seeker news - issue 3

SeekerNewsFREE ISSUE 3 – MAY 2012

For the latest news visit our website at www.seekernews.co.uk

For the latest news visit our website seekernews.co.uk 03

inside 03

Seeker News is already many things tous, some expected, some not so, butone of the most surprising andinspirational aspects of publishing this

magazine is the way it teaches us new lessonsevery single day.

And the most wonderful thing we’ve learnedis never to underestimate the power of doingthings for ourselves. Nobody else waspublishing a magazine like Seeker News so wewent ahead and did it for ourselves.

We didn’t know how it would be received.We didn’t know if anyone would read it orwant to advertise in it. There were (and stillare!) plenty of sound reasons not to do it, butwe had a sincere belief that it could work, sowe made the move.

In this issue we meet Gail Reynolds, the SixMillion Pound Mum. A two-times singlemother by the age of 25, living on benefits in atown she barely knew, she was lonely, fed-upand going nowhere. But driven by a desire tomake new friends and earn her own living, sheworked tirelessly to turn her life upside downand now helps others take control of theirlives.

A similar passion for performance is whatdrives the stars of stage and screen, but morethan ever they have to think about whathappens when the curtain comes down and thecameras are off. We ask the Phantom of theOpera, a hitmaking trumpet maestro, a dancestarlet and a CBeebies celebrity why there’s nobusiness like showbusiness.

They’ve picked up valuable insights alongthe way and Seeker News helps them sharetheir thoughts. Which is where we came in...

The Phantomof the Operameets the £6million mum

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Seeker News is published by Seeker

Editor: Steve Cook – [email protected]

Associate Editors: Dawn Cook – [email protected] Churchill – [email protected]

Writers: Steve Cook, Nick Churchill

Photography: Steve Cook Siân Court – [email protected]

Accounts: Debbie Applegate – [email protected]

Designer: little-pig.co.uk

Seeker01202 611163www.seekernews.co.uk

© 2012 Seeker. All rights reserved.PO Box 4983, Poole BH15 3ZX

Gail can’t keep mumabout success...........6-7

Talking with the taxmanabout poetry.........16-18

features

NED start.................21

regulars

News.....................7-15

Leading Edge.............22

Neal Butterworth.......24

Charities...............26-28

Sport...................30-33

Arts.....................34-35

Social Diary ..........36-37

Events.......................38

Steve CookEditorSeeker News

Cover pic: Gina Barnard prepares to join theshowbusiness merry-go-round. See our feature on page 16

For the latest news visit our website seekernews.co.uk04

Today she’s the Six Million PoundMum, but little more than adecade ago Gail Reynolds was asingle mother living in a tiny flat

in Weymouth with few prospects andabout as many friends.

And it was her quest for new matesthat set her on the road to success.

“I was lonely, that’s the truth of it,having become a single mum for thesecond time at the age of 25, living onIncome Support and feeling like Icouldn’t go anywhere,” says Gail, whohad moved south from her nativeMidlands without a qualification to hername.

“I got a part-time job and managed toget a place at Weymouth College andgot NVQ levels II, III and IV inaccountancy, met some new people,including the man who is now myhusband, and felt better about myself.Then we moved to Hastings where Iworked part-time doing the books for ahousing developer, but I soon feltisolated again. That’s when I saw theadvert that changed my life: ‘Join AvonMeet New People’ was all it said, butthat was exactly what I wanted to see.”

Five months after joining Gail quit herjob and started building the business.

From life on the dole to a millionaire’slifestyle, meet the Weymouth woman who’s on top and loving it

by Nick Churchill

Gail can’t keep mumabout success

It shouldn’tsurpriseme, but itdoes, howmanywomen Imeet whohave no self-confidenceand lowself-esteem

Avon follows the multi level marketingbusiness model – team members earn acommission from each sale made by thepeople they recruit.

“I had no idea what multi levelmarketing meant, I just worked on myinstincts and built a business. My mumhad done Avon, my nan had done Avon,I’d even had a go once before when Iwas 18 and pregnant, so I knew theproduct and knew the brand, had bagsof enthusiasm and wanted to help othersstart their businesses as well. I recruited12 ladies in the first three weeks andthree of those still make sales for me.”

Gail now has 2,700 members in herteam which is three generations deep.She turns over more than £6 million ayear and lives in a million-pound homeat Preston, near Weymouth. Her book,Mum’s The Word was published lastyear and she has created a website,www.gailreynolds.co.uk, to inspirewomen to take the plunge and set uptheir own business.

“Sometimes I can’t believe the life Ilive now. We have a wonderful lifestyle,I drive a Mercedes now instead of a 25-year-old banger. Of course it has beenhard work, but then it’s not the same asworking for someone else – I don’t

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MLM explainedMulti-level marketing is a model of direct sales whererepresentatives are not only paid for the sales they generatebut also for the sales made by others they have recruited. Thisresidual income is a major attraction.

All good businesses demand hard work and multi levelmarketing is no different, but with the creation of passiveincome comes the potential of greater financial reward.

Multi level marketing should not be confused with illegal, non-sustainable pyramid selling models which can only benefit thefirst few people to join. Reputable multi level marketingoperations, such as Avon, will have a clearly visible productrange and see that everyone enters at the same level.

have to ask my boss if I can have theafternoon off to take the girls swimmingor walk on the beach. That’s really whatdrove me in this business.

“I’d been doing this for five yearsbefore I found out what MLM stood for.I just think I was naive enough to makea success of it. I constantly ask myselfhow would I want to be treated and thenapply that to how I treat others, I thinkit’s my mothering instincts, that’s all. Itmeans I have been able to nurture otherladies in their businesses.”

There are no secrets to Gail’s success– she doesn’t believe in them!

“I do a lot of one-on-one coaching andtraining, often with people who aren’teven in my network or have anyassociation with Avon and if I come upwith a new tip or insight I share itimmediately which goes against thegrain with some aspects of multi levelmarketing. Avon was the rightopportunity for me and if anyone’sinterested in replicating any successI’ve had I’d say they need to identifythe right opportunity at the right timeand be in the right place, bothemotionally and geographically.”

Gail is active in social media and isbuilding her profile as a guest speaker,mentor and business expert.

“I don’t believe you can sell anything,I think you need to like and understandthe product or else you can’t expect tohave any enthusiasm for it. I didn’t havea plan, I just followed my instincts, butI wouldn’t change a thing. It shouldn’tsurprise me, but it does, how manywomen I meet who have no self-confidence and low self-esteem andthink they couldn’t possibly set up theirown business, but if I can do it thenanyone can.

“If I could say anything to my 25-year-old self it would be to believe inyourself a bit more, all it takes is hardwork and determination. When peoplemeet me I might arrive in a posh carand a swanky suit, but underneath I’mthe same person I always was and Ihope that doesn’t change.”

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Whether you have personal or business legal requirements, we are committed to providing you with accurate advice and guidance. Dedicated teams of specialists, based in our four local offi ces, offer a full range of services to help you with a legal problem no matter how large or small. From arranging a Will, to handling a complex commercial problem, we are here to help.

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Dorset business directors havebroadly welcomed thegovernment’s final version of theNational Planning Policy

Framework.

The document reduced more than 1,000pages of planning guidance to just 50, butwas drastically revised after a row withconservation groups over last year’s draft.

The reworked framework will requirecouncil policies to encourage brownfieldsites – those already built on in the past –to be brought back into use.

Announcing the new policy, planningminister Greg Clark told MPs the systemin England “sorely needed” reform toenable more homes to be built and thepresumption in favour of sustainable

development remains in the plans. “Theconstruction industry is a significantemployer in the Poole and Bournemouthconurbation and therefore in theseeconomic times anything that stimulatesthis industry is welcome,” says WarrenMunson, chairman of the Institute ofDirectors in Dorset. “Also, the brownfieldsites that have lain idle for some timeacross Dorset should now be put toproductive use.”

His views were echoed by the IoD’sdirector general, Simon Walker who adds:“Being able to develop new shops, housesand factories is crucial to deliveringeconomic growth – and too oftenplanning regulations have prevented that.

“Britain needs to get building again.”

Directors welcomeplanning changes

Enterprise minister Mark Prisk haspraised Poole-based print companyIntec for securing a new businesspartner in India after it signed acontract with multi-billion dollarglobal IT services company,Hindustan Computers Limited(HCL).

“It’s great to learn of Intec’ssuccess,” says Mr Prisk.“Increasing exports is good for theeconomy, but also for individualfirms, as it is often linked toincreasing innovation and companycompetitiveness.”

Intec’s international sales directorKerry Button has visited Indiatwice in the past month to train 20in Delhi.

“India imports millions of dollarsof products every month and thisrepresents huge potential for Britishexporters,” he says.

Founded in 1976, HCL comprisesHCL Technology and HCL InfoSystems. It employs 90,000 staffacross 31 countries.

Intec formsnew alliance with globalIT giant

Adding a conservatory is the onlyhome improvement to add more valueto property prices than a year ago,according to the annual homeimprovement survey by HSBC.

As house prices stall, converting theloft or fitting a new kitchen addssignificantly less than 12 months ago,but a new conservatory could boost aproperty’s value by 14 per cent morethan a year ago.

