Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

How New Year resolutions can boost office morale

PRESS INFORMATION - media enquiries to Sam Dabbs on 07050 108985

AC56/06
11 December 2006

How New Year resolutions can boost office morale

Encouraging staff to achieve their personal objectives aids work-life balance and helps inject a sense of fun into office life, say executive research specialists Armstrong Craven.

As New Year approaches, the company says it is now a good time to encourage staff to set resolutions which are non-work related and offer rewards to those who meet their goals.

Armstrong Craven HR manager Jane Cox says the firm has seen the benefits at first hand: “Every year we ask staff to set a personal objective and pay £100 to them when they achieve it. It helps ensure people maintain an interest in their spare time and allows them to get to know each other better as they find out more about each other’s lives outside of work.

“We’ve raised money for charity and it’s provided us with lots of entertainment looking at the photos people bring in. It has created an element of fun – never a bad thing - and contributed to closer team working.”

Jane says that each year around 80 per cent of staff achieve their goal. In 2006 sport and fitness have once again proved the most popular objectives amongst staff in Armstrong Craven’s London and Manchester offices. Out of the 66 taking part, no fewer than 24 (36 per cent) had set themselves a sporting challenge, although ambitions varied from cycling to work and jogging regularly to paragliding in the Caribbean, climbing Ben Nevis and winning a medal at the world swimming championships.

Fourteen people (21 per cent) chose home-related projects, whether a DIY makeover or getting on the housing ladder in the 1st place, while an equal number had set themselves the task of learning new skills or improving existing ones. Subjects ranged from languages, floristry and flying to piano playing and song writing.

Nine respondents (14 per cent) said they wanted to lose weight while two were hoping to give up smoking and another two planned to help a charitable cause.

Marketing manager Janet Slee says: “It’s certainly given me the motivation to achieve things I might not otherwise have done. Over the past three years I have raised money for charity, learned to horse ride and speak French and I feel quite pleased with my progress!”


Note to editors:-

Armstrong Craven is Europe’s leading provider of executive research, the cost-effective, proactive way to resource boardroom, senior and middle management roles. The company also offers a knowledge and information service, gathering intelligence on markets, companies and individuals; and provides career management to support individuals through periods of career transition.

Armstrong Craven serves an international client base ranging from FTSE 100 companies to SMEs, private equity firms and professional advisers and has an ongoing commitment to client service and innovation. Established in 1990, Armstrong Craven has offices in Manchester and London and is part of Work Group plc.

Media enquiries to:-

Sam Dabbs
Dabbs PR & Marketing
Tel: 01939 210503
Mob: 07050 108985
Email: sam@dabbsprm.com