Download pdf - The New B4

• We are launching Masterclasses enabling B4 Membersto benefit from the expertise in the B4 network

• We are launching Promotional Experiences enablingB4 Members to enjoy some great experiences atB4 Member venues – anything from paintballing topunting, tennis tournaments to gin tasting, it’s up toyou!

events

Over the next few pages we have outlined the changes we are making for you at B4 and to help you to profile your business to 9,000 key Thames ValleyBusiness Decision Makers. So, what’s happening? In line with our four key platforms of B4, namely ‘In Print, On Line, Events and Social Media’ we are makingthe following key changes:

Don’t forget to send us your press releases andevents and we can add to the B4 site for you

• We are amalgamating B4 Magazine into one highquality bi-monthly magazine sent to 9,000 BusinessDecision Makers in the Thames Valley

• Coming in 2015 – a Bi-monthly printed Members’ onlyNewsletter to keep you up to date with the latest eventdates, deadlines and news

The Four Platforms of B4:

• First class B4 Classic events held in prestigious locations every month

• Connect with over 600 B4 Company Members across the Thames Valley

• Benefit from our active social media platforms and access over 7,000 Twitter followers

• Receive or promote your business in our weekly e-Newsletter sent to over 5,000 recipients

That's in addition to the following:

• New website coming soon with increased functionalityand Member to Member connectivity

• B4 Newsdesk can post your (unlimited) news to your B4pages for you

• Proudly display that you are a part of the fastestgrowing business network in the Thames Valley with ourMember logos for your website, e-mail footers andpromotional literature.

The New B4Some of the changes we are making for you

• Get your news re-tweeted to over 7,000 B4 followers.Just mention one of our B4 accounts and we will do therest for you

B4 Oxfordshire followers 2,939* Twitter followers

B4 Berkshire followers 2,437* Twitter followers

B4 Buckinghamshire followers 1,381* Twitter followers

*as at end of September, 2014

in print

on-line

newsdesk

social

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B 4

Having re-launched B4 as a bi-monthly magazine and combined the three editions of Oxfordshire, Berkshireand Buckinghamshire, we now not only have a more frequent magazine but your news can reach a muchwider area with 9,000 copies circulated free to key business decision makers in the Thames Valley.

We’re also making some more changes as follows:

Bi-Monthly Magazine for the Thames Valley

Please note that from Issue 32, we will be capping the magazine at 164 pages so if you do want to make sureyou’re included in B4 moving forwards, please make sure your pages are booked well in advance.

Fixed Paginations

From 2015 we will be launching a bi-monthly printed Members Only Newsletter which will be delivered to youfree of charge, keeping you abreast of the latest events, deadlines and news within the B4 community.

Printed Newsletter

We are gradually widening and increasing the circulation of B4. Starting with Business Parks and ServicedOffices, we want to increase the number of copies of B4 sent out for general distribution so that your content isseen as far and wide as possible. We will also be including a ‘Where to pick up a copy of B4’ list in eachforthcoming edition of B4 Magazine.

Wider and Increased Circulation

From Issue 34 in 2015, we will be introducing themes to B4 Magazine as follows. We have also included thebooking deadline dates for these issues:

The feature themes are there for our customers to follow or do their own thing. Features will not be limited interms of size, with the rates for double and single page editorial and display advertising remaining the same asfeaturing in the magazine (see page 3). The one aspect of features which will be available separately will be thesponsorship of each feature. This will include:• Cover of feature reflecting the sponsor (the first page of the feature in the magazine)• Logo on cover• Main strapline of cover – three in total• One strapline on cover of main magazine• Four pages in feature (first in the feature) comprising three pages of editorial and a full page advertisement

Rate £2,500+VAT

B4 Features & Deadlines

B4 in print

Issue Theme Booking Deadline Copy Deadline

34 The Property Issue 12th December 9th January

35 Budget & FinanceThe Budget & Finance Issue

19th February 12th March

36 The Hospitality & Tourism Issue

24th April 15th May

37 The Learning Issue (and BIO recap)

19th June 10th July

38 Brave New World: Innovation, Technology, Web and Social Media

21st August 11th September

39 The Sustainability Issue: Green, Eco and CSR

23rd October 13th November

www.b4-business.com76

The New B4 will see one magazine for all areas, however the outer four pages will be different for eachgeographical region to enable us to retain a local feel for each area.

