Monthly Archives: August 2024

Business Advice

Memory Foam Sheet

Memory foam is best known for its use in the creation of pillows and mattresses, but it also has a range of other uses and businesses. Thanks to the formulation of the memory foam sheet, it has become easy to buy as much of the foam as you need for use in your particular application.

What is Memory Foam 

Memory foam, or viscoelastic polyurethane foam, is a specially formulated polyurethane foam with the viscosity that’s typical of fluids and the elasticity of a gel. This elasticity makes it uniquely suited to return to its original shape after being compressed (i.e. being sat or slept on).

 

In the case of a memory foam sheet, the foam has been produced in a format where the user can easily remove as much of it as they require. Since sheets are generally not as thick as blocks of foam, it can easily be glued atop something like high-density polyurethane foam (cold foam) that keeps its shape better.

Memory Foam vs. Standard Polyurethane Foam

There has to be a reason why memory foam is so popular, even though standard polyurethane is cheaper. Let’s take a quick look at how these two types of foam compare:

 

Polyurethane Foam Memory Foam
Type Standard foam A type of polyurethane foam
Feel Firmer, more supportive Softer, conforms to body
Pressure Relief Less pressure relief More pressure relief, good for side sleepers and joint pain
Motion Isolation Less motion isolation More motion isolation, good for couples
Temperature Regulation Breathes better, sleeps cooler Can trap heat, sleeps warmer
Responsiveness Bounces back quickly Slower response, “sinking-in” feeling
Durability Generally more durable Can lose shape over time
Cost More affordable More expensive

 

Memory Foam: Pros and Cons

As with anything, there are a range of different advantages and disadvantages to memory foam. Fortunately, many of the disadvantages don’t apply when you buy truly high-quality memory foam sheet.

Pros

  • It offers pressure relief: Memory foam sheets are excellent at conforming to the shape of your body, which reduces pressure points and helps to alleviate pain.
  • It helps to isolate motion: Because memory foam sheets absorb movement, they make ideal mattress toppers for shared beds, as they can help prevent one person from bothering the other with their movements.
  • It’s hypoallergenic: Memory foam is resistant to dust mites and allergens, unlike down and many other historic mattress fillings, which makes it suitable for people with sensitivities or allergies.
  • Many customization options: Memory foam sheets are available in various densities and thicknesses, which means that you can customize your projects as much as you wish.

Cons 

  • Memory foam may retain heat: Standard memory foam has a tendency to trap body heat, which can make for a hot sleeping experience. You can buy memory foam with built in cooling gel to prevent this.
  • New memory foam may off-gas: New memory foam may emit a chemical odor when new, but it will typically dissipate over time.
  • The initial cost may be high: Memory foam is often more expensive than traditional foam or spring mattresses, but it makes up for it with a longer lifespan.
  • That sinking feeling: Some people find the deep contouring uncomfortable, feeling like they’re “sinking” into the mattress.

Memory Foam Sheet: Potential Uses

Despite what people typically think, mainly due to the fact that they only see memory foam used in particular ways, this product has a myriad of potential uses. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

    • Mattress Toppers: This is the most recognized use for these sheets, and many people use memory foam mattress toppers to help make their existing mattresses more comfortable.
    • Cushion Toppers: Another of the most common uses for these foam sheets is to help make bench, sofa, and even caravan cushions more comfortable. Since memory foam has more give, and is softer, it can significantly improve the seating experience.
  • Sleeping Pads: A less common, but no less viable, use for memory foam sheets is as travel or sleeping pads. If you use the appropriate density and thickness, cut to size, memory foam sheets make a wonderful, portable travel mattress.
  • Yoga or Exercise Mats: As you may have expected, memory foam is also sometimes used to make exercise or yoga mats out of. Since the memory foam is soft, and elastic, it’s an ideal choice for this purpose.

Final Thoughts

Memory foam sheet is an excellent way to make your existing bed mattress or bench cushion more comfortable, along with an array of other uses. Thanks to its soft nature and elasticity, it quickly bounces back to its original shape, making it ideal for any uses where frequent compression is the norm.

