Happy New Year, it is terrific to be back in touch with you all.

As expected, 2010 is off to a flying start and the year promises to be a much brighter one.  Even at this early stage there is great optimism and a strong sense of economic security. I have no doubt that as the year progresses there will be a number of great opportunities for people looking to reach out for new challenges or for those looking to further build their careers in HR.

In this issue we meet Gareth Bennett, a highly regarded Leader in HR.  Gareth provides us with an insight to how his firm plans to meet the challenges that lie ahead. 

Also we continue to promote learning and development across the HR profession via our HR Network Groups in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

All the best for 2010, enjoy the building momentum - it should be an interesting year ahead.

Regards,

David Owens
Managing Director
HR Partners

February sees the resumption of the Human Resources Network Group for 2010, with events being held at Sydney CBD, Sydney North Ryde and Sydney Norwest.

Brisbane and Melbourne will conduct their first events for 2010 in March.

To become a member for 2010 simply visit www.hrnetworkgroup.com.au.

Upcoming presenters, speakers, topics and dates for 2010:

Sydney North Ryde
Tuesday 9th February 2010
Topic: Breakthrough Leadership For HR
Presenter: Ann Kenna
Position: HR Director
Company: Wolters Kluwer

Sydney CBD
Wednesday 17th February 2010
Topic: Leadership Development
Presenter: Elinor Crossing
Position: Principal Advisor, HR Leadership Practice
Company: RTA

Sydney Norwest
Tuesday 23rd February 2010
Topic: A New World Of Work
Presenter: Sandra Francis
Position: Senior HR Manager
Company: IBM

Brisbane
Thursday 11th March 2010
Topic: HR Going Global From Local
Presenter: Rolf Moses
Position: Director of People
Company: Deacons / Norton Rose

Melbourne
Wednesday 24th March 2010
Topic: Cultural Change Excellence – A Case Study
Presenter: Mari Ruiz & Danielle Rafferty
Position: General Manager – People & Talent
Company: Insuranceline

We are delighted to welcome Matthew Saitta to the HR Partners team. Matthew has over 7 years recruitment experience in Australia specialising in HR across all industry sectors.

Matthew possesses a proven track record in the provision of both permanent and contract recruitment services across both operational and strategic Human Resources functions.

Matthew also has extensive experience in contingency recruitment as well as leading project-based recruitment of large HR teams.

Matthew joins HR Partners as a consultant focussing on the senior interim/contract market.

For more information about contract work in HR or to connect with Matthew, please contact him on 02 9019 1600 or msaitta@hrpartners.com.au

Gareth Bennett, Director of Human Resources at Freehills, talks with David Owens about his HR experience and the year ahead.

How did you get your first job in HR?
My first job in HR was in Ford Motor Company. I was an Employee Relations Officer in Dagenham Body and Assembly Plant. I went for this job as I wanted the best front line employee relations experience available at that time – and, believe me, it lived up to the promise!

Given your strong credentials as a senior HR professional with considerable international experience – do you think Australia is as competitive as it could be when it comes to attracting top talent?
Australia has some fantastically talented people, and as a result as a country we punch well above our weight. I have worked with many countries and cultures, and believe we have a great balance here. We work hard, innovate, compete well and don’t take ourselves too seriously.

What predictions would you make about our national economic fortunes in 2010?
We have started 2010 in a position envied by most developed nations, and the level of business confidence is pleasing. Yet, I would not want to get too euphoric, because good business disciplines and risk assessments needs to be applied in any market conditions if long term success is to be sustained.

What challenges do you think HR professionals will face as we emerge from the tail end of the GFC, and what strategies have you decided to implement at Freehills to maximise any upside?
The upswing in the market will lead to more opportunities for growth and expansion. We have to ensure we are in shape, with the right structure and the right people to anticipate the demand and pro-actively support our clients.

The transparency and consistency of the way we have treated our people, continuing to develop their talents and to support them through the GFC, will pay dividends as we move into the next phase. Identification of talent, meaningful work and recognition of contributions are essential so that our people feel valued and would prefer to be in Freehills rather than elsewhere.

Over your career what is the best piece of advice you have been given?
The advice I have always used as the bedrock for my career is to be a business person first and an HR person second. By that I mean that every decision needs to be seen from a commercial and holistic perspective, with regard to a sustainable business outcome, with our HR expertise being applied as an integral part of the solution.

Just by way of commentary then, probably one of the most reassuring surveys we have conducted in recent times.

We occasionally see results which surprise us, or provide us with cause for a puzzled look, but this survey confirms pretty much everything we would have expected- base remuneration and total package figures which are very close to each other – irrespective of location the remuneration for an Human Resources Officer is within a 15% spread.

Those surveyed from Melbourne receive less base remuneration but do enjoy more paid study with 33% stating they receive company paid training. This as opposed to 20% and 13% in Sydney and Brisbane respectively. Melbourne’s participants also enjoy more flexible work arrangements- 30% in Melbourne as opposed to 16% and 13% in Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

It is a sign of the times that the value of the entire employment  “value proposition” is being demonstrated in relatively junior roles.  As is the value of the non-taxable benefit. I’m sure we will see more of this as the decade unfolds.

Cara McLennan returned from maternity leave in early February and will manage a permanent recruitment desk specialising in junior and mid-level Human Resources roles.

Cara has extensive experience within the recruitment industry including project management of graduate programs, recruitment strategy design and implementation, management of public sector shortlisting and assessment centre processes and executive search and selection.

Previously Cara managed interim placements for HR Partners in Brisbane working with clients across a broad range of industries including FMCG, public sector, health, industrial and financial services.