Skills

Staffing, skilling and student placements: Solutions with LSBU Business School

Utilise the skills of our students and graduates for business solutions

With the academic year well underway, our students are once again studying on courses and out on placement.

Business needs and students providing solutions

At LSBU Business School, our Commercial Student Experience Team work closely with the local business community. Lyn Hamblin, Commercial Student Experience lead has been working with local businesses throughout the pandemic to support on finding solutions to overcome business challenges in these unusual circumstances. Lyn has found that businesses are valuing placement opportunities our students are actively seeking, finding that these wellequipped students can provide interim solutions businesses can benefit from. Lyn explains “these enthusiastic, cost-effective, committed, technically-minded students offer a way for businesses to take on staff for various interim solutions, with many also keen to continue working on a part-time basis afterwards, giving some businesses the flexibility they are looking for”.

Harnessing students’ skills in the business environment

Students are actively looking for placements as part of their course, keen to develop their skills and gain practical experience. Having already adapted to remote working for their studies, students across LSBU Business School have skills in a range of business areas; accounting, finance, marketing, planning and marketing – to name but a few.

Placements and Internships

Many of our students are actively looking for work placements and placements from 1 month to 10-12 months in January, April and July/August.

Talent pool

LSBU Business School is a diverse student community, with a rich mix of students graduating with the skills and knowledge needed by businesses. Able to advertise to students soon to graduate as well as to those already graduated, our Commercial Student Experience Team are HR specialists and can handle the recruitment process for you end to end, to ensure the right fit for your needs.

Ways to get involved

If you’d like to work with our students in another way, there are opportunities for guest speaking, mentoring and exhibiting at a job fair with us – please get in touch.

Case Study: Social Media & Marketing Internship

MSc International Business Management student Arpit Sarupria took on an Internship with Entrepreneur Rafael Dos Santos (MBA), working as a Social Media & Marketing Manager for “High Profile Club”. He was responsible for creating, tracking the performance of and reviewing blog posts, developing social media strategies and co-wrote two PR e-books for health and tech entrepreneurs during his placement. He says “my course helped me understand how the UK business market works, and the business practices people follow. In a nutshell, the course helped me implement my theoretical knowledge in a practical manner on the placement”.

Get in touch

To discuss your business needs and find out more about our talent pool, please contact our team at

employerenquiries@lsbu.ac.uk

New Digital Leadership courses

LSBU Business School are launching a range of digital leadership courses. We talk to LSBU Business School Head of Digital, Vijak Haddadi, to find out more.

What can you tell us about the courses?

I’m really excited about the digital leadership courses we’re launching, supporting businesses in the digital sphere. We’re exploring current topics including Leading Business Transformation with Artificial Intelligence (AI), Leveraging Blockchain for Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains, Blockchain for Enterprise and Big Data Analytics.

Who teaches the courses?

The courses are led by experts and thought leaders with a wealth of knowledge in their area, including Technical Director at Deloitte, Ivana Bartoletti, Chief Inspiration Officer for a fintech company, Dr Jane Thomason, as well as Helen Disney, featured on the Women in Fintech Power List 2016, and one of top 100 Most Inspirational Women in Blockchain.

What’s the importance of these?

There’s so much change in the digital world, keeping up as a business is key. The courses tackle real issues, so having the time and space to think about these with other professionals outside of the office environment (even if that’s now online) is a great way to find solutions.

When are they taught?

We appreciate taking time out of work and other commitments can be hard, so we’ve developed the courses as a series of afternoons, meaning you progress through the course without needing to take substantial time off. The courses run from February 2021 throughout the year.

How are they taught?

We’re teaching online at the moment, but as and when it’s safe to do so we plan to move these to face to face delivery.

Are there any other options?

Absolutely; we can also work with businesses to develop bespoke solutions. Business Development Manager, Dan Janowski would be delighted to have a conversation about the options.

Find out more at lsbu.ac.uk/digitalleadership or contact Dan Janowski via email at janowsd2@lsbu.ac.uk

Labyrinth Technology EXPLAINER: 4 Elements of Todays IT for Business

Matt Dunn Business Support Director

Labyrinth Technology has been working with businesses of all shapes and sizes for nearly 20 years. Our only aim is to provide an honest, efficient and proactive service so that we can help our clients get the most from their IT. In that spirit I just wanted to give Southwark Chamber members a quick guide to 4 elements of IT and IT support in today’s business world.

OUTSOURCED IT

SUPPORT is when an IT company provides IT services as opposed to you having to employ your own team to do this. Why? As our name suggests, IT is a Labyrinth of complexity, with a multitude of products, services, platforms, hardware and so on. Outsourcing your IT needs should be a cost-effective way for you to have the latest information, advice and support at your fingertips. And being fully scalable, IT outsourcing is suitable for businesses of any size and can adapt as your business grows.

