Savills Annual Report 2007

59 Savills plcReport and Accounts 2007Our BusinessOur ResponsibilitiesGraduate recruitment programmeBuilding on the recent accolade of ‘Graduate Employer of Choice for Property 2007’by The Times, a new graduate recruitment campaign was launched in the UK .To help facilitate the initiative, a graduate recruitment manager was appointed.The improved programme has created greater consistency in our recruitmentof graduates across the businesses.In Ireland our business, Savills Hamilton Osborne King has initiated The GraduateExcellence Programme TM which is a two and a half year structured learningprogramme designed to promote technical excellence and develop future leaders.This programme is underpinned by four pillars:– Business: Graduates develop the technical and professional competenciesnecessary to operate successfully in the business and the market place at large.–Team:Graduates develop skills that will ensure that they operate as effective teamplayers and contribute fully to our team’s success.– Individual: Graduates develop a thorough understanding of themselves and asthe programme advances they recognise the change in their behaviour, growthand learning.– Values and behaviour: Graduates behave in line with our ethical frameworkand values and understand why these are important to the business’ culture.Developing talentAttracting the right talent is an important component of our skills strategy. We mustalso retain and motivate high performers in the Group and ensure active employeemanagement. A vital part of this is helping to identify talent and to develop newskills amongst existing employees. We are in the process of implementing a talentmanagement and development strategy across the organisation in order to helpbuild Savills’ future leaders.Recognition and rewardThe competitive remuneration of our employees is key to retaining them. We regularlyreview the way we reward and incentivise employees. Additional benefits include:performance and profit related bonus schemes, share save and share optionschemes, pension schemes, health, long term disability and life insurance.Our bonus schemes and share schemes give employees the ability to share inthe financial success of the Group and recognises and incentivises their directcontribution to that success.The survey confirmed that Savills isa welcoming, friendly employer wherepeople are given the autonomy andresponsibility to do a good job.Work/life balanceEmployees value more than just financial remuneration, and that providing a balancedand flexible approach to professional life can help enhance employee performanceand enjoyment of their career. In the UK we have introduced an Enhanced FamilyPay policy and most recently launched Additional Holiday and Loyalty HolidayReward Schemes designed to recognise and reward the loyalty of those whomake a long-term commitment and contribution to Savills.Internal communicationInternal communication is an increasingly important activity in the developmentof the Group and a priority in its strategy to invest in the organisation and the brand.As Savills grows so does the importance of managing the multitude of messagesflowing through and across the organisation. It is important that we help employees toboth understand and undertake what is needed to provide the best possible serviceto customers and to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the business.An internal communications department has been established to facilitatecommunication within the business using both online and offline media.This newly centralised team is continuing to improve the effectiveness of employeecommunications such as a weekly e-newsletter, organisational announcements,surveys and suggestion schemes to engage employees and to expand the use ofour intranet, Connect.Health and safetyThe promotion of a healthy and safe workplace is a fundamental responsibility of allemployers. Policies and procedures are in place to reduce risks and incidents withinthe workplace. We have dedicated health and safety executives who manage, auditand review health and safety, as well as implementing improvements where required.All employees have access to the resources they need to enable them to achievetheir personal and company health and safety objectives. We provide workspaces,equipment, materials and systems of work that contribute to a safe and healthyenvironment for our employees. We strive for health and safety excellence and are notdriven by compliance alone.ClientsSavills ability to anticipate and deliver against client needs is inherent in our culture,and essential to our tradition of high quality service. Environmental and social issuesare increasingly on our clients’ agendas and should be reflected in what we do.Improving client serviceMany of our offices are moving towards accreditation under ISO9001:2000 (QualityManagement). This will not only make our operations more efficient, but will alsomake us more competitive when submitting bids and proposals, especially withteams focusing on public sector clients.