Your address will show here +01 (414) 230 - 5550


The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned the new Government not to overlook the domestic agenda as it starts the negotiations over withdrawing from the EU. 

FSB National Chairman Mike Cherry said: “Brexit is clearly the most urgent focus for the new Government but it will only be successful if the Government fully backs small businesses, the backbone of the economy, whose ambitions will need to be harnessed to make use of any new trade deals.

 
“UK negotiators must have their interests in mind, including easy access to the single market and the ability to hire workers with the skills they need.”

The organisation also warned the Government not to revisit plans to raise National Insurance on the self-employed. 

 
“Many self-employed strivers were frightened during the recent election by the threat of a tax grab on them in the form of higher National Insurance Contributions,” said Mr Cherry. “I call on the new minority Government to rule that out once and for, to reassure entrepreneurs seeking to help our economy grow that they will not have extra obstacles thrown in their way.”


He also called for reform of the outdated business rates system and the need to tackle the poor treatment of many small firms by big business customers: “We look forward to working constructively with the new Government on all of these issues.”

More

0



New Standards for Fogging Systems

The Association of Insurance Assessors (AiS) is a group of individual risk control and reduction experts working in the insurance market throughout the UK.

Through its collective expertise and influence, it aims to pursue continuous improvement in all aspects of protection of persons and property against insurable risks. The main way this is achieved is through the collection, collation and dissemination of information on products and services, and the developments affecting best practice in the field of risk surveying and consultancy.

Supported entirely by members’ subscriptions, AiS is independent of the Insurance and Security industries. This allows it to focus completely – without fear of outside influence – on the improvement of its members’ skills and their job satisfaction.

Fogging systems are now in wide-spread use as a security precaution. Their purpose is to obscure, and therefore prevent access, to valuable items. As such they are frequently used in the retail sector, among others, to prevent access to high value items such as alcohol, tobacco, jewellery etc. They are also used by the banking sector to protect safes and strong rooms, and have a high deterrent value when used correctly.

However, following a number of system failures it was decided that a code of practice was required to improve performance.  These failures included insufficient performance, i.e. the fog was too slow, did not fill the room, or wasn’t dense enough, Failure to activate at all – sometimes due to not being serviced correctly – and sometimes not configured correctly with the alarm system.

A working party, including the principal suppliers, was convened by AiS Chairman, Lee Wallace, and a Code of Practice agreed, with the expectation that both British and European standards will be amended in the fullness of time.

More information about the Association of Insurance Assessors can be found here

The AiS Guidelines on Security Fogging can be downloaded here

0



The product standards for portable ladders are changing

BS EN 131 – the single British and European product standard covering all types of portable ladders has been substantially revised. The changes that come with this revision will help improve the safety of ladders and make buying the right ladder simpler.

These changes will affect everyone involved with ladders, from users and specifiers to suppliers and health & safety professionals. The Ladder Association has produced a comprehensive guide explaining what the changes to ladder standards mean and how they will affect you.

It includes: a look at the features of ladders manufactured to the new standard; guidance on the use of ladders to withdrawn standards; and advice for businesses and users on buying ladders.

The guide is available to download.

0



On 11 August the Mayor of London published the draft London Environment Strategy which aims to make London a zero carbon city by 2050. The Mayor is taking a range of actions to improve the environment now, setting London on the path to create a better future.

The strategy brings together in one document every aspect of London’s environment: Air quality, green infrastructure, climate change mitigation and energy, waste, adapting to climate change, ambient noise, and transition to a low carbon circular economy.

The ADE produced a briefing for Association members, which provides an overview of the key points of interest of the consultation, which closes on 17th November 2017. The ADE will be submitting a response and will circulate a draft for members to provide comment in due course.

For more information about the Mayor’s draft plan, please see the following Policy & Regulation News post

0

Association News

TechSmart NFP 2017 – Definitely Not Your Ordinary Conference

28th November, County Hall

This is not another sector event where you’re packed into a hotel conference centre, and doing your best to avoid the exhibition area. It’s the opposite. At TechSmart NFP, the leading tech providers take centre stage and shape our entire programme.

This is only a one-day event, and it’s jam-packed. We understand that it’s tough enough finding time away from the office. Therefore, our Programme is punchy and to the point. We will give you meaningful, practical advice and insights from the industry experts – and your peers – with simple take-aways that you can put into practice straight away.  


Book now and save over 22% 

Headline Speakers

Simon Devonshire, OBE – serial entrepreneur! Simon is fascinated by the whole new era of technology we’re entering, which has the potential to “transform everything around us from being passively dumb to being predictively intelligent”.

Rachel Neaman, CEO of Corsham Institute, is a specialist in digital transformation and was voted 20th in Computer Weekly’s list of 50 Most Influential Women in IT 2016. Rachel won the Founder’s Award 2017 at the Digital Leaders event in June 2017.

Dominic Campbell – due to popular demand, he is back! Dominic is a digital government and social innovation entrepreneur. He founded FutureGov to prove the power of digital and design for government transformation, focusing on creating better cheaper public services.

Take a closer look at our Keynote Speakers 

Everything you need to get your digital transformation on track

Strand 1 – Catching up, then keeping up

If you want to know what a strategy for CRM and associated technologies looks like, and how to ensure that it delivers what you need today – but is also future-proofed – this is the strand for you.

Strand 2 – Emerging tech

If you’re looking ahead to what is coming down the track technology-wise, and how to prepare your organisations for the future, this is the strand to attend.

Strand 3 – Drowning in data

If you want to learn how to harness data to help drive engagement with members, supporters and stakeholders, this is your best bet.

Different ways for you to learn – it’s punchy and to the point

TED-style Talks: our Sponsors are passionate about what they do and are leading tech experts. They will educate and entertain you with all the insights about their topics – in just 20 minutes!

Lightning Talks: Want to hear from some of the best technology providers without having to do all the small talk and sit through a full presentation? These tech experts will be on the clock, they will get exactly 5 minutes to tell you why they are different.

Client case studies and roundtable discussions: due to popular demand, there are even more opportunities to get involved, contribute and share with your peers. They are people just like you who have been through a similar experience.


Take a peek at our Programme

Work doesn’t need to feel like work

No need to wear a suit – it’s a relaxed informal set up, with a venue to match. And great content!

Plus: Coffee, cakes and snacks throughout the day; Soft sofa seating – chat with your colleagues or experts away from the crowds; Photographer to take professional headshots; and, Cocktails from 5:00pm!

0

Association News

TechSmart NFP2017 is a fast-paced day filled with opportunities to meet a wide range of industry experts, digital leaders, solution providers and thought leaders. A lot of thought has gone into the programme, which has been designed specifically for non-profit organisations.

 

You’ll hear directly from the experts about data and technologies for today and the future, including, but not restricted to:

How to assess the “health” of your organisation; how best to leverage your data; getting your organisation fit for today; and innovative and emerging tech specific to the sector. Also, ‘Measuring Member Engagement’ – what works and what doesn’t; what’s trending in the digital world; and email marketing and social media – how to harness both for success…

 

Three Main Streams 

In Catching up Then Keeping Up’ sector strategists explain how to plan your technology strategy and ensure it covers all the key areas of your organisation – for now and the future. If you want to know what a strategy for CRM and associated technologies looks like, and how to ensure that it delivers what you need today – but is also future-proofed – this is the strand to attend.

 

In the ‘Emerging Tech’ stream, industry tech leaders highlight the key future technologies and innovations that non-profit organisations need to be aware of. If you want to know what is coming down the track technology-wise, and how to prepare your organisations for the future, this is the strand to attend.

 

Finally, ‘Drowning in Data’, lets sector leaders address a common dilemma that many non-profit organisations face – how to harness data to help drive engagement with members, supporters and stakeholders. So, if you want help to understand the value of the data you hold and maximising it for business benefit, this is the strand to attend.

Informed Decision-Making

 

In addition to the three strands, our programme includes a number of other session formats and exciting activities that you can participate in, including: Supplier ‘Lightning Talks’, in-depth roundtable discussions, and ‘Ask the Experts’ sessions.

 

Keynotes sessions will include thought leadership, innovation, and the Digital Age. Fundamental to the programme will be the keynote sessions. These sessions will transform complex information into accessible and entertaining insights and provide a ‘crystal ball’ vision that will prepare our NFP audience for what is coming next technology-wise. We have invited real-world sector experts to talk about tech trends and to leverage their knowledge and expertise to provide in-depth insights into the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

 

We are delighted to announce that Simon Devonshire OBE, entrepreneur, investor, and Non-Executive Director, will be our opening keynote of the day. Rachel Neaman, CEO, Corsham Institute, will be bringing us together again at her keynote after lunch. Dominic Campbell, Founder and MD FutureGov, is back by popular demand.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:

https://techsmartnfp.com/

0

NO OLD POSTSPage 2 of 2NEXT POSTS