Platform economy has arrived and is here to stay. Businesses across every industry are investing in platforms realising the importance from a strategic growth perspective. The technology era demands a connected world and connectivity channelized through platform driven business models is the way forward.

The emerging platform strategies are demand-driven, and they promise to provide unprecedented scale, speed, and global reach. These can build the foundation for unleashing new market opportunities from system management, data collection to deeper consumer insights. We have seen platform model underlying the success of many biggest and fast-growing companies like Amazon, Google, Alibaba, Uber, Airbnb, etc. The industry has been fast growing and 80% of the global enterprises are expected to create or partner with industry platforms in the coming few years.[1]

What does it mean for the loyalty marketing industry when consumer loyalty is undergoing a tectonic shift?

Customer experience has become a key differentiator for businesses worldwide. Customers are looking for choices and ease of navigating between those choices for better and quicker decision making. They are more expectant as they experience personalised and real-time services with businesses via simple and affordable digital technologies.

As for the loyalty marketing, this has been a key tool for businesses to gain repeat sales, consumer insights and acquire new customers. However, the industry has transformed rather slowly as compared to, for example, the banking, payments and retail industry. It requires a technological edge to bring the much-needed momentum with $360bn worth points lying unredeemed, globally.[2] Traditional loyalty programs are costing significantly more and delivering less. Loyalty points are not fluid enough. They hold value within single or a small group of brands and it takes too long to earn a meaningful reward.

Businesses require deep consumer insights as mass-segment marketing strategies aren’t reflective of individual’s preferences. Digitally managed platforms can create network effects such that every business can leverage the interconnected network for insights, analyse future prospects and design marketing strategies to drive sustainable growth, faster and economically. Whereas, a standalone or a closed-loop loyalty programme has its limitations. For the loyalty industry to enable true customisation and acquire more loyal customers, it requires rich and relevant data that can be generated by a platform that connects businesses and customers through a unique network.

The concept of loyalty point exchange or programme coalitions are not new. Businesses reward customers with points that are redeemable among a group of brands or transferrable to another programme. However, traditional coalitions have a standardised model of points exchange that doesn’t work for all sizes of businesses. Most of the settlements and reconciliation processes involve manual labour, adding to the time and cost. Eventually, the end consumer pays that as a transaction fee. By the time points are exchanged, consumer loses both, time and points value. The coalition owners tend to own the currency and businesses often lose out on the customer insights.

Redemption drives brand engagement. Then imagine the kind of engagement to be expected by offering diversified redemption. Businesses can potentially reclaim the lost value of their loyalty programmes by joining an exchange that will induce liquidity within the points. An advanced exchange platform can facilitate points earn, burn and exchange within the businesses in the network in a very cost-effective and real-time manner. 70% of customers leave a programme if it takes too long to earn a meaningful reward.[3] Helping customers to reach the redemption threshold is of prime importance to gain their loyalty. LoyalT_® underpinned by blockchain is among such platforms that connects businesses of all sizes and domains. In time, such platforms can emerge as a data hub with global and local businesses joining the network. Consumers can consolidate points to their preferred brand and redeem for a higher value. The network ensures real-time and secure points exchange and provides instant gratification to the consumers. One such platform can support numerous use-cases like multi-currency gift cards, peer-to-peer transfer of loyalty points, donations to charities. Every business is unique and LoyalT_® helps businesses maintain their individuality and generate the brand awareness through their own loyalty programmes. The platform acts as an enabler connecting businesses and consumers to facilitate the exchange.

We are headed towards a connected world with digitally managed platforms of consumer goods and services. Loyalty industry is waiting for such a transformation. Managed loyalty platforms on blockchain can emerge as a single source of trust less and decentralised point of connecting the businesses at a global scale. Business will be able to focus on their core offerings while the network takes care of the engagement rules, manages partnerships, multiple currencies, individual business preferences and more. All enclosed within the digital smart contract that is executed every time a transaction is initiated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aparajita Roy is the Head of Market Research at KornChain. She started her career with the Central Bank of India. She has extensive work experience in blockchain with her researches on International Money Transfers using Blockchain technology, account aggregators, trade-creating effects of the EMU and more. She brings her knowledge of international trade economics and experience of conducting independent researches to KornChain where she has been involved as a co-founder.

KornChain is a technology company that is building a global blockchain network for the loyalty marketing industry. KornChain have recently launched LoyalT® which seeks to be a global loyalty point exchange network underpinned by Blockchain. Customers can earn, spend, exchange & consolidate points in real-time while businesses benefit from customer acquisition, repeat-sales and deep insights. On-going implementation with large clients.

https://www.kornchain.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/kornchain/

[1] https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US42843817

[2] https://medium.com/@vjkrish.ram/you-are-not-alone-globally-360-bn-worth-reward-points-go-unredeemed-each-year-3ad3469e094e

[3] https://www.collinsongroup.com/en-meai

Installing or upgrading a commercial kitchen may prove expensive – the appliances and kit you need to buy do not come cheap.

