ISS – Transforming workplace teams

Rise Up!

8 Apr 2025Jane JamesLeave a comment

What I love about Growing Talent‘s ‘Getting to know you’ you events for employers and applicants is the level playing field it creates and the visible change I can see and know applicants feel by the end of the four hours.

Yesterday saw Adil, Alex, Adrian, Chris, Emmanuel, Gerald, Jay, Jayesh, Karen, Matt, Mercy, Ola and Troy walk into the room a little unsure about what lay ahead.

And who can blame them?

Growing Talent is different – no cvs, no formal job interviews – instead we build connection between applicants and employers BEFORE the recruitment stage.

My goodness, how their confidence rose as the morning went on.

It was only fair to put our awesome employers under pressure with a bit of public speaking first, sharing their journey, what went right – and wrong, how they dealt with that, what they currently do and top tips to impress any employer.

Mark BaxterStorey, Gemma Portico, Gina and David CIS Security Limited, Daisy and Lois SPS UK & Ireland, Elliott and Michael ISS A/S were superstars in sharing their knowledge.

After a Q&A session, I rudely evicted the employers for the room to return an hour or so later.

The applicants and I had a discussion on why they personally aren’t working, what is missing for them and what they need most. You won’t be surprised to hear lack of self-confidence was a major theme and an area Growing Talent was designed to build.

The next pressure hit was how to improve London in our London Challenge?

The ideas flowed. These were whittled down to a combination of ideas that could work. In small groups, our awesome applicants had around 45minutes to come up with a plan. What was their idea, why was it needed, who would benefit and how could it be developed.

I don’t know many managers who would be up for this sort of challenge with so little time for prep – do you?

The employers returned to watch the London challenge ideas and give some feedback. Joining them was David #NGBailey

Confidence was rising. Not surprising when speaking about something we’re passionate about. If only all humans could passionately believe in themselves – they would be unstoppable!

After networking over refreshments with the employers, the applicants were left to decide if they would return for the next stage on 14 April.

Check back to find out who does!

Thanks to everyone behind the scenes who made this happen including the magician of getting stuff done Adrienne Simpson the awesome reception and security team (with Alex Portico and Tina CIS Security Limited – graduates of Growing Talent) greeting the new applicants with huge smiles of encouragement. 👏 👏 👏

Special shout out to Mark and the team at #NGBailey who always shift the room around for me 👏 👏 👏

Thanks also to our observers Adam Bushell, Simon and Becky 👏 👏 👏

Lastly to the #JobCentrePlus teams across London who now have to process fares etc – more paperwork! Thank you David Steeds for always having a plan! 👏 👏 👏

Slow dating – Growing Talent Style……

20 Feb 2025Jane JamesLeave a comment

What an amazing day yesterday!

Growing Talent‘s 39th employer event with 11 amazing, incredibly talented, but currently unemployed applicants.

Let’s hear it for Aboidun, Alex, Bozena, James, luliia, Katie, Leon, Mulenga, Niki, Samuel, and Shantelle. 👏 👏 👏 You stepped outside your comfort zone and shone! Well done!

Also stepping outside their comfort zone to do things a little differently were our fabulous employers 👏 👏 👏:

Phil, Angela & Sophie #NGBailey
Elliott and Rakesh ISS A/S
Stace and Daisy SPS UK and Ireland
Gemma and Josh Portico (the gold star is to mask my sponsor – not a gold star for attendance!!! 🤣 )
Shelby, Mick, Megan and Ben CIS Security Limited

Spending 20 minutes at each table to learn more about each other following the ‘getting to know you event’ on 12.2.25 and the personal profile sheets compilation – it’s been an exhausting, yet energising process for all involved.

Now the nail biting commences whilst employers are going through their shortlists to arrange 1-2-1s!

Thanks to the legends behind the scenes that make Growing Talent happen…

Adrienne Simpson
Adam Bushell
Allen Salmon
Matthew Izekor and the team at Southwark Care Leavers
#DavidSteeds and the #JCP teams across London
Rob Matthews (Anna)

Our insightful employers – want to join them?

4 Feb 2025Jane JamesLeave a comment

Growing Talent is lucky to have strong collaboration ties with employers, #JobCentrePlus, community groups and the hidden talent of the unemployed people in London.

