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How digital connectivity is changing the way we think about money

 

From retail to entertainment and even healthcare, virtually every part of our lives has experienced a shift to digital – but perhaps none more so than banking and finance.

Society’s demand for greater transparency, the decline of cash-based transactions and the growing incompatibility of branch-based servicing with modern life have opened the market for many new players and triggered a surge in innovation from leading high street banks.   

The progress made by the industry means that customers are now able to manage practically every aspect of their financial lives using a computer or smart device. In the past year, this increased accessibility has become an essential service, allowing people to manage their money during lockdown.

And it has proven to be popular amongst consumers, with the UK ranking amongst the highest nation’s for online banking adoption in Europe with 80% of British adults using these services.

The possibilities afforded by online banking has even sparked a wave of new players known as challenger banks, with many turning away from branch-based banking to those operating solely online or through an app.

This has triggered some welcome disruption in the space, putting pressure on traditional banks to improve their mobile banking services and digital offering. As a result, customers can now access a much wider range of services, including ‘polymorphic’ debit cards, which protect consumers with new layers of data security.

Supporting the continued growth of the financial sector and giving consumers choice is just one of the reasons why CityFibre is investing up to £4 billion in rolling out the best network technology available – full fibre – to up to 8 million homes across towns and cities like Norwich.

Investment in digital infrastructure ensures that more citizens can benefit from a range of online banking services as they become increasingly available and transformative.

Online banking has paved the way for many other positive developments in personal finance. One of the more recent has been the legislative changes around open banking, and the new services this has resulted in for consumers.

In simple terms, open banking provides a more secure and convenient way for you to share financial information with chosen organisations. It represents a significant change for a sector like banking, and for consumers it could widen access to products like credit and financial advice.

But for banks and financial institutions, ultra-low latency, secure data transfer, and the ability to guarantee connections are critical. At CityFibre, the clever design of our networks means that if there’s a break in one connection, it can instantly be rerouted via another. We’re also constantly monitoring our networks, so problems are detected and fixed rapidly.

Ultimately, the future of banking and finance is digital, and as innovation and adoption gathers even greater pace, the digital infrastructure underpinning the sector is too important to fail. By futureproofing our towns and cities with full fibre foundations, CityFibre is helping to bridge the gap between the haves and have nots, while ensuring there’s network capacity to support our growing data consumption, and the needs of savvy spenders and savers in Norwich.

To find out more or register an interest in the service go to cityfibre.com/east

ENDS

How The Pandemic Could Affect Your Personal Finances in The Future

The Coronavirus outbreak affected almost every aspect of modern life. Whilst it has been necessary for many people to re-evaluate the way they live, many businesses have also had to re-evaluate how they operate. Meanwhile, Covid continues to take its toll on the economy, with effects expected to last for several years. The pandemic has plunged society into a recession and led to mass unemployment; although it is a little unclear what this will mean on an individual level, there is speculation.

Below are the economic changes already witnessed and how they may continue in the future.

The Facts

Unemployment levels are higher than they were pre-pandemic; there are some signs of recovery, but it will likely be a slow process as some businesses may not survive, and many others won’t be financially solvent enough to hire new staff. Those In employment are working more hours as the restrictions relax, and more people spend money; however, the economic inactivity rate is still higher than it was pre-pandemic. Every worker who wasn’t in consistent employment throughout the pandemic saw their earnings fall, but those who retained their employment saw little change.  Conversely, most households saw a marked reduction in spending, meaning a few lucky people whose earnings weren’t affected may have seen more money enter their savings. 

Risk vs Reward – Financial Behaviours

This is particularly pertinent to investors as the panic set in and led to worrying volatility within the market. With two major financial events in recent years, first the double-dip recession in 2008 and then Covid, which led to the economy shrinking at the fastest rate in almost three hundred years. More and more people are becoming conservative with their money; no one wants to be associated with many risks. Cash holds more value now for people than assets do.

This realisation has led to more people making saving a priority. Whilst most people have some sort of emergency fund, the financial crisis brought on by covid has made many people rethink the amount that they have saved, with most aiming for even bigger nest eggs to see them through. Unnecessary spending has taken a downturn as the anxiety around spending money increases. Many people have reported an improved financial discipline which may be beneficial on an individual level but may not help boost the economy as spending slows. However, as things begin to open up, more spending may return to pre-pandemic levels, which could help the economy recover but may leave more people without the extra cash that they have enjoyed.

