Member Blog

Live Chat! The MOST preferred channel for communication – who knew?   Perhaps you haven’t really thought about Live Chat as it’s something else that needs managing.  Or if you think it’s not for you evidence says it’s not the case.  There is a lot of evidence that not having Live Chat enabled on your website is losing you business.  How many times have you messaged Amazon or similar as sometimes, it’s easier than hunting for a phone number on the website and, you don’t always want to have to speak to someone.  Apparently, many people absolutely hate picking up the phone and actually have to speak to someone.   Advantages of having Live Chat on your site  

• It’s quick and convenient for your clients that want their questions answered right now
• Customers are not prepared to wait and will find someone else that does have the answers they’re looking for
• It’s cost effective to run and manage
• Improves customer service and loyalty
• Reduce your costs and increase sales

  If you’re thinking ‘it won’t work in my industry’, then you might need to think again.  I bet there are people in your industry already gaining new customers via Live Chat.  In fact, I would put money on it.   There are many different Apps for Live Chat, some are even free.  It’s quick and simple to pop onto your website.  The one thing that you will need to do though is manage it – either yourself, or get someone else to manage it for you.  It’s probably more damaging to your business if you have the Live Chat open on your website, but when someone asks a question, there’s no one there to answer it.  It’s said people and to some extent, businesses have one chance to make a good impression and leaving the potential customer hanging blows that one chance.  There will be lots of other companies doing what you do that will be open and take their money.   “63% of millennials prefer to have their basic customer support queries answered by live chat, versus traditional channels”

63%!!  That’s an awfully big statistic and a lot of business lost – it’s the rock-star of communication.

If you think this is a great idea for you, call us and we’ll support you all the way 01603 513111 or email me at [email protected]

You may already be involved in philanthropy, even if it’s not something you’ve really thought about in those terms before, as it’s about having a genuine concern for humankind and being motivated to do something to help others. This could be your family, friends, neighbours or the communities you are part of – acting in ways that makes life better for others. Philanthropy and good causes go together, because helping others by giving to charities has a long tradition. Family trusts, foundations and legacy gifts have well-proven traditions in philanthropy and will always have their place, but there are new ways to giving too that can suit some peoples’ needs better. Giving circles bring like-minded people together to boost the impact of their individual gifts and can be a really good starting point for philanthropy too if you are not sure about where to begin. As there are so many ways to give, your independent financial advisor can make sure you are able to do so in the most tax-efficient way to meets your needs and the future plans you have. There are more opportunities now for people to get more closely involved with the causes they choose to support, perhaps by offering their skills and expertise as well as financial help. But it can be daunting to navigate your own way through the more than 160,000 registered charities in the UK – knowing which ones are the most effective, or where your support will make the most difference. And it’s equally difficult for the excellent small, local charities to get their name and work known when they just don’t have the teams of people employed to market and promote themselves in the way that the big national charities can. This is where Norfolk Community Foundation can help. We connect the people who want to make a difference with the causes that matter to them and their families. We know the local charities, their strengths and what they are capable of achieving if they get the support they need – support that you may well be best placed to give. We do all the due diligence to give you the assurance that your gift will hit the mark and pride ourselves on reaching right down into those local communities. You will know that the impact you are making will stay with local people and local places. So, if you want to think about making your giving really impactful, we would be delighted to talk to you about the opportunities that are ready and waiting for you. Contact us on 01603 623958 or [email protected]   *A version of this article originally appeared in SG Wealth Management’s Vision Magazine (Winter 2018 issue)

Whilst employers are continuing to increase the number of benefits they offer in a bid to retain staff, there is no denying that salary is one of the key reasons that many of us go to work every day.

However, money isn’t just about being able to pay your bills; it can also be an indication of how valuable you are to the business. When you work hard, perform well and add value to the business, it’s only natural to want to be paid accordingly.

But that’s not always the case.

In a recent study conducted by CV-Library, a shocking 74.9% of respondents haven’t had a formal pay review in the past 12 months, with only 13.6% of the people surveyed receiving a pay rise, despite not having a formal meeting.

