North East Business Magazine by Jeff Fitzpatrick

Business

Never just business as usual

Meet Dan Robinson, rising star of the North East business scene

Never just business as usual

Contents

Page

Welcome

Business News

The Business of Business

Business Profile

Favourite Business Videos

Emyth Masterminds

Finance – getting paid!

Sales, Marketing & Networking

Social Media

Digital Marketing Fresh Networking

24 26

The Most Famous Advertisement Ever? 28 Your Life in Business

The Big interview – Dan Robinson

info@digitalpublishingservice.co.uk Women on Top

Web: http://nebusinessmagazine.co.uk

Telephone: 0845 226 9126

Land mail:

Business Lifestyle

The Business of Giving

Growing Your Business

Going for Growth

The Tees Valley Boom

It’s the Law

Publicity Seeker’s | The Innovation Centre – Hub Two Venture Court | Queens Meadow Business Park | Hartlepool | TS25 5TG

Never just business as usual Welcome to ne Business Magazine,

Jeff Fitzpatrick

Our new magazine has been produced specifically by business owners for business owners and managers based here in our home, North East England. Our aim is to inform, educate and also to entertain a little too! Across our pages, you will find articles and news from and about locally based businesses, and some of the personalities who work in or own them. We are trying to devote around one-third of our available space to such matters. The remaining pages bring you business information, advice and guidance. Like you, in our businesses we have to take on many roles. As well as running your business, you could easily be the head of such functions as finance, sales & marketing, operations, transport, customer service and many other functions that big businesses employ specialists to undertake. We also find ourselves having to take on tasks that large businesses tend to buy such as PR, legal services or recruitment. No-one can have the knowledge and experience needed to do all of these things well. Our passion and objective is to do everything we can to fill those gaps in knowledge and experience. Ultimately, we want to help you to manage and grow your enterprise, to help you to maximise it while having a great, balanced lifestyle.

Do contact us if you would like to raise the profile of your business. Let us have your news, press releases and let us know if there are specific topics that you would like us to cover. Warm Regards Jeff Fitzpatrick ~ founder Email me: jeff@digitalpublishingservice.co.uk

Ways To Subscribe To NE Business Magazine

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Never just business as usual

Business News We keep an eye on business developments in the North East region to help you to keep your finger on the pulse. Every new initiative within a business is highly likely to provide an opportunity for suppliers and represents an essential business intelligence if it occurs in your sector

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Best Sellers that you should not miss!

Or – if you prefer to read rather than listen, buy it

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Here →

An internationally respected leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and author, Dr. Stephen R. Covey has dedicated his life to teaching principlecentred living and leadership to individuals, families, and organizations. Dr. Covey has been awarded seven honorary doctorate degrees and has also been recognized as one of Time magazine's 25 most influential Americans Free Kindle Reading App Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones, tablets and computers. Click through to amazon here:

Refurb for business centre

what companies should focus on to improve workforce wellbeing. The factors analysed include weight, diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, mental health, cholesterol, blood glucose levels and blood pressure, as well as how often people attend health screenings.

A North East Business Centre has undergone a major refurbishment to accommodate some of the region’s growing small businesses.

The findings show that the North East has the highest proportion of employees, with 31 per cent, at risk of developing health problems across some categories.

The Pinetree Centre, based in Birtley, has invested £36,000 into refurbishing and improving the building with new carpets, office space and ceilings following a small fire that caused smoke damage throughout an entire floor.

The Centre is currently home to 28 businesses including driving school Pass N Go, British Gas Smart Metering and Kare Plus Durham. It offers support and competitive tenancy rates for small to medium sized enterprises, specialising in start-up companies. Office Manager Laura Goldston said: “We have invested in a new and improved centre to provide the best environment for businesses to thrive and grow.” North East needs some health tips? North East England is home to the UK’s least healthy employees, according to a study by health insurer VitalityHealth.  The research analysed lifestyle, behavioural and clinical risk factors to assess employee health and understand.

C&A Pumps enter the social housing market A North East engineering firm has taken its first step into the social housing market, beginning its development with one of the region’s biggest suppliers.

C&A Pumps & Engineering is working with Gentoo Group to build a pumping station to service a new build site at Stonebridge, in the Neville’s Cross area of Durham.  The pumping station, based on the site of an old dairy, has been designed by C&A to meet the strict requirements approved by Northumbrian Water Ltd to service the 24-home development.  Alan Roberts, Managing Director of C&A Pumps & Engineering, said: “This is a landmark contract for us and hopefully the first of many.”

Training firm sets sights on key issues With half of UK startups still failing to get over the five-year hurdle, Sandler Training (UK), a business development consultancy, has commissioned research to get insight into the key issues that held business founders back in the first stage of their company.  According to a survey of 200 small business owners in the North East, who have successfully been in business for over five years, 29% revealed that IT issues were the biggest hindrance of the first year, followed by pricing (28%) and decisions on personnel (17%).  The timing of a business is also crucial, with nearly half (47%) stating that they wish they had started their business over a year earlier.  Startups in the North East are also spending a significant amount on outsourcing and external consultants – averaging £19,890 a year. Despite these high figures, 44% of business founders state that, if they could turn back time, they would have outsourced more.

RAW hit the 1,000 mark North East based digital and social media training company ‘RAW Digital Training Ltd’ has announced reaching a significant milestone of 1,000 trainees, since the company’s inception.  From its Stockton on Tees base, RAW specialises in courses designed to enable businesses everywhere to answer the challenges of the modern business arena, by up-Skilling staff in a broad range of digital and social media skills.  The point at which the company broke the 1000 barrier came during a series of training events organised by a joint enterprise for business in the Tees Valley area.  RAW Digital had been specifically selected as a partner, to deliver training to several hundred participants.

the economy. The Billingham-based business has adopted a clear progression route for new and existing drivers to counteract the shortage resulting from older drivers leaving the industry.

