< Previous30 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ENGINEERING © Shutterstock /vladimir salman hard enough without that distraction. These changes within our region are a prime opportunity for the engineering sector, but the long term must be kept in mind as much as the short. The country may be facing a crisis now but the engineering sector is going to continue through its own crisis – though fortunately existing engineers, in their high demand, will be more than safe. Though it may seem a benign problem; that the industry has more work than workers, this will become a serious problem in the future that might lead to less new investment being made in the country. If we cannot look after what is already invested, after all, then why would foreign investors pour more money into our economy? Government schemes to fix this have so far proved to be of limited success, and it may be up to the engineering firms themselves to address the problem. This will be especially true now that the Government has the fair excuse of having to focus everything on COVID. Even after it is gone, the Government will have issues related to raised taxes (to cover the costs of furlough) and fixing the economy to deal with – leaving the skills shortage far back on their list of priorities. Apprenticeships are one such option and have been a method employed since medieval times and perhaps even before. Engineering takes particularly well to this due to the complex but binary nature of many of its tasks. Naturally, apprenticeships now are not likely on the menu, but with the vaccine predicted to be close, it may be a good time to start making plans in advance or putting out advertisements for apprentice positions. The goal is to plan for the future and with the predicted collapse of many businesses, especially unskilled labour in hospitality, etc, there may be a high number of unemployed young people looking for work in more secure sectors. Whatever the decision that is made, the brain drain – as it is called – will be a concern for the industry and the country as a whole unless it is taken care of. Local engineering firms can seek to address the issue themselves or adopt a wait and see policy, but it is unlikely to go away. The work is there, for those with the expertise to grasp it, but there is perhaps `too much` work for the limited workforce we currently have. To ensure that this bountiful harvest continues for the entire sector, changes will need to be made. Hopefully it will be our region that leads these, as the Northern Powerhouse ekes out its own share of the global engineering market. 28-30.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:19 Page 31 Years Subscription £33.60 2 Years Subscription £63.00 3 Years Subscription £81.90 E A S T M I D L A N D S L E E A D I N G B U S I N E S S M A G A A Z I N E APRIL 2021 £3. .50 COM MING OUT THE C E OTH ER SI IDE YY FACTOR OFFICE LOGIS STICS Engineering the fut TIOT AUTOMA Y AF WW ACTOR ning to Retur SOLUTIO OFFICE etur WW EASTMIDL ON The Gol LOGIS fice f o the of LANDSBUSINE ONS riangler lden T ESSLINK CO U STICS w UK www.blmgroup.co.uk & Call now to subscribe on 01472 310301 8 or order online www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/subscribe ORDER FORM First name: Last Name: Address: Town: County: Post Code: Tel: Mobile: Email: Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT card Name as it appears on card: Type of card: Mastercard Visa Visa Debit Other Card Number: Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip) : Expiry Date: Amount Authorised: Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions, East Midlands Business Link Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. 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Lincolnshire DN31 2QE Make cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group 1 Year: £33.60 2 Years £63.00 3 Years £81.90 or scan QR code Secu lifelinlif li FINANCE CO RPORATE uring a i e i a FINANCE CO RPORATE lifelin L ine L s Link t Midlands Busines Eas42 tmidlandsb eas.www tmidlandsbusineeas.ww w .ukoc slink.busines t Midlands Busines Eas .ukoc slink.es © Shutterstock /Ascannio 52 s Link S ECURITY C c Combati i crimc yber b ting imei S ECURITY e and servic security serio ork bec ith wW yc pandemic, runni have faced malic confidential mat e cyber sec ensur COVID-19 outbr work f data a oelectr s com A taff a s and its s e a busines es that ensur ecautio , implementing the right pr ,ously easingly digital, it is vital th oming incr c crimc yber . ely ating secur e operar oducts ons and using pr e cyber ses tak hat busines ime budgets and less security egular activities esume r es can r esponse plan in However with a r o likely to experience higher luctant to invest in cyber security e a victim of a security incident, e new customers. 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Wher us softwar e per cent of businesses have up- e facing - and f arf and attacks staf © Shutterstock /Thitichaya s Link t Midlands Busines Eas 44 costs and poten e, m and softwar paralyse a netwo with disruption, accounts and da tmidlandsbusine eas.www .ukoc slink. tmidlandsbusines eas.www d change passwor e wipe the data, r egulatory fines, as well as ntially r emedial e will be r meanwhile ther e dwar oy key files, har ork, destr as an attack on systems may ata. Businesses will have to deal .ukoc slink.es 46 ds and update/run anti-virus e this with the backups, estor t Midlands Busines Eas Á 54s Link 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk AUTOLINK East Midlands Business Link 55 AUTOLINK Kia K8 Kia have really stepped up of late with designs that make the brand stand out. The Kia K8 combines cutting-edge innovation, dynamic performance and contemporary design to establish new benchmarks for premium quality in the saloon class. The exterior runs with a bold new design that embodies the premium qualities of the K8 and according to precise specifications from the BMW Group and integrated into model-specific high-voltage batteries. This gives the xDrive40 a range stated at over 249 miles. The