Quay2 recently received one of many requests we get to undertake work experience here. The individual involved (I’m not sharing names, this isn’t a personal witch-hunt) thought the way to secure some experience with us was to forward the very same email they’d sent to every other PR agency. No, they’d not even bothered to delete the details of the previous agency. The ‘Fwd to:’  details were still on top.

I logged that and continued into the email. She had a blog. A bit more positive, so I thought, until I read the blog which appeared to be championing a pro-weed stance (that was later corrected by the individual who said the sentiment was anti-drugs).  So her argument has confused me and, perhaps, who knows how many others.

Then there was the spelling. In the email and in her blog. Littered with basic mistakes. Full marks for being passionate enough to commit your thoughts to a blog, but you’d have thought knowing how to spell cannabis in your drugs piece would be a prerequisite.

So I responded to the applicant, and offered, as I always try to do, some constructive feedback. I outlined all of those points. In fairness, the response was apologetic to the extreme and thankful for the time I’d spent offering her some tips for the future.

Then the clincher. This is part of her response. Cut and pasted. I have not changed a thing. She states: “I am not going to lie – I am forwarding it to quite a few agencies. It is so because one of my lecturers advised me that at this, undergraduate stage, I should be more concerned with the quantity not the quality of the emails sent if I want to anywhere. I was told to sent out this general message first and to make it much more relevant if I hear back from the agency.”

A lecturer in public relations is, seemingly, telling students ‘to hell with accuracy, any form of personalisation or knowing your target audience. Just crunch the bloody numbers.’

Shame on you, PR lecturer.

I’ve told the student concerned that she’d be more than welcome to share my response with her lecturer and that I’d love to hear from them. I’m still waiting.

You’re probably thinking I’m getting hot under the collar for nothing. It’s just a bit of work experience, for Christ sakes. But if this is typical, and I have to believe that it cannot possibly be, then the industry will have graduates entering – or at least attempting to enter – with scant regard or understanding for the most very basic of requirements.

The future’s bleak and it makes me really angry.

By Christian Cerisola

A North East accountancy practice has taken its first steps as it attempts to come out on top of a special charity challenge.

Staff from Stokoe Rodger chartered accountants, who have offices in Hexham and Gateshead, are putting on a charity ball at the Newcastle Assembly Rooms as part of the Percy Hedley Foundation’s Challenge 500.

The challenge, devised by the Foundation’s fundraising team, sees them invest £500 in participating businesses, who must then turn that investment into as much profit as they possibly can.

Chartered accountant at Stokoe Rodger’s Hexham office, Tanveer Mahtab has taken up the mantel of organising the accountancy practice’s fundraising efforts alongside her Gateshead-based colleague, Zoe Wynn.

Tanveer explained: “The Challenge 500 test seemed like a really fun way to raise funds for what is a great cause and close to the hearts of a number of the team here at Stokoe Rodger.

“We now have just a few more months to raise as much as we can to see if we can finish at the top of the Challenge 500 table. Ultimately, it’s the Percy Hedley Foundation’s service users who come out on top though I think they’ve been really smart in tapping into the North East business community’s healthy competitive nature.”

Stokoe Rodger’s charity ball takes place at the Assembly Rooms on Friday May 17^th, with tickets priced at £35 each or tables of ten at £315. Tanveer said the Assembly Rooms was the natural choice for Stokoe Rodger to host their event.

She said: “.”I’ve attended a number of functions at the Assembly Rooms and it has a real ‘wow’ factor. Those grand stairs which lead up to the Chandelier Suite is such a beautiful setting for the Ball.”

Owner of the Assembly Rooms, Antony Michaelides, said: “This sounds like a really fun way of getting North East businesses into a bit of healthy competition for a good cause. We’re thrilled Stokoe Rodger is kicking off their efforts with us. It’ll be a great night.”

They’ve already sold 110 tickets, and are aiming to top 150 attendees. Stokoe Rodger’s first step in the challenge was to immediately hand back the £500 investment from Percy Hedley, but Tanveer admitted they’re keeping their cards close to their chest on the other fundraising incentives they’re planning.

Julie Calvert, head of marketing, communications and income generation at the Percy Hedley Foundation, said: “I’m delighted Stokoe Rodger has signed up for Challenge 500 and that staff are already throwing their weight behind the campaign. We are a practical charity, the largest disability charity in the North East and all the money raised will go directly to the services.”

Challenge 500 runs until July, with the winners being revealed at a special breakfast event at the Marriot Gosforth. Anyone wishing to attend the Stokoe Rodger Ball should contact Tanveer Mahtab at t.mahtab@stokoerodger.co.uk or Zoe on z.wynn@stokoerodger.co.uk.

An Ashington-based accountancy practice is branching out with an additional office to cope with the increased demand for its services.

Peter Weldon & Co, who has been based in the centre of Ashington for more than 20 years, has now opened an office in Morpeth to accommodate the increase in new business.

Owner and managing director, Peter Weldon, said: “This latest move to open an operation in Morpeth is in response to the increased demand we have experienced from a number of new clients in and around that area of Northumberland.

“The opening of an additional workspace for our staff, the first time we have expanded from our HQ in Ashington, is an exciting new direction for Peter Weldon and the team.”

The new office marks a £150,000 investment into the long term goals of expanding Peter Weldon & Co’s operations.

The new location, in Appleby House, Castle Square, will allow Weldon’s experienced team of tax specialists, financial advisors and corporate finance consultants to serve an increasing number of clients based in Northumberland, as well as across the North East and further afield.

Weldon added: “In essence, we’ve outgrown our base in Ashington and the new offices in Morpeth allow our staff much more flexibility in dealing with the growing list of clients. It will also assist us further in the developing new lines of business for the practice. Its a proud moment for me personally to be officially present in such a vibrant town.”

The company’s growth was boosted recently by the appointment of accounting and corporate finance specialist, David Fish. Fish, who had spent more than ten years at RMT in central Newcastle, was hired as a senior partner, alongside Weldon and tax specialist David Hunter.

With a team of 14 undertaking a range of roles across tax planning, accountancy, payroll and business and corporate financing, Peter Weldon & Co has become one of the most well-established independent chartered accountancy practices in the North East.

More than a dozen businesses have put their names to a groundbreaking new pilot scheme which aims to help the private and voluntary sectors work together in North Tyneside.

Sector Connector, a scheme developed by North Tyneside Voluntary Organisations Development Agency (VODA) has won the backing of North Tyneside Council in its bid to align the sectors and encourage volunteering.

Some of the biggest employers in the North East like Balfour Beatty have joined SMEs including YourPrint Department, Less Paper Solutions and Born Digital in recognising the benefits of the project. Cobalt Park, the UK’s largest office park, is also now on board.

Lisa Gardiner, chief executive of VODA, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the initial take up from the private sector. They’ve seen numerous benefits of being a part of Sector Connector and we hope their inclusion from the outset will act as an encouragement for many more to sign up in the coming weeks.

“Times are tough. Funding is diminishing and demand is increasing; many organisations need to learn new skills, save money and develop productive relationships with people who can help. The traditional support services provided to these groups by organisations such as VODA are more valuable than ever, but we now need to work more smartly and make the most of the help and support that local businesses can offer.”

Private companies will be matched and introduced to small voluntary organisations . The project is targeted at organisations with an annual turnover of less than £100,000) who require specific assistance in developing their own operations. This assistance can take the form of skills and time, given on a voluntary basis, or the donation of resources (for example equipment, recycled goods, or storage space).

Private sector partners are asked to offer their knowledge on a range of subjects being requested by the voluntary organisations. Already, support has been offered or requested in the areas of marketing, printing, web design, and health and safety advice.

VODA, who offer training, development, support and funding advice for some 500 voluntary North Tyneside-based organisations, says the benefits for businesses signing up to Sector Connector are many-fold.

Ms Gardiner outlined how those who have already joined are using Sector Connector to not only ‘give a little bit back to the community’ but also to develop their own CSR programmes as well as facilitate the personal and professional development of their own staff, all at no cost.

