Member Blog

Unfortunately many conferences begin to go downhill from the moment the first speaker utters those all-too familiar words, “We have a lot to go through today, so we’ll press on and try to get through it all as swiftly as possible.”

The easiest and most productive conferences stick to accurately-timed and well-rehearsed agendas and have good supporting-content prepared in advance. For instance, embedding video sequences into your presentations can significantly raise the level of interest and engagement in the room – it’s actually very simple to include video clips in PowerPoint slides. And of course, today your presentation can be made even more seamless by streaming it wirelessly from your iPad or other tablet – no more awkwardly standing within reach of your laptop’s spacebar.

More importantly, video can convey a crucial point very clearly in just a few seconds – something that even the most eloquent speaker might stumble with on the big day. A video can of course also be approved and perfected in advance, so it’s one less thing to worry about. Purely from a sympathetic onlooker’s point of view, we’ve put together some other suggestions that will also help make your event go with a swing:

1. Consider arranging overnight accommodation near (or at) the venue for key guests and speakers. We’ve all heard of conferences where the senior management team and main presenters were held up on the motorway for the most obscure of reasons – but, cows on the carriageway? Always be there ahead of your delegates!

2. Get your room and its acoustics correct in advance. Even for a modest event a dedicated conference-staging company can resolve a lot of potential issues at your venue ahead of time. Starting your day with a room that’s freezing-cold, missing the crucial cable to get the pictures on the screen, or a lack of batteries for your microphones isn’t just a hassle for you, it doesn’t present a very polished image to your guests!

3. Never put yourself in the position of wasting the pre-conference coffee and networking time to kneel by the podium shifting your slides or attempting to reinvent your talk with last-minute details. You’ll risk look scatterbrained when you reach a slide you weren’t expecting to see.

4. Avoid vague and rambling introductions about yourself or your business, think ‘elevator-pitch’, taking less than a minute to explain why you’re the authority on your subject is often plenty – and hopefully you are the speaker everyone has already been anticipating hearing!

5. Use slides only to further reinforce or enhance what you’re saying. The audience doesn’t need you to read word-for-word from slides they can see for themselves. Otherwise, why are you up there talking? If you’re adding nothing by being there you could have just emailed your PowerPoint!

6. Don’t cover old ground and use the back-arrow to return to previous slides. Know when you’ve made your point then move on – skipping around your presentation will only serve to trip you up.

7. Unless you actually have a successful sideline in stand-up comedy be wary of using jokes. Few things kill a presentation quicker than polite laughter to a mediocre gag, or an inside-joke which half the audience aren’t in on. Strive to be interesting and relevant, not to attain the biggest laugh for a corporate anecdote.

8. Decide how you’ll end your piece, go out with a bang – not a whimper! Winding-down to a vague close with “Thank you for listening” or by asking “Any questions?” more often than not gets a lacklustre response whilst the audience considers whether or not it would be polite to leave for lunch. If you’re hoping for feedback, have a couple of pertinent questions in mind to ask your audience. If you’re intending to do a Q&A with a large audience make sure your AV company will provide a wireless microphone for the room – it helps when both you and the rest of the room can actually hear the questions that are being asked!

9. Always compare presentations with other speakers in advance to avoid duplication, or unknowingly preempt something that will be happening later on.

We heard, via a conference organiser, of an AGM where the final profit for the year was to be revealed at the end of the morning session, complete with a rousing video build-up, drum-rolls, and pyrotechnics on the stage. At the very beginning of the day the Chief Executive took his place at the podium, welcomed everyone to the conference… and proudly announced that year’s profit. The production team stifled a yell and sat down, head in hands. If there is a planned dramatic cue in the running order for the day make sure all the speakers are aware of it, there’s no need to duplicate information – or worse, jump the gun!

10. Lastly, would your wider organisation benefit from being able to watch either the whole conference, or selected highlights? Don’t miss the opportunity to make more of your investment in the day, or your guest speakers, by recording it for further syndication.

Aviva shares a common aim with its fleet customers to reduce risk and consequent claims spend. Research, including Aviva’s own statistics, consistently confirms that the lowest accident rates are displayed by companies with clear driving standards and unambiguous driving rules, including effective driver vetting procedures.

Why Carry Out Driver Vetting? • On the UK’s road network, 10 people are killed and around 1,000 others are injured every day • Nearly 33% of all fatalities involve the use of a company vehicle, whether it is a car, motor bike, van or commercial vehicle • 33% of all large motor vehicle insurance claims involve drivers who have been employed for less than 12 months, regardless of age or driving experience • Over 65% of all company vehicles will be involved in a road accident in the next 12 months

The above facts make for gruesome reading but sadly, are very true.There are both human and financial costs to road accidents for businesses. Medical treatment, compensation, business interruption and ‘bent metal’ costs must all be paid for. If the root causes of accidents are left unchecked, the result will be higher operating costs for the business.

As employers you have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety of your employees and others, who may be affected by their driving at work activities. This is in addition to existing legal obligations under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Companies running commercial vehicles under the terms of an ‘Operators Licence’ must also comply with any other specific requirements imposed by their individual ‘Operators Licence’. Employers are also “vicariously liable” for harm caused through the negligence of employees / operatives in the course of their driving duties.

“If they are doing something for you and about their duties (including driving a company vehicle), you are responsible – even if they are behaving totally improperly and against your orders” (Greville Janner. Q.C.)

Employers, from the driver’s supervisor right up to directors of the company, can be liable for charges of ‘Corporate Manslaughter’ if an accident results in loss of life. In order for this charge to apply, it must be proved that the accident resulted from a lack of ‘duty of care’ or a failure to comply with any of the legislation listed. Fines imposed on the guilty parties can be unlimited, with prison sentences of up to 10 years.

Ashley, Director of Hugh J Boswell, states “We like to be proactive with clients in terms of vehicle risk management, from providing advice on policy excess levels to supplying accident management kits for their vehicles. This activity assists the client in reaping the rewards in the form of a better claims frequency and subsequently reduced insurance premiums. Setting a clear and concise driver vetting policy is recognised as a useful tool in the management of a companies vehicles and helps identify increased risk to the business.”

You may have been asked to right or review your company’s Health and Safety Policy- but where do you start!

The Health and Safety at Work Act just says that you have to have one! There is a template one on the Health and Safety Executives website – but it is brief and it needs tweaking to fit your business

So where do you start? A Safety Policy should have 3 distinct parts; the Safety policy statement- which gives the company’s intent and commitment to Health and Safety

Then the organisation bit whicgh details who & how you are going to manage Safety, and then the Arrangements- which is the real detail- statements and how you are going to manage safety in your organisations key hazard areas

Let’s begin

1. Health & Safety Policy Statement

General statement in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Section 3

It is the policy of XX (“the Company”) that its operations are executed at all times in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all its employees and all others including s who could be affected by our activities. To this end it is the Company’s policy:

• To promote a positive Safety Culture throughout the Organisation

• To plan, organise and control our work activities to ensure the health and safety risks arising from, and in connection with, our work activities are removed or controlled

• To consult employees on matters affecting their health and safety

• To provide information, instruction and supervision for employees

• To actively prevent accidents and work related ill health

• To ensure proper welfare facilities and arrangements are in place

• To undertake Risk Assessments

• To review and revise this policy on an annual basis

This Policy applies to The Company’s operations at XXXX

Signed on behalf of XX

Date XX 2. Organisation

Who is responsible? For example • Overriding responsibility – name & what responsible for • Day to Day responsibilities • Employees responsibilities • Arrangements for visitors & contractors • Competent assistance- this is required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation Section 7 – ensure who is assisted you is competent (trained/ knowledge/ experience) • Enforcement- list the contact details of the Enforcement officer • First Aid- where are First Aid boxes & who are the First Aiders, include RIDDOR • Fire Safety- Who manages this- the testing of extinguishers/ alarms/ fire drills- who are the Marshalls • Emergency provision & contact details including security • Risk Assessments; who is going to do them & where kept • Consultation / communication with staff • Training including Induction & any specialised training

3. Main Hazard Areas

Give a statement on each of the key hazard areas facing your business; topics could include those listed below; you could simply add a do/ don’t list for each; it needs to be clear to the reader (your staff) what is expected on them

• Electrical safety
• Gas Safety
• COSHH
• Manual handling
• Slips trips & falls
• Lone working
• Working with Display Screen Equipment
• Equipment
• Driving for work & use of vehicles at work
• Asbestos
• Legionella
• Work at height
• Housekeeping
• Personal Hygiene
• Security including interface with the public and cash handling
• Stress etc etc

• Review table; that the policy is reviewed at least every year- you do not need to rewrite it; but it will need looking at to make sure that it is relevant

A good detailed Safety Policy that is effectively communicated to your staff does make the Risk Assessment process a lot easier too!

Radio remains a great tool in every advertiser’s belt – familiar, trusted, and locally focussed. Radio advertising has inate power, but here are several useful tips to make sure your campaign delivers results.

1. A successful commercial has focus

What can you do in ten seconds? What can you do in twenty seconds? What can you do in thirty seconds? Well, rather a lot actually, just so long as you don’t overstretch yourself!

• Less is more.
• Simple is always better.
• One idea per commercial.

Want to target trade customers and domestic customers? Create two separate commercials. That way you can split the information and give a stronger emphasis than you’d be able to achieve in a single commercial.

Want to push the pensioners offer, the games room and the quiz night? Rather than cram all of these into one commercial leaving very little room for creativity, surely it is better to split them into separate commercials that are better targeted at the correct audience?Be concise, don’t waffle. Be clear, don’t confuse. Be focused, don’t try to do too much.

2. A successful commercial talks to the right audience

Knowing your target market is key to creating a successful commercial; it dictates everything from music choice to voice casting to tone, style and selection of language. Get these factors wrong and you may end up alienating the very people you wish to attract. Very few businesses can boast a broad, mass appeal. You might think you want to trade with everyone, but does everyone want to trade with you?

You’re an independent jewellery shop catering for the high end of the market; would you prefer 1000 people to visit your store, spending nothing, or 5 people to visit spending a grand each? That’s the difference between trying to target a large number of people, most of whom can’t afford your stock and so ignore your commercial entirely, and targeting those few specific customers who can afford and are very willing to spend big bucks with your business. That’s the difference between advertising being a valuable asset to your business and a costly failure. That’s knowing your target market. So, the next time you advertise, refrain from trying to appeal to anyone and everyone. Think about who your actual customer base is, and appeal to them.

3. A successful commercial chooses the correct tone of voice

The right tone of voice can invite, excite, reassure the listener; it can enhance the attractiveness of your product or service. The wrong tone of voice can turn the listener off. Literally, off the airwaves. So striking the right tone is crucial.

There are the obvious ones; bright and enthusiastic tones for products aimed at children. Serious and direct tones to convey an anti-drink driving message. Warm and inviting tones to attract listeners to the good-old country pub. And then there are those products or services that need more thought.Take the funeral home; somber, solemn tones might spring to mind. But wouldn’t someone who has just lost a loved one be better reached with a more positive, reassuring tone?

Knowing the right tone to use on the air is brought about by knowing your target audience, your product and your business – and knowing what you want to achieve from advertising. Many new radio advertisers want big, they want attention grabbing, they want… shouty!

There’s a big difference between ‘the hard sell’ and ‘the desperate shout’. The hard sell uses a strong, urgent tone with stress on the words that will make the most impact – the shout just sounds annoying.You wouldn’t shout at a customer face to face; so don’t do it on the radio!

4. A successful commercial is always underwritten

“I’m paying for a 30 second advertisement, I should make the most of my investment by including as many details as possible”, hmm we seem to encounter this view a lot, but it happens to be completely counterproductive.

If a voiceover isn’t given room to breathe and just has to gabble through the script, how on earth is the listener going to absorb it all?

Let’s be completely blunt, the listener doesn’t want to listen to a commercial, they are willing to listen to a commercial. If you’re talking to the listener in clear, concise, smoothly paced way then they will be more likely to take the message in and act upon it.Underwriting is the key to this!

5. A successful commercial only includes one response mechanism

Too often an advertiser will want to cover all their bases by putting in multiple methods of contact. The result? Confused listeners!If you want to make it clear to the listener how they should respond to the commercial, then you should just present them with one simple method of response.You want footfall? Focus on your location. You want people to find out more? Highlight your web address. You want phone enquiries? Give your phone number (landline, never mobile!)

By keeping the response mechanism to a minimum you’ll get the maximum response.It’s also important to choose the right contact detail. What is it you are trying to achieve with the campaign? If you’re a clothes shop, it’s no good trying to monitor the success of a campaign by the number of phone calls the commercial generates. After all, why would a clothes shop receive any calls in the first place? So choose the correct contact!

6. A successful commercial is transparent

You wouldn’t lie to your customers face to face, so why mislead in a commercial?As well as the creative side to radio production there is of course the legal side too. Youdon’t want something to be interpreted in the wrong way. Depending on context, use of the words ‘biggest’, ‘exclusive’, ‘best’ will most likely require substantiation to ensure they are true.You want to attract the listener to your business, but you don’t want them to feel let down once they get there. So make a conscious effort to represent yourself accurately in your commercial.

7. A successful commercial uses music wisely

Music influences mood. It can motivate, sadden, inspire; listening to a favorite track is even known to release ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain. With such a strong ability to enhance and manipulate our feelings, its no wonder music is integral to advertising.

Advertisers have long used music to help set the tone of their commercials, and evoke the desired response from listeners. Advertising a sale? Then use music with a sense of urgency to excite and motivate your target audience. Advertising a spa? Include a slow, ambient backing track to create a sense of escapism and relaxation. Music can be used to enhance your message, but it can do much more than this. It can convey the things you don’t have time to say.

Words such as ‘friendly’, ‘reliable’ and ‘welcoming’ are so common place in advertising that they have lost much of their impact; clichés don’t hold much weight with the average listener. So instead of wasting precious seconds on a defunct buzzword, simply convey this information through your choice of music.

But don’t forget who your target audience is. Put personal preferences aside and consider the right sound for your market. For instance, a hair salon advertising with a pulsing, R&B track will convey to listeners that they offer cutting edge fashion cuts for a young market. Conversely, a calmer, more stylish theme will attract an older generation of listeners, and all without you having to clarify it in the copy.

