Business Support

Avoid a £4350 Fine! – Understanding ICO Registration and Compliance for SMEs

a black magnifying glass with numbers and the words 'data collection' on a blue background

Navigating the responsibilities of managing a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) often involves wearing many hats. From day-to-day operations to the complexities of financial compliance, there’s a lot on your plate. Today, we’re sharing an update about a topic that might not be on your radar but is equally crucial: registering with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and understanding the potential repercussions if you overlook it!

Firstly, let’s break down the ICO in simple terms. The ICO is the UK’s independent body set up to uphold information rights and data privacy for individuals. Think of them as the guardians of data security, ensuring businesses handle people’s personal information responsibly and legally.

Now, you might wonder, “Why is ICO registration important for my business?” Here’s why:

Legal Requirement

If your business processes personal information, the Data Protection Act requires you to register with the ICO, essentially letting them know you handle personal data. Whether you’re keeping customer details, managing employees’ data, or marketing your products or services, this step is non-negotiable.

Trust and Credibility

Registering with the ICO isn’t just a legal formality; it’s a badge of trustworthiness. It reassures your customers, partners, and suppliers that you’re committed to data protection, enhancing your business’s credibility.

Avoiding Fines

This point gets a bit serious. Non-compliance isn’t a minor slip-up the ICO overlooks. Businesses that fail to register can face hefty fines, which are never a welcome expense. In severe cases, fines can go up to £4,350 (which equates to 150% of the standard registration fee) depending on your company’s size and turnover. – That’s money far better spent on growing your business!

Understanding the need to register is one thing, but doing it is another, so let’s make it easy. Here’s a simplified process:

Determine If You Need to Register

Most businesses do, but some exceptions apply. Check the ICO’s website for a handy self-assessment tool.

Register Online

Visit the ICO’s website, fill in the details about your business, and pay a fee of £40 (for most SMEs). It can go up to £2,900, depending on your size and turnover.

Renew Annually

Keep your registration details up to date and renew them each year. The ICO will send you a reminder, so don’t worry about extra paperwork flying under the radar.

Stay Compliant

Follow the ICO’s guidelines for data protection, and if anything’s unclear, don’t hesitate to seek advice. It’s much better to ask questions than to make an uninformed decision.

Data protection might seem a world away from your daily to-dos, but it’s a crucial part of operating in the modern marketplace. The good news? The ICO offers plenty of guidance, and there are numerous resources available to help you understand your obligations.

Remember, registering with the ICO is more than an administrative task; it’s a commitment to your customers, your business’s integrity, and the law. So, let’s stay informed, stay compliant, and as always, keep striving for business excellence in all areas!

If you’d like any help or support with your ICO registration, or any other administrative tasks, please get in touch, we’d love to help: 01903 688789 or makeithappen@mbsmih.com.

Why Is Cyber Security So Important For SME’s?

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Guest blog courtesy of Michael Carr2Tela

During conversations with business owners a common set of responses is returned when the topic of cyber security rises.

“Who’s going to target us?”

“We’re not big enough to need any of that!”

“It’s OK, my IT support company does all that for me.”

In a sense there is an element of truth in the statement “who’s going to target us”. In the past, and this is not that long ago, hackers and cyber criminals conducted their devious operations by the skill of their hands and knowledge. Hacks where manual so effort vs reward would very much suggest ‘go big’ and go for targets that have deep financial pockets to afford the ransom or scam.

And then suddenly, we enter a world of Cloud Computing and Software as a Service (SaaS). What a game changer, no more expensive bits of IT kit whirring in offices, all your data and applications just a mere browser away! 

This stumped the hackers and cyber criminals, as big IT providers like Microsoft and Google having an exponential budget dedicated to cyber security almost makes the art of hacking a historic IT thing – think fax machines!

However, hackers and cyber criminals are not stupid, nor are they deterred by change. They embraced change and focussed their efforts on what Cloud Computing and SaaS provide the everyday user. Massive amounts of computing power, exponentials amount of valuable data and more access points than ever imaginable. Yes, the hackers and cyber criminals embraced the new way of working, and now focus on what and where they can exploit the new ways of IT.

They developed their own set of SaaS services especially for the hacking and cyber criminal community. Now new hackers to the game of cyber criminality do not have to ‘know’ how to hack. Just add in a country code or top level domain (TLD) such as “.co.uk” and the machines will happily tick away doing the hacking work for their masters. This indiscriminate targeting is worse, as the machines and their operators can try all sorts of techniques, which you as a business owner need some sort of protection against.

This leads me onto the second response “we’re not big enough to need any of that”. Banks used to spend a considerable amount of money protecting their IT systems. If you were a cyber security provider with a banking client, it was happy days. Banks wanted the latest technology and had the resources to pay. And to a degree they needed it. Hackers were clever, banks have lots of money and therefore needed to be at the head of the race.

That was then, now things are very different. Hackers and cyber criminals use IT as much as any business. Why manually send an email when you can write a little application to do it ‘en masse’ for you. Why try and break through a firewall when someone’s credentials let you straight through. No longer having to physically scope out a business premises, as everything is online and connected to the internet!

So, when you think you are ‘not big enough’, think about the adversaries. They are no longer individuals bashing out commands on a keyboard, but lots of computers running programs that are extensively targeting your business, all because you have an IP address or use Microsoft 365 (for example).

And this leads on to the last point “it’s OK, my IT support company does all that for me”. If only that were true.

All service providers will deliver a) what they are contracted to and b) what they can actually deliver.

Cyber security has 3 fundamental components – people, process, and technology.

People are and will remain the primary operator of security. Irrespective of the role in any business, its’ people are the driving force behind building a culture of cyber security, where each person understands their role in defending the business from cyber threats.

Processes are the rules of how to work. Processes drive everything we do. Without processes there will be chaos, everyone doing things in different ways. Cyber security is no different, within each process there will be some cyber security influence in terms of what happens next. It could be entering a password, it could be reporting the email as it looks wrong. Processes allow your people to follow the same steps without misinterpretation.

Technology is the component that allows the identified controls within processes to integrate with your people. It’s the bit you often buy but not often implement correctly. This is because technology purchases are quick and easy whereas working out how you want it to work and how it interacts within your business processes is often complicated.

What an IT support provider can provide is technology. However, their remit often ends just there. All business needs to understand how they work, what threats are present within their business operations and what they want to do about it.

A policy can be just as important as a firewall. An education program can have more impact than a ‘block box with flashing lights’. 

Many a conversation has been had following an assessment where on paper a business is as insecure as a house with no doors and windows. 

Cyber security is the interface between your people, how they work and the technology that supports it. Good cyber security supports the business (or does not negatively impact the running of the business) whilst providing protection at key points of a business process.

IT support can support your IT bits and pieces, but it certainly does not look at how you protect your users from someone calling in and pretending to be a senior manager and requesting a bank transfer.

If you’d like more information about cyber security, then please get in touch. Contact us on 01903 688789, or email makeithappen@mbsmih.com and we’d be happy to introduce you to Mike!

8 Proven Benefits of Utilising Online Advertising

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As businesses strive to gain a competitive edge, online advertising has become a crucial tool for marketers. In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to advertise products through various platforms, like search engines, social media, and websites. The benefits of advertising cannot be overlooked, and in this blog we will delve into the most significant advantages of using this marketing strategy.

Increases Brand Awareness

One of the most beneficial advantages of online advertising is the ability to increase brand awareness. Advertising campaigns can reach a large audience that has never heard of your brand before. By showcasing your products/services and highlighting their unique features, you can get people to recognise your brand and remember it in the future.

Expands Customer Reach

By strategically placing your advertisement on relevant websites and social media channels with a substantial customer base, you can connect with potential customers that you would never have reached otherwise. This tactic will broaden your target audience and increase the chances of converting prospective buyers into loyal customers.

Boosts Sales

Effective advertising campaigns will translate into sales. By targeting the right audience with the right message at the right time, advertising can prompt customers to explore your business and ultimately make a purchase. It can also encourage repeat purchases from existing customers, enhancing loyalty and boosting revenue.

Builds Positive Reputation

Advertising can help to build and establish a positive reputation for your brand by emphasising your product’s benefits. It can showcase your company’s commitment to providing a quality service, promoting your business image as trustworthy and reliable.

Provides Valuable Insights

Numerous digital platforms offer valuable insights, such as demographic information, regional sales, and customer behaviour, which can help you understand your audience and create better marketing strategies. By monitoring and adjusting your campaigns, you can increase your advertising effectiveness and ensure you’re targeting the right people.

Offers Competitive Advantage

Product advertising can give you a competitive edge by showcasing the attributes that set your business apart from your competitors. By creating a compelling message, you can show potential customers that your product is the ultimate solution and your brand a reliable industry expert.

Enhances Brand Loyalty

Brand loyalty is essential for the long-term success of any business. Successful advertising can promote loyalty by communicating your company’s values and ethos. This will help to create a deeper connection with your customers, leading to repeat sales as well as organic word-of-mouth benefits from satisfied clients.

Improves ROI

Finally, advertising can significantly improve your return on investment (ROI). By effectively targeting, attracting, and converting potential customers, you can earn a return on your advertising investment while boosting sales volume thanks to a wider online audience.

To make the most out of online advertising, be strategic, keep your message engaging, and always measure and adjust your campaigns to optimise results. If you’d like to find out more about other digital marketing strategies or require any other business support, our team would love to help! Get in touch:

E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

8 Proven Strategies for Generating Leads on Social Media

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You probably know by now how important social media is for your business. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter), can help you reach a wider audience and generate leads for your business. However, with the stiff competition out there, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this Blog post we will cover everything you need to know to secure more leads using your favourite platforms!

Understand your target audience:

The first step is to have a clear understanding of your target audience. Once you know who your target audience is, you can create content that speaks to them and answers their questions and needs. This will make them more likely to engage with your content and follow your business.

Optimise your social media profiles:

Your social media profiles are often the first impression of your business that a potential lead will get. Make sure your profiles are optimised with clear branding, a professional profile picture, and complete information about your business. Regular profile updates will help to establish a higher level of trust and credibility.

Leverage user-generated content:

User-generated content such as customer reviews, testimonials, and photos can be a powerful tool. Share reviews and testimonials on your active platforms and encourage your customers to share their experiences with your business online. It not only provides reassurance for prospective clients, but also helps to organically spread the word about your business.

Use social media ads:

Social media ads can be an effective way to generate leads. Use targeting features to reach your ideal audience and create compelling ads that speak to them. You can also use retargeting to show ads to people who have previously engaged with your business on social media.

Host social media contests:

Contests and competitions can be a fun way to engage with your audience. Create a contest that requires participants to follow your business, share your content, or tag their friends. This will help you reach more people and create buzz. To achieve maximum interest, utilise occasions such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, or other global holidays.

Engage with your followers:

Social media is a two-way conversation. Engage with your followers by responding to their comments and messages and ask them questions to start a conversation. This will help you build relationships with platform users and make them more likely to become leads in the future. It’s also a great way to make your business appear more organic and involved with online communities.

Share valuable content:

Your content is what attracts your target audience and converts them into leads. Ensure that your posts are high quality, visually appealing, and refined for each platform. Use a mix of different formats like videos, images, and infographics to keep things interesting. Remember, your content should provide value, solve a problem, or inspire.

Measure Your Results:

Measuring your results helps you to identify what’s working and what’s not. You can use analytics tools to track metrics like engagement, reach, click-through rates, etc. Based on your analysis, you can make changes to your strategy and improve your results. Take the time to experiment with different aspects such as posting times, content lengths and graphic design, then repeat your successes.

If you’d like to discuss our Social Media Management services or require any other business support, our team would love to help! Get in touch: E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789

5 Ways to Streamline Your Business Processes

Two people holding pieces of a jigsaw together on top of business documents

Running a business can be exhausting, time-consuming, and often overwhelming. Managing your team, meeting your clients’ expectations, and keeping up with competitors can often leave you with very little time to spare. However, streamlining your business processes is something that every business should be striving for. Not only will it help you save time, money and resources, but it can also increase the overall quality of your work.

Automate Your Processes

With the help of technology, automating repetitive tasks has become far more accessible and economical. Automating tasks, such as data entry, report generation or appointment schedules can help to gain back precious time and speed up the entire process. It will also reduce any human errors that could occur by doing these manual tasks.

Adopt a Project Management System

Project management systems are tools that help you organise and manage your projects from start to finish. These systems can help you track progress, set deadlines, collaborate with team members, and manage resources. By adopting a project management system, you can improve the efficiency of your projects and ensure that you meet your goals and deadlines. Some popular tools include Trello, Asana, and Basecamp.

Outsource Non-Essential Tasks

Outsourcing non-essential tasks such as project management, event organising, and social media management, allows for improved focus on core business activities and ultimately a better use of your time. It also enables you to keep a smaller in-house team, reduce costs, and create more room for innovation. When outsourcing, make sure to choose a reliable and reputable supplier who can provide high-quality services at a reasonable price.

Digitise Your Documents

Transitioning to digital document storage is an excellent way to simplify your business processes. By digitising your documents, you can improve organisation, save space, and minimise the chances of losing important documents. A paperless process is also a great way of boosting sustainability!

Use Cloud-Based Tools

Cloud-based tools are software programs and applications that are hosted on remote servers and accessed over the internet. These tools can help you modernise your procedures by allowing you to access important data and resources from anywhere, at any time. Examples of cloud-based tools include Google Drive, Dropbox, and Salesforce. By utilising these tools, you can improve collaboration and communication among your team members as well as reducing the need for physical storage.

Take the time to identify areas of inefficiency in your business and develop a plan for improvement. With a little effort and the right tools, you can take your business to the next level! If you’d like to find out more about streamlining or require any other business support, we would love to help! Get in touch: E: makeithappen@mbsmih.com   T: 01903 688789