IABM Business Standard
What is the “IABM Business Standard”?
The IABM Business Standard is an initiative that was launched in 2009 as a response to member demand and comments from their customers in
the broadcast media industry. Our sector is truly global with suppliers based in more than one hundred
countries. Many of these sell the majority of their goods and services internationally and seek business
relationships through the web, advertising, at tradeshows and by personal contact.
It is impossible for customers to be familiar with all these companies and even when dealing with a well known
name, it is not always clear how they operate and manage their customer relationships. The big question for a
user is: how you can identify whether the potential supplier is likely to make a reliable and responsible
business partner for your project, providing support during the Contract and throughout the life of the product?
Websites can look very impressive but can equally mask the true nature of a business. Procurement
specifications and tender documents are a vital part of the technical and commercial appraisal of a product or
business but will not give a full appreciation of the underlying ethos of a company.
The IABM Business Standard aims to add an additional dimension to the decision-making process. By subscribing to
the standards which underpin the use of the new Business Standard logo, IABM members have demonstrated that they
want to fully engage in the industry and their commitment indicates that member companies have carefully
considered all their responsibilities as a business.
The eight criteria that make up the Business Standard form an integral part of our Terms of Membership.
This new initiative relates to good business practice only and is not and does not refer to technical
specifications – the IABM is not seeking to supplant any of the excellent work on technical standards undertaken
by SMPTE, EBU and other organisations but to add a complementary recognised good business standard.
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Why have we created this standard?There are four main reasons for the creation of the IABM Business Standard:
- Our members have requested it
- Our members' customers have requested it
- The law on trade associations and competition has changed
- It makes a statement as to the values of the IABM
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What are the criteria that the standard sets out?
The code sets eight standards to which members commit themselves as follows:
1. COMPANY STANDARD
Members should demonstrate integrity and professionalism in their operations, management and governance.
2. CUSTOMER STANDARD
Members should deliver high standards of customer care and service.
3. PEOPLE STANDARD
Members should respect their staff and adopt policies which reflect good practice in human resource
management.
4. PRODUCT AND SERVICE STANDARD
Members should produce products and supply services which perform to their published specification or contracted
standard and are consistent with marketing materials, quotations or tenders associated with them.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARD
Members should recognise their corporate obligation to minimize their environmental footprint.
6. ETHICAL STANDARD
Members should behave in an ethical manner and demonstrate integrity in their commercial activities.
7. COMPETITION STANDARD
Members should treat their competitors with courtesy and respect.
8. COMMUNITY STANDARD
Members should participate in their industry community in a positive and constructive manner.
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What does this means for SUPPLIERS?The key message for your organisation is that the IABM Business Standard "gives your business the edge". By displaying this logo, you are making a statement about your commitment and attitude to adopting good business practice. In this diverse global marketplace your customers need to be able to identify suppliers they can rely on, and be sure of a high quality service. This is the mark to set you apart from your competitors.
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What does this mean for CUSTOMERS?For our members' customers, this means that when faced with a global choice of companies to do business with, you can be sure that IABM members subscribe to a legitimate code of business conduct. By choosing an IABM member you can be sure that you are dealing with a reliable and responsible business partner for your project. IABM members are committed to the growth of this industry and they value your combined role in ensuring that growth.
Please note that there is an official complaints procedure available for a breach of the IABM Business Standard. The IABM will only investigate and impose penalties if these are an appropriate redress; there may be no redress for the purchaser to the IABM itself.
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If you have any queries or would like to discuss how this affects your business please contact Lucinda Meek on +44 1684 854460 or email lucinda.meek@theiabm.org
The IABM Business Standard is a support tool for encouraging professional procurement and the highest standards of business behaviour. Responsibility for evaluating the suitability of suppliers and their products and services ultimately rests with the purchaser who should carry out their own investigations into such suppliers and their products. The IABM accept no liability for the consequence of any action by any person taken on the basis of a member’s compliance with its Business Standard or otherwise. The scheme is operated in good faith. The IABM does not carry out regular checks to ensure member companies are complying with the Business Standard and is reliant on notifications from its members, purchasers and potential purchasers of any breaches of the Business Standard to enable it to take appropriate action however at no time shall such action give any person any redress against the IABM. The Business Standard does not remove the obligation of any purchaser or prospective purchaser to undertake proper enquiry, take up references, seek warranties and take professional advice where appropriate.
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