“A new conservatory can add twice the value as a similarly priced kitchen,” says Allan Tofield of Dorset-

based Richmond Home ImprovementCo.

“While a new bathroom would costless than a conservatory it adds a lotless to the value of a home.”

The survey also shows added valuefrom DIY improvements such asdecorating or recarpeting a home isless than it was a year ago, eventhough the cost of carrying out suchwork is likely to have increased.“Homeowners need to think carefullyabout the type and extent of homeimprovements,” says Allan.

Only a conservatory addsreal value to house prices

Warren Munson

More than £38million is to beinvested in Dorset to deliversuper-fast broadband foralmost all the county.

Plans to bring improved broadband for90 per cent of Dorset by April 2015have been approved by the government– with work on the ground expected tostart as early as next year.

Shaped by the Dorset Local EnterprisePartnership the local broadband plan –Connecting Dorset Fast – has gainedalmost £10m from the government,which has been match-funded locally by

all Dorset councils – Christchurch, EastDorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, WestDorset, Wey mouth & Portland, Dorset,Bournemouth and Poole. It willimprove access to broadband for172,670 premises, both business andresidential.

“I am delighted with the approval ofDorset’s local broadband plan,” saysGordon Page, chair of the Dorset LocalEnterprise Partnership.

“Getting Dorset connected to fastbroadband access in order to attract newbusiness and support existing

enterprises, is a top priority for theDorset LEP.”

Speaking on behalf of the councils,Miles Butler, Dorset County Council’sdirector for environment, adds: “This isthe biggest economic developmentproject the councils have undertaken formany years.”

The recent approval for Dorset’s localbroadband plan paves the way for theprocurement of a communicationssupplier to put in the necessaryinfrastructure. Work on the ground isexpected to start in early 2013.

Broadband in Dorsetset for£38mboost

Poole’s Town Centre Street Wardens schemehas been hailed a success.

Providing help on day-to-day issues rangingfrom public order to theft, lost children or firstaid, the Wardens are intended to help shop -pers, support local businesses and deter crime.Now in its third year, the Poole Town CentrePartnership (PTCP) initiative provided byStore watch has helped to reduce the number ofincidents, particularly public order offenceswhich have more than halved since 2010.

“The friendly, highly visible wardens arethere to help members of the public withinformation and have made a real impact onthe feel of the town for locals and visitorsalike,” says Safer Business Scheme co-ordinator Hannah Mayo.

Jonathan Sibbett, chairman of PTCP, adds:“With direct contact with retailers involved inthe Safer Business Scheme as well as thePolice, Poole’s street wardens are a deterrentfor opportunistic shop lifters and a welcomepresence for the thousands of people who visitPoole High Street every day.” Wardens havealso been responsible for helping visitors withdirections and assisting Police to deter cyclingon the pedestrian sections of the High Street.

Word on thestreet is good

Having landed ten major new clientsin the first three months of 2012,Ferndown printers Pressplus arepredicting a year of growth.

“The trade press may be full of thedevastating impact of the recessionon many printers, but our attitude isthat if you stick to exceptionalquality and the very best of serviceand delivery, there is plenty of workout there,” says director PhilMoulds who, with his businesspartner Mark Sweet, has beenworking with business coach DavidFoster of WinningBusiness on theHigh Growth Coaching Programme,funded by the European RegionalDevelopment Fund.

“Many printers focus so heavily onprice that they compromiseeverywhere else, causing qualityand delivery problems. We arefinding an increasing number ofcustomers who want to differentiatethemselves from their competitors

and are prepared to pay just a littleextra to get the quality and deliverythey need. After all, the quality ofthe brochure you put out shouldreflect the quality of your product.”Pressplus has an aggressiveinvestment plan for the coming year,as Mark Sweet explains: “If youwant to be the best, you have toinvest in the best, and we plan toexpand our capacity significantlyduring the next six months.”

David Foster adds: “Remainingcompetitive without compromisingon the things that matter is adifficult balancing act for manybusinesses.”

Pressingahead withinvestment

David Foster (left) of WinningBusiness with Mark Sweet of Pressplus


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The taxman is planning acrackdown on home workers,particularly those in the directselling sector.

HMRC is using new technology toidentify areas of the economy likely tohave a high number of missing taxreturns and is also targeting eBaysellers, tradespeople such as plumbers,electricians and roofers, coaches andmedics.

But it’s not necessarily bad news forhome workers.

It could be the ideal time to takecontrol of the business and Parkstone-based Worth Accountants is urging

home workers to get their finances inorder before they get a call from theRevenue.

“We have had clients who areemployed and self-employed at thesame time,” says Steve Worth. “A losson their self-employment can be off-setagainst their PAYE income resulting ina repayment of tax.

“By the time you claim for workingfrom home, use of car, computer, phoneand other tax deductible items, you maybe able to turn a low income into atrading loss for tax purposes.”

But as the direct selling industry isflourishing, Steve warns it is likely that

many people new to this are unawarethey need to file a tax return to declaretheir earnings.

HMRC is able to analyse returnscovering a range of taxes and cross-reference these with other informationto build a picture of where they havetaxpayers with missing returns.Defaulters are being warned to get theirtax affairs in order as penalties will behigher if the Revenue gets to them first.

“We would urge anyone in thisposition to take advantage of our free,no obligation discussion, before theyfind themselves talking to a HMRCInspector,” adds Steve.

Tax crackdown on home workers

Bournemouth Air Festival fans are alreadybooking places at one of the town’s bestview points.

During the four days of the Bournemouth AirFestival, which will mark the poignant returnof the Red Arrows following last year’stragedy when pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging’s planecrashed following a display, the BIC will bean enviable viewing platform from which totake in the air displays, including the RAFTornado, pictured, and BH Live Hospitalitywill be providing catering throughout the day.

“The Purbeck Terrace and Lounge at the BICis a cracking vantage point,” says hospitalitymanager Alex Robertson.

“We are confident our customers will haveone of the best views in town.”

Tickets are £45 per person, with eachcustomer being served morning coffee andDanish pastries on arrival. There will also bebuffet dishes made using locally sourcedingredients.

Local charities including YMCA, BCHA,Wessex Autistic Society, and the Amelia-Grace Rainbow Fund Charity will share£7.50 from each ticket.

For more information visitwww.bhlivetickets.co.uk or call 0844 5763000.

Air we go again!

Picture: UK MOD/Crown Copyright 2012

The skies over Bournemouth will onceagain reverberate with the roar from the RAF’s Tornado and the Red Arrows

Here at Inspire, we strive to exert a “stimulating and beneficial effect” on our clients’ businesses; after all, that’s what inspire means.

We do this by providing innovative services such as fixed-fee compliance, financial director on demand, proactive tax advice and outsourced finance functions.

If you run an entrepreneurial, owner-managed company which needs more support from your accountants, whether it’s on special projects or ongoing financial reporting and tax advice, we would love to talk to you.

Call us now on 0800 077 6410 to find out how Inspire can help your business.

37 Commercial Road Poole Dorset BH14 0HUt. 0800 077 6410 f. 0800 077 6411e. [email protected]

www.inspire.uk.net


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As drivers panic at thepetrol pumps a Dorsetcompany is promising toachieve a 10-15 per cent

saving on fuel consumption formost vehicles.

Prestige DrivingEnhancements (PDE) specialisesin engine remapping,reprogramming themanufacturer’s settings on thevehicle’s engine control unitcomputer. PDE’s technologytweaks the factory settings toimprove the engine’s torque andboost its power so that itperforms more efficiently anduses less fuel.

“It sounds like magic, but thetechnology has been round for atleast ten years and has a proventrack record,” says PDE’s co-owner Scott Burgoine.

“When a vehicle is made themanufacturer has no idea where

Fine tuning can cutfuel consumption

Local business author, CarolBentley is giving away freedigital copies of her latest bookto celebrate 21 years inbusiness.

She started her first business,supplying computer training, in1991 and has since publishedthree books – on copywritingand marketing – which are allrated five-star on Amazon.

“Like many people today, Ididn’t really have any choiceafter being made redundant –there were no jobs and I neededto earn a living,” she says. “Itwas scary and exciting at thesame time. I learned aboutmarketing very quickly anddiscovered I had a flair forcopywriting.”

In 2003, after helping business

colleagues get great results withtheir sales letters, Carol decidedto become a full timecopywriter and launchedPromote Your Business. Lastyear, Carol co-founded anothercompany, Apps4SME, to supplybudget-friendly socialmarketing apps for businesses.

“Having an effective salesmessage is crucial for anybusiness owner so to celebratemy 21 years in business, I’mgiving away free digital copiesof my latest book, Pocket GuideTo Writing Profit-BoostingSales Letters, and a 50 per centdiscount voucher off myservices for anyone who doesn’twant to – or can’t – write theirown marketing material.”

For more information log onto www.carolbentley.com/pg21.

Carol’s five-star gift

If you’re buying or selling your home in the next fewmonths, England’s footballers could do you a hugefavour. For west country solicitors Bonallack &Bishop, who have offices in Salisbury,Andover and Amesbury, are offeringfree conveyancing if England win the2012 European Championships thissummer.

“We are backing England to win Euro2012 and, if they win, we will payhome movers’ conveyancing legalfees, saving up to £1,000 – or maybemore,” says Tim Bishop, seniorpartner.

“England last won a major trophy 46years ago. This year could be the year.

“So if you are moving home, get in touch with ourspecialist conveyancing lawyers. You have nothingto lose!”

Free legal fees if England win!

Drivers report improvedtorque, or pulling power,as well as better bhp

in the world it is going to besold so it has to set its enginesup to deal with the worst casescenario taking account offactors like fuel quality, ambienttemperatures and altitude whichall affect performance.

“Our technology doesn’treplace the manufacturer’ssettings with new files itmodifies them to make themmore suitable for driving in thisenvironment. Drivers reportimproved torque, or pullingpower, as well as better bhp so ifthey continue driving as theywere before they will usuallysave 10-15 per cent in fuelconsumption.”

Prices for the modificationstart at £299 and most vehiclescan be modified for less than£350.

PDE deals with private andcommercial vehicles up to and including 44 tonne trucksand claims even greater savings on commercial vehiclesthat are subject to speedlimitations.

Find us on:

…talk to our qualifi ed Recruitment Consultants on:

0845 249 9522 [email protected] or visit RubiconPeople.com

…talk to our qualifi ed Recruitment Consultants on:

0845 249 9522

For 30 years we’ve been focusing on attracting Dorset’s best candidates and we’re now pretty good at it. For a no obligation discussion, that

could easily lead to us signifi cantly increasing your candidate choice…


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Having been named the bestindependent firm in the southwest at the 2011 BritishAccountancy Awards, business

advisers and accountancy firm Inspire hasappointed Mike Bevis as a non-executivedirector.

After many years as a senior partner witha leading international accountancy firmMike’s remit at Inspire is to work closelywith the senior management team in anadvisory capacity and assist in thecontinued development of the rapidlyexpanding local firm.

“I greatly enjoyed the last 25 years of mycareer and so just when I was thinking thatall good things must come to an end I waspresented with this very excitingopportunity,” says Mike.

“Inspire has already achieved so muchand within a few days of meeting theirdynamic team I could see why. I hope thatI can use my experience to provide themwith guidance along the successful paththey are already on but I suspect I will beworking hard to make sure I work at thevery high standards they have already set.”

Warren Munson, director and founder ofInspire adds: “We have gone through

An inspirational choicefor top accountants

Bournemouth’s Academy of ContemporaryMusic (ACM) is the town’s newest sixthform option with 40 fully funded places forlocal 16-18 year olds.

Working for ACM Regional, planningconsultants Tanner & Tilley have announceda scheme to increase the teaching space atthe former Music Factory shop in WimborneRoad, Kinson.

The facility will now provide two largeteaching rooms on the ground floor, as wellas a smaller music shop, and 11 individualteaching rooms and sound recording room onthe first floor.

“The facility will be a fantastic asset to thetown and will open up opportunities foryoung people interested in progressing theirmusical talent,” says Rob Birchall, managingdirector of ACM Regional.

“Tanner & Tilley’s help and advice wasinvaluable, which means that we can providefor more students.”

Music to thetown’s ears

Dorset building society, Teachers hasannounced a 29 per cent increase inprofits.

Its annual results for 2011 revealprofits up to £686,000, with £19m inreserve and a 31 per cent increase ingross mortgage lending on 2010.

The Wimborne-based mutual alsoincreased its workforce by 16 percent in 2011.

“While 2011 was another toughyear for the global economy,Teachers Building Society remainsfinancially strong and committed toserving its core markets of teachersand the Dorset community,” saysJames Bawa, chief executive.

“We set out a new strategy last yearto ensure our continued strength;investing in a new brand identity and

website and re-entering the brokermarket. So it’s particularly pleasingthat we still returned such a positive result and, in fact, the finalfew months of the year saw asignificant increase in our mortgagelending.

“The property market continues tochallenge but we helped many first-time buyers into their own homesthrough the equity loan scheme FirstBuy and remain one of the onlylenders supporting the scheme with ano deposit option.”

Also in 2011, Teachers BuildingSociety won two prestigious industryawards – Best Local BuildingSociety at the 2011 What MortgageAwards and Excellence in TreatingCustomers Fairly at the MortgageFinance Gazette Awards 2012.

Market learns of Teachers’ profits

considerable growth and Mike’s experiencewill be invaluable in assisting in managingthe business, its communications and alsoin developing the firm’s relationships withits clients and other external stakeholders.”

We have gonethrough considerablegrowth and Mike’sexperience will beinvaluable

Mike Bevis (left) with Inspire’s Andrew Singleton, Ian Govier and Warren Munson

-

www.hklaw.eu Dorchester: 01305 251 007 Poole: 01202 725 400

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Our team of highly experienced commercial lawyers work with all types ofbusinesses and business people from all sectors - from start-ups whowant to turn a good idea into great success, to multinationals that turnto us for our global expertise.

We work to help your company achieve its goals, and we work hard to ensure it stays on track - growing stronger and becoming more profitable, well into the future. How can we help you...?

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Companies are being urged toenter one of the nation’sleading Awards and back theBusiness Is Good for Britain

campaign run by the British Chambersof Commerce (BCC).

By taking part in the Chamber Awards 2012 firms can showcase their achievements to be in with achance of landing a £25,000 cash prize.

Open to all businesses, thecompetition is designed to recognise thebest businesses in Britain through aseries of regional heats followed by the

national final held in London onNovember 29.

There are nine categories to choosefrom, covering international business,people development, excellence ininnovation, marketing, new business,customer service, sustainability,entrepreneur of the year and business ofthe year.

“This year we want everyone tounderstand the contribution businessmakes to the economy and to society asa whole,” says BCC president MartynPellew. “Businesses will be at theforefront of the recovery, providing

jobs, and creating wealth. Every day wehear amazing stories from businessesthat are innovative and successful ininternational markets.

“It is stories like these that we arelooking to find and recognise throughthe Chamber Awards. Last year, morethan 600 firms took part and 2012promises to be even bigger.”

To enter online go to www.chamberawards.co.uk or contact the ChamberAwards team on 02476 472593, [email protected] orfollow @chamberawards. Closing datefor entries is June 29.

Awards show businessis good for Britain

In a blog posted on SeekerNews.co.uk,Linda Parkinson-Hardman of InternetMentor says that although most businesseshave a Facebook presence, many still relyon referral marketing for growth.

She has created three simple rules to helpbusinesses network more effectively onFacebook.

1. You meet people. On Facebook this isthe equivalent of people coming along andeither becoming your friend (not good fora business as this is against the Facebookterms of service) or preferably,encouraging them to like your page.

2. You follow up with those people. Thisis where you respond to the things theysay to you by commenting, liking andsharing with others rather than ignoringthem, which is what a lot of Facebookpages seem to want to do.

3. You build a relationship. In the realworld this would happen naturally if youmet up with people regularly, they wouldstart to feel comfortable that you knowwhat you are talking about and that yourvalues and ethics match theirs. OnFacebook the equivalent would be to startliking other pages in return and perhapsbegin commenting on, liking and sharingtheir content too.

To have your business blog featured onSeekerNews.co.uk simply email your RSSfeed to [email protected]

Three rules for effective Facebook networking

Cookery demonstrations by celebritychef James Martin and patron LesleyWaters are the highlights of thisyear’s Christchurch Food and WineFestival.

New for this year, a marquee on theQuomps will be transformed into avintage tea room for the GreatChristchurch Bake Day and Fete inwhich aspiring bakers will be invitedto submit their finest cakes, pies,preserves and tarts for judging by JoWheatley, winner of the Great BritishBake Off.

Young cooks are being encouragedto feel the heat in the Kids Kitchen atPriory School on May 12 and 13 andthere is a series of demonstrations andclasses being held at the Cook Schoolin the Kings Hotel from May 15-18.

The Best of the Best Awards on May

14 will celebrate some of the bestplaces to eat and drink inChristchurch.

The Festival is presented in associa -tion with media partner Wave 105.

“The relationship gives us a chanceto reach food lovers over a widegeographical area,” says VickiHallam, chairman of the ChristchurchFood and Wine Festival committee.“It will let them know about thefestival and entice them to come toChristchurch to find out all thegastronomic delights it has to offer.”

Jon Brooks, Wave 105 sales,marketing and operations director,adds: “The Festival epitomiseseverything about the supply andconsumption of local produce as wellas many great events and tastingsessions that celebrate food.”

Food, glorious food

There’s no business likeshowbusiness according toIrving Berlin’s 1946showstopper and while it’s no

longer true that entertainment isrecession-proof as audiences seek anescape from their financial woes,some sectors of the market areproving incredibly robust.

Last year West End tickets saleswere up more than three per cent on2010 and British cinemas took £1.04billion, a year-on-year rise of five percent.

However, PRS for Music, which

represents the top songwriters,

composers and music publishers

reported a one per cent fall in

royalties last year, blaming digital

piracy and falling CD sales.

Elsewhere, arts funding cuts have hit

provincial theatres and put actors and

technicians out of work; while

television and radio companies are

rationalising their operations by

making fewer programmes.

