Sustainability-Report

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 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.

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”.