Why Small Business Matters

In this episode Sarah Stephenson explores the world of HR and how to retain your best people with Kathryn Rodgers, of Newcastle based face2face HR.

Are you a small business owner struggling with the complexities of human resources? You're not alone. Human resources is a field that often gets bogged down in regulations and paperwork, losing sight of the very people it's supposed to serve. But what if you could transform your HR into a powerful tool for employee engagement and retention?

Enter Kathryn Rodgers, a seasoned HR consultant and the latest guest on "Why Small Business Matters." With over 21 years of experience under her belt, Kathryn has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of HR practices. She's here to tell us why communication is not just a buzzword but the cornerstone of successful HR management.

To find out more about the Help To Grow Management course at Northumbria University visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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Step inside the game-changing Business Clinic at Northumbria University, where the future of business consultancy is being redefined. This episode features the voices of those at the forefront: Nigel Coates, Dr Rebecca Dutson and entrepreneur Kelly Maxwell of Kelly's Heroes. Learn how the clinic's unique approach has not only provided over 700 small businesses with tailored support but has also equipped students with unmatched real-world experience, leading to successful careers and business transformations.

For more information on the Help To Grow Management programme visits northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this special episode the podcast is on tour in the North West, as Professor Jennie Shorley is joined by special guest Helen Tonks. Helen is the vision and drive behind the growth of the multi award-winning Hydraulics Online brand; from a business start-up on a blank sheet of paper in 2004, to the Northern Powerhouse Export Champion and global provider that they are today - with
customers across 20 sectors in 130 countries around the world. 

Helen is actively involved in local and regional education, through providing careers support to local high schools and real business engagement and learning opportunities to university students. 
 
In recognition of all this, Helen was selected to join the Northern Power Women Power List, celebrating those who challenge the norm and use their influence and power for good, and then for Mentor of the Year in 2023.

If Helen wasn't busy enough she juggles the whole work-life balance with being mum to seven. Yes, seven kids. So if you’re someone who feels like
there’s never enough hours in the day, Helen is going to share some time management tips too!

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson is joined by recruitment entrepreneur and group CEO Steve Rawlingson. Steve founded Samuel Knight, a specialist renewable energy and sustainable transportation recruitment business in 2014 from a single person office in Newcastle.

Steve discusses how despite some tough school years, he always felt he would be an entrepreneur.  Fast forward to 2023 and Samuel Knight employs over 100 consultants with offices throughout the UK, USA and Middle East. They generate $35 million annually and offer recruitment project solutions across 48 countries. Steve has over 20 years of international human capital and specialist staffing experience within the engineering and technology sector, delivering project-based solutions for the renewable energy and sustainable transportation industries.

Steve's mission is to help build a greener and more environmentally friendly world by working with his global community to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Having had success with his own businesses, Steve is now committed to helping those starting out with their own journeys. Steve does this via mentoring, speaking and investing in start-ups.

Steve has also launched his own podcast called Unlock Your Mindset (Click For Link) Available on all podcast platforms now

Why Small Business Matters is brought to you by the Help To Grown Management team at Northumbria University. To find out how Help To Grow could help your business, visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow 

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In this episode of Why Small Business Matters Dr Kate Harland talks to Steve Underwood, Founder and Managing Director of Bonded Agency based in Newcastle.

We discuss why culture and values can't be created overnight, why support networks are immensely important in business, and building a brand from the ground up!

 Steve is a prominent member of the business sector growth board for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, also chairing a sub board for digital strategy. In addition Steve chairs a regional committee for NABS, a support organisation for people working in advertising and media.

This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow Management team at Northumbria University, for more information on how you can help further your business management skills head to Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

 

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson is joined by Justin Turner, business author and director of the accountancy and book keeping firm Orange Umbrella, a company where the aim is to relieve business owners of unnecessary stress and anxiety. He's also a subject expert and visiting lecturer at Northumbria University, helping business leaders to understand finance and financial management.

Justin describes himself as a Newcastle-based entrepreneur with a passion for helping business owners understand their business finances. 

In this episode we discover why the basics of accountancy are vital to small businesses, such as cash forecasting, and how modern technology can help things run smoothly for you!

To learn more about the Help to Grow Management course at Northumbria, visit Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

 

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In this episode we aim to unlock the power of networking, with Jeni Smith, owner of North East networking specialists NetKno. In this episode learn why it is important to have a strategy, and how with a little creative thinking you can avoid a morning of bad hotel coffee, and develop useful connections. 

Also hear about Jeni's own journey including  setting up a networking business in 2020, just as lockdown happened. 

And she has a few tips you can use right now to help improve your own networking game.

This podcast is hosted by Paul Beal, of the Help To Grow Management team at Northumbria University. For more info visit northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this episode Dr Matt Sutherland investigates the world of Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property, and how ideas with the right support can help solve some of today's biggest challenges.

Joining Matt is Dr Iain Thomas is Head of Life Sciences at Cambridge Enterprise, part of the University of Cambridge that supports new models for developing early stage technology that can provide effective technology exchange. Iain is responsible for a team that is working across the life sciences sector from human health therapeutics to agritech and research tools.  Iain is also the chair of world leading association for professional knowledge exchange practitioners Praxis Auril.

We also hear from Dr Andy Walsh, Director, Academic Liaison at GSK, where he has a focus on supporting GSK scientists who collaborate & innovate with academia, and he also supports the broader knowledge exchange community as an NED at Praxis Auril.

This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow Management team at Northumbria University, to find out more head to Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

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In this episode Sarah Stephenson from the Northumbria University Help To Grow Management programme explores the world of top level construction projects. 

Many of us have had a manage a small renovation either at home or in business, and come face to face with the stress and pitfalls they can bring. But what if that project was the size of a high rise office block?

Paul Bevan is a highly experienced Project Manager with a broad portfolio of skills. A former Royal Air Force Officer specialising in infrastructure, Paul has been managing projects at home and overseas for 25 years, utilising local workforces and working to UK regulations in austere environments. Since leaving the RAF, he has specialised in large public sector construction and demolition projects. His mantra is that communication and relationship building are critical to project success.

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In this episode the focus is on sustainability & net zero, 2 phrases we hear a lot about but what do they actually mean, and what do businesses need to do to achieve them?

Sarah Stephenson talks to Tamma Carel, founder and owner of 2 businesses with experience in this area. Imvelo is an environmental consultancy helping companies understand sustainability and environmental management to meet United Nations sustainability targets. And she's also the founder of iCOR, and environmental compliance platform.

Find out exactly what "net zero" and "carbon offsetting" mean, and the 1 big thing you can change in your business to help your business become more sustainable.

This podcast is brought to you by the Help To Grow management team based at Newcastle Business School, Northumbria University. For more info visit Northumbria.ac.uk/helptogrow

 

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