unLTD. Connecting business across Sheffield City Region #28

JULY 2020 | ISSUE 28 | FREE | UNLTDBUSINESS.COM

AMPLIFYING.

ACCELERATING.

AMAZING. Razor CEO Jamie Hinton on how people-first technology is driving the future blueprint of digital and manufacturing in Sheffield City Region – and wider innovation in the UK

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY –

AFTER COVID-19 INTRODUCING: THE

‘NEXT BIG THING’ IN SHEFFIELD

TORY: SUCCESS S

M R I F Y T I C

K N I V INGOOGLOBAL

SCR SKILLS BANK ● BUSINESS RECOVERY POST-LOCKDOWN ● SALES TRAINING WITHunLTDBUSINESS.COM PLAN.GROW.DO.

If you need to travel be

PATIENT AND FLEXIBLE

travelsouthyorkshire.com

2

THINK

CHECK

TRAVEL

WHATEVER THE JOURNEY

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Imagine the possibilities beyond the horizon

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

darklight.city 0345 145 1234

TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

&

CUBAN

BAR

TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

&

CUBAN

BAR

We WILL RE-OPEN ON WEDNESDAY 8 JULY After careful review of government guidelines and working hard to implement various, appropriate, safety and social distancing measures We are really pleased to announce that Cubana will re-open on Wednesday 8 July Let’s be honest ……. things are going to be a bit different for a little while

Our bartenders will be back and ready to prepare you their tasty exotic cocktails, and we’ll have our full signature selection of wines from around the world. Not forgetting our 220 strong, award winning rum selection available for you all to enjoy.

Table Service Table service for drinks will be available in both our cocktail bar downstairs and also

Before being able to return to normal ,

upstairs in the restaurant (after food service

we are all going to have to wait until

from 11pm). It will also be possible to

restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.

pre-book tables, which we do recommend,

Fingers crossed, this will hopefully be sooner

particularly for Fridays and Saturdays.

rather than later! Until then, here’s what you

We will be unable to serve over the bar

can expect when you next visit us:

i.e. so called “vertical drinking”.

Tapas & Drinks

Drinks-To-Go

We can once again cook, and serve you, a

In the hope that the lovely weather

selection of over 40 mouth watering dishes

continues, we will also now be offering a

from our unique, extensive and authentic

take away service for drinks for customers

tapas menu.

to enjoy either on Cubana’s outdoor terrace or outside in Leopold Square.

Call 01142 760475

4

FIND US AT... UNIT 4 LEOPOLD SQUARE, SHEFFIELD S1 2JG

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

&

CUBAN

BAR

TA PAS

R E STAU R A N T

&

CUBAN

BAR

A WARM WELCOME BACK To CUBANA! Live Music, DJs & Dancing

Bookings

Like all venues, unfortunately, we are not currently permitted to host live music whether

For bookings or any enquiries, please complete the enquiry form on the following

that’s the bigger bands or solo artists. We can assure you, just as soon as we can bring live music back we will do so once again every night of the week.

booking request link: http://cubanatapasbar.co.uk/request.php or call us on 0114 2760475 Monday to Saturday between 11am-6pm

We will also have to go without our resident Latin DJs playing on the weekends and sadly, there’ll be no dancing or dance classes for a little while.

Opening Times Our NEW opening times will be as follows:

Cubana vibes You can be certain of one thing - we’ll do our utmost to continue to provide Sheffield with the signature Cubana experience and keep the good vibes flowing; something we’ve always aimed to do since first opening almost twenty years ago down on Trippet Lane.

What will never change is the warm and friendly Latino welcome you’ve come to expect from our fantastic Cubana team. We’ll treat you like a member of the family and take good care of you in our unique Cubana style.

Muchas gracias to all our customers for your continued and loyal support

Wednesdays & Thursdays Friday & Saturdays

4pm – 11.30pm Midday – Late

Sundays

Midday – 11.30pm

Last orders for tapas in the upstairs restaurant will be: Wednesday, Thursday & Sundays Fridays & Saturdays

Please note for the time being, we will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

CUBANATAPASBAR.CO.UK call: 01142 760475

We look forward to welcome you back!

C U B A N ATA P A S B A R . C O . U K Find out what’s happening on our Facebook page

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

9.45pm 10.30pm

www.facebook/cubanatapasbar

CONTENTS

32 COVER STORY: JAMIE HINTON, CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF RAZOR

42 UNLTD INTRODUCING...

52 SUCCESSSTORY:INOVINK

47 SCRSKILLSBANK 6

56 COMMERCIALPROPERTIESFEATURE unLTDBUSINESS.COM

CONTENTS

INSIDE...

8-11: News A round-up of good news in the region, including landmark devolution deal and and new research and innovation unit to support COVID-19 rehabilitation.

15: The Diary Our editor says the new normal is whatever you make it.

28: Technology Chris Barr, technical director at CT looks at the security risks posed by the dark web.

31: Product Guide Steel City’s James Biggin chooses products to make the most of our extra time at home or outdoors.

32: Cover Story: Jamie Hinton, CEO and co-founder of Razor Jamie shares how people-first technology is driving the future blueprint of digital and manufacturing in the region.

51: Skills Focus The Source on help from apprentices and support packages for employers.

63: Launchpad Workplace Scientifics share how Launchpad helped them turn their business plan into action.

66: Make Yourself at Home A new city-wide initiative has been launched to support Sheffield businesses and build consumer confidence.

EVERYTHING ELSE: 12: Appointments 17: Financial Health 19: Legal Matters 21: Entrepreneur Support 25: Evolving Technology 27: Business Recovery 49: Securing Your Assets 55: Troubleshooting 70: Charities

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

OUR COVER STAR PREVIEWS THIS ISSUE ON SOCIAL

ACCELERATION IS EVERYTHING Amplifying. Forward-moving. Supercharging.

Our cover story with CEO and co-founder of Razor Jamie Hinton is full of positivity, enthusiasm and his respect for what he calls the Sheffield City Region’s ‘humble brilliance’.

The word ‘acceleration’ cropped up frequently during features writer Jill Theobald’s Zoom interview with Jamie, too – perhaps not surprising given their Razor Sprint, which is all about ‘faster solutions and maximum potential’ and designed to get organisations moving forward.

But as Jamie explains, Razor’s Cause is all about legacy – as indeed is their work with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC). Read the full feature from page 32 to find out how peoplefirst technology is driving the future blueprint of digital and manufacturing in Sheffield City Region.

Speaking of acceleration, at our June unLTD social event – our second virtual session hosted by Andy Hanselman – one of our guest speakers used that very word.

We were joined by Redbrik Estate Agents’ Mark Ross, Jiraffe’s Holly Jenkins and Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Darren Hayes who shared their experiences of running their organisations during lockdown and the challenges and successes.

Redbrik MD Mark told guests COVID had in many ways ‘changed nothing but accelerated everything’.

His was certainly a popular talk and one which attracted a lot of compliments and comments about how his residential estate agents firm has responded, adapted and succeeded.

Friend of the mag Jay Bhayani MD of Bhayani Law also wanted to know more about commercial property and the impact of COVID – and our editor Richard Fidler knew Jay wouldn’t be alone. So we asked two local experts from Keebles and CPP to talk us through the peaks and troughs of the market for this very issue. Read our feature on page 56.

And there’s more! Our new unLTD Introducing feature where an established business leader turns the spotlight on an emerging entrepreneur they are mentoring or working with.

In this first article on page 42, MD of Universal Office Products Steve Manley introduces Harry Bliss, founder of Champion Health, who Steve believes is the ‘next big thing in Sheffield’ – and Harry shares the moment he and the team knew they’d built ‘something special’.

@UNLTDBUSINESS UNLTD BUSINESS UNLTDBUSINESS EDITORIAL Richard Fidler richard@unltdbusiness.com Jill Theobald editorial@unltdbusiness.com General hello@unltdbusiness.com 0114 252 7781 ADVERTISING Phil Turner phil@unltdbusiness.com 07979 498034 General advertising@unltdbusiness.com FINANCE Michael Johnson accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk DESIGN HRM | PR & Creative CONTRIBUTORS Pat Abel Joe Bamford Chris Barr James Biggin Rob Darrington Jo Davison Charlotte Higgins Sam Leeder

Jade March Anna McGuire Sasha Mossman Paul Russell Raj Shah Jill Thomas Helen Williams Ash Young

unLTD is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1B Rialto, 2 Kelham Island Square, Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD and HRM | PR & Creative Unit 1A Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout unLTD is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd and HRM cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific listings.

7

AGENDA NEWS

Healthcare company launches virtual service to help vulnerable urology patients Leading healthcare company B. Braun Medical Ltd has developed a range of virtual support services during the COVID-19 crisis to support vulnerable patients at home with acute bladder problems.

The Sheffield-based company’s specialist Emerald Nursing Service has introduced FaceTime video tutorials on how to self-catheterise, as well as offering phone-based advice and support to patients with urgent needs.

The Emerald Service delivers continence and ostomy appliances and products to patients in their own homes – also providing dispensing, next day delivery, urgent supplies when away, a reminder call service, SMS text service, online ordering and a dedicated patient line to patients with chronic urology and continencecare needs.

Karen Kemp, Clinical Nurse Specialist with B.Braun’s Emerald Nursing Service, said: “We provide a personalised service, teaching patients how to use whatever product is appropriate for them and feedback on progress to their consultants.

“We have had outstanding success with a number of patients who have been able to do this without us physically having to be with them and then.”

8

LANDMARK DEAL UNLOCKS NEW FUNDING AND POWERS FOR ECONOMIC RENEWAL New powers and millions of pounds in new funding are coming to South Yorkshire this summer, as the region’s landmark devolution deal is agreed.

The order for the Deal was laid in Parliament on Monday 29 June, after letters of agreement were submitted by Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis, and council leaders in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Deal is set to be approved in Parliament in the coming weeks with a statutory instrument being used to pass this into law. It marks a significant breakthrough for the region, equipping local leaders with the tools and resources to build back better from the coronavirus pandemic.

Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “This is a landmark moment for our region. We are seeing powers transferred from

SHEFFIELD CITY REGION MAYOR DAN JARVIS

Westminster – it means more decisions about South Yorkshire will be made in South Yorkshire.

“The Deal comes at a crucial time, as we look to overcome the coronavirus pandemic.

I am working alongside the leaders of our local authorities, and in partnership with our businesses, universities, colleges and central government, to secure new

investment and put us on the road to a stronger, fairer future for South Yorkshire.

Devolution does not stop at city region level. This is the start of our devolution journey, and working together across the wider region is going to be even more important than ever before.

“We have new tools in our hands today. Together, we must put them to good use.”

Tungsten Properties acquires 11-acre industrial warehouse site in Sheffield Leading developers Tungsten Properties have acquired an 11-acre retail warehouse site at Greenland Road in Darnall from New River Retail for £5.5 million.

Tungsten Properties intends to demolish the existing B&Q warehouse and construct a new warehouse totalling 170,000 sq. ft with completion expected by the end of 2020.

The remaining 2.5 acres of

the site will be redeveloped for alternative uses, creating 50-120 new jobs.

The site benefits from being close to Sheffield City Centre, Junction 24, and Meadowhall.

Ian Dunckley, Development Director at Tungsten Properties, said: “There is significant demand for warehouse space in Sheffield due to lack of existing and new stock within the market.

“Sheffield has the benefit of a strong local workforce, thanks to the local manufacturing and engineering industries.”

Tungsten Properties was represented by agents Gent Visick. New River Retail was represented by Colliers International. Gent Visick and Colliers International have been retained as letting agents.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA This Is Sheffield launches online store This Is Sheffield – whose coronavirus directory has had more than 27,000 views, has launched an online store, with products from independent businesses and Sheffieldrelated merchandise.

Dedication pays for Ethan Barnsley College student Ethan Sumner is building his employability skills and knowledge of the IT sector despite COVID-19 by balancing studies with a work placement at Rebel Base Media.

THE OPENING OF METRO BANK ON FARGATE

Metro Bank opens in Sheffield Metro Bank have opened a new store on Fargate, marking their first Yorkshire store to open as part of the bank’s plans to open 15 stores in the north.

The new store will be opening in line with the latest Government guidance with the bank implementing strict social distancing measures to protect its customers and colleagues.

The Fargate store will offer business, personal and private banking services to the local community.

Customers will be welcomed by the new store’s Local Director Michelle Slater and Store Manager, Chris Gore.

To mark the opening, the Sheffield team have been fundraising for Brain Tumour Research and Support,

Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity and have already raised over £1,000 by completing the ‘Tour de South Yorkshire’.

Ian Walters, Managing Director, Distribution at Metro Bank, says: “We are thrilled to be bringing great service and convenience to the people and businesses of Sheffield as we open our first store in Yorkshire.”

REDBRIK ACQUIRE PRESTON BAKER SHEFFIELD Leading South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire estate agency Redbrik are growing after completing the purchase of Preston Baker Sheffield for an undisclosed sum.

As a result of the acquisition, Redbrik will be taking over the management of both their lettings portfolio and currently available sales stock in Sheffield.

Redbrik's Area Manager for Sheffield Lettings, Jen Hitchman

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

is heading up the transition of lettings properties, while Director David Cooper will be overseeing the sales handover.

Mark Ross, Managing Director of Redbrik, commented: “Preston Baker is a business we have always admired. They operate a fantastic estate agency, and we are delighted that they came, exclusively, to Redbrik when looking to sell their Sheffield business.”

Ian Preston, Managing Director of Preston Baker, said: “It was essential when selling our Sheffield business that we wanted to find a company that shared our customer-centric philosophy to look after our clients.

“Redbrik has that same outlook, and we are confident their fantastic service and marketing will ensure they're in good hands.”

Pricecheck gift is a sweet treat Pricecheck made a special delivery to St Luke’s Hospice, donating sweets and chocolates to be enjoyed by staff and patients.

Young entrepreneur offers lockdown support Award-winning entrepreneur, Harvey Morton, slashed his social media and marketing prices to support more than 30 businesses during lockdown.

Charity passes PPE to good causes Overwhelmed by the generosity of local businesses, Sheffield Churches Council for Communities Care (SCCCC) donated extra supplies of personal protective equipment to other good causes.

9

AGENDA Study shows lockdown causing rifts between workers A study by Westfield Health has revealed that lockdown measures are taking their toll on workers.

The data showed a rift, with 39% of furloughed workers expect that others will get special treatment and 30% feel that others think they have it easy.

As a result of this divide, 56% of furloughed workers say their mental health has got worse, increasing to 66% amongst furloughed parents.

For those not on furlough, 35% working from home feel colleagues on furlough have less to worry about. Those with children were more likely to report feeling jealous of furloughed workers.

A third of parents working from home have physical health complaints and 47% are likely to struggle with their mental health compared to 36% of overall respondents.

The report revealed that many think their employer is already falling short. Over one in five say the company they work for could have handled the crisis better and 28% say they’re anxious about work.

The pandemic has also increased expectations when it comes to support from employers, including mental health support, additional wellbeing support and more help when it comes to physical health.

Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said: “The biggest mistake businesses can make at the moment is thinking things will go back to how they were.

“The businesses that will recover and thrive over the next few years will be the ones who see this as an opportunity.”

10

SHEFFIELD-BASED DIGITAL AGENCY REVEALS LOCKDOWN’S MOST POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CELEBRITY TWEETERS A study conducted by Sheffield-based digital agency Evoluted has revealed the most positive and negative celebrity tweeters during the lockdown period.

Research revealed that Kylie Minogue has been the most positive tweeter, closely followed by Sir Tom Jones and Lionel Richie, amongst others.

Meanwhile, Nigel Farage tops the polls for the most negative tweeter under lockdown, joined

by Piers Morgan and Cher.

The research was conducted by digital agency Evoluted, who took the 200 most famous personalities in the

UK (according to YouGov) and filtered the list down to 131 who are active on Twitter.

The agency then collected their tweets, quoted tweets and retweets that had been posted since March this year in order to evaluate the content that the person was putting out.

Evoluted then used the bing lexicon method to attribute positive or negative meaning to the words used across all tweets, in order to analyse which tweeters were more positive than others.

A positivity percentage was then assigned to each account – this was created by taking

the ratio of positive words used by the total number of negative words.

James Stone, Content Specialist at Evoluted, said: “We aim to be as thorough and accurate as possible within our research and our team really enjoyed carrying out this study.

“It’s extremely interesting to see which celebrities are using their platforms to display positivity and which ones heavily feature negativity.”

To view the whole study, head to www.evoluted.net/ studies/lockdown-lovers-andloathers

Peter & Paul and Castus create new partnership Two Sheffield-based agencies have announced a new partnership, combining their specialisms in brand and digital.

Peter & Paul have been branding cultural events, educational institutions and businesses over the last 15 years, whilst Castus have been producing innovative and effective online solutions to a global market. Both agencies have previously won awards for their work.

Together, a highly specialised team will collaborate to create work for all current and future clients, combining expertise across all digital platforms.

Peter & Paul MD Peter Donohoe said: “Good branding needs great digital strategy and great digital platforms need great content, so this partnership makes an exciting proposition.

“Both Castus and Peter & Paul have a commitment to

doing great work, and our complementary skills and experience means what we’re creating together is even stronger.”

Matthew Harpin, creative director, Castus said: “After forming the partnership in March 2020, the two companies are currently working on several projects, both with existing clients as well as new clients they have gained together.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

Businesses donate to more than 50 charities and community groups

In response to COVID-19, Business in the Community (BITC) established the National Business Response Network (NBRN) to identify and match community needs across the UK to the right business support.

With food poverty a major issue during the pandemic, Nestle donated 35 pallets of food, containing chocolate,

cereal and water plus 1500 Easter eggs and McVities sent 180 boxes of cake bars.

BITC and Sheffield Business Together’s Carolynn McConnell said: “Through collaboration between Sheffield Business Together (SBT) and the Doncaster, Rotherham and Barnsley Chambers we made it happen for South Yorkshire.

This encapsulates what SBT

and BITC do best – connecting sectors to benefit our people and communities.

“It is great that 22 Sheffield and 30 Doncaster community organisations and food banks benefited. A big thank you to Roundabout, Food Works in Sheffield, Food Aware in Doncaster and their partners Strada Trading and J. P. Walton for helping with the off-loading, transport, distribution and storage. An amazing team effort!”

Ashley Cooke from Food Works said: “It's fantastic to see the whole city come together to help feed those in need, and even more so to see the impact working together at scale can have.”

Sheffield College extends free meals scheme The Sheffield College will extend its free meals scheme to support vulnerable students during the summer holidays due to COVID-19.

Visions of Peak District a lockdown inspiration Sheffield artist Alan Pennington hopes his newly completed Peak District collection will help those still under COVID restrictions to view the countryside once again through his work.

Gulliver’s announces opening date AWRC DIRECTOR, PROFESSOR ROBERT COPELAND

NEW RESEARCH AND INNOVATION UNIT TO SUPPORT COVID-19 REHABILITATION SET UP AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM A new research and innovation unit to support people to recover and rehabilitate from COVID-19 is to be set up at Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC).

The unit, called RICOVR, aims to provide support through research and innovation to the health and care services regionally and nationally who are supporting

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

people directly and indirectly affected by COVID-19.

It will be located at the newly opened AWRC, a global centre for research and innovation in physical activity.

Across the Sheffield City Region, around 600 people have required intensive care treatment due to COVID-19.

Thousands more have experienced milder symptoms but still require support.

The RICOVR Unit will draw on academic expertise in various disciplines to produce scalable programmes and products to aid recovery.

Professor Robert Copeland, AWRC Director, said: “We can make a meaningful and sustainable difference to the physical and psychological health of people in our region and to support economic growth post-pandemic.”

The new multimillion-pound Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park in Rotherham is to open its doors to the public on Saturday 11 July after being delayed due to the pandemic.

App signals independent fight back www.3miles.co.uk platform, which allows independent traders the ability to sell their products online, experienced a 10-fold increase in turnover early on in COVID-19.

‘Shop local’ call from Doncaster Chamber As the high street re-opens, Doncaster Chamber is urging communities and businesses to shop local and support the local economy.

11

AGENDA APPOINTMENTS

BHP WELCOMES NEW AUDIT PARTNER Leading accountancy firm BHP has expanded its audit department with the appointment of Chris Neale as audit partner.

Chris joins after nearly 14 years with ‘big four’ firm, PwC, most recently as director. His experience covers a host of industries across family and owner-managed, private equity backed and both Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and main market listed businesses.

He said: “The passion and energy of the BHP leadership team and their strong track record of delivering change and developing an excellent working culture is what attracted me to the firm. The firm has secured award wins because of this and I am excited to have the opportunity to play my own part in contributing to these successes in the future.”

Paul Winwood, head of audit at BHP, added: “We are thrilled to welcome someone with Chris’ experience, energy and ambition.”

Promotion for commercial property valuer Matt Collier has been promoted to associate by commercial property consultants Knight Frank.

Joining Knight Frank in Sheffield in April 2018 as a senior surveyor, Matt now becomes an associate in the latest round of promotions

by Knight Frank across the country.

He said: “I’m really excited about the next chapter of my Knight Frank journey. The team all work their very hardest to deliver ultimate value at every level and I am ready for the challenge of helping to grow an even more successful business.”

12

BRENDAN HAMPSEY

Digital specialist promoted at Grey Matter

CHRIS NEALE, THE NEW AUDIT PARTNER AT BHP

WAKE SMITH BOOSTS FAMILY LAW TEAM Sheffield-based Wake Smith Solicitors has boosted its Family Law department with the appointment of Deborah Marsh as an associate and collaborative lawyer.

Deborah joins the team specialising in all areas of the practice, having previously worked across South and West Yorkshire as a family and matrimonial solicitor at firms in Leeds, Chesterfield, Barnsley and Sheffield.

Deborah said: “The chance to come back to Sheffield and work within such a well-known company as Wake Smith was too good to miss. I join a strong team recognised as providing considered, professional and friendly advice.”

DEBORAH MARSH

Lindsey Canning, head of Family Law at Wake Smith Solicitors, said: “I have known Deborah for a number of years and she is highly experienced, tenacious and professional.

She makes a fantastic addition to our team.”

Grey Matter has promoted a key member of its management team to client services director as the agency portfolio continues to expand.

Brendan Hampsey, who has worked at the company since 2011, has stepped into the new role during a milestone year for Grey Matter, as it celebrates 30 years of business.

His promotion cements the role he plays at Grey Matter in both a technical and client-facing capacity.

Brendan said: “Meeting with new clients to explore the problems they want to solve has always been a part of my role that I love.

With my background in development and digital marketing, I can advise on technical issues, as well as having a handle of the bigger picture, including timeframes and budgets.”

Creative director Andrew Marsden added: “In the current climate the digital side of our business is even more important.

Throughout 2020 we will be investing in people and innovation to ensure we can meet the growing demands.

“We’re all delighted to have Brendan on board in his new role!”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA SPONSORED BY

TRAVELSOUTHYORKSHIRE.COM/BUSINESS

PR AND CREATIVE AGENCY EXPANDS HRM, the full-service Sheffield agency, has expanded its team with the appointment of Beth Richardson as account executive following recent client wins.

Beth joins from the University of Leeds, where she is currently studying a degree in BA Management and Marketing and will return to her studies in September 2021.

Having previously undertaken a work experience programme with HRM, Beth will be working across a range of property clients including leading Sheffield and Chesterfield estate agents, Redbrik.

Beth said: “When searching for a year in industry, I found the familiar faces at HRM the perfect fit to grow my experience and knowledge of the PR sector. It is so lovely to be back with the HRM team

Sheffield lawyer appointed Deputy District Judge Sheffield lawyer Carl Jones has been appointed as a Deputy District Judge.

Carl, who is a partner at Broomhall-based MD Law, will work on the North Eastern circuit from later this year after completing his induction.

The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon, appointed Carl to the position, and he has been allocated to the Humber and South Yorkshire cluster of courts.

Alongside this appointment, Carl will continue to practise at MD Law acting for insolvency practitioners and other corporate and individual clients on litigious matters.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

MATHEAU FRITH

Financial planners expand with new appointment

BETH RICHARDSON

and I am grateful for this opportunity to enhance my studies further.”

Richard Fidler, chief executive of HRM, added: “We’re thrilled to have Beth

on board after a series of client wins at HRM. She is an ambitious, young PR professional who brings fresh talent to our experienced team.”

ANSWERING THE CALL FOR NURSING A Sheffield man has taken up a new career in nursing aged 57.

Dellroy Blake, a former planner and designer in a kitchen and bathroom showroom, has started his first bank nursing assistant role with Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Trust (RDaSH).

Dellroy, who is in the final year of a four-year Open University BSc (Honours) Mental Health Nursing Degree, said: “After being impressed with the level of nursing care in the Brambles Ward at The Woodlands during my placement, I decided I wanted to become a member of the RDaSH bank staff.

“I gained experience of a number of different

DELLROY BLAKE

services at RDaSH. All of this broadened my nursing experience in supporting the teams at Swallownest Court in Rotherham and Tickhill Road site, Doncaster.

“Throughout my working life various people have told me I should go into nursing because of my caring nature and people skills.”

Sheffield- based Future Life Wealth Management has expanded with the appointment of a new paraplanner.

Matheau Frith, (27), who joins from 1825 Financial Planning in Sheffield, will be responsible for assisting the financial planners in research and analysis of products, and producing advice and suitability reports.

He said: “It is fantastic to be joining such a brilliant team. I have already seen how dedicated everyone is to the clients and seen the really high quality of service, even in these strange times. I am really looking forward to helping to do my bit to continue to improve the service Future Life offers.”

MD Jillian Thomas said: “We are in unprecedented times and we have been working hard to be there even more for our clients to ensure they make the best decisions for their futures.

Having Matheau join the team will really help, not just in the short term. He is a very talented paraplanner and a great addition for the longer term.”

13

Back to work

essentials

www.ardenwinch.com

T 0114 243 3755 F 0114 243 5241 E sheffield.sales@ardenwinch.com 14

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

THE DIARY

BY RICHARD FIDLER

Our editor says everything changes – but sometimes quicker than expected

THE NEW NORMAL IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT Are we at the ‘new normal’ yet?

Ah, the ‘new normal’. It’s a phrase we have heard many times over the past three months or so with no one really knowing what it is or what it will be.

There’s no doubt that things are looking more like they did. Non-essential shops are open, pubs and restaurants are taking their first tentative steps in welcoming customers through their doors again, and recreational sport is beginning to make a return.

But will our life, or more specifically for this column our business life, be like it was in February or early March?

It’s got me thinking whether our lives are ever really normal, anyway. Do we ever stay exactly the same for a long period of time without any detrimental effect to our productivity, performance or profitability?

Most businesses and organisations are usually in a constant state of improvement. Testing what works, refining what doesn’t work and looking at ways to be better.

The old saying of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is true to a certain extent. But only if you want the particular item to carry on doing exactly what it did before (and it’s also a part that will never break or have wear and tear – pretty much impossible, whether human or machine!)

What about if your competitors are all making improvements, or are adding services to eat into your market share?

It’s a brave business that just maintains a tunnel vision and carries on regardless, oblivious to the world around them. Sooner or later they will see that the world has

changed and so must they.

So that brings me back to where we are now.

In an earlier column I mentioned that those businesses who will thrive post lockdown will be the ones who are used to adaptation and change.

For them there never is a ‘normal’ because they’re always looking at ways to better serve their customers or to be a more attractive employer.

Mark Ross, the managing director of South Yorkshire and north midlands estate agents Redbrik, has a saying that COVID-19 hasn’t changed anything, it has just accelerated everything that would have happened anyway.

For a lot of businesses this is true. And while it hasn’t been plain sailing by any means there are an awful lot of firms who have brought in

new practices that are already benefiting customers and employees, alike.

Who doesn’t enjoy the benefits (and trust from bosses) of home working, for example?

I don’t want this month’s column to be too ‘happy clappy’ as I know many businesses – even the ones now bouncing back – have been saddled with problems that they never thought they would have at the turn of 2020.

But to think we can just flick a switch and return to the normal of July 2019, or whatever random month you pick before lockdown, is simply not realistic. Believe me, look back to the headlines from last summer and the world was very far from normal.

Everything changes, but sometimes the change just comes quicker than you think.

Got views of your own? Let me know: richard@unltdbusiness.com LinkedIn: Richard Fidler

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

15

Highly professional, unbiased, independent financial planning and wealth management delivering planning-led (not product-driven) financial advice Shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year 2016

Shortlisted for Investment Adviser of the Year 2016

Finalist for the Excellence in Professional Services Award 2016

Listed as one of 42 under 42 “Brightest and Best” businesses in Yorkshire 2016

Call us now on 0114 294 5353 for an unbiased second opinion on your financial needs or visit us online at

bluewealthcapital.com

A full service print house We are Northend.

A full service print house in Sheffield.

We offer a full print management solution so you don’t have to shop around, giving you a seamless service.

We will offer advice on the best print finish to hit your budget and get you noticed.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

FINANCIAL HEALTH

BY RAJ SHAH, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL OF BLUE WEALTH CAPITAL The financial planner on the power of a positive testimonial

DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT… Why are newspapers and TV broadcasts filled with disaster, corruption and incompetence? When you read the news, sometimes it can feel like the only things reported are terrible, depressing events – even more so lately with the global pandemic.

It isn’t that these are the only things that happen.

Perhaps journalists are drawn to reporting bad news because sudden disaster and scandal are more compelling? Maybe we, the readers or the viewers, have trained journalists to focus on these things? The psychologists’ term for our collective hunger for, and capacity to remember, bad news is ‘negativity bias’.

A couple of weeks ago, I’d had a particularly challenging week, on top of the seemingly never-ending doom and gloom thrown at us all by the media.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

Out of the blue, I received a testimonial from one of my newer clients which stopped me in my tracks. It said: 'Just want to say I'm so grateful I have you, and that A's money is safeguarded through such a trusted person as yourself. I hear of so many people experiencing trauma over their pensions, some invested all their money in one place with worthless growth, deceit by non-credible people etc. A trustworthy financial advisor is priceless (as it states in the book you gifted), assuring its long-term health.

Money makes me anxious, it always has, so I say, ‘thank you’ Raj.' My mood and confidence were totally transformed. This got me thinking about how good it would be if the media were to focus on more positive stories. Perhaps I could make a change in my own small

part of the world and to the people around me who I see and interact with on a regular basis?

Receiving that testimonial lifted my spirits so perhaps I could do something similar for someone else, while boosting their income at the same time?

Let’s face it, many businesses will have taken a financial battering over the last three or four months and could use some positive focus now.

In fact, according to one study, (on bigcommerce.com) the regular use of testimonials was proven to generate roughly 62 per cent more revenue, not only from every customer but from every time they visited a brand: “You're giving an opportunity to let regular customers become brand advocates, which does more in terms of building trust, credibility, and emotion than

you could ever do on your own.”

So, my question to fellow business owners is how are you going ensure your customers know how good you are and perhaps how you have helped your existing customers throughout lockdown?

There’s no harm in asking for a testimonial from a supplier you continued to pay during lockdown – and who could you, in turn, do a testimonial for?

And don’t forget to share your testimonials. They are fantastic for both your business and your own confidence.

Raj Shah is founder of Blue Wealth capital and has been shortlisted for Financial Planner of the Year and Investment Adviser of the Year. www.bluewealthcapital.com

17

Legal Insight.

Business Instinct.

With a client base and heritage of commercial lawyers combine local business and sector knowledge with legal expertise to deliver a quality client service.

Business Law Partners: Charles B Neal, Alex Ross and Matthew Rodgers

Trusted by generations.

18

0114 249 5969 legals@bellbuxton.co.uk www.bellbuxton.co.uk

where all Partners are recommended by the Legal 500.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

LEGAL MATTERS

BY CHARLOTTE HIGGINS, BELL & BUXTON

The company and commercial solicitor advises on changes to the furlough scheme

FLEXIFURLOUGH: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Chancellor has announced changes to the furlough leave scheme, which will be implemented on 1 July.

There are a raft of new changes, which may be hard to get your head around.

Many of the changes have been regarded as confusing in recent press reports, so here is what you need to know.

Phased return to work As it stands at present, employees cannot work for the same company while on furlough leave.

