When people are engaged with their role and the organisation they work for they are much more likely to be motivated and productive.

The proof is in the pudding. Best Companies, the leading workplace engagement specialists in the UK, have found that companies who have a high level of engagement, and achieve a place on the national Best Companies to Work For lists, consistently outperform the FTSE 100. Their data also shows a direct correlation between customer satisfaction and employee engagement*.

Measuring engagement

Best Companies work with organisations to identify and improve levels of engagement. Through the b-Heard survey, they provide tools and expertise to empower organisations to understand how their employees feel, and show them how to drive eff ective change.

Using a unique workplace engagement model, organisations are measured across eight factors. Survey participants respond to 70 statements on a seven-point scale, where all responses from each region are then combined and normalised to create a Regional Best Companies Index (RBCI) score.

Good places in hard times

The 2018 research reveals an overall decline in levels of engagement across private companies nationally. Employees certainly

seem to be feeling the pinch, with the Best Companies Fair Deal factor, looking at whether people feel fairly rewarded for the work they do, showing high declines from 2017. Not-for-profi t organisations have however fared better overall, seeing improvement in four engagement factors out of the eight measured.

Wales leads the way

10,671 employees based in Wales participated in this year’s survey. 2018 certainly looks to be a promising year for Wales, which scored higher than the national average in all eight engagement factors. The Giving Something Back factor achieved a good score of 70%, suggesting that employees in Wales feel their organisations make a diff erence to society. Good management and a strong sense of wellbeing were also highlights from the survey.

Jonathan Austin, Founder and CEO of Best Companies, said: “It is great to see Wales perform well across a variety of engagement factors that we measure. With us recently launching the regional Best Companies to Work For lists, it is encouraging to see more organisations are recognising the value of engagement and are willing to benchmark themselves against the best to ensure they are off ering their people the best possible experience.”

Celebrating the

Best of Wales

The 8 Factors of Workplace Engagement

The list of the Best Companies to Work For in Wales is compiled using the 8 Factor methodology.

My ManagerHow employees feel about and communicate with their direct manager

LeadershipHow employees feel about the head of the organisation, senior management and the organisation’s values and principles

My CompanyThe level of engagement employees feel with their job and organisation

Personal GrowthHow employees feel about training and their future prospects

My TeamEmployees’ feelings towards their immediate colleagues and how well they work together

WellbeingHow employees feel about stress, pressure at work and life balance

Fair DealHow happy employees are with pay and benefi ts

Giving Something BackThe extent to which employees feel their organisation has a positive impact on society

My Manager

Leadership

My Company

Personal Growth

My Team

Wellbeing

Fair Deal

Giving Something Back

Exclusive to Insider Media - the ‘Best Companies to Work For in Wales’ list recognises the organisations that are leading the fi eld in creating engaging and exciting workplaces.

CEOs and senior teams understand that now, more than ever, engaging their people is the most effective way to improve performance and keep and attract the best staff in challenging markets.

* Key Trends in Employee Engagement Summary Report 2018 – www.b.co.uk

Measured and compiled by

How do you make an employee smile?

Ask them.

Measuring with Best Companies gives you a unique understanding of how your employees feel about their working life.

Our accurate and actionable engagement data enables you to drive genuine, eff ective change - improving communication, cooperation and managerial behaviour throughout your organisation.

The most academically rigorous engagement survey available.

An easy-to-use tool for interpreting and disseminating data.

A powerful engagement methodology for improving managerial engagement.

A nationally recognised accreditation programme.

Providing the measurement behind the Best Companies to Work For lists.

Register today by calling 01978 851 220or visiting www.b.co.uk

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 2 04/05/2018 14:56

When people are engaged with their role and the organisation they work for they are much more likely to be motivated and productive.

The proof is in the pudding. Best Companies, the leading workplace engagement specialists in the UK, have found that companies who have a high level of engagement, and achieve a place on the national Best Companies to Work For lists, consistently outperform the FTSE 100. Their data also shows a direct correlation between customer satisfaction and employee engagement*.

Measuring engagement

Best Companies work with organisations to identify and improve levels of engagement. Through the b-Heard survey, they provide tools and expertise to empower organisations to understand how their employees feel, and show them how to drive eff ective change.

Using a unique workplace engagement model, organisations are measured across eight factors. Survey participants respond to 70 statements on a seven-point scale, where all responses from each region are then combined and normalised to create a Regional Best Companies Index (RBCI) score.

Good places in hard times

The 2018 research reveals an overall decline in levels of engagement across private companies nationally. Employees certainly

seem to be feeling the pinch, with the Best Companies Fair Deal factor, looking at whether people feel fairly rewarded for the work they do, showing high declines from 2017. Not-for-profi t organisations have however fared better overall, seeing improvement in four engagement factors out of the eight measured.

Wales leads the way

10,671 employees based in Wales participated in this year’s survey. 2018 certainly looks to be a promising year for Wales, which scored higher than the national average in all eight engagement factors. The Giving Something Back factor achieved a good score of 70%, suggesting that employees in Wales feel their organisations make a diff erence to society. Good management and a strong sense of wellbeing were also highlights from the survey.

Jonathan Austin, Founder and CEO of Best Companies, said: “It is great to see Wales perform well across a variety of engagement factors that we measure. With us recently launching the regional Best Companies to Work For lists, it is encouraging to see more organisations are recognising the value of engagement and are willing to benchmark themselves against the best to ensure they are off ering their people the best possible experience.”

Celebrating the

Best of Wales

The 8 Factors of Workplace Engagement

The list of the Best Companies to Work For in Wales is compiled using the 8 Factor methodology.

My ManagerHow employees feel about and communicate with their direct manager

LeadershipHow employees feel about the head of the organisation, senior management and the organisation’s values and principles

My CompanyThe level of engagement employees feel with their job and organisation

Personal GrowthHow employees feel about training and their future prospects

My TeamEmployees’ feelings towards their immediate colleagues and how well they work together

WellbeingHow employees feel about stress, pressure at work and life balance

Fair DealHow happy employees are with pay and benefi ts

Giving Something BackThe extent to which employees feel their organisation has a positive impact on society

My Manager

Leadership

My Company

Personal Growth

My Team

Wellbeing

Fair Deal

Giving Something Back

Exclusive to Insider Media - the ‘Best Companies to Work For in Wales’ list recognises the organisations that are leading the fi eld in creating engaging and exciting workplaces.

CEOs and senior teams understand that now, more than ever, engaging their people is the most effective way to improve performance and keep and attract the best staff in challenging markets.

* Key Trends in Employee Engagement Summary Report 2018 – www.b.co.uk

Measured and compiled by

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

How do you make an employee smile?

Ask them.

Measuring with Best Companies gives you a unique understanding of how your employees feel about their working life.

Our accurate and actionable engagement data enables you to drive genuine, eff ective change - improving communication, cooperation and managerial behaviour throughout your organisation.

The most academically rigorous engagement survey available.

An easy-to-use tool for interpreting and disseminating data.

A powerful engagement methodology for improving managerial engagement.

A nationally recognised accreditation programme.

Providing the measurement behind the Best Companies to Work For lists.

Register today by calling 01978 851 220or visiting www.b.co.uk

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 3 04/05/2018 14:56

Educ8 deliver world-class training and recruitment solutions for small, medium and large organisations. Their portfolio includes high quality apprenticeships, bespoke training programmes and work placements across a variety of industries.

Aiming to make a positive impact on the social and economic future of their communities duc help staff through developing empowering and inspiring individuals to achieve their true potential.

The company lives by their four values: honesty, integrity, respect and positivity. uarterly r ays bring staff together under one roof.

