapers, so that they are safe and secure, yeteasily accessed? Document archiving is asimple, efficient, secure and cost effectiveservice with many returning to retaining paperrecords rather than digitising or usingself-storage.”

Founded in 1999, the company is owned and runby David Coulton, wife Ruth and son Andysupported by an experienced team of staff. As anISO9001 approved company clients can beconfident that all aspects of the business andprocedures are quality assured.

The company has a large, secure, heatedwarehouse full of racking and boxes, providingarchiving services for all types and sizes oforganisations: from playgroups and village shops,who may only have five or ten boxes, to firms ofsolicitors with anything from 100 to severalthousand boxes, accountants, public bodies and alot of private healthcare firms. The care andeducation sectors requirement for the secureretention of confidential information has becomeincreasingly apparent and a key growth area.

In addition to the storage and managementaspects, the company offers an impressive retrievaland delivery service. The client is not restricted toretrieving whole boxes when only single files areneeded; The Archive Centre’s services can includethe picking out of single files: “Even if a clientwanted 20, 30 or more files and they were storedwithin equally many different boxes, we could findthe files you specified and deliver them to you,”says David. “Many other archives would only beable to deliver the whole box, which is not asconvenient – who wants 20, 30 or more boxes

back when they only need a file from each?”

“We charge a matter of pence per month per boxfor storage. Self-storage units are not aninexpensive storage solution – three new clientshave just moved to The Archive Centre from self-storage and are saving substantial amounts on theirstorage costs. Similarly, digitising is not necessarilya cheaper option – for a recent new accountancyclient the comparison was done - retaining paperfiles was far less expensive. There are noadministration or take-in fees and no charges forcollection into store. We charge just a simple singleall inclusive fee per trip for retrieval/deliveries whichincludes return to store collection when the clientis finished with the paperwork.”

“We supply a good quality archive box at minimalcost, but customers can supply their own if theyprefer and the boxes are suitable. It doesn’t haveto be paperwork in the boxes either. If it fits in abox we are happy to store it, as long as it’s notperishable or dangerous! We already have firmsstoring dental moulds, stationery supplies,marketing material and equipment among otheritems! Whatever your storage needs it is well worthdiscussing your requirements with us”

“If a client is obliged to keep records for a certainperiod, such as financial information, we canmonitor the dates and then securely destroy thedata when the time comes – we then provide aCertificate of Destruction.”

“You don’t have to archive with us to use oursecure destruction services,” says David, “but you’dbe unlikely to find anywhere that offered a bettersecure destruction service at such reasonablerates!”

Why use The Archive Centre? Service, Cost andSecurity are obviously key factors when decidingupon which archiving or secure destruction serviceto use. Our 2012 customer survey reports 99%rating our services as ‘Excellent’ and 1% as ‘Good’We will always aim not to be beaten on price.

www.thearchivecentre.com

BOXINGCLEVERWhilst we live in a digital age, most businesses and organisations still needto keep paper records - space and security issues can be a real problem,unless you find a friendly local document archiving and secure destructionCompany who can file away your problems and securely destroy confidentialpaperwork when it is no longer needed.

“If it fits in a box we are happy to store it,

as long as it’s not perishable or

dangerous! We alreadyhave firms storing dental

moulds, stationery supplies, marketing

material and equipmentamong other items”

Owner David Coulton

This priority has been celebrated recently with two notable achievements.First, in May 2012 Fish were presented with the Gold award from Investorsin People, while in November the firm took home the Best Employeraward at the British Accountancy Awards 2012.

“Our prime objective is to provide a great service to our clients and the bestway for us to deliver this is for us to make sure our staff are properly lookedafter,” said partner Martin Sheehy.

“Feedback from our award successes tells us that all our staff enjoy workingfor The Fish Partnership. This is evidenced by our high level of personalcommitment by every member of the team, the very low level of staff turnoverand the long length of service of many of the team here.”

So what is the secret to Fish’s success?

“We have a business structure which builds and maintains a highly self-motivated team and in which everyone is encouraged to contribute and arerewarded for good results,” said Martin.

“We have put in place an exceptional training programme that offers excellentcareer development opportunities but most of all, we try and involve staff asmuch as possible in planning the firm’s overall strategy.

“All our people have a great deal of client contact and from this we learn a lotabout our clients’ priorities and needs. By then involving the whole team insetting our future objectives, we can make sure that everything we do isfocused towards meeting our clients’ requirements.

“Involving all staff in decision making ensures we all play a part in setting ourgoals and objectives and this helps strengthen each individual’s motivation todo their job well and consequently improves client service and relationships.This strategy has seen us lose very few clients during the recession and theoverall client base has continued to grow year on year.”

Training and development is an important priority for The Fish Partnership. Thefirm has a highly structured approach to training which includes access to awide range of courses for all staff members, irrespective of what role they fulfilin the practice. In-house training and mentoring is also an integral part of thefirm’s development activities.

“We have created a culture of continuous learning. This is one of theexpectations clearly laid out within the Business Plan which says that everyoneshould take individual responsibility for their training and development. We alsoexpect everyone to take themselves out of their comfort zone and seekpersonal development and improvement – to aim high,” said fellow partnerPaul Laird.

Partners at the firm ensure there is equality of opportunity and everyone issupported in the same way. The firm has a system of yearly appraisals with anadditional six monthly review for students together with a comprehensiveinduction for new staff and for those picking up new responsibilities.

There are also support mechanisms in place when people need them withspecific support and flexibility in place where there has been a long term illnessor bereavement.

“I recognise the different priorities, experience and length of service of each

individual staff member when I am managing them and I have to beunderstanding and flexible in communicating and discussing what needs to bedone,” said Martin.

“Without exception, everyone receives an equal opportunity to learn – it is vitalfor us that they do.”

Maintaining a good work-life balance is also critical to keeping employeeshappy.

There is a clearly stated strategy in place in Fish’s Business Plan which givesan undertaking by partners to “ensure working commitments allow for a goodwork-life balance” and a great deal of effort goes into trying to ensure that ona day-to-day basis, work-life balance strategies embrace this overarching pledge,mainly through flexible working.

“We have stayed very busy throughout the year so we haven’t had the troughs,”said Paul.

“Our work life balance strategies include that everyone must take their holidaysor even defer and still have entitlement to them. We also make sure we givetime off when family concerns arise.

“Ensuring that our employees have a good work-life balance helps keep theenergy, commitment and enthusiasm at high levels, so everyone maintains themotivation to achieve the best possible results for our clients.”

The firm also encourages its staff to get involved in helping the localcommunity, particularly at local schools where staff have been involved innumerous activities over many years.

The nature of the firm and its staff is very much one of total professionalism inthe traditional accountancy and financial sector. Nevertheless, employees arewell rewarded for the contribution each makes to the practice.

“Our focus is our clients and our reward and recognition strategies, includingthe team building ones and various social events, encourage everyone to work

as a team and ensure that the service to the client is delivered seamlessly. Soit is all linked to our business strategy,” said Martin.

“We benchmark salaries against the marketplace and there is also a staff bonusscheme which is geared to a number of key performance criteria. We also haveincentives for staff who bring in a new client, while there is also a rewardscheme for our students’ exam success.”

“We also have a long service award, meals out to recognise effort and thereare many other things we do to reward and recognise effort, including simplysaying ‘Thank you’ for something done well.”

By providing the right training and rewards programmes, staff members at theFish Partnership are motivated to contribute to and engage with the long-termstrategy of the firm. As a result staff motivation is strong and every employeeenjoys extremely high levels of work satisfaction which all helps to contributeto the firm’s continued success.

www.fishpartnership.co.uk


“Our prime objective is to provide agreat service to our clients and thebest way for us to deliver this isfor us to make sure our staff are

properly looked after”

“a good work-life balance helps keepthe energy, commitment and enthusiasm at high levels, so

everyone maintains the motivationto achieve the best possible

results for our clients”

www.b4-business.com

EMPLOYEE CAREIS TOP PRIORITY FOR AWARDWINNING ACCOUNTANTSKeeping their employees happy has always been a key focus for High Wycombe-based charteredaccountants The Fish Partnership.

29

B4 ADVICE

SUCCESS: Paul Laird and Martin Sheehy (centre) pick up the Best Employer Award at the BritishAccountancy Awards from comedian Stephen K Amos and Peter Burke from Best Employers

GROWING YOURBUSINESS ANDSEEKING NEWOPPORTUNITIEST H R O U G HLEARNING MORE

ABOUT YOURCUSTOMERS. Part 5 of the story of Modern DirectMarketing. The who, what, where andwhy of testing. Information sourcing tohelp you deliver stronger results againand again.


Sir Francis Bacon said “Knowledge is power.”We know this is true, and what we also knowto be true is that the more you know aboutyour customers the more likely you can sell tothem. Also, the more you test the more likely itis that your results will improve – smallchanges can make significant differences toyour profitability.

A test is an experiment. It has an aim, a method,results and conclusion. Everything should bedocumented clearly. Any statistical analysis needsto be compared, understood and rationalised.

Direct Mail is without doubt the best way to findout knowledge about your customers and yourproduct, how it is perceived and what the bestprice for it is. We call it A/B or split testing. Splitdown your customers with 2 or more differentoffers or changes of copy.

You don’t need fancy software, complex features,or advanced algorithms; you do need commonsense and to follow a few basic rules. Below aresome invaluable rules to consider when testing.

Every test should start with a question - a shortsentence that summarises what you’re trying toprove and should include a success metric thatdetermines the result. Your question could be“What price will increase my conversion rate andprofitability?" which defines the parameters of thetest and focuses on the test variable (priceincrease) and its effect on the result.

In A/B testing we test one variable at a time. Thismeans that everything else must stay constant. Forexample, if you test a price change all otherinformation must be the same – copy and creative,response time, call to action, etc. If anything elseis different between the two versions, your resultswon't be conclusive because you won’t be able totell the success of one version to one specificvariable. A/B testing doesn’t mean that you create2 completely different approaches it just meansthat you have one variable to test at a time.

Before you run the test, decide how you’re goingto measure success. This is important and reallyhas to correlate with the question you are trying toanswer. Keeping it simple is the best advice we canoffer here, you need to make sure that simpleanswers give rise to simple problems to solve. Thecomplexity of results should come from thenumber of individual questions asked – price,products bundled together, headline copy changes,or an additional message for instance on theenvelope or call to action - use your knowledge,gut instinct and experience to guide you.

For a successful test you have to have enoughvolume to make the data statistically significant.The volume needed isn’t just in the test groups,but also in the results and the difference betweenthem. Ideally the larger number in a test the moreyou can rely upon the results.

For example, if you run a test and send it to 5,000people and your success metric is calls to order, orcredit card purchases, the volume you need toachieve should be on the number of calls and thedifference between the results as a percent of thesize of the test.

Volume should be applied not just to the overallsize of the test but also to the test group. You candecide to do an even split between the control andtest groups (50/50) or apply an uneven split of upto 70/30.

If you have a variable that you are confident in itssuccess, apply a small, uneven split (80/20) to thetest. This way you don’t harm your overallperformance whilst still pushing your knowledgeforward. If you start a test without a clear startpoint, start the first test with a 50:50 split. It isalways better to start to test the variables ofheadline copy or price first. If you break into a newmarket, you need to reapply the tests treating thenew market with the same rigour as your existingmarket.

Since you’re only testing one variable, you want toeliminate the variables in the audience selectionprocess. Your control and test groups should bepicked randomly from certainties of behaviour. Arandom sample allows all subjects an equalprobability of being selected. Don’t applyprocesses that will skew your results likedemographic or socio-economic grouping. Theseare selections that should be tested separately andshouldn’t be used to build your random testgroups.

And when you’ve done it, you have to do it again,and again, and again… your results will improve,you will make more money and your ability togrow will be enhanced.

As we said “Knowledge is power.”

Need help ? call 01494 539300 and ask for DavidAmor and he will assist your search for significantimprovement.

www.firstmove.co.uk


“Judge a man by his questionsrather than by his answers.” Voltaire

B4 SERVICES

For more information about how we can help you, call 07789 711997, email [email protected] or visit www.hr2you.co.uk

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The Buckinghamshire Ambassadors’ Awards Start in Style. Cliveden Country House Hotel was the prestigious venuefor the launch of the Bucks Ambassadors’ Awards on 26 February.

CELEBRATINGBUSINESS IN BUCKS

The event saw winners past and present minglewith sponsors and some of Bucks’ leadingentrepreneurs and members of the BucksAmbassadors.

Marion Clayton, President of Bucks Ambassadorsand Chair of Buckinghamshire County Council(pictured top right) introduced the event and talkedabout the importance of entrepreneurship in thecounty and she was followed by brief talks by ChrisWilliams, Chief Executive of BuckinghamshireCounty Council, Tony Laurenson, BucksAmbassador and CEO of Global Infusion Groupand Alex Pratt, Chair of Buckinghamshire BusinessFirst.

The Buckinghamshire Ambassadors’ Enterprise

Awards, organised by Buckinghamshire BusinessFirst, are Bucks’ leading business awards and thisyear, will be held at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatreon 23 May 2013.

Sponsors of the awards include Pinewood Studios,Coms Plc., The Share Centre, The Bucks Free Press,Ringway Jacobs, Mix 96, Buckinghamshire CountyCouncil, Wycombe District Council, Four Group andThe Bucks Herald and categories include Businessof the Year, Small Business of the Year,Entrepreneur of the Year, Rural Business of the Yearand Green Business of the Year.

Philippa Batting, Managing Director ofBuckinghamshire Business First is delighted by theresponse to this year’s awards:

‘We have been overwhelmed by the response tothis year’s awards and we have seen a very highstandard of entries from very successful andambitious businesses, all of whom back up ourstatus as the ‘entrepreneurial heart of Britain’. Thelaunch event was very successful and we’re lookingforward to the Bucks Ambassadors Awards now inMay.’

Tickets are now available to purchase for theBuckinghamshire Ambassadors' EnterpriseAwards Ceremony and Dinner on the 23rdMay 2013 at the Waterside Theatre,Aylesbury. Visit www.bbf.uk.com or call01494 568 976.


B4 BBF

34 www.b4-business.com

Yet business managers who properly insist on sophisticatedsecurity measures for their commercial or industrialpremises often pay less attention to the need forprofessional protection for their own homes which may beunoccupied through many hours during the day and, ofcourse, when the family goes away on holiday.

If your home is within the Thames Valley, there’s a serviceavailable to you through the trusted specialists, RiskManagement Security Services.

Keyholding and Alarm Response provides fully-trained, licensedand vetted officers who’ll deal with any need from the simplereset of an alarm system to a call-out in the event of a potentiallydangerous situation.

As I’ve reported in these pages before, RISK boasts an ultra-modern Control Centre which is in operation round the clock,365 days a year. If there is an alarm activation from a home, anofficer from the Patrol and Response team will immediately bedispatched to the premises where a thorough check of thebuilding will be carried out and the necessary action taken. If it’sa false alarm, the officer will communicate with the AlarmReceiving Centre and reset the system having identified whatcaused the alarm to trigger. If there’s been a break-in,arrangements will be made for boarding up windows and doorsas necessary – after liaising with the police.

In my experience, choosing a security service for the home canbe a daunting task. There are too many companies to choosefrom and a plethora of different charges as well as industryjargon that can baffle the lay person. RISK, whilst providing

outstanding levels of service with excellent customer support,choose to keep it simple and ensure the customer fullyunderstands what they are purchasing and can expect toreceive.

As for the cost of their services, there’s a wide range from whichto choose when you’re protecting your home. It simply dependson the extent of protection you need: There’s a range of servicelevels from a basic annual retainer each year plus a call-out feeof £35 and £25 to a fully inclusive “Platinum” service embracinga long list of “extras” such as out-of-hours boarding and lockchanging for £675.00 a year.

For more information please take a look at their website –www.riskmanagementsecurity.co.uk or email them [email protected] or call them on01494 441 805 or 535 830.

