BE SURE TO
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF
Your health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance, especially in the world of business! Be sure to understand how to look after your health, as this can have a huge effect on your work ethic.
8
TIPS FOR BEING A GREAT LEADER
Leadership coach, Anna Jester, shares her advice on what makes a great leader in a post-pandemic world.
HOW IMPORTANT IS
PERSONAL
BRANDING? Ensuring that all your collateral is on brand is key for business continuity - including all your business photography.
ALL ABOARD THE TRAIN Ecommerce is ever growing - it can be a great way to build your business.
Photography courtesy of Laurence Jones Photography
BUILDING A
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LETTER FROM Welcome to Spring 2021 and slightly surprised to find snow on the ground today! Just goes to show that we should never be too surprised when life and nature throw us a few surprises and challenges we weren't expecting. I am especially delighted to see so many businesses excitedly reopening following the easing of trading restrictions and wish them all massive success! Fantastic to have you enjoying the April 2021 issue of Talk Business Magazine and our ongoing thanks to the amazing iPlus Media team for pulling it all together. A few new features this month including the Meet the Business and Meet the Member articles. We love to showcase the brilliant individuals and businesses that are in the Talk Business family and having the opportunity to highlight the inspiring Tidal Training business and also the fascinating work of Hana Smiddy who juggles a property business and a flying club! If you feel we could feature your business then please let us know. Once again we have a video link to one of the Thrive on Thursday sessions we hosted recently. This time we have Neil Morgan taking us through the Branding Process. We have a wide range of topics covered including leadership, health, motivation and features on ecommerce and the Kickstart scheme. Our thanks to all the Talk Business members for generously sharing their knowledge and experience with us. Talk Business UK is a membership organisation that develops and organises events and experiences to help local businesses and organisations from all sectors and sizes to connect and create opportunities to build long term and meaningful business relationships. We would love you to be part of this family.
JONATHAN SMITH DIRECTOR AT TALK BUSINESS UK
TABLE OF How to stay healthy and boost your immune system ... 06 Thrive on Thursday ... 08 The Kickstart Scheme ... 10 Building the future; motivating yourself with compassion ... 12 8 ways to be a brilliant leader in a post-pandemic world ... 13 Meet the Member ... 18 Why Print? ... 20 What is personal branding photography? ... 23 April’s Business Showcase ... 25 SaddleUp ... 26 All Aboard The Ecommerce Train ... 31 Talk Business Members Directory ... 33
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Talk Business Magazine is published by iPlus Media.
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.
Editorial & Advertising: hello@talkbusinessuk.co.uk Telephone: 01789 330 003 | Website: www.talkbusinessuk.co.uk
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TALK WELLBEI NG
HOW TO STAY HEALTHY.. .. AND BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM As the return to work gathers momentum in re-opening Britain (again) for business, staying healthy is our main focus in these challenging times.
What is the best advice for keeping your immune system healthy and functioning at its best to help fight viruses? As in ‘normal times’ the advice is pretty much the same: ensure you have adequate rest and sleep, exercise regularly, eat well, and stay hydrated. But eating the right foods and drinking the recommended daily intake of fluids are particularly vital.
DID YOU KNOW.. ..that 70% of your immune system is based in the gut, so boosting your immune health through good nutrition, proper rest and good hydration is important to help fight off infection?
How can I eat healthier? Vitamin and minerals — particularly A, C and E, as well as zinc — play an important role in keeping the immune system strong so that it can fight off any germs and illness. Consider your plate of food and make sure each meal contains a balanced mix of vegetables and lean meats or fish, combined with dairy and healthy fats, and this should deliver what you need to help keep your immune system strong.
Prebiotic and probiotic foods support a healthy gut flora, and this is why it’s important to eat foods such as fruits, vegetables, kefir products and yogurts.
Why water is best Your body needs fluids and electrolytes to function at its best, especially when you are suffering symptoms like a fever, coughing, diarrhea and sickness, which can easily dehydrate you. Proper rehydration helps with illness recovery. Healthy hydration levels can also help your nose by maintaining the health of the mucous membrane and decreasing irritation when coughing and sneezing. Rehydration drinks and sachets with electrolytes are readily available in the supermarket or pharmacy and good to take relieve symptoms associated with illness-related mild to moderate dehydration to replace those lost fluids. Fizzy drinks and those with a lot of sugar like sports drinks are not such good choices for sorting dehydration symptoms resulting from illness because of their higher sugar content which can make stomach issues worse. Plus, sugar is bad for you for other health reasons. Plumbed in water coolers and fountains provide excellent ways to keep your team topped up. With a small footprint most brands deliver over 100 cups of chilled
water per hour and comes as a free standing or desktop model. Instant boiling taps also do cold and sparkling water as you want it – 3 and 4 in 1 taps do it all. So, to take the best care of yourself when returning to the workplace don’t miss meals or forget to refill your reusable or glass at the office water cooler. Good nutrition, hydration, rest and exercise will all help boost your immunity and help to keep you healthy. If you are in need of some PR work for your B2B or B2C business then get in touch with Pentacom Marketing & PR: email at cathryn@pentacomagency.com or call on 07768 410097 or visit www.pentacomagency.com
TALK M E E T I N GS
THRIVE ON THURSDAY Thrive on Thursday talks have been created to help you and your business take advantage of the knowledge of leaders in their fields and to grow in your business. As part of the Thrive on Thursday Marketing sessions, I recently completed a presentation on ‘The Branding Process’. Brand and branding are issues which affect businesses of all sizes and it is important that we understand the process. How does branding fit within your brand journey? What research and planning should we consider before branding or re-branding? What are the elements that make branding memorable and successful? What is the importance of the implementation stage? Why do we need to constantly review the impact of our branding? These are all questions which are tackled in this presentation. For those of you who could not make the recent session, you can see my presentation below.
