Working Hard, Playing Hard and the Importance of Team Building

ClarkeWood Consulting places great emphasis on the importance of team building, team work and motivating it’s staff through regular social events and a “work hard, play hard” approach . Recruitment Consultant James Bicknell discusses his experiences, and the benefits of taking the time to motivate your team in this way, from the perspective of the employee:

"After the best talent, relationships play the most importance in a consistently high performing team"

Many organisations talk about the importance of having the right people and working as a team; but how many of us out there are really doing all we can to ensure our team's are working together as well they possibly can, so that they’re as motivated as possible to "go the extra mile"?

Prior to starting with ClarkeWood one cold January morning, I'd typically worked with companies with a more traditional approach to staffing and topics like employer sponsored social events. As such, I’d tended to view them an unnecessary expenditure, which could have allowed resources to be allocated more effectively and was surprised to receive a call from my soon to be boss some weeks before, inviting me out for the ClarkeWood Christmas meal.

Having eaten with the new team, followed by a few drinks at Keystones Bar in Worcester, I was surprised at how much I'd actually taken from the night. As a new employee of the company, it immediately allows you to feel more relaxed amongst your new colleagues, and to focus on the task at hand of learning your new role, and how to undertake it as effectively as possible.

The following February our MD Lee, arranged for us to go bowling as a team followed by something to eat and a few drinks. Especially with three of us starting with the company at the same time, the night really gave us the opportunity to gel as a team and share our experiences with the company so far. The positive impact on the team dynamic was immediately noticeable the following week. It allowed us to identify our strengths, where we could work together to develop and allowed for a friendlier, more relaxed atmosphere.

On a monthly basis since,  there's always been at least one team social event, whether it's a day at the races at Pitchcroft Racecourse in Worcester, or black tie charity event. Why? Because, we're a much stronger team for it. Such social events allow you and your team to discuss the inevitable challenges which arise in any busy working environment, in a relaxed atmosphere. They ensure your team get the time to "blow off steam" after a busy week, and most importantly, they allow your staff to build the kind of relationships with one another which mean they'll enjoy their working day, and stay motivated because of it. As a team you respect your colleagues more for getting to know them on a personal level. The result? A more motivated team, pulling in the same direction, keen to do all they can to help one another meet and exceed the expectations of their customers.

"Ladies Day" at Pitchcorft Racecourse, Worcester

Our most recent outing was to Network4Charity, an event raising money for the Education for the Children Foundation. With our own Victoria Taylor heavily involved in the organising of the night, there was a real buzz in the office in the run up to the event itself, and furthermore, it was great to spend some time getting to know a number of our clients who joined us on the night. With our upcoming attendance at an outdoor cinema at the Worcestershire County Cricket Club, I can honestly say, our approach to team building through events such as these, plays a massive part in the group effort to consistently provide the best possible service to our clients and candidates alike.

In short, yes, there's an expenditure associated to sponsoring the "work hard, play hard" mentality within your team, but, the benefits of doing so are unquantifiable, and well worth it the long run. As a rule, people are good at what they enjoy doing, and your day job is certainly no different. Motivated staff are committed staff. They are happy to "put in the extra(maybe try go the extra mile)" when needed, work better together, and will stay with you for longer.

Benefits of team building and employer sponsored social events in a nutshell:
 

> Increase team performance

> Reduce tension and friction

> Identify and maximize team strengths

> Anticipate problems and prevent them

> Optimise understanding

> Reduced Staff Turnover

Is Corporate Social Responsibility important for your business?

“The time is always right to do what is right." (Martin Luther King Jr)

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been debated for some time now; with business owners commonly questioning and doubting whether or not CSR is beneficial for us as a company? Will it help to increase profits? How much is this going to cost me, taking into consideration time, effort and money?

Or is this just a “nice idea”.

Often businesses have taken a strong skeptical viewpoint, accusing CSR of being merely window-dressing and public relations puffery. This initial standpoint from corporate businesses however were usually the opinions of the individuals directly benefitting from the company’s profit levels.

“Generosity with shareholders money is not philanthropy, it is theft!” (Hopkins 2007)

CSR on any scale can be seen as positive for both the professionals and beneficiaries involved, ultimately larger corporate powers need to be shouldering the responsibility they have to aid and support less fortunate environments or structures.

Unfortunately CSR is still very much an optional strategy which while this is not ideal for the greater good, does open up the opportunity for smaller SME’s to use as a tool very much in their advantage.

It is easy to understand why a business would potentially place the concept on the back burner in climates such as these; however are you overlooking CSR as something to take part in only when times are affluent when in actual fact it’s during the challenging times that being a “responsible business” is more important than ever!

Companies that are finding themselves affected by difficult climates are needing to change their short term thinking into longer term strategies, several of which could be strongly influenced by positive CSR.

Five beneficial reasons why your company should embark on their CSR journey:-

1.       Enhanced brand image and reputation

A good reputation is vital for a successful company, with the rapid growth of social networking it is becoming more and more relevant and vital for SME’s as well as corporate to have a strong positive brand image. Companies gain referrals and testimonials to increase trust and reputation for prospective clients to view, this same theory can be applied to positive CSR.

