Business Partnerships to Drive Growth -- BSI Event at the House of Lords

LONDON, Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In light of today's volatile economic environment, BSI recognizes the need for companies, governments and other organizations to build solid business partnerships to drive growth and innovation. Co-operation across different markets and sectors has proved remarkably advantageous. Several case studies show that corporate partnerships not only encourage the circulation of ideas, they also inspire strategic growth with potential expansion through long-term relationships, and increased trust within the industry.

To help businesses and other organizations create solid and profitable partnerships, BSI has published the first-ever standard on Collaborative Business Relationships (BS 11000-1) and will officially launch the certification programme on Tuesday, 7 December 2010, at the House of Lords.

Industry managers, visionaries and thought leaders will convene to gain a deeper understanding on how this unique standard can help them stay ahead of the curve by generating and implementing practical, innovative solutions through effective business relationships.

The event begins at 12.15 pm. The leader of the House of Lords and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Lord Thomas Strathclyde will give the welcome address. The event also features key speakers from BSI and Partnership Sourcing Ltd (PSL), with an additional session from NATS, one of the five organizations who achieved certification under PAS 11000 - the precursor to BS 11000 - during the certification pilot programme earlier this year.

"We are delighted to host this event," says BSI CEO Howard Kerr. "Building strong relationships both within and outside a company is fundamental to organizational growth and innovation."

"Collaborative working offers an alternative and enhanced capability to build new value propositions which are beyond the capabilities of an individual organization," says PSL's operations director, David Hawkins. "Moreover, it offers the opportunity to share the flow of knowledge and experience between individuals and organizations to deliver benefit and add value."

BS 11000 is a breakthrough standard -- not just for BSI, but for the whole of industry. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already committed to adopt it. Building off of PAS 11000, which presented an eight-stage approach to successful business collaboration in the public and private sectors, BS 11000 has expanded the scope of this approach to address a wider audience, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

About BSI Group

BSI Group is a global independent business services organization that develops standards-based solutions to improve management practices and promote innovation. BSI can help businesses, governments and other organizations around the world to raise quality and performance in a sustainable and socially responsible way. From its origins as the world's first National Standards Body, BSI Group draws upon over 100 years' experience to work with 66,000 organizations in 147 countries from its 50 offices. To learn more, please visit www.bsigroup.com

About PSL

PSL was established in 1990 as a joint initiative between the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (formerly DTI) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). PSL is a self-financing not-for-profit organization. Its role is to help organizations, large and small, in both the public and private sectors, to build and develop effective competitive business relationships based upon a collaborative approach. PSL provides practical guidance based on a wide portfolio of experience utilizing knowledge from extensive relationships within the commercial, Government and academic arenas.

SOURCE BSI Group