< PreviousOUT OF OFFICE Ideagen colleagues raise £5,000 for Türkiye and Syria Workers at Ideagen, the Nottingham-headquartered global tech business, have rallied to support the people of Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria, devastated by recent earthquakes. In just a few weeks Ideagen employees in Nottingham and around the world, raised £2,410. The tech company then more than doubled that, bringing the total to £5,000. Claire Knee, Ideagen global community lead, said: “Together, our people and the company wanted to help. We know that thousands of people have lost their lives, hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and survivors are facing awful conditions. They are in desperate need of emergency aid – the scale of the tragedy is unfathomable to most of us.” The £5,000 raised will go direct to the Red Cross and The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) who are coordinating aid efforts for 15 charities, ensuring it gets directly to where it is most needed. Cawarden demolition operative wins prestigious award Jamie Dial, of Derby- based Specialist Contractor Cawarden, has been presented with an award by the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC). Jamie was presented with the CITB-sponsored ‘Demolition Operative of the Year’ award by NFDC’s CEO, Howard Button, in recognition of his enthusiasm, hard work, and willingness to learn and progress. When Cawarden first met Jamie, he was living in YMCA accommodation in Derby. Jamie had a tough start in life but he hasn’t let that hold him back. The NFDC Demolition Awards recognises and celebrates the very best in the demolition sector today. To receive an award from the Federation, which is known for championing high standards in demolition for more than 80 years, is a prestigious accolade indeed. Jamie Dial, demolition operative, said: “I have proved myself wrong and I am proud of what I have achieved so far and the confidence and motivation I have acquired through my work at Cawarden. I’m excited about the future and would like to thank everyone who has supported me.” William Crooks, Managing Director, said: “Jamie is a shining star, and I’m excited to watch him grow as a person and gain a lifetime of skills at Cawarden. The progress he has made in such a short time makes us very proud. Through his story, I hope Jamie helps to inspire others to join us and shape the future of next-generation demolition talent.” East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Regional entrepreneurs join Star Trust as patrons East Midlands charity, Star Trust, has welcomed several new business leaders and entrepreneurs as patrons and trustees. Star Trust is run by local business owners and entrepreneurs. Since its launch more than ten years ago it has donated more than £777,000 and awarded grants to 100 East Midlands-based charities. Kavita Oberoi OBE, the founder and Managing Director of Derby businesses Oberoi Consulting and Oberoi Business Hub in Pride Park, and Tony Hillary, the founder of Hillary’s Blinds and a successful investor under Hillary’s Investments, have joined as patrons of the charity. Both will be working alongside established patron Tim Storer – joint Managing Director of his family business, Pukka Pies Ltd – to champion the charity, help decide where money should be donated and participate in fundraising activities. Two new volunteer board members have also joined Star Trust – Lincolnshire-based and award-winning entrepreneur Sarah Louise Fairburn and David Ryley, head of David Ryley Wealth in Nottinghamshire. Star Trust founder Steve Hampson said: “We are delighted to welcome our new patrons and board members who join a loyal and committed team of volunteers with the sole focus of supporting local charities.” L-R: Star Trust patrons Tony Hillary, Kavita Oberoi and Tim Storer © stock.adobe.com/Reda L-R: Emma Attwood, group marketing & communications manager, Jamie Dial, demolition operative, and William Crooks, Managing Director at Cawarden 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:39 Page 1 Two new brands sign up to £100,000 golf challenge Two new companies have signed up to a golf challenge in order to raise £100,000 for Big C Little C – a charity which aims to help find a cure for cancer and also support vulnerable children. Law firm Shakespeare Martineau and recruitment and retention experts Macildowie join Simple Marketing Consultancy, Fiscal Engineers, Breeze Corporate Finance and MKM Building supplies in the “2023 Three Bunkers Challenge” which is based on the format of the “Three Peaks Challenge.” Held annually, this year’s challenge will take place on Friday 26 May and involves 24 players from six teams playing 27 holes of golf across three East Midlands counties in one day. Starting at Morley Hayes in Derbyshire, Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire and finishing at The Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club. Organised by Bev Cook from Simple Marketing Consultancy, the event has been successfully held in 2021 and 2022 and has so far raised nearly £30,000. Bev has now committed to hold the event until £100,000 is raised. OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Race night brings sizeable total over the line for local charity A Race Night, organised by local charity Safe and Sound, romped home above target – raising more than £4,000 to enable the charity to support more children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation. More than 130 people attended the event at Nicco restaurant and bar in Pride Park including the Mayor of Derby Cllr Robin Wood and representatives from a wide range of local businesses. Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison, who was compere for the evening dressed as a jockey, said: “This is one of our major annual fundraising events and we are grateful for the support, once again, of the Derby business community. “Demand for our support grows year on year and it is heartening that so many individuals and businesses recognise the value of work in local communities to protect and support those vulnerable to exploitation.” Last year, Safe and Sound supported a record 343 children and young people aged eight and above who had been victims of or at risk of child exploitation including online grooming sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation. The charity also supported 40 families whose lives had been affected by exploitation. Building Better Opportunities scheme helps almost 9,000 economically inactive people to find work or training An innovative programme that connects local authorities, businesses and other key agencies with the aim of tackling long- term unemployment has supported 8,908 economically inactive people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The D2N2 Building Better Opportunities (BBO) scheme, which comprises three distinctive projects promoting social inclusion, has helped 1,102 of these individuals to progress into employment, assisted 864 into long-term education or training, and enabled 492 people to independently search for jobs. Funded by the European Social Fund and National Lottery Community Fund, BBO – which recently ended after six years – has been led by a consortium of voluntary and community organisations across the country. In the D2N2 region, four stakeholder managers were employed or seconded to East Midlands Chamber and hosted within the four upper-tier councils, with a remit to co-ordinate the £31m programme across the wider employment and skills landscape. The Chamber has also played a central role in connecting individuals with employers, and promoting an inclusive recruitment agenda among businesses that have skills gaps. L-R: Bev Cook – Simple Marketing Consultancy, Graeme Gladstone – Breeze Corporate Finance, Les – MKM Building Supplies, Colin Shaw – Fiscal Engineering, Paul Bevan - Breeze Corporate Finance, Rhys Wyborn - Shakespeare Martineau, Ed Wright - Shakespeare Martineau, Andrew Springhall – Breedon Electrical Services, James Taylor – MacIldowie Recruitment & Retention © stock.adobe.com/AREE 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:39 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk your business will include best practice examples to achieve customer engagement and success, and consider what strategic marketing plans should look like and how to market your business and your products. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/ events/marketing-your-business-know- your-clients/ Planning and Managing Change Monday 15 May Challenge Consulting, Nottingham Change is inevitable yet challenging for all those involved. This course will help guide managers on what to expect from individuals and teams during times of change, and how best to handle the emotions and reactions which will inevitably surface. For more information visit https://www.emc-dnl.co.uk/ events/planning_and_managing_change59 0033614/ Carbon Reduction Short Course (Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland) Wednesday 10 May Online This session will help you understand the context of carbon reductions and what climate change means for your business, why you should be taking steps to reducing your emissions, how you and your customers can benefit and how to access support. For more information visit https://bizgateway.org.uk/events/carbon- reduction-short-course-leicester- leicestershire-rutland/ Marketing your Business – Know your Clients Friday 12 May Commerce House, Lincoln This 1/2-day workshop about marketing events Social Media Trends for Businesses Thursday 18 May Online If you’re looking to get more out of your existing social media accounts then this is the right masterclass for you. The key content areas covered are: understanding what changes are taking place in social media that may affect your business, knowing what to incorporate, or not, into your social media plan, and learning about new opportunities online. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/event- details/?id=4197&navigatedFromSearch=true Media Communication & Awareness Workshop Friday 19 May Commerce House, Lincoln This session takes a managed and logical path through orientation to the media environment (including print, radio & television), objective setting and planning processes and how that Menopause Awareness within the Workplace Monday 15 May Online This 30 minute session will provide an introduction to Menopause Awareness within the workplace covering why we all need to talk about menopause at work, what the menopause is and how someone could be affected by it, and key ways of managing menopause. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/menopause-awareness-within-the- workplace/ © stock.adobe.com/Kay A/peopleimages.com © stock.adobe.com/Feng Yu 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:41 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link evolves into workable structure. It will explore high level Q&A technique that allows interviewees to deliver key messages and also aspects of language that will reach out to and influence their audiences. Body language and discussion around a range of media environments is included. Participants will learn: priorities for journalists, how to work with journalists to get the copy you want, planning techniques & how to structure, how to identify & use key messages, interviewers’ tricks of the trade & how to deal with them. For more information visit www.lincs- chamber.co.uk/events/media- communication-awareness-workshop/ Lincolnshire Business Week Wednesday 24 May The Engine Shed, University of Lincoln Lincolnshire Business Week Business East Midlands Bricks Awards 2023 Thursday 28 September Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham The East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2023! Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 28 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. With the economy now recovering after lockdown, and following a successful event held last year, we believe it is now more important than ever to celebrate the robustness of the property industry in our region. For more information, to submit a nomination, or buy tickets visit www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2023/ Mastering Leadership Communications Thursday 11 May Mansfield Innovation Centre, Mansfield With 85% of managerial success determined by a manager’s ability to communicate effectively, this workshop provides insights to attendees on their own natural communication style and delivers tools, strategies and skills to allow them to communicate more effectively. The session is highly interactive, allowing attendees to practice new ways of communicating in a safe environment. It then looks at how communication needs to be tailored in the context of a workplace where remote working can become the norm. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/ mastering-leadership-communications/ Accelerator Showcase is a great opportunity for gaining valuable insight into the business network. The showcase is an opportunity for startups to gain visibility, make valuable connections, and potentially secure funding or partnerships. It is also an opportunity for investors, customers, and partners to discover promising startups and evaluate their potential for investment or collaboration. For more information visit https://lincsbusinessweek.co.uk/ 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:41 Page 2Here’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 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Time for a cuppa A cup of tea or two is essential to make it through the work day. But, with over a hundred million mugs of tea consumed across the country daily, how to put together the perfect cuppa is a serious debate, with new claims coming out recently that we’ve all been making the delectable drink wrong! As national tea day took place last month (April), waters Sommelier Samantha Scoles revealed to The Mirror that the secret to the best brew is actually the water we use. Apparently, using freshly filtered water will alter the taste of your tea for the better, with tap water containing minerals prohibiting the delicious flavours of tea developing, as well as organic compounds that further influence smell and taste. The temperature of the water has an impact too, according to Scoles, with the ideal for green tea 70C, and 95-98C for black tea. Ensuring the tea doesn’t brew for too long is vital as well to achieve the best flavour. Scoles isn’t the only expert who has spoken out in the past month though, with Jane Malyon, who runs a company selling afternoon tea hampers, taking to multiple publications to share that very few of us are making our cuppas correctly, noting that boiling water should not be used, instead catching it just before the water boils or just after, and insisting milk should always go in last. So, will you change your tea-making methods going forwards? Office ‘icks’ We’ve all had an annoying colleague or two during our time in the workforce. But here’s a little secret — it’s likely that you too have been the irritating co-worker at some point, without even knowing why! Well, new research polling office workers to find the ultimate office ‘ick’ may help you decipher this. From a daily drop of milk in your tea to stealing someone’s long- awaited afternoon snack, the survey revealed that stealing food from the fridge was the top office no-no. In fact, food-related habits drive people crazy with cooking smelly food in the microwave (#4) and eating loudly (#5) also making the list. Also ranking high is someone starting a conversation in the toilets (#2), having to hear someone’s loud personal phone calls (#3), and leaving message notifications on loud (#6), while oversharing about children, cringey email phrases, typing loudly, and oversharing about one’s love life round off the top ten office annoyances. So, dear reader, do you do any of these? If so, it may be time to change your behaviour to keep your office friendships strong! Capitalising on the coronation With King Charles’ coronation this month (May), many companies have taken the opportunity to capitalise on the situation, coming up with some rather creative ideas and products to mark the occasion. The food industry seems to be the most forthcoming with new, limited-edition goods, from coronation chicken sausages and coronation chicken dog food to Heinz Tomato ‘Kingchup’ and coronation-themed caterpillar cakes. A life-sized bust of King Charles from more than 17 litres of melted Celebrations chocolates has even been made! Not hungry? Then why not try a pair of coronation socks or spruce up the outdoors with king and queen garden gnomes? The Centre for Retail Research estimates that the coronation will bolster consumer spending by £1.4bn, with both Brits and tourists buying up memorabilia, preparing for street parties, and going out to celebrate. © stock.adobe.com/ Michael © stock.adobe.com/WavebreakMediaMicro © stock.adobe.com/ Scott Griessel 54.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:54 Page 1East Midlands Business Link Bricks 2023 A celebration of those helping to create the landscape for the next generation EAST MIDLANDS The prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2023! Shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, this year’s event will take place on Thursday 28th September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. Visit www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk for more information. BUSINESS 55.qxp_Layout 1 03/05/2023 09:44 Page 1www.oms.uk.com 01530 833 533 info@oms.uk.com Visit www.oms.uk.com , call us on 01530 833 533 or email info@oms.uk.com to learn more about us and how we can enhance your organisation. Our customers say Excellent 4.8 our of 5 based on 402 reviews Helping you to perform at the highest level OMS have delivered consultancy and training services throughout the Midlands and UK for over 25 years. We are a leading authority in health and safety, employment, quality, environmental and business continuity management systems and training. Our tailored solutions support organisations throughout the UK. Could we help you too? Some of the benefits of using OMS 3 4.8-star Trustpilot rating. 3 Trusted by many major and local organisations to deliver consultancy and training. 3 Certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 for “The provision of Consultancy and Training Services” giving you the assurance that we have management controls in place to provide a quality offering safely, with minimal impact on the environment. 3 Easy access to our training centre, with free car parking, centrally located just a few minutes from Junction 22 of the M1. 3 Fantastic Indoor practical facility for practical training 3 Free car parking 3 State of the art modern training rooms 3 Celebrated 25 years in business this year. 3 Approved CITB touch screen (ITC) test centre, which allows you to attend a Site Safety Plus Health & Safety Awareness course and your touch screen test on the same day. 3 Wide range of health and safety e-learning courses. 3 Accredited to run a wide variety of courses at our training centre at Bardon Hill. 3 NEBOSH Gold training provider. 56.qxp_Layout 1 16/05/2023 09:52 Page 1Next >