< Previous40 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY appreciated now either as they take time and costs in fuel to attend, which is already much too expensive. It might be time to look at easier (and thankfully cheaper) alternatives. Something as simple as weekly team Zoom or Slack meetings, virtual coffee breaks, lunches and happy hours are a good start, to build rapport and get the team reconnected, engaged, motivated and as a result productive (just ensure these are not entirely business related). It may seem simple – even too simple – but even taking staff out to a local eatery on the last Friday of the month and having the business pay for meals will do wonders to both cheer your employees up and ease the burden on them a little. If you know for a fact that your teams are willing to get out and about then things like mini-golf, pub visits or other events can certainly work, and help foster a business culture that is not just sit down and work. It may seem very Google or fancy, but many of these large and successful firms allow time off for staff to mingle for good reasons – and it’s not just to look good in the newspaper. They understand that staff are too expensive to lose, and that any losses to competitors not only means having to recruit and train afresh but deal with company secrets being leaked. Better, and cheaper in the long run, to invest in a fancy staff room and give them time to relax. How expensive, really, is a decent sofa, some music and some drinks? How expensive compared to the cost of advertising a vacancy in a newspaper or online, collecting CVs, going through them, calling interviewees, arranging interviews, finding the right candidate, training them up. The list continues. The costs of all of that can reach into the thousands, and even more if it’s a constant problem or an upper management position. Giving staff a relaxing place to let loose in the office and chat during their lunch hour (or even giving them an additional 30 minute break during the day) is far cheaper. It will also factor into their heads when they consider new offers or think about their work, and it becomes an expectation. Staff will look and expect this in other jobs, and shy away from offers that don’t include it. If your office has every member of staff sitting down at their desk to eat for instance, ask yourself how happy they really are. A simple place to eat communally and chat could immediately perk up moods, and costs nothing more than a table and some chairs. The word “entitlement” is something of a dirty one in the media and among many business leaders, but why should it be if a savvy business leader can use it to their advantage? If employees feel entitled about something you give, and that others do not, then it only makes them more loyal to your company. This can only be a good thing, despite what people like Alan Sugar might claim. Businesses nowadays are having to adapt, and having to offer more, and people care more about the experience and their free time than they have before. In a way, people are less motivated by money specifically because house prices are too high and the cost of living is too expensive. When achieving your dreams with money feels impossible to many, it makes sense the focus will turn to trying to enjoy the present. Ignore it and call it entitled at your own risk – but staff have the power, and there are plenty of jobs out there. If they truly become disillusioned, they will leave. The balance of power has shifted, and it is not in the hands of employers. www.blmforum.net Business Link 41 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY © stock.adobe.com/Jacob Lund42 Business Link www.blmforum.net events Netwalking - Saltaire Thursday 7 September Saltaire West & North Yorkshire Chamber are partnering up with The Canal & River Trust to give you a mix of fresh air, exercise and a different way to network in Saltaire. The netwalking will take in the scenic canal and head towards Hirst Lock and Hirst Wood where the canal becomes more rural. The area is known as a habitat for otters and herons, so a great chance to spot some wildlife as well as make new connections. For more information visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chamber- netwalking-saltaire-tickets- 661133717747?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Roundtable with Dame Rosie Winterton MP Friday 8 September Thorpe House, Doncaster This roundtable event will provide attendees with a chance to engage directly with Rosie Winterton, MP for Doncaster Central. There’s no rigid agenda for the session, meaning that businesses get to decide the conversation topics. If there is anything you want to raise about the issues that are affecting you or the current economic climate, then this is your chance to make your voice heard so that Rosie can better represent you. Your input and insights will be used to influence Doncaster’s future. For more information visit https://business.doncaster- chamber.co.uk/events/details/roundtable- with-dame-rosie-winterton-mp-6745 Lincolnshire Construction & Property Network Tuesday 19 September Simons Design, Lincoln From sole traders to large housing associations, construction and property businesses come together to talk business at the Lincolnshire Chamber’s Construction Network — meet up to 60 construction related businesses in one room. Attending the Construction Network for two hours every month is one of the most productive ways that you can keep up to date with project news and new business and tendering opportunities amongst contractors and suppliers. For more information visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk/events/lincolnshire- construction-property-network-september/ Wild Business Breakfast Thursday 21 September PJ Taste, Sheffield Learn about how your organisation can take simple and cheap steps to help nature Chamber Means Business Expo Thursday 21 September AESSEAL New York Stadium, Rotherham The Chamber Means Business Expo is the must attend event for businesses looking to grow their network and expand their business in Barnsley, Rotherham and South Yorkshire. This year’s expo promises to be bigger and better than ever before, offering unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning, and growth. At the Chamber Means Business Expo, you’ll have the chance to connect with hundreds of business leaders from a variety of industries, including IT, healthcare, finance, training, marketing and more. Whether you’re looking to forge new partnerships, find new clients, or explore new markets, the expo is the perfect place to make it happen. For more information visit: www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/event/chamber-means-business-expo/ © stock.adobe.com/ Inti St. Clair and wildlife flourish in your area. For more information visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/event/wild- business-breakfast/ Generate More B2B Sales Leads Thursday 21 September AESSEAL New York Stadium, Rotherham An interactive presentation proven to support businesses to generate more B2B © stock.adobe.com/ Gorodenkoffwww.blmforum.net Business Link 43 sales leads. For more information visit www.brchamber.co.uk/event/generate-more-b2b-sales- leads/ Curry Club Wednesday 27 September Curry Mahal, Barnsley This is an informal event for local business people to come and meet like-minded individuals in a relaxed environment with some tasty food! There will be a set menu (selection of starters and main courses) and you can also purchase drinks on the night. For more information visit www.scrgrowthhub.co.uk/event/chamber-curry-club- barnsley-5/ Networking Business Breakfast Thursday 28 September ergo Business Centre, Hessle Hosted by the University of Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC), working to bring businesses together, this free breakfast event offers a chance to network, grab a bite to eat, get an update on the latest big topics affecting businesses in the Humber region, and find out how you can get support for your business from the University and ERYC. For more information visit https://heygrowthhub.com/event/networking-business- breakfast/ Manufacturing Supply Chain Expo Tuesday 10 October Barnsley Metrodome, Barnsley This event will bring together local businesses that are at the heart of manufacturing and organisations who supply directly in to this industry. The benefits of attending include gaining knowledge and insights from industry leaders, discovering new solutions and technologies to sustainably improve manufacturing operations, networking with other professionals in the field, finding new local suppliers and subcontractors, and staying up-to-date on the latest industry developments. For more information visit www.brchamber.co.uk/event/manufacturing- supply-chain-expo/ Building Your Network: Construction Supply Chain Expo Tuesday 10 October Holiday Inn Doncaster A1 (M), Doncaster This expo provides the opportunity for local traders and suppliers to explore how they can expand their knowledge and network in the construction industry. On the day, you’ll be able to exhibit your business alongside 60+ other stands and promote your business. There’s also opportunity to have a one-to-one meeting with the procurement teams from construction companies from around the area. Masterclasses will also be held throughout the day by experts in the construction industry. For more information visit https://business.doncaster-chamber.co.uk/events/details/building-your- network-construction-supply-chain-expo-6738 © stock.adobe.com/ Yuttana StudioFEATURES IT & Communications Spotlight Legal Services Warehousing & Distribution Supporting Business Growth Facilities Management REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sector Next month in October 2023 - Deadline 20th September Visit us at www.blmforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues?MARKETING OPPORTUNITY Business Link Magazine Group is currently seeking a focused driven and enthusiastic individual to join our busy team. This exciting role involves networking with a wide variety of diverse businesses, developing relationships and ensuring the highest possible level of advertisements are generated. You will explore new business opportunities and contact existing clients to promote the company’s portfolio of services. Duties will include: l Acquiring and developing a portfolio of local key accounts l Growing business from existing and new clients l Developing a high level of knowledge of your territory As an account executive you should also have the ability to work to deadline and have good IT skills and proven negotiation skills. In return for your commitment we offer a competitive salary and great career prospects. Please contact Angie Cooper on 01472 310310 WWW.BLMFORUM.NET/CAREERS april 2023 yorkshire & lincolnsh £3.50 hire’s leading business ma agazine VOLUME38ISSUE04 .blmgroup.co.ukwww Keep it in theoductivityThe key to pr ficefof oductiveDesigning a pre family V w INTERN NATION AL gro Hea h althy th lth in s growth g uncFttional ingreedients yupplSyychai spotlight Caps and cl osurCaps and clees T AP£2.95 PRIL2023 GdGarden Homes & Air Amb Lincs & Family M bl Ntt Mtt BLM www.blmgroup.co.uk What’s O O WWWLINCWWW.LINC OLNSHIRETOOLNSHIRETO ODAYNETODAY.NET Business Link 45 www.blmforum.net LABELS • Plain / Printed Labels • Lasersheets • Fanfolded Labels • Thermal Transfer Ribbons • Barcode Labels RECRUITMENT WEDDINGSTO LET To receive a copy of the county’s most prestigious, full colour Wedding Guide, send a S.A.E. to: Lincolnshire Today Wedding Guide, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, North East Lincs DN31 2QE Alternatively visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/weddings where you can view the whole guide online If you are getting married then this guide is your must have accessory. It’s full of advice, hints and tips from the county’s top wedding specialists and will provide you with inspiration for your big day. fortheBid The essentialgu d Gr f LINC. WWW otb COLNSHIRETODAY WEDDINGS/ NET.Y S Planning for your special day? Ground floor offices to let - prime location in Grimsby • Superb Location - Close to the ports of Grimsby & Immingham - Great motorway links - Close to the town centre • Secure off street parking • High speed internet availability • A range of affordable office sizes Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby DN31 2QE Tel: (01472) 310301 Email: s.fisher@blmgroup.co.uk To advertise your services on the 01472 310310And finally The world of Frazer Unfortunate publicity All publicity is good publicity, right? Perhaps not. A driving school business has gained some unfortunate attention after an employee literally drove into the workplace — crashing into the building. A photo of the incident from police, who noted there was thankfully only one minor injury, showed the majority of the car stuck inside the driving school’s front windows under a sign laughably saying: “Learn to Drive.” The staff member was apparently a new employee on their second day of work and had not yet started training to be an instructor. Though such an event would clearly impact a driving school’s reputation, it should also serve as an apt reminder of the negative effect bad driving can have on all businesses, especially when employees have branded vehicles, with many tales of staff ignoring the rules of the road reflecting poorly on companies. 46 Business Link www.blmforum.net Zooming back into the office In an ironic turn of events, the business that ruled the move to working from home during the pandemic is now asking its staff to return to the office. Video conferencing service, Zoom, is enforcing a “structured hybrid approach,” requiring team members who live near an office to be onsite two days a week, as it is considered to be “most effective” for the company. The shift by the remote work poster child mirrors a trend seen across tech firms, marking an end to the Covid-era approach to work. This has not been without concerned reactions from employees of course, with many enjoying ditching the commute and gaining more time in their abodes. Forgiving a rebrand Over 10 years after Waterstones dropped the apostrophe from its name, causing outrage amongst the Apostrophe Society and criticism from customers and protectors of written English, the bookshop chain has been “forgiven,” according to The Times. Called out for becoming a grammatically incorrect business when the “just plain wrong” move was made to change the name to an easier spelling for the digital world, the Apostrophe Protection Society has now said that it is “entirely comfortable” with the alteration. So, the next time you look to adjust your company and brand image, remember, something as simple as a punctuation change may take more than a decade to be accepted. © stock.adobe.com/ William © stock.adobe.com/ Jacob Lund © stock.adobe.com/ michaeljungUK Customs Clearance • European Road Haulage • Sea & Air Global Shipments Import / Export Consultancy • Brexit Rules Advice • Tailored Fit Logistics • T1 Documentation 0121 327 1504 www.wm.international UK Customs Clearance • European Road Haulage • Sea & Air Global Shipments Import / Export Consultancy • Brexit Rules Advice • Tailored Fit Logistics • T1 DocumentationNext >