New attack on the red tape tangle

New attack on the red tape tangle

THE British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has launched a Red Tape Audit highlighting the major regulations that affect British business.

It is also creating a Think Tank to look at positive and innovative ways of changing the Government’s culture to regulate.

The Red Tape Audit lists the onerous regulations that companies have to deal with daily.

Barbara Bryant, chief executive of the NHCCI, said: "The audit reflects the frustration and anger that being over-regulated generates among firms.

"Businesses give their opinion on the specific regulations that are holding them back, which include a raft of employment legislation, tax, statistics gathering, environmental and EU regulations and payroll burdens."

The Think Tank consists of experts from the academic world, policy making, business and Chamber members, who will advise the government on practical ways of reducing the regulatory load on companies. It will produce a series of short papers over the coming year outlining alternative solutions towards a ‘lighter touch’ to regulation.

Its chairman is Bill Midgley, BCC deputy president, who said: "Complying with all the different demands placed on business from regulation has cost business £15.6bn since 1997.

"If we are to be more competitive, productive and innovative we must look long and hard at the way we regulate business and the way regulation is administered.

"The launch of the think tank marks an important step forward in this drive to find practical workable ways to reduce this burden and ensure that UK business is not held back."

Spotlight on the US market

HAMPSHIRE businesses attending the Chamber’s North America awareness seminar on the USA were able to hear from the country’s leading trade experts on the vast US market.

The seminar, held at the Hilton Basingstoke in March, was aimed at helping prospective exporters to the United States gain a better understanding of the opportunities there.

John Harrocks, manager of the Chamber’s International Trade Centre, and John Rees-Evans, head of economic development for Hampshire County Council, set the scene.

Export promoters Fred Bassnett and Roger Frampton of Trade Partners UK gave a perceptive overview of the country and of the effects on business of September 11.

They followed this with guidance on how to approach the market and how to make best use of information and communications technology in developing export business.

Tim Handcock, senior international trade adviser with Business Link Wessex, gave details of government-sponsored services available to exporters in general and to those trading with the USA in particular.

Scott James, a leading American lawyer based in London, spoke on the legal pitfalls to watch out for.

Directors and managers of companies from a wide range of business sectors attended, some of whom plan to join the Chamber’s trade mission to New England in June.

This was the first of the Chamber’s awareness seminars on the NAFTA markets. The next — on Canada — will be held in late June.

Free advice on EU trade

BUSINESSES in north Hampshire can now benefit from free consultations on how to develop trade with countries in the EU.

The first monthly business clinic will be held on Wednesday, April 24. Companies interested in expanding their activity into mainland Europe will be able to get help on any aspect of trade within the EU.

The clinics will be held on the last Wednesday of every month, and will be attended by Richard Hall, manager of the southern area European Information Centre (EIC). Consultations will be on a one-to-one basis, and any business wishing to discuss, clarify, or simply learn more about working with the EU will benefit.

The clinics have been arranged by the NHCCI and the EIC, and are sponsored by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

To book an appointment at a clinic, to be held in the Civic Offices, call the Chamber’s International Trade Centre on 01256 352275.

Support for the Winchester Show

THE March Chamber Lunch for the Winchester area was held in the lovely Walton Room, right at the top of Winchester Guildhall.

The weather was just warm enough to have the patio doors open, giving members the opportunity to view the City from the balcony. Catering was supplied by Milburns Restaurants and had a distinctly Moroccan flavour.

The Winchester Show is to be held on the weekend of July 13 and 14 at the Garrison Ground and the event is organised by Hampshire & IOW Youth Options for the benefit of young people in the area.

The County Director for the organisation is Michael Shearman, recently awarded an OBE for his services to young people, and he was welcomed to the lunch by Jim Sawyer, area chairman.

