Nex Media • STAFF – ASSET OR A LIABILITY?
www.
nexmedia
.co.za
For many companies employing staff is a bit of a mixed blessing, you have the manpower
to achieve the necessary goals but at the same time you have the hassles of paying them a fair
salary – what is fair?, you have to deal with their personal problems coming to work, and
then there are the more serious issues such as what happens when there are disputes,
how do you handle and resolve them?
Staff – asset or a liability?
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any of these problems can be prevented if all sides are happy to start
with and they then remain happy. There are a number of elements
which have to be taken into account when considering staff
happiness and satisfaction and how these relate to company
productivity and profitability. Over and above all the standard internal issues
there are also regulatory issues which have to be taken into account, things
such as employment equity. The potential problems are too numerous to
mention but the solution can be fairly simple. Find a company which can
help you to navigate the troubled waters and find a smooth path.
21st Century is one of South Africa’s largest remuneration and reward
consultancies. It was founded in 1996 by Chris Blair and Dr Mark Bussin.
It employs over 60 skilled staff servicing more than 1700 clients with two-thirds
of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as clients. This
experience ensures that the organisation is able to offer a range of innovative
services to both the corporate and government sectors, as well as assisting
them to achieve compliance with changing regulations.
In order to ensure that it remains ahead of compliance regulations 21st
Century has announced that it has entered into a Broad-Based share ownership
transaction and an Employee Share Ownership Programme. The result is a
newly-name, black-owned entity incorporating the introduction of a BBBEE
trust for the 21st Century staff.
Said Chris Blair, CEO of 21st Century, ‘One of the cornerstones of our company
has always been social upliftment and, increasingly, transformation. This is why
we started on this path a few years ago and are thrilled to see the outcome.’ Two
of the most prevalent challenges in South Africa are reducing the wage gap
and enabling wealth creation. 21st Century not only advises the market on how
to address these challenges, but lives the values in its own business. This
transformation is a clear example of 21st Century’s leading practices.
The first company in its field to implement such changes, 21st Century is leading
the way for other organisations in the rewards and remuneration space as the
first adopter – with the 51-percent BBBEE ownership transaction – and the
opportunity for staff to share in the success of the company.
Mbulelo Mayikan, director of 21st Century added, ‘I have served on the Board for
a number of years and believe this move is not only in line with the direction we
would like to see the company develop, but also with the broader business
objective of supporting growth, transformation and job creation in our country.’
The ownership and board are constructed as follows: Directors: Chris Blair (CEO),
Dr Mark Bussin (chairman) Adv. Nasreen Dawood, Dumi Khanyile, Mbulelo
Mayikana, Ian McGorian, Morag Phillips and Craig Raath.
Members of 21st Century celebrating the new company structure
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