Working

Like most other aspects of daily life, the way people work has changed too. First and foremost, the rise of the home workers. It has become abundantly clear that people can be just as productive working from home as they can in an office setting. In addition, it is cheaper both for the workers and the employers when the staff works from home. There doesn’t seem to be many plans for workers to return to the office full time as of yet, and there probably won’t be for quite some time.

However, as more of the workforce enjoys the benefits of remote working, they are reconsidering their locations. Previously it has been necessary for people to live a reasonable commute away from their places of employment, but this is no longer the case. For those working in major cities, the rent alone can be astronomical without the additional bills on top. So, whilst a mass exodus from the cities isn’t totally expected, more people are choosing to move a little further out to save money.

Furlough has also had an enormous impact on workers. When it comes to an end later this year, it will have been in place for almost eighteen months. Now not everyone on furlough will have been on it for the entire time. Some businesses which have relied on the scheme to survive may look at cost-saving measures when it ends and reduce their staffing. Initially, the scheme was praised as a way to keep people employed and avoid redundancies and employment-related litigations. However, some would argue that it is simply putting off the inevitable and that people will still lose their jobs but simply after the scheme finishes.

Some businesses haven’t survived the pandemic, but the risk to businesses isn’t over yet. As the risk to livelihoods is so big, more and more people are looking for ways to protect themselves and their finances from the unknown. The options are somewhat limited, but they are there. This leads to the question, does income protection insurance matter? Income protection is the one insurance policy that can help maintain your standard of living and pay for all your other expenses should your earnings cease. It is designed to replace a portion of your monthly income if you can’t work, whether because of an accident, long-term sickness or unemployment. Drewberry Insurance offers policies to suit all, and they boast an average of 4.9/5 stars from their clients.

Habits to Adopt

There are a few things that you can do to try and protect your finances from the long-lasting effects of the pandemic. As mentioned above, things like an emergency fund or taking out income protection insurance can be invaluable. There are more basic things that can be useful too. Firstly, try to make decisions calmly; panic is never helpful. During the initial wave and in times of hardship in general, many people’s first impulse was panic. This rarely translates to an effective financial strategy. Always evaluate before making any significant money moves.

Budgeting is always a worthwhile endeavour but maybe even more so now. As the effects of the pandemic are unpredictable and no one is really sure how long those effects will be felt, implementing a budget can help your funds stretch further. Reducing costs and streamlining, in general, can lead to extra cash, which you can then contribute to your emergency fund, helping it grow more quickly.

Finally, think long and hard before taking out any financial assistance. Debts can be highly detrimental to your financial health for many years. Dip into your emergency fund first – that is what you have it for. Some people think that using their emergency fund is the ultimate last resort, and in a way, it should be. You shouldn’t be dipping into it without thinking, but if you are short, feel free to. If you think that you will need more financial help than you are prepared for, taking out a loan isn’t the end of the world, but you should do your research first. Some loans have incredibly high interest rates that can spiral out of control and take far too long to pay back.

In Conclusion

Although many people remain optimistic about the potential of a robust economic recovery, no one can be certain how long it will take. Individually, the impact of the pandemic on people’s finances varies. There are those carrying the burden of a mismanaged response to the virus, but others continued to work throughout and saw an improvement in their financial state instead. However, almost everyone will agree that this pandemic had far-reaching effects beyond their anticipation; planning is critical to prepare your finances to survive an event like this.

Our Month-Long Challenge For Charity

Our Month-Long Challenge For Charity

Our very own John Bradley – Automotive Business Development Manager is the co-organiser of the Lap of Anglia. The event started in 2013 and to date has raised over £133,000 for the life saving charity. 

This year, Chatsbrook are proud to announce that not only are we the official car sponsor for Lap of Anglia and providing our Chatsbrook Mini and Defender to support the Lappers and their 435 mile journey around the border of the Air Ambulances territory, but we will also be matching the Lappers by pledging to walk 435 miles in the month of July. The 435 miles will be collectively completed by #TeamChatsbrook in a bid to inspire more donations to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Check in with us on our JustGiving page and on our social pages @chatsbrook from the 1st- 31st July as we provide updates on the progress of our miles!

