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We aren’t just pointing the finger of accusation at WhatsApp here either. We’re basically referring to any instant messaging software or app which enables you to create groups or conversations which involve multiple participants.

Let’s take a closer look at why work WhatsApp groups have gained such ‘Marmite’ status…

The pros of having a work WhatsApp group

We’ll start with the good news first because there are plenty of benefits attached to creating professional instant messaging groups, such as:

• Quick and easy file sharing when email or servers are inaccessible or inconvenient.
• Round-the-clock communication for businesses or employees who require it.
• More rapid responses for when you need a quick-fire answer or immediate information.
• Relationship building and the fostering of social bonds which then benefit communication lines ‘back at the office’.
• Group communication inspires more creative thought and more seamless idea-sharing.
• More efficient communication between staff who job share or work shift patterns.

The problems that professional WhatsApp groups can create

The bad news? Group communication apps can open doors to…

• Behaviour which might be construed as exclusion or bullying if somebody is left out.
• Difficulty drawing the line between what counts as work time and what counts as personal. time, which can then pose problems when it comes to dealing with any issues that might arise.
• Poor mental wellbeing for those who aren’t completely comfortable with modern technology.
• Poor mental wellbeing for those who find constant communication stressful or overwhelming and prefer to draw clear division between their personal and professional worlds.
• Distraction from the tasks at hand as the boundaries between social and professional use blur.

Our tips on managing work WhatsApp groups well

As problematic as they can undoubtedly be, instant messaging groups can be extremely useful for modern, mobile teams who demand constant communication. Let’s face it, they can be a whole heap of fun too and where else would you share the embarrassing photos of your workmate face-planting a kebab after Friday night drinks?

So, here are some pieces of advice to help you make WhatsApp (and similar) work:

• Make sure nobody is excluded that shouldn’t be as like we said up there, this skirts dangerously close to the legal territory of bullying if taken too far.
• Set clear boundaries between work and play – set up a separate group purely for social interaction and sharing memes if needs be.
• Avoid any taboo topics or questionable content – this includes anything offensive or aggressive but also anything a bit risky regarding other members of staff. You never quite know when it might come back to bite you.
• Consider staying out of it if you’re a senior member of staff or in a managerial position as you might end up in a sticky situation that is a challenge to get out of.
• If you’re a business owner, consider including some best practice guidelines around instant messaging groups in your company policy. It is the 21^st century after all.

Are you and your colleagues part of a WhatsApp group? Do you find it to be friend or foe of professional relationships? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or speak your mind over on Twitter or Facebook.

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If you’re looking to pull more customers into your store and have been having no success, there are a couple of easy steps you can take to make your shopfront more appealing.

Keep it clean

We all know this is easier said than done but making sure your store is sparkling clean will have a huge impact on the number of customers you pull in. Nobody wants to walk into a dirty store or even an untidy one.

Many stores have their own team of cleaners to ensure the shop stays in good shape – this is something especially important if you sell any foodstuffs.

Put your best wares out front

If possible you want to show your customers the best you have to offer as soon as they see your shop, this results in your store looking more appealing and leaving a lasting impression.

Think of it as a car dealership, you’ll rarely walk past and see their bargain motors out front, you’ll see the best they have to offer, brand new Jaguars, Range Rovers and BMWs – the type of cars you’ll see on your way home and think “I’d love one of those”.

Having your best items on display will help pull in customers that want ‘only the best’, but don’t be afraid to put out some items on sale too. Some people are simply after a bargain.

Which angle you go for will largely depend on your target market. If you’re going after the luxury market, then highlight the best products you have. If you are going for those looking for the best deal, highlight special offers on high-quality products.

Advertise outside your store if possible

Sometimes stores fall foul to in-house marketing. It’s great to have offers displayed in your store alongside promotions on your website, but sometimes you’ll just end up advertising to your existing customers and not pulling in new ones.

Advertising in the shop window is a great idea but be careful. Too many advertisements can sometimes affect the overall look of the storefront, especially if you’re going for a specific design or theme.

If you have a carpark, why not try hanging some adverts from the lights, gates or walls? If your store is part of a complex of other stores this can sometimes pull in customers passing by.

To reach even more customers, an even better idea is to make these advertisements visible from the roadside that passes your store.

These are only a few ideas to spruce up your shopfront to make it more inviting, 90% of the battle is simply getting the customer to enter the store, once they are there the likelihood that they make a purchase will be higher.

There are countless ideas out there that can help boost the appeal of your store, we’ve tried to list perhaps some of the easier and cheaper ones to get you started.

Have you used any of these ideas and had success? Has something completely different worked for you? Let us know down in the comments below, it’s always great to hear tips from other business owners.

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It’s by no means a new concept but something which has seen another influx in popularity of late – but why? Is it a good way to boost productivity or is it all just a fad? Let’s investigate…

Why has netwalking become so popular?

As with most trends and hot topics, there isn’t really one definitive factor that the peaks and troughs in netwalking’s popularity can be accredited to. However, there are three main elements that are all pretty safe bets…

It’s good for the planet – People are becoming more and more eco-conscious. Networking outdoors reduces the number of people occupying offices and event spaces, burning through gas, electricity and water.

It’s good for our health and wellbeing – Velux released some research not so long ago showing that we now spend 90% of our time inside, dubbing us the ‘Indoor Generation’. Netwalking allows us to get outside more, breathe some fresh air, and get the blood pumping whilst ramping up our step count. This is all vital for things like cognitive function, physical mobility, weight control and banishing fatigue.

Just because we can– The working world is becoming more flexible and agile by the minutes. No longer does networking have to mean milling about one room, hopping from person to person in the confines of four walls. Options have opened and horizons have expanded – taking advantage of this is a no-brainer.

The other benefits of netwalking                                   

The rewards don’t just stop at the planet, wellbeing and increased agility either – hopping on board the good ship netwalking also means you can:

• Improve concentration as your mental focus is heightened
• Feel more creative and inspired
• Meet more forward-thinking people who aren’t afraid of change or trying something new
• Feel more at ease if you’re an introvert easily overwhelmed by a room full of new faces

Top tips to make netwalking work for your business 

Not got the foggiest where to start when it comes to netwalking? Here are some pointers to guide you down the right path, literally…

• Map out your route beforehand so you aren’t distracted by your surroundings or getting lost
• Save it for intimate groups or 1-2-1 conversations – or split off into smaller groups
• Read up on any documents or notes beforehand so you’re well equipped before setting off
• Follow up with an introductory email when you’re back at the desk to consolidate with a digital connection too
• Don’t forget to pop some business cards in your pocket!

Have you tried netwalking before, or is it something you’re looking to do more of going forward? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or join us over on Twitter or Facebook.

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Before we go any further though, let’s be clear about one thing – we aren’t talking about relocating your entire workspace into the wilderness or pitching up a marquee for the next company board meeting here. We’re simply talking about a small workspace or two in an outdoor environment which staff can use when the mood (or the weather) suits.

It could be a single table and chairs in the courtyard, a bench on a balcony or a whole al fresco hot desking cluster if you’ve got the luxury of space and spare cash to play with. It’s just about breaking out of the four walls you’re so accustomed to, to become more progressive, flexible and adaptive to a continually diversifying workforce.

Pros of an outdoor workspace

Attraction and retention of talent – A survey by outdoor furniture brand, LL Bean found that 86% of 22-65-year-olds would like to be spending more of their work hours outdoors. Give your staff what they need if you want to keep them.

Good for the health and soul – LL Bean also revealed that 74% think working outside would boost their mood, while 71% agree it would reduce stress and 66% agree it would improve general health and wellness.

Getting closer to Mother Nature – Indoor plants and biophilic interior design elements are great but you really can’t beat the real thing. Working outside will give staff access to the benefits of more natural light and improve quality of fresh air.

Maximised use of space – Small businesses are often low on space, taking advantage of what’s around the office and not just inside it will help you optimise what is available to you.

The problems with an outdoor office

Weather dependant – As with most things, with every silver lining comes the cloud and, in this case, the weather is one of them (pun totally intended). Combat this by ensuring you invest in some weatherproof furniture which is suitable for outdoor use. Or, consider an open sided workspace, with a roof!

Can be expensive – Sure, it could cost an arm and a leg but as long as you work within your means and stick to a strict budget, there’s no reason why you can’t reap the benefits of even a very modest outdoor workspace.

Space isn’t always available – If you don’t have any outdoor space to call your own it can be more of a challenge! Instead, go for a stroll around a nearby park, work from home in the garden or hunt down a shared roof terrace.

What are your thoughts on outdoor workspaces? Leave them in the comments below or let us know over on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

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Mark – who is the Associate Professor at The Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences at the University of California – thought that things like ‘task’ and ‘project’ were far too restrictive in a world where people are often concentrating on a whole multitude of different things simultaneously.

Spheres better reflect the non-linear way we tend to bounce between items on our to-do lists these days. Mark’s studies revealed that on average, people are dealing with 12 different working spheres every day and switching between them every 10 and a half minutes.

She suggests that this regular jumping between tasks is partly as a result of internal interruption. Not only are we being disturbed by a million one external forces when trying to concentrate, we’re also interrupting ourselves all the time.

In fact, Mark found that 44% of interruptions experienced by her respondents were internal. Bolstered by her discovery that people are now switching between technological devices every 2 minutes and 11 seconds.

Another person pointing the finger at modern technology is Computer Science Professor, Cal Newport. He blames technology for an inability to engage in deep focus and catalysing something called ‘attention residue’ where minds are constantly lingering on previous tasks and never fully fixed on the task (or working sphere) in hand.

The problem(s) with it all

Mark’s research highlighted how people are now spending little over 3 minutes on a task before being interrupted. Paired with Gallup’s findings that it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to regain focus after being disturbed, this raises a number of red flags…

Low productivity – With such regular interruption (both internal and external) and lack of focus, it becomes virtually impossible to get anything done to a high standard or tight deadline.

Low motivation – Inability to concentrate and low output can lead to feelings of frustration, stress and therefore an unwillingness to apply yourself.

Poor employee wellbeing – Pressure, frustration and low motivation are all highly detrimental to mental health and wellness. Trying to stay on top of things in this type of situation can also push people closer towards cognitive overload or burnout.

Low rates of attraction and retention – To attract and retain the best talent, you need to provide a working environment where people can feel positive, engaged, highly motivated and encouraged to fulfil their potential.

It’s time to take action…

What can be done about it?

There’s only so much you can do about other people’s internal interruptions but as a business owner, what you can do is provide a workplace which optimises concentration and deep focus.

Our tips:

• Use time management tools to prioritise processes, apply deadlines and help people stay on track.
• Permit flexible working so that people can work remotely or from home when they just can’t seem to knuckle down at the office.
• Invest in some good quality office acoustic solutions to keep excess noise at bay.
• Provide tech-free workspaces where people can go to avoid the constants dings, pings and buzzes that distract us all every two minutes.
• Outsource some of the business’ responsibilities so that you and your staff don’t end up struggling under the weight of an unmanageable workload.

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Keeko Kids was founded by Sarah Chinnaraja in 1998 with the goal of providing ‘passive play for children, creating friendly and accommodating environments as well as complimenting customer service’.

They provide colouring products to restaurants, cafes as well as a number of large clients such as McDonald’s, ASDA and M&S.

What was your motivation behind wanting to get into the colouring products industry?

I became aware of a gap in the market when my 1^st child was young and also wanted a job that would fit in with her and allow me to be there for her outside of school hours.

I began the business thinking I would get a ‘proper job’ when my daughter was older!

We understand that in 2003 you started a relationship with McDonald’s, how impactful has this relationship been in the success of your business?

The relationship with McDonald’s totally changed our business. Within a few months of our product being introduced to 10 McDonald’s Restaurants in Northern Ireland we had orders from over 1000 restaurants in the UK. We immediately needed more staff and larger premises, I’m pleased to say we haven’t looked back since.

What’s in-store for the future of Keeko Kids?

This is an exciting time for Keeko as we have completed a recent merger with our sister company and we are in a strong position to move forward as we continue to produce British made quality products, expanding our range and reaching out to new opportunities.

Recently you celebrated the merger of Keeko Kids and British crayon supplier Stadium, what does this merger mean for you?

The merger means that we can consolidate our resources, save costs and time. We can really build the company and brand with a strengthened direction and drive.

It is wonderful to have the whole business in one place and to streamline our production and focus.

What has been your favourite project thus far?

Its hard to say….every project has been amazing. It is always hugely exciting to win new major clients, but the recent project of bringing the companies together has to be my favourite so far as its been a huge time of reflection and marked a great success and achievement. Which has been wonderful to celebrate with the team who have shared the journey.

Having to buy Stadium after it went into administration in 2009 must have been a serious challenge, are there any other significant challenges you have faced since founding Keeko Kids?

Yes it was a massive challenge but one that we took on with gusto.

There have been many other challenges and difficult periods but nothing that we haven’t been able to overcome with hard work, determination and a positive attitude from an incredible & loyal team.

Finally, is there any advice you would like to pass on to people who are starting their own business?

Its hard work, its stressful and it’s a huge responsibility, but if you have a concept or product that works be prepared for a challenge and go for it. Treat your staff well and be good, honest and always transparent.

Check out Keeko Kids’ Services at www.keekokids.co.uk and follow them on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you run a business and want to be featured on My Digital Wirral drop us a line here.

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Founded by Walter Penketh in 1976, Penketh Group have over 40 years experience in providing bespoke workplace design, furniture, interiors and technology solutions for businesses.

How many people are a part of the team at Penketh Group?