You could, of course, visit them to see their Control Centre, talkto one of the team – and even ask them to show you roundtheir new onsite apartments! – at The Old Courthouse,Hughenden Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP13 5DT.

Broadcaster Michael Barratt investigates methods of enhancing domestic security. There’s noplace like home – your home – in the eyes of a burglar, especially if you live in a wealthyneighbourhood or perhaps in a fairly secluded spot out of town.

CAUSE FOR ALARMAT HOME!

“It’s important, I think, to bear in mind that RISK have

a special relationship with the Thames Valley

police force”


B4 SERVICES

www.b4-business.com

Before we get into some examples, whatis the current state of Social Media?

OK, as we stand today, there are still in my mindthree big players. Twitter has 34 million UKusers, Facebook has 33 million UK users andLinked in has 11 million UK users. Thesenumbers are at the start of 2013 and of coursethey grow daily. After the big three, there are thelikes of Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. Then,there are a stream of others that many will nothave heard of. YouTube is also used by a lot ofpeople as a social network, so you could throwthat into the mix too. If you generally categorisethe big three as Facebook being B2C, LinkedInbeing B2B and Twitter bridging the two, this is acrude evaluation, but a simplistic starting point.

With these big numbers, the case for usingsocial media is very compelling, but wheredo you start?

The first step is to work out where your clients(existing and potential) are. And also, wherethey may be open to hearing from you! Withover 50% of the UK adult population onFacebook, there is no doubt that your clients areon there, but what are they doing? If they areusing leisure time and sharing their personal life,do they really want to hear about your'engineering' (replace as applicable) services atthat point in their day? Basically, find anappropriate time and place to share yourmessage. Consumer brands do well onFacebook and professional services do well onLinkedIn.

The social media sceptics among us wouldtake that as good reason to avoid socialmedia altogether.

This is true. The true sceptic will avoid socialmedia until it is too late. Remember, a lot ofbusinesses did not adapt to the industrial

revolution either. I believe though that the vastmajority of those who are currently 'sceptical',just need to be shown how it is already workingfor others. One of my favourite examples is soeasy for any company to follow. It worksespecially well for local businesses. The exampleis 'Be the real news'. Now this could be industrynews or local news. I have a great example ofhow this has been done well in my town.

One small local business decided to use itsFacebook page to report on the snowfall. Yes,just that. Our town is large and hilly. Some areasare hit before others, some areas hit worse thanothers. As they started to report the snow fallingwhere they were, and others chipped in to addto the conversation, all with photos, this new'service' became more accurate than anyweather forecast. It was live. It was real. Now,you could say that this was a waste of timebecause it didn't directly help them to sell moreof their gardening services. But now with 1800people actually adding to the report andfollowing more than just snowfall, this company;Manor Estates, have become the go to peoplefor what is happening in High Wycombe. Tosponsor this activity would costs hundreds andpossibly thousands. They get that for free! Nowif I want gardening services, where will I go?

That's a great story for a local business,but what about bigger businesses?

There are many success stories about largerbusinesses. What I find more exciting is the waysocial media can help these businesses turn badsituations around. It used to be that if acustomer had a bad experience, and let's faceit, the more customers you serve, the more thiscan happen, they would tell family, friends,colleagues and anyone who would listen. Now,they resort to social media. Depending how youlook on this will decide whether you feel this isbetter or worse than what we had before. I sayit is better. Imagine having the opportunity to putthings right in public where everyone else getsto see that you are good guys. After all, even thebest businesses drop the ball. People care moreabout how you respond when the ball has beendropped. It is not quite the old no publicity isbad publicity, but responded to correctly, you aregetting a platform to demonstrate superiorcustomer service.

These are great examples, but clearly thereis a lot more to it than this. If someonewanted to take their first steps, what canthey do?

Fortunately, there are a lot of social media'experts' that know the value of sharing theirknowledge. Now you have to sift through anddon’t just join a social network becausesomeone suggests you should. Look for thereason and have a plan. There is a lot of trainingboth in person and online learning available. Youcould also look at my eltonboocock.com websitewhere I provide a lot of free help and advice.The main thing is, don't just ignore social media.It isn't a fad and we are just at the beginning, soyou have not missed the boat. The boat hasn'teven fired its engines, let alone set sail.

www.urbanmedia.co.uk

SOCIAL MEDIAGETTING UNDERNEATH THE NUMBERSSocial Media is the biggest shift the business world has seen since the industrial revolution. Whilst many areengaged and use social media on a daily basis, others are being left behind. We are at the start of this newbusiness revolution and there are plenty of well respected business leaders that are struggling to see howsocial media can actually work for their business. This month we speak to Elton Boocock of Urban Media toget under the numbers and provide some practical examples of how social media is already working.

36

“The main thing is,don't just ignore socialmedia. It isn't a fadand we are just atthe beginning, so

you have notmissed the boat”


B4 MARKETING


“our would be competitors took the opportunity to increase their prices to customersfrom the start of the New Year, we chose not to increase our prices, therefore in

effect handing our customers a reduction as a reward for their business”

www.b4-business.com

Assisted by our presence in B4Buckinghamshire, we have started off with avery good set of trading results for the firstquarter of 2013. This was due not only to anexcellent level of customer retention,showing how well we look after our regularestablished Clients, but also to a goodnumber of new accounts coming on board.

Importantly, while most of our would becompetitors took the opportunity to increasetheir prices to customers from the start of theNew Year, we chose not to increase our prices,therefore in effect handing our customers areduction as a reward for their business.

How can we do this you may ask? The reasonis quite simple. Our buying group collectivelysells in excess of £400 million annually and asa result of this buying power, we are able tosecure competitive and long term contracts withour suppliers which we then pass on directly toour customers.

The benefit to prospective customers looking tonot only improve the level of services theyreceive from their current supplier but also tohave peace of mind about their pricing, is thatthey can rest assured that the prices we quotethem will not change during 2013 or indeedinto 2014.

This is particularly helpful to busy CEO’s, FinanceDirectors, business owners and facilitiesmanagers. This approach provides pricingstability, enabling accurate budget forecasting,not only on their office supplies but also a hostof other products including toners, catering &janitorial supplies, office furniture & businessseating, printing and promotional merchandise,all of which we supply at very competitive rates.

Taking into account the environment, which is agrowing concern for many businessesnowadays, London & Counties take great pridein offering a very extensive range ofenvironmentally friendly alternatives to thosethat people have bought historically. Being ISO14001 accredited ourselves, we naturally striveto reduce our own carbon footprint. InSeptember last year, we introduced recyclablepackaging cartons in which we deliver our

customers orders, the benefit being that thesecan be re-used up to four times, reducing ourpackaging use by no less than 75%. Ourcustomers love these recyclable cartons andthey were very quick to take advantage of ourscheme which reduced their waste becausethey simply hand them back to our driver whentheir next order is delivered.

I feel that I should make a comment on theChancellor’s budget because although it went

part way to free up cash for businesses tospend by reducing corporation tax a long wayahead in the future, it is surely the case thatmost businesses would have preferred tobenefit by having that extra cash now. Incontrast, at London & Counties we can helpthese businesses to reduce their costsimmediately, not only on product but in manyother ways.

Inertia often leads to many buyers simplyautomatically continuing to buy the sameproduct time after time - for no particular reasonother than because they always have. But suchbehaviour comes at a price and means that theymay simply not be aware that at London &Counties we have a range of our own brandproducts that compete very favourably with thebrand leaders. Not to single out anymanufacturer in particular, they all have to buildtheir marketing costs into the final price of theproducts they offer but their customers have topay for that. That is not the case with us, so wecan offer similarly high quality, fit for purposealternatives that often cost a fraction incomparison. When tendering for office suppliesbusiness, we can offer our own brand as analternative and the price differentials can be trulyeye-watering.

To find out how to reduce your spend onbusiness critical, must have office products,contact Paul Milbourn on 01494 791221 ordrop an e-mail to [email protected] Weguarantee that our response will be quick,painless and fruitful.

www.lacosltd.co.uk

LEADING THE WAY INNATIONWIDE, NEXT DAYDELIVERY AND VALUEPaul Milbourn of London & Counties Office Supplies explains to B4’s Richard Rosser how businesses can makeimmediate and meaningful savings without in any way compromising on quality or service.

39

“In September lastyear, we introduced recyclable packaging cartons in which we deliver our customersorders, the benefit

being that these canbe re-used up to fourtimes, reducing ourpackaging use by no

less than 75%”

B4 SERVICES

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Berkshire born resident, and British motorsport legend Robb Gravett has spenta decade creating what today is the only fully compliant, track based advanceddriver training company in the country.

IF YOU HAVE TO THINK...IT’S TOO LATE

After completing a hugely successfulinternational motor-racing career Robb hasused the experience he gained on track todevelop the most effective driver trainingplatform in existence. Having won over ahundred races and eleven championships in aprofessional career spanning sixteen years Robbfounded Ultimate Car Control in 2001.

Driver Encoded KnowledgeHaving spent more than five years developing andtrialling the programmes that now make up thecompany’s core offering, Robb is confident thatUltimate Car Control is now the emerging leader inits field and is setting new standards in drivertraining and road safety.

From the company’s operational base at the worldfamous Transport Research Laboratory inCrowthorne, Ultimate Car Control runs regularcourses for people of all ages, both genders and alldemographics aimed at improving the driver’sability and saving the lives of people of Berkshireand the rest of the country.

With a fleet of new Volvo and Jaguar cars, Robb andhis team of highly trained professional instructorsdeliver bespoke driver training courses to

individuals and companies at any of twelve sitesacross the country.

Courses available include:DEK – Driver Encoded Knowledge: Superior carcontrol for drivers of high performance motor carsEPD – Excellence in Professional Driving: The mostinnovative educational fleet driver trainingprogramme in existenceDEK Inspiration: The ultimate dynamic drivertraining experience in the countryDX – Drive Xtra: The shape of things to come foryoung and inexperienced drivers

Ultimate Car Control also has a series of specializedcourses focusing on the needs of high profilepeople and their families, for overseas visitors anddiplomats, for chauffeurs and close protectionofficers and will tailor courses to suit the specificneeds of the individual.

Audited accident reduction rates of nearly 50% arejustification that what Robb has created reallyworks! This coupled with reduced insurancepremiums, a reduction in vehicle running and repaircosts means that Ultimate Car Control is having aprofound effect on business in these difficulteconomic times.

B4 BerkshireAs an active B4 member Ultimate Car Control isdelighted to offer its services to our fellow B4colleagues for all their driver training and businesscompliance needs.

A complimentary risk assessment audit for B4members will identify the issues that need to beaddressed by each individual company.

Thereafter Ultimate Car Control will provide a fullservice offering at special discounted rates availableexclusively to B4 members.

ACT on the ACTAre you concerned about your exposure to theCorporate Manslaughter Act? If so act on the acttoday and call Ultimate Car Control for advice.

Robb Gravett and his team are ready to speak toB4 Members about their driver training needs andinvite you to call us for advice and assistance.

Contact us on: 0845 459 1002 or email:[email protected] or visit ourwebsite: www.ultimatecarcontrol.com


B4 SPOTLIGHT

“Ultimate Car Controlis now the emergingleader in its field andis setting new

standards in drivertraining and road

safety”

‘I joined Buckinghamshire Business First in 2012after being appointed Managing Director ofJohn Lewis High Wycombe. When I beganworking in the area, I was immediately struckby the sense of support from the businesscommunity in the area. I have worked in eightother branches of John Lewis in my career, buthave never come across the same can-doattitude in any of the other areas I’ve worked inand this drive and determination is what makesBuckinghamshire so successful, and thebreeding ground for so many successfulbusinesses. There is a strong determination tohelp other businesses and people are verygiving of their time to support local initiatives.Businesses here are dedicated to ensuring thecounty maintains its title of the ‘EntrepreneurialHeart of Britain’.

‘Another thing that I believe is unique to the countyis the strong relationship between the businesscommunity and the local MPs who are verysupportive of local enterprise and really listen to theviews of business groups, particularly BBF.

‘Here in Buckinghamshire we also have an

excellent education system. I was educated inBuckinghamshire and so I have particular respectfor the school system and at John Lewis we activelysupport local schools by working with them toensure we give something back to the localcommunity. Buckinghamshire Business First is alsocommitted to helping young people in the areawith initiatives such as its 100 in 100 scheme,which encouraged businesses to pledge to take onan apprentice. This benefits both businesses andyoung people and the organisation is dedicated togiving young people in the area the bestopportunities it can.

‘One of the most important things thatBuckinghamshire Business First offers its membersis the networking opportunities. The reason thatBucks has such a strong business community isbecause they get the chance to meet and interactwith other businesses and entrepreneurs in thearea. Buckinghamshire Business First holds a vastnumber of events throughout the year, fromtraining sessions on finance and PR to the annualAmbassadors’ Awards’ right through to events atvenues such as the Houses of Parliament and theSpeaker’s House. The most recent addition to the

schedule is the series of Athene lectures which aredue to start in 2013 and will see well knownspeakers visit the area and share their experiencesand encourage debate about entrepreneurship.

‘To other businesses in the area I would say ifyou’re not a member of Buckinghamshire BusinessFirst, why not? It’s a fantastic organisation whichoffers the opportunity to meet some the county’sleading business people, take advantage of expertbusiness advice sessions and even use the freeHub which gives access to free meeting space andmeeting room facilities. We are the leading voiceof business in Bucks and here to represent theinterests of the business community, so I wouldurge anyone serious about the success of theirorganisation and the county to join. There’s nothingto lose.’

For more information on BuckinghamshireBusiness First and to join, visitwww.bbf.uk.com/register-today or call: 01494568937 or e mail us: [email protected]

Lisa Williams, Managing Director of John Lewis grew up in Buckinghamshire and now lives in Little Kimble. Lisa joinedthe board of Buckinghamshire Business First earlier this year and here, explains why she took the role and how thebusiness community benefits from the work of the organisation.

ON BOARD


B4 BBF

“One of the most important thingsthat Buckinghamshire Business First

offers its members is the networking opportunities”

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The correlation between people and profit isnow recognised to an extent that the phraseHuman Capital has been widely adopted withinthe HR (Human Resources) industry. More isexpected of the HR function than ever before.Historically an administrative role, HR is nowcharged with enabling growth, increasingproductive and profitability. But managingpeople is fraught with difficulties. People areunique, often unpredictable and making sureyou employ and retain the right people can bea minefield. Get it right and employees will playa significant role in sustaining competitiveadvantage, get it wrong and you can be lookingat costly litigation and damage to internalrelationships leading to poor productivity, bothof which ultimately affect the bottom line.Recent statistics from surveys undertaken byThe CIPD, ‘Britain’s Top Employers’ and workreported in the Economist and the HarvardBusiness Review highlight the benefits ofgetting it right:

Labour Turnover

• Average staff turnover (voluntary andinvoluntary) is around 18% but less than 11%in higher performing organisations

• Each staff member that must be replaced incursan extra cost of between half and one times theirsalary

Absence

• The average absence rate is around 3% (7working days per annum). The organisationsbest at managing absence achieve absencelevels of 1% or less.

• The mean annual cost of sickness absence is£673 per employee. Indirect costs such as lowercustomer satisfaction will significantly increasethe effect of absence.

Best Performers

• ‘Above average’ employees will be between20% and 40% or more productive than averageemployees depending on the complexity of theirrole

But where to start? Assuming your organisation isalready fully compliant Right Hand HR suggest yourleadership team pose the following questions:

• What will our organisation look like in three yearstime?

• What are the stepping stones that will get usthere?

• What are/will be the key measures of oursuccess?

• What are the characteristics of our bestperforming staff?

• How will we keep our people fired up andmotivated as we grow?

Then consider:• What is being ‘fired up and motivated’?


“employees’ views aresought out; they are listened to and seethat their opinionscount and make a

difference”

• What is being fired up and motivated worth?

• What is different from now?

• How do we build the characteristics of bestperformance into our recruitment, performancemanagement, pay and training and developmentprocesses?

