NFS tech group

When the LinkedIn network features around a thousand managers who describe themselves as ‘Chief Happiness Officer’, you can tell that well-being has moved right up the workplace agenda. That’s only right and proper, of course, from a moral point of view. But it also makes sense from a business perspective – happy and comfortable workers  tend to be more productive. And the benefits of creating a connected workplace where people can collaborate and get on with their jobs easily go even further than that. As workplace strategist Joelle Jach said recently: “By understanding the connection between humans and their environment, and by providing an environment that supports human needs, organisations can target cost savings as well as an engaged workforce.” He argues that  comfort and wellbeing  also have a direct impact on employee retention; we all want to work somewhere that’s nice to be. However, Jach also warns that open-office environments can cause feelings...

What have you booked online in the last few months? A show? Rail tickets? A hotel room? Like nearly everyone else, you’ve probably done at least one of these things. But are you offering potential clients the chance to book space at your venue the same way? New independent research – sponsored by NFS – suggests that you probably are not. In a poll of VIP venue representatives, just under half admitted they are not progressing with digital transformation. What’s more, 53% said their business is not ready for the transition to more online customer experience. As leading providers of venue management software, we know venues are complex businesses that can’t directly be compared to hotels. But is it possible that venues are missing a trick to boost their business with technology? Let’s face it, for the average British consumer, online booking has become the norm – and mobile use is growing. Earlier this year, it was reported that a third of people had  used mobile...

Bill Gates had it right when he said : “In almost every job now, people use software and work with information to enable their organisation to operate more effectively.” You’d think that would be true of venues, wouldn’t you? But as recent  research  has shown, venues are still grinding along, relying on manual processes and a rag-tag bunch of Microsoft desktop applications pushed beyond their original purpose. Could do better? Definitely – I can count at least five ways an integrated venue management solution can save venues time and costs: Diary it better Answer it swiftly Capture it automatically Bill for it efficiently Understand your customers deeply Diary it better There’s definitely a range of ways you can manage your diary – Outlook, Google Calendar and Excel; even a desk diary. But while these are great for personal use, they’re not so great at handling the complexity of managing multiple rooms or spaces across a team. It’s very easy to doub...

Is your restaurant doing enough to stand out ? Try these 6 great EPOS promotional ideas Like all restaurateurs, you know your establishment lives and die by repeat business – making customers so happy that they’ll not only come back again but also recommend you. Building up this kind of loyal clientele, though, can be tough when there’s so much competition. One of the main problems, according to Trish Caddy, a food service analyst for  Mintel , is this: “ Foodservice operators that base their strategy around promotions are not doing enough to stand out,” she says. “Brands also need to show that they care about the well-being of their customers by responding with menu choices that cater to healthy lifestyles .” Trish has a point. Who doesn’t love a money-off voucher? It only really works, thought, if it’s giving a discount on something you really want. So what can you do to lift your restaurant promotions out of the humdrum and make them stand out? Restaurants wi...

Here’s some food for thought: is there really any point in your  workplace  these days? You might say: of course – but are you still thinking in outdated ways that could cost your business dearly? Until about 10 years ago, workplaces jogged along much the way they’d done forever. 9 to 5, in the office, sitting at your desk, sitting in meeting rooms… Not any more. Today, with the increasing popularity of  agile working , work is more about activity than location and increasingly, you can do it anywhere. So it’s time to rethink what your workplace is REALLY for – and how you can get maximum value our of it for your business and your staff. The number one question to ask yourself is: What does my workplace actually bring to the party? What businesses need most from a modern-day, flexible workplace is the creation of a great working environment where staff can tackle their work easily and enjoy it. Get it right, and it boosts your productivity a...