They hold a weekly trade meeting where all colleagues from head office and the distribution centre are invited. These are a great way to ensure all colleagues have the opportunity to receive key information directly from the leaders. They are also a great forum to share, and celebrate, successes for example the great charity work colleagues do and contribute to. They also ensure colleagues hear about great new developments in the business, for example new store openings. Key messages are then cascaded to store colleagues via a weekly ‘Trading Post.' This enables Bonmarche to share information with as many people across the company as possible. Annual roadshows are run across the country and include as many of their Colleagues as possible. The 2015 Roadshows were titled ‘Road to Success' and focused on values, strategy, branding and new product development. The aim of the roadshows are to bring colleagues together, share key information, welcome feedback directly from them and have some fun!

The company offers personal coaching utilising an external coach to develop senior managers - Management Development Coach. This programme supports and develops new managers and assistant managers in stores to deliver in their roles through using existing managers as management development coaches combined with a structured training plan.

L&D programmes include: Trusted Advisor (which challenges assumptions they should come up with the right answer in order to build trust with others); Persuasive Communication (challenges a natural reliance on PowerPoint heavy presenting, to instead present in a meaningful, memorable and enjoyable way to the audience); and Coaching Conversations equipping employees with valuable questioning and listening skills so that clients can fully explore their business issues in a supportive way. They also have a programme that aims to equip consultants to feel confident to talk externally about their skills and experience. Shortlisted for CIPD Award Best L&D Initiative, 'Go to Expert' enables individuals to embrace the opportunity to share their expertise, whilst remaining authentic and to think differently about the world of sales - understanding the different stages of the buying cycle, recognising that every conversation is, in some way, a sales conversation and to be viewed as ‘Go to Experts' in their field and effectively equip them to position themselves externally in this way. This programme contributed to achieving ambitious growth targets. Furthermore, they have seen a step change in the way their consultant's position themselves to clients with a greater emphasis on how they help businesses in their terms.

At their full & half year meetings the company awards to those employees that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. They open up nominations for the entire company to be eligible to nominate a peer for an award. The award can be given for any achievement or behaviour that the employee sees as valuable. The whole company is welcomed to attend the event. They have a “peer to peer shout-out” scheme to enable employees to recognise each other. All employees can be recognised, it is a good way to say “thank you”. Every employee has 7 virtual doughnuts per month to give away and at the end of the month they reward the person who has received the most doughnuts (with a box of doughnuts).

Blandy & Blandy LLP have introduced adjustable desks that rise up and down for those who request them, usually due to health reasons. These desks can be lowered or raised subject to the employees comfort and requirements. It is possible to stand and work if desired. All employees take an on line assessment to ensure they are sitting at their desk correctly and comfortably able to use their keyboard and computer

The company host an annual quiz inviting many businesses in Reading to take part which is increasing in popularity year on year. They take part in the annual ‘Legal Walk' in Reading along with other organisations that have an interest in the law. Blandy & Blandy also submit an annual team to the town's ‘Pancake Race'. Their probate team participate in many initiatives including ‘Dementia Friends' and recently in a Reading event organised for supporting older people. The last Friday of the month is a MUFTI day with employees donating £1 to wear more casual clothing. In addition to this the company have a Christmas jumper day, Jeans for Genes and have a toy collection for Helen and Douglas House hospices.

Blackbaud Europe run a separate calendar of management and leadership training which is available to both their current management population and also the ‘emerging leaders' as identified throughout the course of the year as a part of their succession planning and coaching work. The annual calendar of events includes 2 offsite meetings throughout the year which enable the managers to benefit from leadership training and development which doesn't focus solely on operational tasks but allows for personal development in tandem. In addition to this the company run a programme of workshops throughout the year aimed at the management team which include recruitment training, employee relations and legislation training as well as a series of performance management training courses.

Being an international company with offices all over the globe, Blackbaud are lucky to be able to offer their employees ‘international placements' as rewards for outstanding performances. It is not unusual for them to have colleagues from their Charleston, Sydney and Brisbane offices doing regular stints in London and vice versa. The company find that this not only fulfils lifetime ambitions for their employee's but it is also a great way of intercompany skill and knowledge sharing.

The values of the firm are integrated into everything they do and the senior management team lead by example. The partners see the values as paramount to the success of BKL. The partners were instrumental to the values launch at Chickenshed; and actively continued discussions about the values through follow-up sessions with team members. The values form a fundamental part of how BKL interview, recruit and select new team members; their induction process involves a partner providing an introduction to their values to all new team members. In the PDR appraisal process, values are integral to setting targets. They also use them in their competency profiles and how they measure behaviours. Partners regularly nominate team members for exemplifying the values of the practice and encourage others within the firm to nominate colleagues. The values are highlighted in the company regular communication sessions - ‘From the Horse's Mouth', to which all team members are invited. They are used in a wide variety of communications within the firm, such as articles in their newsletter, often produced by senior management. Even their tea and coffee mugs help remind them of their values, as well as the art work in the boardrooms, signage in the stairways and BKL stationery. Key decisions for the practice are always made using the values. When faced with difficult decisions on how to proceed, the partners use the values as a framework for deciding on the best possible options for the firm and encourage team-members to do the same

BKL want team-members to develop their careers and progress at the firm. The company take pride in being a meritocracy. They have a dedicated talent team, creating clear job descriptions, competency frameworks and targets so team-members receive frequent, useful, on-going feedback. They use a range of tools such as team appraisals, regular reviews and 360 feedbacks to ensure the team get the right level of support. BKL encourage team-members to track their own development and give them the tools to do this, such as work/training passports. Passports help trainees understand expectations for work and training opportunities they have whilst studying with BKL and follow on into qualifications. This provides a detailed plan of what training they should receive and when, the type of work they will be exposed to and responsibilities they will take on. The passports are reviewed on a regular basis with the HR team to ensure each individual's development is kept on-track. This is integrated into their appraisal (PDR) system and is a valuable tool for setting targets. For trainees, they provide full study support, including paid time off throughout their training contract, through highly-regarded study providers. Team-members have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, including external professional qualification courses, practical skills, management training and CPD level training. There are regular internal programs like Induction sessions, Tax seminars (run by their award-winning Tax team), audit master-classes, IT skills and personal development sessions. All new team-members are assigned a buddy to help support them.

