< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FACILITIES MANAGEMENT equipment going offline at an inopportune time, the very real risk of injury or temporary closure of a facility is a huge threat. There is a tendency among many to set these issues aside; to look into proper appliance testing “only when we have to” or “when someone demands it”. This short-sighted approach may well work for many, a crisis being, in a sense, luck of the draw, but it only takes one failure and one moment of inattention to cripple a business. A lot of this is preventing things from going wrong however, and the definition of facilities management has expanded beyond that over the years. Now, at a time with ever increasing competition, both globally and locally, facilities management has become as much about squeezing every last drop of efficiency out of a facility, as it has about maintaining one. It is not uncommon now for IT and online systems to play as much a part, monitoring and analysing data revolving around how a facility is used, from what hours, to where the most mistakes or problems occur all the way to employee screen time or productivity ratings. This is less “big brother” spying on employees as it is an effort to understand what is and isn’t working for any given business, with goals to improve upon it. The philosophy here is that faults in productivity may not be the fault of employees alone, but that their ability to complete their work can run in parallel to how well the facility they work in enables them. There are a lot of studies and research that has been put into this, which has produced a wealth of information. For instance, people have been found to be more studious and better able to concentrate when working under cold (or cool) light. This is the stark kind of white light, as opposed to “warm light” which is the more common yellow seen around homes. Warm light has been found to have a detrimental effect on studiousness and attention, but a promising effect on relaxation – making it perfect for usage in the home, but self-defeating in business environments. This is just one example of a simple change in bulb colour that has been scientifically proven to influence staff. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link FACILITIES MANAGEMENT These studies have even been used in other countries in other methods such as in train stations in Europe, where blue light was shown to reduce suicides (by jumping onto train tacks) by a substantial amount. In distribution centres and factories where productivity can be more easily quantified, facilities management may also make use of the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 to streamline, monitor and allow for direct involvement of management in every aspect of work. Here, systems can be more robust and more thorough, as the work is more easily quantified and graded as opposed to in an accountant’s office or a commercial estate agent’s workplace. Still, as more and more companies look to make the most of what they have, facilities management will play an increasing role in the workplace. Its definition may change even more over the coming years and may one day even become a required or expected managerial position within any company. © stock.adobe.com/auremar © stock.adobe.com/Andrey Popov East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY B usiness travel was more heavily affected by the Coronavirus outbreak than leisure travel due to the increase in workplace flexibility, a quick adjustment of corporate travel policies, and the lack of air connectivity, and has recovered slowly even years later. Some sectors have fared better than others, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and construction companies, while service-orientated and knowledge industries are experiencing longer-term disruption to business travel. While travel was initially kept down by COVID fears, the lack of them opened people’s minds to other benefits which continue to strangle the concept. Many of us have grown accustomed to digital interaction, hybrid events and video conferencing, seeing the question arise of whether one really needs to attend every meeting in person that they would have previously. In addition, after companies have operated successfully with less trips, and made savings as a result, there is a likelihood of close scrutinising of travel spend and return on investment. An easy overhead expense to reduce, firms are cutting their travel budgets with the realisation that a larger number of interactions - whether it be with colleagues, clients or vendors - than previously thought can be done digitally. With a desire for employees to make fewer journeys and to make those taken count, then, we will also see more meetings organised within one longer trip to optimise costs. Though cost savings may be a key influence on the scaling back of business travel, concerns over carbon footprint are also minimising trips taken. During the pandemic companies were able to achieve significant reductions in their carbon footprint with grounded staff. In light of COP26 and general growing demand for firms to lower their overall emissions, there is a necessity for policies to be put in place to make business travel as sustainable as possible, and people are calling for these trips to only be made where absolutely justifiable. Once the large carbon footprint associated with jetting off for meetings was considered acceptable, but this pollution is no longer so easily overlooked by customers, investors and regulators. Companies have recognised that decreasing flights is a particularly effective way of mitigating climate change, however it is not just how many flights are taken that’s important, with business class seats responsible for more emissions than those in economy. Businesses are making new pledges to