5th edition – October 2014 Good Business 25th anniversary and Responsible Business Conference edition Partnering business and education Responsible Business Conference special Could you be �Just One More’? Page 1 Good Business Volunteerland – a billion-strong army whose contributions are shamefully ignored Page 3 Partnering business and education 14 businesses raise £94k for Action Cancer Page 4 Contents Place Planet People Members News Everyone’s getting in on the gamePage 5 NOW named as NI Social Enterprise of the Year Page 6 MediCare supports BUp4WORK Join in National ProBono Week Giving young people in Northern Ireland a chance Page 7 Link & Learn: bite-sized topical learning sessions Drink, work and your responsibility GAP tackles unemployment Page 8 One hundred companies towards zero waste Page 9 Giving food waste the chopPage 10 NI Tourist Board Environmental Review Programme Building a prosperous Northern Ireland – what is the role of business? Volunteerland – a billion-strong army whose contributions are shamefully ignored 3 One hundred companies towards zero waste, is it possible? 7 2039 - will your business be in �good shape’? 9 New Business in the Community Members Page 11 Fujitsu finds a home for biodiversity CORE – it’s coming soon! Building on Talent – bringing business skills to the community Social Saturday arrives in Northern Ireland Page 12 Genesis Crafty helps small food companies to grow local but think global Supporting work opportunities in the North West Page 13 Celebrating 25 years in Northern Ireland Page 14 2039 – will your business be in �good shape’? Page 15 Thought leadership articlesPage 16 Contact usPage 17 Giving young people in NI a chance 15 Page 2 Good Business Volunteerland – a billion-strong army whose contributions are shamefully ignored by Claire Gordon, Director, Community Programmes, Business in the Community That’s quite a title isn’t it? Actually, it’s a statement made by Andy Haldane, the Chief Economist of the Bank of England. Mr Haldane, who is highly revered globally for his knowledge and expertise on financial regulation, was surprisingly even more vocal on volunteering. He specifically highlighted the fact that volunteering has a much larger impact on society than most people think. Mr Haldane accuses statisticians of often ignoring the economic impact of volunteering because generally no monetary transaction takes place. He estimates three types of value that volunteering creates: economic, private and social. Economic value: Each year formal volunteers do the equivalent Place Place Planet People amount of work as 1.25 million �proper’ employees. The British volunteer labour force is therefore only slightly smaller than the NHS, which employs 1.4 million people. Private value: The private value of volunteering is more difficult to measure. Evidence suggests that volunteering is great for wellbeing. In fact, generally only health and employment prospects are more important. It is possible to translate these into monetary-equivalent values; the money someone would need to be given to increase their wellbeing by the same amount. On average, people would need to be compensated with about £2,400 per year to miss the opportunity to volunteer! And then there are the social benefits. Helping homeless people off the street for example can improve employment and income prospects, lower criminal activity, lower the risk of mentalhealth problems, and so on. Mr Haldane wants to get more people volunteering. So in that vein, he has something in common with Business in the Community. We work with companies across Northern Ireland to promote and build a strong culture of Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV). We are in the midst of mobilising 20,000 business volunteers Members News 2015 Volunteer in 2015 – you can make a difference Could you? • Support a young person • Use your digital skills • Provide practical and tailored support • Support the community between 2013 – 2016. It’s not just about the numbers - we clearly recognise the multiple benefits volunteering brings. ESV is growing across Northern Ireland and Europe. As more companies realise the positive impact it has on staff (motivation, loyalty), the organisation (company profile and repeat business) and communities (recruitment catchment areas/places they operate), it all ultimately impacts positively on the bottom line. Mr Haldane made an interesting comparison between the levels of volunteering activities across different countries. In Turkmenistan, the percentage of the population who volunteer is double that of the UK. Why? Well, because authorities mandate national days of �compulsory volunteering’. Now, I am not for one second suggesting that we enforce volunteering on certain days of the year. If we did, we might have to redefine exactly what we mean by �volunteering’. Rather, given the compelling evidence that exists to highlight its real benefits, we’re asking for �Just One More’ hour. There are lots of volunteering options for business people, so whether you’re Suited or Booted, could you give �Just One More’ hour or complete the �Just One More’ challenge? We can help you find the perfect volunteering fit! Watch the video above to find out how you can get involved. For more information, email clairel.gordon@ bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606. Why not get some volunteering dates in your diary for 2015? Click here to access our Volunteering Calendar Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 3 Good Business Partnering business and education by Emma Morrisson, Programme Manager, Business in the Community In 2013, KPMG undertook a piece of research on behalf of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to look at the