This Easter, we’re inviting you into a world of chocolate, colour, and just a little bit of chaos.
Welcome to Eggu’s very own Easter Egg Factory – a bespoke illustrated scene (designed by our very own Millie) packed with delicious details, hidden surprises, and one very important mission:
Find Eggy!
Eggy, our much-loved office sausage dog, has snuck into the factory and is hiding somewhere amongst the Easter treats.
Your challenge is to track him down using grid coordinates and submit your answer for a chance to win a £25 voucher for Waitrose or John Lewis. (A great opportunity to stock up on those Easter eggs!)
So whether you’re in it for the glory, the prize, or just the satisfaction of spotting a very well-hidden dachshund – we’re excited to see who finds him first.
Ready to play?
Take a closer look at the Eggu Easter Egg Factory, sharpen your eyes, and start searching. You’ll see that we’ve even added a helpful magnifier when hovering over the image.
A bit about Eggu
At Eggu, we design experiences that people don’t just complete – they enjoy. From playful campaigns like this to fully interactive learning solutions, we help organisations turn content into something memorable, meaningful, and engaging.
Enter our Easter competition
Last entries – Monday 6th April
If you’d like to explore how we can bring this kind of thinking into your digital learning, we’d love to chat.
Got ideas? Love design? Curious about how people learn online?
We’re on the hunt for a Junior Digital Learning Designer to join our eggscellent creative team at Eggu.
If you enjoy making things look great and work brilliantly, get excited by digital content, and want to turn learning into something people actually enjoy – this could be your perfect first step into the world of digital learning.
This is a true starter role. You don’t need loads of experience – we’ll train you on the job. But, what does matter is your attitude, curiosity, and creativity.
Over time, we’ll help you discover your strengths and shape your future at Eggu. The role can grow with you in the direction that excites you most.
Why Eggu?
We’re a boutique digital design agency with a friendly, supportive vibe and a big passion for bringing learning to life. Every project is different – one day you could be working with a global brand, the next with an exciting non-profit.
We’re collaborative, ambitious, and big believers in learning by doing. If you like sharing ideas, experimenting, and being part of a close-knit team, you’ll feel right at home.
As we reach the end of 2025 and prepare to break up for the festive season, we’re taking a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate.
The past 12 months have been unpredictable for many small businesses, particularly in the L&D space. It’s been a year of shifting priorities, evolving needs, and plenty of uncertainty. But we’re proud to say we’ve ridden the wave – and we’re heading into 2026 with real momentum, exciting developments, and a lot to be grateful for.
So, here are just a few of our highlights from 2025!
After her epic Aussie adventures and a tennis-filled break, we were beyond excited to welcome Luci back to the Eggu nest.
We’ve missed her energy, iconic bangs, bold style, and that unmistakable twinny magic she brings to everything we do. She’s a huge part of our creative chemistry – the kind of unspoken telepathy you simply can’t manufacture.
Already hatching ideas for some seriously impactful projects, she’s wasted no time making her mark again.
We were also delighted to welcome Angharad, our new Digital Learning Designer, who joined us in November. A D&D and sword-fighting HEMA enthusiast (yes, really), Angharad is already making waves! From hand-drawn illustrations and technical interactions to beautifully crafted animations.
We’re so excited to see how she’ll continue to push our creative work even further in the year ahead.
Welcoming new clients
This year, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming a brilliant mix of new clients, taking Eggu into new industries and giving us plenty to explore, learn, and stretch ourselves creatively.
Our 2025 newcomers include:
Costain – UK-based infrastructure solutions RELX – global information and analytics LexisNexis – legal, regulatory, and risk information LockSmith – brand and marketing training specialists World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) – ground-breaking international charity
Together, we’ve explored new industry requirements, researched and implemented fresh techniques, and used new tools to meet highly specific learning needs.
Building relationships is one of our favourite things at Eggu, and we’re excited to see these partnerships continue to grow throughout 2026.
Exciting partnerships
Health Check Mentor is our specialist digital learning programme, designed to ensure providers across local authority regions can deliver safe, confident, and consistent NHS Health Checks.
This year, we were thrilled to take the programme even further through new partnerships with HEART UK, the National Cholesterol Charity and Smart Health Solutions, NHS Health Check training experts.
The newly enhanced HEART UK Health Check Mentor has been fully rebranded, with refreshed content aligned to the latest best-practice guidance and national statistics. The subscription now also includes quarterly topical webinars, helping learners stay informed and up to date.
Already supporting over 20 local authority regions, the programme:
Is built for busy frontline staff
Demonstrates measurable impact on competence and confidence
Gives commissioners confidence in reliable, consistent training – at an affordable price
We’re excited to see how this partnership helps us take Health Check Mentor into new markets in 2026. We’re also exploring new public health topics to add to the portfolio, so watch this space.
Creating community
For years, translating e-learning was slow and complicated. You had to rebuild or manually edit each In This year, we’ve also been diving into extracurricular ways to connect, share values, and support one another beyond project work.
Hatch is Eggu and the PA Portal’s new Kent-based business community. But it’s not your average networking group. It’s a networking happy place. A space for connection, clarity, and community, designed to support people navigating the rollercoaster of running or supporting a business.
All hugs, no handshakes – It’s networking without the “ick”. Hatch reflects our core values at Eggu too: creativity, transformation, collaboration, motivation, and nourishment. And we’re only just getting started.
So far since the summer, we’ve hosted a series of unique Hatch events including mindful walks, invigorating sauna and cold plunge challenges, family-friendly woodland picnics and pilates, informative goal-setting and nutrition sessions, and our special christmas candlelit yoga.
Woah – now that’s an impressive start for our first six months! Our aim is to keep growing Hatch into a community that genuinely reflects the needs of local business owners and supporters, with new formats, speakers, and ideas in the year ahead.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas
We hope you’ve had a successful and joyful 2025. Thank you, as always, for playing such an important part in the Eggu family. We can’t wait to continue working in partnership with you in 2026.
Of course, if you’re already hatching ideas for 2026 (sorry, we couldn’t resist), we’d love to chat about how we can help bring them to life.
Get in touch to get the Eggu sparkle added to your New Year projects.
As Halloween creeps closer, it’s the perfect time to face the monsters lurking in your digital learning library.
Great learning should raise spirits, not the dead.
If your digital learning feels more frightful than delightful, here are three classic horror villains you might recognise…
1. The Zombie
Lifeless, repetitive content that won’t die
This course staggers on year after year — recycled slides, endless clicking, no spark. Learners go through the motions, but nothing sticks.
The symptoms
Resurrected PowerPoint style content
Walls of text that drain the life from learners
Learning objectives that haven’t changed since last Halloween
How to fight it
Resuscitate your content by injecting the cure – focus on real-world scenarios, add storytelling, quick interactive challenges, catchy visuals, or actual voices from your audience. Fresh context makes familiar topics come alive again.
2. The Vampire
Drains all enthusiasm from learners
This course might look slick – shiny graphics, smooth voiceover – but behind the polish, it’s sucking the energy out of everyone who goes near it.
The symptoms
Learners click “next” faster than you can say “bloodsucker”
No emotional spark – just endless instruction
It talks at learners, never with them
How to fight it
Add warmth and humanity by designing with empathy. Use a conversational tone and relatable scenarios. Cut the jargon and make space for reflection or humour – even compliance training deserves a heartbeat!
3. The Ghost
Vanishes after launch
You launched the course. Everyone completed it…then nothing. No buzz, no feedback – just a deathly silence.
The symptoms
No follow-up or discussion after completion
No visible behaviour change
Lost in LMS reports and annual review, never to be seen again
How to fight it
Learning shouldn’t end at the final quiz. Plan for post-launch existence – follow-up nudges, reflection prompts and managers’ conversations will keep it alive.
Escaping these horrors doesn’t take magic – just mindful design
Make sure to start with purpose, ask yourself “What problem are we solving?”. Designing for actual challenges and not just sticking to a generic course outline will keep the learning ‘people focussed’. To keep it interesting and appealing; review regularly, refresh and rebuild the content and design to give the course energy and relevance. Breathe life into it before it gets frighteningly dull!
Truly good learning doesn’t scare learners away, it draws them in, keeps them curious, and leaves a lingering impression.
