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issue 8 | page 4

welcome to the eighth edition of iq business magazine, 

a quarterly publication that offers insight and inspiration 

to sme business owners in cambridgeshire and suffolk 

IQ welcome 

FOLLOW ON US TWITTER 

twitter.com/IQBusinessMag 

FACEBOOK PAGE 

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IQBusinessMag 

If you would like to pass any 

comment on this edition of 

IQ, or you have any business 

news to report, contact 

Georgie Campbell on 

01638 666432 or email 

georgie@cubqidesign.co.uk 

With optimism high on the 

agenda for 2014, it seems our 

region is running at its highest 

point for many years, looking 

forward to a prosperous start 

across all industries. With small 

businesses employing 47% of the total workforce in the 

UK, the regional SME has never been more important 

so it seems only just that a greater emphasis has been 

put on the individuality of our region’s businesses by the 

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce with its Business Is Good 

For Suffolk campaign. Equally the Federation of Small 

Business’ push to its annual campaign ‘Getting East Anglia 

Connected’ shows a positive move for all. 

Of course, it’s not all blue skies for the year ahead. Many are 

still predicting challenging times, although somewhat easier 

than previous years, so we urge businesses to get prepared. 

Pushing the boundaries, be sure to take advantage of all 

that’s around you. From local networking events to guidance 

from some of the best business minds, there’s plenty on offer 

throughout Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, but the ultimate 

message is… it’s good to talk. Seek advice in all instances. 

As the financial year-end looms closer, we’ve turned our 

attention to the backbone of many local SMEs addressing 

ways in which our businesses should care for and actively 

appreciate their staff members. From away day training 

events to corporate benefits and gifting, find a catalogue of 

suggestions to help our local business owners strengthen the 

business core. 

With our next networking event on the horizon, hosted at 

Bury St Edmunds Farmers Club on 13th February, I would 

like to invite all our readers to attend. Welcoming Ben Cole 

from Inspired to the floor, learn how to get your business 

message across, with just five tips in five minutes. If you 

would like to attend this free networking event, please email 

info@iqmag.co.uk or call the team on 01638 666432. Our 

next event will be hosted on 15th May. 

to receive your free issue of iq 

Visit www.iqmag.co.uk and sign up to the IQ database to receive your free copy of IQ each quarter. 

issue 8 | page 5


issue 8 | page 6

IQ contents 

in this issue 

08 Business overview 

11 From Riding Out The Storm To Riding The Wave 

12 Spring Clean Your Business and Its Finances 

15 Sow The Seed Of Investment 

17 Manage Your Business Anytime, Anywhere, On Any Device 

18 Business Is Good For Suffolk for 2014 

20 Cambridge Is Getting Ahead 

22 What Happens When Something Goes Wrong 

25 The Hidden Secret In The Workplace 

28 a day in the life of ben cole from inspired 

31 The Digital Business 

39 Business Diary 

42 Exploring Your Business’ Corporate Benefits 

45 Train Of Thought 

53 Inspire Your Team 

54 recognising the importance of loyal customers 

57 The Smart Hotel Alternative 

58 The Doors Have Opened 

THe TEAM 

John Treby Creative Director | Gemma Treby Sales and Marketing Director | Georgie Campbell Editor 

Rhiannon Smith Editiorial & PR Assistant | Catherine Bradfield Publication Sales | Becca Plaxton Publication Sales 

Jess Pack Designer | Matt Cockerton Designer | Eugene Hector Designer | Sophie Barnes Designer 

Oli Shilling Designer | Emma Sheppard Designer | Nick Jenkins Designer | Steve Parr Designer 

Expert Contributors Glyn Mon Huges | Miles Vartan | James Pinchbeck | Paul Sullivan | Jacqui Kemp 

Ed Goodman | Suffolk Chamber of Commerce 

Cubiqdesign | Goodwin Business Park | Newmarket | CB8 7SQ | 01638 666432 | www.iqmag.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 7

IQ business overview 

BUSINESS 

OVERVIEW 

Celebrating the national acceptance of a 

financial upturn in 2014, Glyn Mon Hughes 

discusses the status of our local SMEs 

“In 2014, our campaign and our 

message is simple but is more 

powerful than ever. Business 

in Suffolk is a themed year that 

shows that businesses and their 

contribution to the economy 

goes much further than just the 

business community.” 

Although storms and disasters fill the front pages of 

our newspapers, their business pages are full of good 

news… at last. 

Since the whirlwind of financial disaster that hit 

the world hard in 2008, it’s been difficult to find 

something positive to say about business. But, 

echoing Norman Lamont’s famous and, at the time, 

much-derided comments about the ‘green shoots of 

recovery’, politicians have been searching hard for 

those early signs of new financial stability. 

The latter half of 2013 saw those green shoots poke 

through, as companies started to report rising profits, 

manufacturing reported better order books, the 

service sector began to pick up and the all-important 

bellweather – the housing market – reported that 

mortgage applications and acceptances were rising 

and that the market was on the move once again. 

“There is no doubt that as we enter 2014, firms across 

the county are experiencing a great deal of optimism,” 

said John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk 

Chamber of Commerce. “In 2014, our campaign 

and our message is simple but is more powerful than 

ever. Business in Suffolk is a themed year that 

shows that businesses and their contribution to 

the economy goes much further than just the 

business community.” 

Back on the business pages, though, 

many of the stories relate to the 

bigger picture and to big business 

in particular. According to the 

Federation of Small Businesses, the 

organisation takes a strident position 

when it addresses the needs of its particular 

sector of business. 

They say that it is easy for the government 

to talk to big business, but that the problems of 

smaller businesses are often overlooked. In all, small 

issue 8 | page 8

IQ business overview 

businesses employ 47% of the UK total workforce, 

and that small-to-medium sized businesses provide 

a colossal 50% of the turnover of the entire UK 

economy. 

The government, however, frequently talks about 

the advice it can offer to new businesses, and 

it seems that there is no end to the number of 

advisory companies offering this advice or that, 

and there are also enterprise specialists offering 

practically every expertise imaginable. 

“The FSB position is that if the government wants 

real growth, then ours is the sector in which to 

concentrate its grants, training, long-term planning 

and energies,” said Jeanette Thurtle, East Anglia 

Development Manager for the Federation of Small 

Businesses. 

Following a request by the New Anglia Local 

Enterprise Partnership to take part in a microbusiness 

project to establish what businesses would 

like to see their LEP do for them, the FSB in East 

Anglia launched Getting East Anglia Connected, 

which looks at the main issues facing small 

businesses. 

“Businesses do not know what help and support is 

available and where to find it,” noted Jeanette. “The 

LEP’s business information portal needs to be fit for 

purpose and to be as friendly as a smartphone app, 

with easy to understand portal buttons that lead 

you to a goldmine of information and assistance.” 

The organisation added that businesses needed 

easy and flexible access to finance as well as true 

incubator units from where enterprises can move 

on once they have established themselves. The 

vexed question of the A14 upgrade is also high on 

the FSB wishlist. “This A-road is a national artery, 

with over 60% of UK exports and imports moving 

to and from Felixstowe,” added Jeanette. 

Keeping an eye on car park charges so that 

the cost of visiting a town does not become 

prohibitive, and ensuring that the rollout 

of superfast broadband reaches all parts 

of the region, are also FSB priorities. 

Education and training is another 

area where the LEP is being 

encouraged to act. “On the 

school timetable, we could do a lot 

worse than to return to the statutory 

12 days per years of future employment 

focussed education,” said Jeanette. “For 

example, how many jobs are there in a hospital 

beyond the doctor, the nurse and the porter? 

What kind of jobs can you get in the tourism sector, 

and do you need to like people to work in that 

sector?” 

There’s also a “grow your own” programme, 

whereby school leavers are encouraged to go to 

university to study engineering and science degrees 

with the possibility of a bursary. “But there would 

be a caveat that they must return to live and work 

in the region for a minimum period of time after 

graduation to “repay” the grant,” noted Jeanette. 

The final plea from the FSB is to have a clear and 

simple procurement strategy that encourages small 

businesses to get involved and to deliver best value 

services. A recent FSB report showed that 58% of 

money spent by local authorities with small firms 

is re-spent in the local economy – something that 

does not always happen when dealing with large 

companies. 

“We really encourage the LEP to engage in an 

active dialogue with business organisations and 

to put small business at the heart of all policy 

objectives,” added Jeanette. “Think small, think 

fast and take action!” 

More Information 

www.iqmag.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 9


issue 8 | page 10

IQ finance 

FROM RIDING 

OUT THE 

STORM 

TO RIDING 

THE WAVE 

Realising potential for the challenges 

ahead, Streets Chartered Accountants 

offer some key areas of consideration 

Whilst trends and headlines seem to suggest positive 

signs for our economy, it would be seriously naive 

to think we are about to see a significant upturn, 

more typical of perhaps a boom and bust economy. 

There is, however, probably a need for businesses to 

consider a period of growth. 

Over the last few years, businesses will have had 

different approaches to dealing with the challenges 

they have faced; however, the majority have battened 

down the hatches and chosen to tick over, an 

approach which might be referred to as riding out 

the storm. It would seem now, though, that there is 

a need to ‘ride the wave’, whereby a business seeks 

to gain the advantage or benefit from the economic 

momentum being currently experienced. 

However, realising the potential does come with its 

challenges, which will be many and varied. Some of 

the key areas to consider include the following: 

Finance 

Few are likely to have seen their profit margins 

improve over the last few years. As a result, reduced 

profit will often have led to reduced working capital 

to fund development or up turns in business. For 

those starting to see increased sales, it must be time 

to look again at margins, as well as at the funding 

and management of working capital to support the 

business. 

If you are seeing an increase, or predict one, then 

it may be worth looking to your bank for finance. 

Certainly, the capacity or ability to borrow is often 

greater or easier than you think. Equally, renewed 

confidence, along with the current generous 

investment allowances, may help to make the 

decision to invest much more palatable. 

STAFFING 

Wage pressure and employment mobility, along with 

promotions, tend to be, in the majority of cases, more 

suppressed during periods of economic downturn. 

The reverse is often the case in an upturn or in times 

of increased prosperity. It would, therefore, not be 

unrealistic for us to start to see businesses facing 

increased pressure around recruitment, retention 

and the provision of rewards. 

Markets and Marketing 

What we buy, where we buy it, how we buy it, 

why we buy it and when we buy it rarely remains 

consistent. It must, therefore, be key to your thinking 

to consider not just the markets you serve, or could 

serve, but also the marketing techniques and tools 

which you use to exploit such opportunities. Key 

trends to consider include the growth of web based 

trading, increased overseas trade and greater use of 

digital marketing. 

It’s Good To Talk 

Dealing with the challenges faced can be a 

challenge in itself; therefore, seeking the advice 

of a commercially minded accountant could 

be a great starting point for the next stage in 

your business’ life cycle. Certainly, such an 

approach can be instrumental in helping 

you realise or surpass the expectations you 

may have for your business. 


Streets Chartered Accountants. Tel: Cambridge 01223 

570000 / Newmarket 01638 660661. www.streetsweb.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 11


SPRING 

CLEAN 

YOUR 

BUSINESS 

AND ITS 

FINANCES 

steve elsom, Area Director SME 

Banking for Lloyds Bank, reveals his top 

spring cleaning tips 

At this time of year, it’s quite easy to walk around 

our homes and gardens and spot the work that 

needs doing as we move towards spring and 

hopefully some better, especially drier, weather. 

