Tag Archives: Business

Time For Personalisation With Nameplates?

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In today’s samey world a little personalisation never goes amiss. In fact signs and symbols accompany our lives at every turn, and in the office that can make employees feel like they are part of the business family. Nothing is more satisfying for an employee than starting in the bottom rung of a company and working their way up to an office and personal nameplates.

Whether we are driving or in a store, signs let us know where to go and warn us of danger ahead. In fact a world without signs would be a scary one indeed, and definitely one that is less interesting. And can you imagine trying to find your way around a hospital without nameplates on the door? You would never know what doctor to go to. A world without nameplates and signs would be hard to navigate.

In fact I think nameplates are so cool, and a sign that you have arrived, that I am thinking of getting my own nameplate, as the editor-at-large of this very magazine. It is going to feel very satisfying. Why not?

If you had your own nameplate what would it say?

Increase Your Online Security With Brand Protection

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In today’s world it seems that everyone is online. Whether having fun or working. This means the criminals have an entire new world to exploit. From phishing for your personal details, domain squatting – where people buy domains as soon as possible if they are associated with a brand, and counterfeit good. It is estimated that 1 in 6 products bought online are now fake.

This is why you need a brand protection services. Just like people need car insurance and home insurance, you need to protect your brand, and yourself, online. A company such as Netnames can help you to get covered.

 

Another way to protect yourself is to be vigilant. If you get an email that just does not look right, then don’t click on it. Be careful about putting your date of birth online. With your name and date of birth people can access some of your online account and maybe even your bank account.

Also make sure you have a good password. The most popular password is actually ‘password’. Have a hard password which includes numbers and upper case letters.

If you have your own blog or website then make sure you have some security. As many as 40,000 websites are compromised per week. You work hard to build your brand, so protect it.

Have you had a bad experience online? How do you protect your brand? Comment below.

netnames.com

“Lazy” Brits? Over two-thirds would work for nothing to land dream job

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Over two-thirds of the British public would be prepared to work for nothing for up to three months if it meant landing their dream job, according to a new survey of over 16,000 people from visionary social media-based recruitment website staffbay.com

The survey revealed that far from British workers being lazy and motivated by wages, as some have dubbed them, some 68 per cent said they would go without wages to get the job they coveted – with 10 per cent of them prepared for work for three months without pay.

Tony Wilmot, co-founder of staffbay.com, said: “These results tell us two things: that British workers are far from lazy; and that some people will go to extraordinary lengths to impress their employers. We certainly don’t think that Britain’s jobseekers want something for nothing, and this survey proves it. They’re obviously prepared to get Britain’s economy moving again – and for free.

“The ten per cent of respondents who would work for three months for nothing also shows that some people clearly think they are over-qualified for the job they’re currently in. With so many jobseekers now applying for the same position, many in the jobs market are having to settle for second-best.”

The news comes in the week after Geology graduate Cait Reilly successfully argued at the Appeal Court that her unpaid work placement at Poundland, which she had been required to do to continue to receive benefits, breached laws on forced labour.

Yesterday, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan-Smith told the BBC that some people “thought Geology was more important than stacking shelves.”

Also in the news this week has been Adam Pacitti, who rose to prominence last month after he spent his last £500 on a billboard advertisement outlining his availability to work. Promoting himself in a new, innovative way has reaped dividends, as Pacitti has found work at a design agency. He’s since taken another billboard ad out to thank those who supported him during this jobsearch.

Elliot Kidd, co-founder of staffbay.com adds: “As Adam himself pointed out in the press: ‘Employers are bored of looking at a sheet of A4 paper. Do something different.’ We couldn’t agree more, and that’s why we allow jobseekers to upload multimedia files, including video, to our website.

“Adam’s original billboard advertisement alerted employers to his website where they could watch a video CV he’d put together. One and a half million people saw the video, and now Adam has landed himself a job.

“I congratulate Adam for the innovative way he’s gone about promoting himself – jobseekers everywhere should take note. Our survey shows that by going the extra mile to attract the attention of employers, jobseekers can find the job they’ve always dreamed of.”

 

 

Small Business Entrepreneurs: 5 Steps for Running Your Own HR Department

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Turning a small business venture into a successful, profitable machine is a difficult thing to achieve.  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 34 percent of new business ventures fail within two years and 56 percent fail within 4 years.  Assuming a business venture is properly planned and funded, the single biggest error that small business owners make is neglecting management.

Things like managing payroll, hiring employees and tracking their performance, taking the proper steps prior to terminating employees and complying with local, state and federal laws may seem like tasks better suited for large companies.  But if entrepreneurs wish to become big business owners, they should act like a big business owner from the outset.

1. Create an Employee Handbook

An employee handbook is one of the employer’s best tools to inform employees regarding workplace policies and procedures, prohibited conduct, potential grounds for termination, clarification of employee status and handling of grievances.  Small business entrepreneurs may have rules in mind, and they may even have conversations with employees regarding workplace rules.

