In the Loop August

lo p in the

August 2021

Oplo People Magazine

Cycle to Work Launch Page 12

Page 5

An interview with Katie Buchan

Page 9

Going for gold in customer service

Get your freebies!

Which includes:

A choice of free treats every week

Online mindfulness classes

Free Birthday hampers

Up to four structured counselling sessions

 Download the Perkbox app to get your freebies on-the-go  Explore all the other perks available to save on every occasion!

Have any questions? Our Customer Happiness team is here to help.

Email hello@perkbox.co.uk

Contents New starters............................................. 04 An interview with................................... 05 Oplo’s 1st Birthday.................................. 06 Oplo people............................................. 08 Investor in Customers.......................... 09 Oplo Impact............................................. 10 The Boathouse Youth.......................... 12

Oplo needs

t to recruit people We’re reaching ou rt p editorial suppo for our In the Loo committee. roving reporters We’re looking for r to the ground ea ir e th p e ke n who ca t Oplo news and feed back grea in the business. stories from with email To find out more plo.co.uk marketing@myo

Cycle to work scheme..........................14 What we’ve achieved so far............... 15 Charity........................................................ 16 Volunteer days.........................................18 Heath and Wellbeing............................ 20 Extra Mile................................................... 23

New starters

Welcome!

to the new starters who have joined in August!

Gavin Stewart Customer Relationship Manager Suleiman Wai Senior Business Analyst Adam Newman Product Manager Katie Louise Buchan Quality Assurance & Conduct Analyst Vijay Kumar Test Automation Engineer Jay Purohit Technical Architect Adrian Watkin Specialist Customer Support Manager

We’re

hiring!

If you w inform ould like an y atio availab n on the rol es le, plea s e e mail recrui tment @ myopl o.co.u k

An interview with

Katie Buchan Quality Assurance & Conduct Analyst

Tell us a little bit about your background and where you have come from?

My name is Katie and I’m from Warrington. I’ve worked in financial services for the last 6 years. My last contract was with Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank and I was based in Glasgow working 12 hour night shifts, so I’m happy to finally have a normal sleeping pattern!

Three words to best describe you?

Positive, caring and enthusiastic.

If you could travel to one destination right now, where would it be?

I love being in the sun, so anywhere I can relax at the beach and eat some nice food! I’ve always wanted to go to Italy so maybe somewhere like the Amalfi Coast. I’d also really love to go on a Safari.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

When I was little, I always wanted to be an actress… or if that didn’t work out, a vet.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I would choose the power of teleportation as I have friends and family that live all over and it would save me a lot of time.

It's Oplo's

! y a d th 1st bir

We hope you enjoyed your Birthday Box, we loved receiving all your pictures and comments. If you are still confused about the mystery item in your box, why not join our Facebook group here where Holly reveals all!

It’s all about our

Oplo People

Check out our latest Facebook posts in our Oplo People group…

Why not get involved and share some of your magic moments with your Oplo friends.

Start following us today, simply request to join here…

Investor in Customers

d l o G r o f g Goin

Earlier this year we asked you to complete a survey which asked what you think of the customer service we deliver. The results were interesting, and, from the responses, we formed an internal working party group to tackle some of the things you thought we could do better.

You spoke here's some of your feedback…

• • • • •

Improve communications by offering new ways for customers to engage Create a general queries and FAQ page on our website Introduction of a customer retention team Development/progression/career paths/training there should be centralised/easy to use career paths for all.

Re-introduce employee surveys for Oplo People

We listened here's what we're actioning...

• Career paths have been placed in HR access • Live Chat and WhatsApp are currently under consideration for new customer communication channels • The FAQs on our website will be consistently reviewed and updated • A customer retention/loyalty team/approach is being considered • Speech Analytics is already being utilised and will be further developed to improve all customer telephony interactions and agent support • We're developing a full 2021 engagement strategy • L&D provided by the training team is growing and the Q3 Training Prospectus will help • There's now three times as much L&D as last year • Look out for our employee survey in early September – have your say, your opinions will make a difference!

Don’t for get

All feedb a importan ck is t. Keep it coming s ow keep imp e can roving!

Ready to make an Impact Everything you need to know about our environmental initiative

An interview with Paul Tansley ...our Pawprint chart topper!

Don’t for get!

to visit P awprint t o sign up o r update your details app.pawp : rint.eco/ signup

Wow Paul, 6.242 tonnes per year, half of Oplo’s average score.

So Paul, what’s your secret and do you have any top tips you could share with our Oplo people?

“I just updated my pawprint as kids being off and working from home has doubled my electricity bill from about £30 per month to £65 per month but it’s still low at 6.5.”

However, here's a few tips that save the planet while saving you money…

1

Switch all electrical appliances off at the socket when not in use (standby still consumes electricity)

2

Switch all lights off in rooms that are not in use. Kids hear “it’s like Blackpool illuminations in here” from me a lot, I get plenty of eye rolls.

3

Change all bulbs to LEDs - they are cheap and save money in the long run.

4

Plan meals for the week so you don’t buy groceries you don’t need.

5

When buying red meat, either only buy what you need for the meal or make extra meals out of it (e.g. buy a beef joint - day 1 roast dinner, day 2 use leftovers to make a stew), anything left day 3 turn into a curry - even leftover stew! However, make sure cooked meat is refrigerated once cooled and sealed in a container.

6

You can make wonderful meals with veg and pasta.

7

Coffee without milk is amazing.

8

Don’t overfill your kettle, just use the water you need for your brew. It boils quicker, thus uses less electricity.

9

Don’t use your car unless you need to. Walking is good exercise and a good way to take a break to be with your own thoughts.

Plus, fuel prices are ridiculous at the moment.

10

Look at available grants for insulation and boiler upgrades. Again, insulation and a decent combi boiler will save money in the long run or put on a jumper when it’s cold.

The Boathouse Youth When Debbie Waterman and Holly Wadeson visited the BHY Summer 2021 Camp earlier this month on behalf of Oplo to deliver the kids some sweets and chocolates, they couldn’t resist having a go in the hammocks!

Hammocks! r e m m u S amp!

C

Steve, Laura and Sheila also visited the group and had fun watching the kids compete to try and light a log fire first to toast waffles as well as seeing how much fun they were having in the teepee and their amazing hammocks! They too, of course, couldn’t resist trying the hammocks out!

Cycle to Work Scheme

with

Bike2Work

actly t ex e u o em nd To fi the sch all the t w t visi ho nd ge eed a n s k u wor tion yo page: .uk/ .co FAQ rma info e B2W scheme th ork qs ke2w oyee/fa i b . www empl

As part of the Government's Green Transport Plan, we’re offering you the chance to save up to 42% on the cost of bicycles and/or equipment. This is made possible by saving on Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions. A hire agreement is made between Oplo and you, where you agree to pay Oplo back. The scheme even includes e-bikes, up to a value of £3,000.

T: 0330 0884765 E: info@bike2workscheme.co.uk Register today at www.bike2workscheme.co.uk/employee/register using Pin B2W/98439

There are many benefits in participating in the scheme:

n ig

S

• Get a new bike and/or equipment • Cost is spread over monthly interest free payments taken directly from your salary via salary sacrifice

Register with Bike2Work using the form on our website. You will need the company PIN number provided by your employer.

Choose your new bike or equipment from one of our partner stores, after which you will be given a written quotation.

Sign into Bike2Work and submit your quote to us and agree to the Hire Agreement.

We will then send a invoice and Salary Sacrifice Agreement to your Employer, which must be signed by both Employer and Employee.

Your company will make the payment to us and we’ll send them a voucher for your new bike or equipment.

Your Voucher will then be isssued to your chosen store via email and you will be copied into the email.

• Save money on travelling costs • Lose weight and tone up • Cycling improves your general health and well-being and reduces stress levels • Reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet!

If you would like to take advantage of this fantastic benefit, please contact Bike2Work Scheme to register today. If you have any questions, you can contact Bike2Work directly on the details above or email: facilities@myoplo.co.uk.

up

s ep t s

Impact

What you’ve helped us to achieve so far...

5,848 trees purchased ready for planting with our partners

8 of our Oplo people have converted to electric motoring 8 electric car charging stations to be purchased

206 Pawprints gathered Oplo’s people average carbon footprint is 12.6 tCo2 per annum

Our carbon assessment has been completed with Inspired Energy As a company we emit 16.4 tCo2 per annum

Oplo Bus is with the coach builders to be branded and fitted with a new interior

Our Charity Impact The Christie Walk of Hope Marshalling Date: Saturday 18th September 2021 Timings: 4pm until approx. 7:30pm Role: Stewarding the event route ensuring participants are following the correct route Address: Tatton Park, Knutsford, WA16 6QN If you want to take part in the walk itself: Walk of Hope (christie.nhs.uk) The Walk of Hope brings together families, friends and individuals to walk together in memory, celebration and solidarity. You’ll walk 10km through the beautiful grounds of Tatton Park in honour of the treatment and care provided by The Christie.

Join us for the Walk of Hope on Saturday 18 September 2021. The event site will open at 4pm for you to enjoy lantern decorating, face painting and live entertainment. This will be followed by a peaceful dove release to start the walk at 5pm. After taking in the stunning scenery of Tatton Park, the evening will finish with a beautiful firework display.

Great Manchester Run Cheering Bus Date: Sunday 26th September 2021 Timings: We will be there from 9:30am until 4pm, people are welcome to do a whole day or half a day

Ho get in w you can vo The C lved with hristi e Pleas ESG@ e ema il myo to reg plo.co.uk your ister intere st

Role: Cheering on Christie runners at our cheering bus and giving lots of much needed encouragement Where: Manchester city centre The UK’s biggest 10k is back! Join the return of Manchester’s original 10k, famous for its city centre route, buzzing atmosphere from start to finish, iconic music, and of course Mancunian spirit in abundance.

With entertainment zones that celebrate local character and culture at every kilometre, some of the best (and loudest!) crowd support anywhere in the world, and all the action televised live on the BBC, this is an event day experience like no other.

Whether you do it for the challenge, to fundraise for charity, or simply for fun, Be Your Greatest with us in 2021, the year of the comeback!

Payroll Giving What is it?

Why Giveall?

Employees authorise their employer to make deductions from their salary or pensions. The employer then forwards these donations to a Payroll Giving Agency (PGA) who disburses them to the intended charities.

Giveall Payroll Giving is the only Payroll Giving Agency that doesn't charge commission or transaction fees on Payroll Giving for organisations registered with it.

With Giveall, 100% of your donation and any employer matching contributions goes into your Charity's Giveall Bank Account within 2 working days of us receiving the money. (Other Payroll Giving Agencies often take 30-60 days.)

Giveall is an HMRC approved Payroll Giving Agency (PGA). Donations are deducted from an employee's salary before tax so, effectively, what the donor would have paid in tax goes to charity instead.

This is the difference it makes in practise: Employee pledges

Cost to employee 20% rate

Cost to employee 40% rate

Cost to employee 45% rate

£5.00 per month

£4.00

£3.00

£2.75

£8.00 per month

£6.40

£4.80

£4.40

£10.00 per month

£8.00

£6.00

£5.50

£15.00 per month

£12.00

£9.00

£8.25

How you can get involved with

! ll a H n Leighto

Oplo Team Building Day | Living Landscapes - paid for by Oplo using your quarterly allowance with your team!

Date: Monday 13th September 2021 Location: Leighton Hall and Warton Crag Nature Reserve and Conservation Site Purpose of the Day: For Oplo staff to step away from the stresses of working life and explore Living Landscapes around us and their importance. Looking at the role of landscapes and the impact on the environment and communities. Taking in the special local geological features and their benefits to plants and wildlife. To learn what actions we can take to support these environments.

Activities such as: • Walk & Talk • Introduction to limestone pavements • Identification of limestone grassland flora and fauna • Collection and identification of late pollinators (weather permitting) • Explore habitat management techniques and purposes • Understand conservation grazing for environmental sustainability • Enjoy the fabulous views over Morecambe Bay

Oplo Volunteering Day Stage 1 | Preparing for Pollinators Date: 18th October 2021 Purpose of the Day: For Oplo People to step away from the stresses of working life and explore pollinators and their importance to achieving a balanced sustainable environment. Exploring what we can do to support them and prevent their declining numbers.

Action what we have learnt by preparing woodland sites ready for bulb planting to support pollinator early food source such as woodland daffodils and snowdrops.

Activities such as: • Introduction to pollinators, reasons for their decline and their importance

• Identify actions that can be taken to prevent their continued decline

• Trip to the apiary with a Beekeeper (weather permitting)

• Site clearance and preparation for bulb planting

• Reflect on the day at the log circle and fire pit – hot chocolate and marshmallows!

Cost per day: - £450, price per head on full capacity = £22.50 per head

Oplo Staff Volunteer Day Stage 2 | Planting for Pollinators An opportunity for Oplo People to support The Boathouse Youth at Leighton Hall to learn about Pollinators and then plant bulbs.

Activities such as:

Date: 25th October 2021

• Introduction to pollinators, reasons for

Purpose of the Day: For Oplo staff to step away from the stresses of working life and volunteer their time to support deprived children, explore pollinators and their importance. Looking at the role of pollinators and the impact they have on the environment and communities. Exploring what we can do to support them and prevent their declining numbers. Go to the prepared woodland sites and work with the children to plant bulbs to support pollinator early food source such as woodland daffodils and snowdrops.

• Identify actions that can be taken to

their decline and their importance prevent their continued decline

• Trip to the apiary with a Beekeeper (weather permitting)

• Bulb planting • Reflect on the day at the log circle and fire pit – hot chocolate and marshmallows!

Cost per day: - £450, price per head on full capacity = £25.00 per head

Health and Wellbeing Meat Free Mondays Launched by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney in 2009, Meat Free Monday is a not-for-profit campaign which aims to raise awareness of the detrimental environmental impact of animal agriculture and industrial fishing. The campaign encourages people to help slow climate change, conserve precious natural resources and improve their health by having at least one plant-based day each week.

A study carried out by Oxford University’s department of public health found that eating meat no more than three times a week could prevent 31,000 deaths from heart disease, 9,000 deaths from cancer and 5,000 deaths from stroke, as well as save the NHS £1.2 billion in costs each year.

Calculate how you can have a positive impact by eating less meat and dairy...

Calculator - Meat Free Monday (meatfreemondays.com)

Great recipes Blueberry Pancakes - Meat Free Monday (meatfreemondays.com)

Spicy bean and vegetable stew - Recipes, Hairy Bikers

Bounce Back with Oplo Our second Bounce Back Resilience training with Andrea Lloyd, a psychologist of 22 years (BSc Psychology, P.G.C.E, MSc Educational Psychology), took place at Leighton Hall on Friday 20th August, with our mental health first aiders plus people from other areas of the business.

Since the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have deeply affected many people around the world and the importance of mental health has become evident. We wanted to provide this training to our people, to promote mental health wellbeing; The aim is: • to help, develop and sustain resilience, • to help people going through a tough time, • and to give you the tools to bounce back from adversity despite challenging times.

If you would like to join on one of the next sessions, please email holly.wadeson@myoplo.co.uk to arrange dates.

Ideas • Swap in a plant milk in your morning cuppa • Replace mince with a veggie mince in your Spag Bol

Roasted Tomato and Broccoli Pasta - Meat Free Monday (meatfreemondays.com)

Veggie Enchiladas - Recipes - Hairy Bikers

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YourExtra Mile Understanding At Oplo we take time to get to know you and understand your situation. We look for the possibilities, not the problems. Want to thank someone for showing a unique level of understanding or compassion?

Fair We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to better themselves. We’re always open minded and even handed with our customers and with one another. Has your colleague gone above and beyond to help you better yourself by being open minded and accepting?

Enabling We give hard working people the tools to help themselves. We’re always helpful and practical in our approach. Has a team member supported you in powering your potential, enabling you to achieve a goal?

Enterprising We’re entrepreneurial and authentic. We genuinely believe that when you fulfil your potential everyone succeeds. Why not congratulate one of your colleagues on showing great initiative within the team or towards a customer!

“Understanding”

“Sally Starks, Rebecca Whewell, Amy Shuttleworth and Georgia Bryan for putting themselves forward to work on the Car Finance re-launch. They’ve all been very willing and understanding and had to adapt to work both personal loan and car finance applications.

Thank you for your effort and enthusiasm!”

Katy Heaps

“Jake Quinn has been at the forefront of understanding the new car finance systems and processes and has been heavily involved in the roll out of training and policies as well as learning himself.

Thank you for all of the hard work you have put into getting this live.”

Katy Heaps

“I’d like to thank both the Facilities and IT Teams for being flexible in allowing our new starters and established members of the team access – often at late notice – to the office to support the newer guys in their journeys to competence on site. It is much appreciated.”

Rick Keeble

“Fair” “Its not really work related as such but if possible please can you add an extra mile for Sarah Chieffo and Francesca Chadwick from personal loans collections for me. They kept me going while I was in hospital recovering from surgery and have been so supportive and uplifting during one of the hardest times of my life. I couldn’t have gotten through it all without having them there to talk to and keep me positive.”

