Business Direction 56

Business Direction

RESTART, RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY

Issue 44 52 56 July/August March/April 2020 2018 2020

Great Business Advice Is More Important Than Ever We offer strategic advice to all clients as standard www.ballardsllp.com

chartered accountants

FIRSTWORD

A NEW NORMAL?

ction Business Dire

RESTART, RESILIENCE AND RECOVERY 56 52 Issue 44 2020 2018 gust 2020 March/April July/Au

BUSINESS DIRECTION

Business Direction, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people. Distributed to 4,000 businesses.

The deadline for the next edition is Friday 24 July 2020 Please send all submissions to businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITOR

Rahim Bas 01905 673 639 businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITORIAL & SUBSCRIPTIONS

businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 01905 673 639 www.hwchamber.co.uk/business-direction

PRODUCTION & DESIGN

Distinctive Publishing, 3rd Floor, Tru Knit House, 9-11 Carliol Square, Newcastle, NE1 6UF www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISING

Angie Smith Business Development Manager, Distinctive Group 0191 5805472 angie.smith@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

FEATURE EDITORS

Helen Compson helen.compson@distinctivegroup.co.uk

First Word

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For many, the phrase new normal might be considered differently.

For some it will be the hope for businesses that we get back to where we were at the beginning of the year, but for others it will be an opportunity to make changes now that they will keep forever, including new products, diversification, new routes to market and greater flexible working. Businesses have already adapted to much of this change in order to remain viable and competitive, although I’m sure this will continue over the next few months, until the balance of the ‘new norm’ is reached.

Chamber News

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Business News

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After nearly 3 months of restrictions, businesses were advised they should return to work where they can no longer operate from home, following the government's guidlines on working safely or they should continue working from home if they can do so. Months of closures has taken a huge toll on local businesses, many of whom have relied on government support measures to support them during this time.

It is the hope now that businesses can begin to slowly adapt to the environment that they are currently faced with and begin to recover with some much-needed increased orders, footfall into stores and cash injections.

The true measure of the economic challenges that face business will be known within the coming months, over 600 businesses have provided their view of the economic outlook during the data collection period for our Quarterly Economic Survey Q2, we thank all businesses that have taken part in the survey and this report will be released shortly.

The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has also had to show innovation and find new ways to bring our Members a valued service, the introduction of our virtual training courses and continued success of our online webinars have been a positive and informative source for our Members and we will continue to find new ways to provide businesses with the information, help and support they need during this period.

May also saw the launch of our fully integrated Coronavirus Business Support Hub which provides businesses with a one-stop information centre for financial support, Employers, and Self-Employed advice and guidance, opportunities and learning events available for businesses who have been affected by the Coronavirus crisis.

The Coronavirus Business Support Hub also contains an extensive collection of all the latest Government advice and measures to support business as well as guidance on returning to work safely.

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Business News

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Skills

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Business News

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Chamber Training

20-21

Chamber Spotlight

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Big Interview

24-25

Feature

26-27

Events

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Two Counties

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Worcestershire Business Central 32 Movers and Shakers

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People to do Business With

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New Members

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International Trade

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Charity News

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Member Benefits

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Business News Last Word

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June also saw the introduction of two new services offered by the Chamber, ChamberCustoms, our brand new customs decleration service will take the hassle of importing and exporting goods out of business's hands, and the Chamber Finance Finder which will allow Members fast and simple access to finance and speed the application process up.

In our previous edition of Business Direction we focussed on businesses managing through uncertain times, this edition we wanted to highlight the innovation that has been shown by businesses in order to be adaptable. It is this flexibility and innovation that will see businesses through the next phase of the recovery and support the economy in years to come.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within this publication.

Editorial submissions are included at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in articles and letters within this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber. All offers, promotions and competitions appearing in Business Direction are the sole responsibility of the advertiser/ promoting party and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.

Policy News

24-25

We welcome news stories from across the two counties including Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Neoperl UK and Titan Steel Wheels Limited as our main features for this edition.

With very best wishes Sharon Sharons@hwchamber.co.uk

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Our Patrons are:

July/August 2020

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERNEWS

CHAMBER LAUNCHES GO-TO HUB FOR CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are the go-to hub for support and guidance available to businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Coronavirus Business Support Hub provides businesses with a one-stop information centre for financial support, HR advice and guidance, opportunities and learning events available for businesses who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis.

A MESSAGE TO OUR MEMBERS Sharon Smith, CEO of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has written a personal thank you message to all Members: Dear Members, Over the last number of weeks, your Chamber of Commerce has engaged in over 1500 conversations with local businesses.

I hope we have helped you find your way through the information provided by government on new Business Support Schemes, alongside the guidance issued from government on both staying at home and now returning to work, as we move through the next stage of this crisis.

Herefordshire & Worcestershire businesses are adaptable, resilient and above all innovative. We’ve already seen so many of you diversifying your businesses and overcoming the challenges you all face and I’m incredibly proud of our network and the two counties.

Every day we move forward we may be faced with more obstacles to overcome, but we will be on hand, by your side every step of the way, with the essential guidance, networks and support you need. That’s our Membership promise.

The Coronavirus Information Hub contains an extensive collection of the measures that have been put in place to support businesses as well as guidance on returning to work safely Sharon Smith, Chief Executive, said: “We have spent time listening to local businesses, assessing what their concerns are and what are the biggest challenges they find themselves facing. From this insight, we have put together a significant and extensive programme of advice and support that is accessible to businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”

For further information please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/support/advice/ coronavirus-information/

You have shown your loyalty to the Chamber by continuing to share your challenges, successes, updates and information and we are truly grateful.

I just wanted to take this time to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone.

LATEST ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOR Q1 SHOW BUSINESS IN PARALYSIS AS CORONAVIRUS ESCALATED EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: KEY FINDINGS

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Bishop Fleming, have released the results of the latest quarterly economic report, outlining key economic indicators for Quarter 1 (Q1) 2020.

The data demonstrates the state of local economy on the eve of the escalation of the Coronavirus outbreak. This data is the latest and most up-to-date publicly available report providing insights into the two counties’ business environment. It is likely that the true impact of the cross-national issue will be demonstrated in the next data collection period during Quarter 2.

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The results of this report paint a mixed picture that only a nuanced approach can unpick. an upwards trajectory shown earlier in the year has now been offset by the COVID-19 crisis. Indicators suggest the economy remains stagnated, deprived of the much-needed relief from the relentless political uncertainty of 2019. The weak outputs of 2019 have been extended; poor cash flow and low export sales and orders dominate the Q1 economic picture.

To read the report in full, please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2020/05/QES-FINAL-Spreads.pdf.

July/August 2020

BUSINESSNEWS

BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY INTO YOUR BUSINESS AND CREATING A NEW NORMAL You may be seizing this opportunity to look at improving ways of working, processes, efficiencies and reducing risks so that you can restart business in a new way.

Lorraine Cox, Director of STAR Shared services & Robert Milford, Managing Director, Milford Research & Consultancy

BRAND NEW SCHEME TO IMPROVE COLLABORATIONS ACROSS THE UK The Collaboration Accreditation Review (CAR) is a new scheme developed by a collaboration of STAR Shared Services and Milford Research & Consultancy Ltd to provide an assessment, improvement and ratings scheme for collaborations across the UK. Rob Milford, Managing Director, said: “We felt that as there are currently no other schemes that offer this type of benchmarkable assessment, that recognises the shared service, then we needed to create one.”

The scheme is aimed at existing collaborations, which would benefit from an assessment of their collaboration. This scheme is supported

by Local Government Association (LGA) through their Shared Service Expert Programme. If you are a local government owned collaboration funding may be available.

For further information please contact Rob Milford on 07452 974818 or email robertmilford@milfordresearch.co.uk.

BETTER COMMUNICATION WAY FORWARD FOR SMES ACROSS THE TWO COUNTIES In this new business landscape filled with uncertainty, it's essential for organisations to develop their messaging in the right way.

Audiences have an attention span of just 8 seconds according to research by Microsoft and it's crucial that you stand out amongst the noise without alienating your audience with the wrong tone.

To do this correctly, the team at You Do Better PR suggest you evaluate who you should be targeting with your comms. It is important that you continue to engage with your existing customers.

In those first few messages, attention to detail is of the utmost importance.

Check-in with your audience and let them know that you are getting back to business or increasing your capacity. While doing this, be human and talk with them, rather than to them.

If you're working in-house, regularly revaluate every message that goes out to

ensure its timed and toned with any new developments.

Ruby Edwards, owner of You Do Better, a PR and communications agency who provide pay as you go solutions, says: "Our flexibility allows clients to tap into a resource that not only fits their budgets but also supports them during particularly busy periods."

Improving the environmental performance of your business may be something that you have wanted to do, but don’t know how or simply haven’t had the time.

Understanding how your business impacts the environment, and the legal requirements and controls needed, can bring benefits including reduced risk, better legal compliance, reduced resource usage and costs, as well as aligning with customer and other stakeholder values and expectations.

Melissa Mooney, EQS Management Systems, explains: “Understanding your organisation’s current environmental performance, and opportunities for improvement is vital, it could make all the difference to your business and the planet.

“Practical examples of action could include identifying waste during certain processes, how much is produced, and where improvements could be made to eliminate or reduce this following the waste hierarchy Eliminate, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Dispose. This helps to reduce waste disposal costs and wasted resources.

“Monitoring waste when it leaves the businesses and making sure those who you may contract to dispose of this are doing this correctly, will show that your business is complying with the duty of care and legal requirements regarding waste.”

For further information please contact melissa@ eqsmanagementsystemsltd.co.uk.

"It allows organisations to flex their budgets and the freedom to get on with the day-to-day running of their business."

For further information please call 07891 777464, email ruby@youdobetter.co.uk or visit www.youdobetter.co.uk.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESSNEWS

EXTENSION OF FURLOUGHING A WELCOME RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES The ever-changing COVID-19 situation has seen the option to furlough staff extended until the end of October.

RECRUITMENT IN A NEW AGE With a large amount of people becoming “home workers”, almost overnight relying on a variety of video platforms and sometimes questionable home broadband connections. What many businesses previously thought was impossible or perhaps untenable suddenly became the only way to work and with it opened up a range of opportunities for the future.

interview processes and remote onboarding and inductions, to great effect.

Whether it be a reduced real estate requirement, better employee engagement or perhaps an increase in productivity, many businesses have experienced unforeseen advantages of this enforced change.

Perhaps one the biggest positives to emerge from this unprecedented crisis will be that this flexibility will finally be injected in to the hiring process opening up new pools of talent that were hidden to employers due to the restrictions in place around the “normal way of working”. The real legacy of “the new normal” could be to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

After the initial shock of offices closing Hewett Recruitment were able to adapt quickly, including reinventing their recruitment processes to ensure they were not missing out on talent during lockdown. Hewett Recruitment have been working with clients throughout this trying time to manage virtual

The Flexible Jobs Index for Worcestershire produced by the Timewise Foundation in association with Hewett showed that demand for flexibility amongst individuals in the labour market far outweighed opportunities.

For a further discussion on this matter contact ben@hewett-recruitment.co.uk or call 01562 69090.

The extension is welcome and many businesses here in Chris Amys, mfg Solicitors the two counties can now potentially avoid redundancies if they adapt, through a number of measures.

We have seen good business practice across Herefordshire and Worcestershire and this includes cash strapped businesses relocating, merging or expanding existing workplaces.

Homeworking has also become the norm for many and this has also seen firms investing in improved IT equipment and software.

Adapting to client demand has been tricky for many but there are countless examples of how changing working hours, flexible working and even dropping the need for staff uniforms has been beneficial – especially while the ability to travel safely is difficult.

Overall, the majority of businesses are reacting well, being innovative and importantly, listening to their people.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Chris Amys at mfg Solicitors chris.amys@mfgsolicitors.com.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SELECT EBC GROUP AS NEW IT PARTNER Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce have selected Managed Service Provider, EBC Group to be their new IT partner. EBC Group provided the Chamber with a new IT environment, which has enabled their team to work effectively from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The project included installing a new onsite IT infrastructure alongside Managed IT Support, new firewall, anti-virus and backup. A new leased line connection provides superior connectivity for their head office and a brand new VoIP telephone system will deliver a range of

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new functionality to their team of 65, who service over 1,500 organisations in the region.

Sharon Smith, Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, added ‘‘As a Patron of the Chamber of Commerce, EBC Group already know our organisation well, and they were able to combine this knowledge with their technical expertise to deliver the best solution as well as recommending services that will really benefit our team and our members.’’ www.ebcgroup.co.uk

July/August 2020

ADVERTORIAL

Your local, award winning legal experts THURSFIELDS STILL VERY ACTIVE IN THE MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS MARKETPLACE Deals are still being done in the West Midlands, despite the lockdown introduced by the Covid-19 pandemic.

At Thursfields Solicitors, we have continued to be busy and active in the Mergers & Acquisitions market, despite the apparent downturn in the economy.

Many businesses had growth plans in place, and others, since lockdown started, have identified opportunities to make strategic acquisitions or disposals.

Since Monday 23 March, when the Prime Minister asked us all to stay at home and work from home if we were able, we have completed nine deals.

Even during lockdown, the instructions have continued to come in, and we currently have 25 transactions ongoing or in the pipeline with an aggregate deal value of around ÂŁ50,000,000.

At Thursfields Solicitors, we were able to transition seamlessly to working remotely and transactions have continued without delays.

What has been most encouraging, and bodes well for a wider economic recovery in the short to medium term, is that deals completed and in the pipeline range across a wide variety of sectors, including IT & technology, healthcare, transport and logistics, manufacturing and financial services. We advise on all corporate and commercial issues, including mergers, acquisitions and disposals, business growth and funding, joint ventures and business relationships, corporate structures and reorganisations.

Tim Edwards

Allied to these areas, we also provide expert advice on related matters which may or may not be issues in merger and acquisitions, such as IT contracts, intellectual property, commercial contracts or shareholder disputes.

At Thursfields Solicitors, we are still very active and ready to assist directors, shareholders, buyers, sellers and investors who have queries about buying or selling a business, or who have strategic targets in their sights.

There may be TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations) involved, and indeed commercial property to be considered, whether the sale or purchase of business premises, leasing commercial premises or buying land with a view to commercial or residential development.

For comprehensive advice on all matters relating to your business plans, it pays to start the conversation early. Our expert advice can be the difference in maximising your returns and safeguarding your future.

Please call Tim Edwards, Corporate Director, on 01905 677059 or email tedwards@thursfields.co.uk

For those selling their business, we can advise on issues such as succession planning, protection of assets and inheritance tax.

Tel: 0345 20 73 72 8 | info@thursfields.co.uk | www.thursfields.co.uk S O L I H U L L | B I R M I N G H A M | WO RC E S T ER | K I D D ER M I N S T ER | H A L E S OW EN | S ED G L E Y

ADVERTORIAL

SUPPORTING THE NEW DIGITAL WORKPLACE AND REMOTE WORKFORCE: COVID-19 AND BEYOND. As businesses across the UK cautiously start to allow the movement of employees back to office and workspaces, many are re-assessing how important it is to gather in a single location to carry out tasks, as well as the necessity for face-to-face meetings.

In a bid to get businesses up and running during the initial lock down period, many opted for temporary or emergency technology measures. But as we start to see a shift in how and where employees carry out their tasks, as well as conduct meetings, having the right technology in place has never been more important. Let’s take a look at the areas that should be considered to support these long-term changes;

MOBILE HARDWARE TOOLS:

Businesses should consider the hardware typically used and accessed in the office, and look to transfer this to a remote setting.

This could be anything from laptops, headsets, speakers, webcams, desk phones, conference phones, and Microsoft Teams Rooms Systems, and should come with fast and reliable connections.

Additionally, businesses that deal heavily with printed documents can look to integrate cloud ready mobile printers that allow users to download, share, print, scan,

and distribute documents on the go, with additional ‘no touch’ print apps to reduce the level of physical interactions.

CLOUD

With so many people working virtually during COVID-19, a shift to cloud deployments has accelerated. Businesses are seeing cloud infrastructure as a more flexible, secure and cost-effective way to operate their business. It has enabled them to be more agile thanks to its scalable model, without the headache of spending money on equipment, infrastructure or maintenance.

COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION TOOLS:

Thanks to Unified Communication capabilities, features such as email, text, voice, audio, video conferencing and web collaboration can all be accessed and integrated into one easy to use interface. Whilst collaborative tools such as Microsoft Teams provide a platform where employees can chat, conference, file share and work simultaneously on documents from one location.

PROJECT AND DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT:

Information Management solutions, provide a secure cloud based environment where employees can store, manage, edit and share data across the business, and can be easily accessed from any location. These solutions often integrate with existing applications such as accounting or CRM systems to allow teams to seamlessly set tasks and goals,

track their progress and check off completed work.

SECURITY:

Ensuring employees have access to business infrastructure is essential, and should be met with the same level of security and control as they would see in the office. To overcome this businesses should look to implement a number of measures, including Multi-Factor (MFA), or Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) which requests usernames and passwords instead of immediately granting access. As well as security technology such as virtual private networks (VPN), network data backups and employee monitoring software.

IT SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT As with the office, remote employees may still be met with the same IT issues which are much harder for in-house IT teams to fix. Remote monitoring and management solutions ensure any IT issues can fixed remotely, whilst providing complete visibility of all networked devices.

EBC Group understand that businesses have a lot to think about when it comes to the digital workplace and their remote workforce. Their award winning services cover all of the key technology needed for home working, including cloud, communications, cyber security and IT support.

For more information on EBC Group’s remote solutions, contact 0121 585 4400 or hello@ebcgroup.couk, or visit ebcgroup.co.uk.

Bring your team together with simple, cost effective remote working solutions. private | managed | hybrid | recovery

EBC Group understand that businesses have a lot to think about when it comes to the digital workplace and their remote workforce.

Our experienced team is on hand to offer helpful support and advice, alongside our award winning services including; cloud, communications, cyber security and IT support.

T:

0121 585 4412

E:

hello@ebcgroup.co.uk

W: www.ebcgroup.co.uk/cloud

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July/August 2020

ADVERTORIAL

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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POLICYNEWS

A DEEPER RECESSION BUT A FASTER RECOVERY: THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE CORONAVIRUS COMPARED TO THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS Despite some worrying GDP figures for Quarter 1 2020, the Office for Budgetary Responsibility (OBR) and the Bank of England have published scenarios which characterize the economic impact of the coronavirus as a frontloaded, short, sharp shock, followed by a relatively swift recovery.

Although Britain has slowly started to return to work over the past number weeks, the OBR is still penciling in a 35% decline in output in the second quarter of 2020. The most recent figures demonstrate that GDP declined by 2% (percentage change on last quarter) during Quarter 1 (Jan – Mar) 2020. At the peak of the Global Financial Crisis, GDP contracted by 2.10% during Quarter 4 2008. Unlike during the Global Financial Crisis, the OBR’s scenario estimates that the economy will benefit from a rapid bounce back, with a GDP increase of 27% in Q3 2020. Unemployment is expected to peak at 10% in Quarter 2 2020, before falling to 8.5% in Quarter 3 and then to 7.3% in the final three months of the year. The results of the OBR’s scenario depend heavily upon the assumption that a three-month lockdown on economic activity will be followed by a gradual return to normal, over the subsequent three months.

It is important to note that the OBR has published a scenario and not a forecast.

This scenario is based on the illustrative assumption that economic activity will be heavily restricted for three months and then will gradually return to normal over the subsequent three months.

The Bank of England shares the OBR’s view that the economy will recover quickly from the business activity restrictions associated with the coronavirus, anticipating that the lost ground will be made up by the end of next year. The Bank of England predicts a “V shaped” crash and recovery. The Bank also expects unemployment to peak just below 10%, followed by a decline to similar levels experienced this year.

Although the Bank’s forecasting is not unrealistic, it is optimistic, as it assumes that the government is able to contain the virus spread and prevent a second wave

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of coronavirus infection. Under the Bank’s assumptions, the economic damage will be worse if restrictions remain in place longer than expected. Every extra fortnight of lockdown and support measures in the UK, and around the world, costs 1.25% of GDP, although this will have little effect on how much output has been recovered in three years' time.

The Bank of England’s quarterly Monetary Policy Report has been produced alongside an interim Financial Stability Report. Together, they provide a scenario for the path of the UK economy in light of Covid-19 and assess the financial system’s resilience to that scenario. Under the assumptions made, the Bank of England warn of some longer-term reduction in the supply capacity of the economy. This is due to lower investment and reduced innovation. It is worth noting however, that the Bank anticipates that the so-called scarring effect will be relatively small. The report suggests that CPI inflation is likely to fall to around zero at the end of this year, in part reflecting the spare capacity in the economy but also the fall in the price of oil.

The Financial Stability Report is somewhat reassuring, demonstrating that banks are in a far better position that they were prior to the Global Financial Crisis.

Much expanded capital buffers, due to a regulatory shift post Global Financial Crisis, means that Banks have the capacity to withstand the potential losses projected by the Monetary Policy Report. It seems the banking sector has enough capital to withstand a very severe shock.

Both the OBR and the Bank of England are quick to caveat their publications with a disclaimer which states that the timing of the recovery will depend to a significant extent on how long social distancing and support measures are in place. The Bank of England is quick to point out that there are many possible scenarios and that this is just one of many plausible paths. They also note that the speed of the recovery will be affected by how households and businesses respond once measures are lifted. International examples suggest that even where lockdown measures have been phased out, consumers continue to practice social distancing even after the formal rules are relaxed. At present, payments data point to a reduction in the level of household consumption of around 30%.

With state spending soaring and tax revenues badly affected by the lockdown of much of the economy, the OBR said it was expecting the government to borrow £298.4bn in 2020-21, up from £273bn at the end of April and £55bn at the time of Sunak’s budget on 11 March. If the OBR’s forecast proves correct, then government borrowing would reach more than 15% of GDP, a post-war record. As government continues to demonstrate that it is committed to providing financial support to businesses to weather this storm, the next stage in the restart process will demand more than financial packages.

Government needs to ensure that the return to work and subsequent recovery prevents a second wave and ensures this hiatus in economic activity is temporary.

July/August 2020

BUSINESSSUPPORT

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Our enthusiastic, qualified team are passionate about creating beautiful gardens for our clients and we pride ourselves in delivering exceptional customer service alongside a high professional work ethic.

We offer the following services for both private and commercial customers:

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BUSINESSSUPPORT

APPRENTICESHIPS FLOURISH AT WCG, DESPITE CRISIS A leading college group is urging businesses to look to apprenticeships as they plan for life after Covid-19.

WCG is the largest provider of apprenticeship training in the region, with over 2,500 apprentices training each year, working with over 1,100 employers across the Midlands and nationally, from large companies to sole traders.

The college group has been using virtual classrooms and remote delivery to bring learning to apprentices’ homes, ensuring they are ready to hit the ground running.

“They will play a pivotal role in supporting the economy and filling in those crucial skill gaps for when the demand for services and goods increase across all sectors. The UK was already struggling to recruit staff with the right skill sets before the crisis across many sectors.

“Stopping apprenticeship engagement and recruitment would only have a further negative impact on the economy and put us on the back foot.

“We believe that continuing to invest in apprenticeships will provide employers and sectors with that vital competitive edge.

WCG are experienced in delivering adaptable, flexible and successful delivery models for a range of apprenticeship programmes to suit all employers, regardless of size.

“Our quick response to the impact of Covid-19 will benefit employers and apprentices across multiple sectors including business, hair and beauty, dental, construction, engineering, motor vehicle and land-based industries.

Mark Eden, Director of Work-Based Learning at WCG, said: “‘It has never been more important to support and continue to engage with apprentices.

“WCG are pleased to be continuing discussions with employers regarding new apprenticeship vacancies, while supporting our clients with screening

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Finance: “T2M take the time to meet candidates before presenting them to us, ensuring the people we see are suitable for the role. Steve goes above and beyond expectations and has provided us with additional support, including around a recent restructure.”

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Finance: Steve@t2mresourcing.com | 07412 786686 Technical: Dominic@t2mtechnical.com | 07939 599271

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potential candidates for future recruitment, regardless of the challenging economic climate.”

WCG offers a wide range of apprenticeships in a variety of industries.

For more information, please contact our Business Development Team: T: 0330 135 6940 E: employerenquiries@wcg.ac.uk W: www.wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships

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July/August 2020

BUSINESSSUPPORT

WILLS You would not be able to reduce the amount of inheritance tax payable on your Estate, which may be possible through Trusts inserted into a Will,

Are you aware that currently approximately 60% of the UK adult population have not yet prepared a Will?

Most people think about making one at some stage in their lives but take no further action with it. This failure to leave clear instructions means families can face all the problems associated with intestacy.

Making a Will is a matter of utmost importance, especially if you care about who inherits your Estate.

A Will solves these problems. You will put an end to uncertainty and give yourself and your family peace of mind knowing that you have written a legally valid Will, that ensures your wishes are carried out as you have arranged.

WHY MAKE A WILL?