Yet, as a business owner, how often do you adopt 

the same principles where your business and, in 

particular, its finances are concerned? Hopefully, 

some of the following suggestions will appear 

more rewarding than some of those household 

chores! 

issue 8 | page 12


Keeping in contact with your customers 

Contacting your customers regularly to keep 

them abreast of the latest developments in your 

business can work wonders when it comes to 

keeping you at the front of their minds for their 

next purchase. This would be vital if a customer 

hasn’t bought from you for a while, as you might 

find out the reasons behind their decision. Are 

you providing the service that your customers 

want? Why not use this opportunity to get some 

feedback on what you do for them now, and 

what they might like you to do in future. 

Lean & mean 

When did you last review your costs, particularly such 

things as utilities? We are increasingly in the habit 

of reviewing our domestic suppliers, but are you as 

diligent when it comes to reviewing your business usage 

and tariffs? Pricing isn’t always as vital a factor in 

a decision to buy, but when did you last review your 

pricing strategy? If it’s been a while, are your prices 

delivering what you want from your business? 

TIME FOR A 

NEW YOU? 

How is your business viewed not only 

in terms of its physical presence, but 

also with regard to its virtual one? 

How long is it since your website was 

refreshed? How effectively do you use 

social media both in terms of promoting 

your business and of reviewing what 

people are saying about you? Does the 

exterior of your premises need that 

spring-cleaning touch, to give that vital 

first impression of a business that’s 

going places? 

Back to basics 

Remind yourself why you started in 

business in the first place. Revisit some 

of those founding principles on which 

your business was built, and critically 

review how many of them you’re 

still true to and which ones need an 

overhaul. Are the longer term plans that 

you originally had still achievable? For 

example, if you plan to withdraw from, 

or to sell your business at a certain 

time, does your financial situation allow 

for that? 

Getting a fitter cashflow 

Review the balance in your business 

between what you owe at any given point 

compared to what’s owed to you. If there’s 

an imbalance, do you have a regular 

programme for reminding your customers 

when they are reaching the end of the time 

limit set in the terms of your invoice? Have 

you ensured that your customers have the 

right details to send payments to you via 

electronic payments? This is quicker for you, 

and probably cheaper for them, than writing 

you a cheque. If you’re paying the money 

you owe well within the timescales given, are 

you getting something back for that, perhaps 

a discount? If not, you could be stretching 

the cash in your business too far. 

Hopefully, as we move further into 2014, 

there is something here that you can take 

into your own business to make it stronger. A 

recent survey, commissioned by us at Lloyds 

Banking Group, shows that confidence in the 

business community appears at its highest 

level for many years, so there are opportunities 

out there for businesses looking to challenge 

themselves and take those key actions. 


Lloyds Bank, Enterprise House, Chivers Way, Vision Park, Histon, Cambs, CB24 9ZR. 

Email: steve.elsom@lloydsbanking.com. Twitter: @steveelsom1. Tel: 01223 227680. www.lloydsbank.com 

issue 8 | page 13


issue 8 | page 14

IQ tax 

SOW THE 

SEED OF 

INVESTMENT 

Andrew Webster, owner of the UK 

& international tax advisors websters, 

discusses the benefits for investors 

So if you’re looking for 

alternatives to savings, 

ISAs and stocks, investing 

in a portfolio of startups 

can be a more lucrative 

and enjoyable option. When 

you factor in the reliefs 

available from investing 

in SEIS companies, it 

becomes dramatically more 

appealing. 


To hear more about SEIS, contact Andrew, Liz or 

Catriona on 01223 507080 or visit www.tax.uk.com 

Clients visiting websters in the last few months may have noticed 

that the amount of artwork on the walls has significantly risen! 

This is because owner Andrew Webster has set up a new 

company, the MAKE Gallery, which is sharing the main office 

building in Wellington Street. 

Since July last year, the gallery has slowly established itself, 

holding a couple of private viewings before, in December, 

opening its doors to the public, from 10am to 4pm each 

weekday by appointment. 

The Gallery has been made possible by private investors taking 

advantage of Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme or SEIS. 

Introduced in April 2012, SEIS is one of the most generous 

tax schemes available to UK taxpayers; no other major country 

offers such significant reliefs to investors in startups. Its aim is 

to encourage seed investment in early stage companies, such as 

the MAKE Gallery. 

The benefits for investors are: 

• Investors can receive initial income tax relief of 50% on 

investments up to £100,000 per tax year in qualifying shares 

issued on or after 6 April 2012. 

• A Capital Gains Tax exemption will be offered in respect of 

gains realised, which are reinvested through SEIS in the same 

year. 

• The individual investor can be a director of the company, but 

not an employee. 

• An individual’s stake in the company can be no more than 

30%, so risk is limited. 

• SEIS tax relief applies only to recently incorporated 

companies. 

• The company must have 25 employees or less, and gross assets 

of up to £200,000. 

So, if you’re looking for alternatives to savings, ISAs and stocks, 

investing in a portfolio of startups can be a more lucrative and 

enjoyable option. When you factor in the reliefs available from 

investing in SEIS companies, it becomes dramatically more 

appealing. 

Tax specialist Andrew worked with websters solicitor Liz 

Hooley and accountant Catriona Freebairn to bring the MAKE 

Gallery into legal existence, and to ensure that the three main 

investors in the company gained the benefits from the scheme. 

SEIS investment is not for everyone, and both are keen to make 

it clear that it should be part of a diversified portfolio. 

Andrew said: “This has been an exciting project for websters; 

linking clients looking to make investments with a start-up 

enterprise requiring support; then making it happen – and 

offering continued accountancy and legal support. The 

amazing side benefit is, of course, having access to the stunning 

artwork, which now sits in the websters’ office! 

issue 8 | page 15


CKLG Accountants, Colliers Lane, 

Stow-cum-Quy, Cambridge CB25 9AU. 

Tel: 01223 810100. www.cklg.co.uk 

Tell us about 

your business 

Andy’s Kars is a 

small, family 

run garage 

in Bar Hill, 

Cambridge, 

which repairs 

and services 

a wide range of motor vehicles and which also specialises in the 

adaptation of vehicles, allowing freedom of the road for people who 

might not otherwise be able to get about independently. 

We also run specialist training programmes and employ disadvantaged 

and disabled young adults who are keen to establish a career in the 

motor industry. 

What accountancy software did you use prior to Xero? 

Prior to using Xero, we used Autoworks, bespoke workshop 

management software for the motor industry. 

Why did you decide to change accountancy software? 

When the time came to upgrade our computer systems, we discovered 

that Autoworks no longer serviced the server software we were using, 

and everything had moved ‘into the cloud’. 

The challenge we faced was to find user friendly, online accounting 

software that would be compatible with our existing front of house 

management system. Xero provided exactly what we needed. 

What was your first impression of Xero? 

One of the beauties of Xero is that it is cloud based. It means I don’t 

have to work on the accounts purely at work. I can be at home, or 

with my accountant or bank manager, and have all the relevant data 

in front of me, and more importantly, it’s live. 

What are the main benefits to your business of using Xero? 

We can download our live statements each day, reconcile our 

accounts, and keep track of our P&L, which for a small business 

helps with cash flow management, as well as business management, 

forward planning and budgeting. Xero has become a vital part of our 

business and is very easy to use. 

What made you choose CKLG Accountants as your business 

accountants? 

Finding the right accountant is very important to a small business. 

The support and expert advice we receive from Alex Graham at 

CKLG Accountants is second to none. He provides a first class, 

tailored service and I know if I have a question, I can pick up the 

phone and he will provide me with the answers I need, with no extra 

cost. 

Alex’s knowledge of Xero and the bespoke service CKLG 

Accountants provide us with is essential to our success, and I would 

definitely recommend CKLG accountants to any small business. 

MANAGE YOUR BUSINESS ANYTIME, 

ANYWHERE, ON ANY DEVICE 

IQ Magazine speaks to Andy Kent from Andy’s Kars as he 

updates his accountancy programme with CKLG Accountants 


issue 8 | page 17


BUSINESS IS GOOD 

FOR SUFFOLK IN 2014 

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce enter 2014 with a great deal of optimism 

The hard working entrepreneurial business 

community is good for the whole of Suffolk, the 

Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce 

has said as the business group launches its 2014 

campaign. 

‘Business is Good for Suffolk’ is the 2014 themed 

year for Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and comes 

on the back of the successful 2013 Exporting 

is Good for Suffolk which received personal 

endorsement from the Prime Minister. 

“There is no doubt that as we enter 2014 firms 

across the county are experiencing a great deal 

of optimism,” said John Dugmore, the Chief 

Executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. 

“Their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit has 

laid strong foundations for the Suffolk economy to 

go from strength to strength in the year ahead.” 

“Exporting is Good for Suffolk showed the real 

power of local companies exporting to the UK, 

the EU and around the world,” he continued. “In 

2014, our campaign and our message is simple, but 

is more powerful than ever.” 

Business is Good for Suffolk is a themed year that 

shows businesses and their contribution to the 

economy goes much further than just the business 

community. 

“A strong thriving and growing business sector has a 

knock on effect on the daily lives of everyone living, 

issue 8 | page 18


working and visiting our county and this 

campaign is all about highlighting that,” 

John Dugmore said. “For example, as 

we enter the New Year, many people will 

be thinking about warmer weather and 

booking their holidays in the summer. 

“The Suffolk tourist industry is an 

integral part of the county’s success and 

brings jobs and livelihoods to thousands 

of people every year. Business is Good 

for Suffolk is all about highlighting that 

and ensuring we all benefit in as many 

ways as possible.” 

The business community ended 2013 

on a high with the announcement that 

the Government were reversing their 

proposals to toll a section of the A14 – 

the major infrastructure route into the 

county. 

“The business community has shown 

with No Toll Tax on Suffolk that working 

together it can achieve great things for 

the county,” John Dugmore concluded. 

“We want to keep these partnerships 

together moving into 2014 and show 

that wherever you live and whatever you 

do business is good for Suffolk. 

“We plan to showcase and celebrate 

the fantastic businesses we have in our 

county by encouraging our members 

to back the campaign by informing us 

why they think ‘Business is Good for 

Suffolk’.” 

As part of the campaign, Suffolk 

Chamber of Commerce is organising a 

calendar of themed events throughout 

2014. Events already planned include 

an exclusive tour around the new 

Energy-from-Waste Plant being built by 

SITA UK at Great Blakenham on the 

28th February and a presentation from 

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director 

of Stansted Airport at their Business 

Networking Lunch at Stoke by Nayland 

Hotel, Golf & Spa on the 24th March. 

“Suffolk has a strong hardworking 

entrepreneurial business sector 

creating opportunities 

for individuals and 

communities to prosper 

together through 

economic growth. It is 

important that we all take 

the opportunity to invest in 

our own communities where 

possible by reminding ourselves of 

the “Buy British” and “Buy Suffolk” ethos.” 

Mark Walker, Project Director at Ashridge Secruity Management Ltd. 

“We pride ourselves on investing 

in local people - the digital 

talent in Suffolk is worldclass. 

Montage relocated 

to Suffolk because of 

our ever-growing South 

East client base. Suffolk 

is the perfect base for 

us. Excellent international 

transport links and easy access 

to our European markets made it 

the ideal place from which to operate our business.” 

Aime Southgate, Director at Montage Communications. 

“There is a vibrant digital scene 

emerging in Suffolk, and it is the 

independent businesses that 

are helping to pave the way. 

Our county’s tech and 

creative sectors produce 

industry leading work, 

initiatives and innovative 

events that are helping to 

put Suffolk on the map as a 

centre for digital excellence. They 

are the driving forces behind job creation, and an important 

reason why people are choosing to work and spend their 

money in Suffolk. Digital businesses are not only good for 

Suffolk, Suffolk is good for the digital section.” 