*this can be a three page editorial with a one page advert if you likeNB All rates quoted net of VAT

Lead Articles

Would you like your own magazine with your own outer four pages devoted to your business, including thecover? All we need are your images, adverts and text and we will do the rest, including proof for approval anddeliver.

PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE COVERS WILL BE AROUND ADDITIONAL COPIES TO THE MAIN 9,000 RUN ANDWILL NOT BE DELIVERED TO OUR MAILING LIST – THEY ARE SOLELY FOR THE CUSTOMER’S USE.

Cost of outer four pages to include what information you want:

If you want more copies or more issues, please ask us for a quote.

Change Covers

We can print additional copies of your article to distribute to your customers as you see fit. Costs as follows:

Your Article Printed

You can book any of these four pages as follows: One Area Two Areas Three Areas

Cover Image combined with the first four* page article in one area edition £2,500 £4,500 £6,000

Cover Image combined with the first four* page article in one area edition with four page editorial in all three

£5,000

Cover Image combined with one of the next two four page articles in one edition £2,000 £3,500 N/A

Cover image, four page lead and inside front, inside back and back page advertisement £4,000 £7,000 £10,000

Inside front £1,000 £1,750 £2,500

Inside back £750 £1,250 £2,000

Back page £2,000 £3,750 £5,250

Quantity 100 200 300 400 500

Cost 585 685 785 885 985

Article Type 100 copies 200 copies 300 copies 400 copies 500 copies

Single page – double sided A4 £225 £375 £500 £600 £675

Double page – double sided A3 £375 £500 £600 £675 £725

W W W . B 4 - B U S I N E S S . C O M B U I L D I N G B R I D G E S B E T W E E N B U S I N E S S E S

Catch up with LMH and all the fantastic events they've hosted over this Summer.

LADY MARGARET HALL

STOKE PARK

B P COLLINS LLP

RIDGEWAY

MAGAZINE

B4I S S U E 3 2 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4

W W W . B 4 - B U S I N E S S . C O M B U I L D I N G B R I D G E S B E T W E E N B U S I N E S S E SRIDGE AND PARTNERS LLP

ZEST DIGITALLE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS

3rd in the 2013

Santander Financial

Media Awards

Best SME / Enterprise

Title of the Year

MAGAZINEB4

I S S U E 3 1 S U M M E R 2 0 1 4

£13 million of contemporary Oxford apartments coming your wayARMCHAIR INVESTMENT

Aligning an organisation's strategy with the

use of social media It is important that any organisation aligns their

social media strategy with their overall strategy. As

a firm, Grant Thornton has found charities are using

social media to open up new funding sources,

deliver innovative services and create transparency.

Communication is important to charity strategy,

however, social media can help more broadly.

There is a difference between social media being

used by the majority as a low-cost marketing and

communications tool and social media being used

to achieve strategic goals.It is cheap to activate, but needs investment over

time to do well. Mahmood Ramji in our Thames

Valley Practice comments, "today, social media has

a positive impact on its participants and is about

raising awareness through technology and can be

successful when we are brought together as a

community through this, however organisations

need to ensure that they have an appropriate

governance structure around this."Successful campaignsWe have recently seen engaging campaigns set up

across the world, including the #nomakeupselfie

viral campaign which raised over £8m for Cancer

Research UK in 2014, translating well to text-based

phone communications thanks to its donor text

code. As with any campaign, there are risks

associated with the use of technology. With this

particular campaign, there were a few cases where

predictive text, or a wrong number, resulted in

UNICEF or the WWF receiving donations in error.

The two charities were quick to correct the

problem, but the ease of virality slipping into risk

exposure is clear. Risks will always be present on

social media but they can be outweighed by the

opportunities it offers. Engaging with social media

at board and senior management level will help to

avoid mistakes and minimise the risks that are ever

present. Understanding the risks strategically rather

than expecting operational involvement from the

board is the best way forward.How do we measure impact and success?

