Friday 25 June 2010

24th June 2010 - Students Turn Up The Heat With PR Award

As part of its commitment to nurturing young talent, leading PR agency O Communications has awarded a group of Tyneside students for their ingenious use of PR and marketing within their own Young Enterprise company.

Award winning firm O Communications has been a supporter of Young Enterprise North East for the past five years, and created its own award category for this year’s annual Regional Final event, where students who have set up their own company battle it out to be named Company of the Year.

O Communications chief executive Kari Owers presented the PR and Marketing Award to Cookii Doh- a company set up by a group of year 10 students from John Spence Community High School in North Shields, which designs and produces t-shirts and hoodies with bespoke graphics for teenagers.

As a result of its marketing activity, Cookii Doh is already in talks with Cramlington-based men’s clothing company The Officers Club and is exploring possibilities with high street clothes retailer Next plc and play.com.

As part of their prize, O Communications will host a PR master-class for all the school’s Young Enterprise Company Programme students in the new academic year.

O Communications chief executive Kari Owers said: “The Cookii Doh team impressed me from the moment I approached their trade stand.

“Good PR is about being able to sell your idea in the first 30 seconds and they did just that – their branding, presentation, press coverage, advertising campaign, promotional ideas - such as selling hoodies to raise funds for the Haiti disaster - and their evident passion for the marketing of their business was infectious.

“The standard of their creative thought process was knockout for such young people, they had left no stone unturned in marketing their company to their target audiences, attracting partnerships and squeezing every last drop of knowledge out of the Young Enterprise experience.”

The YENE Company of the Year Award went to BrightLife Books, a company set up by year 12 students from Newcastle Church High School, after producing two paperback books, 'Ronnie the Runner bean' and 'Sunny the Sunflower' with a global environment and healthy eating theme aimed at children aged three - 11.

The books come with sunflower seeds so children can grow their own plants and a ‘Wheel of Good Health’ placemat to teach children about eating healthily.

BrightLife Books will now represent the North East at the National Final in London this July.

The other two finalist companies that were judged on the day include, Smarty Pants, a company set up by students from Teesside High School, that produces quality audio CD revision guides and online resources for the GCSE science market, and Munchkins, launched by a group of year 12 business and textile students from The English Martyrs School & Sixth Form College in Hartlepool, who produce personalised aprons and recipe books for children.

17th June 2010 - Dying Matters - A Good Death

Market research company Explain has been commissioned to carry out regional research about what people think makes 'A Good Death' with the objective of ensuring that 'the voices of individuals, groups and organisations across the North East are given an equal opportunity to be heard'. The research information will then be used to inform the content and tone of a regional charter to guide the provision of relevant services and support.

Explain designed a comprehensive research programme which embraced several different methods to gather the feedback. The programme involved qualitative and quantitative feedback over many months of fieldwork and featured a microsite for both stakeholders and the general public to provide their views.

The overall aim of the consultation was to understand whether the charter for 'A Good Death' was understandable, accessible, meaningful and deliverable, using insight and feedback from care providers and the public. To many this meant confronting a taboo topic.

Explain was then invited to present the findings at a national 'Dying Matters' conference in London to 250 delegates alongside a number of other specialists and both the health and shadow health ministers. This national launch, which was featured on BBC television, was then followed up with a regional launch in Newcastle.

Key findings included aspects of the charter that nearly everyone considered of overwhelming importance; to remain pain free, to die with dignity and with loved ones around or nearby. The majority would like, where possible, to die at home when in fact the reverse is true – that many still spend their last weeks in a hospital.

When the charter eventually becomes public it will be used by providers of healthcare, social care and other support services to ensure end of life care is delivered within a certain framework and set of standards.

Explain worked with NHS North East and regional Department of Health staff on the project. Keith Aungiers, Head of Projects and Intelligence for Public Health North East said, "This is a major programme which is unique in the UK and has implications of huge national and regional significance. It was excellent that we were able to work together in researching a draft charter in the region. Explain demonstrated a thorough understanding of the brief and I was pleased with the professionalism of the team in tackling this complex subject. Explain's researchers demonstrated their ability to work in a highly sensitive area of health and wellbeing. To conduct lengthy face-to-face interviews with people nearing the end of life and with carers, at a very emotional time, demands experience, special skills and engagement. Explain's work in leading our programme of on-street surveys, an online questionnaire, focus groups, and in-depth interviews was instrumental in giving us a rich source of qualitative and quantitative data which will be of particular value in implementing the charter across the region."

