Date: Friday 13 March 2020
We would like to reassure our members that we are working closely with the Department for Enterprise and Treasury in terms of offering support and guidance to the business community.
Any questions or requests can be directed to rebecca.george@iomchamber.org.im or jessica.kitchin@iomchamber.org.im
Latest Chamber Updates
20/03/20
- Support measures for businesses - please see below a press release from Government reassuring business that packages will be announced on Monday at 1pm. We have spoken to the Minister for Enterprise directly and been assured that everything is being considered, nothing is off the table and they recognise they need to flexible and they will be working through the weekend to get these packages together
- Our Business Support Service is now up and running. Thank you to all of our wonderful members that have volunteered their precious time to assist others in this time of need. If you would like to assist in any way please get in touch
- Banking support - We have gathered some key information from the banks in terms of the support they are offering (see attached)
- We will be releasing an ‘Urgent Feedback Form’ to our members very shortly which we urge you all to complete so that we can gain as much intelligence and feedback as possible that can be fed into Government
- Interim employment options - we have been working with the Job Centre to set up the best mechanism for assisting employees who have been either temporarily or permanently let go. Employers who are seeking temporary staff during this time can upload an ‘advert’ to the Job Centre Facebook page - see our social post for more details
18/03/20 update on activity within Chamber today and key pieces of information to take away:
- A meeting with the Visitor Economy sector took place this morning with the Treasury Minister & Minister for Enterprise along with other DfE representatives. Representatives across all facets of the industry were given the opportunity to express their immediate and long term concerns and challenges.
- This afternoon Chamber Board and Sector Leads met with the same Government audience to offer the perspective from other sectors inc, Construction, Retail, Logistics, Digital & Finance. We have been assured that Government will take into consideration all of the views and challenges of all sectors when making decisions around ongoing financial support
- The latest briefing from IoM Government today recognised that £40m is not enough and will be looking at further measures to support the economy
- Another key message is that the Island is still very much open for business and locals are encouraged to continue to support their local restaurants/bars
The Retail sector have circulated a message to the Island’s residents to reassure their customers in relation to stock and supply chain (attached in case you missed it yesterday) - The Business Agency have released a survey to gather intelligence on current business activity: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7QW37JS . This survey only covers the Business agency sectors. Digital and Finance are being encouraged to feed their concerns direct: Digital contact-digital@gov.im Finance contact-finance@gov.im. Chamber will also be sending out a simple survey for members to complete which will cover all sectors.
- Don’t forget - dedicated contact within the Department for Enterprise has been set up via: email enterprisesupport@gov.im, call 01624 686455, or drop into Barclays Eagle Lab
- Please be assured we continue to work closely between the business community and Government and we are working on several initiatives to support businesses across all sectors
Business Continuity
Listed below are various services available locally in terms of business continuity
Video Conferencing Solutions, e-signature, cyber security, postal services, hardware and cloud-based services for remote working
- Typhoon House can provide suitable solutions for all video conferencing needs. Discounts offered for Chamber members - contact:debs@typhoonhouse.im
- Synapse - laptops and cloud services for remote working - contact: steven.ferrario@synapse360.com
- Netcetera - cloud-based services - contact: sales@netcetera.co.uk
- MBS - Video conferencing & e-signature solutions - contact: Chris.Corlett@mbs.im
- IT Works - enabling home working to existing customers either through laptops, docks etc or by providing hosted desktop or hosted email cloud services
- Computer Network Defence - CND are offering a free vulnerability scan of businesses external network boundaries to ensure there aren't any holes left behind after they have set up their remote access - contact: andy.cuff@cndltd.com
- Isle of Man Post Office – intercept, open and scan inbound post – contact sales@iompost.com / 698444.
- Mannvend - supply of small bottles of water, disposable cups for hot drinks and water to replace glasses and mugs while there is the risk of cross-contamination. Ample supply, Douglas deliveries daily : sales@mannvend.co.im
- E-Sign - If staff are required to work from home but need to still complete contracts, documents, forms etc, E-Sign can provide them we free access to e-signature services for 2 weeks, contact: luke@e-sign.co.uk
- Itex/RED5 Systems- enabling home working by providing hosted desktop or email solutions with free IT consultations during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak contact: cloud@itex.im or 670490
- Positive Solutions HR - offering a free HR helpline where small/medium sized businesses can phone for a ½ hour chat to discuss some of their concerns over staff absence, reduced business levels and potential closures- Contact nicola@positivesolutionshr.com
- MTG - Managed IT Solutions, IT Support, IT Security, Backup Solutions - Contact sales@mtg.im
- Evoke- support for local businesses and individuals who are financially affected by the current disruption and who are anticipating or experiencing cash flow problems as a direct result of these unprecedented times. Contact : zoe@evoke.im
- ELS - Video conferencing services: contact info@elsiom.com
Office Space
For businesses that are considering split working to manage contamination risk, short term option if your premises is being deep cleaned or a longer-term contingency site there are various options available inc:
- Eagle Lab - contact: Natalie.Wilson-Spratt@barclays.com
- PlanB.im - contact: sales@netcetera.co.uk
- Engine House - contact: office@eng.im
- The Hubb - contact: reception@hubb.im
- Manninvest - contact: richard@manninvest.com
Useful guidance and advice
Below you will find links from Chamber members offering guidance and advice:
PwC are hosting a webinar on Thursday (19 March) - COVID-19: impacts and update
Register to watch the PwC live webcast taking place on 19 March 2020 at 1pm. Hear the latest update on COVID-19, the impacts on organisations and how they have responded to the outbreak. We will be joined by experts to discuss the key issues we are all working through and the longer-term impacts of COVID-19 on business continuity. Register here: http://bit.ly/3cVfpw4
Coronavirus - Consideration for employers - Smart HR
What steps should employers be taking - Cains
Making the difficult decisions as an Isle of Man Employer - Dot Performance
Combating COVID-19 with resilience - Deloitte
Working through COVID-19- TISE
Be Proactive, Be Prepared, Act Local, Think Global- Dr. Marlon Cruz, MC Consulting Services
KPMG are holding weekly webinars now which offer free advice and insight, tailored to the IOM market.
Redeployment
Chamber is now working alongside both industry and Government in terms of preparing and making contingency for job loses that might occur due to the unprecedented uncertainty surrounding the current Covid 19 Pandemic. Collectively we are now looking at a central platform to collate current interim redeployment options available, this is currently a work in progress and further updates will given in due course . We currently know of the following redeployment option:-
Isle of Man Post Office are currently looking for additional casual staff. In this unprecedented time they would like to reach out to any local businesses who are seeing a downturn in income and are looking to redeploy staff on a temporary basis that may be suitable/willing to come and work with the post office in the short term until their employment is available again? The Post Office have some basic/relatively unskilled work available which will free up their experienced drivers to do the deliveries.
Please get in touch with Helen Bedford – helen.bedford@iompost.com Tel: 698506 or Mob: 481248
IOM Coronavirus Community Support Website
A website has been set up to work alongside the ‘IOM Coronavirus Community Support’ Facebook page.
This site will aim to offer details on how local businesses can help those in isolation - looking after mental health, food delivery, magazine delivery, DIY deliveries (for those who want to decorate whilst in isolation etc).
This will give businesses who might suffer over the forthcoming months an opportunity to sell and serve the community etc.
Disclaimer: The material and information contained on this site is for information only. Any advice is to be treated as and is to be treated as guidance only. Any views expressed by our members are their own and are not the views of the IoM Chamber of Commerce