BE THE LEADER your eight-year-old self would want you to be
“Working with Anna grew my knowledge around leadership exponentially, enabled me to recognise my existing values and strengths and build on them – it has transformed my perception of leadership and of myself.” VP of finance, global manufacturing company
LEADERSHIP COACHING
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
LEADERSHIP CHARACTER hello@jester-consulting.com
jester-consulting.com 07802 294 857
TALK O PERATIO NS
WHAT IS THE KICKSTART SCHEME?
THE
KICKSTART
SCHEME
The Kickstart scheme is an idea that the UK government put forward in September 2020, the idea is to help 16 to 24 year olds, who are on universal credit and at risk of long-term employment, to gain relevant work experience and employability support to help them get into long-term work as soon as possible. An initial £2 billion has been provided for this scheme, and there will not be a cap on the number of places available, this £2 billion is intended to provide funding for over 250,000 Kickstart jobs. The scheme runs until December 2021 at present but it is expected that the scheme will be extended beyond that date due to the significant take up so far. The most recent statistics from 4th February (https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/res earch-briefings/cbp-8965/) show that since the kickstart scheme was launched over 100,000 job placements had been approved and over 2,000 young people had started jobs. As well as SMEs a number of large companies have taken part in the kickstart scheme, companies such as Amey who have created 60 vacancies and Marks and Spencer's have created 360 kickstart vacancies. Excitingly for some lucky Kickstart employees, our very own local premiership rugby team, Gloucester, have also decided to take part in the Kickstart scheme and they have a number of vacancies for 16 to 24 year olds to come and join them in various roles.
Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. - ARISTOTLE
What does the Kickstart Scheme cost? Each Kickstart placement lasts 6 months and the DWP will fund the Kickstart employee’s salary for 25 hours per week at the appropriate minimum wage for their age. Employers can choose to top
much more smoothly and more quickly, employers are already appreciating the benefits of the Kickstart scheme even more and the Kickstart employees are getting the benefits of the experience, working and getting employability training to help them stay off benefits and in long term work.
up the pay and the hours themselves if they wish but it is not a requirement to provide any more than 25 hours work per week. The employers have a responsibility to provide employability training to their Kickstart employees which is funded from the £1,500 grant provided by the government to each Kickstart employer. As well as training, the grant is also expected to cover the cost of equipment, uniforms, management time, HR costs and other costs associated with taking on your new Kickstarter. The Job Guru provides a full package of training and support services that have been approved for use by companies taking part in the Kickstart Scheme, (for more information please get in touch by email or visit www.thejobguru.co.uk/kickstart-scheme). Taking on a Kickstart Employee should be cost neutral at the very least and should provide a benefit to the business through having an extra pair of hands working for the business at no additional cost.
Teething troubles Unfortunately, due to the unprecedented number of applications the DWP have struggled to efficiently manage the process which has left employers disillusioned with the Kickstart scheme. However, it was to be expected that they would be teething troubles with something like this scheme, especially as the Kickstart scheme is a completely new idea, it was created at short notice and at a time when resources were limited anyway. These teething problems are being rectified and the process is running
Changes have been made to the Kickstart scheme already, at the start of February the government removed the limit of a minimum of 30 kickstart placements per application which forced small businesses to group together or to use gateway organisations to put an application in. Now employers can submit an application directly themselves for one or more vacancies this is a much simplified process from an employer’s point of view, they don't need to go through a third party Gateway, the grant funding is paid directly to themselves and they have more control and more awareness about what is happening. It will be interesting to see what further changes will be made over the next few months because the scheme certainly has a lot of potential benefits for both employers and for young people who are claiming universal credit and want to make sure that they can get back into long-term work. More support is now available to Employers wishing to take part in the Kickstart scheme, for example to make it easier to apply to take part in the Kickstart scheme the DWP have created a page on their website with tips on completing the application successfully https://bit.ly/3sEUep6. Companies such as The Job Guru (www.thejobguru.co.ukkickstart-scheme) are providing additional support with webinars providing information about the scheme, helping with the application process and providing HR support and Employability training that is required under the scheme.
