Career Starts With Heart – And A Pinch Of Generosity
With Australian wage rises at record lows, surely it’s time for agency leaders to admit financial rewards for staff are just as important as culture and work-life balance, writes The Possibility Partnership Chairman Tim Parker (pictured below)…
At a time of stagnant wages growth are businesses self-servingly turning up the volume on the importance of their culture and work-life balance?
We’re told up and coming new graduates are attracted as much by the values of a business as its financial achievements, but surely it’s time for agency leaders to demonstrate that paying people a good wage is just as important as Friday night drinks or free yoga.
Australians are receiving the smallest pay rises since World War II and even the conservative Reserve Bank of Australia chief Philip Lowe has implored politicians and businesses to deliver higher wages to kickstart a slowing economy.
On one of my trips down a Twitter wormhole, I stumbled across an old 2017 article that resonated; probably more than it should have done. A woman had been rejected in the primary stage of a job application because she had the audacity to ask for the wages and benefits the job would bring. Apparently such vulgar, selfish thinking was out of line with the priorities of the company involved.
The company the woman wanted to work at rejoices in the name “Skip The Dishes” – it’s a food delivery service, apparently – and their response made it clear that they believe “in hard work and perseverance” and she shouldn’t have been so concerned with how much she’d be paid. They told her she wouldn’t be a good fit because she asked about her salary too early in the interview process.
This got me thinking that business’s drive to articulate their purpose, values and social conscience – along with rock climbing walls, kombucha taps and meditation spaces – might be missing the rather salient point that people generally work to earn money to live.
Sure, there will be well-funded or boot-strapping start-up founders prepared to sacrifice salary; they are taking a risk, from which they hope to see an eventual reward.
And those C-Suite execs who drive a company’s values messaging are also probably comfortable enough to not pay too much attention to the grubby business of wages. But it’s highly unlikely that the staff they’ll require to deliver against the vision will have this luxury.
For some time we’ve understood that Millennials and increasingly Generation Z want a job that delivers more than mere financial reward; I fear that this is just a very handy excuse for businesses to keep financial rewards out of the conversation.
It’s not new for private enterprise to keep salary costs as low as possible, but at a time when our global economy is destabilising and technology is not only liberating us from mundane entry-level tasks but also threatening equality, surely it’s time to re-frame the conversation.
When I entered the advertising industry, the agency I joined had nine levels of account management; or at least nine progressive titles ranging from Junior Account Exec to Board Group Account Director. That this was a not-so- cunning plan to reward us with apparent advancement and status rather than cash was simply accepted as part of the deal.
But given that financial reward is, clearly, a big motivator for most people, it’s surprisingly often absent from the carefully crafted vision and values statements companies are so proud to write on their walls, websites and company reports.
What’s wrong with taking some pride in the fact that the business is capable of providing the means for people to live with dignity, comfort and, yes, the occasional luxury. It might even ground the values in a reality which could prove more fertile than airy claims to embrace the ambitions and dreams of the individual, whilst treading lightly on the planet.
Please login with linkedin to comment
The Possibility PartnershipLatest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.