Speaking on behalf of Youth Options was John Smith, Sports Editor for Radio Solent, who explained it comprised young volunteers led by young staff and supervised for the past 20 years by Michael Shearman. It is a remarkable organisation which tries to help and support youngsters in so many ways, not only with a range of activities but also with counselling and advice in problem areas such as drug abuse and car crime. Here they are able to work with experts, involved in courses such as basic car maintenance and driving skills with the police, or perhaps role play and debate with a theatre group.

The organisation has a youth centre in Andover, with 81 youth clubs in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and in all £350,000 is needed each year to sustain this network.

They receive support from many benefactors, including Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council, but the Winchester Show is an important source of funding. Michael Shearman stressed that the show is for all the family but will benefit young people, raise the profile of Youth Options and raise funds.

There are many business showcase opportunities with both a marquee and outside pitches available. The Hampshire Chronicle and WIN FM are the two major sponsors and it is anticipated that 5,000 people will visit over the weekend.

There are many sponsorship opportunities available and if anyone would like further information they should contact Michael Shearman on 01962 866556.

Military mode for March event

AN ECLECTIC gathering of 40 Chamber members enjoyed an informal buffet-style lunch at the Army Golf Club in Aldershot on a gloriously sunny day.

Chief executive Barbara Bryant opened the event on March 26 and introduced Ian Maine, curator of the Aldershot Military Museum. He gave an interesting talk highlighting the challenges of funding such an establishment and drawing attention to the local Wellington Monument.

A chance for business promotion came when four names were drawn from the Chamber Pot to speak for two minutes about their business, and Andrew Hardwick from Matec IT won a bottle of bubbly.

Sharron Nicholson from Propeller gave the vote of thanks which brought the networking lunch to a close.

The next lunch in the North East Hampshire area is on Tuesday, April 23, at the Falcon Hotel in Farnborough. Our guest speaker is from Slough Estates, and will give an update on the Farnborough Business Park which is planned to become one of the premier locations in Europe.

For details, contact Valerie Cloke or Katherine Mesri on 01252 811470.

City centre manager moves on

RICHARD Nash, Winchester City Centre Manager, is on the move after three and a half years in the city.

He was the city’s first centre manager and worked tirelessly to promote Winchester as a preferred place to live, work, shop and spend leisure time.

He masterminded innovative ideas for promoting Christmas and encouraging local people to support the city through various activities at that time of year. He also introduced guides to shopping and disabled access.

Other initiatives included the diverted giving scheme, service excellence awards and collating key statistical information. He organised regular meetings of core funders and produced informative annual reports.

Richard Steel, chairman of Winchester City Centre Partnership, of which NHCCI is a member, said: "We shall miss Richard as a central figure in promoting Winchester.

"Despite a limited budget he has worked very hard on the city’s behalf. He quickly established himself on his arrival in the city and became a familiar figure.

"He worked very well with the City Council and had an excellent relationship with the local press.

"I personally would like to thank him and wish him well in the future."

How HSBC brings the benefit of global experience to technology firms in north Hampshire

In the February edition of Chamber News we reported how HSBC has established a network of Technology Banking Managers throughout the UK. This month, Graham Bourns, HSBC’s Tech-nology Banking Manager in Basingstoke, explains how the Bank uses the experiences of other parts of the world to help model and develop its support for technology-based small firms emerging in the UK

DAVID GILL, Head of the HSBC Innovation and Technology Unit, has now led two international research trips supported by the Gatsby Foundation and sponsored by HSBC.

In March 2000, the findings of the first of these trips, Funding Technology: Lessons from America, were made available to us. Notwithstanding the recent glitches in tech stocks, and the bursting of the dot.com bubble (still on many people’s minds), Lessons from America has proved invaluable to HSBC as a blueprint for how technical innovation could better be nurtured and developed in the UK.

For example, entrepreneurship in the US can now be considered to have reached a virtuous circle. The success of technology businesses over many years led to the creation of serial entrepreneurs able to bring expertise, resources and networks to new business launches.

