The Business Owners' Checklist published with The Daily Telegraph

An independent publication distributed with The Telegraph on behalf of Hurst Media Company Ltd which takes sole responsibility for the content

GET READY TO REOPEN GROW YOUR BUSINESS AS LOCKDOWN EASES

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WHAT DOES 2021 HOLD? HOW TO BE FLEXIBLE – AND PROFITABLE

SCREENING PROCESS

RECRUITING NEW EMPLOYEES – WITHOUT MEETING THEM

HYBRID WORKING

TORN BETWEEN HOME AND THE OFFICE? HERE’S HOW YOU CAN MASTER BOTH

EDITOR’S LETTER 3

Let’s create our own certainty A year since the UK first entered lockdown, are we anywhere near returning to normality?

P

erhaps: evidence is mounting that vaccination really is working, and it’s an area where we are ahead of the curve. But while optimism might be in larger supply than it has been for a long time, one thing that’s still scarce is certainty. The prime minister might describe the lockdown easing roadmap as ‘irreversible’, but when it comes to crisis management, there is no such thing; privately, government scientists will have prepared for every eventuality, including the worst ones. And even if we do achieve a one-way exit from lockdown, there is no telling exactly what the magnitude or speed of our economic bounce-back will be.

How should business owners manage this uncertain situation? Sitting around and waiting

for a specific date won’t do us much good.

Instead, we need to embed flexibility into what we do: ensure we’ve got the tools to cope with the bad outcomes as well as the good ones. That means embracing digital and virtual tech, trusting employees to work remotely and manage their own schedules, and making sure your systems, supply chains and customer relationships – not to mention your own sanity – are robust enough to withstand any shock.

Feeling like you can’t manage all that? Ask for help. I’m serious – if anything good came out of 2020, it’s that we learned that anything is possible when enough people rally to the cause. Whether a global goal like combating climate change, or something on a business level like launching a new product or service – there’s an increasing acceptance that a collaborative approach is far more productive than ‘going it alone’. These collaborations can cross the traditional boundaries of business,

Contents 4 FINANCIAL & LEGAL

11 HR & HIRING

Stay on top of your obligations and opportunities

How to hire and induct new employees remotely

7 IT & TECHNOLOGY

13 WORKING FROM HOME

Emerging technologies that could change how business works

Everyone’s doing it – we show you how to do it right

8 HEALTH & SAFETY

LET’S GET SOCIAL FOLLOW CHECKLIST ON @checklistsocial

Employee and customer safety is more important than ever

checklists.co.uk

@checklistsocial

industry or even country. See how it works for you. Reach out to another business in your market, or a customer, or even an entirely new contact. Talk about a joint project you could work on, offer to share insights and experience, or try to create a platform for discussion. Many are keener than ever to make connections, which means that if your business is missing a certain piece of advice, technology or support, the help you need is almost definitely out there.

To me, that’s the nature of post-pandemic business. In a world sorely lacking in certainty, we create our own. When the global situation deprives us of opportunities, we come up with new ones. We’re always ready to do what’s needed – even if that’s something very different to what it was a year ago. I can’t wait to see what we achieve in 2021.

Colin Fallon, editor

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Published by

Hurst Media Company, United House, North Road, Islington, London, N7 9DP 020 3478 6017 hurstmediacompany.co.uk

Editor Colin Fallon

Business Development Team James Taylor, Anthony Wynne, Joseph McLaven, Neil Bhullar, Nicholla Halle

Editorial Team Laura Forsyth, Elie Kraft

Marketing Team Miguel Chalabardo, Nadeem Vadva

Design and Production Team Stefanie Ward, Sarah Somerton-Jones, Katherina Bradshaw, Liana Schultz, Lucy Beard

Accounts and Administration Onitha Antoine, Samantha Coventry, Michael Yabbey, Sharon Warne, Amie Thomas

Managing Director James Hurst Finance Director Wes Stanton

The Business Owners’ Checklist is published and wholly owned by Hurst Media Company Ltd. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the publications but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the publication. Hurst Media Company do not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.

4 FINANCIAL & LEGAL

Your business roadmap Boris Johnson may have announced his Covid exit plan, but what about yours? Ensure you’re keeping track of the key milestones and legal obligations

I

n the UK’s prolonged recovery from the Covid-19 outbreak, the goalposts have shifted many times. But what doesn’t change is your basic job as a business leader. You’re responsible for fulfilling legal requirements, managing overall business functions, and ultimately ensuring your business can make ends meet and pay the wage bill.

That means that, even in such a hugely volatile financial and legal landscape, you need to keep on top of the basics: responsibilities in terms of employment and reporting, administrative requirements and opportunities to save costs or increase revenue. Essentially, this means you combine Covid-specific schemes and requirements with the regular fulfilment of your business obligations.

Mark these milestones on your post-Covid roadmap and you can’t go wrong:

Responsibility to affected employees

Furloughed employees are still able to turn up on company calls of their own volition, but you are unable to tell them to do any work or generate revenue while they are on ‘furlough time’. They can, however, participate in training activities. Whether furloughing or returning, clear communication to employees is essential.

If you are bringing back one team member from furlough but not another, you should explain the decision with specific reasoning, or you could face claims of unfairness.

Working from home

Everyone is still expected to work from home if it is possible. If you are in an industry such as construction, cleaning or foodservice, then of course it isn’t possible; and your obligation is to use equipment and operating procedures to make on-site workers safe. As for office employees, you should trust their judgement on whether they really need to come to the office. No matter how keen you are to have your workspace used again, forcing people to return is out of the question. If an employee feels unsafe returning, the law will support them as long as they have a ‘reasonable perspective’ – regardless of whether you agree.

Training

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Furlough

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which is more commonly known as furlough, has been extended until September this year. As before, the government has pledged to pay 80% of the employee’s wage, up to £2,500 a month – though that drops to 70% in July and again to 60% in August. At the moment, staff must have been employed on 30 October 2020 to be furloughed, though from May that ‘start date’ moves forward to 2 March. You can furlough any employee, even if they weren’t furloughed before.

Bringing employees back

You can partially bring back employees via ‘flexible furlough’, where you agree with the employee that they will work a reduced number of hours a week. The government will pay the same rate for the hours not worked, and you can even switch back and forth between ‘levels’ of furlough as circumstances dictate. If you’re ready to bring an employee back fully, there is no minimum notice you need to provide, but you’ll need to document hours worked and not worked for HMRC.

Career development makes a good ‘last milestone’ on your overall Covid roadmap.

A survey that was carried out by Sharp, a company which designs and manufactures electronic equipment for office use, found that young workers in particular are anxious about the effect Covid-19 will have on their careers: 30% are concerned about their development and 26% said their day-to-day work had changed during the pandemic. Now’s the time to recommend self-timed training courses in a relevant skill area – these will fit into the employee’s routine while plugging skill gaps and overcoming their anxieties about the future to come.

