2024 A Year in Review

Well quite frankly I cannot wait to get to the end of the year, I don’t think I am alone in that much of the work of the BEC this year has been supporting businesses through very challenging times and situations.  The pandemic seemed hard five years ago, but since then the cost-of-living crisis, and the struggle for small business survival has become very real for business owners.

It has not all been doom and gloom though and 2024 brought many highlights, we welcomed the start of Amplify which is our flag ship business support programme financed by UKSPF and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. We have seen 30+ businesses on the programme to date food, care and other businesses have benefited from one-to-one mentoring and a range of training to support business sustainability at all levels and overarchingly achieve growth.  We welcomed Julie Cleijne as part of our mentoring team on the programme and her expertise in food sustainability has been invaluable to all the businesses not just those food related.  

We were delighted that this programme has enabled us to reconnect with Care City CIC, who started in our building with some support from us on getting going a few years ago, but it has been great to collaborate with them on innovation ideas for care businesses. They do great things in the borough so do take a look at them and their impact.

Early in 2024 we welcomed two new board members to our board, alongside the existing board members who have been with us from the start. Karthik and Geraud bring a fresh perspective to our work, and we look forward to further contributions from them next year.

After a long process, we were delighted to receive funding from City Bridge foundation to work with social sector businesses in the same we do with commercial businesses. We are seven months into a three-year programme and have already seen some great outcomes, we have supported four social enterprise start-ups, a conversion from a limited company to a CIC which has a huge opportunity to grow. Final Checks Academy CIC will move early next year to the film studios and will continue to deliver there film and media make up courses in the best location for them and more importantly continue to provide first class training and industry placements to young people 16+ who want this to be there chosen career.

Thinking about young people we committed to ten work placements for Year 10 and 11 pupils across the borough secondary schools. These young people always bring enthusiasm and ideas and keep our mature staff on their toes! 

There are far too many businesses to mention individually but on reflection it has been a transformative year for us marked by some key trends and lessons.

Our biggest trend was the development of resilience we saw those businesses that prioritised resilience outperformed their competitors. This year highlighted the importance of adaptability and robust decision-making processes to navigate economic uncertainties.

We started to include AI Integration and there is no doubt that AI has become an essential tool for businesses, significantly improving operational efficiency. Companies that adopted AI solutions saw a notable increase in productivity and customer insights. I was with a colleague yesterday from the social sector who told me they had used Chat GPT to support the writing of a funding bid, wow that really is progress!  

We also saw micro employers embrace employee wellbeing; undeniably this is not such an easy task for small businesses who do not have the finance and resources of big organisations. However, the focus on supporting mental health and flexible work arrangements has been significant amongst our small business community.

We noted a shift in customer centric businesses we have been ‘banging on’ about brand story for years, we are committed to our small business community and their niche in getting their customers to understand and embrace their brand. It worked this year, we saw businesses who valued their customer experience grow, and how personalisation became a key driver. Again, Care City have supported this work with the care businesses it has been great to see the growth in them.

Our work in the Voluntary and Community sector or social sector as we prefer to call it now has seen the BEC work alongside the BD Collective for the last five years and now BD giving to work together for the benefit of the community. The key message of collaboration over competition has seen new ventures and funding come into the borough and let’s face it Barking and Dagenham still is a community need help and support across many areas.  We look forward to seeing how BD Giving bring a fresh perspective to forming the new Community Benefit Society which will lead on collaboration over competition and support a thriving social sector.

At the end of this year, we said goodbye to Paul Creavin one of our business mentors who has hung up his hat to retire, his reflections will be published soon but he will be missed. His ‘old fashioned’ bank manager style approach was very much appreciated by all the businesses we work with, and we wish him and his wife Patricia a very long and healthy retirement.

In the final weeks of this year, we added a new strand to Amplify in working with construction companies who want to develop their work and opportunities to the borough. We brought in an old friend to BEC in Glen Addis formerly of East London Business Place to support this, there will be more about this early next year. 

Lastly from me is the final list of thank you’ s to the businesses we have supported who come back and say how helpful our support was, that means a lot. To our very small team who keep the show on the road in the buildings, and our fabulous mentors and trainers who are part of the BEC family. Our partner anchor institutions who see the value of what we do and how collaboration is key to all our success. To our contractors who support our work and in particular Innocom who manage our comms and marketing, you are a testament to our growth, if you had said four years ago lets work together but we are in South Africa and the Netherlands and we won’t meet often but we can do it, I would never have believed it but it does and we are grateful for your input and support,  and lastly but by no means least to my work wife Donna Finley who will do almost anything she is asked unless it involves spiders 😊 thank you life would be less tolerable without you as part of our journey!

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy festive season and a Happy New Year and please do join us in mid-January or Hump time as we call it 😊 for lunch and to find out about what we are up to in 2025.

If you know me well you will always know I like the final word on every level I am moving into 2025 with the following motto in my mind same girl, same name, different mindset, new game!

My dilemma – busting the myths about free training

I have been having a dilemma with the team here for a few months now, and still, I am struggling where to take the issue. Through our experiences we have observed a significant difference in the turnout number for training against the number of registrations. It is no consolation, but it appears we are not alone and that both nationally and internationally many training providers are reporting a poor turnout for their free courses and sessions.

We have undertaken some research, and it appears that one the primary reasons could be the perceived value theory. In a nutshell when something is offered for free people often assume it has a lower value/ or of inferior quality compared to paid alternatives. In our case this could not be further from the truth, all of our trainers are brilliant and are industry experts! Part of our social enterprise commitment and our social value policy and ethos is that all training should be free at the point of access to participants.

I would be horrified to think that people think of our free training offer as promotional tactics rather than a valuable learning opportunity.

Other research suggests that commitment and consistency play a crucial role in participation, individuals are more likely to follow through if they have made a financial commitment and without this feel less responsible for attending, leading to lower participation rates.

Ever heard of the reciprocity norm, no me neither but apparently participants may feel a sense of obligation to return favours. So could it be that participants feel by attending that we expect them to reciprocate by signing up to paid course. That would be difficult as all of our courses are free, as is the mentoring and advice. We are back to our values on this one, the only paid product is the affordable workspace which starts at £99! I hasten to add.

Another theory is that it could be about psychological ownership, which is affecting engagement, maybe paid for training creates a sense of responsibility, and a free offering are leading to lower conversion and participation.

Across this research we found some tips some of them we are already doing but some offer something to consider.

  1. Highlight the value and benefits clearly and communicate the value and benefits of the training emphasising practical outcomes and real-world applications. We could definitely do more on what you can get from this training and how it can help your business day to day.
  2. Encourage commitment by introducing elements that require participants to make a commitment such as pre-work assignments or follow up activities. Hmmm! I am really not sure about this one, it would certainly put me off!
  3. Create a sense of exclusivity by limiting the number of spaces to create a sense of exclusivity and urgency. Surely this just supports dwindling numbers, we have found we have to ramp up the number of spaces to get a 50% turnout, so I am not sure about this!
  4. Leverage social proof, which means showcasing testimonials and success stories from previous participants to build trust and credibility. We could do more of this, but I am always mindful that it is resource intensive in creating this type of content and we are and always will be a small team.

 With all this mind professional network colleagues I remain stumped as to where we take our training programmes. My thinking is.

Wedzerai Takawira and Expanding Recruitcare Professionals With The Amplify Programme 

Wedzerai Takawira, the Director of Recruitcare Professionals, started her journey to England in 2003 to join her husband. With a teaching degree already in hand, she aspired to pursue a Master's in Special Education. However, connecting with local schools proved challenging. To gain a broader spectrum of experience working with people with special needs, she began volunteering at a care home in Stoke Newington. Her dedication and hard work quickly became evident, landing her a permanent position in 2005.

By 2005, Wedzerai and her family relocated from Romford to Barking and Dagenham, marking a significant step in her career, moving from special needs teaching to care work. Initially unfamiliar with the nuances of care work, she quickly adapted and thrived. Her journey exposed her to working with individuals on the autism spectrum and broadened her understanding of various conditions. Her commitment to this field saw her rise to a managerial position by 2010, overseeing a rehabilitation centre for individuals with mental health issues. This experience equipped her with the skills and insights necessary to establish and lead Recruitcare Professionals. 

The services provided by Recruitcare Professionals are grounded in compassion, empathy, and care. The organisation offers domiciliary care, training, and recruitment, striving to meet the individual needs of their clients and addressing all concerns with utmost dedication. To fully meet the needs of their clients, and expand their reach, Wedzerai applied for the Amplify programme.   

Marketing Challenges 

After establishing Recruitcare Professionals, Wedzerai faced various challenges, particularly in marketing her business. Her business remained stagnant, and she felt uncertain about how to attract more clients. Through her involvement in local business and entrepreneurship meetings in the borough, she received an email about the Amplify programme. Seeing it as a valuable opportunity, she eagerly attended the first session led by Andre Arundell. The programme provided her with essential marketing strategies and business growth insights, which has significantly benefited her organisation. The support from Amplify has been instrumental in helping her overcome previous hurdles and move her business forward.

