THE INTERVIEW with Carl Hopkins

By Anna-Louise Gilhooley

Carl Hopkins started out in the world of marketing in 1984 as a junior designer. In fact, it’s partly thanks to an economic downturn similar to the one we’re witnessing now that Carl got his big break at that agency. He’s well known in Manchester as the straight talking ‘Uncle Carl’ and was watched by millions as he went undercover taking on the role of community warden for Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire. Carl Hopkins is the first person to admit he is just an ordinary guy. So how did he go from ‘notorious council estate’ kid to Channel 4's Secret Millionaire? WorkLife speaks with Carl to find out…

5 Golden rules to help keep your retail business on track

There is no doubt that with the economy in crisis, many retailers are at a serious risk of going bust. We witnessed the downfall of Woolworths after an iconic 99 years of trade, and said our goodbyes to many other stores, including Zavvi and JJB Sports.

Shazan Qureshi provides an insight into the reasons behind the retailers’ suffering, as well as helpful tips on how to survive in such a risky climate.

1. Produce regular forecasts
These should be at least quarterly, and preferably monthly, with cash flow being the most important. Make sure that items of capital expenditure are identified well in advance. Remember that you only go bust when you run out of money!

2. Set realistic banking covenants
These should reflect the true risk of the business and should not simply be intended to achieve the cheapest cost of borrowing.

3. Don’t hold on to old stock
Old stock ties up working capital, so if it isn’t selling, discount the price and get rid of it.

4. Check out the competition
Keep a watchful eye on competitors and if you are doing something different, make sure that you are right and they are wrong. Adjust your business model when required.

5. Stay alert
If you realise there is a problem, act on it and work out a solution that can be presented to creditors. Recognise that banks, in particular, don’t like shocks.

You can read the online article in full and get access to confidential, one-on-one advice, by clicking this link for Issue 2 of WorkLife.

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2 Do Lunch - The concept is simple: a business lunch for two professionals. But the twist, the interesting part, is that it’s blind. The technical term that we have coined for this social experiment is micro networking.

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Akay Ahmet and Ajay Hargreaves are two willing volunteers who are confident enough to take a risk on the chance of business benefit. They step alone into Ithaca and wait to see who will join them for their lunch break.
Ajay is from Blue Square Telecom and Akay is from HSBC. Ajay manages the North Division of Blue Square Telecom in Manchester and Akay works for HSBC at St Ann Square branch, Manchester, specialising in new acquisitions and business development for retail, business and premier customers.
See how they got on here.

We like your style

Me&Yu duo Angie and Gordon have inspired us all recently, from their fun and quirky designs to their nurturing business attitude. Get to know them further by clicking here to read the article by Kelly Murray.

Images are designs by Me&Yu, Visit them on the 3rd floor of the Afflecks Palace, Manchester, or online at http://www.meandyu.com/

Daredevils required!

We’re looking for daredevils to join the WorkLife and Rejuvenate team as we slide 300 metres across the Manchester Ship Canal! Challengers will be transported 95 feet to the top of the Imperial War Museum North before launching 300 metres across the water- experiencing the wonderful views of Salford Quays before safely landing at the foot of the Lowry Theatre.
All participants will be required to raise a minimum of £150 for key 103 & Magic 1152’s Cash for Kids to help us support thousands of disadvantaged children in Manchester.
There are a limited number of places available so why not get a group of your friends together or your business colleagues and join us in this unforgettable adrenaline challenge. Please email anna-louise@rejuvenateonline.co.uk for more details on how to put your name down.

Strictly Arlene

Arlene Phillips made a recent visit back to her home town here in Manchester and WorkLife was there to catch up with her. Whilst taking part in the Strictly Come Dancing Live show Arlene made time in her busy schedule to support The Floyd Neurological Rehabilitation Unit at Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale by attending a recent Think Floyd charity lunch at the Radisson Hotel.

When I met with Arlene the first thing I was keen to hear about was her involvement with the charity, and learn that her experience of the unit has been first hand because of her family. When I ask what it means to be involved in the event, Arlene speaks passionately about the cause; “It’s really important. We come from a family which is very, very close. Gordon’s mother, my Aunty Miriam, actually brought up my mother and so to be able to do something to support such a tragedy, and in a place which not only cared for Jill but cared for the whole family as a unit, it’s very, very important to me.”

The lunch is a fantastic 5 star affair and it’s great to see funds and awareness raised for such a worthy cause. After the event, I get the chance to speak further with Arlene and learn a little more about this successful and driven woman from the North.

If you would like to read the article in full, click here to be taken to the online issue.

WorkLife Launch Party

To celebrate the beginning of the new and diverse WorkLife magazine, Ithaca in Manchester hosted a party where many came to witness the launch with us. Our evening was incredibly successful, with guests such as Imran Hakim from iTeddy, ‘secret millionaire’ Carl Hopkins, glamour guru Armand Beasley and ex Miss Manchester Louise Cliffe attending to show their support. Here are a few photographs of the night...