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How to grow a small business after year one

The latest data from the ONS shows that around 10% of businesses fail after year one. Spotting the keys to growing your business after the first year is vital if you’re to escape this cycle and create lasting success.

After a full year of trading, you should be able to use your sales data to identify which products have sold the best and what you’ve done to drive traffic to your website. Therefore, finding what’s most reliable and lucrative for your business should be relatively straightforward.

If you’re confident you’re already well-positioned to meet your customers’ needs, you could investigate expanding your brand into new product categories. Growth from diversifying works on two fronts: existing customers recognise your brand in the new products they find, while new customers find an established and reputable brand available to them.

Refining your marketing strategy can also be an effective way to grow your small business. You can generate revenue by making your advertising more targeted and effective at demonstrating your business’s value.

Find more ways to grow a small business in domestic and international markets on the WorldFirst website. www.worldfirst.com/uk/marketplacesellers/e-commerce-guides/how-togrow-a-small-business/

Supply chain specialist proudly attains Earned Recognition with TruTac

Trucklink EU, the freight distribution and e-commerce supply chain specialists, have gained Earned Recognition status via the DVSA scheme and have officially become an ‘exemplary’ operator in the UK’s palletised freight sector.

“For the most part, this has been made possible by TruTac,” says Depot Manager Paul Whelan. “We are able to apply the requisite monitoring and reporting procedures which demonstrate that our driver and vehicle performance consistently meet the high standards set by the DVSA scheme.”

In a bid to gain tighter control over general fleet and driver data, Trucklink EU began using TruTac software products around three years ago. Since then and by switching compliance reporting processes from manual to digital, procedures are easier to implement and accurate real-time data regarding every driver and vehicle is immediately accessible, for auditing and ongoing management control.

“We download remotely, all driver and vehicle info,” explains Paul “and then send the verified tacho data directly to TruTac for analysis, so we can view the results via automated email reporting. This gives us complete visibility and insight, enabling immediate corrective actions to be taken and forward planning to be done.”

As part of TruTac’s integrated TruAnalysis package, Trucklink EU use TruChecks, TruLicence, TruView and TruFleet – each module playing a dedicated role in assisting with day-today vehicle and driver control.

“For example,” adds Paul, “using the TruTac app, our drivers can do their daily walk-round and vehicle checks and remotely report any defects as they arise. These are immediately logged and viewed by the workshop so repairs can be scheduled and then entered in the system once complete.

Trucklink EU also point to the ‘very significant’ reduction in driver infringements achieved by enabling management and drivers alike to see exactly where and when mistakes have been made, so the appropriate consultation and advice can be given.

“The system allows us to connect fully with our drivers and because of their own proactive input, each one is able to feel part of the solution rather than the problem. Plus,” adds Paul, “the easy-touse dashboards and screens have gone a long way to reducing driver stress.”

With a mixed fleet of over sixty vehicles, driver hours and tacho data could normally be difficult to monitor, interpret and retrieve, says Trucklink. However, with TruTac’s compliance control software and Earned Recognition under their belt, the company says it has never been so on top of compliancerelated data and is going from strength to strength.

“Our reputation is built on consistently delivering trusted and efficient logistics solutions” sums up Paul Whelan. “TruTac has been instrumental in helping us to achieve our performance targets and are always there when we need them. We regard them as part of the Trucklink team.”

As a share-holder member of the Pall-Ex network and using 170,000 sq. ft of strategically - located warehousing throughout the UK, Trucklink EU Limited provides end-toend supply chain solutions for local, national, and global freight movement.

Apex Pledges to Make Good Grow!

Apex are delighted to have become a Make Good Grow Good Business. We’ve pledged to supply a free refurbished Konica Minolta copier to a Good Cause! We will deliver, install, and set it up. And there is an option for on-going service support.*

Fellow members of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Make Good Grow is all about making a difference to Good Causes. The online Make Good Grow “Pledge Marketplace” enables Good Businesses to post products, services, and other support they can offer for the benefit of Good Causes. Good Causes (charities and community organisations) are then encouraged to browse the support on offer – and basically go shopping for free!

Make Good Grow is the brainchild of Nigel Shanahan, who as the former business owner of Rant and Rave, recognised that many of his team were happy to use their skills to help good causes solve their business problems but could not always find the right projects or opportunities. Hence Make Good Grow was born.

Initially launched in the Warwickshire and the West Midlands region, it has now started to branch out nationally. It has evolved considerably since the initial matchmaking concept. The Pledge Marketplace revolutionises the way that businesses can help and support Good Causes and since launching the e-commerce style platform in February 2022 they have already welcomed more than £320k worth of pledges to the site from altruistic businesses like Apex Connected.

