Businesses in Diss should be aware of the tiny print in their electricity providers' contracts.
Diss Business Forum chairman Marion James, of Paramount Personnel, has just been hit with a 60 per cent increase in rates and found out that the contract actually does not allow her to switch providers for a year.
Memo to all businesses: Get out your magnifying glass before it's too late.
On a better note, Forum members are in for an exciting new deal.
A members' benefits pack is being finalised (keep checking the
DBF website) that will offer all DBF members some significant discounts when doing business with other members who have joined the scheme.
Offers abound, including a free appraisal and ten per cent off their best deal from Scrutton Bland, Paramount Personnel's 20 per cent discount on their superb HR package for small businesses and SMEs, graphics, marketing, web and PR packages from Type & Image, Profile Websites and your own modest columnist's agency, Articulate HLC.
More offers are coming in daily. If you are a member, you'll love this. If you're not, it's a great reason to join.
Finally, just to prove that Diss is the hub of the corporate universe, we are extremely fortunate to have a 'don't miss' business-related event to tell you about.
DBF member Brigitte Mager, owner of Diss Publishing Bookshop, has managed to snag Charles and Elizabeth Handy to give a talk in the bookshop at their author evening on April 2.
"Charles Handy is Britain's only world-class management guru," according to Director Magazine and was also on Radio 4's Thought For The Day for 20 years.
After many years of trying to get him to Diss, she has finally managed it and it promises to be quite an event.
Tickets are on sale at Diss Publishing, on the usual basis, where they give the amount back in book vouchers.
Now this is a square deal! Charles will be just back from his six-week USA roadshow in time to meet and greet Diss business on April 2. Mark that date in red in your diary and get your tickets early. This is a really good one.
Jenna Cox, of design, web design, marketing and PR consultancy Articulate HLC, is a member of the DBF committee.