£3m growth Improvements

for

Pennine

Home

House proud northerners looking to add value to their properties have helped a local company grow sales by 38% over the last three years – with more business than ever expected in 2015.  Pennine Home Improvements has revealed that sales of its products, including conservatories, orangeries, windows and doors, increased by more than £3 million between 2011 and 2014, soaring from £8.04 million to £11.1 million.

The company has grown its workforce by one-third to allow it to meet consumer demand. As a result, more than 40 new jobs have been created since January 2011.  Pennine now employs 150 staff and is currently recruiting to fill another six positions to help continue to expand the business. Nicholsons enjoying life in the fast lane A Teesside transport company is continuing to enjoy rapid growth in 2015 despite the impact of a driver shortage in the sector. Nicholson’s Transport has recruited five new staff since the start of the year as it benefits from the upturn in

Managing Director David Nicholson said: “We are certainly a growing business, having taken on new drivers adding to the six we recruited last year. The volume of palletised goods coming into the North East has increased significantly in the past few months.” Eight apprentice posts at Go North East A North East bus operator is creating eight new apprentice posts in an expansion of its engineering training programme in partnership with Gateshead College.  Go North East, which is the region’s third largest employer, has announced the new jobs following the success of its recently-launched apprenticeship scheme that was designed specifically for the bus firm.   Eleven apprentices are currently on the course and the new places will bring the intake up to 24 trainees with four apprentices maturing in September 2015.  The eight new apprenticeship positions are for body repair, mechanical and electrical engineers. After completing the four-year programme, the Apprentices secure permanent full-time jobs at one of the company’s eight depots and gain a Transport Engineering Maintenance and Technical Certificate.

Regional advertising at crazy low rates! How to advertise in NE Business Magazine Digital advertising is different. You can include images, links, video, audio, sliders, autoresponder forms and a lot more. Find out more:

Never just business as usual

The Business of Business Whether it is finance, HR, operations, marketing or any other business function, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss the wealth creating information that we have packed into this section of the magazine. Keep up to date with our scan of what is important across every business sector

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Business Profile

Japan is never far from the mind of upand-coming craftsman Edward Walton as he gets to work on his ever-growing order book in his modest Hartlepool workshop.

Since returning to the UK and setting up his firm, Edward Walton Fine Furniture, the quietly-spoken tradesman is confident enough in his ability to crack the market.

Far East culture inspired this 30-year-old bespoke furniture manufacturer. Having completed a two-year course in the trade at the Building Crafts College, in Stratford, before jetting off to the land of the rising sun to broaden his horizons.

He said: “I take my inspiration from what I learned in Japan, and how the tradesmen out there work.”

Edward, who married a Japanese woman, spent six months in his wife’s homeland back in 2009. Nine weeks were in a highclass workshop alongside some of the country’s most intricate designers including respected Shokunin craftsman Masaki Kondo.

“The time and detail they spend on a project is amazing, they are so focused and that made an impression on me.” “There is a Far Eastern influence in my work. When I am in the workshop, I listen to a Japanese radio station. It helps to take me back, to think of what I experienced in Japan, and to keep it with me.”

“The people I worked with in Japan know their materials, they research them and know how the wood behaves. Overall, they have a far greater understanding than we do, and they use techniques that we have somehow lost over the passage of time.” Asking Edward for an example of his work is not as easy as thumbing through the pages of a High Street brochure to see what he can throw together. Edward’s customer base reflects the description of “functional art” that he ascribes to his work. He added: “Everything has to have a use. There could be a tall cabinet style piece with a drawer in it. It could look like a work of art, but you could put your keys in the drawer when you walk in the house.” “It has to have a use; it has to be functional. I am currently working on a glass desk for a client in Essex; he has asked for wooden drawers to be incorporated into it so all of a sudden it has a use other than being a table.” “Each piece is unique, there is a use of organic shapes, natural shapes, they determine the basis of the piece. People have their ideas about what they want, sometimes I am asked to visit their home to get a feel for what they want.” “Everything is a challenge to me, and I like the fact I can challenge my ability.” “A piece of furniture always has a story. Customers want to know how I made it, where the wood came from, and the techniques used to get specific effects.”

“Every piece I design and build is unique. I am creating heirlooms to be passed down through generations. As well as the Japanese influence, I admire Joseph Walsh. He is just a little bit older than me, but he was self-taught and has gone from strength to strength since setting up in Ireland.” “I’ve met him a few times and I admire not just his work, but how he works.” Once a customer places their order, Edward makes sure they are kept updated on how their piece is progressing from the earliest stages. Edward studied at Yarm School and now lives in Norton in Teesside. He is currently working on orders for people across the UK and has high hopes for a bright future – even though he is not sure where that could be. “Five years down the line, who knows where I will be?” he went on. “Maybe I could be in Japan? I could still be here working in a bigger workshop.” “I have some exciting plans and ideas to move the business forward in time, but sometimes you get that lucky break when someone spots your work, and things explode from there.” “We will wait and see.” For more information about the firm, call 07817 071677 or visit: www.edwardwaltonfinefurniture.com

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Business Videos Below we present two short videos that we believe every business owner and manager should see.

https://youtu.be/V_qO7NFp4-s

This inspiring video from TED Talks has huge implications for anyone wanting to build a following as a leader, build a brand or for just about sales or marketing purpose.

https://youtu.be/ZUG9qYTJMsI This Dollar Shave Club advertisement has been hugely successful and shows how any one of us could imagine and produce a video to promote our business easily and inexpensively.