Tom Gillman, Head of Sales and Marketing at Crafted. 


www.suffolkchamber.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 19



www.cambridgeahead.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 20


CAMBRIDGE IS 

GETTING AHEAD 

Putting one foot forward, Cambridge Ahead reveals its plans for 2014 

Dedicated to the successful growth of Cambridge 

in the long term, Cambridge Ahead has officially 

launched as a business and academic members 

group, which aims to provide a business 

perspective on the opportunities and needs for 

the region so that it can retain its character and 

compelling quality of life. 

Cambridge Ahead features a prestigious initial 

group of members representing a current 

working population of more than 25,500 people 

in Cambridge and a turnover of more than £4 

billion. Such members include Addenbrooke’s 

Hospital, Barclays, Cambridge University, 

Marshall of Cambridge and Bidwells. Acting as 

a conduit, the member organisation is committed 

to delivering the collective voice of the business 

community to local and central government in 

order to bring about positive change and growth. 

Despite joining a host of other business member 

organisations, Cambridge Ahead claims to 

differentiate itself by having the long-term 

growth of Cambridge and its region as its key 

aim. Wanting not to duplicate or dilute existing 

activity, Cambridge Ahead instead pledges to 

develop close working relationships with all 

organisations to enhance existing work and make 

Cambridge even more successful. 

Jeremy Newsum, the inaugural Chairman of 

Cambridge Ahead and a former Chairman of 

the Urban Land Institute, said: “I am delighted 

to be chairing this very exciting initiative, as 

I believe strongly that business has much to 

contribute to the evolution of a place undergoing 

changes as rapidly as Cambridge. The diversity 

of economic activity here is astonishing, and 

we must fulfill our obligation to explain how 

business contributes and to be thoughtful about 

its future growth.” 

Following its launch, three projects will take 

priority in the first year of Cambridge Ahead: 

‘Sell Cambridge to Itself ’ led by David Cleevely 

CBE; ‘Clarify the Growth Agenda’ led by Dr 

Tony Raven, Chief Executive of Cambridge 

Enterprise; and ‘Improve the Quality of Life’ led 

by Professor Michael Thorne, Vice Chancellor 

of Anglia Ruskin University. The limitation of 

three initiatives will allow the organisation to 

focus attention on achievable, but ambitious, 

objectives. 

The new Chief Executive of Cambridge Ahead, 

Jane Paterson-Todd, added: “This is a very 

exciting day for us and we are thrilled not only to 

have the opportunity to share our objectives but 

also to be able to unveil our first three projects, 

which will address some of these key issues. I am 

indebted to our outstanding group of influential 

members which gives us the credibility we need 

to make a difference, not for our members 

directly, but for everyone connected with this 

great city.” 

“I am delighted to be chairing this very exciting initiative, as I believe strongly that 

business has much to contribute to the evolution of a place undergoing changes as 

rapidly as Cambridge. The diversity of economic activity here is astonishing, and we 

must fulfill our obligation to explain how business contributes and to be thoughtful 

about its future growth.” - Jeremy Newsum 

issue 8 | page 21

IQ health and safety 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 

SOMETHING GOES WRONG 

Miles Vartan asks SMEs how they would survive in the face of a crisis 

Many things could happen when 

something goes wrong. You or 

your company may have to pay 

a fine following an investigation 

- hopefully, you will not be 

prosecuted. Whatever the results, 

the incident or accident will 

cause a great deal of stress and 

set off a wide range of emotions 

as you and your management 

team try to recover the situation. 

Your customer base may say all 

the right things and appear to be 

sympathetic, but, when they stop 

placing orders, the effect could 

be terminal. 

In terms of Health and Safety, if 

a person has been hurt, regardless 

of whether they are employed by 

you, a customer or a contractor, 

financial performance becomes 

immaterial as you come to terms 

with the fact that someone has 

come to work or attended your 

site and been injured. If, having 

reported the incident, it is of 

a serious nature, the Police or 

Health and Safety Executive 

will want to establish how the 

company is adhering to the 

Health and Safety at Work Act 

1974, to establish if negligence, 

behavioural attitudes or lack of 

supervision may have led to the 

accident. 

By taking competent advice risk 

management, you will quickly 

create a firmer foundation to 

work from, making your staff 

aware of how to respond in the 

event of an issue, and providing a 

Business Continuity Plan, which, 

if followed, will systematically 

provide a route to a more stable 

position. 

PepsiCo’s 2011 Annual 

Report stated: ‘Our financial 

performance could suffer if 

we are unable to compete 

effectively...’ The Hartford 

and U.S. Small Business 

Administration, 2002, reported 

that ‘after a disaster, businesses 

are literally fighting for their very 

lives. A sobering statistic from 

the Bureau of Labor Statistics 

indicates 43 percent of businesses 

never reopen following a disaster, 

and 29 percent more go out of 

business within two years.’ If you 

have not reviewed your overall 

risk profile and do not have a 

Business Continuity Plan, then 

now is the time to prepare one. 

Have a review now, to make sure 

that if the worst happens to your 

business, you and your company 

will survive. Business Continuity 

Management is about ensuring 

that whatever the challenges an 

organisation has to face, it can do 

so without damage to its bottom 

line or reputation. 

Miles Vartan Consultancy 

Limited has developed a Risk 

Management Bureau, which, 

issue 8 | page 22

IQ health and safety 

by working with Associates, provides practical 

Health and Safety advice and Business Continuity 

Planning. At its most basic, Business Continuity 

Management is about an organisation having 

plans in place to ensure that it can continue to 

operate at an acceptable level when disruption, 

whatever form that might take, prevents normal 

operations. If there were to be fire at your 

building at 2am on a Thursday morning, what 

would you do? 


www.milesvartan.co.uk 

Some top tips on how to survive a FLood and minimise the risks to your business: 

• 

• 

Assess the risks in your area. Find out if you are • 

on a flood plain. People often think “I’m nowhere 

near a river. I’m fine.” Wrong! Water goes down… 

but water also comes up too! 

Sign up to the Environment Agency’s ‘Flood Line’ • 

system to receive alerts for your area. 

Keep a list of your top 20 clients. They’ll be the 

ones bringing in 80 per cent of your revenue. Yes, 

all customers/clients are important, but you can’t 

call all your clients, so think smart. 

Speak to your landlord or head of facilities, and 

find out who will be called in in the event of an 

• On a map showing your premises, look at the 

routes in and identify different access routes, 

just in case one becomes blocked. 

• 

emergency occurring when you’re not in the 

office. 

Obtain the number of a company which 

• 

• 

Look round your office. Are you in the basement? 

Do you have lots of paper stored on the floor? 

Just 2 inches of water can be devastating to that • 

server which is sitting on the floor in the corner! 

Put together a list of contact numbers for staff to • 

be used in an emergency. 

specialises in drying out water damaged 

businesses, and sort out a contract. 

Pull together all the above, and compile into a 

one/two page plan. 

Pull senior managers together and tell them how 

it all works – exercise them by rehearsing! 

issue 8 | page 23


issue 8 | page 24

IQ hr 

MENTAL HEALTH 

THE HIDDEN SECRET IN THE WORKPLACE 

Jacqui Kemp from About HR discusses the need for employers to be more open about 

mental health issues at work 

The topic of stress and depression is becoming 

more widely discussed in society, with more people 

in the public eye admitting that they have suffered 

in the past, so it’s time for organisations to start 

encouraging their employees to speak up, and to 

provide the means to do so. 

It is important that the signs of mental ill health at 

work are recognised and understood by senior and 

middle management. Too often I hear talk of stress 

being the back ache of the 1970s; however, true 

stress can lead to mental health issues, from anxiety 

and panic to depression. 

I’m a strong believer that were organisations to take 

a proactive approach to mental ill health at work 

they would have fewer issues; they would be far 

better equipped to identify potential problems early, 

and to reduce and prevent stress in the organisation. 

Tackling mental ill-health at work can have a positive effect on: 

• Employee commitment to work; 

• Staff performance and productivity; 

• Staff turnover or intention to leave; 

• Staff recruitment and retention; 

• Customer satisfaction; 

• Organisational image and reputation. 

Business in the Community states that everyone 

has a role to play to break the stigma of mental 

ill health in the work place and I agree with this 

wholeheartedly. 


To ensure your people managers have the right skills and experience to identify and reduce stress at work call me today on 

01954 715406 or email Jacqui@abouthruk.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 25


HAVERHILL 

RESEARCH 

PARK 

LAUNCHES 

INNOVATION 

CENTRE PLANS 

Haverhill Research Park moves on to the 

next stage 


www.haverhillresearchpark.com 

Plans for a 30,000 sq ft £5 million Innovation Centre 

at Haverhill Research Park, Suffolk, to help the 

needs of start-up businesses, have been unveiled by 

Carisbrooke Developments. 

A planning application was submitted in late January 

to St Edmundsbury Borough Council for the fourstorey 

building. As the first property to be built on the 

450,000 sq ft Research Park, the Innovation Centre 

will be the landmark development located at the 

centre of the Park, and adjacent to the lake. With 

an expected completion date of summer 2015, the 

Centre could create up to 300 jobs. 

The development will comprise high specification 

offices and dry R&D accommodation in a range of 

sizes, together with conference and meeting rooms, 

training facilities and a ‘work-hub’ area for shared 

working. There will also be a café overlooking the 

lake, which will create a focal point for the Innovation 

Centre as well as for other businesses located on the 

park. 

Nic Rumsey of Carisbrooke Investments said, “We 

hope, and expect, that the Innovation Centre, once 

built, will be the hub of the Research Park. It will 

offer early-stage companies tailored support services 

designed to boost the growth of their businesses, 

ranging from cost-effective, flexible, managed space 

issue 8 | page 26


The Centre will aim to stimulate innovation, product and process development and 

technology transfer, which will enhance growth, creativity and customer satisfaction, 

both nationally and internationally, for all its clients. 

to business advice, integrated telecoms, broadband 

internet access and networking facilities. 

“The Centre will aim to stimulate innovation, 

product and process development and technology 

transfer, which will enhance growth, creativity 

and customer satisfaction, both nationally and 

internationally, for all its clients. The Innovation 

Centre will become a ‘business incubator’, offering 

experience, contacts, resources, and a presence in 

the local community. Working with St Edmundsbury 

and the two Local Enterprise Partnerships, we hope 

to realise funding for the building shortly, so that 

construction can commence as soon as possible.” 

The design of the building itself, created by 

architects Frank Shaw Associates, will ‘set the 

standard’ for future buildings on the Park, providing 

exciting and contemporary architecture; there will 

be a double height, glazed reception area, and a 

striking brise soleil canopy over the entrance. 

The building will be clad in a mix of brick and two 

types of rainscreen cladding, and there will be high 

quality landscaping with an avenue of pear trees on 

the north side of the building. 

The sustainable elements of the design comprise 

photovoltaic panels on the roof to provide a source 

of renewable energy for the Centre, together with 

bicycle racks, showers and changing rooms for 

those wishing to cycle to work. 

issue 8 | page 27

IQ a day in the life of 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: 

BEN COLE, FOUNDER 

OF INSPIRED 

IQ Magazine finds out about the day-to-day 

running of this boutique live communications agency 

Recognising the importance of creating a 

connection with audiences in the world of 

commerce, Ben Cole’s vision of building a live 

communications agency to stimulate interaction, 

change perceptions and build advocacy has grown 

from strength to strength. 

Launched in 2011, Inspired produces events and 

experiences for corporate companies and brands, 

not only throughout the UK, but also across the 

globe, to do exactly what it says on the tin – inspire. 

Starting out as a consultancy to large event 

management agencies that had a requirement to 

offer event design, content and production services 

to their clients, Inspired has progressed to building 

its own direct client base. Due to its continued 

success, the business has recently relocated to a 

larger office in Bury St Edmunds, which will allow 

the Inspired team more space to collaborate with 

its client base and associates across the East of 

England and the rest of the UK. 

