MARCH2008

SussexBusinessNews
Wish you
were here 05
Is tourism a forgotten industry?
Supernanny’s in
the South East

05
One Alfred
Place opens

06
Sky’s The Limit

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02 ■SussexBusinessNews MARCH2008

Even with a new Tourism Excellence Strategy Plan about to be launched

that will map out the region’s plans for the next five years, plus the South
East’s bid for a slice of the lucrative Olympic market, is tourism and
hospitality the forgotten industry in the South East? Dave Howell reports

Wish you
were here
THERE is no denying that the South East is
a key leisure destination with the tourism
industry itself having a major impact on the
region’s economy as a whole. The tourism
and hospitality sector alone supports an
estimated 225,000 jobs and currently
generates 7% of regional GDP, which
translates to an income of £10bn annually.
Winning the Olympic bid for the 2012 Games is
a clear opportunity for the tourism and hospitality
sector. Estimates vary, but tourism in the UK could
gain over £2bn according to Oxford Economics
who carried out research for Visit London. Once
allowances for displacement effects are made
(people leaving or avoiding London/UK because of
the Games), the contribution falls marginally.
Within these figures,
However, the figures generated by the Oxford
Economics report are dependent on the right
strategies and investments being made now –
something that many business leaders in the
tourism and hospitality sector in the South East in
particular fear may not materialise.
Destination Sussex
The Tourism South East Corporate Plan states:
“The mission of TSE is to generate a step-change
improvement in the management and performance
of the travel, tourism and leisure sector in the
South East. This will be achieved by optimising the
economic and social benefits from tourism in the
region by sustaining, improving and developing
the performance of the travel, tourism and leisure
industry by working in
because the small business owner simply doesn’t
get involved.”
However, Bob Collier, Managing Director at
Tourism South East commenting on the SEEDA
Tourism Excellence strategy plan said: “The
strategy was launched in 2005 so it is now three
years old and will be refreshed during 08/09. Yes
they were realistic at the time but it was produced
before the decision on the Olympics so there is a
new focus for the sector, which is producing an
unprecedented multilateral approach. This
approach includes partners on the Visitor Economy
Sub Group and other groups in the South East
Partnership. Also, SEEDA is simplifying the support
agency structure under its umbrella. TSE is for
instance working closely with Business Link and
Train to Gain to offer joined up services.”

“ I felt that when

a legacy effect for the
post-Games period
(2013-17) worth
£1.27bn is forecast
with nearly a third of
which (£400m) falls
outside London.
Ensuring a substantial
proportion of that
legacy money reaches
who know what they
effective partnership with
public and private sector
you do talk to stakeholders.”
Clearly any policy or
people at Sussex strategy has to work for the
Enterprise you are businesses that will be
directly affected by it. Many
speaking to people business owners after reading
the strategy document
lament the fact that there are
Tourism and hospitality requires an intimate
understanding of not only the industry as a whole,
but also how each individual region operates.
Often, small businesses are frustrated about the
lack of understanding regarding the problems they
face by any organisation other than their local
tourism administration. As the organisation
increases in size, its focus can move away from
local and regional issues and onto more national
concerns, which ultimately disenfranchises the

