Overview

Stanley Enterprise, a partnership between Lord Derby and Lord Stanley, stands as a pillar in the leisure and hospitality industry in Merseyside. This enterprise encompasses two iconic establishments: Knowsley Safari and Knowsley Hall, and employs 146 dedicated staff members. The overarching aim of Stanley Enterprise is to provide unforgettable experiences while promoting conservation and community engagement.

Knowsley Safari

Knowsley Safari spans 550 acres and offers an immersive Safari Drive, allowing visitors to experience wildlife up close, without barriers. The Foot Safari further enriches this experience with animal habitats, amusement rides, play areas, animal displays, a restaurant, catering kiosks, and a gift shop. The facility is dedicated to educating and inspiring guests about the natural world and their impact on it, alongside active participation in conservation efforts both locally and globally.

Knowsley Hall

Knowsley Hall is a historic venue known for its versatile event-hosting capabilities. From weddings to corporate events such as meetings, conferences, team-building activities, retreats, board meetings, and product launches, Knowsley Hall offers an exquisite setting for a variety of occasions.

Stanley Grange Business Village and Estate

Beyond leisure and hospitality, Stanley Enterprise extends its influence through Stanley Grange Business Village and the Estate, which includes farmland and housing. These facilities support the wider Knowsley community by providing livelihoods, homes, and conducive environments for business and living.

The Challenge

Despite its achievements, Stanley Enterprise wanted to improve their usage of Microsoft 365: While basic applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint were being used effectively, there was limited knowledge of the broader Microsoft 365 applications and their potential uses within roles, departments, and the overall business.

They wanted to create an Intranet Site for the company to enhance communication and data management. Processes such as surveys were taking weeks to complete, highlighting the need for a more streamlined approach. Although the organisation had access to Microsoft 365, it was not fully utilising the suite’s capabilities, resulting in underutilised resources and missed opportunities for enhancing efficiency.

The Solution: Microsoft 365 Training with SquareOne

To address these challenges, Stanley Enterprise engaged SquareOne for a comprehensive Microsoft 365 Champion Skills Bootcamp training program. The initiative was part of the Skills for Life Skills Bootcamp, funded by the Liverpool Combined Authority and the Department for Education (DfE).

Training Objectives

The key objectives for attending the Microsoft 365 Bootcamp included:

• Develop 365 Champions – Enable employees to become Microsoft 365 champions within the business, taking on key roles.
• Technology Utilisation – Equip learners and lead discussions on how to leverage technology to improve efficiency, save time, and reduce costs.
• Training and Support – Provide necessary training to their teams and the wider business on how to utilise Microsoft 365 at various levels, whether individually or as a team, particularly in project management.

• Ongoing Support – Offer continuous support to ensure that the team can use Microsoft 365 effectively to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and collaboration.
• Foster Collaboration – Play a crucial role in promoting communication and collaboration across the business using Microsoft 365.
• Intranet Development – Assist in building and maintaining a business intranet for document storage, news, policies, and procedures.

Implementation

In early 2024, ten colleagues from Knowsley Safari and the broader Stanley Enterprise attended a Microsoft 365 Bootcamp Training with SquareOne. The training provided a deep dive into the capabilities of Microsoft 365, including the creation of a business intranet, efficient data management, and enhanced communication tools.

Outcomes

The training yielded significant positive outcomes, transforming the way Stanley Enterprise operates. According to a representative from Knowsley Safari:

“Earlier this year, ten of our colleagues attended the Microsoft 365 Bootcamp Training with SquareOne. Although we already had the Microsoft 365 package in the business, we were not using it to its full potential. The training provided us with a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft 365, enabling us to utilise it effectively, and it has already had a positive impact on the way we work. The trainer was fantastic, and the overall service from SquareOne was excellent. We highly recommend both SquareOne and the course for any organisation looking to maximise their Microsoft 365 usage.”

Benefits

• Enhanced Communication – Internal communication became more streamlined and efficient, reducing delays and improving collaboration.
• Faster Data Processing – Surveys and other data-related tasks that previously took weeks can now be completed in a fraction of the time.
• Increased Productivity – Employees are more productive with the improved tools and processes, allowing them to focus more on their core responsibilities.
• Empowered Staff – The staff are more confident and competent in using Microsoft 365, fostering a more proactive and innovative workplace culture.

Conclusion

The partnership between Stanley Enterprise, Liverpool Combined Authority, Department for Education and SquareOne has been a resounding success. Through targeted training and effective use of Microsoft 365, Stanley Enterprise has significantly improved its operational efficiency, empowered its employees, and enhanced its service delivery. This case study highlights the transformative potential of digital tools and training in the leisure and hospitality industry, setting a precedent for other organisations to follow.

Thanks to the funding from the Liverpool Combined Authority and the Department for Education, this transformative journey was made possible.