Think Enterprise Issue 40

THINK ENTERPRISE

QUARTER. 2 — 2023

READ INSIDE

NEW ACADEMY PLANS

ACADEMY OF DESIGN THINKING

GUEST ARTICLE

BUSINESS EDUCATION IS MISUNDERSTOOD

AI: THE SMALL BUSINESS GAME-CHANGER

MENTORING CATCHUP

NORTH SKY YURTS

Welcome to our early summer edition of Think Enterprise. This publication features a variety of news and articles from IOEE, SFEDI and our wider enterprising family of Academies.

This month we spoke to several long-standing academies, Face to Face, Academy of Design Thinking and Rocketeer - we were delighted to hear their plans for the future. We also spoke to IOEE Academy Entrepreneurs Unlocked, who have launched a project to support people on probation into selfemployment.

This month SFEDI Digital Director Nathan Hardwick discusses artificial intelligence, what the future holds and what this could mean for your business.

We welcome IOEE Fellow and Entrepreneur in Residence Simon Ward; Simon is an established entrepreneur passionate about the power of business education - an ethos we share. Simon shares his experiences with us and has kindly written an article discussing business education.

It’s always a pleasure to hear the impact our mentors have had on the businesses being supported, and this month, we hear from North Sky Yurts, who has been supported by IOEE mentor Anastasia Georgiou, helping the business to flourish over the past 12 months.

And finally, we spoke with Andrew Berri, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, who provides insight into mental health and some handy tips for improving well-being and mental health at work.

So that’s all from us for now; grab a coffee and enjoy this month’s issue of Think Enterprise! x

SARAH TROUTEN, IOEE CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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Academy of Design Thinking AI: The Small Business GameChanger

Guest Article: Business Education is Misunderstood

Rocketeer Re-approval

Zooming to the Office

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Mentoring

Catchup: North Sky Yurts

Mental Health in the Workplace

Probation Into Self Employment

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FIRST Face to Face and Enterprise Education

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The Power of Communication

Academy of Design Thinking

IOEE Academy using innovative approaches to business learning

We met with one of our long standing enterprise academies, the academy of design thinking and spoke with CEO, Juia Goga Cooke about their plans for delivery in 2023. We really enjoyed catching up with Julia and finding out about Academy of Design Thinking’s experience as an IOEE academy.

We wanted to know a little bit more about how the Academy of Design Thinking works, and how the programme is delivered, and so we thought, who better to ask than the CEO of the academy.

Julia gave us a bit of background on the centre and their learners. She told us that their learners are corporate professionals and university students who are taking part in the design thinking movement. The academy specialises in helping companies build their human centred innovation

muscle, through scaling the learning in sustainable ways. The academy runs accelerator bootcamps, train the trainer programs and digital online courses to boost the learners qualifications, add to their skills and equip them for an ever changing and ever adapting world.

With a human centred approach, Academy of Design Thinking equips learners with a set of six human skills: empathy, critical thinking, creative thinking, experimentation, collaboration and communication. We wanted to take a deeper dive into the world of design thinking and so we asked Julia if she could explain what design thinking is and how it applies to current day enterprise.

What is Design Thinking?

‘Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that puts people at the centre.

“It is a human-centered, collaborative, and iterative process that helps businesses improve and create new products, services, processes, experiences that bring value for their customers, the business and society at large. Over the years, it has evolved through deep combinations with Lean Entrepreneurship and Agile Ways of working, making it easier for businesses to embrace it.”

Design thinking is increasingly being recognized as a valuable process for innovation and growth in a wide range of

industries, from tech startups to healthcare. With their approval as an IOEE academy, Academy of Design Thinking has demonstrated their commitment to excellence in enterprise education. They have also benefited by being associated with the IOEE and being able to issue certificates that are valued in the UK and internationally.

Academy of Design Thinking has announced their plan to increase their delivery. They aim to deliver this way of thinking to more learners, and to reach more students and entrepreneurs than ever before. Their mission is to help more companies adopt the human and planet centered approach and thrive amidst uncertainty, ambiguity and change. In 2023 we are helping more companies, that want to embrace circular economy at the core of their business, by innovating in their business model and transitioning into new ways of working.

This is great news for anyone looking to learn more about design thinking and how to apply it in their own business or project. Academy of Design Thinking’s plans for the future are exciting.

Design thinking has the potential to transform the way businesses approach innovation and growth, and Academy of Design Thinking is at the forefront of this movement.

If you want to find out more about Academy of Design Thinking, their mission and their programmes, then head over to their website at: www.academyofdesignthinking.com

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

THE SMALL BUSINESS GAME-CHANGER

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, small businesses need every advantage they can get to stay competitive. Enter the world of artificial intelligence (AI), a powerful ally for small business owners looking to streamline operations, optimise resources, and gain valuable insights. This technological marvel is no longer a luxury reserved for big corporations; it’s an essential tool for businesses of all sizes.

