business connect 2014

The Business Connect programme provides the unique opportunity to engage and learn from world-class businesses and gain insight from real-life examples.

Why Business Connect?

•Get access to high performing, successful and inspiring businesses at a senior level

•Seeing is believing - there’s no better way to learn than by seeing for yourself

•Open your eyes to new business models, ideas and opportunities

•Facilitated by HouseMark – no theory, just genuine experiences of how these businesses work. We make sure the right questions are asked!

•Outstanding value for money

Introduction

“Learning about a new business that at first seems completely different to your own but then finding there are lots of similarities is very powerful.”

“Tremendously useful to have privileged insight into another sector and an opportunity to reflect on parallels and differences in how we go about achieving and maintaining a successful business”.

“Well done HouseMark, a great study visit day”.

“An excellent investment of time and a real networking and learning experience”.


Here’s what a few of last year’s attendees had to say.

Terms & Conditions

How it works

Business Connect delivers its experiences though a mixture of:

•business study visits

•leadership interviews

•networking and shared learning

•high-quality business case studies, edited by Stuart Macdonald, former Editor, Inside Housing

This is a truly rare opportunity to meet new leaders and explore successful businesses close up. New for 2014, we have introduced visits to social enterprises as well as health and wellbeing organisations.

You choose a study visit package to include five visits throughout the year for you or someone from your organisation. We’ll top the year off with a ‘Secrets of Success’ day for all attendees: full of learning insights, life lessons and techniques from successful business leaders.

Businessstudy visits

Leadershipinterviews

Networking and shared

learning

Stuart Macdonald

high-quality business case

studies


Group 1Study visit package

Inspirational businesses

We have a raft of successful businesses on our programme, each one is sure to provide you with insights and food for thought for your own organisation.


The NEC, BirminghamA successful company owned by Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. It has four entertainment venues, many brands including a catering division and is a large employer in the West Midlands with strong company values.

Birmingham International Airport Offering international and domestic flights, it is the seventh busiest airport in the UK. Birmingham International Airport has a framework for the sustainable development up to 2030 which illustrates how it intends to meet the regional demand for air travel over the plan period of 23 years.

Bromley Bow Centre, London An innovative community organisation in east London working in one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK. Supporting families, young people and adults of all ages to learn new skills and improve their health and wellbeing.

BT, London One of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world with operations in over 170 countries. Its Retail division is one of the largest suppliers of telephony, broadband and subscription television services in Britain, with over 18 million customers.

The FRC Group, Liverpool Another social enterprise specialising in providing brand new contract standard furniture to social landlords, local authorities and construction companies across the UK. Also by offering interior design and planning services it aims to help clients create inspiring residential environments.

Terms & Conditions

Group 2

Experiential learning

Gain a hands-on insight from real-life examples of commercial success stories. Here’s your chance to compare how your business compares to the private sector.


Nissan UK, Tyne & Wear The Japanese-owned car manufacturer has a world-class manufacturing plant in Tyne and Wear. It was one of the first plants to be single-union and continues to make Jukes and Leaf models on its production line.

Greggs, Newcastle Upon TyneThe largest bakery chain in the UK with 1,671 outlets, it opened its first shop in 1951 in Newcastle upon Tyne. It’s a staple landmark on any high street and has more than 20,000 employees.

Capita, LondonAn international business process outsourcing and professional services company, Capita has clients in central government, local government and the private sector and operations across Europe, Africa and Asia.

HCT Group, London A social enterprise in the transport industry, delivering a range of services including London buses, school transport community transport, as well as education and training. It reinvests profits back into the community projects it serves.

The Clink, London A restaurant based in Brixton prison which employs ex-offenders with the aim of reducing re-offending rates. It trains and places graduates, upon their release, into employment in the hospitality industry with the support of The Clink’s ex-offender career mentoring scheme.

Terms & Conditions

Study visit package

Group 3

Creativity in action

You’ll be able to learn how the world-class business leaders overcome difficulties and manage risk and project delivery to ensure projects are effectively delivered.

John Lewis, Westfield London An employee-owned company which is the third largest private company according to The Sunday Times Top Track 100. John Lewis is a well-known brand on the high street with a rich heritage to both staff and customers.

Hilton, Manchester The well-known international chain of full service hotels and resorts, is the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide. Hilton owns many hotels in the UK and boasts a brand image known for quality and luxury.

Cummins, Huddersfield The world’s largest designer and manufacturer of diesel engines, it provides aftermarket support and backup for the Cummins engine population in the UK and Ireland. It is one of the leaders in its industry for its approach to green and sustainability agendas.

Harlequins Rugby Union FC, London Playing in the top level of English rugby, their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop. The club’s instinct for the expansive game of rugby doubtless accounts for its liking of the seven-a-side version of the sport. With a strong community involvement agenda they seek to work effectively with their neighbours and promote the benefits of sport.

The Gateway, Middlehaven - Erimus Housing and Keiro Group, Middlesbrough Providing neuro-rehabilitation and support to individuals with acquired brain and spinal injury, neurological conditions and specialist care needs. Keiro Group provides an integrated pathway of care and support to increase independence.


Study visit package

Group 4


Service excellence

In this increasingly diverse world, customer insight and needs are at the heart of business. Learn how to work with customers and stakeholders to shape and design new services.

Timpsons HQ, Manchester Known for its impeccable customer service, and its employee-centric mentality, the Timpson family is still very much involved in the running of this high-street chain and its 600 UK-wide outlets.

Sainsbury’s Distribution Centre,Sutton ColdfieldIn January 2014, Sainsbury’s overtookASDA as the second largest chain ofsupermarkets in the United Kingdom witha market share of 17.7%. It continues tomake significant progress against its20x20 Sustainability commitments.

Ford Retail, London The world’s largest, dedicated Ford dealer group. It operates 50 Ford main dealerships and employs over 3,000 people selling 90,000 vehicles per year. Owned by Ford, it operates as an independent dealer group with its own board.

Weightmans Solicitors, Birmingham A solicitors with 1300 staff serving several sectors including social housing. It is a firm with good client management procedures in place and is proud to have a high client satisfaction rating and a good CRM.

The May Logan Centre, Liverpool Dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life for local people, the centre was the result of a ground breaking partnership between Liverpool Housing Trust, who built and still manage the Centre, and Sefton Health Authority (now NHS) who provide the core funding.

Terms & Conditions

Study visit package

Group 5

Service excellence

In this increasingly diverse world, customer insight and needs are at the heart of business. Learn how to work with customers and stakeholders to shape and design new services.


Butlin’s, Bognor Regis Estabilshed in 1936, Butlin’s is a chain of large holiday camps in the UK. At its peak, it had 10 camps although in the face of tough competition from overseas packages, it has diversified to develop the brand we know today.

IKEA, Leeds The world’s largest furniture retailer and founded in Sweden in 1943. It’s known for its attention to cost control that allowed IKEA to lower its prices by an average of two to three percent over the decade to 2010 during a period of global expansion.

AVIVA, York A British multinational insurance company, AVIVA is the sixth-largest insurance company in the world and has around 43 million customers across 21 countries. The group has around 36,600 employees and a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange.

Aston Villa FC, Birmingham One of the oldest and most successful clubs in the history of English football, Aston Villa has launched an initiative called Villa Midlands Food which involves training local students in hospitality.

Livity, London A youth engagement agency that works with young people every day to co-create campaigns, content and communities. Clients include Google, Public Health England, Channel 4, NSPCC and Barclays. Giving young people training, equipment, support and opportunities to build brighter futures.

We will populate the groups on a first-come first-served basis so if there’s an organisation you’d really like to visit, sign up now!

Terms & Conditions

Study visit package

To mark the end of the programme, there will be a truly inspirational day of learning insights, life lessons and techniques from successful business leaders.

The following speakers are confirmed:

•Graeme Oram, award winning CEO, Five Lamps, Social Enterprise which provides youth and financial services to disadvantaged areas in the North East.

•Andy Parfitt, Executive Director of Talent at Saatchi and Saatchi, also Chair of UK charity Youth Music and former controller of Radio 1.

•Liam Black, former CEO, Jamie Oliver’s 15 restaurant, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Wavelength - working with ambitious business leaders, to build knowledge, insights and networks.

Attendance to this event is included within the subscription to Business Connect.