Check out our top ‘tricks’ to keep your digital learning fright-free this halloween:
Keep it alive: Refresh stale content and design before it becomes a mindless shuffle
Resurrect engagement: Design for humans, not content checkboxes – connect with your learners
Cast your spells wisely: Use empathy and storytelling to enchant your learners
Don’t be invisible: Follow up after launch so learning doesn’t vanish without a trace
Stay vigilant to scares: Revive dated courses to energise learners
Happy Halloween from Eggu – Get in touch to slay your elearning demons!
In a landscape dominated by big business shouting about scale, small agencies are quietly proving that focus, creativity, and care still win the day.
The very real challenges faced by small businesses:
Rising competition from large players
Procurement barriers, favouring big brand over skill
Client budgets still stretched post-pandemic
So how can us small agencies compete, and win?
We say, play to our advantages:
Agility
While the big boys are still scheduling a meeting, small teams are already moving the project forward.
Our superpower over the big guys:
Decisiveness: No endless sign-offs; we can pivot fast and keep momentum rolling
Innovation: New workflows, creative approaches, or design tools can be trialled without the red tape
Responsiveness: Adapting to feedback in days, not weeks – clients feel cared for and heard
Relationships
Our clients don’t just know the account manager; they know the designer, the developer, and Edgar the office dog. Relationships are built with the people who actually do the work.
Our superpower over the big guys:
Personal connection: Building relationships that go beyond the project brief
Continuity: Clients work with the same trusted team from start to finish
Honesty: No automated touchpoints, real relationships forge a tailored process
Authenticity
Your story is your strength. Share why your agency exists, what you believe in, and who you help.
Our superpower over the big guys:
Sincerity: Founder-led storytelling and real-life case studies builds genuine credibility
Integrity: Sharing lived experience shows expertise, not just shouting loud and claiming it
Values: Stay true to what you believe in to attract connection, not just clicks
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Mark Twain
So, how do we stand tall among the giants?
Build a trusted network of specialists, and partner with other small agencies or trusted freelancers to scale when needed. You stay small but act big when opportunity knocks.
A small agency’s most powerful growth lever is repeat business and referrals. Invest in long-term relationships, regular check-ins, and stay proactive.
Energy is contagious – share your passion. Showcase your people, your values, and your working style. Clients love working with motivated, creative teams.
Truly good learning doesn’t scare learners away, it draws them in, keeps them curious, and leaves a lingering impression.
Boutique agencies will thrive by staying connected – to their clients, their craft, and their purpose. In an industry that requires speed, quality, and trust, that connection will consistently outperform scale.
Want to get in touch with Eggu about your next project?
Get in touch to begin your quality digital design partnership.
Hatch is Eggu and the PA Portal‘s new and exciting Kent business community – But it’s not your average networking group.
It’s a networking happy place designed to boost your headspace. A go-to for connection, clarity, and community as we navigate the rollercoaster of running or supporting businesses.
Where it all began
Myself (Kat) and Ann Read met over coffee earlier in the year at a Digital Women conference in Birmingham. After being inspired from a talk around the power of community, we both admitted something: we’d been dreaming of kick-starting our own events in Kent for ages. So, we decided to stop dreaming and start doing. And what better than to tackle this with a solid team effort.
For me, it was deeply personal. The last few years had been rough – post covid, post baby, all whilst riding the waves and unpredictability of running a small business at that time. The emotional stress and overwhelm started showing up physically, and I knew I couldn’t keep pushing through on autopilot. I needed to address and take care of my mental wellbeing before I had the energy and strength to tackle the practical business stuff.
What I needed was a wider support network in my work life – because let’s face it, running a small business can be a lonely affair. Even if you have staff on board and you’re not fully working solo, the pressure on your shoulders is immense. You don’t want to share your worries for fear of demotivating the troops.
But my journey taught me something huge: the magic of reaching out. Of not hiding behind a brave face. Of saying, “actually, I’m struggling right now” and finding strength in the support of others. The relief, the energy, the connection you get when you stop being “resilient in silence” is so powerful.
Networking without the “ick”
But here’s the thing: I hated networking with a passion.
The forced smiles. The name tags. The formality. The pressure to stand up and pitch yourself. Ugh. I wanted something different – something natural. A community built on hugs, not handshakes.
So Hatch was born. And it turns out, if you create events that genuinely give people something they need – connection, fun, breathing space – the networking part takes care of itself. No awkwardness. No “ick.” Just real people talking and supporting each other.
A place where true bonds and support networks are formed. Events that leave you feeling clearer, lighter, and rejuvenated to step back into your business role.
Our first events
And wow, it’s working! We’ve hosted four Hatch events to date, each one totally unique:
Every single time, we’ve had guests say: “Now, that was exactly what I needed.” And that’s when we know we’re onto something.
All hugs, no handshakes
The concept of Hatch speaks to our core values at Eggu of embracing creativity, transformation, collaboration, motivation and nourishment.
Without doubt, we’re all about celebrating the importance of learning here too – and in life this never stops. It’s not just about seeking out new software or business processes, sometimes its more personal than that. Finding ways to grow and evolve – building strength and positivity to tackle new challenges.
Yes we’re a digital agency – and it’s true, we love almost everything about the online world. But in reality we all need a healthier balance. I chance to interact with each other face-to-face, to get outside and take a breather, to share your struggles and celebrate your wins.
So, what’s next for Hatch?
Well, we’re only just getting started. Our goal is to keep growing Hatch into a community that truly reflects the needs of local business owners and supporters. We’ll be mixing things up with new formats, new speakers, and fresh ideas.
And here’s where you come in:
If you’d like to get involved in hosting a Hatch event, whether you’ve got a brilliant venue, a wellbeing activity, or a skill to share, we’d love to hear from you. It’s a chance to showcase what you do, while giving back to a community that’s all about lifting each other up.
Join our community
Hatch isn’t about networking. It’s about belonging. And we’d love for you to be part of it with us.
We’re on the hunt for a Digital Learning Designer to join our eggscellent creative team at Eggu.
If you love creating engaging, interactive online experiences, have a flair for design, and get a buzz from making learning fun, engaging, and effective – this could be the perfect role for you.
Why Eggu?
We’re a boutique digital design agency with a friendly, supportive vibe and a big passion for bringing learning to life. Every project is different – one day you could be working with a global brand, the next with an exciting non-profit. If you’re ambitious, collaborative and bursting with ideas, you’ll fit right in.
What you’ll be doing
Designing and developing engaging digital learning experiences in Adapt, Articulate Rise, and Storyline
Making sure everything looks and works brilliantly – testing, tweaking, and ensuring accessibility
Supporting the team to create eye-catching graphics, animations, and visuals in line with brand guidelines
Collaborating with client subject matter experts to transform their knowledge into standout learning content
What we’re looking for
A confident understanding of online learning and instructional design
Proven experience in mobile-responsive design using Adapt, Rise, and Storyline
A design portfolio that shows off your creativity and elearning expertise
A great eye for detail and design consistency
Strong communication skills – you’re as comfortable with clients as you are with your teammates
Super organised, able to juggle projects, and thrive under pressure
A true team player who loves collaboration
Bonus points if you have
A degree or diploma in design or a related field
Graphic design, video, or animation skills using Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects, Premiere Pro, or Camtasia
A working knowledge of CSS and HTML (to make your designs sparkle even more)
The practical bits
Based at Eggu HQ, Marden, Kent (remote isn’t available this time, but hybrid may be an option after probation)
Salary dependent on experience
Sorry, no agencies or freelancers
Think you’ve got what it takes to crack this role?
Burnout among small business owners in the UK has become a pressing concern, with various studies highlighting its rise and impact.
A survey by FreeAgent in May 2023 revealed that 37% of small business owners admitted to experiencing burnout due to increasing demands.
Let’s face it – freelancing or operating a small business in the current UK economic climate has it’s pressures and challenges. But taking healthy steps to maintain resilience is essential for business progression.
So, what contributes to small business burnout?
Extended working hours
Research from Simply Business indicates that one in three (33%) small business owners have faced burnout, working an average of over 46 hours per week. That’s 10 hours more than the UK average, which can ultimately lead to physical and mental exhaustion.
Insufficient leave
Three-quarters (73%) of small business owners take fewer than 20 days off annually. That’s below the UK statutory entitlement of 28 days.
Work-life imbalance
An American Express survey reported that 88% of small business leaders experience work regularly interrupting their personal lives, with over a quarter (27%) facing such interruptions daily.
