How to create a strong company culture

Posted on April 30, 2015 by credicouk

No matter how big or small your company is you must make sure you have and maintain a strong company culture. You want people to be happy to work for you and you want this to be reflected in their attitude towards clients and consumers.

To help businesses build a strong company culture we have had the team at Credico UK share their top tips:

Assign an owner
It may sound simple, but companies need someone who is directly responsible for culture. Of course this culture cannot be created by just one person, but it can be one person’s role to focus on culture and push everyone else in the right direction – whether they’re hiring candidates or managing the team as it sets its priorities.

Leadership sets tone
Culture is shaped by how your leaders act, so make sure your leadership team embodies the type of company you want to be. Decide what you want to be and what you want your team to represent and make sure your leaders are acting this out too!

Structure says everything
Organisational structure drives culture. Your team needs to know where they go when they need advice or who they report to. This will make them feel comfortable and confident in what they are doing.

Prioritise and focus
You don’t need one person who’s good at everything. You need a team of people who work together and are all good at their respective roles. Decide what will really get things moving for your product and customers, and act as a team.

Always communicate
Communicate your values and culture explicitly and continuously, both internally and externally. Employees must understand your culture and why it’s important. Reward employees who advance your culture and be open and honest with those who don’t.

How to have a good work-life balance

Posted on April 29, 2015 by credicouk

Everyone wants to have a good work-life balance but not everybody knows how to achieve this. Marketing Managers, Business Development Officers and Entrepreneurs are all often guilty of putting their work before everything and working all hours under the sun. This is not healthy and can actually reduce productivity and motivation. In this blog post we are revealing our top tips to a good work-life balance.

Let go of perfection
Many overachievers develop perfectionist tendencies when their demands are limited to school, hobbies and maybe an after-school job but as you grow up life gets more complicated, you have more demands to meet. Work gets harder and takes up more time, your family grows and your responsibilities overload. The key to avoid burning out is to let go of perfectionism. The healthier option is to strive for excellence rather than perfection.

Unplug
Technology has helped our lives in many ways but it has also created expectations of constant accessibility. The work day never seems to end. There are times when it is okay to just shut off your phone and enjoy the moment. Make quality time truly quality time by not responding to work emails when you are spending time with family. By not reacting to the updates from work you will develop a stronger habit of resilience and resilient people feel a greater sense of control in their lives.

Exercise and meditate
Even when we are at our most busy we make time for important things such as eating, sleeping, going to the bathroom, yet one of our most crucial needs – exercise- is often the first thing to go when our calendars fill up. Exercise is an effective stress reducer. It pumps feel-good endorphins through your body which can improve your mood drastically. We recommend dedicating a few hours a week to self-care, whether its exercise, yoga or meditation.

Limit time-wasting activities and people
First, identify what’s most important in your life and then draw firm boundaries so you can devote quality time to these high-priority people and activities. From there you can determine what or who needs to be dropped from the schedule. If email or internet surfing sends you into a time-wasting spiral, establish rules to keep you from going off-task. Focus on the people and activities that reward you most.

Change the structure of your life
Sometimes habits become set in stone and this reduces both productivity and motivation. Take a birds-eye view of your life and ask yourself: What changes could make life easier? Don’t try and do too much, this will only add stress. Instead, focus on activities you specialise in and value most. Delegate or outsource everything else.

Start small. Build from there.
When we take on too much too quickly it is easy to give up. If you’re trying to change a certain area in your life, start small and experience some success, then build upwards from there.

Building a strong rapport is our speciality – Here are our top tips…

Posted on April 27, 2015 by credicouk

To run a successful business it is important to build a good rapport with everyone you meet (you never know when you may need their help, or they yours). For example it is important to have strong relationships with clients, consumers, business partners, employees and other business professionals as they are all people that make your business tick and they will be less willing to do so if they do not have a good relationship with you. So, here at Credico UK we have shared our top tips to building a good rapport.

