Sodexo manager is model student

Central operations manager Kathy, who works for Sodexo Corporate Services, is now trained to assess the excellence of an organisation in any industry using the nine criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model; an internationally recognised management model for excellence and the most widely used framework for assessing the working practices of organisations in Europe. Kathy, who took part in an intensive three-day course to achieve the qualification, was supported through her training by Sodexo, which as a member of the British Quality Foundation (BQF) is already committed to improving its capabilities and performance through self assessment using the EFQM Excellence Model, and by sharing knowledge and best practice with other BQF members. To become an assessor, Kathy was required to complete approximately 35 hours of pre-course work; evaluating an organisational case study which tested her ability to apply scores according to the nine criteria of the EFQM Excellence Model correctly. The three-day course mirrored the work she would undertake as a qualified assessor; testing her ability as a member of a group of assessors trying to reach a consensual evaluation of an organisation. Kathy said: "Completing the course was the toughest thing I've ever done, but it was very rewarding and I'm grateful to Sodexo for putting me forward for the challenge. My first project as an assessor will be to evaluate the performance of Sodexo Corporate Services' security operation, which has recently been awarded Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) accreditation from the Security Industry Authority (SIA)."