Rachel and Kerwin Blackburn of US2U Consulting visited the University of East Anglia's Enterprise Centre on Friday 5 May to attend 'Pitch Perfect: Ready to Pitch?'.
This Dragons' Den-style event gave the pair the chance to hear UEA startups and entrepreneurs pitch their companies and ideas as part of a panel of potential investors, offering feedback and other business advice as part of the process.
The diverse range of products and startups featured provided interesting insights into some of the outlooks and challenges facing entrepreneurial students at the UK's 12th-ranked university.
Companies pitching included hyperSlate, Assemble, Grabbit, Future Max Careers and Cooknst.
US2U Consulting were pleased to attend the East of England Energy Group's Southern North Sea Conference & Exhibition on 1 March at the Royal Norfolk Showground, along with Great Yarmouth-based client ASAMS Limited.
ASAMS is an independent, UKAS accredited metals testing lab and we have been working with them on their business strategy and planning, which included producing their first promotional video showcasing their company and services (watch here).
We were excited to accompany them on their first visit to the exhibition, which enabled them to gain greater insight and understanding of the benefits of networking, with a view to exhibiting themselves at such events in the future.
Andrew Page and Thomas Whiskin of ASAMS are pictured with EEEGR CEO Simon Gray.
US2U Consulting are proud to go the extra mile in order to make a positive different to our clients. If you'd like us to produce your commercial video or assist in your business planning, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.!
Rachel Blackburn was the keynote speaker at a joint Barclays Business and Department of International Trade talk held at the University of East Anglia's Enterprise Centre on Wednesday 1 March.
Delivering a talk on US2U Consulting's Export Journey since the company was established in 2006, Rachel discussed the motivations for and benefits of exporting the company's services, as well as how US2U Consulting overcame some of the key challenges and obstacles.
Her tips on exporting services were particularly insightful and complementary to the advice regarding the export of physical goods, as covered by the other speakers on the day. These included International Trade Advisor from the Department of International Trade, Leszek Wysocki, who commented that many business will benefit from exploring the idea of exporting overseas.
To learn more about how US2U Consulting can assist you in working internationally, get in touch!
US2U Consulting would like to present a new business concept that is gaining traction in many organisations: Jugaad Innovation.
Originating in the developing contexts of the global East, this approach to problem-solving can teach us all lessons for use in our professional and everyday lives.
Based on the insights from the book Jugaad Innovation by Navi Radjou, Jaideep Prabhu and Simone Ahuja, we've put together an infographic covering the key principles that can help you 'think frugal, be flexible and generate breakthrough growth'.
When seeking to source expertise covering both effective management and innovative marketing, companies have traditionally had to approach several organisations. Until now.
US2U Consulting are proud to announce that 2017 marks the start of an enhanced offering, with the addition of a new marketing team with over 25 years' commercial experience, headed by Andy Taylor (pictured with Rachel Blackburn).
US2U Consulting already works in partnership with clients to enhance business practice and management. We work hard to understand each individual business, meaning our dedicated consultants can deliver bespoke management solutions.
Now we are able to augment this offering with a brand new division supplying business strategy, training and marketing services.
We will be able to provide organisations with:
• Marketing audits
• Branding advice and development
• Website development
• Advertising strategy and campaigns across print, electronic and social media
• Promotional and product brochures
• Exhibition design and build
Now is the time to make your business stand out, both for efficient management and engaging marketing.
Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more details and the chance to make a tangible difference to the success of your organisation.
In line with the company's December theme of charitable giving, US2U Consulting were pleased to make a donation to Norwich Lowriders Wheelchair Basketball Club, a sports team we intially supported back in 2008 when the club was first getting established.
It was great to catch up with some of the people involved with the club and to hear about the progress they have made since their early days, which has seen them grow from playing locally to competing in regional and national competitions.
Rachel Blackburn is pictured with Tina Connor-Saunders and Sara Trower, who are responsible for the management and organisation of the club.
US2U Consulting were pleased to make a donation to the British Red Cross to enable them to purchase two new wheelchairs for their Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk mobility services.
The wheelchairs will be provided, alongside various other forms of mobility aids, to those in need across the East of England, with the goal of getting people more active.
"Thank you so much to US2U Consulting for donating the money towards the wheelchairs. This money will be incredibly helpful in allowing us to continue providing great service to people across the East of England. We provide various mobility aids to over 50 people each week in Norfolk alone and it is great to see businesses in the region supporting us in our goal of getting people in need more mobile and active." Said Paul Fleet, Senior Community Fundraiser (pictured alongside Rachel and Kerwin Blackburn).
Rachel Blackburn commented, "we are really happy and excited to be supporting the work of the British Red Cross in Norfolk. They are one of the world's most renowned and recognised charities and we are sure the wheelchairs we have bought for them will help as many people as possible."
US2U Consulting have recently enjoyed working with ASAMS Ltd to develop their business strategy and produce the ASAMS Promotional Video.
ASAMS Ltd are a Metals Testing Laboratory based in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk and work with clients from multiple industries with a main focus on oil and gas and renewables.
The purpose of the video is to enable existing and potential new companies to engage with ASAMS and to understand more about the ASAMS service, culture and unique features and benefits.
While the video ultimately aims to help them increase their market share, it has already has the effect of motivating and energising the ASAMS team - all of whom feature in the video!
As well as giving their staff a chance to showcase that ASAMS is a successful, forward-thinking business, the video will also enhance their website by allowing visitors to engage with it in a new, more dynamic dimension. The video will also form the basis of an integrated marketing campaign.
In addition to producing their promotional video US2U Consulting also assisted ASAMS in developing their company values which promote ASAMS as providing:
ASAMS Managing Director Andrew Page (pictured, left, alongside Senior Metallurgist Thomas Whiskin and Rachel Blackburn) commented, "It has been easy working with US2U Consulting as we develop our business planning, marketing strategy and HR strategy. We look forward to our ongoing relationship as we continue to raise our profile and achieve our ambitious business goals."
Watch the video below!
If you would like US2U Consulting to produce your organisation's promotional video or assist with your business planning, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
What does it involve for societies, communities or individuals from different countries to live and work together towards common objectives? How do we share cultures? What does it mean to be culturally aware? And why does it matter?
Enhance your organisation's understanding of these issues and strengthen your business results with our Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Communication workshop.
The programme will be delivered by our Associate Consultant, world class leading expert Dr Lorella Viola PhD, who undertakes research in Pragmatics, Sociolinguistics and Intercultural Communication, has worked as a legal and court translator and currently teaches in the field of Intercultural Communication.
Cultural awareness is a major element of cultural competence and the foundation of intercultural communication. We will reflect on the importance of cross-cultural communication in everyday life and the workplace.
In this interactive workshop you will learn how to:
- Acknowledge how culture shapes our own perceptions
- Be more responsive to culturally diverse colleagues and clients
- Be more sensitive and accessible as a global citizen
- Be alert to cultural differences and similarities that will present opportunities and challenges to working in a multicultural environment
To find our more about how this service can improve your productivity and give your organisation a competitive edge contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Having assisted in the development and October launch of City College Norwich School of Higher Education's Mentoring Programme, Rachel Blackburn kicked off her role as Mentor to two business students in an Executive box at Carrow Road, home of Norwich City Football Club.
The Mentees, Laura Key and Kasia Mydlik (pictured left and right, respectively), were eager to be mentored by Rachel after learning of her own story and experiences in business, including founding US2U Consulting.
Rachel plans to meet the Mentees several times over the next year to provide guidance and advice in line with the agreed targets and objectives for the Programme.
Laura commented on the first meeting, "It was really motivating and energizing. I will be putting your communication advice into practice immediately!"
"I am so appreciative of not only the way you have taken us under your wing but also of your generosity with your time and resources" said Kasia.
Thank you to Norwich City FC for their contribution to the City College Norwich Mentoring Programme.