East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is a 365-day-a-year helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk. They exist to save lives by delivering highly skilled doctors and critical care paramedics by air to seriously ill or injured people in the region. The EAAA do not receive regular direct government funding and the £13 million needed to raise this year comes directly from charitable donations. They are only kept airborne thanks to supporters. If you can, please donate to this amazing cause and spread awareness of this fundraiser by sharing our posts on social media.

 

Thank you,

Team Chatsbrook

What is pension tax relief?

What is pension tax relief?

Pension tax relief can seem like an alien concept, but it pays to understand what it is and how you can make the most of it, up to certain limits.

Pension tax relief is one of the major benefits of saving into a pension. Each time you contribute to your pension, the government does too. This form of ‘top-up’ comes by the way of tax relief. Everyone, whether you are working or not, is entitled to basic rate tax relief at a rate of 20% from the government when you make contributions to your pension.

What are the benefits?

One of the many benefits in saving into a pension is the government boosts your contributions through tax relief. The amount of tax relief is calculated at your highest marginal rate of income tax. The tax relief you can receive, depends on your income tax rate.

For a basic rate taxpayer this means you will receive an extra 20% on your eligible contributions.

If you are a higher rate taxpayer its 40%, and 45%, if you are an additional rate taxpayer.

How does this all work then?

How it works is that 20% is added ‘at source’, which means it is done automatically for you when you pay into your pension. If you are a higher, or additional rate taxpayer, then you will still receive 20% at source, but you will be able to reclaim the additional tax relief back through your tax return.

If you are a basic rate taxpayer and wanted to make a gross contribution of £100.00 (for example), then the net cost to you would be £80.00 – receiving £20.00 tax relief at source. For higher rate taxpayers, you still pay £80.00, receiving £20.00 tax relief at source, and then claim the further £20.00 through your tax return, so that the net cost is effectively £60.00.

When will I receive my tax relief?

You will automatically get the 20% basic rate tax relief if:  

  1. You are part of a workplace pension where your pension contributions are deducted from your pay before income tax – this means that you receive the tax relief, there and then. This is known as a ‘net pay’ arrangement.
  1. Your pension provider claims the 20% tax relief on your behalf and adds this to your pension pot – this is known as the ‘relief-at-source’ arrangement. All personal pensions, and some workplace pensions, adopt the relief-at-source method.

Please note tax-relief is not available beyond the age of 75.

How do I claim additional pension tax relief?

If you are a higher rate, or additional rate taxpayer, then you will be able to reclaim your further tax relief on your pension contributions through your annual tax return.

Tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.

What is pension tax relief?

Pension tax relief can seem like an alien concept, but it pays to understand what it is and how you can make the most of it, up to certain limits.

Pension tax relief is one of the major benefits of saving into a pension. Each time you contribute to your pension, the government does too. This form of ‘top-up’ comes by the way of tax relief. Everyone, whether you are working or not, is entitled to basic rate tax relief at a rate of 20% from the government when you make contributions to your pension.

What are the benefits?

One of the many benefits in saving into a pension is the government boosts your contributions through tax relief. The amount of tax relief is calculated at your highest marginal rate of income tax. The tax relief you can receive, depends on your income tax rate.

For a basic rate taxpayer this means you will receive an extra 20% on your eligible contributions.

If you are a higher rate taxpayer its 40%, and 45%, if you are an additional rate taxpayer.

How does this all work then?

How it works is that 20% is added ‘at source’, which means it is done automatically for you when you pay into your pension. If you are a higher, or additional rate taxpayer, then you will still receive 20% at source, but you will be able to reclaim the additional tax relief back through your tax return.

If you are a basic rate taxpayer and wanted to make a gross contribution of £100.00 (for example), then the net cost to you would be £80.00 – receiving £20.00 tax relief at source. For higher rate taxpayers, you still pay £80.00, receiving £20.00 tax relief at source, and then claim the further £20.00 through your tax return, so that the net cost is effectively £60.00.

When will I receive my tax relief?

