The British Business Bank
The British Business Bank is a Government-owned, independently-run development bank that’s helped more than 126,000 growing businesses find the right finance option to help them reach their next ambition. Their Finance Hub has been built to help businesses understand and discover the finance options that could enable them to grow.
For more information please call 01782 202222 or click here.
- Published in Finance & Funding
Michelin Development Fund
Michelin Development in the UK offers financial support, as well as business expertise and advice, to small and medium sized enterprises.
Michelin has always been involved in supporting local communities, however the launch of Michelin Development and a ‘Loan Fund’ with very attractive terms provides an opportunity to have a far greater impact on our ability to support the regeneration of the local business community and in particular the creation of quality sustainable jobs.
For more information please call 01782 202222 or click here.
- Published in Finance & Funding
Start-up Loan
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed personal loan available to individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. In addition to finance, successful applicants receive 12-months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers to help them succeed. The loan is unsecured, so there’s no need to put forward any assets or guarantors to support an application. All owners or partners in a business can individually apply for up to £25,000 each, with a maximum of £100,000 available per business.
For more information please call 01782 202222 or click the banner below.
- Published in Start-Up & Grow
What is an ATA Carnet?
Facilitates the temporary exportation of goods for up to 12 months. Acting as a ‘passport’ presented at each customs point, this enables the temporary exportation of goods without having to lodge duties on deposit with overseas customs.
There are three categories of ATA Carnets:
• International trade fairs and exhibitions
• Commercial samples
• Professional equipment
For further clarification on ATA Carnet please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
What is a European Certificate of Origin?
A Certificate of Origin is an important international trade document which identifies the origin of goods in a particular export shipment. Virtually every country in the world will consider the origin of the goods they import to determine what duty will be applied or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.
A Certificate of Origin may be required to:
• Meet requirements for the overseas importer
• Meet quota requirements imposed by the importing country
• Comply with banking requirements
• For other official and commercial reasons
Exporters can apply for a Certificate of Origin electronically through the Chambers of Commerce.
For more information on Certificates of Origin please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
What is an EUR1?
An EUR1, also known as a ‘movement certificate’, enables importers in certain countries to import goods at a reduced or nil rate of import duty under trade agreements between the EU and beneficiary countries.
Comprehensive information on the rules relating to EUR1s can be found in Customs Notices 827, 828 and 832.
For further clarification and to find out which countries qualify please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
24/7 Health Advice Helpline
As a member of the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, your employees have free access to Health At Hand, the 24 hour telephone health advice line from AXA PPP Healthcare. From struggles to concentrate to being unable to sleep, when someone worries about their health, their performance at work can suffer.
The Health At Hand service is staffed by a team of nurses, midwives, counsellors and pharmacists who are just at the end of the phone to help put questions to rest, day or night. Improve staff motivation and engagement with this fantastic support for their health and wellbeing.Access to this service is free with Chamber membership and does not require additional insurance cover through AXA PPP Healthcare.
Access is free with your Chamber membership.
Visit www.axappphealthcare.co.uk to set up access for your team.
- Published in Staff & HR
Counselling Services
Health and wellbeing for your staff goes beyond handling the basics of health and safety.
The Chamber Health Plan includes a range of additional benefits to support your employees in and out of the office environment. With your Chamber membership get discounted access for your employees to a 24/7 advice and counselling service as well as face-to-face counselling services provided by Westfield Health. This confidential telephone service can provide professional support for wellbeing issues like stress, anxiety, problems at work, as well as guidance and information on a wide range of health and lifestyle matters.
The telephone advice line is not limited to workplace issues, help available for topics like money management, bereavement and family problems. Additionally, there is support for legal issues including consumer disputes, landlord and tenancy questions, welfare benefits and more. The service is available 24/7 to support the health and wellbeing of your staff and is staffed by trained medical advisors, professional counsellors, and lawyers. Through Westfield Health your employees can also benefit from up to six in-person counselling sessions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) support.
The Counselling service also includes the complimentary online Health e-Hub, providing confidential access to wellbeing information, videos, self-help programmes, interactive tools and other resources to help. Take a proactive approach to health and wellbeing for your employees and set up your access to counselling services today. It’s a proactive tool that motivates existing employees and is a greatbenefit for recruitment – courtesy of your Chamber membership.
The 24 Hour Advice and Information line is on 0800 092 0987 or 0145 525 5123. You will need your Westfield Health scheme number to access support. Want to find out more? Contact info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk to set up your Westfield Health plan today.
- Published in Staff & HR
Health and Safety Helpline
Get help with HR when you need it with the 24 Hour HR Helpline.
We know that effectively managing HR is one of the cornerstones of a successful business. Questions about everything from recruitment, employment contracts and inductions to managing grievances, terminating employment or redundancy procedures can all take place at any time your people are working – you don’t stop needing an answer because it’s 5 PM.
If you have urgent or specific queries about HR at your business, call the 24 Hour HR Hotline on 01455 852037. This British Chambers of Commerce endorsed service is supported by Quest, an industry-leading HR and Health & Safety solutions company. Your membership benefits include unlimited, up-to-the minute advice from employment law advisors via the Helpline.
Call the 24 Hour HR Helpline on 01455 852037.
- Published in Staff & HR
Insight 6
Keep in touch with your employee and customer satisfaction using business tools from Insight6.
The Team Safety and Customer Confidence Portal is an exclusive Chamber member benefit. This online survey tool gives you instant access to know how safe your employees feel at work and how confident your customers are in interacting with your premises or representatives safely. Developed to scale for businesses in any size or sector, the Team Safety and Customer Confidence Portal instantly notifies a designed member of your management team if a colleague or customer has concerns about their health and safety in the workplace.
Insight6 are customer experience specialists, providing support in customer journeys, mystery shopping, online feedback and more. Using their knowledge, they have developed the Team Safety and Customer Confidence Portal to respond to the challenging business and social environment currently facing our members in Staffordshire and beyond.
Have confidence in your ability to provide an environment that makes your employees and customers feel safe with the real-time surveys and feedback of the Insight6 business tools. Your Insight6 portal can be up and running within 48 hours, and you’ll receive full implementation training and ongoing support during your license period.
Email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk to submit your details and access exclusive pricing for Chamber members.
- Published in Start-Up & Grow
