One issue 23 february 2018

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ISSUE 23 : FEBRUARY 2018

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The voice of the Aspire Team - Bringing our community together

WHAT’S INSIDE

VOTE NOW ASPIRE PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

January ‘18 See page 4 for more on the winners.

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EVERY SINGLE VOTE MATTERS THERE ARE NO BARRIERS WITH ASPIRE, THAT’S WHY YOU CAN NOW VOTE FOR ANY TEAMMATE, FROM ANY SERVICE PROVIDER AND FROM ANY SITE. WE ALL LOVE TO RECOGNISE GREATNESS SO GET NOMINATING TODAY.

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ONE MESSAGE FROM

The Steering Committee

We celebrate the efforts of you and your colleagues in a number of ways and by keeping in touch you can make the most of what’s on offer.

So get involved... get voting... get recognition... it brings us all...

TogetherAsOne David Wickens Chair of the Aspire Operating Board.

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ASPIRE STAFF RECOGNITION AWARDS

VOTE NOW You can vote for any workmate, from any service partner, even your own!

THE AIM OF THE ASPIRE IS TO CREATE A SINGLE TEAM WORKING WITH A SINGLE SET OF VALUES, WORKING UNDER A SINGLE IDEOLOGY. THE IDEA OF THE ‘ONE TEAM’ ETHOS IS TO CREATE WORKING ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH LANDSEC AND THEIR SERVICE PARTNERS WORK SEAMLESSLY TOGETHER TO CREATE THE BEST CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE. To have achieved such a high level of unity should be recognised and celebrated. This is especially true in cases where a single individual or small groups have gone above and beyond, for the sake of their colleagues, members of the public and customers. So it’s essential that we know about every success story.

With this in mind, there should be nothing stopping anyone from voting for those they feel are worthy of this special recognition, whatever the service partner. Anyone can vote for anyone, regardless of which department you work in or which site you’re on.

It could be for a single impressive act or for a continued level of professionalism throughout. The important thing is that we acknowledge them so that the ‘unsung heroes’ of Aspire get the attention that they deserve.

It could be for someone you sit next to on the same team, someone you speak to and work with every day you go to

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work. Conversely, it might be someone you don’t know so well, working on a completely different site; one good deed or example of great customer service is all it takes. Companies, departments and job titles should present no issue when it comes to voting for the people you think are most deserving. We are all part of the same ‘Aspire’ movement, and so are all included as potential candidates for these ‘Aspire’ recognition awards.

It should be noted that this process is open to our customers as well, so don’t feel that you are excluded in any way.

If you can think of anyone who was particularly helpful or who excelled in a certain way, please do get involved.

We look forward to seeing an increased number of nominations in future and, as a result, seeing more and more of you valued for the outstanding jobs you do.

If you can think of anyone who deserves to receive a recognition award, please don’t hesitate to fill out the online form at www.aspireasone.co.uk.

PLEASE ACT NOW...

You should vote for: • Workmates who inspire you to be better • Workmates who teach you your role • Workmates you aspire to be like • Workmates that excel in any of the Aspire Values • Workmates that have introduced you to new skills or techniques • Great team players • Individual brilliance • A single impressive act • A continued level of professionalism • Anybody who simply does a great job!

Who can vote: • Aspire team members • Anybody working on a Landsec site • Landsec customers

...WE’RE ALL ONE TEAM

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ASPIRE STAFF RECOGNITION AWARDS ASPIRE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

January ‘18

LAST MONTH SAW THESE PEOPLE RECOGNISED BY YOU FOR EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND FOR SIMPLY BEING A GREAT TEAM MEMBER. NOMINATIONS CAN NOW BE MADE VIA THE WEBSITE.

This person was Krystian Baranowski, of Ultimate Security, who recently turned what might have been an awkward situation into an amazing experience for a young visitor.

Tim Peacock, of Landsec, was visiting the site with his seven year-old son, Fred, hoping to see the Sky Garden at the top of the building. Unfortunately, as the boy has a pacemaker, he is unable to go through magnetic security scanners, which might have presented a problem with getting him into the building.

But with Krystian around, there was no chance of Fred’s experience being

ruined. Rather than making a big deal about the pacemaker or the issues it might have posed, Krystian simply picked the boy up and sat him on the scanner operator’s chair and placed him ‘in charge’ of the scanners and the rest of the guards in the area. What might have been a difficult situation was instead turned into an unforgettable experience for Tim and his son Fred.

