Tag: The People & Culture Office

When the Boss Is the Business: Why Culture In SMEs Needs a Different Playbook

Let’s be honest — most leadership advice floating around the internet is written for the Googles and the Westpacs of the world. Unlimited budgets, whole HR teams, and enough corporate buzzwords to fill a bingo card. But what about the business owners who are the HR team, the payroll officer, the complaints department, and the person still […]

Why It’s Time to Rethink the 40-Hour Work Week

Nearly 100 years ago, the 40-hour work week was considered revolutionary.Today? It’s starting to feel a little… outdated. When Henry Ford made headlines for introducing a five-day, 40-hour week in 1926, it was a bold step towards a better balance between work and life — for the times.Back then, most households had one breadwinner (usually […]

Beyond the Paycheque: What Really Drives Engagement?

Let’s have an honest conversation.At a certain point, money stops talking. I was listening to a brilliant episode of This Working Life recently (one I think every business leader should have on their playlist). It was about employee purpose — or, more accurately, how organisations often miss the mark chasing satisfaction through financial rewards alone. One point really hit […]

Let’s Talk Performance Reviews — and Why It’s Time to Burn the Bell Curve

Remember when performance management meant forcing everyone into a neat little bell curve? Top 10%, solid middle, bottom 10% — all sorted. Then came the “war rooms,” where senior leaders would argue over who was a high potential and who needed “managing out.” Ratings were adjusted, not to reflect truth, but to hit distribution quotas. […]

Culture: The Silent Signal That Shapes Your Business

Culture exists anywhere there’s a group of people. Whether it’s a workplace, a sports club, or the swarm of Swifties swapping friendship bracelets at the Eras Tour, culture is how we connect. It’s the silent yet powerful way we signal to the world: Think about it. The things we choose to engage with—the podcasts we […]

Future-Proofing Your Workforce: Why HR Strategy is the Key to Business Sustainability

Let’s get one thing straight—HR is not just about compliance. If your HR strategy is solely focused on ticking boxes and avoiding legal trouble, you’re setting your business up for a rude awakening. With the workforce shifting faster than a viral TikTok trend, businesses that don’t adapt will find themselves struggling to attract, retain, and […]

The Mining Industry’s Leadership Dilemma: Adapt or Collapse

Let’s be blunt—mining and mining support companies have been digging themselves into a leadership hole. Why? Because they’ve been making money hand over fist regardless of whether they invest in people. But here’s the kicker: that’s not going to last. As older generations retire and younger workers take the reins, the industry’s failure to evolve […]

The Leadership Paradox: Why Getting Stuff Done Isn’t Enough

You’re great at your job. You know the processes, the safety protocols, the best way to get things done efficiently. You work hard, set high standards, and expect the same from your team. So why does no one seem to be listening? You explain the process, and still—someone cuts corners, ignores the procedure, or just […]