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Doing It The Tender Way
12 May 2013
Successfully tendering for a contract is a dream for many companies. But it is also time consuming. Now BOSS Federation can help you do it.
Every sales trainer will remind you that there are always two ways of increasing sales in your business: you can encourage existing customers to buy more, or you can search for new customers.
Improving the outlook for carbon reduction costs
22 March 2013
Who wants to save money while also saving the planet? The answer, most would firmly agree, is everyone. And printers are certainly no exception. Which is why signing up to the BOSS Federation's Climate Change Levy Reduction scheme, newly revised and ready for its next phase, seems at first glance to be something of a no-brainer.
Clients reassured that data security is a top-priority
15 November 2012
BOSS Federation INFORMATION SECURITY MANAGEMENT & ISO 27001 SUPPORT
Information is the life-blood of the business. If vital data were lost, corrupted, damaged or stolen, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to operate without the robust processes and procedures which ISO 27001 certification has assured.
Health & Safety - How to ensure you have this covered
24 October 2012
There is a direct correlation between the best companies and those that have the most effective Health & Safety Management Scheme. Developing a culture that understands and implements the necessary requirements is not only beneficial for the staff, but will improve the performance of the business. Central to this will be communication and using it as a 'live' document. It should not be shelved and dusted down when an inspection is carried out or for auditing purposes. Its arrangements should be communicated to all staff and a copy made available at all times. The following tips are the main areas of a business that will need to be challenged. Get this right and the rest will follow.
Data Security: ISO27001, the information security standard
17 July 2012
Printers that have succeeded in moving up the value chain - and those that aspire to - usually manage data nowadays. Therefore security management is increasingly topical. The consequences for organisations responsible for security breaches are serious; regulators' fines can impose severe financial penalties and then there's the reputational damage and loss of customer confidence.
Moving beyond core competencies - Considers the options of outsourcing and internal diversification.
31 May 2012
In such a competitive and increasingly globalised economy positioning a business to not only defend its position but also prosper requires challenging, but not impossible, strategic focus. Just doing what you did before, even if it’s in a much more efficient and price competitive way, is no longer an option in most cases. The quest is on to provide ever more services, but does that mean diversifying and growing your offering in-house or outsourcing?
No problem?
31 May 2012
Do you fix customer files without charge? If not, do you explain that this is a value-added part of the service? Phil Thompson, head of BOSS Federation Business, explains why it’s imperative that you have a true collaboration with your customers.
Customer Service
31 May 2012
Love them or hate them the fact remains that in some capacity we all need customers. From experience, it is much easier to sell to existing customers compared to finding new customers, so effort must be made to develop these relationships in order to generate healthier and more profitable sales for the business.
Key performance Indicator generation
31 May 2012
Selecting the correct Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) are essential to any business. Putting these in place however, is easier said than done. For example, often a lot of money is spent on Management Information Systems to support the production process; however, it is often the case that capturing the correct information to enable accurate analysis is often a lot harder than is expected.
Getting to grips with supply chain management
15 November 2011
If you're not making the most of your purchasing and supply chain management you're not getting the profits you could be. Phil Thompson, head of BOSS Federation Business, walks you through what is acknowledged to be a complicated process.
Managing Projects to Ensure Success - Lean Champion Passport
05 October 2011
Vision in Print is very successful in helping companies to apply lean techniques such as waste reduction, make-ready reduction, streamlining office processes etc. However, co-ordinating change programmes across a company and ensuring they are sustained is challenging. The solution for many companies is to appoint a 'Lean Champion' or 'Continuous Improvement Manager'.
Companies recognise the importance of a working and relevant business continuity plan
04 October 2011
Both business continuity and disaster recovery should be an integral part of business continuity management (BCM). Understandably focus is often placed upon preventative actions, planning and testing but then any documentation, often written as a necessary chore to satisfy insurance companies, is filed away and hence, in many cases, provides no real benefit to the business - if anything, giving false comfort.
Lean Foundation - a new quick, fun and print-specific introduction to lean principles
12 September 2011
- You have Managers or Supervisors who need a better grasp of Lean Manufacturing principles, but how?
- You know the need to implement continuous improvement in your company, but where to start? With Vision in Print’s new print-specific Lean Foundation course.
Vision in Print's very own 'soldiers of fortune' launch attack on reducing your costs - there is no need for a plan B!
07 September 2011
When it comes to the problem of how to increase productivity while reducing costs and maintaining profitability and market share, there is only one team you should call. With dedicated print-specific professionals, with a combined experience of more than 90 years, ‘The VIP-Team' are primed to make a difference to your organisation with their practical advice.
The BOSS Federation announces final stages of UKAS accreditation process for certification of its ISO12647-2 Colour Quality Management scheme
05 July 2011
The BOSS Federation has long championed the benefits of implementing best practice in all areas of the business as a way of reducing waste and production costs. Companies working to the ISO12647-2 Colour Quality Management Certification Scheme are already realising these benefits.
Identify your path to achieving excellence with the Howard Smith Snapshot Plus operational diagnostic.
29 May 2011
In order to remain competitive, UK printers must constantly innovate, invest and adapt, and the Howard Smith Snapshot Plus can help you to do just that.
UKAS enters the last stage of ISO12647-2 accreditation with supervised company audits
29 May 2011
The BOSS Federation have long championed the benefits of implementing the best practice identified by the Scheme Requirements booklet as a way of reducing waste and production costs. The BOSS Federation are happy to announce that companies will soon be able to obtain fully independent ISO12647-2 certification by a UKAS accredited body that recognises this Colour Management excellence.
Affording staff the opportunity to expand their skills sets and further their professional development is the foundation of any successfully company
29 April 2011
BOSS Federation' Print Foundation courses continues to support newcomers to the Industry as well as those who wish to revisit the technical basis of print.
A great way to launch your career in print and a valuable overview for those looking to re-familiarise themselves with the basics.
Better Margins - 21 June (Reading), 23 June (Birmingham), 29 June (Wakefield)
29 April 2011
In 2009,Vision in Print ran a series of three regional 'Cash and Cost Reduction' seminars. Their purpose was to assist printers prepare for the pressures of the recession, by addressing topics such as effective cash management, operational efficiencies, reducing staff costs, finding funding. They were very popular and we had had frequent requests to run them again, albeit with updated topics.
So we are. This year they are called "Better Margins" and timed to help with the dreadful trading conditions that hilariously pass as 'the UK economic recovery'.
BOSS Federation Sales Academy Training
27 April 2011
Economic high-quality modular sales’ training that is available online 24/7.
Sales training is one of the main tools a business can use to improve business performance with your sales strategy and message setting you apart from your competitors. However time and budget restrictions often mean that training is neglected.