Team Cohesion = Performance

The ‘Pennies from Heaven' scheme allows employees to donate the pennies from their salary to charity. Monthly salaries are rounded down and the most anyone can give a month is £0.99. VocaLink also ask employees to vote for a new charity each year, with the current charity being Cancer Research UK. One Friday per month is allocated to charity fundraising. The company also allocate a number of colleague days per year for employees to book and fundraise for a charity of their choice. VocaLink is committed to helping to strengthen its surrounding communities and encourage their employees to get involved in their communities through volunteering. All permanent and fixed term contractors are entitled to one volunteering day per year. VocaLink have also formed a partnership with Pilotlight, a not for profit organisation who match directors from charities and social enterprises with teams of senior business people to plan for sustainability, development and growth. The company have nine members of their Executive and Senior Leadership Team who are working as mentors and coaches with charities across the UK, providing their business and personal experience to develop strategic and business plans.

In addition to their extensive pay and benefits package, performance related bonuses and intangible benefits such as flexible working and a great working environment, VocaLink also have an employee recognition scheme that seeks to reward employees for efforts that are over and above their usual role. The recognition award scheme is directly linked to the company behaviours of commercial, courageous, collaborative, transparent and respectful. Anyone across the business can nominate their colleagues against one or more of these behaviours through the recognition portal. As each nomination is made with supporting information, a post is made on the intranet which contains all the details of the nomination and is available to 'like' and comment on. All the nominations are then assessed by a panel made up of colleagues from across the business. Three nominations per month are crowned 'winners' and in addition to the immediate recognition from the nomination itself, these employees are awarded £100, which can be redeemed at a range of shops and restaurants. In addition, teams of people that are nominated could win a quarterly prize of up to £500 towards a team celebration. Each year three 'overall' winners are selected by a panel to receive £1,500. The scheme is regularly reviewed and refreshed to ensure that it is in line with our behaviours and the needs of all employees.

This year for Vertex's annual day of service, they supported a number of local causes. These included SmartWorks who provide business attire for those interviewing to return to work, the Hammersmith Garden project to maintain a local school nature garden, and the Selby Trust community hub, helping them to repaint areas of the centre and maintain their fencing. This year they supported SmartWorks, who provide appropriate business clothing to people in need so that they can look smart for interview to help them gain employment. Support involved donating, sorting and ironing clothes ready for when they are required.

This year for Vertex's annual day of service, they supported a number of local causes. These included SmartWorks who provide business attire for those interviewing to return to work, the Hammersmith Garden project to maintain a local school nature garden, and the Selby Trust community hub, helping them to repaint areas of the centre and maintain their fencing. This year they supported SmartWorks, who provide appropriate business clothing to people in need so that they can look smart for interview to help them gain employment. Support involved donating, sorting and ironing clothes ready for when they are required.

Twice a year companywide training events on employment law are provided, as well as managerial skills sessions for all Managers. Urgo also give 360 assessments for people Managers. As part of the annual appraisal process, Managers are assessed versus the Urgo Managerial competencies. A talent review day also takes place each year, where each Manager is presented by their line Manager to the Leadership Team in order to identify high potential people and to also create development plans.

Twice a year companywide training events on employment law are provided, as well as managerial skills sessions for all Managers. Urgo also give 360 assessments for people Managers. As part of the annual appraisal process, Managers are assessed versus the Urgo Managerial competencies. A talent review day also takes place each year, where each Manager is presented by their line Manager to the Leadership Team in order to identify high potential people and to also create development plans.

As part of their total reward framework, UCAS operate employee-led recognition schemes known as Shining Stars and Shining Teams to both recognise and celebrate the hard work and achievements of their people on a regular basis. Often team members can see the day to day effort and hard work that individuals put in and this is their opportunity to acknowledge it. A large proportion of the success of this scheme can be attributed to what people can be rewarded for because the scheme nomination criteria is directly linked to their core values – Customer, Commitment, Agility, Team, Outcomes and Extraordinary. Colleagues are acknowledged for their outstanding work, achievements, ideas and teamwork on a quarterly basis and are made a fuss of at a celebratory drinks reception and by having their name and nomination displayed in the UCAS restaurant for all to see. Winners also receive retail vouchers for them to select a gift that is personal to them and that they will really value.

