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placemakers 2021
disruptive period.”
Firmly focused on winning through disruption though he may
be, Bruce McEwen pulls no punches when he says: “It’s going to be hard for everybody. So, we need to be responsive to a changing world.”
And PlaceMakers wasn’t alone in learning that the hard way, with the industry having had to respond at very short notice to changing Alert Levels just the week after conference.
WHO WERE PLACEMAKERS’ 2021 TOP ACHIEVERS?
Talking of winning through adversity, on the final night of conference, Team Blue’s highest achievers were recognised for having shown their mettle in terms of both quantity and quality, despite the highly unusual marketplace.
As well as highlighting the year’s top teams and the latest stars of the $2 million Club, there was recognition for individuals like Rachel Broad of PlaceMakers Invercargill, who took out the PROTECT Health & Safety Award.
“When it came to our Life Saving Rules, Rachel wanted to create a unique, engaging and memorable roll-out. With the help of her team, Rachel created a Life Saving Rules video that shows the hero saving our people when they breach a rule.
“The impact: the team loved the video and were able to recall the rules based on the scenario!”
Kim Wilson of PlaceMakers Wanaka was named 2021 Trade Account Manager of the Year, having delivered “superb results
“With disruption comes uncertainty
... the flipside is that disruption can also mean opportunity”
across all aspects of the Account Management role during FY21. “Kim has a true partnership mindset, supported by a robust and structured approach to her own personal development that
ensures she stays ahead of the competition.
“It was also outstanding to see this approach being shared
through her mentoring other team members within the branch.” Wayne Armstrong, PlaceMakers’ Head of Digital Channels,
was the recipient of this year’s PlaceMakers Memorial Award, which “recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the business or created an enduring legacy – a true PlaceMakers legend”.
Bruce McEwen says of Wayne’s contribution: “Wayne was the obvious recipient. He’s been working away for a number of years now recreating the business.
“How digital interfaces into our customers world is a reflection of where the customer is going [and] all of us are going to have to address this evolution in the future, but this award is very much about the legacy Wayne has already created.”
The PlaceMakers Person of the Year is awarded to “an outstanding member of Team Blue who has gone above and beyond to live our values” and this year it went to Mellany Taurua, Sales & Support Manager of PlaceMakers Kerikeri.
“Mellany has been with the PlaceMakers Kerikeri team for the last 20 years, the last few of which have been particularly challenging for the Far North. Despite the unbelievably difficult circumstances, Mel has been the ‘glue’ which has held everything and everyone together.
“Her dedication to the business, her colleagues and our customers in the face of adversary has seen her overcome all obstacles. She is always there for the team, living our values with advice, direction, and encouragement. Her customers adore her and would follow her to the ends of the earth, quite literally.
“She has been a critical part of rebuilding the team in Kerikeri, bringing back the confidence, self-belief, pride and the enjoyment of being part of Team Blue. All of the above is given freely and with a smile (usually with Mel it’s more likely to be a loud and very infectious laugh).”
Fittingly, given the underlying theme of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the final conference session was delivered by Cam Calkoen (https://camcalkoen.com).
Born with Cerebral Palsy, Cam chose to extend himself way out of his comfort zone by doing the two things doctors said he would never be able to do – running and speaking – both of which he has achieved to a very high level indeed.
“The plan is to win through disruption – you don’t win by just turning up,” underlines Bruce McEwen.
“We have planned to win through this disruption and to make sure the business comes out the other side stronger, so we can be stronger for our customers when things are challenging.”
20 NZHJ | OCTOBER 2021 MORE AT www.hardwarejournal.co.nz