All teams have an annual budget for smaller team events which have been used for a whole host of activities that range from karting to chocolate making. In addition, Trustmark hold an annual team building weekend called “Kick-Off”. This involves strategy presentations, motivational speakers, workshops, a team building activity (this year, a GPS treasure hunt), dinner, dancing and awards. The organisation find this to be a very effective way of setting their direction for the new financial year, thanking employees for contribution in the previous year, and developing cross-team relationships. For example this year the organisation chose to launch a “living the values” session at the annual Company Kick-Off event. Employees from all departments across the business were divided into groups and, for each value, asked to work in their teams to select an appropriate quote; a benefit to the organisation; a benefit to the individual; and a group commitment to live that value. Trustmark felt that it was important to involve employees to work together and across departments, outside of their usual working teams, to define what the values meant for them, and to truly bring these ideas to life within their workplace environment.

Trustmarque structure their annual appraisals to ensure that development and support needs are identified, and these are followed up by the Learning & Development team. Guidance on the completion of appraisals and the format of one-to-one is provided. The organisation have rolled out 360 feedback for their sales team this year to support them in understanding where they are doing well, and where they need more development. Managers do not ask employees to do anything they are not prepared to do themselves; this gives a good understanding of the pressures faced by employees.
Managers assist employees in identifying individual development plans, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. They adapt their approach according to personal circumstances.

Trustmarque Solutions combine a corporate and individualised approach to employee development, to focus on both immediate and career-focused needs. They are currently supporting a number of employees through professional qualifications which will enable them to progress in their career path, but will also enable contribution at a higher level in their current role. They have also designed a “Solution Sales Professional” programme for all those in account management, which covers both general sales skills and the specifics of selling their services product set; this combination of product and skills training equips individuals to do their current role, but also enables them to progress through a sales career structure. A similar development plan that mirrors this programme is in place for the Commercial Department, combining Partner and Marketing teams in the organisation and numbering 20 employees. A modular programme of training and accreditations will incorporate generic content together with specialist modules (on topics such as video case studies, content generation and digital marketing) for advanced skills development. This provides a structured, needs-driven programme of training and opportunity for development for the entire team.