Friday 22 February 2013

Plucky Paul Aims for top in charity climb

Farmer from Baxenden to take on Everest for charity
Paul Starkie, 44, is aiming to complete a ten-day trek next month which will see him walk for between six and seven hours a day to reach Everest.

Paul Starkie
A poultry farmer from Baxenden has plucked up the courage to take on the world’s highest peak.
Paul Starkie, 44, is aiming to complete a ten-day trek next month which will see him walk for between six and seven hours a day to reach Everest base camp, 18,000 feet above sea level.
Back Lane resident Paul has feelings of excitement and trepidation about his journey.
Paul said: “I decided that I wanted to challenge myself after reading about a friend of mine trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro. I recruited a close friend Neil Sarsfield, who now lives in Barrie, Canada. Between us we came up with the idea of trekking to Mount Everest base camp, as Neil had wanted to do this from childhood.”
As part of his climb Paul will be raising money for the British Heart Foundation in memory of his father-in-law and boss Peter Ashburner, who died of heart failure in 2007.

Tuesday 12 February 2013

New home found for Sophie Lancaster Foundation

New home found for Sophie Lancaster Foundation

.3:47pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Haslingden .
New home found for Sophie Lancaster Foundation
THE Sophie Lancaster Foundation has moved to a new home in Haslingden town centre.
The charity, set up after Sophie’s murder in Bacup in 2007, faced a period of uncertainty after it was announced its old home, the Agapao Impact Centre in Bury Road, was to be controversially sold off by its owners.
But the group’s spokesman Kate Conboy-Greenwood confirmed it has moved into a new ground-floor office in Deardengate this week.
She said: “It’s been a difficult time for us as Sylvia (Sophie’s mum) has already spoken about. We needed security as we’re always booked up and busy.
“We’ll be fully up and running soon. At the moment we’re just waiting for some deliveries and the internet and phones to be connected.”
She added that the charity had been overwhelmed by the support shown by pupils on a recent visit to Mount Carmel High School in Accrington.
She said: “We sold 100 S.O.P.H.I.E. wristbands in 10 minutes, which is unheard of.”
The Agapao site has been on the market with estate agency Trevor Dawson since November, but details of the property only went live on its website yesterday.
Haslingden MP Graham Jones raised the building’s plight in Parliament in December after residents voiced concerns at a public meeting.

Sophie Lancaster

The Green Squirrel Haslingden

Pals who bought their local in Haslingden put it up for sale
.8:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Haslingden  By Lisa Woodhouse, Education Reporter .
POPULAR pub is set to be sold just 18 months after it was bought by three regulars.
Ben Greenwood, 30, Stephen Sourbutts, 29, and Lindsay McGuire, 31, clubbed together to buy the former Crown pub in Manchester Road, Haslingden, and reopen it as The Green Squirrel in July 2011.
The pub, named after a cricket team the friends used to play in, was at the centre of a dispute last year when neighbours complained about the noise levels particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.
But the three pals insist their decision has nothing to do with it and it was time to move on from their “Men Behaving Badly” lifestyle.
 Stephen said: “Business is doing well, but we’re all of an age now where we want to settle down. Two of us are in serious relationships and are getting a bit of pressure from our partners about getting our own place. At the moment we all live above the pub and it’s like still being at uni. We have our own bedroom, but share a lounge, and kitchen.
“There has been no arguing. It was a mutual decision to put it up for sale. We feel it’s time for us to move on.”
Stephen, a mechanical engineer at Metso, has been with his girlfriend for five years, while Ben, a farrier, has been with his girlfriend Gemma for around two.
..He said he would like to see someone build on the success they have had. “In an ideal world we would like it to go to someone local, ideally a couple, who will be able to give it 100 per cent. However, we would be foolish not to consider all options. The pub means a lot to us. We grew up drinking in here and we have invested a lot of time, money and effort into the business.”

