Banner Blog

Face masks are now a part of everyday life.

It has been scientifically proven that face masks can help prevent the spread of viruses such as Covid-19. There are now strict measures in place to contain the spread of the virus, which includes the use of a face mask when outside of your home including in workplaces and on public transport.  

In 2020, there was worldwide disruption as the Covid-19 pandemic hit, and contact centers everywhere were radically upended by the chaos.

Call centers were forced to close while call volumes skyrocketed, and agents faced increasing call complexity and customer concerns in a time of disruption. Industries like travel and hospitality were overwhelmed, and contact center leaders had two top priorities: keeping agents healthy and business running, at a time when customer service is intrinsically linked to a company’s bottom line.

Current data shows that until the crisis, most contact centers were still traditionally on premise. According to Gartner, 90% of global organizations were using on-premise solutions for their contact centers before Covid-19, with nearly 7 out of 10 customer service agents working from traditional call centers and less than 10% from home. Moving forward, they predict that 71% of contact centers will be remote.

Now, as leaders plan ahead to the recovery phase, the question on everyone’s minds is whether agents will stay home forever. So, let’s look at some of the benefits of flexible agents working from home.

In schools, social distancing measures need to be communicated easily and effectively. 

Laminated signs located in corridors, halls and classrooms will help pupils follow hygiene and safety procedures and alleviate any worries. Any laminated documents can also be easily wiped clean and disinfected when required.

From pupil displays to social distance signage, laminating in schools is more important than ever.

Laminating has long been a favourite finish in the classroom and around the school. Not only does it make pupils’ work, learning displays and decorations shine, it also protects them from the everyday knocks, clumsy spills and accidental damage that can plague a busy school environment.

Banner are attending Virtual Events in 2020

Over the coming months Banner are going to be attending virtual events for the first time. Starting on September 9 with both Procurex National and PFH (Procurement For Housing). This is something new for Banner and the team who work behind the scenes to make these events valuable for both visitors and Banner.

We're attending Procurex National 2020

Join us at Procurex National, 9th September 2020 to discover our complete range of workplace solutions for your organisation. For the first time Banner will be attending a digital show and this presents a whole host of new opportunities.

It's set to be a great event and as a sustainable and responsible workplace solutions provider to Central Government and Wider Public Sector, including the Healthcare and Education sectors, we'll be discussing opportunities to innovate, educate and collaborate with visitors, only this time it will be virtually. 

As schools reopen for students and teachers, the classroom is going to look a little bit different from September to allow for social distancing.

With forward facing desks for pupils and teachers needing to maintain a 2m distance as they move around the classroom. Some students may have to learn remotely if they have to self-isolate or if local lockdowns are imposed, therefore technology is key to keeping learning on track both inside and outside the classroom. We look at some of the technology products that can help support learning in a socially distanced world. 

As a provider to Central Government and the Wider Public Sector via a number of Frameworks, Banner is delighted to offer a compliant supply route for a new certified, UK manufactured, face covering to both the public and private sectors. 

The Business Standards Institution (BSI) launched the new quality assured Kitemark^TM to help people instantly know whether they're buying a face covering that is effective or not.

With many face coverings available in the market and as masks become compulsory in more places, the new Kitemark^TM accreditation provides consumers with confidence and assurance that the products have been assessed and approved to a technical specification.

The UK manufactured face coverings are available to all Banner customers and are currently in stock in our Distribution Centres across the UK. 

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove said: "This is a major step to ensure that this country can meet any increase in demand for face coverings by working with British firms to establish the capability, capacity and skills required to manufacture these items at scale..."

COVID-19 heavily impacts the way we work and requires many office workers to work from home.

With lockdowns now being relaxed in many countries, the future will probably require a more hybrid approach, transitioning between working from home and the office. The home office will in many ways, become an extension of the corporate office.

If you are looking to establish this new way of working as a longer term or more permanent practice in your organisation, make sure you tackle the following three topics as part of your strategy – safety, organisation and wellbeing:

The UK Government has announced that, in addition to public transport, shops and supermarkets, wearing a face covering in secondary schools communal areas will now be mandatory in England. 

Ensuring staff, customers and visitors comply with these regulations will be a focus for many companies and organisations in the UK.  But it can be confusing as to what to order for your workplace. 

Here's a simple guide to the different types of face coverings.