Business News
alexander christian – family law solicitors are a niche divorce, family law practice undertaking
work related to divorce, family law and child law such as Divorce and Separation, Financial Settlement, Children issues (contact, parental responsibility, residence), Grandparent contact, Cohabitation and Civil Partnership matters. Based in North Harrow, easily
accessible and serving London, Greater London, North West London, West London, Harrow and
Middlesex, offering a friendly and professional service. Call 020 8863 7800 for
an appointment.
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Courses and schemes in Harrow
Information on courses and schemes at Harrow in Business provided
by Harrow in business.
The following articles provided by Harrow in Business,
for further information contact www.hib.org.uk or Rhona Denness on telephone number 020 8427 6188
“ARTICLE
ONE
Case
study: Want success? Think big!
Dipesh
Patel is a man on a mission. He wants to help others start two new franchises a
year based on his original concept. Yet it would all have been very different
if he hadn’t had an HiB mentor to help him think big! June is HiB Mentoring
Month, so we let Dipesh take up the story …
A
lesson in thinking big
“Back in
2000 I was a qualified dispensing optician wanting to start up on my own. I
came to HiB for help in writing a business plan so I could start I-optics in
Hounslow West. As an independent optician we could focus on giving a really
personal service to our customers and it’s been a real success story. We’ve
grown from employing two to six staff over the last few years.
If it
were up to me I’d have just left it as the one shop. But HiB did more. My
mentor spotted potential in my idea and had belief in my concept. He said I
should think big, rather than stay small, and consider expanding.
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New
franchise created
Together
we worked on a whole new brand identity called eye-2-eye opticians. This we
designed as a business that could be franchised out to others and used across
the country. To prove it would work I opened the first branch in Harrow’s
Belmont Circle earlier in 2007 and it’s been really successful.
Essentially
we’ve created a template that offers a unique alternative to the big optician
chains. For example, in established opticians they only offer certain limited
ranges of frames. At eye-2-eye the owner of the outlet can choose from a wide
range of fashion lines and designer frames, a choice that’s proving very
popular with the public.
Our goal
is to launch two independent franchises each year with retail and online sales.
We can offer the template, branding and advice on how to make it work. That
means that aspiring entrepreneurs don’t have to start from scratch with this
business idea like I did. They can jump straight in.
Mentoring
gives you muscle
I’d
recommend mentoring to everyone. If it hadn’t been for my mentor I would not
have opened a shop in Harrow or have this branded template to offer to others.
You can
be very ‘short sighted’ when it comes to your own business! It’s hard to see
the challenges and, in my case, the opportunities. Working with a mentor is
like teaming up with someone from Dragons Den – except they want to help
without taking a chunk of your business in payment!
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For
more info
The programme brings together local businesses for
12 half-day mentoring sessions with
a small network of other businesses. The group is chosen specifically so that
members complement each others’ type of business.
You can either book for a taster session for this group
mentoring scheme on 8 November, or if you can’t make that date individual appointments
with advisers can be arranged. To find out more, see www.hib.org.uk or call 020 8427 6188.
Case
study: Meet the import/export expert
During
HiB Mentoring Month, we wondered what it is like actually being a mentor. So we
asked HiB adviser, Ajit Patel. He has acted as a specialist import/export
mentor for the DTi. And now he runs HiB’s popular international trade seminar
with HMRC.
What
was your role?
“I worked
with small UK companies looking to expand into new markets with their existing
products or find new products abroad. It was a great experience seeing people
start to have belief in their business because of the knowledge you gave them.
As people took the right steps, confidence levels increased. They could see the
market was receptive to their products and at last they knew how to start
talking to the right people.
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It’s all
about the end result. You take a company that’s inexperienced in something
– in this case international trade – and you see them succeed at
something they thought was impossible. You need knowledge of that area yourself
(and yes, I run a successful import/export business too!) and know where to
point people in the right direction for advice.
What
makes a good mentor or mentee?
A mentor
has three roles. Obviously they are part expert. But they’re also part agony
aunt for when people need to ask for advice. And part matchmaker as they put
businesses in touch with others in their network who can usefully help too.
