SC
Do Scots financiers need to lighten up?
20 June 2008
Is the credit crunch making the Scots bluer than the Saltire, or do the Scots just need cheering up? BNP Paribas in Glasgow has apparently hired a culture consultant who’s prescribed more laughter for its staff (The Independent).
But Margaret Dyer, director of Joslin Rowe in Scotland, pours cold water on the notion that Scots financiers are unduly dour: “BNP have expanded their business in Glasgow. They will have brought in new people in significant numbers so there’s a need to get them working together to communicate better.”
She adds, “Firms care about their individual members and staff: it may well be that BNP are looking at how to motivate staff. It can only be a good thing. Laughter and humour can improve performance.”
Indeed, from some angles BNP’s humourous foray is seen as forward thinking. “They are very progressive in their outlook,” says Barry Lee, managing consultant with HR Consultancy in Glasgow.
BNP Paribas media relations manager Ilias Catsaros confirms a consultant has been employed to “help integrate” its fast growing securities services in Scotland. The consultant has a track record from Australia where BNP Paribas Securities Services has also enjoyed strong growth.
