1st August 2007 - Business in Berkshire News: www.businessinberkshire.co.uk/010807.html

Business in Berkshire News

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Good morning <07 Name>

While Jon is off enjoying this very welcome sunshine he has left me with the task of editing this fabulous newsletter. He gave me such a fantastic introduction in the last edition I hope he hasn't set you all up for a fall!

My name is Hannah Lewis and my business is Fish in Custard. I offer support to swamped businesses that are looking to relieve the pressure by outsourcing regular tasks, ad hoc projects or need some interim cover. If you want to find out more you can go to my BinB account.

Being this months guest editor means I chose the theme and I am going to focus on the recent floods, the environment and climate change. In the last two years we may have had a taste of things to come. Drought last year after two years of minimal rainfall and now this year people are mopping up after sustained flooding.

I struggle to be convinced that these events are coincidence, our climate is changing and whether you agree it is do with human impact or not we all need to consider ways of protecting are homes, businesses and to try and come up with solutions to help the environment. If you have any comments to make on this issue do email me and you may find your comments published here.

Featured in this newsletter, to start the theme off read How's YOUR Carbon Footprint? And consider how the Floods have hit Business Hard. You can find more articles uploaded to the new BinB Environment Space.

I am really looking forward to starting my monthly Business in Berkshire Breakfast, hopefully we will launch in September in Reading. If you have suggestions for venues or a name for the group (my husband has suggested Breakfast BiBs!!!) or if you would like to register your interest in coming along then please email me.

I heartily recommend being a part of the online BinB community, since I have had my account my client base has grown because of the amazing exposure being a part of the network has given me, both in the local business community and to a wider audience searching on Google.

You can become a Friend of Business in Berkshire and for minimal effort you can be a part of this community. You will receive:

  1. The inclusion of your existing website address in our Search Engine for Berkshire. If you don't have an existing URL then you should opt for our Silver or Bespoke Membership.
  2. Annual Membership to one of the most recognised business networks in Berkshire and the opportunity to attend BinB events at reduced prices
  3. FREE ticket to our Internet Marketing Business Seminar (worth £90).
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week and the weekend, my husband and I are off to The Big Chill music festival this weekend so keep your fingers crossed for sunshine!!

 

Today's Featured News

   

Floods Hit Businesses Hard

The recent summer downpours which led to severe flooding in many areas across the country have had a disastrous effect on many businesses. According to Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, those worst affected by the floods can expect some tax assistance.

HM Revenue & Customs announced last week that businesses affected by the floods will be given some flexibility when it comes to paying their tax. Measures included in next year's Finance Bill are being brought forward to waive interest and surcharges on tax paid late because of the weather problems. The Revenue will introduce a series of measures for individuals and businesses affected by the recent severe flooding.

Floods Hit Businesses Hard

   

How's YOUR Carbon Footprint?

Helping your organisation find ways to reduce and manage it's carbon footprint has become a burning issue over the past year or so. The Institute of Directors claimed in December 2006: "There's hardly a boardroom in the land that hasn't at least discussed cutting its carbon footprint in the last 12 months".

Most businesses would agree it pays to be seen as being environmentally responsible. But how many firms actually work hard at achieving this and how many simply give lip service to the notion? It's something we will be exploring over the next month through the pages of Business in Berkshire.

How's YOUR Carbon Footprint?

   

Apple iPhone Ring Tones

A number of companies have been forced to innovate after learning that Apple's iPhone can play music files specifically as ring tones, according to Synchro Arts' press agency Ubiquity Communications.

It is anticipated that this form of technology - called sideloading - will have a substantial impact on the ring tone industry, the firm stated.

Synchro Arts' Singtones have been designed in order to adapt to the shift in equipment. The innovative approach allows users to record tracks then fix it to a backing track, it said.

Apple iPhone Ring Tones

   

Popularity of online marketing 'grows'

The popularity of online advertising continues to grow, with the money spent on this channel due to break the £2 billion barrier, according to the IPA Bellwether Report.

In addition, 21.8 per cent of firms who were polled said that they have increased the amount of money they spend on marketing online.

Moreover, the cash spent in these channels accounts for six per cent of all marketing spending, the findings suggested.

Chairman at IPA Digital Wayne Arnold noted the trends and attributed the pattern to a number of factors.

Popularity of online marketing 'grows'

   

Alastair Campbell to present prestigious business awards

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former communications chief and popular media commentator, will be the guest speaker at the 13th annual Thames Valley Business Awards. The awards will be held on 22 November at the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre.

