Why Join?

Why Join?... it's a good question.... Why would a company want to be or need to be a member of a Trade Association. How would or could it benefit the business?

There are plenty of reasons why companies join the BHTA and there are plenty of reasons why they should. What they all have in common is a desire and an ambition to be seen by the people they do business with, the professionals they work with and the industry that they are involved in to be the best they possibly can be, to provide the very best service and to treat the customer with the respect they deserve.

Companies that are keen to implement and maintain high standards become BHTA members. Businesses that realise the importance of training and developing team members become BHTA members. Businesses that are looking to the future and that want to shape the future of the healthcare marketplace are BHTA members.

Here's what a few BHTA members have to say….

I am often asked ‘Why become a member of the BHTA?' and very often this is followed by all sorts of reasons why the enquirer would not want to be a member.

These reasons range from the cost to compliance and from value to exposure to interference. In truth the reasons are often a product of misconception or reluctance to accept that there ultimately has to be a measure of compliance or structure to any business that wants to serve its customers at a level that is beyond expectations and to project healthy growth into the future.

I look at the wider picture and ask myself ‘What can I get out of being associated with it?' Can I expect to gain knowledge, credibility and information that I can not get anywhere else? The answer is simply, YES.

I then ask, ‘Is this knowledge worth the subscription?' The answer in my case is again, yes.

I am a firm believer in the old saying ‘The more you put in, the more you will get out'. So I feel that the opportunities to network with like minded, entrepreneurial and forward thinking individuals is in itself a resource that is simply not available anywhere else. If you then add the fact that there is opportunity to mould and influence the future of our industry by seeing in advance what standards and legislation may be coming along and being able to prepare our business processes or procedures in a timescale that allows due consideration to all the pro's and con's. These all become quite compelling reasons to belong.

I would encourage any company who is serious about ‘Doing the right thing' to at least come to a few relevant section meetings and look at what is on offer.

At the end of the day, you pay your money and you make your choice. But remember, our customers also have a choice. Do they choose to buy from a company working to an OFT approved code of practice and a strong trade association behind them or do they choose to buy from a company that does not?

Alastair Gibbs
TPG DisableAids Ltd

Although the UK healthcare market is both vibrant and rewarding, it can also be bureaucratic, highly competitive and at times very political. Consumers too, are increasingly seeking out what additional benefits a supplier can offer.

Whether it be networking opportunities, political insight, commercial concessions or the OFT approved code of practice, I believe more than any other trade association, the BHTA can help businesses, large or small, to improve and prosper within the healthcare industry.

Angus Long
Director, Embryonyx Ltd

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) warmly congratulates the BHTA on achieving OFT recognition for its code of conduct.

We know that in this sector there are still examples of unethical sales techniques and inflated prices. Customers can be exploited and may not know what piece of equipment will really be useful and safe for them. In this sector it is even more important that standards of supply and service are of the highest. The OFT recognition of BHTA's Code of Conduct gives customers the confidence that they will be dealt with fairly and that the company will be reputable.

For over a year, DLF has been using the BHTA Code of Conduct as one component of its ranking system in its impartial information service – Living made easy. In this way customers can know which companies apply certain standards in business practice. We also hope it contributes to increasing standards in the sector as a whole. We would encourage more companies to join the BHTA and sign up to the code of conduct so that all older and disabled people receive the standard of service to which they are entitled.

Christine Shaw

CEO, Disabled Living Foundation

As a manufacturer membership gives us an excellent forum to discuss the issues of the day that both affect us and our customers.

It is more than just the opportunity to use a logo, which many people do not understand. There are many good things happening behind the scenes, such as legislative work on behalf of the whole industry. Increasingly new members are challenging BHTA to introduce more retail orientated seminars and programmes that reflect the changing market that will only help BHTA to develop. Like any organisation it needs new blood to shape, direct and innovate in the healthcare industry.

Rather than being on the outside, why not join and help to shape the future together

Stephen Perry
Marketing, Export & Development Manager, Electric Mobility

I have had careers in three industries and have found trade association membership has worked well for the companies I have worked for in every one. However, what a company gets out of its membership in the way of benefits and return on subscription is directly proportionate to the amount it participates.

I've found that if you wait around for things to drop through the letterbox, you're likely to be disappointed. The BHTA has delivered so many things to me and my employers over the 25 years I have been in healthcare.

Things like industry profile, extra contacts, ability to influence decisions/legislation such as Class 3 vehicles; ISO 7176; Voucher scheme; EPIOCs and much, much more. The very best thing has been the networking and market intelligence.

Julian Cobbledick

Director, Assistive Partner