Peachtree 2012 Annual Report Download - page 48

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Corporate Responsibility
Industry
Understanding issues small and medium sized
businesses face
Our strength is our deep knowledge and understanding of our six
million plus customers – we know and understand them and never
treat them all the same. We have the largest footprint of small and
medium sized businesses globally and appreciate the different
needs in our segments: start-up and small businesses, small and
medium sized businesses (“SMB”), mid-market and accountants.
Twice a year we carry out global research that gives us a clear
picture of the challenges our customers face.
Our “Sage Business Index – International Business Insights” is our
fourth comprehensive survey into the mindset of small and medium
sized businesses around the world. This bi-annual survey is the
largest yet, and includes responses from nearly 11,000 businesses
from a variety of sectors in 15 countries.
The report focuses on business condence and the economy,
each country as a place to do business, the role of government,
business challenges and the role of technology.
For more information on The Sage Business Index, see page 26.
Supporting local businesses and organisations
Helping non-prot organisations with free business software is an
important part of what we do. In North America we partner with
TechSoup, a body which helps charities manage their operations.
In the past year, we have given more than 1,000 organisations
software to the value of $459,000.
We also encourage our business partners to serve their local
communities through volunteering and charity work. For example,
every year in North America we select a partner for a Sage
Community Service Award.
We also provide valuable, free information to small businesses
on how they can prepare for legislative change, such as the
forthcoming changes to Pay as You Earn reporting in the UK.
Developing tomorrow’s business leaders
Sage’s foundations are in entrepreneurism, and we are passionate
about helping to create the entrepreneurs and the business leaders
of tomorrow.
To do this we encourage small businesses where we can. For
example, in the US we co-sponsor the SBA Small Business Week.
In South Africa we sponsor a small business award where
nominations for outstanding service come from local radio station
listeners. Sage South Africa also supports The Life College
Xchange, a non-prot educational centre which encourages
the development of entrepreneurial skills. Students launch their
own businesses and are judged on their innovation and protability.
In North America, we gave free accounting software to 4,500
schools last year and in Malaysia we also gave free software
to educational and non-prot organisations.
Doing business
More than ever, in an increasingly crowded market place, we need
a clear point of difference. That’s the Sage brand. It’s what we
stand for and how we act and behave. We pride ourselves on our
integrity and professionalism in all our dealings with customers,
suppliers and other third parties. Our Guiding Principles and our
Code of Ethics show that we do business responsibly and in line
with all relevant laws and regulations as a minimum.
With customers, we act with honesty, integrity and openness.
Customer data is handled sensitively and with respect, in a way
that meets the requirements of Data Protection laws in the
countries in which we operate and ensures that it is safe and
secure in our hands. For example, all our operating companies’
policies as a minimum cover methods and safeguards to be
adopted to adhere to local Data Protection laws and regulations,
a named person responsible for Data Protection issues and a
process for informing employees on steps necessary to ensure
compliance with the policy and any training to be provided.
Understanding and knowing our customers inside and out gives
them reassurance that the basics are taken care of – simply and
safely – so they can get on with growing their business.
We work closely with our customers and pay attention to the issues that are important to
their businesses – we regard it as the cornerstone of our business philosophy. Our focus on
industry is at a local level, so we can understand and react to problems and opportunities
our customers face every day.
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