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Optima Launches
Optima launches a coaching and counselling service aimed at small and medium sized businesses in the South West
EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR SOUTH WEST BUSINESSES
‘Optima’ is launched today and represents a significant step forward in the effort to make the task of running businesses both less stressful and more profitable: challenges that tend normally to work against each other! Optima provides workplace counselling and coaching specifically tailored to the needs of small and medium sized businesses and in this achievement it is unique.
National and international corporate entities, large private and public sector organizations have long been able to support their employees through employing the services of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). Through these organisations, whose origins lie in the USA of the 1940s, employees have been able to receive confidential counselling support as a benefit paid for by their employer. And, as a result, their employers have realised an array of benefits. These have included reduced staff turnover, reduced staff sickness absence, increased staff loyalty and even an increase in productivity and profits.
Coaching has also become associated with the bigger business entities, senior executives and ‘high flyers’. As a result, the costs attributable to coaching tend to be significant and not normally justifiable by small and medium sized businesses. It’s time this changed suggests the team responsible for ‘Optima’.
“When every single penny of investment has to realise a return; when every member of the team is being relied on to fulfil often more than one role; and when the absence of any member of that team for any length of time puts serious pressures on the businesses ability to perform, the combination of support and development that Optima offers makes perfect sense,” Amanda Larcombe, one of Optima’s Directors, pointed out. “Coaching works with the individual, their specific goals and those of the business. Put simply, there is no wastage in time or money: the coaching relationship looks to match the workplace routines and commitments and the focused approach ensures that results are achieved.”
“Then you have the supportive element that is the provision of confidential counselling,” comments Sarah Prince, the other Optima Director. “We both feel strongly that in relative terms this is actually of far greater benefit to the smaller business than the larger organisations that have traditionally had access to it. The long term absence of a key team member could spell disaster for say a family business. Therefore, providing a resource that allows the business to be proactive and raise awareness around the issues of stress, as well as being there to help employees when they need it – not when the waiting lists dictate! – can mean the difference between retaining a loyal and experienced member of staff or losing them permanently to ill health.”
It is also worth noting in the context of this type of provision that Lady Justice Hale stated in the Court of Appeal in 2002 that ‘An employer who offers a confidential advice service, with referral to appropriate counseling or treatment services, is unlikely to be found in breach of duty’. It would seem that not only can a business realise tangible and long lasting benefits from such a service, it is also going a long way towards addressing its duty of care.
“Optima is a real opportunity to make a difference to people’s working and personal lives – because the two most definitely work hand in hand - and Sarah and I are both very excited by the prospect of delivering this to businesses in the South West.”
As well as the inspiration behind Optima, Sarah and Amanda are themselves a unique resource for this unusual company. They have over 30 years experience gained in the private, public & voluntary sectors which they have combined with that of their counselling and coaching. A powerful combination when businesses need support that understands how they work, the pressures that are on them and the limitations they have to work with.
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