shrink and offset travel emissions, striving for new sustainability goals. Those looking to address travel emissions will limit trip frequency, keep more meetings online and optimise schedules to minimise transport used. Opting for more environmentally friendly travel options is also on the cards from using trains and hiring electric vehicles to selecting sustainable accommodation. The return of business travel Having made cost and sustainability savings during the pandemic through a reduction in business travel, companies are reassessing which trips need to be made and what they will look like in the future. The return of business travel www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Conversely, other factors are set to help business travel recover, simultaneously changing how we view these trips - particularly the rise of bleisure travel. An increased focus on wellbeing, flexibility, a desire to give employees extra perks from business trips and boost morale, and to make the most out of and reduce flights taken are bringing leisure and business together more frequently and seeing ‘workation’ requests accommodated. Business travellers want to add some fun and make the most of the destinations they visit. Trips are being lengthened for leisure purposes while in a reversal, remote work is being added to holidays - after all, we can now work from anywhere. Beneficial in a number of ways, bleisure trips have been associated with more productive trips and happier employees, and with travelling for work a tiring experience, a few days for leisure is a great opportunity to recharge and avoid burnout. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Sustainable electric The focus of this month’s motors is exciting new developments in EVs, which are fast becoming popular – and affordable – on our roads. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Kia EV3 The EV3 is the first vehicle in the world to deploy a simultaneous heat absorption system, enabling it to recycle waste heat not just from the vehicle, but also outside air to optimise efficiency. The EV’s advanced heat pump technology significantly improves its ability to protect battery performance and charge quickly in cold weather. The EV3’s battery is also equipped with a liquid cooling system, which is used during charging to optimise battery thermal management and enhance charging speeds. The EV3’s rapid charging time is up to 12 minutes faster than earlier Kia battery configurations. The EV3’s spacious interior provides a living space-like environment for occupants to enjoy when travelling, or relaxing when the vehicle is stationary. Cutting-edge connectivity features enable them to engage with the digital world in more immersive ways than ever before. Kia is the first manufacturer to bring Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging to the compact EV SUV segment. This feature enables the car to power external devices and allows customers to maximise the EV3’s accessibility. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK Renault 5 E-Tech 100% The Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric has added another accolade to its growing trophy cabinet, after it was crowned the winner in the ‘One To Watch’ category at the 2024 Business Car Awards. The fully electric hatchback, which is due to launch in the UK in early 2025, drew praise for its iconic design and cutting-edge powertrain. As a result, the Renault 5 E- Tech 100% electric offers a compelling blend of driver engagement, practicality, and a sense of fun, wrapped up in a package that will bring an extra sparkle to the world of small electric vehicles. The Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric, faithful to the 2021 concept car, references the style of the original model yet is also the epitome of modernity with its all-electric AmpR small car platform, agile handling and innovative technology. With a driving range of up to 248 miles on a single charge (pending WLTP certification), the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% electric is expected to arrive in the UK in Q1 2025. Renault 5 E-Tech 100% Hyundai KONAwww.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link AUTOLINK Nissan Ariya NISMO Building on Nissan’s rich NISMO heritage while retaining its Japanese-inspired design, Ariya NISMO combines all the benefits of the regular 87kWh Ariya e-4ORCE with a host of motorsport-inspired upgrades to deliver an even more exhilarating driving experience. And just like its NISMO stablemates, it’s designed to be everyday accessible, offering stunning on-road performance in an affordable, practical package. The all-new Ariya NISMO features a meticulously redesigned interior, from the seats to its interior finishings, providing a premium experience for all. The seats, trimmed in a suede-like material and featuring stitched NISMO logos, are specifically designed for sporting driving, offering enhanced support and body- hugging grip under hard cornering. The essence of NISMO flows throughout the interior, from new digital gauge designs to the brand’s iconic red stitching on the steering wheel, along with signature NISMO-red accents throughout, creating a sporty and high-quality ambiance. This elegant atmosphere is further enhanced by a new blackened wood texture used throughout the vehicle, offering a sophisticated and modern look. Hyundai KONA The Hyundai KONA/Hyundai KONA Electric emerged victorious ahead of big- selling models from some of the country’s most established mainstream manufacturers to take the award for Best Compact SUV at the 2024 Business Car Awards. Since arriving in showrooms in 2023, the Hyundai KONA and Hyundai KONA Electric have proven to be a major hit with media and customers alike thanks to their winning blend of futuristic design, excellent cabin comfort and advanced tech. The KONA was immediately crowned Auto Express Car of the Year, and further success has followed in 2024 as it was named Medium Car of the Year at the Company Car and Van awards, while the KONA Electric was hailed as the number one electric car on sale by the Telegraph and earned another Auto Express accolade as Best Small Company Car. Nissan Ariya NISMO East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk inevitably surface. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/planning_ and_managing_change2781505662/ Predicting Demand in a Volatile World Tuesday 15 October Online The growing unpredictability of supply and demand has highlighted the urgency for innovative digitalisation of supply chains. Businesses are now realising the critical importance of planning and predicting demand to create more efficient and sustainable operations. By embracing these advancements, companies can enhance their relationships with customers, suppliers and employees while tackling significant challenges such as climate change, shifting demographics and the perpetual integration of new technologies. Join the Digital Supply Chain Hub to explore how forecasting demand at strategic, operational and tactical levels can lead to faster and more efficient decision-making. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/ event-details/?id=4657&navigated FromSearch=true Shield Lincoln: Cyber Resilience Conference Thursday 3 October Mosaic, Lincoln This informative and interactive cyber security conference is designed to increase awareness of cyber security risks and provide essential strategies to protect your business from cyber attacks. This conference aims to empower local businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to safeguard their digital assets in an ever-evolving threat landscape. For more information visit www.businesslincolnshire.com/events/event -details/?id=4582&navigated FromSearch=true Planning and Managing Change Monday 7 October 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 events Carbon Footprinting: the Next Steps Wednesday 16 October Online So you’ve produced your first carbon footprint, now what? This webinar will help organisations use the available information to prioritise the areas of focus for reducing their carbon emissions and the associated financial benefits. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/ carbon-footprinting-the-next-steps-1/ © stock.adobe.com/Shuo East Midlands Bricks Awards Thursday 3 October Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham The prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards are back for 2024, providing an opportunity to celebrate and network with the region’s property and construction industry. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is a long-standing independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects, businesses 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. We also highlight the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. Winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly. For more information please visit https://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2024/ www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link Harnessing AI for Business: Practical Applications and Legal Insights Wednesday 16 October Delta Hotels by Marriott, Nottingham Belfry, Nottingham Discover the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence and Large- Language Models in business operations. Aimed at professionals across multiple industries, this session will explore using AI to enhance data analysis, streamline processes, and foster innovation. For more information visit www.d2n2growthhub.co.uk/events/ha rnessing-ai-for-business-practical- applications-and-legal-insights-notts/ Neurodiversity in the Workplace Tuesday 22 October Online If you are an employer and want to learn how to better understand your neurodivergent staff and how to best support them, then this event is for you. For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/neurodiversity_in_the_ workplace3616572534/ The Positive Impact of ‘S’ in ESG: Compliance, Diversity and Inclusion Wednesday 30 October Online At its core, ESG social is about human rights and equity – an organisation’s relationships with people, as well as its policies and actions. This webinar, delivered by James Butcher, a Nottingham-based supplier engagement and sustainable transformation expert, will include: the scope of ‘E’ in ESG and key areas of compliance, key statistics on the benefit of diversity in the workplace, the risks of unconscious bias, the risks of failing to train, how training / team development aid recruitment and retention (and demonstrates core value), key training topics to embed Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) that also aid recruitment and retention, and the benefit of your own LMS (for tracking personal development and training compliance records). For more information visit www.emc-dnl.co.uk/events/the_positive_impact_of_ s_in_esg_compliance_diversity_and_inclusion2741834707/ The Autumn Budget 2024 - What Will it Mean for You? Thursday 31 October Online The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will present her first Budget under the new Labour government in the House of Commons on Wednesday 30th October 2024. Following the announcements, which are widely anticipated to include significant tax legislation changes, colleagues from Streets Tax and Streets Chartered Accountants’ financial services team will present on the impact of the announcements along with an update on topical issues affecting business clients and private individuals for the new tax year 2025/26. For more information visit www.streetsweb.co.uk/about/events/ autumn-budget-2024-what-will-it-mean-you/ © stock.adobe.com/marcorubinoNext >