Entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in the West Midlands were offered valuable advice on securing funding and building strong foundations at the region’s largest business funding event last week. Hosted in Birmingham, the Business Funding Summit attracted more than 160 delegates eager to explore investment opportunities and hear from industry experts. The event, organised by Oxford Innovation Advice as part of its Business Growth West Midlands Investment Readiness programme, brought together a host of investors, financial institutions, and business advisers. The summit aimed to help local entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of securing funding and scaling their operations. Business founders,…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a vastly experienced digital marketer with industry leading expertise in several sectors of online marketing. He is the managing director of North West based online marketing agency Custard and has a wealth of experience in online PR, database marketing, SEO, social strategy, branded content, e-commerce, lead generation and site development. He's also a serial entrepreneur who has set up multiple successful businesses.
ShipStation has launched a new service aimed at easing shipping operations for small businesses across the UK, providing discounted daily parcel collections through DPD, one of the world’s leading parcel delivery services. The move promises to make the once-costly service of daily pickups, typically reserved for high-volume shippers, more accessible and affordable for smaller enterprises. For many small businesses, the logistical challenge of shipping parcels quickly and efficiently can be daunting, especially when it comes to organising regular pickups. Previously, businesses that couldn’t meet high-volume shipping thresholds were often left out of daily collection services, which can be both costly…
Singapore-based boutique search agency Kepler Search has been recognised by W.Media, Asia’s largest data centre and cloud industry publisher, for its excellence in navigating the highly challenging talent markets of Northeast Asia, particularly Japan and Korea. The firm was awarded the prestigious Talent Acquisition and Management Team Award at a recent gala event, triumphing over some of the industry’s biggest names. The recognition highlights Kepler Search’s remarkable success in sourcing top-tier talent for data centres, with a particular emphasis on Japan. Known for its ageing population, conservative work culture, and limited English proficiency, Japan is widely regarded as one of…
Allianz has unveiled a set of ambitious financial targets for the period 2024-2027, aiming for sustained growth and value creation across its business divisions. The targets, revealed at Allianz’s Capital Markets Day 2024, include an earnings per share compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9%, a return on equity of at least 17%, and a commitment to generating €24-25 billion in Solvency II operating capital by 2027. In addition, Allianz has set a cumulative net cash remittance target of more than €27 billion between 2025 and 2027. The company is also focused on delivering an attractive payout to shareholders, with…
Türkiye’s bid for EU recognition of döner kebab as a traditional product has faced objections from Germany. In response, Bereket Döner has released an academic study showcasing döner’s Turkish roots and historical relevance. At a press conference in Istanbul on 5th December, Bereket Döner unveiled its findings, intended to reinforce Türkiye’s application for EU recognition. “Our research demonstrates that döner is deeply rooted in Turkish history and culture,” said Mevlüt Ceyhun Tekdemir, Vice Chairman of Bereket Döner’s Board. “From Takiyeddin Efendi’s 16th-century mechanical drawings to insights from Evliya Çelebi, our evidence leaves no doubt about döner’s origins. We trust the…
Social media advertising has become an indispensable tool for businesses aiming to reach their target audiences effectively. From crafting engaging posts to leveraging business hashtags that amplify visibility, social media marketing offers countless opportunities to drive customer engagement. Techniques like social listening allow companies to monitor online conversations, gain insights into consumer behavior, and tailor their strategies accordingly. Another effective method that promotes authenticity and trust is user-generated content, which promotes natural brand promotion. Amid these strategies, AI voice-over technology emerges as a transformative force, reshaping how brands create and deliver content on social platforms. The Rise of AI Voice-Over…
The Ukrainian Armed Forces are at the centre of allegations of fraud tied to the supply of military uniforms. A company based in Türkiye is expected to declare itself a victim in an ongoing case in Ukraine involving corruption accusations against several former bureaucrats. On 27 November, Ukraine’s National Police launched simultaneous operations across 38 different sites. These actions targeted a network accused of making illegal profits from a uniform supply agreement signed in 2022 between Sinclair and Wilde and the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, which allegedly involved excessive pricing. According to a news released by the National Police of…
The Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) has successfully upgraded its cash equity trading system to arrowhead version 4.0, marking the fourth major advancement since 2010. This significant update enhances the speed, reliability, and efficiency of the exchange’s operations, and is seen as a major step in strengthening Japan’s financial markets. Options Technology, a leader in capital markets infrastructure, congratulated the TSE on the successful deployment, noting the close partnership that has developed over years. The upgrade was preceded by thorough communications and extensive testing, which included a weekend of open testing for market participants to ensure smooth integration. Danny Moore, President…
The 2024 British Business Awards recognised the best of British enterprise in China during a Gala Ceremony held on 22nd November at the Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai. The event, organised by the British Chambers of Commerce across China, showcased the extraordinary contributions of businesses and individuals enhancing UK-China economic ties. The biennial awards, which celebrated its 16th year, featured nine categories and saw a total of 110 entries across various industries. The first round of judging resulted in 50 finalists, with an additional online voting component attracting an impressive 1.16 million public views. Speaking at the event, Dame Caroline Wilson…
Warehouse operations must continually evolve to keep pace with ever-increasing consumer demands. Efficiency, precision, and employee satisfaction have become essential pillars for any business striving to remain competitive. This is where voice-directed picking with eSmart Voice steps in—a groundbreaking technology that is reshaping the landscape of modern warehousing. ESmart Voice is setting a new standard for operational excellence in logistics by optimising workflows, minimising errors, and empowering staff. What Is Voice-Directed Picking? Voice-directed picking is a hands-free, paperless system that guides warehouse workers through their tasks using voice commands. Employees wear a headset connected to a mobile device, communicating instructions…