< Previous50 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Involving both an in-person and online audience, hybrid events are becoming an increasingly popular choice for businesses. This follows a significant, long pause in physical conferences, expos, seminars, workshops, meetings et al., and a turn to the digital world as a result of the pandemic. As things slowly get back up and running, and face to face events resume, there remains some uncertainty and many potential attendees do not yet hold the confidence to visit a larger scale event. Meanwhile where proceeding with no physical option, business leaders are finding it difficult to keep some customers, delegates, and partners engaged, or replicate valuable networking. Looking to the future then, to cater for all audiences, digital integration is set to be a long-term solution, and for anyone with an international audience, with travel restrictions constantly changing, this will be especially vital. From large team meetings to trade shows and product demonstrations there are lots of opportunities for hybrid events. With digital technology and hybrid methods, bigger events can be held safely and wider audiences reached within COVID-19 guidelines. Attendees can connect to an event from home, the office, or another local venue where a smaller group can be organised to allow for a different element of face-to-face interaction away from the main event. Alternatively, if taking place over a number of days, an attendee may choose to enjoy part of the event virtually and part in-person. There is great opportunity to provide high flexibility and accessibility, more choice and control. No matter how delegates attend, however, the experience, though different, should be at the equivalent high standard, and all attendees should feel involved, rather than a passive observer - a hybrid event should not simply just mean live- streaming an event to the virtual viewer. Two audiences need to be planned for to provide a compelling experience. For those behind the screen, participation needs to be allowed to bring the physical and digital space together, and content must be engaging as well as any interface used and virtual lounges. It should be ensured that content translates over video, runs for an appropriate amount of time (virtual attendees are likely to have a shorter attention span), and the event should incorporate features such as live polls and Q&As to involve digital attendees, with both audiences encouraged to submit responses. It’s also useful for an event to have an on site representative or moderator for virtual attendees who will address them, discuss their experience, keep people aware of the agenda, and help with any virtual-only networking and other sessions that will run in place of physical ones - if the physical event is running breakout sessions, one should consider giving remote attendees the same opportunity, which can be easily done with most streaming providers able to format breakout rooms to facilitate smaller group interaction. Meanwhile registration should be as easy as it would be for the on site event. Zoom, Teams and other platforms for video conferencing have provided a useful space for events and meetings in The pandemic has changed how events are run, seeing many now adopting a hybrid approach. hybrid The future is 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:02 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 51 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY the pandemic, but they weren’t specifically created with larger events in mind. In running hybrid events, a business will need to incorporate the right technology, from green screens to communication and engagement apps, and seamless event/webcasting platforms that allow integration of pre-recorded aspects, social channel links, and can handle Q&As etc. For a simpler experience, utilising a single platform that can support the scale and needs of the event is wise, and can also help reduce the costs associated with managing different systems. One must also ensure the physical venue is suitable, able to accommodate cameras and other equipment, with enough power sources, strong internet, and good lighting for the digital audience. While it may seem more complex initially there are numerous advantages to hybrid events, for example often seeing increased attendance, attracting those who do not have the time to travel. Less travel and a reduced on site attendance also have the bonus of minimising the carbon footprint of an event. In addition, the event and sessions can be recorded and sent out after to attendees for enhanced engagement and a longer stay for the event in delegates’ memory - this will also enable attendees to watch any aspect of the event they may have missed. Hybrid methods also present a chance to boost an event’s value to sponsors, providing an in-person and virtual audience to double sponsor exposure, and offer extra opportunities to promote a brand and create leads, from banner ads to push notifications, and sponsor pages on event websites. Physical and digital events won’t be disappearing any time soon, but hybrid events offer the best of both worlds. © Shutterstock /Andrey_Popov 50-51.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:02 Page 252 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk BUSINESS SCENE Nottingham network, RSViP, are celebrating a victory opening night as they were finally able to raise the curtain, following their much anticipated come- back event, which took place on Thursday 23 September at the country retreat, Goosedale. The carpark was full by 6.15pm and there were queues of eager business folk who have waited long enough to be able to connect in a face-to-face environment. RSViP welcomed almost 150 business professionals from across the East Midlands. Guests were given a colourful, theatrical welcome back by stilt walkers, courtesy of Fancy Entertainment, a full Indian buffet was served by Nava, port tasting took place with The Ambitious Grape, fun entertainment was provided by 7 Colours Photo Booth and chocolate brownies were gifted upon departure courtesy of Tree House Cakes. Fiona Duncan-Steer says of the event: “For me, eighteen months of stress, frustration and emotion was released at our come back event last Thursday, following an extremely difficult time for the events industry. “Eighteen months of being on pause with our live events has not been easy to navigate, especially as we have been running our business for over ten years successfully and consistently, but by golly I didn’t let it stop us and whilst I continued keeping everyone I know connected through our series of incredibly inspiring online events (with special thanks to my amazing co-host Matt Davies and everyone who got involved) there really is nothing like getting back in the room again for face to face interaction. “The relief and elation my team and I felt when the first few guests arrived through those doors was well – I have no words. We are definitely back to business…and judging by how last week’s event went, it’s like we never went away.” Nottingham network RSViP are back in business Annabel Ward & Tony DuckworthLee Kinsella & Ashley Ankreh 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:03 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 53 BUSINESS SCENE PHOTOGRAPHS COUR TESY OF STEVE EDW ARDS PHOTOGRAPHY Beccy Angell, Jodie Keetley & Jade Watson James Measures & Chris Sharp Jurka Proudlove, David Orange & Gary Parsons Lucy Trevelyan & Bertie Cordingley Liam Morgan, Peter Brown & Tom Kitchingman Lee-ann Cordingley & Charlie Whyman 52-53.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:03 Page 2There have been a number of buzz words thrown around this past year made trendy by the pandemic including: ‘ADAPT’, ‘PIVOT’, ‘CONNECT’, ‘HYBRID’ and more. Some you may recognise as perhaps being a little overused at times, though all with good intention and reason. I am guilty of using the above words a lot more recently because, well, they are all relevant to many situations myself and others have encountered this past year in particular. The word ‘CONNECT’ has come up regularly with many of us working extra hard to stay in touch with our clients and contacts at a distance, maintaining those business relationships we have worked so hard to build up over the years. The words ‘ADAPT’ and ‘PIVOT’ were particularly prevalent within my online events, where most business owners I interviewed said that they had to adapt and pivot their business models in order to stay afloat and keep going. I want to on this occasion focus on that other buzz word of the moment - ‘HYBRID’ - which seems to be on trend as the word to describe many new versions of anything from the style of working (to depict the combination of both working in office and from home) to the format of events and training sessions. During lockdown I facilitated A LOT of hybrid online events and training sessions, which turned out to be really successful and well received. The talk in By Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Business Networking Agency 54 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk NETWORKING …the hybrid way alongside achievable and measurable goals and actions. Consultancy allows a more two-way discussion and the freedom for me as a consultant to share both my knowledge and experience with you as a client, so essentially, I can give you the answers to your questions if you want them, I can guide and facilitate and we together can get creative, make plans of action, and see them through. Training, as previously mentioned, can combine elements of consultancy and coaching in a more direct and often interactive format – my favourites being workshops and masterclasses that integrate interactive exercises, often conducted in a group setting both on or offline. By combining the necessary above elements, this provides me with the flexibility required within client sessions to allow for free-flowing discussion without the limitations coaching often implies. This hybrid approach offers: * Support * Understanding * Thought provoking questioning * The sharing of knowledge * The sharing of experience * Creative conversation/idea generation * Interactive learning So, whether you are a giver or receiver of support, the question to ask yourself is what style and format suits you right now…perhaps the hybrid way is the way forward? Coaching, consultancy, training the events industry now is all about hybrid events – the combination of live and online events essentially, with live events being streamed so that guests have the opportunity to either attend in person or to tune in from the comfort of their own homes or offices. Whilst not the first of its kind, this format was used back in 2020 by Ted X for the climate summit with Al Gore and has been replicated all over the world ever since. I predict that there will be many variants of this style and format within both the events and education industries with universities already jumping on the band wagon. When it comes to training and consultancy, the word ‘HYBRID’ is already well underway as being integrated into support sessions. For example, as a qualified business coach myself, I have always combined a certain level of consultancy within my sessions with of course the agreement and full knowledge of the client. Going one step further, should the client require focus in a specific area, then training may also come into play – for example if they need additional support in social media marketing or communication this would come under a specific training session in the form of a masterclass or workshop. Coaching alone provides support, motivation, inspiration, thought provoking discussion and empowerment. It allows me as a coach to conduct discussions that lead you as a client to make decisions of your own accord and to find the answers you are looking for, 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:16 Page 1For more information on Fiona’s hybrid support model go to: www.fionaduncansteer.com • www.rsvipnetwork.co.uk 54-55.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:16 Page 256 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FACILITIES MANAGEMENT An efficient environment Although managing any facility is a complex, multi-faceted job, part of it involves responding to the unique requirements of a facility and meeting regulatory changes. 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:09 Page 1www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 57 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Meeting regulatory changes pertains to worker wellbeing and overall site safety, both of which have become much more intricate and pressing in a world beset by COVID. To that end, any facilities manager worth their salt will ensure that their facility not only meets the health, hygiene and safety levels required by law but, often, go beyond. One such example includes investing in hygienic flooring. Not only will this instigate and help preserve a safer, more hygienic environment for existing occupiers, but will also serve to entice potential new occupiers to a facility. After all, having high hygiene levels is something worth shouting about and, in times such as these, will help to allay anxieties and instil confidence. The best hygienic flooring solutions are stable to steam cleaning – ensuring they fit within an efficient cleaning process that is both swift and robust – be resistant to boiling water and process liquids, meaning they’re an ideal accompaniment to manufacturing industries such as food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. But where all workers within a facility are concerned, hygienic flooring boasts a nominal thickness and anti-slip properties, so there’s very little danger of tripping, slipping and falling. Although this helps to minimise accidents and possible fatalities, it by no means eliminates threats entirely. Facilities managers must therefore be vigilant at all times and alert to possible hazards. For this reason, it’s worth taking the time to walk around a facility, looking at what works and where improvements can be made. It would be difficult to trust in a boss who’s never in the workplace, and it’s the same for a facilities manager. How can they be expected to run a tight ship if they never visit the facility they’re supposed to managing? As we’ve already touched on, hygiene is critical for facilities managers to focus on, but it can also form part of their environmental strategies. It’ll come as no surprise that cleaning companies and hygiene firms employ some harsh chemicals in their arsenal when tackling industrial buildings, offices and other 58 Á © Shutterstock /Gorodenkoff 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:09 Page 258 East Midlands Business Link www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk FACILITIES MANAGEMENT such facilities. The emphasis here is on speed and efficiency and while this approach typically does keep things spick and span, the use and manufacture of these products can wreak havoc on the environment. Studies are also increasingly finding the impact on human health with the use of harsh chemicals. However, with COVID remaining a threat, cleaning firms have doubled down on intense chemicals to ensure site safety. As we learn to live and work alongside the pandemic, however, these cleaning solutions will have to adapt and evolve to provide robust and reliable hygiene without compromising the environment at a time when we can scarcely afford it. The same goes for a facility’s grounds. Though the benefit to staff and the environment are admirable, there’s also a pragmatic reason for going green. Being able to market a business centre or office block as sustainable and eco-friendly will give a facility management company an edge over competitors. No doubt new technologies and digital solutions will be on the minds of most facilities managers. Interestingly, one of the ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) is impacting facilities management is with cleaning. Cleaning robots can better and more efficiently maintain a space than their human counterparts – certainly an attractive prospect during the pandemic. Although the initial investment needed to add a robot to one’s operation can be steep, it will more than pay for itself over time, especially considering that a robot doesn’t require breaks and can work around the clock. AI can also mean an end to extended periods of downtime and losses in productivity due to faulty equipment or machines. Rather than discovering a machine is broken once you need to use it, imagine the time and cost savings involved in being informed exactly when a machine breaks down or begins malfunctioning. This can allow the savvy facilities manager to stay abreast of the situation before it becomes a full-scale problem. A survey conducted by the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) found that over eighty per cent of facilities management professionals believe that building information modelling (or BIM, for short) will support the delivery of facilities management. The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) define BIM as “people and information working together effectively and efficiently through defined processes and technology”. The vast majority of respondents to the BIFM survey believe that adopting BIM can offer an advantage over those that don’t, with ninety-one per cent saying that facilities managers could benefit from more familiarisation with BIM. Doubtless that in the years to come, more and more facilities managers will do exactly that as the industry moves towards an ever more technologically and digitally supported era, one that also prioritises hygiene to withstand the pandemic. © Shutterstock /long8614 56-58.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:09 Page 3www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk East Midlands Business Link 59 LEGAL SERVICES If a company were to opt for the cheapest legal service option available, they can be putting themselves in jeopardy. Fortunately, companies can be checked out online to ensure they’re fully compliant, and with online aggregators and review services, it’s easy to see feedback other companies have left. Companies can also use the Legal 500 to make more informed decisions. Although having quality and respected solicitors on side will help to safeguard a business, it’s by no means a silver bullet and businesses must ensure they not only have a good understanding of business law and legislation but remain compliant. Employment law is an umbrella term regulating the relationship between employers and employers from Defending business 60 Á Given business law is a complex and nebulous branch of legal services, the quality and effectiveness of the advice and assistance a company receives can directly impact its future trading and endeavours. © Shutterstock /cgstock 59-61.qxp_Layout 1 30/09/2021 13:13 Page 1Next >