MAY, 2010

TOTAL NEWS

As our name suggests, the Total Coverage design agency can help you with so much more than providing great design. So read on to discover how, with our help, you can have a fully accessible website, an energy efficient company and an easy time when preparing your next annual report.

TOTAL COVERAGE WEBSITE FULLY ACCESSIBLE

We’ve done ours

As we explained in our last newsletter, the regulations described in the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 (DDA) are still filtering through to the relatively new medium of the internet. The direction of travel is clear, though, and eventually everyone with a website will have to ensure that it offers full accessibility to disabled users. In fact, the date by which government and local government websites needed to demonstrate compliance has already passed.

Total Coverage has the technology and technical expertise needed to make the necessary changes to increase the accessibility of an existing website, or to create a new accessible website from scratch. To prove it, we’ve re-engineered our own website for accessibility while updating the design to improve the navigation experience for all users. 

As you will see from the homepage, the new look and feel is significantly different. Bolts of blue provide a striking graphic element throughout, while a contact button and ‘quick contact’ option are available on every page, so it’s easier for users to get in touch.  Each page features a different corporate pledge, highlighting our commitment to the principle of sustainability and documenting our practical achievements. A new client testimonials section has been included – so we can share feedback from past clients with future ones – and the portfolio section has been redesigned to provide a quicker snapshot of our latest work.

The accessibility functions are clearly visible on each page without distracting from the content. Users can now click and change the colour contrasts (to improve the accessibility for those with learning difficulties or dyslexia), increase the font size, or select a text-only version of the page to use with read-aloud technology.

Let us do yours

If you would like to talk to someone about website accessibility please contact Kingsley Brown on 023 8067 8330 or email kingsley@totalcoverage.coop

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WE’RE PROUD TO BE INVESTORS IN PEOPLE

As reported in our last newsletter, we were formally assessed for the Investor in People mark in February 2010. While we were confident that our systems would hold up well to independent scrutiny, the assessment is necessarily rigorous – and success is never a foregone conclusion.

We were therefore delighted when, on Monday 26 April 2010, we received the eagerly awaited phone call confirming that we had made the grade.

We would like to thank Margaret Faulkner from business management company Qudos for the invaluable advice, guidance and support she has provided in helping us realise this ambition.

Rayna Baker, Investors in People Assessor, said, “Congratulations to Total Coverage for achieving Investors in People. The organisation demonstrates a clear commitment to the development and retention of their people and value the diversity of the individuals and the organisations that make use of its services. This makes Total Coverage a place that its people are proud to work in. I hope that they continue to go from strength to strength as a business and as an Investors in People."   

Rayna Baker
IiP Specialist, TRAYNA UK  
www.traynauk.com

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TEN TOP TIPS FOR ANNUAL REPORTS

As with any aspect of business, fortune favours the prepared. So whether you are an ‘old hand’ or putting together your very first annual report, here are our ten top tips for success:

1. Think first
Review last year’s publication. What was good/bad? What could you improve on this time? The time you invest in up-front reflection will pay dividends later on.

2. Decide who you are talking to.
Write down who you are trying to reach, and why. Then write down any strategic goals that your organisation is trying to meet with this report. Using this information, identify the messages you need to convey, and any response you need to elicit.

3. Develop a theme
This will give a structure to the report and make it a more interesting read. So think about what your organisation stands for, and what you have achieved over the year, then decide on a theme that is consistent with your organisation’s goals.

4. Tell engaging stories
Using interesting and informative stories, and presenting them in an engaging way, is a great way to maximise reader involvement.

5. Involve key people
Get key people involved with your vision for the report from the start to ensure a smooth ride from concept to delivery. Consider the wider partnership of people you will need to make the report a reality, too. For example, you’ll probably need a project manager, a writer, a photographer, an editor, a designer, a printer and perhaps a mailing house.

6. Write a clear brief
This needs to explain exactly what you want to achieve, so you can use it to monitor progress and check that the creative work stays on course. Remember to get the brief agreed in house before commissioning any creative work. 

7. Be realistic about time
Most annual reports take between 3 and 5 months to complete. So decide when you need to have the finished reports and work backwards from that date to see when you need to get started. If colleagues are supplying content, make sure they understand the importance of any deadlines.

8. Use strong images
Top quality photography can transform an annual report, while mediocre shots can draw attention away from your important messages. Use professional photography if you can, or stock photography as a cheaper solution. If you’re taking your own photos with a digital camera, check that the quality (resolution) is going to be good enough for publication. (And always get your subjects’ permission before using photos of people in your report).

9. Get the copy right
Writing and gathering content can be time-consuming work, so allow for this in the schedule. Alternatively, employ a copywriter to edit your source material or to write the report from scratch. To keep your costs down, make sure you’re completely happy with the copy before passing it on to the designers.

10. Maximise your investment
Don’t forget to plan the distribution of your report, so it reaches the right audience. Run-on prices are usually low, so think about ordering extra copies to spread your message further. Consider launching your report at an annual general meeting, to capitalise on any PR potential. And don’t forget to post a version of your report on your website!

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WE’RE GREENER TOGETHER THE CO-OPERATIVE WAY

The Greener Together - The Co-operative Way project is a new initiative that encourages co-operative businesses to engage with and support other organisations and business associates in reducing their carbon footprint and environmental impact, with particular focus on saving energy, reducing waste and cutting back on personal transport. The project is part of the wider, Defra-sponsored Greener Living Fund initiative.
Total Coverage is one of the many organisations taking an active role in the scheme, with account manager Linda Bratcher as our nominated ‘eco-operator’. As part of her new role, Linda will be contacting our clients, suppliers, business partners and other organisations and offering guidance and support with making small lifestyle and/or operational changes that will lead to greener behaviour. Everyone involved must pledge to reduce their CO2 by up to 20% in two out of three key areas in the six month period covered by the scheme.
Just as small strokes fell great oaks, the Greener Together scheme focuses on the small actions we can each take in our daily lives that will lead to bigger changes in the wider world.
We are very excited to be part of this inspirational initiative, and we hope as many of our contacts as possible will want to join in. Together, we can really make a difference.

If you would like more information about Greener Together – The Co-operative Way, or you are interested in ‘taking the pledge’, please call our eco-operator Linda Bratcher on 023 8067 8330 for more information. Alternatively, email her at linda@totalcoverage.coop.

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DOWN TO THE LAST FOUR IN THE LEADERSHIP CATEGORY

The Sustainable Business Awards 2010 competition is organised by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Partnership to recognise and honour organisations that consider the social, environmental and economic impact of their business operations. 

At the last awards we were proud to win both the Micro Business and Sustainable Business of the Year Award.  This year, we are delighted to be one of just four finalists competing for the Leadership Award, which is presented to a past winner demonstrating ‘exceptional continued improvement’.

Our fellow finalists are Paris Smith LLP, Permanent Publications and The Sustainability Centre. The winner will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony to be held at the DeVere Grand Harbour Hotel on 20 May 2010. We are looking forward to another great evening out in superb company, and wish everyone involved the best of luck.

For more information please visit: www.the-sbp.co.uk

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