During the recent Growing Your Own Business Exhibition and Conference in Manchester I took a break from manning our stand to listen to a speech from Jennie Johnston, the founder of childcare business Kids Allowed. She proved to one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs I've heard during my time as a small business journalist.
Her address focused on ensuring employees understand and celebrate a company's vision. She's obviously doing something right as Kids Allowed has grown to a £3 million turnover, 130 employee operation in just five years. Projections for this year suggest it is to grow into a £5 million, 200 staff company.
So what exactly is she doing?
One for one thing, she has breakfast with her staff! Every month Jennie sits down with six employees over a bowl of cereals to discuss any issues of concern or suggestions for improvements. As a result of the 'Breakfast With Jennie' meetings, she has started her day with the entire workforce by the end of the year.
Jennie also adopts an open approach to expenses. She said: "I tell all staff if you haven't got sufficient resources to do your job, go out and buy them. If you keep the receipt, we'll pay you back." If anyone abuses the system, other staff members soon flag it up.
In addition, M&S vouchers are given out to employees nominated by their colleagues for good work while the firm's management team also pick an employee of the month, both of which are announced in the regular company newsletter.
All of the above are very simple but highly effective techniques. As a company grows it's very hard for an entrepreneur to lose track with what's happen on the ground but Jennie's approach shows that staying in touch brings huge rewards.
Her address focused on ensuring employees understand and celebrate a company's vision. She's obviously doing something right as Kids Allowed has grown to a £3 million turnover, 130 employee operation in just five years. Projections for this year suggest it is to grow into a £5 million, 200 staff company.
So what exactly is she doing?
One for one thing, she has breakfast with her staff! Every month Jennie sits down with six employees over a bowl of cereals to discuss any issues of concern or suggestions for improvements. As a result of the 'Breakfast With Jennie' meetings, she has started her day with the entire workforce by the end of the year.
Jennie also adopts an open approach to expenses. She said: "I tell all staff if you haven't got sufficient resources to do your job, go out and buy them. If you keep the receipt, we'll pay you back." If anyone abuses the system, other staff members soon flag it up.
In addition, M&S vouchers are given out to employees nominated by their colleagues for good work while the firm's management team also pick an employee of the month, both of which are announced in the regular company newsletter.
All of the above are very simple but highly effective techniques. As a company grows it's very hard for an entrepreneur to lose track with what's happen on the ground but Jennie's approach shows that staying in touch brings huge rewards.
