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As lockdown restrictions are eased and more places are gradually reopening, we take a look at the businesses who are ready for business
MAD-HR – Charlotte Bate, Director, FCIPD and Carole Burman, Managing Director, FCIPD Mlod | Suffolk Office: 01473 360160 | 1 Bath Street Ipswich IP2 8SD
MAD-HR (which stands for Making A Difference) have not experienced major disruption caused by relocation or setting up staff to work from home, however, the pandemic has caused a shift in focus for existing and new clients. We have worked tirelessly to keep up with Government guidance to ensure they can support their clients through this challenging time.
How have you adapted your business as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and how has it influenced the future direction of your business?
We have increased our use of digital platforms in order to disseminate HR updates quickly and supported a number of their strategic partners through webinars as clients seek additional HR expertise and support. We used Zoom before the pandemic and with our Online HR Toolkit, we are already big fans of using digital solutions.
What plans have you for reopening your business?
We have remained open - supporting clients throughout the pandemic. The MAD-HR team have always spent a large proportion of the working week either meeting clients or working for clients from their premises. However, during the pandemic, we have continued to support clients from afar by fully embracing the technology available.
How do you plan to welcome your customers back, and what measures have you put in place to ensure the safety of your staff and customers?
The nature of MAD-HR’S work means that clients sometimes like us to be on site. Going forward our objective will be to try and work remotely where at all possible and in the event that a visit on site is required then we will carry out health and safety assessments and work in partnership with clients to protect the health, safety and wellbeing for all parties concerned.
JM FINN – Brett Bayliss, Investment Director | 60 Abbeygate Street Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1LB | Tel: 01284 770700 | www.jmfinn.com
JM Finn is one of East Anglia’s leading wealth management firms whose success is thanks to a commitment to offering a personal approach, where clients’ individual requirements are the primary concern. Integrating wealth planning expertise with a high-calibre investment management heritage ensures JM Finn can provide award-winning services appropriate for your needs. Contact our team in Bury St. Edmunds for more information.
How have you adapted your business as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and how has it influenced the future direction of your business?
Thanks to a quite incredible effort throughout the firm, with particular regards to our IT team, JM Finn went from an office-based business to fully functioning from home within less than a week. Indeed, we have had two of our busiest months subsequently and will certainly be considering greater flexibility for our staff in future.
What plans have you for reopening your business?
We are in a fortunate position, given the successful transition to a home-based environment, meaning that we never effectively ‘closed’ and will be able to gradually return to our offices as government guidelines permit. Our branches have the additional benefit of not having to suffer the daily commute into London, which I feel is most people’s concern.
How do you plan to welcome your customers back, and what measures have you put in place to ensure the safety of your staff and customers?
Our investment managers have been very proactive in contacting clients during this period, so I hope that our clients never felt that we went away! We have excellent client meeting rooms, which means that in due course we will be able to welcome clients back to our offices in absolute safety.
Marisa Arna, Marisa Arna Jewellery Studio | High Street, Thorpe-Le-Soken, Essex CO16 0EA Tel:01255-862355 | E: marisa@marisaarna.com | www.marisaarna.com
Marisa Arna first set up her business on Thorpe-le-Soken High Street in 1997 making fine, thrown porcelain and selling it from the studio as well as The Conran Shop, the V&A shop, and UK galleries. Marisa switched from ceramics to jewellery in 2007. Her Jewellery Studio and Gallery encapsulates traditional goldsmithing with contemporary jewellery design.
How have you adapted your business as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and how has it influenced the future direction of your business?
Online meetings with customers have been surprisingly fun and effective. A fair proportion of my customers are not local anyway and I have always been asked to sell my jewellery online. I am now, finally taking the plunge and I am launching the new website and shop shortly, jewellery-work permitting!
What plans have you for reopening your business?
The feedback from my customers is that some would still like to visit the gallery with or without an appointment. I am hoping that anyone who is unable to visit in person will be satisfied with comprehensive online meetings for bespoke work and remodelling, and with the soon to be launched online shop.
How do you plan to welcome your customers back, and what measures have you put in place to ensure the safety of your staff and customers?
There is a door entry system in the gallery. New measures are: stylish and discreet Perspex barriers for the counter, PPE, hand sanitizers. Also more thorough cleaning of the jewellery, after anyone handles it. We will aim to maintain the same pleasant visitor experience as before in the gallery while ensuring customer and staff safety.
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