Risk management for your business

Last month we highlighted how research buyers can manage their risk by using AMSRO members who have achieved quality certification.

I want to spend a bit of time this month on risk management for market and social research companies. I was reminded of this while attending the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) annual conference, which had a focus on corporate governance. Some interesting points were raised that may have ramifications for your business:

• A company director is defined as anyone who acts as a company director - despite their position and title - and this then gives them the potential to be legally treated as a company director.
• The use of an advisory committee instead of a board. This is very similar to a board but members do not have the same liability as company directors. This means that you can give your company the same leverage as one with a board, with about a 30% cost saving.

The most important business issue moving into the future is sustainability. Of course occupational health and safety (OH&S) rated a mention - especially the need to be forever diligent about physical risk in your workspace. AMSRO members have access to extensive information and advice on OH&S matters.

Insurances are another form of risk management that can often be an oversight when setting up or running a business. The AMSRO brokers do an excellent job in helping members understand and manage risks. The cost of not having the correct insurance can be substantial. Do you have the full range of insurances appropriate to your business?

Asking for relevant quality standards from your suppliers and sub-contractors is another way in which you can handle your risk management.

AMSRO is focused on assisting its members meet their due diligence in risk management for their businesses.

Ian Thomas
President, AMSRO

Workplace relations
Andrew Maher, retained by AMSRO to provide legal assistance and advice on workplace relations, is preparing information for members on the implications of reforms under the Fair Work Act. He will also be holding face-to-face sessions on workplace relations for members in Sydney and Melbourne later in the year. More details will be available soon.

Asia Pacific Conference
AMSRO is delighted to be hosting a lunch for delegates during the Asia Pacific Conference. This conference, newly formed, will be held in conjunction with the AMSRS National Conference later this year. Guests at the lunch will have an opportunity to meet delegates from several Asian countries and discuss matters of mutual interest.

Leaders' Forum
Preliminary planning for the 2010 Leaders' Forum is underway. The provisional dates are 18-19 March 2010, in Hobart - pencil them in your diary!

ESOMAR news
The president of ESOMAR is coming to Australia in late August and will meet with representatives from AMSRO and AMSRS. The ESOMAR Congress will be held in Montreux this year from 15 to 18 September. AMSRO members who are not ESOMAR members can take advantage of a preferential rate for registration. Please contact Jane Gregory for more details jane@amsro.com.au

Quality standards
The Quality Standards Committee recently held its second meeting. Several initiatives to help companies are in progress. The Committee also discussed ISO 26362 and issues relating to its adoption in Australia.

The ISO 20252 offer for small business has been enthusiastically received. Many companies who currently have IQCA certification are moving to this standard over the next few months.
The IQCA certification scheme was wound down at the end of June 2009 and is no longer available.

Company quality news
Colmar Brunton was recently certified to ISO 20252 for Market, Opinion and Social Research.

AMSRO committee meeting
An AMSRO Committee meeting was held in May. The minutes of the meeting are available to members on the AMSRO web site. AMSRO welcomes the following new members who were ratified at the meeting:

• The Human Network
• Ask Australia

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