Emyth Masterminds From amazon right now! Where it falls down!

If you are in business or if you are thinking of starting a business, then you simply can’t afford to miss the message embodied in Michael E. Gerber’s book The E-Myth Revisited. I know that thousands of North East-based businesses have benefited from this work. In many cases, they may not even know that they have gained from it! For example, if you have heard and realised the importance of the phrase “work on your business, not in your business” then you have benefited from Gerber’s seminal work. If you have not already done so, I really, strongly urge you to read this book. Click the image of the book to get hold of it

There is no doubt that this is a great business book. However, it will not do you or your business any good unless you put into practice what you learn from it. I was recently at a £10,000 per head business owner’s seminar at which delegates gave their greatest concerns in respect of the programme. Up there, the top business concern was that they would not act on what they had learned. It quickly became clear that learning and understanding are not enough of a motivation to get most business people moving. However, it was also clear that having to commit to actions and report on progress to other business people was enough to do the trick in most cases.

The E-Myth Mastermind Group With all of this in mind, we decided to set up a Mastermind Group. This is a group of like-minded business people who want two outcomes. First, to learn how to improve and grow their businesses by learning together and to commit to change based on that learning and second to challenge each other to act and report back on those actions. We expect a great atmosphere of trust and mutual support to be built very early in the process.

Together, the group members will work through a series of tasks that will help them to analyse their business, to identify its potential and to map out an achievable route towards their goals.

KINDLE

We already have all of the templates and material needed to get everyone started. However, we will add to this going forward and ensure that we meet the needs of each sector from which members represent. The materials will be available to members to use to pass on the learning and advantages to the people employed in their businesses.

We envisage that members will access everything they need through the internet. They will not need to attend formal face-toface meetings. However, we will not be surprised at all if group members change this or if individuals decide to meet up themselves.

Webinars to facilitate discussion and interaction with other business people from the region. Business templates to help you to construct financial, marketing, staff development and a range of other plans together. Networking between members.

What membership will provide

Great value

The benefits of membership will, no doubt, grow and develop and the main advantages will come from the relationships that are formed. That said, a more tangible list of initial benefits has been developed and will include:

Because the E-Myth Mastermind Group is online it carries few overheads, it is a very LEAN operation. We are therefore able to offer Founder Members a very special deal, at least for a short period. Annual membership costs ÂŁ100, and there is no VAT to pay!

â&#x20AC;˘ A two-hour, non-mandatory meeting in your business, on your business to help us to understand how we can best help you to take full advantage of the FREE TO MEMBERS benefits that we offer.

If you would like to know more just tell us, whom to contact. Email: jeff@digitalpublishingservice.co.uk

A full eLearning programme will cover the processes needed to organise and grow a business.

Finance

A Financial expert has urged small businesses to be tougher when it comes to chasing unpaid bills – or face the risk of bankruptcy. Figures released last summer, compiled from data collected by BACS, shows small and medium-sized enterprises as being owed a staggering £39.4bn in late payments. That rocketed from £30bn the previous year, and a similarly astronomical figure is expected later this year. Bridget Holmstrom set up BH Financial Tuition after 17 years working with some of the biggest names in the international hotel sector. She now works with SMEs across the North East to offer training and help to understand business finance.

Bridget, who also runs workshops and mentoring sessions to help clients deal with their Cashflow, says smaller firms need to toughen up when it comes to collecting what they are owed. She said: “All businesses should have a contingency amount, a pot of money to cover that unexpected bill or demand.” However, is often swallowed up if there is a long wait for payment. “Construction is a particular problem area in paying bills, you hear a lot about 90 days being taken for payment, but often that period can be as long as 120 days. “That is a long time to wait for a small business. We hear of many firms not

being able to manage cash flow and going under as a result. “In my view, such a long wait for payment is grossly unfair for SMEs.”

According to the BACS research, six out of ten small businesses are owed late payments. The average is £38,186 owed to small businesses in overdue bills. One in four of these companies warns that if the amount owed were to rise above £50,000, they would face bankruptcy. The problem is also costly when it comes to time, with up to 10 hours a week being spent by businesses chasing unpaid bills. Bridget runs her firm from the Evans Business Centre in Middlesbrough. She is on the committee of the Teesside branch of the Federation of Small Businesses and says plenty of advice is available for any companies struggling to chase payments.

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“All deals are done in good faith. However, when it comes to the point when a company is struggling to manage as a result of bills not being paid then it causes significant cash flow problems. “It is good when payment comes within the agreed timescale. However, missed payment dates can cause cash flow problems. BH Financial Tuition provides a package of support, advice and training workshops for individuals, organisations and business managers. For more information, call Bridget Holmstrom on (01642) 714698 or e-mail bridget@bh-financial-tuition.co.uk.

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Never just business as usual

Sales, Marketing & Networking The world of sales and marketing is moving fast. What was working yesterday may not work today or tomorrow. This is particularly the case in the world of digital marketing. In the current environment no business can ignore the absolutely essential need to maximise on the world of the web

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Social Media To Tweet or not to Tweet – By @Katy_Moody_PR At the start of this year, ONS data estimated that around one-quarter of UK internet users would be on the social media platform Twitter.

conversation and appeal to your market so leave the sales jargon in the office if it is not relevant to the audience you are addressing.

Whether you’re one of the masses or still shying away from the Twittersphere, there’s no denying that Twitter plays a big part in how we communicate and should be a included in your firm’s marketing strategy.

A Twitter account will not create direct sales but will generate useful leads and steadily build your reputation. With 300 million global Twitter users and growing. My advice, get Tweeting. Tweet me at:

If you are missing out on the Tweeting, then there’s a good chance your competition is already reaping the benefits.

@publicityseeker, @Katy_Moody_PR or #NEBizMag My Twitter Three Top Tips

Remember to work backwards, what do you want your Twitter account to do for you? Do you want to attract more clients? Build awareness about a new product? Alternatively, even just keep tabs on the competition. Find your Twitter market and exploit it.

1. Always include a call-to-action on your company’s Twitter page. This could be a phone number on your header, a link to your website in your bio or even pin a Tweet with contact details to your profile page.

The best way to do this is to use hashtags. A lucky few users may stumble across your account, but without putting out regular targeted Tweets you might as well be talking to yourself.

2. A full profile page. No one Tweets an egg, so make sure you have a relevant profile picture (usually your company logo), an engaging header and a completed bio with a location and a link to your website.

Research is key, a simple Google search into your industry’s Twitter hashtags will tell you exactly where your target market congregate and which hashtags to reach them.

3. Hashtag away. Aim for at least one hashtag in every Tweet, unless you are directly replying to someone. This will maximise your re-Tweets and allow your posts to be shared further.

Once you have your hashtags at the ready, content is key. Your Tweets should spark

Digital Marketing A whole new world of possibilities The advertisement on the next page is a mock-up. We put it together to illustrate some of the features that can be built into a digital advertisement. To be fair we could have built in a lot more features, there is a large and rapidly growing range to select from. Some of the available options have been listed below.

2. Brochure downloads buttons. 3. Surveys, quizzes or competitions. 4. Audio – music, interviews, etc. 5. “Read more” buttons for longer features. 6. Direct from page selling. 7. Pay per click banners The list is almost endless. To find out more download our FREE guide just:

However, back to the mock up and its features: • Video, not only could it be any video, the factors such as whether it starts on a click or just when the page is entered can be controlled. • The sign up box is live and will collect prospect contact details. • Of course, direct links to any web page can be included. • Don’t miss the live social media buttons, hugely important these days. • Event registration links and bookings can be taken. • There are “rolling” images. In this case for different used vehicles, but it could be houses or any other product or service. Other elements that could have been included are, for example: 1. Direct email links.

Fairfield

letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travel together

Your call to action message could be placed here!

Fresh Networking

This month a business group with a difference, Fresh Networking, has celebrated its first birthday. The networking event that was set up for young professionals in the North East was launched last year as a series of informal sessions mixing business and social. The group holds regular events throughout Newcastle, allowing members to meet for drinks at a chosen venue and then carry on to bars and clubs. Peter Garland, one of the group’s founders, said: “I run a marketing company in Newcastle and while setting up, found it so difficult to find a spare moment, never mind having a laugh and making new friends. So I thought we’d combine the two.” “The idea of the group is at first friendship; we do not want this to be a heavy selling environment or forced networking.” “We always pick a relaxed atmosphere for a Friday night for our members to have a few drinks and enjoy themselves. People are always going to do business with people they like.”

“It is great to be celebrating our first birthday and to see just how far Fresh Networking has come. We’ve already had a big birthday bash with our members at Aspers Casino.” Although the group is targeting young professionals, there is no age limit. Peter added: “As long as you are young at heart, professional and fun, you are always welcome and to bring a friend too.” The group has recently introduced a small donation for each event to cover the costs of the growing group alongside donating 50% to the Princes Trust. Peter continued: “The small donation is simply to keep up with admin, extras and also drinks offers we put on throughout the night. Anyone is welcome to come and we’d love to see some more ‘Fresh faces.” For more information or to join Fresh Networking visit: www.freshnetworking.biz

Forex Trading can be lucrative, easy to do and can leave you with plenty of time to enjoy yourself!

Advertising The Most Famous Advertisement Ever Placed? The Most Famous Advertisement That was Not Placed? - $100 prize if you can find it.

On 8 August 1914 (5 days after the outbreak of WW1) Ernest Shackleton and his team left Britain on an epic journey of exploration to Antarctica on the Endurance. This turned into one of the most arduous and heroic failures of all time. The plan was to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. Early in 1915, ‘Endurance’ became trapped in the ice, and ten months later she sank. Shackleton’s crew had already abandoned the ship to live on the floating ice. In April 1916, they set off in three small boats, eventually reaching Elephant Island. Taking five crew members, Shackleton went to find help. In a small boat, the six men spent 16 days crossing 1,300 km of ocean to reach South Georgia and then trekked across the island to a whaling station. The remaining men from the ship were rescued in August 1916. Not one member of the expedition died.

Despite the failure, Shackleton remains a legend and one of the most celebrated leaders of all time. The famous and perhaps mythical advertisement has been searched for over several decades without success. The Antarctic Circle, a non-profit organisation www.antarctic-circle.org is offering a $100 prize to anyone who can confirm its existence.

The advertisement is one of Julian Lewis Watkins: The 100 Greatest Advertisements 1852-1958 Who wrote them and what they did. The book has more than 100 illustrated examples of successful promotions demonstrating the ingredients that make ads click. These are the effective ads that sold millions of dollars of merchandise, from Rolls Royce automobiles to Lux Soap, Coca-Cola, and Campbell’s Soup. Discover how the ads came into being, explained in their creator’s words.

