Recruiter Kate Prior… “Businesses are loyal here. If you don’t give them a reason to go elsewhere they’ll usually stick by you.” Photo by Holly Treadaway
It all happened in 2010 and was just one mountain Kate has climbed to keep her business alive.
This year, face2face Recruitment is celebrating a decade of operating in the capital.
“Canberra enjoys wonderful seasons,” Kate says. “But just as you adjust and settle in one season, change comes again.
“It’s the same in business. To survive you need to adapt and embrace it, not fight it.”
Today’s employment environment, with the federal government cutting jobs, means more change, but this time it’s a spike in business for face2face as its recruiters help those who are being retrenched to find new opportunities.
“It’s tough in the capital at the moment,” says Kate. “But in the big scheme, Canberra holds itself well.”
Kate was inspired to open her own business after years of working for other recruitment companies. Throughout her career she had identified a gap in the market she was determined to fill.
“With increasing IT systems, there was less and less face-to-face contact, ironic in the world of recruitment where people are the name of the game,” says Kate.
In working for national and international recruitment companies, Kate had already learned the mechanics of running a business, including the important need for planning and capital. She prepared detailed financial forecasts, enabling her to negotiate an initial bank loan.
“Financial backing allowed me to establish my brand, set up commercial office space and get out there to source business without worrying about how to pay the bills,” says Kate.
“We saw steady growth initially and were convinced that would continue, but not everything goes according to plan in business.
“When the double elections and global financial crisis hit, I had to decide to cut my losses or weather the storm.’
Kate decided to weather the storm.
“I wanted to achieve so much more and didn’t want to sell myself short,” she says.
“I worked through the worst-case scenario: I could sell my properties, find another job, and pay off debts over time. I could even take my dog and live with my sister until I got on my feet again.”
It was time to pull face2face apart and piece it back together as a sleeker, more resilient organisation, while staying true to its culture. Kate dissected every process and made it better. She maximised technology and modernised the company’s website with new information and videos. It all helped make face2face leaner, meaner, stronger.
Kate also pounded the pavement to network and recommends this as a powerful tool for all business owners.
“Networking needs to be a never-ending activity, especially in the ACT where everyone knows everyone,” says Kate. “Canberra is about relationships and building strong business partnerships.
“Businesses are loyal here. If you don’t give them a reason to go elsewhere they’ll usually stick by you.”
Having personally placed more than 1100 personnel in positions throughout her career, Kate knows that getting the perfect match between employer and candidate is critical.
“Resilience, aptitude and a positive outlook are the essence of a great recruiter,” says Kate.
“Surround yourself with professionals, like an accountant and financial planner, who care about you and your business when the going gets tough,” says Kate. “They’re worth their weight in gold.
“Choosing to run your own company isn’t a decision to take lightly. If you think it’s a good option so you can be picky with your hours and have lots of time off, then think again.”
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