the South East should are talking about
be the focus of every
business in the sector.
Visit Britain’s CEO Tom Wright said: “The 2012
Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
showcase Britain to the emerging giants of tourism
and ensure that we remain globally competitive for
the next decade and beyond. Tourism is the
industry that can deliver much of the economic
benefits of the London Games across the nation
and regions of the UK.”
Adam Bates: Head of Tourism and Economic Development,
Brighton and Hove County Council
”
so many stakeholders all
pulling in their own direction
to fulfil their particular targets and agendas. What
is missing is a voice for small businesses itself. The
view that one preferred strategy fits all is
tantamount to trying to fit a square peg in a round
hole! One small business owner based in Brighton
when asked about the Corporate Plan for his
business sector and region, bluntly commented: “I
don’t think the small business owner suffers when
these strategy documents are put together
businesses they purport to be supporting. “When I
was Chair of Brighton & Hove Hoteliers Association
I did feel that Tourism South East were not in
touch with our needs,” said Roger Marlowe,
Chairman Brighton Food Festival. “On the other
hand I did feel that Visit Brighton understood our
industry and what it needed to support it. Also, I
found that organisations like Sussex Enterprise did
understand our market sector as they have quite a
businesslike approach. I also felt that when you do
talk to people at Sussex Enterprise you are
speaking to people who know what they are
talking about.”
Mark Jones, Owner of Colson House and the
current Chairman of Brighton & Hove Hoteliers
Association also commented: “I don’t feel out in
the cold as I am on the board of the Business
Forum so I do have a chance to mix with and put
our agenda to other business leaders. What I do
find is that tourism often doesn’t fall within the
radar of people who are not working in the sector
themselves. I think that support for business does
come from local organisations. So I see
organisations like Visit Brighton as a partner of ours
and not simple a support agency. Conversely,
organisations like SEEDA don’t really understand
what the main issues are for our businesses.
Moreover I think that the support we get even
from local organisations like Visit Brighton has no
financial foundation. Many of the organisations
that purport to support tourism in the South East,
don’t have the funding to implement real change.”
Visit South East
The issue that many businesses face is to
implement the changes that will cement the South
East as a destination for tourism within the
framework of support agencies they have access
to. Agencies like SEEDA have a poor track record
when it comes to following their plans through to
the local level.
Hastings and the other major cities in
the South East need to place tourism
back on the business agenda.
Mark Jones continued: “If you look at what is
happening right now with the economic fall off, and
the problems we are having with the conference
program this year because the Brighton Centre
debacle, we feel that 2008 is going to be difficult in
the tourism sector in Brighton and Hove. Now when
you do hit a difficult period, organisations like Visit
Brighton are sympathetic and want to help us through
the crisis, but when we say what we really need to
do is put the city back into the spotlight with some
marketing the funding isn’t available to do that.
“A good example is the closure and reopening
of the Brighton Centre. SEEDA has been very
supportive with this project by providing a large
amount of money that enables the project to be
completed, as this is desperately needed in the
city. We applaud SEEDA for that. We also applaud
Brighton and Hove City Council for getting
everyone onboard with the project. However, once
the project has begun and you’re waiting for the
planning application to go in, it’s the small business
that had to draw the attention to the fact that once
that centre closes there is no business. It was
almost like a bomb going off as no one had actually
realised what the impact would be once the centre
had closed. No one had a strategy to deal with the
fact that over 4,000 bedrooms would be empty.
There is no plan for how we are going to get through
the time when the Brighton Centre is out of action.”
The tourism industry in the South East is also
Continued>

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MARCH2008 ■SussexBusinessNews 03

Hiring and Firing

Recruiting and training the right staff is still a major headache
or small businesses in the tourism and hospitality sector

Last year’s Recruitment, Retention and
Turnover Survey from the Chartered Institute of
Personnel and Development (CIPD) indicated
that businesses continue to struggle with
staffing issues with over 65% of respondents
stating a lack of specialised skills was a major
recruiting barrier. “Employers will continue to
struggle to find suitable candidates and keep
seminars that deliver very practical skills.”
Roger Marlowe, Chairman of the Brighton
Food Festival and former Chair of Brighton &
Hove Hoteliers Association says: “My personal
view is that a lot of the training that is being
offered in the South East is irrelevant and a
waste of time. When we have looked at training
we have often come up against the NVQ,
Cities like Brighton are in need of vocational training to support
their tourism industries.
commented: “It isn't true to say that the sector of training carried out by small businesses
finds it hard to recruit. But that the sector can rather than using formal training courses that
do more to help train and develop local people involve vital staff being off work for one day a
to move them from inactivity to employment is week, and the business having to find
a huge opportunity. We have been running a someone to cover their absence. This problem

“
staff turnover under control if their approach to which I think is not relevant
recruitment and retention fails to take account in my industry. What we
of both business and employee needs,” said
Nicola Monson, author of the report.
have found is that most of
the funding for the training
Bob Collier the Managing Director at Tourism that is available must be
South East says: “There are only two relevant measured. This is usually
apprenticeships which serve the hospitality measured against the NVQ,
sector – practical cookery and chef skills. TSE which in many instances
has recently been successful in securing over simply doesn’t deliver the
£200k from SEEDA for a Fresh Skills for Chef training that is required.” irrelevant and a waste
programme called will be made worse when the Government
My personal Hospitality Futures proposals to increase the school leaving age
view is that a lot of in Brighton &
Hove, which
come into force as they will either have to be
in school or in a business that provides
the training that is provides support accredited training. Making it easier to gain
to hard to reach accreditation for in-house training is vital for
being offered in the residents with pre- small businesses to gain recognition for the
South East is employment work they do with their staff.”
training and offers Training has become a core focus of central
guaranteed government over the past two years. When