As part of Educ8’s learning and development strategy, the organisation is committed to identifying future managers and potential leaders by providing genuine career enhancement pathways and progression opportunities.

EE, part of BT Group, are the largest mobile communications company in the UK, delivering mobile and fi xed communications services. The company operates more than 409 sites across the UK and employs more than 10,000 people.

The core principles (EE Values) are embedded in performance culture at EE. ‘Personal’, ‘simple’ and ‘brilliant’ are the words used to provide a universal language for employees to describe their common approach to delivering individual and business objectives.

Coaching is readily available, whether that be peer-to-peer or manager-based.

The Entertainer are a customer focused toy retailer that aims to deliver a stress-free shopping experience for parents and gift givers, and a memorable and exciting one for children.

Following employee feedback, the toy retailer built “The unchbo to help maintain and improve staff wellbeing a

space for employees to get away from their desk, eat lunch or spend some quality time away from their normal routines and daily stresses.

Wales & West Housing are a charitable organisation providing 12,000 aff ordable homes to 20,000 people across Wales. They aim to make a diff erence to people’s lives, homes and communities.

Founded in 1965, they are Wales’s oldest housing association. Their ethos is built around the desire to empower people to make the right decisions, delivering what matters to the residents and colleagues.

What is important to the company is the quality of the relationship between individuals and their managers.

Source are dedicated to developing new technology and new relationships with the goal of making it easier for mortgage brokers and IFAs to access a wide choice of quality general insurance products for their clients.

Source aims to double the size of the company within the next two years, while continuing to cultivate the friendly, family atmosphere. Each year the company hosts a music festival called SourceFest for its team.

1

2

4

3

5

BELIEVING IN ACHIEVINGWWW.EDUC8TRA IN ING .CO.UK

Why work for Educ8?

Educ8 believe whole heartedly in their vision and values. Using the company values to create the work life balance culture, coherent and open door policy that are helping our internal staff, join our learners in believing in that they can fulfil their potential with Educ8.

For more information contact us on 01443 749000 or enquiries@educ8training.co.uk

Our company values

HONESTY: We aspire trust amongst our customers, learners, partners and colleagues by delivering on our promises.

INTEGRITY: We hold ourselves accountable by honouring our commitments.

RESPECT: We respect diversity and value individuals for their unique talents and skills.

POSITIVITY: We embrace a “can do” culture across the organisation.

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 4 04/05/2018 14:56

Educ8 deliver world-class training and recruitment solutions for small, medium and large organisations. Their portfolio includes high quality apprenticeships, bespoke training programmes and work placements across a variety of industries.

Aiming to make a positive impact on the social and economic future of their communities duc help staff through developing empowering and inspiring individuals to achieve their true potential.

The company lives by their four values: honesty, integrity, respect and positivity. uarterly r ays bring staff together under one roof.

As part of Educ8’s learning and development strategy, the organisation is committed to identifying future managers and potential leaders by providing genuine career enhancement pathways and progression opportunities.

EE, part of BT Group, are the largest mobile communications company in the UK, delivering mobile and fi xed communications services. The company operates more than 409 sites across the UK and employs more than 10,000 people.

The core principles (EE Values) are embedded in performance culture at EE. ‘Personal’, ‘simple’ and ‘brilliant’ are the words used to provide a universal language for employees to describe their common approach to delivering individual and business objectives.

Coaching is readily available, whether that be peer-to-peer or manager-based.

The Entertainer are a customer focused toy retailer that aims to deliver a stress-free shopping experience for parents and gift givers, and a memorable and exciting one for children.

Following employee feedback, the toy retailer built “The unchbo to help maintain and improve staff wellbeing a

space for employees to get away from their desk, eat lunch or spend some quality time away from their normal routines and daily stresses.

Wales & West Housing are a charitable organisation providing 12,000 aff ordable homes to 20,000 people across Wales. They aim to make a diff erence to people’s lives, homes and communities.

Founded in 1965, they are Wales’s oldest housing association. Their ethos is built around the desire to empower people to make the right decisions, delivering what matters to the residents and colleagues.

What is important to the company is the quality of the relationship between individuals and their managers.

Source are dedicated to developing new technology and new relationships with the goal of making it easier for mortgage brokers and IFAs to access a wide choice of quality general insurance products for their clients.

Source aims to double the size of the company within the next two years, while continuing to cultivate the friendly, family atmosphere. Each year the company hosts a music festival called SourceFest for its team.

1

2

4

3

5

BELIEVING IN ACHIEVINGWWW.EDUC8TRA IN ING .CO.UK

Why work for Educ8?

Educ8 believe whole heartedly in their vision and values. Using the company values to create the work life balance culture, coherent and open door policy that are helping our internal staff, join our learners in believing in that they can fulfil their potential with Educ8.

For more information contact us on 01443 749000 or enquiries@educ8training.co.uk

Our company values

HONESTY: We aspire trust amongst our customers, learners, partners and colleagues by delivering on our promises.

INTEGRITY: We hold ourselves accountable by honouring our commitments.

RESPECT: We respect diversity and value individuals for their unique talents and skills.

POSITIVITY: We embrace a “can do” culture across the organisation.

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 5 04/05/2018 14:56

E-LEARNING | INCIDENT REPORTING | RISK MANAGEMENT | AUDIT MODULE | DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

At Safety Media our most important asset is our people. For that reason we make sure the wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do; from providing the best tools and training to excel in your role to regular team based events. To fi nd out more about joining our team visit www.safetymedia.co.uk/jobs.

Based in St Asaph, Safety Media has been established for over 20 years and is a trusted brand in the health, safety and compliance market. Offering an online suite incorporating e-Learning, Incident Reporting, Audits, Risk Management and Document distribution functions, compliance has never been so simple.

01745 535000 | www.safetymedia.co.uk | sales@safetymedia.co.uk

70%of people in Wales feel their organisation has a positive impact on society.

78%of people surveyed in Wales feel engaged with their job and with the organisation they work for.

An average of

An average of

What is RBCI?The Regional Best Companies Index (RBCI) is the most academically rigorous way of measuring engagement. Using the Best Companies b-Heard Survey, employees are asked to score 70 questions on a 7 point scale from ‘Strongly Disagree’ to ‘Strongly Agree’.

Organisations require 30 or more survey responses in a region to be eligible. The results are then calculated from the responses to 50 scoring

uestions aligned to the actors of orkplace ngagement. he final score is normalised for company size and calculated out of 1000.

1 Educ8 GroupRBCI:

785.1

2 EE

3 Wales & West Housing

5 Source Insurance

9 Admiral Group

10 Santander

11 Safety Media

12 Ensono

13 Iceland Foods

14 gap personnel group

15 Melin Homes

8 Royal College of Nursing

6 Sytner Group

7 Motorpoint

4 The Entertainer

Measured and compiled by

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

783.7

781.7

780.1

779.7

754.3

735.4

734.3

732.4

732.1

731.4

730.2

726.9

716.6

715.5

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 6 04/05/2018 14:56

E-LEARNING | INCIDENT REPORTING | RISK MANAGEMENT | AUDIT MODULE | DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

At Safety Media our most important asset is our people. For that reason we make sure the wellbeing of our staff is at the forefront of everything we do; from providing the best tools and training to excel in your role to regular team based events. To fi nd out more about joining our team visit www.safetymedia.co.uk/jobs.

Based in St Asaph, Safety Media has been established for over 20 years and is a trusted brand in the health, safety and compliance market. Offering an online suite incorporating e-Learning, Incident Reporting, Audits, Risk Management and Document distribution functions, compliance has never been so simple.

01745 535000 | www.safetymedia.co.uk | sales@safetymedia.co.uk

70%of people in Wales feel their organisation has a positive impact on society.

