Digital marketing agency achieves “We invest in people, standard” accreditation, after 18-month journey to bolster leadership, appraisals, training and rewards.
Receptional – the Bedford-based digital marketing agency, which specialises in the finance, sports and gaming sectors – has achieved three-year accreditation from Investors in People – the global benchmark for people management. It means that “principles and practices around supporting people are in place and everyone understands how to use them to make work better.”
The agency pursued accreditation, to understand the areas it needed to strengthen, to help its people thrive as it grows. An initial assessment in 2020 showed that Receptional met six out of the nine criteria needed for the accreditation. But it also highlighted room for improvement in how Receptional developed leaders, managed performance and recognised its people.
Since then, Receptional’s senior team has worked closely with Investors in People, to introduce new initiatives to address these areas and achieve the accreditation. These include a Leadership Charter; the promotion of team members into team leader roles; a focus group to raise and resolve issues; a skills matrix to make responsibilities and salary bands more transparent; a values-based appraisal system; learning and development programmes for both new and existing team members; and monthly performance prizes, alongside existing salary review and bonus schemes.
The changes have been welcomed by the Receptional team, with feedback such as:
“Something is different in the way things are done now – it’s much more positive”; “There is a change to the appraisals – they are more detailed and I can see I have a plan”; “You can see others getting recognised for the good work they are doing”; and “I feel much more appreciated”.
Justin Deaville, Managing Director, Receptional, says:
“It’s vital for us that the growth of our agency doesn’t come at the detriment of our people. Pursuing Investors in People accreditation has enabled us to put the processes in place that ensure everyone understands their role at Receptional, has the support and training they need to grow with us, and feels recognised and rewarded for their part in our success.”
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, adds:
“We’d like to congratulate Receptional. Being accredited with ‘We invest in people’ is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places Receptional in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”
