first for business february 2015

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FEBRUARY 2015www.ffb-online.co.uk

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PORTAS EFFECT

Focus onbusinessstart-ups

ThePORTAS EFFECT

Can Mary Portas bring our highstreets back from the brink?

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Recently installed at ourSheffield headquarters11 meter height of lift12,500 KG capacity with 27 meter span

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CONTENTS First For Business FEBRUARY 2015

www.ffb-online.co.uk

Editor Chris [email protected] Editor John YatesChief Feature Writer Julie Farmer

Chief Sub Editor Richard AbbeySub Editor Richard Smith

Operations Director Jillion WoodPublishing Manager Mandy [email protected]

Studio Manager Chris BrierleyDesign Dan Wray, Steve LeversNew Media ManagerTerri Moore

Regional Magazine Company 6 Broadfield Court Broadfield Business Park Sheffield, S8 OXFTel: 0114 250 6300

Email: [email protected]: www.ffb-online.co.uk

CONTENTSFEBRUARY 2015

AGENDA 8If the political and economic momentumof the first few weeks of the New Year isa harbinger of things to come, then 2015could signal the moment when Sheffieldand the wider city region finally finds its

voice

DREAM TEAM 14Starting your own business might seem

like a grand idea, but where to begin?Our experts have some start-up advice

to point you in the right direction

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS 18So, you have an idea for a new business

but you’re not sure what to do next?Fear not; First For Business is here tohelp with a round-up of the business

support in our region

BUSINESS SHEFFIELD 20Whether you are just thinking of starting

a new business, a young business withambition or an established business

planning greater things, BusinessSheffield’s team of enterprise coachesand business advisors is here to help

RETAIL MATTERS 27This issue is a double length edition, firstly to mark

the occasion of reaching our tenth issue andsecondly, to celebrate Retail Matters awareness

week which will run from 9-15 February

ACTIVATE YOUR WORKFORCE 48The start of a new year is the ideal timeto get your workplace more active. Julie

Farmer takes a look at the benefits ofencouraging a fit and healthy workforce

10 THINGS I... 50Learned whilst turning my hobby into a

business. By Sam Goddard, owner ofResponse Vehicle Lighting

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Discover what Apprenticeshipscan do for your business.Visit www.learningunlimiteduk.comor call 0845 850 1055.

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Learning Unlimited is helpingcompanies step up to the next levelby offering free employee training

through its Skills Support for theWorkforce (SSW) initiative.

Employees from small and medium-sizedorganisations can be trained in a rangeof different areas from customer serviceto leadership, driving goods vehicles anddementia care.

Mini Me’s day nursery in Barnsley hasalready taken advantage of SSW to givetheir workforce additional skills, gainingthem a competitive edge and making apositive impact in the local community.

Gillian Beaumont, Mini Me’s BusinessManager, said: “We have always workedhard to make sure our employees aregiven the opportunity to develop theirskills because we have seen the personaland business benefits this offers.Children’s welfare and development areat the heart of what we do and weknow that the way we support parentswith child development advice andbehaviour management gives us thatextra competitive edge.

“When we heard that we could developmore of our staff through Skills Supportfor the Workforce in BehaviourManagement we jumped at the chance.Following the training we are now ableto go out into the community and work

with local children’s centres to offerthem access to this service too. Withoutthe support of Learning Unlimited andSSW we wouldn’t have been able todevelop this side of our business.”

This initiative, funded through theEuropean Social Fund and Skills FundingAgency, runs up to the end of July 2015and is designed to give small andmedium-sized enterprises with less than250 employees and a turnover of lessthan £50million access to non-mandatory training that can really helpthem get ahead.

Paul Champion, Operations Director atLearning Unlimited said: “There is stilltime for employees, self-employedpeople and volunteers to take a range ofsingle skill courses, usually work-basedlearning or one-to-one tuition. We canwork with businesses to assess theirneeds, take them through the enrolmentprocess and deliver training that is rightfor the individual and the organisation.”

Learning Unlimited is also working withmotivated young job seekers aged 16-23to give them the skills they need to getahead. The organisation’s flexibleTraineeship programme is designed togive young people a step-up toemployment, an apprenticeship or intolearning at a higher level.

The Traineeship is suitable for young

people who require additional supportin terms of employability or with Mathsand English skills. The flexible model canrun from six to 24 weeks and combinesa work placement with one day oftaught sessions each week. Students alsocomplete an Employability Award or avocationally-relevant qualification.Further skills can also be included suchas team-building, communication andmoney management.

Lynsey Holehouse from Killamarsh DayNursery used the Traineeshipprogramme when she spotted talent in awork experience student.

“As our trainee was not quite ready forthe apprenticeship, the traineeshipprogramme enabled her to gain theexperience she needed to secure anapprenticeship,” said Lynsey. “Theprogramme is very rewarding for ourcompany; we take great strength in theknowledge that we are enabling a youngperson to gain vital experience in theirdream career, whilst being able toprovide a trainee to support our team.”

BOOST YOUR SKILLSCOULD THE SKILLS SUPPORT FOR THE WORKFORCE (SSW) INITIATIVEBENEFIT YOUR COMPANY?

First For Business FEBRUARY 2015 SKILLS & TRAINING


To find out more about Learning Unlimited’s TraineeshipProgramme or SSW contact theteam today on 0845 850 1055.

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EUROPEAN UNIONInvesting in Your Future

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February 2015

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2015 brings a new air of optimismto Sheffield City Region. Perhapswe have all been guilty of focussing

on the negative aspects of our area overthe last few years, from the decade-longdebacle over city centre regenerationplans in Sheffield itself to the apparentlyunbreachable gulf between privatesector innovation and public sectorstagnation.

But now a new mood of positivity isemerging and it would be churlish not tojoin the chorus of approval as we look atnew ways to bring prosperity, jobs andoptimism to the area.

This month in First For Business, weexamine the political and economicharbingers of better time ahead andanticipate the moment when Sheffieldand the wider City Region truly starts topunch its weight.

Consultant editor John Yates sees severalreasons to be cheerful, from the interestbeing shown by major multinationals likeToshiba in the Advanced WellbeingResearch Centre in the Don Valley tothe announcement of a £400millionsport and leisure development in thePeak District.

Meanwhile, chief feature writer JulieFarmer has been looking at the benefitsof having a fit and active workforce,

which range from less absenteeism toreduced psychological stress. You don’thave to become a hardcore fitnessfanatic to get involved and reap thebenefits – a new Workplace Challengefor 2015 is geared up to motivate eventhe most exercise-phobic workers byencouraging employees to joincolleagues and take up a team approachto getting active.

Of course nothing sparks up the localeconomy like a run of successfulbusiness start-ups and our region isblessed with many examples in this field.This month’s cover star Mary Portas hasbeen at the heart of a national campaignto revitalise the nation’s high streets andher inspiration will undoubtedly be felt atthis month’s Retail Matters conference,which we preview in some detail in aspecial 16-page supplement within thisissue.

If anyone out there has a business planbut is hesitant about taking the plungeand going for it, this month’s DreamTeam feature may just provide thenecessary inspiration, as our brains trustof business big hitters provides someuseful advice for would-beentrepreneurs.

First For Business also provides its ownpractical guide to the business support

PREVIEW

PREVIEW First For Business FEBRUARY 2015


@

CHRIS WILSON, EDITOR

Facebook: Regional Magazine CompanyTwitter: @FFBmagRMCLinkedIn: First For Business magazineEmail: [email protected]

available in our region, from funding toadvice on marketing strategy to freementoring.

One of the most attractive aspects ofstarting your own business is theopportunity to turn an interest thatstarted out as a hobby into a financiallyrewarding business. This is the happyexperience of Sam Goddard, whosepassion for restoring old vehicleresponse lights, such as those onrecovery vehicles, led to the founding ofa business that won national andinternational acclaim. Sam was namedRotherham’s Youth Enterprise YoungEntrepreneur last year, and he sharessome of his secrets with First ForBusiness readers.

I do hope you enjoy this edition of FirstFor Business. Let us know what you thinkby tweeting us at @ffbmagRMC.

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First For Business FEBRUARY 2015


When a senior board member ofToshiba and two of hiscolleagues made a special flight

to the UK to visit the Don Valley late lastmonth, the former Sports Minister andsteel union shop steward, Richard Caborn,knew that his vision for an AdvancedWellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) wasgaining traction among major companiesaround the globe.

