Claire Morley-Jones, HR expert and owner of Leeds-based HR180, has offered a helping hand to boost business growth for tech startup, Seenit. The digital platform, which is designed to seamlessly co-create video content for brands, is set to double its workforce by 2018 thanks to Morley-Jones’ mentoring sessions.
Leeds-based HR180 is an established, unique and successful HR outsourcing and consultancy company. Totally focused on client delivery, Morley-Jones has steadily built a strong business over the last 10-plus years.
As part of the Plusnet Pioneers campaign – a programme aimed at helping startups and small business owners realise their ambitions – founder of Seenit Emily Forbes was invited to attend a roundtable event exploring issues faced by startups. After identifying the difficulties associated with motivating her team and retaining talent, Forbes was inspired to take part in a series of mentoring sessions with Morley-Jones.
As with many startups, Seenit has experienced typical business challenges over the last three years, with motivating and retaining talent being the main cause for concern. According to recent research by business phone and broadband provider, Plusnet, over 24% of small business owners across Yorkshire and the Humberside share Forbes’ worries about retaining talent.
Speaking of her experience as a mentor, Morley-Jones said: “As a new business owner, Emily has been extremely focused on seeking finance and building the business. With no immediate staffing concerns, Emily was balancing most of her time towards her business priorities instead of her people – an easy habit to fall into for startups.
“It’s the small things like review processes, internal team incentives and recognition programmes that are often overlooked, and these go a long way to ensuring staff deliver the very best performance. It’s important to get these right early so that culture and performance don’t suffer as a business experiences typical growth pains.”
As part of the mentoring sessions, Morley-Jones provided Forbes with invaluable tips, advice and encouragement to support her team and ultimately, fulfil her business objectives. In addition, she was advised to implement additional practices to streamline the business’ HR strategy.
Forbes commented: “While it’s fantastic to experience buoyant growth, there continues to be challenges as our team expands. With no formal HR processes in place and ambitious expansion plans, I felt it was time to refine our internal procedures before our team could become 50-strong.
“Talent is what shapes our business, and ensuring the team remains motivated and engaged started to worry me. It’s essential for me to keep my colleagues inspired and reassure them of future opportunities and their career progression – but it’s often easier said than done.”
“Without developing business values and a distinctive culture, it’s difficult for staff to feel a part of something special and unique. As a business owner struggling with a particular area like HR, it’s important to go back to basics and identify ways to make your team feel passionate and devoted to your company” says Morley-Jones.
Through the mentoring sessions, Morley-Jones shared a wealth of tools to improve everyday tasks, from performance review templates and apprenticeship frameworks to reward systems and resource mapping. Morley-Jones helped Forbes to recognise the importance of fundamental HR processes.
The mentoring sessions provided by Morley-Jones encouraged Forbes to implement a more considered HR strategy – and also helped to shift her outlook on the entire business, giving her the confidence to achieve her ambition of doubling the team next year.
Forbes continued: “Having a personal coach has been an invaluable experience. It’s not only hugely benefitted the company and team, but on a personal level it’s helped me to be more self-assured in my decisions.
“Thanks to Plusnet, I’ve learnt how to face future challenges head-on following the mentoring sessions, and I’m now more ambitious than ever to achieve my business goals with the support of an inspired team.”
To find out more about Plusnet Pioneers, please visit: www.plus.net/business/plusnet-pioneers.
