A love letter to an ex-employer; the art of employee engagement

Do you want to love where you work?

Nine years ago the draw to not-for-profit grew too strong for me to resist and I found my way to Graduate Advantage. However, the bond to Creative Resource remained strong, so when the anniversary party invite arrived, there was no question that I’d be there with the team to celebrate.

A tad bleary eyed but just as emotional, I sit at a hotel desk in Manchester after spending the previous night at Texture, celebrating “25 Years of Connecting People”. I was fortunate enough to start my recruitment career at an amazing organisation called Creative Resource; an ethical, client centric and fun (so much fun) consultancy working with some of the best creatives in the UK.

Last night was a love letter to Manchester; some of the region’s stars of the sector gave hilarious and insightful talks. Compere Nige “The Wingman” Clucas from Capital FM Manchester introduced the speakers for the evening. Ian Patterson and Bruce Thomas reflected on how their lives and careers have developed in parallel to the life of Creative Resource. I totally fangirled as Trevor Johnson (Designer for the iconic Hacienda and Factory Records) gave us a whistle-stop tour of his visual legacy! David Campbell also launched the innovative School for Thought (take a look at the site if you want to craft your ideas!) The child in me was satisfied by the close-up magic of Danny Jewell!

I spent the night talking to clients and candidates, proud of my history to Creative Resource: I managed the Birmingham office many moons ago! In those five years there were countless personal and professional milestones; I got married, became a mother for the first time, learnt how to manage, to develop strategy, how to pitch to a client! I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am today if Steve and Julie Ollerton hadn’t taken the chance on an enthusiastic but slightly clueless graduate!
So, in turn, this is my love letter to Creative Resource. What is it about the place, that nearly 15 years after I joined, and a decade after I left, I jumped on a train in a heartbeat to be there? If I could bottle the culture they crafted, I think the ingredients would be:

1. Investment
Team recruitment is based on personality, attitude and potential; hand picking the right person and they taking the time (and having the business patience) to develop them into the best version of themselves. I remember part of my interview process was having a DISC profile; so warts and all they understood from day one what my “Achilles heel” would be and how best to build on my strengths. To have that security from the outset that you can make mistakes and it is OK, builds such a confidence and leads to trust.

2. Trust
I never experienced lack of direction or secrecy. Trust was 100% between each other and the management team; even at times of stress or worry (as anyone who has been in recruitment knows that financial targets lead to sleepless nights)

3. Family
I always felt more than an employee (and have been lucky that I have experienced this more than once!); a caring element that even continues to this day.

4. Ethical
The interests of the candidates and the clients always came first; no “bum in seats mentality”. Everything was permission based with the candidates; interviews were face to face. I actually remember once talking a candidate out of accepting a role (sorry Julie!) as I knew it wouldn’t be right for either side.

5. Self-confidence
The mission of the business is clear; confident and unapologetic. So many organisations spend too much time chasing the next big invoice or walking a tightrope of keeping everyone happy, it was great to be in an organisation that knew its boundaries whilst giving staff the ability to make decisions.

So, that is my love letter to Creative Resource and hope this comes some way in distilling what made (and makes) them so great to work for. As a Brummie, born and bred, I can also offer a slight love letter to Manchester too.

So I raise a glass to the next 25 years, I am so excited to see what the future holds under the vision of Julie Ollerton and Phil Cookson; put my name down for the 50th celebrations in 2040!