Soak Social launches it’s first online course suitable for business owners, marketers, PR professionals, sales representatives, consultants and anyone else that would like to be able to use Twitter to promote themselves or their business.
Across 17 lectures and over 2 hours of video Sean Clark, Director at Soak Social,takes you through some practical steps that will have you using Twitter like a professional in no time.
“Twitter can seem overwhelming to some, but it can offer real business value with the right approach. There are a multitude of courses covering the theory and the basics of Social Media, but I wanted to take a more practical approach.”
During this course you learn how to identify your target market, create a professional Twitter profile and find content to share. Then you will combine all of these into an efficient and effective strategy using freely available online tools.
At the end of this course you will have created a semi-automated system that will allow you to curate content around your area of expertise and share it with your target audience all day whilst you work. You’ll also learn how to engage with your audience, monitor the social space and measure the effectiveness of your newly implemented Social Media strategy.
East Anglian mechanical engineering contractor Pruce Newman have announced the appointment of two new members to its Executive Board with effect from 1st June 2017. The new Operations Directors, Jamie Key and Darren Razzell, are both existing employees of the business, and bring specific industry skills and experience to the board to support Pruce Newman’s plans for further growth.
Jamie (pictured centre left) and Darren (centre right) join existing directors Alan Pruce (left) and Tim Moorse (right), and Managing Director Graham Newman (centre), to form the expanded Executive Board of Pruce Newman, which has its head office and workshops in Wymondham, Norfolk. Established in 1970 by John Pruce and Brian Newman, Pruce Newman has developed from its entrepreneurial beginnings to become a prominent local employer with over 120 staff and a turnover of £10 Million, and still remains under family ownership. The company has bases in Norfolk and Essex, and provides specialist industrial pipework fabrication and installation services to clients across the South and East of England.
Driven by its core values of Quality, Safety and Trust, Pruce Newman has built a loyal client base in the region, counting many blue-chip organisations and international brands amongst its customers. Working in industries as diverse as oil & gas, power generation, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, food & drink and fuel storage terminals, the company has seen a sustained increase in demand for its services, mainly due to its high levels of craftsmanship and customer service, and its ability to undertake and manage projects ranging from simple fabrication to the design and build of complete new production facilities. With further growth planned over the next ten years, the Board believe that the appointment of two new directors to their team will provide a sound basis for moving forward.
Between them, Darren and Jamie have over 30 years’ experience of working for Pruce Newman, and 50 years’ industry experience. As the business continues to grow, they will take responsibility for Pruce Newman’s day-to-day contracting operations, ensuring that the company maintains its focus on safely delivering high quality projects for its clients.
Speaking about his appointment, Darren Razzell said:
“I was delighted to be invited to join the Board of Directors and have enthusiastically accepted the position. In previous employment with other organisations, I had often looked on with admiration at Pruce Newman’s well-respected business practice. Now, I hold a real sense of pride to work with such loyal, dedicated and talented colleagues who together equate to quite a unique business operation. I am looking forward to helping to lead the business and to compliment the board with alternative skills and experience which I hope will bring additional depth and variation to Pruce Newman’s opportunities.
“I am particularly excited about improving operating efficiencies within our Wymondham fabrication facility to enhance its offering both for internal sales and as a supplier to new customers. Furthermore, adding value with additional services to all clients by offering turnkey solutions, is an area that I’m keen to see driven forward.”
His sentiments were echoed by Jamie Key, who commented:
“It’sa great honour to be offered and to accept the role of Operations Director with Pruce Newman. Having worked my way through the ranks over the past few years I feel that I am now well positioned to help build on the foundations already put in place by the existing directors. I will do my very best to ensure that the future of Pruce Newman is prosperous and successful, for everybody associated with the company.”
With almost fifty years of successful trading under its belt, Pruce Newman believes that the appointment of the two new directors will give the business the stability that it requires to enter its next half-century, and the skills that it needs to deliver continued sustainable growth. As Graham Newman, Managing Director, explains:
“I’m delighted to welcome Jamie and Darren to the Board at such an exciting time for the business. Pruce Newman is proud of its strong family ethos, and both Jamie and Darren have been part of that family for the past 18 years. As we move forward and our business continues to grow, I’m gratified that our philosophy of nurturing and developing talent from within has produced two individuals with the skills, experience and abilities to lead that growth into the future.
“Jamie and Darren’ strengths compliment those of our existing Executive team, and their appointments emphasise Pruce Newman’s ambitions to continue to set the standard for companies in our industry. Once again, I’d like to congratulate them both on their appointment to the Board.”
The Partners of Leathes Prior are delighted to announce that Paula Lawn , currently Associate within the firm’s Employment team, has accepted their invitation to join the Partnership with effect from 1 May 2012.
Paula chose a career in Law after working for a number of different organisations from the Royal Air Force through to Norwich Union. She studied Law as a mature student at UEA, winning a Sweet & Maxwell prize and joined Leathes Prior in 2007.
Whilst her experience covers the whole spectrum of Employment Law issues, Paula has a passionate interest in the protection and promotion of the rights of individuals in the workplace and is responsible for the Employment team’s employee practice.
Mike Barlow, Managing Partner at Leathes Prior commented: “Paula’s boundless enthusiasm and commitment to her clients, colleagues and those causes which excite her passion have proven to be a real asset to the firm and we very much look forward to her input around the Partners’ table and help in shaping the future and direction of our firm.”
JMS helped Anglian Water to celebrate World Oceans Day with the production of a 90 second promotional video on how to keep beaches and bathing waters clean in the East.
Anglian Water were keen to ensure the video was fun and engaging, encouraging people to share the tips online. JMS developed a theme song and sea creature characters in their video to demonstrate how home owners and beach users directly affect the sea and its creatures through actions such as littering, poor plumbing maintenance and dog fouling. Key elements that impressed Anglian Water in the development of the video included having a seal’s birthday party and crab’s first date ruined, and the addition of animated dog poo! It was a great project for the whole team to work on, developing the characters, the song and the musical theme, as well as having the opportunity to be a bit naughty!
After an exciting 2016, Norwich business Comm-Tech Voice & Data Ltd has started the new financial year with the acquisition of Great Yarmouth based Fine Line Communications.
The move see’s both businesses continue to operate under their own brands, combining resources to deliver enhanced communications solutions to their clients with the highest levels of support and service.
Comm-Tech Managing Director Justin Millar said:
“This is a strategic acquisition that makes business sense for both Comm-Tech and Fine Line. It is great to see both multi-million pound businesses be so successful for the past 30 years, consistently adapting to the technological advances in a forever changing and fast paced communications industry. With the skill sets and assets both business can bring together, this is the natural choice to continue the legacy of both Fine Line and Comm-Tech, that will only enhance our already exciting service delivery of being our clients one-stop hub for all things communications, connectivity and I.T.”
Owner of Fine Line Communications Kenny Leak said:
“This is an exciting time for Fine Line, our staff and most importantly our customers. Having made the decision to retire I firmly believe that Judith and I have left the business in very good hands and Comm-Tech will undoubtedly strengthen every aspect of the business. The acquisition will offer Fine Line customers even greater support, expertise and new opportunities with their telecoms requirements. Comm-Tech are at the forefront of hosted communications and I.T and with their accreditations and connections with the UK’s largest network providers, they really can take Fine Lines solution portfolio and customer experience to the next level.”
The acquisition of Fine Line Communications follows up on a highly successful year for Comm-Tech celebrating 30 years in business with the re-sign of key accounts which included the largest mobile Vodafone partner managed account in the UK worth over 9.7 million* and a 4.3 million deal on fixed line services.
In addition to this Comm-Tech have been awarded the Vodafone Total Communications Partner status (one of only fourteen in the UK) for their knowledge and customer service skills, seen huge growth in their hosted telephony proposition, and have extensively grown their Solution Advisors, Communications Consultants and Support Teams to ensure service levels continue to meet the businesses high standards and expectations.
The Local Campaign of the Year award at the UK Biddable Media Awards 2017 was accepted by TaxAssist Accountants’ digital marketing partners, Crafted, at a special ceremony in Marble Arch, London
Both organisations work closely with the network to advertise TaxAssist franchisees at a local level, with marketing campaigns that capture the best possible client leads who require an accountancy and tax service.
TaxAssist currently supports more than 65,000 clients, including sole traders, partnerships and limited companies, by providing them with expert advice and accountancy services ranging from tax returns and payroll to tax savings and advice.
The efficiency and performance of the localised online marketing gives new and existing franchisees confidence that the TaxAssist support infrastructure will continue to help them grow their own accountancy practice into a profitable business, becoming a saleable asset for the future.
James Mattam, Group Business Development Director, TaxAssist Accountants, said: “Crafted has been instrumental in driving online marketing success for our accounting network, creating a digital strategy that delivers against our business objectives.
“The number one concern most accountants have when starting their practice is how they will find new clients. We remove that worry by delivering well-funded advertising campaigns to help each franchisee succeed.”
Ian Miller, CEO, Crafted, said: “Through continuous refinement and expansion, our online advertising team has successfully delivered a localised digital marketing strategy that works.
“By ensuring visibility in Google and Bing in their local area, we can drive a greater quality of business leads to franchisees, further strengthening the TaxAssist business model.”
If you’re an accountant that’s dreamt of running your own business, why not see what a TaxAssist franchise has to offer? Call us today on 0800 0188 297 to arrange a confidential chat or drop us a line using our online enquiry form.
The University of East Anglia welcomes Anna Douglas as their new Relationship Manager for Business, Financial and Legal Services, a role newly created to meet the growing needs of these areas within the University. Our Relationship Managers are highly experienced professionals who bring together expertise of working with a wide range of organisations and an in-depth knowledge of UEA.
Anna’s focus is to promote collaboration and partnerships between UEA, its academics and Schools of Study, with external organisations within the business, financial and legal services sectors. Where businesses and professional firms are looking to grow, diversify or overcome a business challenge, UEA can help by providing access to academic expertise including consultancy, research, CPD and training, as well as introducing student and graduate talent via recruitment and internship programmes. Anna will be responsible for helping to create these partnerships through reinforcing existing and developing new relationships, whilst working closely with academics to help raise awareness of UEA’s research capabilities through knowledge exchange and engagement.
Anna joins the University from grant-making charity Norfolk Community Foundation, where she was Director of Marketing and Development, and worked with businesses, professional advisors, charitable trusts and individuals to support them with their corporate social responsibility and charitable giving. Prior to that, Anna worked as Business Development Manager for Top 100 UK law firm, Birketts LLP developing sector and practice led focus groups, bids and tenders for legal services and legal directory submissions.
Norfolk businesses are being urged to help support young people to be better prepared for work by offering work experience placements. Norfolk County Council’s Work Experience Norfolk campaign is asking for employers to pledge a work experience placement for a post-16 student in Norfolk. Giving students the opportunity to experience work while still at school is key to ensuring their work readiness as well as helping them to decide on a future career path. Creating work experience opportunities for students and school leavers also has great benefits for employers and can help towards achieving their own objectives. It gives the business the chance to gain access to local talent by seeing first-hand what young people in Norfolk have to offer – which often includes fresh ideas and a different perspective – particularly when it comes to the likes of using social media. Offering a work experience opportunity that a young person truly values can also help to raise the profile of a business with their family, friends and the local community. This can be a powerful recruitment tool for businesses as people will then recommend them as a good firm to work for. Placements can positively impact on existing staff too by boosting morale and raising confidence through offering mentoring opportunities and supervisory experience to staff. Cllr Penny Carpenter, Chair of Norfolk County Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “For employers, work experience is about giving back to society and helping the future economy by preparing young people for the world of work. Having a work experience programme where young people can work on real projects – not just some of the more mundane tasks – means they get a true picture of what it is like to work in an industry.“Businesses in our community are often willing to offer work experience as they are part of our wider community and can support a young person as they enter such an important stage of their life. I’d urge Norfolk businesses to help our young people by offering a work experience placement – it’s a two-way process and they can also see great benefits.” Work experience placements can be of varying lengths and take place at different times of the year; schools and colleges will work with the employer around the needs of the business so that both the student and employer will benefit. East Norfolk Sixth Form College student India Biocec completed a week-long placement in the accounts department at Proserv: “Spending time at Proserv allowed me to experience real-life work, which will help me feel more confident about starting a job when I leave college. I got the chance to sample office life, and was able to use some of the knowledge I’d learnt on my AAT course. I’d say it was an excellent all-round experience and I’m very grateful to everyone involved for giving me the opportunity.” If you’re an employer interested in inspiring and motivating local young people to help them be better prepared for work, complete the short form to let us know the opportunities you can offer to a Norfolk sixth form or college student. Please complete the form by 23 June if possible as this will give schools a chance to contact you before they break up for the summer holiday.
Bigfork designed the new website for Inspiralis, based on the Norwich Research Park, who supply Topoisomerase research products to the pharmaceutical and academia markets. The brief was to position Inspiralis as supplier of high quality products, we achieved with a modern, clean design and creative photography.
Pure’s recruitment consultant Ruben Davis was one of the brave fundraisers to take part in a 160ft bungee jump challenge on Sunday (11 June) to raise money for Norfolk and Waveney cancer charity The Big C.
The event, held outside The Forum in Norwich, was organised by The Big C in partnership with the UK Bungee Club. The Big C is this year’s nominated charity for Pure’s Norwich team and Ruben volunteered for the daredevil challenge to play his part in raising vital funds. Surprisingly, despite being his first ever bungee jump, he said the nerves didn’t really kick in until the last moment.
He added: “In the lead up to it all I was quite nonchalant about the whole thing. It was only when I got there, saw the crane and realised just how high it was that the adrenaline started pumping. Luckily the team organising the event were so engaging and really helped to put me at ease. There was a fantastic view of Norwich which kept me reasonably distracted while I was up in the crane, and then I just had to take a leap of faith!”
The supporters, who gathered on Millennium Plain to watch the brave fundraisers, included Ruben’s wife and his nine-month old daughter, both of whom were glad to see him safely back on the ground afterwards.
Ruben added: “Doing a bungee jump was one of those things I’d always thought about, but the right opportunity had never come up until now. It was an amazing experience and I would definitely do it again. One of the first things I did when I got home was to research the world’s largest bungee jump, just in case I can tie it into a holiday in the future! There was a fantastic atmosphere among everyone taking part and I’m delighted to have been able to help raise funds for such a fantastic organisation.”
The Big C provides drop in support and information centres across Norfolk and Waveney. These are used by thousands of people affected by cancer every year and provide valuable information about diagnosis, treatments, side effects and recovery. The support also includes trained staff who can provide emotional help, support and complementary therapies.
Pure had already raised over £2,700 for The Big C through its annual quiz night earlier in the year. Now Ruben’s fundraising plunge has raised a further £340 for the charity, with donations still coming in. There is still time to donate to Ruben’s fundraising efforts through his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ruben-Davis1
We take great pleasure in welcoming Kevin Cooper as our new Business Telecoms Manager. Kevin joins us with 16 years’ experience in telecoms. It’s great to welcome someone into the team with such a vast background inthis fieldand who will be able to take our business telecommunications division from strength to strength.
Kevin says ‘This is an exciting opportunity to help Breakwater IT expand their telecoms business to both their existing client base and to new local businesses. After 16 years’ experience in the industry I am looking forward to be able to offer transparent and cost effective solutions that meet clients’ current business needs.
My experience is across the whole portfolio of Business Telecommunications including both traditional services such as fixed calls and lines to cutting edge unified communication solutions. The need for ever increasing bandwidth to support our voice and data applications is a major issue in a “rural” community and it is important to know if broadband, EFM or Leased line is the right product at the right cost for your business.
I believe Telecoms really do not need to be complicated. The basic principles should apply;
• Simple cost effective tariff • Transparent agreements with no hidden surprises • Clear and concise billing with ability to offer useful reports for your business • Quick and local response to enquiries • Streamline fault reporting with regular updates with quickest fix • Solutions tailored to your business’
“Breakwater is a dynamic and growing business and I am delighted to be heading up its expansion into Business Telecoms. It is a very exciting time both for me and for the company as a whole”
LP’s mediation-1st and employmentor teams are to run a three day Certificate in Internal Mediation course, accredited by OCN Eastern Region. This commercially focused course has been designed for senior executives and HR professionals.
Learn essential skills to resolve workplace conflict, improve internal relationships and avoid costly disputes.
The Trainers
Martin Plowman
Already cited as “the best Mediator in East Anglia” by the independent guide, the Legal 500, Martin is now ranked the number 1 mediator in the UK by the independent National Mediator Database League Table. With twenty seven years’ experience in employment litigation and over 500 mediations to fall back on, together with a successful record of courses delivered to HR professionals, lawyers, and even to the Court Service, Martin is the ideal course leader for any workplace mediation course. He is described as “first class; knowledgeable and commercial and I cannot recommend him highly enough”.
Paula Lawn
Paula is a leading Employment Lawyer who over the years has become increasingly conscious that the vast majority of issues she deals with on a daily basis, for both employers and employees, could have been dealt with more effectively and without recourse to lawyers. Paula is able to provide a rare insight into where and how the use of mediation to resolve workplace conflicts sits within both a commercial and legal framework. Paula is a Partner at Leathes Prior Solicitors and specialist within employmentor, a unique fixed-fee annual service providing online and telephone Employment Law support to SMEs.
Places for this course are strictly limited to 12 people to ensure individual attention and tuition can be given. To reserve your place please contact Mandy Hanby on 01603 281128 or mandy@mediation-1st.co.uk