Issue: 27

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N ew s let t e rN ew s let t e r Sep t em b erSep t em b er 20142014

Gareth Hatton Businessline

Telephone: 01978 292092

E-mail: businessline@wrexham.gov.uk

Website: www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

Businessline updateBusinessline updateBusinessline updateBusinessline update

National Public Library Champion of the Year 2014:National Public Library Champion of the Year 2014:National Public Library Champion of the Year 2014:National Public Library Champion of the Year 2014:

We’re delighted to announce that Gareth Hatton of Businessline has been chosen as the Public Library Champion of the Year for 2014, a national award from the Public and Mobile Libraries Group (PMLG) of CILIP, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Gareth was presented with the award by Baroness Diana Eccles of Moulton, MP, at a special ceremony as part of CILIP’s two-day International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Satellite Conference in Birmingham.

Gareth has provided vital help and information to new and growing businesses in the local area for over ten years and was nominated in recognition of his innovation, service development, outstanding information retrieval skills and efficiency, combined with a providing valued customer service support to his users, many of whom credit his assistance for helping their businesses to thrive and grow.

Gareth said: “I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have been chosen as the winner of such a prestigious award and am overwhelmed that my work supporting local SME’s has been recognised on a national level by CILIP.”

The Public Library Awards formally recognise the individual approach and achievement of outstanding library staff employed in different capacities across the public library service, highlighting the value they bring to their employers and the difference they make to service users.

Dr Darren Smart, Chair of CILIP’s Public and Mobile Library Group said: “I am proud to announce the winners and runners up of our annual awards which recognise the outstanding contribution that paid library staff make to their customers, the communities they serve and the wider public library profession”.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships and Collaboration, said: “I would like to pass on my congratulations to Gareth for winning this national award. He clearly has made an outstanding contribution and the award is very well deserved.”

www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

http://bit.ly/business-discounts-Wrexham

Business-to-Business Discounts

Please click the link above for details of all

the discounts currently available through

Businesslines business-to-business discount

scheme.

Best Bar Non Best Bar Non Best Bar Non Best Bar Non ---- Wrexham Wrexham Wrexham Wrexham

Wrexham County Wrexham County Wrexham County Wrexham County Borough Council is Borough Council is Borough Council is Borough Council is launching its first launching its first launching its first launching its first annual Best Bar None annual Best Bar None annual Best Bar None annual Best Bar None awards, aimed at awards, aimed at awards, aimed at awards, aimed at recognising the best recognising the best recognising the best recognising the best pubs, bars and clubs in pubs, bars and clubs in pubs, bars and clubs in pubs, bars and clubs in Wrexham and giving Wrexham and giving Wrexham and giving Wrexham and giving them a chance to demonstrate excellent them a chance to demonstrate excellent them a chance to demonstrate excellent them a chance to demonstrate excellent management standards. management standards. management standards. management standards.

For the pilot year landlords and managers of all the town centre’s pubs, bars and clubs will be able to submit applications for 2014 membership from January 2014, with the awards presentation taking place in November 2014.

For further information and to access an application form, please see the following link:

http://bit.ly/best-bar-none

Entries invited for the NatWest Everywoman

Awards

Twitter AnalyticsTwitter AnalyticsTwitter AnalyticsTwitter Analytics

The Twitter analytics dashboard The Twitter analytics dashboard The Twitter analytics dashboard The Twitter analytics dashboard which was initially developed for which was initially developed for which was initially developed for which was initially developed for advertisers, has now been made advertisers, has now been made advertisers, has now been made advertisers, has now been made freely accessible to all users.freely accessible to all users.freely accessible to all users.freely accessible to all users. The new tool allows users to identify how their followers are engaging with their tweets in terms of popularity and views. The new facility also allows users identify how many times a tweet was seen by people, as well as continuing to highlight how many times it was favourited and retweeted Another notable feature of the new platform offers is the opportunity for users to identify where their followers are from, the interests they share etc. Please see the following link for further information:

https://analytics.twitter.com

Young Entrants to Farming Support Scheme 2015 Young Entrants to Farming Support Scheme 2015 Young Entrants to Farming Support Scheme 2015 Young Entrants to Farming Support Scheme 2015 –––– 2016 2016 2016 2016

