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So how do you build a successful new organisation?\u00a0 Here are the tips I gleaned from a recent ODIN network session in London, led by Ann-Marie Lister, head of Organisation Development at the new\u00a0Atom Bank<\/a>.<\/p>\nKey 1: Find the right people<\/strong><\/p>\n What sort of people do you need? More specifically, who do you need to surround yourself with to have any prospect of success? Start-ups are exciting places to work, yet clearly, they are not for everybody, especially not for people who want stability, security and a future that appears less risky. \u00a0But it’s surely attractive to anyone keen on an improvisational environment. \u00a0Things are changing all the time, often fast, and adaptability is a vital skill.<\/p>\n Key 2: Make tempting offers to the people you want to recruit<\/strong><\/p>\n A year ago Atom Bank had 10 people and an idea on a piece of paper.\u00a0 They were recruiting for a project that might not get off the ground. \u00a0Ann-Marie Lister joined as their 18th employee. \u00a0Now they are up to 120.\u00a0 They tempted her with the promise of gaining great business experience alongside a bunch of colleagues with attractive cvs. \u00a0These were colleagues at the top who had fresh, new ideas on top of solid experience – mostly within the banking industry.<\/p>\n Key 3: Innovate<\/strong><\/p>\n You have to offer something new, in this case, digital-only banks with no branches.\u00a0 Banking by app, expressed in their snappy vision \u2018to be the first telepathic bank\u2019, supported by their value of ‘humanity with technology\u2019. \u00a0Thinking about your organisation, what\u2019s your inspiring vision? What values do people perceive when they see you in action? \u00a0Does it give your people a chance to be ethical?<\/p>\n Key 4: Make sure you include that human element<\/strong><\/p>\n The Atom Bank bosses know they must avoid the facelessness of many digital enterprises. \u00a0 They encourage contribution from each person that joins, and they celebrate everyone\u2019s arrival (and thank those who depart). \u00a0Staff are prompted to \u00a0generate new ideas and add to the energy.<\/p>\n Key 5: Keep your costs below the traditional competitors<\/strong><\/p>\n Locate where land and labour are less expensive \u2013 in this case, the relatively depressed North-East of England. \u00a0Use less of each.<\/p>\n Key 6: Make a culture club \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Organise the office space so that people meet each other and communicate frequently, talk together to make new policies, take important decisions. \u00a0Allow them to wear what they like. \u00a0Train all the managers to be coaches and use a coaching conversational style.<\/p>\n Key 7: Reduce hierarchy<\/strong><\/p>\n Have fewer official levels.\u00a0 And encourage less hierarchy informally, too, with people sitting together, allowing easy access and more conversations.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_mobile=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_divider color=”#dddddd” show_divider=”on” divider_style=”solid” divider_position=”top” hide_on_mobile=”on” custom_css_main_element=”margin-bottom: 0px;” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Comments” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”]<\/p>\n [insert_php] [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_slider admin_label=”CTA Slider” _builder_version=”3.0.65″ show_arrows=”off” show_pagination=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” remove_inner_shadow=”on” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_icon_placement=”right” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ auto=”on” auto_ignore_hover=”off” hide_content_on_mobile=”off” hide_cta_on_mobile=”off” show_image_video_mobile=”off” module_class=”cta-slider” auto_speed=”7000″ saved_tabs=”all” global_module=”3536″]<\/p>\n [et_pb_slide background_color=”#ffffff” use_background_color_gradient=”off” background_color_gradient_start=”#2b87da” background_color_gradient_end=”#29c4a9″ background_color_gradient_type=”linear” background_color_gradient_direction=”180deg” background_color_gradient_direction_radial=”center” background_color_gradient_start_position=”0%” background_color_gradient_end_position=”100%” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” background_position=”center” background_size=”cover” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend=”normal” allow_player_pause=”off” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” text_border_radius=”3″ alignment=”center” background_layout=”dark” header_font_select=”default” header_font=”||||” body_font_select=”default” body_font=”||||” custom_button=”off” button_font_select=”default” button_font=”||||” button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on”]<\/p>\n
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