Bright news and views

In today's dynamic business landscape, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just keeping pace with industry trends. It demands a workforce equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to drive efficiency, productivity, and innovation. As organisations strive to optimise their operations, the significance of tailored learning experiences cannot be overstated. Enter on-site training with BrightOffice - a game-changing solution tailored to the unique needs of your organisation. Tailored learning for enhanced performance  One size fits all simply doesn't cut it in the modern business environment. That's where on-site training with BrightOffice shines. By customising sessions to meet your organisation's specific needs, we ensure that every participant gains relevant insights and skills directly applicable to their roles. Practical application in real-world scenarios With on-site training, participants benefit from hands-on, real-world experience right in their work environment. This practical approach not only enhances comprehension but also promotes immediate skill application, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Minimising disruption, maximising productivity In the fast-paced world of business, time is money. On-site training eliminates the hassle of off-site seminars, reducing disruption to daily operations and minimising downtime. By bringing the training directly to your doorstep, we ensure that your team stays focused on what matters most - driving productivity and delivering results. Building stronger teams through collaboration Teamwork makes the dream work, and on-site training fosters exactly that. Group sessions provide a platform for team collaboration, enabling participants to exchange ideas, share insights, and develop a shared understanding of the training content. Together, they not only learn but also grow stronger as a cohesive unit. Immediate impact for lasting results On-site training assists employees in applying newly acquired skills right away, leading to quicker implementation of best practices. This immediate impact not only boosts morale but also sets the stage for long-term success. Cost-effective solution for optimal ROI Investing in employee development shouldn't break the bank. On-site training with BrightOffice offers a cost-effective solution, particularly for large groups, by eliminating individual travel expenses. With every dollar spent translating into tangible results, it's a strategic investment in your organisation's future. Reviewing usage for continuous improvement Change is the only constant in today's business landscape. On-site training provides the perfect opportunity to review existing business processes and implement new strategies to streamline the usage of BrightOffice. By staying agile and adaptable, your organisation can stay one step ahead of the competition. On-site training with BrightOffice is not just a learning experience - it's a strategic investment in your organisation's success. By combining tailored learning, practical application, minimised disruption, team building, immediate impact, cost-effectiveness, and continuous improvement, we empower your team to unlock their full potential and drive sustainable growth in an ever-evolving marketplace.

I've walked on both sides of the lending street. As an Operations Manager wielding the power of a loan management system valued at $1bn+ in a previous role, I felt the satisfaction of streamlined processes and efficient data. But I also witnessed the frustrations lenders face daily – siloed information, clunky communication, and an ever-growing mountain of paperwork. Now, as a business development manager at BrightOffice , I'm armed with a solution that tackles these challenges head-on: our CRM, built specifically for lenders. From My Operational Days: Struggles I Now Solve for Others Let's delve into some of the common roadblocks I saw lenders hitting, and how BrightOffice CRM paves the way for smoother sailing: Disjointed Data: Information scattered across spreadsheets, emails, and physical files? We've all been there. BrightOffice centralises everything – customer details, loan applications, communication threads – in one secure, accessible platform. No more hunting for data or duplicating efforts. Communication Chaos: Juggling phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings can leave room for miscommunication and missed opportunities. BrightOffice CRM streamlines communication with built-in email, task management, and activity tracking. Everyone stays on the same page, from the first inquiry to deal completion. The Paper Chase: Loan applications, contracts, and compliance documents – the paperwork never seems to end. BrightOffice automates document generation and approval workflows, eliminating manual tasks and ensuring accuracy. Plus, e-signatures make approvals a breeze. Reporting Roadblocks: Generating reports often involved exporting data, wrangling spreadsheets, and hoping for the best. BrightOffice CRM boasts robust reporting features with customisable dashboards and real-time insights. Gain instant visibility into your sales pipeline, loan performance, and overall business health. Beyond an “off-the-shelf” Loan Management System: BrightOffice's Winning Edge  BrightOffice goes beyond just solving common pain points. Here's what truly sets us apart: Built for Lenders: Unlike generic CRMs of off-the-shelf loan management systems, ours is tailored to the specific needs of your industry and combines CRM with loan management in one place. We understand your workflows, regulations, and unique challenges. Automation Magic: Automate repetitive tasks, from lead capture to follow-up emails, freeing up your team's time for what matters most – building relationships and closing deals. Openness and Integrations: BrightOffice integrates seamlessly with your existing 3rd part software, ensuring a smooth data flow and eliminating data silos. It has powerful audit trails too! My experience isn't just about the platform, it is about the people it empowered. BrightOffice CRM empowers lenders by giving them the tools they need to streamline operations, improve communication, and focus on what they do best – serving their clients and growing their businesses.

