Digital Recruiting

"Recruitment - but not as you know it!" - the biggest digitally focussed event of the year...

... (that's being held in The Gate in Farringdon) is now nearly here.

:)

You've probably heard of it already (MLL tend to get themselves heard) - but just in case thought we'd give it a final plug. Now there's a rumour that it might actually be over subscribed for agency types - I don't tend to like believing rumours though, so if you're intrested get onto MLL and tell them just why they "need you" to be there and that you know there's room in one of them famous Gate leather boothes for you to squeeze in with another friendly person.

I think they can also squeeze in a further media or two though - so if you're reading this and have something that is pretty new / innovative / not your run of the mill digital media offer and just has recruitment communication potential written all over it then do get a move on and tell Jamie ([email protected] or @jamieasleonard). If it screams "Web 2.0" (and I don't mean Paul Harrison in the shower!) and you're reading this blog, so therefore one might assume you have a recruitment industry interest, then you gotta think this audience is worth a couple of hours.

Who's there already? Well some names you'll know, some you won't - but hopefully most (although probably all) of whom you'll be impressed with (even if you can't see a way of working together right now) and I'm sure all will help you leave feeling a little more enlightened as to the potential on offer.

This is all (well I think it is anyway) about getting a snap shot of what's out there in the digital world that you might not come across in your every day media schedules, or else seeing what's new and exciting with some brands you think you already know - and if there's just one thing you pick up, one new contact you make, something that renews your interest in digital developments that will impact the recruitment world or something/someone inspires you to go back and slap your clients until they get with the digital programme then that's gotta be worth a show up. Hasn't it?!

So wanna see if they squeeze you in?

It's at The Gate (Farringdon) and starts at 3pm on Wednesday 26th November.

Matt Wise: [email protected]
Jamie Leonard: [email protected]

T.   020 7183 1227

Maybe see you there.

Phone sexiness (of the technical persuasion)

We've been waiting what seems like an eternity for a promised post from our very own Matt "3blogs" Alder about why he felt that the i-phone (of course he had one within the first few days) was indeed a game changing technology. I mean we all have a good idea that it's fun, very cool to have, got some nifty features and is beautifully designed - but what does a user I know find about it that means phones and the way we interact with them will never be the same again?

I'm particularly interested at the moment as I've been having my own phone provider related issues (if you've got time to kill you can find out here why I'm gutted to not be getting the G1) and so in an "habitual need for annual technical toy replacement" will likely be ditching t-mobile and deciding between Blackberry Storm or the i-phone in the not too distant.

Anyway - whilst we all wait I did pick up on these two videos today, and have to say "Oh my god - how clever are these people when they work together".

Now I've never seen fit to even use voice activation on any of the phones I've had in the past where it's an option - and I'm not so sure this will be used more than showing off just how cool your i-phone is to mates in the pub (although I understand a significant flaw/frustration with the i-phone is the virtual keypad - so maybe google have effectively helped create a bit of a work around for apple) - but if nothing else it's just impressive to see technological advances continue to trickle down at an amazing speed to us (quite literally) in the street.

 

and

WOW!

Innocent guilty of mediocrity, but still pick up award

In case you missed it the National Online Recruitment Awards (NORA) 2008 were announced at the end of last week. The debate has already raged (e.g. on the UK Recruiter blog & globally on Cheezhead) about how contentious these awards are (we also took issue with the results last year). Anyway - in case there's any interest out there and the news hasn't filtered through to you already you can pick up all the results here.

Anyway - congrats to all winners (it's nice to get an award even if no one can really work out how some of the decisions are arrived at).

My focus is looking at Employer activity and I still stand by my comments on the quality of the Best Employer website shortlist (left this in response to Andrew Baird's blog post on the nominations) and in particular the stand out favourite (in a poor quality field) Innocent:

Yes Innocent has a quirky tone and good written content because it's clearly got it's employer proposition right - but the delivery is as flat as a flat thing. The only media rich element is the video of a TV interview which (not sure about your browser) but for me was so distorted it was pretty much un-viewable and would have been better, at this quality, stripped down to just audio.

