The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 48: April/May 2020 | Page 7

BUSINESS NEWS CORONAVIRUS: We’re going to get through this I’m not sure about you, but the words of Daniel Bedingfield’s noughties’ chart topper, ‘I gotta get thru this’ keep popping into my head. Coronavirus has brought with it unchartered territory for all of us. We’re all walking into the unknown with no real idea of how things are going to pan out and when this will all be over. All we can do is work together and support each other through these difficult times. Since the situation has escalated it’s been amazing to see a real sense of community, people and businesses working together to come up with fresh ideas to keep business continuity, and our people, as safe and comfortable as possible. THE POSITIVES IT’S GOOD TO TALK I’ve spent more time on the phone in the last week or so than in a long time. Self-isolation is driving people to pick up the phone and say, “how are you?” “how is business?” “how are you coping?” As a result of Coronavirus my personal opinion is that existing working relationships and friendships are going to blossom as a result. Use this time to get in touch with long-lost friends and business contacts. INNOVATION Businesses are having to innovate to survive and are using this time to come up with new products and services, using digital in ways they have never done before. As a result, many firms will come out of this crisis with new strings to their bow and new revenue streams. Look at ways to change your offering and use your time more effectively. NEW NETWORKS With many events cancelled over the next few months we’re all trying to find new ways to network, promote our businesses and keep up to date with how other By Anita Jaynes organisations are faring the storm. A great example ‘Is SMEs Vs Coronavirus’, a new Wiltshire-run Facebook group set up to support businesses and business owners during this time. It’s a private group and members have to ask a series of questions before they are accepted. Members include South West Expo organiser, Alec Jones-Hall, Nicki Kinton of Confident Cashflow, Amanda Franks of Frankly Recruitment and Helen Forsyth, Find Marketing. Don’t forget, The Business Exchange is here to support you. Keep sending your news through and we’ll do our best to get it online. Email: [email protected] Here we put the spotlight on a few firms already showing their determination to succeed. Chippenham’s Status AV Computer Network Defence Status AV are the industry experts in live event audio visual services. From conferences to roadshows, seminars to award ceremonies, they’ve provided every imaginable type of corporate event with eye- popping, ear-pleasing AV. They work with everyone from Deloitte and the Professional Cricketers Association, to the NHS and the BBC. They even provide sound engineers and equipment for the Swindon & Wiltshire Techies. With many events cancelled, the Status AV team have had to think on their feet, and to boost sales revenue during this time are promoting their Live Streaming and AV Equipment Installation. Cyber security specialists CND are seeing an influx in enquiries since the Coronavirus hit and are using this as an opportunity to further expand and promote their services. Live streaming of events, launches, weddings and funerals James Hunter, Director of Status AV, said, “We have a full range of equipment ready to go which allows a professional smooth delivery of any visual content to your customers online. From a simple camera and web encoder to a full production with multiple cameras and slide integration, we can help. We have provided web streaming to many clients, using Facebook, You Tube Live and Livestream platforms.” Installation of equipment James continued, “With many people staying at home, now is the ideal time to look at potential installations that can be completed quickly with minimal disruption to your business. We are currently installing projectors in churches, video walls in corporate offices and video conferencing in shared spaces. Do let us know if you have requirements that we can assist with.” To find out more about Status AV visit: www.statusav.com call: 01225 852888 or email: [email protected] Managed Cyber Security Monitoring and Vulnerability Management Andy Cuff, Chief Executive Officer of CND, said, “As businesses react to the crisis by hastily implementing remote working, computer hackers are taking advantage and preying on the vulnerable. For some time, we have been making our cyber security services more affordable through remote provision. These remote operations are proving ideal for businesses large and small during the current pandemic. “Some of the remote services we offer include, Vulnerability Management, where networks, including remote worker systems are scanned and assessed for vulnerabilities. Managed Cyber Security Monitoring of clients’ networks, including home worker systems, for security events which will be responded to by the CND Security Operations Centre Analysts. “We also offer a Managed Phishing Assessment Service, where CND run phishing campaigns against your users in order to train and educate them about the latest phishing techniques used by attackers. Plus, a whole host of other cyber security services. Please do get in touch to find out more.” Visit CND online at: www.cndltd.com or call: 01225 811806. continues on next page... | INVESTMENT PLANNING | INTERGENERATIONAL PLANNING | TAX & ESTATE PLANNING | RETIREMENT PLANNING | LONG TERM CARE PLANNING T: 01225 742644 | M: 07894 876784 | E: [email protected] | W: www.queenssquarewealth.co.uk THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2020 7