Advantages are:

Usually a remote service, meaning no need for you to invest in expensive office space.  Fully governed by contractual SLA’s, meaning no more waiting for your IT department

“to get around to it”  Scalable, meaning the outsourced

IT support can grow with your business in an agile fashion.  Cost effective; competitive pricing designed to suit your requirements and budget.

CLOUD SERVICES

is a subject that can be mystifying for many. You may have heard of the terms “the cloud”, “cloud computing” or “cloud storage”, but what do they mean? Are they different services? What exactly is “the cloud”? Well, put simply, it’s the internet. Or rather the ability to connect to products, services, data and storage via the internet. For years we have all looked to a local, physical and limited space server system for the storage of our sensitive and important data. But now, businesses are taking advantage of potentially limitless cloud storage space for data, services, backup and disaster recovery.

Advantages are:

Enables users to access their data and applications from anywhere in the world where there’s an internet connection!

Particularly useful if you have more than one office.  Eliminates the significant costs involved in the set-up and maintenance of on-site servers.  You can easily scale your service up and down at any time to meet your needs.  If disaster strikes, you can quickly and easily restore access to your Cloud services.

Usually, your data is mirrored in multiple data centres. CYBER SECURITY is a term that is regularly in the news, but what is it? In a nutshell it is about protecting your SYSTEMS and DEVICES (laptops, tablets, phones etc) from theft, damage or attack. Enhancing your cyber security is a cornerstone of your defence against cybercrime, cyberterrorism and cyberattacks, as well as your data protection policies, and your disaster recovery capability. It encompasses such things as network, application, operational and information security, and increasingly endpoint security (or “end user” security).

Advantages are:

Reduced financial losses. The average loss per breach for a medium UK business is £3,770.  Reduced reputational loss. Do you want

YOUR customers to know that your data (and possibly THEIR data has been compromised?  Avoidance of legal action, because you may find yourself facing this if you’re the victim of a data breach and didn’t have adequate policies in place to help prevent it  Reduced chance of missed business opportunities, not only because your reputation remains impeccable, but also because if your systems and/or website go down, in todays world that means lost leads and sales.

UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS (UC).

We no longer live in a world bound by the constraints of the office desk. As devastating as Coronavirus has been, it has liberated the thinking behind how we communicate. And the technology behind UC has moved at an overwhelming pace for most owners, managers and employees to understand. The UC world can be divided into voice calling, video calling, messaging, video conferencing, file sharing, team collaboration and much more! Ultimately EVERY business needs to communicate. But whilst video conferencing may be essential, you may NOT need team collaboration. So, understanding both your INTERNAL and EXTERNAL communications strategies will form the basis of your UC requirement.

Advantages can be:

Reduced costs, because unlike traditional communications, UC systems operate in the cloud (that place again!).  Better productivity, because employees will have a range of communications tools that they feel comfortable with.  You can easily scale your service up and down at any time to meet your needs.  Higher customer service, as now all communications (as the name suggests) can be unified, and you can always be in control of your communications, wherever you are. IN SUMMARY, modern technology is a daunting thing for firms that simply want to focus on their day to day business. You need the best, clearest and most honest advice, and we make it clear on our website that “our approachable staff will use plain English and not confuse you with technical jargon”. So, let us guide you through the maze of modern technology.

Call today and see how Labyrinth Technology can help power your business with IT that works. Tel: 020 3790 7500

Grown Up Recruitment

Here at Amdas, we measure success by end results. These are the results we deliver to clients and candidates. Our results are generated by the four core values of our company culture. Each team member has been selected for their ability to work autonomously, take a logical approach, be open minded and to listen. Let our experienced team help you.

Client or a candidate, we can assure you that you will have one, consistent point of contact throughout your recruitment journey.

Each Amdas consultant is a hands on, 360 recruiter. Each recruiter operates in their own niche sector. As a team, we operate on the principle that clients prefer one Key Account Manager (KAM). We have structured the business to this effect. Our sector specialists can resource in their given discipline using their market expertise, but will work in conjunction with your KAM. Therefore, if you have requirements outside of your KAM’s discipline, they will consult with another sector specialist. They will then utilise their specific knowledge to resource the most suitable candidates.

In addition to our specialists, our team has the advantage of people joining through training programmes. These people have developed into niche specialists with the support of experienced consultants and the directors of Amdas who continue to manage the business and operate in their own recruitment specialisms.

