Repositioning Steers Prontaprint Southport in New Direction

PRONTAPRINT Southport will be rewarded with the company’s new £3million brand identity after being identified as one of the UK’s top performers.  The centre in Eldon Court, on the corner of Hoghton Street, was chosen to receive the new corporate identity, development training programme and enhanced business services on merit, following a stringent audit where it emerged as one of the leading Prontaprint centres in the UK in terms of its business standards and service delivery.

Over the past 18 months the centre has undergone a complete refurbishment programme as a result of its relocation from Eastbank Street to Hoghton Street with substantial investment made in leading edge technology, décor and staff training with the aim of developing a full service offering for businesses in the local area.  Prontaprint in Southport has been directed by father and daughter, Geoff Bailey and Julia Gaudie since being founded 18 years ago, while sister Claire directs the nearby Chorley centre.

A new powerful positioning statement:- “trusted to deliver, every time.” has been introduced to reflect the ‘can do’ culture of the business, alongside the strong use of illustration and a warm aubergine corporate colour to reinforce the human face of the brand. Almost 2 years of market and brand research, as well as £3million has been invested in the new-look brand and business repositioning.  At the same time, the centre has simplified its enhanced business services into 5 core areas – design, print, display, direct mail and finish, to give local businesses a better understanding of how Prontaprint can help with all their business design and print needs.  The developments have been designed to differentiate Prontaprint in the marketplace and re-inforce its position at the forefront of the on-demand business print market in the area, by communicating its offering more effectively with an enhanced business image.

Julia Gaudie, Southport Centre Director, comments:- “The introduction of our new brand identity is not just about smartening up our look and facia, but evolving our brand positioning to ensure we continue to meet the needs and exceed expectations of local businesses both now and in the future.  Having served the local community for 18 years, we have the skills and knowledge to provide our customers with an efficient, reliable service and solutions across the on-demand business print market, with a flair for creative design. Implementing the new brand positioning can only be a positive move for the centre and our clients.”

WORK WISE UK WELCOMES BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FINDINGS

RESEARCH shows that businesses are enjoying better productivity and employee relations from using new smarter working practices. 

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, commented on the findings of the British Chamber of Commerce:- “The report shows the Work Wise UK campaign is having an effect. The vast majority of businesses are now reaping the benefits of adopting smarter working practices, with many seeing significant improvements in productivity and employee relations.  Smarter working will continue to become prevalent in the workplace, reducing the huge waste in terms of time and resources, helping business make a meaningful and achievable contribution to the environment, and reducing the impacts upon stress levels and the health of employees.”

Work Wise UK is a nationwide not-for-profit initiative to promote ‘smarter working’ practices such as compressed hours, 9 day fortnights, flexible, remote and mobile working, and working from home. It is supported by a number of leading organisations including the CBI, TUC, British Chambers of Commerce, BT and Transport for London. The key objective is to increase significantly those work smarter by 2011.

Further information about Work Wise UK can be found on the website (www.workwiseuk.org).

IS THERE A FRAUDSTER UNDER YOUR ROOF?

THE latest figures from CIFAS, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service, show that identity fraud is up 12% in quarter one of 2007, compared to the same period in 2006. But leading online credit information provider, Equifax, is most concerned about the reported rise in current address fraud, which suggests fraudsters are becoming less scrupulous by targeting those close to them.  Equifax’s own surveys have identified that a significant number of frauds are committed by someone the victim knows. The company is therefore urging consumers to be cautious with their personal information.

“The Quarter 1 2007 CIFAS figures show that fraud should continue to be a matter of major concern for consumers.  However, it seems that the public continue to underestimate the value of their information and the steps needed to protect it. And it’s wrong to assume that fraudsters are complete strangers as the new figures strongly suggest they could be much closer to home.”  explains Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director of Equifax.

Fraudsters are turning from previous address fraud (stealing personal information when someone moves home) in favour of current address fraud. Current address frauds now represent 60% of all address frauds, compared with just 44% a year ago. This is a type of ID fraud where the victim lives at the “current address” given on the fraudulent application. The fraudster often lives in the same property as the victim, possibly sharing a communal mail box.  The Equifax ID Fraud survey conducted in September 2006 also highlighted that the risk of ID fraud can be very close to home. Of the respondents who had been a victim of ID fraud, 11% said they knew the fraudster, and of these 19% said it was a relative and 14% a neighbour.

“These figures demonstrate that consumers need to take responsibility for their personal information. If you share a communal entrance, consider installing individual mail boxes, or if you live in shared accommodation keep passports, driving licences and other documents under lock and key. We advise consumers to obtain a copy of their credit report regularly and check statements and bills for any unusual activity. Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to trick individuals out of their information and it’s up to consumers to make sure it’s as difficult for them as possible.”

Top Tips to Prevent ID Fraud:-

· Check your credit report frequently – the most effective way of identifying fraudsters using your ID. Go to www.equifax.co.uk.

· Shred vital personal information on statements, bills and direct mail.

· When you move home have mail redirected to your new address.

· Do not write down PINs or keep them near your cards.

· Make sure your PINs and passwords are all different and don’t use obvious things like your birthday or phone number.

· If you have a communal entrance take steps to ensure mail is not left where neighbours have access to it.

· If you live in shared accommodation keep personal documents under lock and key.

· Always check bank statements and credit card statements against receipts. If you find any unfamiliar transactions contact your bank or credit card company immediately.

· If you think you have been a victim of Identity Theft you should consider subscribing to the CIFAS Protective Registration service. A notice will be placed on your credit file indicating that documents have been stolen and that you may therefore be at risk of identity fraud. To register telephone 0870 010 2091.