Finding what you want! businesses
Transcription
Finding what you want! businesses
Edition 37: Week commencing Monday 19 April 2010 NWES is pleased to sponsor Essex Voice of Business Online. NWES operates a number of managed workspace centres for small and growing businesses If you are looking for office space please call 0845 60 99 99 1 Finding what you want! Headings in Essex Voice of Business Online have now been colour coded to make it easier for you to find the items that interest you most. Events – remember full listing of events through until 2011 can be found at Essex Events Tender Opportunities Workshops and Seminars FSB Updates Lobbying and Campaigning Issues Information and Consultations Special Offers and Discounts for FSB Members Business Awards LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! How to Attract The Right Clients... Like A Magnet!! Colchester: Thursday 22 April 2010 6.00pm until 8.30pm A partnership event with Essex University who will explain how Venture Navigator can help boost your business PLUS Steve Clarke of Eureka Sales Solutions explains How to attract the right clients.... like a magnet! More details Book Now! Colchester Business Fair Colchester: Thursday 22 April 2010 11.00am until 4.00pm A new venue for this highly successful business fair and exhibition. Just call in during the day to browse the extensive exhibition of business to business suppliers and support organisations. More details by email. ITV Studios 2010 General Election Coverage Campaign 2010 with Jonathan Dimbleby, is a series of programmes providing comment and analysis on the week‟s political developments relating to the election. They are currently looking for members of the public to be part of a politically-balanced studio audience for the programmes, which will bring together a range of high-profile guests with senior roles in cultural and public life. The audience members will also have a chance to make comments regarding the issues. The recordings will take place at The London Studios on the South Bank on the following dates: Tuesday 27 April – 8.00pm Tuesday 4 May – 8.00pm Anyone interested in being part of the audience is kindly requested to e-mail terri.hughes@itv.com with their name and daytime contact number, or call 0207 157 4370. General Election – Crucial All Business People Use Their Vote The General Election is to be held on Thursday 06 May 2010 and the 13.5 million people working in small business can be the deciding votes in many constituencies. Essex FSB is non party political but urges EVERY business person to use their vote in this election. General Election – Briefing Candidates Essex FSB is holding a series of briefings with candidates across the county using the Small Business, Big Vote manifesto as the main document. You can help persuade your local candidates to support these policies by writing to them and raising it with their representatives when they call on you. If you get a reply from any candidate please send a copy to Essex FSB Regional Organiser Keith Brown so we can monitor the support being given to small businesses. More details. BBC Essex General Election Debate Wants Businesses! Colchester: Wednesday 28 April 2010 BBC Essex is holding a live debate with candidates from the main parties and has asked Essex FSB to encourage more business people to join the audience and be prepared to ask questions. To participate in the debate you need to submit your name, address, business name and type of business, and contact email and telephone details. More details Apply by email Essex FSB Members Urged To Sign Up To The FSB-ICM Survey Panel The FSB and ICM Research have recruited over 4,000 businesses to the FSB-ICM „Voice of Small Business' Survey Panel. This panel of members answers regular questions on different policy issues to ensure the interests of small firms are at the top of the political agenda. FSB members can have their voice heard by signing up to the FSB-ICM Survey Panel. Join Now! More details. Want To Help Plan Transport Infrastructure For Essex? Chelmsford: Thursday 29 April 2010 4.00pm until 5.30pm Essex FSB has been asked to find half a dozen firms involved in the courier, haulage or freight forwarding sectors to take part in this Essex County Council Local Area Transport Plan Workshop which is part of the process to agree future transport infrastructure needs across Essex. We are keen to have representatives from different geographical parts of the county as well as from the different industries. If you are willing to help please email your details to Essex FSB Regional Organiser, Keith Brown, putting Transport Workshop in the subject line. £10 For Every New FSB Member Recommended By A Friend! If you are already an FSB member you KNOW the benefits membership brings including: Free legal and tax advice Access to free business banking Discounts on fuel Preferential rates on credit and debit card processing plus much more and all for an annual subscription that starts at £120!. With 213,000 members nationally the FSB is the largest business organisation in the UK BUT we aim to get bigger! Here in Essex around 50 new members are joining each month but we want to double that number with your help. More members means a stronger voice representing small businesses which is why the FSB has launched a new scheme encouraging existing members to recommend business colleagues join too. For every referral YOU make who joins £10.00 is available as a ‘thank you’ for the referral. Joining the scheme is easy just log on to Recommend a Friend, enter your membership number and Vcode (on your membership card or available from Essex FSB Regional Organiser, Keith Brown) then enter your colleagues details and leave the rest to the FSB. World Cup Networking for Farleigh Hospice Chelmsford: Wednesday 19 May 2010 5.30pm until 8.30pm The ULTIMATE networking event for Essex. Excellent key note speaker plus two seminars on networking including social networking PLUS network with up to 400 Essex business people to see if you can win the World Cup of Networking! Book Now to get tickets at just £10 before price rise in May! Book Now! Stansted Business Show Stansted: Friday 04 June 2010 10.00am until 3.00pm Early booking discounts are available for Essex FSB members wishing to exhibit at this event and free tickets are available for those wishing to visit. More Details Book Stands Register for FREE tickets Basildon Green Market Place Basildon: Monday 12 July 2010 3.00pm until 7.00pm This annual event brings together exhibitors involved in environmental issues looking to help Basildon businesses cut their carbon footprint and save costs by “going green” The event is free to attend thanks to sponsorship from Basildon Green Business Forum. There are a limited number of stands available and exhibitors can express interest using the booking form below and attendees can also reserve places now too. Book Now! Business Network Groups Essex FSB supports a number of regular free to attend Network Groups which have a good track record of helping members win new business. Witham: Friday 23 April 2010 4.30pm until 6.00pm Book Now! Ilford: Thursday 29 April 2010 8.15am until 9.30am Book Now! Epping: Thursday 29 April 2010 7.30am until 9.00am Book Now! Westcliff-on-Sea: Thursday 05 May 2010 7.30am until 9.30am Book Now! Billericay: Thursday 06 May 2010 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Brentwood: Thursday 06 May 2010 8.15am until 9.30am Book Now! Wickford: Wednesday 12 May 2010 8.00am until 9.30am Book Now! Thurrock: Thursday 20 May 2010 7.30am until 9.30am Book Now! Essex Speed Networking Rainham: Tuesday 27 April 2010 1.30pm until 5.00pm Rochford: Tuesday 11 May 2010 1.30pm until 5.00pm Ipswich: Thursday 13 May 2010 1.30pm until 5.00pm Use this proven way to attract new business through face to face meetings. Essex FSB members get 25 per cent discount for these events. Book Now! Business Association Networking Breakfast Newport: Friday 30 April 2010 7.45am until 9.30am Book Now by email Elite Magazine Networking Events Colchester: Tuesday 27 April 2010 6.30pm until 9.00pm Feering: Tuesday 11 May 2010 6.30pm until 9.00pm Colchester: Tuesday 25 May 2010 6.30pm until 9.00pm Book Now by email Cash Is King Margaretting: Thursday 22 April 2010 6.00pm until 8.30pm Managing cash flow is vitally important in the survival and ultimately success of your business. More details Book Now! Counter Terrorism in Southend-on-Sea Westcliff: Thursday 22 April 2010 7.30am until 9.30am Networking on Sea is organising this event. Book Now! Lunch and Laptops Thurrock: Friday 23 April 2010 12 noon to 1.30pm Free hands-on class to learn how to use Twitter for business More details Book Now! Dinner and Desktop Chelmsford: Monday 26 April 2010 6.30pm until 9.30pm Have some dinner and listen to a speaker about a specific social media topic from Twitter, YouTube, Linkedin, Facebook etc. After dinner we‟ll help each other put into action what we have learned from the speaker, so bring your laptops. Book Now! Havering Business Network Event Hornchurch: Wednesday 28 April 2010 12 noon until 2.00pm Book Now! Essex Business Network with Steve Clarke Stansted: Wednesday 28 April 2010 6.30pm until 8.30pm Book Now by email The Businesswomen’s