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Senior Manchester Promotions Announced at Avison Young

Avison Young has revealed it has made several senior promotions at director and associate director level within its Manchester office.

Dan Brown and Rhian Smith from the planning team have now moved into director roles, while building surveyor Tom Williams has also been promoted to director level.

Dan Brown
Dan Brown.

Quantity surveyor Paige Lambert has been promoted to associate director, as have real estate management specialists Charles Watson and Joe Gartside from the business rates team.

Paige Lambert
Paige Lambert.

These promotions come during an exciting time for Avison Young in Manchester as they move into their new, world-class office in central Manchester. As the only newly built Grade-A office building in the central business district, 11 York Street has recently been named the best workspace outside of central London. With wellbeing, sustainability and collaboration at the core of the new office’s design rational, Avison Young is showcasing its commitment to both its people and the city region.

Chris Cheap, Avison Young’s managing director in Manchester: “I am delighted for all of those taking the next step in their careers as it reflects their hard work, expertise and the results they deliver for clients. We have a fantastic team in Manchester across all of the sectors we operate in and we have a commitment to investing in our people so they can fulfil their ambitions and constantly develop their skills to enhance our offer. The move to 11 York Street is an important part of this investment.

Manchester Bee Cup Creates a Buzz for the City’s Sustainability

The iconic Manchester bee is to be emblazoned on certified plastic-free takeaway cups throughout the city, which can be effortlessly recycled with paper and card after use. Launched by the family-run catering equipment business, Stephensons, circa 5% will be donated to the life-changing We Love MCR charity.

Celebrating the city’s identity and helping the region cut single-use plastics, the cup builds on the momentum created by its widely recognised bee straws, which launched in 2018. Granted the rights by Manchester City Council, Stephensons are one of the few companies to have the official rights to use the iconic bee symbol.

The certified plastic-free, the environmentally friendly cup is adorned with the Manchester worker bee, a symbol of the city’s resilience and work ethic and the embodiment of the Mancunian spirit. The cup’s design originates from the striking Manchester bee mosaic in the city’s town hall, with the symbol visible throughout the city, from lamp posts to street art, bins and beyond.

Lord Mayor of Manchester Donna Ludford, who is Chair of We Love MCR, said: “I’m passionate about improving the city for all our communities, so it’s fantastic to partner with Stephensons which shares that ambition. After the success of the bee straws, which I love to see across our city, I can’t wait to see their beautiful coffee cups in cafes, bars, and venues throughout Manchester. They’ll make a great impact in helping reduce waste, and the donations made to We Love MCR will help us to improve more lives across Manchester.”

Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig, added: “I welcome this innovative initiative, which reduces environmental impact and invests in our community. The Manchester worker bee positively represents Manchester, so to see it on biodegradable coffee cups across the city will be a great way to celebrate our heritage whilst making a positive difference to our communities and our environment.

As supporters of the Plastic Free GM Pledge, the cup sees Stephensons fulfil its longstanding ambition to launch a cup in a certified plastic-free material that is fully compostable and recyclable with paper and card. The newly released cup is available in 8oz and 12oz sizes, with 16oz soon to follow. It is to be sold into hospitality outlets, venues and event organisers, alongside independent coffee shops, universities, museums and beyond.

Stephensons managing director, Henry Stephenson said: “We came up with the idea of putting the bee mosaic on a disposable cup when we launched the straw back in 2018, but it was only until recently that the technology finally arrived, allowing us to put the bee on a truly sustainable, certified plastic-free cup. We’re proud to see both the cup and the straw as a simple but powerful statement from the city’s hospitality industry, reflecting its collective commitment to sustainability. As a Manchester-based business since 1868, we understand the pride and identity people associate with the Manchester bee, so to have the bee as a continued symbol of the city’s desire to limit single-use plastics is fantastic.”

The official launch of the cup will take place at the Northern Restaurant and Bar show at Manchester Central on Tuesday 14 March before being distributed across the city.

