inbusiness – North Wales: Nov/Dec 2019 by North Wales Magazine

inbusiness N O R T H WA L E S

N ove m b e r / D e ce mber 20 1 9

THE ART OF COLLABORATION

GDPR Are you compliant?

Collectively we are better

MARK BRYANT The journey to health and wealth

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INTRODUCTION

Welcome Dear colleague

Before I founded North Wales Magazine almost three years ago I was, rather naively, unaware of just how many other businesses it takes in order to get a single new business off the ground. Accountants, solicitors, insurance brokers, website designers, networking hosts, bankers and printers (because everybody needs a business card for those networking events) are pretty much the bare minimum. And, if you want to step it up a notch, then you’ll need a graphic designer to get your branding spot on, a social media expert, an admin assistant and a card provider who can all help take your business to the next level. And then there are those business-specific relationships – suppliers, estate agents, shop fitters, van leasers, translators, packaging manufacturers and distribution experts. Finally you’ll need to build your team (Rome wasn’t built single-handedly after all) or, at the very least, a partner in crime in order to take turns making the tea, share the workload and generally bounce ideas off. It is my vision that North Wales In Business can introduce all of those great local businesses that, quite frankly, need each other in order to survive. And, if you do business well, can help you grow your own company to become the very one that you envisaged when you first launched, all of those many contacts ago.

Kate Hamilton Founding Editor

08 NEWS

In this issue:

23 GDPR

50 Work Life Balance inbusiness | 2019 | 3

YDYCH CHI' N CYCHWYN BUSNE S NE WYDD NE U' N E HANGU A T HYF U EI CH B USNES YNG NGHONWY?

ARE YOU ST ART ING A NEW B USI NE SS OR E XPANDI NG AND GROWI NG YOUR BUSI NE SS I N CONWY?

Gallwn helpu gyda chyngor busnes diduedd am ddim a chyfeirio at y gefnogaeth a'r wybodaeth gywir i helpu'ch busnes i ffynnu

We can help with free impartial business advice and signposting to the right support and information to help your business thrive

busnes@conwy.gov.uk

business@conwy.gov.uk

www.canolfanfusnesconwy.com

www.conwybusinesscentre.com

Canolfan Busnes Conwy, Cyffordd Llandudno. LL31 9XX

Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno Junction. LL31 9XX

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Sir Conwy, y lle iawn ar gyfer llwyddiant busnes Conwy County, the right environment for business success

WHAT’S INSIDE

CONTENTS Editor

07 NEWS The latest from the world of North Wales business 13 INTERVIEW WITH… Entrepreneur Mark Bryant 17 BREXIT The Welsh government announces business support

Kate Hamilton Publisher Grant Hamilton Sales Manager Scott Lawson Marketing Manager Carly Redgers

18 UNDERSTANDING CASH FLOW How cash flow can be a businesses biggest benefit

Art Director Simon Marriott

21 AWARDS Get the recognition that you deserve

Office Manager

23 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY North Wales business events

Distribution Manager

29 GDPR Checking that you are compliant

Sian Roberts

Nigel Smith Contact Us editorial@ksgpublishing.co.uk sales@ksgpublishing.co.uk

32 CONWY BUSINESS The county has an extremely diverse business sector 35 LEGAL Why you should have Lasting Power of Attorney 39 WORKING TOGETHER The power of collaboration 42 BUSINESS IN FOCUS North Wales Honda in Llandudno 45 BRANDING Make sure that your business name is known 47 TRANSLATION Welsh words of wisdom 49 MARKETING Unique ways to get your message out there

In Business magazine is an independent, regional magazine produced by KSG Publishing. It is available via subscription and from a range of networking events taking place throughout North Wales. Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part (electronically or in print) without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of published content, and any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of In Business magazine. The publishers assume no responsibility for any damage, loss or injury arising from participation in, or as a result of, any offer, competition, information or advertisement contained within the magazine. In Business magazine does not endorse any of the advertisements featured. All words and images remain the property of their respective owners and all copyrights are observed. In Business magazine is not associated with any newspaper group. Privacy Notice. You can read In Business magazine’s Privacy Notice in full at www.ksgpublishing.co.uk

50 BALANCING ACT Get your work life balance back on an even keel PUBLISHING

inbusiness | 2019 | 5

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BUSINESS

NEWS e

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, Cllrs Dyfrig Siencyn and Mark Pritchard, and Welsh Government Minister for International Relations Eluned Morgan, all signing the Heads of Terms

NORTH WALES GROWTH DEAL SIGNS TERMS THE £1 billion North Wales Growth Deal has reached a landmark milestone. Representatives from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board joined the Welsh and UK governments to sign Heads of Terms and agree the seven programmes that will form the Deal from 2020 onwards. The Heads of Terms commits the two governments to investing £240 million into programmes that will have a positive impact on thousands of households, businesses and organisations across the region. When combined with the contributions from partners and the private sector, the Deal is worth more than £1 billion

COLWYN BID TO BE TERMINATED Colwyn BID, which launched in 2016, is set to be terminated in March. Following its recent AGM in September, the board of Colwyn BID made the decision not to go to re-ballot for a second term. This decision was taken following a Mid Term Review, where the evidence showed a low percentage would vote YES to a second term. As part of the managed closure, the board commenced a review of the BID in order to consider the appropriate manner in which to maximise remaining funding for the direct benefit of the levy payers.

HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN’S HOSPICES SEARCH FOR NEW TRUSTEES

to North Wales. The programmes within the Deal include projects on low carbon energy, advanced manufacturing, land-based industries (agriculture and tourism), land and property, skills and employment, digital connectivity, and strategic transport. “By signing the Heads of Terms we have shown our dedication and commitment to the region,” said Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, chair of the Ambition Board and Leader of Gwynedd County Council. “We will continue to work together for the people and businesses of North Wales, with the joint aim of creating jobs, boosting the economy and delivering a Growth Deal that will have a positive and lasting impact for generations to come.”

However, there was an indication that the levy payers would prefer an early termination of the BID rather than continue for the full term, and the board has now agreed. But, under national BID regulations, steps to terminate the BID cannot be taken until it has conducted a postal consultation giving all levy payers the opportunity to comment. Providing levy payers agree, the BID will be terminated on 31st March, and no BID levy will be payable for year five. Further information can be found at colwynbid. co.uk/chairmans-update-egm

One of the region’s leading children’s charities has launched a search to find more volunteer trustees to join its board. Hope House Children’s Hospices want to find people with the skills and dedication to play a vital role in making sure the charity is run in the interests of the children and families they support. “Our vision is to ensure that children affected by conditions so serious that they’re not expected to live longer than early adulthood enjoy, together with their families, the best possible quality of life - with access to specialist care and bereavement support, when and where they need it,” said chief executive Andy Goldsmith (pictured). “It’s a big and bold vision that we may never achieve, but one we have committed ourselves to. We will seek to deliver what we can ourselves and work in partnership with others to support its achievement.” Goldsmith is inviting anyone who might be interested in becoming a trustee to call the hospices and arrange a tour and a chat. To find out more visit: www. hopehouse.org.uk/jobs

inbusiness | 2019 | 7

NEWS

DIRECTOR FOR GROWTH DEAL ANNOUNCED Alwen Williams is coming home to help drive forward the £1 billion North Wales Growth Deal. After 24 years with telecoms giant BT, Williams will begin a new role as programme director for North Wales Economic Ambition Board in January. Originally from Gwytherin, near Llangernyw, she is looking forward to leading a programme office that will coordinate the Growth Deal from 2020 onwards. “It is a big step leaving BT and the private sector after almost a quarter of a century, but this is the right position at the right time,” said Williams, who lives in Mold. “I get to come home after being away for many years. Personally, this has always been home but professionally I’ve been in Cardiff and London for more than a decade so it will be fantastic to return. I’m very excited about the programmes and already feel invested in the vision because I am from the region and determined to help make it a success. It matters to me in every sense, particularly boosting the North Wales economy.” Williams is also keen to garner further feedback and consult with myriad arenas and the general public.

GO FOR GROWTH LAUNCHES

RECORD ATTENDANCE AT NORTH WALES’ BIGGEST BUSINESS EXHIBITION

8 | inbusiness | 2019

A record-breaking 1,500 visitors attended the biggest business exhibition in North Wales last month – more than doubling last year’s attendance figures. Exhibitors and delegates travelled from as far afield as Swansea and Blackburn to participate in the North Wales Business Exhibition 2019 held at Coleg Cambria, Connah’s Quay, on October 30th. It was organised by DBF (Deeside Business Forum), an organisation that supports more than 2,000 members across North Wales. “DBF has a solid background of campaigning for businesses across North Wales and North West England and for bringing businesses together for useful, informative events like these,” commented DBF chairman Askar Sheibani. “This was the biggest and best of our events to date, with more than double last year’s numbers. Exhibitors and delegates alike have reported making some great new connections and business leads – it was a very successful day for all who attended.”

