Family first, reputation over revenue, entrepreneurial environment and growth are the principles which guide the way CleverTouch Marketing does business. During the pandemic the first value was especially key as the firm had prioritised employees whose partners were key workers or where schools were shut as a priority for furlough.

The small Hampshire-based marketing technology software and services firm also set up a hardship fund for those struggling with the financial downturn and invested in two wellbeing coaches to help people manage their anxieties.

CleverTouch Marketing also set up a Covid-19 taskforce, staffed by employees for employees to ensure the company was doing everything to be a responsible employer.

Most importantly during the pandemic, the organisation created three priorities from the outset: save the business, no job losses and be stronger in coming out of the recession by investing in training. To do this it boosted the training programmes and budget and increased everyone's salaries for every industry award and certification they received. As a result, the

business has grown and is now hiring again. A new tiering structure which rewards people for achieving professional certifications gives staff more of an incentive to achieve a higher qualification.

The company surveys all employees every few months to ensure it is communicating and supporting everyone as much as possible, and to “keep the chat channels open” it has asked all line managers to keep in touch with their teams on a weekly basis through video calling to ensure their staff are coping.