Barking's Biggest Coffee Morning raises £100 for Macmillan

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning came to Barking last week (25th September) in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

Staff and visitors to the Dagenham Motors showroom on Ripple Road, helped to raise £100 by taking part in the annual “World’s Biggest Coffee Morning” appeal, which encourages local people to ‘boil’, ‘bake’ and ‘take a break’ to raise vital funds for the charity.

The money was raised through the sale of coffee and cakes to staff, customers and the local community in return for a donation to the charity.

General Manager Rob Dier said of the event: “We really wanted to support Macmillan as it is a charity that is often overlooked but is invaluable to cancer sufferers and their families. We had a great turn out and are so pleased that we could help raise money for such a worthy cause”.

Last year, more than 45,000 people held coffee mornings and together with their family, friends and colleagues, raised over £7.5 million towards practical, medical, financial and emotional support to help change the lives of those in need.

PR 'Pet Peeves'

Leading industry magazine PR Week recently asked the editors of some well-known magazines and newspapers “What are your PR pet peeves?” The answers were straight out of a text book:

“When they ring me up to chase their press release”, “When they have not done their homework about what sort of things we publish”, “generic press releases”, “ringing to see if I have got their press release”, “when they don’t take time to find out who our readers are”, “when they blatantly have never seen a copy of our magazine” and so on.

Getting our clients into the media is the bread and butter of what we do in the PR industry, so it is essential that we build good relationships with journalists, and create a good reputation for ourselves in the process. It is vital that we do our research and take time to find out about the outlets we hope will cover our stories, giving us the best chance to develop a good relationship with them and secure the coverage our clients.

We are now in an age of 24/7 news. Journalists are busier than ever as news is constantly developing, so they need to be able to rely on us to give them good material. It is important that when an email arrives in a journalist’s inbox, they recognise the sender, and instantly know that the content is going to be interesting, relevant, and something they want to use. If the sender has been known to issue press releases that are too generic, or not relevant to their audience, the journalist will more than likely ignore or delete it if they are busy. And that could be the one press release that would have become their front page…..!

It is worth spending that extra little bit of time to research the publications you wish to target. Buy a copy and spend ten minutes flicking through to see its style, its content, how it is written, who its readers are, and the publication’s opinions on topical issues. If you can, try to target your press release to each publication, changing the focus of each if necessary, to ensure it grabs the attention of the journalist who picks it up. The same applies to local and regional media. Ensure you know which areas the publication covers, and try to ensure your releases include specific detail relevant to that newspaper. This is especially important to local newspapers that only cover small towns – there is no point sending them a story that is region-wide if they are only covering very local news.

Another of the pet peeves mentioned by editors is the idea of PRO’s calling journalists to check if they have received a release, or to follow it up. One editor added to her comment by saying: “if you don’t get an out of office, or it doesn’t bounce back, then assume we have received it. If it is good, we will use it. If it’s not, then we won’t. We are too busy to take calls about every release we receive.” This is important, and goes back to the point I made in the second paragraph. If your release is relevant and newsworthy, and you sent it to the right person then you are almost guaranteed coverage. If your release isn’t what they are looking for, and yet you still chase them with a phone call at their busiest time, you are likely to blacklist yourself even further. If you ensure your release is targeted to their publication, is salient, relevant and well written, then you don’t need to worry about following it up with a call. It will speak for itself.

However, there are some instances where a call to a journalist can make all the difference. If they work for a national newspaper or popular magazine they are likely to receive hundreds of emails per day. In this case, you will be fighting for both space and their attention. Call them first and tell them about it. They will soon tell you whether they are interested or not, and if they are, they will look out for it when you send it over.

Another important point to keep in mind when sending press releases to the media, is your timing. They will all have press days and deadlines, and some consumer magazines work up to 3 months in advance. It all goes back to doing your homework and giving yourself the best chance of getting your news into the press which you are targeting.

To sum up, do your research. Don’t just expect that your piece of news will automatically be printed; you are up against a world of 24/7 news and you need to make sure that yours stands out, and gets to the right people at the right time.

Managing bad news

One question that PR teams will be hearing regularly from management in these times of recession is “how do we tell our loyal employees the bad news?” Plenty of companies have been in the news recently with first class examples of how not to do this, but there have been very few cases of successful delivery of the words none of them want to hear.

The key to making redundancies or implementing pay cuts without causing too much heartache and protest is simple. Keep employees informed, involve them as much as possible in the planning stages, ask for their opinions, and recognise their loyalty to your business.

We all saw the pictures of protesters outside the MINI plant who turned up to work only to be told there were no longer jobs for any of them. They were given no prior warning, no explanation, and no financial help or training to help them find new employment. They felt as if they just didn’t matter.

If employees are involved in important decisions made by their employer then they will feel a sense of solidarity and ownership towards the business. They are more likely to club together and unite behind the cause, and will be more willing to take a day’s unpaid leave, or a pay cut, because they feel like their contribution is helping save the business they are proud to work for.

This recession is played out 24/7 on the news, radio and in the written press, and everyone knows what is happening. Employees understand that businesses across the world are struggling, and they are intelligent enough to know that no one is safe, including them. They will see other businesses on the news making redundancies, and will be hoping that it won’t happen in their workplace.

If you start to notice a slip in business, call a meeting to warn your staff. If you start thinking about redundancies, get your staff together to brainstorm other ways of saving money, and ask them what they would be prepared to sacrifice. If you really need to make people redundant, speak to them personally in advance, and offer anything you can to help make the process easier, such as one day training courses, days off to attend interviews, or excellent references. Don’t be scared of being honest. Your employees will respect you for this and will be much more cooperative.

Don’t forget the unions, which can be particularly influential, both positively and negatively, in these times. Involve them from the start, work with them, not against them, and they will be more likely to fight your corner. Hide things from them, and spring redundancies on employees, and they will incite protest, disloyalty and resentfulness.

Train your middle management and line managers to ensure they know the key messages and are capable of presenting to their reportees. Arm them with as much information as you can so they can answer anything the employees have to ask. If you are reading this and you are a senior manager, make yourself visible, speak to your staff and make sure they know just how important they are to you.

Finally, make sure your plans don’t get leaked to the press. They don’t want to read their job is in danger on the front page of the newspaper! They might just choke on their cornflakes!

Nestor Pharma celebrates a year of trading by showcasing its success

25 September 2009

Nestor Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an Indian owned business which set up its UK headquarters in Mildenhall, Suffolk, has opened its doors to showcase its newly refurbished facilities.

Visiting from India, Nestor chairman Mr Rahul Sehgal, welcomed guests which included county and district councillors, who heard how the high-tech manufacturing plant plans to grow from employing 30 people to over 100 in the next few years, bringing vital employment to the area.

To date over £10 million has been invested in the facility to enable the company to start producing a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter medications including Amoxicillin, Aspirin and Diazepam. The company now plans a further £3 million expansion to increase the packaging capacity beyond the current 1 billion tablets a year and also install liquid filling lines and a powder sachet processing plant.

The event was organised with East of England International (EEI), the region’s inward investment agency, who were instrumental in securing Nestor’s investment in the region and who provided extensive practical support to make it easy for the company to set up in the UK, such as arranging work permits, organising utility supplies and advising on regulatory matters.

EEI also worked with the Choose Suffolk and Forest Heath District Council in helping with recruitment and training, as well as advising on housing and schooling for some of Nestor’s employees transferring from India.

Kamlesh Patel, managing director of Nestor UK, advocates Suffolk as a great place to set up business: “The transport links are excellent and the proximity of the Port of Felixstowe is important to us, as is the commitment of the local people who work for Nestor including the many local suppliers we use.”

David Riches, chief executive of East of England International, remarked: “Increasingly, we are seeing businesses from the major developing economies such as India and China looking to set up in the UK and choosing the East of England as their preferred location. Already 25% of the region’s economy is based on foreign owned businesses and we are working hard to attract as much inward investment as possible to the region which has so much to offer them.”

