FOCUS FEATURE
UNSUNG HEROES
time to bring themselves up to speed, to manage a furlough scheme, or put together a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan application, or whatever it might be. “That’s where businesses like RSM add real value, because we were able to get to grips with the detail quickly, then advise our clients in the correct and professional manner, to help them navigate what continues to be a fast-moving and challenging business landscape. “I think where RSM sets itself apart is that we’re a
national player, we’re dealing with businesses across the country every single day, so we are able to quickly gather and collate evidence of the emerging issues our clients are facing, and then develop and roll out innovative solutions quickly to help them address them. “The coronavirus crisis has put pressure on businesses
across a whole range of areas. It’s been a big challenge for us to manage, but it’s actually bought us closer to many of our clients because we’ve been able to engage in regular dialogue with them and advise them on a host of issues that they wouldn’t have been able to address on their own. “That’s the role of an outsourced provider in a nutshell.
It’s about being that positive, proactive sounding board to all our clients and becoming that support structure around them to help them get through whatever challenges they are facing, to achieve their business objectives, whatever they may be.” While taking care of vital functions is one thing that
businesses need to consider, looking after their people is also a key concern for employers of all sizes. With coronavirus lockdown restrictions still in place for
many businesses, a sizeable proportion of workers are currently at home, either on furlough leave or working remotely because their usual premises are closed. This presents many challenges. Last month’s Business Network took an in-depth look at
the role that technology can play in helping businesses to keep trading and stay connected to their staff and customers. While flexible or remote working can help to improve a
business’ efficiency and productivity, working in isolation can, for some people, have a big impact on their mental wellbeing. In the current climate, it’s important for businesses to
consider the far-reaching impacts of lockdown on their people. Regular check-ins, team briefings and video calls can
help, but CPIT, part of Chamber patron Cooper Parry, has introduced a new smartphone app designed to help employers spot any early signs of struggle and alert line managers to check in as quickly as possible.
‘In the current climate, it’s important for businesses to consider the far- reaching impacts of lockdown on their people’
The new ‘How are you doing at home?’ app is free to
download and aims to boost better staff engagement during lockdown and the transition into new ways of working. Once downloaded, the app asks each user four daily
wellbeing-based questions (which can be customised), to assess how they are feeling. If an employee leaves a poor score, a negative comment or doesn’t complete it at all, this automatically triggers an alert to their line manager. Paul Hayes, Cloud and Operations Director at CPIT, said:
“This new app is all about employee wellbeing and helping clients engage most effectively with their people. We’re a digital solutions provider and place a massive emphasis on promoting technology to make a real difference to improving clients’ business processes and people culture. “Our new app helps employers to keep the lines of
communications open with their people, especially those on furlough leave, who might be finding it tough from a mental health perspective right now.” More information is available at
https://bit.ly/2zimfwS It’s clear that if you scratch beneath the surface of any
business, there are several key things happening to keep it performing as it should. It’s equally clear that more businesses than ever are
embracing the support that the region’s army of unsung business heroes has to offer, as without them, they wouldn’t be able to function. Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “Business
is not just about the big names, the household brands and the organisations that we read about in the national newspapers. “The wider business sector is a complex ecosystem of
businesses, many of which work closely together to support each other and share their expertise in ways which add up to a whole that is greater than the sum of its constituent parts. “I think now, more than ever, the work that businesses
which provide vital support services do to help keep the economy moving is absolutely vital. “Businesses in general are facing a tough time currently,
with the coronavirus pandemic creating economic shocks never before seen. “If they didn’t have an army of unsung business heroes in
Remote working can have an impact on mental health
40 business network June/July 2020
their corner, helping them to carry out some of the everyday tasks that are vital to running a successful business, many would be finding things a lot tougher than they already are. “We need to give these businesses the recognition and
appreciation they deserve for the vital role they play in keeping the economy ticking over.”
RSM's Kevin Harris CPIT's Paul Hayes
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