Package Of Services

PACKAGE OF SERVICES NO. 1/PU-O1/2008
(comments)

"The Business Centre Club (BCC) is an organization of entrepreneurs administered by Business Centre Sp. z o.o. (BC) in accordance with the Statute of the BCC, section II, clause 10. The BCC members are entitled to make use of the entire package of club services (Statute of the BCC, section VII, clause 2), published as a separate document."

1. Supplying information on economic law by organizing seminars conducted by ministers, members of parliamentarians, heads of central government offices and other representatives of the state administration.
The goal of the seminar meetings is supplying BCC members with current information on binding regulations and their official interpretation and also presenting specialized knowledge on conducting and development of the firm. These meetings serve the attainment of information on regulatory plans of the government and parliament in the area of the economy, so that the enterprises could on time prepare for changes in regulations. Proposed regulations are also a topic of discussions between the entrepreneurs and the high ranking officers of the government administration who conduct the meetings, representatives of the parliaments and experts. Information on the programme of specific seminar meetings and their dates are published in the "Magazyn BCC" (BCC Magazine), on BCC website and in the "BCC Special Bulletin".

2. Supplying information on marketing, management, finances, etc., by organizing conferences and symposia with participation of eminent economists, experts and entrepreneurs.
The BCC educational programme contains subject matter the knowledge of which is necessary to proper and modern functioning of the firm in conditions of developing market economy and strong competition. Conferences and symposia are directed to the management staff at every level, experience and age, who feel the need for expansion of knowledge on the issues of finances and taxation, marketing, Public Relations, Human Resources, etc. The lecturers are representatives of the scientific staff of higher education schools, experienced theoreticians and practitioners, representatives of decision-making centres having essential influence on creation of new legal regulations, and also managers attaining documented success in managing firms, and who wish to share their knowledge and experience with others. Information on planned symposia and conferences is given in the "BCC Special Bulletin"; in separate correspondence to BCC members, on the BCC website.

3. Supplying information on European law concerning current rules, its interpretation and an aid funds through, consultations, topic meetings, publications, etc.
BCC organizes special topic meetings with representatives of domestic and EU institutions responsible for creating and implementing European law. The goal of these meetings is supplying entrepreneurs with specific knowledge of European law, securing opinions on topics being the subject of consultations and their presentation by, among others, representatives of BCC in the Economic and Social Committee of the EU. Studies and positions taken on the European issues are forwarded to firms also through BCC publications, such as the "Magazyn BCC" and the "BCC Special Bulletin".

4. Public promotion and advertising of the firm.
Participation of the firm in the competition for the Polish Business Leader
The competition takes place once a year and consists of two stages. In the first stage there is an award in the form of the Golden Statuette of the Polish Business Leader, in the second stage - laureates of the Golden Statuette from previous editions, who have maintained their high position on the market - may receive a Diamond to their Statuette, awarded at the BCC Summer Grand Gala. All members of BCC may seek the Golden Statuette award by sending in the Competition Questionnaire within the time limits set in the competition rules. A jury makes an evaluation of the firm according to a point system encompassing: economic standing, quality and modernity of products investments, care for the natural environment, charitable work and club activeness of the head of the firm. The granting of the nomination or the main award is a high distinction for all those who have subjected themselves to the evaluation. Participation in the competition is an excellent occasion for promotion and advertising of the firm on the public forum and it confirms its credibility to public opinion and contracting parties. Information on the nominated firms and laureates of the competition is published in BCC publications and on its website and also in communiqués sent to national and regional press.

Recognitions for a firm's products with the European Medal
BCC is the co-organizer of a nationwide undertaking titled: European Medal. During one year two editions of equal rank take place - one awards products and the other - awards services. Mode and terms for awarding the European Medal are described in the rules of procedure. The European Medal is awarded in recognition for products and services which attained the European standard. The nominated product must comply with standards required by law, have the respective licenses, patents, etc. The high evaluation of functioning dynamics of the firm offering the services, the awards and certificates received are all important in the act of nomination. In addition, the Verifying Commission evaluates activities undertaken by the firm that are directed to adjustment of its operations to European regulations. All members of BCC who fulfil the requirements described in the rules of procedures and application may compete for the Medal.

Placement and popularization of the firm's offer in the "BCC System of Rebates"
A condition for placement of the firm's offer in the "BCC System of Rebates" is to send to BCC a filled-in Application Questionnaire containing information on the level of granted rebate and the mode for taking advantage of services or preferential terms for purchasing goods. Offers from firms applying to participate in the "BCC Rebate System" are published in BCC publications and on the website.

Declaring the firm's participation in competitions promoting entrepreneurship
BCC has the right to nominate and recommend member firms for various competitions organized by State institutions, non-governmental and business organizations. The BCC Board indicates the BCC members who fulfil requirements placed by organizers of these events under terms described in respective rules of procedures. Correspondence informing of the possibility of applying for a BCC nomination for external competitions is sent to all BCC members.

