Many successful companies throughout the UK understand the business benefits that can be gained by learning from others and sharing their experience. Here are just two.

• Bovince is one of Europe's largest users of screen process technology and, in an effort to differentiate itself, is committed to reducing environmental impact. To this end, Bovince has achieved two ISO quality assurance standards and established a performance-reporting regime accredited by the European Eco- Management and Audit Standard. It has also been given a British Printing Industries Federation Bronze Award for demonstrable standards of environmental awareness and control, and, in 2000, won the top Environmental Reporting Award for small and medium-sized companies from the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants.

The results: Bovince's commitment to recognised standards has underpinned its reputation as a responsible company. This in turn has brought the company significant new business from organizations that select suppliers on green performance as much as cost and quality.

• Flag Communications is a design and communication agency with around 20 employees specializing in internal communication, graduate recruitment communication, corporate design and corporate social responsibility communication. Based in Cambridge, Flag has gained Investor in People status and was a finalist in the regional Employer of the Year Awards in 2001. It is also ISO 9001 accredited and received an Impact on Society Award for Excellence from Business in the Community in 2003.

The results: By working towards best practice standards and winning awards, Flag has enhanced its reputation as a good employer which in turn has enabled it to recruit by referral and on the recommendation of associates and colleagues, saving time and money. The design sector is notorious for short-term, moving contracts, but Flag's focus on quality helps in retaining clients and contracts.