BSN Ezine November 2007

The Network aims to give executive decision-makers from the plastics industry a competitive advantage by highlighting 'best-in-class' suppliers, who are invited to join the Business Support Network after recommendation by the BPF Membership. 

The Business Support Network communicates primarily through the Q&A Forum. This forum has been specifically set up to answer any questions you have for the leading suppliers of services to plastics manufacturers.

The Business Support Network is divided into four groups: Commercial, Training, Research and Technical and Operations, please follow the below link to learn more or alternatively scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter:

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BSN SECTION OF THE BPF WEBSITE

Leading recruitment and human resources consultancy Listgrove Ltd has helped source and appoint the new marketing and communications executive for the British Plastics Federation, the UK's premier trade association for the plastics sector. Philip Batten, a recent business studies graduate from Nottingham and Trent University joins the BPF with immediate effect.
 
Batten's most recent work experience includes marketing, media and press relations work with the City of Nottingham's transport services.  His role included public relations services, press and media liaison, newsletter generation.

Conrad Taylor Business Director of Executive Services says that this is a key role within the British Plastics Federation and we are delighted to have once more located and secured the right candidate for the job. Our partnership with the BPF continues to develop and bear fruit.  Our knowledge of the BPF's culture and business vision continues to enhance all the recruitment and human resource services we provide for the Federation.
 
Over the past few years the Listgrove relationship has served to provide the BPF with a significant number of executives currently working there today. This include Alan Davey (Finance Director), Sarah Plant (Industrial Issues Executive Raw Materials), Kevin Longworth (Industrial Projects Executive) and Tim Marsden (Industrial Issues Executive Construction).  Listgrove were one of the first companies to be invited to join the BPFs Business Support Network.  We are determined to serve both the Federation and its members with our expertise through our resourcing, assessment and people development services, says Taylor.
 
Philip Law, BPF Public and Industrial Affairs Director says that Listgrove have been extremely professional and thorough in the appointment of key members of the BPF team. Our working relationship has been very beneficial and we are very pleased to have them in the Business Support Network.

Philip Batten, BPF Marketing and Communications Executive adds, In my experience Listgrove actually care about making sure the right person gets the right job. They found a position for me that provided the right level of progression whilst also utilising the skills that I had already developed.
 
The latest BPF appointments have come at a time when Listgrove is enjoying a good period of growth and expansion. The company's spring move to purpose-built offices in Stratford upon Avon is still bearing fruit in terms of staff recruitment, systems and new service offerings.  This includes work recently completed for Baerlocher UK on the assessment of the companys senior management team.

Please click below for other Listgrove stories:

Listgrove wins Demag contract at K

Listgrove works for Baerlocker UK

Click here to view the Listgrove BSN page

Work-related stress is the biggest occupational cause of working days lost through injury or ill-health, and it is costing employers worldwide millions. Its time for organizations to meet their existing duty of care to help end the epidemic of stress related illnesses declared Michael Bright, BPF Business Support Network member IMSMs Managing Director.

Businesses of all sizes can experience significant hidden costs, arising from impaired decision making and poor communications, reduced creativity and a tendency to be more accident prone, as well as the more obvious costs of downtime through accidents, litigation, staff turnover, and absenteeism.

Stress can be defined as a response to the perceived relationship between the demands on an individual, and the individuals ability to cope. While pressure is part and parcel of all work, and can help keep us motivated, too much pressure can lead to stress, undermining performance, which is costly to employers and can make people ill. Todays businesses, whether in manufacturing, distribution, or services, need to demonstrate that they are taking seriously their duty of care to their employees.

Recent evidence suggests that sustained stress is as bad for the heart as smoking, and can cause a wide range of illnesses from cancer to infertility. Stress is thought to induce physical illness through hormonal changes that raise blood pressure and heart rate, and weakening of the immune system.

One international standard which can help businesses  in the plastics sector show that they have taken all reasonable measures to document and prevent stress related illnesses, is the newly revised BS OHSAS 18001 (Health & Safety). This Standard works on the same principle as the ISO standards, ISO9001:2000 (Quality management) and ISO14001 (environment), following the successful Plan- Do-Check-Act model.  If a business already has ISO9001:2000 in place, achieving BS OHSAS 18001 becomes much simpler.  Existing systems can be fully integrated, with a continuous improvement model built in to take account of changing business needs.

Implementing BS OHSAS18001 provides the organization with preventative measures to protect your employees from the effects of stress, by having a framework in which to develop and implement policies which manage not only the content but the context of their work.

Michael Bright concludes, In a world competing for skilled staff, this makes your business a more attractive choice. Businesses with a good health and safety reputation attract and retain better employees. This Standard highlights the components of good organization, job design and management that keep stress levels in check and enhance productivity. Preventing todays workers developing tomorrows illnesses makes good business sense.

Click here to view the IMSM Business Support Network page

Link Connect are specialists in future-proofing your company communications, from networks to IP telephony. They have over 10 years industry experience and UK wide coverage for a fast and friendly service.

Link-Connect are a long-established communications provider offering internet and telecoms services for businesses of all sizes. They provide everything relating to connectivity, telephony, websites, networks and security. They help you choose what will work best for you and your business - and they won't baffle you with techno-speak or jargon.

Moneycorp help businesses manage their foreign currency requirements. Currency fluctuations can disrupt the best-laid plans of companies trading internationally. Movements of 5% - 10% over a short period are not uncommon and can easily turn a profit on an overseas contract into a loss, or result in overspend on a payment.

The BPF recommends using currency specialist Moneycorp to help your business manage its foreign currency requirements, improving profitability, avoiding risk and gaining a competitive advantage within your industry.

For more information on the services offer above please use the links provided:

Link-Connect

Moneycorp

 Below is a brief description for each of the BSN members and the services they offer: