Last night saw the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce AGM, which was supported by over 80 businesses. Everyone enjoyed drinks and a light buffet on arrival and President Peter Bennett then moved swiftly through the proceedings. Gill Fielding gave an enlightening talk as always and we also had an interesting talk by John Peel OBE.

Date: Wednesday 5th June 5pm

Venue:
Worthing Town Football Club
Palatine Road

Mini Workshop 6pm: Ann Bird Getting into the press by Working together

This month we are joining with the Lord Lieutenant to bring together the Voluntary sector and Local Businesses to see what can be achieved by working together. Have you thought about the value of working together and opportunities to get good PR?

FREE to Members and Non Members with complimentary wine and nibbles at the end while you network!

Chamber members enjoyed a fabulous day out at Goodwood Races last Thursday, in a joint hospitality event with Hampshire and Chichester Chamber and the First Friday Network. Attendees were treated to a drinks reception in the corporate hospitality suite overlooking the finish post, followed by Afternoon Tea and plenty of time for networking.
CEO Tina Tilley said “It’s great to see so many of our members seizing the opportunity to network under less formal circumstances, and I am sure some good connections have been made”.
For more details on future events please see the main Events listings.

In these modern times businesses seemingly rely more and more on email, internet, e-commerce and other on-line activities leaving them exposed to the ever increasing problems of hacking, viruses and theft of data. For many companies their computer systems are of significant importance and vital to their day to day business activities and with cyber criminals seemingly having no discrimination between either SME or Blue Chip Businesses all are at risk.

With cyber-crime now reaching new heights of sophistication specialist insurers are now providing innovative insurance policies to protect business against such exposures as hacking attacks, viruses, loss or theft of data, business interruption and system damage.

When a business reviews where there potential threats may lie the following should be considered -:

What kind of data do you store? (EG: Personal data, corporate data, and credit card data)

How do you store it? (EG: Paper files, electronically on site, electronically via a third party)

How secure is that data?

What would happen in the event of a loss of data? With the possibility of fines, loss of contracts, lost business opportunities, loss of reputation / income.

In the event you suffered a hack or a virus entered your system, would you suffer loss of income as a result?

To what extent are you concerned about Cybercrime (phone hacking / phishing) or cyber extortion?

In all likelihood most businesses will not consider themselves vulnerable and hang their respective hats on the basis that ” it won’t happen to us” but with insurance premiums starting as low as £300.00 (depending on limits of liability required, exposures and business activities) there is a cost effective solution available and one that should not be dismissed lightly.

For more details on Cyber & Technology Insurance and how it can protect your business please call or email Geoff Stanbridge on 01903-608106 | geoff.stanbridge@nsure.co.uk

Friday March 22^nd

The Business Showcase

The Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce

Worthing Town Hall 10.30am – 4.30pm

For all bookings please go to www.worthingandadurchamber.co.uk

Our Business Showcase sets to highlight Worthing and Adur’s success stories and those companies who have traded successfully in the town for many years.  This is your opportunity to come along and meet and network with companies such as ETI, Southern Water, Bond International and Equiniti, and find out more about how their businesses can inspire your growing business.

The day will include talks from keynote speakers, Gill Fielding – Secret Millionaire, Tim Breden – Business Angel and Julie Stanford – The Essential Business Guide along with Marketing and Business Planning workshops, a speed networking session and one to one advice clinics throughout the day.

Specialist One to One Advice Clinics covering:

Marketing, Funding, Finance, Sales, PR and HR will be running all day and are bookable at the Registration desk on arrival.

10.45 – 11.30am

Workshop:

• Business Planning and Investment

Tony Hedger, MD, A & T Business Associates Ltd

11.30am Keynote Speaker:

Julie Stanford

Founder and Creator of The Essential Business Series

“It’s easy to start a business! But running one that will make money and thrive year after year is not quite so simple. And if you don’t get it right, the effects can be painful.” Come and listen to Julie talk about her successes and learn about how to mend things when they don’t go quite the way you planned!

