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Job Title: Business Development Executive How long have you worked for Let’s Connect?As it happens I have just celebrated my 10 year work anniversary For those not familiar with the company, can you describe what it is that you do:I have the pleasure of meeting and chatting to HR and Reward professionals, who are looking to offer their workforce something special – and luckily for me our Technology Benefit is just that! What’s your favourite memory / moment at Let’s…

The employee benefits market has grown dramatically over the last couple of years, with organisations looking for new and improved ways to reward their employees, as well as engaging with the growing number of remote workers, but with so many options to choose from – gym memberships, dental plans, holiday purchase schemes – deciding on the right benefit can be a bit of a minefield. Whilst many of these benefits are nice to have, they may fail to generate the…

With lockdown restrictions lifted, kids breaking up from school and the arrival of some warmer weather, it’s finally that time of year where many of us would usually head off abroad for some much-needed rest and relaxation. This year however, it appears that staycations are the new vacations, with most Brits holidaying a bit closer to home. But before you rush off for a bit of peace and tranquillity, make sure you check out our list of essential tech that…

A new iPad Pro with supercharged M1 chip, a colourful new iMac design and the long-awaited Apple AirTags! With all the uproar earlier this week around a new European Super League, you can be forgiven if Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event may have slipped your mind. For those of you who didn’t manage to catch the full hour-long announcement hosted by Apple CEO Tim Cook, don’t panic, we’ve put together a quick 5-minute recap of everything you might have missed. iPad…

Over the last 12 months, company directors and HR professionals have been scrambling to create a new virtual workplace and are still dealing with the challenges caused by the loss of the traditional office environment. At the start of the pandemic, businesses flocked to Microsoft Teams and Zoom in a bid to help communication between teams of isolated individuals, however after endless virtual meetings and countless hours of videos calls, are employees starting to feel burnt out and disengaged? Almost…

5 great tips to help you work from home successfully 2021 wasn’t quite the fresh start to the year we were all hoping for, with the UK almost immediately being placed into another national lockdown. Over the last year, the pandemic has forced businesses to find new ways of operating, with lots of employees working from home in unfamiliar territories. At first it sounds like a great idea – not having to get up quite as early, no getting stuck…

It’s safe to say that coronavirus has drastically changed our work habits over the past 9 months. With the vast majority of workplaces closing nationwide in March, not only did our work routines change but so did our environments. With millions of us working from home, the kitchen table or the sofa became a less than ideal scenario to remain productive and comfortable. A designated “work environment” became a necessary addition to the home… cue the home office.  Whether you…

Help your staff stay out of unnecessary debt this Black Friday It’s almost that time of the year again – Black Friday. Over the recent years Black Friday has become an online phenomeum that many retailers eagerly await for to help drive an influx of revenue. In the COVID-19 shopping world, retailers will definitely be making a push to drive shoppers online and this is sometimes where they’re able to manipulate consumers psychologically into thinking they’re getting a much better…

5 great reasons to run a Technology Benefit for your organisation this Christmas! The COVID pandemic and the rapid move to remote working has presented businesses with numerous challenges – how to continue operating effectively with reduced staff levels, how to keep employees engaged and motivated and how to reward your employees’ hard work and dedication when finances are already stretched, to name but a few. However, crisis or not, the answer to several of these problems has remained the…

Apple Watch 6, the new iPad Air and iPad, Apple Fitness+, Apple One subscription service – but no mention of the new iPhone! The moment all Apple fans and tech enthusiasts have been waiting for – Apple’s much anticipated annual announcement event took place last night Tuesday 15th September, and although there wasn’t a single mention of the iPhone 12, the tech giant did unveil a host of new and exciting products, that look set to be at the top…

Covid-19 and lockdown have demonstrated how important technology is in times of change and uncertainty. As we become accustomed to a new normal, we’ve taken a look at some of the apps that we’ve relied on to stay positive, communicate with family and friends, stay productive and keep on top of our finances.

If you have a son or daughter heading back to school or university in September, it is important to ensure they are equipped with the right tech for the year ahead. Things have changed a lot since most of us were at school and these days almost everything is done using a computer, whether it’s researching, creating presentations, writing up coursework or just collaborating with fellow classmates on a group project. Laptops for kids, don’t necessarily mean cheap and basic….

