PHAM NEWS | FEBRUARY 2024 18 Business Matters


Fear of theft and violence aff ecting more trades


New research from commercial insurer NFU Mutual found that more than nine in 10 tradespeople (92%) say they or someone they know have been a victim of theft. In the last 12 months alone, 53%


of those surveyed said they had experienced tool or equipment theft; just shy of half had materials pinched; almost three in 10 had a vehicle stolen; and 23% were victims of organised crime. And those fi gures clearly weigh


heavily on those in the industry, with almost a third of tradespeople (29%) admitting that the fear of theft and violence on their business contributes towards diffi culties with mental health. The rising cost of living (42%),


fi nancial worries (41%), stress of the job (39%), long hours (35%) and a lack of regular work (33%) were the other factors. With almost nine in 10


tradespeople concerned about the threat of their equipment being stolen, NFU Mutual is urging workers to remain vigilant.


While more than three-quarters


of tradespeople did say they were confi dent or fairly confi dent they would know where to go for support if they were struggling, worryingly, almost four in 10 (36%) said it is unlikely they would seek help if they had mental health problems. Commercial insurer NFU Mutual


is a supporter of Samaritans, a charity which off ers round the clock emotional support to anyone struggling to cope. Jason Jaspal, assistant director


Zoe Knight, commercial specialist


at NFU Mutual, says: “Theft of tradespeople’s tools or equipment continues to blight the industry and the fact 92% of people surveyed say they – or someone they know – have been a victim speaks volumes. “Tradespeople rely on this


equipment for their income and livelihood, with crime hitting not just their pocket but, as our research shows, also having a huge and negative impact on their mental health. “To see a third of tradespeople


fearing theft or violence in their day-to-day job is worrying and we would urge tradespeople to do all they can to off put the threat of that happening – via security measures


and recording serial numbers of equipment. “We want tradespeople to feel


supported and protected should the worst happen and know there is also help available for those struggling.”


Mental health impact An industry report revealed in December that texts to a construction charity helpline had seen an increase of 105% after the launch of an initiative to amplify the mental health message. That could pave the way for


more open conversations, with the survey showing that more than half of respondents believe that mental health isn’t spoken about openly within the trades.


Complete coverage tailored to individuals


Data as a service empowers data-driven decisions


BigChange has launched a new feature that allows businesses to access real-time data from their fi eld service and fl eet operations. When incorporated into data warehouses for processing with business data, companies can analyse enterprise-wide data using the latest artifi cial Intelligence (AI) tools to boost their business performance. Through the BigChange


Developer Portal and a Data as a Service (DaaS) facility, customers can retrieve their raw data and integrate it seamlessly with data from other systems. This integration allows for enterprise- wide data analysis using AI tools, such as Microsoft PowerBI, Panintelligence, and Looker . The Developer Portal


serves as a community forum and documentation hub for


integrators and developers looking to connect with BigChange. The DaaS, powered by Snowfl ake, provides access to various data collected by BigChange, including job, fi nance, and tracking data. This data can be transformed into strategic insights using data analytics capabilities or through pre-built dashboards off ered by BigChange. “We see our new Data as a


Service as marking a signifi cant shift in how businesses handle and interpret data,” says Alekhya Ankarapu, product manager of DaaS and the Developer Portal. “It provides the most effi cient and user-friendly platform for data access and integration and we are committed to empowering our customers to derive insightful, data-driven decisions.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/30


CHAS and Towergate have partnered to launch CHAS Protect, an insurance service designed for contractors and tradespeople. The collaboration combines CHAS’s expertise in supply chain risk management with Towergate’s specialisation as a business insurance broker. The service off ers bespoke insurance coverage to CHAS


members, recognising their commitment to responsible operations. CHAS accreditation provides members with a lower risk profi le, granting them access to contractor-friendly insurance premiums and customised policy enhancements. The comprehensive coverage


Setting yourself apart from the pack


Trade business owners are being encouraged by Fergus to embrace key business trends in 2024 and adopt new techniques to enhance customer experience. While AI, sustainable business practices, and personalisation are expected to dominate the business landscape, focusing on delivering exceptional customer interactions can set businesses apart from the competition, says Fergus. Fergus believes its job management software will help


installers get ahead of the trend. It advises: Be speedy: with custom templates, you can quickly


generate accurate quotes and invoices, sending them directly to clients via email or SMS. Be informative: set reminders and send automatic


confi rmations and updates to your clients, so every appointment runs smoothly and customers are always kept in the loop about any adjustments. Be ultra-reliable: thanks to smartphones and GPS, you


can track your team members’ exact location and route, which means you can let clients know an ETA without disturbing a driver while they’re on the road. “Businesses that excel in delivering precisely what


the customer wants, promptly and stress free, while effi ciently resolving any issues, will stand apart from any businesses that do not,” explains James Chillman, UK country manager for Fergus. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/31


of business development at Samaritans, says: “Samaritans off ers a listening ear and a safe space to share how you’re feeling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. “It’s vital that tradespeople


reach out for support when they are fi nding life tough, rather than letting things build up and potentially reaching a crisis point. It doesn’t matter what they’re fi nding challenging, Samaritans is here so they don’t have to face things alone.”


Reduce your risk NFU Mutual Risk Management Services is sharing the following advice to tradespeople: • Minimise storage of tools


and equipment in vans: a robust, lockable building is preferable. Consider intruder alarms for high value equipment.


• If you have to leave tools and


equipment in a van, make sure it’s alarmed and, as a minimum, park against a wall so that doors cannot be opened easily. • Don’t make it easy for thieves


to guess that equipment is kept inside (a van or a building) e.g. by leaving items on display and leaving tools around which may assist an intruder. • Store portable items within a


robust, lockable store that is fi xed in place. • Restrict and control vehicular


access to the work site. • Consider a video security


system (temporary systems and temporary intruder alarm systems are available for site use). • Security mark your tools


and equipment (e.g. forensic, engraving or permanent marking) to deter thieves and aid faster recovery. • Don’t stockpile high value


materials such as lead and copper or leave them around for longer than necessary. • For construction vehicles use


CESAR marking, tracking and immobilisation to prevent and trace thieves. • Check all locks and security


measures before leaving any site e.g. alarms switched on, cameras facing the right direction and security lights working. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/28


includes business, tools, equipment, and vehicles, with exclusive benefi ts for CHAS members such as extended equipment replacement, tax advice, legal support, and mental health assistance. Commenting on the launch,


Alex Minett, head of new global markets at CHAS, says: “This partnership marks true innovation in the industry, off ering insurance products tailored to reward our CHAS members’ lower risk profi les. The contractor-friendly premiums and personalised policy enhancements showcase one of the many ways CHAS adds value to its members as part of their accreditation.” ◼ phamnews.co.uk/224/29


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