Building Business Responsibly - Enterprise Club

DATE: 13 September 2007

PARTNERS
North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NSCCI), AdGiftsOnline, Donna Louise Trust, Jane Pallister, Gladmans, Business Broker Project

BACKGROUND
The Enterprise Club run by the NSCCI had responded to its customers’ request for more information about corporate social responsibility (CSR). Business Brokers were involved in planning the event, as they provided speakers from their pool of contacts.

The Business Brokers further supported the event by having meetings with the speakers beforehand, helping out with powerpoint presentations on the night as well as introducing the speakers.

OBJECTIVE
The aim of the event was to:
• give businesses an idea of what exactly CSR is
• inform businesses of the benefits that could be gained by introducing CSR activities to their workforce, clients and suppliers and integrating these activities as a part of their normal business operations
• stress to businesses that it was of as much, if not more, benefit to SMEs as to multi-nationals to build their business by incorporating CSR
• give practical examples of how CSR could be easily implemented

THE ACTIVITY
Adele Cope, told the delegates that the business brokers could help businesses with finding suitable CSR activities and give them ideas of what they could get involved in. She then introduced the speakers, who were talking about how CSR had benefited their respective businesses/organisation, giving delegates the benefits to both sides of the CSR partnership.

After the speakers there was a buffet and networking opportunity.

IMPACT
• 3 business volunteers presented
• 1 charity volunteer presented
• 35+ delegates had signed up for the event

LINK TO NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL

The event was open to all businesses in North Staffordshire, including the priority investment areas of Stoke on Trent. The business brokers were very pleased to be involved as the remit of the project was regeneration, so this event could lead to many new partnerships between businesses and community/voluntary groups and educational establishments to be formed as a result. The event was held in Stoke in a room, which was part of Staffordshire University. Work was in progress on a masterplan for the regeneration of the University Quarter, which would mean major intervention to transform the area in an attempt to improve the image and access to the city centre. This would make it more welcoming and friendly to tourists as well as students from all around the world. Improving the general image of the area as an important gateway into the city centre would ultimately help the local economy as a whole.

QUOTES
Kathy Plaskitt, Lenzflare:

“I thought it was very useful and inspiring. I think it opened my mind to what I could do as an owner of a small business and also to the things that were going on in my community already with regards to other businesses and their contribution. It is great to have things put into perspective and see the impact when everyone does a little bit to help. All three speakers spoke about different angles of business responsibility in the community which was great to get an overall picture and information. Very inspiring, thank you.?