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GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK - AND FORGET THE WORD "SHOULD"!

Some great no-nonsense advice in Gillian's latest video.  Click here to view it....

MEET GED NAUGHTON OF NAUGHTON MEDIA

We communicate through stories - anecdotes, tall tales, jokes and parables as well as tweets, blogs, e-newsletters and home pages.  Formally put, I'm a content development consultant, but my talent is telling stories that matter, to build relationships and engage with people through words and pictures.  I'd like to work with people to tell their stories and build their relationships. My business "The Write Profile" is brand new, but I've got experience in PR, comms, media and journalis...

DBN MEMBERS NEEDED TO TEST A NEW BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES APP

As a fellow DBN member, I know what incredible small businesses we have within our local community, but unfortunately not everyone in our region is aware of the quality and extent of the supply chain that is right on their doorstep.  I want to change that, and I would love you to help me. I’m looking for DBN members to help me test and mould the final version of the Crust Today App before its live release at the end of July.  The trial will take place over the month of June, with par...

JAMES CREATES NEW VIDEO FOR BRIGHTSIDE

James at Visual Punch created this video to help Brightside show that they are so much more than a 'typical' day service provider.  The focus of the video was to provide the audience with a glimpse into what a typical day was like at Brightside.  We were blown away by what the young adults get to do and how they are helped and supported by the Brightside staff.We challenge you to watch this video without smiling!...

JOANNE HAS SOME NEW BUSINESS ALL STITCHED UP!

I have some exciting news to share with you.  All cross stitch charts from Joanne Rowland Art will shortly be available exclusively at Heaven and Earth Designs.  The Team at HAED are amazing at creating incredibly detailed cross stitch charts that are just perfect for my drawings and paintings and we can't wait to see them! We'll let you know as soon as the first ones are available at heavenandearthdesigns.com Joanne Rowland...

SHARRON SKEEN OF WESTWOOD ACCOUNTANCY ASKS: CAN YOUR BUSINESS CLAIM A CORONAVIRUS STATUTORY SICK PAY REBATE?

The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme is now live. If you’re a business with fewer than 250 employees, you may be able to make a claim.For further information, please click here....

DBN BUSINESS COMMUNITY SUPPORTS PROPOSED RAIL LINK TO CONSETT

Last week we ran an article by local MP Richard Holden on a proposed feasibility study into a rail link connecting the Derwent Valley with Gateshead.  We asked for your views and we can report that all of your responses have been positive and in support of the proposal, highlighting both the economic and social benefits of a rail link.David Vickers of Rand Rocket said, “It’s something I’ve had on my mind for about a decade or so and I feel it’s well past time that this was developed...

NORIKO'S NEW CARTOON

You can read Noriko's cartoons here.  Sit back and have a great old chuckle!...

FACEBOOK REVIEW

We'd love your help to grow our amazing network and would be very grateful if you could leave a Facebook Review to tell other business owners why they should consider joining DBN . . ....

MID DURHAM AREA ACTION PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTING WILLOW BURN HOSPICE

Willow Burn Hospice is delighted to announce that Mid Durham AAP, through their COVID-19 funding and funding from County Councillors Jude Considine and Ossie Johnson, are able to support Willow Burn with running costs though the pandemic. It costs £1.2 million to operate the Hospice each year and the hospice team is responsible for raising 70% of this through grants, fundraising, retail income and donations.  Due to the restrictions in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, the charity’s ...

JANE ANDERSON ASKS . . .

Can junk food get us through the lockdown?Saved by crisps?Read more about how crisps have been Jane's secret comfort by clicking here....

DISCOVER THE SWORD MAKERS OF SHOTLEY BRIDGE WITH THE LAND OF OAK & IRON

On Wednesday, 1st April 2020, Paul Heatherington was due to host an evening talk ‘The Sword Makers of Shotley Bridge’, at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.  Sadly, the planned talk and meal had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus situation and the need to practice social distancing. Paul kindly wrote an article for the Land of Oak & Iron, reflecting some of his research and knowledge about the sword makers.  Hopefully you will be able to join us in discovering more on this s...

MOIRA BARNES ASKS...

Zoom exhaustion!  Are you experiencing it? As we start to return to the 'new normal' how are you trying to adjust? Next week I am delivering some sales training for the 'Do Business' Network (DBN) so I am currently preparing my content for that.  However, following a few discussions with colleagues/network what I would normally deliver in 3 hours face to face I am looking at delivering in an hour and a half. The reason being? Zoom exhaustion! Are you experiencing it? Moira ha...

JAMES IBBITSON OF VISUAL PUNCH ASKS...

