GDPR Marketing basics for SME’s

ICO Guide to GDPR: Copy & Paste this link into you web browser

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/

If you’re part of the business community you almost certainly have a presence on LinkedIn, but are you using it effectively? LinkedIn is often under-utilised and there are several common mistakes that people make on their profiles.

This month at NWBL, Ian Preston from 3 degrees social talked us through some of the main pitfalls that people fall into with their LinkedIn profiles, and some of the key things you can do to take advantage of this online networking platform.

Starting with your profile picture, remember that this is a professional environment so your picture should reflect what you would wear at a business meeting. Pictures of you on holiday or holding a drink should be saved for Facebook, unless you work in the travel industry or drinks trade!

Moving onto your headline, it’s really common for people to simply add their job title in here, but if you do this you’re missing a trick. When people search on LinkedIn, the contents of the headline is weighted quite heavily in the search function so it makes sense to include what you do for your customers, rather than your job title. (Your current position is in the next field down anyway, so there’s no need to duplicate it in the headline.)

Clearly you need to sell yourself in the summary field, making the most of the 2000 characters, and also explain your current role in the experience section.

And when it comes to expanding your network on LinkedIn, how you connect with the people you meet is important. Don’t just press the blue connect button –add a personal message. This makes it more likely that the person will remember who you are and where they met you, and will accept your request.

Add everyone you meet, as the larger your network of 1st tier connections is, the greater number of 2nd tier connections you will have access to. Then, if you want to speak to a 2nd tier connection, you can ask one of your 1st tier connections to introduce you.

To find out more about what Ian does, why not connect with him on LinkedIn [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][ADD LINK https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianjpreston/]

The Power of Building Relationships via Email

LinkedIn isn’t the only way to build relationships in the business community, and our second speaker, Liz Painter from copywriting agency Comma Comma, explained the importance of ongoing marketing when it comes to following up with your contacts.

Whether you meet people at a networking event or via enquiries that come into your business, you should have a system for following up with every single individual that makes contact with you.

Often people invest in the one-off marketing – the sales letter or advertisement – but then their ongoing marketing lets them down. If you invest in this kind of one-off marketing, but then you have no system for staying in touch with people who don’t buy immediately, then you’re missing out on almost guaranteed future business, and some of your marketing spend is wasted.

It’s about doing things in the right order. Of course there is value in the one-off marketing, but you’ll get even more out of it if you have a tried and tested system for staying in touch with people beyond that one-off marketing piece.

Liz likened it to a ski instructor who wants to teach you to fly over jumps before you’ve mastered the basics of turning and stopping. There’s nothing wrong with investing in the one-off marketing, but you’ll get more out of it, and you’ll land your jumps more safely when you’ve invested in the basics and got a consistent system for staying in touch and building relationships with new contacts.

A regular email out to your list – every week or every fortnight – containing useful, engaging content, will allow you to stay in touch with people you meet. They might eventually do business with you, or they may refer you to someone else who ends up doing business with you.

And once you see how this works, and how your enquiries increase over time, you’ll be determined to make sure that every business card you collect gets added to your database, rather than sitting in a pile on your desk.

The other element of this kind of ongoing marketing is the “Know, Like and Trust” Email Campaign. This is a series of emails – usually around four – that introduce your business to a new contact, explaining what you do, how you help your clients and providing credibility in the form of a testimonial or case study.

If you would like some guidance in pulling your Know, Like and Trust emails together, then you can access Liz’s easy to use email templates here https://lizpainter-2.sendmedetails.com/know-like-trust-email-templates

To see our great speakers in action and network with like-minded people, please email melanie@sourceandeffect.com or caroline@sourceandeffect.com[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Have you ever wondered why it seems that so many companies find it difficult to improve performance or do not even bother?
Experts say all you need is the latest tech or app because they seem to want you to believe that is the problem. But the facts shows us that is not quite true.
Even in the 00’s when the tech was not that bad, research published by Cardiff University showed that only 5% of the things they did in manufacturing added value for customers! It was worse in information-based industries where only 1% of activity added value!! Consider then that in Toyota 20% of activity is value-adding! Wow! Just think what improving from 5% to 20% will do to your company’s performance. The problem really is that many companies are unaware of this enormous potential that there is to improve their performance, whatever sector they are in.
Partially this is due to the massive lack of management training in the UK, which was confirmed by the 2014 Chartered Management Institute report Management 2020. Another significant reason is that too many courses, trainers and consultants tend to speak in jargon or ‘technobabble’ as some call it, which really turns people off. A survey of the information from many professional institutions also revealed how fragmented and partial is the picture of management offered to those seeking to achieve the highest performance.
It is hardly likely that any company is going to commit to spending money on training if it does not understand what it is being offered. This and the incomplete nature of the knowledge is the reason that my co-author, Terry Peterson, and I decided in 2012 to write our e-book Simply Manage. Our aim was and is to provide a more complete and balanced source of the best management practice clearly and simply with the very minimum of technical language. With the help of Worcestershire graphic designer Steve Pitt we also made a point including plenty of graphics.
To make this knowledge readily accessible to today’s managers we decided to use the online publishing platform Leanpub.com, which was an innovation for us! This enables us to offer it as a PDF or readable on Apple or Kindle devices. The additional benefit of Leanpub is that we can offer any updates free of charge, as we have done since Simply Manage was finally published in 2014. The writing of the book was a learning experience itself dealing with a new medium and the technology.
So what are the key messages if you want to begin to achieve higher performance ways of working? Drawing on best management practice, including from the field of continual improvement and innovation, we summarised the knowledge in the Simply Manage Star®.