Perhaps NORA judges are looking for something different to myself - but I have this, perhaps quirky, feeling that awards should be awarded for "best in class", not just "quite good". We're living in a world where rich media and true creative engagement is not just possible but all around us - so flat careers sections with an animated button or two just shouldn't be held up as anything other than "awright" or a "decent effort".

Now I don't profess to have my finger on the industry pulse for best work coming out, but I do know there's far far better out there. Perhaps the problem is how NORA draw up their shortlist, maybe they're not seeing the full picture either - but however you cut it for any of these to win "Best Employer Website 2008" will do the Recruitment Communications industry a massive disservice in regards to the strides we have made with creative digital execution.

So - the "massive disservice" was of course followed through (as it had to be) and Innocent was proclaimed 'best employer website of 2008'. I suppose the positive for this year is that it was without doubt the best of the flawed shortlist - where as last year the disservice was done by the shortlisted (and truly excellent) Royal Navy site losing to a flawed Police site, so let's check back in 12months and see if Stephen O'Donnel has listened or is impervious to the very public feedback this years awards has stirred up - or whether the controversy storm that is now associated with these awards more than the results is such that it doesn't actually warrant whatever benefits running such an event provides Stephen & his interests.

Now this is an apolitical US election video - and it's good!

yup - video clip Friday seems to be back.

Anyway - I think this one is very good too.

No way we're cool enough in the country to get such a thing done next general election - but I think someone should edit this for the UK market too - great sentiment hitting out at the apathetic. (and loving the British input in it).

When is it OK to business blog about politics?

A question that's being found out right across America at the moment. With such an impassioned election campaign many business related blogs are having to ask themselves how much their blog personality and any personal political opinion is enmeshed with their business profile.

A blog I like to catch up on once in a while is a great example - you can read it here Common Craft

Sitting in the UK it's of course easier to pass comment on Politics in another country - we're less likely to have passionate clients who would take exception to any comments and take their business elsewhere (actually - even if it was about British politics I wonder if it's probably "not very British" to get so worked up about someone saying something pro or anti one political party or the other?)

But when I think it's safe to blog about politics is when you come across something that is so well executed and amusing that one would hope no matter your political persuasion you'll see the funny side. Or perhaps the fact that I think this clip is so well put together demonstrates my underlying political allegiances in the current American election race - and if I was leaning the other way I'd be struck by how powerful a message has been put together and horrified by the potential reach of it.

Well - here's sticking my neck out and posting something picked up in a number of places for those of you who missed it. I think it's excellent - hope you enjoy.

Please be aware - there's another party other than Mr Obama's to vote for in the American election and posting this highly amusing and very powerful and poignant video in no way reflects any political bias of this blog, it's contributors or any company that they may work for.

That said - anyone else scared witless of Sarah Palin in the white house?!

;-)

  

Further Proof that Digital Media is increasingly becoming "just media"

It's with congratulations to one of the founder (if more silent) members of this blog that we can post news of a new appointment at Barkers.

John Buffey (long serving digital media bod & long time night-student in the art of cunning linguism) has recently been appointed as Head of Media. It's not the first time a digitally steeped media specialist has moved into such an overarching role - but, to my knowledge anyway, it's certainly the largest agency to take such move. Should be a good step to ensuring that media is seen as a route to candidate engagement whatever its format and selected upon its merits rather than "paper first because it's what I know" and "let's leave that digital-fangled-online stuff to someone else / include it as a token gesture that probably won't work anyway".

So many congrats John - saw this and thought of you :)

Active self selection process deployed through print ad?

