Accounts Payable News^®

Keep up to Date - Stay Flexible

The working environment of today is very far removed from the experience of our parents or grandparents, where once upon a time someone could reasonably expect to enter a position at 16 and then gradually work their way up within the company and have a job for life.  These days, employers require flexibility, adaptability and a workforce which is aware of the economic and social implications which may affect them.

With the UK economy still in the grips of a recession, it’s easy to get caught up in the doom mongering and yet – there are key things which you can do to keep ahead of the game.  The first trick of all is not to bury your head in the sand and hope it will all go away.  If the balance sheets in your organisation look ill and your MD looks ill – it’s probably time to keep an eye out for a new position!

In addition to the obvious, there are three main points to consider in making sure your name stays on the payroll:

1. Learn everything possible
If your organisation is offering training – take it.  If someone on your staff can teach you something – learn it.  If your colleague has a software package on their computer you don’t know how to use –spend time practicing it.  It is imperative that you keep yourself as flexible as possible so that you have as many opportunities open to you can.  If your organisation is still offering the chance to become a member of an industry-wide body - then push to become a member.

2. Remain Alert
When we spoke to an Accounts Payable Manager and asked why he’d just changed his job after remaining at his previous one for 7 years, he explained that after studying the company’s accounts and then liaising with the sales team, he realised that it was only a matter of time before the company, and therefore his position would become threatened.  Therefore, it was time for him to move on.

3. Be willing to change where you live
We’ve lived in relative stability for so long that many of us have forgotten that relocation used to be more commonplace.  If your area is short of employment it doesn’t make sense to stay in that location when 100 miles away they’re crying out for the skills you have.  And who knows –you may well end up preferring that area!

With 80% of British adults saying they’re worried about the impact of the current financial climate on their finances and 61% saying that money worries are always at the back of their mind, it would be fatuous to suggest that change is something you will be likely to embrace wholeheartedly, but a new survey has shown that the UK is adapting well.  Changes in lifestyle can be good for overall health and can lead to the implementation of new cost saving initiatives at work.  People, out of necessity become more inventive with their time and money.

As an employer in the throes of implementing change, it is vitally important to include those who will be most affected in the decision making.  For one thing, it is the people who will be taking on the change who will best know how the change will work, and whether it’s likely to be a success.  Furthermore, it will allow the affected employees to build a trust and a relationship with the management so that they can feel a part of the change that is coming and have the motivation to make it work.

When organisations speak of cost cutting and staff may be being made redundant, it will inevitably make the whole workforce nervous and suspicious.  Therefore it is paramount that management are as open, honest and inclusive in their decision making as possible, in order to maintain the most important glue within any organisation – trust.

Overall, whether or not an organisation or an individual is able to survive the current crisis will depend on being receptive to change, being open and honest about fears, keeping abreast of new technology and industry developments and having the commitment and drive to see it through.