Happy Snappy, the creators of Happy Snappy Lite, the world’s first self-service photo souvenir system operating entirely on smart devices, has revealed that it has scouted, recruited, trained, and employed over 3,000 talented people over the last 10 years.
In South Africa, the unemployment rate for young people is at 45%, and creating jobs for this part of the workforce is a key priority. Happy Snappy Lite collaborates with local communities to provide paid employment and work experience to those in need. Each new staff member is trained and upskilled for the attractions sector.
James Cussen, Happy Snappy Lite founder, says: “It has been a fantastic story of Youth Employment, Job Creation and New Skills development. Most of our staff come from no tertiary education, and in many cases have not completed high school but we employ based on Character, Personality and a Positive Attitude, which are their most valuable assets.”
96% of the firm’s workforce comprises of staff that are recognised as from historically disadvantaged groups that need employment support.
One of the firm’s most successful NGO partnerships is the Fit for Life programme, and students from the programme have been joining the Happy Snappy Lite team for over 8 years. The project aims to support the community by offering a variety of courses on key issues such as skills training, child development, HIV education, and more to unemployed school leavers. Under this scheme, participants receive a year of training and are then hired by Happy Snappy.
Enabling growth
Happy Snappy Lite has a three-level training scheme to support its employees’ growth, from entering the firm with little or no experience to graduating as a “Happy Snappy Ninja”. As they progress through the scheme, employees will receive higher rates of pay and the opportunity to earn commission. Those team members that achieve “Ninja” status can become team leaders and site managers, and join the HR team where they can support the training and development of their colleagues.
Jonathan Gardner, chief people officer, explains: “Establishing a growth mindset for yourself can be tough but creating a growth mindset towards every single one of your employees can seem impossible. With over 39 years combined tenure across our 5 site leaders we have been able to achieve potential we never thought possible through continuous growth.
“Regardless of background, we partner with people who want to grow and have the drive to do so. Our aim to is equip our teams with the necessary leadership skills to take on work and life’s challenges gearing them to reach greater heights whether in our business or elsewhere.
“With many of our leaders having been promoted over the years they have been able to curate their own stories, rising from unemployed to bread winners in their families. Remaining in contact with many of our leaders who have left along the way, it is clear Happy Snappy’s leadership development has made a lasting impact on their lives and allowed them to utilise those skills to develop further.”
Happy Snappy Lite runs numerous staffed sites in South Africa and has developed a new model where its software can be utilised by smaller attractions to support employment and income generation. “An attraction that can unlock an extra £5 spend per head, can focus on supporting staff and new initiatives that can help their attraction grow and expand,” adds Cussen.
The firm’s wide network of partnerships and collaborations has enhanced its impact.
Owner Barry Cooper says: “Happy Snappy has been involved in many wider initiatives over the years that support the local communities nationally and raise funds for important causes.
“Financial and marketing support has been provided to AAVEA, Wesgro for Tourism Promotions, Wilderness Foundation for Rhino preservation, many Animal Sponsorship initiatives at Zoos that also support conservation and local employment, Full University Bursaries and donations to Etafeni Fit For Life programmes and multiple Enterprise Development donations to smaller businesses unrelated to Happy Snappy.
“Happy Snappy also contributes monthly to the WWF animal fund, National Sea Rescue, and Meals on Wheels.
“Happy Snappy has also had a special focus over the years on supplier Development, by working closely with suppliers to help grow their business, provide better payment terms, focus on Small Business support and by directing new business to them from our networks. Companies should not operate in isolation, and so we have an ethos of working with other partners as a Team, and positively promote each other.”
Happy Snappy Lite recently worked with uShaka Marine World and its Wet ‘n’ Wild water park and increased guest engagement, marketed the attractions, and maximised profits in a three month period.
