Leaders are Readers: the Accenture model for happier employees
by Luke Rhodes
We love companies that look after their employees. Since we spend an average of 8 a hours a day, 5 days a week, for 46 weeks of the year at work, why shouldn’t it be a nice place to be? After all, if we’re happy at work we’re generally more productive and are much more likely to stay with our current employer. Win win. That’s why right now there’s a trend in companies getting creative with their staff welfare and development schemes.
We’ve already written about how cosmetics company Lush enrich employee’s personal and professional development by providing on-site libraries (read more here). And Google are well-known for their free gourmet cafeterias, massage rooms, and nap pods. Then there’s Facebook, who provide $4000 in “baby cash” to employees with new born babies, plus free lunches and regular “hackathon” events . But there’s another company that regularly appears in the “Top 10 Companies to Work For” lists amongst these Internet giants, and that’s Accenture.
These guys take it that one step further. Alongside all the usual benefits you’d expect from such a company , Accenture offer sabbaticals to those wanting to volunteer for a non-profit organisation of their choice. On top of this they’re notable supporters of the LGBTQ community, creating global networks to offer support and advice to those who need it, while also raising awareness in order to reduce — and prevent — discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.
Clearly, this is a company that wants to look after its people; last year alone they invested more than $841 million in training and developing their staff. And Blackwell’s are pleased to be a small part of this.
We were approached by Accenture to help select a list of books that they would offer as part of their ‘Leaders are Readers’ campaign: a pilot programme that promotes workplace reading. The list includes titles on strategy, innovation, technology, organisational change, and personal development. sSome with relevance to current projects, others just good reads, all aimed at aiding the personal and professional wellbeing of the reader. The reading list is sent out to a small group of their leaders, with each choosing one to keep. It seems simple, and it is, but the outcome is an engaged and committed workforce better equipped to achieve results, both personally and professionally, and who feel valued by their employer. That seems like a pretty good trade to us.
Blackwell’s offer a bespoke service to businesses across the UK, with discounts, free and fast delivery, and personal account management as standard. To open an account, or to find out more about Leaders are Readers, get in touch.
luke.rhodes@Blackwells.co.uk