As founder of the company, Ben is very much 

the face of Inspired; and, recognising that the 

majority of work in the events industry derives 

from business relationships and word of mouth, 

plays a hands-on role in running the business 

on a day-to-day basis. This is certainly not an 

industry for the fainthearted! With a small team 

of experienced associate designers, producers and 

project managers supporting him, Ben creates 

launch activity, brand activation, conferences, 

consumer events and experiential environments 

striving to deliver content in an engaging and 

highly memorable way. 

Working with blue chip brands in the automotive, 

technology and hospitality sectors, such as BMW 

Group UK, BP and Sheraton Group, as well 

as smaller, locally based partners of the same 

organisations, Inspired aims to put the audience at 

the heart of everything it does. With many years 

experience gained from working with some of the 

UK’s largest events agencies and suppliers, Ben is 

able to gain a real understanding of the opinions, 

challenges and issues of a particular audience, 

before devising live experiences that will resonate 

with those people long afterwards. 

A true advocate of flawless event delivery, Ben 

involves himself with everything from new business 

development and company marketing, all the way 

through to acting as Executive Producer on larger 

projects that require his experience and strong client 

relations. From the buzz he receives when seeing 

the whole event come together, to the excitement 

he feels when hearing the audience applaud, it is 

undeniable that a passion for inspiring people is 

what drives Ben and his company forward – and 

will continue to do so for many years to come. 


www.inspiredlive.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 28

IQ a day in the life of 

An Average Day 

5:30 Early start today as I’m due in London for a 

client meeting this morning. Creep around the house 

getting ready and have a light breakfast whilst trying 

not to wake the rest of the family up. 

6.30 Catch the train and grab the first coffee of the 

day on board. Spend time checking emails that have 

come in overnight and preparing for the meeting 

ahead. 

8.30 Arrive in London and make a few calls to the 

team working on an upcoming project, to check 

everything is on schedule and brief in some changes 

to slide content that have been requested by a 

presenter. 

9.00 Client meeting in their offices. Today I’m 

working with an automotive client’s executive board 

and a scriptwriter to agree the key messages of 

their forthcoming conference, and to begin shaping 

the agenda. Getting this right will be crucial to the 

success of the event, ensuring the audience are clear 

on what they need to action afterwards. 

11.00 After the meeting has ended, grab a quick 

coffee with the client’s events manager to review 

overall progress with planning of the conference, 

and discuss a new product launch programme which 

they would also like us to be involved with. 

13.30 Back to the office with a sandwich whilst 

going through post and checking emails. 

14.00 Review some floor plans and 3D set designs 

that have just come in for a pitch we’re working on. 

The concept is looking really good and fits perfectly 

with the client’s brand guidelines. However there are 

a few minor changes to be made, so make a quick 

call to the designer to brief him on what’s required. 

15.00 Conference call with a new client to kick off a 

project happening later in the year. It’s a European 

convention and much of the discussion is around 

the format of the event – a main conference with 

breakout sessions, a technology showcase and a 

gala dinner. The brief has changed slightly and will 

require more support from our side, so make a note 

to revisit the project team structure. 

17.00 Finish writing up contact reports from today’s 

meetings. Final check of emails. 

17.45 Home to see the family. Spend some time 

playing with my 2 young boys before it’s time for 

their bath and bed. 

19.15 Sit down for dinner with my wife and a 

glass of wine – take stock of the day and catch up. 

Thoughts turn to planning a family holiday at Easter 

so spend some time looking at dates and ideas. 

20.00 Relax in front of the television with a good 

crime drama or thriller – a bit of escapism! 

22.00 To bed, ready for another busy day 

tomorrow. 

issue 8 | page 29


issue 8 | page 30


THE DIGITAL BUSINESS 

With the online market booming in recent years, we take a look at some of the 

region’s online businesses finding out what makes them different... 

issue 8 | page 31



Business Name: Six Whiting Street 

www.sixwhitingstreet.co.uk 

Founded: 2007 

Current Number of Employees: 5 full time, 

3 part time 

How do you think your website has expanded 

your business model? 

The website offers a virtual window to the world. 

It offers the opportunity to browse and purchase 

the products offered within the store to those 

who wouldn’t usually be able to travel to Bury St 

Edmunds. Offering the best service possible is key 

to growing a loyal customer base, which in turn 

generates new customers through word of mouth, 

reviews and social networking. 

What advice would you give to someone 

setting up an e-commerce website? 

There are a few key pieces of advice I’d offer… 

• Make sure you know your customers and what 

they want/ need from your website. 

• Keep an eye on your competition, offer 

something that’s at least as good as, or better than 

what they’re doing. 

• Choose a platform that caters for the size and 

needs of your business. There’s an almost endless 

choice of e-commerce platforms available on the 

market, from free open-source solutions such as 

Open Cart to ready-to-go platforms that charge a 

monthly fee such as Shopify. 

• Unless you’re selling a product that’s completely 

unique to you, the likelihood is that there are 

hundreds of other stores doing exactly what you 

are. To survive in the ever-competitive online 

market, it’s imperative that your products are 

photographed and described as well as they can 

be, or you’ll run the risk of your shopper leaving 

your site in search of more information and never 

returning to purchase. 

How does online marketing differ to local 

marketing? 

The marketing doesn’t differ a huge amount. 

Content is the biggest factor in any marketing, and 

making sure the content is relevant is so important. 

SEO gives your brand exposure to the types of 

‘Google’ shoppers who are searching for generic 

terms, but getting your rankings up can be a long 

and expensive process. Focus on building a strong 

social presence across popular social networking 

sites such a Twitter and Facebook. Engaging with 

your customers creates new leads that can generate 

sales. 

What are the main reasons shoppers visit 

your site? 

We strive to offer the best menswear shopping 

experience. By offering a diverse range of wellestablished 

worldwide brands, such as Paul Smith 

and Ralph Lauren alongside more fashion-focused 

brands like Scotch & Soda, Folk and Norse 

Projects, there’s something on offer for everyone. 

These staple brands rarely change, however, new 

brands are often introduced on a seasonal basis to 

keep the store/ site fresh. By offering an enjoyable, 

hassle-free service, the site’s presence and traffic 

has grown organically since its launch in 2009, 

and we hope to build on that success by continuing 

site improvements and upgrades over the coming 

months. 

issue 8 | page 32



What advantages do you think online 

businesses hold over high street stores? 

After running a shop for over three years, I can 

honestly, but maybe obviously, say ‘overheads’. 

An online shop will never face the overheads of 

unrealistic rents, business rates and utility bills. The 

other advantage is the vast audience out there. You 

can access people internationally, whereas being 

on a high street, you will only benefit from those 

customers passing by or planning a visit. 

Why did you decide to change your business 

plan to become an online store? 

Our website was a slow grower; we began initially 

with just having a high street shop, and eventually 

we built an e-commerce website and it began to 

grow and grow. When even local customers started 

to order over the web, I realised the shop would 

soon become redundant, yet burning costs. It was 

time to diversify and look at other ways of reaching 

customers. I am now set up as being ‘mobile’ and 

can come to the customer. 

What importance do you think the e-commerce 

side of the website has to your business model? 

The online shop is our ‘front of house’. It’s the 

first impression, so I have always worked towards 

keeping it a well maintained website - one that is 

clear yet classy, and most importantly, functional. 

Our jewellery making classes are the main body of 

the business model, but the e-commerce is there to 

reach a wider audience. I use e-newsletters a lot to 

promote the classes, as a way of jogging memories. 

What marketing tools do you use to promote 

the website? 

My background is marketing, so I know the 

importance of keeping a rapport with customers. 

It is essential to keep them engaged with your 

business and I do this by weekly newsletters and 

social media tools -Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, 

Blogger, YouTube and Instragram. I use these little 

and often, as I try to avoid drowning their feed with 

The Bead Boutique. 

How do you think the future of online 

businesses will evolve? 

I couldn’t have pictured buying from a mobile 

phone five years ago! The internet is moving fast 

and businesses need to keep up. Our next step is to 

become ‘responsive’ however. Do I see the need for 

my customer base (25-65yrs) to use their phone to 

buy my products – no, not right this second, but it’s 

going to be reality. As the age of my customer base 

grows, so will the mobile, and therefore I can’t wait 

around. 

What advice would you give to those looking to 

start an online business? 

I could go on about planning, research, etc., but one 

would hope you would do that anyway. Surprisingly, 

my biggest piece of advice is to build relationships. 

It is essential to work well with your suppliers, 

agencies and any other connections associated with 

your business. I couldn’t work with an agency that 

doesn’t understand me or my business! 

Business Name: The Bead Boutique 

www.thebeadboutique.co.uk 

Founded: 2010 

Current Number of Employees: 1 

issue 8 | page 33



In your opinion, what are the advantages of an 

online business? 

The obvious advantage is that it can open up a 

potential worldwide customer base, rather than being 

restricted to through-the-door business. It is far easier 

and more convenient for consumers to view all of our 

products online from their own homes, or on the move, 

with a tablet or mobile device. 

If customers already know their sizes and the quality of 

our golfwear, why waste an hour or two and a few quid 

in petrol going to a retail store? In five minutes, they 

can view our whole collection online and complete the 

transaction. 

Do you think an e-commerce site is essential to 

an online business? 

An e-commerce site is not essential for every business. 

If it’s a simple retail operation with products that 

have a point of difference, then yes, it would be an 

advantage, providing that the online operation is run 

as professionally as the direct competition. However, 

e-commerce does not easily cover businesses dedicated 

to negotiated pricing and cannot fully replace the 

human element within their transactional process. 

How do you market your products and website? 

The first task was to optimise product presentation 

by ensuring it was professionally photographed. If 

the product is visually unappealing or inaccurate, 

then there is no point in even building a website. 

The website build and design has then to be as good 

as the best of your competitors; it should maximise 

keyword search optimisation, provide good content 

for customer retention, offer an exceptional consumer 

experience, be easy to navigate and have a simple 

transaction process. 

I managed to negotiate a free affiliate marketing 

company deal for Peter Millar, and proceeded to build 

a database by securing a host of advertisers to promote 

our products, and used regular newsletter sign up 

competitions to spark interest. When the website was 

launched a year ago, Peter Millar was already an 

established, up-and-coming golfwear brand with a 

growing loyal following in hundreds of golf resorts and 

clubs around the world. 

The brand was also very shrewd in securing apparel 

Business Name: Wellsmith Ltd, UK distributors 

for American golfwear brand Peter Millar. URL 

petermillar.co.uk. 

Founded: 2006 web launch: 2012 

Current Number of Employees: 8 plus myself, 

Andy Holmes from theverticalthread, on contract 

to head the whole e-commerce operation outside 

the USA. 

sponsorship contracts with several top golfers who 

have regularly won golf tournaments on the PGA 

and European Tours, the biggest name being Brandt 

Snedeker who is in the top ten of the World Golf 

Rankings. 

What advice would you give to business looking 

to enter into the online business model? 

It’s all in the planning. Is the retail proposition viable? 

Determine the overhead cost. Have an understanding 

of the whole operation. Map out your marketing 

strategy before even beginning to design your website. 

Ensure you have the manpower to run the operation 

properly. Employ professionals. 

If your e-commerce proposition falls short of 

consumer expectation, it’s an unforgiving competitive 

environment out there. For every one hundred 

beautiful websites that are out there, less than 1% of 

them will be operating viably. The rest will eventually 

all fall by the wayside due to lack of understanding, 

funding or planning. 

issue 8 | page 34

IQ networking 

NETWORKING 

NECESSITY 

In the wake of CBL’s first anniversary, 

founder Ed Goodman discusses the importance of 

networking to increase your business network 

Starting your first business 

will require you to create the 

longest to-do-list of your life so 

far. There’s the bank account 

to sort out, a business plan to 

write, a website to design and 

build, equipment to buy… the 

list goes on. With all this to do 

and so much to learn, there’s a 

real indifference surrounding 

the need to connect with other 

businesses and, consequently, 

build a network for your 

venture. 

