Back in 2019, we set about cementing our vision and core values. But why did we choose to do it then, when McClarrons has been around since 1988? To futureproof the culture that we as a team have built overtime, and to help us maintain this as the company grows and we bring on more people, to help staff companywide function together as a team and work towards common goals. This wasn’t just for the benefit of new staff but also for our existing and oldest members, who have helped shape these principles and fundamental beliefs, together.
How we came up with Our Vision and Core Values
Our vision is “to protect and support our clients through empowered teams and creative solutions” and is what we agreed on collectively as a company. It is something we are all doing every day and always working on as the insurance industry changes, and our teams change with it. It is about empowering our teams to make decisions and find solutions for their clients, in and around all the work they do behind the scenes, as they continue to support their clients with their long-term goals for the future.
Our core values project was kicked off by bringing a team of people together who were well-established and new to the company, from different teams and roles. With no prior knowledge about the project, we asked the team “what springs to mind when you think of McClarrons?” and “what words do you associate with McClarrons?”. After writing as many words as they could think of, for one minute, we asked them to stick their notes around the office and have a look around. Looking around meant that we could get them thinking, and perhaps spark a few more ideas. The process was repeated twice more to make sure we got everything out of the team.
All the words were categorised into groups, and we found that they all slotted well into a total of 4 categories. We paired each category up with a description of their own, and this is how our values were born!
It was encouraging to see the ideas and values conjured up were in line with what our management team and older members of staff were already aligned to. So, our vision and core values were principles that the company was following already, just now, they are set in stone.
The Roy McClarron Award
In 2020, we announced a new initiative to our team – the Roy McClarron Award.
Awarded on a yearly basis, the Roy McClarron Award is given to a nominated and recognised stand-out team member who has lived and embodied our core values throughout the year. Not only does the winner get a Roy McClarron Award trophy but they also receive an individual prize.
With our values front of mind for everyone, our team members can all nominate a colleague; nominations are passed to our judging panel – McClarrons’ Senior Leadership Team, to be judged. The winner is announced during a company wide briefing so that everyone can join in with celebrating their success, and recognise them and the runners up as valued members of the team.
Last year’s winner, winning the first ever Roy McClarron Award, was one of our Care & Social Welfare Team’s Account Executives – Luke Beeson.
McClarrons Selection Day
We hold regular Selection Days, which have been designed to give candidates, applying for one of the various current vacancies, the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, understanding, insight and values.
The sessions focus on their skills, behaviours, and cultural fit with McClarrons, and consist of a numeracy and written activity, a presentation, role play and a competency based interview (which is where our values get involved).
We have recently shared our Our Vision & Core Values video as we continue our recruitment drive. Our vision and core values really do underpin everything we do, and by recruiting people who share the same passion and values, we continue to provide all the benefits of a service-driven, independent, family-run business.
If you’re interested in a role where your potential can be recognised, we encourage you to explore current opportunities with us. See our current vacancies here.
