The Benefits of Employing Older Workers

If you think that it's just young people who are the innovators in modern creative businesses then you might want to think again. Even new technology companies like Swiftspin 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.

At Swiftspin we certainly benefit from old-fashioned experience. When we need a new turntable for our studio we don’t approach high-tech engineers. Instead, we call in the big guns... Pete's dad Alan and Terry's dad Bob.

Pete, Alan, Bob and Terry

We're constantly developing new turntables on which to photograph clients' products in 360 degrees. Each new product throws up a different challenge but Alan and Bob are always on hand with a practical solution. Neither of them can use a computer, but then again, neither of them need one. They don't spend time working up a Powerpoint presentation to explain what needs to be achieved and how best to go about it. They just get on and do it. That's why, if we need something done properly, we always turn to them first. Not only are they enthusiastic and full of ideas, they both have an eye for a bargain too, which has come in useful during the current financial climate.

Carpenter Alan (71) partakes in woodturning during his spare time, whereas Bob (73) is a keen mechanic and when he's not building turntables he's restoring old Hillman Imps. Together, the two men have created turntables on which we have photographed all sorts of products including a floating bicycle. It's fun working with our dads and we're reaping the benefits of the older generation's work ethics, whilst providing them with challenges which they love to solve.

Having said that, not every build goes to plan. When testing Bob's idea for an automated turntable (using the axle from a Hillman Imp, a paint mixer motor and Terry as the test dummy) the results left a Terry shaped dent in the studio wall. If the light is right you can sometimes still see it:



We're sure we're just one of many companies making use of the skills and experience of the retired generation. We're certainly proud to be proving that reliable, hardworking staff are readily available, we just looked a little closer to home in order to find ours.