The Society Steering Wheel – How Colleagues Make a Difference

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Published 28 Jan 2021 in Colleagues

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As a co-operative, we believe there is more to being a successful business than just profits. So, as well as measuring our financial performance, the Society Steering Wheel measures our overall performance in the key areas of co-operation, people, customers and delivery.

Did you know that, as a Colleague, you impact the Steering Wheel and support us to be a successful business?

Thanks to your incredible support, over the last financial year, we have been able to achieve a range of fantastic impacts through our Steering Wheel, including:

replacing single-use plastic bags with compostable bags across our Food Stores (saving 8 million plastic bags per year)
our colleagues providing 30,000 community volunteering hours, much of which was focused on supporting vulnerable members of the community through our Home Delivery activity.

The 2021/22 Steering Wheel Launches!

We are now pleased to announce the launch of this year’s 2021/22 Steering Wheel.

For our new year, we have some new exciting targets alongside the established ones, ensuring that we are continuously evolving our Steering Wheel to drive behaviours. Make sure you keep an eye on Colleagues Connect every month in which we will host each period’s Steering Wheel progress report throughout 2021/2022.

All colleagues can make a real difference in helping us achieve our Society Steering wheel measures and ensure significant positive impacts. Just take a look at the video below from our Coleford Food store, where Store Manager, Kieran Allen points out just how colleagues in their store are making a difference.

How does the Steering Wheel work?

Each section of the wheel has a number of objectives which we monitor on a monthly basis. The sections are coloured red, amber or green to indicate whether they are below target (red), nearly on target (amber), or on or above target (green). All sites have their own Steering Wheel targets and it ensures we are addressing our co-operative aims as a business on a continuous basis, right down to site level.

Progression against these Steering Wheel targets is reported to our colleagues every period and is also reported to our members on a half-yearly basis through our Member Half Year Meetings and AGM.

How can you influence this year’s Steering Wheel?

All sites will be communicated to regularly on their Steering Wheel progress through their specific Trading Group or Support Groups. Take a look at these and see how you can influence your site to create a positive impact. Launching soon, keep an eye out each month on our Steering Wheel progress through Colleagues Connect where there will be a dedicated area. Small tasks to make a difference include;

Reducing the amount of waste being produced in the workplace – see our top tips here
Always switch off lights and appliances when not in use to save energy
Providing regular feedback by completing the Society Pulse Surveys to help with ongoing communications
Promoting membership and engaging members in our business and Society campaigns.

All colleagues can take action to help the Society achieve its targets this year.