How we can make our workplaces work for us

Salix team meet entrepreneur, investor and Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett at Investors in People event

In a dynamic gathering of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and Human Resources experts, the IIP Make Work Better Conference ignited discussions on reshaping the landscape of the workplace. Held at The Mermaid, in London, the conference delved into diverse topics including company culture, mentorship, work-life balance, values alignment, and the evolving role of Human Resources in an ever-changing economic landscape.

The event was attended by more than 500 people and Salix took time out of the office to hear what industry experts had to say. Bianca Duca, communications officer, reports on the key events from the conference.

1. Culture meets mission: Steven Bartlett's insightful keynote

The conference concluded with an insightful keynote from the man of the hour, Steven Bartlett, where he addressed the importance of aligning company culture with the organisation's mission. Bartlett's takeaway was that culture should not be based on individual discretion but reverse-engineered from the company's mission statement.

"You don't get to decide the (company) culture and you shouldn't try. The culture already exists, your job is to find it. The way you create company culture is by reverse engineering it from the opportunity that your company is designed to capture," Bartlett said.

Moreover, Bartlett, who has co-founded and was co-CEO of Social Chain, founder of businesses Thirdweb, Flight Story and Flight Story Fund, the host of The Diary Of A CEO and is one of five Dragons on hit BBC show Dragons' Den, emphasised that a strong company culture should be instantly recognisable to the entire team, even to the point where it becomes an adjective associated with the organisation.

2. Paul Devoy's vision: mentorship and inclusivity

Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, took the stage to discuss the transformative power of mentorship in shaping the future workforce. Devoy stressed the importance of investing in people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. He advocated offering apprenticeships as a means to unearth new talent and reskill individuals.

Devoy, who has led IIP transition from a government owned scheme to an independent Community Interest Company, challenged traditional academic qualifications like GCSEs and urged organisations to look beyond them when assessing potential employees. He argued that helping young people transition into the workforce and creating avenues for them to seek support from line managers were essential steps in building a diverse and talented workforce. 

3. Family-friendly workplaces: prioritising work-life balance  

The second panel, formed of Elliot Rae, founder of MusicFootballFatherhood, Emily Christmas, HR manager of Carrington West and Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, delved into the concept of family-friendly workplaces. Speakers highlighted the importance of work-life balance and encouraged organisation to cater to the needs of all employees, from young starters to those nearing retirement.

The discussion highlighted that retaining employees required engagement from fathers in working parenthood, with senior leadership leading by example. Trusting the team to manage responsibilities and schedules autonomously was seen as crucial, along with creating options for families to balance work and personal life effectively.

4. Values alignment: unleash the power of good

Sanjay Lobo MBE, CEO of OnHand, brought attention to the importance of values alignment and corporate citizenship. Encouraging employees to align with the organisation's values and contribute positively to the local community was a recurring theme. This included offering paid time off for community engagement and revisiting policies to reward overtime efforts. He encouraged celebrating employees' personal contributions to social causes and promoting volunteerism. Bringing leadership and different groups together to volunteer as a team was also proposed as a way to foster a sense of community and purpose within the organisations.

5. Unleashing the future of HR and creating the right business experience 

The discussion focused on the evolving role of HR in a changing economic landscape. It was noted that new generations of workers expected a voice in decision-making, greater emphasis on wellbeing, and more flexibility in working arrangements. Excessive policies could erode trust in employees, and managers should be trained to trust their teams. Speakers highlighted the importance of creating a work environment that prioritises employee's needs and rewards their efforts.

In conclusion, the IIP Make Work Better conference offered a comprehensive exploration of the factors reshaping the future of work. From the alignment of culture and mission to the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, values alignment, and HR's evolving role, the event provided valuable insights for organisations seeking to thrive in an ever-changing work landscape. As businesses continue to adapt, the wisdom shared at the conference could play a pivotal role in their success.