< Previous30 Business Link www.blmforum.net TRAINING AND EDUCATION drink manufacturing, wholesale & retail and agriculture, but also struggles in the smaller markets of professional services, finance & insurance and information technology. British Chambers of Commerce Head of People Policy, Jane Gratton, stated via the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce that,?“it’s now harder than ever for businesses to fill job vacancies and there are no signs of improvement. In an increasingly tight labour market, competition for skills is ramping up wage costs, leaving many firms unable to recruit the people they need…. with the escalating price of energy, shipping, raw materials and other costs, it is a precarious situation for businesses. Inevitably, it is the smaller firms, with little in the way of cash reserves after two years of the pandemic, who are most exposed to the risk all this presents.” Although all recent issues with the job market is forcing wages higher and causing smaller companies to find it hard to compete with multinationals, there are actions that any size organisation can take to help relieve this difficult and growing situation. When it comes to finding and hiring great people to fill the ever increasing vacancies at a company being persistent and consider these strategies which can help discover qualified, enthusiastic workers or raw talent to join your team. Training/Upskilling Many businesses could be more open to training current employees than previously. Upskilling their current employees and recognising and investing in appropriate courses in-house, online or outsourced to a specialist training organisation can be a great investment. On average a quarter of establishments in the Lincolnshire area have sought external advice and information since 2021 for this. Online training saw a massive boom during the lockdown period for the obvious reasons of its convenience and viability in a working-from-home landscape, and it continues to be used today. While this was a great way to upskill staff during a time when productivity and work hours were low, every business owner understands what it can achieve. By accepting the necessity of training staff to fill a given position, it opens up the recruitment market to entry-level candidates. School and university leavers or someone with transferable skills can be ideal, and then invest in training that recruit who has shown aptitude and the ability to study and adapt in a work role, for example recruiting a receptionist who would train up to be a data entry administrator or move into HR. © stock.adobe.com/methaphum 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:02 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 31 TRAINING AND EDUCATION Verner Wheelock given the green light by RSPH Food industry training experts Verner Wheelock Associates (VWA) are pleased to announce that they have passed their Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Approved Centre audit with flying colours. The company, based in Skipton, North Yorkshire, was one of 25 centres contacted for a desktop audit review during 2022. The centres were audited against the Conditions of Recognition for qualifications, regulated by Ofqual, Qualification Wales and CCEA. Following the audit, they were rated either red, amber or green, based on the information provided. VWA is one of only 22% of centres achieving a green rating. No non- compliances or observations were found during the audit and VWA were advised to “keep up the good work.” VWA have been delivering RSPH Food Safety & Hygiene and HACCP courses since the early 1990s. In fact, many delegates have been recipients of RSPH annual awards, having the highest grades in Level 4 examinations over several years. For more information visit www.vwa.co.uk Offering apprenticeships Be open to offering an apprenticeship programme. An apprenticeship is a system for training a new generation of practitioners of a profession or trade by on-the-job, in- house training and often offer some relevant study (classroom study and associated reading). Apprenticeships can assist apprentices to gain a licence in a regulated occupation such as plumbing or computer science. Most training is done while an employee works for an employer and in exchange for their training agree to continued labour for an agreed period after they have achieved measurable competencies. © stock.adobe.com/kanpisut 28-31.