Data from the defunct outsourcing company and its clients is being held by the storage company Ardent until a receiver is appointed

Archived files belonging to the collapsed outsourcing company Charity Business and its clients are being held at a storage company in Gloucester.

Craig Ashby, managing director of Ardent, an office supplies and storage company, told Third Sector that he had more than 250 boxes of files.

Clients of Charity Business, which went into administration in January, recovered some recent data from a storage facility in Swindon, Wiltshire. This was led by Cambridge House, the London poverty and social change charity, which invited other Charity Business clients to collect data belonging to them. 

But some organisations were concerned that they would not be able to recover data from previous years.

Ashby said the charities’ data was safe and that he would store it until an official receiver was appointed for CBusiness Ltd, a subsidiary of Charity Business.

He said his contract was with CBusiness Ltd, which is not in administration, even though liquidators have been appointed for its holding company, CBusiness Holdings.

Until an administrator is appointed, no one has the power to retrieve charities’ data.

Ashby said he had been told by RSM Tenon, liquidators of CBusiness Holdings, that they hoped to have an administrator appointed for CBusiness Ltd “within the next couple of months”.

“I’ve had a lot of phone calls in the past couple of weeks,” Ashby said. “The data’s safe, but it’s all mixed up. I can’t tell whose data is whose, and part of my contract is that I’ve agreed not to look in any of the boxes.

“I can’t let people come and look. I’m holding on to it until I know what’s going on.”

Ashby said his company was owed “quite a bit of money” for storing the data, and he hoped to reclaim this from the administrator.

Article source: http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/go/finance/article/1118709/charity-business-files-held-storage-gloucester/

A year after the launch of his report on boardroom diversity, Lord Davies has commended efforts made by top companies to get women into senior positions, but also noted that there are still some businesses who are still failing to meet targets.

In his 2011 report, Lord Davies called ob FTSE 100 companies to ensure they had a minimum of 25% of female board members by 2012. While this has risen from 12.5% in 2010 to 15% in 2012, online 26% of new board appointments made since last March were women.

Liz Field, CEO of the the Financial Skills Partnership believes that businesses need to make more strategic moves to create a positive cultural environment for potential female leaders of the future.

She commented: “There are clear signs that the industry is beginning to tackle boardroom diversity issues, but there are, however, major concerns around sustaining the momentum.

“The debate should also be broadened to SMEs, which make up 99% of the private sector.

“We do not know if diversity is an issue in SMEs, or what support they need. There should be more investigation and research into what SMEs are doing in terms of diversity in order to develop a clearer picture.”

Businesses have adopted a range of strategies to implement diversity issues into their business, including appointing senior executives as diversity champions through long term development programmes, mentoring schemes and female business networks.

Enterprise-wide change is also being implemented according to the Financial Skills Partnership, who found that companies are finding flexible working practices, communications, e-learning campaigns, better diversity monitoring and initiatives to remove unconscious bias.

Liz Field added: “There are encouraging examples from a large number of companies within the financial services sector.

“The key change in many companies is that they now realise their task is to bring about transformative change, not just an incremental increase in numbers.

Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/more-women-needed-in-boardrooms-say-fsp/

Given the Tipster’s failure to break into the summer London 2012 Olympic Team, he turned his mind to the Winter Olympics.

It is not very often that a large indoor sports hall will come to a stop to witness the incredible skills and abilities of someone coming down a dry ski slope but as The Tipster inched (and I use that word accurately) down the slope there was general shock and horror that anybody could potentially be moving so slowly.

Of course, in the mind of The Tipster all he could hear was the theme music to Ski Sunday and the voice of David Vine (older readers will remember the great David Vine) barking out that here comes the Tipster to overtake Franz Klammer for Olympic gold.

Of course to the outside world the Tipster does not stand a chance and a more likely occurrence would be Accrington Stanley winning the Premiership (no disrespect to the Accies but it is highly unlikely).

So, there was a massive difference between The Tipster’s view of his performance and the reality.

Now this is so often the case within the workplace. Many workers seem to believe if they had the opportunity to sit in the Managing Director’s chair all the ills and evils of the employer would roll away. At the other extreme, some workers who are incredibly talented and have fantastic abilities are left in the corner due to the fact that poor management has failed to stimulate them or assist them in reaching their goals and objectives.

Performance management is therefore is a key matter in getting people not just to work harder but work smarter.

As in most things The Tipster believes that honesty is the best policy and that strict guidelines in relation to performance management should be set down. The reasons for this are that it can encourage talent and ability to flow and develop but also can identify issues and problems at an early stage. It is a traditional British malaise that we avoid talking in a constructive way about performance issues. A good approach is to have a clear performance policy in place which is not just a “paper” expression of intent but one that is backed up by a day to day commitment to improvement. This should include:-

• An honest appraisal about the job duties that are actually undertaken by the individual employee so that a true measure of performance can be made.

• That the process is a two way process. It’s okay talking about a 360 appraisal process but if an employee is so frightened to raise any concerns that they just shut up and put up. The process should be constructive.

• There should be a clear identification of areas where there is a need for support and some indication of aspirational developments of the individual skills over the next 6 to 12 months.

• The key though is to listen, actually listen, to what is being said so a definite and clear plan of action can be determined and outlined.

• Any outstanding issues should have follow up dates and those follow up dates should be diarised and agreed to.

• The outcome of the meeting should be recorded and subsequently reviewed in a set period of time.

Ideally, everyone within an office should have (in their own mind) a business plan of what they can contribute to a company.

Of course the above sounds easy but The Tipster is seeing it work within organisations and when it does it’s a bit like watching Barcelona (who of course The Tipster will one day play for).    

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Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/entering-the-winter-olympics/

European markets were broadly lower this morning as investor focus shifted from the euphoria of the bailout package to concerns surrounding its sustainability and its failure to address the underlying problems i.e. Greece’s competitiveness and economic growth prospects. The latter was accentuated by the downgrade of Greek government debt from CCC to C (the lowest level above a default), the agency stating that it would consider Greece to have technically defaulted after the bond exchange is complete.

There was also a raft of economic data out of the eurozone that wasn’t overly bullish, with a Services Purchasing Managers Index pointing towards a contraction with a figure of 49.4 this month (down from January’s 50.4 level). Commentators highlighted the potential for the region to slip back into recession.

The FTSE 100 recovered from the lows it hit around midday to finish nearly 12 points, although the 0.2% loss still saw the index close above the 5900 level at 5916. The biggest gainer on the index was Rexham, investors welcoming its 2011 results and analysts commenting that the group has made good progress in cash and return on capital. Shares in the container and packaging company put on 7.4% to finish at 413p. Brent crude made further gains on continued Iranian tensions, closing up 1.9% to $122.7/bbl.

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Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/finance/22-02-2012/markets-jittery-in-wake-of-greek-bailout-deal/

Organisers of the London Fashion Week, the highly prestigious event taking place at the moment, chose an innovative way to promote it and keep the London fashionistas abreast of latest presentations. Using digital displays located in London’s tube stations and outside Westfield London’s Eat Street, behind-the-scenes photos from various shows were shared with the capital’s fashion conscious but busy audience.

Here are a few thoughts on this event promotion campaign:

1)  most of us would probably agree that photos are one of the most effective ways of raising awareness about an event. Sharing them to key audiences in key locations in almost real-time enhances their impact and gives way to WOM (add social media feeds to this and you’ve got yourself a successful multi-channel communication exercise).

2) Printed posters just won’t do- as they are a very limited medium in terms of message timeliness and volume. They can only display one message and one message only which is a few days/weeks old at best times. They’re deffinitely not suitable for timely communications.

3) Digital posters though allow you to communicate a high amount of  information (in various formats, from feeds to images and videos), in almost real-time, at a fraction of the cost (you’re using the same displays, players, software that you’ll be using for thousand other messages.Printing and associated manpower costs- are off the list).

This is a simple method available, not only to big companies and high street brands, but to every organisation that wants to spread the word about its events, products.

Companies and institutions across the UK are using digital posters to distribute information about events and products. Colleges share videos and photos from drama nights or graduation ceremonies, businesses of various sizes share photos from team building activities, conferences or meetings, retailers  display pictures of new stores and inaugural ceremonies.  You got the idea. The medium is efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly (as paper consumption is much diminished). And the fact that the British Fashion Council chose it- well that in itself says a lot.

To find out more about using digital posters for timely, accurate communications, advertising events and distributing information as it happens visit our website www.digitalsignage.net.

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Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/technology/22-02-2012/london-fashion-week-and-the-use-of-digitalmedia/

Delegates from across Europe have visited the North East this week to witness the opportunities available to them in the region.

At the ‘North East England in a Global Europe: Ambitions for Growth’ conference, hosted by the North Eastern Local Enterprise Partnership (NE LEP), delegates discussed ways to promote trading between European countries and regional businesses.   

The conference was also the first opportunity for the NE LEP to bring together key stakeholders to examine possible working relationships with European partners.

Paul Woolston, Chair of the North Eastern LEP, said: “Building our trade and industry links with Europe is vital if we are to achieve our aims and ambitions for regional economic growth.

“This conference is a unique opportunity for us to come together as a region, to explore best practice and develop those crucial strategic economic relationships with Europe, that will be vital if we are to maximise future growth opportunities.“

Chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham believes that Europe is a huge potential market which regional businesses now must make the most of.

He commented: “There is nervousness about what will happen in the Euro, but it still presents an excellent opportunity for UK businesses.

“The culture in Europe makes it easier for us to do business than many other parts of the world, and firms must recognise this.

“We now need to use all of the advantages that we have here in the North East to show European businesses that are looking for opportunities outside of the Eurozone but within Europe that we are the very best place in the world to invest.”

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Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/lep-leaders-discuss-plans-for-european-relations/

Joining the Cloud

To co-ordinate multiple room bookings – the MEM will have a total of 12 spaces available for hire when it re-opens in June – digital design agency Carrot Media Ltd, based in Newcastle Business Park, were appointed to develop a web-based solution that would not only replace the current paper based diary and online calendar, but add value in terms of ease of use and crucial management information.

Jules Rutherford, Finance Manager explains “Our vision is to provide our customers with a seamless, efficient service without losing our personality and ethos, so that is why we decided to work with Carrot on a solution that suited our organisation, but delivers the technical support that customers expect”.

The solution which is due to be installed in the next few weeks, allows the reservations team to respond efficiently to client enquiries.  Marie Anderson, Head Receptionist who was involved in the development of the solution adds “the system also ensures that a room cannot be double booked which, when you are handling multiple enquiries across a team of 3 or 4, is an excellent feature.  It also integrates with our accounts function which will save us time and money by removing the need to print out reams of information”.

The caretaking team will also benefit from the new system.  Instead of having lots of separate function sheets, they will receive one detailed running order for each individual space.  Information about changes in room layout, AV set up and catering requirements will all be in one room report which will allow them to manage these elements effectively.

Justin Turner, MD at Carrot Media says “Typically we don’t see many charities and third sector organisations invest in new technology of this nature, but the team at the MEM are really keen to make sure that they are taking full advantage of the benefits technology can bring.”

Online Marketing

And it’s not just ‘behind the scenes’ where technology is playing a part in the MEM’s transformation.  A brand new website has been launched (www.wallsendmem.org) which aims to attract new customers into the area by targeting those searching for services online.  Morag Robertson, Business Marketing Manager explains “Whilst it is really important for us to continue providing services to our existing customers who are primarily based locally, with such a diverse and unique offer, we are confident that we can attract customers from much further afield into this fantastic facility.  To help us get the message out to a wider audience, we will be taking full advantage of online marketing tools”

Social Media

Social Media is a further example of how the MEM is using technology with the launch of their new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/wallsendmem).  The aim is to give local residents and users of the building the opportunity to engage directly with the charity.  “I would really encourage people to join our Facebook page as this is an excellent way to share your ideas and desires for this community space” explains Morag “We want to give local people the power to influence and help shape the MEM – the more you tell us what you want to see, the more we will meet the needs of the community”.

Internal Systems Audit

In a final push to ensure that technology is supporting the organisation an independent internal ‘IT Systems Audit’ was carried out by Steven Willis, MD at Obsequens IT.  A detailed report was produced highlighting a series of recommendations which has given the organisation a clear IT Action Plan to deliver against.  And the first recommendation has already been achieved with the charity being accepted onto the ‘CTX Programme’ – which offers donated technology products from partners such as Microsoft to eligible UK Registered Charities, a step which will enable the charity to access a range of services that would otherwise have been financially prohibitive.

