CHAMBER NEWS Growth Hub support in 2019
In business we’re often told to have a “critical friend” – someone who can be impartial, give sound advice and help steer us in the right direction when we may be going a little off course. As a partner of the Chamber, the D2N2 Growth Hub is that critical friend and members can take full advantage of the services on offer, including having a business review session. Paul Humphreys, a Growth Hub business adviser, shares his thoughts on how a business review can have a positive impact on business performance.
An initial business review normally lasts around 90 minutes and we do this at the client’s business premises or at one of the Chamber’s offices. Clients often ask if they need to prepare in advance but I often say, “just a clear desk, open mind, pen and paper”. During the review I’ll gain as
much insight into the business as possible and challenge the status quo by asking difficult questions so we both understand the problem areas and what support can be offered to help their business thrive. We have a recognised diagnostic
tool that focuses on business finances, customers, processes and people. It’s normal to then focus on a couple of these topics in more detail. An enquiry may come into the Growth Hub with a specific issue in mind – this will of course be covered but may not necessarily turn out to be the main focus of the meeting. It’s about keeping an open mind. After the review I’ll provide up-
to-date information on local and regional business support
programmes. Where there are longer-term projects identified, I’ll work with that business to help bring this to fruition. A great example is a business I’ve been working with in Mansfield. I initially met them at a business health check session and followed this with a second meeting where we explored developing new markets. To explore these markets, the business needed to invest in new technology. I worked with them on their grant application and I’m delighted to say that they were successful - it’s now all systems go. For businesses that feel they
don’t need a review but would like to know what support is out there, the Growth Hub’s website holds information on all available regional and national support programmes. The Growth Hub also has a fortnightly e-newsletter which keeps you up-to-date with the latest funding offers, news and events in D2N2 and the information team are just a phone call away if you have any specific questions.
Paul Humphreys offering advice WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY…
‘The D2N2 Growth Hub has been able to point us in the right direction, i.e. down the digital route in terms of expansion, and has helped us to where we have needed to go to reach our goals.’
UPCOMING BUSINESS SURGERIES 13 Dec: Nottingham Central Library, Nottingham 16 Jan: Civic Centre, Arnold
D2N2 Growth Hub is funded through the European Regional Development Fund and available to SMEs across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. There is no cost to the business to engage and the majority of business support programmes are fully-funded or heavily subsidised.
Book your free business review by calling 0333 006 9178, emailing
info@d2n2growthhub.co.uk or by visiting
www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk
Energy compliance coming into focus
Ahead of the Chamber’s Sustainability Summit, due to take place early next year, key Chamber partner Nottingham City Council outlines the changes in energy compliance legislation and what it could mean for member businesses.
THE FUTURE OF ENERGY COMPLIANCE FOR LARGE
BUSINESSES Buildings have a key part to play in ensuring the UK meets its carbon reduction targets. There is now a raft of energy-related legislation for building owners and occupiers to consider, with the path to compliance often long and complex. Getting your energy efficiency right not only keeps you compliant and
reduces your environmental impact, but also paves the way to substantial operational savings.
ENERGY SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY SCHEME (ESOS) PHASE 2 Most large UK organisations outside the public sector are affected by the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) regulations. Under these regulations, eligible businesses are obligated to measure total energy consumption, conduct audits to identify cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities and report on compliance.
STREAMLINED ENERGY CARBON REPORTING (SECR) The new Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting (SECR) framework replaces the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and extends the scope of
32 business network December 2018/January 2019
the existing Mandatory Carbon Reporting (MCR) regulations for listed companies to all large organisations. Businesses are required to disclose and report on energy and carbon information through their yearly company accounts. The Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently
consulted with the business sector and a proposal for this new framework is now subject to parliamentary approval, with the new reporting framework coming into effect from 1 April 2019.
NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL’S ENERGY SERVICES Nottingham City Council can help you understand which legislation applies to your organisation and manage your compliance pathway. Business representatives are invited to an energy compliance engagement event to find out more about the energy efficiency regulations they are subject to, taking place on 21 January at Loxley House, Nottingham - for more information, visit
www.energyprojectsservice.co.uk
The Chamber's Sustainability Summit takes place on 6 March and is free to attend - book at
bit.ly/EMCLowC19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84
