Page 12 - BOSS Today Issue 1

interview
UP
WHERE
WE BELONG
Alan Barclay, BOSS board chairman, explains the value of membership
Why should the BOSS can we do to make certain that our
Federation be valued industry thrives?” Belonging to, and
by the industry? supporting, the body whose sole
Businesses within the industry need aim is representing our industry is an
to recognise the value of supporting
our sector. From time to time we Federation exists purely to further
need to reflect upon what’s good the interests of its members and the
for the wider industry that we are all
part of. This should be a natural part
of everyone’s thinking – to ask “what
12 BOSS TODAY / August 2009
industry needs to speak with one
voice, through a representative. An
industry that accounts for £7bn worth
important element of that. The BOSS
industry. Federation and the BPIF, with the
There are several reasons to value
the BOSS Federation. Often our
challenges for members presented by
the rapidly changing circumstances
in the provision of credit and credit
of sales per annum needs to lobby, to
persuade and influence in the areas of
policy making and legislation as well intervention. to underpin a strategy to develop
as elsewhere. For example the BOSS That representation is even more
important because of the broad base
CBI and other trade bodies, recently
highlighted to the Government the Our membership is a broad church
– from manufacturers, resellers and sales and accounting. Consolidating means members have a local point
wholesalers to buying groups and expanded our member services and of contact. It also provides an
service providers - and it means gave us a big advantage in managing excellent source of social activities
every sector has the chance to have overhead costs. It also allowed us and networking events. And they
its concerns heard and its views to enjoy the benefits of a network play a vital role in raising money for
represented. of regional offices, products and the BOSS Benevolent Fund.
BOSS Federation also plays a services, getting us closer to our
vital role in developing standards members around the country. How will the industry
and technical support. For example, In addition it allows us access change over the next five
products need to be categorised to more expertise. The BPIF has years and how can BOSS
into appropriate classes. Computer more employees and services for its support members through
consumables might seem a simple members that can be easily tailored that change?
product grouping but does a mouse to help and support BOSS members. We have a duty to predict what
mat or a screen filter fit in to that the environmental and economic
category? Unless you standardise What initiatives are landscape will look like in the
product categories it is hard to BOSS involved in that can future and because of the broad
acquire meaningful market data benefit the industry? church of membership, it means
or conduct analysis on, say, sales The benefits will depend on the level we can get input from across the
figures. BOSS also plays its part in of membership but they include industry, which puts us in a unique
developing industry standards: legal services, human resources position to create that picture.
area that has benefited from BOSS’s consultancy services, overheads Alan Barclay competitive pressure will increase
product packaging for example is an
support, health and safety advice,
Over the next five years
cost analysis, lean process reviews,
and therefore the work of BOSS
coordination, removing costs from
at a glance
the supply chain and improving
will become even more important.
provision of market data and a
Electronic trading and new
quality and ultimately the customer
body that creates environmental
service provided by the industry. standards and accreditation. BOSS Alan Barclay was appointed technology will play a bigger part
The BOSS Federation also has an
too and therefore the importance
has also been approached by the
CEO of Kingfield Heath
Government, through the OGC, to
environmental committee to help
in 2002, subsequently
of proper product categorisation
advise on how the Office Products
leading a successful £85m
and standards becomes even
members acquire environmentally
more essential. There have been
management buyout in
friendly credentials to satisfy their
Industry is structured and to look at
own interests and those of their
unsuccessful attempts in the
December 2004. One of
joint opportunities for development,
customers. BOSS also organises for example in areas of product the largest distributors of past to create a single industry
classification and standardisation.
and administers our annual Awards
database, this will certainly
business supplies in the UK
become a reality in the future
and Ireland with sales of
dinner, the premier social event
£270m and recognised as a
and we are well placed to provide
How can BOSS help members
in the Industry’s calendar, where
we not only have a fantastic social
networking opportunity but can in the current economic highly successful privately help and coordination when that
happens.
climate?
owned company. Kingfield
provide a forum for the recognition In a recession it is even more Heath was named the There will be further market
of the talent and success amongst important that BOSS provides European Office Products consolidation which will drive the
the BOSS members and the wider practical help to members and works Industry Wholesaler/ imperative for higher standards
industry. hard to represent the industry’s best Distributor of the Year in and fuel the need for us to develop
interests at all levels. Our assistance 2007. During 2007 Electra market data and statistics to help
What are the benefits of with cost analysis can be vital in Partners simultaneously members better promote their
BOSS being part of BPIF? helping manage overheads in the acquired Kingfield Heath and services.
As a standalone body, BOSS didn’t downturn. Sales and marketing are ISA, a computer consumables Bureaucracy, laws and statutes
insurance, lobbying for support and have the scale to ensure its financial also crucial at this time, and our distributor, and created one from the UK and Europe will also
highlighting the urgent need for long-term future. It needed a partner provision of market data will help of the largest distributors of increase. This means playing our part
with that. electronic office supplies in in contributing to the research and
successfully in the coming years. the UK with sales of consultation on legislation, which
The economics made sense too. How do the BOSS regions over £500m. Alan is now the will become ever more important
membership of BOSS Federation. The BPIF and BOSS were duplicating benefit the industry? non-executive group to ensure members’ concerns and
costs in a variety of areas including IT, Plugging in to a regional network Chairman. views are considered. n
August 2009 / BOSS TODAY 13