Sony has finally given gamers a first look at the new design of it’s next generations console and we love it! After Microsoft announced earlier this year that they would be releasing a new version of the Xbox (Xbox Series X), we knew it was only a matter of time before Sony followed suit, however they have been keeping their cards pretty close to their chest. A few months ago, we were teased with a glimpse at the new PS5…

With the global spread of COVID-19 in early March 2020, employers across the world were forced to quickly close offices, pack up equipment and implement short term plans to keep their businesses operating as usual. For most office-based companies, this meant a change to working from home and communicating with colleagues via video calls, and while some organisations already operate a remote working policy, for many this has been an entirely new experience and has brought its share of challenges….

It is reported that 70 million work days are lost each year in the UK due to mental health, which costs business roughly £2.4 billion*. Fortunately, due to increased awareness campaigns and mental health initiatives, more and more businesses are focusing on the wellbeing of their employees. This week is National Mental Health Awareness Week and is aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues and get us all thinking about our health and wellbeing. It is well publicised that…

When the call was made for us to work from home, the belief was that this would last for a few weeks. We packed up the important equipment from our desks, our keyboards and mice in tow. It now seems that working from home will become the norm for what is likely to be a few more months. As we become a nation of people who work from home we have to make certain adjustments. One of the biggest challenges…

In light of current events more and more workplaces have required to switch to remote working. This nationwide change can be daunting for both the employer and employees. One of the biggest factors for successful remote working is staying connected to your employees and for your employees to be able to stay connected to their employer. Here at Let’s Connect, we’ve put together some of the key ways to stay connected to your workforce: 1. Less internal emails and more…

Tuesday 28th April 2020 is National Superhero Day and in these extremely difficult and uncertain times we want to celebrate the incredible work being done by our NHS staff and key workers. Let’s Connect are proud to be the Technology Benefit provider for many NHS organisations across the nation, which is why we want to reward our real life superheroes! To show our appreciation we are giving away an Apple Watch. To be in with a chance of winning, we’d…

With many of us currently isolating at home and being advised to stay indoors, you may have suddenly found yourself with a lot of spare time on your hands. And, for those of us who are still working, when you get home after a hard day you’ll probably want to relax and blow off some steam, which is why there’s never been a better time to immerse yourself in a good video game. Online gaming is a great way to…

With new working structures in place that mean your team is never in the same room, it can be difficult to create a happy and productive working environment. Here at Let’s Connect we help employers maximise their employee experience, even during these challenging times. We’ve put together some team activities that are easy to implement for remote working, that may help to bring your team closer together: Coffee and learn sessions These are a great way to be slightly less…

5 key tips to stay fit and healthy Whether you’re working from home or have a busy day in the office, we know it’s not always easy to find the time or the motivation to exercise, however it’s important to keep yourself fit and healthy. Not only can exercise help keep you in shape, but it can also make you more productive, relieve stress and help you feel happier. 1. Take probiotics or vitamins regularly Being confined to the same…

At Let’s Connect, we believe in delivering on our promises, and in these challenging times, we wanted to reassure you of our operational resilience by our having a robust business continuity plan in action – it’s important that our clients and their employees know that they can trust us to be here when they need us. We remain in operation as an online supplier and are committed to continue with the supply of technology and smartphone devices to all of…

Working from home may be a new experience for many workers, but it might also be a glimpse into the future with the ever-increasing push towards flexible working. It sounds like a great idea – not having to get up quite as early, avoiding the rush hour traffic, working from the comfort of your sofa, but there are also many potential distractions that can often hinder your concentration and productivity. Communicating with your colleagues suddenly becomes a challenge, the IT…

Galaxy Z Flip, Galaxy S20 Ultra and everything else announced! Last night saw Samsung host it’s much anticipated, annual ‘Unpacked’ event in San Francisco, where hundreds of industry experts, journalists and fans gathered, to get a first glimpse of Samsung’s latest flagship smartphones. Samsung gave us an early teaser about what to expect from this year’s event, by revealing their stunning new Galaxy Z Flip phone in a commercial during the Oscars on Sunday night, but fans will be just…

Your guide to the best health and fitness gadgets. If like most people, one of your New Year’s resolution is to eat healthier, exercise more and get fitter, then you could get the right tech for assistance, however choosing what works best for you can be a tough decision. Don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article we’ve picked out some of our favourite gadgets designed to help get you in the shape of your life and they’re all…

For those of you who love your tech, CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is undoubtedly the biggest event of the year, with the world’s leading brands gathering together to showcase a plethora of exciting new innovations and incredible breakthrough technologies. Hosted among the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, CES 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the event and so far it has failed to disappoint, with everything from household robots that can bring you a spare toilet roll when you’re…

In early 2015, Let’s Connect, together with parent company Personal Group began an exciting and inspiring partnership with the Memusi Foundation – an organisation who work directly with communities in Kenya and Tanzania to provide hope through education. The key appeal to supporting the Memusi Foundation is that our staff have the opportunity to travel to Kenya to actively work to change the lives of children by giving them an education that they may not have had the chance to…

Have you ever had that feeling of panic, when you’ve gone away for the weekend and suddenly can’t remember whether you switched off your curling tongs or turned down the heating. Well, those days are over! By converting your home into a Smart Home, you can sit back and relax, knowing that everything is under control. So, what is a Smart Home? These days almost everything in your home – from your kitchen appliances to the lights in your garden –…

Employee engagement has been the hot topic among HR professionals for the last 12 months and its importance should not be underestimated. But what exactly is employee engagement? Some people believe it to mean employees being happy at work, however there is far more to it than that. Many employees appear happy in their job role, showing up each day without fail and never making a fuss, but are they willing to go that extra mile for the company? A…

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Samsung’s Galaxy series of Smartphones and as the curtain falls and the dust settles on their much anticipated ‘Unpacked’ event in San Francisco, excitement is building for the imminent release of not one, but three brand new super phones. The Galaxy S10 is Samsung’s latest flagship Smartphone and we’re here to take a closer look at this new device and help you decide whether it’s worth an upgrade. The new Galaxy S10 is…

When:  Wednesday 27 February 2019 Where:  Park Plaza, Westminster – Stand C06   Employee Benefits Connect is a one day free to attend conference for senior reward, compensation, benefits and HR professionals to come together to discover the future of reward for 2019 and beyond. Join the UK’s top industry professionals for a combination of intimate round-table discussions and conference sessions to discover the solutions to some of the industry’s most pertinent issues to improve your organisation’s strategic thinking. Come…

With the recent HMRC changes in tax treatment and the subsequent Finance Bill, there are a number of myths floating around about the impact of salary sacrifice schemes, leaving many organisation confused over facts. The truth is salary sacrifice schemes such as Technology and Smartphone Benefits are as relevant as ever and remain a fantastic way to drive employee engagement and productivity. Here are some of the common misconceptions tackled head on… Myth 1.   Salary sacrifice is no longer…

So, you just got a Nintendo Switch… or maybe you’ve had one for a while, have played your fill of Mario Kart and are now wondering what’s next? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered, our resident Nintendo Switch enthusiast is here to give you some top tips on how to make the most of your new favourite console. Set up a Nintendo Switch Online account A Nintendo Switch Online account is essential to play almost all Switch games online (with…

Find the perfect fitness tracker and kick-start your healthy lifestyle. Christmas is over for another year and if you’re anything like us you’re probably sick of the sight of turkey sandwiches and mince pies and are already thinking about how to lose those Christmas calories. Whether you’re planning on doing a Parkrun, joining the gym or just exercising at home, there’s no better way to keep track of your workouts than with a brand new Fitbit. And to make sure…

Want to improve take-up rates for your employee benefits programme? Employee participation in your benefits and rewards programme is key for attracting, retaining and motivating the best people – it indicates that the benefits you are offering are valued by your people. Research also suggest that the more integrated employees are with their employers (i.e signing up to internal schemes), the less likely they are to leave you for another job. These tried and tested schemes are known to help...

Having trouble getting your pumpkin to look the way you want it? Follow our quick and easy step-by-step guide on how to carve the perfect pumpkin and you should have a Halloween masterpiece in no time! Step 1. Good carving starts with picking the right pumpkin. Choose one that’s fresh with a sturdy stem and a nice flat bottom, so that it won’t roll while carving your masterpiece. Step 2. For the next step try cutting from the bottom, instead…

Samsung’s eagerly awaited ‘Unpacked’ event takes place on Thursday 9th August at 11am in New York, or 4pm here in the UK, so let’s build up the excitement by taking a look at what we can expect to see. Galaxy Note 9 Samsung have continued the trend of previous years, with the Galaxy Note 9 expected to be announced tomorrow, following the launch of the popular Galaxy S9 earlier this year. Although the design is likely to be similar to…

Since its release in early 2017, the Nintendo Switch has been a huge success offering gamers the ability to switch seamlessly between handheld, tabletop and TV modes. This freedom of being able to play anywhere, anytime, coupled with some of today’s most popular games such as Mario Kart and Fortnite, has made the Switch a must-have console. However, the days of challenging your friends online for free look to be numbered as Nintendo prepare to launch their online subscription service….

