HR ADVICE: It might be the easy option, but is it the ethical one?
Have you ever made an executive decision on impulse and then recited that famous, reassuring phrase “it will all be alright” to justify your decision making? You may have even felt good about the time saved by making a quick and easy decision. Because effectively,...
GAS raises over £30,000 for four regional charities
A North East company’s 12-month fundraising campaign has raised £30,048 for four charities in the region. Seaham-based Great Annual Savings Group (GAS) staff have raised the incredible total through corporate events, payroll donations and individual fundraising...
Coalfields Regeneration Trust acquires Seaham office building
A commercial property investor has purchased a 31,000 sq ft unit on Seaham's Spectrum Business Park in a £1.5m deal. CRT Property Investments, a subsidiary of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), has acquired Phase II of Lighthouse View, a modern office building...
Seaham art exhibition showcases East Durham’s history and coastline
East Durham and its local history and stunning coastline is the inspiration behind a new exhibition of works at a cultural hub in Seaham. Artist Ken Lockwood has been sharing his unique perspective of East Durham in a new art exhibition called Havs Skrap, which is...
HR ADVICE: Automation meets HR – sure-fire shortcuts to get things done
Unless you have buried yourself in offline processes for the past few years, you have probably heard that automation can be a great tool for SME success. From lead generation to real-time marketing, slick e-commerce to prompt customer service; automation can not only...
BUSINESS SAVINGS BLOG: Power Quality Problems – Issues and Solutions
Poor power quality can cause major problems for any business, not least those within the industrial sector. The threats are heightened by the fact that many firms lack the in-house knowledge to identify and resolve any issues they have. So how can you combat this? We...
Residents to have their say on future of Seaham
Residents are invited to a two day event that will lay out prospective plans to boost the coastal town’s economy. The Seaham Townscape Heritage project aims to increase the economy of the town, working to attract more businesses and increase visitor numbers, by...
Community groups encouraged to apply for £33,000 funding pot
An exciting funding opportunity for community groups and organisations is now open to applications. East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership (AAP) has allocated £33,000 to the ‘It’s Up 2 U’ funding scheme, encouraging local groups to apply for capital grants...
HR ADVICE: Is it time to upgrade your space?
If you are reading this at work*, take a look around you. Are you inspired? Are you motivated? If you struggle to feel inspired by your surroundings at work, it’s fair to say that your staff members could be feeling the same way. So, if your answers to the above were...
Seaham to host food festival in 2019
A new food festival will bring the finest flavours and culinary experiences to the County Durham coast next summer. Seaham Food Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, when the seaside town will host a two-day celebration of summer’s freshest...
HR ADVICE: How to manage the employee who keeps calling in sick, and the one that won’t go home!
Not again! From being too hungover to work, to calling in “dead” only to return the following week as though nothing had happened, employee absences can be a pain for employers. Especially if one particular employee is a repeat offender and keeps calling in sick. This...
Seaham Specsavers donates unwanted glasses to charity
Two local opticians are donating 800 pairs of specs for a charity which helps impoverished people in developing countries. Specsavers stores in Seaham and Peterlee called on customers to donate unwanted glasses and were delighted when hundreds of people rallied to...
HR ADVICE: Your team’s attention span is decreasing! Or is it?
Ever heard the phrase “Humans have a shorter attention span than a goldfish”? Perhaps you have quoted it yourself. This attention-grabbing headline has spread like wildfire in recent years as many have nodded, shrugged and added “Well of course, technology and smart...
GAS staff rewarded for their long service to the company
Great Annual Savings Group’s (GAS) longest-serving staff received a have received a boost following the launch of the company's new staff loyalty initiative. The 12 employees with more than three years’ service were today presented with a £1,000 holiday voucher each...
Seaham companies encouraged to book for EMCON Incubator Zone
Companies from across County Durham have booked their place at this year’s EMCON Incubator Zone. And Seaham firms who would be eligible are encouraged to sign up, just like Moralbox (pictured) did last year, winning new contracts as a result. Those that have already...
Home Office reveals Brexit toolkit for employers
The HR Dept, which provides HR advice to small and medium businesses across the region, has highlighted that the Home Office has launched a content toolkit to help employers communicate important Brexit processes to their EU national employees living in the UK. The...
Urgent food donations needed during summer holiday season
A local charity is urging businesses and residents across East Durham to help those who are struggling to feed themselves. East Durham Trust operates Food Emergency East Durham (FEED) which helps support local families and individuals, who may otherwise go hungry, by...
HR ADVICE: Six steps to preparing for an intern
If you’ve never had an intern before, you could be forgiven for thinking you hire one to pass on your wealth of business knowledge, so your legacy lives on after you retire. That, and to have some extra hands on deck to order your lunch when the going gets tough. To...