most exacting environmental compatibility requirements have been put in place throughout the value chain and for the full life cycle of the BMW iX. The car is currently in the final phase of its series development. Market launch will get underway at the end of 2021. Ford Mustang Mach 1 The Mustang Mach 1, the most track- capable member of the Mustang line-up to ever grace UK shores – and perhaps one of the most recognisable names in automotive history - arrives in early summer. Performance is boosted to a level worthy of the iconic Mach 1 moniker with enhanced aerodynamics, a specially-calibrated 5.0-litre V8 engine and uprated cooling for improved track capability. The Mach 1 is also the first production Mustang in Europe available with a high- performance TREMEC six-speed manual transmission, featuring rev-matching technology for seamless down-shifts and an upgraded oil-cooler system for high- demand performance driving. You won’t be rocking up to the office in this, but you may certainly enjoy blazing down country roads with it outside of work. Mercedes-Benz EQS The EQS is the first all-electric luxury 56 Á B MW iX xDrive40 Kia K8 Flash and new What’s the point of working hard if we can’t enjoy the fruits of our labours? Today, we look at new motors entering the market that any businessman or woman would be proud to own, both for business and for pleasure. takes inspiration from high-end luxury yachts. A progressive but graceful front-end featuring the frameless Tiger Nose Grille is complemented by a muscular ‘fastback’ rear with strong, dropping shoulders. The front-wheel-based AWD K8 will be available with the 3.5 GDI Smartstream powertrain that helps to deliver tailored power and performance driving characteristics while achieving improved fuel economy and reduced emission, perfect for those who want style and elegance but who are also conscious of the environment. BMW iX xDrive40 The BMW iX heralds a new age in mobility. It combines trailblazing design and modern luxury with the latest innovations in automated driving, operation, connectivity and digital services. In the BMW iX xDrive50, the drive system – which features one electric motor on the front axle and another at the rear axle – produces total output of over 370 kW/500 hp and enables acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 5.0 seconds. The battery cells are manufactured Recently, I was drawn towards a quotation by the founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, which I would like to share with you: “If you don’t understand the details of your business, you are going to fail.” My initial response to reading this was something along the lines of: “Bit harsh there Jeff!” But coming from one of the most successful entrepreneurs out there, who is now allegedly the richest person in the WORLD, with an estimated net worth of 197 billion US dollars (as of April 2021), we can’t not listen to his advice when it comes to business. I particularly like this quotation of his because in my experience ‘detail’ is often so overlooked in business. I’ve lost count of the times over the years where the attention to detail has been completely disregarded, and detail in my opinion is the MOST important part of business. Our businesses are made up of a million and one different aspects - these are the details that when encompassed in your unique identity, form a unique brand and together are the difference between a successful business and an unsuccessful one. Whether you are aware of it or not, those looking from the outside into your business will certainly notice them (or lack of them), even if you don’t. Yes we should know our numbers. Yes we should know our audience. Yes we should know our core values. Yes we should know our products/services. Yes we should understand our operations. Yes we should have a marketing strategy. Yes we should know our ‘why’. ... and on it goes... By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency 22 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusines slink.co.uk NETWORKING Taken one step further, do you know the bare bones - the ‘details’ of your business? It may seem daunting to embark on the process of analysing every little thing you do, identifying what works and what doesn’t, continually experimentin g with new ideas and highlighting aspects of your business you have never really paid attention to before, but looking at the bigger picture, if you see it as your contribution towards creating a more successful business for yourself and therefore life for yourself, it won’t seem like such a burden and you may even start to enjoy it and in turn make it a part of your day to day routine. Pay attention, monitor and highlight every aspect, however small WITHIN the above larger elements that make up your business and that is where the sweet spots are, that is where you will discover your golden USPs, that is where innovation derives from, that is where inspiration lives, waiting to be discovered. The detail is what sets your business apart from the rest - pay attention to it. …pay a ttention to it For help in identifying the details of your business further, contact me: fiona@rsvipnetwo rk.co.uk www.rsvipnetwor k.co.uk www.fionaduncan steer.com It’s all in the detail Delivered straight to your door It’s the best value around 31.