Touchstone makes call on next stage of its growth

A telemarking firm is on target to triple the size of its workforce and double turnover in the New Year after landing a string of contracts with corporate giants in its first 12 months in business.

Touchstone Leads, based in Shildon, County Durham, was launched almost a year ago by Kevin Ireson who decided to go it alone after spending over a decade working as head of sales at a large UK corporation.

The company was set up to generate key appointments for companies with potential clients that could help boost their sales.

It operates from the unique standpoint that it only bills clients for leads that meet their criteria - a factor which has proved popular with a number of heavyweight UK businesses.

In its first year the company has already won contracts with financial groups HSBC and Santander and northern legal giant Ward Hadaway, amongst other large firms.

The company currently employs five members of staff, but plans to take this up to 15 next year as it moves into larger premises to facilitate its expansion.

Meanwhile, annual turnover at the fast-growing firm is expected to climb from £250,000 this year to £500,000 by the end of 2011, reaching £800,000 in its third year in business.

Mr Ireson said: "One of the biggest frustrations I had in my former role as a head of new business sales was in finding a telemarketing company that was willing to back itself and only get paid on results so I needed to buck the trend.

"We specialise in making appointments that are guaranteed to meet client requirements and help get them in front of the right businesses.

"In the next five years I hope to become a large employer in the North East that is focused on helping businesses grow their sales and deliver results that will give an instant return."

Touchstone is a business-to-business telemarketing company which specialises in qualified appointment making with a combined 20 years of experience in the field within its workforce.

For more information go to http://www.touchstoneleads.co.uk

DIY design site set to transform exhibition experience

A NEW digital service has been launched which is aiming to revolutionise the way businesses prepare for exhibitions, seminars and conferences.

Currently, when firms plan to show off their wares at major events, design costs for marketing material alongside the price of an exhibition plot can severely dent company budgets.

However, an online photography firm has set up a new service which allows businesses with little or no design experience to create their own promotional material.

Digitalab, based in Newcastle, has launched an online tool that enables firms to design their own banner stands exactly to their specifications, thus cutting out often-expensive design costs.

The site, www.ebannerstands.co.uk, is aimed at businesses that do not want to compromise on quality at events, despite being on a tight budget.

It allows users to choose bespoke designs with optional backgrounds, gradients, patterns and templates and also gives them the option of uploading their own logo and inserting bullet points.

Jill Roe, exhibitions manager at Digitalab, said: “We don’t want to belittle the good work that designers do, but we believe there is a gap in the market for firms whose budget may not stretch to hiring their services.

“Our site allows customers to try any number of design combinations until they are happy with the final look, without having to go back and forth making amendments with designers.

Digitalab launches the new service on the back of a period of strong growth for the firm, having enjoyed a 28% increase in sales during 2010.

To build on the anticipated success of the banner stands site, its next step will be to create a similar digital service that enables consumers to match their photos with bespoke picture frames online before they buy the real thing.

Digitalab is a family business which started life in 1949 when Ms Roe’s grandfather, Percy Fountain set up a picture developing and framing company on Tyneside.

It has since adapted to the advent of digital photography and online shopping and today employs 10 people at its base on Newcastle’s Stepney Bank.

For more information on the company please visit: www.digitalab.co.ukA NEW digital service has been launched which is aiming to revolutionise the way businesses prepare for exhibitions, seminars and conferences.

Currently, when firms plan to show off their wares at major events, design costs for marketing material alongside the price of an exhibition plot can severely dent company budgets.

However, an online photography firm has set up a new service which allows businesses with little or no design experience to create their own promotional material.

Digitalab, based in Newcastle, has launched an online tool that enables firms to design their own banner stands exactly to their specifications, thus cutting out often-expensive design costs.

The site, www.ebannerstands.co.uk, is aimed at businesses that do not want to compromise on quality at events, despite being on a tight budget.

