AI Global Media’s Annual Sports Day is a highly anticipated event filled with fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Recently, all the departments at AI Global Media took part in a company wide sports day, organised by operations manager, Sean Wilkins. Our annual sports day fosters team spirit, encourages employee wellness, and promotes a work-life balance and lets the employees of AI Global Media have some well-deserved competitive fun!

The day was a big success, full of laughs, wins, and falls! The sports day was designed to be inclusive, offering a wide range of activities that catered to all skill levels. From team-based events to individual challenges, there was something there for everyone. By providing a mix of competitive and light-hearted activities, the sports day created an atmosphere where every employee, regardless of fitness level, felt welcome and engaged. The main activities included inflatable football (foosball style), 5-legged race, inflatable pillow fight (gladiator style), 100 metres run, egg and spoon relay, bean bag balance and water balloon throw and catch. The event also included some smaller carnival style activities which included bean bag throw, welly wanging, bowls roll, and timed scooter racing. We had a variety of winners and lots of prizes and medals to be won!

Teams were put together in a fun mix of randomness and choice, making the day even more exciting. For events such as the inflatable football, the five-legged race, and the egg and spoon relay, teams were picked at random, encouraging employees to collaborate with colleagues they might not usually work with. For activities such as the water balloon throw and catch, employees got to pick their own partners, giving them the chance to team up with a close colleague or friends. This balance of random pairing and personal choice helped create a dynamic, inclusive environment, where teamwork and collaboration flourished, bringing everyone closer throughout the day!

One of the highlights of sports say was the hilarious inflatable pillow fight, where Stan and Elliot faced off in a friendly but fierce competition. The playful banter between the two had everyone laughing, as they swung their oversized pillows with determination, trying to knock each other off balance and hold onto the pole, until one was no longer able to hold on and fell off! Elliot put up a good fight and held on well, but it was Stan who emerged as the overall champion. The crowd cheered, and the light-hearted rivalry added an extra spark of fun to the day.

The day ended with individual winner’s being crowned and given medals, as well as the overall winning team. The sports day was enjoyed by all and did more than just offer a day of fun and games. It gave everyone involved a much-needed energy boost and made the gloomy day joyful and full of teamwork. Employees left the event feeling more connected, with shared laughs, victories, and even the occasional playful defeat helping to build stronger bonds across teams.

Thank you to Sean for organising the events, the food, Fajitas and chips from Super Nosh, and the bar and venue which was located at Washland’s Sports club. Thank you to everyone who took part in the sports day, and we hope you had a great afternoon – we can’t wait to see what next years, bigger and better, sports day holds!

View some of the photos from the sport day down below!

The post Game On: AI Global Media’s Ultimate Sports Day! appeared first on AI Global Media.

AI Global Media Operations manager, Sean Wilkins, recently celebrated his 10-year milestone with AI Global Media! Sean joined AI Global Media team back in 2014 within the credit control department providing maternity cover. During his time at AI, Sean has worked in a number of areas of the business and has managed a variety of key projects. Sean was promoted to the Finance Manager and then to Operations Manager in 2017, later combining the two roles. Recently, Sean has added the production team to his managerial duties, bringing increased efficiencies and customer experience improvements to the department. Thank you for your commitment and hard work Sean!

Below, we asked Sean a few questions to learn more about him, his role, and his time at AI Global Media.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to join AI Global Media?

My main career prior to AI Global Media was in accounts as a purchase ledger clerk for companies such as Holland and Barrett and Trent and Dove housing. I decided I wanted a career change and came for an interview as a sales rep at AI Global. During the interview I was advised that they had a job more suited to my background and offered me the job in accounts. It wasn’t an easy choice with wanting a change but really pleased I took the job.

Q. What is your current role and what are your main responsibilities?

I have a very varied role. I am the Operations manager, dealing with the day to day running of the office, maintenance, supplies and Health and Safety. Accounts manager, leading our credit control team to collect the revenue for the bookings we take in the magazines and finally the Production team manager, overseeing the team who deal directly with the customers to produce the high quality items and the shipping aspects of the company.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at AI Global Media?

What I enjoy most is how varied each day is. Having a hand in many departments pulls me in different directions and ensures I always have a list of jobs to do. I always prefer to be busy.

Q: Can you share a few key achievements or projects you’re particularly proud of during your time here?

Taking on the production team with my other duties was a big challenge and learning curve. Self teaching myself all the design aspects and understanding where the improvements were needed while still handing the day to day was taxing. The department has shown massive improvements in efficiencies and workload which has lead it to have the best customer service time scales for some years. The company has also moved offices a couple of times and I have been responsible for planning the layout and seating for the company’s department’s as we grow. I enjoy the organisation aspect of planning and the outcome at the end.

Q: What are some common challenges you face in your role and how do you overcome them?

My main challenge is juggling my time between the teams, ensuring they receive the same attention while keeping them motivated at the same time. Having the right mixture, personable and professional interactions helps the team know that they can come to you with professional or personal issues that is affecting their day to day. Having regular check ins, gives the employees chance to raise issues but also receive praise and reassurance that they are doing a good job.

Q: How would you describe the team culture at AI Global Media?

It has always felt since I started, that AI Global Media and its directors have tried to make it “a 1 big team”. All the managers have risen up through the ranks and so share this outlook which spreads down to the team members. The work activities the company puts on through the year, clearly demonstrates the understanding that if you can enjoy where you work you will work hard for company. I gladly help with this by organising many events, sports days and quizzes.

Q: How does the company support your professional growth and development?

The company has always pushed me by giving opportunities. Opportunity to do new tasks, head projects and take on relative training where needed. My progression from credit controller to manager of multiple departments shows the trust the company has put in me to succeed. 

Q: What do you like to do in your free time outside of work?

Over the last few years I have taken up crown green bowls. Since I stopped playing and coaching football, I needed a competitive sport that caused less harm to my body, and fell into bowls after it was recommended by a friend. I really enjoy the competitive side of the sport and joining a club, and meeting new people has filled the gap that football left behind. I also love to go to the cinema and spend time with my partner and son. Each year we try to visit a new country and experience new things.

Q: What has been your favourite part of working here for a decade, and what are you looking forward to in the future?

I have always enjoyed the variety the job brings, the company has changed and grown in many directions over the decade. I have been hands on throughout. This will not change and I look forward to what the future will bring for me and the company.

Q: What advice would you give to someone new joining the finance team AI Global Media?

Get involved. Learn as much as you can about the different departments and processes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and present ideas for improvements.

Q: What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in a finance role?

A drive to succeed and hit targets will keep you coming back for more. Attention to detail is important and a “get it right first time” should always be in the forefront of your mind to make your life easier and ensure you are efficient in what you do.

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When speaking to Rich about his experience and also his drive for committing to this challenge he mentioned that he enjoys doing things for charity whether it is an MMA fight, travelling through Europe or in this case, cycling across England. He continues, “I got swept up in the hype that I’m seeing online from people doing long distance exercise challenges, like Russ Cook. (the Hardest Geezer), the fella that ran the length of Africa. While I knew I couldn’t quite make it that far, I knew I could put my body through a cycle across England, after all its only 1,200km.”

He speaks passionately about the charity he did it for, Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue – Midlands, which he has worked with countless times in the past from taking helpless animals there for aid. His most memorable experience being bringing a pigeon all the way from Leeds to aid his broken wing. His passion for the cause is reflected deeply in his actions as well as his words when he tells us that although it may sound pretentious “but that’s why I’m vegan, I would just like to help animals in any way I can, one meal at a time.”

After completing the bike ride, Rich says he was filled with pride but was equally in disbelief to know that he managed to achieve something so big. “Even now, I can’t believe I did it. It’s amazing to know that I can push my body and mind to complete extreme tasks as it was definitely more mentally challenging than physically. At the risk of sounding like a melt, I’ve always felt like a bit of a loser. I can’t express that enough. For example, I lost my charity MMA fight, and I remember saying to my girlfriend Linsey that “maybe people like me aren’t meant to win stuff like this”, that maybe I’m always meant to be second place because I don’t deserve it. So, to complete this really helped make me feel whole and erase that feeling a bit. Although I’m not sure it will ever go, I do use it as a driving force, so maybe it needs to stick around.”

The business and Rich’s colleagues are immensely proud of his remarkable achievement. His dedication and perseverance in completing this 1,200km charity bike ride is very inspiring and it also exemplifies the values that AI holds dear. Rich’s incredible effort has raised an impressive £2048 for Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue – Midlands. This generous contribution will significantly help the charity’s ongoing missions to rescue and care for the animals in need.

