How encouraging curoisty can embed innovation in your organisation
This session looks at the advantages of embracing a learning culture; how making time for wider discovery can lead to better client outcomes and greater employee engagement. It offers an antidote to Google’s frictionless answers – an opportunity to dig deeper into a subject, an opportunity for serendipitous discovery – those wonderful moments when you stumble across something you didn’t even know you didn’t know…
We will look at research methods including how to access reliable data and academic research. For the second half of the session we well be joined by Content Consultants, a business that is centred on continual research and engages with millions of women globally.
Please note that there are two masterclasses on the day available for sign up:
8:15-10:30
12:15-2:30
At our 2019 masterclasses we are also encouraging attendees to make a donation to the MPower Project. The project has recently started working in the Norwich area and is already oversubscribed and under funded. Our masterclass sessions have always been free to attend and donations to the project go a long way in supporting these vulnerable women.
The linked article below gives an outline of the incredible work of Alison and everyone at Ormiston Families on the project;
Last year around 500 people came along to hear what we had to say. In 2017 we raised over £3,500 for our previous charity – Action for Children. In 2018 we smashed our target and donated £6000 to the Orimston’s MPower project.
Any business person who has spent time this week queuing on the A47 due the work being carried out on the new Postwick roundabout, will have seen the completion date of April 2015 with a heavy heart. We know there is no gain without pain and to ensure the safety to the construction workers is essential, but the thought of our visitors as well as regular commuters dealing with the significant queues especially over the holiday periods is not a great prospect.
The Norfolk Chamber is pleased to see that Norfolk County Council and the Highways Agency have taken on board that changes to the traffic management arrangement needed to be reviewed and that these changes will happen on 29th May. We are advised that under the new arrangements, both lanes will be open on the approach to the safe working area, however the inside lane will be used only for traffic taking the slip road off the A47. All other Gt Yarmouth-bound traffic will have to move into the outside lane, and the inside lane will be closed from the slip road. The system will work by requiring drivers to ‘get in lane’ on their approach to the junction which should reduce delays.
To make this change, the A47 will be closed overnight on Thursday 29 May from 8pm. The maximum period of closure allowed is to 6am the following morning, but the road will reopen as soon as work allows.
Is your training style sending your delegates to sleep?
Are you lacking in enthusiasm?
Do you wish you could be more creative?
Topic areas covered
This interactive day will enable delegates to understand and put into practice the following: * Redefining course objectives * How to plan & design training to ensure delegates commitment & their enthusiasm * Coping Strategies for Challenging trainees- those who resist training! * How to ensure training is interactive and participative- not just a presentation * How to ensure training is truly effective * What to do before and after training to ensure the best possible out-comes
A brand new workshop to re- energise your training skills
Prerequisites: A previous Professional Trainers Certificate/ Level 3 Training Skills & a bucket load of enthusiasm
– Duration: One day programme ( 09:00 start – 16:30 finish )
– Cost: £99+VAT
– Course Tutors: Sarah Daniels and Richard Mills are both Chartered Environmental Health Practitioners, having spent over 25 years each delivering training. The RedCat Partnership has been providing safety training and consultancy in East Anglia and beyond for over 15 years.
Year 5 pupils from Mile Cross Primary School entered the Dragons’ Den this week, in the finale of a project aimed at inspiring young business minds and raising aspirations.
Teams pitched their business ideas to the real-life dragons from Norwich’s business community, with the overall winners receiving a virtual investment into their idea. The project began two weeks ago at City College Norwich’s StartUp Lounge, where a workshop delivered by Norwich School’s Business Enterprise department challenged pupils to come up with a business idea to impress the dragons. Pupils were mentored by the current Norwich School Lower Sixth, and were tasked with creating business plans, marketing strategies and financial projections for their business.
Ideas ranged from a litter-picking drone to remove plastic from the ocean, a home security system which can also put out fires and a pop-up book for all ages. The winning idea, an automatic fishing pole, impressed the judges with its clear purpose and marketing strategy and professional pitch on the day.
Norwich School was grateful once again for the support of the Business Dragons, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy at Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Stefan Gurney, Executive Director of Norwich Business Improvement District, and Charlotte Beach, Executive Support – Event and Activities Supervisor at City College Norwich.
Commenting on the finale, Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:
“The students pitching at today’s Dragon’s Den have done an amazing job. Their presentations were well thought out and they had clearly done lots of work and research before presenting enthusiastic and interesting pitches. The Dragons had a truly difficult decision to select the winning bid. The talent and energy in the room was brilliant and I think we may have seen several future entrepreneurs! Well done to all the teams.”
The school’s relationship with Mile Cross Primary was built through a link with the Norwich Opportunity Area (NOA), which aims to raise aspiration amongst the city’s identified wards. The Dragons’ Den aims to support the the NOA priority to ensure primary-aged children have early access to careers and enterprise activities through their schools.
