Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 39 | Page 11

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 11 /NEWS /ADVICE Newton Aycliffe Workwear Supplies plans to exhibit at the 2019 EMCON show after a successful event last year. Workwear firm benefits from EMCON A workwear company launched just over a year ago has seen a significant increase in work orders after exhibiting at EMCON 2018. Newton Aycliffe Workwear Supplies was one of 18 companies which exhibited at the Incubator Zone within EMCON. During the event owner Gemma James was inundated with enquiries from companies interested in her products and has since delivered orders for a Darlington recruitment company which came about as a direct result of introductions made on the day, whilst new business in the three months following EMCON 2018 has significantly increased. Gemma said: “We were so happy with the how the event went for us and were confident that that we would win work, given how many people came over to see us. “And in the months since, we’ve been contacted by numerous businesses in the area who have placed orders with us, including Whurk Recruitment, who asked us to produce branded clothing for them. “Things are going really well and while we can’t say for certain that it’s all down to our involvement in EMCON, it certainly helped raise our profile and put us in front of companies that otherwise we wouldn’t have had the chance to meet.” The Incubator Zone is a programme of support aimed at micro and small companies in County Durham, who have never exhibited at EMCON but are keen to do so. A key strand of the Business Durham ‘Durham Business Opportunities Programme’ and managed by LEC Communications and Design, the programme offers participants a package of support which includes one- to-one and workshop training to prepare for exhibiting, marketing materials including a banner stand and flyers designed and printed, and on the day and post-event support to capitalise on the opportunities presented at EMCON. If you want to know more about the Incubator Zone please visit EMCON show or email [email protected]. Aycliffe businessman part of ambitious airport hangar plans A Newton Aycliffe-based businessman is part of a bold revival plan for Durham Tees Valley Airport. Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has struck a £40m deal with airport owners Peel Airports. Houchen has submitted a business plan which involves Stobart Group operating the airport, with an ambition to bring a return to commercial flights and a million passengers a year. And Newtonian Wayne Richardson, director of Revolution Care on Aycliffe Business Park, is involved in a bid to build a luxury aircraft hangar for private business flights at the airport, which form part of the revival plan. The 1,600 sq ft hangar would bring business clients to the airport and could even be used by medics for organ transportation. It would be the largest hangar space built since tech firm Cobham, which handles a multi-million pound MoD contract, built its base at the airport . Richardson, a licensed pilot, is managing the hangar project on behalf of an unnamed investor and also has his own stake in the scheme. He said: “This will attract business clients to the airport, with local business jets and private hire. “We are also tentatively thinking about medical transportation of organs and are talking to people including doctors and medical professionals who would like to see something here. “Leeds is effectively trying to force out general aviation from their airfield because they need it for commercial use. “This will mean an increased number of movements for Teesside, which is what an airport needs; you need landing and take- offs, that’s how you make your money.” TIPS TO RETAIN YOUR STAFF T he market for the very best talent, the top 5-10% in whatever field you’re operating in, is intense and highly competitive. Effective talent retention tactics are often overlooked. After investing substantial amounts of time, effort and financial resources during the hiring process, this is where many people fall down and lose the great people they worked so hard to attract in the first place. Here are a few strategies that you can use to assist with retention: 1. Set expectations and goals Communicate clearly and directly. Good employees want to please you, but they need to know what it is they need to do in order to make that happen. 2. Create a great working environment Make your employees feel like an asset, not like an overhead. Allow them to feel secure in their role. Gain their input about rules or changes that need to be made. Encourage goal-setting and a sense of ownership in an environment which is as open and honest as possible. 3. Listen Be willing to listen, really listen, to the concerns of your employees. Be open to suggestions and new ideas for problem-solving. Be available when your employee asks for guidance. 4. Provide opportunities for growth Give challenging and stimulating work, tap into their passion and allow them to focus their time and energy on engaging projects. Create career development plans wherever possible. 5. Recognise and reward hard work Monetary bonuses are always nice, but recognition of a job well done goes a long way to creating good will and loyalty. In order to retain talent you must make them feel appreciated, respected and worthwhile. Elite performers are game-changers for those fortunate enough to attract, nurture and retain them. Matthew Telling Operations director, RMS Recruitment