It’s been a long time coming, but the Apple HomePod is almost here. If you’re wondering what all the fuss is about or you’re chomping at the bit to get your hands on one, here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s much-anticipated wireless smart speaker. HomePod is a powerful speaker that sounds amazing and adapts to wherever it’s playing. It brings together Siri and Apple Music to provide the ultimate audio experience, whilst at the same time, acting as…

  With Christmas barely behind us, what better way to kick off the new year than a look ahead at some of the exciting new tech arriving in 2018. Last year was a great year for technology. We discovered a new way to play thanks to the Nintendo Switch and the incredible Xbox One X. Apple unveiled its milestone smartphone, the iPhone X and Google impressed the world with its Pixel 2. Plus, the era of remote control drones finally…

As Apple launch, not one but three new iPhones all in one go, and a plethora of jargon-filled lengthy reviews flood the Internet, we thought we’d bring some simplicity to your life with a “plain English”, simply laid out features and benefits overview, to help you decide whether it’s the 8, 8 Plus or X (pronounced ‘ten’) that will best suit your needs. Let’s start by looking at shared features. All three new iPhones: Are water and dust resistant like the…

Attractive employee benefits will help your business to ATTRACT the best people The right employee benefits are a powerful influence in attracting and retaining the best people, and given that attracting and retaining good quality staff has such a significant impact on a business’s bottom line, it’s important to get it right. The concept of employee engagement has become increasingly mainstreamed into management thought over the last decade and is now widely believed to be the key to attracting and…

Self-Improvement just a Google search away!

Finding good kids apps and ensuring e-safety As a parent or grandparent you may have noticed that if you put a child in the same room as an iPad, an iPhone or similar device, they will instinctively reach for it. They will then proceed to amaze us by somehow knowing what to do with it! It’s amazing what they learn by simply watching us.  However, those of us responsible for young children are often wary about allowing our children to use tablets…

Misconception might be causing you to overlook the benefits Despite the best efforts of the marketing teams at Apple, Samsung and the many other manufacturers of smartwatches, there is still some scepticism surrounding their concept, with many people wondering why they would need one if they already have a smartphone. However, as with so many of the gadgets that we use in our everyday lives, once people have them, they wonder what on earth they ever did without them. Unfortunately…

There are a mere 1440 minutes in a day, we all have the same, and yet what is interesting is how differently we view that amount of time, and how productive we are within it.  There is a category of people for whom there are never enough hours in the day, they achieve a lot but are busy from the moment they wake up in the mornings until their head hits the pillow at night, at which point their minds…

Addressing Life Skills & Skill Shortages for the Digital World Computers are now part of our everyday life and in fact for most of us, both at home and at work, technology is essential to our lives.  The significance of this for our children is that they need to be taught the skill of ‘computational thinking’ in order to be able to participate effectively, not only in their educational settings and the workplace, but in all other activities touched by…

Why providing a 21st Century workplace could be easier than you think. Are we all still “going to work”? Born out of the Industrial age, the notion of “going to work” was about arriving at a specific place of work, at a specific time and working on a task with the same group of people.  Over time, as result of management theory, materials and technology, the workplace evolved to provide constantly improving working conditions, more efficient, less labour-intensive processes and…

Employee turnover has a significant impact on a business’s bottom line but attracting and retaining good staff isn’t easy. In fact most HR executives would state it to be their single biggest challenge. If you can attract and retain the right staff you will keep recruitment costs low and improve productivity which ultimately results in increased profit. But how do you that?Well, the concept of employee engagement has become increasingly mainstreamed into management thought over the last decade and is…

What is employee engagement and what is its purpose? Employee engagement is a concept that has become increasingly mainstreamed into management thought over the last decade.  The objective of this workplace approach is to ensure that employees feel committed to their organisation’s goals and values and motivated to contribute to organisational success, whilst at the same time enhancing their own sense of wellbeing.  An “engaged” employee is believed to experience a blend of earlier management concepts; job satisfaction, organisational commitment,...