Goverments Vince Cable launches Make it in Great Britain campaign

The campaign which was is due to launch in november 2011 is aimed at putting Britains manufacturing at the forefront of onlookers eyes during next years olympic games. The best of the campaigns involved in the campaign will be shown in an exhibition in the science museum titled 'Best of British Manufacturing' during the london olympics in 2012.  Vince cable is currently looking for 30 industry experts to help push this campaign.  The aim of the exhibitions is to show the rule truth around british manufacturing and encourage young people like myself to support and consider a career in the industry.

Source: http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/

The 80:20 Rule

After reading the Drapers article 'Live the 80:20 rule to priorities resources' it surprised me at how low the amount of customers was that keeps a business going, whether this be within in a retail store, supplier or manufacture. The 80:20 rule is that 80% of a companies business only comes from 20% of their customers/client.

Drapers argue that this is because within any job role there is so many tasks and duties that you have to do within your working hours so chasing new clients/ selling to customers takes a back seat for a period of time in the working day, their answer is to prioritise resources and change habits in times of crisis and this then creates opportunities.

I do agree that within any job roles there is many daily tasks that takes a big chunk of the working day that takes you from your daily role which most likely within retail, will be selling to customers on a shop floor or gaining and retaining contracts with suppliers and manufactures.

So do this mean that companies should be prepared to hire more staff. Hiring more staff would mean that more customers can gain that service they require leading to sales, and companies can chase more contracts bringing in more money for business. In turn meaning that companies could expand and employ and train more staff which the economy could benefit from lowering the amount of un-employed and developing retails workforece skills.

Or would this make the market too competitive? and make the expectation of customers and working relationships too high and the admin and day to day jobs that keep a business ruining would be forgot about causing possibly, a costly mistake to a business.

In my opinion it is mix of both drapers answer and my thoughts, yes prioritising job tasks and being organised is vital and is skill that companies look for when employing, but i also believe that employing more staff to help with customers and and client relationships. Bringing in and retaining customers is vital and business should be prepared to invest to achieve.

To read the Drapers article for yourself please visit: http://www.drapersonline.com/The report is written by Paul Alger - Director of International Affairs at the UK Fashion & Textile Association. 30/09/2011

John Lewis invites British firms to buyers' showcase

John Lewis is my favorite retail brand, after doing a placement with them early this year i got a real understanding of the company and how they work. I also got an insight into how much the company supports the local area, they are in and how they really encourage their staff to be the best they can be.

They also support one of my main concerns within the retail business which is, Uk manufacturing and training of the Uk work force in the basics of the Uks unique way of manufacturing.  John Lewis has arranged for British manufactures in both fashion and footwear to come to their head office and showcase their work and 'inspire' their buyers to think more about Uk sourcing.