“Performers cannot expect to be

wrapped up and taken care of by theindustry, it just isn’t going to happen,”says West End star Earl Carpenter,who grew up in Poole and Bourne -mouth and cut his teeth at the JellicoeTheatre in Poole before founding theBig Little Theatre Company in Bourne -mouth more than 20 years ago.

“The best thing a young performercan do is talk to the taxman andthey’ll soon realise how little partgreed and ego and all those thingsassociated with the desire for famehave to play.”

Talkingwith the taxman about

SeekerShowbusiness

by Nick Churchill

poetry*Art and Commerce have always been unlikely

bedfellows, but Seeker News finds out why their marriage of convenience has to be good for business

* (with apologies to Vladimir Mayakovsky)


Earl Carpenteras the Phantom

In recent years Earl’s name has

become synonymous with arguably

the most iconic role in modern

musical theatre – the lead in The

Phantom of the Opera. But even

performers at the top of their

professional tree have to branch out

and Earl is taking a six-month break –

the longest he’s had for 20 years –

before joining the new touring

production of Phantom.

“Between now and then I have timeto concentrate on my otherbusinesses. I have a productioncompany called Ginger BoyProductions and I’m creative founderof an online entertainment hub calledreelkandi.tv which streams content tonearly 60 million users a month.

“I was looking at alternative revenuestreams as a way of prolonging the lifeof a theatre show because once

you’ve sold your physical bums on

seats your income source has

effectively dried up.”

Earl, who nearly went bankrupt five

years ago owing more than

£100,000, recognises the problems

faced by young performers in a

notoriously unpredictable industry, but

says they can do much to help

themselves. 8Page 18

Minding their own businessGenerally speaking, performing artists don’t do businessvery well. Most are self-employed in that their businessas a performer and their status as an individual taxpayer are the same, but the artistic temperament isn’talways suited to dealing with the rule-ridden world of HerMajesty’s Revenue and Customs and many tend to avoidthe whole matter, leaving themselves vulnerable to badadvice.

The secret to avoiding this pitfall is to get some basic

idea of how tax works, how to approach self assessmentand what to look for in a financial advisor – you don’tneed to know how to fix a car to appreciate how it worksand what to look for in a mechanic.

It’s tough enough finding work in the creative industries,but if they are to ride out the recession performers aregoing to have to think more like small business owners –look for alternative income streams, diversify, attractnew customers and work hard to keep existing ones.

poetry*SeekerShowbusiness


Editor’s comment

Dancer GinaBarnard

“It really comes down tounderstanding the business you’re in,no matter what that business is. Iwas taught years ago at the JellicoeTheatre that it’s not just about me,the star is only part of it. You have tounderstand exactly how a showcomes to be staged, but I think toooften people come out of theatreschool with stars in their eyes andthink it’s about them. It isn’t.”

Dorset-based singer and dancerGina Barnard, who has just started asummer season in Rhodes, is all tooaware of the pressures on youngperformers.

“To work in this industry you have tobe incredibly realistic about what’savailable,” she says. “I’ve justfinished three-and-a-half years withWarner Hotels and I was doingmeeting and greeting, comperingshows, hosting events, even bingocalling and casino work as well as thesinging and dancing role I auditionedfor. I love it, but it’s not all glamour.

“After the summer season it’s backto square one, looking for anotherjob. It’ll be panto season by then soI’m hoping to pick up some auditions.I had some very good advice when Ifirst started and I qualified as adance teacher so I can pick upfreelance work in local dance schoolsbetween contracts.”

The importance of heeding adviceearly on in a career is echoed byBournemouth-based children’stelevision presenter Chris Jarvis

whose partnership withPui Fan Lee in Show MeShow Me has given theCBeebies channel oneof its greatest hits inrecent years.

“I’m not abusinessman, but Icount myself lucky tohave had responsibleparents who instilled inme the idea that it’simportant to savemoney,” he says.

“You go from oneshort term contract to another shortterm contract so in that sense thereis very little job security in thisbusiness. We are all responsible forour own tax returns so because yourincome leaps about all over the placeyou have to be very careful.”

Although Chris has diversified andnow plays more than 80 theatres ayear with The Chris and PuiRoadshow, he believes his expertise

has stood him in good stead.

“For years children’s TV used tohave to entertain grown ups as wellso people would get hired becausethey looked right or could make aclever double entendre. Now though,experts are in short supply and weget hired because we are good atwhat we do,” he says.

As much as they love their craft,performers have always wanted to bepaid. A director’s notes are important,but so are the pound notes.

“In the old days though you had arecord company to take care ofbusiness, or at least a manager oragent – all you had to do was trustthem, maybe that was where theproblem lay!” laughs Portland-basedjazz musician and producer NigelHopkins.

As a teenage trumpet player Nigelplayed with Count Basie and scored ahit single in 1968 with High on a Hill.He toured the world and appeared inthree Royal Command Performancesbefore building a successful careeras a composer and producer of musicfor film and TV. In 2007 he producedThe Journey, the final album byformer Shadows bassist, the late JetHarris.

“I’ve learned things at every stageof my career, but particularly when Iwas making that record. It wasn’teasy because Jet wasn’t well so aswell as playing nearly all theinstruments except the guitars, I didmost of the writing andarrangements, I produced it,mastered it and did all the artwork.Then I found I couldn’t get a recorddeal so I set up my own record labelto release it.

“I’m glad I did because Jet was veryproud of that record and it was anhonour to work with him.”

As he works on a new album ofchilled jazz, Nigel has formed analliance with a new business partnerand the pair work hard to understandeach other’s world.

“The trouble is the business sidecan be all-consuming and sometimes I have to stop for a while, settle down and get thecreative stuff happening again, then I can deal with the commercialaspect again. It works because weboth care.

“He is coming to understand theartistic process and I’m getting ahandle on how to take care ofbusiness.”

You go from one short termcontract to another shortterm contract so in thatsense there is very little jobsecurity in this business

SeekerShowbusiness


CBeebies star Chris Jarvis.Below left, Nigel Hopkins


SeekerNews

Shareholders, owner managers anddirectors will come and go, but theenduring culture and commercialviability of companies large and small

will remain vested in that collective known asThe Board.

It is the enduring basis forsuccession, shaping acompany’s organisation andits long-term stewardship.

Within the context of familybusinesses and SMEs ingeneral, the board will almostcertainly be fashioned by thefounders of that business andthe ethos they have projectedon the company so theculture, values and vision ofthe business will determinethe way the board is formed and where it headsinto the future.

To successfully shift control of a businessfrom the dominant individual (or coalition) to aboard of equals it is necessary to instill themwith the culture of the business that will steerthe infant board. This happens largely by defaultas the founders will, inevitably, sit round theboard table and their influence and values willloom large for some time to come and shape thenature and dynamics of that board.

Whilst there are some benefits to apersonality-based leadership, there are dangersfor the long-term sustainability of the enterprise.Personality leadership is problematic, especiallyin the family and private arena. If the value ofthe business is wrapped too tightly to anindividual then that value is mitigated andreduced. Quite simply, a leader who isindistinguishable from the business represents asignificant risk to sustainability.

If every critical decision is vested in the leaderand he or she becomes incapacitated, then theentity takes on significant risk at an operationaland a strategic level. Who signs the cheques?Who can place orders? Who makes keycommercial choices?

Therefore, the move towards a collegiateboardroom culture begins the process ofcreating a broader decision-making bodyheaded by a chief executive officer or managingdirector. They are the principal representative ofthe company, they do not embody the companyitself. They will have their own traits, but theydo not define the company.

NED startDoes your company need a non-executive director?

By bringing in independent non-executivedirectors (NEDs) and by allowing them tounderstand the culture, values and vision of thebusiness, a board will begin to put in place asense of longevity and endurance through times

of stability, times ofuncertainty and change.

A company with either oneor several NEDs, who havesignificant experience asdirectors and a track recordto boot, should securecompeti tive advantage as theNEDs’ deep understandingof busi ness, its culture,values and how to achievesuccess is transmitted to thecompany.

NEDs will frequently act aschair of the board to ensure power is not overlyconcentrated on one individual and will adoptthe role of critical friend to the executivedirectors. The NEDs will also act as mentors,guides, sounding boards and ambassadors andin some cases as independent sources of appealin matters of discipline and grievance.

When changes of shareholders, directors andowner managers occur, independent directorshave a critical role in the stewardship of thebusiness. Change is now the norm and whenchange occurs, either driven internally orimpacted by external events, that change can bebetter handled from a perspective of experi enceand understanding of the business, even afterthe founders/owners have moved on.

It is the board with its independent directorsthat is best placed to ensure the optimalsuccession platform that is enduring,accountable, sets the culture and values for thebusiness and drives the strategic direction.

NEDs should be familiar with best practice ingovernance and not only the complianceaspects, but with matters of strategy and withwider responsibilities such as corporate socialresponsibility, innovation and growth to ensurethe business is sustainable and moving towardsits vision.

Leslie Spiers is MD of Boardroom Dynamics, aninternational director and board developmentcompany. He is also non-executive chairman ofthe Board of Mercator Media, Eastbury Hotel andNebula Systems (UK) and has completed termassignments as chairman of companies in theagricultural, construction, recruitment andautomotive sectors.

I was first exposed toNon Executive Directorsabout 15 years ago andfirmly hold the belief thata business’s value isincreased significantly ifit engages at least onegood Non Exec who canoffer, almost anybusiness, outstandingvalue for money, relevantadvice, tangible supportand a sounding board inadvance of big change.

When I sold a business Iengaged the services ofsomeone who had “beenthere and done that” andthey held my handthroughout the processright through from iden -tifying target acquirers tonegotiation tocompleting and liaisingwith the legal teams.

Even if a business isn’tplanning on selling oracquiring then havingsomeone there, notengaged in the day-to-day, whom you canbounce ideas off, chairyour Board Meetings,head up off-the-wallprojects etc is a god sendand I have one, with 30years industry experi -ence, at Rubicon People.

About five years ago Iagreed to act as a NonExec myself and now doso with three businessesthat are completely un -related to my core busi -ness activity of recruit -ment. These activitiesprovide me with invalu -able experience that Ican then apply to mycore business whilst alsoenabling me to providehelp and support, forwhich I’m remunerated,that appeals to myaltruistic side.

Lloyd Banks, RubiconPeople

Non starter

by Leslie Spiers


SeekerNews

Worth Accountants are therefor you throughout the yearand not just at the year-end.

We help clients to achievetheir goals in the most taxefficient and cost effectiveway.

Call us now and find out howwe can help you increase yourprofit and decrease your taxliability.

Leading Edge membersstrive for excellenceas like-mindedbusiness people who

believe that networking isabout developing businessrelationships, sharingknowledge and experience,and building trust.

We understand thatnetworking is not selling,and that over time, buildinglong-term relationships willdevelop us, our businessesand those around us.

Value for money and goodold-fashioned customerservice are helping Dorset-based Richmond HomeImprovement Co through theeconomic downturn.

The company is celebratingits 13th birthday this year andowner Allan Tofield is pleasedhis team’s hard work andtime spent taking care ofcustomers is paying off.

“There’s been a lot of hardwork building this business,but with a blend of resilience,great value for money andquality products we expect tolook after our customers foranother 13 years and wellbeyond,” says Allan.

WORTH ACCOUNTANTSSteve Worth01202 [email protected]

FORTRESS MORTGAGESJohn Richardson01202 [email protected]

RT PROMOTIONSRichard Mack01202 [email protected]

GENER8 FINANCEIan Wedge0845 [email protected]

POSITIVE SOLUTIONSArthur White01202 [email protected]

MARK LIDDLE LLPMark Liddle01202 [email protected]

THE PASSIONATE PAKate Chastey01202 [email protected]

MAIL BOXES ETC.Howard Woodward01202 [email protected]

CHEMDRY KALLISTEJohn Minton01202 309414johnminton@ hotmail.co.uk

STUDIO-FDBrian Freelander01202 [email protected]

RADIKLSTony Raybould01202 [email protected]

SEEKERSteve Cook01202 [email protected]

THE BUSINESS EXPLORERIan Thurgood07785 222054ian@thebusiness explorer.com

RICHMOND HOME IMPROVEMENT COAllan Tofield0800 614102enquiries@ richmondco.co.uk

MEH CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT LTDMagnus Harding01202 766732magnus.harding@ meh-construction.co.uk

SMB NETWORK SOLUTIONSJohn Harrison01202 [email protected]

ELLIS JONES SOLICITORSSarah Hopcroft01202 [email protected]

WINNING BUSINESSDavid Foster01202 [email protected]

APPLIED SAFETY SOLUTIONSMark Baxter01202 [email protected]

AFC BOURNEMOUTHRob Mitchell01202 [email protected]

TEMPEST COSGRAVEJon Sanctuary01202 [email protected]

MSP BUSINESS SERVICESMalcolm Pitcher08456 [email protected]

Members list

Trust & ConfidentialityLeading Edge is founded on the principles ofopen, honest communication, trust andconfidentiality.

Attendance & ParticipationActive participation is the vital ingredientthat gives Leading Edge real value and itsmembers the opportunity to personallydevelop and their business to grow.

Respect & ProfessionalismAll interactions within the group and withoutside agencies are always conducted withintegrity, respect and professionalism.

Relationships & Interactions Leading Edge is built on long-term relation -ships and value-based interactions and it isnot a place to sell products and services.

Positive & FunOur environment is positive and supportiveand created to encourage sociablenetworking and fun activities.

The Greater GoodLeading Edge is the place to look outside ofyour own business into the wider communityand to work for the greater good of otherorganisations and charities.

We’ve got the edge

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

You now have your strategicplan. You have agreed yourgoals and your initial actions.Now you must:-

z Implement – success is 70%belief, 20% vision and 10%action but without that 10%of action all that has gonebefore is wasted time andmoney.

z Review your plan – thingschange, often things beyondyour control but you need torespond by adapting your planwhere necessary.

Next month: measuring yoursuccess.

Offering practical help andadvice, WSX Enterprise helpsnew and established businessesacross Dorset to start and grow

in lasting and sustainable ways.

The not-for-profit company is filling thegap left after BusinessLink services were closedas part of governmentspending cuts.

“There was a great dealof concern in the Dorsetbusiness community when the DorsetBusiness Link service closed as it wasparticularly highly thought of andextremely useful,” says Ian Girling,enterprise director for Dorset.

“We’re all about getting businessesstarted and improving their bottom lineby delivering a range of business supportservices.”

WSX Enterprise isworking closely withDorset Local EnterprisePartnership, a panel ofprivate and public sectorbusiness leaders, indelivering support for businesses inDorset.

“Our range of services has the simpleaim of helping businesses be successful.We’re active across the whole county,

with excellent rural reach provided byRural-Net, a group of six rural businessnetworks.”

The New In Business trainingprogramme is a two-day seminar aimedat providing a comprehensive, nuts and

bolts introduction torunning a business.

“It goes into everythingfrom cashflow toemploying people,legislation, marketing and

planning,” says Ian.

“Running your own business can beincredibly rewarding, but it is vital thatpeople have the skills that are essential inany business.”

BusinessXchange is a structuredlearning network for owners of smallerbusinesses to share ideas and knowledge, while Rural-Net offers

similar support forbusinesses based outsideDorset’s majorconurbations.

“Our networks are thereto help business owners improve theirbusiness skills and meet other businessowners in a supportive environment.

“Being in business can be quiteisolating so to know you’re not alonemakes a huge difference,” adds Ian.


SeekerNews

Business advice with WSX appeal

‘The ‘About Us’ page is often themost undervalued on a company’swebsite and yet it is the third mostvisited page on top searchedwebsites. After you’ve snared yourcustomer with your marketing hookthe chances are your customer willwant to find out who is going todeliver the solutions to his or herproblem. Does your ‘About Us’ pageoffer your customer the credibilitythey are seeking. Does it show offthe personalities in your business?

1. People buy peopleThe basic information in an About Uspage should offer enough detail toadd credibility your businessproposition. Providing basicinformation about your history, whoyou serve and your mission

statement may seem corporate butit lacks personality and can be prettyboring. People tend to buy thepeople who deliver services ratherthan the services people deliver, sobuilding personality into your ‘AboutUs’ page may well be essential.

2. Style, position and personalityThe way your ‘About Us’ page lookscan spell out a lot about how youwork and what you might deliver.Do you want to show off yourpersonality? How creative are you inyour business – does your profilereflect this? We Brits find it difficultto boast about ourselves, but your‘About Us’ page is the one placewhere you should be doing just that.For small or new companies, this isespecially important, because if

readers have found you on theInternet you have just a short timeto impress them before they moveonto the next website.

3. Is it about you or about us?Do you wish to look like a companythat is bigger than it is and thereforecan deliver bigger and morelucrative projects OR do you portrayyourselves as the ultimate expertwith whom your client will engagewith if they employ your services?

Finally, don’t underestimate thepower of promoting yourself acrossmultiple platforms. Your ‘About Us’page could link to your YouTubevideos, your Blog, your Twitter andyour Facebook Page, each give aninsight into you and your business.

What does ‘About Us’ really say about you?Ideas worth sharing from Andrew Knowles and BusinessXchange

New Business Top Tip!

When you have a business idea, it'simportant to test the market. Youmay have found a gap in the marketBUT is there a market in the gap?

Many people do secondaryresearch which tends to confirmwhat they already know or assume.However, it's primary research withpeople who have no vested interestin your idea (or your ego) that willgive you the ultimate pros and consof your idea and the price you wantto charge.

Contact WSX Enterprise, viawww.wsxenterprise.co.uk, foradvice on how to facilitate testingyour business idea.

For details of forthcomingBusinessXchange and Rural-Netevents see page 38

Ian Girling

This year senior partner MichaelStocken will enter his 30th yearwith Letchers and is full ofenthusiasm for the future.

“Letchers is naturally a verydifferent place than it was in1983 when I joined,” he says.“There have been many changesin the legal arena as a whole aswell as in the way legal servicesare offered at Letchers.

