Good management pays healthy dividends

Amid an atmosphere of escalating socio-economic uncertainty, it is important for both employers and employees to position themselves effectively.

Service providers who focus on people management through technology suggest this positioning should involve a serious review of the efficiency of human resources, recruitment processes and payroll administration.

Teryl Schroenn, CEO of Accsys, a provider of HR, payroll and time and attendance management solutions, says current conditions are forcing businesses to re-assess their abilities in these key departments and are also compelling job-seekers to fine-tune their skills and polish up on the basics.

“Decision-makers and HR managers have to check the results and outcomes of HR strategies, and whether these are having a positive or negative effect on progress and growth,” she says.

“Their recruitment policies, induction programmes, on- and off-site training programmes and career development programmes, all fall under scrutiny.”

Technology application is one of the first areas where decision-makers tend to heed a call to action. There is technology out there that can and does make a difference to processes and procedures, if applied correctly.

While this is true, says Schroenn, with any technology investment there needs to be a careful consideration over critical business requirements, existing systems in place, training and long-term consequences.

“Technology alone is limited in the elimination of problems with HR or payroll processes. At the end of the day, it still requires people to apply their skills and extract the maximum benefit and value out of the technology,” says Schroenn.

Accsys advocates the importance and relevance of training and skills development as elements of a corporate growth strategy. “Companies are also under pressure to ensure that they have a competitive recruitment policy framework in place and that skills development is firmly entrenched in their core operations. Essentially the effective management of people will pay short- and long-term dividends and reflect in an improved bottom line,” adds Schroenn.

“People management, in terms of the workplace, has changed and is being shaped by a myriad factors – from technology right through to economic pressure and work/life balance.

“The result is that job-seekers are more aware of what they would like from the workplace, but also that employers are more astute in their selection of candidates.”

However, while a company has a number of responsibilities with regard to people management and raising levels of productivity, employees and job-seekers need to be aware of the ever-changing dynamics of the modern workplace.

While the skilled employee is in a strong bargaining position, a long-term successful career requires a good track record in terms of a combination of skills growth and stability alongside strategic job moves and promotions.

Today, there are many career and lifestyle coaches who can assist employees with their choices.

Schroenn also comments that companies need to look both internally and externally for input on their people management policies. “It helps to have an experienced partner on board that has the knowledge and resources to offer proactive support and guidance to businesses.

“This is because a credible service provider can help organizations negotiate the many pitfalls in HR strategies. These challenges include lack of communication between employer and prospective employee, mis-information, poor placement of individuals, lack of training or input from management, and much more.”

Essentially, the tried-and-tested principle of a happy employee being a productive employee still holds true, says Schroenn.

MIXED FEELINGS OVER JIMOH IBRAHIM’s NATIONAL HONOUR

The intention of the Federal Government to honour controversial lawyer cum businessman, has come under heavy criticism by Nigerians.

It is being echoed that Ibrahim’s lifestyle and his debt ridden business status alongside other controversial and unresolved issues, do not present him as the best worthy to be honoured.

The belief is rife that Ibrahim is nominated for this award because he was a ready catalyst to discredit the Obasanjo administration as well as be positioned as ‘government friendly business ally.’

A few, however, consider him most suitable for this honour, as one from humble background who shook off the mud to be considered relevant for courting by banks, who have strongly backed virtually all his initiatives financially.

Another vital factor is the age advantage. In his early 40’s, he has embarked on gargantuan projects in the nine figure range.

His investments span hospitality, insurance, oil and gas, human capital development, real estate, etc.

…ACQUIRES 500POUNDS HOTEL IN LONDON

Words filtering in as at press time reveal that Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim is on a spending spree once again. He is said to be on the verge of acquiring Cumberland Hotel, Central London, in the United Kingdom. Details are still sketchy, but his business history shows his flair for hospitality business.

Prior to this Cumberland Hotel purchase, he has in his kitty Nicon Hotel, Ajuba, Hilton Hotel, Lagos, among others.

It is yet to be clarified which financial institutions provided the back up for the acquisition of the said hotel.