Kim's Latest Thoughts
In business we plan for the future by predicting outcomes. We set a vision, develop a strategy to attain that vision and then plan, engage and manage resources to achieve targets in line with the strategy and our predictions. Business schools teach us how to do this – in theory. But the “best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley”. Thus Robbie Burns wrote in his poem “To a Mouse” 1786 after he upturned a mouse’s nest whilst ploughing a field.
In business we plan for the future by predicting outcomes. We set a vision, develop a strategy to attain that vision and then plan, engage and manage resources to achieve targets in line with the strategy and our predictions. Business schools teach us how to do this – in theory. But the “best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft a-gley”. Thus Robbie Burns wrote in his poem “To a Mouse” 1786 after he upturned a mouse’s nest whilst ploughing a field.
July 2011 - Why should businesses focus on promoting great health and wellbeing?
The benefits of having a healthy and happy workforce have been well documented, but due to recent challenging times, business leaders could be tempted to drop it from the list of priorities. To spend on creating social and fun activities could be perceived as frivolous in times of uncertainty. This should not be the case; it is during these very times that we need productivity and engagement to be at their highest.
British Gas Business (BGB) who employ around 2500 people across the UK took decisive action on this when they put in place a ‘Wellbeing Team’ based in their Leicester call centre. This has proved to be a huge success with their employee survey revealing increased scores in commitment and engagement. BGB have also reported that there has been a 20% reduction in staff absence and 15% reduction in turnover over a two year period.
So what sort of benefits can businesses offer? It does not have to be a costly exercise. The only rule is that it has to fit your organisational culture and create an impact amongst your employees.
The opportunities to combine this with CSR should not be ignored. Great things can be achieve when businesses create options for employees to bond, whilst giving something back to the local community or a chosen charity.
To focus on wellbeing at work now will reap fairly obvious and immediate benefits, but will also serve a business well in better times when we enter back into a ‘war on talent.’ It will be those companies who are looking after their employer brand that will achieve far more than those who have not.