“A major positive change hasbeen the re-opening of ourVerwood office after 19 years sothat we are once again in aposition to offer a full range oflegal services to the community.”

In 1998 Michael trained as amediator and completed theMediation LSC Recognition,qualifying as a recognisedmediator in 2001. Letchers hasnow trained another family lawsolicitor, Hannah Dominey, towork alongside Ianthe Slingerwho heads the firm’s familyteam.

“Both Ianthe and I are alsotrained collaborative lawyerswhich has proved to be a very

successful move for the firm,”adds Michael.

“Letchers has become a vibrantplace to be in recent years andour on-going strategy is toprovide high quality legalservices at affordable prices. Ourrecruitment drive over the lasttwo years has attracted solicitorswho are experts in their chosenfields.

“It will be interesting to see whatthe next decade will bring to thefirm to which I have beencommitted to for so many years.”

Michael looksto the future

Think you know how wide – anddeep – your local media reaches?Think again.My research into a client’s genre

of music for a festival proved to be astaggering eye-opener, with dozensupon dozens of valid and worthwhileoutlets for my press releases.

Granted, the mighty Newsquesttriumvirate of Echos along the coast inWeymouth, Dorset and Southamptonand their high-distribution frees andbusiness monthlies are the main target.

But the business magazines, includingSeeker News, and the increasinginfluence of business networkingwebsites are widening your reach.

There’s a wealth of monthly lifestyleand entertainment glossies in the regionnow, as well as community magazines,weekly and monthly, who may well beinterested in your ‘story’.

And while the bigger commercialradio stations may seem to have an

editorial force field, the smallercommunity stations often have outletsfor more localised news.

And drill deeper to find thecommunity websites offering a warmwelcome to local events and news,business or otherwise.

And let’s not forget the growinginfluence of social media via Facebook,Twitter and Linkedin for businesspromotion.

The market may be more fragmentedthan ever, but for once a scattershot

approach – albeit it one with a degree offocus and research – can work for you.

Neal’s next seminar, Everything YouEver Wanted To Know About YourLocal Media (But The Editor NeverReturned Your Calls), takes place onFriday, May 4 from 9.30am-12.30pmat the Haven Hotel Business Centre inSandbanks. Full details on thewebsite at www.nealbutterworth.co.uk

Neal Butterworth, Editor-in-Chief of theBournemouth Daily Echo for 13 years,now runs Neal Butterworth Media and his seminars centre on his 12 Golden Rulesfor working with the local media.This is the first of his regular Seekercolumns highlighting both the rules andtaking a sideways look at the media.


SeekerNews

Sending a gift in the postimproves the odds of yourletter getting to the personit’s intended for.

Marketing expert Richard Mack ofWimborne-based RT Promotionssays a well-chosen promotional giftpackaged in the right way is the keyto keeping your letter out of therecycling bin.

“Nobody’s got time to read everypiece of mail that comes their way sowe try to filter it,” says Richard.

“Most businesses have a gatekeeperto sort the post so if you want tocommunicate your message you haveto think of a way around thegatekeeper. And that’s where giftscome in – the gate-keeper is lesslikely to discard an envelope withsomething inside it.”

Richard has a handy three-stepguide to stand out from the junk mail.

1. DeliveryA better quality, well-labelled,

different coloured envelope will getnoticed. You put a lot of effort intowriting the letter, so think about thepackaging as well.

2. SizeCheck the Royal Mail Letter Guide.

If you get this wrong and send outyour mailshot without paying enoughpostage your target is going to end uppaying the penalty charge and you’velost the chance to make a goodimpression.

3. ContentPens and Post-it packets are too big

for letter mail so think carefullyabout what you’re going to sendpeople. Coasters are brilliant becausethey won’t break, they’re big enoughto make mail lumpy and slim enoughto go by letter rate.

“As ever, seek advice and ask an

How to get yourmail noticed!

Understand the breadthof your local media#1

expert because there are all sorts ofthings we can do,” says Richard.“Even if your letter is ignored if youget the promo gift right it will bekept and your company name andmessage is sat on your target’s deskjust waiting for its moment to shine.”


SeekerCharities

After several years of managedoverspend, Dorset BlindAssociation is about to report athird successive year of

generating a surplus. Chief executiveofficer Jonathan Holyhead, who hasheld the post for six years, is delightedwith the charity’s progress.

“We can only do good if we continueto do good in a business sense,” he says.“So we apply the best principles ofrunning a charity to the best principlesof running a business.

“I’m not sure we were doing our bestfor the people in Dorset living withsight impairment so having quitedeliberately overspent while we wereprudently able to, it is very pleasing tohave backed ourselves with confidenceto create the funding base on which totake the Association forwards.”

A local independent charity which hasbeen helping Dorset people live withsight loss since 1918, Dorset BlindAssociation receives no funding fromcentral or local government and reliesheavily on donations and membershipfees, with some income coming from itstranscription service.

“It’s very satisfying to find moreincome starting to come from our new

services as well as from legacies andregular fundraising events,” addsJonathan.

“We are constantly working to activelyadvance the organisation. It’s like infootball where the aim is to score a goalso why pass back to the goalie andavoid responsibility? We go for the goaland take the responsibility for pushing itforward.”

Some 5,600 people in Dorset areregistered blind while another 20,000live with significant sight loss. DorsetBlind Association has 400 volunteers,seven part-time and five full-time staff.

Its president is Wilfred Weld whosefamily bought Lulworth Castle in 1641and has lived there ever since.

The New Penny Serenaders bring the music of the 1950s to Ferndown

on June 26 in aid of Dorset Blind Association. Tickets for the 2pm concert at the Barrington Theatre are£5, £3 for members and free for carers.For those who need a little jazz to get inthe swing of things, Christchurch SwingBand Unlimited stage a show at Highcliffe Castle on July 8 from 1pm.For more information about both concerts call 01202 712869.

Charity is takingcare of business

John Andrews andJonathan Holyhead

Listeners to the Shaftesbury AreaTalking Newspaper are now receivingthe audio newspaper on a flash drivewhich plugs into a specially providedreceiver.

The drive plays back a selection ofstories from the local weeklynewspapers, The Blackmore ValeMagazine, Western Gazette andSalisbury Journal.

For more than 20 years the TalkingNewspaper’s team of editors, readersand distributors have provided blindand visually impaired people with a90-minute audio version of the localnews.

Grants from organisations such asPOPP and Waitrose Gillingham haveenabled the Talking Newspaper to godigital and recordings are now madeonto flash drives which listeners havelearned how to use.

“The new system is simple to useand you can repeat the last article ormove forward to the next very easily,”says listener Ellen Brine, fromShaftesbury.

“It was a wonderful boost to mymorale as I realised I could continueto access the news of my area.”

Anyone who is registered blind orvisually impaired can qualify for freepostage to receive the talkingnewspaper.

A flash wayto listen

4


SeekerCharities

A day of fundraising events at theDolphin Centre, Poole has raisedmore than £1,000 for Sport Relief.

Staff and shoppers took part inlive Zumba and step classes andalso contribute to the MillionMetre Challenge set by EveryoneActive Leisure Centre, withparticipants cycling, rowing andbox stepping to 500,000 metres.

“I was proud to see the DolphinCentre team getting involved inthe Sport Relief event,” sayscentre manager John Grinnell.

“They went out of their way to participate in the activities, collect money and rally customers to get involved whichgenerated £1,000 for a fantasticcause.”

Still collecting after 40 years

The spirit of giving is as strong as ever… it’sjust that people can’t afford to give quite somuch. That’s according to James Gordon andhe should know – for the 92-year-old fromRingwood has raised more than £225,000 forCancer Research UK over the last 40 years.

“People like to give what they can, theyalways have,” says James. “But I’ve noticedthe difference over the last year or so – not somany pound pieces and more coppers.”

James started collecting money for theBritish Empire Cancer Research Campaign in1972 after seeing what cancer did to a friendof his. But despite the recession James stillhas people stop him and give him money forCancer Research UK.

“The pubs and clubs are very supportive andI have a couple who sell plants for me. Peopleknow what I do so they offer me donations.”

To find out more log on to www.cancerresearchuk.org.

Grand effort at centre

The digital revolution is helping youngsters withlearning difficulties overcome some of their barriersto communication. Apple’s iPad and iPod Touchdevices offer interactive learning spaces that require

very little motor control and can be used in every subject.

“They are a communication aid that is socially acceptableand boost self esteem – this is so important for children likemy daughter who spend their lives being different,” saysMartine Morrison, chair of the PTA at Winchelsea SpecialSchool in Alderney, Poole.

“There are thousands of apps for teaching across a range ofsubjects and can also be used for visual schedules andfeelings boards – again, a useful tool for children who

struggle to communicate in a conventional way.”

The school is seeking corporate partners to boostthe PTA’s campaign to raise funds to buy 50

iPads and 50 iPod Touches to be usedacross the school.

To find out more contactWichelsea PTA on 01202 889524 or viatheir Facebook page.

School has its i on vitalfunds for equipment


SeekerCharities

Trust opens up to businessesWith a National Trust Corporate

Information Day businesses cansupport one of the country’s mostimportant conservation agencies

and reward their staff at the same time.