Network Tolleshunt Knights: Tuesday 11 May 2010 9.30am until 12.00noon More details by email A Day For The Girls Of Essex Chelmsford: Saturday 10 July 2010 11.00am until 5.00pm A special celebration day with the opportunity for women who run businesses to book a stand at this event organised by the charity Essex Community Foundation, Essex Girls Fund. More details Book stand by email The Big Event: Making Business Successful Little Chesterford: Thursday 14 October 2010 8.00am until 6.00pm The BIG Event focuses on the critical ingredients for business success: Thought-leadership and Networking. Through the combination of speakers and workshops The BIG Event uniquely provides not only the motivational speakers giving delegates the inspiration to achieve success but also access to interactive sessions with the experts who provide the practical tools and techniques to enable businesses to change for the better. Discount Code for FSB Members wishing to book for this event is FSBE and gives a 25% discount. More details. Tender Opportunities via Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service Below are details of a selection of tenders issued by public sector organisations in Essex, Havering and Redbridge. 1. Romford: database and operating software package Deadline: None given. 2. Redbridge: Buses and coaches (reference 70505) Deadline: None given. 3. Romford: Information Technology system and support services (reference 84818). Deadline: Monday 26 April 2010 4. Colchester: parking services (reference 87974) Deadline: Friday 30 April 2010 5. Ilford: hospital support services (reference 87981) Deadline: Monday 03 May 2010 6. Colchester: art gallery construction work (reference 97161) Deadline: Tuesday 04 May 2010 7. Colchester: software and information packages (reference 97843) Deadline: Thursday 06 May 2010 8. Romford: primary school construction (reference 97151) Deadline: Friday 07 May 2010 9. Chelmsford: Software packages (reference 108175). Deadline: Wednesday 12 May 2010 10. Maidstone: Estate Agency Services (reference 85083). Deadline: Friday 14 May 2010. 11. Norwich: Grounds Maintenance (reference 108162). Deadline: Wednesday 19 May 2010. 12. Ilford: sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services (reference 97818) Deadline: Monday 24 May 2010. 13. Hinxworth: Regional Broadband communications network (reference 108179) Monday 24 May 2010 14. Southend-on-Sea: South East Essex College repair and maintenance services of building installations. Deadline: Tuesday 18 January 2011 For more information on any of the above contracts please contact Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service at business.information@essex.gov.uk or telephone 01245 492535. Tender Opportunities from London Olympics LOCOG are advertising the following tender opportunities connected with the London Olympics. Deadlines usually refer to last date for expression of interest. 1. More than 200 boats in total, including over 150 RIBS of varying sizes, engines of differing power, work boats, sailing-related competition equipment, and specialist craft such as Jet Skis and Zap Cats. More details. Where Can You Get THIS Much for only £120 a Year? If you are not yet an FSB member then you need to ask yourself why not? Subscriptions start at £120 per year and the benefits available are many including free business banking, free 24/7 legal advice line, tax investigation cover, preferential rates on credit and debit card processing and discounts on petrol and diesel. More details Subscription Rates Check out the details on Recruitment Video. Essex Small Business of the Year Awards Finalists Essex FSB sponsors the Essex Small Business of the Year Awards and entries have now closed for the 2010 awards. Ten finalists have been chosen for visits by the judges which have now taken place and then three winners will be announced at the Gala Awards Ceremony on Friday 23 April 2010. Details of entries. Details of finalists. Business Awards Anglian Business Awards Open to businesses in North Essex where the East Anglian Daily Times is distributed there are 14 categories to enter. Entry Deadline: Friday 21 May 2010 More details Basildon Business Awards Nominations are now open for the Basildon Business Awards 2010. Entry Deadline: Friday 14 May 2010. More details Harlow and District Nominations are now open for the Harlow and District Business Awards. Open to any business in the Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford areas there are 13 categories to enter. Chosen Charity is Essex Air Ambulance. Entry Deadline Monday 02 August 2010. More details. National