Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Vintage and Antique Model Ships and Boats

Well, people who are interested in history must be aware of the importance of ships in ancient times. All the transport, living completely depends on ships. Ships were used to carry goods, people to different cities or countries. In ancient times, people used to build small ship models so that they get an understanding of how the final ship will going to look and kept them as a remembrance. During wars, ships were used to carry explosives and are very complex in designs. With time, the complexity increases and the making of model ships get complicated. Thus, many techniques were used to make the work simple. These models were later on used to study the build and structure of the ships to overcome the flaws in earlier ones. In this way, the structure and complexity get reduced with the introduction of the latest technology. Now, ships are not only created for commercial purposes but also personal use. People who are fond of luxury ships, yachts and sailboats require these models to make sure what they are going to possess. 

Many companies are engaged in ship model building and customize ships as per their customer requirements. This construction work is not only confined to modern ships but also includes the antique models that are used in ancient times. These ship models will give an antique touch to your house space. If you want to have your antique ship model, then you can consult professionals from Premier Ship Models. They work hard to provide you the masterpiece you expected. You can get these antique miniatures anywhere but Premier shop provides you with the best deal.

Why antique ship models are popular

These antique ships are mostly popular among people who have a profound interest in history and love to collect antiques. You can collect your favorite ship model from the sale and get your space more decorative. The miniatures of the actual ship are a bit costly but are reminds the one about their history related to it. Also, in museums where all old artifacts are stored along with the famous ship models that were used at a particular time are provided to study their technical details. Such information is important for history lovers thus make them popular. It is all about the history that connects us with our ancestors. You will get to know basic sailboats to modern warships models.

Impact of technology

The ship model making was handwork which is now updated and is done by 3D technology. The advancement of technology has a vast impact on ship model making which has reduced the complexity of working on small details. The blueprint can be done within seconds and reduces the time for making required changes beforehand. You can now take the actual visual feel with the 3D rendering of the ships from different angles, interior, and exterior with the exact space used. It is such an embark advancement in the field of the marine industry.



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/auto/vintage-and-antique-model-ships-and-boats/

Can Cannabis Use Really Help Reduce the Frequency of Seizures?

With millions in the United States suffering from regular epileptic seizures, these seizures can seriously affect a person’s quality of life, and can even be dangerous to one’s health. AED’s, or anti-epileptic drugs often come with a range of side effects, and some people may not get the relief that they need from them. For this reason, cannabis has been widely used and studied in the relief of epileptic seizures. While its use is still quite controversial, especially among children, there is hard evidence that points toward it working for those who suffer frequent episodes.

How Cannabis Helps

The cannabidiol, or CBD, in the marijuana plant is thought to be the component responsible for seizure relief. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce the “high” that you might get when smoking or using marijuana. However, just because you’re not getting a high from it doesn’t mean that it isn’t working. It is thought that CBD works by calming down overactive brain cells, eliminating the frequency of episodes for those who have epileptic seizures. Some patients have even claimed that regular use has reduced the frequency of episodes from hundreds a week to just one or two a month. This is a major change for individuals who live with the condition day after day.

How to Use It

Cannabis can be used in a variety of ways, since most strains contain the cannabidiol that is needed to obtain the actual effects of the plant. Before using any type of medical marijuana, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor and discuss your options. What’s interesting to know is that the FDA recently approved an AED that contains CBD, so it’s obvious that its use is beneficial to the condition. In some cases, CBD will not work for individuals who have severe episodes or who simply cannot take the drug without ill effects. However, many are finding it to be helpful in low doses administered regularly, though the exact amount is specific to the person suffering from the disorder.

Obtaining It Legally

For busy professionals, it can sometimes be difficult to visit a doctor and hope that they approve you for getting your card. Regular approval can take days or weeks, getting in the way of receiving the treatment that you need. This is why it makes sense to obtain your medical marijuana card legally on the internet in just a matter of minutes. From there, you can utilize the card whenever purchasing CBD or marijuana to treat the epilepsy that you’re experiencing. Many states have already legalized marijuana and CBD use, but it is always a good idea to familiarize yourself with what’s legal in the state you currently live. This will prevent penalties and fines that could become a problem down the road. Thankfully, medical marijuana is becoming the new norm and is helping people to live the lives they’ve always dreamed. For individuals with epilepsy, it’s a natural option that has been found to be beneficial for treating the condition and reducing the frequency of episodes.



