Ferndown Business Network

Growing business together

Category: FBN Members

8 ways to monitor, measure & enhance your marketing

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There are so many readily available systems and processes for you to use when measuring, monitoring and enhancing your marketing impact. Some examples include:

• Adding a web analytics tool e.g. Google Analytics to your website to track and monitor your website performance. Are you reaching the right audience and are they engaging with your site?

• Monitoring the performance of your keywords for your website to ensure your Search Engine performance is optimised. Do you appear high enough in google so that your customers will find you?

• Using an email based system e.g. Mailchimp that allows you to monitor your email open rates, click through rates, unsubscribes etc. Do your subscribers respond to your emails or one type of email campaign compared to another?

• Monitoring your social media demographics and engagement levels. Do your followers match your target audience? Which channel is more effective for brand building vs sales generation? What posts are more effective than other posts e.g. image driven vs video based?

• Conducting Net Promotor Score (NPS) research to understand your customers loyalty to your business. Are they willing to recommend your business to their family and friends?

• Adding UTM tracking codes to your digital advertising, social media activity or email campaigns. How do the different channels drive traffic to your website? Which channel is more effective? How does one advertising media e.g. Google paid ads compared to ads you run for example on Facebook?

• Using a CRM system to record and monitor customer engagement and sales. What approaches generate the most leads and which of these turn into paying customers?

• You can use the same CRM data to explore which customers are the most important to your business? What characteristics do this customers share and how can you find more businesses or individuals who share the same characteristics to help drive forward your business?

Measure4success blog

Measure4success is the blog for Ferndown Business Network member  e-nexus Ltd.  e-nexus is a Bournemouth based Marketing consultancy specialising in Strategic Marketing Planning and Performance Measurement.  Learn more about what we do and how we can support your business by emailing info@e-nexus.co.uk or by visiting our website at www.e-nexus.co.uk

Powers of attorney

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There may come a time in your life when you are unable to manage your financial affairs or personal welfare. Owing to some form of incapacity. And you will need someone to act on your behalf.

Even when we are young, we can find ourselves incapacitated owing to illness or injury. It can be invaluable having a reliable person, who is able to manage your personal affairs. Removing the anxiety of having unpaid bills, at a time when you most need peace of mind.

Similarly, as we get older, the need for an attorney increases as we are more prone to illness and injuries.

A Power of Attorney in advance. Ensures that if the worst were to happen, you can rest assured that both your financial affairs and personal welfare are in safe hands.

To find out more about creating Powers of Attorney please contact Ferndown Business Network member David Booth at DB Consultancy. Call us on 01425 480954 or 07949 021118.  Alternatively Email: David@dmsuk.info | Contact us via FaceTime | Skype: theoxfordwillco_1

Soften your hands when washing them

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Repeated handwashing can take a toll on your skin if your chosen soap uses harsh surfactants and strips your hands of moisture.

Thankfully, Forever has found a way to actually soften your hands while washing them.  Formulated from 100% stabilized Aloe Vera gel and natural cleansers, the gentle formula in Forever’s ALOE HAND SOAP (Code 523 Price £14.83) cleans your hands whilst also leaving them feeling soft and hydrated.

Aloe hand soap
Aloe hand soap

BUY NOW at http://www.wessex-aloe.com or call Ferndown Business Network member ‘Dr’ Peter on 07947 685785

FBN update

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In person networking may be off the cards for a little while.  But at Ferndown Business Network we won’t be held back. Networking and supporting each other is what we do best.   

Our new on-line meetings will begin shortly. So we can continue to meet, share and support each others businesses.  

Members – keep an eye on your Inbox for more information.

Ways to boost your immune system

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No doubt you’ve heard countless times from your parents and medical professionals that your immune system is important. Even if it’s never been mentioned outright, it’s been inferred. We all generally have an idea of what the immune system does – it fights infections and illnesses for us – but we may not have an in-depth understanding of exactly how it works and what it’s doing for us day-to-day.  

How does the immune system actually work?  

Your immune system recognises every cell that makes up your body. If it finds anything it doesn’t recognise, it attacks it. Sometimes it can get this wrong and attack harmless pollen particles (causing hay fever) or donated blood or organs. However, in general your immune system will be pretty good at this.  

Your immune system can be divided up into two parts: innate response and acquired response. The innate response is the part that decides whether something is friend or foe. If it decides on foe, it tries to flush out the invader and this is generally what makes you feel feverish or snotty. The acquired response acts when the invaders have been recognised. It identifies which cells in your body can kill the invaders and then sends them in, much like a SWAT team. There are lots of claims online that things like getting more sleep, taking supplements and drinking more water can help to improve your immune system, but often, robust evidence for these quick-fixes can be hard to find. So, what does work?  

A healthy lifestyle is your first line of defence  

The best method for maintaining a healthy immune system is to keep yourself healthy by eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. A varied diet will ensure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to stay healthy. Certain vitamins and minerals contribute to the normal function of the immune system, including copper, folate, iron, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Some will be more helpful here than others, but that’s why a balanced diet is the best option here, as you’ll get a bit of everything.  

Regular exercise

Getting regular exercise is important for your immune system because it increases the activity of helpful immune cells in your body. Improving your circulation and getting your heart beating more sends these cells out to patrol the body, looking for potential problems. The NHS notes that adults between 19 and 64 require both aerobic and strength exercises. It also recommends at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week, in addition to separate strength exercises. Whilst both types of activity are important for general wellbeing, which is also important for your immune system, it’s the aerobic activity that will really get those immune cells moving about.  

Your microbiota is on your side  

I have mentioned in another blog that cultivating the good bacteria in your gut is essential to your overall health and wellbeing, but how does this relate to the immune system? Well, the microbiota in your gut can help to defend you from infection in more ways than one. For one thing, they take up space in your gut, so it’s difficult for disease-causing bugs to find anywhere to establish themselves. They also secrete toxic proteins that kill off potential infections, and, finally, they regulate the signals of our innate response (the one that flushes out invaders). Some scientists have suggested that the reason why you and your friend may react differently to the same infection is down to a difference in microbiota. One way to complement your microbiota is to take Forever Active Pro-B. It’s the perfect high-quality friendly bacteria supplement to assist with your diet and lifestyle goals (Code 610 Price £35.71). 

Vaccinations can help prevent problems  

We mentioned earlier that the acquired response identifies cells within the body that can attack and kill invaders, well, often this process can take a few days or longer to complete. Vaccines work by introducing your acquired response to harmless versions of the infection, so that your body produces antibodies and learns how to fight it. This way, if you ever come into contact with the disease again, your immune system knows how to fight it and acts a lot quicker.  

It’s clear that there’s no quick fix for boosting your immune system. The only real answer is to eat well, exercise regularly, look after your microbiome and make sure you have the correct vaccinations. Not so surprising when you think about it, is it? 

For further information, please contact Ferndown Business Network member ‘Dr’ Peter of Wessex Aloe on 07947 685785, peter@wessex-aloe.com  or www.wessex-aloe.com  

Protect your inheritance for future generations.

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Protecting your inheritance for future generations is commonly referred to as ‘Bloodline Planning’.   Ensuring that your assets reach your children, grandchildren and other relatives, rather than other people.

Assets distributed to beneficiaries absolutely can be lost

When your assets are distributed to beneficiaries “absolutely”. They receive cash, property or other assets as a direct lump sum payment, so much of it can be lost. Your assets are then considered to be part of the beneficiary’s estate. Being at risk from any future divorce settlements, creditors and taxation.

Use Trusts to benefit your relatives

The use of Trusts can ensure that your children and grandchildren are able to benefit completely from the inheritance you want them to receive.  At the same time protect the family home and other assets from being lost to the costs of Long Term Care.

To find out more about Bloodline Planning please contact Ferndown Business Network David Booth at DB Consultancy on 07949 021118. Email david@dmsuk.info or let’s speak via FaceTime or Skype: theoxfordwillco_1

Go Team FBN

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Another great Ferndown Business Network social. We aren’t just all about growing our businesses. We value just as much getting to know each other personally. This time during a couple of games of bowling. Great to use our socials to also raise a few pounds for our FBN charity – Wessex Cancer Trust.

Why Is Gut Health so Important?

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Many of us consider our gut to be simply an automated food processing system that, at best, does little more than digest our food and at worst, is the source of discomfort and illness. But have you ever considered that your intestine is your largest organ? Its average length is greater than the width of a tennis court and its surface area is approximately 200 times the surface area of your skin. So why is our gut health so important? There is increasing emerging evidence that the size and complexity of our gut plays a vital role in more than just nutrient absorption; it’s also connected to our immune system, mental health and general wellbeing. 

Nutrient absorption – we are what we absorb, not just what we eat  

Taking the food we eat and processing it so that we can absorb and utilise the nutrients is the most obvious role of our gut. Having been broken down by the acidic stomach, the majority of nutrient absorption takes place in our small intestine, but this absorption varies between 10-90% depending upon the health of our intestine.  

Three ways to increase nutrient absorption:  

  • Drink a glass of water 30 minutes before each meal. This will prime the digestive system
  • Chew your food for longer. This will boost the digestion process and food will taste better
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol whilst eating 

The gut-brain axis – your gut instinct  

Our gut contains a network of neurones equivalent in complexity and size to the brain of a cat, and we all know how intelligent cats are! This neural-network, known as the ‘Enteric Nervous System’, not only controls digestion but it also connects directly to our brainstem to provide two-way communication with the unconscious part of our inbuilt master computer. One of the key messengers in this network is serotonin. In the brain, this messenger is well known for producing feelings of positive wellbeing and happiness, yet approximately 90% of the body’s serotonin is made in the digestive tract.  

This ‘second brain’ in our gut determines not just our digestive health, but it also affects our mood and even the way we think and therefore behave. Maybe our ‘gut instinct’ has a more rational basis than we previously realised!  

The immune system – battling the bugs  

The immune system is our body’s natural defence force. Ready, armed and willing to attack any foreign invaders, the immune cells are housed in our lymphoid tissue. Examples include our lymph nodes and spleen, but 70% of lymphoid is in our intestine which makes it the body’s largest immune organ.  

Our micro-biome – the good, the bad and the ugly  

We now understand that our gut factory is not fully automated, it actually houses a huge workforce! Bacteria are often considered the bad boys of biology causing infection, disease and illness, and whilst for some bacterial strains this is true, there are many other bacterial strains that are vitally important for us to survive. They co-habit in our bodies, living and working in our large intestine – the micro-biome.  

There are over 40 trillion bacteria in our gut, making up 1-3% of our body weight and in fact, there is more bacterial genetic material in our gut than there are human genes in our body! These good bacteria support our immune, gut-brain axis and digestive system in many ways, including producing enzymes, vitamins and hormones we cannot make, and enhancing the absorption of certain minerals. Ensuring we cultivate our good gut bacteria, encouraging their growth and productivity is essential to our overall health and wellbeing.  

Three steps to boost your micro-biome: 

  • Exercise regularly 
  • Vary your diet with lots of nutrient dense vegetables and berries 
  • Avoid refined sugar and processed food. 

Making the right choices on a daily basis to promote good gut health will not only improve your digestive health but it will also support your immune system and mental health. Optimal intestinal health truly is the key to good general wellbeing. 

Further information can be obtained from Ferndown Business Network member ‘Dr’ Peter on 07947 685785 or peter@wessex-aloe.com  or via his website www.wessex-aloe.com  

Move It May 2020 for Wessex Cancer Trust

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Choose your distance and get sponsored to run, cycle or swim for Ferndown Business Network member Wessex Cancer Trust this May!

Whether you choose to tackle 5km or 500km, it’s all about getting active and moving more in May. It’s completely up to you how you decide to move it! So whether you’re a dancing queen or tai chi makes you happy, there are loads of ways to get moving and raise money for local families affected by cancer.

Raising just £100 could pay for a month’s supply of the products needed to provide the complementary therapies that we offer in our Cancer Support Centres. Raising £400 could fund a 10 session one to one support package, tailored to the individual, to help manage the emotional impact of cancer.

Sign up to make a difference to families affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight!

Find out more at: https://www.wessexcancer.org.uk/Event/move-it-may-2020

Making Your Vehicle Stand Out

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March marks the release of the 20 plate registration numbers. If you’re buying or leasing a new vehicle and require upgraded, updated and uplifted graphics Ferndown Business Network member Signs Express Bournemouth can help bring your brand to life!

On average your vehicle could be seen by over 3,000 people every hour in a typical working day. Powerful and high impact, effective vehicle graphics are the perfect way to create a 24/7 marketing campaign at a slither of the investment.

