Moral Business Maze
This month there have been so many focused days that it's been hard to pinpoint one that isn't relevant to modern day business. The world we live in now is diverse, more enlightened and business owners have a responsibility to acknowledge diversity in the workplace and that got us here at The Lead Generation Group Ltd wondering about how many business owners research their marketeers or business partners before they choose them.
Let's look at the range of days that have been celebrated in this October alone: —
This list is not exhaustive of the days celebrated or promoted this month, but it gives an indication of the diversity, and as good employers AND good and ethical marketeers, The Lead Generation Group Ltd understands how people affected, even by just one of the above, can have an impact of their employment or their business.
I know we spoke earlier in the month about how abysmal, on the whole, facilities are for our hauliers, and this group are some of our biggest clients. Most drivers are spending such a big part of their lives driving and delivering our goods and services that it's vital to look after their mental health, their sight and making sure they are not subject to violence when parked in some remote dark layby, or being targeted from gangs who traffic people into modern-day slavery.
Every so often we like to highlight a particular day or subject that's in focus on a particular month. As a business we aim to keep up-to-date with what's trending, what's affecting various industries and looking at what we can do to improve our standing in the business world and get under the skin of our clientele.
It's our job to understand not only the business itself of our clients, but their culture and the things that drive them.
When a business is doing well it's easy to become complacent; things tick over day to day and the bottom line is showing a profit, but is there a risk of missing the more human aspects of your business? Are you able to spot the signs if an employee, or your business partner, is struggling with their mental health? If you business is very woman-centric, or even if you have just a lone female worker, do you have a menopause policy in place, or perhaps someone is being abused outside of the workplace. Would you be able to spot the signs and if you did, would you know where to turn to for help or advice?
Often running a business is like navigating a minefield! There is so much legislation; the new Labour government are wanting to change many of the current employment laws and these will have a huge impact on companies, especially the SMEs. Did you know, for example, that this week on 26th October it will be compulsory to have a Sexual Harassment policy in place?
It is so important when working with diverse ranges of clients for us at The LG Group to always keep on top of legislation. We want our clients to know that we take our in-house culture and values very seriously, alongside the legal bits and pieces that we have to have in place as a business.
I would like to think that our values and culture are aligned to those of our clients and that's why we work so well as a team; you can't have one without the other.
However, let's not get overly serious and forget that it's also important to be able to have fun and be able to relax from time to time, even in the workplace.
On 6th November it's International Stress Awareness Day, and we've often spoken about how stress can impact on a business. It's so easy to become overwhelmed when your business is your livelihood, or you are responsible for the livelihoods of others. Stress can often creep up like a silent tide, until one day you realise that for too many nights you have not had enough sleep, or your chest feels a little tight, or you are constantly snapping at your loved ones AND your employees.
We can easily become overwhelmed with having to remember all the rules and regulations, employment law, diversity awareness, cultural awareness and the fact we still need to function on a professional level to turn a profit. I would be interested to know what focus days or months you would like to introduce? Perhaps we should have a national day of laughter, or silly jokes or a national spa day? Daft as some of them sound, it is important to learn to relax. We are not machines and without some proper down time, we will be in danger of burnout and overload.
Take a moment and step back and look at the bigger picture in your business and pat yourselves on the back at how far you have come from Day One, and know that you are always striving to keep up the momentum without compromising on the things that are important, especially your health and welfare. Without those, you wouldn't have a business.
The LG Group will always have your back as a client and we always have each other's backs as a business so we can deliver the best to the best.
