Ideas Shop

Background:

The team at Ideas Shop are communications specialists. They provide full-service public relations to small business, not for profits, and large organisations on both sides of the Tasman.
Their expertise is ensuring their clients’ messages are heard and understood, whether that’s talking to an organisation’s employees, helping staff through a change process, managing risk, or gaining media coverage.
Their technical skills are undoubtedly impressive.  However, what makes the difference in their business is the Ideas Shop ethos. They know that ‘Eight Hours a Day is OK’, encourage a family-friendly workplace and give everyone their birthday as a paid day off.
All their people are supported in their professional development and in balancing career with out-of-work interests. By keeping their people supported and happy, they keep their clients well serviced and create a culture from which great ideas can flourish.

The challenge:

To look beyond how they could integrate sustainability into their own business, to how they might use their relationships and expertise to influence and educate clients, suppliers and others to do the same.  

Some responses:

•    The donation of $43,000 of services to Child Poverty Action Group, an organisation which lobbies Government about the plight of children living in poverty in New Zealand.
•    Joining with BDO Spicers to research the extent to which other SMEs are thinking about, and behaving sustainably, and sharing this with clients and the public via the media.
•    Supporting staff and creating a favourable work environment through:
o    Specific professional development budgets for every employee.
o    Performance planning that is aligned to the company’s vision and values and is actively supported by coaching, mentoring and feedback.
o    Membership to the International Association of Business Communicators for all staff.
o    Supporting staff in their financial goals by having an advisor available for consultation.
o    Some staff work one day a week at home.
o    Supporting flexible work practices.
o    Recognising work/ life balance in every staff member’s performance planning and work practices.
•    Actively working to support a number of NGOs to promote social sustainability messages to Government and through media.
•    Effectively measuring, reducing and reporting on  energy usage.
•    Introducing an in-house composting system, which has resulted in a ‘no dig’ vegetable garden in a staff member’s garden.

The results:

•    The donation of services to Child Poverty Action Group met objectives and saw Ideas Shop being recognised as a finalist in an international PR award.
•    Managing, measuring, and reporting on energy usage has resulted in a 25% reduction in power consumption.
•    The introduction of the composting system has reduced Ideas Shop’s organic waste by 50%.
•    Staff-focused initiatives have resulted in low staff turnover and a high level of staff engagement and satisfaction as evidenced by annual staff surveys.

Judges comments from the SBN Central/Southern regional awards:
•    As finalists last year, Ideas Shop has improved across all areas and implemented suggested changes/new initiatives as per the feedback from their 2008 GSC.
•    Impressive pro bono involvement – the organisation donates 10% of its revenue towards providing this type of support.
•    Good policies around procurement.