Monday 11 February 2013

The Rossendale Rubicon

The Rossendale Rubicon was formed by the people who still used services at the time of the closure of the day unit at Rossendale General Hospital.
Rubicon art at Stacksteads Summer FairIt was felt strongly that something was needed to replace the service. So that was the start of the Rubicon, set up and run by people of Rossendale who suffer or have suffered from depression, anxiety and other similar problems.
The Rubicon has since grown, seeing lots of new members, members moving on, some feeling they felt they could cope without the Rubicon, some even going into further education, voluntary work or even paid employment.
Rossendale Rubicon is a not for profit organisation working throughout Rossendale. Rubicon is self-funded, so fundraising is essential. Rossendale Rubicon caters for people aged 16 to 110.
The aims of Rossendale Rubicon are to promote:
Improvement in physical and mental well being
Increased confidence
Feelings of self worth
Working together
Sharing problems and solutions
A social link for isolated members of the community
Life skills
Self respect
Friendship
A link to other groups and services
Weight management and healthy eating
Access to volunteering opportunities and much more........
Rubicon works alongside various partners throughout Rossendale.
Rossendale Rubicon meets at:
Acre Mill Baptist Church, Off Hammond Avenue, Stacksteads, Bacup
Wednesday 9am until 3pm, Friday 9am until 1pm
Manchester Road Methodist Church, Haslingden
Next to Haslingden Health Centre, Thursday 9.30am until 3pm
How to contact Rubicon:
Telephone:
Bryan 01706 874614/ mobile 07591 693925
Gwen 01706 878432 /mobile 07939 035982
Dianne mobile 07592 340883
Email:
Post:
Rubicon, c/o Bryan Lamb, 5, Cemetery Terrace, Stacksteads, Bacup, OL13-0EL

The RAFT Foundation: Rossendale's Local Food Bank

The RAFT Foundation: Rossendale's Local Food Bank
The RAFT Foundation provides food parcels to families and individuals in the Rossendale area who are experiencing financial hardship. 
So what is RAFT all about?
13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK
Every day the news tells us of the growing number of people in the UK who go hungry. Rising fuel costs, increasing food prices, redundancy, and benefit reforms are creating hardship amongst many individuals and families.
RAFT is run entirely by volunteers, and they rely on local support to assist local people.
Rossendale people are in hardship
Struggling financially is not limited to a particular location, age group or background. Recent unemployment figures estimate that nearly 4,000 people are out of work in the borough of Rossendale.*
RAFT aims to assist those in need
Financial hardship can occur very quickly. Redundancy, illness, family breakdown can all contribute to a sudden change in circumstance. What is more, it can be a matter of weeks before links to the services of local government agencies are established.
Collection and donation
RAFT has been created to support people in financial hardship.  Their work involves:
Co-ordinating and collecting publically donated non-perishable food and toiletries
Raising funds to supplement non-perishable goods with fresh food - milk, fruit/veg etc
Sorting and delivering nutritionally balanced food parcels to those in need
Working with other local agencies and offering a signposting service where appropriate.
*Office for National Statistics 2012
INFORMATION
Current trustees
Kate Crane (Chair), Rachel Heeks, Andrew Gundry
Twitter @raftfoundation
Facebook the.raft.foundation
Email info@raftfoundation.org
Phone/SMS: 07874 206854
The RAFT Foundation needs donations of non-perishable items, donations of funds and volunteers. If you can assist with any of these, please make contact using the details above.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

As one of the most proactive charities in Rossendale, The Sophie Lancaster Foundation aims to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hate and Intolerance Everywhere.
The Sophie Lancaster Foundation
Charities in Rossendale
Stamp Out Prejudice, Hate and Intolerance Everywhere
Registered Charity No. 1129689
On the 24th August 2007, Sophie Lancaster died from her injuries following a horrific attack in Stubbylee Park, Rossendale. The simple reason why Sophie and her boyfriend Robert were attacked was that they looked different.
Sophie died because of the prejudices, hate and intolerance that people from alternative subcultures often face today, all over our country. This type of crime is also more common than is estimated as many young people have come into contact with these negative views in their daily lives.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aims
The aim of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation is to Stamp Out Prejudice, Hate and Intolerance Everywhere. The foundation was set up by Sophie's mother, Sylvia Lancaster and has become one of the most proactive charities in Rossendale and across the UK.
The goals of the foundation are:
◦To create a lasting legacy to Sophie
 ◦Working with local politicians and police for a better understanding.
 ◦To change the law by having hate crime legislation brought up to date so that all hate attacks on individuals from a particular subculture are treated with the same seriousness as a racial attack, for example. A change in the law will allow people to feel safe whilst expressing their individuality, as this is the right of every person.
 ◦To make a difference through education. Attacks on people of alternative subcultures are often a result of ignorance or a lack of understanding. This education will be conveyed as part of a ground breaking workshop which is being taken into schools, to help pupils appreciate members of all youth cultures.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Promoting The Sophie Lancaster Foundation
To meet aims and objectives The Sophie Lancaster Foundation has promoted itself on both national and international platforms. Sylvia Lancaster has been interviewed many times for television and newspapers, even appearing on a "Tonight With Trevor McDonald" special.
The foundation also work with other high profile charities such as the Anne Frank Trust, who recognise that Sophie's death was a hate crime. Bizarre magazine have dedicated a page called "Proud To Be Different" to the work of the foundation in their monthly publication.
The political and social campaign highlighting the issues faced by alternative subcultures has led Sylvia to be appointed to Hate Crime Advisory Board for the government. Sylvia also met with the Justice Minister Jack Straw in 2009 to discuss the need for updating legislation.

