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Proud to be an Export Champion

East of England Export Champion 2020 4Col thumbnail2US2U Consulting have been awarded the prestigious title of 2020 Export Champion by the UK Department for International Trade.

This is in recognition of the international work we have done over the last few years, with international projects and trade visits to the likes of Belgium, Ireland, Canada, USA and across the Middle East - along with the insights our teams can share with other businesses looking to export their goods and services. Read more >>>

News & Events

Change the Race Ratio Update 1st September 2022

Back in February 2021 we announced that US2U Consulting was one of 75 UK businesses to sign up to the Change the Race Ratio initiative. The idea of Lord Bilimoria, pictured with Rachel Blackburn, was to grasp the moment to create real and lasting change to improve the racial and ethnic diversity across company boards and senior leadership positions in UK businesses.

There are currently 100 signatories for the initiative and all were invited to a Reception on the Thames at Tower Bridge Quay, London, hosted by the British Television Presenter June Sarpong OBE. Key points from the various speakers who presented during the evening included:

 Only 20% of FTSE 100 companies have signed up to the Change the Race Ratio

 There are still no FTSE 100 companies with a black Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer

 When recruiting, to make a statement along the lines of "We embrace diversity but won't compromise on merit" can be seen as patronising and an inappropriate comment - as it's assumed that the best candidate will not be from an ethnic minority

 Black people who are capable to do key roles may feel like an "imposter" and may benefit from a mentor or sponsor to help them navigate the career ladder

Lord Bilimoria said "It's a dream come true to have this evening; it's proven that to have more diverse senior leadership makes good business sense as more diversity leads to more innovation."

To find out how we can help your organisation develop its Diversity and Inclusion strategies, please contact Rachel Blackburn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an exploratory conversation.

Going Full Circle with Worldwide Fruit 360 Degree Feedback

For 10 years we have been making a positive difference with our client Worldwide Fruit Ltd using 360 Degree Feedback.

The aim of the 360 Degree Feedback Programme is to enable the employees to receive feedback from their line manager, direct reports and nominated peers against a framework which reflects the key Management Principles that Worldwide Fruit strives to encourage to drive the company culture.

Once the feedback is received, US2U Consulting create a report, debrief the participant and then make a Personal Development Plan which can be actioned and reviewed during performance management sessions.

Worldwide Fruit Ltd are in the fresh produce industry with a main focus on fruit. They supply fruit to many well-known companies such as M&S and Waitrose, and we have enjoyed working with them for 17 years now - with the first project back in 2005!apple photo small

"As a business we aim to grow our own talent. 360 Degree Feedback is a part of self-awareness and self-development. It is an opportunity for leaders to develop key skills, and we get increased value from people who are self-aware and that is why we invest in it." Said Anna Pike (pictured, left, with Rachel Blackburn), Head of HR at Worldwide Fruit.

US2U Consulting tailors its programme to the needs of its clients and have been creating successful 360 Degree Feedback programmes for Worldwide Fruit for 10 years. It has been a pleasure to work with Worldwide Fruit during this time and we look forward to our future work together.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out how US2U's Executive Coaching services can benefit your organisation.

US2U Consulting Podcast - Managing Generation Z

In the latest edition of the US2U Consulting Podcast, Founder & Director Rachel Blackburn sits down with our current Summer Intern Charlotte Knight to discuss the topic of Managing Generation Z.

Generation Z is the demographic cohort after Millennials and before Generation Alpha. Anyone born between 1997-2012 are in Generation Z, also known as 'Gen Z' or even 'Zoomers'.

Gen Z are a technology-centred generation but also like in-person interaction - they enjoy both online and in-person working environments. For Gen Z is it very important that a job provides value, good pay, development for them and is fun. Watch the podcast discussion below and let us know what your thoughts are!

It has been a good experience for us to have a member of Generation Z on our team doing work experience as our Marketing Services Intern. Charlotte has also put together a guide for managing Generation Z employees, including her top 10 tips for getting the best out of this generation of staff:

1. Communicate regularly online and in person 2. Give regular feedback 3. Provide a career development plan 4. Give them responsibility 5. Create a fun and enriching work environment 6. Provide job security and reasonable pay 7. Ask for their opinion 8. Provide mental health support 9. Provide professional support 10. Create an inclusive team

This guide also explains how to create a fun work environment, the benefits of recruiting Gen Z and motivational theories to help manage them. Download for free here: US2U Consulting's Guide to Managing Generation Z

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about how US2U Consulting can help you get the best out of your staff.

Ryan Vickers Interview Part 2 with Boniface Engineering

The second part of our interview series featuring British Superbike racer Ryan Vickers - a project we have been working on with and producing for Boniface Engineering - is out now.

Both Boniface Engineering and Ryan are from Thetford, and the US2U Consulting-produced interview series comes as part of Boniface's 40th anniversary celebrations this year. They have been sponsoring Bennetts British Superbikes contender Ryan for a number of years, so just before their season got underway we sat down with Ryan to find out more about the challenges, successes and key points in his motorbike racing career so far.

