Recent activity here at Ricta UK has seen the launch of two more online Brand Identities to expand our growing range of bespoke online web portals…

Mosake-Partners.com is the name of our specialist products. Ranging from wedding stationery through to vehicle decals and stickers – all produced in-house at Ricta UK.

ShibbyShaka.com is the name of our online clothing catalogue aimed at all sorts of hobby, leisure, safety and corporate apparel.

Other more established online brands of Ricta UK include MugPrinter.com and RictaDisplays.com each specialising and focussing on other core products we provide. Why not check them out directly or link through from our main website at www.RictaUK.com

Watch out for news on our forthcoming move to larger premises!

When Eric was asked to help bring this hobby related publication back to life, he approached it in his own enthusiastic way. As the new Editor and Publisher of the Gazette he saw this as the perfect vehicle (pun intended) to launch the new ‘Publishing’ arm of Ricta UK.

That said, the hoped for increase in the fortunes of the Modeling Association has been very dramatic indeed. Since the first issue (the second issue has been released this week), membership renewals are beginning to stack up. Old members and New members have really taken to the professionalism, style and quality of the new look gazette.

Eric says “It’s very gratifying to receive all the positive messages from members and the supply of content for the Gazette is a real bonus”.

Are you interested in developing a newsletter style PR vehicle for your association or business, or improving sales through advertising in the NARTM Gazette? Contact our publishing sales now on 0161 351 0161.

The ‘Association’ was founded in 1983 to foster the interests of the road transport modeller. It is for anyone with an interest in road transport modelling, which includes diecast collectors, kit builders, diecast converters and scratch builders.

The members’ Gazette contains a vast array of member-submitted articles, tips and forthcoming events in the modelling calendar; throughout the several ‘national areas’ within the association. In addition, the Gazette is written in such a way as to engage non-modellers to this fascinating hobby and skilled past time through a wide variety of content about social trips and activities.

Production of the Gazette is paid for through a combination of member subscriptions and commercial advertising within the pages. Published in an A5, 40 page format and in full colour, the Gazette is an exciting addition to the offering that Ricta UK brings to the publishing arena. And draws on all our commercial strengths in the design, artwork and printing capabilities.

For more information about NARTM, the GAzette, or Ricta Publishing opportunities contact Eric at Ricta UK or indeed by email to NARTM@RictaUK.com

2011 saw yet another very successful TBN year at the golf club in Denton. With more NEW members in the room, returning members and yet more new visitors it all helped the meeting create that TBN buzz month on month.
Throughout the year, we were made aware of business opportunities being offered between members – some of which materialized into firm orders and repeat business since.

Visit the TBN website: www.TamesideBusinessNetwork.com

The next TBN meeting will be the last wednesday of the month, where yet again we anticipate a great event with several new visitors present. If you are a Tameside business or wish to do business with Tameside businesses you really should be in the room. Contact Eric and book your place today… go on, and let’s make 2012 The Year of Success!!

As we conclude the financial year we are pleased to see the achievement of 68 new clients during 2010-2011! We felt we had set ourselves a very ambitious target of gaining 1 new client per week or 50 per year. After the full 12 months we have smashed that target. Historically we would have seen something in the region of 10 new account gains per year so we are all really pleased with the growth in client base since the new initiative started. Eric says “I am really pleased after what for many has been a significantly hard year, what with this continuing recession. We are not complacent though and intend to make 2012 our Year for Success!” Thank you to all our customers – new and existing for your support. We always strive to give you excellent products and services at a realistic and practical price.

Have you got a project you need to brainstorm, or cost-project for planning purposes? Give Eric a call and arrange a no-obligation consultation session today – you know it makes sense.

When it came to the renewal of our commercial insurance policy there was no real competition for our business. For the second year running SME Protect have secured the business from us due to their outstanding attention to detail and highly competitive premium rates.

After a recent meeting with David Lees of SME Protect, in Mossley, increased risks were identified but didn’t have any adverse effect on our premiums. We are very pleased that SME Protect Limited have retained our commercial insurance business for another year and have generated even more savings on our premiums.

During our meeting, David explained that because they have such a fine reputation with all the best insurance organisations, they are respected by all the main insurance companies to handle all aspects of commercial insurance provision, and that this is often the difference between a good and a great cover – and maintaining a truly competitive price!

Do you want to make some significant savings on your commercial insurance premiums? why not give David at SME Protect a call on 0871 901 9911. But don’t forget to mention you heard of them from us here at Ricta UK …it may well get you even greater savings!

We are always pleased to include details of business contacts made through our networking activities and promote the benefits of their services. Please mention Ricta UK if you discuss business opportunities between them and you.

Tameside Business Network is a Business-to-Business networking group and uses what is a proven way to grow business. TBN adds to the other forms of networking on offer in our area through organisations such as BNI, B4B, Simply Networking, Chamber of Commerce, GBN and the local government funded initiative Tameside Business Family to mention a few.

Eric Taylor (Ricta UK) felt however, that each of these organisations had a number of restrictions or negative aspects for businesses wanting to get involved in networking. This meant there was room for a new organisation that tackled some of those negative aspects and in doing so, open up ‘networking’ to a wider number of businesses.

Together with Cath Hodkinson (High Peak Finance), Simon Walker (in Tameside), and Glenn Tupman (MG Copier & Print), Eric launched Tameside Business Network (aka TBN). “We wanted to ‘tick’ as many boxes as possible to make the new group as appealing as possible, especially to people and businesses that had never ‘networked’ before – for whatever reason”.

With over 6000 businesses in Tameside, it was decided to target ‘Tameside’ (& Glossop) businesses wanting to promote their products and services to other ‘Tameside’ (& Glossop) businesses.

Many individuals and businesses struggle with the more conventional ‘business breakfast’ format of early morning starts - so we opted for afternoon sessions only – after the school run, and missing the bulk of the rush hour traffic. We didn’t want to compete with the other excellent groups at all, so we opted for the once a month meeting frequency.

The format was a very important issue, as some people are intimidated by the 60 seconds or 10 minute presentations, we removed those and adopted a purely ‘open networking‘ approach, in fact this is a great way of getting to know a person, what a business does; and what they are looking for.

Venue location was equally important, and with the time of the day being convenient to most, we chose a venue that was just off the M60/M67 motorway network at Denton Golf Club.

Whilst aimed at Tameside (& Glossop) businesses, there is a benefit to welcoming ‘visitors’ from neighboring businesses communities such as Oldham, Stockport and Manchester, and so the category of ‘Visitor‘ accommodates those businesses. Whilst not able to ‘join’ as members they can attend as guests.

A major element to the equation was that of competition. Many networking groups use a ‘locking-out‘ of competition in any given business category. We decided a simple approach of no more than 3 businesses from any given sector, and no more than 3 people from any organisation. This minimizes the pack hunters whilst offering choice and collaboration opportunities in the room.

Unlike the more conventional networking groups TBN is definitely NOT a financial venture. Membership is important as this promotes ownership, involvement and yes – commitment from members. But we have kept fees down to £25 per annum. In order to enhance the experience we have adopted a simple ‘beverage and sandwich’ approach. Meaning the meeting attendance costs (to cover room hire & refreshments) could be kept to a minimum at only £5 per head – thereby – slashing hundreds of pounds off traditional networking costs with other groups.

Evidence says we have the balance about right. We should not be seen as competition to any other networking group – in fact, we believe we have introduced an element of true networking synergy, as officers and members of these other groups are not only happy to attend our meetings; but openly promote TBN to their own members – thereby enhancing that networking synergy. We too, for our part, see ourselves as a potential route through or insight into those other groups – giving members even more choice and opportunity to ‘Grow their Businesses’.

To learn more about the Tameside Business Network visit our website at www.TamesideBusinessNetwork.com where you will find a booking/membership application form to download, fill in, and send to Eric at Ricta UK.

The Shed Men of Normandy memorial plaques – a testimonial from Colin Foster of Universal Solutions 4 Business, who has spent many days and countless hours researching the fascinating story of allied prisoners of the second world war who were held in a garden shed.

Eric, I’m just writing to let you know of the impact & extent of the two “memorial signature plaques” that you provided me with in time for my trip to Normandy.

As you know, I have a specific interest as my friend lives in the area and has a shed in his back garden where 18 Allied Servicemen recorded their details whilst held as Prisoners of War during the Second World War.

Last year’s trip was all the more memorable as a number of days were spent in the company of Jim & Jesse Sheppard, the son & grandson of one of the American Paratroopers (M/Sgt Morris Sheppard) that was forced to spend a couple of days in the shed, taking the time to look at some of the other areas associated with their father’s/grandfather’s wartime experiences.

Jim would have liked the opportunity to take his father’s signature & details home with him; however we agreed that they belonged in situ next to the other signatures. Fortunately, I was able to provide a solution by presenting him with one of the plaques that you had provided. Initially, the plan was for this to remain with my friend in France, however, being able to pass it on to Jim & Jesse to take back home to the USA added an additional highlight to their stay in Normandy.

In the town where they live in Minnesota, there is a wall dedicated to the memory of Morris where his wartime medals, insignia and other items are displayed; the plaque with his signature is now also proudly displayed there.

As an update to this post… Eric attended a talk by Colin on The Shed Men of Normandy, at the December meeting of NARTM (North Staffs and South Cheshire Area). His talk was both educational, interesting and moving as he described just some of the trials and tribulations that the servicemen at the centre of his research had to endure as part of there capture and survival during WWII. Anyone looking for a speaker with a real story to tell could do worse than engage Colin for his talk, which kept the group enthralled for over an hour and a half. Contact Colin on 0161 367 8999