issue 47 • march / april 2012 surreyin this issue of surrey business news publisher surrey...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 47 • March / April 2012
T h e b u s i n e s s m a g a z i n e f o r b u s i n e s s e s i n S u r r e y
Surreyb u s i n e s s n e w s
S C A N M E !
Cobnor raftbuilding raceSee Team Buildingfeature on page 18
Team building
News
Motoring
Data storage
Business start-ups
In this issue ofSurrey Business News
Publisher Surrey Business Publications Ltd, 8 St John’s Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9NP
Advertising Sharon Maslen, Space Marketing, 10 Clayfield Mews, Newcomen Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9PATel: 01892 677744 Fax: 01892 677743 Email: [email protected]
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©Surrey Business Publications Ltd Although we always try to ensure that any information contained in ‘Surrey Business News’ is correct, Surrey Business Publications Ltd will not accept any liability for inaccuracies that may occur or their consequences. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission of Surrey Business Publications Ltd. The opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of Surrey Business Publications Ltd.
News Total award 4
IBP pilots new coaching programme 4
Challenge for local companies 5
Smartcare opening in Merton 5
The shape of things to come 6
Castle has sights set on gold 6
Grundon spends to save 7
Business expo to be ‘bigger and better’ 8
To sell or not to sell: the case for succession planning 8
Planning for your end-of-year 9
Build you own brand 10
Real estate - Real advice - Real value 10
First ‘low-carbon workplace’ opens 11
New herald at castle 11
Moving up in Downs 11
IT Is your head in the clouds? 12
Motoring Getting the perfect company car 13
Data Storage Feature Choosing the right home for your backups 14
Feature Business start-ups 16
• Danetree International
• IA Computing
Feature Team building 18
• Cobnor Activities Centre
• Farnham Castle
• The Manor House
• Oatlands Park Hotel
• Barnett Hill
• Surrey Downs Golf Club
“The most important thing in theOlympic Games is not winningbut taking part; the essentialthing in life is not conqueringbut fighting well.”
Pierre de Coubertin (founder of modern Olympic Games)
In years to come, when peoplelook back on 2012 it is likely tobe remembered for three things:the Olympics, The Queen’sDiamond Jubilee and the worldnot ending (despite fatuousclaims from New Agers aboutMayan Calendars, robotuprisings, gravity shifts etc).
Currently the big potentialmoney-spinner for Surreybusinesses is the Olympics, withmany companies quick out of thestarting blocks to try and try andwin their share of Olympic gold.
The last evening stop for theOlympic torch, before it headsinto London, will be in Guildfordand locals will be able to enjoysome sporting events for free asthe cycling road race and thetime trials are coming to thecounty.
Dotted throughout this issueyou will examples of local firmslooking to strike while thisparticular iron is hot.
The Olympic spirit isn’t justabout individual success, though,but embraces the ideal ofteamwork – which is an ethiccelebrated in our feature onteam-building events that beginson page 18.
Away from the workenvironment, but still with acommon goal, team-buildingallows your employees thechance to really get to know eachother, united in competition.
These occasions trulyencapsulate Pierre de Coubertin’sdreams for the Olympics where itis as much the taking part thathelps bond a team together asthe winning.
Philip Jones, Editor Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS 3
4 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
NEWS
Inspiring Business Performance (IBP)
has launched a new Chartered
Management Institute (CMI)
coaching pilot.
The pilot is open to any manager,
director or business leader who
would like to develop their
coaching skills, as well as HR and
Organisational Development
professionals and consultants –
either employed or self-employed.
Starting this month, the
programme will help participants
deliver coaching at its full potential.
It will cover both strategy (how
to plan, implement and evaluate a
corporate coaching programme)
and practical applications (the
knowledge and skills required for
effective and versatile one-to-one
performance coaching).
John Telfer, Managing Director
IBP pilots new coaching programme
IBP’s John Telfer
of IBP, said, “Current trends
indicate that coaching is
increasingly valued by organisations
and being used to develop all levels
of employees in the UK – despite,
or perhaps more importantly
during, the economic downturn.
“We are receiving a lot of early
interest in this pilot and the
feedback we are getting indicates
the strategic and practical mix is
rare. Due to demand we are already
planning to run more programmes
in parallel.
“Because IBP’s pilot addresses
both the strategic and practical
elements of coaching, participants
will gain a comprehensive
appreciation of this discipline, as
well as the skills to deliver effective
coaching programmes within their
own organisations or for clients.”
Learning is spread over six
months and will lead to the CMI
Level 7 Award in Coaching and
Mentoring.
The programme comprises four
one-day workshops and four three-
hour action learning sets to be held
in London from through to June.
For further information, email [email protected] or call 0800 612 3098
Total award Redhill-based Total Gas andPower beat off competition fromacross the UK to win the‘Community Initiative of theYear’ category at the UtilityIndustry Achievement Awards.
The accolade recognises thefirm’s Total Green Awards,established in partnership withthe Young People’s Trust for theEnvironment, which encourageprimary school children to takean interest in the naturalenvironment. Judges wereparticularly impressed by how ittied into the natural curriculum.
“The hard work both theYoung People’s Trust for theEnvironment and our own staffput into young people’simaginations and inspiring themto think about the world aroundthem, is something I believe wecan all be very proud of,” saidDirector John Shead.
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NEWS
Smartcare opening in MertonWith established agencies in Weybridge, Farnborough and Epsom,
SmartCare Licence Ltd is opening a domiciliary care agency in Merton.
SmartCare Merton will be providing a wide range of professional,
high quality care services within people’s own homes. Smartcare’s
principal aim is to ensure compassionate care, designed to optimise
every client’s dignity and independence.
It is currently looking for potential Care Workers – from all walks of
life – for its Merton branch and invites anyone interested to either
contact the Merton Office or visit the SmartCare website and submit an
application.
For more information contact Sandra Findlater, RegisteredCare Manager, SmartCare Merton Ltd, Office 104, LombardBusiness Park, 8 Lombard Road, London, SW19 3TZ, ortelephone: 0203 3269 123, Sandra’s email address [email protected] while the website can be found atwww.smartcareuk.com
Challenge for local companiesOTM Consulting Ltd, Stevens & Bolton LLP and rhw Solicitors areamong the first local companies to pick up the gauntlet thrown downby Guildford YMCA, challenging them to raise sponsorship and testtheir team spirit.
With young people facing record levels of unemployment theYMCA, based in Bridge Street, Guildford is looking to redevelop itsbasement level to provide a dedicated learning space in which youthworkers can support and equip young people.
Creating the space is estimated to cost around £600,000 of whichthe YMCA is committing £100,000 from its reserves.
As part of the huge fundraising effort required, businessman RichardFox has conceived a challenge for local businesses, with each companypledging to raise at least £1,000 for the redevelopment project.
Richard has devised a Surrey Three Peaks Challenge, involving staffteams in either a 26-mile trek taking in Gibbet Hill, Holmbury Hill andLeith Hill, or a rather gentler option involving road transport – but stillincluding 14 miles with plenty of uphill stretches.
The challenge will take place over the weekend of 28 and 29 April.
Anyone interested in finding out more is welcome to call PeteBrayne on 01483 532555 or email [email protected]
Adrian Bourne of Stevens & Bolton LLP picked up the ‘gauntlet’pictured here with Luke and Peter
The shape ofthings to come
The BIG eCommerce Conference
at the H G Wells Conference
Centre in Woking on 29 May, is
the biggest eCommerce event
for merchants in the UK.
The day includes five
scheduled seminars from top
industry experts and a three-
track workshop programme to
include a choice of three out of
nine workshops.
Conference topics to be
covered include: Finding More
Customers From Social Media;
Marketing And Growing Your
Database; Email Campaigns For
eCommerce; Finding More
Customers From Search; Website
Conversion And Customer
Engagement; Selecting The Right
Technology; Taking Payments
Online; Customer Retention;
Communication And
Relationships; and Motivation
And Inspiration.
The latest announced
speakers include Thomas Power,
the Chairman of ecademy, and
Benjamin Dyer, CEO of
eCommerce software Actinic
Online and Sign Up To – email
campaign management
software providers.
B Web, which is hosting the
day, is including a working lunch
and an after-event networking
session.
For more information please visitwww.TheBIGeCommerceConference.co.uk
6 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
NEWS
Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State
for Culture, Olympics, Media and
Sport, visited Farnham Castle to
urge the tourist industry to sign
up to a new 20.12 per cent
discount scheme administered by
Visit England.
Inspired, the team at Farnham
Castle has applied this
promotional idea to its own
conference and meetings business
and – to celebrate this year’s
Olympic Games - has announced a
special 20.12 per cent discount
offer on all conferences to be held
at the Castle in June, July and
August 2012.
Jeremy Hunt addressed more
than 80 hoteliers, businesses and
tourism bodies, from across the
region, at the special event held
at Farnham Castle, which was
designed to showcase the
business, tourism, cultural and
sporting opportunities that the
Games bring.
The event was hosted by Kevin
Lorimer, Chairman of Visit Surrey.
Other speakers included Ruth
Mackenzie OBE, Director of
Cultural Olympiad, Oona
Muirhead, London 2012 Nations
and Regions Group member for
the South East, Councillor Denise
Saliagopoulos, Surrey County
Council and James Berresford,
chief executive of Visit England.
Jeremy Hunt said: “Surrey can
help start the Olympic gold rush
this summer – with the two road
cycling events on the first
weekend of the Games coming
right through the county. Box
Hill will be the make or break
moment for Mark Cavendish and
the rest of the Team GB riders.
But it’s make or break time now
for Surrey’s tourism businesses to
sign up for the 20.12 per cent
discount scheme and encourage
Brits to ditch Cyprus for Surrey
and holiday at home in 2012. I
really hope other businesses in
the region will take Farnham
Castle’s lead consider how they
can capitalise on the unique
opportunity this Olympic year will
present.”
Jeff Toms, Marketing and
Client Services Director for
Farnham Castle added: “Our
Olympic conference promotion is
just one of the innovative
packages we are planning to
offer our valued corporate
customer base in the build-up to
the games. We are aiming to
make the most of the unique
opportunity hosting the Olympic
and Paralympic Games offers and
I would encourage other local
businesses to consider how they
also can mark this very special
occasion.”
Farnham Castle’s offer applies
to a 20.12 per cent discount on
the full rates for any company
booking meetings or conferences
between now and August, which
are to be held in June, July and
August 2012.
Castle has sights set on gold
For further information please visit www.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
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NEWS
Leatherhead-based Grundon
Waste Management Ltd, the UK’s
largest family-owned recycling and
waste management company, has
invested over £1.5 million in 16
new waste collection vehicles, as
part of its drive to improve
efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions
and minimize carbon footprint.
As is standard practice for the
company, Grundon specified
engines to the very latest emission
control standards, in advance of
that required by current
legislation, selecting Euro V EEV
(‘Enhanced Environmentally-
friendly Vehicle’) power units.