For more information about the scheme please join our next webinar www.thejobguru.eventbrite.co.uk, or you can learn more by: visiting www.thejobguru.co.uk/kickstart-scheme or getting in touch at kickstart@thejobguru.co.uk
FUTURE;
MOTIVATING YOURSELF WITH COMPASSION This has certainly been a year like no other. With the effects of the pandemic still difficult for many businesses, uncertainly and upheaval will continue to play a huge part in our lives. Many will face the task of rebuilding or rebranding their business and the motivation required to do this can be difficult to access in the face of the fatigue we are all experiencing. Many of us have learned to motivate ourselves in a highly competitive and individualised world by being hard on ourselves and in many ways this strategy may have been rewarded, though at what cost? Research has shown that practicing self-compassion, self-encouragement and acting as your own ally or coach during stressful times is a better indicator of sustainable success than harsh self-criticism which can set up a vicious cycle of a fear of failure and inability to persevere and try again. Perseverance and stickability are qualities that are needed by all business owners, especially now. The recovery phase will also require a certain level of innovation and creativity which are all hampered by the unhelpful strategies of the inner critic who generally compares us unfavourably to the next person. Some may fear that self-compassion will make them weak, lazy or self-indulgent, but the research shows that people with higher levels of self-compassion are generally more proactive and can create a sense of inner
safety which helps them to confront their mistakes and failings, make positive changes in their lives and continue to set themselves high goals. There is more to self-compassion than being kind. It is the motivation to be helpful and not harmful and about developing the courage to recognise and admit the difficulties we face and the wisdom to know how best to help ourselves through. It’s also about recognising our shared common humanity and that although at times we can feel alone and be tempted to withdraw the reality is that every successful business has had its fair share of failings and mistakes. It’s about developing the resources within ourselves, to keep going through adversity. Next time you notice your inner critic discouraging you and demotivating you, crank up the part of you that best knows what you need to keep moving forward. The wise part of you that has supported you through other periods of difficulty. Talk to yourself with encouraging tones just as you would support a friend or fellow business owner. The good news is that self-compassion can be developed over time and with consistent practice. Kirsty Lilley is an experienced and award-winning mental health trainer, coach and mindfulness teacher. If you want to know more about Kirsty, head to her LinkedIn page for her latest updates. Connect with her today: https://bit.ly/3qz3fyE
8
WAYS TO BE A IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD
Whether we lead an organisation, a team, a project or a specific activity, lockdown has thrown us a fair few curveballs. With so many of our ways to communicate, connect and collaborate seemingly turned upside down, there’s been a lot of talk during the pandemic about the need for a total re-think on how we lead. However, when we look at the leaders (in all walks of life) who have done a brilliant job throughout the last 12 months or so, from where I’m standing their leadership approach hasn't had to change at all. Granted, it might have been delivered slightly differently but it’s remained entirely focused on the age-old principles of leading others that have never actually changed (and probably never will).
A TIMELESS RECIPE FOR LEADING OTHERS In all of the work we do to support successful people to become brilliant leaders, we focus on eight key ingredients which, together, form a timeless recipe for leading others. So what are the eight ingredients? Whether we’re in a pandemic, an economic crisis or a market boom, when these eight ingredients work hand in hand, the magic happens all round. Leaders feel confident and informed, teams feel valued and empowered and organisations flourish and fly.
Jester Consulting’s website is having a facelift ahead of some exciting news next month so get in touch with the team to find out more:
ONE
hello@jester-consulting.com.
YOU - uniquely you on your A-Game Any leader can only be a brilliant leader when they understand who they are and how that determines the way they lead. As a leader, what are your superpowers (AKA big strengths)? What are your values and beliefs? Where are you vulnerable and where do you need help? This is the ONLY starting point on any leadership journey and results in authentic leaders who are valued, respected and loved.
TWO
HUMAN - human connection trumps all The pandemic has led to the biggest blend of personal and professional in history - so many of us have literally taken our work into our front rooms, opening up visibility of so much more of our lives and families than ever before. The immediate move to normalise and embrace this from Jacinda Arden on the eve of the first lockdown decision in New Zealand role modelled a human approach superbly watch it here. Human leaders prevail.
FELT - feeling first and foremost ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ (Maya Angelou). Even the toughest conversations can leave people feeling valued, respected and heard. Leaders who openly share how they feel and demonstrate compassion leave an aura of good feeling. Check out a brilliant pandemic example of this from the Marriott International CEO, Arne Sorenson here.
FOUR
TUNED - we learn nothing when we’re talking Leaders who listen, deeply, are lifelong learners and get things right, so much faster, with the support of the people they serve. One CEO we support set up company tribes the minute the pandemic hit for homeschoolers, live-aloners, parents of young adults, gym missers - and more. It resulted in immediate support networks and a way for her to hear the needs and challenges of her people firsthand. Brilliant leaders tune in.