Your Print Department are one of the first businesses to sign up to the scheme. Rob Gibbons from the North Shields-based firm said: “Engagement with voluntary organisations offers a different perspective on working life to businesses like ours. The opportunity to give something of ourselves proves that small businesses don’t have to be run in isolation. We’re thrilled to be working with Sector Connector.”

Ted Salmon, North East Regional Chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “The FSB in the North East is delighted to be supporting Sector Connector. Building shared value in local communities is something that the FSB is truly committed to achieving across North Tyneside. We will be urging members across the North East to help support this scheme so that voluntary organisations are able to grow and prosper in a challenging economic environment.”

North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor, Mrs Linda Arkley said:  “North Tyneside has a great track record of people and organizations volunteering to deliver the best for the borough.

“We’re very proud of the Sector Connector scheme, which will further reinforce the existing links between businesses and the voluntary and community sector in North Tyneside.

“A thriving voluntary sector benefits the whole community and creates a feeling of wellbeing in the borough.”

VODA are now appealing for more private sector involvement and have stressed the businesses who want to get involved don’t necessarily have to be based in North Tyneside.

Offers of support around graphic design, web design and the donation of reusable goods are especially welcome at present.

Information is available on the Sector Connector website at www.sectorconnector.co.uk; you can also contact Jon Goodwin at VODA on 0191 643 2625 or jon.goodwin@voda.org.uk

Age UK Northumberland has launched a new 3 year strategy this week, with the aim of ensuring they continue to provide a wide range of flexible, safe and quality services in addition to community based charitable activity for the over 50’s.

Acting chief executive Katherine Shearer is launching the paper that will position Age UK Northumberland as a key and trusted partner in improving outcomes for the older people of the county and will be visiting stakeholders over the coming weeks.

The new strategy has been approved by the board of trustees and deemed necessary for the charity as they, along with all charities, face challenges due to the knock on effect of the downturned UK economy. They also face the challenges of personalization and the transformation of how adult social care is funded and delivered.  The plan ensures continued successful development to meet these challenges and manage the risks they bring.

Priorities include the improvement of the organisations’ performance in securing funding from charitable foundations and managing and utilising all resources to maximize the effectiveness of the services provided. Targets include a raise of up to 7 percent in growth of funded activity, that equates to over £350,000 which will have a direct impact on the level of investment in direct charitable services we can make.

Other main objectives are to ensure Age UK Northumberland is a healthy user led organisation able to deliver value for money in everything they do.  This involves increasing volunteer and staff satisfaction by developing an effective and efficient team working together towards continuous improvement, being recognised as a key & trusted influencer on policy & practice and seen as a representative of older people in the county.

Katherine, who has worked at Age UK Northumberland for the last 5 years, has stepped into the position of acting chief executive recently from the position of financial director. She said:

“We are determined to deliver our vision by supporting older people in their quest to have a fulfilling life. We will give people in our communities an effective voice, allow them to realize their potential, maximise the choices they have, and address the challenges over 50’s face.

“This new strategy lays out clearly what we intend to achieve and how we intend to do it. The targets are challenging but achievable and it is a fabulous starting point to enter 2013 with.  With the excellent team we already have in place I am confident that Age UK Northumberland will not only achieve what we aim for but will go beyond expectation.”

Finally, the strategy also promises to develop an agreed social return on investment model for all services.  This will focus on identifying and measuring outcomes and evidence to influence policy, practice and service development with commissioners and stakeholders.

Anyone who would like to have sight of the strategy or meet with Katherine to discuss is more than welcome and should contact 0845 140 00 88 or 01670 784800.

You’d have to have spent the last three weeks under the duvet to not realize the BBC are having a bit of a time of it at present.

Senior heads are heading through the exit quicker than you can grease the revolving door at their shiny new frontage to Broadcasting House.

The current acting director general, Tim Davie was put in front of the media for the first time yesterday. A chance to show he means business, a chance to steady a ship in danger of capsizing completely as it charts a path through the stormiest sea it has ever sailed.

Instead, I think he offers the type of interview technique which made outgoing director general, George Entwisle’s Today Programme appearance on Saturday seem rather polished.

Davie, knowing full well it wasn’t going to be the easiest of days, faced Sky News’s Dermot Murnaghan, ‘down the camera’. Rule number one there is to make sure you have your eyes fixed firmly down that camera which is pointed at you. You’re talking to the camera, to your interviewee and most of all to the viewers.

Wandering eyes in situations like that look awful and it was clear that Davie was seeking approval and guidance from (probably) someone in the BBC press office. Look closely and you see a suited gent in the reflection of the glass nodding sagely just to the left.

Rather than nodding, he should instead have been gesturing furiously to get Davie’s eyes straight back down that camera.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, before Murnaghan has the chance to wrap up the interview, Davie announces he’s very busy and edges nervously away from camera. It’s the most awkward and cringe some finish to an interview. This was the day everyone was crying out for the BBC to show a little leadership and dynamism.

‘Man in the reflection’ must surely know that no matter how tricky the questions are (and this was far from the grilling of the century) you simply don’t just up and leave from a live interview.

Moments later, the BBC Press Office tweets that Sky overran, meaning there was a clash with other interviews. Pardon? That serves only to show a frightening disregard for the audience they were engaged with. It doesn’t take a press officer to tell any interviewee that being a little late for one interview is, by far, the lesser evil compared to cutting a live interview dead before it has come to a conclusion.

At times, crises situations in PR do get the blood pumping and the adrenalin flowing. I’d be lying if we didn’t sometimes thrive on the buzz of trying to head off a mini-PR crisis. But it takes someone calm and collected to make common-sense decisions at times like this.

Its easy for me to criticize, I’m not dealing with the situation they’re in. However, some time ago, I dealt with the BBC press office on an almost-weekly basis. They are smart, switched on and unenviously busy people doing a great job for a vast and respected organization.

I can only assume the current malaise surrounding their employers clouded their judgment yesterday at a time when the situation called for calm, cool and quick-thinking decision-making.

It’s a shame to say it did not seem apparent yesterday.

By Christian Cerisola

Paddy Power aren’t ones for standard PR puff.

Their giant statue of England manager, Roy ‘The Redeemer’ Hodgson, which could be seen from France, ahead of England’s opener against the French at the Euro 2012 Championships has been followed up with a rip-snorter, right under LOCOG’s noses.

LOCOGs lengths to ensure official sponsors are protected have been dealt a beautiful blow by Paddy Power, who have been very careful not to mention any of their list of banned words and phrases in their current ad campaign.

Day one was the reveal, day two was the reaction and now in day three, it gets what it had (probably) hoped for as the wrangle now becomes legal. This’ll run and run.

Everyone knows what Paddy Power are up to and they’ve done brilliantly not to break the rules. Now LOCOG look nothing more than like Goliath trying to quash a fantastic campaign by David. The public love an underdog, especially one who wins.

Many smaller organisations have fallen foul of the Olympic movement and other larger ones play out fantastic campaigns which circumnavigate the rules which enter the public psyche.

Just about every consumer poll after any Olympics, World Cup or European Championship reveal consumers happily listing Nike as official sponsors of this event. They never have been and probably never will be official sponsors of any major event. It’s just not their style.

As official sponsors and governing bodies try to tighten the net further, it will only lead to more wonderfully ingenious creations produced by those who cannot afford the millions to be officially aligned with major events.

I’m excited beyond belief that the Olympics is happening in my country, but I also love the corporate cat and mouse chase it has created. Let the Games begin…Let Paddy Power win gold.

By Christian Cerisola

Facebook floats today and the world will have its eyes on the US  Stock Exchange in a few short hours to see how the most hotly anticipated flotation comes to fruition.

Expect a bun fight as anyone who is anyone clamours to get a slice of the most revolutionary shift in web since Tim Berners Lee said ‘I’ve got an idea’ takes another twist.

Facebook is everywhere. Population is bettered only by China and India. The run up to today’s events should have been plain sailing and smooth and Mark Zuckerberg and the gang could rightfully have smug, and justified, looks on their faces.

Except this week hasn’t gone all that smoothly. With facebook itself admitting they’re not where they should be on monetising mobile usage, coupled with the news that half of facebook users are now consuming their information from the site on these very devices, there does appear to be a little catch up required.