Creating a digital presence 

She found immense value in the Amplify programme, feeling as though it was tailor-made for her needs. The modules were informative and provided a wealth of business education that included digital upskilling and one-on-one tailored support. The sessions were eye-opening, revealing new strategies for improving her organisation's outreach and effectiveness. Wedzerai learned that it wasn't just about offering services physically but also about educating people through digital platforms. She realised the importance of maintaining an online presence, sharing knowledge through blogs, and utilising digital tools to attract clients. The Amplify programme expanded her perspective of marketing, showing her the potential of digital marketing to reach a broader audience and grow her business.

Amplify is here to help

Wedzerai says that she advises anyone considering joining the Amplify programme to avoid making uninformed decisions by working in isolation . She emphasises that help is readily available and that it's important to know when you need it. Reflecting on her own experience, she highlights how she used to send surveys every three months to gauge the satisfaction of those she worked with. The positive feedback she received was invaluable, but she realised she wasn’t capturing this evidence effectively. She stresses the importance of systematically collecting and utilising feedback to continually improve services and adapt to the evolving needs of the people they serve.

Another key piece of advice she offers is taking the opportunity to embrace innovation and technology. Initially, she relied heavily on traditional methods, like paperwork, but the Amplify programme opened her eyes to the advantages of digital tools. Despite not being very tech-savvy, she found immense value in learning how to use software for data collection and communication. This shift not only streamlined her operations but also ensured that important information was readily accessible. Wedzerai emphasises that staying updated with technological advancements is crucial, as it enhances efficiency and effectiveness in delivering services.

Finally, she encourages potential participants to take advantage of the support and financial assistance available through the programme. She acknowledges that while innovation can be costly, its long-term benefits outweigh the expense. Through using modern tools and techniques, businesses can improve their competencies, expand their reach, and make a more significant impact. She believes that joining the Amplify programme can help businesses grow while creating a community where people look after one another, ultimately saving lives and creating a more supportive and effective healthcare environment.

From Hairdresser to Community Transformer  

Tina Ussher moved to Barking and Dagenham 16 years ago after living in Goodmayes. Driven by her passion for hairdressing, she enrolled at Barking and Dagenham College to hone her skills. While studying, she noticed a significant barrier faced by many aspiring hairdressers from African backgrounds—the language gap. Many individuals, despite their natural talent, struggled with the technical aspects of hairdressing due to language challenges. Luckily, Tina’s educational background made it easier for her to complete the course, but she couldn’t ignore the talent around her going to waste.

Determined to make a difference, she opened her home salon and began offering her knowledge to those who needed it most. She saw many single mothers and young people in her community, unemployed and limited by language barriers. To help them build a future, she invited them to volunteer at her salon, teaching them braiding, natural styles, and techniques that didn’t rely on chemicals. Over the years, many of her trainees went on to start their own small businesses, charging clients for their services and gaining financial independence. Through her dedication, Tine transformed from hairdresser to hair and skincare formulating coach, teaching students how to formulate safe hair and skincare  products.

What Tina Hopes to Learn

Tina is eager to grow through the Amplify programme. She’s particularly interested in the business courses that focus on creating a strong business plan, especially as she envisions recruiting and managing a team in the future. She understands the importance of mastering human relationships, setting boundaries, and learning how to manage people effectively. Another major area of focus for her is social media. While she has been posting her work online, she admits that her approach hasn’t had the impact she desires. She’s spent money on promotions without seeing results, and she’s looking forward to gaining the skills to handle social media marketing herself. She believes that with Amplify’s training, she will be well-equipped to promote her business effectively and expand it even further.

Overcoming Challenges

For Tina, social media has been her biggest challenge. In today’s world, she knows that visibility online is crucial, and without it, even the most talented individuals can go unnoticed. Despite her efforts to post online, she has struggled to maximise her reach and feels that she has wasted money on promotions that didn’t deliver. She’s also keen to improve her networking skills, recognising that connections with others in the Amplify programme can open doors for both personal and business growth. Networking allows people to share ideas and knowledge, and she sees it as essential for stepping out of her comfort zone and spreading her business further. She’s also excited to learn more about the opportunities available in the borough, as many people aren’t aware of the resources at their disposal. Although she hasn’t started the programme yet, Tina has already been spreading the word, encouraging others to join and seize the learning opportunities Amplify offers.

