Member Article

Small businesses learn how to benefit from music

Small business owners from around the UK were given a guide into how music could benefit their businesses at a round table event hosted by PRS for Music and PPL as part of its support for Small Business Saturday, which this year takes place on December 5th 2015.

The event, which was part of the campaign’s ‘Inspire Series’ of workshops, was watched live by nearly 200 viewers online through Periscope and other streaming links, and was chaired by Jonathan Morrish from PRS for Music and PPL.

Workshop participants included Rob Wood from music consultancy Music Concierge, Ken Wright from the Phoenix Artists Club, Sasha Bennett from First Steps Trust charity, Sam Quilliam from the Quilliam Brothers’ Teahouse and Sophie Uddin from restaurant chain Granger & Co. They each spoke about the value and benefits of music in their businesses for both customers and staff as well as how vital music is to any brand mix.

Following the event, attendees were invited to the launch night of ‘PRS for Music Presents’ live music showcases which featured PRS for Music member performances from Peace and Boxed in!

Small Business Saturday is already the UK’s most successful small business campaign. Last year 16.5 million adults went out to support a small business on Small Business Saturday with 64 per cent of the UK aware of the campaign. The UK’s small businesses between them provide 60 per cent of private sector jobs and nearly 50 per cent of private sector turnover. The initiative exists as a nationwide promotional and marketing tool for small businesses, something for business owners to join up with and use for the benefit of their own small business.

“It has long been accepted that music influences the way people think and behave, “ explains Jonathan Morrish, “As part of our support for Small Business Saturday, we wanted to share our knowledge and intelligence with small business owners. Music is a powerful business tool and owners and proprietors should understand the importance of choosing the right music at the right time and how that best suits their business proposition. No one should underestimate the impact music can have on encouraging customers to stay, spend money and do business, as well, importantly, improve employees’ productivity and sense of wellbeing.”

Michelle Ovens, Campaign Director and Founder of Small Business Saturday, said:

“Although Small Business Saturday focuses on one day, our goal is to have a lasting impact on small businesses by changing mind-sets, so that people make it their mission to support small businesses all year round. Events like this add value to the involvement of small business owners with the campaign and, hopefully, help provide new ideas and inspiration that they can take back into their own businesses.”

Music Concierge’s Rob Wood said:

Businesses can utilise the power of music. It should be seen as an investment in the brand. It can be used to build strong emotional connections with your audience, create a more immersive experience, and even influence the behaviour of customers so it has a positive impact on their interaction with your brand and ultimately dwell time and repeat visits. The music content and how it is used needs to be managed carefully so that it has a beneficial impact. The music needs to be right for your brand and audience, right for the time of day, and regularly updated to keep impressing and engaging customers. If you are not using music in a controlled effective way, the upshot is your business is missing a trick.

Paul Sims, PRS for Music’s Head of Marketing said:

We are thrilled to be working with Small Business Saturday. In the UK, small businesses play a vital role in the economy - to be able to highlight the advantages music brings to businesses, and to be a part of the Small Business Saturday campaign trail in the lead up to big event in December is an absolute privilege.

It is totally free for small businesses to participate in Small Business Saturday and all and any small businesses can get involved, from one-man-bands, through to a high growth offices, and from tradesmen to social media gurus. In addition to the campaign itself, the team also delivers help and advice alongside opportunities to connect with other small businesses. In short, Small Business Saturday exists to support, inspire and promote small businesses.

Ends.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Howard Robinson .