In 2018, Stephensons gained a licence to sell paper straws featuring the Manchester bee icon which, like the cups, donated a percentage of sales to We Love MCR, with over £5,000 raised to date. The 100% recyclable straws were initially founded as the first step of a Greater Manchester initiative to eradicate avoidable single-use plastic; a move made prior to the government-imposed ban on plastic straws. The bee cup continues this heritage as another step towards cutting single-use plastics across the region whilst raising funds for the life-changing We Love MCR charity.

An Easy Business with Walester: All About Wallester Credit Card

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To optimize your company’s financial processes, increase customer loyalty and increase profits, launch your card program. Wallester and its multifunctional platform can help you do it. It allows you not only to issue physical and virtual Visa cards but also to manage them. Using Wallester services https://wallester.com, you can launch a competitive financial product that meets all the requirements of modern financial technology and digitalization.

 

About the Wallester platform

Wallester gives its customers a user-friendly API platform that integrates easily with any software. And that means no more waiting months for programmers to integrate different systems and integrate payment functions into them.

Let’s list the main advantages of the Wallester platform:

  1. Versatility. The platform allows you to issue cards for any purpose instantly. These can be debit, credit, and prepaid cards for individuals and business clients. The cards can be used for instant payments, transfers, online shopping, and cash withdrawals from ATMs. With the platform’s help, it can launch payroll projects, issue cards for mutual settlements with partners and suppliers, and create gift, tourist, transport, and other cards that require advance replenishment.
  2. Security. Wallester complies with all KYC/AML rules and requirements. Transaction participants are verified in real time against various databases, and the cardholder’s identity is identified in several ways to prevent access by third parties. Flexible configuration of KYC/AML rules and alerts is available. Additional protection is provided by an innovative security protocol, 3D Secure, which implies additional verification by the payment card issuer during a transaction.
  3. The use of innovation. Virtual and physical cards issued on the Wallester platform can be quickly loaded into a digital wallet and used to make payments using Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The company’s engineers are constantly tweaking the platform’s functionality, so it can easily adjust to the needs of any customer.

Wallester is an official partner of Visa, meaning that cards issued through the platform will have all the advantages of payment cards of this most famous service worldwide.

 

Managing the card program

To manage the card program, Wallester offers the desktop version of the platform and a convenient mobile application. For the user of both types of software, the following card program management functions are available:

  • viewing transactions and card lists;
  • filing of applications for card issuance, activation, blocking, and unblocking;
  • topping up an account from an IBAN account;
  • receiving transaction reports.

The Wallester platform instantly allows you to issue physical and virtual cards for any purpose. Particular attention should be paid to White Label solutions, enabling you to issue branded cards specifically for a specific client. With their help, you can increase customer loyalty and make your brand more recognizable. Not only are cards designed in the same style, but also a platform with a mobile application. White Label solutions are easy to integrate, so it takes almost as much time to implement and launch them as it does to launch anonymous card projects. 

 

Popular Products

The Wallester platform allows you to run any card program. These can be physical or virtual cards and disposable or reusable payment products. Cards can be prepaid or debit, but credit cards are, of course, the most popular.

Visa credit cards https://wallester.com/cards/credit-card are the best financial aid when you need to make an unexpected purchase. You can use them to get instant access to the credit limit on the cardholder’s account. It is a multifunctional, convenient, and safe payment tool that Wallester customers worldwide actively use. With it, you can pay for purchases over the Internet, through POS terminals, and withdraw cash from ATMs within the credit limit established by the bank.

Visa credit cards offer the following advantages:

  1. Comfort. Cards provide instant access to the credit funds in the cardholder’s account within the set limit. You can pay with the card at any time and place where Visa cards are accepted. With a credit card, you can gain true financial independence.
  2. Stability. You can use your credit card to balance your budget and take care of unplanned expenses. Thanks to this means of payment, the user maintains a solid financial position even with an unstable income. The Wallester platform allows you to view real-time details of credit card spending, which helps you better control your finances.
  3. Reliability. Online payments with a credit card are secure thanks to 3D Secure two-step authentication. The user can get their money back if an item purchased with a credit card turns out to be defective or not delivered. Money can also be returned if the vendor fails to provide prepaid card services.

To start your card program, contact Wallester. We’ll give you access to a unique platform through which you can issue not only credit cards but also debit, prepaid, physical, and virtual cards. Call us at the numbers listed on the website or leave an application online.

A – Z Guide of Mortgage Capacity Assessment

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Divorce can be a difficult and emotionally charged time, and when property is involved, it can make the situation even more complex. For couples going through a divorce, one important factor to consider is how the separation will affect their mortgage capacity. In this blog post, we will explain what a mortgage capacity assessment is and how it can help people going through a divorce.

What is a Mortgage Capacity Assessment?

A mortgage capacity assessment is a report that provides an estimate of how much money a person can borrow to buy a property. The assessment takes into account various factors such as income, expenses, and credit history. Mortgage capacity assessments are often used by lenders to determine whether a borrower can afford to repay a mortgage.

However, for couples going through a divorce, a mortgage capacity assessment can be particularly helpful in determining whether one or both parties can afford to buy out the other’s share of the property. This is especially important if the couple has joint ownership of the property.

How Does a Mortgage Capacity Assessment Work?

A mortgage capacity assessment takes into account a number of factors that can affect a person’s ability to repay a mortgage. These factors include:

  1. Income – This includes the amount of money a person earns from their job or other sources of income.
  2. Expenses – This includes any regular expenses a person has such as rent, utilities, and other bills.
  3. Credit history – This includes a person’s credit score and any outstanding debts they have.
  4. Existing mortgages – This includes any mortgages or loans that the person currently has.
  5. Property value – This includes the value of the property that the person is looking to buy or buy out their ex-spouse.

By taking these factors into account, a mortgage capacity assessment can provide a clear picture of how much a person can afford to borrow.

Why is a Mortgage Capacity Assessment Important in a Divorce?

When a couple gets divorced in the UK, there are often financial implications that need to be considered. This is particularly true when it comes to property. If the couple jointly owns a property, they will need to decide what will happen to the property after the divorce.

There are several options available to couples in this situation. One option is for one spouse to buy out the other’s share of the property. This is often the preferred option if one spouse wants to keep the property.

However, in order to buy out the other spouse, the person will need to have the financial means to do so. This is where a mortgage capacity assessment can be particularly helpful. By determining how much a person can afford to borrow, the assessment can help them determine whether they can afford to buy out their ex-spouse.

In addition, a mortgage capacity assessment can also help couples decide whether it is better to sell the property and split the proceeds. This may be the better option if neither spouse can afford to buy out the other’s share of the property.

How to Get a Mortgage Capacity Assessment

If you are going through a divorce and need a mortgage capacity assessment, there are a number of options available. You can work with a mortgage broker or lender to get an assessment. Many mortgage brokers and lenders offer this service, although some may charge a fee.

When you work with a mortgage broker or lender, they will typically ask you to provide information about your income, expenses, credit history, and any existing mortgages or loans.

They will then use this information to provide an estimate of how much you can afford to borrow.

Business students’ perspectives: Strategies for Achieving Success as a Business Student

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Business students often face unique challenges when it comes to making their way through college and into the professional world. Navigating the job search process, networking, finding mentors, and managing time effectively can all be daunting tasks for business students. With this in mind, this article aims to provide strategies that business students can use to help them achieve success in their studies and future endeavors. 

Setting Goals and Establishing a Plan 

Achieving success as a business student requires having clear goals and establishing a plan of action for meeting those goals. It is important for students to conceptualize and define what “success” means to them before setting any measurable objectives or taking concrete steps towards achieving those objectives. Students should also consider the resources available to them and the potential obstacles they may confront in order to develop a realistic plan of action. 

