Spearheading sustainable social housing with SimplyDo's Innovation Intelligence

"Being a part of the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has helped us grow while driving positive change in public services."

Cardiff-based SimplyDo is at the vanguard of innovation. Committed to solving big transformational challenges, it brings together people and cutting-edge digital platforms to pioneer new problem-solving approaches. The firm recently turned its expertise to helping solve one of the social housing sector's biggest challenges.

Here, Lee Sharma, CEO of SimplyDo, explains the transformative influence of the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) and shares how the company is helping housing associations achieve ambitious sustainability goals.

Tell us about the SimplyDo mission?
At SimplyDo, we're committed to driving change through innovation. Initially, we started as a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them cultivate and shape their ideas. As we evolved, we realised the transformative impact we could have on significant social challenges, such as health and housing. Now we call what we do "purpose-driven innovation" – we help organisations solve complex challenges that, once solved, deliver positive social impact. That gets us out of bed in the morning – the knowledge that our work is pivotal in helping unlock new ways of tackling wicked problems.

Tell us about your work helping the housing sector deliver the decarbonisation agenda?
Recently, we've worked with the housing association Caredig and the Welsh Government to help address the sector's challenge in retrofitting homes to be more energy-efficient and sustainable.

Decarbonising existing housing stock is a monumental task but of utmost importance for our environment and future generations. When we approached this challenge, Caredig told us they wanted a better way to engage with local suppliers. Despite having the funding to commission the retrofitting work, the pool of qualified contractors who can do the work is small. The bigger housing associations can potentially swallow up the available supply chain by offering substantial contracts, which makes it difficult for smaller housing associations to compete and find local suppliers. We could see that traditional procurement methods weren't cutting it straight away. So we adopted a 'challenge-led approach', focusing on uncovering hard-to-find and hard-to-engage suppliers. This involved posing specific challenges and allowing suppliers to propose solutions, ensuring a match based on capability rather than just availability.
 

We also deployed our 'Innovation Intelligence' digital platform, which facilitates smarter supplier matching. By understanding what the client needed and what suppliers offered, we created meaningful matches that drove results.

Our challenge-led approach and our solution’s simplicity made it appealing, even to suppliers with full order books. This showed us that it’s possible to transform supplier engagement with the right process.

Our approach has resulted in our clients seeing an 87% reduction in time spent filtering suppliers, a 77% increase in quality, and a 75% increase in diversity since implementing our solutions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, feedback from suppliers has been overwhelmingly positive. 94% found the format easy to use, 93% found it more interesting than traditional tender applications, and 90% reported a positive experience with the organisation.

In Caredig’s case, they told us our process saved them us so much time and effort particularly as they were working to a tight deadline. They – like us - are absolutely delighted with the outcome.

How have housing associations and suppliers responded to your solutions?
Our work with Caredig showcases the transformative potential of our solutions. Housing associations using our process now have a clearer path to finding suppliers and achieving their decarbonisation goals. As for suppliers, our engagement and procurement process provides clarity, ensuring they're working on projects aligned with their expertise and values. It means they don't waste time on complex and costly tender processes and benefit from the transparency and fairness of a completely different approach to procurement.

Looking ahead, how do you see SimplyDo Ideas evolving?
Our successful collaboration with Caredig is just the tip of the iceberg. We envisage playing a central role in the future phases of the Optimised Retrofit Programme. Moreover, our platform's potential isn't just limited to housing. We're already deploying our processes and products for similar challenges across different sectors and regions.

For you, as a CEO, what's been the most rewarding facet of this journey?
The most gratifying aspect is witnessing tangible, positive change. Knowing that our solutions are aiding housing associations in making homes more sustainable and, in turn, making a difference in the world is genuinely fulfilling.

How has support from Business Wales AGP helped SimplyDo Ideas?
The AGP has been a linchpin in our journey. It hasn’t just been our support; it’s been our compass as we’ve navigated the rocky waters of growth. We have received valuable mentorship, resources, and strategic insights through the programme. Every interaction, especially with our relationship manager, Howard Jones, has been tailored to our unique challenges and needs. Howard's depth of understanding and the resources he has provided have been pivotal in shaping our trajectory. I sometimes joke that AGP is like the Netflix of business support – quality support tailored to your needs and always on demand when you need it most. I can't recommend the programme highly enough, and I'm so glad we've been a part of it.

