Standards
Doing things right
Where do we start? S8080 was the first digital media agency in Wales to achieve BS EN ISO 9001:2008 quality certification.
We have also have achieved OHSAS18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety Management System, ISO14001:2004 Environmental Management System and Investors in People.
ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Standard.
This is the glue that holds together every process and procedure that goes towards building each of our websites. It's a very tough standard to attain and it's even tougher to keep year on year. Not many creative agencies have it. we were one of the first, getting our first accreditation in 2001. Everyone is looking for a USP, something to differentiate themselves, an unfulfilled niche. We believe one of ours is quality.
PRINCE2 Project Management
Each of our project managers is a qualified PRINCE2 Practitioner.
We are ridiculously organised and efficient. We are famed for it in a [creative] industry that is well known for being 'relaxed'. Our project management team keep everything on track and on budget with efficiency, humility and good humour.
They come from the practical, common sense school of project management, offering solutions before you are even aware of any problems.
We're green and we mean it
S8080 have been working towards making our online digital agency as planet friendly as it possibly can be. In an office of 18 people, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce our impact, so we set ourselves difficult goals, including the elusive ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management standard.
This standard is normally only attained by much larger companies, but with so many organisations jumping on the 'green' bandwagon, we wanted to put some muscle behind our claims.
Every aspect of the environmental impact of our business is audited and assessed against the stringent International Standards Organisation guidelines including our energy usage and waste streams right down to buying eco friendly cleaning products and fair trade and local beverages for the team.
In the past year or so, we have replaced over 30 computer monitors, we recycle daily and have a transport policy that promotes the use of public transport. Our suppliers have to submit environmental statements and those who can't cut it are replaced, regardless of any trading history and relationship we may have with them. Even carrier bags from Sainsbury's are recycled. Wasting any resources is not an option any more.
Team interest
Every member of our team is aware of the issues surrounding sustainability - this even carries over into our work having designed and built the 'Every Action Counts' website for DEFRA, which provides advice and support to voluntary and community organisations which are looking to reduce their impact on the environment, tackle climate change and improve their local area. We have also developed a major website for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council to develop their Environmental Forum website.
The decision to make our studio environmentally friendly was based on the wishes of our team, particularly the more senior members, many of whom have made personal commitments to sustainability. For example, almost all of our team recycles beyond council collections, our network administrator, (don't get him started on flying in produce from afar) insists we buy only fair trade tea and coffee, several of us grow our own fruit and vegetables and our project team lead actually has a 'wormery' in his basement! Small things we know, but comforting all the same.
Looking after our people
Great people are the reason we are so good at what we do. So back in 2007 we worked hard to attain the Investors in People standard. The real world application of IIP means our people are involved in the decision making that takes S8080 forward and this is closely aligned with their own personal development.
While we were at it, we also achieved BS OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard (yes, we are gluttons for punishment).