Retail Matters

Christy Foster, Managing Director, cmf@online4baby.com

Retail

matters

Online4Baby Managing Director Christy Foster talks to us about how being entrepreneurial is at the heart of Online4baby’s success in the wake of her award as EY entrepreneur of the year regional finalist 2022.

Entrepreneurial spirit

You recently attended an EY entrepreneur of the year workshop, let us more about that.

The EY entrepreneur programme is fantastic, and the workshop was a great event to connect with other business leaders in the UK who are all at different stages of company growth. I’d loved the diversity of businesses represented from all different sectors, there’s a lot we can learn by looking outside of our own markets.

Being innovative is at the heart of everything we do at Online4baby, we’re committed to disrupting the baby market by “ providing exceptional customer service and quality products, at the best price possible for our customers. “ What do you think are your biggest learnings from being part of the programme?

I’ve received some invaluable advice about how different businesses have found their growth, particularly focusing on how to scale at speed. The judges especially have really interesting backgrounds from fast-growing businesses and there’s a lot I’ll take from their experience. Both things that well and some things that didn’t! Who was the most memorable person you met at the event?

I’d say Stephen Bartlett, previous EY entrepreneur finalist, co-founder of Social Chain, and current Dragon’s Den dragon, who is one of the judges this year. He made a real effort to spend time with all of the finalists and especially those of us from the North. We’ve got similar backgrounds so had a lot to talk about and I could really relate to his journey. How does your entrepreneurial style reflect within Online4baby?

Being innovative is at the heart of everything we do at Online4baby, we’re committed to disrupting the baby market by providing exceptional customer service and quality products, at the best price possible for our customers. We’re a fast moving and fast growing business, with innovation as a key driver of this. For me, that’s the entrepreneurial spirit I believe will deliver lasting success in the market.

What’s next for you following the EY workshop?

I was blown away by the mentoring and advice I received at the workshop and it’s inspired me to get involved with mentoring young business leaders myself, something I’m really looking forward to. It’s also got me focused on the next phase of Online4baby’s growth and we’ve got some exiting plans coming soon in product development and in building the brand further.

And finally, what advice would you give to new business leaders?

Don’t overthink things and always go with your gut instinct. Invest in hiring great talent who have the skills you don’t, and trust their decisions. More than anything, you’ve always got to believe in what you’re doing, even if other people question it, because if you don’t believe in yourself then no one else will.

Online4baby are delighted to welcome a new member to our growing marketing team. Sophie Parfitt joins as head of brand and brings a wealth of eCommerce knowledge from previous senior marketing experience at AO.com and Very.co. uk. Sophie’s new role will spearhead Online4baby’s brand growth with exciting plans coming very soon.

Top 10 business tips for growth

1. Do less. Strategy is as much about deciding what NOT to do as it about what you are going to do. Allowing your business to focus on less in the short term means more will get done in the long run. 2. Don’t micro-manage. Instead invest in hiring great talent who you can trust to make the right decisions. 3. Do your research to understand your customer and what they need, and then give it to them. 4. Look outside your own market for brands that are disrupting and growing quickly, there’s a lot of cross over in the strategies they use that can be applied to your market. 5. Seek out unconventional connections when you’re networking.

The people you wouldn’t usually come across can have the most valuable things to say. 6. Stay ahead of trends in your market, but don’t jump on a bandwagon for the sake of it. Just because something is ‘the next big thing’ doesn’t always mean it’s relevant to your market or customer. 7. Be organized and consistent. 8. Communication is key, especially as your business grows.

Invest the time to keep all colleagues up to speed on the business priorities. 9. Be creative and innovate to stay ahead of the market. Always aim to give the customer something better than they’d get elsewhere. 10. Believe in yourself and your business, otherwise no one else will.

new!

Check out Red Kite’s Feed Me Lolo High Low Highchair

The Feed Me Lolo is the ultimate high low highchair that grows with your baby.

Suitable from newborn due to the full lie back seat, it will come into its own when baby is started to feed and eat independently. Lots of height and lie back options give plenty of feeding solutions with easy clean inset feeding sections that can be removed on the feeding tray. Comfort is also taken care of with the padded soft PU leatherette seat unit and padded shoulder and crotch pads. Classy matte finish with soft grey and white fabrics and frame allows the Feed Me Lolo to fit into any modern home.

www.redkitebaby.com

Sponsored by The brand that parents trust www.clippasafe.co.uk

Functional travel cot

FoldLite, Graco’s all new, lightweight, yet functionloaded, pop-up travel cot works hard in the home and on trips away.

At just 6.78kg, it is 30 per cent lighter than Graco’s traditional travel cots. The cleverly designed dual fold function features a ‘Home Fold’ - quick up and down action that reduces to a 26cm wide fold, and a ‘Travel Fold’ which is even more compact.

The addition of two wheels for easy manoeuvrability and a convenient carry bag means FoldLite is set to become a firm favourite to use around the home and on family trips away.

uksales@allisonbaby.co.uk

Robert Anslow Managing Director

If your company is a member of the Baby Products Association and you are not currently receiving members’ e-bulletins with industry updates, but would like to, please email julie@b-p-a.org who will add you to the database.

notice board

Are you paying unnecessarily for legal and HR advice?

Many small or start-up businesses cannot afford to employ a full-time person to take charge of human resources and often resort to using consultancy services when things get complicated. This can be stressful and expensive – yet many Baby Products Association members don’t realise that this help and information is FREE of charge with access at their fingertips!

The Association pays an annual subscription to Quest Business Support which includes resources (including a 24-hour telephone line with legal representatives on hand to give free advice) and this is available to all members.

Robert Anslow, managing director of the Association, explains: “This is a hugely valuable resource for our members, but is currently not being used to its full potential. I hear companies talking about cost of legal advice they have sought from independent consultants for business problems they are experiencing and as members of the Association, this very same help and advice is available to them free of charge.”

HR issues can be costly, particularly if you get it wrong and have to face £thousands in compensation claims and legal dispute fees.

There are numerous scenarios where you may not be totally sure of your legal rights and responsibilities. For example, with the rising cost of petrol can an employee ask to work from home because they can’t afford to drive to the office every day? Can you insist that they do? What if their role includes travel and they claim that the mileage allowance is not covering their petrol costs – can they insist that you increase the allowance, or refuse to travel? Quest has a team of legal experts on the end of the phone ready to discuss and advise you of all types of situations. The free Quest HR service can help with the following:

Redundancy

If you have to make redundancies, there are strict processes you must follow. However difficult this is, it’s important not to let your heart rule your head. Quest’s HR team will hand-hold you through this process and help you to ensure you comply with procedures. Hybrid working

Many of us have changed how we work following the covid pandemic, and you may be trying to persuade your staff to adopt hybrid working – or come back into the office after a long period working from home. It is important to understand the difference between hybrid and flexible working and what you and your employee’s rights are.

www.b-p-a.org India’s most populous state wants a 2-child policy

India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, has proposed legislation that aims to discourage couples from having more than two children, becoming the second state ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party to make such a proposal.

Today, India’s population stands at 1.38 billion people, according to the World Bank, second only to China. If Uttar Pradesh were a country, its 240 million people would make it the world’s fifth most populous, and population density in the northern state is more than double the national average.

Under the state government proposals unveiled on Saturday, couples with more than two children would not be allowed to receive government benefits or subsidies and would be barred from applying for state government jobs.

The bill says that because of the state’s “limited ecological and economic resources at hand, it is necessary and urgent that the provision of the basic necessities of human life are accessible to all citizen”. Per capita income in Uttar Pradesh is less than half the national average.

The draft law, which is open for public comments until July, would need to be ratified by state lawmakers.

Right to work in the UK

If you employ EU citizens or other foreign nationals, you need to be aware of recent changes in legislation. Be aware of your obligations and don’t inadvertently break the law. Restrictive covenants

Have you lost staff to competitors? Are you looking to introduce or enforce restrictive covenants to protect your business? Be aware of what you can and can’t do. Holidays

Are you worried about your employees taking foreign holidays? Is there anything you can do to control where staff go? Understand your rights and what you can and cannot control. Vaccinations

Do you know which members of your staff have been vaccinated? Can you force employees to get jabs? Understand what you can and can’t do. Legislation Changes 2021

Do you understand the new rules concerning National Minimum Wage? Are you aware of changes to Statutory Sick Pay – and did you know that employment tribunal compensation rates have increased? Social Media

Do you have a social media policy? How do you control staff activity on social media? With just one controversial comment potentially having a catastrophic effect on your business, it is important that you understand why you need to have a social media policy in place.

These are just a few examples of areas where the free Quest HR service can help. There is also free help for Health & Safety, Tax and other legal issues; plus a library of over 800 document templates to help you create contracts and agreements – and the great news for members is that it is all entirely FREE!

To access the Quest Helpline and resources, login to the member’s area of the Association’s website at www.b-p-a.org and click on the Business Support Helpline tab where you will find the login details for Quest and the Helpline number. If you have forgotten your membership login, contact Christine Scippo at info@b-p-a.org