Learn more about SimplyDo

Further information on the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme

The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme is a pan-Wales programme part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

Corgi Hosiery: Preserving tradition and embracing the future.

"With the guidance of Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme, we've honed our business strategy, embraced digital transformation, and expanded our global footprint."

Wales' industrial past has been redefined time and again. One such redefinition comes from Ammanford, where Corgi Hosiery's fifth-generation business brings together the best of traditional craftsmanship and modern sustainable practices.

The brand, founded in 1892, has gracefully evolved from supplying socks to coal miners to establishing itself as a global leader in the luxury knitwear market. Today, as one of the leading employers in Ammanford, it employs 65 people. Corgi Hosiery is more than just a brand—it's a story of Welsh determination, a chronicle of adapting to changing times, and an example of how businesses can grow without compromising their values or quality.

Here, Chris and Lisa, the dynamic sibling duo helming the brand, discuss Corgi Hosiery's remarkable journey, its strides into sustainability and offer advice to budding entrepreneurs.

Tell us about Corgi Hosiery.
At Corgi, we make luxury socks, knitwear and accessories in Wales. Corgi is a family business steeped in a rich heritage that dates back to 1892. The company is a testament to multiple generations' hard work and vision. Our family's ethos has always been about quality, which we've maintained throughout our journey. From providing socks to miners to having a global footprint in luxury knitwear, our growth has been gradual but solid. While we respect and preserve our heritage—some of our products are still made on 19th-century machinery—we've also embraced modern techniques. This balance has allowed us to cater to diverse markets and clientele. Also, a significant part of our success is our loyal staff, many fluent Welsh speakers.

Sustainability is a cornerstone for Corgi Hosiery. How have you incorporated it into the business
Sustainability for us is holistic. It's not just about the environment but also about sustainable growth, employment and relationships. Environmentally, we've invested in solar power and transitioned from gas to electric boilers, significantly reducing our carbon footprint. Our commitment also extends to our packaging—we've switched from polythene to biodegradable sugar cane bags. We also promote recycling by shredding all onsite cardboard for packaging purposes.

We also believe in sustainable employment and for us this is about maintaining the skills needed to make our products, so we have a business fit for the future. We have invested extensively in training local young people, who then benefit from well-paid, skilled employment.

All these steps underscore our dedication to a more sustainable future.

What challenges have you faced during this transformation?
Every journey has its hurdles. While we're proud of our heritage, modernising some processes was challenging, especially when you're emotionally attached to certain traditional ways of doing things. Balancing tradition with the demands of modern markets was a delicate task, but we believe we've struck the right balance. Also, as we expanded globally, understanding and catering to diverse market preferences was a learning experience.

With the rise of e-commerce, how has Corgi Hosiery adapted?
We recognised the potential of e-commerce and launched our new online shop in 2022. This allowed us to expand our reach globally and provide a better customer experience. Our commitment to customer service ensures that an online customer gets the same experience as someone buying directly from our store.

How has Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) support helped your business?
The support from Business Wales AGP has been instrumental in our growth, and positioned us well to weather the recent storms of Covid, Brexit-related supply chain issues and the cost-of-living crisis. The programme has been pivotal in helping us focus on our core priorities, allowing us to craft and execute a winning business strategy. With their expertise, we've made huge strides in digital marketing and e-commerce, significantly amplifying our online presence. Furthermore, their insights into production efficiency have allowed us to enhance our output without compromising our commitment to quality.

Beyond our work with the AGP, we've been fortunate to have the backing of the Welsh Government and Development Bank of Wales. The Brexit Resilience grant and COVID recovery support ensured our stability through unpredictable times. Their International Trade support, especially for shows and travel, has significantly bolstered our exporting capabilities, allowing our products to reach global markets more effectively.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

1. Remain rooted in your values but be adaptable to change.

2. Sustainable practices are not just ethical—they're also good for business.

3. Your staff is your biggest asset. Value them.

4. Embrace technology, but don't let it overshadow the essence of your brand.

5. Always prioritise quality, and success will follow.

To explore the exquisite range of Corgi Hosiery, visit here.

You can find further information on Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP)

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) logo

The Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme is a pan-Wales programme part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

2buy2.com: The Welsh business saving millions for other organisations through smarter procurement.

"Being part of the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme has been a game-changer for our business. The support, coaching, and resources provided have propelled our growth and opened doors to valuable collaborations."

