What are companies doing with regards to 'My Team'

An internal and external communication strategy has been developed over the last 4 years, which includes: Nine staff conferences which have been used to good effect to foster the creation of a positive and supportive culture where all staff work closely and effectively together in the best interests of learners and employers. One to one and team meetings which are used to reinforce key messages, along with electronic communication tools. A PDR and 360 process which has been embedded into the staff development process, and provides support and progression to all staff. A weekly bulletin which is emailed to all staff giving updates on activity from managers around the business. Facebook and Twitter pages which are used to detail current vacancies, industry and company information. The Facebook page is full of useful information and resources such as electronic versions of company leaflets, videos, and a national vacancy map.

Self assessment is an essential part of their continuous improvement. This process allows all departments and teams to analyse their strengths, areas for improvements and their satisfactory areas, through effective monitoring and on-going self assessment. All staff are fully engaged in this process and the outcome helps to focus on improvement across the business and to raise the standard and quality of training provision. A full self assessment process is completed once every year, with a formal review every 6 months, which is documented in a full report. This is also supported by a Quality Improvement Plan, which details all key improvement areas and documents the progress of key activities and actions. This plan is reviewed on a monthly basis and updated accordingly. Self assessment is a key part of their business culture and everyday approach.

Managers listen to employees' needs and concerns and contact HR for guidance when necessary. An example would be a manager asking for the company to pay for a taxi for a member of staff to be able to come to work whilst using crutches, thus making the individual's travelling a lot easier. Managers develop an understanding of the individual's ambitions by discussions during appraisals and can then help to set appropriate objectives. Managers at Punter Southall Group are encouraged to be receptive to employees - to be open and approachable in an open plan office. HR helps managers understand the sickness absence management policy and other wellbeing at work policies.

Punter Southall Group grant an increase to salary following exam passes in various professional courses. They believe this is effective as it encourages their staff to develop themselves professionally and thereby enhance their future career prospects, but it is also valuable to the business as it can indicate to its clients that its staff are professionally trained and qualified.

Managers at PPHE Hotel Group have a clear strategy and plan for the year of what needs to be achieved, for this to be effective the team are involved and are briefed in regards to the strategy of the department.

PPHE Hotel Group operates an Inspirational Service Programme. The overall aims of the programme are to give all the company's employees the skills and confidence to consistently create the desired guest experience, as defined by PPHE Hotel Group's Context. The training consists of three modules directly linked to the three elements of the PPHE Hotel Group's Context desired guest experience of feeling welcome, surprise and passion. This programme engages the team and gives them the tools to excel in their job.

In retail Pets at Home have a structured training programme which will take colleagues from part time roles through to Store Manager and beyond! The company's success at internal promotions is very strong. Using the Area Manager population as an example, 20 out of 22 Area Managers were promoted from Store Manager. Pets at Home have the advantage of being able to offer an alternative career path to their colleagues who want to become qualified pet groomers. The company takes their retail colleagues through Pets at Home's 'Power to your Paws' programme, that gives them all of the required technical skills they need to become professional pet groomers. Pets at Home's development programmes play a vital part in the company's commercial growth, as they would not be able to continue to expand at the rapid rate they are without the internal candidates coming up through the ranks to become Store, Deputy and Assistant Managers, full time colleagues, Grooming Salon Managers and Stylists.

In retail Pets at Home have a structured training programme which will take colleagues from part time roles through to Store Manager and beyond! The company's success at internal promotions is very strong. Using the Area Manager population as an example, 20 out of 22 Area Managers were promoted from Store Manager. Pets at Home have the advantage of being able to offer an alternative career path to their colleagues who want to become qualified pet groomers. The company takes their retail colleagues through Pets at Home's 'Power to your Paws' programme, that gives them all of the required technical skills they need to become professional pet groomers. Pets at Home's development programmes play a vital part in the company's commercial growth, as they would not be able to continue to expand at the rapid rate they are without the internal candidates coming up through the ranks to become Store, Deputy and Assistant Managers, full time colleagues, Grooming Salon Managers and Stylists.

All staff within the company have a structured training programme that is evaluated under the company's ISO accreditation. The company's structured training programme has been further developed over the past 12 months. Operational staff are encouraged to undertake their NVQ qualifications and in the past 12 months in excess of 10 operational staff have completed their NVQ Level 2, and have chosen to progress to Level 3. Individuals are fully supported and work time is set aside for them to complete their modules to ensure work-life balance in maintained. Sales/Recruitment staff now undertake not only the company's bespoke structured training programme, but the company have also set aside a budget for individual coaching. The individual coaching is on topics chosen by the individual and his/her manager during their monthly business reviews and has proven to be highly successful.

Pertemps Professional Staffing Network Limited has a training programme that has been rolled out and further developed over the past year. The programme trains managers around setting goals, coaching and recognising the importance of being a leader and role model.

In January 2012, People 1st hosted a belated Christmas celebration in Northern Ireland. The trip coincided with the launch of the organisation's customer service training programme, WorldHost, in Northern Ireland. This provided an opportunity not only to give all their teams the chance to see the shape of the market in one of the devolved nations, but also to celebrate the challenges and changes met by the organisation during 2011. People 1st flew all employees to Belfast and all flights and overnight accommodation in Belfast were paid for by the company. The celebration was organised by their Northern Ireland team and included a drinks reception at the hotel, a live comedy performance by award-winning Belfast comedienne Nuala McKeever, followed by a three-course dinner. While the Christmas celebration was an extremely social and enjoyable occasion, it presented many opportunities for learning and networking. Members of the senior management team and department representatives participated in the launch of WorldHost, and all other staff members were able to learn about the programme in the context of the market in Northern Ireland.

The Ministry of Innovation (MOI) is a group of representatives from across the company that meets every six weeks to empower employees to discuss issues and ways to make the company a better place to work. The MOI receives feedback and ideas from around the company, as well as Best Companies survey results, and develops initiatives to improve areas including staff well-being and engagement, office look and feel, social events and the overall employee experience. Last year, it focused particularly on well-being, leading to the introduction of the Summertime Working Scheme and Giving Something Back, and conducted focus groups with other staff members on both topics. One resulting initiative was the promotion of their 'Charitable Chums', where staff members promote the work or activities they undertake to peers and colleagues. Social events and activities organised by the MOI at the quarterly learning and information days have ensured that People 1st's family ethic has remained strong throughout the changes they have faced. Each MOI meeting is attended by the CEO/COO to ensure decision makers are informed and that proposed initiatives have both the support of employees and senior management. It also gives employees an opportunity to ask questions to the organisation's leaders, which are then fed back to wider teams.

To enhance the well-being of employees the organisation includes staff in decisions, listens to their suggestions, supports regular activities of the Staff Representative Group, puts emphasis on safe working, and creats good working environments, management and practices.

The organisation have a good job evaluation process. They also have other pay options, appraisals, and a performance management process. They regularly review job descriptions and carry out employee appraisals and
monitor staff wellbeing by reviewing work loads. In addition, they have a well established communication flow, for example, staff rep groups. They also have regular staff meetings and a staff survey.

Last summer, the Payzone social committee decided to organise an Olympic themed BBQ. The BBQ was designed as a fun and completely free event for all. Emails were sent to the business prior to the BBQ to create a buzz, whilst keeping some aspects a surprise for the evening. An outside catering company was hired to provide the food and the Social Committee was in charge of everything else buying in drinks, games, prizes and decorations. The outside of the office was decorated with Olympic banners, bunting, flags and balloons and games were set up around the area. Games were set up for all to play and carried prizes and got everyone interacting with others from around the business. A highlight of the night was the managers' triathlon with 14 of the management team battling it out to be crowned champion, whilst being cheered on by their teams. The evening was a definite success with the majority of the business in attendance.

Managers and Team Leaders performance is measured against the company's PACE values. The Personal and Caring values require the managers to provide evidence of how they have supported their team members to achieve both their personal objectives, and their individual development objectives. Additional support is available from the HR team to ensure that managers and team leaders feel fully supported when dealing with difficult or sensitive performance issues.