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Interview: Marjorie Strachan – RBS

This interview can also be found in our eBook “Creating the best workplaces: Insights from global #EmployeeEngagement Influencers” which features 25+ interviews and much more. Download now.

As we get underway with the launch of our 2018 UK & European Employee Engagement Awards, we at the Engagement Zone will be interviewing judges for the upcoming event. Today, the Engagement Zone sits down with Marjorie Strachan – Global Head of Inclusion at RBS.

EZ: What does employee engagement mean to you?

MARJORIE: Key to organizational success; a business imperative.

EZ: What are your three tips to companies looking to drive engagement in their organisations?

MARJORIE:

Proactively seek out views and listen to people
Look for trends in what they’re saying (good and not so good)
Address those trends authentically – reinforce and improve on the good stuff and visibly address the not so good stuff!

EZ: What do you feel are the biggest pitfalls that companies should look to avoid when executing their engagement strategy?

MARJORIE: No clear handle on the issues/lack of authenticity/no role modeling.

EZ: Why do employees fail to buy in when companies try to ramp up engagement?

MARJORIE: Because it’s not seen as authentic.

EZ: What skills are most useful for everyone to have when trying to move towards a culture of engagement?

MARJORIE: Collaboration

EZ: You’re a judge for the Employee Engagement awards. What will you be looking for in the entries?

MARJORIE: Great, authentic examples of organisations/people stepping outside their day jobs to make change happen, passion/authenticity…and…evidence it’s working!

EZ: How important do you think it is to connect Employee Experience to the Customer Experience and why?

MARJORIE: One leads to the other…it’s a supply chain.

EZ: What’s the best EE idea you’ve seen a company roll out/attempt and wish you’d had that idea yourself?

MARJORIE: Not one we haven’t tried but I do think dynamic working (in its various guises) shaped to each organisational environment, as appropriate, is key.

EZ: Since you entered the world of work, what’s the best experience you’ve had?

MARJORIE: Plenty of rope and trusted to make use of it.

EZ: What’s the worst?

MARJORIE: Having a presentation pack I’d worked on ripped up in front of me.

EZ: Which person (dead or alive) would you love to be able to come in and speak to your workforce/colleagues?

MARJORIE: Barack Obama

EZ: Favourite song to crank up after a tough day at work?

MARJORIE: Black by Pearl Jam

EZ: Best place in the world you have visited?

MARJORIE: Ethiopia

EZ: The place you’d most like to visit?

MARJORIE: Japan

NOTE: Entries for the UK & European and ANZ Employee Engagement Awards are now open. For your chance to be recognised as a great place to work, click the link here.