What is CRM and how can it support my startup sales?

When starting a business, the implementation of a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system may seem like an additional and unnecessary expense, but committing to it from the outset will realise a number of benefits including the development of a clear and focused sales strategy, together with the opportunity to strengthen new client relationships.

The Twitter Hacks and Battles of Plato, Socrates and Aristotle

Over the years we’ve seen Twitter celebrities get their accounts hacked. But this recent hack goes way beyond anything we’ve seen before. This latest security breach calls into question the security of Twitter and social media platforms and even the foundation technology they are built upon.

Wait a minute Mr Postman…

Online shopping is arguably one of the best inventions out there. Nothing beats that feeling of joy when your parcel arrives! But what about the times when your parcel isn’t successfully delivered and you arrive home to find a ‘sorry we missed you’ card through your letterbox? iParcelBox solves the problem of missed deliveries, providing a smart, secure and weatherproof parcel delivery solution that users can monitor and control from their smartphone.

Digital donations app helps charities fundraise in a crisis

Roundups is a new donation app that helps charities with their fundraising whilst the economy continues to battle through challenging times. The app links with users’ payment cards in order to round up their payments and donate pennies to their chosen charity as they spend.

Entering a new era of Artificial Intelligence in the fast food industry

White Castle has announced a planned pilot with Miso Robotics – creators of the autonomous grilling and frying kitchen assistant, Flippy – to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence and robotics in the restaurant industry.

The success of the new face mask vending machine

Maskey, the brand behind the UK’s first mask vending machines, has signed a deal with leading British retailer WHSmith to stock its individual fashionable face coverings on the shelves of hundreds of outlets on high streets and in train stations, airports and hospitals.

The top countries embracing the new norm as working from home

With businesses across the world seeing the tangible benefits of a mobile workforce over the last few months, returning to the office may become temporary as working from home potentially becomes a new way of working, according to research collated by Instant Offices. 

Moneybox secures £30 million in Series C funding

Moneybox, the award-winning saving and investing app, today announces it has secured £30m in Series C funding earlier this year from existing investors including Eight Roads, and new investors Breega and CNP. Moneybox also reveals it now has £1bn in assets under administration, and announces plans to bring customers closer to its growth journey through an upcoming crowdfund.

How to de-clutter your virtual space to improve productivity

In the COVID-19 era many people are taking the opportunity to organise and simplify their home working spaces, making good use of the ample time at home. But de-cluttering your virtual space – including your computer/laptop, phone, cloud storage, etc – is just as important as de-cluttering your physical space.

What is the key to successful innovation?

What’s the secret to innovation? Is it all about having work spaces peppered with chill-out zones, ping-pong tables and climbing walls? Actually, the truth is far more down to earth.

The crisis has shown us how innovative small British manufacturers can be

This crisis period has proven what so many of us in our industry already knew. The UK manufacturing industry is and always has been resilient and adaptable, and has continued to grow even in times of trouble. Overall, the UK’s industrial sector has increased by 1.4% a year since 1948, according to the ONS. Much of this has been down to the fact that we always adapted and moved forward fast; year on year we shifted production from low to high productivity goods, invested more in research and development and adopted automation and technology.

How to refocus on sustainable growth during a crisis

A crisis seems an unlikely time to use for improving growth, but for many startups there’s an unexpected opportunity to slow down and refocus their growth and marketing plans on their fundamental, long term growth opportunity. It’s crucial for startups to build resilience and a path towards sustainable growth by building the right growth marketing framework and strengthening customer relationships.

Bringing advanced robotics to UK fast-food and commercial kitchens

The startup driving intelligent automation for commercial kitchens, Miso Robotics has announced its first funding round in the UK. The services sector is seeing a new impetus for automation as it builds back better post pandemic, ensuring more resilient businesses, safer working environments and food production for staff and customers.

HERMES Startup AWARD 2020 goes to Indonesian startup

Deutsche Messe premiered a startup category for the HERMES AWARD, presenting Mitra Sejahtera Membangun Bangsa, a young company from HANNOVER MESSE partner country Indonesia, with the new award. The jury, chaired by Prof. Dr. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, selected the winner for its Smart Farming 4.0 project.

Resurgence of entrepreneurship expected following the pandemic

The home kitchen and dining area have become the most lucrative money making locations in Britain, that combined are generating £37.4bn to the British economy during lockdown – that’s being coined as ‘Kitchen Table Talent’. The research commissioned by Attic Self Storage, revealed that although restrictions are being lifted, 41% of office workers are expected to continue their jobs from home, with 44% saying it’s the most productive place they have ever worked.

How can business technology help to manage stress in the workplace?

Whilst social media and too much screen time can increase the risk of depression and anxiety, technology can also have positive outcomes on our mental wellbeing too – even in our busy digital world. Many us will be familiar and fond of clever apps like Headspace, Calm and Stop, Breathe & Think which can offer support with a number of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Here Natasha Bougourd from TSG, chats to Startups Magazine about tech aiding stress in the workplace.

AI-driven family travel website already making waves

tripAbrood, the travel business set to reinvent the online family travel experience, has become part of the UK’s startup elite by being named a TechRound 100 Finalist alongside a host of innovative brands including Too Good To Go, Pip & Nut and lockdown favourite Zoom.

Is al fresco dining the future?
Is al fresco dining the future?

Johnathan Bulmer, MD at Cleveland Containers here chats to Startups Magazine about how three food and drink businesses pivoted in the pandemic. As restaurants and other leisure businesses steadily start to reopen, there’s many stories of businesses which have been heavily impacted by the financial crisis the pandemic has caused. 

Startup Summit returns some big confirmed speakers

Startup Summit, an international festival of entrepreneurship, has announced dates for its 2020 edition and first headline speakers from globally-recognised brands including David Wilding, Director of Planning at Twitter, Irana Wasti, Regional President for GoDaddy EMEA, and Matt Davey, Chief Operation Optimist at 1Password

Does branding matter when it comes to VCs?

The amount of information we are exposed to exceeds our ability to process it. Out of the about 70,000 thoughts we have per day, our short term memory can hold no more than seven for only about 20 to 30 seconds. How does this relate to branding? Our long-term memory stores our associations with specific brands which is also ultimately the desired effect of marketing campaigns or PR activities – for people to remember your company (or you as a person!) when in need of the products or services you provide.