• What is expected of us as leaders of organisationand how will we know if we are doing a goodjob?

Borrowing from the now classic ‘BalancedScorecard’ model, key measures of organisationalsuccess can be broken down into four areas:Financial, Operational, Sales and Marketing andDevelopment and Growth. Establishing alignedobjectives and initiatives in each area thatcontribute to overall success will generate focus.But there is an additional element – engagement– that makes the difference in achieving the ‘wantto do it’ magic we are all looking for. Theorganisations that have got it have four commonfeatures:

Leadership – They are providing a strong strategicnarrative, which has widespread ownership and

commitment from managers and employees at alllevels. Characteristics are stretch, discipline, trustand support. The late Professor Sumantra Ghoshal,formerly of the London Business School, describedthis as “both tough and tender”.

Engaging Managers are at the heart oforganisational culture– they facilitate and empowerrather than control or restrict their staff; they treattheir staff with appreciation and respect and showcommitment to developing, increasing andrewarding the capabilities of those they manage.They are confident.

Voice - An effective and empowered employeevoice – employees’ views are sought out; they arelistened to and see that their opinions count andmake a difference. They speak out and challengewhen appropriate

Integrity - Behaviour throughout the organisationis consistent with stated values, leading to trust anda sense of integrity Engaging for Success (2008) David MacLeod and Nita Clarke

Right Hand HR is a specialist provider of bespoke,outsourced HR services and solutions.

“We have vast experience of working withleadership teams to drive organisation success byincreasing employee engagement and it is work wereally enjoy. Being able to provide tailored HRsupport to an organisation not only saves valuabletime, effort, money and headache. It contributes toreal results - profit, customer satisfaction andsustainable growth!”, said Campbell Ritchie, MDRight Hand HR.

www.rhhr.com

Employing the right people, at the right time, with the right skills and abilities is perhaps anobvious target to aim for. Choosing and retaining people, who know what to do and whowant to do it, is what makes the difference.

PUTTINGPEOPLE FIRST


B4 HR

“Being able to providetailored HR support to an organisation not

only saves valuabletime, effort, money and headache. It

contributes to real results”

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Great Memberships inSign up today for B4 Buckinghamshire membership and

qualify for membership of Buckinghamshire BusinessFirst at the same time

What are you waiting for? Call us now on01494 373183 to book your membership

NB Membership rates will be increasing in May

Working in partnership with

B4 Benefitsß Your business contact details are listed in the business directory of four quarterly editions of B4 Magazine (printed and electronic, circa 8,000 copies per quarter)

ß Your business is listed in the online B4 business directoryß You are issued with your own user name and password to upload unlimited press releases, events, offers and jobs direct to the B4 Buckinghamshire website

ß Your press releases are pushed through B4’s own social media channels to an even wider audienceß Attend up to 12 B4 Events in the Thames Valley at no additional charge. 2013 confirmed events are as follows, withthree more Buckinghamshire events to confirm:

Buckinghamshire Business First Benefitsß Connect with a huge variety of likeminded business owners through regular events, workshops, e-newsletters and social media

ß Take advantage of our fully equipped FREE meeting rooms and office facilities at the Business Hub within The Clare Foundation in Saunderton

ß ccess business support services, commercial property and business directories, local economic research and marketinformation to help your business grow and thrive in the future

ß Add your voice to those of other business leaders and owners within Buckinghamshire to influence positive change in economic policy by joining the Business Leaders LinkedIn group.

ß Stay up to date with local and national business news, current funding and grant initiatives, plus member to member offers – all featured in our weekly newsletter

For more information about Buckinghamshire Business First see www.bbf.uk.com

B 4

Location Event DateNewbury Racecourse B4 Berkshire This event was held in January

Blackwell’s, Central Oxford B4 Oxfordshire Thursday 11th April, 6pm to 9pm

The Oakley Court, Windsor B4 Berkshire Garden Party Date TBC

Bucks New University B4 Buckinghamshire Tuesday 25th June, 6pm to 8pm

Oxford Examination Schools, Central Oxford B4 Oxfordshire Thursday 4th July, 6pm to 8pm

The Vineyard B4 Berkshire Thursday 22nd August, 6pm to 8pm

Rhodes House B4 Oxfordshire Garden Party Thursday 12th September, 6pm to 8pm

The Manor Hotel B4 Oxfordshire Wednesday 2nd October, 6pm to 8pm

The Forbury Hotel B4 Berkshire Thursday 17th October, 5pm to 8pm

Hawkwell House Hotel B4 Oxfordshire Thursday 21st November, 6pm to 8pm

2 1

The facility boasts the latest in the state of theart technology with an indoor swing studio,specific for custom fitting and a fabulousdiagnostic tool being the 3D Motion Gears Golf.The amateur golfer can now learn like the pros,with body angles, x factors, centre of gravity,alignment and clubface positioning. Viewing theswing from all angles allows the golfer to seethemselves within an avatar.

The experience is very powerful and in the handsof Mark McGeehan who has extensive training withthis revolutionary tool, the golfer will experience fastimproved results. The technology also has a featurecalled “Ghosting” this allows the player to see thebefore and after effects of the lesson. The golfingequivalent of a makeover! Proud to be officialstockists and a fitting centre for Cleveland andSrixon the golfer will be sure to be impressed withthe overall service to take their games to anotherlevel.

Mark has recently returned from working in theCanary Islands and now with InternationalExperience and having learnt so much aboutmodern technology he is very enthusiastic at theopportunity at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Clubin the heart of Oxfordshire.

Mark has been a PGA Professional for 17 years andhas devoted his life to studying the science and artform of the game of golf. “I love coaching, Golf isin my blood and it is great to pass on myknowledge to those wishing to improve and seeksupport to achieve their golfing goals”

To be at the forefront of designing bespokecorporate golf days and specialising in this area ofthe market is very exciting, offering the golfers a firstclass memorable golf day

His teaching background is extensive having taughtat two Open championships, involved with thedevelopment of Junior Golf and grass root schoolprogrammes. County Squads, teaching all levels ofplayers from beginners to elite Professional touringplayers, you are sure that your golf game is in goodhands. Also qualified in Sports Psychology Mark canhelp you with the course management and theever important mind factor.

Mark also is a keen competitor, playing on the PGAcircuit and National Professional Tours. Last year’sachievements included a win and several top tenfinishes. Mark says “Playing on the Tour andalongside world class players has certainly beenbeneficial to not only my own game but also ascoach. I now have the insight to player

development programmes and with my mentoringskills I am able to hone the games of up andcoming players”

In the ever competitive world of Sport, Golf andbusiness Mark has been dynamic, flexible andmotivated learning new skills. Mark now runs mindworkshops and team building events. “There isdefinitely a synergy to thinking correct in sport andachieving success as there is in business. Theworkshops are fun and even for non-golfers theywill be sure to leave the day feeling a real sense ofpride and achievement.

Throughout the winter months Mark runs short Golfbreaks to overseas destinations across Europedeveloping all aspects of the golfer’s game. Theintense training in the sun ensures that the playersare ready for the season ahead, whilst enjoying therelaxation of fabulous hotels and dining out in style. There are sponsor opportunities for corporatebusinesses with Mark McGeehan and MagnoliaPark and in return receive many benefits and goodexposure throughout the course of the season. Formore details please contact Mark on07787937627.

Please view www.magnoliapark.co.uk andwww.mcgeehangolf.com to find out more.


B4 went along to meet the PGA Qualified Professional, specialising in player development and coaching atthe Premier Golf Academy at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club.

MARK MCGEEHAN

B4 SPOTLIGHT

Three great days of golf for £50 + Vat per person per round.

Enter a team of two for three separate days of golf for £300 + Vat.

Dates as follows:

Ring Colin Rosser on 01865 742211or email [email protected]

Have you got what it takes to be

Oxfordshire’s leading business golf team?

The 7th Annual B4/MGroup Golf Cup

Three great days of golf for £50 + Vat per person per round.Oxfordshire’s leading business golf team?

Dates as follows:

Enter a T Three g

t days of golf

Dates as follows:

a team of two for great days of golf

f r three separate d f for £50 + Vat pe f for £50 p

th ee separate d days of g r person per roun

r £3 days of golf fo 0 + Vat. nd.

300

Ring C Colin Rosser on 018 65 742211or email c siness.com

Ring Colin Rosser on 01865 742211or email [email protected]

THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATIONI N A S S O C I A T I O N W I T H B 4 M A G A Z I N E

Professional Training is key to future career success

Thames Valley Training & Development

Mind the Gap - ensuring students are ready for the challenges of work

Aylesbury College

Launches innovative education partnership with Sennheiser UK Ltd

Buckinghamshire New University

w w w . b 4 - b u s i n e s s . c o m

See The Business of Education on line as a separate supplement. Want to feature in next year’s edition?Call us now on 01865 742211.

THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATIONI N A S S O C I A T I O N W I T H B 4 M A G A Z I N E

22 Reading College

15 Cokethorpe School

08 Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking

04 Intro by Sally Dicketts

16 Bloxham School

10 Aylesbury College

05 Intro by David Podger

21 Oxford & Cherwell Valley College18 Buckinghamshire New University

14 Pegasus Theatre

06 Thames Valley Training & Development

From the producers of B4 Magazine

12 SAE Institute

You don’t need to be an employment expert to know that today’s youngpeople face a very different jobs market than their parents did.

The economic downturn and a shift in employment culture means it isunlikely that people starting out today will enjoy long careers with a singleorganisation.

Just last month the media declared that Britain could be on course for itsthird recession in four years, following news that the economy shrank0.3% in the last three months of 2012.

Youth unemployment is at an all-time high, having exceeded the onemillion mark, and the prospect of a further recession will do little foremployer confidence.

However, whilst there are undoubted challenges, today’s young peoplealso face immense opportunities.

We are living through a time of unprecedented technological change andthis generation is at the cutting edge of a revolution in the way that wecommunicate and engage.

The Government is investing in funding and support for new businessstart-ups, for young people in particular, as a means of stimulatingeconomic growth. For these new business builders, the routes to theircustomers and markets are more direct than ever before thanks to thetechnology at their fingertips.

What these changes require are new approaches to teaching, learning andassessment that help our young people to navigate the challenges andmake the most of the opportunities that surround them.

To thrive in this new landscape our students will need skills of teamwork,resilience, creativity and problem solving. They will need to be adaptableto change and be prepared to collaborate beyond the boundaries oftraditional employment sectors.

As a provider of post-16 education and training we are working locally andnationally to drive educational reform, using entrepreneurial principles tohelp our students succeed in the 21st century workplace.

We are helping students to develop the enterprise-related skills that willgive them the best chance of success, whether they launch out on theirown or go on to work for an SME or big business.

This approach recognises that the learning experience must be rooted incommercial environments that teach real-world skills. Students must havethe opportunity to put what they learn into practice every step of the way,and to take risks in safe environments where they can learn, grow anddevelop.

Partnerships with local employers and business leaders are central tohelping us develop meaningful programmes that go far beyond the simplework experience placements of the past.

Find out more about our approaches on page 22.

Sally Dicketts is Chief Executive and Principal of Oxford & Cherwell ValleyCollege

MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITY

OXFORD & CHERWELLVALLEY COLLEGE



I am delighted to have taken up the challenge of starting an entirely newtraining and development business for the region, the result of a BucksNew University initiative to provide services to the wider businesscommunity.

Although closely associated with educational institutions and a subsidiaryof Bucks New University, Thames Valley Training & Development has verymuch a commercial focus. We are tasked with engaging with businessesto address some of the skills gaps that exist in the region. One strikingexample of this is that, despite being the national hub for entrepreneurialdevelopment in digital technology, local employers find it difficult to recruitenough ICT technicians. We are helping to fill this gap by offering entrance-level industry ICT certification from HP and Cisco from our state-of-the-artfacilities in High Wycombe.

Similar gaps exist in the provision of training for support staff to theprofessions, most notably the accountancy and legal professions. Inassociation with our partner, Aylesbury College, we are developing coursesfor professional qualifications from bodies such as the Association ofAccounting Technicians (AAT), the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives(CILEx), and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). These will beavailable from September of this year.

A major catalyst for growth in the regional economy is sales expertise –often neglected in vocational training. We are launching an Institute ofSales and Marketing Management Level 3 Certificate in Sales andMarketing this April to develop the skills needed to drive increases inorders.

Thames Valley Training & Development may be new, but it draws upon awealth of experience derived from the excellence of its long-establishedparent, Bucks New University. Because of our close links with theUniversity, we can also provide alternative pathways towards academicawards for those who wish to complement their professional trainingwith University qualifications.

ContactsC: David Podger, [email protected]: Thames Valley Training & Development, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, HP11 2JZT: +44 (0)1494 603060W: www.thamesvallleytraining.com

THAMES VALLEY TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Heading up the organisation is David Podger, atraining and development professional withmore than 20 years’ experience at a senior level.

“We can offer the best of both worlds because wehave the benefits of the University, such as theexcellent facilities and support services, but at thesame time we are an autonomous organisationwith complete independence in the way weoperate and the courses we provide,” he said.

“We work very closely with different professionalbodies to ensure our qualifications are accredited,and all our trainers or instructors come from thecommercial world. They bring real-life workplaceexperience to enable our course participants togain the relevant skills they need for theirworking careers.”

“Research shows that across the wider ThamesValley area, there is a requirement for more people

at support levels, particularly in the IT sector wheregood technicians are in short supply. The entry levelIT qualifications that we offer such as HP ATA orCisco CCNA, make a very good starting point forsomeone to fill those gaps,” he said.

David says the qualifications can also standparticipants in good stead if they want to continuetheir studies. For some, he says, gaining anintroduction to higher education via professional

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IS KEYTO FUTURE CAREER SUCCESSA wholly owned subsidiary of Bucks New University, Thames Valley Training & Development was officially launchedin mid-2012 and offers a wide variety of IT, business and management courses taught by professionally qualified andaccredited instructors.


qualifications can provide a vital stepping-stone toa future degree course, and the company’s uniquelinks with the University mean the team is able tosupport them throughout the process.

For businesses and individuals with specific trainingrequirements, he has this message: “We stand byour strapline, professional training, deliveredprofessionally. Our offering is very muchprofessional, practical training that is designed toimprove performance.”

“The real benefit is that our links with the Universitymean we are here for the long term. Bucks NewUniversity has made a substantial commitment insetting up this business and our ongoingassociation means there are many ways wecan help to equip the region with the skillsand qualifications it needs for sustainedeconomic growth.”

About UsThames Valley Training & Development exists to

provide an alternative vehicle for employers andindividuals to engage in professional development.Our promise is ‘professional training, professionallydelivered’. All our instructors are subject expertswith extensive professional and commercialexperience and relevant training qualifications.

It is a measure of the confidence placed in us byindustry that we are proud to have been selectedas one of the very few organisations globallyto offer the new HP Accredited TechnicalAssociate certification, and the only organisationin the UK to be able to deliver this training to thosefrom outside academia.

Courses are offered in a variety of formats, eitherextensively as part-time evening classes ormore intensively as full-time courses. We alsodeliver training in-house at your premises andwould be happy to discuss your trainingrequirements with you.

FacilitiesOn-site training is delivered from the iconicGateway building on the Bucks New UniversityHigh Wycombe campus. Winner of a Royal Instituteof British Architects award, the Gateway buildingcontains a learning resources and technologycentre and boasts state-of-the-art facilities. ICTtraining is delivered in specially designed labs,supported by designated technical staff.

Participants on Thames Valley Training &Development courses have access to theUniversity’s learning resources centre and qualifyfor a discounted membership for the superblyfitted out gym on the ground floor of theGateway building.

Instruction is delivered in comfortable, purpose-designed teaching spaces equipped with the latestlearning technology.

thamesvalleytraining.combucks.ac.uk


“We work very closelywith different professionalbodies to ensure our qualifications are

accredited, and all ourtrainers or instructors

come from the commercial world.”

