Approachable executive

Press, 4 June 1984, Page 25

Approachable executive

Good communication between staff and management is the basis for the Farmers’ Trading Company’s outstanding industrial record, believes the chief executive and company general manager, Mr Peter Healey. “There is no division between management and the floor,” he says. “Being able to voice a problem so that it can be fixed before it reaches any magnitude certainly helps relations.”

When Mr Healey took up his present position last November after managing several branch stores, he was not very well known to staff at the central Auckland store in Hobson Street. He spent several days visiting various sections of the company introducing himself to the staff. “My door is always open. No matter who it is, any member of staff is able to talk to management, and they do.” Every Friday he endeavours to walk ’ through the Hobson Street store retail floors. “I like to visit the floors and see how trading has developed during the week, talk to staff and see what's happening. “We have always been called the friendly family store. “When you have a happy, contented staff you have good industrial relations.’’