HRNZ Member Profile: John Baillie

John Baillie runs his own HR consultancy. John is Chair of the HRNZ Board. Human Resources magazine caught up with him to gain an insight into his world.

1. What do you do in your current role to help your organisation be successful?

I am lucky enough to run my own business. I help other organisations with the people and technical sides of digital transformations.

I have recently finished a large programme with Education Payroll (EPL), which is responsible for paying around 94,000 teachers and support staff in approximately 2,500 schools every fortnight – a $5.2 billion payroll. They are in the process of releasing a replacement to Novopay, called EdPay, and it’s an exciting programme. Writing software, particularly with large legacy systems is extremely complicated. However, no matter how good a job the development teams do – and they have done a fantastic job – if we can’t engage schools, customers and the sector, then millions of dollars will have been wasted. The great news is we have released the online payroll service to all schools in New Zealand and we have 99 per cent uptake with no noise – in fact we’ve had rave reviews.

For me it is really important to understand what is important to their customers. Once you understand that, you strive for alignment.

You constantly bring the customers' voice back into the conversation. I am also very data driven. It is too easy to make assumptions about customers' behaviour – particularly when you are in a very digital world. Equally, as you change the way customers engage with you, that too changes the way you need to interact with them.

Having live, qualitative (go talk to them) and digital (how are they behaving in your product) feedback loops is essential. I believe exactly that same thinking applies in HR. Understand your customers – internally and externally. Then strive for alignment.

2. What attracted you to pursue a career in HR?

I actually started off working in computer science, but I soon realised that people were much more interesting. HR gives you the ability to transform an organisation – not many roles can give you that. It’s enriching to see the difference that we can make to our organisations.

3. What motivated you to apply for the role of HRNZ Board Member?

I feel it is important to support HRNZ, because they are professionalising the industry, challenging HR professionals and people leaders to constantly strive for better outcomes for all New Zealanders.

I had worked at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in London and was on the Western Australia State Australian Human Resources Institute committee. Both roles were a great privilege to carry out. I suppose I have always seen the importance of giving back to my profession.

4. What has been a highlight in your career to date?

Although it was a few years go now, working at the CIPD in London was an amazing experience. I got to speak at conferences, write articles and work closely with leading HR practitioners and academics worldwide. I really valued the cutting-edge research that was happening and the value the

Institute placed on its people. It was an amazing ride.

5. What do you most value about HRNZ membership?

The people I meet and the stories I hear about the difference that HR professionals are making for their organisations and for New Zealand. It’s very heart-warming and gives me great hope for the future of human resources. I particularly love going to the awards dinner each year – it is so inspiring to see the upcoming talent and the dedication that people have for their profession.

6. What’s something that not many people know about you?

I was an RNZAF Officer, as a psychologist. For an absolute aviation geek, it was a fantastic experience. In my role, I was working with aircrew, selection panels and conducting research.

7. If you could have dinner with three people living or dead, who would they be and why?

My mother’s parents – she is an inspiration to me, and I would love to meet the people who raised her. My wife’s father – for the same reason – he sounds like he was such an amazing man who lived through really challenging times in Germany post-war. Finally, if I am allowed, Amelia Earhart. What an incredible aviator and woman who challenged massive stereotypes.

8. What’s your happy place

Fly fishing on Paradise Stream at the head of Lake Wakatipu. The most peaceful and beautiful place in the world.