All share the common ground of enabling unemployed people to secure a job a different way, which they can grow into a career and close their own social mobility gap – permanently.

A big claim? Not for Growing Talent.

Over the 10 years it has run, multiple people have proven this and climbed their career ladders. Compared to where they started, the difference is as strong as that between night and day.

Confirmed employers for this round – our 39th programme – include:

Pertemps Network Group

Portico

#RestoreHarrowGreen

SPS UK & Ireland

There is still time to join these insightful employers if you have a role in London to fill.

But, the clock is ticking! ⏰

Deadline is 9am on 6 February. DM me for more information

A huge thank you to our insightful employers, #DavidSteeds team at #JobCentrePlus, Rob Matthews (Anna) their partners in the community, Matthew Izekor of #SouthwarkCareLeavers and our unemployed applicants who collaborate together to do things differently 👏 👏 👏

📢 to our sponsors Adam Bushell, Allen Salmon and the awesome magician behind the scenes Adrienne Simpson without whom Growing Talent wouldn’t be – thank you.

The numbers are in!…..

3 Oct 2024Jane JamesLeave a comment

What a whirlwind the last few weeks have been mobilising the latest Growing Talent which sees the launch of a new format where applicants and employers get to know each other BEFORE the selection stage.

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

71 applicants referred by JobCentre Plus and Southwark Care Leavers requested the virtual Zoom information session.

36 talented, currently unemployed people joined the virtual presentation to learn the new format, additional resources available to them and the benefits they will get from participating.

17 registered to attend the next stage on 8 October!

Employers, get ready to meet some awesomely talented people on Tuesday!

Thanks to everyone involved….. including your awesome teams behind the scenes 👏 👏 👏
David Steeds
Rob Matthews (Anna)
Matthew Izekor
Pertemps Network Group
SPS UK & I
Portico
CIS Security Limited
ISS A/S

Also the magical Adrienne Simpson who makes everything happen and Growing Talent sponsors Allen Salmon Adam Bushell 🎉 🎉 🎉

Connections. Connections. Connections

18 Nov 2022Jane JamesLeave a comment

Growing Talent has predominantly run within nuclear parts of national/international employers providing on site services to Growing Talent’s funders.

This started to change yesterday with the ‘King of Connections’ – also known as Andy at ISS, a strong supporter of Growing Talent, who connected Growing Talent with Anna, relatively new to the position of Head of Social Value at ISS in a meeting yesterday.

Anna’s clear interest in the uniqueness of Growing Talent was amplified by ISS’s ‘Empathy Envoy’, also known as Melinda, who joined us to share with Anna some of the experiences her team had encountered and the life changing differences they had been part of – all in addition to their day jobs.

Andy explained to Anna that accounts outside the funders could take part and make a real difference to those that need a chance as well as gaining a positive impact on their team.

Anna agreed to attend our Recognition and Relaunch Event in January and said she would spread the word to decision makers along with Andy.

Within an hour, I’d received accepted invitations from some of these decision makers to attend! How awesome is that?

The power of people who make things happen rather than just talk the talk is awesome and makes such a critical difference to those vulnerable people on the Growing Talent journey – especially during these tough economic times!

Growing Talent – Employers’ Speed Dating!

19 Jun 2022Jane JamesLeave a comment

Friday 17 June was a balmy, sunny and sticky day in London. Temperatures were high so was the positive energy in this room as our Employer Speed Dating session got underway.

This is the first selection stage of Growing Talent which removes the potential for assumptions to be made by removing cvs and formal interviews. This enables the real person to be seen rather than any ‘labels’ they may have.

For employers, it enables a collaborative, unique way to tap into a hidden talent pool bringing diversity, inclusion, commitment and belonging into their business – which can only be good, right?

Passionate employers driven to uncover diverse talent for their roles that they can grow and nurture to be empowered employees defied the heat of the trains to get to our venue at London Bridge. Let’s face it, they could have given their roles to traditional agencies – wouldn’t that be easier? Probably, but easier isn’t always best!

Some had taken part previously and knew the fun ahead. For some, it was a completely new experience! No cv? No formal interview? No Job Description? What a leap of faith they took to step out of their comfort zone to join us!