Based in Cardiff, 2buy2.com is a leading procurement firm specialising in supporting faith organisations, businesses, charities and the education sector to save money through smarter procurement.

The company plans significant growth thanks to participating in the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Innovation and Learning Program (MIT ILP). It has also obtained valuable insights into future-proofing its purpose-driven service business.

Here Rob Kissick, CEO of 2buy2.com, shares how the AGP and MIT collaboration has benefitted the company by allowing it to focus more resources on delivering on its purpose and social impact ambitions.

Tell us about 2buy2.com 
We are a procurement business that helps organisations reduce costs without compromising quality. We have an established national client base with specific expertise in supporting businesses, churches, charities and educational establishments. We were founded in 2009 by myself and my business partner Russell Stables.

Our vision is to be an industry leader in raising standards of procurement and purchasing globally. Our offer to clients is simple; we offer a personal approach and tailored advice and support to help you maximise your investment in procurement. We create deep and long-lasting partnerships that allow our clients to prosper, and they benefit from strategic advice, practical education and supplier protection.

Our services have helped thousands of organisations save millions of pounds through our technologies and smarter, more strategic procurement. And beyond that, we know our services have a tangible social impact – our clients can reinvest every penny we save for them into frontline delivery.

For example, I'm proud to say that we have assisted over 8,000 churches in optimising their procurement so they can dedicate more resources to their community missions. Alongside our core services, we are expanding into sustainability initiatives through 2buy2 Green, helping organisations transition towards Net Zero Carbon. By purchasing energy, including 100% renewable electricity, from the wholesale market, we have also helped many organisations navigate the current energy crisis by securing more affordable prices. 

Tell us how you navigated the challenges presented by COVID.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges for 2buy2.com. We responded by adapting our services to meet the changing needs of our clients. The pandemic also completely changed how we do business – we now have a UK-wide flexible team working remotely. This has allowed us to be closer to our customers, more agile and responsive. It has also allowed us to find and retain the best talent in our space. The other side of that coin is that we've had to work hard to ensure we have effective well-being strategies and that our team feel fully supported should they struggle. We have had a lot of support in this area from AGP, which has helped us in our efforts to build a nurturing, well-being-first culture. Despite this radical change in how we work, I'm proud to say that our staff retention rate is better than ever.

How has support from Business Wales AGP benefited your business?
Being part of the Business Wales AGP has been instrumental in 2buy2.com's growth. Through the AGP, we have received coaching support and expert guidance on organisational development, business growth strategies, and HR management. This support has been invaluable in shaping our operations and strategy. Our relationship manager, Howard Jones, has a sound grasp of our needs and challenges as a business and has been excellent at ''matchmaking'' us with relevant expert coaches, all of whom have added significant value to our operations.

Tell us about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Innovation and Learning Program (MIT ILP) and how you got involved?
The MIT Industrial Liaison Program (ILP) is a membership-based program for large organisations interested in long-term, strategic relationships with MIT.  It allows organisations from around the globe – in any sector – to access emerging research and education that will be transformative. Welsh Government's membership allows businesses on the AGP to access cutting-edge resources, materials, and activities. When I learned from our relationship manager about the opportunity to be part of this collaboration, I jumped at the chance. In particular, I was keen to learn more about how technological developments could benefit our business and help us deliver even more value for our customers. And where better to learn than at MIT?

What were the benefits of participating in the MIT ILP program through AGP?
Participation in the MIT ILP program through AGP has been transformative for us. The program enhanced our knowledge base significantly, which in turn helped us refine our strategies and enabled us to deliver enhanced services. One example of this is the adoption of AI. Before participating in the programme, I assumed AI was more suitable for big businesses with big budgets to spend. When I visited MIT in Boston, I had a real "eureka" moment when I learned that AI could work for businesses of all sizes. And it's not about taking jobs but about automating repetitive tasks to free human beings up to focus on more strategic tasks. This was a game-changer for me. We are now looking at how we expand the use of AI across our customer service operations and even for generating content. It's allowed us to spend much more time on the things that matter most.

Taking part in the MIT ILP gave me valuable insight into emerging business trends and developments. These learnings have influenced our business strategy and operations, enabling us to stay ahead of the curve and incorporate innovative digital solutions into our procurement processes. As we navigate challenges and embrace the future, we remain committed to raising procurement standards across all sectors.

Learn more about 2buy2.com.

You can find further information on Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP)