Member Article

Not so early for a New Years resolution

Oh come on Tipster we haven’t even had Christmas and there you are talking about New Year’s resolutions - it’s all a bit premature isn’t it? Well not really. The Tipster always finds that there is so much going on over the New Year period that often you lose sight of the important issues.

In terms of business - what really is your key asset? It may be something to consider over the Christmas turkey or nut roast. For the Tipster the key asset in any organisation are the people. I have always been of the view that probably the two most important groups are the cleaners - nothing worse than working in a dirty office and reception who welcome people into the organisation. Of course there are many others in administrative support units and people churning the widgets who are also key but we so often lose sight of this.

So, going into the New Year, here are five tips that you may want to consider:-

1. Job descriptions - do they actually match the work that the person is doing? The reason the Tipster asks this is that often people are doing jobs totally different from their job descriptions in which they feel uncomfortable lacking in support or in training. It is a great opportunity to check the “working health” of your key assets by sitting down and talking to them to see whether their expectations are being met by the jobs that they are actually doing. Sadly (or otherwise) the Tipster loves a good episode of Master Chef - the Professionals. This year’s winner, Ash, was making thousands of canapés for a catering service. Nothing wrong with that but the lad had talent and someone actually listened to his application, encouraged him and supported him and there he was preparing magnificent dishes for some of the leading chefs in the country. Someone listened to him, took forward his talent. Go on be daring!

2. Contracts - Oh Tipster you are so dull but have they been updated to meet the needs of the company and indeed of the employees? Employers cannot unilaterally vary terms and conditions but if a contract is outdated and outmoded then now is a great opportunity to review and refresh the contract of employment.

3. Policies - are they up to date? Do they reflect any changes that have occurred over the last year in employment issues? When did you last speak to your legal adviser on these points? Do they cover all the new emerging areas and problems that employers face, namely the use of social media for example? If not tackle the issue.

4. Training - good equal opportunities training can actually nip problems in the bud. On a more Machiavellian level if you have trained your staff then it can, in certain circumstances, be a statutory defence to any claims against the company for breach of the Equality Act 2010.

5. How do your staff work, is it efficient? - Think laterally. Is it the case that the work could be undertaken by different people within an organisation, could certain functions be outsourced? Is it possible that someone’s working day which involves two to three hours of commute could be cut down if they were allowed to work at home? There has been a great deal of talk over the last decade about the work life balance. Certain senior executives raise an ironic eyebrow and say that the Blackberry has helped ensure that any privacy or enjoying of social functions/family life has been disrupted but this does not have to be the case. It is a good tool often for time management (and there are thousands of courses on this subject) but how effectively are we using our time.

So as it comes up to Christmas and we roll into the New Year - time to reflect and think how effective we have been over the last year.

The Tipster returns in the New Year. He wishes you all a peaceful and successful year ahead.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by David Gibson .