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- by @inc
- 02-02-2023
@Inc Welcomes Film Crew We welcomed a film crew @Inc as the business story of MedAI is a digital healthcare platform, is shared, the business aims to level up primary care access for ethnic minority patients. It uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalised healthcare services to patients in their preferred language. It enables people with a language barrier to access primary care services remotely using their smartphone, so saving them the time of travelling to see a doctor. By drawing on a vast clinical database that includes disease prevalence of different ethnic groups, it can improve diagnosis and accelerate treatment while reducing pressure on health services. Mamun originally moved to the UK in 2007 to study for an MSc in Computer Science. He holds an assistant professorship at the University of Birmingham and has a PhD in Bioinformatics and Pattern Recognition. Mamun originally moved to the UK in 2007 to study for an MSc in Computer Science. He holds an assistant professorship at the University of Birmingham and has a PhD in Bioinformatics and Pattern Recognition. He founded MedAI with his co-founder, Dr Shyama Saha, in March 2022 and they are now based at the MENTA Business Centre on Hollands Road in Haverhill. The centre manager at MENTA in Haverhill, Paul Vella said “This is truly great news for business advancement and shows the rich diversity of sector in both physical and virtual tenants our growing business community comprises off, we all wish the business continued growth success”. MENTA CEO, Alex Till said "Our sites are not just a space, they act as hubs to nurture and help locate the support the individual business needs, regardless of sector, this story demonstrates how West Suffolk partners can work as one for the good of such a specialised and key business sector”.
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2022 a Record Year for Suffolk & Norfolk Start-up Businesses
- by @inc
- 01-02-2023
2022 a Record Year for Suffolk & Norfolk Start-up Businesses Suffolk and Norfolk have both seen a record reported year for start-up businesses - with Suffolk seeing more than 6,000 new businesses created in 2022, according to a business report. MENTA Business Support's John Neild said, "we have seen similar national studies over the past three years, and all seem to show the trend that here in the East of England, we often lead the way with some calling Suffolk the 'Start-up capital of the East." "Our team oversaw a huge growth in inquires during lockdown with many citing concern over job retention as their reasoning. Now we are seeing people choosing, in some cases, to move away from the life of an employee and wanting to set the groundwork towards their own new business" MENTA is delivering a new bundle of Start-up and self-employment support with online session available across both Norfolk and Suffolk. MENTA offers support in business planning, digital skills, marketing, sales skills, bookkeeping and Tax. Here @Inc in Felixstowe, talk with Alan, our business adviser, he can look at the support available for you and get you on the road to a new business idea becoming reality in 2023.
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- by @inc
- 05-01-2023
UK Shared Prosperity Fund In April 2022, the Government launched the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to support its Levelling Up agenda. The primary goal of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. Full details of the fund are available in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund prospectus. East Suffolk Council has been allocated £2.75m to invest across two and a half years (2022/23 - 24/25) in initiatives that will address inequality and contribute to levelling up. This is in addition to the £3.75m Multiply element of the UKSPF, which Suffolk County Council can apply for to support adult numeracy across the county. The funding can only be unlocked upon submission of an Investment Plan which is signed off by both the council and the government. The primary goal of the overall £2.6bn UK Fund is “to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK” and is based around three investment priorities: - Communities and Place - Supporting Local Business - People and Skills While there is a link between the former EU funding regime and the UKSPF, the funding is not a direct replacement for EU Structural Funds. The funding can be spent on capital (physical assets) and revenue (operational) projects. Read the East Suffolk Council article in full and see how this fund could aid your business plans in 2023.
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In Business across West Suffolk?
- by @inc
- 05-01-2023
In Business across West Suffolk? As a new or growing business, funding will be a key concern and at MENTA, we can help you and your business by giving you not just the advice on grants and financial support but the help in the application process also. We work with West Suffolk Council and help facilitate West Suffolk grants to new businesses. Our loans and grants experts are here to help you gain access to the finance you are searching for as well as key advice on other means of business finance. If you want to take advantage of a Government backed business loan or discuss other finance options for your business. Please email westsuffolkgrants@menta.org.uk
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Ready to become self-employed and happier in 2023?