Sales Awards 2010 With 20 categories the National Sales Awards have three key objectives; to reward individuals and teams who demonstrate best practice and outstanding achievement in all aspects of sales to raise the profile of professional selling and its importance to the overall profitability and the wider economy to recognise the value of technology and the impact it has in sales and business performance Entry deadline: Wednesday 30 June 2010. More details LAST CHANCE TO ENTER! National Training Awards 2010 Six categories in these awards celebrate organisations and individuals that can demonstrate outstanding business and personal success through an investment in training. Entry Deadline: Friday 23 April 2010 More details Nectar Small Business of the Year Awards 2010 Four categories in these awards with each winners receiving £2,000 in cash, £2,000 to spend at Viking Direct and 50,000 Nectar points! Entry Deadline: Monday 31 May 2010 More details London Borough Election Manifestos Essex FSB represents members in Havering and Redbridge and in partnership with the London FSB Policy Unit has published manifestos specific to each Borough ready for the council elections on Thursday 06 May 2010. We will be lobbying leaders of all political parties fighting these Borough elections with Essex FSB representative for Havering, Millie Grant, and for Redbridge, Marc Ordever, leading this lobbying activity. If you wish to join the lobbying team in either Borough please send your details to Essex FSB regional Organiser, Keith Brown, with London Elections in the subject line. Read the Havering Manifesto Read the Redbridge Manifesto Female Entrepreneurs Wanted For University Research Study Essex University student Ayesha Abrar is looking for volunteers to help her with research for her Doctoral thesis. If you are female and have started and run your own business please contact Ahesha to help with this study. More details Contact Ayesha Abrar Excellent Meeting and Conference Venue The Harlow Enterprise Hub is an example of how Harlow is raising its profile as an area for entrepreneurs. Offering new businesses short term leases means that a start up business can have flexibility when taking on an office space. The hub is managed by business support experts, NWES. In addition there are first class conference and meeting facilities ideal for groups from 2 to 100+. Along with these services NWES are offering on site advice to businesses through their experienced business advisors. They cover areas such as marketing and financial forecasting. More details Essex Businesses Missing Out On Government Cash Essex businesses are missing out on tens of thousands of pounds of available cash because they are not claiming for research and development costs under the government‟s R and D Tax Credits scheme. Manufacturing companies to software development companies and electronics firms, amongst many others, could be clawing back money. For many there is a misconception about what R and D is. It is not just men in white coats in a lab; it can be about developing new products, but also about how a business has changed its processes to improve its products and services. A successful claim for a small or medium sized business can deliver a subsidy of up to 22% of qualifying R and D costs, with the average claim being worth a cash lump sum of around £20,000. More details by email. University of East London Offers Subsidies For Placements The University of East London is offering subsidies to FSB members wishing to employ a student or a graduate on a work placement. Student work placements provide a cost-effective solution for businesses needing specialist input and give students access to a work environment, where they can develop their employability skills. Placement students have worked on a wide variety of projects, including marketing, business plans, website design, updating and creating databases and financial reports and a wide range of research. The cost to your company would be £800+VAT for a six week full time placement. There are no other costs to you. The programme pays the student/graduate £200 per week and the university would make all the arrangements for this. In addition an academic will provide £2000 worth of their time in the form of student/graduate supervision and advice/support. More details Apply to Neeta Barot Hot Desk At Anglia Ruskin Hot desk facilities are now available at Anglia Ruskin University for people starting out in business. Hot desk users will benefit from a working space, a dedicated reception facility, access to meeting and conference space and business support. Contact