MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE, POSSIBLE

We held our Think Productivity Conference this month, which attracted over 40 local businesses to talk about all things Productivity. We heard from some fantastic speakers and enjoyed facilitation from host-with-the-most, Richard Askam, who inspired the audience with learnings from his journey of working with one of the world’s biggest brands and how he manages to beat the productivity blues to really drive business growth.

Richard Askam hosted the Productivity Programme’s Think Productivity Conference
Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for University of Lincoln’s Productivity Programme

Something that stuck with the team was when Richard said, “We need to be in touch with our inner child. Children aren’t afraid to be wrong and that is where innovation and creativity comes from.” We always have those inner child moments don’t we? Or is it just us? But when it comes to work and getting things wrong, we tend to have that misconception that it is bad when actually in fact it is a learning process and great ideas come from making mistakes.

The conference had two brilliant workshops that were facilitated by the incredibly insightful Jo Mason and Sara Scott, in which they took everyone through ways to motivate themselves, their team and businesses to beat productivity blockers and become more innovative and creative in the process.

Jo Mason from Propulsion Coaching took us through some vital ways that we can really work on beating those things that stop us being productive. “Motivation at work has two aspects – we need to control the demotivating factors first before we can get motivated!” We really learnt from this session about how we could target the right areas to improve our productivity and focus our minds.

Jo Mason from Propulsion Coaching spoke about the key elements of productivity
Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for University of Lincoln’s Productivity Programme

Sara Scott from Virtubrand gave us some great insights into how to avoid productivity blockers. “Productivity is the state of being able to create, particularly at a high quality and at quick speed.” Common blockers preventing productivity at work were explored and how we can introduce new ways of overcoming these barriers to increase our productivity.

Sara Scott from Virtubrand hosted a workshop on How to Avoid Productivity Blockers
Picture: Chris Vaughan Photography for University of Lincoln’s Productivity Programme

Tanvir Hassan, Managing Director of Lincoln-based marketing and design agency, Attract, highlights his experience at the event:

 “As a new business, which has been supported time and time again by the Productivity Programme and other University of Lincoln initiatives, I recognise the importance of productivity-boosting activities in our growth.

 I was able to gain insight into how technology could be used effectively to help manage our business, and we had an excellent discussion on bringing out the best in the workforce at our table.

 The interactive nature of the workshops was especially commendable, and in addition to the

workshop co-ordinators, I was able to learn things from other business leaders and share

some of the things we have learned on the way too! Leadership can be an especially lonely

game, so to be able to bounce thoughts and ideas off other business owners was especially

helpful.”

Following on from Tanvir’s insights, we wanted to share some of the key takeaways from the day for those of you that were unable to join us, especially so we can help you increase your productivity:

• Creativity can be the catalyst for removing productivity blockers.
• Collaboration with colleagues can help build confidence and resilience when times are tough
• Knowing your team’s strengths is vital when solving problems and finding new ways to solve old problems
• Innovation through new technology can help to bridge the productivity gap
• Talking through problems with peers and your network of contacts can help solve productivity problems

The Productivity Programme’s support streams are designed to help you embed these principles into your organisational culture and practices. We’d love to hear more about the productivity challenges facing your business so that we can tackle them together.

Heritage Components, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of furniture components, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its in-house manufacturing capabilities.

The company has recently acquired new specialist woodworking machinery, enabling them to produce an expanded range of hardwood furniture legs directly in their Lincolnshire warehouse. This investment in British manufacturing was made possible thanks to
grant-funding awarded by the University of Lincoln.

The funding award, part of the ERDF Development Fund and The Productivity Programme for Greater Lincolnshire, will now enable Heritage Components to further develop their service offering, along with supporting the local economy and local jobs.

Managing Director, Martin Fahy said: “Having this new machinery on-site enables us to use local suppliers for more of our manufacturing efforts. It’s great that we can now manage the end-to-end development of products in-house, not only so we can get a wider range of bespoke
products to customers quicker, but also for our own research and development needs”.

