Specsavers has highlighted why it is deserving of the title Best Place to Work in Data (Brand) through numerous programmes that have seen the Global Data (GD) team increase from just five to over 90, employee satisfaction consistently high, numerous benefits, and some exemplary testimonials.
A staple on the high street for the last four decades, Specsavers is family-owned with over 45,00 global employees. The leadership team prioritise welfare and happiness through great benefits and a positive, supportive culture where data professionals are offered remote working, experience and training in cutting-edge technology, and career mobility across the data community.
Creating a data community
The GD team, alongside business analytics teams, at Specsavers are driving a data transformation programme to support the company’s purpose and values. GD has scaled from a team of 5 in 2018 to over 90 today, and there are now more employees in dedicated data roles across the organisation than in GD itself.
Devolvement of analytics capabilities is developing greater data maturity across Specsavers and creating opportunities for mobility and personal development. Specsavers is growing data careers through:
- Development of a data confidence programme to equip all employees with a base level of data understanding.
- Skills development on-demand through partnership with DataCamp.
- In the last 12 months, 15 employees have earned certification through Databricks Academy or Azure Certification.
- With a firm commitment to grow from within, with numerous examples of employees moving into dedicated data roles.
- Sponsorship of GD employees to gain CDMP qualifications.
- Dedicated Data Enablement team addresses the needs of the wider data community, promoting data through direct engagement, community events, learning programs, a regular newsletter plus other communications.
The leadership team at Specsavers ensures that data is high on the agenda and can be utilised to unlock future company success. The data platform is used across every business area and global region, but GD’s relationship with the business evolves beyond supporting technologies. Data and analytics teams are trusted partners at a strategic level and have clear sponsorship across the executive board.
Data is materialised in Specsavers’ corporate goals and visions as part of the Specsavers Long Term Framework. This continues to see greater data involvement, sponsorship, and partnership in the strategic programmes and forums driving the future of the organisation.
The health and wellbeing of colleagues is paramount at Specsavers, and a range of benefits help people strike the right balance between work and home life. Most data people work remotely but can choose to work hybrid or office-based depending on their preference. Notable benefits include:
- Quarterly performance-based bonuses and an annual profit share bonus.
- Free access to the Headspace mindfulness app.
- The introduction of an extra day off on your birthday as of 2023.
- Increase in employer pension contributions from 2024.
- Private medical healthcare for all employees.
- A range of support mechanisms, including chaplaincy and crisis services.
- Enhanced long service awards with an extra week of leave at key milestones.
By embracing a diverse and inclusive workforce Specsavers has shown it can create better business performance, more engaged employees, enhanced employer brand, and encouragement for innovation. The remote-first approach for data roles maximises these opportunities, supporting part-time and flexible working patterns where required and ensuring talent is not lost.
In GD, over 40% of colleagues and 60% of data leadership are female, challenging technology demographic norms. Team members work from locations in the UK, Canada, Denmark, and Australia, and the Specsavers multi-national team includes colleagues from South Africa, Poland, Greece, India, France, China, and more.
In the latest survey GD enjoyed a response rate of 82% with overall engagement at 96%. This represents the highest score for any team of more than 20 employees in Specsavers, way ahead of the benchmark for comparable organisations. The highest scoring areas were focused on colleagues feeling confident that they are accepted and cared for, an atmosphere into which people feel welcomed, and a sense of cooperative teamwork in which people feel they have a rightful place.
Finally, the GD’s quarterly awards encourage peer nominations to celebrate the five target behaviours set out by the company: collaborative, curious, compassionate, commercial, and courageous. Trophies in the form of cuddly dinosaurs have built a ritual of recognition and community. Each quarter, the “appreciasauruses” are passed to the latest award-winners to display proudly in their (home) office until the next time.
“I wanted to say a big thanks for the dinosaur idea, and all of the other things which make the team even more awesome to work in.”
“A big motivation to join Specsavers was the interviewers’ emphasis on the company’s mission. It was important to me that my next role had some wider purpose. I haven’t been disappointed.”
“Specs have been amazing during recent issues I have had caring for my parents.”
“Last year I set myself a goal to try to be a data analyst as soon as I can, so I started to learn.”
“Data is vital for our future success! We have further to go but it’s great to see the progress and impact we are making today.”
Specsavers are part of the DataIQ membership programme – the trusted global collaboration and intelligence platform for data leaders. Find out more here: https://www.dataiq.global/membership