The company has bespoke one-on-one management training, tailored to the needs, experience and skills of each individual manager. As well as looking at the fundamentals of good management technique and practical skills, the training covers the psychology of different management styles, and focuses on fostering emotionally intelligent, open, positive relationships between manager and direct report. Managers are free to be creative, and capable of motivating and supporting their direct reports in a variety of ways. They run a People Manager Development Workshop called ‘Balance Management' which runs over the course of the year. This is mandatory training that all managers attend. The course focuses on people management foundations, being malleable, managing self & others confidently, handling challenging contexts and developing & inspiring.

The company has bespoke one-on-one management training, tailored to the needs, experience and skills of each individual manager. As well as looking at the fundamentals of good management technique and practical skills, the training covers the psychology of different management styles, and focuses on fostering emotionally intelligent, open, positive relationships between manager and direct report. Managers are free to be creative, and capable of motivating and supporting their direct reports in a variety of ways. They run a People Manager Development Workshop called ‘Balance Management' which runs over the course of the year. This is mandatory training that all managers attend. The course focuses on people management foundations, being malleable, managing self & others confidently, handling challenging contexts and developing & inspiring.

At Bindmans, the business plan has recently been updated for the next 3 years and presented to all their colleagues. There is also a competition for colleagues to describe 'Bindmans in a nutshell', there is a prize for the best catchy phrase that can be used to describe and market the firm.Also, a welcome pack is sent in advance of a new employee's start date that has details of facilities around the firm's location (lunch time venues, dry cleaners etc.), key policies and an introduction to the firm with the induction schedule. New starters have a full day of induction with follow up sessions. There is an organisation chart with photos. New starters are also introduced around the firm.

At Bindmans, the business plan has recently been updated for the next 3 years and presented to all their colleagues. There is also a competition for colleagues to describe 'Bindmans in a nutshell', there is a prize for the best catchy phrase that can be used to describe and market the firm.Also, a welcome pack is sent in advance of a new employee's start date that has details of facilities around the firm's location (lunch time venues, dry cleaners etc.), key policies and an introduction to the firm with the induction schedule. New starters have a full day of induction with follow up sessions. There is an organisation chart with photos. New starters are also introduced around the firm.

Charity Initiatives Berneslai Ramblers sponsored challenges. Food Bank. Strictly Fantasy League (latest initiative to raise money and have fun networking across the company). Community Initiatives. Proud Tenant taken up as the theme for National Housing Day November 2015. Camper van tour round the borough asking tenants to tell the company why they're proud to be a tenant, counteract negative media portrayal of social housing. Ambition Barnsley – event to reach young people, promote apprenticeships and work experience with a stall and activities designed by construction apprentices. Greenacre School – spent half a day with local young people with physical and learning disabilities delivering employability skills and enrichment activities. Teen Tech – national scheme to encourage young people into IT and engineering roles which they support in the region. Funding Pots – Young Persons' Funding Pot, Community Chest, and Diversity Community Grants aimed at local groups who bid for funding for their projects and events including healthy eating, allotments, computer classes, Gay Pride. CEO is non-executive Director of Barnsley Enterprise Living Well. They are key partners in the Dementia Alliance, some employees are trained as Dementia Champions, promoting dementia friendly communities in Barnsley.

Charity Initiatives Berneslai Ramblers sponsored challenges. Food Bank. Strictly Fantasy League (latest initiative to raise money and have fun networking across the company). Community Initiatives. Proud Tenant taken up as the theme for National Housing Day November 2015. Camper van tour round the borough asking tenants to tell the company why they're proud to be a tenant, counteract negative media portrayal of social housing. Ambition Barnsley – event to reach young people, promote apprenticeships and work experience with a stall and activities designed by construction apprentices. Greenacre School – spent half a day with local young people with physical and learning disabilities delivering employability skills and enrichment activities. Teen Tech – national scheme to encourage young people into IT and engineering roles which they support in the region. Funding Pots – Young Persons' Funding Pot, Community Chest, and Diversity Community Grants aimed at local groups who bid for funding for their projects and events including healthy eating, allotments, computer classes, Gay Pride. CEO is non-executive Director of Barnsley Enterprise Living Well. They are key partners in the Dementia Alliance, some employees are trained as Dementia Champions, promoting dementia friendly communities in Barnsley.

The company's quarterly offsite meetings are a time to relax and raise consciousness about the fantastic company they are all part of. Over the many years of running QRMs they have experienced a wide range of activities varying from making James Bond films in the grounds of luxury hotels including an evening Oscar ceremony, Watersports, Boat Trips along the Thames, trips to Marbella, Longleat, etc. This is a unique opportunity, within working hours, for staff to interact and communicate outside of the confines of the workplace.

The company's quarterly offsite meetings are a time to relax and raise consciousness about the fantastic company they are all part of. Over the many years of running QRMs they have experienced a wide range of activities varying from making James Bond films in the grounds of luxury hotels including an evening Oscar ceremony, Watersports, Boat Trips along the Thames, trips to Marbella, Longleat, etc. This is a unique opportunity, within working hours, for staff to interact and communicate outside of the confines of the workplace.