Alan Clark, Key Business Improvement, alanclark@keybiz.com

Healthy employees help to create a healthy business, with happy, healthy staff often resulting in increased productivity and fewer sick days.

Wythall-based business Phoenix, have been testing out this theory over the last 18 months, and came along to NWBL to tell us how the Worcestershire Works Well (WWW) programme has worked out for the 600 staff at the Worcestershire arm of this large financial services company.

Lucy Symonds, the Corporate Responsibility Manager, explained that the WWW programme tied in with Phoenix’s Corporate Responsibility strategy, which focuses on wellbeing.

She said: “Everything leads back to wellbeing, and the financial, physical and mental wellbeing of all of our key stakeholders is vitally important. Anything we do onsite must be linked back to improving the wellbeing of our staff, our policy holders and our community partners – schools, scout groups and charities.”

Lucy explained that the WWW process has been quite quick for Phoenix, as they were already doing a lot to promote wellbeing among their staff, but the programme gave them more information and ideas, enabling them to plan events they might not have thought of.

Sharing best practice with other companies has also been useful, and has worked as a great networking opportunity.

Phoenix won their Level 1 accreditation in November 2015, and they expect to achieve Level 2 shortly.

Health campaigns and resources they’ve promoted have included:

• The flu jab
• Not smoking in vehicles
• Quitting smoking
• The eat well plate
• Wellbeing support hub
• Blood pressure checks
• Alcohol awareness
• Mindfulness sessions
• Stress management

The onsite restaurant has been awarded the gold standard for the Healthier Choices Food Award. They were the first company in the region to be awarded this, and were featured in the Chamber of Commerce magazine.

Other initiatives have included buying four table tennis tables, which have led to staff that would not normally take part in exercise to play on a regular basis.
Over 60 members of staff regularly play at lunchtime or after work and have set up their own tournaments and fundraisers.

There are 25 members of staff having extra coaching with Table Tennis England coaches, and they are even being featured in a case study to encourage other businesses to follow suit.
Staff were able to meet and play with an ex-commonwealth champion – Helen Lower who came to support a charity fundraiser in aid of Phoenix’s air ambulance charity partners – and they took part in a 25 hour ping pong a thon, and played a robot.

Other sporty activities include a cycle to work day, hot pod yoga and the annual Phoenix Mile run. There is an on-site gym, tennis courts, putting green and football pitches too.

The result of all this hard work is a happy, healthy workforce with a high level of staff engagement – 78% Employee Engagement Index – plus low staff turnover and absence.

For more information on how to participate in this scheme visit www.worcestershireworkswell.co.uk

If you would like to join NWBL our annual membership is £99, which comes with a range of benefits. The monthly events will remain FREE of charge for members, and we’ll continue to ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 for our chosen charity. Click here to find out more, including details of our upcoming Workshops. Non-Members will be charged £10 per meeting plus a voluntary contribution to our resident charities.

Membership will also include access to the BizSmart SmartRoom, a valuable resource giving you access to downloadable resources to help you grow your business, along with regular specialist webinars and blogs.

As we enter the second year of WBL, we’ll continue to collaborate with organisations across Worcestershire, continue to raise money for local causes, and continue to grow our membership. We do hope you’ll join us at the next meeting on 21st June 2016, from 10am to 12pm at Hogarths Stone Manor.

Blog post written by Andrew Pain, New Starts

Creating a flexible work-force has its challenges. Finding the right skills, knowledge, expertise and professionalism in just one person can be tricky. The added challenge of creating a team that can adapt to the changing needs of a business and create results often means that projects struggle to get off the ground.

Maxim Lifting Services Ltd, a successful Midlands based business specialising in Contract Lifting, have utilised outsourcing to support important back-office tasks and kick start specific projects.

Ben Holliday, Owner, said: “Outsourcing has given us the flexibility to try new approaches, test our ideas and create a dynamic business environment. We have been able to tap into varied skills and experience and it has freed up my time to focus on the strategic direction of the business. I now feel better prepared to build a team and grow my business”.

Source&Effect provide Outsourced Business Support and have recently launched a Tailored Recruitment Service, Source&Recruit.

www.sourceandeffect.com

If you would like to join NWBL our annual membership is £99, which comes with a range of benefits. The monthly events will remain FREE of charge for members, and we’ll continue to ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 for our chosen charity. Click here to find out more, including details of our upcoming Workshops. Non-Members will be charged £10 per meeting plus a voluntary contribution to our resident charities.

Membership will also include access to the BizSmart SmartRoom, a valuable resource giving you access to downloadable resources to help you grow your business, along with regular specialist webinars and blogs.

As we enter the second year of WBL, we’ll continue to collaborate with organisations across Worcestershire, continue to raise money for local causes, and continue to grow our membership. We do hope you’ll join us at the next meeting on 21st June 2016, from 10am to 12pm at Hogarths Stone Manor.

Blog post written by Andrew Pain, New Starts

Council leaders have shared with us their vision for promoting business success within Bromsgrove and Redditch and across the county as a whole.

Kevin Dicks, Chief Executive of Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council says a key goal is to help people within the area run successful businesses, and the district councils are committed to nurturing and encouraging growth.

His colleague, Robert Spittle, chair of the Economic Development Theme Group told us that they are committed to tackling a skills shortage in the region by working with schools, colleges and the Skills Board, to ensure that North Worcestershire businesses are able employ people within the region to assist in business growth.

Jane Doyle, Communications and Engagement Officer from the North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration Team shared the region’s recent successes, which include:

• More than 100 new jobs created via a Local Development Order (allowing businesses to grow without requiring planning permission)
• £150,000 in business grants available
• At least 50 new jobs for apprentices.

For more information, visit www.nwedr.org.uk

If you would like to join NWBL our annual membership is £99, which comes with a range of benefits. The monthly events will remain FREE of charge for members, and we’ll continue to ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 for our chosen charity. Click here to find out more, including details of our upcoming Workshops. Non-Members will be charged £10 per meeting plus a voluntary contribution to our resident charities.

Membership will also include access to the BizSmart SmartRoom, a valuable resource giving you access to downloadable resources to help you grow your business, along with regular specialist webinars and blogs.

As we enter the second year of WBL, we’ll continue to collaborate with organisations across Worcestershire, continue to raise money for local causes, and continue to grow our membership. We do hope you’ll join us at the next meeting on 21st June 2016, from 10am to 12pm at Hogarths Stone Manor.

Blog post written by Andrew Pain, New Starts

Andrew Pain from New Starts has shared with us four different ways you can do your bit for people in Redditch and Bromsgrove who may be going through a crisis or need a little support to help them get back on their feet after a difficult time.

It’s not about donating cash – there are a number of ways you can chip in and help:

1. Donate your unwanted furniture

This can be sold in the shop to raise funds and is also donated free of charge to people in need, often as they begin a new unfurnished tenancy.

Recently a mother was given beds for her children, who had been sleeping on cushions. This meant they were better rested for school so their attendance improved and the whole household is now calmer and happier.

2. Bring your old computers and laptops

These are always sanitised before being sold on and can help people who wouldn’t be able to afford a computer to access online services, helping them to save money by setting up direct debit bill payments online, or to become less isolated by researching groups and clubs in their area or simply connecting with friends and family online. New Starts also provides training for people who need help to use a computer.

3. Help to stock up the food bank

The food bank is there for people in crisis – since the food bank opened more than 3,000 bags of food have been given out to people who have a temporary need for support.

4. Volunteering

New Starts helps and supports people by providing work placements and enabling them to gain the experience they need to apply for a job.

Overcoming individual challenges is also part of the service, with a recent candidate being assisted to conquer his fear of the telephone. This led to him securing full-time employment as an administrator at the QE Hospital.

For more information on how you can help, go to www.newstarts.org.uk or visit New Starts at 1 Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove B60 3DR.

If you would like to join NWBL our annual membership is £99, which comes with a range of benefits. The monthly events will remain FREE of charge for members, and we’ll continue to ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 for our chosen charity. Click here to find out more, including details of our upcoming Workshops. Non-Members will be charged £10 per meeting plus a voluntary contribution to our resident charities.

Membership will also include access to the BizSmart SmartRoom, a valuable resource giving you access to downloadable resources to help you grow your business, along with regular specialist webinars and blogs.

As we enter the second year of WBL, we’ll continue to collaborate with organisations across Worcestershire, continue to raise money for local causes, and continue to grow our membership. We do hope you’ll join us at the next meeting on 21st June 2016, from 10am to 12pm at Hogarths Stone Manor.

Blog post written by Andrew Pain, New Starts