UCAS support a number of community and charitable initiatives as part of their Wellbeing Strategy. There is a wide range of activities that have been organised or sponsored, as well as hosting awareness days, event sponsorship (e.g. Cheltenham Science Festival, sporting events), sustainable travel activities and events to support the personal health and wellbeing of employees. UCAS employees also participate in a number of charitable events using three paid volunteering days each year, as well as some doing these in their own time. Activities include paired reading at local schools, young persons' mentoring, practice interviews for Year 10 & 11 students and participating in local education provider sporting tournaments. UCAS also opens its grounds to local schools for allotment development and pond-dipping, all to support local educational programmes and curriculums. Furthermore UCAS recently hosted the Cheltenham Qualifying Round of Debating Matters, which is a national debating competition for sixth form students. UCAS is also a proud sponsor of the competition and a number of employees commit their time to serve as judges at various levels of the competition.

Consistent messaging is at the heart of everything that Tusker do. The Senior Management Team ensure that all information which is distributed throughout the organisation is in accordance with the company's goals and objectives, while remaining accessible and engaging for the teams. The CEO and Senior Leadership Team embody most of the values which have been incorporated within the vision and objectives of the organisation. Committed to a familial approach to the organisation, the Senior Leadership Team have an open door policy where employees are encouraged to share ideas to maximise the success of the company. The leadership team are unafraid of change and are willing to review ideas from all levels of the company at various opportunities. The CEO and CFO have both been recognised for their commitment to the business and its development with awards from a prestigious publication. David Hosking, CEO has in 2016 been awarded the "CEO of the Year" and David Brockwell, CFO has been awarded "CFO of the Year" by Finance Monthly. Tusker itself has been recognised as a whole for its ethical and sustainable development practices. Each Director personally meets new starters in order to welcome them into the company in order to foster good relationships from the outset, while also sharing key information about working practices and company policies. The Senior Management Team all attend the communications meeting on a quarterly basis in order to be available to answer queries and respond to questions which might arise from the information being shared. The CEO has just agreed to lead a team of 20 in a charity fundraising event, tough mudder, which is a muddy assault course over 12km.

Tusker have several "break-out" areas which are equipped with comfortable seating, food preparation equipment and drinks machines which enable employees to switch off from work during their breaks. Additionally, they have televisions available for employees to watch in these spaces, as well as activities including darts and table tennis available for staff to participate in. Tusker also run a bike hire scheme for employees to enhance fitness levels and a greener form of transport. Each team member has the ability to turn their phone to "do not disturb" in order to aid focus on their roles or to complete tasks without interruption. Tusker actively encourages this practice. Tusker carefully monitors the skill sets of individuals and ensures staff are in appropriate roles. Further training is provided for those who require support, as is a change of role for those who find their current skillset isn't matched to their existing role.

As a rapidly growing company, Total Assist runs a regular and dedicated internal recruitment academy for new staff. This gives new team members a fully supported environment to learn their new role amongst their peers before they progress to a consultant desk of their own. The company have also found this is a great way for new starters to mix with existing employees and promotes a family feel within the company.

Senior Management operate an open door policy and actively spend their time amongst floor staff to support and provide assistance, promoting a feeling of all employees being on the same level and encouraging team members to talk to Senior Managers about any concerns that they may have. Senior Management perpetually seek ways to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, for example floor walking, taking the time to get to know every team member personally and taking an active interest in team members' well-being and personal development.

A key goal for 2016 was to make the learning and development within The Perfume Shop accessible to everyone. By creating the Learning Ladder for stores the company have been able to map out a very clear four step development plan. The Ladder looks at store based employees, Sales Assistants, Supervisors, Deputy Managers and Store Managers. It identifies both required training and external qualifications. There are also programmes that promote talent within each role, such as The Perfume Masters and TMA. The company have also provided every Head Office and Operations team member a £200 GROW account. This is to spend on their own development and encourages the individual to take ownership of learning. Every store employee who joins the business receives a Perfume School box. The box contains ‘Foundation,' the first of their modular learning. Once completed the business provide a chance for the individual to increase their knowledge with the Diploma Level. For those who have demonstrated a real passion for product and expertise The Perfume Shop will then provide sponsorship to an external qualification, The Fragrance Foundation.