A new initiative to provide companies in North Wales with a wide range of business services has launched. Go For Growth has been developed by Gamlins Law and brings together 20 businesses and organisations. Among the launch partners are accountants Salisbury’s and Grant Thornton, financial advisers Innes Reid and Sanlam, commercial insurer Daulby Read, health and safety specialist SHEQ, PR and marketing firm Mason Media and recruiter JVP Group. Go For Growth was officially launched at 1891 restaurant in Rhyl, where Gamlins Law has its head office. “We have had fantastic feedback about our Go For Growth initiative and it is already creating some exciting business opportunities for our partners,” commented Ron Davison, managing director of Gamlins Law. “We have 20 launch partners covering a wide range of business support services and we expect to bring on further complementary partners in the coming months. Go For Growth enables businesses to tap into business services they know they require now, but also to get them thinking about other services they might require as their business continues to grow.”

From left: L-R - Gwilym Lloyd Jones, Sanlam, Ron Davison, MD Gamlins Law, Elissa Thursfield, HR Anchor, and Mark Bowden of Elucidate

CONWY SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SECURES LICENCE

LLANGEFNI SHIRE HALL TO BECOME BUSINESS CENTRE

UTILITY CONSULTANCY APPOINTS NEW JOINT MD One of the UK’s leading utility consultancies has appointed a new joint managing director. Wrexham based UCML has brought in Nick Cooke to work alongside company founder and fellow MD Arwel Lloyd who established the business 15 years ago to provide developers and construction specialists with utility connections consultancy and project management. “I am delighted to join UCML at what is an exciting time for the business,” commented Cooke, who was previously head of acquisitions at Domino’s Pizza with responsibility for all new store openings in the UK and Republic of Ireland. “The company is firmly established as one of the leading companies for working with clients to negotiate and manage their utilities connections, often saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process. We are extremely strong across the North West and Midlands, but our plan is now to build greater awareness in the rest of the UK.”

One of Anglesey’s bestknown buildings, the Shire Hall in Llangefni, is to be transformed into a business centre and conference venue. “As soon as I saw the building, I felt a connection; it’s steeped in history at the heart of the community and has so many possibilities,” said Tristan Haynes (pictured), the new owner of the Grade IIlisted building. “It’s taken more than a year to get to this point, but I now own the building and will be making improvements and alterations. I had planned to turn it into a healthcare facility but in terms of demand it will work better as business suites, with some accommodation and rooms that can be used for many different education and industry needs.” Haynes is also planning to open a pod hotel, an art gallery and attract companies of all sizes to the 45-room landmark.

Award winning social enterprise, Creating Enterprise, has secured the licence for Wales to set up innovative learning and development programmes for companies, social enterprises and public bodies. Creating Enterprise, part of Cartrefi Conwy, is working in partnership with the Wales Co-operative Centre who will be delivering the programmes in South Wales. “The concept of the Social Enterprise Academy was pioneered in Scotland where it’s been really successful,” said Sharon Jones, business and partnership director at Creating Enterprise. “It’s been licenced across the world and we’re very proud to have brought it to Wales for the first time. It’s a big coup for Creating Enterprise.” The Social Enterprise Academy is a key part of the organisation’s ambitious growth plan and will also be using its profits for the benefit of Cartrefi Conwy tenants and local people to help them find jobs.

UCML’s Jonathan Davies, Nick Cooke and Arwel Lloyd

inbusiness | 2019 | 9

s NEWS

COLEG CAMBRIA ATTRACTS CREAM OF YOUNG FARMERS TO BECOME DAIRY ENTREPRENEURS

A land-based college welcomed the cream of young farmers to Denbighshire for a series of workshops designed to attract aspiring entrepreneurs to the dairy industry. Coleg Cambria Llysfasi is hosting the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) Entrepreneurs in Dairying workshops for the first time. The business and finance training programme aims to meet a huge demand for innovative farmers in the sector, as a study last year revealed nearly a third of the UK’s milk is produced on farms that employ EU staff, and that Brexit would have a negative impact on recruitment. Organised in collaboration with The Andersons Centre, AHDB Dairy and the NFU, the programme delivered at Llysfasi has seen delegates from North Wales and Shropshire attend the Llysfasi campus, near Ruthin. Delegates have also toured the facilities at South Caernarfon Creameries and were given an insight into milk handling between the farm and processor, practicalities of processing a perishable product, processing of milk for cheese and the potential implications of Brexit from a processor perspective. The seventh and final workshop will include a farm visit and workshop at Stoneleigh in January.

CLOGAU REVEALS INCREASE IN TURNOVER Clogau Gold has seen turnover rise by almost 20% after opening new stores across the country. The North Wales jewellery firm has a blueprint for high street success and plans to unveil four more units in 2020. That will take their total number of boutiques to 15, bucking the trend in town centres across the UK. “We are achieving success on the high street while others are sadly struggling, but a lot of that is down to the experience we provide, as well as the timeless collections of Welsh gold we produce,” said managing director Ben Roberts, who is targeting a further 20% boost in revenue next year. “Going into retail after focusing heavily online was a steep learning curve for us, but we have worked hard to make it a success and chosen locations that fit well with the brand and our identity.” Clogau is also planning on employing more staff, adding to their 150-strong workforce. “We are particularly looking forward to our annual conference in January as it’s an opportunity for us to celebrate a record-breaking Christmas and lay out our strategy for 300 stockists in 2020,” continued Roberts.

WREXHAM GLYNDWR WELCOMES THE FUTURE OF WALES’ JUSTICE SYSTEM Senior academics at Wrexham Glyndwr University have welcomed the publication of a report on the future of the justice system in Wales. The report was written by a commission headed by former Lord Chief Justice Lord John Thomas of Cwmgiedd, and based on evidence submitted by organisations, academics and experts from across Wales and beyond. Other evidence taken by Commissioners included a meeting at Wrexham Glyndwr University where the commissioners spoke with both students and staff. The resulting report was delivered to the Welsh Government this month, making a series of immediate, short- and long-term recommendations. These included a recommendation that Wales should have full control of its own justice system and powers over police, probation and judges; a new Welsh Government department which would be responsible for justice matters; the devolution of a range of measures related to justice which touch on existing Welsh Government policy – particularly with regard to crime and harm reduction; and the raising of the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old to 12.

10 | inbusiness | 2019

e THE BUSINESS OF TEAMBUILDING AND ADVENTURE

LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR PICKS UP NATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD Gareth Jones, managing director of the Carbon Zero Group, was named Businessman of the Year at the Welsh SME Business Awards, held at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff. In what has been a challenging period for UK industry, the retail and tourism pioneer has bucked the trend and enjoyed a solid 12 months, matching record-breaking sales of the previous year. Jones wants to build on that in 2020 and push turnover over £2.5 million following a period of investment in his workforce and facilities in Mochdre and St Asaph. He also has big plans for their hot tub showroom at the Old Creamery on Station Road. “It’s an absolute honour to win this award, it was a big surprise, so I’m really thrilled,” said Jones, a qualified civil engineer and the youngest ever president of the Federation of Master Builders. “I’ve been fortunate to win prizes in the past but this one feels particularly sweet as it’s been a tough and uncertain year for business in the UK. We’ve felt that as well, but by working together and with the support of our incredible, loyal customers we’ve been able to achieve good results.”

Regarded as one of the UK’s flagship adventure destinations, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is the ideal incentive, event or teambuilding destination for anyone who wants to make a big impression and reward their staff. Where else can you learn to surf on world-first man-made waves, fly down the UK’s most extreme kicker slides, brave the caves in one of the world’s longest artificial caving systems and test your nerve with high-rise ‘freefall’ drop jumps? A team building experience like no other, this is a stunning world-class environment that is guaranteed to challenge, energise and inspire your team. You can also expect free Wi-Fi access, reception facilities for up to 150 delegates, a Tipi party space overlooking the lagoon, meeting rooms and free private parking. Exclusive use of the whole venue is also available. To find out more about half day, full day and residential packages visit adventureparcsnowdonia.com

CONWY COUNCIL SEEKS COMMERCIAL OPERATOR Colwyn Bay Market has recently been granted planning permission for a further three years on Station Road around to Sea View Road. Because of this secured future, Conwy County Borough Council is seeking an experienced commercial operator with a commitment to providing excellent customer-focused services and has a good working knowledge of relevant statutory legislation. The Colwyn Bay market currently operates on a Tuesday and Saturday, all year round offering a wide range of quality goods, value for money and a much-needed meeting place for social interactions between all members of the community. However, moving forward the market has permission to be run seven days a week all year round depending on the management’s future plan. As a result, Conwy County Borough Council is looking for interested applicants to apply with a business proposal, evidencing that their skills, knowledge and experience can meet the high aspirations of the authority and local community. The closing date for applications is January 31st 2020 with interviews to be scheduled in February / March 2020. For further information email Colin James-Davies at: colin.jamesdavies@conwy.gov.uk

If you have a business news story that you would like to see included in the next issue of In Business, then please email it over to editorial@ksgpublishing.co.uk for consideration

inbusiness | 2019 | 11

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PROFILE

Interview with…

Mark Bryant: The entrepreneur from Rhos-on-Sea who has turned exhaustion into exhilaration…

Mark Bryant had it all – a thriving business, a beautiful home and a loving family. And then, completely out of the blue, he got diagnosed with leukaemia.

“I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in June 2015,” says Mark. “I was 37, a husband, father of two young beautiful girls, Amber and Gabriella, and the CEO of a company turning over £15 million specialising in domestic energy efficiency. To say that life can throw you a curve ball is something of an understatement – it has been essential for me to delve deep into my heart and soul to truly bring about my own personal transformation from illness to wellness.”

And delve deep he has. Having endured one of the most toxic cancer treatments humans are exposed to, a full intensity stem cell transplant, Mark is now training for an ironman competition. This dramatic recovery is testament to his pure mental strength – a trait that he learnt during 20 years of business. Mark was a born entrepreneur, setting up his first business when he was at university. “I studied a Masters in General Engineering and Management at Exeter University, and I started my first business there selling the freshers of 1996 polo and rugby

inbusiness | 2019 | 13

PROFILE

shirts. My first biggest mistake was personalising these shirts and then having to run around distributing them to people I didn’t know during exam time!” Upon graduating Mark flirted with the idea of becoming a management consultant, but was always inspired by business and entrepreneurship. “I decided after leaving uni to help my dad with a franchise in Chester, specialising in gas and electrical certificates for landlords,” he says. “However, the truth is that I didn’t believe it was a very good franchise model, so we left. In 2003, on my birthday actually, the franchise company sent us a letter terminating our agreement – but I just got up and carried on. I said to Jason, a plumbing and heating sub contractor from Prestatyn: ‘You can’t afford to pay me a graduate’s salary, so give me 25% of the company and pay me minimum wage’ – and he did.” Mark and Jason grew the company until it had an annual turnover of just over a million pounds. “However we got our selves into trouble,” continues Mark. “So we went out looking for investment, but instead we found a mentor and business partner. This resulted in the business evolving from just plumbing and heating into domestic energy efficiency, solar PV and insulation – we worked as contractors in the social housing sector and on many of the government energy efficiency schemes.” Mark had a number of business partners during this time and,

14 | inbusiness | 2019

in 2010, he discovered that one of them had been lying from the outset. “This meant that two of us were left with a million pounds worth of personal guarantees. I had two young girls, and a staff to pay. He was defrauding large sums of money and we were left high and dry. Everything crumbled around us and we lost all of our businesses apart from a small one that was salvageable.” At this point that Mark had also been investing in his own personal development on various leadership, management and mindset courses in the UK, Europe and USA. “I’ve always had a fire burning inside me,” he says. “Personal development and my mentors gave me the self belief that I could still run a business despite such a huge set back. So I continued to build the business from virtually nothing at this point to three million in year one, to six million in year two and 15 million in year three. Things were looking up. And then I was diagnosed with leukaemia.” Mark underwent eight weeks of chemotherapy, followed by four days of full body radiotherapy, and the infusion of his brother Adam’s stem cells. After three weeks in isolation he went home. Six months later he met with his consultant to be given the news that every cancer patient dreads: “Mark, it is coming back.” “Refusing to be told the revised prognosis, I focussed on getting well,” he continues. “Taking control of my own healing

Mark underwent eight weeks of chemotherapy, followed by four days of full body radiotherapy, and the infusion of his brother Adam’s stem cells. After three weeks in isolation he went home.

journey and keeping one foot in the world of modern medicine, I embarked on a quest to find anything natural, holistic and scientific to super charge my immune system.” Mark has since discovered that his prognosis was considered terminal with just six months to live. “The underlying foundation of any success is belief. There has been no point on my healing journey that I didn’t feel I could not solve the problem. That said there were times I did think I couldn’t resolve it. That sentence there is the nuance of firm beliefs rooted into our core intuitive powers.” At this time Mark’s business continued for a good year after he left, but he ultimately removed himself from the business – knowing that it was a contributing factor to his illness in the first place. “I just wanted to focus on getting back to full health,” he says. “I was in remission, within four weeks of the relapse. All my focus and energy was directed to getting well. I radically changed my lifestyle, initially focussing on a major diet and nutritional overhaul as well as focussing my mind. It took me some time to decide how I was going to live the next stage of my life. I knew that I wanted to get back to work, and that I loved helping other business owners. I had over 20 year’s worth of experience that I wanted to share, but I needed the confidence that my direct experience could be transferred into other industries.” This new mission led to Mark’s first event in January 2017, supporting people with the nutrition knowledge that he had learnt on his journey. And, since then, he has also been coaching and mentoring other entrepreneurs – helping them to grow their businesses. “I am a co-owner of Fast Way to Fitness in Mochdre with Ben Owen and, with our combined success, we are launching the

Entrepreneur Success Academy in January 2020 to integrate the very best of health, life and business,” explains Mark. “This new venture is building a community of ambitious business owners who have the drive to take their business and lives to the next level.” Combining brain, body and business, the Entrepreneur Success Academy will be a mastermind community at its core. “We want to support that six to seven figure growth phase where the specialist becomes the business owner. We will support this new community with quarterly mastermind and boardroom events and a personalised coaching programme with me. I got so much from my mentors over the past 20 years, and I really want to pass that experience on. I have my own unique system that I have created that I now want to teach and share with entrepreneurs who are ready to take their business to the next level.” Mark and the Entrepreneur Success Academy are currently on the lookout for North Wales entrepreneurs who want to significantly grow their business. “There’s nothing like a terminal diagnosis to sharpen the focus on what’s important,” concludes Mark. “I’m fitter, healthier, wiser and more ‘whole’ than I’ve been in my entire life. What seemed impossible has become reality. I’ve learned how to save my life – and now I want to help other entrepreneurs save theirs.” So why not jump on a call with Mark and see if he can help you and your business? It might be too soon in your journey, or he might just be able to help… n

To book a discovery call with Mark Bryant email him on: mark@markbryant.tv

inbusiness | 2019 | 15

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO FROM GOOD TO GREAT

2020

Now is Your Time to Shine Are you looking to start a new business? Do you run your own business? Are you a corporate entrepreneur? Are you in Senior Management?

Whoever you are and wherever you are up to on your business journey, what better way to get 2020 under way than to focus on you and your business.

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Speakers include

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Jane Kenyon

16 | INSIDE BUSINESS | 2019

Veronica OwusuByczkowska

Workshops with

Helen Williams

Claudia Liberatoscioli

Matt Thomas

NEWS

Brexit Resilience Fund released The Welsh Government is making a further £6 million available to help businesses manage the ongoing disruption and uncertainty caused by Brexit.

With continued uncertainty remaining around the UK’s departure from the European Union following the recent extension until 31st January 2020, the Welsh Government is taking action to support the business community during these challenging times. The Welsh Government will continue to prepare for both an agreed exit and a no deal exit from the EU, to protect the interests of Wales and its people. The funding builds on the success of the Welsh Government’s Brexit Business Resilience Grant Fund, delivered by Business Wales, which made available nearly £2.5 million additional funding to 51 businesses across Wales. The £6 million now being made available to businesses will include £5 million of loan funding through the Development Bank of Wales to support companies with capital investment projects needed to mitigate the effects of Brexit. A £1 million capital grant fund administered through Business Wales will be co-invested alongside the Development Bank’s loan. The integrated offer will mean businesses can apply for grant funding of up to 20% eligible project costs to a maximum value of £50,000. This will be matched by a loan of the same amount or more. “The shambolic situation our country finds itself in due to the UK government’s inept handling of Brexit has left the business community in Wales with yet more uncertainty and worry,” commented economy minister Ken Skates. “In my recent meeting with the UK government business secretary I reiterated our concerns about the

Chief executive of the Development Bank of Wales Giles Thorley (left) and economy minister Ken Skates

impact of the current Brexit proposals on the future of the Welsh economy, and our fears that this would damage our economic outlook and put Welsh jobs on the line. The Welsh Government will continue to do all it can to support firms in both a deal and no deal scenario. We are committed to protecting the interests of Wales and its people and this is another prime example of the important measures we’re taking at this time of ongoing uncertainty.” Chief executive of the Development Bank of Wales Giles Thorley added: “This additional funding from the Welsh Government will help support businesses with their preparations during this period of economic uncertainty. The Development Bank is committed to supporting Welsh businesses and this new funding offers an important boost for micro to medium-sized businesses impacted by Brexit. Loans provided by the new fund will help safeguard jobs and support business continuity across Wales.” In-line with the Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan, businesses seeking to access the Brexit Resilience Fund will need to demonstrate their commitment to inclusive growth, to fair work, to promoting health in the workplace and to reducing their carbon footprint. A combined application process is in place with businesses applying once for both the Development Bank loan and Business Wales grant elements of the fund. Businesses will need to show that public sector funding is required for the Brexit related project to happen. To find out more, and check whether your project may be eligible, businesses should visit the Business Wales Brexit Portal or contact Business Wales on 0300 060 3000. n

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FEATURE

Going with the flow In lean times, cash flow beats profit for Welsh businesses says SUSANNAH MUTTON of Superfast Business Wales

With continuing uncertainty around when and how we leave the European Union, Welsh firms are asking if they have enough cash reserves to cover all eventualities – and even turn Brexit into an opportunity. Every business knows profit on the balance sheet doesn’t always mean cash in the bank, and if orders slow down or delayed payments creep up, they need a plan to access credit or liquidise assets. So, in this market, will digital emerge the hero for companies with fewer options to release cashflow? According to Cardiff University’s latest Digital Maturity Survey, firms from all sectors are seeing evidence that moving online is beneficial to their business. The report doesn’t explicitly reference cashflow, but many gains outlined in the research do help directly or indirectly to improve reserves. And many examples of this can be seen first-hand from companies that have taken advantage of the free digital training Superfast Business Wales (SFBW) provides.

payments by two days a week using Kashflow. The strategy was to create an environment that looked after staff welfare and delivered great customer care. To that end, it introduced a phone app, Rotaz, for staff to check rotas as well as book holiday and shifts. And Smart in-Out, a GPS system, which alerts clients when a job has been completed and adds a layer of security for lone or nightshift workers. Things grew from there. And digital marketing campaigns now win clients, web chat helps convert them and a customer relationship management system, HubSpot encourages repeat business.

Increasingly our ideas are driven by technology Many have switched to affordable technology like VoIP phone systems to reduce costs. Some use online software to make sales more profitable with tighter delivery or stock control. And others rely on online accountancy packages to keep cash moving. Though it’s true not every business has equal needs. For instance, Wonder Stuff, a village shop in Treorchy relies less on digital than cleaning company Apollo Wales to minimise running costs and alleviate associated financial stress. Yet, both have benefited.

On a smaller scale, Treorchy village shop Wonder Stuff saw takings leap by a third since installing an EPOS system that also integrates Amazon’s mobile app seller. “Takings grew by a third and stock management time was cut by 20%,” said Alison Chapman of Wonder Stuff. “Initially we used a manual till, recorded our sales in a logbook and guessed what goods we needed, sometimes wrongly. Now we analyse sales trends and receive alerts to replenish stock, so we buy regularly but in smaller quantities. It’s reduced the time we spend on stock management by 20% and minimised the items we hold on site by around quarter. And with less stock lying around and more sales coming in our cashflow is in a much better state.”

“We no longer spend two days a week chasing outstanding payments,” commented Chris Birch of Apollo Wales, a firm that employs a significant number of staff to clean domestic and well-known commercial properties such as Tesco and Barclays Bank, across Wales, England and Spain. So, adopting a full range of digital options made sense. Over 12 months, they increased revenue by 200%, reduced staff turnover and the subsequent costs of rehiring, improved cash flow, and reduced the time spent chasing outstanding

There are other ways businesses can think their way out of the Brexit box But is cashflow the whole story or does time also translate into money? Staff at construction firm EvaBuild spend two thirds of their time on the road, while office colleagues wait for them to relay the information required to finalise their audits and reports. The fix was more data storage and remote access to the new tendering system Vector, introducing the ability to share information using apps such

18 | inbusiness | 2019

Many have switched to affordable technology like VoIP phone systems to reduce costs.

SUSANNAH MUTTON is the marketing manager for Superfast Business Wales. The fully-funded service provides 1-to-1 digital business advice, local workshops, a free website review, and online tools to help Welsh businesses grow with online technology. superfast@businesswales.org.uk

as FormConnect, and Office 365 for shared editing of key documents. It is now 50% more productive and has forecasted 20% year on year growth because of better time management. The easy way to chase invoices, pay bills and sort taxes Not every business has such complex needs. Some just want an easy way to chase their invoices, pay their bills and sort out their taxes without the monthly headache, as Mark Williams, Choice Bookkeeping’s director, knows. There are phone apps that allow business owners to take a photo of their receipts before they bin them, as well as record invoices and mileage in real time. And Mark

has designed a free app that does all this and stores images to evidence tax claims for seven years to avoid penalties. “You just manage your accounts as you go along; the app automatically logs the information and sends it to QuickBooks or your preferred accountancy software where you can easily access it. It’s that easy.” Gain confidence and adapt with help from SFBW Any small business who wants help in navigating modern technology can get in touch with Superfast Business Wales to access free workshops, 1-2-1 advice and a wide range of guides, other success stories for inspiration and the recently published Software Essentials. n

inbusiness | 2019 | 19

YOUR EXPERTS IN

RUNNING A BUSINESS Join f

£177

rom

in the fi year* rst

Let’s stay ambitious together We don’t want the inevitable complexities of running your business to dampen your enthusiasm and get in the way of your dreams. So we help you deal with those typical legal, tax, employment and compliance issues that every business faces. With us on your side, your motivations, plans and targets will never take second place to business obligations and concerns. Members of FSB can access a range of benefits. Some are included in the price of your membership and others at a discount or on preferential terms through specially selected service providers.

ADVICE A range of advice benefits are included in your membership at no extra cost to you such as Tax Investigation Protection and a 24/7 Legal Helpline.

FINANCE We’ve negotiated special deals such as business banking (subject to status) and a workplace pension scheme, from one of the UK’s leading providers.

SUPPORT You’ll be joining your local FSB region offering local networking and a range of other products, including cyber protection, to help your business fly.

To arrange a meeting or join now

Call 0808 1688 512† or visit fsb.org.uk/join

*FSB Business Essentials Membership starts from £147 per annum with a £30 registration fee in the first year. This rate is applicable to businesses with no employees. Rates increase depending on your number of employees. Please see the website for full details of subscription rate bands. †Calls are normally free of charge from UK landlines but charges may apply from mobile phones. Lines open 8am-6pm weekdays, closed Bank Holidays. Registered Office: National Federation of Self Employed and Small Businesses Limited, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park, Blackpool, FY4 2FE. Registered in England No. 1263540. 20 | INSIDE BUSINESS | 2019

AWARDS

Take a bow Your business is something that you should be extremely proud of says MIKE LEARMOND, so now is the time to get the recognition that you deserve…

Taking the step to decide to start your own business, or making the move to become self-employed, is not an easy one. It takes courage, resilience, creativity and innovation, as well as an eye for providing a service that the customer really needs. North Wales is home to a vibrant and dynamic small business community, and I am proud to help support these businesses achieve their ambitions in my role with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). At FSB, we appreciate the struggles that start-ups go through and we are here to support you through every step of growing your business.

We also like to highlight the achievements that you make along the way, at our annual Celebrating Small Business Awards ceremony. In 2020 we will be in The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff on 13th March to celebrate your business success and announce the winners of the annual awards. What’s more, Wales’ winners will go on to compete at the UK Awards at the London final in May 2020. The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are free to enter and open to both FSB members and non-members. There are 12 categories you can enter, celebrating everything from digital businesses, environmental businesses and young entrepreneurs – there really is something for everyone. n

20 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ENTER FOR 2020

1. Boost team morale 2. Attract new talent 3. Brand awareness 4. Create digital content 5. Generate leads 6. Benchmark against the competition 7. Attract new clients 8. Find out where you can improve 9. Media exposure 10. See how far you have come 11. Raise your profile 12. Celebrate 13. Client and customer retention 14. Opportunity to reflect 15. Retain talent 16. Engage with decision makers 17. Grow your network 18. Enhance credibility 19. Share success with customers 20. You could win!

The categories for the Wales awards are: N International Business of the Year N Environmental Award N Micro Business of the Year N Start-up Business of the Year N High Growth Business of the Year N Family Business of the Year N Young Entrepreneur of the Year (aged 30 and under) N Wellbeing Award of the Year N Wales Social Enterprise of the Year (Wales Only) N Business and Product Innovation Award N Digital / ecommerce Business of the Year N Self Employed / Sole Trader of the Year Applications close on 24th January, with the Wales final taking place on the 13th March 2020. We’ve made the awards really easy enter, so why not give it a go?

MIKE LEARMOND is senior development manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales, with particular responsibility for North Wales. Mike.Learmond@fsb.org.uk

inbusiness | 2019 | 21

NORTH WALES

22 | INSIDE BUSINESS | 2019

DATES For you diary

December

1st - 15th BUSINESS WALES START-UP CLUB Wrexham Enterprise Hub, Wrexham 5-9pm

4th METAL PROJECT: SKILLS FOR MANUFACTURING Coleg Cambria, Connah’s Quay 8-10:30am

2nd BUSINESS WALES BRANDING & MARKETING Gladstone’s Library, Deeside 9:30am - 4:30pm

4th BUSINESS WALES TAKING BETTER VIDEOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE Wrexham Enterprise Hub, Wrexham 12-2pm

3rd SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES GROW YOUR TOURISM BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA Gwesty’r Trearddur Bay Hotel, Trearddur Bay 1-5pm

5th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES SELL MORE WITH DIGITAL MARKETING OpTic Glyndwr, St. Asaph 9am - 1pm

3rd BUSINESS WALES STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS: TAKING THE PLUNGE OpTic Glyndwr, St. Asaph 10am - 4:30pm

5th RCS WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE Storiel, Bangor 9-11am

4th THE POWER HOUSE Grosvenor Pulford Hotel, Chester 9:30 - 11:30am

5th BUSINESS WALES STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS: TAKING THE PLUNGE Gladstone’s Library, Deeside 10am-4pm

inbusiness | 2019 | 23

EVENTS

7th SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY Shop local today to support your fellow business owners! 9th BUSINESS WALES INTRODUCTION TO TENDERING WORKSHOP OpTic Glyndwr, St. Asaph 9:30am - 3:30pm 9th BUSINESS WALES TAX AND BOOKKEEPING WORKSHOP Gladstone’s Library, Deeside 1-4pm 10th BUSINESS WALES STARTING AND RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS: TAKING THE PLUNGE Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno 10am - 4:30pm 10th FSB CONNECT: NETWORKING Springfield Hotel, Holywell 9:30-11:30am 11th WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER Dylans, Criccieth 9:30am 11th NORTH WALES EXPORTERS CLUB MEETING The Kinmel & Kinspa, Abergele 6-8pm 12th FSB CONNECT: NETWORKING Rugby Club, Dolgellau 10am - 12pm 12th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES WIN MORE CUSTOMERS WITH A CRM Bangor University Management Centre, Bangor 9am-1pm 12th BUSINESS WALES WINNING AND KEEPING CUSTOMERS Clwyd Chambers, Rhyl 9:30am - 1:30pm 12th SELF-CARE FOR THE SELF-EMPLOYED Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno 8:30 - 11am

24 | inbusiness | 2019

12th BUSINESS WALES TAX AND BOOKKEEPING WORKSHOP Bangor University, Bangor 1-4pm 13th BUSINESS WALES ADVANCED BID WRITING OpTic Glyndwr, St. Asaph 9:30am - 4:30pm 16th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES SELL MORE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA Anglesey Business Centre, Llangefni 9am - 1pm 17th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES SELL MORE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA Anglesey Business Centre, Llangefni 9am - 1pm 17th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES WINNING & KEEPING CUSTOMERS Gladstone’s Library, Deeside 9:30am - 1:30pm 17th BUSINESS WALES STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS: TAKING THE PLUNGE Wrexham Enterprise Hub, Wrexham 10am - 4:30pm 18th BUSINESS WALES BRANDING & MARKETING OpTic Glyndwr, St. Asaph 9:30am - 4:30pm

19th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES INCREASE YOUR WEB TRAFFIC Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea 9am - 1pm

10th BUSINESS WALES ADVANCED BID WRITING Bangor University, Bangor 9:30am - 4:30pm

19th SUPERFAST BUSINESS WALES INTRODUCTION TO TENDERING Bangor University, Bangor 9:30am - 3:30pm

13th GLASDIR SKILLS ACADEMY CIEH LEVEL 3 AWARD IN SUPERVISING FOOD SAFETY IN CATERING Glasdir, Llanrwst 9:30am - 1pm

19th BUSINESS WALES STARTING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS: TAKING THE PLUNGE Galeri Caernarfon, Caernarfon 10am - 4:30pm 20th NETWORK SHE CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT NO PRESSURE, NO THREE-COURSE TURKEY DINNER – BUT CHRISTMAS JUMPERS AND FESTIVE GLAD RAGS A MUST… The Kings Head Pub, Llandudno 7:30pm – late!

January

Every Wednesday AAT LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTING Cambria Business School, Northop 10am - 4:30pm 8th BUSINESS WALES INTRODUCTION TO TENDERING WORKSHOP M-Sparc, Gaerwen 9:30am - 3:30pm 9th FARMING CONNECT INTRODUCTION TO DRONES Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, Ruthin 5-8pm

14th-25th February FARMING CONNECT ICT 6-WEEK BEGINNER’S COURSE Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, Ruthin 4:30pm - 6:30pm 15th CIPD: NETWORKING EVENT Wrexham Glyndwr University, Wrexham 8-10am 22nd FARMING CONNECT CREATING A WEBSITE Ruthin Farmers Auction, Ruthin 2-4pm 23rd RCS WELLBEING IN THE WORKPLACE Conwy Business Centre, Llandudno 9-11am 27th FARMING CONNECT ICT 6-WEEK BEGINNERS COURSE Glynllifon College, Caernarfon 6-8pm 29th EMERGING TECHFEST BY ESTNET, CEMET, INNOVATE UK AND KTN Venue Cymru, Llandudno 8:15am-5pm 31st SHINE 2020 WHAT BETTER WAY TO GET 2020 UNDER WAY THAN TO FOCUS ON YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS Crowne Plaza, Chester 9.30am - 4.30pm If you are running a business event that you would like to see included in the next issue of In Business, then please email it over to editorial@ksgpublishing.co.uk for consideration

inbusiness | 2019 | 25

Grow your business today by cre The ION leadership programme provides the skills and mindset for your business or enterprise to grow. ION is all about developing YOU so that you can develop and lead a sustainable enterprise and business. The programmes are delivered to businesses based in North West Wales – Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire and are part-funded up to 70% of the cost by the European Social Fund (ESF) through Welsh Government and have welcomed more than 1300 owners, directors and managers over the years across the whole of West Wales and the Valleys. There are two programmes for North West Wales businesses: Leading Growth Programme – Level 5 ILM Award aimed at Directors/Owner Managers/Senior Managers/Managers. Our programme will enable you to develop your leadership skills and by so doing help you develop and grow your business. On our Level 5 programme you will attend an Overnight Experiential learning event where you will learn about your personal leadership style and share experiences with your co-delegates. Whilst on the programme you will have a series of 5 Masterclasses on subjects such as Effective Leadership & Motivation; Managing Performance & Conﬂict followed by Culture and Values, you will also be assigned a personal coach to work with you on your development needs. New Leaders Programme – Level 3 ILM Award aimed at Supervisors/Team Leaders/those who are new to leadership/Aspiring Leaders. This programme will help you understand your journey to becoming an effective leader. The programme starts with a Bootcamp event which helps you understand leadership, learn about your personal leadership style and how to become a more effective leader within your organisation. Following the Bootcamp you will have a series of 3 masterclasses covering topics such as Understanding Leadership; How we work with People and Businesses and How We make Best use of our Resources. For more information about the programme and how to register for a place on one of our upcoming programmes please contact Nicola Sturrs on 01248 383024 or visit our website www.ionleadership.co.uk

eating the leaders of tomorrow The 20Twenty Business Growth Programme has an established track record for delivering high quality leadership and management skills to businesses in North East Wales. If you are looking to grow your business or develop your leadership skills, then the 20Twenty programme is for you. Aimed at firms in Wrexham, Flintshire and Powys, both programmes are up to 70% subsidised by the European Social Fund (ESF) and has welcomed more than 1,000 owners, directors and managers over the years. Two programmes for North East Wales businesses: Directors/Senior Managers – CMI level 5-7 programme As leaders you need to be ‘one step ahead’ and you need to be ‘leading the way’ that will enable you to take the risks, adapt to change and become role models for those who wish to follow. Our programme will develop you further as a leader within a ten month framework. Managers/Team Leaders – CMI level 4 programme During the programme, you’ll not only cover leadership and management styles, but we will provide you with the knowledge to develop high performing teams, identify growth opportunities, improve efficiencies, nurture innovation and develop expansion goals. In addition, the programme will up-skill you in key operational areas. Delegates such as DRB Group, Deltarock, ELMAC Technologies, Platts Animal Bedding, Silverlining Furniture and Wagtail are just a few of the companies that have graduated from the programme, crediting 20Twenty with having a positive impact on strategy, growth and turnover. In addition to the skills and tools that are provided, workshops are also a great opportunity to work with likeminded people, within a confidential, business-focused environment. For more information and to register for a place on one of the upcoming programmes call Jackie Whittaker on 01248 382569 or visit the website: www.20twentybusinessgrowth.com

DATA PROTECTION

Playing by the rules Last year GDPR was the acronym on everyone’s lips. 18 months later and the hype may have died down, but the legislation is as real as ever…

The Data Protection Act is nothing new. It has been in place in the UK since 1984, and exists to protect personal data in any form including when stored on computers, on paper or video tape. It has recently become much more high profile because it was updated and became a legal requirement in 2018. Over the last 25 years, technology has transformed our lives in ways nobody could have imagined – so a review of the rules was needed. The amount of personal data being processed on a daily basis with little to no control is staggering. In 2016, the EU adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and it was adopted in to UK law through the Data Protection Act 2018, coming in to effect on 25th May 2018. With the UK now preparing to leave the European Union, nothing changes, GDPR will still remain UK law. Does this apply to me? GDPR applies to any business who captures personal

identifiable information whether you are a small business or a huge international organisation. You may be a hair salon, an accountant, a dance school or a vet, this applies to you! Everyone who is responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules and, as a business, you must be able to demonstrate compliance with GDPR. The rules are virtually the same if you are a Data Controller (someone who defines what information to capture) or a Data Processor (someone who processes information on the Data Controllers behalf). What is personal data? Personal data is at the heart of GDPR, but many people are still unsure exactly what ‘personal data’ refers to. There’s no definitive list of what is or isn’t personal data. Broadly speaking, it means anything that can identify a living person, such as a name, address, phone number, email address, etc. It also covers special category data, which includes health information, ethnicity, political opinion, etc. If someone engages your services or buys a product from you,

inbusiness | 2019 | 29

DATA PROTECTION

and you record any information about that person, this means you must consider GDPR. If someone orders a carpet from you, or books a nail appointment with you, and you record details such as their name, address and phone number – this all comes under GDPR. What should I be doing? Any personal data you capture has to follow the ‘data protection principles’ and you must make sure the information is: N Used fairly, lawfully and transparently N Used for specified, explicit purposes N Used in a way that is adequate, relevant and limited to only what is necessary N Accurate and kept up to date N Kept for no longer than is necessary N Handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage So how do I comply with these principles? Data Protection Act/GDPR compliance is unfortunately not as straight forward as providing a simple checklist of tasks and, depending on your business/what services you provide, will vary on what you need to do. There are however some core considerations which apply to everyone: N Legal Right to Process – you must firstly ensure you have a legal right to process data, and that there is the appropriate consent in place. N Privacy Notice – every business must have a privacy notice available, which explains to individuals how their personal information is used and stored. A privacy notice should be written so it could be read and understood by a 13-year-old and, most importantly, be transparent. N Data Maps – you should have a clear record of what data you store, where it is stored and who has access to it.

30 | inbusiness | 2019

Access should be on a need to know basis. N Data Minimisation – you should only record and store the minimum data required to carry out your business activities. N Retention Policy – you should only keep data for as long as you need it, and should have a policy in place which outlines this. There are often legal requirements to store data for specific periods, such as financial records, but in many cases, there is no good reason to keep data. You should also keep records of any data you do delete. N Protect Data – you must ensure that data is protected, anonymised or encrypted when held on a computer, or kept locked away if on paper. N Access Request – every individual has a legal right to submit a ‘Subject Access Request’ to you. You are legally obliged to respond to that request within 30 days and you cannot charge for this. Who enforces the Data Protection Act/GDPR? The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulatory authority in charge of upholding information rights in the interest of the public, and they are responsible for enforcing data protection legislation in the UK. They have the power to carry out investigations and issue fines, and advise businesses on how to comply with the GDPR. Further Information While the ICO can apply fines for non-compliance with the Data Protection Act/GDPR, they are also there to help. The ICO website is extremely informative and has lots of detailed information, including a self-assessment toolkit, real world scenarios and guidance documents to help you ensure your business is doing what it should to be GDPR compliant. https://ico.org.uk/ This article is for educational purposes only, and is not any form of advice or guidance.

Whatever business youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in, we can get you in front of the right audience Contact us today to find out how a competitively priced print advertising campaign can help you build your brand in 2020

PUBLISHING Print advertising solutions for North Wales businesses 01492 472052 sales@ksgpublishing.co.uk www.ksgpublishing.co.uk

inbusiness | 2019 | 31

FEATURE

Supporting businesses to thrive

Conwy is home to around 6,000 businesses across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, retail, health and care. But its strength, says Nia Kirkham, is the breadth and diversity of businesses that operate in the county.

Conwy has everything from nuclear, manufacturing, engineering through to film, teddy bear makers, jewellery, and everything in between. There is also an incredible pool of talent which provides the county with award winners from

east to west. Conwy attracts major acclaim for the tourism sector too – we have some of the best attractions and hotels in the world, all helping to make North Wales the fourth best region for tourism in the world in 2017. And, of course, we have acclaimed food producers, which include meat, seafood, chocolate, biscuits and alcohol – the list goes on. One of the most dominant characteristics of Conwy County’s economy is the significant number of SMEs and micro businesses within the region and here, at Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction, the team have been supporting these businesses for almost 20 years. Our business support team have a wealth of experience and are able to provide information, help and advice on an extensive range of topics such as business and financial planning, finding funding or finance schemes, recruitment of staff, skills and training. We’ve built up strong, valuable links with the many organisations who offer specific support, and we help businesses make the contacts needed to succeed and help navigate their journey to maximise all the support that’s available. The Conwy Business Centre is also home to the Enterprise Hub, helping innovative ideas turn in to

32 | inbusiness | 2019

great new businesses, as well as having a very close relationship with Business Wales, helping businesses to both start-up and grow. We spoke to Kate Roberts from Sheldon’s in Colwyn Bay, who has just had its first year anniversary of trading, about the support it has received. “One of the reasons we opened in Colwyn Bay was the definite need for something different in the area. There was so much investment in Colwyn Bay with the seaside and the front, that it really is turning a corner,” she explains. “We had a great deal of help from Business Wales with our loan application and business planning, together with lots of contacts. They also provided us with training and marketing advice. We’ve just started a management training programme with Chwarae Teg, so as far as Conwy is concerned it’s not just the location, it’s the business support that’s available, and how easy it is to access thorough one single point.” Conwy has also provided a long line of national award winners in recent years, both in business and individual award categories. One of the main drivers for the Conwy Business Awards, which the business support team organise is to celebrate and acknowledge the successes of Conwy businesses and create a platform to showcase their achievements. “As an international events company, we operate events all over the world and we’re all fortunate to see some amazing places, but to be completely honest there is nothing better than driving home from the airport and driving over the Vale of Clwyd and seeing the whole of North Wales open up in front of you,” commented Sophie Morris of Worldspan – two-time winners of Business of the Year award.

“We’re really keen to continue our base here in North Wales and Conwy. We’ve got some amazing talent and it’s great to see that people have been away and tried the sights and sounds of London, but they’re coming back and I’m really proud of the talent that we’ve got here. As a company it’s something we really invest in so that we keep people in Wales and in Conwy and see the business grow from strength to strength.” In addition to the support the team offer businesses, we also run a number of forums and events for business, such as the IT sector forum which ensures that businesses are best placed to take advantage of the opportunities which will become available as the local, regional and national economy grows, such as connectivity and infrastructure developments. Colwyn Bay based business Computer Solutions set up in Conwy over 25 years ago. “Our ability to support our clients remotely has allowed us to expand the business and build up our client base beyond the radius of Conwy but we, as a company have always felt Conwy is the ideal location for us to base ourselves,” said Bruce Fraser, senior ICT account manager. “We have good, quick, reliable internet access which is crucial for us and our staff are settled, happy and enjoy working here in Conwy – allowing us as a business to thrive.” The Business Centre also offers office space and is home to many thriving businesses. We asked Claire Myatt, Nelson Myatt Solicitors why she chose to operate from the Centre: “Initially we weren’t aware of how buoyant the business market in Conwy is but, over the last few years, this really has become apparent,” she explained. “Conwy is a fantastic place for businesses packed with entrepreneurs, networking facilities and opportunities to both market and grow your business. We initially started with a team of two partners based in the Business Centre who have been a great support. Through all of the support available we are now a team of nine based over two offices. If you are prepared to work hard and get yourselves out in the local area then you can succeed.” The Centre is a hub for business support – whether you’re a business in Conwy needing advice or support, or thinking about starting your own business we have a team here to speak to you face to face to help and signpost you in the right direction. So why not get in touch? We’d love to help your business too. n

NIA KIRKHAM has managed the operations and business development at the Conwy Business Centre in Llandudno Junction for the past ten years which, as well as being a hub for business support, also offers business premises and conference and meeting rooms for hire. business@conwy.gov.uk

TOP: Conwy Business Centre has been supporting local businesses for almost 20 years ABOVE: Kate Roberts, director of Sheldon’s

The Conwy Business Centre is also home to the Enterprise Hub, helping innovative ideas turn in to great new businesses, as well as having a very close relationship with Business Wales, helping businesses to both start-up and grow.

inbusiness | 2019 | 33

Ein Pobl, Eich Tîm Our People, Your Team

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Swyddfa Newydd yng Nghonwy New Office in Conwy

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Our specialist corporate, commercial property, dispute resolution and employment lawyers provide support to help you grow and protect your business, giving you a solid foundation to build upon

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Offering a wide range of legal services including:

• • • • • • • • •

Eiddo Masnachol a Phreswyl Amaethyddiaeth Ewyllysiau, Ymddiriedolaethau a Phrofiant Cyfraith Teulu Cyflogaeth Corfforaethol a Masnachol Anghydfodau Troseddau Moduro Niwed Personol ac Esgeulustod Meddygol

Commercial & Residential Property Agriculture Wills, Trusts & Probate Family Law Employment Corporate & Commercial Disputes Motoring Offences Personal Injury & Medical Negligence

Cysylltwch â ni i gael gwybod rhagor am y gwasanaethau rydyn ni’n eu cynnig Contact us to find out more about the services we offer Swyddfa Conwy Office

1 & 2 Connaught House, Riverside Business Park, Benarth Road, Conwy LL32 8UB

01492 557070 info@lblaw.co.uk www.lblaw.co.uk Yr Amwythig • Bromyard • Conwy • Henffordd • Llwydlo • Croesoswallt • Telford

Shrewsbury • Bromyard • Conwy • Hereford • Ludlow • Oswestry • Telford

LEGAL

Why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?

When you own your own business it is vital to get the right legal arrangements prepared – DEWI JONES explains why.

It’s never easy to think about what might happen to your family or business if you are no longer able to work due to a serious illness or injury.

But you can ensure that things continue to be carried out on your behalf by putting a legal document in place, known as a Lasting Power of Attorney. It may not be something any of us want to think about, but it’s really important to get things prepared in case you are struck down by something that affects your mental capacity. It could happen suddenly and without warning - and if you are a business owner, it could have serious repercussions for your livelihood. What legal documents are in place to protect your business if you are suddenly unable to work for a period of time? Indeed, you need someone to deal with your affairs whether it is a short absence, or a longer-term change of circumstances, perhaps in the case of Alzheimer’s, Dementia or Parkinson’s Disease. There may also be occasions where you are physically incapable of running your business, through something as common as the flu or a broken bone, or even if you are abroad or on holiday and are unable to get to a particular place to sign a contract in time. The legal answer to these problems is a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), which can either cover

just your business affairs, or both your personal and business lives. It is common practice to create one LPA for your personal affairs and one in relation to your business. Many people think a business colleague or spouse will automatically be able to take over should you suddenly become incapable of administering your affairs, but that isn’t the case and, if you haven’t appointed an attorney, the disruption to a business could be substantial. It may not be possible to access bank accounts to pay wages or authorise insurance renewals, potentially affecting the day-to-day running of the business severely.

