http://linkd.in/1eHoanB

www.twitter.com/torfaenbiz

Well what an evening the last Torfaen Business Voice event turned out to be with a bumper crop of current and new members attending along with their colleagues, contacts and guests. For people to take time out of their busy schedules to attend in such numbers was to say the least, pleasing. I am sure they found the event worthwhile. Whilst engaging with a number of people in the room I was delighted to hear that they were finding the opportunities to network very valuable. It was great to learn that many first time attendees were looking to become members and repeat the experience.

And repeat the experience is what we intend to do again in our September event. Make sure you have Thursday 26th September 6:30pm marked in your diary when we will be holding the next facilitated networking event. Again, we are looking to see an excellent attendance from our current members and hopefully welcome prospective new members in the form of guests and contacts that you may have. And so, ‘Dear Member’, this is where you all come in!

Many of our members will now be aware of the new membership recruitment initiative we are currently running which provides you with the opportunity to gain £5.00 (Yes five pounds) for every new member you introduce.

What’s more is that the member you introduce also receives £5.00 off their first year’s membership so you both benefit. Now I am looking to get discount off my next year’s membership, not by any cheating on my part (who me!) but by introducing lots of new members so that my tally can reach £50.00. There may even be a small prize for the person who introduces the most new paying members!

Whilst on the subject of numbers, our ‘LinkedIn Group’ now has over one hundred and seventy members. If you want to communicate with this group please send in a request.

Finally, I hope you have all had a great summer and have been able to take advantage of the mediterranean summer we have had of late. Lots of sun cream please – we don’t want any burnt bits do we!

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A networking event with a twist…... Our first event of the 2013-14 membership year took place on Thursday 27th June at Greenmeadow Golf Club and what a night it was with over 60 attendees taking full advantage of the opportunity to extensively network formally and informally with new faces and longstanding members. In addition, a line-up of the Committee members introduced the benefits of Torfaen Business Voice membership and a hilarious sketch by Gaynor Wakeling of Torfaen Economy & Enterprise and Deb Reader from Barclays Bank on the do’s and don’ts of effective networking meant it will surely be an event to go down in the history books.

On top of that, some attendees took the opportunity to meet with Katie Gates, Team Leader, Economy, Enterprise & Tourism to discuss the online Torfaen Business Directory and ensure their business was added to this growing and valuable tool. If you want to make sure your Torfaen based business is also added then please visit theTorfaen Economy and Enterprise website: http://www.southwalesbusiness.co.uk/en/Business-Directory/Business-Directory.aspx

At this event we also launched a new Introduce a Member scheme – see page 4 for further information and discover how you can start earning a free membership for next year.

All of this was topped off with a tasty buffet.

Take a look at what some of our members have said about the evening on our twitter account and when you are in touch with your business contacts and clients please spread the good news about the business voice membership – and encourage them to join!!

e-mail: Elizabeth.crowley@torfaen.gov.uk

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In time-honoured tradition, Torfaen Business Voice will be celebrating the festive season with a special event in December. In addition to a delicious sit-down Christmas meal (a change to the usual buffet) our invited celebrity speaker Lowri Morgan is sure to be a great hit.

Lowri is a BAFTA and multi award winning television presenter, a World Class Ultra endurance marathon runner, having raced in some of the World's most toughest and extreme races and is a global Adventurer.

TBV members can secure their places early by emailing theTorfaen Economy & Enterprise team:

contact elizabeth.crowley@torfaen.gov.uk

Welcoming new members to Torfaen Business Voice is key to keeping our thriving local business club dynamic, diverse and vibrant. Existing members can help play a part in this by encouraging their Torfaen clients, contacts and other businesses they deal with to join – and the reward will be not only an expanding pool of contacts within TBV but also the chance for members themselves to earn £5.00 off their next year’s membership every time they introduce a paying new member. What’s more we’ll say thank you to the new member for joining with a £5.00 reduction on their first year’s membership fee. So a win-win situation all round !!

So start right now and earn money off your 2014–15 membership from today. To find out more download the special Introduce a Member application form* from www.torfaenbusinessvoice.co.uk*terms and conditions apply

www.ableradio.com www.monmouthshire.gov.uk www.goshenvets.co.uk www.hindsight-it.com www.pontypoolmetrohotel.co.uk www.owencatering.com www.principalityconsulting.com smallwoodclive@gmail.com

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Bell IT Solutions Ltd have become the first IT Company in South Wales to receive both the CompTIA Accredit UK Trustmark+ in e-Media & e-Commerce and the CompTIA IT Business Trustmark from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). CompTIA are the leading trade association for the Information and Communications Technology industry. This vendor-neutral business credential identifies organisations that have successfully demonstrated the ability to develop and deliver top quality solutions and services.

