Fuelling Productivity

Food Service has a central role to play in bringing teams together once again

The Fuelling Productivity campaign has long argued that food service does play an important and central role in supporting bringing teams together at work, supporting well-being and productivity; all of which have been in gradual decline during the past decade.

This argument is even stronger as companies do restart as there are a number of unseen tensions and wounds to heal. There are many starting to argue that the rebuilding process for many companies will be far more difficult than many do expect.

Research is indicating that:

• There is a genuine rift emerging between senior players who have found it both effective and productive to work from home and those in more junior levels who are struggling with uncertainty and productivity. It has created some tensions and wounds as there does appear that many have half enjoyed this period of working from home, being on full pay, whilst others have been left on furlough and fearing for their jobs.
• A report recently noted that it will take 2 years to rebuild cultures within organizations without some serious change and this will impact on productivity unless the companies can really bring people together and heal wounds
• This period has seen an increased focus on localism and communities. Companies will need to tap into this emotion and feeling in order to rebuild culture.
• Many boards believe that they are dealing with less than 50% of the challenges that face them and will need to learn at speed to understand some of the unseen issues. This will requires informal comms to be far better than it was previously.
• Relationships are once again seen to be of major value and service too. Each company will need to spend less time on processes and more time on focusing on people and relationships.
• Social and cultural sustainability will become central areas of focus on all companies as many of the best talents want to see their companies show genuine support for communities and major sustainability issues.
• Many have rediscovered both cooking and the use of fresh produce. The bar may be raised in what is to be expected to be of offer.

 
Given all the above, it is not hard to see that the internal services offered on site will be of increased importance. Models may well change but services that bring people together, break down tensions and rebuild culture will be more important than ever.

In October, EP will be hosting a conference on Sustainability plus a Fuelling Productivity event to look more deeply at some of these issues.