Chamber News

Things don’t always go to plan but it’s how you deal with those situations that speaks volumes about you and your business. Back in May we ran a breakfast at the Cosy Club which definitely didn’t run as smoothly as we all would have liked. On Friday 30th August we returned as they invited us and our May guests back to seek redemption.

Following the last breakfast we fed back the disappointment of our guests at the standard of service received, instead of chalking it up to experience and saying “thanks for the feedback” Cosy Club invited everyone back to set things right. The morning definitely gave our Customer Experience Team Member Jordan “the fear” but she decided that everyone deserves a second chance so accepted and began sending out the invites. She let her inner control freak loose, keeping in constant contact with them and probably drove them mad with all her checking and double-checking!

We had a small but perfectly formed group with us for a morning featuring two networking activities and a very informal swapping of tables. There was a real buzz of anticipation as guests entered and began networking in the beautiful main dining area. After being seated guests were asked to share a surprising fact about themselves with others on their table, we even had someone who has featured on a The Only Way Is Essex episode, quite the claim to fame! Towards the end of their networking time the Cosy Club team served breakfast, there were lots of very happy faces at this point!

After everyone had been fed a small vote was held on whether a networking activity or free networking time was preferred, the networking activity took it. Guests shared the best customer service they’ve ever experienced, Jordan kicked it off by congratulating Cosy Club on their fantastic turnaround there was even clapping!

The morning was closed by Cosy Club’s General Manager Tim who thanked everyone for coming along to give them a second chance. Guests left full of delicious breakfast having had a good morning of networking with a fantastic impression of the team. It really goes to show that, although getting it right the first time is of course the preferred option, how you deal with difficult situations when they arise is just as important. Previously we had vowed never to return to Cosy Club, after this morning we’ll be happy to bring our members back and cannot thank the team enough for their hospitality. They definitely turned their sorry to our thanks!

Talking Tech is Norfolk Chambers of Commerce annual flagship technology event. The half day conference will this year take place on Wednesday 18 September, 9am – 2pm at The Space, Norwich. The theme for 2019’s conference is all about myth busting. Our expert guest speakers will take the stage to dispel common myths within their industry in a mixture of keynotes, panel discussions, lightening talks and a workshop to close the event.  Our keynote speakers will be covering everything from taking your business paperless to agri-tech. One to watch will be Paul Maskall, Head of Cyber, Risk and Technology for Dardan Security as he delivers a keynote on our relationship with technology. Paul will be breaking down the emotional myths that provide a barrier against us utilising or finding balance with technology. Panel discussions this year will focus on cyber security and data and artificial intelligence. The panels provide the opportunity for the audience to get involved in the event by submitting their questions through Slido. To close the main conference there will also be a special collaborative panel discussion and lightening talks, from the tech groups of Norwich, including (nor(DEV):), Hot Source Norwich and Sync Norwich.   Following the main conference there will be a networking lunch at 1pm, giving attendees the opportunity to digest the morning and speak one-on-one with the speakers. At 1:30pm to close the event there will then be a workshop with Mark Williams-Cook, Director at Candour. Mark will be presenting ‘why your website content is rubbish and you don’t rank in Google’. The half an hour workshop will be a practical survival guide to how you should be thinking about your website content.  Throughout the event a specialist exhibition of technology themed businesses will also be showcased in the main entrance/networking space, with software developers, email marketing specialists and IT support.  We will also be using Thyngs cards at the event again this year. The Thyngs cards give attendees access to all of the event information through QR codes and NFC technology. This year, you can get your own personalised Thyngs card by booking your ticket by Friday 6th September.  The event is aimed at all businesses who are looking to improve the ways they use technology, or who want to introduce new and exciting technology to boost their business.  To book your tickets, view our speaker line-up or our exhibitors click below: FIND OUT MORE Talking Tech 2019 is sponsored by Barclays Eagle Labs, Breakwater IT and Naked Element.

Responding to the latest Westminster developments, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses feel like Westminster is playing an endless game of political chess, while their futures and the health of the UK economy hang in the balance.

“Every move in this game is prompting more questions, not just amongst businesses here at home but also amongst their partners around the world. Out in the real world, continuing political turbulence is taking a toll on contracts, on investment decisions, and on business confidence. Three years on, the damage continues.

“The top priority for businesses and the economy is still to avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU on the 31st of October. Despite the noise, none of the events of the last few days have given businesses greater confidence that this will be achieved. Given this, it is essential for government and its agencies to further boost support for businesses through any scenario.       

“Once again, businesses will have to try their best to prepare for an unclear future as the political process goes down to the wire.”

The previous Quarter 2 results highlighted the impact that relentless Brexit uncertainty, rising business costs and tougher global trading conditions were having on the UK economy, with a subdued service sector output and manufacturing activity deteriorating.