XX FEATURE ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Get ahead with Inchmead Quality bookkeeping services for SMEs Inchmead may be defined as accountants, but they don’t let being accountants define who they are. Inchmead see the beauty and power in numbers, but they aren’t SJCyour Bookkeeping Ltd pride themselves regular, number-crunching, bookon providing superior and personalised balancing aaccountants. approach all relationships your bookkeeping The to best start with requirements.

TheyBy acthaving as your fully dedicated, a conversation. frequent and outsourced and professional team, offering quality and affordable services to SMEs. With cloud-based accounting, outsourcing your finance and accounts couldn’t be easier, giving you security and peace of mind during these times.

Some of the services they provide include full sales and purchase ledger processing, bank reconciliations and VAT returns. They also provide monthly management accounts, cashflow forecasting and a full payroll service.

SJC offer total flexibility, allowing you to fully concentrate on growing your business, while they take care of your accounts and financial aff airs. SJC are large enough to meet client expectations, and personal enough to know each of you by name!

Save on costs, time and resources by keeping your accounts up to date and streamlined each month, rather than waiting for your year end. SJC’s proactive approach finds real-world, workable solutions so that you feel fully supported with your current and future financial planning needs.

To become part of the SJC family, they are offering introductory packages to new customers for the first year. The team would

honest conversations with clients, Inchmead deliver bespoke solutions that not only address your needs today but also give you the platform to plan and take on the future. The multi-discipline team of experts bring together knowledge, experience, personality and technology to deliver creative, flexible and innovative solutions to clients. Solutions to make your business better, make your life easier, and save you tax.

As a cloud and technology-enabled firm there is no such thing as ‘a local accountant’. Clients choose them as their accountants and advisors, whether they are around the corner or around the globe.

Accounting staff are Xero, Quickbooks, Sage and FreeAgent certified serving both the smaller, owner-managed businesses and larger enterprises with ease and confidence.

Inchmead’s business is not an accounting or tax business. Their business is so much more than that. Their business is a personal trust business. Clients trust them to take to care their business, be delighted tellofyou more about pay the the least tax they legally possible understand services can provideand andtodiscuss your and support their business. business requirements further.

Find out more Find outamore To start conversation and your client journey book a free 30-minute initial consultation Please callwebsite 020 8909 6620 or email info@sjc-bookkeeping.com, quoting SJC10 for your on the inchmead.com introductory offer. Learn more at sjc-bookkeeping.com

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Get ahead with Inchmead Inchmead may be defined as accountants, but they don’t let being accountants define who they are. Inchmead see the beauty and power in numbers, but they aren’t your regular, number-crunching, book-balancing accountants.

The best relationships start with a conversation. By having frequent and honest

conversations with clients, Inchmead deliver bespoke solutions that not only address your needs today but also give you the platform to plan and take on the future. The multi-discipline team of experts bring together knowledge, experience, personality and technology to deliver creative, flexible and innovative solutions to clients. Solutions to make your business better, make your life easier, and save you tax.

As a cloud and technology-enabled firm there is no such thing as ‘a local accountant’. Clients choose them as their accountants and advisors, whether they are around the corner or around the globe.

Accounting staff are Xero, Quickbooks, Sage and FreeAgent certified serving both the smaller, owner-managed businesses and larger enterprises with ease and confi dence.

Inchmead’s business is not an accounting or tax business. Their business is so much more than that. Their business is a personal trust business. Clients trust them to take care of their business, pay the least tax legally possible and to understand and support their business.

Find out more To start a conversation and your client journey book a free 30-minute initial consultation on the website inchmead.com checklists.co.uk

@checklistsocial

FINANCIAL & LEGAL 5

XX FEATURE

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A vital management tool Tips for risk business – help protect your business start-up and company formation against future uncertainty Having yourinbusiness idea, We are,decided without on doubt, the midst of a you to start and putting some structured veryneed challenging uncertain economic thoughts together. This canthe be UK, done in the climate. Businesses across and form of the a profi t andare loss forecast around world, feeling the to effsee ectshow good an uncertainty idea it is, then a cashflto owend forecast and this is unlikely any to seesoon. if the idea works initially for 12 time months and then for three years.

The valued financial support provided t forecast needs byThe the profi UK government over to thetake pastrealistic 12 views of means how your will grow together months thatsales company insolvencies with any direct costs of sales if you are selling products. You will need to consider your initial costs to start-up, marketing costs, which will need a separate plan, and all the administrative costs such as rent and other office needs, as well as salaries. From this point you can decide whether your business idea has merit.

You now need to look at the cashflow forecast to see if your money can support your business idea. What do you have to

start and when costs going are atwith, theirwhat lowest point forare many years.

But to to be paid even before you canwill it isneed unknown how – long these measures make salesso– what and do have enough cash continue, willyou happen once they to What can you change to improve aresurvive? removed? things and are you able to borrow if need It will become vital that businesses havebe?

The next stepassessment is to decideand on the legal rigorous credit control format for your business.

Do you want to procedures in place to reduce their exposure to operate as a sole partnership or under risk. Especially as trader, they are likely to come limited liability company?

These arelevels the of increasing pressure to offer higher broad categories although there are limited liability partnerships and companies limited by guarantee for more specific business formats.

Discuss these with your accountant.

There are two main reasons to use a limited company; for tax purposes or for protection against personal liability if you propose to trade. As profits increase, corporation tax of companies usually costs you less than income tax of individuals. If you are trading goods and your customer fails to pay you as a sole trader, you are still personally liable to pay your supplier. If you trade through a company, then the liability is limited to the company.

You can always convert from sole trader to limited company as circumstances change. If you wish to form a company, choose a name and check that it is unique at Companies House.

If you are going into business with one or more others, decide on the number of shares that each member of the company is going to receive, as dividends are payable in proportion

trade credit. This will become harder to manage as publicly available financial information is not yet likely to show the full effects of the pandemic.

One solution might be to consider a credit to your shareholding.

There are also tax be reached within 12 months. You will insurance policy. Credit insurance protects your reasons using different of shares await changes to this threshold if the businessfor from financial lossclasses incurred through a within your non-payment company. Discuss this point with treasury needs to increase the tax take customer’s or insolvency.

It can your accountant. for the pandemic also cover disputed debts and losses caused by A company to the haveworld a board � PAYE in order to take pay out of political eventsneeds around andofcomes directors.

Youofcan be benefi the sole or with company. It is not your money until with a range other ts,director including: others and you no–longer a company paid as fees, salary or dividends. � Credit limits credit need insurers have access secretary.

It is important to understand the You willinsurance also needisaavailable separateacross bank all to real-time information to help you Credit difference between who runcan thesafely account whichand difftypically ers frompays a personal bank work out whichdirectors customers you trade sectors out 90% company shareholders who own it. your account and youprovided will needyou to decide offer and credit and how much, helping of lost revenue, hold anwho Each company must registered does thelimit record keeping – accounts package business grow withhave lessits risk insured from the underwriter.

