IS YOUR BUSINESS READY TO START AND GROW?

So you’ve got a great business idea but are not sure what to do next?

The Start & Grow programme provides a range of pre and post start support to individuals who have aspirations to start a business and the capability to make the business a success. This new programme is available to those looking to start a business, that will require start-up funding to get it off the ground and expects to employ people from its early stages.

The support provided through Start & Grow is tailored to the individual needs of the owner and the business idea, but will include one to one support and advice, workshops and training, mentoring and help finding funding.

Enterprise First is delivering this programme in the areas of Worthing, Eastbourne and Hastings.

Clients will receive a tailored package of support that could include:

• ·        One-to-one assessment with an experienced, independent business adviser who will review your business ideas and formulate the next steps

• ·        An intensive personalised support programme, including guidance, advice and peer learning, leading to the development of a robust business plan
  
  
• ·        Dedicated support in an application for external funding

• ·        Ongoing support for 3 years after business start-up

Eligibility
– The main trading address or home address of one of the owner falls within an approved area
– The business owner/owners will be fully engaged in the business
– The business owner/owners expect to be trading three years after the business begins trading
– The business will create at least one additional job
– The business is expected to benefit from investment – either personal equity or a loan/grant

In a nutshell we are a looking for robust enterprises with real ambitions for growth and sustainability and that are going to employ staff!

Is this you? Is your business ready to Start and Grow?

Contact Grant Baker on 07802 774624 or email grant.baker@enterprisefirst.co.uk or visit www.enterprisefirst.co.uk/start-grow

Workmanship that is a class above...

CSN Homes are a property development company working throughout London and the South Coast.  They have recently completed two properties in Worthing and are now working on several more locally, including converting the Cavendish Hotel into luxury apartments.

Quality of workmanship and finish is part of the CSN Homes ethos, and with this in mind we thought it would be good to share some of the finishes that we pride ourselves on, whether it be in luxury apartments or starter studio flats.

In both of our recently completed properties in Rowlands Road, the fully fitted kitchens were all modern and light to appeal to our potential owners and investors.  We chose a gloss finish, white units and glass top work surfaces.

We strip and seal floors where we can, or chose high quality hard wearing timber effect floors. Carpet is laid in bedrooms for comfort, and also we use carpet in the common parts and on stairs to keep noise levels low.

Our Bathrooms have built in thermostatic shower fittings in stainless steel finish, stone low profile shower trays, glass shower enclosures and doors and our wet rooms have tiled floors, with a marble or stone effect.  We also ensure we fully tile our bathrooms with large, contemporary 600 x 600 tiles.

All walls are painted throughout, usually in muted tones to present a clear canvas for the new owner, and we install quality down lighting or stainless steel directional lights. LED lighting is used where possible which is low heat and very low in power consumption.

We take care to also install ample plug sockets, quality light switches, telephone points and aerial points linked to communal aerial and boosters and also use video entryphone systems where possible.

Lastly our doors are the latest designer fire resistant doors with quality brushed aluminium door furniture.

So, if you are considering one of our properties in development, rest assured that all of our properties are mindfully finished to ensure that our clients’ new investments are a cut above the rest.

For more information please visit www.csnhomes.uk

I just wanted to thank you for your response to our request for member input on the proposed Aquarena site development.

Unfortunately due to the small divided response received, the chamber Executive determined that we could not give a definitive response, for or against , to the planning application  in order to be  truly  representative of our membership.

Therefore we will not be responding at the meeting this evening at the Assembly Hall at 6.30pm.

We do appreciate your input.

#StartUpTuesday - Develop and Plan

You have researched your market, now is time to develop and plan......

Develop and change your idea based on what you’ve found out about your customers’ needs before investing. Deal with any problems you’ve found with your product or service, including the way you’re planning to make and sell it.
Go back to your customers and test again.
Keep doing this until you’re confident that they’ll be willing to pay what you’re asking, and that you’re meeting their needs.
If there’s no real demand for your idea, think about changing it completely. Is there another product, service or market that uses your skills and resources in a different way?

Write a business plan

A business plan is a good way to sum up:
the customer need you’re aiming to meet
how your business will meet that need while making a profit
It should clearly show the results of your customer research, and that you’re able to explain how you can turn your idea into a viable business before you invest lots of time and money.
Your plan can also be a very helpful tool to convince other people of the value of your business. This includes potential partners and sources of funding.
Watch a video on understanding cash flow.

Read More here: https://www.gov.uk/starting-up-a-business/develop-and-plan

See you next Tuesday for another #StartUpTuesday

Worthing & Adur Chamber are excited to announce the launch of a new Business Hub and we need your help with a name.

This new and exciting project is supported by Adur & Worthing Council and Northbrook College and will be located on the Northbrook College campus in Broadwater.

We need your suggestions .... what should we call the Business Hub?

What is a Business Hub?

• Mixed office space, a combination of dedicated offices, open plan hot desking and a meeting room

• Business support and training
  
• Modern hi-tech premises
• Training room facilities

The name needs to capture the essence of the above. To boost your creativity there is a prize of a bottle of Champagne!

