The Ladder

The Age

Saturday December 18, 2004

PAUL EDWARDS

Yes, the dough is about to rise

THE average Australian worker can look forward to a pay rise of 4.3 per cent next year, 1.7 percentage points over our projected inflation.

But if you want a really good rise, you need to work in India or Indonesia, where workers can expect increases of up to 11.4 per cent, according to a study by Mercer HR Consulting.

Mercer's Rob Knox says that as mature markets, Australia and New Zealand have a history of wage stability whereas in emerging Asian countries, such as India and China, we will see a sharper increase. Companies there will be paying a premium to attract and retain qualified staff.

Globally, salaries are predicted to rise on average by 1.9 percentage points over inflation.

Mr Knox says Australia and New Zealand need to exercise caution: "We currently have historically low unemployment rates and this combined with a strong investment environment may place upward pressure on wages, providing some significant challenges for businesses."

He says business operations in Australia and New Zealand have exercised fiscal restraint compared to some other Asia-Pacific countries. In Singapore and Hong Kong, pay is predicted to rise by 3.6 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively and inflation is likely to be about 1.6 per cent and 1 per cent.

New Zealanders will see more modest increases than Australians, with their salaries predicted to rise only 0.2 percentage points above projected inflation.

Globally, in 62 per cent of the countries surveyed, including the UK and US, pay is forecast to rise 1-3 percentage points above inflation. However, a handful of countries can be found at the extremes.

In Lithuania, India and Bulgaria, for example, salaries are expected to outpace inflation by 7.7 per cent, 7.2 per cent and 5.6 per cent.

How sweet it is

Nick Tunbridge, of Hudson Recruiting, says this is a very sweet job - Sugar Australia is seeking an operations manager for its Yarraville site.

The successful applicant will manage a workforce of 150 through a direct team of seven and will be responsible for refinery production, packing, engineering, safety, warehousing and distribution.

The job pays $130,000 plus bonus - ring Mr Tunbridge on 9535 8276.

Biotech boom

From The Ladder's memory bank of useless information comes a 1982 song by Australian singer Billy Field, who urged his fans to Try Biology.

More than two decades later Dr Rachel Cameron, right, agrees that biology - or rather biotechnology - is indeed an expanding sector in the employment market.

Dr Cameron, a former research scientist and virologist, says the biotechnology sector has been growing at an ever-increasing rate, with 400 dedicated companies compared with 224 in 2001.

"The two main factors that drive growth in the biotechnology sector include access to capital and the availability of qualified personnel," says Dr Cameron, a pharmaceutical and biotechnology recruitment specialist with Tanner Menzies.

"Recent growth has been fuelled by more available venture capital. A recent survey of CEOs indicated that over 70 per cent of them will increase their staff numbers in the next three years, compared with only 45 per cent in the current year.

Packaging package

Eastern Studios Graphics has a vacancy for a corporate business development manager who will generate business for its pre-press facility, largely focused on the packaging industry.

Managing director Debra Rice says the successful applicant will earn more than $100,000 and additionally will be rewarded according to sales results. Contact Jeremy Wurms on 9602 1666.

Fox terrier needed

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox will be your ultimate boss if you score the job as a Linfox financial services manager.

The position carries a package of $80,000-$100,000 and is in the commercial area of the Linfox beverage division. The successful applicant will take ownership of all financial and management accounting processes.

Contact Ainsley James, at Link Accounting, 9608 6222.

Gold, gold, gold

Here's a job where there's bullion by the billion. The Australian Gold Council is looking for a CEO to replace Tamara Gorrie, who is leaving due to impending family expansion.

The CEO is responsible for the ongoing development of the council, which was formed in 1998 and represents more than 90 per cent of Australia's gold producers, most of its gold explorers and many of its service and supply providers.

Australia's gold export industry is worth $5 billion a year.

Experience in minerals is not a prerequisite, but a background in industry associations and a strong network in commerce and government will be an advantage. Written applications to 9/343 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, by January 7.

