As a company, we understand that the key to long-term success is not simply in reacting to the challenges we face today but in proactively shaping the future we want to create. With this in mind, from the 12th to the 14th of September 2024, MidCo Care held a three-day strategy conference that brought together key members of our leadership team. This included one of our founders and directors, Mzi Bhebe, our Head of Operations, Ndaba Khumalo, our registered managers, representatives from various departments and regions, managers, service coordinators, shift leads, and care workers. These have all been instrumental in delivering outstanding care and support to those we serve.
The Strategy Workshop was facilitated by our Financial Planning, Analysis and Strategy Manager, Bright Mahere. He has a wealth of experience in Developing and implementing effective company strategies, Analysing data, Assessing and mitigating risks, Setting company objectives and Financial management. The goal of this conference was simple; to define the future of MidCo Care and ensure that every aspect of the business is aligned with our vision for service excellence, and continuous improvement.
Why Defining Strategy Matters in Care
The importance of reviewing and refining our strategy cannot be overemphasised. As Sun Tzu famously said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” In the world of care, where where the needs of the individuals we support are constantly evolving needs, it is essential that we that we take the time to develop a clear, cohesive strategy that allows us to meet these needs effectively.
Why We Needed This Conference
- Rapid Growth and Expansion
One of the moments that stood out from the conference, was when the director detailed the start of MidCo Care, borne of a dream he and the co-director Nunu Bhebe had 11 years ago to serve the local community in Peterborough. The team were inspired by the stories of the personal and financial sacrifices they made, performing multiple tasks themselves to get MidCo Care off the ground – from finding contracts and ensuring compliance with regulations, to recruiting and training staff, transporting carers to and from shifts in hospitals and care homes, and working those shifts themselves! Over the past few years, MidCo Care has experienced tremendous growth. We are now proudly supporting 107 individuals in our supported living provisions and 70 in domiciliary care services, across ten regions in the UK. This growth has also seen us expand our team to over 200 staff members, recruited both locally and internationally. With more regions set to open soon, it became clear that our next steps needed to be carefully planned and coordinated.
As Jack Welch once said, “Strategy is not a lengthy action plan; it is the evolution of a central idea through continually changing circumstances.”
The circumstances for MidCo Care are changing rapidly, and we need to ensure that our strategy evolves accordingly. This conference provided the perfect platform to pause, reflect, and map out a future that builds on our success while addressing the challenges that come with expansion.
- Setting a Clear Vision for the Future
At MidCo Care, we have always been guided by a strong mission to provide the best person-centre care and support possible to vulnerable individuals. However, as we continue to grow, it is vital that our vision remains clear and understood by every team member, from the highest level of management to the front-line care workers. This conference gave us the opportunity to refine our vision and ensure that all departments and individuals within the organisation align with it.
We wanted to take the time to ask ourselves, “What will MidCo Care look like in five years? In ten years and beyond?” Defining this vision allows us to establish priorities that will shape our decision-making and actions moving forward.
- Fostering a Unified Culture
Growth often brings the risk of losing the very culture that made an organisation successful in the first place. As a team, we are deeply committed to maintaining a culture that values collaboration, compassion, inclusivity, accountability, and excellence in everything we do. At this conference, we focused on refining our company culture, ensuring it continues to inspire and motivate every member of our team.
As Peter Drucker wisely said, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” This statement resonated with us throughout the conference, reminding us that while strategy is critical, it is our culture that sustains us and drives us forward. We are proud of the supportive, inclusive, and high-performing environment we have built, and this conference helped us fortify that culture for the future.
- Alignment Across Departments and Teams
One of the greatest challenges of rapid expansion is ensuring that every department and team remains aligned with the overall vision of the organisation. Each region and service we offer operates with its own set of challenges, but it is essential that the strategies employed in one part of the business complement and support the overall direction of MidCo Care.
Through open discussions and collaborative workshops, we were able to identify areas where we could improve, processes that we can streamline, values we can create, and ideas of how we can enhance collaboration between different regions and departments. This alignment ensures that everyone, regardless of their role or location, is working towards the same goals, creating a more cohesive and effective organisation.
- Brainstorming for Continuous Improvement
A key part of our conference involved brainstorming new ways to create value – for the individuals we support, for our staff and other key stakeholders such as health and social care authorities, regulatory bodies, and the wider community.
The ability to innovate and continuously improve is what sets leading organisations apart from the rest. We asked ourselves tough questions about how we can improve the quality of care, enhance our staff’s well-being, and strengthen our partnerships with external bodies. The insights and ideas generated from these sessions will be pivotal as we continue to evolve and improve.
The Outcomes of Our Conference
- A Sharpened Vision and Mission
One of the most significant outcomes of the conference was the sharpening of our vision for MidCo Care’s future. We left with a clearer understanding of where we want to be as a company, and the concrete steps we need to take to get there. The model developed is dynamic with a focus on sustainable growth in existing and new markets.
- Clear Strategic Priorities
Through our discussions, we identified key priorities that will guide our actions over the coming years. Each of these priorities ensure that we continue to deliver the highest standards of care while also driving efficiencies and innovation within our business.
- Strengthened Internal Collaboration
The opportunity to bring together leaders and team members from different regions and departments proved invaluable in strengthening internal collaboration. The exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices has already begun to translate into tangible improvements across our organisation. We are more connected as a team and better equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
- A Renewed Commitment to Our People
Finally, this conference reinforced our commitment not just to the people for whom we provide care and support, but for our staff – the people who make everything we do possible. We are dedicated to providing staff them with the resources, support, and development opportunities they need to succeed and grow within the organisation. We understand that our success as a company is directly linked to the well-being and satisfaction of our team. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered to make a difference and develop personally.
This conference was not just about setting goals for the future; it was about ensuring that we are all united in our efforts to achieve them. Together, we are creating the future of MidCo Care – one that is defined by excellence, compassion, and a relentless commitment to improving the lives of those we serve.
We are excited about the journey ahead and confident that, with the strategies we have set in place, we are well-positioned to continue growing, evolving, and making a positive impact on the world of care.