SpeakersSecrets of Success – 26 November 2014, London


Event information

TimingsStudy visits will take place from May to mid-July and September to mid-November.

Depending on the organisation being visited, the time spent on site would normally be between 10.15am - 3.30pm. However, this may be subject to change as these are working businesses.

TravelDelegates will be responsible for their own travel arrangements to ensure you arrive in good time. For some visits where there may be limited parking or for security reasons, HouseMark will co-ordinate transport between the organisations.

AccommodationSome of the visits we have tried to coordinate so they run back to back. In such instances we will make delegates aware and will recommend suitable accommodation. Where it is possible, HouseMark will also arrange for networking opportunities for those delegates staying over.


Event information

CostA selected study visit package and ‘Secrets of Success’ day - £2,500 + VAT

Non-HouseMark members £3,500 + VAT

Who should attend?This programme is for those who want to understand, compare and learn from people and businesses outside their own sector. It is for those who want to create a more motivated, enterprising spirit within their organisation and people. You will work hard and it will be challenging but it will be hugely beneficial!

CommitmentPlease note only 50 places are available on the full programme but places are transferable within organisations.

In total, each member will be required to give 5 to 6 days to the programme.

If you want to be challenged and inspired to see things differently then join Business Connect, we look forward to welcoming you on what we promise will be a genuinely unique programme.


I would like to join the business connect programme:

1st delegate:

Job title:

Organisation:

Email:

Tel:

2nd delegate:

Job title:

Organisation:

Email:

Tel:

PA name:

Email:

Please choose (In order of preference 1 highest, 5 lowest. Whilst we will endeavor to allocate you to your first choice this may not be possible and we will ensure you have a suitable alternative).

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Group 4 Group 5

PA name:

Email:

Please choose (In order of preference 1 highest, 5 lowest. Whilst we will endeavor to allocate you to your first choice this may not be possible and we will ensure you have a suitable alternative).

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Group 4 Group 5

Booking form


PO number for payment of £2500 + VAT:

Non HouseMark Members £3500 + VAT:

Authorised by:

Job title:

Date:

PO number for payment of £2500 + VAT:

Non HouseMark Members £3500 + VAT:

Authorised by:

Job title:

Date:

Terms & Conditions

Please email the completed booking form to [email protected]

Transferring placesIf you are unable to attend a visit, you are able nominate another member of staff to take your place. If you are unable to fill your space, a refund on all or part of the programme will not be authorised.

Transport and accommodationDelegates are responsible for organising their own transport to the venue and responsible for organising their own hotel accommodation and cannot be recharged to HouseMark. Please note that we do not accept any liability to delegates if they are unable to enjoy part of the event due to delay or failure of transport to the study visit. All delegates are responsible for their own transport arrangements unless otherwise confirmed as part of the programme from HouseMark.

FoodHouseMark will provide lunch and refreshments as appropriate during each study visit.

Alterations to line-up and datesIn exceptional circumstances, HouseMark may need to alter the details given. Any changes to these details will be made clear to delegates. In some instances, dates may need to be moved due to business demands of the host business. As much noticed will be given and either a further date will be arranged where possible or an alternative business offered.

PaymentCheques can be made payable to HouseMark Ltd, or BACS paid to Sort Code: 20-23-55 Account number: 80955787

Cancellation policyChanges to your booking must be made in writing at least ten working days before the event. If the named delegate has to cancel, no fees will be incurred if you nominate a named replacement. No refund on all or part of the programme due to cancellation will be issued.

We aim to make sure that the events run as planned. However, there may be times when, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to cancel or change the event. Should this be the case we will give you as much notice as possible. Unfortunately, we are unable to reimburse any expenses you may have incurred.

Copyright and data protectionThe copyright of all materials produced for, or, at this event rests with HouseMark Ltd, the speaker, or the author of the material. Personal data is gathered in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Any relevant data supplied by you will be held on our database and may be used to keep you informed of our products and services through written or electronic communication.

Terms & Conditions


024 7646 0500 www.housemark.co.uk


For more information, contact [email protected] or call 024 7646 0500.

Terms & Conditions

business connect 2014

Documents

business insight

successful business

speakers event info

new business models

raft of successful businesses

inspiring businesses

worldclass businesses

businesses work