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lthough everyone at 20 Fenchurch Street provides an exceptional service each day, Assistant Operations Manager Jordon Joseph felt there was one individual who really stood out from the rest.

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WINNER: Krystian Baranowski - Ultimate Security, 20 Fenchurch Street

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“AN UNFORGETTABLE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE”

E OF RECO AT

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Tim was so appreciative that he went to the trouble of writing an extensive email expressing his thanks, even noting that his son enjoyed this experience with the guards more than the Sky Garden itself.

This just goes to show that it is the people of Aspire that really provide the best experience and it is them that we should be thankful for. Many thanks again to Krystian again for such an exemplary display of customer care.

Madeleine Velupillai was very impressed with Charlie’s efforts so voted via the Aspire website.

“THE PROACTIVE APPROACH IS BEST” WINNER: Charlie Burton - NG Bailey, New Street Square

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after, Charlie demonstrated a great initiative in supporting them until the area was safe and the fire had been completely put out.

Charlie Burton, of NG Bailey, demonstrated this when a fire broke out at Poncho 8, a restaurant at New Street Square. Rather than simply waiting for the London Fire Brigade to arrive, she leapt into action, communicating with her colleagues to notify them of the danger and ensuring the immediate area was cleared.

The firemen even commented on her in-depth knowledge of the site and ‘proactive approach’, both of which made the situation far easier for them to control.

TION NI

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E OF RECO AT

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When the emergency services arrived shortly

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here are certain hazards that people encounter from time to time. In such cases, a little bit of quick thinking and initiative goes a long way in preventing damages and saving lives.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

This was all witnessed by Operations Manager Madeleine Velupillai, who was clearly impressed by Charlie’s efforts.

In recognition of everything she did that day, Charlie has received a Player of the Month Award for her Exceptional Contribution.

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ONE COMMUNITY

Ben Thomson thinks the 2017 Aspire Derby will be a walk in the park compared to the London Marathon.

BEN’S GOING THE DISTANCE FOR BARNARDO’S ON THE 22ND APRIL, TENS OF THOUSANDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL COME TOGETHER FOR THE 2018 LONDON MARATHON. AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT LONG-DISTANCE EVENTS OF THE YEAR, IT IS ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPANTS TO GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR THEIR CHOSEN CHARITIES. Recognising this, Landsec Operations Manager Ben Thomson signed up to join the Barnardo’s team for the run after seeing it advertised on their website.

Barnardo’s is an organisation that has supported vulnerable children and young people for over 150 years. As the UK’s largest children’s charity, it offers many valuable opportunities for those who wish to volunteer, fundraise or support foster children.

As his application was only submitted a few weeks ago, he didn’t hold much hope of being accepted at this late stage. Much to his surprise, however,

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he received an email shortly after, confirming his place in the event.

The iconic course starts in Greenwich Park and passes world-famous London landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster and Parliament Square, finishing at Buckingham Palace, a route that runs just over 26 miles long.

As he has less than two months to prepare for this huge undertaking, it was understandable that Ben was slightly nervous when considering the road ahead. Even so, he has taken it in his stride and has already made a great start to his training for the marathon.

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How to sponsor Ben With the backing of the Aspire team behind him and the desire to raise as much money as possible for Barnardo’s, Ben has entered this event with the determination needed to succeed. To show your support for Ben and this fantastic cause, please donate at: www.justgiving.com/Ben-Thomson38

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WE’RE ALL ABOUT YOU

New Street Square ASPIRE’S GOT IT COVERED, FROM EVERY ANGLE BASED IN THE CITY, JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM SITES SUCH AS ONE NEW CHANGE, DASHWOOD AND THE LUDGATE ESTATE, NEW STREET SQUARE IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY FOR CUSTOMERS, ASPIRE MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC ALIKE. BUT LOOKING BEYOND THE CENTRAL SQUARE ITSELF, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO KEEP LANDSEC’S POPULAR ESTATE RUNNING SMOOTHLY.

Cleaning and Maintenance Supervisor Mo Jalloh

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Nasrin Chowdhury admires Building 6’s iconic wall art.

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lthough there is only one main square, Landsec and their Service Providers actually work across the six different buildings that border the estate. It is a site that received a lot of attention in 2017, not least of all for the Wimbledon tennis screenings in July, which saw the whole area packed out.

