Hire and Rental News - May 2019

WOMEN IN HIRE things. Sometimes someone who is external to the problem you are trying to resolve can offer insight you otherwise would have missed. “This (mentor/mentee relationship) has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, network with other people in the industry and become involved in a wider community. “In a sense my relationship with my mentor was like my induction into the hire and rental industry and helped to familiarise me on how the industry works and to develop an awareness of the technology, regulations and norms. “I would absolutely recommend the Women in Hire program for new starters to the industry, especially if you want to ground them quickly and inspire commitment from the outset.” Elise Kelsey – Mentor Elise Kelsey, Managing Director, at Aim Site Hire joined the inaugural Women in Hire mentoring programmid 2018 after being approached by the HRIA to join the mentoring program. “I had no hesitation in accepting. My father, Ray Kelsey, was in the hire industry for 50 years and was a wonderful guide and mentor to me. This felt like a great opportunity to give back. I’m particularly proud to be passing on my learnings from the unique perspective of one woman in hire to another. “At the first meeting we were introduced to the program which is structured really well. We were given a booklet outlining our respective roles as mentor and mentee which took us through the stages of the program from establishing a rapport, to goal setting, refining goals and of course how to help your mentee achieve those goals. “We were also given practical tools to build a framework around how the mentoring sessions should progress. “I was introduced to my mentee partner Janette Burfoot-Kasap, General Manager at Vermont Hire. Janette and I had been matched because there were some clear parallels in our career. Janette has a finance background and I have an economics/marketing background. We had both worked independently before joining a family owned business and Janette has recently taken on the management of Vermont Hire.” “Aileen Hiskins of Strategic Alignment Training runs the workshops. She’s a great communicator who involves everyone in the activities and ensures we all have a bit of a laugh along the way. While I’ve not been to every session, and as mentor there is no pressure to do so, I try to get to most. The ones I have attended were as valuable for me as my mentee. It’s always great to get a refresher course in personal or professional development and a great opportunity to network. “Early in the course mentees underwent a DISC personality profile which was a great way to start things off. After completing a series of questions the DISC program produces a detailed report relating to your own personal style and behaviours. It’s a great tool for increasing self- awareness around what motivates you, what causes stress, how you solve problems and how you respond to other personality styles. “Everyone was amazed at how accurate the reports were. Mentors also have the opportunity to complete the profile and this can be cross referenced with your Mentee’s profile which is a great idea because you can see how your own communication style might be perceived by your mentee and vice versa. You can also see from the beginning where your mentee might need some encouragement or support. “I also attended a session hosted by Allison Lake who spoke about personal brand and presence. She covered communication skills, networking and marketing your own brand on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. There were a number of sessions worth attending including: • Career Management; • Your Private Wealth Journey; • Effective Communication Techniques; • Values and Goals. “All were worthwhile topics presented by industry professionals recruited by Strategic Alignment Training. “As a mentor it is quite rewarding to share your knowledge and skills with someone who can directly benefit from your experience. Janette was a pleasure to mentor as she is driven and clearly focused on effecting change at Vermont Hire and growing the business. In return I receive a sense of satisfaction by seeing someone grow and develop in their role within the hire industry. “Janette and I were very well matched and we enjoy catching up once a month for a coffee or at our respective offices. I see a lot of similarities between Janette and myself. We are both professional, driven women, we are mothers and we both drove vintage cars in our earlier lives! Janette is at a stage where she is growing Vermont Hire and I’m able to discuss with her and compare some of the obstacles, challenges and best practice processes I have experienced or developed along my own career. “We discuss a diverse range of topics from occupational health and safety, marketing, technology, finance, and the unique elements of running a family business. Janette has created a business plan and is setting milestones, and it is great to see her achieving as the months go by. “Our mentor/mentee relationship has been rewarding for me and I hope beneficial for Janette. We established a strong rapport early on and established a level of trust in our communication which is so important in the mentor/mentee relationship. It’s my job to actively listen to the issues my mentee is facing and sometimes the best role I can provide is that of sounding board. At other times it’s the independent advice; a perspective from outside the mentee’s situation, from someone who has been there and done that before. “In addition I share with my mentee simple tips and templates; we discuss the importance of internal processes, and where to access important resources such as HR and OHS advice when you don’t have a dedicated department to fall back on. We also cover the unique elements of working in a family business. “From the perspective of the mentor it’s been quite rewarding and it really doesn’t take up a lot of time. I think it’s really important to encourage other women in the hire game. We have a lot to offer and we make up roughly 50% of the population. In the future I hope to see women representing 50% of the management roles in hire. We have a long way to go, but programs like this really help to address the gap.” n Applications for the 2019 program are now being accepted. Contact Dee DeLaurier on 02 9998 2255. Mentor, Elise Kelsey is proud to be part of the Women in Hire program P28 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS MAY 2019