SUPPORTING THE EDUCATIONSECTOR IN OXFORDSHIREFrom its world famous university down to itsprimary schools, Oxfordshire has always beenproud of its education system. At Lloyds TSBCommercial Banking, we work hard to ensurewe support this system as much as possible.

With several routes for schools to choose, fromindependent schools to academies, it ismore important than ever that educationalestablishments have the support they needto manage their finances properly.

At Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, alongside theNational Association of School BusinessManagement (NASBM), we have developed anaccreditation programme to make sure ourEducation Relationship Managers have a thoroughgrounding in the sector.

Martin Warren, who is one of these RelationshipManagers in Oxfordshire, said: “We know that asrunning a school day-to-day is such a demandingjob, it can be a challenge to balance this witheffective financial management. That’s why weaim to become an integral part of a school’ssupport network to help them manage theirmoney properly.

“As part of this, we offer a dedicated educationbank account, which is suitable for both statefunded schools and academies, as well as otherservices such as ParentPay to allow easy, onlinepayments for items such school dinners, field tripsand extra-curricular clubs.”

This is alongside our other services for schools,such as a high interest deposit for any surplusfunds and even the arrangement of cashcollections for you by our authorised securitycompany.

One of the biggest changes that the educationsystem across the country has seen in recent yearsis the introduction of academies. Since theprogramme was introduced in 2000, there are nowover 1.25 million pupils across the UK receiving anacademy education.

In Oxfordshire, ten per cent of primary andsecondary schools have converted to academystatus with more potentially looking to make thechange. This goes to show that while the academyprogramme continues to court controversy, it looksset to feature on the educational landscape foryears to come.

The aspects of school life affected by the changeto academy status are wide reaching. One of the

highest regarded benefits to converting – thefreedom from local authority control – can alsobecome one of the biggest burdens if not properlyresearched and managed.

This highlights the importance of proper budgetaryand financial control for academies. Many chooseto employ a School Business Manager inrecognition of the fact that education professionalsmay need support with the financial responsibilitiesof managing an academy.

Martin Warren added: “It can prove challenging totake budgetary control from the local authority andthis really brings home the importance of a strongfinancial support network.”

Independent schools

At Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, we also offersupport to the independent schools sector, whichpresents a very different set of opportunities andchallenges to those of state schools.

With independence from Government in terms offinance and governance comes the need for

management and control more akin to that of abusiness. As a result, we have a team ofRelationship Managers who are fully immersed inthe independent schools sector to enable them tohelp achieve their ambitions.

We can work with management teams to providefull banking facilities. Also, as independent schoolsmay have ambitions of growth to help them thrivein such a competitive sector, we can also providefunding packages to help support expansionprojects.

Loans can be secured up to a 25-year term, andthrough the Government-backed Funding forLending scheme schools can benefit from up to aone per cent reduction in the interest rate.

Peter Rogers, who is an independent schoolsspecialist at Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, said:“Those management teams in charge ofindependent schools are custodians and plan forthe long term success of their school, and we aimto support them in providing the best education forthe next generations.

“We understand that independent schools face allthe challenges of education as well as business, soour Relationship Managers work hard to becomean integral part of their support network to helpthem overcome these hurdles.”

No matter what the status of your school, theOxfordshire-based Lloyds TSB CommercialBanking team is here to help you achieve yourambitions. For more information, please contactPeter Rogers (07836 618 323) or Martin Warren(07921 548 532). Alternatively, you can visit:businesshelp.lloydstsbbusiness.com/industry-focus/education

All lending is subject to a satisfactory credit assessment.

Lloyds TSB Bank plc Registered Office: 25 Gresham Street,

London EC2V 7HN. Registered in England and Wales no.

2065. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services

Authority.

“We know that as running a schoolday-to-day is such ademanding job, it can be a challenge to balance this with effective financial

management. That’swhy we aim to

become an integralpart of a school’ssupport network

to help them manage their

money properly.” Any property given as security which may include your

home, may be repossessed if you do not keep up

repayments on your mortgage or other debts secured

on it.



MIND THE GAPThere has been much talk in the media aboutwork-readiness, with pundits talking about aworkforce with plenty of qualifications onpaper, but without the attributes or skillsemployers actually need. As a College whichprides itself on working closely with thebusiness community, we wanted to seewhether this was a real concern for localcompanies. So we conducted research among107 businesses of all sizes, operating in a mixof industries.

Work Readiness - The Local PictureThose we questioned paint a mixed picture. Threequarters think there is a genuine issue with young

people not being work-ready, and for many theproblem is worsening. Only 14% think youngpeople are more work-ready than they were 5years ago and 31% think they are less.

The young peoples’ shortcomings range from poortime keeping, cited by almost half, and spendingtoo much time on their mobile phones during theworking day, mentioned by 44%, through to havingunrealistic expectations about what they shouldbe doing, an issue for 43%. The same numberof local businesses also says that youngeremployees are often too informal when dealingwith customers or senior staff.

Faced with figures like this it is all too easy tocome down hard on young people. However ourresearch also shows work-readiness is affected bya number of factors that are not within the controlof young people. For instance, 78% of employersbelieve work-readiness is massively improved ifa young person has had a part time job orwork experience, but such opportunities, in adownturned market can be in short supply. 88%say the attitude of the young person’s parent orcarer to work will be a huge influence. Businessesalso resoundingly say that schools and collegeshave an important role to play in the work-readiness debate.

Tim Keighley recently joined Aylesbury College as Director of Business and Curriculum Development. As someonewith senior business, teaching and Further Education experience, Tim is passionate about ensuring that young peopleare work-ready. So we asked Tim to outline where he feels the gaps are, and the steps Aylesbury College is taking toremedy the situation.

“We run a commercialgym plus Harding’sRestaurant whichis a fully functioningrestaurant…Such facilities provide

an invaluable insightand experience.”

Some of the AnswersAt Aylesbury College we’d wholeheartedly agree.We believe young people can be a tremendousasset but they need more help. So we’ve beenactively weaving into our curriculum importantadditional employability, enterprise and customerservice skills – all things which are a valuabledeterminant of someone’s work-readiness. Forinstance as part of their courses our hair andbeauty students gain practical experience workingin the reception area and managing stock control.We also have real-world working environmentswithin the College itself. These include a fullycommercial salon, where hair and beauty studentscan gain practical experience. We run a commercialgym plus Harding’s Restaurant which is a fullyfunctioning restaurant. We also have H’s Deliwhere apprentices hone their skills alongside theprofessional team. Such facilities provide aninvaluable insight and experience.

We also cover soft skills during tutorials and specialsessions. These include practical topics such ashow to talk to customers, the dress code for work,timekeeping, even how to enter a room, shake awould-be employer’s hand and maintain eyecontact during an interview.

Two-Way StreetWe are not doing such activities in isolation, as localbusinesses are an important part of the mix. So werun employer/student meetings during lunchhours. We also encourage companies to come inand talk to students about what it’s like to work intheir business or industry, the opportunities and theskills needed.

The recent Work Wise Week was a concentratedburst of such activity. During the week over 350young people attended an open event at theCollege to learn about CV writing, interview andpresentations skills and how to become work ready.Over 400 ‘have a go sessions’ were completed -where young people could have a go at skills suchas hair and beauty, carpentry and catering.Furthermore, 303 young people attended careerworkshops delivered by organisations and localbusinesses such as: the Royal Air Force, TaylorWimpey, Urban Media, Aquaforest, HoriganMarketing, Energy PR and Deafax.

Why It’s ImportantWe are doing all this because, as our own researchshows, young people are a tremendous asset tobusiness. Indeed 60% of local companies told us

young people bring extra energy to the workplace,53% said they are better at technology than mostexisting employees, 49% find them eager to learnand 48% say they are open to change. A further44% value they different perspective and freshideas that young people bring.

So it’s in all our interests to ensure young peopleare not just qualified but are truly work-ready –equipped with the attitudes, skills and experienceemployers need. Initiatives such as Work WiseWeek, plus embedding work-readiness throughoutour curriculum are important but we want to domore, and will. That’s why I’d welcome input fromemployers in terms of what you feel we should becovering.

To get in touch with me call 01296 780224 oremail [email protected]



Your chance to study for a creative media degree – in 2 years!

In schools and the world of Higher Education, SAE Institute Oxford is firmlyestablished as a dominant player when it comes to teaching creative mediatechnologies.

They have gained a global reputation for preparing students to becomeprofessionals, laying the foundation for their chosen career in the creativemedia industries.

SAE’s Littlemore Park facility (33,000 square feet) is not only a state of the artcreative media campus offering bespoke teaching facilities; it is also the worldheadquarters to 55 campuses in 27 countries. HRH the Duke of York acceptedan invitation from SAE Institute to attend the official opening as guest of honourand unveil a plaque declaring their new global headquarters officially open.

The Institute was the first to pioneer a combination of practical hands-ontraining with a solid theoretical grounding creating world-class professionals

specialising in audio production, 3D animation, digital filmmaking, gamesprogramming and web development.

Now, 37 years on, they are the world's largest creative media college andimmensely proud of their fast track 2-year BA/BSc (Hons) degree programmes,validated by Middlesex University.

Such is their standing within the creative media industries; they are able toattract the top industry names to speak at their distinguished guest lectures,sharing their experiences and knowledge with students.

Visit the campus and you will see that support is always on hand; putting theirstudents first and at the very heart of everything they do, providing excellentresources and exceptionally high standards of teaching that include one-to-onetutoring.

oxford.sae.edu

SAE INSTITUTE OXFORD


TRANSFORMING LIVESTHROUGH PERFORMING ARTSMagdalen Road has been home to Pegasus,one of Oxford’s most exciting arts venues forthe past 50 years. Following our major buildingredevelopment in 2010, the iconic coppercladding has housed a modern interior ofworld-class standards with its bar and cafe,theatre space, dance studio, dressing rooms,meeting rooms and workshops.

Fundamental to Pegasus is our belief that youngpeople are our future and we strive to engage,inspire and equip them for their lives ahead. Weare justifiably proud of our national reputation foryouth activities and opportunities. Last year alone,we held over 2,000 workshops and worked withmore than 9,000 young people, 137 artists and 87volunteers.

And at Pegasus, it is about so much more than ‘just’the performance. Throughout their time here,young people find that as their confidence andsocial skills develop, so they discover an aspirationto aim higher in life outside of Pegasus. Weabsolutely believe in empowering the young andnever cease to be impressed at how well they riseto the challenges of the leadership roles andresponsibilities we offer them.

Recently we sent a young representative to theUnited Nations in New York to take part in aninternational presentation of a performance calledthe Gaza Mono-Logues that we had staged here inOxford.

And during MESH, our international festival of youtharts, our Youth Theatre members not only performalongside groups from all over the world but areinvolved on the Planning Committee where theirresponsibilities range from attending meetings, toorganising advertising and PR to fundraising inorder to host the visiting groups.

Pegasus are now in the second year of our excitingCreate for Change project which aims to use thearts as a vehicle for young people to explore globalissues. Working with OXFAM, the Youth Theatre areexamining the topic: ‘Food, Poverty and Justice’ andwill perform in two unique shows and tour localschools, leading workshops and discussion on theissues raised. They are also busy behind the scenesdesigning costumes and sets and will take ontechnical roles for the shows, gaining hands-onexperience of stage-management, lighting andsound.

Through their involvement at Pegasus, the youngacquire a myriad of skills. Not just technical orperformance skills. Not just social and interpersonalskills as they work as part of, or lead, a team. Butmore than all of this, by their engagement in thewhole process of showcasing the performing arts,they are exploring who they are and who they havethe potential to be.

Rosanna, aged 18, has been a member of Pegasusfor 8 years. She has leant technical, leadership andteaching skills and even travelled to France and

Russia with the Youth Theatre Group. She nowworks as a Youth Assistant for the Design andMaking Group, leads sessions and is herselfdelighted now to be ‘playing a part in building theconfidence of other young people.’

Will joined Pegasus’ Youth Theatre Group at 8 yearsof age. He describes how he found an immediatehome and how members of staff quickly became ‘mentors and role models.’ He chose to pursue adegree in theatre, which led to an MA in Theatre atthe University of Exeter. He is now applying for aPHD. Will says ‘Institutions like Pegasus are part ofthe life blood of Great Britain, not just artistically,but socially as well.’

Pegasus would like to warmly thank all thecompanies who have supported us, includingDragon School, Finders Keepers, HMG Law,Henmans Freeth, John Wiley & Sons, Lucy’sProperties, MINI plant Oxford, Oxfam, Oxford BusCompany, Rotary Club Oxford, Roundtable, OxfordBrookes University, Oxford University Press,Torpedo’s and Unipart among many others.

If you would like to find out about the partnershipopportunities that your business could enjoy withPegasus, contact Bel Crewe 01865 812 173 oremail [email protected]

www.pegasustheatre.org.uk


COKETHORPE SCHOOLAbout Cokethorpe SchoolCokethorpe is a thriving and energeticcoeducational day school that offers the full 4 to18 age range with distinct but inter-dependentJunior and Seniors Schools on the same site. Itis a member of HMC, IAPS and The Society ofHeads. Founded in 1957, it is situated in 150acres of inspirational Oxfordshire parkland, twomiles from Witney, ten from Oxford. We operate 22bus routes, which encompass a large area, andover 70% use this service exclusive for Cokethorpepupils. There are a variety of scholarships andawards on offer and means-tested bursaries(financial assistance) are also available.

What are Cokethorpe’s Strengths?We strive for academic excellence without being ahothouse and we encourage our children tochampion their strengths and challenge theirweaknesses in a friendly, supportive and productiveenvironment. There are a lot of families with morethan one child in the school, catering for their sonsand daughters of differing ages. This contributes toour family atmosphere and we are proud of ourreputation for being a happy, stimulating and caringcommunity where children will flourish and excel.

How would you define a Cokethorpe pupil?We look for rounded individuals with enquiringminds who are open to learning with interest andenthusiasm and who achieve in as wide and varieda way as you can possibly imagine. Our pupils areencouraged to test and learn about themselves, todevelop a concern for others and to growintellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.They are purposeful, happy and unpretentious and

we encourage our pupils to understand thatlearning is a lifelong endeavour.

Tell us more about the Junior SchoolThe size of the Junior School is such that there is aperfect balance between being large enough toprovide a lively, diverse and enriching atmospherewith opportunities for trying many different things,sport fixtures, music ensembles and healthyacademic competition, and small enough for anintimate and caring environment where thededicated and enthusiastic staff know the childrenas individuals and there is a distinct sense ofbelonging and wellbeing. The Junior School retainsits distinct character whilst benefiting from beinglinked to the Senior School. Children get to knowolder pupils through shared activities and feel partof a wider community and they gain enormouslyfrom having access to the Senior School facilitiesand the academic and sporting specialist staff.Whilst the independence of the Junior Schoolensures a real sense of progress as children moveinto Year 7, the continuity in education means theywill benefit from knowing many of the Senior staffand the School site.

What about pastoral care?We take seriously the business of looking after ourchildren and value our reputation for outstandingpastoral care. The House system, personal tutoring,year-group specific social and health programmes,and a joint Anglican and Roman Catholicfoundation create a positive support structure. Allfocus on development of the whole person,encourage loyalty and participation, and instil asense of personal responsibility. Having pupils aged

four to 18 on the same site fosters an atmosphereof mutual support, where everyone knowseveryone else and looks out for each other.

What about academic matters?Through a process of target setting and progressreview evenings we aim to challenge our pupils toconsistently produce the very best they can. 2012saw our most successful GCSE and A Levelexamination results to date, with 41% achieving A*-As grades at GCSE and 73% achieving A*-B gradesat A Level. Nearly all students go on to HigherEducation, enrolling on a variety of degrees andfoundation courses, many at Oxbridge and RussellGroup universities.

