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MetroMail boss goes back to the shop floor

A MAILING house boss adopted a novel approach to team building as part of his commitment to staff development.

Seaham-based MetroMail took all of its supervisors and floor managers on a morale boosting away day – leaving Managing Director Alan Purvis in charge of the operations on the floor.

As head of the company, one of the country’s leading full service mailing houses, Alan prides himself on keeping in touch with all areas of the business and is committed to ensuring he knows and experiences first hand the challenges his employees face on a daily basis.

Alan said: “Investing time in our employees to make sure they are trained to the highest standards is a vital element of our growth plans.

“But that applies to me as well and I don’t believe that because I’m at the top of the tree that I shouldn’t be in touch with every area of the business and the teams that make this business the success it is.

“It would have been the easy option for me to join in the team building day but I saw it as the perfect way to experience the business from the shop floor rather than my office.” As a former apprentice, Alan has put in place a staffing structure which means no employee is more than two promotions away from his job - giving each member of the MetroMail team continuous incentives to better themselves.

He added: “We are committed to investing in talented people and if they show a desire to learn and the work ethic we’re after, there will be the opportunity to progress.

“I started my career as an apprentice and over the years worked hard to move up the career ladder. I was made MetroMail Managing Director at the age of 35 so I fully appreciate how important it is for people to feel valued and important, regardless of their level of seniority.”

MetroMail also wants to attract the next generation of workers and has put in place an apprenticeship programme that gives young people the chance to earn while they learn.

Lee Johnson was recently employed as an engineer and MetroMail’s investment in him has given him the belief to be able to go further.

He said: “The company has been great in helping me to develop and when the supervisors go to these types of training days they bring back new skills they pass on to me.

“Some of the people I’m working alongside have been in the company for a long time and they have their own way of doing things so I’m constantly learning from them.

“I am determined to take full advantage of this opportunity and showing Alan he was right to put his faith in me.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leanne English .