Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has handed out £22,500 in prize money to employees who came up with game-changing ideas that will change the way the company operates.
In late 2021, Parkdean created ‘Sell It To Steve’, a Dragon’s Den-inspired competition as part of the people engagement strategy, giving everybody in the business the chance to pitch their most creative and interesting ideas to CEO Steve Richards, with the aim of improving the guest and people experience, delivering high quality brand standards, or driving financial performance.
More than 50 ideas were submitted, with seven employees reaching the final and pitching their ideas to Steve and his panel of Dragons; Chief Operating Officer, Mos Shamel, Managing Director for Holiday Home Sales, John McKenzie, HR Director, Lisa Charles-Jones, and Head of People Operations, Becca Rodgers.
The winning ideas were new inclusive and accessible kids’ activities, including Sensory Activity Rooms, wheelchair accessible play areas, and signed entertainment performances; a new priority check-in offering, which will give holidaymakers the option to arrive at their accommodation up to four hours early; and hireable on-park BBQ huts, giving families the chance to enjoy a BBQ on park, whatever the weather.
The winners were revealed during an exclusive meal in the private Viewing Box at SIX Baltic Bar & Restaurant, overlooking the stunning panorama of Gateshead and Newcastle, receiving a prize of £5,000, while the three runners up walked away with a consolation of £2,500 each.
Steve Richards said: “We’re always looking for innovative new ideas, and it’s no surprise that they often come from the people who are involved in the day-to-day operation of our business. We had six great proposals, and the quality of the presentations and the confidence everybody had selling their ideas to us was outstanding. We’ll be trialling the winning concepts next year, when Sell It To Steve will also return, giving more of our people the chance to pitch their ideas to us.”
Please note that this photograph was taken before indoor mask-wearing requirements were reintroduced on 10th December.
