19th October 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

There are signs that the economy may at last be leaving the recession behind, a new survey has suggested. According to the British Chambers of Commerce, business confidence is on the rise in both the service industry and manufacturing. However, the BCC also warned that the recovery is vulnerable
to setbacks and urged government support of wealth-creating businesses.

Read the full article here
- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28851/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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== News Round-up ==

- Business waste strategy needs overhaul
- 14 Oct

The government has been urged to carry out a radical review of its strategy for dealing with waste so businesses can benefit from the opportunities that resource management has to offer.

- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28869/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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- Businesses lax about identity fraud
- 12 Oct

Firms are not paying sufficient attention to safeguarding information they hold on their customers, it has been claimed.

- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28844/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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- Consultation launched on new paternity leave plans
- 09 Oct

The government has published its consultation document on plans to extend paid paternity leave.

- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28828/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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- UK businesses becoming more productive
- 09 Oct

British businesses are showing signs of improvement in an area where they have long and traditionally lagged behind the international competition: worker productivity.

- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28827/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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- Date looms for paper tax returns
- 08 Oct

Taxpayers are being reminded that the last date for submitting tax returns in their paper version is 31 October.

- http://www.sbnca.com/item/28805/601/160/260/30263B52/6310

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== Website Highlights ==

- Improving productivity

Boosting productivity is an objective for many businesses. Here are some tips on enhancing output.

- http://www.sbnca.com/content/forums_bus_manage/productivity.html?u=30263B52&m=6310

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- Reduce your utility costs

Utilities can account for a sizeable chunk of your firm’s costs, but you might find that you can make considerable savings in this area.

- http://www.sbnca.com/content/forums_bus_manage/utility_costs.html?u=30263B52&m=6310

4th October 2009

Business for Sale

Dating Agency covering NW.
A well established agency with annual turnover circa £60K .
Home based business – full or part-time. Easily re-locatable in North West. Ideal for anyone who is a people person. Owner moving on to new business.
£52.000 (neg.). For more information call Nancy on 07835 883 054.

AND

Sales Consultants Wanted - Part-time sales work
Are you good with people, do you like meeting new people?
Link Introductions, the NW’s foremost Dating Agency is looking for Sales Consultants to sign up new members. Day, evening and weekend work. 20% commission. Sales experience required. Must be organised, confident and punctual with a smart appearance.
Please email Nancy with your CV to nw@linkintroductions.co.uk

2nd August 2009

The next Cherchez Networking lunch will be held on Friday 25th September 2009 at Fina Bar and Grill in Macclesfield. This is a relatively new Italian restaurant and they have invited us to meet there for some light refreshments sampled from their own menu. Why not take a look at their website - www.finabarandgrill.co.uk. I’m sure we’ll have a great event and I look forward to seeing many of you there.

1st August 2009

In order to tailor future events to specific professions and to help forge links between different professional groups, I have constructed a really quick and simple survey for you to take online. I hope you will be able to spare no more than 5 minutes to complete it.

Click Here to take the survey. THANKS !!

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29th June 2009

We had another successful lunch event last Friday at the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust near Knutsford. It was well attended and again I’ve had some lovely positive feedback over the weekend. The venue was wonderful and those who took advantage of the tour of the facilities in the glorious sunshine found the whole experience really inspirational.

Cathie Stone from the Brookdale Clinic kindly donated a gift voucher for £35.00 towards any treatment at the Clinic which Cherchez donated on to CAFT to raffle or auction to raise much needed funds for the Farm. Cathie gave her consent of course! She also kindly offered to host one of the future lunch events at the Clinic and I’m very grateful to her for such a generous offer. We will hopefully get there later in the year - possibly October

The business card draw was won by Stacy Gill from Booth Ainsworth and Stacy is entitled to a free place at her next chosen event for herself and a colleague or friend.

The Members Only draw for the Business Owner’s Family Survival Toolkit was won by Victoria Neate, so congratulations to Victoria! Unfortunately Victoria had to pull out of the lunch at short notice but I have informed her of her win and she is thrilled.

Thanks to all who attended and for your positive comments - it makes all my work behind the scenes worthwhile!

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5th June 2009

The first Cherchez lunch under my leadership was held last Friday, 29th May, in Stockport and it was a real success. A good mix of professions were represented, Nancy Jaeger of Searchmate North West gave an entertaining insight into the world of match-making and a first-timer walked away with a bottle of fizz after winning the business card prize draw.

I’ve had very positive feedback from the ladies who attended and I’m really looking forward to the next lunch at the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) near Knutsford which will take place on Friday 26th June. To find out about the wonderful work of CAFT, visit their website here - www.caft.co.uk.

Book your seat for lunch here now!

3rd April 2009

Hello Ladies!!

You might have noticed a few tweaks to the site in recent days. That’s because I have now taken ownership of Cherchez and plan to do some great things with it. I’m Helen Byrne and I run my own Virtual PA business (PA-as-you-go.com) in Stalybridge, Cheshire.

Last year, I had the good fortune of meeting Penny Humphries at another ladies networking lunch in Manchester and she told me how she and her partner Karen were hoping to set up a similar group in the Stockport area. I offered my services and within a couple of months Cherchez was born and my partner had designed and built this wonderful website!

When Penny and Karen were unable to maintain the momentum they had planned for Cherchez Events, and were looking for someone to take the network over, it seemed natural for me to step in as I’m already familiar with the site and the workings of it.

My outline plans are to arrange a monthly lunchtime event centred around business networking and then a quarterly evening event with much more of a social focus. Why not drop me an email if you have any suggestions?

The “re-launch” of Cherchez is planned for Monday 20th April so expect to hear from me then with my first newsletter - that’s if you’ve signed up to receive them of course. If not, then do it now - just here on the right……… In the meantime, keep your eye on the website for further developments and news updates.

Helen

31st March 2009

GOOD NEWS!! We have successfully negotiated a transfer of the Cherchez Network to an energetic new owner and all the finer details should be finalised today. We still intend to stay involved with Cherchez, but this time as members. There will be a few minor alterations to be made on the site and so the functionality of some links and buttons etc will be affected for a short period of time. We’re sure a further announcement will be made at the end of the week so please come back again over the weekend!

With our very best wishes for your future success,
Karen Hewlett and Penny Humphries

04/03/09
Many of our existing members and regular visitors to the site will be aware that we have been unable to maintain the momentum of the Cherchez Events in recent months. We are hopeful that this can be remedied in the very near future and will keep you posted of any further developments here.
Come and check in with us again soon!