GUEST BLOG - "The day of the Online Brochure is well and truly over" Julia Doherty at Green Umbrella

"The day of the Online Brochure is well and truly over. No longer is it acceptable to have a basic website that just explains what you do and where you are…. that’s very boring and Google agree! Blogs are the new websites. In the words of Paul Chaney they are living, breathing sites, upscale chatrooms and constantly growing newsletters. In essence blogs create vital energy and can help your business to develop and grow.

So, I thought I would put together a list of key tips and tricks to enhance your own blog, so that Google will love it!

1. A business blog should be within your website.

If you are serious about your business, then you need to incorporate your blog within your website rather than on a separate platform. Don’t get me wrong, if you want to have a personal blog to reflect your thoughts and opinions, then feel free to go with blogger or wordpress.com site.

2. WordPress.com V WordPress.org.

Let me explain the difference between these two sites. The main difference is the domain names. ie: if you want a freebie site then go with a wordpress.com site. Your blog address will then look something like this www.joeblogs.wordpress.com, however if you spend a little bit extra then you can download the software for WordPress.org and create a completely unique URL. (like the Green Umbrella site – which is a wordpress.org site).

3. Be consistent in your postings

Tempting as it may be, but please try and be constant in your content. Ie: just because you are interested in Wimbledon, do not write a blog about it on your business site. Think about your target market and why have they subscribed to your site?

4. Mix the style of content

What do I mean by style? People learn in different ways. Therefore on a regular basis I often embed a visual “how to video” into the Green Umbrella Blog, and weekly I will also embed an audioboo (audio podcast) with written show notes. Having a guest blogger on your site will also add variety and a different dimension to your site.

5. No sales pitch allowed.

Ok, this is not completely true as I always recommend a call to action at the end of every blog – but please do not post regular sales pitches into your blog. This is what email marketing is for… not a blog!

6. Remember keywords and backlinks.

A backlink (otherwise known as link-bait or hyperlinks) are an excellent way to help with that all important Google juice. To turn a word into a hyperlink, simply highlight the word then click the cntrl K buttons – then post the URL. It’s highly effective.

7. Maximum of 500 words (in my opinion)

A good blog article should be from 300 - 500 words (give or take). It is quite acceptable to write very short articles (such as two paragraphs). I subscribe to Seth Godins blog (author of The Purple Cow and many others!) and his are often very short.

8. Quality is better than Quantity.

If you are looking for a quality blog then subscribe to Sunil Bali’s blog (click here). I enjoy the humour in his blogs and I look forward to receiving it every Sunday morning (the blog that it is!!!!).

9. Lists, lists and more lists.

List articles like this one, are very popular and easy to read as you can skim through the headers. List and tips are a great way to blog!

10. Import your blog into LinkedIn and Facebook.

If you are going to the trouble of writing a blog article on a regular basis, then you are wasting a valuable opportunity if you have not linked your profile to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn! LinkedIn has some great apps – so use them!

11. The title of your blog is important

The title of your blog is the most important part of the article. Make sure that you are using excellent keywords and that you are maximising any Google opportunities.

12. Tip for Article Directories.

If you are uploading your article to any directories (and of course the 4N website as its FREE for members) – what?? you are not putting your articles anywhere else???? Oh no! Well, if you have taken the time to write a fabulous article, then make sure that you also upload to these places to maximise your opportunities for exposure. ezine, go articles,articlebase, 4networking.
Big tip is to make sure that your article is indexed on your own site by Google before you upload anywhere else.

13. Regurgitating other peoples content is a big NO NO

Please do not take credit for others efforts. If you feel the need to share another persons work on your own website then please backlink the original article and give credit to the person who wrote it. The best articles are the unique and original ones that offer some authenticity.

14. Always add a visual

As people like to see something visual, then always try and add a photo (original) or a picture of some kind to draw in the crowd.

For more specialist social media help and assistance you can contact Julia via an array of different marketing channels - namely twitter, facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, Google Plus, Wordpress etc. Or if you are feeling a little nostalgic, then there is nothing wrong with just calling her on 01604 726758 or 07855 522027 or emailing  julia.doherty@green-umbrella.biz.