DEWI JONES of Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Conwy, is an expert on Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and other legal arrangements. www.lblaw.co.uk

You can choose whoever you wish to be your attorney, provided they are over 18 but it’s important to think carefully about who you appoint. It needs to be someone you trust to make these important decisions for you and is capable of carrying them out. Your attorney must be reliable and have the skills to fulfil the role. You can choose more than one attorney if you wish. Taking out an LPA is something many people don’t think about, or leave it until it may be too late and are overtaken by events. But by planning your affairs while still able, you will have the peace of mind of knowing that everything is in good hands should the worst happen. n

inbusiness | 2019 | 35

ST C T LE

First Floor Office, Griffiths Square, Mold Monthly Rental of £695

Newsagents, The Square, Corwen

Asking Price

For Sale

• Spacious office accommodation

• Close to the centre of Mold town

• Shop to the ground floor

• Spacious basement

• Three separate offices

• Kitchen area

• Two one-bedroom flats

• Two bedsits

• WC

• Minimum 3 year lease

• Corwen town centre

• EPC rating D-98

£175,000

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Office at Crossing House, Bromfield Lane, Mold Monthly Rental of £500 • Spacious office to let • Shared meeting room, kitchenette and WC • Located on Bromfield Industrial Estate • Close to Mold town centre • Electric heaters and double glazing throughout • EPC rating D-86

Shop at Wellington Road, Rhyl

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£65,000 Threads, Back Row, Denbigh

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• Shop unit located on Wellington Road

• Perfect location for business

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• Over three floors

• Shop size 61’ x 24’2”

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£125,000

SUBSCRIBE To North Wales In Business for just ÂŁ4.99 an issue and stay a step ahead of your competition Email subscribe@northwalesinbusiness.com and get each and every issue delivered straight to your desk

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FEATURE

Birds of a feather

There is more to learn from a flock of birds than fight or flight, as Ruth Lloyd Williams explains.

collaboration – something that is usually very blandly described as “two or more people working together towards shared goals”. Not the most exciting way to describe something that could have a huge positive impact on yourself, your business, your sales and your bottom line. But what if it was less about collaboration and more about murmuration?

If you are struggling to get your message across, grow your business, get your product out there, or to promote your service, then just look to the skies. Not for divine intervention (as this rarely works unfortunately) but for starlings.

Have you ever seen a murmuration? It has been described as the greatest wildlife spectacle in Britain and is a remarkable sight to witness. Hundreds, even thousands, of starlings flying together in swirling, swooping, everchanging cloud like patterns across the skies. Giving the impression of one, huge moving mass.

When setting up and developing a business, entrepreneurs will naturally follow the inbuilt inclination to go it alone, driving the do-ityourself spirit and ploughing on regardless. It works for some, and the amount of successful small businesses out there is proof to that. But it’s certainly not for everyone and not for every business – especially at a time of political and financial unrest.

Starlings are frequently seen, noisy birds that come together in huge flocks. They have a powerful message to share that will help you grow your business, grow your confidence and grow your tribe. At a business networking event recently, the speaker presented what I thought to be the perfect analogy for

A murmuration is Mother Nature’s way of proving that birds of a feather really do flock together. There is safety in numbers and together we are most definitely stronger. Differing from a cooperative way of working where a business, or other organisation, is jointly owned and run by its members, who share the profits or benefits and the

inbusiness | 2019 | 39

FEATURE

grief, a collaboration gives you the strength of numbers and the strength of voice without losing sight of your own aims and objectives for your own individual businesses.

Starlings are frequently seen, noisy birds that come together in huge flocks. They have a powerful message to share that will help you grow your business, grow your confidence and grow your tribe.

Contact, Connect, Communicate and Collaborate… The Power House is a mumuration in the making. It is a new initiative that gives you the ideal opportunity to make new contacts from across North Wales so that you can connect with the business men and women who will help you grow your business, grow your tribe and grow your company profile, presence and profitability. Meeting once a quarter in a different venue across the North Wales region, The Power House will open up new doors, new opportunities and bring you in to contact with new and interesting people who are interested in who you are and what you do. Each quarter the Power House executive members team will bring you carefully selected, inspiring speakers to share their story and their experiences – and to share hints and tips so that you can avoid the mistakes that they have made along the way. The Power House is brought to you by Co & Associates in association with a panel of exclusive executive members made up of up to 24 North Wales based businesses that include North Wales Honda, Supertemps, Network She, Worldpay, JV Banks, Nelson Myatt, Business Wales, ION, 20 Twenty, Dylan’s, Conwy Business Centre and this very publication – North Wales In Business magazine. Business and personal development will be on the top of the agenda along with lots of fun and laughter. We will introduce you to the teams behind The Power House and to the resources and support services that will help you along the way. By adding an element of collaboration into the mix you can make you – and your business –profitable. A collaboration, or indeed a mumuration, has a voice that can be heard – and is being listened to. Together we are stronger, safer and more effective. n

RUTH LLOYDWILLIAMS Having never had any youthful aspirations to own her own business, no one is more surprised than Ruth Lloyd-Williams that she now owns not one, but two successful businesses. Ruth currently spends the bulk of her time supporting members of the business community via Network She and The Power House, and the rest empowering women and young girls in sport, education and employment via her registered charity, the Network She Foundation. ruth@networkshe.co.uk

40 | inbusiness | 2019

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BUSINESS IN FOCUS

Driving excellence Located in the heart of Llandudno, North Wales Honda is no ordinary car dealership.

North Wales Honda is family run business that is reversing the trend of falling retail sales. Purchased in 2012, the Paveley family has assembled a top class team which has won many accolades and sits comfortably in the top five Honda league table for performance nationally. The family has a reputation for performance with both David and Jade champions behind the wheel of rally cars. “Our background is motorsport, which is a team sport. At North Wales Honda the most important three components are the staff, customers and the product. We have the best staff, who work as a team and put the customer first every time, we have lovely customers and the product is simply the best engineered cars in the sector that Honda dominates globally,” commented David who is not only the Managing Director but also the Dealer Principle, and hands on with every aspect of the business. Situated in the heart of Llandudno and the exclusive retailer of new Honda cars for North Wales, it is often overlooked that the car Dealership also stocks over 40 used cars on site and has access to over 2,000 pre loved Honda cars from six months young to ten years of age due to the unique Honda stock system. The family run business is handily placed between the Jet Petrol station and Venue Cymru. David’s daughter Jade works as part of the sales team and David’s wife, Sally looks after HR and IT, as well as making cakes for the team!

42 | inbusiness | 2019

“We will always stay in the town as our customers enjoy the benefits of the town, rather than arriving at a soulless industrial park where there is nowhere to shop or walk to while your car is being serviced,” said Jade. “We have easy disabled access and importantly the team are renowned for their warm and friendly greeting.” The business offers an MOT and service facility for all makes and models not just Honda cars. “We feel it is very important that we have depth in the team to tackle any make and model of car, as we are the car garage in the centre of town, we should be able to help and assist where ever possible,” said David. North Wales Honda’s experienced team of technicians has a wealth of experience. The company uses the latest electronic equipment to health check your car before any service or MOT work commences. No work will take place on your car until authorised by the customer. It is worth noting every defect is photographed and stored on its system for audit data and for you to view, and it can email you a video of your health check. If a new or pre-owned car is what you need, North Wales Honda’s team, headed up by Adrian Gunther, will carefully help you to select the right car for you. They will also provide a number of solutions on how to pay for your next car. “Our non-rushed approach is extended to the handover of your new car,” continues David. “All the functions and

features will be carefully explained and demonstrated. We want to maintain your car for you, to protect its residual value and guarantee its health and reliability.” To assist with this process David recommends a service plan. “This monthly payment plan helps to avoid a once a year payment that may fall at just the wrong time. Would you pay your mobile phone bill once a year?” Once you have purchased a new or used car from North Wales Honda, it hopes you will enjoy the service it provides for many years and enjoy driving the cars it sells. “Erin and the service team are very passionate about their role in the business. Their priority is to keep our customers mobile with the minimum amount of disturbance,” adds David. Honda cars have won numerous reliability awards globally. Honda continues to pursue cutting edge technology to reduce environmental impact. Honda manufactures their own Solar panels to provide energy in their own manufacturing plants around the world. In Japan, they release surplus energy back to the national grid to help the economy.

Hybrid and Electric cars are not new to Honda. In 1999, some 20 years ago Honda retailed the first Hybrid car. By 2012 Honda were producing Hybrid cars in over 12 plants. The latest Hybrid car is the 2019 Honda CR-V which has increased power and economy over all previous Hybrid models with built in energy recovery technology as used in Formula 1 cars. Red Bull and Toro Rosso are partners with Honda in Formula 1. In Moto GP Honda continue to dominate. In Japan Honda won the 2018 Super GT title with Jenson Button as part of the driver line up. The Honda Motorsport department are dedicated to linking the F1 technology to road cars, and you can see this filtering through. Red Bull is shouting loud about the performance of the Honda F1 engine, it has been incredibly powerful and reliable, and a multiple winner and pole sitter, with Max Verstappen. Honda also reaches up into the sky with a highly acclaimed private jet business, and rides the waves with a successful marine business. Closer to home, Honda lawn mowers and generators provide domestic solutions all over the world. n

To find out more on the exciting range of Honda cars, or about caring for your car or a MOT, pop in for a chat at the showroom located on Mostyn Broadway and meet the team. www.northwaleshonda.co.uk

INSIDE BUSINESS | 2019 | 43

We create Incredible

So you get results

01745 823 400 info@worldspancreative.co.uk www.worldspancreative.com 44 | INSIDE BUSINESS | 2019

MARKETING

Brand awareness e

The power of your brand is stronger than you may think says PHILLIPA THOMPSON…

If your business were a person, how would someone else describe them while they weren’t in the room? Now, imagine this person is your brand.

