I’m coming out. I am an X-Factor fan. There, I’ve said it (and with only a small amount of embarrassment). I 
watched the auditions, faithfully record each weeks show for viewing at leisure (who watches anything on TV these days when it is actually scheduled?), have been known to vote for favourite acts and never miss the finals. I enjoy the judge’s spats (no matter how contrived), envy the dresses and have even bright-danced with my young daughters (what a great multi-channel advert from Talk Talk). And while I know that many people prefer watching the bad auditions and the dreadful singing of some of the final twelve, what I really enjoy is seeing the contestants develop each week in confidence, style and performing ability.
This mentoring and development of people is key to gem’s success also. We invest a lot of time and energy in recruiting the right people with the right attitude – can-do, energetic, emotionally intelligent, passionate about gem and our clients. We then develop their ability and give them work and life experiences that will improve them as people and increase their contributions to our company. On the X-Factor, contestants are expected to publicly sing and dance. gem develop people without making a song and dance of it. How?
- We coach people and have won national training awards for our training and coaching programs.
- We foster an entrepreneurial “can-do” attitude within the company and encourage people to take personal responsibility for delivering a great customer experience and adding value to our client’s businesses. We have even supported our employees in setting up their own businesses.
- We run frequent fund-raising activities with selected charities that encourage social responsibility and develop leadership skills in our work-force
- We support our staff in gaining external qualifications such as ILM, CIPD, CIM.
- We involve our middle management team in strategic decisions and ensure that they are bought into the direction of the company.
- We are Investors in People (and have recently achieved Gold Standard Status in IIP).
- We have fun – locking our CEO up in jail for charity (who wouldn’t enjoy that!), running LAN parties, abseiling down hotels, firewalking, movie nights
Finally, we hold awards nights – our own “live finals” to identify the X-Factor within gem – recognising that little bit extra that makes the difference. Here, our staff dress up (á la X-Factor) and have a ball of a time recognising achievement within gem – awards that have been voted for by our staff as well as recognised by our senior team. We don’t ask them to sing and the Karaoke that often accompanies this event would probably be ridiculed by Simon Cowell et al but the standard is usually better than Jedward. Now, I’m no Danii Minogue but I think we do a good job here.