While much of this space is occupied

by Landsec customers, it is thanks to the members of the Aspire team onsite that this is made possible.

Receptionists such as Nasrin Chowdhury act as the face of Aspire onsite as they are the first point of contact for both members of the public and Landsec customers. But while thousands of visitors move through the main square, many members of staff operate via an underground walkway to move in and out of the different buildings. The advantage of this is that it makes interaction with other departments and Service Providers as simple as possible. There is even a colour-coding system along the basement passageways to make navigation even easier.

Oyam Gurung

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ALTHOUGH THERE IS ONLY ONE MAIN SQUARE, LANDSEC AND THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS ACTUALLY WORK ACROSS THE SIX DIFFERENT BUILDINGS THAT BORDER THE ESTATE. Post room Supervisor Phillip Frederick

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Overseeing much of what goes on at Building 5, 6 and beyond is Operations Support Assistant Garret O’Neill.

Although he is based in the office on the basement level, his role often requires him to move across buildings and to some of the other sites nearby. The advantage of this is that it allows him to interact with a greater number of other Aspire members and provides him with a greater perspective on how things operate. Since completing his Facilities Management course back in August 2016, it is great to see how integrated Garret has become in the wider Aspire team and how involved he has become in daily proceedings.

Like Garret, Cleaning and Maintenance Supervisor Mo Jalloh is often on the move as his daily duties take him all over the site. Regarded as an all-round ‘handyman’, his cheerful nature and ‘can-do’ attitude have made him a valuable asset to the rest of the team. As he usually works alone, there is a considerable amount of responsibility in his role, something that is greatly appreciated by his colleagues.

Mo receives calls for everything from leakages to faulty doors, meaning there is never a dull moment for him.

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The members of Ultimate Security based onsite are also seen both in the lobbies and out in the main square itself.

Even in adverse weather conditions, Security Officers such as Suraj Ranjit and Artiom Tichomisov can be counted on to keep a close eye on things outside.

Their tight shift patterns have also proved highly effective, requiring them to swap between being indoor and outdoor. By exchanging positions throughout their 12-hour shift, they keep more alert and have built an excellent working relationship.

It also means that they have the chance to interact with members of the Aspire team they might not otherwise meet.

This is especially true for Randeer Rathour, whose exceptional courtesy and six years of experience onsite means that he has ‘gotten to know the whole square’, he comments. This coordinated effort between members of security ensures that all areas are covered at NSS. Down on the basement level of Building 5, the members of staff in the main post room continue to work to ensure all mail and parcels are distributed correctly.

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Oyam Gurung and Artiom Tichomisov

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New Street Square Post Room Operator Viktor Correia

Randeer Rathour

The fact that post room Supervisor Phillip Frederick and Post Room Operator Viktor Correia are the only people tasked with this is remarkable, especially since they receive the mail not only for the Aspire team but also for Landsec customers as well.

In some ways, Phillip comments, ‘the smaller the team the easier it is to carry out our tasks and less chance of a miscommunication’. As each of them has had to rely so much on the other to keep the post room running, they have built a strong rapport with one another.

At New Street Square, the team runs as part of a closely-knit network of people to provide the most efficient service possible. In doing so, they have not only created a working system for everyone onsite but have also built bridges with neighbouring sites, cementing their place within the wider Aspire team.

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NASRIN TRIES TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THINGS ASPIRE AND REVEALED SHE HAS A COMPETITIVE EDGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOWLING AND CRAZY GOLF!

In focus with

OFFICE CONCIERGE, NEW STREET SQUARE

Nasrin Chowdhury ALL SMILES AT NEW STREET SQUARE If there’s one member of the team at New Street Square who can be trusted to stay cheery even on a Monday morning, it’s Receptionist Nasrin Chowdhury.

Her bubbly nature and positive outlook on things, even in difficult situations, have made her a pleasure to work with for everyone onsite.

Although she has only been a part of the Aspire team for just over a year, she is already able to run the reception area at building six.

The fact she has been given this responsibility speaks volumes about the faith that the rest of the team has in her and the professionalism that she brings to her role each day.

She has shown that she is more than capable of working well with members of the security team, directing visitors and dealing with any queries that Landsec customers may have, among her other duties.

What’s also impressive is the level of enthusiasm that Nasrin has shown

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with regards to the Aspire initiative.

She has taken part in such events as Christmas Jumper Day and the Aspire Beach Ball in December, both of which she commented were ‘great chances to get to know the rest of the team’.

Not only does she simply ‘take part’ in these but she actively tries to learn more about Aspire and everything that it offers, including keeping up to date on any internal news.

landing strikes. She also loves the idea of travelling and though she has visited parts of America, she has yet to explore much of Asia, something she hopes to change in the not-so-distant future.

Despite her usual, cheery attitude, Nasrin reveals a more competitive edge when it comes to activities such as bowling and crazy golf. When out with friends, she can often be found on the lanes, practising her technique and

Nasrin demonstrates the combination of professionalism and social skills that are championed by Aspire. A muchloved member of the team, it is clear that the Front of House area is in good hands with her around.

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WORKING AS AN ACCOUNT MANAGER, DESPINA IS NOW ABLE TO APPLY HER ENTIRE SKILL SET, COMBINING EVERYTHING SHE HAS LEARNED IN THE UK WITH ALL HER PRIOR EXPERIENCE ABROAD.

In focus with

NJC, ACCOUNT MANAGER, LANDSEC PORTFOLIO

Despina Duzi A JOURNEY THROUGH ASPIRE

Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience, especially with the pressures finding work and meeting new people. But Despina Duzi was able to take this in her stride when she moved to the UK from Romania in April 2015, determined to overcome any obstacle that was in her way. During that time, she has gone from strength to strength and is now one of Aspire’s leading figures.

Just a few months after arriving, she started a cleaning job with NJC at Cardinal Place, in the heart of Victoria. By April 2016, she had been promoted to Cleaning Supervisor, this time working at Ludgate in the City. Managers were so impressed by her interpersonal skills and dedication that she was given an instrumental role training up new staff who would be working at other sites, such as Ludgate’s Mizuho House.

less than a year later, she has begun working as an Account Manager. Her work now involves numerous buildings across both the City and the West End, meaning she has a far greater level of responsibility than ever before. It also

All of her promotions are clearly important milestones for Despina, as she can recount their exact dates and the people she worked with at the time with great accuracy. Indeed, she demonstrates much devotion to her colleagues and the sites she has worked on. She comments that Mizuho House, in particular, has

After doing such an impressive job and becoming more and more wellknown across multiple sites, she was made a Service Support Manager in May 2017. As of February 2018,

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means that her career has now come full circle, given that she actually worked in the financial sector when she was still living in Romania.

Working as an Account Manager, she is now able to apply her entire skill set, combining everything she has learned in the UK with all her prior experience in Romania.

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become ‘like a second home’ to her.

Despina also loves that her new role has enabled her network to grow so much, noting that she is in a better position than ever before to meet new people and to strengthen relationships across London. Given that she prefers to be on the move rather than being based in one place for too long, the fact that she now needs to move between sites so regularly is a major bonus of her current position.

Speaking to Despina at length about her accomplishments, it seems that much of her success is down to her attitude towards work. She is the type of person who sets clear targets for herself each day, never satisfied until they are fulfilled. In addition, she is capable of remaining calm and focused in situations where others might panic, which is invaluable in such a demanding role. Equipped with these qualities, it is easy to see how she was able to progress so quickly wherever she worked.

She is also grateful not only for the opportunities within the workplace but also for everything that Aspire offers outside it, namely the social events that have brought the team closer together.

Despina comments that they enable her to know her colleagues better and offer her ‘new social opportunities I would never have had otherwise’. Last year’s Aspire Quiz Night, for instance, was a novel experience for her as she had never attended anything quite like it whilst in Romania.

Even now, after achieving so much in such a short amount of time, Despina continues to learn and to push herself to the limit. Her journey with Aspire across some of Landsec’s most prestigious sites is a testament to what can be achieved with professionalism and unwavering determination.

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ASPIRE WHAT’S ON

Aspire’s GOT ENTER YOUR MOVIES NOW See website for entry details MOVIES TO BE SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY 6TH APRIL

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CONTACT For further information regarding the articles in this newsletter please contact Amanda Heppelthwaite at aspire@landsec.com Landsec, 100 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5JL T +44 (0) 20 7413 9000 E aspire@landsec.com

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One newsletter is keen to welcome points of view from Landsec staff and service partners. Therefore, the views expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Landsec. We welcome contributions whether through social media, email, letters or stories. Please forward contributions to aspire@landsec.com

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