Digital SOS with Steven Bartlett and V-Hub
We teamed up with entrepreneur and Vodafone Business Ambassador, Steven Bartlett, to launch Digital SOS; a documentary film series giving small business owners big digital makeovers!
V-Hub supports small businesses in digital upskilling
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, with five and a half million SMEs operating in the UK. But running a small business can be tough, with reports showing that less than half of these businesses survive beyond four years.
V-Hub is a completely free resource service designed to help small business owners get the digital skills they need to thrive for the long term. With tools, training and insights, V-Hub can support your small business to transform and grow, all on The Nation’s Network*.
D.A.Y Boutique
Steven headed to Peckham in South London to answer the Digital SOS from sisters Disha, Apee and Yukti of D.A.Y Boutique. The sisters' have neglected their e-commerce store, to the detriment of online sales, so Steven helps them to make quick, valuable changes to their website and reach new online shoppers worldwide.
Here are Steven and V-Hub’s quick tips for improving your e-commerce:
Know your customers – Analytics tools will be a big help in getting closer to your customer and their needs
Run experiments – Test your product pages to see what you learn from trial and error
Social sales – Create a whole new channel for people to buy from
Friction-free experience – A smooth online customer journey is key to e-commerce success
Mejuicer
Steven went to Walton-on-Thames to answer Joe from Mejuicer’s Digital SOS. Joe’s fresh juice business is feeling the squeeze from cyber criminals, so Steven and V-Hub simplify cyber security and offer guidance on how to get him cyber-secure fast.
Here are Steven and V-Hub’s quick tips for improving your cyber security:
Avoid phishing scams – ‘The best and the first defence is you’; build an incident response plan and make video calls for verification
Use a VPN – This encrypts your traffic to any connected devices. VPN providers include Good Access, Perimeter81 and Nord Layer
Password management – Use a password manager which is an ‘encrypted vault’ that keeps all of your passwords and install multi-factor authentication
Apex Gym
Steven visited Bishops Stortford to answer Amelia from Apex Gym's Digital SOS. They discussed the issues facing the business, and Steven offered expert guidance on how small tweaks to Apex's marketing, social strategy and time management, using free V-Hub resources, could take Amelia's business to the next level.
Here are Steven and V-Hub’s quick tips for improving your marketing and organisational skills:
Marketing - Know your target customer, identify key words for SEO and update your website regularly
Social media– Make content for strangers, build a social plan and use a scheduling tool
Organisation – Store paperwork online, utilise industry specific software and create ‘to do’ lists in apps
About our businesses
Learn more about the businesses in our Digital SOS series
About Steven Bartlett
Entrepreneur, author, and youngest-ever Dragon on BBC’s Dragon’s Den; Steven is a Vodafone Business Ambassador who founded Social Chain, a social media marketing and ecommerce company.
About D.A.Y Boutique
D.A.Y is a small fashion boutique founded by sisters Disha, Apee and Yukti Bhutani-Jacquier in 2018 thanks to the siblings’ love for independent retail, community and under the radar brands.
About Mejuicer
Mejuicer makes fresh cold pressed juice ginger shots to give customers a boost of healthy nutrition and tasty satisfaction, all while committing to sustainability by being plastic free.
About Apex Gym
Founded in 2018, Apex Gym is all about inclusivity. Providing a safe space for everyone to train, regardless of ability or confidence levels, including those with special educational needs.
business.connected Lunch and Learns
Watch our 30 minute Lunch and Learn sessions with Apex Gym and Mejuicer. Amelia and Joe discuss their own business journeys, what they've learnt along the way, and the issues that are crucial to their own brands.
How to build an inclusive community and business with Apex Gym
In our business.connected Lunch and Learn, Amelia Lawes of Apex Gym dives into her experience of building an inclusive business model that resonates with her core values and drives growth. She explores the fundamentals of creating an inclusive mission by understanding your values and providing actionable strategies that align with your business practices.
How small businesses can drive positive change with Mejuicer
In our Lunch and Learn, Joe Roberts-Walker of Mejuicer delves into the transformative potential of businesses, both locally and globally. He shares how talking about sustainability in a positive way can get more people involved. You will discover the importance of transparent practices in building trust and fostering deeper engagement with stakeholders. Moreover, he explores the essential relationship between corporate and personal responsibility, highlighting how this synergy can drive meaningful change within our immediate surroundings and the broader environment.
Help and Support
From digital marketing strategies to staying safe online, and making the most of your ecommerce presence, discover articles on the topics discussed.
Helping local customers find your business online
Whether you’re a retailer or a restaurant, local customers are vital for business. Find out how to reach your local area online here.
The importance of VPN for your business
Discover why VPNs are essential for business cyber security. Learn about types, costs, and the value they bring in protecting your data online.
SEO content strategy for your business
Learn how to create an effective SEO content strategy that could help you to improve your brand's visibility and reach.
Benefits of password managers for your business
Discover why password managers are crucial for your business's cybersecurity. Simplify password management and enhance security with these tools.
Social content creation tools for business
Discover the best social content creation tools for your business. Create professional, on-brand social media content with ease. Find out more in Vodafone UK.
Get the most out of your customer reviews
Discover how customer reviews on platforms like Trustpilot can boost your business's visibility and credibility, helping you attract and retain
How to spot the signs of a phishing scam
Find out how to spot the signs of a phishing or smishing scam. Scammers are smart and these scams are ways to get their hands on personal information.
5 ways to increase traffic to your website
Boost your site traffic and grow your small business with these tried and tested methods for advertising online.
10 ways to strengthen your ecommerce strategy
Hear how to take advantage of the growing dgitisation in the UK through Vodafone's top 10 tactics and boost your online sales. Find out more now.