2.       Increased sales and customer loyalty

More and more consumers and suppliers are focusing their purchases towards socially and environmentally responsible products/services.

In European studies results have shown that 2 in 5 people would be willing to pay more for a product/service that have a positive CSR and conversely 3/6 people actively boycott or support products/services also on their public CSR.

Coupled together with a company’s USP’s these elements provide a powerful statement to be utilized.

3.       Increased productivity

Employees are vital to a company’s success and it has become more and more apparent that by investing in your work staff and valuing their input, strongly increases productivity.

Peoples awareness of social issues are greatly increasing with easier access to information becoming readily available and on a personal level there has recently been a massive increase in the number of volunteers received within local communities.

This therefore implies that employees on a personal note are taking action more and will naturally expect the same attitude and sense of responsibility to be applied within their working environment also.

4.       Attraction and retention of Employees

A company’s dedication to CSR can really be a drawing point for potential employees at all levels. Graduates are aware of the current climate and therefore leaving university in search of career prospects within a company that have longevity and security; no longer are people solely driven by salaries.

The same can be applied to the senior individuals where slight salary increases matter even less, employees look for values and respect not only in them but within the organization itself and CSR can provide the perfect tool to display this effectively.

5.       ‘Keeping up’ with competitors

This is where business is heading regardless of the company and regional culture, no matter how small your input CSR can only provide your company with positivity.

A companies reasons for beginning their CSR will all be differing however more often are local authorities, employees , investors and suppliers beginning to place pressure on the decision maker to “do the right thing” this is for your CSR but also and inevitably for your business.

Those that get left behind especially in a business climate such as this are going to be missing out on business opportunities, competitor advantage and improved management opportunities.

Here are just five points that will hopefully encourage you to embark on your CSR journey if you have not begun it already.

Those company’s not engaging in CSR are not only under managing their impact on society and the environment, they are under managing their own economic self interest.

“The future belongs to those who understand that doing more with less is compassionate, prosperous, and enduring, and thus more intelligent, even competitive." (Paul Hawken)

Check out our latest blog to see how ClarkeWood Consulting have been actively promoting their CSR!!Network4Charity

Doing our bit for CSR in style!

Here at ClarkeWood Consulting we take our Corporate Social Responsibility very seriously and on the 29^th of July we played a large part in sponsoring a Network4Charity Black Tie evening that was held at the Worcester Warriors Rugby Club.

The evening was in support of Education for the Children and saw a true mix of business with pleasure for several of the local business owners who attended.

With an eclectic mix of guests, champagne reception, great food, plenty of wine and some exceptional live music that even tempted a few of our guests up to dance (you know who you are!) the night proved to be a success.

ClarkeWood Consulting were the main sponsors for the evening and along with their guest clients who attended; played a pivotal part in helping to raise the £2800 on the night itself.

Pictured here is Lee Clarke and Lynn Taylor as the two sponsors for the evening, with the founder of Education for the Children David McKee; Rhiannon, Carol and Christine who all work for the charity here in England and the two organisers for the night Cady Walker and our own recruiter Victoria Taylor.

(Lee holding onto his prized rugby ball bought in the auction which was kindly signed by the Warriors) 

Despite popular belief not all recruiters are evil and sent here simply to harass you at the most in opportune moments of the day; the whole team here at ClarkeWood really believe in giving back to those less fortunate than ourselves as often as we can and thoroughly enjoyed  being a part of supporting such a fantastic cause like Education for the Children.

Please take the time to watch this short video which was shown on the night as it really demonstrates the positive work that the charity have and are continuing to do.

For more information on the charity and the great work that they do please follow this link www.eftc.org.uk

How to fill your Worcester IT job vacancies

ClarkeWood Consulting has a specialist team focusing on recruitment of IT & Technical Professionals across the 3 Counties of Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

The team works with a wide variety of organisations, varying from SMEs through to large, blue-chip companies, providing a bespoke recruitment service that is highly valued by our clients and candidate alike.

What we do for clients…

·        We make sure we understand your requirement. Our large database and comprehensive advertising and CV search facilities ensure that we track down the best person for the job.

·        Each applicant is thoroughly profiled to produce a shortlist of candidates suitable for your role – we will not bombard you with pointless CVs!

·        ClarkeWood Consulting has a reputation for excellence – we will manage the recruitment process from taking the initial job spec through to delivering and closing offers.

·        We offer a tailored recruitment service to best suit your needs from search & select to headhunting from your competitors!

What we do for candidates…

·        ClarkeWood Consulting has an unrivaled network of clients across the local area giving us access to a constant flow of new IT & Technical requirements.

·        Our close relationships with our clients ensure you will always be well prepared for any interviews and will receive full feedback on how you have performed.

·        We understand that the job market can be tough so we look to provide as much help and support as possible during your hunt for a new role.

If you are a company who would like to find out more about the service we provide, or perhaps a candidate interested in talking about current opportunities then please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Contact Lee on 01905 727750 or email lee.clarke@clarkewoodconsulting.com

Boost your interview performance in just one day!

