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Top 10 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs According To UK Business Owners

Hernaldo Turrillo — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 11:09:09 +0000

Top 10 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs According To UK Business Owners

The Virgin Boss reigns supreme as the UK’s most inspiring entrepreneur, with Lord Sugar second. However, many Brits are taking inspiration from the US, with seven Americans in the top ten.

Sir Richard Branson is the UK’s most inspiring entrepreneur, followed by Lord Alan Sugar, but many Brits are inspired by US tech giants.

A recent survey conducted by London tech company UENI asked 1,078 UK business owners to name one entrepreneur who inspired them. Richard Branson was named by 149 people, followed by Alan Sugar (94), Bill Gates with 34 votes and Elon Musk and Steve Jobs on 32 and 26 respectively. One female made it into the top ten – Oprah Winfrey–in eighth position.

Christine Telyan, CEO of UENI, the company which conducted the poll, said: “The poll brought in a huge range of answers, from famous entrepreneurs to family members. Richard Branson is a self-made success, whose fearlessness and hard work helped him build a global brand and a business empire. I think it’s his story of daring, plus his philanthropy, that inspires many people in the UK.”

“Many chose the names of people they see regularly on television or read about in the media,” she continued. “But also family members are clearly inspirational for a lot of people, which reminds us just how many people strike it on their own to setup as a sole trader or a small business. The poll also showed us just how much technology is associated with entrepreneurship, with Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg all ranking high in the results.”

Top 10 Inspiring entrepreneurs. Data from UENI

The poll was carried out between May and June 2019, where 1078 business owners were asked to name an entrepreneur that inspired them – they were allowed to choose anyone and were not given prompts.

Just missing out on the top ten was the Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden (11th). Other inspirational females in the top 20 were the pop star Rhianna (14th) the author of the Harry Potter series JK Rowling (19th) and the sports boss Baroness Karren Brady (20th).

Peter Jones was the most prominent Dragons’ Den entrepreneur, beating his fellow panellists. Beating fellow contestants Deborah Meaden and Duncan Bannatyne who came 11th and 12th respectively.

“It’s perhaps not surprising to see Richard Branson at the top of the poll, although it is intriguing that many British-based entrepreneurs look to the United States for inspiration. One notable absence from the top 20 was President Donald Trump – who came in at 23rd,” the CEO added.

She also confirmed that they will run this poll annually, along with other surveys that might help entrepreneurs with their businesses. Specially important about all these surveys is to drive more inspirational women to be part of the list in the future. Because entrepreneurship and success isn’t tie to any gender.

“We read the list of illustrious names and each one reminds you what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur: relentless hard work, resilience in the face of failure, the imagination to build something, and a bit of good luck. Success takes many forms but almost always requires these four things,” she concluded.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

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How Businesses Can Record Skype Calls To Save Meetings And Create Content

Hernaldo Turrillo — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 16:45:15 +0000

How Businesses Can Record Skype Calls To Save Meetings And Create Content

Many businesses nowadays use Skype as a communication platform due to both its convenience and popularity. In fact some may even hold meetings between individuals or entire teams on the platform.

That is why it is important to know how to record Skype calls. It will enable you to save any business meetings that are held on the platform so that there is a permanent record of what was discussed and they can be referred to later.

On top of that being able to record Skype calls will also provide you with the option of creating certain types of content – such as expert interview videos, or discussion panels.

How to Use Skype Call Recording

Arguably the easiest and most convenient way to record Skype calls is to use the built-in call recording feature that Skype introduced in version 8.

Using the call recording feature in Skype is very straightforward, and all you need to do is:

Start the Skype call.
Click on the ‘+’ icon for More Options.
Select ‘Start recording’ which will automatically notify all participants that the call is being recorded.
Click the ‘+’ icon and select ‘Stop Recording’, or simply close the Skype call to stop recording.
Open up the chat window for the contact to find the video of the recording.
Click on the ‘Menu’ icon (i.e. 3 dots).
Select either the ‘Save to Downloads’ or ‘Save as’ options to save the video that was recorded as an MP4 video file.

Currently the call recording feature is limited to recording Skype-to-Skype calls and cannot be used to record VoIP calls. On top of that any videos that are recorded will only be stored for 30 days in the chat before being automatically deleted.

It should be noted that Skype for Business is not the same as Skype, but it does have its own call recording feature.

Other Options to Record Skype Calls

Aside from the built-in call recording feature, there are other ways to record Skype call that you can try out, such as:

Specialized Skype recorder tools

Prior to the call recording feature, recording Skype calls required a separate app – and many are still quite popular as you can see in this list. Because they are designed for Skype, they integrate with it seamlessly.

Some provide additional features, and may make it easier to manage the business calls that you record. One of the main advantages is that these tools can record voice calls directly in MP3.

Screen recorder software

Another option is to use a screen recorder to capture Skype calls directly from the screen of your device. Although the software won’t integrate with Skype, it is generally more versatile.

If you want to know how to record Skype calls on PC, this guide can be useful for you to see how it is done with Movavi Screen Recorder. By using the software you’ll be able to set up capture area, frame rate, audio sources, volume level, and more – and even schedule the recording.

Between all these options you should find it easy to record and save business meetings, or create content from your Skype calls. It may help to try out each option individually, and see which one caters to your business needs best.

Hernaldo Turrillo

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Digital Marketing: This Is How Companies Can Use Vlogging To Grow Their Business

Hernaldo Turrillo — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 10:09:39 +0000

Digital Marketing: This Is How Businesses Can Use Vlogging To Grow Their Business

Over the last few years, vlogging has become a huge phenomenon. So much so, it has caught the attention of businesses keen to diversify their content strategy to better connect with their target audience. 54% of consumers now want to see video content from brands/businesses they support, per statistics from marketing software company ‘HubSpot’.

Interested in the rise of video content, online marketplace OnBuy independently consulted social media specialists, branding experts and marketing professionals/consultants to find out the best ways in which businesses can get started on their vlogging journey in 2019.

Alex, a Marketing Consultant from a leading digital media agency commented: “Vlogs are fantastic gateway into the inner workings of an organisation. They give clear context as to what a business does and all the faces working tirelessly behind the scenes. Likewise, vlogs add a layer of character by capturing how their personalities and perspectives are actively contributing towards the results and growth of a business. Simply put, regularly vlogging should be in the arsenal of any business serious about producing captivating content”.

Top Vlogging Uses

Document employees working – 74%

Give people a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at the daily responsibilities of an employee (senior or junior). This will allow others to see the processes and hurdles they must go through to get an idea/product/service to market. In turn, such insights will reveal the work ethic and passion embodied by the employees.

Simplifying complex industry topics/issues – 68%

This is fantastic way for a business to showcase their expertise. It could involve an employee simplifying or explaining common industry jargon. Similarly, providing a concise five-minute vlog which breaks down an industry topic to make it more digestible and less confusing will make it more appealing.

Industry and non-industry influencer/personality ‘sessions’ – 65%

Identify prominent as well as less established influencers and invite them in to have an informal chat. Give them the opportunity to talk about their career and share their expertise on a range of topics/issues. The aim should be to create a relaxed environment, where both the host and guest can have a free-flowing conversation.

Product/service demonstration – 57%

Don’t turn this into a promotional video. The whole point of the vlog will be for someone from the company to demonstrate the product/service and highlight its features. By the end of the video, the consumer should feel confident enough to take full advantage of the product/service in question. If they are still unsure or forget, then the video adds further value by becoming content that they can refer to at any point.

How Businesses can start vlogging?

Employee roundtable discussions (about industry opportunities, threats, trends etc.) – 52%

Facilitate a relaxed environment where a group of employees can get together and express their opinions on a variety of industry-related topics. This could include discussions about the imminent threats facing the industry or how emerging technology could transform the industry for the better or worst. The vlog could also set-up an opportunity for employees to reflect on their existing projects and gain constructive advice from their fellow colleagues.

Weekly recap/take on impactful industry news – 40%

On a weekly basis, go through as many stories as possible and then make a vlog which shares the most significant industry insights. Furthermore, businesses are open to give their view on any news which they strongly feel/predict will develop in a certain way.

Most of the experts do agree that businesses should aim for a combination of these vlogging methods rather than striving for a specific one to broaden appeal and establish a strong following.

Wrapping up, Cas Paton, the Managing Director of OnBuy.com concluded: “The rise of social media has blurred the lines between brand and customer interactions. As businesses invest more time and resources into their marketing activities, vlogging needs to become a priority. It allows a business to display its talent and expertise in an authentic as well as cost-effective manner. Also, the exposure through such a direct and authentic format will make the business more human and allow for quicker distribution of informative content. Overall, carefully thought-out vlogs can only be a win-win for any organisation”.

Hernaldo Turrillo

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6 Tips for Growing Your Agricultural Business in 2019

Hernaldo Turrillo — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 12:11:35 +0000

6 Tips for Growing Your Agricultural Business in 2019

There are many reasons why you may want to expand or grow your agricultural business, even though the competition this year is more active than ever before. Not every business knows exactly what the best steps to take are when expanding in the agricultural market, and this can lead them into making costly errors. In this article, we have come up with a list of tips that are all worth considering. Which will be best for you will depend on your current business model, how efficiently your business is currently operating, and the opportunities currently available in your area.

1. Specialize

It’s a well-known fact that businesses that specialize in just one or two products or services are those that tend to be able to charge higher prices. Consumers automatically see specialized businesses as those with a higher level of expertise or higher quality products, so it’s definitely something worth considering. In addition, if you stick to just one or two things, you can improve the efficiency of your business, and reduce costs at the same time. The lower your outgoings are, the more you’ll be able to remain competitive in the market, which is something that is incredibly important for agricultural businesses.

2. Consider Private Label Manufacturing

Of course, not every agricultural business is going to be able to specialize, and this especially applies to large companies that rely on their diverse offerings in the community. One tip for businesses in this area is to consider launching their own line of products through a process known as private label manufacturing. What this essentially means is hiring a company to manufacture products on your behalf and then selling them with your own branding.

If you like this idea but you’re struggling to a reliable and affordable private label manufacturer in this sector, you may want to check out the agrochemical suppliers AmegA Sciences USA to help you with this. AmegA Sciences can help to manufacture wetting agent chemicals, turf pigments, lake dyes and soil surfactants. They’re also one of the best specialty fertilizer suppliers in the United States and ship internationally. The company has a long history of private label manufacturing and so are well suited to help your business stand apart from the rest with its own line of branded goods.

3. Scale

If you have the funds available, scaling your business could be a good option. The best way to increase your profits is to reinvest them into your process through scaling. If you run a farm, for example, you could increase the number of acres you have to plant more crops, or if you run a more retail focused agricultural business, you could expand your warehouse facilities, or open up shop in more locations. It’s worth noting, however, that this is only recommended if your current business is operating at peak efficiency and has more orders than it can currently handle from your current premises. If you expand without needing to, your costs will increase, which could lead to you losing money in the long term; not what you want.

It may seem counterproductive, but if you currently have a farm or business premises that is far too large for what you need it for, it could benefit your business to downsize

4. Network

You may think that networking is something that only office-based businesses perform; however, it can be incredibly beneficial for those in the agricultural industry as well. In fact, networking can enable a small company to look like a large operation when done correctly. You can look into machinery shipping arrangements and buying groups, and also look into the ways that you can share operators and other personnel across farms. When working alongside the other businesses in your area, you will be able to make a bigger impact in the local area; much bigger than you could manage on your own.

5. Downsize & Optimize

It may seem counterproductive, but if you currently have a farm or business premises that is far too large for what you need it for, it could benefit your business to downsize. Not only will this save you money (and even net you some money in the short term), but it can also help your business to work more efficiently, which can, over time, help to increase your profits. It’s definitely worth surveying your current situation and determining whether you really need all the land and space you have available. We heavily recommend reaching out to IT-service providers to see how they can help digitize and optimize your processes from a technological angle. In 2019, more and more bespoke tech solutions are being developed and used by the most successful agro companies to vastly improve their output and margins. adopting up-to-date techniques and tools has been proven to increase efficiency (and therefore decrease the physical space needed for the equal or better results).

6. Integrate

Finally, one last thing that is worth considering are the ways you can integrate your production and processing. For example, you could look into producing turkeys, finishing hogs, or producing eggs under contract. These services can all ensure a reliable income, but they do have a certain amount of risk attached to them, which is definitely something you’ll want to consider when working out your net returns. That said, some agricultural businesses and farms find that moving into these specific areas could provide the boost they need and add an additional form of income to their roster. Instead of effectively guessing what your business can integrate or scale, make sure you track as much data about your current model as possible. It is always better to let your customers and market indicate to you what to specialize in, based on the data provided about their engagement with certain products or services you provide.

Working in the agricultural industry isn’t as easy as many believe, and it can be much harder to scale up, or grow your business than it is in other industries. That being said, the high barrier to entry and the continued overall growth of the agricultural market means you will find more opportunities here than elsewhere, providing you make sure to consider every option available to you carefully.

This is an article provided by our partners network. It might not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of our editorial team and management.

Contributed content

Hernaldo Turrillo

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Forces for Good: The Guide to Create a Better World Through a Purpose-Driven Business

Hernaldo Turrillo — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 12:33:41 +0000

Forces for Good: The Guide to Create a Better World Through a Purpose-Driven Business

As consumers become increasingly distanced from 20^th century capitalism, a new generation of businesses have emerged to redefine the way business is done to make a positive difference in the world. These businesses are part of the ethical capitalism movement, believing in running a business which is better for people, the planet and for profit.

Paul Hargreaves is the author of Forces for Good, a new book offers aspiring purpose-driven businesses practical advice and insights from some of the UK’s leading ethical companies including Cook, Timpsons and his own business Cotswold Fayre.

Why this book matters:

Consumer demand is changing, with Accenture reporting that 63% of consumers preferring to purchase from purpose-driven brands.
The Grocer reported in 2018 that the purpose-driven certified B Corporations grew 28 times faster than the UK GDP.
A book to offer tried and tested advice to help the many purpose-driven start-ups who over-promise on their ethical contribution due to lack of profits.
Forbes reports that happy employees are 20% more productive, so modern companies need to prioritise people alongside profits.

Forces for Good is broken down into six sections which are each packed with practical advice based on real industry experiences:

Changing the World: Understanding the nature of purpose-driven businesses.
Learning to Run a Business: Being a good employer and finding the right people.
Better for People: Work-life balance across your workforce and collaborating with customers, suppliers and even competitors.
Better for Planet: How to become community-orientated and how to offset your businesses impact on the environment.
Better for Profit: What does ethical capitalism mean and how to attract and retain the X & Y generation.
Better for You: How an ethical business can help you find your own purpose, fulfilment and happiness.

In Forces For Good Paul candidly shares his own entrepreneurial journey of building a purpose-driven company. He reveals lessons and insights, from the realisation of how he could have more impact on the world through business than charitable work, to hiring his first five staff members, including an ex-convict, an alcoholic and an ex-drug addict, to how he managed to save the company from the brink of collapse. The book is packed with insightful real-life accounts along with practical advice for anyone wanting to create a purpose-driven business.

The Author

Paul Hargreaves is the Chief Exec of Cotswold Fayre Ltd, a fine food wholesaler supplying over 1,500 retail outlets throughout the UK and Ireland. The company is one of the 60 founding UK B Corporations, a group of companies which meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance in the UK. Paul has long believed in using his business to create a better world at home and abroad for both his people, other people and the planet. For many years he has invested his own time and resources into a children’s centre, schools and an orphanage in on of the poorest parts of the world, Western Kenya.

Forces for Good by Paul Hargreaves

Forces for Good
By Paul Hargreaves
Out 25^th March 2019
Published by SRA Books
Paperback Version: £14.99
ISBN: 978-1912300211

Hernaldo Turrillo

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Top 15 Best Cities In The UK To Start A Business

Hernaldo Turrillo — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:46:00 +0000

Top 15 Best Cities In The UK To Start A Business

Starting a business can be an exciting endeavour, but getting through the first five years is challenging. The cost of rent, consumer demand, beating the competition, and keeping your cash flowing are often tricky things for SMEs to juggle. To help out new enterprises, a new research has been revealed by card payment solution’s provider Paymentsense, highlighting the top 15 best cities in the UK to start a business.

Based on factors including business survival rates, weekly salary, average rent, population, and the number of employed adults in the area, they worked out which UK cities offer the best environment for prospective SMEs. If you’re thinking of embarking on a new venture this year, take a look at the below 15 places for starting a business.

15. London

It’s probably no surprise that the capital of the UK, which is often considered to be a leading global city, made the list. London accounts for roughly 30% of UK GDP and is a major location for finance, both nationally and internationally. As well as this, it thrives in the media, technology and tourism sectors.

5-year start-up survival rate: 39.3%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £713.20
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £1,705.35
Population: 7,556,900
Number of employed adults: 3,817,203
Money available per week: £2,722,429,179.60
Index score out of 5: 1.36

14. Glasgow

This city has Scotland’s largest economy and the third highest GDP per capita out of all the UK’s cities. Glasgow has seen growth in its communications, biosciences, healthcare, retail, finance, and creative industries. Tourism is also strong in Glasgow, as it’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in Scotland.

5-year start-up survival rate: 36.1%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £573.60
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £624.75
Population: 591,620
Number of employed adults: 280,700
Money available per week: £161,009,520
Index score out of 5: 1.54

Glasgow has Scotland’s largest economy and the third highest GDP per capita out of all the UK’s cities

13. Manchester

A textile manufacturing boom made Manchester the world’s first industrialised city – it’s also the revolutionary place where scientists first split the atom and graphene was produced. Nowadays, as well as its continued involvement in science and engineering, Manchester is known for its media, culture, music scene, and sports.

5-year start-up survival rate: 37.5%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £555.90
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £746.09
Population: 395,515
Number of employed adults: 194,093
Money available per week: £107,896,298.70
Index score out of 5: 1.66

12. Birmingham

The UK’s so-called ‘second city’ has a long history as a centre for manufacturing and engineering, although the last few decades have seen the services sector take over the local economy. Public administration, health and education are major employers in the city and it’s the third biggest financial centre in the UK. Birmingham also attracts a lot of conference and exhibition trade, thanks to major facilities like the NEC and the ICC.

5-year start-up survival rate: 39.7%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £584.10
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £752.62
Population: 984,333
Number of employed adults: 400,679
Money available per week: £234,036,603.90
Index score out of 5: 1.83

Birmingham is considered the UK’s so-called ‘second city’ and has a long history as a centre for manufacturing and engineering

11. Liverpool

Made famous as the birthplace of The Beatles and home of the Merseybeat genre, Liverpool is one of the most visited cities in the UK. Tourism and leisure are big contributors to the city’s economy, as is the services sector. The future looks promising for Liverpool, too, as the economy has been on the up since the mid-1990s.

5-year start-up survival rate: 38%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £544.30
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £656.02
Population: 864,122
Number of employed adults: 182,270
Money available per week: £99,209,561
Index score out of 5: 1.83

10. Edinburgh

The history and culture of the Scottish capital, as well as the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, have made it the UK’s second most popular city break. Scientific research, higher education, and financial services also account for a significant portion of Edinburgh’s local economy.

5-year start-up survival rate: 42.9%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £613.30
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £763.63
Population: 464,990
Number of employed adults: 272,000
Money available per week: £166,817,600
Index score out of 5: 2.02

Scientific research, higher education, and financial services account for a significant portion of Edinburgh’s local economy

9.Coventry

Car manufacture and ribbon making are what Coventry is historically associated with. These days, although the automotive sector is still a big part of Coventry’s economy, the city has more involvement in areas such as finance, leisure, logistics, research, and the creative industries.

5-year start-up survival rate: 42.2%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £595.10
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £616.07
Population: 359,262
Number of employed adults: 128,764
Money available per week: £76,627,456.40
Index score out of 5: 2.1

8. Leeds

As well as being one of the UK’s largest legal and financial centres, Leeds has one of the most mixed economies in the UK. Engineering, publishing, chemicals, medical technology, and food and drink are the most major sectors in the city. However, it also has strong retail, leisure, construction, creative, and digital industries.

5-year start-up survival rate: 41.9%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £551.90
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £659.21
Population: 455,123
Number of employed adults: 333,333
Money available per week: £183,966,482.70
Index score out of 5: 2.28

As well as being one of the UK’s largest legal and financial centres, Leeds has one of the most mixed economies in the UK

7. Cardiff

The Welsh capital is a popular destination for visitors, which is why its retail, leisure, and tourism sectors account for a large portion of its economy. Cardiff is also Wales’s main business and financial services centre and it has a thriving media sector.

5-year start-up survival rate: 42%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £529.80
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £694.12
Population: 447,287
Number of employed adults: 147,955
Money available per week: £78,386,559
Index score out of 5: 2.31

6. Stoke on Trent

Affectionately known as The Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent has a long history as the home of England’s ceramics industry. Although much of the production has moved out of the city, many pottery firms remain. Tours of the factories for these goods help to boost tourism in the city, as does the canal network.

5-year start-up survival rate: 39.3%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £497.10
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £427.78
Population: 372,775
Number of employed adults: 103,269
Money available per week: £51,335,019.90
Index score out of 5: 2.35

Affectionately known as The Potteries, Stoke-on-Trent has a long history as the home of England’s ceramics industry

5. Bristol

Creative media, electronics, and aerospace are the main industries that hold up Bristol’s economy. It’s a popular tourist destination, which is likely helped by its artistic and sporting influence. Plus, the government named it a science city in 2005 because of its contribution to innovation.

5-year start-up survival rate: 44.8%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £565.70
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £828.75
Population: 617,280
Number of employed adults: 197,915
Money available per week: £111,960,515.60
Index score out of 5: 2.38

4. Leicester

Textiles and shoes were the bread and butter of Leicester’s economy in days gone by. Recent years have seen a resurgence in these areas, as some textile manufacturers have moved back to the city. Much of Leicester’s commerce also lies in the engineering, retail, and food and drink sectors.

5-year start-up survival rate: 40.5%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £487.90
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £568.75
Population: 508,916
Number of employed adults: 128,142
Money available per week: £62,520,481.80
Index score out of 5: 2.42

Much of Leicester’s commerce lies in the engineering, retail, and food and drink sectors

3. Sunderland

With roots as a trading port, Sunderland is now a strong centre for the services, automotive, science, and technology sectors. Its success is largely helped by Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK, which is the biggest employer in the region.

5-year start-up survival rate: 41.9%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £517.20
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £550
Population: 335,415
Number of employed adults: 116,562
Money available per week: £60,285,866.40
Index score out of 5: 2.46

2. Nottingham

Historically, Nottingham was known for its bicycle manufacturing and lace-making. These days, it’s home to many major companies, while other businesses could benefit from the Nottingham Enterprise Zone and Creative Quarter. Digital media, life sciences, low-carbon technologies, finance, retail, and leisure are major contributors to Nottingham’s economy.

5-year start-up survival rate: 43.4%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £506.40
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £579.41
Population: 729,977
Number of employed adults: 112,861
Money available per week: £57,152,810.40
Index score out of 5: 2.66

In 2019, Sheffield is the best UK city where you could start a business. The Steel City is known for its rich, industrial heritage

1. Sheffield

In 2019, Sheffield is the best UK city where you could start a business. The Steel City is known for its rich, industrial heritage. Although steel production has been in decline since the 1980s, Sheffield still develops advanced manufacturing technologies through its two universities and other research organisations. It’s also a major centre for sport and its public sector is a major employer.

5-year start-up survival rate: 44.9%
Average weekly pay for full-time workers: £542.10
Average monthly cost to rent a 1-bed city centre apartment: £585
Population: 685,368
Number of employed adults: 227,822
Money available per week: £123,502,306.20
Index score out of 5: 2.7

Hernaldo Turrillo

The post Top 15 Best Cities In The UK To Start A Business appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Guide To Ethical Practice When Interviewing

Hernaldo Turrillo — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 15:16:16 +0000

Guide To Ethical Practice When Interviewing

Now more than ever, it’s crucial to ensure ethical practice in your company’s recruitment process: not only to make sure that you attract the best candidates but also to avoid falling short of recruitment law.

The UK workforce has become increasingly switched on to unacceptable practice from employers and having a robust interview process is a must in 2019.

With this in mind, Aaron Wallis Marketing Recruitment has collated a series of tips for maintaining an ethical interview process, as well as common pitfalls to be aware of:

Common Pitfalls For Unethical Interviewing

Unconscious Bias

This is where without consciously thinking it, you naturally favour people similar to yourself. People with similar values, backgrounds or even simple things like the way people dress, look or talk. It’s important to be aware of this and think about why you’ve put a certain candidate at the top of your shortlist. Question yourself whether they actually have the best skill-set and experience for the role or if they’re just an individual that you’re more naturally drawn to. Without acknowledging your unconscious bias, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on the best candidate for your company’s vacancy.

Direct or Indirect Discrimination

Direct discrimination is more easy to spot in your recruitment process: rejecting candidates due to specific attributes around age, gender, religion or sexual orientation to name but a few. This practice is obviously unethical and can put your company under threat of being liable to the UK Government’s Equality Act of 2010. Having ethical justification of why you’re turning down a candidate is crucial to make sure your company’s reputation isn’t damaged from an inequality complaint.

On the other hand, indirect discrimination is also something to be aware of but can be harder to rule out of your recruitment process. This is where a business requirement or practice seems fair because it applies to everyone equally, but a closer look shows that some people are disadvantaged by it because of an attribute. For example, having a standardised uniform policy can indirectly discriminate against individuals from different religious backgrounds, or having a workplace without full accessibility can discriminate against disabled people.

Interview Questions You’re Not Allowed to Ask

Innocuous ‘conversation starters’ with potential candidates can also put your company at risk of the 2010 Equality Act. Questions around protected characteristics like their marital status or if they have children are illegal and must be kept out of your interview processes.
A more comprehensive guide on illegal interview questions can be found here.

If you’re looking to improve or protect the ethical practices your company employs when recruiting, it’s worth looking towards the public sector for best-practice

Processes to put in Place For Employers

Look to the Public Sector

If you’re looking to improve or protect the ethical practices your company employs when recruiting, it’s worth looking towards the public sector for best-practice. Recruitment in the public sector tends to follow a much more formal process and is often carried out to a much more ethical standard.

Some useful pointers include:

Increasing the number of decision makers in the process
A scored interview based upon pre-defined competencies or values
A detailed recruitment checklist available to employees

Consider Artificial Intelligence as a Recruitment Tool

New technology may also be worth integrating into your recruitment process. Artificial intelligence can be used in your interview process a way to remove the barrier of unconscious bias and promote more diverse and fair hiring practices.

One interesting example includes HireVue, an AI tool already used by Intel and Nike which analyses over 25,000 data points in video interviews to find the candidates most likely to succeed in a role, without the need for human evaluation.

Formalise Your Process

Finally, often the quickest win to improve your interviews from an ethical perspective is to formalise your company’s interview methods and publish it to your employees. Having a consistent and robust approach to interviewing will reduce the risk of unethical practices between your hiring managers.

Robert Scott, Managing Director at Aaron Wallis Marketing Recruitment said: “Even if your company has the best intentions in candidate interviews, it can be easier than you think to fall foul of equality legislation. It’s important to carefully design your interview process and make it publically available to your staff conducting the interviews.”

Hernaldo Turrillo

The post Guide To Ethical Practice When Interviewing appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

5 Reasons to Take Out a Business Loan

Hernaldo Turrillo — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:15:34 +0000

5 Reasons to Take Out a Business Loan

For some, taking out a business loan is a no-brainer. You’ve got a growing business that is scalable, but you’re missing the ready cash to invest in the business. Alongside all this, you’ve got a healthy set of accounts and assets against which to secure a loan.

For others, things might be a bit trickier. You want to invest in the business to see it reach its potential but your accounts aren’t in great shape and your cash flow… well, let’s just say it’s a sensitive subject.

Whichever category you fit into, committing to taking out a business loan is an important decision and not one to be taken lightly.

Below, we look at some of the reasons that you might want to seek out finance for your business.

“Committing to taking out a business loan is an important decision and not one to be taken lightly.”

Smart reasons to take out a business loan

“If your business is going from strength to strength and you are having trouble keeping up with demand, borrowing cash to fund the purchase of equipment that allows you to ramp up production can be a smart decision.”

1. To buy new business premises

Taking out a business loan, often in the form of a commercial mortgage, to fund expansion into new premises can make sense. You can access the loan at a reasonable interest rate as it will be secured against the property. It can also be repayable over a long period of time to allow you to spread the cost.

2. Boosting your credit rating

Now, this can be a shrewd move. If you have your eyes on taking out a larger loan sometime in the future, borrowing a small amount now and repaying it exactly as agreed can boost your credit rating, helping you achieve better terms on the larger loan when the time comes.

3. To finance an unmissable business opportunity

If you are presented with an opportunity to fulfil a major order, taking out a Business loan to achieve this can make sense providing the income from the order more than pays for the cost of borrowing. Try and secure the order before you take out the finance, however, to minimise risk.

4. To fund equipment needed for growth

If your business is going from strength to strength and you are having trouble keeping up with demand, borrowing cash to fund the purchase of equipment that allows you to ramp up production can be a smart decision.

5. To fulfil part of a carefully considered strategy for growth

Consciously investing in growth is an essential part of making a small business successful and taking out a business loan can be a way to go about this – providing, that is, that you have conducted your business loan research and the decision to do so has been carefully thought out and agreed upon by the management team.

Sponsored Content

Hernaldo Turrillo

The post 5 Reasons to Take Out a Business Loan appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Top 30 SiTo Know If You Are Financially Successful

Hernaldo Turrillo — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:30:25 +0000

Top 30 Signs To Know If You Are Financially Successful

Researchers who polled 2,000 adults have revealed the top 30 signs you are in a good place financially, including having £500 worth of disposable income to spend every single month. These have found that having savings, being debt-free – and going on two holidays a year means you’re ‘comfortable’, according to the study.

But not all inclusions on the list are material – as some adults think being comfortable with money simply means having the ability to make wise decisions when it comes to spending. Others think it is having a good knowledge of financial services on the market, such as pensions, ISA’s and investments.

However, the study revealed less than half of those polled would say they are financially comfortable – and of these, 56 per cent are over the age of 55. Kris Brewster, head of products for Skipton Building Society which commissioned the research, said: “It is easy to think that being in a good place with money means having a lot, but actually it is more about making sensible decisions when it comes to spending and saving.

“Doing your homework about the market, understanding what is happening to money when it is invested, and shopping around for good opportunities are all important regardless of the quantity of money you have,” she continues, as in particular, deciding where to keep your money can be one of the most important decisions you’ll make, because when your money is in a good place, so are you.

Some adults think being comfortable with money simply means having the ability to make wise decisions when it comes to spending

Other signs of being financially comfortable include getting through the average month without having to dip into savings, and not having to countdown the days until payday. Having a good credit score, knowing how to budget and owning more than one property also feature in the top 30.

Those who are able to buy what they want without worrying, eat out without it having to be a special occasion and buy all the ‘leading brands’ are also considered to be in a fortunate position with their finances. Of those who are lucky enough to be happy with the state of their finances, more than half feel relaxed, and one quarter say a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.

It also emerged seven in 10 adults believe they are sensible with money, with the average respondent having around £228 of disposable income to spend a month, and £146 to put into savings.

Just over half of respondents even reckon they could cope with an unexpected bill, while a further 35 per cent think they have a relatively good knowledge of the financial market and the services currently on offer. But 37 per cent can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel, and worry they’ll never be in a good place with their money – while four in 10 just don’t know what the future holds. And almost half of those polled via OnePoll admit they’ve been with the same building society or bank for years because they don’t like change.

In this respect, Kris Brewster added: “It’s great to see from our research that the number one sign you’re in a good place financially is to have savings – it isn’t about people believing they need to be able to buy the latest designer goods or own the biggest home to feel in a good place with their finances.”

Savings do help people to feel more financially secure, as it provides them with a safety net in the case of emergencies. Savings are a necessity not a luxury.

“It’s important when looking at managing your personal finances that saving is high on the priority list, regardless of the amount you can put away each month,” she mentioned.

“We all want to feel like we’re in a good place with our finances,” the expert concluded. If you want to know more about your financial status, the study also comes along with a quiz to find it out.

Savings do help people to feel more financially secure, as it provides them with a safety net in the case of emergencies. Savings are a necessity not a luxury

Top 30 signs you’re in a ‘good place financially’

You have savings
You don’t any have debt
You don’t have to count the days until your next payday
Getting through a month without having to dip into savings
Your mortgage is paid off
Having a ‘rainy day’ fund
You can buy what you want without worrying
Being able to afford house maintenance if it’s needed e.g. fix the shower ASAP if it breaks
Having more than £500 disposable income a month
Being able to treat yourself every now and then
Knowing how to budget each month
You have a good credit score
Being able to eat out if you feel like it without it having to be a special occasion
You make sensible spending choices
You go on more than one holiday a year
You’re confident about your future
Being able to go on a last minute holiday without feeling guilty
You have the ability to make wise decisions about money and spending
Owning more than one property
You make good financial decisions without needing advice
You don’t argue over money with loved ones
Not having to look at the price of clothes when shopping
Having multiple investments
You have good knowledge about financial services on the market
You don’t bet or rely on successful bets for income
You’re generous when it comes to lending money to friends or family and giving to charity
You pay for everyone else’s meal when out – ‘putting it on your card’ instead of splitting it
You are well-read when it comes to where to put your money
You buy from the leading brands (e.g. clothes, food)
People ask your opinion about finances – as you are good with advice

Hernaldo Turrillo

The post Top 30 SiTo Know If You Are Financially Successful appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Top 10 Travel Destinations And Trends for 2019 Revealed

Hernaldo Turrillo — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 10:00:17 +0000

Top 10 Travel Destinations And Trends for 2019 Revealed

Stay One Degree, a travel social marketplace, has conducted in-depth research to give insights into what the top 1% is looking for when planning next year’s travel. Working with travel expert Simon Calder and strategic foresight network The Future Laboratory; the world’s ﬁrst luxury travel social marketplace has identified seven luxury consumer shifts and reveal the key luxury travel trends for 2019.

1. Two-week holidays suffer due to being replaced by the ‘ninetynite’

As we enter the darkest and most dreary months of the year, luxury travellers are looking ahead to their next holiday. Stay One Degree reveals that a two-week summer holiday is simply not long enough for the top 1% anymore.

The modern lives of the rich and famous are busier than ever so it’s no wonder 10% of luxury high-earning travellers will be swapping their summer mini- break hotels for indulgent long stay rentals for a minimum of one month and often extending this beyond three months. This sees a trend of business men and women relocating their family to a central holiday home to where they are commuting to and from work commitments, whilst their family can stay and enjoy the sun.

Simon Calder, travel expert said; “Travellers’ horizons have never been wider, yet I am seeing plenty of evidence that families are not able to make a great escape in the way they once did. Twenty-first century reality is that many organisations expect that their top people will be in constant contact, and families are having to adapt to that change. The smarter players in the travel industry understand that and facilitate flexibility – while ensuring the best possible experience.”

Callum Watt, Marketing Director said; “It’s been a noticeable shift for next year’s ways of travelling. The Stay One Degree properties are getting booked up for three months at a time, so much so that ‘the Ninetynite trip’ has been coined amongst the home owners. Travellers, mostly those with demanding jobs, are booking these stays along with the private nanny services to keep their work roles and parenting duties balanced throughout the summer”

Secluded Travel is on the rise making helipads a must

2. Secluded Travel is on the rise making helipads a must

As many of us opt for ever more localised experiences, millennials and new luxury consumers are swapping holidays in popular destinations for trips to unexpected, unexplored and difficult to get to locations.

30% of the high earning travellers have admitted that they are travelling alone to be alone, so there is no surprise that the requests for helipads have been on the rise by 86% in the last year. 32% of travellers are now stating private beaches are a must for their holiday next year.

Stay One Degree has offered a series of private islands via its network since launching in December 2017. The search for private islands has increased dramatically over the 12-month period and private jets and islands are becoming more of a norm for the luxury travellers.

3. Wellbeing holidays and self-discovery become top priority for the entire family

30% of luxury travellers have said that mindfulness and wellbeing activities are their main priority when booking their next holiday. The obvious yoga retreat option remains popular; however, holiday homeowners are noticing in-depth spiritual guidance and self-discovery treatments are becoming necessary to secure bookings.

Instructors and therapists are offered in order to target luxury traveller’s physical, mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Requests are also on the rise for transformational coaching, hypnosis and reiki healing.

The rise in value of the wellness tourism market, speaks for itself. Figures from The Global Health and Wellness Tourism 2018 report show that wellness tourism is growing at 12% a year, while the non-spa-related segment of healthy travel markets now represents 59% of all wellness related trips. Add to this, the fact that wellness tourists spend on average 130% more than ordinary travellers and you can see why this sector continues to grow as consumers generally become more health conscious, pro-active and determined to choose health and wellness breaks that place equal emphasis on the mind, and spirit as well as the body.

Elsewhere, the impact of the wellness tourism market is trickling down to the children of luxury travellers. There are now options where children can partake in a digi-detox muscle-awakening session to soothe body and mind. They can also practise smiling yoga to promote emotional development. To maximize this experience, you can take a private charter for the best price available with the help of Jettly.

3. Conscious travel is becoming increasingly important

The research conducted by Stay One Degree shows that not only are the top 1% looking to be more charitable this year, 16% of high net worth travellers said that the environment is a top concern for them. Bookings for ethical and eco-friendly escapes are predicted to rise by 70% within the network that have an emphasis on properties with natural energy and locally sourced produce.

Martin Raymond co-founder, LS:N Global said: “In the way that eco-travel become big in the 90s and noughties, Conscious travel and Conscious tourism is very much the way to travel for the 2020s. The trend is being driven by new shifts in luxury tastes for more considered travel moments at one end of the market and by Millennials at the other who are keen on low impact, high-purpose experiences where there is a direct link between the spends you make, and the how this money is used locally.”

The conscious traveller is always on the look-out for new ways to save energy, invest time, build friendships and spend money on projects that have a demonstrable and long-term impact on their communities and the people that live in them.

Holiday rentals on the Stay One Degree network have direct relationships with the local communities whether that be private chef ensuring that local produce and suppliers are used to ensuring that guests are advised to where to visit to help the local economy.

4. No Time Wasted: Trips to learn a new skill

21% said that the most important factor to booking a trip if they are able to learn a new skill whilst on holiday. Luxury travellers value their time and are looking to make full use of their time off from work and their everyday tasks. Many want to return from their trips with something priceless, rememberable and enriching to their life.

Stay One Degree now has a long list of private instructors across the world that can visit the home rentals with some offering live-in instructors for example artists that will teach you how to paint during daily lessons in the home, through to kite surfers that will be available 24/7.

Simon Calder, travel expert said; “Just as experiences are being seen as more valuable than possessions, so people are increasingly keen to acquire a new skill on holiday.”

Callum Watt, Marketing Director at Stay One Degree said: “Our members are increasingly looking for more varied holidays, and interesting homes to stay in. Combining this with the opportunity to learn a bespoke new skill from that country and a local specialist artist is a great memory to take home.”

5. Drink and food destinations are on the rise

Those surveyed are also on a mission to expand their pallets, with a third (33%) of them actively seeking out food specific destinations with access well respected Michelin Starred restaurants, local produce markets and nearby culinary courses. 65% of the high-earners said that it will be necessary to have a personal chef to stay at their holiday homes for the duration of their stay with many of these wanting to receive lessons during their stay.

The rise in culinary travel also sees a vast number of people travelling for beverage-based experiences unavailable in their home towns or countries. Stay One Degree boasts several properties, well situated to accommodate such travel requirements. A number of homes on the platform are fitted with wine cellars, featuring rare and unique bottles and well situated in places known for their access to gastronomic experiences.

Cheese boards and vineyards in France

There’s no surprise that when luxury global travellers are booking holiday homes in France, they like to experience the romance of wine tasting along with a vast variety of French cheeses. The Stay One Degree network hold a variety of properties with their own vineyards and wine cellars that are provided with complimented cheeses, such as this star property in Burgandy, Romenay.

Christophe, a Stay One Degree home owner to the château, built in 1571, is a wine expert by profession. Before this, he spent 20 years in the camping industry, who inherited Chateau de l’Eperviere 10 years ago and transformed it into the ultimate camping experience. In 2008 he sold the company and took up the hobby of buying and restoring old châteaux, combining the guest experience with his love of wine. He has a dedicated team who work year round on the châteaux from the design stage onwards, they plan and renovate the properties all themselves, Christophe’s wife doing the design for each home. Most of their guests are from the UK, USA and Canada, and normally have a big interest in wine. In Burgundy, the majority of wine producers are small and are not public but sell exclusively to specialist wine shops and Michelin starred restaurants. You cannot visit the vineyards or buy the wine normally. Christophe has an arrangement with 22 of the best regional wine producers who stock him every year.

Taste Thailand

Thailand has climbed up the ladder-of-importance to foodie holiday seekers. Travellers want authenticity when they travel, and Thailand has been a destination commended for this by Stay One Degree members.

This Thai Villa stands out magnificently in a serene jungle landscape overlooking Phuket’s Western coast. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the villa provides incredible views of the Andaman Sea and it’s green jungle surroundings, whilst meals prepared by a dedicated private chef serving local delicacies at a table in an open pagoda just next to the pool.

Tapas in Spain

Spain, the most popular destination for 2019, is attracting global travellers with their local restaurants and rich produce to enjoy in the summer sun. Tapas is popular between friends and family that encourages socialising and sharing. People are travelling to Spain in big groups and the only thing on the menu is Tapas.

The Costa Brava Villa perched above unobstructed views of the Mediterranean Sea has immediate access to the beach and a path to the town of Aiguablava, where the taste authentic Spanish tapas dishes have been celebrated. Private chefs source locally and also recommend the best places to eat.

TOP 10 DESTINATIONS FOR 2019

When it comes to luxury travellers, location is everything. Sri Lanka, Canada and Barbados make up the top destinations for travellers to explore in 2019. And Europe continues to make its way to the top ten with favourite countries Spain, France and Scotland ranking the highest.

Asia Pacific as a combination is proving popular with Indonesia, Thailand and Philipines within the top ten. Intrepid travellers will be flocking here in 2019 says research conducted by Stay One Degree. The luxury travellers said that mindfulness and wellbeing activities are one of the reasons this their next destination of choice. Alternatively, they are booking trips to Asia Pacific for the adventure, to broaden their mind and self-discovery.

Spain
Indonesia
Sri Lanka
France
Thailand
Canada
Barbados
Bahamas
Philippines
Scotland

Hernaldo Turrillo

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