Watercooler Challenge: SC Billy
What was the inspiration behind your idea?
The Watercooler Challenge gave us the opportunity to consider addressing our colleagues’ need to remain connected and engaged, even while apart. We drew on our own experiences of building networks, participating and hosting employee events, travelling and relocating to consider what benefit we could provide through our shared passion for engagement.
What made you interested in taking part in this challenge?
We liked that it was open to everyone, touched on staff wellbeing, staying connected, new ways of working, innovation and technology. We also liked that this challenge would have a tangible outcome, which would have a positive impact on a large population.
How did you come up with the name SC Billy?
SC Billy is a play on the English phrase ‘Billy no mates’, which is used to describe someone who may be lonely and looking for contacts. The SC Billy app makes sure that nobody is left feeling like a ‘Billy no mates’, connecting colleagues who wouldn’t otherwise meet.
If your app could achieve one thing, what would you like that to be?
To connect people. With working from home continuing, the app will give colleagues a place to connect based on interests, location, randomly meeting in person or virtually and brings greater awareness of the huge range of activities already going on within the Bank. It will be the one-stop shop for employee engagement.
How is this idea linked with your work and personal lives?
Collectively, we have 37 years at the Bank, five long-term relocations and have visited 31 offices in 21 markets, so we know the pains of moving and travelling, the challenge in building networks and the huge benefit that can come from reaching out to people we may not otherwise meet.
What has it been like working on these projects during lockdown?
It has been fun to be able to work on this together – as colleagues and friends, it has given us an additional focus aside from our day jobs, and although it has been challenging it has been a great learning curve. With the three of us in three different locations, working during lockdown has encouraged us to connect virtually and we have met more than we would have done in person – so it has certainly kept us connected!
What has it been like working with our innovation support team?
Emma attended the bootcamp alone, as at the time it was an idea she had submitted by herself. Afterwards, it became apparent that this idea was big and ambitious, and Emma called in Analia and Katie to join the team and share their experiences to help build the best proposition. The team made us feel very well prepared. Our coach, Sim, really invested her time in us.