Crab Insight April 2021

Red Tape Busters Volume 8, Issue 07, `Deal with risk’

 

Welcome to the April edition of Crab Insight

As lockdown eases we need to move forward with our businesses and identify opportunities for growth or at least to get back to where we were before lockdown.

Beware though every opportunity carries with it some degree of risk.

So, Claudia Crabs focus this month is dealing with risk. It’s important not to lose perspective, don’t sweat the small stuff and ignore the real show stoppers.

HR management,  health and safety management and data protection can all be problematical in their own ways. If you need some practical help please do take a look at some of our solutions:

 
 
 

Claudia Crab’s April Focus

Claudia the Crimson Crab icon

“Deal with risk”

““Opportunities pass by frequently, but people don’t always see them. Taking risks grants you an invisible set of glasses that reveal the many opportunities which surround you.” ― Anas Hamshari, Businessma n With An Affliction

A good starting point is a SWAT. Strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats analysis In this way, both internal and external factors are identified, remember weaknesses are best thought of as areas for improvement. If you find your self struggling with external factors try using the acronym PESTEL.  This will help you think about the opportunities and threats likely to develop. PESTEL, polictical, economic, social, technological, environmental and legalThe use of a SWAT Matrix helps you identify where:

strengths play to opportunities or reduce threats

weaknesses hold you back or exacerbate threats

SWOT Matrix Once the major areas are identified you can carry out a risk assessment in a systematic way. risk assessment The key is to unpick how you can reduce the likelihood of a high-risk occurrence happening and, or reduce the damage done to the business if it does happen. That way you will be taking responsibility for your businesses strategy by proactively managing risks. You will also be in a better position to deal with issues that crop up as they should not come as a surprise.  This follows Crimson Crabs strapline:

Ethical  |  legal  |  Responsible

So this month we are asking the question:

Does your strategy take account of business risks? 

Look out for our social media posts and our blog later in the month as we will hopefully be able to flesh out your thinking.
Top tip – A great starting point is to understand some of the risks that your business faces and our Business MOT can help with this

F2 Business Huddle Online

Friday 14 May 2021

12 noon to 2 pm

WE ARE LIMITED TO 100 PLACES

TO AVOID DISSAPOINTMENT 

Get your ticket on Eventbrite


Reputation Advocates

When you need a reliable and dependable expert click on the crabAccredited Crimson Crab Reputation Advocate Logo


 
Feedback

We love to receive feedback and it really helps us to improve our services for everyone.

Until next month look after your reputation!!

Ethical, legal, responsible trading wave
T:023 9263 7190 | E: enquiries@crimsoncrab.net | W: www.crimsoncrab.co.uk

Copyright (c) 2021 Crimson Crab Ltd, all rights reserved.

Crab Insight December 2020

Red Tape Busters Volume 8, Issue 03, RESILIENCE

Welcome to the December edition of Crab Insight

As we approach the winter solstice on 21 December 2020, the shortest day of the year, with the least amount of daylight and the first day of winter (astronomically), we reflect on what has been a strange and difficult year.

December is the twelfth and last month in the modern-day Gregorian calendar. Back in Roman times, the calendar only had ten months and began with March. Hence, “December” comes from the Latin word decem, meaning “ten.”

The winter period was not even assigned months because it was not an active time for military, agriculture, or civil life. In some businesses, the same is true now and things can be a bit slow coming up to Christmas making it a great time to get in some business planning, so that is our focus for this month.  

Claudia Crab’s December Focus

Claudia the Crimson Crab icon

Business Planning.

Resilience is working together when you’re miles apart. Which takes planning and preparation.

Robert Briggs – Compliance Director Crimson Crab Ltd

Bring everything together in a succinct business plan for your best year ever in 2021.

  • Think about what your customer wants to achieve and what is their challenge in achieving this.
  • What do you offer to reduce their challenge?
  • Think about who your ideal customer is.
  • Describe what makes your businesses unique in terms of values, your unique selling point (USP).

As a result of this thought process, what are your strategic goals for the next 3-5 years?  A strategic goal is your long-term, “big picture” objective for your business, which helps improve the way the business operates.

And crucially what must be done now (in the next 1-3 months) to achieve the strategic goals? These short-term goals are tactics that address current problems or challenges, they simply improve or fix what the company is already doing.

If you want a copy of our one-page business plan, please write a review for us on Google and send us an email telling us what your major challenge is.

Top tip – A great starting point for any business planning exercise, is our Business MOT
 

F2 Business Huddle Online

 

Friday 11 December 2020

12 noon to 2 pm

It’s going to be the biggest ever

F2 Business Huddle

and in November there were

seventy Huddlers

 


Reputation Advocates

When you need a reliable and dependable expert click on the crabAccredited Crimson Crab Reputation Advocate Logo

New Reputation Advocates

Mediator Network logo

We are here to help mediation thrive.

Find out more

Renewing Reputation Advocates

Profile Training logo

Coaching and mentoring – because life is more enjoyable when you have a plan.

Find out more


Feedback

We love to receive feedback and it really helps us to improve our services for everyone.

Until next month look after your reputation!!

Ethical, legal, responsible trading wave
T:023 9263 7190 | E: enquiries@crimsoncrab.net | W: www.crimsoncrab.co.uk

Copyright (c) 2020 Crimson Crab Ltd, all rights reserved.

 

Crab Insight June 2020

Red Tape Busters Volume 7, Issue 09, Restoration

Welcome to the June edition of Crab Insight

Love your business – we do! As companies across the UK prepare for the ‘new normal’ we’ve just made our word of the month ‘Restoration’.

How are you going to restore your services while also taking account of and adapting to what was for most very difficult times?

Remember we are here for you, to help you meet the challenges ahead.

Stay safe.

Claudia Crab’s June Focus

Claudia the Crimson Crab icon

Personal Data Processing

“When it comes to data protection, small businesses tend to be less well prepared. They have less to invest in getting it right. They don’t have compliance teams or data protection officers. But small organisations often process a lot of personal data, and the reputation and liability risks are just as real.”

Elizabeth Denham, Information Commissioner

The Information Commissioner is the UK regulator for data protection and can impose substantial penalties for infringements. Data subjects also have a right to claim compensation if a company has caused the damage by a breach of the rules.

When you collect data you need to be transparent about why you are collecting it and how you will use it. This should be set out in an easy to find (and read) privacy notice or policy.

Where you share data with anyone else you need to make it clear with whom you are sharing it and why.

There are specific requirements and guidance if you outsource your data handling to a third party data processor. You must carry out suitable diligence and have written agreements in place which cover defined points.

If you use CCTV, cloud computing, cookies or engage in direct marketing, to name but a few, there is also specific guidance which must be followed.

Our top tip is if you process personal data, make sure you pay the data protection fee and give the correct privacy information to people, don’t forget employees and suppliers as well as customers and clients.

 

F2 Business Huddle Online

Location: Your Workstation

The next online F2 Business Huddle is FREE

It’s on Friday 12 June 2020

12 noon to 2 pm

 

It is going to be the biggest F2 Business Huddle ever – so far

All the favourite features that you have come to know and love at the F2 Business Huddle – online


Reputation Advocates

When you need a reliable and dependable expert click on the crab

Accredited Crimson Crab Reputation Advocate Logo
 

Feedback

We love to receive feedback and it really helps us to improve our services for everyone.


Until next month look after your reputation!!

Ethical, legal, responsible trading wave
T:023 9263 7190 | E: enquiries@crimsoncrab.net | W: www.crimsoncrab.co.uk

Copyright (c) 2020 Crimson Crab Ltd, all rights reserved.

Reputation Advocates Top Tips for 2019 Steve Thomson, Profile Training

My top tip for presentations or pitches:

Feelings Beat Facts.

How people feel after you’ve presented is much more important than any details or data. No one will remember your graph when they leave, but they’ll all remember how you made them feel.

<center><a class=”button” href=”https://www.crimsoncrab.co.uk/reputation-advocate/profile-training/”>Profile Training</a></center><br>

Reputation Advocates Top Tips for 2019 Robert Brown, XMac

Do your very best, then check again and make sure everything you have said or done is fully compliant, correct with your working practices and within the law, before you send, publish or leave your client.

Do your absolute best, then you will not have to return to it and sort it out another time.

<center><a class=”button” href=”https://www.crimsoncrab.co.uk/reputation-advocate/xmac/”>XMac</a></center><br>

Reputation Advocates Top Tips for 2019 Peter Clarke, PPG Proofreading

Protecting your reputation
If you care about your reputation, then you should care about the written material you produce especially if it is intended for other people to read.

If they expect to read error-free content that comes from your business, then you must make sure that it is error-free otherwise your reputation will take a hit.

If you are going to proofread your own writing, then here are a few tips:

  • Print it out and put it to one side for a couple of hours or, even better, overnight. Your eyes will have had an opportunity to focus on something else.
  • If you can’t do that, then read it out loud.
  • Read it backwards. You will be focussed on each word making sure they are all spelt correctly. Then read it forwards to ensure it makes sense.
  • If all else fails, then call in the professional. Ask Wendy / Rob to let you have my contact details.

PPG Proofreading

Reputation Advocates Top Tips for 2019 Martin Harris, MH Photography

Business Headshots Profile Photos
Business headshots for your business are one of your best selling tools. Likewise, people that view your business headshot images form their first impression of you on what they see. A business headshot that displays you clearly and shows you as approachable will give a good first impression.

In other words, a business headshot that confuses viewers will result in the viewer moving on quickly. That’s not just what they are viewing but also your website/social media. This will not be good for your business.

In the first place, your professional headshot image is your ambassador. As a result, when someone meets you in person they will expect to see the person they viewed. The impression that they then form of you may not be a good one. For one thing, the lifespan of a headshot is 2-3 yrs.

It’s not as simple as standing in front of a camera and taking a picture. Consequently, you have to consider the background, lighting, wardrobe, hairstyle, smile and look. Specifically, the wardrobe and styling are to complement the subject not overwhelm them.

Equally important is the framing of the subject with a background that is either plain or out of focus. Accordingly, the background should not stand out, the viewer’s eyes should concentrate on the subject.

Most templates for websites etc are white or off-white for profile images. For this reason, a professional headshot can integrate fairly seamlessly directly onto most websites and social media platforms.

Speak to Martin for further information.

MH Photography

Reputation Advocates Top Tips for 2019 Lyn Heywood, DataWizardAdmin

Networking increases relationships in the community that is local to where you run your company.

Track when your business and brand are mentioned online.

Respond to negative reviews and highlight and use positive feedback.

Take the time to thank positive reviews and address negative reviews by responding sincerely. Explain, offer to address the issues and prompt the customer to contact you directly on a dedicated email address.

DataWizardAdmin