8. A successful commercial uses sound effects wisely

If you have something interesting to say then people will listen to it.Using a siren / klaxon / car horn / explosion etc in a not-so subtle attempt to make the listeners pay attention isn’t necessary, plus it’s not allowed.

A well-chosen sound effect used in the right way can add a layer of atmosphere, it can generate humour, underline a point or place characters in a scene (saving you precious time having to use the voices to establish the location or situation).

But you have to ensure the sound effect that gets used is clear enough! There’s a reason why radio stations run competitions called “what’s that sound?” It’s because a simple, ordinary, everyday sound can be unrecognisable when you have no visual clues to go by.Good sound effects properly integrated into the script can really enhance a commercial.

9. A successful commercial makes the best use of scheduling

The key advantage of broadcast media is the ability to schedule a commercial at a specific time of day to ensure it is heard by the most suitable audience:

A Kitchen Company? Schedule the commercial during breakfast time when people are in the kitchen. A Car Dealer? Schedule the commercial during drive-time when people are in their car. A Family Attraction? Schedule it during the school run when all the family can take notice. A Restaurant? Schedule it during the day when people are making plans!

By working out when your target audience is most likely to be listening to the radio, you can get the maximum response to the campaign.

10. A successful commercial is part of a well structured campaign

Too often a radio campaign is a hurried affair, a last-minute dash to cram some selling points into a single radio commercial and hope for the best. Successful campaigns think long term.If you are going to be a regular advertiser then you need to give yourself an on air identity. Build a brand. For continuity you could use the same announcer voice or music on each commercial. Create a strapline? Use characters? Incorporate a jingle or sonic ident? There are many ways of turning a single commercial into a continuous campaign.

If you’re doing a launch, a teaser campaign building up to the event would work well. If you’re holding a sale, then a series of time sensitive commercials that run before, during and towards the end of the sale would all help to keep the event in the spotlight.

Lastly – If these suggestions should require additional investment, be assured that radio is a medium in which it’s almost guaranteed that the more you put in – the more you get out.

Television advertising and programme sponsorship go hand-in-hand as elements of an effective high-profile campaign, but they are very different animals. To understand both the potential and the restrictions of sponsorship from the outset is to make both deliver even better results.

Individual series and day-part sponsorship have grown in popularity during recent years, often running alongside a client’s traditional 20 or 30-second spot advertising. It’s a great place for advertisers to be. I asked Kelly Bredin, Head of Sponsorship at STV Group (a.k.a. Scottish Television) to clarify a few questions on behalf of some of our clients:

How does sponsorship differ from advertising in its value to an advertiser?

The media value is evaluated in the exact same way as spot advertising, i.e. based on the audience, universe, CPT, timelength of bumper, the number of bumpers and the TVR (TV Regions) performance. In short, sponsorship is very beneficial in keeping brands front-of-mind and increasing brand-recall. It’s also a great way for new brands, especially online brands, to build their name recognition in the run up to a wider campaign. The sponsor’s brand often springs to mind along with the name of the programme, there’s a positive association created. When people think of X-Factor, many will also likely recall TalkTalk.

A client wants to mention the special offer they will have during the campaign, is that okay?

No, mentioning specific sales messages in sponsorship campaigns is not possible as it would then fall into the category of advertising. Sponsorship does not count as part of a channel’s advertising minuteage quota, it is deemed to be part of the ‘programme-time’, and hence it cannot be an advertising message. Brief details as to nature of business can be permitted if the sponsor is not already a well-known brand – but no specifics, offers or price-points are allowed. The sponsor’s logo and brief contact details – phone number, text number, hashtag, or most often a website URL – are permitted, however these can only appear as visual graphics. Any voiceover on the sponsorship would also have to avoid the potential of being misconstrued as an invitation for the audience to contact the sponsor.

What format does sponsorship take? The bumpers in the X-Factor never seem to appear twice – does the client have to make a lot of versions?

Generally the standard broadcast timelengths are 15-seconds for the intro to a programme, 10-seconds at the start and close of each ad-break in that programme, and a 5-second closing bumper at the end of the programme’s credits. However – dependant on the programme, the broadcaster and the schedule it is sometimes possible to use 10-second bumpers throughout all parts of the programme, which still offers clients the same minuteage, accreditiation and frequency. Either way, generally you have to produce a minimum of three bumpers. Obviously for a series extending over many weeks (such as X-Factor) it’s good to stay fresh and to be able to rotate from a larger pool of bumpers. Often you’ll see that the tone and style of the sponsorship adapts as a series progresses, it’s been developed specifically to be a really good fit with the programme it’s paired with – e.g. incorporating user-generated-content in the TV bumpers as part of a wider online exposure.

Is sponsorship more expensive than a regular TV commercial?

