Why e-learning is the way forward for the banking sector

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The role of the banking sector in any economy cannot be exaggerated. And in a world where e-learning and technology have become the driving force, the banking sector cannot be left behind. Adobe Connect Reviews, for example, shows how the e-learning software is impacting the different fields, and one of the main tools that experts have predicted will play a huge role in transforming the banking sector is technology. E-learning will play a crucial role when it comes to the development and growth of the banking sector.

But before we proceed, let us take a look at some of the challenges that the banking sector is currently facing. The banking sector has been plagued by several challenges, with some going back a couple of years. Upgrading skills or up-skilling of employees in this sector has become too expensive and even time-consuming.

Secondly, there is a need for these employers to be given the assistance they need to achieve the bank’s main objective, which is to serve their customers better. Also, for banks to become more successful, they need to be able to implement single customer relationships. This is because such a client relationship helps in both up-selling as well as cross-selling the bank’s services.

Sales personnel of banks also need more education concerning every aspect of product information. But despite all these challenges that most banks face, the fact that it is very difficult to organise a common platform for training employees does not help.

So, how does e-learning provide solutions to the challenges mentioned above? To begin with, banks can now use software for training as well as learning management systems that support e-training. This helps to track compliance. E-learning also helps to facilitate an easy adaptation of content, as well as its transfer to the learner.

Plus, it can be done anywhere and at any time. This is, indeed, one of the most crucial benefits of using e-learning in the banking sector. Also, during active production, the e-learning approach is an important factor worth considering. Employees can be given the needed platform to hone up their skills to a professional level by giving them daily doses of training.

Banks can also use e-learning methods to train their employees to take on specific tasks or fulfil certain designated objectives. But that’s not all; employees of banks can also enhance or boost their administrative qualities and capabilities. They can do this by using e-learning to help improve their communication skills, and thus, the quality of their interaction with their clients. This will be even more effective when they are given sufficient opportunities to apply each concept they have learned daily. And e-learning provides the best platform to achieve this.

Adopting e-learning that is both self-paced and well-structured will help to fulfil the training needs of the banking and finance industry’s workforce. As a result, employees will be better equipped to become more productive, handle regulatory issues, offer optimum customer service, and achieve better results.

7 Reasons why SEO is an ivestment worth making

If you’re unfamiliar with SEO, it may seem very daunting, and it’s easy to understand why. The results might seem abstract to you, or you may not be aware of how powerful it can actually be. The reality, however, is that SEO is more relevant now than it’s ever been. The whole world is online, and without a strong presence there, you’ll be invisible to a large portion of your potential clientele. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why SEO is an investment worth making.

The gift that keeps on giving

One of the best aspects of SEO optimisation is the residual results that you can accumulate over time. With SEO, a single piece or mention that was made years ago could continue to give you results with no work or expense on your end. SEO is an investment in your business in the true sense of the word, which is why it shouldn’t be viewed purely as a marketing method. It should be part of running any business, full stop.

More powerful than paid results

If you have or are using PPC, you may be aware of how powerful it can be for driving qualified leads to your website; but that’s nothing compared to organic results. There is still a huge portion of the population that will totally ignore paid ads and jump straight to the organic results when they have the chance. As a matter of fact, it has been estimated that up to 80% of people did not look at paid ads when they conducted online searches. You want to be where it counts.

You want to exist

According to the same study, it has been estimated that around 93% of all experiences online start with an engine search. Not only that, but according to a study by HubSpot, 75% of people will not go past the first page when looking at results. That means that you will simply not exist to an overwhelming majority of the people who will be online if you don’t rank for crucial keywords or at least for your brand.

You’re trying to attract a local clientele

If your clientele is very local, dominating SEO becomes even more important. It could be more accessible as well. Being able to dominate hyperlocal searches also means that you’ll be able to get traction from voice searches as a large portion of searches conducted online are local in nature.

As a matter of fact, according to Search Engine Journal, voice searches on mobiles were 3 times more likely to be local than text-based ones. These are also searches with high purchase intent, which makes SEO one of the marketing strategies with the highest returns.

People want to be able to find information about businesses on the go. They know that any business they want within their radius can be found with a few clicks, and you want to be that business. The good news is that it’s all possible if you make a consistent effort or simply by abiding by best practices.