In the Norfolk manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting growth in domestic sales fell drastically and was at its weakest since Q2 2016. The number of local firms reporting an increase in export sales had also dipped to a two-year low. Firms reporting an increase in domestic orders was at its weak, whilst the corresponding balance for export orders was at its lowest in the last two years.

The Norfolk services sector saw a slight increase in the balance of companies reporting higher domestic sales and orders, but export sales and orders saw mixed weak results.

With less than 100 days to Brexit, we need your help to clearly understand where our local economy is.  The Quarterly Economic Survey for Quarter 3 is now underway and we need to hear from as many Norfolk businesses as possible. Please take the short survey Q3 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).

The QES is the largest independent business survey in the UK and is used by both the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to plan the future of the UK economy.  It is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.  It is vital that as many Norfolk businesses as possible take part, so we get a true reflection of the local economy.

You can have your say by completing the QES online NOW.  It takes less than 3 minutes.  The completion deadline for this survey is midnight on Monday 16 September 2019.  The Q3 results will be published week commencing 07 October 2019.

Key findings in the Q2 2019 survey:

Norfolk Manufacturing sector:

• The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales fell from +26 to -13, the lowest level since Q2 2016, while those reporting improved domestic orders also fell 60 points into negative territory from +41 to -19 – the weakest level since Q2 2016
• The balance of firms reporting improved export sales fell from +31 to +23, the weakest since Q2 2016 and the balance of firms reporting improved export orders dropped from +46 to +15 – the weakest since Q2 2017
• The balance of firms expecting to increase prices in the next three months stands at +56, up from +48 in Q1
• The percentage of firms (40%) reporting upward price pressures due to pay settlements are their highest since Q2 2013

• The balance of firms reporting improved cashflow remained static at +25
• The balance of firms increasing investment in plant/machinery fell considerably in the quarter from +18 to -19 the weakest level since Q4 2015
• The balance of firms confident that turnover will increase in the next 12 months rose from +30 to +50 whilst their confidence in profitability fell from +23 – +19.

Norfolk Services sector:

• The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales rose from +9 to +12. Those reporting improved domestic orders rose from -2 to +4
• The balance of firms reporting improved export sales remained the same at +4. Those reporting improved export orders fell from +7 to -4
• Domestic and export indicators of sales and orders all remain below the levels recorded in Q3 2018  
• The balance of firms expecting to increase prices in the next three months stands at +37, from +45 in Q1, which was the lowest level since Q2 2018
• The percentage of firms (38%) reporting upward price pressures due to payment settlements dipped from the previous quarter total of 47% – which had been the highest since Q1 2018
• The balance of firms reporting improved cashflow rose, but remained in negative territory, going from -10 to -5

• The balance of firms looking to increase investment in plant and machinery dropped from +6 to +2, and from +16 to +10 in training. The balance of firms confident that turnover and profitability will improve over the next year decreased from +38 to +30 for turnover from +14 to +12 in profitability. Indicators of investment and confidence remain below the levels recorded in Q4 2018  

As many traders as possible will be automatically allocated an EORI number to enable them to trade smoothly once the UK leaves the EU on 31 October.

Every business will need an EORI number to move goods into or out of the EU after Brexit. HMRC is sending letters to all possible VAT-registered businesses over the next two weeks to advise them of their assigned UK EORI number.

If your business is not VAT-registered, you still need to register for an EORI number. Getting an EORI number is an easy process that only takes 5-10 minutes. Get started here: https://bit.ly/EORI-number  

Commenting on the announcement that the government will act on the BCC’s call to automatically issue businesses with an EORI number, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General, of the British Chambers of Commerce said:   “This step is long overdue, yet welcome nonetheless. We have campaigned for many months for government to issue EORI numbers to businesses, rather than simply wait for them to apply. This common sense step will prompt more traders to prepare for change, and consider what else they need to do to be ready for an unwanted ‘no deal’ scenario.    “Businesses do not want a messy and disorderly ‘no deal’ Brexit on 31 October, but given the ticking clock, it’s prudent that both government and industry be as prepared as possible. The proportion of firms applying for EORI numbers was concerningly low, and automatic issuance will help ease the administrative burden facing companies in the weeks and months ahead.    “Sorting EORI numbers is only a first step. For many firms, it will trigger more questions. Businesses still need clarity on many other cross-border trade issues, such as customs procedures at borders following a no deal exit and when the Government will launch an official database to provide ease of access to information on tariffs and quotas. The government must urgently provide answers to these questions,  and ramp up both guidance and support for businesses.” 

