Networking - Embracing New Thinking

The following is a guest blog by Johanna King

The morning commute from your bedroom to the living room has become somewhat of a routine and you’ve managed to master an array of genius lunch recipes to compete with the likes of Pret and EAT so finally this permanently working from home lark is beginning to feel normal!

But how about networking? The global pandemic has forced everyone to limit their interaction with others and ultimately rethink the way we operate on a day to day basis and unfortunately this means no scrumptious networking breakfasts in swanky crowded conference rooms for a while!

So how do you continue to grow your business using networking throughout the current Covid-19 restrictions?

Here’s some handy tools and tips to get you back on track with networking for your business!

Start the conversation..

Don’t be afraid to start the conversation, if the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how to think outside the box when communicating with others! Reaching out to companies or organisations that you would like to potentially collaborate with is a great way to open up the lines of communication and working on skills share basis, can create opportunities for you and other businesses with no major costs attached.

Befriend Zoom

Zoom - If you hadn’t heard of the video conferencing before lockdown you certainly would have now! From the weekly pub quiz to catch up calls with friends and relatives, it feels as if the Zoom platform has been a crucial life line to many throughout the Covid-19 crisis.

Zoom is an ideal space to arrange a ‘virtual coffee’ or for team meetings with colleagues. With the ability to screen share, all attendees can give input and a clear visual ensures that discussions flow in a conference call setting.

If you’re currently on furlough or unable to work for various reasons, now is the ideal opportunity to improve your zoom skills and build your confidence using video conferencing.

Share ideas on social and networking platforms

Reports show that the general use of social media platforms increased by 23% at the peak of lockdown, so upping your game on social is key when communicating your business updates and brand messaging. Sharing ideas or even simply opening a conversation on a current topic, can lead to new connections and business leads. Business platforms such as LinkedIn are the ideal space to provide interesting industry content and connect with like minded professionals.

Virtual communities

This is the perfect time to explore the array of virtual communities via their various platforms! A number of individuals have turned to local projects and businesses throughout lockdown and have been able to seek solace in staying connected through this incredibly uncertain time.

Virtual communities can vary, from action communities that are campaigning for social change, to professional communities who are doing similar work. No matter the community, each gives you the opportunity to share advice and experience which can be invaluable within business. The feedback and sense of community spirit can also be empowering and help when growing your brand.

Create a podcast

Creating a podcast is a brilliant way to help tap into another audience, as the popularity of your podcast grows, its reach will increase, helping to gather interest in your business.

If starting a podcast feels a bit daunting, start off by selecting a theme. When promoting your business, you want to strike a good balance between informative and interesting, so keeping the narrative engaging is key and a lighter approach can be favoured to encourage listeners to tune in.

Researching popular podcasts and successful formats can help too, navigating through the world of podcasts can be overwhelming so as a beginner, find what you like and engages you and then work from there.

Take your events to the virtual side

As traditional networking events are not possible at the moment, consider taking your events online! Creating a workshop style event that can streamed, is a brilliant way to get your business out to the masses. The popularity of online exercise programmes such as yoga and dance classes has dramatically increased since gyms and studios have been closed and many leisure based brands have found providing online offerings have kept their brand current and accessible within a difficult climate.

You can also create watchable content by demonstrating a brand new product, running an online session or interviewing an industry influencer to help create new connections.

Business Support

If you’re a woman based in the Liverpool City Region or Greater Manchester and you’re looking for support to grow your business, contact us on hello@thewo.org.uk to find out more about the support available.

Create whilst you isolate.

The following is a guest blog from Catherine Rogers – Cut Out Collage

Whether you’re an art scene regular, a curious creative or stuck at home looking for things to do, making art during this period of isolation is a sure-fire way to positively impact your mental wellbeing and escape the worldwide conversation of these strange times!

Hi, I’m Catherine, the founder of Cut Out Collage. Before everything changed, I was running creative workshops across Liverpool, giving artist talks, exhibiting alongside collectives and selling original artworks at markets and events, so this current climate has had a huge impact on my business. Despite the curveball I’m committed to focusing on adaptation and how I can creatively respond to the current crisis. So, I’m going to share with my top tips for staying motivated amongst the mayhem.

Artists are still working, we’re just online

Art has not ceased, just the physical places we congregate and share it are closed. Creativity is very much alive in people’s homes, minds and spirits. Therefore, there is a ton you can still get involved with. I would suggest following local and international artists on social media so the content you are browsing each day can motivate and inspire you. I find new and exciting creatives everyday who are hosting online chats, workshops, all kinds of creative spaces and offerings. Following artists can feed your soul and help you discover things you may want to try at home.

Get making, keep making

Don’t know where to start, why not start a sketchbook? What an amazing time to experiment in this way. You can buy one online or use a spare notepad you may already have at home and give it a new lease of life.