Professor Edwin Pugh, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and End of Life lead, said, "I am delighted that through Explain's work we have a very sound evidence base of the attitudes of people in the north east to death and dying. Explain has also helped confirm that the "Good Death" charter has the support of the public. The work now begins to embed the regional charter into wider society to help create what we hope will be a society more compassionate to those who are dying and those that care for them. Our next steps will be to look at employing community development workers to work with community groups and organisations, to engage community and faith groups, to look at matters of equality and diversity and explore links with local government and employers to develop compassionate planning and human resource policies. It is an ambitious programme which requires a strategic approach."

Tuesday 15 June 2010

15th June 2010 - The Life And Sole Move Into Hoults Yard

A former investment banker is treading into company expansion territory as the runaway success of his trendsetting trainer company has fuelled a move to new premises.

SoleHeaven has been supplying collectors with their kicks for two years from Tynemouth but now the company has signed on the dotted line to rent part of the Ford building at creative media hub Hoults Yard in Byker, Newcastle.

The company’s team of four - and thousands of retro trainers - will make the move into new 900 sq ft office at Hoults Yard, which was formerly the Tyneside Pottery Malings and has been in the Hoults family for generations, in July.

Dale Parr set up SoleHeaven after leaving the world of finance to follow his sole passion in the North East and is now celebrating the firm’s growth and second birthday with a new office.

SoleHeaven managing director Dale Parr said: “Following the success SoleHeaven has experienced, we needed to find a larger property for the growing stock and number of employees. The move forms one phase of our new development plan.

“After hearing about Hoults Yard while in an art gallery in Ouseburn, I knew the property would be perfect. The place has a great buzz about it.

“Finding our new site wasn’t an easy job because of the logistics of our stock intake. As our company is based online it relies upon large stock deliveries so we required a street level office with easy access to air, rail and road networks. Being a former haulage yard, Hoults Yard has the infrastructure already in place for the demands of our business. The site ticked every box.”

Hoults Yard managing director Charlie Hoult said: “SoleHeaven is another coup for the yard, and joins a number of like minded companies based here.

“From picture framer Bruce Reid, curtain maker Nicola Fionda to furniture restorer Richard Zabrocki, SoleHeaven will be neighbour to a cluster of fashion and furnishing firms.

“There are also a number of online retailers already set up at Hoults Yard, who like Dale, saw the huge benefits of the yard’s ability to provide safe storage for stock with an adjacent office.

“This sign-up proves that Hoults Yard is a very adaptable space and the durability of the buildings, architecture and accessibility to transport networks are a huge draw for many businesses.”

At present all business is channelled through SoleHeaven’s website: www.soleheaven.com, which was designed by Newcastle digital company Orange Bus.

However, SoleHeaven wants to expand its business beyond the online market and the new premises will allow the team to encourage North East sneaker lovers to pop in and buy trainers from their Byker office.

Monday 14 June 2010

14th June 2010 - New Software Helps Staff Blow The Whistle

A Sunderland-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) company has developed a bespoke software system for one of the UK’s leading whistleblowing companies.

Bond Solutions, which is based in the Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), has worked with Safecall to develop a system that allows its customers to log in and view the progress of their case online.

Safecall, which is also based in the BIC, was established by Graham Long in 1999 and specialises in the reporting of workplace concerns. It provides an independent outsourced whistleblowing service to a range of major public and private sector organisations. The service allows employees to securely report problems in the workplace, meaning employers are able to address issues at an early stage.

The system that Bond Solutions developed provides both employees and client investigators with a unique account where they can log in and see specific information about their case and its progress.

Each account has specific permissions, meaning that only certain information can be viewed by each user. The program also features a range of reporting mechanisms, meaning Safecall is able to provide detailed logs to clients on what concerns have been reported and their progress.

The bespoke system was developed from Sage CRM, one of the market’s leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software, which is a web-based application that manages organisations’ relationships with customers. The product was developed by the technical team at Bond Solutions, who worked closely with Safecall to establish their needs and what program could be developed to meet their requirements.

