Summer Staff Generation

 

A how to guide:

Getting the staff you need over the silly season during a global pandemic is tough. If you’ve tried Seek, Careers, and Trademe with no luck, maybe it’s time to think creatively. And remember, while our unemployment rate is low, there are always going to be part-time workers looking for more hours or full-timers looking for a change.

Here are six fresh ways to find new staff:

  1. Ask friends and whanau. Advertise to your tribe first — whether it’s via social media, email, or newsletter. Your friends, family, and customer base are already engaged with your business so they might want to work with you or know someone who does.
  2. Promote from within. Have you considered whether one
    of your current staff members could fill the vacancy? Internal promotions are a great way to reward performance and create career paths that bolster employee engagement. Remember to go through the same recruitment process as you would with an external candidate to ensure they’re the right fit.
  3. Use Student Job Search. Did you know there are more than 40,000 students nationwide looking for work? Most have finished their exams and are seeking temporary or permanent employment. Search Student Job Search.
  4. Jump on social. Since most people use at least one social media platform, it makes sense to leverage these channels to attract and hire new job candidates. LinkedIn is the most popular, but Facebook also has an effective platform for promoting new roles. Make sure your own business Facebook page has relevant, up-to-date content to give potential candidates a true insight into your culture.
  5. Facebook groups. Are you a member of your local community Facebook noticeboard? Search for it and post your job advert there. It’s a great way to spread the word because people can tag friends or family who may be interested in the role.
  6. Widen the net. The New Kiwis website links skilled migrants living in New Zealand with employers, and Work & Income New Zealand has a free phone service for recruitment, call 0800 778 008.

Directors: Know your role

 

If you’re a director, make sure you’re up to speed on both company law and the accepted code of behaviour required for the job. If you ignore the underlying principles of ‘good faith’ and ‘duty of care’ you could be fined up to $200,000 or face jail time. Remember to:

  • Maintain a consistently solid understanding of the company’s activities and financial status.
  • Confidently read, understand, question, and manage the company’s financial statements.
  • Stay curious and use your independent judgement when dealing with company matters.
  • Utilise reports, statements, and expert help to make decisions in the best interest of the company and know when to ask for more information.
  • Consider joining The Institute of Directors to develop your skills and knowledge, learn from more experienced directors, and access helpful information and services.

Six simple ways to make your business more sustainable  

 

  • Assess your environmental impact. Look at your materials, emissions, and waste. Try carbon calculators Ekos or Toitu or the new Climate Action Toolbox.
  • Put your green mission on paper. What does sustainability mean to your team, company, industry, and clients? Developing a short mission statement establishes your priorities and gets everyone on the same page.
  • Partner up for the planet. Why not share a percentage of your profits with environmental non-profits or green initiatives? It makes a positive difference, and your business will become more attractive to eco-conscious customers.
  • Ask for help. You’re not expected to become an eco-expert overnight. Talk to the Sustainable Business Network for advice or approach your local Council.
  • Get inspired. From engineers to beekeepers, lots of small to medium Kiwi businesses are doing their part for the environment. Read their award-winning stories here.
  • Watch out for green-washing. It’s important to be diligent about the products and services you’re offering if you’re flying the sustainability flag. Look out for green-washing, which is when a product is environmentally friendly in one way but harms the planet in others.