Newsletter, November 2016
A quick update to let you know what’s been keeping us busy in the worlds of learning & development, CSR and now product development and innovation too – and, we hope, to inspire you with these examples of addressing business needs in ways that benefit society.
Leading change at Network Rail
It’s not just businesses that need to deal with change on a regular basis, it’s charities too. So when we devised the Leading Change module of Network Rail’s Accelerated Leadership Programme, we challenged the participants to apply and embed their learning on change not just to their own business areas, but to a number of non-profits too. The case study tells you more.
From education to work – developing graduates at Nationwide
Graduates entering the world of work often need support to develop the so-called soft skills so important in today’s workplace, such as relationship management, influencing and communicating with impact. We helped grads at Nationwide practice and develop these skills by giving them strategy projects with local charities. The case study describes the value of this approach to the graduates, the business and of course the charities.
An ethical bank tackling gritty issues
To count Triodos, a pioneer in ethical banking, as a Three Hands client has been exciting, and to engage them in issues that businesses often shy away from – drug and alcohol addiction – even more so. We’ve helped Triodos set up two UK charity partnerships, both drawing on the skills that employees can bring. Read more here.
Improving a product with the help of the third sector
We’ve been talking a lot about how businesses can innovate with insight from charities. We helped Legal & General do just that when, as part of a review process for a life insurance product, we ran a workshop that sought the views of charities that support older people. The result was several modifications to the product that made it more flexible and responsive to changing circumstances in customers’ lives. There are more details here.
Three new things at Three Hands
- New thinking – we’ve introduced an approach to product development and innovation that will help businesses make their products and services more inclusive. See the short report from our recent breakfast event.
- New people – we’re delighted to have recruited Lizzie Cho, whose background is in charity leadership, and Aimee Ling, who founded a London foodbank. Their biogs are on our team page.
- New website – please have a look around and tell us what you think!
As ever do please be in touch if you’d like to have a chat.