It allows users to choose bespoke designs with optional backgrounds, gradients, patterns and templates and also gives them the option of uploading their own logo and inserting bullet points.

Jill Roe, exhibitions manager at Digitalab, said: “We don’t want to belittle the good work that designers do, but we believe there is a gap in the market for firms whose budget may not stretch to hiring their services.

“Our site allows customers to try any number of design combinations until they are happy with the final look, without having to go back and forth making amendments with designers.

Digitalab launches the new service on the back of a period of strong growth for the firm, having enjoyed a 28% increase in sales during 2010.

To build on the anticipated success of the banner stands site, its next step will be to create a similar digital service that enables consumers to match their photos with bespoke picture frames online before they buy the real thing.

Digitalab is a family business which started life in 1949 when Ms Roe’s grandfather, Percy Fountain set up a picture developing and framing company on Tyneside.

It has since adapted to the advent of digital photography and online shopping and today employs 10 people at its base on Newcastle’s Stepney Bank.

For more information on the company please visit: www.digitalab.co.uk

Footwear Company is one step ahead

A North East couple have launched a children’s footwear company that offers stylish and great fitting shoes for children up to five years of age.

Rob and Jude Gallacher launched the brand, Pippo, after they experienced difficulty in finding the right shoes for their daughter. From leather boots to canvas pumps, the new range of footwear includes a great choice of styles for both boys and girls.

Jude said, “We wanted to create a versatile range of shoes which could be worn with different outfits, on different occasions and still look great all the time.”

The couple combined their strong background in design and fashion with classic footwear styles to create the unique range. The brand image for Pippo has a strong European feel, which was an important factor incorporated from the beginning.

Rob said, “We wanted to give the product a premium look but make it easy to wear, so we took inspiration from Italian and Spanish culture. We wanted to adopt this dress ethic and make it more accessible for parents by producing quality shoes at realistic prices”

As well as being stylish and well made, the shoes feature anatomically shaped lasts for great fit and comfort. Genuine crepe rubber soles, leather liners and a fun shoebox are just some more of the many benefits the Pippo footwear range has to offer.

The Spring/ Summer 2011 Collection of shoes will be available to buy at www.pippofootwear.com, which also provides advice on fitting, stockists and delivery.

A message from Newcastle Science City: A themed competition to win specialist business support worth £20K.

Have you got a winning business ideas? Newcastle Science City is looking for businesses and individuals with innovative ideas which can be commercialised within 12 months and are scalable. Ideas should target unmet needs in one of NSC's theme areas: Ageing & Health, Sustainability or Regenerative Medicine.

Competition winners will be provided with expertise, mentoring and support worth up to £20,000 to help develop and launch their business ideas. Support will be aimed at businesses based in the North East, or with plans to set up here.

How to apply:

Full competiton details will be posted on the Newcastle Science website in early January, In the meantime please register your interest here: http://www.newcastlesciencecity.com/science-city-activities/supporting-business-and-entrepreneurs

Tyne and Wear Transport want your views on how transport can drive long term economic growth

We thought that some members of the IWCYC community would like to know that the Tyne and Wear City Region is preparing a new overarching Transport Strategy, which aims to set out the strategic role for transport in driving long-term economic growth within and across the local authority areas of Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Durham and Northumberland.

This is the first time that businesses are being asked for their views and you are invited to attend this unique business breakfast meeting to air your opinions, and debate and discuss the transport priorities for your business.

Details:

Date: Thursday 16th December 2010
Location: Mansion House, Fernwood Road, Jesmond, Tyne and Wear, NE2 1TJ
Time: 8.00 (for 8.30 start) – 10.30am

The Transport Strategy is being produced and will be delivered in unison with the more detailed Local Transport Plans (LTPs) that are being prepared in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland.

