He Who Dares...

Seems like I picked a good time to go on leave! Catching up with a few of my clients over the past couple of days there’s a bit of a theme emerging. The market was slow going into the elections and it’s remained slow. The dust is yet to properly settle with key positions still hanging in the balance, the potential ‘what to do with Winnie?’ question still looms, and we’ll have to wait to see how running the country like a business will look. I’m hopefully for New Zealand Inc. On the surface it should inspire more business confidence something which is significantly lacking in today’s market. Undoubtedly, some of your clients will be looking to add to headcount in the year of the dragon, ruling out any potential starts this side of Christmas. This can be disappointing considering the slow start to the year Auckland experienced coupled with the start stop narrative we’ve had to contend with. In comparison to last year most agencies will be feeling the pinch. I’m hopeful, there will be a rush to add to headcount before all is said and done, it’s just a case of who is going to be brave enough to strike first? Like Harry Redknapp I too distance myself from the wheeler and dealer label but to quote a very famous W&Ler “he who dare Rodders!”

There’s some top talent in the recruitment market currently but they won’t be around for very long. When Feb rolls around and the market is humming there will be plenty of hiring managers wishing they had taken a calculated risk in securing a stallion to the stable. Predictably though, what will happen is they will be forced to play catch up, often making hires that are not up to the same standard as the festive period fillies. In recruitment there is even more of a reason to secure the services of a talented Consultant. Firstly, and most obviously, they will find a home with your closest competitor. While you’ve dilly dallied, cynical of cyclical nature of the industry if it will ever return to hay making times, someone else has put their C on the B and gave it the ol Uncle Sam – We Want You! Secondly, we all agree to a restraint of trade clause going into any new venture. They usually range anywhere from 3 – 6 months. The pie is pretty big in every industry meaning that stepping on toes can be easily avoided. However, if you’re looking to bring someone on to hit the ground when the market is up and running, it makes sense to have that ROT taken up in the slower months.

Now, I’m not naïve enough to think that a war chest of funds will imminently be released on the back of this puff piece. But I like you have the title of Consultant and although we may have a slight bias, our job is to consult our clients on what we know. And what we know is that next year will be big! With the market seemingly stalling a month earlier than usual, the new change of government, the need to make up for a hit and miss year, the demand will be back but in typical NZ fashion the supply will be lacking. Of course, on paper adding to headcount when the demand isn’t where it needs to be can be perceived as premature or even reckless. In reality, there’s a 4-week notice period to accommodate plus the acclimation of operations and processes that any incomer needs to get their head around. Fortune favours isn’t just an award-winning Welly brewer, it’s a reminder that those brave enough to back themselves reap the rewards.