Category: JGBC

The Jersey Good Business Charter Criteria related to Customers

In today’s world, ethical business practices are becoming increasingly crucial, not only for the sustainability of enterprises but also for the well-being of the communities they serve. The Jersey Good Business Charter stands as a beacon for businesses aspiring to operate with integrity and responsibility. At its core, the Charter emphasizes principles that revolve around treating customers fairly, providing quality products and services, and handling disputes transparently and ethically.

Quality Products and Services

One of the key areas the Charter focuses on is ensuring businesses design and deliver high-quality products and services that genuinely meet human needs. For instance, Indicator 2.1.1 assesses whether businesses intentionally design products with user experience in mind, involving customers in the design process to ensure their needs are met. This principle recognizes that products and services should not only fulfill their intended purpose but also enhance the lives of customers.

Honest Sales Practices

Ethical sales practices are another cornerstone of the Charter, as seen in Indicator 2.3.1. This indicator evaluates whether businesses employ an honest and ethical approach to sales, avoiding misrepresentation and focusing on genuine customer needs. By adhering to transparent sales practices and disclosing relevant information, businesses can build trust and credibility with their customers, fostering long-term relationships based on mutual respect.

Dispute Resolution

Handling complaints and disputes with integrity is essential for maintaining customer trust and loyalty. Indicators such as 2.4.1 assess the effectiveness of complaint handling procedures, emphasizing the importance of swift, empathetic resolution. Transparently taking responsibility for resolved complaints and errors, as outlined in Indicator 2.4.3, further demonstrates a commitment to accountability and continuous improvement.

Meeting the Criteria

To meet the criteria outlined in the Jersey Good Business Charter related to customers, businesses must:

1. Design products and services with customer needs in mind: Engage customers in the design process, prioritize quality, and ensure products are built to last.
2. Adopt ethical sales practices: Train sales teams in ethical marketing, disclose commissions, and offer transparent sales terms.
3. Handle complaints and disputes with transparency and empathy: Establish clear complaint handling procedures, train staff in effective dispute resolution, and take responsibility for errors and resolutions.

By aligning their practices with the principles outlined in the Charter, businesses can not only enhance their reputation and competitiveness but also contribute positively to the well-being of their customers and communities. Embracing ethical standards isn’t just a legal or regulatory requirement; it’s a moral imperative that shapes the future of responsible business conduct in Jersey and beyond.

The Jersey Good Business Charter Criteria Related to Suppliers

In the bustling business landscape of Jersey, ethical conduct isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s a cornerstone of sustainable growth and community prosperity. At the heart of this ethos lies the Jersey Good Business Charter, a beacon guiding businesses towards ethical excellence. Central to this journey is the accreditation process, meticulously designed to evaluate businesses’ adherence to principles of decency, fairness, and transparency in their relationships with suppliers.

Understanding the Assessment Form Criteria

The assessment form presents a series of indicators, each probing specific aspects of supplier interactions. Let’s delve into some of these indicators and explore their significance:

Decent Terms:
Indicator 1.1.1 examines businesses’ prompt payment policies and consideration of small business suppliers’ needs. Businesses are scored based on their payment practices, such as clearing purchase ledgers promptly or advancing payments to support small suppliers.

Decent Selection:
Indicator 1.2.1 evaluates businesses’ approach to putting opportunities out to local suppliers for tender. Ethical businesses prioritize tendering for key accounts, ensuring local businesses have a fair chance to grow and thrive.

Decent Comms:
Indicator 1.3.1 focuses on seeking out opportunities for collaborative ventures with other local businesses. Collaboration fosters mutual benefit and strengthens the local economy, reflecting businesses’ commitment to community well-being.

Decent Partnering:
Indicator 1.4.1 explores businesses’ openness to joint ventures and partnerships with government and arms-length organizations. Such collaborations not only drive economic growth but also contribute to the overall welfare of the community.

Why It Matters

The Jersey Good Business Charter’s accreditation process isn’t merely a bureaucratic exercise; it’s a testament to businesses’ commitment to ethical conduct and responsible citizenship. By adhering to the principles outlined in the assessment form, businesses not only enhance their reputation but also contribute to the vitality of the local economy and the well-being of the community.