Leading universities in the US understand the value of spin-outs and technology licensing. Funding is mainly provided by venture capital (VC) and business angels, rather than from conventional banks. Even after the economic events of recent months, the supply of risk capital for early-stage technology businesses in the US remains at an order of magnitude above the level that has ever been available in the UK.

In the US, technology firms are likely to be well supported in business incubation units and through various networks of specialist business advisers. Much professional advice is given pro bono, but advisers may also receive ‘equity kickers’ — a few successes compensating for many hours of unpaid work.

As for US banks, technology-based growth companies tend to restrict themselves to the handful of specialist organisations with dedicated loan officers who, if not technologists themselves, build up extensive knowledge of specific sectors and the leading industry developments within these sectors. Traditional debt finance is usually provided only on the back of significant investment by leading VC firms, with the specialist banks also looking for comfort in the likely availability of further rounds of equity as specific development milestones are reached.

In January 2002, the findings of the second research trip were published. Funding Technology: Israel and the Virtues of Necessity sets out to explore the lessons that Israel has to teach the rest of the World about technology transfer.

"In many ways, Israel is a case apart," suggests David Gill. "But it demonstrates the ability for targeted government intervention to remedy market weaknesses, to work with the grain of the market and to be withdrawn once its objectives have been accomplished.

"It also demonstrates that technology transfer does not take place in isolation but requires all the key components to work together: basic research, seed capital, entrepreneurship, incubation, professional service firms, capital and export markets."

Copies of both Funding Technology reports, Lessons from America and Israel and the Virtues of Necessity, can be ordered by email from:

innovationtechnology@hsbc.com

Alternatively, the reports are available as electronic files on the Bank’s website at: www.ukbusiness.hsbc.com

If you wish to discuss your technology business with HSBC, please contact either Graham Bourns at Basingstoke (tel: 01256 726086, email: grahambourns@hsbc.com) or Clive Martin at Guildford (tel: 01483 703603, email: clivemartin@hsbc.com).

David raises new standard for advisers

BUSINESS adviser David Buck has become the first person in the country to meet the new UK standard of expertise in advising small to medium size companies.

At the moment David, who is Network Broker for Business Link Wessex, is the only holder of the Standard in Professional Competence for Business Advisory Services, although his other business adviser colleagues are about to follow suit.

The standard is part of a Government drive to help small businesses achieve their full potential, and so must be met by every Business Link adviser across the country.

Its intention is to ensure that, regardless of their individual specialities, all advisers have the combination of skills and knowledge to make an accurate diagnosis of a client’s general business needs.

David said: "We see the standard as public confirmation of the expertise that Business Link Advisers already possess. It means that when businesses turn to us for help they can now be even more confident of getting the best and most appropriate advice for their circumstances."

The Standard of Professional Competence is run by the Small Business Service, which is charged with meeting the government’s objective of making the UK the best place in the world to start and run a business.

Professional Development Services Ltd is carrying out the assessment, and development director Nevil Ingram said: "The skills and knowledge required for the standard amount to an exhaustive examination of the adviser’s competence. For David to be the first is a fantastic achievement for him and for BLW."

I’ve got this brilliant idea…

THE search is on for the best ideas from innovators, to be recognised by Business Link Wessex, a sponsoring panel of 18 eminent businesses and other organisations representing the region.

A competition with a total prize fund of £35,000 is on offer to contestants who can convince the judging panel that their ‘Innovention’ — whether a new product, new process or new service — is one of the best around. Entrants may be individuals or small and medium sized businesses located in Hampshire, Dorset, the IOW and adjacent counties. Competition entries need to be submitted by May 24 for pre-screening.

The prize fund is made up of cash awards and ‘in-kind’ services, like free accountancy, legal and other professional services.

Competitors will be invited to exhibit on June 28 at the Innovention 2002 Exhibition, to be held at the Friends Provident St Mary’s Football Stadium in Southampton. The entry fee, which includes the day’s exhibition space, is £47 (inc VAT). The judging panel will announce the winners on the day.

Visitors to the June exhibition will include interested businesses, financiers, academics, business support groups and entrepreneurs as well as members of the public. Up to 1,000 people are expected during the day, to see and talk to the 60 or 70 inventor exhibitors. This is the tenth year that the competition and exhibition has been running.

The exhibiting contestants will need to have had their inventions and ideas protected against ‘pirates’ — most ideas on show will be subject to patents or other forms of protection. So, apart from competing for the prize fund, exhibitors will be able to meet commercial partners and potential licensees, venture capitalists, bankers, and sources of Government funds.

The event is run on behalf of Business Link Wessex by South East Hampshire Enterprise Agencies.

What will the judges be looking for?

— First of all, does the idea have real commercial potential — if it goes into production or service, will it get customers?

— How new is it? Does it show inventiveness and novelty?

— Lastly, how well does the owner present it, and represent it as an idea which could — maybe — change the world?

Within the Innovention 2002 Exhibition will be a programme of seminars open to competitors and visitors, including presentations on such ideas as, the process of innovation, obtaining funding, protecting intellectual property and licensing inventions for income.

For more information about Innovention 2002 or to enter the competition, contact South East Hampshire Enterprise Agencies on 023 9244 9449.

You can also enter on-line at: www.sehea.co.uk

gencon wins £60,000 Smart Award for v-project

CHAMBER member gencon has won a £60,000 Smart award from the DTI.

gencon is a proponent of the Open Source Software revolution and has been developing a unique framework for developing ebusiness solutions called ‘v-creator’ — the ‘v’ stands for virtual.

The aim of v-creator is to deliver complex ebusiness solutions to all sizes of company, helping them become more productive, efficient and successful.

The DTI recognised gencon’s innovation in this area and awarded the company £60,000 under the Government’s ‘Smart’ scheme to develop it further.

"We are thrilled to receive the award because it provides recognition of all our efforts in trying to provide large corporate solutions to smaller companies at a price they can afford.

"No longer is there a requirement for companies to pay exorbitant development fees by the larger software houses," said Chris Bourne, gencon’s CEO.

Tony Howells, Head of Innovation at the Government Office for the South East, said that Smart awards are not only widely recognised as prestigious technology awards, but also have a major impact on the national economy.

For example, £2.4 million was gained in grants by 39 companies in the South East region three years ago. Of those, 35 continue to trade, two folded and two were sold. The value of the remaining 35 companies is estimated at £408 million and these companies have employed 395 graduates.

"gencon will hopefully parallel this success," said David Nicholas, Innovation and Technology counsellor at Business Link Wessex, who supported gencon’s application for a Smart award.

gencon: tel 01256 704140, www.gencon.co.uk

Getting the management games habit

CHRISTINE ELGOOD of Elgood Management Games is launching more games at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) HRD 2002 exhibition this month at Olympia.

"At last trainers are getting the games habit. It is a way to really engage their audience," she said.

Over 350 training and development providers will be demonstrating how they are meeting the needs of today’s people management professionals. They range from flexible learning providers and training software producers to drama- centred learning specialists and team development experts.

Case studies on display will include the Elgood Game designed for the Birmingham College of Law with students on the Legal Practice Course called the Way Forward. The College trains over half of the solicitors in England and Wales and believes participation in the game will provide the students with greater commercial awareness.

Students become board members of an imaginary furniture supply company. They take decisions on marketing and advertising, set the management priorities and decide whether or not to pay dividends to the shareholders. With their own profit and loss accounts, and balance sheets, they monitor how their shares are performing based on the decisions they have taken.

John James, Director of the College of Law, said: "We felt that by getting students to think about issues outside their immediate curriculum areas they would start to build a picture of where the law fits into the business world."

Elgood will also be unveiling The Acid Test at the show. The game uses a mining analogy to create a cycle of instant and objective feedback with each action revealing more data. People must share their perceptions about a problem, decide what the available facts suggest, and lift the lid! The game responds with right or wrong.

Getting it right is very pleasant, but getting it wrong can be just as valuable through asking the question why? How good are we at learning from experience? Do we really review performance or do we just move on heedless to repeat our mistakes? Is failure a loss to be forgotten or is it a gateway to improvement?

The show will also feature Conglomerate, a web-based business game designed to raise participants' commercial awareness and foster the development of informal networks (website at www.mbagmes.co.uk).

Elgood Games have developed a support package for conglomerate that includes an introductory session, in-game feedback and post-game analysis. This package enables organisations that do not have access to an in-house facilitator to play the game and get the maximum out of the experience.

Elgood Games will be running a Topic Taster showcase entitled "Going home at 5pm? To a whole new set of problems?" The showcase will challenge the notion of compartmentalisation and show how skill-transfer is possible, and highly beneficial, if we will only knock down a few walls.

The book by Christine’s father Christopher Elgood, "The Handbook of Management Games", now in its sixth edition, has become a bible in the industry. As Christine recalls: "In those days games were looked upon with suspicion, whereas now they are included in many training programmes as a matter of course."

Elgood Management Games: 0118 982 1115

Company car tax: A guide to the new rules

by Roger Jobson, Able Consulting & Vehicle Finance Ltd: 01489 877795

FROM April 1, the basis for personal taxation for those having private use of a company car changed fundamentally.

While the level of benefit will still be assessed at between 15—35 per cent of list price (capped at £80,000) and with, inevitably, some exceptions, the assessment will be based on the certified level of CO2 emissions above a set threshold, with no adjustment for business miles driven. In addition, for those who also receive ‘free fuel’, including private use, the scale charge will continue to increase at about 20 per cent pa. For those who use their own car for business mileage, the amount chargeable to their company has been restructured.

Surveys indicate that half of SMEs have yet to review car provision policy. All companies can reduce costs by moving to emissions-efficient cars, and also reducing mileage (more use of public transport, use of conferencing technology, etc). Many companies and their staff would both save cost by not providing company cars at all. Incidentally, cost savings include reduced NI liabilities to both parties as well as direct car costs.

Use of cars on business covers around 3.3 million company-provided cars, and around 3 million own-car users. Of those provided with a company car, 82 per cent are classed as essential users, and 18 per cent as reward users. Of the 3.3 million company-provided cars, about 1.7 million are leased/ contract hire etc, and 1.6 million company owned. About 70 per cent of companies offer a cash alternative, with about a 15 per cent take-up; surveys suggest the changes could lead to an 86 per cent take-up.

All this could change.

In future, for any employees earning above £8,500 pa, and all directors, BIK will be assessed at or above a standard15pc of list price, with increments of 1pc for every 5gm/km of CO2 emission up to a maximum of 35pc. All diesel-engined cars will carry a 3pc premium unless the emission level conforms with a Euro IV standard — none do yet, but they will do generally from 2003. The emissions threshold is set at 165gm/km for 2000/03, and will fall to 155gm/km in the following year, and 145gm/km in the next year.

Thus, the driver of a £22,000 car with an emission level of 200gm/km will pay £1,936 in tax assuming he/she pays tax at 40pc marginal rate (£22,000x0.22x0.4) in 2002/03. Under the old rules, and assuming 20k business miles pa, he/she would pay £1,320 (£22000x0.15x0.4). As an alternative, the driver could avoid BIK tax altogether, charge the company at 40p/mile for the first 10k miles, and 25p/mile for the further 10k miles, gaining a tax-free ‘income’ of £2,586 (£1,936 BIK tax not paid + tax-free mileage charge of 10kx£0.4+10kx£0.25) — enough perhaps to fund an own car of choice.

There will be winners and losers.

Losers: high mileage drivers, drivers of high emission vehicles, automatics/ 4x4s/ wide wheels/ low-profile tyres etc.

Winners: ‘reward’ car users/ low mileage drivers/ drivers choosing low-emission vehicles/ manual gearboxes/ most diesels etc. plus those companies whose drivers will no longer be incentivised to increase business miles to hit the tax break-points!

Inevitably there is the small print, the perceived hassle-free value of a company car, as well as the more favourable treatment of bi-fuel cars to consider. There is also the issue of the Government’s intention to extend Health & Safety ‘duty of care’ responsibility to cover those travelling on company business. Some companies are concerned that if more employees opt out of a company car, it may be more difficult to manage safe driving behaviour.

What seems simple may be quite complex in a particular application. If in doubt, or in need of an audit, take advice.

‘Mushroom culture’ wrecks growth prospects

BOSSES who keep managers and staff in the dark about their plans for the business are wrecking their chances of success.

Research from BDO Stoy Hayward shows that companies grow most slowly when owners do not share their vision. What is more, owners who operate a "mushroom culture" cannot see that the root of the problem lies in their own poor communication.

The study shows that under half of slow-growing businesses believe plans are passed on effectively, compared with nearly 70 per cent of fast-growth firms. Even pivotal senior managers are excluded from the owner’s long-term plans at one slow-coach company in three, compared with only 14 per cent of their fast-lane rivals.

BDO Stoy Hayward partner Kevin Cook, pictured, said: "We all know what grows best in the dark — and it isn’t a company! This mushroom culture is a symptom of a wider problem. Many entrepreneurs ignore the importanceof planning for growth, and so find it difficult to communicate their vision.

"Our research shows that 90 per cent of slow-growing frims have no business plan for the current year.

"In our Growth Service work, we see a clear correlation between the entrepreneur who actively shares their vision with management and the wider organisation, and rapid growth. The most successful firms are those where the top team is united in every key area."

BDO Stoy Hayward, Basingstoke: 01256 403700

Property expert in transfer to strengthen team

SOLICITOR Radu Herklots has joined Hampshire law firm White & Bowker to strengthen their busy residential property department.

Radu is a familiar local figure who has 20 years’ experience of property transactions in Hampshire.

At his previous firm he was the partner responsible for residential conveyancing and he has acted for a large number of private clients. His clients have been predominantly Winchester based, but he also has developed a following in Salisbury , and has worked for a number of London clients.

Lorna Munro, head of White & Bowker’s residential property department, said: "Our strategy is to be the market leader for prestige property matters within central Hampshire and beyond, and Radu’s appointment is another significant step in this direction."

Radu is a member of the BBC Regional Advisory Council and the Winchester representative of the Enham Trust Fund Raising Committee. He lives in Salisbury with his wife Lucinda.

Radu said: "I am very excited to be joining White & Bowker. Having dealt with their Property Department on a professional level, I know that I will be part of a top quality team."

A long-suffering Portsmouth fan, he added: "I wish I could always say the same about Pompey!"

White & Bowker: 01962 844440

Welcome to new members

Ann Purchese of Advance

Suite 180, 80 High Street, Winchester SO23 9AT

Tel: 01962 773327. Management consultancy

Today’s organisations need to be agile, to optimise individual and organisational performance and process efficiency. Advance recognises that each situation in each organisation is unique, challenging clients to identify root causes. We develop tailored, innovative yet pragmatic solutions and are dedicated to delivering the agreed results. Our expertise includes: strategy development; culture/change management; team and leadership develop-ment; performance management; executive coaching; meeting facilitation.

Julie Harrison of Marwell Zoological Park

Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1JH

Tel: 01962 777407. Zoological park

Marwell has many different roles. It is a much-loved tourist attraction, an internationally respected conservation zoo and a busy education centre. Charity owned, Marwell has a tightly controlled and successfully marketed business operation. The park offers many opportunities for business sponsorship or events, and Marwell Hall is a perfect venue for conferences.

Tony Campbell of Craft Industries

View Point, Basing View, Basingstoke RG21 4RG

Tel: 01256 799880. IT consultancy, support training

Craft Industries are a leading provider of secure cost-effective IT solutions for small to medium enterprises. We provide Microsoft-based solutions, focused on delivering quality, future proofed designs at affordable prices, as well as being the single point of contact for all small business IT needs.

