THIS SECTION CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING:-
Any Club Member who would like a link setting up to their newsletters/information sheets etc should contact the Club Secretary.
Any club members who would like to offer other club members special deals or discounts should contact the General Secretary. These offers can then be advertised in the 'Members only' section of the web site.
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- Information about NetREgs - environmental compliance
- Members Dafydd Hardy Estate Agents have scooped the Gold Award in the Wales category
- Message from new BBC Radio Wales reporter for North East Wales.
- Information from the RSPB
- Information from Envirowise for Welsh businesses
- New information from the Border and Immigration Agency (Home Office)
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Profile of new members Electronic Spider Ltd.
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Details about new member Sarah Francis of Franklin + Andrews, Construction Economists, Colwyn Bay.
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Information from new Members Cambrensis Communications Ltd, Caernarfon.
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Information from Tenderwise (advice on Public Sector Tendering)
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Web Link to Spotlight North Wales - Time to Shine
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Information from Tourism Partnership North Wales about new brand guidelines.
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Article about Welsh and working in Wales
Extract from a letter from Chris Mills, Director, Environment Agency Wales about NetREgs.gov.uk, a government funded initative that provides free guidance on environmental compliance to small businesses in the UKAs you know, small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are the engine room of the UK economy contributing £10 billion per year and representing 99 per cent of all businesses. Yet despite this, many are underperforming due to poor understanding of environmental legislation and how important it is to their operational performance and profitability.
Sustainable business practice is now an imperative but understandably many SMEs are concerned by the perceived cost of introducing environmental practices to their business and complying with environmental regulations.
NetRegs.gov.uk has been created to help reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs and address these concerns. Managed in partnership by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, NetRegs is a source of free, plain English guidance on environmental regulations and compliance. Its purpose is to drive better environmental performance by raising awareness and providing solutions to help SMEs run more sustainable and cost-efficient businesses. Users do not need to register to use the site, but can choose to receive free two-monthly updates by email if they wish.
Independent environmental consultants, EFTEC, have estimated that SMEs are already saving at least £58 million a year by using NetRegs.gov.uk. This means that every business that signs up to receive free e-alerts from NetRegs saves on average £2,615 per year - reducing time spent obtaining and reviewing complex regulatory information.
NetRegs.gov.uk is a valuable, free resource for SMEs that is already making a big difference and could have an even greater impact. Please encourage business organisations and individual businesses to visit NetRegs and sign up to receive e-alerts and ensure they benefit from up to date guidance that will save them money.
Chris Mills, Director, Environment Agency Wales
For further information visit:
www.netregs.gov.ukor contact
chris.mills@environment-agency.gov.uk
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TOP PROPERTY TEAM SCOOPS GOLD
Dafydd Hardy Estate Agents have scooped the Gold Award in the Wales category of the 2008 Estate Agent and Letting Agent of the Year Awards.
The awards, which are supported by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) were held in London, presented by Channel 4 Location Location’s Phil Spencer.
Dafydd Hardy commented “We’re thrilled to be announced as Gold winners for Wales. The results are based on customer feedback and it’s wonderful to know that our clients are satisfied with our services. Our own research shows that a staggering 99% of our clients would recommend our services and this Gold Award is a sure reflection of that”.
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Message from new BBC Radio Wales reporter for North East Wales, Tom Singleton,
Hello
-- I've just started work as the north east Wales reporter for BBC
Radio Wales. I just wanted to introduce myself, and mention that if
there's ever anything that you want to bring to the BBC's attention,
please get in touch.
Business related stories often crop up,
obviously, so BBC Wales would also be interested in a contact or expert
from your organisation who could comment on the north Wales economy
more generally, if there's a suitable person.
My contacts are:
tom.singleton@gmail.com
tom.singleton@bbc.com
Office 01978 221107
Mob 07912 583427
Regards,
Tom
Information from the RSPB
Would you like the RSPB's Community Talks Officer to come and give a talk to your group or club on the Society's work?
