Bidvest Noonan

A leading provider of facilities services and solutions

ED&I

Food for Thought: A Simple Idea Transforming Workplace Inclusion

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In today’s diverse world, people from different backgrounds meet daily, creating chances for innovation and understanding. While this diversity is valuable for team-building and generating varied ideas, the real challenge for organisations is to harness these differences effectively and authentically for significant benefits.


Our team at the University of Limerick, with its broad talent pool, recognised this potential. Keen on bringing together the unique perspectives of its colleagues to form a more effective and inclusive team, they were committed to creating an environment where everyone could flourish. In pursuit of this, they engaged in numerous initiatives and saw remarkable results. However, one idea stood out for its effectiveness and simplicity. This concept, employed in various cultures but less discussed in corporate settings, was ‘Food for Thought’. It involved the simple act of sharing meals – a universal practice of breaking bread together.


‘Food for Thought’ is straightforward: get people together to share a meal and and encourage them to share their unique stories. This age-old concept, reimagined for the modern corporate world, gains its power from simplicity. In a shared meal, there’s an opportunity for conversation, for personal stories to unfold, and for barriers to dissolve.


What makes ‘Food for Thought’ impactful isn’t just the act of eating together; it’s the exchanges that happen around the table. When colleagues share their personal stories, they begin to see each other beyond their professional roles. They discover common ground, understanding, and respect. These are the cornerstones of a truly inclusive workplace.


The influence of ‘Food for Thought’ stretches well beyond the lunch hour. It reshapes workplace culture, affects interactions, decisions, and attitudes. This initiative reminds us that sometimes, the most effective solutions emerge from the simplest ideas.

60-second interview with Helen Emerson, our Health and Safety Incident Prevention Executive and ED&I Ambassador

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In our latest 60-second interview, we had the fantastic opportunity to sit down with Helen Emerson, H&S Incident Prevention Executive & EDI Ambassador. Helen opened up about her day-to-day life and driving passions.

How would you define your role at Bidvest Noonan?


My role is multifaceted, primarily focused on integrating health and safety into everyone’s mindset. I actively engage with people to understand their needs, conduct risk assessments, and devise solutions. As a Health and Safety Incident Prevention Executive, my role involves reducing insurance costs while working closely with people to find the best solutions for them and the business.


What has been your most memorable day at Bidvest Noonan?


One of the most memorable days I had while working at Bidvest Noonan was during the ‘Food for Thought’ event held at the University of Limerick. Although we had organised several ED&I events in 2023, this one was truly unforgettable. It was amazing to see everyone bringing dishes from their own cultures. It was more than an event; it was a celebration of our diversity, a real community moment. That day, we didn’t just share food; we shared stories and a sense of belonging.


What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?


The best piece of advice that I have received was about the importance of listening. Not just to the words spoken but to the unspoken ones, too. This advice has been the key in my personal and professional life. It’s about understanding, empathising, and really connecting with people.


How do you motivate yourself?


I motivate myself by setting personal standards and goals. I love the feeling of a full diary; it shows I’m making a difference. Ticking off tasks on my to-do list gives me a sense of achievement. It’s about setting targets and hitting them, day in and day out.


Who or what has inspired you the most?


What inspires me the most is the people who work with me, my colleagues in EHS like Marina Goncalves and Declan Ryan as well as those in the Risk and Compliance team. Additionally, the everyday learning experiences at Bidvest Noonan fuel my personal and professional growth. These interactions enrich my life and contribute to my development.


If you had a motto, what would it be?


“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is my guiding star. It’s all about ambition, diligence, and making the most of every moment.

Christina McDonald’s 8 Tips for Aspiring Managers: Navigating Success in Facility Management

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Christina McDonald is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of experience at Bidvest Noonan. Starting as a rostering helpdesk admin, she has climbed the ranks and now holds a leadership position as an Operations Manager, overseeing a team of managers across accounts from more than 20 customers. Christina’s journey to success has been marked by determination, hard work, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In this blog post, we will delve into eight valuable tips she shares for aspiring managers looking to advance their careers.

1) Believe in Yourself:


The first and foremost tip from Christina is to believe in yourself. If you aspire to climb the career ladder, you must trust your abilities and believe that you can achieve your goals. Don’t shy away from expressing your interest in promotions or taking on more responsibilities. By putting yourself forward, you demonstrate confidence and determination.

