Parts of Britain could soon become a Minority Report-style reality with Ocean Outdoor UK, one of the country’s largest digital advertising firms personalising outdoor digital billboards to those commuters passing by.
From next month, commuters at Birmingham’s largest train station, New Street, will become guinea pigs for state-of-the-art digital screens that will be shaped like eyes and beam adverts tailored specifically to those looking at them.
If New Street takes off, it could become the start of a move towards advertising seen in the blockbuster filmMinority Report, starringTom Cruise, which depicted a world in which billboards can identify people.
Such use of digital advertising has also been growing sufficiently in the far east and Germany. Earlier this year a local German brewerAstra Bierused facial recognition techniques to target female drinkers in Hamburg with video advertising.
“As predicted the Government having given a ridiculous short timescale for Norfolk and Suffolk to put in Devolution submissions, are now suggesting a joint submission. Although this in itself is not a surprise, a deadline for the end of this week is just plain short sighted.
Although the concept of devolution is positive, that funding should be in the hands of local decision makers, how can an innovative plan be created at such short notice? In addition one of Norfolk’s major stakeholders i.e. the business community, has not been not involved in this cross-border devolution deal bid.
At a dinner in Guildford last week, I was able to question Lord O’Neil of Gatley, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury, who is responsible for masterminding devolution with the Chancellor. Lord O’Neil’s vision was to create a Northern Powerhouse which linked up key cities in the North, within 40 miles of each other to assist in attracting investment to the area. He seemed surprised to have received so many different types of bids from across the UK, as this did not meet with his original concept.
He was clear that the bids needed to create ‘added value’ as money was very tight and would continue to get tighter.
What concerns me about this process is that there is already a lot of talk relating to structure such as “a super council” or a “combined administration” without time for a clear well thought out proposal to meet the Government’s requirements of being “ambitious enough.” Devolution will have a far reaching effect on the local economy and the Government should allow time for new bids to be planned effectively.
The Northern Powerhouse councils were given time to get it right, why is that being denied to us?”
A new initiative, the EuroMed Trade Helpdesk, has been launched by the European Commission and the International Trade Centre (ITC) aiming to provide businesses with essential information about markets, tariffs and import requirements.
The intention is to strengthen economic ties between the Union and its nine Mediterranean partners, as well as between Mediterranean countries themselves.
The online portal will provide exporters with information about potential markets, such as customs duties and product requirements. As well as covering the EU, its searchable database includes Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia and Turkey.
Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström explained that the portal will provide an online one-stop-shop for country and product-specific information on tariffs and duties, import and export procedures, and market requirements.
In addition, a network of national focal points in each participating Mediterranean country will respond to enquiries on intra-regional trade issues and ensure information is kept up to date.
“The EuroMed Helpdesk is good news for businesses and consumers around the Mediterranean,” the Commissioner said. “And by making it easier to trade it’ll help the region’s economy and integration.”
The new online tool is modelled on the EU Export Helpdesk and provides information in English, French, Arabic and Turkish. It differs from the main Helpdesk by also giving company-specific information.
Recession no longer stifles potential employees from aiming for the stars. It’s still too early to declare post-recession status, however, the economic climate in the UK is far better now than it was during the late 2000’s. According to BBC News, the British economy “has grown in every quarter since the start of 2013.”
So what does this mean for recruitment agencies? Well, the candidate market is no longer primarily focused on job security. In the late 2000’s, there was a surplus of candidates but, now that we are in “clear” economic waters, candidates are looking to prioritise salary, status and responsibility.
With the applicant pool churning out more and more specialised candidates, it’s more important now, than ever, for recruitment agencies to be pro-active. At HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment, we are very aware of how the fluctuating candidate market affects our client’s needs. Most recruitment agencies will look to fill a vacancy as soon as possible, however, speed is not always in the client’s best interests. At HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment, we specialise in headhunting, which means we will seek to find both active and passive contenders. Our experienced consultants will narrow down the search, presenting our clients with the very best candidates. Whether we are in an economic boom or bust HEAD|HUNTED will always prioritise our clients and their needs.
At HUNTED;
We use the latest tools, technology and expertise to narrow the candidate pool
Each organisation is designated an experienced headhunter who will gain an in-depth understanding of the client’s business and hiring requirements
Each potential employee will be fully registered and briefed by one of our experienced headhunters and only the very best will be shortlisted to our clients.
If you would like to ensure a proactive and thorough hiring process where your needs are fully understood, please contact HEAD|HUNTED Recruitment today – 01603 858024.
Paul Robinson Partnership (UK) LLP, leading Norfolk based Architectural and Surveying Practice, are strong supporters of the apprenticeship scheme and have seen first-hand the benefits which the scheme has had on the their business. The Practice have welcomed two new apprentices to their experienced team this past year and have been delighted to see them both flourish, exceed expectations in all respects and become valued assets to the team. Simon Nicholas, Partner at Paul Robinson Partnership, said that it is “important to invest in young people and provide opportunities for those wanting to gain experience in a particular industry”, and added that the “apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic way to harness new talent for any business”.
Kori Moore, one of the Practice’s apprentices, has recently completed his apprenticeship and the Practice were delighted to welcome him as a full time employee of Paul Robinson Partnership. The practice have been impressed with Kori’s progress and have enjoyed watching him develop and improve his employability, describing his technical design expertise as above and beyond what would be expected. When asked whether Kori had enjoyed his apprenticeship and what he saw the major benefits of the apprenticeship scheme being, Kori stated that his apprenticeship had “given him the opportunity to pursue his dream of a career in architecture in a supportive and creative environment”, he further added that “it has been great to learn on the job, gain experience in the work place and build up knowledge by learning from the more experienced members of the team”.
The Practice wishes to continue to develop home grown talent, providing opportunities for young people, with a passion for architecture.
Britain’s recovery is strengthening. You heard it here first – by which I mean, you heard it from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey first.
Although a significant number of our members do fill out the British QES survey it is far from the majority so I thought I emphasize the importance of this particular monitor on our economy.
The QES is Britain’s biggest, and longest-running, private business survey.
It’s provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses. Compare that to the average business survey, which garners a few hundred responses.
It’s a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates.
HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance.
The European Commission uses the QES to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.
The QES is a clear example of how being part of a local Chamber of Commerce means you’re part of something bigger. Together, we are the economy.
I feel it very important that Norfolk businesses influence natonal policy by feeding back through this mechanism so I would ask that next time it hits your in box you try to give us 3 minutes of your time to complete it.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses in the fields of:
Innovation
International Trade
Sustainable Development
Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility)
The UK is full of exciting and innovative businesses and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are a great way of celebrating their success. Whether a small business with a great innovative product or service, or a larger company running an impressive social mobility programme, these awards are a prestigious way to recognise your contribution to enterprise.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are open to applications from almost all businesses of all sizes throughout the UK in every sector. Almost all UK businesses (including non profit) can apply and the application process is free. All applications must be made online and you may apply for more than one category.
The application process for the 2018 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise closes at midday on Friday 1st September 2017. Please click here to apply.
Developing a range of channels that encourage, value and reward engagement will pay dividends for your business.
Sending customers to a location based QR code has many rewards. You have the power to alert them to their favourite range of products, gear your messaging to their particular preferences, or give them an immediate offer to whet their appetite!
Remember – your consumer is already highly distracted when they’re on their mobile. You are not the centre of their world, so any graphics you use need to have high impact to get their attention.
If you’re thinking of a QR code for your promotions, go one step further and opt for a custom, colour one. Why?
Many people are sceptical about scanning black and white codes as they come with no branding and there’s rarely any indication from the retailer of the destination, prior to scan.
A custom colour one brands you beautifully. You can change the destination when you choose, and so change your mind on how you use it.
You’ve a great advantage here over black and white as the colour is already associated with your brand and designing a QR code around your logo really cements the idea of your brand and QR code as one integral marketing message.
Your thoughtfulness won’t be lost on your prospective customer. They’ll be more inclined to scan as they know they’re going somewhere you recommend – and as they already trust you as a source of permission marketing, your custom colour QR will have greater results.
QR Codes will be out and about this summer during the GoGoGorillas trail. You’ll see black and white ones unlocking codes within the trail app and a few custom colour ones – destination sponsor’s web pages.
Which ones have the higher returns? That depends on their purpose and placement.
Look out for them and consider how you could use them in your marketing.
This season, we have some beautiful fabrics in store at Norwich Sunblinds. Favourite fabrics include canvas and linen textured finishes from the iLiv range, which make any room look warm and plush.
The Clarke and Clarke Richmond range of embroidered materials also look absolutely stunning up at the window and are particularly good for living rooms and dining rooms. The Voyage range even includes threads in silvers, golds and beads. Neutral colours are also popular at the moment.
These fabrics all make perfect curtains or roman blinds.
If you are looking for sun control or privacy take a look at the innovative Vision blinds.
These blinds are unique in that they have two layers of material. One is a mesh and one is a solid material. You can control the blind so that you still see out, but it’s also giving you privacy or you can have it completely blocked in. Add in the choice to pull the blind completely up or completely down and you have lots of options for sun control.
There is a lovely range of fabrics to choose from. These stylish fabrics gently filter and soften daylight, which means that you control the light while maintaining the view.
Blackout blinds are also popular at the moment, and are particularly good for children’s bedrooms.
The range of fabrics is fantastic – plains, patterns, textures, lovely children’s designs and we also have a wide range of adult designs such as chenilles and shot silks, for that luxurious boutique hotel effect.
You can even choose a motorised option for your blind.
If you’re interested in blinds or curtains, why not pop in to see us at our shop in St Benedicts Street, or we’ll bring the blinds and samples along to you so that you can match them to your room and make sure that you have the perfect fit.
Digital tech businesses are at the heart of the UK economy and are playing an important role in driving growth. Norwich has some amazing organisations doing great things and as part of the latest report, Norwich is on the map again as a top Tech City.
Although this is great news, Norwich and Norfolk still has a lot of work to do as a region.
Weaknesses for the region (from the report) include low sector awareness, weak digital infrastructure and limited access to finance.
Benefits include access to commercial property, local networks and talent education.
There may still be the perception of a lack of internet connectivity, slow connection links to the rest of the UK, etc, but we as businesses need to change this perception. Norwich has received great PR as a great place to work (recent Guardian article) but as businesses, it’s time to make it a great place to do business too.
Norfolk should be congratulated in meeting the Government’s very tight deadline and getting in a letter of intent relating to devolution co-signed by Norfolk council leaders, the chairman of the NALEP and university leaders.
There is no doubt that there is a long way to go and many questions to be answered but it was very important that Norfolk was able to show its intent and its vision to be part of the new, evolving UK structure.
It may be that Suffolk and Norfolk end up working on a joint submission further down the line but without Norfolk committing to this first stage that would not have been an option.
The key points in Norfolk’s letter of intent include to:
Improve productivity, drive growth and improve housing delivery This would including forming a productivity commission to look at improving productivity and draw up a 10-point rural productivity plan
Invest in transport and improve infrastructure To develop the development of an integrated, modern transport system including road and rail across county boundaries
Transform skills and employment Provide a Youth Pledge to give personal support to 14-24 year olds into post-16 learning, an apprenticeship, work experience or a job within 3 months of leaving education or employment
Transform the delivery of health and social care Work with partners to improve health and wellbeing in the county
Co-operation amongst key partners Strengthen the joint working of the private and public sector
Strengthen a coordinated business support offer Seeking the devolution of national business support schemes
As already covered in a previous article Norfolk Chamber will be working with our partners to ensure the following:
1. Devolution is about economic growth and prosperity 2. Norfolk businesses want participation, not just consultation 3. There need to be formal accountability and clear safeguards 4. Regulation of business must be consistent 5. Complexity needs to be reduced
Wolf Digital Marketing is a marketing agency based in Norwich. We specialise in online campaigns that will help to improve a combination of three things; traffic, leads/sales, and conversion rate. Whether we are working with an e-commerce business or a lead generation organisation, our philosophy remains the same.
All of our campaigns begin with a ‘think digital first’ mantra. How can we use the highly targeted and measurable tools that the world of digital marketing provides us? We want to share this way of thinking with our clients so that we can work closely together to establish successful digital marketing campaigns.
We create bespoke marketing campaigns for each and every one of our clients. Our broad range of sector experience allows us to share our knowledge and learnings gained from many years of industry experience. The tools that we use include Paid Digital Advertising (PPC), Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Builds, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), Digital Consultancy and Digital Marketing Training.
Wolf Digital Marketing regularly host training sessions with the Norfolk Chamber and are also Google Partners.