Sunday 10 February 2013

Charity's In Rossendale & AGAPAO

Charity's In Rossendale & AGAPAO

Thought we might cover a topic close to our hearts here at the blog centre and that is the local charity's in the Rossendale Valley of which there are rather a lot. Some do fantastic work with little or no help from national government or bodies, volunteers and donations come from every walk of life in the valley and some large and small business.
As with everything in life there are good and bad, and it's the same with organisations. There are those who work tremendously hard to provide a range of services to assist the needy and then there are those who do not, but would appear to be self-serving.
Let’s talk about the good ones first shall we, they deserve our applause and the thanks of countless individuals in Rossendale, and then we'll get on to the not so nice ones which we hope will get you commenting in your droves.
Rossendale is according to government statistics one of the major areas where suicide and mental illness is at a record high, it is also an area where unemployment is above the national average, Why.......?
The answer lies not just with the present, but with its history over the last three decades. Once the centre of so many industries, cotton, footwear, engineering, construction, the valley was a proud region linked by its railway which transported its products to every corner of the United Kingdom.
And then the railway closed and the valley turned inward and industry moved away to find better distribution links, and of course cheaper labour in foreign countries.
Of course some profited but and still do, but for the majority poverty and the daily struggle to survive began, and continues.
When Rossendale lost its hospital services, one group of people came together under the umbrella of the RUBICON, they work tirelessly to assist those who have suffered some form of mental health problem, whether it be depression, stress, a nervous breakdown, addiction whatever they are all volunteers giving their time and effort for the good of the community and work alongside other agencies such as the Samaritans and NHS Crisis teams covering Rossendale.
I now one member, Gwen Lamb and her husband devoted to doing everything they can for those around them, we don’t know the names of the other volunteers but we are sure everyone would like to say a massive thank you to them all.
We are lucky enough to chat indirectly with Gwen every day a wonderful lady with a fantastic sense of humour, rare given the things she must see daily.
Then of course there is RAFT, who provide food hampers to the needy, they work hard supporting families to put food on the table for their children and older members of the community who are in financial hardship. They to have a group of dedicated volunteers who both collect the food prepare the hampers and then distribute them.
Kate Crane is the driving force and a lady we have had the pleasure of meeting, so too her and the volunteers again a massive well done.
There are other charities active in the area The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, East Lancs Hospice etc. They all do great work.
But then of course there are the not so good ones, and one in particular has over the last twelve months given rise to shall we say discontent in some quarters of the population.
The adage about the rotten apple in a barrel springs to mind.
AGAPAO, was until last year based in the Mary Hindle Community Resource Centre, in the very heart of Haslingden.
This organisation was run by Ms Louise Chicot who took over the building in 2009 with the help of the PEER SUPPORT Group and in particular Mr Andy MacNae according to the PEER Group website.
An interesting article we unearthed which has now come back to haunt some people we imagine:
But other organisations within Haslingden also played a part, those responsible for the regulatory financial affairs, and of course as a charity the trustees all seem to have failed in their role of due diligence,  from the outset.
A brief look at AGAPAO and its founder would leave most business administration and marketing people dumfounded as to how she ever managed to run anything, but then she has been described by some as charismatic, bullying, manipulative, completely over whelmed and self-opinionated.
There is one small point at this stage which most business people should find shocking as do the residents of Haslingden and the cause of much grievance.  The centre was purchased using funds provided by the authorities in 2002, £ 250,000 to be precise and a ten year term was attached to this which expired in 2012. That addendum prohibited the sale of the building during the ten year term. However, whoever the owner was in 2012 that restriction no longer applied, so Ms Chicot was handed a golden egg from the very start. Just sit tight and wait, accumulate the assistance of others and create an illusion.
Rossendale Radio was a fantastic station music broadcaster and information service for Rossendale based in the centre; we listened to it every day.
But its demise in early 2012 was however inevitable, its financial base was shall we say questionable …! And as a non-profit organisation doomed from the start, its marketing strategy was deplorable, and so too other areas of the organisation.
 AGAPAO had so many things going on, it created a fantastic illusion and smoke screen, waste collection, mobile phone collection, toy collection, cloths collection etc… how much it achieved for Rossendale or Uganda is also debatable.
And a check with companies house is frightening, companies created and then closed, directors and trustees here today and gone tomorrow and then back again, any business analyst or accountant should have seen what was coming, back in 2010 – 2011.
And so here we are today the building is closed, the radio station gone, several charity organisations out in the cold and forced to look for other accommodation, and the people of Haslingden left with no community centre and the building for sale ……!
And who is the beneficiary?
Well one is Ms Chicot, but there are other self-serving individuals who stand to gain.
What to do next, there have been meetings numerous Facebook rants and declarations and demands that the centre be given back to the people of Haslingden for FREE..!
It’s never going to happen, condemnation of Ms Chicot and demands for her to do the honourable thing GIVE IT BACK, once again..! It’s not going to happen.
There is just one way to return the Mary Hindle Resource Centre to the people of Haslingden and Rossendale, that is for them to see the light and get a group of people together to find a means to raise the funds, and put in place a solid management structure with a business plan and the right expertise and to remove the blinkers and look outside of Rossendale if need be for help.
Anyone who was involved in the past is tainted with the present situation, as they say new blood and not self-interest will and can bring it back, but will anyone stand up and try ?
Its time for Rossendale to open up and come out of the closet and see the future not the past..!

