Both Sides of the Desk - Episode 4: Scott Logic / Altitude Foundation

Both Sides of the Desk

BOTH SIDES OF THE DESK
Brought to you by Newcastle Helix.
One boss. One employee. Talk work culture from Both Sides of the Desk.
What happens when a private company wants to take CSR a little further and set up a charitable foundation? Amazing work is done - but there’s also a culture clash.
In this episode, host Charlie Charlton is joined for a candid discussion about this very predicament by Scott Logic’s Chief Strategy Officer Graham Odds and Colin Ferguson, General Manager of Altitude Foundation. In a bizarre turn of events following the financial crash, the software development company established a techy charity to support social mobility.
The trio chats about the challenges of sustaining your values, embedding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and how a mutually beneficial relationship can diversify your workforce and fill talent pipelines - through fun.
From hybrid working to digital networks and attitude to work, the pair don’t always agree, but they both share the same value-driven approach - which is a powerful thread that runs through everything at their shared Newcastle Helix office.
Join Charlie, Graham and Colin in this passionate and lively discussion.
CREDITS:

In conversation: Graham Odds (Chief Strategy Officer, Scott Logic) and Colin Ferguson (General Manager, Altitude Foundation).

Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton

Camera/Director: Chris Taylor

Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald

Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios

Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO

Media Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes

Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

You can also see Charlie Charlton and her guests in action:

https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403
FURTHER READING:
Altitude Foundation Impact Report 2023:https://altitudefoundation.org/news/2149/

Digital Exclusion: https://evidencehub.northeast-ca.gov.uk/digital-exclusion-in-the-north-east-lep-area

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• Website: https://www.newcastlehelix.com/
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• Email: [e-mail]

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Chapitres

1. Intro: Charlie Charlton is caught between Both Sides of the Desk. (00:00:00)

2. “They’re different beasts” - The cultural difference between the corporate world and a charity, and whether it’s really possible for the two to share an office. (00:00:45)

3. The story: How Scott Logic turned his CSR dream into a reality with the formation of a charity to support young people in the North East (00:01:55)

4. Opportunities for all: Altitude Foundation supports social mobility in the local community, giving young people the opportunity to explore technology. (00:05:15)

5. Starting from scratch: What it’s like joining an established workplace where the outputs and culture are very different. Colin explores the learning curve for the Scott Logic wider team in third sector operations. (00:08:08)

6. Values and aims: While organisations share a founder and values, they still differ vastly in terms of operations, culture, and goals. (00:09:27)

7. Investing in talent: By investing in local young people, Scott Logic is delivering a highly effective CSR strategy that nurtures the future generation of technologists in the North East. (00:10:53)

8. Quid pro quo: Exploring the mutually beneficial arrangement, and the legal setup of the corporate and charity relationship. (00:12:37)

9. Work culture: Trust is key to the success of this relationship - but what about when the teams are not in the same geographical location? (00:16:20)

10. The practicalities: With multiple offices around the UK, Scott Logic has always been hybrid. How best to communicate between teams, locations, remote clients and still keep a community hub? (00:19:55)

11. Feeling left out: Both digital and physical spaces are set up to protect client work, but this can cause frustration for the latter as they might miss social communications. (00:23:13)

12. Hybrid working: Scott Logic asks the team to come to the office one day per week, but it’s not an official mandate, which aligns with their value of trust. Graham says the senior team must lead by example. (00:26:44)

13. Altitude Foundation’s working setup: Working out and about vs the office. (00:29:55)

14. Privacy and security: The management of sensitive information on different levels. (00:31:48)

15. New hopefuls: The graduate scheme that has a track record of creating a loyal, productive workforce. (00:34:38)

16. Work culture highlights: Colin talks about finding common ground, while Graham highlights the value of play. (00:37:37)