All posts by f775Ha

Why you should treat your brand like a person

Of all the steps and techniques you’ve ever read about successful branding, has the idea of treating your brand like a person ever appeared? Possibly not – but this technique is, in fact, one of the most powerful that you have at your disposal for brand success.

Image Credit

Why? Because customers identify with people. They can’t identify with logos and conceptual entities. When they feel warm and fuzzy feelings about a brand, it is because they feel friendly and well-intentioned towards it. They associate it with people that they like and values that they also believe in.

When we start to picture our brand as a person, everything becomes easier. For example, we can suddenly produce brand materials that are intuitive. We can develop a voice that is human, approachable and desirable. Writing copy in the brand voice becomes easier.

Introducing the brand persona

If you couldn’t already describe your brand as a person, then it’s time to develop it so that you can. What personality characteristics would that person have? What sort of age – a similar age to your target audience perhaps? What would it be like to spend time with that person – and why would you want to spend time with them?

Image Credit

MTV is a great case study here. The brand was set up very cheaply by the four company leads, who were young, energetic, slightly crazy and looking to transform TV. They wanted a quirky brand that wasn’t corporate and which would allow that sense of fun to shine. MTV went on to define an era’s programming.

This can be a tricky process at first because, without clear definition already in place, people within the organisation might have different views about that brand and its persona. In these instances, a Cheltenham branding agency such as www.reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/brand-development/ can assist with a facilitated brand development session.

Translating persona to marketing

Once that persona is identified, the core values and messaging are far easier to create. From here, a solid set of brand guidelines can be created which will inform every marketing, communications, PR and internal engagement activity on the agenda.

The acid test for every material becomes less about semantics and more about – “Would our brand say this”? Would our brand phrase this? Is this the message that our brand would want to convey?

 

Improving efficiency with a conveyor

A company that constantly handles various types of materials in their factories, will usually have a conveyor system. According to the required application and specific work area, this is one efficient tool and here is what they are used for:

To transport food in large quantities

Bulk materials, from minerals, chemicals, food, or others that have features to be products with certain types of granules, are usually handled by conveyor belts. These systems must be regulated significantly as the features and operation processes have direct contact with the product during the entire process.

Interconnection between processes

When a product is needed to go through a different process before arriving at the shipping area, the conveyor system helps to connect each place where the product must go. When requested, they are built in stainless steel, if not, they are made in carbon steel and painted electrostatically.

Image credit

For End-of-Line

The end-of-line conveyor system also assists in the movement and transportation of products, which are usually packed in boxes or regular packages.

In this area, the following modular conveyors are usually used, integrated into bigger conveyor systems:

Belt conveyor.

Rugged belt conveyors, usually for corrugated handling operations.

Modular roller conveyor.

Conveyor accumulation.

Conveyors for moving and collecting pallets.

Combine conveyors.

Sorting conveyors.

Designed according to product and flow, conveyors provide the vital strength to improve order, the safety of the operator and the product itself, in addition to increasing operating productivity. For Telescopic Conveyors, visit https://fmhconveyors.com/products/telescopic-conveyors/

To transport food in large quantities

Bulk materials, from minerals, chemicals, food, or others that have features to be products with certain types of granules, are usually handled by conveyor belts.

Image credit

Work with the right equipment

If you want to start working with, or are thinking of increasing your existing conveyor belt, it is important to know what system will work best with your operation. Choosing the wrong type of belt or conveyor parts can reduce efficiency and can even cause a fearful period of downtime. It is important to consider the size and weight of the product you need to transport it, whether it will travel with the slope or decrease and the desired speed of the conveyor. These are just a few aspects to keep in mind when looking to invest in a delivery system.

Regular care

Although the tasks that seem simple to complete, it is important to regularly check the conveyor system for any inconsistencies or damage that might occur due to daily use and in turn allow you to quickly repair and repair your system. In addition to checking whether the belt tracks and runs smoothly, check for debris that might be stuck in belt gaps that might damage it. Listening to a belt while walking also helps in showing problems that you might not be able to see. It is also wise to test all safety equipment in working conditions and that employees are up to date with regulations to minimize incidents at work.

