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On Wednesday 7th June Norfolk Chamber held its first South Norfolk Business Breakfast, at Applewood Hall Banham.  Over 60 Chamber members attended the popular networking morning, hosted by Events Manager, Philippa Bindley. The morning got underway with a popular networking icebreaker that that asked delegates to reveal their first or worst jobs, leading to interesting discussions about their career paths and working lives. After tucking into to a full English breakfast and getting to know other members in the room through a safari networking move, Matt Sykes, a Trainer at Mindspan delivered an insightful presentation about the challenges that sales professionals are experiencing in today’s marketplace. Matt warned delegates of common mistakes they may be making when trying to promote their businesses at networking events, such as talking excessively about their business selling points. He stated that: ‘People aren’t interested in what you do…they want the result and the benefit that comes with the service you provide.’ You can watch the video of Matt’s presentation online here or access the presentation slides by clicking here. The morning ended with a final round of free networking and a last chance to exchange of business cards. The next South Norfolk Business Breakfast will take place on Thursday 26th October 2017

Ahead of the general election, Norfolk Chamber is setting out the key Norfolk business asks for any future government and is calling for support for Norfolk exporters and for the government to work with businesses to secure the best possible deal with the EU.

Commenting on the need to support Norfolk’s exporters, Esther Evans, member of Norfolk Chamber’s Board and Managing Director of STM Packaging Group Ltd said:

“Many of Norfolk’s most successful businesses are staying very positive about Brexit and ensuring they are in a good position to take advantage of any opportunities that arise. 

“To give Norfolk companies greater confidence over the next two years, we want to see down to earth and sensible dialogue on business issues from any future government, but we would also like to see the government working closely with businesses of all sizes to help deliver the best possible deal with the EU and deliver the most advantageous economic environment in which Norfolk’s exporters can thrive and grow. This can be achieved by canvasing opinions and utilising all the region’s best business talent via the voice of the Chamber of Commerce.”

“Brexit is also a fantastic opportunity for the UK Government to lighten the regulatory burden on businesses in order to stimulate business growth and innovation. Norfolk businesses have a huge capacity for both growth and innovation, and are perfectly placed to take advantage of these opportunities so that they can offer greater employment and improved skills opportunities to all current and many new employees.”

Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber outlined what Chamber members want to see as part of the Brexit negotiations:

1. Business Voice: support Norfolk exporters to drive economic growth.  Develop trade policy with business, and leverage Chambers of Commerce, which are best placed to provide stable export support in all regions of the UK.
2. Labour: Protect the rights of existing EU workers to stay in the UK.  Create a future UK immigration system that is responsive to economic needs and skills shortages at all levels, and ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  
3. International Trade: Tariffs need to be kept to a minimum, with simplified customs procedures to make exporting as easy as possible.  To grow our export capacity, swift trade agreements with countries should be reached and trade missions should be expanded.
4. Standards: Product standards should be aligned and recognised by the EU, to ensure that Norfolk products remain competitive.
5. Funding: UK funding levels for business and people development need to be maintained in Norfolk to the levels that were formally funded from the EU.

Norfolk Chamber members are already noting how Brexit has impacted on their businesses so far:

Gordon Chetwood, Managing Director of Pasta Foods said:

 “Pasta Foods has seen an upward path since the UK’s Brexit vote. Most of our pasta competitors are European businesses supplying into the UK, so the devaluation of the pound makes us more competitive to UK customers, in spite of the fact that we have faced rising costs, as we buy raw materials from Europe.

“In our snack business, we export snacks across the world to over 40 countries and we have seen very good sales growth in spite of raw material cost inflation and we anticipate that this will continue into the future.”

Alex Durand, Chief Executive of SaxonAir Charter Ltd said:

“Brexit has shown no signs of affecting our business yet, but as the majority of our flight operations are international, and particularly to, from and around Europe, it has the potential to significantly damage our business.  Our view is that we need to prepare ourselves both for the good or the bad – there may be new opportunities created, or we may have to dramatically change our business. Either way, our approach needs to be the same: we have less than two years to make our business as efficient and dynamic as possible.”