However, you have to be able to know what these best practices are in the first place, and if you’re going against them. One of the best ways to start is to speak with an SEO optimisation team that will be able to run your site through an audit. Services like Big Surf Digital, for instance, will not only be able to fix possible issues you may have with your site’s content, coding, navigation, or performance that might be affecting SEO, but they will focus on you getting actual sales, not just traffic. Working with a team like this will allow you to build on a solid foundation, and make sure that you adjust to changes over time.

It’s here to stay

There was a time when people actually used to learn about business through the television or an ad in the newspaper. While some like to reminisce about the good old days, these aren’t coming back. SEO is not only here to stay, but it will only become more relevant as time goes by.

It isn’t necessarily expensive

Good SEO really starts with having good clean code and a website that runs well on all platforms. If you can manage that, you’ve already won half the battle. You can then spend as much effort and resources on outreach and creation as you can if you want more results. It’s really up to you. Everything you do with SEO adds up, and no matter which rate you’re going at, good SEO will always pay off at some point.

It establishes you as an authority

When you dominate search results, you send the signal out that you are an authority and an important brand in this space. It only takes for people to see your results featured a few times to start building awareness about your brand, and they might decide that today is going to be the day they are going to give you a chance. If your ultimate goal is to build brand awareness and trust, then we can’t think of that many methods that can give you a better ROI than SEO.

SEO is not only an investment worth making, but one of the best you can make in any business no matter the size. It’s cost-effective, highly quantifiable, and can be adjusted to your budget and needs better than virtually any other online marketing method you can find.

Dark stores – a brighter future for retailers?

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As we are now entering the next phase of post-pandemic retail with more and more high street stores reopening, it’s still clear that the boom in online shopping is here to stay. Dark stores as a retail concept are traditional outlets converted to warehouses. They facilitate services such as delivery and click and collect. Dark stores are constantly evolving to cope with the increase in demand. Large and small retailers are now relying on a decentralised model in order to run more local fulfillment centres and to improve efficiency.

At the beginning of lockdown, supermarkets especially struggled to meet the increase in demand. National retailers have since opened up dark stores in separate locations all over the country devoted to online shopping. Supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s doubled their capacity of online slots, and Iceland has increased its online delivery capacity by 250%. 

Small businesses are also jumping on the bandwagon, with a forecast growth rate in online shopping of 34.5%. The UK has the most advanced eCommerce market in Europe with multichannel retail and mobile commerce on the rise. Advanced order software such as OMS system and easy to use eCommerce platforms like Shopify, means that smaller businesses are now able to easily outsource their fulfillment to third parties.

Savvy retailers are adding more dark stores to serve as local fulfillment centres. They are employing a more decentralised method. This enables them to make decisions on inventory based on location. It also means that each dark store is purposefully stocked with items that have local appeal, based on data analysis and market research.

There are several benefits to decentralised fulfillment. Advances in technology have made this possible. Data-driven research can provide information on local trends. Forecasts are made based on this data to ensure fresh produce is delivered at the right intervals. Perhaps this is the most cost-effective way for retailers to meet demand and save on delivery. Making dark stores more “local” can also reduce the environmental impact. More customers will be encouraged to click and collect and delivery times will be reduced. Technology is also used to optimise the floor plan of dark stores, and ease of order picking. 

With improvements in efficiency, dark stores are perhaps the sign of a brighter future for retailers. There have been recent signs of retail recovery, but it might not be time to get optimistic just yet. The boom online shopping meant that many dark stores were born out of the pandemic. There were therefore created to accommodate a certain lifestyle and change in habits. It’s not clear if these stores will stay as competitive in a post-pandemic era.

Having said that, decentralised fulfillment is definitely the way to go to cope with demand and improve efficiency, particularly for businesses selling high-turn products. Along with improved efficiency, they are also meeting the needs of more customers. Dark stores combine the benefits of high street shopping with online fulfillment. Retailers are able to complete orders in closer proximity to their customers. 

Here’s why more people are choosing to work online

Over the years, many countries around the world have seen an enormous increase in individuals working remotely. In the US, 4.7 million individuals are working online, and the number keeps on rising. In this article, we’ll discuss why more people are choosing this path. Sound interesting? Then keep on reading.