Without a handbook, however, employees could argue that they were never properly informed of policies and procedures, making it more difficult for employers to justify discipline or termination based on violation of the rules.  Small business entrepreneurs should strive to create an employee handbook, regardless of the size of their workforce.

2. Don’t Hire Bad People

This seems straightforward enough, but many small business entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with the tools at their disposal to identify candidates with skeletons in their closets.  Employee background checks are essential toward bringing the right people into the company.

These checks may include a review of an applicant’s criminal history, credit history and references.  In so doing, however, business owners must comply with a litany of federal and state laws controlling how such checks should be performed and what information is permissible for them to acquire and use in the decision-making process.

3. Set Up an Employee Training and Discipline Program

While entrepreneurs need to hire the right candidates, they also need to retain the right employees and discipline the right employees. Proper training initiatives can result in increased productivity and retention, reduced turnover and the need to spend valuable time and money hiring replacements.

Similarly, performance improvement plans, applied fairly and consistently to employees, can produce positive outcomes or, where employees are unsalvageable, lay the groundwork for lawful discipline or termination.

4. Manage Payroll Like an Accountant…with a Law Degree

This is a complex area of the law, but the complexity is no excuse, even for inexperienced entrepreneurs.  Employers are obligated to pay their employees in a timely manner, deduct and remit the proper taxes to local, state and federal authorities, report accurate information and account for benefits.  Thankfully, automated payroll systems exist to take much of the guess work out of this process, but small business entrepreneurs must familiarize themselves with the regulations and take steps to implement procedures to comply with the law.

5. Don’t Act in Haste; Build a Case

Inevitably, employers will need to take action against problematic employees, whether the action is warning, suspension or termination.  In some cases, however, a hasty response can create additional problems for the employer, resulting in costly, time-consuming litigation.  To guard against this possibility, employers must fully and contemporaneously document all instances of employee misconduct, warnings, progressive discipline and the results of internal investigations.

When employers have built up evidence to substantiate a decision to warn, suspend or terminate, they must still be cognizant of state and federal laws that protect employees from discrimination or retaliation.  Only after employers have reviewed the evidence and the law should they take action.

Super Secrets of the Successful Jobseeker by Simon Gray

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 Keeping ahead of the competition in 2013 From ‘Super Secrets of the Successful Jobseeker’  Author

Getting yourself to market

“Knowledge is power” might be a cliché these days, but the stark fact of the matter is that it’s never been more of a truism. When you know more about the environment you’re about to enter, then the better you can market yourself, and adapt.

I have interviewed a number of people recently who have been in secure jobs but have been thrown into the hustle and bustle of the jobs market because of redundancy. To be frank, some of their expectations have been unrealistic. They often think that the jobs market is exactly the same as when they last looked for a position –  but times have changed.

I often equate this to a prisoner who has been newly released from prison after serving a 10-stretch. Their surroundings are unfamiliar, and time, people and technology has moved on. It’s no wonder they’re confused.

In my experience, jobseekers react to this in two different ways: they bury their head in the sand and try and pretend nothing has changed; or they take a more enlightened approach and try to gain more understanding of the modern job market and how best to place themselves within in it.

It’s no secret that there are now more people applying for the same job than ever before. With this comes a downward pressure on salaries, and, as far as employers are concerned, it’s most definitely a “buyer’s market”.

Employers are under the impression that they don’t have to try too hard to find great candidates with the skills they need because there appears to be so many out there looking for jobs. They’re also in no rush to make snap decisions when it comes to appointments – nor will they hire unless completely necessary because of the cost risk that taking someone on incurs. In short: employers believe they sit in the seat of power.

Jobseekers, meanwhile, are going into the jobs market believing it’s going to be tough to land a role. They’re thinking to themselves: “I’m going to have to work really hard to find a job and I’m not guaranteed to find one – is there any point?” They also believe they should be grateful for any job that’s offered to them at whatever salary. But the main thing they believe is that they have absolutely no power in the jobs market at all.

I think this is misguided. Why? Because you simply can’t control what is out of your reach. The mindset of employers is beyond a jobseekers capability to alter, and so trying to do so will only waste time and lead to a dead end. The jobseeker would be better spending their time and effort trying to understand what their future potential employer is thinking, and how you can tailor your skills and experience to meet their requirements. In doing this, you’ll be instantly rebalancing the relationship.

The first thing any jobseeker should do is remember who their competition is. Make sure you differentiate yourself from other jobseekers; instantly falling in-line with what the competition is doing will put you at a distinct advantage. Arm yourself with the weapons you need to make you stand out from the crowd.

This can seem like a daunting task, but it needn’t be. Research is vital, and this can be done at a local level rather than trying to ascertain what’s happening nationally.