Impact on mental health
The Mental Health UK survey highlighted that 80% of small business owners experience symptoms of poor mental health, including stress, anxiety, and depression, at least a few times a year.
So, what steps can we take to mitigate burnout?
Delegation
Assigning tasks to employees or outsourcing to fellow freelancers can reduce the workload and allow business owners to focus on critical areas. Collaborating and partnering with similar sized businesses can also bring a range of benefits to lighten the load and boost your offering.
Setting boundaries
Establishing clear work hours and ensuring time for personal activities can help maintain a healthier work-life balance. It’s tough when the responsibility is on your shoulders, but productivity will undoubtedly improve by restoring balance in your life.
Regular breaks
Taking regular breaks and ensuring adequate annual leave are essential for mental and physical rejuvenation. If booking a two week holiday might be detrimental to your business, make sure you schedule more long weekends to amp up the down-time.
Seeking support
Engaging with professional networks, mentors, or mental health professionals can provide guidance and emotional support. Talking openly with businesses close to you can also give you great insight to how they might tackle similar challenges.
Summing up
Addressing burnout is crucial not only for the well-being of small business owners but also for the sustainability and growth of their businesses.
Implementing proactive measures can help mitigate the risks associated with burnout and promote a healthier work environment.
Now, to slightly lighten the mood… check out Dom Joly (AKA creator of Trigger Happy TV) fronting Air Landline’s advert to hilariously play out the tricky challenges of work-life balance.
Storytelling has always been a fundamental part of human communication, helping to engage, inspire, and educate.
In elearning, incorporating storytelling techniques can make learning experiences more immersive and impactful.
But why does storytelling work so well in digital learning?
Increases engagement
Stories captivate learners by creating an emotional connection with the content, making them more likely to stay focused and motivated.
Well-developed characters and relatable situations allow learners to connect emotionally, making training more impactful and fostering a deeper understanding.
Provides context and meaning
Real-world scenarios and characters help learners understand abstract concepts in a relatable way.
By embedding concepts into real-life situations, storytelling helps learners understand how the knowledge applies to their own experiences, making learning more meaningful.
Improves retention
People remember stories better than isolated facts. A well-crafted narrative helps learners retain information more effectively.
Simplifies complex ideas
Storytelling can break down difficult or technical subjects into digestible, relatable narratives, making it easier for learners to grasp challenging concepts.
Encourages critical thinking
Scenario-based storytelling presents challenges or problems that learners must navigate, reinforcing practical application and fostering analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
Find out how to enhance the impact of your digital learning with bespoke storytelling?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain the backbone of the UK’s economy, accounting for 99.9% of the business population at the start of 2024.
While traditional, formal partnerships have seen a decline, collaborative efforts among small businesses are on the rise.
These modern partnerships often involve resource sharing, co-marketing initiatives, and joint ventures, enabling SMEs to expand their reach and enhance operational efficiency. This trend reflects a strategic shift towards cooperation, allowing small businesses to remain competitive in a dynamic market.
Partnerships offer a powerful way to drive growth, increase brand visibility, and enhance operational efficiency.
Just like Eggu, here’s why more small businesses are embracing collaborations:
1. Expanding reach and audience growth
Partnering with another business allows both parties to tap into each other’s customer base, increasing brand awareness without the high costs of traditional marketing. This cross-promotion strategy helps small businesses grow faster.
2. Sharing resources and reducing costs
Small businesses often face budget constraints. By collaborating, they can pool resources, share technology, and split marketing expenses, making operations more cost-effective.
3. Enhancing credibility and trust
Collaborations can boost credibility, positioning both businesses as industry leaders and fostering customer confidence.
4. Diversifying offerings
By partnering with a complementary business, small companies can expand their product or service offerings without having to develop them from scratch. In crowded markets, this helps small businesses gain a competitive advantage and stand out.
5. Boosting innovation
Working with another business brings fresh ideas and perspectives, sparking innovation and creative problem-solving.
Summing up
As small businesses look for smarter ways to grow, partnerships provide a strategic, low-risk way to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
Eggu are always on the hunt for exciting agencies to partner with on to deliver our clients a blended solution to meet the specific needs or any project requirement.
Looking to collaborate with a digital expert to snag that next contract? Why not get in touch with Eggu to discuss your partnership ideas?
