< PreviousRENEWABLES Renewable energies are all also generally cheaper now. Solar, wind, heat pumps and such are all being seen in residential as well as commercial developments - and they can all possibly generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels - several companies are already investing in the renewable energy market in our region. Heat and electricity generation have more debateable solutions in anaerobic digestion, which produces heat and electricity by burning methane from organic material breakdown, or biomass systems. The latter also burns organic matter, including coal, and both are more maligned for not necessarily being carbon neutral. Geothermal and ground source heat pumps use low-level ground heat for heating and cooling, less common than solar power but similarly space-friendly through the use of panels. Simultaneous production of electricity and useful thermal energy (like steam or hot water) from a single fuel source, such as natural gas, can be used to cut down on fuel in a method known as combined heat and power, which is more responsible but costly to install. But before diving into renewable energy technology, care should be taken to ensure that all legal and compliance matters are arranged in advance. You and your business should consider factors such as planning permissions, connection requirements, and regulatory obligations. A thorough business renewable energy site survey, compliance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, and long-term lease agreements for premises ownership are crucial prerequisites. Change, however, is sometimes seen as an affront by the older generations. Such has always been the case in life, music, media and culture in general, but an ageing demographic among policy makers in the government and councils across the country is perhaps pushing a skewed emphasis on climate change denial. Worse yet, tribalism in the strangest of places is fuelling it even further. Many in the Brexiteer camp have decided to side with climate change denial not because it makes any sense from a Brexit perspective, but because they can support one another’s claims. This immediately creates a large number of people denying climate change and trying to weaken the country’s environmental policies that don’t even believe in what they are saying. It’s all just politics. It’s not hard to see examples of it coming apart at the seams, either. The recent water sewage issues plaguing UK rivers and beaches are all over the news, leading to the country being roundly mocked and now the Government has had to step in against Thames Water, only to find that the financial backers behind Thames Water are prepared to fight back and pull promised money out the company if they are expected to pay the fines levied on them. Looking at the general outrage from Thames Water’s pollution (and they’re not the only ones doing it of course), it’s obvious that most people in the country do not want polluted waterways, erasure of green spaces, and pollution in the air. 50 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 51 52 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK CUPRA Terramarwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 53 AUTOLINK New year, new cars A new year means new motors. CUPRA Terramar CUPRA’s newest sporty SUV, the CUPRA Terramar, has opened for order in the UK. Delivering on what the brand promised two years ago, the CUPRA Terramar will continue to drive the success of the company and its financial performance. CUPRA is one of Europe’s fastest growing automotive brands, with more than 650,000 cars delivered since 2018 while expanding its reach around the globe with more than 800 CUPRA garages worldwide. The new CUPRA Terramar will launch with a competitive Retail campaign offering customers £2,000 deposit contribution and 4.9% APR (up to 48 months). Customers can also purchase a two-year service plan for £99. The brand’s newest SUV is available in V1, V2, VZ1 and VZ2 trims, with a First Edition and America’s Cup Special Edition also on offer. The CUPRA Terramar is available with different powertrain options, including the new generation of plug-in hybrid technology (eHybrid), delivering 272PS (200kW), while offering more than 70 miles of all-electric range. 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK GWM Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid This mid-sized SUV boasts a class-leading electric motor power output of 149ps, which is complemented by an efficient 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 189ps combined peak power. This delivers driving characteristics similar to those of an electric car but with a theoretical driving range of 620 miles. In Australia, the Haval Jolion Pro has earned a popular position as the third best-selling vehicle in its class and has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating in the ANCAP (Australian New Car Assessment Program) testing. On the interior, the GWM Haval Jolion Pro boasts a vast range of intuitive technology on display. Drivers will experience the seamless integration of a 7” full-colour digital cluster alongside an LED multimedia touchscreen, up to 12.3-inches depending on specification, empowering connectivity and control. Users will also benefit from Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® capability, plus a Bluetooth® hands-free system, smart keyless entry, and push-button start, all designed to prioritise ease and efficiency. Vehicles finished in the top-spec Ultra trim add a Head-Up Display and wireless phone charger. Honda Prelude Honda has announced the new hybrid electric