So, technology is really playing a part in meeting the charities’ objective – to provide an unparalleled facility in the heart of Wallsend.  And with plans in development to introduce a new Customer Relationship Management system, this is one organisation that is definitely not standing still.

Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/technology/21-02-2012/1329840584-charity-embraces-technology/

Since December, NewcastleGateshead Initiative in partnership with One North East, have built a growing network via Team Tomorrow. The next three events in the programme aim to inform businesses on potential sources of opportunities promote best procurement practice and encourage collaborative working.

The Inside Track

Wednesday 7th March 2012

The Copthorne, Newcastle

There is a desire to see North East Third Sector organisations actively involved in Olympic opportunities.  This event will mark a starting point for the North East Third Sector to really explore how they can make the best of the opportunities presented to the region by London 2012 and to collaborate with the Olympic delivery agencies and the public sector to deliver a valuable contribution and share the benefits of a successful 2012 Games and the legacy opportunities.

Home and Away

Thursday 15th March 2012

The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough

Due to the popularity of previous awareness raising events on Tyneside, Team Tomorrow are bringing two events together for the Tees Valley audience.

AM – They Think it’s All Over…

It’s a common misconception that any opportunities for London 2012 and associated Olympic contracts are already taken; however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Winning an Olympic or associated Legacy contract really could be the making of a business, raising the companies profile and securing its future for years beyond 2012.

This interactive programme, hears from those who have “been there, done that”, learning what’s out there right now and most importantly, practical hints and tips to go away from the event and win the contracts.

PM – Running With It

With businesses in the region “Olympic ready” due to preparing themselves for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic opportunities, this half day event will look at taking advantage of this by looking at International trading opportunities.

The afternoon is suitable for both businesses who have pitched for and/or won 2012 business to learn how to convert that experience into winning further international business and for businesses to learn from successful international traders.

Get It Sussed

Tuesday 20th March 2012

The Hilton Hotel, Newcastle

With the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) initiating using purchasing power to support sustainable development, it has become essential that businesses and their supply chains contribute to improving the social, economic and environmental issues facing our society.

This one day event is aimed at encouraging businesses in the region to develop sustainable tendering techniques and operating processes in line with current public and private sector tendering requirements.

Attending this FREE event will leave delegates with the latest developments in sustainable procurement, practical actions to take away and the inspiration to “raise the bar” with sustainable practices to ultimately give the edge over the competition.

All Team Tomorrow events are FREE to attend; further information can be found by visiting www.teamtomorrow.co.uk

Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/21-02-2012/team-tomorrow-introduce-olympic-business-and-legacy-opportunities/

Developed as a remedy to the over-centralisation of power, and the perceived expense, and bureaucracy of regional development agencies, the LEPs are now beginning to take shape.

A total of 38 have now been approved; some still in an embryonic stage, while others have already made positive gains for their regions.

Speaking to Bdaily, Alex Ehmann, head of parliamentary and regulatory affairs at the Institute of Directors, acknowledged that it would take time for the LEPs to find their feet.

He said: “Our thoughts when the LEPs first came to fruition were that roughly a third would be outstanding, and make really good progress, a third would be poor, and the rest would be OK.

“The jury is still out, although I think we need to see some really succeed and achieve progress, and some to fall by the wayside.

“I imagine those LEPs will be amalgamated into more successful ones. We need to see the really inspiring LEPs come through.”

Given their relative infancy, perhaps a certain level of apprehension is to be expected among the business community.

However, in looking at some of the functioning LEPs across the country, it seems there is potential for these bodies to achieve positive work.

For example, late last year, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership organised an event where banks came face-to-face with SMEs in a bid to improve the flow of lending.

The event was successful in giving a voice to small businesses to allow them to express their needs to banks. Brian Colquhoun, regional director of Yorkshire Bank, noted that it was important for banks to work harder with local business to create a workable structure for lending.