Data-Driven Decision Making

One of the key benefits of AI for small businesses is its ability to analyse and interpret massive amounts of data quickly and accurately. From customer behavior patterns to market trends, AI can help small business owners make data-driven decisions that drive growth and success.

By leveraging AI, you can make informed choices about marketing strategies, product development, and pricing, all based on real-time data. No more relying on gut feelings or guesswork - AI provides the insights you need to make smart, strategic moves.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Understanding and catering to your customers’ needs is crucial for any business, but it’s especially important for small businesses looking to build loyal, long-lasting relationships with their clients. AI can help you gain a deeper understanding of your customers, allowing you to tailor your products, services, and marketing efforts to better meet their needs and preferences.

AI-powered chatbots, for example, can provide

personalised customer service, answer questions, and even handle complaints, all while reducing wait times and freeing up your staff to focus on other tasks. By utilising AI to improve the customer experience, you can boost satisfaction, increase repeat business, and build a stronger reputation in your industry.

Streamlined Operations and Increased Efficiency

Running a small business often means juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities. AI can help streamline your operations, automate routine tasks, and increase overall efficiency.

From managing inventory to scheduling appointments, AI-powered tools can take on timeconsuming tasks, freeing you up to focus on what you do best: running your business. By automating these processes, you can save time, reduce human error, and improve productivity across your organisation.

Cost Savings and Resource Optimization

For small businesses operating on tight budgets, finding ways to save money and optimise resources is always a priority. AI can help you achieve both of these goals by identifying areas where you can cut costs and make better use of your resources.

For example, AI can analyse your energy consumption and suggest ways to reduce waste, lowering your utility bills and shrinking your carbon footprint. AI can also help you optimise your staff’s workload, ensuring that everyone is working as efficiently as possible, which can lead to cost savings in the long run.

Staying Competitive in the Market

In an increasingly competitive business environment, small businesses need every advantage they can get to stay ahead of the curve. By embracing AI, you can level the playing field, gaining access to the same cutting-edge tools and insights as larger corporations.

AI can help you identify emerging trends and opportunities in your market, giving you a leg up on the competition. By staying ahead of the curve and leveraging AI’s capabilities, you can position your small business for long-term success and growth.

The importance of AI for small businesses cannot be overstated. By harnessing the power of this advanced technology, you can make data-driven decisions, enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, save costs, and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced business landscape.

Embracing AI now can give your small business the edge it needs to thrive in the future. Don’t be left behind – invest in AI and discover the incredible potential it holds for your business.

Member Profile Simon Ward

IOEE Fellow and Entrepreneur in Residence at IOEE Academy, Sheffield Hallam University

We met with Simon Ward CEO at Buybrandtools, an IOEE Fellow and entrepreneur in residence at Sheffield Hallam University. We caught up with Simon to find out more about his experiences and passion for supporting other small businesses. We also welcome a feature article from Simon on business education being misunderstood. Before we hear from Simon on the misunderstanding around business education, we asked if he would introduce himself to our network.

Could you introduce yourself, and tell us about your current engagement with enterprise?

I am the CEO of Buybrandtools Ltd and an entrepreneur in residence at Sheffield Hallam University.

I started my career in sales and became involved in an MBO of the company I was working for after a few years as the sales director. I am the co-founder of Buybrandtools ltd, an internet retailer which was formed over twenty years ago.

As a co-founder of a business, I am sure you have a background in enterprise and entrepreneurship. Could you tell us a bit about this?

I am an accomplished entrepreneur, with a passion for enterprise and business education. I am particularly passionate about developing business skills in people from diverse backgrounds, who may just need somebody to give them the confidence to start their own companies. I taught strategic management at Sheffield Hallam University for over twenty years and became one of the universities

entrepreneurs in residence in 2019. I find it incredibly rewarding to be involved in a range of activities that promote a culture of enterprise at the university. We love that you fight for visibility for enterprise education, and business education, and I am sure our readers do too.

At this stage in my life and career, I want to share my knowledge and experiences with as many potential entrepreneurs as possible. I feel the readership of IOEE will hopefully benefit from my passion for enterprise. I had the pleasure of connecting with the CEO of IOEE through LinkedIn and felt the ethos of the magazine to be inspiring and very helpful to potential entrepreneurs.

We want to thank Simon for contributing to the Think Enterprise publication and hope to see some more submissions from him in future editions.

Business Education is Misunderstood

How many times have you heard people saying that going to university to study business is a waste of time and money and that the University of life is a much better option? I have taught business studies for over twenty years and have run my own company for over thirty, so I feel in a unique position to give an opinion on this hotly debated topic.

Nobody was born understanding a balance sheet or HR law etc, and despite what the popular version of an entrepreneur is: you must somehow develop all-round business skills to be successful. There is no doubt that entrepreneurs have some genetic traits that underpin their success. I was born with a compulsion to achieve short-term goals and this trait aided my ability to become a successful salesperson early in my business career. However, my business acumen in my early twenties was zero!!! It was only during my MBA that I started to look at the business from multiple, interconnected perspectives. Whilst I had gained years of business experience at this stage in my life, I hadn’t developed the reflective skills to make informed decisions that are necessary to have a successful business.

Many young people struggle to know what career they want to pursue, and yet they are forced to make big decisions about A-levels and degrees. The more motivated students, choose their A-levels and degrees with confidence and conviction, and these students are seen as high achievers. I think it would be fair to say that the more motivated students choose what are considered by some to be the more difficult A-levels and degrees. I chose the word motivated deliberately, as I believe academic maturity underpins motivation and vice versa and it is this alchemy that sets young people apart, not their ability or intelligence. This leaves the less motivated students choosing

courses such as business studies, more by default than a considered choice to enhance their career prospects. This creates a negative view of both business studies and the students embarking on these courses rather than the classics. Should these less motivated students take up courses or A-levels just because they don’t know what else to do? And should the more motivated students dismiss business studies because it is not considered an academic degree or A-level?

Business studies are underpinned by social sciences and are one of the most academic and enlightening degrees you could undertake. It is misunderstood by many who choose to believe that business theory is somehow isolated from real life and constructed by academics in ivory towers divorced from reality. Theories are observations of life and only become teachable once they have been grounded in some kind of epistemological truth. In simple terms, theories are nothing more than collectable observations of life. Undoubtedly, living life gives us more and more experience to develop ideas, but I can say with certainty that business theory provides a perfect catalyst to speed up observational insights that might otherwise take years to develop. As an academic discipline, business studies are incredibly interconnected within the fabric of life and can be one of the most challenging degrees to undertake. It can be dismissed by motivated and driven students for all the wrong reasons.

After years of watching Dragons Den, it is apparent that lots of people have creative business ideas, but many fall short when it comes to evaluating their idea from multiple perspectives. How many times are ideas ripped to shreds due to a poor understanding of the financial implications of their business plan? There is no doubt that the UK would produce more entrepreneurs if we

stopped concentrating on the next invention and concentrated on making sure that business studies are at least understood and not dismissed for all the wrong reasons.

We can teach students the art of reflection, whilst exploring best practices in all functional areas of business using case studies, and in some cases, years spent in industry on work placements. Most degree students are working their way through their course and can have plenty of experiences to reflect upon. We can also provide mind maps of concepts and models that can be applied to everyday situations to enable students to better understand the world around them and allow them to come up with new business ideas.

Undoubtedly a person can gain real first-hand experience if they go straight into the workplace and observe human behaviour, marketing mixes, management styles etc. In my experience, motivated students who are genuinely interested in business studies in the first place would thrive in either the workplace or academic setting because of their heightened need to learn and observe: a hybrid approach for these students is perfect.

But what about the young students that don’t know what they want to do and drift into business studies? Do we think these students will reflect on

their day-to-day experiences if they go straight into the workplace at 18? The less academic students who are unsure about business studies and a business career need time to mature, and sufficient encouragement even if they show low levels of interest, and a safe environment to learn in. It is too easy to disregard these students academically and suggest they go straight into the workplace, at a time when they need support for the next stage of their lives.

Business studies should be explored as a potential degree or A level with all students not just the least motivated ones. As a subject, it can be misunderstood and underrated more from myth than reality. We should adopt a hybrid approach to the committed and motivated students embarking on a career in business studies and we should never give up on students who are finding their way into a career.

ARTICLE AUTHOR: Simon Ward

ROCKETEER REAPPROVAL

Today we’re featuring one of our long standing academies, Rocketeer Group

We always love checking in with our centres, and we recently had the opportunity to talk to Richard at Rocketeer Enterprise. Rocketeer Enterprise trains a variety of learners, including learners within prisons. They became an IOEE Academy in 2017 and had their own programme recognised to provide added value for their learners, who were completing this programme.

Rocketeer works with many prisons up and down the country, equipping their learners with a selection of digital marketing skills to improve their marketing techniques, and also to make sure they are up to date with the latest online trends. This is especially important for those who are in prison.

Rocketeer runs their programme in three stages, each with added information and providing a deeper understanding. Richard told us that the third stage is heavily based in those digital marketing skills, teaching the learners how to drive traffic using organic methods and paid methods. They cover the fundamentals of digital marketing and are able to actually see how those skills can be used, rather than being told about them and not given that demonstration.

I spoke to Richard at Rocketeer about the importance of keeping up to date with the latest technology. It feels like an effort to constantly try out new apps and to not fall behind with all of the newest technology, trending tags and content styles. We discussed how hard it must be for learners within a prison, to not have access to the digital world

and yet still be expected to be up to date and understand how to navigate the web upon their release. It is really important for the learners at Rocketeer to be able to re-enter the world of employment and to hit the ground running.

