Bristol Technology Festival (BTF) is back for its third edition from October 10th to October 15th 2021. The city will host over 50 events with themes spanning the breadth and depth of Bristol’s growing tech and digital sector. The current plans are to hold the events in a hybrid model with a selection of online talks and others at limited capacity venues.
BTF was born in 2019 with a mission to showcase the sheer scale of technology that had been developed in the local ecosystem, whilst sharing the stories of those entrepreneurs, engineers and creatives behind the tech with the people of the city and further afield. Last year’s festival hosted 53 events, attracting over 5,000 attendees dialling in from places as far flung as Singapore and San Francisco. The target for 2021 to reach an even greater audience.
Bristol has a long-standing history of tech innovation and the ecosystem is booming, with the most productive tech talent in the UK (TechNation 2019). It feeds industries all over the world with breakthrough engineering and digital innovation. The region is famed for its creative approach to technological challenges, and was recently recognised as the best city for startups in the UK outside of London, with notable companies including IMDb, Graphcore, Ovo and Dyson.
Whilst 2020 was undoubtedly a challenging year for everyone, it has underlined the importance of technology in our lives and demonstrated how it can help connect us. BTF 2021 will seek to capture people’s hopes and predictions for the next decade, exploring the prevalent questions such as: in what ways will technology influence how we live and work? What impact will the tech cluster have locally, and globally?
BTF is coordinated by a group of volunteers from across the ecosystem including representatives from Hargreaves Lansdown, Newicon, TechSPARK, and Engine Shed. Events throughout the festival are crowdsourced from organisations across the city. These include tech companies, public bodies, schools, community interest groups and charities. Events are open to people in the tech sector, business leaders from across sectors, visitors wanting to know more about the region, and anyone wanting to know more about the city’s digital industries. Some of events include:
Engine Shed will host a launch of the festival alongside Deloitte Digital to bring together key people in the sector to understand how tech will support the growth of the city in the future.
For the 9th consecutive year, TechSPARK will host their annual SPARKies awards. The awards will gather 500 people to shine a light on the very best people, products and companies that make up the tech sector in Bristol, Bath and the broader West of England region.
FinTech West will host their annual fintech Summit to deep dive into the latest innovations, connect business in one of the UK’s key fintech communities.
2021 will also see the launch of the Festival Community Partner initiative where businesses across the city show their support by becoming one of 50 community partners, with all money invested into giving the festival a long term sustainable future.
Softcat has become the headline sponsor of the festival in 2021. Rob Parkinson, CIO at SoftCat says “We are delighted to be involved in the 2021 Bristol Technology Festival. Bringing together local technology communities and shining a light on all the innovation the region has to showcase is an important way to drive collaboration and industry growth.
“The last 18 months have been tough for many industries but technology has come through as an enabler and has made many re-think how they interact and do business. As the impact of technology continues to grow forums like the Bristol Technology Festival have never been more important and we are pleased to be supporting it.”
The Queen’s Speech set out a series of Bills due before Parliament in support of Government’s efforts to underpin recovery from COVID-19 and drive forward the levelling-up agenda.
This legislative programme accompanies policy direction set out in March’s ‘Build Back Better’ budget and precedes an expected Autumn Spending Review.
The UK Tech Cluster Group notes Government’s commitment to a lifetime skills guarantee; enabling flexible access to high quality education and training throughout people’s lives; the fastest ever increase in public funding for research and development; and proposed legislation to deliver the Advanced Research & Invention Agency.
Launching the UK Digital Strategy at our Annual Conference in June last year, Secretary of State Oliver Dowden underlined the critical importance of building a highly-skilled digital workforce across every region of the UK, so that people can shift into the digital or tech sectors or digitise their own businesses; driving growth in both the tech sector and traditional industries in order to adapt, survive and thrive in the recovery.
We wholeheartedly agree that Digital Skills and Collaborative Innovation are vital in harnessing the potential of businesses and communities across the nations and regions of the United Kingdom.
Through our work in connecting and supporting businesses large and small and driving skills provision and innovation in our regional ecosystems, we understand the critical importance of local coordination to ensure Government’s policy objectives deliver a recovery that works for businesses, learners and communities at the very grassroots of UK tech.
The group looks forward to continuing to work with the Secretary of State and his Officials to ensure we continue to drive Covid recovery and allow technology ecosystems to flourish UK-wide.
The government has been urged to prioritise the establishment of new product-led tech start-ups across the country ahead of its upcoming Digital Strategy, in a new report released by the UK Tech Cluster Group (UKTCG) today.
The UKTCG, a self-assembled group of individuals and organisations which support geographical clusters of technology and digital businesses across the UK, has outlined seven key recommendations to unlock the potential of the UK’s tech sector following the economic impact of Covid-19.
Delivering a Recovery Roadmap Summit on June 23rd, the Group brought together hundreds of tech stakeholders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs in a one day virtual event to explore and develop ideas on how to both help the tech sector grow as part of the UK’s economic recovery and to better understand how digital can accelerate the recovery of other sectors too.
The first of its kind event, conducted via a series of interactive workshops, highlighted the disproportionate impact that Covid-19 has had on the UK’s regions and nations. Sessions shared knowledge and best practice, considering ways in which towns and cities can come together to recover and reboot, while exploring how the tech sector can be harnessed to support local communities.
Today’s report captures the learnings from the day and presents seven policy recommendations to meet the expectations of grassroots communities from across the UK.
Recommendations include a desire to build more early stage programmes to help establish a greater number of product-led tech start-ups across the UK, driving a new flow of innovation into current successful scaleup programmes.
Calls were also made for a specialist programme to help public sector bodies to better utilise digital solutions, while making clear that any schemes must consider the local nuances of the nations and regions to ensure successful engagement and impact across the UK.
The group also advocates greater emphasis on providing “test beds” to facilitate close-to-market digital innovation and stresses any new forms of collaboration between SMEs and corporates at a local level must be encouraged to drive regional and national R&D investment.
Moreover, the Group asserts technology buyers from traditional sectors need more support with their digital adoption and transformation journeys and that there is a pressing need for programmes to enable tech careers as an option for people who have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19, regardless of their previous profession, skill level, or age.
David Dunn, UKTCG Chair, said: “The UKTCG exists to connect, share and grow the communities it serves. Through understanding ecosystem needs at grassroots level, we have unrivalled, real time access to tech companies and communities.
“The Recovery Roadmap’s success in bringing together over 400 policy makers, from across the United Kingdom, to share best practice and learn how to practically support our communities, could and should be the start of a movement to uplift tech and digital communities across the country.
“The tech and digital industry’s importance to our economy goes unchallenged. We need to ensure people understand it, can access its knowledge and use it to drive their businesses, whether they’re startups or global giants.
“For us to succeed there is an understanding that the whole of the UK must be supported and help needs to be offered, and available wherever required, on the ground rather than directed centrally.”
Mr Dunn added: “It is our firm belief that the seven key recommendations for policy that can make a sea change in the way tech can enable the UK to the forefront of the global economy.
“Each recommendation has a comprehensive plan behind it which we would be eager to develop further with key public policy makers for the good of our economy, our country and our local communities. The time is now to act on behalf of the grassroots.”
Anwen Robinson, Operating Officer at TechnologyOne said “Tech and digital hubs around the UK can, and must, play a central role in helping us come out of this crisis stronger. Given the right policy framework with local empowerment and underpinned by enabling technology, our industry can thrive, greatly benefitting the communities, local authorities and educational institutions in cities, towns and villages where we operate.
We fully support UKTCG’s call for a specialist programme to help public sector bodies better utilise digital solutions. By helping senior public sector managers think more digitally, Central and Local Government will become more efficient and much better equipped to support the communities they serve.
Likewise, for the education sector, more courses, training and student services must rapidly move online, to ensure there’s social mobility and opportunity wherever you are in the UK or indeed globally.”
The Recovery Roadmap Report, in association with TechnologyOne, is available for public viewing here.
The Recovery Roadmap explores the disproportionate impact on the nations & regions in the face of COVID-19 and what we can do together to recover and reboot.