Be genuine
Be yourself and people will appreciate you for it, people can often tell when a person is being fake and they will not appreciate this – especially in a business where consumers need to trust you in order to purchase from you. Relax, smile and go with a positive attitude and good things will follow.

Be warm and friendly
Cold people get cold reactions from other people. Approach rapport building with the intent to be warm and friendly. Smile, give a firm handshake, make eye contact, and engage.

Show interest
People are often very self-focused, but this can be helpful for businesses as they need to learn about their prospects before they can provide the best solutions. People want to feel like they can openly share what they are thinking, including their desires, fears and problems. The more genuinely interested you appear the more relaxed and willing to share they’re likely to be.

Don’t seem too needy
We all want to be liked but trying too hard can often come across as needy and conspicuous. You cannot force someone to like you. Show interest, but don’t act meek, overly friendly, or too pushy or you will put the other person off.

Give genuine compliments
Sycophants get nowhere, but genuine compliments are endearing. If you like the office, someone’s website, or are impressed with their book, say so. The person will appreciate this and it will go a long way towards building rapport.

Calibrate the rapport to “just right”
If you have an hour long meeting with a client don’t think “I need to use the whole time to get my points across, there is no time for chitchat.” Diving straight in with no ice breaking conversation is not a good way to build rapport. However, spending too much time chatting is not the answer either. Do your best to read the other person and find the right amount of rapport-focused conversation.

Read the culture
You can be yourself but at the same time you can adjust your approach to the other person and company. Don’t change who you are to fit the culture, but be aware of how the culture works and how it best responds.

Top Tips to Motivate a Team

Posted on April 13, 2015 by credicouk

Here at Credico UK we believe that motivation is the key to productivity. When a team is motivated and happy they are likely to work harder and get more done, because they actually want to do it. However, motivation does not always have to be in the form of cash bonuses. Here, we have revealed some top tips to motivate your team:

Share the organisational vision with each member

If everyone is aware of the collective vision, which will lead to prosperity and success for each team member, motivation and enthusiasm will play a strong part in every activity. The team will understand what it is they are working towards and will therefore have more motivation to achieve these clear goals.

Communicate with staff

You won’t know your teams ideas or concerns if you don’t constantly communicate with them. Use each opportunity to interact with them and you will discover hundreds of new ways of organising your activities more successfully.

Make people feel appreciated

People need to feel appreciated and very often appreciation feels like a greater reward than money. Show your team sincere gratitude for the unique contribution each one makes to the business.

Support new ideas

Give people the chance to be innovative and you will be surprised by how great their ideas are. Show these ideas support and encourage that suggestion are made, even if you think the idea is silly, acknowledge the fact they contributed and don’t dishearten them. A company can only move forward when it has original ideas.

Give challenging tasks

People will never improve or grow if they continue doing what they have always done. This can be very boring and lead to a drop in productivity. Let them develop new skills by giving them challenging tasks. At the same time make sure the tasks are achievable and within the person’s interests.

Encourage creativity

Supervising doesn’t mean controlling each and every step. Give the team their task, tell them what needs to be achieved and then let them think of their own ways to achieve it. This encourages creativity and shows the team that you trust their judgement, which can be extremely motivating.

Give each one opportunities to grow

If people know they are going to be doing the same thing, the same way all the time, they will definitely lose the motivation to put their maximum effort into their work. They should be sure that hard work and dedication to the business will lead to new personal and professional achievements.

Create healthy competition

For this purpose it can be beneficial to use the classic rewards system. People contribute their efforts and ideas to the maximum when they know that outstanding excellence will lead to generous rewards.

Celebrate each success

Even the smallest achievements are worthy of celebrating. The road to success consists of hundreds of small steps. Reward and celebrate every goal achieved. Prove to the team that their efforts are helping to make important steps forward.

Create and maintain team spirit

Having a team is like an extended family – they probably see the people they work with more than their own families – where mutual support and trust are the most important values. Organise team activities both during work hours and after. Creating and maintaining a powerful team spirit in the workplace will lead to more success.

