Best Companies Live – our takeaways continued.
The insights below were shared by some of the ‘red chair alumni’ (ie previous event panellists) in the live audience.
More thoughts on how their companies are building world class teams:
Cifas
The fraud prevention association’s CEO Mike Haley outlined:
🏢 ‘one team’ days when everyone works at HQ
🙌 quarterly ‘collaboration day’ – all take part in an off-site eg climb the O2 dome, Monopoly treasure hunt – get to know each other’s skillsets in a fun, non-work way.
🍴 a virtual new starters event – a complete breakfast is sent, directors host the get-together virtually and talk about family, hobbies, etc. to make connections missed by not being office-based
Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists
People Director Claire Hickling revealed that 4x a year they close all branches for a ‘roadshow’ – 2 in person, 2 virtual – for all staff.
One theme for each roadshow – involve everyone unlike a conference.
In January, a traditionally quiet time for the business, there is a noticeable uplift in performance after the in-person roadshow.
Proof that getting the whole team together pays off, even by closing for business.
Softwire
Building a world class team never ends. It’s a journey, according to Director Yemi Olagbaiye
The software development company has embraced DE&I and works hard to define a clear understanding of psychological safety.
For Softwire it’s about:
– bringing one’s full self to work
– embedding confidence and trust
– building a strong sense of engagement
– fostering collaboration and innovation
One specific outcome has been their ‘Level Up’ programme to encourage and develop more female leaders – within what I imagine is a male-dominated industry.
P.S…. not mentioned by Yemi but we’ve noted that Softwire produces a pantomime – now that’s a world class team effort right there 🎭
Takes Top Dog Caroline right back to her marketing agency days, one of the highlights of the year for staff and clients alike!
Myerson Solicitors
During the pandemic video comms were used to broadcast messages and keep everyone engaged.
People missed them when they returned to the office so the firm invested in its own green screen and ramped up its video messaging to complement its face to face comms 🎬
Head of HR Jordanna Reynolds MCIPD explained how they used video as part of their recruitment process, to attract apprentices, on-boarding and for team introductions – how they can cross-refer, their clients, what they do – which simply increases collaboration across the firm.
Octopus Energy
Division is actually a poor word in an organisation, remarked Octopus’ Future Technologies Evangelist Philip Steele – when you think about what the word denotes I have to agree!
Resulting from a clear vision from their CEO Greg Jackson responsibility is delegated to self-forming teams.
Once a project and its aims are clarified, their people are empowered to form the team – by gathering those with the necessary skills to deliver.
This last point is exactly what happens (after a period of chaotic fun and random manoeuvres!) with our sheep-herding challenges. Empowerment all the way 🤜
Next time – Session 2: How do you create clarity at every level?
