Michael Tait, Attraction and BOLA

How do we attract and retain staff in a tight labour market??

How do we inspire their best performance?

How do we attract the funds that are needed for such a major enterprise over many locations?

These were some of the fascinating matters explored by Michael Tait, Managing Director of Rocky Bay.

Michael led a conversation for Band of Leaders Australia (BOLA) members and guests entitled Attracting Support, at the group’s monthly meeting on Friday 27 October at Casa Nostra Caffe in Osborne Park.

BOLA is a peer membership group for business owners and chief executives.? We seek to take our members beyond achievement to success—the essence of leadership.? Inviting Guest Conversations is a key activity in our group meeting.

Michael said that the answer to all the important questions was in looking after the customer.? This began with the understanding that “you are not broken”, rather that:

?“You are different, so what can we do to help you live a good life?”

Providing incentives for staff to understand the individual needs of each customer had also brought greater customer satisfaction and employee achievement.? In one example, a former engineer on staff had worked with volunteers over successive weekends to develop a new means for assessing and fitting postural seating for use in a wheelchair for a young customer in the Kimberley.

Customer experience is enhanced by the development of accessible housing throughout the community and with the use of a fleet of 200 vehicles on the road at any one time.

Being very targeted in staff recruitment and providing work conditions that catered for a wider range of employees was effective in attraction and retention.? Recruitment teams have visited suburban shopping centres to be more accessible to parents who may be seeking part-time employment.

As the chief executive, he also found it useful to visit customers and staff regularly in situ.

At the strategic level, the foundation and membership of a national alliance, in Ability First Australia, giving an shared voice to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, meant that Rocky Bay was at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.? This was enabled by compiling comparative performance data on services,? that is the most comprehensive and useful in the nation.?

Established 85 years ago, Rocky Bay is a health and disability services provider.? Their story is one of pioneering spirit, determination, resilience and teamwork. Spanning 85 years, they've built nursing homes, broken down barriers, raised money (and awareness) and challenged what it means to be ‘able’. The organisation fights for a national culture of respect where every individual feels safe, included and empowered to reach their potential.

Currently headquartered in Mosman Park, Rocky Bay has branches in 13 metropolitan and country centres and over 30 accommodation locations, spanning from Geraldton to Mandurah.? They have a staff of 1200 who support nearly 4000 customers.? Rocky Bay is a not-for-profit with annual funding budgeted in 2024 at almost $100 million.? It recently received approval to build a new head office in Belmont at a cost of $78 million and they have over $40m in accessible homes under development.

Michael has served for over 30 years in both leadership and board roles; has operated in Polynesia, Indonesia, Australia, UK and Europe; and has reported to and sat on, a range of domestic and international boards.

He has successfully led organisations in a range of industries from hospitality to property development, financial services, disability and health. He has driven businesses, reshaped their finances and negotiated large contracts with suppliers and clients. Michael has an MBA with experience and training in leadership, governance, sales and marketing, people and financial management, devising and implementing contemporary business strategies to improve competitive performance and efficiencies.

He lives in Perth with his wife. They have 3 adult daughters and a son — all born within 5 years!

BOLA members will meet next on Friday 24 November at Casa Nostra.? Our Guest Conversation will be with Dr Erika Jacobson of Edgewalkers.

Besides the Guest Conversation, our agenda includes processing of strategic opportunities raised within the group and leadership development tools, activities and discussions.

Prospective members are invited on request as Paul Manning is building his BOLA Growth group.

In the meantime, each member will have a monthly coaching session with their BOLA Chair, Jeff or Brad.

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Next week:? Is Optimism Our Business?

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About the Author

Jeff Bell?is Principal of executive consultancy ResultsWise in Perth, Western Australia.?To boost your leadership, ask Jeff about consulting, coaching, strategy facilitation, Band of Leaders Australia (BOLA) [email protected] or Advanced Leadership Course [email protected]. Mobile (61) 439 988 662.