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Instantly credit check a UK business online.
Staffordshire Chamber members or customers are entitled to 50% discount on one off credit checks.
Experian business credit reports enable you to instantly check a company online, allowing you to make quick and informed decisions about potential customers and suppliers. Single business credit reports give you quick and simple access to online business reports and directors information.
Know who you’re dealing with
· By checking your customers
· By checking the people behind a business
· By checking your suppliers
Get paid on time
· By knowing if a company is financially stable
· By seeing a company’s credit rating
· By finding out how quickly a business pays its invoices
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A blog by Charlie Houston-Brown
Chair of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Digital Forum
This Forum exists to drive the growing digital sector in Staffordshire enabling business to freely exchange information, share best practice and discuss digital innovation, information communication technology, the digital skills agenda and artificial intelligence (AI). Like the other Chamber forums, the aim of the Digital Forum is to support Chamber policy in its respective area.
For 2021 we have broken down the topics of concern to the forum into four main digital themes: skills; collaborate, connect and incubate.
Having the right skill set is essential if Staffordshire is going to achieve its digital objectives. We invite an external presenter to each forum and were delighted that Tim Chapman from Fujitsu joined us at the last meeting to talk about the new T Levels https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects which will provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into skilled employment or higher-level technical training, or study in the digital sector. T Levels offer a three A-level equivalence blending classroom learning (~80%) with practical experience (~20%). The core knowledge and understanding are assessed through an examination and core skills through a practical employer placement.
We are also keen to support the Computing at School network to ensure that every child gets the world-class computing education they are entitled to. https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/
On connectivity we are working to ensure that North Staffordshire gets the maximum benefit from the Silicon Stoke initiative which aims to roll out gigabit internet with the help of £9.2 million of government funding.
A successful rollout will give North Staffordshire the opportunity to be at the heart of a tech revolution. We already have the best university in the UK for computer gaming in Staffordshire University and this is just one example of how we can become a ‘smart city’ bringing high wage, high skilled jobs to the area, with all the associated economic benefits.
We have discussed the setting up a digital cluster along the lines of the moving image cluster (https://www.platformstaffs.com/) which was spawned from Staffordshire University graduates setting up their own film businesses in the past 20 years or so. We had 20 attendees at our last meeting discussing this collaborative approach and were joined by Steve Hargreaves, Employer Partnerships Development Manager from Staffordshire University and Rob McKay, Innovation and Leadership Development Manager from Keele University. We welcome any input into this debate and project.
Going forward we will be discussing incubation and what facilities are available to house, support, and nurture tech start-ups, working closely with both Universities and local councils.
The Chamber is fortunate to have Alan Bloomfield and Lewis Kemp as Specialist Digital Advisors. They offer advice and support in digital transformation of business, whether it is broadband availability, through to advice on CRM, ERP systems, website performance, social media etc.
Alan and Lewis are also involved with the Staffordshire County Council Information Technology Business Enhancement Programme (ITBEP).
ITBEP is aimed at SMEs including sole traders, based in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. These businesses will receive advice and information on using IT to become more efficient and productive. Businesses will be supported to maximise their digital potential and competitiveness, enabling sustainable growth. Further details at: https://bit.ly/2TuN4aK
If you would like to find out more about what we do or are considering joining the Digital Forum, please email Alan Bloomfield: alan.bloomfield@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
If you want to talk about any business issues, you can call the Chambers switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
To join the Forum discussion click here Hot Topics — Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
What is the ITBEP?
The Information Technology Business Enhancement Programme (ITBEP) is aimed at Small and Medium enterprises, including Sole Traders, based in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent. These businesses will receive advice and information on using Information Technology to become more efficient and productive. Businesses will be supported to maximise their digital potential and competitiveness, enabling sustainable growth.
Who is running ITBEP?
The ITBEP will be delivered in partnership by Staffordshire County Council and the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. The Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce will employ two Digital Advisors through this programme.
How is it funded?
The project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund until March 2023.
How will it work?
When a business has signed up for the programme a Digital Advisor will visit them at their place of work (or virtually) and carry out an audit of how they are using Information Technology. This will include website, social media, software and cloud services, as well as other areas. Following the audit, a report will be produced detailing recommendations of how the business could better use Information Technology, the business will receive a copy and the County Council will receive a copy to assist with evaluation purposes.
The Digital Advisor will have a follow up meeting with the business to check on progress and to offer support. The timescales for the follow up meetings will be discussed with the business at the initial meeting. The advisors will be available before and after the follow up meeting to support the business.
If there is a lack of Broadband available, the business will be signposted to the Superfast Broadband project at Staffordshire County Council, to see if there are any Government or commercial options to have the infrastructure installed.
How does this fit in with the bigger picture?
The ITBEP proposal aligns positively with the objectives and priorities of the National Industrial Strategy and the emerging Local Industrial Strategy for the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Local Enterprise Partnership area.
This is reflected further in the government’s UK Digital Strategy which seeks to help every UK based business be more productive through the adoption of digital technologies, by maximising existing support programmes and identifying gaps in provision and overcoming barriers to adopting digital methods.
Specialist Digital Advisors: Alan Bloomfield Tel: 07593 528607 Email: alan.bloomfield@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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Staffordshire Chamber members or customers are entitled to a 30% off any purchases made.
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Login and visit the member area to receive your discount.
Promote your business in Staffordshire through Focus Magazine, the Chamber’s official business publication. Our quarterly magazine has a circulation of approximately 15,000 business and community members in Staffordshire, offering Chamber members the ideal opportunity to promote their achievements and business news to a B2B audience on a regular basis.
Focus Magazine is distributed at all major events attended by the Staffordshire Chamber including the Staffordshire Business Festival and Let’s Do Business Expo, Staffordshire’s biggest annual B2B event. Focus Magazine’s themed issues provide an in-depth look at issues important to our membership; from environmental sustainability to Brexit, we regularly offer opportunities to spark conversation about how your business is contribution to the conversation in Staffordshire.
Submit your press releases for inclusion today or contact the friendly Focus team for information about advertising, features and more email us marketing@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
Are you looking for help on how to make the best use of the digital landscape for your business? Would you like to know how to effectively use social media, improve your online footprint or set up a digital storefront? The Chamber’s Digital Advisor is here for you.
Contact us today to arrange a consultation about your business needs and get help setting up a roadmap to make the most use of the range of tools available online to promote your business and increase sales.
The Digital Advisor can help you create plans and strategy for any level of confidence. Whether you are looking to launch a website, make it easier for prospective customers to find you, create a social media presence that matches your company ethos, or need help choosing the best platform to sell your products online direct to customers – we can help. With a range of knowledge on these topics and more, get started today with utilising new channels to promote your business.