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:02 Page 432 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SERVICES Services involved in the day to day running of a business are usually safe from axing, but those seen as “extra” by employers might not feel the same way. Are they truly an extra, though? Or has their value been misjudged? Business services may well be one of the first things a business looks to cut down on when economic problems hit; insurance, banking, business cards, telephone lines and IT are all nice targets when a money needs to be saved at the end of the month, and it’s well worth taking a look at them to see if there are better offers and suppliers out there. That said, looking at these services as unfortunate extras a company “needs” to have but doesn’t really want to is by far the wrong way to go about it. Many of these may seem necessities by law only, like insurance, IT and Telecoms. Businesses need these things to operate, and thus have to pay for them. Others, such as business cards, promotional material and consultants, are not necessary, and can therefore be safely cut. Such may be the philosophy, but it’s worth remembering that if any of this were true then these business services would have never existed in the first place. What has been forgotten is how to best use these services to a businesses’ advantage. Business as usual 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:03 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 33 BUSINESS SERVICES It’s said that there are two types of business service: intangible and tangible. The old joke about these is usually how employers speak to their employees, stating that while the wages might not be the best the “intangible benefits” more than make up for it. These are things like the experience, the culture and the kudos. In terms of business services, however, these take on much more fundamental things such as business insurance, consulting, software and health care. All of these things can be felt, but they do not exist as their own entities and cannot be touched. For instance, you can only feel the benefits of insurance if something goes wrong, and therefore hope to never have the tangible benefit of it. Consulting, similarly, might lead to increased efficiency, but the efficiency was always there and never utilised, and the consulting itself has, in theory, added nothing new to the business. Intangible services are some of the easiest to convince yourself into cutting because they don’t feel real, and don’t feel worth the investment. That said, many intangible business services are integral to the day-to-day running of a company. For instance, computer maintenance is an intangible business service that, when neglected, can cause huge pile ups and delays, costing a business tens of thousands of pounds or more. Hiring a consultant to streamline a company may feel like an unnecessary expenditure, and is seen by many as a sign of weakness – are they not confident business leaders, they ask? Do they really 34 Á © stock.adobe.com/Natee Meepian 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:03 Page 234 Business Link www.blmforum.net BUSINESS SERVICES 9 Clifton Street, Stonefield Park Industrial Estate, Lincoln, LN5 8LQ 01522 546118 sales@lincolncopycentre.co.uk Established more than 40 years ago, Lincoln Print & Copy Centre has experienced the highs and lows of the economy alongside many other businesses in the area. Looking at the opportunities as the economy grows, they identified areas where they can help their customers stand out from the crowd and have invested in new printing and finishing equipment. With the latest Xerox Versant 280 press and Kasfold 640 booklet maker, they can now supply landscape A4 brochures, 6 page A4 leaflets and A5 concertina leaflets with other products available in the near future, all in smaller as well as large quantities. The combination of the new machines offer many new exciting products for customers. Their experienced design team have worked in print for many years so understand what’s required in the worlds of commerce, industry, hospitality, culture and tourism. They can help customers understand how the new ideas will work for them, discuss branding and logos, what will attract and inform their customers. For more information visit www.lincolncopycentre.co.uk • Single Use Menus • Christmas cards • Calendars • Gift Ideas • Notices and Signs • Information leaflets • Logos and branding • Stationary • Business cards • Newsletters • Postcards • Flyers • Brochures • Vinyl Banners • Roller Banners • Posters • Plan printing Looking forward at new business opportunities need an outsider to come in and tell them how to do their jobs? Times of economic uncertainty, however, are the most opportune moments to bring in outside consultants. It is these moments when a business must sink or swim, because making decisions to stay afloat is simpler when the economy is healthy and ignoring inefficiencies will become easy if the economy improves and profits return to healthy levels. Tangible business services are those that can be touched and felt, but that does not make them any less likely to be overlooked. Business cards, promotional banners, car fleets, equipment. A lot of tangible business services are left behind precisely because they are tangible, and because once a company has a set of brochures, for instance, they can convince themselves that they never need anymore, and that the few hundred remaining from eight years ago kept in the storage room will be more than good enough for their needs. The reality is that business services of tangible or intangible nature can only help a business so far as they are allowed to do so. Posters, banners and business cards will be useless if people don’t take the steps to leverage the material and investment to their best. Attendance at shows, handing out of brochures and networking