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:20 Page 132 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CHARITY SPECIAL As a business, supporting charities has numerous benefits, not only for the recipient of the assistance, but companies themselves. At present, in light of the pandemic, raising funds for the NHS is at the forefront of many minds, with key workers working tirelessly to save lives and keep the public safe, and the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, whose efforts raised millions for NHS Charities Together, acting as an inspiration. Meanwhile a wider funding shortfall and cancelled fundraising events are having a devastating impact on all charities, threatening their survival. Help from businesses, then, is becoming a vital lifeline. Fortunately more organisations are rethinking their philanthropic efforts as well as placing more focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). How to help There are multiple different ways for businesses to support charities, including those that help the NHS. Donations of money can of course be made, whether these are one off or repeated donations. One might otherwise consider donating a percentage of sales for a period of time, ask members of staff if they want to donate to a nominated charity through payroll giving directly from their wage, or, depending on your business, ask buyers to add donations or round up their payment when they make purchases. Alternatively why not consider organising or getting involved in a fundraising event (virtual or in person) like a cake sale, tea party, such as the NHS Big Tea, quiz and bingo night, or a fun staff challenge. Sports challenges are particularly popular, where staff may choose to do anything from charity football tournaments to step and running challenges to mountain climbing. Businesses will often match what is Stepping up to support charities Following a tough year for charities, there are a plethora of ways businesses can show their support, donate their time, and raise funds. 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 13:39 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 33 CHARITY SPECIAL raised by employees too, to bolster the funds donated. Companies could also engage in a sponsorship, which might cover the costs or involve providing resources for an organisation’s activities or a specific project, backing an event through a financial contribution, offering a venue, or helping with prizes for raffles and auctions. Money is certainly not the only way to help charities. Offering time and the knowledge, skills, and labour of staff and organising volunteer days can be just as useful, whether this be providing mentorship programmes or providing a service for free, like legal advice or website design. The donation of various items is another valued option. Depending on the chosen cause, this may be PPE, in response to the coronavirus outbreak, toys, which could be gathered through a drive, food and care packages, equipment, or whatever else is required. For NHS staff, meals, treats and care packages have been a common way to show appreciation and support over the past year. One may additionally contemplate choosing a ‘Charity of the Year’, developing a programme of events to show support and raise funds throughout the year, or committing to launch a foundation. 34 Á © Shutterstock /Rawpixel.com 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 13:39 Page 234 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CHARITY SPECIAL A breadth of benefits for businesses Assisting charities comes with a wide variety of benefits for businesses on top of those for the causes themselves. Firstly, giving back provides positive PR, can improve brand awareness, image, and philanthropic businesses are generally regarded as higher value. Being involved in a local fundraising event for example presents a chance for marketing a business/its name at the same time; one’s name and logo will be printed on signs, shirts - that people may well wear for years to come - and further marketing materials. Charity work can also have an impact on employees, boosting engagement and morale in working towards a meaningful purpose, and making them proud to work for and represent a business which acts morally, ethically, and is caring. It is additionally associated with happier employees, primarily due to the good © Shutterstock /Maridav deed ‘feel good factor’, and can attract new talent too, especially amongst the younger generation which has been highlighted for wanting to work for firms that are invested in giving back and have a positive effect on the local community. Furthermore, some instances will conjure team building opportunities and allow staff to connect and form relationships - perhaps with people they never usually interact with - outside of a work environment, with employees working together on a project, fundraising through a group activity like dragon boat racing, or while volunteering. Such activities can also open communication between management and other employees, and if an event involves other firms, provide networking opportunities. Commercial Finance Solutions The Right Funding Solution For Your Business In Partnership with: T: 07863 753 111 E: info@pmichelfinance.com W: www.pmichelfinance.com Whether just starting out or well established, businesses use finance for any number of reasons. Cashflow along the supply chain is a frequent concern. Suppliers, tax liabilities and wages can’t wait. Straightforward and quick access to cash helps meet your expenses, and can help boost your growth. Protect and monitor empty properties and vulnerable sites easily with battery-powered and cloud technology from Webeye webeyecms.com sales@webeyecms.com 0115 714 9990 webeyeTM 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 13:39 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 35 CHARITY SPECIAL Six local businesses have completed a mammoth golf challenge and, having raised over £11,000 for the charity Big C Little C, they have now committed to make it an annual event until £100,000 is raised. The event, which took place on Friday 28 May, was organised by Bev Cook from Simple Marketing Consultancy, who in her year as 2020 Lady Captain at the Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club pledged to unite businesses across the East Midlands in a “3 Peaks” style golf challenge. Aptly renamed “The 3 Bunkers Challenge,” the teams played three courses across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire within ten hours. The event involved 24 golfers from Simple Marketing Consultancy, business advisory firm Mazars, insurance brokers Anthony James, Ibstock Brick, bespoke joinery specialists Edsons & Company, and wealth management specialists Fiscal Engineers. Bev Cook said: “I was really disappointed