The latest Connect HR Forum hosted by specialist recruiters TeamExecutive and TeamJobs with Steele Raymond LLP Solicitors featured a lively debate on how to attract the right talent – and keep it.
The quarterly forum held at Steele Raymond’s client suite in Richmond Hill Bournemouth, was attended by HR managers from businesses across Dorset.
Guest speaker was Niall Cluley, Managing Director of the south coast-based global culture consultancy Dragonfish, which has worked with businesses including Carnival UK, The National Trust, Ordnance Survey, Itsu and Ann Summers.
Discussing the current ‘buyer’s market’ when it comes to recruitment Niall asked how many delegates had made job offers only for candidates to accept jobs elsewhere, and was met with a show of hands.
Niall went on to reveal findings of research commissioned by Dragonfish on the importance of shared vision, purpose and values and how businesses can attract the right candidates and retain them.
He said: “As we all know, high performing cultures don’t just happen. To put it simply, they occur when the right people with the right skills work well together on the same vision.
“At Dragonfish we have found that people want work to be meaningful in an environment that supports them and most importantly has a sense of purpose with values aligned to their own.
“When employees don’t share that vision and when they feel under-appreciated or have a lack of support in the day-to-day experience the relationship breaks down.
“For a successful business we need a mix of connection to the mission, as well as people who can be themselves.”
Lively group discussions debated ways in which to attract and retain staff including offering employees lifestyle-based incentives such as part time hours, home-based working and even driving lessons.
The Forum’s resident law expert Amy Cousineau-Massey, Associate Solicitor & Head of Employment Law at Steele Raymond also briefed delegates on steps businesses can take when hires aren’t successful, with advice on probation periods, employment rights, discrimination and compensation.
Emma-Jane Kinzi of the family-owned collectibles business 288 Group, was attending the Forum for the first time.
She said: “Successful recruitment is absolutely key and I’ve found today very interesting with lots of great advice and guidance which I will be feeding back to my Board.”
The Connect HR Forum started in January 2018 to enable human resources professionals and business leaders to discuss the hot topics affecting business, from harassment to data protection and staff engagement.
It is hosted by TeamExecutive – the executive search associate brand of Poole and Bournemouth-based recruitment specialist TeamJobs – which works with SMEs on a national and international basis to deliver leaders in senior positions up to Board level.
The Forum is free to attend but spaces are limited and all delegates must pre-register.
To register for the next event contact Marina Dmitriyeva on: 01202 294 566.
For more information on TeamExecutive phone Sally Bennett on: 01202 037 999.