FOCUS ON: INVESTING IN PROPERTY

MARK PEREIRA, DIRECTOR, RESONATE

What makes now a good time to consider property investment?

Interest rates are at record-low levels and, for those with long-term savings goals, property can provide a steady reliable income and the potential for capital growth.

Who is investing in property and what is the most successful way of doing so?

Those looking to make what is widely considered to be a safe investment over the longer term are turning to property to help build a successful financial future.

Before investing in property, it is imperative to understand that you are setting up a business, even if you only plan to purchase one buy-to-let property. You have obligations and responsibilities as a landlord and must be sure to understand the risks as well as the rewards before investing. Successful property investing comes from finding the right team to work with and guide you along the way.

What are the first steps that someone investing in property (especially for the first time) should take?

You should first understand why you want to invest in property. What are your long- term goals and how long would

How can you help investors and what tips would you give a first-time investor?

We have been investing in property collectively for more than a decade and now help investors from all over the world invest their money successfully into property.

We can help you:

1 Identify what type of properties you should invest in and why.

2 Find the right properties to invest in and understand the numbers.

3 Negotiate the best price from the seller and see the sale through to completion.

4 Refurbish, let, and manage your property over the long term.

What is the most important thing an investor needs to consider during the process?

Remember that investing is a long-term game. While it is possible to make money relatively quickly in property, the biggest wins find you over the longer term.

JAMES HOLDING, REGIONAL AUCTION MANAGER, AUCTION HOUSE SOUTH YORKSHIRE

What makes now a good time to consider property investment?

As we are all aware, interest rates are currently at an alltime low, meaning investors are receiving little to no interest on any savings, and the stocks and shares market has often been volatile due to the ongoing global COVID pandemic.

Investment in property has therefore seen a renewed surge, as opposed to having money saved away for a ‘rainy day’. Prices within the Sheffield City Region have continued to rise so now is a fantastic time to make the leap as either a firsttime landlord, developer or add to a current portfolio.

Who is investing in property and what is the most successful way of doing so?

Property investors come from a variety of backgrounds and the most successful are open to purchasing through a variety of difference routes including on and off market, property sourcing agents and, of course, auction!

There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these routes, but we are finding a lot of investors are now solely buying through auction due to the speed and certainty it offers – largely due to being able to avoid the lengthy, time-consuming, and often extremely frustrating conveyancing process.

Auction completely bypasses this and the most popular route of purchase is via an immediate, unconditional exchange of contracts on the fall of the gavel, giving certainty and peace of mind to both buyers and sellers that both parties are legally committed to the process. you like to invest for? Being able to answer these questions is key to your success. Working with established property investment businesses can help you to identify your specific goals, prior to investing.

What are the first steps someone investing in property (especially for the first time) should take?

Research and speak to as many property professionals as you can and enlist the services of a reputable and, ideally, personally recommended solicitor. They will be able to provide you with the legal advice you need and advise you in respect of any purchase.

If buying via auction, we would always recommend you read the legal pack provided and inspect the property prior to purchase.

How can you help investors and what tips would you give a first-time investor?

Know your budget and be clear in relation to your expected return, making sure to take into account all of the costs associated with a purchase, which can impact your financial return or yield. These can include purchasing costs, legal costs, Stamp Duty Land Tax, as well as any potential refurbishment costs to ensure the property is legally fit to rent out.

For example, the government is in the process of tightening up the regulations in relation to Energy Performance Certificate ratings for rental properties, as well as the introduction of Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) so ensure you do your research!

What is the most important thing an investor needs to consider during the process?

The additional costs – make sure you work out a realistic and comprehensive breakdown of costs associated with an investment purchase, including allowing for future maintenance and potential void periods to ensure you are not left out of pocket.

PAWS & PRESTO

‘Dogtrapreneur’ Tom Bennett tells unLTD how Launchpad helped him and his business paw-tner Digby Doodle the cockapoodle start up and grow dog products and accessories company Paws & Presto into a brand with more than 30,000 customers

Tell us about your company?

Paws & Presto is a pet brand which specialises in products that solve problems for dogs and their owners. Founded by Digby Doodle the cockapoodle and Tom (his assistant!) they focus on the many problems faced when owning a pet. That could be drying them after it’s raining, cleaning them, cooling them…the list goes on!

The products are exceptionally good quality, and all have to endure the ‘Digby Test’ – meaning if it’s not good enough for Digby to use himself it does not go onto our shelves! Digby’s test has paid dividends earning him an Indy Best Buy for his dog towels!

When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?

I was involved in a small nonprofit business at university which utilised supply chain food waste and donated the proceeds to charity. It gave me an insight into what running a business would be like and I loved it.

It was from this point I set myself a goal of starting my own business and have then worked since leaving university to develop a skillset that would allow me to be successful at this.

The business was launched to help dogs get top quality products and to help foster that bond between dogs and their owners because we believe they deserve the best. This was partnered with my understanding of the wider macro trend of the humanisation of pets – essentially meaning dogs becoming small humans, having social media profiles, wearing clothing (dog accessories) eating better and genuinely being celebrated for the amazing creatures they are.

TOM AND HIS BUSINESS PAW-TNER DIGBY

How has Launchpad helped you?

Launchpad has helped me in so many ways. It’s been a sounding board and helped me deal with my doubt and push me through to making this into a business that now has more than 30,000 customers.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

I want Paws & Presto to become a household name around the UK. We believe every dog in the world should have our products!

