Spring Client Newsletter 2011
Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:12 — The Johnson Group
Welcome,
Welcome to our spring edition. At the Johnson Group, we’ve taken the idea of spring cleaning to a whole new level – we’ve had more than just a bit of a tidy up, we’ve moved!
Our new, custom-built offices are located on Level 6, 139 The Terrace. They’re bigger and better than the old ones, with plenty of room to accommodate new staff as we continue to expand our services. We have several exciting new developments in the works, including plans to set up an executive search service. Executive searches are a specialised form of head-hunting, and are considered to be the most effective way of filling high-level executive positions. We’re now recruiting for a consultant to take on this important new task: watch this space.
We’ve also expanded our advisory board. Ross Tanner has joined law consultant Doug Bailey to provide us with high-level advice and guidance. Ross is a professional director, and a consultant specialising in public policy, public management and governance. He has some interesting views about what needs to happen in the public sector – you can read about them later in this newsletter.
In early February we’re launching a new club for contractors. The idea is to provide contractors working in the public sector with the opportunity to get together regularly and share information and market intelligence. We plan to have a presenter at each meeting who will talk about issues such as indemnity insurance, ACC obligations and the legal obligations and responsibilities of contracting. We’ll let you when and where the first meeting is once we’ve finalised the date.
We’ve enjoyed the buzz around the Rugby World Cup and we’re delighted by the final outcome. It was a nail-biting night, but the All Blacks managed to hang on in the face of a determined French opposition. It’s a great result for the whole country and the event has been a great way of show-casing New Zealand to the world. We’re looking forward to seeing that renewed buoyancy reflected in the job market.
Campbell
Grab contractors while you can
Contactors continue to be an important part of the workforce, particularly among younger workers who have little interest in having a “career for life”.
Contracting opportunities in the public sector have started to slow down recently as the sector gears up for the election, being held on November 26. However, according to Campbell, industry sources say this slowdown will only be temporary.
He says now is a good time to start interviewing for positions that are likely to come up after the election. “A number of contractors are coming out of contracts at the moment, but my advice is that if you think you’ll need more contractors soon, don’t wait. If you do that, you may miss out as everyone will be looking for similar people once the demand picks up again.”
We have a team of highly experienced contractors on our books, and we can help you find the right person for the job
Contact: Heather or Rohan for more information on our contractor talent pool
The public sector needs to start taking risks
Public sector reform needs to stop being mechanistic and efficiency focused, and instead take a “transformative” approach based on innovation and risk-taking according to Ross Tanner, the Johnson Group’s new advisory board member.
In an article in the latest edition of Public Sector, the journal of the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand (IPANZ), he says that public service departments in New Zealand need to substantially change the way they operate.
“They must, collectively, assert stronger and more effective leadership on the big policy challenges facing our nation and become more engaged with the issues being faced by families, communities and businesses,” he says.
The transformative approach he suggests includes:
• being innovative at a system level
• “learning by doing” – and being prepared to accept that some experiments will fail
• setting up cross-sector project teams to pilot the change.
He also says that ministers must mandate such work, and learn about and support new ways of working.
For more go to Point of view: Revitalising the public service
Don’t discount older workers
A recent newspaper article featuring Campbell talking about the plight of older workers struck quite a chord among those who read it. Campbell received a lot of phonecalls and letters after the article was published in several newspapers.
“The big thing I was pushing is that employers shouldn’t discount older workers but that older workers themselves need to manage their mindset,” he says.
In the article, Campbell warns older workers – those aged 50 or more – not to take the effects of public sector reform personally. He says that even if older workers lose their jobs, there are still plenty of employment opportunities available to them. However, it’s important to get into the right headspace and stay positive.
He also points out that from an employer’s perspective, older workers have a lot to offer. They are usually loyal, committed and have a good work ethic. They may also be happy, for lifestyle reasons, to take on roles they seem over-qualified for – and that can be good for employers.
“Don’t dismiss someone who seems overqualified on paper – take it to the next stage. You may be pleasantly surprised. If someone is intelligent and wants to do what you’re offering, then they’re probably going to do a good job.”
For more go to Older job seekers too defensive
Chief executive vacancies now being filled
It’s good to see the appointment of new chief executives to several government departments. As the media pointed out in July, an unprecedented number of chief executive positions in the public service have been vacant this year.
Lesley Longstone – currently working in Britain – will head the Education Ministry; Brendan Boyle is moving from Internal Affairs to Social Development; Andrew Bridgeman has been confirmed for the top job at the Justice Ministry, and Carolyn Tremain, who was previously at Inland Revenue, is now heading Customs NZ.
Campbell says that while there are still some vacancies – Brendan Boyle’s new appointment has created a vacancy at Internal Affairs, and Christopher Blake is leaving the Department of Labour to run the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – the recent appointments will provide stability, and help galvanise leadership teams within the relevant departments.
“This is a time when we need a clear communication of issues; every ship needs a captain, and getting a new leader provides an opportunity to tackle some of the big issues.”
Labour market continues to recover
Latest Labour Department figures show that the labour market stabilised over the June 2011 quarter, following strong growth in employment in the previous quarter.
However, the Household and Labour Force Survey says that New Zealand continues to have a low unemployment rate compared with many other OECD countries. The unemployment rate of 6.5% is the equal 12th lowest of the 34 countries in the OECD, and below the average OECD rate of 9.2%.
“It’s good to be reminded that we are still in a good position globally,” says Campbell.
According to the HLFS, the groups that did well during the June quarter included those working in health, education and financial services. Older workers also did well – the number of workers aged 55 and over has increased by 4.9% over the last year.
Overall the labour market has strengthened over the first half of 2011, and it is expected to continue to recover over the next year, although significant improvements are not expected until early in 2012.
Read the full report.
Great results for skilled migrants
The last group of interns who took part in Victoria University’s Skilled Migrants Programme (Workplace Communications) were a fantastic group, and four of the nine have already found work. The rest are well on their way to finding their first “real” job in New Zealand.
The feedback from the employers who provided six-week internships was also really enthusiastic.
The next intake of interns start their course on March 5, 2012; they will begin their internships six week later. If you are an employer and would be interested in taking on an intern next year, please register to go on our mailing list or give us a call to discuss it further.
For more on the programme go to Victoria University.
Recruitment coach
One of my staff is underperforming but I don’t know how to raise the issue with them – I’m afraid they’ll get angry or defensive. What’s the best way to broach the subject? Natalia, Johnsonville
Having difficult conversations is part of being a manager. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to do, but you owe it to your staff – and your workplace – to learn how to do it properly. Talk to your HR department to see if they have any tips, or ask another more experienced manager for advice. You could also contact The Johnson Group – we can put you in touch with a coach to help you develop the skills you need to have difficult conversations. We also have extensive contacts within the public service, and may be able to connect you with an experienced manager who can help guide you through the process.
and finally
As Wellington’s only public sector recruitment agency, The Johnson Group recruits all professional roles in the following areas:
• Policy (strategic/operational, and economic analysis)
• Research and evaluation
• Planning and reporting
• Legal
• Human resources
• Programme/project management, technical and operations