< PreviousEast Midlands Business Link's Directors Lunch 20 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk BUSINESS SCENE The first Directors Lunch of the year was a great way to kick off the corporate calendar, bringing together decision makers from businesses across the East Midlands. The sold-out event once again saw East Midlands Business Link magazine partner with Catena Business Network to host the prestigious quarterly event at Restaurant Six, the exclusive sixth floor restaurant and bar at Trent Bridge cricket ground. The event provided ample networking opportunity for key decision makers, allowing directors to grow their network whilst enjoying Six’s modern British food menu with drinks sponsored by NNBC Financial. The next Director’s Lunch is scheduled for Wednesday 29 April and will once again take place at Restaurant Six. PHOTOS: STEVE EDWARDS OF AUTOHOLIC PHOTOGRAPHY Jo Murphy, Bev Cook & Elliott Cook John Harlow, James Hopkin & Nigel Jemson Bev Cook. Rachael Oudheusden, Elliott Cook & Jo Murphy Glynis Wright & Lisa-Marie Leanders 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 15:32 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 21 BUSINESS SCENE If you’re an ambitious, forward-thinking business searching for specific, key contacts you can trust, Catena can make the right links for you. Tel 0333 009 5232 - www.catena-network.co.uk Mark Crayshaw & Bruce Cooper Russell Maynard. Mark Platt & Ricky Berry John Harlow & James HopkinLouise Hallam & Lisa Jones 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 15:32 Page 2It’s a brand-new year ladies and gentlemen, a brand-new year. Now we’ve finished wishing for everyone else’s year to be ‘happy’, it’s time to switch it back on ourselves for the moment and figure out how we can take the right steps to ensure our own year is a positive one… This time last year I hosted a vison board workshop and as much as I enjoyed the experience of empowering others to fill their future selves with goals, motivation and hope, I realised the reason I decided to host the workshop in the first place was because I too needed a piece of the pie. Only thing was, I was so busy facilitating the workshop that sadly I didn’t get a chance to create my own vision board - classic example of not following our own example. This year my approach to the new year was slightly different and so instead of hosting another, I made the decision to attend a vision board workshop and focus on me and just me. What’s more I genuinely forgot to take my phone along (which is a big thing for me as I usually document pretty much everything through photos/video and social media) and so for the first twenty minutes or so I was experiencing ever so slight withdrawal, however soon realised that this was a sign and was meant to be - I had no distractions for the next three hours, whilst I focused on my year ahead, my wellbeing and my goals for the future - pure liberation! For those who have never come across a vision board, it is basically a way of goal setting and documenting your visions for the year ahead and these can be both personally and in business. It’s your board so it can contain whatever resonates with you, for example you may want to travel more in 2020, self-develop in a particular area or renovate your home. You could have a material goal, such as that dream car or to de-clutter, re-vamp your image and replace your entire wardrobe. A workshop like this allows you time to shut off from the real world for a few hours and become immersed in your own creative thoughts and aspirations, plus you may even gain inspiration from others around you also in attendance - or not. I (unusually because I am a natural networker) kept myself to myself on this occasion and felt compelled to really focus on what I wanted out of the coming year; both personally and professionally. Cue me flying through the pages of business, travel, life and home magazines, ripping out photos/imagery like there is no tomorrow and cutting and sticking like I was back at art college on a goal setting mission. Before I knew it, I had a pretty impressive A3 sized board filled with colourful images and positive affirmations! It seems that my goals without even really realising it prior to attending the workshop are to fill my 2020 with more travel, healthier food, country hikes and creativity. Of course I set myself regular challenges in business and have exciting new plans for several aspects of my existing businesses, but what I found came through the strongest on my board that day was the focus on my own self-development relating to my By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency. 22 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NETWORKING VISION 2020 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 15:37 Page 1Fiona Duncan-Steer, Founder, RSViP Business Networking Agency, Writer, Business Coach www.fionaduncansteer.co.uk • www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk business, networking and event training and consultancy, writing and speaking. The brand of Fiona Duncan-Steer - my journey in business, culture, health, creativity and wellbeing, all summed up on that little bit of paper. Pretty mind- blowing really, but I’ve put it out there now and now I am accountable, so I’ll make damn sure I tick each and every one off my list and you can too. You don’t necessarily need a workshop to create a vision board if you have the self-motivation to get it done, however attending a pre-organised and structured workshop will keep you on track, allow you the chance to step away from your routine/usual surroundings and most certainly inspire a new way of thinking, if just for a few hours out of your busy life. What have you got to lose? Look out 2020 here we come! For more information on vision board workshops, 121 /small group sessions and business/networking/event consultancy, contact Fiona www.fionaduncansteer.co.uk www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business 23 22-23.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 15:37 Page 2CORPORATE HOSPITALITY COMING together From escape rooms to obstacle courses, there are a wide variety of team building activities across the region that will boost employee morale, communication, productivity and more. 24 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 24-26.