Equally impressive was the integrity and commitment of the fabulously talented, but currently unemployed applicants who arrived enthusiastic, keen to meet employers without the shackles of traditional recruitment but unsure what was going to happen and of course a little glowing from their journeys!

What gave me the biggest kick was seeing Ella and Kieran from previous Growing Talent programmes now employer side! How fabulous is that!

There’s always a little tweak to be done in the setting up of these events. As usual the amazing Julie from #Portico Welcome Team was on hand to help me! Of course, on the front desk welcoming everyone to the event was Alex – from a previous Growing Talent programme! #inspiring for the applicants.

Within minutes of entering the room to start the timed table changes – the chatter and laughter was rising as any nerves melted away.

Ricky & Sharon from #RestoreHarrowGreen seeking new talent for their diverse roles.

Lois #SwissPostSolutions & Lesley from the global financial services organisation that sponsors Growing Talent joining us to explore some potential NEBOSH H&S Executives. Both have been involved in Growing Talent from the start and of course gave tips and pointers to those they saw who didn’t quite know what to say at first.

Ella and Paul of Master-FixProperties looking for fabulous new talent to join their business. Ella of course could give some insight of the Growing Talent journey that lies ahead for those going forward.

Michael #ISS looking for new talent to join his team

Laura & Emma #OfficeConcierge joining us for the first time to look for those hidden gems of talent we have amongst our unemployed communities.

Soraya, Kieran and Rosie #SPS looking for a new team member. Like Ella, Kieran has been on the Growing Talent journey and knows what it’s like. Although when Kieran did it, Growing Talent was three months long not five weeks!

Rosie is part of Lois’s team at SPS. Together they have given opportunities to around 38 people through Growing Talent since the first programme in early 2014. Many are still there and in supervisory positions.

Always time for one more photo! – Anna – longstanding cheerleader from JobCentre Plus, Ella and Paul #MasterFix and Sharon #RestoreHarrowGreen. Over the years, Sharon has taken over 30 people into her business and watched them grow and develop.

This week sees the second selection stage take place with 1-2-1s – mainly virtual thanks to the rail strike! Nothing detracts Growing Talent – there is always a way!

Looking forward to meeting these fabulous employers this week are: Abbas, Alex, Dimitrios, Edward, Frank, Martin, Rosanna, Shari and Sharon.

Check back to find out how they get on.

Growing Talent is a collaborative way for employers and their unemployed communities to come together on a level playing field journey to permanent jobs. Find out more on the Growing Talent tab on this website or check out http://www.growing-talent.co.uk.

Doing things differently – Carpe Diem!

12 May 2020Jane JamesLeave a comment

When life throws you a curve ball, you can either crumple or run with it. With the lockdown continuing and people’s strange new life continuing it seemed apt to change person-to-person training to virtual where possible.

A little sceptical of how good it could be, I was astonished how well received my first course was. An informal discussion on coping with lockdown, the new challenges faced, new skills learned. Working with 16 team members at all levels of management from ISS in London, the conversation, ideas and laughter flowed. So what was the outcome? You can see some of their feedback below – and they’ve booked more courses kicking off with the key steps to starting a conversation, managing it if dark thoughts emerge and self care – critical to building resilience

‘Jane is a first class facilitator, she makes each session impactful and enjoyable which is a really difficult balance to achieve, I would wholeheartedly recommend.’ Andy Ingham, National Operations Manager – This is great feedback for me as Andy was the client and is a facilitator himself.

‘Good, not too formal, interactive and encouraged all team to participate throughout.’ Alison

‘I got a lot from the session just by listening.’ Leon

‘Jane was very open, calm and keep the session flowing easily. Jane felt like one of our team.’ Loraine

‘The information given on the session was perfect and it gave me the knowledge to look for signs and how to deal with difficult conversations especially where personal circumstances are concerned.’ Mark

So, if you are presented with an opportunity to do something different – don’t overthink it. Definitely don’t let self-doubt in. Tell yourself it will be a great experience and you will learn more about yourself doing it. What’s the worse that can happen?

Courses coming up include:

It’s Not About The Nail – don’t try to fix what you think is the obvious
Create Your role in The Future
Creating Empowerment In Your Teams
Personal Empowerment

From June, the licensed global Mental Health First Aid full Adult course can be run online following MHFAEngland’s intensive collaboration with global partners to develop the new virtual programme.

