Awards recognise true value of people in the workplace

Businesses report staff as their most valuable asset: Study

RECOGNITION: Top Office Group found Jan Gadsden is behind the Pride of Work Awards. Picture: business

RECENT reports by global organisations citing the choice of technology over people to boost company profits prompted the Top Office Group to conduct its own study, which showed contradictory results.

Top Office Group founder Jan Gadsden said the Executive Outlook report studied 100 local businesses, with 95 per cent rated saying that people were their most valuable asset.

In light of its findings in the report, the Pride of Work Awards evening celebrating the value of people will be held on May 30.

"It is this report that has motivated us to present the annual Pride of Work Awards on the theme of the value of people," Ms Gadsden said.

"The awards will recognise the people who are behind the brands and are based on the Rotary values of service above self and excellences in your field."

Ms Gadsden said the awards criteria is for an outstanding employee, team or enterprise. It aims to demonstrate excellence and an ethos of service above self.

"This is along with four key areas, noteworthy excellence and innovation within their field, exemplary performance and professionalism, outstanding customer service and commitment to their community," she said.

Award panel business leaders include Brismark general manager Gail Woods, Bendigo Bank general manager Michael List and West Moreton Anglican College deputy principal Janelle Lecinski. Presentations will be made by the Rotary Club president, Councillor Cheryl Bromage and Jordan MP Charis Mullen.

Leading global leadership, people and organisational advisory company Korn Ferry International conducted a survey showing of 800 business leaders in multi- million and multi-billion dollar global organisations.

The survey found that 63 per cent said technology will provide their company's greatest source of competitive advantage in five years' time

Sixty-seven per cent say technology will create greater value in the future than people will.

In a world that seeks greater development of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, these so-called developments will, according to the report, make people "largely irrelevant" in the future of employment.

This global view is not shared locally.

The intensely human skills of communication, being friendly and approachable and self-motivated are some of the soft skills in high demand right now, according to the Executive Outlook survey.

"There is no doubt that technology plays a big part in our businesses and everyday life, but local business is very confident and committed to the understanding that humans are their greatest asset. We use technology but what matters is that we value and regard people," Ms Gadsden said.

"We want local businesses and organisations to nominate and show how much their people mean to them.

"For information to nominate or to book a table, call 38122920."

"It is important to let people know they matter and this is a great way to achieve that. It does close this Thursday, May 24, so be quick," she said.

The awards evening will be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre which is a gala event hosted by the Rotary Club of Ipswich City. Nominations are now open but only for a short time, until May 24.