Wednesday 6 February 2013

News About a local Hair Stylist Twizzlez

Hi everyone hope you have all had a good couple of days and snow all gone
from where ever you are.

Been busy, busy with my clients so far this week and tomorrow out doing some sales and marketing in the morning then snip, snip and hair extensions in the afternoon and early evening.

Well your all aware of my new project with Trevor Adams Studios in Accrington
and my role as your personal hair and make-up stylist for the Corporate and PR shoots ......

Well Twizzlez is moving forward yet again with our very own Online Shop on our website.

Great hair and facilial beauty products at fantastic prices from on of the worlds major cosmetic and hair producers. Would love to tell you which one but we have promised to keep it hush, hush until the website is ready to go live in the next couple of days.

You will be able to order and pay online and delivery will be direct to your home, payments will be by PAYPAL one of the worlds best known financial transaction organisations so security is gauranteed.

So a big launch with very special promotions to kick of the product range, and our online outlet.


So we are counting down the days to the big launch.

Monday 4 February 2013

Marketing Tips – 12

Marketing Tip – 12

What’s in a logo?

Actually you’d be surprised – since designing your original logo or branding a couple of years ago, sales of your products and services hopefully went from strength to strength and customer feedback told you that, as well as the great product quality and service any packaging information and of course great value for money all added to the experience and brand name.

Your customers probably see your company logo on everything from promotional material to stationery – and of course your catalogue, website, Facebook, Twitter and perhaps a blog.

But is it still effective? Is it the clean, is it the modern look of your company today, the branding has no small influence in people choosing your products and services.

And the time maybe right to bring your logo right up to date with a new look that brings it into line with the new look of your company.

Any new logo should be a fresh, clean design with a modern font and an icon to your existing clients and new prospective clients that features the signature colours of your brand.

Perhaps try to incorporate something from your old logo as a reminder of its origins.

It’s yet another thing that you could be doing to stay ahead of your competitors and retain your image, get people talking about your company again and built the future from its present base.