Elsewhere, Leeds City Region, a Local Enterprise Partnership is spear heading a bid for the Government’s Green Investment Bank.

And just this week New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership has submitted a bid for £15m of government money to support a rural enterprise project that hopes to create 700 jobs.

So the question now, is how can the LEPs be made most effective; will this require government to devolve further powers and resources?

Andrew Carter, Director of Policy and Research at Centre for Cities suggests that definition of of some LEPs is needed, while those that are established are equipped with the tools to “get on with the job.”

He said: “One of our biggest concerns is that the spatial geography of some LEPs does not match the economic and political geography, creating real barriers to effective influence over local economies.”

Lack of funding for the LEPs however means they will need to be focused and creative in looking for returns on their work.

Last week’s report from IPPR North: Beyond bricks and mortar boards: universities and the future of regional economic development, recommended that LEPs make best use of the universities in their regions.

The prominence of universities on a global stage was highlighted as a resource on which the LEPs should capitalise; utilising their capacity for international recognition, to the benefit of the region.

Mr Ehmann added: “It seems a shame that when they have got down to business, they seem to have followed government initiative after initiative, and few have used their potential to really be creative.

“We will work to be a constructive part of the LEPs, as that’s what  we’ve got. There’s no other body in town, so we have to engage in what they are doing, to make it work.”

Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business/22-02-2012/leps-the-national-picture/

Now in it’s 5th year, it has provided almost 400 Cash Gifts of £500 to youngster where treatment is no longer considered curative.  

It also provides boxes of Arts Crafts to cancer wards to help children get through their treatment which means spending weeks at a time in hospital. 

Competition Information

Wednesday 27th June 2012
4-ball Am-Am
Prizes including a golfing holiday in Thailand.
Team entry: £200

Venue: Hexham Gold Club

Set in magnificent traditional parkland deep in the heart of the Tyne Valley, Hexham Gold Course’s greens are regularly amongst the best in the County.

With views over the confluence of the North and South Tyne, this course is tough enough to host County events, yet enjoyable enough for club golfers of all standards.

Sponsorship Packages 

Please CONTACT US TODAY to help us make this inaugural event as big, successful, fund and awareness raising and enjoyable as possible!

T: 01434 602043

E: jane.d@josiesdragonfly.org

W: www.josiesdragonfly.org

Event Main Sponsor 

Can you imagine your business being the face of this fabulous event? We want to put your logo/branding on all publicity and promotional materials currently being drafted. And as well as being named in all PR copy, you will be prominent on scorecards, programmes and goodie bags. We also offer you 2 sponsors’ banners, one at the Club entrance and one at prize giving/photos. Your investment: £1,000.

Banners

At which hole would you like your business to be promoted?

1st 18th hole: £100 each.

2nd- 17th hole: £50 each.

Team Prizes (Score) 

1st place overall

Mention in all promotional materials, programmes and PR copy. Opportunity for prize giving photograph and leaflet/product distribution in Sponsors’ bags. Your investment £400.

2nd place overall 

Mention in all promotional materials, programmes and PR copy. Opportunity for prize giving photograph and leaflet/product distribution in Sponsors’ bags. Your investment £300.

3rd place overall

Mention in all promotional materials, programmes and PR copy. Opportunity for prize giving pgotograph and leaflet/product distribution in Sponsors’ bags. Your investment £200.

Individual Prizes 

Mention in promotional materials, leaflets and programmes. Opportunity for prize giving and leaflet/product distribution in Sponsors’ bags.

- Nearest The Pin (Par3)

- Longest Drive

- Nearest The Pin in 2 at the 19th(Dragonfly Hole)

Available at £100 each

Half Way House

Sole sponsorship of the cabin where light refreshments will be offered free of charge (how grateful will golfers be?). Includes banner, PR, leaflets and product placement. Your investment £400.

B2B opportunity

If none of these investments suit you, why not consider placing a promotional deal, offer, branded product of contact flyer inside each Sponsors’ (goodie) bag? Cost: £20.

T: 01434 602043

E: jane.d@josiesdragonfly.org

W: www.josiesdragonfly.org

Article source: http://bdaily.co.uk/news/lifestyle/22-02-2012/1329837887-sponsorship-opportunities-for-charity-golf-day/