Establishing your business’ core values

Posted on April 9, 2015 by credicouk

Establishing your business’ core values

Most entrepreneurs start a business because they feel there is a problem that needs solving and that they have or could create the solution to that problem. But to connect with consumers businesses need more than just a fix to a problem, they must have values. A business’ core values is what attracts loyal customers, as they feel they can relate to the business and that the business stands for something they respect and agree with. This is also important for developing a strong company culture – you can attract and maintain top talent if you have strong core values that they agree with.

Here, we have revealed what you should consider when establishing your company’s core values:

Clear values should define the business and guide behaviour.
As the company grows these founding beliefs will need to be made more formal and explicit.
Try to avoid writing these values down using generic words and phrases (like “integrity”), use your own unique voice. This makes the values more relatable and reinforces whatever is unique about the culture.
Involve everyone within the company in the creation and codification of the values. A business owner should lead but not dictate. This is continuous process, as there are always more things that can be done to make sure the values are being stuck to and are effective.
Always reinforce the values – repeat, reward and recognise. For example an example of recognition, the CEO could pick one value a month and the company votes for one person who best characterises that value.
Good, practiced values can help make difficult decisions. Especially decisions where numbers and analysis alone can’t give you the answer.
Lead by example. If the CEO and leaders do not follow the values then they will not stick with everyone else.
Be ready to be tested. Employees should – and will – call you out based on your values. While this can be a bit painful, this is a good sign because it means the values have really taken hold at the root level and are being used multi-directionally.
Values should make you and everyone else in the firm proud to work there.
Always stick to your core values, and be honest about them! Consumers will appreciate the transparency.

Credico’s 5 top tips to improve productivity

Posted on April 9, 2015 by credicouk

5 top tips to improve productivity

We know that in a fast-paced business world, people always want to accomplish more with their days. So how can you be more productive? We’ve released our top tips for improving your own productivity.

Arrive early, stay later
If your day is constantly disrupted by rush hour traffic, get up early and beat it. This will not only leave you in a better mood for the rest of the day but also means that you have more time to get things done. The same goes for the end of the work day. Your ability to save these extra hours will help increase your productivity levels.

Plan each day the night before
This can be a total game changer for most people. This could be as simple as preparing your lunch the night before, putting your clothes out ready, or leaving your briefcase by the front door. Or you could take the time before you go to bed the night before to create your to-do list and prioritise it. This will give you a head start the next day. Our top tip is to put a star next to the most important tasks on your to do list, reminding you that these are the tasks that need to be done to push you forward with achieving big goals.

Leave the office for lunch
Something so small can have a hugely powerful effect on how you work for the remainder of your day. Leaving the work environment for lunch can ease stress levels, refresh your creativity and help you to re-focus.

Minimise distractions
Distractions are everywhere. If you work from a computer, as most people do, there is always the temptation to check social media, or surf the internet, or check your emails every 5 minutes. Eliminate these distractions and allow set times for checking your emails. You could even go as far as hanging a do not disturb sign on your door during really important tasks, so that co-workers know not to bother you.

Keep your goals in sight at all times
After setting extremely big and exciting goals that you want to accomplish, keep them in sight at all times. You could even write your goals down and carry them with you so that you see them at random points throughout the day. This way when you glance at your goals your motivation levels will likely increase.

Event Marketing Ideal for the Wearable Technology Market Claims Credico UK

Posted on March 27, 2015 by credicouk

New research has surfaced which suggests that too many consumers, the concept of wearable technology is still alien. With many big brands hoping to push this technology in 2015, a lack of consumer understanding could be a serious blow. Credico UK reveals how Event marketing or other forms of Direct Marketing could help.

Wearable technology is set to be one of the hottest trends, with a number of new brands unveiling new wearable devices according to Marketing Week (3^rd March 2015). Market research group CCS Insight has forecasted that global sales in wearable technology will hit 135 million units in 2018, up from 9.7 million in 2013. Many brands are relying on new wearable technology to make them stand out from their competitors and the health and fitness functions of wearables are continuing to advance as a result of improving sensor technology; enabling users to track heart rate, sleep patterns, nutrition intake etc.

