< PreviousBelieve it or not, inspiration and ideas do not just appear on command. A good amount of work must go into the summoning of a new idea. You must create a space for them, invite them in and nurture them once they arrive, and all of this can be done through the power of your mind – yes, that’s right, it’s all about mindset over matter… The brain is an incredible storage bank of memories, moments, experiences, and information and did you know that around 90% of information transmitted to our brain is visual? This is why; • We should be protective of what we expose ourselves to. • We should be clever and utilise this amazing fact in our marketing strategies, by using visual aids and tools to promote our brands in order to catch attention. • We should use visual stimulation techniques within our training sessions and/or during self- development. With all of this taken into consideration then, how can we prepare for new ideas? It all starts and ends with YOU – in the time you invest into self-care practise to ensure that you are the best version of yourself to receive inspiration and those invaluable light bulb moments that could potentially change your day, your business, or even your life for the better! I’ll share with you where I feel most inspired... • Away from my usual working environment (desk/computer). • Outdoors in nature (countryside). • In the sunshine - on a beach. • In my garden/on my bench. • In bed at 3am! Basically, anywhere arty/creative and visually stimulating such as an art gallery or sculpture park. Ask yourself, where are you when you feel most inspired? Then take yourself to those places each time you need to reconnect, take a breather, or spark an idea (and if like me your brain wakes up at 3am, then keep a notepad and pen by your bed to capture them before they dissolve). By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency 20 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NETWORKING What kinds of things would you say cause creativity blocks? Answer; there are many! I ask this because a little reverse engineering will open up examples of things, places, and people you may need to consider seeing more of, doing and going to in order to clear your mind and prep for new ideas... My creativity blocks; • Phone/social media. • Computer/desk environment. • Distracting loud noises. • Messy surroundings. • Stress/anxiety. • Tiredness/loss of mojo. … I could go on... I invite you to think of what aspects block your creativity, then flip those examples around to uncover achievable solutions. My Solutions; -Turn phone off/limit social media. -Move away from my desk. -Find a quiet/inspiring space. -Ensure my environment is tidy. -Practise self-care. Why not make two similar lists to mine to identify your creativity blocks and how you could unblock them, and why not locate your inspirational space and allow yourself time to visit once in a while? After all, there are millions of ideas just waiting to be discovered if you open your mind to them. Where are you when you get your best ideas? Arrange a free discovery call with me to explore this further. fiona@rsvipnetwork.co.uk www.fionaduncansteer.com www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk 20-21.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:43 Page 120-21.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:43 Page 222 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The changing face of farming © Shutterstock /kung_tom With an eye on the future, the agri-business sector continues to adapt to challenges – be they social or environmental. Post-Brexit and post-pandemic, this sector will be more crucial than ever. 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:46 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 23 AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /Konstantin Zibert Agri-food is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, employing 3.9 million people and generating a GVA of £108 billion. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire together form perhaps the most important agricultural region nationally, supporting a myriad of jobs across the supply chain and contributing massively to the economy both domestically and in terms of exports on the world stage. Driven by the explosion in global population, political pressures and the impacts of climate change, evolving the current agri-food model is less a want now and more a need. Already farmers have invested in renewable energy solutions such as wind turbines and anaerobic digestors, whilst others have embraced innovative new solutions such as using drones to monitor farmland and provide actionable data. In our region, Greater Lincolnshire is leading the charge towards a more innovative agricultural sector, adopting new training methods, upscaling agri-food robots and building on the region’s early steps into the new age of food, animal and crop production. It’s not a moment too soon either, with Britain currently possessing the lowest density of robots in manufacturing among the G10 nations. As our biggest manufacturing sector, it’s time for the agri-food sector to chance that. Robots and smart robotic systems improve efficiency, output and competitiveness and, far from coming to steal jobs, can instead safeguard jobs and improve workplace conditions all round. Indeed, robots can undertake the difficult and repetitive aspects inherent in farming faster and more efficiently than a human workforce, as well as undertaking tasks beyond the ability of flesh and blood workers – i.e. measuring the level of sunlight falling on a field. Taking the agri-food industry into the future isn’t simply a case of setting robots to work in the fields, but overhauling production methods and, in some cases, doing away with tradition all together as much for production gains and profitability as for greener, more environmentally-friendly