What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I have been given two pieces of advice that I will always remember:
- Even if the task at hand is too hard, don’t give up, just give it a go, smile and have fun with it.
- Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
What challenges do you think HR will face over the next 10 years?
The biggest challenge would be retaining the most talented employees in a business and leadership development.
What is the favourite part of your job? And which part of your role has proven the most challenging?
I would say the favourite part of my role would be that not one day is the same. Every day is a different day. Working with a great team where each individual has their own talents. It is very rewarding when your own skills and experience help make a positive difference, even if in a small way.
The most challenging part of the role is ensuring that whilst the business grows, it retains a very positive spirit within the organisation. When an organisation expands, someone who appeared to be a good fit may not be and are disruptive for others. Any issues need to be identified early so they can be managed while it remains a small one.
What do you feel is your biggest professional achievement to date?
My biggest achievement would be having the privilege and opportunity to be part of a growing and successful business for the last 17 years in which I can develop my skills and experience.
What attracted you to a career in HR?
Having the ability to work with talented and skilled people, each striving to achieve common goals for the success of the business.
What are some of the HR challenges particular to your firm?
Finding the right talent that will fit within a vibrant team environment in a very competitive industry and retaining that talent.
Sourcing top talent is a challenge for Australia’s professional services scene. What are some strategies you have devised to locate, attract and retain quality talent for your workforce?
Some of the strategies used would be to have a clear understanding of what it is you require in the role that you are recruiting for. You would then need to identify what qualities you would want in an employee for that person to be able to fit in with the culture of the existing team and business.
Once you have recruited that person, make sure you take the time to touch base and keep all lines of communication open.
We often have breakfast meetings for the staff and work / life balance is very important.
Which areas of HR are you most passionate about?
Industrial relations / employment law
Please complete this sentence: If you weren’t working in HR, you would be…
Probably either a marine biologist or a dolphin trainer!