Not least of your investment is likely to go on the dishwashers and glasswashers you need. Instead of buying these brand new, however, you may save as much as 60% on their cost if you choose reconditioned commercial dishwashers.

If you want to go down this route, there are several things you may need to look out for. So, here are some tips for buying reconditioned commercial dishwashers.

Choose your brand

There are dishwashers – and then there are dishwashers. If you are going to buy a reconditioned machine, it is worth selecting a well-known make or brand.

Leading brands have been manufactured to the highest standards and quality. They are designed to last and provide many years of unstinting service. Reconditioned models, therefore, make ideal candidates for receiving a new lease of life at the hands of expert tradesmen skilled in refurbishing such appliances.

When was the machine first manufactured?

It is important to know the age of any machine that has been reconditioned.

The technology employed in modern dishwashers changes over time and the more recently the machine was originally manufactured, the more likely you are to have one that incorporates the latest and most efficient technology available.

Water treatment

Whether you are installing an undercounter or pass-through dishwasher, one of the keys to the efficiency with which it works is the quality of the water used.

Some of the higher-grade machines have in-built water-softening and treatment systems to ensure that every washing cycle uses only the best quality water to do its job. In hard water areas – and that is most of England and Wales – using any dishwasher without its own water softening treatment facility is almost certain to reduce the useful working life of your machine.

Together with the rinse pump, this helps to ensure the maximum cleanliness at which your reconditioned machine is working, and the general standards of hygiene maintained in your commercial kitchen.

Chemicals

Your second-hand machine will have been expertly reconditioned, and, in the process, possible past misuse is likely to have been identified and remedied.

One of the more common misuses your machine is likely to have encountered is someone using a regular dishwashing detergent rather than the cleaning chemicals and detergents specifically recommended by the manufacturer. The use of inappropriate chemicals may again shorten the life of your dishwasher – residues from regular detergents may have baked on to the heating elements – and, so, need to be avoided.

Appearances

If you have opted to buy a reconditioned commercial dishwasher, you know that you are not going to install a brand new machine – you’ve chosen tiptop working performance over mere appearances.

Yet appearances may give some clue to the age, past use, and care with which any dishwasher has been reconditioned. There may be signs of wear and tear – as you might expect from any refurbished piece of equipment – but you need to decide the limits and the extent to which appearances might affect the hard work expected of your reconditioned dishwasher.

You only need to look at the figures. The number of working days lost to stress rose staggeringly last year, by almost a quarter in fact, from 12.5 million in 2017/18 to the current figure of 15.4 million.

It seems clear that companies would benefit from employees taking time out to invest more in their physical and emotional health.

A weekend break or the odd day off can do the trick for a while, but luckily there are plenty of other quick fixes that can fitted into our working day to boost our ability to cope better. For example, there are plenty of things you can fit in to your lunch break to re-energise and re-direct your mind and help you sail through that mid-afternoon slump:

1. Cranial Drainage

This must be done by a highly trained therapist but it can be experienced one-to-one in the office and is gentle and relaxing. Manipulation is carried out on the stress nodes from the neck to the top of the head, using a light touch to relieve the extra fluids that gather in that area. The technique involves gentle massage (without oils) focussing on pressure points. Taking only around eight-minutes, this treatment reduces stress and helps build energy, helping the body to restore itself. It is suitable for anyone of any age and perfect for relieving the pressures of day-to-day stresses that can easily be triggered by technology and pollution. When the body slows down during a session it can begin to untangle itself and re-balance, thereby letting go of accumulated physical tensions.

• Dry Neck and Shoulder Massage

It may not sound like a lot but an eight-minute neck and shoulder massage through your clothes is enough to relieve stress and leave you feeling relaxed. It’s fast and convenient, there’s no need for messy oils that might get into your hair which can be a problem when you need to go back to work. It will leave you invigorated and able to take on the rest of the day.

• Eyebrow Threading

Having the eyebrows shaped can awaken the face and the very process of making you look more awake can make you feel more awake too. Traditional methods can leave you with red marks that can take a while to fade. Threading is an ancient Indian hair removal technique that is fast and convenient, leaves no marks, is not at all messy and can temporarily have the same effects as a mini facelift. The method of twisting cotton through the eyebrows can feel a bit like tweezing multiple hairs at once and can be a slightly eye-watering, but it’s bearable pain and it’s so quick, at around ten minutes, there will be plenty of time to compose yourself before facing your colleagues.