Talks can be on Garden Birds, Gardening for Wildlife, Farmland Birds, the History of the RSPB, Save the Albatross, the Stop Climate Chaos campaign, Save the Sumatran Rainforest, Glaslyn Ospreys, or Black Grouse in Wales.
Talks vary in length between 30 minutes and an hour. Talks can be given in Welsh or English.
These talks are free, but as a charity we do appreciate any donations that a group or individuals within a group can give.
Don' t hesitate to contact the RSPB's Community Talks Officer on 01248 363800 or 07776 453 240 to discuss arrangements.
A hoffech chi i Swyddog Sgyrsiau Cymunedol yr RSPB ddod i roi sgwrs i'ch grwp chi am waith y Gymdeithas?
Gall son am Adar Gerddi, Garddio Bywyd Gwyllt, Adar Ffermdir, Hanes yr RSPB, Achub yr Albatros, ymgyrch Rhoi Paid ar Newid Hinsawdd, Achub Coedwig Trofannol Sumatra, Gweilch y Glasyn, neu Grugieir Duon yng Nghymru.
Mae hyd y sgyrsiau yn amrywio rhwng 20 munud ac awr, a gellir eu cyflwyno yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.
Mae'r sgyrsiau hyn am ddim, ond gan bod y Gymdeithas yn elusen rydym yn annog pobl i roi rhoddion, unai fel grwp neu fel unigolion o fewn y grwp.
Peidiwch ag oedi i roi galwad i'r Swyddog Sgyrsiau Cymunedol yr RSPB ar 01248 363800 neu 07776 453 240 i drefnu sgwrs neu drafod y peth ymhellach.
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A word to the wise....wealth managers open doors anew
‘If you can keep your head, when all around you are losing theirs’. Whilst recent turmoil in the global financial markets has eroded short-term consumer confidence, it only serves to underline the importance of securing long-term ‘wealth health’. This is the only viable strategy to future financial security according to RPG Wealth Management, who this week celebrated the official opening of new premises in Gwernigron, St Asaph, in the company of football icon and client, Alan McInally.
Partners from left to right: David McKendrick , Director at RPG Wealth Management and Phillip Owen, MD of RPG Wealth Management
Established in 1995 by Managing Director Phillip Owen who has been joined by fellow director David McKendrick since 2005, the company, which is part of the RPG Consulting Group, is dedicated to providing practical wealth advice based on the future aspirations of their clients. It specialises in a range of wealth services including portfolio management, trust and inheritance tax planning, long term financial advice and strategy and advice on pension schemes and employee benefit issues for owner-managers of companies.
Opening- from left to right: David McKendrick , Director at RPG Wealth Management , Cllr Bill Cowie, Mayor of St Asaph, Alan McInally, Phillip Owen, MD of RPG Wealth Management
Alan McInally, Sky sports commentator and former Scotland football International, said, “RPG Wealth Management has been a very important part of my financial life. Phillip and David’s advice is always impartial, creative and greatly valued. We are all susceptible to worry when the economy wobbles but I can trust RPG to always look at the bigger picture and deliver long-term financial security for me and my family. I wish them every luck in their new offices, although I know they won’t need it.”
Phillip Owen, who is a fellow of the Institute of Financial Planning and a Chartered Financial Planner added, “Moving to these new premises is a very positive move forward for the company, providing us not only with space to expand but an environment conducive to delivering improved personal service to our private clients.
“We pride ourselves on becoming an important part of many of our clients’ extended family and always stress the need to focus on delivering dreams and aspirations for the long-term. The current stability problems in the economy are undoubtedly a matter for concern but it is also important to take stock and we are confident that with the right wealth management strategy our clients can look forward to a rosy financial future.''
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Envirowise offers Welsh businesses and other organisations free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to minimise waste, maximise profit and reduce environmental impact.
