Social Firms UK

Aimed at Social Firm managers, "Creating the Magic" offers guidance on how to create a supportive, inclusive and empowering work environment. It highlights good practice, and directs Social Firm managers to a range of information, guidance and support that can help create the Social Firm's supportive working environment.

Creating the Magic will be available FREE to Full Members of Social Firm Scotland as either a hard copy or downloadable version from the end of March 2008

Non members of Social Firms Scotland can buy a copy of Creating the Magic for £35 (inc. p&p).

For more information or to order your copy, visit Social Firms Scotland's website at http://www.socialfirms.org.uk/whatwedo/creatingthemagic.asp

54 Manor Place Edinburgh EH3 7EH Telephone - 0131 225 4178

To make employment and training or other community benefits key outcomes of a public expenditure programme, they need to be incorporated into the specification of what is being purchased or funded.  This book provides clear guidance on the complex legislative and policy frameworks involved, including examples of good practice.   To buy the book visit:

http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/achieving-community-benefits-through-contracts-law-policy-and-practice

In a time when companies are outsourcing abroad, Habitat International, a Tennessee-based carpet manufacturer, has managed to achieve superior levels of productivity at home, often two to three times greater than its competition. Habitat's business has grown enormously, with much of its new business coming from work outsourced to them by competitors who could not come close to matching its productivity.

Habitat's secret: they hire the people no one else will.  At Habitat three of every four workers have a physical or mental disability. They earn normal wages and are cross-trained on every job. They work harder, with less supervision, lower turnover and an unparalleled level of loyalty.  The challenges have been significant; the rewards extraordinary.