In order to effectively develop both newly recruited and internally promoted Managers, The Perfume Shop offer a programme called The Management Academy. It starts with a period of job shadowing in an established store, followed by a week long face to face training session. The face to face session is a blended experience and includes assessments, presentations, interactive quizzes and a practical experience in the ‘Mock Shop'. Store Managers are measured on business KPIs, including but not limited to sales, average selling price and compliance. These are weekly measures. The Perfume Shop also measures development needs by "Me Plans" and plot results onto a skills wheel. This score is then averaged to provide a talent score and is used as part of talent development. The FISH philosophy is always used at daily team huddles to set standards for performance. Head Office Managers' performance is also measured twice a year through formal reviews and objectives, which are then captured on a system. All Managers are expected to have formal performance conversations with members of their team at least twice per year, as well as regular one to one's.

At the Girls' Day School Trust, the Senior Management Team refer to their values when presenting or participating in workshops. They are also used as a framework when difficult decisions need to be taken. They have appointed subject champions to promote collaboration between their staff and have also increased the range of events for students to allow them more opportunities to collaborate and compete. The CEO's stated aim is that 10% of staff in every school will spend one day a year in one of their other schools or academies. Putting girls first guides their approach to key investments in their estate, as they want the teaching and learning environment to be first-rate for all the pupils in their care. The Girls' Day School Trust's Leader engages with employees on a day to day basis through regular email updates, vlogs, regular school visits, annual school reviews with Heads and their Senior Leadership Team. She will always attend results day and prize giving in the schools and regularly speaks at school events.

At the Girls' Day School Trust, the Senior Management Team refer to their values when presenting or participating in workshops. They are also used as a framework when difficult decisions need to be taken. They have appointed subject champions to promote collaboration between their staff and have also increased the range of events for students to allow them more opportunities to collaborate and compete. The CEO's stated aim is that 10% of staff in every school will spend one day a year in one of their other schools or academies. Putting girls first guides their approach to key investments in their estate, as they want the teaching and learning environment to be first-rate for all the pupils in their care. The Girls' Day School Trust's Leader engages with employees on a day to day basis through regular email updates, vlogs, regular school visits, annual school reviews with Heads and their Senior Leadership Team. She will always attend results day and prize giving in the schools and regularly speaks at school events.

The Consortium offers everyone a core health care provision, which includes dental and optical cover. As part of a wider group, the company also offer an employee assistance programme, a free phone advisory service offering 24 hour, 365-day support and guidance on a range of areas including bereavement, money trouble, addictions and relationship breakdown. There is an open minded approach to work flexibly, a cycle to work scheme, healthy food options in the canteen and an outdoor green space with garden furniture for colleagues to enjoy their breaks. The organisation believes that good management practices can help reduce work-related stress. Examples of practices The Consortium use include making sure employees understand what they have to do and how to do it by meeting training needs, involving employees in the way work is carried out and having clear procedures for handling misconduct and poor performance.

The Consortium recognise employees for their efforts by awarding 'a Value Champion' of the month. Each winner is then entered into a draw to win Employee of the Year. This is voted for by all staff and the winner is announced at the annual End of Year presentation. The company also offer an All Staff discretionary bonus scheme, with payment based on company performance.

Quarterly town hall meetings are held for all Line Managers and round table meetings for all employees in order to discuss issues and recognise successes which have proven to be particularly effective given that the business is growing so quickly. The Car Finance Company have previously put on workshops where everyone participated in deciding the priorities for the following quarter, as well as one that focused on what Managers would do to make sure they had great communication across the business. In order to communicate the company mission, vision and values they are printed on posters and mugs so they are always present within the office. Performance is also reviewed against the values.

The Car Finance Company use the 70:20:10 model as the basis of their learning and development strategy in order to focus development on topics that Managers have the opportunity to put into practice immediately in order to be the most effective. Their Leadership and Development Manager has facilitated meetings being held by the Leadership Team as part of their development programme. A group of Team Leaders are presenting at their departments conference for the first time, so they have been supported to develop their presentation and to deliver it building their confidence. A group of Managers took part in a workshop on performance management ahead of the company's quarterly review process. They believe this is a more practical approach and allows delegates to put changes into practice more effectively. Employees can also get involved in coaching and mentoring programmes, which the company find to be more useful as short technical training sessions. Finally performance is always measured against quarterly objectives.