Sketchbooks are great for scribbling down ideas, cutting and pasting old magazines into, sketching your garden or your family or to capture your work as you follow online tutorials. Also, when normality returns you will have a record of your creativity and productivity to show for it!  Who knows you may get hooked on sketch booking – it’s the best!

Share your masterpieces, inspire others

Artworks can have a huge impact upon those who view them. Never underestimate the transformational power of making art and sharing it with other people. The offering of something you have created to another person can have a profound effect on their day, so if you make something that lifts your spirits, let someone else be lifted by it to! I am loving the art being sent to my inbox, its inspiring and lets me know people are thinking of me, very encouraging indeed.

Support one another and say thank you

If people share images that move you and or you enjoy in some way, comment on them, let people know that their work has encouraged you. This wave of paying encouragement forward is hugely impactful, it can create a chain reaction of kindness from such a small gesture.

For me and my business, I want to say thank you to the Women’s Organisation and The Common Zine. I want to thank them for believing in my dreams, even before I completely did. They have encouraged me every step of the way and I have taken leaps I likely would not have if it hadn’t been for their support. If confidence is your barrier, I couldn’t recommend them both enough.

Join the Collage Revolution

Obviously, I’m a little bias about this one, but if you’re unsure about where to start I couldn’t recommend collage highly enough. I release weekly Cut Out Collage bitesize workshops on our YouTube channel and top tip videos on a Tuesday! It’s a new platform for Cut Out Collage, so we’re all in it together and learning as we go. There are also collage packs available on our Etsy store, so you have plenty of images to work with!

Thank you Catherine! If you would like to find out more about Cut Out Collage you can find them on:

Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Etsy
Youtube

Sustainability is Possible in Business

Sustainability and business might not sound like compatible topics, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Climate change, green issues and sustainability are set to be hot topics for 2020 and beyond for both businesses and individuals.

According to HSBC's ‘Made for the Future’ report, around 69% of businesses will be working to make their manufacturing, buildings and practices more sustainable.

This includes opting for biodegradable materials, reviewing their waste and recycling policy and choosing reusable wherever possible.

You and your business could do the same.

By becoming greener at work, you could stand up and fight for the future of our planet, get ahead of your competition and be at the forefront of innovation, ecological awareness and progress.

Here are some easy ways you can help your business to become more eco-friendly.

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reduce your impact on the planet quickly by reducing your consumption, choosing reusable items that last and recycling as much of your waste as possible.

●     Start by going paper-free, keeping your documents digital whenever possible. If you do need to print, make sure you use both sides and opt for recycled paper wherever possible.

●     Also, avoid using single-use items such as plastic water cups or plastic coffee cups for your refreshments and instead bring a reusable mug from home. This will also help your office feel more like home and you’ll add a splash of your personality to your work environment too.

●     If you need to buy items or equipment for your office such as printers, scanners or even new seating, avoid buying new whenever possible. This will help reduce your consumption of the earth’s natural resources and keep your carbon footprint down too. Free sites like Freecycle and Freegle are great places to start, as are second-hand stores.

●     Recycle everything you can, including paper, cardboard, glass, metal and compost your food waste wherever possible. Many local authorities offer a local food waste collection if you don’t compost at home. If you’re worried about space you can use a clever recycling storage system, or consider investing in a recycling compactor to keep everything compact.

2. Become mindful about your waste

Sustainability isn’t just about how much you manage to recycle. It’s also about how your buildings emissions affect the local environment.

An effective septic tank can be a good option that helps protect the local environment.

According to liquid tank providers Tanks for Everything, “A septic tank allows the waste to break down naturally, separating the solids so that the resulting liquid can then be treated. Only when this has happened is the liquid allowed to seep into the ground through a drainage field.”

3. Just switch off

Whenever you’re not using something, turn it off. This includes:

●     Lights: consider adding an automatic sensor if you forget. Also, use natural sunlight as much as possible.

●     Computer: don’t just let it sleep. It will still use energy. Use the energy-efficient mode to further reduce energy demands.

●     Printer/ photocopier: just switch it back on when needed

4. Reconsider your commute

A huge amount of carbon emissions come from transport, so look for cleaner, greener alternatives whenever possible.

Many towns and cities now offer fantastic public transport such as buses and trains, in addition to extensive cycle networks. Depending on your location, you may also be able to walk to work.

Also, consider whether you could work from home. Thanks to modern technology this is easier than you think.

As eco-conscious website Tree Hugger says, “Instant messaging, video conferencing and other innovative workflow tools make it easy to telecommute. So hold phone conferences, email documents and take online classes; you'll save time and spare the air.”

5. Use natural cleaning products

Many regular cleaning products contain potentially toxic chemicals which can pollute the waterways, kill wildlife and even harm human health.

So make a green decision and opt for natural, non-toxic cleaning alternatives instead. Easy!

6. Consider renewable energy

Even if you can’t install solar panels on your roof, you can choose to use greener, cleaner energy in your office.

Numerous energy suppliers in the UK now offer renewable energy such as solar and wind to help you reduce your environmental impact, at home and at work.

