< Previous20 Business Link www.blmforum.net PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT Ditching loud logos or a brash tone in favour of softer colours and gentle language may better put across honesty, caring and trustworthiness – values that’ll encourage long-lasting loyalty. When acting to encourage more customers to stick around, accessibility goes further and encompasses more than you might expect. Simplicity and softer colours in your imagery, while keeping print bolder in colour and easy to read, could help visually impaired customers find the details they need more easily. Providing alternative means of accessing this information, such as braille or QR codes, will further link more people with sight related disabilities to your product’s benefits, ideals and backstory. Clarity and transparency should be an essential factor in both print and packaging, inclusive of every potential customer that comes your way. Even the keenest and most able of readers could be put off by unclear information, or too much or little of it. All the essentials, such as a product name, ingredients, usage instructions and any necessary safety warnings, should therefore be clearly printed and easily legible. These details should also be strategically and prominently placed to guide consumers’ eyes across the packaging, and towards the most critical information. Using appropriate font sizing and styles also enhance readability, while providing an opportunity to experiment. See what happens when you challenge yourself to make clear labelling and copy an expression of your brand’s unique vision and personality. The quality of your raw materials takes the excellence of your print and packaging design to a deeper level. Investing in best practice with printing techniques and materials ensures that print looks professional and is set to outlast the product’s lifecycle. Durable print options can work even harder to maintain packaging’s appearance, preventing information from fading or smudging. Sturdy yet minimal packaging and labelling will assist you in being mindful of sustainability, as well as communicating your ethos to customers. Labels can be an especially touchy area for eco-friendliness, as some materials aren’t as recyclable as others. There are still plenty of safe and reliable options, including paper and cardboard. © stock.adobe.com/Oleksandrwww.blmforum.net Business Link 21 PRINT AND PACKAGING SPOTLIGHT Especially if they are uncoated or have water-based adhesive, these labels can usually be processed along with other paper waste in recycling facilities. Print methods are equally varied in sustainability, whether applied to labels or directly to packaging; sustainable print techniques aim to minimise waste, energy consumption and the use of harmful chemicals wherever possible. Digital printing is a favoured eco-friendly option because it doesn’t require the creation of plates or the use of chemical- based inks, all while allowing for customisable on-demand printing, reducing waste and inventory space. Water-based inks have lower levels of volatile organic compounds than solvent- based varieties and reduce the emission of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. Soy-based and vegetable- based inks make an especially kind replacement for those that use chemicals such as petroleum, being both renewable and biodegradable. UV printing alternatively reduces the need for solvents by using ultraviolet light to cure inks instantly, eliminating the need for solvent-based drying methods, consuming less energy and emitting fewer harmful chemicals. The more adaptable, reclaimable and high quality your base materials are, the higher the chance they can be infinitely broken down and reused, provided you don’t opt to reduce and reuse from the outset. Making recyclable packaging from already recycled materials is known as circular packaging, based on the concept of a circular economy – one where as many materials as possible keep being reused in a continuous loop, never needing to go to waste. Even after every aspect has been decided and your final products are on shelves, the process doesn’t have to end there. Carrying out user testing reinforces a strong relationship between business and customer and helps evaluate how effectively your packaging and print works together. Actively send out surveys and be open to spontaneous feedback from consumers, to assess how well the packaging communicated information or resonated with them. You never know where the spark of a unique refit or rebranding idea may come from, as the target audience of a product knows what it needs better than anyone else. © stock.adobe.com/ChayTee22 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SCENE The total amount fundraised will be divided between three regional charities; East Anglian Air Ambulance, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. The winning team on the day was Varley Orthopaedics with Civil Recovery Solutions coming in second and The One Group in third place. The winners of the Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin competitions were Adam Aisthorpe and Paul Ward respectively. Streets would like to say a huge thank you to all those people who sponsored, donated, gave their time and helped in some way, without whom the day would not be possible. These include: • Lincoln Golf Club • Krantz Designs • Sills & Betteridge • Pennells Garden Centre • Business Link Magazine • Lincolnshire Today • Bainland • Duckworths • Gleeds • Lincoln Independent • Moneycorp • Greenborough • My Local • Partic Motor Spares Ltd • Mark Bates Ltd • Family Business Awards • Tower House Wealth Management • Accept Cards • Vibrant Colour • Des Brown Builders • Distract • Gelder Group • Howtin Investments • DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln • A Hughes & Son • Bickford Ltd • The English Distillery • The One Group • Rilmac • Onespacemedia Group • G H Shaw The event received fantastic support with 23 teams taking part and more than 30 local businesses sponsoring the day. There were Stableford team prizes as well as competitions such as Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin, Beat the Pro, All four hit the Green and Hole in One. Commenting on the day, Streets Partner Mark Bradshaw, said: "The support we have received has been truly overwhelming and has helped us raise a staggering £8,063 for our three local Air Ambulance services. We’re delighted to be able to support our local Air Ambulance Services, who are the true winners of the day.” Streets’ 11th Charity Golf Day will take place on Friday 5th July 2024 at Lincoln Golf Club, Torksey. Once again this will be in aid of the three Air Ambulances for which we have raised nearly £70,000 for over the last ten years. Golf day secures hole in one for air ambulance Streets Chartered Accountants were delighted to host their tenth annual Charity Golf Day on Friday 7th July raising a record amount of more than £8,000 for the Air Ambulance - a fantastic day was had by all.www.blmforum.net Business Link 23 BUSINESS SCENE24 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SERVICES B usiness services, also known as professional services, refer to economic activities that may need to be outsourced in order to run a business effectively. While the term itself can come across vague and nondescript due to its broad scope, it essentially refers to any financial, legal, technical, or other service a business may not have the skills or workforce to support. Such services might include consulting, accounting, legal assistance, marketing, human resources, IT support, financial planning, logistics, and facility management. The assistance offered by business services is far from limited to this handful of examples, however. The sheer diversity of these services is what allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while outsourcing certain tasks to expert service providers, since each one is essential for the smooth functioning and growth of any company. By utilising the expertise of specialised service providers, your businesses can focus on enhancing operations based on its individual strengths, ultimately allowing you to achieve strategic objectives more Business services, or professional services, encompass a wide range of outsourced economic activities that empower companies to focus on core competencies. We take a closer look at how businesses can leverage these services to maximise their potential. Maximising business potential www.blmforum.net Business Link 25 BUSINESS SERVICES effectively. Many businesses opt to outsource certain non-core functions to specialised service providers. Outsourcing allows access to top-tier expertise without the need for in-house resources, leading to cost savings, increased flexibility, and better focus on the precise function and services provided by your business. Defining the areas where a business needs support from external providers is a critical step in optimising operations and achieving strategic objectives. There are many steps you can take to clarify where outside assistance may be needed, but the first port of call should be setting your goals and objectives. Determine where you want your business to be in the years to come by outlining short-term milestones that will lead to long-term achievements. Your goals will serve as a guide in identifying the areas that need improvement or additional support. Many businesses find it hard to manage building marketing strategies and campaigns while handling their central © stock.adobe.com/canjoena 26 Á26 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SERVICES functions or services, especially if resources are too slim to hire specialised staff. If your long-term plans include building the strength of your brand through advertising campaigns, digital marketing strategies or social media presence, business-to-business marketing agencies can be engaged to plan, create and launch any or all of these to reach a broader audience. When you’ve identified your goals, identify your company’s core competencies – the areas where your business excels and differentiates itself in the market. By understanding your strengths, you can distinguish which of your non-core functions may need more support. Internal assessments may then be arranged. These should be comprehensive and analyse each department or function to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a process also known as SWOT analysis. Reviewing each of these areas will identify where there are inefficiencies, resource constraints or challenges being experienced. You may also focus on specific concerns, and review how your time, finances or labour resources are allocated, as a few examples. Determining where any resources are inefficiently distributed will help clarify if reallocating them could bring about improvements. Benchmarking your company’s performance against industry best practices and standards will give valuable insight regarding how to remain competitive and compliant with regulations, especially as your business inevitably evolves alongside market trends and industry changes. Comparing your performance with best-in-class organisations can uncover ways to work towards higher product quality and increased productivity. From there you’re free to think about which practices will require outside help. Customer satisfaction is one key area that can be measured against competitors, and supported by business services if necessary. Assessing how useful or enjoyable the public finds your product, and comparing these levels against competitors or industry averages, highlights areas where collaboration may be needed to improve your reputation. For instance, you might choose to work with an outside customer relationship management service to personalise interactions with your customers. With the service ratings worries off your shoulders, there’s shared energy available to create tailored recommendations, targeted promotions, and a personalised user experience that will make more customers feel valued. By taking steps like those just discussed, any business can gain a comprehensive understanding of its needs, and make informed decisions about which areas require support. But while business services offer many advantages, there are challenges to © stock.adobe.com/Matthew Cerff/peopleimages.comwww.blmforum.net Business Link 27 BUSINESS SERVICES consider. Budget constraints are a common difficulty when seeking business services, as some services may come with high costs. However, a trustworthy provider will be open to sharing cost breakdowns, allowing you to negotiate terms and compare quotes from multiple vendors. Another major concern is selecting the right partners to align with your goals and requirements. With numerous options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the most suitable partner, but start by conducting thorough research and due diligence. Beyond ensuring you get the best for your money, knowing the quality and reliability of the services provided is crucial. It’s always important to look for providers with a proven track record, relevant experience and positive client testimonials. Request references and case studies to assess a provider’s capabilities, while clearly outlining expectations and ensuring both parties have a mutual understanding of the project scope. Finally, before you begin a project with a service provider, effective communication is essential for successful collaboration. First of all, establish clear lines and points of contact on both sides. Utilising project management tools and video conferencing platforms will facilitate seamless communication during any ongoing tasks, and regular meetings can be scheduled in case any challenges or questions arise. When you’ve identified where external support is needed and found reliable providers, remember that ongoing evaluation and adaptation are vital. Businesses may need to adjust to changes in project requirements or timelines, so any choice of services must consider their history of willingness to accommodate changing needs. Once trust and flexibility have been established however, you’ll have a dedicated and highly-skilled team to overcome any economic challenge your business may face. Bespoke training solutions Lincolnshire & Counties Training Solutions (LACTS) deliver high-quality training solutions across the UK that are typically delivered at your business premises, ensuring the most cost- effective and efficient use of your personnel’s time. We are recognised and authorised by the leading UK governing bodies such as, QNUK, FAIB and BALI to train accredited Food Safety, Health and Safety, First Aid, Fire Safety, ROLO and a host of other qualifications throughout the whole of the UK. © stock.adobe.com/Dilok28 Business Link www.blmforum.net SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 2023 has seen significant developments in supply chain management across the United Kingdom. As businesses of all sizes continue to navigate the challenges posed by global disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, supply chain management has evolved significantly to adopt innovative strategies and technologies to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Keeping Your Business Moving Hire, Service & Repairs Commercial Trailer Specialists in Stallingborough, Grimsby Advancements inwww.blmforum.net Business Link 29 SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT © stock.adobe.com/Production Perig T he adoption of cutting-edge technologies has been a defining feature of supply chain management across the UK throughout the last few years. With the advent of Industry 4.0, businesses have integrated smart manufacturing practices, interconnected smart devices, and big data analytics into their supply chains. Also known as the fourth industrial revolution, the term Industry 4.0 refers to the ongoing automation and digitization of many areas of industrial processes. It represents a significant shift in how industries increasingly leverage technology to achieve greater efficiency, productivity, and innovation. One notable trend has been the deployment of blockchain technology to enhance transparency and traceability. With dupes (lower-quality imitations) capturing public fascination, companies across various sectors, particularly luxury goods, have implemented blockchain to track products from source to consumer, reducing the risk of counterfeiting and ensuring quality control. Moreover, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) (the ability for computers to predict outcomes and trends based upon historic and current information) have vastly increased demand forecasting and inventory management. By analysing historical data, consumer purchasing behaviour and delivery expectations, and market trends, AI-powered supply chain systems can make accurate predictions, D Davies Turner 30 ÁNext >