2) Find a Mentor and Set Up a Support Network:


Success is seldom achieved in isolation. Christina emphasises the importance of finding a mentor and establishing a strong support network. Seek guidance from experienced professionals who have led the way, can provide insights, advice, and encouragement as you navigate your career path. Having a support system is crucial for growth and overcoming challenges.

3) Stay Consistent at Building Relationships with Clients:


In the facilities services industry, strong customer relationships are paramount. Christina advises aspiring managers to consistently build and nurture relationships with clients. Understanding their needs and delivering exceptional service is key to success. Whenever possible, engage with clients in person to strengthen these connections.

4) Strive for Excellence:


Maintaining a commitment to excellence is vital in any managerial role. Christina recommends keeping a fresh perspective and always look for ways to improve both customer experience and team efficiency. Embrace a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.

5) Don’t Underestimate the Power of Previous Experience:


Reflect on your past experiences, no matter how junior they may seem. Christina highlights the value of identifying transferable skills gained from previous roles. This can provide an advantage in understanding systems and procedures, positioning you for success in your next role.

6) Build Trust with Your Team:


Recognising her team as the biggest asset, Christina emphasises the importance of building trust with team members. Treat them with respect and kindness and create an environment of reliability and mutual trust. Acknowledge the crucial role your team plays in delivering quality services to customers.

7) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions:


Asking questions is a sign of curiosity and a willingness to learn. Christina encourages aspiring managers not to fear seeking help when needed. By asking questions, you demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth, gaining valuable insights from those with more experience.

8) Challenge Yourself and Embrace Growth:


Finally, Christina advises against complacency. Challenge yourself, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace a continuous learning mindset. Refuse to stay stagnant in one position, actively seeking opportunities for growth and advancement.

Conclusion:


Aspiring managers in Facilities Management can learn valuable lessons from Christina’s journey. By believing in yourself, seeking mentorship, building strong client relationships, striving for excellence, leveraging previous experience, fostering team trust, asking questions, and embracing growth, you can pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career in managerial roles within the industry.

A Year of Green Achievements: An Update from Environmental Manager Keerthana Sreenivasan

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As 2023 draws to a close, we at Bidvest Noonan take pride in reflecting on our environmental accomplishments. One of our colleagues guiding our success in sustainability is our Environmental Manager, Keerthana Sreenivasan. This year, we’ve made significant strides in reducing our environmental footprint, aligning our operations with eco-friendly principles and more. Keerthana shares some updates below:


Embracing Green Energy:


“Our journey towards sustainability took a great leap forward as we transitioned our offices to green energy. They are now powered by renewable sources, mainly wind farms. Shifting to green energy is not just a utility change for us; it truly shows our commitment to being more sustainable, and going forward we can exactly pinpoint the where our green energy comes from.”


Excellence in Sustainability Reporting:


“Our efforts in transparent and responsible environmental reporting have been recognised with awards from Ecovadis and CDP. These accolades reflect our commitment to sustainable practices, especially in managing our supply chain for a greener planet. I was very proud of these achievements.”


Innovative Waste Management:


“Innovating in waste management, we’ve not only found ways to turn waste into energy but also embraced processes that significantly cut down our landfill use. I am quite excited about exploring creative recycling initiatives, like transforming old uniforms into new ones, marking a step forward in our circular economy efforts.”


Smart Water Management:


“We focussed a lot on water conservation and integrated Smart Flow technology, enabling us to monitor water usage and carbon emissions in real time. This, along with the implementation of yet another Comac InAqua machine at a customer site, has helped us manage our resources even better and supported our customers with their sustainability goals.”


Sustainable Procurement:


“Our procurement team has been pivotal in implementing a product classification system – green, amber, and red – to gauge environmental impact. This approach ensures that our operations stay environmentally conscious, striking a balance between ecological responsibility and maintaining quality and efficiency.”


Looking Ahead:


“As we look to the future, I am quite excited for what’s ahead. We are committed to science based targets and that has to be announced first by the business. Also we are actively setting new standards, pushing boundaries in innovation and continuous improvement. Our focus is clear: to lead in environmental stewardship and shape a sustainable future. 2024 is shaping up to be a year of further progress”.

In our ongoing 60-second interview series, we recently had the pleasure of talking with Marina Goncalves, our EHSQ Executive and EDI Ambassador.

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Marina started her career 10 years ago as an environmental graduate in the construction industry in Brazil. Since moving to Ireland over six years ago, she has become increasingly involved in health and safety. This transition was natural to her, and although her background was in environmental and sustainability, she also fell in love with health and safety. At Bidvest Noonan, she has been able to experience different environments, ranging from hospitals to pharmaceutical manufacturers to corporate offices. Each workplace is unique, which is what makes health and safety so special.
For Marina, health and safety extends beyond just a job; it is about caring for and protecting our people from hazards they sometimes don’t realize exist. She said, “I don’t personally protect them, but my job is to provide them with the tools to protect themselves and their colleagues.” At Bidvest Noonan, we prioritize our people, which is why health and safety are at the heart of everything we do.


Find out more about Marina, her role, and her experiences in her 60-second interview below:


How would you define what you do at Bidvest Noonan?
My primary role is Health and Safety for Integrated Solutions. As part of this job, I support our operations teams in identifying risks relating to the day-to-day activities, and together, we come up with control measures to reduce the likelihood of injury for our workforce.
I also have 2 other jobs, which I am very proud of, the EDI Council and the ESG Board for Ireland. The EDI Council Ireland’s role is to help the business become an employer of choice, where everyone feels included. The ESG board is responsible for ensuring the business is on track to achieving its carbon reduction targets.

What has been your best day at Bidvest Noonan?
It is hard to point out one specific day, especially after a very special last couple of years. Last year was full of milestones for me, I was nominated for the “outstanding contribution” category of the Bidvest Noonan awards, I saw the EDI council receive 2 external awards, and I took over the Environmental pillar of the ESG Board. So many great things have happened!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
When I started in the business just over 4 years ago, Cormac Sheils told me that the job was hard, but I could count on the people. And over the years, this has been proven to be right over and over. So, anytime I am stuck, I know there are people who will go the extra mile to support me.

How do you motivate yourself?
What truly motivates me is knowing that my work contributes to our people going home safely after their day of work.


Who or what has inspired you the most?
I am very fortunate to work closely with countless inspiring individuals in operations. But there are 2 superstars in the Health and Safety Team that truly set the standards high: Helen Emerson and Declan Ryan. I am inspired by them everyday.

If you had a motto, what would it be?
I would probably say if you don’t know an answer to something, don’t be afraid to ask the question.

The Art of Expression: Geda Gudaviciute and her team demonstrate the power of inclusivity

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At the heart of our everyday operations, Key Account Manager, Geda Gudaviciute (pictured centre), personifies the extraordinary power of inclusion. The unassuming photo of her alongside her colleagues illustrates a sense of unity and mutual respect, embodying a key part of our credo – people first. Yet, beneath this camaraderie and routine, an extraordinary narrative exists.

This story revolves around Caroline (pictured left), a member of Geda’s team, who has lived with a unique challenge from birth – deafness. However, her spirit, determination, and ability to communicate have never been stifled by this obstacle.

Upon Caroline’s appointment to our cleaning team, Geda identified potential within her. She believed that, given the right opportunity, environment, and support, Caroline’s talents could come to light. And that’s exactly the chance Geda provided.

Initial communication between Geda and Caroline depended on written exchanges, but as Caroline grew more at ease, she began employing gestures and expressions to communicate. Observing this, Geda, and the rest of the team, adapted their modes of interaction, demonstrating their acceptance of diverse methods of communication.

Today, the effortless interaction between Geda, Caroline, and the entire team exemplifies the transformative potential of inclusive workplaces. It emphasises the value that diversity brings to organisations and underscores the importance of fostering an environment where everyone, no matter their personal circumstances, feels valued, included, and empowered.

Geda observes, “Caroline’s story underscores the profound impact of our People First philosophy. Her incredible journey inspires me every day, reinforcing our commitment to invest in our people and to continue driving positive change within our organisation.”

At our core, we believe in the strength of diverse voices and experiences. We believe in opening doors, in making space, and in acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual.”