What are companies doing with regards to 'Personal Growth'

Spark44 hold an annual Summer Event and this year they arranged a ‘sports days' themed event at a country house in Oxfordshire for the London and Birmingham Offices. Separated into teams, people tried their hands at everything from egg and spoon races to backwards jeep driving. The day culminated in a BBQ. They also held a company party including both UK offices providing transport and accommodation in London for the Birmingham team.

Employees at Spark44 are asked to contribute their ideas of what the company values should be, and then their values were defined using the feedback and thoughts.

They continuously encourage staff to let them know of any other benefits they may like and how they can improve the ones they have. They have increased the amount of football the staff can play during the week and introduced discounted yoga sessions earlier in the year. They have recently expanded into a new office and this will allow them to create a dedicated chill out area with, pool/snooker, games, chess, computer consoles and general space to relax for staff.

Once all the feedback is in, management will sit down and go through all the ideas that have been put forward. These are then divided up into the relevant teams and that team head is then responsible for implementing their teams ideas. They produce documents that can be viewed by staff across the company so they can see the progress being made. A list is put up on the internal intranet so staff can see in real time what has been achieved and what is still to be done.

They had a summer team event where all clinics had to work as a team to put together a band and perform. Everyone had a lot of fun and enjoyed themselves.

The buddy system allows employees to buddy up with a more experienced member of the team to learn more and to have a mentor. Both parties are able to learn and develop their skills. They also invest £1500 per physio for their CPD training in order to develop themselves.

A pub bell. Someone suggested that they were not around when everyone went off to the pub so they now announce it on Yammer and have bought a ship bell, so they ring the bell when they go to the pub on a Friday!

Flu jabs are offered, return to work discussions and in one case they offered a taxi for someone to get in and back from work. They provide fresh fruit every day in the office and sustainably sourced drinks. They also have access to the health care scheme.

The best example of how their organisation supports employee development is through their award winning Graduate scheme. Savills recently came first, for the third year running, in the Property category of the 'Graduate Employers of Choice' at The Times Graduate Recruitment Awards. Their graduate recruitment programme identifies exceptional candidates who represent a core investment in the future of their business.

A long service award was introduced when employees attained 10 years service and for every 5 year milestone reached after that. This was in the form of additional 5 days holiday which could be taken anytime during the anniversary year,

Proxama allow their employees to learn in all elements of their work, not just formal training but peer knowledge sharing and keeping technical experts in the business who are great at mentoring.

Proxama had an all staff 'Away Afternoon' in December 2013. This included strategy updates, training, networking, team building and collaborating on business decisions.

Junior consultants are given rewards such as tailor made suits, watches and pens when they achieve certain milestones in their career. This has proven particularly successful allowing them to feel successful and to have visible reminders of their success. These rewards are very sought after. They have also run incentives for colleagues around additional training and enhanced training personal budgets for individuals which have proven popular.

Junior consultants are given rewards such as tailor made suits, watches and pens when they achieve certain milestones in their career. This has proven particularly successful allowing them to feel successful and to have visible reminders of their success. These rewards are very sought after. They have also run incentives for colleagues around additional training and enhanced training personal budgets for individuals which have proven popular.

All staff, along with their partners and children (under 18) are invited to an away weekend at a 5 star hotel each Summer. The weekend is informal and all activities, accommodation, and entertainment are provided by the Company. This assists in enabling a growing company to get to know each other informally and enormously improves day to day communication. The employees and their family really appreciate the weekend and feel that the wider family is acknowledged for their support of their employees.

All staff, along with their partners and children (under 18) are invited to an away weekend at a 5 star hotel each Summer. The weekend is informal and all activities, accommodation, and entertainment are provided by the Company. This assists in enabling a growing company to get to know each other informally and enormously improves day to day communication. The employees and their family really appreciate the weekend and feel that the wider family is acknowledged for their support of their employees.

Penrose have an Employee Assistance Programme that is available to all staff 24/7 and refer to Occupational Health when a condition arises that prevents an employee from working to their full potential. Penrose encourage staff to make healthy choices by offering cycle to work interest free loans and environmental choices by encouraging using public transport (they no longer offer company cars).

Penrose operates an effective supervision and appraisal process which involves staff creating and maintaining their own Personal Development Plan which helps staff reach their own individual and as well as organiational needs. Following feedback from their staff conference, when they are seeking training, both internal and external, they try, where possible, to source training that is accredited which sits alongside their mandatory core training.

OrderDynamics have launched a Talent Management Programme which recognises future Leaders of the business to build on their achievements and develop the strengths of the top 5% of future Leaders in the company. Currently, the CEO hand writes anniversary cards for all employees commending them for their achievements over the past year. 5 year anniversaries are spend with the cofounders and other employees over dinner.

Founding partner has set up Labs workshops for all analysts to mentor and develop talent. Senior management don't ask anything of their teams that they would not do themselves. Senior Management encourage work across departments and readily share their resources across depts. for the greater good of the company.