Furthermore, 52.2% of respondents felt like their employer avoided the topic of pay altogether, while almost three quarters (74.9%) believe that they are currently underpaid.

Speaking about the outcome of the study, Lee Biggins, CEO for CV-Library, said: “Feeling like you’re underpaid and aren’t properly financially rewarded for your efforts at work can be demoralising. Pay is a huge motivator for professionals at work, so it is alarming to see so few Brits have been offered a formal pay review meeting in the past year.

“In order to keep on track with inflation, all workers are entitled to a pay rise if they have met their targets and are performing well in the role. If you believe your efforts aren’t being recognised and you deserve an increase in your wage, it’s time to broach the subject with your employer.”

We know that asking for a raise can seem daunting, so here are some top tips to help you prepare to negotiate a pay rise:

• Time since your last pay review: If you’re long overdue a pay review meeting, it’s only natural to want some guidance regarding your salary. However, if you have had a pay rise within the past 12 months, can you justify requesting another one so soon?

• Do your homework: Research the market value for your role so that your expectations are realistic. Are you underpaid, or is your salary average for what you do? Take into consideration the demand and skills required for your position. Would it be difficult for your employer to replace you? If the answer is no, can you demonstrate why you should be paid more?

• Ask for a meeting: Before asking your manager for a pay rise, make sure to send an email in advance detailing the purpose of the meeting. That way your manager can come prepared, and you can both set some time aside free from interruptions.

• Know what you want: If you’re going to ask for a pay rise, make sure you go into the meeting with a clear figure in mind and build up a business case to justify your request. Focus on your achievements and experienced gained to sell yourself, but also be mindful on seeing things from the company’s perspective. Remember to leave some room to negotiate!

• Take your time: Unfortunately, just because you have asked for a pay rise doesn’t always mean you will always get what you asked for. If you are made an offer lower than expected, take your time to consider the reasons and what has been discussed before you decide. You can also work together with your manager to put a plan or targets in place to help you work towards your ideal salary.

Online safety is a huge issue today and while our privacy, data and security currently rests as one of the highest priorities on the World Wide Web. Cyber attacks can be devastating, leading to loss of money, data and trust from your customers. We’re taking a look at some of the worst cyber attacks to have broken businesses, and how you can take steps to protecting yours.

The Worst Cyber Attacks

It’s predicted that one cyber attack takes place every 40 seconds, if not more frequently, and this is only set to increase by the end of 2019. In the past, there have been a number of huge attacks that have left consumers and businesses out of pocket or at risk.

In 1999, a 15 year old by the name of Jonathan James did something no one thought was possible – he hacked into not just the US Department of Defense (USDOD), but NASA too. After managing to work his way into the computers of the USDOD, he installed what was essentially a back door, which allowed him access to millions and millions of emails, data and other communications. Using this data, he went on to steal from NASA, a move which cost the agency $41,000 due to the shutdown of their systems.

Mt Gox was another case of hacking – Mt. Gox was one of the largest Bitcoin exchanges on the web but on the 7th February, the company appeared to stop all withdrawals and later on the 24th February, stopped all trading completely. The website went offline that very same day, and in that same week, it was revealed that the company has been raided by hackers, and over 844,000 Bitcoins were stolen. They belonged to both the company and to the customers, leaving thousands of users out of pocket by a considerable amount.

The biggest issue with this case was that Mt Gox was found to have been trading while insolvent for up to two years, as the hacking process began in 2011. All of this only came to highlight the importance of utilising trusted brokers when trading anything online, though it was certainly too late for those that had lost out in 2014.

Protecting Your Business

With the above in mind, protecting your customers and your business from hackers is a must and thankfully, there are a number of technologies available to do so.

1. Firewall – While simple in nature, a firewall acts as your first defence against unauthorised access to your systems. A good firewall should be a staple for your business.
2. Antivirus Software – If a firewall is your first defence, antivirus software is the backup. This kind of software will alert you of any potentially malicious parties, ensuring that you can take action before it becomes a problem.
3. Penetration Testing – Once your security systems are in place, you can run a penetration test to check whether they are working, and enable you to improve any potential weaknesses.

