Author Archive for: Roger

“As Honest as the Day is Long”

We’re beyond thrilled to have received this recommendation. Thank you Tom!

As Head of IT for a national property group I am in a position to work with a number of IT and Photocopier companies, Active IT & Active Copier Systems are right up there with the best I have dealt with.  My main contact is their MD Tony, Tony is as honest as the day is long and always willing to lend a hand, their pricing is competitive.  His team echoes his philosophy, I have no issue recommending their services to other businesses.

Tom Crowther
Belvoir Group Plc

The Active Apprenticeship Scheme – Another Success Story!

It’s that time again…

It was just over a year ago when we shared a success story about the ‘Active Apprenticeship Scheme’, and now we have another qualified employee!  To date, that’s eight school / college leavers who have achieved their qualification through doing their training with us.

Katie joined us in December 2018 and has successfully completed her Business Administration Level 2 NVQ qualification.  Katie is now a permanent member of the Active team in her role doing Accounts and Administration.

Again, we asked Katie similar questions to our previous articles as we want to find out her thoughts and views, so we can compare them with our other successful colleagues. Here’s what Katie had to say about her own experience of the Active Apprenticeship Scheme:

1. How did you come to the decision that you wanted to do an apprenticeship scheme?
I hated being at college and just wanted to get into work asap, and earn some money.

2. Did you find the application / enrolment process easy?
It was a bit confusing at first but that’s obviously because I’d never done anything like this before, once I got my head round it I found it easy.

3. What made you choose Active as the business to do your apprenticeship with?
When I came for my interview everyone seemed very welcoming.

4. What were your initial thoughts when you joined us?
I enjoyed it.

5. What would you say was the most difficult aspect of your training? Did you have any doubts?
At first I didn’t think I would get all my apprenticeship work done on time, due to having tutors leave throughout my course, but thankfully the new tutor I had helped me to get all my work done properly and on time. Active also supported me with getting this issue sorted as soon as possible with the education provider, ensuring I had as little interruption as possible to my training.

6. What has been the most interesting part of your training?
I enjoyed learning the new skills I needed to do my job and meeting new people.

7. How would you grade the quality of your training? (1 being poor, 5 being excellent)
5

8. Is there anything we could improve on to enhance future trainees experience?
No everything was fine.

9. What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking this educational journey?
Do it, if you hated being at college like me then do it!

Congratulations again Katie, we’re proud to have you as part of the Active team!!

Kindness is Key

It’s important to remember that good things are still happening, and positivity and kindness are still all around us during these times.  That’s why we’re sharing another email we’ve received; we really do appreciate it and we will always do our best for our amazing loyal customers…

Hi Roger

We wanted to let you know that we’re extremely grateful for the work you and your team do behind the scenes.  Just last week, unbeknownst to us there was an issue with our server.  Your technicians spotted it quickly and fixed the problem without any interruption or downtime to our business.   In fact, we still wouldn’t know anything about it if Ricky hadn’t visited us to ensure everything was ok and as it should be at our end.

It’s nice to know that we have an honest, friendly and reliable provider on hand when we need them. 

Thanks again for all that you do for us.

Kevin Baker
Red Viking Rail Ltd

“Not All Heroes Wear Capes” – A Well Received Thank You

Here at Active we’re busier than ever, which also means our clients are.  However, our lovely customers still manage to find the time to thank us for what we see as ‘just part of the job’…

Once again Roger and his team have delivered to the highest standard.  I can’t thank Roger enough for the smooth office move he did for us.  Nothing was a problem, and they even worked unsociable hours to ensure there was minimal disruption to our business.  The installs were done so efficiently and his whole team were on standby ready to take on any challenges that these kind of business moves, with this type of IT infrastructure can sometimes kick up.  They even logged on especially early to help one of our trainees get organised and prepared for her online exams.

Unfortunately, after everyone’s hard work (and I include my own team in that), we were devastated to have then suffered a burglary at our new premises.  All it took was one phone call to Roger and he had us back up and running on the same day, it was as if it had never happened!!

I would recommend Active IT Systems and Active Copier Systems without hesitation, their service (and compassion) is second to none.

Gary Hall
Managing Director
Shoparound Finance Ltd

P.S – Not all heroes wear capes do they Roger?!

Don’t get Trapped – Contracts SHOULD be a Mutual Agreement!

For many years leasing and service agreements have been viewed with suspicion often seen as complicated, overpriced or restricting.

We disagree.  If done correctly, leasing agreements are an excellent proposition providing you with the ability to purchase goods at a fixed monthly cost without any big capital outlay.  Also, they can be really tax efficient.  Our Service Agreements can make maintaining your investment simple too, again providing clear fixed costs without any complicated clauses.

We have recently taken on several new customers whose existing supplier’s service agreements have incurred hideous penalties and lease agreements, that make even our eyes water at the charges being made.  All businesses do require contracts to set out the terms of agreement and any SLA’s, but it would appear these are now being used to trap customers.

Here at Active, we have been very successful in helping our customers exit these difficult and overcomplicated agreements from their previous supplier.

We have never tied any of our customers into contracts, in the belief that if we are doing a good job, they will never leave…so far so good!  We do have contracts but only to put in black and white (and sometimes colour using our exceptional printers) the service we provide, and what you can expect from us.

If you are unhappy with a current supplier, you don’t have to stay with them.  There are always options and choices to be made.  Please get in touch with us if you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in what you feel is a no-win situation, we can help.

Taking an Active Part!

We were delighted to be invited to Ash Hill Academy where we spent the day, with other employers, providing an interview experience for students.

This interview practice was a great opportunity for students to gain an understanding of what ‘real life’ businesses will be looking for.

We were really impressed with the standard and confidence of the local young people we met.  The students embraced the honest feedback given, they were all engaging and open to suggestions of how to answer some of the trickier questions.

The overriding message we took from the day was how great the impact a good teacher has on his or her students.  Passion for certain subjects, and potential career choices through those subjects, will drive the students successfully on to their next steps.

We look forward to seeing how these young determined people will influence the local business landscape in the very near future.

Another Active Apprenticeship Achieved

It’s been almost a year since we shared one of our success stories regarding the ‘Active Apprenticeship Scheme’, and as another year has passed, we have another qualified employee!

Callum joined us in May 2018 and has successfully completed his Business Administration Level 2 NVQ qualification.  Callum is now a permanent member of the Active team in his role of Stores Controller and Engineer Coordinator.

We’ve asked Callum similar questions to our last article, to find out his thoughts and views in comparison to another person’s perspective.  Here’s what Callum had to say about his own experience of the Active Apprenticeship Scheme:

1.  How did you come to the decision that you wanted to do an apprenticeship scheme?
It seemed like a good opportunity to gain some qualifications and work experience, while also earning some money.

2.  What made you choose Active as the business to do your apprenticeship with?
Upon attending my interview, the company seemed very welcoming.  Also doing my apprenticeship within a smaller team meant it was easier to get guidance with my apprenticeship when required.

3.  What were your initial thoughts when you joined us?
From the first day, everyone seemed really nice.  I was quiet at first and not too confident but after being here a year, I am much more confident with everyone.  From my first impressions Active seemed a good company to work for, and it turns out my first impressions were right!

4.  What would you say was the most difficult aspect of your training?  Did you have any doubts?
When I first started my apprenticeship, I fell behind due to my tutor leaving the training provider.  This gave me doubts on completing my qualification.  Thankfully Active chased up the training provider for me.  This led to me getting a new tutor and finishing on time.

5.  What has been the most interesting part of your training?
I have enjoyed getting to know new customers and learning how to use the new software we had installed.

6.  Can you think of a moment that cemented your decision to work as a Stores Controller and Engineer Coordinator?
When I first started I was a bit unsure about the job role, however the more I got into it and the more I learnt, the more I enjoyed it.  I now really enjoy the role.

7.  What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking this educational journey?
If you get the opportunity to pursue an apprenticeship take it.  You gain qualifications and also earn money whilst doing so.  Plus, it also improves your work ethic if it’s your first ever job.