Above:  Donna Britton, Administration, Hansa Sailing

 

Hansa Sailing is one of those incredible hidden gems of our community. They do such incredible work and have tremendous impact around the globe, and we are so fortunate to have them as part of the Shoalhaven business community. Donna Britton, who works in administration at Hansa Sailing, describes the organisation as ‘Committed, magnanimous and pioneering’.

I would agree wholeheartedly. In 2016, with the support and driving force of Hansa Sailing, we introduced the Excellence in Inclusion Award, helping to increase awareness around the importance of inclusion in everyday business activities.

This year, we are fortunate to partner with Hansa Sailing once again, and we talk with Donna to find out more about life at this incredible organisation.

 

What do you love about working for Hansa Sailing?

I love the diversity of our business and the wide range of people that we deal with on a daily basis. I love the fact that we make a difference in people’s lives and create change in the way people think.

 

Describe Hansa Sailing in three words

Committed, magnanimous, pioneering

 

What is life like at Hansa Sailing?

Working in the office, I am involved in the overall day to day running of the business. My duties include the usual administration tasks, sales, accounts and customer support, however with this type of business, each and every day is interesting and holds a different challenge. I get to talk to people all over the world regarding their needs and the best way we can help them. I am constantly inspired by the stories of countries and sailing groups that are either using our boats or who are in the process of setting up inclusive sailing programs. There is always something on the go and the variety of work within my day is both challenging and inspiring.

 

How is the culture at Hansa Sailing different to other workplaces?

Hansa Sailing is constantly dealing with different cultures, individual needs and abilities of people from all round the world; we must be ahead of the game when it comes to creating products and ideas to provide our customers with specific equipment that will enable people of all abilities to sail. Once a person is in a boat, regardless of their ability or disability, they are all just sailors!

 

Our Awards theme this year is Cultivate, which is all about fostering growth. How does Hansa Sailing foster the growth of its employees?

Hansa Sailing encourages forward thinking in their employees and involves them in the ideas process of a project and encourages them to look at everything in life with inclusion in mind. This thought process then become a natural train of thought and becomes instilled in the everyday life of their employees.

 

What do you think the Awards bring to the region?

I think the Awards bring awareness of the outstanding range of businesses that are in the Shoalhaven and give these businesses a chance to display what it is that their business offers our community and gives these businesses the recognition that they so truly deserve.

 

Can you share an example of a business (outside the Shoalhaven) that has demonstrated truly memorable inclusive practices?

Docklands Yacht Club in Melbourne is an exceptional example of inclusion, catering for people of all ability, age, gender and background.

 

Hansa Sailing offers something completely unique with its sailboats, something that truly enhances the lives of their users. How does it make you feel to work for such an incredible organisation?

To say that I am proud to be part of the Hansa Sailing family would be an understatement! This job has opened my eyes to how we should view the world and the unlimited possibilities that are available to us if inclusion and universal design are at the forefront of everything we do.

 

Hansa Sailing is sponsoring the Excellence in Inclusion award, why do you think it is important for businesses to focus on how they can be more inclusive?

Ideally, inclusion should be second nature and should be ingrained within their business structure, rather than being something they have to consciously focus on. Being inclusive does not just benefit people with a disability but also the elderly and parents with prams, businesses should be creating an environment where customers feel welcomed regardless of their ability. Raising awareness of the needs of people and encouraging inclusion within their business will make the business more desirable to a much larger range of people.

 

Tell us, what’s Chris like as a boss???

To know Chris is to admire him, he is a unique, caring, passionate visionary. He is an unassuming character who works hard to make the lives of others easier, partnered with Jackie, they are an unstoppable force!

Chris is the head of a business that has become a family, joined not by blood but by the inspiration of one man. Behind each employee stands the man who makes this business such an incredible place to work, supporting the ideas and individuality of each of his employees. Chris is a tremendous boss who fosters greatness in his employees and when looking at people who inspire me to do better and create change, I only have to look to Chris.

 

Wow, thank you Donna, it has been a pleasure learning more about Hansa Sailing through the eyes of a clearly dedicated employee.

And thank you to Hansa Sailing for sponsoring the Excellence in Inclusion award.