- by @inc
- 03-01-2023
Ready to become self-employed and happier in 2023? 4.3 million people are self-employed in the UK. Sheffield and Exeter Universities conducted research into those who were self-employed and those who were employed, the conclusion of the study was that self-employed people are happier. The findings were that the freedom and control of being your own boss boosted happiness and overall work satisfaction. As 2023 gets underway, many of us may be flirting with the idea of running our own business and being our own boss, but are we actually ready to leave behind the security of employment? There are many services that can help you come up with a plan when starting out as self-employed. Here in the east of England MENTA can help you decide if it is for you. MENTA courses can help you plan for the change. MENTA have been a trusted name for nearly 40 years. When considering if you are ready to go self-employed you will undoubtedly have many questions. People often ask about tax. When you are employed your employer’s HR department takes care of your pay, tax and national insurance. When you become self-employed you will need to register with HMRC as soon as you start your business. You will need to fill out and file your own tax return each year. It is done online and must be submitted by the 31st of January. It can be a complex process and if you are not confident in doing it yourself, it may be worth paying a local accountant to do it for you. You will be required to submit all your income from April to April of the year prior to the tax return submission. You will also be required to record any taxable expenses that you have incurred whilst carrying out your work. As part of the tax return, you will also be required to pay national insurance contributions. Depending on the type of work you do, you may be considering workspace and start-up costs. For many of us part of the appeal of being self employed or a sole trader is working from home. However, if your home is not suitable then you may need to take into consideration workshop or office costs. The option of a co-working space is a popular move and something that again, MENTA offer. Start-up costs to think about may include IT equipment or tools and a vehicle to do your job. You may also need to consider insurances such as professional indemnity and public liability. Professional indemnity insurance protects you if a client accuses you of negligence. Public liability covers you if a customer or member of the public suffers a loss or is injured as a result of your work. It may not be necessary if you don’t come into contact with customers or the public. Remember that MENTA has courses which specifically target these questions and help you to come up with a plan before you take the plunge. For more information please CLICK HERE
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West Suffolk Business Festival Networking Brunch & Launch 03 October 2022
- by @inc
- 23-08-2022
West Suffolk Business Festival Networking Brunch & Launch The official launch of the West Suffolk Business Festival will take place with MENTA hosting the launch event @Inc Bury St Edmunds on Monday, 03 October 2022. The event will see the official opening of this two-week festival with a networking brunch in association with Atkins Dellow: Organiser, Nick Pandolfi says, "this event brings business sectors together and we celebrate the diversity and success in business". The launch will have live music, a hot brunch, and plentiful opportunities to network. “Tickets are free, but we are seeing the event book very quickly,” said Nick. The brunch is being prepared by Bury St Edmunds based ‘Walking Wok’. MENTA CEO, Alex Till said “We are so pleased that @Inc will be taking centre stage again and the networking opportunity this presents for businesspeople and our co-working members." The co-working and meeting space will enjoy the music of Curtis and Billy as people connect at the start of what promises to be the largest West Suffolk Business Festival in some years”. Book your Networking Brunch tickets here: Book Here
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- by @inc
- 18-08-2022
The WoMenta project A newly launch series of business support tailored to the needs of aspiring female entrepreneurs has been launched by MENTA Business Support across Norfolk and Suffolk. The WoMenta project is aimed specifically at supporting aspiring female entrepreneurs by giving them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take the next steps towards starting their own business, or those who’ve recently started but have not had any formal support. The programme will include training, 1:1 support and insights from female entrepreneurs sharing their experiences and top tips, as well as access to a wealth of other useful resources to help start, run, and grow a business. MENTA are delighted to be running this programme under its WoMENTA brand. MENTA is working with NatWest Business and able to offer this business support FREE of charge. The blended training and support will be delivered across live online sessions as well as at events across Norfolk and Suffolk, the first two of these events are coming up in Felixstowe on September 5 @Inc on Hamilton Road from 5.30pm and then on September 6 at the Millennium Library in Norwich from 10.30am. Each session will include an overview of the programme, the pros and cons of self-employment and we’ll be joined by Heidi Franklin, Director of award-winning business ‘Wild Play’ sharing her experiences of starting a business and the challenges women face. There will also be an opportunity to meet like-minded women and form peer support relationships. Heidi of Wild Play Ltd said “Of course there are challenges in life/work balance when working, let alone running a business, we all have those, this programme of support has been designed by women for women and this project has already seen established female business leaders sign up to help and support the next generation of female business owners – just having a network of likeminded women is such a positive result”. Want to know more? Email: 121@menta.org.uk and sign up.
