KEVIN DEMPSEY DISTRIBUTORS, Block O, Ballymount Drive,
BEST IN HR
Walkinstown, Dublin 12. Tel: 01 4568280.
www.stylelineblinds.ie; www.prestigious.ie
Of hearth
and home
Investinginitspeopleisoneofthe
chieffacetsofKevinDempsey
Distributors,withcontinuous
upskilling,flexibleworkinghoursand
opencommunicationinhelping
thebusinesspowerahead
‘We keep everyone briefed and
informed to the required level
within each team on how
the business is performing
against targets set’
The team at Kevin Dempsey Distributors
A
S the name of the company would suggest, andproductionfacilities.Inaddition,ateamareatitsded- believemanagementshowedasincereinterestinthemas
Kevin Dempsey is the driving force behind icated facility in Leeds-Bradford, serving the UK small aperson,92pcwantedtoworkatKDDfor‘alongtime’and
Kevin Dempsey Distributors (KDD), which business market. 81pc believed they enjoy special and unique benefits.
incorporates the Prestigious Textiles and “Wemeetwithallofourpeopleonaone-to-onebasistwice Anotherfindingofthesurveywasthat84pcofrespondents
Styleline Blinds brands. Climbing the world’s highest ayeartoreviewtheirprofessionalandpersonaldevelopment believed people are encouraged to balance their work
mountains and making expeditions are among Dempsey’s anddiscussandagreewhattheywanttodoandwhatwewant and personal life.
extracurricular activities, and his general approach to them to do in terms of skills and training. We pay 100pc of “Wewillalwaysfacilitateanyonethatmakesanyrequest
achievement has filtered down into the organisation. any type of course and allow time off for study.” forreasonableflexibility.Everymemberofstaffunderstands
Foundedin1985byDempseyandhiswifeJoyce(human In 2008, KDD had people doing degree courses, beau- theneedsothershaveandthisco-operationisusuallyrecip-
resources (HR) director), KDD supplies to retail soft fur- ticiancourses,welding,astart-your-ownbusinesscourse rocal,” says Dempsey.
nishing stores, groups, interior designers, workrooms and many more. “We always look for some continuous Warehouse and production hours are 7am to 3.30pm at
and contractors in the 32 counties of Ireland. Annual improvement from everyone and we have documentary therequestofthepeopleworkinginthoseareas,andoffice
sales are in the region of ¤16m. proof our HR development plan works for both sides,” hoursvaryfrom8amto4pm,to10amto2pm.Mostpeople
He says while mostcompanieswith a formal HR devel- Dempsey notes. work five days a week, but some work four days, and there
opment plan in place tend to focus only on the job/work Camaraderie and celebrating achievements is an impor- isaformalisedhome-workingpolicyandphasedreturnafter
related skillsneededbyemployeestodotheir jobsbetter, tantpartofthecompany’sculture,andDempseybelievesthis maternityleave.Thecompanyalsoofferspaidpaternityleave,
KDD focuses on the individual and their specific person- is more important than people realise. “We celebrate and plus bonus paid days off can be earned.
al interests, as well as job-related requirements. recognisealleventsinsomanydifferentways.Everyoneneeds KDD operates an open communication policy, running
“This is the ‘soft’ side of HR development, which is to feel a little bit special every now and then.” open forum department and team meetings, full staff
important because if someone is being looked after and Well-done cards and free cinema tickets are just some meetings and confidential one-to-one meetings.
feels the company actually cares about them, as individ- of the items given out regularly to nominated colleagues. “Wekeepeveryonebriefedandinformedtotherequired
uals, then they will want to do their best in their work. Everyone is allowed go home early on their birthday; levelwithineachteamonhowthebusinessisperforming
“We have recorded success from this approach and can exam results are celebrated in style and there are ‘family against targets set, and this eliminates any fears and job
provewherethebenefitsforallare,especiallyinthepres- fundays’aswellasa‘softstartday’forallnewemployees. insecurity,” says Dempsey.
entbusinessclimate.Nowiswhenweseerealbenefitfrom KDD was a finalist in the Great Place to Work Institute “Ourbusinessmodelisfocusedonbeingthebestinour
all of the upskilling carried out.” Ireland(GPTWI)Top50BestPlacestoWorkinboth2007 industryateverythingwedoandweregularlyevaluateour
There are currently 35 people working in Dublin in and 2008, as voted by its people. An independent survey positionwithintheindustryandthroughexternalbench-
KDD’s 2,000 sq m custom-designed showrooms, offices by the GPTWI in 2008 showed that 81pc of employees marking,” Dempsey says.
28 SFA NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS WWW.SFA.IE/AWARDS
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