Wednesday May 15 2013

Success founded on failures was a key message Virgin Group CEO Sir Richard Branson delivered recently to a gathering of ICT professionals.

If you have an idea that will make a difference in people’s lives, and know by instinct this is needed, do it, he said at Unleashed.

“We launched a lot of businesses against the advice of experts,” says Branson at the conference in Sydney, drawing on what he calls “instinct based on experience. ”

“At the end of the year, get the accountants to add up the figure and see whether your instinct is right or wrong.”

“A lot of individuals spend too much flapping about not making decisions,” he says. “Sometimes you have to screw it, do it, have a go.”

“It is a lot more fun to say yes than say no – we achieve a lot more by taking that attitude,” says Branson.

At the same time, he was also frank about having gotten it wrong, at least twice. One was the launch of Virgin Cola. “Trying to take Coca Cola into number two position – that was a big mistake.”

The second was staying “too long at the music shops, ” referring to the Virgin Megastores they built around the globe. Then again, Steve Jobs came out with Apple devices for downloading music, instead of letting people go to the music stores. “We lost a lot of money not biting the bullet early on,” he explains.

Branson says his “most worthwhile” endeavour was setting up The Elders, a group of leaders including Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, to go into conflict regions and try to seek solutions to global humanitarian concerns.

“They have had some considerable success. That is the one we set up that we are most proud of,” he adds. “Virgin is setting up organisations like that for tackling some of the bigger issues in the world.”

He also cited Virgin Unite, a not for profit organisation tackling global problems by using their staff’s entrepreneurial skills for conflict resolution, including global warming.

A business that gives him the “most satisfaction” was the venture that will allow space travel. He says Virgin Galactic is now the only brand in the world to offer to bring people into space.

“It is tremendously exciting,” says Branson, but at the same time concedes, “Building rockets is rocket science and it was far too tougher than we thought.”

He ended his presentation stressing he would not have done anything differently as an entrepreneur.

“I had such fun failing, as well as succeeding. I said ‘yes’ too many times, I actually don’t regret it.”

Fear factor
“You can’t let fear stop you,” says Richard Earl, founder and managing director of Talent International, which organised the event.

“Choices that involve risk reap the greatest rewards,” states Earl, a software developer who founded the IT and T recruitment company in 1995. Talent International now has offices in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Europe.

His advice to budding entrepreneurs is this: “Don’t be scared, don’t let fear get in the way of a good idea, whether in professional or private life.” When you have a clear plan, exceptional people and a strong sense of purpose, he states, “Almost anything is possible.”

“Define your vision, invest in ideas, hire smart people, and don’t be shy to take risks,” he adds. “The alternative could be very unpleasant.”

Chris Riley, general manager for ANZ for Talent International, takes the analogy of success and failure to sports.

“Successful sports people anywhere in the world have always had setbacks,” says Riley, who played for the New Zealand All Whites football team. “You take that analogy from sports, where [if] you don’t succeed then try again, and that is important.”

In a global environment, there are ups and downs and constant change. “The nature of the global economy (is that) the only thing certain is there will be change and to be prepared for it. And that means people have to be so driven and bounce back if they don’t get the job or project they’re looking for.”

Steve Sargent, president and chief executive of GE in Australia and New Zealand picks the same theme on the need to respond to a changing environment.

“Every industry is in transition,” he says, with changes in the regulatory environment, in technology, and the shift of economic power from the developed West to the developing East.

Yet, he observes, CEOs are taking perfectly rational actions for a world that no longer exists.

“You have to drive innovation paddle harder.”

GE for instance, used to have one global strategy. Today, Sargent says the company has 160 strategies for 160 countries. Customers expect more localisation today, he notes.

At the same time, enterprises have to seize opportunities from technology. He cites the development of the industrial internet, referring to digital technology embedded in machines, which can lead to productivity improvement. “We are on the cusp of amazing growth from technology if we go out and embrace it,” Sargent emphasises.

Soldiers of fortune

 The half-day conference tackled the plight of a growing sector in information technology – IT contractors.

Richard Earl of Talent International says in many cases the economy means corporates want staff hired on contract basis, and keep a core collection of key people.

