By Kelly Mason, CEO of Bounce Global
Maria Smith FIEP (Founder and Creative Director of Bounce Global) and I recently returned from an enlightening two-week journey across the USA and UK, where we engaged in various meetings and attended the IEP Summit 2024. This trip provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities within our sector, and I’d like to share some key takeaways with you.
Universal Challenges in the Sector
One of the most striking realisations from our discussions and sessions was that the challenges we face in our sector are remarkably similar, regardless of geographic location. This underscores the importance of global collaboration and shared strategies to address these issues effectively.
The Power of Collaboration
As a sector, it is imperative that we unite our efforts to lobby and inform governments about the necessary measures for success. Collective advocacy can drive the policy changes needed to create a more supportive environment for our work. The IEP Summit created an environment for like-minded people to come together and share ideas for future success in the sector.
Staff Retention: A Global Imperative
A recurring theme in our discussions was the need for providers to scrutinise their internal processes and systems to improve staff retention. High turnover rates are a global issue that significantly hampers one of our biggest challenges—employee engagement. If we can retain our staff, we can start to make meaningful improvements in this area.
Employer Engagement and DES Reforms
In Australia, the new DES reforms place a strong emphasis on employer engagement. Similarly, this topic was a major focus in the UK. At the Summit, Professor Jo Ingold FIEP CAHR led a thought-provoking session titled ‘Building People’s Capability for the Future.’ She highlighted the importance of engaging and supporting employers more effectively across the sector. A memorable quote from one of the panellists was, “People buy from people.”
The Human Connection
This statement resonates deeply. Employers are more interested in the relationships they build with your frontline workers than in your company’s name. The trust and rapport your staff create are pivotal to employer engagement. It’s the personal connection and the quality of service provided by your people that truly matter.
A Call to Action
So, here’s a question for all of us to ponder:
What do you need to do differently, starting today, so that your staff are happy, more engaged, and loyal to your organisation?
Reflecting on this question and implementing actionable changes can help us create a more stable and effective workforce, ultimately leading to better employer engagement and success in our sector.
To find out more about how Bounce Global can help connect with us through our website www.bounceglobal.net or contact me directly kelly@bounceglobal.net
