FIVE Branding Myths Busted – is the name of this month’s presentation, at The Late Breakfast, The Spread Eagle, Thame. Caroline Scotter Mainprize, of CSM Communication is the guest speaker.
The Late Breakfast runs from 9am – 10.30am on Thursday, May 15. The entry fee is £12 which includes light refreshments. To appear on the guest list, book via : http://bookitbee.com/e/pm5p5 by noon on the day before the event.
FOLLOWING the release of today’s GDP figures showing growth of 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2014, the news has been welcomed by the Regional Chairman of the Federation or Small Businesses.
David Knowles Leak, Thames Valley Regional Chairman for the FSB said: “This is further encouraging news, and matches the picture reported in our quarterly confidence index where we have seen eight year-on-year quarters of growth and rising confidence. Encouragingly, our research now shows small business confidence across all sectors and regions, mirroring the underlying drivers of recent GDP figures. We expect this positive sentiment to continue throughout the rest of 2014, with our indicators showing increased investment intentions and further job creation. We also know four out of five jobs in the past three years have been created by small businesses. These results therefore point to continued private sector expansion throughout the year.”
THREE prominent figures in the local community have joined together to oversee this year’s Thame Tidy Day, and the team is currently looking for sponsorship from a local business to provide additional litter-picking equipment, as well as a flatbed lorry to loan for use on the day of the Thame Tidy.
Sue Martin-Downhill of Racquets Fitness Centre, Popular local musician, Josh Gilbert and Reverand Paddy Harris of Cornerstone Baptist Church will be working hard to ensure that the event builds upon the success of previous years.
A county-wide Tidy Up was launched in 2008 by South Oxfordshire District Council and Thame has committed to this ever since. This year’s Thame Tidy Day is on May 11, preceded this year by a separate Lea Park Litterpick on May 10. The village of Moreton, with its Morton Muckout, is this Sunday, April 13.
Local organisations, groups and individuals are being encouraged to take part, and commitments have already been made by Waitrose and Chinnor RFC, Thame fire fighters, the local Scouts, Girl Guides, and many of the residents of Thame and Moreton.
Please contact thametidy@gmail.com to respond or for further information.
SIMON GRAY of Turncloud is the guest speaker at this week’s Thursday’s Late Breakfast meeting, at the Spread Eagle, Thame.
Simon will give an explanation and an introduction to cloud computing and explain how to make the move and get the most from cloud based services.
The event is at the Eden Suite at The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16-17 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BW. Registration starts at 9am for a 9.30am start by the speakers, and aims to finish by 10.30am.
To appear on the guest list, book by following this link – http://bookitbee.com/e/pga53 or through the website – www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk by noon, on the day before the event or alternatively, if you turn up on the day the entrance fee of £12 (including light refreshments) is payable at the door by cash/cheque.
BIRMINGHAM-based commercial property developer, Stoford, is seeking planning permission for the development of the employment site allocated in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
Working on behalf of haberdashery distributor, Groves, and print and production house Windles, Stoford intend to apply for planning for 100,000 sq ft and 49,000 sq ft respectively for warehouse and production facilities.
A public consultation will be held at ThameTown Hall on Friday 28 March 10am – 7pm for residents to view and comment on the proposals for Site B, and to speak with the developers directly.
The developer has stated that at least 70 new jobs could result from this development.
THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), has generally welcomed the Budget, saying that it shows progress on economic recovery and maintains the momentum for growth aspirations. However it does have some concerns, including the lack of the inclusion of small businesses in the Flooding Re Scheme and the new-style £1 coin.
David Knowles Leak, FSB Thames Valley Regional Chairman, said: ““The Government has been very supportive towards businesses and households hit by the severe flooding earlier this year. But, small businesses will remain at a disadvantage at not being included in the Flood Re scheme. Businesses in flood-hit areas were hit with an average cost of £1,531. More than a third (37%) of FSB members in these areas expect it to be more difficult to renew their insurance and more than half (59%) expect their insurance to become more expensive as a result of being left out of the Flood Re support scheme.”