A company valued at $104bn, so often way ahead of the curve, seems to have been caught taking a cheeky fag round the back of the bike sheds, just at the precise moment it should have been out the front greeting its prospective shareholders with tidy hair and shiny shoes.

Facebook is amazing. What other mechanic, before they arrived, got people to willingly share so much information about their lives, their interests and their families. It’s no wonder businesses flocked there. Rich pickings for advertisers who can, quite literally, stick a new car ad in front of you the minute you tell your pals the exhaust has fallen off your old banger. A marketer’s wet dream.

Except one of the biggest car makers in the world, just at the wrong time, have suggested the returns they’re getting aren’t quite what they hoped for and have announced its scaling back spend on the site. Just a day before the flotation.

Commentators point to GMs lack of commitment and cohesion between its self-generated and paid-for content on Facebook as the main reason it’s not working for them. Many others, such as Ford, have leapt to Facebook’s defence, but the potential damage is already done with GMs very public snub. That’s what makes the headlines.

So what now? Well, the float will go great, the worldwide media will lap it up and records will be broken left, right and centre.

The bubble’s not yet for bursting – anything but – but the signs of one or two suddenly prepared to sharpen their pins should be enough of a warning to Facebook that it has set itself a breath-taking and impressive evolutionary pace. The minute it stops, it may find the climb back up the hill just that little bit harder.

Facebook floats today and the world will have its eyes on the US  Stock Exchange in a few short hours to see how the most hotly anticipated flotation comes to fruition.

Expect a bun fight as anyone who is anyone clamours to get a slice of the most revolutionary shift in web since Tim Berners Lee said ‘I’ve got an idea’ takes another twist.

Facebook is everywhere. Population’s bettered only by China and India. The run up to today’s events should have been plain sailing and smooth and Mark Zuckerberg and the gang could rightfully have smug, and justified, looks on their faces.

Except this week hasn’t gone all that smoothly. With facebook itself admitting they’re not where they should be on monetising mobile usage, coupled with the news that half of facebook users are now consuming their information from the site on these very devices, there does appear to be a little catch up required.

A company valued at $104bn, so often way ahead of the curve, seems to have been caught taking a cheeky fag round the back of the bike sheds, just at the precise moment it should have been out the front greeting its prospective shareholders with tidy hair and shiny shoes.

Facebook is amazing. What other mechanic, before they arrived, got people to willingly share so much information about their lives, their interests and their families. It’s no wonder businesses flocked there. Rich pickings for advertisers who can, quite literally, stick a new car ad in front of you the minute you tell your pals the exhaust has fallen off your old banger. A marketer’s wet dream.

Except one of the biggest car makers in the world, just at the wrong time, have suggested the returns they’re getting aren’t quite what they hoped for and have announced its scaling back spend on the site. Just a day before the flotation.

Commentators point to GMs lack of commitment and cohesion between its self-generated and paid-for content on Facebook as the main reason it’s not working for them. Many others, such as Ford, have leapt to Facebook’s defence, but the potential damage is already done with GMs very public snub. That’s what makes the headlines.

So what now? Well, the float will go great, the worldwide media will lap it up and records will be broken left, right and centre.

The bubble’s not yet for bursting – anything but – but the signs of one or two suddenly prepared to sharpen their pins should be enough of a warning to Facebook that it has set itself a breath-taking and impressive evolutionary pace. The minute it stops, it may find the climb back up the hill just that little bit harder.

A fitness and weight-loss bootcamp claims it will become the first in the UK to operate residential sessions for the entire family

Northern Bootcamp, a retreat-style bootcamp based on the stunning Northumberland coastline, has launched its first ‘family fit and active’ bootcamp which aims to help the whole family get fit and have fun together.

Caroline Smith, co-owner of Northern Bootcamp and leader of the family sessions, said: “This is something we have organised in response to the overwhelming demand from campers who have attended boot camps as individuals.

“They loved the chance to do something for themselves while with us, but the feedback has been that our location, the standards of accommodation and the friendly and open approach we take to our activities would be perfectly suited to the entire family.”