In addition to entries by post the Thames Valley Business Awards are inviting applications online at www.businessawards.co.uk. With a growing number of businesses from Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, North Hampshire and North Surrey entering the awards, the event looks set to be a spectacular showcase of business talent in the region; amongst last year's winners were the Barracuda Group, Centennial Software and Re-new Surface Systems.

Alastair Campbell to present prestigious business awards

   

Looking for top quality prepared foods and ingredients?

Based in Maidenhead, Thunderfresh have been manufacturing fresh food products for more than 25 years producing a vast range of freshly prepared fruit salads including, leaf and dressed salads, and prepared vegetables. The firm have also added some exciting new products including healthy sandwich fillings and a range of top quality Italian food.

Director Zoohair Shaio explains: "Thunderfresh can now supply a variety of top quality Italian products including, grilled vegetables, oyster mushrooms, sun dried and sun blush tomatoes. We also offer various types of olives and some excellent seafood including octupus, anchovies, sardines and mussels."

Looking for top quality prepared foods and ingredients?

   

Free Laptops Offered to Broadband Customers

In the race to entice new Broadband customers to sign up for long-term contracts, some Broadband providers are offering an expensive laptop free as part of the deal. AOL UK is currently offering a Dell laptop worth £500 to customers who sign up for their 2-year Broadband package. Meanwhile electrical retailer Currys have teamed up with Orange to offer a big discount on their laptops as part of the Orange offering.

It's all part of a plan to keep customer 'churn' to a minimum: the loss of accounts costs Broadband providers time and money as they constantly battle it out to find new customers to replace those that get lured away by cheaper deals. The way to minimize the churn effect is to look for ways to lock customers into longer-term contracts.

Free Laptops Offered to Broadband Customers

   

Email - Is It a Good Thing?

Can you remember life before email? What did we do when we needed to communicate with each other - either as individuals or as a group? Pick up the phone? Write a letter? Email has opened up a whole new world of quick, easy, and cheap communication. But has it been a victim of its own success?

Email - Is It a Good Thing?

   

The Meaning of Words - July

Welcome to the July issue of The Meaning of Words from SJ Copy. We've recently returned from a lovely holiday in Verona, Italy. Shame we couldn't have stayed! I do hope that you all have/had lovely holidays.

Words add value to your business
Every word that you read in any form of marketing literature has been carefully chosen to appeal to the reader. A website needs to be sprinkled with the right keywords - a brochure needs to expand on the product or service, a press release needs to be to the point. So it's a good idea to think very carefully when choosing the right words to promote your product or service. Try and think of as many synonyms as possible...

The Meaning of Words - July

   

The New WEEE Regulations

The new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came into force on 1 July, putting additional responsibilities on producers and distributors of electrical equipment. The regulations mean both groups now have a responsibility to take back electrical equipment at the end of its useful life. How does this affect consumers, producers, and suppliers?

The aim of the regulations is to minimise the amount of WEEE that was previously being thrown out along with general rubbish. In keeping with today's environmentally aware world, it is hoped that the public and businesses alike will now dispose of their electronic and electrical waste in a more environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient way. And from 1st July, producers of electronic and electrical equipment have had to take on the cost of collecting, treating and recycling WEEE.

The New WEEE Regulations

   

Sponsor Me for the London Triathlon

This Saturday I'm taking part in the London Triathlon as part of the Herbalife Team - I will be doing the 20km sprint cycle race to raise money for charity. My chosen charity is Cancer Research and I'm currently looking for sponsors.

Sponsor Me for the London Triathlon

   

Touring Van Exmoor

That was the search today, day 2 of our jollies... and we're off to Porlock tomorrow as Ali thought it looked jolly nice.

Friday we set off, 3.5 hours on the M4, Windsor to Weston-Super-Mare, your 'aving a laugh! We were still were very unsure that what seemed a great idea while under the influence at Blenheim Palace, when the van came up for auction and the vision of stepping onto the beach in the early morning before the rest of the world descended, was going to turn out a "fun" holiday.

Touring Van Exmoor

   

Other News

Search giant invests in new coverage technology
Google has announced that it is to invest in the UK based femtocell firm Ubiquisys, according to reports.

2007 - Naval Race Night
The Bracknell RNA is a self funded charity and undertakes their own activities to raise funds. The Bracknell RNA encourage comradeship and friendship, we endeavour to support ex service personnel within Bracknell and Binfield where required.

Football Goalkeeper Coaching
Paul Jackson is a top football goalkeeper coach. Here are a few pointers to get you started. If you'd like to train with Paul he can be currently found in Farnborough, Fleet, Camberley and Windsor.

Massive Sale on Henckels knife set
Amazing prices on Henckels Knife Sets. 40% OFF recommended Retail prices.

Business Visioning Group
Silent Partners want to set up a Business Visioning Group consisting of different sized businesses. There is no cost and it is envisaged that the group will meet for about 2 hours once a month.

Web firm 'takes on property in Slough'
The second floor of Aquasulis in Slough has been let out to 1&1 Limited from Morley, it has been reported.

It is believed that the deal will see the internet company take 5,823 sq ft of office space in a five-year lease, reports Property Mall.

Communications network Airwave 'rebranded'
The mobile communications network Airwave has been rebranded after receiving help from the brand consultancy The Partners, it has been announced.

Local firm links up with brewing giant
A company with ties in Berkshire has announced that it is to link up with the alcohol giant Carlsberg.

Server firm to move into Bracknell property
It has been announced that Foundry Networks, the IT firm, is to move into new commercial property in Bracknell.

The company from San Francisco has stated that it has taken out a 5-year lease on Unit 4 in Bracknell Beeches, reports Property Mall.

Construction Work - Get it right when carrying out building work
Now the regulations have changed, people that are planning to undertake building work need to understand, its not just a name change. For instance the Planning Supervisor has not just changed his name to a CDM Coordinator and the Client can not just appoint some one to do all the work and pass on the liability. You maybe planning some construction work that you think is not not notifiable so it does not come under the CDM 2007... wrong most construction now falls under CDM 2007, just in a different way... so please check!

Mastering Communications Programme delivered to North America
R&A recently delivered the first of a series of 'Mastering Communications' programmes for a global financial organisation across North America . This expanded roll out, the first of which was to Houston, Texas, was as a result of initially delivering the programme in the UK and then to Ireland, France and Germany where it has been consistently very well received.

Cheaper Print and CD DVD Prices?
Typically at this time of year, orders for manufacturing of any kind are a little thin on the ground - this is due in the main to the holiday season.

Marketing support
MAX Marketing are expanding! We're looking for a full-time project manager/administrator to help us to provide 'outstanding' marketing, backed up by 'worldclass' customer service. Interested? Read on...

Conference Facilities
Renaissance Hotel - Training Events, Conferences, and Seminars

The four star Renaissance Reading Hotel is located in the heart of Reading. The hotel boasts complimentary car parking and with only a ten minute drive from all of Reading's major business parks and the M4 if you are booking an event in Reading, the Renaissance is the place to be.

Client Testimonial from CST Limited
CST was looking for an agency who could arrange qualified business meetings in order that we could increase our client base. We needed an agency to represent us, an extension to our sales division and therefore desired a company who we could trust.

Women and The Internet
According to a recent survey by Burst Media, women are the biggest internet users and many rely on the internet to help manage their daily routine. Around 1800 women aged 25+ took part in the survey last month.

Invitation to tender
Tenders? Aren't they rather boring things, to be avoided if at all possible? Ian Smith doesn't think so, in fact he thinks they can be very exciting - when you win one!

The Body Shop - An Inspirational Business
The Body Shop, founded in 1976, is for me an inspirational business due to the values it upholds and the worldwide campaigns that it has launched since its foundation.

The Body Shop - An Inspirational Business
The Body Shop, founded in 1976, is for me an inspirational business due to the values it upholds and the worldwide campaigns that it has launched since its foundation.

The Entrepreneur Challenge
Britain's entrepreneurs have just a few weeks left to enter the Bank of Scotland Corporate £25million Entrepreneur Challenge. Five lucky winners will share in a fantastic £25m of interest-free funding, plus some choice mentoring and networking opportunities.

Eco discs
If you are serious about reducing your carbon footprint and you produce DVD's for the Commercial or Domestic market - take a look at this!

How to Get Excellent Google Rankings
With over 300 million searches on Google and Yahoo daily, getting your website noticed by these leading search engines is crucial if you're serious about generating sales leads through your website. What's the best way to get your website onto the first page of Google? Read on to find out...

Research team 'invests in environment project'
A new multi-company team, led by the technology firm Goodrich Corporation and Rolls Royce, have joined forces in order to undertake research to cut down on the environmental impact from aerospace engines.

Support Your Local Food Hero
Who do you know that makes that extra effort to produce high-quality foods that put mass-produced supermarket fare to shame? Whether it's your local butcher, baker, orÉ cheesemaker, UKTV would love to hear about them. They are currently searching for Britain's Local Food Hero 2007.

   

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Thanks for reading today's News

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June 2007 should see around 100,000 visitors to our website!

Enjoy today's news...

Hannah Lewis

Guest Editor
01753 852904
www.liaiseonline.co.uk
Producers of www.businessinberkshire.co.uk

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