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An open letter to Norfolk’s business leaders – please read and share
Dear Norfolk Business Leaders
We need just 5-minutes of your time to help keep Norfolk on the tech map of the UK.
You may know that Norwich has featured in the nationally important #TechNation report for the last three years. Government ministers, policy makers and international business leaders read this report when making investment decisions. It’s vital for the region’s economy that we maintain our high profile.
However, the report is changing. The NEW Tech Nation Survey from Tech City UK is looking at the strength and diversity of regional clusters. If we don’t generate enough responses by Friday 2 February we won’t be included – and that could damage confidence in our region.
What can you do to help Norwich and Norfolk make this year’s #TechNation report?
It’s simple – just take the 5-minute survey – and then encourage everyone in your network to do the same. You might not think of your business as a ‘tech company’ but if it depends on digital skills, this survey is for you and your team.That includes people in your organisation like systems administrators, app developers, website builders and digital designers.
This survey is not just for ‘techies’.
In fact, Tech City UK wants to hear from people across the industry. They want to know about the opportunities for high growth businesses, and the quality of education and training. They want to hear from anyone who:
- Works in a tech business
- Founded or leads a tech business
- Works in an organisation that supports the tech sector (local government, charity, not for profit organisation)
- Provides services for tech businesses (consulting, legal, accounting, finance etc.)
- Invests in tech businesses
- Teaches digital skills
- Runs a start-up incubator or accelerator.
But hurry – the survey closes Friday 2 February.
Remember – it only takes 5 minutes, so please grab a mug of tea and do it now. Here’s the short form link for you to share https://bit.ly/2D3WVdI
The #TechNation reports have transformed the way people see the UK’s digital economy. They have captured the strength, depth and breadth of tech activity across the UK. Crucially – they have revealed the scale of talent in communities such as ours.
The people at Tech City UK tell us that Norfolk returns the most survey responses outside London. Let’s not disappoint them this year. Together, we can make this #TechNation 2018 the best report yet.
Please share the following message with your network on twitter, facebook and LinkedIn:
Help keep #Norwich on the #TechNation map 2018. Have your say – take the NEW @TechCityUK survey today: https://bit.ly/2D3WVdI
Thank you for your support.
Huw Sayer
Business Writers Ltd.
PS: Please feel free to send this open letter to your contacts.
Chadwicks masterclass for Life planners. Life 2.0 The new retirement.
We invite senior professionals to step back from the daily grind and engage in purposeful reflection.
Retirement today is reinvention, not retreat. Life 2.0 means aligning financial strategy with evolving identity, whether consultancy, mentoring, side hustles, or creative projects. With longer lifespans, rising costs, and investment risks, sustainable withdrawal strategies are vital. Join us to explore freedom, growth, and purpose with lasting financial security.
What we’ll cover
- Reinventing retirement – exploring new roles, side hustles, creative projects, and aligning financial strategy with evolving identity.
- Balance freedom and financial security – building plans that support growth, purpose, and confidence while managing risks like longevity, inflation, and market volatility
- Sustainable withdrawal strategies – Understanding how to protect wealth, manage sequence‑of‑return risk, and ensure resources last throughout retirement.
Introducing our speakers
- James Bacon – Chartered Financial Planner, helping clients align their money with their values to build and protect long‑term wealth.
- Lee Nguyen – Chartered Financial Planner, specialising in corporate financial planning and guiding business owners and professionals to build lasting security.
What’s in it for you?
Our Life Planning Masterclass series helps you cut through barriers and turn good intentions into lasting action. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of why planning often fails, how to make it stick, and how to align your financial plan with your evolving life and leadership role.
These sessions explore how education and accountability shape the life you’re building. With insights from behavioural economics, we’ll unpack why some goals endure while others slip, and how changes in income or career shifts affect your financial choices. Whether you’re navigating midlife demands or reimagining retirement, this is your space to pause, plan, and make decisions that reflect your true priorities.
45 min presentation & 15 min Q&A
6 reasons to use a telephone answering service
We recently conducted a Twitter poll asking people why they use (or why they would use) a telephone answering service and the results surprised us! We fully expected the top reason to be to save money – but it was actually near the bottom of the result table.