when last year’s event had to be cancelled as we had a massive after-party BBQ and auction planned which would have raised a lot more money. So, despite having to scale back the event, I am really delighted that we still achieved our fundraising goal and I am even more thrilled that the team captains enjoyed themselves that much we have committed to repeating the event until we have raised £100,000.” She added: “I’d like to thank each golfer for the effort they have put in to attract online donations via our 3 Bunkers Virgingiving page. I would also like to thank Andrew Allsop who suggested the idea and for donating the tees at Morley Hayes, as well as Charnwood Forest Golf Club and The Nottinghamshire Golf Club for their generous hospitality. Special thanks to John Mclean Photography for his time attending the presentation.” Big C Little C was founded by Andrew Springhall from Breedon Electrical Services and Colin Shaw, former Chairman of PKF Cooper Parry, in order to encourage businesses in the East Midlands to organise events to raise money to support The Jenny Farr NSPCC Diamond Appeal and Cancer Research. Colin said: “The last year has been tough for charities as their income has been significantly diminished. I’m delighted we have been able to go ahead with the 3 Bunkers Challenge as we’ve all had great fun whilst fundraising for an important cause. I hope that other businesses will now be encouraged to adopt our charity and hold events of their own so we can raise money to enable NSPCC and Cancer Research to support local people affected by cancer and children that are at risk of abuse.” A quirk in the scoring required each player to record how many bunkers their ball landed in and this figure was deducted from the teams’ overall points score to determine the winning team. The challenge was won by Mazars which included Bob Johnson, Andrew Hickson, Rob Cresswell and Mark Lunn. Businesses land in sand to raise £100k for charity Colin Shaw, Bev Cook, and Elliot Cook 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 13:39 Page 436 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk IT AND TELECOMS F or many remote and home workers, file sharing services, software and apps have become invaluable, but they are still being overlooked by many businesses who could benefit from them. WeTransfer and Dropbox etc. enable companies and individuals to securely send – and in the case of the latter, store – documents, images and other important data. This can be accomplished in the office or remotely from a smart phone or tablet and both services are free-to-use up to a certain capacity whilst also offering paid- for subscriptions for businesses to access larger storage space and file transfers. Of course, file transfer and storage fall sunder the wider umbrella of cloud storage. At its simplest, the ‘cloud’ refers to software and services that run on the internet rather than locally on one’s computer. As with the internet itself, the cloud isn’t owned or managed by any one organisation but is rather a collective term for a variety of applications operated by different organisations. For businesses, this allows more flexible, accessible and trust-worthy storage than a hard drive or local servers – both of which can malfunction, be ruined in fire or flood or corrupt and erase data. Because of its inherent flexibility, cloud computing is perfectly suited to remote workers who can access everything they need from a home office. The same can be said for working on-the-go, with staff able to access files via a smart phone, tablet or laptop, whether that’s on the way to a meeting or during a networking session. Although cloud storage does come with myriad cybersecurity risks, these can be mitigate with the use of firewalls and VPNs (virtual private networks), making them much safer and more secure than even password protected and/or encrypted memory sticks. Despite the obvious benefits to business, there are companies that still refuse to implement a cloud storage strategy into their operation. There are several reasons why, from misconceptions around the initial investment and subscription costs, to a simple fear of new technologies. But perhaps the biggest fear concerns security. However, the security of cloud storage and similar services is improving all the time. Those regular updates on your smart phone usually contain security fixes, meaning they need to be installed as soon as possible. Compared with, say, the telephone, digital technologies are still very young, but it’s important for companies to be cognizant of security risks such as hacking and phishing and tool staff up with the knowledge they need. A robust suit of virus protection services is also a must. Some businesses may think they’re saving money by using a cheaper – or even free – virus protection but, ultimately, it’s a false economy. Businesses cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to cybersecurity. Though hacks are never welcome, bigger businesses are often in a better position to endure them and may even have insurances in place to cover them in such an event. But for SMEs, a hack can be truly devastating and something they may not ever fully recover from. But the benefits outweigh the risks. Take, for example, video conferencing, which has existed in one form or another since the eighties. But now with web- based video conferencing, teams can convene in virtual meeting rooms. The majority of video conferencing solutions typically come bundled with online collaboration tools such as document sharing, text chat and screen sharing. The benefit, of course, is that teams can collaborate over distances and meetings can be hold from parties in two or more different countries. One of the biggest business communication trends tipped for growth is unified communications – that is the integration of real-time and near real- time communications systems. This means bringing together chat services, phone, video conferencing, messaging, feedback and commenting systems into a unified system which reduces infrastructure and boasts more features for a more responsive experience. What has taken place with video conferencing becoming near inseparable from other collaborative communication tools will happen right across the sector as companies bring their communications increasingly into one unified solution. Over the first national lockdown, many employees were working from home for Safe and secure As the corporate world continues to grapple with life after COVID, it’s critical that companies do everything they’re able to safeguard themselves against digital threats. 