Many successful companies throughout the UK understand the real business benefits that can be gained by ensuring that their employees are closely involved in the running of the business.

Needleworx Direct is an embroidery design and digitising company with studios in Ireland. It offers bespoke training to employees according to individual interests and skills. Decision-making is very open. The company holds monthly staff meetings to discuss different aspects of the company. At one meeting, employees suggested that management should revise company policy on the allocation of commission, as most of the commission was being given to salespeople instead of being shared with the embroidery designers. After listening to the request, managers admitted the allocation of commissions was unfair and the policy was corrected.

The results: After four years of operation and with a core staff of eight, Needleworx Direct has seen increased sales and profits and has been able to expand into new markets. The company has developed a long term and sustainable vision.

Perfecta supplies quality ingredients to the food industry. The company is based in the south west of England, and since this is an area of full employment, managers realised that they had to offer attractive terms and conditions in order to attract good staff. As a result, the company consulted extensively with its 40 employees before drawing up a package of work-life balance initiatives.

The results: The company found that by enabling staff to work various hours and days around their other responsibilities the number of available packers more than doubled.