Sunday 3 February 2013

WH Smith to pull out of Accrington shopping centre

WH Smith to pull out of Accrington shopping centre
A MAJOR retailer is to shut up shop in an East Lancashire shopping centre.
WH Smith has announced its Accrington store is to close in March following a failure to negotiate rents with the Arndale Centre.
The decision has been described as a ‘major blow’ to the town, which already has a high percentage of empty shops.
The stationery giants said they were hoping to find an alternative location in the town, but that rents at the shopping centre had led to a decision to close.
Council leader Miles Parkinson said he was ‘worried and concerned’ by the news. And leader of the opposition at Hyndburn Council, Peter Britcliffe said he was calling for all-party talks between local leaders and the Arndale Centre.
Coun Britcliffe said: “WH Smith’s closure would be a tremendous blow to Accrington as the decline in the centre is unbelievable.
“I find this news very worrying and I would urge the Arndale Centre to get real. People are try-ing to trade in very difficult conditions and we need to keep shops open, not see them close.
“Losing a major name like WH Smith is a disaster for Accrington.”
Coun Parkinson said: “We’ve been involved in recent negotiations and I have offered whatever help I can, but it seems to have gone past that point now. It is very sad that WH Smith is now set to close.
I am very concerned and worried, and want answers as to what direction the owners are taking the Arndale Centre in.
“It looks like current plans are not sustainable and I would like to discuss their business plan, and how to move things forward.”
A spokeswoman for WH Smith said: “We can confirm our store in Accrington will close in March 2013.
“The decision has been taken following the lease expiring.
“We have been unable to agree a rent with the landlord. We are disappointed to be losing our presence in the town and if a suitable location became available that was viable, we would consider it.”
The Arndale Centre changed hands in April last year to an off-shore company. Property management of the centre passed to Manchester firm Lee Baron, overseen by London asset management firm Jesta.
On taking over, Jesta said it hoped to revitalise the centre and encourage interest from big national retailers. David Berman, from Jesta, said: “These negotiations are confidential, but we would very much like WH Smith to remain. We are still talking with them and at the moment. Nothing is dead and buried.”

Social Media Marketing

Social Media Marketing Tip – 17
Social networking through sites like Facebook and Twitter are changing the way customers and businesses interact. And the way you conduct yourself through your social media accounts is a direct reflection on your business. 
Here are 12 rules of social media etiquette that you should never break. 
There is no doubt about it-social networking, or social media if you prefer, is all the buzz. A report just out indicates that 61% of online UK citizens have joined a social network.
Another 79% are consuming some form of social content on a regular basis. 
People are connecting with, listening to, following and collaborating with each other online at an amazing rate.
Some people are using it for personal reasons. They are sharing their recipes, their photos and their ideas to stay up to date with their friends and family. Business people are using social networking sites to build their careers, promote their business and grow their reputations.
The most popular social networking sites are Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter. Each one of those sites is uniquely positioned and serves a particular population or purpose. There are other online networking sites, numbering in the thousands, so at this point, they shall remain nameless.
The purpose of this article is not to provide information on which networking sites you should choose and why, but to provide you with tips on the etiquette of social networking. Once again, as with e-mail, cell phones, Blackberries and other technological devices or technologically driven communication, we got the technology up front and we have backed into the rules for using it with courtesy and consideration.
I am starting with a list of twelve tips on the etiquette of social networking for the polished professional. The list will, no doubt, grow with time.
#1. Fill out your online profiles completely with information about you and your business. Use your real name and your own photo. Your cat may be adorable, but unless you are a veterinarian specializing in the care and treatment of felines, don't get cute.
#2. Use a different profile or account for your personal connections. Business and pleasure do not mix in this medium.
#3. Create a section on your main profile detailing who you are seeking to befriend and ask that visitors abide by that information. Everyone need not apply.
#4. Offer information of value. Don't talk just about yourself and your company.
#5. Don't approach strangers and ask them to be friends with you just so you can then try to sell them on your products or services. You will quickly lose credibility and your so-called 'friends.'
#6. Pick a screen name that represents you and your company well. Don't call yourself 'Loser1' unless you want to be known by that name.
#7. Don't send out requests for birthdays, invitations to play games or other timewasters for those using the site. 
#8. Don't put anything on the Internet that you don't want your future boss, current client or potential clients to read. 
#9. Check out the people who want to follow you or be your friend. Your mother was right when she said that people will judge you by the company you keep.
#10. If someone does not want to be your friend, accept their decision gracefully. They have the right to make that choice and you have to accept it.
#11. Never post when you're overly-tired, jet lagged, intoxicated, angry or upset. 
#12. Compose your posts, updates or tweets in a word processing document so you can check grammar and spelling before you send them. 
The world of online networking is new to most of us, but there is little difference in connecting with people online and offline. The same basic tenets hold true. Trust and authenticity remain high on the list.
Business Tip – 27
When you're running a business, it makes sense to surround yourself with people who are experts in what they do, so that you can get on with the day to day building of your business.
Contact Laura Bolton, of Simple Accounting (NW) Ltd
Many people, when starting out in business, think that they can do all of their bookkeeping and returns themselves. But just think about the time you spend on this (and, most likely, tearing your hair out because it doesn't make sense). Then think how much business building you could do in that time.
Using a qualified accountant makes sense on a number of levels:
Of course, they're fully up to speed with the latest legislation, so can actually work to save you money. Then, of course, they do what they do, day in, day out, so can do it much faster and more efficiently.
For Laura Bolton, of Simple Accounting (NW) Ltd, based in Accrington, Lancashire, her interest in accounts began many years ago, Laura is a fully qualified CIMA accountant and grow up in the local area, so she is well aware of the difficulties companies have faced in recent years and the economic climate of the region.
Laura appreciates that not all businesses have large budgets, and prices her services to suit smaller businesses, as well as those who employ a large number of people. When speaking to her, it's clear that she gets a lot of enjoyment from the work that she does, and is very much a people person who ‘loves bumping into her clients when out and about'. She recognises that no two businesses are the same, that businesses don't simply operate 9-5, and likes to take time to explain to clients about how their accounts can work more efficiently.
Now in its third year, Simple Accounting (NW) Ltd offers everything that you'd expect an accountant to offer, meaning that they can take care of all your bookkeeping and payroll needs, as well as your management accounts, tax and VAT returns, advice, company formations and much more.
Also offered are bespoke new business start-up accounts packages, to help get new businesses off to a good start.
You can find out more about the services offered by Simple Accounting (NW) Ltd by visiting the Simple Accounting (NW) Ltd website, www.simpleaccountingnw.com or calling Laura on 07835 191381.

