Workers in Retail are leading the way in the Randstad Workout competition. They are in the top third of all sectors, and are leaving their competitors in IT, Insurance and Construction by the wayside.
Competitors who work in Retail are proving cool under pressure, and showing some of the quickest reaction times, lightning hand-eye coordination, and strong peripheral awareness. They are the second highest scorers of those completing the Randstad Workout Drills, as shown by an average score of 144 – well above the average score for all competitors (81). At the other end of the spectrum, the Construction sector is showing far weaker coordination and reaction skills, with an average score of just 26, while the Property sector scored even lower at 24.
Other sectors to watch out for include Accountancy and Finance (132) and IT (96), both scoring highly. Telecommunications workers are proving far less skilful at the spatial awareness and reaction drills, scoring an average of just 20 points.
Train like a Williams F1® Team driver, win tickets to see them race in Abu Dhabi
The Workout competition is being run by specialist recruiter Randstad and is challenging competitors to take part in drills designed for elite athletes, based on Eye Gym technology. Used by the likes of Williams F1® Team driver Valtteri Bottas and rugby star Jonny Wilkinson, the aim of the drills is to sharpen the speed of decision making, hand-eye coordination and peripheral awareness – skills useful on site, in the board-room and during interview preparation, as well as on the race-track.
Training is rewarded, with competitors receiving points each time they complete a drill. The higher the level and the harder the training, the greater the points rewarded, with points building up over time. To stay ahead, players must train regularly – for a maximum of five minutes per day. Just like the Williams F1® Team training – consistency and improvement are the keys to a high score.
The grand prize for sharpening your reactions with the Randstad Workout is two tickets to the 2013 Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the United Arab Emirates, as well as a Williams F1® Team experience, including a tour of the GP pit lane and garage, business class flights on British Airways and accommodation at the 5* Shangri-La hotel for six nights in the Dubai sunshine.
Rank |
Industry |
Average Score |
|
1 |
Local government |
180 |
|
2 |
Retail |
144 |
|
3 |
Accountancy & Finance |
132 |
|
4 |
Student & Worker Support |
130 |
|
5 |
Education – Special needs |
120 |
|
6 |
Education – Secondary |
105 |
|
7 |
Healthcare |
104 |
|
8 |
Engineering |
99 |
|
9 |
IT |
96 |
|
10 |
Professional services |
84 |
|
|
All sectors |
81 |
Peter Shrimpton, managing director of Randstad Retail said: “In the race to success, driving for the Williams F1® Team and working in retail have more in common than you might think. Drivers like Valtteri Bottas use Randstad’s Workout drill to hone their reaction times. It helps them process information, and make decisions much quicker – key ingredients to success in the arena. And these skills are relevant in the working environment too. Responding quickly in the office and in-store helps retail workers to perform most effectively. And for candidates looking for work, developing the skills helps them to race ahead in the interview process.”
Valtteri Bottas, driver for the Williams F1® Team, said: “The drills used in the Randstad Workout are an important part of my training. Good luck with your workout, and perhaps I will see you at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.”
Can you better the retailers?
The competition remains open. For your chance to win, simply log onto www.randstad.co.uk/workout and take part in Randstad’s Workout, an online competition that challenges you to develop your decision-making, judgement and awareness through engaging drills that help improve your mental agility.
The competition is open to anyone interested in improving their skills and will run until 18th October 2013, with UK residents eligible to win.
