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Project Management |
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We all know projects that have gone like this. Effective project management increases the chances of your project being delivered.
Call OVC on
0844 8484 853
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Greetings!
Back to school...even many years later, September is a heady mix of anticipation and apprehension. Excitement at a new term; refreshed after the break that most of us will have enjoyed: aware, though, of the challenges that lie ahead. This year more than ever...
So, will your business be fit for purpose, and ready to cope with whatever comes its way? |
 ...not supplied. A fundamental part of your business - whether raw materials or finished products, if they're not available for your use or onsale to clients when needed, you have a supply chain problem.
And yet. How many organisations or businesses check that their suppliers have a Business Continuity Plan in place to cope with disruption or disaster. Just-in-time techniques are a great way of saving costs, but also leave an organisation vulnerable to disruption and non-delivery. As supply chain logistics become more complex and internationalised, supplier dependencies multiply - and the risks exponentially increase.
It's a problem, too, where an organisation outsources some functions, especially where IT support is involved. Risks and problems are less visible, and thus failure is more likely to be catastrophic.
A good start is to undertake a Business Impact Assessment, to begin to identify your vulnerabilities. Working through your own plan improves your chances of surviving disaster; and porvides a starting point for discussion with your suppliers. And theirs...
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Swine flu and employer's liabilities...
 It didn't take long - already lawyers are gearing up for a rash (sorry!) of lawsuits from disgruntled or affected employees trying to cash in on swine flu illnesses.
There are legal implications which employers need to be aware of, including Health and Safety and Data Protection issues, and there are steps employers can take to minimise those.
Health and Safety regulations, for example, require employers to assess any risks to employee's health, and have a 'clear emergency procedures' plan in place to cope with problems; communicate; and provide training.
There could be Data Protection issues if you need to collect personal or Sensitive Data about employees, which needs to be in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
Up to date information from the DHS can be obtained here, or see the Oakview August Newsletter |
 Almost one in five businesses has unwittingly breached the Data Protection Act (DPA) at least once according to a survey of over 500 small and medium businesses conducted by BSI*.
Of these, nearly half said they had breached the Act on several occasions and an additional 18% said they were not sure whether they had or not. A 'breach' could refer to the illegal transfer of information to a third party, failure to hold information securely or neglect of other legal obligations.
The survey showed that:
- 65% of businesses provide no data protection training for staff;
- Nearly half admit that their business has no-one with specific data protection responsibility;
- 15% of businesses are not confident that their data sharing practices conform to the DPA, yet almost 5% of these frequently share data regardless;
- 18% of businesses said that data protection is less of a priority in the current economic climate.
The BSI have designed a new standard BS 10012:2009which helps SMEs put their Data Protection policies and procedures into place.
* This survey was conducted on behalf of BSI by Opinion Matters/ Tickbox.net between 11/05/2009 and 18/05/2009 amongst a nationally representative sample of 516 senior decision makers in SMEs
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So - if your business needs project management; Business COntinuity support, or simply some business planning help - don't just think.
Do!
Call Oakview Consulting, and be prepared.
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Oakview Consulting Limited is registered at Companies House in England and Wales under Company number 6781824, and its registered office is at 71B High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, MK11 1AY
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Don't forget - you can benefit from a FREE Business HealthCheck to help you scrutinise your business, identify areas of concern, and agree actions to make a difference.
You can also benefit from a FREE Business Continuity HealthCheck to review your current plans, and ensure an objective view of your ability to survive a significant disruption.
Act today... |
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