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/health-and-wellness/can-cannabis-use-really-help-reduce-the-frequency-of-seizures/

Monday, January 27, 2020

Six Strategies To Build A Powerful Fashion eCommerce Business

Every online fashion retailer aims to maximize sales and engagement from potential customers. In today’s world, businesses are competing not just on a domestic scale, but on an international scale, too.

This competition makes it imperative for fashion retailers to bring their A-game to the table and engage their target audience with as many tactics as possible.

Apart from this, today’s developments have also given retailers many opportunities to build engagement with their customers.

Additionally, it also gives fashion businesses the chance to not only encourage customers to buy from the business and interact with the brand but to also tell other people about their experience.

So, as a business, how do you build a brand that has such an impact on consumers? The answer is simple: through effective eCommerce strategies. Here are six strategies to help you succeed as a fashion eCommerce business.

Use a high-end clothing inventory software

While competition is fierce, there are many tools available that can help you bring a topnotch fashion business. With a clothing inventory app, you can manage your inventory at home or on the go with an easy-to-use platform.

It even allows you to upload unlimited files and images for every product, with data visibility adaptable to the scope of the client.

Lastly, the app is also portable and can be used on your phone, making it easier for you to run your business anywhere.

Create a strong brand identity

A brand’s ethos encompasses its brand identity and involves its culture, traits, mission, vision, community, and goals. Establishing strong brand ethos will help your target audience connect with your fashion brand and make your business more authentic.

Creating a strong brand identity is crucial for a fashion brand since it’s exactly the sort of thing that’s necessary for your consumer to choose your product over a competitor’s, even if they look the same.

Purchasing a clothing item from a fashion brand with a strong identity is no longer about buying clothing; you’re representing the brand’s personality.

For instance, if a fashion brand, such as H&M is committed to sustainability and focuses on recycling old clothes, then customers who purchase from the brand and also follow a sustainable lifestyle would feel like they’re doing their part. 

Use an omnichannel approach

A multichannel approach is complementary to building a strong brand identity. An omnichannel presence is essential when you want to get your brand ethos and messaging across to as many people as possible.

Additionally, this messaging needs to be consistent across all channels. If you’re portraying a certain brand persona on your social media profiles, for instance, then the same persona should be present in-store. 

Fashion brands have many opportunities for an omnichannel approach. A brand can use different channels to show its clothing items paired up with other products for an outfit of the day feature. These features can be posted on social media channels, such as Instagram, as well as in magazines.

Apart from this, an important aspect of creating a consistent brand is to determine what customers will experience when they interact with your brand.

If, for instance, they are facing issues or have general inquiries, then there need to be channels that allow customers to reach out and have their concerns addressed.

If the query is related to the product in general, perhaps they can see it live in your Instagram posts or stories.

There are many channels for fashion brands to utilize effectively, so the key is to find the right ones and create an integrated strategy.

Remove potential barriers to conversion

There are multiple barriers to conversion that could hinder a potential shopper from becoming a customer. The best way forward is to identify such barriers and address them so you can create a seamless experience for your customers at every stage in the process.

Some of the most common barriers to conversion include:

  • A complicated checkout process that requires shoppers to create an account and enter details they may otherwise be too lazy or busy to enter. Instead, you should offer guest checkout and only ask customers for details that are absolutely necessary.
  • Shipping costs that are too high or delivery times that are too long can make shoppers think twice about their purchase. Instead, determine what you can do to lower the shipping costs and make the process run more smoothly.
  • A website with a lack of security will push customers in the other direction. A padlock icon with your web address can truly do wonders.
  • An incoherent website with an unclear process may potentially overwhelm customers and confuse them. Simplifying the process and communicating everything clearly can help overcome this.

