Page 18 - BOSS Today Issue 63

BOSS Today #63 BOSS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS BOSS Today #63

That’s why a People & Culture Forum
we work on in the year ahead. The BT: How would you describe the SL: True partnership can lead to a more BT: Why is it important for the industry matters. It allows senior practitioners
next BOSS Dealer Group Forum is on Forum’s role in supporting and efficient, robust supply chain which to have a dedicated leader of the to share insight, challenge
6th May, so I would encourage any representing manufacturers across can benefit all parties and maintain future committee? assumptions, and position people
dealer who has any industry related the sector? margins across the industry. A simple strategy as a commercial lever - not
questions or concerns to ask your “lower cost for us” mindset often JD: The uniqueness of this group for me People and Culture Forum just a support function. Long-term
dealer group leader to raise these on SL: We aim to represent the creates unnecessary friction for all makes it an important society within The BOSS People & Culture Forum was resilience and growth will be defined
your behalf. If you are not in a group manufacturer and vendor parties in some relationships. our industry. In a marketspace that is created in 2024 in reaction to the incoming by how effectively we invest in,
please raise them through me. communities to the wider industry traditionally less sexy than others it Employment Rights Bill (now Employment develop, and mobilise our workforce.
and to give them a collective voice BT: How do you see the Forum evolving helps to give us a point of difference Rights Act) and exists for senior HR leads
BT: What motivates your involvement when it comes to government as the industry continues to diversify and attract new, emerging talent to in the Business Supplies Industry to share BT: What are the biggest people
in the Dealer Group Forum? lobbying and legislation consultation. beyond traditional office products? the industry. best practice and understand upcoming related challenges you expect
Furthermore, it provides the chance legislation. organisations in our sector to face
SC: For the last 33 years I have been in to discuss current issues with like SL: We continue to focus on attracting BT: What are the biggest challenges you over the next 12 months?
and around our dealer group and I minded individuals. new vendors to our community think future leaders in our sector
know how incredibly valuable that that represent some of the newer are currently facing? SS: Over the next 12 months, one of the
has been. Over the years people BT: What are the key opportunities for categories that are becoming more biggest people-related challenges
invested a lot of time and effort manufacturers who engage with the important to the reseller community. JD: Industry pressures are making more for organisations in our sector will
to help me develop my skill sets, Forum’s? and more companies poorer in be real organisational design in
which are primarily operations and BT: What are the Forum’s priorities for regards to their time. It is usually in Chair: Sam Stafford, Head of HR, Viking UK response to reduced budgets and
purchasing based. If I have things in SL: Connection to others in the industry the next 12 months? times like these personal development the adoption of AI. Teams need to
my armoury that will be of benefit to to discuss the current issues, gets sacrificed. BT: Why is it important for our industry be prepared, capable, and supported
other people, I will gladly share and opportunities and challenges within SL: To remain relevant and useful to to have a dedicated People & Culture to move forward with minimal
help out wherever I can, and it is this the industry, as well as access to the our members whilst keeping them BT: What are the key opportunities for Forum? disruption. This should involve
that motivates my involvement in the wide range of services offered by the informed of current trends, legislation individuals that engage with the LOTF mapping out roles, structures, and
dealer group forum. BOSS Federation. and issues affecting our industry. Committee/Community? SS: The business supplies sector is ways of working, rather than simply
undergoing a major transformation. making redundancies and expecting
BT: How does the Forum help members JD: Shared experience and networking has Advances in technology and someone else to pick up the work.
navigate shared challenges certainly helped me personally broaden the shift to hybrid working are Teams need to be prepared, capable,
such as supply chain pressures, my mindset and helped in regards to shrinking traditional markets, and supported to move forward with
sustainability expectations, or finding innovative solutions to problems forcing organisations to rethink minimal disruption.
shifting customer needs? roles, structures, and productivity
The Manufacturers Forum BT: What motivates your involvement expectations. Supporting high-calibre, multi-
The forum provides an opportunity SL: Often, we find that shared knowledge Leaders of the Future Committee with the LOTF Committee and what skilled teams is critical. This requires
for manufacturers within the business can help a wider understanding of Leaders of the Future connect people do you hope the committee achieve In this context, it’s easy to leaders who are fully engaged and
supplies industry to highlight and discuss such topics, which can ultimately lead from all industry channels to positively this year. focus purely on cost. But real able to guide their direct reports
challenges and topical issues. to better working relationships for all influence the sector. Their purpose is to transformation happens through through change. Middle-management
stakeholders in the supply chain. empower emerging leaders, supported JD: I feel motivated by the belief we are people. Organisations that can capability will be a defining factor
by their mission: Leading, Guiding, offering a support network to people redeploy skills, build capability in in success, and organisations must
BT: What are the biggest challenges you Connecting, Shaping. where they can prioritise their own new growth areas, and maintain have the right programmes, support
expect manufacturers to face over They share ideas, build relationships, and personal development and learn engagement will be the ones that structures, and culture to reinforce
the next 12 months? learn from one another, helping the industry something new with likeminded people. thrive. this responsibility. Leadership is
attract and develop top talent. The group not a bolt-on function; it goes far
Chair: Stuart Login, Managing Director, Trodat SL: Further industry contraction and offers induction training for newcomers Now, with upcoming changes in the beyond 1:1s and reporting. Measuring
consolidation within the industry, and runs events that strengthen UK under the Employment Rights Act, leadership effectiveness, embedding
uncertainty in the global economy professional networks across the sector. it’s even more important for People accountability, and investing in
BT: Why is it important for leading to instability in supply chains Organisations that can teams to anticipate the impact on development are key to ensuring
manufacturers in the business and the ever-present digitisation of redeploy skills, build policies, ensure they reflect legislative teams remain resilient and adaptable.
supplies industry to have a paper based workflows. requirements, and translate these
dedicated Forum? capability in new growth changes into meaningful guidance for
BT: How can collaboration between areas, and maintain leaders and employees alike.
SL: Primarily the forum connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and engagement will be the
people and companies in the vendor resellers strengthen the industry as Co-chairs: James Day, Managing Director,
community to facilitate collaboration a whole? Durable & Amy Remmer, Account Director, ones that thrive.
and discussion of sector specific VOW Wholesale
topics.

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