Letters, feedback, opinions – get it off your chest

Dear Editor,


Re: Getting the right people is essential for success–a HAN business article



Good to see that HAN is on the ball HR-wise. Hope to see, as a ex-employee, HAN working these 'not so new' philosophies out. In the past there was head knowledge in the company but little heart knowledge. One of the reasons why I moved on into my own business.



I own a small print company and we have just the mix that Georgie is talking about. A young GM guiding a wide range of ages from 20-year-old apprentices to 58-year-old production people and both young and old sales people, all functioning as a team. Individual incentives are being put in place to suit each individual.




In the highly competitive market that is Auckland, sales people seem to be the hardest to find and hold on to. We have a very good package for 'good' sales people, however it seems that there is no sure thing. It was expressed in my BNI group one morning that perhaps the last good sales person in Auckland has already retired!



We think that focused training in-house and in the market place addresses the need somewhat, but achieving and retaining trained staff is not easy to do. We had a wake up call to what Georgie is saying because we experienced a 40% turn over in our staff of 8 over a period of 18 months. It was costly in many ways to replace them. The good news is with new people comes a new impetus and camaraderie if the management get it right.



Greetings to all at HAN from a young baby boomer.



Regards,


Murray Walters


Print Advisor


Auckland