In general terms a ‘bounce’ is where an email has reached your recipients mail server and the mail server has sent a message back to inform you that it hasn’t been delivered.
There are a whole range of reasons as to why a bounce occurs. However they are split in to two types of bounce a hard bounce and a soft bounce.
A hard bounce is where your recipients email address doesn’t exist or if their mail server has blocked you.
Should I do anything when an email bounces?
A good email marketing system willhandle your bounces automatically so you do not need to worry about sending to email addresses that you now know no longer exist. HoweverIt is a good idea to keep your own database up to date with this information too.You may like to keep an eye on your bouncesas customer could be missing out on your communications! A quick phone call to check their email address can get your messages in front of them.
It’s only £20 to enter a team of four players who will play 2-rounds of Golf and the winning team will win a cash prize of £250 – with prizes for Hole-In-One’s and for the runners up.
Contact the Putt Putt Social Norwich to enter HERE
I was recently asked the question: How much do businesses need Europe? The feedback I received from our members was loud and clear. Europe is a very important trading market to a large number of significant employers in Norfolk.
Europe represents a large market opportunity and business potential of any company based in the UK. Over 50% of exports from the UK go to EU and in this region, it is even more significant, with 60% of our exports bound for the EU.
With 500 million people, Europe is a large internal market for business. There is the ability to move goods and services as freely from Norwich to Berlin as from Norwich to Leeds.
The absence of tariffs and administrative barriers has helped Norfolk businesses enjoy the sort of freedom that firms in other free trade areas enjoy. A quote from one of our Norwich member reflects much of the feedback we received: “The thought of a divided Europe with the associated export and legal requirements is like a doomsday scenario”
The EU provides businesses with access to new markets, a wider pool of labour and very importantly suppliers. In many instances this has led to lower costs making products more competitive not just in Europe but domestically and to other overseas markets.
Europe is seen as having a ‘low barrier to entry’ for companies looking to grow their market overseas for the first time. As the UK market continues to be challenging local businesses are looking to grow their business internationally. The comparative ease of trading with Europe is seen as a good first step before tackling the more challenging lucrative markets such as Brazil and China.
The U.S., Japan and India are in the process of agreeing free-trade agreements with the EU. Whilst the UK has 60 million people and is an important market for them, they are more interested in the 500 million EU market. Working together as a single market does give us stronger negotiating powers.
Norfolk is increasingly attracting investment into local companies with one of their objectives being to access the single market. Would this continue if we were not part of Europe?
However it is not all sunshine and roses. With 400 new laws being passed by the EU since the Coalition came to power at a cost to taxpayer and businesses of £700m, change needs to happen, particularly relating to Employment Law and Health & Safely directives.
Business wants to see is a level playing field especially relating to Compliance. Often what the UK interprets as ‘Rules’ the southern and eastern European countries interpret as ‘Guidelines’. We need more decisions made in Westminster not Brussels. We need the protectionism against our service providers occurring within some Member States recognised and stopped.
The consensus from Norfolk Chamber business members were that being part of the EU was very important as a trading single market but changes do need to be made.
We dare you… to walk on fire! Fire walking is a practice of walking barefoot on hot embers and we are offering you the opportunity to take on the challenge in aid of EACH! Be part of this fantastic experience and join a group of challenge takers in Norfolk this October to help raise vital funds. No previous experience or minimum fitness required. Our experts will explain the science of fire walking, there’s no magic, mysticism, chanting or hypnotism and it is definitely not a case of mind over matter! All welcome from ages 14+. Get your family, friends and colleagues to sponsor you to take on this daredevil challenge. If you have any questions, please read the Fire Walks FAQs
Tickets: One ticket (14+) £10 14-18yrs must be accompanied by an adult
01 Oct 2019 18:30 – 01 Oct 2019
Address
The Corn Exchange, Tuesday Market Place, King’s Lynn, PE30 1JW
Congratulating the Prime Minister on his election victory, as reported at 7.00am, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:
“Restoring business, investor and consumer confidence – and firing up the economy – must now be the Prime Minister’s top priority.
“Campaign slogans must give way to a renewed focus on the details that matter. The Norfolk business community needs to see swift, decisive action to avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU and to tackle the barriers holding back investment and growth here in Norfolk and the rest of the UK.”
Businesses’ priorities for the new government include:
Avoiding a no-deal exit from the EU and delivering a smooth transition giving firms time to prepare.
Acting rapidly to reform business rates and replace them with a fairer system.
Pressing ahead with improvements to transport infrastructure including A47 improvements, and rail infrastructure improvements, as well as additional capacity at Heathrow with regional connectivity.
Investing in our skills base and reforming the Apprenticeships Levy so that more small firms can access high-quality training locally, at affordable cost.
Delivering a sensible immigration system that gives firms access to essential overseas talent at all levels.
Following the huge success of our Investment Readiness programme during 2018 and 2019, which has already seen us support 50 businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk in becoming investment ready, we are now accepting applications for Cohorts Three and Four of the programme which will commence in May and September 2020 respectively.
As an introduction to the programme we have arranged to host a series of Free “Taster Events” across the region. Join us at our events to find out about our free investor-led programme and how you can develop the skills to identify potential investors and successfully raise finance.
Introduction to Investment Readiness
Monday 3rd February, 2pm to 4pm – The Innovation Labs, Stowmarket
Tuesday 18th February, 2pm to 3.30pm – Framlingham Technology Centre, Woodbridge
Monday 24th February, 1pm to 4pm – Ipswich Waterfront Innovation Centre
Wednesday 4th March, 3pm to 4.30pm – MENTA, Bury St Edmunds
Friday 6th March, 9.30am to 11am – Hethel Engineering Centre, Norwich
Wednesday 11th March, 9am to 11.30am – OrbisEnergy, Lowestoft
Specifically targeted at SMEs, at the events you will:
Gain an overview of our programme and ask any questions you have
Hear from guest speakers, including angel investors
Meet with our funding advisers to discover how they can support your growth aspirations
Hear from a company that has successfully benefited from the programme
Learn how you can become investment ready
The events are free to attend and refreshments are included.
From the 9th January 2020, the ESFA is expanding access to the apprenticeship service to employers who are not one of the existing 22,000 levy-payers using the service already. This will be of enormous benefit to SMEs connecting with apprenticeships across England.
Non-levy payers will now have greater ownership, visibility and involvement with apprenticeships, funding and access to a wider range of high-quality training providers. This will mean that SMEs – that form 99 per cent of the businesses in the UK – will be in greater control of the apprenticeships that they engage with.
The early transition – from now until March – will be an initial test phase, during which time we will undertake large scale testing, seeking feedback from smaller employers and training providers. During the transition in 2020 we will continue to run contracts with training providers so smaller employers have a choice around how they access apprenticeship funding, joining the apprenticeship service when they feel they are ready.
During the test phase, additional funding will be made available for up to 15,000 new starts through the service.
As we enable smaller employers to use the apprenticeship service, we are introducing the ability for them to reserve a funds for training. This will allow us to forecast, monitor and manage apprenticeships funding within the overall budget for apprenticeships. To manage a gradual transition from contracted training provision to employers arranging their own apprenticeships through the apprenticeship service, employers will initially be able to reserve funding for up to three apprenticeships.
With the UK economy struggling to get off its knees and many businesses working tirelessly to compete in tough trading conditions, a sharp hike in your annual insurance premium can feel all the more painful.
This is however the situation for many businesses in the UK with the average motor insurance premium increasing by an average of 55% since 2009, hitting the pockets of even the most careful drivers with clean licenses and a healthy no claims bonus. Leading motoring organisations have laid the responsibility for these price rises on fraudulent insurance claims, taxes and legal fees.
Hugh J Boswell Director, Peter Foster explains: “In recent years there has been a significant rise in personal injury claims arising from road traffic collisions, despite there being fewer casualties from such accidents. With up to 70% of these related to whiplash injuries, it is widely reported that insurance companies are in fact paying out more than they are collecting in premiums. This in turn has led to a steep increase in insurance costs for the customer. The question and concern surrounding the percentage of whiplash claims which are either fraudulent or perhaps exaggerated, has led to many within the motoring industries to call for government intervention to stem the flow of unjustified and unreasonable claims.
A recent House of Commons Transport Select Committee inquiry into car insurance, found that one of the main factors affecting the market is the aggressive approach of some personal injury law firms, which encourage claims, even in cases where an injury may not have occurred. The inquiry concluded with a number of actions and proposals to halt escalating UK motor insurance premiums.
These recommendations include a ban on referral fees to secure business in personal injury cases. Legislation for this has been brought forward and is now with the House of Lords. New standards are also proposed relating to the evidence required and damages payable for whiplash claims. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has called for further evidence to establish the background to the reports of rising insurance premiums and whether further work may be necessary to improve the effectiveness of the market.
Many whiplash claims are of course genuine and some argue that those victims will suffer further as a result of this legislation. Some also question whether savings will be passed on to the customer by the insurance companies.
In conclusion, there is positive change afoot to address the issue of rising insurance premiums and the financial burden falling at the door of the innocent motorist, but in all circumstances the first priority to protect your business from unnecessary cost is to ensure you have the appropriate insurance cover in place.
Peter says, “The sale of seemingly cheap ‘one size fits all’ commercial insurance packages offering stripped down, basic cover, without addressing specific business needs, is a growing concern for us as responsible insurance brokers because businesses could potentially be left uninsured, or with unsuitable cover in place. We always recommend companies speak to a broker that understands their specific business needs and can provide the correct level of cover.”
Enjoy a brand new quarterly networking event organised by The Benjamin Foundation. Nurture your business by connecting with others, strengthen relationships and share ideas to support each other to grow and flourish.
At Caterpillar Networking you will be able to:
• Hear about the vital work of our charity, focusing on our autumn theme of preventing youth homelessness • Connect with other local professionals to boost your business • Enjoy friendly and informal networking with a pint or soft drink and canapes included
£12.50 per person – includes a soft drink or Redwell Beer and a selection of canapés.
Responding to the package of government announcements to help businesses affected by Coronavirus, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:
“Businesses will welcome the scale of the Government’s latest response, as well as the specific support it is offering to some of the worst-affected parts of our economy. These measures could be a lifeline for many businesses across the UK who are now experiencing wholesale disruption as a result of the pandemic.
“The key to the success of these measures is whether they get cash to businesses on the front line, fast. Companies need practical details, at great speed, for these interventions to have the desired impact, and to reassure firms across the UK.
“Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor were clear that the Government would do whatever it takes over the coming days to support businesses, their employees, and the economy. Further measures will be needed to help all firms and their employees meet this unprecedented challenge.”
More than two in five people do not believe the NHS will be “there for them” in ten years’ time, while just a third think the health service will exist in 20 years.
Results of a survey of over 2,000 people, point to a major lack of confidence in the ability of the NHS to provide good quality healthcare in the future.
The survey, carried out for Benenden Healthcare Society, shows that half of those questioned also believe that present Government’s policies will weaken the NHS over the next couple of years. Only one in ten (11%) believe the recent government reforms will strengthen the positioning of the NHS in the future.
The survey results mirror some of the findings from another piece of research published in recent days. That study, for the Institute for Fiscal Studies, suggested that tough decisions will have to be made about what services should be free at the point of use in the years to come. Those concerns were echoed last week at the annual conference of the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries.
The research results show that while 89% of people believe that the NHS would be there to provide good quality healthcare in the case of an acute emergency such as a road accident or a heart attack, public confidence falls for longer-term chronic conditions, including those associated with an ageing society. Around a half (48%) of those polled believed that the NHS would provide good quality healthcare services in the case of a chronic condition such as a stress or back pain.
Ken Hesketh, chief executive of Benenden Healthcare Society, said that while people still feel confident in the service provision the NHS offers today, the research findings show that the public have “genuine concerns” over the future of the NHS and its ability to provide for them in the years ahead.
He added: “The public are clearly concerned about what lies further down the road when it comes to healthcare reassurance. What these findings ultimately show is that there is a real need for further consideration and debate around the future of healthcare provision and how improvements in standards can be financed going forward.”
However, respondents believe that only 13% of healthcare spending should be spent on private healthcare. In 10 years’ time, though, this would likely increase to 30%, respondents said.