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Sell The Problem You Solve, Not The Solution!
Is selling an art or a science? Selling is a complex process that involves both art and science. Some people believe that selling is an art, while others believe that it is a science. However, it is important to note that both art and science are essential components of selling and that successful salespeople use both to their advantage.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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Christmas Spotlight: Doug Main
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up it’s Doug Main, creative director at The Bigger Boat…
1:01 AM 9th December 2023
A Day In The Life: The UK’s First Female Wool Grader
Amy-Jo Barton
With a rich history dating back over 70 years, British Wool prides itself in supporting farming and agricultural as well as providing local jobs throughout the UK. The body, which represents 35,0000 sheep farmers in the UK, has recently employed its first ever female Wool Grader, based at its HQ in Bradford.
1:00 AM 9th December 2023
Opinion
Market Analysis: Tui & British American Tobacco
Tui: Single Platform for Bookings and Effective Pricing Strategy Ensure Outperformance; Integration of Musement Segment into Every Business Aspect Offers Exciting Opportunities for Cross-Selling. BAT (British American Tobacco): BAT's strategy of focusing on sales volumes and offering value is a response to the market reality; Potential new regulations could benefit major tobacco companies; Sales can be boosted by entering new markets or offering new price incentives
1:00 AM 9th December 2023
Pay Pressures Ease Further Amid Sustained Rises In Candidate Availability KPMG And REC
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Permanent placements drop for the fifth month, but temp billings rise. Starting salary growth slides to 31-month low. Temp wages fall for the first time in three years.
12:00 PM 8th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Siobhan Atkinson
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up it’s Siobhan Atkinson, CEO at Huddersfield Town Foundation… 1.
1:01 AM 8th December 2023
Pivot In Infrastructure Set To Release Supply Chain Capacity, Says Turner & Townsend
Turner & Townsend is calling for agility and adaptability as the construction industry adjusts to the cancellation of the northern leg of HS2.
1:00 AM 8th December 2023
Nascent Economic Recovery Expected In Second Half Of 2024, Says CBRE
Modest economic growth expected in 2024 with a rebound forecast in 2025. Real estate’s transition towards a net zero outcome will accelerate next year, reflected in asset pricing. 2024 set to be an opportune year to invest in real estate
1:00 AM 8th December 2023
Potter Space Expands Decades-Long Property Partnership With Biggest Customer
Industrial and logistics (I&L) property company, Potter Space, has expanded its longest-term leasing partnership with national transport and logistics company, Bowker Group. The company is Potter Space’s biggest tenant, occupying 62% of total floorspace across five business parks.
4:23 PM 7th December 2023
UK’s First Online Retailers Mattress Online Celebrates 20th Anniversary
One the UK’s pioneering online retailers and retailer of mattresses and beds, is celebrating 20 years of success. Over the past two decades, from humble beginnings storing mattresses in a garage, Mattress Online has grown to become the largest stockist of mattresses, and other sleep-related products, in the UK and has played a major role in shaping how we shop online today.
1:00 AM 7th December 2023
Business Profit Expectations Plummet As Low Optimism Reflects Bleak Economic Outlook
The December round of Grant Thornton’s Business Outlook Tracker, which monitors mid-market business sentiment, shows that profit expectations have plummeted since October, with 1 in 3 (32%) expecting a decrease in profit in the next six months.
1:00 AM 7th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Louise Jaggar
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the region. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Louise Jaggar, operations manager at Scriba PR… 1.
1:00 AM 7th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Mark Allen
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Mark Allen, cyber security specialist from CloudCoCo… 1.
4:34 PM 6th December 2023
Mobile Tornado Announces Reseller Agreement With Foresolutions, Theuk Aviation, Construction And Infrastructure Specialist
MBT Construction
Mobile Tornado has announced a reseller agreement with Foresolutions, a leading UK provider of integrated technologies for connected workforces in the aviation, construction and infrastructure sectors. The partnership creates new growth opportunities for Mobile Tornado’s push-to-talk over cellular (PTToC) and workforce management solutions in the UK.
4:30 PM 6th December 2023
Business Leaders And Influencers Come Together To Analyse Autumn Statement And Discuss Regional Growth
Cumbria’s Armstrong Watson hosted an event in collaboration with Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to analyse the key elements of the recent Autumn Statement and explain the future impact it will have businesses across the county.
3:32 PM 6th December 2023
Sheffield Forgemasters Signs Bond With Uk’s Newest Nuclear Submarine
Commander David ‘Bing’ Crosby and crew members of the UK’s newest nuclear submarine, HMS Agamemnon, have signed a Bond of Friendship with Sheffield Forgemasters.
3:29 PM 6th December 2023
Opinion
Market Insights: British Pound Continues To Decline Slightly Today With More Signs Of Weakness In The Housing Market
Today's Market analysis on behalf of Samer Hasn Market Analyst and part of the Research Team at XS.com
British pound fell 0.06% against the US dollar (GBP/USD) to 1.25893 at around 11:00 a.m. GMT.