Most consumers have not yet bought into the hype surrounding wearable devices. 61% of adults surveyed would not buy one according to research from Marketing Week. Google’s recent decision to stop the production of its flagship wearable product, Google Glass, demonstrates the difficulty of launching a new concept device for the mass market. A survey of 2000 people commissioned by the experiential agency Fizz, revealed 37% of consumers feel there is no need for a wearable and 15% claim it is ‘a fad’. Credico UK state that companies can’t just rely on a brands previous success and that the needs of a target audience must be understood before the new technology can be accepted by consumers.

The Fizz research also found that 41% of respondents would feel more tempted to buy wearables if they could interact with them by touching them and trying them on first. 31% stated that in-store demonstrations would encourage a purchase to be made. Credico UK believe event marketing (a form of direct marketing) could be beneficial in filling the gap in consumer understanding and it will help to get consumers exciting about wearable technology. This is because it will enable consumers to interact with the technology before they buy it and the sales representatives will have the necessary training to advise shoppers about the technology.

Credico UK is the Britain’s leading field sales organisation that offer clients a new customer acquisition programme that is tailor made to suit their individual requirements. The organisation has gained vast experience in all aspects of direct sales including event marketing.

Source: https://www.marketingweek.com/2015/03/03/consumers-lack-appetite-for-wearables/

The importance of a positive attitude

Posted on March 19, 2015 by credicouk

At Credico UK we believe that a positive attitude can go a long way at work and can not only make the atmosphere a lot better for everyone involved but can help people push towards success. Being positive gives people the motivation to keep that positivity going.

We have outlined the main reasons why people need to be positive at work and the benefits of this:

Less Stress

It’s healthier for you and everyone around you. Stress can bring about a whole world of problems such as insomnia, fatigue, and loss of concentration and even some more serious ailments like severe depression and high blood pressure. Staying positive is a way to reduce these pains.

Happy Peers

Your stress levels can affect everyone around you, whether you are so scattered you can’t organise your thoughts enough to send a coherent email, or you lash out in frustration at a startled co-worker. Improving your disposition will have a ripple effect that positively influences everyone you come in contact with.

Job Security

A bad attitude (and subsequent side effects) can get you fired, so take it down a notch, take a deep breath, and maybe take a break! An employee who gets the ball rolling and keeps everyone on track is a much better asset.

Boundaries

Positivity is required to enjoy life. But you will have to take steps to get to your happy place. Most of us don’t get what we want all the time but you can’t focus on the negative. Keep in mind that you work to make money. You are not obligated to do anything other than the services you were hired to do. Set your limits and it may help you keep a level head in the workplace.

Control

You control your life, your path and your decisions. Do what makes you happy and positive and you will find that you enjoy life a lot more and feel more in control of what happens next.

Are you a leader or a follower?

Posted on September 18, 2014 by credicouk

Do you see yourself as a leader or a follower? You could argue that one is far better than the other but in actual fact; successful leaders need to be just as capable of following if needs be. In order to become a leader it helps to have the respect of others and being a team player and working in a cooperative environment can help you gain that respect. If you’re confident in yourself and your own capabilities, those around you will naturally view you as the right person to take charge. In order to understand your full leadership potential it is important to be able to take a honest look at your own personal attributes to discover what you can do improve your leadership capabilities, by being brave and taking a moment to analyse yourself means that even those among us who aren’t natural born leaders can learn the skills required to influence others to follow their lead.

If you instantly know how to solve a problem and approach tricky situations with ease, chances are you have natural leader qualities. Whereas, if you prefer to take direction or like to validate an idea before implementing it, you probably display more ‘follower’ traits. Both are equally important as in business one simply can’t exist without the other. However if you feel you have the hidden potential to become a successful leader there are a few specific traits that are essential. A good leader has the ability to see everything that’s happening around them and respond quickly, from noticing patterns to potential threats, a good leader will foresee possible issues and already have a strategy in place if the issue does eventually arise.

So how do you express your budding leadership potential to your fellow colleagues? Well, there are few simple changes you can make to your everyday working practices in order to encourage people to start following you.

It may seem obvious but improving communication between yourself and colleagues is a great way to improve your leadership skills. By letting others have their say even if you don’t agree, and asking relevant questions will help to make others believe in you and feel that their opinions are valued. However communication shouldn’t just be limited to ‘work talk’. It may seem like a contradiction when talking about becoming a leader, but having an informal connection and sharing with colleagues on subjects besides work matters makes for a happier and more content work relationship.

Remembering everyone likes to be appreciated is also an important aspect in showing your leadership potential. if you’ve ever been praised for something you worked really hard on you probably know how rewarding this can feel. By praising someone you’re not asserting any authority; however you are letting that person know that you’ve noticed their effort, which is an important trait in a leader.

Whilst it’s important to notice how others are working, it’s just as important to recognise your own faults, an apology is not a weakness, and by acknowledging and taking responsibility for your own mistakes means that colleagues are far more likely to respect you than if you try to ignore it.

Lastly, understanding the goals of your fellow colleagues is paramount in gaining the respect needed to be a great leader. If you know what others goals are, you can figure out ways to help them achieve them. This in turn will make others keener to help you out when you need them.

By incorporating these simple ideas into your day to day working practice could be the first step towards unlocking your leadership capabilities. However the important thing to remember is to be a leader you really have to want it, if your hearts only half in it chances are you will fall at the first challenge you find yourself facing. Remember to honestly asses your strengths and weaknesses and only move forward if you feel you have the attributes to do so.

FIVE MISCONCEPTIONS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Posted on July 18, 2014 by credicouk

You’re an overnight success!

People tend to study the success story and forget its origin. What comes prior to a success is most probably a massive struggle. Truth is, it can take years to become an overnight success. Take Steve Jobs as an example. Can you believe Apple was born 30 years ago? Yes, indeed, Apple was not an overnight success. And the fuzz around the brand didn’t start at that time.

You have to be a businessperson to be an entrepreneur

Wrong! You can be anyone and become an entrepreneur and that’s if you’re a visionary. What it takes is a great idea, a vision and a plan behind it. Ideally, you could hire a businessperson to develop your plan, there’s no necessity in you being the businessperson; nowadays, outsourcing is taking over as it permits to concentrate more on the idea and therefore develop it more thoroughly. In today’s world, organizations are forced to look for new ways to generate value due to the increasing competition. The world has embraced the phenomenon of outsourcing most of the supporting activities of a value chain to be able to expand and develop the core activities.

You have to do it on your own

The truth is you can’t make it on your own. It’s very pretentious to think that you know everything and that the help of others wouldn’t get you at least one step closer to success. It’s true that you should rely on your own strengths and ideas and be able to fight on your own but trying to do everything yourself will prevent you from focusing on the work where your personal touch is necessary and where your concentration is vital. You need to have a team to outsource (on the personal level) some work.

You Can Slack Off Once You’ve Reached The Top

Success works in a way that every time a human being achieves something he wants to accomplish something that’s bigger. Human nature always wants more. Apart from that, the dynamic competition won’t allow your survival in the market if you slack off; customers are becoming more demanding and are being offered many substitutes, therefore a business should keep up with innovation and slacking off is therefore not an option.

After you’ve worked hard to accomplish something, your mind and body simply will not know how to adjust to the relaxation; a successful person would be unhappy if she wasn’t aiming to achieve a higher success.

You have to be a genius! You have to be born with it!

Entrepreneurs cannot be categorized; they come in all shapes and sizes, just like their businesses do. Thinking that you have to be a genius to be an entrepreneur is too mainstream; however what you surely need to have is passion! Passion is what pushes you to do the impossible to accomplish your goals and therefore your company’s success. Persistence and willingness are necessities too. To be an entrepreneur you have to be a visionary, a person who uses its creativity to fulfill unsatisfied needs or to create new ones.