Do you need an interview performance makeover? Are you unsure what to expect during an interview?

ClarkeWood Consulting are now offering a fantastic opportunity to attend an interview training day, packed full of useful advice, tips and ongoing support from interview specialists.

Our professional trainer’s have over 20 years experience helping hundreds of people secure their dream jobs and will help you achieve, “your strategy to impress”.

In the current climate, competition is high so being prepared for your interview has never been more important. We will cover all stages of the interview process from researching the employer to overcoming those “curve ball” questions, allowing you to take away skills that you can use throughout your professional career.

On the day:

You will learn about tried and tested interview techniques and practices to ensure you...

·         Make a lasting first impression

·         Stand out from the crowd

·         Inject your personality when answering questions

Follow up support:

You will also receive complete follow up support following the training day from one of our dedicated trainers. Staying in touch is critical. It will enable us to debrief your latest interview. Sharing the outcome with your mentor will ensure your confidence remains high so you approach your next interview with enthusiasm and good spirits.

Sign Up Today!

ClarkeWood Consulting Interview Training days are running on the following dates:

Tuesday 08^th February 2011

Thursday 10^th February 2011

Tuesday 22^nd February 2011

Thursday 24^th February 2011

As an introductory offer, all this valuable training is only £160. Book now to guarantee your place on the day!

To request a booking form please email samantha.busby@clarkewoodconsulting.com or for more information please call us on 01905 727750.

Worcester IT Jobs - a local perspective

Worcester IT Jobs are on the increase

ClarkeWood Consulting is a locally based IT Staffing specialist with an array of job opportunities across the three counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire and a network of locally based candidates to match.
We have seen a steady increase in the number of Worcester based IT jobs since August 2010 a clear indication that business confidence is up in the region.
In November we registered over 15 new vacancies that were Worcester IT jobs alone with a further 18 IT jobs across Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.
December has again seen a steady number of new vacancies registered both permanent and contract opportunities with companies conducting interviews right up to Christmas Eve.

The vacancies are all new growth, new projects to be manned, new ecommerce sites to be built, new orders have come in so staffing levels need to increase. This is all good and positive news for the Worcester IT job market in 2011.
The recent IT jobs that we have registered cover a variety of technologies and expertise as indicated below:

• Web designers – good HTML, CSS Front end web designers who can integrate CMS websites with backend developers
• Web Developers – Both application and backend web developers across both opensource, PHP & java and Microsoft with ASP.Net and C#
• Project managers, Business Analysts and Online Marketing Specialists
• 1st & 2nd line support engineers – both helpdesk, desktop and field positions
• IT trainers – both end user and engineer level

These are just a small number of the vacancies we have recently filled or are still working on.
Those clients choose to work with us because of our expertise, focus and knowledge in IT recruitment and the fantastic level of service we provide.
ClarkeWood Consulting - established 2009 - is Worcester's first and only IT specialist recruitment consultancy, staffed by a group of dedicated recruiters with over 20 years of successful IT recruitment experience. Thanks to this experience, ClarkeWood Consulting is able to deliver high level service standards and results.

For all your  Worcester IT job vacancies instruct the best, we specialise in matching local businesses with local talented professionals:

-          Call our consultants on 01905 727750 to ask for more information
-          Request a meeting with myself to discuss service levels
-          Receive a sample of available profiles every month to keep you up to date on what is going on in the market place
-          Or just send us your requirements via email to lee.clarke@clarkewoodconsulting.com
-          Or visit our website on www.clarkewoodconsulting.com

Recruitment and Retention - using a local specialist

Recruitment and retention within the IT sector is a key challenge for over half of employers according to a recent report by the Government.  Around a third (31%) reported that recruiting the right talent is likely to be difficult in the coming months, whilst one in five (21%) said retaining their people would be a challenge.

Many employers are finding the measures taken during the downturn have left them lacking the skills needed to grow again.  Now the economy is officially out of recession, there is a real need to bring new, high calibre people on board to ensure the recovery continues.

In addition to technical expertise, employers now expect their IT departments to be more proactive when it comes to suggesting new solutions (22%), communicate better with the business (28%) and have a greater commercial focus (22%).

Recruiting and retaining the best talent is becoming a major challenge for a many IT employers as we move into the upturn. 

Over half of IT employers have not reviewed their recruitment processes in the last 12 months, yet hiring processes optimised for a downturn will not suffice in an upturn

In an improving economy, growing IT departments should look at how they are attracting new talent into their organisations because as the economy heats up, skilled individuals will be harder to find, and more expensive.

Historically companies struggle with retention at the beginning of an economic cycle, so at a time of crucial growth employers will need talented individuals that know the business inside and out.

With over 20 years Recruitment experience, all within the IT sector ClarkeWood is here to help you with all your Recruitment matters. We are specialists in matching top local companies with talented local people.

For a free no obligation review of your current recruitment process or needs, we will come to you and discuss how working in partnership with a dedicated local solutions provider can help your business grow, call us on 01905 727750