Unlike the ideologically driven excesses ofthe World Student Games – for whichSheffield’s ratepayers are still picking upthe tab two decades later – Caborn’sdream of an Olympic Legacy Park isrooted firmly in commercial andeconomic reality.

Without the support of big, private sector‘subscribers’ the AWRC will not succeed.But, with the likes of Toshiba, Siemens,Panasonic, Mitsubishi and, more locally,BBraun, showing a keen interest in signingup, it looks like the project is achieving anunstoppable momentum.

Caborn has used his experience with thehugely successful Advanced ManufacturingResearch Centre – just up the M1, at thejunction with the Rotherham/SheffieldParkway – to create a tiered, supply chainmodel that will include some of thebiggest names in advanced healthcaretechnologies and solutions.

This, coupled with the close support ofthe city’s two universities, and theirlongstanding research relationships withthe Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust –one of the largest of its kind in Europe –will provide members of the AWRC witha remarkable ‘laboratory’ in which todesign and develop smarter ways ofdelivering healthcare in the comingdecades.

So, while the local papers were full of talesof woe when it was announced thestadium was to be demolished in 2013 –a monument to political vanity that willcost ratepayers £25 million a year for thenext decade – the 71-year-old Caborn’s

seemingly limitless drive and energy, alongwith his negotiating and deal making skills, are turning a potential disaster intoa triumph.

Transformative developments like theAWRC seem to have two key drivers. Thefirst is that they are often the work ofrestless, dynamic individuals with a passionfor making a difference: think the likes ofCaborn, Adrian Allen, Keith Ridgway,Richard Jones, Phillip Jones, Keith Burnett,Lee Strafford, Chris Rea, Hugh Facey,Graham Honeyman, and Rupert Carr(more of whom later).

And second, they increasingly involve theclosest of collaborations between our twouniversities, UK and European institutionalresearch funders, and the private sector –with government supporting/fosteringthese relationships by creating a researchclimate that insists on value for publicmoney, economic and social impact, andthe building of powerful partnerships. TheUniversity of Sheffield’s core research

DAWN OF ANEW ERA?

IF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC MOMENTUM OF THE FIRST FEW WEEKSOF THE NEW YEAR IS A HARBINGER OF THINGS TO COME, THEN 2015COULD SIGNAL THE MOMENT WHEN SHEFFIELD AND THE WIDER CITYREGION FINALLY FINDS ITS VOICE. JOHN YATES REPORTS.

Vision:RichardCaborn

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AGENDA

income, for instance, is in excess of £114 million a year and involvescollaborations with both global andregional economic and scientific partners.

Caborn’s vision for a new Olympic LegacyPark is inextricably linked to theknowledge base of Sheffield HallamUniversity and the creation of a secondUniversity Technical College –relationships which signify a much neededrecognition of the fact that sustainableeconomic and social development is notcreated by building physical monumentsto vanity, but by investing in, andenhancing, the human capital of the cityregion. Indeed, it is the skills – technical,social, entrepreneurial – of futuregenerations that is often the decidingfactor for inward investors.

And here too, the Sheffield City Regionhas new momentum. No sooner had theAdvanced Manufacturing Training Centreopened its doors, than plans were beingdeveloped for its expansion. The centre,which puts employers and employabilityskills at the core of its activities, hasalready won a prestigious award for thequality of its apprenticeships, but whatmarks it out as a bold, and visionaryenterprise, is the fact that the Universityof Sheffield – a research intensive RussellGroup institution – is creating a potentialpathway to higher education for a growingtalent pool of young, local people whowould not normally be given such access.

For some, the idea of a Russell Groupinstitution dirtying its hands in FoundationDegree territory is anathema, but underthe sure-footed guidance of Sir KeithBurnett, along with the inspired leadershipof Keith Ridgway, the University ofSheffield is both morphing in to a newkind of higher education institution, whileat the same time returning to its centuries’old roots as a vehicle for the bettermentof the people of the city and the widerregion.

Work is already underway on yet anotherdevelopment at the AMRC, this timeFactory 2050. While the press blurb talksabout the world’s first reconfigurablefactory, the reality is that Sheffield is fastbecoming the crucible where some of themost advanced ideas for modernproduction and manufacture are beingforged.

Not content with taking some of theworld’s most sophisticated equipment andmaking it work more efficiently andaccurately, the team at the AMRC arenow looking at how the next wave offactories can be made more flexible andadaptive through the deployment of newtechnologies, such as self-learning smartbenches with the agility to switch fromdifferent kinds of high-tech production.This approach, now used in manyaerospace plants, could be translated tomotor manufacture, and will be what givesthe UK a competitive edge over lowercost rivals.

Interestingly, the new building will be glassfronted to allow visitors to marvel at whatis happening inside. As one wag put it,there will be a green line running downthe length of the building caused byschoolchildren pressing their noses upagainst the glass and being inspired tobecome the engineers of the future bywhat they see through the windows.

And, here again, the future is nearer thanwe might think. While there was nomention of funding for small, modularnuclear reactors in the Chancellor’sAutumn Statement, the word in Whitehallis that the Treasury has given the idea thenod. As a result, it is just possible that atechnology which has been safelypowering our submarines for decades,could be adapted, refined and designedhere in the city region under the auspicesof the Nuclear Advanced ManufacturingResearch Centre, led by ex-Westinghouseboss Mike Tynan.

If successful, a new generation of small,modular nuclear power plants could beMade In Sheffield (companies likeForgemasters have both the know-howand the capacity) bringing high-tech jobsand wealth to the region while helping theUK towards energy self-sufficiency, givingindustry the consistency it needs in theenergy market, and providing a lead in thebattle to combat global warming throughreductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

These successes are attracting attention. Itis significant that, as January drew to aclose, one of the directors of America’smost celebrated economic and socialthink-tanks, the Brookings Institution,arrived in Sheffield to look at how our universities and city leaders areincreasingly working together to

How the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre proposed for the Don Valley couldlook when completed

>>>

‘It is just possible that a technology which has been safelypowering our submarines for decades, could be adapted,refined and designed here under the auspices of the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre’

Dynamic:Richard Jones

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First For Business FEBRUARY 2015 AGENDA


create a climate in which innovation andeconomic growth can flourish.

Bruce Katz, co-author of The MetropolitanRevolution, might argue that post-recession growth will happen in the heartof cities – rather than discrete businessparks like Silicon Valley in California,Research Triangle Park in the Carolinas, orthe Advanced Manufacturing Park here inRotherham – but he was sufficientlyimpressed by what he saw, that herealised there is no one-size-fits-all modelfor innovation and growth.

Katz was invited to Sheffield by a newlycreated body called the InternationalEconomic Commission which is thebrainchild of Sheffield Labour CouncillorLeigh Bramall. Bramall is one of a bold,new breed of local politicians who iswilling to take risks to make things happen.And while I think he is wrong to adoptthe language of Katz – we are notfollowing the Katz model of metropolitaninnovation districts – he is right to seethat our universities will have anincreasingly important role to play instimulating innovation in advancedmanufacturing across a range of sectors –from healthcare and energy, through totransport and digital infrastructures.

Also, if I read Bramall correctly, Sheffieldcouncil is finally accepting that it cannotentirely claim the credit for the AMP andthe AMRC. Sheffield and Rotherham, asone of the city council’s leadingeconomists, Diane Buckley, established adecade ago, are so closely inter-connectedthat they have to be seen as a single,functioning economic entity. While thetwo councils have worked together topromote advanced manufacturing in thepast, it is time they took a much morejoined-up and vigorous approach tomarketing and connectingthe one part of oureconomy that makes usstand out from theregional, national andinternational competition.

Another reason foroptimism, is that Bramallhas chosen to focus thework of the unpaidcommission on three areas– advanced manufacturing,outdoor sport and leisure(read the Peak District,hiking, climbing, mountainbiking and the greatoutdoors) and the citycentre redevelopment. This

is a much more robust and focusedapproach than that adopted by the LocalEnterprise Partnership whose strategyseems to want the region to be all thingsto all men (although it is clearly annoyingthe boosters of the digital, app economy).