We’re looking to add new solutions in the future and develop Digby’s Dog Club which already has 600 members. It’s an invite only group that Digby runs and one we are having a lot of fun with! Our aim is to make Paws & Presto the go-to brand for drying, cleaning, cooling and many other issues we are going to address in the years to come. Who knows…we might even move into cats eventually – meow!

Launchpad business growth advisor Christina Lima Trindade said: “Tom has been great to work with – he has shown courage and determination in great measure, always listens and has taken all advice given.

“The time and effort he’s put into the business is incredible – I have no doubt that Paws and Presto will come to be known as a trusted international pet brand under the watchful eye of Digby who, of course, attends our meetings!

“Stop dreaming and do it. Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.”

Launchpad is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund meaning there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.

CITY HEARTS

Phillip Claytonis the head of fundraising and development at City Hearts, one of the UK’s leading anti-trafficking charities and headquartered in Sheffield. He tells unLTD about the ‘positive, persistent and purposeful’ charity which over the last 15 years has supported more than 3,500 survivors of modern slavery

I was inspired to join my business by...

When working in banking I spent two hours with a family, helping them manage their personal finances – they left with a plan and peace of mind. But my manager wasn’t very impressed, because I had not sold them a credit card or other banking product.

At this point I realised I got more fulfilment from helping people than making money. When the opportunity came up to work for a life-changing organisation like City Hearts, I jumped at the chance.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve set up multiple safe houses for victims of human trafficking, community projects serving hundreds of survivors and pioneered life-saving support programmes.

My favourite thing about my role is…

Seeing lives changed every day – knowing because of my work people are being released from trauma and into free, dignified, brighter futures. The fulfilment from this will last longer than any monetary reward.

The three words that best describe my business are…

Positive, persistent and purposeful.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to start a business because…

The care and compassion, as well as innovation, in the charity sector is incredible. The sense of collaboration and drive to make the region better by helping people to be the best they can be is excellent.

Sheffield City Region is a great place to grow a business because…

It’s full of people who want to help people. From businesses to universities and nongovernmental organisations, the drive for positive change makes it a constant joy to work and collaborate here.

The best advice I ever got was…

Failure is your friend. Don’t be afraid to try something – if you aim at nothing, you hit nothing. Pioneering is not easy, clean or smooth, but it is the way great things are born.

The worst advice

I ever got was…

Wait until you have the money before you start! If I had, hundreds of victims would be alone and unsupported right now. I believe resource follows vision, creativity is released when cornered – having little or no money is often when the best ideas take seed.

When an idea is grown from the grassroots, meeting a real need, then the money and resource will find it. I don’t chase money, I chase change.

The organisations that have supported me and my business include…

Business in the Community, The Archer Project, John Lewis, Greencore, Aldi, Tony’s Chocolonely, Asda, and the Police, Probation, and Social Services.

The main challenges facing my industry/sector are…

Access to trauma counselling and therapeutic interventions, appropriate legal advice, essential items and items that add human value beyond the bare minimum.

In 5 years’ time I expect my business to…

Be continuing to lead the way in supporting survivors of modern slavery and helping people find a crime-free future.

PODCAST SPOTLIGHT STREETS IN THE SKIES REBORN

AND SHEFFIELD GOES DIGITAL

The current episode of the unLTD podcast focuses on a real Sheffield icon – Park Hills flats. Producer James Marriott chats to Urban Splash about their incredible work regenerating the complex and bringing it back to life. unLTD’s Dan Laver also meets Jonny Briggs to find out about the Sheffield Digital Festival.

If you’ve not listened before, check it out. Just search in any podcast app for ‘unLTD’ and we’ll pop up.

Introducing: Sound Media

I’ve been working as a podcast strategist for a while now, helping businesses, brands and individuals to plan, launch, grow and develop a successful podcast. It’s been an exciting time for me as I’ve now taken things a step The first episode features award-winning consultant and journalist Annalisa Toccara and gives us an interesting insight into her local and national activism among other things.

Premium Podcasts

Something we’ve long expected in podcast circles is finally here – premium podcast subscriptions.

Both Apple and Spotify have announced their own takes on it in the last few weeks.

Unsurprisingly, Apple take a bigger cut of whatever you charge, but offer a smoother process.

Since podcasts arrived 15 years ago, listening to them has almost entirely been free, with sponsorship and advertising the main routes to monetisation.

Subscribers in this new model might get ad-free versions of episodes, exclusive content, or be able to listen before anybody else.

It creates a new layer of potential for monetising podcasts.

further and launched my own business, Sound Media.

I’m still doing the same things, working with clients, and will still be leading the unLTD podcast, but I have a couple of people in the team so we can offer a range of services including production, editing and even some design.

Find out more at wearesoundmedia.com and get in touch if you’d like to chat about what we offer.

Podcast Showcase

We have a newcomer onto the Sheffield podcasting scheme – the Site Gallery has launched its own five-part series to support its online season called Digital Realness.

2021 really is shaping into a huge year for podcasting. If you’d like to find out how to launch, develop and grow a podcast for your business, get in touch. Just drop me a line at james@unltdbusiness.com and we’ll get a good old chinwag in the diary!

DAYDREAMING IN THE

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Whyy? Change CEO Ray Byrne says we already know what excellence looks like for our businesses – and gives unLTD readers a ‘mid-term report’ on the training firm’s successful adaptation to the challenges of the pandemic

We all daydream… But when was the last time you imagined making the output from your job worse than today? When did you last imagine not helping your team? And feel that a bad manager should be the template as a role model? Or maybe wish your competition more success than you? The answer is never.

