< Previous40 Business Link www.blmforum.net QUEEN ETHELBURGA’S COLLEGIATE Q&A Can you tell us a bit more about the Collegiate and what it offers? The College offers a focused and dynamic academic curriculum. Students follow a traditional GCSE or A Level pathway alongside an exciting range of super-curricular and enrichment options. Our students are academically challenged and encouraged to aspire to excellence. They leave us as confident, independent learners, well prepared to succeed in higher education and their future careers. The Faculty, meanwhile, caters for students with a wide variety of talents and abilities, and helps them to achieve highly in a range of courses. We recognise and celebrate students’ successes in their academic and vocational courses, their creative, artistic and musical skills, and their sporting achievements. Our varied, interesting and individual programmes of study ensure that all students are supported to fulfil their diverse ambitions and prepare them for higher education and employment. How do your students typically perform? In 2020, students in the academically focused College achieved 97% A*/B at A-level and 100% D*/D in the small number of BTECs taken to enrich the A- level programmes (equivalent in university points to A* and A grades at A-level). The Faculty, which offers a wider range of academic, creative and vocational courses, achieved 96% A*/B at A-level and 86% D*/D in BTECs. QE students are also successful in a wide range of sporting, cultural and outdoor activities included in the schools enrichment and co-curricular programme, focused on helping them to gain necessary skills in leadership, teamwork and decision making. What can students expect to learn on your Edexcel GCSE Business Studies course and, moreover, what will they be able to do with the qualification? Business Studies helps students to develop an understanding of organisations, how they market their products and generate profit. This involves looking at how businesses are managed, how decisions are made and how businesses react to different circumstances. This course provides a great grounding for the A Level Business course and any related courses at university. It also supports a wide range of other courses, from art to science, which increasingly have elements of business management. A GCSE in Business Studies can open many doors to the business and finance world. The course offers a huge insight into all areas of business and provides a Q&A Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate We spoke to Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, an independent school based in York, about growing the next generation of business owners and entrepreneurs. 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:54 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 41 QUEEN ETHELBURGA’S COLLEGIATE Q&A strong but not essential platform to A Level Business, Economics and Accounting. If students decide to progress to university then it can help them enter any business and international business related degrees at university some of the best business schools in the world. It is an exciting course that will provide students with so much more than just a GCSE but knowledge on how the world works and help set them apart from other students when it comes to university applications and applying for jobs. What about your A Level Business Studies course? As with our GSCE course, it enables students to develop a thorough understanding of organisations and the complexities involved therein. This involves investigations into how businesses are managed, how decisions are made and responses made to changes in the external environment. Of course, being an A Level course, it goes much further than GSCE level. It provides a good grounding for business related courses at university and careers in Business Management. It also supports a wide range of other university courses, from Art to Science, which increasingly incorporate elements of business management. In the modern world every career choice requires some understanding of business and the global business environment. Moving onto a more specialised subject, what can students expected from the Edexcel A Level Economics course? Economics is concerned with the key issues facing us today, including globalisation, pollution and poverty. It is essentially about choice: why different sorts of people and groups of people, such as governments, have to make choices; the choices that they make, and the consequences of those choices. The work of economists transforms our lives – if you are a firm, consumer, worker, homeowner or the government you are concerned with, and affected by, economics. Economics teaches students to think logically and to use theories to understand how economies operate. Students will be taught methods used by economists and how to understand issues such as inflation, unemployment, pollution, demand and supply, exchange rates, interest rates, and the difficult decisions the UK Government face when they attempt to steer the economy in a chosen direction. Students will need to apply their knowledge and understanding to both familiar and unfamiliar real life contexts in their lessons and assessments. They will also need to demonstrate an awareness of current economic events, trends and policies. Finally, what does the BTEC Nationals in Business offer? The Level 3 BTEC Business course is a two year programme designed to allow the students to gain an effective understanding of the overall business environment. It provides a solid understanding of the business world and gives the students knowledge of the business functions and skills required to succeed. Due to the diverse nature of the business course it provides a strong foundation for any student looking to continue business studies into Higher Education and a good basis for studying business degrees such as Business Management, International Business, Business and Marketing etc. It is predominantly a vocational course which helps our students to develop a number of skills desired by universities, such as assignment writing, research skills, teamwork, presentation skills and independent learning. Students can choose to complete the course based on size e.g. Extended Certificate (one A Level), diploma (two A Levels) or Extended Diploma (three A Levels). The course consists of a range of assignment based, examination and synoptic units which gives the opportunity for all types of learners to succeed. Do you have any open days coming up in October and November? Yes, we do indeed. We have one taking place on 2 October and another on 27 November. Borth take place between 9:30am to 12:30pm. Join us to get an in- depth, insight into Queen Ethelburga’s and our community, which welcomes children from 3 months old to Year 13. Anyone interested in attending should do so using the form found at www.qe.org/home/admissions/open-days. To find out more, visit www.qe.org, email info@qe.org, or call 01423 33 33 30. 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:54 Page 242 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY As businesses start to organise events and entertain clients in person again, it is vital to stand out amongst the crowd to excite, engage, and enhance relationships with guests. Whether planning dinners, galas, anniversary parties, product launches, networking evenings or other occasions, providing a memorable experience is as important as ever, to place your firm at the forefront of clients’ minds, ahead of competitors, and ensure the event was worth the time, effort, and budget. Business Link proposes simple, yet effective, ways to make your event a distinctive delight and an experience that attendees will be eager to share stories of, both online on social media and in general conversation. Exciting entertainment Securing a special group of performers to entertain and engage guests is a sure- fire way to make a corporate event stand out and increase the energy in a room. Professional acts from classic magicians and mentalists to comedians, musicians, dancers, variety acts, circus performers (think acrobats and fire breathers), and gameshow activities can certainly intrigue guests, providing a great conversation starter as well as stimulating discussions that continue well after the event is over. When booking entertainment, ensure to read online reviews, view video footage of performances, and check bios to gauge their suitability. In addition, confirm costs for not just paying the entertainer, but any potential requirements to cover lighting, sound, stage set up and other expenses for the performance. Meanwhile, little touches like photo booths can also be a good source of fun and a way to remember the event. Intriguing venues If you and those in your industry often pick the same types of venues for every event it may well be time to switch it up. A dinner does not have to be isolated to a restaurant or ballroom for instance. The region is full of quirky and unusual indoor and outdoor spaces that will make an impression and create a buzz, from country houses to castles, museums, wildlife parks, converted industrial spaces, new unique bars, boats, and more - a novel venue makes for a more Instagram- able and Tweet-able event, raising its, and a business’s, profile. Just ensure that the venue remains in easy reach for guests, with ample parking for those driving, Thinking outside the box With businesses resuming events, ready to treat and thank clients and employees, it’s time to get a little more creative, to really reap the rewards from these occasions and make them stand out in the crowd. © Shutterstock /Nikolay_V oronin 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:56 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 43 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY © Shutterstock /V ershinin89 strong transport links or hotel choices. The venue should also be able to accommodate accessibility requirements. Additionally, pairing a venue with a creative theme - as long as it is appropriate for the company culture - can really take an event to the next level, whether this be based around a certain decade, a carnival, circus, Las Vegas, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or something else. Match your food, drinks, and activities, and one could also integrate a centrepiece/talking point to mirror your theme, such as a magnificent ice sculpture for a winter wonderland. An experimental menu Business events can quickly be