Leaders need to connect with both the left and right-brain, the visual, audio and written learners, the introverts and extraverts, the ‘thinkers’ and the ‘feelers’. If you’re a leader, it’s essential that you mix up how you communicate across a variety of platforms (even those where you feel less comfortable). There’s no one size fits all, even in a pandemic. Creating communication that has different colours and is accessible to all is also vital.
CHAMELEON - don’t just be one colour and always mix it up
RESPONSIVE - everyone has a plan until... ‘Everyone has a plan until you get punched in the face.’ (Mike Tyson). Being responsive as a leader is about more than having a plan B, C and D. It’s about responding to the human being, the emotion, the question in front of you. The leaders who are there, visible, available always and who say, ‘right now, I don’t know, but I’m fighting with every fibre of my being to work it out’ have triumphed through the pandemic (and always will).
SEVEN
CURIOUS - beyond the seen and heard
The definition of curiosity is to be eager to know or learn something. When we demonstrate curiosity with our teams, colleagues or customers - it feels great for them and it unlocks insight we would never get to otherwise. We suggest leaders ask at least two totally open questions at the start of every conversation, one to one or with the team. Even in the midst of challenge, make space for curiosity.
EIGHT
FUN - Jestology™ in all times Leaders who laugh and help others to laugh create a culture of openness, learning and fun. Fun is so much more than jokes, it’s activating the power of storysharing, connecting through celebration, laughing through shared experience. We call it Jestology™ and it’s an essential ingredient in the leadership mix, in good times and in times of challenge.
TALK
MEET THE MEMBER
ME MB E RS
Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed for the latest Talk Business Magazine and in this interview, we want to get to know the member better to share with our readership.
MEET
HANA SMIDDY
What is your name? Hana Smiddy What do you do for a living? I’m Assistant to Michael Plomer-Roberts MD of Mike Roberts Property and Take Flight Aviation Ltd. What is the name of your company or the company you work for? I work for both Mike Roberts Property where we own and manage a portfolio of 10-character commercial properties inclusive of 6 multi tenanted, fully serviced, business centres in Warwickshire and Take Flight Aviation where we offer aircraft hire and flight training up to PPL (Private Pilots Licence) Where are you based? Warwickshire and Oxfordshire How would you describe your job? As Assistant to an incredibly busy and creative MD like Mike I would
describe my job as a heady mix of the mundane and the inspired! Along with generally running the businesses; monthly invoices, purchase ledger, service charge management, leases, viewings, renewals, maintenance, general sales, marketing and tea making I organise insightful events for the members of Take Flight Aviation. I’m also mentor for our Apprentices and feel very passionate about offering educational days and work experience to schools, colleges and organisations like the Scouts and Guides. We also offer charities a thrilling way to raise awareness and funds by completing the Loop the Loop Challenge! Something really exciting I’m are working on is ‘Cockpit Conversations’, a new series on our You Tube channel, where we take people off the air into the air and
have a chat while flying over their home town. Lockdown restrictions has slowed us down a little but now flying is back from April 12th we’re raring to go. We have some amazing guests lined up! Check out previous episodes here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAMqWFpKOhKRaCsj U8YKZz0lr9Y2jXU2M
How long have you been doing what you do? 7 years Do you have a typical client profile and what is it? Mike Roberts Property would be ideal for the business owner looking to move out of their home office and into a more professional space with character. A business owner who has a larger HQ office but looking for a regional office where they can offer less of a commute and social distanced working but still within a town that caters for their staff, on the high street, with all the amenities. Finally, larger businesses looking to downsize, which is more common as a result of the pandemic. Take Flight Aviation is looking for the aviation enthusiast; the current pilot looking for the best hire rates and terms out there. We have no restrictions hire, if you need a plane for the whole day, the weekend or even a week, Take Flight are for you. We are also looking for the future pilot seeking to gain their pilots licence and be surrounded by inspirational people. Any organisations looking to host a unique event or offer sales incentives can find assistance at Take Flight, and finally, people wanting to buy that special gift, a gift of flight! What do you enjoy about what you do? I love the people. I feel inspired by people and their passions. I get that with both the property tenants, when they’re excited about their businesses and their teams’ successes, and the members at Take Flight Aviation. There is something very special about being on the ground when a student
pilot lands from their very first solo flight. What do you do outside of work to relax and unwind? I hang out with my son and husband. We love walking our dog Lando (our crazy Springer Spaniel) and Hayden and I love roller blading in the park. I’m also learning how to play Fortnite so I can team with my son - I was a fan of Super Mario Brothers circa 1996 – the games are so different now though! I love to read and listen to podcasts. I really enjoy the gym and can’t wait for the Body Pump class to come back soon. What is your favourite cake? My favourite cake is any cake - I couldn’t chose – they’re all too yummy! I love to bake so there is always a cake of some sort in the house (hence the ‘looking forward to the gym reopening) Tell us one thing that people would not know about you? People may not know I’m a Scout Leader, 1st Leek Wootton Beaver Scouts, and I celebrate 5 years’ service this year. My claim to fame is that I was the first ‘girl’ Scout! I never fancied girl guides and my mum was a Scout leader. When they said girls could join the scouts which was only for boys… I was the first in the queue! How can people get in touch with you or connect with you? We are everywhere on the socials you’d expect to see us, so do check us out. I can be found on LinkedIn: Hana Smiddy | LinkedIn or you can email me at office@mikerobertsproperty.com, or on the telephone here 07432 321 615.
TALK M AR K ETING
WHY PRINT? In an era of digital domination does print still have purpose? In this article we take a look at why printing is still relevant and why marketers should use print media to stand out from their competitors and attract audiences.
WHY PRINT? It is more important than ever for brands to maintain their share of voice and to ensure that creative communication is more relevant and engaging than their rivals. How can this be achieved when it is so easy to get lost in the day-to-day competitive world of social media and digital marketing? This is where print cuts through the noise; when used thoughtfully print marketing can produce fantastic business results, and here’s why….
DIGITAL OVERLOAD - Consumers today constantly face more and more information online - people are overloaded with digital information. “Mail is open, read or filed giving it a 94% engagement rate, compared with an email open rate of 20% and click through rate on
online advertising of 5-10%.” - Royal Mail Market Reach.
A QUESTION OF TRUST - Print is seen as an honest, dependable source, when compared with digital media. The term ‘fake news’ is often banded about with the validity of online sources often being questioned. “Print advertising is trusted by 82% of respondents, compared to just 43% for social media advertising.” - Marketing Sherpa
PRINT GETS NOTICED - Print is tangible, you can touch and feel it. You can pick different materials and use various printing techniques to provide a sensory appeal that words on a screen just can’t compete with.
BETTER RETENTION RATES - Digital media is often ignored, deleted or scrolled past but studies have shown that consumers have better retention rates when consuming print, coupled with this, print is longer lasting; “A piece of mail can remain in a home for more than 28 days, reinforcing a message for a month, and giving the brand presence in the home.” - Nicky Bullard, Chairwoman & Chief Creative Office MRM/McCann & Royal Mail Market Reach
GDPR COMPLIANT - Working from home has become the norm for many, now is the ideal time to run a targeted direct mail campaign. In
addition consent is not required from the consumer to mail them in their own home.
WORLD LEADER IN SUSTAINABILITY - The print and paper industry is a world leader when it comes to sustainable materials, renewable energy and recycling. ‘Go Paperless – Go Green’ is one of the world’s biggest myths and is known as Greenwashing. Paper remains one of the best environmentally friendly media.
PRINT AND DIGITAL However, having said all this there is no denying that digital marketing is here to stay, the best way to get results is therefore to combine print and digital marketing. Print can be used effectively to increase traffic to digital channels this can be achieved by, for example, using social media handles on printed material, QR codes linking to websites, unique URLs or even SMS codes which enable potential customers to connect online. These techniques can lead to increased response rates and greater tracking of leads. Combining your digital marketing with print creates a dynamic marketing strategy that will reach your target audience and deliver return on investment. For more information about the benefits of print, read the Why Print? white paper produced by Prontaprint by clicking here; www.printers.prontaprint.com/reports-publications
For more information on Prontaprint, please visit: www.printers.prontaprint.com or email us on hello@printers.prontaprint.com
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TALK M AR K ETING
WHAT IS
PERSONAL
BRANDING
PHOTOGRAPHY?
AND WHY IS IT DIFFERENT FROM A HEADSHOT? For a small business owner, an online presence is a necessity. For many business owners who offer a personalised service, that online presence needs to reflect the brand values of the business. It might be being seen as an inspiring leader, a thoughtful advisor or teacher, a creative artist or a dynamic coach. It might include outstanding customer service & care along with expert status. The brand shows what someone stands for and is known for, rather than just their commercial intent or their local celebrity status. The brand then helps immensely with marketing, because the core values
BRANDING PHOTOS Branding photos for a TV presenter and vet based in the Cotswolds.
Branding
photographs.
BRANDING PHOTOS A few branding photos from the collection of leadership coach Anna Jester (see also the cover photo). There’s a consistent splash of the same key brand colour in most of the images.
are clear, attracting ideal clients while helping to filter out prospective clients who aren’t a good match.
But how to best to communicate a brand? A bespoke collection of on-brand images that portray the whole ethos, values and personality of the person is one way. This is personal brand photography, and it’s very different to a few headshots. It might be a portfolio of over 100 professional images that includes the person in a variety of roles and locations, reflecting who they are, their message, the service or products that they sell, together with personal and business items that have stories behind them.