current state of school employer partnerships among primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland with CBI’s Northern Ireland membership. Not surprisingly, the research suggested that the schools and employers surveyed could see real benefits of working in partnership and a recommendation was made for the CBI to obtain specific commitments from its members to support school employer engagement. The benefits of a shared learning partnership arrangement could clearly be seen by both business leaders and head teachers, however, the research identified that these relationships needed to be strategic rather than ad hoc to maximise outputs and impacts. Place Place Planet People If you are interested in finding out more email emma.morrison@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606. News Who Cares @ Christmas? In June this year, Business in the Community began working with the CBI to develop an initiative to meet this need and together developd a pilot programme – Partners in Leadership. The purpose of the programme is to establish a �buddy system’ for senior business leaders and head teachers to build stronger relationships and address any possible strategic or development needs or skills gaps that may exist with head teachers. Of course, the business leaders involved will also benefit from significant mutual learning and increased understanding of the challenges facing head teachers. The matched partners will meet and define their key objectives and meet on a bimonthly basis over the course of the school year. The matching process is now underway and we plan to host a launch event in November to formalise the programme. Members 14 businesses raise £94k for Action Cancer by Hilary Hanberry, Employee Volunteering Manager, Business in the Community NI Have you ever had the pleasure of being a part of something so challenging but had fun at the same time? I think I can speak on behalf of the fourteen teams of business volunteers who took part in the 2014 Business in the Community Shops’ Challenge, as this was certainly the case for them! A range of companies across Northern Ireland pitted their wits against one another to take on the Shops’ Challenge in aid of Action Cancer and raised a whopping £94,000 and Boots came up trumps as the winning company. The companies – Armstrong Medical, Boots, Caterpillar, Compass Group, firmus energy, firstsource, fonaCAB, Marks & Spencer plc, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, O’Hare & McGovern, South West College, SPAR, UTV and Veolia Water, fundraised for six months ahead of running Action Cancer’s charity shops for a day in September. From baking cakes to painting shops; haggling with other businesses for amazing raffle prizes; to hiring a boat to reflect the pirate theme; organising fashion shows; car-boot sales; professional window dressing; Julian Simmons urging shoppers to buy, buy, buy ... Read more ... Can you be part of our Cares @ Christmas appeal? Make a difference for families in need this Christmas by collecting gifts in your workplace and we’ll arrange to collect them from you. Click here to find out how you can get involved. Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 4 Good Business Everyone’s getting in on the game by Denise Cranston, Business Development Manager, Business in the Community Businesses today are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to engage and develop the leadership skills of their employees. And it seems that business isn’t alone. Sports stars also need an outlet for their talents off the pitch. The corporate and sporting worlds have a significant overlap in Northern Ireland, and we’ve seen many dedicated and talented sports people go on to play a major role in business life here. So at Business in the Community we’re delighted to launch a partnership with the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) placing Ulster Rugby players onto the Boards of local community and voluntary sector organisations through our Business on Board programme. Five Players have already gone through the initial Board training facilitated by Managing Partner of Arthur Cox Solicitors, Alan Taylor, and a number of them have Place Place Planet People “Rugby is my passion and it will always be an important part of my life. The day will come when I’ll not be playing to the same extent I do now but I want to keep on using my sports skills. Business on Board provides a great outlet for me and the guys. The board level training provided by Arthur Cox has helped us identify our skills and how we can use these as a board member. Working with The Welcome Organisation is a perfect opportunity for me to try and make a difference to a cause that’s close to my heart.” Many organisations provide training and development opportunities which can be costly News Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) supporting your local community already gone on to join Community sector Boards. With Ulster Rugby since 2006, Declan Fitzpatrick was seeking an opportunity to work with an organisation involved in addressing the issue of homelessness. Through Business on Board he has recently joined the Board of the Welcome Organisation which is a Belfast-based charity, helping homeless and vulnerable people to find decent homes, build supportive relationships and lead fulfilling lives. Declan believes that this hands on experience will be invaluable to him in terms of making a positive impact on his future career. As he says, Members Are you a senior business leader who is interested in: • • in terms of time and money. Business on Board presents an exciting and cost-effective approach to inspiring and growing emerging leaders within your business by supporting them to serve on boards