brightened up with a more experimental menu or interesting method of catering. Street food trucks that introduce guests to new flavours and out of the box meals, artisan goodies, thematic food stations, donut walls, snacks providing a journey around the world, or even comfort foods and nostalgic flavours, can all be a welcome replacement of a traditional three course meal. However, make sure vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary and allergy requirements can be accommodated for any guests with specific needs. One may also want to consider keeping to seasonally appropriate flavours and produce, and sourcing locally to show support for the area’s businesses. To push the boat out further, take a look into the extraordinary, such as colour changing cocktails, and to keep your business visible within the catering, try some branded food. Small flourishes There are a lot of smaller touches that can also make for a memorable event. Just making guests comfortable, providing them with everything they need, and putting these things in front of them, is a good place to start, making them feel well looked after. On a simple level, this can involve a well-stocked bar with little wait. Offering a valet service, coat racks, welcome drinks and name tags, a hashtag for social media, and personalised swag bags are all to be appreciated too, and don’t forget to thank attendees for their time. Furthermore, ensure to film and photograph the event for use in future marketing activities and follow-up communication with guests. A video editor can create a polished highlight reel to be featured on websites and social media, and which you can encourage others to share. 42-43.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:56 Page 244 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Business and pleasure Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner So often do we say that the two shouldn’t be mixed, and yet there are exceptions to every rule. We take a look at some stunning motors, any of which are sure to turn heads. 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:57 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 45 AUTOLINK Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner The proclaimed ultimate in four-door luxury Grand Touring and Mulliner’s first electrified Bentley. Whether enjoying the technically advanced V6 Hybrid powertrain, the emotional V8 or endless waves of torque from the W12, customers will still benefit from the exquisite detailing offered by the latest Mulliner product. The luxurious Diamond-in-Diamond interior quilting involves an embroidery process that alone took 18 months to develop. Each diamond contains exactly 712 individual stitches – each one aligned to the exact centre of the diamond it creates. Modern craftsmanship and breath-taking luxury combine in the diamond milled technical finish that is applied to the centre and rear consoles. The centrepiece feature on the dashboard alongside chrome bullseye vents is a stunning, brushed silver Mulliner clock. Jaguar XF R-Dynamic Black The appeal of the award-winning Jaguar XF is heightened further with the introduction of new R- Dynamic Black model. the XF’s Black Pack has been enhanced, with the Gloss Black finish applied to the door mirror caps and side sills in addition to the grille, grille surround, side window surrounds, fender vents and rear badges. The luxurious interiors are enriched with beautifully crafted veneers, with Satin Charcoal Ash for XF. Bright metal pedals add a further finishing touch. The sense of serenity and refinement within XF is heightened still further by the enhanced Premium Cabin Lighting feature, which offers a choice of 30 colours in place of the 46 Á 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:57 Page 246 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Audi Skysphere The Audi Skysphere is at the moment a concept and not for sale, but it’s a glimpse into the future of what may come. The Audi skysphere concept shows how the brand is redefining luxury in the future – it’s no longer just about driving. The concept car was designed with the clear objective of offering its occupants captivating and world-class experiences. To give passengers the maximum amount of freedom, the Audi skysphere concept was designed for two different driving experiences: a grand touring experience and a sports experience. With the touch of button, the driver can take advantage of their freedom and choose their own driving experience – either they pilot their 4.94-metre-long e- roadster themselves in “Sports” mode with a reduced wheelbase, while the rear-wheel steering ensures that the vehicle remains extremely agile despite its dimensions. Or they can choose to be chauffeured around in a 5.19m GT in the autonomous “Grand Touring” driving mode while enjoying the sky and the scenery, maximum legroom, and the services offered by a seamlessly integrated digital ecosystem. In this mode, the steering wheel and pedals move into an previous 10. On the road, the XF continue to set the benchmark with their ideal balance of agility, handling and ride quality. The engaging, rewarding drive they deliver is second to none, and is matched to inherently low levels of cabin noise, which are further reduced on XF using Active Road Noise Cancellation technology. Jaguar XF R-Dynamic Black Audi Skysphere 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:57 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 47 AUTOLINK invisible area; the feeling of space in the concept car opens up completely new realms of possibility for such a sporty convertible. Meanwhile, the Audi skysphere automatically keeps an eye on the road and traffic with its sensor system and drives the occupants safely to their destination. Mercedes-Benz C-Class The new C-Class already looks to be in motion at a standstill with its dynamic proportions, thanks to the combination of short front overhang, long wheelbase and rear overhang. The sporty bonnet with power domes accentuates this urge of forward motion. The windscreen and passenger cell have been moved to the rear for these classic proportions known in the industry as “cab- backward design”. The preceding model was already a great step forward in terms of a high- value appeal in the interior, and the new C-Class goes even further with respect to modern luxury. The interior adopts highlights from the new S-Class, adding a sporty touch. Like the new S-Class, the new C-Class is equipped with the second generation of MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The vehicle interior becomes even more digital and intelligent, as both the hardware and software have made great strides: Brilliant images on the LCD screens make it easy to control vehicle and comfort functions. The four-cylinder M 254 petrol engine with a second- generation starter-generator with an additional output of up to 15 kW and 200 Nm more torque is also celebrating its première in the C-Class. Thanks to energy recovery and the ability to “glide” with the engine switched off, the petrol engine is highly efficient. Mercedes-Benz C-Class 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 13:58 Page 4A s the first major PPMA live event since September 2019, following the postponement of all live events in 2020 and early 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, exhibitors and visitors are getting ready to do face-to- face business. With a focus on supporting the processing and packaging communities with sustained business recovery following the challenges of the last year, PPMA Show 2021 will bring together over 250 exhibiting companies, offering businesses a long- overdue opportunity to see emerging technologies and explore the latest trends in the industry. PPMA Show 2021 The PPMA Show is the UK’s leading production line event for processing and packaging machinery. Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 28th-30th September 2021, the exhibition showcases the latest innovations in processing and packaging machinery and is attended by manufacturers of food, pharmaceuticals, toiletries and FMCG, contract packers and more. 48 Business Link www.blmforum.net PPMA 48-49.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 14:00 Page 1Recent research conducted among PPMA’ audiences reveals a strong appetite for the live event, with 70% of respondents seeing trade shows as an essential platform for reviewing and making future product purchases. Leading exhibitors at the show include: Winkworth, Ulma, AVE, Evolution Bottling and Packaging, Mettler-Toledo, Ilpra, Holmach, Stellar-Technik, Endoline and Brillopak. Richard Little, Show Director of PPMA Show 2021 comments: “Although online platforms help people to gather information about products, our research shows that visitors want to move on from virtual product launches and events to get closer to the technology- hands-on and to speak face-to-face with product and application experts. The appetite for investment is definitely there, as well as the enthusiasm to resume business as usual. We’re setting out to support our community’s business recovery.” Renowned by the industry as a platform for launching new products, the 2021 show will be no exception, with multiple exhibitors announcing plans ahead of the show: COVID precautions Participants can rely on all the necessary health and safety precautions relating to COVID and, to reassure visitors with regards to cleanliness and safety, the NEC has introduced advanced cleaning measures and hand sanitising stations are located at all entrances of the NEC and at numerous locations around the venue. Physical touchpoints will be reduced throughout the show and there is also ample outdoor space at the NEC for visitors wanting to get some fresh air and to take a break from the exhibition floor during their visit. There will, of course, be differences in the way the 2021 event runs compared to previous years. For example, on-site catering provisions have been modified and we’re also advising visitors travelling to the show to limit what they bring. Pre- registration will be compulsory for all visitors this year register and visitors should follow the latest local guidance at the time of the show with regards to face masks, isolating and symptoms to ensure the safety of themselves and others in attendance. www.blmforum.net Business Link 49 PPMA To register for your free visitor badge, visit the PPMA Show website at: www.ppmashow.co.uk. 48-49.qxp_Layout 1 02/09/2021 14:00 Page 2Next >