The report considers the key challenges facing tech ecosystems and how, in turn, they can enable resilience in more traditional sectors. We consider a series of key policy interventions which will support us all to build back better.
To download the full report, please submit your details below
On 23rd June 2020 the UKTCG will host the Recovery Roadmap Summit to plan how tech communities across the UK can emerge from this crisis even stronger.
The Summit will explore the disproportionate impact on the UK’s nations & regions in the face of Covid-19 and what we can do together to recover and reboot. The day will consider the different draft recovery plans that areas have and share learning across clusters to answer the question, ‘What solutions have people come up with which could be replicated in different areas?’ This is particularly focused on the impact on the tech sector and how the tech sector can support its local communities.
The Roadmap to Recovery event is designed to be action orientated, with political leaders setting the scene followed by a series workshops to practically share knowledge and best practice including
Strategic Insight
Keynote & panels on the strategic approach to our response to COVID-19 with Ministers, Local Authority Leaders and Mayors
Practical Responses
A series of practical workshops and sessions focussed on:
the new skills we need to develop in the talent pool and how it can be done
business support that helps transform our business base for a digital future
building the physical infrastructure to ensure our future resilience
Geographical Focus
Ensuring our plans are globally competitive we will have sessions considering:
International approaches and best practice
the unique needs of our nations and regions
using wider geographies (such as the Northern Powerhouse) can give us an international platform
AUDIENCE
This will be an invite-only event for key policymakers and ecosystem leaders in our communities across the UK. The sessions are action orientated and are for the people formulating our response to this crisis., We expect to have 200-400 attendees from across the UK.
ACTIONS FROM THE EVENT
Following the conversations, we would use the data and market intelligence gathered to create a report and policy document on areas of best practice & knowledge sharing which we can then feed into our localities. This would act as a call to action and maintain ongoing conversations.
The Draft Agenda is
If you’d like to know more about the Summit or how to get involved please email hello@TechSPARK.co
In the face of coronavirus, many of us are looking at ways to safeguard our future. We’ve tried to collate all the information available into one space for you. Things will be changing all the time and we’ll be updating this page regularly as the Government provides more information and support.
Support for our community
The team we’re here to offer any support and advice that we can, you can contact us via hello@techspark.co.
Below we have detailed some of the packages announced by Government and how they could impact you
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The Government has announced it will provide support to businesses around wages:
All employers are eligible for the scheme.
It’s only wages of people who aren’t working but are furloughed and kept on the payroll. We don’t know how you’ll show people are furloughed
The grant will cover 80% of their salary and offer retained workers up to £2,500 a month
It can be backdated to 1 March.
Employers can top-up salaries if they wish
There is no limit on funding and it’s open for at least three months.
IT will be paid to businesses by the end of April
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
This scheme will offer access to lending and overdrafts for businesses affected by the current crisis. The government will provide the banks with a guarantee for 80% of funds loans so lenders have the confidence to still provide finance.
Rates are 0% for the first 12 months
This is still a commercial loan so needs repaying, will be assessed on your business and may require security for the remaining 20%
The Bounce Back Loan Scheme has gone live today. Supplied by the British Business Bank’s accredited lenders, the programme offers access to loans worth 25% of a businesses turnover, up to a maximum of £50,000. Details of the scheme include:
Up to £50,000 loan: Loans will be from £2,000 up to 25% of a business’ turnover or £50,000, whichever is lower.
Interest rate: The government has set the interest rate at 2.5% per annum, all businesses will pay the same rate of interest.
Interest paid by the government for 12 months: The government will make a Business Interruption Payment to the lenders to cover the first 12 months of interest.
No principal repayments for first 12 months: Borrowers will not have to begin principal repayments for the first 12 months.
Finance terms: The length of the loan is for six years but early repayment is allowed, without early repayment fees.
No personal guarantees: No personal guarantees are allowed
The Government has announced that many companies will not pay Business Rates in 2020-21. Most relevant to our sector is the £10,000 grants which will be given to up to 700,000 businesses in the UK.
Grants of £10,000 will be awarded to businesses who are eligible for Small Business Rates Relief.
This scheme is being run by local authorities and awards should happen without you having to apply if you have SBRR eligibility. Funding will come to councils in early April to do this.