In addition, the vehicles boast a
number of features designed to
improve mechanical efficiency and
reduce cost:
• timed engine idle cut-off as
standard, which automatically
shuts off the engine if not used
for five minutes
• ‘road friendly suspension’ in the
form of air suspension on the
rear
• one driving and two steering
axles mean fewer tyres in
contact with the road surface,
resulting in less tyre wear and
improved fuel economy
• speed limiter set to 52mph,
instead of the more normal
56mph, to save fuel.
In addition, two of the vehicles will
be used to trial a new ‘Intelligent
Power Take-Off’ (PTO) system,
which aims to reduce power
consumption and improve fuel
efficiency.
These will also be the first
Grundon vehicles to comply with
Grundon spends to save
new Department for Transport
legislation covering conspicuity
marking. This entails the fitting of
reflective tape to the extreme side
and rear edges of heavy trucks to
not only indicate the presence of
the vehicle, but also to indicate its
overall dimensions.
These purchases form the latest
step in Grundon’s rolling fleet
replacement programme. The new
vehicles will be spread across the
company’s collection depots at
Leatherhead (Mole Valley),
Banbury, Cheltenham, Oxford,
Leatherhead, Reading and Slough.
For more information pleasevisit www.grundon.com
8 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
NEWS
The issue of succession planningfor family businesses can seemlike a daunting prospect at thebest of times but with theeconomy still showing signs ofslower than expected growth, isnow the right time to be thinkingabout handing over the reigns ofthe business to a new owner ormanagement team? Will Lindsay,Regional Director South fromClydesdale Bank explains thatregardless of how well a familybusiness is performing,succession planning is somethingwhich should be considered inconjunction with yourprofessional advisors:
“The question of whether adownturn is a good time to passon the ownership of yourbusiness to a successor orwhether it is better to wait, is aparticularly difficult one toanswer. The UK Government hasestimated less than 15 per centof family-owned firms reach thethird generation, meaning thevast majority will either changehands or close completely.
“Broadly speaking there arethree main options: pass thebusiness on to a family member;transfer control to existingemployees or sell the businessoutright.
“While you might like to keepthe business within the familythere are a number of importantissues to consider. You have to berealistic: ask yourself whether thepeople you have in mind have theskills to drive forward the businessor whether they would take onthe role out of duty rather than agenuine desire to do well.
To sell or not to sell: the casefor succession planning
“If your business has been agoing concern for some time butis struggling in the currenteconomic climate, you mightthink now is a good time simplyto sell up but there are obviousrisks to that strategy. If yourbusiness is experiencing highlevels of debt you are unlikely torealise a healthy profit which, ifyou are planning to retire, couldhave a major impact on yourplans.
“An increasingly popularoption is to sell on the businessto current employees. This hasthe benefit of giving you peaceof mind that the business willsurvive in its present form giventhe level of experience the staffhas within the company and theirvested interest in making itperform in the long term. Thisprocess might involve selling yourstake over a period of time andwill depend on access to financefrom the new managementteam.
“Whatever option you feel isbest for your business, it will beimportant to seek outprofessional advice and plan anexit strategy. For many the
thought of leaving their businessfor someone else to run is thebiggest hurdle of all – learning tolet go is an important first step.
“If you want to sell thebusiness to employees or hand itover to a family member you willhave to be happy there are theskills within the company to takeit forward. It will be necessary toplan ahead, and with any legalhandover likely to take up to 18months this could be a prolongedexperience.
“Capital Gains Tax is alsosomething you will also have tokeep in mind, although it ispossible that some owners willbe eligible for EntrepreneursRelief.
“Essentially the mostimportant thing about successionplanning is that it is somethingthat requires meticulousattention to detail.
“Due to the current state ofthe economy and the Mergersand Acquisition market it isimportant to be aware that yourbusiness may not realise whatyou feel is its full market value inan open sale. The EuropeanCommission estimates that 10per cent of company liquidationscome about because of poorlyplanned succession, so you haveto ask yourself whether you wantyour business to become justanother statistic.
“Whatever you decide yournext move to be, it’s important totake professional advice andproduce a structured plan – onlyby doing this will you give yourcompany the best chance ofsurvival.”
Will Lindsay, Regional DirectorSouth from Clydesdale Bank
Business expo tobe ‘bigger andbetter’
The Guildford Means BusinessExhibition returns to GuildfordSpectrum on Wednesday, 16May and aims to be bigger andbusier than ever.
Over 80 local companies andorganisations will be displayinghundreds of products andservices that will be of interest tovisitors as more and morecompanies take the decision tobuy local.
The seminar programme willinclude Internationalmotivational speaker DavidTaylor – The Naked Leader, abreakfast presentation byGuildford Borough Council,speed networking, and aninteractive team buildingexperience.
Guildford Means Business issponsored by Guildford BoroughCouncil, Surrey Advertiser andSurrey Chambers of Commerce.The event aims to attract up to athousand business owners andmanagers and provides the bestopportunity in the region tomeet, learn, socialise and getmotivated for the months ahead.
Admission to the exhibitionand the seminars is free andparking for show visitors is free.
Those wishing to register andgain fast track entry should visit the show websitewww.guildfordmeansbusiness.com
9Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS
NEWS
Many directors and business
managers will be making the
final adjustments to their
businesses as they focus on the
end of their trading year this
month, writes Keith Churchouse
of Guildford’s Chapters Financial
Limited.
From an individual and
personal viewpoint, they may be
planning the adjustments to their
own financial planning in using
up ISA allowances (£10,680) and
Capital Gains Tax allowances
(£10,600) at the end of the tax
year 2011/2012, on 5 April.
The tax year end is usually a
significant planning time for
individuals considering their
valuable tax allowances both pre-
and post the turning of the tax
year.
This tax year (2011/2012),
alongside the standard tax
allowances that many use in the
lead up to Easter, there are
additional changes that have been
introduced, particularly in the area
of pensions that need to be
considered by many.
These are detailed below:
Pension Contribution Limits:Many clients have been interested
in the higher levels of pension
contributions that can be paid. In
previous tax years, some were
restricted to a total additional
contribution of £20,000 gross in
year (known as Anti-Forestalling).
This changed in this tax year to a
higher level of £50,000 per annum
gross, inclusive of existing
contributions (both employer and
employee).
In addition, for those who want
to go further with their pension
contribution, it is also possible for
pension scheme members to now
use a three year Carry Forward
facility to use up pension tax
allowance from previous years
(where available). As an example,
this might be useful for those
getting close to their planned
retirement time.
Lifetime Allowance & FixedProtection: Those affected by thefall in the Lifetime Allowance from
£1.8m to £1.5m in April 2011 can
apply for Fixed Protection. Any
application to HMRC must be
received on or before 5 April 5
2012. Full details and detailed
conditions of this new protection
arrangement are available on the
HMRC website. You may need to
think carefully about this protection
issue and any future membership
of the new Auto-Enrolment/NEST
pension, which may invalidate the
Fixed Protection you secure.
For more information on thesecomplex, financial matterscontact Keith Churchouse atChapters Financial Limited inGuildford on 01483 578800 or via email [email protected]
Chapters Financial Limited is authorisedand regulated by the Financial ServicesAuthority, Number 402899.
Planning for your end-of-year
10 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
NEWS
The current economic climate is
presenting most businesses with
unprecedented levels of challenge.
Naturally, the commercial focus for
most businesses is firmly on the
core business.
Real estate issues may not be a
top priority, however, the
commercial property market has
changed significantly in a very
short space of time and with
change comes opportunity,
according to Guildford-based real
estate advisers Vail Williams.
It is well worth any occupier
looking at their current needs and
for most businesses there are
some excellent opportunities to
cut costs and put themselves in a
more advantageous position for
the future.
Recognise the value in your
lease. Your lease is an important
bargaining tool. Landlords want
commitment and a steady income
stream. Currently the balance lies
with the tenant. Break clause
renewals are valuable
opportunities for you to improve
your term or the conditions of
your tenancy.
Early negotiation can pay
dividends. You don’t need to wait
for an upcoming event such as a
break or end of a lease to enter
into negotiations. Landlords are
also looking for security of income
and are willing to reduce costs for
longer tenures. Break clauses can
be traded for better terms and
there are other possibilities for
securing a more settled future for
your business on more favourable
terms.
Scrutinise your business rates.
Experience has taught us that
many companies are frequently
overpaying on rates. Often they
are unaware of their entitlement
to rate relief or have little
knowledge of what might qualify
them for a reduction in rates.
Don’t let planning permission
lapse. Most planning permissions
now have a life of three years.
With many developments being
delayed it is important not to let
these permissions lapse or asset
values could be seriously affected.
Renewing lapsed consent can be
both costly and challenging with
the continual changes in planning
regulations.
Renegotiate or seek to remove
Section 106 legal agreements.
With falling values and finance
harder to obtain, the level of
financial contributions sought
through some Section 106
agreements can seriously impact
on the financial viability of some
developments. Some Local
Planning Authorities recognise
this, so now is a good time to re-
negotiate or remove such
obligations.
Look at what you are paying in
service charges. Most occupiers
never question their service
charges. They should! Frequently
landlords overcharge or include
items that don’t conform to the
terms of the lease. A simple audit
can often rectify matters, saving
important costs and avoiding time-
consuming and unnecessary
disputes at a later stage.
Use your bargaining power to
mitigate dilapidations. This isn’t
just about cost savings but cost
avoidance. It pays to take a more
sophisticated approach to your
repairing responsibilities. Your own
accurate assessment of the extent
of your liabilities at an early stage
means that you can take a more
prudent approach to budgeting. It
also means that you can use this as
a factor in future lease
negotiations to mitigate your
liabilities.
Plan maintenance to create cost
certainty. Planned maintenance of
your property has two great
advantages. Over time a proactive
approach will undoubtedly reduce
costs. It also means that costs are
spread better over time, improving
cashflow and providing greater
cost certainty for the business.
Take stock of your space
requirements. Are you using your
space effectively? Is there scope to
consolidate your accommodation?
It could well be that there is an
opportunity to restructure your
lease and secure a better deal on
less space.
Now could be the time to
invest. With the fall in commercial
property prices and interest rates
at their lowest for decades, now
could be a good time to consider
buying a freehold. Mortgage
payments are often less that half
the cost of renting, whilst the
company or pension fund also
gains an asset.
The advice outlined here
represents some of the ways in
which occupiers can make the
most of the current economic
conditions. Vail Williams works
nationally with a wide variety of
organisations to reduce their real
estate costs and create commercial
advantage for them where they
may not recognise the possibilities.
For more information contact Vail Williams on 0118 9335600, [email protected] or visitwww.vailwilliams.com
Real estate - Real advice - Real value Build youown brandA new personal branding
network which could
revolutionise the way people
present themselves to potential
employers has been launched
by an Epsom entrepreneur.
What Is My Brand,
www.whatismybrand.com, is
an online network that allows
people to showcase their own
unique talents, build a personal
brand and express opinions on
the brands they like.
Sunny Arora, founder of
What Is My Brand, says: “The
most successful companies in
the world all have strong
brands – a great brand sells. We
believe that this works equally
well for individuals. You only
have to look at people like Lady
Gaga and David Beckham to
know how successful a personal
brand can be. What Is My Brand
is all about the brand of You.”
Mr Arora, who lives in
Stoneleigh in Epsom, has been
working on the launch of the
network for the past 18
months. He came up with the
idea after working in business
development roles for leading
brands in the IT and
telecommunications industry.
As a member of What Is My
Brand, individuals will be able to
create a personal profile which
can be accessed by potential
employers from a host of
different sectors – from the
theatre and television, sports
and leisure, to banking and
legal services.
11Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS
NEWS
www.shipleys.com
Personal and comprehensive service for individuals andbusinesses, large and small, covering; audit, accountancy,taxation, expatriate tax, strategic planning and corporate finance.Contact: Jane Henman, Simon Robinson, Mike Luckett, SteveFoster or Oliver Heslop.3 Godalming Business Centre, Woolsack Way, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XWT 01483 423607F 01483 426079E [email protected]
The UK’s first “low-carbon
workplace” was officially opened
last month by Anne Milton,
Member of Parliament for
Guildford.
The Billings, located opposite
the train station in Guildford, is a
160-year-old former printing
press, selected as an ideal refit
opportunity for the Threadneedle
Low-Carbon Workplace Trust
(LCW), partly thanks to the
thermal properties of its high-
ceilinged rooms and thick walls.
It will now operate under a
new model of landlord-tenant
relationship in which LCW takes
an active role in helping
occupiers to manage energy
usage down on an ongoing
basis. The first occupier, Investec
Wealth and Investment Ltd, is
already benefiting from energy
efficiency advice to help it occupy
the building as closely as possible
to its design specification.
First ‘low-carbon workplace’ opens Moving up in Downs
Dorking and Godalming-based
law firm Downs Solicitors LLP
has appointed Martin Steer as
a partner in its Dispute
Resolution team and Sarah
Bradford as a solicitor in its
Family Law team.
Martin specialises in
commercial dispute resolution
cases – such as shareholder
disputes, corporate insolvency,
professional negligence claims
and debt collection. He has
particular expertise in
property-related disputes.
Sarah specialises in family
law, such as pre-nuptial
agreements and co-habitation
arrangements, divorce,
childcare and custody issues.
Sarah is soon to pilot an out of
office hours appointment
service to enable busy
professionals to access family
law advice more easily.
Martin and Sarah will be
based in the firm’s Godalming
Office and can be contacted
on 01483 861848.
More information about
Downs Solicitors LLP
can be found at
www.downslaw.co.uk
New herald at castle Farnham Castle, the conference and events venue, has appointed KarenFairs as its new Business Development Manager. Her role will be toincrease footfall at the historic castle.
Before joining Farnham Castle, Karen was Account Manager at creativeagency Ten Alps. She has also worked with other marketing organisationsmanaging clients such as Universal Studios and First Choice Holidays.
For more information about Farnham Castle visitwww.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
For more information contact David Williams on 0845 5210822, via email at [email protected] or visitwww.interfuture.co.uk/cloud/
Have you considered ‘CloudComputing’ for your business?Should you? Is it an inevitabletransition technology? DavidWilliams of Interfuture Systems Ltd,an IT Consultancy and Servicescompany, gives his insight into theconfusion that surrounds themother of all acronyms.
There’s been a lot conjecturearound ‘the cloud’ when it comesto technology and IT in the pastfew years. Some will insist it’s arevolution as big as the advent ofthe microprocessor and that thecloud is quickly changingbusinesses as we know it, forcing itto reboot how it thinks about ITand its delivery in this ever-connected world.
There is certainly a lot of truthhere. But is it for every business –and to what extent?
By 2020, one third of all datawill reside in or go through thecloud (Source: CRN publication13/02/12).
This is an important statistic andone would think that this shouldbe higher given the levels ofinterest, investment and furorearound the whole technology.
However, if in eight years this isthe suggested level of take-up,does it imply that where anapparent minority of businessessee it as an absolute strategicprogression that transforms theiroperations and saves money,others may not agree and
tentatively look to cherry pickelements of ‘the cloud’ into theiroperation as a hybrid mix oftraditional in-house and cloudbased solutions?
Or could it simply mean themajority of businesses will opt tostay with their on-site setupbecause it works and works well?
Should your business embracethis technology now and push it onas an inevitable progression to stayabreast with these technologicalchanges?
This is the question that vexes agreat number of SME businesseswho continue to struggle with afundamental understanding ofwhat it is, what it can deliver andwhy.
In truth every organisation hasits own specific needs andrequirements - be that remoteworking, in-house applications(either off the shelf or bespoke),accounts systems either for simpleday-to-day accounting or morecomplex manufacturing processingetc as well as factoring in thelocation of the company officesand what level of communicationsare available.
There is absolutely no ‘fit all’solution with the cloud for SMEbusinesses and a careful review ofall the elements is required toensure when you take the decisionto float with the cloud it is donewith a proper and consideredapproach.
Is your head in the clouds?
12 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
IT
13Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS
MOTORING
As a fleet manager of a large
corporation a few years ago I had
to arrange the collection of an
outgoing MD’s car. It was the old
Jaguar XJ with the 4-litre petrol
engine.
Reflecting on his time with the
company, cars and his move to
pastures new, the MD
commented: “Well at least I never
had to drive a diesel”. The new
policy had been introduced about
two years prior and his car was
due for replacement. It was an
interesting comment considering
he had no small part in setting
that policy.
Diesels have come a long way
in the last 10 years and currently
account for 54 per cent of new
car sales. Considerable reductions
on CO2 emissions now make
them a more attractive
proposition for the company car
driver with lower Benefit-In-Kind
taxation.
But an effective company car
policy must be a balance between
a number of key factors which
include the obvious ones such as
cost, motivation for the employee
with choice, ease of management
and projecting the right image for
Getting the perfect company carEmployers and employees will always have diverging views of what should be
provided as a company car. How can both get a fair deal when there is so much
pressure on cost, asks Ian Davidson, Principal of Vectura UK?
the company. As one senior exec
said: “We can’t have our guys
turning up in Porsches; we sell to
the NHS!”
Considering the cash option, it
is surprising how many companies
do not know what exact value to
offer their employees as an
equitable cash option.
In our view a fair cash option is
an essential part of any policy. It
allows the employees a freedom
of choice and can take away a
significant burden from the
company.
It can also offer some less
obvious benefits such as having
no reallocation of a company
vehicle when an employee
leaves – it can start the
relationship off on the wrong
foot if you offer the new
employee a badly-kept company
car that is unsuitable and not to
his taste.
Employees may range from the
individual that just wants a no-
hassle company-provided car, to
the well-paid employee who
wants to put his allowance to
running his Aston Martin. A well
devised policy can meet all the
employee requirements whilst
controlling cost.
In previous articles we have
touched on the subject of market
rate more than once. This is a
key element of giving the
employee more and the company
paying less. The first of two
good examples would be
sourcing nearly new cars in
preference to brand new cars.
Depreciation is highest in the first
year especially at the prestige or
performance end of the market.
We have discussed this option
with several corporate clients and
are now looking to put together
a packaged solution that offers
benchmarked cars.
The second area is in the new
car market that is all about point
purchase – what deal is there at a
specific time that can offer
extraordinary terms.
As a consultancy we work for
our clients to look at overall fleet
policy or just assist you as a
corporate or an individual get the
best terms on one car.
For more information call IanDavidson on 01252 837014
14 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
DATA STORAGEFEATURE
Tape continues to prove to be the
favoured approach amongst the
large majority of businesses and
leading organisations, largely
owing to the relative low cost
combined with the longevity and
reliability of the media, writes Jez
Tibbetts, Operations and
Business Manager for Saracen
Datastore Ltd.
Ensuring you can keep your
business up and running though
means taking your backup tapes
off-site and in to the care of a
trusted partner. It is vital to your
organisation that this choice is a
good one.
So what should you be looking
for in a partner?
Security – Security of facilities;
of operations; in-transit; in
personnel; at point of delivery.
Choosing the right home for your backups
Access – Fast and efficient
retrieval services (24/7) that really
‘deliver’. Scheduled and ad-hoc
options to ensure all eventualities
are covered off.
Environment – Temperature
and humidity controlled storage
environment.
Protection – Storage area
should be a well constructed, fire
protected room / vault with a gas
fire suppressant. Whilst 30 mins
fire protection is a minimum, all
serious good providers will offer
up to four hours’ protection.
Audit Trail – Barcode tracking
is essential and also vitally
important to preserve the chain
of custody in this day and age oflegal and statutory requirements.Knowing where your businesscritical data is at any given pointin time detailing who, what,where and when is key.
Tape really does deliver oncost, continually proving timeand time again that it is arelatively inexpensive and reliablemedium when stacked upagainst disk based solutions. Butin order to maximise yourinvestment in a tape solution youmust source a tried and trustedprofessional off-site vaultingpartner. Get this decision rightand reap the benefits for yourbusiness.
Saracen Datastore can be contacted by calling 0800 740 8700,emailing [email protected] or visitingwww.saracendatastore.co.uk
15Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS
16 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
FEATURE
It may seem an obvious thing to say,
but there is more to starting your own
business than a single, brilliant idea.
This issue we spoke to a couple of
experts about other matters you need
to consider when taking that brave
first step...
Business start-upsTurning that bright idea into a business
The art of negotiationin start-ups
While raising investment,
business start-ups will have
numerous discussions and
negotiations with financiers in
order to achieve the best end
result, writes Dawn Stallwood,
CEO of Danetree International.
One of our most rewarding
activities is supporting early stage
business with executing their
business plans and managing
their commercial negotiations.
Following these guidelines will
help ensure your business gets on
the right track.
What makes a start up
business get going and keep
going?
1 Really understand your
market, your audience, your
positioning. Write a business
plan. Have something that
your customer and
stakeholders want or can be
persuaded they need.
2 Ensure your business model
works in terms of customers
and stakeholders actually
being able to pay you in
timescales you can work
with. Managing cash-flow is
crucial, always.
3 Research and carefully select
and manage your supply
chain. They are intrinsically
linked to your ability to
deliver on your customer
promises.
4 Fully understand how to
monetise your business.
Sounds simple but this is
often overlooked. A start up
business needs supporters –
clients and suppliers alike.
5 Terms of business and
contract paperwork are
17Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk SURREY BUSINESS NEWS
FEATURE
essential. It represents keyprotection of your revenue,points of difference androute to market.
6 If your business is the sortwhere your scope or projectbrief with a customer canchange, be firm andconstructive with yourchange control procedures.
7 Moving into internationalmarkets needs to beplanned and legally sound.Using a mobile notaryservice likecompanynotary.com canstreamline the task ofdocument notarisation.
Now is a great time to be
entrepreneurial. Although there
are risks, these can be managed
or mitigated by careful
commercial negotiation and solid
contract management.
For futher information call0203 551 5980, [email protected] visit www.danetree.com
Staying safe on theinformationsuperhighway
Coulsdon’s 1A Computing has
drawn up a shortlist of online
security advice for those taking
the plunge into starting up their
own business.
P4ssw0rd Pr0t3ct: Access to allequipment, wireless networks
and sensitive data should be
guarded with unique user names
and passwords, containing
numbers and letters and symbols.
Don’t use the dog’s birthday!
Clunk-Click: Never, ever click onunsolicited email attachments,
which can contain viruses, Trojan
programmes or computer
worms. If you’re unfamiliar with
the source, be safe and delete
the message.
Who are you?: Phishing scams
operate by sending innocent-
looking emails from apparently
trusted sources asking for
usernames, passwords or
personal information. Some scam
artists even create fake websites
too. Always go directly to a
company’s known internet
address or pick up the phone
before providing such info or
clicking on suspicious links.
Coughs and sneezes: If you’reworking at home or on an office
network, it pays to install basic
virus scanning capability on your
PC or mobile device. Many
network providers now offer
such applications for free.
Keeping software of all types up
to date is also imperative,
including scheduling regular
downloads of security updates,
which help guard against new
viruses and variations of old
threats.
Stay alert: Change passwordsregularly and often. It may seemobsessive, but being a bitparanoid could prevent a majordata breach.
For further information call020 8660 1730, [email protected] orvisit www.iacomputing.co.uk
Dawn Stallwood
Successful negotiating
Prepare and spend time on
commercial negotiations. It’s
essential to think carefully before
committing to a commercial
strategy which might not work
for you. It’s easy to get caught
out with fast-paced negotiations
so take a break or re-group if
necessary. If you don’t have the
expertise inside your business,
use a commercial counsel or
lawyer to support your
negotiations.
When negotiating with
stakeholders always ask the
question ‘what’s in it for me’, as
if you were them. Similarly,
managing expectations is vital.
The process of contract
discussions achieves this, but only
if well documented.
18 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
FEATURE
With budget strings ever-tightening, companies are becoming increasingly
inventive when it comes to team building exercises – getting the best value they
can from their investment in staff days out. Surrey Business News spoke to a
number of top team-building venues in the region to see what they were doing to
attract business in this tough climate.
From goose herding to golf…
Great experience forall ages
Cobnor Activities Centre is
expanding its established
programme after several highly
successful team-building events
last summer.
“Cobnor Activities Centre was
established in 1979 and
continues to offer a range of
courses to give young people in
the local area the opportunity to
experience challenging outdoor
activities, both water and land
based,” said Mark Murray-
Brown, Centre Manager.
“But we are receiving an
increasing number of enquiries
from businesses and
organisations in the South of
England looking to offer their
staff ‘something different’ in the
way of team-building, with an
ever-diminishing budget.
“We realise that we are
perfectly positioned to meet this
increase in demand and we are
able to offer a tailor-made day in
an idyllic setting. Cobnor can
offer groups, ranging from eight
to 100 people, a team-building
experience that is affordable and
fun as well as achieving the
desired purpose of getting teams
to work more effectively
together.”
Companies and organisations
work with the instructors at
Cobnor, in West Sussex, to plan
their bespoke day around a
variety of activities, which could
include: sailing, canoeing,
kayaking, climbing, mountain
biking, archery, low ropes,
orienteering and raft building.
There is also optional on-site
catering and a residential block.
Cobnor is served by good road
and rail links to London, Surrey,
Hampshire and Sussex.
To find out more aboutCobnor Activities Centre’steam-building activities ormake a booking call 01243 572791 or [email protected]
Cobnor Activities Centre
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FEATURE
Farnham Castle
Going for Gold!
With the 2012 Olympic Games
just around the corner, there is
no better theme for bringing
people together and building a
positive team spirit. Farnham
Castle Conference and Events
Centre has got together with
Surrey based events company,
Country Wide Special Events
(CWSE), who have been running
successful team building events
for many years, to offer an
Olympic themed Team Building
Day aimed at corporate
organisations.
Although the day is designed
to be great fun, the benefits to
corporate organisations are far
reaching, as staff break down
communication barriers, build
better relationships and gain
trust and confidence in each
other. These are all valuable skills
to take back into the working
environment.
Following an opening
ceremony, attendees will ‘go for
gold’ in Olympic events such as:
Archery, Beach Volleyball,
Shooting, Fencing & Boxing,
Athletics and Football. The day
culminates in an Olympic style
prize giving and closing
ceremony.
Holding the day event at
Farnham Castle means guests
have the opportunity to
participate play in challenging
events games in the spectacular
Castle grounds. High quality
catering, served in the Castle’s
Norman dining room, can be
provided, plus on-site
accommodation in one of the
most stunning buildings in the
South of England.
As well as this themed event,
Farnham Castle and CWSE also
offer alternative half-day or full-
day activity packages for both
private and corporate clients
including Battlefield Live, Laser
Clay Pigeon Shooting, Archery
and a broad range of challenging
team building activities. These
types of activities have a wide
appeal. In addition to corporate
clients, they are already
attracting interest from private
parties, families, and even stag
and hen parties, where packages
can be tailored to suit particular
needs.
For further informationplease visitwww.farnhamcastle.com(01252 721194) orwww.cwse.co.uk (01428 682887)
20 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
FEATURE
QUOTE
SURREY BUSINESS
• 10 Acres of secluded gardens• 144 en-suite bedrooms offering verymodern facility
• 6 main meeting rooms-10- 300 delegates theatre style6 syndicate rooms to seat up to 10 boardroom style
• The Foyer Area is home to a loungebar where guests can enjoy lightsnacks and beverages as well asafternoon tea
• Free broadband access in all ourbedroom accommodation. Free Wi-Fi internet access in all publicareas and meeting rooms
• 9 hole golf course, tennis court, fullyequipped gymnasium
• 4 rooms licensed for Civil WeddingCeremonies. Wedding receptionsranging from 10- 220 guests
• The Broadwater Restaurant offersexcellent and imaginative cuisine
Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9HB Tel: +44 (0)1932 847242 • Fax: +44 (0)1932 821413
Email: [email protected] • www.oatlandsparkhotel.com
Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge
Relax in countryside
The Manor House is an
independently owned
conference centre and hotel, only
an hour from central London, yet
situated close to Guildford with
easy access from the M25 and
Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Headmaster of Charterhouse
School, the Manor House today
has 31 bedrooms, 11 conference
and syndicate rooms, a
restaurant, and a bar and gym.