Prioritize customers with flexible payment methods

One of the most important factors of successful fashion business is to give customers multiple options for doing business with you. Multiple payment methods allow customers to choose the method of their liking and make the process more convenient for them. 

Apart from this, it’s also important to offer customers flexibility. Some brands, for instance, allow customers to try the items by giving them an option to pay later.

Customers can choose how they want to pay after the product reaches them. 

Such payment methods convey a different level of trust by telling your audience that you believe in your products so much that it’s okay for them to try the products out and be sure before they spend on them. 

Utilize social media

Social media has truly done wonders where a brand’s presence is concerned. Today, Instagram feeds are filled with influencers who post pictures of themselves in a brand’s clothing.

The best part is that these influencers often do these for free and all you need to do is send them free clothing in return. 

Social media is a powerful force that could make or break your fashion business. While you may not be able to get an A-list celebrity to try on your clothes, you can still build an excellent online presence. 

Conclusion 

Creating a vital fashion brand may seem challenging with the competition all around, but with effort in the right areas, you will be reaching your goals in no time. 

What other strategies are important to build a strong fashion business? Let us know in the comments below!



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/ecommerce/six-strategies-to-build-a-powerful-fashion-ecommerce-business/

Entrepreneur Tevfik Arif Forges Political and Business Alliances with Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in a Path to Global Business Success

Tevfik Arif’s ambitions would carry him all over the world and introduce him to some of the most significant business and political leaders of our time.

When Tevfik Arif was a young boy growing up in the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan, he dreamt of living in a world surrounded by luxury. To achieve that dream, Arif realized that it was up to him to build it.

The early years of Tevfik Arif

Arif’s interest in business led him to pursue studies in international relations at the Moscow Institute of Trade and Economics. After completing his degree, Arif began working within the Soviet government at the Ministry of Commerce and Trade as a chief economist and deputy director of the ministry’s Department of Hotel Management.

Through his studies and his early work experience, Arif learned the value of establishing and maintain strong relationships with people. His ability to cultivate these mutually beneficial relationships would allow him to build a successful, diverse global business portfolio.

After 17 years of serving as a civil servant, Arif entered the private business sector when the Soviet Union fell in 1991. His first successful business venture took him to Kazakhstan where he founded Specialty Chemicals Trading Company, a company that specialized in the import-export of rare metals and raw materials.

While living in Kazakhstan, Arif also worked under the powerful Reuben brothers who built Trans World Group, one of the largest natural resources companies after the fall of the Soviet Union. With his expansion into the private sector, Arif was afforded an opportunity to collaborate with new mentors in the form or powerful business leaders who would help him to hone his leadership and negotiating skills.

Tevfik Arif acquired partial ownership in ACCP, a chromium-based chemical plant near the city of Aktobe when Kazakhstan achieved its independence. The sweeping innovations introduced by the new management transformed the company into the number two producing chromium-based chemical plant in the world.

The Central Asian region of Kazakhstan and the surrounding countries are rich in natural resources, providing Arif with a successful foundation to grow his business interests. He set his sights on other industries with a desire to transform himself into an international entrepreneur.

Arif Expands his Business Horizons

After his success in the raw materials industry, Tevfik Arif moved to Turkey in 1993. Arif’s family was originally Turkish and he had previously owned a Turkish jewelry business. It was in Turkey that Arif began pursuing a career as a luxury property developer.

Drawing upon his previous experience working within the hotel division of the Soviet government, Arif began investing in the real estate developments of premium hotels and resorts, including the luxury Hotel Labada situated on the Mediterranean coast in Antalya, Turkey.

Arif continued to build his property portfolio through investments in high-end real estate developments across Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. Arif had an eye for luxury and opulence and he had a desire to create properties that could be appreciated for their design, quality and ambiance.

Arif Takes on the American Real Estate Market

Having outgrown the market in Central Asia, Tevfik Arif wanted to find a new business venture that would provide him with a challenge. In 2001, Arif founded Bayrock Group LLC, a real estate development firm in the United States. The firm began with modest investments in real estate projects primarily in Brooklyn, including the Loehmann’s Seaport Plaza located in Sheepshead Bay.

From his work as a government official and his experience operating business around the world, Tevfik Arif recognized that if he were to build a prosperous luxury development firm in the United States, he would need to form positive relationships with local and national political figures.

Residential and commercial real estate development is subject to numerous zoning, building and safety regulations. Many stages of construction also require permits and official approval from local governing bodies. In order to establish these political ties, Arif sought out prominent officials representing New York City at political and community events and supported the political campaigns of many candidates running for government office.

Arif became acquainted with Hillary Clinton, a Democratic New York Senator at that time, and contributed to her first presidential campaign. Arif was introduced to then-Democratic New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who was instrumental in helping Bayrock obtain special zoning exemptions for their projects.

Tevfik Arif also made political contributions to former-Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. For Arif, like many business leaders, it was important to establish relationships with political leaders at all levels and from all political affiliations in order to ensure the smooth operation of his business and to maintain open communications with elected officials.

Building an Emblem of Luxury in Downtown Manhattan

With the successful completion of commercial and residential projects in Brooklyn, Arif began to look for an opportunity to make an investment in premium development projects. He sought out members of the New York City real estate elite to better acquaint himself with the Manhattan world of property development. Arif and Bayrock developed working partnerships with several high-profile luxury real estate developers, providing a wealth of insider information and new investment opportunities for the young company.

Bayrock established their offices within the heart of Manhattan on the 24th floor of Trump Tower. This location put the company’s offices within close proximity to renowned New York City real estate developer Donald Trump, who would later become an important asset to the Bayrock company.

This was before Donald Trump revealed any of his political ambitions. His real estate ventures were no longer returning the same profitability, but he was beginning to become a household name with his popular television show, “The Apprentice.”

Arif and another prominent New York City real estate entrepreneur, Tamir Sapir, saw this as an opportunity to collaborate with Trump, not for as an investing partner, but to capitalize on his name and transform it into a brand. Bayrock together with the Sapir organization, drew up plans for a hotel-condominium complex that would license the Trump name to their project, contributing an emblem of luxury easily recognized among potential buyers.

Trump SoHo, a $450 million, 46 story hotel and apartment complex located in Hudson Square, would be funded, developed and built by Bayrock and the Sapir Organization, under a licensing and operating contract with the Trump Organization. While Bayrock continued to pursue other luxury property development projects, Trump SoHo, which opened in 2008, would become a symbol of Luxury for Bayrock Group in Lower Manhattan – one of the most prestigious real estate markets in the world.

Bayrock Group and the Trump Organization considered real estate development projects under similar licensing agreements, however, the economic downturn that hit the American real estate market in 2008 ended the working relationship between the firms. Arif concentrated his business in the Central Asian and European markets before retiring from the daily operations of his family’s company.



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/entrepreneurship/entrepreneur-tevfik-arif-forges-political-and-business-alliances-with-donald-trump-and-hillary-clinton-in-a-path-to-global-business-success/

Medical Billing Tips to Maximize Revenue

Complex processes for claims and billing can often make it difficult to collect the money your practice has earned. Frequent changes to the U.S. healthcare system often leave care providers and patients both playing catch-up as they adjust to new processes.

As a result, a practice may notice that they are not bringing in the revenue that they should, even though their practice is receiving enough patients. Billing errors, rejected claims, and delays in compensation all put an unnecessary financial stress on the office. So, how can you ensure that your practice is maximizing revenue through the billing department? Here are 5 basic tips:

  1. Stay Up-to-Date on Changes in Paperwork Requirements

One of the biggest things you can do to help your practice is to stay up-to-date on the latest changes in requirements. After all, how can you prepare your practice, your team, and your patients if you don’t even know what changes are being made?

There’s so much red tape and specific process requirements when it comes to getting your practice paid. Everything needs to be filed just so. In order to get the payments your office needs more quickly, you need to start with a thorough understanding of these requirements and any changes that may happen. 

This also means spending time and money on education, software, and staff training. Just as much as you need to understand changes in requirements, the billing department and others involved in collecting patient information need to be updated too. Though it may seem like another expense you can’t afford, it can save you a lot of time and money in other ways.

2. Create and Communicate a Clear Process

Once you have a full understanding of the requirements and rules related to your billing department, you have to establish a clear process and then communicate it to your team. It’s not enough to make sure that everyone is educated on the requirements. Instead, there must be a system and a routine in place with checks along the way to ensure that these requirements are being met, eliminate errors, and prevent wasted time on rejected claims.

This process should include every step of a billing cycle. It starts when the patient enters the office: informing the patient about their responsibility to pay for services, collecting and verifying patient and insurance information, gaining proper permissions, etc. This process should then extend to collecting. Try to collect payments up-front. If that’s not possible, discuss payment options with the patient as soon as possible. Also, establish a protocol for how the patient will be contacted about payments and how often to contact.

These seem like basic, obvious things that everyone should be doing. Many in your office may be doing it correctly. But, without an established and clearly communicated process, it’s all too easy to skip steps or accidentally brush over something important. Creating a routine with regular checks will help decrease any accidental oversights.

3. Decrease Coding Errors

When filing a claim, medical coders use a standardized set of codes to describe what kind of care the patient received and what the claim includes. While these codes make it easy for everyone to get on the same page, there are some common coding errors that result in rejected claims and require revision.

Two of the most common errors are non-specific diagnosis codes and incorrect modifiers. Non-specific diagnosis codes refer to an issue with collecting patient data. Current requirements need more detail on the patient situation than before, and often all of this detail is not collected initially. Incorrect modifiers are pretty self-explanatory. Either the modifier describing the patient/treatment is missing or it is not accurate. When these errors occur, insurance companies may deny or reject the claim, resulting in an even longer wait for reimbursement.

Decreasing these errors means increasing employee training and the frequency of refresher courses.

4. Follow-Up Quickly

Everything moves rather slowly through the billing cycle, so, when it’s in your control, it’s best to move things along as quickly as possible. From collecting patient data to collecting copays to filing claims to handling denials and rejections, minimize the follow-up time as much as you can.

Make sure that your billing department understands that handling paperwork promptly is a priority. Clearly establish which tasks take precedence over others so that everyone is on the same page about what needs to be moved quickly and what can wait.

This is also essential because there is a time limit for filing a claim. A slow process increases the possibility that the insurer will deny the claim, even if it is otherwise valid.

5. Work with a Consultant

Getting your medical billing department into shape can be a lot of work. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell where to start. Once you know what the problem is, solving it can be easy. However, finding what exactly is the foundation of your revenue issues can be a lot more difficult.

If you’re trying to solve a revenue issue in your own practice but are struggling to balance the demands of your current position with this undertaking, consider looking into medical practice management consulting firms. The consultants at these firms are trained to help you identify and correct problems within your practice. They have years of experience working specifically in the medical field, and they have seen it all.

Where you may struggle to identify what is causing your revenue to come in so slowly, these consultants will be able to recognize patterns and offer you their expert advice for the best ways to solve the problems in your practice.
Medical billing is a lengthy, sometimes confusing process. It’s estimated that about $125 billion is lost to medical billing errors every year. If you’re struggling to maximize revenue, you’re certainly not the only one. Go back to the basics and create structure and accountability within your department. And if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for it! Soon, you’ll see things start to run more smoothly and have a thriving practice.



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/health-and-wellness/medical-billing-tips-to-maximize-revenue/

Attracting and retaining the right talent

Forming a team of the right talents is a challenge for every company and manager. Superior talents boost productivity, bringing more value in everything they do. Moreover, bringing the right talent to the right team increases employee engagement and reduces turnover. In this article, we will focus on the best ways to attract and retain the right talent for your team.

Why finding the right executive marketing talent is so important:

According to a study conducted by Herman Aguinis and Ernest O’Boyle Jr. in “The best and the rest: Revisiting the norm of normality in individual performance,” superior talent is up to eight times more productive than the average worker. 

This study gathered information from over 600,000 researchers, politicians, athletes, and entertainers. They found out that the highest performers were 400 percent more efficient. Following this discovery, another study focused on various businesses. It showed that the productivity gap rises depending on the job’s complexity, rising up to 800 percent more productivity for the right talent than the average employee.

How to spot talents?

Each talent is unique. There are as many as there are people on Earth. Among the specificities that characterize a talented individual, some are more obvious than others:

  • ability to adapt, flexibility,
  • performance, intellectual capacities,
  • commitment and sense of responsibility,
  • ability to inspire.

If certain tools make it possible to identify these talents, such as assessment tests or evaluation interviews, intuition is often the best way to find talents. The most important thing to keep in mind is to assess if the talent will fit well within the team and company, as it will either enhance their capacities and improve the whole team spirit, or on the opposition discourage both the talent and their coworkers.

How to manage talents

What makes a company attractive to talents and young graduates is the employment security and fulfillment they can find there, as well as the opportunity for career development. Bad management can lead to a lack of motivation and a higher employee turnover.

Talent management is carried out on several levels for a company:

  • Identify/detect: find the right talent outside your company and hire them, or identify existing employees with broader skills than those for which they were hired.
  • Attract/retain: develop a strategy to attract the identified talent to your company, or make them stay if they are already hired in another position within the company.
  • Conjugate/develop: place your new talent in the right place, highlight their accomplishments and promote collaborative work to inspire others.

The advantages of optimal talent management

If it goes without saying that talent is neither definitive nor fixed – it fluctuates and is strongly linked to motivation and challenges, then it is clear that the company should not be content to simply identify talents, but properly implement a global approach over the medium to long term. Optimal talent management helps to:

  • Limit the costs associated with repetitive recruitments and sterile training of employees who will not stay in the company, inducing high turnover.
  • Optimize the flexibility of the company by letting employees improve their skills, even if it is not their main job.
  • Strengthen collective intelligence and collaboration by allowing the transversality of knowledge and skills.
  • Stand out from the competition with a work atmosphere promoting employee initiatives, where everyone can improve and learn from each other.

Communication is key to forging a good relationship with talents:

Communication is often the basis of many relationships, including between a company and its employees. To attract the right talents, good communication with the candidates is the key to success.

If a candidate thinks about joining your company, chances are they will look you up on the web. This is the first opinion they will have of you: what is your online presence? What tone do you use? What is your company’s culture? To put all the chances on your side, develop your employer brand through attractive messages and concrete actions, especially on social media. LinkedIn, in particular, is an essential step in the recruitment process. According to a 2015 Forrester Research study, people are more likely to want to join a business after 8 contacts with elements of their employer brand.



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/business/attracting-and-retaining-the-right-talent/

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Gavin Darby Reflects on FDF Tenure, the State of the Federation & Opportunities for the Future

The United Kingdom’s Food & Drink Federation was built to represent, champion and advise the country’s food and drink industry – the largest manufacturing sector in the UK employing over 450,000 workers across 7,000 different businesses. Since 2017, Gavin Darby has served as FDF President, working on behalf of the industry to communicate its value and concerns to UK Government, regulators, consumers and media alike.

As his three-year tenure came to an end, Darby presented a warm farewell to the Federation, reflecting on the hallmarks of his term along with opportunities and challenges for the future. Navigating through the uncertainties of Brexit while continuing to build the country’s initiatives around such areas as health and wellness, Darby brought 40+ years of industry insight to the position and served with ingenuity and energy.

Gavin Darby’s CV reflects a wealth of experience in CEO, president, executive and board positions throughout telecommunication and consumer goods industries in the UK, including a high-profile corporate turnaround with Premier Foods – one of Britain’s largest food manufacturers. His industry experience compelled him to serve the FDF, an obligation he says that industry leaders reflect by stepping forward.

