Rebuilding confident communicators at Specsavers

Specsavers partnered with DoThinkDo to reinvigorate its data team after a period of change. A bespoke coaching programme helped team members rebuild confidence, improve communication and collaborate more effectively across the organisation.

Despite being one of the world’s leading optometry and audiology providers, Specsavers has remained a family-run business for over 40 years. This high street staple delivers affordable eye care and hearing services to customers across the globe, with branches spanning the UK and Ireland through to Australia and New Zealand.

• 2,000 branches worldwide
• 38k+ employees

“Following the course, the team’s communication, confidence and self-awareness significantly improved, resulting in their ability to communicate more openly and honestly.” - Helen Mannion, Global Head of Data, Specsavers

The Challenge

After a challenging period of change within the business, members of Specsavers’ data department were feeling disheartened and disconnected. Over time, the team had become more insular in how they communicated, which began to affect collaboration both within the team and with the wider organisation.

“As a core part of the business at Specsavers, it’s important for members of the team to be robust in their communication both with one another, and beyond into the wider organisation.” - Helen Mannion, Global Head of Data, Specsavers

Having previously received one-to-one coaching from DoThinkDo, an experience she described as “life changing”, Helen Mannion recognised an opportunity to re-energise the team with a bespoke learning programme.

The Solution 

Using DoThinkDo’s science-based coaching framework, members of the data team took part in six half-day workshops delivered over a six-week period. The structure of the programme allowed participants time to reflect on their learning and practise new skills between sessions.

The course was designed to:

• Re-engage the team and reconnect them with Specsavers’ purpose
• Encourage more open and honest communication
• Strengthen influencing and collaboration skills across the business

Each session was highly interactive, combining practical tools with real-time feedback. Participants were encouraged to step outside their comfort zones, practising techniques for delivering presentations, communicating difficult messages and telling stories with clarity and impact.

The Results

Feedback from the team was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants reported becoming more confident and effective communicators, with benefits extending beyond the workplace into their personal lives.

“The course forces you to analyse the impact you are having on others and provides a safe platform to practice and learn.” - Attendee feedback

The programme helped create a more engaged and motivated team environment. Communication within the data team became more open and constructive, while interactions with colleagues across the wider Specsavers organisation became more productive and collaborative.

The Verdict

“Communication, confidence and self-awareness significantly improved. I’m confident my team gained significant benefit from the programme and can see improvements in the interactions they have with one another, and more importantly with stakeholders across the business.” - Helen Mannion, Global Head of Data, Specsavers