BrightOffice's Cases CRM system, once the 'go-to' solution during the peak of PPI (Payment Protection Insurance) claims, is making a significant comeback. This resurgence is largely due to the versatile and robust nature of the system which now supports a wide range of claim types beyond PPI, illustrating the adaptability and longevity of Cases CRM in the ever-evolving claims management landscape. Initially, Cases CRM established its reputation as an indispensable tool for managing the flood of PPI claims that businesses faced. Its ability to handle thousands of open cases simultaneously, streamline customer interactions, and reduce administrative overhead made it a critical asset for businesses navigating the complexities of PPI claims. However, the versatility of Cases CRM has truly shown through its adaptation to the changing claims management industry. As the PPI claims wave has subsided, businesses have shifted their focus to other areas of claims management, such as pension transfers, mis-sold mortgages, and other financial products. This shift required a system capable of evolving with the industry's needs, and Cases CRM has proven to be just that. Customers who once relied on Cases CRM for PPI claims have found it equally effective for managing a broad spectrum of other claims. This adaptability has allowed them to seamlessly transition to new types of cases without the need for investing in different systems or undergoing extensive retraining. The system's all-in-one solution approach, featuring efficient case management, sales process automation, and comprehensive reporting, has enabled businesses to maintain high levels of efficiency and customer service. The enduring relevance of Cases CRM in the claims management sector underscores a critical truth: there will always be claims to manage, and having a robust, adaptable system is key to navigating this dynamic landscape. BrightOffice's dedication to evolving Cases CRM in line with industry demands ensures that its users are always equipped with a top-tier tool for their case management needs, capable of processing thousands of cases at any given time with efficiency and precision. As BrightOffice continues to innovate and adapt its Cases CRM to meet the changing needs of the claims management industry, it reinforces its commitment to providing customers with a reliable, scalable, and versatile system. This forward-thinking approach not only cements Cases CRM's position as a comeback solution but also as a future-proof platform for claims management. Find out more about our Cases CRM system .

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Ordo, a UK-based Open Banking Payments as a Service fintech, to revolutionise payment integration in our CRM software. This collaboration allows our commercial and consumer lender CRM users to collect instant payments directly from customers' bank accounts, offering a secure, cost-effective, and efficient solution. The Power of Ordo's Payments Platform: Ordo's cloud-native Open Banking as a Service payments platform is a game-changer. It enables businesses to collect payments instantly from customers' bank accounts, eliminating traditional methods and providing a seamless experience. With this integration, our users can request single payments via Open Banking, simplifying the process within our CRM software. Effortless Integration and Outstanding Support: Integrating Ordo's solution into our CRM software was a breeze. The collaboration between our teams was seamless, with Ordo's experts providing comprehensive guidance and support. We're excited to continue working with Ordo on future projects, including the integration of Variable Recurring Payments (VRP) functionality. Benefits for Businesses and Customers: Our partnership with Ordo offers numerous benefits. By leveraging Open Banking, businesses can enjoy real-time payments, up-to-the-minute information via web hooks, and lower costs for payment collection and reconciliation. This integration sets our CRM apart by providing these advantages to our users. The partnership also empowers customers, offering them affordable credit options, personalized repayment plans, and complete control over their finances. In a time of rising living costs, this collaboration brings tailored payment solutions that foster financial well-being. About Ordo: Ordo 's "Payments-as-a-Service" solution delivers fully managed, white-labelled turnkey solutions for Open Banking payments. Their highly secure platform offers frictionless payment options and lower costs compared to traditional methods. Read the full press release.

Our specialised training and skills CRM platform is available to make your work life easier. If you have internal teams who need regular training, whether it’s for health and safety purposes or something else; our platform enables you to stay on top of all admin tasks, as well as organisation and communications around the training courses. Who uses the online course software? Our BrightOffice Training Platform can be used by anyone within the Training and Skills industry, whether you’re a fortune 500 company or you’re a freelance training consultant. It can be integrated within your teams so that you can stay on top of courses that need implementing, as well as monitor course progress so you can see whether the recipients of the course are meeting particular goals or they’re slightly behind. This also enables you to be able to edit your courses to make them more efficient so they’re more productive. What does the online course software do? There are a lot of benefits to show for having this software within your business. Below is a list of just a few that could help your business be more efficient and grow: The support team: Our support team is next to none, it’s Mon-Fri 8:30am – 5:30pm and it’s UK based. There’s no limit to how much you can contact them, they will help you as and when you may need it. Integration: Our platform integrates with any other accounting platforms you may be using, such as Sage , Xero and QuickBooks , ensuring all of your data is all in one place. Flexible pricing: Your platform will be cloud based with unlimited storage, so for the price, you’re getting a great deal. If you want anything extra or a breakdown as to what you’re paying for, our team will be happy to explain that to you. For more information on the benefits and how we can integrate our online training software into your company, please click here or contact us .

