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A new initiative is bringing together businesses in the North East to drive social and environmental responsibility and promote the benefits of ethical business practices.

The B Local North East group has launched to support the region’s growing network of 30 certified B Corporations and encourage others to join the global movement.

B Corp accreditation recognises companies meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, promoting the benefits of being a ‘business as a force for good’. The UK B Corp movement is rapidly growing, now encompassing over 2,300 certified companies nationwide.

Speaking of the launch of the B Local in the North East, Sam Oulton, engagement coordinator at B Lab UK, said: “Forming B Locals in regions such as the North East is central to our place-based approach for growing the B Corp community across the UK.

“B Locals exist as regional microcosms of the global B Corp movement, coming together to create connections, maximise collective impact, and enact change within their local economies.

“By establishing a B Local in the North East, we are providing a space to formalise B Lab UK’s support for the region, facilitating greater local cohesion and community building while empowering B Corps to pass on the message that it’s time for all companies to use business as a force for good.”

As one of 18 B Local groups across the UK, the North East initiative is voluntarily co-chaired by Gemma Graham, head of marketing at Robson Laidler Accountants, Mandy Barker, founder of Sail Creative, Jessica Williams – MBA, founder of Just Williams, and Suzanne McCreedy, chief commercial officer at UMi.

Gemma said: “We understand that many businesses are now looking at how they can support sustainable business growth.

“We’re committed to building a community that is dedicated to social and environmental responsibility, demonstrating that there can be a balance between people, profit and the planet.

“As a group we are therefore exploring ways in which we can help raise awareness and grow the movement in our region.”

Her comments were echoed by co-chair Jessica, who added: “B Locals exist to create connections within the community, maximise the positive impact of local B Corps and raise awareness of the wider movement through a variety of different engagement opportunities – we are very excited to get started with our programme of ideas – starting this Winter.”

The group plans a series of events to showcase the impact of B Corp certification and strengthen the community of purpose-driven businesses in the area, as well as guide others on their journey toward accreditation.

Mandy added: “We have already successfully run several B Social events for social and environmentally conscious businesses over the past few years.

“Our status as a B Local will cement our dedication to ensuring these happen with regularity and make room for even more collaboration.

“We have lots of exciting ideas so watch this space!”

Suzi also added: “Being a B Local enables us to create more opportunity by connecting like-minded businesses around a shared vision of positive impact.

“By fostering collaboration and innovation among our peers, we can create real momentum and amplify our collective efforts, driving meaningful change that resonates and inspires others to embrace the principles of responsible business.”

The next B Social event will take place on Wednesday 4 December at Opencast HQ, Hoults Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne from 4pm onwards. Tickets can be booked via Eventbrite here.

There is nothing that sucks cash like growth in a company.

I know this as I’m taking both Just Williams and The Just Williams Sales Academy on a journey – and its expensive, time consuming and tough. The phrase “Cash is King” we hear frequently and unless you’re raising investment of some kind, your cash for growth comes from Sales.

Growth comes from new business but more importantly looking after your existing customers. Take a moment to stop and think about how much of your company’s income is raised from long-term or repeat customers? And, importantly, what would happen to your bottom line if one day, they all found a new supplier and walked away? Do you have a genuine relationship with them? Do you even have a true retention strategy to make sure you’re looking after them throughout their own journey with you? Because let’s not forget, if you aren’t looking after your existing customers well, there is always someone else who will!

New business is often seen as the ‘way to grow’ for many companies we work with, but ultimately, we know it costs significantly more to prospect, convert and onboard new customers rather than potentially increasing an existing spend by improving relationships. So why do we continually push new business over improving existing?

We presume our customers know all the services and solutions we offer yet rarely do they. The reason they came to us is not always the reason they stay or even relevant anymore. When was the last time you had a deep and meaningful conversation with them?!

Here are a few questions to consider this month:

1. Would your existing customers describe the capabilities of your business in the same way that you would?
2. What’s your Customer Lifetime Value, and what do you want it be?
3. How would you rate your organisation on Customer Service delivery?
4. How would your customers rate you on this?
5. Are your existing marketing activities and sales engagements portraying your organisations in the way you wish?

Growth comes from existing customers as much as it does from new business.

If this isn’t the case for you – you know where I’m going with this….

Just Williams can support you.

Time to review your customer service, sales and marketing provision.

2020 has been a simultaneously tragic and exciting year. It’s difficult to know how to feel about it.

Amidst the chaos of businesses crumbling and evolving or being born; in between the personal lives torn apart by loss and relationships stretched to the max – this year has taught us one very obvious thing – there are so many different ways to be kind that can counteract some of the heartache.

We started this year with a lot to accomplish and at Just Williams we had BIG plans for growth. Part of this ‘masterplan’ was to keep fundraising in aid of The British Heart Foundation. But throughout lockdown and seeing so many communities pulling together for their own causes we knew we wanted to spread our wings a little more too. So, broadened our horizons and spread a little more kindness where we could.

In the last few months, we have already smashed our (twice updated!) fundraising goal for the BHF, but we have also looked a little closer to home to our local communities too. We pledged donations to The Trussell Trust after seeing the impact of hunger on families during the pandemic; knowing that their foodbanks would help support those in need. We did this by donating proceeds from our online webinars launched during lockdown so whenever someone joined our training, not only did they leave with great tips and skills – they helped to serve up a great dose of kindness too.

Similarly, we made a donation to the fabulous Billingham Synthonia Ladies Football team as well as supporting the ongoing growth and generally ‘awesomeness’ of The Girls Network by part-sponsoring their membership fees to the North East of England Chamber of Commerce and becoming Mentors on their programme. Amidst all of this we made sure we stayed in touch with our clients regularly, we sent each other thoughtful care packages to let each other know we were thinking about them. Generally, we stayed connected and that was most important of all.

Although times are difficult, we don’t know what each day will bring – what we have learned is the best thing we can do is stay connected. Connected to our businesses, to each other and to our Communities too – and that is something that will stay, long after Covid has gone.

Above: Billingham Synthonia Ladies Football team – go on girls!

We’re hiring!

Do you want to work in an exciting, fast-paced and varied business? Do you have an engaging personality and a drive for success? If so, Just Williams is the place for you!

Just Williams is growing and we are looking to recruit a new Sales Specialist. Focusing on client engagement, account management and securing success; our Specialists deal with a wide range of clients ensuring that no two days are the same.

We want an individual that is focused, driven and willing to ‘think outside of the box’ when it comes to working with our clients; we are well known for our focus on ‘Brilliant Basics, Magic Touches’ – we strive to be deliberately different, so our staff need to as well.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Creating and executing a successful sales strategy and campaign to maximise growth for the clients.
• Facilitating introductions and setting up meetings on behalf of clients, and Just Williams.
• Building rapport and meaningful relationships with potential contacts and clients.
• Networking with confidence to obtain new contacts.
• Provide exceptional service and professionalism whilst representing the clients and the Just Williams brand.
• Client account management, retention and conducting monthly management meetings.
• Event representation and management, including exhibitions.

The successful candidate will:

• Be self-aware,
• Be resilient,
• Be driven,
• Use their own initiative and work well as a team member.
• Have experience of telesales, face-to-face connecting, or customer service roles.
• Have the knowledge and drive to network with key players in relevant sectors.
• Have the knowledge and experience of setting and developing sales and marketing strategies
• Have event management experience
• Have experience of using and maintaining a CRM system
• Have the capacity to work under pressure and to deadlines to achieve and exceed set targets
• Be able to adapt and work flexibly
• Have strong interpersonal and communication skills at all levels
• Be professional, presentable and engaging
• Have excellent time management skills.

Working primarily from the Just Williams office in Fusion Hive, Stockton on Tees, the successful candidate will be expected to hot desk with clients from their portfolio, if appropriate. A full driving license and own car is essential for this post.

Salary: circa £25,000 per annum – dependent on experience.
Annual Leave: 21 days, plus birthday and Bank Holidays.

Applications can be made by sending a CV with cover letter to marketing@justwilliamsltd.co.uk

Interviews will be conducted on Friday 6th December 2019.

No agencies please.

Finding and developing a strong and highly performing business development function has been and will continue to be the challenge for many businesses. In a marketplace where new business prospects are influenced more so than ever by what they see, read and hear, the importance of a strong and well-connected business development function cannot be underestimated.

At Just Williams we pride ourselves on being much more than simply a direct sales team, offering our clients and prospects a well-rounded sales development function that includes all elements of business development. From client profile development, tele-prospecting, events and networking to trade association memberships and strong regional relationships, we offer our clients the advantage of a full business development team rather than simply an individual.

With the advantage of more than one person working on your account – coupled with the relationships we hold throughout the region – the attractions of outsourcing become very clear. We work to make sure very defined business targets are established at the outset, so you know at every stage where our focus is, and at what point of the sales cycle we’re working. With campaigns that can be turned on and off to suit budgets, giving you the flexibility of a business development function that is agile and flexible the benefits of outsourcing your sales development function quickly start to outweigh the cost of an in-house function.

The argument to outsource or not will always remain, but the reality is, as businesses demand faster, quicker and high value contracts with business development functions expected to turn these opportunities around quicker than ever, then outsourcing is fast becoming a strong and value add alternative.