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:22 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 37 IT AND TELECOMS the first time. Although many returned to their office as restrictions eased, many have transition to home working either for the foreseeable future or until the worst of the pandemic has passed. Throughout 2020, necessity drove the widespread adoption and use of video conferencing applications such as Zoom. Likely, these tools will simply become part of a business’ toolkit rather than just being a means of maintaining communications and events during the coronavirus crisis. Though none of us would have asked for the pandemic, we can use it is a catalyst to usher in step changes in outdated IT 38 Á 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:22 Page 238 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk IT AND TELECOMS and telecoms systems and usher in an age of more unified, interconnected business communication. Cyber security has become one of the single biggest dangers to modern businesses. It used to be that all a business had to worry about when it came to the internet was ensuring it had a competent virus protection and firewall in place. But that’s now no longer enough to defend against the near omnipotent threat of hacking, phishing e-mails, malware and myriad other digital dangers. Without adequate measures in place, a business not only puts the data of itself and its customers at risk, but also it can cost new contracts and put a dent in the bottom line. Although a business should make sure their own in-house cybersecurity is up to snuff, many believe their suppliers should be doing the same. Research has shown that a third of businesses would terminate contracts with suppliers whose negligence caused them to become a victim of cybercrime. Most business leaders believe that their suppliers are duty-bound to ensure they do not expose themselves to unnecessary cybersecurity risks. One in five of those surveyed said they would take legal action to recover financial losses incurred from a breach resulting from a supplier’s negligence, while a similar number would use the incident for a further discount. Just three per cent said they would take no action. The main take-away here is that businesses, big or small, cannot afford to ignore the risk of cybersecurity. While a massive multi- national could recover in time, for an SME it could very well cost everything. For small businesses, cybersecurity measures can seem overwhelming, while a small family firm that’s been trading for decades might think they won’t be affected. With many employees having worked at home – or continuing to work from home – employees simply can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to cybersecurity. Home set-ups are often insecure, lacking robust defensive measures such as VPNs, antivirus solutions, firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. However, there are plenty of ways for employees to work from home whilst also ensuring the company’s cybersecurity isn’t compromised. For example, home workers could be set-up with company 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:23 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 39 IT AND TELECOMS © Shutterstock /ShutterOK computers complete with its entire suit of cybersecurity measures. Alternative, solutions such as remote desktop will allow workers to access their work computers (with the company’s cybersecurity measures) remotely. However, that may not be a long-term solution and using public networks comes with its own risks. However, whether using remote desktop or a company machine, it’s usually the case that employees use more than one device – checking emails and corresponding on-the-go on their mobile devices, catching up on work related reading go the tablet in the evening, opening sensitives documents on personal devices etc. So, while an employee’s laptop may have sufficient cybersecurity controls, using an insecure smartphone may enable cybercriminals to compromise an organisation’s cybersecurity position. Remote working also comes with infrastructure risks – an office environment sees employees using secure communication infrastructure and intranets to communicate and exchange information. Work from home interactions, on the other hand, are increasingly dependent on internet connectivity. In a nutshell, intranet is a closed network, and the internet is a public network. This obviously presents a big risk when it comes to data sharing as public internets are insecure and, often, full of malicious actors. It may also contain many flaws which can be compromised, allowing a cybercriminal to intercept every piece of data transmitted through the wide area network. However, there is a way to get the best of both worlds as secure VPNs can help keep data safe, while using secured applications for file sharing, sending and receiving emails is also recommended. Other actions an employer can take include training employees on basic security practices such as using (and regularly changing) complex passwords, as well as developing and implementing a disaster recovery and business continuity plan that will guide in recovery efforts in case of a data breach on a remote workstation. Whether a company’s employees are all based under one roof, or working from different locations including home offices, bosses can not longer turn a blind eye to cybersecurity. © Shutterstock /everything possible 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 01/07/2021 12:23 Page 4Next >