Previously, the process of designing, manufacturing and delivering a furniture part from scratch could take months. However, the addition of several new woodworking machines enables the company to complete this process quickly with premium certified sustainable timber, and
enhance the quality of the finished product.

This investment is a much welcome step forward for the manufacturing efforts of Heritage Components, enabling this growing company to improve its product offering, customer service, and overall effectiveness.

Find out more about Heritage Components: heritagecomponents.co.uk

Hi I’m Jo!

I am the second speaker at the Think Productivity Conference next week.

Some more information about me, I am an award-winning creativity, innovation and leadership coach, and founder of Propulsion Coaching, providing coaching and training services to individuals and businesses across multiple sectors.

I am based in the University of Lincoln’s Business Enterprise Centre, and I have supported both students and professionals in their start-up and scale-up journeys, as well as contributing to the wider business community.

I have worked with small businesses, corporate and executive clients, and educational establishments as well as private individuals all committed to elevating their excellence to the next level.

I love to contribute in a voluntary capacity as a business mentor, leadership & management mentor, a coach-mentor, a TEDx speaker-coach, and as a STEM ambassador for the promotion of STEM careers (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics).

At my business, Propulsion Coaching, I like to challenge your thinking, add rigour to your decision-making, boost your creativity, addressing challenges and supporting your personal accountability for taking action.

I am looking forward to exploring these with you at the conference on the 17^th November, find out more and book your tickets below!

Book your place at this event here: https://productivityprogramme.co.uk/event/think-productivity/

• Date: 17^th November 2021
• Time: 09:00 – 13:00
• Location: The Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln

Hi, Sara here! 

I’m looking forward to being one of the key speakers at this year’s Think Productivity Conference at The Showroom in Lincoln.  

Some more about me, I am a career creative with 25 years’ experience as a writer, agency director, brand planner and marketing strategist. In more recent years, I have embarked on a transformational learning journey to explore the role of creativity and innovation at work, both in business and for individuals looking to connect their purpose and passion to unlock the potential of their most authentic selves.  

Through my consultancy business, Virtubrand, I work with businesses and individuals who want to connect purposefully and passionately to conceive, create and implement powerful plans for growth. 

Fuelled by insight, anchored in awesome storytelling and with an ‘always learning’ approach, I create agile strategic plans, clear content and intelligent workshop formats to provide the structure that enables organisations and individuals meet their objectives. 

I can’t wait to introduce and explore common blockers preventing productivity at work with you all, get your tickets using the link below and come and learn more about promoting your business.  

Book your place at this event here: https://productivityprogramme.co.uk/event/think-productivity/  

• Date: 17th November 2021 
• Time: 09:00 – 13:00 
• Location: The Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln 

In the event of unforeseen Covid-19 government restrictions, the session will be rescheduled. 

Richard here!

I’m here to introduce myself as the host of the Think Productivity Conference on the 17^th of November.

A little bit more about me, I have spent 30 years working in the wine business before launching the first personalised champagne gifts in the UK in 2010.

This led me to Coca-Cola where I developed and executed the online ShareaCoke campaign across Europe in 2014.

Over the following two years, I made similarly successful personalised campaigns for the likes of Unilever, Barclays, Vodafone and McVitie’s before becoming a full-time speaker. I even made my debut as a TED Talker in 2017.

My focus is conversation, an invaluable skill in a world where businesses must adapt to the conversation of their customers, and over the last few years I have become a host and MC for business events both online and in person!

I’m looking forward to meeting all the businesses that are ready to Think Productivity on the 17^th.

See you then!

Book your place at this event here: https://productivityprogramme.co.uk/event/think-productivity/

• Date: 17^th November 2021
• Time: 09:00 – 13:00
• Location: The Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln

Please note tickets are limited to one person per company for this event, eligible businesses only. In the event of unforeseen Covid-19 government restrictions, the session will be moved online and carried out virtually.

