BSN Ezine November 2008

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

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While the headlines are reflecting fear in the world financial markets, and businesses at home are feeling the pinch through increased expenses, longer payment terms, and market uncertainty, it is good practice for businesses to review costs, eliminate waste, and tighten up procedures. However, one area where managers take a bigger risk if they take their corporate "eye off the ball", perhaps even jeopardising their business's future, is health and safety.

The costs to a business of cutting back on health and safety have never been greater. The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which came into effect in April 2008, highlights the duty of care required by senior management. Business finances which are already under pressure may be damaged or even overwhelmed by fines, increased insurance premiums, loss of customers through bad publicity, and even the legal costs of fighting claims.

Health and safety is a business area which requires management attention in the form of practical risk management. This does not need to be onerous, especially if the business has implemented a health & safety management system such as BS OHSAS18001.

At a recent seminar during the Total Workplace Management Exhibition held at London Olympia, IMSM's London Area Manager, Roderick Hogarth, explained how companies which achieve BS OHSAS 18001 have identified valuable cost savings.  "By working to an international standard such as BS OHSAS18001, businesses can ensure they have reviewed their procedures, evaluated risks, and recognized their duty of care. Having such a framework not only demonstrates to customers that health and safety is important, it directly reduces injuries and illness costs. Productivity increases too."

BS OHSAS 18001 is the Health and Safety Management standard which has been developed for international use and is based on ISO 9001. It enables an organisation to control its health and safety risks and improve its performance. An effective H & S management system will not only support compliance with legislation, but most importantly reduce the risk to employees, and therefore the cost to their employers.

Implementing a health and safety management system need not be complicated or expensive, but it will certainly save you money.

For more information contact IMSM's London Business Manager, Roderick Hogarth, on 07973 268371, or [email protected] www.imsm.com

Other IMSM News:
IMSM has just published the latest edition of International Impact, its newsletter covering the benefits of ISO certification for businesses around the world. Among the case studies, are two from US and Canadian plastics businesses which are reaping the rewards of achieving ISO9001. To read the Newsletter CLICK HERE

To read about the benefits of Restructuring read the IMSM Release 'Best practice framework' HERE

IMSM - Interplas Press Release click here to read full story

Click here to find out more about IMSM

Leading Recruitment and Human Resources (HR) Company Listgrove Ltd reports two major developments for the Autumn: a newly formed International Division to handle the company’s growing global success and a newly formed Human Resources consultancy that is aimed at maximizing the performance of our clients employees.

Through an expanded presence at many of the industry's key international exhibitions, Listgrove has launched an International Division to handle the company’s growing success in the global plastics and packaging sectors.  This is partly to fulfill a growing order book demand, but also to proactively support international companies with good skills and management.

Listgrove has also taken its own words to heart by reshaping its Stratford-based team in order to offer specialised HR skills. Jane Edwards - an experienced HR professional within the plastics sector - has been appointed to head up the consultancy service, which has already delivered benefits to company management teams within the industry. 
 
"Many small to medium enterprises (SME) in plastics and packaging, 'says Conrad Taylor, Operations Director - Executive Services, 'simply have no HR department or resources and therefore stand in need of these skills. Jane's role will be to lead our HR Consultancy, offering our services to clients who cannot afford to employ a HR manager on a full time basis.  Jane is a professionally qualified HR manager with 20 years experience in plastics and general engineering.'

"With the current economic climate, the emphasis for business' is retention of staff" says Edwards, "therefore reviewing the skills and culture of people is a priority. Carrying out assessment and development programmes enables companies to recognise, utilise and expand on in-house skills. At Listgrove we have developed an excellent Assessment & Development Programme which has proven highly successful with many clients that have taken part in it this year."

"However, we do recognize that many business' are having to downsize.  Therefore, the need for experienced and professional support with outplacement
is now in high demand. That, coupled with our contacts in the plastics industry, is an area we are experiencing great success in."

As part of Listgrove's re-skilling, the Listgrove HR team has recently been trained in the '360 Degree Assessment Process'. 'The technique,' says Jane is aimed at personal development whereby an individual, their manager, a peer and a subordinate all complete the assessment.  This provides invaluable information to help company personnel receive training towards their career goals. It also enables succession planning and general corporate goals.'

For further details of Listgrove range of services, visit the company's website – www.listgrove.com – or speak directly to Jason Markham.  Tel: 01789-207070

Click here to find out more about Listgrove

It is a sad fact that the credit crunch and general economic downturn have increased the risk of company insolvencies and receivership.  While credit insurance can help to reduce the financial impact if your customers default, being aware of which of your customers may be at risk can help to reduce your exposure, regardless of whether or not you are covered by credit insurance. Early warning signs include:

• 'On time' payers starting to slip behind
• Outstanding payments taking 45 days or longer
• Requests to extend terms of credit
• Switching from long standing suppliers or using a wider range of new suppliers
• Over-dependency on a small number of customers
• Suffering an increase in bad debts
• An increase in customer and contract disputes (delaying tactics)
• Extending or increasing borrowings
• The sudden abandonment of new projects, premises extensions or new machinery orders with weak or vague explanations
• Evidence of final demands or writs
• Pressure from HM Revenue & Customs due to late payments

Sometimes it is too late to spot the warning signs and the company experiences a bad debt.  Having credit insurance in place would absolve this debt.  Although this is the most obvious benefit of credit insurance, less tangible advantages could prove equally important:

• Real-time analysis of the financial state of customers – useful for sales forecasting and inventory control
• Attracting finance should be easier and according to a recent study on average nearly 0.5% cheaper (Euler Hermes Credit Management Study 2006)
• Credit insurance allows for a slick sales operation when offering credit to new prospects
• The flexibility to choose to insure specific areas of your customer base (e.g. export ledger, top accounts, or even specific industries) means credit insurance can be very cost effective

If you are, planning for a rainy day or simply wishing to enjoy added confidence and clarity then now could be the time to consider credit insurance.   To find your local insurance expert visit www.cherrypickedinsurance.co.uk/ta/bpf

Insurance will be provided through members of the Willis Commercial Network, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Click here to find out more about Willis Commercial Network

Missed the first eco-design webinar 'An Eco-Design Overview' which was held on Wednesday 8 October 2008? It's not too late to view click here

The second eco-design webinar is planned for Wednesday 25 February 2009
Practical Approaches for Eco-Design - click here to register

Both online seminars help companies develop more sustainable designs that can minimise environmental impacts and save money. What's more, delegates can register and participate without having to leave the office!

The first webinar – 'An Eco-Design Overview' gave detailed, up to date information about commonly debated issues within the Design Industry.

Presentations were given by resource efficiency and eco-design experts, including an overview of what eco-design means in relation to product and packaging followed by updates on current and future legislation. Interactive product and packaging design demonstrations followed, illustrating how to develop sustainable designs whilst minimising environmental impacts throughout the product or packaging life-cycle.

Finally a round table discussion summed up the day, gave results of the voting questions and answered more of the delegates questions live.

The second event – 'Practical Approaches for Eco-Design' will take you through a workshop, which you can then run within your company, to enable your design team to embed the principles of eco-design into your design process.

Both webinars cover product and packaging design and are delivered in a modular format to enable you to 'log in' and 'log out' to relevant sections.

With consumers increasingly favouring products that have been designed to minimise their environmental impact and comply with legislation, don't miss this opportunity to take part.

Click here to find out more about Envirowise