Terri Coldwell of Systems Union Ltd

Systems Union House, Farnborough Aerospace Centre, 1 Lakeside Road, Farnborough GU14 6XP

Tel: 01252 556000. Software

Systems Union is a leading provider of financial and business management solutions to organisations globally, with unrivalled knowledge of international accounting and business practices.

Brendan Cox of Waterfords

108 Fleet Road, Fleet GU51 4PA

Tel: 01252 622663. Estate agents

Waterfords has five offices in Surrey and Hampshire. We specialise in property sales, lettings and the sale of land and new homes. Our offices are open seven days a week, offering properties for sale between £100k—£1.5m. For further details visit our website: www.waterfords.co.uk

Jonathan Crane of Crane Associates

27 Silverdale Road, Tadley RG26 4JL

Tel: 0118 981 0801. Cost management consultants

Working on a no-win, no-fee basis, we are independent cost management consultants. With the telecommunication and utility industries privatised, UK businesses have an opportunity to reduce non-strategic overheads. Crane Associates are uniquely placed to help you identify and realise cost-saving opportunities, thereby increasing your company’s profit.

Andrew Clare of Direct Power

Cathay, Grosvenor Road, Soldridge, Medstead GU34 5JE

Tel: 01420 562952. Energy brokers

We are a new business in the Hampshire area and we wish to develop a portfolio of 100 clients for whom we will — through our many years’ experience in the utility consultancy market — negotiate competitive electricity, gas and telecoms rates.

Diane Dykes of Elixir Network

38 Windermere Avenue, Kempshott, Basingstoke RG22 5JQ

Tel: 01256 335622. Design and marketing

Flexibility is the key to our success. We are a small team of professionals delivering design and production solutions across the marketing mix. Graphic design and printed collateral, online media, website production, exhibition stand design and build, photography, direct mail … the list goes on. We thrive on the unexpected.

Frank Marsh of Futures Management Consultants Ltd

19 Pyotts Hill, Old Basing, Basingstoke RG24 8AR

Tel: 01256 350791. Interim management

Futures Management Consultants Ltd was formed in 1998 to address a business to business market requiring best of bread interim management together with quality sales and marketing skills. The company has in-depth knowledge and experience within the interim management fields of sales leadership, market and product development and change management. A team who have the ability to work alongside existing management structure to promote the project whilst enhancing team perceptions of management and laying the foundations for future best practices.

Rory Hewett of Condor Office Solutions Ltd

118-120 Lodge Road, Southampton SO14 6QS

Tel: 023 8023 2444. Fax and photocopying equipment

Established in 1987, with company focus on integrity and service excellence. One of Canon’s top five suppliers in the country; 28 staff, two-thirds service based. Part owned by Canon, meaning better support and lower prices; the first supplier in southern England to be network accredited by Canon in 1998. Many major account referrals in Southampton include the Chamber of Commerce, Ordnance Survey, Daily Echo, Cunard and Marina Developments Ltd. Winners of Canon’s engineer of the year award 2000 (over 1,500 entered). Local to you — efficiently delivering an excellent service.

Andrew Hardwick of Matec IT Services Ltd

3 Hockley Cottages, Cheriton SO24 0NU

Tel: 07779 306656. IT networking and consultancy

Matec IT Services Ltd services the structural IT needs of SMEs. We provide advice and technical expertise to decide on and implement an IT solution that suits your business. We cover hardware and software, networks, internet connectivity, email and website hosting. We also supply ongoing support and software training.

Liz Betteridge of Outstanding Results Ltd

Wessex House, Upper Market Street, Eastleigh SO50 9FD

Tel: 02380 620055. Debt recovery

Outstanding Results is a firm of licensed commercial debt recovery agents acting for many organisations across the UK and in Europe. Our aim is to get you your money back, with the minimum of fuss and upset: no collection, no fee. Additional services: credit management, credit checking, training, process serving.

Terry Firth of Winchester Reference Library

81 North Walls, Winchester SO23 8BY

Tel: 01962 846059. Library services

Hampshire’s largest reference library with good collections of law, magazines, UK official publications and trade directories, including a few market research reports. As a major HATRICS Centre we are used to providing information for business, receiving more than 3,500 such enquiries last year.

Mrs Parminder Mew of Darcy Construction Ltd

10 Lime Close, Colden Common, Winchester SO21 1WN

Tel: 020 8571 2422. Construction and project management

We undertake project management services for all types of clients including charities, banks, architects and developers. We also undertake small and medium size construction projects within the local region.

Pippa Burr of Psychological Assets

Colebourne House, Cricket Green Lane, Hartley Wintney RG27 8PH. Tel: 07967 814901.

Business assessment and development of employees/organisations

Until recently I delivered director/employee assessment and career development services through national consultancies. I now offer my own, and associates’ expertise directly to the client. This means appropriately researched solutions at a highly competitive cost. Offerings: Assessment for recruitment and promotion, development centres, career and executive coaching, cultural analysis and change, relationship management between individuals or teams. For more information email: pippa.burr@btinternet.com

Diary dates

APRIL

Tuesday 16 April 1215—1400

Chamber Lunch — Basingstoke

Venue: Dummer Golf Club

Contact: Karen Matthews, 01256 352275

Thursday 18 April

Market Awareness Seminar: CEE (Balkans)

Contact: Inge Worger, 01256 352275

Monday 22 April 0930—1700

Emergency First Aid for Appointed Persons

One-day training course

Venue: Business Support Centre, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke

Cost: £90 inc VAT (members), £100 inc VAT (non-members)

Contact: Inge Worger, 01256 352275

Monday 22 April 1615

Budget Briefing Seminar

Hosted and presented by Baker Tilly at their offices in Basing View, Basingstoke

Cost: £5 including light refreshments

Contact: Karen Matthews, 01256 352275

Monday & Tuesday, April 22 & 23

British Chambers of Commerce National Conference and Exhibition

Venue: Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Contact: BCC, 020 8332 0044

Tuesday 23 April to Friday 26 April

National Export Sales Training (NEST)

Four-day training certificate course

Venue: Civic Offices, Basingstoke

Contact: Inge Worger, 01256 352275

Tuesday 23 April 1215—1415

Chamber Networking Lunch — NE Hants

Speaker: Lorraine Johnson

Subject: Update on Farnborough Business Park

Venue: The Falcon Hotel, Farnborough

Contact: Valerie Cloke or Katherine Mesri, 01252 811470

Wednesday 24 April 1745

Winchester Business Network

Sponsored by Baker Tilly and JCF Financial

Venue: The Wessex Hotel, Paternoster Row

Contact: Dawn Gear or Joanna Cassey, 01962 841000

Thursday April 25 0800—0930

Training and Development Forum

Subject: Development Needs Analysis

Venue: County Pantry, RHC Hospital

Contact: Richard Rogers, 01962 880842

Thursday 25 April 1800

Women in Business

Speaker: George Zaidmann

Subject: History of Diamonds

Venue: Wellington Arms Hotel, A33

Contact: Lorraine Ashover, 01256 722603

Monday 29 April

US Trade Mission Briefing

Contact: John Harrocks, 01256 352275

Tuesday, 30 April 0930—1300

Small Business Seminar

Cash and credit management for small business

Venue: Civic Offices, Fleet

Contact: Valerie Cloke or Katherine Mesri, 01252 811470

MAY

Monday 13 May 0730—0900

Farnborough Business Breakfast Club

Speaker: Marianne Rolfe

Subject: The role of SEEDA

Venue: The Holiday Inn, Farnborough

Contact: Barry Potter, BKR Haines Watts, 01252 510333

Tuesday 14 May 1230—1400

Chamber Lunch — Winchester