Category Archives: Tips and Ideas

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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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/

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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!

 4 great ideas for team building

Team building events are a wonderful way of bringing employees together, giving them new experiences and helping them forge strong bonds that will pay off when tackling projects in the office. These events can also reduce anxiety, give employees a break and enable them to have fun while learning some essential skills. There is a variety of different ways to do this with all of them having their own merit. From drinking alcohol to trampolining this article covers a comprehensive range of team building ideas.

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Sporting Challenges

People may have played basketball before, but probably not on a trampoline. Take the team to a trampoline park, let them bounce out their stress, and then add in some healthy competition. A common aversion to getting soaked could be the impetus behind employees getting good at kayaking or canoeing. By putting people together with very different personalities or styles of working, they will have to thrash out a way of moving forward together to avoid getting a soaking.

Let the games begin

Locking people in a room and giving them an hour to escape can inspire new levels of cooperation, as it involves logic, strategy, leadership, and teamwork to make it happen. This has become a very popular exercise for team building, and while “locked” in the room, the participants must solve puzzles and find clues to help them escape.

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Another enjoyable game is to put everyone in groups and send them out on a scavenger hunt, with lots of interesting challenges, fun activities and even prizes. This could be followed by a barbecue or a relaxing meal.

After Work socials

Possibly the simplest method of team building for employees but by no means an ineffective one. Sociable drinking is often regarded as enjoyable and can help to establish common interests between employees. This can be as simple as going to the pub after work but private parties can be organised if you intend to pull out all the stops. Going drinking however means you will not be able to drive but if you’re looking for a good corporate day/ night then why not use a Cheltenham Party Bus Hire service. If you are looking for a company to provide this service, look no further than websites such as https://cocktail-tours.co.uk/.

Something completely different …

When it comes to activities people have never tried, a tank driving day would fit the bill, challenging the team and giving them an experience, they will be talking about for some time. Tanks were first used in battle during the First World War, and for more history, see this article from The Guardian.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of a tank driving day for your employees, it would be a good idea to speak to experts. Team building has many benefits for helping employees feel valued and appreciated, while building a company culture of trust and respect that will flow into corporate productivity. Planning a team building experience is not difficult, especially if you consult professionals. The results could make all the difference to your bottom line.

Embracing Technology in Construction

The utopian view of major construction sites is neon-vested workers in hard hats and an unfinished façade. The ubiquitous sheaves of blueprints and oversized design drawings that litter any flat surface on the jobs site should be gone.

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The industry wants to embrace technology and replace papers with smartphone apps and tablet computers. Progressive construction giants already harness the potency of technology in all its forms. Incredible advancements optimise production and efficiency, from planning to construction.

Game-Changing Technologies in Construction

Drones are the way to gain insight into a construction site while also allowing for mapping. Often a construction site is hazardous and remote, which makes this technology an inexpensive no-brainer. Human error causes delays and increased costs, while drones drastically improve safety standards, accuracy and speed as they take high-resolution images and collect data when flying over a site. Technicians using photogrammetry can extract 3D models and point clouds from the images.

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BIM Technology Application

BIM technology is not new to the UK construction market, especially since the government mandated BIM to be used on government projects in 2016. The benefits are considerable, including improved life cycle costs, higher-quality construction, lower costs and faster enabling. Building Information Modelling involves generation and managing of digital representations of both functional and physical characteristics of a place.

It is used to support automated and predictive maintenance schedules of a building life. The building manager will know where all the fittings and fixtures are and all the services as well as service intervals, certificates and installation dates.

Companies, including but not limited to https://www.bimtech-eng.com/, use its digital technology to develop digital models that accurately represent the elements of a construction project. It offers house-builders, medium and large building companies and construction contractors better control over all the phases.

3D printing is a construction technology that will speed up and reduce construction costs. Recently, a 3D building was completed in a building-on-demand (BOD) structure, with several others following suit. This technology embeds wireless sensors into property walls to create a genuinely smart building, literally and figuratively. It also doubles up as a preventative accident measure.

While digital technology brings enormous benefits, they come with new challenges. This level of digitisation can only be applied when contractors, designers and project employers have the required skills.