Living Your Values

Values are so important. We hear so much about “British Values” or “Christian values” and yet just having those values is not enough. You have to live your values. Even when it’s hard. Even when there’s an easy way out staring you in the face.

That’s one of the key things I’ve learn as I’ve come into work each day.

I’m Shaira and I joined Team Eagle in January this year… Starting at a new company was really exciting but also scary too. On my first day, I was taken through the value statement – which definitely helped calm the nerves. It was such a powerful statement of intent and I remember reading through the values and thinking to myself – ‘if this company actually live by these values then I’m glad that I’m here”

We’ve come to expect so much from companies these days, so whether it’s Build-a-bear Workshops “Reach, Learn, Di-bear-sity Colla-bear-ate Give, Cele-bear-ate” or Bright Horizon’s HEART Principles (which stands for Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, Teamwork) – we know the words that pull on our heart strings, it’s what they DO with those words that really count.

There is nothing more frustrating than being in place that talks the talk but doesn’t walk the walk. For me, seeing the values statement put into action has been incredible, and humbling – and still makes me glad that I’m here! 

They are:

 Integrity – It is so easy for a company to get distracted from this value. “Honesty is the best policy” is always what you mum tells you and I see that each day as the team are upfront with our partners and client. Team leads with a “say what you mean, mean what you say” approach which is refreshing.

And that’s cool – cause most of the time they’re right. It’s much tougher when you’ve screwed something up or made a mistake – and yet time and time again… integrity comes first. You make a mistake – you understand it fast, you put your hands up faster – and you make it right.

       

 Excellence – Having been in the industry for a while now, the team have developed ‘The Eagle Way’. This looks at what’s best for the children, both now and in the future. Even in the short time of being here, I’ve seen some really poor excuses of providing excellence in this industry in the shape of food quality, responsiveness, and caring of the needs of the children. The excellence I’ve seen is built on honesty and comes from working to build great relationships by really caring about what matters most.

           

       Empowerment – is so important and yet so rarely done in school food. As Team Eagle are consultants, the first thing I had to get my head around is the fact their flagship programme is DESIGNED to make their partners thriving, brilliant and self-sufficient. And actually, they don’t want their partners to need them forever (wanting them forever is ok though!!)

Team Eagle believe it’s so important to motivate one another and help each other to achieve greatness. As well as the world’s best collection of cookery books, you’ll see books on Management, success, leadership, mindset. Anything that empowers us to work better, our clients to get more and the children to get the best deal. Our MD leads from the front on this and all the support provided to schools comes from a place of empowering for growth.

          Innovation – Thinking outside the box…the business seems to have been born out of it –and never really found a box to get into. Just as well… cause lots of unique thinking seems to be needed to tackle Obesity, Malnutrition, Holiday Hunger, Junk food advertising and the plethora of challenges facing our young people – and that’s before you consider all the things facing the UK education system.

We are always working on something new and that’s what keeps us current and interesting to others! Our Team  brainstorms start with a good motivational song (I love a little bit of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’) 

     Passion & Commitment – Everything that we do at ESS is for the benefit of the children. Each individual team member (you’ll meet them soon) has a unique passion for kids, health, nutrition and education. It is so inspiring to be part of a team who share the same interests, values and morals as I do but with such different expertise.

It’s the only way to get things done. In my day job, but also yours…

 Always remember, Do It With Passion, Or Not At All.

No One does it better than our Business Support Manager, without whom I think it’s safe to say we would all be a little bit like lost puppies. Quiet, humble. efficient and freaking magnificent…

People often think about what’s getting on the plate when they think about school food – but all of that is underpinned by whether they are actually prepared to walk their talk –tells you an awful lot.

Value are pointless if you don’t live them. But make all the difference when you do. Which is why I’m so glad I’m here. How do you live yours?

Shaira Mirpuri is a Business Development and Marketing Officer at Eagle Solutions Services and forms part of Team Eagle’s Fresher Files Blog Team

Eagle Solutions Services “Supports Excellent Education and Nutrition today, for a better tomorrow”

The Fresher Files is Team Eagle’s Blog which promotes our “Altogether Different Approach to Food”