Member News

After being shortlisted for Best Small Business of the Year the Naked Marketing team decided to make an evening of it. All of the team got dolled up in there glad rags and headed to the Royal Norfolk Showground ready to enjoy the glitz and glamour of our first Eastern Daily Press Business Awards.

The EDP Business Awards have been showcasing the very best of Norfolk’s businesses for over 20 years and is regarded highly within the region.

The Small Business of the Year category, sponsored by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is open to all businesses with an annual turnover of less than £1million and businesses should be able to demonstrate a passion to grow a sustainable business, underpinned by a strong financial performance through strong leadership.

It is fair to say we were thrilled to be a finalist alongside R A Brown Heating Services and Credo Asset Finance. As the evening progressed the team became more and more relaxed fuelled by great food and wine. Whereas I think it is fair to say that as the evening progressed Directors Ben and David became more and more tense as the award category got nearer and nearer.

When Naked Marketing were announced as the winners in this category it is fair to say the whole Naked team were over the moon. Ben and David were delighted to accept the ridiculously heavy trophy from Ian Hacon president of the Norfolk Chamber before a few light hearted questions were fired their way by the evenings compare Stuart White.

After a quick foray back stage to have photographs taken with the sponsors a much more relaxed Ben and David returned to their table in time to enjoy the final award of the evening, overall Best Business of the Year sponsored by Barclays the three finalists due to be announced on the evening.

Their faces were a picture as Naked Marketing was announced as a finalist in this most prestigious of all the categories. Ben and David found themselves on the stage sandwiched between two power houses of Norfolk business in Blue Sky Leisure and Pasta Foods. This award was won by Blue Sky Leisure but for all of team Naked it was just fantastic to be in the spotlight and felt almost as good as winning.

Business telecoms mavericks, Comms Supply, attended the Eastern Daily Press Business Awards last night; one of three Norfolk companies shortlisted in the Future50 One to Watch category. The awards event took place on Thursday 7 November 2013 at the Royal Norfolk Showground.

The EDP Business Awards showcase the very best in Norfolk’s business community, honouring the achievements of individual companies and highlighting the region’s strength and depth. The Future50 One to Watch category, sponsored by NWES, is for early-stage firms able to demonstrate a pioneering approach to business and the potential to flourish and deliver impressive results. Judges look for evidence of drive, impact, vision and potential in assessing the finalists.

Comms Supply provides a wide range of business telecoms services: from comprehensive phone, mobile and broadband packages to simple line rental. Karl Alderton founded the company because he firmly believed that other telecoms suppliers simply weren’t up to scratch in terms of the service they supplied and their approach to customer relations.

Dramatic profits and upselling on individual jobs are not the focus for Comms Supply. Instead, clients are recommended solutions which meet their specific needs. The Comms Supply aim is to foster long-term relationships with clients and this extends to the total lack of automated answerphone messages within the business. When a customer calls, they immediately speak to a real person: if there is a problem the Comms Supply team ensures that clients are updated regularly. Unlike other suppliers, when wholesale telecoms costs dropped, Karl passed these price reductions on to his existing customers. “I believe that customers deserve the very best service and prices we can provide,” he explains. “That’s the only way we will secure their loyalty and have the opportunity to stay with them as their businesses grow.”

Comms Supply has been punching above its weight since day one. Karl works tirelessly to ensure that his clients have access to the best technology available; partnering with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to develop new systems that allow smaller businesses to integrate cloud-based phone systems into their operations.

The two other shortlisted businesses in the One to Watch category were Eco Classrooms based in Thorpe, which manufactures sustainable buildings, and Zing Insights, a market research consultancy located in Tharston. The award was won by Eco Classrooms.

“We were so chuffed to make it to the final of the Future 50 One To Watch category alongside Eco Classrooms and Zing Insights,” says Karl. “Even though we didn’t win this year, we’ve been really inspired to set our sights even higher: we’ll be pulling out all the stops to make the next 12 months even more successful for both us and our clients. The great news is that three of our clients won awards last night. Naked Marketing won Small Business of the Year, Blue Sky Leisure won Business of the Year and Liftshare won Outstanding IT initiative. We’re all about helping our clients to achieve amazing results so seeing them win is almost as good as winning ourselves.”

Karl explains more about the Comms Supply approach: “Many telecoms suppliers are tied to particular manufacturers. This means they have a limited number of products to choose from and can end up recommending products which suit them – and their profit margins – rather than their customers. Comms Supply is totally independent so, once we’ve spent time finding out what our customers want to achieve, we can provide our customers with the solutions that are completely right for them. Our way of working is quite different from many of our competitors but an open, honest approach is fundamental to our customers’ satisfaction and our business success.”

To find out more about the range of services that Comms Supply provides, or to arrange a free business telecoms audit, please call 0333 2020 900 or visit www.commssupply.co.uk.

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Our latest article from our hugely popular series covers everything you need to know to improve your website conversions from writing copy that sells to the all important “calls to action”.

Read our article “Designing websites for Conversion” to find out all.

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Steeles Law is once again participating in the national Will Aid initiative throughout the month of November.

Will Aid is the UK’s leading charity will-writing scheme. It offers everyone the opportunity to make or update their Will in return for a donation to help people in need in the UK and all over the world. This money is shared by nine well-known UK charities: ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

As part of the Will Aid campaign, Steeles Law will draw up a basic Will without charging its usual fee. In return for this service, clients are asked to make a suggested donation to Will Aid.

The firm looks forward to another busy and successful campaign writing Wills for local people, giving their families the security of a properly drafted Will as well as the opportunity to support some worthy causes.

The money raised will be added to the nationwide total, currently standing at £13.6m, which will be put to work to make a real and lasting difference to vulnerable children, families and older people in the UK and around the world.

For further advice on your Will or any other legal matter, please contact us.

Bidwells, one of the UK’s leading property consultancies, has appointed Mike Derbyshire as its new Head of Planning.

Mike, joined the firm on 1st November 2013, as an Equity Partner, previously with Savills, where he was a Senior Director in their London office.

He has twenty five years’ experience in both the private and public sector. Prior to working for Savills, Mike was a Chief Planning Officer at Broadland District Council in Norfolk.

In his career, he has dealt with major projects for a variety of clients. Particular highlights include the delivery of the London Clinic’s “Quantum Leap”£300m scheme to expand and modernise their estate in and around Harley Street.

He has advised Caprice Holdings on all their London restaurants, which includes the Ivy, and now is an acknowledged leader in high end restaurants.

“Mike’s experience of planning at a national level will be invaluable in Bidwells’ continued evolution. Taking us in to new sectors, strengthening existing and accelerating the establishment of new services” said Patrick McMahon, Senior Partner at Bidwells.

Commenting Mike said: “Planning is at a pivotal point where it is crucial to the growth of our economy, I am eager to play my part in Bidwells’ growing national reputation in order to help deliver the major schemes and activities that our clients need.”

One of the Formula Student Teams we are sponsoring this year is Cardiff Racing! We sponsored them for last year’s Formula Student and this summer for a project they carried out using our Rohacell! Take a look at their newsletter to see just what they have been up to with our Rohacell and why they could quite possibly be the best looking Formula Student team this year !!

As of today, and following the successful launch of Economy Comfort on KLM’s Intercontinental and B737 Europe fleets, Economy Comfort is now available on all of KLM Cityhopper’s Embraer 190 and Fokker 70 aircraft flown to all European destinations. As only exception and similar to KLM, European Economy Comfort is not offered on flights on the Amsterdam – Paris Charles de Gaulle and vice versa.

