Company highlights team building as major motivator

Date: 28/05/2009

The ethics and aims of a major healthcare provider highlighted how team building helps it maintain good standards of care.

Tim Hammond, the managing director of Barchester Healthcare, a specialist operator of care homes, made his comments to BBC Radio 4's You and Yours this week highlighting the firm's approach to running a business at a profit while providing high-quality residential facilities.

"We work on the basis that if we've got happy staff, well-led, well-trained, well-supported by the managers, we will be able to deliver excellent care and if we can deliver excellent care, then we know that reputation will build," he stated, noting the role of communication in the workplace.

Mr Hammond explained that this way, sound moral principles are upheld while motivating employees at the same time, who voted anonymously for Barchester in the Sunday Times earlier this year to give it the honour of being one of the 20 Best Companies to Work For.

One expert in the industry was particularly impressed with Barchester's system, with client services director and board member at MotivAction Kieron O'Shea stating: "From our experience, Barchester Healthcare's success is driven by the quality of the team - from carer to director.

He explained that "enlightened leadership and genuine empowerment of staff" at a local level is able to produce a quality driven business which is both agile and accountable.

Mr O'Shea added: "Activities designed to build, grow and develop the team at every level have helped to maintain and improve this agility, accountability and passion for quality."

Explaining the company's role in Barchester's success, he continued: "Over the last four years, MotivAction have had the opportunity to assist in a number of internal communication, engagement and team building challenges to inspire, inform and motivate the leaders of Barchester's business.

"Expectations from such a people centric organisation are high demanding creativity, empathy and an ability to really listen from an agency. These demanding standards and exacting requirements are what drives not only the quality of Barchester's business but that of our own."

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