Staff matters July 13, 2018 - Issue 161 Week 2
Upgrading for the future We would like to say a big thank you for your patience as we completed many important IT projects in a short period of time. These projects are extremely critical to our viability as an organisation as we continue to face the new challenges that the NDIS brings. Peak Solutions and Liveware have done a great job given the length and breadth of projects being undertaken which were effectively the last 2 years concentrated into a four week period. As fate would have it, while we were undertaking upgrades, we also experienced other challenges with technology which at first we all assumed were caused by the project, but in fact, these were separate (e.g. Rooty Hill exchange outages and local site outages). The projects that were part of the upgrades included: 1. Upgrades to latest version on CIMs – this was critical so that we can access the extra functionality available for ipads/mobiles on the latest version of CIMsXpress. The latest version also did not use XDocs which was necessary to move to the simpler internet access. 2. Upgrades to latest version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV – made it easier to implement online authorisation of purchase orders/invoices to try to move to a paperless environment 3. Move to a simpler version of internet access across all sites to realise $350,000 per annum saving – we lost ability to choose printers at sites but otherwise no impact 4. Telstra has not been able to provide a reliable internet connection at some sites so we tested various internet configurations and in some cases moved to Optus 5. We have grown sharply in the last few months with the WALCA merger, opening of new Respite at Norma Parker, opening of new Group Homes, establishment of Queensland team – this saw us with a potential 1,500 users accessing the system at peak times so we retired a server and introduced a more powerful server and load balancer 6. Moving to Roster pull through to the Payroll rather than timesheet system we have been using – this means a great time saving eliminating a great deal of duplicated tasks 7. The move from 10 to 3 Marieanne Place still had a number of loose ends including the main pipe coming into the building – the switch had to be completed with a number of delays from Telstra meaning we had some outages This means the only project outstanding is the upgrade of Microsoft Outlook from 2010 to 2016. Though 2016 has some bug fixes that will help efficiency, but there is not much extra functionality that will help us.
Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
In This Issue 1 Upgrading for the future
2 Staff Profile Celebrating Multiculturalism Recruiting the Best Staff in the Sector
3 Celebrating the Best Staff in The Sector
4 Team ADE Rug Up Upcoming Events Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh
Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to Marketing@afford.com.au
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July 13, 2018 - Issue 161
Staff Profile
Celebrating Multiculturalism The great diversity of the inner west community is one of its greatest strengths. Ashfield Day Program is located right in the heart of Sydney’s inner west and our staff always strive to reflect and celebrate the diversity and traditions of clients. Hailing from a variety of different cultures, Ashfield clients showcase multiculturalism at its best! In addition, Ashfield Day Program staff are also just as diverse in their cultural backgrounds.
Natalie Daniels
While many clients come from different cultures and Ashfield Day Program embraces everyone’s unique traditions and celebrations, everyone also identifies as ‘Aussies’. So in the Australian spirit, Ashfield Day Program held a multicultural celebration.
Favourite Song: You & I (Nobody in the world) by John Legend
Afford clients spent the day dancing to music from all over the world and engaging in different languages, while also enjoying delicious morning tea and lunch.
Acting Internal Recruiter Minchinbury Favourite Movie: Mamma Mia!! Favourite Hobbies: Family time & scenic drives, but shopping is my first! Favourite Foods: A leopard (classy, fast and feisty lol). If you could be an animal what would you be: A dolphin What is your dream holiday destination: Disneyland, USA If you had the power what would you change about the world: Gun laws. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? When hubby sends me “just because” gifts. If you had to teach something what would you teach: English as a foreign language. Something no one knows about me: I have a phobia of snakes (or anything that crawls)! I frantically rang my dad one day, as there was a spider in my kitchen…he’s a paramedic and was on duty at the time he made a dash home sirens and all, thinking something serious had happened.
let your abilities soar
The celebration was made possible by Inner West Council Grants funding. These valuable funds enable Afford clients to have the opportunity to learn, grow and develop their sense of self, as well as engage with and be part of their local community.
Recruiting the Best Staff in the Sector Afford is a leading disability service provider and has achieved this leadership by incorporating Employer of Choice intiatives that attract the best talent in the sector.
We are proud to announce that in the 2017/18 period, Afford recruited 600 people who will add fresh ideas, innovative thinking and new energy to our strong organisation. The 600 new employees have been placed in various roles across the Afford organisation, but the large majority have been appointed to the Client Services area; working directly with Afford clients.
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The addition of these new employees means that Afford now employs over 1,600 people, who provide personalised services to clients across Sydney, Queensland and soon Victoria. To attract the cream of the crop, Afford offers various incentives, including above award wages, support services, health & well-being, professional development and the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people living with disability. We look forward to sharing further staff and organisational successes over the coming months.
www.afford.com.au
Staff matters July 13, 2018 - Issue 161
Celebrating The Best Staff In the Sector! Last Friday, Afford held our Frontline Staff Conference at Fairfield RSL. We had the largest turnout yet, with 400 staff members attending. It was an opportunity to bring all our frontline staff together and celebrate our success as an organisation and celebrate the hard work of our staff; their dedication and the quality of services they deliver. Steven Herald, Our CEO commended our staff members for being the best in the industry!
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As a show of true Afford team spirit, Katie Nuth, Belinda Howle, Donna and Melanie, assisted our Recruitment and Training team with packing the bags and setting up. The Keynote Speaker for the day was Judeth Wilson from Upfront Communication who delivered a 2 hour presentation on Customer Service Excellence. It was an engaging presentation with interactive elements such as team building activities, videos and opportunities to ask questions. All in all it was a fantastic way for our staff to learn and develop new ways to continue to improve our customer service. Steven congratulated staff on their great accomplishments and also spoke of Afford’s Employer of Choice initiatives, for which we received a first place National Award. Maureen Brown spoke about our upcoming training programs, the expectations we have of staff and the commitment necessary to attend and complete training. She spoke about the importance of having trained staff who are fully equipped to do their job to the highest level. Stephanie Ivos and Audrey Salvey from our Allied Health team also provided details of some of the new programs they are running. The conference was a huge success. What a great way to celebrate our achievements and continue to foster our supportive team culture.
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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July 13, 2018 - Issue 161
Team ADE Rug Up
It’s been a sea of fluro lime green and black across all Afford Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) this week, as all Supported Employees donned their new Afford branded jumpers. Ingleburn, Prestons, Minchinbury and Marrickville all received their new jumpers which were purchased to serve multiple purposes. The high vis jumpers will not only keep the ADE teams warm throughout the cooler months of the year as they diligently work away to complete customer orders, the jumpers also play a role in adding to the safety of employees. The highly visible fluro colour of the jumpers will ensure that all employees are seen on the floor at all times. Further to warmth and safety, the high vis jumpers also provide supported employees with a ‘uniform’ to wear so that everyone can feel part of the Afford team. When supported employees first put on their new jumpers, employees were so excited and enthusiastic to get to work in their new threads. The ADES teams would like to thank Steve Herald for making the call to purchase the jumpers and enhance the work life of all Afford employees.
UPCOMING EVENTS Date: 1-31 July 1-31 July
Event: Fragile X Awareness Month National Reconciliation Week National Pyjama Day
21 July
24 July 27 July 27 July 30 July 3 August 1-31 August
Stress Down Day Crazy Hair Day White Ribbon Day Internatinal Day of Friendship Gold Coast Disabilty Conference MS Readathon - One month challenge
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In the Selfie Above: Paige Van Zyl loves to support Afford and Mum Joe-Marie, Respite District Manager
let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
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