Beacon Criteria
The business must have introduced a process or practice that has resulted in a significant (in excess of 30% ), increase in output or added value per capita. (A simple measure of turnover per employee will be used as the benchmark).
(ii) Be consistently profitable and cash flow positive for at least two years
Return to Top
The company should be able to demonstrate how:
1. It has removed the cultural barriers to success. Consideration will be given to the extent to which the following factors have been addressed; direction, individual initiative, risk tolerance, conflict tolerance, communications, rewards and management contact.
2. How the process was proactively planned and managed
3. How the resulting change was quantified and measured (e.g. culture change mapping)
Return to Top
This will be demonstrated by clear unambiguous strategy for:
1. Taking the business to a turnover of £1.5m with consistently positive cash-flows and sufficient volumes of profit;
Or
2. Taking a successful business and growing it to the next stage by developing the appropriate strategy, structure, systems, staff, skills & culture.
Measures
- Have strategy, can articulate the what and the how and can explain the benefits and issues (& positive and negative impact) & relate to different situations
- Value added or turnover per employee
- Profitability
- Productivity
Return to Top
The extent to which the business applies good business practice across a range of parameters (quality, customer focus, management style, financial controls, organisation culture & staff development, effective marketing.)
Measures
Output/value added per capita
Profitability
Acquaintance with the parameters of good business practice
Return to Top
Supporting criteria:
The owner/MD must buy into the concept of being a Beacon company.
There must be an articulate, reasonably charismatic, champion at a senior level within the company prepared to discuss the improvement with others (and spend a small amount of time in, for example, giving a seminar, coaching someone, or any other activity which supports the dissemination and adapted use of the idea within other organisations).
The champion and other senor members of the company must not view Beacon as primarily a sales opportunity.
The company should acknowledge areas where it needs to improve and be prepared to actively seek those improvements through Beacon interactions (amongst others).
If you are interested in applying for Beacon status please download an application form. Or alternativly contact us directly.
Return to Top
