< Previous30 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukBUSINESS SCENEIoD Greater Lincolnshire annual business lunch 130 guests attended the IoD Greater Lincolnshire annual business lunch, held at the Bentley Hotel, Lincoln on Friday 7 December 2018. Welcomed by Gary Headland, Greater Lincolnshire Chairman and CEO of the Lincoln College Group, Stephen Martin, Institute of Directors (IoD) Director General, spoke at the event alongside Dawn Barron, Founder of Human Alchemy, Board Trustee of the YMCA and Nomad Trust. GARY MCINTOSH (PRIORY GROUP), MARK TAYOR ( LINCOLN COLLEGE), GRACE NEAL (LINCA) CAROLINE ALTON, CAMERON FORD ( IOD )GARY HEADLAND ( GREATER LINCS CHAIRMAN), DAWN BARRON, STEPHEN MARTIN (DIRECTOR GENERAL IOD), GARY PAUL & DAWN BARRONSTEPHEN MARTIN (DIRECTOR GENERAL IOD), GARY SMITHHILARY LONIEY, JOHN HENRY ( SUSTAINABLE DIRECTION )EMMA OLIVIER-TOWNROW (NEW THEATRE ROYAL), AMANDA MCSORLEY, RACHEL BISHOP ( BAILGATE SUSAN LOVELL ( WEALTH MANAGEMENT ), KELLY GOODCHILD, PAUL COLCOMB ( WRIGHT VIGAR )JANET WOOTTON (IOD), GARY SMITH30-31.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:46 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 31BUSINESS SCENEPHOTOS: RICHARD PICKLEYCARI GRICE, RON LYNCH, SOPHIE JACKSON, SUE CHARLESWORTH ( IOD )PAUL SIMPSON ( ANDREW & CO ), SIMON SMITH ( KINGSBRIDGE CORP SOLUTIONS )ANGIE COOPER ( BLM GROUP ), SARA BIRD ( SQWEARS COUTURE )STEPHEN MARTIN (DIRECTOR GENERAL IOD), GARY HEADLAND ( GREATER LINCS CHAIRMAN)CLAIRE WAKELIN ( BENJAMIN EDWARDS ), NEIL HERBERT ( CAPITAL ONE )SAM MORRIS ( HOME FROM HOME CARE ), CLAIRE FLAVELL ( NHS )GARY HEADLAND, DAN HAYES (OSJCT), EMMA OLIVIER-TOWNROW (NEW THEATRE ROYAL)30-31.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:47 Page 2The ideal location for logistics The ideal location for logistics 32 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukLOGISTICS32-35.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:37 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 33 LOGISTICS© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / TTSTUDIOWith excellent links to major motorways, strong freight railway lines that provide access to the UK’s main ports, and the East Midlands airport, which now handles as much freight as it does passengers, our region is unsurprisingly a major UK logistics hub. Perfectly placed, one can transport products to 90% of the population of England in just 4 hours. The East Midlands even boasts the famous “golden triangle” of logistics, which consists of the counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Logistics businesses are flocking to the region, as highlighted by Savills last ‘Big Shed Briefing’ for H1 2018. According to the briefing the East Midlands witnessed a record H1 with industrial and logistics space take-up at more than 4 million sq ft, almost double that of H1 2017, and 146% higher than the long term H1 average. Additionally, 2.35 million sq ft of space was highlighted as under construction across nine units, with an average size of 261,000 sq ft. The wider demand in the Midlands mirrors that of the East Midlands with the area scooping the position of Europe’s largest logistics property market, with year to September take up of distribution warehouses reaching 22.2 million sq ft, according to data from BNP Paribas Real Estate (BNPPRE). The region’s fame in logistics is set to only grow with the completion of the SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway development, which will offer 6 million sq ft of distribution and storage space, along with a 50-acre strategic rail freight terminal that can handle up to sixteen 775m freight trains a day, and will offer access via the Rugby Loop to major eastern and southern ports. Work on a relief road in Castle Donington, where the gateway is being built near to, began in 2018 to help accommodate the area’s growing number of logistics firms and parks. Other highlights for the logistics industry in the East Midlands in 2018, in regard to both warehousing space and distribution, include planning approval for the New Horizon industrial and logistics scheme, which could create 500 jobs at the 48-acre former Imperial Tobacco site in Nottingham, and the Planning Inspectorate’s acceptance of the Rail Central Development Consent Order for examination. Rail Central is to be a new strategic rail freight interchange in Northamptonshire that could create 8,000 jobs. The growth of rail freight in the region reflects an industry trend which involves firms moving away from the road in search of a faster, more reliable and environmentally friendly method that will help in the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) aim to achieve zero atmospheric emissions from freight movement by 2050. With heavy good vehicles (HGVs) accounting for a significant amount of the UK’s air quality impacts from transport, producing 17% of UK GHG emissions and 21% of road transport NOx emissions despite only accounting for 5% of vehicle miles, there is a real need that has been recognised in the logistics industry for change. MTRU’s Campaign for Better The East Midlands holds a solid reputation within the logistics industry. With access to freight railway lines, airports, and major motorways it is unsurprising that businesses are flocking to our region. 34 u32-35.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:37 Page 2LOGISTICSTransport reveals that by taking 2,000 lorries off the road a day from four major roads (the M6, the M62, the A14 between Felixstowe and the Midlands, the A34 from Southampton to the Midlands), in favour of upgrading the roads’ parallel rail lines for use, a 10% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 2.5% reduction in carbon emissions on the routes would be created. Rail freight is becoming a much cleaner option for transporting goods as UK rail switches to an electric approach, which will see rail freight emissions drop. With the announcement of £24.3bn funding for the maintenance and refurbishment of Britain’s railways, the future for rail freight is bright. Spending used to improve the work of Network Rail’s System Operator will allow it to develop and release faster train paths for freight which will, according to the FTA, increase productivity. In addition funding used for renewal works will reduce infrastructure failures that delay freight. However, news of higher charges to use the rail network has put a damper on this, discouraging those considering rail as an alternative to the road. Water freight options are also now receiving significant attention in multimodal logistics strategies with a push from the Canal & River Trust and the Freight Transport Association, as a way of reducing costs, environmental impact, and congested roads, though © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / CHESKY34 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk32-35.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:37 Page 3East Midlands Business Link 35LOGISTICSsignificant investment in infrastructure is required if the UK’s waterways are to reach their potential for moving goods. Of course rail and water are not the only solutions to the industry’s HGV pollution problem, as firms are considering electric trucks - the adoption of which is sure to be boosted with the governments influx of funding for electric vehicle charging points - and alternative fuels from biomethane and biodiesel from waste feedstocks to liquified and compressed natural gas. The use of alternative fuels is currently limited however, and despite increasing demand for biomethane for example, it is supplied only in small quantities to the sector. Another trend in the transport logistics sector is the use of autonomous HGVs, which are predicted to be an option for 76% of transport companies in the next decade. A DHL Trend Research report, ‘Self-Driving Vehicles in Logistics’, notes that existing driver assistance systems will be gradually upgraded to make vehicles adhere to speed limits, keep in lane, and to automate overtaking, ahead of the reality of completely driverless trucks. Perhaps the main attractions of automated HGVs are improved fuel efficiency and safety. Automated HGVs are programmed to be constantly vigilant while humans cannot always react fast enough to hazards - 90% of road accidents are caused by driver error, and HGVs are responsible for over 8,000 collision casualties. Further benefits include their ability to adapt smoothly to varying traffic, weather, and obstacles in the road, along with how they can use GPS and road and terrain mapping, as well as sensors and cameras to choose the best engine speeds and gear changes, saving fuel and reducing wear. Autonomous systems can also be programmed to limit environmental impact and with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, autonomous vehicles will be able to improve traffic flow and avoid busy roads. The development of fully autonomous freight trucks will eventually beat the time restraints human workers place on the industry, allowing products to be transported 24 hours a day. The idea of adopting autonomous vehicles is useful for the UK as driver shortages continue to loom, in fact 51% of logistics firms named driver shortages, along with skills shortages, as the biggest issue facing their business, according to Moore Stephens’ ‘Annual Logistics Confidence Index’. While completely autonomous HGVs are a way off in the UK, DfT are trialling Cooperative ACC (CACC), which is regarded as a step up on the semi-autonomous technology of adaptive cruise control that most new vehicles have. With CACC several vehicles travel together and communicate constantly to coordinate braking, acceleration and cruising, allowing them to travel at closer distances, which will increase potential fuel economy gains, though with CACC, drivers will still be in control of their vehicles. Platooning is said to be next step towards full autonomous HGV development in the UK, where a lead vehicle is driven by a driver followed by vehicles that do not require a driver to constantly control them. Concerns in using fully automated vehicles in the UK have arisen, however, due to our congested road network which is harder to implement automated vehicles on than say the USA’s straight roads.www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk© SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / APPLEZOOMZOOM32-35.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:37 Page 436 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukNETWORKINGGetting into the Coaching Habit by Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking AgencyAs we all know, a good coach is also a good listener, like a good comedian timing is everything and a decent coach knows when to ask a question, what to ask and how to ask it at the correct time in conversation, then to sit back and listen... One of my favourite quotes is by Clayton Christenson: “Without a good question, a good answer has nowhere to go.” This certainly is a wise quote and one we should all keep in the back of our minds through life in general. Many often struggle with basic conversation which is a must in the world of networking, especially in order to be a good quality coach or leader; both exceptional conversational/social skills with a good measure of intuition thrown in the mix are an attribute best linked with natural networkers, leaders and indeed coaches. Coaching is an essential leadership skill in business and taking the time to learn how to do it well is a matter of habit, as all good managers are also or ‘should’ also be great coaches, bringing the best out of their staff and team, without having to force authority upon them, encouraging and empowering them to ‘want’ to be the best they can be and supporting them the whole way. Being an inspirer is also a deeply rewarding role to play and as a coach, we have the ability and privilege of playing this role regularly - IF we ask the right questions and equally if we provide a listening ear to which the coachee can start to build their own problem-solving thoughts against. Bearing the burden of your coachee’s challenge often comes with the job, so channelling these emotions/thoughts/information nuggets and giving yourself permission to be the person who asks the right questions, throwing it back and giving them what they really need (for example thought provoking thinking time) will allow and inspire them to solve the challenge themselves and in their own time and at their own pace at that. Having a simple coaching structure in place, a bank of questions, as well as other coaching tools and techniques on hand as a coach/leader/manager is a basic necessity and will give you confidence to move forward with your coaching goals and set habits that eventually will become subliminal to you, especially if you are someone new entering into the world of coaching/managing. Despite what the various stats say, there is no set time in which it takes to make or break a habit as everyone is different, however I advise starting your coaching habit journey sooner rather than later - perhaps make it your 2019 New Year business resolution...For more information contact Fiona Duncan, Director, RSViP, Tel:0115 9417 548 Email: fiona@rsvipnetwork.co.uk, Web: www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk 36-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:50 Page 136-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:50 Page 238 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYThe shape of things to come © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / RAWPIXEL.COM The shape of things to come 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:51 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.ukEast Midlands Business Link 39 COMMERCIAL PROPERTYThe waning of one year and the start of another brings with it a slew of predictions and trends set to shape the months to come. Not only does this offer an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, but also to adjust outlooks and expectations accordingly. When it comes to the commercial property and real estate markets, having some foresight and insider knowledge can be advantageous enabling buyers, sellers and businesses to avoid potential pitfalls and make more informed decisions. Global real estate consultants Knight Frank have released a new report detailing the key themes shaping occupational demand. Individually, these themes, they claim, will be highly influential. However, in combination, the consultant says they “represent nothing short of a new occupational orthodoxy”. Although the report is focussed on global real estate, the trends will also have a bearing on the commercial property market, nationally and here in the East Midlands, offering regional businesses a roadmap that might serve them well throughout 2019. #1 The productivity push The first of these trends has been dubbed ‘the productivity push’. First, a little context. As the report explains, attitudes towards real estate costs are changing, with the focus shifting towards effective rather than cheap solutions. Therefore, real estate has a critical role to play in the push for increased corporate productivity. However, this is not about increasing the density of occupation with the aim of savings at all costs. This approach, the report says, has “ultimately proven counter-productive”. Instead, it says, the aim is now to increase productivity by strengthening the interaction between people and property via the creation of – and investment on – a “positive, serviced and well-supported workplace experience”. Businesses in our region can learn from this trend but aligning their outlook on productivity with their approach to real estate. As we’ve explored time and again in our property pages, the workplace environment – be that factory floor or office – should be somewhere staff want to spend time rather than somewhere they dream. Simple solutions such as appealing décor, access to natural light and recreational rooms can have a big impact. 40 uEast Midlands Business Link explores the key trends facing the global real estate market and how they can be applied to regional commercial property. 38-41.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 09:51 Page 2Next >