This is because we already know what excellence looks like. What it creates and even what it makes space for. What we find difficult is how to mix just the right amount of maths, a sprinkling of risk and a tablespoon of hard graft to create the perfect cake.

I want to be excellent at whatever I turn my attention too, but more importantly I want to be a part of something big. They call this fulfilment, and it turns out they are mutually beneficial.

When we featured in unLTD in November 2020 it was to talk about the pain of change and how our team adapted to the challenges of COVID-19. Well, today, I would like to set out our mid-term report.

Governance

OFSTED surprised us with a monitoring visit. It was expected and even welcomed, but in the middle of a pandemic. Not perfect timing, but a true test. The good news is we received the highest available grading of ‘significant progress’. But what now…

People

In November 2020, we had four in the team. We now have nine. Great, but we still stumble when it comes to finding the right behaviours. It’s a challenge to find the right skills, but more of an ‘art’ to have the talent and approach to meet the vision. Matt Trueman is a true find. In nine months, he has gone from an intern to marketing lead to now our head of communication and is currently recruiting for a new intern to join his team. So, what now…

Approach

We have the right accredited partnerships. We act as though we are in the entertainment and hospitality business and probably received more positive feedback from our delegates on the high standards of the lunches provided than we do about the standard of our delivery. So, what now…

I dream about transforming people and industry and the interactions between them. I dream about South Yorkshire transforming its standing in the country and being recognised as the heart of the latest thinking in technology, insight, and practice at whatever we choose to excel in.

Crack On

The fact is daydreaming plays a part and so to ACTION.

We at Whyy? intend to be at the heart of the conversation and intend to talk ‘excellence’ in everything we engage with. We are planning our first annual event to be held at New York Stadium, Rotherham in July 2021 on all things Business Operational Excellence, and even press-ganged unLTD’s very own Dan Laver to host the panel discussion!

If you want to know more, drop me a line on raybyrne@ whyychange.com but let me leave you with this one question…

What steps are you taking today to make your daydreams come true?

NEW PARTNERSHIP SET TO UNITE SHEFFIELD’S BUSINESSES & CHARITIES

Sheffield Chamber is teaming up with Sheffield Business Together to help businesses and charities work together across the city

Two years ago, some of Sheffield’s most high profile and generous businesses - including Arm, Arup, Henry Boot, Irwin Mitchell and John Lewis - joined forces with Voluntary Action Sheffield, Business in the Community and the city’s universities to form Sheffield Business Together.

Supported by Benchmark, Mantra Media and South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, they focused on increasing employer-led volunteering and the impact that charities and businesses could have by working together.

Since then, Sheffield Business Together has made a real difference by delivering over 130 projects to support communities across the city. These include GoGoGreen, which built a living green barrier around Hunters Bar School to combat air pollution. Other projects have seen businesses work closely with schools in our city’s most deprived communities to raise attainment and inspire students.

When the pandemic hit, lockdown conversations started about how Sheffield Business Together could join forces with Sheffield Chamber. Why? Because it was clear Covid-19 was going to have a disproportionate impact on the city’s poorest communities.

Those facing a cliff edge would need businesses and charities to work closer together.

Starting this month, Sheffield Business Together, working through Voluntary Action Sheffield and Business in the Community, are teaming up with Sheffield Chamber to create a citywide network of thousands of businesses and charities.

The focus of this new partnership will be linking more businesses and charities together to deliver projects across the city to solve challenges faced by communities as the city continues to live with the impact of the pandemic.

The new partnership will be built around a brokering service managed by Sheffield Chamber staff and colleagues from Sheffield Business Together and Business in the Community.

Charities that need help will be introduced to Chamber members with the skills and expertise to help. Businesses who want to give something back to the city will have a one stop shop to understand how they can help.

At the centre of this new partnership is the shared belief that this city we call home is at its best when we come together. Businesses and charities working as one to deliver a real, lasting impact for Sheffield.

To find out more about the new partnership between Sheffield Business Together and Sheffield Chamber, visit: www.scci.org.uk/sheffieldbusiness-together

To find out more about Sheffield Business Together, please visit: www.sheffieldbusiness together.org.uk

TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ANDREW MCDOWELL, CAROLYNN MCCONNELL, CHARLOTTE FAULKNER, CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR-COOK, DARREN LITTLEWOOD MIDDLE ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: GREG BURKE, JACK KIDDER, JOHNNY PAWLIK, KAREN CODLING, KAREN HILL BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: LOUISA HARRISON-WALKER, MARTIN SINGER, MICHELLE DICKINSON, PAUL HARVEY, PETER ROWE

Q&A Team Talk with

As workplaces start to come back together after many months of being apart, the team at Sheffield-based Digital Agency, Hydra Creative, discuss the importance of having a strong team that brings together varying skill sets, levels of experience and perspectives.

Participants:

Q: What are brief and create new, exciting and the benefits of innovative solutions.

