Respect

My first approach for my enterprise - when I get going next year - will be to employers.

Employers are the forgotten heroes of KiwiSaver.    Lest we forget, back in 2007 they were given 6 weeks to get their heads around it.   And for the most part, they did.   
  
Workplaces are where many KiwiSaver members spend their days.

I enjoy seeing people at group sessions in the workplace.   They are in their own environment and can talk openly and honestly in a relaxed way.   

Unless they themselves approach a provider, no-one really talks to them about KiwiSaver.   

These visits reveal to me how many people show no interest in things like KiwiSaver.   Some call them financially illiterate, or some such other disrespectful term.  I don't agree with that.

Before we really let rip with audible tuts over people's lack of engagement - we must consider of all the things that people do for a living and how skilful they are!    When I have visited workplaces I have been extremely heartened to see how much care is taken over things that most of us take for granted. 

I was once at a hospital, presenting to Senior Medical Officers.   Halfway through, someone in full scrubs, with gloved hands raised in that "I'm-about-to-perform-surgery" stance, came into the room.  

He asked a very quick and basic question because he was due in theatre.   I answered the question and he nodded his head, thanked me,  and said (good-naturedly) that he found the subject incredibly boring.  

We have a moral responsibility not to let people down because, one way or another, they are trusting us.    


To get more people to trust us, we need to make an effort to show them respect.   Otherwise, we sound like the bad teacher who blames the pupils.