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Last night, we managed to help raise £310 at Olivia's Dream Charity Ball. An event local to us (York) which was organised by Olivia's parents to raise money to help towards the new bereavement suite at York Hospital's maternity ward. Just like little Olivia, my beautiful niece, Delilah was also born sleeping earlier this year and I was in the very small and outdated current room saying my goodbyes to my precious little niece. As soon as I saw the ball event pop up and what the money would be going to, I knew we needed to help somehow. And, so, we created a beautiful original piece of art which I named "Solace". It was auctioned at the ball just last night and raised a fabulous £310. One small way our little business could help a huge and very important cause. https://oliviasdreamcharityball.co.uk/

Kent Reliance are months behind with their product transfers and consumers need to be aware of this. I have a Product transfer application that was submitted in September and the clients are due to switch at the end of their current deal on 30th November. The product transfer application on Kent's online system is relatively easy and this is where the straightforward switch process ended. The paperwork has been not been produced so the clients have no confirmation whatsoever of the deal they are due to switch too- other than my recommendation and suitability report. They have not had confirmation the switch will take place and I have called almost everyday for the last two months, mostly to be added to a queue of 900 brokers trying to do the same thing and getting nowhere. Most calls result in hours of waiting to then be hung up on, or I am required to leave a message for a call back that may or may not happen. When I do get a call back I am informed there is nothing that can be done and it is queued for processing, even BDM's have been tied to how much they can escalate this. I have been given incorrect information several times which I have given to my clients based on assurances from Kent it will be done by 'x' date , resulting in making me look bad for promising and not delivering. I have now been told that there have been some Kent Reliance customers waiting since May for their switch to take place! Kent have confirmed they are indundated with thousands of switches due to take place and they cannot keep up with the demand- yet they are not making us brokers aware of this. This needs to be brought to the attention of advisors before recommending a product transfer with Kent. Unfortunately in my clients case the product transfer is their only option so we persevere. I have been informed that any clients disadvantaged by the switch not taking place, and having to pay more on the SVR will be refunded the difference in their payments from when this should have switched when this is finally sorted. Not helpful in the current cost of living crisis when homeowners are acting on our advice, being prepared and switching ahead of their deal end date to prevent their mortgage costs increasing. This is a serious matter which needs addressing and I feel if this is brought to the attention of journalists and the media to raise more awareness of the difficulties we are facing when placing business with this lender, Kent will have to do more to fix this problem. My clients (along with many others) are likely to now revert to their SVR next week- with no date in sight that the product transfer switch will finally be processed and the switch to the better deal will take place!

Social Media is one of the hardest marketing channels to get leads and sales from for businesses - not because it's not possible; but because most business owners and their teams are only doing about 40% of what needs to be done - and missing the other 60% completely. At their recent Social Selling Seminar, All Star Marketing Club introduced the attending businesses to that other 60%; opening their eyes to the huge gaps that exist in their system. Victoria Vickery, Managing Director and Founder, told attendees, "Marketing is a science, and you have to become the scientists. It's not as simple as popping out a few posts here and there. You must create a series on interlinking touch points with your audience, on a number of different marketing channels, that have true value to them and their every day life. That's what generates leads and sales". If you'd like a more in depth article, covering some key points, please do get in touch!

Award-winning Lifestyle & Toy brand Philly & Friends launches new collections shattering gender stereotypes. Philly & Friends is introducing two empowering new collections, The Arie (Boy) Collection featuring Arie Boy Doll and The Dream Collection featuring Career Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles. Following its recent win of a Silver Junior Design Award. The brand-new boy doll, Arie, is Philly's little bro. He is soft, cuddly and squeezable. The best part is his soft curly hair, but you be the judge. His outfit is removable to encourage imaginative and educational play. He stands tall at 38cm, is easy to grip and multi-textured with a mix of cotton and cotton linen. He's a great companion and offers endless play options. He's already made his debut being listed on My Baba and Sonshine Magazine Christmas gift guide for best-selling 2022 Christmas toys. Boys are often overlooked in the doll industry. However, there are many benefits to boys playing with dolls, from encouraging fine motor skills to developing the capacity to nurture— We are launching a #Boysneeddollstoo campaign to ask people to give the gift of empathy to our little boys through dolls. The Career Wooden Jigsaw puzzles are launching with three designs, A Doctor, An Astronaut and An artist. This wooden jigsaw puzzle set will allow your child to dream and explore various careers. It is perfect for encouraging pretend play, building problem-solving skills and enhancing memory and attention span. These puzzles are 404 x 304 mm and are handmade in the UK with 4mm FSC wood. Each puzzle comes in a reusable tin box for easy storage and transportation to protect the puzzle pieces. The Dream Collection is designed to help our little ones do what it says - Dream! Philly & Friends created the collection to show children they can be anything they want. The puzzles allow them to see, picture, and believe it. Children should be encouraged to explore various possibilities. The idea that you can only be one thing when you grow up is outdated. That's why they have created a collection with Philly representing a variety of professions they can pick from or collect all. We make toys that inspire them to dream big. Particularly for our little girls, we want them to know that no career is off limits. Join our #NoLimitsKids campaign Commenting on the launch of the collection is Vese Aghoghovbia, Philly & Friends' Founder. "Our latest doll and puzzles are a great addition to the range, especially ahead of Christmas. I love the vibrant colours and the quality of the products. They both encourage learning through play, support development, and are open-ended, so offer many play options and make excellent gift ideas for the little ones in your life." Philly & Friends is more than just a children's brand; it's purpose-led. Each product sold sponsors a book into the hands of an underprivileged child. So when you buy from them, you because a change maker. For retail enquiries, contact Jessie Wadham at wholesale@phillyandfriends.com. For press, contact press@phillyandfriends.com

From VEGETABLE to stunning statement LAMPS and other home decor pieces! One of only a handful in the country, award winning artist Amanda GROWS gourds and turns them (with the help of her master woodturner partner) into collectable statement lamps. It can take nearly 2 years from seed to finished product. Not all art hangs on walls!! So many processes involved from growing to curing and drying to cleaning, preparing, drilling, carving, sanding, painting and varnishing. They really are a fascinating vegetable. A member of the pumpkin & squash family (and technically a fruit), these gourds have a hard shell when dry. Usually grown in hot climates, Amanda grows hers in a little polytunnel and brings them to life in her studio/dining room. Eco and enviromentally friendly! For more, check out Https://www.GorgeousGourds.co.uk

With last week’s budget announcements from the Chancellor, there has never been a more pressing time for businesses to reduce their outgoings. SaveWithCDC, through their attendance at The Great British Business Show at London Excel Centre have over just two days helped over 300 businesses start their savings journey. SaveWithCDC is the UK’s only exclusively Business to Business cashback club. With a signup fee of just £30 inc VAT and a monthly membership fee of just £6 inc VAT it offers unbeatable value for money. To symbolise the savings, each new member signing up at the Business Show received a complementary piggy bank with the QR code on the piggy bank reducing the signup fee from £30 to just £18.

Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to Buckingham Palace to meet with King Charles, the Earl of Wessex and various other members of the Royal Household. I was recognised & nominated by BIRA (British Independent Retail Association) for my contribution to the economy as a small business. Many other businesses were present. It was truly a magical moment and wonderful to be nominated for this occasion.

Don’t Fall Into The Advice Gap There’s a huge problem brewing in the UK. When it comes to looking after their money, 39 million Brits currently don’t take any form of professional financial advice or guidance. This is somewhat catchily called ‘the advice gap’, and it’s a massive issue. Money is complicated, and people find it boring. That deadly combination leads to inertia – the words “I’ll deal with it later” echo through living rooms from Newquay to Newcastle. The bad news? If you start thinking about your financial future in your 50s or 60s, you’ve left it too late. Raging inflation, tumbling stock markets, political chicanery… having a handle on your money has never been more important. There’s something else at play here, too. Around 60% of Brits don’t want to talk about their money to anyone – whether that’s the bank, a financial planner, a financial coach, their employer… whoever. It’s rooted in the fear of being judged about where they are with their money. So up and down the country, heads are buried in the sand with the hope that all will be well eventually. Sadly ‘hope’ is not a sensible strategy. What’s the alternative? DIYMoney helps people design, build and maintain a robust Financial Plan to build up their assets through a working life. It’s top-quality Financial Guidance delivered using video content. Members can engage with it in their own time, at their own pace, without the need to speak to anyone face-to-face, and without judgement from a stranger. It’s independent and impartial financial expertise from qualified and regulated Financial Planners. And because 100% of DIYMoney’s revenue comes from member subscriptions, members will never be sold any financial products. The market for financial expertise needs a shake-up. Financial Planning should never be the preserve of the wealthy few. DIYMoney: Financial Planning, for Everyone. (Launching January 2023)

Things we are noticing in the workplace The rise in second jobs As the increases in energy, mortgage and rent payments bite, expect to see more of your workforce taking second jobs in an attempt to balance their budgets. Employers should review their contracts for secondary employment clauses, remind employees if there is a requirement to make you aware of this and discuss the impact of the second job with the employee. Employers should be mindful of the maximum limit (48 hours) on weekly working hours, as this is the total of all employment, not each job. In addition, consider risk assessments in terms of the physical and mental health of the employee, to avoid accidents and burn-out. Compressed working burn-out Anecdotally we are starting to see a trickle of cases where employees are experiencing physical or mental health issues relating to new flexible working arrangements. This appears to be a result of working pattern changes. Specifically, where working hours are compressed over a shorter working week, where the same weekly hours are worked over a 4-day period. Musco-skeletal and burn-out have been recent examples. Employers should keep the new working arrangements under close review, consider trial periods and referrals to Occupational Health to obtain medical advice.

Bringing a innovative protective spin to the baby market. We provide that ‘silver lining’ There are many potential harmful EMF’s around us constantly. In the world we live in, they are impossible to avoid. From wireless technology such as headphones, to our everyday mobile phones, microwaves, 3G to 5G - these radiations are constant. And scientists are saying that constant exposure can cause inflammation, headaches, stress, anxiety disrupted sleep and the lists goes on! So what have silversnug done… we have provided a collection of luxury baby products to help protect our little ones for the exposure. I come from a background of professional rugby so being healthy has always been part of life but when it comes to radiation I don’t think there is enough eduction out there helping people / parents understand the effects this is having. Simple habit changes such as turning your phone off at night, limit your toddlers time on YouTube, switch to airplane mode when possible. We are on a mission to help parents understand EMF radiation by educating and providing luxury protective products. Adam Clayton Co-founder