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News WEST LONDON The Business Connection, Harrow in Business and the London Borough of Harrow are happy to announce that we are holding another West London Business Advice Open Day. Please see our meetings page for information on 'What's On' and how to pre-register or to book an exhibition space. ------------------------------------- Maximise Your Business Impact Thursday 12th June 2008 - Harrow Civic Centre, Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XF. 6.45pm - 10pm Should you "ask the audience" or "phone a friend"? Thank you to our sponsors:
A Fair (Business) Deal for Harrow Thursday 31st January 2008 – Quality Harrow Hotel, 12-22 Pinner Road, Harrow, The Business Connection is holding the second in its series of quarterly events, sponsored by the Quality Harrow Hotel, geared to bringing together the local business community, and this time its an opportunity to lobby Government. Hot on the heels of the successful Business Question Time held in November, this event adds your business's voice to the Harrow Observer- and the Council-led A Fair Deal for Harrow campaign. We believe that businesses are getting a raw deal too and we are asking you to add your voice to the residents and the council to lobby for a better deal. Cllr David Ashton (deputy leader) has again agreed to be on hand to provide an explanation of how the funding works and insight into the Fair Deal issues and Lindsay Coulson, Editor of the Harrow Observer, leaders of the Fair Deal for Harrow Campaign. Allen Pluck will join them to provide the business perspective. In addition, there will be opportunities to hear about Business Rates, Rate Relief Business Funding, the Olympics and much more. As you would expect from The Business Connection there will be ample opportunities for networking and food will be provided. The first event attracted in excess of 100 people, so don’t forget to bring along your business cards to make the most of this networking opportunity. You will need to book your place in advance (without charge), or make a donation to the Mayor’s charity on the evening. To book your place either call Rhona Denness on 020 8427 6188, email her by clicking here. Friday 22nd February 2007 - Lloyds TSB, 286-288 Station Road, Harrow HA1 2EB- 12pm to 2pm Will you be truly stoppable in 2008? Meet our unique, unstoppable Guest Speakers, Monica Lowenberg of FocalVocal and Dr Almira Ross of Fit4growth to find out how they had to overcome the barriers to achieving their personal and business goals and learn how you too could sustain your business and your sanity in 2008 and beyond..... The event begins with an introduction from our Sponsor, Lloyds TSB, followed by light refreshments and networking. After hearing from our Guest Speakers there will be plenty of time for more networking, a chance to participate in our Raffle (proceeds to The Teenage Cancer Trust, the Mayor's chosen charity) and an opportunity to sign up for the new Women's Directory. You will need to book your place in advance (£7 members, £12 non members) by contacting Rhona Denness on 020 8427 6188, or by emailing her by clicking here.
Business Question Time sponsored by HSBC Bank and Peninsula Business Services Ltd Major Success Launches New Format
On the evening of 14th November 2007, more than 70 delegates joined us for Business Question Time, hosted by Harrow Council. Cathy Girvan from Rooks Heath College for Business and Enterprise said "I think this is one of the best things Harrow has done. It has brought together people with similar interests and people who want to move things forward." Many used the opportunity to re-energise their business contacts by networking in the Civic Centre's Members Lounge and were then able to ask our panel of business and community experts questions that affected the success of their businesses. In keeping with our new-style event format, businesses were able to take a stand at the event which promoted their work and gave delegates the opportunity to learn more about them. Stands at this event were taken by: Harrow Council; Harrow in Business; HSBC Bank; Peninsula Business Services Ltd and Stress Management Society. If you would like to take a stand at a future event (which includes a link to your website from our news page) please contact Rhona Denness on 020 8427 6188 or email her by clicking here Business Connection member, Nomathemba Lukhezo, Sandringham Oak Consultants & Training Centre Ltd, was very enthusiastic about the first of the new quarterly themed large scale networking events saying "Well done for such a wonderful evening. The new format did attract new people and the stands were another good idea." We would like to say a big thank you to our sponsors for the evening who were Peninsula Business Services Ltd and HSBC Bank Business Question Time....Debate Continues Following the success of Business Question Time we extended the debate to delegates via email, seeking their opinion on further business questions. To view these questions and the answers we received from delegates so far please click here. If you would like to add your viewpoint to this document please email Rhona Denness by clicking here.
Summer BBQ at Amano Restaurant, Northwick Park Playgolf On 14th August 2007, on a not-so-sunny summer's evening the annual barbecue was held at the Amano Restaurant - Northwick Park Playgolf. Inspite of the rain the event got off to a great start with welcome drinks and nibbles, followed by a wonderful buffet style barbecue. The entertainment for the evening was provided by resident jazz singer, Ava Golding who blasted out many popular tunes, past and present. Money was raised during the evening with a raffle, for which many of the prizes where donated by Business Connection members. A total of £91 was raised for Harrow Mayor Jean Lammiman's chosen charity of the Teenage Cancer Trust. A big thanks to all who participated.
EGM called to decide future direction of The Business Connection It was agreed that ownership and running of the organisation be passed over to Harrow in Business to administer on behalf of The Business Connection Membership. The remaining Management Group members are retained in the role of a steering group to ensure members that interests continue to be represented and the current finances of The Business Connection have been ring-fenced to be utilised specifically for The Busines Connection-organised member meetings. A message from our Chairman, Allen Pluck Post the EGM, I suspect members are now asking what happens next with The Business Connection/The Women's Connection. For those of you not at the EGM on 19th June, there were changes proposed as to how our Club operates. The call was for something a little bit different and more exciting. This starts with this re-vamped website and from September, and each and every quarter thereafter, the new format will be to hold: A "Major Business Event" each quarter. This will be open to all businesses across Harrow, Brent, north west London and beyond. These events will include:
A meeting each quarter of "The Business Connection". This will be a refresh of the monthly, previously-held meetings with the focus heavily geared towards meeting your needs as members and concentrating specific areas of concern to you. A meeting each quarter of "The Women's Connection". Having just celebrated its 1st birthday, we are anxious not to significantly change the very successful format of The Women's Connection other than in moving its meeting to once a quarter. We are looking to expand the reach and make the meetings slightly longer and more business-like in their approach. Finally, in learning from our experience we are also looking to put a dedicated charitable cause into place so that we put something back into our community. It has been suggested that this year, through to March 2008 that we work in raising funds for the Mayor of Harrow's chosen charity which is The Teenage Cancer Trust.
A big thank you to our members When The Women's Connection launched a year ago with a focus on values that would support the individual, the business and the community, the Steering Group could not have imagined the impact this would have. To date, just under £3000 has been raised for local charities. During the Anniversary Lunch alone, over £100 was raised for the Mayor's charity, The Teenage Cancer Trust. Making connections.... Fatima Ba-Alawi is the creator DCS Designs that promotes Dignity, Comfort and Safety for patients and hospital staff; making a difference to anyone needing to wear a hospital gown. Fatima found her connection on the day when the Mayor of Harrow encouraged Fatima to consider the synergy linked to The Teenage Cancer Trust. |
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The Women's Connection celebrated its first anniversary lunch on Tuesday 26th June. Hosted by Playgolf Northwick Park and opened by Harrow Mayor, Councillor Jean Lammiman. Whoever said that women could not mix business with pleasure! Graham Brooks of Londoncakes.com presented the Mayor and guests with the specially-made cake for the occasion to suit all special dietary requirements of the female audience. The raised number one on the celebration cake was free of gluten and dairy products, and was enjoyed by one and all, without a crumb left as the ladies moved from lunch to a fun baseball challenge, arranged by the venue. |
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