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Guest post - Safe and sure coaches

When James Horseman, Director of Operations at Reading-based Horseman Coaches, heard that some children at local schools were fearful of travelling by coach, he moved quickly to ca… https://minervapcs.com/blog/guest-post-safe-and-sure-coaches/

The Barnfield Federation Investigation – What Went Wrong From a Procurement Perspective?

The Barnfield Federation is all over the news at the moment since the release of the report investigating them. So, from a procurement perspective what can we learn?
If you’re working in or with the education sector you’d have to have been living on another planet not to have noticed that the report on the investigations on the Barnfield Feder… https://minervapcs.com/blog/barnfield-federation-investigation-what-went-wrong-procurement-perspective/

Estate Management is a key function for any bursar. But what are the main issues and opportunities for making/saving money?

Estate Management is a key function for any bursar. But what are the main issues and opportunities for making/saving money?
One area of the business mix that can sometimes be overlooked is estate management. The school’s real estate is one of its most valuable assets, but few schools are cognisant of t… https://minervapcs.com/blog/estate-management-key-function-any-bursar-what-are-main-issues-and-opportunities-makingsaving-money/

Loyalty doesn't always pay

Why being a loyal customer doesn't always result in you getting the best deal.
I think most of us are aware that loyalty doesn't always pay but I also think most of us are guilty of thinking "but that's not us".  Well let me tell you, it probably is! We'v… https://minervapcs.com/blog/loyalty-doesnt-always-pay/

Question: What do Lorraine Ashover and Sir Chris Hoy have in common?

Why the "aggregation of marginal gains" is important in your procurement activities.
Answer:  They both believe in the benefits of the ‘aggregation of marginal gains’. I had the honour and privilege of hearing Sir Chris Hoy speak at an Entrepreneur’s Convention… https://minervapcs.com/blog/question-what-do-lorraine-ashover-and-sir-chris-hoy-have-common/

Forget the 3 R’s….we have 5!

Forget the 3 R’s….we have 5! (Raise awareness, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Routinely use recycled products)
Raise awareness, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Routinely use recycled products Recycling and waste management are always being mentioned on the news, and many councils are now putting … https://minervapcs.com/blog/forget-3-rswe-have-5/

Cardboard and drinks cans – a valuable commodity?

We at Telegreen Recycling Equipment are constantly surprised at the number of people we speak to in schools, colleges and other large institutions who are not aware of the v… https://minervapcs.com/blog/cardboard-and-drinks-cans-valuable-commodity/

Building projects – prevention is better than cure so plan, plan, plan.

  Schools are businesses like any other.  They must provide high standard facilities and performance, demonstrate pecuniary competence and deliver excellent results.  Sch… https://minervapcs.com/blog/building-projects-prevention-better-cure-so-plan-plan-plan/

IP telephony systems – really worth the switch?

In the last twelve months, increasing numbers of independent schools are switching from their traditional telephone systems to more future-proof and innovative solutions, su… https://minervapcs.com/blog/ip-telephony-systems-really-worth-switch/

Significant proposals for employment law reforms announced

The announcement at the recent Conservative Party Conference by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Chancellor George Osborne that the qualification period for the right to c… https://minervapcs.com/blog/significant-proposals-employment-law-reforms-announced/

Oil procurement case study and global market overview

There is one area of procurement spend that many schools are extremely wary of – oil.  It’s hardly surprising bearing in  mind the complex and volatile nature of pricing.  S… https://minervapcs.com/blog/oil-procurement-case-study-and-global-market-overview/

Question: When is a preferred supplier list not a preferred supplier list?

Answer: When your staff choose to ignore it and do their own thing! Interesting article in Supply Management magazine today around this subject which is something schools… https://minervapcs.com/blog/question-when-preferred-supplier-list-not-preferred-supplier-list/

The commercial benefits of sustainable print procurement

‘Green’ products are sold as an ethical choice and, because they have added value, often attract a price premium. Businesses create the idea that a ‘green’ product offers mo… https://minervapcs.com/blog/commercial-benefits-sustainable-print-procurement/

The new rules for pensions and the teachers pension scheme

By Alastair Lyon, Partner, Crowe Clark Whitehill, audit partner and member of the firm’s Not for Profit unit.  Alastair acts for several schools and has been involved in the… https://minervapcs.com/blog/new-rules-pensions-and-teachers-pension-scheme/

Default retirement age

Employers are no longer able to use the default retirement age to compulsorily retire employees and, unless a retirement procedure was commenced on or before 5 April 2011, r… https://minervapcs.com/blog/default-retirement-age/

VAT – pitfalls and planning

The world of VAT is not an easy one for charities. A common misconception is that charities don’t pay any VAT. Well, there are reliefs available for activities and expenditu… https://minervapcs.com/blog/vat-pitfalls-and-planning/

The future for energy costs

By Jo Butlin, Vice President – Retail, SmartestEnergy Limited, the leading purchaser and supplier of renewable energy from the independent generation sector in the UK. www.s… https://minervapcs.com/blog/future-energy-costs/

Government ‘squandering’ £25 billion a year

Very topical article today on an issue which has been receiving more and more focus in the past few weeks and, in the run up to the election, will no doubt continue to do so… https://minervapcs.com/blog/government-squandering-25-billion-year/

Pupils are given sleep lessons!

It clearly must be a sign of my age but I did find this article in the Scotsman today rather amusing. Apparently, there is a project running in Scotland to help school pu… https://minervapcs.com/blog/pupils-are-given-sleep-lessons/

Price versus Total Cost

Had a great meeting this morning with Stuart Sheppard from Kinnarps, the Swedish workplace furniture firm.  Kinnarps is an excellent example of why we at Minerva don’t just … https://minervapcs.com/blog/price-versus-total-cost/

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