Sector:  Construction, Printing
No.of Employees:  160
Region: London

John Hayes, CEO Top Ten Tips for Small Businesses

Summary
Axis Europe is a diverse company, with 5 operating divisions: General Contracting; Repairs and Maintenance; Painting and Decorating; Printing; Retail Display.  The majority of turnover is derived from its construction-related activities.  Having previously embarked upon various ad-hoc community initiatives, since 2004 the company has taken a more strategic approach to corporate social responsibility. In recognition of this, Axis Europe was awarded Small Company of the Year in the BITC Awards for Excellence 2005.

Background
Established in 1986, the company underwent a restructure in 1995.  The company's turnover has doubled in the last five years, reaching £22 million, and its employee base has risen by a third to 160 staff.

Responsible business objectives 
Corporate Social Responsibility is a key tenet of 'Our Values' - the standards which we promote actively throughout our business environment.  We view Corporate Social Responsibility as a means of contributing our time, money and resources for the betterment of the communities within which we operate.  We also perceive it as a way of promoting the positive aspects of our business behaviour to staff, clients and anyone else who comes into contact with our Company.

How they do it

• Local recruitment policy.  The company pro-actively recruits staff from the local area.
• Promotion of diversity and social inclusion.  The company has recruited a full-time Human Resources Manager to understand and address diversity in the workplace.  Operating in such an ethnically diverse area, this has been crucial to the success of the company's local recruitment policy.
• Flexible hours policy.
• Introduction of 'Skills for Life' programme.  To address literacy, numeracy and IT skills within the company's own workforce.
• Employee volunteering.  The company positively encourages staff volunteering, particularly around education initiatives.
• Local mentoring programmes.  Each member of the executive board undertakes mentoring of a local organisation as part of their personal development scheme.
• Apprenticeship scheme.  The company provides apprenticeships for members of the local community.
• Piloting an initiative to recruit criminal offenders.  Programme to be explored with Brixton Prison to break the circle of criminal re-offence through provision of employment and education.
• Commitment to sustainability.  Provision of environmental training for all staff, environmental assessments of suppliers, and periodic reviews of environmental targets and action plans.
• Charitable contributions.

 What impact it has

• 8% of total pre-tax profits donated to local community groups and charities.

• Stimulation of local economy.  Through local recruitment.

• Flexible hours.  Accommodation of employees' individual circumstances, such as mothers returning to work.  

• Investor in People accreditation.

• 1/3 of all employees volunteered 120 hours of company time, matched by 192 hours of their own time, in 2004.

• Partnership with Charlton Athletic Football Club.  Involvement in the Club's campaigning around racial and sexual equality.

• ISO 14001 environmental accreditation.  To be reviewed within three years.

Business Benefits

• Highly skilled workforce.  Training maximises employees' potential and improves their ability to deliver clients' requirements.
• Strength in diversity.  A socially inclusive approach capitalises upon the diverse nature of the local community.
• Reliable workforce.  Flexible hours and local recruitment result in a reliable workforce, by accommodating staff's individual needs.
• Staff retention.  An inclusive approach reduces staff turnover and increases staff loyalty.
• Recruitment.  25% of vacancies filled by Community Partners, between October 2004 and January 2005.
• New business.  Building relationships with local organisations is a major source of new clients.
• PR mileage.  Awards and innovation present media opportunities.