By tracking and analysing referrals, views and usage

over time, data is one indication of the level of

success of campaigns. The principle is to link back

to strategy; have the right people been targeted,

what proportion can be expected to respond and

what is the long-term result? Investment in

resources, training and creating social media

guidelines will be easier if management have a firm

and fixed notion of value. Analytics are the way to

achieve that.

Carol Rudge, our Head of Not For Profit mentions

that, “Social media is a game changer. Charities

looking to engage with a more technology literate

audience need to harness the power of this rapidly

evolving environment. Without an informed social

media strategy – and the internal governance and

operations to support it – funding may erode.”When adopting the usage of social media, it is

important to keep in mind the five following points

to reduce risk and increase the value of what social

media can bring to the organisation.Strategy: The charity’s strategy should drive social

media use. The board must help formulate this

strategy from a position of knowledge.

Governance: Charities should document their

social media governance approach and share

guidelines with everyone involved in their work.

Clear guidance and understanding improves self-

moderation.

Education and training: Formal education

programmes should be used at every level of the

organisation, including volunteers when it is

relevant. Internal social networks, such as Yammer

and Jive, can also provide opportunities for people

to gain confidence and working knowledge of social

media.

Risk: For many charities, non-engagement is a risk

in itself, although each organisation has to weigh

up the cost of social media against its benefits.Impact: It is vital to measure impact, engagement

and outcomes to justify investment in social media.

Metrics should always be linked to a strategic goal

and monitored to find the real value over time to

beneficiaries.

Today, we are seeing an increase in the use of social media and charities. It is important for charities to

embrace and govern social media to enable their charity to thrive online.

#NFPSOCIALMEDIA –ALIGNING AN EFFECTIVESTRATEGY

6QUESTIONSEVERY BOARDSHOULD ASK

1.What part does social media play in our

strategic plan, who reports to the board about

social-media strategy and outcomes, and what is

their level of experience.2. Do we have guidelines to issue to staff and

volunteers using social media and how do we

encourage usage while mitigating risk?3. How can social networks help to aid internal

communications and break down silos across a

charity.

4. What resources have we allocated to social

media projects and how do we measure our

return on investment?5. How can we monitor online discussions

that our charity should be involved in?6. Can any of our services be delivered through

social media to reach new beneficiaries!

www.b4-business.com

www.b4-business.com

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“Social media is a gamechanger. Charities looking to engage with a more technology literate audience need to harness the power ofthis rapidly evolving environment”Carol Rudge, Grant Thornton

Mahmood Ramji

[email protected] 559 192www.grant-thornton.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS

WRITTEN BY: MAHMOOD RAMJI PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ALEX CAMINADA

B4 advice

The perfect workplace environment should bedesigned to fit around you; ergonomic solutions forwherever you work.

Using appropriate ergonomic products is a pro-active way of reducing the risk of an individualdeveloping workstation related pain or injuries. TheFellowes 4 Zone Approach encourages you toadapt your workstation to the way you work. You’llsoon see how just a few small changes can havesuch a big impact!

There are some simple steps you can take to helpyour employees ditch the bad habits and poorpractice that leads to discomfort and long termpain. Prevention is always better than cure, so letAston and James and Fellowes show you how toget your business working well.

To ensure you are looking after your employeesand abiding by the law, please arrange for them allto undertake a Working Well Assessmentwww.ergo.fellowes.com/en-gb/workingwellassessment

questions.aspx (a fully recognised workstation riskassessment created by Fellowes in accordance withthe EU Directive). Alternatively you can contactAston and James for a personal Working WellAssessment by contacting them on 01993 706900or [email protected].

ZONE SOLUTIONS:

Consider these ergonomic solutions wherever youremployees work in the office, at home, hot desk oron the move.

ZONE 1: Back TensionSolution: If your chair does not adjust to provideproper lumber support, use a back rest with a footsupport to maintain correct posture.

ZONE 2: Wrist PressureSolution: Wrist rests help to align your wrists andredistribute pressure points to help relieve pain andprevent potential injury.

