Practice with Purpose: Reflect. Improve. Repeat.

The WWA team gathered on 30 April for our annual Practice Day, hosted this year at the stunning Jesus College in Oxford. With the sun shining and spirits high, the day began with fresh pastries, hot coffee and tea, and a warm welcome from our Managing Director, Mark Slater.

Welcoming New Faces

We were excited to introduce three new team members to the WWA team, Ro, Aimee, and Eddie, who have joined our architectural and planning teams. Their arrival marks another step forward in our ongoing growth and team development.

Business Progress and Highlights

Johnathan led us through a quick but insightful review of our business plan, celebrating progress on key goals. Highlights included:

A strengthening of the Practice’s Health & Safety commitments, thanks to Mark’s HRB Principal Designer registration.
A rise in client survey participation and improved Google reviews.
Positive feedback on our Strategic Partnerships, even as we fine-tune internal processes.
New commission values are trending upwards, with financial targets on track.
The Rapport3 system is now in place to drive data-informed decisions.
Sustainability initiatives are beginning to take shape through office improvements.

These milestones will form the foundation for our FY25/26 business plan.

Theme of the Day: Kaizen – Continuous Improvement

Our theme this year focused on the globally recognised Kaizen methodology. Rooted in Japanese philosophy, Kaizen encourages ongoing, incremental improvements in all aspects of life – from personal development to workplace efficiency.

“KAIZEN™ means improvement. Moreover, it means continuing improvement in personal life, home life, social life, and working life.”
— Masaaki Imai, Founder of the Kaizen Institute

Our guest speaker, James Stevenson, broke down the core of Kaizen as follows: Kai (Change) + Zen (Better) = Continuous Improvement.

James explained the distinction between value-added and non-value-added activities, encouraging us to focus on what truly benefits the client—and eliminate the rest. Even small changes, like switching the position of your thumbs when clasping your hands, can feel strange at first but over time become second nature—a metaphor for building new habits that drive sustainable growth.

Key Takeaways:

Improvement begins with creativity and questioning the status quo.
Focus on progress over perfection—even 1% better each day can make a difference.
Prioritise low-cost, high-impact improvements.
Clear communication and momentum are critical, even when facing constraints.
WWA should double down on its strengths and minimise waste to sharpen its competitive edge.

Exploring Jesus College

After a stimulating morning, we took a much-needed break with a walking tour of Jesus College, led by David Mason. We explored historic spaces, including the Chapel, Dining Hall, Cheng Kar Shung Building, and even caught a glimpse of Colonel T.E. Lawrence’s (Lawrence of Arabia) former quarters.

Strategic Partner Reflections and Economic Insights

Post-lunch, we welcomed some of our Strategic Partners, who candidly shared both the successes and challenges since implementing the agreements. Their input highlighted opportunities to strengthen collaboration and build more harmonious working relationships.

Wrapping up the day’s sessions, Neil Gibson and Philip Waddy offered a fascinating look at the historical impact of the Labour government on the economy, reflecting on patterns and possibilities now that Labour is back in power. With their known investment in housing and growth, we rubbed our philosophical ‘crystal ball’ and speculated on what this might mean for WWA’s future – and the potential opportunities ahead.

Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Mark closed the day by reiterating the value of embracing the Kaizen mindset in our daily work. The focus remains on identifying what brings true value to our clients, and recognising what is simply waste.

To finish on a high note, we enjoyed some friendly team rivalry at the Flight Club with a few rounds of darts – the perfect end to a productive and inspiring day.

What Our Team Had to Say:

“It’s great to be part of a team where we’re open to discussing both the good and the bad – and where there’s a real commitment to improve.”

“A key takeaway for me was the idea of improving by just 1% every day. Removing what’s irrelevant – whether professionally or personally – truly resonated with me.”

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Courtyard Two

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Courtyard

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Dining Hall

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Architecture

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Extension

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Auditorium

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Rosaline Wong Gallery

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Rosaline Wong Gallery_view of large window

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Meeting Room

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Rosaline Wong Gallery_view onto market street

Practice Day 2025_Jesus College Rooftop view

WWA Team choosing teams at Flight Club in Oxford Profile photo/avatar for Johnathan Headland at Flight Club Profile photo/avatar for Matt Hinkins at Flight Club Profile photo/avatar for Philip Waddy at Flight Club WWA Team photo at Flight Club before the competition starts