PEANUTS FOR MONKEYS • I have just read your article
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The Head Hunters (CM, Nov 26-2 Dec). Another sector of British industry whining that there are too few good managers asking for too much money. I am not sure whether to laugh at them or cry for them.
For £10,000 to 211,000 you can have a good secretary, a reliable driver or an average sort of salesman. But when it comes to managers this is peanuts, so it can be no surprise if it is attracting monkeys.
Low salaries for key staff is a false economy. Far more important, but apparently ignored, is what a good manager is worth to the operation. When salaries are more realistic the industry will start to attract the right type of people. At the moment they quite naturally head for other sectors, or if they are really keen on transport are probably driving trucks.
The problem is compounded by the inevitable demand in advertisements for five or more years previous experience. I have yet to see an advertisement offering training to people interested in joining the industry, or offering practical training to people with academic qualifications specific to transport.
On balance I think we should all cry — for the customers of our distribution industry.
K E Lidington Goole North Humberside