For the FDF, Gavin Darby says he brought a sense of focus to the sector – one who he notes was in a great position when he first came on board, full of “energy, innovation and entrepreneurship.” Darby says that getting a  clear focus for a federation with differing members and differing agendas was his first goal – a concept adopted early and willingly. His ability to bring the FDF together to pull resources and demand change drove focus around four main goals: Brexit, health and wellbeing – namely the obesity epidemic, skills development in the sector, and exports. Darby says that the focus on a few core issues enabled the FDF to prioritise resources and so create flexibility moving forward. ‘

Brexit will be the single most memorable issue of Darby’s FDF tenure. More than three years into his service, and it’s still unclear what lies ahead for the industry. The country faces a slew of unknowns while manufacturers and distributors must wait on the Government to negotiate post-Brexit trade and other policies regarding export, workforce and regulation; but along the way, the FDF tirelessly advocated for food and drink, working alongside the Government to propose policy that benefits manufacturers and consumers alike.

Just this year, the FDF published a Manufacturers’ Manifesto that worked to clearly proposition key policies the industry hopes the UK Government will commit to implementing in order to ensure success after Brexit. Darby notes that the Federation was instrumental in building a coalition among other industry advocates and civil servants who will continue to champion the sector, even after his departure.

“I think now, while we are still to see where the post arrangements Brexit land, I am absolutely clear that the FDF has played a pivotal role in raising the profile, getting engagement with the agenda, making politicians understand, getting worst-case-scenario non-deal Brexit consequences understood, and making sure that this great industry is listened to,” said Gavin Darby in his final address.

The FDF advocated policy stability despite fluctuating politics, working on behalf of the food and drink industry to ensure the largest manufacturing sector in the country remains competitive, productive and resilient. Gavin Darby noted the Food supply chain is “much more powerful” when focused and working together as a whole, and the industry will continue its journey ahead with confidence.

In the overall goal for health and wellbeing of UK consumers – while the industry has made strides – Darby says there is still a long way to go, noting a report produced by consultants McKinsey & Co. that outlined several clear recommendations for manufacturers. Health, wellness and obesity are deeply complex issues, says Darby, but he’s been “particularly encouraged in terms of the mindset of the leaders of our industry,”, joining together to work on solutions. The obesity crisis, he says, will be an ongoing fight, but one led by determination and collective effort.

In skills and exports, Darby says the Federation used the Food and Drinks Sector Council – an industry-led board composed of businesses from every part of the food chain, of which Darby is a member – as the vehicle for providing pragmatic change. “The FDF has really lent itself to both of those issues by providing significant people, resources, energy and talent, and has driven the agenda on skills and the agenda on exports. We’ve made big progress on both of those,” said Darby, praising the FDF’s efforts in supporting and investing in the people who make up the country’s food and drink sector.

While their remains much to be done in the four focus areas,  Darby notes another challenge yet to come: sustainability, he says – especially, efforts around plastics – will be high on the agenda in this new decade.

With his closing remarks, Gavin Darby again praised the efforts of the Federation during his term serving the FDF, noting that the coalition is in strong standing as an industry representative and more influential than ever regarding UK policy. “The FDF now champions the industry, and we have a voice, and are treated extremely seriously. Perhaps the best manifestation of that sentiment is the reason why I hold this document in my hand.”

The Manufacturers’ Manifesto, he says, was a powerful tool to educate and persuade the Government to help the industry continue to work for the people of the United Kingdom; a document of which he says summarises the FDF today – focused, bold, innovative and unrelenting. 

Learn more about Gavin Darby:

https://stocktwits.com/gavindarby

Up Next on Feedster:

How to Make Your Kids Smarter

Posted on January 26, 2020 AuthorJeanne SanComment(0)

Everyone wants to feel the joy of having their kid appreciated as the smart kid. Especially with growing competition, the importance of making kids all-rounder has become the aim of every parent. But kids don’t simply become smart by doing nothing, as a parent, it is your responsibility to help your child learn and grow […]



from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/business/gavin-darby-reflects-fdf-tenure/