Thea Chapman, QA Technician Ruth Morgan, Senior Account Manager Richard Graham, SEO Executive Jana Kukebal, Studio Assistant Jasmine Savery, Digital Marketing Assistant Amy Hart, Graphic Designer working as a team? A: Working in a team brings together different skills, life, and work experiences that can be called upon to serve our clients effectively. However, whilst it’s important to embrace everyone’s individuality and differences, there does need to be some common ground. The best teams, in my opinion, consist of hardworking individuals, who are united by their passion and determination to achieve great

Chris Chapman, Web Developer Dividing up workloads results for our clients. It’s this

Christa Chambers, Multimedia Executive between employees also common goal that brings the allows team members team together and drives them to grow their skills - to succeed. Q: To you, how important is teamwork in the workplace? they learn faster, and it creates a learning culture where different skills are shared between members of the team. A: In my view, teamwork is a crucial aspect of every company’s success. Whenever I work in a team, I see that the results of our synergy are much better than Employee morale and motivation can also be boosted when they feel they have the full support of others working in ‘the team’. those which I would have achieved A team culture also creates working alone. You can always split positivity in the workplace in that the tasks by persons’ skills and everyone is steering in the same knowledge and this 100% helps to direction towards a common goal. achieve the goal more efficiently. In addition, teamwork helps to reduce the number of mistakes one makes Q: What makes a team successful? because there will always be a pair of fresh eyes to spot whatever one has missed.“ “ Bring your good habits back to the office with you – such as taking regular breaks, eating healthy, going for walks. Tip: A: Ultimately, it’s the people. I believe to create a good team you need to have the right mix of people, each of whom brings their own unique set of skills and views. If everyone in the team shared the same standpoint, experience and talents then it just wouldn’t work - it’d be like making a meal with only one ingredient – while you could eat it, it’d be bland and uninspiring. Instead, if your team blends together differing opinions, skills and personalities, then you are far more likely to be able to challenge the status quo; think beyond the At Hydra, after some trial and error, I feel we now have a really strong team. We have such a lovely bunch of people, who all support each other, and this has helped us through the challenges of the last year. Everyone at Hydra genuinely cares about what they do, works hard, and wants to see our clients succeed.

“Bring snacks such as Tip: cakes and biscuits in to share with “ colleagues – it will give everyone something to smile about.

Q: What are the strengths of your team?

A: A standout strength of our team is the diversity of knowledge we each have. As individuals we each

have certain expertise, which helps us look at issues in different ways, this enables us to come up with innovative solutions together. We are great communicators - being in lockdown and working from home like many others, has meant that we have solely relied on technology to connect us. We’ve maintained our supportive network and been able to embrace new team members despite the challenges before us. We have fun! We don’t take ourselves too seriously and can have a laugh with each other in and out of work. We enjoy each other’s company which makes us all the more productive, being in a more relaxed atmosphere helps maintain a positive team.

Q: How have you felt since coming back to the workplace?

A: Coming back to the workplace after working at home for months has been a strange, but good adjustment. Some of us are still wary of the ongoing Covid-19 situation, but the managers at Hydra Creative are great at making everyone feel comfortable. We can come back into the office at our own pace and we have implemented strict measures to ensure we are all as safe as possible. Although we are not quite all back yet, I am starting to feel the benefits of being immersed in a busy agency environment. Being in the same building with designers, developers, and marketers means new ideas are thrown about all the time, and you are always feeling creatively inspired. This is something that took me a bit longer when working from home. We have an array of expertise at Hydra Creative, so being in the same building as them has meant that you can quickly grab someone for help or a second opinion. Although we were great at keeping in touch and helping each other over lockdown, seeing people in person makes you feel much more connected to your team.

“ “ Tip: Take the time to chat and catch up with colleagues perhaps in the morning when you come in.

Q: What are the qualities of a good team?

Communication is key. You need to be able to pass on the correct information in a clear way to other people in the team, to ensure they can fulfil their job to the best of their ability. It’s just as important to listen to what your team has to say, and not be afraid to ask questions so that you can successfully deliver your task. Having a clear understanding of what everyone’s role is within the team, and what their responsibilities are. This will help avoid any confusion when it comes to assigning tasks. You must respect each other’s opinions. The great thing about working in a team is that you have people with different skill sets, who therefore have different outlooks on a situation.

Next Month: Hydra Creative discusses sustainability in marketing.

When we put our heads together – we’re Hydra

We are the digital agency devoted to collaboration and client success.

Hydra_Creative HydraCreative hydracreative

0114 250 9578 | www.hydracreative.com

ENSURING EVERY SQUARE METRE WORKS HARD

Enquiries are coming in thick and fast at Prodek Design and Storage Systems. Business development manager Ben Ellis tells unLTD how projects across the city are forging ahead as business leaders are quietly optimistic about the future

DECORATIVE PANELS, ELLAND

“We’re pleased to be in high demand. It has been an anxious year for business so to see the first signs of green shoots – in a year dominated by the government roadmap – has allowed us to breathe a small, tentative sigh of relief.”

Prodek design and install bespoke storage systems for all business sectors. From towering racking for vehicle recyclers to elegant restaurant mezzanine floors, Prodek’s raison d'être is to maximise every square metre a business has available.

“We can completely transform an entire workspace, from the warehouse to client meeting areas. We can install a mezzanine to increase floorspace, bespoke racking and shelving all the way to the rafters, create rooms with partitions, then totally redesign and refurbish office spaces.”

While racking and mezzanine floors might not seem particularly exciting, the impact these systems have on business costs and operations is where the wow-factor becomes apparent.

Soaring e-commerce demand is a key factor in Prodek’s recent surge in enquiries.

“In distribution, speed and accuracy are where the competitive edge lies. Fulfilment centres are popping up across the region and existing warehouses are investing heavily to increase throughput.”

Storage infrastructure plays a significant part in maximising ROI for every square metre and boosting accuracy and speed in picking and packing operations. Prodek regularly provide site surveys for retailers and distributors looking to fine-tune their warehouse operations.

“A well-known reusable transit packaging company in Sheffield asked us to look at their warehouse. Raw materials were received on all kinds of non-standard pallet sizes with excessive overhang. Everything had to be stored on the floor, which severely reduced capacity and slowed operations to an unacceptable level.”