Issuing the "Recommendation Diploma" to a firm
At the beginning of the membership period and when it is renewed, each firm receives from BCC the "Recommendation Diploma" confirming the firm's credibility and that its representatives adhere to the principles of business ethics and the Honour Code of a BCC Member. The "Recommendation Diploma" is a type of reference letter issued to a member firm and may be used in marketing activities.

5. Fulfilment of the function of spokesman for entrepreneurs in situations when a firm's economic well-being is at stake through, among others, mediation in the firm's disputes with state and local government administration institutions and also other entities of the economic life, representation of the firm's economic interests in contacts with the media, the justice department, police, prosecutor's office and other state institutions.
Office of Interventions assists Club members in the scope described in the Security Policy, which is given to all who join the Club. The basis for undertaking an intervention is the report on such a need and a short description of the problem and expectations from the Club. If materials or documents are needed for the assistance, the Club member is asked to make these available.

6. Organizing advisory service, legal and tax consultations.
Legal and tax advisors have regular office hours at the BCC headquarters. Each member of BCC may take advantage of advise given by experts.

7. Organizing advisory service and consultations regarding acquisition of European Union funds by firms.
BCC advisors in the area of acquisition of European funds for supporting development and functioning of Polish firms maintain regular office hours at the BCC headquarters. Each member of BCC may take advantage of advise given by experts.

8. Acting as an intermediary in the firm's search for partners or contracting parties through, among others:
Forwarding to the firm offers received
At BCC, offers of cooperation are received from the country and abroad; these are classified according to sectors and are forwarded to those firms which - on the basis of information from the Basic Questionnaire and the BCC Data Bank - may be potentially interested in them. Offers are published also in the "Magazyn BCC". Decision on taking advantage of the offer is made by the BCC member

Making available the information from the Data Bank
A firm may receive information on other firms from the BCC Data Bank based on various available parameters, such as: type of ownership, economic sector business profile, or by indicating a specific product, service, region, etc. Listings are made in electronic form and in printouts.

Forwarding of the firm's offer to interested firms
At BCC, inquiries are received from firms within the country and from abroad with proposals of cooperation. If the firm's offer held by BCC corresponds by sector to such a proposal then it is made available by BCC.

Organizing events and matchmaking meetings with foreign and domestic firms
BCC organizes or co-organizes various types of matchmaking events with Polish and foreign firms. These are normal meetings within trade missions or with groups of entrepreneurs coming to Poland. Also meetings requested by individual foreign or domestic firms are organized. In organizing these meetings, BCC cooperates with similar foreign economic organizations, trade representations and with Polish and foreign Embassies. Firms are informed of expected meetings, their dates and character, in the "Magazyn BCC" or in direct correspondence.

Forwarding to the firm inquiries pertaining to its offer.
Any inquiries pertaining to a firm's offer which was placed in the system of business matchmaking, BCC Data Bank, etc., are forwarded by BCC to the indicated representatives of the firm.

9. Initiation of interpersonal contacts helpful in managing a firm through, among others, issuing recommendations and letters of introduction, organizing club meetings with participation of entrepreneurs, representatives of the state administration, politicians and other personalities of public life.
Meetings organized by BCC in cooperation with institutions, offices and organizations are an occasion to come to know mechanisms of functioning of these institutions and their binding procedures. At a firm's request, BCC will issue to indicated persons and institutions introductory letters or an advisable recommendation confirming membership in BCC and the firm's credibility. Club meetings also serve the exchange of professional experiences and initiation of business contacts.

10. Posting and popularization of the firm's information and its offer, in the country BCC Data Bank
BCC Data Bank is a special IT system which encompasses information about a firm that are included in the Basic Questionnaire filled in by a member as he comes into BCC and regularly updated by him. The questionnaire includes, among others, address and telephone data, names and contact telephones to the firm's management, profile of the enterprise and the more important information pertaining to the scope of conducted business activities, production, trade or provided services. This information is used to promote the firm and in business matchmaking.

The publication: "Best Firms"
"Best Firms" contains, among others, catalogue of enterprises belonging to BCC, in which information is given on the firm's activities and its address and telephone data. The publication is sent to all BCC members and also institutions and persons cooperating with BCC.

The publication: "BCC Yearbook"
"BCC Yearbook" is issued at the beginning of each year and contains information coming from the BCC Members Data Bank. Information from the Basic Questionnaire (point "text for Yearbook") and address and telephone data of each member firm are placed in the "BCC Yearbook". The firm's business activity is additionally described in indexes - sectors and geographic. The sectors index classifies several hundred products and services and also types of economic activities. The "BCC Yearbook" is published bilingually (Polish-English). The Yearbook is sent to all BCC members and also to persons and institutions cooperating with BCC.