The Norwich Bid would like to invite all Norwich-based businesses to be part of the launch of Norwich Street Aid on Thursday 10 October 2019 at  8:30 am to 10:00 am. Taking place at The Forum in their Gallery space, they are welcoming businesses to come and hear more about the scheme, network with like-minded organisations and help contribute to positive change in your city centre. They will be offering free coffees and teas to all who attend, as well as a light breakfast offering.  What is Norwich Street Aid? A collaborative approach to tackling rough sleeping in Norwich city centre, Norwich Street Aid is a new, simple way to “Give Help” and “Get Help” in Norwich. Give Help – Whether it’s offering your time, giving practical items or making a valuable donation – you can help make a difference in Norwich. Get Help – From a welcoming chat and a warm meal, to medical support and training opportunities, Norwich Street Aid offers a wide range of services to help those rough sleeping in the city. Made possible through partnership working between Norwich BID, Pathways and the Norfolk Community Foundation, this scheme aims to raise valuable funding and resources for those who rough sleep in in the city. There are already many hard-working organisations and individuals helping to tackle the issues of rough sleeping and homelessness in the city. Norwich Street Aid is a joint Partnership between those organisations, in a bid to collectively tackle the challenges and concerns faced by those who rough sleep. Working together with a wide range of services and resources, Norwich Street Aid aims to better help people move away from rough sleeping and lead a life free from homelessness. History of Norwich Street Aid Norwich Street Aid was the vision of the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) and a response from the business community who were concerned about the level of people rough sleeping on the city’s streets. Norwich Street Aid is a partnership between Norwich BID, Pathways and the Norfolk Community Foundation. Using the latest contactless technology, contributions can be made towards a central funding pot which will be distributed to the individuals who need it most. How can businesses support Norwich Street Aid? Your business can make a donation to Norwich Street Aid, organise fundraising activities, and also engage your employees in spreading the word as a Norwich Street Aid advocate. You can also show your support for Norwich Street Aid by displaying posters and flyers in your business, or by housing our contactless payment terminal for your customers to make donations to the project! Please get in touch to discuss how you and your business can support the scheme. We hope that you and your business can also show your support to the project by joining the Norwich Bid for their launch event. If you have any further questions or requirements for you and your staff to attend, please contact Aidan Lewis at [email protected].

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is committed to helping the charity sector in Norfolk, and we hope you will join us in supporting the Priscilla Bacon Hospice by giving just 10-minutes of your time to complete this survey on their behalf, about business support for charities.

For 40 years, Priscilla Bacon Lodge has provided a high standard of specialist end-of-life care, in partnership with the NHS, from its 16-bed hospice in Norwich. Despite its many achievements, the facility is now inadequate both in scale and configuration, as the population of Norfolk expands significantly, and the complexity and volume of demand increases.

The time has come to create a new state-of-the-art hospice for Norfolk; and Priscilla Bacon Hospice have ambitions to build a new 24-bed facility next to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital. The new hospice will boast the most modern and very best facilities, plus a wider range of community day care and out-patient services to meet the ever-more complex specialist palliative care needs of the county.

But such ambitions, of course, are not cheap to realise and Priscilla Bacon Hospice are seeking to raise £12.5 million to build the new hospice, and we will depend upon local companies (many being Chamber of Commerce members) to achieve this goal. And this is where you come in. At this stage all we are asking for is your feedback about the charity support activities of businesses in Norfolk, in order that Priscilla Bacon Hospice can best match the expectations of current and potential supporters for the benefit of all.

Your feedback in this 10-minute survey could make all the difference to Priscilla Bacon Hospice’s fundraising, but be assured you will not be asked to, nor expected to, make any donation or other commitment as a result of your participation in the survey – your feedback alone is valuable!

Simply click here and you will be taken to the survey, hosted ‘gratis’ by independent research consultancy, and chamber member, Insight Track. The aggregated feedback from the survey will be used solely for the purpose of guiding Priscilla Bacon Hospice’s fundraising planning and decision-making. It will not be possible to identify any particular individual in the research findings, and no personal data will be retained or shared with any third party.

Close date is on Monday 9th September 2019. 

If you have any queries in any regard relating to this survey, please contact Priscilla Bacon Hospice on 0330 223 4274.  

Norfolk Chambers’ Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is the largest independent business survey in the UK, receiving in excess of 7,000 responses from across the UK each quarter.  But why should your business take part?  Simply put, the larger the voice of Norfolk’s manufacturers and service sector firms, the louder our voice is heard at a national level.

With the lack of certainty surrounding our economy as a result of Brexit, having some clear indicators about the health of the local and national economy are more valuable than ever.  The QES often shows changes in economic trends, well in advance of other surveys.  It is used by the Bank of England to set interest rates;  the Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer when considering national economic decisions; and by the International Monetary Fund when comparing the UK economy to other global economies.

The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete online, its multiple choice, so no long written answers and anonymous.  The next fieldwork period starts on Monday 26 August – save the date in your diary and watch your inbox, our website or our social media feeds for the QES survey link.

