Unique Client Solutions Disappointed at Back-to-Work Scheme Failures

Unique Client Solutions understands that the government's back-to-work scheme has failed to meet its main target.

A year ago Unique Client Solutions expressed their approval at a back-to-work scheme which would see companies and charities paid to help find jobs for the long-term unemployed. The Sheffield-based customer acquisitions company reported on the new scheme, which had an ambitious target of getting 5.5% of the people on the programme into jobs of six months or more.  It now seems that this target has been missed after only 3.53% of people were matched with long-term employment.

The figures were measured from June 2011 to July 2012  and showed that despite the popularity of the scheme, some 878,000 people signed up, only 31,000 had found a job for 6 months or more to date. The scheme has become a political battleground with employment minister Mark Hoban saying, “It’s still early days, but already thousands of lives are being transformed.” However shadow work and pensions secretary Liam Byrne has believes that the scheme has “comprehensively failed to get in place a back-to-work programme that actually works.”

Unique Client Solutions however were surprised to learn that as the scheme has missed its target, it means that as many unemployed people are finding long-term jobs as if the scheme had never been introduced in the first place.

Simon Tomlinson, managing director of Unique Client Solutions believes that more needs to be done to ensure the success of the scheme. “We’ve discussed a lot at Unique Client Solutions the problems faced by people trying to find employment. Consequently, we were initially encouraged by the direction of this scheme. I still believe that a scheme like this can work but there needs to be much stricter controls on the companies taking part, to ensure that they are doing their bit. Underperforming businesses must be removed from the scheme.”

Mr Tomlinson continued, “This scheme is working with some of the most difficult people to employ in the UK and it’s vital that they are offered support that helps them stay in their placements, not just to get them into jobs in the first place. We believe this is where the scheme is failing. It’s easy to get someone into a short-term job, it’s much harder to keep them there long-term.”

Unique Client Solutions is hopeful that this scheme will improve over the coming months. With the economy starting to move in the right direction the customer acquisitions company predicts that the job market will begin to move in the same direction. 

Unique Client Solutions Confident Growth 100 Will Make a Difference

Unique Client Solutions, a customer acquisitions company with offices in Nottingham, is confident that the city’s new Growth 100 plan will be a huge help to new businesses.

The managing director of Unique Client Solutions, Simon Tomlinson, knows only too well how difficult starting a new business can be. Therefore he was delighted when he learnt that Nottingham was leading the way in helping new business owners to develop their skills. The new scheme, called Growth 100, has been set up by the city council to allow experienced business leaders to give management coaching and share practical skills with newcomers.

The council is currently inviting businesses, both new and established, to sign up to the scheme and the programme is set to start in early 2013. Along with local business leaders, academic experts will also be on hand to give out advice.  What does Mr Tomlinson of Unique Client Solutions think of the scheme? “Quite frankly I’m very impressed. This is exactly the sort of thing that helps businesses to survive and grow in an uncertain economic climate. Within our own company we have a strong business development programme and we find that guidance from those with more experience gives newcomers much more confidence and the practical skills to succeed.”

Nick McDonald from Nottingham City Councils Jobs, Skills and Business office has big plans for the scheme. He said, “We believe our Growth Plan has the potential to completely restructure this city’s economy.” The plan for the scheme is to equip business owners and leaders with the skills to help create more jobs in the city and Mr Tomlinson agrees that this must be a priority.

“At Unique Client Solutions we’ve seen the difficulties that people face in finding a job, particularly young graduates or school leavers. New businesses are far more likely to have entry-level positions available so I think that this scheme will help this group particularly.”

Businesses who are interested in applying to the scheme should email businessgrowth@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, or visit www.mynottingham.gov.uk/growth100 the scheme is free and open to businesses of any size.

Unique Client Solutions and Mr Tomlinson in particular, will be following the scheme carefully, “We’re delighted to have such a forward-thinking scheme going on in our city, at Unique Client Solutions we’re confident it’s going to be a success.”

Unique Client Solutions’ Films for November

Customer acquisitions company Unique Client Solutions bring you the latest film news to keep you up-to-date with everything that’s happening on the big screen. Now we’ve got Skyfall out of our system we’re ready to look ahead to the other big films that are in the cinema this month. Unique Client Solutions has a run down of what’s on offer in November.

The World Premier of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2  was last night and Twihards around the UK will be flocking to see the film when it is released this weekend.

Synopsis:  The final instalment in The Twilight Saga, this film will see Bella (Kristen Stewart) successfully transformed into a vampire and creating a life with her incredible daughter Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy) and husband Edward (Robert Pattinson). Will this marital bliss continue? Not if the Volturi coven has anything to do with it. The Cullen family must call on all of their friends from far and wide to help protect them from the impending attack.

What the reviews have to say:

''A perfect and exciting close which will not leave fans disappointed in the slightest,'' - Hypable.

Rust and Bone is led by Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and Unique Client Solutions will be the first to warn you that this is pretty heavy stuff. That said the film is well worth a watch and is beautifully told and the cinematography is incredible.

Synopsis: Homeless Ali (Matthias Schoenaerts) arrives in northern France and finds work as a nightclub bouncer. There he meets Stephanie (Marion Cotillard) and after saving her from a brawl, slips her his telephone number. Stephanie works as trainer of killer whales at the local marine world and after a terrible accident she loses both of her legs. Ali pulls her out of the darkness she sinks into by treating her without any pity.

What the reviews have to say:

It’s an uplifting yet unsentimental story of two damaged people finding love in extraordinary circumstances. - Cineworld Magazine

Rust and Bone is an incredibly well crafted and intensely emotionally absorbing film worthy of serious attention. – Craig Skinner, Huffington Post

At Unique Client Solutions we’re not going for anything too light this month! The Master is another heavyweight with a cast to match. Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams all star in this unusual but gripping film. Is this based on Scientology leader L. Ron Hubbard? Let us know what you think after you’ve seen it.

Synopsis: The film centres around Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phonix) a navy veteran with a drink problem who stumbles onto a ship bound for New York. There he meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman) the charismatic leader of a religious cult called The Cause. Dodd provides Freddie with the guidance he is lacking and a powerful relationship develops. This is thrown into disarray when Dodd’s son tells Quell that his father is making up his teachings as he goes along.

What the reviews have to say:

With potent performers and poetic visuals, Anderson has made the boldest American picture of the year. Its strangeness can be hard to process, but this is a shattering study of the impossibility of recovering the past. - Emma Dibdin, Total Film

This is a film that aspires to brilliance and beauty from a most exceptionally talented director, a sometimes breathtaking work of true modern cinema that explores a very peculiar time and place with wit, humour and emotion. – Damon Wise, Empire

Unique Client Solutions on Giving your Campaign a Buzz on a Budget

Unique Client Solutions specialise in customer acquisitions for the entertainment industry and we pride ourselves on exceptional campaigns for our clients. But what if you're a small business trying to do it on a budget? Here are some tips on how to create a buzz around your campaign without spending too much money.

Find your target audience

If you’re looking to attract attention on a shoestring then you need to find your target audience, the most specific group of people who want your product, and tailor your campaign to them. Don’t waste time and money on the wider audience. The people who are going to love your product the most are going to be your best ambassadors.

When do customers use your product?

Recognising when your customers use your product is key to finding the time to target them. One of Unique Client Solutions' biggest clients is a home entertainment provider, so we target our campaigns around when their customers would be using home entertainment most. Have you ever noticed on TV that food companies put their adverts on just before lunch or dinner? They’ve got the idea, that’s when your most likely to be tempted to go out and buy their product or service. Make sure you’re reaching your customers at the right time.

Use social media

Social media has become a huge asset to marketing and direct sales companies. You can pop a little message, for free, in front of your target audience every single day. That said, make sure you don’t get caught up in the chaos. Your campaign should stand out from the crowd, and target the right audience at the right time, just as we’ve discussed above. Unique Client Solutions recommends that you think about which social network would be best for your audience, don’t bother putting it on every platform you have if you think that only Twitter will be effective.

Spread the word, in person

At Unique Client Solutions we specialise in face-to-face customer acquisitions campaigns. The reason for this is because we still think the human aspect pays off. Customers like to deal with a real person and be able to ask questions about the product or service they’re thinking of buying. If you’re there to answer them in real time, where they are, you’ve got the greatest chance of getting their custom. You’re greatest asset is yourself, if you’re excited about your product, service or campaign, that buzz is going to spread and you’ll be in business!