Chamber News

The International Trade Summit will give delegates practical advice, invaluable resources and the contacts needed to grow their business and begin the next step of their export journey.

Whatever stage of the export journey you are at, the BCC’s International Trade Summit is the event that will help you take your business to the next level.

There will be a choice of informative workshops, lively panel discussions with businesses with export experience from a range of sectors, stimulating speeches from policy makers, successful exporters and household names. And, of course, plenty of time for networking.

The themes for 2018 are: • Dealing with the practicalities of Brexit • The changing face of International Trade • Trading the world – be inspired!

This year’s International Trade Summit will take place at etc venues, Bishopsgate in London on 18th October.

This year we have received 20 complimentary tickets to the event for exporters or businesses looking to export. When booking your place, if you are a member of the Norfolk Chamber please use the code NOR18 to receive your complimentary ticket. These will be delivered on a first come first served basis. Once all 20 complimentary tickets have been claimed, the code will stop working. This offer expires on Monday 10th September 2018.

To find out more information about the International Trade Summit and to get your tickets, please visit https://www.bccexport.co.uk/

Following a successful Pub Quiz in May, our summer of fun and informal evening networking events continues. With the sun giving us glorious weather recently, we’ve released more events in our After Hours series to help get you building new connections in a different way.

Next week we’ll be at The Bowling House for a game of bowling and some tasty treats from their new menu. There’s still time to book so make sure you don’t miss out – we’ve even opened bookings to non-Chamber members so you can bring business guests! More details.

Following some competitive bowling, we’re taking the Chamber to Chambers! Chambers Cocktail Company opened in Norwich just a few months ago with a unique serving style for their cocktails. Attendees will get the chance to make one of their cocktails, guided by their expert barmen. We’ll also be bringing some of the finest pizza in town fresh from Brick Pizza for you to enjoy with fellow Norfolk businesses. Cocktails and Pizza is taking place on Thursday 26 July – more details.

Next we’re bringing back our flagship fashion event Look the Business to Jarrold on Thursday 23 August. Keep up-to-date with the hottest new trends in business and casual as Jarrold put on a fashion show to make you want to treat yourselves. To make this even easier, you’ll also get exclusive shopping time with discounts! More details.

If you have any questions about any of our After Hours events please do get in touch.

We hope to see you at an event soon!

On a sunny Wednesday morning over 60 Norfolk businesses joined Norfolk Chamber at Barnham Broom Hotel for networking and an informative talk fuelled by breakfast.  As delegates began arriving the tea and coffee flowed to wake everyone up and get them in gear to start making new connections. Once called through to the main event room Chamber CEO Chris Sargisson kicked off the morning by welcoming attendees and setting them up for the agenda ahead. First item was our networking activity, designed to spark conversations amongst the tables and get delegates building relationships. Delegates were given a timeline with key years listed along with a set of images which contained tech items such as the first Macintosh and the Nintendo Wii. The aim was to match the tech to the year it was released which was cause for plenty of debate on the tables. In the end the highest score was 7 out of a possible 12.  Following the activity came breakfast served kindly by Barnham Broom Hotel. The conversations continued throughout and gave delegates a chance to really get to know those around them.  Our guest speaker for the morning was Tim Robinson, Chief Operating Officer for TechEast. Tim began his talk by telling delegates to continue growing the tech community in Norwich by giving a strong voice and shouting about the amazing things the sector is doing locally. Not only do tech companies need to continue collaborating, but every business needs to join forces with the tech sector – this was echoed throughout Tim’s presentation and by our tech attendees in the audience.  Tim also touched on TechEast’s vision to make Norwich become a top 5 digitech cluster by 2020 and highlighted how great the tech community in Norwich is, with it being the number 1 strength in Norwich as discovered by this year’s Tech Nation report.  The event came to a close and gave delegates more time to network with those around the room.   Our next networking breakfast is in Great Yarmouth on Thursday 21 June. More details.

We have a big mission over the next few years of ‘Connecting, supporting and giving voice to every Norfolk business’. We also want to double the number of members in the next five years and be relevant in all regions and towns across Norfolk. 

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce needs to transform its culture and behaviour from siloed and administrative towards invigorated, multi skilled and totally customer centric by creating a Customer Experience team. 

We are currently recruiting for the following roles. 

1. Customer Experience Team Member 
2. Customer Experience Team Member
3. Customer Experience Team Member with Events 

We are looking for candidates to actively engage either by phone, email or at events with a wide range of business customers to understand and support their needs and then be motivated, inspired and driven to always exceed the customer’s expectations.

Members of the team will bridge and connect our customer across all our business disciplines (finance, international, policy and membership) and work within and environment of complete, transparency and customer care. 

Norfolk Chamber is a not for profit business membership organisation with over 900 members. We provide networking opportunities, share knowledge, offer business services, signpost to business opportunities and inspire innovative thinking to enable companies to do better business.

To find out more information and to apply visit: https://www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/vacancies

Business leaders head from a series of expert speakers at Norfolk County Council’s ‘Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities’ event which was held at the Aviation Academy in Norwich today. 

Expert speakers included: John Khan from Birketts, who outlined the impact of Brexit on VAT; Dr Avidan Kent, who gave an overview of commercial and trade law; Leszek Wysocki, for DIT, who provided an outline of the export opportunities and Mike Spicer, the Director of Research & Economics from the British Chambers of Commerce, who outlined the key aspects of the Chamber network’s Business Brexit Checklist.

Whilst the Government is still negotiation with the European Union, there is little in the way of detail available for businesses to work with.  However the Chamber’s Business Brexit Checklist can help businesses consider the changes that Brexit may bring and will help with business planning at both operational and Board levels.

Google Digital Garage are coming to Norwich on Friday 22 June to deliver practical digital skills workshops on a range of topics. 

Hear from the experts with free face-to-face coaching workshops aimed at start ups and small business owners. 

To view all the workshops and register your interest click here.

Social Media Strategy Learn about creating a social media strategy based on your business goals.  11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Get Your Business Visible on Google Learn how to start showing up on Google Maps, plus ways to make your business more visible on Google. 12:30 PM – 14:00 PM

An Introduction to Digital Advertising Learn about search, social and display advertising and how to get started with advertising a business.  14:00 PM – 15:00 PM

Social Media Roundtable Roundtable on Social Media for your business. Book a spot on a specialized Q&A with one of our presenters for practical advice tailored to help you reach your goal. 14:00 PM – 15:00 PM.

Answer Questions With Data Learn the value of insight-based marketing and discover how interpreting data in the right way can help your business grow.  15:00 PM – 16:00 PM

Recent revelations by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) about the possible cost of customs checks after Brexit (see It will cost you) have done little to settle business nerves about what lies ahead.

Nor will any export directors be feeling any more relaxed after leading accountancy firm RSM calculated that the additional costs arising from post-Brexit customs changes could be even higher than the £20 billion mentioned by the chief executive of HMRC to the Treasury Select Committee.

Brad Ashton, indirect tax partner at RSM, said: “Whilst HMRC has taken a rough median cost of £32.50 for a customs declaration, the actual cost is more likely closer to £40 – costs for similar customs declarations in the EU tend to be higher.”

He also highlighted that the lead time required for both solutions currently under consideration by the Cabinet would probably require an extension to the transition period, as they tend to rely on technology which is not yet in place or on co-operation with the EU that has not yet been agreed.

One of those alternatives – the so-called Max Fac option – has been totally dismissed by the manufacturers’ organisation, EEF, with the idea that it could be implemented by 2020 described as “naïve” and “wholly unrealistic”.

EEF Chief Executive Stephen Phipson has written to Business Secretary Greg Clark describing a recent visit during which he was able to see at first-hand how technology operates across the USA/Canada border.

Mr Phipson revealed that, despite a decade of substantial investment on both sides of the border by two willing partners, only 100 of the most trusted Canadian companies are able to use a “fast track” system across the border.

The vast majority of goods are, he warned, still subject to normal customs checks.

His comments were reinforced by Eurotunnel which has warned that UK businesses and consumers will face serious economic costs if the Government adopts either of the post-Brexit customs models being considered by the Cabinet.

Nothing can be done until the Government and the EU decide which system they want to use, Eurotunnel’s Director of Public Affairs John Keefe said, and it could then take several years to build the system, develop the necessary infrastructure, recruit and train new staff and educate transporters from across Europe in its use.

On Thursday 31 May we took over The Earlham Arms on Earlham Road, Norwich, to deliver a knowledge testing evening of informal networking and team building. Over 80 attendees joined us at our annual quiz to make 14 determined teams all competing for bragging rights of being the Norfolk Chamber Pub Quiz winners.  The evening of quizzing was made up by 6 rounds, including two table top rounds. Norfolk Chamber staff took part by writing rounds for the quiz, and coming along for the evening to present their questions. As delegates arrived the drinks started flowing and they began work on their first table top round, naming the companies behind famous slogans. When the quiz got started the pub fell quiet as Nova kicked things off with a geography round. The questions were tough for all except team ‘Bills + Thieves’ who scored 9/10! Jack was up next presenting his film and TV round, featuring popular shows such as Breaking Bad, Pokémon and Parks and Recreation. Once the answers were read and scores so far counted, we took a break to enjoy some tapas served by The Earlham Arms. Throughout the break we swapped the table top round to spots questions, asking teams to name famous sporting legends in the images given. When the quizzing resumed Joe gave teams the answers to the table top slogan sheet. This was then followed by Philippa presenting a tough round on arts and culture, featuring plenty of Norfolk based questions to get the teams searching their brains.  Up next was the moment we’d all been waiting for; Chris was presenting the music round. Teams heard clips from 10 songs with a word blanked out, they had to guess what the blank word was. To make it easier, all the blanked words were body parts. This round included some singing and interesting dance moves from Chris, and saw ‘Team GGS’, ‘Bills + Thieves’ and ‘Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards’ score top marks with 10/10.  Jack closed the quizzing by giving the answers to the sports table top round and we collected the final scores.  Not only did they have the longest team name in quiz history, but ‘Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards’ were also crowned winners with a total score of 54.5 out of a possible 77. They left victorious along with their medals, some chocolates and free tickets to our bowling night. You can see the full scoreboard from the evening below: Position: Team Name: Score: 1st Tiger Eye AKA King Quizzard + the Lizard Wizards 54.5 2nd Bills + Thieves 52 3rd Team GGS 50 3rd If you know the answer you know the answer 50 4th Mattioli Woods 49.5 5th Liftshare 48.5 6th Always Huge Potential 45.5 7th What Skills Gap! 44 8th Cozens-Hardly Know Anything 43 9th Blame Bailey 42 10th Price Bailey 41.5 11th The gloves are off 39.5 12th Steele the Show 38.5 13th The Hopefuls 35

