A small business in Hertfordshire has gotten behind Reserves Day in a big way this year, to show their support to Defence under their Armed Forces Covenant pledge.
Reserves Day 2019 is about understanding and appreciating the Reservists’ role in the UK’s Defence capability. Thirty-two thousand reservists are balancing their day jobs and family life with a military career to be ready to serve should their country need them. The Ministry of Defence’s Reserves Day campaign encourages businesses to highlight the benefits of Reserve service to their workforce and Focus7 International have done that in a way that fits with their business activity.
Focus7 International Ltd is a public relations and communications agency that specialises in brand-led business growth.
Leona Barr-Jones, their Chief Operating Officer, has led the design of a campaign to promote Armed Forces Week to businesses in East Anglia. All employers on the East Anglia RFCA Employer Engagement team‘s distribution list received an email designed by the Focus7 team about Armed Forces Week with a link to a bespoke microsite.
The microsite, designed by the Focus 7 team to support Armed Forces Week and Reserves Day, includes key timings, links to the Armed Forces Day site, the Armed Forces Covenant site, the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme page, the Defence Discount Service site and the Career Transition Partnership.
Leona said: “We wanted to make it as easy as possible for businesses across East Anglia to take part in Armed Forces Week. The campaign puts all the information and resources at their fingertips.”
She added: “Our board of directors is comprised of an Army veteran and Cadet Force volunteer, the son of a RAF pilot, and the daughter of a Navy sailor and a military spouse. So we are huge supporters of the Armed Forces community and it’s really important to us and all our team at Focus7 to show our support during Armed Forces Week.”
The team are also engaging with businesses on social media and at business networking events to raise awareness of the opportunities that come with supporting Defence people.
And the Focus 7 team didn’t stop there in creating a truly joined-up campaign. They also designed a series of posters: for employers, for reservists and for cadet volunteers. The posters are designed to encourage each of these groups to take part in the campaign. Employers can put the poster up in their offices (main image), for example.
Focus 7 made their Armed Forces Covenant pledge in 2016 and were awarded a Silver Employer Recognition Scheme award by the Ministry of Defence in the same year for their support to Defence people.
All around the country, business of all sizes and industry are taking part in Armed Forces Week, in a personal and engaging way that fits with what they’re able to offer. Anyone wishing to take part in Reserves Day 2019 should visit the Focus7 microsite and can contact the dedicated team at East Anglia RFCA on 01245 244 817 or email ea-empsp@rfca.mod.uk.