Top reasons to use a telephone answering service
Not only did we learn the answers to our question but we also learnt the value of market research! And here’s how the results polled:
41% human contact:
Never underestimate the value of speaking to a ‘real’ person. Customers who call your company want to speak to a person. They don’t want to hear the engaged tone or hear an automated message – they’ll simply move on if they do.
25% save time:
It’s great to have a busy telephone line – it can show your business is a great success! But how long is the average sales call? How many calls do you take that are nuisance calls? Filtering your calls means that you can pick out the important ones and call the customer back at an allotted time.
18% save money:
Do you employ a receptionist and incur all associated costs (wages, NI, sickness, holiday etc) or do you pay a small monthly fee to have a call-answering service deal with your calls?
16% not missing a sales call:
If you’re with a customer or client or in a meeting you’re probably not going to want to interrupt to take a call. That missed call could be a sales order and nobody can afford to throw business away.
We also think the following a consideration too
Giving a big business feel
You might not want your customers to realise you are dealing with them from your dining room or your bedroom. ‘Pretending’ to have a receptionist can give your business a professional front.
Professional call handling
What if dealing with people over the telephone is not your strong point? Or you can only take calls during anti-social hours? Experienced professionals can take calls on your behalf.
We can offer many reasons to use a telephone answering service. But why not think how you and your business could benefit? Reap the benefits and guarantee your customers always talk to a real person!
Try for yourself and sign up for a 7-day free trial with Pocket Receptionist
6 reasons to use a telephone answering service
6 reasons to use a telephone answering service
We recently conducted a Twitter poll asking people why they use (or why they would use) a telephone answering service and the results surprised us! We fully expected the top reason to be to save money – but it was actually near the bottom of the result table.
Top reasons to use a telephone answering service
Not only did we learn the answers to our question but we also learnt the value of market research! And here’s how the results polled:
- 41% human contact: never underestimate the value of speaking to a ‘real’ person. Customers who call your company want to speak to a person. They don’t want to hear the engaged tone or hear an automated message – they’ll simply move on if they do.
- 25% save time: it’s great to have a busy telephone line – it can show your business is a great success! But how long is the average sales call? How many calls do you take that are nuisance calls? Filtering your calls means that you can pick out the important ones and call the customer back at an allotted time.
- 18% save money: do you employ a receptionist and incur all associated costs (wages, NI, sickness, holiday etc) or do you pay a small monthly fee to have a call-answering service deal with your calls?
- 16% not missing a sales call: if you’re with a customer or client or in a meeting you’re probably not going to want to interrupt to take a call. That missed call could be a sales order and nobody can afford to throw business away.
We also think the following a consideration too
- Giving a big business feel – you might not want your customers to realise you are dealing with them from your dining room or your bedroom. ‘Pretending’ to have a receptionist can give your business a professional front.
- Professional call handling – what if dealing with people over the telephone is not your strong point? Or you can only take calls during anti-social hours? Experienced professionals can take calls on your behalf.
We can offer many reasons to use a telephone answering service. But why not think how you and your business could benefit? Reap the benefits and guarantee your customers always talk to a real person!
Try for yourself and sign up for a 7-day free trial with Pocket Receptionist
Treating your LinkedIn Profile as a Sales Resource and not a CV
Your LinkedIn Profile: More Than Just a CV
We’re all on LinkedIn for different reasons—whether it’s finding a new role, building a personal brand, or driving sales. But here’s the truth: your profile is the first impression you make, and it needs to speak directly to the people you want to reach.
If you’re job hunting, your profile should showcase your experience like a CV. But if you’re using LinkedIn as a sales and marketing tool, your profile needs to work harder—as a powerful sales resource that builds trust and converts prospects.
Join this practical session to learn how to transform your LinkedIn Profile into a strategic asset. We’ll cover:
✅ How prospects really use LinkedIn to assess you
✅ The role of your profile in social selling and lead generation
✅ The key sections to optimise for maximum impact
✅ How to use social proof to build credibility and drive conversions
✅ Tips to promote your profile and get it seen by the right people
✅ How your profile and content work together to amplify your presence
Your LinkedIn profile isn’t just a page—it’s your personal storefront. Make sure it’s working for you.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn what makes a profile stand out and convert. Your next connection could be your next big opportunity!
Meet the Trainer
Mark White, known as “The LinkedIn Professional”, after a 12 year career in international sales & marketing, Mark has dedicated the last 15 years exclusively to training teams and individuals on LinkedIn, with the focus primarily around its application to business development, marketing, personal branding and recruitment.
Eligibility:
These small-group workshops are funded by Norfolk County Council and the Department for Business and Trade. They are open to any trading business, freelancer, or charity based in Norfolk, UK.
Due to funding restrictions, only one ticket per company is available initially. If a workshop is not fully booked, a second ticket may be requested the day before the event by contacting jo.barnard@newangliagrowthhub.co.uk.
Chadwicks Masterclass for Life planning. Getting your house in order.
We invite senior professionals to step back from the daily grind and engage in purposeful reflection.
January’s urge to “tidy up” is more than seasonal, it’s strategic. Resolutions often falter under family pressures, career changes, and choice overload, making financial order essential. Our first 2026 Life Planning Masterclass explores how rising income triggers tax traps, and why clear understanding of wrappers, pensions, investments, protection, and risk matters.
What we’ll cover
- Quick wins: Maximising contributions, consolidating pensions, trimming spending, and refreshing insurance or estate plans.
- Building good money habits: Automating savings, scheduling regular reviews, and maintaining discipline to stay on track.
- Turning resolutions into long‑term success: How small steps and consistent habits transform short‑lived intentions into lasting financial wellbeing.
Introducing our speakers
- James Bacon – Chartered Financial Planner, helping clients align their money with their values to build and protect long‑term wealth.
- Lee Nguyen – Chartered Financial Planner, specialising in corporate financial planning and guiding business owners and professionals to build lasting security.
What’s in it for you?
Our Life Planning Masterclass series helps you cut through barriers and turn good intentions into lasting action. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of why planning often fails, how to make it stick, and how to align your financial plan with your evolving life and leadership role.
These sessions explore how education and accountability shape the life you’re building. With insights from behavioural economics, we’ll unpack why some goals endure while others slip, and how changes in income or career shifts affect your financial choices. Whether you’re navigating midlife demands or reimagining retirement, this is your space to pause, plan, and make decisions that reflect your true priorities.
45 min presentation & 15 min Q&A
A Christmas Night at the Theatre
Now in its fourth glittering year, Norwich Theatre proudly invites you to a night of festive elegance and unforgettable celebration. Step into a world of winter magic as we transform the theatre into your ultimate Christmas party destination.
Celebrate the season with an evening designed to dazzle – from the first sip of your welcome cocktail to the last dance under the disco lights. Whether you’re planning a festive night out with colleagues or a special evening with friends, this is your perfect way to kick off Christmas 2025.
Workplace Drug Testing ~ Choosing the right test kits
Whether you’re already testing or considering starting the right test kits will make all the difference.
15 years ago drug and alcohol testing was only available through a select number of specialist laboratories, and the only options available to companies needing screening was to enter expensive and slow contracted services, with long delays between testing and obtaining results. Jump forward to 2018 and the biotechnology has made massive leaps forward, enabling instant on-site screening, with positive or negative (clear) results in 5-10 minutes after sample collection. The enables businesses to get a workforce back in business fast and with minimum disruption. Drug screening has also moved out of the clinic setting and onto the work floor, with saliva options for almost all drug screens. Looking for the right drugs is essential and this includes testing for some drug groups which you may not consider in the classic “drugs of abuse” including some prescription drugs and the new psychoactive substances NPS or legal highs which have not been included on traditional older drug screens.
Remember you can test the environment as well as the people.
We have all probably watched Gordon Ramsay’s TV series on drugs and seen the findings when he tested changing rooms and toilets in some restaurants for Cocaine residues, but it is worth mentioning that wipe test and compound test kits are now available which will screen for up to 10 drug group residues. Only minute amounts of the drug have to be left for the test to detect its presence, and they can also be used on powders, tablets and vegetative product suspected of containing cannabinoids or synthetic cannabis.
Most Companies choose saliva oral fluid test kits.
An integral part of any company drug and alcohol policy has to be the choice of testing kit. More and more companies are opting for the saliva route of sample collection for initial instant screening. It’s easy to see why, with an ever-growing catalogue of saliva test membrane options available, saliva test can now offer up to 13 screens in a single test. Sample collection is straightforward and can be directly observed with little or no ability for the sample to be tampered with, substituted, diluted or adulterated.
Correct procedure, correct records, correct confirmation.
Most centres safely rely on instant screens to exclude all the negative results but it is essential to follow through with UKAS accredited confirmation testing of any non-negative findings. non-negative includes any screens with indeterminate results including invalids and will also include positive results where declared medications may be masking abuse or causing drug interactions. Fast track laboratory services can provide certificates results in 72 hours. Expect between 4 and 6 percent of tests to require a confirmation test.
Access Diagnostic Tests UK Ltd
Based in Aylsham Norfolk Access Diagnostics is the UK distributor of ALLTEST and InstAlert Brands of Drug and Alcohol testing kits. Directly or via our national network of re-sellers and suppliers we can assist in all matters which come up when your company introduces drug screening. Whether you’re looking to test 1 person or 500, we can guide you through the legalities, responsibilities and options to ensure your decisions stay legal, enforceable and above all improve the productivity and health of your workforce.
To find out more visit https://www.ukdrugtesting.co.uk or call us on 01263 731 168 Monday to Friday 8.30-4.30pm
Wise up to Ageism Training – December 2025
This workshop explores what Ageism is and how it affects us as individuals and as a society.
Are you ready to tackle the last “acceptable” prejudice?
Ageism affects us all—from “snowflake” younger people to “boomer” older generations—yet it remains largely unchallenged in our workplaces and communities.
Transform Your Understanding in Just 90 Minutes
Age Friendly Norwich invites you to this engaging, interactive workshop where small group sizes ensure meaningful discussion and real learning.
What You’ll Discover:
- Recognise the Impact – Understand how widespread ageism is and how it affects people across all age groups, often in ways we don’t even notice
- Challenge Your Own Biases – Learn to identify ageism in everyday situations—even when it’s kindly meant—and develop practical tools to challenge it effectively
- Celebrate Ageing – Discover the many benefits that come with ageing and how positive attitudes can help everyone live well for longer
- Take Action – Find out about the Age Friendly Employer pledge and connect with organisations already making a difference
Why This Matters
Age discrimination compounds other disadvantages and holds back our community. But you have the power to change this—starting with recognising ageism when you see it.
Ready to make a difference?
📍 Face-to-face session with small groups for maximum interaction
⏰ 90 minutes of CPD-accredited learning
🤝 Network with like-minded change-makers
Register now to secure your place and join the Age Friendly movement challenging ageism in Norwich.
Together, we can create a truly age-friendly community where everyone thrives.
Sessions available
- Tuesday 16th December 10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30
- Thursday 22nd January 10:30 – 12:00 or 13:00 – 14:30
Web – www.agefriendlynorwich.org.uk
Email – agefriendly@ageuknorwich.org.uk
Why online customer reviews matter to your business
Where is the first place you’ll go to if you want to reaffirm your decision to buy a product or a service? Most likely Google, or any search engine for that matter. And what are you likely to see when you type in the company name? The company’s profile and the reviews people have left for it. Among the top results will most likely be a couple of review sites where comments have been posted about the given business or product.
Consumers take online reviews seriously
But let’s first ask ourselves what motivates consumers to check product reviews in the first place? It doesn’t take much to figure that people need reassurance before they decide to part with their hard-earned money. It’s those who have already experienced the positives and the negatives of the product that are trusted to provide more information about their first-hand experience.
Various studies have been performed and although all of them present slightly different figures, they all unite around the undeniable fact that online reviews affect consumers’ purchasing behaviour to a considerable degree. Most of the research conducted, calculated that around 80 to 90% of people have been influenced by online reviews they have read about a certain product. What is more, Forbes revealed that 88% of consumers find online reviews trustworthy. Those figures are not surprising at all but they reiterate the significance of the feedback you get on the Internet.
Online reviews are cherished by potential users because they are supposed to involve a succinct summary of the pros and cons of a product. The customer is interested in feeding their expectations about something they want to buy, and want to learn the details from those who have already passed the stage of getting to know the product in question. But that’s not everything. Consumers tend to acquire their knowledge by visiting multiple sites. It’s not just Google – they could go to platforms like Yelp, Trustpilot or specialised industry-websites to do their exhaustive research. This comes to tell us that people invest quite a lot of time to learn more about their prospective purchase, and take the feedback they see seriously.
Seek reviews from your customers
What is key to understand is that companies should encourage their users to review them. It would be a positive step for them to invite their current users to leave a rating on their website or on some other platform. People are more than willing to assess anything numerically – be it a book, a movie, a plumber, or a lawnmower, they will happily express their opinion by giving 1 to 5 stars, or whatever scale different sites provide. By generating a good number of reviews, you offer your potential clients a bigger and clearer picture of your services, as they will normally trust you if they find out that many people have already commented on what you are doing, and how well you are doing it.
If you have been wondering whether you should worry about your overall score, the answer is no. People generally give positive marks and it is unlikely that you will get a destructively-low rating. The more reviews you receive, the higher your result will be, as occasional negative comments will be drowned in the sea of approvals.
A large number of reviews can help you get some easy traffic to your website, too. A study from 2015 showed that consumer reviews contributed 8.4% to what Google and other search engines use when ranking search results. This is not a figure to ignore as it gives you a respectable amount of extra visitors for the little effort you need to make to promote product reviewing.
Conclusion
All in all, any business’ reputation is built on customer satisfaction. If your product is usable and of high quality, you are certain to gain recognition. Nevertheless, it does not require much to help yourself further by asking your clients to review your business.
Getting Started with Microsoft Copilot
Unlock the Power of Microsoft Copilot: Beginner-Friendly Workshop
Curious about Microsoft Copilot and how it can transform the way you work? Join this interactive, beginner-friendly session designed to help teams understand and confidently use Copilot within the Microsoft 365 tools they already know and love—like Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
What to Expect:
- Discover Copilot’s Potential: Learn what Copilot is, how it integrates seamlessly with Microsoft systems, and where it can genuinely make a difference in your daily tasks.
- Hands-On Guidance: Jules will walk you through real examples of Copilot in action, showing how to craft effective prompts, review outputs, and use the tool safely and responsibly.
- Practical Tips & Best Practices: Understand the pros and cons, when Copilot is most helpful, and when it’s better to stick with traditional methods. Learn how to get reliable results without overcomplicating things.
- Boost Productivity: See how Copilot can save time by reducing everyday admin, streamlining workflows, and improving overall efficiency.
Why Attend?
- No technical jargon—just clear, practical advice.
- Perfect for beginners who want to feel confident using Copilot.
- Leave with actionable tips you can apply immediately to your work.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll know what Copilot can do, how to use it effectively, and how to make it your go-to tool for smarter, faster work.
Meet the Trainer
Jules Rickman-Jenkins – Hapiflow
For more than 20 years, Jules has been shaping performance content marketing, so her move into AI never felt like a pivot. It was more like the obvious next chapter. From the moment she stepped into the space, she was hooked, helping clients understand what AI can genuinely do, training teams, and building automation and agents that actually make businesses easier to run.
What she does best is remove the busywork, automate the parts that steal time, and free people up to focus on the work that adds real value.
When Jules is involved, teams stop firefighting and start thriving. They have space to be creative, to solve problems properly, and to scale without burning themselves out.
That is the flow she builds, where AI is not just clever, it is genuinely useful. Where businesses save time, teams enjoy their jobs, and good results do not come with unnecessary chaos.
With Jules, businesses do not just improve their systems, they reimagine how they work, turning clunky processes into smooth hapiflows.
Adam Thacker – Hapiflow
Adam has spent most of his career quietly wondering why smart businesses insist on making life harder than it needs to be. You will have seen the same things he has: endless spreadsheets fighting for attention, a filing system only Colin from Accounts can navigate, or processes so tangled they would leave the Minotaur asking for directions.
What Adam does best is spot those absurdities, untangle them, and prove that working smarter does not require panic, pain, or expensive software nobody actually wanted.
He has worked with giants like Aviva, Verisk, and Ardonagh, alongside ambitious local firms across Norfolk and beyond. No matter the industry, the pattern is the same. Happier people, simpler processes, and sensible use of data always beat chaos and crossed fingers.
That is hapiflow. Less friction, more focus, and a workplace where problems are solved instead of passed around. When businesses run well, people thrive. And when people thrive, even business itself becomes enjoyable.
Eligibility:
These small-group workshops are funded by Norfolk County Council and the Department for Business and Trade. They are open to any trading business, freelancer, or charity based in Norfolk, UK.
Due to funding restrictions, only one ticket per company is available initially. If a workshop is not fully booked, a second ticket may be requested the day before the event by contacting jo.barnard@newangliagrowthhub.co.uk.