Page 20 - BOSS Today Issue 63

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

Another emerging challenge is the Ultimately, these shifts mean that access to a rich network of HR ensuring it is recognised not just as a BT: Where has the Synergy Data Group The Synergy Group is an ideal forum
advent of AI. Levels of adoption and organisations cannot simply manage leaders who understand the unique support function or policy enforcer, but made the most meaningful impact to discuss and solve problems that
engagement with this technology processes; they must actively shape challenges of our industry and as a strategic partner with a vital seat so far? occur in the dissemination of data
vary widely, and organisations culture, embed capability, and invest support each other in navigating at the table, aligning people strategy within the industry.
need structured policies, training, in leadership at all levels to remain them. with business objectives to deliver CA: Defining and maintaining the
and education to guide employees. competitive and resilient meaningful organisational impact. Office Products Industry product BT: What are the Group’s priorities for
Without this, fear of AI replacing We bring in thought leaders classification (ISPC). the year ahead?
roles could create resistance, gaps in BT: Are there any regulatory or HR on topical issues, such as AI
productivity, and uneven adoption related changes that members adoption and emerging HR BT: Can you highlight any projects, CA: To keep the focus of members and
across teams. By proactively should be preparing for? trends, who present to the group datasets, or collaborative efforts for them to provide the time and
supporting employees to understand and make themselves available that have delivered real value to input where business pressures result
and use AI, businesses can de-risk SS: Yes, there are a number of regulatory for additional engagement and members? in everyone working harder with less
operations, improve productivity, and and HR-related changes that collaboration outside the Forum. time available.
build confidence and engagement organisations in our sector need to This is particularly valuable in an BOSS Synergy Group CA: ISPC, Product Uniform (Set of
across the workforce. prepare for, particularly with the environment where many HR leaders The Synergy Group provides an opportunity standard fields to build and BT: How do you see the Synergy Data
upcoming changes under the UK operate in isolation or with very for companies to meet and represent distribute data). Group evolving as the industry
BT: How are shifts in workplace Employment Rights Act from April small teams. Being able to build the issues and challenges relating to the continues to diversify beyond
expectations, hybrid working, and this year and beyond. These changes connections with peers who truly business supplies industry data standards. BT: What are the key opportunities traditional office products?
skills development shaping the will have a direct impact on policies, understand the sector not only The forum provides a conduit where these for members who engage with the
needs of the industry? employee contracts, and working provides practical guidance but also issues can be discussed and fed back to the Group’s work? CA: This has been one of the more
arrangements, so People teams need strengthens insight, confidence, and wider industry to drive consistent ways of interesting problems. On one hand,
SS: Shifts in workplace expectations, to be reviewing their frameworks strategic capability. operating. CA: To shape the future of data building adding new product ranges to our
hybrid working, and skills now to ensure compliance and and distribution in a fast-changing classification, but then trying to
development are redefining to understand the practical In addition, BOSS offers its own world. persuade new entrants to the Office
what organisations in our sector implications for their workforce. For mentoring programme and runs a Products Industry to utilise our data
need from their people and their those smaller organisations without charity that can provide support to BT: What are the biggest challenges the standards.
leaders. Employees now expect an HR department, keep abreast of employees across the industry. These Group expects to face over the next
flexibility, meaningful development upcoming changes through gov.uk, are fantastic resources, especially 12 months? BT: What motivates your involvement
opportunities, and clarity on how their ACAS and the CIPD. for smaller businesses that may not Chair: Chris Anstey in the Synergy Data Group?
work contributes to the organisation’s have the capacity to create their CA: Balancing different requirements
goals. Hybrid working adds a layer of Preparation is not just about legal own programmes, and our members BT: What role does the Synergy Data within an industry where power and CA: Quality and consistent data saves
complexity: teams need structures, compliance — it’s about translating have first-hand experience of their Group play within the wider influence has moved to a very small money. Customers purchase the right
tools, and ways of collaborating that legislative change into meaningful benefits within their organisations, business supplies industry? number of players. product so fewer returns. If data is
maintain productivity, engagement, guidance for leaders and employees, which they can share with others. built using the same units, it is easier
and culture, even when people are not ensuring the business continues CA: The Group defines and publishes BT: How does the Group encourage for the customer to make informed
physically together. to operate smoothly and fairly. BT: What motivates your involvement standards for both data descriptions collaboration between different choices. Is it clear what the customer
Organisations that proactively in the People & Culture Forum, and and distribution with the aim of parts of the supply chain? will receive when ordering a specific
At the same time, skills development consider how policies, processes, what do you hope to achieve during reducing errors and costs within the item. Does the image show exactly
has never been more critical. and communications need to evolve your tenure as Chair? industry. This includes transactional CA: The Group has members what will be shipped in the correct
Organisations are navigating will be best placed to mitigate risk, data. representing Wholesalers, Software colour? If product relationship data
technological change, including maintain engagement, and support SS: I am motivated to be involved in the Houses, Dealers and Manufacturers. is also built, a good web site can offer
AI, and evolving market demands, leaders in guiding their teams People & Culture Forum because BT: Why is it important for the sector to The commonality between these larger packs, better quality of value
which means they need multi-skilled, through these changes. it provides a platform to connect have a dedicated forum focused on is the handling of product and offering. In other words, can do the
adaptable teams capable of taking with and learn from peers, share data? transactional data. job of a good knowledgeable sales
on new challenges quickly. This BT: What are the key opportunities best practice, and influence the person. Most sales web sites across all
requires a strategic approach to for members who engage with the people agenda across our industry. CA: Everyone in the industry accepts the industries are full of errors and have
learning, continuous development, Forum? During my tenure as Chair, I aim to importance of having good quality Balancing different a total lack of consistency. You can
and leadership capability - ensuring foster a collaborative environment and consistent data but few either find a product on Amazon with metric
employees have the support and SS: Members who engage with the where members feel supported understand what is entailed in requirements within an dimension and the next product with
confidence to deliver, while leaders Forum gain a range of valuable and inspired, promote open delivering and maintaining quality industry where power and imperial measurements. I have been
are equipped to guide teams through opportunities. We regularly review dialogue on key HR challenges, data. Most companies are reticent in involved in producing and distribution
uncertainty and change. legislative changes, producing and drive initiatives that advance providing the resource to do so. The influence has moved to a very data for over 30 years and want to
updates to ensure all members stay talent development, inclusion, Synergy Group is made up of people small number of players is a make it better.
abreast of developments as they and high-performance cultures. I who understand the importance of challenge.
arise. The Forum also provides a am particularly passionate about data and work to improve this across For more information on
shared community of practice and elevating the perception of HR - the industry. BOSS SIG Groups click here.

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