Combined with text that clearly communicates, these can be used to reveal the values and journey of the person, making them much more credible and relatable. Marketers will recognise this “high quality collateral”. With the need to give websites and social media more & more content, a collection of images like this can be invaluable, providing many months worth of content. It can be tempting to use stock images, but they are generic and not unique to a brand. Plus there’s no consistency. To create your own brand photography library, a good starting point is to take photos of the things that have been important to your business journey. Anything from your diary, your first business card, the little things that inspire you, images that match your mood, people that helped, where you work, etc. All this helps build the know, like and trust that is so important to attract ideal clients. To create the best photos of small items in good light, put them close to a window, but out of direct sunlight, and take a series of photos while you have everything setup. Layflat shots, taken from directly above, are popular. Perhaps get a friend or two to act as your clients and create some photos of you providing your service. Planning of clothes and location are key. Getting photos of real (and happy!) clients is a fantastic way to accompany glowing testimonials. There are lots of good reasons to start building a library of images about your business. The author, Laurence Jones, is a personal branding photographer based in Warwickshire.If you are in need of some personal branding images, please get in touch: www.ljonesphotography.co.uk
TALK S U PP ORT
WE INTERVIEWED CLARE SEED FROM
TIDAL TRAINING DIRECT LTD When was the company founded? April 2017 Where is the company based? Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
How many staff does the company have? A team of 10 paramedics and first responders What does the company do? Teaches workplace first aid to support HSE requirements and to give staff the confidence, skills and knowledge to assist in the event of a workplace accident, injury or emergency. What is your company specialism? High quality Ofqual regulated safe and socially distanced face to face First Aid training, focussing on practical skills such as CPR how to use a defibrillator, choking and seizures. We teach all subjects first aid related from anaphylaxis to wound care management.
Do you support a charity, if so who and how do you support the charity? We actively support several charities and local appeals. Our key partner is GWAAC. Director Clare is the Co-Founder of Public Hearts Cheltenham - raising awareness and numbers of lifesaving defibrillators in Cheltenham. Learn more here: https://tidaltrainingdirect.co.uk/public-hearts-ch eltenham-24-hr-public-access-defibrillator/
Why is the company a great company to work for? With over 120 5-star reviews and a reputation for outstanding training, what our clients reflect about us is much more impactful than anything we could say about ourselves! Nothing is more important than helping some-one when they need it most and that’s what we take the greatest pride in teaching.
www.tidaltrainingdirect.co.uk
Give our readers an insight to what you do: Here’s a poignant story of how vital learning first aid is, read here: https://www.facebook.com/dordie.ketley/posts/1 563753680485288
What is the company vision? To teach first aid and life saving skills to the best of our ability to help someone when they need it most Where are your customers based? (local, national, international)
England and Wales How does the company attract new customers? Referrals, recommendations and renewals
APRIL’S
BUSINESS
UP
As industries grapples with sporadic sales, supply chain issues, restructures and redundancies it is so important that we stick together, innovate and demonstrate inherent human values of generosity, hope and kindness.”
There is still time and energy to invest in people who have been made redundant.”
Thankfully, our industry may be less affected than others, as customers focus on home improvements and renovations.”
Other industries, like the Arts and travel are having a torrid time and have my full sympathy. I believe the SaddleUp! vision will work across all industries.”
I had no idea that people, complete strangers, would actually want to talk to me, it was more an offer for those people who were notified of redundancy that they were not alone, there is a way forward and it may be better than the role they already had!”
Fisher & Paykel’s David Woollcott launches a not-for-profit to support redundancies.
Our vision is to reduce the personal and psychological impact of redundancy, understand the circumstances, give hope, show respect and encourage meaningful, ‘forward-facing’ steps. After hearing of a large number of lay-offs, I was upset and concerned so I sent out quick post to my LinkedIn network (whilst making dinner), offering free advice and a listening ear. By 7am the following morning, this single post had received 50,000+ views, countless shares from all over the world, hundreds of heart-warming words of encourgement and 70 requests for call! That’s a lot of social media action for someone who specialises in luxury appliances! Being the MD of a growing organisation in the UK, 60 hours per week is the normal. By 9pm
that evening, I had completed 3 fascinating video calls and was booked out until October. The need was demonstrated by this small activity and I was determined to find a wider application and scale it, quickly. The need is now and this had quickly become my ‘side-gig.’
