Collaboration in difficult times
There is an old Chinese curse that says “may you live in interesting times” and indeed we are living in interesting times now.
A few months ago, COVID-19 sounded like the latest video game but this is no game. This is a pandemic on a worldwide scale and the biggest challenge to our industry since the GFC. When we look back on this after the dust inevitably settles, we will remember our response in the face of adversity.
Did we respond with dignity, agility and humanity?
It is particularly in times of crisis (especially when we have to isolate ourselves) to have a sense of community. It is now more than any other that belonging to a network is key to a sense of connectedness and financial security.
Recently, I returned from the NPAworldwide global conference in New Orleans. As I was about to fly from Los Angeles to my home town of Sydney, we were advised that all arrivals into Australia would need to be quarantined in their homes for 14 days including isolation from family members.
This is the only time in my country’s history that freedom of movement has been curtailed in such a dramatic way.
It is now six days into my quarantine and whilst focusing a lot on my work it has been quite isolating. Thank goodness for Netflix.
The highlight of my week, however, was when I connected with recruitment colleagues. People facing the same issues This event was taking place before we knew the extent of severity of COVID-19 and the hotel was doing an amazing job of disinfecting. Everyone made it back home safe and self quarantine .... as me and knowing what challenges lie ahead and swapping ideas on how to make the most of the situation.
I attended a number of zoom calls with NPAworldwide colleagues where we shared information, engaged in water cooler talk, joked around and kept each other’s spirits up. Whilst I enjoy the financial benefits of a split-fee network such as NPAWorldwide (I made 7 splits last year) the intangible benefits such as the collegiality and camaraderie is worth multiples of the commercials.
We have even started a Facebook group for all of those have been quarantined called “Club Quarantini” and we keep each other amused with memes, jokes and the odd serious point. One of our group was even tested for the virus and thankfully, came back negative.
Whilst the future of our industry for the foreseeable future is uncertain, in the great tradition of Charles Darwin, those who adapt best will survive. Recruiters who are part of a network where they can share jobs, candidates, information, tools, ideas and even banter and support will be best placed to emerge from this situation not only intact but in a relatively advantageous situation.
It is indeed a great challenge and opportunity for me to have been appointed Chairman of NPAworldwide during this crisis. I just hope other recruiters who have not already joined a network will consider joining one such as NPAworldwide so they have the commercial benefits as well as the support and collegiality of our profession. We can all get through these interesting times together.
Written by Jason Elias, Jason Elias is the new Chairman of NPAWorldwide- the world’s largest split placement network. He is CEO of Elias Recruitment based in Sydney, Australia. A qualified lawyer himself, Jason has been recruiting lawyers for 20 plus years and been involved in NPAworldwide for 17 years. ("as published in EM Info")