As a Crisis Volunteer with Shout for the past year, I’ve seen how dealing with crisis via text messaging has literally saved lives. Who would have thought texting could have such a positive impact? Nancy Lublin the founder of Crisis Text Line in USA helped set-up Give us a Shout in the UK. Along with HRH Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Nancy spoke about why she started the text line.

Using text instead of phone lines enables people to gather their thoughts and reflect on what they are ‘writing’ in their texts. They can also reflect back later on the empathetic responses from the crisis volunteer. What Nancy discovered was those in fear of their lives from others could get help without being heard using a phone. There are now crisis text lines springing up in more countries. Mobile carriers waive the costs of texting to Shout in the UK so it’s accessible to all. If you are in trouble – text Shout to 85258.

As an Associate Tutor with British Safety Council, many of their courses including Start the Conversation, Management the Conversation, Train the Facilitator could be delivered online – something they are looking into.

We all need to think of how to do things differently. This could be a fantastic opportunity. We just need to not let doubt in.

Carpe Diem – Seize the day!

Growing Talent 25 has completed…… bring on GT26!

3 Mar 2020Jane JamesLeave a comment

In January, we started off with 40 enthused, unemployed people applying for Growing Talent. Following the Employer Speed Dating held mid-January, 15 were selected by employers for a 1-2-1 second stage meeting. Offers were made, some rejected so we commenced Growing Talent 25 with three participants from diverse backgrounds who all shared one thing in common – they wanted to work!

Michelle & Tara from PwC joined the session and selected Annarita , below, to join them!

This is a big departure for Annarita. Following a background in textile design she is now part of PwC’s secretarial community.

Kate – a regular recruiter on Growing Talent – from Firmdale Hotels, selected Kerry to join their Haymarket hotel within the housekeeping team. Kerry is loving the role and already got her eye on progression not to mention the staff perks!

Annarita & Kerry – trained first aiders in Mental Health during the holistic part of Growing Talent.

Lastly, Sergio and Lina from ISS selected Nazzarriey to join their waste and segregation team. Naazzaariey – seen below with Kerry is getting used to the routine of working and planning things she can do with her wages….

We wish them well on their adventures ahead now they have a regular salary coming in…..

Highlights of their journey include:

Awaiting feedback on their excellent Social Enterprise presentation and more importantly the winner!

Emma from Unravelling Minds showing how art helps with wellbeing….

Lesley mid-flow delivering her 3Rs – techniques for staying healthy in the workplace.

This is one of the few times Growing Talent has experienced 100% who started completed and went into work! Great outcome for all…

What does the road ahead hold for them? who knows – but that’s part of the excitement of life – right?

The 26th programme starts in March…. watch this space!

Employer Speed Dating at Growing Talent 22!

26 Jun 2019Jane JamesLeave a comment

Monday 10 June saw the 22nd speed dating event with employers at Etc Venues in Eastcheap. Employers present looking for new talent to grow into their roles included Park Plaza Hotel – Westminster, Club Quarters Hotel – Trafalgar Square, ISS at More London, Firmdale Hotels, Red Personnel, Pertemps and Ballymore who pulled out just before the start due to sickness.

Over 20 people were selected by employers to go forward to the second stage. Helping Firmdale Hotels with their selection was Heavenly – who was on Growing Talent 21! Heavenly is below with Firmdale’s Recruitment Manager, and longtime supporter of Growing Talent – Dan.

Helping Red Personnel from Growing Talent 20 was Abe pictured below with Jamie….

Helping with logistic on the day featured below were l-r were Jacquie and Anna – leads for Growing Talent at JobCentre Plus, Sam a new manager from JCP and Shennell wo was on Growing Talent 6 and always returns to support and encourage others when she can.

Following second stage employer selection, we welcomed 10 new Growing Talent Associates:

Brandon & Sheldon – joining Pertemps

James – joining Red Personnel

Miyuki, Stephan, Jordan & Stephen – joining ISS

Calum and Romain joining Park Plaza Hotel at Westminster

Michael – joined Churchill Services – a late comer

Check out the Orientation Week to see how they got on! Thanks to everyone involved for making it a great event!