A lot has changed in the way we work over the past two years. Flexibility matters, so we’re making our roles ever more flexible, giving you choices about how and where you work. We also believe that rewards and benefits need to be both generous and meaningful to the life you want to lead. And that life needs to be balanced and healthy, so we’re more committed than ever to creating a culture of wellbeing.
In the last of our series on working in Sales at NFU Mutual, we asked the team for their thoughts on the kind of environment they work in, how they find flexibility, our rewards and benefits, and how their voices are being heard.
Greater flexibility - and engagement
Just as we’ve given our customers far more flexibility in the ways they can access our services and people, we’ve done the same for our Sales teams. The ability to manage work around lifestyles has become important for many. Scott Harris, Sales Development Manager, Southwest, feels that flexible working has improved his work-life balance and helps him perform better in his role.
As he explains, the changes brought by the pandemic gave him different ways to achieve the standards he set himself. “I want to do this job to the best of my ability, so actually, the changes that came with Covid arrived at the right time. I know that sounds bad, but it’s been good for my work-life balance due to the freedom and flexibility it brought. Along with other people in the team, I’ve embraced new ways of working. We all have better connectivity and better conversations using online channels. The hybrid model now adopted by NFU Mutual is working particularly well for me and I know, by talking to colleagues, it makes people feel more engaged. I’ve certainly found this to be the case in my role.”
National Broker Development Manager, Dave Morris, feels the same way, and also believes that flexibility is helped by a supportive line manager, as he explains. “My manager gives me a great deal of flexibility. I was used to driving as many as 30,000 business miles in previous years. The technology for online meetings has been there for 10 years, but it took a pandemic to make us realise what its capability was. So, rather than going to a customer every month, now I'll go every quarter. I wouldn’t want to move away from face-to-face meetings completely, it's important. But does it need to be as regular as it used to be? Absolutely not. Flexible working is good for reducing our carbon emissions too.”
Benefits and team culture
For Emily Warren, Locum Agency Manager – Southeast, enjoys the benefits that come with her role at NFU Mutual and the technology that enables her to work flexibly. “The company car is a huge benefit for me because, given my role, I could be asked to go anywhere in the Southeast region at any time. As well as working in the office, I'm set up to work from home too, so the health and wellbeing benefits really help. I make the most of the subsidised gym membership which helps me stay active. And with Medicash I can claim back money I’ve spent on appointments with dentists, opticians and more, which is a great health benefit to have.”
Dave Morris, who has worked in several other financial services organisations, rates the benefits on offer with NFU Mutual. “Yes, the benefits are important, I think in any business. I would say that what we have here is as good as any benefits package I've had anywhere I've been before.” And Scott Harris also rates the rewards, especially remuneration. “I think we’re particularly well paid. The salaries are good here. And also, during Covid, where so many of my friends unfortunately were furloughed, our bonuses were paid along with salary increases. So, it's a really safe, stable organisation.”
Emily Evans, Sales Development Manager, Southeast, feels that the benefits are part of the wider environment on offer at NFU Mutual. “It's very challenging but incredibly supportive. I think we’re rewarded very well, if I'm honest with you in terms of the entire benefits package. And I think we have a great team culture. It’s a fantastic environment. We work hard, but we have a lot of fun, and that's the best way to be.”
Opinions are heard - and count
Feeling that you’re being heard and that your opinion matters is important in any role, and Sales is no different. It’s also a role where ideas and approaches sometimes differ so, what’s it like getting your opinion across? Emily Evans feels that it’s about being heard, but from a position of trust, as she explains. “I do think the business and the agencies I work with find value in what I have to say. We have points to make but it’s the agent’s business, and their income. I might think they should do something, but they, for one reason or another, might disagree. That's fine. We have open but challenging conversations with each other, but I do feel they trust my views. In fact, the bit I love is being a consultative voice where I can go in and say, "Right. I've had a look and I think XYZ needs improving. How can we go about doing it?" More often than not we're on the same page, it is high level strategic, but that's the bit I find really enjoyable.”
Emily Warren also feels her voice is heard at NFU Mutual. “My senior management looks to me for the direction of the agency that I'm in at the moment. We've just recently done a five-year plan and a business plan. I'm heavily involved with that because I'm on the shop floor essentially. And even in our head office, the head of bespoke, which is our product that heavily feeds into this agency, looks to me for a sense check of where we're at and whether the customers are happy So, I'd say I get lots of exposure and I’m definitely listened to.”