Business News
Sponsored by: PLOTT Creative
Consumers rejoice as terms become clearer
The war for talent is on!
By Katie Hale Client Services Director PLOTT Creative
With business planning very much in progress for 2017, we know one of the biggest threats to face businesses is the 'War for Talent.' It doesn't matter how great your product or service, without the right people in your company you could be destined for failure. 73% of CEO’s interviewed
reported that the skills shortage is one of the biggest threats to their business in 2016. Source: PWC Annual Survey So how do we attract the
right calibre of employees? PLOTT work with businesses to build their internal brands which help attract AND retain the right people. Anna (MD at PLOTT) says,
“A poor quality brand will draw in poor quality applicants.” She continues, “A forward thinking business will have already defined their employment experience so they can compete effectively in the labour market for 2017.” It's all about communicating
an honest portrayal of what it actually looks, and feels, like to work for your business. If you want to attract good people you need to show you're a great company to work for. Candidates want to get to know your company's values and what kind of employer you'll be before they commit. We are coming up to the
season where the job market is most active and career-related New Years Resolutions are made. If a recruitment drive is on your radar for 2017 now is the time to invest and start building your Employer Brand.
If you'd like to speak to Team PLOTT we offer one-on-one brand reviews to discuss your key challenges. Contact
Katie@plottcreative.co.uk
A London-headquartered marketing organisation is warning companies that the writing is on the wall for terms and conditions which are written as gobbledegook. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) is
alerting businesses to new European Union legislation, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which will come into force in May 2018, and will affect how businesses deal with and handle data. DMA managing director Rachel Aldighieri (pictured) said: “The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) grapples with one of the most important questions raised by the digital age. “Post GDPR, businesses will no longer be able to
bury terms and conditions under pages and pages of legalese. Exactly what someone consents to must be clear and concisely described.” However, while this is good news for consumers, the
DMA believes many firms are unprepared for the new regulations. A report commissioned by the organisation
earlier this year revealed that a third of respondents were not prepared for the new rules. In addition, a further 42 per cent believed that their marketing efforts would be ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ affected by GDPR. And according to the DMA, those
companies hoping that Brexit will get them off the hook will be in for a nasty shock. Ms Aldighieri said: “At current estimates,
we will leave the EU some time in 2019, but this could well be pushed further back. Until then we remain full members of the EU, so when the GDPR legislation arrives in May 2018
you have to be ready. “Parliament plans to enact what it calls the ‘Great
Repeal Act’ and part of this is to make all existing EU law UK law. So the GDPR will remain law. “But regardless, any company that does business in
Europe, deals with European companies, or has a European citizen as a customer, will need to conform to the letter of the GDPR anyway.”
Accountants primed to expand
Prime Accountants Group, with offices in Solihull and Coventry, has expanded after taking over a local business. The practice that has been taken over is that of
chartered accountant Michael Jellicoe, who has particular expertise in the not-for-profit sector. Prime managing director Kevin Johns said: “Mike
and his team are well respected for this type of work and will make a welcome addition to the Prime team, further increasing our range of services and level of experience in this field. Mike’s clients in return will be able to access a greater range of services whilst still receiving the personal service they expect.” The acquisition has seen Prime expand to more
than 75 staff and eight directors. Mr Jellicoe said: “Joining Prime Accountants Group
allows myself and my team to increase the level and range of services available to clients, something that wouldn't be possible without Prime’s resources, experience or expertise in technology.”
Partners: Kevin Johns (left) and Michael Jellicoe HSBC supports major acquisition
International industrial engineering business SWP Group has been acquired for £18 million, with HSBC’s corporate banking team in Birmingham partially funding the deal. SWP has been acquired by Friars, a newly-created management-backed company backed by a number of the SWP directors, including Alan Walker, Colin Stott, David Pett and Martin Bell. The move will enable SWP Group to de-list from the Alternative Investment Market. Colin Stott, managing director at SWP Group, said:
“As a private company, SWP will be better able to manage the challenges associated with transacting a small number of large projects. HSBC’s support has been fundamental and we look forward to working with them as we pursue our growth plans.” Markus Keller, area director for corporate banking in
Birmingham, added: “Our international footprint fits neatly with SWP’s international presence, meaning we
12 CHAMBERLINK December 2016/January 2017
can provide both the connections and insights which will support the business’s continued development abroad. “This deal is a great example of the support we’re
able to provide to businesses in the region, helping rebalance the UK economy outside of London.” SWP Group designs, manufactures and installs a
range of industrial engineered products and systems, serving international markets in the oil, gas and petrochemical, construction and water utilities sectors. The Group is best known for brands such as ULVA
Insulation Systems and Fullflow Group. Based out of Telford, ULVA will launch a new product line in January 2016, which will be manufactured out of its new Wednesbury manufacturing plant. In a separate deal, an overdraft loan provided by
HSBC will provide the Group with the working capital needed to launch its new product line and expand its international presence.
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