< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk EDUCATION AND TRAINING Global HSE Group launch fire safety qualifications Fire safety experts Global HSE Group are launching their Global Academy during Fire Door Safety Week, 23rd - 27th September 2024. The Global Academy specialises in elevating professional knowledge in the fire safety sector. The recognised qualifications have been designed for newcomers to the fire safety sector, for those already working, and CPD for upskilling experienced professionals. Global HSE Group has worked with the Awarding Body of the Built Environment (ABBE) to create more than just a selection of courses, but industry recognised qualifications. * Level 3 Award in Fire Door Inspection * Level 3 Award in Understanding, Maintaining and Repairing Fire Doors * Level 3 Award in Understanding and Installing Fire Doors * Level 3 Award in Understanding and Installing Passive Fire Protection Ross O’Loughlin, Director at Global HSE Group commented, “We created Global Academy as we knew we had the skills and expertise within the business to upskill and enhance individual knowledge within the fire industry.” For more information about Global HSE Group or Global Academy contact lewis.hughes@globalhsegroup.com result in some lost productivity, an employee who is unskilled or incorrectly trained could result in a long term lack of productivity as the potential for mistakes and having to rectify them increases. Furthermore, businesses miss out on the opportunity to upskill employees and help them to develop new skills. This helps the business to stay current and provides the opportunity for diversification of thinking and business approach. This could entail a training programme of creative problem solving, technical knowledge implementation, and out of the box thinking. As well as increasing business productivity, it stimulates employees and motivates them to take on other responsibilities. This has the dual benefit of making them less interested in looking elsewhere. So how can a business put together an effective training programme from scratch? Firstly, it is important to conduct an analysis of the performance gaps within the organisation and base the training around this. This can be done through an ongoing analysis of managerial attention. It is imperative that regulatory and legal requirements are covered in training, and are regularly reiterated to employees, such as health and safety training. This maintains compliance and quality assurance and reduces the likelihood of legal concerns over employee and customer safety. Secondly, combining in person and online methods provides the flexibility and safety of online learning, whilst being able to have someone physically present for more challenging sessions. Recorded video sessions could also provide flexibility for employees to go through and open at their own pace, which means that there would not need to be a significant workforce drop for a period. However, it should be noted that this is © stock.adobe.com/Andrey Popov © stock.adobe.com/fizkeswww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link EDUCATION AND TRAINING not always a good replacement for hands on learning. A survey found that 33% of office workers preferred to learn by doing, whilst being guided by an expert. Training should be seen as fundamental to business growth, given the potential it provides for honing and exploring new talent and ideas for expansion. Investing in the ability to provide internal training could save the huge cost of hiring training services, as well as provide the opportunity to take stock of the workings of the business, and how they could be improved. Whilst developing a new training initiative could involve significant up-front effort, as well as the potential to hire a training manager, it will likely provide massive savings long term, as well as ensuring that all new starters are properly trained from day one. Ultimately, internal training promotes consistency within business operations, which could mean significant streamlining of work and communications internally. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk PUBLIC RELATIONS A wiser man than me (a journalist) once told me: “Greg, when it comes to editorial, I just wish more PR folk would think in pictures.” At first, I did not get this at all. Surely, it’s all about the story? The wordy bit? Well, yes but think about this. If you are the recipient of the press release, it doesn’t matter how good it is if the accompanying photo is, well, a bit pants. Unless you are indeed selling such garments - in which case, keep it brief! Sorry, I digress. Or imagine this: you’re standing in 1. Stop the Scroll (or the Toss) We’ve all been there—eyes glazing over while scanning a mountain of emails or news alerts. A killer image can be your press release’s lifeline, that little jolt of caffeine that wakes up a weary editor. First impressions count, and let’s face it, our words aren’t always enough to get past the initial “meh” factor. A standout photo? That’s your ticket to avoiding the trash folder. 2. Turn Words into a Story Ever tried explaining something complicated without sounding like a textbook? It’s tough. That’s where creative photography steps in, giving your narrative a visual boost. It’s the “aha!” moment that helps people connect the dots—transforming your press release from a dry report into a story with soul. 3. Journalists Need Love Too Journalists, like the rest of us, appreciate when you make their lives easier. Give them a press release with a snazzy, relevant image, and suddenly, you’re their new best friend. Why? Because you’ve just saved them time. They’re more likely to pick up your story, and who knows, maybe even give it some prime real estate. 