AI Global Media’s commitment to voluntary charity days reflects the values of the business and by enabling employees like Rich to support causes close their hearts, we are fostering a culture of philanthropy and giving back. By aligning our corporate values with meaningful actions, we are reinforcing our dedication to making a positive impact both locally and globally.

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New Website Features:

• Faster website page load times for visitors.
• Improved UI/UX with a focus on user journey and content flow.
• Improved discoverability and site search using auto suggestions.

Our new website features an updated design that is both visually appealing and user-friendly. We have streamlined the navigation to ensure that visitors can easily find the information they need, whether they are looking for the latest business news, in-depth articles, or information about our prestigious awards programmes. The responsive design ensures a seamless experience on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.

We have placed a strong emphasis on creating an engaging user experience. Interactive features such as easier subscription options, enhanced search functionality, and the ability to browse our website quicker, makes it simpler for our audience to stay connected and informed. Our dedicated team continues to work behind the scenes to ensure that every visit to APAC Insider is informative and enjoyable.

Explore the new APAC Insider website today and discover the changes we have made to improve your experience! We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to continuing our mission of providing valuable insights and celebrating excellence in the Asia Pacific business landscape.

Visit us at APAC Insider to see the transformation firsthand!

The post The New 2024 APAC Insider Website Is Here! appeared first on AI Global Media.

As a business, AI Global Media firmly believes in the power of upskilling its workforce, encouraging growth and development within the business. The understanding and commitment towards employee development stems from the understanding that the growth of the company is inherently linked to the growth and expertise of its individuals. With the use of training and development programs and continuous learning initiatives, AI Global Media ensures that its employees are supported in all areas of their professional and personal development. This culture of empowerment and upskilling not only enhances the skillset of the workforces but also fosters a motivated and advanced environment where employees are encouraged to thrive and excel. Statistics by FDM Group* state that an overage of 66% of employers see a return on investment within one year through upskilling and reskilling staff.

Viktorija Ragozina started off within the IT department in 2022 as the Lead Generation executive and has recently transitioned into the role of the Database Administration Assistant. She has additionally enrolled in the Level 3 Software Development Technician Apprenticeship with QA to equip her further with skills that will benefit her role at the business.

We spoke to her to gain an insight on how she feels AI Global Media has supported her professional growth and development since she joined. She states that despite having limited IT experience initially, the business has provided a lot of support, encouragement and valuable training in areas such as Python, databases and software development.

In the past year, she feels continuously supported by the company and this has allowed her to collaborate with her colleagues and learn new skills. She feels that both the apprenticeship and the training she has received within the business has solidified her confidence in her abilities as well as allowing her to contribute ideas and improvements within her team.

Recently, after becoming successful in her application for the internal role of the Database Administrator Assistant, she feels that the additional support and training equipped her to eventually thrive in the application of the job. Moreover, the business helped to prepare her for her new job responsibilities by providing additional support from experienced developers and database administrators. She also had the opportunity to participate in discussions and meetings related to upcoming projects, giving her an insight on what to expect from this new role.

Viktorija sums up her experience so far:

*Source: https://www.fdmgroup.com/blog/benefits-of-upskilling-your-employees/#:~:text=6.-,Increase%20ROI,through%20upskilling%20and%20reskilling%20staff

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By Paula Allen, Global Leader and Senior Vice-President of Research and Total Wellbeing at TELUS Health

With Menopause Awareness Month now underway for the month of October, it’s vital that workplaces take this time to consider how their policies and practices support health issues, as they will also impact women dealing with menopause.

Menopause is a simple fact of life, and very much a reality in the workplace. However, it isn’t paid much attention in the workplace as a health issue and therefore it is rarely managed in a way that is optimum.

In fact, research commissioned by Koru Kids found that a million women changed or quit their jobs due to a lack of menopause support and in turn, this loss of experienced workers has cost the economy £5 billion and with recruitment challenges ongoing, these losses will only cause further productivity and talent challenges for businesses.

In our Mental Health Index, we found that nearly half of UK employees (47 per cent) reported doing their job when feeling unwell (physically or psychologically) at least one day per week.

Eradicating this stigma and inaction starts with education. This can include wellbeing sessions on all aspects of woman’s health, including menopause, and training of managers on how to support employees with health needs.

The good news is that even though menopause is a noteworthy health issue, the support needed from a workplace point of view can be quite simple.

Given that menopause is a medical issue, employers also need to look at offering practical and tangible solutions.

For example, menopause can cause drastic changes in body temperature, which can be addressed with fans or offering desks with windows or air conditioning vents close by.

The symptoms of menopause may also include insomnia, irritability and depressive symptoms, all of which have a physical base but can impact behaviour and mental wellbeing. With this, employees should take advantage of the personal support offered by their workplace through their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and their Telemedicine provider if available.

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AI Global Media enforces strategies to create an inclusive environment with the introduction of a DE&I Committee.

National Inclusion Week is an annual event that highlights the importance of inclusion across the UK. Creating an inclusive workplace allows employees to feel valued, respected, and supported. The theme this year is #takeactionmakeimpact in which the organisation, Inclusive Employers calls companies and leaders to acknowledge what positive actions they can encourage within their workplace.

Inclusive Employers has organised a week’s worth of events to educate businesses around the nation the events include multiple webinars on topics like how to recruit inclusively. As part of our acknowledgement of National Inclusion Week, AI Global Media LTD will be creating a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Workplace Inclusivity is the practice of creating an environment whereby all people, regardless of gender, race, disability etc are welcomed and are respected by the company through different avenues. AI Global Media’s workforce is currently 47% male and 53% female. However, as a business we acknowledge that there is a lack of employees aged 40+. AI Global Media sees the benefits of having a diverse workforce with employees from a range of ages, backgrounds, genders, ethnicities etc. Both internally and externally, AI Global Media LTD have been responsive in transforming the issues involving the Neurodivergent & LGBTQIA+ communities with a multitude of events.

HR Manager, Natalie Harrison explains how AI Global Media on the companies’ methods to acknowledge inclusion; “As a business and as people leaders I believe we are naturally inclusive, aim to provide equal opportunity and embrace diversity. It’s now time to ensure that we are doing everything we can to live and work by our values. I believe that creating a DE&I committee will support this and I am really looking forward to the launch this month. I am looking forward to working closely with the committee, have meaningful discussions and make plans to do the best we can for our people!”

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee has the aim to ensure a supportive and welcoming environment in which employees of all backgrounds and demographic characteristics can work well together and thrive. The opportunity is open to all employees, to provide an avenue to discuss any issues or shortcomings that may exist within the business whilst looking at initiatives which can be introduced to support DE&I in the workplace.

In a recent report, statistics show that just 26% of the Tech workforce are women, with 3% of which being black & Hispanic and 5% being Asian. AI Global Media’s IT department is continuously looking to develop and improve its workforce statistics.

Within AI Global Media Ltd, we are beginning to see a growth in our employee inclusion within departments. Josh Hewitt, IT Manager explains “As a team we have always been inclusive, it’s just that 99% of applicants have been male whenever we post job adverts. I think having a mix within the department brings a fresh dynamic to the way we think and come up with new ideas. It also helps when problem solving as we all think differently about things and within IT there is usually multiple ways of solving an issue, it’s just choosing the right one. Hopefully it’s a sign that more women are looking to take up IT roles with the potential of more joining the department in the future.”

The company continues to acknowledge any potential shortcomings within the organisation and take action on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion impact. For more information on the activities AI Global Media partake in involving these matters, please go to AI Global Media – AI Global Media Ltd.

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AI Global media outlines policies to improve the social responsibility of the business.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a strategy in which companies’ action to ensure ethical and beneficial influences on society. This corporate governance has a very broad spectrum and is dependent on the individual company as to how they interpretate it. Largely, CSR enforces businesses to act in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner.

The benefits to create a strong CSR strategy are both good for the business itself and the community in which they are apart of. The strategy encourages a bond between employees and companies by boosting morale and connecting employees to their communities.

AI Global Media are passionate about supporting causes within the local community. Over recent years the company has supported Burton Soup Kitchen with donations of food and cash. AI Global Media has also fundraised for local special needs school Fountains Primary School with a donation from our workforce in which was raised through various activities such as a chilli eating challenge, office games and other donations. As well as this, AI Global Media has continuously supported other national and international causes such as Cancer Research UK, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Ukraine Crisis Appeal and Children in Need, amongst others.

AI Global Media are always looking for new ways to support local, national, and even global causes. The company has recently launched an Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) scheme. This will allow all team members in the business the opportunity to take one day per year to volunteer with a charity or cause of their choosing. Individuals can select causes that are closest to their hearts and this gives them a day to support the cause without having to take leave or plan during their personal time this includes but not limited to:

• Environmental work and conservation projects
• Fundraising for community projects or charities
• Community care work
• The administration of public events

Participation in the ESV Scheme creates mutual benefits for the Company, the local community, and the Company’s employees. Some may support the local economy and enable skills and competencies to be developed and enhanced within the community. Skills and practical assistance are rendered to the community at little or no cost to the recipient.

The CSR policy aims to support employees:

• To apply their skills in local communities.
• To develop partnerships in their communities, by fostering sponsorship projects.
• To help raise funds for worthwhile causes in their communities.

Director, Kathryn Hall talks about the impact CSR has on AI Global Media, “When I look at this from a recruitment and retaining talent point of view, I think our CSR activity will support the business massively. When I was starting out in full time work, the type of businesses I was to work at was very important to me. We share our charitable donations and involvements on our website: www.aiglobalmedialtd.com and our social media channels and hope this supports hiring great talent as individuals can see that we are a responsible business keen to support those in need.”

Having launched the scheme this summer, AI Global Media are excited to see what it will encourage its employees to achieve. With fundraising opportunities in the pipeline, the potential for CSR is undoubtedly going to be effective all round. You can follow AI Global Media’s path on the ESV Scheme on our social media channels.

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Human Resources is a profession that works towards changing & improving the working lives of employees.

A great HR professional has strong integrity, a real drive for success as well as a keen attention to detail. For Internal HR professionals, strong relationship with employees throughout the business is incredibly important. AI Global Media is spotlighting HR Manager, Natalie Harrison on how she dominates her role.

What led you to pursue a career in HR?

I was going through the motions of deciding what I wanted to do with my career when the Director who dealt with HR at my previous employer was looking to take retirement. She said she thought I would be great in HR and asked me if I wanted the role and to take my qualifications alongside it. I gladly accepted her offer and haven’t looked back since!

What are some positive aspects of this position and what are some negatives?

A positive is helping people with their personal and professional development. A negative is dealing with low morale, but this can be turned around by working to make positive change!

What have you found to be a key trait for success as an HR professional?

There are many traits that come to mind, but I would say the ability to multitask and be organised are key. Also, effective communication skills and the ability to be kind and understanding.

How has working for AI Global been different to other roles you have had?

All of my previous HR experience was at the same Company, so 7 months ago coming into a completely different industry and working with different types of processes and people has certainly been a challenge, but a welcomed one. The setting here at AI is great, and the social aspects of regular incentives and group activities we offer significantly impacts morale and workplace relationships.

How have you helped to support career growth (learning & development) for people in AI?

I have encouraged employees to take advantage of opportunities to gain additional experience. I personally deliver line manager coaching every quarter on relevant topics, and we are currently looking at some external leadership training to upskill some of our team members. 

The theme for International Human Resources Day in 2023 is “Shaping The New Future.” What does this mean to you and to AI Global?

Leading change to improve working lives has always been at the forefront of what I do. AI are really keen to be known as an employer of choice and I believe by supporting our people and continuing to make positive changes here, we are adapting to the new normal and are well on our way to achieving this!

Are there any noteworthy HR initiatives that made a difference here or think would?

A recent initiative which stands out is the introduction of an optional alternative working pattern. Feedback so far has been really positive with regards to improvement in work life balance. I am currently working on a Community and Volunteering policy which will allow employees the chance to participate in volunteering projects to support the local economy and enable skills, competencies, and personal wellbeing to be developed and enhanced within the community.

Director Kathryn Hall talks about how AI Global Media strongly supports the HR role, and how it has shaped the work environment; “The work of HR is integral to the running AI Global Media. Our HR Manager Natalie supports the business in so many ways both in managing day to day tasks and supporting on strategic decisions. It is important for businesses to remain compliant, to attract and retain great talent and to support employees and management throughout their day-to-day activities. The engagement of our workforce is vital to us, I don’t think we could achieve such high levels of engagement without dedicated HR support.”

Kathryn continues, “Natalie has been integral in helping us support a local special needs school with much needed funds in recognition of Autism Acceptance Week, she has supported the senior management team with an unfortunate but necessary redundancy process and has been very proactive in our recruitment activities leading to some really strong talent being acquired. Natalie is strategic in her thought processes as well as being commercially aware, having her as part of our management team has supported us in making some important, difficult, and strategic decision”.

AI Global Media is a part of the online HR and employment law resource, CIPD HR-Inform which allows our HR Manager to support the business in staying up to date. AI Global Media is constantly evolving their Human Resources Practice to integrate a new future for their employees.

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