Later this year Sheffield will host theEuropean Outdoor Summit, amasterstroke from City Hall which seemssuddenly to have realised that Sheffield’sposition on the very edge of the PeakDistrict not only makes it a magnet fortourism, but also the natural home for somany leading players in the outdoorindustry, from elite athletes and worldchampions, through to international statusentrepreneurs and business people andsenior policy makers.

Here, for the first time, is a strong andconvincing narrative that Sheffield cancandidly market alongside advancedmanufacturing that distinguishes us fromour neighbours. How many leading lightsin research and innovation have theirhomes in the Peak District? How manyacademics and researchers come toSheffield because of the climbing and the

Peak District – step forward two pro-vice-chancellors for research and scienceRichard Jones and Tony Ryan.

This is a powerful story and one thatcould so easily join up with the vision thatDick Caborn has for the Don Valley –improving health and wellbeing throughthe great outdoors. It also links perfectlywith two recent announcements, the firstfor the rejuvenation of the Sheffield skivillage – here is a chance to create afacility that is of international significanceand links in to the broader outdoorindustry/activity story.

And second: the announcement of a £400million sport and leisure development atthe southern edge of the Peak. While thisis largely the vision of another tirelessentrepreneur, Rupert Carr, it was left tothe Prime Minister, David Cameron, toannounce the start of the developmentwhile on his recent American (Britishelection) tour. With the support ofAmerican backers, the new project willbegin construction next month – and,once again, that involves collaborationwith higher education.

That just leaves the city centre. While thisremains a challenge, council leadersshould also see it as an opportunity: anopportunity to think differently, to design avery distinctive and complementary kindof city centre, one that doesn’t competewith Meadowhall but adds to the widerexperience in the city region. This month’sRetail Matters conference is the perfectforum for developing ideas of what thefuture should look like, and how the twinoffers of out-of-town, and city centreshopping, can meet the challenges of on-line purchasing and provide Sheffield witha stand-out, destination retail and leisureexperience.

Leigh Bramall rightly believesthat Sheffield should listen to,and learn from, theexperience of others aroundthe world. However, byfocusing on what makes ourregion different anddeveloping that into acompelling narrative that wecan market to the widerworld, Bramall could find thatit is policy gurus like BruceKatz – a former advisor to USPresident Barak Obama –who will increasingly becoming to Sheffield to learnfrom us rather than the otherway round.

Bruce Katz speaking in Sheffield

An artist’s impressionof the Peak Resortsdevelopment

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Whatever stage your business is at, DScan help you promote it in the best waypossible. If you are at the beginning ofyour business journey there is a full rangeof website design services to ensure youhave a professionally designed, bespokewebsite with the option of contentmanagement and e-commerce facilities.

If you are ready to boost your marketingactivities there are a whole host ofservices to choose from includingassistance with developing an effectivemarketing strategy, copywriting, brandingsupport, direct mailing and digitalmarketing including social media channelsand advice on how best to use them.

If it is printed products you need, DScreate it all, from stationery packs toevent display materials, packaging andwork-wear. The company also offers aphotography service, taking high qualityimages for adverts, brochures, websitesand catalogues.

Established in 2002, the company hasbeen so successful at helping businesseswith their image that is has beenrecognised by the national ‘RecommendedAgency Register’ (RAR +) as a creativeservices supplier which providesexceptional products and services.

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Sheffield accountants and businessadvisers Knowles Warwick areputting on a day of advice and

inspiration to help business ownersachieve financial freedom.

After two very successful events, thecompany’s third annual conference willfeature a host of business experts andentrepreneurs who will offer theirexpertise on preparing your business totake care of itself while you becomefinancially free. It will also explain how tomake it easier to take time off – whetherit be a day, a week or a month – whilenot having to worry that your companywill fail in your absence.

The keynote speaker will be MarkGallagher, who started out as a freelancejournalist and broadcaster in FormulaOne before progressing through theranks to head of marketing thenfounding his own motorsport business,Status Grand Prix. He has workedclosely with F1 drivers including Hill,Schumacher and Button and has evenconsulted on the Disney movies Carsand Cars 2.

Mark still contributes to some of theworld’s biggest media outlets such as SkyNews and CNN and recently publishedhis book, The Business of Winning:Strategic Success from the Formula OneTrack to the Boardroom. At theconference Mark will be speaking aboutinnovation, leadership and teamwork,relating his business knowledge to histime working as a journalist andbroadcaster.

Also sharing her expertise will be JoHaigh, a partner in fds CorporateFinance, with bases in London,

Birmingham and Yorkshire,and a partner in fdsKnowledge, a specialisttraining and developmentbusiness.

An experienced dealmaker, Jo hasbought and sold over 300 businesses inthe last 20 years, specialising in owner-managed companies. Jo will give adviceon selling your business and how to getthe best deal at the right time.

Bringing a spot of humour to the eventwill be Jan Jack, a business owner turnedstand-up comedienne who foundedBasingstoke Comedy Club in 2007. Jannow runs workshops teaching stand-upcomedy techniques to help clientsconnect to their audiences with humourand was nominated for a NorthHampshire Inspire Award for Best NewBusiness in 2013. At the conference shewill explain how to use humour to make

presentations and public speaking moreengaging and more memorable.

Knowles Warwick’s managing directorSteve Knowles will also share hisexpertise on the day. Charteredaccountant Steve established KnowlesWarwick in 1985. The company has sinceearned a strong reputation for helpingclients achieve their dreams andambitions and has gained clients as faraway as China and the Middle East, fromself-employed professionals tointernational corporations.

Steve will be speaking about innovationin the context of new technologies andhow businesses that ignore the latestinventions and innovations often fail.

The conference will take place at HiltonHotel Sheffield on Thursday 19 Marchfrom 9.30am to 4pm. Tickets are £99per delegate, including breakfast, lunchand refreshments. A limited number ofexhibition spaces are still available at£250 each, including admission to theconference, meals and refreshments.

Visit knowleswarwick.com/events tofind out more.

First For Business FEBRUARY 2015 EVENT


CONTACT: Lyndsey HallKnowles Warwick183 Fraser Road, Sheffield, S8 0JPTel: 0114 274 7576Email: [email protected]

ACHIEVEFINANCIALFREEDOM

KNOWLES WARWICK’S THIRD ANNUALCONFERENCE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TOENSURE YOUR BUSINESS ALL BUTTAKES CARE OF ITSELF.

Clockwise from topleft: Mark Gallagher,Jan Jack and Jo Haigh

KnowlesWarwick

managingdirector

Steve Knowles

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TAKING THE PLUNGE

LISA LEIGHTONPARTNER AT BARBER,HARRISON & PLATTFirst of all, congratulations on taking thefirst steps towards starting your ownbusiness. You’ve got off on the right footby asking questions; ask as many as youcan! Knowledge is power… the moreinformation you have at your disposalthe better equipped you will be to meetthe challenges ahead.

So, how much should you investpersonally?

This will depend on the amount ofmoney required to start-up. This differsfrom business to business and whilstbeing near impossible to determineexactly, you will need to assess what thisnumber is in as rigorous a manner aspossible as part of an overall businessplan. And it’s worth remembering that

the first number you arrive at is probablytoo low!

The amount you invest will also bedriven by the overall funding structure ofyour venture. If you are funding ityourself you will need to invest as muchas is required to get your venture off theground. If other external investors orfunders are supporting you it is oftenthe case that they will want you to have“hurt money” invested, ie should theventure not succeed then losing yourinvested cash would be financially painfulfor you. In the eyes of both debt andequity investors this helps to ensure thateveryone’s goals are aligned.

Market testing v “go for it!”

In taking your product/service to marketyou want to be as prepared as youpossibly can be and having a thoroughunderstanding of your potential marketwill be key to your success.

Online crowdfunding platforms arerevolutionising the way that new start-ups not only fund their business but alsomarket test their product(s). Rewardsand donation based platforms provide adirect connection with your marketplace and can garner valuable productfeedback - this would form part of awider crowdfunding exercise and youwould need to be comfortable withgiving away equity, but it might be anarea for you to explore.

I hope this has been of some help and I

wish you every success in your newventure!

KILEY TANPARTNER AT WOSSKOWBROWNStarting up a business is not rocketscience unless of course your business isabout interplanetary space travel.