Anyone
can be mentored. But the best success comes from those who are open minded or
receptive. It’s about being on a learning curve and being prepared to learn as
you go.
How
does it work?
I’d
recommend meeting your mentor monthly for 12 to 18 months. Different markets
operate at different times of year whether you’re importing or working in the
UK. Customers react differently, as do suppliers. So when you look at the
complete picture, time is crucial to see how your market works year round.
What
are some of the key import/export issues you dealt with?
Paying
the right taxes is always a hot topic. Different goods have different rates of
duty. HiB has a factsheet on importing for first timers, or you can consult HM
Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website. But you need to find the right commodity
code for that product, ask HMRC to verify the number and tell you the duty in
percentage terms. So you may, for example, have to pay 5% of the total invoice
value plus Vat in tax. Oh, and you need to have the money ready up front
because you don’t get the goods until you pay up. Using a clearing agent helps
speed up the process.
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Also
don’t assume that you can import whatever goods you like. There are often
controls that apply. At the moment many people are sourcing cheap goods from
China to sell on for a profit. However you can’t do this easily with footwear.
Both China and Vietnam are trying to flood our footwear market at below-cost
prices. So the EU is moving to substantially increase import duty to combat this
anti-competitive behaviour. Thus you can’t just get on the internet and buy a
load of footwear from China to sell on in the UK. It’s really handy having a
mentor to inform you of stuff like this!
For
more info
International
trade seminar
Find out
more about import/export with Ajit Patel. His one day seminar involves a host
of experts, from HMRC and real people currently importing and exporting to an
agency that explains what support there is for those wanting to engage in
international trade… www.hib.org.uk
ARTICLE
THREE
What's
on: events and training
All events (unless
otherwise stated) take place at Enterprise House, 297 Pinner Road, Harrow. For
more info see the links in each entry, call 020 8427 6188 or email emma.wilding@hib.org.uk.
Featured events
Getting
more customers online www.hib.org.uk
Got a
website? Want one? That’s great, but unless you design it right and include the
best content, it’s a waste of hyperspace. Find out from a real expert how to
build an effective online presence that works. This workshop covers everything
from drawing up an effective online strategy to how to brief a designer.
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HiB
- Group mentoring taster
Come and talk to one of
our mentors about your business idea. This seminar, for example, includes a session
on what group mentoring can do for your new or young business. Also speak to
mentors/advisers one to one about how to benefit.
E-marketing - http://www.harrowinbusiness.com/newsitems/ni103.htm
E-Marketing is one of the most cost effective ways to keep
in touch with your customers. If undertaken properly, it is generally cost
effective and helps build brand awareness and loyalty. Come and learn more
about the benefits of e-marketing for you and your business.
http://www.harrowinbusiness.com/newsitems/ni102.htm
International
Trade Seminar
International trade is booming with an ever increasing
number of opportunities to pursue. Whether you are a novice or have started
your import/export venture, this module will take you through the right steps
by experienced professionals to help realise your potential.
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Bookkeeping
Made Simple www.hib.org.uk
Don’t pay a
bookkeeper! Learn how to do it yourself with a simple system that will give you
a better idea of how your business is shaping up. Covers manual and computerised
systems and gives practical hands-on guidance on record-keeping,
reconciliations and producing simple accounts. For owner/managers of small
businesses who want to create an appropriate bookkeeping system.
Other dates
See the Business Connections Website at www.businessconnection.org.uk for networking events and women's connection, or call 020 8427 6188 for details
Starting
out in business
Thinking of starting a
business? Discover what is involved, understand the myths and realities and of
starting up and surviving in business.
www.hib.org.uk
Setting
up in business
"Test the viability of
your business launch, get the resources in place and plan for success. This
workshop has been described as: "The best day's investment you could make
in your business idea or young business" and "A great workshop that saved
me hundreds of pounds and countless hours".
