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Poor Paperwork Management Blamed for FSA Sting

A respected hotel in the Isle of Wight was recently shocked when the Food Standards Agency gave them a rating of zero – and has said that a paperwork error was to blame. The George Hotel in Yarmouth used to be a Michelin starred restaurant and has played hosts to celebrity guests.

A rating of zero means that an establishment requires ‘urgent improvement.’ A manager at the hotel has said that an administration problem was the main contributing factor to the unforgiving rating, after the inspection in September. The paperwork error is said to be resolved, but the hotel will have to wait until the next visit to be rated again.

Poor paperwork management has obviously been a recipe for disaster for The George Hotel. Unorganised paperwork can be a problem in all businesses, but to many it would seem unlikely to affect a hospitality establishment. But all businesses have files to keep and standards to upkeep, so having an efficient system is a must.
In November, a spokeswoman for The George Hotel said that the administrative problem had been rectified, to the satisfaction of Environmental Health Officers. She said, "Although we now have a clean bill of health we have to wait until the New Year to be given our official new rating which we are confident will be back to our previous high standards. We apologise to our customers for any concern caused by these administrative errors."

Improving Document Management

If your paperwork was to be inspected by an industry body, do you think you’d pass? Businesses drowning in paperwork should take action before it starts to affect quality of work and compliance. Electronic document management has already been embraced by many organisations, and these forward thinking companies have seen results.

Firstly, using digital files instead of paper frees up lots of space, which can be put to better use. Some businesses can even save on storage costs or choose to move to a smaller office.

Implementing an electronic document storage system also increases productivity and efficiency. Your staff will no longer have to search through filing cabinets to retrieve information – it’s all available at the click of a button. Basic admin tasks will take less time which means that valuable time can be spent on other important jobs or business development.
If you think you need to improve your document management, see how Pearl Scan’s scanning services can help.

With hundreds of tons worth of machinery taking to the skies and lives categorically on the line, compliance within the aerospace industry is not something to be taken lightly. If you operate in the aerospace sector, playing by the rules is critical. To help you augment your approach we’ve come up with some savvy ways to keep compliance under wraps.

An in-depth understanding of industry regulations

The aerospace sector is governed by its own industry specific regulations. The Aerospace Industries Association is an international body, with country specific organisations also keeping companies in check. Rules and regulations are dynamic and ever-changing which means it’s essential for companies to stay up-to-the-minute with all the latest compliance requirements.

Adequate training

Whether you operate in the private, public or commercial sectors, training up a team of competent and qualified staff will drastically improve the compliance credentials of your operations. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page, and has a thorough understanding of all rules and regulations.

Intelligent software solutions

Technology is now an integral part of contemporary business, and the aerospace industry isn’t exempt. Today, companies can utilise a glut of intelligent software solutions designed to streamline internal operations and boost efficiency. When used correctly, internal management software can play a key role in keeping aviation businesses compliant.

Assigning dedicated teams

Compliance should never be left to chance. For this reason aviation companies should always assign a dedicated compliance manager to oversee all areas relating to safety, maintenance, legalities, staff and other key areas. Larger companies may even want to consider drafting an entire team. This will eliminate the risk of any regulatory issues slipping through the net.

Electronic document management

The aviation sector is burdened with a huge amount of paperwork. Unfortunately, just one tiny mistake can spell disaster for companies, particularly if it’s relating to maintenance. When it comes to keeping papers in check electronic document management is a must utilise tool. From safety checks, maintenance documentation and legal papers, digitalising documents and sketches ensures that all content can be accessed easily and instantaneously.

Offices that operate a paperless office can draw on a number of benefits including increased employee productivity and a greener work environment due to the reduced use of paper. There are many ways that offices can convert to paperless operations. However, to transition seamlessly there are a few tips that can help make the experience smooth and seamless.

Start Small

Attempting to implement paperless operations in one big project can be detrimental to business. This can be avoided by starting small and working up in conversion size. Consider transitioning one office or department at a time, and ensuring that all employees are comfortable with the new operations before asking another area within the business to embrace the digital era.

Offer Employee Training

Switching to digital operations is easier when addressing issues with how a new system works straight away. Investing in time before converting an office to digital operations gives employees the chance to ask questions, develop their understanding and get to grips with plans before they are rolled out through a business. Such time investment can save time, money and make the transition easier as companies can be sure that all employees are singing off the same hymn sheet.

Spread the Word

Ensure that all members of a business are aware of the upcoming change and educate them on what going paperless means for their day-to-day activities. Slowly begin to discourage devices that use reams of paper such as printers, fax machines or photocopiers. Reducing paper usage means that staff will simplify day-to-day tasks.

Be sure to spread the message to the outside world too. This is a great way to generate publicity and is a unique selling point for any business. Paperless activities help make businesses eco-friendly. This can save money and boost brand reputation as well as bring in new earth-conscious customers.

Choose a Long Term Provider

Many companies offer paperless office services however, it is important to choose a company that will help make the transition easier not just at the beginning but for months and years to come. Some reputable companies offer as much or as little support as needed, giving customers the chance to draw on company experience and utilise the paperless experience in the best possible way.

Specialist document transition experts such as Pearl Scan Solutions can assist companies embracing the digital revolution at every step. With over a decade industry experience, Pearl Scan Solutions are experts in paperless operations and give companies everything they need to make the transition as seamless, effortless and beneficial as possible. That includes free search and retrieval software and a lifetime of support.

To find out how we can help your business why not give us a call and speak to one of our document specialists today!