Boniface Engineering was US2U Consulting's first client back in 2006, so we are delighted to have been tasked with scripting, filming and producing this interview series. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with us to find out how engaging video content can help elevate your organisation's message.

Watch 'Part 2: Tipped for Success' below - click here to revisit Part 1.

The current Bennetts British Superbike Championship will be running over the next few months and airs on Eurosport on race weekends - featuring the Boniface Engineering 40th anniversary logo that we designed, which Ryan proudly wears on his helmet during races.

Celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in NYC

Two of the US2U Consulting team were in New York City during the recent seventieth anniversary and were delighted to be invited to a reception in celebration of The Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was hosted by Emma Wade-Smith OBE, pictured above with Rachel Blackburn, who is Her Majesty's Consul General to New York and HM Trade Commissioner for North America. It was held at the Lincoln Center's Hearst Plaza in Manhattan and was followed by a silent disco featuring legendary DJ Mark Ronson.

Emma said, "Thank you to all who have made New York's Platinum Jubilee celebrations a roaring success."

"As we hold the British Department for International Trade Export Champion status for the third year it was great to be able to participate in this extraordinary event and meet so many interesting people" said Rachel.

We also met Helena Nolan, Consul General of Ireland in New York, pictured with Rachel Blackburn below. We have completed several projects for clients in Ireland over the years and look forward to developing these relationships further.

Rachel Helena New York US2U large website

US2U Consulting Welcomes First Female Intern

We have recently welcomed a new intern to our team - Charlotte Knight is our new Marketing and Client Services Coordinator. Charlotte is currently a student at Nottingham Trent University studying Business Management and Marketing.

She attended Norwich High School for Girls and has expressed a keen interest in business over the past few years - enjoying Business A-Level, her first year of a business degree and now onto gaining real life experience in business!

Charlotte will be working with us for a month; gaining valuable experience at a busy Management Consulting firm. She will assist on client projects and produce marketing materials.

Bringing a fresh perspective from 'Gen Z' to our team, we look forward to helping our clients successfully reach out to this generation. It is also great to be able to offer practical, in-person work experience to someone from a generation who risked missing out on this important stage of career development during the pandemic.

"I look forward to gaining insight into the Management Consulting industry. This is a huge part of my career development and I am grateful to have been given this opportunity by US2U Consulting. I am excited to gain new knowledge and skills here." said Charlotte.

Pleasure in the Park

Some of the US2U Consulting Team were pleased that they could join Boniface Engineering colleagues for their Family Fun Day at Old Buckenham Country Park, Norfolk on Saturday 14th May. This was part of their ongoing celebrations for their 40th Anniversary in 2022.

"It was great to be able to chat to people in a more relaxed atmosphere than usual and also to meet their families" said Rachel - pictured with Mike Boniface.

US2U Director Features in Open University Executive Course

US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn has been featured in the video content for a new Open University Executive level educational course, on the topic of Business Management: People Management and Leadership.

Rachel, who obtained her MBA with the Open University in 2004, was filmed in late 2021 at US2U Consulting's premises and her interview-style insights will be used to educate and inspire a new generation of Open University students. View a compilation of Rachel's video feature below!

Video © The Open University 2022

US2U Consulting Produce a Professional Superbike Racer Interview Series to Mark 40 Years of Boniface Engineering - Ryan Vickers Interview Part 1

We are very pleased to be helping our long-standing client, Thetford-based Boniface Engineering, celebrate 40 years of engineering excellence in 2022, having been established by Mike Boniface in 1982.

Our latest project supporting this milestone year has been to script and produce a series of video interviews with Boniface-sponsored professional British Superbike racer Ryan Vickers (pictured), who is also from Thetford.

The interview series saw us sit down with Ryan at Boniface's workshop to discuss the different stages of his career and life as a professional sportsman and Bennetts British Superbike racer - as well as how sponsorship from Boniface Engineering has helped him in his career.

We have produced an engaging three-part series of video interviews along with a number of short interview clips, which will be featured on the Boniface website and across their social media across the British Superbike season, which runs from April to October 2022.

Watch the first part of the interview series below and contact us to find out how US2U Consulting can produce engaging video content for your organisation. 

 

Howzat! US2U sponsor local Cricket Club Horsford CC for second year running

US2U Consulting are pleased to be sponsoring Horsford Cricket Club for a second year in a row, and supporting their positive influence in the Norfolk community.

We began our sponsorship in 2021 (read that story here) , and US2U Consulting Director Rachel Blackburn is pictured with our latest sponsorship board for the 2022 season.

Horsford CC play at Manor Park, Holt Road, Norwich, Norfolk NR10 3AQ and also host Norfolk CCC matches there. Visit www.horsfordcricketclub.co.uk for more and for their fixture list for the 2022 season.