More often than not, no. Sponsorship is much more cost-effective than the traditional media buy and is something that media-agencies are often able to negotiate on very competitive terms. However as there are absolute restrictions on promotional messages/advertising messages/taglines and so forth that require substantiation it is not entirely a like for like comparison.

Sponsorship bumpers seem relevant to the programme they’re sponsoring, are there any programmes that broadcasters would consider an advertiser unsuitable to sponsor?

There are many variables to this, but firstly all news and current affairs programmes are prohibited of sponsorships (see full Ofcom regulations). Secondly, advertisers that are not allowed to advertise on television would also be unable to sponsor shows. Of the advertisers able to consider sponsorship there are BCAP restrictions dependant on the content of programme, as is the case for regular TV ads. For example, a show indexing highly for kids such as X-Factor couldn’t be sponsored by an HFSS (High Fat, Salt, Sugar) brand. Sponsorship largely follows the same standard restrictions for advertising, e.g. a pre-9pm restriction on gambling companies unless they opt out of their own self regulations. The sponsorship of gameshows by betting or bingo brands has recently been prohibited as an unsuitable combination.

Outside of everyday regulations there can also be personal or business considerations in deciding the suitability of a sponsor. A presenter or major talent may have their own opinions on the suitability, or a presenter may already have an existing contractual arrangement with a particular brand and therefore the show couldn’t accept sponsorship from a rival of that brand. Also it wouldn’t be possible for an advertiser to sponsor a programme in their own direct interests… i.e. a travel agent could not sponsor a travel programme that showcased holidays that the agent could source, this would tread too narrow a line between sponsorship and co-advertising.

Every employer deals with recruitment at some time or another. In the HR Forum on 6th March we will be looking at the obligations that immigration law places on employers to prevent illegal working, and the effect that these obligations should have on your recruitment practices. The aim of this Forum is to demonstrate that all UK employers, regardless of their industry or sector, should be aware of the requirements they are expected to meet.

We will discuss the responsibilities that the UK Government imposes on all employers, such as ensuring at the point of recruitment that all members of staff have a valid right to live and work in the UK. We will also look into the civil and criminal penalties for failing to comply with the current requirements, and will put these into context by looking at some recent high profile cases involving, amongst others, Tesco and London Metropolitan University. The Forum will also address how illegal working can reduce or remove an employee’s employment rights.

During the Forum we will provide practical, straightforward advice on how to follow up and implement these requirements into your own recruitment policy. By ensuring that the proper checks are carried out on all recruits and employees, you will be typically be able to identify illegal workers at the point of recruitment. Training all staff involved with recruitment to understand the requirements will not only highlight issues at the outset of employment, but will also provide your business with a defence in the event that an employee is later found to be working in the UK illegally.

The consequences of mistakes in this area can be costly. Ensuring you know your obligations and have suitable procedures in place does not require significant time or costs, but will enable you to better protect your business and minimise the risk of employing an illegal worker.

Easing the pressure

It’s the nation’s pride and joy, but there’s no denying that the NHS is feeling the pressure as it moves closer to its ambitious savings target of £20 billion by 2015.

And, as a result, the health service that we’ve all come to rely on for easy access to healthcare and treatment has changed.

But according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO), the biggest shake-ups could be yet to come.

The report found that the NHS had managed to achieve virtually all of its forecast £5.9 billion of savings in 2011-12, but that the successful start was due to the ‘easiest savings’ being made first.

The report also found that many Trusts had placed tighter restrictions on who can access services with some making patients wait longer for operations such as cataract surgery.

Head of the NAO, Amyas Morse, said: “To build on these savings and keep pace with the growing demand for healthcare, it [the NHS] will need to change the way health services are provided and to do so more quickly.”

According to the BBC, more than half of the savings had come from nationally imposed policies such as pay freezes, rather than through NHS Trusts becoming more productive.

Professor John Appleby, Chief Economist at the King’s Fund said: “Efficiencies will become harder to deliver, as one-off savings such as cuts in management costs start to slow.

“Major reconfigurations of services are needed to improve the quality of care and increase financial sustainability.”

So what does the future hold for the UK’s health landscape? As the NHS continues to find ways to make savings, services could well become increasingly rationed.

Not-for-profit health insurance company, Westfield Health – which provides the Chamber Primary Healthcare Plan, has always existed to complement the NHS.

Executive Director Paul Shires believes that as the pressure on the health service increases and people need to find alternative ways of accessing and paying for their healthcare, this role will only increase in importance.

Paul said: “As the NHS continues to deal with the pressures facing it, front line services will undoubtedly take some of the blow. In 2012 we saw waiting lists for some surgical procedures rise and as we move closer to the NHS’s savings target deadline of 2015, this trend is likely to continue.

“People will need to find alternative ways to access healthcare services and treatments, and ways to cover the cost if required.”

