John Flader, Managing Director of HMG Paints Ltd, talks about the real benefits of postgraduate study to an employer.
"The paint and surface coatings market is a mature business area. Product development, innovation and services are key, but what really differentiates us from our competition is our people.
Their knowledge and the application of this knowledge in the job they do is hugely important in maintaining and improving every aspect of our business. All of our staff are involved in continued development and training. We were one of the first companies to sign up on the Government’s 150 Skills Pledge and life long learning and continued professional development is vital to us. A number of our senior and mature managers have continued their development through the MBA programme.
It’s been tough for them. A four-day-week doing the day job which in these recessionary times is very demanding, with the rest of the week (and beyond!) working hard on postgraduate study."
"Our employees have experienced a fantastic growth both personally and professionally! It gives a great outside perspective on our company, a structured and disciplined approach in their work and overall a real benefit to our business.
It is self evident that the range of new skills, techniques and ideas that have been applied to our business, inevitably bring about improvement."
"It’s a win-win situation. Our postgraduate employees have grown personally, our postgraduate employees have grown professionally and our business is equipped to develop and grow by our very real ambition of the promotion of our people from within the company. "