Our 360 Focus is a nod to the 360 corporate appraisal process. This month, we’re in the boardroom with Rock Power Connections
Rock Power Connections is an independent connections provider, working on projects across the country. Based in Worcester, the company is a specialist designer and installer of new and upgraded electricity connections to business, industry and commercial properties, including renewable energy sites.
The team are experts in substation installations and high voltage sites.
And the company aims to offer the highest quality for the best value, and the team has a proven track record of quality and safety.
Nominated for two upcoming Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Business Awards - Small Business and High Growth Business of the Year - Rock Power Connections offers all of its customers a full project management and delivery service from initial design to the final switch-on.
Name: Matt Crampton
Position: Director
What’s your style of leadership?
I like to be in control, so there’s always a plan. And a back-up plan. Once we’ve discussed and decided on the strategic direction, I like to keep an eye on everything that’s going on to ensure that everyone has the tools to work towards that shared vision.
What motivates you?
Being part of a growing business and helping individuals to develop in shared success.
What keeps your business at the top of its game? And how do you drive its success?
We have always focused on generating long term sustainable growth. As such, we continuously seek to deliver new solutions for our clients alongside investment in our infrastructure and team. This drives the skills and capabilities to increasingly diversify our revenue streams and secure long-term success.
Explain the company’s vision:
Rock Power Connections creates long term client relationships to deliver High Voltage electrical services. We do this via superior safety commitment, operational excellence and engaged employees across a whole range of services from new electrical connections, primary substations, electrical installations, civils work and surveying services.
Any successes you’re particularly proud of?
During the last five years, and now with over 60 employees, we have only had one voluntary leaver from the Rock team!
What’s the most challenging thing about your role - or the company itself?
As the business grows, the challenges seem to get more frequent and more diverse; but we operate a very open culture and are always looking for opportunities to make further improvements. The hardest challenges to solve are those that involve mentoring employees and striking the balance between what’s right for that person vs the right answer for maintaining the integrity of the business.
How do you recruit new staff? How do you know when they’re right for the business?
The vast majority of staff have been recruited via personal recommendation; everyone knows – or is related to – everyone else in the Rock team.
If you could give me one top tip for business success, what would it be?
Balance. Make sure you stay super fit and balanced in your personal life to provide the mental focus required to run a complex business. And across the business, don’t lose sight of anything; constantly review and challenge it from all angles.
What does the future hold?
More satisfied customers. More skilled and committed employees. More sustainable growth.
Name: Sophie Wells
Position: Electrical Connections Manager
How long have you worked at the company?
4 months
Briefly tell us about your job role?
My role is focused on business growth; continuing to grow our existing services whilst also exploring new opportunities. It is about developing trusted partnerships with Clients by ensuring we develop the best solutions and deliver exceptional customer service.
What attracted you to work at the company? And what keeps you there?
Having worked within the utilities sector previously, I wanted to stay within the industry which is continuously evolving. I enjoy knowing that Rock Power Connections plays a key role in the development and continuous improvement of our countries national infrastructure.
What would you say are the best things about working here?
The people - working with like-minded colleagues who are motivated by the same goal - developing the best solutions for our clients and delivering exceptional customer service.
What opportunities have you been given in your role?
The opportunity to work with a huge variety of clients – the reason and need for a new connection can be so diverse, from new residential developments, to business parks, manufacturing plants, hotels, schools, hospitals – it means every single project is different, with its own unique opportunities and challenges.
What would you say are the best things about working here?
The people - working with like-minded colleagues who are motivated by the same goal - developing the best solutions for our clients and delivering exceptional customer service.
What changes have you seen in the business - or in your job - since you started here?
The expansion of our services and offering with the creation of Rock Surveying and the expansion of our internal civils team, making Rock Power truly a one stop shop for all new connections activity.
What motivates you?
Doing “my bit” for the success of the organisation. There is such a strong team spirit at Rock, everyone wants to make sure their contribution is the best it can be.
Would you make any changes at the company, in terms of efficiency or anything else?
The existing systems and processes in place at Rock have made it easy for me to blend into the team and hit the ground running. I am sure over time they will continue to develop and evolve, which is the key to any successful business but at the moment we have solid team of individuals underpinned by tried and tested processes.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully the opportunity to remain part of an organisation that continues to go from strength to strength.
Name: Richard Johnson
Position: Programme Manager
How long have you worked at the company? 12 months
Briefly tell us about your job role:
I’m esponsible for developing and embedding process and best practice across the various office and site based operations. This helps to implement change in the way activities are undertaken to drive costs savings and bring operational efficiencies to the business.
What attracted you to work at the company? And what keeps you there?
The opportunity to leave the corporate world of business operations and work for a family based organisation with values more aligned to my own. As a result, I now have a better work/life balance than ever before.
What would you say are the best things about working here?
The variety of the work
The people
The bacon sandwich van!
What opportunities have you been given in your role?
I really value the opportunity to grow and develop in my role, in line with business needs. I have also been involved in lots of new areas that have helped to develop not only my knowledge but also enhance my existing skill set.
What changes have you seen in the business - or in your job - since you started here:
The business has expanded hugely in the short time I have worked here with the acquisition of the new surveying business, the development of an in house civils team, and general recruitment across the wider business.
What motivates you?
Seeing the company grow and develop.
Job satisfaction amongst the wider team
Personally, leaving each day with a sense of achievement, knowing that projects have progressed and problems have been resolved.
Would you make any changes at the company, in terms of efficiency or anything else?
There are always things that can be improved and that is partly the rationale for my role. Processes should be continuously reviewed and enhanced to ensure they remain effective, and in Rock Power Connections undertaking this on a regular basis, we can ensure that we are always optimising the way in which we do business.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully a long-term career with Rock Power Connections.