Vehicle graphics are one of the most powerful forms of advertising and there are plenty of options to explore for all budgets! 

Signage for every type of vehicle

Custom Decals & Stickers

A great option for self-employed business people or start-ups, custom graphics and stickers are quick to apply and can start from £125+VAT.

Decals are a simple alternative to a larger vehicle livery, due to their fast turnaround and ability to be easily removed they also provide a great option for promotional events and ad-hoc usage. Our custom graphics can also be provided on a supply only basis, applied at your leisure.

FAQ – What are decals?

Decals is another term used for vinyl graphics and vinyl signs, commonly used as a term to describe text and logos on cars, vans and lorries amongst other transportation modes. 

Vehicle Wraps

At the other end of the scale, wrapping is a great solution for covering large areas of a vehicle. Vinyl can be very versatile which makes it a popular choice for those looking to completely or partially brand their business vehicles or make a statement with a privately-owned car.

Not only can wraps add the wow-factor, they can protect original paintwork, helping with resale value and also act as a theft deterrent which can lead to lower insurance premiums.

FAQ – How long do vehicle graphics last?

Professionally applied vehicle graphics should last for years if they are cared for correctly. We advise that you do not wash your vehicle for a week after vehicle graphics are applied and do not jet wash the graphics as this may reduce their life. 

For permanent vehicle graphics, we always offer to laminate the graphics which should prolong the colour of any digitally printed images. 

Reflective Vehicle Markings

Reflective markings can serve two important purposes; keeping your branding visible in all conditions and helping to comply with health and safety standards.

Certain vehicles will have to comply with Chapter 8 regulations which includes having fluorescent yellow and retro-reflective red markings applied to the rear. Chevron markings are also essential for ESVs including ambulances and police vehicles, in addition to blue and yellow battenberg graphics.

To make your vehicles really stand out 24/7, reflective vinyl adds the wow-factor and is great in low-light conditions.

FAQ – What are reflective vinyl graphics?

There are specialist vinyl materials available which offer reflective qualities for high impact graphics throughout the night. We can apply your vehicle with rear chevrons or build reflective graphics into your livery design for high visibility of your vehicle. Legislation requires new commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes of any age to have reflective outlines to the bodies and rears of the vehicle.

Fleet Graphics

To achieve a recognisable brand, it’s important to have consistent messaging across all elements of the business and this includes any company vehicles you may own or lease.

From simple text and logos to a full wrap, there are plenty of options to create a professional look which helps to enhance your corporate identity. Most vehicle visuals can also be removed if a vehicle is no longer needed, is being returned or sold making it a convenient option for fleets of vehicles.

There are many types of vehicle graphics with different options for a range of requirements. Signs Express Bournemouth offers a bespoke service and can cater for a wide range of requests. 

FAQ – How do I remove my vehicle graphics?

We would advise all graphics and wraps to be removed by a professional to ensure no damage is done to the vehicle. For a small fee, Signs Express Bournemouth offer this service.

Six steps to successful vehicle graphics

1. Identify – Vehicle graphics can serve many purposes, including showcasing your products and services or providing vital safety protection when out on the road. It’s important to consider what you want to get from your graphics before deciding the route you take.

2. Consult – it’s okay to not fully understand what you want or require from your new vehicle graphics, contact us to discuss requirements and we can recommend what will work best. Our bespoke consultative service can open up a range of possibilities!

3. Manage – especially for large fleet projects a seamless experience is essential to maintain an efficient service and make sure everything is delivered on time and budget. 

4. Innovate – the industry is always changing with new products and ideas, as part of the largest sign company in the UK and Ireland we have access to all of the latest innovations to make you stand out from the crowd.

5. Propose – the key to a good design is collaboration, our in-house design capabilities allow us to create engaging concepts and ideas for your vehicle. We can help you turn a simple idea into a unique and eye-catching design.

6. Customise – any type of vehicle can be wrapped from cars and vans to lorries and buses, but our capabilities don’t stop there, the more interesting the better!

Graphics don’t stop with cars, vans and lorries. At Signs Express Bournemouth we have wrapped a wide range of bespoke transport including everything from planes and boats to tuk-tuks and large machinery. 

Contact us today on 01202 797 239 to start your vehicle graphics journey.

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