HR in the hot seat: Belinda Newman of Kronos

What is your current role and what brought you into it?

My current role is senior manager human resources at Kronos, ANZ. My role supports the ANZ region, while working closely with Kronos Corporate. My role requires me to be a trusted adviser to the business, leadership team, and employees.

I was attracted to work for a company that believes businesses are powered by great people and that develops purpose-built solutions for a plethora of industries. I was also impressed that the company was a Great Place To Work winner, a study that helps organisations identify, create and sustain great workplaces through the development of high-trust workplace cultures. It’s important for me that I work for a company which truly believes in focusing on employee engagement.

What are some of your current HR challenges?

Kronos has a remarkably unique and respectful culture that has been nurtured over time. With the rapid growth we are currently experiencing, a challenge I am facing is ensuring we recruit the right people into the right roles, and onboard new employees effectively into the Kronos culture.

I am also focussed on implementing process that ensure our customers are number one, teams are effectively collaborating and employees are enabled to work in a way that best suits them.

What is the favourite part of your job?

I love working with people, and collaborating with others which was the initial driver that led me to a career in HR. Working closely with manages and employees alike I am passionate about implementing new ways of working to benefit all parties.

I also love focusing on building the foundations for an effective people strategy and planning initiatives to help drive and increase employee engagement.

What attracted you to a career in HR?

My dad always said your career should be about getting paid to do something that you love. Landing my first job at the local newsagency when I was in high school, I discovered I loved talking to people. Over the seven years I worked there, I built lifelong relationships with the local community. From this experience I realised I had a fascination with human behaviour and people, so I then went on to study psychology and human resources.

What’s one piece of HR related advice you would offer?

Know your business, know the people, know your metrics – and then help to build a more fulfilling place to work that in turn positively impacts a business’s bottom line.

What hobbies and interests do you have outside of HR?

Outside of HR, my interests are travel, science and history. I’m interested in exploring other cultures, learning new things, and understanding the events of the world. I love spending time with friends and family, boot camp and horse riding when I find the time.

Please complete this sentence: If you weren’t working in HR ... from a business perspective, I would spend more time caring for my community, nurturing young talent and inspiring women in the workplace. From a personal perspective, I’d spend even more time with my family and children on fun adventures.