Kindle

Never just business as usual

Your Life in Business A rare insight into how some successful business people balance the all consuming need to concentrate on business while having a life. We bring tips, tricks and information that could really change your work life balance, let you excel or just make coping with the stresses of business life a little easier

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The Big Interview Dan Robinson

AT only 38 years of age, Dan Robinson has packed more into his life than many people twice his age. Not only is he a real life Top Gun, he was also the first and only non-American to fly the F-22 stealth fighter jet for the United States Air Force. However, he’s home now, he’s finally laying down some roots and in this edition’s Big Interview, the chairman and chief executive of Gus Robinson Developments Ltd gives an insight as to what his life is like away from the boardroom. Here Ian Willis speaks to one of the UK’s most talked-about bachelors. Life is beautiful for Dan Robinson.

He has recently moved into one of the most prestigious properties in his hometown of Hartlepool having bought the derelict, Grade 2 listed building almost four years ago. Dan pumped a hefty six-figure sum into a stunning renovation, which has taken more than three years to complete.

are my favourites. So is Life is Beautiful. I love that film.” When the significance of his last choice is pointed out, he is quick to react. “I see what you did there, very good! However, yeah, I guess life is beautiful. In the past few years, I’ve given a lot to other people and in my business, everyone except myself,” he added. “But I am at a point now where my single biggest priority is to be happy.” If anyone deserves that, it is Dan. His life was turned upside down in November 2011 as he sat in his New York apartment and took a call from home to give him the devastating news his father, Gus, had taken his life. He went on: “Everyone assumed I’d leave school, go to Uni then come back and work in Dad’s business.

A top-of-the-range BMW is parked up in the courtyard driveway at the front, and the walk-in wardrobe is home to his greatest extravagance - a rack full of tailor-made suits.

“But I wanted to be my own person. I had ambitions, things I wanted to do. I wanted to be a fighter pilot.”

It is the lifestyle you would expect from the leader of a high-profile North East business with a turnover that will exceed £20m in 2015.

“I wanted to travel and to see the world. I’ve been very lucky in this respect and ticked those boxes too. However, then the call came that morning, and I knew that I had to go home.”

As he talks us through his remarkable story in the luxurious lounge, a shelf full of DVDs gives an insight into the other side of Dan Robinson. “The Dark Knight, Cinema Paradiso, The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather II

To say, he achieved that goal is an understatement.

Dan was back in Hartlepool within 24 hours of his father’s death, and pulled no punches when it came to addressing the team of staff at Gus Robinson Developments.

“At that time we were in trouble. Big trouble. We were close to going under, and I had to make some very tough decisions.” “We owed money, money was owed to us, there were all sorts of issues from the operational, to the strategic.” “The whole business needed restructuring and repositioning. I was firefighting in the short-term, but always had an eye on what was happening in the broader economy.” “I looked carefully at what the Government was doing and I thought that the housing sector would eventually explode. It was a simple demand and supply issue.” He was right. “If I am honest, it was a calculated gamble. I got the staff together and told them the situation. I was very honest and didn’t hide from the very difficult decisions that I had to make.” “I asked my entire team to sacrifice, but I never once asked them to do anything that I was not prepared to do myself. I suppose I led by example.”

Things are going well now, but Dan acknowledges that on a personal level, it has not been without cost. “Essentially, I had to put my personal life on hold.” Right now, however, he is firmly focused on where life is taking him with a couple of investments in other businesses and involvement in Louda, an innovative speaker device for mobile phones. “I am delighted with the Louda product; I am a co-founder, and I am confident it will prove to be a success as there is nothing else like it on the market.” “It is a cover that fits onto phones and amplifies the sound, so it is ideal for music lovers or people who want to watch a movie on their phone if they are out and about.” And that takes us back to the DVD shelf. “Ha-ha, Home Alone. You spotted that one too!” The irony and parallels do not escape him.

His strategy worked, and the business has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround. The contracts began to come in, they were delivered on time to a high standard, and the reputation of the business – like the order book – continued to grow.

“You have to realise that for my whole life I’ve been on the move and lived out of a suitcase. Now I’ve got this home; I love it. It is been a money pit, but it is worth it. I can come home, kick back and relax. I like being around people and enjoy having friends round, I like cooking, being the host. However, I am aware that the house should be full of love, maybe there should be a wife and kids here?”

Gus Robinson Developments are now taking the construction industry by storm!

“Who’s Miss Right? Now there’s a question. The qualities I look for are

“The trick was to keep everyone with me at that period.”

loyalty, kindness, an irreverent sense of humour, someone who’s intellectually curious and, of course, chemistry!” “Maybe I am looking for a partner in crime, but someone who’s able to tolerate how driven I am and that I can never sit still! Someone who is maybe a little calmer than me.” “I tell you what you can say with certainty, I am at a point in my life where I am happy and very fulfilled.” “I’d love to find Miss Right, but I only want to be with someone who adds more happiness to my life. I guess I am looking for someone I am happier with than without.”

possessions only end up owning you, rather than you owning them.” On his fireplace, sit two ornaments. The first is a small bust of a Red Indian Warrior, which was given to him by his father who in turn, was passed it down from his father. On the opposite edge of the fireplace, there’s a globe that revolves to stunning effect as the sunlight shines through the large bay window. “If this place were to go up in flames, they would be the two items I’d take with me. Forget everything else, they are all I have.”