These changes will see employees returning to work on a part-time basis, and at the same time, being able to access the furlough scheme.

It is up to the employer how many hours the employee works, and the employer must pay the employee in full

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

for the hours worked. The Government will then pay up to 80 per cent, up to a cap of £2,500, for the hours the employee is unable to work.

The time frame for being enrolled on the furlough scheme has passed The furlough scheme is closing to new entrants on 30 June.

This means that employees must have agreed and been placed on furlough leave by 10 June. This is because furlough leave must be for a minimum of three consecutive weeks.

Three-week rule change Initially, employees had to be placed on furlough leave for a minimum period of three weeks, but from 1 July, there will be no limit to the amount of time the employee can be furloughed for.

Claim period Although there is no minimum furlough period after 1 July, the minimum HMRC claim period that employees can claim for is seven calendar days. This means that employers cannot make claims that cross calendar months, any claim period must start and end within the same calendar month.

From August 2020, furlough will be phased out, here’s how: • From August: the government will pay 80 per cent of wages of furloughed staff capped at £2,500 – employers will have to pay employer NICs and pension contributions for the hours the employee does not work.

• From September: the government will pay 70 per cent of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the

employee does not work – employers will pay 10 per cent of wages (up to £312.50 per furloughed worker) to make up 80 per cent total up to a cap of £2,500 plus employer NICs and pension contributions for hours not worked.

• From October: the government will pay 60 per cent of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee does not work – employers will pay 20 per cent of wages (up to £625 per furloughed worker) to make up 80 per cent total up to a cap of £2,500 and pay employer NICs and pension contributions for hours not worked.

Should you require any further advice in relation to flexi-furlough, please contact Charlotte Higgins on 0114 249 5969.

19

FORM NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND BECOME A BETTER LEADER We are excited to announce the first unLTD Leaders Forum, hosted by Bell & Buxton Solicitors Join us via video conference on July 16th at 11:30am where you will receive expert advice, share your own experiences and hear the challenges, successes and best practices from a group of selected senior SCR business leaders, directors and managers.

With a relaxed but mediated format, the unLTD Leaders Forum gives members a unique opportunity to benefit from the experiences and skills of the group, whose only agenda is to help and support each other. It provides space to work on their businesses rather than in them.

Spaces are limited, so please let us know as early as possible if you would like to take part.

PLEASE CONTACT DAN@UNLTDBUSINESS.COM TO REGISTER AND FOR FURTHER DETAILS

WE SPECIALISE IN DESIGNING, INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING BESPOKE ENERGY-EFFICIENT SYSTEMS FOR HEATING AND COOLING, COMMERCIAL PLUMBING AND VENTILATION Thanks to our trusted expertise in mechanical services and maintenance and top quality equipment, we’ll create the perfect environment for you.

BESPOKE DESIGN

MECHANICAL INSTALLATION

MAINTENANCE SERVICES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

E team@airmaster.uk.com T 0114 2889911 www.airmaster.uk.com unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

ENTREPRENEURSUPPORT

BY LAUREN BRADY, HELPING ENTREPRENEURS WIN

Our columnist asks: Is your money mindset holding your business back?

MOTIVATING YOUR ‘MONEY MINDSET’ One of the key objectives for any entrepreneur is to create profit within their business – for most, it is the priority they place at the top of the list.

What we then do with this profit is very personal, whether that be to reinvest and grow your business, for personal gain in our lifestyle choices, or maybe the driving factor behind profit is to do good in the world and give back.

Your relationship with money will have a huge impact on how the story of profit and loss will play out.

Often overlooked, the way you perceive money will influence how you spend, save, invest, transact, sell, and every other element of your business from start to finish.

What is apparent is that our goals and desires are not always matched to belief systems, and intentions are not matched with behaviours.

For example, a turnover goal

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

of £100,000 per annum but your belief system and internal dialogue is full of doubt screaming ‘how is this even possible?’

Then add in a work ethic that in the real world would not command a £25,000 salary, and we know that our money mindset can be the anchor holding us back to a point in business we are desperate to move away from.

What can you do about this?

As always, we want you to start with awareness – if you are in a dark room, let’s get the lights on and look at the reality!

If nothing changes, then nothing changes. If you want a different outcome, you need to do something you have not already done.

Identify the blockages: Where are yours?

It's popular and easy to look externally first. Any good plumbers in the trade will

1

tell you if the problem were clear to see on the outside you wouldn’t need them. It’s almost always an inside job. It starts with YOU! Influences: Think of the band Wet, Wet, Wet here – it’s not always that the ‘Love is All Around’ (under 25s, you may want to Google that one, it’s a belter of a ballad!). But money influences are always around us and when we turn the lights on in the dark room, we need to look at who, what, when and where our financial mindset is being influenced by. Start with your parents, partner, investors, friends, and business network.

Are you consciously aware of how your mindset is being shaped? And is this helping or hindering your business?

2

Habits and Routines: Do you spend or save?

Do you walk confidently into

3

your accountant’s office or hide from them? Do you invest to grow, or do you hoard out of fear and scarcity? Ninety per cent of our daily decisions are made subconsciously, and it is the accumulation of these decisions that power our business outcomes. Check your habits, track them, look at what needs to stay and what needs to go.

Here at HEW we are incredibly passionate about wealth creation – it is our third pillar and you can find a huge amount of help in this area through our resources.

We would love to have you on this journey with us and have webinars and workshop spaces available this month.

Get in touch today and start the work on your money mindset that is required to make your dreams a reality.

It all starts with you! helpingentrepreneurswin.com

21

A E H

The most important variable of any business, any venture and any goal is you, the driver and the executor of your vision.

CONTACT US NOW FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION CALL

#YOU F

T

L

We work from the foundations up to create successful and sustainable results with happy and healthy business owners.

W EA

COACHING CENTRED ON PUTTING #YOUFIRST

H

HELPINGENTREPRENEURSWIN.COM

HEALTH

LTH

Emotional Awareness Mental Wellbeing Diet and Nutrition Exercise and Fitness

EXCELLENCE Mindset Self Awareness Behaviours and Actions Growth

E

LL

FIRST

ENCE

Sleep and Rest

E

C X

WEALTH Business Entrepreneurship Goals and Fulfilment Money Management Income and Finance

Award-Winning Digital Marketing, Web Development & Digital Design Contact Our Team For Help Growing Your Business Online www. evoluted.net

info@evoluted.net

0114 272 9753

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

AGENDA

EVOLVING TECHNOLOGY

BY ASH YOUNG

Our tech expert with your ‘best chance of converting qualified customers’

TOP TIPS FOR CONVERTING YOUR GOOGLE ADS Effective at driving qualified traffic, Google Ads are one of the most popular ways to generate sales and leads. Having a profitable campaign takes many components, so here are my top tips on how to give yourself the best chance of converting qualified customers.

Build a relevant landing page Many make the mistake of overlooking the importance of where the user clicks through to. Your successful advert might bring a potential customer to your website, but that page needs to convert the lead.

Optimise your landing page with: • Consistent messaging that matches your keywords and ad copy. Include a clear page heading that aligns to the ad message and repeat

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

• • • •

ad copy, encouraging the visitor to stay with you.

Clear, clickable call to actions.

A high-quality user experience and a fast pageloading speed.

A clean design that oozes professionalism, helping to build trust.

Concise, persuasive copy that communicates the value of your product or service.

Use every relevant ad extension Focusing on your ad headlines and descriptions is undoubtedly important, but don’t forget about all the ad extensions, too.

There are a wide range of extensions that can help to boost your conversion rate when you implement them: • Sitelink – additional links to other unique landing pages they may find interesting.

• Callout – extra opportunity to include benefits such as, ‘Free UK Delivery’.

• Structured snippet – more information about mentioned features.

• Call – click-to-call phone number.

• Lead form – allows the user to provide their contact details directly through the ad.

• Message – allows the user to click-to-text your business directly.

• Location – if you have a physical store, this will pull in your address location.

• App – link directly to your mobile or tablet app.

• Price – show a range of prices for different goods and services.

Google remarketing ads Not everyone will make a purchase the first time they land on your site – but that

doesn’t mean they’re not interested and not going to in the future.

Google remarketing ads are adverts across Google’s network, to people who have previously visited your website. Remarketing ads help to get them back on your website and increases the odds that they’ll convert and buy your product or service.

Set up conversion tracking How do you measure the effectiveness of your ad adjustments? That’s very difficult without conversion tracking. Once you’ve set this up, you can monitor which changes are improving your conversion rate, and which have hindered overall performance, so you can make further changes.

For help setting up Google Ads campaigns, contact the Evoluted team today.

25

Albion can help support the reopening of your venue, office or workplace The customisable mobile social distancing screen provides flexibility and adaptation where others don’t. The high end fully welded powder coated frame can be adjusted to fit screen sizes of 1520mm x 1050mm.

Provided with your company logo it will ensure the mobile screen can be used again and again during and post pandemic for brand exposure.

“At the Castle Inn Bradway we needed a prompt, efficient and tailor-made service providing protective screening for our busy gastro pub. Albion Detection Systems delivered, providing an excellent product which will keep our customers and staff safe, both for current collections and deliveries and for when we open our pub doors again. The screens ensure social distancing measures are met and their specification means that they can be used once these are no longer enforced, so saving plastic waste. Highly recommended.”

Jack Baker, Castle Inn, Bradway

Fire Protection | Security Systems | Emergency Lighting | Assisted Living

26

For further details, contact Mark on 0114 236 9640 or visit www.albion-detection.co.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

BUSINESS RECOVERY

DARE TO DREAM

Future Life Wealth Management MD Jill Thomas says the Sheffield City Region must work as a team to rise to recovery post COVID-19 – because ‘dreams are training for reality’ With lockdown easing and businesses planning for recovery, this is a new world and we need to think differently.

I was one of very few people in the area to call the fall in the economy – I predicted between -15 and -20 and it’s -20. Initially I thought that dip would be between six and 12 months, I now think it’s more likely to last 12-18 months.

The government has given immunity to job losses during furlough and on the other side the business community will struggle – there will be redundancies, especially in July and August when businesses must start paying towards furlough. Looking ahead to business recovery, many companies will be currently going through the jobs at risk process.

But as a region we can’t roll over and accept all the negativity – we’re heading towards this together and must form a team to get us through and out the other side.

We must be proactive to ensure we get our market

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

share. Sterling is still low compared to before the EU referendum in 2016. We need to grasp that and promote our region’s products and services.

Made in Sheffield / Yorkshire / Great Britain are still iconic brands – we must now elevate them even further.

We need to take the baton the NHS has so wonderfully carried throughout this medical emergency and step up to the mark and take over as business people. We’ve got to dare to dream because dreams are training for reality.

The online ‘click economy’ – which I mentioned in my previous unLTD article – we’ve been forced into during COVID has been detrimental to local business. We’ve got to start spending locally again, it’s essential we support businesses that supported us.

My local shop, for example, delivered food seven miles over their city limit to my mum when I was unable to drop it off for her – it’s those acts of kindness that need rewarding by us all.

Our local high street has reopened so we’ve got to encourage people to spend money in South Yorkshire shops to make businesses robust and keep jobs in the region.

It’s really important businesses re-forecast cash flow plans and are realistic.

People think there’s going to be no change – there will be, and it will be significant. At Future Life, we’ve gone to businesses and said: ‘Give us your worstcase scenario and we’ll help you through it’.

Pension pots are an area of our industry people might not think of first off, but they can be invaluable. It’s a complex

area and not readily available for all businesses, but in certain circumstances they can be absolutely beneficial and I’m proud to say we’ve already helped save jobs using this pensions fund methodology where other avenues couldn’t.

The other issue is pride which – as the old saying goes – comes before a fall. Businesses cannot be too proud because it’s not failing, COVID-19 has created a set of circumstances that have absolutely ‘knocked our duck off’ – as the local saying goes! – and there is no harm in saying ‘I’ve got a problem’.

While this is a new world, it also feels like 10 years ago when I started a business – it’s frightening, the highs are high, and the lows are low but it all about managing emotions.

You get a knock and think the worst is coming, but then along comes a high and success.

It’s finding that line through the middle that will be crucial – I know the Sheffield City Region business community can work as a team to weave our way through.

27

TECHNOLOGY

E C N E DEF AGAINST THE DARK WEB

With the surge of home workers connecting to a remote system via the internet, cyber-attacks are becoming even more of a problem. Chris Barr, technical director at CT Ltd, looks at the security risks posed by the dark web and the steps businesses can take to protect their data At CT we have noticed a marked increase in the number of customers requesting a ‘dark web’ scan. Whilst some people may already know what the ‘dark web’ is, we wanted to make sure all organisations understand the security risks posed by the dark web, why the scans are important and how simple steps can be taken to prevent business data reaching it in the first place.

The dark web is a ‘hidden version’ of the web you already know and use, which requires its own browser (and typically a VPN) to access. It contains a range of websites that have forums, communications tools, online stores and more, similar to how the surface net does. The dark web websites usually end in .onion. To access them, you need to download a special browser called Tor and use its associated search engine, DuckDuckGo. However, the creators and

28

CT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, CHRIS BARR

users of these sites want to remain anonymous. There are, of course, legitimate uses for the dark web, but its anonymity also makes it a haven for criminal activity.

The sites that most often concern businesses are those

that sell stolen data, such as passwords, credit card information, social security numbers and other sensitive information. Most of the data that gets lost or stolen in data breaches ends up on dark web marketplaces where criminals

can purchase it. Criminals may use this information to make fraudulent purchases, access your accounts and potentially get into your network to steal more data and cause further damage. It’s crucial that businesses, employees and consumers take steps to protect their data from ending up on the dark web.

There have been some major security breaches in recent times including LinkedIn who fell victim to leaking user data in 2012 and 2016. In 2012 the company announced that 6.5 million passwords were stolen by attackers and posted onto a Russian hacker forum on the dark web. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that the full extent of the incident was revealed.

The same hacker selling MySpace’s data (another major breach) was found to be offering the email addresses and passwords of around 165 million LinkedIn users for just 5 bitcoins (around $2,000 at the time).

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

TECHNOLOGY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Dark web scans can help see if your data is for sale. These scans check the marketplaces that the company conducting the scan is aware of, but they can’t scan the entire dark web because of its scale and the fact that there may be private exchanges between parties on the dark web that they can’t access. BUT the sooner you find out that your information is on the dark web, the faster you can act to protect your assets and prevent any further security breaches.

How Can You Prevent Your Information From Ending up on the Dark Web? Create a Cybersecurity Plan Preventing a data breach starts with planning. Create a plan for assessing your cybersecurity posture, monitoring for threats and recovering should an incident occur. As part of your planning, determine which data you need to protect the most and consider which regulations you need to comply with.

1

Provide Cybersecurity Training A significant amount of data breaches are caused by human error, so it’s critical to train your employees on cybersecurity

2

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

best practices. Offer training on how to recognise phishing scams, how to effectively use passwords and how to handle sensitive data properly. Provide this training to all employees who could potentially accidentally reveal data.

Follow Password Best Practices Always use best practises for passwords and be certain employees do as well. Ensure passwords are at least eight characters long and contain letters, numbers and symbols.

You can also use a password manager to help you create and remember complex passwords. Consider using multi-factor authentication, which requires employees to identify themselves in more than one way before granting them access to an account or device.

3

Dispose of Unneeded Sensitive Data Whenever you’re done with a dataset or with a device or document that contains sensitive data, be sure to dispose of it properly. Shred documents before recycling them and completely delete all data from electronic devices before getting rid of them.

4

Close Unused Accounts If you have accounts that you’re not using and don’t

5

plan to use in the future, close them to eliminate any risk they may carry. This includes accounts with third-party apps or services as well as user profiles on your computers and networks. If an employee leaves your company, get rid of their account to prevent them, as well as hackers, from using it.

Install a Firewall A firewall monitors and controls the traffic coming into and out of your network.

Installing one helps keep outsiders from accessing your network and can protect you from hackers who could steal your information and eventually put it up on the dark web.

6

Encrypt Your Data Encrypting your data transforms it into a code so that even if a bad actor accesses the data, they won’t be able to read it. Encrypt all sensitive data and install encryption tools on all your devices.

7

Conduct Penetration Testing Penetration testing involves checking your network for security weaknesses so you can identify them before hackers can. Regularly conducting penetrating testing helps you to improve your security posture continually and

8

prevents potential future attacks.

Monitor for Threats Set up a system for constantly monitoring for threats using anti-virus software, anti-spyware and other monitoring tools.

Continually checking for issues helps you to address them quickly, minimising damage and protecting your data.

9

Keep Everything Updated Be sure to keep all of your software, especially your security software, updated.

Software updates often contain bug fixes and security updates, so install any updates as soon as you can.

It’s crucial that you keep your own systems as secure as possible, but you also need to ensure that any third parties you work with also have proper security protocols and technologies in place, especially if these vendors have access to data about your company, employees or customers. Look for security credentials and information about companies’ data security practices.

10

Here at CT, we offer a range of cyber security solutions.

We can also provide dark web monitoring. To find out more, please contact our Sales Team at CT on 01246 266 130.

29

30

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

PRODUCT GUIDE

PRODUCT GUIDE WITH JAMES BIGGIN, STEEL CITY MD

SPONSOR ED BY WWW.S TEEL-CIT Y.CO.UK

JAMES’S PRODUCT OF THE MONTH: TURBO PRO FLYING DISK Throughout lockdown we have all spent more time at home or in the garden. Families have had to think of new ways to pass the time – some have learned new skills but most of us have probably been eating and drinking more than usual! So any product that will make life easier will be appreciated.

Sport is a huge part of mine and my family’s life and even though we have had to stop most of our normal activities, I have tried to get everyone exercising as much as possible. So, my product of the month is this letterboxfriendly branded gift that will keep the whole family moving. The Turbo Pro Flying Disk is made in the UK from recycled plastic and is fully recyclable so has some great eco credentials. It also has a quick five-day lead time, is available in eight vibrant stock colours and is digitally printed in full colour.

Bottle opener Spending more time at home and not visiting our usual bars or pubs means we all need at least one bottle opener handy. The Milo bar tool includes a bottle opener, corkscrew, and foil cutter. It can also be branded with your corporate logo or message, so you are bound to be remembered fondly.

Pizza cutter Who doesn’t love a pizza and a beverage when the sun is shining?

Whether you have a pizza oven in your garden or not, this neat, branded tool is the perfect business giveaway. It is a brandable pizza cutter and bottle opener in one – available in five colours.

Cooler Bag The Tonbridge Lunch Cooler Bag is the perfect option for those returning to work who need an easy way to carry food safely and hygienically (access to work fridges may be restricted). A branded cooler bag is ideal for socially distanced summer picnics where everyone will be bringing their own food.

It is a handy size with a carry handle, wipeclean fabric and comes in three colours with a large area for branding to promote your company.

STEEL CITY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PROMOTIONAL GIFT DISTRIBUTORS IN THE UK AND WE ARE STILL GOING STRONG TODAY! WWW.STEEL-CITY.CO.UK • TWITTER: @STEELCITYM • FACEBOOK: @STEELCITYMARKETING • INSTAGRAM: STEELCITYTHEDON

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

31

COVER STORY

AMPLIFYING.

ACCELERATING.

AMAZING. Aged 16, Razor CEO and co-founder Jamie Hinton built his first car in the summer holidays. Today, his tech company is working with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) whose members include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and McLaren Automotive. Jill Theobald caught up with Jamie to talk about how passion and practice grew Razor from a back-bedroom firm to winning a place on the AMRC’s million-pound digital framework – and the Sheffield City Region’s ‘humble brilliance’ pre and post-COVID 32

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COVER STORY

Amplifying. Accelerating.

Amazing. My chat with Jamie Hinton CEO and cofounder of Razor is peppered with positive words and expressions – his energy for his business, people-first technology, the digital and manufacturing industries, his family, and the Sheffield City Region (SCR) at large (past, present and very much future) is seemingly limitless.

But those are three particular words that crop up frequently.

We speak after Razor won a place on the AMRC’s millionpound digital framework to inspire innovation in British manufacturing. Selected as the front runner alongside two other digital consultancies, it means Razor can begin to forge the AMRC’s new digital vision.

Razor’s team of 27 work across tech sectors including

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

user experience and design thinking data, analytics and machine learning, AI, web applications and software development and much more – and all at what Jamie and the company call the ‘bleeding edge’ of technology.

The ‘acceleration’ aspect is right there in their Razor Sprint, which is all about ‘faster solutions and maximum potential’ and designed to get organisations moving forward – because ‘today’s digital economy is all about speed’.

“One of the key things I have to emphasize – we do AI, automation and machine learning but we’re always about amplifying what people can do, not replacing them. It’s about taking away mundane things that are not the best thing for a human being to be

doing for their mental health.

They should be doing things that are forward-moving, so we’re supercharging what businesses can do. It’s almost like a bionic suit – we want to make you superhuman!”

There are other words that crop up in our chat, too – namely ‘passion’ and ‘practice’ – because the Razor team have certainly put in the time, dedication, and commitment.

“People who say that Razor is an overnight success – it’s been ten years in the making!” laughs Jamie. “It’s been a decade of hard work, graft and toil!”

But also “making cool things happen”, “having an amazing amount of fun” and creating “a place where people can’t wait to come to work.”

Oh, and building a legacy with the Razor Cause, which

is “all about tomorrow and a legacy for the city and region’s future.”

But first, let’s go back to the beginning.

“I’m Sheffield born and bred. I love this place. I was born in Jessop’s and my children were, too – but the newer version!

“As an undergraduate at University of Sheffield I studied Music Technology – in 1997 I was in the Young Jazz Musician Of The Year finals, I got to play with Ronnie Scott Band and Supertramp and had record deals making house and dance music! I was interviewed by (record label owner, broadcaster and nightclub manager) Tony Wilson at the finals – he was pretty cool and invited me to go and see the Chemical Brothers, it was bonkers!

33

More than a PR agency PR Creative Social Media Motion Graphics Websites & SEO Video

Unit 1A Speedwell Works, Sidney Street, Sheffield S1 4RG Call: 0114 252 7760 Email: hey@hrmedia.org.uk

hrmedia.org.uk

COVER STORY “My parents were very keen for us to have a broad education, ‘doing what you love’, and music was important for creativity and expressing yourself.”

Jamie chose the alto sax (“I heard Baker Street on the Mars Bar advert and said I need to play THAT!”) and this early passion taught him a lifelong lesson.

“If it’s what you want to do you will really give it your all – that’s where I learned not giving up. There was one degree module which was about multi-media and programming and I loved it – I thought ‘This is it for me!’"

And then there was the car. “You’re 16 so what are you going to do in summer holidays – build a car! That’s the mindset I was brought up with – if you put your mind to it, you can achieve almost anything.

“There was lots of physical tech going on at the time, as well as digital technology, and I could just tell that creating something was what I wanted to do – learning to bring these different worlds together.”

Jamie’s focus came from then-partner, now-wife Katy – “she’s always been my grounding for my crazy schemes!” he laughs. After a few years of record deals, Katy spotted the post-grad course that would become Jamie’s next drive.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

“She found this ‘Multimedia and the Internet’ MSc at Sheffield Hallam and it sounded amazing – I was ignited.”

Further ignition was to follow in his first job in 2005 when he joined Technophobia, then a big web agency in Sheffield, as a junior uploader.

“You find that passion, and it’s ‘I’ve found my groove, I’ve found my purpose in life!’ I’d not had a ‘proper’ job before – I was interviewed for Ministry of Sound radio station for record of the week while pushing trollies outside Sainsbury's! – but hadn’t found my true cause. When I got to

If it’s what you want to do you will really give it your all – that’s where I learned not giving up.

Technophobia it was – ‘I am alive, this is my niche.’

“It was the transactional stuff we were building for clients that really mattered to me because it transformed the way people worked. That combination of people and technology, and how it touches lives and changes things for the better, was incredible.”

But Jamie still had passion to spare in his spare time – and started working on the website of Rails of Sheffield model shop, which turned out to be the first-ever customer for what would become Razor.

“I went in, after my Dad introduced me to the owner who was a friend, and said: ‘Show me what you’ve got’. I was very confident while in my head thinking ‘holy shit!’” he laughs. “We shook on it, I walked out and got my Nokia N95 out and was on Amazon buying many books. They totally believed in me and I just spent 9-5 practicing, practicing, practicing at Technophobia and then, after having tea with Katy, I’d work on Rails of Sheffield until 10 pm, every day – absolute purposeful practice.

“They trusted me and I delivered – their business grew 40 per cent year on year, they let me automate everything.

It was a great learning ground.”

Meanwhile at Technophobia Jamie worked up to head of development on major brands, including Coop Bank, Alfa Romeo, and Dyson.

35

COVER STORY “Technophobia was amazing and the culture there – I’ve said this before about Sheffield’s humble brilliance! These people, who are so amazing at what they do but they don’t shout about it. Incredibly talented people who could make magic happen and prove you don’t need to be in London, it’s happening here.

“It was pure practice, but really cool difficult stuff. I’m really proud of the heritage because the company (Razor, then known as Curly Web) started in my bedroom, and got big enough while still doing my day job.

“There was always this view that this is where my future is.

I just needed a vessel. I wanted to take the essence of what I’d learned and make it hyperfocused; make amazing things happen, create a place where people can’t wait to come to work – people are the business and people make cool things happen.

“Steve Trotter was a senior project manager at Technophobia and he and I are such a good fit, he’s the yin to my yang. We co-founded (the full-time proper business) Curly Web, employed our first person and started at Sheffield Technology Parks (STP) in December 2013.”

But with a name change to Razor Jam – ‘Razor’ because cutting edge and ‘Jam’ because of the applied science.

“STP’s Tom Wolfenden – an

amazing guy, so supportive – enabled us to grow and flex. We then moved into the Workstation before Speedwell Works, where we are now, which was a real ‘wow, we’ve arrived!’ moment.

“We grew and attracted staff through defining our purpose – what we’re going to do and what we’re not, and sticking to that. I’m glad I ignored early advice of ‘just take anything’. It didn’t sit right with me – if we are not bothered about the project and say yes, what are we saying no to? And we deliver on what we say we’ll do – there’s a huge level of integrity there, our reputation precedes us, and we care about the people we work with and that attracts like-minded people.

“Along that great journey, we got an NED, Julian Kynaston who is a fantastic marketeer – we love tech but we’re not very good articulating ourselves! He told us to drop the Jam part of the name, and helped us grow to where we are now.”

Which is winning that place on the AMRC digital framework – but this, too, was no overnight success story.

“Our AMRC journey started two and a half years ago if not longer. I was blown away by my first visit to Factory 2050 – everyone is so Sheffield City Region. AMRC is Rotherham and we shouldn’t forget that, we’re all in this together. It’s all Sheffield, Rotherham and PHOTO: HARWORTH GROUP

THE AMRC FACILITY IN ROTHERHAM

36

We grew and attracted staff through defining our purpose – what we’re going to do and what we’re not and sticking to that.

Doncaster and Barnsley – it’s all Sheffield City Region.

“That SCR feel – it’s a cultural fit, a friendliness, an openness, it’s ‘I’m bloody smart but I don’t shove it down your throat’. And that’s what I found at the AMRC – plus a car being made by a robot! The excitement was palpable, and everyone bounced off that.

“I met Rab (Scott – head of digital) and we struck off in a really good way and fostered a relationship with all of the senior people, the developers and engineers as well, that whole friendly engagement thing.

“When I first met Steve Foxley (AMRC executive director) I didn’t know who he was! That’s how he fits in so well with the AMRC and the humble brilliance. I was in the coffee area at Factory 2050 and we just started chatting – I was later told he’s the new CEO! “Our values were really aligned – again, it’s about ‘bring us a problem and we’ll work it out’ not just ‘make us that thing!’

“We basically put ourselves forward and said: ‘whatever we can do, we want to help’.

A lot of people might expect ‘here’s a project, here’s loads of money’ – we weren’t like that, we looked at the greater cause and asked what can we do? We were always engaging with them and exploring connections. Sometimes you’ve got to give to get.”

Razor pitched for a project, which they didn’t get – but the ‘never give up’ lesson won out.

“That’s okay! Some agencies gave up, but we kept going back – how else can we help, share knowledge?”

It meant Razor were ‘front of mind’ for a major aerospace project.

“Because the machine learning we do is about amplifying a task, or making decision-making faster, this project was a real sweet spot.

They had made this prototype to help understand internal defects in a jet engine blade and engaged us to make it faster and production ready. A lot of digital companies would

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COVER STORY not have been able to, but we immerse ourselves, we get under the skin, so we do these discovery processes.

“We worked in total collaboration with these guys to make this process work in under 15 minutes. We ended up making it work in under two, and they were part of the process – it’s always people first.

It’s hardcore technology, but with a full-on human element.

None of this technology means anything unless a human being interacts with it, takes it forward.

“The AMRC put a lot of faith in us and trusted us and we delivered, and actually smashed it out if the park. The team here, the passion was immense and we’re so proud of that project.”

And the AMRC digital framework aligns perfectly with Razor’s Cause.

“Our Cause won’t be achieved in my lifetime or my kids’, but it really resonates and gets people’s emotions going. It’s about making a future here, making manufacturing better, making digital something that we’re proud of. Making a digital product with the Sheffield and northern stamp. We’re proud of the brand on our cutlery, that’s what we need with the technology space.

“In this country we’re told to grow our GDP, productivity and output but how do we do that by engaging manufacturing with digital?

Lots of manufacturers come to the AMRC to learn to generate far-reaching innovations, and ask how to balance the digital side and run their operations – manufacturers can gain a big advantage by ensuring the back office is automated and engaging with tech.

“The digital framework was public, anyone could submit to it; we put every single bit of effort into winning it and we did.

“The initiative is to transform all processes, to make it a blueprint of Sheffield City Region manufacturing and digital. It’s got that stamp of the region and that’s what we’re so excited about.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

37

Your monthly guide to what’s on in Sheffield

DISTRIBUTED AT OVER 750 OUTLETS ACROSS THE CITY PICK UP YOUR COPY NOW

38

FOR ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CALL PHIL ON 0114 275 7709

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

COVER STORY

SCR ‘STOICISM AND SUCCESS’ DURING COVID-19 COVID-19 hasn’t stopped the acceleration for Razor – and it hasn’t dented the ‘humble brilliance’ of the Sheffield City Region spirit. Here Jamie shares his views on the pandemic, Razor, and the wider business community.

TECHNOLOGY “Change is inevitable – that’s part of our Razor Sprint.

You have to embrace and be willing to change. What’s happened in retail – some say it’s the impact of COVID, but it’s not, it’s just accelerated the inevitable.

“In the last 10 years tech has accelerated at a great rate of knots – back then, usability was everything, but that’s now a given – there’s no place for ugly experiences. It’s not tech putting people out of the businesses, but it’s shifting to the realisation that tech has created more jobs and high-value jobs.”

RECRUITMENT “It’s times like these that people’s strengths emerge. We were able to hire because we found people who have the exact qualities we need, who are able to adapt and innovate in the face of change.

“We have this concept of ‘I can’t teach you why, I can teach you how though’. We score and grade and focus on the positives – what are they great at? What do they have that you can build on and amplify?

“We look for that spark. We spot and unlock potential in people where you can see that flame light up in their eyes.

We’re growing a culture – we sprinkle some energizer and it accelerates. It’s that old business adage of: ‘hire great people and get out of their way’.”

WORKING LIFE “Our office space has always been about amazingly powerful laptops, workstations you can go anywhere with, free and collaborative spaces. We do a bit of remote working already, but COVID has pushed us to say ‘yes, this really does work’.

“However, it has also emphasised how important face-toface interaction is too – it has amplified the value. We don’t have to do it all the time, but when we do it’s very special.

There will be more of this type of interaction (Zoom), but technology-wise all of what we build starts with people.”

SCR BUSINESS COMMUNITY “It’s that resolve, that SCR grit – ‘no worries, we’ll get on’! Out of an adversity – like COVID – comes amazing things, when the human is pushed to create. The region has innovated in different ways and we’ve all gone local and helped each other out, which has been brilliant seeing that empathy for each other.