Local authorities, working with you, the private sector, are looking to ensure that the Transport Strategy focuses on how the area can make better use of existing transport infrastructure and assets. It will also identify specific transport improvements that will be required to help deliver the ambition of creating sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Specifically, the Strategy will set out the practical transport interventions needed to support economic prosperity, thus ensuring the area cements its status as a great place to live, work and visit. It will be tasked with ensuring that effective cross-local authority boundary transport links exist in order to help businesses expand and flourish; attract investment; and enable a greater number of people to access jobs and services.

Alongside this, an assessment of key gateways to and from the region; including ports, airports and the rail network; will be undertaken with the aim of mapping ways in which they can be maximised to further benefit the North East.

This is a great opportunity for you to air your views and play a key part in the development of a fit-for purpose transport strategy. To confirm your attendance please RSVP: Vicky.neill@admiralpr.com, or call 0191 222 0722

Eco design firm gets set for overseas expansion

Tyneside-based COHDA Design is gaining international recognition for its innovative and sustainable ‘eco’ products.

The firm, which has been summed up by the New York media as ‘Punk Rock ECO design’, specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of pioneering, contemporary products, all with an emphasis on sustainability and new technology.

Its latest products include ‘Revive’ table legs, which are manufactured in the UK from previously redundant steel production equipment and can be attached and removed in seconds to produce a variety of permanent and semi-permanent tables.

COHDA also recently launched an experimental project, ‘The Binary Furniture Process’, which enables people to create their own piece of computer-designed furniture without having the necessary skills.

International strategy

Globally ambitious COHDA Design has set up links with retailers in the US, Canada and Europe and has secured retail opportunities in Hong Kong with a new design chain.

Richard Liddle, founder and Managing Director of COHDA Design, says: “As a growing design brand, we have a long-term development strategy to achieve a strong presence in global markets. This is important as it allows us to be far more competitive, whilst giving us access to new technologies, manufacturers, skills and materials, all of which feed our creativity and influence new product development.

“Over the last 18 months, COHDA has been exploring numerous world markets and distribution channels. We have been successful in establishing relationships with several design chains and product distributors, in addition to taking on select design projects for overseas clients. We also now have a partner in Hong Kong and are set to expand into Asian markets in 2011.

“We are also increasing our international profile by sponsoring and judging a number of international design competitions, and by participating in overseas design festivals. New designs from COHDA can also be seen on permanent display at central Milan’s Design Plus Gallery.”

UKTI involvement

Support from UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has helped COHDA Design gain confidence in overseas markets.

“In the past we have used UKTI’s Passport to Export programme,” explains Liddle, “which allowed us to identify potential markets and manufacturers in Italy and the US. Once these were identified, we were able to approach them with caution and the added security of having UKTI as support.”

He adds: “UKTI gives you the confidence to make small steps into previously unchartered territories. Having your own personal international trade adviser allows you to get answers quickly while the UKTI teams have the relevant skills and international support structure to set up initial links in new markets, which can seem very daunting at first, especially in non English-speaking countries. Even with UKTI’s support it can still be a very challenging task, but also one that has the real potential to be an exciting opportunity.”

Callum Miller continues expansion

We were delighted to receive the below message from If we can, you can Challenge Ambassador for the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, Callum Miller. Callum is an incredibly persevering entrepreneur – he’s faced a lot of knocks but has overcome each challenge with tenacity and determination.

We’ve been excitedly following his journey over the past few years and are very pleased to share this announcement about his expansion.

The If we can, you can Team.


From Callum:

Hello Guys,

Just a quick note to let you all know we have just signed up for our new unit in Stockton earlier today.

Our new unit is Unit 4, Portrack Court, Portrack Lane, Stockton on Tees TS18 2HP (Opposite Tecaz Bathrooms)

A huge step but one I think the business requires to expand, being 18 months in the making and now bursting at the seams in our current location.

Our business to date is still via recommendations and word of mouth so I think our quality speaks for itself. Together with the new unit we are looking into a new website to move into the Ecommerce market.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisations, friends and family who have helped along the way to support the business and myself and here's to a prosperous 2011 - I hope

Many thanks Callum