Yesterday Williams Fasteners celebrated the retirement of one of our longest serving employees, Mary Hartley.  Mary worked for the company twice, having a break for children before returning full time in 1973.  A key member of our sales team, we are sure that many of our long standing customers have spoken and dealt with her at some time during her long career.  Mary was diligent in her work, and would always do her best to satisfy the customers’ needs and go out of her way to make sure that orders were completed on time. 

Mary has seen many changes at Williams and also watched many faces come and go.  Some were sad times, but most, we are sure, were happy ones, that we will all remember for a long time to come.  Mary was one of the first to join in with our fund raising events, taking up the opportunity for dressing up on charity days, (she makes an amazing witch with false nose, warts and green paint), and partaking in quizzes, competitions and other events.  She had a wicked sense of humour and her poems were enjoyed by everyone - we think she should have them published! 

On her leaving day, her colleagues wanted to ensure she went out in style and the whole day was set aside for everyone to be able to chat with her, reminisce with tales and stories of the last 35 years, and be able to say goodbye to such a valued and loved member of staff.  Our offices were decorated with banners, balloons and streamers and a special commemorative banner was ordered to provide keep sake of the day.  Many gifts were showered on her including flowers, champagne, Waterford crystal glasses, a gold watch, jewellery box and necklace with earrings.  There were many cards from friends and colleagues who will miss her smiling face and witty banter. 

We all wish Mary the very best for her retirement, and, as her husband Barry retired on the same day, we know that they will both be able to enjoy a very special time together. 

Good luck Mary, from all your friends at Williams Fasteners.

Tuesday 16^th September 2008  

After completing a gruelling 16 week course with Rotherham & Barnsley Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Managers at the Head Office of Williams Fasteners in Sheffield were finally rewarded with their certificates for the Chartered Management Institute’s Level 3 qualification in Management. 

Since the management buy-out in July 2005, the directors have invested heavily in training and development for all their staff.  Susan Battersby, Managing Director, says “When Tony and myself bought the company we knew that we needed to concentrate on improving on the motivation and morale of our staff.  There had been very little spent on training prior to the buy-out and we wanted everyone to realise how valued they were and that the company needed everyone to have the right skills, knowledge and attitude to be able to work with us in taking the company forward and improving the business in the future.  By working with every individual personally we are able to identify their exact training needs and we can then tailor make a development programme that suits each person.” 

This training programme covers every member of staff from new employees in trainee positions to the directors themselves.  Susan continues “I underwent my own training programme, attending many courses and undergoing qualifications in order to ensure that I had the right skills to be able to act as the Managing Director.  This training included an NVQ level 5 in Management and a Diploma in Directorship.” 

This year, the senior management team all attended the same course, including Tony Searles, the Chairman, and Susan Battersby.  As a team they could discuss points raised during the sessions and work together to put procedures into operation back at the office.  By every member of the team attending it meant they were all focused together and learning new ideas and theories at the same time. 

The course was run by Ervanti Ltd, a dedicated trainer for the CMI who work in conjunction with Rotherham & Barnsley Chamber of Commerce (www.ervanti.co.uk; www rotherhamchamber.org.uk) 

Tony Searles says “It is important that we always keep learning, as business does not stand still and we have to keep up to date with technology and methods in order to be able to compete in an ever changing working environment.  The course was an eye-opener for me as it is a long time since I have received any management training.  Having been with the company for 30 years, the last course I attended was 12 years ago.  Susan has encouraged and persuaded all the managers to partake in this course in order to improve their inter-personal skills and to ensure that we all have the tools to be better leaders and managers, including myself.  We all took a lot away from the course and the improvement in our turnover, profits and morale this year are evidence of the success of this course and the whole development programme we have introduced.”