STAFF TURNING UP at company events with lime green hair is not a case of highlights gone wrong at Instant — it's just a sign that they are on message. Instant, which has shot up the list to its highest ever position this year, has launched a new initiative to encourage staff to meet "the Lime Green Standard". This is a set of ideals about how the 75 employees should behave, coaching others, innovating, challenging their bosses and being ambassadors for the business. "That's so lime green!" someone might say, and this is a compliment. Founder of the London-based business, Rob Hamilton, makes sure he dresses up for fancy occasions in "green black tie", complete with a blinding cummerbund, the office walls are a nice shade of green, and so is the company logo. Our survey ranks company leadership as the best thing of all — an 89% positive score ranking 11th. People are inspired by Hamilton, and have a great deal of faith in him (both 92%). Staff say he runs the business on sound moral principles (90%). Employees also say that senior managers listen rather than just tell people what to do (86%). They feel positive about their company (87% overall) and that they can make a difference (89%). Staff say that the business, which is expected to see revenues hit £20m this year, doesn't take advantage of them (80%). People are encouraged to take regular breaks so they don't feel they are spending too much time working (69%). Everyone is treated fairly (83%), and it isn't just the sales staff who get performance-related bonuses. Instant offers plenty of management training and support, and people believe their direct boss appreciates a good job done and takes an active interest in their wellbeing (both 88% and top 10 scores). instantoffices.com