The University of Lincoln facilitates business funding all year round through their internship programme UoL Talent designed to support employers to recruit talented students and graduates.

If you are looking for an efficient process and positive boost to your business, a graduate or student internship could be the ideal solution. Internships can help your business to grow and develop in a number of ways. Whether you have a specific project to complete or simply need additional resource in key areas of your business, an intern could be the answer.

Your business can benefit from:

• Funding towards employment costs
• A tailored package of support to business by removing barriers to recruitment
• Support and advice from University employer engagement team through every step
• An easy process, saving costs & time
• No long-term commitments- interns can work on a specific project or fill a vacancy for a fixed period
• Natural Progression – our data shows that UoL internships frequently turn into permanent positions.
• A quick injection of skills with short term graduate & student roles
• Opportunity to develop new business areas with extra resource and fresh ideas
• Free advertising through our vacancy platform CareerLinc. Find out more about vacancy advertising here. 

Register your interest today

Hi, Mandy Wheeler here!  

If the last eighteen months have done anything, they’ve forced us all to be more creative, which makes this is an ideal time to step back and take a critical look at this elusive skill.  

Creativity — or innovation, imagination, ingenuity — means different things to different people. Whatever you think it is, most of us would agree that creativity is essential for business success. But it is not always easy to achieve. Why is that? Are we going about it in the wrong way?  

That is one of the questions Luke Sorba and I will invite you to explore in our workshop: Creativity…Reimagined. As practitioners and lecturers, we both have spent our professional lives in the creative industries. We’ve decades of experience in coaxing creativity out of hiding. It is our belief that the key to a successful creative working environment isn’t more brainstorming sessions; it’s knowing how to help people get out of their own way.  

Creativity Reimagined is a full day session designed to get you thinking about where creativity fits into your business, and how you want to work with it in the future. There’ll be exercises and chat (and no PowerPoint slides). You’ll get up from your chair, move about, work in pairs and in groups. Along the way you’ll learn how you can help yourself and others get comfortable with spontaneity and develop a flexible, resilient mindset that doesn’t shrink when faced with uncertainty.  

You’ll also laugh a lot, and surprise yourself, we promise.  

We hope you’ll join us. 

Book your place at this event here: https://productivityprogramme.co.uk/event/creativity-reimagined-2/  

• Date: 14th October 2021 

• Time: 09:00 – 17:00 
• Location: Stoke Rochford Hall Hotel, Grantham 

Please note tickets are limited to one person per company for this event, eligible businesses only. In the event of unforeseen Covid-19 government restrictions, the session will be moved online and carried out virtually. 

Productivity Programme has been working with a Lincolnshire woman, Sandra McDonough, who has battled Parkinson’s disease for more than 18 years and has now invented a device that could help 145,000 people living with the condition in the UK to manage and control their symptoms and improve their quality of life. 

Sandra gradually deteriorated until she had to stop driving and was resigned to using a wheelchair, yet she was determined to find a solution to help overcome her debilitating condition.  

The idea for the Eye Guide MC came to her when she placed a knitting marker on her glasses, she immediately noticed an effect on her hemispatial neglect, a condition which meant she had no awareness of the world on the left side of her body. The idea was beautifully simple, if she could alter messages to her brain by simply placing something in her peripheral vision, she could make a device that could help to control Parkinson’s symptoms. With her concept in hand, she needed help to formulate a business plan and to fund her product development, that is where she enlisted the support from our team. 

We’ve helped Sandra develop skills that would help guide her plans, including how to apply for grant funding. She learnt where to access funding and the process of building her business. Our team took Sandra all the way through the process, helping her become more business-minded and encouraging her to move forward with her product development. 

Sandra said: “The Productivity Programme resource is second to none because the team helped me to build confidence in myself to accomplish my goals. They supported me every step of the way and provided the tools I needed to get there. 

“I can’t imagine starting a business now without them.” 