Come along to Break’s meeting space at Diamond House on Vulcan Road and have a chat with our mentoring team. Mentoring a young person in Norfolk could be one of the most rewarding things you ever choose to do. You could help us to change young lives. Break is looking for committed people who have a few hours to spare every couple of weeks to support the charity’s young service users. This includes young people in care; young people leaving care; young people with disabilities; young carers; young people in foster placements; and young parents in need of support. Is this you? • able to relate to young people • a good listener • friendly and patient • you have a good sense of humour Find out more, email mentoring@break-charity.org or call Clare Oakley, Senior Mentoring Co-ordinator on 07771 808 619. What do Break mentors do? Our mentors give their time to develop a relationship with a vulnerable young person to give them support and encouragement. Each young person’s needs are different, so the type of contact a mentor has with a young person will vary, but may include casual activities such as going out for lunch or walks; helping young people access local community activities; or providing support with finding employment or educational opportunities. Any volunteer must understand that mentoring for Break is a long-term commitment, due to the impact any changes could have on the young person, their carers and families. The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation states that Mentoring makes a real difference to people who find that they need the dedicated support of another person, often at a time of transition or change. A supportive relationship with a mentor – who is not family or a close friend – can encourage a young person to make positive changes in their life. Mentors are carefully recruited, going through a formal application process, training programme and interviews. We also take up references and an Enhanced Criminal Records check. Ongoing training and regular supervision is provided and Break pays expenses and mileage to mentors.
As the Coronavirus continues to impact the day-to-day operations of businesses across our region, Norfolk Chambers stand ready to support you. Working with the British Chambers of Commerce, we need to hear from you about how your business is coping. Given the rapid pace of developments, we now need to understand the immediate short terms impacts on your business. We are in constant contact with the UK Government and Bank of England as business support packages have been developed. In this 2-3 minute poll: – Covid-19 Business Tracker – please tell us the immediate business conditions you are facing and whether your business is aware of or has used the recently announced support packages from government. Your input is essential to our work on behalf of your business. We intend to seek your views over the next few weeks to track progress. As a business leader, your views have never been more important.
Help us give a warm welcome to the newest members of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce for the month of November. We had a whooping 25 members join this month.
Visit their business to explore what they have to offer. Click on a business name below to view the full listing in our Member Directory.
All things Antenatal The first national pregnancy & birth directory with a social conscience.
Ark Ark is a design studio, co-founded by award-winning creatives, Simon McWhinnie, Lee Nash and Neil Wright.
Enjoying Norfolk Enjoying Norfolk and our discount card, takes our mission one step further. We want pewople to discover, support and enjoy Norfolk’s best businesses. By offering Discounts we hope you’ll be minded to discover new places and explore new things to do in Norfolk..
Little Green Button The Little Green button is the original on-screen panic button suitable in all workplace environments which can be discreetly activated to request immediate assistance from colleagues.
Mind Harbour Mind Harbour provide wellbeing courses for businesses and community groups across East Anglia.
Norfolk Feather Company For over 90 years Norfolk Feather Company has been supplying and making traditional Feather and Feather and Down products.
Orca Will Writers ORCA is an independent Will Writing company specialising in all your estate planning needs.
Peru Consulting Peru is a growing and dynamic independent consultancy formed in 2012 to help customers solve complex business problems and maximise value from their investment in technology. Rhino Building We are a Builders Merchants and DIY depot based in Norfolk.
Steadfast Training We are a training provider that delivers first class skills, employability and training solutions to create better futures for individuals, families, businesses and communities.
TJP Wills & Estate We are part of a large group of like minded professional advisers working with APS Legal & Associates Ltd.
Visualise Visualise is a creative design studio based in Norwich, Norfolk and covering London and the surrounding areas. Designing and developing bespoke websites, graphic design and social media animation.
Finally, someone who’s actually done it! AND is creating real millionaires across the world!!
Brad Sugars is coming to teachyouthe strategies which led him to business success. This hard hitting
seminar is for entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level and turn their dreams and goals into reality.
In just one night Brad Sugars is going to change the way you think about money, wealth, business and property forever.
THREE REASONS WHY BRAD SUGARS IS AN AUTHORITY ON BUILDING WEALTH
1. He’s a millionaire maker,hundreds of entrepreneurs around the world credit Brad and his teachings with their ability to make millions
2. He makes it all so simple!He’ll lead you step-by-step through proven strategies to make your business into a high profit making machine
3. He’s the world’s number 1 business coach!Brad has been building, implementing and delivering proven business strategies for over 20 years! He has coached many high profile companies and led them down the fastest path to success!
