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When I started my business, Ripple&Co, just three months before the lockdown, it felt like a terrible decision. Little did I know that our focus on mental health and wellbeing would turn out to be a timely and essential service. With the pandemic taking a toll on everyone’s mental health, the need for the work we do has become more critical than ever.
As the world adjusted to remote work, companies began to realise not only the importance of a healthy workforce but that critical to achieving this is something McKinsey call the ‘boss factor’. Employers started to realise the truth behind the Gallup’s statistic that 70% of our motivation comes from our line manager. What became very clear was that their employees’ mental health was essential to their productivity, motivation, and overall success. Businesses started looking for ways to support their employees’ wellbeing and upskill line managers in the new world of work, and that’s where we came in.
Our business focuses on providing evidence-informed wellbeing solutions to companies. The pandemic presented unique challenges for everyone. The lockdowns and restrictions took a toll on people’s mental health, and we saw an increased need for our services. Our team worked tirelessly to adapt to the changing circumstances and provide our clients with the support they needed.
Our entry for this award focuses on TalkWorks – our highly experiential and immersive conversation skills training for line managers. The role managers play in employees’ wellbeing cannot be underestimated and during lockdown our clients were telling us that they needed a solution that targeted line managers. And so TalkWorks was born – a training solution using actors to create real life scenarios based on a company’s industry and worker profile that increases the confidence and skills of line managers to be able to support their team members.
A short clip of TalkWorks in action: https://youtu.be/6Zfby7YLZOc
Starting a business and creating a brand-new course during a pandemic was not easy, but it taught us the value of resilience and perseverance. It showed us that even in the most challenging of circumstances, there is always an opportunity to make a difference. And that is why we are thrilled and honoured to have been shortlisted for an award. It recognises our determination to ride the rollercoaster of Covid as well as our success in developing an innovative and effective training solution that has now been implemented in numerous business both in the UK and internationally, with fantastic results.
As the owner of a small business, it’s a significant achievement for me and my team. We are punching way above our weight in a competitive market, and being recognised for the work we’re doing means the world to us.
The decision to enter the awards wasn’t an easy one. As a team, we are quite humble, and recognition is not something we actively seek out. However, I believed it was essential to showcase the amazing work the team is doing and to receive the recognition they deserve. Each team member is passionate about what they do and why they do it. We all share a common goal, to make a difference in people’s lives and create a Ripple effect that reaches far beyond the individual.
We believe that everyone of us deserves to be supported by good line managers so we can thrive at work. And of course when we feel good, our work is good, and we are productive.
It’s no secret that a positive company culture can significantly impact our wellbeing and line managers can be wonderful role models in creating and perpetuating the right culture. We work hard with our clients and their line managers to create a culture that fosters positivity, growth, and a sense of belonging.
Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. It’s a recognition of the impact we are making in people’s lives. However, this is just the beginning. We know that there is still much work to be done, and we are committed to continuing our journey towards making a difference.
Looking back, starting a business just before the pandemic was challenging, but it also presented an opportunity. It allowed us to provide critical support to individuals and companies when they needed it most. It also gave us the chance to demonstrate the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Today, we are proud to have helped numerous individuals and companies navigate the challenges of the pandemic and the transition to new ways of working. We believe that mental health and wellbeing should be a top priority for every business, and we are committed to spreading that message. We know that our work is far from over, and we are dedicated to continuing to support our clients in their journey towards better mental health. We are grateful for the chance to do the work we do, and we look forward to continuing to support our clients’ mental health and wellbeing needs.
As the owner of this business, I couldn’t be prouder of my team. They are the heart and soul of the company, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I am grateful for their hard work, dedication, and passion. I am confident that together we can continue to make a difference in people’s lives, and that is the greatest reward of all.