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 12:02 Page 1Team events are a fun way to bring your employees together. Whether organised in-house or through an operation that specialises in such events, it is vital to select an activity based on what you are trying to achieve (it must be worth the investment) as well as the age, interests and fitness levels of your staff - one must choose an activity which everyone can get involved in. Some staff may have physical limitations and medical conditions, or religious and personal beliefs leaving them feeling unimportant to the organisation if they are unable to take part in chosen activities. It is therefore essential to be inclusive. Consider collating a few ideas and sending them to employees to vote on to see what is most popular and Location, time and budget are also important to think about. How much budget is allocated will decide how extensive the event is, while the location may decide how much time needs to be set aside for the activity. Though having an event at the workplace is preferable for some and will reduce costs, it is key to make sure that it doesn't simply feel like another part of the work day, or one will fail to truly gain the benefits that can be achieved by team building activities. Holding these events in- house comes with distractions, with ringing phones, email pings and simple proximity to desks reminding participants of tasks waiting to be completed. By taking employees away from the office, one can ensure a team building event is effective and undisturbed. It is also recommended that team building events take place during office hours to avoid possible resentment stemming from taking up weekend “free time,” which may negate hoped for positive outcomes. Additionally, one must decide whether to organise team building activities yourself or use a company that specialises in such events. While the former will give you full control, the latter will see aspects like venue and audio-visual equipment hire, catering and scheduling taken care of for you as required. Though images of trust falls and hesitant staff might arise when East Midlands Business 25 26 Á www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / RAWPIXEL.COM © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / STOCKFOUR 24-26.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 12:02 Page 2CORPORATE HOSPITALITY thinking of traditional team building, today these events have become much more enjoyable and engaging. Primarily, such events are split into indoor and outdoor activities. Which is chosen will often depend on the weather. There are a variety of interesting activities available for team building events across the region. One such example is a soap box derby, which encourages creativity, time manage and teamwork. Other activities include raft building, smart phone treasure hunts, canoeing and other sports activities, all outside, and baking challenges, pizza making, rollercoaster and bridge building, escape rooms, CSI scenarios, improv classes and Dragon’s Den competitions indoors. It is essential to tailor your chosen activity to your objectives: are you primarily looking instil better teamwork? Then select a task that has this at its centre, such as an escape room. The benefits of investing in team activities are far reaching, strengthening many crucial soft skills, reducing stress and acting as a reward to staff, making them feel valued. Primarily they facilitate bonding and collaboration between employees, letting them get to know each other away from the workplace, and see and understand how different people approach tasks, as well as recognise their strengths and weaknesses, to ultimately form a cohesive group that knows how to work efficiently together to reach targets, smoothening company processes. This might also see staff interact with those external to, say, their department, allowing them to better comprehend each other’s roles and increase the respect they have for one another. Choosing the right activities can develop stronger communication between employees, reinforce company values, motivate and energise staff, and make them more productive, ultimately boosting the bottom line. In addition, by taking employees out of their routine, to face challenges not related to work, one can stimulate creative problem-solving skills that can be taken back to the office. Team events also see managers become more approachable, making staff more likely to voice their concerns and ideas, and as a result increase staff satisfaction and improve employee retention. Further, team building events allow management to see how employees react in different situations, and have the potential to highlight different attributes and talents members of staff hold which they might not get a chance to illustrate at work, such as leadership qualities, comfort under pressure, strong planning capabilities, and an ability to encourage others well. This may help when trying to identify candidates for roles in the organisation that open in the future. Team building will often see limited effect if it is a one-time event. It therefore is important after your activity ends to keep its momentum and positive outcomes going in the workplace. Make sure to create plenty of opportunities for employees to connect. © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / GAUDILAB 26 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk 24-26.qxp_Layout 1 04/02/2020 12:02 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 27 PRINTING & PACKAGING Striking a balance Striking a balance Perhaps the most pressing issue facing businesses today is environmental. There’s been a seismic shift in sectors right across the business spectrum with companies fortifying – or, in some cases, creating – environmental strategies and committing to slash carbon emissions and their reliance on fossil fuels. Many experts agree that we’re entering a tipping point in which our current climate crisis can be prevented from descending into all- out catastrophe. The printing and packaging sector has an important role to play in reducing our reliance on plastic packaging, and companies and suppliers have stepped up to the challenge. Figures from the non-profit Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) show that in 2016 – the latest estimates for the UK – 1.53 million tonnes of plastic waste were reported, a twenty-four per cent rise since 2010. In the decade since, there’s been a flurry of corporate activity in this sphere with environmental strategies being seen right across the board, from blue chips right down to micro firms. While supermarkets are committing to net zero within the next decade, cumulative changes among smaller firms can have a big impact from implementing an office recycling scheme and helping employees curb single-use packaging by encouraging packed lunches, or providing reusable coffee cups for a more sustainable take-away. The most pervasive packaging in the majority of workplaces isn’t food and drink, however, it’s delivered goods such as ink cartridges and office supplies etc., all of which comes with its own packaging. Fortunately, much of this can be recycled, but even problem packaging and those that have been historically 28 Á Á © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / AFRICA STUDIO The printing and packaging sector is having to balance environmental efforts alongside the need for high-quality products that can compete in ever more competitive marketplaces. 