Recruitment is proving to be one of our region’s biggest business challenges in the wake of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown – just ask Kirsty Morrison from One21 Recruitment.
One21 has been providing recruitment services to local businesses since 2012, but nothing could have prepared them for the upheaval of 2020.
“Since the first lockdown, the job market has been a bumpy road. Staff layoffs and redundancies saw us providing outplacement support for the recently unemployed, which included a number of people I had personally recruited who had moved their entire lives here for work.
“I was also the sounding board for anxious employers who had to make layoffs and implement hiring freezes, and who were not sure whether they could remain in business if things got worse. This was an incredibly tough time – both emotionally, mentally and financially draining.”
A year later, Kirsty says there is a significant lack of candidate supply to meet job demand and roles are harder to fill.
“We actively source talent and give them a compelling reason to want to move jobs/careers/locations, yet the pool of skilled people and movement around the country has dried up significantly with the closure of overseas channels.”
Feeling stressed, burnt out and anxious with so much uncertainty occurring over, Kirsty sought support from the Regional Business Partner Network (RBP), a capability support service facilitated through the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce.
The RBP’s Business Advisors work with owners and / or key managers to identify needs and opportunities to support their business. They can provide advice, information, referrals and connections to help them on their business journey, giving them that all-important direction and strategy when they need it most.
“Karen was my appointed RBP Business Advisor and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the service she provided. Karen’s astute ability to understand the pressure I’d been facing, and to assess both my personal and business needs to put together an action plan, was outstanding.”
Following her consultation with Karen, the action plan connected her with Chamber Members and RBP Providers Gail Page from Positive Pathways for health and wellbeing and Robin Olivier from Robust Business Coaching for business continuity planning.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have two very different, yet complementary, providers giving me their time, expertise and knowledge.”
“Robin and Gail have been extremely helpful at providing the strategy, tools and support required, as well as holding me accountable for actioning improvements across a number of areas, creating both personal and professional growth, continuity and sustainability.
Kirsty’s biggest takeaway from the experience was that in order to keep her business functioning at a high level of service and client/candidate satisfaction, she needed to put the time into working both on the business and her own personal wellbeing.
Looking ahead, Kirsty will continue with the plans she has been working on as they are making a difference with her business and, in turn, helping her support many other companies and employees beyond One21.
“My husband Aaron at Oceanix Yacht Care is also working with Robust Business Coaching now. We both have a far more positive outlook for the future and are incredibly grateful for this support.”
“The RBP team and their providers have made a significant impact on how I manage challenges, operate my business, and remain resilient and strong for others. They have provided a robust continuity plan moving forward, so that One21 can remain agile and innovative, and on top of our game as recruitment providers.”