What kinds of extra-curricular activities areon offer?In addition to the wider curriculum (trips,workshops and visiting lecturers) there are manyclubs and societies that extend the work ofacademic departments and encourage a diversityof interests. An hour at the end of each day andextended Friday lunchtimes are for an extensiverange of over 50 ‘AOB’ activities, from yoga toAmerican Football, and public speaking to Japaneseculture. In addition, a flourishing programme ofmusic, drama, art and sport provide numerousopportunities for pupils to get involved in concerts,performances and competitions of all kinds. Otheractivities include the Duke of Edinburgh’s AwardScheme, Young Enterprise, language exchanges,ski trips, sports tours and cultural trips abroad andthere is a World Challenge expedition to Thailandin the summer of 2013.www.cokethorpe.org.uk

BLOXHAM SCHOOLBloxham School has lined up an impressiveteam to jointly present its Annual Careers Fairto its 5th and Lower 6th form pupils at theschool in early March.

Representatives are drawn from the school’salumni, parents past and present and, teachersand governors and will offer advice and specialistknowledge on a rich diversity of future careersincluding Brewing, Design, Engineering, Fashion,Charity Sector, Journalism, ManagementConsultancy, Market Research, Marketing, Mediaand Film, Medicine, Aviation. Police, PublicRelations, Law, Surveying, Teaching (Secondaryand Primary) and Financial Services Industries.

This invaluable fair gives Bloxham pupils thechances to hear directly from local business andindustries the skills that are being sought in the ageof digital media and electronic communications.That the information is often coming from peoplewho one wore the Bloxham blazer makes thewhole experience so much more real and hasbeen appreciated by generations of Bloxhamists.

The Careers Fair complements other career workbeing carried out throughout the senior school.Bloxham is fully committed, for example, to theISCO ‘Inspiring Futures’ programme and‘Futurewise’ which sees pupils receive personalisedcareer guidance and planning following on from

the paper-based Morrisby psychometric profiling.‘Future Focussed’ Training, which involves 1 weekoff timetable at end of L6th develops Leadership,Presentation, Management and CommunicationSkills in an intensive body of work.(www.isco.org.uk)

Further practical business acumen can be pickedup by those who decide to join Bloxham’s ‘YoungEnterprise’ schemes each year. Although theschool’s popular Business Studies departmentspearheads the Young Enterprise Scheme theplaces are by no means limited to those followingthe Business Studies A level course. This schemehas been very successfully run at Bloxham over a


number of years and has seen the Schoolsuccessfully winning awards and even going abroadas one of the UK’s choisen representative teams.The pupils gain hugely from the experiences, fromthe failures as well as the successes. Coming upwith a product concept from scratch and involvingthemselves in the product design ,manufacturingand pricing, marketing and sales processes is asteep learning curve as is the face to face contactwith the general public at one of the many tradefairs where they try to sell their ideas and productsto the unsuspecting shoppers! It makes businesscome alive and provides them with manyimportant lessons for life.

A high percentage of Bloxham pupils will be lookingto extend their education at Universities andColleges post A Level and the options open toyoungsters has never been greater. Clearly thefinancial impositions on students in recent yearshas made choosing the right course and the right

university even more important than ever andworking hand in hand with the other careers adviceis guidance on plotting their way through the verycomplex and ever changing maze of highereducation and career options.

Further inspiration for Bloxham pupils (and theirparents!) will come at the Founderstidecelebrations in May when the guest key-notespeaker will be Melody Hossaini, a contestant inthe 2011 series of ‘The Apprentice’ on BBC TV.Although Melody was ultimately not the one hiredby Sir Alan Sugar she did leave with his accolade ‘awoman of exceptional ability, ringing in her ears.She is now putting those considerable abilities todriving her own Social Enterprise company‘InspirEngage International’. It is her inimitableinspiration and drive that Melody will be deliveringto the Bloxham pupils this year as she offers hersupport in building confident, work-ready andenterprising youngsters.

The life skill set that pupils need to leave formaleducation with has never been more importantthan it is today in a modern and global jobmarketplace. The ability to show flair, flexibility,imagination and to be prepared to go not just theextra mile but the extra 5 miles is key Bloxham isconfident that it will continue to turn out youngmen and women fit for purpose for the world thatawaits them and that they will be a generation thatwill become used to hearing the expression ‘You’reHired!’ as they enter the world of business andenterprise.

(The photo below shows the BloxhamYoungEnterpise Stand at the Cowley trade Fair 2013)

www.bloxhamschool.com



The launch of the partnership with Sennheisertook place in the audio studios of the HighWycombe-based University’s Gateway building.Professor Ruth Farwell, Vice Chancellor of BucksNew University, and Phil Massey, GeneralManager of Sennheiser UK Ltd, were guestspeakers at the event.

The partnership between the two High Wycombe-based organisations provides a range ofeducational benefits for students. It also includesthe renaming of the University’s main recordingstudio to ‘The Sennheiser Sound Lab’, with thecompany providing various equipment for use inthe studio, including state-of-the-art digitalmicrophones.

Sennheiser will also offer a scholarship, startingannually from September 2013 and worth £3,000,

to a talented second-year student studying BA(Hons) Audio and Music Production.

The company is also providing two, six-monthstudent internships. Third-year BA (Hons) MusicManagement students, Jamie Leeming andGemma Robinson, have already taken up the rolesat the firm’s headquarters in Century Point, HighWycombe, working as a marketing executive and aconsumer channel executive, respectively, followinga selection process involving interview workshops.

Jamie Leeming said: “The internship at Sennheisermeans everything to Gemma and I and creates anavenue into the industry before we have evenfinished university, which is something I think everystudent strives for.”

Other elements to the partnership includeorganising ‘industry insider’ days, in either the liveor broadcast market, for the second-year BA(Hons) Audio and Music Production student withthe best academic performance in a year. Thepartnership will also facilitate work with currentstudents, staff and alumni, to develop a wide rangeof online media assets for the company.

Prof Farwell said: “Students have increasinglyheightened expectations so universities need to beat the cutting-edge.

“Having access to equipment of the standardprovided by Sennheiser, as well as the expertise ofthe company's staff, is fundamental to what we canoffer and helps to put our students ahead of thegame when they graduate.

Buckinghamshire New University has launched an innovative education partnership with leading audio manufacturer,Sennheiser UK Ltd, which will create new industry-linked opportunities for students and focus their employability.

BUCKS LAUNCHESEDUCATION PARTNERSHIPWITH LEADING AUDIOMANUFACTURER

Prof Ruth Farwell and Phil Massey, pictured with students Jamie Leeming and Gemma Robinson


"This partnership is very good for the University andlikewise we hope that Sennheiser will benefit fromthe link-up. We would like to thank them for theirsupport and we are excited about the possibilitiesoffered through the partnership."

Phil Massey added: “The partnership with BucksNew University gives us the opportunity to investin the future of the industry and develop youngpeople and we are extremely pleased with the waythe relationship with the University has grown. Weare both gaining a lot from this partnership.

“We are keen to share our latest technology anddevelopments with Bucks and feel the range ofaspects making up this partnership will bebeneficial to both of us.”

Frazer Mackenzie, Head of the School of AppliedProduction & New Media, said the partnership wasa ‘hugely exciting development’ for the University.

He said: “Sennheiser is now one of the largestmicrophone, headphone and in-ear monitoringmanufacturers in the world. We’ve worked with thecompany for a number of years and this agreementwill bring a wide range of benefits to both theUniversity and our students, including providingstudents with a wealth of opportunities to gainemployability skills and help them in attaining jobs.”

w: bucks.ac.ukt: 0800 0565 660 e: [email protected]

“The partnershipwith Bucks New

University gives usthe opportunityto invest in thefuture of the industry and

develop youngpeople”

Phil Massey, General Manager of Sennheiser

Steve Levine, award-winning British record producer and honorary graduate of Bucks New University.


BRAVE NEW WORLD

Spend any time at Oxfordshire’s largest providerof vocational training and you are likely to beasked to part with some cash.

That’s not because Oxford & Cherwell ValleyCollege is short of funding, but because its studentsare busy developing the business acumen neededto succeed in today’s workplace.

Whether it’s the craftsmen in residence producingbespoke commissions at the prestigious NationalSchool of Furniture, fashion students sellingjewellery and tote bags, or hospitality and cateringstudents promoting the restaurant’s special offers,a commercial approach comes through loud andclear.

Of course it’s not just about making money. Walkinto any learning environment and you are likely tofind students engaged in projects with a real-worldflavour – whether it’s business students pitchingtheir marketing assignment to a Dragons Den-stylepanel of experts or creative media studentsdeveloping the brief for an external filming project.It’s an approach which has already caught theattention of Ofsted, which visited last year as itsought to identify best practice in promotingenterprise-related skills and the entrepreneurialcapabilities of 16 to 19-year-olds.

The focus is also forging closer links with localbusinesses, many of whom came along to thecollege’s first ‘conference season’ last October tofind out how students were being made ready foremployment.

Sally Dicketts, Chief Executive and Principal ofOxford & Cherwell Valley College (OCVC), said: “Intoday’s marketplace it is not enough for studentsto achieve a qualification alone. We need to equipour students with the transferrable skills thatemployers demand and that could also help themto succeed as one of the increasing number of newbusiness start-ups.

“Employment has changed radically in ageneration, and the way that we educate and trainour young people must also adapt so that they canthrive. We want to provide an environment wherestudents can develop real-world skills incommercial environments, where they can takerisks and develop their curiosity and resiliencethrough independent learning.”

The college is working at a local and national levelto promote grassroots enterprise as a member ofthe Gazelle Colleges Group, a cluster of furthereducation colleges using entrepreneurial principlesto drive educational reform. The network hasattracted some big names, including originalDragon’s Den panelist Doug Richard who will speakat OCVC in March. As a founder member ofGazelle, OCVC students also get access to initiativessuch as the Start-Up Britain bus tour, which broughta host of young entrepreneurs and businessadvisers to the Oxford campus last year.

OCVC recognises that to promote an enterprisingculture, it needs to walk the talk. To this end it hasset up its own Community Interest Company,SweetFE, which operates as a social enterprise and

is able to generate income for social good. SweetFEis connecting a group of around 50 ambassadors– drawn from the local business community andfrom the college’s own staff team. Theseambassadors act as mentors for new studentbusinesses (through an incubation scheme) andalso meet to develop ideas that will generateincome or improve ways of working. Among thesuccess stories have been SweetFE Learning, anonline resource where students can have theirwork published, and the Oxford campus car parkingscheme which generated £70,000 in its first year.

Sally said: “We realise that we need to embody thebehaviours and principles that we are helping ourown students to develop. SweetFE has helped usto achieve a cultural shift which is now being feltacross the sector and which is also improving linkswith the local business community.

“In the year ahead we will be further developingour approach by establishing learning companies,which will provide students with employment aswell as a qualification and enable us to build on thework to date.”

If you are a local business and would like to findout more about SweetFE or other ways to getinvolved in the work of Oxford & Cherwell ValleyCollege, contact [email protected].

www.ocvc.ac.uk

An enterprise academy, business incubation scheme and commercial operations led by teams of talented students.It may not sound like your typical further education college, but Oxford & Cherwell Valley College is leading a freshapproach to education that equips young people for success.

IN PRINCIPALPrincipal Lesley Donoghue is a big part of theon-going change at Reading College and, havingworked in Further Education for twenty fi veyears, Lesley’s passion and commitment are stillat their maximum today. She recognises what ishappening all around her and knows whatneeds to be done to achieve the excellence thatshe knows Reading College and its students arecapable of.

Lesley has been the Principal at Reading Collegesince its change from Thames Valley University tothe much improved educational facility that it istoday; she has given the present and futurestudents more choice for their chosen careers withcourses that will give a wide range of paths to selectfrom. Implementing courses that range from Level1 to Level 4, the College has opened up new doorsto allow in students from all backgrounds because,as Lesley puts it, “it is a challenge to break that cycleand to move into employment and to get ready foremployment”. Reading College is doing its level bestto help students from disadvantaged familieswhere, historically, qualifi cations are rare andunemployment more frequent, to improve theirquality of life.

The college wants people to ‘get their fi rst foot onthe ladder’ and have helped them do this bydeveloping short programmes that will enable themto work effectively within the college and be able tomove on quickly into employment. As Lesley states‘direction is all and achievement is all’ and these‘short and sharp’ programmes enable them toprogress quicker which is especially useful forpeople who can’t or don’t feel like they could stayin education for a full year.

Education is a key institution necessary for oursociety to grow both in knowledge and awarenessof the expanding opportunities of the world, not justin Reading. There is so much out there for students,whether they are from state school or public schooleducation and Lesley is quite obviously aware ofthat. “Sometimes, further education colleges tendto do their own thing and don’t always take accountof what’s happening around them, but certainly we,in this college, intend to do that and are doing that.”

Lesley continues to build strong links with localbusinesses for work experience and apprenticeshipsto help both staff and students obtain a vitalunderstanding of the skills needed and whatbusinesses want from their employees. ReadingCollege provides students with the training neededto successfully excel, in part, due to these closelinks and the insider knowledge provided fromthe employers.

The joining of Reading College with B4 Magazinehas enabled the college to obtain a strong tie withoutside employers. Aiding students by giving themmore opportunities to thrive within their courses,whether it be Media, Graphic Arts, English or Maths,there are options available for everyone that willgive them something more; if they apply touniversity or go into full time work - whatever paththey choose- having real working-life experience isinvaluable. “The opportunity to work with B4 hasbeen incredible. Giving students a taste of real lifebusiness is invaluable for them. We recently had astudent photograph Sir John Madejski at ReadingFC and others have presented their ideas to B4about design improvements. We are nowwelcoming B4 clients to the College to have

professional photographs taken for the magazineand this is all gold dust for the students andreinforces our links with the business community.”Commented Lesley.

It is hoped that in 2012, Reading College’sUniversity Technical College will be opened as afantastic addition to Reading itself. Reading’s UTChas been recently approved by the Government’sUTC nationwide programme and intends toproduce highly qualifi ed staff for specialised roleswithin cutting edge technological companies.

As tuition fees rise for universities, colleges likeReading College are going to be in more demanddue to the increased opportunities available, suchas the Level 4 courses which provide pre-degreelearning and compliment any further education.

At Reading College there is currently one Level 4Art and Design Foundation course and two more tobe added next year which will be 2 yearprogrammes; one in Business and Enterprise, theother in Childcare which will ‘give students moreopportunities to stretch’ and it can be seen thatReading College is a ‘great stepping stone’ foruniversity. But Lesley has made it clear that ReadingCollege ‘gives the best opportunity of increasingstudent’s life chances’ and that’s what any studentwould want from an educational institution; wherethey feel they have an opportunity to do more, tobe more.

www.reading-college.ac.uk

Reading College students Gloria Arias and Jack Phillips met with their Principal, Lesley Donoghue, to find out moreabout the College’s ethos and future plans. This article was written and designed by Gloria and Jack.



Photography Carolina Soler G

omes

• 1955: Opened as Reading College of Technology

• Later became Reading College and School of Arts and Design

• 2004: became part ofThames Valley University

• 2010: Re-launched as Reading College

• 6000 local learners

• 900 further education courses

• Wide range of Entry Level to Level 5 courses

• Curriculum includes: IT, engineering, hair and beauty, health and social care, construction, accountancy, business, creative arts and media,

catering and A-levels

• Wide range of apprenticeships with local businesses

• Varied higher education programmes

• University Technical College (UTC) specialises in computer science

and engineering

• Industry partners of the UTC include Microsoft, Cisco, Peter Brett Associates, Network Rail and University of Reading

MISSIONTo help local people maximise their talent,knowledge and skills through a stimulatinglearning experience which gives them the edge to compete in Reading’s enterprising

global economy.

“A teacher affects eternity, he can never

tell where his influence

stops.”