in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors. It’s easy to get started as it is operated through a free web-based matching service, made possible by funding provided by the Department for Social Development. To date, over 70 business people have been matched. their careers on the pitch and use the skills they’ve learnt in a new way. I would encourage businesses to also use this unique opportunity to help their employees to use their skills in a new way, bringing benefits to themselves, their business and the community. For more information or to get involved, email denise.cranston@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606. It is really encouraging to see our sporting stars using Business on Board as a way to look beyond Why not visit www.businessonboardni.org and register as a candidate today? • • Supporting employability and job opportunities for people in your area? Supporting education in local schools? Helping tackle local environmental issues? Making a real difference to local community projects? If you work for a member company, e-mail steve.pollard@bitcni.org.uk or Tel: (028) 9046 0606 Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 5 Good Business Place Place Planet People Members News Help us achieve one of our three big goals by 2016 Build a strong culture of volunteering NOW named as NI Social Enterprise of the Year MediCare supports BUp4WORK Join in National Probono Week 3-7 November 2014 Social Enterprise Northern Ireland hosted the annual Social Enterprise business awards at the Hilton Hotel Belfast on Thursday 23 October, to recognise and reward the leading Social Enterprises in Northern Ireland. NOW, an organisation which provides training, employment and support services to people of all learning abilities, picked up the top accolade as the overall NI Social Enterprise of the Year. Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, BUp4Work is a unique and exciting partnership between Barnardo’s and Business in the Community aimed at mentoring and supporting disadvantaged young people aged 16-23 years, who are currently not in education employment or training. It seeks to improve the employability skills of young people and develop their readiness to enter the workplace. The 13th annual National Pro Bono Week (NPBW), will take place between 3-7 November 2014 and organisations across Northern Ireland are invited to take part. Each year Business in the Community uses this week to highlight the breadth and impact of pro bono work undertaken by professional firms and businesses throughout the year. Over 120 attended the event which brought together Social Enterprises from across Northern Ireland to celebrate the success of their business and the social impact that these organisations generate. As well as the overall winner award, Social Enterprise organisations battled it out across five other categories including One to Watch, Consumer-Facing Social Enterprise, Social Enterprise Woman of the Year, Health and Social Care Social Enterprise and Education and Training and Jobs Social Enterprise. As part of this programme, Gary Kinnear, Goods-in Team Leader, MediCare Pharmacy Group mentored Paul, an 18 year old from Glengormley during a six week placement. Getting involved with BUp4Work allowed Paul to gain new employability skills through meaningful work experience, something he hadn’t had the opportunity to do before being introduced to the programme. For more information, or to find out how to get involved with SENI, contact amanda.johnston@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606. For more information, or to find out how to get involved with BUp4Work, contact jenna.madden@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606. Pro bono is derived from pro bono publico, which is Latin, “for the public good” and refers to professional services that are delivered without any expectation of a fee to organisations that serve the social good. It started off in the legal profession but is now common in a wide range of professions including marketing, technology, Human resources and many more. Denise Cranston, ProHelp Programme Manager with Business in the Community explains: “We are proud to play a key role ... Read more ... 20,000 employee volunteers to help reduce levels of deprivation and disadvantage. Pledge your support now Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 6 Good Business Giving young people in Northern Ireland a chance by Lisa McIlvenna, Deputy Managing Director, Business in the Community Let’s start with the facts and figures. Youth unemployment here in Northern Ireland currently sits at 18.4%*. Pretty good considering this time last year we were looking at a 22.5% figure**. Compared to the rest of the UK, it’s not such a rosy picture as we are still tracking 2.4% higher than the national statistic. We are heading in the right direction though, which does give us confidence that many of the current employability interventions are having an impact. Interesting times lie ahead as the Department for Employment and Learning now has contracts in place to deliver the new Steps 2 Success provision (the replacement for Steps 2 Work which ended a few months ago). Three new lead contract providers are in place to deliver this scheme across Northern Ireland – EOS NI (Northern region), Ingeus UK People Place Planet People • We have placed 900 graduates into placement in Northern Ireland’s leading organisations • Since its inception, our Employers’ Forum has brought 1,619 people into employment • Business leaders in Fermanagh and Omagh worked together to secure 950 attendees at two local Jobs Fairs • Since June, 55 people have moved into employment in the North West • Our Responsible Business Internship programme has been launched, with companies volunteering to sign up – recent signatories News Help us achieve one of our three big goals by 2016 Ltd (Belfast area) and Reed in Partnership (Southern region), so whilst some uncertainty might remain about how everything is going to pan out in terms of employability interventions, logistically, plans are in place and things are underway. At Business in the Community we are constantly working with our member organisations to reduce the number of people who are unemployed. Together we’ve made huge progress. In fact, we’ve had a number of employability highlights: Members Address youth unemployment Supporting 3,000 include Aurion Learning and Care Circle Group Despite such brilliant progress, we all face a huge challenge with Welfare Reform. The lack of a decision in the area is resulting in the Northern Ireland economy haemorrhaging money left, right and centre. Whilst there’s no doubt it’s a complex issue encompassing extremes of political opinion, one group of people most affected by this stalemate are the unemployed. Unfortunately the impacts won’t stop there. With each month that passes by, the effects of such indecision will ripple and be felt not just by those seeking work, but by those already in work, by our businesses and by society as a whole. Business in the Community, its Board and members urge government to make proactive decisions in relation Welfare Reform and invite business to be part of the solution. So, what can your business do? The answer is a lot . . . and we’ll help you find out what will work best for you. If you have job opportunities coming up, we can help you spread the word and find the right people. If you’re not in a position to offer jobs right now but could offer placements, we can help you fill these and support you the whole way through. Together, we really can make a difference to individuals, your business and the wider society. If your business needs support with employability issues, please e-mail lisa. mcilvenna@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606. * Labour Market Statistics for Northern Ireland – October 2014 ** Labour Market Statistics for Northern Ireland – October 2014 young people into employment through a range of businessled interventions Pledge your support now Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 7 Good Business People Link & Learn: bite-sized topical learning sessions Our new Link & Learn series provides one hour, bite-sized topical learning sessions delivered in your own workplace by a range of experts. This four-part series gives employees the opportunity to come together to discuss issues that affect them. During these specific weeks, times and locations are flexible to meet your business needs. The four sessions planned for the coming year are as follows: Making a will – at any age Probono Week: 3 – 7 November 2014 Click here for more information on this session Here is just one example of the positive impact our employability programmes can have on an individual. Drink, Work and your responsibility It is of no shock to hear that Northern Ireland has an issue with alcohol misuse. Alcoholrelated harm is estimated to cost Northern Ireland society up to £900 million every year. Social media or social occasion? The hidden risks 8 - 12 December 2014 Click here for more information on this session You and alcohol – Helpful or harmful? 23 – 27 March 2015 Click here for more information on this session We are holding an employer information session in November on how you can get involved in Drink, Work and Me. If you have any questions or queries, or would like further information, email deborah.mcconnell@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606 Planet GAP tackles unemployment Staggeringly �only 9% of those in-need are treated for alcohol problems’*. With this in mind the Drink, Work and Me programme was developed to challenge and support employers to use the workplace as a setting to tackle alcohol-related harm and create a healthier happier workforce. Work-life balance, who cares? – The challenges of being a carer Carers Week: 8-14 June 2015 Click here for more information on this session Place For more information, email gerard.mccluskey@bitcni.org.uk Tel (028) 9046 0606, or visit www.drinkworkandme.com * Public Health Agency/Health and Social Care Board: Alcohol and Drug Commissioning Framework for Northern Ireland 2013-16 With a degree in Creative Technologies, Niall O’Doherty found it difficult to find work. He had spent five years in retail at management level but had no experience in the creative sector. After hearing about Business in the Community’s GAP (Graduate Acceleration Programme) through a friend, Niall got in touch. Following a meeting to explain everything, Niall signed up and discussed potential placement options. Niall’s fist placement was with an event management company but he wanted to get more creative, digital experience, so he was moved to a digital innovation social enterprise to help with business development and manage social media sites. Niall commented: “I knew I needed to get work experience relevant to my degree, and GAP was . . . Read more ... People Members News Whatever your character, whatever your skills . . . . . . we’ll find the right job for you Click here to find out how Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 8 Good Business One hundred companies towards zero waste, is it possible? The Towards Zero Waste campaign aligns with ARENA Network’s wider aims for a circular economy, encouraging new approaches to operating in a way which minimises resource depletion and extracts maximum value from resources by Ian Nuttall, by recovering and regenerating Programme products and materials at the