Monthly Archives: July 2023

Business, News

New Scottish consulting business supports high-risk industries to improve safety and performance

A new company specialising in delivering bespoke human factors services to improve safety and performance has been formally launched today. Enhancing Excellence has been set up to support clients in safety-critical industries such as renewables, marine, construction, transport, mining, healthcare, and other public sector organisations.

Enhancing Excellence builds on the success of sister company, Salos Sunesis, a leading global oil and gas performance training provider since 1996. This new consultancy business aims to transfer learnings from the aviation and oil and gas sectors to help other high-risk industries address key challenges.

Enhancing Excellence is focused on helping clients develop a safe and effective culture to ensure they are able to proactively manage and mitigate human errors, which are the primary root cause of workplace incidents. The company’s specialist team implements proven methodologies and human performance tools to enhance a client’s operational environment by building their effectiveness in threat and error management.

Prior to last week’s official company launch, Enhancing Excellence recently delivered a bespoke programme to the Scottish Prison Service.  This focused on the key elements of human factors, engaging with a wide spectrum of staff, including senior leaders and operational managers.

 

Graham Smart, Managing Director at Enhancing Excellence, (pictured above left) said: “According to The Health & Safety Executive, human error is the root cause of more than 80 percent of workplace incidents. Enhancing Excellence delivers a field-proven approach in supporting organisations to build high-reliability cultures as well as effective threat and error management capabilities.

“Our team has vast experience in helping organisations tackle human performance and safety cultural challenges. We have embraced and built upon human factor principles and techniques that positively helped transform the global aviation industry 35 years ago, and we are now focused on applying our expertise across a wide range of sectors.

 

Grant Wallace, Managing Director of Salos Sunesis and Chairman of Enhancing Excellence, (pictured above right) said: “We are delighted to launch Enhancing Excellence which will build on the success of our sister company Salos.

“Many organisations have relied heavily on traditional risk management systems and processes to keep their operations and workers safe. Systems are often set to fail because they do not incorporate human factor principles effectively or account for the fact that humans are prone to error.

“We are helping organisations to integrate human factors, from the board room to the front line. Salos has seen the success of this approach across multiple clients where we have helped them assess, equip and execute to a new level, which can also deliver multi-million-pound operational savings.”

We look forward to generating similar success stories for clients through the work of Enhancing Excellence.”

 

More details about Enhancing Excellence Limited can be found here.

 

News

Founders of storage giant invest millions in holiday park and unveil new partnership with adventure attraction

A RESPECTED husband-and-wife who invested millions of pounds developing a beloved holiday park launched an exclusive partnership with a leading tourist attraction.

Luxury lodge complex The Straits unveiled The Marine Club, a private membership which will allow owners on the picturesque Gwynedd site up to 60 hours of boating, including training to achieve the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Level 2 Powerboat Handling qualification with Menai Bridge-based RibRide Adventure Tours.

It comes after John and Gina White – founders of White Self Storage, based in nine locations across North Wales, Cheshire, and Manchester – acquired the former Woodside Caravan Park on Holyhead Road.

The coveted Bangor location – overlooking the Menai Strait toward Anglesey – is already proving popular, with several holiday homes purchased in past weeks.

Supported by consultants Becky Williams and James McAllister – one of the most prominent names in the tourism industry over the last three decades – they are now focused on meeting capacity at the premium venue, with lodges beginning at £198,000.

“John and Gina are so passionate about the area and being part of the community here, it’s an incredible location and one of the country’s hidden gems,” said James.

“The grounds have been completely revamped and they have introduced high-quality, luxury accommodation which complements these stunning surroundings.

“This is also the only park of its kind on the banks of the Menai Strait, so owners are in a unique position and treated to one of the most beautiful, picture postcard views in the region.”

He added: “In addition to the location, which really sells itself, The Marine Club is another huge USP for The Straits, particularly given the park’s close connection to the water and the island.

“To have such an incredible and exclusive experience as part of our overall package is fantastic, it adds another dimension to what is already a first-class offering unlike anything else in this part of the world.”

Skipper Phil Scott, a founding partner of RibRide, echoed those words and believes collaboration with The Straits will boost the economy and tourism spend locally.

