One of the most intriguing moments in Nairobi is when companies raid each other for staff. It happens in all professions with regularity as investors endeavour to get staff who are ready to go without having to be trained.
It especially happens when a new player comes to town and decides to ‘poach’ a whole team from their competitor. The raided employer goes through a nightmare trying to refrain staff from moving as suitors offer them wads of cash.
The problem of course is that cash in this economy is king and so meetings in parking lots, fancy restaurants or out of town lodges are inevitable and people will follow the money.
Recently, we’ve had staff migrations that would give the great wildebeest migration some serious competition. This includes moves from one Information Technology company to the other, one beverage manu- facturer to the other or media house to the other; or even Arsenal to Barcelona and Manchester clubs.
All those affected by the incessant migra- tions need some coping mechanisms. Here are suggestions that could help affected people muddle through their circumstances.
The old employer
As Arsene Wenger of the Arsenal football club will tell you for free, if you grow a strong, talented team, people will see the good work they are doing and they will want to be part of that action.
Don’t send a letter to your former employees saying you were the best thing they ever had, like some politi- cian did. The best way to cope with this is to amply remunerate the remaining staff to ensure that they are not tempted to leave.
You may also offer some enticements like training oppor- tunities or facilities that will be popular with staff. A staff bar with low-priced drinks will leave your employees highly motivated.
The bar of course needs to come with that which the true Nairobian loves including a nyama choma place which offers the best meat and its accompaniments.
There should also be a person at the office entrance with a grill selling choma sausages. Taxis should also be availed to drop off staff that may have had too much to drink.
No staff can escape such an environment willingly. The downside of this is that sometimes the staff might drool over their keyboards in ‘highness’.
The new employer
I am sure you are congratulating yourself as you do the numbers and prepare for the prof- its from the new team. Thing is that if you could do this to someone then someone else can and will do it to you especially now that the new guys know they can increase their income by simply offering their services to the person with the biggest wallet.
To avoid this, I recommend that you use the techniques suggested above to retain your staff.
The ‘poached’ employee
The person who has been employed is very pleased that they have increased their income. To cope, try and avoid going overboard in your spending. A modest increase in salary doesn’t mean that you stop drinking Tusker and start drinking 50-year-old whiskey which costs more than what many people earn every month.
Car loans for the latest 4X4 off road or sports car might sound like a pretty good idea but not when you are still living at your parent’s house or living in a bedsitter in Buruburu estate.
The retained employee
There are employees who will remain at the company and miss the big wave to the new employer. It usually has little to do with loyalty and probably has a lot more to do with the head hunter failing to see just how awesome an employee you are.
If you are this maligned and unloved employee you prob- ably want to up your game so that in future waves, you may be considered for poaching.
Calling at the new place to see if there is a space available might seem like a good idea but I don’t recommend it as you are just left looking desperate and thus even less desir- able.
The customer Staff
changes may also affect the person buying the product. The best way to cope is to realise that those were employees and one needs to get the best deal for their money.
Venue Review: Aqua Blu Bar and Club Lounge, Krishna Plaza
There is a new building on Woodside Avenue in Westlands, an area famous for clubs and bars, and I just happened to be scurrying by on Friday evening.
I saw a sign on the street written, ‘Aqua Blu Bar and Club Lounge’ and the first thing that came to my mind was, what is it? A bar, a lounge or a club? This identity crisis prompted me to walk into the new building and have a look.
The first thing I noted was that there was an elevator to the first floor where the venue was, which meant that a disabled person would have no problems getting there.
There’s also a parking lot at the first floor where the venue is, which means that if you are early enough, you could drive up to the door. As I walked in, I noticed a dance floor and to me this meant that the ‘club’ part of the venue’s description was covered.
I made my way to the counter and ordered my cold Tusker which came at Sh250. Ouch. While this is not uncommon in this part of town ,it is still quite pricey.
This is not the kind of place you sit drinking for hours unless you’ve thought about it long in advance or are very well off. The decor here was exquisite and seemed to have black as the dominant colour.
The venue had several little places that allowed for a variety of experiences. By the car park, there was a typical Nairobi bar setting with high bar seats that allowed the management to maximise on space.
The place I was sitting had a lounge setting with comfortable seats that justified the ‘lounge’ part of the name. There was also an area set up for a DJ at a corner and the he was spinning some popular hits from yesteryears.
The crowd was the young urban professional crowd. There were some TVs for those with the need to indulge in their English Premier League addiction.
The washrooms were pristine and emergency exits well marked out.
A quick recap of the venue:
Good: Great service, excellent decor, convenient location, football fans covered, dance floor, great parking options, disability friendly.
Bad: Pricey.
My verdict: Aqua Blue gives you everything you would want to experience; bar, club and lounge experiences in one place. It is a bit pricey but I highly recommend it.
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