1)
Direct Solutions Champion NVQs – On the Job!
Allistair Hunter of Direct Solutions firmly believes in investing in his company. As well as keeping up with the latest technology in order to maintain the top-rate service needed to print and distribute hundreds and thousands of direct mail items every year, Allistair is keen to help his staff develop their talents too.
Daniel Perry, Ryan Layton-Smith, Donna Fennell and Marion Rotchell all undertook NVQ courses whilst maintaining their roles within Direct Solutions. The courses run by Every Step Training, take a year to complete and all four were successful, passing with flying colours.
“These qualifications are a great incentive for our team members to further themselves with knowledge and skills that can have a great impact on confidence and performance. I am delighted, but not surprised that they have all passed – we have a great team here at Direct Solutions,” commented Allistair.
Daniel and Ryan completed their NVQ in Warehousing and Storage and Donna and Marion completed theirs in Business and Training.
Congratulations to them all!

2)
Clacton Air Show Receives Vital Support from Direct Solutions
Last year’s Clacton Air Show was as always a great celebration for the Tendring District, attracting thousands of visitor’s to Essex’s ‘Sunshine Coast’. Unfortunately the build up to the 20th anniversary display was a little tense, with the recession playing a significant role in the downturn in essential revenue from sponsorship for this key calendar event.
The economic climate meant that fewer retail and activity stands, another source of income, were being booked, prompting Stephen Mayes, Tendring’s Cabinet member for Tourism and Culture, to urge local businesses to come forward and help in any way to keep costs to a minimum to ensure the smooth running of the event and help secure future displays.
Direct Solutions, always keen to support community events, were quick to come forward and offer their time and expertise to produce and print a top quality event programme.
On the day, the Direct Solution staff joined many others with buckets to collect donations from the assembled crowd, a first for the event.
Allistair Hunter explained his decision to get involved:
 “I consider Direct Solutions to be very much part of this community and I know how important this event is for so many people. The Clacton Air Show is great for local tourism and I would hate to see it go.”
The 2012 Clacton Air Show will take place on August 23 & 24

3)
Direct Mail Wants to Throw Away the Junk Mail Image
For many years direct mail has been referred to as ‘junk’ mail, and some appear to be in uproar over the amount of unwanted mail that is slipped through letter boxes each year, a topic that was the subject of a Panorama programme last year.
However Direct Solutions refute this reputation saying that the success of Direct Mail speaks for its self and that campaigns are increasingly more targeted.
Managing Director Allistair explains: “We work with a wide range of clients both locally and nationally and help them construct client databases so that their mail reaches their business target audience and doesn’t become unwanted doormat fodder.”
As for the term ‘junk’ the Direct mail Association (DMA) has joined the environmental bandwagon, setting a target back in 2003 that committed the industry to achieving a 70 per cent recycling rate for direct marketing materials by 2013.
Allistair says Direct Solutions is very carbon footprint aware.
“It is important for our reputation to be conscious of the wellbeing of our environment. Most of the paper and other materials we use do come from recycled sources. 95% of paper used in direct mail comes from recycled or managed sources.”
For more information visit: http://www.directsolutionsuk.com/index.cfm/page/378