Have you heard about our new benefits?

At TEAM, we recognise that employers often spend significant amounts on their staff, but rarely is the true value fully appreciated. In light of this, we have designed a new benefits scheme for both you and your employees, with the aim of enhancing morale and loyalty within your organisation.

In collaboration with TEAM Service Provider EAS, we've spent the last few months producing an exclusive benefits plan for TEAM Member employees and agency workers. The final products are branded under The Employee Benefits Bureau, and our Members will have access to special discounted rates. This is something that we've wanted to do for a long time, and we’re thrilled that we’re now able to offer you even more privileges as part of TEAM.

So what does our Benefits Club mean for you? Well, it provides access to special and exclusive benefits for you, your employees and your agency workers, all for only £40 per month (plus VAT). It offers financial non-salary advantages, gives you access to the best financial advice, and allows you to secure valuable savings on a wide range of products and services.  

Here are just some of the things on offer:

• A free annual benefits audit review to ensure that you continue to get the best possible value for money from your budget
• Access to special facilities and terms so you can gain from goods and services on a cost effective basis
• Access to a full range of compliance services including Jargon Free Benefits (JFB) so that you can be fully compliant with all the new regulations and be up and running in time for your staging date
• A full flexible benefits package via Jargon Free Benefits (JFB) at a fraction of the traditional costs
• Access to the full marketplace of leading product providers via our sister company Executive Advisory Services (EAS), including all of the traditional household names such as Aviva, Axa, Prudential, Scottish Life, as well as some specialist players
• Completely independent advice as EAS is an Independent Financial Advisor
• Discounted implementation rates on a wide range of products and services, such as; 
• Death in service benefits, which is designed to pay out a multiple of salary to the surviving spouse/partner/dependents in the event of death
• Income protection cover/permanent health insurance, which provides an income in the event of long term illness or disability so that you can keep paying your employee until they return to work or reach retirement age
• Critical illness cover which pays out on diagnosis of a wide range of critical illnesses, such as heart attacks, strokes, and cancer
• Pensions
• Keyman insurance and shareholder protection, which provides a lump sum to cushion your business from the full impact of losing someone valuable. Shareholder protection also helps to facilitate the purchase of shares from a deceased shareholder or partners estate/surviving spouse/dependents
• Private medical insurance.

In addition, significant savings can be made on a whole range of online and high street goods including your weekly shop. You can also have personal accident cover, healthcare cash-backs with family options available, individual private medical insurance with AXA, and discounts on financial products and services.
You can find out more information online, where you can also find an application form. You've already joined TEAM, so why not join the Benefits Club and really take advantage of everything that we have to offer. 

TEAM - The Employment Agents Movement UK Limited

Registered in England No. 03949265 Registered Office 3 Hillbrow House, Linden Drive, Liss, Hampshire GU33 7RJ

Guest Blog: Is the recession really over?

October is the month we heard that the UK is officially now coming out of recession but what does this really mean for supply chain and logistics?
Recent surveys show differences between various sectors.

• Retail employment is growing at its fastest rate in two years but all growth in jobs and shop numbers is coming from the food sector.
• Online grocery is currently just 3% of the overall grocery market but is the fastest-growing sector, estimated to double in value to £11 bn by 2017, in spite of a large number of on line customers regularly experiencing late deliveries and not being informed if the delivery is running late.
• In non food retailing the number of outlets and full-time jobs fell.
• Retail chains shut 30 shops a day in July and August and Argos has announced the closure of 75 stores, with Optical Express closing 40 stores and Comet filing for administration. 
• And yet John Lewis goes from strength to strength, Screwfix has opened its 250th store and Marks & Spencer are seeking to fill 100 graduate roles in logistics.
• In the auto industry, Land Rover and Toyota are performing well but other companies are having problems. Japanese carmakers Nissan and Toyota are cutting production of vehicles in China because of lack of demand and Ford are cutting back on inventory and costs, announcing 1400 redundancies at Dagenham and Southampton, with the closure of the Transit assembly line.

We have seen the collapse of companies such Waverly TBS but there does seem to be a mood of optimism in 3PL, warehousing and distribution. Jack Richards and Potter Group report increased profit. Royal Mail is  to create 1,000 jobs in its parcels business and Marks and Spencer is recruiting 1,000 staff for its new 900,000 sq ft distribution centre at Castle Donington.

Looking across the Job Boards and the increasing number of jobs in supply chain and logistics industry, there is clear evidence that overall the sector is looking forward with confidence to the future.

Terry Abra

JLC Solutions
www.jlc-solutions.co.uk

Self-employed doesn't have to mean you’re on your own

Recent reports that we’re out of recession show that there’s light at the end of the tunnel for many businesses that have been struggling in a difficult market. There has also been a fall in unemployment, which is further good news for the UK’s economy. Interestingly though, it seems that the rise in the number of employed individuals has much to do with them taking control and setting up alone rather than waiting for a full-time permanent job to come up.

This has been helped by the New Enterprise Allowance scheme, whereby 33,000 extra job-seekers are given expert coaching and financial support to set up their own business. Individuals have instant access to support when they claim Jobseekers Allowance, rather than having to spend six months on benefits before they qualify for start up money. Also, job-seekers interested in setting up their own business are teamed up with a mentor, giving them invaluable guidance in drawing up a business plan.

It’s clear that this scheme will be of huge benefit to many budding entrepreneurs, as setting up your own business can be a fantastic alternative to traditional employment. But it can also be extremely daunting, so the support element provided by the Government is invaluable.

And this is something that we really recognise at TEAM – advice and guidance from others is fundamental for your business. Many of our recruiters are boutique and specialist, often with only a few employees. Therefore, it can be extremely difficult when it comes to keeping up with changes in legislation, for example.

We know that the support element of TEAM is actually one of the main reasons for becoming a member. In fact, we recently spoke to an independent recruiter who had come back into the industry after a long break. She told us that all of the new changes were extremely overwhelming, creating extra stress and anxiety. Since joining TEAM in September though, she doesn't feel on her own anymore, and has found allies in our other members that are going through exactly the same experiences.

Our meetings allow recruiters to discuss problems and offer advice amongst each other, because sometimes you just want to talk to people going through the same things as you. We also host presentations from experts on complex topics such as Umbrella companies, which always create brilliant discussions that everyone can benefit from.

So, if you’re just starting out on your own in recruitment, don’t struggle in silence. Even though you’re self-employed, it doesn't mean you have to go it alone, and the right support will put you in a much greater position.

Liz Longman
www.jobsatteam.com

TEAM - The Employment Agents Movement UK Limited

Registered in England No. 03949265 Registered Office 3 Hillbrow House, Linden Drive, Liss, Hampshire GU33 7RJ

Guest Blog from Hewett Recruitment: Warning regarding some recruitment agencies using travel and subsistence schemes for low paid workers.

A recent investigation on Radio 5 live exposed some employment businesses using Travel and Subsistence schemes as a tax loop hole.

Travel and subsistence payments can be made perfectly legitimately were the worker is genuinely incurring costs for travelling to different temporary places of work and receipts are produced as evidence. The problem lies where the scheme is not used for the purposes it was originally intended.  The main concerns are where low paid temporary workers are encouraged to join a scheme that is not relevant to them and doesn’t benefit them in any way, in fact they could be faced with a huge tax bill at the end of the day.  According to the report, these agencies are playing roulette with temps taxes to either increase their own margins or drive down costs to compete for business.  Payment is made through an umbrella or payroll company which in some cases is also owned by the employment business.  Low paid workers who live round the corner from their workplace and take sandwiches to work should not be included in this kind of scheme and are unlikely to be able to produce the relevant receipts required by the HMRC.

Most employers are trying to drive down costs and some of these deals may seem too good to be true, but on closer investigation they could be potentially dangerous both from an HMRC point of view,  if they consider the agency worker has been misled and damaging to an employer’s desire to be seen as an ‘employer of choice’.

Kevin Green from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation -the recruitment industry’s  governing body - was also interviewed on the 5 live programme and explained that they are in contact with the HMRC and have told them that they are very unhappy with the way schemes are being operated and pointed out that it is up to the HMRC to resolve and enforce this issue.

The Low Income Tax Reform Group also commented in a recent article, "We have little doubt that schemes which misrepresent the nature of the employment, or exaggerate the travel expenses incurred, exploit workers by putting them at serious risk of investigative action not only by HMRC but also the DWP."

For further information contact Louise Hewett – louise@hewett-recruitment.co.uk

Louise Hewett

www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

Guest Blog: J1 CONSULTING & EX MILITARY HIRES What we can do for other TEAM members

J1 Consulting is relatively new to TEAM, and our membership is proving very productive.  However, it has become apparent that there is a lot of misunderstanding amongst other members about ex-military, and thus how we can help fill your roles.  That’s certainly no criticism in a country where an estimated 70% have never met a member of the Armed Forces, and the purpose of this short article is to dispel such misunderstanding.

What springs to mind when you think of the Armed Forces? 

Probably that sweating, overloaded Infantryman in Afghanistan.  But......

• How did he get there?   Someone organises the rotation of everybody within the 9500 strong force at their 6 month point, arranges transportation and ensures the availability of trained replacements.
• How is he fed and watered?  He (also of course in many roles she – though not the Infantry) must have fuel, food, ammunition and water to survive.  That’s a critical Supply Chain commitment, with local Procurement / Purchasing of some needs. 
• What about Vehicles, Weapons & Aircraft?  They lead a tough life – spares must be held, issued and accounted for, whilst Preventive & Repair Maintenance is ongoing. 
• Who tells him what to do?  Planners and Project Managers assist senior Officers in devising operational plans and ensuring these are resourced, with direction flowing down through a hierarchy of highly trained Team Leaders.
• How does he Communicate?  Via state of the art IT / Telecoms Systems that need to function 24 / 7. 
• Where is he based?  Possibly at Camp Bastion, which can accommodate up to 28000 people and handles 600 flights a week.  All the necessary infrastructure was constructed by the military, including roads, bridges, runways and water facilities.
• How is he looked after?  The necessary HR, Pay and Administrative functions are conducted in country – plus there are first class medical facilities should he be injured.
• The overlap of many of these specific skills with parallel civilian roles is obvious.
• At J1 Consulting, whilst we can source Operatives we tend to focus on Executives, Managers and Supervisors.  There’s a good reason: from Learn Direct’s ‘Work Ready’ report of May 2012, explaining £270m of wasted UK recruitment costs. ‘Advertisements are often too job specific, focusing too much on qualifications and experience rather than transferable skills such as time management, people skills and problem solving’ 

These are exactly the attributes that experienced, professionally vetted ex military offer – and it takes TIME to evolve them: much longer than to acquire sufficient experience to begin functioning effectively in a new sector.  We can also access candidates who have established successful commercial careers since leaving the military.

The Armed Forces are a much misunderstood (and thus under-utilised) Talent Pool – and real Talent is scarce.  At J1 we have both the military and the business experience to help Clients (and TEAM members) find a genuine Candidate fit from amongst what is also a very deserving community.  We operate on a purely Contingent basis.

Let us try and help you with your next problematic role – you might be very surprised!   Russ Tudge has specific responsibility within J1 for liaising with TEAM members, so do get in contact if you feel he can help or advise.  Russ is on 07412 542019 or r.tudge@j1consulting.co.uk.  

Nick Everard is Managing Director of J1 Consulting Ltd.  He is a former Army Lieutenant Colonel, Managing Director within the FTSE 100 Capita Group and member of the Board which sold the well known Adventure Travel business ‘World Challenge’ to the TUI Group in 2008.

n.everard@j1consulting.co.uk