Page 11 - BOSS Today Issue 45

BOSS INDUSTRY AWARDS BOSS Today #45

longer about “drawing pretty diagrams”: coming from Dan Coshall (MD, Office Steve McKeever (MD, Advantia) and
instead it was now about extracting Oracle Ltd), who had himself entered Tim Beaumont (MD, Nemo and Office
knowledge from data. Reminding the industry via an apprenticeship Club). Robinson took the panel through
the audience that “the customer is programme. Emphasising the value their paces on some key industry
King”, Pinner encouraged them to put that apprenticeships had made to his topics, quizzing each of them on their
customers – and people – at the heart own business – including their loyalty, marketing service differences against
of their marketing decision-making passion and new ideas – he revealed the wholesalers, whether dealers are
and explained that because “people that as many as 75% of his staff had now better off inside or outside of groups,
made the difference”, they should also undertaken this type of programme. whether there was room for further
ensure that staff were fully engaged A last minute replacement for Karly dealer group consolidation, whether
and acted as brand guardians. Finally, Lattimore, BPIF’s MD of Training, their members should also be members
he illustrated his points by recounting Charles Jarrold, the CEO of BPIF, took of BOSS, the value of paper catalogues
how, while at BIC, he had focussed to the stage to de-bunk some myths and dealer group conferences and
on achieving far-reaching marketing about apprenticeships (they are not just – finally – what each believed the
goals rather than short term ones by for manual workers; not just for young value of their own group was.
engaging England rugby star Martin people; apprentices are more likely to This final question paved the way
Johnson to champion the brand. stay at the end of their apprenticeship for the final session of the day, a
After the lunch break, 2018 BOSS and they do add value to a business) discussion chaired by new BOSS CEO
Lifetime Achievement Award winner and concluded by pointing out that Amy Hutchinson and Chairman Simon
Philip Beer entertained the audience BPIF was an excellent training provider Drakeford on the relevance of BOSS
by expressing his belief that “the that could provide BOSS members with in today’s changing market place. A
underlying foundation of BOSS is advice and assistance in establishing fitting finale to the event, such a
about having fun and enjoying each apprenticeship programmes. direct invite from members put real
other’s company” and reminded them The penultimate formal part of the flesh on Drakeford’s earlier appeal for
that “it’s nice to be important, but day was a panel discussion about the their observations and feedback.
it’s more important to be nice!” value of dealer groups, chaired by The day ended with drinks
Much of the focus in the first half of Steve Robinson (MD, Safescan UK) and in the garden and – later, for
the afternoon was on apprenticeships, featuring Alex Dunn (MD, Superstat), some – in a local hostelry.
with the first of these presentations Julie Hawley (MD, Office Friendly), All told, a very good innings indeed.

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