The meeting rooms all have
natural daylight and many have
stunning views or beautiful
features such as old fireplaces,
panelling or intricate
plasterwork.
There’s even a unique creative
thinking space, the de Bono
room, for clients looking for
something a little different.
Special care has also been
taken with the bedrooms,
making sure they are peaceful
places away from the hustle and
bustle of the working day, but
with facilities to make sure that
guests can stay connected with
the office at all times. Wifi is
available throughout and is free
of charge.
For more information pleasecall 01483 413021, [email protected] orvisit www.themanor.co.uk
Try your hand atherding geese
Overlooking the Broadwater
Lake, Oatlands Park Hotel in
Weybridge offers delegate
packages catering for between
eight and 300.
With golf, tennis, croquet and
ten acres of parkland with far
reaching views over the Surrey
countryside, Oatlands Park
provides a great venue for team
building.
They are happy to work with a
company’s event organiser or can
offer their own agents to tailor
activities to a client’s personal
requirements.
Popular activities at Oatlands
Park include: golf on its nine-hole
par-three course; croquet; tennis;
laser clay pigeon shooting; goose
herding; large inflatables and
slides; falconry; treasure trails;
The Manor House
Dining in style
High standards in every room
Originally built in the 1890’s as
a private home for the Assistant
It also carries a Green Tourism
Business Scheme gold award.
The meeting rooms at the
Manor House focus on providing
conference facilities for corporate
customers, but with the
character and charm that might
be expected from a country
hotel.
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FEATURE
and murder mystery
At the end of a busy day
visitors can keep in touch with
their office with complimentary
Wifi access or simply unwind in
the relaxed surroundings.
For more information
telephone 01932 847242 or
visit
www.oatlandsparkhotel.com
Training venue offersfree team buildingtasters
Sundial Group’s Guildford-based
meeting and training venue,
Barnett Hill, is opening its doors
for free team building tasters to
showcase Sundial’s brand of cost-
effective team building activities,
Teamscapes.
The free tasters on 15 March(and repeated in June) aim toshow the benefits of usingTeamscapes for teams of allshapes and sizes as well as theselection of fun and excitingindoor, outdoor and culinaryteam building activities which areavailable throughout the UK.
The presentation includestasters of both indoor and outdoorteam building exercises as well as
an overview of typical learningoutcomes, from improved teamwork and communication toincreased group morale.
The session concludes with abuffet lunch prepared by BarnettHill’s chefs. In addition, Sundialcan also offer complimentarydinner, bed and breakfast thenight before the event toattendees (subject to availabilityat Barnett Hill).
Plenty of room at Oatland Park
Attention to detail at Barnett Hill
22 SURREY BUSINESS NEWS Visit us online at: www.surreybusinesspublications.co.uk
FEATURE
The indoor element of the
event will run in one of Barnett
Hill’s 15 conference and meeting
rooms, whilst the outdoor
component will take place
amongst the venue’s 26 acres of
grounds, using one of the
purpose-built team building
activity areas.
Attending the event is
completely free but registration is
essential. This can be done via
the Barnett Hill or Sundial
Teamscapes website, both of
which are accessible from
www.sundialgroup.com or call
01604 731790 to register.
Lucy McGibbon, Sundial’s
Learning & Development
Director, who will be at Guildford
Means Business on 16 May
presenting the seminar The
Power of Experiential Learning –
Seeing Is Believing, said, “These
taster sessions are perfect for
experiencing Teamscapes and
demonstrating exactly what they
can do for you.”
For further information call
01483 893361, email
visit www.sundialgroup.com
Everyone is welcomeat the club
Surrey Downs Golf Club, located
in the village of Kingswood,
prides itself on being “a modern,
successful venue where people
feel welcome and relaxed” – and
so doesn’t pressure visitors with
“stuffy dress codes and mobile
phone bans”.
Innovative events at Barnett Hill
Surrey Downs Golf Club
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FEATURE
Event Manager Zoe Brown
explained: “We want all who
come here to feel like we treated
them exactly like we would our
most regular members by
showing them the same courtesy
and respect.”
The clubhouse offers three
separate meeting rooms: the
Willow Suite, its main, multi-
purpose room for up to 150 and
the Rowan (24) and Chestnut
(16) boardrooms.
On weekdays (except Fridays)
from April to June 2012 the club
is offering ‘getting to know you’
deals on day delegate packages
for new clients.
Zoe added: “Of course, not
everybody wants fixed packages
and we think you’ll find us pretty
flexible if your requirements are
not standard.”
For more details visit
www.surreydownsgc.co.uk/
events-conferences.html or
call Zoe on 01737 839090
(option 2)
Surrey Downs GolfClub Packages
Package 1
Full room hire (7.30am – 5pm),Use of a flipchart & projectorscreen, three servings oftea/coffee, two course fingerbuffet lunch, fresh fruit bowl,complimentary wifi, squashand water.From £20 per person*
Package 2
Full room hire (7.30am – 5pm),Use of a flipchart, projectorand screen, Arrival tea/coffeeand pastries, mid-morningtea/coffee and biscuits, twocourse fork buffet lunch,afternoon tea/coffee and cake,fresh fruit bowl, complimentaryWifi, mineral water and squashFrom £28 per person*(*minimum numbers apply)
Excellent facilities at Surrey Downs Golf Club