 

If you’re looking for a quick, simple way to make comfortable cushions, mattresses, or other similar items, memory foam sheets are an excellent option.

Digital Transformation, News, Tech Consultancy

International Management Consultancy accelerates growth after honing approach to Operational Excellence

Explic8, a management consulting firm focused on transforming organisations on a global scale, has achieved an impressive eight-fold increase in growth over the last 12 months alone after honing its approach to operational excellence [OPEX].

Founded in 2019 by industry veterans Ian Nicholls, Al Friedle and Niall Murray, to solve complex challenges encountered in business transformation, Explic8 is fast becoming a leading name in OPEX and business change, having successfully delivered impactful results for companies across a variety of industry sectors – including pharmaceutical, medical devices, manufacturing and supply chain.

With offices in the UK, USA, Australia, Switzerland and Ireland, the consultancy prides itself on its unrivalled approach to engaging with clients on a deep level to truly understand key business challenges, while working as a collaborative and impactful partner to solve them.

As such, the consultancy has achieved impressive results within the last 12 months – from helping a manufacturer increase output from 300 to 4,000 units per month, to saving another manufacturer £3 million in annual labour costs.

 

Ian Nicholls, co-founder and CEO of Explic8, confirmed: “Explic8 was founded with two clear rules: to have fun at work and to never fail. Since launching the business nearly five years ago we have more than exceeded both objectives – leveraging our extensive experience in business change and OPEX to truly make a different to the organisations that we work with.

“As such, the senior leadership team are incredibly proud of the growth we have achieved to date, and we now look forward to expanding our international market share and firmly establishing the Explic8 brand as a management consultancy of choice in the months and years to come – watch this space.”

 

Operating across 35 different countries worldwide, Explic8 boasts a proven track record of success in strategy and management consulting, operational excellence and continuous improvement, quality management, risk and compliance, and Enterprise Resource Planning [ERP].

ISO 9001 certified, Explic8 has built an impressive client portfolio to date, including Cochlear, Coca Cola and Cook Medical.

 

For more information, visit: https://www.explic8.com/

Coaching, Leadership, News

How to manage challenging conversations at work – tips from The OCM

Written by Jon Horsley, Consultant Coach-Mentor for The OCM 

Most people don’t relish the thought of difficult conversations and research from the Chartered Management Institute found that 57% of managers would do almost anything to avoid one[i].

According to The OCM, a leading coaching firm who works with clients across all sectors, tricky conversations could be around performance discussions with a line report, salary increases, giving a peer confronting feedback or challenging a superior on a decision.

Jon Horsley, Consultant Coach-Mentor for The OCM highlights the need to steer challenging conversations effectively in order for teams and individuals to perform better, and how coaching skills can help. Here he shares his top tips to ensure more positive conversation outcomes:

  1. Be prepared – The idea of ‘being prepared rather than having prepared’ is helpful. Preparation involves entering the conversation with the right mind set. The Human Systems Dynamics Institute[ii] suggests shifting from judgement to curiosity; turning assumptions into questions; defensiveness into self-reflection and moving conflict into a shared enquiry from both parties.
  2. Acknowledge emotions – All challenging conversations are fundamentally about feelings, so it’s important to acknowledge what’s going on emotionally, and create a little distance between who we are and what we’re feeling. For example, explore the difference between ‘I am angry’ and ‘I am feeling angry’. It can also be helpful to understand that, whilst thoughts and feelings come and go like the weather, our values are the bedrock from which we can choose to act.
  3. Focus on interests, not positions – It’s sometimes said that all conflict is the encounter of unmet needs. Consider reframing the upcoming challenging conversation as an exploration of underlying interests and needs, fostering empathy and collaboration around how they can be met. Seeking to defend a position may be understandable in the heat of the moment, but if winning means the other person losing, or vice versa, there will be very little room for compromise.
  4. Disentangle intentions and impact – One of the common causes of misunderstanding, confusion, and conflict in challenging conversations arises from the assumption that we know the other person’s intentions. We attribute their intentions based on their impact on us. Feeling hurt by what someone has said or done, can lead people to assuming that the person intended to hurt them. Focus on actions instead and what the other party actually said or did. Be clear on the impact this had and reflect on the assumptions made about the other person’s intention.
  5. Work on assertive communication – Clarity about impact, intentions and needs requires clear, concise and assertive communication. Don’t downplay what is important to you; take ownership by using a strong personal “I” rather than a vague “we” or “you” and make explicit requests. Framing intention from the outset and not beating about the bush concerning the purpose of the conversation is the best approach.
  6. Work with a coach or colleague – Practice technique and tone with a coach or colleague to get a feel for what having a challenging conversation actually feels like. This can help prepare for the conversation to come and perhaps dispel the fear that the relationship with the other person will be irreparably damaged by it.

Jon concludes, “Coaching skills can be hugely valuable for successful conversations. The core skills of coaching – active listening, asking effective questions and providing feedback or reflecting back what you have heard, are all useful in effectively navigating challenging conversations.”

 

—

References

[i] https://www.managers.org.uk/knowledge-and-insights/article/the-best-strategies-for-difficult-workplace-conversations/

[ii] https://www.hsdinstitute.org/index.html

Charity & CSR, Fashion, News, Retail & E-commerce, Retail News

Charity Shops are Finally Disrupting the Retail Sector and Gen Z is our Secret Weapon, says

Written by Kate Bishop, Director of Retail and Brand Strategy, Save The Children. 

For too long the charity retail sector has been perceived to be on the outskirts of the mainstream. We’ve made our way into some specific categories with high fashion specialists in the designer second hand market, furniture specialists including up-cyclists becoming more sought after and second-hand high-street fashion taking on the fast fashion labels we have become accustomed to.

Economic and Environmental Strides

We made strides in hard economic times when people realised just how much the charity retail sector can help them to save.

We’ve also benefited enormously as people have become more pro-active and considerate about their contribution to climate change, the life cycle of their purchases and their impact on our planet. This improves our sales as well as our stock take as donations improve in volume and quality.

We also had a great boost from the Mary Portas effect as the “Queen of Shops” showcased the charity shop’s rightful place as the beating heart of the Highstreet and the local community.

However, despite the great progress so far, many of the misperceptions around what charity shopping is all about persist. All too often the idea conjures up images of musty little shop floors loaded with heaps of old tat in disorganised bundles that is hard work to rummage through with very little reward at the end of it. There’s no concept of customer service or an excellent retail experience. No notion of knowledgeable, helpful staff who understand their stock and their customers – on hand with professional service, help and advice. The reality is very different.

A Change in Perception

A change in perception is happening fast. In fact, our progress towards being front of mind for consumers has been rocket fuelled by Generation Z.

Vinted is a great illustration of this transformation in mindset with the second-hand fashion platform reporting profit for the first time with 61% year-on-year growth for 2023, net profit of 17.8 million Euro. It is a fantastic reflection of a wider trend. Younger generations don’t want to boast about their latest designer labels. Rather, they are proud to shout about their pre-loved outfit that was a bargain find.

And it’s not just customer behaviour that is breaking the mould. Generation Z’s values are a core driver not just for what they buy and how they consume, but also where they work.

According to Glassdoor, Gen Z full time employees will overtake the number of baby boomers in the workplace in 2024. And Deloitte’s 2023 survey of 22,000 Gen Zs and millennials, highlights that lifestyle and career decisions are made based on values for these generations. This goes for all aspects of their lives, which is why we’re seeing such a charity boom.

No Competition

As someone who made the move from mainstream retail to the charity retail sector some eight years ago, I can honestly say I have never been more excited about the generational shift that we are seeing in consumer behaviour and recruitment.

The truth is – we have so much to offer that traditional retailers should beware. The revolution is coming and we are at the forefront. Retail is a fantastic career opportunity for aspirational, talented and creative people but let’s face it – much of the retail sector, including fashion, is formulaic. Each new exciting trend is really just the same, same but different. This year the new red is pink. Skinny cut is out, flares are (back) in.  It’s recycling of ideas and processes, whereas recycling of stuff is at the cutting edge of fashion in 2024.

For an ambitious and talented retail employee, the charity retail sector is a way to really make your mark with free reign in creative direction. You can choose how to run your store. No two days are the same. You choose your star product and accessories. The magic happens when you spot a hero item and build your vision around it.

And we have the power of the other stars of the high street alongside us. Take our East Dulwich store with its brilliant community collaboration with local artist Will Vibes.

Career Support to Grow and Thrive

It should come as no surprise that our ethos is about giving back. We have invested in world class training and learning and development for our employees. Our collaboration with game-based training simulation specialists Attensi is second to none. From onboarding to management – training and support is available on demand with impactful feedback. We’re encouraging best practices that align with our core values as well as our strategic KPIs. We are also nourishing creative talent and personal development journeys.

Conclusion

Out with the old and in with the new is taking on a whole new meaning in the charity retail revolution and Generation Zs are blazing the trail. Old is the new new and it is an exciting ride. Watch out mainstream – we are coming.

 

About the author

Kate Bishop is Director of Retail and Brand Strategy for Charity, Save The Children.  Save the Children is the world’s leading children’s charity, working in 120 countries.

News, North of England, Property News

Council Leader Praises “Wonderful Illustration” Of Partnership

THE leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council has praised the partnership behind the regeneration of a former mill site.

Councillor Phil Riley recently visited Tower Gardens, part of the wider regeneration of the former Lower Darwen Paper Mill site.

 

Elan Homes acquired 8.64 acres of land at Milking Lane from Barnfield Blackburn Ltd, a joint venture between the Blackburn with Darwen Council and Brierfield-based Barnfield Construction in summer 2021.

Cllr Riley was the council’s executive member for growth and development in 2019 when funding was secured to help make the redevelopment of the site viable after previous attempts stalled.

 

Cllr Riley said: “Some years ago the former Lower Darwen Paper mill site was a large derelict site next to the motorway. Now it’s home to a number of thriving businesses and the start of a new housing development by Elan Homes. It’s a wonderful illustration of what can be achieved by partnerships between the Council and private developers.”

 

The 35,000 sq ft Mill Bank Business Park, which also forms part of the wider regeneration scheme, is complete and all units sold or let.

For its part Elan is delivering 76 new homes, offering a choice of three and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached designs.

 

Cllr Riley was given a tour of the four-bedroom detached Brandon show home by sales executives Tracy Clarkson and Rosie Tierney, plus site manager Dave Higgins.

“The houses are spacious and well-appointed with great views over towards Darwen Tower and the nearby moorland. It’s no wonder they are generating a lot of interest with the first families about to move in.”

 

Elan regional sales and marketing director Marie Morris said: “It’s three years since Elan was named by Blackburn with Darwen Council as the preferred developer for this site after previous attempts by others stalled for various reasons. As Cllr Riley has been a long-term advocate for the regeneration of the wider site we were keen to invite him to Tower Gardens to see our new homes in Darwen for himself.”

For more information about Tower Gardens see https://www.elan-homes.co.uk/developments/tower-gardens.

Shropshire

Halls making its mark at Shropshire shows with prizewinning stand

Halls, one of the UK’s leading independent firms of estate agents, chartered surveyors, auctioneers and valuers, has been turning heads at Shropshire shows over the last couple of weeks.

 

The company had busy stands at Burwarton Show on August 1 and Oswestry Show on August 3 and will also be attending Minsterley Show this Saturday, August 17.

 

Rewarding Halls’ efforts at Oswestry Show, judges awarded first prize to the  company’s stand, which was manned by staff from rural professional, planning and development, residential sales and marketing.

 

Halls topped up the £40 prize to donate £100 to Oswestry Food Bank.

 

“We were kept very busy on our stand at Burwarton and Oswestry Shows and are looking forward to meeting more new and existing clients at Minsterley Show on Saturday,” said Jo Amos, Halls’ marketing manager. “It’s great to see the communities coming together at these shows.

 

“Winning first prize for our stand at Oswestry Show was the icing on the cake and we were delighted to make a donation to Oswestry Food Bank. The stand was packed all day.