This Welsh Assembly Government-funded programme can help make your organisation more competitive and efficient, and help you comply with environmental legislation.
For more informaiion visit:- www.envirowise.gov.uk/wales
NEW TOUGHER PENALTIES
The Border and Immigration Agency have announced that the immigration system is changing. From 29th February 2008, there will be tougher penalties for anyone caught employing illegal migrants. For further information please visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employingmigrants
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Electronic Spider Limited
www.ElectronicSpider.com
Electronic Spider Limited is a corporate web design and commercial photography company based in Gwynedd offering corporate web design and commercial photography throughout North Wales.
The company consists of Ian Nellist and Janine Tinsley. They specialise in providing clients with a unique design that is contemporary yet classic. A design that is easy for users and that gives a genuine business advantage.
Whether it's a re-design of an existing site or a completely new site, you can be assured that they will provide a quality design that is a blend of design, functionality and usability based on simple, clean layouts with carefully selected quality images, to provide an attractive, professional, and informative site. They use Welsh Language Board approved translators to provide fully bilingual sites as required.
Electronic Spider firmly believe that the Internet is a visual medium and can either use its own photographic skills to show off a business on a web site or other marketing material, or they can source the right pictures from a 12,000 plus stock photo database. They are available for catalogue and product photography. We can source studios, locations, models, make-up artists and stylist as appropriate.
Franklin + Andrews Construction Economists, Colwyn Bay
Sarah Francis has recently moved to the North Wales area to assist
Franklin + Andrews in setting up a Colwyn Bay office as their Principal
Quantity Surveyor. Franklin + Andrews' work in North Wales, including
the major commission with Magnox Electric at Trawsfynydd and Wylfa has
led to the opening of the new base for the firm in Colwyn Bay. Franklin
+ Andrews joins the office of parent company Mott MacDonald which has
been based in the region for 50 years. Franklin + Andrews is recognised
as one of the world's leading Construction Economists. They work with
some of the most prestigious companies in the world and take great pride
in delivering added value to their business by applying best practice
and innovation. Operating in all sectors of the economy covering
property, infra-structure, energy, education, healthcare, utilities and
government, they provide a comprehensive range of commercial management
advice and services.
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Welsh at Work in North Wales
Welsh is an important asset for businesses, says Meleri Wyn Williams, North Wales Private Sector Officer with the Welsh Language Board.
In some communities in North Wales, over 80% of the population speaks Welsh and it makes business sense for companies to acknowledge this when setting up or developing their product or marketing strategies for their companies in Wales. Many of us who speak Welsh and a large number of non-Welsh speakers enjoy seeing the language being used by businesses and, ultimately, the greater the number of people that you’re able to please, the greater the number of customers that will come through the doors.
Welsh plays a major part in the everyday life of communities across North Wales – from the heartlands of Gwynedd and Môn (Anglesey) across to Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham and Flintshire - and the private sector is increasingly acknowledging this. Using Welsh is often a sign that a business is proud to be part of the local community, and in an increasingly global market there is a value in creating a personality and in planting the roots of a business locally. This has certainly contributed to the ever-increasing use of the language by larger high-street retailers and supermarkets such as Ikea, Asda, Tesco and Homebase, to name but a few.
And there is also help available if you want to develop your use of Welsh in business. Pick up the phone and I will be pleased to meet you to discuss your use of the Welsh language. Our services include:
Promotion Grant : Up to a thousand pounds (50% of costs) towards the costs of bilingual marketing materials including brochures and websites.
Free Translation : local rate translation and enquiry service which will translate menus and text up to 30 words for free. Telephone or email on 08456076070 linkline@welsh-language-board.org.uk
Working Welsh Scheme – a Welsh Language Board scheme to assist businesses to show that a Welsh medium service is available. The orange badges help customers to identify Welsh speaking staff at the organisation or business.
