Startup productivity and sport

I'm sat watching The Ashes as I write this. And it gets me thinking about the productivity levels of workers when major sports events are being played. When there are breaks between overs, I take a quick look at the Rugby League World Cup semi-final featuring England. I can feel myself writing more quickly when England are ahead in one or the other.

Startup owners need to think about their people when there are major sports events happening. Either they are during work hours, so employers need to think about access, or they are out of work hours, where you need to consider the morale of people. A depressing showing at a major tournament (think England and just about any football World Cup) and this slows down the enthusiasm and productivity of your team.

Putting it to one side

There are two ways of dealing with a situation like this. Firstly, you can pretend that it isn't happening. If the event doesn't have a direct impact on your business, then you can just let it pass you by. There is no reason to change what you do unless you cover that event.

This means that the team are expected to work as usual and deliver to customers as though there is no event going on. If it is hosted in a county with a similar time zone to the UK then you can probably use this approach most effectively. If the events are played out of work hours, then you can expect your team to watch and engage out of work hours. If the home nations are doing well, then it can provide a boost to business.

Work around it

At the other end of the spectrum is adapting your business to the event. You could give people time off, let them watch on their computer screen at work or make an event of it. If the sporting event happens during your normal work day, then the mind of your team may not be on their job. A big event such as a football World Cup might find that all of your customers are watching the match anyway.

Think about which of these approaches will suit you best. I personally don't think that ignoring it completely is the right way to go. Make a few concessions and you will find that your team responds in the right way. Being a positive and engaging startup owner means taking into account the feelings of your team and your customers.

This is something that you might need to think about as time goes on. The football World Cup starts in Russia next summer. Do you have plans?

Boost your online marketing with 3Swings

I often write on my blog about how you market your business. Making connections with potential customers is crucial. That’s why you need support from an agency that will boost your profile.

3Swings, LLC is a great company that provide free advertising for business and services owners, in their website and Instagram profile. This is invaluable for any business. Exposing your company to the right markets will –

·         Connect to new people

·         Engage them in what you do

·         Deliver clicks to your website

·         Drive sales

The company was created in March 2017, in Miami - Florida. They are currently providing advertising to services in Miami but they're already expanding to other states and countries. And this gives you the chance to drive your online marketing with a professional team.

Feel free to Sign Up - https://www.3swings.com/web/terms_and_conditions/en

You can find their Instagram Profile here: https://www.instagram.com/3swings

If you don’t have an online presence that seeks prospects and drives them back to your website to buy from you, then it is time to look at this. 3Swings is the perfect partner for you to achieve this. Get in touch with them now.

Nottingham startup scene is in full swing

I've recently been to Nottingham and explored parts of the startup scene while I was there. As a city with great universities, centrally located in the UK, close to both the A1 and M1 motorways with an airport, there is a lot to be said about starting up a business in the city. There is the fact that city rent prices are always higher than the surrounding areas, and the slight hint of congestion in the city centre, but give me a vibrant city that doesn't have these. I don't think they exist.

Nottingham as a startup location is something that businesses in and around the area, as well as across the UK could well think about. It is a city that is primed for growth and is looking to increase its presence as the bid for European Capital of Culture takes shape. The more a city like Nottingham gets involved in these international projects, the more likely it is to attract startup businesses and provide a great environment for them to thrive and collaborate in.

The National Videogame Arcade

This is a recent venture in the city that attracts a lot of attention from anyone under the age of around fifty. The National Videogame Arcade is filled with arcade games, consoles and the latest technology. Although a not-for-profit, this still fits under the startup umbrella because it needs to attract visitors to stay afloat. A startup doesn't need to make money (or intend to make money) to face all the challenges the rest of us do.

The NVA is a great example of how the passions of people make the perfect vehicle for a startup. If you are doing something you really love then it is a pleasure to get up and go to work every day. the staff at the arcade are testament to this attitude. You can see they love what they are doing. The NVA has been around only since 2015, but I can see a bright future for it.

Impression Digital

Another business that has been a startup success in Nottingham is Impression Digital. They were attracted to the potential of the city rather than what was already in place. It is businesses like this that have made the Creative Quarter in Nottingham, a hub for tech. We know from Silicon Valley and others that tech businesses in the same place can inspire and drive each other forward.

The lesson for your business is one that might have been very different even a few years ago. Collaboration and openness of ideas is what modern business is all about. In the past we keot trade secrets and wanted to protect what we had. But now, the future is on where we can discuss our ideas and work together. I know which way I would rather operate.

Don't close the doors on other businesses in your area. Communication is important, so I suggest you go to networking events and talk to people. You will gain far more than you think you could lose.

Swedish, safe and smart – the story of Vandra the PA in a backpack

In my blog I love to bring you some of the most innovate and exciting products from across the globe.

Sweden. The home of smart and functional design. But forget your Ikea, there is a new kid on the block. Vandra is here to make your life better!

Vandra is a backpack that acts like a personal assistant. It looks amazing and has a plethora of design features that will amaze, including –

·         Lost and found tracking

·         Theft-proof lock

·         Anti-fall protection

·         USB charging port

·         Balanced weight

This means that you look great, it is a pleasure to wear and you are protected too. Who would have thought that all of this was possible from a backpack? Don’t just take my word for it – check out the video –

How did Vandra come into existence?

Great question. It is the brainchild of Gustaf Casten Bergendal who saw the need for a backpack that was safe and secure, as well as providing all the functions we need in the modern age.

Kickstarter was the next step and this amazing design was overfunded hugely. The world can see the vast potential for a backpack that acts as a personal assistant and is much safer from theft than what we currently use. The rest is history, as they say.

Check out this stunning product on the website and get yours today!

https://www.castendesign.com/

Every startup needs a marketing team – Gripped are the go-to tech agency

The startup business owner feels like they have to fulfil every role in their business. From web designer to accountant, an entrepreneur tries to turn their hand to every aspect of their business. And this is where too many fail. The time it takes to research the latest tax laws or how to build a subscription email system could be far better spent developing meaningful relationships with your customers.

And this is no more evident in the marketing of your startup business. Marketing is far too important to leave to chance. It brings in new prospects and develops them into paying customers. It reaches new markets and sees your business grow from strength to strength. Regular readers will know that I advocate spending money in the key areas of your business.

Getting Gripped to deal with your tech B2B marketing is the ideal way to get the most for your money.

With marketing you want to deal with someone who has experience. Someone who has seen it all and done it all before. That’s what Gripped have in abundance.

They have the knowledge and expertise to turn your homemade marketing into something that looks and feels just like the biggest and best companies in your sector – or any sector for that matter. The tech sector thrives on slick marketing – get Gripped to do that for your startup.

Win B2B clients with engaging marketing that is proven to work.

How do Gripped operate?

They become your marketing team and CMO. This means that you have a top team on your side to deliver results, such as –

·         Building a compelling and engaging proposition for your target market

·         Unblocking the sales funnels that are just not delivering results for you

·         Developing your web presence into something that attracts clicks and converts them effectively

·         Enabling sales by owning the same space as your customers

Gripped ensure that you get ahead of the competition. We all know how important that is with a startup business. Hitting the ground running is vital to stay on track for success. Spending strategically on a part of the business designed to deliver high quality clients to your door is the best way to go about this. Look at the services Gripped offer to see how it can help your new business.

They know so much about inbound marketing that they’ve written the book on it! Don’t delay with your marketing – contact Gripped today to see how they can deliver results for your startup.