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Magrudy Enterprises named Emerging SME Best Employer in the Middle East

Employees are proud to be part of Magrudy’s family

May 5, 2009: Magrudy Enterprises has been recognised as one of the region’s leading employers by the Hewitt Best Employers in the Middle East 2009 study.  The company was named Emerging SME Best Employer in the Middle East at an awards ceremony in Dubai on April 29th.  The judges praised Magrudy’s work environment, people practices and employee culture, concluding that its employees are proud to be part of the Magrudy’s family.

‘’We are absolutely delighted to be named one of the best employers in the Middle East and it is certainly very gratifying to hear such positive feedback from our staff,’’ said Jeremy Brinton, Chief Executive Officer Magrudy Enterprises LLC.  ‘’We won’t rest on our laurels.  We have always believed that our employees are our greatest assets and we will continue to nurture their talents and develop each employee’s potential.’’

The study highlighted Magrudy’s positive work environment which ‘allows employees to feel passion and concern for customers’.   Employees were described as operating ‘as a family’, in an environment where customers of all nationalities, backgrounds, income and educational levels feel welcome.  The study also recognised that the firm’s motto ‘Bringing you only the best’ is embodied in the behaviour of all employees.

Employees are encouraged to set short term plans (typically across the week).  Although these plans are regularly reviewed by line managers, employees are responsible for achieving them.  Magrudy’s philosophy is that ‘mistakes happen’ and they are an excellent means of experiential learning.

‘’Our strategy is to develop an employee-orientated company culture that emphasises quality, continuous improvement, high performance and personal ongoing development,’’ said Ivett Keckes, HR Manager, Magrudy Enterprises.  ‘’This high performance and commitment culture is not only good for our staff but its key to our commercial success.’’

The study noted that Magrudy’s employees take pride in working for a local organisation that is growing.  Although many processes and programs are still being developed, members of staff are secure in the knowledge that their organisation is on the right track.

The study singled out two unique ‘people practices’ employed by Magrudy’s:
Employees are given the opportunity to meet authors and speakers who take part in book signings.  Since many employees also join Magrudy’s because of their love of reading, these are particularly attractive perks of the job.

Magrudy’s encourages socialising outside of work hours and employees have organised BBQs and get-togethers. 

Magrudy’s was one of 6 multinational companies (MNCs) and 6 regional organisations recognised as Hewitt’s Best Employers in the Middle East.  Seven characteristics were recognised across Hewitt’s Best Employers:

• HR is viewed as an expert people administrator and strategic business partner
• Better career development through manager involvement
• Better benefits are provided to staff
• Better delivery of the employment promise
• Better investments in employee development
• Better at work assignment and performance management

About Hewitt Best Employers in the Middle East 2009

The study involves surveying the participating organizations using three instruments developed by Hewitt which are:

1. The Employee Opinion Survey (to gauge the level of employee engagement and gather information on employee perceptions of their work environment),
2. The People Practices Inventory™ (to gather information about philosophies, practices, and policies that influence the management of people), and
3. The CEO Questionnaire (to explore the alignment between business strategy and people policies).
4. Hewitt reported 250+ registrations of interest from organizations across Hospitality, Manufacturing, Banking and Financial Services, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Retail, Telecom and Government services sectors. Through the initiative, Hewitt Associates aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts of regional governments to create an economic environment that is conducive to growth and yet meets the aspirations of individuals seeking positive work environments. The Hewitt study, which was launched last summer, realized its promised goal and became the largest employee research project ever undertaken in the Middle East region.

The study is now the definitive source of employee and human capital research across the Middle East region, with the largest benchmark database on Employee Engagement, Organization Culture, Nationalization, High-Performance, Leadership Development and many other People Practices.

Study Website : http://was2.hewitt.com/bestemployers/middleeast

Korky Paul’s illustration workshop is back by popular demand!

28th April 2009: Magrudy’s is delighted to announce the return to Dubai of the award-winning illustrator Korky Paul. Korky will be giving his celebrated workshop free of charge at Magrudy’s Dubai Festival City bookshop on Saturday 2^nd May 2009 from 3pm. The workshop will be followed by a book-signing.

Budding artists of all ages and abilities will be welcome to participate in the workshop and there is no need to register your attendance in advance.

Korky is known and loved by millions of children for his wacky drawings of monsters, dinosaurs, dragons, mad professors and pugnacious pirates.

He is best known for his Winnie the Witch illustrations, which won the children’s book award. Originally from Zimbabwe, he studied at Durban Art School, South Africa and animation at Cal Arts, USA

He has illustrated over thirty well-known children’s titles and the full selection will be on display at Magrudy’s, including his latest titles, ‘Winnie the Twit’, ‘Winnie Says Cheese’ and ‘Winnie's Flying Carpet’.

Magrudy’s Educational Resource Centre has also arranged for Korky to visit Dubai English Speaking School, Repton, Horizon & Al Salam schools during the first week of May, to give workshops and sign copies of his books.