Starting the plans and research 

for the Cambridge Business 

Lounge (CBL) with my business 

partner, Nicky, early in 2012, 

we registered the company 

the following August and on 

8th January 2013 opened our 

doors for the first time. On the 

evening of our opening day, we 

held a launch party to thank 

people who had helped us, 

and also invited a selection of 

people whom we had met in the 

six months leading up to our 

first day. 

It’s this point that I’m making 

now, that too many businesses I 

speak to simply seem to forget. 

Networking is more than simply 

meeting new contacts when the 

order book is looking a little 

bare. It’s an opportunity for 

people to meet the real you, find 

out about the person behind the 

business and build a professional 

relationship with them. Then, 

when your business takes one 

of its inevitable downturns, 

however small and short term 

that may be, you have a wider 

pool of connections that you 

can turn to in order to build it 

back up again more quickly. 

I spent several months attending 

networking events and engaging 

in social media groups, so that 

when we did finally open our 

doors at the beginning of last 

year, we had customers using 

our services on our first day. 

Whether you’re in the process 

of starting your first business, 

or are have already been 

trading for a number or years, 

go to your nearest co-working 

space or networking group and 

build on your list of business 

connections. I genuinely believe 

that if I hadn’t put the effort in 

before we started trading, CBL 

would have struggled to reach 

its first birthday. 


Cambridge Business Lounge, 1st Floor, Burleigh House, 52 Burleigh 

Street, Cambridge CB1 1DJ. Tel: 01223 324040. Email: ed.goodman@ 

cambridgebusinesslounge.com. Twitter @edagoodman. 

issue 8 | page 35


issue 8 | page 36

Start-Up Cambridge 

This monthly event is for anyone 

who is thinking of starting a 

business or has been trading for 

less than 1 year. 

Date: 5th February, 5th March, 

2nd April 

Time: 10:00 – 12:00 

Organisation: Cambridge 

Business Lounge, 

www.cambridgebusinesslounge.com 

Booking details: Tel 01223 

324040 

Cost: £10 payable on the day or in 

advance 

West Suffolk College 

- Briefings and 

Presentations Course 

Managers are able to attend 

this workshop to work on 

their briefing and presentation 

skills. Half-day workshops and 

complete modules are available. 

Date: 7th February 2014 

Time: 9:30 – 13:30 

Venue: West Suffolk College, Out 

Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 

IP33 3RL 

Cost: £55/ILM qualification and 

assessment £180 

NDCC Executive Lunch with 

Matt Hancock (MP) 

The Conservative MP, Matt will 

be joining this business lunch, to 

talk about the current situation 

in West Suffolk and his position 

as Minister for Skills. 

Date: 7th February 

Time: 12:00 

Venue: The Bedford Lodge Hotel, 

BUSINESS DIARY 

Bury Road, Newmarket 

Organiser: Newmarket & District 

Chamber of Commerce 

Booking details: www. 

newmarketbusinessassociation.co.uk 

Cost: £6 (Member) £40 (Non 

Member) 

Cambridge Business 

Women’s Coffee Club 

An informal monthly group for 

Cambridgeshire business women 

to meet like-minded people as 

well as a meeting to exchange 

ideas and experiences. 

Dates: 11th February 

Time: 10:00 – 12:00 

Venue: 1st Floor, Burleigh House, 

52 Burleigh Street, CB1 1DJ 

Organisation: Cambridge 

Business Lounge 

Booking details: www.meetup. 

com/Cambridge-Business-Womens- 

Coffee-Club 

Cost: £10 

Cambridge Business Lounge 

Live 

Formerly CambsHourDay, enjoy 

a line up of hour long workshops 

and talks, mixed together with 

some informal networking with 

CambsHour regulars and other 

local businesses. 


Time: 09:00 – 16:30 

Venue: Cambridge Business 

Lounge, 1st Floor, Burleigh House, 

52 Burleigh Street, Cambridge, CB1 

1DJ. 

Booking details: 

www.cambridgebusinesslounge.com 

Cambridge Network Event: 

Breakfast Networking – 

Technology and Market 

Prototyping 

This meeting focuses on 

preparing a project feasibility 

study, looking at open innovation 

and technology transfer and 

how to get a prototype ready, 

there will also be an opportunity 

to network before and after the 

presentation. 


Time: 8:00 – 10:00 

Venue: Hauser Forum, 3 Charles 

Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0GT 

Organiser: Dawn Nicholls 


341053 or e-mail dawn.nicholls@ 

cambridgenetwork.co.uk 

Cost: £15.00 (members)/ £50.00 

(non-members) 

The Coffee Morning 

Come meet local businesses 

in a relaxed and informal 

atmosphere, where every week 

a different company acts as the 

host. 

Date: Every Thursday 

Time: 10:00 

Venue: The Rutland Arms Hotel, 

Newmarket 

Organiser: Roger Herring 

Booking details: Tel: 01638 

666595, or e-mail: rogerherring@ 

hotmail.com 

Cost: Free for participants; events can 

be sponsored at a cost of £30 

Further Information: 

www.thecoffeemorning.com 

IQ diary 

issue 8 | page 37


issue 8 | page 38

Cambridge Network – 

Lunchtime Seminar 

This event is for potential and 

new members interested in 

joining the Cambridge Network 

community. Over a light buffet 

lunch, you will be introduced to 

a range of services available for 

members, from marketing and 

PR to recruitment. 


Time: 12:00 – 14:00 







Cost: Free 

Effective Communication 

This workshop will help 

managers understand 

their own communication 

style, the essentials of good 

communication and develop 

their confidence to communicate 

effectively. 

Date: 25th March 

Time: 9:30 – 17:00 

Venue: Check Cambridge Network 

website 

Organiser: Emma Yates, The 

Cambridge Network 

Booking details: emma.yates@ 


Cost: £180 (Member) £270 (Non 

Member) 

Women in Business Network 

A membership organisation for 

women who wish to network 

and gain support from a diverse 

group of businesses, choose from 


three regional groups. 

Organiser: To register please 

contact Siobhan, siobhan.costello@ 

wibn.co.uk or call 01223 746222. 

Cambridge North 

Dates: 20th February, 20th March, 

24th April 

Time: 12:00 – 14:00 

Venue: The Plough and 

Fleece, High Street, Horningsea, 

Cambridgeshire, CB25 9JG 

Cambridge West 


29th April 

Time: 12:00 – 14:00 

Venue: Madingley Hall, Madingley, 

Cambridge, CB23 8AQ 

Bury St Edmunds 


18th April 

Time: 12:00 – 14:00 

Venue: Bury St Edmunds Golf 

Club, Tut Hill, Fornham All Saints, 

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 

6LG 

A14 Coffee Morning - 

Networking in St Ives 

An informal environment 

for business owners and 

professionals to meet and 

network over coffee. 

Date: Every Friday morning. 

Time: 9:00 

Venue: The Taproom, 23 Bridge 

Street, St Ives 

Booking details: www.meetup.com/ 

A14-Coffee-Morning-Weekly- 

Business-Networking-In-St-Ives 

Cost: Free 

CamCreative 

For small and large firms in 

the creative industry around 

Cambridgeshire. Come along 

to chat about all things creative, 

and network with a friendly 

group of people. 

Time: 19:30 – 20:00 

Venue: The Fountain Inn, 12 

Regents Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DB 

Organisation: CamCreative, 

www.meetup.com/camcreative 

Cambridge Network Event: 

Breakfast Networking – 

The Sales Process 

A session in which you will learn 

how to generate more leads, give 

a convincing presentation and 

close the sale. 

Date: 27th March 2014 

Time: 8:00 – 10:00 







Cost: £15.00 (members)/ £50.00 

(non-members) 

The Very Early Lunch Club 

No membership is required 

for this business-networking 

event. Come along to meet local 

businesses from Cambridge, 

Newmarket and Bury St 

Edmunds. 

Date: 1st Friday of every month. 

Time: 7:30 – 9:30 

Venue: Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, 

Lode, Cambridge, CB25 9EJ 

Organiser: VELC 

Booking details: www.velc.co.uk 

or Tel: 01638 745286 

Cost: £12.30 + VAT (members) 

£19.50 + VAT (non-members) 

IQ diary 

issue 8 | page 39


issue 8 | page 40

BforB Networking – Bury St 

Edmunds 

Business for Breakfast is a local 

networking group. Come along 

to meet new business contacts, 

clients and customers, and 

to promote your services and 

products in Bury St Edmunds. 

Date: Fortnightly on Wednesday 

mornings. 

Time: 7:15 – 8:55 

Venue: The Fox Inn, 1 Eastgate 

Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1XX 

Organiser: Lorna Burroughes 

Booking details: www.bforbnetworking.com 

Suffolk Coast Business 

Exhibition 2014 

This event offers an opportunity 

for companies of all sizes 

to promote their products 

and services, to meet and 

communicate with potential 

customers, and to benefit from a 

range of workshops and training 

sessions. 

Date: 2nd April 

Time: 13:00 – 18:00 

Venue: Framlingham College, College 

Road, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 

9EY 

Cost: Free 


suffolkcoastbusiness.co.uk 

The Huntingdonshire 

Business Fair 2014 

In partnership with The 

Federation of Small Businesses, 

this is a great opportunity to 

promote your business. At this 

great networking event, which 

offers a variety of free seminars, 

you will meet new contacts and 


help your business grow. 

Date: 3rd April 2014 

Time: 11:00 – 4:00 pm 

Venue: Wood Green Animal Shelters, 

King’s Bush Farm, London Road, 

Godmanchester, PE29 2NH 

Organiser: Karen Dawson 

Booking Details: Tel 01223 

209808 or e-mail k.dawson@ 

cambsccl.co.uk 

Cost: Free 

Cambridgeshire Chamber 

of Commerce – Informal 

Networking Evening 

No need to book in advance. 

This informal evening is popular 

with companies of all sizes, so 

come along to promote your 

company and create great new 

contacts. 

Date: Every first and third Thursday 

of the month. 

Time: 17:00 – 19:00 

Venue: Holiday Inn, Impington, 

Cambridge, CB24 9PH 

Organiser: Peter Watts, Tel 

07545697799 

Cost: Free 

CamCreative 

Bringing together businesses 

from across Cambridgeshire, 

Suffolk and beyond, exhibitors 

and visitors can use the show as 

a great opportunity to promote 

their business. Workshops are 

available throughout the day. 

Date: 11th March 

Time: 11:00 – 15:00 

Venue: Millennium Grandstand, 

Rowley Mile Racecourse, Newmarket, 

CB8 0TF. 


cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk Tel: 

01223 237414. 


Pitch & Mix 

Connect with the startup and 

entrepreneurial community in 

Cambridge, and meet others 

from the high-tech and creative 

space of developers, contractors 

and freelancers. 

Date: Every Thursday morning. 

Time: 8:45 – 10:00 

Venue: Clown Café, 54 King Street, 

Cambridge, CB1 1LN 


com/CAmPitchMIx 

Huntingdon Business Women 

Meeting monthly in Huntingdon, 

this is a great opportunity for 

women in and around the area to 

meet and network. 

Date: Second Friday of the month. 

Time: 11:00 – 13:00 

Venue: Wood Green Conference 

Centre, Godmanchester 


com/Huntingdon-Business-Women 

Cost: £5 payable on the door to cover 

refreshments and room hire; money goes 

directly to this animal charity. 

South Cambridge Coffee 

Morning 

A mid-morning event for local 

business owners and those with 

a business interest, to network 

in a relaxed and informal 

atmosphere. 

Date: Every Friday 

Time: 10: 00 – 12:00 

Venue: Holiday Inn Express, 

Cambridge Duxford, (Whittlesford 

Parkway Station) 

Cost: £5, pay on the day. 

IQ diary


“DoubleTree by Hilton in Cambridge offers an exciting, and unique, way in which 

to instigate a bit of fun, and more importantly, favour with your staff. Its ‘Bundle of 

Fun’ packages offer exciting activities to suit all employees from treasure trails around 

the cultural city to mojito and cocktails masterclasses.” 

issue 8 | page 42


EXPLORING 

YOUR 

BUSINESS’ 

CORPORATE 

BENEFITS 

IQ Magazine explores the benefits of staff away 

days with DoubleTree by Hilton 


DoubleTree by Hilton, Granta Place, Mill 

Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RT. Tel: 01223 

259988. www.doubletreecambridge.com 

With the turn of a new financial year on the horizon, ensuring that 

your business sustains itself and indeed holds the acute prospects 

needed for growth, proves even more significant. Sitting down to set 

new goals for 2014/15, it is essential that 

all business owners keep their hearts closer 

to home to retain the solid grounding 

which all successful businesses need. 

Key to the foundations of any organisation, 

the people that are involved in your 

company are the ones who truly need to be 

recognised before pushing on to the next 

level. Your staff keep the cogs turning, so 

spend some time making them feel valued. 

DoubleTree by Hilton in Cambridge offers 

an exciting and unique way in which to 

instigate a bit of fun, and more importantly, 

favour with your staff. Its ‘Bundle of Fun’ 

packages offer exciting activities to suit all employees, from treasure 

trails around the cultural city to mojito and cocktails masterclasses. 

The exciting treasure trail follows a compact route around Cambridge 

city centre, offering an insight into many of the College buildings, 

whilst providing interesting nuggets of information on every corner. 

Divide your staff into teams to increase teamwork, whilst letting them 

experience a fun-filled afternoon to relieve any workplace stress, and 

setting them on the right tracks for a prosperous new year. 

For those looking for a different kind of reward, DoubleTree also 

offers a range of chocolate tasting and making classes, with one 

of Cambridge’s independent chocolatiers joining the group to 

help encourage interaction and teamwork. Alternatively, enjoy an 

Afternoon Tea outing at riverside hotel, which offers an imaginative, 

fun and delicious edible twist on one of the most quintessentially 

English of dining customs. Take your staff out of the office for an 

external meeting and take advantage of this team bonding session, 

ensuring that every person engages and interacts with the job at hand. 

For those looking to thank their staff in the warmer months, 

DoubleTree by Hilton also offers BBQ’s, garden games and a picnic 

and punting option to treat your team to an afternoon afloat on the 

River Cam. Chauffeured by a punting expert, this is the perfect way to 

let your team relax whilst building the team dynamic. 

A simple message of care, of true appreciation, is sometimes all it takes 

to keep your team on the same page and looking towards the future. 

The perfect way to attract leading individuals to your team, corporate 

perks and team building activities can make your business stand out 

above the rest. 

Providing perfect client hospitality options, DoubleTree by Hilton will 

ensure that your business is remembered. 

issue 8 | page 43


issue 8 | page 44

TRAIN OF THOUGHT 

IQ Magazine takes a look at the region’s top training venues and event providers 

IQ training 

Madingley Hall, Cambridge 

Set in seven acres of magnificent gardens, 

Madingley Hall provides a memorable setting 

for your group training day. After making use 

of any of the 14 well-equipped syndicate rooms 

accommodating up to 100 delegates, take pleasure 

in its superb catering using locally sourced, 

seasonal ingredients, a bar, ample car parking and 

even croquet lawns in season. 

University of Cambridge, Madingley Hall, Madingley, 

Cambridge. Tel: 01223 746222. Visit www. 

madingleyhall.co.uk for more information. 

The Granary Estates, Woodditton 

The truly beautiful rustic charm of this awardwinning 

venue provides a comfortable and relaxed 

atmosphere for all your training needs. Capable 

of accommodating large numbers, with seating 

ranging from 220 in theatre style to 84 in cabaret 

formation, there is also the adjacent Flint Barn for 

a breakout area and a stunning courtyard for your 

enjoyment in the summer months. 

The Granary Barns, Parsonage Farm, Woodditton, Suffolk. 

Tel: 01638 731230. Visit www.thegranaryestates.co.uk for 

more information. 

Scudamore’s Punting Company, Cambridge 

As a hotbed for debate and thought leadership, treat 

your team to an award-winning tour of the beautiful 

city of Cambridge for a really inspiring experience. 

Offering varied break-out activities on the river, 

Scudamore’s provides relaxing Champagne Punt 

Tours, luxurious Afternoon Tea Punt Tours and 

challenging treasure hunts to take team building to 

a whole new level. 

Scudamore’s, Quayside Punting Station, Magdalene Bridge, 

Cambridge. Tel: 01223 359750. Visit www.scudamores.com 

for more information. 

Inspired - Creative Event Production 

Striving to bring people together in a live 

environment to create shared experiences, Inspired 

can deliver stunning results at your training 

session, creating an experience that will challenge 

conventional thinking and resonate with you and 

your team long afterwards, stimulate interaction, 

change perception and build advocacy through its 

creative approach. 

Inspired Live Experience, The Old Bakery, 5-9 St Andrew’s 

Street South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Tel: 01284 

363046. Visit www.inspiredlive.co.uk for more information. 

issue 8 | page 45


ADVERTISE HERE 

FROM £91.50 + VAT 

issue 8 | page 46


Hotel Felix, Cambridge 

One of the finest venues in Cambridge, Hotel Felix 

offers easily accessible, peaceful surroundings for 

your training event. All four meeting rooms can 

accommodate up to 34 delegates in a board room 

set up and 50 in a theatre style, with the added 

benefit of natural daylight, free parking and free 

Wi-Fi. 

Hotel Felix, Whitehouse Lane, Huntingdon Road, 

Cambridge. Tel: 01223 277977. Visit www.hotelfelix. 

co.uk for more information. 

The Jockey Club Rooms, Newmarket 

As a world famous private members club, The 

Jockey Club Rooms offers a truly prestigious venue 

for corporate training events. Steeped in equestrian 

history, guests can enjoy after dinner tales of the 

rich and famous racing gentry, private tours of 

the art collection and early morning tours of the 

racehorse training grounds. 

The Jockey Club Rooms, 101 High Street, Newmarket. Tel: 

01638 663101. Visit www.jockeyclubrooms.co.uk for more 

information. 

Cambridge City Hotel, 

Cambridge 

Cambridge City Hotel offers the 

perfect venue for a stimulating 

training session. Suitable for 

groups from as small as 2 to 

as many as 250, its four event 

suites boast natural daylight and 

impressive equipment. To help 

unwind after a busy day, relax 

with private dining, a dance floor 

and drinks, or enjoy use of its 

gym, sauna, swimming pool and 

golf facilities. 

Cambridge City Hotel, Downing 

Street, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 

464491. Visit cambridgecityhotel. 

co.uk for more information. 

Db Conference Rooms, 

bury st edmunds 

Located in the heart of East 

Anglia, the Db Conference 

Rooms offers one of the most 

modern facilities in the area. All 

rooms are graced with natural 

light and air-conditioning, 

while the main conference 

room accommodates up to 110 

delegates with break-out areas 

for unwinding over coffee and 

biscuits or buffet lunches. 

Db Conference Rooms, Kempson 

Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. 

Tel: 01284 829788. Visit www. 

db-conferencerooms.co.uk for more 

information. 

Tuddenham Mill, Tuddenham 

Offering an airy and wellequipped 

meeting room perfect 

for small training sessions in a 

relaxed and stylish environment, 

Tuddenham Mill will truly inspire 

your team. The private terrace is 

ideal for drinks, lunch or simply 

some fresh air, while its high 

quality equipment, including 

surround sound, projector and 

Wi-Fi, will make your day run 

with ease. 

Tuddenham Mill, High Street, 

Tuddenham, Nr Newmarket, Suffolk. 

Tel: 01638 713552. Visit www. 

tuddenhammill.co.uk for more 

information. 

issue 8 | page 47


issue 8 | page 48


The Bull Inn, Barton Mills 

As a quirky, modern day coaching inn with an 

award-winning dining room, The Bull Inn is a 

refreshing alternative for a staff training or meeting 

venue. Enjoy the character and style of The Library 

for groups of up to 18 people, or The Oakroom 

for larger group of up to 30 people. Its delegate 

packages offer refreshments throughout the day and 

all the little details to really impress your team. 

The Bull Inn, The Street, Barton Mills, Bury Sty Edmunds, 

Suffolk. Tel: 01638 711001. Visit: www.bullinnbartonmills.com 


The Maltings, Ely 

With 4 flexible event spaces to cater from 10 to 300 

people, The Maltings is the perfect venue for you 

to provide your team with a unique experience. 

Enjoy the splendour of the sought after Elysian 

Hall accommodating up to 240 delegates, or relax 

in the spaces of The Hereward Room and Orsay 

Lounge for a more intimate training session. There 

is the option of special technical equipment and AV 

solutions to assist your day. 

The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely. Tel: 01353 662633. Visit 

themaltingsely.com for more information. 

The House Collection, 

Cambridgeshire 

If you have to work, you might 

as well do it in an inspirational, 

relaxing and beautiful 

environment, and Paddocks House 

in Newmarket and Poets House in 

Ely offer just that. With intimate 

spaces for more focused sessions 

to grand function rooms, secluded 

courtyards and landscaped 

outdoor spaces for up to 150 

people, The House Collection will 

motivate your team all day long 

and through the night. 

Poets House, St Mary’s Street, Ely. 

Paddocks House, London Road, Six 

Mile Bottom, Newmarket. Tel: 01223 

653111. Visit www.thehousecollection. 

com for more information. 

Westminster College, 

Cambridge 

As a magnificent grade II 

listed building in the heart 

of Cambridge, Westminster 

College provides a peaceful yet 

stimulating atmosphere for you 

and your delegates. Choose one 

of the recently upgraded meeting 

rooms with full projection 

facilities, or the College Dining 

Hall for a larger group of up 

to 150 people. With delicious 

refreshments and private dining 

experiences throughout the day, 

your team will feel truly inspired. 

Westminster College, Madingley Road, 

Cambridge. Tel: 01223 330663. 

Visit www.westminster.cam.ac.uk for 

more information.. 

DoubleTree by Hilton, 

Cambridge 

DoubleTree by Hilton offers 

a variety of adaptable venues, 

both indoor and outdoor, for 

your training session in an idyllic 

riverside setting. Each of the four 

function rooms is equipped with 

the latest audiovisual technology, 

along with floor-to-ceiling windows 

with inspiring garden views. For 

something different, treat your 

team to one of the Bundle of 

Fun packages, from a Mojito & 

Cocktails Masterclass to Treasure 

Trails. 

DoubleTree by Hilton, Granta Place, Mill 

Lane, Cambridge. Tel: 01223 259988. 

Visit www.doubletreecambridge.com for 

more information. 

issue 8 | page 49


issue 8 | page 50


Conference Cambridge, Cambridge 

As one of the oldest universities in the world and 

a leading academic centre, Cambridge’s Colleges 

foster an environment for sharing knowledge that 

is an ideal component for your training day. If 

you want someone to take care of the details of 

your event, Conference Cambridge is the official 

free service to book. The events team offers 

outstanding support in planning every aspect, 

from the first site visit to when the last delegate 

departs. 

Conference Cambridge, 12c King’s Parade, Cambridge. 

Tel: 01223 768740. Visit www.conferencecambridge. 

com for more information. 

Downing College, Cambridge 

Sitting amidst 20 acres of lawns and trees, Downing 

College offers elegant and spacious surroundings 

to truly engage your team. Choose from smaller 

boardroom set-ups in one of the traditional 

meeting rooms, to larger theatre style layouts in 

the Howard Theatre and Howard Building for up 

to 160 delegates. Make use of its most up to date 

presentation equipment, as well as its wide selection 

of catering services from the Executive Chef, 

including a full banquet-style gala dinner. 

Conference Services Office, Downing College, Regent Street, 

Cambridge. Tel: 01223 334860. Visit www.downingconferences-cambridge.co.uk 


Farmers Club, 

Bury St Edmunds 

Contained in fine period premises 

with its own secure private car 

park exclusive to members and 

guests, The Bury St Edmunds 

Farmers Club is a private, 

convivial meeting place for team 

training. Accommodating up to 

60 delegates, enjoy a range of 

function and meeting rooms in an 

elegant environment for a day that 

is tailored to your needs. 

Bury St Edmunds Farmer’s Club, 10 

Northgate Street, Bury St Edmunds. Tel: 

01284 750969. Visit www.bsefc.co.uk 


Tattersalls, 

Newmarket 

For an exciting location in 

which to hold a bespoke 

training day for you and 

your team, Tattersalls Park 

Paddocks offers an unusual and 

characteristic venue. Parties of 

all sizes from 20 to 600 people 

can be accommodated, with 

the variety of rooms available 

for hire giving flexibility to the 

style and format of your event. 

Tattersalls, Terrace House, 

Newmarket. Tel: 01638 665931. 

Visit www.tattersalls.com for more 

information. 

British Racing School, 

Newmarket 

British Racing School combines 

a wide range of facilities with 

breathtaking scenery to add a touch 

of style to any training event. Get 

down to business in the state of the 

art training theatre and one of the 

4 meeting rooms, before unwinding 

with an afternoon of jousting or 

chocolate making on-site, or off-road 

quad biking and hovercraft driving 

off-site with WildTracks. 

British Racing School, Snailwell Road, 

Newmarket, Suffolk. Tel: 01638 669040. 

Visit www.brsconferences.com for more 

information. 

issue 8 | page 51


issue 8 | page 52

INSPIRE 

YOUR 

TEAM 

Retain the best staff at your business with 

a great benefits package 

Keeping your workforce content, happy and 

healthy often leads to a successful and focused team. 

Good business ethics and great benefits packages 

can attract, and indeed, keep the best staff, whilst 

potential new candidates considering your business 

can often be swayed by a comprehensive benefits 

package. 

Offering unique and exciting local perks may make 

the difference when attracting the best talent on 

the jobs market, so finding something to make your 

business stand out from the crowd may be exactly 

what is needed to propel it to the next level. 

Launching a new Corporate Ticket this year, 

Scudamore’s Punting Company is looking forward 

to adding value to many Cambridgeshire businesses. 

Offering free punting all year round, the scheme 

can be used by companies for unique corporate 

and team building opportunities, as well as giving 

employees the chance to enjoy the River Cam with 

their family and friends outside work, as part of 

their benefits package. 

Each Corporate Ticket provides access to one boat 

a day from the range of punts, kayaks, rowboats and 

Canadian canoes, with everyday boat hire access for 

no further cost. Each hire session can be as short 

as an hour or as long as all day, leaving employees 

or clients with plenty of time to master the art of 

punting. 

Larger companies can purchase more tickets, 

ensuring adequate daily boat hire for individual 

requirements, client entertaining or alternative 

need, giving more flexibility to staff. 

Additional boats can be hired for team building 

events or one-off client activities, with Scudamore’s 

chauffeurs remaining on hand to give guidance and 

tips on punting so that your employees soon master 

the art. 

Already used by many of Cambridge’s national 

and independent businesses, including Marshalls 

and John Lewis Cambridge, the scheme offers an 

alternative to a corporate gym membership for staff, 

whilst providing a great form of exercise and a lot 

of fun. Working the upper body and core, whilst 

developing stamina and improving posture, punting 

offers an inexpensive way to reward your staff and 

create a company accustomed to extra cultural 

activities. 

With boats available on a first come, first served 

basis, ensure your business stands out from the rest, 

offering a package to truly motivate and inspire. 



Contact the Scudamore’s Booking Office on 01223 359750 or email enquiries@scudamores.com. www.scudamores.com 

issue 8 | page 53


RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE 

OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS 

Managing Director of Cubiqdesign Ltd, John Treby, discusses the importance 

of rewarding loyal customers 

issue 8 | page 54


As a business, we can sometimes forget the 

importance of repeat, or loyal, customers, 

becoming complacent about the amount of work 

and custom they send our way. Retaining and 

building client relationships will not only lead to an 

increase in company turnover, but will also increase 

your reputation, as others see your clients returning 

time and time again… but do you take the time to 

thank those who are seen as the bread and butter of 

your organisation? 

Day-to-day courtesy, from good customer service, 

positive feedback and an increased working 

relationship, may help to build your profile with 

many clients, but making your business stand out 

from the rest is what will really see your clients 

returning. Making each client feel important is key, 

a point that many companies often gloss over, whilst 

constantly fighting in the race for new client wins. 

To thank and reward your existing clients, corporate 

gifting is one way in which you can celebrate their 

custom. A small thank you really can go a long 

way, but making it fit your company identity is key. 

There’s no point in sending a large bouquet of 

flowers if you’re an accountant looking after a local 

garage owner; likewise, a more common branded 

pen or mouse mat might not offer the message you 

want to convey. 

Make Your Brand One To Remember 

The level of consideration and personalisation 

which accompanies a truly customised gift will 

impress your customers. The choice of gift should 

not only be suitable for the client, but should also. 

offer a clear indication that it’s from your business. 

Branding items can get this message across, but 

must be done in a delicate and thought-out way. 

Does the gift reflect your company’s ethos? Is it 

innovative and creative enough to demonstrate 

exactly what your business can offer? 

Longevity 

When thinking about branded gifts, think about 

their longevity. A gift that can be consumed means 

that your brand is lost, almost instantly. Making sure 

it’s an object that will wow them, whilst providing 

one which has a practical use will ensure that your 

client is faced with your corporate message on a 

regular basis. Yet, it is important to associate its use 

with your client’s profile. Are they an office-based 

business? Do they need practical tools to complete 

the day-to-day running of the company? 

Taking just a little bit of time to consider the message 

and meaning behind your corporate gift can make 

all the difference. Make sure your business stands 

out for the right reasons, and you’ll see your clients 

returning time and time again. 


Cubiqdesign Ltd, Goodwin House, Goodwin Business Park, Willie Snaith Road, Newmarket, CB8 7SQ. Tel: 01638 666432. 

www.cubiqdesign.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 55


issue 8 | page 56


THE SMART HOTEL ALTERNATIVE 

IQ Magazine discovers the benefits of business travel with Your Space Apartments 

“Growth in the use of serviced apartments rather than 

hotels by business visitors over the last 10 years has been 

phenomenal,” says Suzanne Emerson, co-founder of 

Cambridge-based Your Space Apartments. 

Celebrating 10 years in business, and a growth from 

just three apartments in 2003 to 70 central Cambridge 

apartments today, Your Space is launching its new 

Corporate Account Programme, and offers local 

businesses enhanced benefits, including special rates and 

more flexible payment and cancellation terms. 

“With a planned 15% expansion in 2014, we firmly 

believe our growth has been because we offer two 

things; a more comfortable living environment for the 

working visitor, and proven cost savings for Cambridge 

businesses,” adds Suzanne. 

“guests don’t have to eat out all the 

time and so the expense account is 

significantly reduced” 

Business travellers are well aware of the tedium of 

staying in hotels for business trips; a hotel stay may be all 

very well for one or two nights, but for a more prolonged 

period of time, guests just want to spread out and cook a 

piece of toast when they want it. 

On average, a Serviced Apartment offers double the 

private space of a hotel room, and, with a fully equipped 

kitchen, guests can cook their own food exactly when 

they want it. Then there are the cost advantages. 

“It’s essentially a hotel; but instead 

of a single hotel room, you have a 

whole apartment” 

Your Space offers a fully inclusive service, with no 

additional charges for broadband, parking or local calls, 

and no expensive minibar to “accidentally” ramp up the 

bill. “The biggest saving is that guests don’t have to eat 

out all the time, and so the expense account at the end 

of the trip is significantly reduced,” says Paul Perkins, 

a Director of Your Space Apartments. “In addition, if 

a company has more than one visitor, they can share a 

two bedroom apartment, which dramatically reduces 

the costs.” 

Essentially a hotel, a Serviced Apartment offers the 

flexibility of booking by the night (with a minimum of 

two nights), but instead of a single hotel room, your guest 

can enjoy the whole apartment. Unlike a hotel, there is 

no reception, but every guest is met on arrival personally, 

and 24 hour help is only a phone call away. 

“As ever, it boils down to value for money,” says Paul, 

“but at the same time we have learned that guests like 

three main things: a very central location, a clean and 

well-equipped apartment with, for example, a hair dryer, 

rice cooker and Hypnos beds, and a quiet, trouble-free 

stay. We like to think we provide all that and more.” 


www.yourSPACEapartments.com 

issue 8 | page 57


THE DOORS HAVE OPENED 

Growing from 10 to over 50 members of staff in just 4 years, Kloeber’s proven track 

record of success looks set to continue 


Kloeber, Unit 14 West Newlands Industrial Estate, Somersham, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE28 3EB. 

Tel: 01487 740044. www.kloeber.co.uk 

issue 8 | page 58


From humble beginnings to great triumphs, Kloeber 

has seen a dramatic transformation in recent years, 

progressing this advanced glazing solutions company 

from a small enterprise to one of our region’s most 

ambitious businesses. 

Founded in 2006 by Gavin Morris, the business 

almost immediately outgrew its original location in 

Willingham, Cambridgeshire, moving once again 

before settling in its current home of Somersham 

just two years ago. 

Already a success story in its own right, Kloeber took 

a dramatic turn just four years ago when it welcomed 

Lee Green, Technical 

Director, and Matt 

Higgs, Sales Director, to 

the team. 

As they’d both worked 

in the timber trade prior 

to taking on this new 

challenge, Lee and Matt 

were drawn to Kloeber 

for its unique product 

lines and innovative 

business ethos. 

“Gavin was an inspiring 

man that I wanted to 

work alongside,” revealed Matt. “The company was, 

and still is, going through an exciting time, and gave 

me the opportunity to use my skills.” 

Becoming shareholders, and now running the day to 

day business of the brand, alongside an established 

management team, Lee and Matt are extremely 

proud of where the business has come from and 

where it is going. 

“We never want to lose our small business ethos,” 

explains Lee. “We take inspiration from our team 

around us, listen to what they have to say, what 

our customers have to say, and then reflect it in our 

products and service. 

“Keeping a personal and innovative stance allows 

us to stay one step ahead of the competition, whilst 

providing the best customer service possible. Our 

team are here to not only offer top of the range 

products, but to give the best advice to our customers 

too. We’re not after a quick buck.” 

Joining Kloeber after closing his own business, Lee 

continues to push the boundaries, bringing his ideas 

to Kloeber to strengthen the well-respected brand. 

“My technical background allows us to stay one 

step ahead,” he explains. “Being able to instigate 

government initiatives, for example, into our designs 

as they are released, makes us a forward thinking 

company and the first port of call for many.” 

The first company in the UK to have offered 

Secured by Design certification, the official police 

security initiative on timber folding sliding doors, 

Kloeber clearly demonstrates its attention to detail 

and innovative approach. 

Both extremely different, 

Lee and Matt have 

formed a formidable 

team, bringing their 

experience of larger 

organisations and 

alternative business 

models to this glazing 

solutions company. 

Demonstrating their 

proven track records 

to help manage an 

expanding business, both 

partners continue to take 

this local forward-thinking business further on its 

incredible journey of success. 