The local press is a good place to start. Find out what’s happening in the regional economy, and basic steps such as measuring the thickness of the local jobs paper is a good place to start if you want to take stock of hiring activity in the market.

Recent figures show that as many as 20 per cent of people online at any time are looking for a job. Use this time to take a look at jobs boards and search for skills that employers are looking for.

Talk to the professionals – set up meetings with local recruitment businesses. Ask their advice on what’s happening, skills sought after and salary levels.

Do your homework on your local business scene; who are the larger businesses and who are the up and coming SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises)?

By undertaking these simple steps, you the jobseeker, will have a more realistic handle on the jobs market and a better of the times on the times your are living in.

With a clear picture of how things are, you are far better informed and more empowered to plan your attack and find your next position.

Why Your Business Needs Car Bumper Stickers

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When you run your own business getting your message across is an important factor. If you are offering the best service or goods then you’ll want to shout from the rooftops about it. Most people have exhausted all of the usual marketing tools at their disposal, but if you don’t use car bumper stickers then you are definitely missing a trick.

 

Car bumper stickers are a great way to advertise your business or get your point across without the hard sell aspect of some other marketing options. Compared with other outdoor marketing tools, bumper stickers are relatively cost effective considering their reach. You can fork out huge amounts of cash for perfectly placed billboards advertising your company and offers but a bumper sticker can often be seen by many more potential customers as they are a form of mobile advertising.

 

If you decide that car bumper sticker advertising is for you then ensure your feature all the necessary information – whether you are advertising a business or an offer you must give people a way of contacting you or taking up the offer. The easiest way to do this is with a phone number or email address. Your sticker should also feature your company logo. Bumper stickers are well received if they are humorous in nature, have you ever laughed at a political bumper sticker and made a mental note to get one for your car?

 

Your bumper stickers aren’t just for people who work for you, give them out to satisfied customers to extend your advertising reach even further. You can even offer a discount to customers who have one of your bumper stickers on their car.

 

Bumper stickers are also a great way to keep an eye on your employees. Many commercial vehicles now feature stickers that ask fellow road users ‘How’s my driving?’ offering you valuable feedback.

 

Grab the very best car bumper stickers for your business from harris screen print, they offer a full range of screen-printed stickers that they print in-house.

The World’s First Chocolatiers’ Convention. What’s Hot in Chocolate

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Frost recently got a golden ticket to The World’s First Chocolatiers’ Convention, and yes, we were just as excited as the kids in the Wille Wonka film. The convention was organised by Kennedy’s Confection Magazine and we heard the best and most impressive chocolate makers talk. A.Boyd Tunnock was a particular favourite. I had a good chat with Boyd who invented the Tunnock tea cake in 1960. He is as nice as he is brilliant.

Here are my highlights.

Pekka Rantala, managzing director of OY Karl Fazer, talked about Fazer becoming a €1.6 billion company. Fazer have teamed up with Angry Birds to make some really cool Angry Birds sweets. Okay, they are not chocolate but they are bang on trend. Check out the cool video below.

Next up was Peter Meadows from California Raisins. Peter says that raisins are just dried out grapes. The grapes are picked and layed out to dry. They are harvested in late August and there is a two-to-three week drying process. Raisins are 1 £500 million industry. In Tesco raisins are the second biggest bagged snack after Maltesers.

A. Boyd Tunnock CBE is the grandson of the founder and the inventor of the Tunnock Tea Cake. Tunnock’s was started in 1890 by Thomas Tunnock. They expanded in the 1950’s. Tunnock’s makes 9 million biscuits a week at their Uddingston factory and Boyd says, ‘When success comes you have no idea how, you just keep going.’

Boyd’s eldest gandson, Colin, works for Cadbury. Boyd says that he has a toy store compared to them but he is happy with it.

9 out of 10 people eat chocolate.

Sophi Tranchell MBE, managing director of farmer-owned Divine Chocolate. Average income for a cocoa farmer is £328 per year. 80% of the chocolate industry is owned by three companies. When a survey was done in West Africa only one child out of 250 wanted to be a cocoa farmer. Divine Chocolate are impressive. They aim to improve the livelihood of cocoa farmers in West Africa. Chocolate for those who want to buy ethically.

Francisco Redruello is a senior food analyst and had some great information and Willie Harcourt-Cooze. Willie is a well known chocolate maker and entrepreanur who came to fame in Channel 4 documentary Willie’s Wonky Chocolate Factory. We tried some of his chocolate and it is good.

Body language expert Judi James then turned the lights on and gave us all chocolate. She gave an excellent talk on chocolate and body language and then said what our chocolate eating habits meant. Judi says we only share chocolate to make ourselves look good, but I don’t believe her. Do you?

Predictions in the chocolate industry from Angus Kennedy.

Personalisation of the product.
Bolder tastes like cheese & wine, pumpkin, chilli, olive oil, bacon and carrot.
More indulgence. Chocolate with an indulgent appeal.
Smaller packets. As the recession kicks in, packs get smaller but stay the same price.
Sharing. 56% of people like to share.
Healthier chocolate. For people who are lactose intolerant for example. Did you know that 90% of people in Africa are lactose intolerant and 70% in United Kingdom and 20% in all of Europe.

Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray Make Who’s Who

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Who’s Who in 2013?

The new edition of Who’s Who is out with some exciting new entries. Including some of Britain’s brightest athletes.

The 165th edition of Who’s Who brings together over 33,000 autobiographical entries from people of, influence and interest in every area of public life. Featuring just over 1,000 entries new for this edition, Who’s Who 2013, published on 3rd December 2012, celebrates the achievements of British Society. An invaluable research tool and a unique way of measuring social change, it is the longest established and most comprehensive general biographical reference book. An invitation to appear in Who’s Who recognises lasting distinction and influence. An entry in Who’s Who is for life.

Preface by Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington, President and Editor-in-Chief at the Huffington Post Media Group, is a new biographee for the 2013 edition. She has written this year’s foreword, in which she considers the ways in which technology is rapidly transforming the media.

Olympic Idols

Included for the first time in the 2013 edition is Heptathlon darling, Jessica Ennis, who won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games. At just 26 years old, her impressive resume includes an Olympic gold, two World Championship medals, two World Indoor Championship medals, a European Championship medal and a Commonwealth Games medal.

Double Olympic gold medallist, Mo Farah makes a welcome entry this year, as does professional tennis player and Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray. Born in 1987, Murray is the youngest non-hereditary new entrant.

Entertainment

Presenter and journalist, Gabby Logan is a new addition to Who’s Who 2013. She represented Wales in rhythmic gymnastics at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, before carving out a career in broadcast where she recently presented at the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Included in the 2013 edition is author and Times columnist Caitlin Moran, who was named Critic of the Year and Interviewer of the Year at the 2011 British Press Awards. She lists her recreations as ‘hair biggening, cava, eyeliner, The Struggle’.

Comedian and songwriter Tim Minchin, who composed the music for Matilda the Musical is included in Who’s Who for the first time, as is fellow comedian Richard Ayoade. Richard starred in The IT Crowd and has directed music videos for the Arctic Monkeys and Super Furry Animals, amongst others.

Cooking Sensations

Two star Michelin chef, Michael Caines is a new biographee for the 2013 edition. Head Chef at Gidleigh Park in Devon and Bath Priory, Michael appeared in Celebrity Masterchef 2011 and is one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs. He is joined by Nathan Outlaw, another South West based chef, who enjoys ‘collecting cookery books’. Star Wars fan Nathan is a two star Michelin chef who has two restaurants at the St Enodoc Hotel, in Cornwall.

Family Connections

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s brother Leo, Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers Sustainability and Climate Change and sister Rachel, Editor-in-Chief of The Lady, are new names for 2013. Boris, another brother Joseph and father Stanley are already in Who’s Who making them one of the most successful families in the yearbook.

Another well-connected new entrant is Rachel Wolf, Director of the New Schools Network, who began her career as a researcher for Boris Johnson and whose mother and father are both already in Who’s Who.

Trivial Pursuits?

Lord Haskins, former Chairman of Northern Foods and Express Dairies plc, has updated his recreations to include ‘only-in-emergency harvest tractor-driver’, while Zai Bennett, Controller of BBC 3, and a new entrant for the 2013 edition, reveals his pastimes to include ‘impersonating primates for baby daughter’.

Writer and broadcaster on architecture and design, Thomas Dyckhoff’s recreations include ‘gluttony, staring out of the window, butchery and pie-making’ and Antonia Romeo, Director General of Transforming Justice at the Ministry of Justice, enjoys ‘Star Wars, Lego’. Host of Radio 2’s The Art Show, Claudia Winkleman, is another welcome addition to the 2013 edition. She lists her recreations as ‘sleeping, cuddling and bothering the children’.

Who’s Who in Numbers

4.5 tonnes – the weight of Who’s Who if all the UK’s inhabitants were in it (the weight of an Asian elephant!). It would be 94 metres thick, which is the height of the O2.

6th – where Who’s Who would have come in the medal table if it had been a team at the London Olympics (12 golds, 4 silvers)

80 – the number of jumbo jets it would take to transport everyone in Who’s Who

91 – the age of the oldest new entrant in Who’s Who 2013, Professor Yoichiro Nambu, Emeritus Professor at the University of Chicago

Who’s Who 2013

Published by A&C Black, 3rd December 2012

Hardback £235.00

Print-and-online edition £325.00 (available from Oxford University Press, visit www.ukwhoswho.com