Safecall’s chief executive Graham Long said: "The system that Bond Solutions developed has allowed us to provide our customers with an efficient program where they can manage all concerns raised. There are lots of regulations and legalities to be adhered to when dealing with sensitive issues like this and the system provides prompts to ensure that the correct procedure is followed throughout the investigation process. This has proved to be a fantastic resource for our customers.

"I was not aware that a CRM product could be adapted to meet our specific needs, however it has proved to be very effective and has given both Safecall and our customers improved accuracy and control."

Derek Curtis, managing director of Bond Solutions said: “This is a fantastic example of how CRM software can be adapted into a full working solution to suit any business. The software will allow Safecall to provide added value to its customers as they are now able to manage their processes electronically."

14th June 2010 - Marketwise Strategies Shows Graduates The Wise Career Move

Specialist market research company Marketwise Strategies is proving that graduate research careers outside academia can be a wise career choice after taking on Durham University Masters student Laura da Costa.

Newcastle-based Marketwise Strategies is dedicated to recruiting the brightest young minds in the region, and does so through its extensive work with the region’s universities.

By engaging students through talks and attending career events, Marketwise Strategies is helping the next generation to consider challenging and rewarding careers in North East SMEs.

It was during such a talk by Dr John Gibson, research executive at Marketwise Strategies, that Laura from Belgium heard about working in commercial market research.

Laura, now employed as an audio transcriber for the company, is accessing invaluable work experience whilst also reinforcing her understanding of her current studies - an MA in Research Methods.

Marketwise Strategies managing director Jacquie Potts said: “There are many career opportunities outside of the laboratory for postgraduates, and we want to highlight the possibilities.

“Laura’s role is vital within our business, transcribing for focus groups and interviews are a fundamental part of research. I am sure she will prove herself to be an asset to the company and the experience she is gaining will also hold her in good stead when she graduates.

“Marketwise Strategies will continue to work closely with Higher Education and I hope that we can help provide many more bright futures for bright minds.”

Marketwise Strategies audio transcriber Laura da Costa said: "Working with Marketwise Strategies has been an eye opening experience for me. Each piece of work provides me with an increasingly tangible idea of what a career in market research involves.

“It has given me invaluable insight into innovative methods, a rich variety of projects and sectors and perhaps, most importantly, shown me the type of person you need to be to contribute effectively to such a successful, ambitious team."

Dr John Gibson, a recent PhD graduate himself, is a shining example of what careers in leading edge market research can offer.

He said: “I have been at Marketwise Strategies for almost two years now. During this time, I have had the opportunity to get involved in some tremendously interesting and exciting pieces of work in a wide range of sectors. My job is to research the interaction between ideas and evidence, by trying to source patterns of regularity to prove or disprove a theory. It is a groundbreaking area of work.

“I am keen to make sure that the postgraduate students are able to gain an insight into how their own high-level research skills could be applied to a more commercial, private sector, small company setting.”

Meanwhile, research executive Dr John Koshy took part in a recent ‘In conversation with . . .’ event at Newcastle University where he spoke to graduates about how he is using his own PhD research skills outside academia.

11th June 2010 - Virtualisation Sparks £125k Savings For Law Firm

Leading North East law firm Hay & Kilner is set to shave £125,000 from its IT infrastructure costs over the next five years and further its ‘green’ ambitions, after calling in technology experts ITPS to help it adopt the latest eco-friendly technology.

Gateshead-based ITPS, which won the contract against national competitors, has worked alongside the law firm’s in-house team to review and strengthen its IT infrastructure. Its experts used virtualisation technology to cut the number of servers from 16 to three, while boosting the overall efficiency and resilience of the IT platform.

The result will see Hay & Kilner save on the cost of new hardware and software, and benefit from lowered maintenance and support bills. It will also slash its carbon footprint through reduced energy and cooling requirements.

Hay & Kilner’s entire system is now replicated at ITPS’s secure data centre, strengthening its business continuity arrangements so that in the event of any disaster or interruption it would be business as usual for the 65-year-old legal firm.

The move comes as the business, which employs 160 staff including 24 partners, announces a re-brand as part of its push to consolidate its position as one of the region’s top five law firms.