meetings all offer opportunities to show these off and make the most of them, but they are all too often ignored in favour of the cold and unpersonal touch of social media. Old, tried and tested methods of doing business saw more face to face meetings, more shakings of hands, 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:04 Page 3www.blmforum.net Business Link 35 BUSINESS SERVICES www.frontiersoftware.com LEARN MORE TRUST Frontier Software with your payroll processing Accurate, secure and reliable exchanging of cards and business happening away from emails and phones. Some will say that business is simply moving with the times, but this isn’t really true. Business simply hasn’t picked up as it should have from the COVID lockdown and social distancing, and many are content to work from the comfort of offices or homes and eschew the challenges of the face to face appointment. Because of that, the investment that companies put into their services seem wasted – not because they are wasteful, or because they are no longer relevant, but because employees are not making full use of their potential, and because employers are not holding them to task for it. Business has not changed that much in the last few years, not as much as some would have us believe, but attitudes toward it has, and that is holding many back. © stock.adobe.com/alfa27 32-35.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:04 Page 436 Business Link www.blmforum.net MEN’S HEALTH M en have been traditionally cagey when it comes to their health, leading to many of the statistics showing longer average lifespans among women. This may have been founded from outdated ideals of masculinity and not showing weakness, or stigma caused by online communities and perceptions of illnesses – especially mental health. Either way, we live in a world where thoughts are finally changing, and where men are being encouraged to take better care of their physical and mental health. This has also passed on to businesses, who are spearheading many initiatives among staff, and working to raise money for numerous charities. One such charitable event is that of Movember, which seems men growing a beard or moustache (the purists prefer the latter, but no one minds the former in the name of charity) to raise money for prostate and testicular cancers, as well as to raise awareness about men’s health. Today, the Movember Foundation is allied with Prostate Cancer UK, and is a recognised charitable body, but it may surprise people to know that Movember began in a pub in Australia in 2003 where good friends, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery, joked about bringing back the moustache as a fashion trend, and gathered thirty men to try and grow a moustache with them. However, the mother of one of their friends was raising money for Breast Cancer at the time, and the two friends thought it would be a good idea to also support a cause, opting to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA). In 2004, news of the movement spread and saw over 450 people take part to raise over $54,000 Australian dollars for the PCFA, which was the largest check the charity had ever seen. As one might expect, this made the headlines and news spread, and the simple manner in which these people raised awareness and money caught the imagination. More men began to take part, experimenting with moustaches for the first time and even having fun with it online, leading to many weird and wacky styles and fashions to excite, amuse and raise attention. Nowadays, Movember is recognised by almost everyone, and many businesses make allowances for staff to take part, even if untrimmed facial hair might in some circumstances seem unprofessional. This year, Movember is raising money again for cancer, but also splitting its focus with mental health, which remains a pervasive and often subdued message among men. This is startling, as male suicide rates due to mental illness are abnormally high. In the UK alone, 3 out of 4 Go Movember this November Men’s health is in people’s mouths, or above it, this November. Are you taking part? 39 Á 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:05 Page 1www.blmforum.net Business Link 37 MEN’S HEALTH © stock.adobe.com/Lia Aramburu 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:05 Page 2Watch your profits grow www.mjp.supplies Tel: 01406 362325 Mobile 07702293727 MJPSupplies mjpsupplies For the purpose of importing and selling Algifol™ biostimulant products to farmers and growers of specialist crops 38 Business Link www.blmforum.net MEN’S HEALTH The very best prices paid for all your ferrous/ non-ferrous metals Davies Turner Celebrating 150 years of pioneering service YEARS Your worldwide freight and logistics partner T: 01709 529709 Rotherhamsales@daviesturner.co.uk www.daviesturner.com CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS To find out how to get your business on the up visit www.dextersharpe.co.uk Keeping Your Business Moving Commercial Trailer Specialists in Stallingborough, Grimsby T: 01469 574239 M: 07711 496138 E: glcommercials@btinternet.com W: www.glcommercials.com HOLME HALL GOLF CLUB T: 01724 862078 | E: manager@holmehallgolf.co.uk www.holmehallgolf.co.uk Acknowledged as one of the finest courses in North Lincolnshire HOLME HALL GOLF CLUB SUPERB CHAMPIONSHIP HEATHLAND COURSE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS WELCOME ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES HOSPITALITY & SOCIAL EVENTS For All Your Motoring Needs Rear of: 120 Daubney Street, Cleethorpes DN35 7NU T: 01472 240 800 Em: johnsmithautos@live.co.uk www.jsmithautorepairs.co.uk • Servicing • Repairs • MOTs • Diesels • Catalysts • Specialist Engine Tuning Family run business for over 20 years n Servicing n MOTs n Repairs n Brakes & Tyres n Engine diagnostics n Car Batteries n Exhausts n ECU Remapping n Air Conditioning Testing/repairs/Re Gas VW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA SPECIALIST Tel: 01472 812130 www.lincsvwa.com Unit 3, Woodside Park Station Road, Tetney Grimsby. DN36 5HX THE VEHICLE HIRE SPECIALISTS 7 Hebden Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8DT. Telephone 01724 863 684 www.tjs-selfdrive.co.uk The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology bulksolids.com Consultancy Services and Short Courses for industries that use powders and bulk solids Visit www.lacts.co.uk to find out more or call 07775 877057 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. 41 Heaton Street, Gainsborough DN21 2EA 01427 810619 www.cliffbradley.co.uk 39 High Street, Saxilby, LN1 2HA 01522 708888 info@cliffbradley.co.uk Proudly serving the families of Gainsborough and the surrounding areas for over 55 years Funeral Plans from £2,785 T OCTOB£2.95 BER2022 Breat MarketT M TT Stl Autumn Awaren Cancer B l RiRecipes Hearty S COLNSHIRETODAYNECOLNSHIRETODAY.NE WWWLINCWWW.LINC BLM group.co.uk Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341 1st 3 £1 Looking for a great gift idea? l Lime spreading (Lime stone and Lime x70) and can arrange soil testing with GPS l Fertilizer spread including variable rates l Drilling with 6 metre tine drill l 220 hp tractor and driver l 8 row Maize drill l Mowing with Triple mowers (with or without conditioner) 4 Church Road, Wittering, Peterborough Tel: 01780 782924 Mobile: 07860 608825 enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk www.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk “For those times when you need a helping hand on farm or on land” T: 01507 328787 E: mark@northlincseng.co.uk W: www.northlincseng.co.uk INDUSTRIAL & MARINE DIESEL ENGINES & GENERATING EQUIPMENT We specialise in the Supply, Installation and Reconditioning of Industrial and Marine Diesel Engines and Generating Sets. Our team of Service Engineers can Repair, Maintain or Commission Land based or Marine Installations Worldwide. North Lincs Engineering Ltd 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:05 Page 3For all enquiries, please call 01469 574244 Established For 20 Years BSB Transport are an experienced haulage company, based in North East Lincolnshire, offering a full range of general haulage services. Extensive Fleet Of Vehicles 30 vehicle fleet consisting of a mixture of reliable Mercedes Benz and Volvo trucks, all fitted with GPS tracking devices. One Of The Humber Regions Leading Companies Proudly offering an honest, reliable service with a personal touch. BSB Transport collect and deliver on time, and keep you informed along the journey. Fully Qualified Staff & Drivers Rigorously trained members of staff, operating at the highest of standards. Regularly reviewed Health & Safety standards to ensure drivers are up to date. If you have any questions, please contact us on 01469 574 244 Email transport@bsbtransport.co.uk or visit www.bsbtransport.co.uk 20 YEARS OF HAULAGE EXPERIENCE www.blmforum.net Business Link 39 MEN’S HEALTH suicides are by men, which is a ridiculous contrast when you think of it as over 75% of suicides being male. A great number of these deaths have a chance of being prevented, if the people around those living with mental illness make a welcome space for them to talk it through. For this reason, Movember encourages people to share in mental health stories, not only in relation to cancer, but as their own talking point. When men are taking their own lives, sometimes because they feel they can’t talk about difficult emotions, it’s crucial to set a positive example. If you worry for a friend or family member, take time over a friendly visit to talk about what matters to them, and where this might be causing anxiety, stress or sadness. Businesses are also encouraged to do what they can to support Movember, be that by encouraging and allowing people to take up the challenge, or by donating to worthy causes. To take part or find out more, the site www.go.movember.com is filled with information on how individuals, groups and corporations can get involved. Remember, also, to make a talking point of how you are taking part. There is an unfortunate few who will say it is virtue signalling or corporate greed, but Movember is all about raising awareness, and that happens every time a tweet, post or newsletter goes out, and every time the cause is mentioned. © stock.adobe.com/Jo Panuwat D 36-39.qxp_Layout 1 31/10/2022 10:05 Page 4Next >