end-ofManager, Business in the use. However, it is not aimed only at companies already adopting circular Community models of operating – it is equally ARENA Network’s relevant to those just beginning to Towards Zero tackle waste and applies to all sizes Waste campaign of organisation, from any sector. supports businesses in Northern The campaign encourages Ireland who are working to companies to publicly demonstrate eliminate waste and improve their commitment via an online resource efficiency. The campaign �pledge’ linked to a new web-based is underpinned by Business in the Community’s Big Goal for 2016 -100 Towards Zero Waste resource. Those pledging are asked to outline companies committed to working what zero waste action they have towards zero waste. planned for the coming year. This could be a new project, ongoing activity or both – at a level that is appropriate to the organisation. After 12 months, ARENA will review progress and promote participants’ achievements, for example through case studies published on the Towards Zero Waste web pages. For some companies the Towards Zero Waste pledge will be a means to promote their commitment and share ideas and achievements – for those that wish, it can provide a route to advice and assistance. Through the pledge process, Planet Place Planet People Members News How will Business in the Community support you? Are you looking for innovative ways of reducing your waste bill? Have you got a great idea to turn your waste into a useful product? Join us for a hands-on interactive event to trial this new web-tool, designed to help make choices about effective re-use of waste materials and by-products. Wednesday 12 November 2:00 – 4:30 pm Belfast Harbour Offices To book your place, click here *This event will take place following the ARENA Benchmarking Survey Results Launch Events ... To pledge your support, click here ARENA will discuss participants’ individual needs with the aim of providing appropriate support – whether in the form of practical help or through links with other companies or third party resources. For more information, e-mail ian.nuttall@ bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606. Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 9 Good Business Planet Place Planet People Members News Book now The results of the 16th Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey will be announced on: Wednesday 12 November 12:00 – 2:00 pm Belfast Harbour Office Giving food waste the chop Last week marked the launch of FoodCloud, an initiative that aims to tackle food waste and reduce food poverty by linking businesses who have surplus food, with charities in need of food. The event was a huge success with over 20 attendees who gained a new perspective on tackling food waste and an insight to what FoodCloud entails. On the day, volunteers helped to scrub, chop, peel and cook an array of vegetables, which would otherwise go to waste, and create a delicious dish from them. Via the FoodCloud app or webpage, businesses can post details of surplus food available, which sends a text message to charities in that area alerting them to the donation. Charities can accept the food by replying to the text message and arrange a collection within a specified time period. For more information or to get involved, email carla. mcsorely@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606 NI Tourist Board Environmental Building a prosperous Review Programme Northern Ireland: What is the role of business? ARENA Network in partnership with Northern Ireland Tourist Board recently conducted a series of environmental reviews for the tourism industry. The reviews took place at bed and breakfast accommodation, self-catering accommodation and visitor attractions. Following a free confidential visit, organisations received a tailored report with recommendations highlighting environmental opportunities that can help their business save money and comply with the law. The reviews also helped these organisations to develop an industry specific Environmental Management System based on the Green Tourism Business Scheme. There is a whole host of benefits that can be gained from an environmental review including: minimising waste; energy and water efficiencies; local purchasing; use of public and sustainable transport; working with the community and respecting the environment. For more information, email keelin.mccone@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606 Prosperous societies in the 21st Century will be the ones that can turn issues such as climate change and natural resource constraints from barriers to growth and into economic and social opportunities. ARENA Network has been working with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) on a new initiative known as Prosperity Agreements. These are voluntary partnerships between business and the NIEA aimed at identifying the economical and environmental �win-win’ opportunities. The first Prosperity Agreement has been signed with Linden Foods and Linergy with more to follow in the coming months. Working on the development of Prosperity Agreements will continue to be one of the main priorities for ARENA Network. For more information, e-mail heidi.hauf@bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606 To book your place, click here Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 10 Good Business New members Thinking of becoming a member? Here is a list of our new members since the last edition of Good Business. Calor Gas EOS GE Energy Health & Safety Executive NI JH Turkington & Sons Viridian Group plc Members Place Planet People Members News Fujitsu finds a home for biodiversity Organisations are being encouraged more and more to think about managing the effects they