Recruitment Communications News
Launch of the Penna diversity model
Diversity is high on the agenda of every Penna client in both private and public sectors. Whether driven by legislation, or by a real understanding of the business case for a more diverse workforce, all organisations have to ensure that their strategies, policies and actions have a robust diversity focus.
Within Penna, there is a lot of experience and knowledge on diversity, and this has now been brought together into our new Penna Diversity Model. We can assist organisations across the whole spectrum of people activities, from attraction strategies to drive diversity - part of PRC’s service - through to leadership and cultural engagement.
If you’d like to explore any diversity issues further contact heather.staff@penna.com or anne.riley@penna.com
New business
We’re delighted to welcome an important new client in May – Wincanton, the international logistics and distribution organisation. Based in Wiltshire but operating throughout the UK and Europe, Wincanton are fast growing and highly successful with an amazing client list. We’re looking forward to helping them with recruiting people from drivers and warehousing staff to logistics professionals and business consultants.
Penna is currently handling BT’s Fast Track Leadership Programme – with PRC handling the attraction and microsite elements and Penna colleagues dealing with assessment and search. A great example of how our different service offerings can blend together seamlessly.
Corporate social responsibility
This is currently a hot topic amongst recruiters and candidates, with several research studies indicating it is one of the most important differentiators for Graduates looking for their first employer. In a survey of HR Directors carried out at the recent Penna-sponsored Strategic HR Network event, an overwhelming 91.7% said that CSR was very important to their Employer Brand.
Click here to download the full results of the Recruitment and Retention survey (112kb PDF).
This is an issue that we at Penna take very seriously, with several initiatives currently under way:
Energy and Waste Reduction - We are implementing practical, cost-effective solutions across the business aimed at reducing our carbon footprint.
Regional Charities - Each Penna office has chosen their own charity – Penna will support teams and individuals in their fundraising efforts. PRC’s charities are halow and Facing Africa.
UK Career Academies - Penna is supporting this ambitious programme targeting 16-19 year olds, often from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, through mentoring, lecturing and alumni support. The objective is to broaden the choices that students have about their future education and career pathways.
Our RI Fiver award for Kent Police
Based in Maidstone, the Kent Police Communications Centre faces strong competition for talent with other commercial call centres. Our strategy was to create a striking, simple visual that would instantly distinguish these roles from many others in the area. The message is clear: in this role you could save a life which is far more important and rewarding than working for a financial services or utilities company.
The RI Fiver judges said: Nice clean ad. Strong statement straight to the point, briskly and concisely followed up in the copy. It avoids the obvious hard-hitting 'there's been an incident' style of imagery and typography. It does have an overall sense of calm for a role intense in nature, fast-paced and time-critical, thus stressing the crucial attributes of a cool head. Well done.
A very happy new year to all our clients and friends!
And the winner is…
The cheers went up on the PRC table at the 2007 RAD awards as we won the gong for our Ecolab ad in the General Appointments category. Tesco on Eastcheap is going to run out of Laurent Perrier at this rate.
Shiny new clients
We finished 2006 as we hope to continue in 2007 – by welcoming three more great clients to PRC.
Kent Police appointed us in November to handle all their recruitment communications, from Police Officers and Specials to Police Community Support Officers and Police Staff.
As an early Christmas pressie we heard that we had won Borders UK, the award-winning booksellers with 65 Borders and Books etc. superstores and high street stores.
We’ve also been appointed to handle the 2007 Parole Board campaign, working jointly with our colleagues in Assessment and Recruiting to attract and recruit part-time members of the Parole Board.
Mencap Carol Concert
St Bartholomews Church in Smithfield (the 4 Weddings and a Funeral church) was the venue for the Carol Concert sponsored by Penna Recruitment Communications in aid of our client, Mencap.
A packed church enjoyed lively readings by Steven Tompkinson, Linda Bellingham, Lord and Lady Rix, Dame Jo Williams (and PRC’s very own Anne Riley), listened to the wonderful English Baroque Choir and sung traditional carols with great gusto (if not perfect intonation)! The odd glass of wine and mince pie afterwards rounded out a lovely, festive occasion to kick off the start of the Christmas season. Over £4000 was raised for Mencap.
The end of the summer but the start of lots of good things here at PRC
We have just been appointed by three more prestigious new clients - Debenhams, Telford and Wrekin Council and the Office of Rail Regulation.
Awards
We’re delighted to have won our first creative award – a GRAMIA for Ecolab. Hopefully the first of many.
Age discrimination
Age Discrimination regulations relating to employment and recruitment become law on October 1st. We’re here to help and advise you on do’s and don’ts , and importantly, on best practice to help you find your way around this rather ambiguous legislation. Our recent Age Discrimination workshop was very successful and we can tailor this to clients’ specific needs if you require more in-depth assistance.
Carol concert
We’re starting to finalise the details for our annual Carol Concert in aid of Mencap, held at the beautiful church of St Bartholomew in Smithfield. We will be sending out invitations shortly, but do make a note of the date in your diary - Friday 8th December.