Flexible hours

One of the main reasons why many individuals are choosing to work remotely is that they can enjoy flexible hours. If you are a freelancer, for example, you can decide when to work so that it suits your lifestyle. It could be during school hours, or during the morning if you want the afternoon off. The choice is yours.

Better work-life balance

With flexible hours comes a better work-life balance, which is excellent for those that find themselves getting stressed with their 9-5 job. You can enjoy holidays, weekends off and spend time with your family. However, you won’t get the benefits associated with regular employment. This includes things like sick leave or holiday pay if you are unable to work.

Ability to save more money

When you are working from home, you may find that you are saving quite a bit of money on particular things. For example, you won’t need to pay for transport and can cook your own meals from home. While you might not be making as much as a regular job, you will start to see the savings pile up. Want more ways to save money? Have a look at Money Monarch to see their Ibotta review. You can get cash back for doing your regular online shopping.

Ability to travel while working

Another advantage that draws many people in to online work is that they have the ability to travel while making an income. This is a huge selling point for many, especially those that want to see the world. By working just a few hours a day, you have the potential to fund your travels without having to use your credit card. It’s a win-win!

Room for growth

Just like working a regular job, you do have the potential to grow your business when working online. By completing tasks regularly and on time, you can get recommended to others, and take on more clients. From here, you can make more money and grow your services further.

No boss

Lastly, another popular reason that many are choosing to work from home is that they can be their own boss. While you do technically work for others, you don’t have to worry about someone staring over your shoulder. A shocking 58% of those interviewed in a Harvard Business Review says they trust strangers more than their own boss.

By taking in all the above benefits, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular method of work. However, it’s not for everyone, and although the perks are great, you do have to be able to keep yourself motivated and deliver work on time.

Acquiring a Land Rover – Should I buy new, or used?

Quite intriguingly, since the period of UK national ‘lockdown’ ended, the car sales scene has gone haywire, reports Iain Robertson, crazy trade prices are but one aspect, yet, among the high demand brands, Land Rover has percolated to the top.

Residing, as I do, in the largely agricultural County of Lincolnshire, which is an historical heartland of Land Rover business, serviced by three main dealer outlets and a couple of specialists, ‘Landy-spotting’ is a very easy game. From classic Defenders, to top-line Range Rovers, every model is well represented. However, Lincolnshire is not alone, as JLR’s ‘strangle-hold’ on the agri-scene is exercised all over the UK and, while many of its models can be described fairly as ‘expensive’, it is no surprise that the brand proliferates within the corporate sector too.

Buying new demands caution. Examples of the latest Defender, which is pleasingly ‘Tonka Toy’ to the eye, remain thin on the ground, not least because of tear inducingly steep list pricing, intended to fill a massive company ‘hole’ in JLR’s finances. With Autobiography specification Rangies topping six figures with remarkable ease, it is predominantly corporate funding that keeps Land Rover buoyant. Cash-rich firms seem to have no issue with finding the deposits and either financing the chairman’s latest transport on monthly leases, or by buying outright.

Yet, buying new also introduces the potential of unreliability and warranty work mopping up the mess. Although most of this type of reparative work is fairly rudimentary, with problems related to complex electronics outweighing mechanical issues, VOR (vehicle off-road) and dissatisfaction levels are tested to extremes, resulting in a challengingly large number of ‘returned’ vehicles to dealers. By the time a Land, or Range Rover model has reached its third birthday and the end of the factory warranty period, to be fair, most of the problems have been resolved and ironed out.

Therefore, apart from the customary caveats, acquiring new, or relatively new models, as long as the prices do not terrify you, is much the same as for other high-end brands. Residual, or trade values have not been as reliable as first owners may have liked and at least 25% of the original invoice can be wiped out immediately following delivery. Under normal circumstances, depreciation levels can lead to a vibrant second-hand market. However, the pandemic has led to some unexpected spikes in trade values.

Buying used Land Rover products can prove to be fascinating. There is an expected period of around four to eight years of age, at which optimum dependability levels are at a peak, which is inevitable, when you consider that the manufacturer’s three years warranty should have dealt with a number of niggling and even some early high-price repairs. Yet, buying privately will demand care. Thanks to a renowned reputation for unbeatable off-road capabilities, it is worth the extra investment in having a specialist check over the object of your desires. While severe damage is unlikely, as these cars are built sturdily, typical knocks and scrapes can lead to subsequent failures, notably on technology-led Discovery and Range Rover models suspended by air.

The appeal related to used Range Rovers losing upwards of 75% of their initial invoice values is substantial. Keith Arnold Cars, an independent Land Rover specialist local to me, has sold immaculate, low mileage, nine-years old Range Rover Autobiography models for around 20% of the original price tag (less than £20k). A key benefit is the quality of the firm’s paintwork, which is not only resilient but loses none of its lustre even at up to 12 years of age. Although rust can occur on steel panels, such as rear doors and hatchbacks, as long as it is dealt with quickly, rot is seldom an issue. Later alloy-bodied models are better in this respect.

Yet, it is worth highlighting that decade-old, 90-100,000-miles models can show their age with failed turbochargers on both TDV6 and TDV8 engines, while self-levelling suspension issues may demand air-bag replacements and even automatic transmission problems. Steering knocks and joint wear are common. On early DPF equipped versions, blockage and specialist clearing may prove necessary. None of this should be regarded as a surprise, as these vehicles are now displaying age-related mechanical and electrical problems. However, dealt with by a non-franchise specialist, such as Jack Land Rover ([email protected]), which will reduce labour rates significantly, extending a vehicle’s life by another 8-10 years is de rigueur.

A well-used Land Rover, or Range Rover, will always benefit from a thorough valet. Even those specified originally with fabric trim can spruce up remarkably well but do check that all trim panels and hinges for folding seat mechanisms are present and operable. Leather is always the better option and applying hide food can return it to pristine condition. Carpets are usually very durable and even heavy/muddy usage on the driver’s side can recover with a decent scrub and wet/dry vacuuming. At the end of the day, apart from the higher priced directors’ cars, many of which have never been used as they should be, Land Rover products are workhorses.

If there is one particular highlight, apart from the runaway values related to early Defenders and even Mark One Rangies, which are now joining the ranks of collectible classics, it lies in the Freelander line-up. As the first of the modern SUV-class from Land Rover, the Freelander is no less competent than its larger brethren but has the advantage of less intimidating dimensions. Although assembled in India, Jordan and China, Halewood (on Merseyside) production of Freelander 2 ended in 2014 (the original 1997 Freelander lasted until 2006). Used values are buoyant at present, with all versions in great demand. Again, Keith Arnold ensures that his stock of economical Freelanders is in prime condition, with earlier K-Series (both 4 and rarer V6 petrols) and BMW 2.0-litre diesel models representing exceptional value for money and later, 6-speed automatic, TD4/SD4 HSE versions (Ford/PSA engines, 150-190bhp) commanding top money.

Whether acquiring a Land Rover, or Range Rover model for its off-road competence, perceived class, or its fashion statement, ensuring that it is in good condition is essential. Maintenance and road tax costs can be high and 27-30mpg average fuel economy from either V6 or V8 turbodiesels is normal. I shall cover the Range Rover Evoque range separately.

Businesses starting to feel squeeze of pandemic

Businesses in the UK and internationally are now starting to feel the true financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic. Some brands including Chiquitos have been forced to close their doors completely, unable to cope with the drop in demand that they encountered during the lockdown. Others, such as British Airways and DC comics are siphoning off staff and a recent report has revealed that a ⅓ of companies in the UK will be hit with some form of redundancies according to . Now is the time for businesses to start exploring how they can save their business, adapt, and thrive once more. 

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There are certainly numerous choices worth considering here and some companies are already making changes. As mentioned, businesses are starting to consider drastic measures to stay afloat. Despite being controversial due to claiming support from the UK government BA maintains they have no choice but to cut staff numbers and this isn’t surprising. Quarantine requirements and drops in demand have caused the travel sector to become one of the worst impacted industries of the coronavirus pandemic. 

However, experts stress that it is important for businesses to reduce staff numbers the right way. If redundancies lead to a drop in the quality of service or the solution offered by the business, then it could ultimately cause more harm than good. 

This is why it is expected that there will be a higher demand for freelancers and outsourcing agents in the near future. Outsourcing does provide businesses with a way to keep up the same quality of service while also continuing to explore ways to reduce costs. Of course, the trend of favoring freelancers isn’t a new concept. The gig economy has seen tremendous levels of growth over the last few years and has shown no signs of slowing down. It is highly likely that the pandemic will simply provide a boost for this surge. With freelancers, businesses can get the staff they need and cut the costs of taking on full-time team members. 

Analysts suggest that businesses must also start exploring ways to reduce the level of waste in their respective models. There are numerous steps that can be explored here. For instance, companies that focus on logistics need to think about the cost of individual deliveries. Sites such as www.arlynscales.com/ are seeing higher levels of demand as companies explore ways to reduce the cost of deliveries. This is often one of the more expensive areas of a business model. 

Finally businesses are also going to need to handle and come to terms with the costs of new social distance measurements and requirements. A lot of companies have managed to adapt their business without blowing up expenses. However, with no vaccination on the horizon right now, the requirements may need to stay in place for the long term. This does mean that there could be more adjustments needed rather than the current temporary solutions that likely will not stand the test of time. Social distancing measures has also meant that companies can not take on the same number of clients or customers as before. 

Finding a job during a pandemic and recession

There are moments when life becomes extremely tough. People have lost jobs, businesses gone down, and the entire economy is diminishing all because of the recent outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic. Despite all, life must go on. We must arise and make ends meet, especially for our loved ones.

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According to the experts from Writemyessay.today, many companies have reduced their workers while some have closed down. But here you are, you want a job to keep sustaining your life. You have no option other than searching for the job. How will you manage? Will you get the job you desire? How will you overcome all the hardships? Such questions keep ringing in the mind as you think of the next step.

The reality is, a pandemic period is the worst nightmares in our lives. Some of the rules implemented, such as keeping distance mean that there are minimal job opportunities, there are no interviews, and all other networking events are past tense.

However, all is never lost. As other companies keep cutting off their employees, others are trying to get suitable candidates to fit some positions. All you need to embrace is a positive mindset and be flexible enough to adjust to any given environment as long as it isn’t harmful. Remember, this is not the right time to focus on that big job dream. Instead, it is the right time to explore different opportunities that come your way. Let us discuss the tips below on how you can get a job during a pandemic season:

Embrace digital spaces

This is the right moment to upgrade and update your social media accounts, such as LinkedIn profile. Remember that there are sectors that still need workers, such as logistics, healthcare, and remote area service providers. As such, companies need to fill vacant positions; they can’t conduct face-to-face interviews because of the social distancing aspect. As a result, they conduct all their activities via online platforms. They use social accounts to search for the right candidate. You must update your provide and make sure it is available and accessible by everyone. Be clear on what you are expert on and describe what you can do best.

Do not focus on full-time opportunities

Apart from looking for a job in companies, there are other strategies you can implement and generate income at the comfort of your home. For instance, freelancing activities are the best. The best aspect about freelancing is that it offers lots of opportunities. You never know, you even end up landing a long term opportunity when you offer the best services.

Think short-term

In this era, things are changing at a faster rate. As far as the career is concerned, it is better to plan on what you want to do in the next few months. Think over the opportunities that are available at a given period that will improve your life at large. Whether it is a business opportunity or a degree job, whichever comes your way, grab it.

Conclusion

The hardest times are the best moments to figure out ideas and implement them to make your life better. You don’t have to stay stressed because you don’t have a means on how to manage your financial lives. Even during a pandemic, some opportunities can help you to rise. Find that opportunity, use it, and make your life better.

Seven tips for supporting your staff during the pandemic

The pandemic has affected so many of people on a global scale, and many businesses are still fighting to stay afloat in this new normal that we’re all in together. Your staff are an important and integral part of the business, so it’s good to make sure you’re doing everything you can to look after them and to put things in place so that they’re supported. With that in mind, here are seven tips for supporting your staff during the pandemic.