“For us, it’s opened up more conversations locally and nationally, which we might not have had; we’re combining forces. For example with Nick Cotton, of the Eroica Britannia event, we’ve spotted an opportunity to work together. Opportunities are springing out and it has brought us all together. It’s the stoic side of our region, which I love.”

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

39

Independent, impartial and honest As a small local business, we’re able to provide you with a level of service that other firms simply can’t. We take the time to get to know you and your business on a one-to-one basis with no obligation and no up-front fees, so you can make the best decision at your own pace.

Short Term Bridging Loans | Property Development Loans | Unsecured Business Loans Professional Practice Loans | Commercial Mortgages | Asset Leasing Contracts New Business Startup Support

For more details contact Jamie Baggaley for a free quote or to arrange a one-to-one meeting

Arrange a free no-obligation consultation today Call us on 07399 660 002 or 01709 805624 jamie.baggaley@jjcommercialfinance.co.uk

jjcommercialfinance.co.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

WIN

Remote working has become commonplace for many of us over the past few months – but it hasn’t been without its issues. unLTD spoke to Peter Kelly from Callwise about their fantastic competition to give away four months of their unique Voice over IP (VoIP) system to 10 lucky winners.

“During these unusual times, one of the most common issues we’ve picked up on from businesses adjusting to life in lockdown was that their work phones were unable to come into lockdown with them, as they were fixed to the office location.

“This meant that team

FOUR MONTHS OF VOIP WITH CALLWISE!

members couldn’t pick up the phone to customers from their usual desk phone or log in to their regular 0114 numbers – which can impact business massively.

“During this period, we’ve constantly helped businesses struggling to adjust to this new way of life – giving them the ability to work remotely with ease.

“We’ve launched this competition to raise awareness of how Voice over IP (VoIP) can benefit businesses working remotely. Moving over to a VoIP product, such as ours at Callwise, opens up plenty of opportunities for businesses trying to navigate the ‘new norm’ of working from home.

“For businesses, using VoIP means quicker reaction times if you do have to move your staff around or change office – such as in the current lockdown scenario. It ultimately allows your team to take their work phone numbers home with them to maintain all-important interaction with their contacts.

“VoIP comes in the form of an app – either on your mobile or as a desktop phone – which turns both needing someone in the office to answer inbound phone calls and maintaining a consistent work phone number into non-issues.

“Since lockdown began,

we’ve also integrated Microsoft Teams into the phone system – allowing for companies to use it freely as a means of communication.

“We always want to look after our customers at Callwise, so we offer our product contract-free so as to give everyone a chance to try VoIP without feeling tied down for a longer length of time. We also don’t use tiered pricing, as this allows all of our customers to access each and every feature for one set price.

“What’s most important to us is that we’re a Sheffield company and we’re producing our own software – it’s a bespoke, homegrown system and ideal for local businesses!”

How to enter: For your chance to win, email hello@callwise.com with your name, the name of your company and ‘unLTD’ in the subject line and you’ll be entered into the draw. 10 winners will be picked at random. Terms and conditions apply. Good luck!

Deadline for entries is Monday 31st August 2020, at 12 noon. Entrants must be 18 or over. Winners will be selected at random from all entries - UK entrants only. In the event of any dispute regarding the rules, conduct, results and all other matters relating to the competition, the decision of the judge(s) shall be final and no correspondence or discussion shall be entered into.

Give us a call: 0330 122 8415 Or email us: hello@callwise.com

callwise.com unLTDBUSINESS.COM

41

INTRODUCING

unLTD INTRODUCING… In a new unLTD feature, an established business leader turns the spotlight on an emerging entrepreneur they are mentoring or working with to discuss their work in a little more detail and explain why others should consider using their services.

In this first article, MD of Universal Office Products Steve Manley introduces Harry Bliss, founder of Champion Health, who Steve believes is the ‘next big thing in Sheffield’ – and Harry shares the moment he and the team knew they’d built ‘something special’ Introducing… Steve Manley I’m joint MD of Universal Office Products and was Sheffield Chamber of Commerce President 2018-19.

I took the Chamber President chains of office in 2018 on a mission to encourage young entrepreneurs. I became involved with non-profit organisation Young Enterprise as a student at Loxley College – I was the MD of our Young Enterprise company, an office supply firm and it’s how I got into what I’m doing now.

Just 10 months after pledging to support young entrepreneurs as Chamber President, I was thrilled to establish a national first with Sheffield College as we opened the Business and Enterprise Academy.

Through the Academy, I met hundreds of talented young people in our great city. However, Harry Bliss of Champion Health not only has an exceptional talent, but I truly believe he can make a significant contribution to people’s lives, both regionally and nationally.

In 2018 Harry lost a friend to suicide following an acute bout of workplace stress. Following this tragedy, Champion Health was galvanized to drive positive change, with services designed with this at the forefront.

They are already working with impressive blue-chip organisations and getting regular enquiries from well-known brands and I truly believe Harry and Champion Health will be the next big thing in Sheffield.

42

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

INTRODUCING Introducing … Harry Bliss, Founder Champion Health Tell the readers all about Champion Health We are workplace health and wellbeing specialists, focusing on all areas of wellbeing from mental wellbeing to musculoskeletal health. Our focus is on prevention and early intervention. Workplace health traditionally focuses on how to get people back to work after an absence. Our focus is on preventing health conditions occurring – or getting there very early – to offer proactive support.

Our intuitive online health assessment provides each employee with a personalised health report driven through algorithms. We then produce fully anonymised and confidential company health reports, from which businesses can make data-driven decisions.

This has been built by a mission-led team of world leading academics, GPs and technology professionals. As CEO and founder, I’m still the least qualified member of the team!

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I wanted to found Champion Health to deliver cost-effective and time-efficient workplace health solutions.

A true inspiration in my life is my mother, Ros, who has run Rosalind Watchorn Solicitors in Sheffield for over 26 years She set up the company while pregnant with me and worked incredibly hard to build jobs and prosperity in South Yorkshire. She is also a Champion Health director and provides me with a lot of brutally honest mentorship – as you’d expect a mum to do!

Share with us the company’s key milestone achievements to date • More than 400 organisations signed up to our platform • Direct feedback from at least four companies that we have saved an employee’s life • Partnered more than 35 leading UK organisations

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

• Helped thousands with mental wellbeing during COVID-19.

• Setting up UniHeads side venture – a student mental health platform.

What support have you had from the Sheffield City Region?

An incredible amount – from the Twinklhive through to the likes of Steve, we’ve been very fortunate in the expertise we’ve benefited from. I would love to be able to put back what I’ve been fortunate in receiving. We’re working with more than 35 companies in the city region so hopefully we’re repaying by optimising their employee wellbeing.

What sort of reaction have you had to Champion Health’s services?

Just after lockdown, we decided to make our Online Mental Health Training platform free. Although we’ve sacrificed revenue, it was the easiest decision I’ve made as CEO. Since then, we’ve signed up more

than 400 organisations and helped thousands of people.

My inbox is inundated with organisations thanking us, and even asking if they can pay us! Our team feel very fortunate to be here for people when they need it most.

Have you had to adapt Champion Health during COVID-19 and for the ‘new normal’ and if so how?

Pre COVID-19 we were operating in a very similar way – we have a remote workforce and allow our team to work the hours they choose. Low and behold, we get the best outcomes from them.

The only difference has been organisations’ approach to mental wellbeing and making a core part of our business free. Many companies have been talking about mental wellbeing for a long time without necessarily acting upon it. If there’s one positive factor from COVID-19, it’s that many have realised their people are the most important aspect of

their company, and action is being taken.

Proudest moment of your career so far?

The second organisation we worked with fed-back that we had saved an employee’s life – I broke down in tears.

It took over 12 months to build the platform, after going through more than 10,000 research papers, and I naturally experienced imposter syndrome and self-doubt, as almost every entrepreneur I’ve spoken to has. But that was the moment we knew we had built something special.

Where do you want Champion Health to be in 5 years?

My dream is to be the marketleading organisation for proactive workplace health solutions in the UK and globally. A specific target the team have is to reach 1 million users within the next five years. There is a lot of hard work to go, but I’m extremely fortunate to be surrounded with such an excellent team.

This is just the start...

43

PLAN. GROW. DO.

Modern Sales Training for B2B Businesses and Sales Professionals B2B Business Owners

B2B Sales Professionals B2B Sectors

10% discount for Plan Grow Do Online by using our exclusive discount code: PGDUNLTD Book today at: plangrowdo.com/product/plan-grow-do-online

rob@plangrowdo.com steve@plangrowdo.com www.plangrowdo.com 0114 349 9688 44

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

HELPING SMALLER BUSINESSES

ACHIEVE THEIR AMBITIONS Plan.Grow.Do.’s mission is to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions, during these difficult times more than ever. Here the expert trainers behind Plan.Grow.Do. – Steve Knapp of The Sales Mindset Coach and Rob Taylor of 0114 Marketing – share how their sales skills training could help ... and with an exclusive discount for unLTD readers, too!

At Plan.Grow.Do. towers we believe smaller businesses need help to achieve their ambitions at this most critical time.

Sales skills and sales planning in general will be such an important skill to develop as we start to return to the workplace and look to reignite our business endeavours.

We recognise that smaller businesses just do not have the sales skills they need, the time to dedicate to develop the skills or access to the key resources that make it possible for them to up their sales game that’s necessary in a modern selling world.

The modern selling world has changed It has accelerated and migrated to digital platforms with buyers now hiding behind laptops, tablets and computers.

Actually, 57 per cent of a buyer’s decision is made

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

before a seller is invited to ‘meet’ them – only when they are invited to meet them are they then expected to turn the switch and use those sales skills.

This means if they are not able to blend modern digital sales skills with traditional face-to-face sales skills, they are sadly more likely to fail as the industry moves forward.

This has nothing to do with the quality of a product or a service – but everything to do with the fact that there is no sales plan or sales skills to execute it.

Investing in sales skills Investing in sales skills is something smaller business owners just don’t do.

They learn on the job, maybe read a book or two and pick up bad habits that make them inefficient and ineffective when it comes to selling.

Moving forward, the key is to create a sales plan and

develop the skills that put their customer and their buying journey right at the centre of any sales activity.

The results will be the attracting of more clients they want to do business with, and they will achieve greater sales success.

Plan.Grow.Do. is a modern sales training methodology that is available online and a training programme that is designed to help smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.

In plain talking, it provides the platform for a small business owner to build the sales skills they need to connect with more of their ideal customers and,

importantly, in the way they will want to buy.

Quality Marked by One Awards With Quality Marked by One Awards the training is broken down into three chapters and then further broken down into 25 lessons.

Each lesson is supported by explainer videos, exercises and quizzes. When you pass you are officially certificated in the Plan.Grow.Do. methodology.

We estimate the training time to be in the region of 10 hours and learners have lifetime access to the materials.

Our training programme is priced affordably for the small business owner at only £97 Inc. VAT.

unLTD READERS CAN RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT ON BOOKING THE PLAN.GROW.DO ONLINE TRAINING COURSE BY USING THE CODE PGDUNLTD For full details and to book please visit plangrowdo.com/product/plan-grow-do-online

45

ADVERTORIAL

BROOK CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS General Manager Dom Brook tells unLTD about the recent successes their businesses consultancy has had with Sheffield Hallam University’s ScaleUp 360 programme Who are Brook Corporate Developments?

BCD are a business improvement consultancy based from The Business Village in Barnsley. Since its incorporation in 2008, BCD have helped support in excess of 1000 businesses across the UK with a specific emphasis on Sheffield City Region. We do this by providing specialist, experienced consultants which businesses may not have within their operation to help develop, improve grow and succeed.

What is ScaleUp 360?

ScaleUp 360 is a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programme providing tailored support to entrepreneurs and start-ups with the ambition and potential to scale up their business.

The ScaleUp 360 programme is delivered by an expert partnership led by Sheffield Hallam University, with The Business Village @BarnsleyBIC, Doncaster Chamber of Commerce and East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.

All support is fully funded and includes 1-2-1 specialist business advice, mentor support, workshops and access to investment opportunities.

Within this, BCD will be lead delivers for Lot A, providing

DOM BROOK

support in Strategy, Leadership, HR, And Health And Safety with BCD’s partners Irwin Mitchell LLP delivering legal support.

What does winning ScaleUp 360 mean to BCD? We are extremely proud, honoured and delighted to have been chosen by Sheffield Hallam University to deliver Lot A. We have an excellent partnership with Irwin Mitchell LLP to ensure we deliver a quality service with maximum results. Providing support to growing and ambitious businesses is at the heart of BCD and we are looking forward to being instrumental in the growth and development of the next generation of Sheffield City Region.

How do businesses access ScaleUp 360 Support?

Business can contact any member of the BCD team or log onto the ScaleUp 360 website and express their interest. One of the ScaleUp360 business advisors will then be in touch to discuss support packages. www.scaleup360.co.uk/Register

• Lean Implementation • Leadership and Management • Human Resource • Health and Safety • Sales and Marketing • International Trade • IT/Software Solutions We also help with minimising project costs by helping clients secure funding and access the support they need. This is from schemes such as Sheffield City Region Skills Bank, Manufacturing Growth Programme, West Yorkshire Consortium of Colleges and Enterprising Barnsley.

How else can BCD help?

Brook Corporate Development operates a multi-disciplinary approach, addressing issues affecting businesses, helping clients meet challenges and respond to opportunities.

My favourite thing about working for BCD… Since joining BCD in September 2019, it’s been great joining the family business to be involved in the next stage of its growth. It’s always been an ambition of mine to join BCD to implement new ideas and look at new growth avenues.

Seeing the potential of the business and designing the future of the Brook brand has to be my favourite thing. And also working alongside my dad, of course!

We provide services in the following areas: • Business Strategy • ISO Implementation

The three words that best describe my business are…

Focused, innovative and transforming.

E: enquiries@brookconsult.co.uk T: 01226 240435 W: www.brookconsult.co.uk

46

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SCR SKILLS BANK

MANAGING YOURSELF, OTHERS AND YOUR BUSINESS Sheffield City Region Skills Bank recognises the challenges businesses are facing as a result of COVID-19 and has launched new strands of the programme to help. In this first of a series of blogs for unLTD, the Skills Bank team share the newest support offers In these times of great uncertainty and change, many businesses are still getting used to new ways of working, communicating with staff, and ensuring colleagues are managing with the new stresses and challenges.

Sheffield City Region’s Skills Bank has recognised the challenges businesses are facing and in May launched two new strands of the programme.

In this first blog, we’ll take a look at one of these new strands, a suite of online training programmes for businesses who want to access training to support them through the challenges of COVID-19. We will also take a look at how Skills Bank’s team of expert advisors can help businesses access the right support.

One of the big challenges that many businesses have been facing is the mental and physical wellbeing of staff. We are living through unprecedented and troubling

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

times and so it is more important than ever that companies play close attention to their staff’s wellbeing.

Courses such as Introduction to Mindfulness at Work, Managing Yourself Through Difficult Times, and Mental Health Awareness – Working in Lockdown are designed for managers and employees who need to know the best way of managing their own mental health, and offering support to others.

During the recent Mental Health Week, research found 44 per cent of people feel more concerned about their mental health than usual, with further research finding that 83 per cent of people felt lockdown had made their pre-existing mental health conditions worse.

More than ever, it is vital that managers, employers and directors check in with staff and colleagues and ensure they are coping. The specially designed courses offered by Skills Bank will guide you and

others through the challenges and issues.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues and social distancing remains in place, the ability to manage individuals and teams remotely has become even more critical, with a need to keep staff engaged and informed, while accepting that traditional methods like faceto-face are no longer possible.

Managing Staff Remotely brings together the best of traditional management techniques adapted specifically for remote working. The course is designed to enable and equip people with the skills to be more effective leaders when managing teams and individuals without face-toface interactions.

The other side is the ‘difficult’ conversations with staff that managers need to have from time to time. That’s why Managing Difficult Conversations with Staff Remotely is an essential training course for employers,

HR directors and managers, allowing them to approach difficult situations more effectively and with increased confidence.

There are several more courses available and our second blog will look at growing the business and connecting with customers in new ways.

For further help, The Growth Hub’s team of skills and business advisors are working around the clock to help businesses navigate through this crisis – whether that’s with accessing training or understanding which government grant or scheme is the most relevant to their business.

Visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage for information on what support is available to your business, how to get help applying for government schemes, and what the latest announcements on topics such as furloughing staff means to you. www.skillsbankscr.co.uk

47

ADVERTORIAL

HELPING THE EMOTIONAL WELLBEING OF MILITARY FAMILIES DURING COVID-19 Sheffield Mind isn’t the only charity to be affected by COVID-19 but has been able to maintain and even increase its support to military families during lockdown. Keeping Families In Mind Coordinator Samantha Mulholland tells unLTD how they adapted Sheffield Mind’s Keeping Families in Mind service, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant fund trust, provides counselling and peer support groups to military families in South Yorkshire.

The local mental health charity offers therapies to parents, siblings, partners and other family members over the age of 18, who have been affected by their relative serving in the armed forces.

They also provide peer support groups for military families throughout South Yorkshire.

The groups give people the opportunity to meet and create relationships with others who may be experiencing similar life experiences and even learn a new skill.

However, due to lockdown Sheffield Mind had to halt face-to-face therapy and postpone peer support groups.

Despite that, the Keeping Families in Mind team were

48

able to offer alternative support and increase their offer of mental health support.

Therapists were able to quickly convert to offering therapy via telephone and Zoom and their peer support groups online to the group’s Facebook page.

Additionally, we were able to expand our offer of support with additional funding from the Armed Forces covenant.

We are now able to support families of veterans as well as families of currently serving personnel with counselling via telephone and Zoom and will convert back to face-to-face therapies when appropriate.

This funding also extended the service for an additional two years.

Despite this great expansion, we found some families were unable to focus on themselves during therapy as they were being impacted by COVID-19 and the impact it has had on veterans

themselves. In response to this, Sheffield Mind has secured additional funding to provide online counselling for the next five months to veterans to help them cope with the mental health impacts. This will allow veterans to receive support during COVID-19 and, in turn, support families.

Keeping Families in Mind has provided mental health support to military families for the last two years and has seen an increased need for this support for families and veterans, especially during COVID-19. Our trained counsellors are able to respond quickly, to offer support and a safe space to talk things through, so that family life isn’t even more disrupted.

Sheffield Mind has over 40 years’ experience of delivering support services to people in the city with mental health issues. Amongst the other services provided by

the charity are weekly peer support groups, a support and recovery service providing practical and emotional support to people in their homes, an extensive training programme, information, advice and support.

If you are an Armed Forces family member or veteran living in South Yorkshire and would like counselling or if you have any questions please contact Samantha on 0114 258 4489 or therapy@ sheffieldmind.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can visit Keeping Families in Mind’s social media: www.facebook. com/keepingfamiliesinmind or www.twitter.com/ KFiMSheffMind Keeping Families in Mind launched in July 2018 and full details of the service are available on the Sheffield Mind website: www.sheffieldmind.co.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

INSURANCE

SECURING YOUR ASSETS

BY SAM LEEDER

Our columnist on the challenges to consider for businesses returning to premises

REOPENING YOUR BUSINESS – THINGS TO CONSIDER Thankfully the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak seems to be behind us and lockdown restrictions are easing on a weekly basis. While this is obviously cause for celebration, it also gives rise to new business risks and more potential headaches for business owners and directors.

During the lockdown period, the vast majority of commercial insurers relaxed their normal policy conditions to ensure that cover continued to be provided for companies who were shut down for extended periods.

As lockdown is easing and many businesses are returning to their premises, likewise insurers are beginning to reimpose their standard policy conditions. Therefore for those businesses who choose not to return to their premises, or who are unable to do so due to the government’s continued restrictions, they must notify their insurance providers and

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

become familiar with any specific actions that must be taken to ensure that cover continues.

However, for those businesses who are now able to open – albeit with social distancing measures – there are a new set of challenges to consider.

As a company owner or director, you take on a duty of care not only to your customers and members of the public but also to your employees. What this crisis has highlighted is quite how onerous that duty of care can be.

The good news is that with a well-structured insurance programme you will be adequately protected – however, insurers will expect that you take all reasonable precautions to minimise the risks.

Health & Safety procedures you should be considering, particularly on the HSE website www.hse.go.uk What we would highlight is that you should undertake a full review of your risk assessments and safe systems of work to ensure that your employees, visitors and customers are kept as safe as possible during these difficult times.

This should consider whether work can be completed with safe social distancing and, if not, what safety measures you can put in place to mitigate any risk.

In addition, employees should undertake training to ensure they are operating within the required safe systems and are aware of their responsibilities to themselves and to others.

Health & Safety There is a significant amount of advice available for the

Review emergency procedures As part of the Health &

Safety review, also consider your emergency response procedures, with particular attention to what you would do if an outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in your workplace. Also consider your HR procedures and how you would deal with employees who may be affected by the virus.

Overall, the measures required to reopen your business are common sense and your insurers will work with you to provide cover while also urging you to act with care.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding either reopening or keeping your premises locked up, we’re always happy to help.

Sam Leeder ACII Actus Insurance samleeder@ actusinsurance.co.uk 0114 2903624 07718 189476

49

ADVERTORIAL

BARNSLEY COLLEGE STUDENTS ON A PATHWAY TO NEW BUSINESS SUCCESS Two enterprising Barnsley College students have used lockdown as a chance to start up their own businesses. Here the young entrepreneurs share more about their plans and the organisations supporting them on their new ventures Two Barnsley College students have launched new businesses with help from iTrust, a joint venture between the College, The Barnsley Chronicle and The Business Village @ BarnsleyBIC. iTrust supports students interested in starting up a business in Barnsley by offering them access to an array of information and guidance such as mentoring from industry specialists and local businesses and financial investments.

Shanna Greenall (19) is a Level 2 Hair and Beauty student and launched her business, Limitless Lashes, which sells vegan, faux mink lashes, during lockdown in May this year. She was awarded a grant of £250 to support her start-up.

Shanna said: “During lockdown, I started to think about starting my own business more seriously – the workshops at College really helped me

put my mind to it. Now I have launched Limitless Lashes, my grant will allow me to purchase my first bulk order of lashes, package them and also start my website.”

Level 3 Sport and Exercise Sciences student Luke Jones (19) was inspired to start his own business making custommade footwear after he wanted both himself and his shoes to stand out from the crowd. He has founded Sketch Customs with help from iTrust.

Luke said: “About a year ago I was looking to buy some new shoes and I really liked a particular pair, but I was put off by the fact that everyone

around me was wearing them.

“I started to search for different models of the shoe and found a picture of some that were custom-made and loved them so I started to look into how they were made – I found a website that stocked paints especially for leather so I ordered some, customised my own and started to wear them.

“I truly aspire to have my own business and I’m excited to see where it can go with the support of the Enterprise Team, the Prince’s Trust and my friends and family. I really feel that I

can make this a success.”

Barnsley College is rated outstanding by Ofsted. It has approximately 9,000 students and offers various programmes including vocational courses, A Levels, apprenticeships, technical courses (T Levels), part-time, and Higher Education courses.

See www.barnsley.ac.uk or www.barnsleysixthform college.co.uk for more information or contact Jess Widdowson: j.widdowson@barnsley.ac.uk.

It’s not too late to apply online to study with us in September.

For more information about any of our courses email info@ barnsley.ac.uk or visit www.barnsley.ac.uk.

LUKE JONES, FOUNDER OF SKETCH CUSTOMS

50

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SKILLS

SKILLS FOCUS

SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.

APPRENTICE HELPS COMPANY MOTOR THROUGH LOCKDOWN A Rotherham auto electrical company motored through lockdown by keeping key workers and the nation’s truckers on the road.

Family-run Maltby Auto Electrical Services Ltd (MAES) stayed open and ramped up its online warehouse division, Splitcharge.co.uk to ensure urgently-needed parts reached haulage and construction companies, teachers, NHS staff and other key workers.

MAES set up individual staff work stations and made PPE available to ensure a safe working environment.

The company was also able to keep its commitment to an apprentice it had planned to take on in March.

Seven weeks into lockdown, Hayley Barker, 18, joined the warehouse division as a customer service apprentice.

“We need Hayley because we are so busy. But also we strongly feel this year’s school and college-leavers deserve the chance to start careers,” said MAES finance director Ann Ogley, wife of MD Richard.

“We urge other local

THE SOURCE...

The 1-2-3 Support Package For Employers The 1-2-3 Support Package For Employers helps companies to boost their workforce by: Recruiting new apprentices from a talent pool of candidates developed by The Source, and accessing government cash incentives for the under 18s. Contact Kerry Cook on 07584 391445 kerry.cook@ thesourceacademy.co.uk.

1

HAYLEY BARKER,18, JOINED THE MAIN AUTO ELECTRICAL WAREHOUSE DIVISION AS A CUSTOMER SERVICE APPRENTICE IN LOCKDOWN

businesses to take up apprentices. It takes time to train someone, but the result is a worker who does the job exactly the way you need it done.

“Finding our apprentices’ interests and strengths, and working with them, has proved to be very good for our business.”

The Source Skills Academy recruited Hayley for MAES as a Level 2 customer service practitioner and will be overseeing her workplace learning.

It’s the second chance of a career for Hayley, who had planned to be an Army veterinary technician.

But 10 months into a college course in animal

management, she discovered her lifelong metabolic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) prevented her from going into the Forces.

She decided on a customer service career and contacted The Source.

Said Hayley: “They took time to understand what I was interested in and found me several apprenticeships to apply for. I jumped at a role with Maltby Auto Electrical but within days of being offered a position, the pandemic hit.

“It could have meant another career setback for me but they still took me on,” said Hayley. “I am so grateful for this opportunity.”

BUSINESS TRAINING AT THE SOURCE IS NOW ONLINE...

The Source is pleased to announce its building on Meadowhall Way will re-open to customers from July 1 - and will be fully compliant with all HSE guidance on Covid-19 and social distancing measures.

We plan to recommence conferencing facilities from July 4 unless there are any further changes to Government guidelines.

For conferencing facilities, contact roombookings@thesourceacademy.co.uk

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

STRAIGHT FROM

Upskilling their workers. The Source organises and tutors free accredited online training in more than 100 different subjects. Full funding is available for SMEs in the Sheffield City Region. Contact Vernon Tolson on 07793 308845 vernon.tolson@ thesourceacademy.co.uk3.

2

Matching companies with unemployed job seekers up-skilled and supported by The Source’s Online Steps to Work Programme.

Run by The Source’s specialist Community and Employability team, the programme gives free support to anyone unemployed and is now working with workers left jobless by the pandemic.

Applicants get help with English, maths and ICT skills, CV-writing and interview techniques and can study for work-based qualifications online with supportive tutors.

Call 0114 263 5691/ 0114 263 5644 or text 07584 391443.

3

51

SUCCESS STORY

SUCCESS STORY:

INOVINK LTD Inovink Ltd has been researching, patenting and licensing novel security technology for the banknote industry since 2004.

Jill Theobald caught up with the pair behind the firm to talk breakthroughs, becoming an international company and Sheffield’s ‘can do, let’s get on with it’ culture

52

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

SUCCESS STORY TELL ME A BIT ABOUT THE BUSINESS David Bedford: The business is me as managing director and commercial director Angus Ward, and we are based at The Innovation Centre in Sheffield – although we are currently working from home, of course, due to COVID-19.

Since 2004 Inovink has been researching, patenting and licensing ink technology for the banknote industry. We work with universities and manufacturers to develop ink additives and licence these products to organisations and companies in the industry including central banks, highsecurity printers and security ink manufacturers.

Our core expertise is machine-readable technology for banknotes, and we have grown our product portfolio over the years to include an extensive suite of about 30 patents, the most recent of which was granted in February this year.

Angus Ward: We are not manufacturers – we are a scientific research company that patents and then licenses its technology. Our customers buy our patented products under license directly from the manufacturers we work with or directly from our licensed suppliers. It is a unique, triangular commercial arrangement, but one that allows us to concentrate on the products themselves and which ensures the products remain very competitively priced.

HOW HAS IT DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS? David: We originally did the best part of ten years research with the University of Leeds and have also worked with Liverpool and Loughborough Universities, and, of course, FaraPack Polymers Ltd extensively since 2009, who are part of Sheffield University.

Angus: Our products are innovative, relevant and secure

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

WHAT ARE THE KEY MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS IN RECENT YEARS?

DAVID BEDFORD

but they are not burdened by large company overheads.

Central banks appreciate this.

David: Yes, with us supplying a licensed additive technology for inks, we say to customers there is no disruption to your supply chain – keep your existing suppliers, just add our feature as a component part to your existing system.

So we’re not disruptors in that way, although our technology is very disruptive in terms of what it does!

Angus: It is disruptive technology in that less security pigment is required, which is therefore cleaner and more environmentally friendly and our pigments are compatible with a much wider range of printing inks and print processes which provides banknote designers with more flexibility. Ultimately, we think Inovink’s products offer central banks more choice now and increased savings in banknote printing.

David: The great thing about being based in Sheffield is this very strong culture of ‘can do, let’s get on with it’ which has helped us develop and can be very rewarding.

There is a lot of support and innovation, particularly around the universities, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Sheffield Innovation Centre.

The Universities have got

ANGUS WARD

great ideas, but also recognise these ideas have got to be commercial. That is where we come in to take that idea and make it a commercial product for our industry.

David: The fact that we have patents granted all around the world has been a major achievement. This proved Inovink was developing really innovative technology that was not pie in the sky. Our products have been taken by central banks, put through years of rigorous testing and then used on currencies. That is a big endorsement. Now our technology is used on over 25 billion banknotes worldwide.

When we started out in 2004, we had no pedigree and you cannot cold call a central bank! So you better make damn sure your technology is good. Ours is – and it is now a proven technology.

WHAT PROJECTS, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS PRODUCTS, OR SERVICES FOR THE FUTURE TO DRIVE HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY FURTHER SUCCESS? SUCCESSFUL? Angus: To build on our current Angus: Right now, central banks use our features and obviously our intention is to grow our customer base internationally. Through working with our development partners, we have just had a new patent granted in February for an invisible machine-readable feature. We have also recently launched BioNote® Organic Banknote Protection which is our antimicrobial feature. BioNote works in an innovative and sustainable way using nature’s ability to keep surfaces clean, it is a new science for the banknote industry and very different to current antibacterial products.

David: Our new patent is an improvement to our existing technology which now produces a clear or invisible machine-readable feature, a world first. Central banks around the world are already showing interest as it is seen as a significant breakthrough in the industry, of which we are very proud.

success with extensive R&D, engaging with our partners and product developers and keeping focussed on what makes our products better.

R&D is a long, expensive and complex process – coming up with an idea, researching it and commercialising it into an industry specific product can take five years in development before a banknote security feature gets adopted.

David: Despite significant up-front development costs, the rewards for Inovink are long term contracts with our customers, commercial partners and suppliers.

Once a feature is specified on a banknote design, the specification may not change for the next ten to 15 years.

Banknote printing is a competitive and interdependent industry with significant barriers to entry, but thanks to Inovink’s innovation we have developed products that our customers want and will continue to do so.

53

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

BUSINESS POST LOCKDOWN

TROUBLESHOOTING

BY PAT ABEL, CORPORATE FINANCE PARTNER AT HART SHAW

Pat says ‘tired’ firms must consider all options post-lockdown before shutting down

POST LOCKDOWN STRATEGIES ALTERNATIVES TO BUSINESS CLOSURE While we are not yet fully out of lockdown, what is becoming increasingly apparent is there are a growing number of business owners that are ‘tired’ and therefore have decided to close their businesses rather than carry on as we emerge from it.

At Hart Shaw, we have already helped a number of business owners to restructure their businesses, as the furlough scheme changes start to have an impact. We provide the full spectrum of services you would expect from a large regional independent accountancy practice, including both corporate recovery and corporate finance.

So when we get owners approaching us saying they have decided to close their businesses down, the first thing we do is look at the scenario and see if there is a business that could be saved rather than being liquidated.

Clearly, we could always go straight into the liquidation process, but that might not be the best or indeed right solution for the various

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

stakeholders (creditors, employees, suppliers, customers, shareholders).

In a solvent liquidation – where the shareholders have decided to close the business and it has more assets than liabilities – they are obliged to pay off all creditors, including contingent liabilities such as redundancies payments, notice payments, leases etc.

In an insolvent situation – where the business has more liabilities than assets and/or cannot pay its debts as they fall due – then the government pays for the redundancy costs (within statutory limits) and the liquidator endeavours to sell off the business’s assets and uses those to pay off creditors in proportion to their liabilities. Such distributions to creditors are made after paying the liquidator’s fees and any secured creditors such as bank loans that are secured by debentures/mortgages.

As you can see from the two examples, where a business is solvent, it often make sense to try to find a buyer for the business rather than liquidate

it, as the shareholders should realise more than if they had liquidated it. Redundancies and employment related payments can run into the hundreds of thousands, in some cases millions, of pounds. Therefore, selling the business has two key benefits – it protects the jobs for the employees, and it reduces the liabilities, meaning the shareholders receive more when liquidating any residual assets.

In some cases, we have helped organise a management buy-out, which means some of the staff, usually senior or middle management, buy the shares from the current shareholder(s) or we look for a trade buyer.

Where the business has a property, we can organise a reconstruction so that the property can be extracted, and the trading business continues to operate the property on a lease. The existing shareholders retain the value of the property and therefore either continue to receive rent under a lease or sell the

freehold to an investor and thus they receive the capital value.

Sometimes it makes sense to sell the business to management or a thirdparty buyer for a nominal amount, i.e. £1, especially where there are residual assets such as properties.

This way, the shareholders benefit from not having to pay for the redundancies and the management and staff preserve their jobs – a win-win!

In these uncertain times, if you are the owner of a business and you feel you have no option but to close the business or that COVID-19 has knocked the final wind out of your sails and you want to get out, please ensure you speak to an adviser as soon as possible about your options.

There are more options than you may think. The beauty of the current furlough scheme is that you still have time to plan before it is too late.

Patrick Abel Corporate Finance Partner Hart Shaw LLP patrick.abel@hartshaw.co.uk

55

FEATURE

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY –

S ’ C I M E D N THE PA

PEAKS AND TROUGHS As a commercial landlord or tenant, there is no doubt that owning or renting commercial property at the moment is not easy. The commercial property market has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now beginning to show some important green shoots of recovery. unLTD spoke to two local experts to get their take on the impact on the market after COVID-19

PHOTO: DAVID LEE PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

56

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FEATURE PAUL RUSSELL, PARTNER AT KEEBLES LLP Whether you’re a landlord, seller, tenant or a buyer in the commercial property sector – all have been affected.

Among the hardest hit have been the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, where social distancing and mandatory closures have all but caused these sectors to grind to a halt. Some businesses in these sectors may not recover at all.

There are plenty of industries at the other end of the scale which have been less badly affected – some have even found this to be a more profitable time. Some of my clients in the services sectors (where working from home was the norm or was very easily possible) and in wholesale,

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

distribution, material fabrication and some areas of manufacturing have continued to work almost as normal and, in a few cases, actually expand their operations.

As a commercial landlord or tenant, there is no doubt that owning or renting commercial property at the moment is not easy. Landlords have been temporarily prevented from terminating leases, but with the best will in the world, few may want to rush into doing so when the ability returns. This may be especially true of high street or office premises.

In theory, there is an opportunity for collaboration between parties – and we are starting to see that. Landlords are giving tenants a bit of space to come through this period.

They are offering rent free periods, lower rents or rent review caps in exchange for a tenant either extending the length of their lease or waiving a break right.

There is some concern among tenants, however, that when landlords can start to recover possession of properties from their tenants due to defaults that they will aggressively do so. Landlords know that some tenants have had access to grant funding as a result of the Government’s coronavirus intervention schemes and in turn will be looking to get ‘their slice’.

It all depends on the relationship between the parties, the type of property and the sector.

People who have been

guarantors to tenants, or former tenants who have guaranteed new tenants’ obligations need to watch out as well – they are not off the hook. The concern is that landlords will start to pursue guarantors or former tenants for the actions of the current tenants. We advise those guarantors to keep their eyes peeled.

The impact of the pandemic has not necessarily been felt across the piste, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Buying and selling property is difficult, given the uncertainty as to valuations, but the market is seeing activity.

It’s also important to note that other factors outside of the current crisis have not disappeared. Brexit, for one, hasn’t gone away and nor have longstanding issues around skills shortages and access to funding. They may be factors that conspire to take the wind out of a recovery.

57

58

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

FEATURE ROB DARRINGTON, PARTNER AT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PARTNERS The last few months have seen huge change for all. The pandemic has forced us all to realign, reconsider and re-plan. However, despite all the uncertainty, the ambiguity and the insecurity, change also brings with it opportunity.

Inevitably plans have been halted, and in some cases scrapped over the last few months, but when asked if the commercial property market will be in a good position ‘post’ COVID-19 the short answer would have to be yes.

When looking back over the last few months, both the industrial and distribution sectors have seen continued demand with many businesses moving their retail efforts to delivery and distribution, while manufacturers have continued to carry out essential work throughout the lockdown period.

The team at CPP has successfully secured deals on behalf of clients within these sectors, and indeed the effects of the pandemic might well work to strengthen some areas.

That isn’t to say every sector will see such a positive outcome. The retail and leisure industries have had a tough couple of months as their doors have had to shut.

Overall, I think the leisure industry will ‘bounce-back’ as people start to feel more at ease entering public spaces. And although some businesses might not re-open, it is inevitable that we will see a new wave of entrepreneurs following the furlough period.

But change in the retail/ shopping sector has arguably been on the horizon for some time.

The gulf

between occupier’s lease requirements and institutional landlords lease expectations has been on the increase for years.

Historically, retail rents have been the highest across all sectors, when compared on a per sq ft basis, with occupiers also taking leases in excess of 20 years to secure prime pitches in city centres. Over recent years retailers have required greater flexibility in their leases.

Also, the change in customer demand (shifting towards online purchasing) has altered the nature of shops, seeing store income decrease. Some forwardthinking institutions have already adopted the retails approach to ‘Turnover Rents’ (where rent is based on a percentage of turnover), but the COVID-19 crisis will inevitably see this trend

accelerated. There will predictably be a period of hardship across this sector post pandemic and capital values will need to be rebalanced to reflect the new mechanism for market rent and lease terms.

When looking at office space, it is likely that this will take a complete reform. Over the last decade, this whole sector has worked towards making new space more efficient by maximising floor layouts to accommodate larger workforces without increasing floor space or compromising the working environment. This runs right through from architectural design, planning, construction and fit out of office space.

This now goes against what occupiers’ requirements will be for space, at least in the short term. Staff will not want to be sat within close proximity of work colleagues for long periods at a time, so it raises the need for companies to readdress what they use office space for.

Generally, most companies after ironing out initial technical hiccups have realised that the transition to remote working

has actually been fairly straightforward, and once children return to school in September many employees will be able to be just as productive from home as in the office.

Therefore, many businesses are expected to adopt a more agile working policy, which will result in fewer people in the office at any one time. It is also expected that larger corporates may see their main offices become more of a ‘Hub’ for meeting spaces, workshops, project areas, training, etc, with many companies relying on interactive space to drive the business culture.

Those businesses at the smaller end of the market may therefore now look to reduce their office space ‘norm’ to save on overheads and to ensure they are in a stronger position for 2021. Although others may look to expand their office space to respond to social distancing.

At CPP we’ve already started to receive a number of enquiries for both possible outcomes, so it will be a case of waiting to see what the overall effects on supply and demand will be. And if this year has taught us anything so far it is the willingness people have to adapt and change to their surroundings, and I think this will be telling in all areas of the commercial property market.

PHOTO: DAVID LEE PHOTOGRAPHY LTD

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

59

2 in 5 small businesses don’t re-open after catastrophic flooding* *Source: Environment Agency, DEFRA, Parliament UK

IFM are proud to offer FloodFlash to businesses in and around Sheffield

IFM Insurance Brokers Ltd 1st & 2nd Floor, Parkway Works, Sheffield S9 3BL

Telephone 0114 268 4606 or email enquiries@ifmins.co.uk Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 308720. Registered in England & Wales 2680875.

Getting you the best energy prices Our award-winning team work with all major UK utility companies to leverage the best prices at the right time in the energy market for all types of business.

Get in touch today for a FREE review on your energy consumption.

0114 327 2645 60

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

A TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTION TO HELP FIRMS COMBAT FLOODING With storms and the resulting flooding on the rise, unLTD caught up with Mark Barlow, MD of Sheffield-based IFM Insurance Brokers, for the lowdown on how new technology is enabling a ‘different type of cover to be introduced’ Storms Ciara and Dennis brought widespread flooding and damage across many parts of Yorkshire earlier in the year and we have witnessed another bout of flash flooding this June. Sadly, major flooding incidents across the county seem to be happening annually as climate change continues to bring more volatile and unpredictable weather conditions. What’s more, flood defences that have been installed across our region seem to do little to combat the devastating impact of flooding, or have just moved the problem downstream.

With the unpredictability of flooding and the damage it causes set to continue, businesses are rightly looking to insurers to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible. To put this in to perspective, insurer AVIVA, saw a 285 per cent surge in calls and claims as it helps to repair the damage caused by Storm Ciara, with areas such as Sheffield and Bradford badly affected.

Insurance challenge for business For businesses across South Yorkshire the issue of flooding is extremely worrying as the government-backed Flood Re Scheme is not available. This means that small businesses in particular are increasingly struggling to get insurance when located in high flood risk areas. This can have severe consequences, as being unable to claim for a flood loss would put the sustainability and longevity of a business in jeopardy. Plus, it can create real difficulties in getting loans,

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

managing cash flow, entering into contracts and acquiring and selling property.

So what are the options for small businesses? If a firm is struggling to obtain flood insurance, it’s always worth contacting IFM Insurance who can navigate the insurance market to see what options are available. Some insurers work on different flood risk maps to others and a different insurer may provide the cover a business needs.

A technological solution New technology is now available which has enabled a different type of cover to be introduced. At IFM we have partnered with FloodFlash, which gives our clients an innovative, technology-led solution, enabling them to obtain flood insurance in highrisk areas.

FloodFlash gives firms fast and flexible cover by using the latest in data modelling and connected technology. It provides a fixed payment to a business as soon as sensors detect that the water level at their property has risen above a pre-agreed level and is available to anyone, irrespective of whether or not they have been declined flood cover previously.

Getting claims paid quickly has a huge impact on a flooded business. They can start recovering quicker and long-term property damage from factors like mould can

With the unpredictability of flooding and the damage it causes set to continue, businesses are rightly looking to insurers to help them get back on their feet as soon as possible.

be prevented. Fast payouts also have a massive impact on the emotional trauma caused by floods. By having FloodFlash installed, firms can have the financial security within days of being affected by a flood.

IFM Insurance Brokers www.ifminsurance.co.uk 0114 268 4606

MANAGING DIRECTOR, MARK BARLOW

61

62

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

LAUNCHPAD

WORKPLACE SCIENTIFICS

Occupational hygiene professionals Dave Lombardi and Thomas Wood founded Workplace Scientifics because of their scientific backgrounds and to encourage industrial change – and Launchpad helped turn their business plan into action Tell us about your company?

Occupational Hygiene is a scientific discipline that is an essential element of an organisation’s health and safety management system and their compliance. As qualified occupational hygienists we created Workplace Scientifics to provide anticipation, recognition, evaluation and control of occupational exposure to chemical, physical and biological hazards for a wide range of businesses.

At Workplace Scientifics we specialise in occupational hygiene consultations, exposure related risk assessments and compliance testing for a variety of industries such as petrochemical, food processing, construction, engineering, fabrication, health and beauty, plastics, and metal processing.

When did you first decide to start up on your own and what inspired you?

We started the Workplace Scientifics journey in 2019 because we both shared a common interest in encouraging industrial change and wanted to work with our very own customers to help influence shifts in the approach towards the delivery and application of occupational hygiene.

Due to our backgrounds, we were concerned by the lack of

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

DAVE LOMBARDI, LEFT AND THOMAS WOOD OF WORKPLACE SCIENTIFICS

awareness around occupational disease and so we had a concept to create a greater level of awareness around the control of workplace exposure hazards.

Our overall vision was to see a significant reduction in workrelated illnesses over the coming years and to have contributed to this drop.

programme very useful, allowing us to turn our business plan into actions. They also directed us towards funding opportunities and assisted throughout the application process.

What are your hopes and aims for the business?

Our ultimate aim is to guide managers and leaders of How has Launchpad helped organisations through positive you? change to help create safer Launchpad came highly working environments. In Grant recommended as the Cardone’s book ‘The 10X Rule’ he foundations for any business can talks about being omnipresent – be drawn up with their continued the concept of being everywhere, support. Since founding our in all places, at all times. We business, we have received hope to use our omnipresence to endless support from Darren showcase useful and insightful McDool and the Launchpad information to our networks as community. We also found we continue to form long-lasting their training sessions and business relationships allowing personalised business mentoring us to thrive, not just survive.

Launchpad advisor Darren McDool said: Tom and Dave have been a pleasure to work with and have sensibly taken advantage of free Launchpad support.

They’ve fine-tuned their offer by testing the business model in oneto-one meetings and at new business workshops, before getting input from our marketing associate on shaping their online presence.

With impressive product knowledge and industry experience added to the creativity, determination and professionalism they’ve always demonstrated, I’m sure good things lay ahead for Workplace Scientifics.

Starting and growing a business is not easy and that’s why the Launchpad programme was created.

Part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and our partners means there is no cost to the entrepreneur, so we can get straight to work on turning those dreams into reality.

Stop dreaming and do it.

Contact us for information now on 03330 00 00 39 or email growthhub@ sheffieldcityregion.org.uk.

63

ADVERTORIAL

REMOTE INTERVIEWING OR INTERVIEWING AT A DISTANCE – WHICH WOULD WORK FOR YOU? During COVID-19, work practices have changed – and recruitment with it. Here Glu Recruit MD Rob Shaw looks at the opportunities ahead for interviewing candidates as lockdown eases During the pandemic, we’ve all adapted to changes with regards to living our lives online. Meetings are held via webcam, documents are signed digitally, and even interviews are done from the comfort of your own home.

With some lockdown measures now easing, we wanted to look at the opportunities ahead for interviewing candidates.

Is it still better to stick to webcam or should you invite a candidate to the office for a social distanced interview?

Giving people an option One thing that has been discussed at great length during the crisis has been how employers treat staff.

Social media has been awash with companies who have treated their employees ‘well’ considering the outbreak – and pointing the finger at those who haven’t.

64

Therefore, it really is crucial that you give candidates an option of a virtual or in-person interview and make clear that there is no judgement on whichever way they choose. Anxieties and underlying health conditions could mean that a person doesn’t feel comfortable being in an office with others and you should respect that. Many firms are choosing a virtual interview to begin with, followed by a socially distanced second interview.

For those who wish to have a virtual interview, we’ve compiled a list of tips here.

The main thing to remember is to prepare: check your technology and internet connection, find a quiet room with an appropriate background, prepare your questions and ensure you are on time. While we would like to tell you to treat it like a

normal interview, this is the ‘new normal’ – so be prepared to adapt to the situation.

If you both decide on a socially distanced interview, find a room with adequate distancing space for all panellists and the candidate.

Open a window to allow fresh air into the room – they can get stuffy at the best of times, let alone during an interview!

Ensure the surfaces in the room are thoroughly cleaned before and after each interview. Provide hand sanitiser for the panel and the candidate. Request that your candidate brings their own copy of their CV and a pen in case they wish to refer to it and make notes. And, of course, do not shake hands!

A tour of the office is possible, again as long as you can stick to two metres apart. This also includes when talking to colleagues on the tour – there MUST be

a two-metre gap between everybody.

Be flexible!

During this strange time, we’ve discovered we are more flexible than we thought we were.

We’ve adapted well to a whole ‘new normal’, and discovered ways of working that we have never had to consider before.

This includes interviewing remotely and having meetings via the internet.

If it’s absolutely necessary for a candidate to visit your office for an interview, you must adhere to the strictest hygiene rules and regulations.

Remember, it’s not only to protect yourself, it’s to protect others, too.

If you need any more support or guidance for recruiting during these unprecedented times, you can contact us on 0114 321 1873 or hello@glurecruit.co.uk.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

WHAT TO LOCK IN FROM LOCKDOWN… Holly Crosby is a coach, trainer and counsellor at Think:me. Here she shares with unLTD how we should hold on to those individual successes we created and enjoyed during COVID-19 – and which really matter I think there’s now a consensus that it’s not about getting back to normal, but rather moving forward and creating something new.

In some ways, that can stir difficult feelings around the unknown, but it can also be a good opportunity to create the space for doing more of what’s good for you and what you enjoy.

At the very early stages of this, when life was stripped back to the very basics, we had an opportunity to think about what really matters.

All of my conversations with people were about looking after our health and those around us, staying connected to family and friends, and a sense of wanting to pull together in a crisis. This really did bring out what matters to us most – this was always there, but often got crowded out by other aspects of our busy lives.

Over these last few months, whether it’s been exercise, baking or family quiz nights, lots of us have done things we didn’t previously, some of which have been a great success! So, it’s really important to connect to what that was and what it gave you, for you to make it continue.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

What do you want to lock in and what do you want to leave behind?

Have you had more meaningful conversations with others and felt a positive impact? Have you had the time to exercise consistently and felt the benefits? Have you been closer as a family unit and want that to continue?

All the positive things you’ve done or experienced in lockdown can continue – it’s a case of working out how that will happen. Some of this will be down to what you prioritise and what is possible and some of it will be down to not doing everything as you did before.

We’ve been quick to think we’ve missed everything we’ve not been able to do, when in reality there will be some things that you haven’t missed!

Before we know it, we slip in to doing things because we’ve always done it. Yet this is a perfect opportunity to find out what matters most and how that becomes a part of everyday life.

Take some time to really think about what you have enjoyed and what you’ve missed. What aspects of both do you want to carry forward?

What matters to you most?

Get in touch with Holly: Email: holly@thinkmeinfo.co.uk Web: www.thinkmeinfo.co.uk Call: 07896876150

65

BUSINESS SUPPORT

MAKE YOURSELF AT

HOME A new city-wide initiative has been launched to support Sheffield businesses and build consumer confidence – unLTD found out more

Sheffield City Council has launched ‘Make Yourself at Home’ – a new initiative to help support the businesses and communities of Sheffield.

The aim of the campaign is to give confidence to residents as they begin to interact more with various areas of the city and to support businesses in their economic recovery. It will be used to promote the city as a whole, as well as give businesses a toolkit they can use to communicate to their own customers.

The Council has consulted with private sector organisations through the city’s Sheffield Business Response Group to help produce ‘Make Yourself at Home’, alongside the council’s own Public Health and City Centre Management in order to align business recovery with essential public health messaging concerning Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader

66

of Sheffield City Council, said: “We want to create something that the people of the city, whether independent business owners, community centre leaders, cultural creators, entrepreneurs or individual residents, can understand, get behind and use to create a pride of place for Sheffield. We of course need to move forwards but we must also remember this is more difficult for some groups and individuals in our society. ‘Make Yourself at Home’ allows us to talk to and represent people from all walks of life, which makes it distinct from other, ‘Open for Business’ campaigns.”

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield businesses in all sectors need our support, and we are delighted with the positive feedback we have received in sharing this with some of

them in the run up to launch.

We are not a city that is just ‘open for business’ – we know it takes more than that because residents need to have confidence in order to get out again – and we hope ‘Make Yourself at Home’ gives them a friendly and genuinely Sheffield way of interacting with each other as we find our way through this crisis.”

Co-Chair of the COVID-19 Business Response Group, and Managing Director of Counter Context, Alexis Krachai, said: “This is a really challenging time for many people and many businesses.

The COVID-19 pandemic will change many things but it will not change the city’s ability to get through tough times.

We are at our strongest when we work together. ‘Make Yourself at Home’ is all about supporting local businesses and communities as life gradually moves forwards –

whilst remembering the safety and comfort of home. The more businesses and organisations that say ‘Make Yourself at Home’, the more we can help every business and every community back on their feet.”

Matt Bigland, MD of The Milestone Group who run a number of hospitality venues in Sheffield, said: “We have always said that all our venues need to make people feel as comfortable as they would in their own house – so as soon as we saw the ‘Make Yourself at Home’ concept we just knew it would work in the hospitality sector. It’s going to be really tough for us to match consumer demand with health regulations and still keep afloat, and that’s why something like this that makes us all feel like we are doing it together is really important for us and the city as a whole. And it ties in really nicely with a new app we will be launching very

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

BUSINESS SUPPORT

shortly to help businesses reach more customers.”

An online hub for Make Yourself at Home has been launched on the existing Welcome to Sheffield website at www.welcometosheffield. co.uk/makeyourselfathome and will continue to grow over coming months to feature information guides, recommendations, guest articles and blogs, along with general support and cross promotion for businesses and organisations in all sectors.

A ‘Make Yourself at Home’ marketing toolkit is also available for anyone to download and use to promote their own business, organisation or community as part of the campaign. www. welcometosheffield.co.uk/ makeyourselfathome/toolkit Director of Public Health at Sheffield City Council, Greg Fell, said: “It is great news for the local economy that

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

We are at our strongest when we work together.

‘Make Yourself at Home’ is all about supporting local businesses and communities as life gradually moves forwards – whilst remembering the safety and comfort of home.

further businesses will be able to re-open from July 4th. We are confident that businesses have all the necessary safety measures in place to make sure cafés, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers can welcome the return of customers.

“The further lifting of lockdown restrictions by the Government does not mean a lift to our local safety measures and guidance around the wellbeing of our residents and we will continue to keep a careful eye on the reopening of the city’s businesses to make sure this is done to minimise risk of transmission, both indoors and outdoors where people are gathered together.

“If we continue to observe the social distancing measures in place and groups maintain their advised social bubbles, we are confident that the general public will be safe as long as we all remain cautious and continue to observe the

guidelines. This is essential if we are to prevent any outbreaks in the city.

“It’s important to remember that the virus is still in the community so we will see cases in Sheffield – however, businesses have well-prepared plans on how they need to respond to a coronavirus incident. This includes continued plans for testing, self-isolation where appropriate, and deep cleaning advised for affected premises.

As is now standard practice, any positive cases will be followed up by NHS Test and Trace, with any close contacts of cases informed and advised to selfisolate.

“The council’s Public Health team continue to work closely with colleagues at Public Health England to manage the safe reopening of the city with appropriate safety measures in place to control any future infections in Sheffield.”

67

ADVERTORIAL

HELPING SMES BREAK RECORD SALES MONTHS – DURING LOCKDOWN! Jon Asquith, MD of ActionCOACH Sheffield, has been working with UK SMEs for more than 15 years. Here he shares with unLTD how his local focus and pro bono stance has been a ‘revelation’ since lockdown, helping dozens of companies with free strategy sessions I’m a local lad, born in Rotherham but have ended up travelling the UK supporting SMEs in their growth and development – and after working with more than 1,000 companies in the last 15 years, I made the decision to support my local community in 2019.

The vision is to help and empower 100,000 people in the next ten years and help transform the Sheffield economy.

This pro bono stance has been a revelation since lockdown first started, as I’ve been able to help dozens of companies with free strategy sessions, along with a free monthly call with guest speakers talking about sales and mental wellbeing.

I also launched ‘Sheffield Steel, The Lockdown Interviews' with business owners from the region to discover how people have been adapting and changing how they do business in these unprecedented times.

68

The idea was to share some insight, fun and muchneeded good news. It all felt a bit doom and gloom and from working with owners of companies in the region and seeing what they had been doing, I thought we needed to share a positive message – we’ve built up more than 20,000 people watching the YouTube series.

The feedback from Sheffield City Region companies across has been fantastic and it’s so rewarding to know I have helped.

Gerry Arcari. founder and MD of Vivid Creative: “Jon has been our rock during lockdown – helping us stay calm and focused on strategies to succeed. The results speak for themselves – we have had an incredibly strong trading quarter – in excess of the previous quarter before lockdown! We are now focussed on growth across all service areas and are actively looking to recruit new staff.

Jon is now pivotal to our growth – he’s incredibly talented and gets the best out of you and your teams, he’s a ‘must have’ addition to any SME business looking for growth.”

Karl Austin, director of KDA Web Services: “Deciding to work with Jon wasn't an easy decision for our collective ego, but it has been a revelation. We've got more done on our business in the last three months than we had in the last three years.”

Wez Little, operations director of ControlPoint: “Jon has become an integral part of our business, providing unrivalled insight from his vast business experience, and from within the group of small business clients Jon has built up. If I had to sum up Jon in a sentence – he is ‘Insight Man’, your SME business superhero.”

ActionCOACH Sheffield is all about helping you achieve the business you want, that third eye to offer perspective,

confidence, skill, and perspective.

Has your business taken a dip due to lockdown? Are you on the up and want to keep on climbing? Have you perhaps lost your way a little and need some direction and guidance?

If you answered YES to any of the above, get in touch for a complimentary business strategy session to help you re-focus, give you impetus and improve your business.

Tel: 0114 358 2788 Email: jonasquith@ actioncoach.co.uk sheffield.actioncoach.co.uk YouTube: youtube.com/ c/jonasquith

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

LOCKDOWN LESSONS MARKET ON A ‘BUZZING’ PROPERTY

With house prices holding their own and new stock coming on to the market, Rochelle Gilburn, founder of Gilburn Investment Group, shares her lockdown business and life lessons – and how she can help you build a steady income through property I never could have predicted how lockdown would affect my business. I expected it to be a lonely time of isolation.

Being a widow with two young kids and running a business was never going to be an easy task.

However, we made it – my children are now back at school, and I managed to keep the business going, despite the difficulties.

I have done more networking and built more relationships over this time than I would have without quarantine. Zoom has become my new coffee shop and I’ve added the buzzword ‘Voffee’ to my daily vocab.

Meetings have become more relaxed with children and pets stealing the spotlight!

With everything slowing down, we’ve been given a taster of what life could be like if we didn’t have to work long days. Many of us have been fortunate enough to enjoy the time off in the sun with our immediate family. It has shown us a new way of living.

I’ve had a lot of people contacting me over the last couple of months who have realised that they want to make sure they can retire early, that

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

The majority of the deals I source for my clients don’t come from estate agents. I have access to properties that are not on the market which means my clients get the best possible deals without the competition.

they have a bit more money in their pocket every month, and can enjoy their lives.

How can I help?

I’m not here to advise you on your finances, but what I can do is help you to come up with a plan to build a steady income through property. I can bring you the right property deals that will give you the required cashflow to help reach your goals.

I manage the process from start to finish so that you can sit back and relax. I’ll find the properties, project manage

the renovation and put you in touch with the best solicitors, mortgage advisors and letting agents.

The buzz around the property market Since we got the nod from the government that estate agents could open back up and viewings could once again take place, there has been a real buzz around the market.

House prices are holding their own and a lot of new stock is coming on to the market.

There are still a lot of people out there looking to buy.

When is the best time to invest?

The answer to that question is always now – there’s no time like the present.

You could wait until house prices fall, but when will that be and what will your excuses be then?

There are always a million reasons to wait before you do something, but while you’re waiting, that money in the bank earning 0.01% could be generating you an income.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me: Call: 0114 4381 272 Email: rochelle@gilburn investmentgroup.com Web: www.gilburn investmentgroup.com

69

CHARITIES

SHEFFIELD PROFESSIONS RAISE FUNDS FOR MIND

BY TAKING ON BRUTAL 48-IN-48 CHALLENGE A number of Sheffield professionals – including unLTD’s very own Dan Laver – will be taking part in the infamous 48-in-48 challenge to raise funds for Sheffield Mind.

Ben Graney, business director at Sheffield-based financial recruitment specialists Sharp Consultancy, has taken on the challenge in order to run 48 miles in less than 48 hours – by running four miles every four hours.

Ben will be joined by a friend in Philadelphia simultaneously taking on the challenge, and in Sheffield, Ben has organised a run around Kelham Island

open to any interested local professionals – followed by a socially distanced beer.

Ben said: “Personally, I have found running and exercise to be a great release, and with charities like Sheffield Mind suffering from a lack of funding and publicity now more so than ever, I wanted contribute in a positive way – both in raising money and awareness.”

So far, over £2,000 has been raised with plenty of offers of services, donations and well wishes continuing to stream in.

To donate, offer support or join Ben on a run, email him at bengraney@sharpconsultancy. com or head to bit.ly/3eN7xNU

BEN GRANEY, BUSINESS DIRECTOR AT SHARP CONSULTANCY

HATS OFF (AND ON) FOR SUIT WORKS CAMPAIGN A campaign to support The Suit Works, the charity which gives unemployed people a styling session and formal clothing before going to interview, has been boosted after a fancy-dress fundraiser with a difference by its Chair.

The Influence Expert Alex Swallow – who also runs Social Good Sheffield events with wife and Good News Shared creator Nisha Kotecha – walked a half marathon distance (just over 21km) in Sheffield, while socially distancing, in the hot June weather. Each time he reached another kilometre, he put on a different item of clothing to a total of 21 – and has to date raised more than £1,250 for the charity.

Alex’s ‘21 clothes in 21 km’ fundraiser was part of the wider The Suit Works Crowdfunder appeal which ends on July 11.

The Suit Works’ project lead Faye Mellors said: “We have been overwhelmed by

70

ALEX PUT ON A DIFFERENT ITEM OF CLOTHING AFTER COMPLETING EACH KILOMETRE OF A WALKED HALF MARATHON IN SUPPORT OF THE SUIT WORKS

the support we have received from the community and our supporters through-out the duration of our Crowdfunder –– particularly in what are testing times for everybody.

“Our Chair Alex Swallow came up with an amazing

idea with his challenge which has not only raised further donations, but has also helped us get our message out there that we are still here and working to get our service back on track.

“The whole campaign has

resulted in lots of interest around The Suit Works which is brilliant! We can’t wait to be back in August!”

To donate to the overall Crowdfunder appeal visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ support-the-suit-works.

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

ADVERTORIAL

SHEFFIELD CHILDREN’S SUPPORTS COVID-19 RESEARCH As part of the national response to COVID-19 Sheffield Children's is supporting important research being led locally and nationally to understand more about the infection and its impact.

Eight clinical research studies into COVID-19 are now underway at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, as researchers join the international effort to understand and manage the virus.

Sheffield Children’s already has an extensive research programme through its Clinical Research Facility and is currently focusing its efforts towards the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Urgent Public Health COVID-19 studies.

By delivering these vital national studies, the Trust is helping to build understanding about the infection and its impact.

The Research team in the Research and Innovation Department at Sheffield Children’s have done fantastic work in organising research into COVID-19 efficiently and effectively as NHS Trusts are being asked to prioritise research studies that have been badged as urgent public health studies.

Here are some examples of the projects being undertaken: • Coronavirus Infection in Primary or Secondary Immunosuppressed Children • WHO Clinical Characterisation Protocol for Severe Emerging Infection • Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy: the RECOVERY trial

unLTDBUSINESS.COM

JESS, LIKE ALL OUR TEAM, HAS DONE AMAZING WORK DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME

• Psychological impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and experience: An international survey The Children’s Hospital Charity has launched an emergency COVID-19 appeal

to help support Sheffield Children’s, its staff, and the amazing children being cared for through this time and beyond.

By donating what you can, or by fundraising at home, you can support those who need

help at this most critical time as well as those who will still need help once this crisis is all over.

For more information on how you can support the hospital please visit www.tchc.org.uk

71

we’re here for you.

We are fenti. A lovely bunch of friendly, honest Marketing and Creative professionals, with over 120 combined years of experience.

We just want to let you know, we’re on hand to support you and we’re already helping a number of local business to guide them through the uncertainty ahead. Which is why, we’re offering FREE Marketing services* to any business, small or large.

Our FREE package includes: 1 week social media management (content and artwork) Marketing strategy advice Advice on social media Content review of social media Content review of website Free SEO report and advice on ranking higher *limited space available.

0114 218 0626 . info@fenti.co.uk fenti Limited . Unit 110 . Westthorpe Business Innovation Centre Westthorpe Fields Road . Sheffield . S21 1TZ

unLTDBUSINESS.COM