Pick of the bunch to be at cherries

Time is running out for specialists in human resources (HR), training and recruitment to enter the prestigious cherries 2018 Awards.

The deadline is on Sunday February 18 so make sure to get those submissions rolling in!

The awards are run by DC Thomson Media and the glittering annual event – which features 12 categories and attracts an audience of more than 500 people – will take place on June 1 at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Ahead of the ceremony, we spoke to one of DC Thomson’s very own HR professionals, Lynsey Scott.

As HR services manager, Lynsey feels anyone who works in HR is in a privileged position within an organisation.

“I believe we support our businesses to achieve their potential by connecting, understanding and supporting our people to be the very best version of themselves, whatever their role or level in the business,” said Lynsey.

“In doing so, we support our people to shine, adapt, change and innovate. We influence the environment, culture and behaviours that allow everyone to flourish, threading company values and behaviours through each element of an employee’s experience that we touch.”

Lynsey says that the most impactful and effective ways in which she and her HR colleagues can help a business to succeed is through becoming “people leaders”, equipping them with the knowledge, understanding and tools to empower and draw out the knowledge and experience of every person in their team.

“In DC Thomson we recognise the critical role our people leaders play in creating the right environment for this to happen,” she said.

“If they are great people leaders, all of our people are supported to be the best versions of themselves and ultimately the business thrives.

“It’s a key focus for DC Thomson’s central HR team to design, support and deliver people processes and tools that support our people leaders and employees as they move through their life cycle with the organisation.

“Where it makes sense, we take a self-service approach so that, as a team, we remain nimble and focused on where we can really add value.

“There is more work to be done in this space – putting ourselves in the shoes of those experiencing our processes to simplify them where we can.

“An opportunity for HR to get into the guts of supporting a business is in the analysis and use of our people management information.

“We are custodians of huge volumes of rich and valuable data that, when deeply looked at, can shine a light on opportunities our business can take to make a difference and it’s this opportunity to influence both our people and our business that makes HR a fantastic area to work in.

“As a professional community, HR is relatively small, particularly in Scotland, so awards such as the cherries are invaluable.”

Lynsey believes that the cherries awards offer a chance to share, recognise and celebrate the creativity, leadership and impact great people in the profession have in their business.

“As a community, the cherries allow us to be inspired and learn from others, evolving our own thoughts, understanding and approach by taking on board fresh ideas and perspectives,” she added.

“In HR, we are often at our most effective behind the scenes, coaching, enabling and supporting, so an occasion to come out in celebration of the great successes is one to be enjoyed.”

This year’s ceremony is being run in association with Robert Gordon University (RGU) and supported by Mattioli Woods.

Visit www.dctevents.com/event/cherries-awards/ for entry forms and category criteria, as well as tickets.

HR services manager Lynsey Scott.