This is a sector that looks set to grow significantly over the next decade. Speaking in October 2019, The Guardian newspaper reported; “The renewables record was set in the third quarter of this year after its share of the electricity mix rose to 40%.”

Stay ahead in business and stand up for what you believe in by making sustainability a key factor in your decision making, policy and office life.

What will you do today to make your business more sustainable?

Thanks to our guest blogger Chloe Walker. Chloe is a freelance writer who’s main focus is on working life and the business world. When she isn’t writing Chloe can be found curled up in front of the fire with the newspaper.

Guest Blog: Women in Business: Steps to a More Equal Workplace

Several industries in business continue to be male-dominated. For instance, statistics show that only around 12% of engineers in the UK are women. Engineering is a growing industry that offers a rewarding career path. By not considering engineering roles, girls are missing out on some of the most exciting career opportunities available. Fortunately, there have been several successful campaigns in recent years to encourage women to consider careers in less traditional fields such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). With this in mind, here are some of the key ways that women are breaking stereotypes within traditional male lead industries.

Campaigns

As mentioned, there have been many recent campaigns designed to encourage women to pursue less traditional career paths. Wise Campaign is a nationwide campaign which seeks to ensure gender balance within STEM. The campaign stresses that gender diversity offers many benefits to both employees and employers. It means that employees have access to a wider selection of rewarding jobs and can gain in-demand skills to enhance their career prospects. For employers, gender diversity can offer better customer service, improve productivity, and increased profits. Fortunately, there has been a huge increase in women entering STEM industries in recent years. According to Wise, there are now 50,000 women in engineering professional roles, which is almost double the number 10 years ago. Other popular campaigns include the International Women in Engineering Day which takes place annually in June. This event was designed to promote and celebrate the incredible achievements of female engineers across the globe. Every year, many exciting events take place across the UK to connect and support female engineers.

Inspiring female leaders

Celebrating the inspiring work of females within male-dominated industries is an excellent way to encourage more women to pursue careers in these fields. Ada Lovelace Day is an annual event that takes place every October to celebrate the achievements of women in STEM industries. The event aims to increase the profile of women in STEM, thus creating role models for young girls considering a career in STEM and supporting women currently working in related industries. Made with Code is another excellent resource that features inspiring female leaders in STEM. The site features a variety of short interviews with women who work in tech and explores how these women are using their coding skills to change the world. In the interviews, the women explain how they got into tech and the benefits of working in the industry. This helps encourage other women to consider a role in the exciting field of coding.

Accessible education

Technological advancements have made education far more accessible and convenient. For instance, there is now an extensive range of online courses that can teach women the skills needed to secure a role in STEM. Many qualifications are fully-flexible and can be completed at home during your spare time. This makes it easy for women to retrain and change careers in later life, even when their have work or family commitments. There is also a number of specialist recruitment agencies that can help women break into male-dominated industries. For example, engineering recruitment consultants can use their expert knowledge and connections to help women secure their dream job in the exciting field of engineering.

School visits

One of the key reasons why less women are studying STEM subjects at university, is because they did not take the right GCSE or A-Level subjects to be accepted on the courses. For that reason, girls must be educated on the benefits of STEM careers from a young age. This will allow girls to make an informed decision about which subjects they want to study in school to support their future career goals. Many universities are now going into secondary schools to speak with girls about STEM courses and the career prospects they offer. This is helping to attract more girls into taking STEM courses in higher education.

Final thoughts

There have been massive improvements in the number of women entering male-dominated industries in recent years. However, women continue to be underrepresented in several fields including STEM. The government needs to continue supporting campaigns designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM and support women already in the industry. These diverse fields can offer many interesting and rewarding career paths, so women should not be discouraged from pursuing a job in a workplace that is traditionally dominated by men. 

 Thanks to our guest blogger Chloe Walker. Chloe is a freelance writer who’s main focus is on working life and the business world. When she isn’t writing Chloe can be found curled up in front of the fire with the newspaper.

Neuroscience in Marketing– what neuromarketing is and how it can boost your marketing return on investment

The following is a guest blog written by Founder and Managing Director of Cheshire-based marketing management consultancy, Think Beyond.

What do neuroscience and marketing have in common?

A solid foundation for marketing success is to have a marketing strategy. This strategy is founded on a clear understanding of your value proposition (your differentiators) and your market, customers and competitors with the aim of aligning your marketing activity to what customers need.

Neuroscience contributes to marketing and is a fast-developing field looking at the function of the human brain and nervous system. It helps you understand how people think and react.

What is neuromarketing? Neuromarketing, sometimes called ‘consumer neuroscience’, studies the brain's responses to advertising and branding, considering how to fine-tune those messages based on data and feedback.

According to the Harvard Business Review, “neuromarketing has been bolstered over the past five years by several ground-breaking studies that demonstrate its potential to create value for marketers”.

