JMMB Team Keeps Connected During Remote Work
As a result of the new normal environment that has been created by COVID-19 and the need to maintain social distancing protocols, many organizations have adapted or expanded work-from-home arrangements and policies. A recent study conducted by The University of the West Indies, Open Campus, showed that in Jamaica, approximately 60% of organizations, in the private and public sector, have opted for remote working arrangements during the pandemic.
Human beings are however naturally social creatures, so although many are enjoying the perks of working from home, some individuals crave the connection and simply miss the daily interactions with their team.
JMMB Group is one organization that has recognized the need to balance safety and productivity while keeping the connection and the culture alive. As such, the company has rolled out a team engagement initiative dubbed, Togetherness Thursdays Re-imagined, to keep the team connected, even though the majority of its non-frontline team members have been working remotely.
Janneal Fagan, culture and internal communications officer, in giving insight to the concept outlined, “JMMB is a company that is known for its fun and family-like culture, as such we sought to re-imagine our team engagement activities and retrofit them to the virtual space, hence Togetherness Thursdays Re-imagined, was borne.” The initiative is in keeping with the company’s Vision of Love, which states that the organization seeks to develop an atmosphere that can be described as an energy field where overlapping circles of creativity, passion, excitement, fun and laughter coexist in a dynamic process that ultimately leads to higher and higher levels of self-actualization; hence, the achievement of the organisational mission.
The culture and internal communications officer shared, “In addition to keeping our team connected and engaged at this time, the initiative is designed to boost morale and keep productivity high, even as our organization transitions into the new way of working.”
Since being rolled out in October, the team has engaged in a series of activities, which kick-started with a karoke show, and has attracted over 250 team members online, for each session, broadcast live from the company’s New Kingston head office. The monthly staging of Togetherness Thursdays, allows JMMB team members to showcase their range of talents and has taken the form of Decorating for Christmas, with a step-by-step guide of creating wreath and garlands and tree decorating; Versus Battle showdown and a Christmas edition with caroling and Christmas dinner and cocktails demos – ‘tan a yuh yaad style’.
In touting the merits of the initiative, JMMB’s Jacqueline Tomlin-Brooks, business support officer at JMMB Mandeville branch said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the series so far, and look forward to more in the New Year. It’s a great way to bring the entertainment to you in your home, especially with limited choices to go out.” Adding, “All the activities are family-friendly and it’s not just about engaging team members, but our families.” Calvin Blackellar, client relations officer at JMMB Portmore branch reiterated Tomlin-Brooks’ point, outlining that he too is appreciative of the effort that JMMB has made to take care of its team’s well-being, in this dynamics environment; by providing this fun-filled initiative and facilitating work-from-home arrangements, where possible, allowing for work-life balance. Jacqueline is also happy for the tips and tricks that have been shared in the various sessions, as she spruces up her home for the holidays.
In a bid to further promote team engagement and keep the unique JMMB Group culture built on love alive, the company has begun an online community for its team and has encouraged its team to keep simple traditions, like the company-wide Christmas Pixie.
“Since hosting the Togetherness Thursdays series virtually, we have received positive feedback, and we look forward to further engaging and broadening its reach to our wider team in the region, even as we pay keen attention to customizing the concept to suit of diverse team and their needs” shared Clover Anderson, group culture and internal communications officer at JMMB.
The JMMB Group, which aims to be an employer of choice and believes in holistic development and wellness, also emboldens its team to maintain a balanced lifestyle by sharing wellness tips and coping mechanisms to deal with the ill-effects of the pandemic. Additionally, the company provides professional counselling services to its team members, should they need additional support at this time.