78%of people surveyed in Wales feel engaged with their job and with the organisation they work for.

An average of

An average of

What is RBCI?The Regional Best Companies Index (RBCI) is the most academically rigorous way of measuring engagement. Using the Best Companies b-Heard Survey, employees are asked to score 70 questions on a 7 point scale from ‘Strongly Disagree’ to ‘Strongly Agree’.

Organisations require 30 or more survey responses in a region to be eligible. The results are then calculated from the responses to 50 scoring

uestions aligned to the actors of orkplace ngagement. he final score is normalised for company size and calculated out of 1000.

1 Educ8 GroupRBCI:

785.1

2 EE

3 Wales & West Housing

5 Source Insurance

9 Admiral Group

10 Santander

11 Safety Media

12 Ensono

13 Iceland Foods

14 gap personnel group

15 Melin Homes

8 Royal College of Nursing

6 Sytner Group

7 Motorpoint

4 The Entertainer

Measured and compiled by

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

783.7

781.7

780.1

779.7

754.3

735.4

734.3

732.4

732.1

731.4

730.2

726.9

716.6

715.5

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 7 04/05/2018 14:56

2%higher than the national average for how employees feel about and communicate with their direct manager.

#7in the UK for how employees feel about wellbeing.

16 ACT Training

17 Newydd Housing Association

18 Hasbro UK

20 Savers Health and Beauty

24 Marriott Hotels International

25 Creditsafe Business Solutions

26 Trivallis

27 River Island

28 WRAP

29 Family Housing Association (Wales)

30 ODEON Cinemas Group

23 artrefi on y

21 Halfords

22 roomfield lexander

19 Deloitte

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

715.4

711.4

706.5

701.7

691.6

680.6

677.4

673.6

663.7

663.7

658.6

655.2

648.8

644.9

639.6

MC3 is a powerful methodology for measuring and improving the way that your managers engage with their teams.

• Compare your managers to the best in the UK

• Drive meaningful conversations

• Inspire your managers to aim higher

• Create high-performance teams

• Identify and retain your best talent

MC3 Workshops

Engage your managers directly with a full or half day workshop on the key managerial engagement behaviours.

MC3 Portal & Downloadable Datapacks

Interpret and disseminate your MC3 data using our online portal.

Visit www.b.co.uk or call 01978 851 220 to fi nd out more

Developed by

Image: Virtual 12018 2★ Accredited Company

You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it

S P E C I A L F E A T U R E

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 8 04/05/2018 14:56

2%higher than the national average for how employees feel about and communicate with their direct manager.

#7in the UK for how employees feel about wellbeing.

16 ACT Training

17 Newydd Housing Association

18 Hasbro UK

20 Savers Health and Beauty

24 Marriott Hotels International

25 Creditsafe Business Solutions

26 Trivallis

27 River Island

28 WRAP

29 Family Housing Association (Wales)

30 ODEON Cinemas Group

23 artrefi on y

21 Halfords

22 roomfield lexander

19 Deloitte

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

RBCI:

715.4

711.4

706.5

701.7

691.6

680.6

677.4

673.6

663.7

663.7

658.6

655.2

648.8

644.9

639.6

MC3 is a powerful methodology for measuring and improving the way that your managers engage with their teams.

• Compare your managers to the best in the UK

• Drive meaningful conversations

• Inspire your managers to aim higher

• Create high-performance teams

• Identify and retain your best talent

MC3 Workshops

Engage your managers directly with a full or half day workshop on the key managerial engagement behaviours.

MC3 Portal & Downloadable Datapacks

Interpret and disseminate your MC3 data using our online portal.

Visit www.b.co.uk or call 01978 851 220 to fi nd out more

Developed by

Image: Virtual 12018 2★ Accredited Company

You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it

BC 8 PAGE SECTION.indd 9 04/05/2018 14:56