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Remember that communication is key

Communication is an important part of any business, regardless of whether there’s a global pandemic going on or not. Having the right communications in place as a workforce is essential for keeping a check on everyone and ensuring your staff is feeling good. Whether they’ve been placed on furlough or not, it’s good to check in to see if they’re doing ok and giving them an update on anything new that’s happening within the company. Your managers or senior staff members should be actively conversing with those they’re responsible for and to keep

Be honest with any bad news

As the pandemic continues to roll on, there’s a reality that many businesses will have to let staff go and make the relevant re-structuring needed for the company. The thought of losing your job during a pandemic is terrifying as there will hardly be many other companies that will be hiring staff. However, your employees would benefit and appreciate your honesty in the situation even if it involves bad news. It can be hard to deal with multiple staff redundancies, but it’s critical in making sure you handle the process of it all correctly. In general, you always want to be transparent with your staff, especially as the situation develops and continues. Keeping them up to date with everything that’s going on, on a regular basis, is going to be helpful for their own peace of mind. It also gives them the opportunity to make the necessary steps in making sure they’re ok.

Acknowledge this isn’t normal

Nothing about this situation is normal, and that’s something we’re all learning to process and adapt to. This is something that’s not going to right itself anytime soon, and so it’s important to do what you can to reassure your staff and to remind them that these are exceptional and strange times in general. It’s important that you have patience with your staff and that they learn to have patience with the situation that they’re in. They’re going to be working remotely for some time until it’s safe for everyone to go back to work in what we all considered as normal before the pandemic began. That’s going to take a lot of processing, and the longer it goes on, the harder it gets for everyone. Be accepting of this as a business owner and make sure your staff are acknowledging the situation and that it’s perfectly fine to not be feeling your usual self or finding the experience difficult.

Give your staff the right resources

Your staff need support in different ways, and so it’s good to provide as many resources as possible that are going to be helpful. If it’s to do with their mental wellbeing, then there are plenty of phone numbers and online resources to suggest, and this should be coming from your HR department where possible. It’s good to show that you’re making an active effort to ensure the wellbeing of your staff and not just focusing on the work that they need to do. As they’re not working in an office environment, you might need to think about taking advantage of all the different technology platforms available to speed up work processes and make them easier in this new working environment. The more that you can provide that will give them the support they need, the better.

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Be more flexible with working hours

Working hours are something that you might want to reconsider or at least re-structure slightly. There’s going to be a lot of staff who are not used to working remotely and from their homes too. That means their homes become the place they eat, work, sleep and repeat their days and weeks. It can start to become more stressful and emotionally draining because they’re not getting out of the home. It’s therefore good to think about how you could be more flexible with working hours. You could perhaps do shifts of work depending on how busy the working day can be. There are summer hours that you could incorporate into the business where certain staff finish earlier on one Friday and then the rest will finish early the following week and so on.

You want to give your staff members the necessary breaks that they might need to just re-focus. There are a lot more distractions at home too, and so it can be hard to get focused to work when you’re not in a typical working environment. Be forgiving of this and try to make it more comfortable for your staff to have that flexibility when and where it’s needed.

Set your staff up remotely

With staff working remotely, not every staff member is going to have an office space. Some might not even have a proper desk to work from, and so it’s important to try and supply your staff with the equipment and furniture needed if they’re struggling to work from home. Whether it’s taking the height adjustable desk from the office and delivering it to them or supplying them with the desk accessories, it can all help to support your staff and their health. Make sure they have all the technology they need and if it’s a case of replacing some of the technology, then consider it as an investment into the company for the future.

This pandemic has certainly shown that working remotely definitely works for many businesses, and this might be the new norm, even when things start to ease more. With that being said, it’s good to have your business set up with everything needed to have it’s staff work remotely successfully.

Encourage more breaks

Breaks are something that would usually be missed when in the office, and it’s something that is good to change when it comes to workplace values. Giving your staff break times is important, and enforcing this should be something that you as the business owner should be rolling out to your senior staff who are supervising other staff. Make sure that your staff members are all taking a proper lunch break and stepping away from the desk. Be sure to also suggest your staff take regular breaks to make a drink, take a walk around their local area and switch off for 10 or 15 minutes. It’s needed more than ever, and it can actually help to make your staff more productive as a whole.

This pandemic has affected us in ways that we never thought would be possible in this day and age. It’s something that we’ll forever remember once it’s gone and a lot is going to change as a result of this event. Looking after your staff is essential to keeping the business going strong, even during these tough times. Make sure that you are keeping up with regular communication and that you’ve made sure your staff are set up correctly to work without too many issues. Encourage breaks and acknowledge this situation is unique and certainly not normal for anyone right now.

Bentley Blower ‘continuation’ is ongoing for 12 key investors

Almost a year ago, Iain Robertson received a whiff of a story about a short run of 12 handcrafted recreations of the original 1929 racing Bentleys that dominated at Le Mans and, with each example having been sold, the ambitious project is now underway.

Of a personal belief that classic cars should be used as they once used to be and not mothballed and mollycoddled in a remote and secret storage facility, somewhere in the Home Counties, however cynical may be the perceptions of such extravagant ‘continuation’ exercises, they can make sense. The classic car scene has suffered slightly in the wake of the pandemic, yet, with carefully curated auctions taking place, values of many classes of classics have continued to rise inexorably, in a ‘business-as-usual’ manner.

Of course, in some respects this is inevitable, as the rich continue to get richer, most especially during periods of tremendous upset and distress. However, life goes on and with major valuation houses, such as Hagertys, placing values as steep as £16m on the McLaren F1 road car, which was conceived as recently as the 1990s and was one of the first of the million Pound supercars of what has become a run in the modern era, the investment potential can only ever be described as phenomenal.

Original Minis and Range Rovers have been experiencing rapid escalations in their values, which have led to a growth in the new parts availability, remanufacturing components that could have become obsolete and simply unavailable, all the way to complete bodyshells. Yet, a burgeoning cottage industry of specialists, from grinders and honers, to carpenters and upholstery specialists has grown exponentially around the classic car scene, both in the UK and Europe, which helps to perpetuate those vehicles heading for a blend of rarity and iconic statuses.

Yet, returning to my opening gambit of this story, there are innumerable ‘specialists’ that exercise their classics and collectibles at events such as the annual Pomeroy Trophy races (held at Silverstone Circuit), the Goodwood Speed Hillclimb and several other classic car events. In some cases, they are putting exceedingly valuable machinery through their paces and, in several unfortunate circumstances, are even crashing them, which places their ‘originality’ in serious jeopardy. Bear in mind that classic cars are revered for the patination that they can display…replacements arising from severe damage may be injurious to their valuations.

Assembly of the first new Bentley Blower in more than nine decades has officially started in a bespoke Bentley Mulliner workshop. ‘Car Zero’ is the engineering prototype for the Blower Continuation Series, a run of 12 meticulously engineered, hand-crafted, supercharged 4½–litre Bentleys built to the unique design of the company’s own 1929 Team Car developed and raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin. The 12 cars together form the world’s first continuation series for a pre-war car and each has been pre-sold.

The earliest parts in the workshop are some of the most vital. First to arrive was the chassis for the car, the backbone of the entire project, to which almost everything will be attached. The fuel tank and radiator were next, as work was completed on the ash frame for the body. The first pair of headlights was delivered, while the mechanical aspects of the first car have started to come together, with the very first engine (complete with remade Amherst Villiers supercharger), the front axle assembly and the leaf springs.

As the 12 lucky and very wealthy customers choose the colour and trim specifications for their cars (from an original palette), the engineering team is working hard on assembling the running prototype in time for its unveiling ahead of a development programme taking place later this year. Following a piece-by-piece disassembly of the #2 Team Car owned by Bentley (probably the most valuable Bentley in the world) and an exceptionally precise laser scanning of the frame and its components, new parts were ordered from a combination of fully digital CAD data and the original 1920s engineering drawings and drafts.

Bentley Mulliner’s, Tim Hannig, comments: “After almost a year of highly detailed engineering work, it is extremely rewarding to see the first parts coming together to form the first Bentley Blower in over 90 years. The skill of our engineers and technicians in completing hundreds of individual part specifications is equalled only by that of the artisans across the country that have handmade the components that we are now starting to bolt together. As we go, we are refining designs and fixing problems, which is exactly what a prototype build is for. We are incredibly excited to get this first car finished and then show it to the world later this year.”

The chassis has been created in heavy-gauge steel, hand-formed and hot riveted by the specialists at 200-year old Israel Newton & Sons Ltd. The Vintage Car Radiator Company, based at Bicester Heritage, has crafted exact recreations of the mirror-polished, nickel-plated radiator shell and the hand-beaten fuel tank formed in steel and copper. These parts will feed the first Blower’s brand-new 4½-litre engine, designed originally by W.O Bentley himself and now recreated by Bentley Mulliner with the expert support of specialists including NDR Ltd. Featuring innovations such as aluminium pistons, an overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder and twin spark ignition, the renowned 4½-litre engine will meet a newly machined, exact recreation of an Amherst Villiers, Roots-type supercharger. When it runs on the testbed at the Bentley factory, in Crewe, the engine and supercharger should generate around 240bhp.

Leaf springs and shackles have been made to original specifications by Jones Springs Ltd, a specialist with nearly 75 years of experience and a history that started in a blacksmith’s forge. The Blower’s iconic headlamps have been re-established by Vintage Headlamp Restoration International Ltd, a father and son team based in Sheffield that is renowned for its silversmithing and ability to create vintage-design headlamps from original specifications. Meanwhile, in the Trim Shop at Crewe, a new ash frame created by Lomax Coachbuilders is going through the final stages of carpentry by Mulliner’s team of experts. While Bentley is being coy about the final price of each bespoke recreation, buyers are unlikely to receive much change from £2m. However, as official merchandise, each example will be worth its weight in gold!

4 ways you should be growing your business

As an entrepreneur, you would always endeavour to reach the pinnacle of success. Business growth is imperative for sustenance as well as progress. Multiple factors can impact your business growth but there are a few which are indispensable.

This article is focused on such factors that you cannot forgo if you want to grow your business. It covers 4 ways you should be growing your business. In the coming sections, we would showcase vital aspects that would act like pillars for your business success.

Here are the four important aspects of the business that would help you grow your business in the 21^st century.

Recruitment

Business is built on the commitment and dedication of the workforce. Whether you are looking for quantity surveyors for a construction project or hire a financial director to keep finances on track, every employee is equally important for the growth of a business.

Many companies lose valuable time and finances in recruitment. It happens because the employee turnover ratio is pretty high. If you get your recruitment done right in the first instance, then you can save a lot of time and money. One of the greatest strategies to follow while recruiting is to hire industry specialist recruitment agencies. For example, if you need someone with specialist skill and experience like a quantity surveyor then you can hire a  quantity surveyor recruitment agency who will have expert knowledge of the construction industry and be able to find the right candidate quickly.

Approaching recruitment this way can end up saving you time and money on a lengthy recruitment process and save you extra money not having to repeat the process due to the higher levels of candidate retention that specialist recruitment agencies have.

Social media

We live in the 21^st century that is ruled by technological advancements. If you wish to survive and grow in this generation, then you must use technology to your advantage. One of the best mediums that can help your business grow, is social media.

You must have a social media presence. Modern-day buyers get their first brand impression from social media these days. You will be astonished to see how beneficial this medium is when it comes to creating a strong brand image. Moreover, through brand awareness on social media, you can expect your business to grow exponentially.

If your business has a strong social media presence and better brand image, then you will find it very easy to recruit, since candidates will want to work for you.

Efficiency

Business efficiency results in better profitability. As an entrepreneur, you should plan to improvise on the competency of your business. You can save time by consolidating and improving everyday processes.

A good way to start is by training your staff to spend time on business and not only on the process. A Cloud-based system along with effective communication can prove to be very helpful in improving business efficiency.

Personal development

Many businesses get stuck and fail to grow forward because they do not invest in personal development. One of the most popular techniques used by businesses for personal development is hiring a business coach.

These experts can help you to focus on your business goals and re-organize your perspective. It is always good when you can think outside the box and business coaches can help you do that. Don’t feel like you will be stuck to travelling down to London to find the best business coach. Whether you need a business coach in Leeds or Birmingham, there are some fab coaches that work all over the country and it’s even worth looking into getting a remote coach that can work with you from the other side of the world.

Besides being encouraging, these business coaches also offer their adroit services to supervise the business-development to grow your business further.