"Brain Drain" - it's War!
Christine Meads , - 22/06/2006
Located on the south coast of England, Joanne Spratt is at the forefront of Frog Recruitment’s innovative approach to tackling the ‘brain drain’ phenomenon.
Joanne who has developed a relocation and transition management company ‘lifeyourstyle’ represents Frog Recruitment as their UK Movement Manager. She helps Frog to attract talented personnel from the United Kingdom wanting to emigrate to New Zealand and also assists them with the relocation process.
“With the ‘brain drain’ rife in many industry sectors of New Zealand, companies now have to look further a field for the right candidates with the right experience,” Joanne said.
“Fortunately, with the increasing presence and awareness of New Zealand in the UK media, marketing campaigns and tourist promotions, relocating downunder has piqued the interest of many Brits".
“Every night you see ads featuring the Milford Sounds, or a docu-drama about a family leaving the UK in search of a more laid back lifestyle in NZ."
“Furthermore, most local pubs also have at least one Kiwi on staff pulling pints and espousing the charms and grandeur of our country.”
According to Joanne, NZ is also now a popular location for British gap year students, who often return back to the UK with a yearning to relocate downunder.
“Every day I speak to people who are seeking a new life and have begun chasing their dream destination – New Zealand,” she said.
With her ‘prepare, acquaint, integrate’ programme specially adapted for Frog, Joanne works with people to achieve that. At the same time, she also helps people to create realistic expectations about their journey and future life in New Zealand.
“Throughout the entire recruitment and relocation process, my clients are constantly kept informed every step of the way.
“The whole process is designed to be as easy as possible for both parties. Basically, we take the candidate from their front door in the UK to their new employer’s door in NZ on their first day,” Joanne said.
A key feature of Joanne’s relocation programme is the ‘Readiness Interview’. This establishes the commitment of the job candidate to relocate and helps Joanne to compile a timetable of the whole process – all of which is communicated back to the client in New Zealand.
“The process can be as comprehensive and intimate as the client requires and can also include face-to-face interviewing offshore,” she said.
To make life easier for the candidate, Joanne also uses an electronic document called the ‘E-Box’ to provide candidates with up-to-date and essential information about New Zealand as a destination.
Personalised for each candidate, the ‘E-Box’ incorporates information on New Zealand’s culture and heritage, along with details on the destination company.
“The E-Box works well for us as it cuts down on the time people spend trawling the internet for relocation information. It also answers common questions and provides customised information.”
Joanne said in the past, emigrants were often daunted by the relocation process and struggled with homesickness upon arrival.
“Our process – including tools like ‘E-Box,’ ensures that they are well prepared and supported.”
As the only New Zealand recruitment agency that has a Movement Manager based in the UK, Frog’s service is unique.
“Some companies try to offer a portion of Frog’s services but are unable to provide the total package.
“It’s a fantastic service that is really reaping rewards for savvy companies that want to be sure that people relocating to New Zealand are doing it for all the right reasons.”
