PARTNERS
British American Business Council 75 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3DH T: 0121 450 4217
E:
babc@babcmidlands.org.uk W:
babcmidlands.org.uk
BABC PATRONS
L-R: Richard Fursland, chief executive, BABC; Alistair Burt MP; Steve Allen, Mills & Reeve; and Jessica Nelson, BABC Midlands
New York workshop
hailed a success The British American Business Council (BABC) held its annual workshop gathering in New York recently. More than 50 key BABC staff attended the
two-day event, which was aimed at pooling ideas and best practice among the organisation’s 24 chapters on both sides of the Atlantic. Birmingham’s representative at the event was
Jessica Nelson, whose travelling companion was BABC Midlands deputy chairman and patron Steve Allen, a partner of law firm Mills and Reeve. Among the sessions that Jessica and Steve
took part in was one on social media, which was led by Jen Prosek, chief executive of New York based CJP Communications. Delegates learnt about various new
Trade partners (left to right): Jessica Nelson (BABC), David Houghton (RBS), Jonathan Webber (Birmingham Chamber) and Harry Reilly (BABC)
Stephen Ball, chief executive of Lockheed Martin UK, the event’s keynote speaker
particularly in domains like defence and securities, many of which are cemented by treaty where export control does not apply. “Regulations in the US are being reviewed to
make transatlantic transactions simpler. In many ways we have a common sense of doing business and in many ways a common language.” He also underlined the need for suppliers to
ensure they deliver their commitments. “You need to differentiate yourself not just by the quality of your product but by your performance and meeting your commitments. “When Lockheed Martin talk about 100 per
cent on time delivery that is not a target to aspire to. That is a target we expect you to deliver to. Ninety-nine per cent is not good enough. One hundred per cent is what it will be and that has to be the commitment.” Mr Ball also warned UK companies not to
underestimate the quality of the US competitors. “Find a way of working with them and go for the gain-gain feel. “And don’t forget the UK is a great springboard for US companies to export into Europe and the Middle East. So there’s an opportunity there for you to give them the experience they don’t necessarily have of that environment. Use that to your advantage. “You should think very hard about trying to
differentiate yourself and take advice on your strategy. People like UKTI and the Business American Business Council – those sort of networking groups are extremely valuable particularly in listening to people’s experience in doing business around the world. “The US is a viable market you can penetrate.
It’s an attractive market because of its size, because of its potential and because of its alignment to the UK. There are multiple parts to market so identify the best one for you. “Why does Lockheed Martin care about this? Because we need a reliable supply chain that delivers on their commitment on quality and performance. The UK has a great heritage in some amazing businesses and we want to see them flourish and grow.” Other speakers included Aidene Walsh, head of RBS global network banking, who highlighted the bank’s international operations. She said: “We have considerable experience in helping people set up overseas. We aim to produce the information and advice you need to make you successful which ever method you use when looking at international trade.” Stephen Stambaugh, who manages the
foreign corporate group at RBS Citizens Bank in the US, said this was an excellent time to explore new opportunities for direct investment. The day-long seminar addressed many issues
associated with trading between the two countries and included round-table discussions and one-to-one consultations. Other speakers included Fionnuala Earley,
consumer economist in RBS group economics, and Professor Bob Stone, director of the human interface technologies team at the University of Birmingham.
developments, including ‘Klout’, a piece of software which shows social media users how effective and influential they are, and ‘
Paper.Li’, that gathers together items from Twitter and Facebook for individual users in the form of a newspaper. Jessica said: “It was good to see new things
coming through that can help us make the most of social media, including boosting membership and improving communication with members.” Also on the agenda was a reception hosted by
new UK Trade and Investment director general for the USA, Danny Lopez. This was held at Mr Lopez’s penthouse
residence in central New York, and among the guests was Alistair Burt MP, who is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Two Digital Days set
to boost businesses Business Birmingham has teamed up with leading industry experts and university specialists to showcase the city’s vibrant digital sector at a two day event in November. ‘Two Digital Days’ event will be held at Birmingham Science Park, Aston from 16-17 November and will provide businesses with the opportunity to network with industry experts and discover how to boost business growth. Birmingham is rapidly becoming the leading
centre for new digital media ventures, with the fastest growth of any city in the UK. There are approximately 12,500 businesses in the digital media sector that employ over 64,000 people.
For more information visit
www.businessbirmingham.com
NOVEMBER 2011 CHAMBERLINK 21
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