Soundbites

15-April-2009

Suzie Bogle
Managing director, Breathing Space HR
“In today’s climate, MDs or CEOs have to be firmly in control of every aspect of their business. With a team scared about the future, it is vital that bosses communicate about direction, organisational health and engage employees — ensuring they understand what they need to do, why they are doing it and feel motivated and appreciated while getting it done. Management should be working closely with its HR team ensuring employee productivity and maintaining high performance. There can be no excuse for not completing appraisals and goal setting, as well as establishing effective controls in absence, retention, and pay and benefits. If redundancies have to be made, you will reap the benefits of fair selection procedures and integrated communication and consultation.”


Paul Leishman
Director, Escape Recruitment Services
“In the current climate, people need to trust their directors. They have to know that the decisions made are in the best interest of the business. People are naturally nervous about the current climate; they have to see that we are all in it together and you must lead by example, ensuring any success is celebrated by all. Targets need to be realistic and achievable — there is no point in setting targets that will never be met. As far as Escape Recuitment goes, there are no changes really. We just keep doing the right things — training, mentoring, listening and being honest with each other.”



Sharon O’Mahoney
Director, P&S Personnel
“Since the start of our business in March 2006, we have always had to work very hard to ensure that we develop our own profile in terms of branding, marketing and the back office side of the business, including credit checking, payment terms and margins. I don’t feel my role has changed that much today. However, I do feel that we are constantly evaluating business — making sure that the business we do is good business, for example, that we get paid for it on time! As directors we have always been fee earners and I feel that we need to ensure that no matter what, we continue to dig deep and keep spirits up (no matter what we feel underneath) to ensure that we set the right example to our teams. If being in charge of a business was easy, everyone would be doing it.”

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