News: Enter the Dragon's Den in Rotherham

Rotherham businesses are being given another fantastic opportunity to prove their worth to a panel of Dragons.

Rotherham Enterprise Board and UK Steel Enterprise are hosting a Dragons' Den-type event, inspired by the BBC show of the same name, that will offer local businesses a unique chance to further develop their already established business.

The event is aimed at businesses based in Rotherham that have been trading for three years or less and have the potential to grow.

A select number of businesses will be chosen to enter the den on July 7 at the Park Inn Rotherham where they will pitch their expansion dreams to a panel of successful Rotherham-based entrepreneurs.

The best pitch on the night will receive a prize of £1500 to support their business'
growth potential, as well as possible capital investment opportunities.

The event will also see last year's winner Fiona Morgan owner of Alexandra's Café, Parkgate, Rotherham passing on her own knowledge to perspective entrepreneurs by taking on the role of a dragon.

Fiona was crowned the winner of the first Dragons Den inspired event last year and received the £1,500 cash prize along with plenty of press coverage. The panel felt Fiona's passion and energy for her catering business shone through and were impressed that she had reinvested her profits not only in the development of her business but also in the local community.

Fiona said: "After the outcome of last years Dragon's Den event I've been amazed by the support both from the Rotherham Enterprise Board but also local people who had read about it.

"I was keen to be able to help other local businesses benefit in the same way I have and I'm really looking forward to being able to pass on my expertise to others so they get the recognition they deserve. I'm also very pleased not to be pitching again as being a Dragon surely has to be less nerve-wracking."

The deadline for entries is June 17 and anyone who is interested in entering the den should contact Helen Allison, Enterprise Events Co-ordinator, email helen.allison@rotherham.gov.uk

Rotherham Enterprise Board website

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News: Huthwaite develop sales academy for Rezidor

One of the fastest-growing hotel companies in the world, the Rezidor Hotel Group, is the latest leading brand to benefit from sales expertise at Huthwaite International in Rotherham.

The Wentworth company is a market leading behaviour change consultancy and specialises in consulting and training on all aspects of sales.

The operator of Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels has worked closely with Huthwaite International to develop its highly successful sales academy, which combines a common sales approach based on identifying and satisfying customer needs with the flexibility to work within each brand and region that they operate.

Each year, up to 300 Rezidor sales staff attend training courses based on Huthwaite International's methodology. The current series of improvement initiatives, which includes sales, sales management and negotiation, continues to expand, with a new account development programme currently underway.

Jan Spooren, people development director at Rezidor said: "Our sales teams had to develop a deeper understanding of our clients' requirements, in order to propose solutions which aligned more closely to their business challenges.

"Huthwaite International also practiced what it preached, by working hard to understand our business and its challenges before putting together an appropriate
recommendation that would meet this objective."

During the recent recession, training sessions placed even greater emphasis on how to build value for each Rezidor brand in the face of unprecedented price pressure. More locally too, programmes were also adapted to address specific problems. For example, new hotels in Johannesburg suffering a significant drop in business immediately after the 2010 World Cup.

As well as boosting sales, Rezidor has also witnessed an improvement in staff retention, as employees recognise the company's increased commitment to their personal development. "This also feeds indirectly through to greater customer loyalty," adds Spooren, "as customers build trust and confidence in longer-serving
staff, resulting in stronger relationships."

Huthwaite International website

Images: rezidor.com

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News: Park Inn opens in Rotherham

The 130-room Radisson Park Inn has opened at the 285-acre Waterfront development in Manvers, Rotherham.

Aimed at business travellers visiting the surrounding thriving office parks, the hotel includes a sauna and steam rooms, a fitness centre and a restaurant.




Ideal for large corporate events to small business meetings, the Park Inn Rotherham includes four meeting rooms spanning a total of 205 sq m. In addition to this, a break out space provides the ideal place for coffee and light food breaks.

The hotel is gearing up for the Christmas party season and will be the venue for a number of business events in the new year.

Jon Broadhurst, General Manager, said: "We are very excited to have opened the doors to this fantastic new hotel. The facilities are second-to-none in the area and we look forward to welcoming guests from both the local area and further afield and giving them the Park Inn experience.

"I am looking forward to working with the team to make the new Park Inn a big success in Rotherham."

The hotel is a key feature of the £130m Waterfront development at Manvers by TCN UK which also incorporates 800 lakeside houses and apartments, commercial space, a boating lake and golf course.

Park Inn website
Waterfront website
Rotherham

Images: parkinn.co.uk

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