Have you thought to yourself I need to do more video on LinkedIn, but then realised you don't know where to start? James has published a short guide on LinkedIn that will hopefully put you on the right track to creating videos that provides value to your network. LinkedIn is where we connect with like-minded people, decision-makers and businesses and is a place where we can benefit each other’s professional content.  With 610 million professionals LinkedIn is hard to ignore and If yo...

NEW PHIL BENTON PRINTS

Phil Benton is now selling a range of A4 quoted prints on his website and reports that they are selling fast.  To order your prints, please click here....

CAFÉ NEENA'S COVID-19 STORY

It was lovely to welcome Joanne Malki of Cafe Neena's in Chester-le-Street at our recent Zoom meeting.  As a business operating in the hospitality sector, we asked Joanne to share her current experiences with us. "Our Covid 19 experience has had it's highs and lows the same as most other businesses.  Trading had already started slowing down throughout march, but serving takeaways only was very poor.  Although we still had lots of stock, we had to make the hardest decision ever.&nb...

BUSINESS FLEXIBILITY AT TAYLOREDFIT PHYSIO

Hello my lovelies! Here is a little offering from me. Tayloredfit Physio, owned by myself, Vicky Smith and my husband Mark, is a physio, health and wellness centre, based in Langley Park on the outskirts of Durham. It has grown over the past 2 years and is a busy hub of 24 practitioners providing physio, pilates, massage, aerial yoga and a huge range of treatments and services.  Or should I say was. Like many businesses, our physical doors have been closed since the 23rd March due to c...

SIGN UP FOR THE CDC BUSINESS BOOK CLUB

Joe Murray tells us that CDC Enterprise Agency have launched a Virtual Business Book Club! The Business Book Club is a FREE to join group for business owners and aspiring business owners to enhance their learning and personal development.  Each month they will choose a book to study and members will commit to reading and reflecting on the book. Our first meeting will be held on Wednesday, 17th June at 1 p.m. and their book for June is Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by G...

FROM SIT-MATS TO SCRUBS RUTH IS STAYING SEW POSITIVE IN TIMES OF CRISIS

With business severely affected by the lockdown and like so many others businesses Jacwicks Designs has had to pivot and change.  Ruth has looked for ways to help out in this crisis and keep the business moving forward. With the sit-mat side of the business quiet, she switched to producing scrubs and laundry bags for local care providers.  Ruth volunteered to be an area coordinator to the group, who have collectively provided approximately 10,000 items across the North East. As shops o...

A NEW RAIL LINK FOR CONSETT? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS

You may have read that Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has submitted a formal expression of interest to the Department for Transport to request feasibility study for a potential new rail transport link between Consett and Newcastle.  The application was raised during a question at Prime Minister’s Questions, where he got the support of the Prime Minister for the application. We think that it could be very good for the local economy and will benefit businesses, residents and visi...

CORONA BEER

Will the coronavirus lockdown strengthen the family bond?  Or not? To record what it’s like to be in the lockdown home with young children, Noriko is documenting her everyday family life with cartoons....

WHAT DOES YOUR FUTURE BUSINESS LOOK LIKE?

What does your future business look like? Book a 1-1 confidential Zoom meeting with us and let's get planning!We're here to help you to "get your head around" where your business is going.  Simply drop us a line at connect@dobusinessnetwork.com to book your meeting with us on Zoom and we will take you through some future business planning and help to create an action plan for your business.  It's completely confidential.  And if you need extra support with a specific iss...

JUST AN HOUR AT A TIME . . .

Pacing ourselves has become something we've all become increasingly adept at recently.  The small step approach to life many people are adopting can be applied to time too . . .You can read more in the latest blog from Jane Anderson here....

TAKE A SOLO GUIDED BIRD WALK WITH THE LAND OF OAK & IRON

Sunday 26th April 2020 was to be the second of this year’s guided bird walks from the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill.  The walk was organised with local ornithologist Michael Turner, who has led several popular guided bird walks for Land of Oak & Iron over the past couple of years.The planned walk was cancelled due to the Coronavirus situation and the need to practice social distancing.  However, living locally to the Heritage Centre, Michael decided to go ahead ...

TIME TO SAVE MONEY ON ESSENTIAL BUSINESS UTILITIES

We are still operational at Great Annual Savings and have helped a lot of businesses look at their underlying Gas, Electricity and Water business costs which is vital for their profit and cash flow in this difficult time.  We can help all size businesses no matter how small or large via a quick assessment from myself.  All that is needed is a copy of a current bill, I will give DBN members free advice and a no obligation quote for their next contract.  Simply email me at Chri...