Candidates who register with us will benefit from our commitment to ascertaining their priorities and career ambitions. We cannot guarantee that we will always find them a job. However, we will do our utmost to assist them to secure the perfect role. We can assure you that you will receive honest advice, delivered by capable consultants whose skills have been honed through cyclical recruitment markets.

BREXIT READY? with Daniel Malkoun

What a year 2020 has been to date! With so many unprecedented challenges it is expected that most people have forgotten to address how an imminent Brexit will affect their businesses from January 1st 2021.

Amdas has been preparing • Cyber Security

to help and advise companies in 3 specific areas which are likely to affect businesses: If your systems are hacked or this data is exposed due to inadequate cyber security protocols you could be prosecuted under 1. Data Privacy (GDPR) - concerns GDPR. Additionally, the Federation of aspects of how you must handle Small Businesses (FSB) reported that personal data. 54% of UK SME’s had been victim to cyber 2. Cyber Security - covering how to protect your data including the crime with each incident costing up to an average of £5,000 per incident in 2019. wider issue of systems’ integrity. One of the best defences is the introduction 3. Immigration Policy - advice on how the changes will affect staffing. of Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus for companies. This involves a review of existing security protocols and practices How will these external factors with a bespoke plan to ensure a minimum affect businesses? level of protection. It has been shown that • GDPR If your business retains customers’ personal data in any form you will be exposed to risks of fines from the ICO cyber criminals are 92% more likely to look for easier targets if you display the Cyber Essentials (and Cyber Essentials Plus) badge. This level of certification is also a requirement of dealing within the g-cloud. AMDAS has a range of options open to employers, they are well placed to advise companies on adapting to the new workspace, and filling these skills shortages at this operational level. for GDPR non-compliance. • Immigration There are a number of schemes and In the event of a no deal Brexit, the UK will no longer fall under the EU GDPR. The Data Protection Act 2018 will remain in place and the Government says it w intends to bring the GDPR into UK law on exit, to sit alongside it. The stated desired outcome as a Third Country is to achieve Adequacy Status but this cannot be applied for until the day the UK leaves. There will be legal hiatus during this application period to cover the restricted transfer which can be covered by Standard Contractual Clauses (SCC) or Binding There is currently no provision for the employment of unskilled EU workers who don’t qualify for the proposed points based, or sponsorship, systems. This lack of consideration covers what is widely regarded as the majority of the blue-collar labour force (excluding agriculture) and threatens to potentially criminalise employees and employers alike. There are significant fines for employing illegal immigrants. The UK government wishes instead for companies to consider strategies available which we have been working with companies on adapting to their needs over the last 4 months. All of the above are likely to affect your business in some way and are imminent threats, yet are easily and cost effectively resolvable. Combined GDPR and Cyber Security solutions (in conjunction with our technical partners Privacy Specialists) are available from circa £2,950. Corporate Rules (BCR) in most cases. alternative paths for companies to pursue If you don’t have this in place you may be subject to significant fines from the ICO. to fill hiring gaps once the economy starts to gather momentum again. With non-compliance to GDPR and cyber security likely to result Get 20%

in expensive fines, loss of reputation and not being able to recruit Off our bespoke the talent required, can you take the risk in ignoring these issues? services

If the answer is NO, Amdas can help with a FREE consultation. when booked before Call 020 3488 2022 or email daniel.malkoun@amdas.co.uk December 24th 2020.

The London Bridge BID

Ballot 2021-26

WE ARE TEAM LONDON BRIDGE. You may know us for our local police officers and pocket parks, our community grants or arts programme? Or perhaps our DealCard and CargoBike scheme? We put up living walls and pull-down social barriers. Our whole existence is dedicated to improving the area for local businesses, their customers and staff. It’s Our London Bridge, we’re in this together.

For the past 15 years local businesses have committed to being part of a Business Improvement District (BID) and

now is the time to commit to Our London Bridge together for another five years. Eligible businesses within the London Bridge BID area will be asked to vote in a ballot held between 25 January and

25 February. It’s a postal ballot so a nominated voter – usually the rate payer – will be asked to return a ballot paper sent to them at the registered address. A YES vote will mean that London Bridge businesses will continue to fund things like additional police patrols, street and public space cleansing, promoting the area, events and arts installations, as well as being able to be part of a wealth of projects that are helping the area become more green and sustainable. The BID process means that a majority no vote will put an end to these additional services in the area. 2021 will be an important year for our businesses and Team London Bridge is geared up to support the local economy through turbulent times ahead. If the past 15 years has confirmed one thing, it’s that we are much stronger together than apart. Vote YES this winter to achieve many more remarkable things together in Our London Bridge.