Northern Bootcamp’s family  bootcamp is now taking bookings for its first family fit and active bootcamp, which will be held in Bamburgh, Northumberland over five nights from Saturday June 2^nd, coinciding with the school half term for millions of UK schoolchildren that week. It is also taking bookings for its summer camp, which starts on August 10.

Caroline added: “Our bootcamps are already tailored to fit individuals and we will be taking the same approach with families. By using games and adventure training we get children fit and active without them even thinking of it as exercise.”

“Whilst for most of us this offers a great way to get the kids away from the TV and X-Box during the school holidays, the announcement does come at a time when health professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about children’s’ fitness.”

Child obesity statistics recently revealed by the NHS showed that more than three of every ten children aged between two and 15 were classified as obese. The figures as they become older are even more worrying, with more than a quarter of all UK adults, aged 16 and above, now classed as obese.

Bootcamp sessions include fully supervised abseiling, kayaking, cycling, bushcraft, beach games and mental and physical agility challenges. Accommodation itself is in a top-quality, newly-redeveloped Mill, which offers all modern luxuries.

A successful North East businessman is offering SMEs the chance to learn his secrets of generating new business…in return for just a few cans of food.

Austen Hempstead, who retired five years ago aged just 48, now volunteers as the chairman of The Cyrenians Fareshare North East, an organisation dedicated to ending the blight of food poverty in the North East by getting at least 1 can of food from everyone in the north east, every year.

He hopes to attract 100 business people to the’ iCan Find New Clients’ seminar, all of whom must bring at least ten cans of food with them as their entry fee to the MPH Training and Conference Centre in Gateshead on Tuesday 27^th March. Registration is open from 8am.

Austen says the 90-minute masterclass, the first in a series of three, offers business owners the perfect chance to support people in our own region whilst picking up ideas on how to grow their own business at the same time.

He said: “I speak to dozens of owners of SMEs and, time after time, their key issue is how to keep on generating new business. I’ll be sharing with delegates of the seminar simple but effective ideas that helped me to retire before the age of 50 and will enable businesses to attract new clients.

“I thought this was the perfect opportunity to match my experiences with generating much-needed donations to the iCan campaign. Of course, people are welcome to bring more than ten cans, but if I can get 1,000 cans from each of the 12 iCan seminars I intend to run over the next 12 months, then it is going to make a vast difference to the many hundreds of homeless and underprivileged men, women and children who go hungry every day, right here in this region.”

Austen has already won the support of a number of organisations in the North East who have donated their products and services to the iCan seminar series. These include MPH Training and Conference Centre, Network North, Back Consulting, Jesmond Dene House Hotel, New Results Training, Tent and Quay2 Media.

One business individual who has already committed to the scheme is Damiano Rea, owner of Heaton Property Lettings. He’s already managed to collect a staggering 400 cans at his Heaton Road office. He said: “We started with the staff here donating a few cans. We decided to display them in our reception. Now every time a property owner or renter comes in, they drop off a few cans. The more we get, the more people seem to want to donate. I think it’s a fantastic scheme which is so easy to support.”

Delegates can register for the event at www.icanevent.eventbrite.co.uk and can find more information on the campaign at www.icanfeed.org

In 2007, Austen sold his share of Austen Morris Associates back to his business partner, with whom he founded the (originally) Dubai-based operation 13 years previously.  “Naivety and ignorance, as much as an opening in the market, gave us the belief that we could offer smart investment advice to the rapidly expanding number of expats who started to arrive in Dubai at the time,” he added. The company quickly expanded into South East Asia and, ultimately, into Shanghai and Beijing.

Prior to moving abroad, Austen started his working life as a 20-year-old self employed life assurance salesman. “I was young and hungry. There was nothing I wouldn’t try. I was living near Blackpool at the time and during the winter months, I would call in on hotels in the middle of the night and try to sell to bored hotel staff. I think they were pleased with the attention. One night I passed a fire station, I turned around and walked in there at 3am and sold to a fireman!”  Austen promises this will not be one of the suggestions he’ll be sharing during the seminar.

Within ten years, Austen, who lives in Newcastle with his wife, had worked his way up to become director of a financial services organisation and was running 15 offices with a 250-strong workforce.