We had a busy day in store. The whole Manchester team had travelled to Huddersfield so the two offices could come together in person for the company QBR, Innovation Day and Summer do.

We kick started the day with the company Quarterly Business Review, a session to go through strategy, company goals and key updates. Matt introduced the session with a reminder of why we’re all here – why we exist. We talk a lot about going above and beyond to make amazing happen. But what does that mean? Well, to us, it’s enabling consumers to experience more for less. It’s allowing our partners access to more consumers. Ultimately, it’s our dedicated, determined, and brilliant team going above and beyond to make amazing experiences more affordable and accessible. In times like these, this work is more important than ever to help people live their lives without compromise, and to help business owners’ livelihoods thrive.

Entering the room after a pleasant lunch in the sun, team tables were put out with individual energiser bags full of sweet treats and a Red Bull. Because it wouldn’t be an Ello event without loads of food... We’d been put into groups a couple of weeks ago, with Teams channels set up for us to get to know each other before the day. Teams were made up of different departments, sites and skill sets to encourage collaboration, diversity of thought and perspectives from all areas.

Our task was to come up with innovative ideas to improve our product offering – whether that was solving a problem, coming up with a more creative and efficient way of doing something, or a whole new product concept entirely. We had free reign.

Teams set to work. Post-its and magic whiteboards up on the walls, sounds of frantic typing away on laptops, lots of conversation, debates, and laughter rang through the room. Two hours flew by, and we got to enjoy a 5-minute pitch from each team. We were blown away with the ideas that came from the teams, things you would never think of in a traditional set up. From recorded re-enactments of customer exchanges to full on live plays, the day was as funny as it was creative.

The annual Innovation Day was launched as part of our re-brand, to celebrate and live our new value, create together. But it ended up being more than that. We saw everyone grow and enjoy together too. People really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones – whether that was presenting in front of the company, or just having the confidence to speak up and contribute to their group. Challenging yourself means different things to different people, and we’re so proud of what everyone achieved that day.

To top off the day, we had our annual summer party. A glorious sunset, beautiful venue, lovely food, and a free bar. A well-deserved night for our incredible employees, where the magician left jaws on the floor and even one of the Execs jumped on the decks. And why does it always end in a dance off?

Minus the dodgy dance moves, you’ve got the perfect end to an amazing day.