Prodek engineers will find all the pinch points, every metre that is underutilised, identify risks, and recommend a perfect-fit storage system to enhance operations.

“We installed a bespoke racking system designed to accommodate various pallet sizes and overhang, using a layout to speed up FLT picking processes and made the warehouse a lot safer. They are now enjoying appreciably more return per square metre.”

The future of the office has been under the spotlight since the government ordered the country to work from home last year. With many businesses now planning a staged return to the office, changes to the office environment are inevitable.

“Business owners are enquiring with our office refurbishment team to prepare for a return to the office this summer. The focus here is on creating space for social distancing, enhancing airflow, and segregating open plan offices to create individual workspaces.”

When it comes to office design, a ‘one size fits all’ approach is unlikely to work. Every team is different and has unique needs in their workspace.

“Fortunately, every Prodek project is bespoke so redesigning how space is used to enhance staff experience and safety is an exciting challenge for our design

team. Our glass partitions are proving themselves as the best way to balance light, space and safety needs.”

The way we work is likely to change for good. There will be a new balance of social contact for mental health while working safely in shared spaces. With scientists warning of more pandemics on the horizon due to global environment degradation, workspaces will need to adapt to this new reality.

Prodek engineers are completely transforming offices across the region, with fast turnaround times and little disruption. They cover every requirement – storage, desking and seating, segregating offices, safety signage, with full mechanical and electrical systems (M&E) and redecoration covered.

“Business owners are embracing change. There is certainly a solution for every budget. Many workers in Sheffield will think they’ve turned up at the wrong place when they return to the office this summer.”

Despite the uncertainty of the last year, work to develop Sheffield city centre continues apace. The Government’s Future High Streets Fund is providing momentum for the Heart of the City project to fulfil its ambitions. Development work is predicted to continue beyond the scope of the project as the city centre is likely to attract the attention of investors.

“City centre properties are on the agenda for full refurbishment. The street level will be developed for retail, culture and hospitality, and the upper levels transformed into work and living spaces. The potential to repurpose existing property is phenomenal.”

City centre property owners have an opportunity to maximise their assets on the back of the scheme. With the help of a specialist contractor like Prodek, new life can be breathed into a property without having to invest in structural alterations.

“Property owners can make full use of space maximising solutions, like our Made in Sheffield mezzanine floors, to get the most out of a unit.”

Mezzanine floors are ideal to increase retail space by up to 100 per cent and are a low-cost alternative when faced with moving to bigger premises. Partitions offer a stylish, space enhancing method to segregate large, open areas on a temporary or permanent basis. Glass partitions are an increasingly popular method to provide versatile spaces without impeding natural light.

You can see the results for yourself – Prodek recently installed new mezzanine floors for Firehouse Fitness, and Bullion Chocolate, and partitioning at Silversmiths Restaurant in the city centre.

“We have worked with well-established businesses, perfectly located for their customers and staff, but in desperate need of more space. We have increased their floorspace and storage capacity to avoid a costly and disruptive move.”

Many workers in Sheffield will think they’ve turned up at the wrong place when they return to the office this summer.

THE SPIRIT OF SOLIDARITY

Future Life’s MD Jill Thomas tells unLTD how the financial planning company have come out of the pandemic stronger and how she now wants to help companies who have been less fortunate thrive as they emerge out of this crisis

The last year has been tough. We have all faced different issues and dealt with them in different ways. As the saying goes, we are all in the same storm, but in different boats.

I, like many, have been lucky. But then I realise it isn’t just luck; my team and I have worked hard. We have worked long hours for our clients and gone the extra mile, we have succeeded in growing the business where some financial planning companies have gone under. As a company we have come out of the pandemic stronger than we went in. This makes me want to help others who are not so fortunate.

If the region’s economy is to survive and thrive, we need to help each other. It happened a lot at the start of the pandemic, with individuals signing up to be volunteers and businesses helping others for free. We walked dogs, fetched prescriptions and shopped for vulnerable clients; we sent our friends cake and we mentored business owners.

I was explaining to someone recently about how Future Life had come through COVID stronger than before, when I realised I had been here already. I have been through a major world event and it made me determined to succeed, rather than being cowered by the experience. That was the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2004. It was the worst day of my life. We survived because luckily, we were in a hotel high enough up. It was so traumatic I can hardly think about it. But one thing I realised it did for me was give me determination to survive, help others and thrive.

We have made a point of being out there throughout the pandemic. I thought if we can stand tall with strong shoulders, we can support others; we can keep on listening, talking and encouraging. We issued our newsletters more often, we wrote blogs, recorded videos and podcasts, made phone calls and Zoom calls to our clients to keep them informed of what was going on in the turbulent world markets.

It’s been tough for so many businesses, but we are coming out the other end and as we do, we need to help each other. We need to reach out to others who may be in boats that have got battered by the storm and emerge from the rough waters together and keep that spirit of solidarity.

TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR BUSINESS: A FRAMEWORK FOR SUCCESS

unLTD’s Mike Durham chatted with technology expert Daniel Bumby, the managing director of Sheffield’s Simoda, to learn more about how the business’s unique structure has helped them stand out in a crowded IT marketplace

BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: LEE WRAGG, TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR, CRAIG BUMBY, CHAIRMAN, JOHN DELAMORE, SERVICES DIRECTOR. FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: JASON GARNER, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR, DANIEL BUMBY, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Across all different sectors and industries, businesses today have one key thing in common they likely would struggle to function without - technology.

Even before the pandemic businesses had to rely on technology in some shape or form, whether that was for infrastructure, storage of data, modern workplace, or anything else you can think of, so it’s no surprise that there are endless businesses competing for attention in the IT market.

