Louise Pepper Mentioned in The Times!

Just a quick post to say that Kent Business Tweetups, Louise Pepper, has been mentioned in The Times newspaper. She has been ranked among the UK's top financial advisers. Sincere congratulations, Louise!

A photo of the article relating to the above, can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/louise.pepper.71/posts/1535782459996675:0

A Lidl More Democracy

I’ve been entertained – and at times irritated – by the comedian Russell Brand’s campaign for direct democracy through his “Revolution” YouTube channel. Entertained because he’s incredibly funny but irritated because the issues are more complex than presented. A “Big Brother” or “X Factor” style popular vote on the NHS would clearly have everyone demanding more nurses and better equipped hospitals, & let's not even get started on the food, but who would take the decision on whether to take the money from schools, the army, train service or wind farms?

On a local level, however, a bit more democracy could go a long way. The council right now is changing the face of Whitstable, for example, beyond recognition. The town loved for its unkempt seafront and quirky shops is suddenly being stormed by an influx of big chains: the latest newcomer to the High Street being Morrisons, bang opposite Budgens. At Estuary View, we’re getting a Lidl store and another big retail chain. Gone but not forgotten, The Bear & Key, now a Prezzo, The Tankerton Arms, now flats.

But it’s not just the shops. Along the seafront in Tankerton, houses are being rapidly replaced with identikit blocks of flats. The turreted Valentie's house, now flats. The once rural idyll boating lake off the golf course by West Beach now an estate of terraces. 

The beautifully quaint Peggotty House on Marine Parade is the latest insult to residents. The much-admired home was declared as without architectural merit by the council. Granted it doesn’t follow any traditional style of architecture – but that’s the point. Whitstabilians have always done things differently.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility to imagine a system where people can lodge their vote on decisions of whether a chain store should be allowed in our high street and whether treasured local assets like Peggotty House should be cast in the dustbin of development. But really, politicians with their ears to the ground should already be hearing loud and clear what their electorate are saying.

Jules Serkin.

 Tweet me @julesserkin Tune in to my shows @SCOFFQUAFF food & drink show for Kent every Tuesday live 11-12 & 1pm @businessbunker  on www.channelradio.co.uk

 

Attend free business networking : www.kentbusinesstweetup.co.uk 

@kenttweetups

A Framing Success!

       I had the privilege of framing a signed One Direction T-shirt for a rather special youngster and was amazed at how easy it is to have a positive effect on a young person, which in turn had a profound effect on me. Here’s the link to the article. http://tmblr.co/ZCsI8u1UiXNX0

·         I'm really proud to have been accepted by “Just Got Made”, an organisation putting together a trustworthy directory of designer/makers. 

To read more visit Just Got Made website: http://www.justgotmade.com/supplier/edge-picture-framing/

·         Being 11 November, and because Kent had such a significant involvement in both World Wars, you might be interested in my article included on page 24 of the first issue of the Hythe Life Magazine. http://issuu.com/hythelifemagazine/docs/hythe_life_magazine_-_issue_1__flip

Bev Saunders

No More Planes at Manston...

And so it is.

A century of aviation ends at Manston.

All their huffing and puffing makes our political leaders look more like the domestic servants fussing about Downton Abbey while Lady Grantham purses her lips and does just as she damn well pleases.

Ann Gloag has made buffoons of the politicians and fools of us all.

Small wonder she declines media interviews. Who would want to be reminded of promises on purchasing an airport when they’ve just turned a pound into 24 million. Thanet council’s inquiry into a compulsory purchase order of the airport and the MPs’ assurances of the prime minister’s support looks laughable.

Only this is serious. And lessons must be learned.

Once again, we’re hearing vague promises. Along with a multitude of houses to be built on the vast site, there’s talk of a business park, creating 4,000 jobs. This has helped to soothe opposition to the plans. The airport employed a mere 150 people.

But here we go again. Where’s the business plan? Where are the details? Where’s the stress test for an economic downturn?

While the developers are still fighting the vague threat of a compulsory purchase order, the politicians have scope to demand the full disclosure they should have insisted on with when the airport was sold. Let’s not be made fools of again.

 Tweet me @julesserkin, Tune in to my shows @SCOFFQUAFF food & drink show for Kent every Tuesday live 11-12 & 1pm @businessbunker  on www.channelradio.co.uk   Listen anytime: www.SCOFFQUAFF.co.uk 

Jules Serkin

Attend free business networking : www.kentbusinesstweetup.co.uk 

Follow @kenttweetups for info.

Computers 4 Africa

My husband recently returned from Nigeria, where he’s been researching a book about investing in Africa and other “frontier markets.”

Among the most moving accounts is his visit to a slum in Lagos, where he met a young man whose father died in ethnic fighting and whose mother travelled seven hours to work as a nurse. The lad, left with his two brothers during the week, was determined not only to better himself and his family but also the slum around him by studying for a degree in zoology, focusing on pollution control to eradicate the deadly scourge of malaria, typhoid and diarrhea. Amid the poverty surrounding him, he worked on a broken laptop barely able to read on the cracked screen.

Coming back to England and going to the rubbish tip brought home the huge waste between our world and Africa’s. We throw away old technology every day – especially as businesses - that could easily be of massive benefit to those who can’t yet afford the latest gadgets. We undertook to make sure the lad in Lagos would get a working laptop.

