How is business continuing for the industry now working from home is the new normal? Source talks to Nick Richardson, founder and ceo, about how Kids Insights has adapted.
With the licensing industry now working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns, Source talks to key licensors, licensees and agents to find out how they are keeping business going.
Today: Nick Richardson, founder and ceo, Kids Insights.
How is the team’s day now structured, with everyone working from home?
It’s evolving! It is very much business as usual. Each department has a stand up meeting at 9am to plan the day, agree on priorities and that usually takes place using GoToMeeting. Slack has been particularly useful in sharing information and at the end of the day, each team member does an update – key wins, key losses and where they need help. Every week we also have our team meeting, which has become novelty themed – the first week was fancy dress, second-week people appeared with pans on their head!
Could you provide a rough timeline of your day?
My day typically starts at 7, depending on traffic! Spend the first few hours planning and working through business improvement projects. Then the day will typically start with either a department or one to one call. Responding to emails and client calls throughout the day, though ideally trying to leave the afternoon to focus on working through our reports which our product team has created, before reviewing individuals reports and helping move away blocks which need removing.
How is communication with licensees and retailers continuing? How important is it to continue keeping these lines of communication open during this time?
In many ways, our communication has increased with clients. And portal usage is at a record high. We have set up a daily alert that we provide clients which alerts to them key trends we are seeing. And we are, of course, keeping in contact with them to see if there are any areas we can support them with.
Which projects are you able to move forward on right now?
We are fortunate but our key business remains unaffected – it is still very much business as usual. We have had a lot of requests for our new services such as SnapSurvey for clients who want to get temperature checks relating to their business and products. We have had a few qualitative research projects put on hold, but apart from that, we can continue to deliver projects for clients.
What piece of advice would you give about how best to continue to feel like a team while WFH?
If you had a great team and felt like one before, you will continue to do so no matter what problems you encounter. Our team ethos is we win together, we lose together – so we are very fortunate that despite not being in the same office as each other, we continue to act and feel like a team.
How are you keeping up morale?
Celebrating success. Speaking to one another, weekly team meetings and the team have organised a bi-weekly games night – not sure what is installed on these weeks, but I have been told that my suggestion of hiding and seek was not deemed to be sensible.
The best thing about WFH?
Lunch with my wife and 14 month old daughter and a long walk every day. And an element of calmness.
What’s the one thing you’ve discovered about each team member since WFH that you didn’t know before?
The one universal thing is that they are all very much feel like family, and am genuinely excited about seeing them all back in the office and for a long overdue drink. The first day and night back as a team are going to get messy!
If you have children, how are you managing keeping them entertained/educated while you work?
Harriet is only 14 months so not as challenging as team members who have older kids. But lots of adventures, stories, and games, which tire her out quickly.
What advice would you give to people in the business who are worried about the future?
Firstly, we are all in this together. Secondly use the time wisely to re-think and re-plan, as this time can be used to make your business far stronger when you come out through innovation and improving strategies and, thirdly, to anyone we are not working with, reach out and let us show you what we do and the power of the data and insights.
If you or your team would like to take part in this feature, simply email Samantha Loveday on saml@max-publishing.co.uk.
