Over 60’s success!

You are never too old to achieve and become an inspiration to others. It is widely publicised that we are all living longer and with advances in medicine allowing us to live more healthily, 60 is fast becoming the new 30. It is estimated that by 2050 there will be 395 million over 80’s worldwide.  Older people are no longer content to sit in a rocking chair and knit. Retirement can be a time for new beginnings and a new lease of life. We can take inspiration from following people all achieved success after the age of 60:

Gladys Burrill, from Hawaii became the oldest woman complete a marathon, age 92. She completed her first marathon age 86. Fauja Singh ran his first marathon age 89 and completed the Toronto Waterfront marathon age 100.

Frank McCourt became a bestselling author age 66 with Angela’s Ashes. Bertha Wood had her first book, Fresh Air and Fun, published on her 100^th birthday. She began writing it age 90. Peter Roget invented the Thesaurus age 73. He suffered from OCD and making lists calmed him.

Colonel Hartland Sanders established the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant chain age 65. On her 72^nd birthday Poppy Bridger bought the company she used to work for and went back to work to grow the company, Anahiem test labs. Bill Foster founded Accessibility Services age 71 to support older people to stay in their own homes and remain independent.

Artists Mary Delany invented paper collage at age 72, Grandma Moses became famous in her 70’s and sculptor Louise Bourgoise received mainstream recognition after the age of 60.

Over 60s are fast becoming the mainstay of the volunteering work force, supporting and inspiring others with their knowledge, skills, wisdom and sense of fun. If you, or anyone you know has a lot left to give and would like to make a difference, contact us at info@opsw.co.uk We would love to hear your views.

Working for an agency

Recruitment agencies act as an intermediary between an employer looking to fill a vacancy and someone seeking work. Having this middle man may seem like a disadvantage but can actually be a great way to return to employment or find your ideal job.

The role of the agency itself is to find suitable candidates for vacancies and there is often a lot of pressure to do so. When seeking an agency; find out if they offer relevant roles as some will specialise in specific industries that may not be relevant to you. It’s good to physically take in your CV and discuss the kind of role you are seeking so you become more memorable, just remember that this will be their first impression of you so be friendly and presentable.

Agencies often work closely with employers and can give you hints or tips on what to expect if you are offered an interview. If you are successful, you will be paid by the agency but managed by the employer, with the right to use any onsite facilities such as canteens or nurseries. If you are in the same role for 12 weeks, then you are entitled to the same pay and benefits as any permanent members of the company doing the same job.

Several of the positions offered by agencies are temporary but can still be used to your advantage as you can prove yourself to the employer and may even be offered a direct position. A temporary role can be taken whilst you look for permanent work or used as valuable experience.

Although you are entitled to paid holiday hours you cannot claim maternity leave whilst working for an agency, you also cannot claim redundancy or file for unfair dismissal so just bear these factors in mind before contacting.

However, overall a recruitment agency can be a great way to find a suitable vacancy. So search your local area and send your CV today!

 

Focus Groups for your Business Idea

What are focus groups?

A Focus Group is a market research tool which involves a group of people, usually between 6 and 12, who have been selected to participate in a pre-planned group discussion, and/or Q&A session, to gauge opinion on a product or service. Using a focus group to research your products or service before you start your business, can help you to identify ways to sell or advertise to your target group. It’s also a valuable tool when introducing a new product or service, or to find out how your product or service is being perceived.

 
What are the benefits of organising a Focus Group?

Focus groups can help you to gather a broader range of information than surveys because they allow people to voice their opinions in their own words and add meaning to their answers. They can also generate ideas for improving or adapting your product/service which you may not have considered.

How do I set up a focus group?

1. Decide on what type of people you want in your group: age, income, gender, employment?

2. Advertise your focus group in a way that’s going to attract the people you want. You could use Facebook, for example, go to community centres or mother and child groups, have a stall in a market and invite people who come to look at your product, put up a poster or invite people you know personally.

3. Arrange a venue for your focus group. It should be somewhere easily accessible, private and quiet enough to talk.

4. Ensure the meeting space is well prepared beforehand i.e. layout, equipment, parking spaces etc.

5. Prepare an introduction which explains the purpose of thee focus group and how it will work

What questions do I ask the group?

Work out what information you need. Create a set of questions which will give you this information. Ensure that these are easy to understand and will give you the answers you need. Get someone who does not know what you are doing to look at your introduction and questions to see if you get the right sort of answers.
For example:

•  Would you use this product?
• Would you buy this product for yourself?
• Would you buy this product as a gift?
• How much would you pay for this product?
• Would you pay x amount for this product?
• How would you improve this product?
• What is your opinion on the packaging of this product?
• Does the packaging make you want to buy the product?
• What do you think of the colours used in the packaging?
• Where would you go to buy this product?
• Do you have any other ideas about this product?

Online Focus Groups

Running an online focus group eliminates the need for travel, refreshments, and finding a venue. Other advantages could include people feeling more able to speak out as they are anonymous to the rest of the group and can sit in the comfort of their own home.

Disadvantages include not being able to see the body language of the participants, which provides another method of seeing how a product is received.

TIPS

• Don’t make it last too long – participants could lose focus or get bored

• If possible, arrange refreshments

• Don’t make the group too big – you don’t want anyone to feel left out, or unable to voice their opinions

Ye Ol’ Team Buildin’ Treasure Hunt

Arrrrrghhh shiver me timbers, Ye ol’ Opportunity Plus crew ‘ave embarked on a treasure hunt with the land lubbers of Taunton Job Centre.

T’ Crew

We didn’t know the vast land O’Taunton well and a game plan was a must. We placed our captain at the head of t’ ship to steer us to the finish line. We were presented with a scroll containin’ many many clues to be solved and we had to work together with no fighting and mutinies to find the treasure.

As a team we battled the challenges, solved anagrams and historical questions t’ find t’ locations we needed t’ photograph. Ye pictures were not enough and had t’ contain a member o’ t’ crew for proof.

At half time we were given another great mystery set of cryptic clues such as *Lord Lambourne’s Norwegian Blue* which lead us to Apple and Parrot.   We did not sup any ale on this day, as we had to be in full form and we were racing against t’ time. We collected as many nuggets of treasure we could before sailing home and presenting our efforts t’ ye quiz master.

Arggghlas we did not prosper as lead hunters but we were proud of our efforts. The day has us communicating, prioritising clues, organising, squash buckling and most importantly laughing. A fantastic was to bring an office together as a strong team.  And we did not come last aha.

National Carers Week

A huge 3 out of 5 of us are expected to become carers at some point in our lives. Caring for someone, whether its part time or round the clock can have a huge impact on your lifestyle.

The 6^th June – 12^th June is National Carers Week, aimed to help the 6.5 million unpaid carers across the UK with support, advice and recognition!  As a carer it can be hard to maintain personal relationships, health and work.

We will be at Newton Abbot Racecourse on Wednesday 8^th June offering guidance to carers who are looking to get back into employment and providing alternative ideas such as self-employment.

Self-employment can enable you to work flexible hours that suit your caring commitments, whether it’s ironing, dog-walking or a hidden talent you can look to sell your skill and become the owner of your own business.

Opportunity Plus offer a range of free business start-up guidance, so if you are unable to make it on the day then please get in touch on 0800 043 2440 or info@opsw.co.uk to see how we can help.

For more information on National Carers Week or to see how you can help, please visit: http://www.carersweek.org/