Nestor’s ethos is to use local companies and resources for its ancillary services and its large investment has brought about significant work for a wide range of local suppliers such as logistics, construction, HR and accountancy work. The antibiotics facility which is the company’s latest outlay was built by Hi Tech of Bury St Edmunds.

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Note to Editors

Nestor is a leading pharmaceutical company with a mission to provide low cost, high quality drugs for the many, instead of high-priced drugs for the few. Every capsule, injection, tablet, ointment, syrup and powder that carries the Nestor symbol ensures integrity, purity and safety, endorsed by 50,000 doctors and 200,000 pharmacies each month.Six Nestor factories serve India, Nigeria and the UK. Our next expansion phase will see us in the strategic markets of S.E. Asia, North Africa and Central Asia.

East of England International (EEI) works with companies seeking to trade internationally and assists foreign-owned businesses looking to invest in the region. EEI is funded by and works in partnership with the UK Government, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and a wide range of businesses and partners in the region.

In the East of England, EEI’s Trade Team delivers UK Trade & Investment’s export services.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency.

East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Its vision is to create a leading economy, founded on a world-class knowledge base, creativity and enterprise to improve the quality of life for all who live and work here. EEDA funds EEI’s Inward Investment activity.

For further information on the above organisations visit:
www.nestorpharma.com
www.eei-online.com
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
www.eeda.org.uk

KATE HOEY MP LAUNCHES ‘RESPONSE TO REDUNDANCY’ IN LAMBETH

The Hon Kate Hoey, Member of Parliament for Vauxhall, visited TBG Learning in Lambeth (Thursday 24th September 2009) to officially launch the new ‘Response to Redundancy’ service in the centre. The flagship government programme aims to help people who have been made redundant, or who are facing redundancy, back into employment. TBG Learning has been awarded the prestigious contract to deliver the programme in Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth.

The MP had a tour of the centre where she met learners currently on the programme, including Roy Chambers and Barry Rowland, who were made redundant recently, and who have joined the Response to Redundancy programme to top up their skills and hopefully get back into employment.

On officially launching the programme Kate Hoey MP said “It is great to see this wonderful centre right in the heart of this community which is helping people like Roy and Barry get through this difficult period. I have been struck by the genuine keenness of the staff to really help people and I am sure that everyone who comes to TBG Learning on the Response to Redundancy course will feel welcome and will be given all the support they need to get them back on track.”

Roy addressed guests and said: “I have been in work all of my life so being unemployed has been an alien situation for me. I realised I needed to improve my IT skills quickly so the Jobcentre referred me to TBG. On starting the course I was assessed on literacy and numeracy skills and then attended a CV workshop – I had not altered my CV for over 20 years! I found the staff to be knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, with lots of patience for dinosaurs like me. Having been shown how to compile all my experiences and format into a CV, I feel more confident in competing in today’s job market.”

Abi Osho, Regional Manager, TBG Learning, London, said: “Stories like Barry’s and Roy’s are very real and are just a snapshot of what is happening in society today due to the recession, so there’s never been a greater need for the kind of individual support we provide through TBG Learning.”

The Response to Redundancy programme can be short and sharp, such as receiving intensive help on CV writing, application letters and interview techniques. Or a longer term programme of tailored help can be developed, with TBG Learning providing access to further training through its range of local training partners.

Over 1,400 people living in South London will be able to benefit from the programme over the next 18 months, whatever their line of work or educational background. It is for people of all experience and skill levels, manual workers to those from professional and management roles. The programme is jointly funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the European Social Fund.

TBG Learning, which also has seven other centres across London, as well as in 11 other locations in England, is a leading local provider of work-related training and employment help for young people and adults.

The Lambeth learning centre is TBG Learning’s flagship centre, and opened in March 2009, having moved from premises in Ellerslie Square on Lyham Road.
As well as Response to Redundancy the centre offers a wide range of courses as well as job-focused help and advice for local people looking to improve their skills and qualifications and find meaningful employment. The courses and supports available include Employability Skills, Entry to Employment (e2e) (for 16-18 year-olds), Literacy, Numeracy, English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL), Apprenticeships, Business administration and Computer qualifications (from beginners to advanced).