Training courses. Take up can be a problem
because the industry is primarily comprised of
micro businesses and they tend to want job
ready recruits. It’s also relatively expensive for
SMEs and the skills requirements are often more
basic and practical. TSE has a network of Tourism
Skills co-ordinators across the region that are
constantly feeding back on the needs for micro
businesses so that it can provide the appropriate
training – this will often be workshops or
Without a nationally
recognised set of
of time.
qualifications, many of the businesses in the
tourism sector have turned to their own
resources. They have developed training and
vocational channels that their staff can become
involved in to further their understanding of
the industry they are working within. However,
Adam Bates, Head of Tourism and Economic
Development, Brighton and Hove County Council
”
interviews with
employers. This
has had great success in new and existing
hotel operators in the city.”
Andrew Barter, SE Policy Manager,
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) takes a
different view: “One problem that occurs
frequently is that business owners have
trouble getting accreditation of in-house
training. This is by far the most common form
training is placed within the context of the
tourism and hospitality industry, the drive to
make the NVQ the hub around which all
business centred education should revolve
doesn’t deliver the knowledge and skills that
businesses in the tourism sector need to
operate their enterprises successfully. More
insight into the actual needs of the tourism
industry in the training sector is urgently
needed if vital skills are not to be lost.

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04
Wish you were here Continued
contending with a number of additional factors
that puts a strain on its ability to remain profitable.
One of the main pressures it feels is in transport.
Matt Jackson at Sussex Enterprise said: “Currently it
feels like the rail network only really runs 6 days a
week due to Network Rails constant weekend
maintenance, that seriously impacts on travel into
Sussex for tourists and for staff. The A27 is a
disaster for tourist and staff. Improvements need to
be made to facilitate movement from east to
west.” Is the South East in danger of becoming not
a must visit region, but a can’t visit region? It’s a
question many businesses are asking themselves.
Tom Wright, Chief Executive, Visit Britain says:
“Not at all. The South East remains a popular
destination for international and British people. In
the last five years, visits to the region from overseas
– people who arguably have less familiarity with
the occasional vagaries of transport infrastructure –
have more than doubled. Like any destination,
there are challenges that regions and nations can
overcome, but periods of regeneration and
redevelopment are certainly bring wide-ranging
improvements.”
Tourism South East’s Bob Collier says: “The SE is
one of the most successful regions economically
but one of the most congested. From a visitor
perspective it is one of the most accessible parts of
Going for Gold
With the Olympics only four years away, is
the South East’s tourism industry ready to
make the most of this unique opportunity?
The billions of pounds that have been allocated to the
Olympic Games must be shared equally between all
businesses, large or small. This was the stated aim of
the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). However, small
business owners have remained cautious if not cynical
about any significant percentage of this money being
allocated to SMEs. Figures indicate that 20% of the
contracts for the Sydney Olympics went to smaller
businesses. Is the UK’s Games likely to match this figure?
Bob Collier the Managing Director at Tourism South
East would argue that change is afoot that should
alleviate the concerns of small businesses in particular
throughout the South East: “The 2012 London Games
are a major opportunity for business with £6bn for over
75,000 contracts to be tendered. The impact is already
being felt with 500 contracts worth £1bn already awarded
over half to SME's. In the Southeast 88 companies have
won business and they vary from hotels, catering and
events to engineering consultants, construction and ICT
specialists. The SEEDA in partnership with the Olympic
delivery authority and the London Organising Committee
for the Olympic Games have invested in Business
Network at the heart of which is CompeteFor
www.competefor.com/london2012business that
matches suppliers and buying opportunities.”
John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said: “The
delivery of the London 2012 Games will provide
opportunities for businesses of all sizes in many sectors.
We welcome the launch of the London 2012 Business
Network and urge small businesses to get involved. We
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■SussexBusinessNews
Mark Jones, Owner of Colson House and the current Chairman of Brighton & Hove Hoteliers Association
the UK from domestic and overseas markets – a
national Gateway – having said this growing road
congestion will be a major disincentive to travel.
The Hindhead by-pass will alleviate one of the
regions major blockages but the east west coastal
route (A27) needs to be the next priority. In terms