Having been working in the industry for over 20 years, Daniel has plenty of experience when it comes to the do’s and don’ts of IT and technology. It was his time working for other businesses that sparked the idea for a new venture of his own.

Daniel said: “There is that much technology available at the minute that, at the touch of a button, anyone can do anything. As a business, it can be quite challenging when you have to figure out what you should use to solve a certain problem. Typically, when you work with an IT provider, they tend to look at the solution which is the most commercially favourable to them.

“Simoda was built around answering the question of how do we move away from a commercial model whilst still being profitable as a technology business. We don’t have sales targets, we don’t have numbers, we just have a team of skilled experts who’ve been in the industry a long time who’re here to talk about the latest technology to businesses.

“We see ourselves as a technology business, rather than an IT reseller. By removing the commercial aspects, we can fully focus on addressing challenges, solving issues and helping achieve objectives through technology.”

To accomplish their mission, Simoda designed a clear way of distinguishing between different technology products, solutions and service offerings to identify which are the best fit for each customer’s individual requirements.

This was how Simoda’s ‘Value Framework’ was born; a simple structure focusing on important business outcomes which act as critical drivers in any technology decision making process.

After chatting to a business about their challenges and understanding the outcome they’re trying to achieve through technology, Simoda break down the request and review possible products, solutions and services against three key criteria.

The first of these is ‘Commercial Value,’ which asks whether the adoption of technology could offer the business reduced costs, or if it will open up new revenue sources and markets.

The second, and arguably biggest criteria, is the ‘Technical Value’ the solution can deliver.

This assesses whether technology can improve performance and productivity, as well as reduce any cybersecurity risks associated with a business’s services, applications, systems and people.

The final part of the Value Framework focuses on the ‘Emotional Value’ technology can bring to an organisation.

This looks into whether there is a solution which can help the business, and particularly their IT team, relax and enjoy more precious time with their families as they know everything is safely and securely managed.

Daniel said: “We often find when we sit down with a business, and ask them what are your biggest challenges, they tend to say things like ‘making sure the business is up and running, that it’s secure, that it can progress, that it can make money, save money…’

“Then when we ask them about the challenges they have with their personal life

around work, it tends to be the time they spend at work, or on call – which with an IT team can often be 24/7.

“If we can provide a technology solution that enables people to have weekends off - which is also commercially valuable, technically valuable, emotionally valuable - there is no reason why an organisation wouldn’t want to take us up on that offer.”

A good example of the Value Framework recently in action is with North-East manufacturing company CA Group, that has just two people in its IT team, and was struggling to recruit more IT staff due to various administration issues.

The company approached Simoda with their challenge and Simoda suggested moving to a cloud-based architecture, which would free up valuable time and move them to an opex IT as a service consumption model where they simply pay monthly for the IT resources they use. This way they can use cash in the bank for other growth investments.

This meant they got a technically-better solution that reduced their costs and saved the IT team having to work weekends, achieving all three criteria of the Value Framework.

Daniel added: “Most of my job over past six to 12 months has been showing other IT professionals how they can embrace change. Most people working in the IT industry get into their role and think they can do everything themselves, and it’s about showing them there are other ways they can succeed.

“We’ve also had a few instances of talking to a company and they wanted to do something, but we don’t get involved as we don’t think it’s the right decision.

“Commercially, you might think we’re daft as we could have made some money there, but if it’s not right we’re not afraid to tell a business what they’re doing is wrong and show them the correct way to approach a challenge.”

Daniel and the rest of his team must have been doing something right, because the company is now entering its third year in business.

They’ve had some impressive client wins too, including helping with the roll out of five Covid vaccine centres in South Yorkshire by getting them connected to the NHS network.

Simoda’s success led to a grand move last September from a tiny six-man space to a 2,500 square ft office space in a former factory in Kelham Island, just above Domo restaurant.

Daniel said having a creative space for the Simoda team, in a good city-centre based location, was an incredibly important part of achieving both a good worklife balance and a modern feel.

“We’re trying to create a company culture that reflects we’re a technology business. We didn’t want everyone wearing a shirt and tie in some corporate building on the edge of town, that’s too 1980s.

“We’re moving in modern times; we have open brickwork, pool tables, retro game consoles, dart boards, it’s a great working environment and we believe that’s a massive thing.

“We encourage healthy conflict. If anyone has something they want to say we encourage people to just say it, that way we can identify if there is a problem and work to resolve it.

“It’s really important for us that everyone is able to work with a smile. That sounds really boring, but we do like to have a laugh and a joke; you spend most of your life at work so you may as well enjoy yourself.”

Of course, technology tends to evolve at a rapid pace, meaning Simoda’s team are in a constant state of continuous learning as staff need to be aware and accredited in the latest technologies if they’re to identify the most useful software and products.

Daniel hopes this will prove a vital part of the puzzle in achieving Simoda’s future aspirations which is to help more businesses become ‘disruptive.’

“We as a business need to have the brand names - we have to have the Microsofts, the HPs, the Dells, the Ciscos - but we also decided that we want to focus down on innovation through new technologies to drive ‘disruptive businesses.’

“These are businesses that enter the market providing a service which other businesses are already providing, but doing it in a way that’s completely different, like Uber or Air B&B. "Our aspiration is to help businesses use technology so they can become an Uber. It’s a cycle; disruption plus innovation, equals transformation.”

INDY THE COMPANY DOG

It’s really important for us that everyone is able to work with a smile. That sounds really boring, but we do like to have a laugh and a joke; you spend most of your life at work so you may as well enjoy yourself.

To learn more about how Simoda can help you conquer your business’s digital challenges, just head to: www.simoda.co.uk

Joe Faulkner Founder of Krio Kanteen

BRIGHT IDEAS INSPIRING PEOPLE

Join a thriving business community in your library

Business & IP Centre South Yorkshire supports entrepreneurs, inventors, and small businesses to develop and grow by partnering with local libraries across South Yorkshire to provide free expert advice and guidance to help you protect your intellectual property and commercialise your business ideas. Whether you are just starting out, need advice on protecting your IP, or are ready to take the next step in your journey, we are here to help.

You may not have thought that you have intellectual property (IP) that you need to protect, or it’s something you can think about later. To be successful and grow your business, understanding what it is that is unique about you is crucial. That’s where we come in. There are many different sorts of IP and we can help you identify the type you need to know about and how to protect it.

We’re bringing business inspiration and support to more people than ever before with resources available at Sheffield Central Library, Barnsley Library @ the Lightbox, Doncaster Central Library, Rotherham Riverside Library and Crystal Peaks Library.

To find out more about how we can support your business, if you have an intellectual property query or need advice on how to research a new business idea, get in touch.

BIPCSheffi eld BIPCSheff Business & IP Centre Sheffi eld

HEALTH IS WEALTH:

THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BUSINESS AND HEALTH

Richard Stubbs is a board member for the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), CEO of the Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (YHAHSN) and Vice-Chair of the national AHSN Network

The impact of COVID-19 on the economy has been profound, with GDP in January 2021 9 per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels. The direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the population has also been clear, with more than 150,000 people tragically dying as a result.

The prevalence and impact of the inequalities which exist within society have also been thrown into sharp focus throughout the pandemic.

Does health have an impact on the economy, and vice versa, does the economy have an impact on health? The answer is undoubtedly yes. The connection between health and wealth is cyclic – if we rebuild the economy, we improve the health of the population and present employment opportunities. If we tackle health inequalities people can access new opportunities and further invest in the economy as they prioritise health and wellbeing. Those who have greater opportunities and healthier lives will reinvest back into leisure and the region.

Over the months and years ahead there’s a real opportunity to embed a deeper focus on health across all sectors and parts of society. Not only will this improve wellbeing and personal prosperity, it will help drive us out of the economic challenges we currently face as a society. Businesses of all sizes have an increasingly important role to play in this agenda.

Generally, when we think about health and the NHS we think of a reactive service we only engage with when we’re ill. But proactively engaging and managing health and wellbeing as individuals, employers and businesses is key to rebuilding and growing our economy and society. In Yorkshire and the Humber, we have an increasing productivity challenge, which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. However, if we reduced the number of working age people with long-term health conditions by just 10 per cent, we would decrease rates of economic inactivity by 30 per cent. In contrast, a 1 per cent fall in employment has the potential to increase the prevalence of chronic illness by 2 per cent.

Business leaders should be more aware of their role in improving the region’s health and the economy and invest in their workforce, including health and wellbeing, offering greater skills and training, and supporting flexible working.

Leaders should also understand the business case for their individual business and how investing in their workforce will have a positive impact on their productivity in the long run: we know a healthy and happy population is productive and prosperous and vice versa.

We want a more productive, more prosperous, and healthier region, and we shouldn’t underestimate the role of business in achieving this. Recognising the region’s skills gaps now and in the future, diversifying our offering for employees and customers, investing in jobs, and focusing on workforce wellbeing all link back to the cycle of health and wealth.

As part of the region’s Renewal Action Plan (RAP), The Sheffield City Region Growth Hub provides support to businesses of all sectors and sizes to identify challenges, growth areas, and working with regional public and private sector partners, to develop a specialist framework of support.

For more information visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk

EU SETTLEMENT, RIGHT TO WORK AND REMOTE WORKING – CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS

The deadline for EU nationals to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme is fast approaching. Right to Work checks will soon need to be carried out in person and there’s no UK provision for digital nomads. Fragomen’s Kathleen O’Donnell discusses the immigration issues currently facing employers

We’re all enjoying the gentle roll into summer in our stunning region, wandering out at lunch with a colleague down the Wicker canal, for a coffee at Victoria Quays or for some local street food.

What are the key issues we can think about on that amble, to help our people continue to work for us, whether they are European or non-European?

The EU Settlement Scheme: Upcoming deadline

The EU Settlement Scheme is the residency process for Europeans who were in the UK before the end of the Brexit transition period. Most Europeans should now have applied and received status under the scheme – it has been widely publicised by the Home Office, employers and across the media.

However, applications must be submitted before the 30 June 2021 deadline. Those who don’t will be considered to be in the UK illegally from 1 July 2021 and find themselves in difficulty with working, renting, accessing healthcare etc. You don’t need to check if employees have applied under current guidance but if they don’t, they may not be able to continue working for you.

Right to Work checks

Many employers have been enjoying the virtual right to work checks, permitted by the Home Office as part of the COVID-19 concessions. These will end on 20 June and this means you will need to check either the employee’s original documents or the employee’s right to work online, if they are eligible.

You can check a prospective employee’s right to work online if they hold a Biometric Residence Card or have applied under the EU Settlement Scheme. This doesn’t apply to British and Irish nationals or those who don’t hold a Biometric Residence Card.

This is difficult for employers who haven’t yet returned to the office and may cause issues around the need to send original documents by post/courier. It’s important to consider alternatives – for example, meeting the employee in person somewhere convenient.