1pm – 2pm Speed Networking

Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce

Come along and connect with fellow attendees and forge new contacts in our speed networking session.  We’ll organise the room so that you can keep moving and make as many new contacts as possible to really ensure that your time is maximised.

2pm Keynote Speaker:

Tim Breden – Investment for business

Tim Breden was the Operations Director at Kates Cakes 1995 to 2009, overseeing tremendous growth with first-hand experience of MBO, SBO and exits. In early 2010 he formed the hugely successful Sussex Business Partnership; a Business Angel network which has to date invested and supported numerous businesses throughout Sussex and the wider South East.  He has forged investment links in the areas of food manufacturing, food smoking, retail (food sector), transport, paint recycling, aviation, and recently launched a two new internet based companies.  He is currently supporting people and businesses in the areas such as one-to-one mentoring, specific project costing and opportunity viability.  Aside from direct investment Tim has raised finance and developed alternatives strategies to fund business start ups.

2.45pm – 3.30pm

Workshop:

• How to Write your Marketing Plan

Kerry Kyriacou, Independent Business Adviser, Mentor and Business Coach.

3.30pm Keynote Speaker:

Gill Fielding

Gill Fielding, a self-made millionaire with huge credibility in the financial world, will look at the wider impact of the 2013 budget on small businesses. Gill has been a ‘Secret Millionaire’ on Channel 4, a business expert on The Apprentice – You’re Fired show, and a financial commentator for the BBC, ITV and CNBC. As a local celebrity Gill has always enjoyed supporting local businesses. As the Patron of the Worthing and Adur Chamber her talks are always hugely popular, entertaining and inspirational.

Apprenticeships week Employer Breakfast.

Join us for breakfast and discover how apprenticeships deliver for business.

Date: Thursday 14th March 2013
Venue: Field Place, Worthing
Time:  7.30 – 9.00 am
Advanced Booking is Required

On the 14 March 2013, there will be an apprenticeship event in West Sussex designed to promote the value of apprenticeships.  This event is free and will include a business breakfast aimed at showing businesses how apprenticeships deliver.

How will the event benefit my organisation?
*    Find out how Apprenticeships can deliver for your business
*    Meet apprentices and their employers, hearing first hand of their experiences
*    Take advantage of grants and funding – up to 10 grants of £1,500 may be available to you to support recruitment of a 16-24 year old Apprentice
*    Free advice on addressing training needs
*    Opportunity to network

Please Click here to book your place at the Worthing Business Breakfast

Are you an ex-student of Worthing High School?

If you would like some more information about the project then please contact Karen Hayler at khayler@worthinghigh.net  Tel: 01903 229275 by the end of February 2013.

CALLING ALL GOLFERS!!!

Charity Golf Day in aid of the Mayor of Worthing’s charity – the Worthing and Adur Fund.

Date: Friday 19 April
Cost: £50 to include a bacon roll and dinner.

Please click here for more details and a booking form.

If you are interested please call Paul or Sarah Howard on 01903 212210, or email completed Entry Form to sarah@howardestateagency.co.uk.

Our esteemed CEO at the Houses of Parliament!

What a fascinating Tour!! On Friday 8th February 30 of our members had a lovely afternoon out on the coach up to the Houses of Parliament.

Our tour guides each entrusted with 15 excited Chamber members led us on a fascinating tour and shared stories, gossip and of course the history of the Houses of Parliament.

We saw both the House of Commons and the House of Lords along with many many other interesting sights.

I didn’t realise that you can queue up on the day to sit in either House and listen to the business of the day. One of our guides – Sharon Stanley – said the House of Lords is the most interesting – I quite fancy paying a trip up there one day!

I must just say my group had Sharon Stanley as our guide, what an amazing lady, she was so passionate about the tour and certainly knew her stuff. She was engaging, intersting and very very funny, she had us in fits of laughter on more than one occasion and excited for what was coming next. If you can choose your guide, I’d certainly recommend her. I’d like to invite her down to one of our events and give us a talk …and plenty of gossip about her job. I bet she has some stories to tell!

If we manage to arrange another trip I’d really encourage you to go, it’s certainly a worthy afternoon away from work!

