< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MEET THE EXPERTS There are far too many people claiming to be experts nowadays, and it can sometimes feel like finding the real experts among all the con-artists is impossible. E xpertise is something that is difficult to quantify. Do we call someone an expert for the length of time they have worked in an industry, or for the success stories they have from it? Or better yet, is an expert little more than an individual with a collection of qualifications and letters after their name? The answer is never quite simple. In a sense, an expert could be said to be a combination of all three, but at the same time every single person is – or ought to be – an expert in their own craft. Someone who runs a packaging company is bound to be an expert in packaging, the same for food manufacturing or recruitment agencies. The challenge is in finding someone who is both an expert in their chosen field, but who can also become an expert in yours as well. There are many people who are experts in a given craft – be it law, financial services or consulting – but for the best service possible to be achieved, they need also to be an expert in your company. This is where so many people find issue with experts; they hire someone who prescribes themselves expert, and they may well be, but find the advice given to be either incompatible with their company or not tailored to it. That’s to be expected of course, as an expert hired from outside the company isn’t going to know your firm as well as you do, but that doesn’t change the fact that they must be used. How does one find the right kind of expert then? The answer is to delve deeper into what it means to be an expert. A solicitor or accountant is an expert in law or accounting, yes, but there are many who choose to go deeper, either investing in further qualifications in a specific field of business, or just working in that more commonly and generating a reputation for being particularly specialised in a given field or sector – think divorce lawyer vs contract lawyer, or tax specialist vs wealth management. Many companies now work with teams dedicated toward certain sectors, but many still do not, and while the internet and Google are convenient for finding people, they come with the downside © stock.adobe.com/insta_photos Diamonds in the rough www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MEET THE EXPERTS Company profile Frontier Software is an established supplier of Payroll and HR solutions, celebrating 40 years of software and service delivery. With a comprehensive product range, and offices across your region, we support clients of all sizes and across all market sectors, including manufacturing, retail, not for profit and business services. Product profile Frontier Software develops a cloud-based, modular system that supports both Payroll and HR teams and streamlines their processes. Our comprehensive, software-based solutions deliver an integrated, functionality rich, and highly configurable approach to managing the entire employee lifecycle. We also offer payroll outsourcing solutions, giving you all the accessibility, flexibility and control of running payroll in-house, without having to allocate your resources. This ensures your employees are always paid on time and in line with current legislation, whilst saving you time and money. All Frontier Software solutions can be tailored to match your individual requirements. www.frontiersoftware.com sales@frontiersoftware.com 01276 456902 HR AND PAYROLL SOFTWARE/SERVICES of small and ill-equipped companies being able to appear on the front page just as often as more specialised and reputable ones. Just as it may be easier for independent companies to compete with multinationals online, so too is it easier for fresh-faced and inexperienced experts to catch your eye with their lower prices, too-good-to-be-true deals or flashy websites. It used to be that you could trust anyone and everyone that you called on because for them to be recognisable, they had to be marketing themselves – and you cannot market yourself without money, ergo they must be successful businesses. Nowadays, the internet and social media has made that much harder. Anyone can create a website, often for a low cost, and the number of so-called experts has risen so high that we now have entire industries that have sprung up around misinformation and fraudulent experts peddling miracle cures and political agendas. While social media and referrals from other companies are a good way to source better companies, ironically it might be the age-old methods that are best. While it’s true that anyone can promote themselves on the internet, it is also true that other methods of advertising are more expensive. Therefore, companies advertising in magazines, newspapers or on the radio are more likely to have larger budgets – and larger budgets are usually connected with more revenue, higher levels of business success and a greater reputation. That’s not to say it’s fool proof – little is – but companies that feature in traditional media are often doing something to earn that, and they should be the first stopping point for an in-person visit. © stock.adobe.com/David East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk MEET THE EXPERTS Tell us a bit about yourself: I am originally from Sheffield and studied European International and Comparative Law at Sheffield University (with a 6-month secondment to Prague). I have been working in property law for 11 years and joined Hopkins Solicitors Commercial Property team in 2020. I work in Hopkins Sutton-in-Ashfield town centre office, but I do see clients at all of other offices in Mansfield, Kirkby and Nottingham. After successfully establishing my commercial property services in Sutton, in April 2023, I was proud to receive a recent promotion to What is the founding purpose of a commercial lease? A commercial lease is a legally binding contract made between a landlord and a business tenant. The lease gives a tenant the right to use certain property for a business or commercial activity for a period of time in exchange for money paid to the landlord. Additionally, the lease outlines the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and tenant during the lease term. A commercial lease typically deals with the following: * the type of property being let * the address of the property being let * the term of the tenancy and whether the tenancy is for a fixed term or renews periodically * the amount of rent payable, how often and when the rent should be paid * the type of business that may be conducted on the premises * ownership of any leasehold improvements * the