On Energy, David said: “We are pleased to see how seriously the Chancellor is taking the cost of energy. Without addressing the issue, especially in manufacturing, jobs could be lost to abroad.
“Our first quarterly Small Business Index for 2014 shows utilities remain the main cause for rising business costs for more than half of small firms and as a result the FSB has continuously called for action on energy taxes and increased transparency in energy prices. Small firms want these overheads reduced, and for reforms to energy markets to make the market fairer for these customers.”
Regarding the Chancellor’s announcements on house building, he said: “Extending Help to Buy on new build properties and committing to a new development in Ebbsfleet will maintain increasing confidence in the construction sector, which has risen significantly in the past year. To continue to build on this increasing optimism the Government needs to ensure that small firms can access contracts and work. The financial support announced for small house builders will therefore be welcomed.”
David had some reservations about the announcement of the new-style £1 coin. “Small firms who deal with low priced items are more likely to be effected by fake currency but we do have concerns about the extra costs of introducing a new pound coin. For example small firms may have to pay out to replace machinery. But, there is no doubt that counterfeit coins and notes can seriously damage the business. Not only are they worthless but a small business could be prosecuted if they pass them on,” he said.
He concluded: “This was always going to be a ‘steady-as-you-go’ Budget for business, designed to get the UK’s financial affairs in order. The Chancellor delivered a Budget to maintain positive momentum in the economy, while incorporating fiscal prudence. Today’s Budget offered a clear signal for businesses to grow through the increased investment allowance, and with a focus on manufacturing. The £7 billion package to cut manufacturing energy bills will help create jobs and strengthen this key sector.”
You can read the full statement on FSB Thame Valley’s website here LINK including reaction to the help with childcare and for exporters announced today.
SUCH is the intriguing theme of this month’s guest presenters, SYLO Associates at The Late Breakfast business networking event in Thame, on Thursday, March 19th.
Whatever the size of your business, your team is likely to be your greatest asset and during this presentation this month’s speakers, Sarah Stevens and Sally White from SYLO Associates, will highlight those actions you can take to drive up the performance of your business through your team of people.
The event is at The Spread Eagle Hotel, 16-17 Cornmarket, Thame, OX9 2BW. Registration starts at 9am for a 9.30am start by the speakers and aims to finish by 10.30am.
To appear on the guest list please book by emailing Peter@thelatebreakfast.co.uk or on the website: www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk by noon on Wednesday, March 12, or simply turn up on the day. Either way the entry fee of £10 (including light refreshments) is payable at the door by cash or cheque.
EVERYONE in the work place knows of colleagues who suffer, or perhaps they suffer themselves, from lower back pain, neck soreness and tight muscles. These can cause misery for the sufferer and through inefficiency or absenteeism, can be costly for their employers.
Luckily, an innovative, newly established local business is on hand to help. Prehab 1st, founded by Thame duo, Stephen Meade and Andre Bozon, is aimed at injury prevention, particularly in the workplace, thereby saving businesses money.
Stephen has a degree in Sports Science and is a qualified nutritionist with a sports background, and is an experienced ‘Judoka’. He noticed how minor Judo injuries would often affect his performance at work. It was this realisation, coupled with a growing awareness of the large number of people seeking treatment for what he could see were avoidable workplace related injuries, that eventually lead to the creation of Prehab 1st.
Whilst there is a range of sometimes costly therapists to treat muscle pains, it occurred to Stephen that there is no one currently going out to companies to nip any problems in the bud.
Uniquely it seems, Prehab 1st evaluates and identifies musculoskeletal imbalances of perhaps bad posture, incorrect use of equipment etc, in order to help prevent debilitating pain and injury from taking place. Once problems and causes have been identified, Prehab 1st then prescribes easy-to-do remedial exercises or activities to address the problem. All the tests Stephen carries out, and the results, are confidential and only take around 45 minutes.
Will Worley, currently gaining work experience withThame.net, caught up with Stephen for a personal demonstration of Prehab 1st ‘s methods.
