Nowadays, offering at least some form of flexible working is essential if you want to attract top talent. Research has repeatedly shown that money is less of an incentive than time or freedom. At CAB, our flexible working practices and approach to people management have been instrumental in the development and success of our business. Here are a few tips to help make your workforce happier and more productive.
- Get Flexible
Flexible working hours aren’t just for people with family commitments: everyone has a personal life. Our flexi-hours scheme means the CAB team has time for life as well as work. Team members can start anytime between 8-10: they don’t have to ask permission, just let their line manager know. - Tailor Jobs to People, Not Vice Versa
In a typical agency set up, there are often creative and client services teams, and specialists in each. CAB recognises that some people’s skills span both areas. It aids retention to allow them to explore their full potential. In some cases, our job hybridisation programme has meant one person does a job that previously took two people, working more efficiently by drawing on the creative and operational/strategic skills all at once. - Reward People
Too many people feel ignored at work. However, it’s easy to recognise staff – and help them to incentivise each other – by building rewards into company culture. Each CAB team member starts the month with 20 casino chips, which are used to reward colleagues who go the extra mile e.g. helping out on a project with a tight deadline or identifying times when colleagues have excelled in a presentation. At the end of each month, the person with the most chips is rewarded with a gift voucher of their choice, or an extra day’s holiday. This is in addition to a weekly celebratory ‘high five’, where the best examples of client work are recognised and rewarded. - Make Dreams Come True
The gig economy and rise of freelance working means more people than ever have dreams they want to pursue. Rather than discouraging this, any CAB employee with a good idea is supported to make it a reality. The CAB partner programme provides those with a viable business idea that can complement the main CAB offer, with mentoring and funding support. The CAB board helps devise a business plan, and bring the business to market, acting as shareholders and mentors thereafter, to reduce the risks of running a business. - Keep Evolving
Above all, we don’t get complacent. While CAB is proud of its initiatives, we’re always looking for ways to improve. Our ‘Studio mum’ bakes fresh treats all day and once a month, we might have a Mexican feast cooked by one of the directors, or some other form of get-together. By listening to staff, and supporting their dreams as well as our objectives, everyone gets the best possible experience of work – and we get the best out of our team.
Find out more about CAB at Cabstudios.co.uk