1st September 2015

After a roller coaster ride during the last twelve months, the final piece in the puzzle has been completed as we finish our transition to Omni Recruit.

When Bluestone Recruitment suddenly closed its doors in August 2014, a number of staff and I were left without a job almost overnight. We had a few options presented to us but I decided to bite the bullet and start up our own recruitment agency. This would allow us to continue to look after the clients and candidates we had spent five years building great relationships with.

The first few weeks were a blur as we had 180 temporary staff to payroll while at the same time arranging the set-up of a new business – all on the run. As we managed the transition with candidates and clients, we also had to find an office and furniture, organise phones and computers, arrange insurances and WorkCover, register business names and all the financials, find a database, accounting and payroll system, set up a website and emails, develop marketing material, and create all candidate and client documentation, systems and processes!!!!!

I’m sure there were many others things we completed in the first few weeks – I just don’t remember………..

To facilitate a seamless transition for payroll and invoicing we formed a strategic alliance with Demand Personnel in NSW. We initially commenced business as Demand Personnel Qld, providing a brand platform to our clients and candidates.

Over the last year we have spent time looking at the industries, markets and service offerings we provide, developing our own identity. To reflect this, from the 1st September 2015, Demand Personnel Qld rebranded as Omni Recruit.

The word Omni meaning “Of all things” and “in all ways or places”.

On a number of occasions in the first few weeks my Branch Manager, Lindsay and I, looked at each other and questioned if we had made the right decision. As the dust slowly settled and with each day passing we ticked off another item from the to-do list……. we knew we definitely had.

I ultimately gained back in time 15-20 hours per week, saved commuting between offices, reading 200+ emails per day (thanks to various distribution lists), dialling into 5-10 phone conferences per week on management hook ups / client account meetings / safety meetings, and writing management and board reports until late into the night. To be honest a lot of my time was spent looking backwards at the Bluestone business instead of looking forwards.

Within our first year we now have a second office in Brisbane adding a Permanent Recruitment Executive and a Training Coordinator. They join the Temp Teams in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, helping expand our footprint and services in South East Queensland.

I’d like to thank all of our clients who supported us during the transition back in August 2014, and those who’ve joined us in the first year of operation. I’d also like to thank some of the key team members who helped get Omni Recruit to where we are today – Lindsay Ong, Steph Taylor, Natalia Florczyk, Julie Ford, Sarah Walker and Robyn Dyhr.

I would also thank my wife (most definitely!) who I left with three children under the age of seven at Thredbo on our first ski holiday when I made the mercy dash back to the Gold Coast as events unfolded in August 2014!!

Thanks

Darren