The new CompTIA IT Business Trustmark™ identifies companies that have pledged to follow a robust code of practices that meet or exceed the industry standard level of customer service. The Trustmark shows that accredited companies meet industry-agreed standards in areas such as data security practices, staff competencies and holding of adequate insurance.

We are delighted to achieve both Trustmark certifications, especially as a start-up company in a competitive market. The accreditations have given us a strong advantage as we have improved existing policies and procedures while preparing the business for future growth and employment.

- Victoria Bell, Director & Co-Founder, Bell IT Solutions Ltd.

To earn the CompTIA Accredit UK Trustmark, Bell IT Solutions Ltd was assessed by Principality Consulting of Ebbw Vale and independently audited by ICT industry experts, who reviewed the company’s policies, capabilities, practices, and procedures.

For further details of all the above events please contact: St David’s Hospice Care 01633 851051 or fundraising@stdavidshospicecare.org or visit our Website: www.stdavidshospicecare.org

About CompTIACompTIA is the voice of the world's information technology (IT) industry. As a non-profit trade association advancing the global interests of IT professionals and companies, they focus their programs on four main areas: education, certification, advocacy and philanthropy.

www.comptia.org

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Maxim Business Solutions are delighted to announce that the winner of the inaugural Referee of the Year award, sponsored by the company, is John Jenkins who posted a fantastic score of 1.18 to narrowly beat off a stern challenge from Simon Griffiths who’s score was a very creditable 1.26.

The trophy, which is a replica of FIFA’s World Cup designed to show that World Class principals have been applied, is awarded to the referee who posts the best average score from the amount of cards issued (both yellow and red) divided by the number of games officiated. John will hold the main trophy for a year and also has a smaller memento trophy that he gets to keep.

The idea was to measure how well referee’s management skills are utilised rather than rely on club or assessor marks. John’s score showed that he has taken on many of the messages that Maxim has delivered being the preferred training company used by the Monmouthshire Referees Association. The company have delivered training in topics such as Report Writing, Assertiveness, Body Language, Voice Intonation, Decision Making and First Impressions and it is clear that John has actively applied these to his match day activities.

To prove how successful the training has been John also came second in the Gwent County FA referee list last season and Simon actually won the award this year so it shows that all these aspects of training, when applied correctly, works for all.

John Jenkins with the trophy. Maxim’s Jeff Anslow presented the award and is pictured far right with Nigel Baldwin and Simon Griffiths.

As part of the Welsh Government’s Economic Renewal Strategy, WAVE (Women Adding Value to the Economy) is offering a level 7 diploma to encourage more women to fulfil leadership roles in tech savvy organisations.

The diploma will benefit both individuals and the organisations in which they work. Bespoke consultancy is offered as part of the work based learning module. Participants are not expected to have technical expertise as the course focuses upon management rather than technical aspects of systems design.

Dr Colin Smith, Strategic ICT and Leadership course leader said, ‘This course introduces a novel approach by providing a holistic programme of study that is built around real-time projects that meet the needs of students and their business’.

The course which will be held in Bridgend will commence at the end of September 2013 with a second cohort in January 2014.

Maxim Business Solutions LtdMaxim Business Solutions. Suite 13, Pontsychan House, Abersychan, Pontypool, Torfaen. NP4 7BA

01495 774433 | info@maximbs.com | www.maximbs.com

Please contact:Mair Williams, Employer and Leadership Development Coordinator

Mair.williams@womensworkshop.org.uk029 2043351 / 07972 493599

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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Growing organisations are increasingly relying on IT software to manage their resources for increased efficiency. For example, the latest ‘Enterprise Resource Planning’ (ERP) systems play a crucial role in profit improvement plans - offering functionality and integration to enable a business to increase sales, their level of customer service and reduce costs. No one recognises this more than the Welsh Government who, through the E Business programme, provide help with funding, plus the specialist support to select the best software match and enable the smooth transition a business needs to effectively implement this technology.

For SMEs operating in business-to-business environments, Welsh Government funded, E-Business offers diagnostics; planning and implementation. The E-Business Support package begins with a detailed process mapping of the organisation. This helps to scope and prioritise ICT projects for improved business process integration through innovative use of ICT and is free to qualifying companies. The diagnostic provides a report document of recommendations and cost allowances.

Ebbw Vale-based Principality Consulting delivers consultancy under the e-Business Programme. Managing director, Martin Seymour comments:

Upgrading your business information system is a key decision with major wins when effectively managed, but significant risks when it goes wrong. However, implementing new systems needn’t be painful. Our highly experienced consultants provide information on the positives and pitfalls on what can be achieved with the right sort of planning and support.

Haven Engineering of Cwmbran is just one of the companies who have benefited from this service which includes:

A 100% funded initial IT review by a qualified consultant, to help businesses scope their needs more rigorously

Up 66% funding for project management and implementation support for up to 30 days

A grant for 50% of eligible expenditure on ICT system’s capital costs with a maximum of £10,000 available.