Are you interested in increasing your revenue through exporting or are you already an established exporter looking to enter into new international markets?

Join the British Chamber network on 17th October 2019 at Hilton, London Bankside for the BCC International Trade Summit.

Whether you are a Norfolk or UK based company, or a company located anywhere in the world, join the Chambers to receive practical advice, contacts and resources you need to take your international trade journey to the next level.

Join in and participate in interactive breakout sessions that focus on the practical aspects of trade and commerce and hear from experienced business leaders, which in previous years has included Baroness Fairhead,  Minister of State for Trade and Export Promotion; Dr Linda Yueh, Fellow in Economics at St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford; Wilson Del Socorro, Global Director for Trade, Tax and Regulatory Affairs, Diageo and Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover among many others.

The key themes of the day will discuss getting goods across borders, how changes in Britain’s Trade Policy relationships will impact your business and the changing nature of global supply chains, plus, hearing inspirational trade advice from key international business figures. You can find out more detail about the themes at www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/international-trade-summit.

Explore trade opportunities in new markets through exclusive insights and network with fellow businesses and grow your connection base at the British Chambers of Commerce biggest trade event of the year. Enquire now to secure your place.

This is a must attend, and we have some free tickets on offer for our members. Do get in contact with us at [email protected]

The headliners for the sixth Noirwich Crime Writing Festival have just been announced. Organised by the National Centre for Writing and the University of East Anglia, Noirwich will this year welcome; BBC reporter George Alagiah, Yrsa Sigurrðardottir – ‘Iceland’s crime queen’, James Runcie, creator of the much-loved Grantchester Mysteries, Louise Doughty, author of the smash-hit Apple Tree Yard, and many more across 20 events and four city venues.  Kicking off on Thursday 12th September, Noirwich promises four days of the very best in the nation’s favourite literary genre. The festival attracts visitors from all over the country for its mix of writing workshops, exhibitions and innovative programming. The popular Bloody Brunch is back with sponsors Big Tom tomato juice and Norwich-based Ghost Vodka mixing up the perfect Bloody Mary. And a first for the festival is a look at how climate-change is inspiring a new generation of crime writers. There will also be a photography exhibition at The Birdcage featuring the work of American artist David Drake, who has produced a series of stunning images reflecting the noir in Norwich.  Peggy Hughes, Festival Co-Director and Programme Director of the National Centre for Writing, said:  “Crime fiction is phenomenally popular and Noirwich is a wonderful celebration that brings people from far and wide to our UNESCO City of Literature for a four-day spectacular of the most exciting and diverse crime writing that the world has to offer.”  Henry Sutton, Professor of Creative Writing and Crime Fiction at the UEA, said:  “Noirwich is at the cutting edge of the most exciting, dynamic and popular literary and filmic genre in the world. But it’s so much more as well; it’s a place for great, timely and entertaining discussions in the friendliest of environments. Meet the people who shape imaginations and who can make you laugh, and cry. Crime writers know how to move you, while moving with the times.” Festival events take place at Dragon Hall, home to the National Centre for Writing, the Jarrold Department Store, the Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia and The Birdcage.  Cafes and bars across the city will join in the celebrations with food and drink crime twist specials. There will be writing workshops where you can try your hand at writing the next bestselling thriller. The Ivy Norwich Brasserie is sponsoring a very special VIP reception on the roof garden of the Enterprise Centre, UEA.  The 6th Noirwich Crime Writing Festival will take place from 12 – 15th September 2019. For the full line-up and ticket information, including season tickets see: www.noirwich.co.uk and follow @NOIRwichFest Listen to a new interview with festival co-director Professor Henry Sutton on the National Centre for Writing podcast: https://noirwich.co.uk/podcast-henry-sutton-introduces-noirwich-2019/

As summer comes to an end and people are returning from their holidays with family and friends, autumn will soon begin.

To celebrate the new season we are launching our 60 minute workshops, all of which are free to attend for our members.

Each session is delivered by experts from across Norfolk on really interesting and relevant subjects that can be applied to all businesses.

They range from ‘be your best self’, ‘having the right mind set’ to ‘how to manage a negotiation’. Our skilled presenters live and breathe their topics and are here to help you expand your knowledge.

As well as this, we are re-introducing our longer half-day training for members and non-members to enjoy. Chamber Training is a great way to learn new skills relevant to your business straight from our members.

We have also added new trainers to the schedule to deliver a wider range of topics, including Joe Mills, from The Tree Academy who focuses on ‘How to be a brilliant communicator’ and Sarah West from Full Fix Marketing who will look at ‘choosing the right marketing mix’.

To find out more about all of our upcoming training, please click here.

If you’re interested in delivering training with us then please do complete our online speaker form or get in touch to discuss this further.