Amy Blick, the owner of exhilHRate, shares some real-world examples of how some motor factors have perceived HR and argues why it should be embraced wholeheartedly.
We don’t need HR advice…there’s only four of us, including me”: A member of staff from a motor factor said this to me a few weeks ago. The individual proceeded to share the issues they had with recruiting; how they were concerned about a potential grievance from a member of staff about their “unfair bonuses” and how could they tackle a colleague’s regular sick days.
This business absolutely did need HR advice to move forwards, to grow and to better manage challenging situations. In 2025, HR is not about box ticking or enforcing rules; it’s about building the foundations for your business to thrive. Without structured policies and processes, businesses often end up reacting to problems instead of preventing them.
That grievance about unfair bonuses, for example, could have been avoided with a transparent rewards structure and sensible communication streams in place. The unwell employee? What was in the staff handbook about sick pay and occupational health referrals? There was no handbook. I explained to the business owner that HR is about creating an environment where employees feel valued, and everyone knows the rules of the game.
For motor factors, where team dynamics and customer service are critical, overlooking HR is like ignoring the dashboard warnings. The car will keep running for a while, but eventually, it will stop.
Recruitment challenges? Long term sickness? Rising workplace conflicts? All symptoms of a business running without a people strategy. HR helps you attract the right talent, sets clear expectations, and ensures employees are motivated to go the extra mile for your customers – every time.
HR can be your competitive advantage. By working with an HR consultant steeped in SME experience, you can align your people strategy with your business goals. This means less time firefighting, more time focusing on growth. It’s about fostering trust and creating a culture where employees want to stick around – saving time, money and headaches. The best businesses are built on people, and HR provides the polished-like-a-pro toolkit to ensure your people thrive.
Can I help?
I provide practical, no-nonsense HR solutions that help you avoid costly mistakes; from recruitment challenges to creating performance targets and being compliant. My unrelenting focus is on building value from within your business with strong teams, aligning your people strategy with your business goals. I try to make HR simple, approachable and a serious contributor for business success. Book a Power Hour today and let’s get that motor running at peak performance.