You should start by approachingBusiness Sheffield or RIDO who will beable to provide the pre-start upassistance to test your ideas. Thebusiness advisers would test the viabilityof your plans if only to ensure thatyou’ve considered the ups and downs ofyour business.

Another organisation who may be ableto help is the Wosskow BrownFoundation, which is a charity helpingnew businesses to grow.

One should be encouraged to followtheir dreams but successful businesspeople do this after carrying outresearch and understanding what theyare getting into.

Financial aid is still difficult. Anecdotally,we hear of the major banks lendingmore but the lending to start-ups tendto be very limited.

From a legal perspective, my advice is toget the basics right from the very startby ensuring that you and the business

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS MIGHT SEEM LIKE A GRAND IDEA, BUTWHERE TO BEGIN? OUR DREAM TEAM EXPERTS HAVE SOME START-UPADVICE TO POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.



DEAR DREAM TEAM:I believe I have a strong business idea,but my head is spinning when itcomes to the practicalities of going italone. How much of my own moneyshould I invest? What sort of adviceand financial aid is available? Should Ifollow my hunch and just ‘go for it’ ordo some market research first? Anytips from the Dream Team would bewelcome.

Rob MooreKevinKerleyKiley TanLisa Leighton

14


are protected from the vicissitudes ofthe commercial world.

More often than not, a solicitor is usuallycalled upon when problems occur.Whilst we are excellent problem solvers,the reality is that solicitors can be usedeffectively to protect your business andprevent.

I would be advising on the legalstructure – sole trader, partnership, LLPor company – and the mechanismswhich can be put in place for owners todeal with disputes amongst themselves,death or disability of one of them. Thismay make for uncomfortable discussionsbut is based on reality.

Another issue is dealing with thesuppliers and customers by putting inplace contracts or terms and conditionswhich would protect the business. As I’mwriting this, Sheffield is being engulfed bysnow but what if your business has todeliver an item in these conditions andthe van suffers an accident, renderingdelivery impossible?

These are the basics and in ourexperience, business people who havefailed to carry out this exercise tend tobe the ones who would look back andsay, “If only …”

KEVIN KERLEYCHAIRMAN, ACADEMY OFCHIEF EXECUTIVESThe first thing to be aware of is thatnothing worth having is easy, more thanhalf new business start-ups fail within fiveyears, cash-flow being cited as the topreason for failure according to a surveycarried out by the Telegraph in October2014. Cash really is king.

Starting a business in the currenteconomic climate will be tough, butcertainly not impossible. Carrying out aSWOT analysis (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) of yourcompetitors, market conditions in yoursector, availability of funding, grants,borrowing, and business support wouldbe a good place to start. This will enableyou to have a clear picture of the marketforces and allow you to establish theright time to press ahead and will alsohelp you identify of any gaps in yourmarket.

Time spent planning and researching willbe time well spent and assist you to beone of the 50 per cent successful start-ups after five years. Appoint a good

accountant, preferably from arecommendation from someone inbusiness you know, create a businessplan for the first three years and revisitand adjust six-monthly once you are upand running. Seek advice from your localchamber business start-up team, andsecure the services of a business mentorfrom day one.

Ensure that you have sufficient cash tofund the business and a reserve fund, incase of the unexpected (which will cropup). Solicit the help of your accountantto assist you with a cash-flow forecast.Concentrate on the outcomes you arelooking to achieve and focus your effortson the ‘How’ rather than the ‘What’.Thinking in outcomes and having veryclearly defined objectives is a powerfulway of achieving your goals.

Be prepared for the journey in the first12 months at least to be very hard work,and be prepared to put in long hoursand get your hands dirty.

Finally and for me the most importantaspect of this is to concentrate and focusyour energy on your social skills, peoplebuy from people and the main thing thatwill set you apart from others is youruniqueness, be authentic and don’t try tobe something you think others expectyou to be. Just be yourself.

I wish you the very best of luck withyour new adventure.

ROB MOORERECOVERY EXPERT ANDPARTNER ATTAYLOR&EMMETTStarting your own business is tough.Unfortunately, a lot of new businessesfail but here are my top tips for startinga new business that will succeed:

If you can, start your business while youare still employed. Be careful herebecause you may be in breach of animplied obligation to act in good faithwith your employer. However, beingemployed while you get your businessgoing means that you will still havemoney coming in until you are ready totake the plunge and go it alone.

Love what you are proposing to do.Starting a new business means that youare going to have to spend a lot of timeand energy building the business up sodon’t start an enterprise which youalready or rapidly come to dislike.

Create a support system while you arebuilding up your business. Don’t try togo it entirely alone. Having someone totalk to is invaluable, preferably a mentorwho has knowledge of your kind ofbusiness.

Make sure you have customers rightfrom the start. Don’t wait until you havelaunched your business to find customers.Begin your marketing and start makingcontacts and finding customers so youcan begin trading right away.

Write a business plan. Don’t just go for itwithout writing down what it is you aretrying to achieve and what you need todo to get there. If you need a loan, yourlender will want to see your business plan.

Do your research. It is essential that youdo lots of market research before youstart because you need to become anexpert on your products or services andon your industry if you are not already.

Get professional help. I know you wouldexpect me to say this but in order to doproperly protect yourself you need agood accountant and solicitor. It is a falseeconomy to try and make do withoutprofessional assistance when ultimatelyyou may have to spend more moneyand waste more time trying to do thingswhich you are not qualified to do.

Think about investment. Ideally try andsave as much as you can to investyourself into your business so that youown all of the equity. However, you mayneed to approach potential investors orlenders. If so, be aware that investors willwant an equity share of your business.

Be professional from the start. You arecommencing a new business which is aserious thing. Have a proper website.Have a business email address andbusiness cards and deal with yourcustomers and suppliers in the samemanner you would expect to be dealtwith yourself.

Be the correct legal entity. Take advice onwhether you should start as a limitedcompany or sole trader and ensure thatyou have notified HMRC if you arestarting as a sole trader.

DREAM TEAM

CHALLENGE OUR TEAM. The team will respond to oneselected question in each editionof First For Business.

Send your questions [email protected]. Name withheld on request

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Rotherham Youth Enterprise (RYE). Helping you become your own boss! Supporting young entrepreneurs is vital to the region’s economic growth, andfinding appropriate support and premises for them to find their feet is a priority.

For more information please contact:Email: [email protected] or Tel: 01709 380906 Mob: 07500 991003

Are you thinkingof starting yourown business?If you are aged 18–30 years, we can assist you with:• Business Accommodation • Business Coaching • Business Planning • Business Support Services • Routes to Finance

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Starting a new business can bedaunting and it’s not surprising thatmany would-be business owners

have no idea where to start.

Even once you have a solid idea thereare endless factors to consider such ashow to write a business plan, whetheryou are eligible for funding, what yourmarketing strategy will be and who youcustomers will be.

Currently, your location plays a keyfactor in the support available to you.Within the Sheffield City Region each ofthe towns and cities currently has itsown business support service, as well asa number of other smaller supportorganisations.

Some of the key – and most familiar –organisations within the region areBusiness Sheffield, RiDO (in Rotherham),

Business Doncaster, Enterprising Barnsleyand SmartStart.

Of course, there are other organisationsalso offering support to start-ups andwhich you choose may depend onmatters such as the sector in which youwish to operate, your age (there arededicated support organisations foryoung people in business), the point youare currently at and the exact nature ofthe support you need. Even a quicksearch for ‘business support’ onlinebrings up seemingly endless options, butuse our five top tips as a starting pointand you might just end up in the rightplace!

Write a list of the areas in whichyou need support and prioritise in orderof importance.

Be clear on your business plan.

Business support organisations can helpwith this and templates can bedownloaded freely from the www.gov.ukwebsite.

Make use ofsupport available fromHMRC. On the www.gov.uk website youcan sign up for business help andeducation emails as well as webinars andonline courses.

Find a business mentor. Many of thesupport organisations listed above offera free mentoring service. You can alsouse www.mentorsme.co.ukto search forother free services in your area.

Utilise the help and resourcesoffered. The organisations listed above –plus others – will be able to locateresources for you and signpost you toworkshops and training courses relevantfor your business.