If you are a young farmer (under 40 years old) you will be able to apply for assistance from 1 September 2014 if you are setting up as head of the holding for the first time or have done so within the previous 12 months. Expressions of interest must be received by 30 November, 2014. For more information: http://bit.ly/farming-support-scheme

Tips on running an effective website:Tips on running an effective website:Tips on running an effective website:Tips on running an effective website:

Easy to read: Easy to read: Easy to read: Easy to read: The website must be easy to read - this means text that is not too small,

and also the website should not be crowded. Text and pictures should be laid out in a

way that leaves enough space for people to see everything easily.

Fast: Fast: Fast: Fast: The website needs to be fast, as people become board and impatient with slow

websites.

Great picture quality: Great picture quality: Great picture quality: Great picture quality: The pictures must be of an excellent quality - bad quality pictures

makes a website appear cheap and will not generate trust.

Navigation: Navigation: Navigation: Navigation: The website must be easy to navigate. This means that everything is clearly

indicated and to move from one section back to another is a smooth process. People

should never feel lost on your website.

Reward your customers: Reward your customers: Reward your customers: Reward your customers: If possible find a way to reward your customers to make them

feel valued and build a relationship.

Testimonials: Testimonials: Testimonials: Testimonials: As soon as possible you need to include testimonials on your website so

that customers can see what other customers have said about your business.

UpUpUpUp----totototo----fate: fate: fate: fate: Keep the website up-to-date - its hard to trust a website where there are out

of date offers or information.

Deals: Deals: Deals: Deals: Always try to include a deal or offer. The website should where possible make

the potential customer feel that they will not get a better deal elsewhere.

Checkout of forms: Checkout of forms: Checkout of forms: Checkout of forms: If you expect people to buy a product or give information, make the

process very easy. Checkouts must be easy and forms should not ask for unnecessary

information.

Article provided by:

Lloyd Barrett Alexander Barrett Consultancy

Telephone: 01978 354316

E-mail: lloyd@alexanderbarrettconsultancy.co.uk

Website: http://alexanderbarrettconsultancy.co.uk

Provide an article to feature within an edition of Businesslines monthly newsletter

Email: businessline@wrexham.gov.uk Telephone: 01978 292092

Changes to design and patent lawChanges to design and patent lawChanges to design and patent lawChanges to design and patent law

Guidance on changes to design and patent law made by the Intellectual Property Act Guidance on changes to design and patent law made by the Intellectual Property Act Guidance on changes to design and patent law made by the Intellectual Property Act Guidance on changes to design and patent law made by the Intellectual Property Act

2014, many of which will come into effect on 1 October 2014.2014, many of which will come into effect on 1 October 2014.2014, many of which will come into effect on 1 October 2014.2014, many of which will come into effect on 1 October 2014.

The Intellectual Property Act 2014, which received Royal Assent on 14 May 2014,

modernises intellectual property (IP) law to help UK businesses better protect their IP

rights. The Act also implements reforms to designs legislation.

Key changes to design law include:Key changes to design law include:Key changes to design law include:Key changes to design law include:

• a new criminal offence for the copying of registered designs

• changes to design ownership in relation to commissioned designs

• private use of unregistered designs

• scope of an unregistered design right

• introduction of a design opinions service

• online access to documents relating to registered designs

Key changes to patent law include:Key changes to patent law include:Key changes to patent law include:Key changes to patent law include:

• marking patented products with a web address

• expansion of the patent opinions service

• patents worksharing

For further information please see the following link:

http://bit.ly/Intellectual-Property-Act-2014

www.wrexham.gov.uk/360-networking

NEXT MEETING

5:00pm - 6:45pm Gresford Memorial Centre

Book your place to attend

www.wrexham.gov.uk/360-attend

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

99 • Meet and form relationships with local business professionals

• Promote your products and services

• Presentation by Jane Harrad-Roberts of Marketing PRojects

Businessline Library: Guru in a bottleBusinessline Library: Guru in a bottleBusinessline Library: Guru in a bottleBusinessline Library: Guru in a bottle

Guru in a bottleGuru in a bottleGuru in a bottleGuru in a bottle

High impact marketing that gets resultsHigh impact marketing that gets resultsHigh impact marketing that gets resultsHigh impact marketing that gets results

This book will help you to use tried and tested no-fuss

marketing methods to boost awareness of your brand among

new and established customers.

You’ll gain the confidence to segment your market and

customers so you can choose the right strategies for your

business, products and services. You’ll learn how to avoid

costly mistakes with effective research and a practical

marketing plan as well as how to use online marketing, PD, direct mail, promotions and

other tools to run effective marketing campaigns that deliver measurable results.

This book is available to loan from Businesslines business library, free of charge, for all

members of Wrexham Library service.

Please see the following link for further information on the range of business books

available via Businessline:

http://bit.ly/Businessline_library

Talking Business

Every Thursday

1:00pm - 2:00pm

4th September Rosalie Marsh talking about life after exams and employability 11th September Noel Guildford, Guildford Accounting 18th September Business Question Time 25th September Rich Brady, Recruit Packs & Denbigh Army Surplus

01978 293393 info@calonfm.com www.calonfm.com

submit a question

Feature as a guest on the Talking Business Show

Setting up a business from home to be made easierSetting up a business from home to be made easierSetting up a business from home to be made easierSetting up a business from home to be made easier Thanks to a new package of government support, entrepreneurs will be Thanks to a new package of government support, entrepreneurs will be Thanks to a new package of government support, entrepreneurs will be Thanks to a new package of government support, entrepreneurs will be given greater freedom to start and grow a business from their home.given greater freedom to start and grow a business from their home.given greater freedom to start and grow a business from their home.given greater freedom to start and grow a business from their home. The new measures which were recently announced include: New legislation will make it easier for people to run a business from a rented home. The law will be changed so that landlords can be assured that agreeing to this will not undermine their residential tenancy agreement. A new model tenancy agreement will also be made available shortly. Updated planning guidance makes it clear that planning permission should not normally be needed to run a business from your home. New business rates guidance clarifies that in the majority of circumstances home based busi-nesses will not attract business rates. For further information please see the following link:

http://bit.ly/home-businesses-support

WiFi accreditation scheme launchedWiFi accreditation scheme launchedWiFi accreditation scheme launchedWiFi accreditation scheme launched

If you run a business offering either free or paid for internet access, you If you run a business offering either free or paid for internet access, you If you run a business offering either free or paid for internet access, you If you run a business offering either free or paid for internet access, you will now be able to join the worlds first Wiwill now be able to join the worlds first Wiwill now be able to join the worlds first Wiwill now be able to join the worlds first Wi----Fi accreditation scheme called Fi accreditation scheme called Fi accreditation scheme called Fi accreditation scheme called “Friendly WiFi”. “Friendly WiFi”. “Friendly WiFi”. “Friendly WiFi”. The initiative aims to highlight whether a public Wi-Fi service meets a minimum level of filtering to keep children and young people safe. By j oining the scheme your business will be able to use the Friendly WiFi logo, as well as being added to a searchable database listing accredited WiFi services. For further information please see the following link an online application form to join the scheme can be found towards the bottom of the web-page:

http://www.getmedigital.com/friendly-wifi

New rules on food allergen labelingNew rules on food allergen labelingNew rules on food allergen labelingNew rules on food allergen labeling

