It’s not very often you’ll find someone admitting how frustrating, distracting and time consuming their job is – and then saying that is exactly why their set up their own business!
But a decade ago these were the very reasons Paula Fisher decided to establish Practical HR and she has not looked back since.
Paula explains "I was hearing so many horror stories of people getting really stressed about Human Resources (HR), especially small and medium sizes companies who did not have the budget or need for an in-house HR person but still required good advice. They were stuck and there were no effective solutions in the marketplace. That’s when I came up with my idea for Practical HR, to remove hassle and save people time, money and worry.”
Paula started the business in 2002 from a small office in the centre of Southend with a local accountancy firm as her first client. Today she runs her operation, with eleven staff, from premises in Star Lane, Great Wakering and has over two hundred clients across Essex and London. She was recently a finalist in the Newsquest ‘Southend Businesswoman of the Year’ Award.
To celebrate its landmark anniversary, Practical HR has invested in a £30,000 state-of-the-art training room at its Star Lane site. This will be used for in-house training sessions and is also available for hire. Practical HR is also creating new local jobs: “To keep up with the growth of the business we are looking to recruit new staff. We want experienced HR Consultants and Advisers to join our tea and also need administration staff. If you fit the bill, please do contact me.”
Practical HR provides three support services – Consultancy (advice on employment matters over the telephone or on-site), Documents (a website allowing you to download all documents relevant to your business) and the jewel in its crown, the ground-breaking Online. This unique, online Practical HR-designed product is called 'Your HR Services' and provides companies with their very own, custom designed HR website that is constantly updated for them. Your HR Services is a user-friendly world first Paula says “It is like having your own easy-to-access, constantly updating staff handbook online. We developed it ourselves and it really is the only HR system of its kind anywhere in the world.”
Reflecting on her ten years in the business, she adds" I set out to achieve exactly what the name says - to provide practical HR solutions. My team and I are putting business owners back in control so they can make the right decisions for their organisation with confidence. Human Resources are very important and firms need to be both protected and flexible in the changing world we live in, but they shouldn’t give you a nervous breakdown! I am very proud we are helping businesses to save time, money and stay sane!”
Find out more at www.practicalhr.co.uk