Previous attendees say:
Brad Sugar’s talk was the most inspiring and educational entrepreneurial talk I have ever been to in my life and I’ve heard Richard Branson and Alan Sugar talk –Wayne Bhagan, Deliver Me Drinks
I was actually in two minds about attending as I wasn’t sure it was for me. As it turned out, it was the most life changing night of my life. Brad seemed to be speaking straight to me about the pitfalls and problems that I had encountered in my experience as a business owner.Andrew Edwards, Dynamic Despatch
Norfolk Chambers are hearing from many businesses with lots questions about the new Jobs Retention Scheme and how is works. Below is a guide of what we know so far, that will hopefully answer some of the questions. But please be aware that there is more information to come from Government.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
What is it?
Government grants will cover 80% of the salary of retained workers, up to a total of £2,500 a month. The scheme, open to any employer in the country, will cover the cost of wages backdated to March 1st and will be open before the end of April for at least 3 months.
The employer can choose to fund the differences between the grant and an employee’s salary but does not have to.
Am I eligible?
All UK businesses are eligible
What do I need to do to access it?
You will need to:
Designate affected employees as furloughed workers (when staff members are required to take an unpaid leave of absence) and notify your employees of this change – changing the status of employees remains subject to existing employment law and, depending on the employment contract, may be subject to negotiation. Workersshould not undertake work while they are ‘furloughed’.
Submit information to HMRC about the employees that have been furloughed and their earnings through a new online portal (HMRC will set out further details on the information required).
HMRC are currently working to set up a system for reimbursement as existing systems are not set up to facilitate payments to employers.If your business needs short term cash flow support, you may be eligible for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.
Who do I need to speak to?
HMRC. This scheme is currently expected to open by the end of April.
The Norfolk Chambers and the rest of the UK Chamber network have been compiling the business questions with the British Chambers of Commerce – here is the most Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme FAQs.
Accelerate offers a series of free seminars aiming to empower businesses to take control of customer experiences is set to take place across Norfolk and Suffolk.
In the eighth year of the popular Accelerate programme, 2019 looks to strip back to the essentials of multi-channel marketing to generate improved results.
Delivered by Archant, publisher of the Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times, the seminars will focus on marketing buzzword “omnichannel” – a cross-channel marketing approach that helps builds brands and convert potential customers into actual customers.
Learn how to build your brand and grow your business through targeting a local audience using our specialised products and utlilising our expertise in an ever-changing marketplace. Attendees can then speak one-on-one with experts who will explain how they can take the same approach, utilising the services, products and audiences that Archant can offer.
It’s not rocket science, it’s just marketing.
Accelerate sessions will take place on Tuesday, March 12 at the Cliff Hotel in Gorleston; Wednesday, March 13 at Carrow Road, Norwich; Thursday, March 14 at West Suffolk College in Bury; and Friday, March 15 in Ipswich at Suffolk University. For more information and to book your space visit www.archanthub.co.uk/ACCELERATE
More information has been made available on the package of support for businesses that the government has put in place. Further clarification on the Jobs Retention Scheme and some temporary changes to the insolvency rules that will help those firms experiencing difficulties.
Jobs Retention Scheme
government to cover employer National Insurance and pension contributions of furloughed workers – on top of 80% of salary
those furloughed can volunteer for the NHS without risking their pay
Businesses furloughing staff during the coronavirus outbreak will receive further financial support – with the costs of employer national insurance and pension contributions being covered by the government. Under the scheme, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to a cap of £2,500 a month.
In a move that could save businesses an extra £300 a month for each employee under the scheme,the government will now cover the employer national insurance and minimum auto-enrollment pension scheme contributions employers pay on the wages they must pay their furloughed staff – on top of the wages covered under the scheme.
Government amends insolvency law to help companies keep trading while they explore options for rescue
Under the plans, the UK’s Insolvency Framework will add new restructuring tools that mirror the USA’s Chapter 11 procedure, a well-established model adopted by countries around the world. This includes:
A moratorium for companies giving them breathing space for from creditors enforcing their debts for a period of time whilst they seek a rescue or restructure;
Protection of their supplies to enable them to continue trading during the moratorium; and;
A new restructuring plan, binding creditors to that plan
The proposals will also include key safeguards for creditors and suppliers to ensure they are paid, while existing laws against fraudulent trading and the threat of director disqualification will continue to act as an effective deterrent against reckless misuse of these new measures.
Wrongful trading provisions
The Government will also temporarily suspend the wrongful trading provisions to give company directors greater confidence to use their best endeavours to continue to trade during this pandemic emergency, without the threat of personal liability, should the company ultimately fall into insolvency.
The proposals will also include key safeguards for creditors and suppliers to ensure they are paid, while existing laws against fraudulent trading and the threat of director disqualification will continue to act as an effective deterrent against reckless misuse of these new measures.
In addition, while laws against fraudulent trading and director misconduct will continue to provide a deterrent against poor practices, wrongful trading provisions in the Insolvency Act will be temporarily suspended specifically to give confidence to directors to continue trading without the threat of personal liability, should the company ultimately fall into insolvency.