Tracie Davey
Admin

A recent article published by a technology services provider in the states suggested that 60% of companies suffering a major loss of data will shut down within six months of the event occurring. Whilst this may seem extreme consider how rapidly the situation could escalate -:

• What if confidential information is lost for good, this could adversely affect a business’s ability to remain competitive.
• Loss of trust may lead to customers ceasing to do business with the company.
• The loss of data maybe compounded by creditors suing for late payments resulting from financial losses.
• The collateral damage caused to the business by way of a damaged reputation may result in the loss of market position as well as potential investors withdrawing proposed financial support.

It is therefore as important to acknowledge the significance of how a major data loss may affect your business when considering the contents of any business continuity planning and disaster recovery processes.

One important ingredient that must be considered is insurance, ensuring that your business is protected correctly, but do not just assume that you are already covered as most technology & cyber risks are not covered by traditional insurance policies. Specialist Technology & Cyber Insurance Policies are now available to cover exposures to hacking and virus attacks, data and privacy breaches so now there is no longer any need to compromise the future of your business.

For more information on this, or any other Technology Insurance matter, call Geoff on 01903 520200 or email geoff.stanbridge@nsure.co.uk

A New Manager……….

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine yesterday who was telling me about a new Manager within their organisation. Following a re-structure this person has been appointed to the newly created role of Area Manager and is responsible for 2 or 3 teams spread across a geographical area.

The story continued in that the new Area Manager has now been in position for approximately 5 weeks and to date there has been no contact with their new team(s) either individually or collectively. It appears that the only way to get to meet with the new manager is to phone them direct and ask for an appointment in their diary.

This approach raises a number of questions in my mind such as;

• Has the new manager any previous experience of taking on existing teams before?
• Has the new manager received any coaching/advice about setting up from their boss?
• How important is the team to the new manager?
• How does this approach impact on the team? Will they feel valued or important?
• What expectations does the new manager have of their team and how will they find out about them?
• What plans do they have to communicate with their team?
• Have they received any training or coaching to help them prepare for managing/leading a team of people?

There are many more questions that could be asked here………..

In my experience this is a far from the best way to start off with a new team for any new manager, let alone an Area Manager with perhaps more than one team. “So what would be the best start?” I hear some of you say, well certainly a more structured and perhaps thought-out approach would be more effective. Perhaps it might look something like this;

• Work with your boss to fully understand your job role
  - Company expectations of your new role
  - Your bosses expectations of you
  - The Performance standards expected
  - Specific targets or measures for you to achieve
• Plan Your Initial Approach to the team(s) – Understand your team and it’s role in the organisation (this may even be before you start your new job)
  - Look at your team’s fit within the larger organization or unit
  - Review the purpose of the team
  - Review objectives for the team with your boss
  - Take stock of the new team – who’s in it? background, feedback from
  customers/clients etc.
  - Try to identify any likely problems or issues
  - Communicate with your boss and keep them informed
• Plan and run your First Team Meeting(s)
  - What key messages do you want to send?
  - What expectations and “rules for operating” do you want to establish?
  - What do you want to tell the team about how you like to work with team members?
  - What information from the team do you need to ask for?
  - What do you want to say about next steps?
  - How should you structure your agenda?
  - Make sure you use your agenda
  - Listen and observe everyone during the meeting. Make notes as appropriate
  - Focus on next steps, especially with objectives
  - How can you get to know each other better going forward? What would the team like to know?
• Schedule Individual Meetings as soon as possible
  - Get to know the individuals in your team
  - What do they like/not like
  - How do they like to be managed?
  - What support do they expect from you as boss?
• Conduct Individual Follow-up Meetings
  - Continue to get to know your team,
  - Monitor progress and offer support as necessary
• Continue communicating with your own boss.
  - They are a great source of information and advice
  - Keep them in the loop of progress and issues and what plans you have to tackle them
• Make plans to review progress and correct your direction as may be necessary

Of course, this is just one approach and each situation should be assessed carefully to ensure that the best approach is selected. My preference would be to work directly with the new leader, exploring options and ideas to help them set their team up to get the ‘smoothest’ transition to new leadership as possible.