• A Tabata workout

High intensity interval training (HiiT). This is a quick-fire session where you work hard for 20 seconds doing either squats, push-ups, burpees or kettlebells and then rest for 10 seconds Don’t be fooled by the shortness of this workout, it will feel like a long time due to the intensity. The aim is to get the heart rate up which gets the body moving more oxygen and blood around the body and releasing endorphins which will lift your mood.  It’s perfect for people short on time and it can be done in the office with a trainer.

Discovered by Japanese scientist Dr Izumi Tabata in Tokyo, the study found a 28 per cent increase in the anaerobic system (muscle) in the group following HiiT who worked out four days a week, for two weeks, at 4 minutes and 20 seconds each time as opposed to the moderate group who worked out five days a week for six weeks. Just eight minutes of Tabata is the equivalent of a thirty-minute workout. While there might be a little bit of sweat worked up on the skin, a small towel is all you need to freshen up and be raring to go back to work.

• Fast Yoga

Otherwise known as Rocket or Power Yoga, Fast Yoga is a derivative of traditional Ashtanga, but it has been modified for the West.

You can do in ten minutes what would normally take half-an-hour as the rigidity of the classic yoga practice has been broken down and it’s all about stretching and using your hands to reach out and achieve those cobra silhouettes with the concentration on breathing. One breath per pose builds up heat and energises the body. Moving through these rapid transitions with a trainer will push you to do more, faster than you would do on your own, burning more calories per minute and increasing muscle activation and leaving you feeling good.

• Cryotherapy

This literally means cold therapy. It has been popular with athletes for years but has recently found its way into mainstream health and fitness. A major calorie-burner, the technique exposes the body to extremely cold temperatures for a very short burst of time, often less than two minutes. The idea is to shock the system into re-starting itself and it is known to have a variety of health benefits. As well as helping with weight-loss it can reduce migraines and help with chronic pain and mood disorders.

The cold temperature causes physiological and hormonal responses and releases adrenaline, noradrenaline and mood enhancing endorphins which combats anxiety and depression. The effects are quite substantial and you will feel a lot more energetic and invigorated when you leave.

With most of these treatments costing between £10 and £30 and considering how much that quick lunchtime blast could energise and improve productivity, I think it should almost be written into the working day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isla Knight is the founder of JustUWellness. JustU is a booking service, accessed online or via the JustU App, that gives you the power to book a wide range of wellness treatments with the click of a button. JustU links users with professional salons and lifestyle providers.

Web: https://justutime.co.uk/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/JustuWellness

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/justuwellness/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JustUWellness2019 

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/justu-wellness-644675182/ 

Whether on behalf of themselves or their business, many people believe when attending court that they must hire a solicitor or that they need to instruct a direct access barrister to progress their case for the desired outcome. However, this is no longer true. Since 2013 with cuts to legal aid and the average person unable to afford to hire expensive legal professionals, a new type of “lawyer” has arisen; the McKenzie Friend and the Paralegal. Although neither are actually lawyers (in the sense that a layman may understand the term), they can help people with legal issues.  For example, both can help litigants with court proceedings. However, beyond that, they are very different. 

This article addresses the differences between McKenzie Friends and Paralegals.

The McKenzie Friend

The right to a McKenzie friend was established in the 1970 divorce case of McKenzie v McKenzie. Ian Hanger, who was qualified in Australian law was not allowed to practise as a barrister in London as he did not have any English Legal Qualifications. Mr McKenzie instructed Mr Hanger to represent him, which the court would not allow as Mr Hanger was only qualified in Australian Law. The court, however, did allow Mr Hanger to sit as an observer taking notes and advising Mr McKenzie during adjournments. Mr Hanger proposed he should be allowed to sit next Mr McKenzie and take notes and advise quietly, which the local county court denied.

When Mr McKenzie lost his case, he appealed to the Court of Appeal stating he was denied the right to reasonable legal assistance which lead to him losing his case. The Court of Appeal ruled a “McKenzie Friend” could be allowed to all Litigants in Person (LIPs) who are unable to afford legal assistance. Furthermore, a judge should only deny a McKenzie Friend whom they deem unsuitable. Due to this precedent the role has evolved and many Litigants in Person (LIPs) hire a McKenzie Friend to attend court with them if they cannot afford a solicitor.

Today there are various types of McKenzie Friends assisting litigants within their court proceedings. One type is a Professional McKenzie Friend. This is usually someone who charges for their services or someone who is legally qualified and does not know the litigant in any capacity other than as a client. Most Judiciaries only classify a Professional McKenzie Friend as someone with a recognised legal qualification.  

Another type of McKenzie Friend is an agency worker, for instance a Mental Health Nurse, Social Worker or a person appointed by the Citizens Advice, who may not have any professional qualifications in law nor is charging the client.

Sometimes a McKenzie Friend is a family member assisting their child, sibling or parent etc. throughout the court case. Technically, a McKenzie Friend can be anyone that the judiciary finds appropriate – and that person doesn’t have to have legal expertise or experience. They are there to provide moral and emotional support, and a second pair of eyes and ears.

The Paralegal

A Paralegal is somewhat different. A Paralegal can be someone who assists a law firm or a solicitor in preparing cases for court or running legal duties within the firm. Or they can operate on their own, i.e. not within an existing solicitor practice. Paralegals were first established as legal assistants and have now progressed into a profession in its own right. The term Paralegal was originally generic as the Paralegal Profession was unregulated until 1987 when the National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP) was formed and later (in 2003) the Institute of Paralegals (IOP). Both bodies are self-regulated membership organisations, with NALP being the only body to offer Ofqual qualifications for Paralegals.

Paralegals can do almost everything a solicitor can do – with the exception of what is known as ‘reserved’ activities. These remain the preserve of solicitors.

Mostly, the judiciary will only recognise someone as a Paralegal if they are qualified through education and experience and have completed a recognised course, like NALP’s Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies, and belong to a membership body, like NALP.  Furthermore, the court will usually only allow a Paralegal to represent in court if they are retained by solicitor whilst being supervised and the court deems them fit to conduct litigation. This is not an automatic right for the Paralegal who is working within a solicitor’s firm and it’s up to the court to decide if the Paralegal should be allowed to speak.  

A lot of Paralegals now attend court on a regular basis to represent clients in small claim proceedings or smaller cases and act as a representative if they belong to a regulated firm which is a part of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). However, it can be challenging for an independent Paralegal Firm to obtain the same rights. Although most Paralegals who run their own practice have at least three years’ experience, have an Ofqual recognised qualification, and a Licence to Practise – meaning they have been vetted and proven competent – the judiciary will still treat them in accordance with the McKenzie Friend Practise Guidelines, limiting what an experienced Paralegal can do!

So, if you are hiring a Paralegal – what do you need to know? Firstly, ensure they belong to an organisation, like NALP, and they have a Licence to Practise. Secondly, check their qualifications; a “Qualified Paralegal” is someone who has undertaken a certain level of professional Ofqual recognised training and understands their level of law in-depth. Thirdly, understand whether the Paralegal is attached to a Law firm or if they are an independent entity and can assist you through the court process.

A McKenzie Friend, even a Professional fee-charging one, can be someone who is not professionally qualified nor had any other experience besides litigating their own case in the past. Some McKenzie Friends have obtained relevant legal qualifications or they may be an ex-practising solicitor. You can find a list of qualifying McKenzie friends via The Society of Professional McKenzie Friends (SPMF) which vet and attain McKenzie Friends who are qualified to at least a A-Level/Level 3 in law. Other organisations, like the McKenzie Friend Organisation, have a variety of McKenzie Friends some qualified and some not; their aim is to allow the consumer the widest choice.

In summary, the one key difference between a McKenzie Friend and a Paralegal is that a McKenzie Friend (Professional or Not) can be anyone. Whereas a Paralegal is a legally qualified person who can perform most of the same tasks a solicitor can – with the exception of reserved activities. They may be able to represent you in court if the court allows, or if they are supervised by a solicitor.  

Many independent Paralegals are asking the judiciary to consider them separate and different from the usual McKenzie Friend roles. It is hoped that in the near future there will be separately drawn up regulations (like Solicitors and Barristers have) which will help progress the professional further.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Craig Johnson A.NALP, from Johnson’s Paralegal Services, is aNALP Senior Licensed Paralegal and a Professional McKenzie Friend. Craig is a Member of the National Association of Licensed Paralegal (NALP); a Full Professional Member of The Society of Professional McKenzie Friends (SPMF) and a Fully Professional Member of The McKenzie Friend Organisation (MFO).

National Association of Licenced Paralegals (NALP), a non-profit Membership Body and the only Paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England). Through its training arm, NALP Training, trading as National Paralegal College, accredited recognised professional paralegal qualifications are offered for a career as a paralegal professional. 

See: http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk and https://www.nalptraining.co.uk/

Twitter: @NALP_UK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssocationsofLicensedParalegals/

Are you spending so much time running your business that the rest of your life is suffering? If this is the case you need to take a look at some of the apps that can make a difference; apps that can help you with a range of tasks from keeping track of your finances to rescheduling meetings.

There a are a wealth of apps to choose from and app advisory services offered by professional advisers in your industry.  So, why not review what you currently do and discover how you can use apps to help streamline your processes?

Let’s look at some apps that will help with this – and give you back your life:

Receipt Bank, Auto Entry and Expensify

It can be time consuming for you to collate and record all those invoices and receipts. And if you send them to your accountant in a shoebox, they will spend additional time reviewing and sorting them which means more costs. There are some good apps including Auto Entry, Expensify and Receipt Bank that allow you to capture these receipts on the go and send them directly to your accountant. You can even ask your suppliers to send their invoices to the app to free up your inbox a bit. Think about the headspace you will find with less in your inbox.

FreeAgent, Quickbooks and Xero

The likes of FreeAgent, QuickBooks and Xero have truly transformed the way bookkeeping and accounting is done. And if you combine this with regular bookkeeping reconciliation services, you no longer have to spend time and energy at year end worrying about the books. You can see how your business is doing on a monthly rather than yearly basis. 

People HR, Breath HR etc.

Do you still spend time on paper forms or excels or legacy desktop systems to keep your HR records? Do your staff have to submit forms or send you other manual requests to book their holidays? How long does it take you to check whether the business will have sufficient staff during a holiday period and then to approve the holiday? Try any of the above tools and see the time, money and effort they can save your business.

Toggle, Clockify, Hubstaff and Time Doctor

Where did the time go? it’s not uncommon to ask yourself this at the end of the day. Well now you can automatically monitor how you spend your time so you can identify where and how to be more productive. You will be amazed how much of your time gets diverted away from important tasks. And these tools also help you get organised.

 Spotlight Reporting, LivePlan, Profitsee etc.

Do you know the key numbers that matter in your business? Are these presented in a useful way that helps you make business decisions? And are you able to look forward and predict what your cashflow would look like in, say, three months? If you’re spending a lot of time and energy on your numbers or you simply don’t know where you’re at with the finances try the above tools either independently or through your accountant for free. 

Business Operation and Management Apps

There is a whole list of other great apps that could be discussed here depending on your industry. For instance, if you’re retailer, restaurant or you hold stock, then an apps like Vend, Izettle and others are worth looking at. If you’re a Nursery, then review Blossom educational, EY log, Procare software and others. And for other businesses, tools like Zoho CRM, Infusionsoft, Trello, Monday and Asana can really save you time and help you find that creative space.    

GoCardless, IntegraPay etc.

You’ve done the work, spent time and sweat to please the customer and you’ve probably incurred staff and materials costs. You now wait for 30 days and then wait more and still no sign of that promised cash. You’re now dashing for cash or frantically calling customers at the 11^th hour to get assurance that you will be paid just so that you can, at least, meet those bills including payroll. Pretty stressful experience.

Why not avoid all of this and use an online direct debit app so that you and your customer can now agree when you will take payment? Easier and quicker for everyone – and certainly less stressful for you.

Calendly, Acuity Scheduling and Timetrade

Going back and forth with clients and stakeholders to schedule appointments, reschedule, and then reschedule again can be time consuming. Avoid email and telephone tag when arranging meetings. With any of the above tools, people can now access a version of your diary that shows them all of the slots that you have decided to make available for meetings. 

Workato, Zapier etc.

With all these apps, it’s important to ensure they integrate and talk to each other to avoid further waste and chaos. Apps like Zapier and Workato allow you to link two systems together without any coding or programming skills. A key selection criterion for your apps should be whether the App has what is called an API to enable it to link to other systems.

I hope you’ll find apps above that will be useful for you. Of course, there are others you may also want to use. What’s most important is that you recognise that help is at hand. If you use tools of this kind to automate as much as you can, you’ll find you also have your life back.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Amponsah CTA FCCA is an award winning chartered tax adviser and accountant who has advises business owners on business streamlining apps and processes to make business less taxing. Jonathan is the founder and CEO of The Tax Guys.

www.thetaxguys.co.uk

Cyber attacks are aimed at everyone and no businesses are immune. However, it is an unfortunate fact that 43% of cyber attacks are targeted at small businesses. This means that business owners need to invest time and resources to  protect their businesses.  

Let me share some tips on what you can do to protect your small business from cyber crime.

Invest in training

Unfortunately, humans are still the weakest link in any cyber security protection plan. This means that the key to threat reduction is staff training. Here are a few ‘red flags’ to look out for:

• Don’t open emails you don’t recognise or if the topic is worrying. Cyber criminals want to worry you. They’ll say your website has crashed, for example. They want you to open attachments or click on links designed to infect your machine/network.

• Check email addresses carefully. Fraudsters use addresses and URLs that are very similar to legitimate ones.

• Query requests for large, or urgent, payments. It’s not in our nature to query senior management, for example, but it will protect your business if your team is trained to do this.  Emails from Finance Directors requesting an immediate payment is made are a common form of cyber attack.

• Be watchful of new contractors, even if they say they’re from your IT company. Whilst most will be legitimate, some cyber criminals will be brazen enough to walk in and attempt to infect your machines. So, if you are not sure, stop and check.

These are just some examples of the threats you face. By making sure your team know what to look out for, and have permission to query/challenge things, you are protecting your network and your business.

You can check the effectiveness of the training by using simulated phishing attacks. Regular, controlled, attacks can identify who is following their training and who needs a little more. We did this internally at Redsquid and reduced click-throughs from 54% to just 4% in only three months.

Protecting your network

Your network protection can come in many guises:

Firewalls

You need a robust hardware firewall. If your firewall is a few years old its ability to protect your network needs to be upgraded as the threats to your network will have increased. Sophos is an example of a good provider of such devices.

Patching

Keep your PCs fully patched. Your operating system provider regularly publishes security updates to protect against the latest cyber threats. It is worth spending the time to install updates as it’ll take you far longer to recover if you are attacked.

Windows 7

Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7 on January 14^th 2020. Running Windows 7 after that date means seriously risking your network and your business.  You must upgrade to Windows 10. We recommend you upgrade your hardware to, to benefit from the physical security and performance enhancements built into new machines.

Vulnerability and Penetration Testing

There are many different ways to get into your network and the data it contains.

Vulnerability Scanning helps to ensure the security of your systems, services and applications from a number of common attack vectors, exploited by both automated and manual attackers. Vulnerability testing should ideally be done continuously, but at least every month.

A penetration test is an authorised simulated cyber attack on a computer system, performed by a suitably qualified third party. It’s designed to evaluate and ultimately to fortify the security of a target system through the identification of security vulnerabilities. We recommend these are done at least once a year by an independent body (not your IT provider) for the peace of mind it provides.

These tests also mean you are properly ticking the GDPR box. You need to be able to show you are protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) you hold on your customers and staff. If a breach does happen and you cannot prove you have taken reasonable steps, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) can fine you up to 4% of annual global turnover.

Gateway Prevention

Email gateways are a great way to reduce mistakes. By passing all your email through a gateway, such as Cyren’s email security (https://www.cyren.com/products/email-security-gateway), you block the malware, phishing and spam emails  threatening your network.

APIs and Web Applications

Most businesses are using multiple web applications and APIs to streamline productivity. Have you checked whether the ones you use have been tested for intruder prevention? They can become a back door into your network for cyber criminals.

Multi-factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) uses multiple devices to protect your network. Your phone can act as confirmation you are who you say you are, when you are logging into your laptop or into an application. Multiple layers of security make it harder for unauthorised users to access your network.

Cyber Insurance

Protecting your network is always the first step. We also recommend you insure against cyber threats. The right cyber insurance will help you recover. For example, if you suffer a ransomware attack they may consider which is more beneficial – paying the ransom or paying the costs of getting you back running. Take advice on the insurance you should have and read the small print with the greatest of care.

Cyber threats are ever present.  A breach of cyber security may not immediately damage your business but the fact that it has happened can seriously damage your reputation. It is a fact of modern business life that you need to regularly review and maintain your protection against cyber crime and ensure your staff are trained and have refresher training as necessary. 

References:

https://enterprise.verizon.com/resources/reports/dbir/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48385426

https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/report-a-breach/

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Ianiri is Sales Director at Redsquid, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of business Voice, Data, ICT, Cyber Security and IoT Solutions.  Redsquid is not tied to a single supplier but rather helps clients boost productivity, reduce costs, and protect and grow their business by creating bespoke solutions from the best technology available in the marketplace.

Web: www.redsquid.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsquidcomms/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/redsquidcomms

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redsquid

Despite what you may have heard, the death of the fashion retail industry has been greatly exaggerated. In fact, now is a great time to create a clothing brand. Globally, the retail market is actually growing ‒ 5% in the last year alone ‒ and it continues to thrive in the UK. According to a recent Mintel report, the UK’s menswear market is predicted to grow by 3.5% and womenswear by 4.1%.

However, growth is not even across the market. Fast fashion is in decline while premium fashion is on the rise. Customers are becoming more aware of the damaging effects fast, disposable, fashion has on the planet and are opting to spend their money on longer-lasting, premium brands instead.

Ultimately, customers want products that reflect their personalities and say something about who they are. Nowhere is this truer than the fashion industry. So, if brands get it right, they can capitalise on the growth in premium fashion, creating a strong brand that stands the test of time.

Having rapidly established our brand presence we have some experience. Here are our five top tips…

Find your market

The strongest brands find a gap in the market, a need that is unfulfilled. However, they also need mass appeal. Research your market to uncover trends and discover areas which are undersaturated ‒ that’s where you’ll find the sweet spot between underserved and appealing. This sweet spot maybe hidden or obscured so it can be useful to think on multiple levels at once ‒ an overlap of activities and experiences the market enjoy, for example, or of an iconic figure and a hobby.

Finding the right products for your market also requires some trial and error. We started with a wider range of products at much smaller volumes, testing what worked and cutting what didn’t. This ‘agile’ way of working ‒ failing fast and finding what works ‒ means you can rapidly tailor your products to real-world market desires, rather than basing your product range solely on research.

In the current political climate, it is also important to connect with your market’s values. After all, people want clothing that reflects their own personality. Start by defining your own values and creating a vision and mission for your brand. The aim is to take people with you on that journey, so you need to base all your branding and marketing decisions around those values. By taking the lead on your chosen values, customers will forgive areas where you are less than perfect, appreciating the areas where you place your focus.

For our brand, Edmund Hillary Collection, we defined our values around the personality of Sir Edmund himself: humility, endeavour, philanthropy. We refer to these three core values on an almost daily basis to help our decision-making process. We also ask the family, who are a key part of the brand, what Ed would do, which helps us stick to our values when it comes to difficult, real-world decisions.

Design products that last

The big trend across all of retail, and fashion in particular, is toward longer-lasting products. People are much more aware of sustainability issues and want to contribute to environmental protection through every purchase if possible.

People are also simply looking for quality in their purchases. They understand the false economy of buying cheap products that fall apart after a year. If you’re designing for outdoor and activewear, it’s even more important to be hardwearing and repairable.

My advice is to design for your market and their needs today, as well as into the future. Strong brands have longevity ‒ if your clothing is falling apart after just a few years, people won’t repurchase and your brand visibility (not to mention sales) will dry up. If you design your clothes to last, however, people will still be wearing them in 10 years’ time and you will grow a brand synonymous with quality and longevity.

People also want to invest in meaningful purchases that reflect their personality and say something about who they are ‒ a conversation starter. This personal connection also builds customer affinity with the brand, transforming them from a customer into an advocate.

Use quality, sustainable materials

Sustainability is also important when considering the materials you use to make your clothing. Good quality materials make clothing last longer. Sustainable materials help establish your brand as one that cares about your customers….and the planet.

There is also a big trend towards natural fibres. One of the main reasons for this is that people are discovering the damaging effects of synthetics. It was recently reported that polyester had been found in the Antarctic, for example, and traces of synthetic fibres were also found in our drinking water. Worried by these alarming reports, people realise the benefits of natural fibres which don’t break down to such a small size or cause anywhere near the harm of synthetics.

At the very top end of the market, you have higher quality, heritage materials. Using these materials in your clothing will establish your brand as a premium one that shows incredible attention to detail ‒ key points of differentiation when developing a strong brand.

Ethics are important to consumers

Not only is sustainability important, but the human factor is also very important. Does your company do good for the people involved?

Awareness of exploitative sweatshops has been growing for years and tragedies like the Bangladesh factory collapse highlight real ethical issues at the bottom of the supply chain.

There has also been a rise in social enterprises over the past decade. These businesses either have a social mission of their own or support a particular charity. In doing so, they highlight their values and demonstrate how they are taking real, practical, measurable steps to help that charity or cause.

For example, we try to follow Edmund Hillary’s example and values, and therefore support various charities in Nepal and New Zealand. TK Maxx collects clothes for Cancer Research UK, and Toms donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold. These acts show that the brand is socially-conscious and actively wants to improve the world around them.

Find your story

The strongest brands have a good story. Perhaps a link to something or someone iconic. For example, we benefit from our connection with Sir Edmund Hillary through his family. And since it is Sir Edmund’s 100th birthday this year, we also have an event to celebrate.

Big fashion brands spend millions to form these iconic links with sports personalities. If you already have a link to something iconic or can capitalise on something connected to your clothing, you will start with this story already integrated into the fabric of your brand, making it particularly strong from the outset.

Of course, not every brand has links to something iconic, but every brand has a story. Why did you create your brand? What did you set out to achieve? What values do you hold or mission did you set out to fulfil? Again, link it back to your values, then tell the story. This will help develop the personality of your brand and provide the conversation starter that modern shoppers are looking for.

Creating a brand can be an exciting and challenging process with lots of decisions to be made. The strongest brands take time to consider every aspect of their business and pay close attention to detail.

If you use these tips to form the basis of your exploration, define your values to help make key decisions, and focus on being a premium fashion brand with a conscience, you’ll be on the right path to success. Best of luck!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Clare Hall-Taylor is from Edmund Hillary Brands. The Edmund Hillary clothing range is seasonless and durable and made from natural materials – often heritage fabrics. A percentage of every sale is donated to causes close to Hillary’s heart – supporting Himalayan communities and also outdoor education in the UK and further afield.

www.edmundhillary.com

https://www.facebook.com/EdmundHillaryCollection/

https://www.instagram.com/edmundhillarycollection/

Do you have a food or drink product you’ve developed at home and believe has potential to become a successful brand?  To take your product from your home kitchen to the retail shelves and grow a successful brand you’ll need to talk to food or drink manufacturers who can produce your product at scale. This may feel like a tall order, but it can be achieved.

For all four of the snacks brands I’ve launched over the past five years, high-quality flavour without additives is the unique point of differentiation. This meant I put a lot of energy into finding the right manufacturer. Let me share what I’ve learned and which I hope will help you succeed with your brand.

Adapting your approach

There are small manufacturers and there are large manufacturers, and you’ll to speak to them and negotiate with them differently.

Small manufacturers will usually be more flexible, more willing to help with product development, and able to handle small order volumes. They are usually more expensive, however, and could struggle to meet larger volumes.

Larger manufacturers, on the other hand, will often be able to deliver the best prices but they often need larger volumes. As a result, you will need to be more bullish with your forecasts. I suggest you get onto Companies House and investigate their accounts to help understand their business before you reach out.

Contact a range of manufacturers

Speak to as many manufacturers as possible, especially if you have no prior experience in the industry.

Start with smaller manufacturers to learn the process and find out how they might be able to help with product development. Then speak to larger manufacturers to discover their volume requirements and the price difference.

Particularly in the early days you need to be able to leverage your position to get the best pricing, and the best way to do this is to have as many options on the table as possible.

Speak the right language

Read books and trade publications to brush up on the relevant food law as well as general industry terms and jargon. The more knowledgeable you sound, the more you’ll be taken seriously.

Using the wrong word or being caught out on a piece of law may seem like a relatively minor error but companies may interpret it as a signal that you’re new to the game and take advantage. A little research is a good investment!

Don’t be over-demanding

Manufacturers are in the business of “making it” and then “shipping it”.

Many manufacturers are put off by complex demands. So, at least at the beginning, make your project sound as simple and easy as possible. Wait until the second or third meeting to introduce complexity.

Start by defining the absolute essential aspects of your product, things that are fundamental to your brand. With Awfully Posh, for example, it was essential for the pork scratchings to be full of flavour without any additives. Aside from these USPs, I could be fairly flexible and it was relatively easy to find a manufacturing partner.

Sell the brand vision

You need your manufacturer to believe in your vision, especially if you are pre-launch. Make sure you come prepared with a detailed strategy and share as much of it as you can with your potential manufacturing partners. Obviously, there will be aspects you don’t want to share, but the mission and vision need to be clear, practical and exciting.

If you can get them to “believe” in your growth plan then you should be able to convince them to start with smaller volumes and help you grow sustainably.

Develop detailed forecasts

It’s vital to deliver a detailed forecast to your manufacturing partner. Don’t be scared to be optimistic, but make sure it is still realistic. Manufacturers will want to know that your brand is likely to grow, that the price works with your commercials, and that the relationship has longevity. Remember, manufacturers will have some skin in the game, having worked out the setup and production methods for your products, so they need to know the order volumes, profits, and range is likely to grow.

Without divulge sensitive informative consider breaking it down by channel and month, over at least two years. This preparation will help you to be taken seriously.

Stepping into the world of manufacturing can be daunting but with research, preparation and a degree of flexibility you should be able to find a manufacture who’ll give you a fair deal. With luck they will continue as your manufacturing partner as you grow your brand.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Lock is the founder and Managing Director of Awfully Posh (AP) Brands, a FMCG snacks company. Referred to by the Daily Telegraph as “the man who made pork scratchings posh”, Tom launched his pork scratching brand, Awfully Posh, in 2013. He soon launched a further three snacks brands, The British Crisp Co., The British Popcorn Co., and Create A Crisp, selling a total of over 5 million bags to date. AP Brands’ snacks are now stocked in supermarket giants such as ASDA, Tesco, Waitrose, Amazon & Wholefoods Market.

https://www.apbrands.co.uk

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Awfully Posh on Facebook

@awfullyposh