Conceptualizing and Defining Goals 

Before setting measurable objectives, it is important for business students to define what success means for them. This could mean different things for different individuals, such as earning high grades, building professional connections, or developing a deeper understanding of their chosen field. It is also important for business students to identify their long-term career goals and determine how these goals will inform their studies and actions in the short term. 

Making a Plan of Action 

Once an individual has identified his/her goals, the next step is creating an actionable plan for achieving those goals. This plan should include measurable objectives, such as completing a certain number of courses or internships before graduation, and interim goals that will help the individual stay on track towards achieving his/her long-term objectives. It is also important to factor in potential obstacles that may arise and how best to respond and adapt when they do. 

 

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Building Networks and Developing Connections 

Networking opportunities are key for business students looking to make their mark in the professional world. Business students should take advantage of campus resources, such as student organizations and career services centers, in order to build connections with peers, faculty members, alumni, industry insiders, and other professionals who can provide valuable advice and guidance throughout their studies and beyond.  

Developing Relationships with Peers, Faculty, and Alumni 

One of the most effective ways for business students to build their network is to develop relationships with peers, faculty members, and alumni who are already established in the professional world. These individuals can serve as valuable sources of advice on courses to take, internships to pursue, and resources for job searches after graduation. Establishing these connections early on can help business students gain a better understanding of their chosen field before entering the job market. 

Leveraging Professional Organizations 

Business students should also take advantage of professional organizations that offer networking events or career-building workshops geared towards those in their particular field. This is an excellent way for students to not only build their network, but also gain knowledge and insights into their chosen field. 

Utilizing Industry Resources 

Finally, business students should take advantage of online resources such as industry publications and websites dedicated to professional development. Reading these sources can help students gain a better understanding of the trends in their chosen field and how best to position themselves for success. Additionally, websites such as https://essaywriter.today/ can provide assistance with writing essays and other assignments, helping to ensure that students are producing high-quality work.

Managing Time Effectively 

Time management is essential for any business student to be successful. With classes, internships, and extracurricular activities, many students can find themselves overwhelmed with all the responsibilities they have to juggle in order to stay on top of their studies. Developing a plan and scheduling out tasks can help keep business students organized and ensure that all assignments are completed in a timely manner. 

Identifying High-Priority Projects and Tasks 

The first step in effective time management is identifying which projects and tasks need to take priority over others. Business students should make sure they understand what their deadlines are and allocate their time accordingly so that they don’t fall behind on important work or miss opportunities due to procrastination. 

Learning to Delegate Responsibilities 

When it comes to managing time, learning to delegate responsibilities is key for business students. Utilizing resources such as tutoring centers, study groups, and online communities can help lighten the workload and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Working with peers or mentors can also be beneficial for business students looking for advice on how to approach certain projects or assignments.

Finding Support and Mentorship Opportunities  

Mentorship is an important part of the business student experience, as it can help students gain insight into the field they are studying and receive advice on how to navigate their career path. Business students should take advantage of mentorship opportunities offered by their college or university, such as alumni networks, industry panels, and networking events. Additionally, they should reach out to professional organizations for additional resources and support. Thus, for business students who need additional essay writing assistance, https://eduboard.com/ can provide valuable support.

 

Seeking Out Mentors in the Business World 

Business students looking for mentors can start by reaching out to alumni from their school who have gone on to successful careers in the business world. These individuals can provide valuable guidance about courses of study, internships, job search strategies, and other aspects of succeeding in the professional world. Additionally, students may also benefit from joining professional organizations and attending industry conferences, as these can provide additional opportunities to meet potential mentors. 

Reaching Out to Career Services Centers for Guidance 

Career services centers at colleges and universities are an invaluable resource for business students looking for mentorship opportunities or career guidance. These centers often offer career counseling, mock interviews, and other resources designed to help students gain insight into the job market and learn how to effectively develop their professional network. Taking advantage of these resources can be a great way for business students to gain the skills and insights necessary for success in their chosen field.

What Does the New Rating List Mean for Your Business Rates?