Alan offi either at your personal address or or simpleGroup spreadsheet � ceRisk assessment and monitoring – use Boswell will work with you to find the your assessing accountant’s office so legal letters come but start keeping policy for your business a customer’s balance sheet most appropriate to theand accountant’s attention. records straightaway. profit and loss account to make and support you with on-going policy You need alimit company register with details That way you can save and advice. a credit decision is a specialist management, guidance of shareholders, share certifi cates, costs of an accountant skill. With a directors, credit insurance policy, If your business is trading with customers registered office and minutes of meetings for sorting out the mess if credit insurance experienced credit analysts are available under open credit terms, directors’ and a register for persons they left. to be a vital risk management to dodecisions this for you couldare prove of� signifi cant control giving percentage of Debt collection and legal services – tool. After all, trade debtors are an integral shares and policies voting rights. some support worldwide debt part of anyout business cash flow and therefore Find more Finally it is necessary to register collection and access to legalfor: services free among most valuable assets – and that For ayour free 20 minute telephone � Corporation for thediscounted company and of charge or tax at heavily rates. makes them welltoworth protecting. conversation discuss your plans income tax for individuals whether sole and answer your questions, please contact traders or company directors Andrew Richardson via ajrandco.co.uk, � Find VAT ifout the business’ more turnover will exceed email office@ajrandco.co.uk or £85,000 currently; you need register Call today on 01223 324233 or to visit online at abg.bz/credit-insurance to find out more about telephone 01296 738668. when youinsurance can foresee will business against future uncertainty. how credit canthat helpthreshold protect your

Tips for business start-up and company formation Having decided on your business idea, you need to start putting some structured thoughts together. This can be done in the form of a profit and loss forecast to see how good an idea it is, then a cashflow forecast to see if the idea works initially for 12 months and then for three years.

The profit forecast needs to take realistic views of how your sales will grow together with any direct costs of sales if you are selling products. You will need to consider your initial costs to start-up, marketing costs, which will need a separate plan, and all the administrative costs such as rent and other office needs, as well as salaries. From this point you can decide whether your business idea has merit.

You now need to look at the cashflow forecast to see if your money can support your business idea. What do you have to

checklists.co.uk

start with, what and when are costs going to need to be paid – even before you can make sales – and do you have enough cash to survive? What can you change to improve things and are you able to borrow if need be?

The next step is to decide on the legal format for your business. Do you want to operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited liability company? These are the broad categories although there are limited liability partnerships and companies limited by guarantee for more specific business formats.

Discuss these with your accountant.

There are two main reasons to use a limited company; for tax purposes or for protection against personal liability if you propose to trade. As profits increase, corporation tax of companies usually costs you less than income tax of individuals. If you are trading goods and your customer fails to pay you as a sole trader, you are still personally liable to pay your supplier. If you trade through a company, then the liability is limited to the company.

You can always convert from sole trader to limited company as circumstances change. If you wish to form a company, choose a name and check that it is unique at Companies House.

If you are going into business with one or more others, decide on the number of shares that each member of the company is going to receive, as dividends are payable in proportion to your shareholding. There are also tax reasons for using different classes of shares

@checklistsocial

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within your company. Discuss this point with your accountant.

A company needs to have a board of directors. You can be the sole director or with others and you no longer need a company secretary. It is important to understand the difference between directors who run the company and shareholders who own it.

Each company must have its registered office either at your personal address or use your accountant’s office so legal letters come to the accountant’s attention.

You need a company register with details of shareholders, directors, share certificates, registered office and minutes of meetings for directors’ decisions and a register for persons of significant control giving percentages of shares and voting rights.

Finally it is necessary to register for: � Corporation tax for the company and income tax for individuals whether sole traders or company directors � VAT if the business’ turnover will exceed £85,000 currently; you need to register when you can foresee that the threshold will be reached within 12 months. You will

await changes to this threshold if the treasury needs to increase the tax take for the pandemic � PAYE in order to take pay out of company. It is not your money until paid as fees, salary or dividends.

You will also need a separate bank account which differs from a personal bank account and you will need to decide who does the record keeping – accounts package or simple spreadsheet but start keeping records straightaway. That way you can save costs of an accountant sorting out the mess if they are left.

Find out more For a free 20 minute telephone conversation to discuss your plans and answer your questions, please contact Andrew Richardson via ajrandco.co.uk, email office@ajrandco.co.uk or telephone 01296 738668.

XX 6 FEATURE IT & TECH ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Now is thetechnology time invest Are poor technology Ensuring thetobest possible Are poor Now is the time to invest in digital systems in digital stunting your systems stunting your eCommerce experience growth?

Your digital decisions have never been more important.

What do ROKi offer their customers?

Covid-19 has accelerated tech ROKi are experts in delivering highly adoption at a rate never seen performing, customer-centric eCommerce before. Businesses which have Whether you’re an established or aspiring experiences across the globe. They have resisted digital investment are business owner, thetheir growth your been working with B2Cofand B2B struggling, and those who business depends on having the right mix customers to develop and introduce invested wisely are thriving. of technology to support it. For eCommerce startups, innovative, secure and scalable Looking ahead, which side do an Excel spreadsheet to manage leads solutions that offer best-in-class user is you want to be on? better than nothing, meet your experience coupled but withyou’ll technology that DSKY offer a comprehensive growth goals if you set up adoes.

Customer grows as yourfaster business demand range of tech consultancy Relationship Management (CRM) or services that work for you and Enterprise Planning (ERP) system PlatformResource as a service your business. That means from daychanging one. Or perhaps you’ve In these times, many ofgrown their so whatever your digital ambitions fast, those fineed ve apps downloaded customers to fiyou x the cost of theirthat or challenges, they’re always ready. don’t talk to one another now starting eCommerce store.

ROKi’sare fully managed to slow you down?

Then it’s to review service allows customers to time rest easy in What services do DSKY offer? (and probably replace) the technologies DSKY specialise in digital strategy, you’re using. product management and business Manual business processes and analysis. In layman’s terms; they help inefficient technology frustrate your clients make a plan, and then deliver it. customer and prevent peak performance.

DSKY believe in lean solutions, and treat If your sales, marketing and service teams every project like a start-up. are all using different tools, then they’re That means outlining realistic, wasting time duplicating information, and incremental improvements with clients, no one has that longed-for 360-degree driven by key performance indicators. view of the customer.

This way DSKY prove success every step To convert more leads and retain more of the way and keep spend to a minimum. clients, you need to streamline your So long as you have an end goal in mind, processes and reduce the number of they have the experience to get you there. systems you use. First you must understand the activities that add most value to the

growth?

Your digital decisions have never been more important.

Covid-19 has accelerated tech or aspiring Whether you’re an established adoption at a ratethe never seenof your business owner, growth before. which have businessBusinesses depends on having the right mix resisted digital to investment of technology support it.are For startups, struggling, and those to who an Excel spreadsheet manage leads is invested wisely are thriving. better than nothing, but you’ll meet your Looking ahead, which sideset doup a Customer growth goals faster if you you want to be on?