What would you suggest best practice in the instance quoted above?

Martin Smith Learning and Development Ltd is a specialist consultancy working with leaders at all levels to improve their relationships with the people that they interact with both internally and externally to the company. We work with organisations, teams and individuals to identify how they can get the best from their people. We have experience spanning diverse industries and encompassing sectors such as engineering, design, customer service, finance, supply chain, sales and procurement.

To discuss how Martin Smith Learning and Development Ltd can help you and your business please contact us;

Phone; 07702110676, Email; contact@martin-smith.biz Web; www.martin-smith.biz

Martin Smith Learning and Development Ltd – Developing your people to GROW your business

I am very aware as a resident of the town that there is great interest in what is happening on a number of key sites across Adur and Worthing.  Of great concern has been the delays in bringing forward the Teville Gate Development.  Planning Committee resolved that to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the site last October subject to a legal agreement.  The development which would represent £150 million investment in the town was hoped to provide a catalyst for the regeneration of the town centre but has been delayed by the recession.  The development would incorporate 260 new homes, an hotel, restaurants/coffee shops, a Sainsburys supermarket, conference and exhibition space and a 9 screen multiplex cinema.  The owners have recently however submitted a draft legal agreement and have confirmed that they are still committed to the project.  It is anticipated that planning permission will be granted by the end of the year and it is hoped that next year will see the start of this long awaited project.

Whilst, the recession has halted may projects nationally, a number of recent planning permission are being implemented which will provide much needed family accommodation and at long last the town will have two new Colleges fit for the 21^st century.  Over 400 houses will be built to facilitate Worthing College moving to its new home at the Aviva site and Northbrook College will have the funds to complete its redevelopment of its Broadwater campus.  Both Colleges have consistently achieved fantastic results despite very poor accommodation and staff and future students fully deserve the best teaching environment to maintain these high standards.

The residential development at West Durrington has been in and out of the news for many years and the West Durrington Consortium has recently confirmed that it will be submitting reserved matters applications in the next few months and hope to start work on site next year.  The development would provide for up to 700 dwellings, a new school, a youth building, new allotments, a football pitch and multi use games area, as well as over 200 affordable new houses to help meet local housing needs.

The housing developments planned will also provide significant employment and the Council is keen to ensure that developers recruit locally to reduce unemployment levels.  The recent approval for the Brighton and Hove First Team and Academy Training Facility at Mash Barn highlights a number of local benefits that can be secured by working in partnership with developers.  The Club has sought to appoint local contractors and is committed to recruit a certain percentage of new employees from the local area.  The £29 million scheme is a further boost to the local economy.

As well as the national housebuilders providing a mix of market and affordable homes, Roffey Homes has started a number of luxury developments on the seafront.  May I add my congratulations to Roffey Homes for recently winning the ‘Best Apartment UK’  and Best Development in West Sussex for the recently completed Eardley development which greatly enhances this part of the seafront.’

Tourism and Hospitality for Worthing – A new approach?

Summer months are busy in Worthing and Adur.  Tourists and residents alike flock to our seafront and onto the South Downs, and when the sun is out, business is good for all. But with Winter almost upon us, considering how our region can further promote itself, not only during the winter months but into next Spring and beyond, is extremely relevant.  

Worthing and Adur are bustling towns, and offer a great mix of eclectic shops and fine restaurants, coastal cafes and excellent theatres but what can we, as residents and business owners, do to help our area promote itself and attract even more visitors?

Following interest from our members, The Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce has recently launched a new Tourism and Hospitality group.  The overall aim of this group is to see how it can collectively further boost promotion of our area and add support to the Visit Worthing tourism team, who have also just recently commissioned a new tourism vision document for Worthing and Adur.

The Worthing and Adur Tourism and Hospitality Group have held two open meetings to date, and the attendance at both has been superb.  Many of our members and local businesses, such as Michael Jones Ltd, Best of Worthing, The Burlington, Kiddie Coupons, Clear Computing, Bennett Griffin LLP, Northbrook College & Essentially Worthing have committed to the project and the vibe is positive and uplifting.