For further information please contact:
Helen Sharkey, Project PR – 01473 326405 (07521 318127) helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz

TBG Learning South London 094

Notes to editors:
TBG Learning Ltd is an independent training provider. Its mission is to ‘improve people’s lives through learning’ and its focus is on helping each individual achieve employment related skills and qualifications.
It operates 21 Learning Centres in some of the most economically challenged areas of Britain with over 6,500 learners at any one time.
It also works with over eight hundred employers in London, Kent, Essex and the Midlands, delivering Apprenticeships and Train to Gain to employees in the workplace.
Many people achieve their first ever qualification through courses such as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Information Technology (from beginners to advanced), Literacy, and Numeracy.
Employability Skills Programmes (for unemployed adults) and Entry to Employment (for 16-18 year-olds) are just two of a wide number of programmes offered at many of the centres.
TBG courses are funded through a wide number of organisations including the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Regional Development Agencies, Colleges of Further Education.
TBG (The Training and Business Group) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the charity Rehab Group, which provides a range of training, employment health and social services to people in England, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Poland.

Sensible shoppers live in East Anglia

A national survey on shopping habits commissioned by Ipswich Building Society has shown that East Anglian women are more clued up about money than female shoppers living in other parts of the country.

61% of women polled from East Anglia said they budget each month and only spend what they can afford. The East Midlands was the only region to poll higher, with 62%, whilst in Northern Ireland only 40% of women said they planned their spending.

It also emerged that East Anglian women are the biggest bargain hunters in the UK, with 83% admitting to scouring shops for the best possible buys. They are also the most likely to know how much their monthly credit card bill is, with 75% saying they will be aware of the amount before the bill hits the mat.

Paul Winter, Chief Executive at Ipswich Building Society, said: “I suspect many women reading about this will admit to enjoying the adrenaline rush which spending gives them - it makes them feel great in the short term. But it’s worrying that even in East Anglia 39% admit they don’t budget and often spend beyond their means.''

The poll of 5,347 women by research agency 72 point revealed that every week the average shopaholic will spend around £10 on things they don’t really need such as a fast food lunch, chocolate, beauty products, nice shampoo, make up and accessories.

More than half of those polled (53 per cent) admitted it didn't matter what they bought, as long as they bought something.

Paul Winter continues: "What’s amazing is that we are in a recession, when generally spending is down and the job market isn’t good, but there are nearly 1 in 4 women in our region who admit to being a shopaholic.”

TOP 10 NON ESSENTIALS WHICH EAST ANGLIAN WOMEN BUY EVERY WEEK
East Anglian women spend a total of £9.35 on average each week on (in order of most bought items first):
1. Chocolate
2. Food from the supermarket
3. Lunch out
4. Magazines
5. Treats from vending machines
6. Beauty products
7. Children’s toys
8. Nice shampoo
9. Nail varnish
10. Make-up

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Ref: IBS 004-09

For further press information please contact:
Penny Arbuthnot or Amy Bullard, Project PR
Tel: 01473 326403
Email: amy.bullard@projectpr.biz

World’s Biggest Coffee Morning this Friday

Ipswich Building Society and Suffolk based coffee company Paddy & Scott’s have teamed up to invite neighbouring businesses to a deliciously fresh coffee and cakes event this Friday, as part of The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

The fun event takes place on Friday 25 September, 12 noon to 2pm at Ipswich Building Society’s Head Office, 24 The Havens (near to David Lloyd centre). Gazebos, tables and chairs are all provided for the comfort of guests, along with fresh roasted coffee, courtesy of Paddy & Scott’s and scrumptious cakes, thanks to Sainsbury’s. Hatfield Catering has also pledged its support and all money raised will go to MacMillan.

