< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS Spoiler alert…I’m a big football fan. You may not be so you will be pleased to learn that this column is not about the ‘beautiful game’, in fact, it all got rather ugly. Now, I’m also a big fan of Gary Lineker. It has nothing to do with his team affiliations (Leicester, Spurs, Everton, Barcelona, Grampus 8, Walkers - I prefer a McCoy), I just quite like the guy. He is great on camera and somehow still has that boyish charm which enables him to get away with risqué little comments and digs or frankly terrible puns - you’d never see me try that! He’s become a ‘national treasure’ FOOTED. They now accept that their interpretation of their own contracts might have been foggy and that there are, like their star attraction’s hair (and indeed mine), some ‘grey areas’. One might even argue that they couldn’t have foreseen the scale of the media circus they unleashed but when Piers Morgan is agreeing with Lineker (doubtless because it suits his own agenda) you know you have misread the room. Nevermind the boycott that ensued from the fellow presenters, then the commentators, then the other radio shows, then the other TV shows. It all escalated pretty quickly and has now Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, dives into the BBC/Gary Lineker debacle. and it pays to handle such treasure with care - whatever a contract may or may not say. Gary has become a household name on the TV every week flogging football and occasionally bothering us about crisps - even then, it is done with a sense of humour and fun. Now I’m not for one minute suggesting that the BBC lost their sense of humour here, it was a serious point to tackle and nip in the bud but to target Gary ‘early doors’ as the commentators might say was a massive error. The problem is, to borrow a phrase from footy parlance, they went in TWO- 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:16 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link PUBLIC RELATIONS supposedly been dealt with but not without HUGE damage to the BBC brand and an even BIGGER boost to Lineker’s. Enjoy renegotiating that contract when it comes around folks! Of course, Gary may want to look elsewhere in future transfer windows but if he does, it would be wise for any brand that wants to sign him to consider their Ts and Cs VERY carefully when it comes to social media usage. That goes for any business, whether you are hiring staff, contractors, freelancers, or ‘celebs’ - what they say and do in public can potentially impact on you. You need to weigh this very carefully when you ‘get into bed’ with a celeb or align with them in any official capacity. They are, believe it or not, human. That means they are fallible. They may have views that do not sit well with your own as a business and brand or entirely contradict your messaging. So always do your research. Remember, when you align with a celebrity or ‘influencer’ you do so because of their reach. This goes both ways - it can be positive or negative. Or neutral. Famously, our Gary was never booked once in his career - nope, not ONCE. This was one heck of a yellow card for Auntie BBC. A former business journalist, Greg Simpson is the author of The Small Business Guide to PR and has been recognised as one of the UK’s top 5 PR consultants, having set up Press for Attention PR in 2008. He has worked for FTSE 100 firms, charities and start-ups and conducted press conferences with Sir Richard Branson and James Caan. His background ensures a deep understanding of every facet of a successful PR campaign – from a journalist’s, client’s, and consultant’s perspective. 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:16 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk HEALTHCARE © stock.adobe.com/VadimGuzhva 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:18 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link HEALTHCARE Prioritising your physical and mental health in the workplace can profoundly boost your productivity and happiness at work, benefitting not only yourself but your colleagues and the organisation’s overall wellbeing. M aking conscious efforts to stay healthy while you’re working should be counted just as important as the work you do. When you start considering why this is, you realise the many different layers of impact your health has on how you give back to your business and career. Without making sure you’re well-rested mentally and physically, your focus and output suffers. But when you’re looking after your energy levels and staying active, not only will your efforts be on top form, you’ll simply enjoy your day more alongside everyone you work with. Let’s start by looking at staying active. Sitting in front of a computer screen for long hours can lead to a great many health problems, so it’s important to take short breaks frequently to stretch, or stand up and walk around if you’re physically able. If you are able-bodied and used to being sedentary while working, especially in a desk job, setting this to rights can start with small but effective steps. When you arrive at the start of the day, try taking the stairs instead of the lift. You can even start your day off right before you clock on, by walking or cycling to your place of work instead of commuting by car. 44 Á 