For more information about the Eye Guide MC and to get in contact with the team please see the Eye Guide MC Facebook page.  

You can also view a full video case study on the Eye Guide MC.

Did you know that the University of Lincoln can help businesses within a wide range of sectors -Charities, Community Interest Companies and Private Sector Firms?

The Productivity Programme, delivered by the University of Lincoln and funded by the European Regional Development Fund is designed to enable micro, small and medium sized businesses to boost productivity and support business growth through grant funding, business support and collaboration with the academic capacity at the University.

The Productivity Programme are holding virtual drop-in sessions that focus on Productivity Vouchers and Grants.

What is a Productivity Voucher? 

They are a great way to engage with academics at the University to help support you to drive levels of Productivity and support businesses to grow. Vouchers provide up to 20 days of support which are fully funded through the Programme with no financial cost to you! We have a whole range of specialisms and Productivity Vouchers are a great way for you to tap into the wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise of our academics! Find out more with Reece below:

What is a Productivity Grant?

If you are lacking finance, we can offer small revenue and capital grants between £1k – £10k. The grants can help increase your productivity and support you to grow your business. This could be anything from a piece of software, market testing, product testing or independent advice or expertise, it is flexible to fit your needs! Find out more with Charli below:

To find out more about these events & how to sign up please visit the below links to register.

Vouchers

Grants

For further information, please contact Reece Leggett and Charli Baty via rleggett@lincoln.ac.uk / cbaty@lincoln.ac.uk

Think Productive are turning traditional time management on its head at their training session on the 29^th of September. So, if you are overwhelmed or struggling with constant distractions and information overload this is the training for you.

Following the success of last year’s virtual session, this face-to-face deep dive will offer plenty of interactive exercises and group discussions as well as 1-1 Ninja coaching. They want to help you manage attention and focus, projects, and actions, as well as choices and habits.

Previous testimonials:

“Great delivery and materials. I will be changing things in my working life using skills learned today.”

“Loved the session, will take a lot from this – there is so much more to Time Management than you think!”

Think Productive (www.thinkproductive.co.uk) was established in spring 2009, they are a team of productivity and wellbeing experts who passionately believe that time is not your most precious resource: your attention is.

The team work on the aspects of working life that cause confusion, distraction and information overload which are the biggest obstacles to ‘getting things done’ – and which conventional ‘time management’ programmes do little to address.

Their work has taken them across the UK, running workshops for clients such as eBay, GlaxoSmithKline, BP, The British Library, The National Trust, American Express and WorldPay.

To secure your place for this training event click here: https://productivityprogramme.co.uk/event/how-to-be-a-productivity-ninja/

• Date: 29^th September 2021
• Time: 09:00 – 17:00
• Location: Doubletree by Hilton Forest Pines, Brigg

Please note tickets are limited to one person per company for this event, eligible businesses only. In the event of unforeseen Covid-19 government restrictions, the session will be moved online and carried out virtually. 

To find out more about the Productivity Programme, follow its Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube feeds or visit: http://www.productivityprogramme.co.uk/

It’s now been three weeks since I joined the Productivity Programme team at the University of Lincoln (time really flies!) as Business Development Officer, having previously led the Graduate Enterprise side of things before moving to work at the Grimsby Institute. Having returned to UoL to take on this dynamic role, I can honestly say it’s been brilliant in every sense. I’ve loved meeting some of the amazing businesses in the region who are benefiting from our academic support and grant funding, while also working alongside knowledgeable and enthusiastic colleagues who have helped me settle back in like I’d never left!

This last two years have been like nothing we’ve ever experienced, but I have been blown away with how businesses have adapted to ‘the new normal’, pivoted to reach new markets and continue to research and innovate in such a challenging climate.

The Programme, with its various strands of support, has proven to be a vital lifeline to many entrepreneurs and businesses, and continues have real impact as we collaboratively respond to new challenges.

Having been born and raised in North East Lincolnshire, I feel passionately about helping our region’s business community to flourish with our support, and look forward to helping the Programme to benefit more local organisations.

