Corporate
Responsibility

KnowHow is concerned about how our business impacts customers, suppliers, employees, local residents and all other stakeholders.  We aim to achieve our business objectives in a caring and responsible manner, recognising the economic, social and environmental impacts of our activities.

Business Principles and Code of Ethics

KnowHow is committed to ensuring that its business is conducted in all respects according to the highest ethical and professional standards, taking into account legislation and customs in the countries and regions we operate in.

Customers

KnowHow recognises that its business and livelihood depends upon its customers.  Every employee is responsible for ensuring that customer contact is professional and appropriate.  We aim to ensure that our customers receive the level and quality of service and product they have come to expect from KnowHow.

Suppliers

KnowHow regards suppliers as its partners and we work with them to achieve our aspirations in the delivery of products and services.  KnowHow is committed to working with local suppliers as far as possible and buy recycled goods.  When we expanded our office in September 2009, we purchased some digital art pieces from local Surrey artists such as "Blamo" (see our web page about Blamo).  Our preference is to engage suppliers who share this vision and approach.  We hope this will help to build a closer community and reduce our carbon footprint. 

Employees

KnowHow provides equal opportunities to all existing and prospective employees recognising that its reputation is dependant on the quality, effectiveness, and skill base of our employees.  We are committed to the fair and equitable treatment of all our employees and specifically to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, or ethnic origin.  Opportunities are available to disabled persons in accordance with their abilities and aptitudes on equal terms with other employees.

Wherever possible, we recruit from our local community and our newest member of staff, an IT support assistant is a Woking resident.  Also, from this year, we are offering work experience opportunities, in conjunction with local educational institutions.

We expect our staff to maintain a good work-life balance.  If it is necessary to work some long hours, we do it, but we don't do it too often.

Environmental Impact

KnowHow seeks to minimise the environmental impact of its activities through the prevention of pollution, minimizing waste, and good environmental management practices.

We engage electronically with our customers, partners and suppliers as far as possible.  We resist the temptation to print documents and work with electronic copy wherever we can and we encourage others to do the same.

We work through online remote connections where possible, unless otherwise required by our customers, which has the dual benefit of providing customers with a better value service and also reduces the amount of travelling by our consultants, thereby reducing the impact we have on the environment.  If we do need to travel, we take public transport whenever we can.  

We recycle as much as possible and comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2003, ensuring that all our obsolete, damaged or broken electrical and electronic equipment is either recycled or disposed of safely.

We are committed to conducting our activities and operations in line with current legislation and best environmental practice seeking continual improvement and innovation within all business activities.

Voluntary Work

KnowHow is committed to assisting voluntary sector and not-for-profit organisations as much as resources permit, given our other customer and partner commitments.  We have worked with such organisations since 2002 when the business was started, providing expert IT advice and assistance to organisations for no fee or very low fees.

Community Giving

KnowHow endeavours to contribute to the communities in which it operates, particularly local communities, through the support of community initiatives and local charities.   Specifically, KnowHow regularly contributes donations and sponsorship, with some of the most recent including local schools, anti-bullying charities, local community projects and also a construction project to build a much needed school in Malawi.