While you can’t control everyone’s perception of you, you can attempt to influence the conversation by developing a strong and consistent image and experience. Positive associations with your brand can be built in many ways, including your marketing communications, your company values and customer service. It comes down to the connection people feel with your brand and whether it resonates with them. What is a brand? Don’t be fooled into thinking your brand is just your logo, it’s not. It’s also how you: N Look – visual assets (your logo, colour palette, font, etc.) N Talk – tone of voice (are you humorous or serious?) N Act – brand personality (do you challenge the status quo? Are you an advice-giver?) Many of you will have already seen that Facebook, as a company, rebranded earlier this month. Perhaps in an attempt to shed the reputational damage of multiple recent public issues, or just to announce a restructure, Facebook now sits apart from its app, visually. Will this be a truly value-led rebrand or just a change of logo? Time will tell. Affecting the bottom line Your brand will influence whether customers choose your product or service over your competitor, as well as how much they’re willing to pay for it. Not influenced by visual assets alone, people will look for positive associations and experiences related to your brand, which will influence the purchase decision. “If Coca-Cola were to lose all of its production-related assets in a disaster, the company would survive. By contrast, if all consumers were to have a sudden lapse of memory and forget everything related to Coca-Cola, the company would go out of business.” Coca-Cola Executive

PHILLIPA THOMPSON is a senior account manager at Worldspan Creative, helping businesses across North Wales grow through incredible digital and design. To find out more about Worldspan Creative’s services, as well as seeing past client work, visit www. worldspancreative.com or email phillipa.thompson@worldspan.co.uk for help with your brand.

Worldspan Creative is offering a free brand audit, worth over £120, to the first 10 companies who get in touch. Email info@ worldspancreative.co.uk with your and your company’s name

Over time, your brand will become your most valuable asset, so it’s worth investing in it today. n

inbusiness | 2019 | 45

One of Walesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; largest and fastest growing Welsh translation companies.

BLA TRANSLATION SERVICE Named the best small business in the North Wales Daily Post Business Awards 2018. Punctual and reliable service Available 24 / 7 offering competitive rates

www.bla-translation.co.uk email: office@bla-translation.co.uk tel: 01248 725730

TRANSLATION

Welsh Words of Wisdom

Translation may not be a sexy product, says ALUN GRUFFYDD, but it is certainly a vital one in North Wales…

The translation business is, by its very nature, panic driven – often an after thought by a client resulting in a task which is required immediately, or yesterday. There has to be a premise to accept work, to never say no, and to deliver. This breeds confidence amongst clients and they will return and they will nudge their colleagues and friends in other organisations to look our way. This has been vital to the development and good name of the company resulting in significant turnover increases year on year. Bla Translation is an award-winning English to Welsh translation company which has enjoyed significant growth since its early beginnings as a sole trader business in 2013. The company now boasts a workforce of ten members of staff and relies heavily on a further pool of freelance translators. The company was founded by its director, Alun Gruffydd, who has a background in the public sector but not in the translation field. With a constant itch to venture into the private sector, that leap was finally made and the business has gone from strength to strength. In Alun’s opinion, the key to success lies in a number of fundamental factors – a sound infrastructure of administrative and financial systems, attractive and contemporary branding and media presence, choosing the correct blend of qualified and enthusiastic staff, and the

Helô

constant ability to exceed the expectations of the customer. Bla Translation’s client base is vast and has a good range of small to mid to large size businesses from the public, private and third sectors. This diversity is important, as it secures returning clients and the ability to entice a constant flow of new ones. Despite such growth, it is important always to take a step out to look back in. Bla Translation has a long-term marketing plan, a journey and an idealogy based on where it wishes to be over the next five to ten years. This was written in 2016, under the guidance and professionally challenged by a previous professor from Bangor University’s Management School. He, along with the company’s external accountant, provided the bedrock for the company’s initial development. Alun would advise every business to undertake this method of scrutiny, to evaluate how the business is performing, which areas needs addressing and to take honest and difficult decisions, objectively. It is invaluable. Translation is not a sexy product. It cannot be shown. It cannot be wrapped in a box and it is not populist. There lies the challenge. However, it is a vital component of the business needs of our various sectors here in North Wales and beyond, manifested by Bla Translation’s success in the Daily Post Business Awards in 2018, leaping onto that floodlit stage ahead of many shortlisted manufacturers of those snazzy, tasty, glitzy and sought-after products. n

ALUN GRUFFYDD spent over 20 years in the public sector working in field archaeology, a director of a museums service and leading heritage and educational departments within a national park. During this time he also gained his qualifications in Welsh translation which enabled his eventual decision to establish Bla Translation Ltd in 2013. alun@bla-translation.co.uk

inbusiness | 2019 | 47

Out of home specialists

www.routemedia.co.uk

MARKETING

The big screen e

While everyone is spending their marketing budget on social media, DEAN JONES believes that ‘out of home’ marketing is a sure fire way to stand out from the crowd…

Digital OOH (out of home) is currently one of the most popular forms of advertising. The bright screens make brands stand out, and the ability to rotate messages is a real plus compared to traditional outdoor marketing. And now, Route Media is bringing digital OOH screens to North Wales.

Using Route’s mobile media allows you to target both geographically and demographically in the same sort of way as digital. You can also hit multiple locations in the same day providing more value for money. Route makes the process easy, helping with everything from design to route planning. This means that you can focus on other media knowing the team have got it in hand. Route Media was formed in 2018 after a need to get messages into West, Mid and North Wales was identified. At the moment there is a real lack of digital advertising screens in the region and our mobile options solve that problem. The screens are fully digital and capable of playing static, video and audio on rotation. As well as these mobile screens Route is in discussions with multiple permanent locations and would love to talk to anyone who thinks they may have a site for a digital screen. Having already worked with the Welsh government, The Welsh Rugby Union, Heart FM and Brecon Carreg, Route has proven the value of its products and is looking to grow it portfolio in North Wales across 2020.

DEAN JONES Having worked in media for 14 years across radio, digital and now out of home, Dean Jones started Route Media in 2018 with a view to building a new and exciting media that solved clients problems in different ways. www.routemedia.co.uk

In my former role as commercial director for Heart I loved working in the North Wales region and think it is well placed to thrive over the next few years. These are indeed exciting times – we continue to grow rapidly across Wales and hope that our unique campaigns have the same result for other Welsh businesses. n

inbusiness | 2019 | 49

SECTION HEADER WORK LIFE BALANCE

All work and no play… Sid Madge, author of Meee in a Work Minute, reveals why we should all take a breath and appreciate the moment…

We all want to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives. However, we all too often find excuses that prevent us from making changes. It’s easy to blame everyday issues like a lack of time and money as a permanent roadblock. I’ve been a brand strategist for over 30 years and founded The Meee Programme to support young people, parents and those in work to shift ones thinking in just one minute. 80% of our lives is at work, where we are more than often on autopilot, in which our minds are reactive and we respond less productively. Integrating mindfulness into daily wellbeing practices is about taking a moment to pause, either through a regimented meditation practice or just closing your eyes and focusing on the breath for a few moments. Here are seven ways that you can easily promote your wellbeing, whether you are at work or at play: t Express Kindness. At Meee, we are people optimists. We believe every one of us is amazing in some way and capable of awesome things. But often we just need some help to see it. Being human means exercising consistent acts of kindness and empathy, both to yourself and others. t Be on Purpose. Inspire your workforce and inspire every person to believe in who they are and what they can achieve. Imagine if we all felt we could be ourselves, our best selves and that was valued. Wouldn’t that be amazing? t See Opportunities. Just think what would be possible if everyone could see opportunities rather than problems, employees felt optimistic rather than sceptical, and confident rather than anxious. t Celebrate Diversity. We live in a wonderfully diverse world, full of wonder and difference, celebrate your team’s core values and strengths and help them be the best people they can be. t Meee at Work. When life or work becomes difficult, we can be at a loss for what to do. We imagine change to be an endless, uphill battle, but sometimes it can happen in just a minute. Practice a life hack that can help you improve your life, work or family – in just one minute. t Practice Consistency. The power is in making Meee a daily practice to continually develop both personally and professionally. t Involve Your Family. Cultivate a healthier mindset even before you get to the office. Meee in a family is ‘foundational’. Feel positive, energised and balanced both at home and work. Meee focuses on the whole person and their community, this is vital to promote a work life balance and develop a holistic mindset. n

50 | inbusiness | 2019

SID MADGE is a brand strategist and founder of The Meee Programme. After 20 years at some of Europe’s leading creative agencies, he moved to North Wales to start a branding agency – a bold move that sparked a major life change. wellbeing@meee.global

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mark@markbryant.tv inbusiness | 2019 | 51

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