< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT tend to congregate (such as kitchens and near water coolers), ensure that there are enough bins for the size of the company to prevent having to use general waste, and group bins together and separate them by materials (general waste, paper, recycling etc.). You could encourage employees to download a “what- goes-where” app to make sure that everyone knows what can be recycled, thus reducing the likelihood of everything going to general waste. Such apps can provide information on county-specific waste management policies. Another method is to discourage creating waste, via a paper conscious policy. This entails encouraging employees to consider the necessity of printing and the use of binders. For example, messages could be placed within email signatures which encourage the reader to carefully consider before printing. This also saves costs on business materials. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses and individuals are all looking for ways to make our day to day lives more hygienic. Consider the hygienic impact of recycling. The provision of multiple office bins will reduce the potential for overflow and spillages. Furthermore, bins full of stagnant waste often cause horrible smells, which is not only unpleasant, but could have the potential to reduce productivity from employees. Beyond hygiene is the potential cultural impact for employees. As pollution and climate change becomes a reality we must all confront, it can provide a boost to employee morale to become a part of a positive force for change. It can give a boost to individual wellbeing in feeling like there’s something that one can do to improve a huge problem. This is not withstanding the reputational impact that going green could have, particularly if you publicise your green journey on social media. Staff can take pride in the forward-thinking company they work for, and customers can purchase whilst secure in the knowledge that their money is going to a business which cares. Auditing and overhauling waste management systems could significantly increase business profitability. Identifying areas of waste, and how to minimise this (either by internal recycling, going paperless, or introducing employee schemes such as cycle to work) could put a stop to unnecessary business costs. In a market where consumers almost always have an abundance of choice, being green could give your company a real edge and the ability to get ahead of the curve. Furthermore, being able to decrease running costs will mean you are less likely to have to pass massive price increases on to the consumer, once again creating potential for improved customer relations. © stock.adobe.com/Siam 48-50.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:39 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CORPORATE HOSPITALITY The cost of recruitment is through the roof, and companies are finding it hard to find good staff, which means it’s all the more important to keep hold of the ones you have. We look at ways to accomplish this, and why the idea of “entitled employees” might be less of a curse and more of a blessing. If you play your cards right. K eeping a team motivated, cohesive and involved is more important now than it has ever been before. The economy is in a bad place, the cost of living is rising, and jobseekers have all the power – which means that employees are more likely now than ever before to be looking for new jobs, especially with the new year only a few months away. It’s now or never when it comes to having a chance to cement your workforce and ensure employees are motivated by more than just pay, because there will always be someone who pays better. Business Link has touched upon the importance of team building and employee engagement in our corporate hospitality features before, for facilitating bonding, collaboration, motivation, strengthening communication and more, however this usually refers to taking part in events such as escape rooms, sports days, activities out in nature et al. - essentially tasks that will involve being physically close or in contact with others. These were not possible during the lockdown and may not be overly appreciated now either as they take time and costs in fuel to attend, which is already much too expensive. It might be time to look at easier (and thankfully cheaper) alternatives. Something as simple as weekly team Zoom or Slack Keeping staff happy © stock.adobe.com/Flamingo Images 52 Á 51-53.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:40 Page 1 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY meetings, virtual coffee breaks, lunches and happy hours are a good start, to build rapport and get the team reconnected, engaged, motivated and as a result productive (just ensure these are not entirely business related). It may seem simple – even too simple – but even taking staff out to a local eatery on the last Friday of the month and having the business pay for meals will do wonders to both cheer your employees up and ease the burden on them a little. If you know for a fact that your teams are willing to get out and about then things like mini-golf, pub visits or other events can certainly work, and help foster a business culture that is not just sit down and work. It may seem very Google or fancy, but many of these large and successful firms allow time off for staff to mingle for good reasons – and it’s not just to look good in the newspaper. They understand that staff are too expensive to lose, and that any losses to competitors not only means having to recruit and train afresh but deal with company secrets being leaked. Better, and cheaper in the long run, to invest in a fancy staff room and give them time to relax. How expensive, really, is a decent sofa, some music and some drinks? How expensive compared to the cost of advertising a vacancy in a newspaper or online, collecting CVs, going through them, calling interviewees, arranging interviews, finding the right candidate, training them up. The list continues. The costs of all of that can reach into the thousands, and even more if it’s a constant problem or an upper management position. Giving staff a relaxing place to let loose in the office and chat during their © stock.adobe.com/JackF 51-53.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:40 Page 2www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CORPORATE HOSPITALITY lunch hour (or even giving them an additional 30 minute break during the day) is far cheaper. It will also factor into their heads when they consider new offers or think about their work, and it becomes an expectation. Staff will look and expect this in other jobs, and shy away from offers that don’t include it. If your office has every member of staff sitting down at their desk to eat for instance, ask yourself how happy they really are. A simple place to eat communally and chat could immediately perk up moods, and costs nothing more than a table and some chairs. The word “entitlement” is something of a dirty one in the media and among many business leaders, but why should it be if a savvy business leader can use it to their advantage? If employees feel entitled about something you give, and that others do not, then it only makes them more loyal to your company. This can only be a good thing, despite what people like Alan Sugar might claim. Businesses nowadays are having to adapt, and having to offer more, and people care more about the experience and their free time than they have before. In a way, people are less motivated by money specifically because house prices are too high and the cost of living is too expensive. When achieving your dreams with money feels impossible to many, it makes sense the focus will turn to trying to enjoy the present. Ignore it and call it entitled at your own risk – but staff have the power, and there are plenty of jobs out there. If they truly become disillusioned, they will leave. The balance of power has shifted, and it is not in the hands of employers. 51-53.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:40 Page 3 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Top Electrified Towing Cars As the number of hybrids and electric cars increases on our roads, more of us that need a tow-friendly vehicle will be planning to make the switch. So here are a few top electrified cars to whet your appetite. Porsche Cayenne (Plug-In Hybrid) 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:41 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Porsche Cayenne (Plug-In Hybrid) With a mighty 3,500kg of pulling power, the Porsche Cayenne SUV is not to be messed with. Granted, such towing capability may be overkill, so this doesn’t mean the Cayenne is the best fit for all. But, along with the next car on the list, it’s the leader when it comes to towing the maximum amount possible amongst hybrids and electric vehicles. With it, you’ll get a 3.0-litre, 462PS powertrain that manages 91mpg, which isn’t exactly lacking, while it can do 83mph on all-electric power (not while towing, mind). On top of that, it’s four-wheel drive, and you get a luxurious interior packed full of kit, which is arguably class-leading. Cayennes aren’t cheap, and at around £72,500, the hybrid version is ten grand more expensive than the entry-level petrol version. In addition, while it’s not short on Volkswagen Touareg (Plug-In Hybrid) 56 Á equipment, Porsche holds some of its best features back, and, as a result, the automaker has one of the most extensive options lists. You will likely be tempted into parting with even more cash before driving away in one. Volkswagen Touareg (Plug-In Hybrid) If the Cayenne is too much, then you could consider the Touareg. With a mighty 3,500kg of pulling power, the VW Touareg SUV shares the Cayenne’s accolade of being the champ at the weightlifting contest. It shares a lot more with the Cayenne, too, because, with the same powertrain, it’s effectively a Cayenne with a VW badge. The Volkswagen offers more dynamic looks than Touaregs of old, has a well- designed leather interior, 22-inch wheels, air suspension, adaptive chassis control and a digital cockpit. Annoyingly, while the entry-level petrol costs £55,000, only the ‘R’ version is a hybrid, costing a whopping £77,000. So, unbelievably, it’s more expensive than the Porsche. In fairness, the ‘R’ version is the top-of- the-range Touareg, so you’ll get more kit for your money. But who’s going to buy a pricier VW over a cheaper Porsche? Hopefully, Volkswagen will expand the hybrid offering to the rest of the range. It needs to because it has so much going for it. Tesla Model X (Electric) The biggest Tesla in the range gives the iX a run for its money but ultimately comes up short. Nevertheless, its towing limit of 2,268kg should suffice for most. 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:41 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Whereas the fastest iX will get up to 62mph in 3.8-seconds, the slowest Model X will manage the same in 3.9-seconds (the quicker Plaid version is 2.5-seconds). Of course, we don’t recommend trying this with a caravan, but at least that demonstrates its power. You will get around 340 miles of range when not towing, and the interiors of Teslas take some beating if you like stylish minimalism. If this sounds more appealing than the BMW, the standard model is £82,000 – which doesn’t include any clever Autopilot gadgetry. So, as you can see, for the moment, finding suitable hybrid and all-electric tow vehicles is still an expensive endeavour. But if you do a lot of travelling with a caravan attached, then opting for these eco-friendlier cars could save you money in the long term. BMW iX (Electric) The new all-electric mid-size SUV from BMW currently leads the way in the towing stakes because it can haul 2,500kg. It has a range of 348 miles with a recharge speed of 200kW, while numerous powertrains can, when not towing, get from 0-62mph in as little as 3.8-seconds. The iX comes with a futuristic interior that’s well designed and well built, as we’ve come to expect from BMW. Unfortunately, it’s over £77,000 – excluding the caravan. BMW iX (Electric) Tesla Model X (Electric) 54-56.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:41 Page 3FEATURES IT & Communications Spotlight Legal Services Warehousing & Distribution Supporting Business Growth Facilities Management REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in October 2022 - Deadline 21st September Visit us at www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox 57.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:41 Page 1OUT OF OFFICE Silverstone Soccer hat trick raises record amount for hospice Three was the magic number for Silverstone Fleet Management at their third annual five-a- side football fundraiser, which raised a record £3,231 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Businesses from across Northamptonshire donned their football boots for the hattrick event at Daventry Football Club, which saw 10 teams compete for the much-coveted winner’s title. Euro Building and Maintenance Contractors scooped the title and the trophy after an impressive pitch performance, with Ox Seven Talent Partners taking the runners up position and their goalkeeper being named player of the tournament. The popular football fundraiser, which has become a much-loved yearly calendar entry, is the brainchild of Ryan Bishop, sales manager at Silverstone Fleet Management. The self-confessed football fanatic decided to use his local business contacts and love of football to raise much needed funds for the hospice for the first time at the beginning of 2020. Commonwealth Games bronze medal for Northants senior estimator A senior estimator at Northamptonshire’s Bhangals Construction Consultants, has scooped a much- coveted bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022. Kieran Rollings, 22, took third place for England in the Lawn Bowls contest, which saw him play alongside his partner – the aptly named Craig Bowler – at Royal Leamington Spa as part of the competition, which was watched across the world. It is the second time that the athlete, who lives in Kettering, has competed in the Commonwealth Games, becoming the youngest ever Lawn Bowls participant in 2018, when the event was held on the Gold Coast in Australia. 2018 was also the year that he started his role at construction consultancy Bhangals. Kieran said: “My colleagues have been so supportive and are really proud of what I’ve achieved. Everyone wanted to see the medal when I came into the office! It’s the second Commonwealth Games for me and to come away with a bronze on home soil is pretty good! I’m super proud. “In a sport like ours, we don’t get a lot of funding so we all have to work. Funnily enough, a lot of the England team are in construction and we worked out that between us all we could build a house!” East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk Acres awarded Gold by Ministry of Defence Derby-based Acres Engineering has received the highest accolade from the Ministry of Defence to recognise their support for the Armed Forces Community. The family business, which is located on Castle Lane Industrial Estate, Melbourne has received Gold Award as part of the Armed Forces Covenant. This acknowledges employers who provided exceptional support to the armed forces community and Defence by going above and beyond their Armed Forces Covenant pledges. Luke Parker, Managing Director at Acres Engineering, said: “Acres Engineering proudly supports the Armed Forces Covenant and pledges to support the Defence community within the business, ensuring those who have served in the armed forces are treated fairly. “We always wanted to exceed the agreement and progress our engagement to the Gold Award and we are proud that our work here has been recognised by the MOD. We enthusiastically endorse the hiring of reservists and veterans at Acres Engineering and we stand by those who have served our nation.” Major Goodwin said: “Acres Engineering Ltd is a great example of how employers are putting the Armed Forces Covenant into action to support the wider Armed Forces community. As Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold award holders, they have raised the bar for Derbyshire employer support and are well placed to share best practice and inspire other employers to follow their lead and experience the benefits of Partnering with Defence.” Silverstone Fleet Management’s sales manager Ryan Bishop (left) and Managing Director Scott Norville (right) hand over the money to Nina Gandy, corporate partnerships fundraiser at Cynthia Spencer Hospice Kieran Rollings, left, and teammate Craig Bowler, right, with their Commonwealth Games bronze medals. 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:42 Page 1 Apprenticeship Ambassador numbers increase tenfold in local schools – but more still required Work is ongoing to double the number of Apprenticeship Ambassadors working with local schools. Ten Apprenticeship Ambassadors (AAs) have now been recruited and are completing their training with the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Careers Hub. It came after a recruitment campaign led by the Careers Hub in February after it had emerged that there was just a single AA available to spread the word about apprenticeships across 91 schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire. By introducing AAs as relatable peer group members within communities, schools and employers are helping to change perceptions about apprenticeships in the region. Students who subsequently express an interest in vocational training are introduced to the local Apprenticeship Skills and Knowledge Team (ASK) and the Careers Hub network. The LLEP is now looking for local employers to join the AAN as Employer Ambassadors. In doing so they will develop the skills of their own apprentices, create a pipeline of future talent, and give back to schools in their communities. OUT OF OFFICE www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 40 organisations pledge their support to Nottingham’s carbon neutral ambition 40 organisations in Nottingham have now pledged their commitment to helping the city become carbon neutral by 2028. Organisations of all sizes across a range of sectors have signed up to the ‘We Support’ campaign, including Boots, Tramlink, Romano’s Caterers, and both of the city’s universities. Businesses in Nottingham contribute approximately 20% of the city’s carbon emissions. These emissions are included in the city’s carbon neutral target, so it is important that as many organisations as possible commit to creating a city-wide effort. Tackling the climate crisis has a range of benefits for organisations and businesses. In addition to reduced bills through improving the energy efficiency of buildings, sustainability initiatives can also improve employee wellbeing and enhance resilience. The ‘We Support’ campaign builds on the success that has been achieved on the sustainability agenda across the city thanks to the Nottingham Green Partnership which celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier in the year. Burton abuse charity appeals to businesses for support A Burton charity offering emotional support for victims of sexual abuse is appealing to businesses to help ensure it can carry on its vital work, after seeing a rise in demand in 2022. The Sexual Abuse and Rape Advice Centre (SARAC) has launched a new corporate sponsor scheme offering the opportunity for businesses to become involved in a very important local charity. SARAC has helped thousands of sexual assault survivors, including men, women, non-binary people and children, over nearly 30 years of running its services. SARAC is inviting businesses to support its services so it can employ more people, offer more therapeutic services, increase its training and support for local communities, and do more research, as well as offer more prevention and education programmes. SARAC is launching a range of schemes enabling businesses to support their services. Corporate options include adopting SARAC as a charity partner for the year, and encouraging staff to take part in active fundraising such as sponsored cycle rides. The charity also offers the opportunity for businesses to take a more ‘hands off’ approach. © stock.adobe.com/ auremar © stock.adobe.com/ SakhanPhotography © stock.adobe.com/ blacksalmon 58-59.qxp_Layout 1 06/09/2022 10:42 Page 2Next >