After over 10 years in running his own business and 2 years behind the helm at proNet, Jamie has taken the brave step of changing direction with his career and is moving back into the heady world of employment again; this time into the educational sector at a local high school.

Jamie comments;

I felt it was time for a career change at a time when I was taking stock of my life and what I wanted to do with the rest of it. I’ve worked in the education sector with young people on a voluntary basis before and found it very rewarding. So based on that – I thought I’d take the plunge and change direction. That, and the holidays are good of course!

He continues,

I’ve really enjoyed my time at proNet and have met some great people and have made some good friends along the way. I hope that the group continues to grow from strength to strength and I’ll have no hesitation in recommending my new found colleagues towards the services of proNet members if needed.

So with a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Jamie and wish him the very best of luck in his new found role.

Feel free to pay us a visit during the school hols Jamie.

Isabel, a qualified and experienced yoga teacher, has run her yoga teaching business Inside Out for a number of years and offers a series of yoga classes across West Yorkshire. However, after a period of self-analysis, she concluded that she could do more, make her business even more successful and syndicate new classes to a fresh audience.

Yoga Specialist Isabel Carter of Inside Out | Photo: Roger Moody

So having re-branded her business, dropped her old website and taken on board some business advice from consultants Clear Results: Isabel worked with proNet members; Jamie Dobson on the development of her new website (www.yogainsideout.co.uk), Malcolm Pow of Pow IT for its hosting, new email accounts and a smart new laptop for the office, commercial photographer Roger Moody for some cracking pictures of real people practicing yoga at her classes (used on her new website) and the print and design services of Beverley at Beverley Shutak Printing Services for the production of some flyers and new business cards.

All in all, a great of example of businesses networking together, working together and winning together. All thanks to proNet.

If you’re interested in trying some yoga classes for yourself in and around central West Yorkshire, why not check out Isabel’s classes for yourself at www.yogainsideout.co.uk

Kate Leadbeater – corporate fundraiser for Kirkwood Hospice and a member of proNet’s Spen Valley group, met up with Chris Cox of Huddersfield web designers Made by Bridge at a proNet meeting earlier this year.

The New Kirkwood Hospice Website

Through this meeting, Chris became aware that there was a need for an improved website for the Hospice and as a result his company, Made by Bridge were awarded the project to redesign and develop the Hospice’s new website.

Their new site has now been launched and offers visitors a much more useable and interactive experience.

Garry Wilkenson, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Kirkwood Hospice remarks:

We hope the new-look site will encourage more people to visit and find out about the work of the Hospice. It includes online application forms for some of our events, making it easier for supporters to get involved.

Malcom Pow, Chair of proNet’s Spen Valley group comments,

I am delighted that the Hospice was able to secure this generous donation from Made by Bridge. It certainly shows the value of business networking, particularly in these difficult times.

View the Hospice’s cool new website for yourself at www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk

This time he’s been drawing the crowds in for a pirate themed photographic exhibition of activities in the town earlier this year.

Take a look at Roger’s own blog to learn more about what he did and how you can view his work for yourself at the exhibition which runs until October 6th in Shipley.

This workshop is designed for people who have an existing WordPress blog but aren’t really sure how to develop it, publicise it or use it effectively for their business but still want to explore its full potential.

More information may be found at www.eventsbot.com/events/eb242782816

Discounts are available for proNet members and multiple bookings or you can give Jamie a call on 07792 090 700

You don’t have to be a large corporate to benefit from the tips, techniques and ideas that Isabel and her team at the WorkWell Partnership can bring to a business to help give it an edge over the competition.

Their seminar is designed for sole traders, small business owners, selected employees or an opportunity for prospective corporate clients to evaluate their corporate proposals.

Delegates will learn that potentially stressful situations can be managed in a way that can benefit themselves and their employer or business.

Isabel#s team will cover both physical and mental aspects of personal well-being including how to tackle the most common workplace issues and pointers to healthy living.

Whatever capacity people work in it is important for themselves, their colleagues and ultimately the businesses where they work that they take responsibility for their own health and well-being.