SO, YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR A NEW BUSINESS BUT YOU’RE NOT SUREWHAT TO DO NEXT? FEAR NOT; FIRST FOR BUSINESS IS HERE TO HELPWITH A ROUND-UP OF THE BUSINESS SUPPORT IN OUR REGION.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

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FEATURE

DEVOLUTION DEAL‘JOINS UP’ BUSINESSSUPPORTThe Devolution Deal agreed withthe Government in December 2014gives Sheffield City Region theopportunity to work with theGovernment to develop a ‘trailblazer’Growth Hub for business support.

In 2015 the Growth Hub will createa series of business support centresof excellence across the City Region.This will mean that business supportwill be in easier reach for businessesand entrepreneurs – with just onewebsite and telephone support tolink businesses to the support theyneed to grow.

The Growth Hub has been designedby business leaders for businessleaders. It brings a range of supporttogether including funding optionsand advice on important growthareas such as innovation andexports.

THE PORTAS EFFECT:BRINGING OUR HIGHSTREETS BACK FROMTHE BRINKIn May 2011 Mary Portas was appointedby Prime Minister David Cameron andDeputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to leadan independent review into the future ofthe high street.

‘The Portas Review’ was published on 13December 2011, making 28 specificrecommendations including making iteasier for people to become markettraders by removing unnecessaryregulations, the Government consideringwhether business rates could bettersupport small businesses and independentretailers and local authorities using theirdiscretionary powers to give business rateconcessions to new local businesses. Maryalso suggested creating a number of HighStreet Pilots.

Since the report the Government haslifted planning restrictions, cut smallbusiness’ rates and given councils afinancial incentive to support high streetsin order to help town centre landlordsmake better use of empty properties, getmore start-up businesses set up in thehigh street and remove business rates fora third of a million small businesses.

A number of High Street Pilot townswere also established, includingRotherham in 2012. In a ‘think piece’entitled ‘Why our high streets still matter’,published in May 2014, Mary said: “Theturnaround achieved in Rotherham is oneof the best case studies I know.”

According to Rotherham’s Town Teamfootfall has risen three years in a row, 86new businesses have opened in the lastthree years and the vacancy rate hasdropped from 20 per cent to 14 per cent.

In 2014 Mary also opened The MakersEmporium, a partnership betweenRotherham Council, The Source SkillsAcademy and Rotherham YouthEnterprise.

More than 30 makers have populated the

low-cost shared retail space with an arrayof products including handmade bags andclothing, home-wares, gifts and hand-crafted fine silver jewellery.

Upon opening The Makers Emporium,Mary said: “I’m bursting with pride ateverything that’s been achieved inRotherham. The Town Team have done anextraordinary job increasing footfall andreducing vacancy rates but most of allproducing a place people want to shop inand feel at home in.”

Funded by the High Street RenewalAward, The Makers’ Emporium aims tosupport new-start businesses looking totrade for the first time, raise awareness oftheir products and gain a taste of runningtheir own business.

‘I’m bursting with pride at everything that’s beenachieved in Rotherham. The Town Team havedone an extraordinary job increasing footfalland reducing vacancy rates but most of allproducing a place people want to shop in and feel at home in.’

Shoppingguru MaryPortas

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Business Sheffield, the businesssupport service of CreativeSheffield, helps people at whatever

stage of the business journey they are atand the services can be accessed withone simple phone call to 0800 043 5522.

With years of experience of dealing withnew and early stage businesses, CharlieKing and Rob King front the BusinessSheffield start-up service.

For those just starting out, Charlie andRob deliver a series of three coachingsessions in market research, financialviability and legal/HMRC issues. They alsooffer drop-in sessions, workshops andinformal ongoing business support.

Those further on in their businessjourney can access commerciallyexperienced growth advisers, technicalexpertise in HR, finance support andtailored specialist knowledge.

CHARLIE KINGIn his six years as an enterprise coach forBusiness Sheffield, Charlie has workedwith approximately 2,000 start-ups, heardideas too numerous to mention andwitnessed almost every situation, challengeand barrier that a new business can face.

Charlie, who studied food marketing atSheffield Hallam University, has workedin the food industry, in a socialenterprise, in recruitment and has alsobeen involved in taking a toy to market.

“It is not about us doing things forpeople, but us empowering them toachieve their own aims. Through ourdrop-in sessions, one-to-one coaching

and workshops we cover everything thata start-up needs to know to take theirbusiness forward.

“We’ve had all kinds of people throughour doors, including the long-termunemployed, company directors andprofessional sportspeople.

“Even people who have run a businessbefore gain a lot out of coming here toreassure themselves they are on theright track with their latest venture.”

ROB KINGRob’s background is predominantly insales, including eight years of working forProcter & Gamble as a territory salesmanager. He also spent five yearsmanaging a number of shops for acamera retailer and has experience ofsetting up and running his own business.

“Our job is to help people try and cometo a decision initially about whether self-employment is right for them.

“We’re not here to tell them whethertheir idea is great or not but we canshow them how to carry out marketresearch to understand for themselveswhether their idea is viable. As well asdelivering training ourselves we are alsogreat at signposting and we’re very wellnetworked within the region.

“We’re happy for people to come andhave a coffee with us and just have aninformal chat. We don’t wear suits; we’revery approachable and down to earthand we hope we can make the processof setting up a business a bit moreenjoyable for people.”

THE KINGS OFSTART-UP SUPPORTIN SHEFFIELD

WHETHER YOU ARE JUST THINKING OF STARTING A NEW BUSINESS, AYOUNG BUSINESS WITH AMBITION OR AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESSPLANNING GREATER THINGS, BUSINESS SHEFFIELD’S TEAM OFENTERPRISE COACHES AND BUSINESS ADVISORS IS HERE TO HELP.



Call Business Sheffield if you live inSheffield or if your business is basedin Sheffield to find out more:

0114 224 50000800 043 55 22

@SheffbusinessVisit www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/business

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BUSINESS START-UP

CASE STUDY: TIM HART, CHEF/OWNER OF I HEART BIKKIESOriginally from San Francisco, Tim Hart moved to Sheffield last year and set up I Heart Bikkies(www.iheartbikkies.com) in September. The company specialises in gourmet biscuits for grown-ups,with all biscuits made by hand using top-quality ingredients sourced from organic and localsuppliers wherever possible.

“I have had my own PR company for ten years but when I moved to the UK I decided to set up asecond business selling gourmet biscuits, bringing ideas from cuisine-obsessed San Francisco toSheffield,” said Tim.

“Not only did I need to learn about a completely different business but also about doing business in the UK. Coming from theStates I had to throw out any prior assumptions I had about running a business.

“I went on some useful workshops including employment law, terms and conditions and environmental health. Charlie and Rob alsogave me some great referrals onto other workshops including copyright and trademarks at Sheffield Library.

“I’m always checking Business Sheffield’s calendar of events and there are some exciting ones coming up on digital marketing andworking in the cloud.

“Starting a new business can be difficult for anyone but I had the added struggle of doing it in a new country. It’s been incredible tohave such friendly local support and people available to answer any questions I have.”

CASE STUDY: ANN LYON, CONSULTANT, THINKING-PARTNERS In the summer of 2014 Ann Lyon set up a business specialising in management developmentfor better business performance.

Her first experience of working with Business Sheffield was a one-to-one coaching sessionwith Rob and she has since taken part in group coaching and workshops.

“When you are trying to start your own business one of the things that worries you the mostis whether you are approaching it in the right way,” said Ann. “Talking to someone like Robwho has a lot of experience really helps develop your confidence.

“The group coaching sessions helped me follow the right path and avoid some of the common pitfalls made by new businessesand the recent workshops in social media and brand development have been really useful now the business is up and running.

“The great thing about Business Sheffield is that it not only provides support to start your own business but there areopportunities for networking with others in a similar position as well as ongoing support which is invaluable.”

CASE STUDY: COLIN SWABY, MANAGING DIRECTOR OFNEXT GENERATION COATINGS LIMITEDColin set up specialist paint spraying company Next Generation Coatings in June 2014 and foundRob and Charlie’s support invaluable for learning the finer details of running a business.

“I took part in the three coaching sessions and they made things much easier to understand,” saidColin. “Rob and Charlie had a great teaching style. The sessions were really relaxed and informative,the content wasn’t complicated and everything was really easy to follow.

