Penzance Chamber of Commerce

Stop the Scammers Stealing your Profits

At a time when everyone has an angle, when the grift, the con and the scam seem to have become commonplace to the point of tedium, we've all become more cautious. We would rather be derided as cynics than accused of gullibility. We're not the sort of people to send £5,000 to a post office box address in Toronto so that our "guaranteed" multi-million pound Canadian lottery win can be released or to get into bed with Nigerians who need to move nine figure sums out of the country and who just happen to have chosen us to share in their windfall. Who doesn't, reading the latest tale of a "fool" being parted from his or her money in record time, declare themselves immune? "That could never happen to me," we affirm with total conviction.

Nevertheless, the scammers continue to prosper and it's hard to believe that all their marks are fools. For those of us engaged in the perilous pursuit of running a legitimate business, it seems, our paranoia has become the con-artists' chief weapon against us. We swim against the tide of regulation from district, county, Westminster and Brussels and face ever more draconian punishments for non-compliance. To the unscrupulous, our fears are the key to the till.

A recent example that many members are aware of is the very-official sounding companies who warn that we are all breaking the Data Protection Act and that if we don't send them money - usually about £100 - we'll be flayed alive by the marauding horsemen who can smell an unregistered computer from their Whitehall desks. A mere hundred to avoid such a fate? A bargain, many have believed and sent off the cheque.

They've been conned, of course. Most of the companies who receive these letters have no need to register and even if they did, the intervention of a third party is of no value at all. This is not an isolated example. By letter, by telephone and by cold calling there are a growing band of people whose activities, while perhaps not completely illegal, are at least morally unsound. Rather than offering the "too good to be true" propositions of the out and out scammers, they offer meaningless or unnecessary services or trick you into running up telephone bills by inviting you to call them back on a number that turns out to be a premium rate number.

You can foil their schemes. The internet can be very useful as a source of guidance (really, it's not evil at all!). All of the government departments and agencies have sites and all will tell you what you should or should not be doing. In the present example the office of the Information Commissioner www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk not only has an easy to follow guide to whether you need to register (and tells you how to if you do) but also includes warnings about these bogus services.

Whenever you receive a communication that looks official, check the small print. Bona fide government agencies and departments are usually easy to recognise. Do your research on the web or at the library. If someone is obviously pretending to represent any official body, pass it on to the real department - they'll be delighted to investigate.

If you receive a dodgy telephone call, ask them to write to you instead. If they ask for your address, they're obviously not official at all (any official department with a phone number would have an address). Tell them to find it in their files or else tell them where to go. If they know that you're wise to them they'll leave you alone - they don't want too many complainants drawing attention to their activities.

One very useful precaution is to tell your telephone service provider to block calls from your line to all premium rate numbers (a good idea for all businesses, surely?) That way you can't be tricked into lining a scammer's pocket.

Of course one additional solution would be for government services to be consolidated and simplified and for politicians to refrain from constantly producing new "improved" regulations for business. The lion shall lie down with the lamb first, methinks.

Week of Sport in Cuxhaven

The Chamber has been notified of a coming "Week of Sport" celebration, to be held in Penzance's German twin, Cuxhaven through the auspices of the twinning association. All members of the association (or members of the Chamber who join the association) are invited to take part.

The trip is expected to be a festival of sports of all kinds except, lamentably, rugby (the one endeavour in which we might expect to have more prowess than the Germans). Travelling by coach and ferry the trip begins on Saturday 29th May and will include a full eight-day programme of sports and excursions before returning to Penzance for the evening of Monday 7th June.

Sport is a great way to motivate staff and managers alike and provides a great release for the tensions of work. It's also a lot of fun and good for overall fitness and wellbeing. We'd encourage members of all ages to take an active part in sport. If you'd like to be on this trip full details are available from the chairman of the Penzance-Cuxhaven Twinning Association, John Mead, on 01736-369066, e-mail jamead@supanet.com.

Welcome New Member

While we're on a sports theme the Chamber welcomed a suitably sporting new member to the February meeting. Recently installed as resident professional at the Cape Cornwall Golf Club, Jonathan Lamb joined the ranks and even stayed for the AGM. He now has the perfect riposte for the uninitiated who regard golf as boring.

His full details: Jonathan Lamb, Cape Cornwall Golf and Country Club, St Just, Penzance Tel: 01736-711611 e-mail: info@capecornwall.com Web: www.capecornwall.com

February Meeting Report

The recently introduced policy of holding the AGM after the monthly meeting in February is both popular and practical and saw a reasonable turnout this time - although there's still plenty of capacity for many more members to become active.

A sceptical meeting heard assurances that the chief executive of Penwith District Council had made to the chairman that the loss of space in St Erbyn's car park would be suitably made up elsewhere. The consensus appeared to be "we'll believe it if it happens". The meeting asked the chairman to pursue a version of that commitment in writing.

It was agreed that the presentation for this year's Christmas Window Dressing Competition should, if possible, revert to its former home of the Mayor's Parlour. Representations were to be made in respect of this.

With some surprise, the meeting learned from John Bastow that an article in Property Monthly magazine had far more detail about the proposed Sutton Harbours redevelopment of the Penzance waterfront than has been made public locally - including the fact that heads of terms had been agreed between that company and the district council. While we would recognise the enthusiasm of Sutton Harbours' PR department, we'd like to see more effort put into publicising the proposals locally. Fortunately the chairman keeps the Chamber meeting up to date and delivered the latest report at the meeting.

At the instigation of Hazel Trembath, members supported the idea of the Chamber taking a more active role in the Christmas lights for this year - perhaps including at least one installation to represent the Chamber. Hazel is to investigate the options, including fundraising options, and report back

In answer to the question posed in this column a month ago - what is the Chamber for - a move was made toward clearly defining concrete objectives for the Chamber's activities in the coming year. Accordingly, a list of objectives would be drawn up at the next meeting. What's needed is the considered suggestions and active participation of the wider membership. Direct policy by being at the March meeting - at the Pirates' Rugby Club on Tuesday March 2nd from 7.30pm.

Optimism and Elections at AGM

With the monthly business of the Chamber concluded, the attending meeting settled down to the AGM. The chairman made his report in which Mike Waters outlined the progress being made on regeneration and development and declared himself "very excited at the possibilities for both the potential increased prosperity of the area and the securing of employment and business opportunity for generations to come." He urged members to work proactively to secure the funding the district needs for the future.

Following the treasurer's report that the Chamber finances are in good order, the members set about electing officers. Mike Waters was unanimously re-elected to serve as chairman for a fourth year and thanked from the floor for his continuing hard work on behalf of local business. John Bastow retained the position of treasurer, also unopposed.

Contests were held for the posts of president and vice chairman. Following closed ballots Dennis Dowrick was re-elected president and Simon Chapman became the Chamber's new vice-chairman. Simon is also vice chairman of the Penzance Hotels and Restaurants Association and members felt that his appointment would help strengthen ties with that organisation with which the Chamber shares many aims. Yvonne Neale, unopposed, retains her role as secretary.

Sally Bodinar was appointed the Chamber representative on the Cuxhaven twinning association and Nicky or Dennis Dowrick (as available) will put our views forward on the Concarneau equivalent.

A change to the constitution of the Chamber, that we appoint, from time to time, vice presidents to serve for life in recognition of an individual's exceptional contribution to the work of the Chamber, was carried by the requisite two thirds of the attending members. This honour is now an option, alongside life membership, for future years.

If it's Not Bolted Down…

Apparently an increasing number of hotel guests regard their hosts' hospitality as an invitation to refurnish their homes. Packing the unused courtesy shampoo for the trip home is only the beginning. One hotelier had his dog stolen!

According to a survey of 1000 hoteliers carried out by Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine, some other items taken included toilet seats and brushes, a medieval sword and a four foot high wooden bear. One hotel had a door hinge taken while another found that the spy hole from a room door had been removed.

Towels and toilet rolls were the most commonly taken items while one in five reported missing bathrobes. One percent of respondents even reported that guests had stolen the light bulbs from their rooms.

On a serious note it is perhaps the tolerance of petty pilfering that has gone too far. We've become a nation that regards helping yourself as perfectly normal and acceptable. Although some of these stories raise a smile we should remember that the costs involved are no laughing matter. Theft is theft. Thieves, however amiable, are unwelcome in a civilised society because respect for property is one of the cornerstones of civilisation. Next time you find hotel towels in your pal's bathroom, reappraise whether you need friends like that.

Rosie Chapman Update

Young sailor Rosie Chapman, who has been supported by the Chamber in the past, continues to progress on the way to becoming the next Ellen Macarthur.

Rosie has been selected for the Royal Yachting Association's Transitional Youth Squad and is engaged in intensive weekend training at the sailing academy in Weymouth, Rutland Water, Hayling Island and Grafham Water. She'll also be taking part in qualifying events at Stokes Bay, Plymouth and Pwllheli. Regional training takes place at Bristol, Roadford and Restronguet all leading up to the Youth Championships this April.

All that travelling costs money. Support from the Chamber and members has helped Rosie's natural talent and dedication to take her this far. Any members who want to take an active role in supporting this next, crucial phase in Rosie's development should contact the Secretary, Yvonne Neale on 01736-719222, who will put you in touch with Rosie's family.