Free CONSULTATION AND ADVICE ON:
Adopting a Welsh Language Policy as part of your business plan
Recruitment and Training Issues
Commissioning translators
Welsh and IT – developing bilingual software and websites
Information on all services, company testimonials, language statistics, grant application form etc can be found on our website – www.welshinbusiness.co.uk . You’re also very welcome to contact me on 01286 684700, or at Meleri.williams@welsh-language-board.org.uk.
Cymraeg Iaith Busnes yng Ngogledd Cymru
Mae’r Gymraeg yn rhoi gwerth ychwanegol i’ch busnes, yn ôl Meleri Wyn Williams, Swyddog Sector Preifat Gogledd Cymru i Fwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg.
Mewn rhai cymunedau o Ogledd Cymru, mae dros 80% o’r boblogaeth yn siarad Cymraeg ac mae’n gwneud synnwyr busnes i gwmnïau gydnabod hynny wrth sefydlu neu ddatblygu eu cynnyrch a’u strategaeth farchnata yng Nghymru. Mae llawer ohonom sy’n siarad Cymraeg a nifer fawr o bobl Ddi-Gymraeg yn mwynhau gweld yr iaith yn cael ei defnyddio gan fusnesau ac yn y pen draw, po fwyaf o bobl y gallwch chi eu plesio, y mwyaf o bobl ddaw trwy’r drws.
Mae’r Gymraeg yn chwarae rhan allweddol ym mywyd pob dydd cymunedau ar draws y Gogledd - o gadarnleoedd Gwynedd a Môn i Ddinbych, Conwy, Wrecsam a Fflint - ac mae’r sector preifat yn cydnabod hynny yn gynyddol. Mae defnyddio'r Gymraeg yn aml yn arwydd fod busnes yn falch o fod yn rhan o'r gymuned leol, ac mewn marchnad sy'n gynyddol fyd-eang mae gwerth mewn creu personoliaeth ac mewn gosod gwreiddiau cwmni yn lleol. Mae hyn yn sicr wedi cyfrannu at y cynnydd cyson yn nefnydd y manwerthwyr mwy a’r archfarchnadoedd o’r iaith, cwmnïau megis Ikea, Asda, Tesco a Homebase i enwi dim ond rhai.
Ac mae cymorth ar gael os hoffech chi ddatblygu eich defnydd o’r Gymraeg yn eich busnes. Codwch y ffôn a byddwn i’n fwy na pharod i’ch cyfarfod i drafod eich defnydd o’r Gymraeg. Mae ein gwasanaethau yn cynnwys:
Grant Hyrwyddo: Hyd at fil o bunnau (50% o’r costau) tuag at gostau creu deunyddiau marchnata gan gynnwys llyfrynnau a gwefannau.
Cyfieithu am ddim : gwasanaeth cyfieithu ac ymholiadau cyfradd lleol sy’n cyfieithu bwydlenni a thestun hyd at 30 gair am ddim. Ffoniwch neu e-bostiwch 0845 6076070 cyswllt@bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
Cynllun Iaith Gwaith – cynllun Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg i helpu busnesau i ddangos fod gwasanaeth cyfrwng Cymraeg ar gael. Mae’r bathodynnau oren yn helpu cwsmeriaid i adnabod staff sy’n siarad Cymraeg o fewn y corff neu fusnes.
YMGYNGHORI A CHYNGOR AM DDIM AR:
Mabwysiadu Polisi Iaith Gymraeg fel rhan o’ch cynllun busnes
Materion Recriwtio a Hyfforddi Iaith
Comisiynu cyfieithwyr
Y Gymraeg a ThG – e.e. datblygu meddalwedd a gwefannau dwyieithog
Mae gwybodaeth am ein holl wasanaethau, tystebau gan gwmnïau, ystadegau iaith, ffurflen gais grant ayyb ar gael ar ein gwefan – www.cymraegiaithbusnes.co.uk . Mae croeso i chi hefyd gysylltu â mi ar 01286 684 700 neu ar Meleri.williams@bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk
