Welcome to another weekly serving of practical supply chain advice, industry news, and special opportunities! In this edition of The Backorder:
- UK brands call for compulsory food waste reporting
- How to manage conflict resolution in the workplace
- Mark Said shares his thoughts on the future of accounting
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In supply chain headlines
- More than half of consumers will avoid shops with strict return policies. In a new report published by Appriss Retail, "How Important Are Returns to Customers?", 55% of consumers report that they've decided not to buy from stores due to the restrictions of their returns policies.
- Scope 3 emissions remain the biggest supply chain sustainability challenge. Despite significant efforts, Scope 3 emissions are still the most difficult to track and manage due to the complexity of supplier networks and inconsistent data-sharing, reports MIT News.
- UK retailers call on government for mandatory food waste reporting. Over 30 food businesses – including Tesco, Aldi, and Nestlé – have signed a letter to environment secretary Steve Reed insisting on better food-waste reporting processes, writes Retail Gazette.
Conflict resolution in the workplace: 9 ingredients for success
A happy workplace is a productive one. But unless you’ve got a workforce composed of people-pleasers, conflicts are inevitable – and in some cases, they can even drive positive change. Here are nine best practices for resolving conflicts in the workplace.
1. Establish a conflict resolution policy. Develop a clear procedure for how conflicts should be reported and resolved. It should provide a consistent method for handling disputes and make clear the importance of reporting conflicts promptly. Ensure every employee has read and understands the policy.
2. Keep your composure. Emotional control is paramount when it comes to handling conflicts. If your emotions are running high, take a break to calm your thoughts before addressing the situation.
3. Identify the root cause of the conflict. It’s easy for the dialogue around a conflict to veer away from the real issue – especially if someone’s upset. Look past what’s being said to identify the deeper concerns or unmet needs that sparked the original conflict.
4. Focus on the resolution, not culpability. When conflicts get heated, it’s easy to fall into a battle of he-said-she-said. Encourage everyone involved to work together on finding a solution, and stub out any conversation that isn’t productive. If a person’s behaviour does need addressing, it can be done later and in private.
5. Look for a win-win outcome. Seek outcomes that benefit all parties. Compromise is often necessary to resolve an issue, but that doesn’t mean anybody has to walk away feeling like they’ve ‘lost’ the conflict.
6. Involve an objective perspective. Get a neutral third party to help mediate the discussion. Avoid taking sides, as this may only aggravate the problem.
7. Encourage open communication in the workplace. Foster a workplace culture that makes everyone feel safe to speak their mind and engage in (healthy) confrontations when necessary. Encourage employees to use ‘I’ statements when resolving conflicts, as this can reduce defensiveness.
8. Handle conflicts with discretion and sensitivity. Nobody wants their dirty laundry aired in front of the whole company. Maintain confidentiality and keep conflict discussions private. This will help build trust and encourage honesty during conflict resolution.
9. Follow up. You don’t want resolution discussions to be for nothing. Monitor the situation and check in with all parties afterwards to ensure no lingering issues remain.
The future of accounting – meet Mark Said
This week we're chatting with Mark Said, Founding Director of MKS Group – a Business Advisory, Accounting & Consulting firm based in Moonee Ponds, Australia. He spoke to us ahead of the Access All Areas accounting event happening in November in VIC, Australia, where he'll be featuring as a guest speaker.
Hi Mark, tell us about the company ethos at MKS Group.
"We believe that accounting doesn't have to be all numbers and no fun! We combine our extensive experience with a vibrant, positive work environment where teamwork, creativity, and a little laughter go hand in hand. Whether we’re problem-solving for clients or delivering strategic advice, we enjoy what we do and love helping businesses thrive."
What are you doing to ensure MKS Group stays ahead of the curve when it comes to accounting processes?
"We are very proud of the fact that we are early adopters in almost all innovation – whether it be cloud apps, offshoring, AI, or using a robot. As Xero Platinum Partners, we not only work smart but also keep the energy up to ensure everyone – clients and team members alike –enjoys the journey to success."
What are your predictions for the future of accounting?
"The next five years are going to see significant changes driven by technology, automation, client expectations, AI, and a huge demand for advisory. Our workforce will be smaller and we will have more automation in place. There will be a major demand for sustainability reporting and governance. We are going to have no choice but to start reporting on ESG – so now is the time to start embracing it."
Can you share three tips for anyone looking to start or grow their accounting firm?
"1. Embrace technology and don't run away from it. 2. Start focusing on delivering Advisory services. 3. Keep up to date with regulatory changes, especially in ESG (environmental and social governance).
Do you have any book or podcast recommendations for our readers?
"At the moment, I have two favourites: Keeping it Real with Jac and Ral and Aly & Andrew's All Aussie Accounting Adventures. Scaling Up by Verne Harnish is a great read and never goes out of date."
On the lighter side