Emailed Newsletter Link (B4)

18% 12%

70% Telephone Survey

Telephone Call, Email link sent

Networking & Events

The Magazine

Other

Website, Email & Newsletters

Referrals

Workshops & Seminars

4%6%8%

16%

34%

32%


The BriefB4 and Lingo Telemarketing partnered to create a survey of 313 B4 memberswith certain aims in mind, to include;

1. To check that the B4 membership is happy, 2. To find out what other features/ activities they would like from the B4 membership and 3. Within their ownbusinesses, B4 members were asked what sales and marketing activities weremost popular in 2012 and what they will be focusing on in 2013.

The market research campaign took place over several days in late December2012 and early January 2013.

Campaign Outcomes – see Figure 1Of the 313 customer records on the B4 database, 51 scripts were completedin total (16%). Of the 51 completed surveys, 6 (12%) were completed as a result of theonline B4 Newsletter link and 45 (88%) as a result of telemarketing interaction.36 (70%) were completed over the telephone with a telemarketer and 9(18%) were completed online as a result of the telemarketer conversationfollowed by an emailed link to the survey. These figures demonstrate the valueof telemarketing and follow up.

Companies ContactedFrom the 51 companies that completed the survey, a high proportion (39%)of these companies are in the business and professional services industrysector. Business efforts were focused either nationally or internationally for 35%of the companies whilst the remaining companies’ focus was in southerncounties only.

Areas where B4 is most valuedB4 members were asked to rank the major reasons for continuing membershipas either Strongly Agree, Agree, Somewhat Agree and Don’t Agree. Theresponses were as follows:

In more detail, with the focus on networking in 2013, 10 people said theywould like to see a change of format including an increase in networkingevents. Holding networking events in a wider range of local areas was alsorequested by 10 people. Some people asked for introductions at events anda list of attendees, although it is a B4 policy not to give out a list of attendees.

Every respondent agreed, to some degree, that the quality of the magazinewas a reason for their membership – 39% strongly agreeing. 35% of peoplestrongly agreed that the B2B networking opportunities were a reason for theirmembership. However, some members are beginning to complain of a lackof focus in the magazine – what they’d like is more concentration on newcompanies, and more focus on themes, although few suggestions were made.We would like direct examples from our members.

The email newsletter was least valuable, with 23% of people disagreeing thatthis was a reason to continue the membership. It is interesting that one of thecompanies who said that they did not agree that the email newsletter was ofsignificant value to them, did complete the survey via the online newsletter.

B4’s areas for focus are therefore the website, which is being revamped in2013 with some great new features enabling members to communicate witheach other and their staff more easily, and the e-mail Newsletter which is nowbeing sent out each week rather than on an ad hoc basis.

Focus for 2012 – see Figure 3When asked where they had focused their new business activity in 2012, 96%of companies said via their company website and through networking andmemberships. 70% of companies said they used PR (such as editorial andnewsletters) as well as social media.

When asked to rank these activities as 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice, the mostpopular first choice was networking, with 27% of companies putting this activitytop and 19% of companies putting networking as their most popular secondchoice.

It is interesting that telemarketing (21%) came out below direct mail - emailand post - (56%) as an activity focus for 2012 as this survey statistically provesthat telemarketing is significantly more successful than direct mail in achievingresults. In this survey, 88% of the completed surveys were a direct result oftelemarketing activity opposed to 12% from email activity.

Focus for 2013 – see Figure 4When asked which business development activities they plan to focus on in2013, the majority of companies (72%) are focusing on networking andmemberships, followed by company website (66%) and social media (62%).

If you'd like to comment on these findings or provide us with morefeedback on your membership, please contact us on: 01865 742211.

We asked B4 members, Lingo Telemarketing, to hit the phones and ask our B4 members where we were going rightbut, more importantly, where we could make improvements. After all, the only way to keep everyone happy is tokeep moving forwards. Lingo also took the opportunity to ask our members how they would be winning new businessin 2013. With thanks to Su, Penny and Antonia.

IS B4 SPEAKING YOUR LINGO?

q COMPLETE SURVEY BREAKDOWN w AREAS WHERE B4 IS MOST VALUED

Aspect Strongly Agreeor Agree

SomewhatAgree

Don’tAgree

B2B Networking Opportunities 76.5% 17.6% 5.9%

Raises Your Company Profile 82.4% 11.8% 5.9%

Local Business & Community News 70.6% 17.6% 11.8%

Mix of Business Sectors / Industries 76.4% 17.6% 5.9%

Quality Events 76.5% 19.6% 3.9%

Quality Magazine 86.3 13.7% 0%

Website Features 58.8% 27.5% 13.7%

E-Mail Newsletter 49% 27.5% 23.5%

Direct Mail(Email & Post)

Field Sales Activities 37.3% (19)

37.3% (19)

37.3% (19)

21.6% (11)

58.8% (30)

58.8% (30)

70.6% (36)

70.6% (36)

96.1% (49)

96.1% (49)

56.9% (29)

Telemarketing

Events / Roadshows

Networking / Memberships

Company Website

Social Media

Digital

Other (specified)

100 20 30 40 50

Advertising (e.g.Magazine, Radio)

PR (e.g. Editorial,Newsletters)

Networking / Memberships

Company Websites 66.7% (34)

25.5% (13)

17.6% (9)

62.7% (32)

47.1% (24)

39.2% (20)

35.3% (18)

33.3% (17)

43.1% (22)

33.3% (17)

72.5% (37)

Social Media

PR (e.g. Editorial,Newsletters)

Direct mail (Email & Post)

Field Sales Activities

Advertising (e.g.Magazine, Radio)

Digital

Telemarketing

100 20 30 40

Events / Roadshows

Other (specified)


B4 SPOTLIGHT

e LOOKING BACK ON 2012, WHICH ACTIVITIES DID YOU USE TO GENERATE NEW BUSINESS?

r WHICH BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES DO YOU PLAN TO FOCUS ON IN 2013?

It’s the little touches which make the difference.The clever shaping of the entrance drivecentrepiece hedges into sheep as you drive into The Manor, the hotel’s new signature logo, isingenious and has instantly provided TheManor, formerly Weston Manor Hotel, with anidentity which relaxes its guests and adds atouch of humour.

Overseeing the transformation, Christian Kaberghas a background steeped in qualityestablishments including The Goring, Great Fosters,Le Meridian Piccadilly, London Hilton Park Lane andThe Lanesborough, and he is certainly relishing inhis role at The Manor. “We decided that, as wewere starting with a blank sheet of paper, we wouldgive the hotel a new name and anew identity.Hence, the sheep. The real ones which reside inthe grounds, were to be our signature and we haveused them across everything – our smart newbrochures, menus, dressing gowns, everything –and they have been very well received. With overtwenty four years of experience within hotels,restaurants, contract catering and a privatemembers club, I have managed to create a verybroad knowledge of our industry. I am nowimplementing these skills by turning The Manorinto a luxurious retreat, a haven for the morediscerning guest where service, excellence and

quality are taken for granted.”

It’s a project Christian and his team can rightly beproud of. Under the former owners, I was nevershown past the front reception but ever since ourfirst meeting back in September, Christian hasoutlined to me what was to be done to what hasnow been completed and it has been a pleasureto see the overhaul step by step, to see his and thenew owner’s vision come to fruition. Although thereare still changes in the pipeline, the results to dateare stunning.

Prior to checking in, I was to meet Christian and hisExecutive Chef, Tyrone MacConnell, for a meetingabout the 2013 Oxfordshire Restaurant Awardswhich are taking place at The Manor on 1stOctober. We were meeting in the new Snug, theold hotel’s offices, which provide a light and airyspace in which to have private meetings orafternoon tea – we did both! The adjacent morningroom has had a similar makeover, with sumptuousfurnishings and tasteful décor. These aresophisticated spaces which have really elevated theproperty to five star status.

Tina was to meet me later at the hotel so I took theopportunity after the meeting to check in and relaxin our beautifully appointed room. It was a real

home from home room, with everything you mightneed, most importantly an amazingly comfortablebed which became too hard to resist after a longweek – an hour later I was awoken by a knock atthe door after falling into a deep slumber.

Tina was ready so I quickly changed and we madeour way to the bar for a pre dinner drink. A first! Wewere actually early for a review and it gave us timeto enjoy the property and take our time with amuch anticipated drink, my first of 2013! We tookto our high chair seats at the bar of Bertie’s, astunning hotel bar with a spectacular drinks display,rich green walls and dark wooden furniture,adorned by hunting art and fabulous equinesculptures. This was a bar, a real bar and Vito, theattentive Italian bar tender, was on hand with mymedicine and an astonishing mind of informationabout our drinks, his homeland and life generally.It was a wonderful way to start the evening.

Francisco, our attentive maître d’, showed us themenus so we could prolong our stay in our newfavourite bar, so we deliberated over the mouth-watering choices for a good fifteen minutes beforemaking our way to The Baron’s Hall, accompaniedby the hotel’s resident dog, Holly, a beautiful goldenretriever who never left our side in the communalspaces of the hotel but who knew the restaurant

Undergoing a major refurbishment, The Manor at Weston-on-the-Green is enjoying not only a facelift but acomplete rejuvenation. Under the expert stewardship of General Manager Christian Kaberg and his morethan able team, the new owners are creating a gem just five miles from Oxford.

YOUR MANOR


B4 WIDER

was a no go zone.

Dating back to the 11th century, the Baron’s Hallhas been carefully restored to show its linen foldoak-panelling to ensure an unsurpassed diningexperience. Above the Baron’s Hall is the originalMinstrel’s Gallery where private dining parties upto sixteen take place. The five course tasting menuchanges daily, and Tina went for this whilst I chosefrom the full à la carte menu, accompanied by a

glass or two of chilled Macon Villages, whilst Tinaplumped for a glass of champagne. Our scallops,pigeon, honey roast duck and beef, plus a fewmore courses for Tina, not to mention the rhubarband custard we shared for desert were allpresented immaculately and the tastes werespectacular. We couldn’t find fault in any way andour waiter was attentive throughout, offering anexcellent knowledge of the food we were enjoying.

We were so enchanted with the bar that we made

our way there for an after dinner drink and moreinspirational chit chat with Vito, by now ourfavourite bar tender in the world! But that bed wassoon calling and we said our goodnight’s to Vito,Francisco and Holly and enjoyed a peaceful night’ssleep and woke to snow on the lawn – a magicalsight!

We showered and returned to The Baron’s Hall forbreakfast, where naughty Danish, egg’s benedict

and scrambled eggs and salmon were our choices.Once again, attentive and polite service and a firstclass breakfast to set us up for a day out.

The Manor provided us with a real ten out of tenexperience. Great food, excellent service and awonderful room. If this is part way through therefurbishment, well, we’ll just have to check out thefinished article, won’t we!

themanorweston.com

The Manor at Weston-on-the-Green has 28beautifully appointed rooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. With only the finest bedlinen, pillows and beds to ensure you havea night of sweet dreams. Enjoy the rangeof luxury bath & body goodies, and wrapup in a fluffy dressing gown.

Settle in and enjoy the view from yourwindows. Help yourself to a glass ofcomplimentary sherry as you unwind. Roomservice is available for a more private evening,or for a relaxing breakfast in bed.

In the grounds of The Manor you will findmuch to please: discover the hidden knotgarden – scene of many secret trysts over theyears. Pick up a mallet and enjoy a game ofcroquet on the lawn. The team of gardenersplant and tend for all seasons. Languidly orenergetically, revel in the heated pool. Enjoy adrink and a snack on one of the beautifullyappointed terraces and watch the sun set overthe fields beyond.

The gardens at The Manor at Weston-on-the-Green are designed to celebrate the changingseasons. Stroll along the scented lavenderwalk in summer, or wander through thewoodlands during autumn and listen to thebirdsong.

Discover the secret Wedding garden, perfectfor a summer celebration. Slip through anopening in the yew hedge and you will findthe heated outdoor swimming pool, whereyou can relax with a drink after your dip.

The south and west facing terraces invite youto linger as the sun sets, and lights the warmstone of the beautiful Manor.

Celebrate the seasons at The Manor atWeston-on-the Green with changing menus toreflect the best in local, seasonal produce. Thekitchen brigade is led by Executive ChefTyrone MacConnell. Take your time to enjoythe fabulous five-course tasting menu in theoak-panelled Baron’s Hall; relax in Bertie’s Barwith a sandwich made with the finestMontgomery cheddar. Soak up the sun on theTopiary Terrace and indulge yourself withfreshly cooked fish and chips, or treat yourloved one to a Champagne afternoon tea inthe elegant Morning Room. The Manor cancater for all your requirements, from breakfastto a midnight snack.

themanorweston.com

Visit The Manor for the B4 Event on 2ndOctober - sign up at the B4 website.

“We decided that, as we were starting with a blanksheet of paper, we would give the hotel a newname and anew identity. Hence, the sheep”

MORE ABOUTTHE MANOR


B4TV –7 MINUTE SUCCESSINTERVIEWS

Something new from B4 – the first in a new series of 7 Minute Success Interviews starting with the manbehind the success of one of Oxfordshire’s leading firms of solicitors, Simon McCrum of Darbys. So whyvideo? We talk to B4’s very own presenter and B4 member, Jackie Jarvis, who helped B4 come up with theidea.

“I initially approached B4 about a series of coaching videos, but wesoon realised this would be time consuming, costly and there wouldbe no guarantee that we’d generate the web traffic. Attention spansare becoming shorter and shorter these days, so Richard and I decideto focus on what B4 is good at, delivering good news. We felt that bypackaging an interview into a specific time period, on an interestingsubject, would be the way to go.

“And so the B4 7 Minute Success Interviews were born and we had theopportunity to interview the charismatic Simon McCrum, Managing Partner ofDarbys at the fantastic new Conference Annexe at the Said Business School. It

was the perfect setting, and with the expert skills of Sander Aben and XXXX atShining With Productions we put the first interview together.

“Through the series of B4 7 Minute Success Interviews I aim to get to the heartof what ambitious business owners have actually done to really makesomething great happen in their business. I believe that we can learn a lot fromthose who have overcome challenges, have a real passion for what they doand have taken brave and positive action to make their businesses work well.There are a lot of really interesting, inspiring people in businesses of all typesand sizes who have a story to tell and have implemented strategies that achievepositive results


“I want the B4 Success Interview series to capture the best of what has madea ‘real difference’ when growing a business. We are looking for business

owners who want to share their insights to inspire others. I will help you tocapture this through our relaxed video interviews and you just have to tell us

how you have made it happen!

So if you think you’ve got what it takes to be the star of the show, get in touchwith B4 now. Packages for the B4 Success Interview start at £1,750+VAT andinclude a double page spread in B4 Magazine, use of the video for your ownwebsite and other media and our promotion through B4 on Twitter, e-Newsletter and the magazine. If you want to make your interview part of amore in depth company video, we can arrange for this alongside the SevenMinute Interview so you have the complete package to promote your business.

Call us now on 01865 742211 and if you’d like to see the results of ourinterview with Simon, log on to www.b4-business.com and click on Videoand Photo.

“I believe that we can learn a lot fromthose who have overcome challenges,have a real passion for what they doand have taken brave and positive action to

make their businesses work well”


B4 MARKETING

Phot

ogra

phy:

Rob

Scot

cher

The B4 Bike Ride - Edinburgh to OxfordMay 24th to May 27th, 2013

The B4 Bike Ride launched in 2012 with our 270 mile trip from Paris to Blenheim Palace. The 2013 challenge sees the group cycle from Edinburgh to Blenheim Palace, a 411 trek over four days.With five great charities to raise money for, why don’t you get involved…or even join us?!

How To Get Involved

Shirt SponsorGet your company logo on the team shirt from just £50 – contact the office to book.

Come on the Ride Want to really get involved? Why not join us. We have 5 spaces remaining and would love to

have you on the ride with us. Contact the office to find out more.

Restaurant Partner

Make a donation

We have five fabulous charities that we are riding for. Log in to the donation page below and make your donation today!

http://virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamb4

Cheque donations can be made payable to 'B4 Bike Ride' – please send your cheques to B4 Charity Bike Ride, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford OX3 0BT

HotelsBanking Partner Accommodation Partner Finish Line Partner

Communication Partner Media Partner Support Vehicle Partner Fitness Partner

GREG BARNESBreckon & Breckon

“I want to be challenged and this is a bigone – really looking forward to it. It’s a longway but I am sure as a team we will pull ea-chother through. Heard great things about theParis ride so can’t wait for the trip from Edin-

burgh in May!”

Rob ScotcherB4 Magazine

“I really enjoyed the ride from Paris to Oxfordlast year. Not only was it a great experience,but the team were a fantastic support and wereally gelled as a unit, both on and off the

road. Can’t wait for this year.”

Richard RosserB4 Magazine

“Last year was quite a mountain to climb butwe got there – the rest of the team were a

massive support and helped me up more thanone tough hill! This year we’ve raised the bar

again – it will be a real test.”

Tim SpittlesHawkwell House Hotel

“I have always thought about getting involvedin more organised rides connected to charity,and this seemed an ideal way to combine

getting involved with B4 and doing somethingthat I enjoy. The sense of achievement will be areal buzz for me, the group and for Helen and

Douglas House”

John F KennedyWildbore & Gibbons LLP“The B4 Team is always a great group of

people to cycle with and the camaraderie fromdoing such a challenge is a wonderful

experience. I am glad to be part of a really diverse team who will all work together toachieve the joint goal – getting to Blenheimand raising as much money as possible!”

Ciaran Cullen

JOIN THE 2013 B4 BIKE RIDE - WE HAVE

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US ON THE RIDE, PLEASE CALL RICHARD NOW TO BOOK YOUR SPACE – JUST 5 SPACES REMAINING!!!!Call 01865 742211 or see oxfordshire.b4-business.com

intouch crm“Last year I took part in the Great North Run

and decided I wanted a different challenge thisyear. I have never really cycled any great

distances I believe this will be the toughestchallenge yet! I’m actually looking forward togetting stuck into the training and the ride

itself.”

Graham UptonHigh Sherfiff of Oxford

“I've done a lot of long rides including Land'sEnd to John O'Groats, C2C and even Newcastleto Edinburgh but mainly on my own or in verysmall groups and I'm looking forward to ridingwith a big group with fullback up. The routelooks great and should be a brilliant ride.”

Mark Attwood, Gavin Smith and the team Browns Oxford

Craig AstonAston & James

“First, it will be great to raise money for thevery worthy charities we are riding for and sec-

ondly it will be great to ride alongside mybrother and build some good business relation-

ships as well as friendships”

Darren AstonAston & James

“I was impressed with the effort the team putin last year! It really did sound like something I

wanted to be a part of this year. I like a challengeand I am very much looking forward

to it”

Jackie JarvisMarketingco

“I do always what I can to support the cancercharities. My father died of cancer 5 years agoand I feel that it is important to do all we canto help other sufferers. He would be very proud

of our efforts.”

Nigel PursallOrangestripe

“I really enjoyed the camaraderie lastyear. It was superb and looking forward to itagain with some of the 'Paris 12' plus some

new faces. I can’t wait to take part in this ride!there will be the feeling that another large

challenge has been achieved!”

Stuart PalmerBower & Bailey

“I am taking part in the B4 Charity Bike Ride tochallenge myself. It provides a great

opportunity to really get to know my fellowparticipants.My wife’s mother died of cancer

and my parents have luckily both survived can-cer in recent years so this is a chance to do

something positive”

Rupert ReidSecurity Exchange Ltd“No-one who has witnessed Helen and

Douglas House’s work in helping both childrenand their families deal with the last few precious days of their lives can fail to be

moved. I am riding to raise funds so that theycan continue their fantastic work”

James WhiteIntouch CRM

“We have extended the distance this year aswell and so riding 130 miles in 1 day is goingto be a real challenge, but I am up for it.

It will be great to raise money for charity andalso for a personal cause that I am supporting

here in Somerset where I live”

YOU?

DESTINATION BLENHEIM PALACE...A ROLE TO PLAY ON THEGLOBAL STAGE

From high-end weddings with guest lists thatcould often rival most celebrity newspapercolumns, through to James Bond themed teambuilding events, exquisite fine diningexperiences, and a strong British heritage,Blenheim Palace has it all.

But all isn’t enough for the team behind BlenheimPalace who have bigger plans in mind. As Head ofSales, Paul Liczbinski’s challenge is to transform hisvision into reality, enabling surrounding businessesto benefit from the success of Blenheim Palace inaddition to supporting Oxford internationally.

“I joined Blenheim Palace in November 2011 soI’ve had a good 12 months here to put groundroots down, and in that time I’ve built a strong teamwho have proven their experience and capability ofdelivering a busy calendar of high-end and bespokeevents,’ explains Paul Liczbinski.

“Last year, we were very much focused on ourhome market, but Blenheim Palace has a fargreater reach and appeal than that. The Olympicsprovided a strong showcase for the UK as adestination to host events and it is now time forbusinesses to ensure they profit from that success.”

Paul Liczbinski is looking further afield than the UK

with a destination marketing strategy that spansEurope, Middle East and African markets (EMEA). “Our marketing and sales plans include exhibitingat international shows to ensure that BlenheimPalace and Oxford are noticed, pushing us to theforefront of event organiser’s minds. This willinclude taking a stand at IMEX in Frankfurt.

We will also target conference and event organiser’sdefined by sector, for example, oil and gas, banksand insurance companies. We are working closelywith Visit Oxfordshire to ensure the county isshowcased on a global stage.”

International plans for Blenheim Palace go hand-

in-hand with a fruitful partnership Paul Liczbinski isdeveloping with a business a little closer to home. “Oxford Airport share similar ambitions to us andour offerings most definitely complement eachother. The airport has authorisation to fly peoplein from Lagos (Nigeria) and Moscow. People fromhigh-end markets now have the opportunity to flydirect to Oxford presenting a perfect opportunityfor a Blenheim Palace meet and greet.”

According to Nigerian newspaper, Punch, theacquisition of private jets is a luxury trend whichrose by 650 per cent between 2007 and 2012, anindustry worth a sum of $6.5bn in the last fiveyears. With this in mind, Paul Liczbinski continues:

“We would like to provide African events from finedining through to African weddings. I would like todo the same for Russian and Chinese events andweddings and have plans to strengthen ties inthose markets.”

Blenheim Palace is already one of the UK’s mostsought after wedding venues. This enables PaulLiczbinski to present a strong case to hold fourweddings per week, including Thursday andSunday, whilst ensuring that high standards aremaintained with only one wedding held at onetime.

2013 is the year that Blenheim Palace starts to realise its full potential, according to Paul Liczbinski, Headof Sales, as he explains ambitious plans for ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’ to B4 Magazine, writes Kelly Stroud.


B4 WIDER

“Last year, we werevery much focused onour home market, butBlenheim Palace hasa far greater reachand appeal than

that”

Conferences that wow

To support its expansion into other markets,Blenheim Palace is about to launch a newmeetings and conference offering. The Palacepresents a choice of seven impressive conferenceand meeting rooms that have recently undergonea facelift.

Blenheim Palace offers a number of conferencepackages and have the staff and capability toprovide bespoke events delivered to an extremelyhigh standard with options available for a widerange of budgets.

The Palace has also recently formed a partnershipwith nearby Heythrop Golf Course, which can nowbe extended to delegates.

Scope for new events

Visitors to Blenheim Palace can already experiencea vast array of events from The Blenheim Triathlonthrough to Sunday Jazz Brunch and there are plansto introduce a series of food entity based eventslater this year with themes such as canapé making,defined champagne tastings and cocktail making,to name a few.

Paul Liczbinski still has ambitions to add more toan already busy calendar: “We are Britain’s GreatestPalace and in terms of event venues in the UK, Iwould place us in the top five for quality, size ofevent and flexibility. We have 2,100 acres andcould easily host a client event for up to 12,000people.”

“The Palace is only just starting to realise its fullpotential and we are now bringing the right peopletogether to ensure it happens. Whether it is awedding, fine dining event or conference, ourevents will always be tailored to suit our clients’individual needs and treated with utmostconfidentiality.

“One thing is for sure, we can absolutely guaranteethat Blenheim Palace has the ‘wow factor’ thatguests will always take away with them,” concludesPaul Liczbinski.

Blenheim Palace is home to the 11th Duke andDuchess of Marlborough, and is the birthplace ofSir Winston Churchill. The Palace was created aWorld Heritage Site in 1987, in recognition of itsarchitectural importance.

Set in over 2,000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brownparkland in the heart of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds,Blenheim Palace is a world-renowned visitorattraction and a superb venue for weddings,banqueting and conferences. Blenheim Palace is“Britain’s Greatest Palace”.

If you are interested in hosting an event atBlenheim Palace, contact 01993 813874 or [email protected]. To keep up todate with Blenheim Palace news and events, visitwww.blenheimpalace.com


“We are Britain’s Greatest Palace and interms of event venues inthe UK, I would placeus in the top five forquality, size of event

and flexibility”

Claire Styles talks to B4 about the forthcoming changes at WILA and the excitement surrounding its 20thyear of trading here in the UK.

EXCITING TIMESIn February 1993 Mike Collett joined the thenWILA Leuchten GmbH, Iserlohn, Germany andthe UK operation of WILA Lighting Limited wasformed in September of 1993. The WILAbusiness was started in Mike’s home with somegarden furniture that was used for a desk andchair, a mobile phone and a fax machine andone other member of staff.

WILA moved into its Didcot offices in September1993, before relocating to its current offices inGrove, Wantage 7 years later, and November 2010saw the opening of WILA UK’s manufacturingfacility in Abingdon. Claire explains, "As thebusiness grew in size and success we alwaysretained the family feeling mentality with thepeople we employ, and this now forms part of thecompany culture. She continues “We are a veryclose knit team and believe in and understand ourvalues. Trust, honesty, integrity and respect areessential ingredients to ensuring our continuedsuccess as a profitable business unit. WILA boastsa large company ethos through our means ofrecognition and remuneration. We are proud tohave been accredited with IIP since 1997. This initself is a huge achievement following the dramaticchanges within the standard, the demise of fundingand support networks such as Business Link, andthe fact that we remained accredited as an Investorin People during our own period of change andthrough the MBO process”.

2013 is a BIG year for WILA in the UK for morethan one reason; It is not just the 20th year oftrading, but WILA will also be celebrating the launchof the NEW WILA Vision and Strategy, the NEWarchitecturally led website and the introduction andlaunch of the NEW and exciting alphabet range inthe coming months, whilst maintaining a leanoperation here in the UK.

Claire goes on to say “WILA currently employs 33members of staff across the two sites in the UK andan additional 100+ in Germany”. Claire proudly tellsus that out of the 33 employees, 6 have been withthe company over 10 years, including herself anda further 10 over 5 years. As much as we wouldlike this to be higher we recognise and understandthe changing industry and markets we operate in.

Claire explains that WILA has introducedan Apprenticeship Scheme this year, withapprenticeships available within administration andtechnical Sales support.

The successful individuals will be placed on a twoyear training plan and will work in each departmentfor a 3 month period whilst continuing to improvetheir knowledge and skills further. They will do thatinitially via the NVQ route and if successful they willhave the opportunity to go on to do professionallyrecognised qualifications. In previous years WILAhas supported numerous employees onapprenticeships, NVQ trainee schemes and

professionally recognised qualifications such as CIMMarketing Diplomas, MSc in Light & Lighting,Management & Leadership qualifications and anMBA.

Claire and the management team are passionateabout how all departments at WILA pridethemselves in delivering exceptional service andsupport whether that be from a sales inquiry,quotation, through to an order, productdevelopment, purchasing, assembly, post salessupport if required or an accounts or systemsquery. All departments are cross trained wherepossible to ensure that systems and processes arein place to meet all eventualities.

Claire goes on to say, “Oxfordshire itself has seenmany changes in recent years and although Oxforditself has a large number of people employed inuniversities and the public sector, it also hassignificant jobs in other sectors including publishing,tourism, hospitality and a growing hi-tech sectorfuelled by a highly-qualified workforce. Whetherthose positions be full time permanent, temporaryor part time it is difficult to get a real feel of theemployment statistics”. Claire is confident thatWILA will continue to be strong in a verycompetitive market as the team it has is highlyskilled and talented and is the vital ingredient to itscontinued future success.

www.wila.com


B4 WIDER

“Trust, honesty, integrity and respect are essential ingredients to ensuringour continued success as a profitable business unit”

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As birds begin to nest and snowdrops poketheir heads through the soil, many of usdecide our own habitats could do withbrightening up too. With this in mind,builders’ merchant Johnsons BuildbaseOxford will launch its 2013 landscapingcatalogues on 1 March 2013, aimed atattracting both the professional tradespersonand the DIY enthusiast.

Named National Builders Merchant of the Year2012, Buildbase is one of the UK’s fastestgrowing builders’ merchants with 130 branchesnationwide. Its flagship Oxford branch was thefirst to open and has its roots in the local firmfounded by the Johnson family more than 120years ago.

One of Oxfordshire’s oldest and most well-known businesses, the company’s five-acre sitein Cowley holds extensive stocks of all theprincipal timber and building materials neededto make the most of our living spaces. Allproducts are backed up with first-class customerservice provided by experienced and helpfulstaff.

Kitchens, bathrooms and tilesSince nothing improves the look – and value –of a property more than a revamped kitchen orbathroom, Johnson’s Buildbase is currentlyrunning a winter sale, which ends on 28February.

There are tempting bathroom offers galore, fromcomplete suites, shower sets and enclosures, toquality bathroom furniture. In addition, the saleincludes accessories such as taps, mirrors andtiles – the important finishing touches that canturn a tired bathroom into a stylish one.

In the kitchen department, selected kitchencarcasses have been reduced, as well as

worktops, hob and oven packs, and wastedisposal units, among other items.

Stumped for design ideas? A wander throughthe extensive kitchen, bathroom and tilesshowrooms at Watlington Road or a talk with aknowledgeable member of staff should inspireyou. The variety of high quality kitchen andbathroom collections on display ranges frommodern to traditional, and can fit most budgets.

“Since the showroom refurbishment wascompleted in time for Christmas 2012,” saysBuildbase Branch Manager, Craig Tarrant, “weare happy and encouraged by customers’responses to our new look. Our comprehensiverange and services cater for all budgets. We arepleased to be able to offer 0% finance and lookforward to the coming year.”

Garden landscapingWith the kitchen and bathroom spruced up andlooking good, it’s time to head outside to givethe garden a make-over. Here again, you are insafe hands. Buildbase prides itself on beingable to supply everything for the garden but theplants – although it does stock topsoil, turf andpre-planted sedum matting.

Attractive landscaping can greatly increase theappeal of the garden and is another way ofadding to the value of property. The Oxfordbranch stocks a wide range of timber and stoneproducts, as well as fixing products, includingsand and gravel, and preservative and cleaningproducts.

Hard landscaping materials available includestone, slate and tile paving, decorativeaggregates, walling, edging, fencing and gates.Timber garden products are another area ofexpertise. If you have a yen for creating a quietcorner in your garden, you’ll find a range of

NEW YEARINSPIRATION ATJOHNSONSBUILDBASEAt this time of year everyone’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts ofhome improvement. After the harshness of winter, this is theseason when people take a long, hard look at their homes andgardens – and find them wanting.

83

decking, arches, arbours, gazebos, pergolas, sheds andgarden furniture to choose from.

Unsure about tackling a job? Buildbase can provideinformation on construction and information, or directyou to a website where you’ll find help. If you are notintending to do the work yourself, branch staff can usetheir local knowledge to put you in touch with contractorsin the area.

As for completing the job, Hirebase, the plant, tools andequipment hire division of Buildbase, offers a widevariety of products to hire on a short or long-term basis.Hirebase can supply hand and power tools andequipment, as well as safety equipment and protectiveclothing. Whether it’s a shovel or a circular saw, aconcrete mixer or a sledgehammer, having the right toolmakes all the difference.

Going greenEnvironmental awareness is high on Buildbase’s agendaand the company has taken a number of greeninitiatives. It is committed to responsible sourcing andwherever possible products are sustainably sourced andethically traded. Most timber products, for example, areobtained from sustainable, well managed forests andwoodlands, and carry FSC and PEFC certification.

Continuing the green theme, Johnsons Buildbase stocksthe latest in rainwater harvesting systems to assistgardeners in coping with unpredictable weatherconditions. 2012 might have been one of the wettest onrecord but who knows what summer 2013 might bring?Wise gardeners are prepared for anything.

In addition, ‘green areas’ in the kitchen, bathroom andtile showrooms display sustainable products to helpconsumers cut their household heating and energy bills.

Long establishedWith a trading history that can be traced back generationsand a current reputation for providing outstandingcustomer service, Johnsons Buildbase is one of the mostrespected companies in the Oxford area, trusted andrelied on by both trade professionals and DIY enthusiastsalike.

Johnsons Buildbase Oxford is in Watlington Road,Cowley, where there is plenty of parking and easy access.

www.buildbase.co.uk

B4 PROPERTY

“Johnsons Buildbase is one of the most

respected companies in the Oxford area,

trusted and relied on by both trade

professionals and DIYenthusiasts alike”

As one of the U.K’s best known andexciting visual art talents, these last coupleof years have been non-stop for CarolPeace; she has completed work fornumerous exhibitions and commissions,nationally and internationally. An alumnusof The Prince’s Drawing School in London,Carol lives and works in Bristol, and in2011 was made a patron of The RoyalWest of England Academy.

Her new exhibition, entitled ‘Present’ at SarahWiseman Gallery will feature some of hernewest sculptural work, and for the first time,her drawings, allowing us an insight into thisother, vital side of Carol’s artistic practice.‘Drawing has always fed my work,’ she says.‘It’s not direct; I don’t draw someone thensculpt them. Sculpture is more about ideas,whereas for me painting and drawing is thepure but never simple act of looking andrecording.’

‘This show is about a recently recurring theme,‘The Present’’ she says. ‘It is a gift to see whatyou already have and to appreciate the now.I am ambitious…but there is a danger of notliving in the present, of regretting the past andalways looking to the future, but life is abouttoday…about being here, now.’

Carol is inspired by the everyday;relationships, friendships and sometimespoetry, using the human figure as a conduitfor these ideas and themes. A figure’s handsand feet may be proportionally enlarged,giving the impression of a mythical, partlyimagined, but expressive human being. Theyare often quietly reading, standing, or gazingskywards or sitting atop rock-like plinths;couples, sitting closely together, or solitaryfigures looking benignly on.

Some figures are verging on abstraction – in‘Take Me’ (pictured) the figure is stripped backof detail, and appears to be swept up by agust of wind, her hands transformed into agiant sail. It’s impossible not to feel upliftedjust by looking at it, imagining the sensationof being lifted.

‘‘Take Me’ was originally about intrinsicambition’, she explains, ‘but it is like many ofmy [other] pieces really, mostly aboutfreedom. To me freedom is what I imagine apianist feels after hours of practice, or adancer, after years of training, flies across thestage. It’s not carefree, but it is a great free, it’sintense, it’s exciting and thrilling’

A typical day in the studio starts early. ‘I am amorning person. There is a certain smugnessthat morning people have, but it’s just the waymy brain works best!’ she says. But as sheexplains, working as an artist isn’t all aboutsitting around, waiting for inspiration. ‘Beingan artist gives you a certain freedom, maybea certain pigheadedness, but you can’t forgetyour customers as otherwise you would beunable to make work any more; but at thesame time you have to remember the corereasons you are working and keep that asyour main focus’

‘The best days, I go in early, I unwrap my clayand move it around into shapes that I like. Ithink, I write…it’s hours and hours of [workingin] silence. From the outside it seems fun…it’s always intense’.

Throughout her career, Carol has created anumber of permanent, public sculptureswhich are in locations around the country. Buta sculpture could be overlooked as a viableway to live with art at home - In the every day,surely sculptures must be too expensive tobuy or simply too impractical to install? ButCarol is quick to dismiss this, clearly applyingher aforementioned ‘live for now’ logic tocollecting;

‘If I buy sculpture or painting I work out whereit’s going to go afterwards!’ she laughs. ‘It’sabout loving the piece [of art] not worryingabout where it will go – things change, youmove house…I tend to discuss various plinthideas with clients, but the usual advice is totreat the sculpture as they would a vase offlowers. They can also go outside, smallsculpture works well in a small or intimatearea of the garden. I’ve put tiny things outsidebefore.’

Artist Carol Peace discusses her artistic practice, her new soloexhibition at Sarah Wiseman Gallery, and the art of collecting sculpture.

B4: ART &INTERIORS


B4 SPOTLIGHT

So it would seem the days of needing a vast park-land or huge courtyard to show off a sculpturecollection are long gone; it’s possible to findsculptures that aren’t monumental in their scale.

Carol’s advice is to think of any purchase as you dowhen buying music – an initial outlay could in theend give you years of pleasure. She tries all the timeto make sure her art is attainable to as many aspossible. ‘I make sure some pieces are in biggereditions so that the time spent making, and themould costs are spread out over the edition.”

She adds that with her own art collection, she findsthe smaller works by artists that she likes, workingup to larger pieces when she can. She alsomaintains that while putting practical needs asidecan seem crazy at the time, but in the long run, theypay off. ‘I have customers who bought a Dali whenthey were a young couple, living in New York,before they had any furniture…they still have it now– only they have the furniture to hang it above! Itwas an incredible investment, but the best kind;one that has given them enormous pleasure overthe years.’

So what’s next for Carol? ‘I would like to make alarge version of ‘Take Me’ one about three metrestall. I will also be working in Barcelona for sixmonths this year, not for any particular reason otherthan to experience it and see where it leads. I tendto get inspired from working. When I make a pieceI think of another while I’m making it - so I like tobe working’

www.wisegal.com


“It’s about loving thepiece [of art] not worrying about

where it will go”

Phil Strachan


A GREAT TIME TOTALK TURKEY!It happened again! Sad news really – butthe results of research just recentlyconducted and published have indicatedthat over 95% of Business Owners,Entrepreneurs, Marketing Directors andMarketing Managers who commissionBranding, Identity and Graphic Designprojects, ended up with a turkey at theend of last year. Sad news all round -except perhaps for Bernard Matthews!

But it didn’t have to be this way- if only theyhad gone to and worked with Strangebrewfor all their Branding, Identity and GraphicDesign needs. The fact is that despite goodintentions and stout resolutions (plug forGuinness there!) made at the start of theyear, they all just fell into the trap of failingto break with tradition, failing to be differentand therefore ended up just like everyoneelse – headless chickens who had cookedtheir goose, almost certainly heading for areal roasting. Put very simply, they failed tothink brand - not bland!

Bad news all round for all – exceptperhaps for Paxo!

To crown it all, the research very clearlyconcludes that all businesses and brandsbehaving in that manner will never rule theroost. It goes on to note that by choosingto follow the flock and operate on a wingand a prayer, such businesses and brandswill simply be left without a leg to stand on,left to fight for the leftovers and destined toend up totally plucked and well and trulystuffed. Bad news all round for all – exceptperhaps for Paxo!

Without wishing to make a meal of thesefindings and at the same time attemptingto cut through the inevitable gobbledegook,the research makes it very clear that it istime to ruffle some feathers. Some basicfundamental truths, some of which may atfirst seem totally unpalatable, need to be

brought home to roost if businesses andbrands are to have any chance of carvingout a real opportunity for themselves andgetting a decent slice of the action.

The research concludes that business andbrand owners should never duck theirresponsibilities and that they should takegreat care not to kill the goose that laid thegolden egg.

Taking a quick gander at the topline results,it is all too clear that what is sauce for thegoose isn’t necessarily sauce for the ganderand that every business and brand requiresits own individual recipe that is both creativeand original. It is also manifestly clear thatall high-flying business and brand owners

need to understand their businesses andbrands better. They should therefore givefree range to the strategic and creativestrengths of their chosen Branding, Identityand Graphic Design partners rather thansimply relying on growing their businessesand brands organically. They quite simplyneed to think brand - not bland!

Bold, frank insights and a generoushelping of mirth

Finally, the research notes that many thick-skinned and chicken-livered business and

brand owners who fail to keep abreast ofthe latest Branding, Identity and GraphicDesign thinking, might turn tail and takeflight at the very idea of sticking their necksout too far and running fowl of establishedconventions.

The research goes on to say that if theydon’t like the heat, they really should getwell and truly out of the kitchen. Theresearch strongly recommends that theyshould appoint a really good Branding,Identity and Graphic Design partner such asStrangebrew who can make sure that theythink brand - not bland and won’t end upwith a turkey at the end of the year - andwill help add to their festive cheer in 2013with an injection of bold, frank insights anda generous helping of mirth.

If they don’t, it will probably just be toughturkey all round again at the end of 2013.

And the moral of this story is that if youdon’t want to end up with a proverbialturkey at the end of 2013, leave theproduction of turkeys to Bernard Mathewsand leave the stuffing to Paxo. Instead,place your trust in Phil Strachan andStrangebrew for all things Branding, Identityand Graphic Design related – and let himhelp you to dish up success on a plate byhelping you to think brand - not bland.

To make sure that you don’t end up witha turkey at the end of 2013, please callPhil on 07770 753 975 for an initial nocharge meeting to find out how aninjection of Business and Brand Alchemyfrom Strangebrew could really benefityour business or brand this year.

www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk

Hot off the press - some topical food for thought and something to chew over in the year ahead toensure that you keep abreast of latest thinking in Branding, Identity and Graphic Design - Phil Strachanof Strangebrew shares his recipe for success with B4’s Richard Rosser.


“The research goeson to say that ifthey don’t likethe heat, they

really should getwell and truly outof the kitchen”

B4 MARKETING

ADVICE

ACCOUNTING

Fish Partnership PPaul LairdPartner

t: 01628 527956w: www.fishpartnership.co.uk

Flackwell Financial Servicest: 01628 525450www.flackwell.org

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Thirdwave ATony ThomsonManaging Director

t: 01628 487 912w: www.thirdwaveweb.co.uk

Adhere Training Club ALisa ButlerTraining Manager

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BUSINESS SERVICES

BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS

Buckinghamshire Business FirstAPhilippa BattingManaging Director

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StoreNGoAMinesh PatelSenior Executive

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BUSINESS SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

Automatic Vending AssociationAJonathan HilderChief Executive Officer

t: 01494 568 960w: www.ava-vending.co.uk

London & Counties AOffice Supplies LtdPaul MilbournManaging Directort: 01494 791 221w: www.lacosltd.co.uk

CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING

Partners With You Limitedt: 01923 842435w: www.partnerswithyou.co.uk

CHARITIES

Horizon Sports Club AAnita TemplarClub Chairman

t: 01844 345432w: www.horizonsc.org.uk

Buckinghamshire CommunityFoundation ARichard DicksonDirectort: 01296 330134w: www.thebucksfoundation.org.uk

SECURITY

Risk Management ASecurity ServicesPeter SmithManaging Directort: 01494 441 805w: www.riskmanagementsecurity.co.uk

PROPERTY & BUILDING

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS

Stupples Chandler GarveyAMichael GarveyManaging Director

t: 01494 460 250w: www.stuppleschandlergarvey.com

CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES

CONFERENCES

Kents Hill Park Training & Conference Centret: 01908 358000w: www.kentshillpark.com

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Hartwell HouseAJonathan ThompsonDirector & General Manager

t: 01296 747444w: www.hartwell-house.com

Call us now on 01494 373 183 to join the growing B4 network.

CONTACTS DIRECTORYAdvice..................................................................................................................................................88Business Services....................................................................................................................88Property & Building..............................................................................................................88Conference, Events & Venues......................................................................................88Education......................................................................................................................................89Finance..............................................................................................................................................89Health & Leisure.......................................................................................................................89HR...........................................................................................................................................................89

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LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Magnolia Park Golf ClubPMark McGeehanGolf Pro

t: 01844 239700w: www.magnoliapark.co.uk

The Sculpture Schoolt: 07810 480884w: www.thesculptureschool.co.uk

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Dr Lynda Shawt: 07967 271274w: www.drlyndashaw.com

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Right Hand HRt: 0844 880 4582w: www.rhhr.com

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HR2YouPSarah MorrisOwner

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DATABASE MANAGEMENT

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ComsADavid Breith CEO

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EVENT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

The Active NetworkABanks HolcombeHead of Business Development

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Global Infusion Group AAnthony LaurensonManaging Director

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Aylesbury CollegePPauline OdulinskiPrincipal and Chief Executive

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Buckinghamshire PNew UniversityPhil WoodHead of Enterpriset: 0800 0565 660w: www.bucks.ac.uk

Thames Valley Training A& DevelopmentSunjiv Sharma

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FINANCE

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Metro Bank plcAJunaid MumtazLocal Director High Wycombe

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ARLA Foodst: 0113 382 7000w: www.arlafoods.co.uk

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B4 MagazinePRichard Rosser Managing Director

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StrangebrewPPhil StrachanProprietor

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Andrew Gleed Photography AAndrew GleedOwner

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Adby Creativet: 020 3239 1084w: www.adbycreative.co.uk

Piers Photographyt: 07787 505786w: www.piersphoto.com

Take One Business Communications Ltdt: 01494 898919w: www.takeonetv.com

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Tel: 01628 525450 Email: [email protected]: www.flackwell.org

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B4 contactsPUBLIC RELATIONS

Esplin PR ALouise EsplinFreelance PR Consultant

t: 07775 678237w: www.esplinpr.co.uk

Cirkle ACaroline KinseyChairman

t: 07774 181610w: www.cirkle.com

TRANSPORT

TRAVEL

Chiltern Railways ARob BrighthouseManaging Director

t: 08456 005 165w: www.chilternrailways.co.uk

RETAIL

Buildbase ADavid GrimsdaleDivisional Director South East

t: 01438 364627w: www.buildbase.co.uk

Coffox Ltdt: 07736 950673w: www.coffox.tel

THE WIDER B4

Miele Company LtdAt: 0845 365 6600w: www.miele.co.uk

The Art Roomt: 01865 779779w: www.theartroom.org.uk

Reading Football Club Limited PSir John MadejskiChairman

t: 0118 968 1100w: www.readingfc.co.uk

The Bird in Hand Country Innt: 01628 826622w: www.birdinhand.co.uk

Rhodes HouseAMartin GubbDirector of Finance

t: 01865 270918w: www.rhodeshouseoxford.com

B4 is designed byBlink Design & Print e: [email protected] t: 01494 373183w: www.on-the-blink.com

Lady Margaret HallPBill KempHead of Conference Services

t: 01865 611079w: www.lmh.ox.ac.uk

Williams F1 Conference CentreABrendan CaffreyConference Centre Manager

t: 01235 777900w: www.williamsf1conferences.com

Nominet ALesley Cowley OBECEO

t: 01865 332211w: www.nominet.org.uk

Bloxham School ANick IrvineMarketing Director

t: 01295 724332w: www.bloxhamschool.com

Blenheim Palace PJohn HoyChief Executive

t: 01993 810501 w: www.blenheimpalace.com

Santander AJustin HaywardBusiness Development Director

t: 07809 493563w: www.santander.co.uk

Oxford Fine Dining PSue RandallManaging Director

t: 01865 728240w: www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk

BDO LLPAJulian Frost Lead Partner

0118 925 4400w: www.bdo.uk.com

Haslams Surveyors LLPPConrad HillManaging Partner

t: 0118 921 1500w: www.haslams.co.uk

Bearwood Lakes Golf ClubAMartyn NorrisHead of Marketing

t: 0118 979 7900w: www.bearwoodlakes.co.uk

The VineyardPHayden BowlGeneral Manager

t: 01635 528770w: www.the-vineyard.co.uk

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