Keeping your team motivated and productive is the Holy Grail for most managers but for Wiltshire business owners Duncan Game and Andy Cuff winning over their workforces has meant using their imaginations.
At the latest Breakfast Exchange for Wiltshire at the Old Bell in Malmsbury this week Andy, founder and CEO of Computer Network Defence (CND), and Duncan, managing director and owner of Industrial Electronic Wiring Ltd(IEW), shared their thoughts on creating a positive environment for staff.
Cyber security expert, Andy said his business prides itself on preserving a great work/life balance for staff, but of all his initiatives for its actually ‘pie Friday’ that has proved most popular with his team.
For Duncan, concentrating on the overall wellbeing of staff and a positive work environment is key to a successful business.
“Wellbeing has become a driving factor for establishing a successful culture and businesses need to ensure it is reflected in the structure of the business. An employer’s willingness to invest in the wellbeing of their employees and to commit to boosting morale in the workplace will have a significant impact on their ability to not only recruit the best people, but to then retain them,” said Duncan.
After explaining how he keeps his remote workforce happy by sending them pies every Friday Andy said: “Businesses are constantly being driven to provide inclusive working environments that lift up their staff, especially when the work can be stressful.”
Co-organised by Richardson Swift, The Business Exchange and Thrings Solicitors, organisations from across the Swindon and Wiltshire region were in attendance to hear from the guest speakers.
The event panel was chaired by Anita Jaynes, founder of The Business Exchange, with Richardson Swift MD Debbie Boulton and Kerrie Hunt, Head of the Thrings Employment team also joining the the panel guests.
Chartered accountant Debbie said: “Balancing the finances of employment and ensuring businesses have the right staffing levels are constant concerns for senior leadership and are always a factor in the success of a workplace culture. Today’s panel discussion on the importance of how a working environment can be a powerful driver for people to stay in their roles was really insightful.”
Kerrie added: “Finding the balance between employees’ expectations of their workplace and what the company can deliver needn’t be tough if there is good communication at all levels and, by instilling a positive working environment, employers can cultivate a culture that not only empowers current staff but makes the firm more attractive to prospective recruits. It was great to get the views on this from a range of the region’s business leaders at today’s event as well as bring a legal perspective to the panel.”
Anita Jaynes, Founder of The Business Exchange, said: “With the working landscape having been so dramatically changed since the pandemic, culture has never been a more important factor for what makes a business a success and it was fascinating to hear from our speakers and learn from their valuable experience. A massive thank you to everyone who joined us.”
The Breakfast Exchange is a series of invitation-only business support events held in Bath and Wiltshire. Places are always limited, but if you would like to be put on the guestlist please email us on hello@richardsonswift.co.uk