In November 2022, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) published the Business rates revaluation 2023. Within it, it outlines how UK business rates are calculated, and what business owners and leaders can expect from the 1st of April 2023. On the same day, the government also summarised its plans going forward for business rates in the UK in the Autumn Statement.

While many business owners and leaders were sceptical of any help being forthcoming, the Chancellor seemed very open in discussing the challenges that UK business rates pose. Especially, as it was predicted that they would rise by up to 12% in the next revaluation. That the Chancellor went on to state that the total increase in Rateable Value’s (RV– what business rates are determined by) would be no more than 1%, was astounding.

Astounding, and – quite frankly – unbelievable.

“Business rates consist of too large a part of taxes, for the government to have ever considered capping the RV increase at 1%.” Anthony Hughes, Managing Director of RVA Surveyors, the business rates reduction specialists, said.

Commercial properties will see their RV increase by different amounts; with properties in the East of England seeing the largest increase in their RV’s – by over 14% alone.

Yes, the government have committed to providing a business rates package of almost £14 billion to help ease the burden of UK business rates. Yes, this has been put in place for the upcoming revaluation (1st April 2023). Yes, it all appears very substantial, a fact that the government have thrown about quite eagerly since.

But will this help ease the burden of business rates in the coming revaluation?

Freezing the business rates multiplier consists of most of this £14 billion support package. Over £9 billion, to be exact. However, it is only worth that much over the next five years. That is not all either. While freezing the multiplier seems like decisive action to mitigate the damage soaring costs could do to businesses, there is a hidden increase lurking here.

While the VOA’s website shows some startling figures, it is merely the tip of the iceberg. While they have cherry-picked some facts and statistics and blown them up in bright colours to show that – yes, it won’t be great but the government have done everything they could to keep it as low as possible, the full table paints a much grimmer picture.

The RV of Large Industrial properties will increase by as much as 17.2% in the next revaluation. This is a staggering amount for a section of the Industrial sector, which will in turn see an average overall increase of over 27%. The office sector will also see an average overall increase of 10.2%.

Its not just the private sector which will see momentous increases either. Local authority schools will see an increase in their RV of almost 18% from April. While day nurseries and play schools will see an increase of 15%.

“It’s quite incredible actually,” Anthony Hughes said. “What was announced at the Autumn Statement is not at all what we are seeing in reality. There is less than one month now until revaluation, and the shock of this increase will push commercial property tenants and owners into taking drastic measures.”

RVA Surveyors are not the only ones sceptical at the support offered to businesses though. Martin McTague of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) was in fact very scathing of what the statement seemed to gloss over rather quickly – accusing the government of “stealth-creation”. Essentially, slipping in rather devastating tax cuts, that will affect small and medium-sized businesses (SME’s) the most, between the generous-sounding business rates support package.

So, while the total average increase in RV for all sectors in England and Wales might be 7.1%, commercial property owners and tenants will see individual property’s RV’s potentially skyrocket. Already this is a far cry from the 1% that the Chancellor gave in the Autumn Statement.

In real terms however, individual industries and local authority areas are more likely to see jumps in RV of around 14%. Some industries are even predicted to see increases of up to 30%. What commercial property owners and tenants know about their business rates has changed from month to month.  With the multipliers frozen at their highest level since their introduction in 1990, business rates payers will be seeing yet another increase in their rates bills for the 2023 rating list.

With rates bills now arriving, is there enough time for business rate payers to mitigate some of the damage caused by the government’s stealth tax increase?

Transpennine Express Calls for More Women to Join the Rail Industry

TransPennine Express (TPE) is celebrating International Women’s Day by highlighting some of the fantastic women working for the operator and encouraging more to join the rail industry.

 

In the last year, 27 per cent of TPE’s new hires and 31 per cent of internal promotions are women, as the operator continues to embrace equity and break the perception that the rail industry is male dominated.

 

To mark International Women’s Day, TPE has released a video highlighting some of the amazing women leading the way and is encouraging more to join the industry.