B&Q worker Aseri Katanga had the same thought but on a far bigger scale. As he watched his employer fill up a skip with unwanted computers he thought about how useful they would be back home in Tanzania. Aseri approached B&Q for permission to store the computers in his garage. He put the word out and soon his garage was chockablock with computers. Next, he arranged for a shipping crate and lots of neighbours to help him load the computers on their way to Africa.

From that first shipment an entire charity was spawned called Computers 4 Africa. The charity, based in Aylesford, takes computers from across Kent, cleans the data, loads up-to-date software such as Microsoft Windows 7, and ships them out to schools and non-governmental organisations.

Speaking on the Business Bunker radio show, marketing manager Sharon Roberts told us that the charity is looking for computers, monitors, keyboards and laptops, but not printers as it’s harder to get the ink.

All of the equipment it sends has an expected useful remaining life of at least five years. Any donations that don’t make the grade are split up and used for parts. Best of all, the charity’s connections on the ground make sure the people receive the equipment know how to use it. Having computers at school can make a world of difference, giving a better education and real earning potential to children and their future families. One day, Aseri says he wants African children to know the difference between a mouse and a mouse.

Jules Serkin.

For details on how to donate computers go to www.computersforafrica.org.uk. If your company has ten working computers, the charity will pick up free of charge.

 For advance copies of Frontier, go to @frontierfunds    www.frontierfunds.org 

 Tweet me @julesserkin Tune in to my shows @SCOFFQUAFF food & drink show for Kent every Tuesday live 11-12 & 1pm @businessbunker  on www.channelradio.co.uk

 

Attend free business networking : www.kentbusinesstweetup.co.uk 

@kenttweetups

Mini Snail Farm Trail...

SUPPORT OUR CROWD FUNDING CAMPAIGN 

LAUNCH 22 SEPTEMBER on INDIEGOGO

50 FREE MINI SNAIL FARMS FOR SELECTED SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UK

Mini Snail Farm Trail is about providing free mini snail farms to 50 selected UK schools where the children would benefit most from contact with living things. Each one has 6 baby snails and everything you need to look after them: food, housing, bedding and care instructions,

Perks for donations:

A thank you on our campaign page and: hand magnifiers, snail greeting cards, Meet the Snails days, signed copies Molluscs and Me, and lots more must-have goodies

I am Helen Howard, and H&RH Escargots is one of the few UK snail farms growing edible snails and helping other people to grow their own snails at home.  As a teacher I believe that it is vital for young children to learn about living things through practical experience not just by reading about them in books. I am keen to support schools in helping children to learn in an engaging way. The National Curriculum is so demanding that it is easy for other important learning to get lost in the time pressure. A mini snail farm sitting at the side of the classroom so children can take turns to care for the snails extends their learning and is a reminder of the importance of the living world.

My snail farm came to public attention through TV appearances on Countryfile, the Alan Titchmarsh show, Great British Menu and Easter Eggs Live. Last year Molluscs and Me was published, which is the story about setting up and running the snail farm. Press articles include the local Press as well as the Guardian, the Independent, Amateur Gardener, Smallholder Review and Metropolitan magazine. http://www.ink-live.com/emagazines/eurostar-metropolitan/1692/july-2014/#44.  More recently I appeared on BBC Breakfast on a Sunday morning: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29031027

Please help spread the campaign Mini Snail Farm Trail. Even if you can't give a contribution, spreading this page via all social media platforms and through family and friends will help us a lot! We plan to take mini snail farms into 50 selected UK schools to help teachers provide opportunities for children to learn about living things. We want to promote science education in primary schools so that the next generation understands more about the world around them.

Helen Howard.

http://minisnailfarmtrail.wordpress.com

 twitter @minisnailfarm

https://www.facebook.com/MiniSnailFarmTrail

Another Techno Hit Parade...

In modern-day business, with success determined by tweets and web hits, geeks are the rock gods.  You can glean a lot from studying their tricks of the trade. 

 

After my column a couple of months ago on the top apps for small businesses, here’s another techno hit parade: some top tools recommended by Edouard Rosenblum from the geek jobs website Breaz.

 

1. Slack

Forget Skype. Use Slack. Slack is the most modern communication tool for teams with an incredible design that allows you to integrate all of the services you’re using and get instant notifications

2. mention

This powerful application helps you track what’s being said about your brand and your competitors in real time. It works for blog posts, forum mentions, news and web references, as well as social media posts.

 

3. Buffer

Want to publish on multiple social networks in one click and track your reach? Use Buffer. It’s an extremely simple application to manage your social media presence on almost every channel. Buffer also provides great tips for startups on their blog.

4. Followerwonk

This is a great resource when it comes to finding influencers in your sector. For instance, you can sort out a list of all of the most followed people for any keyword or expression.

 

5. Dashlane

With all of the apps you’re using, you should use a password manager to protect your security. Dashlane will connect you automatically to all of your apps and prevent you from losing any passwords.

Jules Serkin

 Tweet me @julesserkin, Tune in to my shows @SCOFFQUAFF food & drink show for Kent every Tuesday live 11-12 & 1pm @businessbunker  on www.channelradio.co.uk

 

Attend free business networking : www.kentbusinesstweetup.co.uk 

@kenttweetups