While this is by no means the only technology available, it’s a starting point that every business should follow. The software or hardware that works best for your business will depend on your sector, how big your business is, the technology you have at hand and more but regardless, protecting your business is a must.

You will be familiar with the standard recorded message at the start of call center conversations that informs you that the call is being recorded, but have you thought about why they do it? If your business relies on customer calls during business, you need to understand the benefits that this action can bring to your business.

It is an opportunity for you to improve how your business works; the efficiency of the call handlers, but also how you can improve on your customer’s experience of your business. When customers are in conversation, they express a huge amount of information that cannot be conveyed through a box-ticking exercise on standard feedback forms. Call and voice recording give you a deeper understanding of the merits and flaws of your business from a client’s perspective and what the customer values.

Still, need convincing? Here are 3 reasons why you should record your customer calls:

Revisit Information

Call center agents are skilled in their ability to engage in conversation while noting details and information onto the system. However, even the most proficient employee can sometimes miss crucial information. Call recording allows information to be revisited so that no data is lost. This can be critical in calls where mistakes have been made. If professional advice has been given that is incorrect, there can be serious consequences, and you may have to defend your position. A Hiscox indemnity policy for example, will cover your costs to settle any claim, but a recorded call will help to clarify your position.

Improve Call Outcome

There is little more frustrating than dealing with a call center agent who doesn’t seem to have the information that you require or know how to deal with the issue. Recording calls enables businesses to identify any challenges that agents may have. They can be resolved by further training for individuals or whole teams. Conversely, if an agent has worked particularly well with a client, the recording can be used as a benchmark standard to showcase to other agents. By addressing training needs, you are better able to control and improve the outcome of the calls.

Collate Data

We live in a digital age, and typically the only prior experience your customers have of your business is via the internet. When they pick up the phone to speak to a representative of your business it will more than likely be the first time of speaking to a real person. People like talking to real people, and

In years gone by, we judged the quality of a business based on their storefront. Things like signage and window displays would determine whether we stepped in for a browse or moved along to find a more suitable alternative.

Nowadays, we judge the quality of a business based on their website. Things like functionality and loading times determine whether we make a purchase or head back to Google to find a better fit.

We’re also greatly influenced by the way that websites look- a great layout and some nice animations go a long way when we’re sizing up the quality of a business online.

Still not convinced that web design is super important for your business? Hopefully the following 3 points will do the job:

1: It creates the first impression of your business

It’s worth remembering that your website is effectively your sales pitch. Its job is to convince users that they’ve arrived at the best place for what they need.

With this in mind, it’s vital that it reflects a professional image and is easy to interact with. You also need to ensure that your brand identity is clearly communicated on the page- simple things like incorporating your logo and company colour scheme will help              

Your site is also responsible for establishing trust. If it’s glitchy and poorly designed, there’s a good chance that users will take their business elsewhere.       

Really, your web design should reassure users that they can purchase your products and book your services with confidence.

2: It helps to convert visitors into customers

Well, it does if it’s functional.

Indeed, all good web designs begin with a consideration for the user experience and the aims of the business behind it.    

Take our client Toilets+, for example. They’re the go-to experts for portable toilet hire across the South of England. The purpose of their website is simple, it’s there to acquire new business.

As their agency of choice, it was the responsibility of our designers and developers to create a site that achieved this goal.  

After a lengthy brainstorm and a few cups of coffee, they decided that the following features would help to improve the number of booking enquires which come through the site:

·         A straightforward navigation that makes accessing information nice and easy

·         Simple graphics that help to clearly communicate this information

·         Helpful calls to action that help guide the user through the booking process

Our guys also integrated the branding of Toilets+ in the styling of the site to make sure it has a solid identity and makes a lasting impression.

Altogether, these decisions meant that we optimized the user journey and created (we think) the best platform for hiring out portable toilets.

3: It helps improve your SEO

Solid website design isn’t just about making things look impressive on the surface- it takes care of the stuff which goes on behind the scenes too.

Specifically, your web design needs to function on mobile, it needs to be linked together properly, and it needs to conform to a range of other best practices set out by Google.    

The reason all of this is important is that Google looks closely at these things when it comes to ranking websites.

Obviously, there’s no point having a great looking website if the almighty search engine isn’t sending users to it.   

If you’re looking to improve your web design or SEO, be sure to get in touch with a member of our team at Nu Image to find out how they can help.

The boon of the 21st century is such that trotting around countries and settling abroad has become a cake walk. Geographic boundaries no longer seem to be an impediment and the world has visibly condensed as a result of globalisation. Human beings thus have become smarter and aware. However, the one thing that still plagues humanity is the issue of finances. Taking your pick to study abroad or settling in one of your favourite nations with a job that pays you handsomely sounds pretty. However, all of that happiness can turn to ashes in your mouth in a moment if you do not know how to handle finances. Not being aware of how the financial institutions of a country work, and how the taxes are levied would be equivalent to treading on dangerously rough waters. Therefore, this article shall discuss certain crucial aspects that you need to know about taxes before you consider settling in another country.

What Are Taxes?

Every country needs funding to maintain its basic infrastructure and to serve its people with better conditions of living. The citizens of the country fund a significant portion of that money in the form of taxes. The roads that you walk on, the meals that you ingest and a hoard of other facilities that you enjoy need to be paid for because there is no such thing as a free lunch. Therefore, taxes form an integral and imperative part of a nation’s economy. There are several types of taxes, like the income tax, property tax, sales tax, tariffs, and the list goes on. However, the system of taxation is more intricate and complex than what appears to the eye. Since this article does not deal with explaining the entire system of tax, we shall keep that discussion for Marketreview, and move on to the topic at hand.                           

Though the basic concept of taxes might be the same, yet countries differ from one another on specific grounds. It is thus, essential that you know about how the country that you are moving to functions when it comes to taxes.

Know Your Income Tax:

Most people who fly over to another country with the aim of living there permanently or for a considerable period of time, have a job at hand. This, therefore, begs the question of paying income taxes. The way income tax works in a foreign country can be a bit tricky, and you need to be aware of the details. While figuring out your salary and expenses, you need to learn about the income tax rate of the foreign country.                       

There are high chances that your home country and the country you are flying to have different rates of income tax. Therefore, before you move out, dig around a little and calculate if income tax can be levied on your salary in the foreign country. There is yet another aspect that you need to keep in mind while doing your research on income taxes. Certain countries do not levy income tax on expats who live and work in the country only for bare minimum days. In such cases, the expat is expected to pay the income tax in their home country. There are countries which do not levy any income tax on expats, while there are some others that levy a humongous amount. Also, while keeping tabs on the tax rules of your new country, see into the rubrics of your organisation as well. Some organisations take the responsibility of filling in the taxes for their employees. Last but not least, learn whether you are required to file an annual tax return in your home country even if you are exempted from paying income tax in the foreign country. Income tax thus, has a lot of grey area that needs to be worked out extensively before moving in or out of a country.

Tax Breaks For Expats:

Expat tax break is a concept that you need to get the hang of before moving to another country. The idea of the concept is exactly what the name suggests- exemption from having to pay taxes. Some countries levy no tax on the expats, while there are some others that charge a very minimal amount. For instance, several countries in the Middle East have a lucrative system of taxation for the expats. Thus, it is of no surprise that people tend to flock to these countries in a bid to enjoy a high standard of living. They take home most of their salary while paying nothing or a meagre amount as tax. Some countries in Europe too, have a convenient taxation system for the expats. France, for example, levies less on families that have more kids. An interesting concept, indeed! Do your research on the tax rates of the country that you indeed to move to before taking the plunge. If serendipity has it, you might just be making money hands over fists, without having to worry about blowing a hole in your pockets.

There are several other elements of taxes that you need to figure out before moving to a new country, like the inheritance tax laws, capital gains tax laws and others. These nebulous details can be worked out gradually, but the knowledge of what cannot go amiss is that of income taxes. More than half of the planet’s population shift their bases and start afresh in a completely new country owing to better prospects and standards of living. Everything boils down to being able to earn more, save more and live a wholesome life. Therefore, getting your hands on the details of income taxes and other forms of taxes is a mandate. Once you have gained a holistic knowledge of the system of taxation of your new country, you can plan your accounts accordingly. Also, being ignorant is no charm and can often land you in hot waters of legal complications. The thought of moving to a new country is much more exciting than the process since it involves not just being uprooted from your known environment, but also imbibing in your life new cultural, legal and financial knowledge. Thus, plan your move carefully, or even better get an advisor to enlighten you on matters of finance and laws. This could ease up the process and make the shift comfortable!

It was only a few weeks ago that I set up East Lodge Consulting Ltd and I have been busy networking and starting professional relationships with business owners across the region.  Some time ago, I was advised to broaden my activities with one or two side hustles.  So, I’ve also been pursuing one of my pipe dreams as well as establishing my consultancy business.  This looks like it might turn into something fantastic – a supersized side hustle.

Chasing your dreams can sometimes feel like a fool’s errand.  When I completed my first novel, There There My Dear, a few years ago I dreamt that it would launch my career as a novelist.  I was certain that my book would be snapped up by a publisher and that it would rise to the top of the best-sellers list in no time.

Then came the rejection letters and emails from literary agents who wrote that they loved the book but would not be looking to represent me.  This happened time after time and chasing my dream turned into something of a nightmare.

About a year ago I decided to write the sequel to There There My Dear.  Looking back I don’t know if there was any logic behind the decision, I just knew I had to do it.  In the autumn of 2018 I was wondering what to do with the whole writing dream, and I asked a few friends if they knew anybody in the literary world.  After all, there’s no harm in asking, and our networks are often larger than we imagine.

To cut a long story short, I am now speaking with an agent about There There My Dear, the sequel and the final book in the trilogy.  He loves the story, the characters and my writing style.  The next step is for my agent to bring on board a publisher – I am so excited!

This all goes to show that chasing your dreams, listening to good advice and involving your network can bring great results!  

What can a virtual assistant do for you?

In April just gone, it was the 100th Anniversary of the death of Frank Winfield Woolworth, the American entrepreneur who founded F.W. Woolworth or ‘Woollies’ as it was fondly known in the UK. He was one of the first retailers who bought goods directly from manufacturers and suppliers, and then fixed the selling prices on them rather than haggling. He then came up with the revolutionary idea of turning the counters round allowing customers to self-serve themselves and look, touch and feel the merchandise without the need of a sales assistant, and so you could just select and pay the cashier. Those two ideas changed the course of retailing and shopping, making Frank a multi-millionaire whilst giving him enough spare money to build what was then the tallest building in New York (and the world) at a cost of $13.5 million, which Frank paid for in cash!

I wonder what Frank would now make of the latest ‘GO!’ store opened in San Francisco by Amazon, which has no sales staff, no tills and of course, no cashiers? The store sells prepared food stuffs, snacks, and drinks with a particular focus on Amazon’s new own brand of sandwiches, salads and what is known in the USA as ‘meal kits’ (partially-prepared food ingredients and recipes to prepare homecooked meals), but the big difference is the removal of the checkout completely. So how does that work? Well instead of standing in a queue to pay after selecting your food and drink or snack, you just simply leave the store because on entering the store you will have scanned in on your Amazon ‘GO!’ account and the cameras and sensors in the store then track your movements registering what you have taken, so that when you walk out your Amazon standalone ‘Go!’ App account is updated and charged for your shopping, for which you receive a digital receipt via the App for the goods you bought. This new concept is sure to have a dynamic effect on the types of jobs that will employ people in the future, and how the power and quality of the brand will figure in choice and where packaging becomes the silent salesperson.

It is clear that at least in the San Francisco area, Amazon are targeting delis, cafes, lunch takeaway stores and drugstores with their new retail model. Amazon have also made the conscious decision of installing their own central kitchens to produce the freshly made foods so that they can also control and maintain high quality standards and include variety. So for the first time we see a major online player like Amazon showing where the future of offline retail is bound to go in food outlets and much more, where the only staff in the store are the merchandisers, until the robots take over. Would Frank be turning in his grave, I rather doubt it.

