North East-based businesswoman Di Gates has recently been awarded a prestigious national accolade, setting the stage for the launch of an innovative platform aimed at fostering human connections in the workplace.
As the founder and owner of virtual consultancy Stick Theory, Ms. Gates was among the select group of entrepreneurs in the UK to secure a grant of £50,000 from Innovate UK to support the rollout of her brainchild, Connection Heroes. This pioneering programme seeks to address the notable shift in the working environment that has left many individuals feeling disconnected from their work, colleagues, and superiors.
Connection Heroes is tailored for organizations looking to cultivate stronger human connections within hybrid workplaces, ultimately aiming to enhance employee engagement, retention, and wellbeing. The funding provided by the Government’s innovation agency is part of a larger financial pool amounting to £6.2m allocated to identify and nurture innovative talent in the UK.
Out of over 2,100 applicants, a total of 233 high-potential entrepreneurs from across the UK have been chosen to receive financial support. In addition to the grant, Ms. Gates will receive personalized business support for a period of 12 months.
The concept for the Connection Heroes platform stems from research conducted by Ms. Gates, revealing that an astounding 90% of UK employees are currently disengaged from their jobs, with 71% considering seeking new employment opportunities this year. The platform was designed to specifically address the growing issue of employee disconnection from their work, while recognizing the challenges involved in nurturing connections within hybrid teams.
The upcoming pilot programme, scheduled for a June launch, is expected to run for six to 12 weeks, guiding participants through a series of tailored workshops, scenario-based games, and bite-sized learning modules, all supported by experienced professionals and a state-of-the-art digital platform.
Participants will engage in a series of challenging online scenario games, each simulating real-world situations that may arise in the event of a breakdown in workplace connections, leading to decreased engagement. Participants will have the ability to track their own progress on the platform, while a company dashboard will offer a comprehensive view of the group’s development and the projected impact on engagement, retention, and wellbeing.
Expressing her excitement, Ms. Gates stated, “I have collaborated with numerous organizations since the onset of the pandemic, assisting them in strengthening connections within their remote and hybrid teams. This funding has allowed me to formalize my framework and develop an intuitive digital platform that provides a unique and enjoyable learning and development experience. There has been a significant amount of interest thus far, and I am eagerly anticipating the commencement of the pilot program in June.”