You will automatically get the 20% basic rate tax relief if:  

  1. You are part of a workplace pension where your pension contributions are deducted from your pay before income tax – this means that you receive the tax relief, there and then. This is known as a ‘net pay’ arrangement.
  1. Your pension provider claims the 20% tax relief on your behalf and adds this to your pension pot – this is known as the ‘relief-at-source’ arrangement. All personal pensions, and some workplace pensions, adopt the relief-at-source method.

Please note tax-relief is not available beyond the age of 75.

How do I claim additional pension tax relief?

If you are a higher rate, or additional rate taxpayer, then you will be able to reclaim your further tax relief on your pension contributions through your annual tax return.

Tax relief is dependent on individual circumstances.

The Importance of Working Together As a Team, It’s Not Always About Having The Best Players

The Importance of Working Together As a Team

Modern business moves at a lightning pace, thanks to constant improvements in technology and best practices. However, despite these breakneck commercial advancements, one area of business that has not changed over decades, and can have a huge impact on productivity, mental health and ultimately profits, is how your team works and communicates together on a daily basis.

Never more so than during a global pandemic. Whilst there has been extensive homeworking, which has had advantages and disadvantages, people still want and need people and face to face communication.

The benefit of in person communication is that building of informal rapport, getting to know each other not only on a personal basis but working styles. Even with the wonderful advances with Zoom and Teams it is still easy to miss some nuances or subtleties that can lead to misunderstandings.

I think many people can probably think of instances over the last year or so when things might have been polarised, or not dealt with due to lack of personal contact.

In the same way one bad apple can spoil the barrel, if you have one department or team that isn’t running as smoothly, constantly have a breakdown in communications or understanding, it can have a detrimental effect to the overall business.

Companies who have teams that understand and embrace working together as a cohesive and engaged collective are often a lot happier in their work life. It’s acknowledged that there is a fundamental connection between how people feel in a work environment and how successful a business is.

In short happy teams = better performance.

However, poor teamwork and a lack of communication is not a terminal problem, it can be easily resolved with some constructive and engaging bonding team experiences. It is widely accepted that if colleagues engage in a team building /bonding experiences together outside of the office, personal and professional benefits will greatly outweigh the negatives.

Look at any championship winning sports team, it is not always about having the best players, often it is about have a group of people who work for and with each other to achieve the result. Think of England’s football team in Euro 2021, they did have a few superstars, but more than that, what they had was a determination to work hard as a unit and develop an understanding of everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and fill in any gaps as a collective.  It was that mentality and approach that got them to the final. They may not have won but what at team.

Team building experiences enable those members of a team who may not interact with each other on a daily basis the chance to spend time building up a working relationship, that can be transplanted back into the working environment. Large events (over 500 people) where multiple departments or social groups are mixed together, helps to give everyone a chance to work with and develop a togetherness that may not come naturally during the working day for logistical reasons.

Of course that said, there are some industries such as healthcare, retail and manufacturing where taking an entire team out of the workspace for a day event is not practical or feasible. This doesn’t mean that they can’t increase their togetherness and productivity as a team. By taking the time to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the colleagues around them and build up a better picture of how working together as one can make the daily work balance run much smoother, those companies will find that productivity and workplace organisation will naturally increase.

Modern businesses cannot afford to ignore the benefits of having a team that works together, and works together well. Having colleagues who build and maintain mutually beneficial working relationships,  can only serve to increase the effectiveness of the business, which in turn will increase productivity and ultimately profits.

Let Huxley Events help you www.huxleyevents.com 01953 308386 – we look forward to hearing from you.

Charities could be missing out on thousands of pounds in pandemic-related insurance payouts, says leading charity finance expert

Charities should be checking their insurance policies after it emerged that some organisations could be missing out on business interruption cover payments totalling tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds as a result of the lockdown, according to a leading charity finance specialist.

Stef Smith, charities manager at chartered accountants Lovewell Blake, says that many charities risk missing out on insurance pay-outs because they don’t realise that business interruption cover may apply to some of their activities.

The issue is particularly relevant where charity shops were forced to close through the Covid lockdown, or where other activity based income – such as hiring out facilities to other organisations – was not possible because of coronavirus restrictions.

“I am aware of business interruption insurance payments ranging from £5,000 to £300,000 made to charities operating in our region,” said Mrs Smith.

“It’s unlikely that many charities would be eligible for amounts at the top end of this scale, but for organisations which have seen their trading income hit by the pandemic, claiming on insurance policies which they have been paying premiums for could make a big difference at a time when traditional fundraising has been very difficult.”

“Following the changes surrounding business interruption claims, I would urge every charity to check their insurance policies to see whether they include business interruption cover, and if so, to speak to their broker or insurance to identify if a claim is possible..”

Such cover will not provide protection against the decline in traditional fundraising activity, but it could pay out when other activities (such as charity shops) have been interrupted by lockdown, or rental income has been lost due to the pandemic.

“Each policy is different, and it will be a case of checking what is an isn’t covered,” said Mrs Smith.

Mrs Smith also urged charities not to take no for an answer if they believe they should be covered, and to pursue through their broker if appropriate.  This follows examples of insurance companies attempting to claim that business interruption insurance does not cover a global pandemic – a claim which was rejected by the Supreme Court in a test case heard in January.

“Charities’ incomes have been hard-hit by the pandemic, just as demand for their services has in many cases peaked,” said Mrs Smith.  “If they have been paying insurance premiums over the years, it is important that they ensure that they make a claim if they are entitled to do so – their beneficiaries are the ones who will ultimately lose out if they don’t.” 

The Charities Commission reports that there are 3,536 charities registered as working in Norfolk, and 3,188 in Suffolk.

Asset Based Lending for Your Business.

Asset Based Lending for Your Business.

Our work ethic means that we put clients at the heart of everything we do. We work methodically to listen and understand your priorities. We have the financial expertise and product range you need to take your business to the next level.

Take a look at just a few of the vehicles and assets we have financed … 

Land Rover Defender  –  QUICK SERVICE: With the support of Chatsbrook one private client was able to purchase the 2015 Land Rover Defender. From the offset, we were able to tailor a Hire Purchase (HP) agreement with a balloon to keep his monthly payments at a lower, fixed price. Chatsbrook understands that time is precious, using our services means that you will not have to search for finance independently- we take out the hard work for you and make it simpler! For this client, the process from signing paperwork to pay-out took only two days-leaving the client plenty of time to enjoy his new vehicle

Class Combine Harvester –  INDEPENDENT: During lockdown, we have been able to support a local, family-run business to upgrade their fleet and purchase a Claas Combine Harvester Lexion 420. Being an independent broker means that we are not tied to any one lender. Due to this, we were able to approach multiple lending institutions and source the most competitive finance arrangement to suit their circumstances. As an open, honest, transparent and fair intermediary, we make a commitment to our clients to locate the most appropriate finance so that they can continue conserving cashflow whilst focusing on what matters most. 

Kramer KT357 Telehandler – DIVERSE RANGE OF PRODUCTS: With facilities such as Seasonal Payment Plans, Refinance and Hire Purchase, our specialists are able to accommodate the changing needs of agricultural businesses using our alternative methods of finance. One local chicken farmer approached Chatsbrook requiring a versatile telehandler for material handling purposes. Using our expertise, we were able to advise as to the best course of action to suit their budget and business, enabling the client to invest in an integral piece of equipment! 

Kubota KX80 Excavator -SAVE ON UPFRONT COSTS: Reduce the upfront cost associated with expanding your business fleet! The labour-saving strength and efficiency of excavators such this Kubota KX80, has helped TWO local construction firms to keep productive and remain buoyant. Instead of purchasing outright, they chose to conserve cashflow by spreading costs into low, monthly payments- ensuring the financial wellbeing of both their companies!

Massey Ferguson 6480 -CUSTOMER FOCUSED: Our reputation is built on our personal approach and long-lasting relationship with customers which is why Chatsbrook is the funder of choice. A repeat client approached us wishing to purchase the popular Massey Ferguson’ 6480. As we have perfected a service based on a solid foundation of trust & transparency, we were able to provide clear and unbiased asset funding solutions.

 

Whether personal or business, asset or vehicle, we provide YOU with a personal route to finance. Get in touch with our team on 01603 733500, or email us direct at info@chatsbrook.co.uk

This weeks course highlight – Abseiling Escape Training

This week’s course highlight is our Abseil Escape Training. Businesses that use Man Up/VNA forklifts and other equipment that is operated at height have a duty of care to ensure that all employees can escape from height when they are using these types of machinery. Our half day Abseil Escape training course will give operators the know-how and confidence they require to return to the ground safely. To book this course or any other course in our range, please call us on +44 (0)1508 578844 or email enquiries@shieldhealthandsafety.co.uk

The Importance of Brand Name Rankings for SEO

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is one of the best ways in which to improve your company and website’s online positioning. There are no keywords and search terms which are off-limits and with the right planning, strategy and campaign, SEO can take a business from one to a million in the space of months.

Most people associate SEO however with ‘generic’ keywords, which will have a strong relation to the products and services offered by the company in question, via their website. Logically and understandably, if for example you are a company like Rae-TheBrand, selling women’s clothes, you will of course try to get your site to rank for search terms like ‘clothing for women’ and ‘women’s clothes’ to name but a few. However, your brand name is arguably more important in the long term.

In time, and with a combined marketing strategy which leverages the best of various digital marketing channels, users and customers will, in time learn your brand; its name and values and will gravitate towards it. there are various paid and non-SEO channels to utilise to help achieve this too, including:

  • Social media marketing (paid and non-paid)
  • Pay-per-click (PPC)
  • Online display campaigns
  • Remarketing campaigns

All of these channels can more quickly (than SEO) get a brand in front of targeted and desired audiences, whilst the SEO being undertaken takes effect for the organic rankings and positions.

Also important to remember is that one of the first things people do when they hear about a company or brand is to search online for it, using the brand name as the key search term of focus. Thus, your brand name’s ranking if of increased important beyond the expected digital benefits.

Furthermore, in the case of items and e-commerce, you will be working with various suppliers. This means that you will have due diligence run on your company and potentially yourself as a business owner. Therefore, ranking for your brand name is seen as a ‘given’ when it comes to your online positioning. People will expect to find you quickly when searching for you and your company.

Lastly, always remember that Google is not a human and that it functions as a result of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Therefore, when learning your company and your brand, the brand name will be a logical place for Google and any other search engines to start crawling your online presence.

Digital connectivity will pave the way for a new era in healthcare

 

Years from now, when we reflect on the millions of healthcare professionals that rose to the challenge to fight COVID-19 with bravery, dedication and courage, will we see the pandemic as a turning point when healthcare truly embraced a digital transformation?

COVID-19 has become a catalyst for change in many ways, accelerating digitalisation across the board. We’ve seen email, telephone and video consultations replace face-to-face appointments and an explosion in the use of healthcare apps and web platforms to check symptoms, stay informed and find new ways to keep fit and healthy.

GP practices and hospitals in Norwich and indeed, nationwide, have adapted with incredible agility to provide crucial services, from remote diagnosis and treatment to symptom tracking and online test booking. This has made many services more accessible and more efficient than ever before, even for the most remote or vulnerable of patients. But is our infrastructure up to the challenge of further digitalisation across the entire health service?

Full Fibre – a foundation for digital transformation

The more widely available full fibre is, the easier it will be for this momentum towards a digital transformation in healthcare – hence why the Government has made levelling up connectivity across the country a key part of its ambitions. With the UK set to have 80% of the country covered by gigabit-capable broadband by 2025, now is the time for those within the healthcare industry to start thinking about what this could potentially unlock for them in the form of new digital services.

Innovation in this space is already unlocking many new insights into healthcare, making it possible to develop therapies and approaches that could strengthen health and care services in the face of perhaps more, as yet, unknown challenges.

Harnessing analytics, for example, is already proving invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, while

Engaging Safely

Is it safe to engage?

I shuffled uncomfortably in my chair. ‘Is she two metres away from me? Or closer’, I mused. ‘Do we need to wear masks at this distance when we’re seated? Or not?‘ I wondered further.

The questions bounced around my head like a volley at Wimbledon, leaving me entirely distracted from the event I had gone along to. As one who doesn’t just err on the side of caution but grips onto it with both hands when it comes to Covid, I was utterly disengaged.

Because I didn’t feel safe.

We’ve talked a lot about being safe this past year, about making adaptations to protect ourselves and each other. Keeping our distance, spraying hand gel with abandon, wearing masks, going virtual.

But if we want to engage people, it’s not just about literal safety – it’s about metaphorical safety too. It’s about how we make people feel comfortable so that they know it’s ok for them to respond to our communications and get involved in our engagement activities.

This can be achieved in a number of ways. Firstly, organisations need to build trust and confidence, something that can be achieved through being transparent, authentic, and consistent. By communicating regularly, openly, and honestly about what they’re doing – including when things go wrong – they can engender confidence. They can also build trust by showing their credentials, especially the impact and influence of engagement activities.

Organisations also need to provide choice in ways to engage – interacting through technology is so easy for many of us, but for some it can be way out of the comfort zone. So offering other ways to get involved is crucial. People will opt for the channel that they feel safest with.

People also feel safe when they are valued. Whether this is recognising and acting on feedback from a customer, or listening to an employee, or a simple but powerful word of ‘thanks’, when organisations show people that they matter, they are more likely to engage. 

A feeling of safety comes too from a sense of belonging – that we are in it together. This can be a team of employees, or it could be customers of a company. When we feel that we are part of something, that we belong, we can feel more confident to engage in conversations, consultation, or other activities that seek to involve us.

One of the places where it can often feel unsafe for us to engage is within meetings, workshops, and other spaces where we come together in discussion. I recall myself in many meetings when I was younger keeping my mouth firmly shut because I feared making a suggestion or asking a question that was so utterly stupid it would cause people to fall around laughing. Of course, it never happened, but how many great ideas and perspectives do we miss out on because people don’t feel comfortable to have their say?

That’s why it’s so important to make the spaces where we meet safe, inclusive, and supportive. Bringing people into the conversation, valuing people’s contribution, using silence to allow thoughts to grow and thrive, and creating a sense of equality so that people know everyone has something valuable to contribute will help to make it safe.

Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer before we can move our chairs a little closer and abandon the masks but organisations will still need to create conditions so that people know that it’s safe to engage.

Improving Safety on a Factory Floor

While there has been a significant improvement in safety in the past decade, working in asset-intensive organisations like manufacturing is still considered a dangerous occupation. Injuries and deaths that have occurred in manufacturing floors have led to a massive damaged reputation and thousands of lawsuits. They also affect employee morale and productivity. While it is impossible to prevent injuries from happening entirely, companies can take steps to minimise the rate of injury and death on their manufacturing floors. Here are effective ways to enhance safety on a manufacturing floor.

Provide personal protective equipment (PPE)

Personal protective equipment is essential for anyone working on a manufacturing floor to enhance their safety. Anyone working in a manufacturing plant is not only putting themselves at risk but others as well. Operating in close proximity to toxic materials and heavy machinery and working in dark areas exposes workers to injuries and health problems. As an employer, ensure you provide protective gear to all your workers and make wearing them mandatory for all workers at all times.

Look to technology

Technologies such as automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), and analytics can be used to enhance safety. Robotic and robotic technologies help to keep your employees out of harm’s way. IoT technology can be utilised to provide information on equipment operation and how processes are running.

Real-time monitoring of the status of facilities, lines, and machines helps manufacturers to predict and respond to problems before they happen. Anomalies with patterns of IoT data can set off alerts for things like air quality, noise level, and temperature, allowing for proactive clearing of unsafe areas or shut down of faulty machinery. For instance, installing gas sensors from Alphasense around the manufacturing plant can help you know when there is a gas leak allowing you to respond quickly.

Regular training

An unsafe working environment is usually a result of a lack of or insufficient training. If the workers are not aware of the safety hazards on a manufacturing floor, they can easily put themselves and others in danger of serious accidents. This risk can be eliminated by providing continuous training on the latest technologies and the right protocols for handling processes, machines, and equipment. In addition, all new employees should be taught essential safety practices.

Create a safety-focused company culture

Safety measures will only be as effective as the people working on the manufacturing floor allow them to be. For true safety to be achieved, everyone in the company should feel responsible for their own safety and that of everyone one else. There can be hundreds of warning signs around dangerous machinery, but nothing will change if employees choose to ignore them.

Safety is crucial in any modern manufacturing plant. You don’t just owe it to your employees; you also have to consider the regulations set forth by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Improving safety in the workplace also demonstrates to your employees that you care about their well-being and safety, which helps to increase productivity.