Name: Barbara Greer-Sayer
Role: HR Manager, FP McCann
Biography:
Barbara Greer-Sayer is the HR Manager at FP McCann. Having graduated from Ulster University with a degree in Business Studies, Barbara steered towards the Accountancy pathway studying for the CIMA exams whilst working in the Construction industry. HR was a small part of her role and in 2013 she took up the HR mantle full-time within FP McCann’s due to the company growth. Barbara is an Associate Member of the CIPD.
She invests heavily in promoting careers in STEM and encouraging the next generation of talent, having developed the apprenticeship pathway at FP McCann several years ago, taking the company from zero to 76 apprentices in the space of five years. (both current & completed). Barbara supports the growing IT department with new talent through the Career Encode programme.
What does your typical day look like?
My alarm goes off at 6am - after a good breakfast, I prepare the lunches and feed the dog, I usually try to be in work for 7.30am. The day starts with responding to emails and voicemails, I then start by planning my day to include providing support to the various departments in areas such as; Staffing & Recruitment, Training & Development, Health & Wellbeing, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Relations etc communicating through emails and meetings. Prioritisng and trouble- shooting is a daily occurrence.
On days where I’m travelling to GB, the alarm goes off much earlier to catch an early morning flight. I usually finish about 6.30pm, knowing that the best effort was put in to find the right solutions and hopefully having added more value than what was created yesterday.
What are you currently working on?
No two days are the same. One current key project is trying to consolidate all the current HR related systems into a streamlined management interface with a view of simplifying reporting and access to key management information.
What inspired you to join this company in particular?
I’d always been aware of FP McCann as a local family run company. When I spoke with the directors, it was apparent that they had big growth plans for the company and I knew exciting times lay ahead. I’ve been part of that journey for the last 18 years and look forward to many more.
Did you always want to work in this industry (tech)?
Some of the best choices in life are not always planned. I had no real preference to what industry to work in, but when the opportunity arose to work in the Construction sector I was happy to take on the challenge and 28 years later I’ve absolutely no regrets and continue to enjoy the variety that it gives rise to.
Some say opportunities for Women in this sector are limited, but I’ve always found that through hard work, drive and determination anything is possible and would encourage more Women to seek a professional career in Construction.
What’s your favourite part about your work?
The variety. Every day is different and can be unpredictable. Within FP McCann there’s flexibility to get involved in so many different things. Even though the pattern may seem repetitive, there is uniqueness in every situation. In HR, your see the good, the bad and the ugly! It is important to remain level-headed and offer support that best suits whatever situation you are confronted with.
What would you say to other people considering a job in this industry (tech)?
Go for it. Be open minded and objective. Get to know plenty of people and build good relationships, this will be key to making a positive influence. You never know where it will take you.
How do you see this technology impacting on our lives?
People can’t live without it. It has changed how we communicate. We all live and work in a much faster-paced environment and have to find the right balance between the tech world and the real world and not lose sight of the people who are physically around us.
The smart phone has enabled much of the way we live our lives today, but isn’t always a force for good. Over the years, there has been a visible change in the way we communicate with each other and while emailing, messaging and social media are common place, nothing beats actual conversation in my view.
Who inspired you to work in this field?
Nobody in particular. There are many people who I admire, but I don’t have one inspirational role model that led me to work in this field.
What do you consider to be the most important tech innovation or development in recent years?
Changes in technology have radically altered the way we live and work with greater mobility options, gone are the days when your workplace was 9 to 5 in the actual office. Nowadays the workplace can be at home, the coffee shop or in the car.
What tech gadget could you not live without?
My iPhone.
