Waikato Business News August/September 2023

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12 HR MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 Navigating restructures and outplacement in a changing economy In today’s ever-changing economic landscape, employers often find themselves in the challenging position of having to restructure their businesses to stay competitive and adapt to market shifts. While these changes are often necessary for survival and growth, they can also be emotionally taxing for employees and business owners. Managing restructures and outplacement effectively is not only a legal and ethical responsibility but also crucial for preserving a positive company culture and reputation. Here are our tips for managing change with good faith in mind: Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication is key. Employers should clearly communicate the reasons behind the restructure, its potential impact on employees, and the company’s commitment to supporting affected individuals throughout the process. Upfront Planning: Careful planning is essential. Employers should outline their goals and the desired outcomes of the restructure, identifying which roles will be affected and how they intend to fill the gaps. Support and Training: Invest in training and upskilling programmes to help employees adapt to new roles or acquire new skills. This not only benefits the employees but also ensures the company has a more versatile and skilled workforce. Outplacement Services: Providing outplacement services, such as career counselling, resume building, and job search assistance, demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of outgoing employees and helps them transition into new roles smoothly. Legal Compliance: Ensure your restructure complies with all NZ Employment Laws. It is critical to follow a robust process and not to pre-determine any potential outcomes. Seek advice if you’re considering changing your business model. Employee Wellbeing: Monitor the emotional wellbeing of your employees. Offer counselling/coaching services or access to support networks to help them cope with the stress of change. Maintaining Company Culture: Protect your company’s culture by fostering a sense of unity among remaining employees and emphasizing the company’s values and mission. Feedback and Evaluation: Continuously gather feedback from employees and assess the effectiveness of the restructure. Make adjustments as needed to improve the process. In a changing economy, adaptability is the key to survival. Employers who manage restructures and outplacement with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to employee well-being will not only navigate these challenges successfully but also emerge with a stronger, more resilient business poised for future growth. If you need support during a change process or outplacement services for your employees, contact 0800 EVEREST. PEOPLE AND CULTURE BY SENGA ALLEN Managing Director, Everest People. Specialising in workplace advice, recruitment, training and coaching. www.everestpeople.co.nz

WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 HR MANAGEMENT & RECRUITMENT 13 Local PR brain selected for global programme Waikato-based Brainchild director Angela March has been selected as one of only 26 women from 20 countries to take part in the Global Women in Public Relations Empower programme. Developed by Global Women in PR, Empower connects PR experts at the top of their game with the next generation of PR women through a cross-border mentoring and learning programme. March is using the opportunity to, not only grow her own skillset, but she hopes to use the knowledge gained by some of the best PR experts to inspire other women in PR. “I've been pretty lucky all my career to be surrounded by lots of strong female leaders - both those I have reported to and the many inspiring clients that I’ve watched lead by example. This felt like a really great opportunity to grow my own leadership skills and to be able to return the favour to others coming up in the industry.” The only Kiwi selected to take part in the programme, March has recently met online with her mentor Havas Red Spain PR director general Ana Picó Alvarez. “I'm really excited to be working with somebody who deeply understands how an agency works, and a PR agency at that. It’s an awesome opportunity to connect with and learn from women at the top of the field globally. I am blown away to be counted in this group of mentees.” I've had lots of exposure to businesses, small and big, and across many different industries. I love being able to tell their stories. The learning element of the Empower programme involves regular masterclasses given by industry experts on topics such as leadership skills, business management, and career planning. There will also be opportunities for the mentees to participate in panel discussions, a thought leadership project and international networking. As well as regular virtual networking meet-ups for mentees and active social media engagement to help create a sense of community. March fell in love with PR while studying communications at Unitec. “My major was originally in event management and then I found out this whole other world of PR. And actually, looking back PR really was a great fit. Even though I didn't have any clue what PR was until I came across it at university.” Serving on her high People and culture: a pillar for business success As cultivating a good culture becomes ever more vital for retaining staff, Asset Recruitment’s Executive Recruitment and Business Development Manager, Judy Davison, looks at the essential elements of an effective people and culture strategy. running high school campaigns, March has since gone on to work for some of New Zealand and the world’s biggest brands. “I've had lots of exposure to businesses, small and big, and across many different industries. I love being able to tell their stories.” March started PR and content agency Brainchild in 2020; in the middle of the Covid pandemic and just before having her first child with number two following 17 months later. “I've been growing my business and growing my family at the same time,” she laughs. The Empower programme has come at a perfect time for March to continue developing her skills in the ever-changing PR landscape. “Making sure that we're always ahead of the pack and able to deliver best in class work that’s up with what's happening in the international space is important to me and it’s important for our clients.” GWPR’s 24-hour global speed mentoring initiative in 2021, involving 300 women on International Women’s Day, served as the springboard for this programme. school council, March had organised campaigns for Students Against Drunk Driving and promotions for school events but it wasn’t until later that she joined the dots and realised what she had been doing was PR. “It was PR at a very basic high school level.” she laughs. From humble beginnings WAIKATO BUSINESS NEWS, AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2023 Your recruitment asset in Waikato. Angela March New Zealand’s most popular job listing sites have a plethora of vacancies for roles such as: ‘Group Head – People and Culture’, ‘People and Culture Adviser’, ‘People and Culture Manager’. At Asset Recruitment, the demand for skilled candidates in these roles is just as high. “More and more workplaces are placing people and culture as a strategic priority They can’t afford not to. People and culture-related initiatives sit alongside HR, business development, and sales and marketing strategies – it has that much influence on an organisation’s operations. for their organisation,” says Judy. An article by Deloitte recognises that influence, acknowledging culture, leadership, and strategy as the three pillars which must align for business success. At Asset Recruitment, Judy has seen this strategic priority come through in organisation-wide placements, where culture-fit is an integral part of the recruitment process whatever the role. “It’s a non-negotiable for most businesses these days,” Judy says. “It doesn’t matter how great a candidate’s skills and experience may be, if there’s no values alignment, it won’t be a successful placement.” So, what’s required for an effective people and culture strategy? “Cohesion,” says Judy. “Culture must be company-wide, so a strategy must draw upon all aspects of a business. Define your company culture, demonstrate it, and continually develop it as your company evolves. Only then will it be a pillar for business success.” [CTA] Looking for candidates that align with your culture? Give Asset Recruitment a call today. Locally owned and operated, Asset Recruitment has been positioning excellence for more than 30 years. We align great candidates with great opportunities. If you’re looking to hire or would like to discuss your career opportunities, get in touch with our team. Temporary Recruitment Permanent Recruitment Executive Recruitment Industrial Recruitment 07 839 3685 | www.assetrec.co.nz

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Waikato Business News August/September 2023

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