Stephen has an interesting set of kit, with various rods, charts and an iPad to accurately capture the results of the exercises. The tests are designed to measure the body’s posture, biomechanics and functional movement ability. There is inevitably some jargon to contend with, but Stephen patiently explains what everything means in layman’s terms: “Think of the posture as the body of a car, the biomechanics as its engine and the functional movement as the test driving of it. If one goes out of sync, usually the others will follow,” he explains.
During the assessment, he also details which movements he will be asking me to perform. His informative and respectful style ensures we soon establish a good rapport.
The posture test is simple enough as I stand facing in various directions against a grid on a measuring chart and have my photo taken. This identifies any tilt of the shoulders for instance, or unusual spine curvature. Second is the functional movement screening, where some of the exercises I perform are squats, steps and lunges against the measured rods. Finally, the biomechanics section tests leg length (one of mine it seems is longer than the other; nothing to worry about as it’s a more common condition than is generally realised apparently), hip flexors, back health and others with simple, painless bodily positioning.
Thankfully my results are generally good, apart from a slight tightness in the right shoulder. Stephen spotted this during the first test, and it had a slight effect on the exercises further down the line. I am prescribed a simple anti-spasm exercise, for the ‘Pec Minor’ muscle, to carry out three times a day.
It’s no surprise that this is the same shoulder that gets tense from using a computer mouse at work for extended periods. Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) left unchecked, can be an expensive problem for businesses, to the tune of £300 million per year, according to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Stephen explained that musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of workplace injuries and sick leave. Furthermore, he explained: “With the retirement age going up, the risk too is likely to go up. The screening will help employees stay good at the movements they need to do their job.” There’s also the constant threat to employers from the market in legal action for workplace injuries. “Staff are more likely to respond better to an employer if they see they are looking after them,” claimed Stephen.
Prehab 1st believes that all employees could benefit from screening but especially those who may already be feeling niggling pain. “If you have a bit of lower back pain it could turn into a muscle tear relatively easily, from a very basic movement. You might get someone who gets off a chair, or lifts something relatively light, and injures themselves doing it.”
However, Stephen reckons that Prehab 1st ‘s promotion of a healthy office or other workplace environment will not only mitigate these risks, but also improve productivity by up to 30%. “Any workplace environment can see long term benefits,” said Stephen. “If your posture, biomechanics and functional movement are at a good level, your breathing and strength improves, and ultimately your performance is at a better level.”
Prehab 1st wants to help businesses save money by minimising the risk of workplace related injury to their employees. Its mobile operation can go directly to any place of work to carry out the tests. “It’s easy to make the small changes to help you on your way,” explained Stephen. “Intervention and education equals prevention.”
My experience with Prehab 1st really opened my eyes to a wide-spread, but avoidable negative aspect of fitness in the workplace, a problem that the clear, personal advice necessary for a healthier, more productive working life is available here in Thame.
Prehab 1st is currently providing free screenings to employers, and are happy to talk further about their work. Contact Stephen by email: stevemeadept@gmail.com or visit the company’s Facebook page for details: https://www.facebook.com/prehab1st?fref=ts
THE Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the government’s announcement for support for businesses affected by the flooding.
Commenting on the £10 million business support scheme to help firms affected by the floods get back on their feet, David Knowles Leak, Thames Valley Regional Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Further financial support for small firms directly or indirectly affected, is good news, and builds on the help announced last week.
“With the floods yet to abate, we want the level of support to be kept under review. Firms in these areas will take months to get back on their feet, and may need further help.
“Since last summer, small businesses in flood risk areas have often been unable to access affordable and adequate insurance. We want the Government and the insurance industry to look again at the scheme they have in place for households in these areas, Flood Re, and see whether small businesses can be reinstated into that.”
A THAME businessman, who produces power production and supply equipment, has offered a free generator to help someone affected by the flooding.
Jason Koffler, who runs Critical Power Supplies, posted the following message on his Facebook page:
“Its really hard to imagine in Thame how much pain the flooding and power losses have caused to business and home life, but in doing our bit we thought we could donate one of brand new IG2600 Petrol Portable Suitcase Generators to a just cause and they could receive it before this coming weekend.
“So if you would like this please email sales@criticalpowersupplies.co.uk and you will receive the generator.”