Or, 40% of eligible expenditure up to a maximum of £10,000 for Marketing and E Commerce.

For an informal chat call Martin Seymour on 01495 356711 or visit

Principality Consulting Managing Director, Martin Seymour celebrates the firm's tenth year in business in 2013

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http://business.wales.gov.uk/e-business-support-welsh-government

http://linkd.in/1eHoanB

I’m Gareth Poulton and I own Gareth Huw Photography based in Cwmbran. I specialise in portrait, wedding and commercial photography, most of my work is local but I have been as far afield as London and the Lake District.

I’ve been running the business full-time for just over two years.I’m originally from Abergavenny but moved to Cwmbran around 10 years ago with my wife. Photography was a hobby ever since I got my very first camera when I was about 7, but I had no intentions of turning a fun and relaxing pastime into my job. I started to take my photography more seriously about 6-7 years ago and gradually realised that I couldn’t see myself doing anything else for a living. So with a re-structure in my workplace and the opportunity of voluntary redundancy, Gareth Huw Photography was born.Creating portraits of children and families is my main work. Whilst I have a studio, I prefer to use natural light to make people look fantastic and for them to have fun at the same time, photo shoots are always relaxed and informal. I also specialise in creating beautiful portraits of dogs, who was it who said never to work with children or animals?!

PLANNING FOR FAILUREMost small businesses and home workers use IT as an integral part of their business, often without realizing how much they rely on certain aspects of IT.

Imagine just 1 day without access to your Email or the Internet, do you rely on your website to bring in new business – how long could your website and/or email be unavailable before it has a serious impact on your business?

As a small business it is important you understand what can go wrong, and how you can prepare for failings and recover from them quickly – below I have included some guidelines:

LOCAL DATA BACKUP & RECOVERY

Do you back up your data? If so, how often and where do you store the backup? It is advisable that key data is backed up on a daily basis, with non essential data backed up weekly. If the Data is backed up “Locally” i.e. to a Memory Stick or External Hard Disk Drive where is this stored when the backup is completed?

We recommend a mixture of “Local” Backups paired up with a Remote, Offsite Backup which runs 24/7 and stores all your essential data offsite.

EMAIL

Do you rely on “Web Based” email services such as Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail? If the provider suddenly decided to limit your access, close down your account or delete your data what can you do to effect a successful recovery of that data – the simple answer is “Not a Lot”

Email for business should be utilized at the very least using the POP3 System, which means that emails are stored LOCALLY on your PC and therefore available to you 24/7 or, ideally, you should consider the Microsoft Exchange Service for synchronization between devices and automatic backup.

When asked, many small businesses who have suffered IT problems have said that “In Hindsight, they would have done more sooner to protect their Data and Intellec-tual Property”

Hindsight IT offers experienced support on how you can protect your data, email and website and ensure that you have a chance of recovering should the worst happen

.Rob Edmunds

HindSight IT & Telecoms LtdWeb: www.hindsight-it.com

Email: rob@hindsight-it.comTel: 07988 856053

Telephone: 07899 891779

email: info@garethhuwphotography.co.ukWebsite: www.garethhuwphotography.co.uk

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Gareth Waters is director ofBrandNuCreative Ltd

www.brandnucreative.co.uk0845 900 58 28

www.lmw.org.uk

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If you have just joined Torfaen Business Voice and would like a 5 minute slot to introduce yourself and your business at the beginning of the evening, let us know?

We would only allow 3 businesses per event so contact us quickly to avoid disappointment.

contact either:Joanne.john@torfaen.gov.uk or Cheryl.williams@torfaen.gov.uk

Members of Torfaen Business Voice can bring and display a single pop-up stand at our events (up to 15 only allowed at each event so please contact Jo or Cheryl early to ensure you have a slot on the list). So take advantage of this marketing opportunity!

There is also an information table where members can place marketing material and business cards. The event in September is a facilitated networking evening so on this occasion we understand that attendees may wish to distribute information directly to other people on their table, but please ensure you take all material away with you at the end of the evening to avoid wastage to your marketing budget. Thank you!

contact either:Joanne.john@torfaen.gov.uk or Cheryl.williams@torfaen.gov.uk

Torfaen Economy and Enterprise has a website that is packed full of information on how to access advice and support to help develop your business.Within the site, we have information on financial support, such as LIF (Local Investment Fund), the Tourism Investment Support Scheme and the Community Economic Development Programme.

Also on the site, we have a free directory that allows online registration for any business within Torfaen.

There is also a Torfaen Business Voice page where you can access member contact details and previous newsletters.

www.southwalesbusiness.co.uk www.torfaenbusinessvoice.co.uk

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