The Food Standards Agency The Food Standards Agency The Food Standards Agency The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is issuing new guidance (FSA) is issuing new guidance (FSA) is issuing new guidance (FSA) is issuing new guidance to help small and medium sized to help small and medium sized to help small and medium sized to help small and medium sized (SME) businesses to comply (SME) businesses to comply (SME) businesses to comply (SME) businesses to comply with the new rules on allergen labeling, which with the new rules on allergen labeling, which with the new rules on allergen labeling, which with the new rules on allergen labeling, which will take effect from 13 December 2014.will take effect from 13 December 2014.will take effect from 13 December 2014.will take effect from 13 December 2014. Food businesses will be required to provide information on the presence of 14 allergens, if added or used as food ingredients. Further information can be found via the following link: http://bit.ly/sme-allergen-guidance

Stelios Award for disabled Stelios Award for disabled Stelios Award for disabled Stelios Award for disabled entrepreneurs in the UKentrepreneurs in the UKentrepreneurs in the UKentrepreneurs in the UK

If you’re in business and have a disability If you’re in business and have a disability If you’re in business and have a disability If you’re in business and have a disability or a long term health condition, you have or a long term health condition, you have or a long term health condition, you have or a long term health condition, you have until 5pm on Friday 19 September 2014 to until 5pm on Friday 19 September 2014 to until 5pm on Friday 19 September 2014 to until 5pm on Friday 19 September 2014 to apply or be nominated for the Stelios apply or be nominated for the Stelios apply or be nominated for the Stelios apply or be nominated for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs. Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs. Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs. Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs. The award offers a £50,000 cash prize to the winner. For further information:

http://bit.ly/stelios-award

An introduction to commercial contracts:An introduction to commercial contracts:An introduction to commercial contracts:An introduction to commercial contracts:

What is a contract? What is a contract? What is a contract? What is a contract? English law divides commercial agreements and transactions into two types:

• Simple contracts.

• Contracts by deed.

A simple contract is an agreement (written or verbal) between two parties who consent to all the terms of that agreement.

A contract by deed is a contract that complies with certain formalities and must be in writing. The deed must be signed, witnessed and delivered. Certain contracts, such as the sale of property, must be made by deed.

There are no specific words or phrases that must be used to create a contract. Instead, it is the circumstances under which the agreement is made that make it a valid and binding contract in law.

What makes a contract valid and binding? What makes a contract valid and binding? What makes a contract valid and binding? What makes a contract valid and binding? A valid contract is a promise by one party to do something at some time in exchange for something given by another party. In addition the parties must have the capacity to enter into a contract, which means that they must be over 18. They must also enter into the contract of their own free will and be 'privy' to the contract.

Privity means that you cannot be bound by a contract to which you did not agree. However, it is important to remember that this does not mean that your failure to read the small print or understand certain terms will invalidate a contract, even if you suddenly discover it to be disadvantageous to you.

To decide whether a contract exists, and whether it is valid or invalid, a court will examine the following:

• Has an offer been made and has the offer been accepted?

• Have the terms of the offer and acceptance been mutually agreed

• Is there some consideration involved?

• Did all the parties intend to enter into the contract?

• Are all the parties privy to the contract and is the contract, or any of its terms or clauses prohibited?

Is a contract implied in a transaction? Is a contract implied in a transaction? Is a contract implied in a transaction? Is a contract implied in a transaction? Provided the elements of offer, acceptance, consideration and intention are present in a transaction, English courts will assert that a valid contract exists by implication. In other words, there is no need to have a large quantity of official documents in order to establish a contract. A written or verbal order and the dispatch of the goods requested by that order would, in most circumstances, imply that a contract exists.

Is a verbal agreement a contract? Is a verbal agreement a contract? Is a verbal agreement a contract? Is a verbal agreement a contract? If B makes a telephone call ordering goods from A, and if A then agrees to meet B's request, that constitutes a valid contract. It contains all the necessary elements of offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations. The difficulty in bringing a court action to settle a dispute over a verbal contract is in proving what was actually said.

Please contact Businessline to obtain a full copy of this factsheet:

Telephone: Telephone: Telephone: Telephone: 01978 292092 or email: email: email: email: businessline@wrexham.gov.uk