Relationship Management (CRM) or DSKY offResource er a comprehensive Enterprise Planning (ERP) system range of tech from day one.consultancy Or perhaps you’ve grown so services that work you and fast, those five appsfor you downloaded that your That means don’tbusiness. talk to one another are now starting whatever your digital ambitions to slow you down?

Then it’s time to review or challenges, they’re always ready. (and probably replace) the technologies

the knowledge that their eCommerce store is running 24/7 and they are supported from the front end to the infrastructure. They make sure their customers sites are continually updated with the latest features, releases and capability that keep them ahead of the competition.

Outstanding integration capability

They have experience with a range of integration technologies as well as their own Integration Layer that enables customers to integrate with any downstream solution. From supply chain, dropship or warehouse partners, CRM and ERP solutions What’s different about DSKY? ensure your eCommerce solution flows the By keeping the in-house team small and unique you your product or way youway need it deliver to. agile, DSKY are not under pressure to service. Next, you should identify your create work for developers. This removes technical requirementsYour through process place or theirs any conflict of interest which DSKY often design and requirements elicitation.

Naturally, ROKi are see with full service agencies, who have a Once you’ve validated Amazon your end-to-end web services need to drive greater spend and long term requirements, it’s much easier to partners, compare and Azure commitment to stay afloat. different solutions to one andanother. they offer their DSKY know technology can be By taking time up front to research your customers a fully hosted challenging, but whether company’s needs and service value, you’ll discover which is best they work with start-ups the perfect blend of technologies to in class for security, up or global media brands, increase resilience andtime, facilitate scale and resilience.

DSKY are committed long-term growth.

Have your own set up to delivering flexible, and infrastructure honest and smart team? No problem, solutions for clients.

ROKi are experienced at building, training and handing over to your Ready to connect? internal team and are on DSKY love to hear from you at hello@dsky.tech Findwould out more call for any support they For more information, client testimonials and case studies go to dsky.tech If you’d like help choosing a CRM or ERP, email vanessa@vanessahunt.co.uk or call may need.

07967 620 215. Or, visit vanessahunt.co.uk to learn more about CRM selection.

unique way you deliver your product or

What’s different about DSKY? service. Next, you should identify your

By keeping the in-housethrough team small and technical requirements process agile, are not under elicitation. pressure to designDSKY and requirements create work for developers.

This removes Once you’ve validated your end-to-end any conflict of it’s interest often requirements, muchwhich easierDSKY to compare see with full service agencies, who have a different solutions to one another. need to drivetime greater spend long term By taking up front to and research your commitment to stay oat. you’ll discover company’s needs andaflvalue, know technology can be to theDSKY perfect blend of technologies challenging, but whether increase resilience and facilitate they work with start-ups long-term growth. or global media brands, DSKY are committed to delivering flexible, honest and smart solutions for clients.

you’re using.

Manual business processes and DSKY specialise in digital strategy, inefficient technology frustrate your product management customer and prevent and peakbusiness performance. analysis.

In layman’s terms: helpteams If your sales, marketing andthey service clients make diff a plan, then deliver it. are all using erentand tools, then they’re DSKY believe in lean solutions, and treat wasting time duplicating information, and every project likelonged-for a start-up.360-degree no one has that That means outlining view of the customer. realistic, incremental with clients, To convertimprovements more leads and retain more driven by key performance indicators.

Feed Management clients, you need to streamline your This wayManagement DSKY prove success every step Their Feed solution creates, processes and reduce the number of of the way and keep spend to a minimum. optimises, data feeds systemsand youmanages use. Firstproduct you must understand So as you have endsales goal in intoGoogle mind, so that retailers can maximise thelong activities that addanmost value the they have experience to get you there. shopping andthe other data-driven channels.

What services do DSKY offer?

Find out more Find outlike how ROKi can accelerate your commerce vision or call If you’d choosing a CRM or ERP, email vanessa@vanessahunt.co.uk Ready tohelp connect?

Contact team atOr, hello@roki.digital visit the website at roki.digital 07967the 620 215. to learn more about CRM selection.

DSKY would love to visit hearvanessahunt.co.uk from you atorhello@dsky.tech For more information, client testimonials and case studies go to dsky.tech

Ensuring the best possible eCommerce experience What do ROKi offer their customers?

ROKi are experts in delivering highly performing, customer-centric eCommerce experiences across the globe. They have been working with their B2C and B2B customers to develop and introduce innovative, secure and scalable eCommerce solutions that offer best-in-class user experience coupled with technology that grows as your business demand does.

Platform as a service

In these changing times, many of their customers need to fix the cost of their • For a lower eCommerce store. ROKi’s fully managed service allows customers to rest easy in

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the knowledge that their eCommerce store is running 24/7 and they are supported from the front end to the infrastructure. They make sure their customers’ sites are continually updated with the latest features, releases and capability that keep them ahead of the competition.

Outstanding integration capability

They have experience with a range of integration technologies as well as their own Integration Layer that enables customers to integrate with any downstream solution. From supply chain, dropship or warehouse partners, CRM and ERP solutions fileensure size,your thiseCommerce is a low-resolution proof. solution flows the way you need it to.

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This advertorial has been designed according to or theirs the house style pre-approved byYour theplace publisher Naturally, ROKi are (including typography, which can’t be changed).

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Copy has been subedited by theand editorial team they offer their as customers a copy fully in per the publisher’s house style (including hosted service which third person). is best in class for

and Azure partners,

security, uptime, scale and resilience. Have your own set up and infrastructure team? No problem, ROKi are experienced at building, training and handing over to your internal team and are on call for any support they may need.

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Feed Management

Their Feed Management solution creates, optimises, and manages product data feeds so that retailers can maximise sales in Google shopping and other data-driven channels.

Find out how ROKi can accelerate your commerce vision Contact the team at hello@roki.digital or visit the website at roki.digital checklists.co.uk

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IT & TECH 7

Signs you need to update your IT Modern IT systems face greater demands than ever in terms of speed, reliability and security. Is it time you gave yours an update?

T

oday, ‘going digital’ means more than just learning how to use video call software. If your business is run on technology that’s been around for a while – what the experts call ‘legacy systems’ – then it may end up being more than an inconvenience. It could really be holding your business back.

It’s understandable that you won’t want to splash out on some shiny (and expensive) new IT unless it has a real, measurable benefit.

So we’ve compiled five easy-to-spot signs that your IT isn’t practical for you anymore. If you notice these in your business, it’s time to upgrade, fast.

Files aren’t available from anywhere

When employees moved to working from home, did they have to take a large stack of IT equipment and files with them? What about when the office partially reopens, and staff split their time between your premises and We recommend YUnique Marketing

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home? If they’ve worked on a file on the office server and are then blocked from accessing it at home, their productivity suffers. You need to migrate key data to locations that are both secure and accessible – which sounds like a contradiction, but is in fact possible with tools such as cloud storage or VPNprotected servers.

You haven’t tested a backup recently

You are probably backing everything up already – but are you doing enough?