How businesses can benefit from neuromarketing

Neuromarketing includes scientific, evidence-based study of physiological and neural signals via sensors to help gain a deeper insight into preferences and decisions, which can in turn influence advertising campaigns, products and services.

How do I use neuromarketing? The sensors used are EEG (electroencephalogram) on your head, eye tracking cameras and fingertip sensors for BVP (blood volume pulse – heart rate/tension) and GSR (galvanic skin response – skin conductance/sweat). These are used to monitor a person’s state during a human-computer interaction where they are exposed to stimuli.

Put simply, you can measure and record data on responses to your marketing activity, before you commit to the spend. This dramatically reduces the risk by removing the educated guesswork involved in predicting the response of prospective customers.

Neuroscience is a game-changer in marketing campaigns

The initial scepticism around neuroscience marketing has long since subsided and as an increasing number of neuroscience PHDs leave university and move into the private sector, marketing is set to benefit.

Imagine launching a new product to market that your neuromarketing research suggests has a very high probability of a positive adoption rate, confident that you have understood customer preferences, what decision they are likely to make and how it will make them feel. You can literally see the reaction to your latest development before committing the resources to making it.

According to the Harvard Business Review, Google, Microsoft and Facebook all have some form of neuromarketing division, an in-house ‘neurocapability’.

Is neuroscience market research replacing traditional surveys?

Traditional methods of gauging reaction to advertising and branding may involve focus groups, surveys, interviews and PR trends. The main problem with the traditional methods is the potential for bias, error and withholding the truth.

Take two examples. First, we all know that unconscious bias can affect our decisions and someone who has a preference for urban living might not give an appropriate response to a campaign to visit the great outdoors. Second, we know that some people may have motivations or a powerful compulsion to lie, such as someone responding to a product to help them quit smoking.

Before committing to spend your hard-earned money on marketing activity that may not yield the response you expect, you could take a further step and leverage neuromarketing research for a more reliable result.

You may require specialist advice before proceeding and a marketing consultancy, such as Think Beyond in Cheshire, could provide the advice you need to successfully deploy neuromarketing in your business.

An innovative, successful, Chartered Marketer and former Marketing Director with a career history of developing marketing strategies, growing revenue and driving profitability, Mercè garnered a series of awards across a successful career including: Employee of the year 2013, Exceptional High Performer 2014, award winner 2015, talent programme 2016, board member in 2017 and founded Think Beyond Group in 2018.

Practical advice service helping to tackle causes of poor health

A ground-breaking service that provides financial support and advice through Liverpool GP practices is demonstrating a significant impact.

An evaluation of the Advice on Prescription service, which was introduced by NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and is run by Citizens’ Advice Liverpool (CAB), has shown how it is helping some of the city’s most vulnerable households to increase their income and reduce debt.

NHS Liverpool CCG announced a new five-year contract for Advice on Prescription in 2016, representing a £2.5 million investment as part of its mental health strategy.

Operating from 50 locations across the city, all Liverpool GPs can refer patients for assistance from CAB advisors on a range of issues including: housing, homelessness, job loss, complex debt issues and benefits advice.

Figures compiled by the CCG and the CAB show that between 2016 and 2018 the service resulted in:

• A total of £6.7 million in income maximisation – helping people make sure they are receiving all the financial support available to them and reducing debt and other outgoings where possible.
• An average increase in household income for referred patients of £762.
• Helping people to manage debt totalling £2.7 million – with more than £157,200 of this written off.

The service was developed after GPs reported a rise in patients presenting with problems that had a practical rather than medical cause, reflecting the strong link between social and economic hardship and poor health.

A significant number of Liverpool residents live in areas of high deprivation – the city was ranked as the fourth most deprived authority on the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2015.

The evaluation found that nearly 57% of people referred to the service had a monthly household income below £800, and 62% of referrals came from the most deprived areas of the city.

Advice on Prescription reports high levels of satisfaction with both those using the service and GPs who refer people into it: 77% of patients reported an increase in their capacity to manage their own physical and/or mental health, and 23% reported an increase in their capacity to maintain somewhere to live and avoid eviction.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, a Liverpool GP and Chair of NHS Liverpool CCG, said:

“There are many non-medical factors which can impact on a person’s health. As GPs we regularly see patients whose problems are rooted in things happening in other areas of their life, including those struggling with money or housing problems. The strain created by these type of issues increases the risk of developing conditions such as depression and anxiety.

“The Advice on Prescription service gives GPs and other health and care professionals a clear route to help patients who might need practical advice and support. This is good for individuals as it creates an opportunity for them to tackle problems which are having a negative effect on their health, while also reducing pressure on GP practices.

“We’ve very proud of the service and the positive impact it’s having. It demonstrates how we need to recognise the wider issues that impact on physical and mental wellbeing, and the importance of addressing the cause of problems rather than simply treating the symptoms.”  

Debbie Nolan, Project Manager, South Liverpool Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) said:

“Citizens Advice Liverpool are pleased to be the third sector delivery partners on the Advice on Prescription programme, and that is it making such a real difference to the lives and health of so many people in Liverpool. 

“Advice on Prescription is an excellent example of collective and partnership working which is providing help and support to people with a range of non-medical issues such as debt, housing and loneliness and isolation in conjunction with local GP and their teams.”

You can read a full copy of the report here.

The Legacy of the 2019 World Cup – What’s next for Women’s Football?

The 2019 World Cup tournament in France will long live in the memory, not just for fans of England’s Lionesses, but for a generation of young women inspired to put their boots on.

Since its inception in 1991, the Women’s World Cup has consistently acted as a catalyst for development within Women’s Football, and this year it has catapulted the sport onto a new and exciting level.

Could anyone have predicted at the beginning of the competition, a few weeks ago, the impact it would have?

The semi final between England Lionesses, and eventual winners, the USA, is to date, the most watched UK television programme of the year - a staggering 11.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the game on July 2.

Lionesses and Manager Phil Neville

Figures from the US for the final on Sunday 7 July were close to 15 million, overhauling the Men’s World Cup, in 2018 by three million viewers.

Four of the England team are Liverpool-born, and in their honour, murals have been colourfully etched on to walls around the city area, on Bold Street, London Road, Constance Street and Prenton Park in Birkenhead.

Social media has been a starting block for the artists to showcase their work, other players have also received their own homages in Manchester and London; as public support for the team reached a level never seen before, ahead of the tournament kick off.

This is just one instance of how the women in this year’s World Cup have left an imprint on artists and in turn, on the public that frequent these areas.

The BBC has also risen to the occasion, giving Women’s World Cup matches more air time. They have recently announced they will continue their legacy project of showing Women’s Super League games on UK television alongside their popular ‘The Women’s Football Show’.

Barclays have also agreed a ground breaking sponsorship deal with the WSL, as Women’s Football continues its meteoric rise. In the past month, France has pushed the game to the forefront of attention across the globe – with everyone involved in the game now eager to carry the torch forward.

Twitter has also launched a ‘Women in Football’ emoji, along with a hashtag to support the ‘What If’ campaign. The Women in Football project has developed UK football from grassroots level to the WSL. The 2019-20 season promises even more support for their work, as fans, players and clubs look to drive the sport on, and prevent a dip in participation in the years to come.

Football as a game needs pioneers and individuals that are determined to push the boundaries both on and off the pitch.

2019 has provided many heroes, including Megan Rapinoe, who stepped up and delivered, and refused to have her principles compromised.

Rapinoe, has won admirers on the field as she drove the US onto glory, scoring in every knockout game, while also challenging the President of the United States, with her sincerity and unwillingness to be cowed or bullied by a backlash of social media reaction with her refusal to visit the White House.

Megan Rapinoe: U.S Women's Football Team

Ironically, in 1921 there were roughly 150 women’s teams in England, which was largely a result of WWI. But by December 1921, the Footballs Association decided to ban women’s football, rendering it as “quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged". The ban was eventually lifted 50 years later, in 1971, and now nearly 100 years later, women are showing their support and love of the game in huge crowds once again.

Female players have consistently had to go the extra mile to break down barriers of discrimination and negative stereotypes to be taken seriously in a once considered, male dominated sport.

But the tide is turning and with Women’s Football at a real turning point, the tournament in 2023 will be the strongest indication yet of where the global game is for women.

- Written by Aimee Owens

LCR 4.0 set to generate £31m GVA and 955 jobs over next three years

LCR 4.0, a part ERDF funded business support programme for the manufacturing sector, has created 80 new jobs and added £2.6m GVA to date. These figures were revealed at its Technology Showcase event which took place at Sci-Tech Daresbury last week. 

It is now predicted that LCR 4.0 enabled SMEs will go on to add an additional 955 jobs and £31.1m GVA to the local economy in the next three years.

Working collaboratively with local businesses, the project has given almost 300 SMEs the tools and resources to explore the opportunities and challenges of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as big data, systems integration, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR) and 3D printing. In using this advanced technology, SMEs can increase productivity, reduce costs and pioneer first-of-its-kind innovations.

The Technology Showcase event was a celebration of the success and impact of the LCR 4.0 programme, as well as a platform to highlight the additional support and funding available to SMEs across the North West.

Event attendees were welcomed by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram as he praised LCR 4.0, its partners and the SMEs it works with for their contribution in positioning Liverpool City Region as a global leader in advanced manufacturing.

“There is a truly entrepreneurial spirit running through Liverpool City Region,” Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said. “Because of this, the region can become, and in my opinion is becoming, a manufacturing global hotspot. Programmes like LCR 4.0 are making that possible, establishing innovative and dynamic manufacturing communities across the six boroughs.”

Several LCR 4.0 enabled SMEs took to the stage to give real life examples of advanced manufacturing in situ and there were several thought leadership talks from businesses including CNC Robotics which spoke about the ethics of robotics.

A recent survey by LCR 4.0 found that 82 per cent of SMEs say the programme changed their understanding of Industry 4.0, while over two thirds of businesses said it helped them to bring a product to market quicker. Innovative capacity was also enhanced in 82 per cent of respondents and three quarters were encouraged to be more ambitious as a result of the project.

Commenting on the survey results, Dr Andy Levers, technical director at the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC) and technical lead for LCR 4.0, said: “These figures are real testament to the impact of the LCR 4.0 programme to date and that, if a business starts to operate in a more innovative way, they will generate better results quicker.”

SMEs are now being encouraged to get involved with Made Smarter UK – a new £20 million initiative set to engage with 3,000 manufacturers across the North West to embed advanced digital technology across the sector. With this new programme, it is thought the region’s manufacturing sector could generate a 25% increase in productivity and add £115m to the North West economy. 

“We’re well on our way to fulfil our potential as a hub of advanced manufacturing,” Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram continued. “What we need now is to collaborate and embrace new techniques and processes which will drive growth. The £20m Made Smarter initiative will follow in LCR 4.0’s footsteps and offer hundreds of SME manufacturers the chance to do just that, backed by a programme of guidance, advice and grants.”

The LCR 4.0 project, which is due to come to close later this year, has been delivered by partners University of Liverpool’s VEC, Liverpool John Moores University, Sensor City, STFC Hartree Centre and the Liverpool City Region LEP.

In 2018, the LCR 4.0 programme was hailed as an ‘exemplar project’ in the Made Smarter report and featured in the Top 100 European Digital Champions list by the Financial Times.

Event SME case studies:

- Quanovo: http://lcr4.uk/case-studies/quanovo/
- Glow New Media: http://lcr4.uk/case-studies/glow-new-media/
- CNC Robotics: http://lcr4.uk/cnc-robotics-case-study/
- Pulse Systems: http://lcr4.uk/case-studies/4027/
- EV Range: http://lcr4.uk/case-studies/ev-range-extender-ltd/

For more information or interview opportunities, please contact:
Amy Cantrill at Active Profile on 0151 556 7050 or email amy.cantrill@activeprofile.co.uk

Businesses asked to Give an Hour to inspire young people

Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a new campaign to encourage businesses to make a difference to the futures of young people in Liverpool City Region. 

The Give an Hour campaign calls for employers and employees to offer an hour of their time to help young people prepare for the fast-changing world of work.

The initiative- run jointly by Liverpool City Region LEP and The Careers & Enterprise Company - highlights that in as little as one hour, organisations can help to transform a young person’s future by bringing to life different career opportunities and providing insight about the skills young people need to be work-ready and successful in the workplace.

Sally Beevers, Careers Hub Lead at the Liverpool City Region LEP said: “This is a great opportunity for local business to help support our young people to establish their career path, prepare them for the world of work and raise their aspirations. Having local businesses directly involved in careers education lessons brings local job opportunities to life and exposes career options they may have not otherwise considered.”

Sally added: “I would encourage all employers and employees in the City Region to support this campaign - you could be the person who changes the life of a young person, just by showing them what is possible.” 

The Give an Hour campaign emphasises the importance of tapping into the career opportunities, skills and knowledge of businesses. Activities can include interview practice, mentoring or working with a teacher to bring a lesson to life.

Evidence shows that regular and meaningful engagement with employers while at school can significantly increase young people’s employment prospects and future earnings.*

Claudia Harris, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, said: “We know that hardworking small business really want to support young people in their local community but finding the time can be difficult. 

There are many ways to make a difference to a young person’s future – and with as little as one hour these dynamic small firms can help a young person discover more about the world of work and open up career paths they didn’t even know existed.” 

Employers of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to visit www.giveanhour.co.uk to find out more and register to support a school or college in their area.

Filmmaker Sofie Wolthers on Directing A New Society, Social Justice, and Changing Careers

Sofie Wolthers is a filmmaker and photographer living in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She is the director of the documentary A New Society, following a collective of over 300 social experts who are using research to address the world’s most pressing crises, from gender inequality to economic injustice. Today, she is sharing her experience as an independent filmmaker and how she sees documentary as a tool for women’s empowerment.

Tell us about your experience using media for social justice – what drew you to using film compared to other mediums?

When I was younger, I remember asking my mom how she chose her career path (she was a midwife at the time). She told me that she wanted to help others, and this was the way she knew how. For me, documentary is the best way I know how to help others. I believe that information has the power to change people's behaviors or thoughts, and documentary is a vehicle for information to reach a large amount of people in a short period of time. Documentary film can transport people to a different country, show them life in a different time period, and even place them in someone else's shoes for a moment. It is this ability to explore the world through the perspectives of others that creates empathy, and for some, film is their only means of travel.

Sofie Wolthers and Columbia University sociologist and woman's rights activist Saskia Sassen

How did you come to find the International Panel on Social Progress? 

This is quite a funny story. Back in 2014 when I was still a journalism major in college, I had a social justice blog called Chi People's Rights where I’d post weekly about human rights issues in Chicago, Illinois. One week, I remember feeling like I wanted to post about something a bit more global. While doing some research on social justice initiatives, I somehow stumbled onto this strange PDF document by the International Panel on Social Progress, who at the time didn't even have a website. I found what they were doing revolutionary and decided to post what I thought at the time was a very professional broadcast about their work (you can see a snippet of this broadcast in A New Society).

When I received an email from Princeton University economist and IPSP co-founder Marc Fleurbaey I was really confused, but next thing I knew, I was on a plane to Princeton and interning for the IPSP as their social media and outreach person. I eventually became their head of social media until I finished University in 2016 and moved to Amsterdam. Then, in 2017 I was contacted by filmmaker and journalist Eileen Jerrett (owner of Wilma's Wish Productions) to direct a documentary about the IPSP. I decided to take on the challenge and together we made A New Society, a film aiming to spark dialogue between activists, academics, and policymakers.

How does the IPSP view the role of women’s empowerment in achieving social progress?

From what I've gathered in interviews with panelists and through my own experience, the IPSP's research dissects where the world is today, what got us here and what we can do to avoid future catastrophe. They’ve shown that gender inequality ties to almost every major threat we’re facing today, from climate change, to extreme poverty, to systemic oppression. We simply can’t target these issues as a society while women around the world are still earning less for the same hours of work, laws failing to include women are excluding them, and they’re underrepresented in almost every position of power in every country on earth. Giving women access, resources, and a voice through groups like the Women’s Organisation is a central part of the IPSP’s vision for social progress.

What did the process of directing A New Society look like?

A New Society is the first feature-length documentary I directed in my life, so of course that came with its challenges. I owe many thanks to Eileen Jerrett, my producer and mentor, for believing in me and taking me through the process of directing a documentary from beginning to end. We worked together as a two-woman team while oceans apart (Eileen in Seattle and I in Amsterdam).

The 9-hour time difference didn’t make things much easier, but we were both so passionate about the project we made it work. Once we picked the panelists to interview, I researched each person, visited them in their homes, and took part in their daily lives for a few days. The toughest part was cutting all 8 authors down to one 56min film. For several months, I painstakingly transcribed the 2-4 hour interviews with Eileen, then I’d edit each interview to about an hour and send the cut over to her for further notes. We’re both incredibly happy with how the film turned out, and I'm thankful for the experience of directing A New Society and all the lessons it taught me.

As a part of a 2-woman filmmaking team, what was the transition like for you making this career change? 

Eileen and I did our best to empower and encourage each other while making this documentary. The hardest part was working together while we were thousands of miles apart. It was also a huge transition for me because I had recently moved to Amsterdam, a city completely foreign to me, and was working from home. I had to really make an effort to meet people and assimilate because I didn't have the luxury of meeting people through work. Now that I’ve been self-employed for about two years, I absolutely love the freedom it gives me and I’m very used to collaborating with people internationally. It's opened many doors for me because I am no longer confined to working with someone in the same city as me, and technology allows me to work with others on personal and intimate projects while being oceans apart.

Do you have any advice for women looking to go into film-making or to dedicate their careers to social justice?

My advice to other women going into filmmaking, social justice or any career is that hard work pays off. Don't expect to start at the top, there’s really no such thing as an overnight success. If you want something, fight for it, then fight for it some more and I promise you’ll achieve your goal eventually. You also don’t have to go through the journey alone: find your mentors early on to guide you and keep you grounded. Don't let the patriarchy get you down, and don't compete with your fellow woman. There is room for all of us to succeed, and there is strength in our solidarity.

What’s next for you?

Filmmaking has become a part of who I am, and I want to continue using it to shed light on underrepresented issues that affect women in particular. I'm currently developing a documentary series called Period Piece, which will be dissecting the role of menstruation in Western society today. To keep up with our developments, follow @periodpiecedoc on Instagram!

Author’s Bio: Mously Lo is studying Economics at Princeton University. She is passionate about women’s rights, economic inequality, and racial injustice. With the International Panel on Social Progress, she aims to bring together activists, academics, and policymakers to redefine social progress.

Watch A New Society on Vimeo now.

Guest Blog: Creative Ways To Boost Your Content Efforts

Taking to the guest blog today is Jodie from UK Web Host Review, sharing her top tips for creating creative content!

Creating new, relevant and engaging content is fast becoming one of the most important marketing strategies for entrepreneurs. Brands who strike the right balance gain more trust from their customers, position themselves as experts in their field and are better at bringing in new business, on top of keeping that which they already have.

These web content aficionados out-rank their competitors in search engine results, dominate social media and lead industry debates. But how does the typical entrepreneur keep up with regular content production demands?

It doesn’t have to be as challenging as you might think. If you get creative, you can give your content efforts are serious boost without breaking the bank or working into the small hours. Here are 5 of the most effective ways.

1.    Make the most of mixed media

Mixed media and especially video are one of the main content marketing trends to watch out for in 2019. 72% of people would rather watch a video about a product than read text and 80% say they’re more likely to read an article that contains coloured graphics. This doesn’t mean text is redundant, but that expanding your content repertoire allows you to tap into a growing market demand.

If learning how to string an engaging video together sounds like too much of a chore, try creating infographics using simple graphic design web applications like Canva, discussing relevant topics in a podcast, or throwing together a photo essay.

Different media work best in different industries. The wisest approach would be to consider the right media for your message and audience or have a look at your biggest competitors to see which they are using to engage with your congregation.

2.    Revamp and repost existing content

You don’t have to learn new skills to light a fire under your content efforts. The most prolific producers get creative by reusing and revamping what they already have. It’s more economical in both time and money to recycle. Savvy content managers schedule the reuse of every piece they post.

Creative reuse can involve writing follow-up pieces and special series from old posts, or adapting existing material into new mixed media features. Creating follow-up pieces to time-specific content such as ‘The Best Of 2018’ allows you to reference old links, redirecting traffic to them and reuse much of the content from the old post as your basis for discussion in the new one.

Creating a series out of multiple old and new post involves taking a selection of say 10 articles you already have related to building a business as a new parent, and bringing them all together as part of a ‘best of business parenting’ series. Always include at least 1 new article for every 3 older ones and launch your new series through your regular blog digest, newsletter or social media channels.

3.    Embrace user-generated content

For those who find themselves hard pushed to stick to a regular writing schedule at all, the user-driven content trend might just be the answer you’ve been looking for. In user-generated content, you provide a platform for your customers to interact with your business through submitting photos, reviews, videos, opinion pieces or sharing views across forums.

Your role is to provide space on your website for it, encourage people to post to your social media or ask your customers to leave reviews across other platforms. Some businesses prefer to create a regular blog segment solely for user-generated content, while others send out submission calls and set competitions.

User-generated content is one of the best ways to diversify your company’s media, with photos and videos being the most popular forms of submission. Your customers are also more likely to trust the views of other members of the public than they are anyone working on your company’s PR and marketing.

Between 53-64% of consumers want more opportunity to share their opinions about brands, so why not give it to them and save yourself some precious time?

4.    Really encourage sharing

The objective of boosting your content efforts is to spread the word about your business. One way to do this without creating a lot of new content is to market your existing content more effectively.

Unsurprisingly, one of the best ways to get people to share your content is to ask them, yet a staging amount of posts contain no call-to-action. A call-to-action is a sentence at the end of your post that tells the reader/viewer/listener what you want to them to do next.

If you’ve written a long-form blog as a prelude to an eBook you’ve been working on, you should include a call-to-action for the reader to ‘check out’ your eBook. Similarly, if you’ve created an instructional video to help your customers choose between your services, you’ll want to ask those watching to share it with others who might be interested, or link to a ‘request a quote’ page where they can discuss with you their newly identified needs.

If you’re going to the trouble of making requests, you should make it as easy for people to follow through with them as possible. This means making it as simple as you can for people to share your content.

The most effective way to encourage sharing is to have prominent social media buttons within or at the end of your post. These features are included in all good website builders like these ones. But if your website is getting on a little, or if you’ve had one custom built, you can try adding a widget like Share This or getting to grips with the Click to Tweet application. 

5.    Go Personalised

If you’re feeling particularly innovative, or you’ve money to burn, now would be a good time to jump on the personalised content bandwagon. Not only is personalised content one of the fastest growing content markets, it’s also incredibly effective.

Personalised calls-to-action are 202% more effective than regular CTAs. It shouldn’t be surprising that this approach works. Most of the major media we interact with on a daily basis address us by name, or adapt to our peculiarities as we use them (think Google, Netflix, Facebook ads and so on).

Although the average Artificial Intelligence driven personalisation campaign is likely to be beyond the reach of most entrepreneurs, smaller business can get involved in small ways. If you send out a newsletter or regular content digest email, invest software that can address the receiver by name. Send your keenest readers a targeted email to additional or even gated (restricted access) resources as a way to say thank you. Or spend time responding to people’s comments on your posts across social media.

Creating enough relevant and enjoyable content for your customers is increasingly challenging. Without expansive, professional content departments small businesses often struggle to meet demands. But by being a little strategic and setting a few creative habits, you too can boost your content efforts in 2019.

If this blog has left you wanting more, why not take a look at our Develop Creative Content course, designed to help you create engaging content for your website, blog or social media. You can find out more here: http://www.thewomensorganisation.org.uk/businesstraining/develop-creative-content---enhancing-blogging-and-social-media-posts

About the author: Jodie is a professional writer and editor, MSc Cantab. She aims to shed new light on mainstream topics through translating her expertise in the Social Sciences to everyday issues. She explores design, branding and market psychology, health and wellbeing and parenting topics.

You can find out more about UK Web Host Review by visiting their website here: www.ukwebhostreview.com/