solutions. The massive growth in the hydroponics market, which does away with the need of soil to grow fresh produce, is testament to this. Hydroponics is an innovative method of growing plants in a water-based nutrient-rich solution rather than soil. Instead of traditional planting and growing methods, the root system is supported using an inert medium 24 Á 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:46 Page 224 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT such as peat moss, clay pellets or rockwool. It works by allowing plant roots to come into direct contact with the nutrient solution whilst also having access to oxygen. Not only does this mean that plants grow bigger, but they also mature twenty-five per cent faster than those grown in soil. The downside, however, is that it does require a significant investment, not just financially speaking but also in terms of time. Not only does a hydroponic system take a lot of time to set up, but managing these systems require plant Ph and nutrient levels to be monitored daily. Turning towards the future is a necessity for any business, regardless of industrial sector, but not at the expense of the present. Indeed, agri-businesses must be cognizant of the risks facing their industry and supply chain. According to the results of the annual ‘Monitor Farm’ survey from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), more farmers in the UK are actively recording their costs while benchmarking has risen. Of those farmers who record costs, the percentage of those benchmarking their business against others has almost doubled, rising from 46.6 per cent in 2018 to eighty-five per cent in 2019. The survey found that approaches towards risk management in general are also improving with 49.3 per cent of farmers who took part in the survey agreeing that monitoring farm projects improved their risk management. Of course, one of the biggest risks facing the agri-food sector recently has been COVID-19. At first glance, it might appear as if the crisis worked in farmer’s favours. After all, supermarkets have been posting better than expected results and a spike in sales first as consumers panic brought and then during the lockdown as people had little other choice but to spend time in and around the home. However, farmers in our region and beyond serve a wide range of customers. Of course, supermarkets are a major customer for many farmers and agricultural businesses, but they are far from the only one. The forced shutdown of restaurants, bars and markets dealt a major blow to farmers. Not only did it see them cut off from important revenue streams as key customers closed their doors, but also led to a rise in food waste. According to the AHDB, the financial disruption has 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:46 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 25 AGRI-BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT © Shutterstock /MONOPOL Y919 cost dairy producers alone an estimated £28 million across April and May. Similar figures can likewise be seen across the spectrum. Part of the issue stems from labour – or rather, the lack of it. Last year, with travel restrictions in place throughout lockdown, farms were unable to access their usual labour pool from overseas. Instead, local people were encouraged to ‘Pick For Britain’ with a campaign evoking wartime spirit to get people to do their bit. But securing labour is far from the only issue farmers and agribusiness have had to contend with in light of the pandemic. In many cases, businesses have been forced to adapt they way they operate in order to comply with social distancing measures. For machinery suppliers, coronavirus has meant they’ve had to shutter showrooms. However, over the last few months, savvy suppliers have still processes machinery and spare orders as well as undertaking urgent repair works. It’s put them in a good position for when ‘non-essential’ retailers are allowed to open again in mid-June. As with other industries, the farming sector had little to no advance warning of the pandemic, and certainly not how pervasive and far reaching the effects would be. Farm businesses have, essentially, had to adapt overnight to navigate sudden disruptions and increasing demand from local communities and key customers (those that weren’t forced to closed, that is). While there’s still many pressing issues here in the present, farmers are also rightfully concerned about what the future holds. Specifically, there is a worry that future trade deals struck by the government could undercut the current high standards set up by UK farmers. Though these issues predate the pandemic – i.e. opening the UK to imports of chlorine washed chicken and hormone treated beef etc. – there’s fears the outbreak will only make matters worse. Securing the future of farming has never been more pressing in light of COVID-19. Not only does there need to be greater investment in education, but also in innovative technologies such as robotics and hydroponics. This current crisis can serve as a catalyst to usher in a step change in agribusiness and ensure Britain maintains its high standards and output going forward. 22-25.