Advice for Amplify Applicants

Tina’s advice to anyone considering joining the Amplify programme is simple: just go for it! From the moment she first visited, she was warmly welcomed and supported, especially by Shanice, one of our BEC members, who took the time to listen to her ideas and gave her the confidence to move forward. She has been sharing that same confidence with others, encouraging them to take the leap and give Amplify a try. She believes that the energy and optimism the programme provides are enough to ignite something powerful within you.

As a hairdresser, she interacts with many people daily, and it’s made her realise just how many in her community are unaware of the opportunities around them. She feels fortunate to have discovered Amplify and urges others not to sit back but to get involved. Her message is clear: there’s nothing to lose by trying, and it’s better to take action than to wonder what could have been. Tina believes in her ability to transform something from nothing, and she’s spreading that same energy to everyone around her. Amplify is here to help boost confidence and show you that you can do it, just as it’s already doing for her.

Goals for the Next Five Years

In the next five years, Tina aims to have a lasting impact on her community by training over 100 people in hairdressing, equipping them with valuable skills that can lead to financial independence. She also dreams of seeing her plant-based hair products, Hair TLC Organic, on supermarket shelves. These products, designed for managing thick, coarse hair types without harmful chemicals, stem from her experiences as a hairdresser. Many of her clients, particularly parents, struggle with managing their children’s hair, often resorting to relaxers at a young age, which can cause damage. Her mission is to provide a natural alternative—one that makes hair softer and easier to manage, without the risk of harmful side effects. Through this, she hopes to make a positive impact not only in her community but in the broader market as well.

Julie Cleijne: How a Holistic Approach Can Amplify Your Success

Growing up, Julie Cleijne  was deeply influenced by the concept of food as a crucial element for health and by the importance of preserving natural resources. In her native Australia, she was shaped by the challenges that drought presented her family with and  was fortunate to learn the value of sustainable practices early in life. With her family working in specialist health and farming, her family background influenced and  enriched her perspective. With her mother being a nurse, one uncle who was a farmer, and another uncle a practising naturopath. Julie's multicultural heritage including a Dutch Father, and Uncles and Aunties from Italian, Indian, and Indonesian heritage, became further influences that exposed her to a diverse range of foods and cultural practices.

A passionate athlete as a kid, Julie's life experiences heightened her curiosity around how different foods affect her health, and energy levels. Growing up in a household where all meals were made from scratch, and without processed foods, instilled a strong sense of awareness about the ingredients in her meals. Also growing up with food allergies, and therefore needing to check the ingredients of foods offered out of home when she became more social and independent as a teenager and in her early 20’s made her hyper aware of the artificial ingredients in processed foods. Currently Julie is paving the way to success with her food consulting business and is launching a food product line, as well as being one of our very own Amplify mentors!

From corporate to food

Julie’s deep passion for food, wellness and being resourceful to protect the planet even stayed strong as she carved out a non-food related career in the corporate world. Although she initially pursued a career in management consulting and project management, her love for food never wavered. While living in Edinburgh, Julie lived with a partner who owned a catering company and her role was managing their corporate clients and organising catered for events at the Royal Botanical Gardens. Her involvement in menu planning and event coordination allowed her to stay connected to her culinary passion, despite her core income coming from her management consultancy work in the corporate sector.

After years in the corporate realm, she decided to pivot back towards her first love—food and nutrition. In her early 40s, she chose to retrain and study nutrition professionally, balancing her studies with existing work commitments. This transition was fueled by both a desire for personal growth and a response to some personal health challenges. Her extensive background in management and her lifelong passion for food positioned her perfectly to approach nutrition with a blend of practical business experience and heartfelt dedication.

Becoming a naturopathic chef

Julie’s journey led her to become a naturopathic chef, a role that perfectly blends her expertise in nutrition with practical culinary skills, and balancing the impact on our planet’s resources. As a naturopathic chef, she focuses on creating dishes that balance both human health and environmental sustainability. She adheres to the principles of using natural, seasonal, and local responsibly farmed ingredients, ensuring that her culinary practices align with the highest standards of food sustainability. This approach reflects her commitment to promoting a harmonious relationship between diet and ecological responsibility.

In response to a growing demand for healthier and more sustainable food options, she founded Sustainable Kitchen Consultants just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Her aim was to address broader challenges within the hospitality sector by helping businesses adapt to a more health-conscious and eco-friendly consumer base. Initially started with a business partner, the company evolved into a solo venture where she took charge of recipe development, sustainable sourcing strategies, and chef training. Her focus was not only on plant-forward and allergen-free recipes but also on giving mainstream chefs essential training on nutrition and sustainable cooking practices.

Adding yet another dimension to her career, she recently launched her own food range, drawing on  her expertise in product development and sustainable practices. Her firsthand experience in launching a food product has deepened her understanding of market dynamics and sustainability. From packaging to ingredient sourcing, she ensures that every aspect of her brand reflects her commitment to environmental and consumer health. Her  latest venture complements her extensive background in business strategy, project management, and nutrition, reinforcing her role as a thought-leader in the area  of sustainable culinary practices.

A healthy option

Her foray into food product development was initially unexpected, given the demanding nature of the work. However, noticing a shift in the food service sector towards convenience and ultra-processed plant-based options, she felt compelled to offer a healthier, more sustainable alternative. Julie is particularly concerned with these processed foods, noting their often dubious health benefits and lack of transparency regarding ingredient sourcing. Despite some innovative advancements, she believes too many of these products fall short of true sustainability and healthfulness.

In contrast, Julie’s focus is on creating 100% natural food products with a commitment to using UK-sourced and responsibly farmed ingredients. Her first foray into product development has been her plant-based mints made from pure, natural ingredients, reflecting her dedication to supporting local farmers and avoiding unnecessary additives. She has actively promoted these products through events and catering, where the positive reception convinced her to launch them commercially.

Currently Julie is working on expanding her product line, aiming to supply directly to the food service industry as opposed to retailers. Her products, which come in reusable packaging, have already garnered interest and back orders from clients, including a potential large order with an airline caterer. The recognition of her products, such as winning a silver medal at the Free From Food Awards in the food service category, underscores their appeal and effectiveness. Her focus remains on delivering natural, allergen-free options that align with her values of sustainability and quality.

A new look at sustainability

As a mentor in the Amplify programme, Julie emphasises a holistic approach to sustainability that extends beyond common perceptions. In her discussions with Karen and Shanice, she pointed out that often people equate sustainability with a heavy focus on aspects such as reducing plastic packaging, overlooking its broader implications. She advocates for the three pillars of sustainability: people, planet, and profit. She stresses that financial profitability should not come at the expense of environmental and social responsibility. Instead, she believes that sustainable practices can actually lead to cost savings, and potentially open up opportunities for grants and investment, and attract the right customers, which can lead to more financial sustainability. Through integrating sustainability into their operations, businesses can achieve long-term success while aligning with ethical principles.

In her role with the programme, she finds it rewarding to guide emerging food businesses through their sustainability journeys. Many of these businesses are in their early stages or expanding from home-based operations, and Julie helps them to navigate this critical phase. She assists them in developing a sustainability roadmap with achievable short and long-term goals, encouraging them to take incremental steps and involve their customers in the process. Julie's mentorship ensures that these businesses understand that perfection is not the immediate goal, but rather a gradual progression toward more sustainable practices that benefit both their operations and the broader community.

A rewarding experience

Julie finds the Amplify programme deeply rewarding, mainly due to the genuine enthusiasm and growth she witnesses from grassroots businesses. She relishes the moments when these new ventures express their excitement and appreciation for the knowledge they gain, reflecting significant learning and development. Her involvement in creating the sustainability and world cuisine curriculum for the New London Food School, which will be out at Barking and Dagenham College led her to connect with Karen and her role in the programme, further enriches her experience. Julie's ability to combine consulting and food production expertise allows her to offer valuable training and mentorship, making the programmes impact on these burgeoning businesses even more  gratifying.

Returning from Summer break – well not just yet ….

It felt like the world and his wife had left this summer, the buildings were noticeably quiet, and we had no external meetings or events. I normally use this period to catch up on all the things I have been promising to do and use some of the time for planning and thinking. I know what your ‘thinking time for thinking ‘but it is incredibly important to carve out time to think, think bigger picture, strategy and goal setting which is fundamentally different from the thinking we do daily to react to matters or complete tasks. We also decorated, our spaces here at the BEC, we have Instagram worthy workspaces now, which have lifted mood and morale considerably and not just mine.

For me this is blank page of my fabulous notebook, and the ideas just flow on a whole wealth of matters relating to the BEC and the wider work we do.

However, just for the record I am about to go on my summer break now we do not have to fit round education and school commitments the last ten years have meant late September holidays. Still fabulous weather but a little cooler to go exploring and not moan about how hot it is 😊

I will return at the start of October with renewed energy and a fresh perspective on the sticky issues which have been pressing on my mind for a while.

Here is what I am planning to do:

Set new goals – I intend to use the clarity and motivation of my holiday to set myself new and achievable goals, in all areas, personal development, our team performance, and project specific targets.

Prioritising tasks – on returning the to do list always seems to have grown, but if I prioritise then I can ease myself into productivity without feeling overwhelmed and then facing that ‘it feels like I have never been away feeling.’

Reconnecting with the team and wider colleagues – summer felt a lonely place at time, colleagues I see a lot both in the BEC and wider went off on leave so it will be nice to get back to collaboration. This is an area of the role I really enjoy learning from brilliant colleagues means every day is a school day.

Setting my new routine – sadly, winter approaches I admit my enthusiasm for Pilates, yoga, the gym, and healthy eating disappears, and I can always find an excuse. It is a case of ‘namaste’ turns into ‘not today!’ but not this year! I intend to create a workable winter routine which fits nicely into the life and does not feel like a chore. Vitally important this year having lost 32kg over the summer I intend this to be a lifestyle choice from now on. Hand in hand with this goes learning to balance work and life in general, I am famous for talking the talk about balance but not so good at keeping this for myself, but I have learnt that it is vital for productivity.

I hope you find this helpful, and I will see you in a couple of weeks on my return when Amplify will kick off for cohort two and other exciting programmes begin. Happy autumn everybody!

Why August is always a month of reflection.

I am left home alone for most of August my esteemed colleague and work wife goes on holiday for a few weeks, and so I am left to my own devices. It is a chance to catch up and go through the pile of things to do I have said I will get to one day. External meetings dry up even online, so I really am left to ponder and peruse! This time we have been on a bit of a mission to spruce up our own working areas after 8 years the clutter and toot (I love the word toot!) and give our spaces a glow up. I now have such a cool space to work from an Instagram dream and fair play to our caretaker Cliff who has worked so hard to get the decorating done.

Whilst I was pondering and perusing whilst looking back at the last 8 years there is much to be proud of, so many successful businesses with our help and support, some great projects, of course fabulous workspaces without question and a team of mentors and trainers who are very much part of the BEC family and crucial to our story.

We are mid-way through preparing for cohort two, but we were thinking that we could increase the number of businesses we could help with this programme and so we have extended the window for applications. We want to give as many businesses as possible the opportunity to benefit from this brilliant programme.

If you know any businesses who might be interested, then send them our way and if you are thinking about applying for yourself here are my views on why the programme works. Luckily, our funders the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the GLA agree with me.

Amplify is our flag ship business support programme, a mix of bootcamps and individual business support and they both play crucial roles in the success of a business for several reasons:

The boot camp elements offer focused, intensive training that helps participants quickly gain the skills needed to excel in their field. This is particularly beneficial for new businesses or those who have not seen the growth or development they anticipated. It’s vital to understand and unpick the challenges businesses face. Unlike traditional training, bootcamps emphasize hands-on learning, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and these facilitate peer support networks amongst the participants. Bootcamps bring together like-minded individuals, creating opportunities for networking and forming valuable professional relationships.

 This was an unknown outcome at the start of the programme, but we will take it as a win.

It’s important to remember that the Amplify programme is quite short term about 10 weeks this time as we purposely exclude half term weeks and of course dare I mention it we want to finish before Christmas.

The second part of the programme is the individual business support, undeniably access to experienced mentors can provide invaluable advice and insights, helping entrepreneurs navigate challenges and make informed decisions.

Our mentors can assist with developing business plans, marketing strategies, and financial planning, ensuring a solid foundation for growth. Our ethos of only working with industry experts in their field with current knowledge means that their support is top notch.

Hopefully I have sold it to you now so if you or anyone you know based in Barking and Dagenham is interested then please check our website ( link) or contact Shanice.Bako@barkingenterprisecentre.co.uk for more information.

Facing and embracing the fear

Whether you are starting up a business, or growing a business or even changing the direction of your business there is no denying that being a business owner can be a daunting endeavour. Over my eight plus years at the BEC and recently on the Amplify programme I have seen so many examples of business owners fearful of taking those next steps. Addressing the fears associated with the issues you face can be a positive, worthwhile, and rewarding experience.

The reality is that any major change from starting, growing, and changing direction takes courage in buckets, initiative, drive, determination, and guess what no one is going to do it for you! I hear repeatedly ‘I will be able to do that when I can afford to employ more people.’

However, to progress you the owner will need to become an ‘allrounder,’ not an expert but an understanding across all areas of the business is essential.

Here are my tips on how to do this…

Educate yourself – an absolutely true saying is ‘knowledge is power’ and you will need an understanding of your industry its essential which means keeping up with market trends, customer needs and the competitive landscape. Developing your business skills is essential learning the basics of business planning, marketing, finance, and social media are essential.

You may not have come from these industry backgrounds and certainly if you are over forty then the entire world of social media and digital marketing feels like a minefield. However, you have to embrace this new world, I consider myself knowing enough to get along now, not the techy wizardry but how important blogs, newsletters and updates are to the BEC business and I have to set time aside to write blogs etc, it is in fact a key part of my role although undeniably not in the 8 year old job description!

Having a business plan – at the risk of constantly repeating myself here but having a solid business plan with a clear vision on how to define your goals and the value proposition you offer. All businesses need a road map a step-by-step plan of how to make the vision a reality which makes it less daunting and holds you to account for how to make things happen. Move away from waiting for someone else to do it and be self service on making this happen. The BEC has templates but so does Google, easy to follow and crucial to get those thoughts out of your head and into a plan.

Finding your supporters- these could be trusted friends or partners, or mentors from an organisation like the BEC. These are people who know your industry and their support and guidance can provide invaluable insights and encouragement. I met a fabulous person called Dr Zella King several years ago who authored a book with a colleague Amanda Scott called’ My Personal Boardroom.’ I can assure you it is a well-thumbed book, used a lot and it changed my professional working life!

Our book

My last tip is focus on the positives, however small the progress may be, remember to celebrate the small wins and surround yourself with positive influences who can help you maintain that hopeful outlook. Having a mentor can also help with this, although all good mentors will provide the hard to hear answers too!

Wherever you are on your business journey you can mitigate fear by acting, remember every successful business owner faced the same fears and overcoming them is part of the journey.

Remember the BEC is there to provide support please check our website for how we can help with this https://www.beccic.co.uk

Sharon Mercieca and the In-person support of the Amplify Programme

Sharon Mercieca Dasgupta, a dedicated and passionate Mind Body coach, began her journey in 2004. Hailing originally from Australia, she moved to Malta in 1993 before finally settling in the UK in 1998. Sharon's career started in HR and Payroll, both in Malta and the UK, but she found it unfulfilling. Seeking a more meaningful path, she transitioned to part-time HR and Payroll roles while studying for a Level Three Personal Training award in the UK. This allowed her to gradually build a client base, ultimately leading her to leave HR and Payroll completely. Sharon vividly recalls the profound joy she felt during her first client training session, witnessing the positive transformation in her clients. 

This experience ignited her passion for coaching, driving her commitment to helping others achieve their fitness and wellness goals. As of this moment Sharon is excited to announce a rebrand of her business, which for many years operated under the strapline "Strong Mind Fit Body." In the coming week, she will introduce the new tagline, "Wellness with Compassion," reflecting her personal philosophy and teaching approach. Currently, Sharon also provides online coaching for those that cannot work with her face to face. She has also created an 11 day online programme, which can be found on her website, around our thoughts and language as they dictate our actions. For many the tools of 'exercise' and 'nutrition' work short term, but without addressing our mindset and our language we will only adhere to these short term, her lesson tackles these limiting beliefs to create new healthy behaviours/habits. Being dedicated to creating a more holistic approach to health for a wider audience, Sharon applied for the Barking Enterprise Centres Amplify Programme, to enhance her business knowledge and skill set.  

Overcoming challenges with Amplify

The Amplify programme has been a pivotal experience for Sharon, helping her overcome several challenges and reigniting her passion for her work. Previously, Sharon felt hidden away, especially after having children, and realised the importance of networking and participating in community events. Getting out into the community reminded her of why she loved her work- as she did before her children were born when she actively led boot camps. This realisation prompted her to try new things without fear of failure, embracing the philosophy of learning and growing from every experience. Sharon also took on a personal trainer, focusing on mentoring and nurturing her new team member, showcasing the importance of building a strong foundation before expanding further.

The Amplify programme introduced her to new perspectives and tools that she had not considered before. Each mentor brought unique insights that enriched her approach to her business. One mentor highlighted the potential of AI, showing her how it could save time while maintaining authenticity in her communication. Another mentor emphasised the importance of developing an online community, something she had not explored before. This mentor's guidance opened new avenues for her, and she is eager to learn more in their upcoming session. Additionally, Sharon was encouraged to think about her future, potentially transitioning to a consulting role given her 20 years of experience. The mentors also provided valuable contacts, helping her navigate and connect with key individuals in her industry.

One of the most significant benefits of the Amplify program for Sharon has been the confidence it has given her. Self-employment can be isolating, but having mentors who understand her community and share her vision has made her feel supported and less alone. The synergy with the Barking Enterprise Centre, where the mentors have a deep understanding of the local community, has been particularly beneficial. This support system has validated her work and its place in the community, empowering her to continue growing her business with renewed confidence and a clearer direction.

Support and in person sessions 

What Sharon enjoyed most about the Amplify programme was the invaluable support and the face-to-face interactions. She appreciated not feeling isolated and having a team that truly had her back. She loved the in-person sessions, finding them a refreshing change from the abundance of online interactions. She believes that being taught in a room full of people brings a unique energy and connection that is often missing in virtual environments. This preference for direct human contact aligns with her passion for community events and workshops, where she cherishes the opportunity to make eye contact and engage deeply with others. Sharon finds it disheartening to see people constantly buried in their phones, especially in bustling places like London, and values the personal connections that face-to-face interactions foster.

Advice for joining Amplify 

Her key advice for anyone looking to join the Amplify programme is to plan and allocate time around the workshops. She found the slides and notes provided invaluable, along with the numerous action points she gathered. However, implementing all these insights takes time. Sharon emphasises the importance of taking things step-by-step, using tools like QuickBooks to streamline tasks and free up more time. Drawing from her experience, she advises others to "crawl before they walk," especially if they're new to the industry. This approach has been beneficial for both Sharon and her new personal trainer, allowing them to build confidence and expertise gradually. She believes in the power of supporting one another and taking the time to fully grasp new skills before expanding further. She encourages others to embrace this mindset, leveraging their experience while steadily integrating the lessons from the Amplify program.

Mind Body coaching in the future 

In the coming years, Sharon sees herself becoming an expert in the mind-body connection, utilising tools like psychometric testing to assess clients' psychological readiness for change and their self-efficacy levels. She aims to be known in her community as the go-to person for comprehensive wellness support, working closely with local councils and organisations to promote a holistic approach to health. By focusing on the mental aspects of wellness, Sharon hopes to provide a deeper, more sustainable impact on her clients' lives, helping them achieve long-term success. Her vision is to create a supportive environment where individuals can learn to harness the power of their minds to achieve their wellness goals, ultimately becoming a respected figure in the field of Mind Body Coaching.

Learning lessons, the hard and the best

I had a bit of a moment last week, it suddenly occurred to me that at the end of this summer it will be 40…yes 40 years since I started working. Apart from maternity leave this means that I have never had more than two weeks off work in that many years! It got me thinking and reflecting on the hard and best lessons I have learnt and how the mentoring that I do, and the wider business support the BEC offers influences our clients experience.

The hard lessons were that at times failure is inevitable not every venture or decision has succeeded, and that failure must be part of the process. I like to think that over the years my decision making has become more balanced, I am sure there are people who will argue that, but failed decisions are a stepping stone to success.

 I have certainly learnt that the need to be adaptable more so now than ever is a crucial leadership skill, markets and technologies are changing at such an alarming rate, and I am constantly recognising that not adapting to latest trends and tech will mean that the BEC could struggle to survive. This approach is hard sometimes as we get older, we all get a bit set in our ways and change becomes more difficult to accept and embrace. In my experience there are three types of people for change management, the early adopter who embrace change, the more reticent who get there after a while and of course the odd silent saboteur who just won’t accept that things need to be different.

Controversially, another hard lesson is that the customer is not always right, but they are still a customer, and their perception and satisfaction are crucial to your business success. How complaints are managed is key in this environment, respect and empathy are the name of the game.

I love partnership working it’s at the core of what we do here at the BEC, but not every partnership has worked out, differences in vision, or values or constantly moving goal posts can cause conflict and sometimes it is better to walk away than stick with it. Contracts and Service level agreements are vital to getting this right, the days of verbal agreements are long gone.

The best lessons I have learnt are that persistence pays off, staying committed through tough times can lead to breakthroughs and the challenges can be tackled one by one. Adaptability and flexibility are crucial to being persistent, being open to change and pivot, when necessary, can help navigate those unforeseen challenges and capitalise on new opportunities.

 It might seem like common sense but in 40 years I have been and seen some appalling treatment of employees/teams. Hiring the right team and investing in them as individuals both in and out of the workplace can inform and influence business success. I am always delighted when I hear our core team and our wider associates, the mentors, service providers and trainers describe our collective approach as the BEC family. It is nice to know the investment in people is appreciated and valued. We have created a culture where our values are important from our board to our staff, and our partners and of course to our clients.

My biggest learning is to stay curious, the world of business is continually evolving, staying curious, continuous learning are what keep you ahead of the curve.

I guess to sum up all the above it demonstrates the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous improvement.