provisions of any security/damage deposit. In addition, a commercial lease may also identify the following: * provisions for lease renewal * landlord improvements and signing incentives * tenant improvements * whether the tenant can assign or sublet the property * notice provisions for termination of the tenancy * insurance provisions. What is the most common question you are asked by commercial tenants? Many commercial tenants ask whether Q&A Hopkins Solicitors This month we meet with Kirstie Courtney-May, Associate in Commercial Property Law, at Hopkins Solicitors Kirstie Courtney-May, Associate in Commercial Property Law an Associate of the firm. What type of legal work do you specialise in? Drafting, negotiating and renewing commercial leases. Advising existing landlords or tenants on specific issues with existing commercial leases, including advice on renewals, break clauses, options to purchase, rent reviews etc. Acting in the purchase or disposal of commercial property; reviewing the title and property documentation, raising/dealing with enquiries, and advising clients through the process. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link MEET THE EXPERTS they can require the landlord to make repairs to their premises during the lease. Whilst this does depend on the terms of the lease, in the majority of commercial leases it is the tenant’s responsibility to repair the internal (and sometimes even the external) parts of the premises, making it imperative from the tenant’s perspective that the premises are in good repair from the start. A good commercial property lawyer can assist you with negotiating the terms of the lease to protect you from potentially significant future costs at the end of the lease. What is the most common question you are asked by commercial landlords? Many commercial landlords want to ensure they are protected if the tenant falls into financial difficulty. There are various options available to landlords at the negotiation stage, which is why it is useful to ensure you instruct legal representation as early as possible, to ensure you negotiate the terms of the lease to best protect your interests. Whether it be by way of a rent deposit, or personal guarantee we can ensure the documentation is appropriately drafted and negotiated to protect a landlord against the risk of being “out of pocket” if a tenant cannot pay the rent. Why is it important that both the landlord and tenant seek the advice of a solicitor when they are taking out a new lease? Many people are unaware that the very well and we still like to meet our clients face-to-face, so you don’t feel like just a number on a file receiving a bill when it’s all complete. We like to really get to know our clients and make sure their business and personal interests are protected, now and in the future. Our Commercial Property Team has many years of experience buying, selling and leasing commercial property. And we are very proud to say that our client satisfaction rating is one of the best in the country! WE’RE HERE TO help Call us on 0115 910 5555 or visit our website at www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk. obligations of a landlord and tenant of a commercial premises differ significantly to those within residential tenancies. Landlords need to ensure that the lease adequately protects them if the tenant doesn’t pay the rent, or take good care of the property, and tenants will want to ensure their obligations under the lease are not too onerous. It is important for both landlords and tenants to fully understand their respective responsibilities under the lease, and under the legislation and regulations that govern commercial property tenancies. By instructing us to advise when you grant or take on a new lease, we can make sure the lease is properly negotiated to protect your interests, as well as ensuring that you are fully advised of your obligations, so that there are no unwanted surprises along the way. Why should a tenant or landlord hire Hopkins Solicitors over other larger national firms? Here at Hopkins Solicitors we provide practical advice to help you buy, sell and lease property. But because we are a local law firm, we know the region East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Luxury and class This month we look at some more comfort-oriented cars, with a focus on looking good and feeling luxurious. Continental GT and GTC Azurewww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Continental GT and GTC Azure 2023 brings a fresh new look for the Continental GT and GTC Azure – the members of the Continental family centred on wellbeing, comfort and luxury, diametrically opposed to the performance-focused S and Speed models. Taking inspiration from the pinnacle Bentayga EWB Azure, both Grand Tourers now receive a ‘Vertical Vane Grille’ design that remains elegant while being visually striking. The unique grille consists of bright chrome vertical vanes sitting in front of a black mesh grille. The 22” ten-spoke black painted and bright machined Azure wheel from the Flying Spur becomes standard, creating further harmony with other models in the Azure range. The iconic two-door grand tourers also benefit from a new lofted quilting pattern emphasising the focus of wellness and technology, synonymous of the Azure range. As standard for Azure models, new deep pile overmats are more luxurious than ever. Using 100 per cent pure wool, the deep pile Wilton carpets have an exceptionally luxuriant, velvety feel. A specially selected wool variety is used due to its cleanliness and purity in colour which is tested to ensure quality standards are met before use. 46 Á East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK BMW 5 Series Saloon The eighth generation 5 Series fuses advanced technology with elegant and sporting saloon style, generous space and exceptional refinement. All-electric drive arrives in the BMW 5 Series Saloon for the first time – BMW i5 eDrive40 offers up to 361-mile range, BMW i5 M60 xDrive delivers scintillating performance with 0-62mph in 3.8s. The exterior design of the latest generation reinterprets the sporty elegance of a BMW 5 Series Saloon in the brand’s current design language. In the interior, the latest generation BMW 5 Series debuts several firsts for the iconic saloon. It is the first BMW in the UK to feature Veganza upholstery as standard from launch, encompassing the seats, dashboard and door panels while the striking BMW Interaction Bar first seen in the BMW 7 Series is now incorporated in the new BMW 5 Series. Furthermore, the saloon is now available with a panoramic roof – the first time in the model’s history – and the digital experience is taken to a new high with cutting-edge additions of AI-driven servicing notifications and the introduction of in-car gaming. BMW 5 Series Saloonwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Audi SQ8 e-tron The new version of Audi’s flagship electric SUV also brings with it a new name: Q8 e-tron. This positions the model as the flagship offering in Audi’s electric model portfolio. The famous four rings themselves have also had a redesign, now visible at the front and rear end as a flush, two-dimensional logo, while the model designation is also now visible on the b-pillar. The level of standard equipment across the Q8 e-tron lineup reflects its position as the most sophisticated electric SUV in Audi’s portfolio. Highlights include adaptive air suspension, quattro all-wheel drive and progressive steering, which feature across all models. Further increasing on- board comfort and refinement are heated and electrically adjustable front seats, windscreen with acoustic glazing, Audi Virtual cockpit, keyless-go and two- zone automatic air conditioning including comfort remote preconditioning. This enhanced system now allows customers to heat or cool the car, and activate seat heating and ventilation, and window heating via the myAudi app. Audi SQ8 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY C onferences are a great way to draw attention to a company, and such events have been held for many years by business owners and managers, particularly by businesses with high levels of expert knowledge – such as legal or financial practitioners. The general principle is that by holding an event or seminar, the host can impart their knowledge and expertise to an audience of prospective customers. This not only gives the speaker a chance to impress the audience, but also draw attention to further savings the host’s company can help the client achieve - thus securing customers. With a huge number of beautiful and specialised conferencing venues across out region, it should come as little surprise that the conferencing industry is a booming one – and yet, there are still many companies who have never considered the benefits for themselves. For many, this is not an issue of oversight or being unaware of the benefits, but more an issue of confidence – or the reluctance to publicly speak in front of a large audience. This is neither something to be ashamed of, nor something to hold a company back, however. Very few people are born with the confidence necessary to stand up and orate – and in many cases this is a skill learned through trial and error, or practice. Here however, are some of the key things that really help a speech stand out. Memorise it by heart While there’s no denying that cue-cards and scripts are valuable for those unfamiliar with public speaking and should be used to help jog the memory, ultimately there’s nothing worse than seeing a speaker fumbling over what they are saying or forgetting entirely. Confidence is always going to be a major factor in what sells a company, and a speaker should exude confidence – even if they don’t feel it. Learning the entire speech off-by-heart, and practicing it in the mirror or to family, will help a speaker feel more confident in what they are saying. It can also help the speech become little more than routine, so that even on a stage a speaker is able to switch off and imagine they are simply talking to the mirror. Test the room There’s nothing worse than going to an event and realising that you’ve been unfortunately placed and can’t actually hear a word of what the main speaker is saying. Most conferencing venues will have good acoustics, but that doesn’t excuse speakers failing to project their voices properly. Remember that even if answering a question from the audience, or speaking in general, it is best to project your voice towards the centre of the room rather than turn to answer a Performing for business The summer months make for an ideal time to host seminars and events, but after years of working remotely or from home many people are out of practice when it comes to public speaking. We run over some of the basics. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CORPORATE HOSPITALITY © stock.adobe.com/kasto person in a far corner. Beyond that though, it’s often useful to visit the venue in advance and have a colleague stand at the back of the room, so you’re able to see how loud you must be to be heard. Don’t rely on technology It can be easy to look at all the latest technology available, and while it can be tempting to rely on power point presentations or videos to handle some of the work – it’s not always the best idea. Ultimately it is people which sell products or services, and the ultimate goal of a conference or seminar is to get more customers. The audience wishes to know that the individual, the very person whose services they might be paying for, is a skilled and knowledgeable expert that they can rely on. Relying too heavily on technology also opens one up to problems when things go wrong – as they inevitably might. Seeing people fiddling around with projectors or laptops does little to inspire confidence. Another thing to keep in mind however will be the microphone you might be expected to use when speaking. It’s not unusual for people unused to using them to hold them close to their mouths to try and increase the volume, but this will make your plosives – the shape your mouth makes for various sounds like `p` and `b` - become distorted or pop. Make sure to perform a quick sound check before the event, to figure out how far you need to keep the microphone from your mouth. Take it slow and steady Most people aren’t aware of just how quickly they speak in casual conversation. It is easier to keep up with someone when they are talking about something that happened in their day but orating on complicated business matters might require more concentration from the audience. One way around this can be to record yourself speaking, and then play it back. Try to moderate how fast you speak, and see what cadence is easier to understand. Stick to what you know Ultimately the entire speech should be on a topic you are familiar with, to attempt otherwise will invite disaster if the audience asks any difficult questions. Keep in mind that the goal for the event is to get more customers for your services, and yours alone. If you keep on track with what you know, and what advice you would give to a client across the table – then the seminar will be stronger, and you’re much more likely to get good results. Beyond that, you will sound much more confident and are more likely to enjoy the event, experience good results – and want to come back and do it again next time. Next >