Perks People Solutions the perfect fit for Peter Shearer Menswear
Finding the right HR partner has helped one of Australia’s most iconic menswear retailers tailor business growth.
As managing director of one of Australia’s leading menswear retailers, Dharmesh Raman knows the lasting confidence a tailored suit can give his customers.
Together with excellent customer care, it has defined the success of Peter Shearer Menswear for 60 years.
So, when it came time to find an HR partner to support the company’s growth, finding the right fit was critical.
That is why Raman turned to the expertise of South Australian full-service HR firm Perks People Solutions on the recommendation of a major South Australian legal firm.
“I’ve always been committed to growing our team but, as industrial relations laws became more complex, managing those responsibilities was starting to mount,” Raman said. “That is why we looked for a team that could support our growth while adding value to our people.
“During my initial conversations with Perks People Solutions, I realised they could help us develop our staff, which was a key selling point.
“Other organisations focused on a ‘what’s broken and fixing it’ mindset, Perks instead asked, ‘What do you have now and what could it become?’ which I found refreshing.”
Perks People Solutions has transformed Peter Shearer’s HR function through formalised performance reviews and onboarding, compliant and streamlined recruitment processes, and continuous training of managers to help lead their teams with confidence.
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An early priority in the relationship, now in its fourth year, was a staff engagement survey to shape company values and culture.
“It was the first time in the history of this company where we had asked our employees what they think, in a formal setting, and it was really important in helping to frame our company values,” Raman said.
“Those surveys now let us know every year where we are at as a company through the eyes of our staff, so that has been a really great outcome from the relationship with Perks People Solutions.”
The partnership also introduced Saville Psychometric Assessments providing fresh insight about decision making and behaviours.
“The process gave their leaders a much deeper understanding of themselves and each other, their strengths, how they communicate and how they work best together,” Perks People Solutions principal HR consultant Collette Ordish said.
“It really opened the door for them to start thinking more strategically and to understand some of the underlying factors that might be holding the business back from flourishing.”
Raman said the process was “eye opening”.
“It showed that some of our strengths, such as solving day-to-day problems were actually limiting growth,” he said. “That shift in perspective has helped management focus on the bigger picture and empower employees to drive stronger results and productivity.
“Now the management team has a new perspective about what we’re trying to achieve, which then flows all the way down to the employees, empowering them to get more results and improving productivity.”
Raman said greater engagement with staff was helping shape how customers perceived the brand and reinforced the importance of a positive leadership approach, particularly in challenging economic conditions.
“I think the atmosphere in our stores is a notch above where it was before Perks came on board,” he said. “It’s about using the right language and focusing on our values to get the best out of people. Even without significant growth, we’ve been able to maintain performance by investing in our staff.
“Our speed of decision making is significantly better too. We now act faster on issues that may have taken us weeks or even months to resolve, providing greater certainty for our staff.”
Perks People Solutions has also played a key role in lifting accountability and capability across the team.
“There’s always the risk that a bit of complacency can creep in over time, so a big part of our role has been helping drive a higher level of performance, keeping that sense of energy, accountability and continuous improvement across the team,” Ordish said.
“We focus on building strong relationships at every level of the business and developing confident leaders, so managers are better equipped to handle people matters themselves and drive continuous improvement across the business, rather than pushing it over to HR.”
Another key advantage Perks People Solutions offers is its independence, bringing a deep understanding of the business and its people without being embedded in the day-to-day operations.
“I think for any prospective business owner considering outsourcing, it’s that unbiased opinion that really matters,” Raman said. “What I value most is that, when I’m not quite hitting the mark, they’ll tell me. I find that incredibly valuable. It helps reframe my thinking in complex situations.
“I view the Perks team like a family. We can have open, honest conversations and walk away feeling confident we’ve reached the right outcome together.”
Perks People Solutions was established in 2018 with the aim of providing South Australian businesses with an experienced, agile and scalable HR and recruitment capabilities.
The company tailors HR support rather than a one-size-fits-all solution, designing packages that match each business’ needs, budget and stage of growth.
“I think there are a lot of businesses out there that don’t realise the kinds of HR services we offer, and how much they could benefit from them – whether it’s a small piece of support or the full gamut of services,” Perks People Solutions director Cecilia White said.
“One of the biggest challenges for business owners is time. Everyone is so time-poor, and that’s one of the main benefits of outsourcing HR. We essentially buy that time back for them.
“We often say to clients, ‘Focus on what you do best – running and growing your business, managing suppliers and leading your team, and let us take care of the HR side’.”
Find out more about Perks People Solutions and their award-winning full service recruitment and HR services at ppsconsulting.com.au
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