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Harrow In Business Diary
(date to be onfirmed) April
2008
6pm to
9pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
E-marketing |
E-marketing is one of the most cost effective ways to keep in touch with your customers. If undertaken properly, it is generally cost effective and helps build brand awareness and loyalty. Come and learn more about the benefits of e-marketing for you and your business.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Thursday 17 April 2008
10am to 12pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Business Support and Finance Taster |
An opportunity for you to find out more about these supportive programmes and meet some of the mentors and consultants involved in these and other recently launched initiatives available through Harrow in Business.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
|
|
|
Monday 28 April
2008
induction session
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
NVQ Customer Service |
This course will help you develop essential interpersonal skills needed when working within a customer service environment and achieve a nationally recognised Level 2 qualification.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Wednesday 7 May 2008
10am to 1pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Setting Up In Business |
This interactive workshop will help you test the viability of your business launch, get the resources in place and plan for success.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Friday 9 May 2008
10am to 12pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Unstoppable Women - Taster |
This taster session will give you the opportunity to find out more about our new training programme for women. Designed to increase your confidence, develop your qualities and skills to maximise your potential and identify the right path for you.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Tuesday 20 May
2008
10am to 1pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Setting Up In Business |
This interactive workshop will help you test the viability of your business launch, get the resources in place and plan for success.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Thursday 22
May 2008
10am to
12pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Business Support and Finance Taster |
An opportunity for you to find out more about these supportive programmes and meet some of the mentors and consultants involved in these and other recently launched initiatives available through Harrow in Business.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Wednesday 4 June 2008
10am to
1pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Starting Out In Business |
These sessions enable those people who are thinking about starting their own business, to discover what is involved, identify the myths and realties and obtain a flavour of the lifestyle implications of starting up and surviving in business.
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Thursday 5 June 2008
1pm to
3pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Bookkeeping Made Simple |
This module aims to help owner/managers of small businesses implement an appropriate bookkeeping system. We will look at both manual and computerised systems and provide practical hands-on guidance to create suitable recording mechanisms, carry out bank reconciliations and produce a simple set of accounts
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
Tuesday 17 June 2008
10.30pm to 12.30pm
at HiB –
Enterprise House |
Getting More Customers Online |
Setting up a website or online business? What to use the internet to increase sales? Find out what will make it a success and how make it a success and how to write and design a site that does what you need to grow your business or find your new leads
For more
information www.hib.org.uk |
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Harrow in Business provided the above information and articles, for further information on courses (including times, dates, cost, content and bookings) contact Harrow in Business directly on 020 8427 6188 (Rhonna Denness) or see their website www.hib.org.uk
Bollywood Brent Update
If you would like further information on Bollywood Brent 2008 please contact the organiser on the following link: www.bollywoodbrent.com.
For a brief idea of what it was like at Bollywood Brent 2007, please read below :
“Over 500 people visited the
Bollywood Brent Showcase on Sunday 29th April [2007] at the Wembley Plaza
Hotel. The event, a celebration of Bollywood in the London borough of Brent,
combined an exhibition and entertainment, and was hosted by ABi Associates, a
leading business development organisation.
The event was officially opened by
the Mayor of Brent, Councillor Bertha Joseph who commended ABi’s efforts. She
said, “When people in the community make an effort we need to support them and
as the first citizen of Brent I felt it was important for me to be here today.”
Councillor Joseph also congratulated ABi’s Bollywood Brent initiative for
bringingthese business communities together. “It is so important that we
know how wealthy we are in Brent. It is the most cultural, diverse borough in
Europe and the communities have contributed vastly commercially, economically,
and culturally to our borough. It is also important to expose the talent and
businesses that we have in the borough and that we help them to develop whilst
boosting employment as well.”
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Vijay Amin, Managing Director of
ABi, commented, “This was ABi’s first Bollywood Brent initiative to celebrate
the cultural diversity and business opportunities in the borough as a result of
the growth in the world’s largest film industry. We were delighted to welcome
so many visitors of all ages who experienced first hand the culture, colours
and glamour of Bollywood. We also thank the participants, some of whom were as
young as [age] entertained attendees with various dances and musical
performances.”
The Showcase’s media partners were
Redhotcurry.com and Club Asia radio. The radio station’s DJ Jackal compered the
event and even recorded visitors’ song requests to be played on air throughout
the week.