This is the ‘WorkWell’ message and it probably won’t cost you a penny in the long run

Comments Isabel

The event details are as follows;

Date:        Friday 8th April
Time:       1.00pm – 3.30pm
Cost:        £20.00 per person
Venue:    Kinnarps, Unit 3, Turnberry Business Park, Gildersome, Morley, Leeds, LS27 7LE

For further information or to reserve a place please email Isabel on info@theworkwellpartnership.co.uk or telephone 07702 583806

The project was the culmination of one started with the children having their photographs taken by commercial photographer Roger. Then, each child was asked to write a sentence explaining why they particularly liked their picture, and these slogans were thenpasted across their portrait which in turn were then printed in large poster format, and then proudly carried in a procession along the top parade of shops in Market Square, Shipley.

The children then formed a circle – a living gallery – for the shoppers to view the exhibition before creating two more tableaux for people to view.

This innovative idea was much praised by the parents and staff, and fascinated shoppers stopped in the rain to admire the pictures and read the children’s comments.

Don’t worry if you missed the living gallery! The pictures, together with a selection taken at the event on the day – will form the next exhibition at Shipley Focus’d, 20 Market Square, Shipley, starting on Thursday 20th January, which will run for several weeks. The gallery is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and entry is free.

For further information please contact John Lambert, Director of Shipley Focus’d on 07904 322 823 or you can call Roger himself on 07710 172181

Further reading about this evant may be seen on Roger’s own blog at www.rogervmoody.co.uk/blog

So instead of our regular breakfast meeting, Kate Leadbeater of Kirkwood Hospice and Spen Valley’s social secretary; organised an alternative Christmas lunch preceeded by a spot of open-networking at the Healds Hall Hotel.

We had a good turn-out, Beverley Shutak from Siddalls Colour Printers, supplied a goodies bag to everyone and Kate ran a raffle in aid of the Hospice. proNet supplied the ale and wine on the table which helped people to get into the swing of things.

A good time was had by all with many people suggesting that similar social events be organised on a regular basis throughout the year.

One for the suggestion box there then and well worth following through.

Spen Valley Members Chris Cox and Kate Leadbeater

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

As I write this post, we’ve only got one more proNet meeting for 2010, namely; a Halifax meeting next week 22nd which looks to be a relaxed and jolly affair with plenty of Christmas spirit.

Why not come along for some festive fun?

So, if we don’t see you at next week’s Halifax meeting; from everyone at proNet we wish all our members and guests a very Merry Christmas for the forthcoming season and a successful 2011.

See you next year.

Attendance figures for the day aren’t in yet but no doubt the event’s organiser and proNet member Danny Matharu from Hillrich will report back some positive numbers if our observations throughout the day are anything to go by.

proNet took a stand which was well placed in the middle of the exhibition floor at the back of the room which and captured people as they walked in through the entrance doors or circulated around the other exhibitors. As a result our stand enjoyed a lot of foot traffic going passed resulting in over 50 genuine enquiries about proNet and its breakfast networking meetings across West Yorkshire.

Out of those we’re bound to get a healthy influx of new members over the next few weeks.

Shared Workload

Manning an exhibition stand is hard-work, so the task was divided up between different proNet members throughout the day who worked in pairs. So a special thank-you goes to those folk who donated their time. Here they are, in no particular order:

• Vicky Endogan and Nicola Mitchell from Solutions Bookkeeping (BTW Vicky is getting Married today – 1st October)
• Roger Moody from Roger V Moody Photography
• Beverley and Elisa Shutak from Siddall Printers
• Mike Hardill from JMH Design
• Mike Blesic from B2B Comms
• Brenda Hodgson from Blackwood Communications

Thanks to all that came to visit our stand to either say ‘hello’ or to enquire about proNet’s meetings.

Roger supplied two of his stunning photographs which are featured in the Lord Mayor’s Appeal calendar.

Delighted by the results, The Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Peter Hill commented:

This calendar demonstrates just how glorious the Bradford district is.

Roger added:

It’s fantastic to know that my pictures will grace so many walls and at £4.50, makes an ideal Christmas present.

The calendars are on sale at the all Bradford Council’s Visitor Centres, with £2 from each sale going to the Nell Bank Centre.

Find our more about Roger’s and his business by following this link to his website.

Pictured above is photographer Roger Moody with The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Hill and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Gillian Hill.