Huw Sayer, Director of Business Writers said:

 “Surprisingly, the Brexit vote has been good for our business so far but longer term uncertainties remain. Several of our European clients have already asked us to write marketing material emphasising their continued access to the EU single market and a pan-European supply chain.

“We have also been writing case studies for inward investment agency clients, showing how they can advise and support UK companies looking to future proof their business by establishing a base in the EU. The main threat we see is to our UK manufacturing and financial services clients, who may find themselves trading under WTO rules if the UK government does not secure a negotiated settlement.”

Sean Clark, Director of Clark St James said:

 “Clients in the financial industry, based around stock investment, have severely cut their advertising spend as uncertainty is delaying potential investors from making any significant investment decisions.  Travel and tourism advertising spend is up within the “staycation” market as the exchange rate makes it more beneficial to holiday in the UK.”

Companies trading with Qatar are becoming increasingly concerned about the severing of diplomatic ties with that country on 4 June by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have implemented what is effectively a blockade against Qatar, closing airspace and territorial waters and preventing onward shipment of goods traditionally routed through them. This is of greatest concern to companies which might have goods destined for Qatar now ‘stuck in transit’ in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, particularly those with Letters of Credit stipulating delivery by specific dates to secure payment. UK exporters are being encouraged to discuss with their shipping agents alternative routes into Qatar but a threat of wider action by Yemen, Libya and the Maldives could further complicate arrangements. The British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar has issued a statement which said: “On 4 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. This has led to closures affecting road, air and sea routes between these countries and Qatar, as well as travel and residence restrictions affecting Qatari nationals. Restrictions on entry to the UAE have also been placed on certain holders of Qatari Residence Permits. These restrictions don’t apply to British nationals. As of 6 June 2017, the land border between Qatar and Saudi Arabia is closed. All flights between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain are suspended until further notice. These measures are likely to lead to some disruption for travellers in the region. You should check with your airline before you travel. Direct flights to and from the UK aren’t affected. Travellers should also check with the FCO Travel Advice for Qatar which is being updated regularly. Trade with Qatar is similarly affected by the closure of ports and road borders to Qatar bound shipments. Companies with goods in transit to Qatar should check with their shipping and handling agents to determine how best to ensure the shipments can reach Qatar. Local shipping agents in Qatar can advise on what new routes are proving most reliable and effective. For companies that have future business in Qatar, the Qatar government has emphasised that its ports and the airport remain open and they are operating business as usual. The British Chamber of Commerce in Qatar judges the embargo to be only temporary in nature but it is not possible to say how long it will continue. Further information will be posted as and when the situation changes.”

The closing date for the British Chamber of Commerce Chamber Awards is Friday 30 June. 

From local standout to national champion: BCC Chamber Awards will put best of British business on the map.

Businesses from across the country are invited to take part and showcase their talents and achievements through a series of regional heats, culminating in the national final, which takes place in London on 30 November 2017.

Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk companies can boast many areas of business excellence.  The Chamber Awards allow us the opportunity to highlight some of our county’s many business achievements and I would encourage any business to showcase their achievements by entering these awards.”

Companies can enter nine categories, covering people development; customer care; business/education; export; health and wellbeing; and technology.

The Awards will be demonstrating the very best of business, highlighting the positive contribution that businesses make to the UK economy and to society as a whole. The categories are:

• Small Business of the Year
• Export Business of the Year
• Best Use of Technology
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Commitment to People Development
• Education and Business Partnership
• Excellence in Customer Service
• Health and Wellbeing
• Best Use of Social media

The deadline for entries is Friday 30 June 2017, the regional winners will be announced on 25 September 2017, with the national winners being announced on 30 November 2017 at a glittering awards ceremony in London.  To enter online click here