82 days ago

Council Dilemma of Staffing vs Consultants

Ganga from Ngaruawahia

From what I've observed, the issue of council staffing versus consultant use works a bit like this... Imagine you have a home that needs regular maintenance. You hire one handyman for your main house and another for your garage. Then someone comes along and points out that it’s wasteful since one handyman could easily manage both.

So, to 'fix' the problem, you fire both handymen and decide to use specialist contractors as and when needed. That way, you tell yourself, you’ll only pay for what you need. But before long, the same amount of work starts costing even more than what you paid for having two handymen (even though they were surplus to needs to begin with).

And now, someone else points out that you're paying too much for consultants, and in response, you hire three handymen - because it’s still cheaper than the contractors. And so, the cycle continues.

The real issue therefore, isn’t how much we spend on staff or consultants - it’s how wisely we use them.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 hours ago

From rugged campsite to 7.5ha resort

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Grant Kilby has always loved camping. His mum was director of health at the YMCA, and he would attend YMCA camps in the school holidays. “I think it was mandatory that I was there,” he jokes.

He went on camping holidays with his parents, and later, took his own kids.
“Camping’s been in my blood.”

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7 days ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.7% Complete
  • 21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.3% Complete
1214 votes
7 hours ago

Poll: When do you shop the sales?

Libby Totton Reporter from Waikato Times

Bargain hunters made the most of Boxing Day sales at Centre Place and The Base in Hamilton on Friday.

However, a marketing expert believes Boxing Day sales, long a staple of Kiwi life post-Christmas, is on the outer as Black Friday becomes more popular.

When do you shop the sales? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).

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When do you shop the sales?
  • 0% Black Friday
    0% Complete
  • 0% Boxing Day
    0% Complete
  • 100% I don't
    100% Complete
1 vote