BCC Business Matchmaking System
Computerized System of Business Matchmaking by BCC makes it possible for member firms to initiated trade and cooperative contacts, conclude trade transactions and technical cooperation mainly between firms associated in BCC. A precondition for placing a firm in the system is filling in of the BCC Business Matchmaking Questionnaire.

BCC website http://www.bcc.org.pl
BCC website contains information on BCC activities, among these: materials from BCC press conferences, news from regional lodges, information on successive editions of competitions: Polish Business Leader, European Medal and Sharp Pens, accounts from BCC Galas and on BCC organizational structure, selected articles from the "Magazyn BCC" etc. BCC membership list is published on the Internet.

"BCC Rebates System"
BCC created its own system of rebates, which makes it possible for member firms to purchase goods or take advantage of services on preferential terms (more information - pt. 15)

11. Disseminating information and firms' offers abroad Economic Departments at Embassies
Polish Embassies abroad and foreign Embassies in Poland receive all club publications containing information about BCC members, the firms' commercial needs and offers. Business Matchmaking meetings between Polish and foreign enterprises are organized at BCC together with representatives of these institutions.

Foreign organizations cooperating with BCC, among others:
American Chamber of Commerce in Poland, Bundesverband der Deutscben Industrie, Canadian-Polish Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver, Commercial Management System of the Embassy of the United States of America in Warsaw, Confederation of British Industry, Euro-Info Cooperation Fund, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, European Commission Enterprise Directorate General in Brussels, European Foundation for Entrepreneurship Research, International Club Berlin, International Finance Corporation - agency of the World Bank, Chamber of Commerce of Southern Sweden, Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Foreign Investors, Morgan Stanley International, Polish - Italian Chamber of Commerce, The All India Association of Industries, The Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum.

12. Delivery of periodic and specialized publications containing information materials on topics of economy, including legal regulations, taxes, duties, etc. among others: "Magazyn BCC", "BCC Yearbook", "BCC Special Bulletin", "BCC Almanac"
"Magazyn BCC" is a monthly sent to all BCC members, institutions and persons cooperating with BCC parliamentarians, members of government, journalists, embassies and commercial posts throughout the world. The purpose of this publication is delivery of information materials, journalistic texts, analyses pertaining to the economy and legal regulations, the knowledge of which may be useful in managing an enterprise. Among the people regularly cooperating with the "Magazyn BCC" are both, theoreticians and experienced heads of firms. An interesting form of combining substantial activities of the publication with promotion of enterprises are the professional texts sent in by specialists from particular firms. The fundamental part of the periodical is dedicated to club matters and BCC members. The Editorial Office often turns to the BCC members with proposals of a publication, statement or presentation of a firm in the "Magazyn BCC". Twice a year - after the Summer Grand Gala and the Grand Gala of the Polish Business Leaders the "BCC Almanac" is published, which documents the venue and promotes laureates of the Polish Business Leaders competition and the Gala patrons. "BCC Special Bulletin" is a collection of information on BCC activities, that contains communiqués pertaining to the Club's work benefiting its members, offer of advisory meetings and lobbying seminars for the nearest month and a short report on the work of the Lobbying Institute. It is sent once a month through electronic mail or by fax, to all member firms.

13. Advisory service in raising professional qualifications of the firm's management staff (MBA, postgraduate studies)
Giving information on currently implemented by BCC programmes pertaining to raising of management qualifications. Information on programmes promoted by BCC, such as postgraduate studies and MBA, by the best Polish and foreign schools.

14. Organizing advisory service and consultations for firm's representatives on, among others: credit restructurization, sources of financing for investment projects, investment of financial resources on the capital market, insurance for the firm's management and heads against liability connected with execution of professional functions, checking credibility of the firm's business partners and vindication of claims.
BCC, due to regular cooperation with specialists, provides the firm with professional advisory service and assistance in various areas. The firm may also take advantage of preferential offers prepared only for members of BCC by specialized firms.

15. Making available to the firm the information on preferential terms included in the offers within the "BCC Rebate System"
BCC created its own system of rebates, which makes it possible for member firms to purchase goods or take advantage of services on preferential terms. Only BCC members are entitled to grant or take advantage of rebates and a condition for getting the rebate is the presentation of a current membership card. Offers of firms declaring participation in the BCC Rebates System are announced in the publications and on the website.

16. Making rooms available at BCC headquarters for professional meetings of the firm's representatives.
Specially prepared quarters (club rooms, small salons) are designated, within a set standard, for professional meetings of the firm's representatives. The members may use club rooms Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 19:00 (reservations are recommended). During these hours there also are available: telephone, fax, copier, computer and wireless Internet access.