< Previous East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS as a cheaper option. If you’re tech savvy and like to get creative, this could be great. If you’re building the app yourself, keep the design simple and easy to read. Pay the most attention to how it will look on a mobile screen, as it will appear more condensed than when being designed on a desktop or laptop. It might be useful to research competitors’ apps to get ideas for layouts, key customer information, and which products are being promoted on the Home Screen. Finally, ensure the colour schemes, images and fonts are in line with your current branding so customers are not confused. If this isn’t your thing, you can always hire an app developer or freelancer to create the app for you. App developers will usually provide consultations and project management as part of their services but will cost a lot more than freelancers. Generally, small businesses would be better suited to work closely with a freelancer, whereas medium companies may benefit more from the bigger picture approach of app development companies. As well as developing your own apps, there are existing apps which are helping businesses grow. Although it may be known for its agriculture, research shows that digital businesses are on the rise in Lincolnshire especially. Nearly 2,000 companies in this sector are based here, including digital marketing, healthcare, gaming, education and aerospace technology. Across Greater Lincolnshire, this area is estimated to be worth £779 million and employs over 16,000 Lincolnshire residents. Alongside already established technology companies such as Siemens 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:35 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS having a huge presence in Lincolnshire, this is an area of real opportunity. These figures are only set to grow significantly over the coming years, with digital businesses presenting opportunities to easily diversify across sectors and products. So how can smaller businesses get in on the action? A nationwide app, Enterprise Nation: Make A Plan, is also useful for helping small businesses grow digitally. Developed in partnership with Strive UK and Mastercard, the app is designed to be a one-stop-shop for advice, resources, and mentoring, all for free for three years per business. Companies upload business details, which are used to form a digital business plan, with 24/7 progress tracking capabilities. Once again, the advice can be useful for all. Research shows that 70% of newer businesses are seeking advice on building cash flow plans, and 55% of established businesses are seeking advice on financial reporting. The Enterprise Nation app, amongst other features, focuses on building user friendly mobile apps, enhancing digital marketing strategies, and increasing brand visibility. Businesses will have access to multiple, specialised support organisations who will provide one to one mentoring and tailored advice. Even if you aren’t seeking to grow your operations significantly, there are many benefits to digitising your business. The ready access to consumer feedback, financial reporting and KPI tracking alone could help to streamline operations and clarify where the business is succeeding and requires improvement. A small initial outlay could mean big returns. © stock.adobe.com/ra2 studio 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:35 Page 4N ow that events are well and truly back in the room, I thought I’d review how it has been going within the industry over the past eleven months as we approach the year milestone since their official return on July 19th. In particular - my specialism; the world of business networking, given we have all had a chance to settle back into the face-to-face routine of approaching strangers for light conversation and a chance to relationship build… Luckily for me, my business network RSViP managed to bounce right back to business and September 2021 saw us launch our ‘come back’ event, where we were delighted to welcome one hundred and fifty guests through the door - quite an accomplishment given it was our first in eighteen months, but this told me that a lot of folk were itching to get back to it and the feedback did not disagree, with many stating that they have missed ‘human interaction’ and the ’experience’ you get from the events that you don’t get over Zoom or other video platforms. Fast forward almost a year and not much has changed since last September for us. Our focus has been on rebuilding what was on pause for so long and it’s going in the right direction with several new members joining each week. We are still checking in an average of one hundred business professionals per month to our events and the hospitality industry has woken from its slumber and more than ever we are taking phone calls from venues wanting to collaborate and host with us. It is a positive time for the events industry as a whole, because well - quite frankly - we are back. The general feeling I get out there is that collaboration is also key more so than ever as companies are entering into strategic partnerships, hospitality venues are working with each other rather than against and my inbox is starting to Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency, reflects on the recovery of events and networking over the past year. East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NETWORKING Business networking: a review of the past twelve months fill with invitations to launches, relaunches and black-tie dinners again - it’s a hard life! On a more human level, I am seeing more kindness and consideration, more understanding and patience amongst the business community. The enforced slower pace of life has definitely continued in the mindsets of many including my own and the hybrid remote working and four day working week strategy seems to be on the increase. From a business networking perspective, LinkedIn has blown up and now it’s a case of ‘if you don’t post your whereabouts on LinkedIn, did it really happen?’ We are getting back-stage tours into everyone’s working lives - a behind the scenes preview of meetings, events and day to day activity and it’s actually quite fascinating - why? Well because we are pretty nosy and curious mammals who thrive off others for ideas, motivation and inspiration - even if we don’t realise it. It’s a clever case of subliminal marketing - which is why the influence culture is doing so well - a window into the world of anyone you aspire to be like is a sure-fire way to organically encourage personal growth and solidify your purpose - and everyone needs one of those. This is why business networking is so powerful, the simple engagement of conversation with someone could open up a whole manner of possibilities - in fact I quote one of the members of my network who recently posted on her LinkedIn (!) following her attendance at one of my events: “What can I say? Another amazing night - this is what networking should be and feel like. I was in the company of lovely, like-minded people and I have made so many useful connections as well as friends who I look forward to working with going forward - networking really can change your life!” And on that note, I’m off to an event… 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:36 Page 1Fiona Duncan-Steer – www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk www.fionaduncansteer.com 32-33.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:36 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ENGINEERING Engineering a solution to the carbon footprint 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:38 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link ENGINEERING © stock.adobe.com/ Imagevixen T he coastal regions and agricultural operations of the East Midlands have made it the perfect spot for innovating environmental technology. Vast turbine fields, solar power projects, and offshore wind sites line the landscape across the region. The most obvious signs of environmental engineering across the region are the great spans of windfarms, both offshore and onshore. The windfarm at Triton Knoll, 32 kilometres off the Lincolnshire coast, is the UK’s biggest windfarm. With the ability to power over 800,000 homes, it is helping to bring the region closer to the County Council’s stated goal of going carbon net-zero. A business with a strong presence, Siemens are at the heart of wind turbine innovation. This spells good news not just for the region’s environment, but also for its economy. Siemens employs more than 1,500 people at their Lincoln site, and has strong links with educational institutions, thus creating opportunities for skilled jobs in the county, without 36 Á One of the major movements in engineering is environmental engineering, as the country and our region tries to move toward a net zero economy. 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:38 Page 2 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk ENGINEERING even considering the jobs created in turbine maintenance and management. Siemens are developing wind turbines with the ability to remotely manage and automate the turbines from a central, onshore location. These developments make wind technology more attractive, as maintenance costs are a long-term commitment that often deter councils from taking the plunge. Still aiming to make use of the vast field space across region, plans for solar farms in areas such as Sleaford are being considered. The farm would span 66 acres and would generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes at full capacity. The benefit of solar plants is that they do not invade the skyline like turbines, meaning that trees and hedges can be grown as a natural screen to the farms. Turbines convert 60% of energy into usable electricity, whereas solar panels only convert around 22%. Furthermore, wind turbines release less CO2 into the atmosphere, at around 4.64 grams of CO2/1kWh. Solar panels produce 70 grams of CO2/1kWh. This means that exclusively moving to solar initiatives would not help to reach net-zero carbon 2050 goals. Interestingly, the coastal areas present both a problem and an opportunity for innovation. Rising temperatures have increased flooding incidents, particularly in the Boston and Skegness region. Furthermore, research suggests that only minimal further climate changes could place coastal properties and businesses at high threat. Lincolnshire is due to open its Viking Link in 2023, the world’s longest subsea power cable, stretching from Britain to Denmark. The cable will import and export renewable energy, making it more accessible. It will also bolster current renewable energy sources, meaning that the UK will have to rely less on fossil fuels on windless and dark days. Whilst this is undoubtedly impressive, 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:38 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link ENGINEERING what if there was a way to combine coastal defence with renewable energy? Sea walls are used to protect the coastline from wave erosion. Even on calm days, water possesses incredible force potential. A Norwegian company has developed a sea wall with the ability to capture hydroelectricity. Turbines are installed at the base of the sea wall, creating mini reservoirs. When waves hit the sea wall, they fall into these reservoirs, with the turbines capturing the energy as the waves fall past them. The turbines then generate electricity. Combining the two could save long term on installation costs and coastline maintenance, with Lincolnshire having spent over £200 million on coastal defence from 2018 – 2021. Another option would be to increase reliance on biomass energy. Raw waste is burned and converted into clean energy sources such as steam. It is considered carbon neutral as plants get their energy via photosynthesis, and when the plant is burned, it is only releasing the carbon that it had stored. Given the reliance on agricultural activity across the region, this could simultaneously reduce agricultural waste, generate extra income for farms, and provide the county with an additional source of renewable energy. Climate change is one of the foremost issues of our time, and the East Midlands is constantly proving itself to be a force for change in this area. Whilst wind turbines are controversial, they remain an important element of the country’s environmental plan, and one of the most efficient renewable energy solutions. Yet, utilising coastal resources to generate energy whilst protecting the coastline could truly be the way forward. Continued investment in the region via the likes of Siemens brings innovation and hope for the future, making reaching that 2050 goal still challenging, but ultimately within reach. © stock.adobe.com/industrieblick 34-37.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:38 Page 4 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS T hough historically associated with school leavers, apprenticeships provide people of all ages an opportunity to earn while they learn and build or further a career. Whether looking to hire new staff or upskill existing employees, from entry level to management, apprenticeships can apply to employees at all levels. The apprenticeship system however has been strongly critiqued in the past, especially since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, and new starters have fallen - dropping from just under 500,000 a year in 2016/17, before the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, to under 325,000 in 2020/21. The Government has subsequently been renewing its push to bolster their uptake, particularly in light of major skills shortages, claiming them to be a cornerstone of plans to level up the country, and with the levy under review and changes on the way for apprenticeships there is a chance to assess how they can be reformulated to meet the needs of businesses in present day. Figures suggest recovery may already be in sight with over 40% more people starting apprenticeships in the first quarter of 2021/22 than in the same period 2020/21, which is up again from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This revival may well be boosted as improvements to apprenticeships come into force from August 2022, to make the system simpler for employers, training providers and apprentices. Minister for Skills, Alex Burghart, explained: “We now want to focus on making the system as simple and user-friendly as possible, reducing bureaucratic burdens on employers and providers and giving apprentices the best possible experience.” The tweaks include making it simpler for individuals to accelerate their apprenticeship by acknowledging prior learning and experience. By improving how providers take account of this at the start of their apprenticeship, apprentices will be able to cut out training they do not require and complete their apprenticeship more quickly, meaning they can spend more time in the workplace and will become fully competent sooner, elevating employer productivity and their own earnings potential. Additionally, as part of the improvements, a consistent baseline for off-the-job training is to be introduced, specifying the minimum number of hours that a full-time apprentice must spend in As businesses across all sectors tackle recruitment and skills crises, apprenticeships are being brought to the forefront as one potential solution, and are finding a key role in the levelling up agenda. Attacking crises with apprenticeships 38-42.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:40 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link TRAINING AND APPRENTICESHIPS training. This is said to simplify the reporting for providers and create a level-playing field among apprentices who are on the same standard but working different hours. It means that apprentices who work more than 30 hours a week will be able to spend more time on the job delivering for employers, while still getting the vital training they need to complete their apprenticeships. Changes are also coming to English and maths requirements for Level 2 apprentices who start with the lowest level of prior attainment in English and maths. People who start a L2 apprenticeship without L1 English and maths will no longer need to automatically attempt L2 English and maths tests to complete their apprenticeship. It will mean that thousands of L2 apprentices can focus on securing a L1 English and maths qualification with only those who are really ready to take the Level 2 tests attempting them. A more efficient payment service is also on the cards for providers, and Government says it will do more to ensure that employers promptly 40 Á © stock.adobe.com/auremar Official statistics from the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service state that: * 86% of employers said apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation * 78% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve productivity * 74% of employers said apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service 38-42.qxp_Layout 1 04/07/2022 14:40 Page 2Next >