of rail and air accessibility the region is very well
served. Coastal rail networks have also improved
substantially in recent years.”
Business services
One area that has gained in significance over the
last two years is sustainability. The green issue
The Olympic Games is coming to the UK, but how
far the South East will benefit is open to debate
are particularly pleased that large contractors will be
compelled to make public, via the network, the sub-
contracting opportunities that will be most suited to
smaller companies. But this does not guarantee that
small businesses outside of large Olympic contractors’
existing supply chains will actually get work. The ODA
has made a good start with the London 2012 Business
Network, but we will be keeping a beady eye on the
process in the coming months and years to make sure
it delivers genuine opportunities for small businesses.”
However, Roger Marlowe, Chairman of the
Brighton Food Festival says: “I think it’s very
early to be thinking about the Olympics for most
small businesses. To be honest everything I have
read about how the Olympics is being planned
makes me think they will touch my business at all,
and in fact won’t have an impact on the South East.”
Mark Jones, Owner of Colson House and Chair of
touches every business to a degree, but in an
environmentally conscious society, the tourism and
leisure industries have to adapt to the new
demands of their customers if they are to remain
profitable. New research by entrepreneur think
tank, the Tenon Forum, reveals that almost half
(48%) of UK owner/managers think the
government isn’t doing enough to support their
efforts to implement environmentally friendly
policies in the workplace.
Andy Raynor, Chief Executive Officer of Tenon,
said: “UK entrepreneurs are sending out a clear
message to government. While most support
Brighton & Hove Hoteliers Association also expressed
his concern: “In my view what has been missed is that
we had no one who actually sat down the day after we
won the Olympic bid and asked how are we going to
make the most of this in Brighton and the South East. I
don’t think anybody did. Why for instance didn’t
Hickstead get the horse jumping? Also, I don’t think
much is going to happen at Yellowave either. Who
actually said how are we going to bring some of the
Olympic sports down into this area? Who from the South
East is going to talk to the Olympic committee? I’m not
sure any of that was done. Consequently it’s unlikely
that anyone will stay in Brighton and commute back to
London. But it could have been very different if some
events were actually based in Brighton, Eastbourne
or the South East. I think regionally and nationally
things happen, but we aren’t very good at asking
what can this mean for us.”
Visit www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
MARCH2008
“ Many of
the organisations
that purport to
support tourism in
the South East,
don’t have the
funding to
implement
real change
”
implementing policies that reduce their
environmental impact, they also cannot do so
alone. SMEs need government to motivate and
reward best environmental practices with tax
credits so that green behaviour also makes a
genuine difference to their bottom line.”
“There are many ways that are simple and
realistic that small businesses can reduce their
impact on the environment whilst also saving
money on energy costs and improving their
competitiveness,” commented Bob Collier at
Tourism South East. “The Green Tourism Business
Scheme helps businesses work in a much more
sustainable way both environmentally and
economically and gives reassurance to the
consumer that it is credible. More recently TSE has
produced a simple ‘Sustainable Tourism Guide for
Dummies’ http://tinyurl.com/ywwsq4 that
identifies good basic practice. The government has
to date produced guidance for businesses on
environmental good practice, rather than set
targets.”
Mark Jones, Owner of Colson House
commented: “My feeling is that sustainability
becomes a business imperative when life is made
very difficult for you if you don’t fulfil whatever
legislation or guidelines have be laid down.
Commercial waste is a particular issue. We have to
try and handle the constraints that are put on us
by the local authority that won’t collect our
rubbish as this isn’t part of the business rates that
we pay.”
What is clear is that all business especially in the
tourism and leisure industry that have felt the first
shift in customer awareness of environmental
issues must act now. Greenwashing (where
businesses in effect put out misinformation so they
appear to be more environmentally friendly than
they actually are) is something to be avoided at all
costs as the South East builds its reputation as a
tourist destination with credible green credentials.
The South East has a tourism and leisure
industry that is one of the keys to its success. The
Brighton Arts Festival is England’s largest and with
over 190 art galleries, 300 museums and 250
performing arts venues, the region has much to
offer the national and international tourist. But the
long-term longevity of the industry as a whole is
dependent on its continued support, and an
intimate understanding of its needs by policy
makers and business organisation alike.
■SussexBusinessNews
MARCH2008 ■SussexBusinessNews 05

