Due diligence essentially means taking the time to carefully scan through the financials, strategies, and any other information that is floating around on social networks about your competitors because any stone left unturned could be the stone that allows your competitor to get ahead.

There is a reason why there are consultants trained just to handle competitive intelligence for a company, because there are millions of leads out there and until they are all uncovered it is hard to tell which one will prove the most helpful.

Of course, most small business owners cannot afford to hire a top consultant in order to compile information for them, but now there is no need because in the age of the internet most of the knowledge that is needed is out there floating around the web. From public records to social networks and reviews from the business world from partners and clients it is now easier than ever to gather the information you need, without sacrificing any level of due diligence in the process.

There are even some websites set up that are created to help business owners with their due diligence, compiling information into one easy location so that you can review it as needed on a regular basis. By taking advantage of these unique sources of information you can strengthen the competitive intelligence of your organisation so that you stay sharp and a main contender in the business world.

Plus, as a perk, you can read what others are saying about your business so that you gain perspective on your own business and where you could make changes to better your public image.

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The law requires public buildings be constructed and maintained so if the worst comes to the worst and a fire breaks out, the exit routes are kept open, flames and smoke can’t travel unchecked and so that firemen can tackle the fire and get out again without serious injury or losing their life. We also all assume that this law is being strictly complied with.

The plain fact is that these assumptions are wholly unjustified. Even though we seem to live in a world that is obsessed with health and safety,  when it comes to putting it into practice we care very little about compliance and policing and basically uninterested in    making sure that fire safety is of paramount importance in public buildings.

This may seem blunt but the recent evidence clearly shows that we, as a nation, ignore much of the legislation. It’s open to debate whether this is due to laziness, ignorance, economy, incompetence or purely due to a misguided belief that it is somebody else’s responsibility.

As increasing numbers of prosecutions are brought for breaches of the 2005 regulations it’s becoming obvious it’s not safe to assume anything when it comes to built-in fire protection. It seems that there has to be a disaster – either death or large-scale destruction – before we wake up to reality. The cases detailed below are just the tip of the iceberg – if large scale and prestigious companies, or local authorities and even Government departments are getting it wrong, it’s likely numerous smaller ones are making the same mistakes.
Sometimes it’s just buildings which are lost – traumatic and devastating as that is – and sometimes it’s lives. The Government is convinced that current legislation is sufficient and appropriate, (and the fire safety industry agrees) but compliance and policing of the law are inadequate. The issues must be faced before more lives are lost and businesses destroyed.

These cases are not exceptions

It would be naïve to think that these cases are unusual – they are simply the ones who have been caught. It’s frightening to think how many other Lakanal Houses or Pacific Wharfs there might be around the country. It seems that it takes death or destruction to make people pay attention to built-in fire safety – faced with the effects of fire, it suddenly becomes important to check that fire safety measures do in fact exist. In the past, miners took canaries down the mines as early warning of dangerous gas. If the canary died the miner didn’t continue. The cases mentioned are like those canaries, indications that all is not well. No-one imagines that these are isolated cases – more likely the tip of the iceberg. It’s time for everyone concerned in the construction and maintenance of buildings to take responsibility and not assume anything. Better to be over-particular than to be the next dead canary.

The answer?

Problems have arisen from the extended chain of design, specification, purchase, assembly and installation – i.e. the steps leading to construction, each allowing a dilution of the original safety specification– and with the rather lax process of scrutiny and approval by the authorities because of clouded responsibilities and overworked resources The authorities responsible for approval are exposed to commercial pressures and market forces – perhaps not a good idea when public safety and public assets are at stake.
No one is claiming to have all the answers, but the core fire safety protection industry (genuinely qualified experts rather than self-appointed gurus), has already raised concerns and has come forward with a number of solutions that should be applied, including the use of third party certified manufacturers and installers
David Sugden, Chairman of the PFPF, is available for interview (contact details below).

The PFPF website (www.pfpf.org) can provide further information and guidance.

Recent cases which illustrate some concerns Trebor Bassett Holdings Ltd & Anor v ADT Fire and Security PLC

• Judgement in a court case brought after a fire which destroyed the Trebor Bassett/Cadbury factory in Pontefract was that Trebor Bassett should be compensated by the fire suppression system company, but reduced the damages payable from £110m to £25m because the confectionery company had negligently contributed to the loss by failing to provide adequate fire separation and a sprinkler system.

• Trebor Bassett (part of the Cadbury Group at the time), a prestigious company often held up as an example of excellent management, in fact had a completely chaotic approach to fire safety; incorrect assumptions were made at every level about compartmentation, what to do in case of fire, who was responsible for fire safety and the fire safety risk assessment, what fire suppression was in place, how to operate it and what it was expected to do.

• Departments within the company had no clear knowledge of their responsibilities.

• The operatives in the area where the fire started had no formal training or procedures to follow when faced with a fire.

• No-one compared the as-built plans with the requirements of the fire suppression system at the centre of the case.

• Nominated fire safety ‘experts’ attracted severe criticism from the judge by their failure to agree amongst themselves and to be as definitive and authoritative as they should be.

Lakanal House

• 6 people died when fire spread through the apartment block in June 2009.

• Fire broke out several floors above the source of the blaze, trapping and killing people who should have been safe if the compartmentation had been intact.

• Local authorities were forced to examine similar buildings and remedy the breaches in fire safety, at cost of millions of pounds.

• The criminal investigation into the fire is now (October 2011) at an ‘advanced stage’, according to the Metropolitan Police. They are still considering whether anyone should face criminal charges.

Pacific Wharf

• The luxury apartment block was found to have little or no built-in fire protection, despite the construction being passed by the building control inspector from the NHBC.

• The inadequate fire safety was discovered only by chance when investigations into a leaking roof led to a close inspection of the construction –.

• The whole building was a potential fire deathtrap. Individual flats were not separated by correctly constructed connecting party walls, while shafts ran from one apartment to another, acting as chimneys which would allow smoke to spread, affecting people nowhere near the source of the fire.

Eland House, Westminster HQ of the Department for Communities and Local Government

• Following a risk assessment in 2010 the building was found to be in breach of the latest fire safety legislation.

• Problems included: a faulty alarm system, emergency exits which would not open easily, poorly maintained smoke vents and no fire marshal being appointed.

• A risk assessment in May 2011 by a different external specialist identified further items for action and additional recommendations, which the department has addressed. 5 of the recommended 22 actions remain outstanding

• This is the department responsible for fire safety legislation in England and Wales. If they can’t get it right, who can?

London Borough Housing

A London Borough ordered new front doors for its social housing estates. Because substitutions had been made in the door hardware – specifically in the letterboxes – the fire resistance capability of the doors was seriously compromised. An official said at the time “Since the tragedy at Lakanal House London councillors have become very aware of the issues involved in fire safety. From my own experience I have seen how difficult it can be to match the fire tested, certified product with what is actually fitted. There are so many points at which the specification can be changed – the supplier substitutes what he believes to be a similar component, or the contractor uses an unqualified installer or, I’m sorry to say, someone along the line thinks they can get away with supplying an inferior product. My experience was with a visible fitting. I have to wonder what is happening with those elements which aren’t immediately obvious such as compartment walls or conduits for cables and pipes. Is the sealing adequate? Is the original installation still intact? It is an issue of great concern to us all.”

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As the colder weather approaches, biodiversity experts have warned that in isn’t just residents and homeowners who should be helping our wildlife to survive the drop in temperatures, factories and offices should also be playing a major part in maintaining the biodiversity in their local area.

A team of sustainability experts from AB Sustain have issued some top tips for factory and office sites to help ensure that they help small animals and bird to get through the long, cold winter months that are almost upon us.

• Put out bird food in harsh weather on the land around your site. A selection of shelled peanuts, sunflower hearts, fat balls and niger seeds will feed many species
• Do not forget ground-feeding species that will be unwilling to use feeders (blackbirds, dunnocks, etc). Sprinkle some sunflower hearts on the ground for them
• Old fruit left over from meetings or lunchtimes will be ideal for several members of the thrush family, such as blackbirds, redwings and fieldfares
• Keep any ponds, fountains or other bodies of water on your site from freezing by floating a rubber ball in the water. This will reduce ice formation, as the wind blows it around
• Shallow containers of water can provide baths but need regular replacement, as they freeze
• Do not tidy up your grounds too well. Piles of leaves, plant stems and compost heaps all play host to wildlife. Consider setting aside an area of land on your site to encourage greater biodiversity
• If you find hibernating animals (e.g. hedgehogs in piles of leaves) anywhere on your site, leave them undisturbed.

Johanna Buitelaar Warden, head of business development at AB Sustain, says: “There are lots of reasons why very cold or even freezing weather can be a big problem for the wildlife around your business. For example, freezing weather reduces availability of water – a problem for birds, which need water to drink and to bathe in, to maintain feather condition. Snow cover can also cause problems for birds that hunt small mammals, which continue to be active under the snow and out of sight. Barn owls were hit badly by snow over the past two winters and many starved.

“The right approach and a bit of thought can really minimise your business’s impact on the natural environment and enhance the positives. It can also demonstrate both internally and externally your company ethos, contribute to employee wellbeing and help position your brand and develop relationships with the local community.”

AB Sustain specialises in working with clients to design, develop and deliver programmes that protect the environment, without compromising key business goals. The company works with retailers and brand owners, delivering brand differentiation by designing innovative sustainability projects and programmes. A skilled team of experienced specialists can help maximise the environmental value of a business site, ranging from an office or factory to a hotel, a golf course or even hospitals and care homes.

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There are many uses for business management software, but one of the main ones is storing and organising the company’s accounts. Given the right software package, transactions, budgeting and even financial reports become quicker and easier. The business is also able to keep greater track of its spending, profits and losses. Even better, implementing a new accounts system is far easier than you may think.

Shakespeare’s Globe is a company known worldwide, attracting thousands of visitors and audience members every year. As a result, it needed an accounts system that was efficient, easy to use, and was suitable for the number of clients it works with. It was decided that a new software package was required; especially since the current system was becoming increasingly old and unsuited to the way the business operated.

The finance department began by drawing up a list of requirements for the new accounts system. Considering the many facets of the Globe (a museum, theatre, gift shop and education department, among others), it was decided that a multi-dimensional operating system was required. This would have the dual advantage of making an already complex accounting system much simpler, as well as allowing the department to compare and contrast various figures when necessary.

Once the operating system was selected, the Globe needed a company that would implement this quickly and easily. It was decided that the company in question would need to understand and respond to the ethos and services of the Globe, as well as tailor the software to suit its needs. After a little research the right company was found, and the implementation process could begin.

The main thing that the Globe is looking forward to is improved productivity and communication between departments, and no wonder. Business management software packages are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways of storing and sharing information, particularly if the company in question offers multiple services to clients. Customer relations can also be dramatically improved by business management software, as the company can store and view an individual customer’s details easily, as well as tailor their service to suit the individual needs of each client.

When considering implementing new business management software, the task can initially seem quite daunting; however, with a little research and the right software package, switching to the new system can be surprisingly easy. You may also see dramatic results fast, particularly if staff are already well-trained in such software. As many businesses expand or take on a wider client base than ever before, the use of a good accounts software package is vital, especially if you’re offering a multi-dimensional service to customers. Can you afford to be left behind?

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With business travel being such a luxury in the current climate, SME’s really do have to compare flights when overseas trips become inevitable.

Most small businesses can no longer afford business class travel and the benefits associated with the business cabin, such as the space and extra baggage allowance are not available to the average businessman particularly when travelling to short haul destinations.

Another saving inevitably is to lose the smartphones when renewing business contracts. The 3G roaming costs abroad can be prohibitive and for pure calls and texts there are some great deals to be had with simpler phones.

In order though to keep your workforce truly mobile and keep the all important morale buoyant in these tough times, a one-off investment in wifi tablets can solve some of those all important business tasks.

Lighter than a laptop and easier for typing and web surfing than a smartphone a tablet such as an iPad is easy to slip into hand luggage (and remove quickly for strict Border Agencies). If work en-route is required, whether on the plane or onward journeys by train or cab, a tablet is the ideal size for economy tables or just for holding like an inflight magazine.

The lightweight feel of the tablet does away with baggage weight restrictions and with the ability to download books, travel guides, magazines and papers, more room can be found for other important items.

Without the 3G connection, the tablet computers are safe to use during the flight and are easy to slip into seat back pockets during take-off and landing, without giving the passenger in front an uncomfortable few jabs in the back!

With free wifi a feature of many European airport hubs and business hotels, working online is smooth and easy and with the advent of ePrint services, from the likes of Google and HP printing can be emailed straight to any internet ready printer, including those back at the office.

Even with the iPad, which is not easily equipped with Microsoft Office there are a number of excellent apps, which allow docs to be shared easily. Added to this is the plethora of apps for travel tips, weather information, flight timetables, online check-in, translation and currency converters. The lack of ability with Flash products does worry some buyers but the app developers are on top of this and constantly building apps to bypass the problem.

Travelling on the roads, whether on the UK or on the continent, there are a number of sat-nav applications that make locating out of the way customers simple.

Tablets can be charged via a mains outlet with the right travel adaptor but battery life is impressive for all day conferences.

Prices of tablets are beginning to come down with rumours of £99 deals for a number of the newer entrants to the market and using cutting edge technology will also impress customers and colleagues and create a great first impression. So by all means save on those phone contracts and seek out those bargain flights, but invest in your workforce to give them the best opportunity for mobile flexibility with a tablet computer.

BIO

Linda Endersby spent 19 years in the airline industry enabling her to visit many beautiful places across the world. As well as writing about the places she loves, weekends as a bookseller offer her fabulous opportunities to research future destinations.

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It is a fixed price out of the box solution that includes installation in the price and offers all the most important features from the already established ECT ring back system. The new solution supports 20,000 subscribers once installed, and could be expanded if needed up to 150,000.

The commercial product manager for Ring back services at ECT, Victor del Razo says that the new platform is perfect for those companies who want to use ring back tones to generate revenue, while at the same time keeping their investment to a minimum until they saw results. He added that once the service had taken off, it offered attractive options for the company to move to the premium ring back solution.

In the months since this solution was launched, it has taken off in a big way and is now one of the best known and reliable start up platforms on the market. It comes with a basic set-up with additional options such as SIP support and redundancy, which can be added at any time once the clients business starts to evolve. All the features in the start-up solution are geared towards generating revenue.

Just like the premium ring back tone solution, the ECT start-up ring back tone supports providers of multiple content, has a content management system which is web based, and offers content provisioning via FTP. It also has the ECT SOAP based API which supports third party or multiple self-run storefronts that includes features like using ring back tones as gifts and copying ting back tones.

Also included is a reporting and statistics module so that clients can keep track of the performances of their ring back tones and thus use the data acquired as a basis for any future marketing strategies.

There is absolutely no difference at the front end between this solution and the Premium service, and users won’t even realise that it is running on a smaller scale. Clients have their personal inbox, are able to assign wildcards and groups, have schedule assignments and also have access to their playlists that are both random and sequential.

ECT delivers this ring back system efficiently and professionally with a set of basic interfaces which can be adapted to any corporate design by the either the client or assigned third party integrators.

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Entitled the ‘Twitter for Business’ report, the guide contains case studies from both B2B and B2C companies which use the sites for PR, marketing, increasing brand awareness, customer service, search engine optimization and a host of other business acumens.

Also included in the report are the results of a survey that Econsultancy carried out using the Toluna Quick Surveys site, which revealed that consumers are much more likely to be positive about brands they see on Twitter than negative. Although 26% of users have complained about brands they have seen on Twitter, a mighty 58% have praised companies on the micro-blogging site.

The research manager for Econsultancy, Alive Zaidi, has said that many companies signed up for Twitter without really comprehending why it was useful for them or why it was so important to have their presence known on the site. Zaidi added that while they were aware that Twitter did not suit all company’s they wanted to get across the message that the site can prove invaluable for some organisations, and helped to build customer relations.

Zaidi continued: “Consumers tend to use traditional feedback channels to make complaints or report customer issues, rather than for giving positive feedback. It’s far easier and quicker to send a message via Twitter which explains why a large proportion of users have praised brands on the site.”

Leading practitioners in the PR industry were also approached for this report, ensuring that the guide contains in-depth and expert guidance on how companies can make the most of Twitter.

Stephen Waddington, Managing Director of Speed Communications said: “There are plenty of reasons why brands should be on Twitter. The social network can be a powerful channel for organisations to take control of their brand. It allows brands to become their own media outlet, to interact with customers cost effectively, broadcast messages to a huge audience and engage with users on a one-to-one basis.”

Contributors to the report include Ged Caroll, Michelle Goodall, Kate Hartley, Rebecca Hirst, Katy Howell and Stephen Waddington.

The 90-page report aims to define best practice for using Twitter and includes sections on:

- Twitter statistics
- The business case for Twitter
- Getting started on Twitter
- The rules of engagement
- Twitter case studies
- Promoted trends and advertising
- Measurement and ROI

The full report is available on the Econsultancy website here:
http://econsultancy.com/reports/twitter-for-business

The guide is available to Econsultancy subscribers (Silver membership and above), or on a pay-per-view basis.

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Many rural areas and inaccessible parts of Wales have not been able to benefit from the advancements of available technology and Mr Hunt stated ‘‘those suffering from time consuming internet should campaign to the Assembly Members to introduce broadband connections’’.

Internet speeds of above 24 megabytes per second are defined as superfast. The private sector is predicted to provide around 70 per cent of the superfast internet to small businesses and households.

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The Exeter Carbon Club was used as an example to build from after they were able to identify more than £500,000 in business savings. Ten workshops will be used to inform businesses about commercial opportunities and sustainability that arise from transitioning to a lower carbon economy.

The network will help make companies become more sustainable and commercially successful. Lloyds TSB Commercial sponsored the launch in Exeter at County Hall. Senior Manager Viv Hignell of Lloyds for sustainable development said climate change is a huge global challenge with significant risks and opportunities to lead.

The managing of environmental impacts has made great progress in recent years with Lloyds TSB and HBOS. And it is important that awareness is raised throughout the SME community and that will be helped through ESBN. She said the bank is happy to be working with the network because it can help members get on with it.

Mark Hodgson a partner at Zero2050 said better management of resource cost is a key driver for being a successful sustainable business. Adding that there is an increasing demand by consumer and businesses for low-carbon services and goods and reaching all businesses will the effect of the Carbon Reduction Commitment.

South West Water carbon manager David Rose said that they are constantly looking for suppliers that will help them achieve targets for low carbon and that includes those businesses that have engaged in the agenda and are making significant savings.

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Here is a comment from Dominic Jones, Managing Director of Barton Technology.

Sir, Every time I speak to another IT support consultant, they tell me about the benefits of cloud computing. However, they rarely outline the drawbacks. And I do understand the advantages of the cloud; in fact I’m the first to champion its benefits for the right kind of company.

Dominic Jones
Managing director
Barton Technology

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