4. Boost Your SEO Mojo Ah, SEO—the three letters that make us all sound smarter at meetings. But Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, delves into the importance of creative photography for press releases. front of a buffet table, hungry, with plates of beige food as far as the eye can see. Suddenly, you spot a vibrant, beautifully arranged dish that’s practically screaming your name. Which one are you going to grab first? Exactly. Press releases are no different. In a world overflowing with bland, text-heavy announcements, a bit of creative photography is like that enticing dish—it grabs attention, pulls people in, and makes them want to learn more. But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s dig into why investing in a little visual flair is key to getting your press release noticed. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link PUBLIC RELATIONS here’s the kicker: press releases with images don’t just look better, they perform better too. Search engines are suckers for visual content, and so are social media platforms. That means more eyeballs, more clicks, and ultimately, more people reading what you’ve got to say. 5. Branding, Darling You know that feeling when your outfit just clicks, and you feel like you could take on the world? That’s what creative photography does for your brand. Consistent, high-quality images make your brand look sharp, professional, and like you actually know what you’re doing (even on those days when you’re faking it till you make it). 6. Keep Up with the Cool Kids Let’s face it—nobody wants to be that company still sending out black-and-white press releases in a full-color world. Visual communication is where it’s at, and if you’re not playing the game, you’re going to get left behind. Investing in creative photography ensures you’re keeping up with the times, even if you still secretly use a flip phone. 7. The Gift That Keeps on Giving Think of creative photography as the PR gift that keeps on giving. Those images aren’t just for one-time use. They can be repurposed for social media, presentations, or even next year’s press release. It’s like finding a pair of jeans that fits just right—you’ll keep reaching for them again and again. Conclusion So, in a nutshell, if you want your press release to stand out, get noticed, and actually be read (and who doesn’t?), creative photography isn’t just an add- on—it’s your secret weapon. It’s the difference between blending in with the beige and being the dish everyone can’t wait to dig into. And if you’re anything like me, you’d much rather be the one serving up something that leaves a lasting impression. PS do I take my own spin doctor medicine? You bet I do. Me on GDPR? That’ll be a picture of me stuffing tins of spam into the Royal Mail chute. Me with a new medical aesthetics client, that’d be me on the treatment table. New South African client? Rugby shirts on, down to the local ground, snap close to 100 shots as we get a ball sailing through the air towards me or flying off his bare foot. Was it worth the effort? Every single one of those stories got used and shared. Could I have just done a “shaking hands” photo on my phone? Sure, but I won’t because I “think in pictures.” 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. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk OFFICE SOLUTIONS Wellbeing in the office isn’t just the newest buzzword – it’s a scientifically-proven measure of stimuli and surroundings designed to ensure the highest levels of productivity in workers. I t goes without saying that the core function of any office is to give employees a place where they can be productive, but in today’s economic market where recruitment is expensive and it’s harder than ever to find the right members of staff, the purpose of an office could also be to keep people in a job. Or, at the very least, to stop them wanting to leave. Productivity and wellbeing nowadays go hand in hand. It didn’t use to be this way and many complain about work becoming “soft” or employees becoming entitled, but the reality of the situation is that workers simply have more options available to them now, and they are aware of that power. It’s easy to search for and apply for a new job online, so businesses have had to become more adaptable and thoughtful of their staff if they want to keep them. While “wellbeing” can be a difficult concept to master and one that has Measuring office productivity Measuring office productivity www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link OFFICE SOLUTIONS © stock.adobe.com/Prostock-studio many fads and trends that can seem at times hard to put down (meditation, zen, detox, etc) there are still plenty of scientifically proven ways to make someone more effective at work. Business wellbeing is typically measured by very quantifiable things rather than esoteric terms, and it can be measured very easily. Wellbeing in the workplace speaks of staff morale, productivity, retention, and the attractiveness of an office to new hires who see it. On the other hand, poor office wellbeing can be measured in terms of staff turnover, employee absences, and sometimes even by ill-health and employees reporting of feeling stressed. Work can obviously be stressing but an office can be designed to reduce that stress. Some of the main things that impact an employee’s wellbeing in terms of office design are temperature, lighting, air quality, space, visual appeal, and noise levels. In many cases neuroscience has been used in experiments measuring productivity to directly understand under what conditions a person works better or worse. For instance, the optimal temperature for an office is between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius. It’s better to aim for around the middle-ground of 20 here, as 36 Á East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk OFFICE SOLUTIONS WORORMINGTRANSF UEPRBL MOC.UEPRINTINTERIORSBL | 1002 SINCESCEKPLA INTERIORSRINT that provides a comfortable experience in both cold and warm weather. The body is obviously very receptive to temperature changes, and has to use real energy (in the form of bodily fuel) to heat up or cool down the body. As this happens, other processes in the body are deprived of energy so that the body can focus on temperature. This is obviously far more extreme