Chris: We currently have a team of 67 within the group, which are split across our Wirral head office and our working showroom in Manchester city centre. We are actually looking to recruit this year and going into next year too as we continue to grow. It’s an exciting time for us.

Are there any significant challenges you face when taking on these office design projects?

Chris: Discovering what a client really wants to achieve is the biggest challenge as they need to articulate something that they aren’t experts on. So, they aren’t always able to express exactly what it is they want or the specific problems they’re facing. Whilst this is the biggest challenge, it’s also a massive part of the process that we really enjoy as we help our clients uncover the key issues that need to be addressed and then share insights and solutions to those issues. I’d also say budgets and time constraints are very important but that’s always been the case and always will be, I guess.

What has been your largest project to date?

Chris: We’ve worked with some great businesses helping them with their office refurbishment projects recently including Jaguar Land Rover, Handelsbanken and the University of Manchester. Our biggest project to date though was probably Unilever GIO. The project was their new European IT HQ in North Wales and all of the workstation was a bespoke design and the installation programme was so tight we worked in shifts around the clock to achieve it. The end result was a fantastic workplace and an extremely happy client – so happy, in fact, we got an equally large order when we helped them relocate to new premises 7 years later.

How important has your online presence (website, social media etc.) been in the success of your business?

Steph: Our digital presence and website are things we have been investing a great deal of time and energy into over the past couple of years and we’re definitely seeing the impact. Since giving our online presence some TLC, we’ve had more customers finding us via internet search and social which is great. In a world where we’re all attached to technology for most of the day, an online presence is often the first thing prospective customers see of your brand and this is something we’re taking very seriously. So, to answer the question, our online presence is becoming more important as we continue to develop and refine it.

What can we expect in the future from Penketh Group?

Chris: Well, we’re always looking to improve our offering for clients and recently we have added a virtual showroom to our website to give a wider choice of products. It’s an exciting addition to what we can offer online and offline. We’re also in the process of refreshing our Manchester showroom in Bruntwood’s Neo building which will be ready to view in October. We’ve got plenty of things in the pipeline to make working with Penketh Group even better!

What sets you apart from other Office Interior Design companies in the North-West?

Chris: It’s a bit cliché but we have a great team that genuinely care about our clients’ needs and helping them achieve their aspirations. That mindset means you always get great service but more importantly as we get to know our clients better, we can tailor our offering to suit their individual business requirements. The number of long-term clients we retain proves to us it’s the right approach. Several team members have been with Penketh Group for over 20 years and when you mix that experience with the creative talent of our newer members you get a perfect blend. So, it’s our people that help set us apart from the rest.

Is there any advice you would like to give to people on improving their business’ online awareness?

Steph: The biggest piece of advice I would probably offer after many years working in digital marketing is to always be yourself and be authentic. Consider your brand, what it stands for, who your audience is and mould your strategy accordingly. I see so many businesses just using social media platforms or communication tactics for the sake of it. I even saw a portaloo company promoting their Snapchat handle on a van on a motorway the other day! What is that content even going to consist of?! Make sure everything has its purpose, be true to your brand and that way, you’ll find yourself in front of the right people and everything else should follow.

Check out Penketh Group’s services at www.penkethgroup.com and follow them on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

If you run a business and want to be featured on My Digital Wirral drop us a line here.

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The 2012 study was sourced to determine how effective business leaders were at their positions. It was assessed according to how well they measured up to the top 16 competencies deemed as fundamental to successful leadership. Compared by gender, the results exhibited women as the more competent leaders.

Are the results still relevant?

Fast forward to 2019, and the same researchers have proven that their study is just as relevant. By retesting individuals and examining current reports, they’ve concluded that their results still stand today. Women statistically are more able than men in leadership roles.

Women in leadership roles

Despite these findings, only 5% of Chief Executive Officer roles within the FTSE 100 index are held by women. This drops to a mere 2% in the FTSE 250.

The same study also found that female leaders under the age of 25 considered themselves as less capable than their scores revealed. Oppositely, male leaders were “overconfident and assuming” in their ability, despite scoring lower.

It reveals a stunning lack of confidence amongst young women regarding their abilities, despite being very able. Perhaps this could be partly due to society and media perceptions, as much as the outdated male privilege that still affects some areas.

We’re all familiar with Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook — they hardly need an introduction — yet equally influential are Sheryl Sandberg “the real brain behind Facebook’s empire” and Apple’s Senior Vice President, Katherine Adams.

It’s time to inspire the insecure, young businesswomen of the future, and celebrate the female bosses who are carving a path right now.

The Five UK Female Bosses of the FTSE 100

Moya Greene, former CEO of Royal Mail, concluded her title as an FTSE 100 female boss in 2018. It brought the already small amount of female bosses (7) to an even lesser sum.

In early March of this year it was also announced that Veronique Laury will be leaving her role as CEO for UK-based retailer, Kingfisher.

This leaves only five remaining female CEOs in the FTSE 100. According to the stats, there are currently more than double that amount who are male CEOs named David.

Dame Carolyn McCall
• Born 13 September 1961 – age 57
• Born in Bengaluru, India, to British expats
• Mother of three
• Studied for a (B.A) degree in history at the University of Kent, Canterbury
• Began her career teaching, before later studying an (M.A) degree in politics
• Launched the first website for the Guardian as CEO
• Was CEO of easyJet for 7 years prior to her current role as ITV’s CEO
• Awarded a DBE in 2016 for services to the aviation industry

Whilst talking digital transformation and leadership in an interview with the Drum, Dame Carolyn McCall said:

“…I had parents who didn’t have high expectations of me; they just expected me to be a good person. But they always said that ‘what you want to do, you’re going to be able to do’ and from a female perspective that’s quite important. That’s shaped me. I’ve never gone into jobs saying, ‘I don’t think I can do this’; I always think, ‘I’m going to have to learn a lot, but I’m going to learn it and I’m going to be able to do it,’” McCall said.

Alison Brittain
• Born February 1965 – age 54
• Born in Derbyshire, UK
• Mother of two
• Obtained a (B.A) degree in Business Studies at University of Stirling and an MBA degree later at the Cambridge Judge Business School
• Previously worked at Barclays for 19 years, originally started out as a cashier
• Is currently CEO at Whitbread PLC — the UK’s largest hospitality company that is known mostly for owning Premier Inn
• Whilst CEO at Whitbread, Brittain experienced the biggest success of her career, by selling Costa to Coca Cola for £3.9bn last year
• Awarded Businesswoman of the Year at Veuve Clicquot awards in 2017

Emma Walmsley
• Born June 1969 – age 50
• Born in Cumbria, UK
• Mother of four
• Studied at St Swithun’s boarding school and later at Oxford University where she received an (M.A) degree in Modern Languages
• Is currently CEO of British pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline
• Is the first woman in history to head a pharmaceutical company, which happens to be the fourth most valuable public company in Britain
• Awarded HonFRSC for her service in the field of chemistry
• In 2018 she topped Fortune Magazine’s list of the ‘Most Powerful Women in Business.’
• As of 3 months ago, Warmsley stood as the highest-paid female CEO of a FTSE 100 company

When considering moving over to GlaxoSmithKline from L’Oreal, Emma Walmsley first expressed reservations; she voiced her doubts on LeanIn.Org such as “how could a mum and wife take on something so big” and “am I really qualified”.

Yet she later spoke of her husband’s words of encouragement via the site, and declared “people regret far more of what they don’t do, than what they do”. Despite her initial unsureness, Walmsley went on to achieve great things for GSK; she managed to boost sales by 28% and has been praised for “breathing new life” into the pharmaceutical giant.

Olivia Garfield
• Born in September, 1975 – aged 43; the youngest CEO of the FTSE
• Born in Yorkshire, UK
• Mother of two
• Educated at Birklands Belmont School (now Belmont Grosvenor), and later at the co-educational Bootham School, an independent school in York
• Joined BT as a general manager and after eight years was made CEO of BT’s Openreach division
• Is currently CEO of water company, Severn Trent
• Was entitled the 14th Most Powerful Woman in Europe, Middle East and Africa in 2014 by Fortune Magazine
• Awarded Businesswoman of the Year at Veuve Clicquot awards in early 2018

Alison Cooper
• Born in March 1966 – age 53
• Born in Kinston upon Thames, UK
• Mother of two
• Studied at Tiffin Girls’ School as a child, and later gained a (B.A) in Mathematics and Statistics at Bristol University
• Started working for Imperial Tobacco in 1999 as group finance manager and rose to CEO in 2010
• Also works at Inchcape plc as non-executive director
• Assessed by Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 as “one of the 100 most powerful women in the United Kingdom

Cooper who’s partial to a Guinness and cigar, is openly dismissive of a hiring quota across corporate boards to increase female representation, and has been quoted as saying: “For me it’s not purely a female focus it’s to make sure there are opportunities for everyone to move ahead in businesses.” Cooper believes that the emphasis should be placed on the lack of equal “supply” for women within the corporate sector, as opposed to the gender of the representatives themselves.

Do you think the corporate sector is currently doing enough to provide equal opportunity for women in business? Have your say, comment below with your thoughts.

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