The National Trust has two mobile units, eachmanned by full time staff who areknowledgeable and passionate about the Trustand its work. Both units are free to book andwill provide either a fully branded vehicle withan awning and/or gazebo, or an indoordisplay/stand for your staff restaurant/restareas.

The services offered include: informationabout local National Trust properties such asopening days and times, prices, facilities andfeatures; advice and guidance on National Trust

membership; and ways of volunteering with theTrust, or joining a supporter group.

The unit can also dispense anything therecipient organisation wishes to promote foritself; details of other local attractions, clubs orsocieties; and advice on walks, cycle rides,gardens, parks, car parks, buses, trains, ferries,tides and weather.

“Our physical surroundings are one of ourmost precious resources,” says the Trust’sbusiness development manager in Dorset,Elaine Arnold.

“Doing something worthwhile is the beststimulus for any employee and here in Dorset we want to share our beautifulcoastline, countryside and properties with localemployers and their staff.”

Doing somethingworthwhile is thebest stimulus forany employee

Picture: National Trust/ Will Wilkinson

DOLPHIN the centre for shopping in POOLEdolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk

FREE Wi-FiScan the QR code to visit Dolphin online

/DolphinShopping

/DolphinShoppingCentre

Dolphin now offers fast, easy-to-use Wi-Fi through Briteyellow and best of all,it’s absolutely free.

Just follow these simplesteps to get online.

Great news!

If it’s your fi rst time using the Dolphin Wi-Fi network, you will need to register. You only need to do this once, and after you have typed in a few details, that’s it! You can now enjoy fast, free Wi-Fi every time you visit Dolphin.

1. Switch on your smart phone or laptop and check that Wi-Fi is enabled

2. Select ‘Dolphin Shopping Centre’ from the available list

3. Open your internet browser - the Briteyellow landing page

will appear

Supported by the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce

OFFICIAL PARTNERS

OFFICIALCHARITY PARTNER

hill-osborne.co.uk

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS& BUSINESS ADVISERS

01202 678555

Join our FREE Business Club:Complete the simple application form to join found by clicking on the commercial tab at www.afcb.co.uk.

The Club will email you to confirm your membership.

You will receive an invitation to the next AFC Business event.

Next Event: 25th May, 8am-10am. to book visit:www.eventelephant.com/afcbusinessaprilbreakfastevent

For more information contact the commercial team on 01202 726313 or email [email protected]

Your team’s business club...AFC Business will facilitate and help accelerate the development of informal, fun and potentially rewarding business relationships, infused by like-minded people that have an emotional connection to AFC Bournemouth.

@afcbusiness

Next Event 25th Mayat Seward Stadium8am - 10amOnly £10*per person inc vat

afc business

TNERSARARTNERSOFFICIAL POFFICIAL PAR

TNERS

ecommerade and CrTer of hambCnemouth oury the Bed btorSupp


AFC Bournemouth is looking for a sponsor for its Kings Parktraining base, which could prove to be an integral part ofthe club's ambitious plans for the future.The Cherries were granted permission to start work on a

new training facility with two full size natural grass pitches andtwo five-a-side pitches in January, and the club is looking tocomplete the project in time for pre-season preparations thissummer.

The Cherries' squad currently trains at Canford School, but theKings Park site will allow them to work close to their SewardStadium home.

The training ground will also help the club’s youth team trainalongside the first team, in turn aiding the development of localtalent.

“Every top team has a high quality training facility, that’s whatwe are building at the moment and it says a lot about ourintentions," says chairman Eddie Mitchell. We put a great deal ofeffort into scouting and signing players, so it is only right weprovide them with the right facilities to help them reach theirpotential.

“It’s a big investment and I feel it will prove to be one of the mostimportant we will ever make. It gives us a good environment towork with and improve players, and help attract them to the club.”

The new sponsors will join a long list of reputable companieswho have strong ties with the club including Focal Point and JDSports.

The sponsor will benefit from official naming rights, advertisingat the training ground and Seward Stadium, as well as corporatehospitality and access to the facilities.

AFC Bournemouth commercial director Rob Mitchell says: “Thetraining ground is a really important project and shows the progressthe club is making.

“We value our relationships with sponsors incredibly highly andthis is a terrific opportunity for a firm to be associated with a keypart of our progress.

“The club has a proud tradition of bringing through young localplayers and the training ground will help us maintain that, and itwould be fantastic if a local company who is excited about our future could show its support.”

For more information, call Rob Mitchell on 01202 726322 or e-mail [email protected].

SeekerSport

Grab a slice of theCherries’ future

The AFC Business Cycle Team is looking to top£10,000 on this summer’s Macmillan DorsetBike Ride.

The team, made up of local business people,raised more than £8,000 in 2011 and has set itssights on beating last year’s total. “The AFCBusiness Cycle Team made an amazingcontribution to the 2011 Macmillan Dorset BikeRide which helped us reach our £100,000 targetin Macmillan’s centenary year,” says volunteerride organiser Peter Smith-Nicholls. “It would befantastic if AFC Business could raise £10,000 in2012 and perhaps we will exceed last year’srecord amount for local people with cancer.”

The Bike Ride was launched in 1989 and has ishoping to pass the £1 million mark with thissummer’s event which will be held on July 1.

You can donate online atwww.justgiving.com/AFCBusiness-Bike

Team ride onthe money


As the largest rugby, netballand music festival in theworld Bournemouth Sevenspromises an action packed

weekend of sport, music andentertainment.

Having firmly cemented its placeon the sporting and musiccalendars with its mould-breakingmix of Dubai Rugby Sevens andGlastonbury, the BournemouthSevens Festival will bring some20,000 revellers to BournemouthSports Club for the Jubileeweekend, June 1-3.

With a staggering 300 teamsplaying at this year’s festival,organisers Diamond SportingGroup say the event is alreadyimpacting on the world rugbyscene, overtaking renownedtournaments in Dubai and HongKong for team entries.

Bournemouth Sevens boasts sixarenas from 9am to 1am with livemusic all weekend in both thebeer tent and on the Nintendofestival stage while the AnimalBike Tour, Black KnightsParachute Display Team and Wave105 Family Zone will keep thewhole family entertained.

“There’s so much going on withlive music, a parachute display,fancy dress, pitch side jacuzzi,beer tents and camping for 3,000people which is why so manypeople keep coming back,” saysfestival director Roger Woodall.

Many of England’s internationalrugby stars will be attending the

Festival in the exclusive V.VIPCelebrity Lounge. Located in abespoke, pitchside marqueeoverlooking the National InvitationCup, guests will see some of theworld’s best sevens teams withEngland World Cup winnersplaying alongside stars from Fiji,Samoa and New Zealand, as wellas some of the country’s finestPremiership players.

The Festival will feature 12rugby competitions for 172teams, two touch competitions for32 teams and six netballcompetitions for 144 teams.

The National Netball tournamentis the largest netball competitionin Europe with the prestigiousChampagne Cup playing host toEngland international stars aswell as players from the UK’sshowcase competition, theNetball Superleague.

The Kopparberg campsite holdssome 3,000 people with facilitiesincluding 24 hour security,catering and coffee units, hotPosh Wash showers, luxurychanging facilities, power pointsfor hairdryers and straighteners,licensed bar for the opening party,plenty of toilets and an exclusivewomen-only camping area.

The Kopparberg Friday NightParty is open exclusively tofestival campers with live bands,special drinks offers and banter.

For more information visitBournemouthSevens.com or call01202 545630.

Seeker News is pleased to announce itsmedia partnership with the 2012Bournemouth Sevens Festival.

The world’s largest rugby, netball andmusic festival will bring some 20,000revellers to Bournemouth Sports Club overJubilee weekend, June 1-3.

And the area’s fastest-growing mediaorganisation, Seeker News will be there tosee the action unfold.

With 300 teams taking part in this year’sfestival, the Bournemouth Sevens Festivalhas made a real impact on world rugby,surpassing longer established events inDubai and Hong Kong for team entries.

“Seeker News and Bournemouth Sevensmake the perfect partnership,” says SeekerMD Steve Cook. “Both of us are quite newplayers in our respective markets and bothorganisations are passionate about raisingthe profile of this beautiful part of theworld.”

Sophie Christy, commercial director ofDiamond Sporting Group, which organisesthe Bournemouth Sevens Festival, adds:“We’re delighted to be working with SeekerNews as our a media partner and lookforward to covering one of the highlights ofthe summer in Bournemouth.”

For more information visit BournemouthSevens.com or call 01202 545630.

SeekerSport upSevensThey seek us here...

We’ve got four family tickets – that’s free entry for two adults and two children – to giveaway to Seeker News readers. All you have to do to enter is visit www.seekernews.co.uk/sevenscomp and leave your details. Closing date is Wednesday, May 25 and the four luckywinners will be drawn at random after that.

FREE TICKETS!4


SeekerArts

Songwriting legend Elvis Costello brings theSpectacular Spinning Songbook to the BIC thismonth.

An overture of five uninterruptedrock ’n’ roll tunes announces ElvisCostello and the Imposters, afterwhich members of the audienceare invited to spin a giganticVaudevillian contraption and selectthe next song.

