Click here for details of how to book.

ARE YOU A SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS?

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY AFFECTED WHEN YOUR FEMALE EMPLOYEES GO ON MATERNITY LEAVE?

IS THERE A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PAID MATERNITY LEAVE?

To find out the answer, we are working with the current affairs department of the BBC to develop a unique TV experiment which will explore a radical alternative to maternity leave that has already been successfully introduced in the USA.

These ‘baby at work’ schemes give new mothers the opportunity to simultaneously combine parenting and work.  The aim is to benefit the business by minimising maternity leave costs and not having to hire replacement workers, whilst the mothers’ careers can continue virtually uninterrupted and they also retain a closer bond to their children. 

We are looking for a company who would be happy to work with us for a day or two to conduct a scaled-down version of this scheme.

Ideally, up to 5 mothers (or fathers) who are either currently on maternity leave or who have young children (under 2) would attempt to look after them at work whilst continuing to do their jobs for one or two days.

The filming of this is for a non-broadcast tape and there is no commitment to take part in the series.

We hope that it would be an enjoyable experience for all concerned.

If you are interested in discussing this opportunity, please email kate.nixon@dragonfly.tv or phone 020 7033 2306

Canterbury marketing company The Purple Edge has announced the launch of a new service aiming to improve the marketing capability of Kent based small businesses.

The new service, a group coaching programme, is a training course with a difference. The programme will comprise 6 sessions run over 12 weeks. Each session will cover one area of marketing in detail and will challenge delegates to learn key skills and begin applying them to their own business immediately. 

Sharon Wilding, MD of The Purple Edge, said: “I am very excited about this new programme. For some time we have successfully provided marketing seminars in association with Canterbury Christchurch University and Business Link and we have provided one-to-one marketing coaching to business leaders. Our new programme aims to pull the two together to provide a really cost effective learning experience for small businesses.”

Prospective delegates shouldn’t expect an easy ride though. In addition to completing exercises in the fortnightly sessions they will also be given homework to complete – specific to their business – to cement their learning and to begin to develop their marketing plans. “Throughout the duration of the programme delegates will have access to free telephone and email support to help with any issues or questions. We’re there to help delegates apply the learning to their specific business requirements,” said Sharon.

Jim Hunt, Director at The Purple Edge said “Marketing is fundamentally important - ask any big company. It’s the key driver of new and profitable business but it’s often either misunderstood or, frankly, a bit of a mystery. Small companies in the current environment need to drive more business and they can’t afford to waste time and money on marketing activities that aren’t going to deliver. We aim to show them all they need to know and help them apply it. Our aim is that they finish the programme with a complete marketing plan for their business that they can implement immediately.”

The first Group Coaching programme begins on 23rd September at Hall Place in Canterbury, with other dates planned across the county in 2011.

More information is available via The Purple Edge on 01227 450960 or via the web site www.thepurpleedge.co.uk.

·       Posted by Susi Ibelati of Bussroot  

Lacking inspiration for my blog, I was saved by something of a serendipity (I love that word) moment yesterday morning, igniting thoughts about how we respond to customers and clients.

The big decision I’d been weighing up was where to buy my Sunday newspaper. Options including a branch of a national supermarket chain, a petrol station or a family run ‘convenience’ shop, all involved a walk of a 20 minute round trip. This is where my thought process and reasoning proved to take a wrong turn. Deciding to support ‘local’,

I chose the family store.

I arrived 15 minutes before a mid-day closing time. As the sign on the door showed ‘Open’ and the door wasn’t locked, I assumed optimistically that the shop was actually still open for business. My bright ‘good morning’ to the family staff who were all gathered around the till chatting, received the response ‘We’re closed’.

Eyeing the stack of unsold newspapers, I pressed ahead regardless, explaining that I only wanted to buy a Mail on Sunday. (Please no negative comments, we don’t all read the broadsheets). Louder this time, accompanied by a scowl, the words ‘We’re closed’ were repeated.

Like a snappy little dog, holding on to someone’s trouser leg, I didn’t give way. I pointed to the ‘Open’ sign on the door and the fact that I’d made it into the shop before closing time with 15 minutes to spare. No giving way. On their part unfortunately, not mine. I left; muttering that I’d go elsewhere, which still didn’t appear to have any affect. My custom wasn’t needed, or important to them. I didn’t matter and the staff really weren’t bothered whether I ever came back. I’d been rejected from the shop. Not physically of course, but I might well have been if I’d stayed to protest any longer!

Now, where has this left me? I’ll never go back. The family owners may not see this as much of a loss, as after all, the revenue from one Sunday newspaper isn’t a great deal to lose is it? But what if the service had been so friendly and welcoming that I’d decided to regularly spend a good proportion of my weekly food budget there and recommended them to friends, family and neighbours? Negative word of mouth spreads rapidly, even faster if you Tweet it! A business succeeds or fails largely on the quality of the communication between supplier and customer. 90% of dissatisfied clients won’t return and it’s believed that 12 positive comments are needed to make up for one negative experience.

We often believe that large organisations fail to offer a friendly and personal service where smaller independent companies excel. Being put on hold by an automated voice message or hearing that the ‘computer says no’, isn’t something we expect from good customer service. We like personal and prompt attention, being offered that little something extra. Most future business can be won or lost from the initial point of contact and if this falls at the first hurdle it’s a missed opportunity for companies to benefit over competitors by being able to show they actually care about the client.

As the Al Jolson song goes “I’d walk a million miles for one of your smiles”. I’d have certainly walked the half mile for a friendlier response to my request for a newspaper, but then a disgruntled customer is hardly headline news as far as the vendors were concerned and they’ve probably forgotten all about me.

Take it from me though, I won’t forget them.

If you didn’t already know, Incoterms® are being updated. The new version, Incoterms® 2010 will replace Incoterms® 2000 from January 2011.

Incoterms® rules define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers for the delivery of goods under sales contracts. Incoterms® 2010 takes into account the latest developments in commercial practice, and updates and consolidates some of the former rules. A new classification system divides the 11 Incoterms® rules into two distinct groups:

Rules for any mode of transport: EXW FCA CPT CIP DAT DAP DDP

Rules for waterway transport: FAS FOB CFR CIF

In addition to the 11 rules, Incoterms®2010 includes: 

• Extensive guidance notes and illustrative graphics to help users efficiently choose the right rule for each transaction;
• New classification to help choosing the most suitable rule in relation to the mode of transport;
• Advice for the use of electronic procedures;
• Information on security-related clearances for shipments;
• Advice for the use of Incoterms® 2010 in domestic trade.

We will have the new edition in stock from October when they are released.

So if you are interested in a copy, please contact the Export Team on 01233 503838 or export@kentinvictachamber.co.uk.

13 September – 3 October 2010

A free, fun competition to encourage people working in Ashford to rediscover the joys

and benefits of riding a bike.

The main aim is to get as many of your staff as possible to ride a bike for at least 10 minutes.

People can cycle anywhere they like, anytime they like, over the three week Challenge period.

Prizes include cinema tickets, shopping vouchers, cycling gear and much more!

What’s in it for your business?

• Boost staff morale

• Healthier, happier staff

• Free bike maintenance sessions

• Free incentives and prizes

• Help reduce congestion

• Reduce demand for car parking spaces

Register now! It’s quick, easy and free:

1. Register online at www.ashfordcyclechallenge.org.uk

2. We’ll drop off a registration pack containing posters, flyers and cycling gear to hand out to staff.

3. Staff cycle for 10 minutes or more and log their cycling online.

4. We’ll send out prizes and your team will feel great!

 Find out more:

Contact Spencer Morgan with any questions or simply register your organization at www.ashfordcyclechallenge.org.uk

Challenge Co-ordinator:

Spencer Morgan, Tel: 07762 221 024, Email: spencer.morgan@ctc.org.uk

WITH THE EXPERTS

BBC scriptwriter and double prize-winning author, Christopher Lee and Royal portrait artist and sea and landscape painter, Fiona Graham-Mackay will be hosting a special three day Stay and Write and Stay and Paint event in September at Eastwell Manor Country House Hotel and Spa near Ashford, Kent, helping guests to perfect their painting or writing skills, whilst admiring the picturesque manor grounds.

One of the country’s most acclaimed and talented authors and script writers, Christopher Lee, will be tutoring the writing class, helping guests to develop their creative writing skills in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Eastwell Manor. Lee’s prize winning writing stretches from his BBC Radio 4 History of Britain series; This Sceptred Isle, to what has been described as some of the best ever comedy drama in Our Brave Boys with Martin Jarvis and Fiona Shaw. Lee is the only script writer ever to write The Archers in a Cambridge college and he has also edited Winston Churchill’s ‘A History of the English-speaking Peoples’ for its one volume edition.

Having written nearly 30 books and more than 70 radio plays, Lee is now teaching others to write as well as planning three new stage plays and two new books. The topics Lee will cover on the course, include; finding time to write, thinking as a writer, fundamental rules of writing, stage, scripts (TV & Radio) and novels; choosing & creating characters & story lines, pitching your work, wild writing and performance writing.

Much acclaimed artist, Fiona Graham-Mackay, will be teaching guests how to paint and sketch or simply develop and improve the skills they may already have. Graham-Mackay studied with Quentin Balke at the Royal College of Art and her recent work, mostly with oils, comes from her time in Morocco. Her celebrated portrait of Lord Carrington was selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters 2008 Spring Show and following that success, Graham-Mackay has produced a collection of drawings and paintings that defy the news image of a war-torn and politically wounded state from her visit to Pakistan-Afghanistan borders and is currently working on a portrait of Prince Michael.

This special event taking place from the 13^th to the 15^th of September 2010 is part of a brand new programme of cultural events being run by the hotel and as part of your stay on either the Painting or Writing break, guests can enjoy two nights’ accommodation in a standard Manor or Mews Cottage bedroom with a full English breakfast each morning, dinner in the Manor Restaurant each evening with your tutor providing an opportunity to discuss your progress, as well as full use of the extensive spa facilities, gymnasium and use of the ‘Eastwell 9′ Golf Course, all from just £395 per person. Book now and receive 10% off the standard price, plus complimentary wine with your meals. For further information and availability, please telephone Reservations on 01233 213000 or e-mail: reservations@eastwellmanor.co.uk