Enterprise Grew From Chance Meeting

When Marco Petraroia and Angela Wigley met, joining the Heathrow bus link at Reading Station two years ago, neither could have foreseen where their association would lead. With Penzance-based Angela on her way to Prague and Marco headed for his home in Italy they struck up a conversation that would eventually result in the establishment of a high-tech addition to the Penwith business scene.

Their company, AWMP Creative Media, is the creator and publisher of the fast-growing intoCornwall.com and also offers local businesses an integrated approach to modern communications encompassing all the converging media disciplines.

An Internet window on the entire Duchy, intoCornwall.com seeks to bring the advantages of the Internet to an ever-wider range of local businesses in one step. For visitors and potential visitors it provides a single, well-presented source of news and general information, a what's on guide plus travel and accommodation directories. For businesses seeking to expand their reach here is an easy-to-find medium to present themselves and promote services, advertise job vacancies and encourage a positive view of Cornwall - and at a surprisingly low cost: three pages on intoCornwall.com are available for as little as £40 per year.

AWMP uses the increasingly inter-related disciplines of digital still and video imagery, graphic design and the Internet to bring top quality commercial communications within the reach of all sizes and kinds of business. The Internet is part of the focus but the company also works in the media of print, photography, video and DVD and multimedia applications to carry clients' marketing messages. Those clients include local companies as well as national and even international concerns.

Marco, who has been programming computers since he was nine years old, developed an interest in the creative possibilities of computers through an industrial electronics background. His activities encompass all of the technical and creative aspects of production and presentation both in Italy and the UK. He has worked in collaboration with IBM on major information projects for the Italian railways and on on-line ticketing systems for the giant names of Italian football. He sees the convergence of the technologies in which he works as a positive development for businesses. "The graphic disciplines are merging together," he says, pointing out that this means that it's easier to carry a coherent message through all media.

Angela, who has worked in publishing for local books and guides and as a social worker, produces the content both for intoCornwall.com and on behalf of the company's clients as well as handling the commercial side of the business. Originally from Birmingham, she has been living in Cornwall since 1981 and Penzance since 1994. Her focus is on helping local business develop world-class communications. "It doesn't matter where you are anymore," she says "

One exciting technologically driven innovation that AWMP champions is to provide access to Internet sites on mobile devices. Users of PDAs and even web-enabled mobile phones can look up a business or service - either on intoCornwall.com or on the company's own site - while on the move. "We even give GPS coordinates for many subscribers," reports Angela, reflecting the growth in popularity of global positioning systems among walkers and cyclists exploring the region. This enables the technically adept traveller to place the pub, B & B or entertainment of their choice on their route.

For companies seeking to create their own dedicated web presence AWMP can develop sites ranging from a basic presence to a fully functioning e-commerce site integrated with a stock management database. "All of our websites are coded from zero," says Marco, eschewing the use of ready-made templates so that each presence created is unique.

Both Angela and Marco still travel extensively and the improved air links between Newquay and London have been a major boon to their three-centre business (their literature cites Penzance, Rome and London as bases). Improvements to communication links are important to the prosperity of our region and AWMP's high-tech approach is another contribution to those enhancements.

AWMP can be reached at PO Box 177, Penzance, TR18 2ZN, Tel: 01736-351123, e-mail: angela@awmp.co.uk website: www.awmp.co.uk. The intoCornwall site is at www.intocornwall.com.

Join the Chamber

The Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of local business with the County, District and Town Councils, Government agencies and public bodies. It actively campaigns on issues affecting the business community as well as issues affecting the community as a whole. This requires finances and direct involvement by committed people, and deserves the support of every business in the region.

Our Chairman is coordinator of the West Cornwall Group of Chambers and the Cornwall Business Partnership. He is a member of the Priority Management Group 3, which approves Objective One funding in the area of Learning and Skills development He is also a member of the Penzance Regeneration Steering Group that has worked on the submission of an Objective One bid to greatly enhance the prosperity of the town and its inhabitants. Other members represent the Chamber on such bodies as the Police Consultative Committee and Tourism Committee.

All businesses have problems from time to time, and it has been proved that representation from a Chamber Officer on behalf of the member concerned can greatly enhance the prospect of a satisfactory conclusion. With major issues, such as the Penzance Regeneration Project, West Cornwall Hospital, Objective One and so on needing input from the business community there has never been a better reason for all businesses to become Chamber members - the greater our membership, the bigger our voice. JOIN NOW!

We invite membership applications from individuals and businesses large or small. For further information, visit the Membership Enquiry or Membership Application pages on this site.

Forthcoming Meetings

The next monthly Chamber Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 2nd at 7.30pm at the Pirates Rugby Club, Alexandra Road, Penzance.

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PENZANCE - THE PLACE TO BE

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