Around 35 exhibitors, representing
different aspects of Asian culture showcased their offerings. They praised the
good organisation, networking opportunities and the invaluable opportunity to
raise awareness of their businesses to an overwhelming audience of 500 plus.
Bollywood is otherwise known as the
Indian film industry, and the world’s largest, with around a thousand films
produced annually. Recent years have seen an explosive international interest
in Bollywood and subsequently an increase in businesses launched.
Bollywood Brent
was funded by the London Development Agency andsupported by
Brent Council.”
Article provided by Aruna Patel at
ABi and Bollywood Brent www.bollywoodbrent.com [2nd May 2007]
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New clients for High Street solicitors’ firms
Competing
for the young generation
The Legal Services Act will become law next year,
allowing well-known high street retailers, banks and others to provide legal
services for the first time. A key issue for existing law firms is how to
compete with these well known ‘brand names’ in an increasingly competitive
marketplace.
Many clients will be attracted to
the new providers when the law changes. So what are the opportunities for High
Street solicitor firms, what is important to younger customers and what can be
done to attract and retain them as clients?
Existing law firms will require a very customer-focused
attitude and a planned approach to marketing, in particular the expectations of
younger age groups. Changes in legislation, new providers of legal services,
technological developments and rising consumer expectations are rapidly
changing the market for legal services.
Younger age groups experience of
legal services
A recent survey (carried out by IRN Research for Central Law
Training) among 1,000 adults aged between 16 and 34 showed that over a third
have already used legal services from solicitors and law practices. Over half
of those using legal services used them for residential property transactions.
16% made a will and a smaller number made a personal injury claim.
Food for thought elsewhere, though, is the fact that a small
but significant percentage has already used legal services from non-traditional
suppliers such as banks and supermarkets.
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There is good news for the traditional legal profession from
the factors cited as most important when choosing a legal representative. The
most important factor cited is the firm’s experience/qualifications, followed
by how easy they are to contact. Cost was third and speed of delivery next.
With regard to other services that
solicitors could offer their clients: for younger people, a significant
minority would be willing to use a solicitor for estate agency services and
insurance. A third or more also mentioned pension advice and financial
planning.
An easy-to-understand website is important for effective
marketing to young adults as more of them use the internet to find professional
services than any other adult group - but the ability to have personal contact
and a local offices also remain a priority.
Summary
There are many excellent solicitor
firms with satisfied clients but the future will become very competitive. As
mentioned, the window of opportunity exists NOW to target potential clients in
their local area by promoting their experience, expertise and accessibility -
key factors influencing young adults choice of legal service provider.
Article
by Jon Hepburn from The Fedora Consultancy, a specialist marketing consultancy
offering tailored services and support to smaller law firms. To find out more please email jon@fedoraconsultancy.co.uk or visit www.fedoraconsultancy.co.uk
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Please check with the organiser to confirm all details of
the event, including times, dates, and admissions.
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alexander christian – family law solicitors are a niche family law practice based in North Harrow,
undertaking matters related to family law and child law including divorce and separation, financial settlement, children's matters (contact, parental responsibility and residence), and grandparent contact, cohabitation & civil partnership issues. Easily accessible
and serving London, Greater London, North West London, West London, Harrow and Middlesex,
offering a friendly and professional service. Call 020 8863 7800 for an appointment. (Return to services)
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Disclaimer: The comments, information, events and views of the contributors of this newsletter are not the views or otherwise of alexander christian and thus alexander christian do not accept any responsibility or liability for any action taken or reliance placed upon any comments made, or in respect of any information, goods and services provided or supplied or otherwise by the contributors or the links. Visitors to this page should always confirm the event or other information directly from the information provider, contributor or event holder and not alexander christian. alexander christian does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or otherwise of the information provided by the contributors of this newsletter. alexander christian does not accept any responsibility whatsoever and howsoever it may arise or any financial loss or other detriment that may result. alexander christian is not recommending or endorsing any service(s) or product (s) or events mentioned in this newsletter.
telephone 020 8863 7800