ZONE 3: Neck StrainSolution: Using a monitor or laptop riser will aid inthe positioning of the users screen removing theneed to bend in order to view the screen correctly.

ZONE 4: EnvironmentSolution: Air purifiers safely remove 99.97% ofairborne particles as small as 0.3 microns, includingmould, spores, pollen, dust mites, allergens,cigarette smoke, pet dander and odours from yourindoor air.

Aston and James working well with Fellowes 4 ZoneApproach can help with all your ergonomic needs;with a wide range of products to fit all zoningsolutions. Contact them today to find out how theycan help you and your workforce working well.

It’s time to get the nation working well. Astonand James are working with the FellowesErgonomic solutions to ensure all theircustomers have a safer healthier workingenvironment.

It’s easy to get into bad working habits. Andit’s easy to change them.When you consider how we work and livenowadays, it’s easy to see why so many of us feelthe strain. We’re all working longer, with mostpeople spending up to 7 hours a day staring at acomputer screen – be that in the office, at homeor on the move.

Think your staff are healthy and productive?Think again!Fellowes conducted extensive research that showsthat over the last three years 80% of people havesuffered from an ailment* (*Fellowes DynamicMarket Research 2013) associated with the waythey are working, resulting in 20% of them takingtime off work*. In fact, European businesses are

now losing around 42bn a year in staffabsenteeism; most of it linked to bad workinghabits when using computers, laptops and tablets.Only 35% of sufferers have told their boss abouttheir discomfort and pain at work, a whole 62%have suffered in silence*.

Don’t break the law. Get your employeesworking well.You have a legal obligation to ensure that youremployees are working safely and comfortably,whatever their location. Fellowes researchuncovered that over 40% of company directors arenot aware of their legal requirements to carry out aworkstation risk assessment*. It’s the employer’slegal obligation (EU Directive 90/270/EEC) toimplement them when employing new people andfor existing employees when their workingenvironment changes (such as a change ofposition, job tasks, new desk or computer).

Bad habits are bad for business. And as 90% of allcompany costs are people costs, it is essential you

look after your greatest asset – your employees. Whilst we can’t live without our computers, laptops,tablets and mobile phones, we can do somethingabout the bad working habits that are causing somany health problems.

It’s time to get your business working well.Ergonomics – Essentials for Business.Using integrated ergonomic products is a proactiveway of reducing the risk of a person developingworkstation related pain and injuries.

Fellowes, Aston and James partner supplier, havecreated a unique 4 Zone Approachdemonstrating how to adapt your workspacearound your employee’s needs and the way theywork. The result of which is improved health,comfort, productivity and reduced absenteeism.

ZONE 1 – Prevent back tensionZONE 2 – Avoid wrist pressureZONE 3 – Relieve neck strainZONE 4 – Healthy environment

Protect your team – Improve your productivity. Ergonomic solutions for the way we work today.

GETTING THE NATIONWORKING WELL!PHOTOGRAPHY BY: FELLOWES

www.b4-business.com

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52

www.b4-business.com

[email protected] 706 900www.aston-james.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS

“96% of Europeans believethey work more

productively whenthey’re working in

comfort”

“80% of uswill suffer

from back painat some stagein our lives”

“An averageemployee

spends 7 hoursa day in frontof a computer”

Unproductive and unhealthy working environment

Your business working well with Ergonomic essentials

B4 health


We will be increasing rates on 1st December 2014 so here’s a look at the current and future rates.

Book in for all 2015 editions at the current 2014 rates before the deadline:

B4 Rates

Pre 1st December 2014 Rates Post 1st December 2014 Rates

Member Rate Non Member Rate Member Rate Non Member Rate

EditorialSingle PageDouble Page

695975

8501,250

8501,250

9751,450

Display AdvertisingSingle PageHalf Page

Quarter Page Back Page

495350250

2,000

750500350

2,250

625425315

2,250

895575425

2,500

NewsSingle PageHalf Page

Quarter Page

495350250

750600350

625425315

895675425

Before March 2015, we will bring you an excellent new website with more functionality to help you get yourmessage across to other B4 Members and enable you to connect more easily directly with each other.

• The new website will enable Members to connect with each other through Member to Member contact toolsand a new Individual expertise search function

• Recommend and refer through the B4 site and get your Business Directory entry to stand out from thecrowd with more recommendations than your competition

• Search geographically for what you want on the site• Subject to certain Membership privileges, invite key B4 groups to your events

New B4 Website

Proudly promote the fact that you’re a B4 Member with our digital logos which you can use on e-Mail footers,websites or why not even ask for a high res logo which you can put on your letterheads or other promotionalliterature to show you’re part of the B4 Network?

‘We’re A B4 Member’ Logo’s

We’re doing our best to push out our Members’ news through Twitter and if you attach our Twitter addressesas below, we will re-tweet your news, providing you’re a Member:

*as at 4th October, 2014

B4 Oxfordshire @B4Magazine 2,939* Twitter followers

B4 Berkshire @B4Berkshire 2,437* Twitter followers

B4 Buckinghamshire @B4Bucks 1,381* Twitter followers

B4 on line

B4 social media

www.b4-business.com78

We will be continuing with our B4 Classic Events in some fantastic locations and already have some superbvenues lined up for 2015, but we are equally excited about the new series of B4 Masterclasses.

These are what the host B4 Member wants them to be, when they want to hold it, where they want to hold it(own offices or hired venue) and on whatever subject they think will be of interest to the B4 Membership. Itdoesn’t have to just be the host B4 Member presenting – they are most welcome to get associate companiesthey work with along to broaden the content. Here at B4 we will promote the Masterclass and ensure we getthe numbers you need and if it needs to be targeted, let us know and we can ensure the promotional materialmakes this clear (Facilities Managers, FD’s etc….)

With 12 Masterclasses lined up for 2015, if you would like to contact us about what you would like to do,please don’t delay and get in touch by calling us on 01865 742211 and we can talk through your proposals.

British Gas Business Masterclass, Tuesday 28th October:Our first B4 Masterclass will take place at the new business headquarters for British Gas in Oxford where up to50 B4 Members will hear from Stephen Beynon (Managing Director of British Gas Business), Martin Orrill(Head of Energy Technology and Innovation at British Gas Business Services) and also enjoy a tour, lunch and aQ and A session to conclude the Masterclass.

Here’s some suggestions for other Masterclasses:Conditions of Hosting:• There is no charge to the B4 Members• There are no costs passed on to B4 • You must be a B4 Member to host a

Masterclass• Capacity is set by the host

New B4 Classic Events, Masterclasses and Promotional Experiences

Also:• B4 Battle of the Business Minds at Heythrop• B4 Classic Event at Henmans Freeth • B4 Classic Event at Hartwell House Hotel & Spa

• B4 Classic Event at Stoke Park• B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House

And more to confirm soon!

B4 Classic Events so far booked in for 2015

• Buying / Selling a business• HR Masterclass• Why use webinars?• Preparing for disasters• Getting good PR for your

business

• Mastering LinkedIn• Mastering Twitter• Mastering You Tube• Financing your business• Networking

• Marketing your business• Exit strategies• Mastering stocks and shares• Going green• Public Speaking

• Curry night• Cocktail night• A pub or bar opening• A night at the theatre• Paintballing• F1 Grand Prix Day

• Go-Karting• Karaoke• Pamper day• Fashion Show• B4 Tennis tournament• A Car Launch

• Watching a sports event• Sushi or Tapas night• A charity event• A night at the museum• B4 Ladies only to a spa• A River Cruise

• Pizza making night• A day’s shooting• A cookery demonstration • Dinner in a College• Five a side football• Whisky tasting

• Williams F1 Conference Centre• The Weston Library• Business in Oxford 2015

Thursday 5th MarchWednesday 15th AprilThursday 30th June

B4 events

Would you like to stage something different for the B4 Members? Call us to discuss what you would like to dothat is maybe a little more light-hearted and we can get our heads together.

Here are some ideas:

promotional experience events

masterclass