So, where do the visitors to our area come from?  Reports and statistics from Visit Worthing suggest that the majority of out of season tourist trade into Worthing and Adur comes from those who are here to visit friends and family and from visiting business people.

With this information firmly in mind the new Tourism and Hospitality group has decided to implement a local campaign, in the form of a Tourism Exhibition, to showcase the locality and actively encourage residents and their visitors to take more advantage of all the great amenities and attractions we have on offer, to embrace them and promote them to others.  Local businesses will be involved too and commit their energy to working together to ensure the project is successful.

The working group have also discussed many ideas to support the exhibition, from a discount booklet for those visiting the town, to a tourist bus to drive visitors around, and would welcome more ideas and suggestions should you wish to be involved.  The timeframe for the Exhibition is March 2013, during English Tourism Week, and the exhibition will also run alongside the Business Showcase which is being organised on behalf of the Adur and Worthing Business Partnership.

Promoting our towns and our region is more important than ever now, so it is vital we all work together to see how Worthing and Adur can best be promoted in the future for sustainability and also so we can continue to keep it a place where our families and businesses thrive.

Sheryl Tipton

Marketing Consultant

Lead, Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce Hospitality and Tourist Group

Injured workers face tougher battle for compensation under government plans

Following an article in today’s Guardian about compensation for injuires at work,  Nick Hind from Bennett Griffin’s Personal Injury team comments:

“The coalition government, with no mandate whatsoever to do so, appear intent on playing fast and loose with people’s rights to seek financial redress if injured in an accident that is not their fault.  The latest wheeze, sneakily introduced at the last minute, with no consultation, into the Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Bill will remove the right of thousands of people injured at work every year to claim for their injuries.  The government, in the name of protecting and promoting business, has decided that anyone injured at work will have to prove that their employer was negligent, not just in breach of well established and hard fought for health and safety regulations, to successfully claim redress.  That will hugely raise the bar and thousands of people injured in substandard workplaces will go uncompensated.  There will be no incentive for employers to keep health and safety under review and increased numbers of workplace injuries will ensue, and all the while insurance companies will be rubbing their hands with glee and tax payers will have to pick up the financial slack.  It’s no wonder that the insurance industry are cheering from the sidelines as the clock is turned back 30 years”

If you have had an accident at work speak to our team Toby Barrett, Nick Hind, David Hawkins or Amy Kenward on 01903 229999.

Dementia Friends

Lawyers in our Private Law team have signed up to be kept informed about this new initiative from the Alzheimer’s Society.

According to their website Dementia Friends aims to make everyday life better for people with dementia by changing the way the nation thinks, talks and acts. By 2015, they want a million people to have the know-how to help people with dementia feel understood and included in their community.

You can register your interest via the Dementia Friends website.

At Bennett Griffin, we regularly assist clients in the early stages of dementia to get their affairs in order, and make sure they have the necessary protection in place, whether by a Power of Attorney or an Advance Decision.  We also support families whose loved ones suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s, both in relation to their financial and legal affairs, and their welfare planning.

Call us now on 01903 777683 for more information, or to speak to one of our qualified and experienced lawyers – Ian Macara, Tania Clapham, Jo Edwards, Katie Haffenden or Tricia Stephenson.

Following the success of previous events for Children in Need, we are pleased to announce that the Bennett Griffin Bowling Bonanza is back for a third year running!!

Community groups and businesses from the local area are invited to participate in this bowling event, which will be held on Thursday 15th November at AMF Bowling in Worthing.  We have reserved all 26 lanes and are confident that they will all be needed.  There are more details on our poster, which I will pass round.

This year’s theme is wigs and hats!  There will be a prize for the funniest/most outrageous wig or hat worn.

Whether or not you are able to join us on the night, we would be extremely grateful for your help in obtaining sponsorship for this worthy cause.  The Children in Need charity provides grants to projects in the UK which focus on disadvantaged children and young people.  You can donate here

Last year we all had a great evening, and managed to raise £2,600 for Children in Need!  We would like to smash that record this year, and we hope you can join us on 15th November for a fun packed evening!!