Louise Harrison

Your Extra Mile

“ Matt Gargett - He is a fountain of knowledge, has an understanding and patient disposition and explains issues, processes thoroughly with the experience he has.

An asset to the sales department.”

Mark Robson

“Catherine Dunbar for always making sure everyone feels fully inclusive and part of a team irrespective of departments, always willing to assist and give advice in a way that champions team work.”

Giovanni Pinto

“Enabling” “Nicola Barkworth for taking on a new task of cash in bank while Bruce was on leave, as it wasn’t something Nicola was used to.”

Phillip Eastham

“Tom Yates Edwards – Since Financial Cloud came in and although he has been on admin he has supported the whole team clarifying processes and picking up things at the drop of a hat to help them and get things done for them swiftly.”

Catherine Dunbar

“Dan Gray for the work he’s done to build out our regular reporting but also picking up KRI reporting at short notice and supporting the Collections team in the production of theirs.”

Ben Thackwray

“Debbie Waterman for all her efforts in driving engagement on Oplo Impact right across our business and for all her efforts to provide opportunity for staff and families to enjoy the amazing facilities and beauty of Leighton Hall, one of our key partners as part of Oplo Impact.”

Steve McNicholas

Your Extra Mile

“Marketing would like to thank Lucy Aitkin-Warburton and Beth Crumpton for facilitating the packing and distribution of around 250 Oplo Birthday boxes. Lucy and Beth both really took the task in hand and managed it under time pressure. A fabulous job!”

Sheila, Alison and Fiona

“I’d like to thank Nathan Kenny and Adam Bill for continuing to work with us from both a Complaints and QA perspective in automating our MI so the wider business can access it more easily. There have been a few bumps in the road however with Nathan and Adam’s assistance it feels like we are almost there.”

Rick Keeble

“Volunteering Days....and we are off!!

Really BIG thank you to Holly Wadeson – for enabling the volunteering days to get underway.

Holly, you have engaged both charity partners and our people to come together, enabling them to do great work in the community.

I recognise and appreciate the hard work that tends to go on behind the scenes unnoticed when coordinating such events.

Thank you Holly - TOGETHER we can ALL make a difference.”

Debbie Waterman

“Mel Wilson and Tiffiny Howarth – Thanks to Mel and Tiff for all of your help with Anthony’s and Hannah’s new roles. You have shared your knowledge of processes and systems to set them on the path to success. You have always been available for questions and queries and have done this alongside your day job, really appreciate your help and support.”

Katy Heaps

“Enterprising” “Special mention to Chris Watson who went above and beyond to prevent detriment to month end figures after the combined effort from the team throughout the month. The team have demonstrated resilience and dedication and I am grateful for the commitment from them over what has been a very challenging month.”

Cheryl Williams

“Francesca Chadwick - For going out of her way to drop team members computers off whilst self-isolating, and always lifting the mood in the office with her positive attitude and ok singing voice.”

“Car Finance Recoveries - Outstanding commitment to delivering great results despite issues with staffing levels. Workloads were completed irrespective of the volumes, this was due to the understanding from the team regarding requirements from a performance point of view and dealing with unforeseen circumstances.”

Cheryl Williams

Richard Daly

“Marketing would like to nominate and thank Shaun Wood for his help with the Oplo Birthday celebrations in the Durham office. He picked up the internal communication task very last minute and really made a big impact in the Durham office. Balloon management and photography can now be added to his CV! Thanks Shaun.”

Sheila, Alison and Fiona

“I would like to nominate Phil Eastham and Mark Hardman for jumping to help last month taking on more than they are used to, without a moan and cracking on when other TL’s were out of the business. Also Fran Chadwick as I understand she was also thrown into the mix suddenly taking on much more than she possibly anticipated.”

Catherine Dunbar

“I’d like to recognise Alec Houston for his support in helping us get to the bottom of a particularly complex settlement complaint; whilst the full resolution is not yet quite there, Alec’s support enabled us to understand that there is an issue that requires resolution and further escalation will be required.”

Rick Keeble

Your Extra Mile

Get tested!

Most people catch Covid-19 from the people they spend the most time with Raid testing twice a week for people without symptoms will help stop the virus spreading.

Do your bit for your community!