Efficiency and the Credit Crunch
You probably think that these two items, efficiency and credit crunch have little in common, but you would be wrong. Any downturn in the economy will put some businesses over the edge into insolvency but a sound business can, with some help, often capitalise on the opportunities available.
Here are a few ways to increase efficiency as well as saving money:
There are other ways to increase efficiency:
These include working from home if possible, video conferencing instead of face to face meetings and better planning of schedules.
If cash-flow is a problem and your Bank won't help then ask your suppliers if you can extend your credit terms.
Order only what you need, buffer stocks are costly in terms of space used and cash tied up.
And finally get someone who is not involved in your business to review your systems. A consultant may cost you a few hundred pounds but may identify improvements that will help you through then tough times. Remember a good consultant will be able to advise you on best practice and will be up to date with the latest technology and methods.
ISO9001, the Quality Standard can guide you to accepted best practice
ISO14001, the Environmental Standard can help you reduce pollution and save energy.
There are many more efficiency savings but using just these few can have a significant effect on your business.
Here are a few ways to increase efficiency as well as saving money:
- Look at your expenditure on energy - you have been meaning to replace those tungsten light bulbs with the more efficient energy saving bulbs - do it now;
- Look at windows and doors - is there a draught coming through? - buy some draught excluders and you will save on heating;
- Get people to dress for winter - summer clothes are for summer;
- Get people to boil only enough water for hot drinks to serve immediate needs;
- Check the office thermostat - one degree down will save a considerable amount of money without freezing everyone;
- Look at your energy supplier - can you get a better deal?
- If you use a company car or your own car to visit customers, plan your route to minimise the distance and combine visits if possible;
There are other ways to increase efficiency:
These include working from home if possible, video conferencing instead of face to face meetings and better planning of schedules.
If cash-flow is a problem and your Bank won't help then ask your suppliers if you can extend your credit terms.
Order only what you need, buffer stocks are costly in terms of space used and cash tied up.
And finally get someone who is not involved in your business to review your systems. A consultant may cost you a few hundred pounds but may identify improvements that will help you through then tough times. Remember a good consultant will be able to advise you on best practice and will be up to date with the latest technology and methods.
ISO9001, the Quality Standard can guide you to accepted best practice
ISO14001, the Environmental Standard can help you reduce pollution and save energy.
There are many more efficiency savings but using just these few can have a significant effect on your business.
Labels: cost savings, efficiency, Management
Posted: Wednesday, 28 January 2009
BS OHSAS 18001:2007 - Health & Safety Management
18001 has at last been issued as a formal standard which can be assessed and a certificate issued. Previously the guidelines could be adopted but didn't carry the same weight as a British Standard. Many organisations wanted a recognisable occupational health and safety management system standard that could be assessed and certificated.
The format of the standard is similar to the template set for ISO9001 - the quality standard and ISO14001 - the environmental standard. The structure of all three standards allow for integration if desired.
There are elements of communality:
Many organisations are choosing the integrated approach to incorporate
'industry best practice' to maximise compliance to the raft of regulations
facing businesses today. Certification provides independent evidence of compliance which can be used to offset any problems in the quality, environmental of H & S areas.
The format of the standard is similar to the template set for ISO9001 - the quality standard and ISO14001 - the environmental standard. The structure of all three standards allow for integration if desired.
There are elements of communality:
- Management review
- Internal audit
- Non-conformity control
- Evaluation of compliance
- Performance measuring
- Document control
- Control of records
- Communication
- Competence, awareness and training
- Control of resources
- Objectives & targets
Many organisations are choosing the integrated approach to incorporate
'industry best practice' to maximise compliance to the raft of regulations
facing businesses today. Certification provides independent evidence of compliance which can be used to offset any problems in the quality, environmental of H & S areas.
Labels: 18001:2007, BS, Health, Management, OHSAS, safety
Posted: Saturday, 3 November 2007
ISO9001 Certification or Not
Many organisations put a quality management system into place but don't go forward to formal certification. This is usually due to the fear of failure and of course cost.
The advantages of formal certification are many:
Systems that are not formally certified tend to drift over time. It is often the case that the system will deteriorate and the people involved with the quality management system are so close to it that they don't actually see the downward trend.
Where formal certification is used there is always a degree of uncertainty about the regular surveillance visits: "What will the assessor find?", "Will he/she still recommend continuing certification?"
It is this regular routine that ensures that the system retains that edge and still meets the needs of the organisation.
When all is said and done, the organisation wants to see some benefits from a quality management system and this can only really be achieved by third party certification.
The advantages of formal certification are many:
- An independent verification of the organisation's quality arrangements;
- Formal recognition, that is accepted world-wide;
- Continuing checks that the system is still valid;
- Requires evidence of continual improvement.
Systems that are not formally certified tend to drift over time. It is often the case that the system will deteriorate and the people involved with the quality management system are so close to it that they don't actually see the downward trend.
Where formal certification is used there is always a degree of uncertainty about the regular surveillance visits: "What will the assessor find?", "Will he/she still recommend continuing certification?"
It is this regular routine that ensures that the system retains that edge and still meets the needs of the organisation.
When all is said and done, the organisation wants to see some benefits from a quality management system and this can only really be achieved by third party certification.
Labels: iso9001, Management, Quality, System
Posted: Friday, 21 September 2007
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