In addition is the Make Good Grow Podcast – Behind the Cause, which puts leaders of Good Causes in the spotlight, looking at the highs and lows of running an organisation, personal achievements, and the biggest challenges in the sector today.

Richard Lamb, Apex’s Sales Director commented; “When we heard about Make Good Grow, we knew it was right up our street! We are thrilled that we've already had two Pledge matches and are installing copiers for them both shortly.

Apex has always been committed to giving back to good causes. Through Apex Action, our own funding and volunteer initiative, we’ve undertaken school garden makeover projects, bought football bibs, tickets for Lego Land, raised £1000’s for nominated charity Cheshire Without Abuse, and much more.

We are delighted to be sitting alongside other Good Businesses such as Twycross Zoo, Coventry Building Society, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, 1 Mill Street, and Wasps sporting professionals. All with a common goal – to make good grow!”

If you are a business who wants to Make Good Grow find out more and sign up via their website today www.makegoodgrow.com

Women in Business Conference returns for a Fourth Year!

A ‘Celebration of local women by local women’, business support network Socially Shared hosts their 4th annual women in business conference.

The headline event took place on 8th June 2022 at the Draycote Hotel, Rugby and celebrated the success and achievements of local women in business and employment. The theme for the day was ‘communication’ which acknowledged how businesses had to pivot, adapt and communicate differently during the pandemic, with many businesses flourishing and continuing on with this hybrid approach.

The morning saw more than 100 guests hear from Ellen Manning Journalist, PR Consultant and Award Winning Blogger, TEDx and Public Speaking Coach Minnie MalinckrodtGrant, Adrianne Carter ‘The Face Whisperer’ UK’s Foremost Expert in Facial Expression and Emotions, Jo Roberts Dealer on the BBC’s Bidding Room and Marie Wicker of Certanovo, an Executive Coach for Women and Teams.

In addition, there were two interactive and informative workshops in the afternoon. The first led by Amy Hobson a Digital Marketing Consultant and a regular speaker at the NEC’s Spring and Autumn Fair and the second by Jules White, Award Winning International Sales and Business Consultant, aka The Dragon Slayer after her success on BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

The conference also welcomed the return of Joanna Tidman, BBC’s Assistant Editor for the Midlands, TV and Online as MC for the fourth year.

The business support network that uniquely blends and facilitates networking, a learning opportunity and social support at each of their monthly sessions throughout its Midlands network, has been thrilled with the feedback from guests.

Karen Heap, Founder of Socially Shared Business Network said “The women that attended were genuinely thrilled to be able to meet up for this type of event, after the disruption caused by the pandemic. Online networking and events have been a lifeline for communicating during the pandemic, but nothing beats the vibe and atmosphere that meeting face to face, and larger events creates!”

Support was welcomed from headline sponsors Alsters Kelley Solicitors, Cube Accounting, The HR Dept and brand photographer and videographer, Libby Rees from Studio Forty-Six.

For more information about this event or the Socially Shared Business Support Network for women visit www.sociallyshared.co.uk

Holiday Park Operators Haven join the electric mobility revolution with the Eskuta SX-250 e-bike across 9 sites

The SX-250 e-bike from leading Nuneaton based e-mobility brand, Eskuta has proven to be a big hit with many Holiday Park Operators around the UK including Haven, who recently took delivery of 18 bikes across 9 UK sites.

By combining the aesthetic of a moped with the cost saving benefits of an e-bike it’s not hard to see why the SX-250 has been so popular with both consumers and businesses alike who have praised it for its versatility of use.

For Holiday Parks offering a takeaway or grocery service the SX-250 delivery bike with delivery box has enabled many operators including Haven to provide a great cost effective and sustainable delivery service direct to their guest’s doors and local area.

Likewise, parks are also using the SX-250 to offer a bike rental service allowing holiday makers to explore the local area with both ease and comfort. The bikes themselves can also be completely custom branded for a sleek and professional look which also ensures the park’s brand name is always on display when the bike is out and about. Additional batteries can also be purchased.

Managing Director of Eskuta, Ian O Connor said, “We know that Holiday Park Operators require flexible solutions to their mobility needs. The SX-250 offers this freedom of motion in an affordable, cost effective and sustainable package.

“We are currently in the process of delivering 18 e-cargo bikes to various Haven sites across the UK who are using our Eskuta SX-250 as a sustainable and cost-effective way to deliver food and anything else for that matter on site and in and around the sites surrounding areas efficiently. “Importantly, our bikes can be completely custom branded meaning your brand is always on display wherever the bike goes. We also do a consumer version of the bike which holiday park operators can use as part of a bike rental scheme for holidaymakers to further enhance their guest services on offer”