With this introduction, KLM is again offering its passengers more choice in comfort. In addition to more legroom, Economy Comfort also provides faster disembarking since Economy Comfort is located at the front of the Economy Class cabin. The sales and seating procedures for Economy Comfort on the KLM Cityhopper fleet are the same as they are on other KLM European flights. Seats in the Economy Comfort zone can be booked at any time before departure and prices start at 10 euros one way depending on the duration of the flight.

KLM services from Norwich International to Schiphol enhance the region’s European and worldwide connectivity and provide passengers with more flexibility. Via their award winning hub airport Schiphol in Amsterdam, KLM offers the community of East Anglia over 100 worldwide destinations on its intercontinental network and over 650 destinations across its Skyteam partners’ network. Flights currently operate three times daily to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport until the end of March 2014, then four times daily over the Summer season (Apr-Oct)

About KLM KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded in 1919, making it the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. In 2004, Air France and KLM merged to form AIR FRANCE KLM. The merger produced the strongest European airline group based on two powerful brands and hubs – Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Retaining its own identity, the group focuses on three core businesses: passenger transport, cargo and aircraft maintenance.

In the Netherlands, KLM comprises the core of the KLM Group, which further includes KLM Cityhopper, transavia.com and Martinair. KLM serves all its destinations using a modern fleet and employs over 33,000 people around the world. KLM is a leader in the airline industry, offering reliable operations and customer-oriented products resulting from its policy of enthusiasm and sustainable innovation.

KLM is a member of the global SkyTeam airline alliance, offering customers an extensive worldwide network. The KLM network connects the Netherlands to every important economic region in the world and, as such, serves as a powerful driver for the economy. About SkyTeam

SkyTeam is a global airline alliance providing customers from member airlines access to an extensive worldwide network offering more destinations, more frequencies and more connectivity. Passengers can earn and redeem Frequent Flyer Miles throughout the SkyTeam network. SkyTeam member airlines offer customers access to over 490 lounges worldwide.

My latest book, ‘NORWICH IN THE 1960s’, has reached the number one position in the Jarrold Local Best Seller charts just a week after its release. The book is a sequel to NORWICH IN THE 1950s which topped the charts for twenty weeks last year.

The book takes a look at the decade in which the ‘baby boomers’ came into their own. As the fifties faded away and sixties style arrived, this was the decade that altered the city.

I’ll be signing copies of the book in Jarrolds book department from 11.30 am on Saturday November 9th. Already booked as guest speaker at November’s Literary Lunch I’m thrilled with the reaction so far.

The School of Art History and World Art Studies have launched a new introductory course aimed at adults who are interested in archaeology, and who would like an introduction to the key skills, techniques and concepts needed to learn more about how archaeology is practiced around the world.

Beginning in January 2014, Studying Archaeology will consist of 10 evening classes, taught in the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts by members of faculty from the School. This course will introduce students to some of the important themes in archaeology using case studies from around the world. It will also develop presentation and writing skills whilst introducing students to methods of analysis, research and interpretation used by archaeologists.

Further information about the course can be found from here: www.uea.ac.uk/art-history/introductory-courses/studying-archaeology.

The deadline for applications is Monday 25 November 2013. The cost is £150.

For further information, please contact the UEA Admissions Office on 01603 593711, or email art.ug.admiss@uea.ac.uk.

On Monday 28 October Greater Anglia services are currently suspended onmost Greater Anglia routes until further notice – Customers are advised not to travel for the rest of the day.

We have been working closely with Network Rail overnight and throughout this morning to assess the damage caused across the network. Due to the damage to overhead wires and fallen trees/branches on a number of lines and locations there are currently no services onmany Greater Anglia routes, except as below.

A half hourly service is running between Chingford and London Liverpool Street (xx25 & xx55 from Chingford, xx03 & xx33 from Liverpool Street)

A 20 minute interval service is running between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield (xx00, xx20 & xx40 from Liverpool Street, and xx15, xx35 & xx55 from Shenfield)

A limited train service is also now running on Rural routes between Norwich and Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft and Sheringham (operated by diesel trains).