MY RESUME

TOM PHILLIPS

Tom Phillips is the brave face of Mitsubishi Australia - the chief executive officer leading the threatened auto manufacturer.

How did you learn to drive? In 1965 as a cadet surveyor and part of a mapping team, I rode a small motorbike to Quilpie in western Queensland and picked up my driver's licence for cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles. My first four-wheel-driving experience was in the team's Land Rover.

Where were you educated? Primary schooling was at Killarney State School on the Darling Downs in Queensland. Secondary education was at Cavendish Road High School in Brisbane. At age 48 I completed an MBA by distance education through the University of New England in Avondale.

What are your professional qualifications do you have? Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors.

What has been your career progression? I joined GMH as a sales analyst and started a career that has involved regional and national sales, living in Toowoomba, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Before joining Mitsubishi in June 2000, I was director of sales and marketing for Toyota.

What's your philosophy when business times are tough? Stay focused on customer service and provide clear direction to your people. Management by "walking around" is important.

How often do you travel overseas? An average of four times per year, mainly to Japan.

What is the future for Mitsubishi Australia? Next year, as part of a $600 million investment, we launch a new Australian-made car. This is a symbol of continuity in manufacturing. Over the next two years our imported range of Lancer, Pajero, Triton, Colt and Grandis will be enhanced and new products introduced from Japan. We will always have a strong sales, service and parts dealer network to attend to our customers' needs. This month we introduced Australia's first 5/10 new-car warranty to clearly demonstrate our confidence in our products, our confidence in our future, and commitment to our customers.

How many hours in your working week? When is a CEO not working? Actual working hours in the office aren't relevant if results are not forthcoming.

How do you relax? Golf, walking, reading.

Advice to people wanting to get into automotive administration? Don't just stay in one field. Look for opportunities to broaden your experiences in other areas, which could include HR, supply, PR, retail. Sometimes a sideways move is more valuable than a promotion for long term development and advancement.

If you weren't running Mitsubishi, what else would you like to do? Well, retirement is not an option, so I would probably enjoy involvement in an automotive management consultancy.

CAREER PATH

NATALIE FRAZER

Natalie Frazer, 27, is national marketing co-ordinator with Ernst and Young's transaction advisory services division. She has won the inaugural APSMA/Seldon Gill scholarship.

What's the prize? I'll be going to Phoenix, Arizona, for the Professional Services LMA conference for four days. I will then be taking some time to backpack around South America. The prize is worth $6000.

What are your professional qualifications? Double degree at Monash - bachelor of business (marketing) and bachelor of arts (psychology) in 2000. I am currently studying a diploma in professional writing and editing.

What was your first job? After getting my degree, I travelled for six months, and in Delhi and Vienna completed a couple of interviews for a graduate position at Sun Microsystems back in Melbourne. I was an account manager looking after clients in the financial services industry.

Since then? I went into a business development role, and then joined Ernst & Young nearly two years ago.

What does winning the scholarship mean? I will be able to learn more about marketing strategies in the US market and adapt them to my role in Australia. I also see it as a key career achievement and a great component of my development as a marketing professional.

In your scholarship submission, what issues did you identify as facing professional service firms? Legislation is limiting services offered - Sarbanes Oxley (US) and CLERP 9 (Australia) have restricted the scope of services that can be provided to a single client. Firms will need to provide the high-quality service the market demands and may need to alter their pricing strategy. There is a reduced labour market pool for partnership. Firms need to adapt their culture and infrastructure if they are to succeed.

Where would you like to be in your career 10 years from now? My goal is to build my skill set towards a global marketing director role within a global professional services firm.

WORK WORDS

I've always been worried about people who are willing to work for nothing. Sometimes that's all you get from them. -- Former US senator Sam Ervin

Please send information for The Ladder to pedwards@fairfax.com.au

© 2004 The Age

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