27-29.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 16:04 Page 1impossible to recycle are entering more of a closed loop with specialist recycling companies innovating methods. It’s therefore important for company bosses to reach out and make the effort. Of course, a company’s packaging waste and carbon footprint will largely depend on what kind of company it is. A PR firm, for example, will want to consider where its energy is sourced, the recycling of its waste products, and whether the paper it uses is sustainably sourced, among other things. But for a printing or packaging firm, there’s much more to consider, from the raw materials being used, to machinery and equipment. When it comes to companies – especially food and beverage companies – with products on store shelves, the challenge now lies in juggling environmental issues whilst also appealing to consumers who are increasingly demanding products of a higher standard than ever before. Companies selling in consumer channels are turning towards ever more innovative printing and packaging materials to help their products stand out on store shelves at a time when manufacturers are moving away from plastic and shoppers turn towards more sustainable options. What had once been niche offerings or proof-of-concepts are now becoming more ubiquitous with a mushroom-based solution offering a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam. Packaging is also being made from sugar cane and other renewable sources, many of them pre-existing waste streams such as surplus fruit and vegetables. Edible packaging has also emerged as a means of alleviating plastic waste. Manufacturers can also turn towards digital technologies as a means of market differentiation and to appeal to younger, more digitally-minded consumers. For example, augmented reality (AR) can be used to cut down on packaging and labelling whilst also offering a highly engaging consumer experience. With AR, a consumer could use an app on their smart phone or tablet with a packaged product to gain information about its origin and production or, if a food product, additional nutritional information. It could also be used as an extension of that product’s advertising, engaging consumers like never before. Of course, a product still needs to work on its own merits, and it’s worth remembering that not all consumers can afford or physically operate touch screen devices. However, AR can be an important tool in a company’s arsenal, both PRINTING & PACKAGING © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / GUTEKSK7 28 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / LADO 27-29.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 16:05 Page 2for advertising and for differentiating their product and saving on labelling. Although there’s been plenty of innovation where packaging itself is concerned, with more sustainable materials and digital integration, printing and labelling technologies have also come along in leaps and bounds. Although colour changing inks have been around in the beverage industry for a while now, they’ve really evolved over the last few years and are appearing on more cans on shelves. Thermochromic inks cover a can with a temperature sensitive pigment that could let customers know when the beverage has reached the optimal temperature. Perhaps more exciting is photochromic inks which change colour when exposed to bright sunlight. This could reveal new images, colours and messaging, allowing companies to effectively have two different designs on every can. Also in this area are the rise of glow in the dark and UV cans, especially for energy drinks and alcohol – perfect for today’s Instagram minded consumers. Where beer is concerned, there’s been advances in high definition beverage can printing. This allows for greater detail to be reproduced, allowing a hitherto unattainable quality to be printed on cans. This offers drinks makers a real edge in a crowded marketplace and greater shelf appeal. It is understandable more costly than traditional can printing technologies, but it does allow greater opportunities to add depth, scope and dimension to reap potentially greater sales and a bigger slice of the market. Laser coders are becoming increasingly popular, not only where dates and batch codes are concerned, but for printing competition codes. More companies are looking to engage with their socially-minded and media-savvy consumers and are turning towards engagement strategies such as competitions to do so. Overall, the printing industry is highly innovative, with solutions such as 3D printing rapidly developing over the last decade. Although they’re yet to become standard, they are used in greater capacity in product design and prototyping and for creating food products and packaging that may have remained only conceptual before. Casting a wider net, digital printing technologies such as inkjet and electrography are opening new avenues for supplier and equipment manufacturers. Solutions such as these are continuing to supersede traditional printing equipment thanks to quicker response times, ease of image modification and greater levels of personalisation and customisation. Manufacturers that haven’t already updated their printing equipment will likely be considering it in order to stay relevant and to compete. Businesses can find out more about the latest trends, developments and innovations in printing and packaging at the Packaging Innovations event taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 26 & 27 February. The printing and packaging sector and the industries it serves have an important role to play in mitigating the climate crisis. However, that can’t come at the cost of sacrificing high-quality and shelf appeal and so the two aims will continue to grow alongside one another. As ever more innovative packaging materials develop to replace plastic and printing machinery goes greener, the industry will lead by example. www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 29 © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM / SYDA DMYTO PRINTING & PACKAGING 27-29.qxp_Layout 1 03/02/2020 16:05 Page 3Next >