Over 130 people gathered recently at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley to discuss the many alternative funding options available to businesses of all shapes and sizes whose funding needs either fell out of the scope of the high street banks or needed a more flexible approach. The high profile panel event, hosted by Sussex-based chartered accountants and business advisers, Carpenter Box, left many attendees amazed at just how many options were available to them.  

Tony Summers, Partner at Carpenter Box, came up with the idea for this event and invited eight high calibre panel members who he knew would bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussions given their various areas of alternative funding expertise.

Coast to Capital are currently recruiting companies in the Coast to Capital region that might be interested in exploring exporting opportunities in Vietnam.

The sectors that we want to hear from include education and training providers, CDIT (creative, digit and IT), advanced engineering and medical technology.

To find out more please contact malcolm.brabon@coast2capital.org.uk

New pension rules allowing far greater flexibility over what you can do with your pension pot came into force on 6 April 2015. West Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box, are taking a practical look at the pension landscape a year on from the landmark rule changes in a series of Pension Breakfasts over the next two months.   

So, what has been Carpenter Box’s experience since last April? Some have used their pension pot to pay off their mortgage, whilst others have bought a second property. The media has also reported on individuals purchasing classic cars and antiques with a view to at least maintaining, and hopefully increasing, the purchasing power of their hard earnt pension savings.

However, Roy Thompson, Associate at Carpenter Box Wealth Management LLP, warns: “Over the last year I have seen a number of people who have taken money from their pension which has, unwittingly, made them a 40% taxpayer. Also, many do not consider the fact that by moving money from a pension to a personal investment is moving money from an environment that would allow tax free growth, to an area where they are taxed on any growth in the initial sum invested.”

It is also interesting to note that some pension companies do not allow you to do what you want with the pension pot and will refer you to a specialist adviser.

The whole area of pensions can be a minefield without the right advice and more changes to pensions are planned in April 2016, with the Lifetime Allowance reducing from £1.25m to £1m. This could affect 1.5 million savers and not 55,000 as originally claimed by the Treasury. There is also the possibility of a reduction in pension tax relief for higher rate tax payers, so we’ll have to see what the Chancellor’s Budget Statement announces on 16 March 2016. 

With so much to take on board in the current economic environment, can you afford not to miss the Pension Breakfasts? The next one is being held at Carpenter Box’s offices in Gatwick on 9 February between 8am and 9am. There will also be a Breakfast between the same times on 22 March at the firm’s Worthing office. Places are limited at both venues, so if you would like to attend, please either register via the http://www.carpenterbox.com/event-pensions/ website, or contact Lucy Tunstall at Carpenter Box on 01903 234094.

How to use employee handbooks to minimise workplace risk: running a modern people-led business requires the management of risks arising from employees. Having a handbook in place, which is tailored and up-to-date, is one way of helping to manage those risks...read more.

 View the Acas "A to Z of work".

 'Fat' jibe employer loses sex discrimination case: a bar manager has won her claim for sex discrimination and unfair dismissal. An employment tribunal awarded more than £17,000...read more.

 Sex discrimination advice and guidance.

 Eleven cases in 2015 where employment tribunals awarded six-figure sums: although the number of cases presented to employment tribunals has seen a dramatic drop, fees have not deterred some claimants...read more. 

 Advice and guidance on Employment Tribunals.

Entries are now OPEN for the Worthing 10k

Organised by local Event Management Company RUNBASE, and in partnership with Worthing & District Harriers, the Worthing 10k is proudly supporting St Barnabas House once again in 2016.

 Last year the event was a huge success. Over 70 runners from the 1400 strong field joined the St Barnabas House team, and they raised almost £5,000 in sponsor money - that's enough to pay for seven hours of ALL care services provided by St Barnabas House.

Join our team and help us raise even more in 2016!

On Sunday 5th June 2016

Whether you're running as an individual, with friends, family or colleagues - we look forward to welcoming you to our St Barnabas House Worthing 10k team very soon!

Whether you're running as an individual, with friends, family or colleagues - we look forward to welcoming you to our St Barnabas House Worthing 10k team very soon!

The West Sussex Social Enterprise Network is hosting a FREE conference to inspire and support you!

THE DAY INCLUDES...

• Learning about the "Verbal Business Card"
• A opportunity to have a stand in a market place to promote your enterprise
• A choice of workshops, including digital marketing, demonstrating impact and raising finance
• Plus ample opportunity to network

You can also book one to one support to help develop your existing social enterprise or start a new one!