In 2012 Westfield Health introduced numerous new products and services to help its policyholders access healthcare as and when they need it. Hospital Treatment Insurance, launched in April, enables employees to access private surgery and medical treatments for non-life-threatening conditions, such as hernia removal, cataracts surgery and knee replacements. Hospital Treatment Insurance is available to all members of Norfolk Chamber with five or more employees, either as a standalone product or, for more comprehensive cover, it can be used in conjunction with Westfield’s Chamber Primary Health Plan.

In June 2012, the health insurance provider also unveiled Best Doctors – an expert second medical opinion service, and enhanced the Doctorline™ service to include a webcam consultation facility, allowing policyholders to speak with a GP via webcam Monday to Friday. Both are also available on the Chamber Primary Healthcare Plan.

For more information about the Chamber Plan, visit www.westfieldhealth.com/chamber or call 0845 602 1629, available 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

As snow is forecast I thought it would make sense to post an article on this subject

Every time snow falls or is forecast we receive calls and emails asking Will I be sued if I clear snow from a Path? or Do I have to keep my Car Park Clear?

The simple answer is yes you can if you do it carefully!

You are unlikely to be sued if you are sensible

So how to clear snow and ice…..

When you clear snow and ice:

• Do it early in the day – it’s easier to move fresh, loose snow- if you remove the top layer the sun may melt the rest
• Don’t use water – it might refreeze and turn to black ice & become more dangerous
• Use salt if possible – it will melt the ice or snow and stop it from refreezing overnight (but don’t use the salt from salting bins as this is used to keep roads clear)NB Do take care not to cover plants in salt
• You can use ash and sand if you don’t have enough salt – it will provide grip underfoot pay extra attention when clearing steps and steep pathways – using more salt may help.It is best to salt the night before before persons use the path in the morning
• Take care where you move the snow.When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.
• Be flexible with staff’s and your own traveling plans this will ensure that staff are reducing the risk of accidents by travelling at peak icy times; Consider if you can staff working from home to avoid the need to travel, non urgent meetings can be postponed – Ensure clothing is appropriate, and phones are charged
• Safety Policy & Risk Assessments Ensure your safety management system covers work travel and work arrangements for such conditions
• At Home offer to clear your neighbours’ paths.If your neighbour will have difficulty getting in and out of their home, offer to clear snow and ice around their property as well. Check that any elderly or disabled neighbours are alright in the cold weather.

If you follow the above sensible guidance you are unlikely to be sued when you clear a path, and your staff & visitors will have a reduced risk of slipping or falling in the Ice or Snow

The 10 C’s of Christmas Food Safety – here is our guide to festive food happiness not a frenzy of food poisoning 1. Choosing This is an important first step- we need to pick our ingredients wisely; do not purchase high risk/ perishable foods to far in advance

Be aware of ‘Use By’ dates and the subsequent ‘consume within’ guidance on products- this is about the number of bacteria in food – which we cannot see touch, smell or taste Best Before dates are just that the foods taste best before that date- but will not make you ill unless it has gone mouldy!

Also check that chilled food is indeed cold and that Frozen food is frozen solid- these foods are ideally transported home in a cool bag- we know how long the queues are at the moment! Also be mindful of how quickly you can use the food 2-for-1 offers are great but only if you can eat the food safely or without wasting it It is best to keep raw and cooked foods apart and to keep food separate from other purchases such as cleaning products

2. Chilling High risk perishable, protein rich foods need to be kept chilled; and not booted out of the fridge in favour of the wine & beer- keeping foods chilled slows down the multiplication of harmful bacteria- it does not kill them!

Do not overstock the fridge; domestic fridges work by air circulating- if they are jam packed the air will not be able to circulate! If you need to defrost foods before cooking this should be done in the fridge; if defrosting takes place at room temperature it can cause a rise in bacteria – so do plan enough time for this to take place; cold water in the sink can speed up defrosting but make sure you disinfect the sink afterwards Do not cook food that has not be thoroughly defrosted or has ice crystals in it- as the food will not cook properly

3. Cross contamination Cross contamination is one of the most common causes of Food Poisoning- it happens when harmful bacteria are spread onto food from other food, surfaces, hands or equipment The harmful bacteria often come from raw meat/ poultry, fish , eggs and unwashed veg/salad. Other sources include people handling the food, pests, equipment, cloths or soil To control cross contamination store foods separately, wash & disinfect hands, equipment & surfaces in-between tasks

4. Cooking Ensure all foods are cooked thoroughly- we all want to be seen as domestic gods & goddesses at this time- but cooking for more people than we are used to requires some planning; take note of cooking time and temperature combinations and make sure foods are piping hot all the way through! It is better to delay the meal than make people ill I would rather have hard roasties than pink turkey too!

5. Cooling At this time of the year we do tend to cook a little too much! So if you need to cool down do so quickly- you can take the food out of its cooking container, spread it out, portion it, if rice you can run under cold water! Once cooled – store in the fridge and consume within 3 days; still eating the turkey on New Year’s Day is not great- if you have cooked way to much then think about freezing the food straight after cooling- this keeps it safer for longer & creates less waste If you need to reheat- just reheat the portion you need and do it quickly!

6. Cleaning This is in 2 parts- first the cleaning of us! The thorough effective hand washing & wearing clean clothes Hand-washing is fundamental in food safety- after all our hands touch everything! Use plenty of warm water, soap and be thorough with nails, thumbs, wrists, palms & dry your hands on a clean cloth- not the tea-towel. It is best to remove jewellery & watches

And second the cleaning of equipment & your premises – this is the difference between being visually clean – the hot soapy water bit & then the disinfecting bit- the removal of bacteria- for example using an antibacterial cleaner on items that have been in contact with raw foods; a dishwasher is ideal for this. If using sprays make sure they are food safe (not containing bleach or fragrances) and ensure a good coverage and use a clean cloth! It is best to clean and clear as you go!

7. Other Contaminants– keep harmful things out of food- physical items such as hair, glass, packaging , wrapping, pen lids; if it does not need to be in the kitchen when you are preparing then keep it away!

8. Cereals, Celery & Crustacea– and the other allergens not beginning with C; if serving processed/ packaged foods – do keep the labels- then if someone asks what’s in the food you can confidently tell them rather than guessing

9. Care– There are some foods that need a bit of extra care! Do not serve rare burgers/ sausages/ offal/ white meat/ eggs; these will all still contain harmful bacteria

10. Lastly stay CALM – safe food is down to a bit of planning; the more calm you are the more you will enjoy it – or call in the caterers 🙂

Christmas is a special time of year. Even so, it doesn’t stop health and safety being – wrongly – cited as a reason for preventing pretty harmless activities from going ahead.

Not only does this needlessly ruin the festive spirit but it also trivialises the true purpose of health and safety: protecting people from real risks at, or connected with, work

There are more than a few old chestnuts in this list, which has been compiled by HSE from media reports and correspondence received.

1. Children being banned from having snowball fights 2. Office workers told they can’t put decorations up 3. Panto performers ordered not to throw sweets into the audience 4. Being sued for clearing snow from outside your business or home 5. Preventing people from putting coins in traditional Christmas puddings 6. Seats being removed from shops – despite weary Christmas shoppers wanting to rest their feet 7. Traditional shopping centre Christmas trees being scaled back or replaced by artificial alternatives 8. Christmas lights needing electrical (portable appliance testing) PAT tests every year 9. Santa being ordered to buckle up on his sleigh 10. Carol singers being classed as a health and safety risk (well i guess this one depends on how good the singing is)

With everything it is about risk management- putting sensible controls in place! Unfortunately common sense is not all that common– and in these festive times we can forget simple precautions

If you are unsure about any Health and Safety Legislation contact us on www.redcat.gb.com We are a team of ex- enforcement officers that live & breathe Health and Safety- we can give you sound sensible & pragmatic advice & guidance

As you may have heard, recent Government announcements have aligned the rules for audit exemption with those for small company qualification. These changes come into effect for accounting periods ending on or after 1 October 2012.

The detailed rules are quite complex, but generally to qualify for audit exemption the company must satisfy at least two out of the following three criteria – in either the current or previous year:

• Turnover not more than £6.5m per annum • Balance sheet ‘gross assets’ not more than £3.26m • Not more than 50 employees

Furthermore, should the company be a subsidiary of a larger parent and qualify under the rules above, then exemption is also available should the parent company guarantee all of the debt of the subsidiary.

I don’t feel, however, that a simple set of criteria is enough on its own to determine whether a business ‘needs’ an audit.

Big Sales Limited

Your company has, let’s say, turnover of £7.8m, but leases its premises, has decent credit control and does not retain much cash in the business. The chances are, under the present rules, you were only having your accounts audited by triggering the turnover clause, so exemption from audit is likely to be an option going forward.

On the surface it could actually save the company money by reducing compliance costs. “This sounds like a good idea.” I hear you say. To understand if the audit adds value consideration must be given to what goes on beneath the exterior of a statutory audit.

I doubt there are many people who would say that a business with turnover of £7.8m is a “small” company. In the eyes of the owner manager, it probably appears fairly large and has taken significant sacrifice to get to where it is. In which case, the owner manager probably has a few other managers and staff to help him or her run that business.

In order for this to work effectively for the good of the business, controls and procedures must be put in place to ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction and problems can be identified quickly.

What is probably unnoticed about audit work is the time spent reviewing systems and testing that controls and procedures are still working as they should. Each year the auditor is required to report back to you any weaknesses and problems we have identified. Without an external audit, who is going to take on this responsibility?

Small Subsidiary Limited

You currently have a small subsidiary, which is part of a much larger group. In the past an audit had to be carried out, but not any longer. As long as the parent company guarantees all of the debts of the subsidiary you don’t need one.

This is an interesting debate. Why did you create the subsidiary in the first place? In many cases a venture into a new product, market or geographical area is fraught with danger. A separate company somewhat protects the existing business from such risks.

Having a trade in a separate limited company limits the risk of financial loss to just that entity, this is the concept of “limited liability”. But to guarantee the debts of such a subsidiary is potentially increasing that risk for the rest of the group.

Should some unforeseen event happen to the subsidiary, which results in damaging legal claims, product recalls or some other costly issue, the potential expense would no longer be limited to just that company. The parent could also be liable under the guarantee arrangement. We have seen many times that just by being small you are not exempt from large claims. Does your parent company want to take on that risk, just to save compliance costs?

A breakdown in systems or controls can potentially be devastating to any business, so please consider the business’s long term needs before making your decision. In situations similar to the ones above, the ultimate question must be: Can I afford not to have an audit?

There are many different types of businesses in between these examples so it is not necessarily a simple decision to make, and should never be based upon cost savings alone.

SOCIAL IMPACT MEASUREMENT

What is social impact measurement? According to a Social Enterprise East of England (SEEE) booklet on ‘Measuring making a difference’, social impact measurement is the process of providing ‘evidence that your organisation – whether it is a social enterprise, voluntary or community organisation or traditional business – is doing something that provides a real and tangible benefit to other people or the environment.’

Why measure impact? People who work in voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises every day may be able to see with their own eyes the real and tangible benefit created by the work their organisation carries out. But there are two reasons why it might be a good idea to try to measure the extent of this social impact in more detail:

a) A move towards measuring social impact can help you to build on the things you are doing well and to learn from the challenges you have faced. This feeds into good practice and means the organisation will learn and improve.

b) There are funding and contract opportunities out there for voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises, but the people who buy in services or provide funding need to know that working with your organisation will provide a social benefit. Just as financial accounts prove the viability of a business, social impact measurement can show a robust and rigorous approach to providing community or environmental benefits.

Why are there so many tools and methods to choose from? One of the key findings of recent social impact measurement research from New Philanthropy Capital was that the challenge for organisations is in identifying what method is suitable for them.

The simple answer to why there are so many tools and methods available is that there is no one option that is suitable for everyone. The way you measure impact will depend on the size, capacity, activities and focus of your organisation. There are activities and guides that can help you to think about the factors you need to take into consideration when choosing how to measure impact.

TALKING ABOUT TOOLS AND METHODS – SOME COMMON TERMS

What is an impact measurement framework? The activities an organisation carries out can have long-term effects on beneficiaries, beneficiaries’ families and the broader community. Social impact measurement seeks to identify and quantify this impact. An impact measurement framework provides the structure for assessing all aspects of an organisation’s impact. Within that framework, more than one tool or method can be used to collect information. The information needed to inform social impact measurement may include data from your monitoring and evaluation systems, quality systems, impact tools and toolkits and outcome-focused tools.

What is the difference between outcomes and outputs? Outputs are easy to count because there is a clear point in time when they have either happened or not. For example, training participants have either completed a course or not; five hundred awareness-raising leaflets have been mailed out, or they haven’t. Outcomes go deeper and describe progress over time. The desired outcome of completing training is the improved knowledge and skills participants take away that will make a difference to their lives and the lives of others. The desired outcome of mailing out leaflets is that by reading them people will become more aware of the issue at hand. There has been a move towards measuring outcomes as well as outputs to give a clearer picture of what value organisations and projects create.

What are outcome tools? Outcome tools are used to measure and record the progress a beneficiary makes and pinpoint areas of future need. They make it possible to assess the changes made in a consistent and standardised way. Outcome tools provide information that can be drawn together to give an overview of the change achieved by a service or a project. They are therefore a key part of the impact measurement process.

What are quality management systems? Quality management systems, often shortened to ‘quality systems’, are about processes. They focus on how things are done. They look at how an organisation is run, how staff are managed and customer care. A set of standards are defined and used to gauge areas for improvement. An organisation can assess itself or can buy in the services of an external assessor. External assessment is often needed to gain a quality mark. Some quality systems focus on how activities are carried out, others also require evidence about the results of these activities. This evidence requirement would have the additional benefit of providing information for an impact measurement.

What are monitoring and evaluation systems? Monitoring is about collecting information in a planned and regular way. Evaluation is about using that information to gauge how well the project is doing. Monitoring and evaluation systems will tell you what information to collect, when to collect it and who will collect it. This information can provide the proof that a quality standard has been met or support social impact measurement.

Why does this matter? In our current economic climate we are being asked to assess the cost-benefit of spending money on welfare, community care, health services, youth services etc. with the intention of reducing overall costs. What may be more important is how the social impact of the spending in these areas might evidence savings in other more costly areas of provision i.e. hospitalisation, acute services, policing and prisons.