MORE STAFF TRAINING FOR BETFAIR

28 September 2007

Improving the crucial customer-company interface and building careers


Improving performance in the critical customer-company interface area continues to be the focus of Betfair training programmes, according to an executive interview in Computer Weekly.

The online betting company intends to grow opportunities for employees to communicate and build relationships with senior people in the firm, as well as extend staff participation in innovative projects and initiatives, Chief Technical Officer Rory Devine told the publication.

And enrolment on tailored development and training programmes designed to help move abilities and careers forward at all levels of the company is just one area that is being developed.

Betfair matches and settles about five million bets a day worldwide, which makes for a demanding environment. "Everyone who works here knows that we measure success by uptime and how fast we can efficiently process a bet," Matt Young, Betfair's engineering partner development director told Computer Weekly.

Staff receive an intense three-day induction with regular coaching and mentoring as well as the opportunity to coach and mentor others to share experience and expertise among frontline and technical team members. Formal courses are supplemented with "bite-sized masterclasses" as well as personal communications skills.... and some relaxing yoga!

As CTO, Devine runs a regular open forum for his engineers. Staff can win up to GBP 10 000 for the most innovative product or prototype built in the preceding six months, and Betfair Labs shares new ideas with customers, fostering creativity and innovation.

Working hours are extremely flexible, with late starts following late finishes not uncommon, as is time in lieu and home working. Relaxation and recreation facilities available to workers on the premises include television and popular video gaming, along with discounts on personal purchases such as music vouchers, travel and electronic items.

The interviews took place as part of the Computer Weekly annual award initiative to identify the best places to work in IT, now in its fifth year.

Companies that provide a positive working environment, continuous professional development and a good work/life balance stand to gain from entering the competition.

Previous entrants have found that simply entering the awards brings benefits. The entry process allows managers to take stock of the way staff operate. Plus, the profile of the department can be raised both internally and externally, motivation and retention of staff can be increased, and recruitment made easier.

The deadline for entries is Friday October 5, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in March 2008.

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