BrumPod

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

In this episode we talk about several important bits of info coming up that you should be aware of, dates for your diary in regards to the UK Gov's 'Making Tax Digital' timeline, as well as important updates to employment law, and how Brexit will be affecting employers and employees if  they're EU nationals.We also discuss the initiative that Paul Uppal, the UK's Small Business Commissioner wants to deploy, namely a tool that would help small businesses know which large businesses are BAD payers! Large businesses are notorious for being late payers, so he wants to bring in a traffic light system to help small businesses plan when they're likely to be paid so it doesn't negatively impact their businesses, helping them to plan and grow their businesses. Useful resources:http://www.iwanthomasassociates.co.uk/newsletters/BusinessMattersVol8No1b.pdfhttps://www.elev8bymazars.co.uk/solutions/mtd/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAhKviBRCNARIsAAGZ7CeoDLZ0iuZgZBLf4U9C0CX5pYNNXtIhS1FwfUUC18Pi4hYKr5VN1Y4aAm4vEALw_wcBhttps://www.personneltoday.com/hr/2019-employment-law-eight-changes-to-look-out-for/https://www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk/news-3/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 our last show of 2018, we look at the different ways people treat networking around the festive period. Should we still maintain utter professionalism, or is it ok to be a bit more relaxed? And we look at why some events work, and the reasons others perhaps don't; looking at all the different flavours of networking and their various merits.This episode is Christmas themed, as it's our last one now for 2018. However, we will be back bright eyed and bushy tailed from early January onwards, with some brilliant guests lined up for future episodes. So do stay tuned for all the latest info and updates. Follow @brumpod on Twitter for all the latest news.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

We firstly discuss Channel 4's decision to move their HQ to Leeds instead of Birmingham. Contrast that with Netflix's decision to start investing in the Midlands by using it as a place to film and produce future original content, plus them investing heavily in Europe-centric content.Then we look at a report that discusses how people working from home could be doing themselves damage. With more and more people self employed or on flexi-time working from home, is your home workstation suitable? Reports show the stats of people working from kitchen tables stooped over laptops, even working from sofas and even their beds! We discuss the ways you can prevent future pain and back problems by getting your workstations set up properly, including standing & height adjustable desks.Resource: https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/latest-news/news/2018/11/6/research-finds-home-workers-not-supported-on-correct-workstation-set-up/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