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MENTA predicts growth of small businesses in East Anglia
- by @inc
- 01-06-2022
MENTA predicts growth of small businesses in East Anglia Following its May AGM, MENTA Business Support, the Suffolk and Norfolk based not-for-profit business support organisation, announced further growth plans for 2022/23 as it looks to support entrepreneurs in the region. MENTA provided business advice and support to more than 270 local businesses, 85 serviced business space tenants, 150 freelancers and micro businesses and 1,400 individuals focused on self-employment last year. MENTA can offer tailored packages of support for a wide variety of entrepreneurs, ranging from start-up to growing businesses, catering for a diverse mix of individuals from local businesses to refugee entrepreneurs to individuals furthest from the labour market. MENTA helps individuals and businesses create a ‘Pride of Place’ in the local community areas. MENTA expects this demand to grow in 2022 by over 20%. One of the most exciting new prospects is providing workspaces for growing businesses in the region. In 2021 more than 50 business took advantage of five MENTA business and co-working hubs and in 2022 this is set to grow with recently opened new co-working spaces in Felixstowe and Brandon as MENTA looks to support changing working patterns and entrepreneurs wanting to grow their base in East Anglia. Small and medium sized businesses are crucial to the East Anglian economy. There are over 598,0001 SMEs in the East of England, the third largest region outside of London and the South East. Despite the global economic uncertainty and supply chain issues, businesses in the East of England have shown resilience within the last two years. There have been many examples of businesses in our region pivoting, diversifying, and surviving. To support the growing demand for MENTA’s services and the support it provides to growth business MENTA has expanded its team and welcomed two new non-executive board members, Chris Kelly, and Louise Ahuja. MENTA’s non-executive chair, Alistair Ponder said, “ahead of our AGM, I want to personally thank departing board members Jane Cattermole, Phil Morris, Callum Coombes for their time and valuable business insight at a time where the entire MENTA team proved its ability to react and adapt to the challenges of lockdowns, this is a very exciting time for MENTA with new locations in Felixstowe and Brandon, expanded projects delivering vital support to the growing and diverse sectors MENTA serve, welcoming both Chris and Louise to the board enables us all to further support the team in its growth plans” Chris Kelly is a director at Jacobs Allen chartered accountants. “I am passionate about demystifying corporate finance advice and making it accessible to businesses irrespective of size. I am looking forward to supporting MENTA as it continues to shape enterprise in the region.” Also joining is entrepreneurial businesses leader Louise Ahuja who has over 20 years board level experience. She is one of the founders of Opinium research, one of the fastest growing international market research agencies. “I have benefitted first hand from MENTA’s excellent support including networking events and the creative workspace @inc in Bury St Edmunds.” Both individuals will help to oversee and challenge MENTA’s implementation strategy. MENTA CEO, Alex Till added, “Being able to attract and welcome such business talent onto our board will benefit small business owners across the region. We will be able to pull from their vast experience within the business sector and help us to offer the very best service to those wanting our help and guidance”. MENTA works with new emerging and existing micro businesses and those looking to move into self-employment across Norfolk and Suffolk by offering help, support, advice, and training. More than 50,000 entrepreneurs have received MENTA support and helped launch, run, and grow thriving and profitable businesses across East Anglia. There are hundreds of online and in person sessions available to help with the business planning and processes of starting and running a business you may not be experienced in. For more information on the new business spaces visit, https://incburystedmunds.co.uk/contact And for their range of business support, please visit MENTA.org.uk Nick PandolfiNick@menta.org.uk
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New CO-WORKING Hub to open in Felixstowe
- by @inc
- 27-04-2022
New CO-WORKING Hub to open in Felixstowe A new way to work is to be offered in Felixstowe with the opening of the @Inc. co-working and business hub. The new offering follows the successful launch last year of a similar property in Bury St Edmunds. Suzanne Banks is the project lead and says, “We will have on-site business support with digital skills training, marketing, and sales expertise as well as access to grants and business finance + events and of course, our popular co-working and meeting spaces”@Inc is the idea of Alex Till, CEO of MENTA Business Support, an organization that has delivered business training and support across Norfolk and Suffolk since 1984 he says! “Another fantastic opportunity has arisen, after the successful launch of @Inc. Bury St Edmunds, we are thrilled to have been invited to develop, manage, and create another @Inc. creative co-working space in the heart of Felixstowe in association with the team at Suffolk Growth at East Suffolk Council" As part of the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund (SIGIF), MENTA are collaborating with a range of stakeholders and partners within the East Suffolk district to support new emerging and existing businesses, sole traders, freelancers, and micro businesses, offering an alternative to lone home working and collaborations in unique working facilities. "We have seen how Covid has affected this group of workers and are pleased to offer a welcoming, sociable space, with superfast broadband and which is open 24/7 for members who are wanting to work closer to home; all overlaid with business advice, training and networking events, ensuring the growth and development of their businesses.” says Alex Till.@Inc in Felixstowe is centred in the very heart of the retail district at 87 Hamilton Road. Suzanne Banks says, “we are currently moving furniture into the new location and fitting out the working space. We will have a launch event that will be streamed live across Facebook. I have already met our business neighbours and we look forward being part of the Felixstowe business community” @Inc. in Felixstowe will open in early May and is part of the wider delivery that MENTA is delivering across Norfolk and Suffolk with a range of business support and new business space.Non-members will also be welcome to access @Inc. Felixstowe on Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am to 5pm.To visit MENTA’s new @Inc Felixstowe space or to find out more, please contact Suzanne Banks via email at space@menta.org.uk or visit the website.
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Does Your Company Need A CRM? The Importance of CRM Systems
- by @inc
- 12-04-2022
Does Your Company Need A CRM? The Importance of a robust CRM system. The importance of CRM systems is becoming more prominent, especially when you consider that 91% of businesses with more than eleven people use them to manage customer relationships. If you’re one of the 9% who are yet to implement a CRM, or are struggling or frustrated with your current CRM, then keep reading as we explore the benefits of a modern CRM. What does a CRM do? A CRM (Customer Relations Management) system essentially provides a central base where businesses can store customer data such as contact details, previous interactions, and sale information for an entire organisation to access. It’s a system that compiles communication data, marketing activities, and sales information. With this, the next customer interaction can become more personalised based on the history of interaction with that person. What available CRMs are there? There’s plenty to choose from, but one of the best is called HubSpot. Unmatched are a Gold HubSpot Agency, perfectly placed to help you with implementing your HubSpot CRM. Some other good options include: SalesForce (for larger enterprise businesses) ZohoCRM Bullhorn (for recruitment agencies) Pipedrive Do all businesses need CRM? Above we mentioned that 91% of businesses with more than eleven employees use CRM systems. But what about the other nine per cent? The reasons they don’t implement one are unknown. However, to help identify whether all businesses require a CRM, they should answer the below questions. Do you have customer data sitting in spreadsheets and lots of systems? – if so, you need a CRM to house all your customer data in one place. This will benefit your sales and marketing teams hugely for more effective sales and marketing. Do you have a defined sales process? – If so, a CRM will help you track where deals are in the pipeline. If your sales process is not yet defined, a CRM could be the best place to start mapping it out. Are you managing a sales team? - If you manage a sales team, you’ll want to guarantee customer details are managed via a CRM. It’s a business risk if valuable sales data is sitting on reps phones’ or on spreadsheets across your network. A CRM will help you get all your data in one place and make it useful. Can you remember every customer? – In the unlikely event you can remember every interaction with every customer, you’ll want a CRM. A CRM will help make your sales calls personable, and you can store information such as how many children they have, their favourite football team, and more. Do prospects have multiple points of contact? - Does the entire organisation need to contact a customer? Then compiling their data on a CRM system such as interaction history, sales cycle, and contact details can ensure everybody is on the same page. Is your marketing team complaining about unusable or out of date customer data? – if so, you need a CRM. Marketing teams operate much more effectively with a solid CRM underpinning their campaigns and enabling CRM-powered marketing. Benefits of a good CRM By 2025, the global market for CRM systems will reach 49.6 billion dollars. Despite HubSpot being the go-to option for many, what are the benefits of a good CRM? A CRM can help automate follow-up communication, email sequences, sales workflows, chatbot conversations, etc., allowing more time to focus on what matters, growth. Using these systems helps centre business’s growth around customers by using a data silo the entire company can access. It can help align all business practices that focus on customers, such as sales, marketing, and customer service teams. It simplifies and offers better customer interactions throughout the business. There’s no doubt that a modern and robust CRM system will bring huge benefits, but what about the cost? What does a CRM cost? Here’s some good news, HubSpot has a completely free option. This free CRM is fully functional and a great starting point for most businesses, especially B2B. It comes with a free Google Chrome plugin too, which will log and track your emails too. As your business grows, HubSpot and other CRMs will grow with it so you’re not out of pocket and footing a huge CRM bill. Conclusion There’s no doubt that using a CRM will benefit your business, 99% of the time. For the 1%, implementing a CRM needs to wait until after you’ve solved other business issues – new software isn’t always the solution. If your business does need a hand with CRM, especially HubSpot, speak to Matt Freestone from Unmatched Agency who are a Gold HubSpot Partner and full-service marketing agency based in Bury St Edmunds.
