"It's the Business" programme, 6 October 1998

Recording of "It's the Business" programme for Sainsbury's staff (mainly store management teams). "It's the Business" was the anchor business television programme on the "SMART" network (Sainsbury's Management and Retail Television). This programme was broadcast live on 6 October 1998 by satellite to Sainsbury's stores, depots and offices. It was presented by John Howard in the studio, joined by chairman and group chief executive Dino Adriano.

Contents:
1. Introduction by presenter.
2. Studio interview with Dino Adriano. Discusses the ‘Value to Shout About’ marketing campaign; decision to close on 1st and 2nd January 2000 to ensure that everything is working [to ensure any Millennium Bug problems are resolved].
3. Report with Ian Merton (Director, Primary Agriculture) at Fairfield Park, Bedford about marketing campaign to promote locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables featuring local farmers. Includes footage from Fairfield Park store of fresh fruit and vegetable displays with customers.
4. Studio interview with Dino Adriano about the ‘SSO’ (Simplify Store Operations) project to operate stores more efficiently by removing unnecessary tasks including ‘Hands Off SABRE’ to reduce amount of intervention required by individual stores for stock ordering. Also discusses work with Arthur Andersen/(Senderlaney?) consultants to provide advice on operation of stores.
5. News update by presenter – Every Second Counts Appeal to support National Meningitis Trust Helpline to be supported by Sainsbury’s; Newry store opening; Sainsbury’s winning best supermarket and best employer in the EASE (Ease of Access, Service and Employment) Awards for supporting people with disabilities; Safeway and Abbey National plans to form in-store bank network; Tesco half-year results and announcement of new stores; Sainsbury’s selling electricity in a deal with British Gas.
6. Recorded interview by Ian Coull (Board Director) about the Millennium Committee’s projects to celebrate the millennium. Discusses Bookstart (pack to be given to babies with a free book); Woodlands for the Millennium project to plant woods; and millennium parties for staff.
9. Final comments by presenter.

Duration: 18 minutes. Produced by Sainsbury’s Group Internal Communications.