Please email your suggestions to info@worthingandadurchamber.co.uk by Wednesday 23rd September

Time is running out - make sure you get your nominations in for the Adur & Worthing Business Awards 2015

Time to embrace the success of our businesses
 
Don't miss this years deadline
entries close on Wednesday 23rd September

Held at the Worthing Pavilion Theatre on Friday November 13th, this year’s awards ceremony promises to be one of celebration for all involved, as businesses successfully complete their ride on the crest of the economic wave.

Once again, Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce members will be out in force with many hoping to receive awards before automatically going straight into the running for the Southern Business Awards in 2016. Judging will be undertaken by an independent panel of judges representing the business community.

Categories this year include:

•     Overall Business of the Year
•     Start-Up
•     Small Business
•     Medium Business (10 to 50)
•     Manufacturing & Construction
•     Business Personality
•     Lifetime Achievement
•     Outstanding Contribution to the Community
•     Young Achiever
•     Large Business (50+)
•     Green Business
•     Innovation
•     Retailer
•     Customer Service
•     Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
•     Training & Development
•     Place to Eat and/or Drink

If you would like to experience winning an award and the benefits it can have on your business, or if you believe another business deserves this success then log on to www.jpsouthevents.co.uk and fill in a nomination form online. And remember this year you can only enter 3 categories so choose carefully and submit an entry for each one!!

These are our top tips to consider when entering:

• Read the category criteria you are entering
• Explain why you believe you should be awarded the title of the category you are entering.
• Explain what your company does and what it has achieved overall.
• Describe: Your company objectives, How you achieved them, The problems you encountered, How you tackled these problems
• Explain your core values and describe how these are reflected in your current and future vision for your business.
• Can you demonstrate improvements in the quantity or quality of services offered during the last 12 months?
• How does your business add value to the local community?
• Any major contracts recently obtained, can you demonstrate evidence of turnover, growth, profit etc
• Supporting Evidence and testimonials from Customers and suppliers, make it known you have been nominated and would appreciate your customers support. (maybe nominate them as well)

Download our tips for entering here

Leading businesses call on University expertise to upskill employees

A trio of leading West Sussex employers have called on the expertise of the University of Chichester’s Business School to identify which areas of their businesses require additional skills.

The companies, URT Ltd and Heirlooms-Linens Ltd both from Bognor Regis and ADF Milking based in Slindon, joined together for a pioneering programme at the University’s Business School’s Bognor Regis campus aimed at upskilling their employees.

URT, ADF and Heirlooms worked with the Business School to identify their main skills and development priorities and highlighted Operations Management as one key area. 

The programme, which was delivered over four days was tailored to each of the employers, who were keen to ensure their employees could react to changing markets at home and abroad and maintain their long-term competitive position.

Andrew Adams, Business Development Manager at the University’s Business School said:

 ” Firstly we work closely with you and your team to identify what is needed and how this fits with your organisation’s goals.

“Next comes how best this can be delivered: on-site, at the University, run over several months, or as an intense course, with or without a qualification”

“Companies from different sectors working together can stimulate new ideas, identify different approaches and ways of working which can boost performance and maintain competitiveness.”

The programme included to the development of skills which could be immediately applied in the workplace including inventory planning, planning and control, quality and project management as well as best practice in operations management. - Kevin Emmett Director URT Ltd 

“A highly interactive, innovative and engaging classroom training programme, supported with books and material for in-depth reading.

The effective management skills developed throughout the modules will increase staff confidence and provide our organisation with immediate benefits.” 

- Robert Hogg, Laminating Supervisor URT Ltd

“The course opened my eyes to approaching tasks and man management in an analytical and more productive manner, overall a very enjoyable and useful course. “

- Harry Dixon, Trim & Assembly Shop Supervisor URT Ltd

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it be very informative.  I feel it let me understand how to better manage my time and the time of others and in doing so helped to make the workplace more efficient and smooth running.”

- Ruth Douglas, General Manager, Heirlooms-Linens Ltd

- Niki Holcombe, Production Supervisor, Heirlooms-Linens Ltd

“I thought the course was exceptionally helpful to enable me to further understand current manufacturing techniques and to get the best out of our current systems and processes. I am currently working on some of the plans created during the course which will improve our workflow and efficiency thereby saving on costs.”

- Maureen Baxter, Production employee, ADF Milking

“I could see where I could put things into practice. I would be interested in coming together later to see how everyone is getting on in implementing their systems.”

All three companies plan to meet again together later in the year to discuss how they have each implemented the tools and techniques outlined in the programme.

The University of Chichester’s Business School also offers programmes in other areas such as Coaching, Strategic Management, Team Building, Marketing, Supply Chain/Purchasing, and Performance Management on which other companies may like to work on staff development; individually or together. 

If you feel your business could benefit from this exciting approach, or you would like to talk to any of the participating companies please contact: Andrew Adams at a.adams@chi.ac.ukat the University of Chichester’s Business School for an informal discussion.

Shoreham Airshow Crash

Our thoughts are with those who have been lost or injured, their families and friends and all those who have been affected by the events.