Starting with only 3 members of staff in 2006, the 

company now employs over 50 people locally, and has 

plans to employ a further 4 this year. Increasing the 

footprint of its original building by 100%, Kloeber 

is now able to offer increased office and showroom 

space as well as a suitable sized distribution centre. 

Actively seeking experienced and dynamic 

individuals to join the team, Matt and Lee already 

have an exciting business plan in place, which is set to 

make Kloeber a name that’s not only associated with 

complete trust, but a household identity too. 

With showrooms in London and Somersham, this 

unique company is fast becoming a recognised 

name amongst all homeowners for its tailored 

FunkyFront designs and portfolio of sliding doors, 

entrance doors, windows, French doors, roof lights 

and shaped glazed frames which are available to 

customers across the UK. 

issue 8 | page 59


issue 8 | page 60

IQ review 

BOOK REVIEW 

Creating A Purposeful Life: How To Reclaim 

Your Life, Live More Meaningfully And 

Befriend Time 

Author: Richard Fox with Heather Brown 

Article by Rhiannon Smith 

Bio: Richard Fox is regarded for his breadth 

and depth of business knowledge. His early 

career involved various senior positions 

within international consulting firms, which 

afforded him extensive experience of SMEs 

and working in many countries throughout 

the world. 

Drawing upon his specialist skills in optimising 

potential, personal leadership, building 

effective working relationships and visioning, 

Richard has delved into a career of richness 

and variety. His knowledge in the areas of 

personal and organisational development 

saw him become a fellow of the Institute 

of Chartered Accountants; a member of 

the Institute of Management Consultants; 

an associate of the Chartered Institute of 

Personnel and Development; an accredited 

coach with the International Coach 

Federation and a Master NLP practitioner. 

For the last 20 years he has been a founding 

partner in a pan-European consultancy, The 

Learning Corporation, and is also considered 

an experienced public speaker, business 

mentor, facilitator and qualified coach. 

Richard’s co-author, Heather Brown, has 

spent her career helping individuals and teams 

in all branches of management development 

to achieve their potential. Due to their 

common interests, Richard and Heather have 

known each other for 15 years and have worked together on 

several client assignments. 

Review: With the New Year having quickly passed us by, 

it is not uncommon for resolutions to already be down the 

pan, so to speak. Yet, for those who feel overwhelmed and 

disorganised, Richard Fox claims to be able to help you lead 

the life you were born to lead. 

This is an extremely bold statement to make; so, when I 

was presented with this book, I opened the pages with slight 

scepticism. Highlighting the fact that many of us get bogged 

down by work, responsibilities, social commitments and the 

priorities of others, Richard targets the reader as someone 

who feels unfulfilled who is struggling to find a personal 

pathway in life. 

Although the book reveals how we could use their time 

more intentionally, Richard goes far beyond simple time 

management practices to the fundamental issues that 

establish how we experience life. Through a collection of 

high level questions and exercises, part 1 of the book helps us 

to gain insight into ourselves and our talents, skills, beliefs and 

values, to get a clearer picture of what inspires and excites us. 

Part 2 then takes these ideas of the person we wish to become 

and channels them into or own purposeful life action plan. 

With a wealth of tips on the value of reflection, rest and how 

to balance your life, the book sets out to help us overcome 

personal barriers, use our time more intentionally, plan our 

careers and choose techniques to sustain us on our journey. 

The ideas in Creating A Purposeful Life come from many 

contributing authors, and provide a practical guide on how 

to discover your full potential and enjoy a more purposeful 

life. The information is presented in small, easily digestible 

sections, alongside interactive diagrams and questionnaires 

to aid the reader in visualising their goals and changing their 

life for the better. 

Rating: As an insightful, thought-provoking and practical 

read that I can see myself dipping into whenever I feel as if 

time is passing me by, I give it 4 out of 5! 

issue 8 | page 61


issue 8 | page 62

IQ review 

BOOK 

REVIEW 

500 Social Media Marketing Tips 

Author: Andrew Macarthy 

Bio: Andrew Macarthy, born and raised in 

Swansea, Wales, is a social media consultant 

and a long-time blogger. Passionate about 

social media, Andrew has spent several 

years blogging, copywriting and creating 

e-learning designs for large businesses. 

After being made redundant in early 2012, 

he noticed a gap in the market for a simple 

guide on social media for businesses. Initially 

available as a Kindle download in March 

2012, his book has since gone on to sell over 

20,000 copies, and is now also available in 

paperback. 

Article by Nanaco Pelletier 

Review: Andrew has created a social media marketing guide 

for businesses of all sizes, designed for owners or managers 

who wish to get to grips with their social media strategy, in an 

easy to read and well written step by step guide. 

As the social media sector is expanding, Andrew believes that 

getting to grips with social media is an indispensable tool for 

businesses. It can help build relationships with clients and 

is also a great way to engage your clients and to find new 

professional contacts, while making them aware of your 

brand; furthermore, it can eventually increase sales. 

This book will guide complete beginners as well as more 

advanced social media users, giving the more experienced 

users interesting and innovative tips that they may have 

previously overlooked. Written in a clear format, each section 

provides expert tips on a range of the most popular social 

media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 

YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest. 

If you feel unsure about particular technical sections in the 

book, Andrew also provides video tutorials on his YouTube 

channel, covering all of his social media marketing methods. 

So, irrespective of whether you’ve already set up your 

Facebook page, or whether you’re considering introducing 

Twitter to your marketing strategy, this book is set to optimise 

your social media strategy in minutes. 

issue 8 | page 63


GADGET 

UPDATE 

David Donnan, Managing Director of 

Igentics, a full service digital agency 

in Cambridge, offers his verdict on this 

month’s gadget 

Lytro camera | From £399 

Available in-store from Dixons Travel and Harrods 

I like taking pictures, so much so that I’m a member 

of the www.blifoto.com community where the goal 

is to take a photo everyday and upload it to the site. 

I have ‘blipped’ every day for over 1100 days, so 

when I was told that I was going review a camera, 

I was more than a little excited. 

The box finally appeared and it was a Lytro. 

Anything but a normal camera, a Lytro is a 

completely new concept where the lens array 

consists of multiple small lenses, which pass the 

light they capture onto a sensor. This information is 

not then stored as an individual image, but as each 

individual beams of light. An 

analogy I read was that if we 

think of a normal picture as 

a recording of an orchestra. 

Everything is there, but any 

change you make to that 

recording affects the whole 

thing. With a Lytro we would 

capture a recording of each 

individual instrument, which 

we could then manipulate 

without impacting any other 

instrument in the orchestra… 

simple, eh? 

In reality, what this 

means is that the Lytro 

camera captures the light 

that makes up an image 

and you then process it 

(using their software) to 

create the final image you 

want. This is a big deal, as 

issue 8 | page 64


it lets the user change the focus of an image they 

have already taken. 

Initial Impressions 

Initial impressions are always formed on seeing the 

box, and this thing lives up to my expectations. It 

is all very Apple-like, with minimal, high quality 

materials and good attention to detail. Not much 

in the box, the camera, a strap, lens cap and some 

brief documentation. Again, very Apple. 

The camera is not really like a camera; it’s like a 

blaster from Space 1999 (70’s tv sci-fi). It is a small 

oblong box with a tiny screen at one end and a 

lens on the other. The materials feel good and 

it is well put together. The controls look pretty 

straightforward, either full auto where it will take a 

light reading and then take a picture of the whole 

scene, or creative mode where you select the initial 

focus point. In addition, the user can also select the 

shutter speed and ISO value. 

In Use 

As a point and click device, it is very easy; you point 

it and click, and there’s no need to worry about 

focus as you can do that later. In creative mode, 

you use the touch screen to select the part of the 

image you want to be in focus, which again, is 

pretty straightforward. You can zoom using a touch 

sensor on top of the camera, which is pretty fiddly 

to be honest, as is changing the ISO and shutter 

speed via the touch screen. The problem that Lytro 

have is that people who want to change settings are 

generally used to cameras with knobs, dials and 

buttons on them, or large touch screens. The touch 

screen is just a bit small. It is, however, pretty easy 

to use for general day-to-day stuff. 

The main problem I found with the camera is 

the image quality; as well as outputting the funky 

“refocusable” Lytro image, it will also save a .jpg. 

This is just not very good quality, akin to a first 

generation camera phone. People’s expectations are 

higher than this. 

Outdoors, and in very good light, the image quality 

is good, but the problem comes in low light. Unless 

the camera is on a long exposure and held steady by 

placing it on a table, the image quality is really poor, 

much worse than a decent camera phone. This, 

coupled with the fact that there is no flash, flash 

hotshoe or a tripod mount, really compromises the 

usability. 

Conclusion 

I am really torn. This is bleeding edge technology, 

redefining the way we take pictures. I know that 

there are features in the camera that have not been 

enabled yet, and that the image files contain more 

information than is currently being used. The word 

is that the limitations are with the software at the 

moment and there will be improvements. 

As a camera, in the sense that we know them, it is 

a disappointment. The controls are clunky and the 

basic picture output is underwhelming. However, 

we must not discount or ignore it; the potential is 

huge. I would love this technology applied to the 

DSLR I use everyday - the possibilities would be 

incredible. There are also many other places where 

this way of capturing and processing light could 

be used, from immersive gaming to medicine and 

engineering. 

We have been told that the Lytro company have 

big announcements planned for 2014, and also 

that Apple have patented similar technology, so I 

think that, within a few years, this technology will 

be more mature and will have altered the way we 

capture images. I just wish it were ready now! 


Igentics offers clients a wide variety of digital services, whether to develop their current website or build a larger SEO 

strategy and social media solutions. Current clients include Cambridge University Press, Norgren, Marley Eternit, Britvic and 

the University of Cambridge. #thecambridgeagency. www.igentics.com 

issue 8 | page 65


issue 8 | page 66


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SUCCESS 

Marking the start of an exciting year for the multi-media agency, 

Cubiqdesign, 2014 starts off on a high 

With the prospect of its 10th anniversary looming 

in March, Cubiqdesign has seen already seen an 

amazing month of recognition both on a local and 

national level. 

Building on an already impressive track record 

in the last twelve months, Cubiqdesign is proud 

to announce that for the second year running the 

company has been selected as a top 100 agency 

outside London by the Recommended Agency 

Register (RAR). 

Presented by The Drum, the annual RAR Awards 

acknowledge the wealth and variety of marketing 

talent to be found outside London, with the Top 

100 list highlighting companies that are growing 

revenues, handling good business and delivering 

high levels of client satisfaction. 

After winning Business of the Year and Effective 

Use of Marketing at the Newmarket & District 

Chamber of Commerce awards, as well as being 

championed as one of the top 50 companies in 

Suffolk by Future50, 2013 was a fantastic year for 


www.cubiqdesign.co.uk 

Cubiqdesign, with its most recent commendation 

strengthening its recognition as one of the region’s 

most successful design agencies. 

Competing against hundreds of agencies outside 

London which are eligible for inclusion in the list, 

the 2013 competition was fierce. Yet, Cubiqdesign 

has proven its business efficiency, and is not only 

one of just six companies to be selected as an RAR 

Top 100 agency in the East of England, but is also 

the highest ranked agency in all of Suffolk. 

Commenting on this fantastic achievement, John 

Treby, Director at Cubiqdesign, said: “2013 was a 

very successful year for us, and the RAR listing truly 

paid testament to the hard work put in by our team. 

We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead 

and are pleased to have been recognised by the 

industry’s leading body for the second year.” 

Continuing its work with a host of national and 

local clients, Cubiqdesign is now looking forward 

to celebrating a year of success on the turn of its 

landmark birthday. 

issue 8 | page 67


issue 8 | page 68

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