Voltimum UK Expert Committee Meeting Hammersmith, 10.00am 7th Decemeber, 2004

Agenda 1.Minutes of previous meeting and actions outstanding 2.Review of Voltimum performance to end Nov 2004 & Forecast to end 2004 MF 3.VoltiBULLETIN in Analysis of newsletter performance and most successful articles 4.FAQs – how can we improve this part of the Technical Expertise Area and make it more dynamic and current. Adding content to this area ALL 5.Voltimum in 2005 – Highlights of next year’s marketing directionMF 6.CPD Universe – First look at proposal for Voltimum’s CPD area for your commentsALL 7.CPD Topics for 2005 & VoltiBULLETIN topics for 2005 – breakout groupsALL 8.Feedback per groupALL 9.AOB and date of next meetings

Performance YTD 2004 & Forecast to end 2004

Total Users on Voltimum 21,884 target users 24,095 total registered users (incl manufacturers) Avg monthly growth: 1000 (target) Segmentation of users: 29% Small Contractors 19% Medium & Large Contractors 11% Wholesalers 11% Specifiers 21% Others 9% Manufacturers 1% Panel Builders New Registrations – to end November 2004

2004 Figures: PV : Logged in Target Users 1,192,569 Target page views – (Logged in page views target: 1million) PV : Logged in Target + Anonymous: 1,760,876 Target + Anonymous Page views per login/visit: 12.5 in November 2004 Page views - Cumulative end November 2004

VoltiNEWS First & Third Tuesday of every month. Industry news & new products and innovations from manufacturing partners and Voltimum itself VoltiBULLETIN Second Tuesday of every month. Examines one important technical or legislative issue

VoltiBulletins in 2004

5 largest buying groups Rexel Senate and Denmans Edmundson Electrical Group Newey & Eyre and WF Electrical (Hagemeyer Group) Wholesaler Partnerships Wholesaler Directory (1750 outlets - approx. 70% of market) (presented in chronological order of joining) IBA Wholesaler VoltiLink Project Phase Dec 2003

Electrical Contractors Association Institution of Electrical Engineers National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation & Contracting The Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland Other Important Industry Partnerships New on Voltimum

Marketing Plan 2005 Awaiting final approval of Management and Board of Voltimum

Mission & Objectives One Mission To become the central information point for all those involved in the electrical industry’s building sector with particular emphasis on contractors and specifiers Three Objectives To maintain our position as No. 1 Portal for the UK Electrical industry To develop our electronic publishing capabilities to secure a position amongst top 3 electronic publishers in the industry To establish VoltiLINK as the rich product data source of the electrical industry

Voltimum – ready to move to the next level “They said it would never happen, then they said it would never last, now they say it is here to stay”. Nigel Ellis, EDA Reached a critical mass of 25,000 registered users Catalogue now at 24,000 items and growing – imminent move into new product area Good processes in place for adding news content Unique central industry resource for technical expertise established Forming new important industry partnerships (BEAMA, EEIBA, EDA) Three distinct ‘strings to our bow’ –portal, –electronic newsletters, –database link Achieved a certain ‘status’ in the industry Still achieving growth every month Relatively favourable technological environment – internet and broadband penetration However Fear of spam – high opt-out rate at registration – negative impact on recurrent use Need for more manufacturers

Voltimum – ready to move to the next level Desire by several manufacturers to move to a new level by broadening marketing actions to include specifiers. Some manufacturers recognise that this is the logical next step but would prefer to continue to consolidate our position with small and medium contractors. Key specifier targets cited were: By functionBy Professional Institution –M&E ConsultantsCIBSE –Local AuthoritiesACE –ContractorsInst of Fire Engineers –House BuildersInst of Facilities Mgmnt –Housing AssociationsInst of Building Control –Facilities ManagersInst Maint & Building Mgmnt –Fire Performance specialistsInst of Building Engineers –Clients (very diverse group)Inst of Lighting Designers Voltimum will adopt a phased approach to these groups but will not lose site of its primary target – the small and medium contractor.

It’s all about content!

Target Segments for 2005 Small & Medium Contractor Three groups of specifier 1.Fire Performance Specialists (action in March 2005) 2.Local Authorities (June 2005) 3.M&E consultants (Q3 & Q4 at M& E Event) Voltimum will also endeavour to develop relationship with wholesalers via VoltiLINK

Targets for small & Medium Contractor New registrations: 3,200 (cumulative 9000) Page Views: 700,000 (400,000 in 2004) Distinct visitors (Month): 3,000 (1,400 in 2004) Recurrent Use: 1,600 (650 in 2004) Portal Content Feedback is positive on current portal content (need more manufacturers!) News of technical and legislative change is area of most interest Also competitions, gifts and give-aways work a treat.

