One of the most important partnerships your business will ever make is with your IT support company.
Just think how reliant you and your team are on technology. When everything works as it should, it’s great.
But when you’re constantly tackling big problems and small frustrations, it’s exhausting. And it impacts everything.
Coronavirus taught businesses just how important their IT partner can be. We’ve been inundated with new enquiries over the last year.
So we have written this guide. It’s not about us; it’s about all IT support companies and how to choose the right one for you. Inside, you’ll find out:
Why you want a partner that thinks strategically.
The reasons business owners and managers like you switch IT support providers
How to protect the most important asset your business owns
And why you should be highly sceptical of all IT support businesses (yes, including us)
We met 11 years ago in London and came together over our love for dogs, both pet and working. Chris was already working as dog handler with his two general purpose dogs Rebel and trainee pup Titan for a parks unit in London and Ruth was a dedicated pet dog owner. The relationship developed and in 2014 we decided to reform Alpha Canine Specialists which was a company Chris formed and had been a director of in the mid to late 1990’s. Although Ruth had not previously worked within the industry, she quickly fitted in and developed as a drug detection dog handler and along with Chris achieved her level 3 NASDU qualification in 2015 with Labrador Stanley and Chris with Labrador sisters Nell and Mabel. In 2016 the company moved into the specialist role of explosive detection when Chris qualified with his first EDD Riley and Ruth followed suit in 2018 with her Labrador Flo.
The company has quickly developed into a small but bespoke specialist canine security organisation maintaining the company’s principles of Quality over Quantity.
We both have established a reputation within the industry which has led us to work at some of the country’s best known events and stadia. The strong foundation that we have laid down over the past years has been aided by the close relationship we have and the understanding both as business partners and a husband and wife team. The roles and responsibilities have been clearly defined which removes any misunderstandings when running the company together and the success of Alpha Canine draws on the greatest of understanding and ambition to succeed in a large and at times flooded sector of the security industry. The daily running and operational requirements are at times stressful and difficult but are easily overcome and managed because of the strong and self motivated unit that we have achieved.
The Passion for our four legged partners has only increased since we first met as has the number of dogs we personally own and continues to drive us on to greater things in the future.
With Caroline Williams MBE, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
Friday 03 March, 12:00 – 13:00
Centrum, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7UG
In this free leadership seminar, Norfolk Chamber CEO and executive coach Caroline Williams MBE will reflect on her experiences as a business leader, and how she has identified resilience as a key and common factor for great leaders and managers. She will introduce ways to measure and improve your own resilience, particularly relevant in dealing with what life can throw at you at any time.
Caroline says “We all need to operate in a fast changing world and there are some key elements on how we think and act which can have a significant impact on us reaching our goals. It would be great to share some of my experiences and thoughts with you.”
About the series
The Bitesize Business Seminars are ideal for businesses, researchers, or students. Each session is just an hour long and focused on a specialist subject, providing an opportunity to gain insights and knowledge from industry experts. Seminars run on a fortnightly basis and can be booked individually.
You can register for other titles in the series here:
We at Warren have long recognised a challenge that continues to impact our industry – the national shortage of skills across all areas of manufacturing and engineering. While there’s no shortage of meetings, reports and initiatives set up to tackle the issue, lasting change still feels frustratingly slow.
Recently, Make UK and the Government launched a new Skills Commission, bringing together influential voices from education, manufacturing and Parliament, including Lords, policy makers and senior figures in industry. While the creation of another commission might raise a few eyebrows, we took the opportunity to make our voice heard in a different way.
Not another survey…
Rather than simply ticking boxes on the Commission’s initial survey, we decided to take a more direct approach. We told our story. We shared how Warren began, how we built our apprenticeship programme from the ground up and what we’ve learned – the successes, the challenges, and the reality of training in a fast-changing industry.
This honest, first-hand account was shared with members of the Commission and made its way into the right hands.
Warren welcomes the Commission
As a result, on 13th March we were proud to welcome a delegation from the Industrial Strategy Skills Commission to Warren. The visit was led by the Chair of the Commission, the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, who spent time learning about our approach to skills and training.
He and the team met with both current and former apprentices, gaining valuable insight into the practical realities of developing talent in the manufacturing sector. It was a great opportunity for open dialogue and we’re proud to say, they were very impressed with what they saw and heard.
We also took the opportunity to recommend a visit to West Suffolk College – our long-standing training partner, so they could see the full picture of how local collaboration plays a vital role in delivering real training outcomes.
A mention in Westminster
Following the visit, Warren was invited to attend the official presentation of the Commission’s final report at Make UK headquarters in Westminster on 1st April. The report is a weighty one, but we were pleased to see Warren mentioned several times throughout the document, a real acknowledgement of the work we’ve put in over the years.
Will things change?
So, will this Commission lead to real change? We remain cautiously sceptical. Too often, these initiatives generate discussion but little action. But one thing’s certain, Warren will continue doing what we’ve always done: investing in people, developing skills, and creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers.
We’ll keep doing our bit. And we’re proud to share our story, if it helps inspire others to do the same.
We are thrilled to have been chosen as the charity for this celebrated County event to help us raise the profile of Break, whilst raising vital funds to change young lives here in Norfolk.
On the evening, we plan to take you on a journey through Norfolk’s secret garden; bringing the Show Ball back to its Norfolk roots and celebrating our fine county for an elegant and sophisticated evening of entertainment and good food.
You will be welcomed with a sparkling reception on the lawn, followed by a four-course dinner with coffee and entertainment, including dancing to a ten-piece band.
Alongside some other special delights on the evening, we will also be featuring opportunities to win some star studded prizes:
• Sparkling Heads and Tails – sponsored by Dipples – with a chance to WIN a half carat diamond!!
• Super Prize Raffle – sponsored by Anglia Farmers
• Secret Garden Champagne Bar
• Ipad Auction
There are many other sponsorship opportunities available and ways for your company to be involved with this event, so please do contact me if you would like to be part of this wonderful evening – contact sarah.bunn@break-charity,org for more information.
This Ball will actually be the first in a series of a year of events in the run up to Break’s 50th anniversary in 2018, which will culminate in the arrival of the GoGoHares trail by Break on the streets of Norwich in June 2018.
Tickets: £750 per table (£1,000 Premium tables)
Twitter: @EventsBreak @breakwriter
Facebook: Norfolk Show Masquerade Ball 2017
This event is brought to you in association with our main sponsor The Beeston Group, working in partnership with The Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and Softley Events, and other event supporters Almary Green, Norse and borne.
I hope we can welcome you to our extra special Norfolk Show Masquerade Ball and together we can #changeyounglives
Sarah Bunn, Break, Schofield House, Spar Road, Norwich NR6 6BX
Mobile manufacturers have been advertising “5G ready” mobile devices in recent months, so where does this leave 4G connectivity solutions? How has mobile technology evolved in recent months?
Understanding the G in 4G
The G refers to the “generation” of a mobile network. The first generation was the 1G network which started in the 1980’s in Japan. Subsequent generations have followed which are 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G.
Ten years on from the launch of 3G, in 2008 the ITU-R International Telecommunications Union-Radio communications sector set the requirements for the 4G standard. The peak speed requirement for 4G services was set at 100Mbps for mobile connectivity and up to 1Gbps for static deployments.
This 4th generation network supports internet access for services such as HD mobile TV, HD video and video conferencing as well as gaming services, which all require high speed connectivity. This is the current standard which is openly available on most mobile devices throughout the UK.
What is 5G?
5G is the next generation connectivity network for mobile devices. Several 5G ready mobile devices have recently launched. The 5G network is suited specifically to high density areas as the data signal can only travel across shorter distances. Therefore, 5G is currently only suited to cities and has been rolled out in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, Manchester and Cardiff. More cities will become 5G ready by the end of 2019 including Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. 5G intends to improve on the speeds of 4G LTE with download speeds of up to 20Mbps being promised.
What’s the difference between 4G and 5G?
The 4G network is still the primary mobile network used in the UK. 4G and 5G are on different network frequencies, meaning if you wanted to connect to either a 4G or 5G network, your mobile device will have to have the correct chip for that frequency. 5G frequencies for the UK are 3.4 to 3.8 Ghz.
Essentially 4G is the best network for people who don’t live in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast, Manchester or Cardiff. 4G is still the best network for anyone that doesn’t have a 5G device or whom doesn’t live in the current 5G ready cities.
Will 4G become irrelevant?
Not anytime soon! 4G and 5G will coexist alongside each other for a good while. Many devices will be using the 4G network for at least another decade especially IOT and smart home devices. Devices that need a lot of battery life will struggle on the current 5G network as it guzzles battery life. 5G is currently only suitable for people in the five cities mentioned that have a 4G enabled device.
What does it mean for internet and broadband services?
4G isn’t going away. 4G will remain the most prominent data network for a long time. 4G will remain what people connect to in rural locations. The 4G network remains a quality network and it is being expanded upon and getting faster all the time.
There is no doubt there are innumerable benefits to drinking water, but did you know that your organisation can benefit from having a water dispenser at the office? Here are five advantages of having one:
It shows that your organisation supports sustainability
There are many ways to make your business more sustainable. By adding a water dispenser, you will be helping your employees lower their plastic usage, since they won’t have to buy bottled water. This is good for the environment, as there are many issues associated with high plastic usage.
It can save you money
In 2018, an estimated 141.4 million working days were lost in the UK due to injury or sickness. By providing your employees with fresh drinking water, there is a chance to decrease that number. Even a small margin would make a huge difference. A decrease could also translate to lower insurance costs.
Additionally, if you chose to get water dispensers from the right company, you may be able to have immense savings in your energy utility costs. For example, if you install a Cooler Sense water cooler, you would be able to keep your employees cool in the heat of the summer while using significantly less energy.
It can encourage employees to be more active
You don’t want your employees to be sitting at their desks all day. While there are many ways to encourage them to be more active, a water dispenser would easily serve the same purpose, since your employees would have to occasionally leave their desks to get some water and take a break.
It can help employees relax
Next to the water dispenser, your employees get to relax, have a drink, and chat. Small talk made away from the desk will help your employees take a mini-break from work pressures, allowing them to return to their desks feeling rejuvenated and refreshed. Additionally, there are many negative effects of staring at screens for too long, so it may also be beneficial for their eyes to take a break from the glare of their computer screens.
Your dispenser as décor
What is the first thing your visitors see when they come into your office? Imagine how a sleek-looking water dispenser would add to your reception décor. Depending on what company you choose to provide your water dispenser, you may also have the choice to design your own custom dispenser for the office, complete with your company’s logo. Not only will this look great, but it will help give your office a professional feel for any visitors. Having a water dispenser in your office is beneficial for both your employees and your office as a whole. You will be able to save a little more at the end of the month effortlessly, promote more casual face-to-face engagements and get a new way to market yourself, all while ensuring that your employees get clean, uncontaminated water in line with the UK law on hydration and work.
Would you recognise the signs that someone’s struggling with stress, anxiety or depression?
Do you know what to say to someone in your team who needs help?
How would you support your team when they are off, and when they return?
Find the answers to these and more at a one-day course in Norwich city centre.
Managers have a crucial role to play in supporting wellbeing and helping to keep their direct reports well and in work – after all, one in four people will experience poor mental health in any year. This interactive and thought-provoking one-day workshop will provide an insight into the challenges around mental health in the workplace, signs to look out for and practical tips on how to talk about mental health and offer support.
This session makes a business case for better support – and attendees will feel empowered and confident to have better conversations with their direct reports, leading to improved manager-employee relationships, better wellbeing and, ultimately, increased engagement and satisfaction.
This important and inspiring session is perfect for new and seasoned managers and HR advisors or professionals who want to know more about mental health at work.
The session covers:
· Mental health legislation at work
· Recognising the signs
· Knowing when to step in – and what to say
· How to support when people are off and when they return
· Practical scenarios and sharing scenarios
· Taking back a plan for your team
“I wish I’d had this course 25 years ago at the beginning of my managerial career.” Accountant
“The whole thing was very useful, especially the section on how to start a conversation with someone who you think is struggling.” Professional services manager
“Excellent – extremely relevant to my role.” Senior Manager
Your trainers:
Michelle Gant, The Engaging People Company
Michelle spent six years leading and embedding wellbeing within a not-for-profit organisation and working to create a culture where talking about mental health and wellbeing was empowered. She also has extensive experience of working with managers, supporting them through training and development to have better conversations. She was also previously a trustee of Norwich & Central Norfolk Mind.
Tom Oxley, Bamboo Workplace Mental Health (A Mindful Employer Partner)
Tom has worked with Mind, Time to Change and more than 20 organisations to improve their approach to mental health. His research includes more than 100 interviews with employees with mental health problems and survey findings from 15,000 UK workers. He has worked for PLCs, SMEs and charities and will draw examples from all of these.
If your online business is not taking advantage of live chat software, you are missing out on gaining new visitors, converting traffic, and building a solid trustworthy reputation. Here is a more detailed look at how live chat software can benefit your business.
Live Chat Enhances the Customer Support Experience
The most successful online businesses provide excellent customer support. By being on hand to answer questions and solve issues quickly, companies can ensure customer satisfaction. In turn, that leads to repeat customers and higher revenue. Customers typically prefer live chat over other communication options because they can get questions answered immediately instead of having to send an email and not knowing how long it will take to get a response.
Furthermore, live chat reduces repetition for your customers. No one wants to have to repeat again and again the issues they have been having, but that is typical of normal customer support methods. But with live chat software, customer service agents can read archived details of the customer’s issue to speed up the process.
Some Business Can Use Live Chat to Enhance Their Products or Services
Live chat is not just beneficial for customer support reasons. Some businesses are able to adopt live chat as part of their products and services. For example, online live casinos enable players to play games like live blackjack or roulette in real-time with actual dealers. By including live chat features, live casinos allow players to interact with the dealers in real-time for a much more immersive and enjoyable gaming experience.
Live Chat Can Increase Sales and Conversions
Providing excellent customer service is a great way of backhandedly making sales, but a live chat function also enables you to increase sales and conversions directly. According to the American Marketing Association, B2B companies that use live chat software see an average 20% conversion increase. Furthermore, according to eMarketer, 35% of people who use live chat end up making a purchase. Live chat is basically like having a ready-made sales assistant continually on standby, so it is no wonder live chat software is increasingly being used by online businesses of all types.
Live Chat Can Contribute Toward Increasing Average Order Values
Live chat cannot only help your business to increase sales. It can also help to increase the value of each sale. Because live chat enables customers to talk about their needs, you can recommend similar products and services better and cross-sell to increase the average order value. For example, if a customer makes use of live chat to talk through their needs for purchasing a new laptop, you could sell the customer not only the right laptop but also accessories like a carry case and a portable disc drive.
Live Chat Enables You to Reduce Customer Support Costs
Traditionally, customer support services are expensive. Call centre staff can handle both phone and email requests, but they can only handle one customer issue at a time. On the other hand, live chat software enables customer service agents to engage with up to six simultaneous chats. By being able to handle more customers, you can reduce your customer support costs.
Live Chat Enables You to Build Trust with Your Customers
People are naturally sceptical about buying things online from companies they do not know. But a live chat function can drastically alter how customers feel about a platform. With live chat, customers are able to have immediate chats to find out more about your company and its products or services. By having access to a customer agent in the same way as a customer would in a brick-and-mortar shop, visitors to your website will have more trust in your company and they are more likely to convert into customers.