in life or death situations than it is in an office, but an office that is uncomfortably cold or hot will cause employees’ bodies to focus on heat regulation, which can result in low attention span, distractedness, fatigue, and an overall reduction in critical thinking. Lighting has a similar effect on the human body, and this is one most will recognise from how it impacts serotonin levels, which you may recognise as the “wakefulness hormone”. Serotonin has an impact on mood, attention, happiness and stress, and having the correct amount for any given room or workstation in an office is key. Light is measured by lux, and 300 lux is considered to be the scientific sweet zone for an employee to work most effectively without experiencing fatigue. That doesn’t mean the whole office should be at this level however, as too much of a good thing can cause the body to crash. In fact, break rooms and kitchens and areas for relaxation may want to dial back down to around 150 to allow staff the chance to relax a little and catch their breath, which is perfect for when they come back to their desks and feel rejuvenated again. Air quality and noise levels are much easier to sympathise with but can sometimes be difficult to do much about. While air filtration is definitely a good idea as unclean air can lead to sickness and absences, offices near to busy roads and city centres may find there’s not much they can do about the noise. What you © stock.adobe.com/Jesse Bettencourt/peopleimages.comwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link TEAMSTHINKING-ARDORWF RFOSCEWORKPLA CEPTIONAL EXTING FIRSTOPLE PEPUTS T THABUILDAND SIGN DE CREA OFFICE can do something about however is distractions in the workplace. While phone calls are to be expected in a sales office for instance, they can be deeply distracting to others trying to work. Investing in better microphones and headsets means employees can speak more softly and not disturb their co-workers, while more space between employees can create a buffer. It can be hard to work when you can’t escape someone’s conversation in your ear after all. Other office tips for productivity include keeping some greenery in the office and making sure it’s well looked after – this is important because while greenery and plants can directly improve mood and wellbeing, dying plants can have the opposite effect. Natural sunlight is also important, so it’s better to angle desks away from screen glare than it is to perpetually keep the shutters closed. While you’re at it, offices designed to limit or prevent clutter can go a long way to improving mood and productivity, so a good spring clean – and keeping the office clean – is important. If there are an unavoidable set of files or bits and pieces that can’t be gotten rid of then consider some filing systems to keep them out of sight. The goal here is to reduce “visual noise” or anything that might catch someone’s eye and distract them. All of us have a tendency to look around while we’re thinking and read things on walls, or the titles of books, and this habit, while unavoidable, can lead to distractions and productivity issues. Instead of posters, charts and other things sure to reduce morale, let the staff look at bright plants and unobtrusive furniture. © stock.adobe.com/peshkova East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NET ZERO T he push for Net Zero has found many setbacks of late stemming from political discourse and misinformation, with particular parties with a lot of influence across the globe pushing to have the very concept of climate change reduced to a hoax. Here in our region, the effects of climate change can be felt in the record breaking summer we just had, and the uneven rainfall that came all at once and which gave us constant weeks with little at all. While some are content to call this good weather and encourage others to stop whining, it’s not good news for the economy or the country, damaging crops and causing financial damage to whole industries. That’s why continuing to reduce carbon emissions is so important. Carbon literacy can be attained through in house training, building a course for this, or delivered by experienced trainers externally. Working with accreditation bodies like The Carbon Literacy Project, one can then submit evidence to have learners certified as carbon literate. With a record of what you have done and how many carbon literacy graduates you have, this can form the foundation of an application to become an accredited Carbon Literate Organisation. A next step for creating a plan to reach Net Zero is for businesses to get a calculation of their carbon footprint. This will highlight the activities behind the most emissions and therefore where attention should be immediately focused. The information can be utilised to set realistic targets for year-on-year improvement, and costs of carbon emissions can also be identified, which will assist as it becomes more expensive to produce emissions due to various taxes, clean air zones, climate change levies, et al. A clear way to reduce emissions on the path to Net Zero is addressing the energy a business uses. Companies should look at how their energy is procured, taking note of energy and gas use and what use makes up a costly waste stream rather than an energy stream. Understanding how to procure, measure, consume and manage energy effectively is key. Switching to renewable forms of energy makes up one aspect of this, whether by requesting a green tariff or changing to a specialist supplier, while businesses can look to generate their own sustainable energy (for which grants can be obtained), by installing solar panels or perhaps even a wind turbine, if a business is located in a 40 Á Though the drive to Net Zero hasn’t been an easy or universally supported one, companies are still seeing the value in pursuing it. Not all ways of reducing energy expenditure are expensive or difficult to adapt, however. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link NET ZERO © stock.adobe.com/Dee karenNext >