Screwfix welcomes members of UKWA to our Midlands Regional Networking Event held at DC1 Prologis Park, Shackleton Way, Stafford ST16 1GY on Thursday 13^th October 2011 beginning at 1030 am.   Members should indicate their interest to attend by email to mdavison@ukwa.org.uk stating their name and position within their company asap.  Parking is available.

About Screwfix

Screwfix is the UK's largest multi channel supplier of Trade Tools, Plumbing, Electrical, Bathrooms and Kitchens equipment, dispatching tens of thousands of parcels every week for next day and weekend delivery to tradesmen, handymen and serious DIY enthusiasts all over the UK.   At Screwfix.com orders can be placed from their full range of over 18,000 stock lines. Their Contact Centre has been recognised nationally winning seven awards at the Contact Centre Awards 2010. With Customer Service a top priority at Screwfix, customers can be sure that the service they provide will meet expectations, which is why they were voted 11th in the Top 50 Call Centre Awards 2010.  With over 160 plus branches nationwide and 10,000 products stocked in each branch, anything not available can be ordered and delivered into that branch the next day. In addition, customers now have the option to call the Screwfix freephone number and pay for an order ensuring goods are available for collection in the branch of their choice within 15 minutes.

Programme

1030

Tea & Coffee on arrival

1100

Introduction and welcome by Richard Davies, UKWA Midlands Region Chairman

1110

Presentation by Anna Woolliscroft, on “What is Social Media?”  Maybe you've already dipped your toes in, or maybe you're already blogging, tweeting, posting and getting involved in forum discussions. Either way, Social Media is intrinsically linked with all aspects of internet marketing and offers a route to market for businesses, products and services for lead generation, relationship building and unique promotional campaigns. It’s free (most of the time), operates in real-time and in a very social environment. In short, it’s all about engagement, adding value and building relationships with a social, not corporate approach.

With a background in traditional and digital marketing and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Anna Woolliscroft, Creative Director at Market Avenue specialises in showing businesses how to optimise their marketing though social media.  Engaging with small local businesses and larger national and international concerns, her list of clients includes public sector transportation organisation Centro and leading marine industry organisation Bibby Maritime.  She also recently delivered a lecture on Social Media to some of the country’s leading marketing lecturers at De Montfort University.

1140

Presentation by Richard Davies on “The Concept of Speed Networking” Speed Networking is a method of meeting business contacts. Primarily, the practice involves multiple people that gather in a single space in order to exchange information.  Participants greet each other in a series of brief exchanges during a set period of time. During an interaction, attendees share their professional backgrounds and business goals. Networkers are generally seeking exposure to new markets and/or to expand their pool of vendors. 

Speed networking was first utilised during the US economic downturn of the early 2000s and began rising in popularity as the decade drew to a close.  Credit for applying speed concepts to the corporate world has been attributed to Tom Jaffee, a Columbia MBA and founder of a speed-dating network.  Although the techniques for speed-dating and speed-networking can be similar – individuals paired or grouped together for the purpose of introduction – the practices differ in their end goals. Speed daters are trying to narrow down their choices by eliminating the unsuitable; conversely, speed networkers are trying to broaden their connections by increasing their business exposure.

1210

Update on Association news and events by Roger Williams, CEO UKWA

1230

Product presentation, overview and tour of the facility the host.

1330

Lunch and networking

1430

Depart