The video showcases women from across the business including Human Resources Director Nicola Buckley, Head of On-Board Services Alison Murray, Fleet Support Engineer Alice Callaghan as well as frontline colleagues Kate Holmes (conductor) and Joanna Collins (trainee driver).

 

Nicola Buckley, Human Resources Director at TPE, said: “We’re extremely proud of the women working throughout our business and we’re encouraging more to join the railway industry by offering a diverse range of opportunities, from apprenticeships, to frontline roles and management positions.

 

“We’re delighted that 41 per cent of our directors are women and 37 per cent of our senior management team are women, but there’s still more work to be done. We’re delighted to be celebrating International Women’s Day and proud to be able to shine a light on some of the fantastic women leading the way in the rail industry.”

Screenshot 2023 03 08 at 10.26.06
Nicola Buckley, Human Resources Director at TPE.

Georgie Young, Regional Customer Experience Manager at TPE, who joined the operator 22 years ago, said: “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it, and so it’s important that we show off the incredible talent we have on board. It’s even more important for us to encourage women, especially young women, to join the industry as we could be missing out on a wealth of expertise and skills.”

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Georgie Young, Regional Customer Experience Manager at TPE.

Joanna Collins, a trainee driver for TPE, is hoping she can be one who breaks the status quo when it comes to train drivers: “My dad, two of my great-grandads and my great-great grandad were all drivers, and I’m the first woman in the family to follow in their footsteps. I broke the mould in my family and I’m hoping we can do the same throughout the industry.

 

“In my depot I will be the second woman driver in a group of 25. When it comes to trains, there’s no gender bias and I’m hoping that I, along with my co-workers, can inspire more women to become drivers.”

Screenshot 2023 03 08 at 10.27.34
Joanna Collins, Trainee Driver at TPE.

Alison Murray, Head of On-Board Services, said: “There is a belief when it comes to the railway that it’s a male-dominated environment, that is changing. I would say to any woman, please have no fear.

 

“There are so many options within the industry and so many journeys women can take. We want to educate every woman who may be interested in joining the railway that the opportunities are here for you.”

Screenshot 2023 03 08 at 10.27.27
Alison Murray, Head of On-Board Services at TPE.

TPE is showing it is leading the way when it comes to diversity and inclusion after winning the Diversity & Inclusion in Rail award at the prestigious Rail Business Awards ceremony last week. The award recognised some of the incredible schemes and programmes TPE has available, especially to women.

 

The Step Up and Step Forward programmes are in place specifically to promote professional development of women and the Reach Up and Reach Forward programmes focus on TPE’s continued commitment towards supporting under-represented groups to reach management roles.

 

The rail operator also has increased development opportunities with two new offerings, the Women in Rail Mentoring Programme and a Senior Women’s Development Programme.

 

Nicola added: “It’s simple, the women who work for us are a leading light in the industry and we want more to join the incredible team we have here. The rail industry is changing and we want women to be a part of that change.”

 

To find out about careers and job vacancies at TPE, visit: https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/about-us/careers

End to energy bills support will mean tough decisions for businesses 

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Businesses will need to make tough decisions about how they manage the higher cost of energy bills if the Energy Bill Relief Scheme is not extended beyond March, or alternative government support provided, finds research from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s latest Business Outlook Tracker*. 

Of the 600 mid-sized businesses surveyed, one in three (32%) said they would have to pass on the cost of higher energy bills to their customers by rising prices if the Scheme – introduced in October 2022 to support businesses with rising energy bills – is not extended or further support provided from April.  

A further third of respondents (35%) said they would need to find cost efficiencies elsewhere in the business to manage the impact of higher bills.  

In the context of high costs across all areas, the research finds that the loss of the relief scheme may have a devastating impact on many mid-market businessesWithout the relief provided by the scheme, around one in ten (11%) expect they will either be more reliant on debt or even need to cease trading. 

Carl Williams, Managing Partner in the North West at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: 

As the end to the Energy Bill Relief Scheme approaches, businesses need to be forecasting based on the assumption that they will receive no further support with energy bills once the current scheme ends in March. Although the Energy Bills Discount Scheme is set to take effect from April, this will only provide support if wholesale prices peak over pre-defined values, which means that most businesses will receive no support.  

“There will be some tough decisions to be made as businesses continue to battle high costs and high interest rates. Many are expecting to have to pass on the cost to the already hard-hit consumer in the form of higher prices, and others may have no other option but to rely on debt or, in extreme cases, to cease trading. 

“With the increase in corporation tax also set to hit many businesses from April 1, business leaders need to be actively planning for this additional cost increase and looking for ways to reduce their energy consumption, make efficiency savings, generate their own power and budget for continued high prices. Businesses will need to rely on the resilience and adaptability they have built over the past two years, and those who are alert to the situation and have already started planning and preparing possible scenarios stand themselves in good stead to make it through.”  

Grant Thornton recently hosted a webinar that explored practical actions businesses can take to reduce energy costs, meet emission reporting requirements and maximise the impact of their energy strategy. 

8 The Importance Of Good Customer Service And How You Can Improve It Within Your Business

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Delivering good customer service is one of the most important parts of running a business. Whether your business is in the hospitality industry or the financial industry, it is so crucial that you continue to provide excellent customer service to everyone who uses your business. Good customer service is the key to building a loyal customer base, so if you want your business to succeed, you must ensure you are delivering the best customer service possible.

In this article, we will go over some top tips that can help you improve customer service within your business. If you have found that customer feedback has not been positive lately, or you simply want to improve on your already good customer service, then this article could be useful for you and your business. Follow along to find out our top customer service tips.

Identify Problem Areas

Before you can start making improvements to your customer service, you first need to identify what the problem areas are. There is no way you can make changes without first knowing what your problems are, so it would be beneficial to spend some time going through customer feedback and reviews and seeing if there are any common problem areas. It could be that people think your website is too slow or it could be that your staff are not providing adequate help to customers.

Reviewing customer feedback is a great way of understanding which areas in your business need the most improvement. While there may be a few reviews from customers who were simply just having a bad day, it is still important that you take all reviews seriously. Identifying the problem areas within your business should be something that all of your staff participate in, as everyone is responsible for delivering good customer service. Once you have a full idea of which areas your business needs to improve on, you can then start thinking about what things you can do to eliminate those issues. If you find that there are quite a few problem areas, then perhaps start by improving a couple of issues, before moving onto the rest.

Utilise Modern Technology

One way that you can improve customer service within your business is by utilising modern technology. Within any modern business, technology is used to improve productivity and speed up everyday tasks, but it can also be used to improve how you deliver customer service. For example, when a customer is navigating your website and looking for support, you should have an option where they can speak directly to a staff member via instant messaging. Trying to have a conversation with customers via email is not always effective as it can take a while for the emails to be sent back at forth. Additionally, emails can sometimes be a little too formal, so it would be beneficial if you had a more casual messaging service, so that customers and staff members can have a more informal back and forth conversation.

Having a live chat option just means that customers are able to communicate with a business quickly and efficiently, which ultimately means that their issue will be resolved sooner. If you don’t already have a live chat integrated into your website, then this is something that could massively improve your customer service. However, if you do already have a live chat and you are still experiencing customer service issues, then perhaps you need to switch to a different live chat software or alter the way your staff deliver their customer service.

Consider Getting Outside Support

Getting outside support is another thing you can do to improve customer service within your business. If your business has been operating in the same way for a long time, it can often be difficult to fully recognise where you are going wrong. Following the same structure can be limiting to a business, and it also makes it tricky to switch to a new type of structure. This is why it can be beneficial to get some support from someone outside of your business, as they can look at your business with a fresh perspective, meaning they can identify issues you may not even be aware of.

