The Benefits Of Employing Older Workers

Nov. 25, 2009 - PRLog -- If you think that it's just young people who are the innovators in modern business then you might want to think again. Even new technology companies can benefit from the experience and enthusiasm of the older generation.

As well as the obvious benefits older people bring to the working environment, such as reliability, commitment, dedication and flexibility, their people skills and ability to deal with change can make them excellent 'coaches' to younger members of staff. But that's not all. It may seem contradictory, but in companies developing the technology of 'tomorrow' the experiences of 'yesterday' can help in the area of innovation.

One such company benefitting from old-fashioned experience is a 360 product photography company from Bath in the UK. When Swiftspin need a new turntable for their studio they don’t approach high-tech engineers. Instead, directors Terry Mapstone and Pete Gallop call in the big guns... their retired dads Bob and Alan.

Swiftspin are constantly developing new turntables on which to photograph clients' products so that they can be displayed on-line in 3D. Each new product throws up a different challenge but the dads are always on hand with a practical solution. "If we need something done properly then we always turn to our dads first" says Terry, Swiftspin's founder. "Not only are they enthusiastic, they both have an eye for a bargain, which is useful in the current financial climate".

Bob (68) is a keen mechanic and when he's not building turntables he's restoring old Hillman Imps, whereas carpenter Alan (66) partakes in woodturning during his spare time. Together, the two men have created turntables on which their sons have photographed all sorts of products including a floating bicycle. "It's fun working with our dads" says Pete who heads up the photography studio at Swiftspin. "We're reaping the benefits of the older generation's work ethics whilst providing them with challenges which they love to solve".

Swiftspin are just one of many companies making use of the skills and experience of the retired generation and are proving that reliable, hardworking staff are readily available, they just looked a little closer to home in order to find them.

# # #

Swiftspin are based near the beautiful city of Bath in the UK and are specialists in 360 degree product photography