Necto

Necto was created to assist small and medium sized companies to strenghten their mental health and create healthy, safe, efficient and attractive workplaces for the benefit of employees and managers. We do this by transferring research knowledge and market experiences about mental health from different industries into applicable tools and methods, that are adapted to fit your everyday life, so that well-being becomes a joint task for both managers and employees. Working with environmental health and safety is an investment in employees and managers, which benefits both the bottom line and the working environment.

Necto is a non-profit organization founded with funds from Velliv Foreningen. This means that all our materials, knowledge collections, experience from efforts and tools are freely available and can be used by everyone.

Problem addressed

Analyzes carried out by EHS academics, research institutions, pension funds etc. have shown a great need to strengthen mental health in small and medium-sized companies in Denmark. These companies need more relevant and practical knowledge as well as effective tools to promote mental health. The current research does not aim to bring tools and methods into widespread use.

The Danish small and medium-sized companies make up almost 98% of all companies in Denmark (there are almost 300,000 of them), they account for 50% of Danish companies' turnover, and they employ 46% of all full-time employees - around 1.2 million employees. In other words, they are the backbone of the Danish economy. And they are the ones for whom Necto must be relevant.

Innovative solution

Necto's innovative working method is based on 5 pillars:

1) Collection of best available knowledge:

Research-based knowledge of problem areas at industry level.
Close dialogue with companies, networks, trade associations and business organizations about their experiences and experiences.

Development of initiatives/concepts:

On the basis of the knowledge collected, efforts and concepts are developed which can be tested in companies.
Development, methods in design processes, formulation of innovative solutions.

Implementation of projects in companies:

Development of project idea and program theory.
New methods of implementing tool, methods ans processes amongts SME's by using double diamond and design thinking principles.

Network and knowledge sharing:

Connecting companies, trade and business organisations, consultants and researchers.
Hosting network meetings, conferences and professional seminars.
Providing ongoing dissemination of results to professional environments, and inclusion in the public debate.

Scaling:

Communicate results to non-project participants.
Networks among industry players, local business networks, etc.
Dialogue with organizations and authorities.
Connection to research environments.

Key results and benefits

Based on the specific mental health challenges and needs experienced in today's SMEs, we want to develop and implement workplace initiatives that promote well-being in close collaboration with managers and employees. The initiatives will be based on tools that are applicable and will be used by and anchored in small and medium-sized enterprises in Denmark.

A strong and solid consolidated ecosystem is crucial to achieving this goal. Necto therefore works to unite the parties and the many initiatives through relationship building with companies, business organizations, industry associations, etc. By actively bringing Necto's activities and results into play, including in collaborations with stakeholders around SMEs, Necto can make a significant difference in improving well-being and strengthening mental health in SMEs. As part of our strategic work and idea generation for future project activities, we have identified the following focus areas:

1. Development of workplace-based initiatives: Together with SMEs, we will develop, initiate, evaluate and scale workplace-based initiatives.
2. Dissemination of knowledge: Dissemination of knowledge and results from the individual efforts through own and other platforms with the aim of promoting understanding of mental health in SMEs. This must be done via methods that appear precise and simple to the target group, but are well-developed, and therefore justify the investment of time and resources.
3. Mapping of best available knowledge: Limited research reviews, mapping of specific industry challenges, identification of practical experiences, etc. with the aim of providing the best available knowledge about mental health in relation to specific efforts.
4. Networking and partnerships: Identify the possibility of collaborating with key actors within the selected areas of action with the aim of increasing funding, strengthening the reach and scaling of the results.

Potential for mainstreaming

On a systemic level, Necto will contribute to strengthening the working community and mental health. We contribute to the development of a healthy working life, where employees and managers in small and medium-sized companies thrive and develop. We enter into binding collaborations with SMEs and industries, and insist that the collaboration must provide value for all parties.

Necto will unites parties and develops efforts in collaboration with the SMEs. In collaboration with the SMEs, we combine knowledge, skills and resources to think in new ways. Together we develop new solutions and concrete preventive initiatives close to the workplace. We can be relevant in terms of the ESG agenda and has professional knowledge and experiential insight to challenge and rethink existing efforts. We actively share our insight and knowledge in relevant contexts that strengthen diffusion among SMEs.

And finally, Necto creates developing and innovative workplaces. We create action at the workplace level. We are a workplace that attracts employees who are looking for comprehensive solutions. As an organisation, we break new ground, experiment and have an eye on how our results can and must be scaled and benefit more people.