Business

We can learn a lot from the Easter Bunny

What’s not to love about a cheerful fellow who arrives with chocolate heralding the arrival of spring after a long cold winter? Whether or not you celebrate Easter, there is some fundamental wisdom that everyone can learn from the Easter Bunny.

Much like the leadership lessons from Santa Claus that I wrote about a few years ago, these iconic characters espouse many of the values and virtues so many of us share. And although they are associated with religious holidays, their messages cross multiple faiths.

A friend sent a list of lessons we might take away from the floppy-...

Devon Dealership launches blog to bolster online presence

Authored by charlotteb
Posted: Wed, 04/03/2013 - 9:38am

Leading Exeter new and used car dealership, Vospers, has added to its award-winning online presence with the launch of a blog. The blog will feature advice guides, reviews and interviews with famous names in motoring.

The company secured an interview with stunt driver, Terry Grant, holder of 19 world record driving stunts to date, to launch the site. The initiative is part of Vospers’ ongoing dedication to ensuring that the customer experience is as outstanding online as it is in their showroom.

Managing Director Nick Vosper explains; “Vospers recognises that the customer...

How finding your voice is good for business…

The computer age has created a generation of employees who lack the most basic communication skills, according to an expert in the field.

The increasing practise of sending emails to colleagues in the same room is an example of how people are shying away from speaking to one another. This barrier to speaking confidently is likely to hold back employees and put a lid on success when it comes to face-to-face meetings and presentations at management level, having a knock-on effect for the entire business.

“I’ve heard from recruitment agencies that because prospective employees...

An evening of free advice from the South West's top business consultants

Authored by ellenjenkins
Posted: Tue, 03/26/2013 - 10:27am

Based on the Pecha Kucha and TED concepts of keeping presentations concise, fast paced and generating curiosity, SouthWestfd have brought together some of the region’s most professional public speakers for an evening of 15 minute wonders.

Each speaker will present for 15 minutes on a key business topic, giving you a valuable insight into how to improve your business.

Subjects include how to raise finance, leadership skills, marketing communications, the myths surrounding social media and security concerns with cloud computing.

For more information and to book visit...

Ben Afflick's Oscar speech delivered useful business advise

From a business standpoint, the three most important lessons that were presented at this year’s Oscars were delivered by one individual — Ben Affleck. Make that four, because he also talked about how you have to continue to work at having a strong marriage. Fortunately that’s how I feel about my marriage too, so I can second his opinion.

Affleck offered life lessons, to be sure, but every business can benefit from them as well.

This also goes for business partnerships. They take work to keep them thriving. You can’t just go through the motions and assume that everything...

Exeter Expect Success Local Campaign Launch

Following from the ‘Exeter Expect Success’ campaign in the London Underground, the posters are now coming home to Exeter, to help the city celebrate its successes.

Celebrating 2012's success the City of Exeter joined forces and mounted an inward investment campaign. 'Expect success: Invest in Exeter' brings together key business leaders who are passionate about living, working and running a business in Exeter.

2012 has seen the City's Museum, University and F.E College all win prestigious UK wide awards, citing them as top of the UK's offerings. These posters are now due to...

Expect Success: Invest in Exeter logos available!

Following on from our Blog of 8 March – ‘What Are We Doing About Exeter’s Triple Crown Status’ The Plum Consultancy is delighted to advise that the ‘Expect Success: Invest in Exeter’ logo is available for all local businesses to use on their websites, stationery and email signatures to promote Exeter’s extraordinary triple crown status in the UK.

With investment enquiries up by 250% since the campaign was launched in London 2 weeks ago, congratulations are to be extended to all those involved in obtaining these fantastic accolades. To capitalise on this opportunity, Exeter Chamber...

Exeter business Rokk Media continues impressive growth

Authored by Rokk Media
Posted: Mon, 03/18/2013 - 10:31am

After a meteoric 2012 which saw Exeter-based bespoke software, mobile apps and web development agency Rokk Media Ltd reach its first decade, move to a purpose-built office and realise a doubling in turnover, it has continued to buck the economic trend in 2013 after securing major new clients and adding more members to the team.

New appointments in project management, web development and a key appointment at director level, all reinforce Rokk Media’s commitment to further extensive growth over the next few years.

New Marketing Director Ian Creek joins Rokk Media after...

Twit or Tweet?

With Social Media marketing taking on a life of its own in recent years, we at The Plum Consultancy ask what is relevant and what isn’t? How many people are drowning under the barrage of tweets, shares, likes, LinkedIn requests and Google+ notifications? Are they all meaningful or are tweets being re-tweeted within an inch of their lives and is anyone taking any notice or is it all going in the spam folder?!

We believe the considered approach is the only approach to have when using and dealing with Social Media for business purposes. Social Media is as much about relationship...

SETsquared businesses secure £30m of funding in one year

In the last 12 months alone, businesses being incubated by a partnership of five UK universities have raised some £30m in investment.

The figures have been unveiled by SETsquared , a collaboration between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. The organisation partners in enterprise activities and collectively supports the growth and success of new business opportunities through its five incubation centres.

SETsquared’s Partnership Director, Graham Harrison, shared the partnership’s latest success figures with MP David Willetts as he visited...

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