Business Tip – 19 Effective customer questionnaires

Business Tip – 19
How to create effective customer questionnaires
The humble questionnaire is a very powerful tool. Not only does it allow you to find out what your customers think but it’s also a great way to boost customer loyalty and build relationships.
But what makes a successful questionnaire?
Why questionnaires?
Some techniques — are so deceptively simple and obvious that marketers ignore them. They're not "creative" enough.
Well, forget "creative". I like things that work. And questionnaires work.
People love to give you their opinions. The questionnaire is a very unthreatening way to approach people.
You just have to ask nicely and often amazingly high percentages will reply.
When they do reply, this gives you an excuse to talk to them again.
So here’s our advice for you:
People agonise over making the survey short for maximum response, but do not fear a long survey. As long as the questions seem natural and logical to the reader, they will complete it, once the first few questions have been answered.
If you have some questions which are more important than others, make sure the survey has clear sections — the first with the main questions, then the next introduced with the words "You do not have to answer these, but if you do so, it'll mean x, y and z benefit...and will only take a few minutes more..."
Response can be increased by a variety of details. A lot depends on the honesty in the introduction, why you are doing the survey, what is in it for the responder (altruism, sense of helping self or fellows, and maybe even the chance to win something in a free draw, as a gesture of thanks), explaining how the results will be used, and even how they can see a copy of the results (usually a simple summary).
People love being asked for their opinion (“your opinion matters to us”), so use flattery to increase participation.
Make the introduction from someone they already might know and respect, rather than have no name at all. Even have it look like a letter, with a signature and photo for a touch of warmth.
Much depends on the layout, the clarity of typeface and typography, and the use of colours, tints and boxed sections make it look less daunting.
It sounds radical, but question how much response is really needed. Statistically a lower response sample may be fine, as long as the views are representative.
Try a reminder mailing/emailing after the natural response has dried up from the first survey. Non-responders are not against responding, they just have busy lives, are lazy, like all human beings, so a courteous reminder will typically get half as much response again.
Consider how/when the survey gets handed over, emailed or mailed. Is there a better moment, so they'll more disposed to take part?