 

“A children’s art competition and the opportunity for adults to win a hamper proved very popular at both shows. If you’re heading to the Minsterley Show this Saturday, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy all the fun. Be sure to drop by and visit the Halls team.”

Business & Property News

August 19 deadline for Worcestershire farm business tenancy tenders

Informal tenders are being invited from experienced tenants for the tenancy of 121 acres of Worcestershire mixed arable and pasture land.

The farm business tenancy for Great Binnal Farm, near Bridgnorth will be let by leading regional agents Halls’ Kidderminster office following the tender deadline of noon on Monday, August 19.

“The landlord is seeking an experienced tenant who will be able to farm the holding in a productive manner,” said Sarah Hulland, a director of Halls and Kidderminster office manager. “The land is an ideal bolt on to an existing unit.

“An initial five-year term is offered but the landlord would be happy to extend the tenancy after the first three years to create a 10-year term for the right tenant.

“The landlord would be pleased to review applications that incorporate both SFI and Standalone Capital Grants, contributing, where needed, to ensure a successful tenancy.”

A productive holding, Great Binnal Farm has previously been farmed for several decades by a family under an AHA (Agricultural Holdings Act) Agreement.

Under the previous tenancy, the Grade 3 land has been planted with a variety of grasses whilst accommodating stewardship agreement options. This agreement has now expired.

The level and gently sloping land has base-rich, loamy and clayey soils, with 88.49 acres used for arable crops.

The farm is conveniently placed close to the A442 and A458 and under 11 miles from Telford the M54 Junction 7 Interchange.

Viewing is during reasonable daylight hours with a set of the sale particulars. For more information about the tenancy, contact Halls on Tel: 01562 820 880.

Business News

Connectus Sponsors Doncaster Knights’ 150th Anniversary Season

Connectus Business Solutions, a leading Business Managed Services Partner, is today announcing a new sponsor partnership with the Doncaster Knights as the club enters its 150th Anniversary season.

In an exciting collaboration, Connectus will feature its brand as the post-protector sponsor, and showcase its branding with a banner at Castle Park throughout the season among other significant contributions to the club. The sponsor will also enjoy a further three hospitality tables for games of their choice.

The company is also sponsoring Joe Ford, the Head Coach of Doncaster Knights, who is looking to guide the Knights to the top of the table this season. The bespoke sponsorship package also includes the presentation of a framed, signed 150th Anniversary Knights shirt and four season tickets so Connectus can get behind the Knights all season, underlining the strong relationship between the Doncaster Knights and Connectus.

“We are delighted to have Connectus as a new sponsorship partner and look forward to working with Roy and his team in the years to come,” said Tracey Owen, Commercial & Partnership Executive, Doncaster Knights.

“The team truly appreciates Roy’s history with Castle Park and his commitment to growing Connectus locally. It’s a huge welcome back to Roy, and we are delighted that he and Connectus have chosen to support the Doncaster Knights as we push for the Premiership.” she further added.

Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus, has a long-standing connection with Castle Park, having played rugby there and participating in fundraising efforts to build the Clubhouse Building – Arms Park back in the late 1990s.

He said: “Connectus Business Solutions have a long and proud tradition of supporting sports from the grassroots up to the professional level, including local triple winners Bentley Village FC and Gallagher Premiership side Sale Sharks. We are excited about this new collaboration with Doncaster Knights, and we look forward to supporting the team throughout the coming season.”

“This partnership reflects our commitment to not only backing the team on the field but also fostering a deeper connection with the local community. We believe in the power of sports to bring people together, and we are proud to be part of Doncaster Knights’ journey during this milestone season.”

Highlighting their commitment to success, the Knights have strengthened their squad by adding key players such as Semesa Rokoduguni, ex-England and Bath player, as they push for Premiership promotion.

The partnership launch event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3rd, coinciding with the Knights’ first home league game against Ampthill in the Championship.

Charity & CSR, Charity News, Marketing & PR, News

Shropshire boxing charity shares vital message in new video thanks to local agency scheme

Shropshire boxing charity, Brightstar, has launched a powerful new video campaign after winning free marketing support from local marketing agency, Reech, as part of a community scheme.

Brightstar, which is dedicated to empowering young people through boxing, education and mentoring, has unveiled the video to challenge its perception of being “just a boxing club”. The video showcases the holistic approach the charity takes, offering not just boxing training but also vital education and mentorship programmes.

It also highlights the crucial role Brightstar plays in the local community, guiding young people down a positive path, unlocking their potential, and helping tackle the mental health challenges they may face. This comes after the charity was crowned winner of Reech’s ‘Reech & Reward’ scheme, which is run annually and awards £10,000 worth of marketing services to one charity.

First created in 2022, Reech & Reward sees local charitable organisations participate in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch to a panel of marketing experts, with support for the winning charity including anything from strategy and branding advice to website and digital marketing consultancy, as well as creating video and photography content.

Prior to creating the video, which received a heartwarming reception when it was showcased at Brightstar’s annual celebration night, the charity also worked with Reech to refine its brand positioning and visual identity.

 

Speaking about the partnership with Reech, Joe Lockley, Brightstar’s founder, said: “We thoroughly enjoyed working with Reech on this video. To finally have a clear and concise portrayal of everything we do for young people in one video is absolutely fantastic.

“It’s not just about boxing, it’s about providing a safe space for young people to grow, learn, and develop life skills. This video captures the essence of our mission and shows the world how we’re making a difference.”

 

Rob Hughes, founder and managing director of Reech, added: “Working with Brightstar and seeing firsthand the impact they have on young people’s lives has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and we’re proud to support such a dedicated organisation to help them share their story with the wider community.

“Our aim with the Reech & Reward scheme is to give back to the community by helping charities like Brightstar amplify their message and reach more people. We look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting Brightstar’s mission to empower and uplift the youth in our community and beyond.”

 

Reech was founded in 2009 with a mission to help brands thrive in a dynamic landscape. The agency provides a full-service approach to marketing, incorporating branding and visual identity, content creation, design and creative, digital marketing, photography and videography, web design and development and full marketing strategy and planning.

 

For more information, visit: www.reech.agency and www.brightstarboxing.co.uk

Menopause, Menopause at work, News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing at Work

Dementia UK receives The Menopause Friendly Accreditation

The specialist dementia nursing charity achieved ‘menopause friendly workplace’ status after meeting Menopause Friendly’s five key accreditation pillars

Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, has been awarded The Menopause Friendly Accreditation by Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace after demonstrating to an independent panel of experts that the organisation actively supports menopause at work across its five accreditation pillars:

  • Culture
  • Policies and practices
  • Training
  • Engagement
  • Working environment

The Menopause Friendly Accreditation recognises high standards and proven practices that embrace menopause in the workplace. Industry-recognised, it is 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.

As part of its work towards accreditation, Dementia UK – which has a majority female workforce – has organised internal learning sessions for employees and discussed the perimenopause and menopause at all-staff meetings and events to increase understanding of symptoms amongst all employees.

Dementia UK also offers menopause training for all employees and will have more training sessions throughout October in the lead up to World Menopause Day.

Nando Caicedo, Director of People and Organisational Development, said: “We’re delighted to receive this Accreditation which echoes our support for employees who are experiencing perimenopause and menopause, ensuring they feel supported in the workplace.

“Further to the assessment criteria, we are now asking Dementia UK employees about our internal policies and practices in our engagement surveys. We hope our efforts in this area will help employees feel heard and empowered, as well as potentially giving them a greater understanding of any symptoms they may be experiencing.”

“Dementia UK is one of just a few charities that have so far gained the Menopause Friendly Accreditation and all credit must go to their hard-working team for prioritising menopause friendly action,” said Deborah Garlick, CEO and founder of Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace. “While menopause policies and procedures may start at work, they quickly cascade to customers and wider communities plus families and friends of employees,” says Deborah. “The work Dementia UK is doing in this space can have far-reaching impact: I hope other charities are encouraged by their achievement to make a similar commitment to their own colleagues and audiences.”