Free one to one support is available until end of April 2016

Voluntary Action Arun and Chichester – will give one to one support for Chichester and Arun based groups. Contact VAAC, 01243 840305 or email  referral@vaac.org.uk

University of Chichester – for support with your business plan or marketing strategy contact Gareth Sear, 01243 812041 or email G.Sear@chi.ac.uk

Sandpiper Business Support Ltd – for support to voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises outside Arun and Chichester Contact Barbara Beaton, 01424 893698 or email barbara.beaton@sandpiperbusiness.co.uk

TICKETS ARE FREE - FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR PLACE - VISIT https://wssen.eventbrite.com

Join Basepoint in Shoreham free of charge for light lunch and our business networking event on Thursday 25th February from 12-2pm

We are pleased to welcome Laurie Philp from Smugshot Video Productions for our February Networking Hub.

Laurie will share the secrets that will change the way you approach your visual marketing, sales and business communication. It's simple stuff that works! Whether you are a start-up or an established company, the business world you trade in is going through a massive paradigm shift. The past will not equal the future. All bets are off.

During his talk you'll discover 5 simple things you can do immediately to improve the way you communicate.

Laurie is an experienced consultant. He has shared his ideas with Pfizer in the UK and across America. His clients include Train to Gain, Kodak, Fuji, Kent County Council, Connexions and over 100 local businesses as part of an EU funded initiative..
 
Spaces at this event are limited. To reserve your place please call Roxanne, Grace or Sandie on 01273 467500 or email shoreham@basepoint.co.uk.

Adur and Worthing both enjoy an enviable reputation of being amongst the safest places to live and to visit in the UK.  This is partly due to Adur and Worthing Councils proactive approach to tackling anti-social behaviour across the district.

The Councils are now asking residents for their views on three new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO), which, if agreed, help reduce the nuisance of street drinking, begging and camping in our  town centres and other public spaces.  

As of Monday 15th March 2016, the public consultation survey can be completed online, via the Councils website - www.adur-worthing..gov.uk - or by filling in a paper form that can be picked up in the foyers of local Council buildings.  

All responses will be reviewed by Council Executive members in late April 2016 and its findings announced.

If any residents have any feedback about the Public Space Protection Orders,  representation can be emailed to legal.mail@adur-worthing.gov.uk

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Leader of Worthing Borough Council adds “I  urge all the residents of Worthing to take part in this important public consultation process.  Worthing is a great place and  its residents and the many visitors to the town, deserve to be allowed to go about their business without having to witness the disruptive and sometimes upsetting consequences of individuals who drink in the street or set up camp in unsuitable and unsupported environments.  I fully support this process and look forward to reviewing the public consultation results in April this year.”

Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council adds “Following the unwelcome rise of individuals who unlawfully camp overnight in various sites across the district, I welcome residents views on implementing this PSPO.  For the residents living close to these areas and for the officers who have to deal with the impact of unauthorised camping, this can lead to nuisance, anti-social behaviour and increased need for cleansing and waste service intervention.  This is due to the lack of public amenities and waste disposal services often resulting in littering, inappropriate disposal of waste and damage to nearby facilities."

Overview

An interactive workshop on how to apply the cutting edge techniques of gamification to marketing. Gamification is the process of making activities more game like, and is a particularly useful way of applying game design theories to everyday situations, especially marketing.

Thanks for an engaging, pacey #gamification workshop yesterday, enjoyed every minute! #Gameon - Linsay Duncan, Marketer

Course details

By the end of this course you will know when and how to employ gamification and have an understanding of what gamification can do for marketing in your organisation.

Throughout the course your understanding of the theory and practice of Gamification for Marketing will be developed through the use of a variety of learning methods including gamification techniques, lectures, group work and on-line activity, quizzes, videos, case studies, learner-led presentations and role plays.

When: 09.30 to 16:30 on Friday 12th February 2016

Who is it for: people involved in marketing at any level

Costs: £395 plus VAT per person

Where: 68 Middle Street, Brighton, UK

Venue website: http://68middle.st

Three Key Benefits from the Course

Your competitors are now using gamification – find out how to do it better than them

Respond effectively to the changes in how customers engage with your brand

Improve your ability to persuade, motivate and influence customers & potential customers

What does the course include?

What is gamification and why it matters to our business

The psychology of fun and engagement

On-boarding techniques for engaging users and fostering system adoption

Game building blocks: from Points and Badges to Virtual Currencies

Player types and demographics

Case studies: from building a gamified service to support your brand to enhancing a fundraising campaign

Techniques and case studies for enhancing website or software UI and UX through gamification

How to use the 6 C's of gamified marketing design framework: cherish, captivate, challenge, connect, create and champion

Understanding and using Kevin Werbach's Gamification Design Framework

How loyalty schemes have helped companies like Polyvore and teleflora

Gamestorming to create marketing ideas and campaigns

How to pitch your gamification ideas and projects to gain internal and budgetary support

Who is leading the course?

Gamification expert Pete Jenkins, founder of Gamification+ Ltd. Pete is entrepreneur in residence at Brighton Business School, University of Brighton and chair of the International Gamification Confederation (GamFed).

Book The Course Now: http://gamificationplus.uk/marketing-gamification-open-course-february-2016/