Fortune may deliver such hits suchas Oliver’s Army, Everyday I WriteThe Book and Watching TheDetectives or land on a Jackpotselection such as Time or Girl,demanding a sequence of songs,each containing these words.

Such career highlights as Shipbuilding or GodGive Me Strength can spin into view alongsidehidden gems from the Costello songbook likeTown Cryer or tunes by The Rolling Stones,Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan.

May 20

Windsor Hall, BIC 0844 576 3000www.bic.co.uk

Elvis in aspin at BIC

Museum puts on fashion paradeIn honour of Dorset’s part in this summer’sOlympic and Paralympic Games,Blandford Fashion Museum’s newexhibition Our Sporting Life compares thesports clothing of a century ago and thesportswear of today.

Items include a 1905 tennis dress, as wellas fencing and rowing gear from 1948, acycling outfit from 1900 and swimwearfrom 1916 (pictured).

Women At Work exhibition rounds upwork outfits including those of a teacher, amusician, a charlady and a wartimemechanic from as far back as 1897 up untilthe 1970s.

Dressed To Impress, the Museum’sexisting exhibition of special occasiondresses from the 1820s to the 1960s, alsocontinues until December, but TheDiamond Jubilee display of a CoronationRobe and Coronet ends in November.

Until November (The Diamond Jubilee),December (Dressed To Impress, Our Sporting Life, Women At Work)

Blandford Fashion Museum01258 453006www.theblandfordfashionmuseum.co.uk

Nearly a thousand artists and designers from all over Dorset will beopening their studios and workshops to the public during this year’sDorset Art Weeks.

The county’s flagship biennial arts spectacular, which will run fromMay 26 to June 10, is one of the largest events of its kind in the countrywith around 25,000 visitors expected to flock to Dorset. Artists will bedisplaying their work and skills at more than 300 venues across thecounty.

DAW, organised by Dorset Visual Arts, began in 1992, and has becomethe longest running and most geographically widespread cultural event inthe county.

The main focus of the event is open studios where artists, designers andcreative talents throw open their homes and workplaces, or stagecollective exhibitions in venues as diverse as village halls, galleries,barns, pubs and even a theatre.

The beneficiaries from DAW extend far beyond those taking part orvisiting. It is estimated that the 16-day event benefits Dorset’s economyto the tune of £2 million.

May 26-June 10

Various venues01305 853100 www.dorsetvisualarts.org

Dazzling showcasefor Dorset arts

The Artist’s House – a narrative print of separate linocuts by Dorset Art Weeks exhibitor Hugh Dunford Wood, of Lyme Regis


SeekerArts

Birmingham Royal Balletreturns to Poole with abreathtaking programme ofworld-famous classics with

which the company has made itsname.

Take Five is set to the iconic music ofthe legendary Dave Brubeck and is alighthearted, elegant ballet; whileBitesized Ballet captures the WhiteSwan pas de deux in which alovestruck Odette and Prince Siegfrieddance the night away.

An excerpt from the most romantic ofFrederick Ashton’s works, The TwoPigeons, the tale of a frustratedfiancé’s flight from the nest is followedby The Grand Tour, an eccentric takeon the celebrities that populatedEngland’s stages, screens andnewspapers in the 1920s,accompanied by unique orchestralrenditions of Noël Coward songs.

May 8 & 9

Lighthouse, Poole0844 406 8666www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

fever at Lighthouse

Dance


SeekerSocialDiary

Great Dorset Bake SaleGreat Dorset Bake Sale in aid of Diverse Abilities Plus at Julia's Kitchen, Poole on March 29

Julia Pearce, Jenny Pearce, Rose Nott Angela Fletcher, Mark Powell Hayley Deane, Carrie Watkins

Dawn Cook, Chris Jarvis Sam Birkett, Helen Alexander, Sadie Smith, Chris Jarvis, Sam Randle, Julia Cotton, Fiona Smith

Liddle LunchLiddle Lunch at Italian Villa, Compton Acres on March 23

Joy Aubin, Rosemary Darby-Jenkins Gary Nevill, Sue Ferguson, David Munk Prudence Wolfeld, Lisa King, Dr DaveRichards, Jo Cross

Mark Liddle, Eric Lee

Sara Irons, Dave Brown, Jo Deeks

Chris Twaits, Julian Frankish

Sue Reeves, David Foster John Caithness, Steve Cook

Diners at a packed LiddleLunch business club heardJulian Frankish, head of thebusiness and economicsresearch team at Barclays,provide a series offascinating insights on theUK’s economic prospects.


SeekerSocialDiary

Inspire Business ForumInspire Business Forum at The Hallmark Hotel, Bournemouth on March 27

Ian Govier, Mark Liddle Mike Bevis, Andrew Curtis Robin Witt, Natalie Kay, Claire Cain

Don Cowan, Mark Lambert, Howard Pearce David Willis, Paul Kimber Geoff Paterson, Steve Jones, Peter Scott,Steve Cook

IoD at the Captains ClubIoD at the Captains Club, Christchurch on March 14

Mark Cooper, Nigel Leonard Paula Warburton, Nicole Thompson Warren Munson, Leslie Spiers

Ed Bates, Tony Field Caroline Swatton, Robyn Bozeat, TraceyCooper

Nigel Soloman, Nick Davies

Andrew Singleton, Eric Lee Martyn Hudson, Katharine Cleall Chris Darlow, Lee Taylor

Lorenzo Jones, Martin Edwards Lesley Dixon, Kristy Davies-Sumpter Steve Cook, Sarah Penny, Marc Ryan


SeekerSocialDiary

MAY 2 6pmMarshwood Rural-Net – Limiting Your Risk in ToughTimes, Hall & Woodhouse Brewery Centre,Bournemouth Road, Blandford St Mary, Dorset DT11 9LS Chris Darlow, [email protected],01202 607541

MAY 3 12pmThe Diners Club, Chewton Glen Julia Fildes, [email protected], 01425 471424

MAY 3 6pmDJC – Meet & Drink, Hot Rocks,Bournemouth Nicola Janes, [email protected]

MAY 8 6pmDJC – Working withAssertiveness, The Cotton-wood Boutique Hotel,Bournemouth Nicola Janes, [email protected]

MAY 8 6pmHardy Rural-Net – ManagingDebtors and Creditors, TheEngine Room, Peverell Avenue,Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 3RT Chris Darlow, [email protected], 01202 607541

MAY 9 7.45amBusinessXchange – Fan-worthyFacebook Pages with AlisonBoyle Hall & Woodhouse BreweryVisitors Centre, BournemouthRoad, Blandford St Mary, DorsetDT11 9LS Laura McHarrie, [email protected], 01305 837063

MAY 10 6pmEast Dorset Rural-Net – Manageand Improve your Cashflow,Crane Valley Golf Club, TheClubhouse, Verwood, DorsetBH31 7LH Chris Darlow, [email protected], 01202 607541

MAY 15 3pm-8.30pmIOD – Summer Garden Party andBusiness Showcase, Minterne House, Minterne Magna, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7AU Kate Chastey, [email protected], 01202 802863

MAY 16 12pmDCCI – May Networking Lunch, Shell BayRestaurant, Studland Sylvie Wilson, [email protected],www.dcci.co.uk/events, 01202 714805

events listingsMAY 17 12pm-3pmIOD – Economy Review with Graeme Leach, HarbourHeights Hotel, Poole Kate Chastey, [email protected], 01202 802863

MAY 17 6pmDJC – Meet & Drink, Banana Wharf, PooleNicola Janes, [email protected]

MAY 17 6pmAbbey Rural-Net – Manage and Improve your Cashflow,

The Eastbury Hotel, Long Street,Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3BY Chris Darlow, [email protected], 01202 607541

MAY 18 7.45amBusinessXchange – Invest inExhibiting with ElizabethRowden, Ocean View Hotel,Bournemouth Laura McHarrie, [email protected], 01305 837063

MAY 23 6pmMarshwood Rural-Net – LimitingYour Risk in Tough TimesHighlands End, Eype, Bridport,Dorset DT6 6AR Chris Darlow, [email protected], 01202 607541

MAY 24 7.45amBusinessXchange – PerfectLanding Pages with CarolBentley, Kingston MaurwardCollege, Dorchester DT2 8PY Laura McHarrie, [email protected], 01305 837063

MAY 24 7pm DCCI – International Dinner, TheChine Hotel, Boscombe,Bournemouth Sylvie Wilson, [email protected], www.dcci.co.uk/events,01202 714805

MAY 29 5pmInspire Business Forum, TheHallmark Hotel & Spa,Bournemouth Joanna Brown, [email protected], 01202 717867

MAY 29 6pmNorth Dorset Rural-Net – Managing Debtorsand Creditors The Royal Chase Hotel,Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8DB Chris Darlow, [email protected] 607541

JUNE 12 9amDorset Women in Business, Kingston Lacy,Wimborne Minster BH21 4EA Sam Birkett, [email protected], 01202 656762

Get your event listedTo get your event listed in Seeker News visit www.seekernews.co.uk/listings

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KEYDJC Dorset

Junior Chamber DCCI DorsetChamber of

Commerce andIndustry

IoD Institute ofDirectors

seeker news - issue 3

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