BrumPod

In this episode we look at the current and future state of the modern workplace, what a 'workplace' even consists of in this technological age. So many business folk can get on perfectly well with just a laptop, a phone and a decent broadband connection. Are traditional offices still as popular as they were with the idea of 'hotdesking' becoming more of a thing?  More and more people are working flexible hours, remotely from home or coffee shops without feeling the need to be in an actual office. What will the future workplace be like? Will more of us work remotely and feel less need to commute? What happens to teamwork? What about when you're working on sensitive client material, what type of location would be better? We discuss one particular horror story. If 5G and web technologies enable more of us to work flexible hours and in non-office based locations, will we miss out on the social aspect; the water cooler moments, gossip, relationship building, etc etc? Also we look at all of this and how it impacts the area of mental health, and obtaining a healthy work-life balance. We weigh up the pros and cons. Episode resources referenced in the show:http://blog.condecosoftware.com/state-of-the-workplace-in-2018-reporthttps://www.workfront.com/blog/state-of-work-2019https://www.forbes.com/sites/abdullahimuhammed/2018/12/21/10-remote-work-trends-that-will-dominate-2019/#1db7fdb7c72ahttps://www.talentlyft.com/en/blog/article/161/7-key-workplace-trends-in-2019Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.https://brummies-networking.co.ukBrummies Networking on Twitter: @brummiesnetBrumPod on Twitter - @brumpodProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocraticBrumPod - The UK Small Business Podcast. BrumPod is designed for small businesses, because 2/3 of the hosts are small businesses! Our goal is to bring you topics that affect you as a fellow small business owner directly; everything from website tools and technology, changes in regulations, business networking tips, business growth; plus we talk to regular guests from all walks of life, discussing their journeys in working with small businesses to make other people’s lives easier.BrumPod Hosts:Richard Heathcote(VoiceOver Artist) - https://www.richardheathcote.co.ukIwan Thomas(BusinessCoach) - http://www.iwanthomasassociates.co.ukJason Jones(SelfStorage) - https://www.accessstorage.com

Episode 15 sees us talking to our special guest, Doug Ward, from B13 Technology based in Birmingham. Doug is a tech expert who deals with mobile technologies including app and software development and other web based tools. We discuss what the differences, pros and cons are between these technologies and more importantly, HOW they can help you as a small business. Are they easy to access? Does your business need an app or is it fine to just utilise a mobile friendly website? Can they revolutionise the way you work and interact with your customers? How will 5G and mobile technologies marry up in the future, and what added functionality will they bring? Tune in to find out the answers to all these questions as Doug enlightens us on all things tech!Doug can be found at: https://www.b13technology.comhttps://twitter.com/b13technologySome interesting app stats that we discussed during the episode: https://buildfire.com/app-statistics/Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukBrummies Networking on Twitter: @brummiesnetBrumPod on Twitter - @brumpodProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocraticBrumPod - The UK Small Business Podcast. BrumPod is designed for small businesses, because 2/3 of the hosts are small businesses! Our goal is to bring you topics that affect you as a fellow small business owner directly; everything from website tools and technology, changes in regulations, business networking tips, business growth; plus we talk to regular guests from all walks of life, discussing their journeys in working with small businesses to make other people’s lives easier.BrumPod Hosts:Richard Heathcote (Voice Over Artist) - https://www.richardheathcote.co.ukIwan Thomas (Business Coach) - http://www.iwanthomasassociates.co.ukJason Jones (Self Storage) - https://www.accessstorage.com

In this episode, we look at HS2, the UK's proposed high speed rail link which aims to run along the spine of the country, connecting up all the major cities. Ideal in theory, but at what cost? With budgets spiralling out of control, and now the government saying they are now putting it up for review to assess spends and its future viability, we discuss its merits, and its pitfalls. With estimated costs going from £33m to potentially £100m by the time it's finished, will it be worth the investment? Are other technologies more worthy of that kind of investment; the likes of electric car infrastructure for instance, making that 100% green from factory to on the road - is that potentially a better way to invest that kind of money?You'll have to decide for yourself of course, we are just here to raise the questions that need raising.Resources referred to in this episode:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Central_Main_Linehttps://www.nextgreencar.com/electric-cars/statistics/https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jaguar/107398/the-government-isnt-doing-enough-to-encourage-electric-car-saleshttps://www.hs2.org.uk/why/https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2019/8/22/watch-timing-of-hs2-review-is-frustrating-and-unhelpful/https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2019/8/22/more-business-reaction-to-hs2-review/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1168852/HS2-latest-high-speed-rail-updates-cost-government-review-boris-johnson-dominic-cummingshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49420332http://stophs2.org/factsBrought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocraticBrumPod - The UK Small Business Podcast. BrumPod is designed for small businesses, because 2/3 of the hosts are small businesses! Our goal is to bring you topics that affect you as a fellow small business owner directly; everything from website tools and technology, changes in regulations, business networking tips, business growth; plus we talk to regular guests from all walks of life, discussing their journeys in working with small businesses to make other people’s lives easier.