“In addition to that it is a terrific offer for owners on the park, to learn how to operate and handle a powerboat and enjoy what is ‘concierge boating’, taking all the fuss and stress away from them,” he said.

“We take care of the fuel, the cleaning, maintenance, insurance, storage, safety and more, as owning a vessel can be an expensive business. This makes it a lot simpler, and affordable.”

Phil added: “The connection to the water, to the beaches and nature is what we and The Straits are all about and we are excited to build on that relationship in the years ahead.”

For more information and to book a viewing at The Straits, visit www.thestraits.co.uk or call 07891 264050.

Alternatively, email enquiries@thestraits.co.uk or watch the video here: The Straits Luxury Lodge Park on Vimeo.

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing at Work

Holland & Barrett Achieves Menopause Friendly Accreditation, Demonstrating Ongoing Commitment to Colleague Support

Holland & Barrett, the leading health and wellness retailer, is delighted to announce that it has been accredited as a Menopause Friendly Employer. This is the latest accreditation as H&B evolves its colleague support, creating a positive and inclusive working environment for all.

 The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, established by Henpicked: Menopause In The Workplace (www.menopausefriendly.co.uk), is industry-recognised and the only accreditation that sets clear standards which must be met. As such, it is truly meaningful and considered by many as a mark of excellence for menopause in the workplace.

Holland & Barrett’s colleagues have undergone extensive health training, which includes menopause education. Over 4,000 colleagues have received this training, and an eLearning module on menopause has been made available to all staff across the business. This initiative aims to educate and raise awareness about this important stage of life.

In order to achieve The Menopause Friendly Accreditation, employers are assessed by an Independent Panel and must demonstrate evidence of their effectiveness in six key areas, namely: culture, policies and practices, training, engagement, facilities and evaluation.

 

Maria Anderson, Chief People Officer at Holland & Barrett, commented, “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Menopause Friendly Accreditation. At Holland & Barrett, we believe in supporting our colleagues throughout all stages of their lives and menopause is no exception. We understand the impact that menopause can have on individuals, both physically and emotionally, and we are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to help our colleagues navigate this time with greater ease.”

 

To further support colleagues, Holland & Barrett has developed a comprehensive Guide to Menopause. This guide serves as a valuable resource, signposting internal support available to colleagues. It includes information on how to request extra uniform, access to portable desk fans and guidance on how to have a wellbeing conversation with their line manager. By providing these resources, Holland & Barrett aims to ensure that colleagues feel supported and empowered to manage their menopause symptoms effectively while at work.

In addition to the Guide to Menopause, Holland & Barrett offers a range of support services. Colleagues can book a free 15-minute consultation with a menopause health nurse, who can provide expert advice and guidance. Furthermore, the company has trained 50 mental health first aiders who are available to provide support and assistance. Colleagues can also access free counselling through Holland & Barrett’s 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, ensuring that they have access to help to maintain their mental wellbeing.

Holland & Barrett has supported its customers with access to menopause products and advice for over 50 years, and it is now also offering its highly trained colleagues to run free menopause information workshops in workplaces and at community groups across the UK. Fifteen colleagues who have the highest level of H&B’s accredited health and wellness training are equipped with additional training and resources so they can offer menopause talks free of charge – helping others to improve menopause awareness and education.

 

“Holland & Barrett has undertaken a huge amount of work in order to be accredited as a menopause friendly employer and I congratulate the whole team for its focus and dedication,” says Deborah Garlick, CEO of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace.  “I also applaud the way that Holland & Barrett is actively cascading its knowledge and expertise to customers and the wider community. This is admirable and will no doubt help many other people speak up and seek help to manage their menopause symptoms.”

 

EVs and Automotive News, News

UK’s EV charging concern and confusion prompts Pumpt into action

  • Almost half of EV drivers worry about unreliable public charging
  • Half of UK drivers concerned about installing home EV chargers, two-thirds still have range anxiety
  • New EV charging company, Pumpt, launches to make EV transition easier

 

A new electric vehicle (EV) charging company – Pumpt – is on a mission to combat concern and confusion in the UK charging market. Pumpt launches today to make buying, installing and running an EV charger easier and more affordable, being the first in the industry to offer commercial insurance and aiming to remove many of the barriers that are stopping people from considering an electric vehicle, such as cost and worry over what to buy, how to install and use it.

Ahead of its launch, Pumpt surveyed UK drivers of conventional vehicles and EVs about their worries and experiences of EV charging[i]. Pumpt’s research discovered that half (50%) of UK drivers surveyed worry about getting a charger installed at home and similar numbers of drivers (44%) don’t know how to find or use public chargers. While this might be understandable for those without experience of an EV, the research found that even one in three (35%) EV drivers also worried about getting a charger installed at home. The state of the UK’s charging infrastructure was also highlighted as an issue: almost half (46%) of EV drivers surveyed said they worried about finding faulty or unreliable public charging points, while two-thirds (66%) of conventional vehicle drivers said range anxiety is still an issue.

Despite the Government’s pledge to make 300,000 public charging points available by 2030, the market appears to be suffering from a lack of guidance about what chargers to buy, clear pricing and transparency around installation. Of the EV drivers surveyed, one in five (21%) said that the dealership had not provided any advice or guidance on chargers.

“We want electric vehicles to succeed but there are too many barriers in the way,” said Jordan Fantaay, CEO and founder of Pumpt. “People need to be able to make informed choices but the whole process of choosing, buying and installing chargers is too expensive, drawn out and complex, and people aren’t getting clear advice even when they’re buying a new EV.”

Pumpt offers both residential and commercial chargers, with fixed price installation and customised finance packages, alongside being the first EV charging company in the UK to bundle commercial insurance packages.

Pumpt is also the first EV charging company in the UK to manage the entire lifecycle of EV chargers, from manufacture to purchase, finance options, installation and servicing, which enables it to provide customers with a simple online purchasing experience that guides them through all the details, options and installation requirements.

 

About Pumpt’s Smart EV chargers

Pumpt’s wall-mounted chargers are smart, fast, and Wi-Fi-enabled, helping users to optimise when they charge their vehicle, such as during off-peak times when costs are lower. For home users, Pumpt provides a single-phase charger; businesses can purchase individual or bulk installations, with options for a 22kWh 3-phase fast charger. All chargers are tethered, meaning the plug and cable are built in, and feature a discrete black and grey chequered pattern in a slim, square design.

Users get the accompanying Pumpt app and access to a charging ecosystem with Pumpt’s partners that enables them to use 300,000+ charge point locations around the UK and Europe.

All chargers have a 3-year warranty, insurance (for commercial customers) and servicing options.

 

[1] The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). All surveys were conducted between 2nd June 2023 and 6th June 2023. The sample comprised 1,718 UK adults.

 

About Pumpt

Pumpt is an EV charging company dedicated to helping the UK in its shift to going electric. Our products and services address the concerns of both businesses and consumers alike. By offering an all-in-one EV charging platform, we make going green easy by assisting customers with grants, manufacturing smart EV chargers, package the cost with full installation, are the first in the UK to have flexible financing options, provide insurance, servicing and an app to manage everything online. Aside from all this, we treat businesses as partners by helping them maximise their return of investments through additional finance plans and guidance on how to create new revenue streams from charger installations.

At Pumpt, we are dedicated in our mission to assure that all our customers are taken care of for years to come, not just for now. https://pumpt.com/

 

About the survey

The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers (RWB). All surveys were conducted between 2nd June 2023 and 6th June 2023. The sample comprised 1,718 UK adults.

 

Construction, Construction News, Training & Apprenticeships

High hopes for Design Engineer Construct! as it bids for “alternative academic qualification” status

Pioneering learning programme celebrates tenth birthday in the House of Lords, amid calls for greater support from ministers, industry and universities 

The creator of Design Engineer Construct! (DEC), an innovative and successful learning programme which builds a professional talent pipeline into the construction industry, is today appealing for its qualifications to be recognised as a key academic subject for university entrance in England.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, July 5th), Class Of Your Own, the social enterprise established to support delivery of the DEC programme, celebrates ten years of nurturing young talent at an event hosted by former education minister, Lord Knight, in the House of Lords.

Although the DEC programme was launched in 2013, a number of UK universities still don’t accept it as a facilitating subject for entry into architecture, engineering and construction degree courses, despite a growing skills gap.

Alison Watson

Alison Watson, creator of DEC and founder and Chief Executive of Class Of Your Own, says: “It’s ten years since the Construction 2025 strategy set out a vision to promote the success of the UK construction sector as a sector of choice for young people.

“The strategy recommended early engagement in schools that should be consistently applied right through to further and higher education. DEC was cited as an effective solution, and it still remains one of the most respected through-school programmes a decade later, despite an ever-changing secondary education landscape.”

 

If all universities accepted DEC as a facilitating subject, thousands more young people could look forward to a bright future in an industry that desperately needs such professionals.

 

Watson adds: “The students coming through the DEC programme are outstanding. They’re seeing incredible success at university and in advanced, higher and degree apprenticeships.

“Despite the lack of consistent support and investment from governments, universities and industry, they are delivering the skills needed to exceed our country’s ambitions for a digital, zero-carbon, climate-resilient, construction industry.”

 

Thirty students will attend the House of Lords event tomorrow, each of whom represents a major DEC success story and each reinforces the need to deliver applied academic subjects in school from an early age, particularly given the focus on ‘leveling up’ educational opportunities for all children.

 

John Haylett is one of DEC’s star students. John’s background typifies those of “disadvantaged working class” pupils and especially those in coastal towns referenced in a number of recent reports. He not only excelled in his DEC studies but now works for global consultancy Atkins, was a finalist for two years running in the RICS Young Surveyor of the Year and just last month was awarded a first-class degree in Building Surveying from Anglia Ruskin University.

 

John Haylett said: “If all students were given the chances I was given, then the construction industry would have a much bigger pipeline of young people. DEC provided me not only with a future successful career but with a foundation in the job and industry that I love.”

 

A recent study by the charity Engineering UK reports that a “staggering” increase in the number of girls studying maths and physics at A level is needed to bridge engineering’s gender gap.

Graduate civil engineer Lauren Cunningham has just achieved a first through her degree apprenticeship with global engineering consultancy Sweco at Liverpool John Moores University.

Heriot-Watt University civil engineering graduate Alizah Mughal has also achieved a first in her Masters degree. Both Lauren and Alizah studied DEC at school and cite the subject as the inspiration for their careers.

Three DEC success stories from three different students from the South East and North West of England, and Scotland, with so many more across the UK and around the world.

DEC has risen above the challenges of the Department for Education’s past review of qualifications for students aged 16 and above. It was retained on the ‘high value course’ premium list to encourage delivery of subjects that are “crucial for the labour market, lead to higher wage returns and a more productive economy”.

Furthermore, DEC was spared the recent cull of Level 3 qualifications that ‘overlap’ with the government’s new T-level programmes.

DEC’s organisers hope that with the next cycle of government reforms taking shape, a new hope is on the horizon for this dynamic qualification.

From 2025, only qualifications that are “necessary, high quality and have a clear purpose” will remain an option for young people.

Watson hopes that DEC, as it is submitted this month as an ‘alternative academic qualification’ (AAQ), will bring a whole new respect to the wide range of professions in the construction industry and channel even more uptake for Built Environment degree courses and apprenticeship routes.

 

Watson finishes: “DEC is not a gimmick and it’s not a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. It’s a subject in its own right, studied all the way through school and taught by outstanding teachers.

“Our planet cannot wait for more reports and more conversations. It needs collaborative action from the world’s biggest carbon contributor, and I hope, as we celebrate ten years of incredible student outcomes – the real proof of the pudding, that government, industry and academia will now fully support Design Engineer Construct! as a most robust and highly respected route into higher education.”
—

Header image caption: DEC students from left Lauren Cunningham, John Haylett and founder Alison Watson

AI, AV tech, Finance and Banking, Investment, London, London News, Tech, Technology

AI video generation startup Immersive Fox secures €3.3m seed to advance ‘AI twin’ technology

Funding will support R&D and product advancement of AI solution that unlocks personalised video production at scale

London-based Immersive Fox – a tech startup specialising in AI-generated videos for sales and corporate communication – has closed a €3.3million [£2.8million] seed funding round to help advance proprietary AI technology that allows clients to create unlimited video content using their face and voice.

Defying investor trends – which have seen top venture capitalists favour fintech of late – the funding comes from a trio of prominent VC firms, including Redseed VC, Monte Carlo Capital, and Altair.

While total VC investment into UK businesses has slumped, B2B technology enablement is becoming a key driver of investment, not only in finance but across every sector.

Immersive Fox, which currently has a host of customers on a waitlist across the fields of sales enablement, customer communications, learning & development and corporate communications, offers a superior alternative to traditional video content production – an often painful, time-intensive and expensive process for sales and marketing professionals (on average video production takes 3+ weeks and $2000-$5000/min).

As social media marketing rises, some have wondered “is email marketing dead?” However, in the battle for attention, video wins – viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it on video, compared to 10% when reading it in a text. Despite this, few have the resources to produce it at scale. Immersive Fox’s solution allows its clients to create personalised videos on mass, in 1 minute to generate a 1 minute of sales videos on average – shaving 7 minutes off closest competitors. This saves time and money, enabling businesses to enhance customer experiences, streamline operations, and unlock new possibilities for growth.

Funding has been allocated to developing the company’s cutting-edge technologies further – with product and R&D plans including a video analytics tool, embeddable video player, UI animations and captions, and full body movement synthesis from text.

Boosting sales and attracting new talent is also on the agenda following the raise, with Immersive Fox aiming to increase its team twofold by the end of this year, to penetrate new markets and strengthen customer relationships.

Eugene Belov, managing partner at Redseed VC – one of the largest investors in Immersive Fox’s latest round – comments: “Artificial Intelligence came to the foreground of the investor community during 2022. With the rise of generative AI and LLMs, the tremendous disruptive potential of this technology became apparent to the broader population. However, the true value of any new technology lies in the extent to which it solves and simplifies existing problems and challenges. While we were very impressed with Immersive Fox’s tech stack and brilliant team, what really solidified the investment case for us was the company’s razor-sharp focus on the sales & marketing use case, which to this day saw very little innovation and disruption throughout the years. We are strong believers in the tremendous value Immersive Fox and its technology can generate for sales teams across multiple verticals by constantly tailoring their product to their customer’s needs.”

Alisa Patotskaya, CEO and Founder of Immersive Fox, adds: “This significant investment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who work together diligently to bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to the table. Both my team and investors are all excited to see how this innovation shapes the industry.”

Key features of the Immersive Fox technology include:-

  • quick onboarding of customers  – one week
  • personal avatars or ‘digital twins’ are created at speed and off the back of only two 4-minute videos
  • high-resolution personalised video content is generated in 1 minute compared to market competitors at 8 minutes
  • using a cloned voice, videos are auto-translatable into 50+ languages
  • the company has integrated with HubSpot and other systems, empowering their CRM, and allowing video to become central to HubSpot’s sales process.

Privacy and security are also paramount concerns for the company, who have taken proactive measures to prevent the theft of personalised avatars, clearly defining ownership in contracts, while all data is securely stored on its servers, ensuring confidentiality and peace of mind.

News, Tech, Technology

IT professionals required to do more with less as security threats remain major concern

IT security remains a top priority for most UKI professionals as revealed by Logicalis’ 2023 IT Survey. The survey finds 71% of IT professionals list security as their top priority for the year. The independent UK & I survey, which canvassed the opinions of over 1000 IT professionals from across the UK & Ireland, unveils businesses are grappling with tightening IT budgets, changing IT priorities, and elevated concerns over security threats and technical skills shortages.

During uncertainty, digital transformation remains a key driver of innovation and security. In an environment of escalating cyber threats that come with significant costs, investing in cybersecurity has become an essential requirement across all market conditions. Just under half (47%) of respondents identify security threats as their biggest challenges in 2023, followed closely by technical skills and resourcing (46%).

These concerns are interrelated, as gaps in critical skills exacerbate security vulnerabilities. As a result, IT leaders are increasingly levering the technical skills of external IT specialists to pursue digital strategies. In line with this, Logicalis’ 2023 CIO Survey revealed that while a third of CIOs already work with outsourced IT and managed services, 74% expect to increase this spending in the year ahead.

Amid prevailing economic instability, 36% of IT professionals cite budgetary pressure as another major concern. The percentage of respondents expecting a decrease in their IT budgets has risen from 16% in 2022 to 25% in 2023. There is still a notable 35% seeing an increase (down from 51%), while 40% anticipate no change. IT teams are facing mounting pressure to bolster security while operating with limited budgets.

On these findings, Alex Louth, Managing Director, at Logicalis UK&I comments, “In the face of an evolving IT security landscape, IT professionals are having to do more with less. In 2023, prioritisation is critical as organisations look to optimise their technology spending to drive successful digital transformation. Logicalis’ research shows that CIOs and Transformation/Data leaders are actively involving cross-functional leadership to capitalise on opportunities, mitigate risks, and safeguard their organisation. Having the right individuals in key positions is pivotal for driving organisational change and ensuring a smooth and impactful digital transformation.”

Amid the rise in high-profile security threats, IT security is dominating organisations’ IT strategies. As we progress through the second half of 2023, the rapid pace of technological advancements shows no signs of slowing. This juncture presents a critical moment to embrace innovation, navigate security challenges, and harness technology’s potential for a more secure and sustainable future.

To explore the detailed insights and gain a comprehensive understanding of the UK’s current IT landscape, read the full research report at: https://www.uki.logicalis.com/it-priorities-survey-2023

 

Business News, Customer Experience, Customer Service

What Is Customer Care?

Customer care is the process of ensuring that customers are happy. It can involve a number of aspects, from helping consumers choose the right product to providing post-purchase support.

It also involves showing appreciation for loyal customers. Shoe company Zappos, for example, offers a discount to returning customers. Another example is how online skincare boutique Glossier responded to a frustrated customer.

Customer service

Customer service is a vital part of any business. It includes all the interactions a company has with its customers, including in-person, phone, email, and social media. Customer service teams are also responsible for creating documentation to help customers find answers to their questions.

Providing excellent customer service requires training your team to understand the needs and expectations of your target audience. Make sure they can answer all of the questions your customers may have and can do so quickly. This can be accomplished by establishing a first response time or by ensuring that tickets are assigned to the correct team as soon as they arrive.

Customers also want to feel that they’re being respected and treated fairly. They want to know that the company cares about them and wants to provide solutions. When you care for your customers, it can build loyalty and brand trust.

The line between customer service and customer care can be blurry, but both are important to your business’s success. Customer care involves identifying and understanding your customers’ emotional needs and providing them with the right solutions. Whether it’s offering a refund on a broken planter or sending a complimentary gift when a product doesn’t meet expectations, a customer that feels cared for is more likely to be loyal to your brand.

Customer satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a crucial part of your business’s success. It illustrates how well your products and services resonate with buyers and helps you identify any areas that need improvement. It also contributes to a positive reputation and increased customer loyalty. Customer satisfaction can be measured by surveys or through qualitative data, such as client advisory groups.

A business can improve customer satisfaction by focusing on empathy and ensuring that their products and services meet the customers’ needs. For example, a company can demonstrate customer care by limiting hold times for travelers or by addressing concerns quickly and thoroughly. Another way to increase customer satisfaction is to create a support system for your customers. This could include an FAQ page, email or phone support, or even a social media account where customers can ask questions.

The best way to measure customer satisfaction is by using a survey tool that collects consistent and reliable data, such as Net Promoter Score or Customer Effort Score (CES). These tools can be used to help companies develop their business strategies. Ensure that your surveys are designed carefully and that you have enough time to gather unbiased and accurate data. Incentives and easy-to-complete surveys can also increase response rates, which can lead to more accurate results. Loyal customers are a big asset to any business, and they can drive referrals and boost revenue. But, a single negative experience can leave them feeling dissatisfied and frustrated. To prevent this from happening, businesses should focus on delivering high-quality customer experiences at all touchpoints.

Customer loyalty

A company that has loyal customers can count on repeat business, referrals, and word-of-mouth advertising. Loyal customers also cost less to acquire than new ones, and they spend more money per transaction. That’s why companies need to focus on encouraging customer loyalty, which can be achieved through marketing and communication strategies. For example, an email or marketing automation platform like SendPulse can help marketers send personalized messages to groups of customers at the right time. This will help the audience feel that their needs are being met by a brand they can trust.

