Business Action | April / May 2020

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NEWS Telecoms and IT solutions specialist Zero 7 is supporting customers in North Devon with their homeworking setups as many employees adapt to the Coronavirus lockdown by working from their homes. Based in Barnstaple, Zero7 is ensuring that business telecoms enable businesses to continue communicating with customers and suppliers to keep the economy running. Temporary solutions it is providing include: ➤➤4G mobile broadband ➤➤4G routers ➤➤SIM ONLY mobile packages ➤➤Phones and tablets ➤➤Call diverting The Carlton, Ilfracombe • 24 hour delegate rates available • Fully catered team building • Michelin dining experience • Participative courses • Business facilities Call today for our training packages, price & information 01271 862446 ilfracombecarlton.co.uk Telecoms specialist supports homeworkers ➤➤Inbound numbers ➤➤Voicemail ➤➤Messaging services ➤➤VoIP Zero7’s Matthew Dawes says: “During this time we will still be here to support our customers and ensure we keep them connected. “We would like to extend this to other businesses in the area as we shall remain operational and willing to help all businesses during this time. “We can offer short-term solutions and on average we save our customers around 45% on their telecoms bills when they transfer to us. “To go further we shall cover the transfer costs to help businesses free up cash flow on these essential business tools.” Zero7 can provide cost saving reports for all businesses, whether large or small and in any sector. These can cover mobiles and fixed line, broadband and ISDN with short-term options available. “Whether you have a simple line and internet service or something much larger, reducing these bills during this time will be a massive advantage and we are confident we can help,” adds Matthew. “If a local business would like some advice or even some more information on what we do and how a local telecoms provider can help their business now and into the future, then we would love to hear from them. We are all about helping our fellow local businesses.” ■■Details 01271 370707 or zr7.co Switch spending to local businesses now It is a platitude that we have heard for so long: shop local. But not enough of us do. Another platitude is: use it or lose it. If we don’t practise the first platitude, the second will come true. Many local businesses have suspended operations and, while the Government has announced support schemes, there is no indication that these will be successful in keeping businesses afloat. Meanwhile, many national companies are raking it in as customers have no alternative. If customers do not switch back to buying from local businesses at the first opportunity, North Devon high street stores and village shops could disappear and in future years people will complain about total domination by national and global companies. Do not wait for government or councils to take action, as from experience we know that the business community and individuals are more effective at achieving necessary change. It is up to each and every one of us. When you want to buy, stop before going online. Search to find how you can purchase from a North Devon business. We started our #10to1m campaign when chosen to represent Small Business Saturday and we urge everyone now to switch spending. Support #10to1m or start your own town or village campaign. Just buy local! 01271 267420 | info@gtales.co.uk 4 business action | April / May 2020 | business-action.co.uk
Acupuncture practice goes online Following guidance from the British Acupuncture Council and its own commitment to safe practices and social distancing, One Acupuncture in Barnstaple is now offering only virtual consultations until further notice. Since her childhood, owner Alison Savory has always wanted to make sick people better, which led her into clinical research with a First Class degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a PhD in Clinical Medicine from Cambridge. She had a successful 15-year career in the Pharma industry sector, including senior global and European commercial and medical roles, before training in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. She now has a BSc (Hons) Acupuncture and is a full member of the British Acupuncture Council, the main UK regulatory body. “I am very conscious that many people can’t currently access their usual hands-on treatment, such as physio, acupuncture and massage,” says Alison. “I am offering Chinese herbal medicine in this interim, with virtual consults online or on phone and your personalised herbal formula delivered to your door.” The clinic is offering a 20% discount on all virtual herbal consults and a 50% discount for staff at North Devon District Hospital. Alison works with clients with the desire and commitment to make changes and restore health and balance, so they can reach their full potential and live life well. ■■Details 07591 173441 or oneacupuncture.as.me NEWS Adapting is a sign of the times Like all businesses, we The Sign Maker in High Bickington is one of many manufacturers in Memorials web site are trying to make our way North Devon adapting to changing circumstances. Here marketing Despite the hardships we are through a very unexpected coordinator Poppy-Lee Price explains what steps the longestablished family business is taking to keep the business running launched our UK Memorials facing, this month we have and unprecedented time. After getting ourselves through site after many months of hard Brexit (and giving ourselves a work. We have been making pat on the back for doing so), signs now for over 17 years we have now been faced with and within those years began this pandemic. the production of high quality, We are very lucky that we bespoke memorials. are a family-run business who This side of the business live on-site in a very rural began to grow into a considerable section of our company. location. It has meant we have been able to stay open However, it was our customers by our office team working who pointed out that our main from home while we complete orders with a very minimal website was beginning to be so production team. large that it was hard to find your way around. Introducing precautions So in order to improve our Those are not the only precautions we have taken to ensure existing site – UK Memorials at usability, we re-launched an the safety of our team. In uk-memorials.net – this time addition, we have added stickers, which we print ourselves, using the WordPress platform. We are really happy with all over our site to inform the site, but, as anyone in everyone to wash their hands constantly. We have no delivery digital knows, the work drivers entering the workshops is never finished and our Stickers available from The Sign Maker but instead they collect and director Kate is still beavering deliver at a designated location come into contact with hands need budget-friendly stickers away and making improvements all the time. set aside from the workshops with either a bleach-based or signage in association with with signage to instruct. solution or a citric acid solution three times a day. touch and we can see how we sign-maker.net or COVID-19, please do get in ■■Details 01769 561355 or We are also cleaning all door handles and surfaces that If any other businesses can help. uk-memorials.net Helping travellers get home safely Clare Flint has worked in travel for 25+ years and runs corporate and leisure travel businesses from her home office. Recently she has been working all hours for clients, following the unprecedented travel disruption caused by Coronavirus. “My focus is caring for people – my customers and the communities I work within - and this has never felt more important,” says Clare. While many people adapt to working from home, Clare is used to working flexibly around clients and ensuring she is there when they need her. She is glued to updates from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, reacting to new developments and contacting clients affected to make alternative travel arrangements, re-book or refund. She has seen customers’ holidays cut short and, working with Travel Counsellors’ 24/7 Duty Office, has worked exhaustively to get them home. She has also been supporting travellers who didn’t book travel through her business but have been stranded across the globe and in need of help. The crisis has highlighted potential gaps in current travel legislation, with travel companies and airlines now navigating the rules set out by the Package Travel Regulations for circumstances for which they were not created. “It’s proved the value of a ‘human’ travel expert. With ever-changing travel advice, it truly pays to put your faith in a trusted travel expert who can look after every element of your booking, and be there for you wherever you are in the world, and whatever the time zone.” ■ ■ Details 01271 882990 or travelcounsellors.co.uk/clare.flint @businessactionm | April / May 2020 | business action 5
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Business Action | April / May 2020

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