Engineers are making their way to the damaged part of the railway where it is safe to do and we are continuing to assess the damage right across the network. In some areas, wind speeds remain too high for us to safely start making repairs to the overhead wires.

Where engineers can repair damage, we will look to open lines later today but customers are advised not to travel for the rest of the day.

We will update our website (greateranglia.co.uk) and our Twitter feed (@greateranglia) throughout the day with the latest advice and information. Customers are strongly advised to check the latest travel information prior to setting out.

We are aware of an issue with our App/Live Departure boards which are incorrectly showing some services as running this morning – we are working to correct this issue as soon as possible.

Customers with Greater Anglia tickets dated for travel on Monday 28 October can travel on Tuesday 29 October.

Other operators across South East England are affected and details of their services are available on the National Rail website

Calling all teams of budding Eggheads in the Norfolk Business Community.

We still have places available for our Quiz Night on Thursday 14th November at the Lamb Inn Norwich. It is £50 to enter a team of 4 which includes a generous hot and cold buffet.

Please come along and support your local children’s hospice and have a great night out competing against other businesses in the area for the title of EACH Pub Quiz Champions 2013.

For more information or to enter a team please contact Rose Peasgood on 01953 666770 or rose.peasgood@each.org.uk

We hope to see you there.

It has been recently reported that there is a new staged scam on the roads known as ‘flash for cash’. This involves a driver on a main road flashing their lights inviting a driver waiting on a side road to pull out, at which point they speed up, causing the victim to drive into the side of the car. They then claim that the victim pulled out without checking first.

This is similar to the ‘crash for cash’ scam where criminal gangs fake or deliberately cause accidents to make fraudulent insurance claims, usually claiming for injuries, vehicle damage, replacement vehicle hire, loss of earnings and other costs. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) estimates that the cost of this scam for all drivers will add around £50 to the average premium per year.

Waveney Insurance Brokers has put together some useful tips to help motorists combat this growing problem:

• Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully
• Carry a pen and paper for taking notes
• Always keep a disposable camera or mobile phone handy for taking photos
• Concentrate on your driving – do not use a mobile phone or be otherwise distracted, you will be an easier target and it could work against you when trying to prove liability

If you suspect you may be a victim of a ‘flash for cash’ scam:

• Stay calm, think clearly and, as with any accident, don’t admit liability.
• Call the police, but be careful – you’re potentially dealing with criminals.
• If there’s the slightest indication of injury, call an ambulance as well – note how the car’s occupants respond to the emergency services’ involvement.
• Count the number of occupants in the car – the number can grow in the days following the accident.
• Get the names, addresses and dates of birth of all the occupants and make a note of where they were sitting in the car.
• Look for independent witnesses – avoid anyone who’s too enthusiastic, though, they might be in on the scam. Get their names and addresses.
• Look for CCTV cameras in the vicinity and tell your insurer as soon as possible so there’s a good chance of recovering footage.
• Share your concerns with your insurers – they’re as keen as you are to take action against ‘flash for cash’ criminals.
• Call the confidential Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) Cheatline on 0800 328 2550 with any information you feel may be relevant.

Motor insurance should provide motor drivers and owners with peace of mind that their assets and assets of other drivers on the road are covered in the event of an accident.

Unfortunately, criminals have schemed new and dangerous ways to derive money from what they think is a victimless crime. However, these staged accidents can be very dangerous not only to the drivers but the general public as well.

For any further advice regarding any insurance related matter please contact us via our website www.waveney-insurance.co.uk or on 01603 728600

Waveney Insurance Brokers is a trading name of Waveney Insurance Brokers (Commercial) Ltd. Waveney Insurance Brokers (Commercial) Limited is registered in England No. 02511992. Registered Office: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, ME14 3EN

Waveney Insurance Brokers (Commercial) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our Financial Services Register number is 313253. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting the FCA’s website https://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/home.do or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768.