In a Recruitment Marketing Magazine exclusive, we interviewed Suzie Sharry, Human Resources Manager for Australian family-owned furniture business Jardan. While they design quality chairs, sofas and beds, Jardan doesn’t sit still when it comes to engaging their people! For the second year in a row, they will be participating in Tour de Office, an interoffice cycling event where employees engage in friendly competition, exercise, and raise money for a worthy cause.
Tell us about Jardan. What is your purpose?
As an Australian family-owned furniture business in operation since 1987, we know there is no machine that can truly replace the hand or the eye. Every Jardan piece is crafted to order in Melbourne, with care and precision, by hand.
We’re a design-led business, and believe that good design has a profound impact on our lives. That’s why we have established the Jardan Lab: a space for our growing team of designers to evolve their ideas, solve design problems, create prototypes, and move our collections through production. We built our name with sofas, chairs, tables and beds, but today our contemporary design thinking and world-leading production and capabilities are about a total living approach, incorporating lighting, textiles, and homewares.
Can you tell us a little about your role, Suzie, and how you came to the position?
I was welcomed into the Jardan family, as HR Manager just over two years ago. My focus has been on creating a safe, inclusive and diverse workplace culture that is supportive and builds the capacity and capability of our people.
What’s the culture at Jardan like?
Being a family-owned business, Jardan enjoys a very collaborative and positive working culture where everyone is willing to contribute and help each other out.
How are people important to Jardan?
Being ‘people focussed’ is one of our core company values! We encourage, empower and grow our people in all that we do. Afterall, it is through their growth and development that leads to the continued success of Jardan.
Tell us how you found out about Tour de Office. What year did you start participating?
Owners and directors of Jardan, Mike and Nick Garnham, knew about the incredible achievements of the Beacon Foundation through their brother Anthony’s work. The Beacon Foundation supports young people to successfully transition from education to meaningful employment. In partnership with the Beacon Foundation, we have sourced young, enthusiastic people who wish to work in the furniture-making business to join the Jardan team.
In 2018, The Beacon Foundation was one of the many wonderful charities Tour de Office promoted and supported. Therefore, we decided to jump on board and take the challenge of getting our team moving and supporting an underrated charity.
What charities have you supported? Why did you choose them?
We have supported many charities over the years, the most recent being the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). Our very own Brand Identity Designer, Patrick, was competing in the 2018 New York Marathon which supported MMRF. We strive to support our team with any charitable events they partake in, especially when they have a personal connection to the charity or cause.
How has Tour de Office made a difference in the Jardan workplace?
When we first participated in Tour de Office last year, the team were a bit apprehensive about exercising at work. However, once we began the challenge, we noticed this feeling change. Everyone joined in and gave their all with the support of teammates.
Our Tour de Office bike was set up in our head office and upholstery factory in Mount Waverley. However, this didn’t stop staff from our Clayton Timber factory making the journey to take a turn on the bike.
The rider who achieved the most was in our pattern cutting department. He managed to bring together staff from all departments with his incredible 11+ kilometres per day. In the end, we were all donating to his account and encouraging him throughout the week.
How has a focus on health improved and focused your team?
After reading why TDO started, it opened our eyes to our workplace and the health of our team, particularly in the office. Mid 2018, we introduced stand-up desks in the office and weekly deliveries of seasonal fruit for our team to enjoy. These small changes have been really well received by our office staff.
Is there anything you’d like to add about how TDO has positively impacted the culture and environment at Jardan, or how TDO has affected you as an individual?
The TDO challenge has led to us rethinking how we manage our time in an office environment and subsequently reinvent the way we work efficiently, and at the same time maintain healthy habits. For example, realising that we each push to get tasks marked off, that we remain in our desks for most of the day, not moving until lunchtime. Implementing the stand-up desks and suggesting face to face discussions rather than over the phone, have significantly improved the movement of our office-based staff. This also enables our staff to build rapport with their colleagues.
Jardan uses quality materials and strives to reduce their environmental footprint and make our products sustainable, producing both residential and large scale commercial projects in Australia, Asia, Europe, and America. Find Jardan’s retail stores in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and online.
To find out more about Tour de Office and how to engage your teams, visit the Tour de Office website or submit an enquiry.