have on the environment. Business in the Community is encouraging its’ members to engage in biodiversity to combat the threat of disease, climate change and much more. Biodiversity, a term which is not largely understood but in simple terms - it’s the number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse earth. Finding a way to promote biodiversity onsite may be difficult for some organisations for example, they may not have the capacity to create a green corner, or a meadowed grassland, or plant some indigenous trees or perhaps lack the control to make amendments to sites which they are leasing. However, there has been lots of interesting examples of simple projects which can make a world of difference to the survival of a particular species of plant or animal or the promotion and growth in population of the same. For example, Fujitsu’s �Bug Hotel’. Join our powerful network of businesses committed to building a sustainable future. Fujitsu’s Bug Hotel By upcycling old timber pallets, using old terracotta pots, deadwood, sourcing some moss, earth and colourful plants, Fujitsu has embarked on a project to create a �Bug Hotel’. CORE 2014/2015 – It’s coming soon! This novel idea allows them to promote the biodiversity of bugs (and other animals) in a corner of a car park where no species would normally have thrived. It is also a great way to involve local school children teaching them about biodiversity and inspiring them to maybe build little abodes in their own gardens for bugs to flourish. In this one structure, your organisation could encourage badgers, bees, beetles, worms, hedgehogs and many more. It takes very few resources and if planted correctly, could be an attractive addition to your site! Find out how to build your own bug hotel by clicking here Become a member > Business in the Community is delighted to announce the launch of the second cohort of CORE; The Standard for Responsible Business. Last year, 15 companies achieved CORE proving to be Corporate Responsibility leaders in Northern Ireland. A new group of participants are now ready to take the plunge and enter the five month process. At the end of which, each of the organisations will receive a comprehensive mapping of their Corporate Responsibility activities and staff engagement level. The best of them will also compete for the title of Northern Ireland Responsible Company of the Year. We wish all of them the best of luck and will celebrate their achievements in June 2015. For more information, email catherine.vanloo@bitcni.org. uk or Tel (028) 9046 0606 Page 11 Good Business Building on talent – bringing business skills to the community News Place Planet People Members News Social Saturday arrives in Northern Ireland for the first time People across Northern Ireland had the opportunity to be part of something special on Saturday 13 September – the first Social Saturday. Building on Talent, supported by BT, seeks to help businesses identify talented individuals within an organisation and channel their drive and enthusiasm through tailored short-term projects within the community and voluntary sector. Endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), it provides a route for employees to develop their strengths and identify areas for improvement. Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: “The benefits to the business and community sector are clear and through the accreditation offered by the Institute of Leadership and Management, the positive contribution to participating individuals’ careers and by extension, their parent companies which in turn benefits our local economy.” To date, over 100 people from eight companies have successfully participated, helping over 40 community groups. Projects range from helping a group develop a marketing and fundraising strategy to helping a community group achieve a European Quality Award. “It’s hugely important to the success of BT that we recognise and develop the talent and skills that already exist among our employees,” explains Colm O’Neill, Chief Executive, BT Ireland. “We’ve found that by encouraging our people to take their skills out into the wider community, it not only benefits the charities and community groups they’re working with, but helps them as individuals develop new skills and experiences which they ultimately bring back into BT. I’m very proud that a number of our people are involved with the �Building on Talent’ initiative and would encourage other businesses to consider the benefits of such a rewarding programme.” For more information, e-mail martind.howell@bitcni. org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606. It was designed to boost the number of consumers buying from Britain’s 70,000 plus social enterprises - businesses with a social mission that reinvest their profits for good with a range of social enterprises getting together to promote their sector. Social enterprises are starting up all over Britain – 1 in 7 of all business start-ups are now social enterprises. In villages, towns and cities up and down the country there A Pop Up Social Marketplace was are increasing numbers of shops, cafes, set up to encourage local people to cinemas and nurseries that are run for the buy �social’. benefit of local communities. Social enterprises tackle social and environmental problems, and use the profits they generate to grow their businesses to do more good. When you buy a product or a service from a social enterprise, you directly make a positive difference to the world you live in. For Social Saturday in the North West, for example, Business in the Community worked in partnership with Social Enterprise NI and the North Western Social Enterprise Hub which is funded by the Northern Ireland Executive’s Delivering Social Change fund, to run a range of Activity Workshops for young people held in the Social Enterprise Hub and at the Nerve Centre’s FabLab. To find out more about social enterprise in Northern Ireland, visit www.socialenterpriseni.org Events ... Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 12 Good Business Genesis Crafty helps small food companies to grow local but think global News Place Planet People Organised as part of Business in the Community’s Grow Local, GO GLOBAL initiative, these organisations from Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle attended this Best Practice Seminar to receive specialised support with the aim of helping them sell their products to the large multinationals. Having information provided by Genesis Crafty, a company indigenous to Northern Ireland, gave the visiting businesses realistic support and advice. Mel Bacon, Genesis Crafty said: “We are pleased to support other suppliers in the food industry. Our own business growth journey has been strategic and planned, as we’ve grown from employing 115 in August 2010 to 239 in August 2014. The best advice for the group, upon which we have built our business, is ensuring the continued development of quality products, understanding your brand and investing in market research but importantly working hard at developing good relationships – with your customers and your supply base. Perseverance pays off. We enjoyed meeting with the Grow Local, GO GLOBAL group of businesses and wish them every success as they seek to growth their own businesses.” Grow Local, GO GLOBAL is a business support programme provided by the Councils of Ballymoney, Coleraine, Limavady and Moyle. It is part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. To find out more, please, e-mail sarah.quinn@bitcni.org. uk or call (028) 7186 1550. News Supporting work opportunities in the North West Meet the Producers The annual North West jobs fair held in the Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry, was bigger and better than ever this year, with over 80 enquiries from aspiring attendees. People from all walks of life were present on the day, 17 of which were granted interviews as a direct result of the jobs fair. A unique opportunity to sample the flavours of the North Coast! Local food producers and participants of the Grow Local GO GLOBAL programme will showcase their delicious products to a select group of buyers. The event provided a great opportunity for local people in the North West to ask any questions they may have on the employment programmes on offer, as well as the various training and development opportunities available to them. A group of small to medium-sized artisan food producers were recently given a business boost during an inspirational visit to Northern Ireland’s leading artisan bakery, Genesis Crafty in Magherafelt. Members Further interviews are currently being scheduled with Kofax, Precision Industrial Services and Care Circle. Friday 7 November 2014 12:30 – 2:30 pm Ballycastle Marina To book your place, click here Events ... For more information, e-mail liam.mcdaid@ bitcni.org.uk or Tel (028) 7186 1550 Case Studies ... Videos ... Page 13 Good Business News 25 Place Celebrating 25 years in Northern Ireland 2014 sees Business in the Community celebrating 25 years of championing responsible business in Northern Ireland. Our work here began in 1989 at a time when political tensions were high and we bravely challenged business leaders to work together to address societal issues. Our remit has been refined over the years in line with economic, political and environmental developments, but at heart, it remains the same – brokering business skills to benefit wider society. With a current membership of over 260 members in Northern Ireland, forming part of a larger business movement across the UK with over 850 members, we encourage businesses to operate in a responsible, sustainable way that adds value to wider society. This includes activities such as the development of ARENA Network, the environmental arm of the organisation which pushes businesses, not only to make changes which benefit the environment but to publicly report on what they are doing. Our award-winning Time to Read initiative puts business right at the heart of early education with over 400 business people reading one-to-one with primary school children each week and our work in tackling unemployment (particularly youth unemployment) across the province has seen us help over 3,000 people into employment within the last few years. Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster, added; “Business in the Community’s role in supporting and encouraging companies to see the benefits of responsible business practices and investing in local communities is an important one. Both my Department and Invest Northern Ireland have worked closely with BITC, over the years, including a number of staff from the Department participating in the Employee Supported Volunteering Scheme. It is clear that the collective impact of Business in the Community members’ activities has been highly significant and has made a valuable contribution to the development of communities and the prosperity of wider society, not to mention the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.” “Our agenda is simple – to challenge and support business to be a force for good in our society. Through my 35 year business history, I am clear that business IS a force for good. I instil it in my own business and it is a privilege to see evidence of it in other businesses here through my work with Business in the Community. Reaching this huge milestone in terms of years is impressive but seeing the value business has brought to society is even more satisfying. Roy