Unique business launched to improve motivation and reduce sickness in the call centre

Inspire has been launched by singers and vocal coaches Georgina Jones and Andrea Beardshaw, to provide vocal health sessions aimed at motivating staff, team-building and reducing sickness and absenteeism.Inspire is already working with Admiral Group Call Centre at its Cardiff headquarters, developing a choir of more than 40 staff members through a monthly two-hour singing session over a six-month period.

The Admiral choir is working towards a performance in front of thousands of colleagues at the company’s Staff General Meetings at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, and the Swansea Grand Theatre this spring. Their repertoire includes hits by Queen, The Blues Brothers, and OutKast.

Inspire has also won a contract to provide vocal health training sessions at inductions for all new call centre employees at Admiral, where Inspire give staff professional support and training on how to use their voices effectively, prevent sore throats, manage infections and other vocal issues that may affect their work.

They now plan to target other major UK call centres, businesses and organisations with the Inspire brand, and have already received interest from other high-profile organisations.

Georgina and Andrea said the key to Inspire’s appeal and success is the proven and measurable results singing and vocal health training can offer to businesses.

Andrea, who previously trained as an opera singer, said: “Both Georgina and I have a business background in call centre management, as well as our experiences in the music industry, so we understand what companies are looking for when they invest in our services.”

Georgina, who previously relocated to India for six months to set up a new call centre, explained: “All call centre managers should be asking themselves how much money their business is losing by not addressing vocal health issues. If a member of staff comes into work healthy, but having lost their voice, they can’t do their job. Through our unique vocal training sessions, teaching staff to look after their voices, managers can reduce absence levels and ensure service levels are met and money is being brought into the business.

“The same principle applies to other professions who rely on their voices, such as broadcasters and teachers.”

Andrea continued: “Our choir package and team-building days also work on staff’s ‘soft’ business skills – a two-hour session every month can improve confidence and self esteem levels, motivation, goal setting abilities and communication skills.

“Singing’s proven health benefits also include boosting the immune system through the release of nitric oxide, as well as releasing mood-lifting endorphins, benefiting staff’s overall welfare in the workplace, and reducing sickness and absence.”

Ceri Assiratti, Head of People Services at Admiral, said: “Inspire has been a great morale booster for all those involved in the project at Admiral. Those working with the Inspire team say they feel highly motivated yet relaxed after the choral sessions.”

Gerogina said: “We’re passionate about singing, and confident that Inspire can bring the benefits of singing and performing into the world of business.”