Kimberley Lilley on 0845 196 3177 to find out more. Beyond 2010 - Funding Available To Improve Business Performance Beyond 2010 is a programme that offers small and medium sized businesses in the East of England funding and support for higher level training opportunities that focus on improving business performance. More details. Planning Consultations Rochford Allocations and Development Management Development Plan Documents. Deadline: Friday 30 April 2010. More details Thurrock Economic Recovery and Growth Plan More details Women and Work - £450 Funding Training The Women and Work Programme, Sector Pathways Initiative from Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for environment and land-based industries are pleased to launch the next phase of funding. To be eligible you must be a women and work within one of the following sectors Aquaculture, Agricultural, Fencing, Fisheries Management, Farriery, Game & Wildlife Management, Landbased Engineering, Horticulture, Landscape, Trees & Timber, and Environmental Conservation industries. Training can be delivered by your choice of provider. Some examples of completed training include Forest School training, Chainsaw Training, Project Management, Management Training, IT Courses, and Website design. As part of the criteria you will need access to a mentor for 15 hours and attend 15 hours of training. Lantra Skills Coach, Angela Kimberley brings you the opportunity to apply for a £450 grant when you spend a minimum of £650 on training between April 2010 and January 2011. More details Businesses Committed To Tackling Climate Change The Prince‟s Mayday Network is the collaborative movement of UK businesses committed to action on climate change. It is free to join and gives every member access to tools, online support, connection to a community of like-minded organisations and the opportunity to make a real difference. The Network was formed by HRH The Prince of Wales three years ago and today over 2,000 businesses have started their Mayday Journey – here‟s why; they are saving energy and money they are winning new business they are engaging with staff, customers and suppliers in a drive for sustainability they are leading the fight against climate change. More details Need a Free Company Credit Check? Essex Libraries Business Information Service has always provided free reports on Limited Companies, but now we can provide you with free credit checks. In the current economic climate it‟s become even more important to check out with whom you‟re doing business. Do you know that they are reliable and credit-worthy? Why not save yourself some time and money by getting us to email a CreditSafe report direct to your desktop. In addition to director information and balance sheets, reports also include credit ratings and limits, County Court Judgements and mortgages. More details by email. Whoosh! Be Inspired By Free Courses For Businesses Chelmsford The Whoosh! Centre in Chelmsford has teamed up with Business Link to offer a range of free to attend courses including: Improve Your Presentation Skills – Wednesday 12 May 2010 Improve Your Presentation Skills – Wednesday 02 June 2010 Business Success at your fingertips – Monday 28 June 2010 More details and booking by email Free Advice on First Aid Cover and Discounted Courses Colchester: Monday 10 May 2010 – one day Emergency First Aid At Work Colchester: Tuesday 01 June 2010 to Thursday 03 June 2010 – three day First Aid at Work course Helmsman Safety Services is offering fellow FSB Members FREE ADVICE on the First Aid cover that their businesses should have in accordance with HSE recommendations. Helmsman is offering Members a 10% discount on course costs, on a first-come-first-served basis. More details by email Anglia Business Class - Free Training For Start-Up Businesses Anglia Ruskin University have launched a new on line training programme for start up businesses which might be of interest to you. They are offering the first 100 people who sign up the opportunity to have this for free (usual cost is £595). There are still places available at present, so if you are interested please use the contact details below to avoid disappointment. Anglia Ruskin's Survive and Thrive programme is supporting new business survival in Essex by offering FREE places on Anglia Business Class. Anglia Business Class is an accredited, online training programme for start-up businesses, designed for anyone who is thinking of starting a business, or running a new or young business to help guide them through the important stages of planning, starting, running and growing their business. No