Actions to Small & Medium Contractors 1.Electronic Newsletters 12 x VoltiNEWS Part 1 and 12 x VoltiNews part 2 12 x VoltiBULLETIN Occasional competitions & festive newsletters 2.Wholesaler Roadshow Minimum 1 event per month at pre-selected branches 3.Regional Trade Fairs (limited) Electrical Roadshow – March, Sandown 4.Other Co-marketing with Edmundsons VoltiLINK with Newey & Eyre? VoltiLINK with Rexel? Other Links? Reciprocal marketing with EEIBA, NICEIC, IEE, etc 5.Campaign to reduce Opt-out rate at registration – direct mail and telephone

Targets for specifiers New registrations: 2000 (cumulative 4300) Page Views: 400,000 (200,000 in 2004) Distinct visitors (Month): 1,500 (663 in 2004) Recurrent Use: 700 (340 in 2004) Portal Content of importance to specifiers Product Catalogue with Search Engine & up to date manufacturers details Access to expert advice in one place News of technical and legislative changes News of genuine product innovation and new technologies Continuing Professional Development

Actions for Specifiers (1) Running in parallel with our actions to contractors – 3 specific actions 1.Fire Performance Specialists – March Local Authorities – May M&E Consultants and specifiers in general – Q3 & Q Fire Performance Specialists Content and support readily available, relatively small, defined group, good starting point. Further meetings with companies concerned are necessary to draw up a detailed campaign plan. Some initial thoughts: 1.CPD accredited on 15 th March backed up by telephone campaigns, press advertising and inserts in FSP magazine. We will also rely on support of the manufacturing partners’ individual campaigns. 2.Attempt to get additional content and presence of fire specialist bodies onto the site. 3.Attempt to attract other companies in the fire sector to join

Actions for Specifiers (2) 2.Local Authorities Of universal interest and also relatively easy to define. Further meetings with companies concerned are necessary to draw up a detailed campaign plan. Some initial thoughts: CPD accredited on 12 th May (topic to be agreed with experts on 7 th Dec) backed up by telephone campaigns, press advertising and inserts in SITELINES (Quarterly Magazine of Local Authorities). We will also rely on support of the manufacturing partners’ individual campaigns. Attempt to get links of some sort to local authority websites.

Actions for Specifiers (3) 2.M&E Consultants and electrical specifiers in general Of interest to all manufacturers and but a very diffuse and fragmented group. Unique opportunity to participate in a new M&E Event to be held in London on 23 rd and 24 th November Run by CMP media group. (BSJ (CIBSE Journal), M&E Contractor (ECA Journal), Building, Building Design, RIBA Journal, What’s New in Building, Housing Today (Social Housing Sector Magazine), Fire Safety Engineering, Security Management Today. Supported by ECA,NICEIC, ECA, CIBSE & HVCA. Voltimum has been invited to be a supporter (free stand space and presence in advertising). Central to the event is the training academy – with on-going seminars. Remember Interbuild!!!!! Voltimum to participate in steering group to discuss themes of interest.

Business & Performance Targets in 2005 Eight Targets 2 million logged in page views (double 2004) 8,000 new registrations (cumulative 30,000 – avg 700 month) 13% recurrence – 4000 users visiting site twice /month (double 2004) 20% loyalty – 6000 visitors visiting site at least once/month (3,500 in 2004) 50% of wholesaler market linked to Voltimum (currently 27%) 5 more manufacturing partners 3 more partners from tooling & test instrument sector 10 promotional partners.

What we need from you…..! 12 VoltiBULLETIN topics of interest to contractor Ideas for ‘killer’ topics for the following groups –Fire Performance specialists –Local Authorities –M&E Consultants Your own existing CPD modules to advertise them on the portal Improved processes for responding to FAQs Your suggestions for topics along the following themes which might be developed for the M&E Event - Comfort and quality of living in the house - Security – safety - Quality of installation and power supply continuity - Rehabilitation – renovation - Sustainable growth - Environment – recycling - Intelligent Housing

CPD Universe – First Draft for comments

FAQs – how can this be improved and made more dynamic