4)
Direct Solutions Boost Customer Confidence with DMA Membership
The DMA is the largest Direct Marketing trade association in the UK, setting professional standards that not only enhance the workings of the profession through expert advice and support but also provide essential regulatory practice so that their members’ clients can have full confidence knowing that their data is fully protected and being securely processed at all times.
Direct Solutions made the important decision to become members of the DMA as a way to give their clients even greater peace of mind as Managing Director Allistair Hunter explains:
“We wanted to demonstrate that the best practice approach is important to us and by being audited and regulated by the Association symbolises our commitment to standards within the industry that we hope offers ultimate reassurance to our customers.”
Direct Solutions are confident that their DMA membership will, along with their impressive portfolio of satisfied clients, inspire potential clients, poised to take the plunge into a Direct Mail campaign to give them a call.
“Using direct marketing is a proven way to get your business and services recognised but choosing who does it for you can be a harder selection process. By becoming a member of the Direct Marketing Association we hope that our potential clients will see this as a recommendation from a top national body that takes its role in our industry very seriously and with multi-beneficial results,” says Allistair.
www.dma.org.uk
5)
Oceans of Business Expertise Proves a Hit with Cruise Holiday Specialist
Readers Offers Ltd, based in Colchester, Essex is a renowned travel agent specialising in a great range of world cruises at highly competitive prices.
They know exactly how effective a good marketing campaign can be in provoking customer response and increasing sales and this they feel is largely due to their excellent working relationship with Direct Marketing experts - Direct Solutions. The team at Direct Solutions distribute in the region of 500k mailing pieces on behalf of Readers Offers Ltd and the two companies have enjoyed a successful collaboration for more than ten years.
Alex Donoyou of Readers Offers explains:
“The quantity of our mail shots are a demand in themselves but as is often the case in business things are left quite tight to deadline and Direct Solutions always fulfil their remit not only in meeting the deadline but with top-quality results too.”
Allistair’s reputation for flexibility in providing a reliable service that is tailor made to meet a client’s needs from conception to completion is also praised by Alex Donoyou.
“In recent times our work practise has been challenged by increase in postal costs which could have seriously undermined our marketing campaigns and potentially affected our business. Allistair, fortunately for us, has years of experience and a great zest for solving problems and was able to provide us with a realistic solution that enabled us to keep everything on track.”
www.readersoffers.travel

6)
Top Essex Law Firm Chooses Direct Solutions to Help Reach Their Clients
Birkett Long LLP is a long-established legal practice dating back to 1821 and is now one of the largest law firms in Essex with offices in Colchester, Chelmsford and Basildon. They employ more than 145 members of staff and have 23 partners on board.
Direct Solutions Ltd is proud to have been working with Birkett Long LLP for more than seven years, fulfilling several successful campaigns and mailings and working closely with Birkett Long’s designer, picking up at the printing stage and taking it to fulfilment.
They currently handle the printing and distribution of Birkett Long’s half-yearly newsletter to a minimum of 10,000 contacts, as well as the occasional ‘ad hoc’ campaign depending on national, regional or internal events that may make a good marketing opportunity.
“Allistair is meticulous in his approach and works hard at maintaining that personal touch that can make all the difference,” explains Jennie Skingsley, Birkett Long’s Marketing Manager.
“We are more than happy to continue into the future with what is a trusting and happy working collaboration that I think works for both us and Direct Solutions,” continues Jennie.
Back issues of the newsletter along with a full list of services can be found at: www.birkettlong.co.uk

7)
Direct Solutions Helps Charity
The MSRC – The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre is a vital port of call for sufferers of MS, those newly diagnosed or awaiting diagnosis and their families and friends.
Along with offering help and support via their helpline the centre also distributes a range of useful leaflets along with a bi-monthly magazine called Pathways, packed with information and news.
Direct Solutions is proud to work with The MSRC helping them with the production of all their printed information along with banners and signs for the office.
Helen Yates, manager of the centre explains why they are delighted to have worked with Direct Solutions for the last ten years.
“Why has our relationship been so long-standing? Simply the absolute top notch service we receive – thanks to Allistair’s energy and the team’s meticulous attention to detail and quality of the finished product.”
“All charities have to run like a business with every profit needing to be reinvested, keeping what they do sustainable. The MSRC is no exception to this accountability and we are confident that with Direct Solutions we are getting the best value service for the quality of material delivered – sometimes with very tight deadlines,” concludes Helen.
www.msrc.co.uk

8) Why Allistair Hunter isn’t Just Running a Business…
Despite vowing ‘never again’ after a back injury in 2010, Allistair Hunter completed his fifth London marathon in 2011. Allistair ran in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, and said “Direct Solutions have a long history of supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre and this is just one of a number of events that we participate in to help them carry on the fantastic work that they do.