The UK’s Best Companies to Work For in 2023 have been unveiled during a spectacular event that firmly put the spotlight on employee engagement and organisational health. The leading workplaces were praised for demonstrating they truly care for their people, particularly in challenging times.
Research shows that companies that prioritise employee wellbeing are more likely to be successful. Our Red Chair panellists discussed how their organisations had built their workplace cultures around employee wellbeing, what practices they have implemented to do this, and answered the question: how are workplace wellbeing and culture related to each other?
We believe that strong team spirit is essential for any successful organisation. In this session, valued members of our community discussed the cultures their managers and teams had instilled to ensure team spirit is high. We hope these insights will inspire you to create a workplace where employees feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves.
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Take a deep-dive into how the leaders of your organisation can effectively lead with purpose from our Best Companies Live event for Q3. Valued members of our community took to the famous red chairs and discussed the initiatives their companies have implemented to improve their employee engagement against the workplace factors of Leadership and Giving Something Back.
Communication is everything to an organisation. Our data and MC³ model shows that managers who can not only effectively inform their employees, but listen to them too will build greater relationships and improve their engagement scores. We know management is one of the most important aspects of a company, that's why our Best Companies Live event for Q2 was dedicated to effective people management. See what insights were shared from valued members of our community who took to the coveted red chairs.
Close working between team members is not an issue in itself; it can hone specialisms and skills. A problem arises when collaboration between teams is rare rather than routine. Has the hybrid working explosion further cemented silo mentalities, or has a post-pandemic change in attitude and workplace norms – including greater use of tech – boosted team communication?
It's a tough time for business. The economic downturn and the rising cost of living are proving just as challenging for organisations as they are for their employees. In times like these, it's easy for businesses to hunker down, but companies need to play the long game, recognising that prioritising employee engagement and continuing to invest in their workforce can strengthen resilience during tough times and help them bounce back faster.
Guest article from Andrew Avanessian, CEO at AppLearn. In February I appeared on Best Companies Live alongside a panel of other business leaders to discuss how we break down silos within our organisations. I think it often goes overlooked, but a business that can break down silos and encourage better collaboration can be stronger and more resilient in an ever-changing landscape.
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Organisations prioritising their employees' personal and professional development – their capabilities, skills and competencies – reap the awards in many ways. They can attract new staff. A global survey of Millennials and Gen Zs found learning and development opportunities to be the second most important reason for joining their current organisation. More than a quarter (29%) see it as a priority.
Despite growing demand for development, many organisations are falling short, 57% saw declines in Personal Growth scores last year. As employees crave more opportunities to learn and progress, the role of the manager has never been more critical in closing the gap. Is your L&D strategy helping or holding you back?
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Once considered redundant, middle managers are now being reimagined as critical connectors in today’s hybrid world, bridging the gap between leaders and teams. By stepping into coaching roles, they can boost engagement, clarify strategy, and drive performance across the board. Could the key to future organisational success lie in the middle?
Organisational clarity means employees clearly understand the company’s purpose, strategy, and their role within it. The Clarity Index - Primary Purpose, Core Principles, Outrageous Ambition, and Ingenious Plan - helps build alignment and engagement. Learn how reinforcing these elements at every level can drive performance, motivation, and a stronger organisational culture.
Great managers don’t just hit targets—they build trust, clarity, and connection. Best Companies’ Manager Index outlines four key behaviours that drive strong employee relationships: Inspire, Support, Listen, and Care. While our data shows many managers connect well with their teams, the challenge lies in linking those relationships to wider organisational goals and direction.
It's a tough time for business. The economic downturn and the rising cost of living are proving just as challenging for organisations as they are for their employees. In times like these, it's easy for businesses to hunker down, but companies need to play the long game, recognising that prioritising employee engagement and continuing to invest in their workforce can strengthen resilience during tough times and help them bounce back faster.
Guest article from Andrew Avanessian, CEO at AppLearn. In February I appeared on Best Companies Live alongside a panel of other business leaders to discuss how we break down silos within our organisations. I think it often goes overlooked, but a business that can break down silos and encourage better collaboration can be stronger and more resilient in an ever-changing landscape.
Organisations prioritising their employees' personal and professional development – their capabilities, skills and competencies – reap the awards in many ways. They can attract new staff. A global survey of Millennials and Gen Zs found learning and development opportunities to be the second most important reason for joining their current organisation. More than a quarter (29%) see it as a priority.
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What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)? It's a phrase commonly heard across workplaces. For some businesses, it may be choosing a charity to donate to. For others, it may be doing something to support the community in which they're based.
The best in employee engagement has been celebrated in a three-day event (2nd-4th November) at Evolution London, bringing together 'Best Companies Live Q4' and 'The Best Companies Awards 2022'. All aspects of the event were live-streamed and free to access. This included daytime reveals of the Q4 winners, topical panel discussions on the iconic red chairs and the annual awards showcase, attended by thousands.
Since early 2020, organisations have faced challenges unlike any in recent memory. However, despite such adversity, some organisations have led and managed their people in such a way that they have seen an improvement in their Best Companies accreditation status. During August’s Best Companies Live, we spoke to a selection of the best improvers, across all size categories, to find out how they’ve gone about listening to their people and implementing positive change to help create an even better workplace.
When it comes to traditional people management, new ways of working have forced many to rip up the rule books. But just what does it take to be a successful manager in a remote world? That’s we asked our guests during August’s Best Companies Live, where they discussed how have they equipped their managers to manage successfully, regardless of where – or how – their people work.
With working outside of a traditional office environment being the ‘new norm’ for many, how do you maintain an organisation’s culture and build energy amongst employees so that the company’s goals can be realised? That was what we asked our panellists during August’s Best Companies Live event, where they spoke about the shared experiences they have created for their colleagues to help drive productivity, creativity, and engagement.
With the UK’s cost-of-living crisis set to deepen in the autumn of 2022 and into the New Year, how are leaders easing the financial pressures their employees are facing, as well as ensuring any initiatives are sustainable for their business? That’s the question we put to our panellists during August’s Best Companies Live event, where they spoke about their responses to the rising costs facing employees and how that’s impacted engagement overall.
Live from Media City, Salford, on Friday 19th August, ‘Best Companies Live’ provided a full day of celebration and insight as the workplaces leading the way in employee engagement were unveiled.
With where, and how, we work the key point of discussion for organisations up and down the country, just how do you strike a balance that works for your people as well as the business? That’s what we asked our panellists during May 2022’s Best Companies Live, looking at how company culture can survive with the increase in remote, hybrid or ‘anywhere’ working policies.
With wellbeing becoming an even bigger differentiator for organisations looking to attract and retain talent, what are the key areas to focus on? That’s what we discussed during Best Companies Live in May 2022, where our guests spoke about how wellbeing support in the workplace has evolved, and which of the support mechanisms they have put in place have had the greatest impact on overall employee health.
