Ladders, not snakes!
Well the last of the
turkey recipes have been exhausted, the family get-togethers are complete and consigned
to fond memories, so we all move on with the realities of everyday life in 2013.
For many in the business
world the race was hard run in 2012, hopefully it was positive for you but you
would have to be rather myopic not to have noticed some of the ongoing issues many
faced. The “knock on effect” is felt far from the factory gate’s and as we move
quickly through January we must action what we say we will do or they become
another unwelcome addition to what “could have been”.
From a Business Connector
perspective it has all begun reasonably well. The Turnaround Foundation
confirmed their support for the David
Young Community
Academy and will be
funding a sport/employment program, which we hope in due course will become a
fixture. In addition by working closely with the council leisure services, we
are hopeful of announcing a key program for the same area which will show how
public/private partnerships can benefit all. Watch this space.
Lorien plc has agreed to
work with the council, East North East Homes and West Yorkshire Police to take
on a new apprentice and we hope this model can be expanded to further companies
in Leeds. A special thank you on this goes to
Claire Middleton and Ruth Gorman for supporting this very worthy and hopefully
productive initiative. From the council side Rory, Clare and Sarah have ensured
this will become a reality.
We have also had success
with Paperworks a charity I have mentioned previously, where a request for
specialist support was responded to by John Watmough and we are hoping his
expertise and passion will help the charity attain more work to continue and
extend their services.
Localism Act
Does
anyone know what it is? I didn’t, but it turns out to be one of those
unheralded pieces of legislation that could impact on your community in some
really positive ways.
Of
real interest is the “Community Right to Bid” where every town, village or neighbourhood
is home to buildings or amenities that play a vital role in local life. They
might include community centres, libraries, swimming pools, village shops,
markets or pubs. Local life would not be the same without them, and if they are
closed or sold into private use, it can be a real loss to the community.
In many
places across the country, when local amenities have been threatened with sale
or closure, community groups have taken them over. In some cases, however,
community groups who have attempted to take assets over have faced significant
challenges. They often need more time to organise a bid and raise money than
the private enterprises bidding against them. The Localism Act requires local
authorities to maintain a list of assets of community value which have been
nominated by the local community. When listed assets come up for sale or change
of ownership, the Act then gives community groups the time to develop a bid and
raise the money to bid to buy the asset when it comes on the open market. This
will help local communities keep much-loved sites in public use and part of
local life.
Passing on your
experience
In my numerous meetings
there are often common themes running through them which are broadly jobs, job
training and interview skills. In an ideal world there would be easy answer to
the first but sadly there isn’t. The second and third however we can do a bit
more about.
I am reaching out to
anyone who thinks they could help me set up an Interview skills workshop. There
are several community groups who have already shown interest and I have a few
willing and very able HR Managers from Lloyds willing to get involved, but I
would like you to think about if you can help or who you know and ask them.
The complaint from a
prominent politician was that “they should get on their bike”, well if we can
support the learning and provide a little direction then they may well find the
destination far quicker.
Please do let me know if
you think you could help in any way.
Speed dating or was it
networking?
I would like to say a huge
thank you to Mark Goldstone of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce for looking after
me at their latest “Pure Networking” event at Elland Road. Great spread of businesses
and rest assured entrepreneurship is alive and well if this lot are anything to
go by.
Printers, Jewellers, Telecoms,
Social Media, Lawyers, Accountants, Security, Design, and Furniture to name
just a few of the areas covered.
If you need a job doing
price and reputation are always key, but ask yourself could you use a local
company to help? They are often in the same price bracket, very reputable and
as they are local you are helping the local community.
Thanks for reading and if
there is anything you would like me to consider including next time, then
please get in touch.
Shaun
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