Embracing Technology and Preparing for the Future

“ I’m not a technology expert but I understand how important it is to the business. Adapting to technology will enable me and my team take the company forward to the next level.”

Last month, a leading publication reported slowing foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia, specifically around investments in the manufacturing sector – a trend that is already having a significant impact on the recruitment landscape in the country. As one of the biggest specialist engineering recruitment firms, we need to work harder to ensure that VHR Consultancy survives.

Fortunately, VHR has a proven business model in place, making the company resilient despite business downturns and a competitive environment. Operating in a niche category, VHR has managed to spread its wings by being a top recruiter across functions, and most especially in engineering which is our biggest segment.

Expanding regionally

We’re also expanding our geographic footprint to counter dependence on any one market. Having already launched in Indonesia, we are now targeting Thailand and Vietnam and are likely to launch operations in the near future. The goal is to ultimately set up a regional hub in Singapore.

For clients – and I’ve heard this first hand, the biggest draw is the level of service we provide. VHR is not one of those companies that’s hung up on big clients – sure, we like them, but we’re not biased and are equally invested in smaller firms.

It’s the principle of playing niche and providing excellent service that helped us win the Best Recruitment Firm Award in Malaysia two years ago at the 2015 HR Vendors of the Year Awards, competing against some of the biggest industry players.

Technology as a differentiator

I believe that by embracing technology, we can set ourselves apart from competition. I’m not a tech person but I understand that it is a change agent and we need to use it to the company’s advantage. After all, we’re a small company employing approximately 10 people, so we need to use every tool at our disposal to stay top of mind.

Leveraging Google, Facebook and LinkedIn has been instrumental in raising VHR’s profile and it has helped expand our reach beyond the Malaysian market and into countries like Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore.   

I’ve learnt that digital technology is powerful not only by connecting with and touching the lives of candidates. It also improves your influence on them considerably. For example, I now know when to release my articles and what time to post an ad to elicit effective responses.

Creating opportunities

Being a sales person at heart, I see great value in online marketing – so far, it’s helped me score several big customers. At the end of the day, we are in the business of selling an opportunity. For VHR, marketing is long term and sales is always-on, but both are carried out concurrently to ensure the company’s visibility, and in times like these – our survival. In fact, I was recently with a Europe-based client who complimented the company’s marketing initiatives and asked me to share the contact details of the consultant I used – “that would be me,” I said.

Having said that, all of this isn’t limited to me alone. We’re investing in training and development programs for our teams in Malaysia and Indonesia, including a digital learning platform. This is a departure from other agencies that don’t have the time to invest in bridging digital gaps, and as such to falter when it comes to closing deals. By identifying these key skills, we’re preparing our employees for the future.

Personally, too, I’m constantly exploring and reinventing. Lecturing part-time and getting involved in charity work has helped me influence people positively. Currently, all my learnings are channelled to team members, but my ultimate mission is to become a life coach and influence more people positively.  

Being in the recruitment industry, creating opportunities is a constant. Whether it’s an opportunity to help our client, build our business or develop our people, I am committed to making these things happen.