A great way to encourage customer loyalty is by responding to customer feedback, even negative comments. Many relationships have been saved by simply acknowledging a problem. For example, Elon Musk was quick to respond to Tesla customers when their cars’ auto software caused problems. This shows that he takes customer feedback seriously and values his customers.

In addition, businesses should track their customer loyalty metrics and use them as a benchmark for success. Keeping these metrics in mind will help companies avoid the trap of competing on price and keep their loyal customer numbers up. Companies can measure customer loyalty by tracking churn rate, which is the number of customers who cancel their service. While this metric may seem depressing, it is important to note that disloyal customers often provide valuable feedback about the company’s strengths and weaknesses.

Customer retention

Customer retention is a measure of the number of customers that stay loyal to your business over time. It is a key metric for businesses because it’s more cost effective to retain existing customers than acquire new ones. It also helps you build brand loyalty and gain market share. The best way to increase your customer retention is by ensuring that your product or service is meeting your customers’ needs.

In order to improve your customer retention, you need to understand what makes your company special and how you can use that information to create a winning strategy. To do this, you need to have clear metrics that define success. Customer retention is a percentage-based metric that reflects the number of customers retained by a business over a given period of time. It’s calculated as (E – N)/S, where E represents the number of customers who leave the company and N represents the number of new customers acquired during that same time period.

Companies that provide exceptional customer care are not afraid to go above and beyond for their consumers. Shoe retailer Zappos, for example, offers free shipping and a return policy that goes above and beyond other competitors. Other companies show appreciation for their consumers by offering a special discount or personalized letter. One way to make sure your team is following customer care principles is by using a CRM solution that stores notes from meetings and phone calls, ongoing issues and personal preferences of customers, and more. This will prevent changes in personnel from disrupting the relationship with your customers.

News

University employment scheme doubles target to get graduates into work

AN INNOVATIVE graduate programme is helping Bangor University alumni on the road to their chosen careers.

The University’s Higher Education Funding Council for Wales-funded (HEFCW) Graduate Support Programme has helped more than 120 former students in the last two years, almost double its initial target.

Offering employability guidance and advice, as well as financial contributions towards relevant workshops and training, the bespoke scheme has supplied dozens of higher education (HE) leavers with invaluable, tailored packages of support during that time.

Among those to have benefited is 24 year-old Ian Brown, from Borth y Gest near Porthmadog, a graduate in Sport and Exercise Science.

On leaving Bangor last year, Ian pursued his dream to work in coaching and sports analysis but met with barriers and obstacles due to his lack of experience.

With the help of Graduate Support Programme Manager Sian Shepherd, he received tips on CV writing, interview techniques and – given the University’s strong partnerships nationwide – was able to secure a six-month internship with Always Aim High Events in Llangefni, where he now has a permanent role.

“It’s that age old problem, you need experience to get certain roles but obviously need someone to give you that experience, it’s a vicious cycle,” said Ian, an ex-pupil of Ysgol Eifionydd Secondary School.

“Sports and coaching are very competitive industries, so I was finding it difficult to find opportunities, which is why I turned to the Graduate Support Programme at Bangor University.

“I can’t thank Sian and the team enough, they were so supportive and helped build my confidence in going forward and trying for jobs, including the position with Always Aim High.

“I’ve loved it and had the chance to work in different parts of the organisation, from marketing to event delivery, which has been fantastic and gives me vital experience.

“I would encourage any former student to take that route if they are struggling to make that next step, I can’t thank them enough.”

Founded in 2010, Always Aim High specialises in a wide range of events, from open-air triathlons and duathlons to cycle sportives and running races.

Marketing Manager Emma McIntyre says their own graduate scheme has allowed them to offer young people like Ian a pathway into the sector.

“We met with Ian and could see instantly that he would be a great fit for the company, given his passion for sport,” she said.

“The value of the internship has not only been great for us as a small business but has also been a great way for us to give something back. Helping graduates build up their work experience which we know is so vital to help them progress with their future careers.”

In all, the Graduate Support Programme at Bangor University assisted 124 alumni, 92 of which were from socially disadvantaged backgrounds. More than 60% of those who engaged with the scheme are now in graduate level employment, and of the 42 businesses that engaged with the project, 100% of them said they would do so again.

Sian said Ian’s story is all too common and was delighted to be able to help him on the road to his dream job.

“We are so pleased for Ian and wish him every success, he has the drive and passion to reach his goals so hopefully this placement will lay the foundations for a career in the sports and coaching industry,” she added.

“It’s important we get the message out there to our graduates that we are here for you even after you’ve left Bangor University.

“We have relationships in place – in Wales and beyond – that can help you get to where you want to be, as well as free guidance and advice.

“Ian is an example of how pivotal that support can be, and we wish him every success for the future.”

Visit www.bangor.ac.uk/skills-and-employability for more on Graduate Support and Alumni services at Bangor University.

For the latest news and information from Always Aim High Events, visit the website: www.alwaysaimhighevents.com.

Entertainment, Games Sector, Gaming & Entertainment

Revealed: Today’s Best TV Game Show-Themed Live Dealer Games

Many of today’s most popular online casino games are live dealer games from multi-award-winning online casino software providers, such as Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play.

These two companies have produced some of the best live dealer games on the market today, and some of their most popular games are TV Game Show-themed live dealer games. Let’s dive straight in and check out some of their most famous titles.

What are TV game show-themed live dealer games?

TV game show-themed live dealer games are like mini-game shows on which you can bet real money throughout the day at many top online casinos.

The games are streamed directly to your preferred smartphone, tablet or desktop device from one of several licensed studios, and the action is presented to you in real time by a real-life person known as the live dealer.

You can find numerous traditional table & card live dealer games, a handful of live dealer slots, and a broad range of TV game show-themed live games, many of which come with immersive second-screen bonus rounds that take place away from the main screen.

Live dealer games like these are generally only ever available to play in the real money mode, and you can often play from as little as C$0.10 to C$0.50 per hand/round/spin.

A look at some of today’s most popular TV game show-themed live games

If you head to the official Unibet Canada website today, you can now find more than 30 TV game show live dealer games from Pragmatic Play and Evolution. Some of the most popular titles to check out before trying any others are the following famous games:

  • Live Unibet Lightning Roulette by Evolution Gaming (exclusive)
  • Live Unibet Lightning Blackjack by Evolution Gaming (exclusive)
  • Live Crazy Time by Evolution Gaming
  • Live Sweet Bonanza Candyland by Pragmatic Play
  • Live Mega Wheel by Pragmatic Play
  • MONOPOLY Big Baller Live by Evolution Gaming
  • MONOPOLY Live by Evolution Gaming
  • Live Funky Time by Evolution Gaming
  • Snakes & Ladders Live by Pragmatic Play
  • Live Mega Ball by Evolution Gaming

Others include Live Dream Catcher by Evolution Gaming, Live Extra Chilli Epic Spins by Evolution Gaming, Live Boom City by Pragmatic Play, and Live Football Studio by Evolution Gaming.

Honourable mentions

If that’s not enough to keep you going, and you want more TV game show live dealer games, there’s also Live Deal or No Deal by Evolution Gaming, Live Crazy Coin Flip by Evolution Gaming, Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt Live by Evolution Gaming, and Live Dead or Alive: Saloon, which is also by Evolution Gaming.

Are there any other live dealer games worth checking out?

Yes. After playing some of these games, you may want to try something more traditional. In that case, remember to check out several other hit titles, such as Live Craps, Live Casino Hold ’em, Live Teen Patti, Live Texas Hold ’em Bonus Poker, Live Side Bet City, and Live Three Card Poker, all of which are brought to you by Evolution.

You may also like to try Live Caribbean Stud Poker, Live 2 Hand Casino Hold ’em, Live XXXtreme Lightning Roulette, Live Power Up Roulette, French Roulette Gold Live, Live One Blackjack, and Live Infinite Free Bet Blackjack.

Can I practice playing any of these games in the free-play mode?

Unfortunately, no. Live dealer games from almost every company in the world that specializes in making these games never have them available to play in the free-play mode, simply because it’s too expensive to run them in this mode.

However, all of the live dealer games mentioned above by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play cater to everyone from low rollers on a budget to high rollers with plenty of cash to spare.

Don’t forget that you can play from as little as C$0.10 to C$0.50 up to, in some cases, as much as C$2,000.00 to C$10,000.00 per round, depending on the game.