Adair, Chair of Business in the Community, Belfast Harbour’s Chief Executive Planet People Members News Good Business News Place Planet People Members News 2039 – will your business be in �good shape’? Twenty five years from now in 2039, annual reports may still be prepared, but probably in a very different way from they are today. Which businesses in Northern Ireland will still be around and sharing the news of their successes? Only those who are taking their sustainability seriously now and doing �good business’. In October, Business in the Community held its second Responsible Business Conference at the Ramada Hotel in Shaw’s Bridge – Looking to the Future, Not the Next Annual Report in partnership with the CBI and sponsored by Ulster Bank. Over 80 CEOS attended a CEO Breakfast Forum before almost 300 business people attended the main conference session for the rest of the day. Play With leading speakers including Asda CEO Andy Clarke; Richard Gillies, Group Sustainability Director, Kingfisher Group plc; Dr Sally Uren, Chief Executive of, Forum for the Future; Andrew Cave, Chief Sustainability Officer at RBS; Alison Ward of CottonConnect and Chris Hyman, CBE, ex-CEO of Serco, delegates were encouraged to think about the importance of leadership in challenging times and how they can plan now to address future challenges sustainably and responsibly. Gillian McKee, Deputy Managing Director at Business in the Community explains: KEY SPONSOR MEDIA PARTNER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CHAMPIONS “Ensuring business is fit for the future should be at the top of the agenda for all companies. In a world full of uncertainties, this conference helped companies in Northern Ireland take a long-term view of their business and to demonstrate how they can make good, responsible decisions which will help them ensure they’re still around and still successful by 2039.” Stephen Cruise, Head of Branch Banking, Private & Specialist Financial Advice at Ulster Bank said: “Annual Reports will always be one of the vital reporting tools for businesses. Yet increasingly companies need to reflect on a much broader range of factors as part of their success and long-term sustainability and these will also form an integral part of their annual reporting. The conference was designed to encourage a change in mindset among Northern Ireland companies.” Home Responsible business conference Why Asda must be active in the community by Andy Clarke, CEO, Asda Thought leadership articles “Since the start of the financial crisis our local communities have come under enormous financial pressure. Northern Ireland has been particularly affected and Asda’s Income Tracker highlights an average discretionary income (money left after all the bills have been paid) for NI families of only £82 per week compared to a UK average of £173 per week. At the same time the cost of living has continued to rise, further challenging our local communities, charities and groups.” Read more ... Place Getting back to the basics of banking by Andrew Cave, Chief Sustainability Officer, RBS “Apart from stricter regulatory rules in the wake of the financial crisis, the UK Government investment has meant that banks like RBS and Ulster Bank have come under more intense scrutiny than at any time in the past. All stakeholder groups are taking a greater interest in our activities. It is essential that we engage with them and understand their concerns, that we take their views into account and respond appropriately. It doesn’t always mean we change our decisions, but it does make for a more measured and considered approach to our decisions.” Planet People Members News Hear what the experts said on the day Play Andy Clarke, CEO, Asda Play Read more ... Andrew Cave, Chief Sustainability Officer, RBS To trust, or to control? by Dr Graham Dietz, Durham University Business School How do you build more trust in business? The CBI recently launched a campaign to improve public confidence in commerce. Its survey of 2,080 respondents found that only 53% thought business makes a positive contribution to society. What trust there might be is fragile. Read more ... Generation Z - is your business ready? by Cameron Stewart, Associate Director, Pluralthinking This January, the first wave of Generation Z will be turning 18 and joining the consumer market. Born between 1995 and 2010, Gen Z makes up 28% of the world’s population. That’s 120 million, the equivalent of the population of Mexico, every year for the next 15 years. No generation has ever been more important for businesses to win. Read more ... KEY SPONSOR MEDIA PARTNER Play Dr Graham Dietz, Durham University Business School Play Richard Gillies, Group Sustainability Director, Kingfisher plc IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Page 16 To contribute to the next edition of this magazine or provide feedback, please e-mail marie.atcheson@bitcni.org.uk or call (028) 9046 0606. For more business news, click here: Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK and Ireland of over 800 member companies (over 260 of which are in Northern Ireland), with a further 2,000+ engaged through our programmes and campaigns. We operate through a local network of more than 100 business led partnerships and 60 global partners. Our sister organisation, Business in the Community Ireland is situated in Dublin. To find out more about their work, visit www.bitc.ie or call 00353 1 874 7232. Registered Details 137 Shepherdess Walk, London N1 7RQ. Registered Charity No: 297716. Company Limited by Guarantee No: 1619253 Business in the Community Bridge House Paulett Avenue Belfast, BT5 4HD T (028) 9046 0606 F 0870 460 1731 E info@bitcni.org.uk
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz
