It’s a partnership: Strong local ties are key to support
12 July 2020
5
min read
PAUL CHARALAMBOUS
Regional Business Development Manager
It has been tough in the regions. My role is to partner with employers throughout Central Queensland to support their staff, our members, and look at ways we can increase their financial wellbeing and financial literacy. My colleagues in the other regions of the state can do the same for you. All of our details are below.
There has never been a time like this. In the regions, businesses are often a lot smaller. As a result many businesses have been quite exposed to the COVID-19 crisis.
Many are struggling as it is, and then to have this on top, it’s been challenging.
Personally, it’s been difficult to disconnect emotionally because we are invested with these employers. We have really good relationships. It’s not a transactional relationship, it’s a partnership.
Reaching out to businesses
There has been confusion and need for information from employers and our members and we have experienced increased demand during this time.
People have had a lot of questions about how their investments are performing, what insurances they have and what they are covered for.
There’s also been a need to get information out there because there has been so much communication from so many sources, including the developing health crisis, the impact on investment and the changes to legislation.
We have aimed to let people know what really matters and to put them at ease.
Through this period we’ve gone from doing nice-to-have information for the employer and member about their financial wellbeing, to must-have, important information that is critical for them through this crisis.
I think our performance has really helped settle people’s nerves, just knowing they are with QSuper and they have our support and that we have the history to see something like this through.
Support when and where it is needed
Businesses have been hurting, but we are there with them to help any way we can.
When they’ve had to let people go, we’ve been doing seminars on redundancies and how to get the most out of your super when you’ve been made redundant.
We’ve helped members and employers understand the early access legislation, how to claim and how to build it back up later.
Fortunately some of the conversations have begun to shift to how businesses will recover and how they rehire staff and we have been there to support that.
But often, it’s just about reaching out to employers with no agenda.
When you’re deeply ingrained in the business community in the regions, it’s a really nice part of the job to reach out to these people.
Businesses really need their relationships with their customers now and for their customers to support them. It’s the same with us and the relationships that we have so we can support our employers."
We are supporting them as best we can. We are in it with them.
It’s a good thing to have the relationship to be able to do that.
That’s the real regional perspective – it’s where your customers are your mates.
Meet QSuper’s Regional Business Development Manager team
The team is at your service to make sure you’re getting the most out of QSuper. Contact them today.
Northern Queensland Julie Bates email Julie
Central Queensland Paul Charalambous email Paul
Darling Downs and South West Mark Ramm email Mark
Sunshine Coast Amanda Kirkwood email Amanda
Gold Coast Michael Huskisson email Michael
The opinions expressed and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the QSuper Board. No responsibility is taken for the accuracy of any of the information supplied and you should seek advice for your circumstances.