Kernow Entertainments
Kernow Entertainments was founded in 1985 in Falmouth, from where it has been operating ever since and where the enterprise also runs a recording studio.
As the largest entertainments agency in Cornwall, Kernow Entertainments can arrange a dizzying range of acts and entertainment for clients including hotels, holiday parks, golf clubs, corporate events and weddings.
Owner Graham Bradshaw says ‘The business often has to provide a service at breakneck speed. For example, we invariably receive last-minute requests, such as requests on Friday for entertainment on Saturday. Under this kind of pressure, it is vital that the business is streamlined and works at maximum efficiency. There is no question that broadband has transformed the way we run the business. Nowadays, most of our enquiries come in via email and we can send back details, photos and so on almost instantly. Very soon, we will be able to send sample music files. Thanks to actnow, we have recently upgraded our website and now 50% of our new business comes through the website.’’
Kernow Entertainments are taking part in actnow flex – the pilot project that has helped fifty SMEs in the South West to introduce flexible working into their business.
Graham says ‘Flexible working has made a huge positive impact on our business, even in the few months since we adopted it. ‘We have three full time and two part time staff and now we have enabled most of our staff to work from home some of the time. We have installed a virtual private network, so they can work from home just as efficiently as if they were in the office.
‘From the employer’s perspective, there has to be an element of trust, but I have not found this to be a problem. The service the business provides is at least as good as it was, possibly better as it makes it easier for the staff to contact club managers and hotel managers in the evenings and at weekends. Because of the nature of their business, our clients do not work conventional 9-5 hours, so it makes sense for us to be flexible too.’
Graham continues: ‘Introducing flexible working is allowing us to retain good staff, who might otherwise have left.’
Kernow’s Entertainments Co-ordinator, Karen, says ‘I have young children so it has been a big advantage to me to be able to work from home. It means that I can work around their schedules and spend quality time with them during the day. Flexible working has enabled me to hold down a full time job in a way that suits me and my family. It is a far cry from the 9-5 routine.
‘Being at home, I very rarely get disturbed and my concentration is not broken by the constant interruptions you get in an office environment. I feel the customer gets better attention as you have more time to spend on them, which at the end of the day results in better sales and more profits.’
Karen continues ‘However, I do think that it is important to spend some time in the office during the working week. I am quite focused at home and happy to work on my own initiative, but I do still like to feel involved in the day to day running and to feel part of the team.’
Kernow’s accounts manager, Elaine, has a two year old child. Graham says ‘She has been delighted to be able to work from home two days a week. It has made it all the easier for her to juggle her various responsibilities.’
‘ I also find myself that it is great to be able to work just as efficiently using the remote server in the evening or at weekends, as it means I can take time off during the week to tie in with the needs of my family.’
Now that the staff are working from home at least half the time, it has opened up a new opportunity for Kernow Entertainments, that will have a dramatic impact on their bottom line.
Graham says ‘We are moving into smaller office premises at Truro Business Park. We no longer need all the space that we have here at Falmouth. The effect of the move, taking into account reductions for overheads such as rates and electricity, is that we expect to make savings of more than 50% on our overheads. This will clearly have a beneficial impact on our profitability.’
Graham continues ‘the move has also enabled us to look closely at our ISP charges and the telephone call package we are using and in doing so, we have decided to change suppliers for both, which we expect to save us at least £100 per month.’
‘In conclusion’ says Graham ‘Making smart use of technology to enable flexible working has improved the quality of the service we provide, improved staff retention and now we are set to improve our bottom line. We have been surprised at just how much positive impact flexible working has had and we certainly plan to build further on these exciting new foundations in future.’