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:46 Page 4Come and join us at the East Midlands Business Link Bricks 2021 EAST MIDLANDS BUSINESS The highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards are returning for 2021 to shine a light on the region’s property and construction industry. After 2020’s ceremony was transformed into a virtual affair due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with cases dropping and restrictions easing, this year’s celebration is to be held in person once again, providing ample opportunities for networking with key decision makers in a safe and secure environment. Over 150 professionals gathered at the last physical East Midlands Bricks Awards and this year’s event will take place on Thursday 30 September at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in the Derek Randall Suite from 4:30pm - 7:30pm. The East Midlands Bricks Awards, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects 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. The work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes is also highlighted. The awards are split into 10 categories covering every aspect of the property sector including most active estate agent (sponsored by Blueprint Interiors), commercial development of the year (sponsored by Frank Key), responsible business of the year (sponsored by Press for Attention PR), residential development of the year (sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance), developer of the year (sponsored by Ward), deal of the year (sponsored by Hopkins Solicitors), architects of the year (sponsored by OMS), excellence in design (sponsored by HTC Associates), sustainable development of the year, and contractor of the year (sponsored by Cube Construction Consultants). The overall winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the event. Thursday 30th September 2021 at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground Nominations are now open, and submissions can be made through the nomination forms here: www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/bricks-2021/ Come and join us at the East Midlands Business Link Bricks 2021 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:50 Page 1Categories and sponsors: We hope you will join us on 30 September 2021 at Nottingham’s stunning Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, for this prestigious event. Most active agent Excellence in designDeal of the year Developer of the year Residential development of the year Commercial development of the year Architects of the year Sustainable development of the year Contractor of the year Overall Winner To buy tickets for the event visit www.eventbrite.com/e/east-midlands-bricks-awards-2021-tickets-153439278011 Responsible business of the year EAST MIDLANDS BUSINESS 26-27.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:50 Page 228 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk INSURANCE The economic and political uncertainties pervading the global marketplace means financial dangers abound for businesses. Despite coming out of the third national lockdown, the COVID crisis is far from over and businesses will continue to face hardships in the months (likely years) to come. Although the pandemic has given rise to another challenge for companies to overcome, there are a myriad of risks and dangers that can lead a business going bankrupt or calling in the administrators. Whether it’s unexpected legal costs or damage to one’s workplace, it’s important that businesses defend themselves against every threat. Currently, the only type of business insurance that is mandatory under UK law is employers’ liability cover, but by not adequately protecting themselves, businesses are putting themselves at serious financial harm, risking not only their operations but the livelihoods of their employees. The UK insurance industry is the largest in Europe and the fourth largest globally, managing investments of over £1.8 trillion, paying nearly £12 billion in taxes to Government, and employing 300,000 people. Although two thirds of premiums paid out are for life insurance, the importance of business insurance can’t be overstated. But there’s a plethora of different policies which may confuse business owners, so it’s critical that company owners understand the types of business insurance available and the ones best suited to their operations. As previously stated, employer’s liability insurance is the only kind of business specific insurance that companies in the UK are required by law to take out. According to the Government, cover must be taken out as soon as a company becomes an employer. The policy must cover a business for at least £5 million and, it should go without saying, come from an authorised insurer. Mandatory, yes, but definitely advantageous as it will pay compensation if an employee is injured or becomes ill as a direct result of the work they do. As if that wasn’t motivation enough, businesses can be fined £2,500 every day they are not properly ensured. To avoid mishaps, businesses can check whether their insurer is authorised by looking at the Financial Conduct Authority register or by contacting the Financial Conduct Authority directly. Perhaps better know as errors and emissions (E&A), professional indemnity insurance shouldn’t be confused with employers’ liability insurance. Instead this protects against negligence claims due to harm resulting from mistakes or failure to perform and can cover compensation claims if a business is sued by a client for making a mistake that leads to financial loss. This makes it particularly important for businesses that give advice or provide a professional service to clients, or for businesses that deal with client data and intellectual property. Some professional bodies and regulators require their members to have this kind of insurance, especially surveyors, accountants and architects. Because each industry has its own specific set of concerns, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, so policies are therefore customised on a business-by-business basis. Safeguarding business When it comes to business insurance, its better to be safe than sorry, especially at a time when the economy is still in a precarious state as we emerge out the other side of the pandemic. 30 Á 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:52 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 29 INSURANCE © Shutterstock /Billion Photos 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 01/06/2021 15:52 Page 2Next >