This is where Rocketeer steps in. They teach their learners how to use the latest technologies, the latest apps and how to identify new trends when it comes to marketing. Although they rely on paper based learning for their assessment and the majority of their delivery, they demonstrate the use of technology, show the learners video content and have the learners explain how to use certain platforms and apps. In their experience, the demonstrations help the learners make that transition from theory to practice and allow the learners a chance to explore technology in a safe way.

They chose the IOEE recognition so they could adapt their course content to keep up with the latest technological trends. As a new mobile application comes out, Rocketeer steps in to teach their learners how to use it. So having the flexible approach of the IOEE recognition, still gives their learner that qualification, and allows Rocketeer to provide a tailored experience.

This flexible approach allows Rocketeer to teach their learners about an ever evolving world of social media, online platforms and trends without sacrificing on the recognition. Rocketeer is able to keep up to date with their teaching, whilst also providing that added value for the learner when they are certificated by the IOEE.

REAPPROVAL

We are really pleased to hear that Rocketeer is re-approving as an IOEE academy for another 3 years, and we can not wait to see how their programme develops. We send our best wishes to Rocketeer and I am sure we will have another update on Rocketeer in a future publication.

If you’d like to join the IOEE community with companies like these and become an accredited Academy, contact us today at https://ioee.org.uk/ioee-academies/

ZOOMING TO THE OFFICE: THE REMOTE

In the past decade, small businesses have been at the forefront of the remote work revolution. With technology making it easy to work from anywhere, there’s been a significant shift in how small businesses operate and employees work. In this lighthearted yet informative article, let’s explore the rise of remote work and its impact on the world of small businesses and employment.

Remote work, or “working from home,” involves working outside a traditional office environment, such as at home or in a coworking space. It has gained popularity due to advancements in technology, which have made it more accessible.

Factors contributing to the rise of remote work include financial savings, flexibility, and improved work-life balance. Many small businesses have realized the benefits of allowing employees to work remotely, including reduced overhead costs, increased productivity, and access to a wider pool of talent.

Some businesses have embraced a hybrid approach, combining office and remote work. Hybrid working has been around for a while, but the recent pandemic made it a household term, and it shows no signs of stopping.

The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in accelerating remote work adoption. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, many small businesses had no choice but to let their employees work from home to ensure continuity. One of the most significant impacts of remote work on small business culture is the shift towards results-oriented work.

With employees working remotely, it’s about the results achieved rather than hours clocked in. This shift has led to a change in management styles, with managers focusing on outcomes rather than micromanaging.

environment, with employees working on their terms and schedules.

Another impact of remote work on small business culture is the need for better communication and collaboration tools.

REMOTE WORK REVOLUTION

Online platforms, communication apps, and time management tools have become work-from-home essentials. Video calling platforms have become the go-to method for team communication, and we’ve even

biggest challenges is maintaining company culture and fostering a sense of belonging among remote employees. To address this, various strategies have been adopted, including virtual team-building activities and remote social events.

Another challenge is effective performance management. Tracking remote employees’ performance and ensuring they meet their goals can be difficult. This has led to the adoption of various performance management tools and strategies, including regular check-ins, goal setting, and online performance tools. Shared calendars, call logs, and timesheets have become essentials in management meetings with the team.

The rise of remote work has had a significant impact on small business culture, changing the way companies operate and employees work. Both results-oriented work structures and traditional office-hour mindsets have proven successful and serve their purpose. As technology progresses and businesses adapt, we’re sure to see another shift.

For small businesses looking to encourage or benefit from remote working, recognizing the unique challenges and advantages is essential. By adopting flexible work policies, leveraging technology, and maintaining open communication, small businesses can create a thriving remote work environment that fosters productivity, well-being, and collaboration.

employee well-being and work-life balance. It’s essential to ensure that remote employees have the support they need to maintain their physical and mental health. However, remote work presents some challenges for small businesses. One of the

SOCIAL MEDIA LEVEL 2 FUNDED QUALIFICATION FREE LEARNING MATERIALS

We are very pleased to announce the launch of new materials and content which is being made available at no charge to all SFEDI centres and IOEE Academies. The learning materials have been mapped against SFEDI Awards Level 2 Award in the Promotion of Products and Services Through Socal Media which currently has funding confirmed for this academic year.

The qualification is suitable for all learners looking to gain skills and knowledge in social media, whether they are going on to start a business or seeking employment.

You can find this workbook along with many other free resources within the SFEDI Awards hub or if you’d like to discuss your delivery in more detail please contact Jonathan.harper@sfedi.org.uk

www.sfediawards.co.uk/centre-hub

MENTORING CATCHUP WITH

In 2023, we continue to work with UKFinance and the highstreet banks to provide mentoring services to new and existing business owners across the country. We had an opportunity to talk with Becca McClure and Anastasia Georgiou, who started their mentoring journey back in 2020 and have been in regular contact since.

It was brilliant to get to know more about their mentoring relationship, how it has helped Becca and her business, and how it pushed Anastasia to develop her mentoring skills. Each mentoring relationship we have heard about is unique, naturally, and yet they all sound so rewarding and beneficial.

Becca is the co-owner of North Sky Yurts, which is a female founded, eco conscious yurt and bell tent hire business based in Leeds. The business launched in October 2020 and has been growing ever since. Becca set up the

business, whilst still in full time employment. One day during lockdown, she was made redundant. Becca chose to take this as an opportunity to focus more on her business. Being made redundant isn’t ideal for anyone, but this extra time gave Becca a chance to plan out her idea and really hit the ground running. She sought out a mentor and was matched with Anastasia who was there as a sounding board for Becca’s ideas and challenges.

Becca said it was really useful to get that external point of view and for someone to point out some logistical challenges Becca may face along the way. It was also great to

hear that Anastasia was able to highlight areas of Becca’s business plan that were strong, and those areas that needed some extra development. Our mentees often say the mentors point of things that a new business owner may not think of, and that is what they are there for. To provide mentees with access to their expertise and knowledge.

Becca really appreciates the support Anastasia has given her, during her start up phase. From business planning to support with logistics, Becca knew she could go to Anastasia with a list of areas she wanted to focus on. Oftentimes, Anastasia would prompt Becca to find solutions to these areas herself, signposting her to services or resources that were available. It was then up to Becca if she wanted to access those resources or if she wanted to focus on another area of her business. Both parties agreed it was this sense of accountability that kept the pair motivated and focused.

We spoke to Anastasia, Becca’s mentor and a mentor who has featured in a number of publications in the past. Anastasia is very skilled when it comes to mentoring, and has a brilliant track record with our mentees.

Anastasia told us that the key to a successful mentoring relationship is being prepared. Going to the meetings, with a plan, knowing what you want to get out of the relationship and doing your ‘homework’, are all key parts of a successful mentoring relationship. Anastasia and Becca came up with tasks and agreed on some actions at each meeting, and the pair found this worked out well for them both. Anastasia was able to set out a structure for the meetings, and Becca was able to get more focused support, encouragement and challenge.

Anastasia also really appreciated that Becca was active in the relationship. Becca engaged with the process from start to finish and they had regular check-ins along the way, so Becca could ask any questions she may have

and get feedback from Anastasia. This active participation is really important in a mentoring relationship. In a mentoring relationship, you get our what you put in. Meaning, the more effort, engagement and participation you put in, the better results you should yield.

It was really useful, to have this conversation with Becca and Anastasia. Their key take aways were to come prepared, know what you want from the relationship and be an active participant in the relationship.

It was great to hear that Becca found the relationship useful, and we are really happy to hear that her business has another busy peak period coming up soon! If you are interested in reading more about the mentoring project, or want a mentor yourself, then do head over to our mentoring page:

https://ioee.org.uk/mentoring

Mental Health in the Workplace Interview

with Andrew Berrie MIND

As employees, and employers, constantly adapt and shift to fit business needs and economic markets, it is quite easy to forget about our mental health and the importance of maintaining it. We thought that spring would be a great time to chat with Andrew Berrie, head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, the mental health charity. Andrew is the head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, the mental health charity. Responsible for Mind’s support for employers, Andrew is there to support people in work, and their employers to create mentally healthy workplaces.

“I oversee Mind’s workplace products and services and the creation of new guides and support resources such as Mind’s Wellness Action Plans.”

We wanted to know a bit more about best practice when it comes to mental health in the workplace, so we asked Andrew:

Could you talk about the importance of setting up good mental health practices?

Good mental health is vitally important in the workplace. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the wellbeing of the nation, and now more than ever people need support to keep them mentally well.

We spend a huge amount of time at work and it can and does have an impact on our mental health. Issues like stress, anxiety and depression are common in all workplaces, regardless of size or sector.

A Mind survey of 40,000 staff working across 114 organisations taking part in Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index (2020/21) revealed the impact that coronavirus has had on employees. Two in five (41 per cent) told us their mental health had worsened during the pandemic.

What’s more, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) estimates that 41% of employees experienced mental health symptoms caused or worsened by work in 2020 (up from 36% in 2018) – so even before the pandemic mental health at work was an issue that needed addressing.

The Centre for Mental Health estimates 8.5 million adults will need support for anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental health problems following the pandemic. This is equivalent to 1 in 5 of all adults in England and Wales. That is 1 in 5 employees who may need support in the workplace.

The scale of the issue and the need for support underscores the importance of setting up good mental health practices. Good practices are supportive of employee mental health and wellbeing, and for the employer its good for business. When you factor in the mental health toll of the pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis, it’s clear that employers must invest in promoting and protecting the wellbeing of their staff.

What are the main causes of poor mental health within the workplace?

There are a number of causes of poor mental health at work. Setting aside issues from outside work that people bring with them, the impact of high workloads and high volume against deadlines is significant on workplace stress.

Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index demonstrates a clear correlation between the mental health of employees who have effective relationships with their line manager and those who do not.

As such, line managers need to ensure they are fostering effective, professional relationships with their line reports. Ensuring team members are clear of what is expected of them and supported in the delivery of their work.

Managers can also support employees with prioritisation – understanding what work is important or urgent, what work might be delayed or what work might be deliverable in a different format e.g. an abridged report.

Being empathetic and person-centred is key. Having one to one conversations with employees

to understand how they best perform at work and how managers can best support them to excel. Our Wellness Action Plans – available for free from Mind’s website – can be a useful starting point to facilitate discussions between managers and their direct reports.

In the world of enterprise, we see a lot of burn out or fatigue, is this common across employment and could you talk about some potential prevention methods?

Burnout can be a significant problem in the workplace. It is a term used to describe a collection of experiences caused by long-term, unmanageable stress at work. Burnout can make people feel exhausted or unmotivated. People may start to feel distanced from or negative about their job. And they may worry that they’re not achieving enough at work.

Addressing the root causes of workplace stress is key to prevention and developing a stress risk assessment an important first step. Employers with 5 or more employees also have a statutory

duty to conduct and hold a written stress risk assessment. A large number of employers don’t realise this and HSE’s Working Minds campaign is currently seeking to raise understanding of this requirement amongst SMEs. On their website you’ll find a range of tools and sector specific articles on how to implement best practice in your organisation.

Are there any tips you could provide small businesses and employers, to better look after staff wellbeing and mental health?

Looking after your employee’s mental health can seem like a daunting task, but supporting employee mental health and wellbeing doesn’t need to be complex or expensive. It can start with simple conversations:

• Encourage people to talk – start by talking about general wellbeing, and let people know that they can talk to you if they need to. Remember everyone’s experience of mental health problems is different, so focus on the person, not the problem.

• Avoid making assumptions – don’t try to guess what symptoms a co-worker might have and how these might affect their life or their ability to do their job – many people are able to manage their condition and perform their role to a high standard.

• Respect confidentiality – remember mental health information is confidential and sensitive. Don’t pass on information unnecessarily – not least because this breach of trust could negatively impact someone’s mental health.

Even if your employees don’t want to speak about their mental health at the time, you’ve still let them know you care and you’re there for them when the time is right.

Mind’s Wellness Action Plans – available for free from our website – can help facilitate discussions between managers and their direct reports. You can find further information and guidance for small employers in our guide Mental Health at Work for Small Businesses produced in partnership with FSB.

Anxiety and panic attacks are becoming more common among people in day to day situations, has there been a rise in workplace specific cases?

In 2021/22 HSE reported 914,000 workers suffering from work-related, stress, depression or anxiety. This made up 51% of all new and longstanding cases of work-related ill health and 17 million working days are thought to be lost as a result. These results were an increase on the previous two years and a marked increase on the years prior to the pandemic, which had already been an increasing trend.

There are a number of reasons why employees might be experiencing anxiety at work. They might have anxieties around their physical safety or social distancing in the office, particularly in the winter months when there might be increasing cases of flu or the coronavirus. In the current environment, they might have anxieties around their finances and the costs of their commute or social activities that might be expected of them by colleagues. If working from home or working hybrid, they might have concerns around their personal development and progression, or the extent to which they are consulted on change in the workplace.

Everyone’s experiences are individual, so line managers should look to ensure they have regular conversations around wellbeing as part of regular catch ups or one to ones and look to best support any anxieties an employee might have, for example, by discussing options for working from home if anxious around social distancing.

Mental Health and wellbeing is, and should have always been, really important for everyone to be aware of, but do you think that these areas will be focused on more with the current economic climate?

Deloitte’s Mental Health and Employer report showed a third (31%) have greater expectations of employer support than they did prior to the pandemic. In the current climate, where unemployment is low and demand for talent is high, having a strong support offer for employee mental health and wellbeing is also good for your brand and your attractiveness in a competitive employment market.

City Mental Health Alliance’s Time to Act Report has found that nine in 10 young professionals say that employers have a responsibility to support the positive mental health and wellbeing of their people. 47% said that one of the most “important things” they would look for in a future employer is

whether it would prioritise mental health.

As the world moves to a hybrid work from home and office work approach, I wonder if there is a correlation between preference to work at home and the rise in stress and anxiety?

It is probably too early to tell whether there is a link between remote working and increasing levels of stress, and we have heard differing opinions from the people we speak to.

We’ve heard from many employees struggling with working remotely, especially those who

communicate and listen to staff feedback.

Regardless of the working model, employers and line managers need to set clear expectations for their employees, communicate new ways of working with clarity and ensure that employee support remains available and easily accessible. We want all employers to offer flexibility to their staff so that they can fit existing commitments around their work.

Being able to learn so much about workplace mental health, best practices and top tips for avoiding burn out, stress and anxiety, has been

IOEE Academy Launches Project to Help People on Probation into Self Employment

Entrepreneurs Unlocked, an IOEE Academy, in partnership with the Salford Foundation, has launched the Business Incubator Project, working with people on probation in Greater Manchester, to provide a pathway to selfemployment.

The Business Incubator Project is located at The Shed, a men’s welfare and wellbeing activity centre managed by the Salford Foundation and is the brainchild of Entrepreneurs Unlocked founder David Morgan.

The Business Incubator Project has been made possible with funding from the Churchill Fellowship, and with the support of the Salford Foundation, a charity that provides opportunities for young people and adults to create better futures.

The Project is set to run over 10 months and will be supporting 25 entrepreneurs in training, who are on probation. The Project will incorporate practical workshops with mentoring, business support and advice to include business planning, finance management, introduction to legal issues, marketing strategies, and the entrepreneurs in training will test trade their businesses, under the guidance of their mentors.

Entrepreneurs Unlocked recognises that people with criminal histories can develop their talents and gifts, enabling them to flourish and become a positive contributor to society. With the total cost of reoffending, in excess £18 billion per annum, reducing this impact for society is of value and benefit to all.

Entrepreneurs Unlocked Founder, David Morgan said: “The Business Incubator Project is a safe space where people on probation can come to utilise their skills and interests to think about setting up as self-employed.

“We want to do things differently and a pathway to selfemployment is doing just that. Our aim is that at least 50% of the entrepreneurs in training will have set up as selfemployed by the end of the Project, and that they will have increased self-esteem, motivation and resilience, and they will be a better contributor to society overall.”

Anthony Wright a participant on the Project said: “I am very keen to get involved, using what I know I’m good at, to set up a business, and to be able to buy luxuries for my family rather than to see them struggling.”

If the test trading proves successful, the intention is to support the entrepreneur in training to register with HMRC and continue their self-employment journey and earn a legitimate income.

Sandrine Beaunol, Targeted Adult Support Services Manager at Salford Foundation, said: “This is a great opportunity for people on probation who may have a skill or a talent in a trade such as joinery, mechanics, or who have an interest around art, upcycling furniture or photography. Anything at a practical level where they are looking at using that skill or interest to build their employability, earn an income rather than relying on state benefits, or going back to crime to earn a living.

“We are delighted to be working with Entrepreneurs

Unlocked and we are looking forward to making a difference to the lives of the entrepreneurs in training.”

Entrepreneurs Unlocked vision is to change futures through entrepreneurship and to develop an integrated network of support, ensuring that self-employment is first choice and not a last resort.

To find out more, visit their website www.entrerpeneursunlocked.org

Use the contact form on the website if you would like to learn more, especially if you have potential entrepreneurs in training that could access the project.

To find out more about the Salford Foundation visit: https://

The Role of FIRST Face to Face in Enterprise Education

learners coming from DWP Job Centres, and actively seeking employment, or starting their own business[ES2] , the focus for FIRST is to provide their learners employability skills. FIRST do all they can to support their learners into employment, by teaching them these skills.

We wanted to know a bit more about how they deliver the course and why they chose to deliver Understanding Enterprise. Ellie told us that the course is delivered both online and face to face, providing a tailored approach for the learner. The Understanding Enterprise qualification, ensuring the learner meets the assessment criteria and learning outcomes, allows this flexibility.

The Understanding Enterprise qualification promotes self-reflection. The focus of the qualification is for the learner to discover their own strengths and weaknesses, and then come up with ways to develop. The Understanding Enterprise qualification is a great steppingstone for their learners from unemployment into employment, or running their start up business,

We were able to have a great catch up with FIRST Face to Face, one of many IOEE academies who deliver the SFEDI Understanding Enterprise and Passport to Enterprise and Employment qualifications. We spoke with Ellie, who is the learning and development manager at FIRST Face to Face.

We wanted to understand a bit more about how FIRST operates, their learners experience and what FIRST had planned for the future.

FIRST began their IOEE journey, delivering the Understanding Enterprise qualification. When delivering this qualification, they focused on enterprising skills [ES1] and employability skills, and allowed their learners the chance to explore their existing skills, as well as which skills they would need to learn. With alot of their

FIRST have recently delivered this qualification to a cohort of Ukrainian refugees. This cohort had a slightly different focus, and so they looked at how they may be able to set up a business in the UK and what the logistics of that are. They looked at soft skills as well as those all-important start up enterprising skills.

It is great to hear that a centre is thinking about how to support those fleeing Ukraine in a way that supports them with personal development and provides them with enterprising employability skills. FIRST managed to do this by creating materials, resources and workbooks with Ukrainian translations, so the learners were able to complete their assessments and meet the necessary criteria, whilst understanding what was being asked of them.

FIRST have recently started delivering the level one Passport to Enterprise and Employment qualification. So far, they have delivered this to one cohort and are working on improving their learners engagement. The Passport to Enterprise and Employment is another qualification that promotes reflection and personal development. FIRST are using the Passport qualification to give the learners a tailored, more personalised, experience. They are still focusing on employability, but also take their learners individual areas for development into account.

We discussed progression as a way to engage learners further. Do the learners want to study at a higher level? Do they want to continue to learn about a specific topic? And the answer to both of these questions is yes, which is brilliant! With the Passport To Enterprise and Employment continuing on to Level 2, it would be great to see some of FIRST’s learners return for a higher level of study.

We really enjoyed talking with FIRST Face to Face, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for them. Keep up the great work and I am sure we will be checking in with you soon!

If you are interested in becoming an academy and delivering our Passport qualification, or our Understanding Enterprise qualification, then please get in touch with us at Contact UsInstitute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (ioee. org.uk)

If you’d like to join the IOEE community with companies like these and become an accredited Academy, contact us today at:

https://ioee.org.uk/ioee-academies

Speak Up, Speak Out: Unlocking the Power of Effective Communication

Communication is a critical skill for any entrepreneur looking to launch a successful startup. Whether you’re pitching to investors, networking with potential clients, or managing a team of employees, the ability to communicate effectively can make all the difference in achieving your goals.

Communication is often a skill that is overlooked, and so we thought we would come up with a few reasons why you should prioritize improving your communication skills as you start up your new business:

Communicating with investors

One of the most important aspects of starting a new business is securing funding from investors. To do this, you’ll need to be able to clearly articulate your business idea, its potential for success, and how you plan to achieve your goals. This requires excellent communication skills, both in terms of public speaking and written communication. Clarity, conciseness and tone are all very important when communicating with investors.

Investors want to see that you have a clear vision for your business and that you’re able to communicate that vision effectively. They want to know that you’ve done your research, that you understand your target market, and that you have a solid plan for achieving your objectives.

Networking with potential clients

Another important aspect of starting a new business is building your client base. These are your customers and so you want to make sure that they understand the information you are giving them. Networking is a crucial part of building your client base, and effective communication skills can help you make a great first impression and build lasting relationships with potential clients.

When networking with potential clients, it’s important to be able to clearly explain what your business does and how it can benefit them. You’ll need to be able to listen actively to their needs and concerns, ask thoughtful questions, and provide clear, concise answers to their questions. This also applies with any networking opportunity. You have to ensure that your communication is clear, effective and that what you are saying is relevant. You don’t want to confuse the people you are meeting, as they could be potential team members, customers or investors.

Managing a team of employees

As your business grows, you may find yourself managing a team of employees. Effective communication is crucial here. Not only will effective communication allow you to remain in control of operations, but it could boost efficiency. If your team know exactly what they are doing, how to do it and when to have it done by, you are sure to succeed.

Communication is also used when keeping everyone on the same page and ensuring that your team is working towards the same goals. The last thing you want is your team to be working against eachother, rather than with eachother.

As a manager, you’ll need to be able to communicate clearly, effectively and assertively, provide constructive feedback, and delegate tasks effectively. You’ll also need to be able to listen actively to your team members, address any concerns or issues they may have, and provide guidance and support as needed.

A huge part of communication, when working within a team, is being able to actively listen and implement steps based off this active listening. This could raise efficiency, team morale and ultimately, productivity.

Building a strong brand

Finally, effective communication is essential for building a strong brand for your new business. Your brand is your reputation, and it’s critical that you communicate your values, mission, and personality in a way that resonates with your target audience. This requires careful attention to your messaging, both in terms of the words you use and the visual elements of your brand. You’ll need to be able to communicate your brand identity effectively across a variety of channels, from your website and social media presence to your marketing materials and customer interactions. In conclusion, effective communication is

a crucial skill for any entrepreneur looking to start up a new business. Whether you’re communicating with investors, networking with potential clients, managing a team of employees, or building a strong brand, the ability to communicate effectively can make all the difference in achieving your goals. So if you’re just starting out in the business world, make sure you prioritize improving your communication skills – it’s a smart investment in your future success.

There are many reasons to focus on improving your communication skills, and these do extend past your job role. Having excellent communication skills can also improve your engagement with people outside of work, and improve your social life.

As a soft skill, communication is often overlooked, but we understand the value of having excellent communication skills and developing our active listening skills. If you are interested in developing your communication skills, then our Passport to Enterprise and Entrepreneurship qualification may be useful to you. This qualification is full of personal development, enterprising and employability units that are all designed to promote self reflection and devevlopment.

If you are interested in this qualification, please do get in touch via our contact form, and we would be more than happy to help you develop those communication skills.