Meeting the Criteria: A Path to Ethical Excellence

To align with the Jersey Good Business Charter’s principles related to suppliers, businesses must adopt proactive measures and genuine commitment. For example, prioritizing local suppliers, maintaining transparent dealings, and actively seeking opportunities for collaboration are essential steps towards meeting the criteria and fostering a culture of ethical excellence.

Reflecting on Commitments and Aspirations

In the applicant notes section, businesses have the opportunity to provide context, reflect on current practices, and outline aspirations for improvement. This space serves as a platform for businesses to articulate their commitment to ethical conduct and outline concrete steps they plan to take to enhance their supplier relationships.

Conclusion

The Jersey Good Business Charter’s criteria related to suppliers epitomize a commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and community engagement. By embracing these principles, businesses not only uphold the highest standards of integrity but also contribute to the collective prosperity and well-being of Jersey’s vibrant business ecosystem. As businesses navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape, the Jersey Good Business Charter stands as a guiding light towards a more ethical and sustainable future for all.

The Jersey Good Business Charter: A Path to Ethical Business Practices

In an era where businesses face increasing scrutiny for their practices, the need for ethical standards has never been more pressing. The Jersey Good Business Charter stands as a beacon for companies striving to uphold ethical principles in their operations. Central to this charter is the accreditation process, a rigorous evaluation of businesses’ adherence to principles of decency and fairness in their dealings with suppliers. Let’s delve into what this accreditation process entails, its significance, and how businesses can meet its criteria.

What is the Jersey Good Business Charter?

The Jersey Good Business Charter is a testament to the island’s commitment to fostering ethical business practices. It sets forth principles that encompass fair treatment of suppliers, transparent dealings, and collaborative partnerships aimed at nurturing a vibrant local economy. At its core, the charter seeks to promote responsible business conduct that benefits not only stakeholders but the community at large.

The Accreditation Process: A Gateway to Ethical Business

The accreditation process serves as a litmus test for businesses aspiring to align with the principles of the Jersey Good Business Charter. Through a series of indicators and assessments, businesses are evaluated on their adherence to principles of decency, transparency, and collaboration in their supplier relationships.

Understanding the Indicators

The assessment forms encompass various indicators, each shedding light on specific aspects of ethical business conduct. From prompt payment policies to transparent dealings with suppliers, each indicator underscores the importance of fair and equitable practices in supplier relationships. For instance, Indicator 1.1.1 evaluates businesses’ prompt payment policies, recognizing the detrimental impact delayed payments can have on small suppliers.

Why Does it Matter?

The Jersey Good Business Charter isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about fostering a culture of integrity and responsibility within the business community. Ethical business practices not only enhance reputation but also contribute to a resilient and sustainable economy. By prioritizing the welfare of suppliers and fostering collaborative partnerships, businesses play a pivotal role in building a stronger, more inclusive society.

How to Meet the Criteria

Meeting the criteria set forth by the Jersey Good Business Charter requires a concerted effort towards ethical excellence. It begins with a commitment to fair treatment of suppliers, ensuring prompt payments and transparent dealings. Businesses are encouraged to engage with local suppliers, prioritize their selection, and actively seek opportunities for collaboration. By embracing a triple bottom line approach that considers social, environmental, and economic factors, businesses can navigate the accreditation process with confidence.

Conclusion

The Jersey Good Business Charter represents a transformative journey towards ethical business practices. Through its accreditation process, businesses have the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to decency, fairness, and collaboration in their operations. By upholding these principles, businesses not only enhance their own reputation but also contribute to the collective well-being of the community. As the ethical landscape continues to evolve, the Jersey Good Business Charter stands as a testament to the island’s unwavering dedication to ethical excellence.

Jersey Good Business Charter 2024 Update

2024 is going to be a transformative year for the Jersey Good Business Charter.

Events

We are delighted to be bringing back the Business Is Good conference to St Helier in Quarter 3 2024. This will be a high-profile event with international speakers that celebrates business as a force for good in our Island society and highlights the achievements of Charter members for Jersey.

