Virtual office is a class act for education tech specialists
Education technology and remote learning specialists, Go Live Services has become the first business to sign up to a brand-new suite of virtual services offered by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
Virtual Office Services does away with the need for a physical office through a range of services such as a virtual receptionist, physical mailbox, virtual inbox, document scanning, video conferencing and use of the Chambers Members’ Lounge for workspace and meetings in a Covid secure environment.
The pandemic has turned working practices on their head with many employees now facing a future working some, or all the time from home and firms adapting to hybrid working, with a blend of home working and time in at the office.
Whilst businesses are adapting their strategies, diversifying their product offering and changing their working processes, the need for excellent customer service remains constant, and maintaining high levels of consistency is a necessity.
Joe Basketts, managing director of Go Live Services said: “I started the business in 2018, offering remote working solutions to schools. Lockdown in 2020 saw business go through the roof and we had increased the team to five people. I live in Stone, but the others are in Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Merseyside, and Kirklees. We had a rented office in Keele which we only used six times in 12 months, making it an expensive folly.
“I started to look at alternatives with the big players in the serviced office sector, then by chance I read about the launch of Virtual Office Services in a Chamber email. As soon as I met the Chambers team and saw the facilities, I knew it was right for the business.
“It had a real community feel as opposed to the very ‘corporate’ alternatives. It was also incredible value for money, and it fits well with the company ethos of supporting sustainable practices, right down to the fact there are EV chargers next to the building.
“The Chambers Business Lounge is an amazing workspace and we have already all met there, and my colleagues were equally impressed. Every aspect of the package is professional and portrays the image we want to put across to our clients.
Staffordshire Chambers CEO, Sara Williams said: “I am delighted to welcome Go Live Services as our first Virtual Office Services user. We launched the service in response to our members’ demands and to help maintain the service levels and professionalism customers expect. The pandemic has left many businesses reassessing the need for a physical office whilst needing reception services and somewhere for meetings and workspace. I am confident that we supply that solution in Virtual Office Services.”
Basketts added: “I can’t believe the value our business gets through Chamber membership and Virtual Office Services. We have made real cost savings through utilising numerous services including Chamber HR, which we previously paid for but is now part of our membership. I would happily recommend Chamber membership and Virtual Office Services to any business looking to cut overheads without compromising their service.”
Any business interested in finding out more about Virtual Office Services can contact Vicky Frost – vicky.frost@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Experian Business Express Credit Reports (PAYG)
Instantly credit check a UK business online.
Staffordshire Chamber members or customers are entitled to 50% discount on one off credit checks.
Experian business credit reports enable you to instantly check a company online, allowing you to make quick and informed decisions about potential customers and suppliers. Single business credit reports give you quick and simple access to online business reports and directors information.
Know who you’re dealing with
- By checking your customers
- By checking the people behind a business
- By checking your suppliers
Get paid on time
- By knowing if a company is financially stable
- By seeing a company’s credit rating
- By finding out how quickly a business pays its invoices
- Published in Finance & Funding, Marketing & Digital Innovation
Sara’s Blog: Stoke’s Spitfire returns and the British Ceramics Biennial
At a time when the news comprises, Covid, shortage of goods and international tensions it is a welcome diversion to take a step back and focus on two uplifting local events that not only celebrate our culture, inventiveness, and foresight, but also offer a vision of rebirth and regeneration, especially to our young people.
Last week saw the unveiling of Stoke-on-Trent’s iconic Spitfire housed in its stunning new glass fronted gallery.
It was particularly poignant that the £5.4M gallery was unveiled on the day which marks the RAF’s victory against all odds in the Battle of Britain. And on Saturday we were treated to a flypast of one of the last of the flying Spitfires.
What a fantastic and fitting memorial to its inventor, Reginald J Mitchell, born in Butt Lane in 1895.
This shy man with little formal training in aerodynamics created many revolutionary aircraft in the Twenties, breaking several speed records along the way.
Mitchell sadly died in 1937, never knowing how famous and iconic his greatest plane, the Spitfire, would become and how it would play such a pivotal role in changing the fortunes of the nation in 1940.
Now thousands of people will be able to see our fully restored Spitfire, sitting proudly in its brand-new glass walled gallery which looks even more stunning when it is lit up at night.
We have yet another world-class attraction in Stoke-on-Trent which is an example of the regeneration happening across the city. It is not just a celebration of our past but a beacon to the future as we rebuild a city fit for the 21st century. We need to encourage our young people to appreciate rewards of following a career in science and engineering, starting with STEM subjects at school.
I wonder what the modest Mitchell would have thought to see his creation, for the second time, as a symbol of hope and triumph over adversity? Hopefully with a sense of real pride and a wry smile.
The seventh British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) is currently taking place, centred at the Goods Yard in Stoke with exhibitions at Air Space Gallery, The Spode Museum and Potteries Museum & Art Gallery
The five-week festival of ceramic art was initiated in 2009 and has grown to be the single largest ceramics event in the UK, a flagship cultural project for Stoke-on-Trent and a catalyst for regeneration. It showcases artworks from the UK’s leading ceramicists alongside work by international artists, in exhibitions and special events held across the city. BCB is underpinned by an exciting year-round programme of artists’ commissions, education, and community engagement projects.
For me, and countless visitors, what makes the BCB special is the opportunity for close contact with thought-provoking work with many artists taking inspiration from Stoke-on-Trent’s extraordinary industrial heritage. It is also closely linked to our ceramic future as we enter a new age of exciting opportunities with the development of the £18M plus global centre for advanced ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent.
Showcasing at the BCB is AWARD 21, is a prestigious exhibition and platform for UK contemporary ceramic art. It presents 10 of the UK’s most innovative ceramic artists who are competing for the £5000 prize.
Other highlights include ‘Fresh’ – a platform for new artists, ‘Stoke Makes Plates’ – with over 250 plates designed by local residents and ‘Generation’ – a project engaging young people with the area’s ceramic heritage.
Of course, there is much more and the BCB is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free and there is no need to book. More information from: www.britishceramicsbiennial.com
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Tendering Opportunities
Tendering opportunities
- Published in Influence & Network
Sara’s Blog: Better World festival and smart meters
As a Stoke-on-Trent City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) board member I am particularly excited to welcome to our city centre this brand new, family-friendly, and free festival celebrating our wonderful world, and which seeks to ask and address those questions about how we can all start making sustainable choices today for a better world tomorrow.
The festival is particularly relevant after the past year where mental health and wellbeing has affected so many and accelerated what we as employers need to do to address this. We are delighted to be sponsoring wellbeing activities during the festival.
From Friday 6th August to Sunday 8th August, Better World Festival will bring together speakers, activists, pioneers, charities, community groups and everyone with an interest in creating positive change in this weekend event which will see an extensive line-up spanning world music, workshops, group exercise classes, panel discussions, meditation sessions, family activities and much more.
Speakers throughout the festival will include Greenpeace, the National Farmers’ Union, Harper Adams University and Amnesty International as well as motivational individuals and organisations a little closer to home too, including Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, YMCA, B Arts, Feasted and Wavemaker.
Other highlights include The World Music Stage on Piccadilly featuring bands from all corners of the world as many local musicians. There is also a folk and acoustic stage near Hanley Indoor Market.
The Health & Mindfulness Retreat is taking over Albion Square, with activities including family yoga Pilates, dance, and nutrition coaching.
The Kidzone located in Bethesda Gardens will feature circus skills workshop and demonstrations with Circus In A Box; spoken word and poetry workshops; arts and crafts workshops; drum making and face-painting.
I would urge everyone to support this brilliant festival to make the first of hopefully many more in the future, a great success for the city. More information can be found here – Better World Festival 2021 – Stoke BID (stokeontrentcitycentre.co.uk)
The past year has seen many big changes for businesses across Great Britain and around the world. While the impact of the pandemic is still being felt, business owners and managers have embraced the changes and adapted to new ways of working to protect their clients, their staff, their business and their bottom line.
Anyone who manages a business knows the importance of embracing changes, both big and small. A small change like switching to a smart meter could make a big difference to your business. While some changes may be short-term, smart meters are here to stay and will help your business, in the long-term.
Now more than ever, it is important for business owners to know how much they are spending to keep track of unnecessary energy waste or additional costs. Energy is a key expense, in particular for hairdressers, beauty salons and other close contact services, which makes it a crucial area for these businesses to save money and take control of their finances.
A smart meter could give businesses additional visibility over energy use and costs to make it easier to identify where changes and savings can be made.
If your firm has 10 employees or less, your business could be eligible. To see whether smart metering can work for your business, contact your energy supplier. To find out more please click here info@staffordsirechambers.co.uk To find out more visit: Smart Meters for Small Businesses | Smart Energy GB
You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Sara’s Blog: Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards 2021 and Net Zero Week
The Staffordshire Chambers Business Awards are a high point of our year.
They are all about celebrating success and achievements. After the last year, it might seem that it will be trickier to find outstanding businesses – but not so! It has been another extraordinary year in which Staffordshire businesses, charities and education providers – and the people who work for them – have done extraordinary things.
The quality of entries last year was extremely high, and I am expecting the same again, if not even higher this year. In spite of many still being so adversely affected by Covid, Staffordshire businesses have once again been up to the challenge to work through these tough conditions.
Award categories cover every size and sector of businesses – from brand new start-ups to large, established companies – and there are also awards for individuals who have excelled.
The overall winner from the 15 categories will take home the coveted Business of The Year Award, sponsored by HSBC.
The awards celebrate positive news and mutual support, and we could not stage the competition without the generosity of our sponsors and judges, who I personally thank for their engagement and support.
Entries open from Monday 19th July and close on 24th September and are open to any business based in Staffordshire. Shortlisted entrants will be notified following the judging and a special gala award event – both live and streamed – will take place in November.
Award categories in full
Business of the year – sponsored by HSBC – chosen by the sponsors from all other entries.
Employer of the year – Sponsored by West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (WMRFCA)
Employee of the year/charity employee of the year – sponsored by Ornua
Young employee / apprentice of the year – sponsored by Trentham Estates
Most promising start-up business – Sponsored by Access Covers
Small business of the year (1-50) – Sponsored by Infinity IT
Medium / large business of the year (50+ FTEs) – Sponsored by Dains
Sustainability and environment – Sponsored by Keele University
On-line business of the year: Retail, leisure, culture & tourism – Sponsored by LilaConnect
Science, technology and innovation – Sponsored by Wolverhampton University
Entrepreneur of the year – Sponsored by Staffordshire University
Professional services of the year – Sponsored by Finest
Manufacturer of the year – Sponsored by Michelin
International trade – Sponsored by Department for International Trade (DiT)
Digital transformation – Sponsored by Synectics Solutions
Student of the year – Sponsored by South Stafford College
More information on the awards and entry details: www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/awards
Next week is Net Zero Week, a focal point for generating awareness and momentum for businesses and consumers who are starting out on the journey to decarbonise.
It is less than four months to the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the UK has a real opportunity to show we mean business by our actions rather than hollow words.
The Government is promising innovative solutions and aggressive policies to help the UK achieve carbon neutrality with a target of cutting emissions by 78 percent by 2035 to 1990 levels and being three quarters of the way to net zero by 2050.
It is our role as business leaders to hold the government to account on its ambitious targets and to lead by example showing that we can provide the solutions that will help to achieve, and hopefully exceed, their targets.
West Midlands Combined Authorities are hosting a useful webinar on Thursday 22nd July entitled: Demystifying net zero – Support for West Midlands businesses.
The webinar will set out the basics of starting to address carbon emissions and will signpost support. You can register here: Net Zero Week: Demystifying Net Zero – Support for West Midlands businesses (wmca.org.uk)
As part of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) national research programme they are conducting a Net Zero Survey, currently underway until 23 July. This looks at: measures firms are taking to reduce carbon consumption, barriers, and preferred support, as well as other issues relating to the Coronavirus reopening process. You can fill in the survey here: https://bit.ly/3hEwqz4 You can get more information on Net Zero Week at: https://bit.ly/3hDvafB
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
How businesses can manage their cashflow as they start to reopen
The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening. Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on their lights and workers are starting to return to the office.
Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for small and medium-sized businesses, who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and who need to take a firm control on what they are spending.
Smart meters enable accurate billing, helping to take the stress out of budgeting and putting you back in control. Plus, smart meters send your gas and electricity readings directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to.
Firms with 10 employees or less could be eligible and as a first step businesses should contact their energy supplier. To find out more please click here.
- Published in News
Sara’s Blog – Armed Forces Week – 21st – 26th June and recovery roadmap delay
It is Armed Forces Week next week, an opportunity to celebrate our armed forces, military personnel, and the role they play protecting the UK both at home and overseas.
During the past year military personnel from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy have been a key part of the UK’s COVID-19 response both at home and overseas with the armed forces currently engaged in the UKs world beating COVID-19 vaccine programme.
Two key days within Armed Forces Week are Reserves Day on Wednesday 23rd June and Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26th June.
The Armed Forces community includes regulars, reserves, veterans, spouses and both cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers from our four cadet services – Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force, RAF Air Cadets, and the Combined Cadet Forces.
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce have always had strong links with the armed forces, and we know that many local employers and employees play a vital role in their support of our reserve forces.
We have our very own Honorary Colonel of the British Army, in ex-Chamber President Mike Frewer, who represents the Armed Forces on the Chambers’ Council. We are also extremely proud to have West Midlands Reserve Forces & Cadet Association (WMRFCA) as patrons and very pleased that The Chambers support to our armed forces has been recognised through our Silver Award and by being a signatory to, the Armed Forces Covenant.
WMRFCA are holding a special webinar entitled ‘A Rich Source of Talent’- Recruiting from the Armed Forces’ 1pm – 2.30pm Tuesday 22 June.
I understand recruiting well-trained, work-ready talent is a growing challenge for many businesses. With employers looking for skilled staff with the right attitude and attributes to support their growing businesses, every year in the West Midlands, veterans are leaving the Armed Forces with exactly this mix.
This webinar aimed at anyone recruiting staff will give a comprehensive overview of the free support available to employers who wish to recruit from the Armed Forces community. You will hear from the following organisations:
· Career Transition Partnership
· Forces Families Jobs
· RAJA REME
· Officers’ Association
· 37 Signals –Reserve Forces presentation
· The Poppy Factory
· Buildforce
There is also an opportunity to find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.
You can register for this event by visiting the Eventbrite page: https://bit.ly/3wvIKH8 or by emailing John Dargavel at wm-ee@rfca.mod.uk.
Please do forward out to your colleagues and your external networks to help promote the value of employers signing the Armed Forces Covenant and working with defence.
If you are planning any social media or digital activity the hashtags are #ArmedForcesWeek and #SaluteOurForces and the twitter tag for WMRFCA is @WMRFCA.
Details of Armed Forces Week can be found at: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk and https://www.wmrfca.org
On Monday, the Prime Minister confirmed a four-week delay to lifting of all restrictions in England beyond the original date of 21st June. Current restrictions will remain the same across many areas including capacity limits for sporting events, pubs, and cinemas. Nightclubs will remain closed and event pilots such as Euro 2020 and some theatrical performances will continue.
You can be assured that we will be lobbying the government to provide further cash grants and delay the tapering of government payments into the furlough scheme, planned for the start of July. We are also asking that they ensure forbearance is in place for those who have used government lending schemes and already started to repay their loan without being able to open fully. An extension of the VAT deferral scheme and the 100% business rates relief should also be considered given the length of the delay and the impact on hospitality and leisure firms.
If you have any issues regarding the extension, please contact us by calling 01782 202222 emailing info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or ask a question in the new Virtual Members Lounge: https://bit.ly/3xrYf2Q
If you want to talk to us about any other business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in News
Finest Focus – Chris Beeston
Finest steering group member and Director at Geens Chartered Accountants.
I’m Chris Beeston, a Director at Geens Chartered Accountants. We are based in Stoke and are well known on the local business scene, having been around as accountants since 1884. But don’t let our proud history influence you, we’re not old fashioned, stuffy accountants and we’ve successfully moved to the brave new world of digital services.
Geens offers a full range of accountancy services for all kinds of companies and charities. Our team can provide a dedicated partner to assist with payroll services, VAT advice, financial management, general accountancy services, company secretarial, business planning, audit and regulation, business and personal tax, trusts and estates, inheritance and capital gains tax, financial planning and general tax advice.
I joined the Board at Geens as Tax Director in 2017 when I was just 26-years-old. Most recently, I was elected as President of the ICAEW for the area covering Staffordshire, Shropshire and Wolverhampton and representing 1,800 Chartered Accountants nationally and internationally.
I specialise in tax planning, trusts and estates and I’m highly motivated to help my clients to plan future financial security for themselves and their families.
Geens have supported Finest for many years and we know the value of maintaining good relationships on the business scene in Staffordshire. Finest helps us to keep in touch with other professionals and can lead to new client recommendations and potential for productive collaborations with other professionals. This adds value to all involved.
Joining the steering group of Finest allowed me to grow that influence further, forging stronger bonds and helping to plan high value learning and networking opportunities for our professional network. Stoke-on-Trent’s crest has the motto “Vis Unita Fortior” and this translates to “United Strength is Stronger”, a perfect summation of what networking should be about.
If you want to get in touch, please contact me via email at chris.beeston@geens.co.uk, telephone 01782 847952.
- Published in Member News
Finest Focus – Mike Grocott
Who are you are what do you do?
I’m Mike Grocott, founder of Intercog.
I help people to interact better with other people so they can achieve more of whatever it is they are aiming to achieve. So I help people with presenting, networking and working together, in fact, anything that involves communication in one way or another.
However it is that they want to interact with people, I work with them to give them the confidence to do it more effectively and therefore achieve greater success.
Why do you do it?
It’s immensely rewarding to help people to develop their knowledge and skills and to then see their confidence grow as they put that new knowledge and those new skills into action. Making a positive difference to someone is the best job in the world!
What I do is also a lot of fun (and the people with whom I work seem to find it fun too).
Why is being a member of Finest important to you?
Finest is important to me because of the relationships it has allowed me to develop over the years. When I set up Intercog in 2009 I only knew two business people locally. I now know hundreds and most of those have come through Finest.
As those relationships grew, so did my business.
Why are you a member of the Steering Group?
Back in the early days of my business, the generosity of time and knowledge from Finest members was immensely welcomed and highly beneficial both to my business and to me personally. As Finest played a major part in helping me to establish my business, I felt the need to reciprocate and give something back to Finest and its members, hence why I joined the Steering Group.
How can someone get in touch with you to learn more about your services?
The easiest way to get in touch with me is directly by email: mike@intercog.co.uk.
The easiest way to find out about what I do and how I do it is on my website: www.intercog.co.uk
- Published in Member News
