Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is excited to announce three new tender opportunities! We welcome tenders from all interested parties, but we are particularly interested in seeing tenders from our member businesses.

Firstly, we are looking for a consultant to deliver a detailed business plan(s) for the commercialisation of elements of the Chambers’ portfolio of business services. The business plan(s) need to be developed enough to be shared with the Chambers’ management and Board. This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to work with us in developing new and innovative ways of bringing our services to the wider community.

Secondly, we are seeking a consultant or organisation to undertake our project’s Summative Assessment with a focus on our Mentoring For Growth Programme. This involves designing a methodology to carry out the summative assessment that incorporates ERDF requirements, considering ERDF guidance, reviewing our delivery data and evidence of benefit and impact additional to that already required for normal reporting, and designing and completing a final summative assessment report and required summary findings report. This is a great opportunity for businesses to help us evaluate the impact and success of our programme.

Lastly, we are seeking proposals from organisations to help design and write the final report for the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Skills Improvement Plan. The purpose of the report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the local skills landscape and make recommendations for improvement. This is an important opportunity for businesses to work with us in shaping the future of skills development in our local area.

We encourage all interested parties to submit their tenders for any of the above opportunities. However, we are particularly interested in seeing tenders from our member businesses. This is a chance for our members to get involved in shaping the future of the Chambers’ services and programmes.

If you’ve ever registered for a credit card, purchased a car on finance or applied for a mortgage, you’ll be aware of your own personal credit rating. All adults have a credit score – a rating that lenders use to see how likely you are to default on a loan or credit card, generated via credit reports with credit reference agencies (CRAs) like Experian.

Staying within your overdraft limit, avoiding bad debt and paying bills on time all help build a good personal credit rating, enabling you to access preferential rates on finance products.

A business credit score works on a very similar basis, yet many small business owners have never even considered checking their business credit report or, in some cases, know little about them.

If you’re a sole trader, lenders will use your personal credit score to determine your creditworthiness, but if you set up a limited company, you can build your business credit rating independently.

Just as boosting your own credit rating can help you secure a good deal on a mortgage for your dream home, looking after your business credit score can help you achieve your business goals. Indeed, access to finance could mean the difference between taking your company to the next level or staying stuck in a professional rut.

Having a good business credit score can also save you money in the long term, giving you access to business loans with lower interest rates. The opposite is true if your score is low, since you may only be offered higher rates that could impact your finances and ability to grow.

You can regularly check your business credit score with Experian ‘My Business Profile’ and sign up for alerts that notify you when your credit record changes. Then you can act fast to rectify any problems.

Find out more about Experian ‘My Business Profile’ and the free trial/discount offer.

The chancellor has been under pressure to help households with the cost-of-living squeeze, with prices rising by 6.2 percent in the 12 months to February – the fastest for 30 years.

In response in his Spring Statement on Wednesday he announced that he would cut fuel duty, raise the threshold at which people start paying National Insurance, and pledged to cut the basic rate of income tax before the next general election.

Unfortunately the outlook is bleak with growth projections slashed, fuel, energy and food prices soaring. More families will be pushed into poverty, having to make choices between ‘eat or heat’ and many firms will be forced to continue raising prices, further fuelling the cost-of-living crisis.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has stated that the Spring Statement falls short of what businesses needed and wanted. While there were some positive announcements that firms will welcome, it did not fundamentally address the huge cost pressures they are facing.

Businesses will no doubt be pleased that the employment allowance has been increased. This long running ask of Chambers will provide a small amount of financial headroom for firms facing rising costs.

But there was a missed opportunity to rebuild and renew the economy and ensure business has the resilience to weather the uncertain and volatile times ahead.

The cut in fuel duty, though welcome, is a drop in the ocean compared to surging costs bearing down on firms and households. And with the escalating cost of oil, it could be negated within a week. Smaller businesses are particularly exposed as they have neither the protections or financial support provided to households, nor the negotiating power of larger businesses.

Chambers are urging the government to act on pressing issues including an SME energy price cap – to tackle the escalating cost of doing business crisis. Firms need the headroom to keep a lid on prices, protect jobs and make investment that is so vital to sustaining our economic prospects.

Whilst chambers broadly welcome the chancellor’s firm commitment to cut taxes on business investment we will be keeping up the pressure on the government to react accordingly to whatever twists and turns global events present us with as well as doing all they can to provide and encourage investment which will boost productivity, whilst continuing the levelling-up agenda and the transition to net zero. You can view the key points of the statement here: Spring Statement: Key points at a glance – BBC News

Now for some good news!

Today sees the launch of the 2022 Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards.

We are moving the awards back to their usual summer slot and the grand gala final will take place at Uttoxeter Racecourse in July.

As always, our awards will showcase and celebrate the best business talent in Staffordshire with a variety of award categories that cover everything from new start-up businesses to multinational corporations – as well as awards for individual employees.

It’s a great opportunity for you to spotlight your business and get recognition for your work during the last 12 months. Shortlisted businesses receive invaluable coverage in local press and across social media and will be invited to a gala evening celebration on 14th July. The entry process is simple and streamlined and you can enter as many categories as you like.

This year’s Business Awards is kindly supported by HSBC as headline sponsors plus a sponsor for each category. The theme for the awards is innovation and sustainability – sponsored by Keele University and our award partners are We Are Staffordshire.

There are 15 award categories and one of the winners will also be crowned as overall Business of the Year.

For entry details and a full list of award categories and sponsors click here: www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/awards

And if you need any help with your application, we are hosting two ‘How to write an award-winning entry’ masterclasses on Monday, 4th April. You can book your free AM slot, here, or a PM slot, here.

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk