< Previous30 Business Link www.blmforum.net PORTS AND LOGISTICS Efficiency of transportation is also essential for preserving freshness, as food or its packaging may also sustain damage if mishandled or kept in unfavourable conditions. However, this can be a crossover concern for overall product quality, safety and customer satisfaction. Logistics managers must plan transportation routes to minimise transit time and reduce exposure to external contaminants. Route optimisation and load consolidation are both key to minimising travel distances and reducing the number of required trips, maximising the capacity of your appropriately selected vehicles. Advanced route planning software and algorithms can help identify the most efficient routes based on factors such as distance, traffic conditions and delivery schedules, while combining multiple smaller shipments into one reduces transportation costs and fuel consumption. Decide on your most efficient load consolidation by coordinating deliveries and discussing available space with your suppliers and distributors. This way, your products can reach their destination at their freshest after minimal travel distance and holding times. Packaging your products correctly and giving thought to how they will be handled is another crucial concern in keeping your products safe and stable. Packaging materials should be selected based on the specific requirements of the products, providing adequate protection and maintaining product integrity. For perishable items, packaging may include insulation, moisture control or breathable materials to extend shelf life. But product handling is a concern that’s largely based in being able to rely on your distributors. Here open communication is once again fundamental, as you will feel better equipped to gauge your trust in the people carrying your goods with these regular interactions. Keeping lines open also makes it easier to update any delivery operatives on changes in schedule, handling instructions, or any other related aspects of your logistical strategy. On top of seeing your products delivered to customers on time, efficient logistics also enables effective inventory management in the food industry. With perishable and time-sensitive products, maintaining optimal inventory levels is essential. Data-led demand forecasting, keeping tabs on stock, and verifying and checking details attached to orders will help prevent excess inventory or • Pneumatic Conveying• Wear • Materials Property Measurements• Storage and Discharge • Hopper and Silo Design• Expert Witness Services +44 20 8331 8646 © stock.adobe.com/kokliang1981© stock.adobe.com/zapp2photowww.blmforum.net Business Link 31 PORTS AND LOGISTICS stockouts, which can lead to product wastage or customer dissatisfaction. Even when stock levels aren’t an issue, proper rotation techniques such as ‘first in, first out’ should be integrated as part of your approach to logistics, seeing to it that older stock is used or dispatched before it can spoil in storage. This simple, low hassle yet successful tool of the trade can be teamed with real-time inventory tracking systems, which enable better visibility and control over stock levels, help prevent overstocking and lower the risk of product expiration even further. Overseeing inventory, choosing the best mode of transportation, and efforts towards every item being picked and packed with care are all part of the gold standard of food production that is supply chain efficiency. Streamlined stock rotation, transportation and distribution all contribute to highly efficient supply, which ensures that products or services are delivered to customers on time, at the right quality and quantity, and at the lowest possible cost. By minimising delays, reducing transportation costs, and optimising storage and handling, logistics eliminates bottlenecks and ensures a smooth flow of food products from suppliers to consumers. This means your business can achieve shorter lead times, increasing your attractiveness to customers compared to competitors while boosting overall performance. Less time wasted on shipping out product also grants more freedom of movement when adjusting to market dynamics such as shifting supply and demand, and updating pricing strategies or marketing tactics to stay ahead of the competition. Logistical factors directly impact many concerns that any food business operative needs to be mindful of. Product freshness, food safety and customer satisfaction are just a few, but they’re a strong start when considering your logistics strategy. By being open to trying out new techniques and refining processes, anyone in the food industry can achieve cost-effective operations, reduce waste and ultimately provide consumers with a reliable food supply they’re willing to invest in. Beginning with these pillars of customer satisfaction, and ensuring you remain accountable and responsible through traceability, sets you up for expanding into seasonal and regional demand variations or international trade. Once the essentials are all in place, there’s unlimited freedom to how you can expand on your solid, safe and market-pleasing plan of action. The Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology bulksolids.com +44 20 8331 8646 Short courses for industries that use powders and bulk solids32 Business Link www.blmforum.net HEALTH AND SAFETY Keeping the workplace safe Whilst the annual number of workplace accidents continues to fall, the most common types of accident, and the most hazardous industries, remain the same. www.blmforum.net Business Link 33 HEALTH AND SAFETY T he top causes of incidents in the workplace are issues that could be resolved through a few training sessions, and some risk reports. When one considers that the cost of workplace accidents is some £3 billion to UK businesses, it is infinitely more cost effective to implement some rapid strategies to mitigate the most common risks to employees. Surprisingly, accident types remain consistent regardless of industry. Of course, the prevalence of any specific hazard is dictated by the type of workplace – for example, heavy machinery and electrical equipment are less typically found in a traditional office environment. It must be acknowledged that certain industries carry an inherent risk of harm to staff, with the top scoring industries being construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Employees in these fields are most at risk from harm due to falling objects, injuries from heavy or incorrect lifting, and chemical exposures. Alarmingly, those in healthcare are also at significant risk of harm. Workers face exposure to threatening behaviour, sharp and hazardous objects, and ergonomic strains from patient handling daily. Despite this, the most common (and costly) causes of harm to employees could happen in any setting. Slips, trips, and falls commonly occur due to factors like wet surfaces, uneven floors, or obstructions in walkways. Manual handling and lifting activities can lead to musculoskeletal injuries if proper training and techniques are not provided. Accidents involving machinery and equipment can result from inadequate training, misuse, or equipment malfunctions, leading to severe injuries such as crushes or amputations. Falling objects pose a risk in environments where items are stored at heights or during construction work. Ergonomic factors, such as poorly designed workstations or repetitive tasks, can lead to musculoskeletal disorders. These are commonly identified within sedentary environments such as offices. Furthermore, these are silent but dangerous issues that can develop over time, costing more in time off work and medical costs than most other workplace disputes. Contrastingly, those in retail or healthcare are most at risk from workplace violence as staff are targeted by dissatisfied customers. For workshop or warehouse-based industries, the deadliness of the hazards increases. Electrical hazards, including mishandling of equipment or exposure to live circuits, can cause electrical shocks or burns. Fire and explosion risks arise from insufficient maintenance, flammable materials, or inadequate fire safety measures. Chemical hazards present dangers when workers are © stock.adobe.com/LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS © stock.adobe.com/NVB Stocker 34 Á34 Business Link www.blmforum.net HEALTH AND SAFETY © stock.adobe.com/WavebreakMediaMicrowww.blmforum.net Business Link 35 HEALTH AND SAFETY exposed to toxic substances without appropriate safety measures or protective equipment. Studies on all the above have identified a chronic lack of training and awareness of safety protocols as being a primary factor in workplace accidents. Furthermore, training awareness is directly proportional to the severity of any accident that may occur. Employers should prioritize addressing these hazards through safety measures, training programs, and fostering a culture of awareness and adherence to safety protocols. Whilst this might seem like a long list of hazards, the good news is that the list remains consistent regardless of industry. This means that a broad approach can be taken to tackling safety concerns in the workplace. To prevent workplace accidents, it is essential to implement several measures. One crucial step is to establish a strong safety culture that prioritizes awareness and accountability among employees. This can be achieved by fostering open communication, encouraging the reporting of hazards or near- miss incidents, and recognizing and rewarding safe behaviours. An online form could be circulated to employees for the reporting of concerns. Online forms ensure that the information reaches the correct individuals, and the data could be anonymised to encourage honesty. Regular safety training is also vital to educate employees about workplace hazards, safety protocols, and proper equipment usage. Ongoing risk assessments should be conducted to identify potential dangers and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. Whilst generic risk assessments are useful for identifying common pitfalls, for industries which require the use of specialist equipment or professional skills, risk assessments must be tailored to consider these cases. Maintaining a clean and organized workspace, providing, and enforcing the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and promoting ergonomic practices should be standard according to experts. Office-based businesses may consider open offices, rising desks, and hotdesking to encourage employees to keep moving, thus mitigating the risk of ergonomic injury. Furthermore, regular breaks (including eye breaks, where computer users look away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes) and task rotation should be encouraged to prevent tiredness and headaches, which can further contribute to accidents. Regular equipment maintenance and inspections are essential to minimize the risk of malfunctions. It is also crucial to develop and communicate emergency response plans, conduct drills, and provide first aid training to ensure preparedness. Lastly, promoting mental health and well-being through support systems and initiatives can help prevent accidents caused by distractions or emotional distress. By implementing these measures, workplaces can create a safer environment and protect the well-being of their employees. One must remember that ensuring workplace safety is a continuous endeavour that demands consistent monitoring, assessment, and enhancement. It is important to regularly review and revise safety policies, actively engage employees in safety-related decision-making processes, and stay abreast of the latest industry standards and regulations. Regular assessment helps to identify the early stages of, and thus prevent, major hazards. Furthermore, considering any unique needs of particular employees helps create a safe environment for all. The provision of a safe and healthy workplace has been shown to boost employee morale and increase productivity. Businesses that operate on a remote basis should consider conducting remote safety training, wherein an assessor can review home workspaces. This will reduce the likelihood of accidents happening in the home and will provide employees with an opportunity to ask for additional resources, such as keyboard risers. At-home risk assessments could then be completed by employees. 