The Working Week 7: Nicola Hunt
This week, Wayne is joined by Nicola Hunt, CEO of London-based public relations firm, NHPR, which specialises in employer brand and workplace communications issues. They discuss the growing gap between those at the top of organisations and those in the middle, and contrast the millions being earned by top executives with the growing insecurity felt by middle class professionals across the developed world.
45 seconds - Looking back over the issues that arose last week, Wayne highlights a piece of research which proves what many of us have always believed - namely that managerial bias is a real problem in performance reviews. He also touches on a question sent in to the Management-Issues advice clinic from visitor who asking how a new manager can establish his credibility with a sceptical and cynical team.
2 minutes - Another piece of research that caught Wayne’s eye focuses on the cost of commuting and how it leaves Americans feeling worse off. Finally, a few thoughts on the curse of the email gossip in the office and how this is proving a significant drain on employers - with British staff apparently the worst culprits.
3 minutes 32 seconds - Wayne introduces Nicola Hunt, CEO of public relations firm, NHPR, which specialises in employer brand and workplace issues.
4 minutes - After it emerged last week that the Board of Cable and Wireless are demanding limitless bonuses for top executives, Wayne and Nicola kick off a discussion about the growing gap between those at the top of organisations and those in the middle.
5 minutes 31 seconds - Materialistic milestones are becoming harder for middle managers and professionals to reach. There’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to buy the house of your choice and put the kids into private schools if you want to do so.
Seven minutes - The middle class squeeze has become a presidential issue in the US, says Wayne who wonders if this is a temporary blip or something more profound.
Seven minutes 30 seconds - Nicola adds that the trend for outourcing will start to erode traditional bastions such as accountancy and law in the future. How will these trends impact the career paths of tomorrow’s professionals?
Eight minutes 21 seconds - Isn’t middle management angst par for the course? asks Wayne. And what about the issue of spiritual balance.
8 minutes 50 seconds - In the crazy world we live in is it all about money? Are managers asking, “is this really what I wanted out of my life?”
10 minutes - Wayne and Nicola discuss research from the University of Leuven in Belgium suggesting that employees who are more concerned with their material success, status and power are more likely to be dissatisfied with their lives.
10 minutes 20 seconds- Wayne wonders what light this sheds on the Cable & Wireless context.
10 minutes 50 seconds - Will personal wealth agendas become the norm for Boards rather than the greater good of the firm?