“WHO SAYS THAT REDUNDANCY IS ALWAYS A BAD THING, AT TIMES IT IS A RELIEF!” Following a call out on LinkedIn, appointments were booked. By mid-August, I have completed more than 50 calls with would-be strangers to help them through such challenging times. It has been an incredible experience, one which has given way more to me than it has taken. This is what I have spent some of my evenings and my weekends doing. Thanks to the first callers, I now have a model on which I want to improve and build on. I want to create a not-for-profit. Already, many have found their next role and when they write to me I cannot explain the happiness I feel, that I was able to help and encourage an unknown professional, in their moment of anguish. When we help one another, without commercial gain or favour, it is an amazing feeling and it’s needed now more than ever! In 18 years, I have directly and indirectly recruited over 300 people and am recruiting currently so have a long history of what stands out, what attitudes are required and how to ‘SaddleUp!’ I cannot sprinkle fairy dust or wave a magic wand but it is amazing what peer-to-peer encouragement can do; how it can turbo-charge someone’s self esteem. The Government is reporting record redundancies, not seen since the GFC and companies are planning for the end to the furlough support arrangements. It’s an unsettling time and we cannot rely on the Government alone to find the solutions. It
is businesses, large and small and individuals who will drive our economy back to full strength but it will take some goodwill and charity from our leaders across all business sectors. “In reality, we may see that our industry fairs well as people focus on their home environments by investing in their kitchens, bathrooms and gardens. Afterall, the annual trip to the Med, Cornwall and France or further afield has been difficult if not impossible to achieve this year. In the meantime, companies may well shed staff to save costs and protect their core.” The government has spent a fortune propping up industry and providing a life-line to most sectors but they have admitted that redundancies and the social consequences will be severe in the short term. The impact on mental health and families is more severe still. At this time, the strength of our industry is in its ability to drive competitive forces for the good of our customers, whilst sticking together and collaborating. At Fisher & Paykel, we understand human values deeply and are encouraged to lean on these at all times. If our team can commit energy to these causes, we are more than happy to support it. With this thought, I decided to build a concept for a small not-for-profit and commit just 2 hours per week to those who wanted to talk to me. I have nothing special to offer, apart from having been made redundant in the past and having made redundancies myself, I am also a good listener and take a deep interest in people. What I don’t do is give advice! Both being made redundant and making redundancies are horrible, emotionally draining experiences which need supporting by peers, friends and family. I decided I can offer this in addition to leading the changes going on in our own business. The weekends and evening provided a window in my diary to connect. The project is called ‘SaddleUp!’ It only
exists as a small communications platform on LinkedIn and FaceBook, supported by friends and experts who are guiding me through and providing encouragement. Some of my contacts and colleagues have been incredibly generous with their time. This isn’t my typical area of expertise! They are all seeing the need, they get the concept immediately and cheering me on. Many of my friends who have been made redundant or have suffered a career wobble wish that they had a free, no pressure service like this to get started. I am not a psychologist or trained councillor, this is important; I don’t offer advice. But what I do focus on is listening and steering the professional towards their own way of thinking, their own plan and their own future. I then try to chunk it down into some small steps. This isn’t a complex skill and I’m confident that I can find the right people from all sectors to join me, in time. Each caller has been at a very different stage. Some have been furious and needed someone to vent to, I was happy to take this call as confronting as it may be. They can’t shout at their spouse, their family or their friends but they can tuck into me! Hearing the relief when they have said what they have always want to say is amazing, it’s the beginning of the rebuild. During the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, pubs and restaurants were closed, so this avenue of light relief was also shut off. Some were pragmatic and relaxed but just wanted a business leader, manager or mentor with an empathetic ear to understand the concern and see it impartially. I also shared my experience of redundancy and having made great people redundant, both of which were deeply unpleasant. I think it is important to understand that the HR Manager or business leader who is sat
across the table takes no pleasure in making a redundancy. It is often a commercial necessity to save the business and the remaining employees. The vision is to recruit fellow industry leaders (or leaders outside of my industry) who have been in a situation, which is a reality of today’s environment. The truth is, many learn from the experiences and go on to do bigger and better things, look at Oprah Winfrey, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs and millions of others…. They were all made redundant and went on to do amazing things. My Dad was made redundant in 1980 and went on to set up his own business, which was successful, he wouldn’t have done this without a letter of redundancy. I am also much happier following my own redundancy and want to turbo charge this line of thinking in others. There are between 50,000 – 100,000 people who are made redundant in any given month in the UK. That is around 17,000 per week! It is a financial burden, a mental health issue and a destroyer of confidence. My vision is to tackle the mental health issues and the damage to self-esteem in good time to allow a bounce back, a Saddle-Up! The economic impact is also vast. Our ability to bounce back as a nation and not take a set-back, a national tragedy as a mortal wound will be incredibly important. I want to call on
industry and civic leaders in all sectors to engage very directly with those who are personally impacted. This means opening up. Employers are also terrible at the redundancy and restructuring process in my experience. It is full of litigation, silences, fumbled communications, NDAs and that all lead to frayed relationships and potential PR disasters. We need to understand the human element and treat each other as equals, as humans. There is fear on side of the employer as well as on the side of the employee. I can’t think of a more artificial, in-humane process from employers who were once your biggest supporter. No wonder it feels like a betrayal. Long term, I would like to see wider and longstanding IR and employment reform where a redundancy process is outlined before someone is employed. Competitive and comparative forces will be then be set up to drive improvements. Fisher & Paykel has a strong social focus and an even stronger set of human values. We apply this to our customers and our own teams. SaddleUp! has its own LinkedIn page and Facebook page but remains in its infancy. David is working with his contacts and friends pro bono to build a website quickly to expand the reach of this free of charge service. The limits will be my time, so I need to recruit a team of ‘Saddlers’ from different industry sectors willing to give up 2 hours of their week.