3:25 PM 6th December 2023
Grant Thornton Turns Up The Heat In HVAC Marketplace
Grant Thornton UK LLP’s corporate finance team has advised Northumberland-based Daikin Applied (UK) in its acquisition of HVAC services and solutions company Brooktherm Refrigeration Ltd, as it looks to strengthen its service and maintenance capability across the UK.
1:00 AM 6th December 2023
New NCUB Analysis Reveals Robust Resurgence In University-Business Interactions
New analysis published today reveals a robust resurgence in university-business interactions since the pandemic, according to NCUB’s State of the Relationship report 2023, published today. The report reveals that the number of university interactions with businesses reached its highest level since the pandemic.
1:00 AM 6th December 2023
A Hat-Trick Of Healthcare Wins For Ward Hadaway
Melanie Pears
A North East healthcare law firm has secured its place on three National Healthcare Service (NHS) frameworks for a further four years.
4:56 PM 5th December 2023
FTSE Chair And Former CEO Rupert Soames To Be Next CBI President
Rupert Soames
The CBI’s top governance bodies, including the CBI Board, have today approved the nomination of Rupert Soames OBE, as the next President of the CBI. Rupert Soames will work with the current President to permit a smooth transition early in the New Year.
1:37 PM 5th December 2023
Fintel Acquires Synaptic Software To Extend Its Connected Platform Into Protection Advice ​
Fintel, the provider of fintech and support services to the UK retail financial services sector, has today announced the acquisition of Synaptic Software. Synaptic services over 1.600 advisers, providing due diligence research, compliance tools, and software, including Pathways and Webline, which streamlines clients’ journeys.
7:00 AM 5th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Lewis Horne
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Lewis Horne, sales consultant from UNTHA UK… 1.
1:01 AM 5th December 2023
MPs And Lords Raise “Serious Concerns” About The Legality Of Conservatives’ Anti-Strike Laws
The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) has written to the government to express “serious concerns” about its anti-strike legislation breaching international law. The crossbench committee of MPs and Lords says that the government has failed to allay concerns about the legislation. The committee also criticises an insufficient consultation process.
1:00 AM 5th December 2023
Migration Changes Will Cause Concern For Businesses Already Struggling To Recruit
Today's announcements will cause concern among businesses already struggling to recruit the labour they need
6:25 PM 4th December 2023
Red Tape, Regulation & Costs Holding Back Exports
Almost half (49%) of businesses say current customs checks and declarations are a barrier to exporting. This rises to 62% for manufacturers. Taxes and duties, due to tariffs, are the next biggest stumbling block for two fifths (40%) of firms. Regulations, such as product certification, cause problems for a similar proportion of businesses (38%).
1:30 AM 4th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Malcolm Campbell (Aka Malcolm The Weaver)
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring business people from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Malcolm Campbell, textile aficionado and children’s author from The Cloth of Kings…
1:05 AM 4th December 2023
Businesses Urged To Prioritise Cookie Compliance After ICO Warning
Image by kalhh from Pixabay
After the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) voiced its concerns that some of the UK’s top organisations were using cookies incorrectly, cyber security and data protection consultancy CSS Assure is warning businesses to ensure their websites comply with the law.
1:00 AM 4th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Graham Clayton
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring business people from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Graham Clayton, CEO of The Society of Dyers and Colourists…
1:00 AM 3rd December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Rachel Mcelroy
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Rachel Mcelroy, Marketing Director from Axiologik…
1:03 AM 2nd December 2023
Is There Enough Coffee On The Market?
Coffee Plantation Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay
Brazil is the undisputed leader in terms of coffee production in the world, although this applies primarily to Arabica coffee. It is this coffee that is used primarily in espresso machines. Brazil is also "only" the world's second largest producer of Robusta type coffee. This type of coffee, in turn, is used primarily for the production of instant coffee. Most Robusta is grown in Asia, mainly in Vietnam and Indonesia.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Dealing With Long-Term Absences: Supporting Your Workforce
Long-term absence due to sickness is at a record high in the UK. From April to June of 2023, nearly half a million people took leave from work because of a long-term illness, adding to the 2.5 million people already absent long-term.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Top Tips For Ensuring Business Wellbeing In 2024
Moneypenny, the outsourced calls and communications company has been consistently recognised for its people strategy, and its leadership team firmly believes that employee wellbeing and satisfaction is central to achieving business success in 2024 and beyond.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Secret Santa Tips 2023
A guide promised to deliver smiles to employee faces and not more workload for internal HR teams.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Paving The Way: Carbon Sequestration In Concrete To Mitigate Environmental Impact
Concrete, the most extensively used manmade material worldwide, carries a significant environmental burden, contributing to 8% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With a staggering 30 Gt produced annually, the material consumption is over 3.5 tonnes of concrete per person annually. The majority of the emissions (88.5%) emanate from cement production, the essential ingredient in concrete.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Christmas Spotlight 2023: Jonathan Oldfield
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season.
8:57 AM 1st December 2023
IoD: Directors’ Confidence Remains Stuck In A Rut
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, rose only slightly last month – from a negative reading of -25 in October to -21 in November. Since plummeting in June, business confidence has been gradually ticking upwards over the last five months.
1:15 AM 1st December 2023
TUC: 3 In 4 Young Employees Miss Out On Protection From Unfair Dismissal And Redundancy Pay
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
A new report finds most employees aged 16-24 miss out on key employment rights – and young people are also much more likely to be employed on zero-hours contracts TUC says Labour’s New Deal for Working People would be “life changing” for young people by giving all workers day one rights in a job, banning zero-hours contracts and removing age bands from the minimum wage
1:00 AM 1st December 2023
Independent Growth And Productivity Institution Needed To Address UK’s Economic Challenges
Photo by Andreas Klassen on Unsplash
Recommendation to establish an Office for Budget Responsibility-style body to help boost UK productivity Call comes from The Productivity Institute at the University of Manchester and the Programme on Innovation and Diffusion at the London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance Survey of UK businesses shows lack of awareness about UK’s poor record on productivity and recognition of skills challenge for improving performance
1:00 AM 1st December 2023
North West Business Confidence Reaches Highest Level This Year
Business confidence in the North West has reached its highest level this year, climbing 20 points to 54%. North West businesses have identified their top three target areas for growth in the next six months as introducing new technology (38%), entering into new markets (34%) and evolving their offer (34%). Overall UK business confidence increased three points in November to 42% with firms’ outlook on the economy also up by four points at 38%
1:01 AM 30th November 2023
Private Sector Activity Falls In November – CBI Growth Indicator
Private sector activity continued to fall in the three months to November (weighted balance of -11%, from -7% in October), with no sign of any let-up over the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. The latest decline shows that activity has now contracted (-11%) for the last sixteen rolling quarters.
1:00 AM 30th November 2023
New Guide Launched To Help Businesses Navigate The Complex World Of The Supply Chain In M&a
Global supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, has launched a complimentary good practice guide, which provides industry insights to help businesses navigate the complex supply chain implications of undertaking mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Despite the M&A market experiencing instability in 2023, driving growth and transformation remains a top priority for business.
1:00 AM 30th November 2023
Cost Pressures Ease Significantly But Business Sentiment Deteriorates – CBI
Sentiment within the service sector deteriorated over the quarter to November, against a background of falling business volumes and profitability, highlighting a continuation of difficult conditions across the sector – according to the CBI’s quarterly service sector survey.
1:01 AM 29th November 2023
People Of Major Industrialised Nations Support Compensating Developing Countries Affected By Climate Change
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched the sixth edition of its Climate Survey. These are some of the most striking results of this annual survey conducted in August and September 2023.
1:00 AM 29th November 2023
Royal visit for Lancashire firm
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO presented the King's Award for Enterprise to and Ashley Smith of Ormskirk-based GaraDry)
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO paid a special visit to Lancashire-based firm GaraDry on Friday (24th November 2023) for a special tour of the company and to present staff with an award from His Majesty the King. The King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievements by UK businesses and is internationally recognised.
1:00 AM 29th November 2023
Opinion
Late Purchases, More Returns: Preparing Customer Service Teams For An Unpredictable Golden Quarter
Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay
With the news that a record number of consumers are returning their Black Friday purchases and families are likely to wait until December pay day before buying Christmas presents, Martin Brown, CCO at FM Outsource, encourages retailers to introduce a scalable customer service strategy.
9:15 AM 28th November 2023
CBI CEO Calls On Parties To End Political Short-Termism To Deliver A Decade Of Sustainable Growth
Boost UK competitiveness by delivering an ambitious business tax system showing the UK is open for business. Prepare for the future of work by prioritising productivity and showing boldness on skills and immigration to solve shortages. Honour our climate commitments by delivering a new Net Zero Investment Plan to drive green growth beyond 2030. Demonstrate global leadership in tech and innovation by committing to ambitious targets and accompanying budgets on R&D and supporting businesses to adopt productivity-boosting technology. Transform public service delivery by renewing the UK’s partnership between Government and business
1:00 AM 28th November 2023
Pockets Of Deal Activity Drive Logistics And Supply Chain Transactions To Two-Year High
M&A activity in the UK logistics and supply chain management sector has rebounded to 2021 levels, with renewed interest from international buyers and venture capital investors targeting early stage tech-enabled companies. Mirroring levels seen in Q4 2021, 21 deals were completed between July and September.
1:00 AM 28th November 2023
Retailers Anticipate A Disappointing Festive Period – CBI Distributive Trades Survey
Retail sales volumes fell year-on-year in November for the seventh consecutive month, according to the latest quarterly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Despite a slight uptick in sentiment, firms expect sales to decline again in December. Retailers also reported a reduction in headcount in the year to November, while investment is set to decline in the year ahead.
3:08 PM 27th November 2023
Local Entrepreneur Encourages People To Access Business Support That Helped Her
Laurelle Kamara accessed support from charity Hatch Enterprise to grow her business, and is encouraging local people to do the same. Laurelle is the founder of Photo by Laurelle, an award-winning photography and videography business based in Yorkshire capturing authentic and aesthetic visuals with a specialism in fashion, portrait and event photography.
2:54 PM 27th November 2023
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