Business Tip – 20 Events & Networking guide

Business Tip – 20
Events & Networking guide
When speaking to new businesses, the first piece of advice I give is to get out there and meet other businesses face to face. Even in this digital age of social media, real people still buy from real people and this is even more so the case if you set your potential customer sights higher up the ladder.
This can be daunting if you’re not a natural people person but in today’s world it is becoming more and more of a must as we are in a very competitive business environment and the race to get your brand noticed is harder than ever.
If you are new to networking or attending business events then here are my top 10 tips on networking and choosing the right event.
First rule of networking:
It is not all about sales. You are going to be with professionals from established businesses so ask them for advice and opinions. You will be surprised how much they want to help you when you’re not pushing a sales pitch down their ears.
Try informal events first:
If you’re new to networking, pick an informal fun event with an activity. This will allow you to meet other people in a relaxed atmosphere and get mixing with others sharing a common goal.
A good example of this are our Evening Chill-Time events or bowling nights.
Take a friend:
If you are a sole trader and not been to an event before then take a friend or even a friendly client/supplier for support.
Tweet your attendance:
If you are going to an event then use every social media feed you can and say that you’re looking forward to going. This is a great way to pre arrange an introduction and an excuse to just say hi.
Choose a wide range of events, not just your sector:
The best networkers I know go to all sorts of events ranging from fun to political, engineering to finance. You never know who you will meet so NEVER make assumptions.
NEVER avoid political or economic events/conferences: I have spoken to too many businesses who say that those types are events are boring and not for them. Yes that may be true to some people but here a theme that runs through the Chamber network:
Political/Economic events = Influential delegates, influential delegates = the big businesses, Big Business = Attracts the SME businesses and so on. This all equates to a huge range of opportunities.
Never assume:
Never think just because you may be a small business that the larger corporate members won’t want to talk to you or even do business with you. They will be looking out for that bright new idea or suppler to help them grow as well.
Maximise your exposure:
Go to breakfasts, lunches and evening events if you can as you will catch the early risers and the night owls.
Have an opinion:
At many Chamber events you will get the opportunity to ask a panel of speakers a question. If you are brave and do so, then I will guarantee that like-minded people will approach you afterwards to talk to you.
Research the Delegate list:
The unique thing about many Chamber events is that you get a delegate list, possible in advance. Use it and research a bit about the people or businesses attending. It will go a long way into making first and lasting impressions if you know about their business values and passions.
If you decide to just take one of these tips on board, then I am sure that you will come away from a Chamber event, with lots of opportunities and contacts to keep you going for ages

Business Tip – 21 Tax Allowance

Business Tax Allowancce
We've been asked this question a couple of times now by our clients, so we thought we better write about it!
The short answer is yes, you can claim your seasonal decorations as a tax deductible expense, especially if your business is one in which you regularly have customers visit you.
If you work from home, then you can claim your Halloween/Christmas decorations as a tax deductible expense ONLY for rooms that are used solely for business purposes.
However, if you have your own business premises, then obviously every room is used for business purposes, so you can claim any seasonal decorations you decide to put up against your taxable liability!
In fact, any costs of decorating your business premises will be allowable.
This can even extend to items such as paintings & antiques that you use to decorate areas which will be seen by customers and the general public.
You will need to make a business case for the expenditure, and larger items will only attract relief under the capital allowances system, but, nonetheless, provided you don't purchase a solid gold, diamond-encrusted mummy or pumpkin, you will be able to claim the cost of your Halloween decorations as a deductible business expense.
As always with this sort of thing, if you are every in any doubt, you are better off asking a professional first, contact your accountant for further details.

Friday 1 February 2013

Weekend News.

Well its weekend again and also the start of a new month, February is here already, soon be Valentines day so we hope you will make it special for someone you love and care about.

A quick mention to some of our friends, hoping they had a great week: Rubicon in Rossendale, Twizzlez and Trevor Adams Studios in Accrington, WebCats Design Studio and the team there, RAFT over there in Rossendale lots going on for them at the moment.

We are hopeing to put together some information during the weekend about both RAFT and Rubicon.

Look for Rubicon and RAFT on Twitter as well as all our other friends and give them a FOLLOW.

Have a great Friday evening everyone and a good weekend.