Perfecting the Cleaning of your Commercial Kitchen

A commercial kitchen must be spick and span. This is vital for the health and safety of your staff and customers. Kitchen surfaces, sinks, fridges and floors can become breeding grounds for germs in a short amount of time. Make sure your commercial kitchen is cleaned to perfection with our quick guide or hire a professional to do this for you. This could be a set amount of times in a week or month to keep your business clean so with a Commercial Cleaning Company in Cheltenham offering different services from sites like http://cleaningcompanycheltenham.co.uk you can be sure to keep your standards high. Continue reading Perfecting the Cleaning of your Commercial Kitchen

Top tips for speaking at a business event

Speaking in public is a skill that takes practice to perfect. There are very few people who nail it on their first public speaking engagement, especially a business event. At corporate events, the stakes are that much higher because a good performance can rocket your career into the stratosphere, whilst a bad performance might mean you’re never invited to speak publicly again! Continue reading Top tips for speaking at a business event

Using Facebook for the benefit of your business

Is your business making the most of Facebook? Facebook is the largest social networking site on earth and you, as a business owner, could be greatly benefiting from all that it has to offer. So far this year, the site has over 2 billion monthly users who are active, so it offers huge opportunities for businesses to connect with their target audience. Continue reading Using Facebook for the benefit of your business

What does DBS filtering mean for employees?

When a DBS certificate is issued, not all convictions and cautions are revealed due to the DBS process of filtering. As you would expect, this has led to many employers and applicants wondering what the process entails and its implications. People who are in a job position that needs a DBS check are regarded by many as being in a position of trust. A possible reason for this is that many job positions that require this check involves coming into frequent contact with people who could be considered vulnerable. By having this check in place it ensures that no one gets a job in a role that isn’t appropriate for them. In care for example, someone who has a history of violence would not pass a DBS check as they would be deemed as unsafe to look after vulnerable people. If you are looking to work in care you would need to ensure you are suitable for it and have all the relevant qualifications. If you believe you meet the criteria to work in care, then you may be interested in a live in care London agency, such as https://www.guardiancarers.co.uk/services/live-in-care

Image Credit

What is the process of filtering?

The process of filtering is a recent one. It came to fruition in 2013 following a high court case that questioned why all criminal record information should appear on DBS certificates, especially if incidents were minor and/or had been committed a long time ago. The outcome of the case determined that not all cautions and convictions should appear on a certificate following a DBS check.

Image Credit

As a result, the DBS filtering process was initiated to limit the disclosure of offences if they met the predetermined criteria. These strict criteria vary in accordance with the type of offence committed, the age of the offender at the time of the offence, and whether they have other offences.

If cautions or convictions are withheld, they won’t appear on the certificate and neither will the certificate state that criminal information has been withheld. Although the information is withheld, this does not mean that a person’s criminal record has been discarded by the Police National Computer (PNC).

You can find out more about criminal records checks – including DBS checks .

What are the implications for applicants?

With regard to applicants, the filtering process means that if they have a previous caution or conviction that qualifies for protection, it will be removed during the filtering process. They will therefore not have to declare this information to the employer, even if the employer asks about it.

What are the implications for employers?

The filtering process should not have any implications for employers, as any information protected is determined by legislation to be peripheral. Employers are not entitled to be notified of these offences via a DBS check.

Nevertheless, employers should be wary of how they question applicants with regard to their criminal records in relation to this legislation; for example, employers that are permitted to question an applicant on their criminal record must be careful not to ask for information protected by the filtering process.

The technological and weird world of Microsoft.

Where would we be without the company Microsoft? It has risen to be the most powerful and influential computer technological firm in the world. It has given us one of the first computer language system, MS-DOS, ever to be used on a global stage and giving rise to the  universal system of Windows and its many versions of updates. When it comes to the management of your systems, an IT Support Cheltenham based team like https://reformit.co.uk/ provide IT Support in Cheltenham can certainly provide the support needed. But where did Microsoft come from?

Image credit

The company gets its name from one half of its creator Bill Gates. He sent a letter to Paul Allen, the other founder, with the words Micro-soft. It’s thought that this is an amalgamation of words microcomputer and software. They started the company in 1976 and it was soon to grow into the large company that it is today. Back then it was customary to produce both the hardware and the operating system but with the invention and coding of MS-DOS Gates and his team had finally found a formula that the general public could get on board with using the simple icons to link to programs and call it Windows. Although it was a rough and basic system, a constant criticism at the time, it was user friendly and meant that for the first time the general public to use and follow a computer without having to have to learn a whole new computer language.

Image credit

Soon the company began to gain traction. Hardware makers began to have Windows installed into the machine so that it was ready to use the moment it was switched on. IBM and Hewlett Packard were some of the first and it was not long before Microsoft began to attract other interests to work with them. Foremost of this was legendary early Roxy Music member Brian Eno. With the company at the the height of its powers he wrote the famous start up tune to Windows 95 describing the experience as amazing and cementing his own career.

Working for them is one of the strangest experiences to be had by an employee carrying on the quirkiness of the founders. For example drinks are free with Milk and Orange Juice being the most popular plus there are lots of sweeties to be had. With the considerable amount of employees to feed there are thirty five restaurants and  the most favoured food of choice at lunchtime is Pizza

Why construction businesses need young talent

The gender imbalance within the UK construction industry is widely known, with only 11% of the workforce being female and just 2% of those being employed in craft trade roles. Consequently, a considerable skills shortage has arisen. To address this, construction companies are placing a greater emphasis on attracting a more diverse range of employees to aid innovation and futureproofing.

Image Credit

Why is there an imbalance?

When considering construction companies Manchester is home to a number of leading firms who specialise in cutting-edge design, build and project management. However, there remains a considerable lack of female employees within companies here and nationwide. A study undertaken by GenAnalytics and funded by the Scottish Government found that only 17% of surveyed construction staff were female, with these figures being in line with national statistics. This has highlighted a need for construction companies to improve their image, as they are often regarded as a last resort for young people who are unable to secure employment elsewhere and are consequently demotivated and do not complete their apprenticeships.

Image Credit

What can companies do?

To address this, it is crucial for construction companies to enhance their relationships with colleges and schools to promote the positives of a career in construction. Showcasing these jobs to students can be a great way of encouraging new talent into the industry.

When considering construction companies Manchester based firms such as Piggot and Whitfield https://www.piggottandwhitfield.co.uk/services/ offer opportunities in design and build, construction and project management, highlighting the multitude of career options available. However, sending staff into schools results in fewer employees on the job, which impacts project deadlines and income.

Therefore, the GenAnalytics report advises education providers to work with construction companies to educate students on potential opportunities within the industry. Allowing teachers to develop a greater understanding of the roles available in the industry can also form an important part of the approach, along with taster sessions, open days and work placements. The Guardian also suggests having students come and visit construction sites to experience the industry firsthand.

Future partnerships between construction companies and education providers can be a mutually beneficial approach that helps to prevent skill shortages and gender imbalance within the industry, in addition to introducing young people to an exciting new career prospect they may not have previously considered.

Fabric structures: benefits and considerations

Fabric structures offer practical design solutions for covering outdoors areas. Opting for Tensile Fabric Structures has many pros and a few cons; therefore, it is helpful to look at both the benefits and considerations involved to make an informed decision. If that decision is to go ahead with it ,then you may wish to consider https://www.spatialstructures.com/

Image Credit

Translucent

The most obvious advantage of fabric structures is their translucency, with an appropriate coating over the woven base cloth allowing a light transmission value of approximately 10%. Compared with the full glare of outside, this provides a very comfortable level of brightness.

Clear span

Another benefit of fabric above other material is its clear span capabilities. Fabric can reach from one point to another in an unbroken sweep, covering a large space without needing the rigid support required by other materials.

Lightweight materials

Tensile structures are lightweight and their extraordinary tensile capacity does not require as much supporting framework as other materials; however, deep foundations are often required to counteract the power of the wind lifting the canopy and whipping it away. On a positive note, the foundations are usually much cheaper and easier to prepare than above-ground constructions.

Design

A tensile canopy is a unique and contemporary style of building structure and its 3D nature attracts attention. Traditional structures such as flat glass, a tiled roof or polycarbonate canopy do not draw your attention in the same way.

Manufactured off-site

Companies alike and all the manufacturing takes place off-site. When the steelwork, cables, membrane and all other parts are complete, they are taken to the site and assembled swiftly, causing little disruption to the public or the surrounding businesses. This could prevent possible health and safety issues.

Size and cost implications

Fabric structures are great for larger areas, as they offer economies of scale; however, if you were to choose a tensile canopy for a small area, this would not be cost effective. The same process would have to be carried out as for larger constructions, such as connections being engineered and checked, patterning required and corner plates and awkward angles made by the steel fabricator, all of which would cost three to four times more per square metre than for a larger tensile structure.

Finally, but importantly, fabric structures are bespoke. They can be beautiful, creative, attention-grabbing and fun, and they sound great when it is raining!