ARM, Optamor and Serocor have been based in our new office at Shore House for a couple of months now. Things have settled down. The move was hugely significant for Serocor, signalling not only a new chapter, but a new way of working. Namely one which is more flexible, more collaborative and as such, more productive.
The joy of working in an office
So what? We’ve moved into a new office. Who cares, right?
Yet there’s something different about this place. Go into the kitchen area and you’ll see people who probably never exchanged a word before, chatting over making coffee. New starters get to know long-serving staff while working out how to use the microwave. It’s a genuinely nice, friendly space. where you hear about recent successes, discover valuable contacts and collaborate over projects.
Obviously, that’s not the only area we use. With multiple meeting rooms, open work spaces, hot desks and funky booths. To demonstrate, here’s a day in the life of our new office.
Yawn and stretch and try to come to life…
7:30am – The early-starters have started tumbling into Shore House. They’re flicking on their monitors and getting as much done as they can before the phones start ringing. We operate a flexi-hours system, which enables us to work our contracted hours anytime between 7am and 7pm.
8:15am – Kitchen area, teammates are making their pre-work coffees and breakfast. It’s while pouring the milk that Natasha and Nora discover they work with the same clients in Germany and arrange to collaborate. Meanwhile, Derek is concerned about his fish lunch stinking out the fridge…
8:30am – It’s time for the monthly Serocor stand-up. The team gathers in the shared space to listen to Chief People Officer, Heather. We go through business and then announce the Support Person of the Month – an award voted for by the whole Group.
9:00am – In the corner, Adam hosts the weekly Transportation & Infrastructure team meeting. This is a chance for everyone to share industry knowledge, make predictions about future recruitment trends and pass on any information which needs to be cascaded. There might also be croissants.
11:00am – Meanwhile, in one of the comfy booths, Optamor Director Claire and BD Manager discuss the progress of an existing tender. This particular tender is nearing the decision deadline and everyone has their fingers crossed, knowing how much work has been put in by all parties.
Time for lunch…
12:30pm – Lunchtime has begun. Yet you won’t catch many people eating at their desk. Either they’ve popped out to buy a baked culinary delight from Greggs, gone to the gym or are seated in the communal area.
2:00pm – In our boardroom, Learning & Development Manager, Derek is leading an induction session for our latest recruiters. He’s making use of the interactive white board and has reached the ‘how to write an attractive job advert’ section.
3:30pm – Back to the kitchen for the mid-afternoon tea-break. There’s cheerful banter among colleagues from Optamor, Solutions and ARM as they stretch across each other for the coffee, to reach the hot water, for clean teaspoons and to discard used tea bags.
4:00pm – Gathering at a desk, Optamor and Marketing are talking about an upcoming local business event and how best to promote the Group’s participation. It’s an event which involves all of the brands, showcasing our RPO, L&D and recruitment solutions. The question is: can we find the show banners after the move?
Home time? For some…
5:00pm – In Purbrook, which doubles up as our Wellness Room, the Embrace Committee are deep in conversation about the Group’s next charity events. The committee comprises volunteers from each of the brands, who coordinate all of our fundraising efforts.
6:00pm – The late-start flexible workers remain, many using the time to catch up with candidates or finish work which requires a bit more concentration. The car park gradually empties, and silence envelops the office.
If you’d like to find out more about our culture and what it’s like to work as part of the Serocor Group, get in touch. We’d love to share our experiences with you.
Stephanie Birch-Foster
Group Marketing & Communications Manager