NEWS

New York
supernanny
comes to
Brighton
A FORMER nanny who worked in New York has opened a
new childcare business in Brighton and is pioneering a
‘speed nannying’ event.
Lucy Davis, 32, has opened Brighton’s first branch of Tinies, the
UK’s biggest childcare agency. Lucy finds nannies and maternity
nurses for parents, staff for nurseries and also provides mobile creches
and babysitters.
Lucy, from Preston Park, covers Brighton, Hove and much of
Sussex with her new branch. And to launch the business she is
looking to hold a ‘speed nannying’ morning, which is based on the
popular speed dating events that take place across the UK every
week.
Speed nannying brings together around 10 nannies and the same
number of parents. The parents get to interview all the nannies and
write down which they like best. The nannies write down which
parents they felt fitted in with their outlook, and the match is made.
Lucy said it was exciting to open a branch of Tinies in Brighton: Tinies brings a speed nannying franchise to Brighton
“For many families both parents are working. There is nothing more
important than getting the right childcare and that is what we are director husband Callum, worked in the head office of Tinies. When booking a date for the event,” she said.
there to do. When I worked in New York speed nannying was she returned to the UK she saw a gap in Brighton and became a Tinies Brighton can be contacted on 01273 557671 or
popular. Most of our placements will be in the traditional way but it is franchisee. brighton@tinies.com
good to do something a bit different which is also really sociable.” “It is really exciting to be at the sharp end of the business. I am
Before going to New York, Lucy, who lives with her marketing looking to get the interest in speed nannying together before ■SussexBusinessNews

New club for Eco-store wins

shopping find
mobile workers of the year
award
ONE Alfred Place, the first private members’ club to offer NIGEL Berman, proprietor of Hove-based Nigel’s Eco Store
all the style, food and drink of a modern club but [www.nigelsecostore.com] has taken the Yahoo! award for
designed principally for business use. the best shopping site. The awards highlight some of the
The brainchild of Rob Shreeve, former MD of Virgin Publishing, most interesting and innovative sites of the year, based on
One Alfred Place’s investors’ brings British rock stars and prominent a number of factors, including functionality, design and
business figures together to create a club with a difference. One the wow factor.
Alfred Place is centrally location being 5 minutes from Euston and 9 Nigel’s Eco Store was founded in 2005. Nigel was a former chartered
minutes from Waterloo. accountant who developed an interest in ecological issues twenty years
Club members enjoy extended opening hours, full business service ago while travelling in Australia. After several years working in publishing,
including workspace, boardrooms and communications. Great value, Nigel decided to start selling environmentally friendly products after
inventive, eat-while-you work food is constantly available as is a full discovering for himself how difficult they could be to source.
bar anywhere in the club. Shower rooms and sleep cabins for those According to the panel, “There are so many great, innovative
flying into London on the red eye, or just needing a quick rest. shopping sites around these days, but Nigel's Eco Store came out on top.
Rob Shreeve says: “Increasing numbers of people live and work Not only was the idea really unique and engaging, the judges also loved
outside London but regularly travel into town on business. Filling an the layout of the site and felt it was distinctive in concept and differed
obvious gap in the marketplace, everything has been designed to from other shopping sites. In fact, this was one of the favourite sites
help members work and do business efficiently and effectively within overall, fitting perfectly with a shopping site's goal and society's ecological
a vibrant environment. outlook.”
“Comprehensive business services will keep members virtually Actinic CEO Chris Barling remarks, “Eco-friendliness may not be the
connected while the unique Club PA offering will give members most important reason why more and people are choosing to shop
access to a full network of services to meet their every need. It’s our online, but it’s importance is undoubtedly growing. With concern about
aim to introduce a new club every 9 to twelve months bringing our climate change rising, everyone is wanting to take more responsibility for
total to five clubs by 2012.” their carbon footprint. Ecommerce is widely perceived as being more
For more information visit the website: www.onealfredplace.com. environmentally friendly than other channels, and so we are especially
The club is located at One Alfred Place, London, WC1E 7EB. proud to be associated with Nigel's Eco Store.”

■SussexBusinessNews ■SussexBusinessNews

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06
The XL leisure group is the parent company of the brands XL.com, XL airways,
Travel City Direct, Kosmar and Aspire Holidays, and Freedom Flights
Case Study:
XL Leisure
Group
AS one of the major success stories in the
South East XL’s rapid expansion has been
achieved through organic growth and
more recently, significant mergers and
acquisition activity. Since XL came to the
market in 2001, rebranding the airline
business from Sabre to Excel Airways and a
strategy of acquiring specialist tour
operators has given XL a unique position
within the travel industry.
XL has developed from a very successful seat
booking company to an airline and then into a
leisure and inclusive tour company. XL operations
in France and Germany generating 40% of the
group’s turnover; with the overall turnover for the
group increasing from on average £300m per year
to almost £800m last year.
The XL group offers a broad product portfolio
including destinations such as the Caribbean,
Greece, Florida, Spain and Egypt. These products
are served from departure points across the UK and
Ireland.
XL.com is the master brand of the group. It is
the web portal and primary customer tool to
access XL’s product range. All the groups’ specialist
brands have their own unique proposition, identity
and web presence, but XL.com is at the forefront
of the groups marketing strategy. To further boost
its profile brand reach XL.com has recently become
the official club sponsor of West Ham United FC.
Sussex Business News spoke with Peter Owen,
Peter Owen, CEO of XL Leisure Group
Call 0845 67 888 67
■SussexBusinessNews
The XL Leisure Group is the third largest tour-operating group in the UK
CEO of XL Leisure Group about his business and
with wider tourism and hospitality industry in the
South East.
Peter has 21 years experience of working at
British Airways; and more recently had spells at
Cox Insurance Holdings and Aer Lingus. Peter is
currently refocusing the XL leisure group so that its
business model is both efficient and market
responsive. The XL of the future will be well
MARCH2008
positioned to adapt to change and take advantage industry in the South East? Does your business have
of growth opportunities. any particular needs?
Q: What was the motivation to start XL? An issue for XL is airport capacity; with the
A: The XL leisure group has evolved through a rapid growth of the airline industry it is become
number of corporate initiatives; after a number of essentially harder and more expensive to operate
ownership structures the current shareholders aircraft. It is vital for the expansion plans at UK
obtained control of the group through a airports to get the green light quickly, and ensure
management buyout at the end of 2006. The that the cost of air travel remains affordable to
company is determined to build on the XL.com everyone.
brand and deliver value for money flights and Q: Is greenwashing real in the South East, or
holidays, whilst delivering excellent customer are the region’s businesses genuinely moving
service, and pursuing a growth strategy that is towards a more sustainable operation?
based on an efficient, profitable business model. A: All businesses, especially ones that operate
Q: How do you think your business differentiates an airline need to be aware and actively engaged
itself from the others in your sector? in environmental issues. At XL we have spent the
A: The XL leisure group has in-depth, specialist past year exploring what we can do to limit any
knowledge of its destinations and products and is damage to the environment caused by aircraft; we
driven to deliver outstanding service to its are really passionate about giving people the
customers. The organisation is lean and flexible, chance to explore the world today, whilst
responding quickly to protecting it for tomorrow’s
“
changes in customer taste generation.
and demand. XL airways The XL leisure We are close to
operate one of the most
modern and efficient fleets in
group has producing our first
Corporate Social
Europe, ensuring an excellent in-depth, specialist Responsibility policy that
experience for our customers. will outline some of the
In distribution, XL.com is a knowledge of its specific measures we are
fast growing web portal that
is competing with brands
destinations and taking; but with a modern
fleet of aircraft, with cleaner
such as lastminute.com. We products and is engines that burn less fuel
are lowering the cost of sale
for the group and ensuring
driven to deliver we are already leading the
way in lowering our carbon
that we operate as efficiently outstanding service footprint.
”
as possible. Q: What’s next for XL?
Q: How has Sussex to its customers A: The XL leisure group
Enterprise helped you to has a really ambitious
develop your business? growth strategy; we will continue to explore
A: The XL leisure group is currently looking at opportunities to grow our business and widen our
ways it can join forces with Sussex Enterprise and I portfolio and product range. In the short term XL
am excited about developing a partnership. As part is looking to enhance its reputation and develop
of our new CSR policy we will be exploring ways in the XL.com brand; I am really excited about the
which we can get involved in supporting our local future for XL and am confident that our long-term
communities; both environmentally and by using strategy will see us become a major player in the
some of the resources we have at our disposal. UK travel industry.
Q: What do you think is the most serious
barrier to growth of the tourism and hospitality ■SussexBusinessNews
Visit www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
MARCH2008 ■SussexBusinessNews 07

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Alex Gifford on 01707 273 999 ext 257 or email: alex.gifford@trmg.co.uk

www.sussexenterprise.co.uk

Kick start It pays to join.

Workshops to get your business Become a member of
up and running Sussex Enterprise and
iness - Lewes
join the biggest business
Start-up membership £85 Monkey Bus
network in Sussex.

Call 0845 67 888 67

On track or visit sussexenterprise.co.uk

Legal cover to keep you on the

right side of the law
Arctic Ju
ngle - Crawley
Small business membership £99

Step ahead
Networking events to help you
promote your business
g
al - Worthin It’s all about you. It’s all about business.
Membership PLUS £250 Kew Electric
08 ■SussexBusinessNews MARCH2008

Listings MARCH2008
s to all t he se
iv es yo u a cc es ses
m be rsh ip g ra in in g co ur
E nterp rise Me c ou nt on ou rt
Sussex tially a 20 % dis
ents an d p oten
ev

Events&Training
Membership Events *Premier Events are exclusive to Sussex Enterprise Premier Members only.

Date Event Host Event Title Location Event Type Event Topic

4th Mar Chichester Chamber E Commerce and IT - Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral Partner Retail
Ebay and selling online
6th Mar Seaford Town Chamber Networking Breakfast Diella’s Restaurant, Seaford Partner Networking
10th Mar Chichester Chamber Evening Networking Meeting Tandoori Nite, Chichester Partner Networking
Gate Leisure Park
11th Mar Chichester Chamber E Commerce and IT - Websites Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral Partner Retail
and search engine optimisation
18th Mar Chichester Chamber A Marketing Plan on £500 Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral Partner Retail
18th Mar Wendy Bell How to provide great Fontwell Park Racecourse, Arundel Member & Customer
Customer Service Non Member Service
19th Mar Seaford Town Chamber Networking Lunch Blatchington Golf Club, Seaford Partner Networking
25th Mar Chichester Chamber Financial management Vicars Hall, Chichester Cathedral Partner Retail
made fun and easy
28th Mar Georgina Carley Sustainability Forum Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Premier * Networking

Sussex Enterprise Training Courses

Date Event Trainer Event Title Location Event Topic Level

6th Mar Peter Thompson Using Letters of Credit, Drafts & Bills Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield Importing & Exporting Beginners

12th Mar Conrad Potts Change Management Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners
13th Mar Gina Hawthorne Finance For Non Financial Managers Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield Personal Development Beginners

17th Mar Peter Thompson Exporting – Understanding Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield Importing & Exporting Beginners
The Paperwork
18th Mar Conrad Potts Coaching For Performance Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners
19th Mar Mervyn Murray Dynamic Diversity Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners
20th Mar Ros Soulsby Customer Relationship Management Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners
26th Mar Donna Shoesmith Recruitment & Selection in Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners
Accordance With The Law
27th Mar Mervyn Murray Conflict Management Sussex Enterprise, Burgess Hill Personal Development Beginners

At Sussex Enterprise our main aim is to provide

Competitor Analysis high quality training at unbeatable prices. Here is
just a sample of the savings that you can make:
Sussex Enterprise
Course Title Competitors Price Price Saving
ILM Level 3 Introductory Certificate Hemsley Fraser £2099 £995 £1104
in First Line Management
Change Management CIPD £535 £260 £275
Coaching For Performance Hemsley Fraser £529 £260 £269
HR In A CIPD £515 £260 £255
REED £495 £235
Effective Time Management REED £495 £260 £235
THALES £395 £135
Using Letters of Credit, Drafts & Bills Hemsley Fraser £499 £200 £299
PETA £280£80
Communication & Assertiveness Skills THALES £395 £260 £135
CIEH Level 2 Award In PETA £200 £105 £95
Health & Safety In The Workplace

At Sussex Enterprise our main aim is to provide

Massive Savings
All of our courses are competitively priced and you
can save up to 50% based on our competitors rates.
Members save more
Our Member Plus package provides you with a
further 20% discount on all training courses.
Join today for as little as 22p per day by calling
01444 259 207 and give your business a boost.
high quality training at unbeatable prices. This is
just a sample of the savings that you can make:
For more information or to book events
or training courses please visit
www.sussexenterprise.co.uk
or call 01444 259 230