36 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY Conferences are a great way to draw attention to a company, and such events have been held for many years by business owners and managers, particularly by businesses with high levels of expert knowledge – such as legal or financial practitioners. The general principle is that by holding an event or seminar, the host can impart their knowledge and expertise to an audience of prospective customers. This not only gives the speaker a chance to impress the audience, but also draw attention to further savings the host’s company can help the client achieve - thus securing customers. With a huge number of beautiful and specialised conferencing venues across out region, it should come as little surprise that the conferencing industry is a booming one – and yet, there are still many companies who have never considered the benefits for themselves. For many, this is not an issue of oversight or being unaware of the benefits, but more an issue of confidence – or the reluctance to publicly speak in front of a large audience. This is neither something to be ashamed of, nor something to hold a company back, however. Very few people are born with the confidence necessary to stand up and orate – and in many cases this is a skill learned through trial and error, or practice. Here however, are some of the key things that really help a speech stand out. Memorise it by heart While there’s no denying that cue-cards and scripts are valuable for those unfamiliar with public speaking and should be used to help jog the memory, ultimately there’s nothing worse than seeing a speaker fumbling over what they are saying or forgetting entirely. Confidence is always going to be a major factor in what sells a company, and a speaker should exude confidence – even if they don’t feel it. Learning the entire speech off-by-heart, and practicing it in the mirror or to family, will help a speaker feel more confident in what they are saying. It can also help the speech become little more than routine, so that even on a stage a speaker is able to switch off and imagine they are simply talking to the mirror. Performing for business The summer months make for an ideal time to host seminars and events, but after years of working remotely or from home many people are out of practice when it comes to public speaking. We run over some of the basics. Performing for businesswww.blmforum.net Business Link 37 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY © stock.adobe.com/Svitlana Test the room There’s nothing worse than going to an event and realising that you’ve been unfortunately placed and can’t actually hear a word of what the main speaker is saying. Most conferencing venues will have good acoustics, but that doesn’t excuse speakers failing to project their voices properly. Remember that even if answering a question from the audience, or speaking in general, it is best to project your voice towards the centre of the room rather than turn to answer a person in a far corner. Beyond that though, it’s often useful to visit the venue in advance and have a colleague stand at the back of the room, so you’re able to see how loud you must be to be heard. Don’t rely on technology It can be easy to look at all the latest technology available, and while it can be tempting to rely on power point 38 Á38 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY presentations or videos to handle some of the work – it’s not always the best idea. Ultimately it is people which sell products or services, and the ultimate goal of a conference or seminar is to get more customers. The audience wishes to know that the individual, the very person whose services they might be paying for, is a skilled and knowledgeable expert that they can rely on. Relying too heavily on technology also opens one up to problems when things go wrong – as they inevitably might. Seeing people fiddling around with projectors or laptops does little to inspire confidence. Another thing to keep in mind however will be the microphone you might be expected to use when speaking. It’s not unusual for people unused to using them to hold them close to their mouths to try and increase the volume, but this will make your plosives – the shape your mouth makes for various sounds like `p` and `b` - become distorted or pop. Make sure to perform a quick sound check before the event, to figure out how far you need to keep the microphone from your mouth. Take it slow and steady Most people aren’t aware of just how quickly they speak in casual conversation. It is easier to keep up with someone when they are talking about something that happened in their day but orating on complicated business matters might require more concentration from the audience. One way around this can be to record yourself speaking, and then play it back. Try to moderate how fast you speak, and see what cadence is easier to understand. Stick to what you know Ultimately the entire speech should be on a topic you are familiar with, to attempt otherwise will invite disaster if the audience asks any difficult questions. Keep in mind that the goal for the event is to get more customers for your services, and yours alone. If you keep on track with what you know, and what advice you would give to a client across the table – then the seminar will be stronger, and you’re much more likely to get good results. Beyond that, you will sound much more confident and are more likely to enjoy the event, experience good results – and want to come back and do it again next time. © stock.adobe.com/sletowww.blmforum.net Business Link 39 MEET THE EXPERTS T oday’s challenge is in finding someone who is both an expert in their chosen field, but who can also become an expert in yours as well. There are many people who are experts in a given craft – be it law, financial services or consulting – but © stock.adobe.com/undrey for the best service possible to be achieved, they need also to be an expert in your company. This is where so many people find issue with experts; they hire someone who prescribes themselves expert, and they may well be, but find the advice given to be either incompatible with their company or not tailored to it. That’s to be expected of course, as an expert hired from outside the company isn’t going to know your firm as well as you do, but that doesn’t Finding the right person to fill your company’s needs can be an arduous task when any con-artist with an internet connection can market themselves. Take the time to meet your experts directly. Simply the best 40 ÁNext >