“The sessions took the guess work out of running a business and also helped me see that my planswere achievable. Sometimes you doubt yourself and wonder whether you can turn an idea into asuccessful business. Rob and Charlie gave me the support I needed to say, yes, I can do it.

“I would 100 per cent recommend anyone thinking of setting up their own business to seek the support of the team at BusinessSheffield.”

Next Generation Coatings Limited colour coats uPVC windows, doors and conservatories as well as wood and metals. It hassecured contracts with well-known names such as Hilton Hotels, Barratt Homes and Debenhams.

GETTING BUSINESSES OFF THE GROUND…

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EUROPEANPARTNERSHIPB&E TOGETHER DELIVERS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WORKEXPERIENCE PLACEMENT BY BRINGING TOGETHER COMPANIESFROM THE UK AND FRANCE.

B&E Together are specialists in theorganisation and management ofinspirational work experience

placements to apprentices from acrossEurope. These experiences provide theyoung people who participate with anunprecedented opportunity to developessential work skills, sample new culturesand working practices.

The exchange of apprentices provides achance to break down barriers andperceptions of social mobility, whetherthe apprentices are from the UK visitinglocations on the continent or from oneof B&E Together’s many Europeanpartners coming to experience workinglife in South Yorkshire.

B&E Together have many partners bothin the UK and across Europe that makethe apprentice partnership such aresounding success. Amongst the closestof these are Sanctuary Group, one ofthe UK’s leading providers of housing,care and community services withregional offices in Shiregreen, Sheffield,and CFA based in Besancon, France.

WHO IS SANCTUARY GROUP?Sanctuary Group manages over 98,000homes throughout England and Scotland,including general rented, retirementliving, supported housing, student and

CFA – SANCTUARY HOUSING – B&E TOGETHER

Richard Jones from B&ETogether (right) with RobDaine from Sanctuary Housing

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key worker accommodation and carehomes. The Group also provides a rangeof services which includes housingmanagement, maintenance, social careand telecare.

Over the last few years in Sheffield,Sanctuary has provided support to theB&E European Apprentice programme byoffering young people from France theopportunity to undertake a two-weekwork experience placement within theirorganisation. These placements are alwayswell structured and engaging for theyoung people and give them experienceworking alongside trade professionals.

WHO ARE CFA? Based in France, CFA was created in1974 on the initiative of employers andemployees and members of tradeunions. The long-term vision was toprovide the highest qualityapprenticeship training to ensure that acontinuous stream of highly skilled youngpeople would be available within theconstruction sector workforce.

A SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPIn November 2014 B&E Together hostedthe latest group of apprentices fromCFA to visit South Yorkshire. The groupcomprised of Apprentice HeatingEngineers, Apprentice Electricians andtheir two tutors.

Their stay was for two weeks, duringwhich time they lived with host familiesbased around South Yorkshire andlocated close to the employers whowould be supporting them on theirwork experience placements.

Yet again, Sanctuary stepped up to themark and offered to support six of thegroup. In addition to working on-site withthe company tradesmen, Sanctuary alsooffered the group the opportunity toundertake a day’s training at their newMaintenance Training Centre, based inChester. The Centre enables Sanctuary todeliver in-house training to theirmaintenance teams to ensure a consistentlevel of high quality service is maintained.

The visit to Chester was arranged bySanctuary to enable the Frenchapprentices to experience the excellenttraining facilities on offer. It also gavethem the chance to learn new skillsoutside the scope of their regular trainingas heating engineers and electricians.

Speaking about the visit AdrianCheetham, acting national operationsmanager for Sanctuary Maintenance inthe north, said: “The group spent a highlyproductive day carrying out a series ofjoinery tasks to broaden their skill base,assisted by their trainer for the day. Notonly did this serve to give them newtechniques to use in their work but alsoproved to be a highly enjoyableexperience.

“As the day progressed the apprenticesbecame more and more confident usingtheir English when conversing with thetrainer. The day ended with eachapprentice receiving a certificate ofachievement to recognise their training.”

B&E Together provide this unique servicethat brings together diverse organisationsfrom across Europe to work inpartnership with one another to delivera shared goal, that of giving apprenticesthe highest quality enhancements to theirtraining. The vision of B&E is to enableevery young person it engages with aged14-25 to develop new life andemployability skills and a broaderappreciation of the scope, importanceand possibilities of working life.

If you are a school, college, training provideror business and would like to learn moreabout B&E Together and the work they doin South Yorkshire, nationally or in Europethey would be delighted to hear from you.

CONTACT:Switchboard – 01709 336700

European Projects – Joyce [email protected]

Schools and Colleges – Richard Jones [email protected]

Training – Sharon [email protected]

ABOVE: The apprentices learn newskills at Sanctuary’s training centre

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With its roots going back over150 years, Wosskow Brown isfirmly established as one of the

leading firms of solicitors in the SheffieldCity Region.

The culture of the company has alwaysbeen to look at ways to assist clientsholistically, rather than trying to deal witha single issue.

In the present day it is increasinglydifficult for businesses, charities, socialenterprises, sports clubs and people tofind the support they need. The world isgetting smaller, more complex and morecompetitive.

Wosskow Brown wanted to find a long-term way of continuing to support theseenterprises.

“We have for many years helpedindividuals with pro bono support butthis has happened in a very ad hoc way,”said Jim Lawson. “We wanted to developan organisation which was not-for-profitand whose main purpose was to helpthese enterprises grow and develop tothe next level. After a great deal ofplanning our vision has become a realityand we are pleased to introduce TheWosskow Brown Foundation. We hopethat having this formalised structure willenable us to assist greater numbers ofpeople.”

Officially launched at the end of 2014 ata packed event in Sheffield city centre,

the main purpose of The WosskowBrown Foundation is ‘To providepractical help, inspiration andopportunities for people to reach theirambitions’. It will do this in a way thatchanges people’s lives for the better,improves their community and economyand creates jobs.

The Foundation will be deliveredthrough practical programmes ofsupport which will encourage individualand organisational development.

The inaugural programme will be theWB100, a goal to support 100businesses, 100 charities/socialenterprises/sports clubs and 100individuals from grass roots sports overthe next five years. The programme alsoaims to help create 100 new jobs.

“We have got a fantastic group ofaround 500 local entrepreneurs andother advisors who will kindly give theirown time to help us provide a ‘wrap-around’ service to give people thesupport they need,” said Jim. “Thesepeople have been there and done it andare willing to help others who are juststarting out. Our region has a greatreputation for giving back and we’reutilising this to help others reach theirgoals sooner.

“In any journey in life you can take quitea meandering approach but ourexperience shows us that if you make

the right connections at the right timethe path can be shorter.”

The assistance will include 20 hours ofsupport per individual. As well as groupsessions and mentoring there will be aninspirational speaker series, networkingand bite-size training in crucial topics suchas writing a business plan and how towrite bids and tenders. There will also bea number of high-profile annual eventsincluding a fundraiser and wellbeing event.

“We have a programme for the next 12months mapped out,” said Jim. “Westarted in January with the first cohortwhich is a mixture of businesses, socialenterprises and sports people. We willencourage our beneficiaries to use us atouchstone outside the planned monthlysessions as we want to share their journey.

“Sometimes people will want someadvice or simply a warm introduction toa valuable contact. The connectedness wehave is a huge asset and we’ll make thisavailable as a benefit to those we assistthrough the Foundation. The Partners atWosskow Brown have also set asidesome offices in our building to be used asincubation space.

“We have had to be strict with thecriteria as we want businesses that areambitious, want to grow and that willcreate jobs and we want to helpcharities and social enterprises that aresustainable.

HELPINGENTERPRISE GROW

2015 MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHARITABLE FOUNDATION THATWILL TRANSFORM THE FUTURE OF HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES,CHARITIES AND SPORTING INDIVIDUALS IN THE SHEFFIELD CITY REGION.PROGRAMME DIRECTOR JIM LAWSON INTRODUCES THE WOSSKOWBROWN FOUNDATION AND EXPLAINS THE ROLE IT WILL HAVE IN GROWINGTHE LOCAL ECONOMY.



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“We haven’t established the Foundationas a business support organisation. Thereare already programmes out there to dothat and we are not here to competewith anybody or duplicate effort. We arelooking to fill in the gaps and supportthe work these organisations have beendoing well for years. If someone comesto us and they don’t fit our criteria we’llsignpost them to the right place toaccess the support they need.”

Initially, the Foundation will requiresubstantial input from Wosskow Brown,but it will also need support from thewider business community.

“The firm is backing this with thecontribution of time and effort,” said Jim.“We have estimated that the value ofthe time for every 20 hours of supportfor each individual is £2,500. We havesaid we will help 300 people over thenext five years which adds up to£750,000.

“But, of course, we need to make themodel sustainable. Pledges of time andsupport will be fantastic but the reality iswe also need financial contributionsfrom other businesses and organisationsin the region. Making such contributions

to the Foundation can help companiesdeliver their corporate socialresponsibility objectives. We are nottalking tens of thousands of pounds butanything that can be pledged. All theprofits will go back into the communitieswe seek to serve, to enable us to helpeven greater numbers of people.

“Seeking grants or Government fundingwill not provide a long term solution –so we are exploring other routes toestablish a sustainable model for thelong-term.

“For many years the Government hasbeen asking what more private sectorbusinesses can do to help the localeconomy.

“We are showing some leadership andby working with other private sectorcompanies this is something we canachieve together to help the economicregeneration of our region, which has anidentified ‘gap’ of over £3bn in annualincome, 3,000 businesses and 50,000jobs.”

Since its launch the Foundation has beenextremely well received. Already,companies are pledging their supportand former sports minister Richard

Caborn has taken on the role of theFoundation’s first president. Enquirieshave been coming in from far and wide,including the Football Association whichhas expressed an interest in theprogramme.

“The Foundation seems to have reallycaptured the imagination,” said Jim. “Inthe first year we will be looking atsupporting up to 100 beneficiariesacross the business, social enterprise andsports sectors. I’m confident we will havesome real success stories within the first12 months. We will learn valuablelessons in the first year then ramp upactivity for years two and three.

“As we move on those who have beenthrough their own journey will then besupporting others and so on. That’s howthe world goes round. There is no limitto how long this can continue and howbig this can become.”

Should you wish to apply to join one of theprogrammes for 2015 or wish to offermentoring or partner support pleasecontact Jim Lawson [email protected]

ENTERPRISE

L-R: David Brown, Jim Lawson, Richard Caborn, Michael Wosskow

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In this issue:Barnsley and Rotherham Town Centres - 2015 and beyond

Your invitation to our next retail conference

Industry experts discuss their thoughts for the future of retail

Retail Matters week 9th-15th February

Special double issue edition!

Issue 10 February 2015

Retail Matters

RETAILCELEBRATING PEOPLE IN RETAILMATTERS

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Welcome to our tenth edition of

Retail MattersRetail Matters Conference 10th February 2015

The Future of Retail

To book your place contact Emily Sharples on 0114 2635625 or email [email protected]

The conference will be held on Tuesday 10th February from 1.30pm until 4pm at The Source Skills Academy, 300 Meadowhall

Darren Pearce - Meadowhall Shopping CentreRandall Casson - PricewaterhouseCoopersThierry Bale - Global Fashion Management

The last conference attracted over 100 organisations from across the region and 100% of delegates rated the speakers as either good or excellent. This half day conference will be invaluable for anyone looking to hear what experienced business leaders and retail industry experts believe will be crucial for future success in the retail industry. The conference will also provide a fantastic

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Ann Cadman OBE

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Chief Executive of Sheffield City Council

The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop Page 4

Ask the Retail ExpertsPages 10 and 11

Planning for Barnsley and Rotherham’s Town Centres - 2015 and beyondPage 5

Northern Tea Merchants of ChesterfieldPage 15

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ecutivChief Ex

e of Sheffield Cecutiv

ity Councile of Sheffield C

ity Council

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Its seems hard to believe we are nearly two months into 2015.

The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop www.thewhistlestopsweetshop.co.uk

[email protected] 0114 2636651

Executive Director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Whistle Stop Sweet Shop

The front cover image and the above images are courtesy of Mark Rodgers

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Chief Executive of the Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber of CommercePlanning for Barnsley and Rotherham’s Town Centres - 2015 and beyond

New car parking - Expected November 2015

New town square - Expected October 2016

New central library, revamped metropolitan centre, market hall and a new shopping boulevard - All expected during 2017

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by Sarah Meldrum from Nabarro

particular expertise is in the area of retail, acting for a number of institutional landlords owning shopping centres and retail parks across the country. Sarah answers some of our retail legal queries.Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Sarah Meldrum from Nabarro

Adorn Jewellers of Chesterfield

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Meet the Experts

Charlotte: Mark: Susan:

How did you get into retail?

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How has retail changed over the time you have worked in the industry?


What are your predictions for retail in 2015 and will you be adapting to meet these changes?

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Rotherham Jewellery Business Uses Newfound E-commerce and Social Media Skills to Achieve Sparkling Sales

For further information or to check your eligibility please contact Laura Vincent on 0114 2635650 or email [email protected]

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027 - 042 FFB Feb15 23/01/2015 09:33 Page 12

by Kiley Tan from Wosskow BrownKiley Tan, Partner and Head of the Corporate Commercial Department at Wosskow Brown provides his views on the retail sector in 2014 and what to look forward to in 2015.

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Kiley Tan from Wosskow Brown

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0114 263 5600 [email protected]

gain recognition for its customer service

*For more information and to check if your business is eligible please contact Tom Lindop on 0114 2635000 or email [email protected]

The Source Skills Academy

Customer Service Training

available at the Source

027 - 042 FFB Feb15 23/01/2015 09:33 Page 14

third generation family business established in 1959.

Randal Casson, PwC’s retail leader in Yorkshire, said; ‘Today’s customer does not differentiate between where they heard about, researched, saw, purchased or returned a product. They expect to be able to shop anytime, anywhere and through any channel.

“But many retailers still think in terms of siloed shopping channels, where physical stores and online sales are treated as standalone pipelines to the consumer. This often leads to trade promotions being inconsistent across channels, products being unavailable in-store because units have been sent

customer loyalty information is haphazardly applied across channels, and even basic customer payment information has to be re-typed again and again. The costs and complexities of continuing on this path are too great and offer too few rewards for the customer

experience. It’s a faulty formula doomed to failure. “In addition, today’s non-stop customers have taken things into their own hands and are becoming increasingly tech-savvy. Customers have embraced show-rooming, learnt how to exploit their own shopping data for deals, and become experts at taking advantage of online coupons and offers.

“And so the demand for retailers to achieve Total Retail is becoming key to their survival. Total Retail is

While retailers are fond of saying that customers are educated and empowered as never before, Total Retail entails doing something about it by focusing the retail business model on the customer. In our experience, individual solutions for each channel are not enough. What’s needed is a Total Retail business model transformation that incorporates supply chain,

marketing and sales, and

“Put it another way - the Customer is still King, or Queen - no change there. But the internet gives us, the Customer, so many more ways for this to be true. Retailers, and their management teams, need to be responsive to this, or

Read more about Total Retail in our latest report, available from 9 February 2015 http://www.pwc.com/gx/en/retail-consumer/retail-consumer-publications/global-multi-channel-consumer-survey/index.jhtml

Partner at PwC shares his thoughts on ‘Total Retail’.

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and the weather of course!From Neil Grant, Managing Director of Ferndale Garden Centre.

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Learn how to protect your business froma potential corporate manslaughter charge

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044 FFB Feb15 22/01/2015 14:09 Page 1

SOUTH YORKSHIRE BUSINESSES URGED TO ENSURE FLEET COMPLIANCE.

First For Business FEBRUARY 2015 TRANSPORT


Every company has a legal obligationand duty of care to ensure thatemployees who drive on company

business are as safe as possible while outon the road. This also covers anyemployees that use their own vehicle fortravel, referred to as ‘grey fleet’.

There are a number of ways thatcompanies can ensure they provide theirdrivers with the appropriate duty of care.The Eco-Business Driving schemedelivered by Inmotion! offers FREE drivertraining and ongoing company support.

The programme provides expert adviceand guidance to help your businesscomply with current Health and Safetylegislation. It will also encourage your

employees to drive in a more effectiveway, helping to reduce emissions, savemoney on fuel costs and increase driversafety. Companies are assigned a specialistadvisor who will work with you todevelop a tailored Eco-Safe plan. Throughgroup discussions and in-car drivingsessions, the plans help businesses todevelop policies and practices tominimise costs and maximise safety whilstdriving for work.

Since launching in October 2013, 60South Yorkshire businesses and over1,000 drivers have benefited from thisprogramme.

Amey Ltd joined the Eco-BusinessDriving Scheme, putting 65 employees

forward for the driver educationprogramme focused on driving safelywhile reducing emissions and fuelconsumption.

Graeme Symonds, Account Director, said:“This scheme allows us to train andeducate our employees to ensure theyare driving in a fuel efficient and effectiveway. We’re actually seeing somewherebetween a 10-15 per cent reduction infuel usage and we are reducing ourcarbon footprint.”

Companies can carry out safety checkson the vehicles themselves, making surethey are serviced regularly andmaintained and also carry out checks ondrivers including licence checks andeffective accident management. If acompany car driver is involved in anaccident that could have been preventedthe company may find they are liable.EXCLUSIVE DRIVER SAFETY EVENT FOR SOUTH

YORKSHIRE BUSINESSESInmotion! are holding a free event on Thursday 26 February 2015 at Tankersley ManorHotel, Church Lane, Barnsley, S75 3DQ – just off J36 of the M1 – from 8.30am to10:30am.

Places can be booked by contacting the Inmotion! team.

This is an excellent opportunity for businesses and organisations to find out how theycan benefit from this Government-backed initiative.

To find out more get in touch with the Inmotion! team, email [email protected] orvisit inmotion.co.uk

ROADSENSE –MAKESSENSE

CONTACT:Email: [email protected]: 01709 51 51 51

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Health and Safety Executive (HSE)figures showed that in 2013/14,23.5 million days were lost due to

work-related ill health and 4.7 milliondue to workplace injuries, with anaverage of 19 days taken off for ill healthcases.

Stress, depression or anxiety andmusculoskeletal disorders accounted forthe majority of days lost due to work-related ill health, with an average of 23days lost for stress, depression or anxiety.

Research has proven that having a healthyworkforce delivers benefits includingfewer injuries, accidents and claims,improved productivity and performance,more effective management ofabsenteeism, improved staff morale andincreased retention rates.

National workplace health programmethe Workplace Challenge provides thetools and support needed to helpworkplaces add an element ofcamaraderie and positivepeer pressure to their healthinitiatives.

It was set up by the CountySports Partnership Networkand is funded by SportEngland. It is also backed bythe British HeartFoundation’s Health at Workprogramme. In 2014 The

Workplace Challenge encouraged morethan 3,735 workplaces to get active byusing an online activity logging tool andtaking part in various challenges.

This year the mission of the WorkplaceChallenge is to motivate even the mostexercise-phobic workers by encouragingemployees to join up with theircolleagues and take a team approach togetting active.

‘My Team 2015’ will run throughout theyear but kicked off with an eight weekchallenge running between 5 Januaryand 1 March which encouraged workersto win points for their workplace bytaking part in sports and other physicalpursuits and logging them online.

Lee Mason from the County SportsPartnership Network said: “Whereas it’ssurprisingly easy to let ourselves off thehook when we dodge an exercisesession, it feels more awkward to letdown a colleague. The aim of ‘My Team

2015’ is to encourageworkers to build their ownsupport network by initiatinga team approach to exerciseat work. When combinedwith better education on therisks associated with therising inactivity epidemic, thismakes a compelling case forgetting active.”

ACTIVATE YOURWORKFORCE

THE START OF A NEW YEAR IS THE IDEAL TIMETO GET YOUR WORKPLACE MORE ACTIVE. JULIEFARMER TAKES A LOOK AT THE BENEFITS OFENCOURAGING A FIT AND HEALTHY WORKFORCE.

First For Business FEBRUARY 2015 HEALTH


TAKE THERIGHT STEPSNigel Harrison, CEO of SouthYorkshire Sport & West YorkshireSport, gives advice on encouragingworkplace wellbeing.

There are countless benefits tohaving an active workforce. It’scalculated that the cost ofabsenteeism costs the economy£5.5billion a year. Physical activityonce or twice a week has beensignificantly linked to reducingabsenteeism by up to 21 days ayear. Park runs have been shown toreduce reported psychological stressby 18.2 per cent.

The benefits from doing just a smallamount of exercise to an individual’shealth and well-being are there forall to see. People shouldn’t be putoff by the word ‘Challenge’ and thinkthat means a gruelling trainingregime. It’s something thatchallenges the individual to get intogood habits which could just bewalking to work rather than driving.

With the Workplace Challengethere are activities that employeescan sign up to do as a team and thetogetherness that comes fromworking towards a collective goalcan only be a good thing in terms ofhaving a team that works welltogether.

Of course, there are lots of otherways employers can encourageactivity amongst employees.Providing shower facilities, forexample, can help encourage cyclingor walking to work. Having alunchtime running club or a coupleof hours every couple of weekswhere people can get out of theoffice to play a sport is a greatexample of what can be done.

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Twenty-two-year-old Sam Goddardestablished Response VehicleLighting in Rotherham in 2010 after

realising that his hobby of restoring oldvehicle response lights, such as those onrecovery vehicles, could be turned into aprofession. He has grown sales steadilyonline and has now secured contractsfor large organisations nationally andinternationally. He was namedRotherham Youth Enterprise’s YoungEntrepreneur of the Year 2014.

EBAY ROCKS!A shop window to the world that letsyou start selling for minimal cost. As wellas starting to make sales I got invaluablefeedback from customers and kept aneye on what my competitors weredoing. Of course, other auction sites areavailable as well as Ebay!

LEARN FROM YOURCOMPETITORSBy constantly monitoring what mycompetitors were doing I picked upsome great ideas for things I should (andshouldn’t) be doing.

SORT OUT THE LEGALBITS EARLYAs soon as you start to notice yourhobby is becoming more like a business

do some basic research and get adviceon legal issues such as self-assessmentand business insurance.

START KEEPINGRECORDS EARLYEven if it’s just pen and paper lists, startrecording money in and money out assoon as possible. The thought ofbookkeeping is worse than the reality somake a start now.

BE READY TO DEALWITH COMPLAINTSSelling online is great but if you arerelying on suppliers and couriers there’ssometimes nothing you can do aboutfaulty goods or late deliveries so prepareto bend over backwards to look afteryour disappointed customers.

BEWARE OF GETTINGTOO BUSYLots of business is great but too muchbusiness can mean you end up lettingcustomers down. To keep growing onlineyou need to keep the feedback andreviews positive.

HAVE A PLANAs soon as you make the decision tomake your hobby a proper business start

putting a plan together. Without a basic‘to do’ list it’s easy to just drift along andnot make any real progress.

TAKE SMALL STEPSBe realistic about how quickly you canget things done and set yourself specifictasks to complete so you can measureyour progress.

FIND OUT WHERE THEFREE SUPPORT IS ANDTAKE ADVANTAGE OF ITA quick search for ‘business support’ inyour area should bring up some resultsand a few emails and phone calls mighthelp you make a much quicker start inthe right direction than trying to guesswhat you should be doing. I’ve been intouch with a local project calledRotherham Youth Enterprise since Istarted whilst at Sixth Form and they arealways happy to talk things through withme.

REMEMBER YOU ARETHE EXPERT Your customers see you as the expertso have confidence in your knowledgeand ability and there’s a good chancethey’ll come back for more.

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BY SAM GODDARD, OWNER OF RESPONSE VEHICLE LIGHTING.

LEARNEDWHILST TURNINGMY HOBBY INTOA BUSINESS

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LOCAL LAWYERS GLOBAL REACHCommercial | Corporate | EmploymentDispute Resolution & Debt Recovery | Property Wealth Management | Restructuring

Head Office 620 Attercliffe Road, Sheffield S9 3QSGleadless Office 859 Gleadless Road, Sheffield S12 2LG

Abbeydale Office 294 Abbeydale Road, Sheffield S7 1FLBarnsley Office 31 Regent Street, Barnsley S70 2HJ

0114 2300 131 www.wosskowbrown.co.uk

For initial help & advice, call our Commercial Team on

084 FFB Dec14 03/12/2014 13:42 Page 1

first for business february 2015

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