In addition to our international keynotes there will be opportunities for corporate Charter members to speak, and participate on panels with local political and civic leaders and to have their good business stories celebrated in front of the whole local business community.

We will be issuing some discounted tickets to each corporate Charter member for their people for the event – details to follow. Event comms will be launched in April, through the usual channels.

Business is Good will be followed by some other smaller events in partnership with other bodies in the business community.

Accreditations

In March 2024 we are opening up the new Silver level membership accreditation process to new applicants. We already have four corporate candidates for upgrading, and one business who already beta-tested the Silver standard with us at the end of 2023. They will be ready in principle for the award of their accreditation at Business is Good.

We will be giving all existing corporate Charter members £[1,000] off the assessment fee if they commence their Silver assessment process during 2024.

Silver is about the journey from credible ethical intent to evidenced ethical outcomes across sixty credible criteria. This standard therefore celebrates the evidence-based achievement of good impacts on customers, suppliers, people, community and environment.

The present standard level of membership will be revised and rebranded as a new “Bronze” tier. This level is based on the demonstration of resolved ethical intent across the same sixty criteria as the Silver standard. All existing corporate members of the charter will be offered the opportunity to transfer their standard memberships to the Bronze tier on the basis of a validation of their prior commitments.

At the same time the Standard level will be opened up as a self-declared entry-level tier for businesses who wish to commit to the Good Business journey.

Governance

We will be consulting with corporate members in 2024 on a simpler, member-led and member-owned organisation, where you the members will set the strategy, decide on fees (if any) and can do everything except the award of the accredited standard to each other.

While this consultation is happening the work of the Charter will be continued by Simon Soar and Simon Nash and Tim Rogers of the Insight.je.

Simon Soar has worked in a number of local businesses, charities and trade associations, including most recently with Caring Cooks, Jersey Hospitality and Policy Centre Jersey. Simon will be developing the network of charter members and contributing to the events programme.

Simon Nash will be no stranger to most of you. He has been working in the field of business ethics in Jersey for the past seven years and has recently developed the assessment framework that has been adopted for Silver level of membership for the Charter. Tim Rogers works with Insight clients on a number of business ethics and transformation projects, and will be an accredited assessor for the Bronze and Silver assessments.

The Board of the Good Business Charter will continue to be chaired by Heather-Anne Hubbell, one of Jersey’s leading experts in corporate governance and the CEO of a tech start-up.

We anticipate that 2024 will be the last year in which corporate members pay the current level of annual subscriptions, as the Charter shifts more to a ‘user-pays’ model based on accreditations and events, with a much smaller level of annual subs to cover a lighter-touch central governance and comms.

Membership Fees

Corporate subscription
A new tier of membership for “micro” business (below 10 employees) is launched.
Annual membership subscriptions w.e.f. 1/1/24 are

Micro: was £450 now £150
Small: was £450 now £300
Medium: was £950 now £450
Large: was £1450 now £750

Assessment fees for accreditation

Standard level: Free of charge

Bronze level: £1,000 (for three years).
This includes a site visit with an Assessor / Council Member but no inspection of documents.

Silver level: £3,000 (for three years).
This includes a site visit with both an Assessor and a Council Member with inspection of sampled documents.

Gold level (2025): £5,000 (for three years).
This includes a site visit with an assessor team, inspection of documents, and meetings with customers, suppliers and staff.

This is a temporary page set-up for The Jersey Good Business Charter March 2024.

About The Jersey Good Business Charter

The Jersey Good Business Charter is an initiative that highlights, celebrates and encourages the contribution of businesses in Jersey to building a better community and a better world.

The Charter is a standard of excellent business practice for companies with a presence in the island of Jersey. We operate independent of government and as a not-for-profit entity, drawing expertise on an honorary basis from the business community.

The Charter is governed by a Board, who are advised by a Council, and supported by an Executive Director.

The Charter Mark is then awarded by our Board to those Associate Member businesses that can demonstrate against a series of standards that they are serious about business ethics and corporate social responsibility, focusing on the impact of business on its people, supply chain, community, future generations and the planet.
Start Your Good Business Journey
The first step to achieving Charter Status is to become an Affiliate Member of the Charter. Affiliate Membership is based on the number of employees in your organisation