Avoiding video call fatigue – I’ve got the video blues
In this weeks episode of Impromptu Business Chat, James and Mark share their experiences of the video blues. Since the first lockdown, businesses have become ever more reliant on video calls, but is it now starting to impact our metal health and wellbeing. As usual they share 3 top tips, and along the way they draw inspiration from Harvard Business Review, Jeannette (Pritchard) Pearce MBE and Huey Lewis & The News!
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Whilst you are there, please like us, and leave a comment. We would love to hear what you are enjoying about the podcast, and it helps others to find us!
The team at Tiger Eye are delighted to announce The Boudicca Appeal has been selected as their charity of the year for 2021, with the charity being nominated for the second year running.
Following a staff vote, The Boudicca Appeal was once again chosen for its vital work in the Norfolk community. The Tiger Eye Team will make The Boudicca Appeal the focus of fundraising efforts for 2021. Whilst the pandemic and lockdown may make fundraising events and projects more difficult, Tiger Eye look forward to generating vital funds for the appeal where possible.
The Boudicca Appeal, one of many programmes under the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity umbrella, aims to raise funds for a new dedicated breast cancer unit at the NNUH. Over the past five years, the current breast cancer unit has seen an 80% increase in patient numbers, meaning that as it stands, the current unit is unable to provide same-day diagnosis to all visitors.
With the NHS facing its biggest challenge in 72 years in its battle against the coronavirus, resources are already strained, and the unit is of critical importance. With the pandemic at hand, the need to provide same-day diagnostic tests is crucial, in order to reduce stress and anxiety for breast cancer patients by removing tough wait times between referrals, tests and diagnoses for the 7,000+ women and men who are referred each year.
So far, The Boudicca Appeal has raised £440.4K – 55% of its £800K target. Tiger Eye look forward to supporting The Boudicca Appeal in getting closer to achieving their goal.
Leading tax and accounting franchise opportunity promoted in the UK, Canada, USA and Australia as expansion continues apace.
In a first for the established small business accounting franchise, TaxAssist Accountants held multiple Discovery Sessions in the same month across the globe, as it continues with its ambitious expansion plans.
For David Paulson QFP, Senior Vice President, Franchise Development, it is milestone moment, and the realisation of years of planning.
“Expansion across North America and Australia, as well as the UK and the Republic of Ireland has been a long term aim of The TaxAssist Group, and the interest we are now experiencing is very encouraging,” he said.
“We are promoting single unit franchise opportunities, as well as area representative opportunities in the USA. The sessions provide an overview of the range and depth of technical, marketing and business development support on offer through the franchise, and the scope and potential of the business model.
“I am involved in all of the online Discovery Sessions, alongside senior colleagues from both the UK and host countries, choosing a convenient time that works well across different continents, resulting in very positive feedback received from delegates.
“I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about running their own accounting practice for small businesses to get in touch. There is a huge demand for the services of a quality accountant right now – and will continue to be – as clients reach out for help to understand what their business is doing, how to access finance, plan for the future and make key business decisions. The visibility of our shop premises means we are ideally situated to attract and support clients, while offering our accountants the ability to build substantial practices.”
If you are interested in attending one of our online Discovery Sessions, please follow this link which will direct you to your country of interest.
Open Banking is a safe way to share financial data, but have you heard of it?
We are always trying to make life easier for our customers, and Open Banking is a secure way to give providers access to your financial information.
We often need to see bank statements or accounts to help assess a finance application, and Open Banking is a smooth, easy process that not only saves time but is highly secure, enabling the customer to get their approval of finance quickly.
Open Banking is a relatively new product that has come to the fore as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It really started to take off during the second lockdown.
Sales Executive Jack Cleaver said: “It is another new way to help our customers.
“They don’t have the worry of sending confidential financial information on email. Everything is encrypted and you have a password.”
Open Banking means you can share your financial data with apps and websites but only with companies that have passed industry security checks so it safe and secure.
“It is something we have now adopted since the second lockdown. We have been doing it for a little while now and it is working really well. People are realising it is easy and seeing the benefits of it.
“There is so much written about it now that people are realising Open Banking is an easy way to go. It helps customers and us because we can see the documents in a perfect format, no more poorly scanned documents!”
Open Banking is another reason to contact us today for a quick and easy way to secure finance. So for more information on this or any other service we provide please do not hesitate to call us.
In this episode of Business Insights Chat, MHA Larking Gowen partner Ian Fitch talks to Susanna Rendall, group managing director of The Boxford Group. The group owns the award-winning Stoke-By-Nayland Resort, Peake Fruit Ltd and Boxford Suffolk Farms.
