Santa comes but once a year, but when he does he empties his sack. Well here I am folks, ready to empty my sack over this year’s SARA nominees. Metaphorically of course. Last year I managed a meagre 1 out of 8. The year before, slightly better with a statistically significant 3 out of 8. Let’s see where my recruitment juice splatters this year…
Small Recruitment Agency of the Year
- Elevate Resourcing
- Konnect Koncepts
- McLaren Recruitment
- Recruitment Studio
- Ryan Recruitment
Is it just me, or are McLaren, Recruitment Studio, and Ryan Recruitment perpetual finalists in this one? Certainly I know that McLaren and Recruitment Studio have been finalists before. With both the RCSA and these awards spinning round my head, I kinda lose track. Konnect Koncepts are new to me, but after some research, I’m not picking them. Firstly, the use of a “K” instead of a “C” should be reserved for Kit-Kats only. Also, I’m a bit over HR Consulting firms bolting on a recruitment offering in the way that a boy-racer sticks a big-bore exhaust onto his Corolla. In the hope of a nudie dip in her new spa pool, I’m picking the powerhouse that is the effervescent Anabella Bianchi.
My prediction: Elevate Resourcing
Medium Recruitment Agency of the Year
- Cultivate Recruitment
- Digital Garage
- Frog Recruitment
- Lynx Recruitment
- Talent Army
Some good firms in there, and on their day, anyone could win it. Regular readers will know that Lynx have been slightly tumultuous of late, however, the submission would have been written (and probably judged) before then. Digital Garage who how to write a submission and have bucked the trend in a dog sh*t market. Frog I don’t hear about much these days, and Talent Army, similar to Digital Garage, have performed well. Troy also has a new bar in the office, which I couldn’t condone, so I’m picking….
My prediction: Cultivate Recruitment
Large Recruitment Agency of the Year
- Adecco New Zealand
- AWF Limited
- Fluid Recruitment
- Stellar Recruitment
- Trade Assist
Definitely not Trade Assist (if the judges know the truth), but I think this one is pretty open. We’ve never dealt with Adecco as some old battle axe who works there has an issue with Rice & Co, or specifically a “tall English male who is one of the directors”. Jon and I still argue about who she is referring to. Answers below please. Fluid have made some great moves and have carved out a sweet little niche. However, in terms of doing it all – from organic growth, to ballsy hires, to acquisitions, I can’t look past one of these firms.
My prediction: Stellar Recruitment
Innovation in Recruitment
- AWF Limited
- Cultivate Recruitment
- Frog Recruitment
- Konnect Koncepts
- UP Recruitment
SEEK – would you please please please PLEASE please actually tell us what the specific innovation is? Y’know – like they do in the advertising industry awards? Most innovations happen either behind the scenes or don’t get the publicity they deserve. Given this award asks that a firm highlights a specific innovation, please tell us what it is. Otherwise, clowns like me have to pull a firm out of a hat.
My prediction: AWF Limited
Outstanding Progress in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Adecco New Zealand
- Cultivate Recruitment
- Fred Recruitment
- Lynx Recruitment
“Diversity” not “Divestiture” guys. So sorry Lynx. Cultivate could do it, as could the Kate Ross fan club at Fred. However, I’m thinking that in order to make big strides in this, it helps to be a big business. So I’m going for those folks at Adecco, even if some old woman thinks Jon Rice is a dickwad.
My prediction: Adecco New Zealand
Excellence in Candidate Experience
- Fred Recruitment
- Frog Recruitment
- HOME Recruitment
- Lynx Recruitment
- Trade Assist
As this blog does not support bullies, Trade Assist are out. Frog have always been highly committed to doing things right for their candidates, so they have to be a front runner. I can’t profess to know much about how Fred treat their candidates. HOME seem like decent operators. And Lynx would probably do a fine job, although I’d rather be their client invited on a boozy lunch than a candidate. I’m sticking to what I know on this one, and going….
My prediction: Frog Recruitment
Recruitment Leader of the Year
- Andrea Berrington, Konnect Koncepts
- Brien Keegan, Sprout People
- Jason Boot
- Kim Lusby, Likemind
- Troy Hammond, Talent Army
I’m sorry Konnect Koncepts, but I just kan’t look at you as a recruitment kompany. If I look at your website, I can’t see a single recruitment consultant. Jason is an interesting addition. Obviously nominated whilst at Lynx, but now at Stellar, SEEK have decided to play it safe and have him running like some kind of “Ban 1080/investigate Pizzagate” independent candidate. Brien Keegan snatched the RCSA equivalent last time round if my memory is correct, so already had a winning submission drafted. We shall see how good he is on the ol’ copy’n’paste. However, because it’s been a while since I’ve seen him up on podium, I’m picking the former TradeStaff branch manager….
My prediction: Troy Hammond, Talent Army
Recruitment Consultant of the Year
- Angela Browne, Adecco New Zealand
- Christi-Ann de la Porte, Success Group Limited
- Clara Jensen, Sprout People
- Claudia Dawson-Jenner, Rice & Co
- Lewis Howells, RWR Health Northern
I sit next to this person, and I’ve sat next to recruiters for nearly 20 years, and no one alive deserves this more.
My prediction: Claudia Dawson-Jenner
That’s your lot folks. We’ll revisit this one hungover in November.
^SW
