Page 10 - BOSS Today Issue 56

BOSS Today #56 ECONOMICS

people. These are the elements that SH: I’ll start by saying the obvious:
will continue to underpin our future join your industry Federation and
success. get access to expert and focused
support, as well as to a broader
JH: We are reviewing our financial community that can help you
planning tools so that we are better via shared experience. I think we
equipped to mitigate the influence all have no choice but to ensure
of external factors, ensuring that, when necessary, inflationary
that we respond quickly to any increases are passed through
changes introduced by the new the supply chain and not simply “join your industry
government and staying close – and ignored. Customers do not enjoy Federation and get access to
communicating clearly with – all those conversations, but we are
of our stakeholders and customers. all in the same boat here and expert and focused support,
Our objective is always to procure addressing these issues head-on as well as to a broader
value for money for educational really is the only approach to take. community that can help you
institutions and other public sector Finally, have faith in the future and
organisations, and we will continue to take confidence from what you via shared experience.”
work with our suppliers to deliver this have already achieved through the
in an efficient and cost-effective way. pandemic and the last 12 months of Steve Haworth,
economic turmoil. Nobody is better CEO, EVO Group of Companies
SA-B: We will be building upon the changes placed than you to serve the needs
we are making now and understand of all types of local businesses, not
whether these can be extended in a necessarily the products that you
medium or longer term plan, as we were defined by historically. The
start to understand the landscape. services that we provide as a sector
We have two cornerstones that we are transferable and the need for
live by: to remain focussed on the them is real, so there is a good
fundamentals and have a positive future ahead!
mindset for change. The focus on
fundamentals will see us weather JH: Times are hard economically, so it’s
any change and that positive a time to look after your team and
mindset for change will allow us everyone in your business. Make “You are not alone: your
to react to and overcome what is sure that everyone feels supported,
unknown. These two cornerstones first and foremost: it is only then suppliers, customers and
will also be underpinned by having that employees will feel able to focus competitors are facing
fanatical customer service and on their strengths and the things the same challenges –
appreciating that we are not alone in that make your business unique.
thinking about such changes. so ask what they are doing.
SA-B: Understand your fundamentals and The industry is big enough
BT: What advice can you give dealers on do not try to over-engineer them
how to weather the storm over the to adapt to change. In the eye of for us all!”
next 12 months? the storm, sometimes, the basics
will see you through, because these Simon Allan-Brooks,
VP: That will vary from business to got you to where you are today. Managing Director, Viking UK
business, but in general their You are not alone: your suppliers,
response could include: trimming customers and competitors are
down the product range supplied facing the same challenges – so ask
to customers; making the most of what they are doing. The industry is
digital and e-distribution systems big enough for us all!
to reduce costs and improve
productivity; reconsidering and re- Martin Wilde – the author of this article - is
evaluating supply chains; lobbying Managing Director of OP market research
the government; and ensuring that specialists Martin Wilde Associates Ltd
the bank managers on your side! (www.martinwildeassociates.com).

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