This article is taken from the 2022 Relocate and Think Global People Awards supplement.Watch the highlights of our 2022 Relocate Global Awards hereClick on the cover to access the digital edition or on the links below to read all of the articles on our website.Watch the highlights of our Keynote Panel Discussion from the Future of Work Festival here

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Award sponsor: Santa Fe RelocationWINNER: SynergySynergy’s exceptional financial performance over the past two years shows what happens when businesses prioritise people and partnerships.  The serviced apartment and extended-stay programme manager beat its global revenue goals by 14% while promoting innovation, employee wellbeing and professional development. Synergy also achieved its best-ever revenues across EMEA, up 48% from 2019.This was the impressive outcome from a number of initiatives, including no-call Fridays, two hours’ additional time off per quarter, new leadership development programmes, an internal vision refresh to support its “restless, resilient and remarkable” culture, and a commitment to paying suppliers on time to reduce the financial pressure and stress on its partners. And all at a time of ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19 and significant geopolitical events.

Diversity, inclusion and innovation

People focus has been a key ingredient of Synergy’s multifaceted success over the past 12 months. As well as promoting practices that nurture employee wellbeing, engagement and performance, Synergy supports the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It offers two apprenticeship programmes designed to provide career-pathing opportunities for people from underprivileged backgrounds. The company also promotes diversity with an additional day’s paid leave for US-based associates for Martin Luther King Day.All of these approaches are important because healthy, inclusive and engaged workforces are more likely to operate at their potential. At Synergy, this shows in the agility of its services and the responsiveness of its client and guest care, which it incentivises, rewards and recognises with “Synergy Superhero” peer-to-peer nominations and award ceremonies.Among the service improvements introduced this year is a cloud-based innovation hub that streamlines apartment booking and data reporting and increased inventory in key locations. Synergy has also invested in its accredited guest health and safety programme, SynergyCares. This nine-point commitment to the safety, health and mental wellbeing of Synergy staff and guests goes beyond a commitment to a clean, sanitised furnished apartment to consideration of the products used, cleaning methods, staff training and open communication.

Linking people and performance

With huge attrition and skills shortages in the labour market, the success of Synergy’s initiatives is reflected in figures for talent retention – often a shorthand indication of employee engagement and wellbeing. This is an extraordinary 98.5%, which guest satisfaction ratings of 98% reflect.  The entry showed many examples of how Synergy’s team have responded quickly to avert crisis for relocating families. These include babyproofing a property for a single parent, working over Christmas to ensure a family arriving earlier than expected was given the best welcome possible, and the co-ordination of a rapid response to the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.“This is an excellent entry that demonstrates a wide range of initiatives, from supporting diverse individuals on the move and in times of crisis through to actions taken to support and develop its own team members,” said the judges. “The effort and energy put into staff development and wellbeing are exceptional, as are the efforts made to improve business processes and to respond in times of crisis.”“There are many awards out there and we have to be specific about which ones we want to enter to engage our team and clients,” commented Claire Barry, VP of Sales for Synergy. “Recognition in these awards means a lot.”

The award was collected by Claire Barrie, VP of Sales, EMEA, Synergy.Visit the Synergy website

The 2022 Relocate and Think Global People Awards Supplement - Out Now

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