< Previous20 Business Link www.blmforum.net RELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENT competitiveness on the global stage. This, in turn, can strengthen trade ties, foster economic integration, and promote cross-border cooperation, creating a positive cycle that benefits investors and host countries alike. Securing the funding to back such bold moves proves the stumbling block it always does. Support will be crucial in this area, perhaps more than any other, to grapple with substantial upfront costs associated with purpose-built developments. However, tailored solutions often require significant capital investment, particularly daunting for small and medium-sized enterprises with finite resources. Ongoing operational expenses associated with new premises, such as rent, utilities, and maintenance, can strain budgets, especially during the initial phases of relocation; this goes double for a growing or consciously limited business. To address these financial challenges, make sure to explore a variety of avenues for funding and support before taking leaps with anyone. Government grants and incentives offer a lifeline for relocation projects aligned with regional development objectives, providing financial assistance and favourable terms if a business qualifies. Additionally, forging partnerships with financial institutions or private investors can help secure capital for relocation initiatives, spreading the financial burden and easing the involved risks. Operational disruptions are another formidable hurdle, especially with relocation. On top of intruding on productivity and customer service, transferring to a new premises might www.blmforum.net Business Link 21 RELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENT involve transporting equipment and inventory, coordinating with suppliers and service providers, and reconfiguring IT infrastructure. To keep interruptions to a minimum, compose a relocation plan which take every stage of transition into account. This includes establishing clear timelines, dividing responsibilities between key personnel, and thoughtfully taking note of all communication with stakeholders along the way. Project management support and professional relocation services may be lifesavers when maintaining business continuity during relocation. But for some pointers on tackling changeovers independently, implementing temporary measures such as remote work arrangements, or alternative service delivery channels can help smooth over any gaps for customers and stakeholders. Prioritising engagement and communication with employees throughout the relocation process is also essential, to ensure that staff feel supported and informed every step of the way. Relocation is a pivotal time for a company, bringing opportunities for reinvention, expansion, sustainability, and many more benefits besides. Whether reinvigorating corporate identity, expanding operations, or embracing eco- friendly practices, relocating premises signifies the beginning of a new chapter. Starting fresh is as daunting as it is thrilling, but through planning, drawing on partnerships, and a commitment to compassion for all involved, businesses can beat the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by relocation, setting the stage for the new successes the future will bring. © stock.adobe.com/Pixel-Shot22 Business Link www.blmforum.net ONLINE TRAINING The benefits of As the nature of business operations diversifies, the need for development has never been more apparent across industries. Staying ahead of the curve is paramount for both individual professionals and the wider business. © stock.adobe.com/deagreezwww.blmforum.net Business Link 23 ONLINE TRAINING Online training has therefore emerged as a versatile and reliable tool, offering a myriad of benefits for businesses seeking to foster growth, enhance productivity, and empower their workforce. One of the key advantages of online training is its unparalleled flexibility. Unlike traditional face-to-face courses, which often demand rigid schedules and physical presence, online training can be accessed anytime, anywhere with an internet connection. This convenience eliminates the need to sacrifice weekends or free time, enabling individuals to seamlessly integrate learning into their daily routines. Whether it’s during coffee breaks, while commuting, or in the comfort of one’s home, online courses offer the utmost accessibility and adaptability. At-home learning during the pandemic has necessitated that online resources optimise their interfaces, making them accessible across a multitude of devices including phones, tablets, and laptops. This ubiquity eliminates the constraints of traditional classroom settings, enabling employees to engage learning in a setting and on a device with which they are comfortable. One’s ability to access courses on the go enhances convenience and productivity. This accessibility also enables businesses to overcome geographical barriers and tap into a global talent pool. In an increasingly interconnected world, the ability to access expertise from across the globe has become a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to remain competitive. By leveraging online training platforms, businesses can recruit and train employees from diverse cultural backgrounds, harnessing a wealth of perspectives and insights that enrich the learning experience and drive innovation. The second most significant advantage of online training is its ability to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences. Unlike conventional teaching settings, which often adhere to a one- size-fits-all approach, online courses empower individuals to tailor their learning experience according to their © stock.adobe.com/Seventyfour 24 Á24 Business Link www.blmforum.net ONLINE TRAINING specific needs. Whether it’s through interactive modules, video tutorials, or written assessments, online training provides a versatile platform that caters to a wide range of learning preferences. This personalised approach not only enhances engagement but also fosters deeper comprehension and retention of key concepts. Furthermore, the self- paced nature of online learning ensures that employees can progress at their own speed. Recognizing that individuals have varying learning styles and preferences, online training allows each employee to absorb and process information according to their unique needs. This personalized approach not only maximizes learning outcomes but also empowers individuals to take ownership of their professional development journey. Online assessments play a crucial role in evaluating learning outcomes, offering a fair and transparent means of gauging understanding. With the flexibility to retake assessments and receive instant feedback, learners can identify areas for improvement and track their progress over time. This iterative process not only reinforces learning but also instils a sense of accountability and self-motivation. Adaptability for preferences and schedules also levels the playing field for employees of all levels and backgrounds. Whether it’s a new hire seeking to onboard quickly or a seasoned professional looking to upskill, online courses provide equal access to learning opportunities. This democratisation of education not only promotes inclusivity and diversity within the workforce but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and growth. In addition to individual development, online training plays a pivotal role in driving organisational agility and resilience. In today’s fast-paced business environment, the ability to adapt to changing market conditions and emerging technologies is paramount. By providing employees with timely and relevant training opportunities, businesses can equip their workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities. Whether it’s mastering the intricacies of data analytics or staying abreast of industry regulations, online training helps organisations to stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge. It must also be said that online courses are typically more cost-effective. With no need for physical materials or dedicated venues, businesses can significantly reduce overhead costs whilst still accessing high-quality content. This lack of overhead also allows training companies to update their resources much more quickly, thus staying abreast of industry best practices. Furthermore, online training offers tangible benefits for businesses in terms of operational efficiency. The scalability of online training platforms allows businesses to accommodate fluctuating demand and rapidly onboard new employees, without the logistical constraints associated with in-person training sessions. Beyond the immediate benefits of cost savings and efficiency, online training offers a strategic advantage for businesses looking to attract and retain top talent. Knowledge is one of an employee’s most valuable assets, and staff are increasingly seeking opportunities for professional development and growth. By offering industry recognised online training programs, businesses can differentiate themselves as employers of choice, attracting top talent and fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. Beyond the convenience and cost- effectiveness, online training can foster a www.blmforum.net Business Link 25 ONLINE TRAINING sense of community and collaboration among learners. Through forums and online communities, individuals can connect with peers who share similar interests and learning goals, honing an environment of mutual support and knowledge exchange. This sense of camaraderie not only enhances the learning experience but also cultivates a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation. There is also the potential for inter-business collaboration through these discussion boards. Moreover, online training companies offer robust support mechanisms, with dedicated educators and customer support teams available to assist learners every step of the way. Whether it’s clarifying concepts, resolving technical issues, or providing motivation, the accessibility of online trainers ensures that learners receive the guidance they need to succeed. The benefits of online training often far outweigh traditional training methods for office-based businesses. From enhancing individual development and driving organizational agility to promoting inclusivity and diversity, online courses offer a versatile and cost-effective solution to the evolving needs of the modern workforce. As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation and remote work, investing in online training has never been more critical. Do it in a day with Verner Wheelock In addition to qualifications at all levels in HACCP, Food Safety and Auditing, food industry training experts Verner Wheelock also offer a variety of one-day courses. These can be attended either face-to-face at their premises in Skipton or remotely. The courses vary from Food Safety and HACCP refreshers to specialist subjects. Popular courses include Legal Labelling, Product Authenticity & Food Defence, Food Safety Culture and Managing Food Allergens. All are written and delivered by experts with considerable food industry experience. Several are designed to meet the requirements of the BRCGS Global Standard for Food Safety; however Auditing and Root Cause Analysis provide transferable skills applicable to any industry. Discounts are available when booking two or more places on any combination of one-day courses. As with all other training, one- day courses can be delivered in-house and bespoke to customers’ requirements. Visit www.vwa.co.uk for more information. © stock.adobe.com/Andrey Popov26 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Changing goalposts One step forward, two steps back – culture wars are making understanding a business’s environmental responsibilities close to impossible. I s it Net Zero by 2030, 2050 or 2100? Not a month goes by without a new decision in parliament casting doubt on the country’s commitment to carbon neutrality, fuelled in no small part by climate doubt and an anti-scientific bent among politicians. As businesses trying to understand our responsibilities, the constant push and pull founded around cultures wars of “left vs right” with a government picking and choosing based on what they think will save them at the next election, is making the UK a more difficult place to do business. The big question is how much of it matters, anyway. We know for a fact that consumers are more environmentally conscious – this has been discovered not only by polls but by expensive market research from some of the top companies in the world, particularly in the FMCG market. Less packaging waste, more sustainable practices, better environmental credentials. All have boosted sales noticeably in the food and drink sector and should serve as an example of how times are changing. Change, however, is sometimes seen as an affront by the older generations. Such has always been the case in life, 28 Áwww.blmforum.net Business Link 27 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT © stock.adobe.com/toa55528 Business Link www.blmforum.net ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT music, media and culture in general, but an ageing demographic among policy makers in the government and councils across the country is perhaps pushing a skewed emphasis on climate change denial. Worse yet, tribalism in the strangest of places is fuelling it even further. Many in the Brexiteer camp have decided to side with climate change denial not because it makes any sense from a Brexit perspective, but because they can support one another’s claims. This immediately creates a large number of people denying climate change and trying to weaken the country’s environmental policies that don’t even believe in what they are saying. It’s all just politics. It’s not hard to see examples of it coming apart at the seams, either. The recent water sewage issues plaguing UK rivers and beaches are all over the news, leading to the country being roundly mocked and now the Government has had to step in against Thames Water, only to find that the financial backers behind Thames Water are prepared to fight back and pull promised money out the company if they are expected to pay the fines levied on them. Looking at the general outrage from Thames Water’s pollution (and they’re not the only ones doing it of course), it’s obvious that most people in the country do not want polluted waterways, erasure of green spaces, and pollution in the air. As such, even if the UK does water down its green promises, it may not be wise for customer-facing businesses to do the same. While services such as accounting and law may be able to get by on the basis that other businesses will make decisions based on price and efficacy, if your company deals directly with consumers then it may be dangerous to take weakening climate policy as a green light to cut costs and increase pollution. The Government may not punish, but customers very well could. Whatever noise comes out of parliament in the next few months should more likely be taken with a grain of salt given this is an election year. If Labour wins as predicted then a new energy policy will be put in place, whereas even if the Conservative party were somehow able to retain power, it’s easy to imagine them returning to a more stable system the moment they don’t have to posture to try and win votes. However, with the Thames Water debacle dominating the headlines currently, it’s hard to imagine laws won’t be put in place to prevent a repeat performance, or that the government-funded organisations (like Ofwat and equivalents) will be given extended powers and oversight to step in and prevent situations like this from happening again.www.blmforum.net Business Link 29 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT © stock.adobe.com/Pcess609Next >