“Tim Bennett, partnership secretary at Hay & Kilner, said: “Bringing in the top-level expertise of ITPS to support our in-house team and review how well our IT supports the business was a sound move. They presented a clear case for virtualisation as the best way to meet our aims for greater efficiency, higher resilience and lower costs.

“We now have an infrastructure based on innovative, proven technology that will suit our current and future needs, and give us a very healthy return on investment.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is an added benefit that supports our work in other areas to become a more ‘green-friendly’ business.”

ITPS consultant Nael Shahid added: “Virtualisation was far and away the better option for the business, rather than adding on more and more servers to a traditional network, which can be a costly and inefficient strategy.

“More servers require more space to house them, plus there is the cost of buying hardware, software and licences, and the associated running and maintenance costs. Servers are energy-hungry too, so you have all the costs associated with heating and cooling.

“Virtualisation works by pooling the capacity needs and condensing that requirement into a smaller number of more powerful servers. It then constantly monitors and adjusts demand, directing resources where they are needed.

“The result is to reduce potential points of failure and increase system stability, giving a very resilient and secure solution, not just for office-based staff but also for people working on the move. This is an essential consideration for a multi-faceted legal business running business critical applications such as case management systems.

“Virtualisation is a much smarter way to maximise the firm’s resources and we are delighted to have brought our skills to bear in helping Hay & Kilner achieve its aims.”

The contact is the latest in a series of legal sector wins for ITPS, which works with many leading law names in the North East and around the UK.

11th June 2010 - Young Enterprise North East Is The Bees Knees

Newcastle University students who set up a business which helps save the decreasing population of UK honey bees are buzzing after winning a top national award.

The five entrepreneurial girls, who set up Queen Bee Candles as part of their Young Enterprise North East Graduate Programme, recently picked up the Spirit of SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) Award on behalf of Newcastle University at a celebratory ceremony in London, which recognised the team’s passion and business potential.

Queen Bee Candles produces handmade candles from renewable beeswax and donates 50% of its profits to the UK Soil Association’s Save the Honey Bee campaign, which supports beekeepers and funds research into why honey bees are decreasing.

Within only a few months of trading, the business studies students have taken over £750 through trade fair sales and forging contacts with businesses who sell their products on a point of sale basis.

The company has been asked to join Newcastle University’s Students in Free Enterprise Team and is working with councils to deliver a series of workshops where they will share their experience of setting up a social enterprise.

Queen Bee Candles operations manager Katie Griffiths said: “We are proud of our achievements and are very grateful to Young Enterprise North East for giving us a platform to set up our own business. We owe thanks to our business mentors and tutors; they have offered us invaluable advice and encouragement as well as helping us create important business contacts.

“We are now taking what we have learnt from Young Enterprise to transfer business knowledge and inspire entrepreneurial spirit in others.”

Queen Bee Candles also received the Best Pitch and Best Graduate Company Award at the Young Enterprise North East Trade Fair in April and is currently shortlisted in the Newcastle University Enterprise Challenge 2010.

The Young Enterprise North East Graduate Programme aims to teach and inspire young people to develop creative and successful business ideas. North East business people volunteer their time to mentor those participating. The programme creates an important link between young people and successful business leaders so that knowledge, skills and contacts can be passed on.

10th June 2010 - Paula launches Adaptive series to help workers beat stress

One of the region’s top life and leadership coaches is coming to the rescue of stressed out businesses leaders with her new meditative health series.

Paula McCormack, who owns Paula McCormack Ltd, based in the Hoults Estate, Newcastle, is releasing the first step in her Adaptive Approach series which she has been perfecting over several years.

Paula has been working in human resources and leadership coaching for the past 20 years, and inspired by the stress and strain she found the recession was putting businesses under, decided to create The Adaptive Approach to help individuals and organisations find focus in a different way.

Stress related illnesses such as depression are becoming more and more widespread, with reports suggesting self-diagnosed, work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for an estimated 11.4 million working days lost in the UK in 2008/9.

This, coupled with recent statistics showing that the North East has higher than average hospital admissions for depression in England (78.2 per 100,000 compared to 69.0 per 100,000), it is more necessary than ever to find ways to restore self belief and boost confidence.

The Adaptive You is the first in a series of Adaptive meditation and coaching products to help workers deal with these stresses, relax and find inner focus. This first series consists of five stages, including A Journey Within, The Chillax Space and Your True Essence.

