Tag Archives: start ups

Six Lessons Every Company Should Learn from Start-ups

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At Bedrock HR Ltd we work with a growing number of start-ups and we’ve been thinking about what businesses at any age and stage can learn from the new kids on the block. These are some of our thoughts which we hope you find useful……

  1. Consider different employment types: Zero-hours contracts can come with a bad reputation, but in some cases they can really help fill a gap in your team, particularly with professionals looking for flexible employment; or local parents with young children who need a few hours a week. Timewise is one example of a marketplace matching businesses seeking part-time talent or try local Facebook groups of Gumtree for local resources.
  1. Grow with direction and purpose: Don’t fall into the trap of hiring just when things are busy and your team seems too small to cope. Make sure each new-hire fits with your longer-term strategy, your team shape and skills that you already have. Also consider the paths for promotion for the people you already employ, what future do they have in your company.
  1. Demand flexibility but give people some boundaries: People need to be flexible in their roles, but clarity on their responsibility is still important. As a minimum, make sure each employee has 5 key responsibilities; a long-term goal, a short-term goal and clarity on what they deliver themselves and how they deliver through others. 
  1. Be innovative with your support functions: when you’re small you don’t need in-house HR, IT or accountants and there are lots of people offering outsourced professional solutions to save you money. But you’ll also be surprised by the other favours you might be able to pull in from your networks, like PR, marketing or events management. Local business networking groups like BNI or local chambers of commerce are a good place to start. 
  1. Have an ideas culture, but also know when to make decisions one of our clients gets this just right. They have an open-dialogue in workshops that involve the whole team, but at other times they’re clear that some decisions are made just by the senior leadership. Your team will thank you when they’re not asked for an opinion on everything!
  1. Don’t neglect development: it’s tempting in start-ups to run as fast as you can for as long as you can. But to be sustainable, you have to stop and give energy to training and team-work. And this isn’t just for junior staff – CEO’s need development too. Consider using a coach or mentor if you’re a CEO, and find someone who you trust to challenge and support you when you’re feeling frazzled.

Bedrock HR Ltd works with businesses at all stages, typically with between 5-50 employees to provide a cost-effect outsourced HR solution. For a free initial consultation please contact us via www.bedrock.co.uk

 

 

ContainerVille Offers Affordable Work Space On Regents Canal

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ContainerVille, launched by The Estate Office Shoreditch, offers work space on Regents Canal
– Storage containers up-cycled for London’s dynamic start-ups –

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ContainerVille, a new initiative for London’s start-ups has been launched today by The Estate Office Shoreditch. The concept aims to attract dynamic young creatives in search of affordable work space in which to grow their entrepreneurial businesses. The unique location of this offering will allow ‘New Eastenders’ the chance to thrive amongst their peers with close proximity to vibrant Shoreditch and Hackney.

 

Start-ups looking for a home for their growing business will find no better alternative than ContainerVille, which offers rental of a whole container for £1200 per month. Made up of 30 converted storage containers on the south bank of Regent’s Canal, ContainerVille offers affordable work spaces with low rent and minimal overheads so that small businesses will be free to grow more organically. The site will be managed but the containers will offer a great deal of flexibility for their tenants.

 

Over the past weeks the containers have undergone a total fit out and emerge transformed into fully functioning spaces for up to five people per container. Individual desk spaces can be rented for £320pp per month as the minds behind ContainerVille recognise that together small firms are stronger and businesses may choose to share containers or work in partnership. ContainerVille aims to create a dynamic hub of start-ups and small businesses, increasing opportunity for growth in a community of like-minded creatives working in proximity to one another.  The landscaping around the containers is also geared to promote collaborative working and integration, with shared outdoor areas overlooking the canal.

 

The Estate Office Shoreditch hope to inspire future tenants with their historically rich canal-side location, where the technology of the industrial revolution will stand alongside the technology, design and digital firms likely to occupy the space. Further to the peace and tranquillity inspired by close proximity to the canal, Victoria Park, Broadway Market and London Fields are also within throwing distance, ensuring that tenants are well-connected and within easy reach of The City and West End.

 

The Estate Office Shoreditch is a family business who have owned and managed much of the land in and around Shoreditch since the mid 60’s. Phil Bouette, Development Manager at The Estate Office commented: “We are really excited about this new venture; we take a long-term view of property ownership and believe in offering flexibility to our tenants, whether they are longstanding establishments or fresh fast growth firms. We look forward to welcoming our first tenants in the next few weeks.”