These days, IT experts talk about ‘redundancy’ – a more complex version of the concept.

Backing up a hard drive onto a different drive is referred to as ‘hardware redundancy’. You may have that covered, but what about ‘server redundancy’ – if your central server goes offline, will your business still have enough computing power to run? What about ‘network redundancy’ – what will your employees be able to do if your internet goes down? Finally, remember that a backup is worthless unless you can actually restore from it – so you need to always remember to check and test your backups regularly.

You can’t track what your team is doing

We are living in the data age – but are you really using yours? It can be hard to work out where to start with data analysis, but a

good place is in your own teams. Using a tool like Monday.com, Jira or Asana to track what employees spend their time on is good practice – not because you want to want to spy on them, but more so because it will highlight inefficiencies or problems that can be solved.

If everyone spends around 30 minutes a day repeating a task that just one person could do, you can solve that problem and free up time for everyone.

You’re struggling to spot opportunities

Business demands change, and so does software. If you feel like your offer is stagnating, or customers are coming to you requesting services you don’t feel you can deliver, you’ll naturally be thinking about what you can change within your organisation. Enter

‘business intelligence’ software, which analyses product and process data to supply you with fresh insights. It may require some business retooling to install, but once you’ve got it, you’ll find that it generates new ideas, allowing you to get ahead of the curve.

You hear complaints from staff

It used to be a tradition to gripe about IT around the office watercooler – but that doesn’t mean you should be ignoring the complaints today. If you consistently hear negative sentiments about a particular tool or service, from multiple areas of the business, then the problem likely lies with the IT, not with people. Asking your employees what they think, and what could be done to make their lives easier, is always a good start.

8 HEALTH & SAFETY

Your Covid checklist Personal and business items and services that keep people protected

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anaging workplaces as we emerge from lockdowns is a case of maximising action and minimising confusion. On one hand, we all know about facemasks and social distancing; on the other, the national situation seems to change almost daily, the detail of the rules can be hard to keep track of, and different employees will have different requirements and concerns. As a business owner, it’s imperative that you coordinate your risk-management plan ahead of people returning to the workplace, and that you consider every aspect: not just what your facilities will look like, but how to ensure employees are trained and confident, with no one feeling left out.

This checklist of key Covid-proofing steps will give you a start:

Employee support Assess your space Documentation

You probably have plenty of risk assessments already. Now, you need to add a Covid-specific one, outlining the steps you will take to keep people safe. This can also feed into your internal Covid policy, which you should go through with all employees. Risk assessment templates are available online if you want a quick start.

HSE and local authorities are now inspecting businesses to ensure they are Covid-compliant.

You may not be HSE’s biggest priority, but now is the time to ensure you’re taking all practicable measures, according to the hierarchy of risk controls. You may not be able to eliminate Covid-19 or substitute it for something else, but you can isolate people from it by analysing your buildings and your use of space. Do people need to sit where they do? Can you use previously empty spaces, or reroute people around cramped corridors?

You’re expected to think about this before resorting to administrative controls or PPE.

We recommend The Alternative Board (TAB) Alerting staff Posters and signage

Seeing printed signs in shop windows emphasising the need to socially-distance is nothing new; but, depending on budget, businesses may be able to go further. Among the many signage options available are floor and carpet decals, stickers, ‘Wash Your Hands’ posters, window decals, PVC boards, and even aluminium signs.

Your risk management plan should include the worst case: what to do if you have a suspected Covid-19 outbreak. As well as dealing with a symptomatic employee – sending them home to self-isolate – you’ll need to trace their contacts and protect any potentially affected employees. Consider having a dedicated channel on your company chat platform to report office safety news and alerts.

Which of these challenges resonate with you? More sales, managing employees, scaling or selling your business or better work-life balance? TAB brings together business owners like you who help one another address business and personal issues to be more successful. enquiries@thealternativeboard.co.uk

You’re legally obliged to consult with employees on health and safety matters – so take regular opportunities to gauge their thoughts and worries. Consider their individual situations, especially if they are in an at-risk group. Keeping them engaged, and listening to their views, will have benefits far beyond dispensing with your legal obligations.

Training

Naturally, you’ll need to run through your Covid procedures in a virtual presentation, outlining any changes to equipment or ways of working.

This is also an opportunity for employees to ask questions and raise any ideas or concerns.

There’s another form of training you should consider: training courses for furloughed employees. Recommending a course for them helps them feel included, even if a lot is changing during their absence.

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XX FEATURE

HEALTH & SAFETY 9

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the recirculation of air is used. As a pathogen passes through the filter it interacts with the filter’s anti-viral technology, affecting its ability to infect a host. This makes enclosed spaces much safer.

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Combating against Covid-19 and helping In March 2020, as the coronavirus outbreak businesses to stay open, Newton Facilities started to spread in across the globe, Group specialise preventative and Northampton-based Filtration Control Ltd, decontamination deep cleaning with the aid turned its attention surface to measures which could of an antimicrobial protector. help preventhas thean spread of thefast virus.

Covid-19 incredibly This lead torate. the creation of the Pathogen reproduction When a person with Eliminating Particulate Air Filter (PEPA-F Covid-19 coughs, sneezes or talks, they TM) designed forinfected heating,droplets, ventilation andcan air can spread which conditioning (HVAC) systems.

PEPA-F TM is a quick and simple solution.

A like-for-like drop-in filter replacement,

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quickly settle on surrounding surfaces. This PEPA-F™ provides an fomite intelligent upgrade toYou transmission is called transmission. your existing HVAC lter.virus if you touch those may get infected byfithe Most offi or indoor usemouth, surfaces or ces objects, then settings touch your recirculated toaverage, heat or cool thecan environment, nose or eyes.airOn people touch which provides opportunity to affect their face up to the 23 times per hour! and deactivate any suspended Surfaces need topathogens be manually cleaned prior in or aerosols in theThe enclosed to particles the fogging taking place. antimicrobial TM environment.

The PEPA-F is designed surface protectant Newton Facilities useto in reduce the viral load inneeds enclosed spaces their fogging process to bond to awhere clean the recirculation air is used. a pathogen surface.

Once theofsolution has As bonded, it will passes throughofthe filter it interacts with the form a barrier positively charged microscopic pins which attract and pierce negatively charged pathogens (viruses and bacteria).

On contact, the pathogen bursts like a balloon, preventing it from living on the surface.

This unique technology provides lasting surface protection and will not be affected by subsequent cleaning. It has passed the EN 14476 test, meaning it is effective against enveloped viruses. An example of an enveloped virus is the coronavirus family, inclusive of all strains.

With a team of technicians covering the south east of England, Newton Facilities Group do their best to offer same day service for clients who have a confirmed Covid-19 case and require their workplace to be fully operational.

Many of their existing clients book in this service monthly as a preventative measure, to maintain a Covid safe work environment for their employees and visitors.

Newton Facilities Group want to get businesses and people back to work safely, and to build strong, honest relationships with clients. They pride themselves on being one

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filters anti-viral technology, affecting its ability to infect a host, this makes enclosed spaces much safer.