We are already experiencing the change that self-checkouts have had in our supermarkets and how this will continue changing the shopping experiences for consumers as each quantum leap in technology evolves, whilst also changing the business models for business owners and affecting the type of jobs that will be on offer and the training that will be offered. Some job types may disappear entirely.

How employers hire people and who they hire has also been affected by the leaps and bounds in technology. For many companies we are already seeing signs that the part of the country where you live no longer affects your ability to do a job or manage people. A manager living in Leeds can now manage a team of people in London and vice versa, and because of email, social media and video-conferencing utilising Skype, Google Chat, etc., more people are ‘tele-commuting’ rather than the need for them to spend several hours in a car going from A to B.

What comes with these innovations and the changes they make to our work patterns and lifestyles is the danger that there is too much technology, and with the ability for people to be ‘available’ all of the time it becomes so easy to always be ‘on call’ and not clocking out by turning off emails and notifications, or turning off your mobile phone, which can be crucial when trying to avoid techno-burnout. Amazon have now entered the market with a convenience store that has no staff or checkout because people do not have the time to queue and pay, but it is important to remember that every day we all need to checkout from work to find ourselves some #MeTime.

While all recruitment decisions are important, choosing the right executive leaders or board members can be one of the most challenging tasks a company can face. Senior appointments can have a significant impact on the strategic direction of a business and on the levels of employee engagement and motivation to deliver the planned vision of success. In turn, this all influences an organisation’s employer brand and its success in recruiting and retaining high-calibre employees at all levels.

Through our Pure Executive division, we specialise in board and top-level appointments across a range of sectors and work with organisations ranging from privately owned through to listed businesses. We are known for our personalised, consultative approach where we provide a balance between listening to employer’s needs and challenging them to make the right choices for the long term. Here are just some of the things we support clients to consider when recruiting at this level.

DIVERSITY AND COMBINED STRENGTHS

When recruiting to build a leadership team, diversity is widely understood to be fundamental. This is because all great teams display a diverse mix of qualities, skills, experiences and outlooks. The varied perspectives and a mix of voices which reflects the breadth of the organisation’s stakeholders results in stronger governance and better decision making. There are a range of ways to achieve this including through assembling a team of high performing leaders with a mix of gender, ethnicity, age and backgrounds.

Alongside this, look at the skills and experience you already have in place and examine if there are any gaps to be filled in building a team with the combined strengths needed to drive strategy, mentor and invest in staff, shape company culture, and ultimately work effectively with each other. This helps to evaluate prospective candidates for their respective abilities and aptitudes, not just their experience in a role or industry. Appointing non-executive board members can also be a highly effective way of achieving a diverse team with combined strengths. NEDs can provide not just relevant experience but also an external viewpoint as well as acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the business.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE FOR GROWTH AMBITIONS

Establishing a strong leadership team, from senior management through to executive board, is critical to the sustainability and future success of a business. However, the search criteria for senior recruits will vary depending on the size and history of the business. The skills and experience needed to launch a business and lead it through its first few years of growth are different to the ones needed to manage an established company for example. Even when a business is well established, expanding and further strengthening the leadership team can support the organisation’s future growth by bringing in new ideas and experiences to help shape strategic direction. For example, we recently supported Treatt plc to appoint two new Non-Executive Directors in preparation for the organisation’s next phase of transformative growth. Already one of the Eastern region’s most successful companies, it was important for Treatt to attract more international business experience to its board to help drive its worldwide expansion, as well as to achieve a greater balance and diversity of thinking.

AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

The subject of authentic leadership regularly comes up when we are recruiting for board and executive roles. At this level, the focus shifts from looking to find specific skills sets towards an emphasis on broader leadership qualities. Employers talk about finding candidates who are genuine and open, and those who have the ability to bring a team together by inspiring loyalty and trust. Whether leading the business as a CEO or leading the board as the chair, a poll of the Forbes Human Resources Council revealed the top traits they looked for when recruiting for these types of positions were; passion, integrity, problem-solving, action and vision sellers. These traits are all more focussed on the skills needed to effectively bring together and engage a team in delivering on the organisation’s vision.

THE RIGHT CULTURAL FIT

For a senior recruitment decision to be an effective long-term investment, cultural fit must also be taken into consideration. It’s not just about finding the right skills and experience but also about selecting those who will best suit the culture of the organisation. It is far easier for leaders to be authentic if they genuinely share an organisation’s vision, values and purpose. They are more likely to lead with the integrity, honesty and passion needed to gain credibility and trust among existing teams. They won’t feel a need to mask their true selves, will be able to show their natural style and unique strengths, and lead by example in developing and maintaining your organisation’s culture.

DEVELOPING YOUR OWN LEADERS FOR SUCCESSION PLANNING

When planning ahead for executive recruitment we are often asked whether it is better to recruit externally or to nurture potential leaders from within existing teams. There are benefits to both options and various considerations needed, for example the cost to recruit versus the cost to train employees in leadership skills. Developing your own leadership talent is likely to mean a good cultural fit is already established and that relevant company and industry knowledge will be at a premium. However, you may not gain different perspectives, achieve greater diversity or secure new areas of expertise to strengthen the existing leadership team. In essence, the decision all depends on the role, the timings, the current business plan, the vision for the future and the skills and experience already in place. At Pure, we are committed to developing the talent pipeline of Executive and Non-Executive Directors in the Eastern region with a team of highly experienced executive recruitment consultants. Our Board Ready Talent Scheme and Women’s Leadership Programme both support businesses to progress their own talented employees and to develop a succession plan for when the right leadership opportunities arise.

ABOUT GILL BUCHANAN

Gill is a founding Director of Pure and has worked in the recruitment field since 1988. Gill’s experience is broad-based and includes eight years of specialist recruitment experience within an international specialist recruitment company including five years working within financial services recruitment in Sydney, Australia.

Affiliate businesses rely on their network to be successful. Without their network, they will struggle to grow into new areas and make mutually beneficial connections. In a time when we are all scrolling through social media too much, it can be difficult to make those connections, but conferences are one way of saying hello to potential business partners and even shaking hand on new deals. Here are some of the best reasons why conferences are essential to affiliate businesses.

1.   Networking

One of the first advantages of saying yes to your next conference invite is to network. This was touched on above and is one of the first benefits people think of when considering going to an event like these. However, many do not make the most of their opportunity to network. They do not prepare or execute a strategy to network and sometimes people stick to familiar faces rather than branching out. Networking requires you to step outside of your safe space and choose to interact with new people. In fact, reaching a hand out to industries you do not network with enough can be especially beneficial and open unseen opportunities. So, next time you are at a conference, head on over to the table of that marketing company you keep seeing branded around. You may find great relationships in unlikely places.

2.   Making Old Connections

Just like conferences are great for making new connections and expanding your network, they are also the perfect place to meet up with your current business partners and affiliates. Making time for these people during the hectic business schedule can be difficult and a conference allows you to meet up with many of them at once, without wrestling with logistic headaches and time constraints. You also need to make sure you are at the forefront of these people’s minds to secure further deals and continue your relationship. Many businesses receive a majority of their success through limited avenues. If you are one of these businesses, maintaining relationships can be just as important as creating new ones. A perfect example of this is Affiliate conferences in the gaming arena, where even global brands like PartyCasino take advantage of these events to re-acquaint themselves with current partners and foster new relationships as well.

3.   Knowledge is Power

The core aim of a conference may be seen as a place to network, but we should not forget that conferences are also put on to share knowledge and innovations. By attending conferences, you reduce the chance of your affiliate business from missing out on opportunities to embrace the latest developments. You also stay up to date on the ways that technology is reshaping your key areas. Knowledge is certainly power – and conferences are one way of getting your share.

RSVP Yes!

Next time you and your business partners are invited to a conference, instead of scoffing at the thought of sub-standard sandwiches and boring seminars, consider going to meet new prospects and a benefit in a whole host of other ways.