SME In Brief: SCHA in office move; Sizzling advice from celebrity chef; Poison Pen Films rocks on; and more
THE Sheffield office of international architectural and interior design practice Swanke Hayden Connell Architects (SHCA) has moved to new offices in the heart of the city centre.
The switch to the historic Stock Building on Joiner Street reflects the practice’s growth and continued emphasis on sustainable ‘urbanism’.
SHCA has also invested heavily in its IT infrastructure including adding a video conferencing suite to facilitate more cross-office engagement and reduce the practice’s carbon footprint.
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ENTREPRENEURS dreaming of own their own pub or restaurant will be able to get some tips from the top at the Hull Global Food Festival.
The event, which runs from September 4 to 6, will see celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson lift the lid on how to make a food business sizzle as part of a Business Link Yorkshire ‘Be Inspired’ seminar starting 10.15am.
Local businessman and keen amateur chef Gerard Toplass, who helps to mentor and advise other business leaders in the Humber region, will compere a question and answer session with Mr Worrall Thompson.
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HEADINGLEY-based music promo company Poison Pen Films has added yet another rock name to its growing client list after creating a new video for Blackhole.
The video for the single ‘Scared of Change’ was directed by Poison Pen’s Film director Paul Morricone and shot in a Leeds warehouse.
Mr Morricone said: “Blackhole has a very distinct and raw attitude, which can be heard in all its performances. ‘Scared of Change’ is no exception and so it was important that the video reflected this relentless chaotic style.”
Poison Pen Films has also produced music videos for bands such as Fighstar and In Case of Fire.
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AZURE Consulting, the Wakefield-based leadership and management development consultancy, has launched an innovative new business service to help time-stretched firms in the region get the most out of their employees.
The firm is to provide special two hour business ‘performance picnics’ where team members will work with senior management to improve team working and productivity, over breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea. All food is provided.
Sue Alderson, a partner at Azure, said: “For many companies, work may not be much of a picnic at the moment, as the recession piles additional pressure onto managers and teams.
“Yet this is probably the time when managers most need the extra help, support and ideas that will help them to increase their own effectiveness and contribute to helping keep their businesses afloat until conditions ease.”
Ms Alderson said that cost to firms was minimal thanks to funding support from the Learning and Skills Council.
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THE Regional Language Network Yorkshire and Humber (RLNYH) is launching a new series of seminars following the success of its summer schedule.
The events, which are designed to help improve business language skills and international opportunities, will cover a range of topics. All seminars are subsidised through the Train to Gain Enhancement Fund.
The first seminar in the series – Make Your Website an International Selling Tool -will be held on September 2 at Bewleys Hotel in Leeds. The second – International eMarketing – will be held on October 1 in Sheffield.
