People Power Celebrated In The South West
With recruitment, staff retention and investment in training firmly at the top of boardroom agendas, Torbay and South Devon Employment and Skills Board, in association with local partners such as Business Link and Torbay Innovation Centre, held an event to help local companies with 'People Management in a Downturn'.
Providing a platform to discuss future changes in performance management, participants in the forum were able to learn more about latest HR initiatives, share and discuss experiences, and primarily learn how investment in staff can bring about business gains.
Focusing on best practice, staff motivation, effective recruitment and strategies for change, speakers on the day included Andrew Tobey - employment partner and head of Michelmores Employment Team who discussed issues such as how to avoid industrial tribunals and mediation techniques, HR consultant and facilitator Wendy Wyatt, and Laurence Murrell - owner and managing director of local Beacon company TLH Leisure Resort.
Based in Torquay, TLH Leisure Resort has held the Investors in People award for 15 years and as a Beacon company, was able to share experiences with business peers at the event.
Debbie Passmore, Partnership Executive for the Torbay Development Agency said: "This was the first in a series of events instigated by the Torbay and South Devon Employment and Skills Board and funded by the Torbay Development Agency. Working with local partners these events are aimed at raising the skills levels and aspirations of businesses throughout the area.
"Events such as these are extremely effective in promoting and spreading best practice and providing new business insights for existing and aspiring exemplar businesses. This event was helpful in bringing a wide variety of companies together and engaging them in discussions and workshops with experts in the field of HR and employee development.
"We expect this programme of events to assist 150+ companies to improve the skills level and business capabilities as they plan for the economic upturn."
Sue Baker, project director at Beacon South West added: "Attendance at this event showed there is a thirst for knowledge about HR issues, with local businesses proving that they are committed to putting people and employment issues at the top of their priority list as they see the long-term rewards they will reap for their business by doing so."
The next event will take place at the Innovation Centre, Torquay on April 3rd where Martin Foulger, Divisional Managing Director of world leading communications company 'Spirent Communications', will talk about Innovation and Strategy.
The final event in the series is taking place on the 21st May at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay, and will focus on Increasing Sales and Improving Sales Skills involving local Beacon company Gro-Group.