If you are in managed space you likely haven’t done this so you won’t be eligible.
It’s possible your managed space provider has so worth checking in.
Over the weekend that the government has released new funding of £617m for co-working space tenants, market traders and other businesses in England who aren’t being given funding through the coronavirus business rates grant scheme. The grants are to deliver £10,000 and £25,000 grants to companies
The government has said this fund is aimed at
small businesses with ongoing fixed property-related costs,
prioritising businesses in shared spaces, regular market traders, small charity properties that would meet the criteria for Small Business Rates Relief.
Businesses must be small, under 50 employees,
must also be able to demonstrate that they have seen a significant drop in income due to Coronavirus restriction measures.
However local authorities may choose to make payments to other businesses based on local economic need. The allocation of funding will be at the discretion of local authorities. We are working with Local Authorities in the West of England on this scheme and will update as guidance is released.
Statutory Sick Pay
All SMEs will be able to reclaim statutory sick pay for employees affected by Corona however no system is yet in place for this so it may take weeks to months for money to come back.
It’s for SMEs only (fewer than 250 employees)
It’s for 2 weeks SSP per employee who are off because of Corona
No sick note is needed just employer records
Self employed / Contractors / Freelancers
If you are self-employed Government offers support similar for employees
You will receive a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly profit up to £2,500. You can still work through this time, unlike furloughed employees.
it will initially be for 3 months but payment won’t be until June
You need at least self-assessment return for 2019 & payment will be calculated using average monthly profits over the last three financial years
The cut off is for self-employed profits of £50,000 p.a.
If you are eligible HMRC will be in touch.
Some people won’t be eligible for the above. If so Government has said it will make it easier for you to claim Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit at the rate of Statutory Sick Pay
During the crisis, the Universal Credit minimum income floor will be relaxed if you are sick with Corona or self-isolating
People can claim Universal Credit and access upfront payments without going to the jobcentre if they are self-isolating
Employment & Support Allowance can be paid you’re sick with Corona or self-isolating from day 1 (instead of the usual day 8)
Universal Credit has been increased by £1,000 a year for the next 12 months.
All self-assessment payments for businesses will be deferred to 2021.
Info on Employment and Support Allowance is here and Universal Credit here
Tax & VAT
Both business and self-employed can receive support from the HMRC time to pay scheme which means you can defer payments
The Chancellor announced that he is deferring the next quarter of VAT payments. You now have until the end of the year to pay them
HMRC will discuss instalments, suspensions of debt collection or cancelling interest
In the face of coronavirus, many of us are looking at ways to safeguard our future. We’ve tried to collate all the information available into one space for you. Things will be changing all the time and we’ll be updating this page regularly as the Government provides more information and support.
Support for our community
The team at TechSPARK is here to offer any support and advice that we can, you can contact us via hello@techspark.co. TechSPARK, as part of the TCGUK (Tech Cluster Group UK) is in contact with the government and feeding in ways in which they can support us.
Below we have detailed some of the packages announced by Government and how they could impact you
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
The Government has announced it will provide support to businesses around wages:
All employers are eligible for the scheme.
It’s only wages of people who aren’t working but are furloughed and kept on the payroll. We don’t know how you’ll show people are furloughed
The grant will cover 80% of their salary and offer retained workers up to £2,500 a month
It can be backdated to 1 March.
Employers can top-up salaries if they wish
There is no limit on funding and it’s open for at least three months.
IT will be paid to businesses by the end of April
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
This scheme will offer access to lending and overdrafts for businesses affected by the current crisis. The government will provide the banks with a guarantee for 80% of funds loans so lenders have the confidence to still provide finance.
Rates are 0% for the first 12 months
This is still a commercial loan so needs repaying, will be assessed on your business and may require security for the remaining 20%
The Government has announced that many companies will not pay Business Rates in 2020-21. Most relevant to our sector is the £10,000 grants which will be given to up to 700,000 businesses in the UK.
Grants of £10,000 will be awarded to businesses who are eligible for Small Business Rates Relief.