PEPA-F™ is a multi-stage reticulated foam filter which is designed to provide similar airflow performance characteristics. First stage acts as a pre-filter to capture larger dust particles. Second stage has inner layer for finer particles which has been impregnated with intelligent positively charged silver technology that attracts the negatively charged virus. On contact the virus is eliminated as it passes through the filter. In laboratory testing* the silver technology has proven to be 99.99% effective against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). that 71 per cent of respondents did not PEPA-F™ is co-owned and developed with feel completely safe in their workplace. the second largest train manufacturer in the Filtration Control’s PEPA-F™ can provide world, Alstom. Following ongoing product safety and increase confidence levels of staff development and successful evaluations, the and customers. technology is currently being rolled out across the passenger transport sector within bus, coach and rail to make travel safer than ever before.

Fleets fitted with PEPA-F™ include operators in York,aff London, giving reassurance to anyone entering the of New the more ordableSingapore, companiesSweden, offering Spain, Germany and Toronto name a few. premises.Newton Facilities Group cover this and have discounted ratestofor clients With thein filter toone fit conventional theFind following Berkshire, Hampshire, who book for available more than treatment, outareas: more HVAC systems used ince areas such Each as London, Surrey, Kent, Buckinghamshire, or more than one offi location. client For more information about Filtration restaurants, cinemas, gyms, retail settings, Oxfordshire Hertfordshire. will receive certifi cation upon completion, Control’s and PEPA-F™ HVAC Air Filter, hospital wards and offices, Filtration Control Ltd call today on 01604 707750, or visit are now providing safer indoor environments filtrationcontrol.com out more for Find staff and customers. specialist by services and the products they use can be found at AFurther poll of information employees –onconducted *Source: Viral Stability and Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 newtonfacilitiesgroup.co.uk orbefore info@newtonfacilitiesgroup.co.uk Honeywell and Wakefield last year the on Treated Materials by The Peter Doherty Institute for Immunity recent oftreatment restrictions – found Get tightening 10% off first with code CHECKLIST10Infection until 30and April.

10 HR & RECRUITMENT

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All the while, with an eye firmly on the clock knowing he had to review the latest staff Covid testing list before 11am. The Vaccinations Policy and communications to staff needs to be drafted urgently as staff are worried about coming back into the office as restrictions start to ease. Sound familiar?

Positioned to prosper

Your ability as a leader to manage these people issues today will determine your success in the predicted bounce-back economy. If HR responsibility has landed on your desk, or with an administrative team member (with little or no HR qualifications) it is time to reconsider your HR strategy – utilise lean management with outsourced HR services.

In the months to come, there will be an easing of government support. Decisions will need to be made – quickly. Delay and you could risk reputation damage, increased costs and losses, and the stress of employment law or health and safety breaches. There’s no room for error or figuring things out as you go because disciplinaries and grievances will be the consequence.

As we head towards a ‘new norm’, new challenges will arise. Transform your business into a high-performing organisation, positioned to prosper in the bounce back economy.

There are a number of areas to consider in order to prosper. You need to know the answers and actions required at three distinct phases of business transformation.

Phase 1: Take control of the immediate issues � � � � � � � �

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How do I encourage employees back into work?

How do I ensure Covid secure disciplines are adhered to and not relaxed?

How do I manage employees expectations for working arrangements?

Can I enforce vaccinations?

How do I keep on top of Covid testing?

How do I manage performance issues for remote workers?

What do I do if an employee won’t get vaccinated?

How do I manage self-isolation of employees and ensure it doesn’t impact performance?

How do I deal with staff that won’t interact with those that are not vaccinated?

How do I protect vulnerable employees?

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How do I prevent vaccination issues creating discrimination in the workplace?

How can I ensure social distancing does not negatively impact our culture?

How do I enforce policies correctly, keeping morale up?

How do I measure the impact that Covid has had on our culture and staff morale?

Phase 2: Get bounce-back ready �

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Revised and updated processes and policies are implemented for new ways of working Resource plans are modified for new ways of working Communications create expectations and foster staff engagement New operational procedures are clear and understood Employees and management are trained and ready New recruitment, remote on-boarding and remote training processes in place Agile staff resource, contracts, and terms and conditions with two-way flexibility New ways of hybrid working (home/office) Communication with customers ‘your staff vaccination policy’ Reduce admin, streamline processes with a digital HR platform Updated risk assessments to reflect new working practices

Phase 3: Grow and prosper �

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What leadership skills are needed for managing rapid growth and changing working patterns with all your people?

How do I develop a succession plan?

How do I implement a health and safety action plan based on the findings from an audit?

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To what level has staff engagement risen?

How will performance management evolve to adapt to new hybrid working methods?

How will recruitment plans change and employee contracts change to suit new business dynamics?

Lean management practices utilise qualified outsourced providers with remote services, for less than the cost of a single person on the payroll. Save time and avoid getting drawn into issues so you can focus on your business performance with a clear, proven HR roadmap. Prosper during the three phases of business transformation.

You are never alone with Park City. Stronger together.

Save time, reduce your stress and prosper.

Call 020 3759 9244 or visit the website at parkcity.co.uk/HRmap and use the code HR2021 before 31 May 2021 to save 20% on your HR Roadmap.

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Rise of the e-induction Recruiting in 2021 often means having a new starter you’ve never actually met in person. Here’s how to overcome the distance and give them a good start

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iring is difficult but important, and interview questions that give deeper insight. like everything else, recruitment Over the coming weeks and months it has gone remote. In many ways, is inevitable that many employers across it makes sense. So many people the world will find themselves in the fairly work from home now, it barely matters unique position of onboarding a member whether they’re two miles or 200 from your of staff remotely rather than in person in offices. And recruiting across a an office or workspace. This wider geographical area means is set to continue until the you’re more likely to discover the government’s instructions It’s important talent you are looking for. on social distancing and to give them The flipside, of course, is that working from home are you are conducting the hiring completely lifted. a cultural process almost entirely remotely, Hiring hasn’t stopped – in induction as causing business leaders to worry fact, ‘remote hiring’ quickly well as an that they’re missing something – became the norm. The hard official one a personal or social cue that might part comes after you’ve feed into their decision-making – selected the perfect candidate: that they would have picked up What do you do when they on in person. actually start? Many time-honoured parts Thankfully, a host of services and techniques of the ‘first day’ are out of the window: tour have sprung up to counteract this – from group of the office, learning everyone’s name, team video calls to written exercises to tailored lunch, making sure your logins work. In a new team member’s first days, it’s important to give them a cultural induction as well as an official We recommend Above & Beyond one – how are you supposed to achieve that?

Admin Services The key to achieving a successful ‘remote Starting a new business is daunting at the onboarding’ is planning, ensuring you cover best of times, let alone in a pandemic. every aspect in advance. Here are the essential Discover everything you need to get up steps you should take: and running from The Business Support Hub, including guides, templates, Get the admin sorted early planners, virtual support and much more.

Start with the basics: ensure the new recruit’s hub.aboveandbeyondadmin.co.uk IT equipment is with them well before their start date, along with the required software access. Do the legal bits – contract, IT use agreement and so on – online, using digital signatures, to save time.

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Introduce them to the team

A week before their start date, email your new employee to tell them how much you are looking forward to having them on the team.

Ask them to reply with three interesting facts about themselves – you can circulate these to your existing employees as a way of reminding them about the new starter.

Get a head start on planning

Communication is key

Maintaining a community

Accept that what seems ‘obvious’ to you probably isn’t to them, and that without the constant reinforcement from being in the office, things may take longer to learn. At this stage, it’s better to over-communicate – keep having short calls and including the newbie in virtual meetings with the whole team.

Have early tasks and objectives set clearly from the start. Ideally, you will have a documented plan for their first two weeks, including dedicated inductions and short calls with departmental heads, providing a background on all your company’s activities.

If you are hiring a large number of employees, consider creating an ‘onboarding portal’ that collects key information. You can start with the basic stuff – company org chart, HR guidelines, standard training materials – and ask your staff to add to it over time with the information they wish they had known when they started.

XX FEATURE

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HR & RECRUITMENT 11

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Return to the office, no office or People are your best asset something in between?

You will of course need to think about the employees that want to return to the office.

But also those that have been suffering from anxiety who are unsure how they will cope with coming back.

What functions need to be in the office versus working from home? Do you reward homeworkers differently?

Ultimately, there’s a lot to consider and plan, starting gaining senior level a growing your with business, whilst delivering consensus on a preferred position that better employee experience.

All this for less is right formight the business than you think. operation, your customers and your employees.

Cornerstone Resources Ltd have helped How youacross deliverthe theUK chosen businesses meet position their HR needs careful planning and a realisation and from recruitment to redundancies that to navigate throughThey phase oneon of ad thehoc everything in between. work return toand normal to be HR projects can there act asmay yourneed outsourced compromise. manager. If you are If youfor need with this transition looking a flhelp exible, or require and general HR support for your proactive pragmatic business, please HR provider who will contact positivelyHarwood contribute HR Solutions for agive to your business, free consultation.CIPD the experienced qualified team a call.

What can business owners do to ensure that this is a reality, and why does it matter?

Legal obligations start with your first The forcing of home working arrangements employee, but HR is so much more than that. haswant opened minds to a potential If you to get the best from yourlongerteam, it is term change inupfront strategy.investment The positives are worth making the in them. obvious to point out however, there are on By ensuring that your people have clarity more factors to what is expected ofconsider. them, and what they can Employees onreturn, the whole are contracted expect from you in you will get a happy, to workand from an office, team. so may not accept motivated productive permanent homeworking.

Are you prepared This need not cost the Earth.

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Return to the office, no office or something in between?

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You will of course need to think about the employees that want to return to the offi ce.

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If you need help with this transition or require general HR support for your business, please contact Harwood HR Solutions for a free consultation.

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XX12 FEATURE ADMIN, FACILITIES & WORKING FROM HOME ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Office Freedom is here to help!

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Do Once you have call reporting 4. you adequate have decided on which and analytics?

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Juno Telecoms – keeping everyone connected In the current climate, as a customer, you could call a business, a charity or an advice-line and be speaking to someone who’s sitting at home in their living room.

The call is simply allocated across a network of remote employees on a Unified Communications (UC) platform and based on who is available at the time and who is most suitable to take the call, routed on pre-established criteria.

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Some questions to think about: �

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Is your business set up with a VoIP phone system and internet services that allow you to give your employees the best homeworking experience?

Can they make outbound calls and appear as if they are in the office?

Is their home broadband service adequate for remote working? UC depends heavily on reliable internet connections which perhaps

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their localversion ISP doesn’t deliver. . A high-quality version will be • sent Forto a lower press. file size, this is a low-resolution proof. A high-quality will be sent to press. �

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Not necessarily indicative • This of advertorial final positioning has been designed according to house style pre-approved by the publisher within the publication.the Your advertorial will be (including typography, which can’t be changed). placed as per your booking.

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The ability to work from anywhere, from any device shouldn’t be underestimated. Today’s Can they seamlessly move from a physical ways of working need this to be in place a desk phone application, or to • handset Nottonecessarily indicative of final positioning and telecoms technology has made it much a mobile app, for their voice, video and chat within with the colleagues publication.

Your advertorial be working looks set to be a easier.will Remote interactions and customers? fundamental part of the future workforce. If Do placed you provide functionality asthem per Presence your booking. you don’t want to fall behind the competition, which allows them to see the availability of then embrace agile working, but make sure other users, whether they are online, offline, • Please return your feedback or approval within you invest in the right technology set up to or away from the business?

48 hours of receiving this proof, unless advised maximise its potential. Juno Telecoms are Do they have access to virtual video or voice meeting rooms which are perfect team. leading providers of Unified Communications otherwise by the production and VoIP systems for remote workers. for spontaneous calls with three or more participants, weekly team meetings, or customer meetings?

Does your VoIP system integrate seamlessly with your CRM systems, giving remote workers easy access to client information critical to their job?

For more information Do you have adequate call reporting and Call 0345 070 5850 for a free no analytics? Many unified communication obligation consultation, or visit the systems include analytics solutions, allowing website at junotelecoms.co.uk you to gain insights into call duration, call conversion rates and much more. checklists.co.uk

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ADMIN, FACILITIES & WORKING FROM HOME 13

How to work from anywhere At home, the office and in between – your workspace is anywhere you choose to make it

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It is important for employers to support this new era of flexibility. Particularly by putting employees front and centre, it will allow companies to attract and retain talent.

Tech giants and other ‘knowledge work’ companies are increasingly embracing a work-from-anywhere policy as an employee perk. It may not be for every business. But if you want to make working from home (or anywhere) a long-term part of your enterprise, here are three things to bear in mind:

uring the first (aborted) attempt at exiting lockdown in 2020, the prime minister told us it was time “to have the confidence to go back to work.” Now, as we move towards the exit of Lockdown Three, the message is notably different. Repopulating offices is towards the back of the queue of restrictions waiting to be eased. This is partly down to caution, and Remote working is partly acceptance that remote expected to remain three working has simply become the times as high as it was norm. Even when we reach ‘full pre-pandemic normality’, remote working is expected to remain three times as high as it was pre-pandemic.

This debate is often framed in binary terms, but perhaps more commonly, workers are taking a ‘best of both worlds’ approach. Where they can, they opt to split their time between working from home and the office; the former for the ability to avoid a lengthy commute and get your head down when work needs doing, and the latter for meetings, one-to-ones and the chance to catch up with teammates more informally.

One trend that’s arisen from this is ‘work from anywhere’: the idea that you can choose your own workplace, selecting the environment where you’re most productive.