Susanna talks candidly and in depth about the challenges that lockdown, and Brexit, have had on their businesses. She focuses on recruitment, and why they reached out to the community during the last year. Susanna also discusses what life is like in a family-run business. There are tales of pressing apples at her mother’s kitchen table, and how she’s learnt that if a vote is needed, perhaps it’s a sign that it’s not the right move.
Susanna believes passion is key to running a successful business – love your product – and that just because your business is getting bigger, it doesn’t mean it’s better! She talks about how important it is to be agile; to do your research when starting up; how knowing your weaknesses is key; and that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help.
Susanna’s diverse sector experience and work history, which includes hosting Manchester United FC and Annie Lennox, and being approached by Tropicana, make for inspirational listening. And her analogy of how business is like a marriage and subsequent divorce, is a gem not to be missed!
You can listen to Business Insights Chat on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss out on next week’s episode with William Coe, from Coes.
In last week’s Cabinet Office meeting with the Paymaster-General Michael Ellis on consumer goods for UK-EU trade, The Chamber raised issues including:
•
the situation from 1 January 2022 when easements on proof of origin certification expire;
•
cross-border VAT, and
•
the future of CE marked goods, parts and components in the GB market.
The latest version of the Border Operating Model (with details on inbound GB controls) is due for release in a fortnight. Mr Ellis has asked business to send case studies of the current situation they face on EU trade
The UK and US have resolved their differences on digital services taxes (DSTs) in an agreement also involving Italy, Spain, France and Austria. This means that the risk of tariffs, of up to 25%, being applied to UK goods exported to the US has been lifted for at least two years, while more progress is made implementing a global deal on DSTs. See our response on this issue which we raised with the Department for International Trade (DIT).
G7 Trade Ministers adopted principles on digital trade at their meeting late last week. The proposals on data flows are business- and trade-friendly, but Ministers committed to accelerate the progress towards digitalisation of trade documentation
Further progress is being made on implementing the deal on domestic regulation in trade in services by more than 60 countries at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ahead of the Ministerial Conference at the end of November. States have begun to make the changes to their services schedules in Geneva, giving effect to the deal which cuts red tape on services exports
This week, James and Mark discuss a recent UK survey which revealed that 50% of workers, from management to shop floor level are secretly hoping for a ‘fire-break’ lockdown over Christmas, as they are facing burn out.
For many, 2021 feels like it’s been a longer, more stressful year than 2020, as there appears to be more work out there for businesses than expected. They are facing the perfect storm of high demand and a recruitment crisis, so it’s no wonder teams are feeling the pressure. It’s important for business leaders to understand that many people will be facing personal challenges alongside work pressure, and it’s key for continuing success that individual stress curves are not breached for too long. James and Mark come up with their top 3 tips that can help you to prioritise your team’s health without damaging profits.
We would love to hear what you think about the podcast, maybe you think you would be a great expert special guest, or there are topics you think we should cover – get in touch on [email protected]
Summary
Top tip 1: 03:30
Is the demand really there, or are your prices too low? Don’t cash in, but consider a review.
Top tip 2: 08:30
Pareto Principle 80:20 rule. Can you afford to cut your client base to protect your teams?
Top tip 3: 23:50
Be aware of your team members individual stress curves – have people been doing too much for too long?
In this special episode of Impromptu Business Chat, Mark and James pick the brains of marketeer extraordinaire, Damian Horner.
They draw out some amazing advice, tips and insights from Damian that are relevant to SME Business owners on the use of marketing and marketing strategies in the digital age. Damian has used the skills he acquired when building a career in a London marketing agency to not only advise global brands on marketing but also starts, grows and sells his own businesses. His current venture is that of founder and Chief Creative Officer for Real Vision, a global platform aimed at helping investors easily understand the complex world of finance.
Along the journey Damian has worked with the likes of JK Rowling, Damien Hirst and Stephen King.
The 18 teams joining Credo Asset Finance for the Canaryball Rally later this year got together on Wednesday for an inspirational night of fun and fundraising ideas.
The Rally which will take place on 9th -13th October, will recreate the journey across Europe that Norwich City Football Club undertook in their famous 1993/1994 UEFA Cup run.
The teams will start at the Nest in Norwich, before driving to Arnhem in Holland, Munich in Germany and finally Milan in Italy all in the aid of their chosen charity Community Sports Foundation and their #BuildTheNest campaign.
Two of the rally teams shared their own inspirational stories – Jacob Bowles, Norwich City’s current Fan of the Season, who along with his family announced on the evening they had already raised over their £5,000 target for the #BuildTheNest campaign trading from his ‘On the stall city’ market activities; and the aptly-named ‘Team U Pukki’ shared how their wide range of fundraising activities had already pledged nearly £4000.
Credo Managing Director Simon Gray said: “I was delighted to see such a good turnout and for our teams to network and share fundraising stories and ideas. Our thanks go to the Virgin Money Lounge for hosting the event and helping our teams set up their own fundraising pages.”
CSF Senior Fundraising & Events Manager Emma Fletcher said “It was wonderful to hear how rally participants are already doing such amazing things to raise money for the build the nest campaign. I can’t wait to see what else happens over the next couple of months, it’s an exciting time!”
There are a range of commercial sponsorship opportunities for businesses interested in supporting the Canaryball Rally – for details of how you could get involved please contact Fran Brown at [email protected]. Follow the Canaryball Rally on Twitter! @canaryballrally
A new book that captures people’s reflections on life during Covid-19 has been published to raise funds for NHS charities.
When The World Paused Again began life as a blog in March 2020, launched to capture people’s thoughts as the first lockdown began. A total of 75 people took part and the posts were subsequently published as a book in October 2020, raising around £600 for NHS charities.
Michelle Gant, Director of The Engaging People Company, set up the blog and the book: “Writing has always been cathartic for me, and it’s something that I have been able to turn to during difficult times, and journaling particularly has helped me to process thoughts and emotions.
“Which is why I thought an online journal – a blog – would be a fantastic way to help make sense of what was happening way back in spring 2020.
“I decided to open the blog up to others who might find it helpful too – and I was overwhelmed with the response. By the end of it, we had enough content for a book that we could publish to raise funds for our NHS heroes.”
That book was the first instalment of When the World Paused and Michelle thought that would be the end of the project. But when lockdown was announced again this year, she decided to reopen the blog.
“For many people it seemed that this winter lockdown was more challenging than the previous one and once again, I thought that writing could be a useful tool to help people process what was happening.
“This time, I wanted to look ahead more, and the focus was on what a pandemic taught us about living, helping people to find positivity in an uncertain and hugely challenging period of our lives.
“I invited last year’s contributors to take part again and many of them were keen to do so, capturing their reflections one year on from the last time they had written.
“But, it was also fantastic to see so many other people who hadn’t previously been involved want to contribute. When I closed the blog in June, 84 of us had taken part and shared our thoughts and feelings.”
This included contributors from Norfolk as well as from across the UK, from places such as London, Manchester, and Tyne and Wear. There were also writers from as far afield as Holland and Abu Dhabi.
And, the youngest contributor was Michelle’s daughter Thea who was aged five when she recorded her latest reflections in May this year.
“When I started the blog, I was conscious that I was also capturing a moment in time for my daughter. She will only have vague recollections of the last year and I wanted to record memories for her. But I also thought she would have something to say on this time of her life.
“And so I interviewed her – both this year and last – and I wrote down verbatim what she said. Her reflections, like so many in the book, moved me but made me laugh too.
“I am enormously grateful to all of the contributors who have taken part and shared their thoughts quite so openly. Reading their reflections was certainly a highlight of an uncertain time.”
Always ready to take up a sporting challenge, and on the lookout for ways to raise money for Monthind’s chosen charity, Little Havens Hospice, Monthind Partner, Simon Biggs, is busy preparing for his next venture.
On Thursday 26th September 2019, Simon will be setting off from Little Havens Hospice in Benfleet on a 55-mile cycle ride to Harwich. He can have a rest on the ferry before cycling 60 miles from Hoek of Holland to Breda on the Friday and then covering the final 92 miles to Bruges on Saturday.
We caught up with Simon after one of his gruelling training rides in the less than glorious British weather: “This is going to be a physically challenging adventure for me, stretching over three days, so my training has begun in earnest. My fundraising target is £1500, which will help Little Havens to continue to deliver the amazing care they offer children and young people from Essex and the surrounding London Boroughs, who have life-limiting or life-threatening illnesses. Little Havens provides a holistic service by looking after the whole family which may include emotional or educational support for the child’s siblings, parents, grandparents and carers or assistance with social issues.
“Indubitably an amazing charity, providing a sadly necessary service in the most difficult circumstances, I feel privileged to be able to raise funds to enable the Hospice to carry on doing its incredible work, and it is only fitting that I have to push myself hard to make that money!”
If you would like to sponsor Simon, or find out more about the cycle ride, visit the JustGiving page.
Bonus Book-keeping Services, based in Great Yarmouth offer a customised bookkeeping, payroll and/or accounting service to all size and types of business, along with self-assement tax return preparation and submission.
Following on from our recent move, we are now looking to recruit a part-time Senior Accounts & Payroll Assistant to join our small but dedicated team.
Job Description
Experienced accounts and payroll assistant able to undertake all payroll duties for multiple and varied clients and complete accounts from incomplete records. Prepare and submit MTD VAT returns and self-assessment tax returns. Previous accountancy practice/bookkeeping and payroll bureau experience preferred.
Salary dependent on experience
Part-time hours: 15 – 18 per week