Since the Productivity Programme began, we have had the great honour of helping micro, small and medium-sized businesses launch and thrive through grant funding, business support and collaboration with the academic capacity of the University of Lincoln. (more…)

GSA Environmental Limited, based in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, is one of the latest businesses to have transformed its operations and formed a partnership with the University of Lincoln after benefiting from several initiatives offered through the university’s programmes including the KTP initiative and the Innovation Programme for Greater Lincolnshire. (more…)

We are delighted to announce that ATT has been awarded a Productivity Voucher of 20 days of development support from the University of Lincoln, recently named Modern University of the Year in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 to support the creation of its innovative e-Nudge app. (more…)

A study undertaken by The University of Lincoln has revealed that airborne pathogens in an office environment can be significantly reduced by the use of effective air purification systems.

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Working from home has many perks but on the other hand, it can open up opportunities for distraction which can hamper productivity. Here’s our top five tips for productivity… (more…)

Are you looking to inject new talent and ideas into your SME business? Then an internship could be the perfect solution for you.

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The University of Lincoln and telecoms provider Bluecube have partnered to deliver a two-day Covid support webinar ‘Business Reimagined’ this November. (more…)

Careers and Employability are hosting a student and industry-facing webinar to support the class of 2020 in their search for graduate roles in Lincolnshire. (more…)

Custom Fitness, based in Lincoln, is the latest business to have employed a graduate intern and benefited from funding and support during the coronavirus outbreak, thanks to the Productivity Programme. (more…)

The first in a series of our six weekly coronavirus crisis webinars which took place on Wednesday 25^th March and was led by Business Coach Simon Meadows was a huge success!

(more…)

In what is undoubtedly a worrying time, we wanted to reach out to our community with updates from the team and to highlight some of the resources available to support your business.

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GiftsOnline4U is one of many businesses to have benefited from funding thanks to the Innovation Programme. In this blog, the company’s founder explains his plans to get involved with the Productivity Programme.

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Last September we launched Growing Graduate Enterprise – our brand new programme aimed at supporting graduates who want to set up and run a business in Greater Lincolnshire. (more…)

We were joined by some of the best businesses in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday night to celebrate the launch of our new Productivity Programme.

Our latest scheme aims to drive levels of productivity and investment in Greater Lincolnshire. It’s been launched following the success of our Innovation Programme developed by the University of Lincoln, which has helped a total of 511 businesses by funding innovative ideas and practical advice.

Andrew Stevenson, Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Lincoln, kicked off the night, introducing the programme and stressing the importance of pushing businesses in our region to reach their full potential.

We were also honoured to be joined by Colin Jackson CBE, Olympic silver medallist, two-time world champion and two-time Commonwealth champion, to talk about how he made the impossible possible throughout his career. He also kindly offered his support for what we hope to achieve with our new programme.

We were inspired by how hard Colin worked to adapt and overcome the obstacles he faced before achieving great success as an athlete, and we want to help businesses adopt this mentality and thrive in what can be a challenging economic environment.

While the Productivity Programme offers some of the same types of support as the Innovation Programme, one key element is that it is open to businesses that previously took advantage of the previous programme as well as new businesses.

The programme will support our local businesses through funding and advice, including match-funded grants of up to £10,000, up to 16 days of academic support from the University of Lincoln and up to £3,000 of funding for graduate interns.

The UK’s growth in gross domestic product (GDP) per hour worked remains well below that of many of our major international competitor countries. The programme will greatly contribute towards closing the productivity gap in Greater Lincolnshire by directly supporting business growth.

Greater Lincolnshire is such a fantastic place to work with a range of inspiring and innovative businesses, yet our economy has typically had limited investment in productivity.

The Productivity Programme will be a key part of driving growth, allowing micro, small and medium-sized businesses to do things differently and achieve their goals.

To find out more about how we can help your business reach its full potential, get in contact or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.