Insight Hub - Articles to support your employee engagement journey

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.

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.

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.