RCSA NZ Symposium: Kiwis need to work smarter

New Zealandís workforce needs to work smarter, not harder, if the productivity of the country is to be improved. This was the general consensus at the Recruitment and Consulting Services Associationís inaugural workforce symposium, held in Auckland on Friday 4 August.

Speaking at the symposium, the Hon Ruth Dyson, Minister for Labour, said: ìMore hours has been the most important source of increased output and economic growth, not working in smarter ways. Given our record low rates of unemployment, this cannot continue.î

Overwhelmingly, the speakers all agreed that there is no quick fix, nor a one-size-fits-all approach to working smarter; but it will take a shift in attitudes.

Speakers also agreed that to increase New Zealandís productivity, and therefore the countryís standards of living, a focus on value was needed.

ìWe cannot compete globally in terms of lowest cost, so we must compete on value,î said Carol Beaumont, Secretary of the Council of Trade Unions.

In order to achieve higher rates of productivity and add greater value, businesses should engage in:

- Adopting real flexible working arrangements to drive retention and encourage more people to return to the workforce

- Creating real employment opportunities for parents returning to work and people who are considering retirement

- Investing in training, and view it as an investment, not a cost

- Making use of the diaspora, as roughly a quarter of New Zealandís knowledge talent is off-shore

ìWhile there is no quick and easy solution, this symposium has shown that government, businesses and unions all agree that change is needed.

ìThere is also a great deal of common ground in the type of change that is needed as well,î said Jacqui Barratt, President of the RCSAís NZ Region.

Speakers at the symposium also included Stephen Tindall of Kea NZ Global Talent Community; Jacqueline Freeman, NZ Herald; Dr Philippa Reed, EEO Trust; Gary Sturgess, NZ Institute of Management; and Jeremy Paynter of Hudson Talent Management.

A discussion paper detailing the full outcomes of the symposium will be released in the coming weeks.