1ovmany is a company that works with businesses to improve business strategy and change the way business deliver their services. They focus on OKR consultancy, which can help businesses achieve the objectives and key results that are set out. It could be beneficial for your business to get support from a company like 1ovmany as they have expertise in business transformation and reaching organisational roles. An outside company will be able to help you identify which areas of your business need the most improvement, and they will work with you to ensure those areas are improved and that your business goals are met.

Offer Regular Staff Training

Another great way of improving the customer service within your business is by training your staff more regularly. Ultimately, your staff are the ones who are delivering the customer service, so it is important that they are trained and no what they are doing. Of course, your staff would have been trained when they first started working for your business, but over time people can forget the training they received, which can lead to a slip in standards. Therefore, it would be beneficial if you offered staff training on a more regular basis, so that your staff can get a refresher course on how to deliver excellent customer service.

Before each staff training session, you could send out a message to all of your staff and ask them which aspects they feel they need training on. This is a good idea as it will mean that your training session will deliver the training your staff actually need, instead of just relaying information they already know. Training sessions should be a group effort for the whole team, so make sure you encourage everyone to get involved. Furthermore, you should make sure that the training sessions are fun! Instead of just getting your staff to watch a long presentation, you should ensure that the training sessions are practical, as this will help your staff engage more with the session.

Ask For Customer Feedback (And Actually Listen!)

Ultimately, one of the best ways to improve customer service in your business is to ask and listen to customer feedback. It is all very well asking staff members where they think they need to improve, but you should also be taking into account the opinions of your customers. After all, customers are the ones who are on the receiving end of your business, so they are the ones who will know where you need to improve. It would be beneficial if you asked for customer feedback every time a customer has used your services, as this will mean you can get feedback instantly.

There is no point in sending out an email asking for feedback days after they have used your business, as there’s a chance, they may not remember whether the service was good or bad. Instead, you should have an automated system that asks the customers for feedback as soon as they are finished talking to a member of staff. This will allow you to instantly identify if there are any problem areas, which means you can start resolving those issues straight away. Furthermore, asking for feedback and actually listening will show customers that you value their opinions, which can be great for retaining a loyal customer base.

Secure Web App Development: Best Practices and Techniques

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Secure web app development is a critical part of any company’s cybersecurity strategy. As attacks on businesses increase, it is more important than ever to ensure that your web applications are as secure as possible.

In this article, we will outline some of the best practices for secure web app development, and provide mobile application development techniques for making your applications more difficult to hack.

Here are some best practices for secure web app development:

1. Use HTTPS for all your web app traffic.

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. When you use HTTPS, you encrypt all your web app traffic. This means that no unauthorized person can access your data or users’ data.

2. Develop on a secure web server.

Your web server must be secure. It must be protected against unauthorized access. You can use a secure web server such as Apache or NGINX.

3. Choose a Secure Architecture.

Another key step in secure web app development is to use a secure architecture. This will help to ensure that your applications are able to withstand even the most sophisticated attacks.

4. Make use of strong passwords.

User passwords must be strong. This means that they must be difficult to guess. You can use a password manager to create strong passwords for your users.

5. Opt for two-factor authentication.

Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires two pieces of information to log in to your web app. This can include a password and a code sent to your mobile phone.

6. Update your web app frequently.

Your web app must be updated frequently. Ensure that all the security vulnerabilities in your web app are fixed. You must also ensure that the latest web app security features are implemented.

7. Employ a secure transmission protocol.

Data must be encrypted when it is transmitted over the internet. Use HTTPS or SSH for this purpose.

8. Conduct a security audit.

Periodic security audits are necessary. Check to see if there are any security vulnerabilities in your web app.

9. Work in a secure development environment.

Use a development environment that is secure. You can use a virtual machine to create a secure development environment.

10. Generate security codes.

Make use of a hash-based or similar security code generator to generate unique security codes for your users.

11. Create a secure backup solution.

You must use a secure backup solution. This means that you must create a secure backup of your web app.

These are just some of the best practices for secure web app development. Use these practices to make sure that your web app is always safe and that your users’ data is always secure.