prior business knowledge is required. More details. Creating Innovative Businesses Ipswich: Wednesday 28 April 2010 12.30pm until 5.30pm Find out how to increase profits through design with innovator Giovanni Benedetti, local case studies and meet designers from Design for Business East at Adastral Park. Co-hosted by Essex County Council Research and Development Network and the University of Essex. Free to attend. Book Now! Small Business HR Help Small businesses that need HR help and advice on redundancy can contact Redundancy Expert to receive a free sample of its audio training programme. The website aims to help small businesses that are faced with making staff redundant by replicating a full training course through a series of audio chapters which talk through the process step-by-step. FSB members can receive a free chapter by email How To Attract, Motivate And Retain PHENOMENAL Staff Rainham: Wednesday 28 April 2010 9.00am until 12.15pm Three expert speakers will help you consider the right package, incentives and motivation for your staff, balanced with protecting your company‟s needs, now and for the future. If FSB members put in the word "Phenomenal" when booking up, they receive a 10% discount to the price. More details Book Now! Manufacturing Transformation Workshops Basildon: Wednesday 28 April 2010 8.00am until 11.00am – Delivery Performance Colchester: Thursday 13 May 2010 4.00pm until 7.00pm – Delivery Performance Harlow: Thursday 27 May 2010 4.00pm until 7.00pm – Delivery Performance These events are run by the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing and cost just £30 each plus VAT for FSB members. More details. Book Now! Driving For Better Business - Free Seminars For Young Drivers Rochford: Thursday 29 April 2010 Braintree: Thursday 22 July 2010 Harlow: Thursday 18 November 2010 Colchester: Thursday 17 March 2011 More details Book Now by email. Driving For Better Business – Free Workshops For Fleet Operators Chelmsford: Thursday 06 May 2010 Colchester: Thursday 19 August 2010 Stansted: Thursday 04 November 2010 Southend-on-Sea: Thursday 03 February 2011 A two hour workshop to help business owners develop policies for drivers. More details Book Now by email. Driving For Better Business – Free Road Risk Seminars Braintree: Thursday 27 May 2010 Rayleigh: Thursday 21 October 2010 Southend-on-Sea: Thursday 31 March 2011 A two hour workshop to help business owners develop policies for drivers. More details Book Now by email. Driving For Better Business – Free Seminars Maldon: Tuesday 22 June 2010 Driver selection, journey and job planning Witham: Thursday 24 June 2010 Policy Writing Chelmsford: Tuesday 21 September 2010 Grey Fleet Colchester: Thursday 23 September 2010 Drivers Hours and Tachographs Brentwood: Tuesday 23 November Driver selection, journey and job planning Waltham Abbey: Thursday 25 November 2010 Policy Writing Basildon: Tuesday 15 February 2011 Grey Fleet Rayleigh: Thursday 17 February 2011 Policy Writing A two hour workshop to help business owners develop policies and procedures. More details Book Now by email. Discounted Secure Storage at London Southend Airport London Southend Airport freight shed is offering a discount to FSB members for quality storage services; anything from sweets to suites welcome. The storage facility is 60,000 ft 2 so can house pretty much anything (other than Cold Storage, Wines/Spirits/Cigarettes or dangerous goods) and has more than 20 years without a claim for lost or damaged goods. There are a variety of freight related services available: Palletizing of goods for storage / export Wrapping Pick and Pack Full RH&D (Free on certain orders) Arrangement of Export Arrangement of collection / delivery Credit available (subject to status) The facility has 4 loading banks with provision for any road going lorry or transporter, forklift trucks with a lifting capacity of up to 2 tonnes and a record of extremely efficient handling as well as speedy Customs and Excise clearance. Please call Kevin Cotter on 01702 60 81 31 or 07887 80 14 53 between 06:00 and 23:00 quoting “FSB” and give your membership number to receive your discount. Half Price Buffet for FSB Members! Essex FSB member Nasir Ahmed runs several Subway franchises in Essex and has launched a new buffet service for local companies which includes delivery. For a limited time he is offering fellow FSB members 50% off the price of their buffet order placed with him. More details Order Now by email Facing the Challenge .......Can You? To celebrate her 50th birthday Essex FSB member and Chelmsford businesswoman Glenys Chatterley set herself 12 challenges to do things that would usually scare her. Having completed them successfully she has set herself the challenge of raising £10,000 for Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford by talking about her experiences to local groups. If you need an entertaining speaker for your event then Glenys is available – she doesn't even charge expenses with the entire donation you make going to Farleigh Hospice. More details by email Free Access to Experts Essex FSB member Charles Joynson has launched a new service which offers businesses access to expertise to answer questions they may have about their business. Giblicom Limited is allowing FSB members to post their problems for free, so that experts can write reports for them. More details Sweet Offer on Room Hire! Essex FSB members can receive a 10% discount on hire charge for the Honeycomb Room at The Hive, Barleylands, Barleylands Road, Billericay, CM11 2UD. Catering packages also available. More details by email. FSB Members Save 25% Booking For The Big Event: Making Business Successful Little Chesterford: Thursday 14 October 2010 8.00am until 6.00pm The BIG Event focuses on the critical ingredients for business success: Thought-leadership and Networking. Through the combination of speakers and workshops The BIG Event uniquely provides not only the motivational speakers giving delegates the inspiration to achieve success but also access to interactive sessions with the experts who provide the practical tools and techniques to enable businesses to change for the better. Discount Code for FSB Members wishing to book for this event is FSBE and gives a 25% discount. More details. Networking Weekend for FSB Members to Royal Ascot Saturday 19 June 2010 and Sunday 20 June 2010 Essex FSB members Florida Coaches are offering a special Royal Ascot package for FSB members. More details from Murray Dean. The Itadaki Zen Restaurant Kings Cross Europe‟s first Vegan and Organic Japanese Restaurant will offer 10% discount to all FSB members (who show their membership card) until May 1st 2010. More details Business Coaching Available Essex FSB member and Loughton businesswoman Sue Taylor of All About You, Life Coaching and Educational Consultancy is offering FSB members a 10 per cent discount on coaching and mentoring sessions. More details Free Web Site Design Last year Andy Tilbrook took the decision to train in web design and eventually run a web production business alongside my more traditional publishing work. He is now at the stage of needing projects to practice and hone my web skills and to build a portfolio. He is offering to complete two or three small projects (say, up to about 10 web pages each) ideally from scratch, though he would be happy to look at redesigns of existing sites. All written and design work would be carried out free of charge (any photography, hosting, domain costs would not be included). All he asks for afterwards is a written testimonial. More details by email Offers from Greater London FSB members Greater London FSB has launched a new web page detailing offers to FSB members available from Greater London FSB members. Current offers include: Performance Coaching...50% off for FSB Members No-Brainer Business Plan Workout...only £95 plus VAT for FSB Members No-Brainer Tender to Win Training...only £225 plus VAT for FSB Members SeaBreeze Bespoke Glycerine Soaps...FSB Members Save £5.00 Website Assessment...50% off for FSB Members Commercial & Domestic Contractors...FREE case of wine for FSB Members Hernia Problems?...10% FSB Members and family More details. Don’t Hide the Good News! Essex Voice of Business Online has proved very popular with lots of positive feedback and we know that leading councillors, some MPs and even the Government Office in the East of England are reading it every week. To date we have around 7,700 subscribers and want that number to increase so please forward this to business colleagues you think may also benefit and encourage them to subscribe using the link below – this is a FREE service supporting businesses in Essex, Havering and Redbridge. Please keep sending your comments and items for inclusion to Essex FSB Regional Organiser Keith Brown. To subscribe free of charge to Essex Voice of Business Online, please send a blank email to essexvoiceofbusiness@fsb.org.uk and type SUBSCRIBE in the subject. (Leave the body blank). Twitter You can now follow FSBEssex on Twitter to keep up to date with latest news and offers. AccessAbility Help Please contact Keith.brown@fsb.org.uk if you would like this document in an alternative format or if you require any AccessAbility help.