Where a healthy workplace makes healthy profits (From The Argus)

Where a healthy workplace makes healthy profits

8:00am Friday 9th July 2010

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FIRM FACTS

NAME: Propellernet

BUSINESS NATURE: Online marketing

ESTABLISHED: 2003

LOCATION: Castle Square, Brighton

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 25

ANNUAL TURNOVER: £5 million

Anyone who works in a dingy, cramped office with little natural light and no air conditioning look away now.

Online marketing agency Propellernet is a strong advocate of the belief that a healthy workplace results in healthy profits.

To this end it has recently given its offices in Castle Square, Brighton, a makeover that includes the opening of a huge “chill out”

room where staff can relax by playing Wii games or taking pilates classes.

The kitchen area looks like a café that would make Jamie Oliver proud while the “greenhouse room” is designed for brainstorming and can give even the glummest spirits a lift.

The company even has a “wellbeing fund” that enables staff to enjoy regular stress-busting massage or other treats.

Unsurprisingly, Propellernet was a big winner at last year’s Sussex Business Awards, taking home the trophies for Best Employer and Healthiest Workplace.

The recognition delighted Jack Hubbard, who founded the company with his friend Jim Jenson.

The Brighton University graduate said: “I was always baffled by how bosses at previous companies were so self important and rude to juniors.

I was brought up to have manners and treat everyone fairly and with respect, regardless of age or status.

“But more than this, I wholeheartedly believe a team with shared values and a healthy mind, body and spirit can achieve anything they set their sights on. And in these uncertain times, can pull together to survive the toughest of challenges.”

The idea for Propellernet came from the two years Mr Hubbard spent at a French company called Netbooster, which gave him experience of the fast-evolving world of online marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO).

He said: “Jim and I made a list of ten business ideas and then scored those ideas against five key criteria. SEO and Propellernet came out on top and the rest is history.

“Aboriginal hair products and a sandwich shop were photo finish for second place.”

Propellernet has grown rapidly with clients such as Hi-Tec, Gala Bingo and thetrainline.com.

It recently won the Best Use of Search category at The New Age Media Effectiveness Awards for its ongoing SEO PR campaign for Sportsshoes.com.

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