“Our branches have supported MacMillan coffee mornings for many years but this year we wanted to get involved at Head Office as well. We are hoping lots of employees from nearby companies will come along in their lunch hour to have some fun helping us raise as much money as possible for MacMillan Cancer Support,” said Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society.

Paddy Bishopp, co founder, Paddy & Scott’s, said: “Paddy and Scott's have always admired the work of Macmillan and have supported The World's Biggest Coffee Morning every year since we started. We hope everyone enjoys a fantastic cup of coffee.”


MacMillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. It provides practical, medical and financial support and pushes for better cancer care, relying on voluntary donations for 99% of its funding.

Employees at Ipswich Building Society, including Chief Executive Paul Winter, have been giving up their lunch breaks to deliver leaflets about the coffee and cake event and will be serving on the day. For further details call Jo Palfrey at Ipswich Building Society on 01473 278435.
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Ref: IBS 005-09

Photo Call - Friday 25 September, 11am-12 noon
Ipswich Building Society Head Office
24, The Havens IP3 9SJ

Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society together with employees and mascot Pound the Hound will be brewing fresh coffee for guests at MacMillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

For further press information please contact:
Penny Arbuthnot or Amy Bullard, Project PR
Tel: 01473 326403
Email: amy.bullard@projectpr.biz

Notes to editors:
Ipswich Building Society has approximately 65,000 members and currently has over 80,000 savings accounts and over 5,000 mortgage accounts.
It has nine branches across Suffolk and one contact centre.
80% of the Society’s members live in East Anglia
In 2008 the Society’s assets grew by 5% to £423.2 million.
The Society has successfully grown its mortgage lending. In May 2009, gross mortgage applications increased 137% from May 2008.
Ipswich Building Society was established in 1849 and is celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2009.
See www.ibs.co.uk

Ipswich Building Society strong for the future

Ipswich Building Society is in a strong position with ambitious plans for the future, says its chief executive, who has responded to a report by accountants KPMG which said UK building societies ‘face challenges around profitability’ and will need to cut costs.

Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society, who was interviewed for BBC TV’s The Politics Show, which was broadcast on 13 September, has spoken out in response to the annual Database produced by KPMG about the future of the UK’s 53 building societies.

He says: “The executive summary in KPMG’s report created headlines that aren’t borne out by the figures. At Ipswich Building Society we are very positive about our future profitability and growth.”

On the strength of its performance in 2009 Ipswich Building Society has revised its Corporate Plan and aims to grow its total assets from £450 million to £550 million by the end of 2010.

Paul Winter added: “We have an excellent branch network and a contact centre to support customers who live across the UK but particularly in our heartland of the East of England, so we have the infrastructure in place to support our continued growth and success. We also have strong customer loyalty and simple, transparent products which people understand and trust.”

Ipswich Building Society achieved a 55% increase in receipts in savings and investments in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2008. Its mortgage applications have soared and the Society is one of few to open a new branch (in Sudbury, Suffolk) in the midst of recession.

For further information about Ipswich Building Society telephone 0845 230 8686 or visit the website at www.ibs.co.uk

PPI Engineering receive the Queens Award for International Trade from the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk

15th September 2009

Norwich based Engineering company PPI Engineering officially received their Queens Award for International Trade today, at a ceremony hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk.

The event took place at The Norfolk Club on Upper King Street, and guests included Councillor Evelyn Collishaw, Lord Mayor of Norwich, Professor Tim O'Riordan, Sheriff of Norwich, Mrs Shelagh Gurney, Chairman of Norfolk County Council, and Brian Iles, Norfolk County Council Cabinet member for Economic Development, as well as representatives from several Norfolk based companies who are currently going through the Queens Awards application process for 2010.

PPI Engineering designs, specifies, and provides site support for large rotating electrical machinery, and wanted to expand trading into overseas markets. They participated in UK Trade and Investment business support programmes ‘Passport to Export’, and the ‘Overseas Market Introduction Service’, which are delivered in the East by East of England International (EEI), to develop relationships and understand markets in the Middle East and South America. So far, the company has traded directly with businesses in China, USA, UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Tanzania and Gabon amongst many others.

The Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk presented Dr Mike Robinson, Managing Director of PPI with the award. On handing it over, he said: “The Queens Award is the most prestigious award for business performance and recognises and rewards outstanding achievement by UK companies. They are given to whole organisations, from the newest recruit to the Director. My congratulations to everyone employed at PPI Engineering.”

On receiving the award, Dr Robinson said: “PPI Engineering is thrilled to have received this prestigious award which recognises the hard work and commitment of everyone in the company. The support we received from East of England International through the UKTI programmes was invaluable to us. It enabled us to plan our entry into the new markets with confidence.”

David Riches, Chief Executive of EEI added: “We are delighted to be here celebrating PPI Engineering’s success, which is very well deserved. We are happy that EEI were able to support PPI with their expansion into foreign markets and they are a shining example of how trading overseas can help grow a business.”

At the event John Rimmer, International Trade Advisor for EEI also launched the new ‘Norfolk Exporters Club’.

For further information about East of England International call 0845 641 9955 or visit www.eei-online.com.

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PAUL CLARK MP HELPS TO CELEBRATE LOCAL REDUNDANCY SUCCESS STORIES IN GILLINGHAM

The Hon Paul Clark, Member of Parliament for Gillingham and Rainham, visited TBG Learning in Gillingham (Friday 11 September) to see the centre first hand and meet learners, including some of the 85 local unemployed people who have been helped through the ‘Response to Redundancy’ course which TBG Learning has been delivering in Kent since June this year.

TBG Learning, which also has centres in Gravesend, Folkestone and Ashford, as well as in 16 other locations in England, is a leading local provider of work related training and employment help for young people and adults.

Mike Burger, Regional Manager, TBG Learning, Kent, said: “The number of unemployed people in Kent has nearly doubled in the last 12 months so there’s never been a greater need for the kind of individual support we provide through TBG Learning.”

On his visit Paul Clark MP met Nick Harding, who was an export manager for a local Kent brewery before being made redundant in May this year. He said: “I had been in a senior position for over ten years and it was an unexpected blow to be made redundant. TBG Learning helped me identify the skills I had developed as an export manager and which I could use again in a different job. Through the one to one sessions with tutors I discovered what I was enthusiastic about doing next, which was coaching and managing other people.”

Since completing ‘Response to Redundancy’ Nick has become a tutor for TBG Learning in Kent.

Paul Clark MP said “Nick’s story highlights how important it is for companies such as TBG Learning to work with individual people. Tailoring training programmes is vital, as we are not just talking about numbers and statistics; we are talking about real people who are affected by real issues outside of their control. The work undertaken by TBG Learning shows how it is essential for governments to take leadership and work with partners to ensure funding for these fantastic programmes.”

In Kent TBG Learning is promoting its range of help for people who have become out of work recently as ‘Back on Track’. The support available can be short and sharp, such as receiving intensive help on CV writing, application letters and interview techniques. Or a longer term programme of tailored help can be developed, with TBG Learning providing access to further training through its range of local training partners Intraining, ATS, East Kent ITEC and Northpoint Training.

TBG Learning’s Gillingham centre opened in December 2008 and since then it has helped nearly 90 local unemployed people back into work through a variety of courses. Individual support from tutors and job-focused learning and advice are ingredients of the centre’s success, as are the wide range of relationships the centre has developed with local employers. Over 125 local companies are working with TBG Learning to offer work placements and through these the learners build their personal confidence and experience.

Anyone is welcome to drop into TBG Learning and find out about the range of courses and help. The Gillingham centre is at Floor 2, Kingsley House, Balmoral Road, Gillingham ME7 4NT or telephone 01634 855629.

Other Kent TBG Learning centres are as follows:

Gravesend: 23-25 King Street, DA12 2DU (Tel 01474 566 588)
Folkestone: Unit 20, Shearway Business Park CT19 4RH (Tel 01303 297 064)Ashford: The Bull Yard, High Street, Ashford TN24 8SN (Tel 01233 634 476)

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