Editorial
Blonde ambition
A while ago I stumbled across my first ever ‘editor’s pic’. It was a sight to behold. My blonde David Bowie-look hair was lit up like a halo under the photographer’s lights, and the slouchy cream linen jacket could have come straight from the set of Gloss—shoulder pads and all. Yes, it was the ‘80s.
Little did our graphic designer know, when he so thoughtfully mocked up a new-look editorial page, that he’d be taking me back to my roots (in a manner of speaking). Yes, that really is me sporting a seriously blonde bouffant.
The things we do in the name of team bonding! But it seems to have had results. Brookers Blonde Bombshells took out seventh place at the recent ASB Challenge, New Zealand’s biggest quiz night. Two teams from our Auckland office joined more than 120 other teams in an effort to stage a world record-breaking quiz night and raise money for the youth development programme TYLA.
We didn’t quite make the Guinness World Record, but there’s always next year. The number to beat is 1566—that’s how many quiz-goers attended the largest-ever quiz held in Hyderabad, India last December.
Looking through the list of team names it’s clear there was a good turnout from the corporate sector. It seems some made it their mid-year ‘do’ and booked a VIP table. But I’m sure there were many others where someone simply spotted the opportunity for a fun night out with their workmates ... and did something about it.
It’s often this type of staff-led team bonding—rather than the more organised team building events many companies engage in—that is the real glue in an organisation. But it doesn’t happen if there aren’t people prepared not only to get involved but to make things happen.
Of course, Friday night drinks, popping out for coffee together or organising something fun like a mad hat day, are no silver bullet, but they do go some way to building an engaged workforce. It’s widely accepted that successful organisations are those which have employees who are eager to come to work and who bring with them their hearts, minds, creativity and passion.
Just be thankful if all you’re asked to do is wear a wig. Shop assistants from the hand-made cosmetics store Lush recently braved chilly conditions on the streets of Auckland and Christchurch wearing nothing but aprons to publicise the evils of too much packaging. Now that really is cheeky!
Lyndsey Swan
Feature articles
Integrated values
GHD has been around since the 1920s, but the company has moved with the times and scored highly in the 2007 Unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work survey. Heather Dodge tells Miriam Bell how the company achieved that success.
Four steps to freedom
We can’t work and sleep, yet we often spend our time in a state of ‘waking sleep’, says Dr Derek Roger. He outlines the steps to taking control of our attention and developing resilience.
When art and business collide
Put a paintbrush in their hands and people recover some of their childhood creativity, says David Kayrouz. Now businesses are discovering they have much to gain by helping employees unleash their creative intelligence.
More than hard data
Many of us have HR information systems in our organisations—but do we use them to their full potential, asks Liz Tibbutt. She examines the trends towards sharing data, and looks at how to get the best from your system.
Tomorrow’s tools today
The delivery of HR information is changing. No longer will it reside on an organisation’s own computers. Ben Kepes reports on Web 2.0, SaaS, and how the new methods of delivery will affect HR.
Integrated system the best solution
For New Zealand’s largest crown research institute, the solution to coping with ageing and disparate HR and payroll systems was to introduce a new integrated HRIS. Nick Ollington outlines the approach the organisation took.
Ringing the changes
When it comes to employment legislation, it seems that change is the only constant. Greg Cain and Emma Warden outline the forthcoming statutory changes and consider how employers can make the most of them.
Ready, willing and able
Engaging a contractor—someone who can hit the ground running and make an instant contribution—can be the answer to an organisation’s staffing issues, says Chris Palmer. He explains how to get the best from executive leasing.
Back to basics
Struck by the confusion that often exists over employment law, Steve Dukeson presents an overview of the basics. He covers a range of key issues from trial periods to poor performance, and fixed term agreements to redundancy.
Heads in the sand
It’s tougher than ever to find good job candidates, yet many companies have their heads in the sand, says Richard Manthel. He challenges them to do everything in their power to recruit and retain top staff—including increasing salaries.
Departments
Recruitment: Grads good for business
New Zealand software development company Intergen runs a successful graduate recruitment programme. Tony Stewart and Nadine Newport explain why employing graduates makes good business sense and pays dividends year after year.
Leadership: No place for chance
Leadership is often taken for granted and only noticed when weaknesses are exposed, says Gordon Davidson. He looks at what you need to do to ensure that your company’s leadership, at board and management level, stays on top of its game.
HRINZ column: Notes from abroad
New Zealand is not alone in coping with the effects of a seesawing job market, says Beverley Main. And her experience at the recent WFPMA World Congress suggests we’re also not alone when it comes to poor audience manners.
Case in Point: Exceptional circumstances
When he was refused leave to pursue a personal grievance after 90 days, a dismissed police officer appealed. Carl Reaich discusses the outcome.
Leadership & Development: Forward thinking
How do you tell your managers what they need to change and have them thank you for it, asks Nick Petrie. He outlines a new, effective and fun way to develop busy leaders.
Legal Solutions: Bag of tricks
What can you do about an employee who is clearly job-hunting? And what can you do when the job offer you thought was in the bag is suddenly rescinded? Johanna Drayton and Fran Hesp have the answers.
Wellness at Work: On top of the cliff
The key to better productivity is simply better staff welfare, says Brian Blackman. He advocates a top-of-the-cliff approach to managing employee wellbeing and safety.
Public Sector: Wise after the event
The full extent of an employee’s misconduct may not come to light until after their dismissal, says Paul Robertson. A recent decision confirms such misconduct can be used against them. |
