Behind the Best Employer & Inspirational Workplace Awards – Danni Rush & Lauren Sweeney, Virgin Incentives

This is a first! I have two fantastic guests joining me today - Danni Rush, COO, and Lauren Sweeney, Head of People at Virgin Incentives.

We met at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards in June where they won Employer of the Year! They are scooping up an increasing number of nominations and awards, including most Inspirational Place to Work, recognition as the #1 Emerging Company to Watch in the US by CIO Bulletin, and Business Leader of the Year in the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards for Danni!

We unpick what is behind Virgin Incentive's success that is all about creating an extraordinary experience for their employees. Danni and Lauren outline what is most important, including their #bettertogether and #embracechange values that has put a real emphasis on connection and collaboration.

We explore the role of both intrinsic motivation and tangible rewards within a purposeful organisation, and personalisation to avoid the one-approach-fits-all, tick-box response to employee recognition. That also includes recognition that their company is not for everyone. The clarity about their culture, confidence in their purpose and values, and transparency in their communication, means that their employees are onboard and enjoy a rewarding experience.

Lauren and Danni describe the culture at Virgin Incentives that is driven by innovation, enabled by the trust and honest communication that they have worked hard to develop. The conversation is an honest reflection on leadership and employee experience hygiene factors.

They identify what they can do better and some of the challenges that lay ahead, as the business continues to grow.

With these two people leading the way, Virgin Incentives will continue to stand out for all the right reasons.

Just goes to show that putting people first counts.

More about Danni

Danni Rush is Chief Operating Officer for Virgin Incentives, Virgin Experience Days and Virgin Experience Gifts. Danni’s career has spanned several industries including travel, retail and outdoor education. Her passion for team engagement, having seen the positive impact that a highly engaged and motivated team can have on business performance. Danni leads the customer experience, product development, partnerships and the people strategy and helped the business navigate through the challenging pandemic period to increase employee engagement ratings and win gold at the 2021 UK Employee Experience Awards.

More about Lauren

Lauren Sweeney is Head of People of at Virgin Incentives, Virgin Experience Gifts and Virgin Experience Days. Passionate about true engagement in the workplace and business growth through a first class people experience.

Links to contact Danni & Lauren:

LinkedIn:

Virgin Incentives

Danni Rush

Lauren Sweeney

Facebook: Virgin Experience Days

Instagram: @Virginexperiencedays

Twitter: @virginincentive

Website: www.virginincentives.com and www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk

Resources & References

Awards were the reason I was lucky enough to come across why Virgin Incentives stands out. Find out why I was sharing their table at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Awards here: TVCC Awards - It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Virgin Experience Days | Experience Blog | Features

CIO Bulletin: Overview | LinkedIn

Thames Valley Business & Community Awards: About | LinkedIn

Jessica Hankers | LinkedIn - Head of Sales at Virgin Incentives

Incentive Awards Events | LinkedIn

TVCC | LinkedIn