PROBLEMS IN NOT HAVING A WILL

Single people – you may want your Estate to go to friends or charities as well as family,

There are many problems associated with not having a valid Will, with the following being some of the more common examples: Not making a Will means your Estate is distributed according to the rules of intestacy irrespective of your intentions, Who would look after any children under 18 if both their parents die? The ad 120 x guardianship 185mm_B.pdf 1in Courts Auditel will determine the absence of a Will,

Unmarried couples and those not in a Civil Partnership could face serious financial implications because they have not made a Will

Married Couples and Civil Partners – Don’t assume that your partner will “automatically” receive your Estate; other factors come into play, Parents – who will look after your children, you will need to ensure that you have an appointed guardian,

estate, including living in the property if it is solely owned by one of you. Only a valid Will can ensure that this can happen, Retired people – your Will may be out of date, as you may now have grandchildren that need to be included.

If you would like further information about making a Will please visit our website White Horse Wills at www.whitehorsewills.com or telephone (01432) 378064.

Unmarried 18/06/2020 16:39

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESSSUPPORT

GET AHEAD IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION A tech and digital coaching company is calling on the region to learn more about the digital transformation that has already begun in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The Development Manager Ltd (TDM) is a professional coaching company which specialises in offering work-based learning qualifications in fields such as digital marketing, software development and IT. Representatives of TDM recently ran a webinar in partnership with the Chamber to discuss hot topics such as how best to survive in a digital World, what new technologies were coming to the fore in a professional environment, what business might look like in the not-too-distant future and how businesses could act now in order to ensure they are equipped with the skills, tools and experience required to thrive after the Covid-19 measures have been scaled back.

As part of that webinar, the team also discussed initiatives and solutions which are available to any employers interested

in taking on an apprentice utilising the Apprenticeship Levy, the Levy Transfer scheme and a regional pilot programme being delivered by TDM called “Get Ahead in Digital Transformation”.

Derrin Kent, Managing Director, TDM said: “There is nothing more important to us than playing our part in shaping lives and contributing to the growth and success of our regional economy.

By equipping our employer partners with the knowledge and information

to make informed decisions about how best to address the skills gap, we can ensure Herefordshire and Worcestershire continues to grow and excel as a region.”

More information on digital transformation, the programmes available and the work of TDM can be found online at: www.thedevelopmentmanager.co.uk Or if you’d like to discuss digital transformation or booking a presentation

by TDM on the subject, please email Jessica.dallard@tdm.co.uk

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08/06/2020 16:16 July/August 2020

ADVERTORIAL

THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ IS TAX HIKES AND VIRTUAL REALITY We interviewed Ballards LLP Chartered Accountants Partner & Chief Marketing Officer Steven Jones about how the firm is finding the ‘new normal’.

HOW DID THE FIRM FIND THE MOVING TO REMOTE WORKING? We were very lucky to have had a fairly seamless transition to remote working.

The firm has been remote ready for about 18 months with internal communications already powered by Microsoft Teams.

Our data was already stored in the cloud and as a firm of accountants we have the ability to work from anywhere that we have an internet connection.

HOW HAVE YOUR CLIENTS BEEN AFFECTED? Well naturally the current situation has had some sort of affect on most businesses. We work with clients from across a number of sectors and so some have been negatively affected but others, such as an IT support and supplies company, have been busy keeping people up and running from home.

WHAT DO YOU SEE FOR THE FUTURE? Part of our core service is providing strategic advice and I can see this becoming even more important to our clients going forward. We are also keen on cloud accounting software as it helps clients have a more real time view on their business and helps us to keep an eye on things throughout the year. I can see this area growing a lot. We are a Xero gold partner and are passionate about the ‘ecosystem’ of apps that add on to Xero. They are designed to automate a lot of our clients’ day to day, internal financial duties which will free them up to be concentrating on strategic decision making and driving their business forward. This will also be an area I can see us giving a lot more advice on going forward. We have also recently launched a cost control and reduction advice programme which is proving popular and an area which is going to topical for the next few years I am sure.

ARE THE DAYS OF PHYSICAL NETWORKING EVENTS BEHIND US?

Well it is very likely that there will be tax

I don’t know about that. People like to do business with people. I think that one outcome of this situation is that people are more comfortable with video meetings now, using video platforms such as Teams and Zoom, and it saves a great deal of travel time too. I think that there is an opportunity for some new technology to come into this market though. Perhaps we’ll all be sitting in virtual reality rooms together networking or an augmented reality version of myself might be sat across the desk from you in your office.

from April 2021 or a later date, I don’t

ARE WE GOING TO BE PAYING HIGHER TAX FOR A GENERATION TO REPAY THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SCHEMES?

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

rises in the future. The question really is when that will be. Whether it will be know. I think we may see an increase in National Insurance rates in 2021 as the high earners National Insurance rate is relatively low at 2% so I expect this could see an increase. The chancellor has also already indicated that the self-employed main rate of National Insurance will increase to the same rate paid by employees which I expect will be enacted in the 2021/22 tax year. However, wholesale tax rises may possibly be delayed for a few years to give the nation a period to breath and recover from the unprecedented disruption we have seen in 2020.

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BUSINESSNEWS

GOWLING WLG ADVISES ASTRAZENECA ON COLLABORATION AGREEMENT FOR POTENTIAL COVID-19 VACCINE Gowling WLG’s global Life Sciences team has advised long-standing client AstraZeneca on a landmark collaboration agreement for the development and distribution of the University of Oxford’s potential COVID-19 vaccine.

Under the agreement, AstraZeneca will be responsible for the development and worldwide manufacturing and distribution of the vaccine.

Patrick Duxbury, Head of Life Sciences, said: “We are excited to have played a part in advancing the development of this potential COVID-19 vaccine.”

this to ensure the collaboration has the best foundation for, hopefully, ultimately bringing this vital vaccine to patients worldwide. It was a great team effort by everyone involved.”

“For obvious reasons the deal was completed in a very short time frame.

Importantly, we worked closely with all parties concerned and drew on our international expertise in transactions like

The collaboration between AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford is the latest in a number of significant pieces of COVID-19 related advice provided by Gowling WLG. Last month, its commercial contracts specialists also provided legal advice on a consortium agreement for the manufacture of ventilators for the NHS. www.gowlingwlg.com/en

INVESTING IN FUTURE PRODUCTIVITY In difficult economic times reducing business costs is a priority.

MALVERN PANALYTICAL UK SUPPLY OVER 500 HEAD SHIELDS A cross-functional team from Malvern Panalytical UK have been working around the clock using their own and the company’s 3D printers, spending their own time and money to print and assemble face shield parts.

Within the first few days 17 masks had been produced and over the following 6 weeks more than 500 shields have been manufactured and distributed to local hospitals, GP surgeries, hospices and care homes.

Mick Randle, Machine Shop Manager, at the Malvern site in the UK, has managed the project with help from employees that printed the head bands at home and others who identified the recipients and helped to deliver the shields. Using our network and a bit of persuasion we’ve also had 3d printing materials, mask straps and visors donated by other businesses and our supply chain.

The Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP) can now support purchasing equipment that will reduce raw material use, reduce waste or save energy and lower the associated costs to the business.

Redditch based machinist and fabricator Patent Ferrule secured a £13,270 grant to replace outdated fluorescent lighting with efficient motion-controlled LED’s and purchase an efficient variable speed compressor. This will deliver annual energy savings worth over £8,000.

Herefordshire based specialist manufacturer of coffin fittings James & Williams secured a £20,000 BEEP grant towards the upgrade of their injection moulding equipment. The new machine is more productive, quieter, needs less space and helps achieve annual cost savings of £16,600.

If you have a project in mind or want independent advice on how to make savings, contact the BEEP team to discuss if it could be grant funded up to £20,000 and 40% of equipment and installation costs.

More information on accessing support & eligibility criteria via www.hwchamber. co.uk/support/advice/business-energyefficiency-programme

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After months of lockdown, many retailers will soon be able to re-open but the process requires careful planning. The government has released detailed guidance for those who are re-opening however Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers has put together there own checklist specifically for retail businesses on how to safely re-open.

The checklist covers topics such as the general risk assessment and how employers should review all work activities to see if they are safe or how they can be made safe.

Their advice also covers what you should be doing with your employees and suggests consulting with employees on a number of issues and how the day to day activities of staff can be modified to be more safe, such as staggering breaktimes, educating employees, providing PPE If necessary and more.

To view the checklist created by Sutcliffe & Co, please see here.

This is a perfect example of innovation and collaboration! www.malvernpanalytical.com/en

RETURNING TO WORK RETAIL CHECKLIST FROM SUTCLIFFE & CO

www.sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk Stephen Shoebotham and Daniel Shoebotham - joint owners and directors of Patent Ferrule

July/August 2020

ADVERTORIAL

A BIG GOODBYE DURING ITS 20TH YEAR In its 20th anniversary year, Kidderminster based, The Community Housing Group announced the retirement of Group Chief Executive, Ray Brookes at the end of June 2020.

Initially formed as Wyre Forest Community Housing following a voluntary stock transfer from Wyre Forest District Council, the Group has expanded its portfolio of stock and introduced new and innovative services to residents of the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire and surrounding counties under his leadership.

Ray Brookes said: “I am extremely proud of what we have achieved in our 20 years and the exciting plans in place for future growth. I am leaving the company in very capable hands of a dedicated management team and our hard working, professional employees who constantly deliver exceptional services to our customers” .

A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

From its early days, The Community Housing Group has established itself within the community as a quality organisation.

It has achieved accreditations and awards such as Gold Investor in People, an excellence award for the best large company in the West Midlands, Customer Service Excellence as well as a range of BM TRADA ISO quality standards.

Working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations, it has helped to contribute to the economic wellbeing and regeneration of the Wyre Forest and has supported local businesses and residents through employment, training and apprenticeship programmes.

Group Chair, Andrew Foster explained “We have always regarded ourselves as more than a bricks and mortar landlord.

We made a commitment to invest in neighbourhoods, not only by increasing the number of quality, affordable homes but by providing care and support services that promote independence and opportunities for training and work experience so that communities could prosper and thrive’’.

AMBITIOUS PLANS

The Group has an ambitious Business Plan to achieve significant efficiency savings, and increase its operating margins and portfolio of homes (including rental and shared ownership options). The plan also includes investment in technology to improve service delivery and enable more customers to access services online.

David Knowlton will head the Group as Acting Chief Executive under interim

arrangements effective from 1st July 2020 until the appointment of a new Group Chief Executive in the Autumn.

Group members include: Oakleaf Commercial Services which provides repairs, grounds services, construction, asset management , repairs and grounds maintenance services to the Group and commercial customers. It also manufactures doors and windows (wooden and PVC-u) from its onsite factory.

Worcestershire Telecare (trading as amica24) provides technology enabled care and monitoring and response services to individuals and organisations across Worcestershire and the South West from its 24-hour control centre in Kidderminster.

Vestia Community Trust provides a range of services to improve lives of residents across Worcestershire. They are the accountable body for Fusion, a Worcestershire wide partnership which includes members of the housing and voluntary sector delivering programmes such as Building Better Opportunities (funded through the National Lottery) to help the long term unemployed get

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

back in to work. They also provide a range of community learning services and learning and development and apprenticeships for the Group.

Care & Support24 provides a range of services which promote independent living at home. From practical help with shopping and cleaning through to personal care including bathing and getting dressed. The team of dedicated and experienced Support Workers are regularly assessed by the Care Quality Commission to ensure compliance with safety regulations. The Group’s flagship extra care retirement facility, Berrington Court in Kidderminster is home to over 100 residents and managed by the Care & Support24 team.

For further information, visit www.communityhg.com

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SKILLS

TDM INVITING PEOPLE TO LEARN NEW TECH AND DIGITAL SKILLS DURING THEIR COVID-19 ISOLATION PERIOD Professional Development Coach, tasked with helping them to find a new job or take on more responsibility at work, and an expert Skills and Knowledge Coach who will guide each learner through the course content.

Through The Development Manager (TDM), learners can undertake any of six fully-funded courses, covering Digital Marketing, Digital Transformation, Software Development, Database Management, Building IT Networks or Cyber Security, which include globally recognised certifications from the likes of Google, Microsoft and CompTIA. Anyone undertaking one of the courses will also receive the support of a

The “Get Ahead in Digital Transformation” scheme is being completely funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, which means the qualifications do not cost the learner anything to enrol and all coaching sessions are delivered virtually, with the emphasis of the course being on flexible remote learning and self-study.

Derrin Kent, Managing Director, The Development Manager, said: "The West Midlands economy needs a “digital reboot” now more than ever. Employers, employees and job/apprenticeship applicants are all responsible for making this happen."

For further information please visit www.thedevelopmentmanager.co.uk/getahead-in-digital-transformation

GOVERNMENT RELEASE GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES WITH APPRENTICES DURING PANDEMIC This is a difficult time for apprentices, employers and providers of apprenticeship training, assessment and external assurance.

The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has taken steps to try and ensure that apprentices can continue and complete their apprenticeship, despite any break they may need to take as a result of COVID-19.

The government has taken a number of steps, including: Introducing flexibilities to allow furloughed apprentices to continue their training as long as it does not provide services to or generate revenue for their employer.

Allowing the modification of end-point assessment arrangements, including remote assessments wherever practicable and possible in order to maintain progress and achievement for apprentices.

Allowing apprentices ready for assessment, but who cannot be assessed due to COVID-19 issues, to have their end-point assessment rescheduled.

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Providing assessment time frame extensions to apprentices whose gateway is delayed.

Providing clarification on how to record breaks in learning so that funding is not unnecessarily disrupted.

To read the full guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations and external quality assurance providers click here.

THREE NEW BUSINESSES PLEDGE THEIR SUPPORT TO IMPROVE CAREERS EDUCATION Three new Cornerstone Employers have pledged their support to developing the county’s future workforce. The three companies, DRP Group, Platform Housing Group and QinetiQ are the latest organisations from across the county to join the growing list of businesses supporting the Worcestershire Careers Hub in improving careers support and guidance in schools.

Cornerstone employers work alongside the Worcestershire Careers Hub team, the Careers & Enterprise Company, their business contacts and the wider business community to ensure young people in the county are inspired and prepared for the world of work.

The current list of Worcestershire cornerstone employers includes; Hewett Recruitment, Ludlow Thompson, Malvern Panalytical, Yamazaki Mazak UK, Southco Manufacturing, The Community Housing Group, Worcester Bosch, Jacobs and Bishop Fleming.

The Worcestershire Careers Hub team are looking for more cornerstone employers to pledge their support. Organisations of any size can become a cornerstone employer and by pledging support can become an exemplar partner that works to engage and develop the local workforce, give back to the local community of schools and colleges across the county and help build a talent pipeline for a set industry or organisation.

For more information on becoming a cornerstone employer, contact the Worcestershire Careers Hub team today by emailing CEC@worcestershire.gov.uk.

July/August 2020

BUSINESSNEWS

NEW CHAMBER FINANCE FINDER PLATFORM TRANSFORMING MEMBERS’ ACCESS TO BUSINESS FINANCE An exciting new business funding matching tool looking to revolutionise access to finance for businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire has been released by the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

The new Chamber Finance Finder will allow Member businesses fast and simple access to all funding options across loans, equity and grants – simplifying, speeding up and streamlining the application process for them via a new partnership with Swoop Funding, supported by the British Chambers of Commerce.

Sharon Smith, CEO at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, commented: “With cash flow a key concern for many businesses in the two counties, it’s essential firms can access the support they need. By ensuring all firms have fast and simple access to finance we can safeguard the businesses that have built our community. We’re delighted to be offering the Chamber Finance Finder to make this happen."

The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Finance Finder can be accessed here.

WORCESTER BOSCH INVESTING IN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

VISICON PUTTING 3D PRINTERS TO WORK PRODUCING PPE

The subject of decarbonisation is very close to people’s hearts and something the government has acknowledged and recognised by committing to a net zero carbon position by 2050.

Visicon Ltd has been working as a part of the nationwide call for 3D printers to be used to help provide PPE equipment to the NHS, careworkers and key worker communities.

One of the most difficult areas to decarbonise will be homes and houses, so as a leading heating equipment manufacturer Worcester Bosch are part of the solution to this.

Worcester Bosch has created a prototype Hydrogen ready boiler that BEIS, the government department in charge of decarbonisation

have been involved with. A small number of these boilers have been made to be used in trial locations where the safety and acceptance of Hydrogen will be assessed.

Hydrogen being of zero carbon dioxide and monoxide when burnt in a boiler, could play a significant part of this exciting future. www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

Their 3D printer has been working 24/7 over the past 2 months to produce around 650 parts to make safety visors and surgical mask straps for our frontline services. The equipment was then delivered to those in need with mask straps directly transferred to the Herefordshire County Hospital.

Organised by 3P Innovations, over 20,000 visors have been

donated and delivered to where they have been most needed.

Peter Jelf, Director at Visicon Ltd, said: “In a time when it feels like we are all somewhat helpless, it’s great to know that we have been able to do something that makes a difference.” www.visicon.co.uk

MORE THAN 200 STUDENTS JOIN FIGHT AGAINST PANDEMIC More than 100 students from the University of Worcester have joined the West Midlands Ambulance Service workforce in the wake of the Coronavirus emergency, with dozens of them on the NHS frontline.

So far 106 Paramedic Science students from all three-year groups have taken on a variety of roles alongside their studies, with many out on the road with paramedics and technicians and others working to support frontline operations.

This adds to the more than 200 Worcester student nurses that are undertaking placements in hospitals across the

region, as well as students on many other healthcare courses undertaking work in the community who are assisting with the fight against the pandemic.

Liz Davies-Ward, Head of the University’s School of Allied Health and Community, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the way our students have readily taken up these roles at this very difficult time. Our Paramedic Science students hard work continues to have a positive impact on responses to COVID-19 and the experience they will gain from working with West Midlands Ambulance Service will increase their paramedic skills and prepare them

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Paramedic Science student Deborah Calverley

for frontline work when they become fully registered paramedics.” www.worcester.ac.uk

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CHAMBERTRAINING

CHAMBER TRAINING GOES VIRTUAL!

NEW VIRTUAL COURSES The Chamber Training department are pleased to announce the launch of a new series of online virtual training courses.

Many businesses have attended training at the Chamber offices over the years, with an average of 130 courses being delivered per year, the department saw over 1200 delegates from businesses across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and beyond in 2019 alone. Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, the department found they were unable to continue delivering training in-house and following government guidance, took the plunge into the online world of virtual training.

Hosted by industry experts, this new suite of virtual training courses has been designed to aid businesses who are planning to or are already returning to work and helping businesses to restart and recover.

With over 20 courses that have already taken place, the Chamber Training

department has plenty more courses on offer over the next few months. From Digital Marketing to Staff Wellbeing – all training courses have been carefully selected with current business priorities in mind. Training takes place across a variety of different video conferencing platforms, with workbooks and certificates of attendance for each delegate, the Chamber have replicated the content of the public courses and adapted them to the virtual delivery style.

PUBLIC TRAINING GOES VIRTUAL

The new training courses take place in small bitesize chunks, with many courses falling into short course series but also being suitable to attend as a stand-alone workshop. The courses are accessible to both Members and Non-members, anywhere! This affordable option gives businesses the opportunity to upskill their employees without taking them out of the work environment for long periods of time.

Upcoming public courses that are now being delivered virtually are shown on the calendar on the next page, with more information available on our website.

Many of the favourite public training courses are now available to attend virtually. With the same format as they would be delivered at the Chamber, delegates are able to have the same experience virtually as if it was face to face. With our dedicated trainers hosting the courses, all delegates will receive a course pack and have the opportunity to participate in group work and interact with our knowledgeable course tutor.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Whilst continuously expanding the training offering, the Training department are always looking for new ideas for courses. It’s great to understand what topics will be most beneficial to local businesses.

For any suggestions please email training@hwchamber.co.uk.

More information about each training course and upcoming dates can be found on the Chamber website www.hwchamber.co.uk/online-training.

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July/August 2020

CHAMBERTRAINING JULY COURSE DATES An Introduction to PowerPoint Friday 3 July - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members

An Introduction to WordPress – Part 1 – Understanding WordPress Tuesday 14 July - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members Difficult Conversations via Video Conferencing Platforms Wednesday 15 July - 2.00-4.00pm £45+VAT Members £70+VAT Non-members An Introduction to WordPress – Part 2 – Building a Website in WordPress Thursday 16 July - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members

Introduction to Project Management Thursday 16 July - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Search Engine Optimisation – Part 1 – The Technical Audit Monday 20 July - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members

Microsoft Word Hints, Tips & Useful Features Tuesday 21 July - 11.00am-12.00pm £30+VAT for Members £45+VAT Non-members

Role of the Team Leader Wednesday 22 July - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

IOSH Managing Occupational Health & Wellbeing Thursday 23 July - 9.00am-4.30pm £95+VAT Members £105+VAT Non-members

Search Engine Optimisation – Part 2 – Keyword Research and Understanding the Audience Monday 27 July - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members IOSH Managing Safely Tuesday 28th - Friday 31st July 9.00am-4.00pm £495+VAT Members £595+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media - Part 1 Facebook and Viral Marketing Wednesday 12 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT Members £70+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media - Part 2 Facebook Advertising Wednesday 19 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT Members £70+VAT Non-members

AUGUST COURSE DATES Search Engine Optimisation – Part 3 – Creating Content Monday 3 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Friday 7 August - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Search Engine Optimisation – Part 4 – Using Trust to Become Competitive Monday 10 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT for Members £70+VAT Non-members

7 Steps to Closing the Deal Thursday 20 August - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Introduction to Microsoft Excel Wednesday 26 August - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media - Part 3 Twitter and LinkedIn Wednesday 26 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT Members £70+VAT Non-members

Effective Time Management Wednesday 12 August - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media - Part 1 Facebook and Viral Marketing Wednesday 12 August - 10.00am-12.00pm £45+VAT Members £70+VAT Non-members

Managing People in the Team Thursday 13 August - 9.00am-4.00pm £160+VAT Members £200+VAT Non-members

Whilst we are continuously expanding our online offering, please let us know if there are any training courses you would like the Chamber to deliver in the future. All up to date courses can be found on our website: www.hwchamber.co.uk/events-and-training-calendar.

We are looking forward to welcoming delegates back at the Chamber on training courses in the future.

For more information on any of our training courses, please see our website or email our training department on training@hwchamber.co.uk.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT

HOW TO MARKET THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS Gabriella Fryer Marketing Manager, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

The Coronavirus pandemic is like nothing we’ve seen and it’s certainly not something that many marketers would have planned for.

Marketing thrives in the main on messaging that is optimistic, positive and invokes good feelings to encourage sales.

It can sometimes sell on fear. But within a global crisis, should you be marketing?

And if the answer is yes, then how?

The first thing to come to terms with, is that marketing never stops. Even when a crisis event like Coronavirus seems to be

5 RULES FOR MARKETING THROUGH CRISIS: 1. It is essential in times of uncertainly for marketers to communicate facts and do so ro utinely and liberally. As concerns heighten and/or the pandemic continues, many businesses are issuing daily updates to customers who are seeking facts and perspective amidst a bombardment of news accounts, many of which are often sensationalised.

Customers seek guidance and truth from trusted brands. Trust is only grown through distribution of credible, current and factually correct information.

2. Brands should refer to and cite leading authorities such as, in the case of Coronavirus GOV.UK, WHO, HSE and local public health authorities to allow customers to make informed decisions based on factual information from a trusted source.

3. Marketers and brands must always demonstrate empathy to those who have been affected. Get into the mindset of your customer persona’s and really try to understand their current feelings and challenges. Never minimise the consequences associated with a time of crisis and show the

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consuming everyone’s attention, you still must get your message out.

Many businesses have naturally shied away from their usual marketing strategies as the UK went into lockdown for fear of impacting brand reputation by being perceived as insensitive. But does it have to be this way? Luckily, the answer is no.

human element and real-feeling nature of your brand.

4. Brands must put their own motives, wants and needs secondary. Customer safety and needs must come first.

This ensures brand reputations will be well-protected, earning the trust, respect, and loyalty of customers.

5. Don’t exploit fear. So often, we see marketing messages that successfully sell on fear. A fear of missing out, fear of not having something that will prevent crisis, fear of being without.

This is a widely acceptable form of marketing. During a global pandemic, this is no longer the case. Don’t do it.

ARE THERE MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE CRISIS? During an economic downturn, you’ll find that you will have less competition, which means it is easier and faster to get results, and in some cases, you’ll be able to get deals, such as a potential reduction in pay-per-click advertising.

Digital marketing is booming during the pandemic now that everyone is pushed into the digital space and this opens up avenues to access and reach new, perhaps previously unreachable prospects.

For B2C businesses, the sudden increase of people being indoors has led to a change in lifestyle where consumers have shifted to spending more time online than before.

Brands already catering to the ‘sofa-surfers’ have shown to be in the clear and in some cases have even seen an increase in sales. Brands that are traditionally offline have innovated new online products in an effort to adapt to this new way of living with E-commerce specialists reporting a huge spike in enquiries and sales as businesses race to build e-commerce platforms and sell their products and services online.

If anything, you mustn’t be afraid to market during the pandemic, you should only be afraid to stop.

July/August 2020

CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT

HOW HAVE TRADITIONAL CHANNELS BEEN AFFECTED?

SHOULD MARKETERS BE POSTCORONAVIRUS PLANNING?

WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND DURING THE PANDEMIC

Marketers seeing a cut in budgets will benefit by moving toward cheaper and more flexible channels such as digital display ads, social media, and online video channels. These are the mediums that most likely will increase in the short-term.

Marketers are asking themselves, “How permanent are these changes?” It is clear that many industries will have naturally lost customers during the lock-down period where either communication has stopped or the demand disappeared. For industries directly impacted, post-Coronavirus marketing planning and activity will be imperative to attract customers back. You mustn’t assume that because they have left you at this moment, they no longer want or need your service, or they may never need it again.

The uncertainty of the future is understandable. Nonetheless, this too shall pass. It is important to stay focused on the long-term and not shy away from new growth opportunities.

Large scale advertising such as billboards, vehicle and destination advertising will have much lower exposure due to most people staying at home. Event marketing has come to an immediate stop, and we’ll likely see that marketing budget cease or shift towards online ads.

However, marketing budget reductions are not always the solution.

Many B2B brands are increasing digital advertising spend to compensate for the leads they otherwise would have picked up at events. This doesn’t always have to be costly if you know how to effectively target your campaigns.

The tone and timing of these campaigns is paramount. As the virus will have resulted in substantial illness and loss of life, homes, and businesses around the world, marketers must avoid celebrating their own successes or new products prematurely and communicate in a respectful, reflective fashion always communicating empathy.

Branding works best long-term. Cutting budget spend too much when not necessary could negatively impact the brand when the pandemic is over.

Most importantly, remember to keep your brand integrity, show empathy, and share facts regularly. Trust is built over time, and buying power is not propelled sustainably through hard sales messages, it’s gained through consistent, steady relevant content, putting you in the customers’ mind as a trusted partner.

For further updates and guidance on Marketing your way through the Coronavirus crisis, join our LinkedIn group here. To Read our latest Coronavirus Marketing Support advice, please click here.

For support and guidance for businesses around the Coronavirus pandemic, visit our Coronavirus Business Support Hub.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BIGINTERVIEW

WORCESTERSHIRE NHS ‘CLAPS BACK’ TO LOCAL BUSINESSES The Thursday evening ‘clap for carers’ is something which will live long in the memory as the UK stood as one to show appreciation to the millions of NHS and care workers on the front line in the fight against COVID-19.

But in Worcestershire, like lots of areas across the country, health and care organisations have felt the need to give a ‘clap back’ to all the local people and businesses who have played an enormous part in maintaining the resilience of their staff.

Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust is the county’s main provider of community based nursing and therapy services, delivering care and treatment in people’s own homes. It also runs the 7 community hospitals/recovery wards and provides mental health care to people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Like all NHS organisations, the Trust has responded to the challenge of COVID-19 by changing the way it provides services over this period to create the capacity

needed to support our most vulnerable patients. But while these operational changes have been important, our ability to respond effectively to what has been an unprecedented challenge is largely down to the commitment, dedication and resilience of our 4,500 staff.

The Trust provides lots of support for staff to maintain wellbeing which has been so important over recent months, but that support has been enhanced and complemented by an outpouring of donations and good wishes from the business community across Herefordshire and Worcestershire which has made such a difference to all our teams.

From Easter eggs donated by Springpack in Worcester, refreshments from Shack Events in Bromyard, and take-aways delivered to staff in our hospitals, to hampers and other items from large supermarket chains, the support and donations have been overwhelming and played a key role in keeping everyone going.

At a time when all businesses are being effected by the economic impact of COVID-19, we were amazed and grateful to all those organisations, large and small, who dug deep to help and on

It is impossible to measure the effect of this support but just knowing that people in your area are with you and thinking of you has gone such a long way to maintaining the resilience of our staff and teams.

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behalf of everyone at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and our wider NHS partners, can we say a huge heart-felt thank you for all your donations and messages of support.

The last few months have not been without challenges. On top of the huge operational and logistical demands on all our staff, it has also taken its toll emotionally at times and maintaining the wellbeing of our teams has been made all the easier thanks to your support.

The emotional and wellbeing support is also key for everyone at the moment and local businesses may be unsure of how to help their staff who may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. The Trust ran a training session recently with the Chamber

July/August 2020

BIGINTERVIEW

of Commerce on the topic of how businesses can look after their staff.

There is also a range of local support which employees may benefit from, including local self-referral services if someone is feeling down or anxious.

More information on all this can be found at www.nowweretalking.nhs.uk.

Kate Leese, Health and Wellbeing Lead at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “It has been incredibly heart-warming to receive so much support from local businesses over recent months, especially considering the economic challenges at the moment.

“It is impossible to measure the effect of this support but just knowing that people in your area are with you and thinking of you has gone such a long

way to maintaining the resilience of our staff and teams.”

Sue Harris, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Trust, said: “The last few months has challenged all of us, both professionally and personally, but the way local communities have come together to support each other has been both humbling and inspiring.

“We have seen lots of smaller, independent businesses go to extraordinary lengths and the support and donations, however large or small, have done so much to lift morale and given our staff the boost they need to keep going despite the many challenges and demands they have been facing.

and togetherness that we have seen so much of recently. Seeing the support first hand has given me such a sense of pride in our local area and as someone who lives locally too, I am hugely thankful and grateful to the wider community for the support you have shown us. It really has and will continue to make a real difference to health and care staff across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.”

“COVID-19 will be with us for some time yet but so will the community spirit

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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FEATURE

AHEAD OF THE CURVE Essential supplier Neoperl has developed a 13-step protocol that is a blueprint for industry and how to maintain manufacturing during a crisis.

Swift to react to the new working conditions demanded by COVID-19, sanitation products manufacturer Neoperl is now benefiting from a newly calibrated structure designed to take it into the future.

Part of the German-Swiss Neoperl Group, a global enterprise with manufacturing centres in China, Italy, Spain and Germany, its UK management team moved quickly in response to what they were hearing from other parts of the company in February.

UK Managing Director Kevin Gates said: “We reaped the benefit of being part of a global group and from talking to our colleagues in places that experienced the impact of the pandemic weeks before we did.

office staff who could work from home did so.

basis and new procedures introduced in response when needed.

“Early on, we instituted daily group pandemic discussions to identify best practice and develop what we call the Neoperl protocol, our modus operandi designed to create a safe working environment for our staff in every factory and to protect our customer supply chains in every country.”

“Going forward, those changes are here to stay,” he said. “We will never be working in such close proximity to each other again.

The starting point though, and number one in the Neoperl protocol, is the requirement for clear communication – across the board.

“We feel confident we have a good, workable structure that will take us into the future not just in keeping with Coronavirus, but with any other disease or illness that could pose a threat.”

There is a structured approach to keeping staff and customers alike well informed, using a range of fast and efficient means that includes electronic display boards in the factory and a group messaging network that embraces home-based staff, as well as traditional emails.

The company’s global protocol is updated frequently, referenced against government guidelines for optimum compliance.

As a producer of sanitation products for hospitals, including the Nightingale units, Neoperl UK is deemed an essential supplier and hence has kept its production line running throughout.

But there have been big changes on the shop floor in Malvern.

Elements of the production line were moved immediately, opening up the two metre distancing required at the time, hand-sanitising stations were installed and

This international company will have a significantly reduced carbon footprint too, thanks in no small part to Microsoft Teams.

Gone are the days when executives have to fly to every big meeting. “Teams is a fantastic digital tool,” said Kevin.

“Teleconferencing is one of a number of things to have come out of this crisis that are positives going forward.”

The recalibrating of operations and the development of the Neoperl protocol had been timely too.

Together they have been treated as a health and safety project and, as such, risk assessments are carried out on a regular

We feel confident we have a good, workable structure that will take us into the future not just in keeping with Corona virus, but with any other disease or illness that could pose a threat.”

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Kevin said: “We have just over 160 full-time equivalent employees here in Malvern and we knew right from the beginning that good communication was key to keeping them informed during what has been a time of uncertainty and sometimes fear.

“The senior management team has a daily Coronavirus planning meeting, after which we issue a daily bulletin via email to every member of staff and also put it up on notice boards around the factory.

“We’ve got an app too that every employee is able to download on their mobile phone, so no matter what shift they are working, they won’t miss out on important notifications.

“There’s no doubt about it, good communication is key not only to reducing mystery, rumour and fear, but also to conveying the positive actions being taken and signalling the road ahead.”

Neoperl shared the content of its protocol and advice on how to keep production lines operating during a crisis with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce members at a recent Manufacturing Forum.

July/August 2020

FEATURE

STEEL WHEELS KEEP ON TURNING notching up more than 50 years’ service.

When Titan Steel Wheels was recognised with a Queen’s Award in April, the spotlight was turned on the bespoke brand’s expert team tucked away in a quiet village just outside of Kidderminster.

While the citation read that the Queen’s Award for International Trade had been made for the company’s outstanding growth in overseas sales over the past three years, Managing Director Chris Akers was delighted with what it also said about the experienced, adaptable and, indeed, very loyal team based in Cookley.

“That is the real value of the award,” he said.

“It’s not about being able to use it as a marketing tool to sell product, because that just won’t happen. We know all our customers and they know us - they buy what they need from us.

“No, the reason I’m so pleased is that it is formal recognition of a team of people who are doing a fantastic job day in, day out, and have developed a superb manufacturing facility.”

Just over 300 people work at the factory where long-service is the norm rather than the exception. The average length of service for employees is north of 20 years, with very many having retired after

“The average service life in the factory is extraordinarily long,” said Chris, “which means we have a lot of skill, knowledge and experience built up here.

“That knowledge is really important to our product. Each new product builds upon the one before, with each iteration fine tuning the design.”

A global leader today in the field of wheel manufacture for the off-highway and mobile crane industry, Titan Steel Wheels was founded in 1911.

However, the history of the site it inhabits – sandwiched between the River Stour and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal - stretches back to 1650.

Industry there over the centuries has embraced corn milling, iron processing and tin plate production, each in turn harnessing the power of the water on the doorstep to both drive the wheels of industry and to transport the goods ultimately produced.

But, said Chris with a laugh, “you just wouldn’t choose to build a factory there today. Cookley is a small village, with a church and a village green and a river running through it, and then this factory …

“If you were starting from scratch, you would put it on a modern industrial park with good, straight road links, but the fact we are based in the countryside and the beauty of the commute are probably two of the reasons why it is such a nice place to work.”

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Its rural location certainly hasn’t hampered the global growth of Titan Steel Wheels, which exports 95% of everything that comes off the production line.

“We have witnessed substantial growth in exports over the last three years, which was the reason for the award,” he said.

“Most of our product has traditionally gone into Europe, but now we are supplying companies in Australia, China, Japan, and North and South America too.

“Caterpillar, Volvo, Liebherr, all those companies that produce yellow earth-moving, construction and mining machines, they are all our customers – there probably isn’t a country in the world with that kit that doesn’t have it rolling round on Titan Steel Wheels.”

It was a niche market, when compared to that for on-road vehicles, but it was highly specialised, calling for specific tailoring and precise engineering for each and every client.

“Each wheel is an engineered fabrication designed for the customer’s particular machines, need or requirement,” said Chris.

“It is not a product that can be built to stock. It has to be individually manufactured, which is why we are so proud of the team at Cookley.

“It is the largest factory in the world producing this type of product and it is a little gem, tucked away in the Worcestershire countryside.”

027

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Businesses can receive free bespoke 12 hours of support, which can help consider markets, funding streams, scaling-up, IPR protection, technical collaborations and tackle barriers.

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carbon, renewable energy and the power engineering sectors. Most importantly though, they are highly experienced business advisors and mentors.

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They will work with the businesses to implement strategies to deliver these actions.

As much of the innovation advice can be given remotely, the current corona virus has not stopped support from being provided.

Worcestershire is a hot bed of innovation and one example of low carbon innovation which has previously been grant funded, is the HERU (Home Energy Resources Unit) which takes domestic waste and turns it into heat for use in the home.

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

029

EVENTS

TOP TIPS FOR ZOOM SECURITY WHEN HOSTING A MEETING

ONLINE WEBINARS PROVE A HIT WITH ATTENDEES Since the May/June edition of Business Direction the Chamber’s Events team have delivered over 30 useful and informative webinars to an audience of over 1000 attendees. Topics covered include Technology for working from home, the Job Retention Fund, managing mental health during the crisis, using zoom and even maximising your sleep during the pandemic. The webinars delivered have been tailored to the needs of Members and businesses and have so far been a success in bringing people together.

Dene Hazlewood, Owner of Kingsford Events, said: “Being able to interact with

other business people who have also had to adjust their ways of working and tackle the challenge of the fluctuation in demand of work or add in home schooling to their daily routine, has given us all confidence that others are facing similar challenges and we aren’t alone."

Louise Hughes, Head of Human Resources UK at Neoperl, said: “The webinars have been informative and valuable in providing information and guidance at an unprecedented time, when both government advice and requirements for businesses have been constantly and rapidly changing.”

LUNCHTIME NETWORKING SESSIONS PROVE A HIT WITH ATTENDEES In what had become the Chambers speciality virtual event during the lockdown era, the Lunchtime Networking webinar has proven popular amongst attendees, with sessions regularly selling out. The Lunchtime Networking sessions allows businesses to raise their profile and make valuable business contacts. The sessions provide the opportunity for each attendee to participate in a 60 second introduction.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive to this weekly held webinar, Andrew Wood, Director of Home Instead Senior Care, commented: “The one-hour sessions have been expertly run, breaking out into smaller sessions where there is a large group of attendees. Like the face-to-face opportunities, the 60-second opportunity to introduce your business is a huge marketing opportunity.”

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As we continue to use Zoom for online meetings, training and webinars, we need to be increasingly vigilant to avoid security breaches or 'Zoom-bombing' which has increased across the UK and globally. Here are our top tips from the Events Team, and this is what we are doing to ensure we look after our members on our virtual events and training: Don’t allow participants to share their screen. If you have an external speaker who needs to, make them a co-host during their presentation and then revert to a participant.

Enable the waiting room function, so the host can allow attendees into the room when they are ready to do so.

Turn off the function that allows guests to change their name themselves.

Set up a team member as a “co-host” in the meeting for support and to help keep an eye on things such as timings and the chat area.

Make sure you know who is joining your meeting and check anyone you are unsure of.

Ensure your meetings are set up with a unique password each time you set up a new one.

Approve registrations before sending the log on details and the password to participants.

Close registration 1 hour in advance so that people can’t continue to register at the last minute.

Once everyone is on the call, lock the room. You should notify approved participants that this will happen 5 minutes after the call starts.

For further information on the Lunchtime Networking webinars including the upcoming sessions please visit the Events calendar or contact the Events team.

For further information on any upcoming webinars please visit the Events and Training Calendar or contact the Events team on events@hwchamber.co.uk.

July/August 2020

TWO COUNTIES

DISCRETIONARY GRANT SCHEME DESIGNED TO HELP OUT FORGOTTEN BUSINESSES Wyre Forest District Council is now inviting applications from small and medium businesses for the government-funded Discretionary Grant Scheme. The grants are intended to assist small and medium businesses whose income has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and which have not received funding from certain other government support schemes.

While the range of businesses that might potentially qualify for help is wide, it is expected for those businesses eligible to include: Small businesses in shared offices or

other flexible workspaces. Examples could include units in industrial parks, science parks and incubators which do not have their own business rates assessment.

Regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment.

Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates.

Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.

Wyre Forest businesses - find out more and apply here.

Bromsgrove and Redditch businesses – find out about your local scheme here.

NEW PROGRAMME LAUNCHED TO HELP BUSINESSES

HEREFORD BID TO LAUNCH LOYALTY APP

An £800,000 programme which could help businesses as they plan their recovery from the coronavirus lockdown has been launched across the Marches.

Hereford BID has commissioned the award-winning town/city promotion app LoyalFree to boost trade for local businesses as part of a major project.

Herefordshire Council have also kindly given a grant of £10k in support of the app which will become the successor to the famous Truffle Card.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available under The Marches Small Equipment Grant (SEG), which is open to small and medium-sized companies across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Programme manager Caroline Cattle said the grants would meet up to half the cost of installing new equipment to help SMEs create new jobs, boost productivity or launch new products and services.

Paul Hinkins, Chair of the Marches Growth Hub, said the new funding came at a vital time and addressed a gap in provision: “Up until now we have not had a scheme which offered grants to businesses for equipment under £10,000.”

Items purchased under the scheme must exceed £500 in value and have a life expectancy of three years and there is a number of retail businesses that are not eligible for the grant.

Herefordshire Council is the accountable body for the scheme. Full details are available from the programme team on seg@herefordshire.gov.uk or by calling 01432 261511.

COUNTY COUNCIL CELEBRATE HERE2HELP VOLUNTEERS Worcestershire County Council is running the community action campaign called ‘Here 2 Help’ providing support and help for those people who need it during the Coronavirus crisis.

To date, over 2,000 people have got in touch to offer help with shopping, collecting medicine or jobs around the home such as gardening or putting out bins. The Here2Help team is also working with colleagues and partners from the voluntary sector to tackle things such as loneliness and mental health issues.

Lucy Hodgson Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities said: “This year, during what is normally Volunteers’ Week, we are taking the opportunity to focus on those who have stepped up and made a real difference to vulnerable people and those self-isolating during the pandemic through our Here2Help website."

The app will promote various aspects of Hereford City Centre including tourism information, shop offers, event listings, interactive trails and more using an app and smartphone features such as QR codes and will help businesses promote offers and loyalty programmes.

There are many ways for you to get involved. It is vital that the app is populated with as much information as possible so it can be launched to the public and start to help your business and increase sales as soon as possible. The expected launch to the public is mid to late July. Get in touch today to learn how to make use of this Hereford BID funded service by emailing info@herefordbid.co.uk.

If you are in need of non-urgent support find out more about Here2Help and complete the online form www.worcestershire.gov.uk/ here2help.

Marches Growth Hub chair Paul Hinkins

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

031

WORCESTERSHIREBUSINESSCENTRAL

www.business-central.co.uk

COVID-19 RESTART & RECOVERY – THE GROWTH HUB IS HERE TO SUPPORT YOU Worcestershire Business Central has been supporting businesses throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, directing to government support and funding available to help businesses.

For business owners it has been a particularly worrying time, with stressful challenges and decisions at every turn.

With lockdown measures changing, businesses are receiving new instructions and information, needing to put new measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers as they return to work.

During this period of restart and recovery the Growth Hub is on hand to help businesses gather the information they require and the support they need.

Through our business engagement team, our dedicated web portal, and business support webinars, we are on hand to support local business matters - because your business matters to us.

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The Growth Hub will direct you to the unprecedented Government support measures, as well as the local support that is in place. This includes the following: Self-Employment income support Coronavirus business interruption loan scheme Business rates holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Coronavirus job retention scheme

Find out more information on our website, at www.business-central.co.uk.

We look forward to hearing from you, and as always, the Worcestershire Growth Hub are on hand to support all your business needs.

Please contact our team on 01905 677 888 or email info@business-central. co.uk to request a call from our Business Engagement team.

Statutory sick pay Time to Pay VAT deferral Deferral of self-assessment payment Covid-19 corporate financing facility Future fund Local District Council teams Additionally, businesses can access a suite of support webinars to help them recover and restart; to develop new skills, create business strategies, and become more resilient to future events.

Finally, the Growth Hub is asking businesses to complete a short survey, that will help us understand the support you require in the restart and recovery period, and help us inform government on the issue’s businesses encounter in Worcestershire.

Please complete the survey here: https://bit.ly/3cnV0P5

July/August 2020

MOVERSANDSHAKERS

MAPS SOLUTIONS RECRUIT NEW COMMERCIAL MANAGER Midlands based Security & Risk Management company MAPS have appointed Samantha Bennett as their Commercial Manager.

Sam will be promoting MAPS’ services in the professional, banking and financial sectors, building client relationships and will be instrumental in helping clients to keep their assets safe.

MAPS work with clients in the financial, corporate and legal world, providing a wide range of specialised services that offer clients full security solutions.

Sam said: “I am delighted to be joining MAPS where I will be able to combine my financial services and customer experience to help deliver the best possible solutions to our clients."

OLPRO APPOINT NEW PR & DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER

Jack Barnett has joined OLPRO after heading up the PR & Marketing team at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, where he successfully achieved a Level 6 Diploma in Digital Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Jack said: “I’m delighted to have joined OLPRO and it's really exciting to be a part of an award-winning business with a huge customer base. OLPRO has already established a significant presence in national and international markets and I’ll enjoy being a part of a team that is working together to reach new heights.” www.olproshop.com

www.mapssolutions.co.uk

GILL HUTCHINSON FROM AARDVARK MARKETING APPOINTED BETADEN MENTOR The third cohort are being welcomed into Worcestershire’s specialist Technology business accelerator, BetaDen, based at the Malvern Hills Science Park. Amongst the new mentors appointed will be Gill Hutchinson of Aardvark Marketing. Her brief is to provide support as a Technology Marketing specialist.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with these exciting new entrepreneurs, which are a mixture of small technology and start-up businesses” says Gill.

BetaDen applicants must get through a rigorous selection process to attain a place on the 9-month program, with over 100 entries made for this intake of just 8 coveted places. www.beta-den.com

POWELL & CO APPOINTS NEW HEALTH & SAFETY MANAGER

Herefordshire-based Powell & Co Construction Ltd, specialists in the design and build of Poultry Housing & Agricultural Buildings, has announced the appointment of a new Health & Safety Manager, Ted Hodnett.

The immediate priority will be to ensure measures are in place to protect employees and clients as the pandemic situation evolves.

A number of areas will be covered by his role including the review of working practices to prevent incidents and accidents, improving equipment and environmental inspections, introducing audit and focussing on driving a strong Health & Safety culture.

WORCESTERSHIRE PROPERTY CONSULTANCY MAKES SEVEN PROMOTIONS INCLUDING NEW PARTNER Fisher German has promoted David Kinnersley, head of agribusiness, to partner at its Worcester office.

David said: “I am delighted to receive this promotion within a rapidly growing firm, both regionally and nationally.”

“It is excellent that we have seen colleagues right across Fisher German progress, and I now look forward to growing the business with the other partners.”

They come following a strong period of growth for the firm, which saw it merge with Birmingham-based company Vine Property Management last June.

Commenting on his appointment, Ted says: “The business operates in a sector that has comprehensive legislation and regulations to adhere to, therefore I look forward to the setting milestones to drive key health & safety performance measures across all areas of the business.”

Despite the unprecedented circumstances surrounding Covid-19, Senior Partner Tim Shuldham says there is still cause to recognise these professional achievements: “It is important that we take time to commend the individuals and recognise the hard work put in to achieve promotion.”

www.powellbuildings.com

www.fishergerman.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM ENJOY A WARM WELCOME AT HAZELTON MOUNTFORD Mike and Judith Wilson enjoyed a warm welcome when they joined Worcestershire based insurance brokers, Hazelton Mountford, as part of the company’s expansion plan.

Judith and Mike are well known around the Worcester scene and are looking forward to taking their clients along with them as they embark on a new journey with Hazelton Mountford. All parties recognise the synergies, professionalism and benefits that will be enjoyed as a part of the amalgamation and the ongoing plan for expansion.

Gordon Hazelton, Director at Hazelton Mountford, says: “We’re delighted to welcome Judith and Mike to the Hazelton Mountford team. They both join us with a great deal of experience and we look forward to a long, working relationship.” www.hazeltonmountford.co.uk

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July/August 2020

NEW MEMEBRS

MARCHES HOMEMADE DISTILLERY PENRHOS SPIRITS Penrhos Spirits consists of two farming families distilling their own gin in the heart of Herefordshire using their own botanicals. Their vision is to create small-batch, artisan, copper distilled spirits using their orchard and farm botanicals, grain spirit and own natural water.

With their strong farming roots, their spirits use home-grown local ingredients to create their farm-made, hand crafted product.

Located within the historic Herefordshire Marches, Penrhos Distillery uses traditional copper pot distillation for their small batch production and is distilled in a 147 litre Carl.

have captured these natural elements

www.penrhosspirits.co.uk

Founders, Richard Williams and Charles Turner, says: “For generations we have farmed this land and now we in every sense. Carefully grown and hand-picked ingredients that celebrate our provenance and stimulate our senses. Every element of our process

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS WIFI MAPS WiFi MAPS are focussed on delivering a managed service opportunity to businesses that have WiFi connected employees, at the office, at home or travelling, as well as focussing on distributing disruptive, innovative and niche solutions which address, as yet, unchallenged threats to cyber-security, compliance and a safer way of life.

has a purpose and a passion, magically distilled into nature’s own essence.”

Choosing to introduce high-tech solutions with cyber-security, has meant that WiFi MAPS are seeking a small number of resellers who choose to increase sales to their customer base by becoming early-adopters of new and exciting technologies. www.wifimaps.co.uk

SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDER PAGE IT SOLUTIONS Every business is different and having a flexible IT support services provider that gives the right level of care that fits with your business model will enhance efficiency and save you money.

Page IT Solutions believe it’s that personal touch that makes them standout from the crowd. They offer server and desktop administration support, computer and laptop repairs. They also provide advice and support on upgrading operating systems, to understand what you need for today and into the future.

adds the security you need to ensure your business keeps running. Specialists in antivirus and antispam are always on hand to keep you up-to-date and well protected. Page IT Solutions partner with all the global leaders in IT so that the support they offer is a solid solution, based on proven technologies. www.pageitsolutions.co.uk

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SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTS – COPSON SOCIAL Copson Social is a boutique social media agency founded by Holly Copson, an experienced social media consultant with over 10 years industry experience.

Created to offer an alternative to existing digital marketing companies, Copson Social aims to provide businesses with big agency experience without the hefty price tag.

Positioning itself away from the millennial, ‘YouTube generation’ of social media, Copson Social acts as an

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For more please contact holly@copsonsocial.co.uk or visit www.copsonsocial.co.uk.

Copson Social is able to provide full service social media packages, from strategy through to content creation, channel management and training.

They are currently running a Chamber member offer – a 50% discount on an audit of your social media channels.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING IN A POST-COVID-19 GLOBAL BUSINESS LANDSCAPE The global pandemic has changed and will continue to change global markets that companies are already or planning to operate in. And not just the country markets (are they in decline, static or growing?), but also how to access them through existing supply chains including in-country routes to market, international brand development, international marketing communications and ultimately international sales. This article demonstrates how an International Marketing function within a business can provide vital support to companies in a challenging, ever changing post-Covid-19 global business landscape.

Firstly, what is International Marketing and International Marketing planning and what is its function within a company? As well as being part of the broader concept of overall strategic business planning, International Marketing manages the interface between the company and its international markets and clients and the international business environment and its opportunities and threats.

At its simplest level, the role of international marketing ensures that the marketing mix for a company’s product or service matches (changing) international customer needs as well as seeking opportunities to use a company’s competitive advantages to market other products in new and/or existing markets.

At a more strategic level, listed below are some of the vital functions that International Marketing carries out for a business: International market research – global, regional and country markets (growing, static, declining), international and (domestic) competitors, the international business environment (PESTEL factors - Political, Economic, Social, technological, Ecological and

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Legal) the company operates within and the threats and opportunities that are uncovered as a result. See below for how the Marketing function makes use of this market research and data in a constructive, targeted way to generate revenue for a business.

New Product/Service Development e.g. in conjunction with engineering/ manufacturing/operations International brand development International Marketing Communications – advertising, PR, website, SEO, social media, events planning and execution, marketing collateral development International Markets Forecasting and Trends Analysis International Markets Pricing International Channel and Sales Development, Management and Support

WHY ARE THE ABOVE FUNCTIONS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AND RELEVANT IN A POST-COVID-19 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LANDSCAPE? International Market research: Global markets have been massively disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. International markets that were previously strong for companies may now be in decline, markets that were weak revenue earners may now be the reverse. Logistics and supply chain factors may also mean routes to those markets no longer exist or are significantly more challenging. PESTEL factors may all have changed in a company’s existing or target markets which in turn may mean threats and opportunities are now in place where they weren’t previously. Competitor activity may have increased, decreased

or there may be no competition at all. As a result, companies need to re-evaluate and audit their existing and target country markets by ongoing research to understand how to mitigate against risk and take advantage of new opportunities.

New product/service development: Based on market research companies may now need to alter existing services/products or create new services and products to suit the new international market conditions.

International Brand Development: How does a company develop or sustain its international brand in the new business environment uncovered by the research and how does it position or re-position itself against the competition as a result – both globally and at a more local market level. Does the international brand proposition need to be altered, changed or simply reinforced considering competitor and market activity, for example, if a country market sector is shrinking and the competition is strengthening its brand presence through local marketing activity to prevent loss of market share.

At a more strategic level, in the light of these international market and international business environment developments, companies may need to consider completely re-framing

July/August 2020

INTERNATIONALTRADE

or re-calibrating their international proposition and brand to gain competitor advantage and demonstrate differentiation from the competition.

International Marketing Communications: Based on the research and local market audit, how does a company now target and effectively communicate its brand values and proposition to its international markets? The communications mix (website, SEO, social media, virtual exhibitions, collateral, advertising, PR etc.) may need to be developed and/or tailored to target new, existing and potential markets to strengthen and/or sustain a company’s brand proposition. This must also be done bearing in mind local language and cultural sensitivities in order to maximise brand penetration.

Effective international marketing communications also closes the psychic, cultural and therefore the commercial distance between a business and its international market/ client. Effective language and cultural approaches and communication with local markets will be even more important in the current situation given restrictive travel, cancellation/ postponement of international exhibitions and conferences.

Trends, Demand Forecasting and Pricing: New or changing international market and supply chain conditions will influence market demand and pricing. Effective ongoing market analysis and marketing audits will ensure more accurate market trends understanding, demand forecasting for Operations and of course provide the data required to adapt prices to the new market conditions thereby helping to protect margin and maintain and / or grow local market share or, make a decision to exit the market if it is no longer commercially viable.

International Channel Management and Direct Sales and Business Development: Market research will also reveal how robust the company’s routes to their international markets are in the current situation and enable the appropriate Marketing remedial steps to be put in place. How is the local distributor/agent/wholesaler/strategic partner performing? Is the company still operating? Has it had to diversify away from the UK company’s product given a change in local market conditions thereby reducing local market penetration and sales of the UK company’s products a result? Is the channel partner taking advantage of new opportunities – or not?

Is it mitigating against local market risk?

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

The UK marketing operation can adjust marketing support levels accordingly – be that local brand development, distributor/ agent/partner support and marketing communications thereby helping to ensure sustained revenues as a result.

How does the company now sell and market directly to its client/consumer base (if that was the business model previously) now that there is restrictive travel and cancellation or extended postponement of local exhibitions and conferences? Does International Digital marketing now need to perform a bigger role as a result and to compensate?

In summary, never before has the role of International Marketing, as the interface between a firm and its international marketplace, been so pivotal as companies strive to make sense of the new order in global trade so that they can take advantage of new international opportunities and mitigate against the threats of a post Covid-19 international business landscape.

To see how the International Trade team at the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce can help your business with advice and support please get in touch by calling 01905 673 600 or email internationaltrade@hwchamber.co.uk.

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CHARITYNEWS

MOUNT PLEASANT HOTEL TAKES ON 6K CHALLENGE TO SUPPORT LOCAL CHARITY Staff at The Mount Pleasant Hotel in Great Malvern are raising funds for local Malvern resuscitation charity, Heartstart Malvern, that provides free CPR training and maintains 25 public defibrillators around the Malvern Hills area.

BESPOKE 2020 GIN FOR ST RICHARD’S HOSPICE Hussingtree Gin are thrilled to have created a bespoke dry gin for St Richard’s Hospice in Worcestershire.

Inspired by the Hospice’s care for local patients and their loved ones, the 2020 Gin forms part of the Hospice’s 2020 Campaign.

A juniper-led premium dry gin with nuttiness delivered through baked poppy seeds and subtle sweetness from black pear, the inclusion of poppy reflects the importance of memories and celebration of loved ones which is at the heart of the charity’s work.

With just 500 individually numbered bottles for sale, the Hospice is expecting interest in this limited-edition, premium product to be high. Stockists will be announced soon, including at local bars, but for now anyone interested in securing a bottle can register their interest by emailing the Hospice at: appeals@ strichards.org.uk.

Thanks also go to Fairfield Group in Droitwich who printed the labels for free.

Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Director at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “We loved working with the Hussingtree Gin team to create a gin inspired by our care here at St Richard’s.”

“The timing is also significant for us with our fundraising income having been hit by the cancellation of events and temporary shop closures due to Covid-19. Sales from this limited-edition, premium product will help ensure we can be there for patients and their loved ones, when they need us most.” www.hussingtreegin.co.uk

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The charity has recently launched a Heartbeat Appeal and set up a fundraising ‘6KChallenge’ for supporters to raise the profile of the campaign. The appeal target aims to raise £6000 for the year 2020.

AJ Bains, General Manager, said: “Heartstart Malvern has been doing phenomenal work in the Malvern area with defibrillators and training and it is time we pulled together as a community so that they can continue their good work”.

Participants will be doing their ‘6K Challenge’ in different ways: by 6K of walking, 6K miles of running or cycling.

The team are asking people to donate £6 on their JustGiving page and to spread the word that this local charity that helps save lives needs our help today. To donate please visit the team’s JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/themount-pleasant-hotel1.

SJL FOUNDATION DONATES £10,000 TO ACORNS CHILDREN’S HOSPICE Established in June 2009, the SJL Foundation has donated £10,000 to Acorns Children’s Hospice in response to Acorns launching emergency plans in reaction to the Coronavirus pandemic.

of donations that have enabled us to donate to Acorns. The circumstances of the children’s health have not changed, and so I encourage other people to donate too right now if they still have the means.”

Acorns is caring for around 600 families who are self-isolating at home providing packages of food and essentials as well as emotional support at a very scary time.

Toby Porter, Chief Executive of Acorns Children’s Hospice, said: “We are hugely grateful for this wonderful donation from SJL the money raised will go directly towards our vital work in the crisis effort as we reach out to the numerous local families who need our support now more than ever.”

Acorns in the Three Counties, based in Worcester, is continuing to provide end of life care, as well as being a temporary home to children meeting Acorns’ medical criteria, but who are not able to be looked after at home at the present time, or have no home to go to.

www.sjl-insurance.com/foundation

Simon Lancaster, Founder and Trustee of the SJL Foundation said: “I want to thank each and every one of our fundraisers and every penny

July/August 2020

MEMBER BENEFITS

BRAND NEW SERVICE CHAMBERCUSTOMS TO AIDE UK IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS ChamberCustoms delivers a customs declaration service for UK importers and exporters, of all sizes, in every region of the United Kingdom.

With their extensive knowledge, reputation and first-class service in facilitating international trade, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce can take the hassle out of your hands when it comes to importing and exporting goods.

The service is offered direct to businesses and through UK freight forwarders, ensuring that customs clearance is accurate, timely and avoids additional costs through delays or errors.

With direct links to the HMRC Customs handling system and all inventory

linked ports, the Chamber can ensure that your goods, no matter where they enter or leave the UK, will be cleared for onward transportation smoothly and can help you keep your time sensitive supply chains moving efficiently and economically.

Please get in touch if you have any queries about trading internationally or want to find out more about customs declarations services.

Contact the Chamber on 01905 673 600 or enquiries@hwchamber.co.uk

Chamber Customs can offer: A high level of compliance and assurance for customers Confidence on tariff and data entry to remove fiscal risk; backed by the technical expertise of the market leader in this sector A wealth of international trade experience and expertise from across the trusted Chamber of Commerce network UK.

QUEST MEMBER SUPPORT Did you know that as part of your Chamber Membership you get a full package of support for Tax, Health & Safety and HR? All in one place and from a team of experts, the QUEST member support package is essential in these unprecedented times we are facing.

HMRC & TAX ADVICE Members get free access to professional advice from the Tax Advice line (01455 852037 option 4) for any HRMC enquiries. They also have the protection of Chamber Legal Expenses Insurance which includes tax inspection cover should they receive news of a HMRC investigation.

HEALTH & SAFETY ADVICE Health & Safety advice is available through the Chamber Advice Line (01445 852037 option 3). Advice is available during office hours and is unlimited. In the Chamber Document Library there is a range of template documents and information relating to COVID-19, including risk assessments and guidance notes. Any member who

is unsure about their health & safety capability can book a One2One Review.

HR SUPPORT Chamber HR includes unlimited access to HR advice and is available 24/7, 365 days a year (01455 852037 option 1).

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

The Document Library features over 400 employment templates plus a host of further information. Any member who feels they need additional support can book a free One2One review.

For more information on your Quest benefits, click here.

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ADVERTORIAL

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July/August 2020

ADVERTORIAL

WHAT CAN BUSINESSES TAKE AWAY FROM THE RECENT LOCKDOWN? With so many businesses transitioning certain parts of the workforce to (and from) remote working over the last several months, there has been a lot of discussion about the best way to manage this.

There has been all the talk of the logistical elements—which computer is appropriate to use, what should be in the background of video calls, and how will everyone’s internet connection hold up.

And then there are security considerations—how secure is your video calling platform, how do you use VPN, and where are your team storing their files.

But once we got over all the practical stuff, my team and I have spent more time reflecting on our remote working experiences. What we’ve enjoyed about working from home. What we haven’t enjoyed. And how we can bring the good bits back with us when we return back to the office.

Benefits to Remote Working Almost everyone here at OpenCRM found themselves enjoying some aspects of home working…even if it was just getting up a bit later with a shorter commute!

A lot of our developers and non-phone answering people said they found it much easier to “get their heads down” on a particular task. Working from home gave them a reduction in interruptions so they could keep focused on particularly tricky tasks.

Some others cited a more relaxed approach as their favourite thing about working from home. Now we don’t have a very formal uniform in the office, but apparently even jeans and t-shirts is too formal for some! So the relaxed dress code was a winner.

I have to say that I quite enjoyed being able to take our dogs for a lunchtime walk. It was a really nice way to unwind from the stress of the morning and get re-focused for the afternoon Saying that, when it came to pets and kids, the team was a bit mixed in their response. We all have enjoyed getting to spend more time with our immediate families during this lockdown, but the interruptions could make things tricky from time to time.

Downsides to Remote Working In reality, those distractions at home were the thing our team most often mentioned

as making remote working difficult. In some cases, it was kids or pets, in others it was the lure of the laundry basket or washing up bowl. When in the office, those tasks can be happily put to the back of your head, but when they’re in the next room…well, it’s a lot harder.

I will say that everyone found a way to work through these distractions, but the transition was not easy.

Add to that the isolation and worry for family and friends? And I would say you’ve hit the nail on the head with the biggest downside to remote working during a global pandemic lockdown: the mental health challenges.

This was something we as a company (as with every other business making the same transition) had to address very quickly.

Our shift to video calls instead of normal voice calling or instant messaging for scheduled meetings and impromptu chats went a long way to helping everyone feel connected. We also added a “tea and toast” session every morning before the start of the work day, just to take the place of all those little chats you have with your office mates when you first get into the building.

I won’t say that fixed everyone’s worries, but it did help to make us all feel like we were part of the same team. That we were all ‘in this together’.

Transitioning back to the office On balance, there were positives and negatives to having our team all working from home. We did what we could to address the downsides, putting a variety of mechanisms in place to keep people feeling connected and on task.

do you make sure to bring the benefits of remote working back as we all transition into a shared office once again?

The first question is whether remote working could be made a part of your business going forward. For those job roles that CAN work from home and found a benefit from it, should it be something they do a couple of times a week? Or even just a few days a month?

If you have people who are more productive when they aren’t in the office, then you certainly don’t want to lose that!

What about all those people who most enjoyed wearing loungewear while working? Well, you probably aren’t going to change your dress code to allow bunny slippers, but are there other things you can do to make your staff more comfortable?

You could institute casual Fridays, for example. Or relax the dress code for those people who are never customer facing?

The important thing to consider when returning to the office after lockdown is ask yourself (and your team) what elements of home working they’d like to bring back with them to the office? I am sure that an open and frank conversation about the pros and cons will tell you everything you need to know about what your team most values.

Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.

But what about all those positives? How

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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BUSINESSNEWS

LOCAL INNOVATION ON SHOW AT BETADEN’S COHORT 2.0 VIRTUAL SHOWCASE Businesses were invited to join Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and tech accelerator BetaDen for their online Cohort 2.0 Showcase.

Their six carefully chosen entrepreneurs have completed the 9 month technology accelerator programme with BetaDen and are now looking for future investment, industry customers and development opportunities.

Biometrics, Drone Technology, Remote Working Solutions, App Technologies and Proximity Solution Technology.

Developing this exciting new technology ecosystem for Worcestershire’s future economy was never more important, these game changing early stage emerging products and solutions are really starting to promote this vision. www.beta-den.com

The live stream showcased innovation in action with seven minute pitch decks for all six entrepreneurs. The livestream also promoted future global emerging technology products and solutions for industry supply chains and also included a live and interactive Q&A.

ARRANGEMY ESCAPE WORCESTER NAMED AS MIDLANDS BEST TRAVEL AGENT

This celebration marked the successful completion of the second tech accelerator programme for the six BetaDen cohort 2.0 founders, pitches included; Cyber, Identity

PROJECT R&D: A POST CORONAVIRUS ACTION CHECKLIST With R&D tax credits delivering funding of between 25% and 33% of an R&D project’s cost, it remains a key policy initiative for government.

With hindsight you might wish you had surrendered for cash now. Don’t forget you can resubmit your claim and generate a cash injection now.

As businesses look to exit lockdown and embrace whatever the ‘new normal’ is, there has never been a more important time for businesses to review their USPs and R&D tax credits are key to that.

Manage grants - Government support is state aid and can compromise your R&D claim. To prevent this, it is essential you keep records of what is claimed, and structure projects accordingly.

SO WHAT ACTIONS CAN BUSINESSES BE TAKING NOW?

IP strategy - Your R&D tax credit report should represent a comprehensive picture of your current and recent R&D activity.

It is thus a window on your current IP strategy. A catalyst for a business planning review.

Data for later: maximise that claim Scraping your systems and records for R&D data can feel like an unwieldy task, but it is crucial to maximising your claim.

Take some time out to review your data recording systems and processes.

Review past claims - Take some time out to review previously submitted R&D reports. Have all qualifying costs and projects been claimed?

Further information can be obtained by contacting Chris Walklett, Tax Partner at Bishop Fleming by calling 01905 732113 or emailing cwalklett@bishopfleming.co.uk

Capital Crimes: from Intangible Asset to Tangible Cash - R&D tax credit qualifying costs remain qualifying where capitalised as an intangible fixed asset. They are eligible to be claimed immediately in the year the cost is incurred, not over time.

Cash Now or Loss Later - Your previous R&D claims may have given rise to tax losses and you decided to carry these forward as opposed to surrendering for the 14.5% credit.

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arrangeMY Escape are celebrating after being awarded the prestigious title as part of a power-list of the nation’s best agents by industry bible the Travel Trade Gazette. More than 500 travel agencies and branches put themselves forward for consideration for TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2020 – from which a shortlist of 100 finalists across 20 categories was devised.

Jennifer Lynch, General Manager, said: “We are now proud to boast that we’re Central England’s Top Travel agent. All the team are all so proud, in the last two years of being open we have worked so hard on behalf of our clients, to be acknowledged during this difficult time is just brilliant.

There has been much uncertainty surrounding our industry at the moment, Coronavirus has affected each and every business associated in travel, including our own. However, there is positive signs and this brings us hope that we will become stronger, along with renewed confidence in booking with arrangeMY Escape, and this award rein enforces our values. arrangeMY Escape’s managing director, Nick Scott, said: “I couldn’t be prouder of Jen and her team. In 2 short years they have built a brilliant business from scratch and this is evidence of the service, care and value that we are providing to our customers everyday.” www.arrangemyescape.com

Chris Walklett, Tax Partner at Bishop Fleming

July/August 2020

BUSINESSNEWS

HEART OF WORCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE STAFF MEMBER DRIVEN TO SUPPORT NHS Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College) Automotive Workshop Supervisor, Tony Dorywala, has been ‘driven’ to show his support for the NHS amidst the Coronavirus pandemic.

Tony began providing support to the West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) at their Worcester Station to ensure that all NHS vehicles are safe and can stay on the road at such a crucial time.

Speaking on why he wanted to get involved, Tony Dorywala said: “At the start of the National Emergency for Covid-19, I applied (like many) to volunteer for a number of bodies. One group I volunteered for was the West Midlands Ambulance Service at their Worcester Garage Workshops, where I worked a few years ago as a Charge Hand/Supervisor.

My time volunteering was filled by doing many different duties; from housekeeping, collection of parts, minor repairs, and

buddying up in the workshop for larger jobs, to services, mot’s and movement of frontline Ambulances around the region.

HoW College are incredibly proud to have such selfless staff who are doing their bit to help our local area – and in turn help the NHS as a whole – during such unprecedented times. www.howcollege.ac.uk

KINGS SCHOOL WORCESTER HEAD OF DT PRODUCES MASKS TO SUPPORT LOCAL NHS Head of Design and Technology at Kings School Worcester, Mr Wilson, has been using his skills to help support local NHS surgeries by creating masks to help protect front line staff.

Mr Wilson, reviewed what was being offered by other Design and Technology teachers and created his own mask from supplies he could easily access: “For me, 3D printing was not the best solution.

It would take 3 or 4 hours to make a single mask (which might end up being single-use and thrown away) and many suppliers have sold out of the materials needed due to a surge in demand.”

Mr Wilson added “I applied a bit of problem-solving to the task, and developed a way of turning safety specs

into masks. I have posted the process in various national and international Design and Technology Facebook groups because I felt that many teachers who might be unable to 3D print or laser cut masks for one reason or another, might like to copy the design. The response has been enormous! The masks function well and are easily washable.” www.ksw.org.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE COMPANY PRODUCING TYPE IIR MASKS Ultrafilter Medical Ltd is part of the Ultrafilter Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high efficiency filters predominantly used in the pharmaceutical and food and beverage industry. With over 40 years of filtration experience Ultrafilter is today one of the most innovative filtration companies and has applied it’s knowledge and expertise to develop Type IIR facemasks of the highest quality, locally in Herefordshire, UK. Ultrafilter has utilised their knowledge and expertise of filtration and filtration media to develop the Ultramask and have worked closely with their material manufacturers to develop their own proprietary filtration media which has a significantly improved performance.

They have a certified medical production for filling all requirements of the ISO 13485 with current production capacities of more than 2 million masks a week.

For more information please visit www.ultrafilter-medical.com

MARCHES BOTTLING AND PACKAGING USE NEW FINANCE TO HELP FUND THE PRODUCTION OF NEW HAND SANITISER Seeing the demand for hand sanitiser, Marches Bottling and Packaging started producing to the World Health Organisation’s recipe. With the help of Susan Vaughan’s cousin, Kate Turner, at Penrhos Gin, providing the alcohol, the two cousins were able to create a trusted product.

Marches Bottling and Packaging is currently responding to new orders from local surgeries and care homes to help protect their staff at work, as well as offering the product to the general public through local grocery stores.

Sue Vaughan, Director of Marches Bottling and Packaging, said:

“Our business has been built with the ability to react and adapt quickly, and we’re delighted to be able to support the UK’s fight against coronavirus by supplying frontline workers and members of the public with our own Two Cousins hand sanitiser.”

To find out more please contact sales@ marchesbp.com. www.marchesbp.com

Sue said that diversifying to make the hand sanitizer has helped to keep them afloat during the crisis, with their sales seeing a decline. Following a recent conversation with the Chamber’s Department of International Trade (DIT) team, a case study of their new product was sent to DIT London HQ. Minister Graham Stuart (Minister of Trade) read the case study and asked to speak to Sue directly.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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LASTWORD

THE THREE C’S: COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY The big debate: What is the future of communications and are industry leaders, press and associations doing enough to prepare for the new normal?

As we begin to move through the phases of the Covid-19 recovery strategy businesses are beginning to come out of hibernation, look to the future and explore the challenges presented by going back to work. With this in mind and with a view to exploring the issues surrounding comms at this time DRPG hosted The Big Debate.

Through the medium of virtual broadcast, the creative communications group based in Hartlebury brought together special guests from publications and associations representing events, comms and digital for a roundtable discussion and temperature check of the various sectors. The Big Debate addressed issues such as the future of communications, how sectors and industries are persevering, and what support is available amidst the disruption as businesses re-evaluate their strategies and move forward to adapting to the new norm.

The panel represented many of the channels which make up the internal and external communication sector, from PR to live events, film and video to digital solutions. The breadth of expertise on the panel meant a balanced overview of the challenges of the last 10 weeks, and more importantly the opportunities for the future.

THE PANEL INCLUDED: Caroline Clift, Editor at Stand Out magazine Claire Fennelow, Executive Director at EVCOM Martin Fullard, Editor at Conference News Holly Hall, MD at BIMA Simon Hughes, Vice Chair at BVEP Francis Ingham, Director General at PRCA Andrew Thomas, Publishing Editor at Communicate magazine While the creative industry is facing severe challenges, the crisis has accelerated some positive trends benefitting the industry: the rise of digital, the highlighting of brand reputation as most valuable asset and facilitating working from home.

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Collaboration has come to the fore: trade bodies and associations have done great work encouraging collaboration between businesses and subsectors and supporting each other, putting the needs and interests of their people first. Sharing venues, collaborating on events and sharing ideas and experiences.

Mentoring and sharing workforce and capacity throughout the comms industry has been indispensable and this shouldn’t stop once this crisis is over. This is a chance to improve the platforms to help the collaboration to continue.

A collaboration between comms and events will be vital as live events begin to start back up. Events will require extensive PR and marketing campaigns to consistently create reassurance within the public, accompanied by some form of certification of safety levels.

Confidence is low and events are on the backburner until 2021. Businesses still need to communicate so this service sits with comms and digital.

Dale Parmenter, CEO of DRPG commented after the broadcast, “While the outlook may look bleak for certain sectors of our industry, there is most certainly grounds for optimism. Gathering experts from each field including those from both press and associations has been a fantastic chance to share an overview of the challenges faced but most importantly to discuss the

learnings that have resulted from this time of crisis.”

“As has been expressed throughout the debate, it is the collaboration within our industry that is paramount to its survival.

All parties are equally committed to seeing the industry successfully weather this storm, and the first step to achieving this is open and honest communication. We must continue to work together and support each other to see our industry grow once again.”

The overriding sentiment from across the board is that the UK creative service industry are particularly good at adapting, changing business models and moving forward in times of crisis. This has been achieved through effective collaboration between sectors, associations, and businesses.

There is no denying that the concepts helping businesses to weather the storm have been the three C’s: clear communication strategies, collaboration within industries and even among competitors and a healthy amount of creativity. With these three tools in any business’ arsenal, not only will they find themselves surviving the crisis, but flourishing.

For further information and to hear how the experts expanded further please view the debate which is now available to watch here.

July/August 2020

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