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:18 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk HEALTHCARE It’s important to take this attitude through your workday, and this is where taking those regular breaks comes in. They don’t have to be long, as even a few seconds looking away from your screen can do wonders for your vision, eye health and attention span. As a starting point, when you’ve done 40 minutes to an hour of work, make a conscious effort to stop what you’re doing and think what your body needs. That might mean correcting your posture – crucial for evading pain in the neck, back and shoulders – or making sure you’re staying hydrated to prevent headaches becoming an unwelcome stress. Lunch breaks might be the most crucial time to reset your habits and step back from your desk. Eating lunch in front of a screen has become an unhealthy trend in many workplaces, due to the illusion of getting more work done. But this is a contrary and potentially harmful behaviour to keep up, particularly if it’s on an everyday basis. It only means you’ll feel more tired, which can have a shocking impact on the quality of your sleep and affect whole weeks, or even months or years of work. This snowball effect can be managed and prevented by taking your lunch away from your desk. Head to a nearby beauty spot, or grab the chance to catch up with friends from other departments while you refuel. After taking all these steps for a few days, chances are you’ll start having a better night’s sleep. This is the perfect foundation for improving your mental wellbeing hand-in-hand with physical health. Rest keeps our energy high, and our concentration and productivity on point. The surprising amount these three facets bring to a full and happy working day will automatically boost your mental health, laying the groundwork to help yourself feel at your best. Here’s where you can choose to give even more to your work, your colleagues, and ultimately yourself. Mental health is just as important as the physical when it comes to raising your motivation, focus and the brain’s processing speeds, all so important for being on your toes for any challenge the day might bring. Pressing the reset button, even after the worst of days, means being committed to self- care. The good news is, you already started this work when you helped yourself to a deeper sleep. If you’re doing that by making sure you eat a healthy and hearty lunch, even better. These common-sense actions all count as self-care, so reward yourself by doing something that brings you joy. Most people could benefit from incorporating an activity or hobby that acts as a reward system, whether during or at the end of the day. This could mean bringing a good book or creative project in as a mini lunchtime retreat, or listening to music on your commute. Just don’t let whether you do this be based on how much you get done. Showing up for your work with the best possible intentions is more than enough reason to treat yourself. Being realistic with your output goals for each day in this way can be helpful for staying motivated, and preventing overwhelm or burnout creeping in to cause unnecessary stress. Making small tweaks to your to-do list, or starting to 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:18 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link HEALTHCARE keep one if needed, can reassure you that you’re making progress. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable steps, and prioritise your tasks based on their importance and deadline. And let’s reiterate this – make sure you reward yourself and celebrate your accomplishments along the way. Sharing your achievements with colleagues works as a huge communal confidence booster, but also builds strong relationships for a supportive and collaborative work environment. Take the time you’ve blocked out away from your desk to connect with your co-workers, whether it’s collaboration on projects or just stopping by for a chat. You never know when the friends you make might save your day. Everyone has times when they need extra support, and it’s especially important for men to normalise letting each other know when they’re feeling low. To keep stress and emotional overwhelm from taking their sometimes tragic toll, talk to a trusted colleague or supervisor, or make the most of any employee assistance programs your workplace has available. However you go about it, seek the help you need and deserve. Your mental health will thank you for it, perhaps for a long time to come. Each of these steps add up to a positive body, mind and workplace threefold relationship. When you’re feeling rested, happy and enthusiastic about your work, it starts to stretch beyond you to your colleagues and friends, and even the overall vibe of the space you work in. This will happen naturally when you’re sharing your endeavours with others, so why not make the effort to incorporate it into your workplace policy? Start an office-wide movement to break for exercise, fresh air and constructive playtime, or build a safe space to talk about stress, frustration or sadness. These simple goals can be true lifesavers in preventing health problems, promoting mental wellness, and forging a whole team devoted to inspiring and supporting each other. © stock.adobe.com/SOMKID © stock.adobe.com/tadamichi 42-45.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:18 Page 4 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK motors We look this month at an eclectic range of motors covering the whole spectrum, from the pinnacle of sports cars to an old classic to be released in limited numbers. Striking 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:27 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Lamborghini Revuelto In the marque’s 60th anniversary year, Automobili Lamborghini presents Revuelto, the first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Revuelto brings the future of Lamborghini design to the road today. It stays constant to the exclusive Lamborghini design DNA but establishes an entirely new stylistic language. The Revuelto retains one of Lamborghini’s strongest traditions: four- wheel drive. As well as the internal combustion engine that provides power to the rear wheels, a pair of electric motors now make their debut on the front axle, each supplying traction to one of the front wheels. There’s also a third electric motor positioned above the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox that can supply power to the rear wheels, depending on the selected driving mode and the conditions. When the battery charge drops down to zero it can be recharged using both ordinary domestic alternating and charging column current up to 7 kW in power, and completely recharges in just 30 minutes. It can also be recharged under regenerative braking from the front wheels or directly from the V12 engine in just six minutes. MINI Clubman In 1969, the first Mini Clubman rewrote the rule book. It was an instant hit, dominating the 1970’s automotive market as a station wagon with its long wheelbase, extended shooting-brake body, and characteristic split doors at the rear. Today, the MINI Clubman remains one of the most versatile MINI models in the range and is forever synonymous with its signature rear split doors. The MINI Clubman Final Edition is a limited run of 1,969 units - paying homage to the launch year of the original vehicle - with just 100 models for the UK. Powered by a 4-cylinder petrol engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology, the MINI Clubman Final Edition (fuel consumption combined: 6.5 l/62 miles; CO2 emissions combined: 147 g/km 48 Á Lamborghini Revuelto 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:27 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK according to WLTP) is offered with a Cooper S engine that delivers 178 hp. The interior of the MINI Clubman Final Edition features door sill trims embellished with “Final Edition” lettering which are also found on the lower spoke of the Nappa leather steering wheel. MINI Yours leather sports seats – finished exclusively in Dark Maroon Leather – offer sewn-in edition-specific badging, seat heating and adjustable thigh support. Mercedes-Benz GLB Numerous innovations and more extensive standard equipment – Mercedes-Benz is making the spacious GLB compact SUV even more attractive for customers. The redesigned front bumper with visual underbody protection points to its off-road genes. The SUV radiator grille with four horizontal louvres and central star underlines this impression. The athletic shoulder shape, with coherently modelled side graphics, creates an interesting interplay of light and shadow and a visually width- accentuated rear end. Comfort seats come as standard in the new GLB, which are upholstered in ARTICO man-made leather and black fabric with three-dimensional embossing. One of the highlights of the significantly upgraded interior is the freestanding double screen. Standard are a 7-inch and a 10.25-inch display for the respective instrument cluster and multimedia MINI Clubman 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:27 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK screens, with two 10.25inch wide-screen displays available as an option. Ferrari Roma Spider Shown for the first time last month in Marrakesh, the Ferrari Roma Spider retains the Ferrari Roma’s excellent dynamic characteristics: it boasts a best-in-class weight/power ratio thanks not only to its soft top, but also to its all-aluminium chassis and 620 cv V8 from the engine family that was heralded as the International Engine of the Year on four consecutive occasions. The engine is coupled with Ferrari’s universally acclaimed 8-speed DCT known for its incredibly fast shift times as well as excellent standards of comfort and mechanical efficiency. The Ferrari Roma Spider is not just rewardingly easy to drive, it is also extremely dynamic and responsive: this makes it the perfect companion on out-of- town weekends and longer journeys alike. Always, of course, with the exhilarating Ferrari V8 soundtrack playing in the background. A number of features are designed to make this car superbly versatile, including a category-topping boot size which includes a hatch via the rear seat backrests to allow larger items to be carried, and standard wireless connectivity by Android Auto® and Apple CarPlay® Wi-Fi. Not forgetting, of course, 18-way-adjustable heated ergonomic seats that are also available with an optional neck warmer for colder days. Mercedes-Benz GLB Ferrari Roma Spider 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 03/04/2023 14:28 Page 4Next >