This scheme is being run by local authorities and awards should happen without you having to apply if you have SBRR eligibility. Funding will come to councils in early April to do this.
If you are in managed space you likely haven’t done this so you won’t be eligible.
It’s possible your managed space provider has so worth checking in.
All SMEs will be able to reclaim statutory sick pay for employees affected by Corona however no system is yet in place for this so it may take weeks to months for money to come back.
It’s for SMEs only (fewer than 250 employees)
It’s for 2 weeks SSP per employee who are off because of Corona
No sick note is needed just employer records
Self employed / Contractors / Freelancers
If you are self-employed Government offers support similar for employees
You will receive a taxable grant of 80% of your average monthly profit up to £2,500. You can still work through this time, unlike furloughed employees.
it will initially be for 3 months but payment won’t be until June
You need at least self-assessment return for 2019 & payment will be calculated using average monthly profits over the last three financial years
The cut off is for self-employed profits of £50,000 p.a.
If you are eligible HMRC will be in touch.
Some people won’t be eligible for the above. If so Government has said it will make it easier for you to claim Employment Support Allowance or Universal Credit at the rate of Statutory Sick Pay
During the crisis, the Universal Credit minimum income floor will be relaxed if you are sick with Corona or self-isolating
People can claim Universal Credit and access upfront payments without going to the jobcentre if they are self-isolating
Employment & Support Allowance can be paid you’re sick with Corona or self-isolating from day 1 (instead of the usual day 8)
Universal Credit has been increased by £1,000 a year for the next 12 months.
All self-assessment payments for businesses will be deferred to 2021.
Info on Employment and Support Allowance is here and Universal Credit here
Tax & VAT
Both business and self-employed can receive support from the HMRC time to pay scheme which means you can defer payments
The Chancellor announced that he is deferring the next quarter of VAT payments. You now have until the end of the year to pay them
HMRC will discuss instalments, suspensions of debt collection or cancelling interest
They have a Corona hotline 0800 0159 559.
Other Information
How you can help
To combat the coronavirus outbreak, the Government is looking to collaborate with startups who might be able to lend support and expertise in the following:
For any broader support or ideas to help with the response on innovation or tech: DNHSX@nhsx.nhs.uk
There’s also the European Commission’s funding scheme for startups that could help in treating, testing, monitoring or other aspects of the Coronavirus outbreak. The deadline for which is today Friday 20 March at 5 pm.
Bristol cases
As of 16.30 on 26/03/20, there have been 41 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bristol. Please note, the Government has decided not to test people with mild symptoms. Local authority numbers of confirmed cases are reported on this dashboard and updated each afternoon.
Our partners at Tech South West have released a Podcast on how businesses are reacting to the coronavirus outbreak, and the crucial role technology is playing to support them through the ongoing crisis. Listen here
Many businesses are facing severe challenges in the current crisis. Although not a definitive list, hopefully the following thoughts will give a framework for founders to consider, especially in smaller businesses.
This is my personal response – I hope you find it helpful when considering your own challenges – Rick Chapman, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, SETsquared Bristol.
Business continuity in a crisis
1. Cash flow will kill you
Even in normal times, cash flow is one of the biggest reasons for businesses going under. It’s easy to forget the importance of regular injections of cash into your bank account to meet your ongoing liabilities. In times of crisis such as this, it is even more vital given future revenue may be even more uncertain. Consider the following points:
Minimize spending wherever you can – be brutal if neededAll businesses over time continually add small amounts of regular spending. Look at how many SaaS products you are paying a monthly subscription for. Do you really need them all at present? Larger projects such as marketing campaigns should be reviewed or, at the very least, rescheduled. Even costs that appear to be committed may have flexibility – talk to your suppliers and see if they can help, but remember they will be facing challenges too.
Pull invoicing forward If you are in the fortunate position of having larger customers, especially public sector, approach them to see if you can get more favorable payment terms. Dorset Council have just proactively offered immediate payment terms instead of their usual 30 days, which is fantastic.Larger entities are more likely to have reserves to ride out crises, and the more nimble of them may be willing to support their supply chain more actively.If you are able to, ask your clients if you can progress work ahead of schedule and invoice for completed work immediately.
Defer your spending, but don’t just push problems down the supply chainAs above, if you have larger entities as creditors, they may be willing to wait longer for you to settle your bills. Do not assume this will be the case – check – but don’t be afraid to ask.Larger entities are also more likely to hold insurance against business interruption, so may have protection to cover loss of income etc., from smaller partners.
2. Look for additional finance
In a very dynamic environment, many additional sources of finance are becoming available. This blog will almost certainly be out of date within hours of publication, so I won’t try and be exhaustive here – check media sites, especially for your sectors and clusters. e.g. Tech Spark, Tech Nation and of course www.gov.uk.
Some sources you may consider are:
Government Aid (Deferred Tax Payments, Loans, Furloughing employees etc.)
Business Interruption Insurance – check if you have this. In the last week I’ve talked to several SMEs who did not realize they had this cover as part of their insurance package.
Short term loans and overdrafts
Invoice financing
Customer advanced payments – see notes on larger entities above
3. Liquify assets if you have them
As the old saying goes, do not cut off your nose to spite your face! I’m not advocating selling off your key assets here, but many companies have assets that are going to be idle for several months. Can they generate alternate revenues, or can you temporarily reduce lease payments, for example?
4. Look for alternate revenue streams as a temporary measure
Standard business advice is to “hold your focus” and “don’t try to progress too many things in parallel”. Sometimes, however, rules are made to be broken. If you are facing several months where Plan A cannot progress, does this create an opportunity to do something else in the interim?
This may be looking to your software team to offer themselves up for agency work, this could be using your manufacturing capabilities to supply products to the NHS. It could include your marketing team copywriting for other clients. Be creative!
Don’t overlook the fact that ‘furloughing’ your staff under one of the government schemes may help your survival more than keeping them on full pay and trying to find alternate revenue. As always, consider all the options.
5. Network – you’re not alone.
Although we may be stuck at home, life goes on. Video calling is currently a boom industry! Reach out to colleagues, friends and more – they are a source of creativity and information, as well as a vital resource to keep your spirits up! Look on the bright side – we may even emerge with new cooperation models using less transport infrastructure and other side benefits.
Use the media hubs – they are working hard to keep information updated in a rapidly changing environment – but they are also starting new online initiatives to keep us connected and productive.
Business recovery after a crisis
It is important to think now about your plans as the economy improves. Those companies that position themselves for recovery are far more likely to do so. Consider the following thoughts:
1. Cash flow will still kill you
The recovery will be slow. Plan to turn on your spending taps slowly and carefully monitor your situation regularly. Be prepared for a couple of false dawns and blips in the recovery, and so be prepared to keep your spending low for a little longer than you may think necessary.
However, be prepared to nimbly upscale too if the opportunities are real. Small companies generally have more flexibility to scale up and down, and this will be key to recovery.
2. Prepare your pipeline during the lull
Marketing is cheaper in a crisis, concentrate on Awareness and Interest (AIDA)In general, a lot of marketing activity will be scaled back to preserve cash during a crisis. A few very targeted releases may therefore have more impact. Think carefully who you want as your first few customers in the recovery phase and target them. Go back to your go to market strategy and be prepared to almost start again in the same vein.
Be prepared to discount recovery salesLike you did to gain traction in your early market, think of a recovering market in the same way. Hopefully your profile means you don’t need to discount as deeply now, but you need to stimulate growth.
Time your re-entry carefully – service will be key
Once you do commence sales, ensure you are also scaling support back up. Everyone will be hurting and may need more support than normal as they may be short staffed. Plan for this and become their preferred supplier by facilitating their recovery as well as your own.
Consider your channels
Marketing will get crowded as the economy recovers – pick your most promising channels for your first recovery sales. If the infrastructure is weaker, consider changing your channels to more direct sales temporarily. If you use distribution, look to the global recovery patterns and choose which to support in priority order.
3. Collaborate in recovery
Other businesses will be recovering too – there may well be opportunities to share costs and cooperate in new ways. Be open to the possibilities.
4. Don’t rush.
Recovery will take time. Have realistic timescales to rebuild your business and do not over commit too quickly, whilst still being open to emerging opportunities. This is going to be a balancing act, I admit, but assuming a quick recovery will ensure you fall off the tightrope.
Summary
Don’t panic – keep a clear head. I sometimes joke that any serious entrepreneur must have looked over the cliff edge at least three times. This cliff is real, big and scary, I don’t hide from that fact.
But this is what we do. Plan your way through this.
There’s no sugar coating this, we won’t all survive, but those that do will emerge stronger – and employ the rest of us!
Challenge your pre-crisis assumptions. It is not business as normal, nor will it be. Use the time to re-plan deeply. We rarely get that opportunity in business. Take your immediate actions and then create space for some strategic thinking.
Once you have decided a route forward, ACT! If you need to make cuts, make them. Businesses will fail through inaction.
Network, network, network! Help is out there and you are not alone.
Before he was put in charge of all the words on this site, our incredibly handsome Editor was self-employed for almost a decade. He’s put together a handy list to help you to get to grips with working from home. Although he’s not entirely sure why he’s telling you that in the third person.
Stick to your morning routine
Seriously, get up at the same time you would if you had to travel to work. The thing is, you are going to want to keep hitting that snooze button until it’s 8.59 and while I won’t deny you an extra 10 minutes every now and then – you know what you’re like.
You’ll wake up, have a coffee, sit down with breakfast, stick on whatever it is your binge-watching these days and before you know it it’s 10.30 and you haven’t even checked your emails.
Dress for work – but don’t overdo it
Look, your brain is an idiot. It’s all, like “oh wow we’re at home let’s stay in our pyjamas and read lists on the internet” (thanks by the way), so you have to trick it. Leaving the house is no longer your trigger for ‘professional mode’, so make putting on a shirt your new work themed Bat-Signal.
Although, you know, you’re not at work are you? As long as you look boss on a video call, you’re good, and while those shorts are obviously incredible they signify something so much more beautiful. Not having to wear a belt.
Create a workspace
Your house is now both your office and the place where you cannonball episodes of Americas Next Top Model, it’s wise to separate those true, true necessities as much as you possibly can.
Don’t work in front of the telly. I’m lucky enough to have a little box room for an office, but if you don’t, create a little space in whichever part of the house you use least (although, not there, it smells in there – no offence).
Learn to focus
Like every other millennial you’ve met in the last five years, I’m about to recommend you take up mindfulness. Obviously, there are genuine benefits to your mental health and if you are someone prone to anxiety, stress or depression I’d suggest now might be a pretty good time to get into it.
But it has work benefits too, it helps you to train yourself to be present and to focus. Trust me, there’s going to be days where you ‘accidentally’ take a three-hour lunch because, oh my god how good is it to see Picard back, right? That’s human, but it’ll work out a lot better if, when you are in front of your laptop, you’re actually getting things done.
Manage your time effectively
Obviously right? You’re already really good at it, the office was distracting anyway. You’ve got lists and project management tools and everything. Thing is, and I’m sorry if I’m labouring this point, unlike at the office, your house is full of distractions that you actually enjoy.
You’ve got three cats, 200 books you’ve been meaning to get around to and you’re on the verge of a perfect season in Football manager. Too specific? Add in your own examples. Set goals, have a reward system -heck – have a punishment system if that’s what you’re into. Whatever works for you, set it up and stick to it, otherwise those days are going to slip away.
Look after your physical health
Look, as much as this blog is a shameless attempt to show you multiple pictures of my legs, I’m also trying to be practical here. There is a base level of exercise you do when you have to actually go to work, that you won’t do at home.
Using myself as an example – I’ll do 10,000 steps by the time I get home if I go to work, working from home I’ll get there by some point next Saturday. Buy a yoga mat, get some dumbbells, download one of a billion free home fitness apps. I believe in you.
That should do it. Obviously there’s more I could say but I feel like I’ve lowered the tone of this website enough without giving you my perspective (and accompanying images) on good hygiene or comfort breaks. But for short, wash your hands.
At a recent meeting with senior officials at Number 10 Downing Street, we presented our ‘Grass roots report to Government’. You can read the full report below.