In extreme cases, this means throwing your laptop in a bag and working from a beach for a week. More normally, it’s the flexibility to select between your home office, a café, a friend or family member’s house, an external location… or, indeed, the office you would normally commute to.

checklists.co.uk

@checklistsocial

Good tech is everything

Don’t think it’s all about cost

Get this sorted before you go anywhere.

A remote-working culture involves team members switching between devices, Wi-Fi networks, security protocols and locations – sometimes in the course of a single day. If they spend half their time being unexpectedly locked out of files, it won’t be worth it. Shared drives and strong security measures hold the answer to most issues.

The idea of slimming down your office space, and saving on rent, is an undeniably attractive prospect. But you need to consider that any money you save on space may go straight into employee equipment or expenses. Rather than a cost-cutting exercise, this is an investment in making your employees feel trusted and productive, and your business profitable.

Test, manage and assess

Initially, work-from-anywhere won’t be that much of a departure – not everyone is going to jet off to Bali instantly. Decisions about working times and locations should be made jointly with managers and employees, with neither dictating to the other. Employees can be encouraged to set their own boundaries – workers with young children may prefer to work more hours in early mornings and evenings to have some time off in the day, for example – and then it’s up to you to ensure they stick to that routine. Over time, employees will find their natural situation and a new company culture will evolve.

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XX14 FEATURE ADMIN, FACILITIES & WORKING FROM HOME

Shred Station – UK businesses put safely disposing investment at the of confi documents top ofdential 2021 agenda

UK businesses put investment at the top of 2021 agenda

As employees return to workplaces, Despite the challenges it’s that you have the right thatimportant UK businesses have confi faceddential duringshredding the last 12service in place with the fl exibility to adjust as your months, 61% of business business returns to full owners are planning a capacity.

Shred is a national provider period ofStation investment of confi dential destruction services to get their businesses and offer a free consultation to firingcan again post-Covid, ensure your are General according toprocesses Time Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Finance’s latest survey. compliant.

As a Certified Carbon There is undoubtably Neutral company, a resilience in the which also recycles all of the paper collected market and attitudes and destroyed, can offer the among businessthey owners highest levels ofWith security remain positive. a with the least environmental impact. determination to carry you need to be mindful onTwo and things a reluctance of disposing of documents forwhen failure, businesses are fi GDPR ndingcompliance new ways and safeguarding information.

These are Shred Station’s top to move forward.

These investment plans two tips fortosecure destruction: according their fidata nancial advisors could number one is toplanning considerinvestment potential seeTip 26% of businesses risks when disposing of products any documents. in equipment, 21% new and 21% in You may know way around every operational andyour technical advancements. aspect of GDPR, do your employees?

Innovation andbut investment need a supply Implementing a some ‘ShredfiEverything’ of cashflow and rms need topolicy look avoids a potentially mistake in to alternative financevery for costly help. From Asset the form Invoice of a data breach.

Finance, Finance to Loans and Tip number two is to remember Vehicle Finance, firms can grow by tapping (General Regulation) into the flData exibleProtection funding solutions available.

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Despite the challenges that UK businesses have faced during the last 12 months, 61% of business owners are planning a period of investment to get their businesses firing again post-Covid, according to Time Finance’s latest survey.

There is undoubtably a resilience in the market and attitudes among business owners remain positive. With a determination to carry on and a reluctance for failure, businesses are finding new ways to move forward. These investment plans according to their financial advisors could see 26% of businesses planning investment in equipment, 21% new products and 21% in operational and technical advancements.

Innovation and investment need a supply of cashflow and some firms need to look to alternative finance for help. From Asset Finance, Invoice Finance to Loans and Vehicle Finance, firms can grow by tapping into the flexible funding solutions available.

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Find out more Visit timefinance.com or contact them Find out more nance.com today at hello@timefi Call 0800 327 7959 or visit shredstation. co.uk and quote SHREDPAPER1 to get Disclaimer: Your full financial your first month free*.situation and

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XX FEATURE ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Take care of your freedom and wellbeing Working from home may be the new assessments since the first lockdown. Over the normal, but even after a year of this, first six months, the emphasis of discomfort companies and workers are still struggling was on the physical side. A majority of those with the adjustment and it is not likely to assessed had worked from home a day or settle down for a while, as a reintroduction so a week pre-pandemic and for that, a to office-life will be thrown into the mix in dining table and chair, though not ideal, was the coming months. sufficient as a workstation. When suddenly With the imposed homeworking situation, using it for five days straight, musculoskeletal organisations, whether pro agile-working or disorders kicked in. For the six months that very much against, were left to ‘suck it and followed, the pendulum swung toward mental see’ and generally, there hasn’t been much health. With the novelty of being home and of an argument against how well it’s worked not forking out for your annual train ticket overall. To ensure that it remains a positive now worn off, the psycho-social impact of no development, there needs to be a proactive physical interaction with colleagues, staring approach to workplace wellbeing from both at the same four walls, plus the added stress employers and employees, with equal focus of increased restrictions, home-schooling given to mental and physical health. and winter weather has piled pressure on our high-quality version will be •completed sent Forto a lower press. filemental size, state. this Anyone is a low-resolution proof.

Freedom Wellbeing have that has experienced around a thousand homeworking stress will know, it manifests into muscle tension (hunched shoulders,according stiff neck), where • Not necessarily indicative • This of advertorial final positioning has been designed to we resort to our fight or flight instinct.

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PROOF INFORMATION A high-quality version will be sent to press.

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house style pre-approved by the publisher within the publication.the Your advertorial will be (including typography, which placed as per your booking.

What can you do?can’t be changed).

Not necessarily indicative of final positioning within the publication. Your advertorial will be placed as per your booking.

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employees to adopt to help ensure everyone Please return your• feedback Copy has or been approval subedited within by the editorial team as stays physically healthy, mentally strong and at 48 hours of receiving per thisthe proof, publisher’s unless advised house style (including copy in their most productive. otherwise by the production third person). team. � Employers should arrange homeworking

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assessments to ensure your staff have everything they need to perform their role safely. If you have any form of EAP (Employee Assistance Program), promote it constantly. If you do not, look into ad-hoc stress and anxiety counselling.

Train managers in Mental Health First Aid so they can recognise warning signs within their team. Send out a wellbeing survey every six months to gauge how people are coping.

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bookend working or approval perwithin hour to stand, stretch and move.

• Employees Pleaseshould return your the feedback day with a 10 minute walk, as this will 48 hours of receiving this proof, unlessRemember advisedthe rule of 20! If you create a psychological step between home work with any type of screen, every the production andotherwise work, as yourby commute used to. Set team.

20 minutes, take a 20 second visual your workstation up to its optimum before you even log on to start each day on a positive footing.

Aim to take a short break at least once

break, and look at something at least 20 feet away to help reduce eye strain.

Find out more Visit free-well.co.uk/contact for support with homeworking assessments, counselling, MHFA training or implementing a suitable wellbeing program for your organisation. You can also email info@free-well.co.uk or call 020 3560 7287. checklists.co.uk

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