Prelude will arrive in Europe in the early part of 2026 and will debut innovative Honda S+ Shift technology to further enhance the ‘joy of driving’ offered by the brand’s latest sports coupe. The Honda S+ Shift will simulate the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes – helping to deliver the model’s perfect balance of exhilarating driving pleasure to a new generation of Prelude drivers. Following its debut 46 years ago, the original model was seen as a high-performance showcase of Honda’s cutting-edge technology across five generations until 2000. Picking up where it left off, the new Prelude will offer a compelling blend of style and sophistication alongside an efficient hybrid powertrain. GWM Haval Jolion Pro Hybridwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 55 AUTOLINK Dacia Bigster Winning its first award before it has even put a wheel on UK roads, and barely a month since its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, the All-New Dacia Bigster has been named 2025’s Most Anticipated New Car by Carwow in its Car of the Year Awards. What’s more, the All-New Duster has been given the Smart Spender Award. Scheduled to arrive in the UK in Spring 2025, the All- New Bigster enters a new sector of the market for Dacia and offers all the essentials required for a large family SUV, blending its rugged and practical design with segment- busting affordability. More details will be revealed in due course. Offering great value for money, the third generation of the Duster is undoubtably the best yet and the first to offer mild and full hybrid engines, along with the versatile 4x4 option and the unique choice of an LPG- powered Bi-Fuel engine as well. Its rugged and assertive style combine with an interior offering extra space but is still as robust and practical as ever. Dacia Bigster Honda Prelude56 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk on activities and practical insights into the benefits and use cases of AI in marketing. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/e vent-details/?id=4673& navigatedFromSearch=true FSB: Health, Wellbeing and Personal Development For Small Businesses Wednesday 15 January Online When you’re busy running your own small business, it’s important to take the time to look after your mental, physical and financial wellbeing. Join this event for insightful presentations from wellbeing experts who will share practical tips and advice. You’ll also have the chance to connect and network with fellow small business owners. For more information visit www.fsb.org.uk/event- calendar/health-wellbeing-and- personal-development-for-small- businesses15jan25.html Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network Tuesday 14 January NTU Mansfield University Centre, Mansfield The Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network forms part of the umbrella East Midlands Manufacturing Network which is led by East Midlands Chamber. It unites local manufacturers, enabling members to harness the cross-industry, business, engineering and manufacturing knowledge necessary to evolve and expand. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/tmpl_- _nottinghamshire_manufacturing_network 2383700005/ AI-Powered Marketing Wednesday 15 January Online This 2-hour online and interactive workshop is designed to empower creative leaders with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI in their marketing strategies. This session will include hands- events Scope 3 Emissions: Engaging With Your Suppliers and Customers Tuesday 21 January Online Are you a small-medium business owner in Lincolnshire or Rutland who wants to learn how to create a sustainable supply chain for your business? At this online workshop you will learn: how to review and green your © stock.adobe.com/Supatman Blogging With Authority and Trust Tuesday 14 January The Grand Hotel, Leicester Blogging for business is much more than writing an update on the company or repurposing a newsletter. Not only can it improve your website’s overall performance but it can set you apart from your competition, positioning you as an organisation with knowledge, expertise and great service. But what do you blog about? Who should author the content and how can you use content as a springboard to generating more leads and closing business? This workshop will look at the different elements of blogging for business: what to write about, how frequently and how to ensure it doesn’t just sit there doing nothing. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/blogging- with-authority-and-trust-leics/ © stock.adobe.com/Song_about_summerwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 57 procurement strategy, how to engage and communicate with suppliers, and how to manage client requests about carbon performance. You will also have the chance to ask questions relevant to your organisation, meet other local businesses, and learn about further support from the Low Carbon Lincolnshire programme. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/event- details/?id=4716&navigatedFromSearch=true Networking & Scalextric Racing Thursday 23 January Electric Tracks, Spalding Join a truly unique event that combines networking whilst racing around world famous tracks including Silverstone, Donnington Park and Lincolnshire’s own Cadwell Park without having the risk of personal injury. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/events/networking-scalextric-racing/ Women With Vision Networking & Lunch Friday 31 January Silverstone Museum, Silverstone Join award-winning leadership coach Rachel Collar from Haus of Coaching to kickstart your year with clarity and purpose. Through engaging insights and actionable strategies, you’ll learn how to set meaningful goals that align with your personal and professional aspirations. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect and map out a transformative 2025. For more information visit https://northants- chamber.co.uk/event/women-with-vision-networking-lunch/ Getting Started With Podcasting For Business Tuesday 21 January East Midlands Chamber, Chesterfield Podcasting is a popular format for the sharing of ideas and concepts, diving deep into interesting topics and building audiences of loyal fans, interested in the subject matter. Businesses can take advantage of the changing ways audiences access content by demonstrating their knowledge and expertise while creating an opportunity for those audiences to connect to them. In this session, you’ll learn why a business should consider podcasting and the strategies needed to successfully produce and launch a podcast. For more information visit www.emc- dnl.co.uk/events/template_-_getting_started_with_podcasting_ for_business2131218350/ © stock.adobe.com/rawpixel.com Low-Cost Carbon Cuts: Affordable Tech, Savvy Procurement, and Smart Behaviour Wednesday 22 January Online Are you an SME hesitant about diving into carbon reduction due to budget constraints? Fear not! This webinar explores low-cost, high-impact strategies in technology, procurement, and behavioural change. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/low- cost_carbon_cuts_affordable_tech_ savvy_procurement_and_smart_ behaviour2992303248/ 58 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Here’s Frazer’s collection of the weird and wonderful ‘news’ that came his way over the last few weeks. And finally The world of Frazer The cost of Secret Santa Last month saw millions of employees present each other with Secret Santa gifts. But while the annual tradition can be a fun morale booster, a way to get teams smiling and laughing, we’ve all heard horror stories of inappropriate or plain bizarre gifts. Perhaps just as bad are the mediocre ones that lead to a stock of Secret Santa presents at the back of one’s cupboards, or worse amongst the 2.5 million unwanted gifts that go straight in the bin, worth over £32 million! The tradition comes with more secrets, however, than simply who is behind such presents, with research from instantprint surveying office workers about their thoughts on Secret Santa further revealing participants’ Secret Santa confessions. From a sly employee upscaling gifts based on how much they like the recipient, to a team conspiring in a more positive manner to ensure people get what they need, Frazer’s favourite has to be the employee who gave their child’s art in a frame to a coworker, passing it off as a piece by a local up-and-coming artist! Who knows, maybe their child will paint masterpieces in the future, making the scribbles priceless! How to acquire extra holiday days How can one gain extra holiday days at work? Usually this comes through negotiation or with each year you work with a business. New research, however, shows that many are acquiring time off through time-zapping habits — whether knowingly or unknowingly. Online retailer Haypp has looked into who the biggest time wasters in the office are, revealing which culprits obtain the most ‘unofficial’ holidays. The leaders are the TikTok scrollers. Apparently, on average, a worker spends 33 minutes scrolling through TikTok during the workday. Looking across the year, minus the average five weeks holiday, these social addicts spend 129 hours a year scrolling — or over three weeks of additional ‘unofficial’ holiday a year. In true British fashion, the second biggest time wasters are the tea makers, who gain eight days of holiday each year, while smokers and vapers take third place, with almost six days’ worth of time out. The robot worker uprising The integration of robotics and AI in the workplace is in full steam, but as we come to accept, or in some cases resist, these changes, every now and again something uncanny happens to help dampen confidence in the tech. Most recently this saw a small robot cause a mutiny. ‘Erbai’ was caught on CCTV asking a larger bot “are you working overtime?” to which the other said, “I never get off work.” Replying “come home with me,” the large robot, as well as those around it, abandoned their post and followed their mini HR manager bot ‘home’. Apparently, the video showcases a controlled incident to assess AI interaction capabilities, however it has led to discussion of AI security and control. With one of the key advantages of robots being their ability to work continuously, where their human counterparts require breaks, it seems there may be a future in which robots strike for their own perceived wellbeing! © stock.adobe.com/ deagreez © stock.adobe.com/insta_photos © stock.adobe.com/ djmilicSubscribe now and receive Business Link every month, delivered to your door Delivery Details Name:............................................................................................ Position:......................................................................................... Company:...................................................................................... Address:......................................................................................... ........................................................................................................ Postcode:....................................................................................... 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