The programme is available to everyone, and features relaxing music coupled with Paula’s soothing vocal tones to help workers feel completely relaxed and become in tune with their bodies. She believes the programme can help participants to separate their work and home life, let go of stressful self-doubts or insecurities, restore inner belief and build confidence and a gradually heightened sense of self-awareness.

The Adaptive programme and has already been snapped up by several organisations in the North East, including Lynch Healthcare, the ISOS Group and Sunderland based people and property business Gentoo. Gentoo was one of the first companies to try Paula’s forthcoming ‘Adaptive Coach’ method. The programme is available as a download, CD or as an inspirational workshop.

The rest of the Adaptive Series, which includes The Adaptive Team, Leader and Charity, will be available to download in the coming months, with a series of books and other materials to follow shortly after.

Deborah Piggett, Gentoo’s director of organisational development said: “This programme has been the most valuable and thought provoking learning experience I have ever had. It challenges you to re-think everything about your role in the workplace.”

Paula said: “I am delighted to launch the first step in the Adaptive Approach after perfecting it for a number of years. I’ve already received such positive feedback, and can’t wait for others to try the recordings.”

In 2003, Paula took the plunge and set up her own business, Ellmac Partnership Ltd, which she relaunched earlier this year as Paula McCormack Ltd. The company offers a comprehensive, flexible approach to leadership and coaching, tailoring a programme fully to meet a client’s individual needs.

Paula is especially passionate about the growth of social enterprises in the North East, and has dedicated much of her time to helping charitable organisations and SMEs including North Eastern Care, the Dementia Care Partnership and Skills for Care.

Paula is a highly qualified hypnotherapist, counsellor and leadership facilitator and is also trained to use a number of psychological tools including Myers Briggs Type Indicator, FIRO-B, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and 16PF to help organisations and individuals reach performance goals and overcome periods of change.

To find out how Paula McCormack Ltd can help your business, contact Paula McCormack, 11 Maling Studios, Hoults Estate, Walker Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, 0191 275 9444. Email: paula@paulamccormack.co.uk. Website: www.paulamccormack.co.uk

9th June 2010 - World Cup Win For Mark

A local man is over the moon as he kicks off on a trip to South Africa this week to see England take part in the World Cup, courtesy of his employers.

Account director Mark Mason, who lives in Dinnington, near Ponteland, was awarded the trip by bosses at Gateshead-based technology firm ITPS.

The company won the prize in an IBM promotion to reward its best selling partners. One of nine UK winners, ITPS was the only North East reseller to make the list, out of the 102 partners that entered the competition.

Mark’s trip starts this week when he joins hundreds of other fans flying out of Newcastle International Airport to cheer on the England team as it makes its debut against the USA on 12 June.

Newcastle fan Mark said: “Just as in football, this win is really in recognition of the hard work and efforts of the whole team, but I’m delighted to have been chosen to receive the ticket.

“What with injuries and other problems, the England team has had its share of difficulties, but I think we’ve still got a good chance. I’m looking forward to the trip of a lifetime – I’ll be wearing my England shirt to cheer on Fabio’s boys on Saturday, and I’m hoping to see the team do well in our first game.

“My son is just seven and football mad, so he’s really envious. I’m looking forward to coming back with loads of photos and telling him all about the trip.”

ITPS’s sales director George Galloway said: “We have a great team of people delivering solutions that add value to our clients businesses, but Mark has really stood out for his commitment and his excellent contribution to the business.

“As Mark is a real football fan and the star striker of our sales team, it made him the obvious candidate for the ticket and we hope he has a great time and of course brings England some luck.”

4th June 2010 - Funding Boost For Nomad

Specialist internet provider Nomad Digital has landed £750,000 in investment to fuel its ongoing growth at home and abroad.

The Newcastle firm, which supplies internet on rail networks, has benefitted from the first investment made by The Finance For Business North East Technology Fund.

The investment, which is being provided by way of venture debt, forms part of a £1.25m financing for Nomad Digital with the balance of £500,000 being committed by Northstar Ventures from the Finance for Business North East Accelerator Fund.

Nomad Digital, which was established in 2002, delivers high-speed, end-to-end wireless network solutions for transportation fleets.

Chief financial officer Bimal Shah said: “We are pleased to be welcoming the North East Technology Fund as investors at an exciting phase in Nomad’s expansion and have enjoyed working with IP Group during the investment process”.

“We have an increasing global presence but we are proud to remain firmly rooted in the North East of England where we were set up. It is, therefore, particularly gratifying that this investment comes from a regional fund as it will fuel further North East growth, ultimately creating further jobs in a company which is an international leader in its field and which has done so much, with its pioneering technology, to create a market with such enormous global potential.”

Magnus Goodlad, Chief Operating Officer of IP Group plc, the manager of The North East Technology Fund, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting Nomad at a stage of significant growth and look forward to contributing further to the development of the business. The Fund has a strong pipeline of further exciting technology businesses based in the region and we look forward to announcing the completion of further investments over the coming months.”

Recent years have seen Nomad expand its global reach with contracts across Europe and Asia.

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info

4th June 2010 - New One North East Chairman Named

Prominent North East businessman Paul Callaghan will become the new chairman of regional development agency One North East, the Government has announced.

The Sunderland-born chairman of the Leighton Group will become ‘chairman designate’ of the regional development agency from June 14th, working closely with current chairman Margaret Fay until formally taking over the role on August 16th.

Vince Cable, the Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, has appointed Mr Callaghan on a contract to run until December 2012. He said: “Paul’s impressive experience and business acumen will make an important contribution to economic development in the North East. The future of RDAs is currently being reviewed but I believe that the North East of England is one region where business support through a regional agency is both necessary and appreciated.”

Mr Callaghan, 57, is a highly respected businessman who chairs the Leighton Group, the North East-based technology, software, media and communications group.

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to be the next chairman of One North East. The coming years are a crucial time for this region and I want to help build on the Agency’s tremendous achievements over the last decade.

“We must capitalise on the opportunities for economic growth that exist in sectors such as new and renewable energy, low carbon vehicles and science and technology.

“Margaret Fay is, of course, a very difficult act to follow. She has been an exemplary chairman and a magnificent ambassador for the North East and I believe that the leadership she has shown has left the Agency and the region in a strong position to meet the challenges ahead.”Mrs Fay warmly welcomed his appointment. “Paul’s appointment is excellent news for One North East and the whole of the region,” she said.

“Paul has built his highly successful career in the North East and has great credibility amongst the business community. His business acumen will be vital as chairman of One North East as we work ever more closely with companies to help them seize the opportunities the economic recovery represents.

“As the current deputy chairman of One North East, Paul is also exceptionally well placed to take over the chairman’s role as he fully understands the board and its remit and the strategic direction of the Agency at a time of political and economic change.”

Mrs Fay will leave One North East in August after six-and-a-half years as chairman, having joined the Agency from Tyne Tees Television in December 2003.

Alan Clarke, One North East Chief Executive, said: “Finding a new chairman to replace Margaret was always going to be a tough task but in Paul we have a worthy successor.

“He is a highly respected businessman and entrepreneur - a passionate advocate for business and e-commerce in the region who has worked closely with Margaret both as a board member and more recently as deputy chairman.

“Paul has the experience and the vision to ensure One North East continues to support businesses out of recession and into better times while making the strategic decisions needed to underpin longer term sustainable regional economic growth.”

Mr Clarke also paid tribute to Mrs Fay. “I would like to thank Margaret for everything she has done for One North East and the region over the past six very busy years,” he said.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

2nd June 2010 - Pay As You Go HR Service Taps Into A Trend

An HR specialist is tapping into a growing market with the launch of a new, ‘pay as you go’ support service, as figures show that 64% of businesses find it more cost effective to outsource elements of their HR function.


The new three tier ‘pay as you go’ service is the brainchild of Mark Ions, managing director of North of England HR specialists Exclusive Human Resources. It offers businesses a choice of various levels of support, with a monthly starting price of £25 - less than a typical small business spends on stationery and sundries.

“The recession has really focused owner-managers on what they can do in-house, and which elements of their business are more cost-effective to contract out to a specialist. Industry polls show that a third of businesses are more likely to outsource now than they were two years ago,” said Mark.

“Small business owners have their hands full trying to run a successful business, as well as making sure they comply with employment rights and constantly changing legislation.

“It’s very common for people to sideline HR procedures until they find themselves suffering from low morale and high staff turnover, or are faced with a tribunal. But by then it can be too late - the financial consequences of getting it wrong can be serious enough to close a business down.

“It’s not just a matter of avoiding litigation either. Structured HR support can actually help businesses increase profitability by effectively managing and inspiring the asset that will take their businesses forward once the economy picks up - their people.

“We're offering clients a choice of levels of support so they have all the tools they need to nurture and develop their staff, and stay compliant. The fee structure is designed to help businesses with budgeting, and means they only pay for what they need, when they need it.”

One of the first businesses to sign up to the service is bespoke furniture company PMH Interiors, which employs a team of five people and has some ambitious growth plans. Director Michelle Harrison said: “We are in our fourth year of business and to achieve our next stage of growth we need professional HR support.

“This pay as you go, three-tier service is ideal for our needs. My background as a manager in the public and private sector has taught me the sort of healthy company culture I want to encourage, one where there is mutual respect, everyone feels valued and we are all pulling together towards the same aims.

“Exclusive’s experts are helping us to get the basic HR framework in place so that we fully support and develop our people, and at the same time avoid any HR problems arising. And it’s very reassuring to know that we have professional support in place so if any issues do come up, we have expert help on hand to deal with them.”

2nd June 2010 - X Factor Joe Backs Newcastle College As It Unwraps Prize

Students from Newcastle College who took part in Enterprise UK’s Make your Mark with a Tenner competition unwrapped their ‘human’ prize for being shortlisted and raising the most amount of money in the North East.

Out of the 38 schools and colleges that took part in the competition in the North East, Newcastle College students managed to be shortlisted and made the most profit from their ten-pound note stakes at £18.50 each. The students also received a special message from former Newcastle student and X Factor winner Joe McElderry who said: “I am very proud of what Newcastle College has achieved with this competition.”

The competition, run by Enterprise UK, loaned participants £10 and one month to turn their creative and enterprising ideas into businesses that both make money and make a difference.

The ten students from Newcastle College raised the most cash with their business ‘Music Madness’ which collected profits of £185 by hosting a music gig in the college’s Space Bar that saw five student bands performing on the night to a crowd of 400.

The students used their entrepreneurial skills to promote the event via Facebook and used their £10 notes to pay for the print of advertising posters and tickets, which they sold at £5 each. The students have agreed to re-invest the profits into holding another music gig later in the summer.

Leading inspirational marketing speaker Geoff Ramm from West Boldon was awarded to the students for the day as a human prize. Geoff spent the day with the students delivering an interactive workshop full of techniques and real life observational stories to help develop and grow the students’ business and as well as giving them practical hints, tips and ideas.

Enterprise UK head of North East region Nynzi Maung said: “The students from Newcastle College have shown that they have the skills and talents needed to make money and enhance the lives of others. All they needed was someone to believe in them and a ten-pound note. This spirit of doing ‘good business’ bodes well for the UK’s economy in the future”

Geoff Ramm, who is the North East President of the Professional Speakers Association and whose clients include Barclays, Chambers of Commerce and Enterprise Agencies said: “To start off a new business with just £10 in your pocket is a huge challenge, some may say impossible, however, it is when we have little or no budgets that we really become creative. I was delighted to hear that the students had made such a profit and that they are already looking into re-investing in a future event, which shows real entrepreneurial spirit.”

This year funding from the Big Lottery Fund enabled thousands more students to get involved, with around 28,000 students taking part.

Winners were selected nationally from three categories: under 11s, 11-14 year olds and 14-19 year olds – with winners selected for the best business idea, the most profit generated, the best social impact, and a number of special judge’s awards. The top profit made from £10 was an impressive £920, by two students who recycled old and unwanted mobile phones online.

Tuesday 1 June 2010

1st June 2010 - Digital Treehouse Appoint New Business Director

One of the North East’s most innovative creative agencies has appointed Stuart Howard as its new Business Director.

Digital Treehouse, based in Gateshead’s prestigious International Business Centre, is a full package creative agency providing web design, web development and brand identity to a host of local and national clients. Founded in early 2010 their most recent work includes the full branding, web design and website for exclusive partnership marketing business ‘Luxury Connect’.

After graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in multimedia design, Stuart has worked on behalf of a number of local and national businesses. In addition Stuart has worked with a host of London agencies and boasts an enviable portfolio of business contacts.

Talking of his new role he says: ‘I am really excited to be joining the team at Digital Treehouse, I hope to help the team drive business forward using new and existing contacts in both the North East and London. In the current economic climate there is a real opportunity for Digital Treehouse as more and more companies rely on online for the identity for their brand.’

In 2009 Stuart co-founded the North East’s leading networking event for those in the media and creative industries. Focusing on the social side of networking, Thursday Fizz takes the formalities out of your typical networking event and replaces them with cocktails, music and good company. Thursday Fizz will be hosting Rachel Elnaugh – of Red Letter Days on 10th June at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts, for more information or tickets please visit www.thursdayfizz.com.

On his latest appointment Paul Freeman, Creative Director, explains ‘I am ecstatic to have Stuart on board, these are really exciting times for Digital Treehouse and he has already proved himself to be invaluable when it comes to creating new business leads. I believe this is going to be a long and successful partnership.’

28th May 2010 - Hedgehog Lab's Success Is Prickling Out Competitors

Software developer hedgehog lab is breaking into global markets after becoming one of few North East companies to be in the planning stages of creating a razor sharp application (apps) for the Apple iPad.

The business, which was set up three years ago by Sarat Pediredla and Mark Foster and operates out of creative business hub Hoults Yard, Newcastle, has one of its two IT programmes ready for the iPad.

Hoults Yard managing director Charlie Hoult said: “'The market for iPhone apps is exploding and several players at the yard are transforming their service delivery by adopting the technology. With the iPad coming to UK, I'm reckoning we will see a lot more businesses that are spawned from eBooks to automation tools.”

Solomon is a web-based CRM and contact management system which allows businesses to easily track customer relationships and conversations, will soon be available to download by anyone with a newly purchased iPad.

And both Solomon and fixx – an issue tracker that helps small businesses track and deliver projects on-time - developed by hedgehog lab are already available for the iPhone and iPod Touch to help small businesses with customer relationship management (CRM) and project management.

Both applications bring a revolutionary approach to the issues small businesses face in the modern business environment and are now being used by hundreds of clients, spanning the world.

Sarat said: “hedgehog lab was born out of my observations and frustrations from working within the technology industry. I realised that there was a huge gulf in the market for a product that was user friendly and based around the small business’ needs.

“We have recently had our second application, Solomon for iPhone made live on the App store, and I am confident that this simple-to-use web-based CRM system could with the iPhone application, help many companies.

“I am delighted that both our software products are now available on the iPhone, and we couldn’t have achieved this without the hard work and talent of the entire team.

“Following on from our success, we have plans for expansion over the coming year from recruiting new team members, moving to larger offices within Hoults Yard, which is a fantastic base for us as there are so many likeminded companies based here, to more software appearing on the iPhone and iPad market.”

The team of five, who make up hedgehog lab, is one of the latest up and coming companies to have joined the growing art and innovation community at Hoults Yard.

28th May 2010 - PR firm targets expansion

A North East PR boss has set out a plan to grow his company¹’ presence nationally after it re-launched under a new name yesterday.

Mike Parker Media, set up in 2007 by former business journalist, Mike Parker, will now be known as Stride PR, in a bid to expand the organisation¹s reach beyond the region.

He said: “I started the company by myself with clients I already knew and as we’ve started to work with new organisations we¹ve developed and changed, now is very much the time to show the rest of the world that we¹re here.

“The first few years have been good but we want to work with bigger companies and do exciting things in the region as well as outside of it.”

The rebrand comes after Stride grew sales threefold from Year 1 to Year 3, taking turnover to nearly £250,000 and staff numbers from one to five.

The company has recently moved into new offices in Durham City and hasclients ranging from the North East Chamber of Commerce to London-based Paint and Paper Library.

Stride has said it will now set its sights on becoming one of the leading forces in PR in the region and its owner has rejected the idea the new name will stall its drive for new business.

Mr Parker added: “I don¹t think the change of name will have a negative impact, we have to be confident.

“We’re working now on a whole new business strategy and have a clear idea of where we want to be. I¹m still here and we¹re offering services to people. Although it¹s nice to have your name on the tin I think the business will be able to grow muchquicker now.”

Story courtesy of www.bdaily.info