Fancy joining us at our next evening event along with our quiz winners? Take a look!

Andrew Proctor has been elected leader of Norfolk County Council, at a special meeting today.

Councillor Proctor, who has been county councillor for Blofield and Brundall since 2009, was elected by the full council this afternoon.

Cllr Proctor said: “I’m honoured to be elected as council leader and I want to carry on the good work that’s been started already. I wish Cliff Jordan and his family well for the future.

“The most important thing is we have got to continue to work for the whole of Norfolk and delivering our manifesto pledges on which we were elected.

“I will take a team approach, drawing on the talents and expertise and experience of my group.”

Cllr Proctor is currently leader of Broadland District Council. He said he would stand down from that position shortly, once arrangements had been made.

Councillor Graham Plant is the new deputy leader. He said he would continue to service as leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council. At the same meeting, outgoing deputy leader, Councillor Alison Thomas, paid tribute to Cliff Jordan, who stood down as council leader last month, due to ill-health.

The US announcement took the EU by surprise, as it was believed that exemptions previously agreed with the bloc – and also with Canada and Mexico – would be extended.

China was hit by exactly the same tariffs in March this year, but negotiations between the USA and the EU, Canada and Mexico were widely anticipated to result in the threat against them being dropped.

The Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, described the US move as “patently absurd” and said that the UK was prepared for a “tit-for-tat” response.

Speaking for the EU, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said that President Trump’s decision marked a bad day for world trade.

The Commission confirmed that it would open a dispute settlement case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and would also impose “rebalancing measures” and take any necessary steps to protect the EU market from any trade diversion caused by the US action.

It has also drawn up a target list of 100 US goods worth €2.8 billion, which is reported to include Bourbon whiskey, Levi’s jeans and Harley-Davidson motorbikes.

However, commenting on the news for the CBI, Ben Digby warned that there would be no winners in a trade war, and that the tariffs could lead to a protectionist domino effect, damaging firms, employees and consumers in the USA, UK and many other trading partners.

“Now is not the time for a disproportionate escalation” he said, “and we urge the EU to consider this when initiating its response.”

For the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Dr Adam Marshall observed that, as the UK leaves the EU, the US decision to impose punitive tariffs is a helpful reminder that self-interest looms large in trade negotiations.

Ministers, he suggested, should reflect on this carefully before they pursue any future trade deal between the UK and the USA.

Housing is the key focus of the first episode of this relaunched podcast series, discussing at length the government’s housing pledge, and why generations of governments have failed to build enough homes. Allan Williams and Mike Spicer also review events of the previous fortnight, from train timetables to inflation.

The Chamber Business Awards is our chance to showcase the success of Norfolk businesses to the country. With just 1 month left until entries close on Friday 29 June, we urge you to start your application today.  From the stories of excellence amongst Norfolk organisations in the past year, we know that a Norfolk firm deserves to take home any of the nine award categories being celebrated – you can even enter into all nine!  The categories for 2018 are: 

• Small Business of the Year (Employing less than 75 full time members of staff)
• Export Business of the Year
• Best Use of Technology
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Education and Business Partnership
• Customer Commitment Award
• Workplace Wellbeing Award
• Digital Communication Campaign of the Year

Businesses who enter the awards will compete with fellow entrants from across our region; for us that’s the East of England. Once regional winners have been chosen, they will go on to compete for the national titles.  Sarah West from Full Mix Marketing gave us her top tips for an award winning entry, including ‘If it’s worth entering, do it well. Plan your submission and make sure you get someone outside your organisation to proof read it and listen to their comments. If there is scope for visual design, present your entry in a clear, professional and appealing way.’ To see all of Sarah’s tips, please click here. The awards are free to enter and open to Chamber members only. The deadline for applications is midnight on Friday 29 June.  You can find full details on the Chamber Awards by clicking here. If you need any help with your application, or have any questions about the Chamber Awards you can get in touch.