“Andrew is brilliant at engaging with people at all levels and across the whole business. If you need someone that can really bring people together and make things happen quickly, he’s a great person for that.”
Stephanie Dobrikova
“Andrew hit the ground running and unlike many other HR consultants who can often create more work for the team, he lightened our workload. We are undoubtedly better off as a business having worked together and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Spark Company to others.”
Sophie Harper
Do you need short-term cover for a HR Director or People Director role? Tried recruiting and still can't find a Head of HR or Head of People? If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to take the pressure off you and temporarily manage your HR function, then you need to speak to us. We're ready to step in, give you interim strategic HR support, and get stuff done…until you make a permanent hire.
INTERIM HR LEADERSHIP IN PRIVATE HEALTHCARE
Acting as Interim Head of HR for the UK's leading provider of physiotherapy and mental health services
Happy Clients
Chief Executive Officer
Client
Ascenti
Challenge
Step in as Interim Head of HR and lead strategic projects
Happy Clients
Chief People and Communications Officer
Solution
Remote HR leadership through uncertain times
Impact
Key talent was retained so patient-facing services could return to 'normal' without disruption
Looking for an interim HR Director that can hit the ground running?
Tag: Pandemic
Build a pandemic-proof business in 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has affected us all in ways we’d have struggled to imagine when 2020 rolled around. If you run a business that has shifted from a face-to-face business model to a blended or virtual offering, the challenges and opportunities you face could leave you feeling all sorts of things: nervous, overwhelmed, uncertain and exhausted, to name just a few.
Now that we’re almost a year into the pandemic, it’s worth considering what the future of your business will look like on the other side of lockdown. If you’re not sure where to start, a HR consultant can help you to reengage with your team, identify the people challenges your business may face in the ‘new normal’ and develop your workforce to make the most of growth and development opportunities.
From leading teams remotely to keeping sight of your long-term business vision, here are some of the ways I’ve helped companies and individuals adapt and succeed during the pandemic.
Let your team hear your voice and see your face
Senior teams should be empowered to lead on operational matters and day-to-day issues. Try to create space and time for your team to look after your customers and to take ownership of their projects. This will release your time to focus on strategic matters, whether it’s the marketing plan for a post-vaccinated world or a new treasury strategy to take advantage of record-low interest rates.
Virtual leadership in the age of COVID-19
Leading a team remotely feels very different to managing a group of people in an office. Yet the core principles remain the same: to keep communication clear and open, inspire trust and get the best from the people you work with.
Keep information flowing and regularly share feedback
- It’s more important than ever to talk to your team regularly about how the business is performing. Involving colleagues in this process (for example, by asking what customers have been saying or encouraging individuals to explain what’s working well for them) can result in a more collaborative conversation where people feel valued and inspired to do well on behalf of the team.
Rebuilding with vision
What should leaders be focused on as they rebuild their businesses following the pandemic? The most important thing is to stick to your core values: making decisions, taking action and behaving in a way that reflects the ethos and character of your company.
Empower others and create space for yourself
- It’s more important than ever to talk to your team regularly about how the business is performing. Involving colleagues in this process (for example, by asking what customers have been saying or encouraging individuals to explain what’s working well for them) can result in a more collaborative conversation where people feel valued and inspired to do well on behalf of the team.
Stay focussed on your long term plans
- As well as keeping up momentum in the short term, it’s important to stay focused on long-term plans. You may need to recalibrate (and that’s OK) but don’t lose sight of your vision. Don’t forget to keep talking about it: clearly communicating your vision and plans to your team while engaging them in your COVID recovery plans will show clear and reassuring leadership as everyone recovers from the crisis.
Champion safety and wellbeing at work
- Above all, prioritise the safety and wellbeing of your workforce, your customers, your partners and stakeholders. People will always remember how you made them feel – you want that feeling to be safe, positive and reassuring.
Supporting your business through organisational change
- Economic and societal change are two of the big drivers for organisational change. COVID-19 has triggered both, making now an ideal time to consider how your organisation can adapt to meet the challenges and embrace the opportunities of 2021 and beyond.
- Working with an organisational change consultant will help to ensure that you make the most of the process. I’m passionate about helping my clients to optimise their organisations and meet whatever challenges come their way; getting to know the specific challenges your business is facing before coming up with smart, long-lasting solutions that are tailored to your company.
Don’t know where to start when it comes to supporting your team through the Cost of Living Crisis?
We are passionate about finding ways to help bosses do the best they can to look after their people.
Some of what we’ve outlined here is simple, but implementing activity that’s targeted to help those that need it most often gets businesses in a pickle. Primarily because they get bogged down about treating all employees the same.
If you need help to work how to support those that need it in a way that’s fair and legal, then please drop us a line. We’d be happy to talk to you.
Laser Clinics UK | Response to COVID-19
HR ADVICE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT DURING COVID-19 CRISIS
Enabled a multinational team to rapidly close, manage furlough and safely reopen their businesses
You can count on us in a crisis
“Andrew provided timely, calm and well-informed HR advice and consultancy to us at a very challenging time for our business.
I would highly recommend his steady, professional and authoritative guidance.”
Bridget Healey
Acting General Manager
Client
Laser Clinics UK, part of Laser Clinics, a global leader in aesthetics treatments
- Laser Clinics operates over 200 clinics globally; the largest cosmetic clinic in the world, with more than 2,500 staff performing over 4.2 million treatments a year.
- Laser Clinics United Kingdom (LCUK) opened its first UK location in September 2019.
- LCUK operates a shared ownership model, working with franchisees and independent owners.
Challenge
Immediate closure of all UK locations and furlough all UK-based staff
- In line with UK Government restrictions from March 2020, all clinics in the UK were closed overnight.
- The Corporate Leadership Team was based in Australia, where different lockdown rules applied.
- The UK General Manager needed support and guidance to safeguard UK employees and jobs.
Calm under pressure
“When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK, Andrew’s support was invaluable.
Giving practical advice to a group of independent business owners is no small task; somehow Andrew found a way to give each of us what we needed.”
Sue Molloy
General Manager
Solution
Practical and pragmatic HR advice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Virtual leadership team briefings to franchisees and employees.
- Support to furlough teams and gradually return teams from furlough and reopen businesses safely.
- Support client to setup a UK-based HR Service to provide clinic owners with HR advice.
- Partnered with Australian Corporate Team as their UK-based Strategic HR Consultant.
Impact
Service and employees transferred; no disruption to service delivery
- Franchisees and corporate teams felt supported and reassured.
- Several managers described our service as “invaluable”.
- No grievances were received by clinics.
- All clinics were temporarily closed and later reopened safely, in line with UK Government advice.
Do you need help to retain talent through challenging circumstances?
Is uncertainty or volatility making you re-think your business plans? Do you need to make some changes to your structure and wondering where to start?
If you are looking for a HR Consultancy to help you a difficult period, then you need to speak to us. We can work effectively as a dedicated project leader, as part of your in-house team, or as an advisor to your executives, board and senior management.
We're ready to help you achieve your business goals through your people, and to overcome the challenging circumstances you face.