If he can find what he is looking for, then for Dan Robinson, life really would be beautiful. With such a luxurious lifestyle, it would be easy to put Dan into a stereotypical pigeon hole. Eligible Bachelor? Certainly. But flash? Absolutely not. “I can see why people may think that, but I am not materialistic,” he said. “That stuff does not fulfil me. I spend much more money on travel and experiences than I do on just ‘stuff’. “Look around the house. I like to keep things minimal. I am a little OCD, so I hate things lying about and cluttering the place up. “The less clutter, the better as far as I am concerned. I have this theory that

Best Sellers that you should not miss! “I recently heard Middlesbrough born Steve Peters talk at Teesside University. Everyone left the room in awe!”

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‘Some battles change nothing. Waterloo changed almost everything.’ On the 18th June, 1815 the armies of France, Britain and Prussia descended upon a quiet valley south of Brussels. In the previous three days the French army had beaten the British at Quatre-Bras and the Prussians at Ligny. The Allies were in retreat. The blood-soaked battle of Waterloo would become a landmark in European history, to be examined over and again, not least because until the evening of the 18th, the French army was close to prevailing on the battlefield. Now, brought to life by the celebrated novelist Bernard Cornwell, this is the chronicle of the four days leading up to the actual battle and a thrilling hour-by-hour account of that fateful day.

In his first work of non-fiction, Cornwell combines his storytelling skills with a meticulously researched history to give a riveting account of every dramatic moment, from Napoleon’s escape from Elba to the smoke and gore of the battlefields. Through letters and diaries he also sheds new light on the private thoughts of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington, as well as the ordinary officers and soldiers. Published to coincide with the bicentenary in 2015, Waterloo is a tense and gripping story of heroism and tragedy – and of the final battle that determined the fate of Europe. Free Kindle Reading App Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device— with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones, tablets and computers. Click through to amazon here:

Women on Top Jo Hand

A business chief has welcomed new figures that show an increase in the number of women in high-profile roles and predicts a further rise in the months ahead. Jo Hand, who runs Jo Hand Recruitment, spoke out after statistics showed that 22.8 percent of the boardrooms of all FTSE100 businesses were made up of women. That figure, which came from information in October 2014, rose from 20.7 percent from March last year and was almost double the percentage from the same survey carried out in 2011. Despite a steady growth, many women still believe it is difficult for them to reach senior management level within the business world.

Some claim there is a poor quality line management, a lack of training or negative office politics while many feel that their route to the top is blocked due to the number of male decision-makers. But Jo, Managing Director of her Middlesbrough-based firm, believes the figures underline the fact that the female workforce are now showing more of a determination to get to the top rather than being held back because of their gender. Jo said: “These figures show things are finally moving in the right direction, and that has to be welcomed.

“I regularly go to networking events and there are far more women there than there used to be. “At one time, I was one of the few women at these events, but that is not the case now.” Jo feels that stricter conditions of equal opportunities are a factor behind the increase, but adds that the overriding reason is the determination shown by women in business. “It is easy to blame other factors that are blocking the route to the top for women,” Jo added. “A lot of it is down to attitude, women are putting themselves out there, they are more confident now and they are keen to show they can compete at the highest level in boardrooms. “It is as if something clicked; women are saying ‘hang on a second, I can do that’. “Overall, I am delighted at the rise in figures, and I would predict further growth in the months ahead.

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MGM went a long way to get their branding right

Business Lifestyle

For some small businesses, the summer is the busiest time of year. For others, it is the slow season. Regardless of what time of year it is for you, there are things all small business owners can do this summer to be proactive and productive. And whether you’re taking advantage of the extra foot traffic in your store or a quiet space in time to reflect and think about your future goals, these tips can help you make the most out of the next few months. Tomorrow’s success does start today, so it is important that no matter what season you are in, you are thinking ahead and getting ready. Tip 1: Snap away Take or collect fun pictures of your

customers or members enjoying the summer weather. Then, share those pictures on your social networks during the cold days of winter to give them something to remember fondly of or look forward to. You’ll have fun doing it and create some great engagement with your loyal followers. Tip 2: Discover something new Take advantage of the potentially slower summer months and try out one of the ‘hot’ visual social media platforms like Instagram, Vine or Pinterest. Set a reasonable goal for yourself (i.e. Upload two new photographs each week) then, in September, decide if you want to continue to grow your presence on that channel. You could also experiment with a new type of social media post. Consider trying a 39

Facebook quiz/trivia question, a caption contest, an ‘if you could…’ question or feature a customer story. Change your Facebook cover photo to an image that reflects summer and your brand too! Tip 3: Boost your website and deals When adding an email sign-up to your website, be sure to have the “Join My Mailing List” feature at or near the top of each page of your website. When offering a local deal, don’t discount too deeply and set a limit to the total number that could be bought. Tip 4: Grow your list

list, especially if the summer months are the busiest of the year. Something as simple as a paper sign-up sheet can go a long way in helping you stay in touch with people after they visit your store, eat in your restaurant or come into your office. It is also a great chance for you to personalise your sign-up experience a little more than you may have in the past. In addition to asking for their name and email address, you could also ask for their home town to find out whether or not your new contacts are local or discovered your business while on holiday or visiting your area. You can use that information to target better your messages throughout the entire year.

Summer is a great time to grow your email

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Business – one step at a time!

Eagle eyed readers may think this photograph was reversed from the famous Abbey Road album cover. However. It is actually a second original of the Beatles going back across Abbey Road.

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The Business of Giving

THE business community has been encouraged to get on board with an everexpanding music charity that is earning global recognition. Music v Cancer was the brainchild of Hartlepool man Tony Larkin, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer back in 2009. Now clear of the disease, Tony dedicates his spare time to helping the charity grow through a string of fundraising events and some high-profile gigs. “There are plenty of opportunities for local businesses to get on board with what we are doing, and we’d love to hear from anyone who would like to be part of what is turning out to be a fantastic journey for MvC.

dreams thought it would grow as it has. I was looking through our followers on social media recently, and we’ve been acknowledged in no less than 27 different countries. “That is just phenomenal.” Acts that have performed for MvC include Jack Savoretti, The Blow Monkeys, Nizlopi, Black, Jon Allen, Turin Brakes and David McAlmont. BBC TV presenter and musician Jools Holland is the charity’s official patron.

Meanwhile, stars including The Arctic Monkeys, The Stereophonics, Peter Gabriel, Gary Barlow and Jessie J have donated signed memorabilia to MvC helping to generate in excess of £150,000. Those funds have been put to good use

“When I set this up, I never in my wildest

work it does. Alby Pattison, Managing Director of Hart Biologicals, said: “We are proud to back a local charity that is doing so much good work in the region and for the medical and healthcare industry. “My staff and I are regulars at the MvC Weekenders and are inspired by the passion and determination of the team. They are always looking to bring bigger and better acts to Hartlepool.” supporting health professionals at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust to detect the early signs of cancers, but particularly bowel cancer. Last year the charity donated £36,000 to the Trust to purchase two bladder cancer probes to detect the condition much quicker.

Tony added: “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us over the years, and with more local businesses showing their support, who knows how far we can progress?” To learn more about MvC and to find out more about getting involved, visit www.musicvcancer.com

Tony added: “We have been able to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds in the early detection of cancer and raise awareness of these conditions. “Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK with statistics revealing Hartlepool as the town with the highest death-rate linked with the disease.” Various local businesses are already on board with MvC, including Phoenix Steel, Attco Ltd, Ward Bros, Gowler Special Projects, Total Recycling, J&B Recycling, Hart Biologicals and Coast Kitchens. Hart Biologicals have been involved in previous MvC Weekenders, and cannot speak highly enough of the charity and the

Never just business as usual

Growing Your Business Most of us in business have an ambition to grow. But doing so in a high octane, fast moving environment while trying to do everything else can be difficult. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry, help and support are on hand from highly competent, been there, done that experts who are more than willing to help

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Going for Growth David Powell Vistage Group Chair +44 (0) 7813 131923

David.Powell@vistagechair.co.uk . www.vistage.co.uk

For most business leaders, their overwhelming goal is to achieve growth; firstly for their organisation but also for themselves. When we talk about business growth the common perception is that we mean growth in sales or profit, and for most that would be correct. But for some organisations, growth is about being able to deliver more against their vision, their core values and their purpose.

So what needs to be done to achieve significant growth? There are four key areas - the four cornerstones of growth. They apply across industry sectors and also across the commercial and not-for-profit landscape. It seems that to achieve significant and sustained growth the following things must be in place. Value Proposition

why your customers buy from you. Understanding how to deliver this message means that you can appeal more effectively to those customers and develop new and innovative ways to retain them and acquire new customers too. Find out why customers buy from you rather than from another organisation. It is likely that there will be a combination of benefits your organisation offers which form a perception of value in the minds (and wallets) of your customers. Establishing exactly what these reasons are and which are the most compelling is the first step to building a powerful value proposition. Very few companies truly understand their value proposition. At the end of this article there is a link to an excellent video from Vistage Speaker Jaynie Smith on Competitive Advantage and The Value Proposition â&#x20AC;&#x201C;watching it

Your value proposition clearly identifies

could easily be the most valuable 10 minutes you spend in your business today! Business Model Getting agreement on what a “business model” is can be troublesome. Joan Magretta, a business writer defined the business model as “The story that explains how an enterprise works”. Clay Christensen of Harvard Business School proposes that a business model consists of four key elements: a customer value proposition, a profit formula, key resources and key processes. A robust business model that stands the test of time and can flex as markets change and survive in difficult economic circumstances provides a sound basis for growth. However, to achieve significant growth it is very likely that the business model will need to evolve and change. An effective business model is aligned to company goals and must be up to date and relevant; it should also be selfreinforcing with each component supporting the others.

to the job. Although good cash management can help finance growth often some form of additional funding is needed. Today there are many options available and it is essential to match the finance to your situation and future needs. People Although leaders create the vision and set the direction in an organisation, business is a team game and success is delivered by having the right people at the right time doing the right things. To fuel growth and to sustain it, the workforce needs to be effective, motivated, enthusiastic and committed – in other words they need to be engaged. If your employees are engaged you will enhance your customer experience, hold on to your people, lower your recruitment costs, improve your culture and create the stability for growth.

Finance & Cash flow

To keep your staff engaged will require consistent, clear leadership, involving staff and listening to their views, equipping them with the tools to do a good job and celebrating (and rewarding) success more.

Many businesses are capable of significant growth, but are slowed down because of a lack of appropriate financing. Others can fail simply because of a lack of attention to cash management. This is particularly true during a growth period when the need for additional working capital can be a major issue. You must have an excellent understanding of the cash flow dynamics of your business. It sounds complicated, but often only basic cash forecasting methods are used and they are rarely up

This is a very brief introduction to an indepth discussion document on delivering growth, published by Vistage. Vistage has achieved double digit growth for the past 5 years and plans 20% growth this year. The Report gives real insight into preparing for and managing growth. If you would like to read the full report, please follow the link below: some very basic contact details will be requested; however they will not be shared with any third party. Continued>

Apple iTunes app ranking #1 in our sector. We did this without ANY promotion or advertising. We could do it for you in your sector too! NE Business Magazine is our third digital magazine title. Our first, just eleven editions ago, was Forex Trader Magazine and here it is, at the end of June 2015, in the number one slot. We spent nothing on promotion and advertising and hardly any time on social media. By the way, it was also number one for the iPad chart too. Just think what this level of exposure could do for your business. Get in touch to discuss your options further.

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The Tees Valley Boom

The future is bright for the Tees Valley, according to a business chief who has been at the helm for the last five years. Tees Valley Unlimited leader Stephen Catchpole is approaching the fifth anniversary of his time in charge, and after experiencing plenty of highs and lows in that period he is confident the area is well placed to progress. He said the change in business confidence in his time at the helm of the LEP had been “staggering”, and predicted further growth in the months and years ahead. He said: “Like everywhere else, maybe even more than other areas, we suffered the effects of the recession. “It was a blow to lose the steelworks. However, I struggled to understand the psychological impact until SSI announced it was starting it up again. “The change in business confidence has been staggering. I cannot stand here and

pretend that we are in sunlit uplands now, but we are certainly making progress.” In the last four and a half years, £3bn worth of foreign investment has flooded into the Tees Valley, of which TVU attracted up to £1.5bn. More than 5,000 jobs have been secured through inward investment while, in terms of Government cash a total of £180m was awarded to the area through the Regional Growth Fund. The Skills and Jobs scheme brought a £7m cash boost, as well as the Business Compass Grant scheme, the £20m Let’s Grow pot, and a further £10m from Contract Catalyst which was created to help businesses secure contracts. A £750m investment in Enterprise Zones, creating 700 jobs, was highlighted as well as £100m through the Local Growth Fund. Stephen’s outlook:“I am really optimistic about the future of this area.”

How to Grow Your Business By Jeff Fitzpatrick – The Executive Director Remember the dream you had for your business when you started it? Does the current reality reflect that dream? Is the business growing as quickly as it should be? Read on; find out, right here, right now in just seven points, what the main barriers to growth are that entrepreneurs discover and how they can quickly be overcome.

The main point is that there are only seven significant barriers to growth that business people encounter that prevent their business from reaching its full potential. 1. Leadership is the number one barrier. Nothing fancy here, I simply mean having a deep understanding of what you are trying to build and how you are trying to build it.

4. Management.

It’s not just about people. To grow you need to attract the right people and to build the right business systems.

5. Delivery. You

2. Building a brand.

Every big business is just a small one that got this right!

must build in a customer experience that is fantastic from start to finish.

6. Marketing.

Financial

management.

Not every business with good financial management is successful, but every successful business does have good financial management.

It’s about attracting the right customers in the right numbers to your business.

7. Sales.

Convert prospects to customers in ways that are uniquely right for your unique business.

How Can You Grow Your Business? But what do these barriers mean for your business and how can you overcome them? You can do so quickly, easily and without having to spend a fortune on consultants or tedious programmes. I have been closely involved in successfully growing a wide range of diverse businesses and am very happy to share what I learned in the process. Watch the video and get a written report outlining exactly how you could profit from identifying and overcoming the barriers to growth. You can access both of these below FREE of charge

Click here to view the video to find out more and we will automatically send you a free, exclusive, written report.

http://executivedirector.info

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Law!

When it comes to branding, there are several points that are worth bearing in mind. Trademarks Trademarks are registered for specific territories and countries (although there is a very helpful European trademark system that allows for a single application to cover the whole of the EU). Trademarks are registered for specific goods and services. In order for an earlier trademark owner to be able to prevent registration or use of a later brand, they have to show that the later trade mark is similar or identical to the earlier trade mark for similar or identical goods and services and that there is a likelihood of confusion on the part of the public. The key question, therefore, is whether there is a likelihood of confusion between the new brand and the old brand. Please note that even if your goods and services are entirely different, the owner

of a well known household name trademark might be able to prevent registration of a similar trademark on the basis that you are taking unfair advantage of them. A very useful resource for searching trademarks in the UK is the IPOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.IPO.gov.uk. 2. Copyrighting your designs Many businesses use design agencies or brand consultancies to create their branding including logos, standard website templates and even names. Many of these designs (particularly logos and other detailed visual designs) will be subject to artistic copyright. These bodies may retain ownership of the designs that they create unless there is a written agreement saying otherwise. This means that the agency may be able to ask for additional fees later if you use the work in a different context.

The most important thing to remember is that if you are engaging an external contractor or consultant to develop your brand you should ensure that they have transferred the copyright and other intellectual property rights in anything they create for you. Many businesses, particularly if they are operating online or in the app space, prefer to use a descriptive name. Descriptive names can be very useful for search engine optimisation purposes. However, they do have a downside in that they are more difficult to register as a trademark and to protect as other business may legitimately want to use the same descriptive terms. It may be the case that it is still best to opt for a descriptive term as the benefits outweigh the costs, but a descriptive brand will be much for difficult to register as a trademark.

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Often a descriptive brand is accompanied by a distinctive logo, image, font, etc. and a combination can often be registered. If you are going for a largely descriptive domain name or main brand and you can accompany this with distinctive design elements, then there may be registrable trademarks in the overall brand. 3. Fonts and typefaces A key part of many brands are letters and typefaces. You should be aware that copyright exists in typefaces and using a typeface in your brand without an appropriate licence can amount to a breach of copyright. There are numerous copyright-free typefaces or typefaces where the copyright has expired, and your designer should be able to assist with choosing the right typeface for your requirements.

No matter how good you are; sometimes things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end well!

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