This situation creates a degree of separation for IT professionals. “We have a massive workforce who are increasingly disconnected and remote,” he says.

He adds that some contractors prefer to work this way, being “soldiers of fortune”.

Earl, nonetheless, explains that there is also a much larger group of “reluctant contractors” who have to work as one to get the work. Riley, for his part, says IT contracting “is a reality” as businesses around the world seek a flexible force.

“IT is quite key to many organisations and the role the contractor fulfills is quite significant,” he says. Some sectors, on the other hand, are dependent on contractors to fill a void.

Riley notes the key advice they give to these professionals is to “be flexible, be fluid”.

“The unique thing about the IT community is they are forever upskilling themselves and self development is important for them,” says Riley. “Our advice is to continue to stand on the edge of innovation, on the edge of technology.

‘They have a natural desire for knowledge anyway and to learn and to keep abreast of trends and what is happening around the corner, and they have inquisitive minds as well.”

These are important, he says, when you are looking for jobs, and looking to move around the world.

The author attended Unleash in Sydney as a guest of Talent International.

Source: CIO NZ

http://bit.ly/168EH4P

Wednesday 15 May 2013

“We wanted to provide a day of insight and fun. Importantly we wanted to highlight the potential for a brave and better future. I’m delighted that Unleashed achieved all of this.” Richard Earl, Managing Director.

Our ground-breaking event ‘Unleashed’, held on 10 May 2013 at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, has been hailed by all who attended as an overwhelming success.

Hosted by the delightful Sonia Kruger, this ambitious event focused upon how breakthrough behaviours, innovation, and inspirational leadership can unleash the potential of employers and employees alike, and effectively transform the business landscape.

We were thrilled to welcome Sir Richard Branson as a guest of honour at the event. Sir Richard Branson’s daring entrepreneurial approach to business and life shone through as he spoke candidly about his experiences and insights during an intimate Q&A session.

Richard Earl, Managing Director of Talent International, spoke of relinquishing fear and pushing boundaries in an inspiring introduction as he ‘unleashed’ the event. He stressed the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit within Australia’s technology sector.

Other key speakers included Steve Sargeant, CEO of GE, who spoke of GE’s ongoing investment in innovation, and how strong cultural foundations enable constant reinvention. Renowned industry trainer David Carman emphasised the importance of effective listening. Our recently appointed Executive General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Chris Riley, spoke of his many experiences in the recruitment industry. “It’s great to be with a company that is continually looking outwards”, he concluded.

The event also gave us an opportunity to unveil three innovative initiatives that we think will help us reach our strategic goals, showcase our unique vision for the future of IT&T recruitment, and even shake up the recruitment industry.

Richard Earl introduced Shareit, an innovative approach to candidate sourcing. Shareit will allow clients direct access to our database of over 10,000 vetted and proven candidates who have contracted through Talent in the last 5 years.

Our General Manager for NSW, Sean McCartan, introduced Benefit, a program that will reward the loyalty of the thousands of contractors who engage with us. It will focus on areas of personal development such as skills training and general well being.

It was announced that Virgin Active will be the first partner in our Benefit program.

Our Brand Strategist Vanessa Stuart introduced The Transit Lounge, a dedicated service within Talent International’s global network of offices that will offer a full departure and arrival service for technology professionals, whether they are going from Australia to Europe, New Zealand to North America, or Europe to Asia.

Finally, Sir Richard Branson announced and presented the inaugural Big Bang Award for Impact. Our Big Bang Award for Impact recognises and rewards contractor excellence and loyalty. We invite contractors across Australia to nominate for the award by demonstrating their impact, either through a technological innovation, inspirational leadership or service to the community.

Our deserving winner was Duncan Ward, WA finalist and founder of Classroom of Hope, a non profit organisation working to provide disadvantaged children in Cambodia with access to quality education.

Many thanks to all who attended Unleashed and shared this memorable experience with us. We hope that you enjoyed the experience as much as we did, and that the insightful words and ideas expressed by our speakers with continue to inspire you.

Wednesday 15 May 2013

Watch ABC TV's Whitney Fitzsimmons interview Sir Richard Branson, and our Managing Director Richard Earl, at our Unleashed event on Friday May 10 - what a fantastic day it was!

Tuesday 15 May 2013 

IT&T recruitment company, Talent International launched a loyalty rewards program for its contractors at its Unleashed event in Sydney.

Click here to link directly to the photo gallery.

Talent International managing director, Richard Earl, said 50 per cent of its current ICT contractors had clocked up loyal and long term continuous service, and it intends to reward those relationships.

“All contractors who engage with us will qualify for a whole range of benefits covering not only health and wellbeing but also wealth, education, lifestyle, travel and entertainment,” Earl said.

The tiered benefit program will also focus on providing offers relating to personal development, training skills and general well-being; access to an online community; as well as extras and bonuses for IT&T professionals akin to the benefits of permanent employment.

The benefit program also includes complementary membership into the Virgin Active health club.

Sir Richard Branson was the guest of honour at the event, which had 200 guests in attendance at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

“I'm really glad to see that you're taking such a strong interest in your staff and contractors. A healthy mind and body goes a long way to keeping staff and contractors happy,” Branson said. “They are your greatest asset, so this partnership is a wonderful way of you showing your commitment to your team.”

Talent International has more than 1700 IT&T contractors working at client locations, and places in excess of 700 permanent candidates annually. In the latest financial year, company revenues approached $300 million.

Talent has supplied IT&T professionals to companies such as BHP Billiton, BUPA, CBA, Chevron, CSC, HP, IBM, Macquarie Group, NBN Co, Perpetual, Rio Tinto, Suncorp, Tabcorp and UXC Connect, as well as state and federal governments.

The recruitment company was launched in Perth in 1995 by Richard Earl, who was a software developer in the UK before migrating to Australia.

Since then, the company moved its head office to Sydney and has locations in Adelaide, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane. Outside of Australia, it also has offices in Wellington, Auckland, Hong Kong, Singapore and London.

Source: www.arnnet.com.au

http://bit.ly/129KFMt

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Specialist IT&T recruitment company, Talent International, has launched a loyalty program designed to retain contractors - claimed to represent the first such program in the IT recruitment industry - along with other initiatives designed to make its services more attractive to both IT professionals and employers.

The loyalty program, Benefit, give its members complimentary membership of Virgin Active and access to Virgin Active health clubs around the world.

These are mainly located in the UK, which has 118, and South Africa (104). There are four In Australia: Pitt Street, Norwest Business Park and Frenchs Forest in Sydney and Bourke Street in Melbourne and 41 spread across Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Talent International founder and managing director, Richard Earl, said: "Whilst Talent International is proud that 50 percent of our current contractors have clocked up loyal and long term continuous service, we intend to do more to reward relationships and build a greater bond with our contractors. ... All contractors who engage with us will qualify for a whole range of benefits covering not only health and wellbeing but also wealth, education, lifestyle, travel and entertainment."

Talent International has so far provided few other specifics about the program. However it says that Benefit will focus on offers relating to personal development, skills training and general well-being and that rewards will include travel/visa, banking/finance, employment services, relocation/accommodation services, socialising/networking and wellbeing/development.

Benefit will be a tiered program that will reward contractor longevity and encourage repeat assignments with Talent by offering opportunities to earn points with incentives at milestones. Talent says also that it will provides extras and bonuses for IT&T professionals akin to the benefits of permanent employment.

Talent International's other new service for contractors, The Transit Lounge, is billed as "a virtual concierge for IT professionals." Talent describes it as a service: "dedicated to servicing the needs of the global technology professional" that will "focus on providing the best employment opportunities [and] offer a full 'landing' service at the point of departure and destination including travel arrangements, visas, accommodation, banking and financial services, communications and a range of lifestyle services."

In a move that seems designed to stem the growing practice of employers trawling LinkedIn in search of IT professionals, Talent International has decided to give its employer clients direct access to its candidate database under what it has called The Shareit Network. According to Talent, "Under this new recruitment paradigm conventional barriers between clients and recruitment companies will disappear whereby the client will shop in the 'Candidate Store'. Clients will assess the inventory of proven and ready to go candidates and place their orders or express their interest."

Talent International claims: "Results will be 50 times faster than the current approach of using LinkedIN which is still largely an exercise in trial and error."

Source: iTWire