In Episode 13 of BrumPod, we briefly revisit GDPR given some recent themes in the news, and people we've come into contact with who are in contravening the regulations - so we wanted to serve a reminder that everyone is liable under GDPR - it applies to all businesses, from big business all the way down to micro businesses and one man bands. Ensure you're compliant!And we're also looking at the subject of the importance of downtime in your business; getting away on holiday to be able to recharge your own personal batteries and clear the cobwebs, to ensure good mental health and optimum wellbeing. It's vitally important that we all look after our own health as well as the health of our businesses - so if you haven't managed to get away on holiday, do book some time off! Go abroad, take a 'staycation', visit the coast - whatever your chosen route, make sure you give yourself adequate time to relax, recharge, and look after your own state of mind. Some of the articles we refer to in this episode below.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49099364https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-45976300https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/10/gdpr-fines-ba-british-airways-marriott-data-watchdoghttps://threatpost.com/google-fine-privacy-gdpr/141055/https://tide.org/blog/british-airways-google-gdprhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jul/09/marriott-fined-over-gdpr-breach-icohttps://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2019/07/former-motor-industry-worker-ordered-to-pay-25-500-from-proceeds-of-data-theft/https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/news-and-events/news-and-blogs/2019/07/estate-agency-fined-80-000-for-failing-to-keep-tenants-data-safe/https://lifelabs.psychologies.co.uk/users/3881-maxine-harley/posts/18485-the-threat-to-mental-health-that-self-employment-bringsBrought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

Episode 12. Should your business be on Instagram? It's the fastest growing social network, with it boasting some impressive stats that might make you think seriously about getting your own business on there if you're not already. We explore some of the ways you can leverage the audience on Instagram to make it a great channel for promoting your business, making the most of your online marketing efforts. We also discuss some of the ways you can reduce the extra time it may take for your business to adopt yet another social media channel, using various tools and technology to help you, speeding up the process.Resources we refer to during the episode:https://www.websitehostingrating.com/instagram-statistics/https://later.com/blog/instagram-marketing-trends-2019/Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

In this episode we look at British company What3Words, who are revolutionising the way the entire globe is mapped and divided up into accurate universal addresses. With 75% of countries lacking an accurate method of addressing, some having none at all, this could make a massive difference to the world, so not only can you find businesses and people more accurately; it could save lives through accurate location pinning for humanitarian efforts, and for the emergency services.We explore all the areas this could be utilised, and think of other ways that perhaps haven't been thought of before.More info: https://brummies-networking.co.uk/what-3-words-could-save-your-life/We also have a birthday bash for Jason at The Botanist, Temple St, Birmingham on Fri 28th June. Get your free ticket on Eventbrite now, and hopefully see you there. Book in using the following link:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brummies-birthday-bash-the-botanist-tickets-62197760175Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

In this episode we look at the changing face of the British high st - are bricks and mortar buildings still important to us? How are we using them? How are the high streets evolving with user demand? Big businesses are closing stores, big chain and high end restaurants are closing, but some are thriving. Plus Primark has opened the world's biggest store right here in Birmingham. We look at the ways the high street can remain relevant to modern society.The new Clean Air Zone is being introduced to Birmingham in 2020 - what will this mean for travel into the city and for the businesses within it? Will you be affected? Below are some links to things we talk about that may be useful for planning your future travel into the city centre.https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20076/pollution/1763/a_clean_air_zone_for_birminghamhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-47867785http://metroalliance.co.uk/projects/birmingham-westside-extension/five-ways/Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

In today's episode we look at the equation of Cost vs. Time vs. Value, seeing what is best for you and your wallet.This all came about after replacing a car headlamp bulb last week. I promise you it's more informative & entertaining that it sounds! We look at skillsets; knowing when is the right time to pay someone to do various things for you. Do you have the time, skills or patience to learn to do something? Or does it work out most cost effective to let someone else do it?We even look at the parable that's floated around the internet since the day it was switched on - the one about the engineer and a hammer.Weighing up all the options so hopefully it makes life easier for you in the long run, and makes you think about how valuable your time is.Everyone has the same amount of hours in a day - it's up to us to work out how to spend them.Brought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

A conversation with Gayle Kelly, Regional Fundraiser for Birmingham & Black Country at Parkinson's UK, on how she utilises business networking in her fundraising and awareness-building efforts. Some really insightful thoughts, well worth a listen to her perspective on it all. Especially leveraging networking for things you may not expect or immediately think of, which could help you too.You can find out more about Gayle here:https://twitter.com/gaylepukbhambcParkinson's UK website: https://www.parkinsons.org.ukInfo on her 'Secret Supper' event mentioned in the episode: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/events/secret-supper-2019The Afternoon Tea event: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/events/sparkling-afternoon-tea-2019The Sutton Walk event: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/events/walk-parkinsons-sutton-parkBrought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic

In this episode we focus solely on the topic of mental health in the workplace, with special guest contributor David Andrew, of David Andrew Coaching. Looking at all the ways life & work can affect our mental health; recognising the signs of someone suffering, and what we can do to combat it. You can find out more about David on his website: https://davidandrewcoaching.comAnd if you or someone you know is suffering mental health issues, and need some guidance, The Samaritans is a fantastic place to go for help and advice. It is always best to address issues as early as possible. And if you have a friend who you think is suffering, talk to them about it as soon as possible.https://www.samaritans.orgBrought to you by Brummies Networking, the home of free, stripped-back business networking.  https://brummies-networking.co.ukTwitter: @brummiesnetProduced by Happy Content Co. https://happycontentco.comTwitter: @happycontentcoMusic by Birocratic - birocratic.comTwitter: @birocratic