- A peer to peer, human to human call where the Saddler listens to someone in their approximate industry who has just been made redundant. - Experiences and insights are shared, empathy is shown and a relationship of mutual respect, encouragement and hope is built. - The Saddler can also review past employment, LinkedIn profiles and CVs and provide a few hints and tips to get started and become slowly future focussed. - SaddleUp shows that leaders across a wide category of industry sectors cares for its people, supports them in challenging times and understands human frailties. - SaddleUp also respects companies who have had to make difficult decisions
- SaddleUp isn’t medical or psychological and shouldn’t be presented as such. - SaddleUp doesn’t generate revenue or refer to businesses who charge fees, it isn’t a pool for recruiters. - SaddleUp doesn’t provide fixed advice or steer conversations.
WHAT’S NEXT? More research, more fact finding and more calls. As it exists at the moment, it is working and of great value for some people who I am connected with and that’s good enough for me.
If you want more information about SaddleUp! find out more on LinkedIn: Keep up to date: https://bit.ly/2Qicc2X
Ultimately, I believe in a bigger topic, a wider conversation and more decisive action from each and every one of our business and civic leaders across the country and would love to think that SaddleUp! could be the inspiration.
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TALK O PERATIO NS
THE ECOMMERCE A staggering 17.2 million Brits have turned their attention to online shopping in recent times and it’s a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. At Stratford Storage and Distribution (SSD) we have seen a significant increase in enquiries and new customers in the Ecommerce space. It’s an exciting time, for new and existing online sellers, but the complexities and jargon can also feel like a blocker - luckily, we are here to keep it simple!
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? Opportunities in Ecommerce, also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, have never been greater yet in other ways more complicated - including the confusing Brexit import and export red tape and the rising costs and limitations to using fulfilment centres, such as Amazon.
THERE ARE FOUR MAIN TYPES OF ECOMMERCE: B2C (Business-to-Consumer) B2B (Business-to-Business) C2B (Consumer-to-Business) C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)
Product: If you’re just starting out, the first step is knowing what products you want to sell and it’s quite easy to feel like you’re in a ‘sweet shop’ but there’s a few key questions to ask yourself, to ensure you create a product offering that’s timely, relevant and meaningful: - What products, niches or industry are you particularly passionate about or interested in?
- What products, niches or industries are your friends passionate about?
stock in real time, customise their brand and reporting.
- What pain points do you have in your own life?
Distribution:
Storage: Start-up’s in particular often don’t factor in storage, both in terms of cost and capacity (often your living space!) You’ll need to think about where your product is being taken once it has been dispatched to you from the supplier – your home, office, lock up or unit? All of these options have overheads and may also not be the most secure option. For existing sellers, planning to ensure you can scale quickly for your business is key, to ensure you have greater capacity for both permanent or intermediary space between your product arriving and going to a fulfilment centre, such as Amazon. Fulfilment: What does fulfilment mean? In essence it’s the process that ensures your orders leave where they are stored, in the way that fits with your offering. It’s important to think about using a partner who understands your fulfilment needs - via an easy process, on time, in great condition and presented in a way that represents your brand. If you are existing seller make sure your provider is able to easily integrate with your existing platforms; at SSD the Mintsoft platform meaning sellers can check their
The most important outcome is that orders are delivered on time, whether it’s to a fulfilment centre or directly into the hands of your customers. If you are a start-up you might have already spent time queuing at the Post Office - not ideal if you want to grow the business and get the best rates for distribution! Make sure you work with a partner who gives you great accountability, with full tracking and proof of delivery; we think this is absolutely key to ensuring that your customers get a great service, and you get peace of mind. For those operating on a larger scale, from platforms such as Amazon, QVC and Ebay, SSD are able to ‘Fulfil By Merchant’ (FBM) to your customer. Our experience means we know the areas that sellers, new and existing, can get stuck on. Our approach means we can flex and work with you on your journey, to grow, scale and everything in between! Talk to us about how we can support you, so you get your products into the hands of your customers in time, cost effect and stress-free way – you can also download a copy of our Get Started In Ecommerce Guide HERE. April marks our 5th Birthday – join us over on our social channels to celebrate! Insta: @ssd.ltd Facebook: /SSDLtd
If you want more information about SSD, you can visit the website: www.ssd.uk.net, or call 01789 777 905 and email at office@ssd.net.uk
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