Shaping the new future: Remote working

Finally, as many employers are looking at returning to the office and considering remote working models, there are immigration considerations for employees holding a visa.

For UK employees holding visa status, there may be immigration implications to consider – especially for those holding sponsored status. In the UK, there is no express guidance for remote workers. Common questions are whether a sponsored person can work from home in the country they have a visa for or work overseas for a UK entity?

And on your stroll back, cup in hand and looking out at the barges, it’s good to feel we are all in the same boat – and that we can navigate the weirs for our teams with the right knowledge and tools.

Kathleen is a manager in Fragomen’s UK immigration team based in Sheffield.

Fragomen is a leading worldwide firm dedicated exclusively to immigration and citizenship services.

Fragomen offers immigration support in more than 170 countries globally.

ENHANCING THE GREAT BRITISH STAYCATION WITH TRAVELMASTER

In this third part of our series of articles on TravelMaster business partnerships, we are looking ahead to summer 2021 and the rise of the “staycation”. We want to explore the ways in which we can add extra value to bookings for the region’s hotels as more people vacation at home this year

As we journey out of lockdown, for many of us a return to Spain, France and other summer holiday favourites isn’t on the cards just yet.

As many of us look closer to home for our holidays this year, TravelMaster wants to work with our region’s hotels to offer the best value possible to staycationers.

We want to work with hotels throughout South Yorkshire to provide the cherry on top for their guests – easy and affordable travel during their stay.

Our offer to hotels

TravelMaster provide affordable and flexible travel across South Yorkshire, and we want to bring that to your hotel guests.

Travelling in a new area, with unfamiliar operators and services, can be a headache for many, but here at TravelMaster we want to take some of that stress out of the equation.

With a TravelMaster card, your guests can travel on any bus, tram, or train in South Yorkshire regardless of operator. No worrying or wasting money because you don’t know which service or operator you need for your journey; just one ticket, and all of South Yorkshire is your oyster.

A TravelMaster add-on for your hotel guests could serve as a great way to ensure a pleasant stay for those looking to explore the region’s wonderful cities and green spaces this summer.

How it works

When booking a room with your hotel, a TravelMaster add-on option would allow customers to bundle their travel into their stay in a way that’s easy for both your business and your guests.

Guests pay you, the hotel, for a credit code which they can use to redeem their travel ticket. They can then buy a card on arrival from your hotel, or order one through a link provided at purchase.

With card in hand, they will then use the code to redeem their ticket online and load the ticket easily by downloading the TravelMaster App.

This means less stress for your customers, and it’s as easy as one, two, three for your business. Plus, you’ll only pay us once they redeem the code with our Pay on Redemption system.

If you want to find out more about how this could work for your business, just get in touch via partnerships@ sytravelmaster.com today.

Learn more about TravelMaster at sytravelmaster.com

KICKING

THE HABIT

Former Sheffield nightclub owner and ex-drug dealer Mick Hartley is almost six years clean. Here he tells Andy Kershaw his remarkable story, from addiction to running a successful recovery charity

“I was brought up on the Gleadless estate by my mum, who wouldn’t tell me who my real dad was until I was 12. Once he knew she was pregnant, he was off, and I didn’t meet him or my four previously unknown stepbrothers until I was 27,” Mick said.

Mick experienced long periods of exclusion until he left school and drifted into a series of ‘dead-end’ jobs, before he got drawn into further criminal activity and drug use. This led Mick into early brushes with the law and time in court with sentences varying from probation to community service, fines and custody.

“I was arrested for shoplifting and assaulting a police officer as a teenager, after breaking into my school to rob the tuck shop.

“I was given the opportunity to go onto a Youth Training Scheme doing landscape gardening and I was paid £27 a week. This only lasted a few months because I then got a job at a local Co-op Dairy, pasteurising milk.”

“I got a job at a local dairy, but ended up robbing it and got 12 months in prison, all to feed my addiction”

“After working there for six weeks, I decided to rob it one night and got caught. I spent my 17th birthday at HMP Armley in Leeds awaiting sentence and ended up in prison for 12 months.”

Over the next decade Mick became more involved in dealing drugs and was introduced to supplier contacts in Liverpool.

“I began selling cannabis, LSD, and amphetamines in considerable quantities to fund my habit and pay my bills by dealing actively at clubs like Bed, The Music Factory and Occasions in Sheffield.”

When he was 26, Mick was introduced to cocaine and this led to him becoming what he describes as a ‘high functioning addict’. “I started working as a bouncer due to my muscular build when I left prison at 27, and I worked the doors until I was 43.”

Mick set up his own nightclub and bar in Sheffield in 2002, called The Ruby Lounge - Cellar 35.

“I used drugs heavily, but my successful businesses meant the money never ran out.

Over the next five years my life became unmanageable, and I became powerless to cocaine.”

Inevitably, this lifestyle led Mick into more contact with the police and more time in prison, fines, and community sentences.

“Over the years I’ve been arrested for assaulting a police officer, GBH and ABH, commercial burglary, possession with intent to supply Class ‘A’ drugs, dangerous driving and tendering counterfeit money – all caused by my addiction. I’d done four prison sentences between the ages of 16 and 26.”

“I’d lost everything – cocaine always came first”

By the age of 45, Mick had reached rock bottom.

“I’d lost my sanity, my partner, five-year-old son and friends, the businesses, savings, the lot - cocaine always came first,” Mick said.

“I entered Arc House rehabilitation clinic in Scarborough, who put me on the right track and gave me the tools I needed to get clean after attending hundreds of meetings with various anonymous fellowships. I’m now