A credit score is very important, and how you manage your credit contributes to this score and can affect a lot in the future. If you want to apply for a mortgage, credit card, loan, or car finance, just to name a few; you will be judged by your credit score. What if I have a bad credit score? There are a few things you can do to ensure your credit score improves. Here are 5 tips on how to manage and improve your credit score. 1) Pay off any debts If you have credit card debts, or loans including student loans; sit down, write out what you owe and put them into a list of lowest to highest amounts. If there is something you can pay off as quickly as possible, prioritise this debt and get it paid off; it’s a quick win. We also have another blog about consolidating your debt here . 2) Only apply for credit once every 3 months If you’ve been shopping for credit cards, or a mortgage then this actually gets recorded on to your credit history. If you search for credit more than 3 times a month, this may go against you; if you apply for credit more than once every 3 months, this definitely goes against you. The credit company will think you’re desperate for money and they will think you’re a higher risk to lend to. The less you search and apply, the more your credit score will stabilise and the more you’ll get approved. 3) Sort any late payments If you’ve missed a couple of late payments on a credit card or you have defaults on your accounts, you can get rid of these. You would need to contact a credit score company such as Experian , and they will be able to contact the business you have late payments on and ask they be removed at the company’s discretion. It’s not certain that they will agree, but if they’re old enough and you haven’t had too many, they will most certainly consider it. 4) Stay out of your overdraft We know that an overdraft is an easy access to extra money, but if you can, stay out of it. At the end of the day, it’s still a loan. Banks and credit lending companies want to see that you’re not already living in debt, so this will help your credit score improve and stay healthy.

Debt can be one of the most stressful issues in a person’s life. Which is why we want to help you manage paying off your debt. Here are 5 tips on how you can do this so you can have a less stressful time and finally get rid of those nasty monthly bills. 1) Consolidate your loans You can read more about this in our other blog ; but if you have a lot of monthly outgoings and feel like you’re not getting anywhere with paying them off, then consolidating your monthly payments could be the answer. It will lower your monthly payments, as well as give you a lower interest rate, hopefully enabling you to start saving more money. 2) Budget Monitor how much you earn and how much you spend each month. Create a spreadsheet so you can keep a closer eye on your spending and see where you can cut back on somethings. Do you need a Starbucks every day? Meal prep every week instead of making something different every day - groceries can become very expensive. Walk instead of drive if it isn’t too far - petrol prices will soon eat into your bank account. Also, check that you’re not paying for subscriptions you’re not using, you’ll be surprised how £10 here and there can go missing without you noticing. 3) Start a side hustle Is there a hobby that you love doing and could make money from? You might like crafting, writing or even singing. Find something you enjoy and see if there’s a way you can make money from it. If you’re creative, make something and try selling it on eBay, or if you love to bake, set up a stall on a farmers’ market in your local village and save the money you make from it and pay off your debt with it. You never know, it could turn into a fully-fledged business in the future. 4) Cash back reward programmes Sign up to reward programmes online or market research websites where you can spend time answering questionnaires about products and services and earn money from them. Cash back reward programmes can give you discounts as well as money when you pay for things through their referral websites. A popular one to use is TopCashback . Doing this will save you time and money so you have more free cash to pay off your loans. 5) Payment methods Once you have budgeted what you can afford to pay off monthly, list your debts from smallest to largest. You want to be able to reduce your loans as quickly as possible. So, pay the smallest debt off as fast as possible, make sure you pay the minimum off all your other loans, then if you have money left over, pay the extra off the next largest debt. This way you will hopefully get through them quicker and only end up with the biggest lump sum of debt.

What is a debt consolidation programme? A debt consolidation programme is when you take out a single loan to pay off all your other loans. Hopefully once you have consolidated all your debt into one monthly payment, it will lower your interest rate and maybe even your monthly payments too. Now that you only have one payment, you’ll only have one interest rate rather than multiple, ultimately helping you to save money. There are two different types of programmes you can participate in: secured and unsecured. What is the difference between a secured and unsecured loan? Secured Loans A secured loan is when the loan is backed by one of the borrower’s assets, such as a car or in some cases, their house. The house and/or car then acts as collateral for the loan in case you’re not able to pay it back. Unsecured Loans As you’ve probably guessed, these are the opposite to secured loans. They are not backed by anything and can be harder to obtain. Once they are obtained, they can have lower qualified amounts, higher monthly payments, or higher interest rates; sometimes both. But, having said that, the interest rates will still more than likely be lower than what they would be had you not consolidated your debt. How to consolidate your debt There are several ways you can do this. The one most people go for due to credit card debt is a balance transfer to a 0% interest credit card. However, this does depend on your credit rating. If you have a bad credit history, the chances of you being able to do this does decrease. You can check your credit score through companies such as Experian’s Credit Expert . If you’re a homeowner, you can use home equity loans; or if you are or were a student and you have a student loan, the government offers programmes to consolidate this too; but private loans aren’t approved for this programme. Summary Consolidating your debt is a great way to save money in the short term, and to reduce monthly payments and interest rates. However, the more debt you have, the longer you’ll be paying it back, which in turn could mean you end up paying more back in the long run. Analyse the debt you have, work out how much you can comfortably pay off each month and that should tell you how long it will take you to pay the whole thing off.