I'm assuming this isn't intentional - although who knows - perhaps part of the self selection process is for candidates to prove their high levels of initiative in working out how to apply for the job. I know it's getting to be tough market - but surely even for a £30k role that's quite some hoop jumping required? ;-)

(as spotted Monday 6th October in Metro)

So did the Zurich viral lift the bar for you? (A follow up post)

2 weeks ago I posted a link to a spoof site - BS Recruitment Solutions – and I was interested in what people made of it. Had a few comments which in themselves highlighted some of the execution’s shortcomings. Not least from those people who didn’t realise that there was actually anything beyond the spoof site.

So in case you didn’t read the previous blog and / or can’t be arsed to have a look for yourself then here’s the factual low down:

• BS Recruitment Solutions is a spoof site based on cowboy recruitment consultants (oh yes – apparently they’re out there ;), the motto: “Remember – BS gets you further”. The Tony Andrews look alike (not my spot) waxes lyrical with plenty of BS throughout his intro.
  
• The site goes takes 3 “types” of attractive opportunity type career “sell in” – work for a “Global Company”, the offer of “Diverse Opportunities” or working in a “Cutting Edge Market”. Each of these has a take the p*ss look at the practice of bigging something up to clearly be what it isn’t. Surely no recruitment consultant would partake in that kind of practice?! ;-)
• Your get out then appears as a “Had enough BS?” button
• Final pleading message from Barnabus (more amusing BS terminology) and then you’ll go through to a true message from a Zurich representative.
• Yup – it was all a joke – it’s actually driving you through to a Zurich campaign recruitment site.
• Some more flash video intro tying it all together and you’re in a campaign site for marketing professionals where Zurich can really offer the “Diverse Opportunities” you’d expect of a “Global Company” working in a “Cutting Edge Market”. See what they did there? ;-)

I’m still very interested in what anyone who’s been through / goes through the site thinks, but I did promise my take for what it’s worth (ratecard available on request ;)

Let’s deal with this in two parts. Firstly – the Viral BS element:

• It’s bold and tongue in cheek enough to actually have viral value (in my opinion). In your face and edgy works in viral (see Sinead’s posting of the Caterer.com viral video which I too think is brilliant) – silly / nonsensical / dull / vanilla doesn’t.
• The production of each of the elements of the BS site is high spec and each one of the 3 dummy opportunities is amusing in its own right.
• The BIG failing is that it’s way way way too easy to miss the link through to the Zurich site (wonder if Zurich have spotted this through the site’s MI?). If you leave or close down the site without making the connection then no matter how clever or amusing, the site’s failed to do its job. And I think many people will select “No thanks” by closing their browser window rather than playing along and clicking the “No thanks” button that in the planning team’s mind is how everyone will end their visit to the site and which will then lead them nicely into the campaign site proper. Sorry Chaps/Chapesses – you’ve gotta factor on people not following every step just as you’ve planed it because you’ve planned it that way. Be more blatant.

Then we go through to the campaign website proper:

• OK – I don’t want to be cruel because I’m hoping that the lady who takes over with the intro is an employee, but after what they’ve spent on the viral site production surely they could have stretched to a professional for that too (professionals (should) deliver straight to camera better and believably). And if she is a professional – don’t use ex- Radion actresses.
  
• But I’m sorry to say that she also pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the site. Using templated site formats I understand and don’t mind in themselves, but it shouldn’t take a lot of work to bring them to life. Beyond the home page it’s pretty dull and un-engaging. OK – it’s a poor template. Overuse of terrible stock shots, and nasty nasty 2ndary nav. (I also reckon there’s at least one of those nauseating stock shot images missing too)
• It’s actually also doesn’t hang together at all well. Clicking on recent campaigns and they open up in a new window or as a pop up and this completely disorientates as the nav is all to cock (professional term).  Same for people profiles / case studies which seems to reside on a ghost page.
• And the recent campaigns case studies themselves are flat flat flat. You’re recruiting like minded marketing professionals – surely they too like to see images and execution brought to life rather than just read about it?
• So where are the Job descriptions? It’s stated that they’re after top calibre people, well in my experience top calibre people tend to be quite busy and need a bit more to motivate them into applying for a job as they’re probably quite passive job seekers (hence why you’ve gone to the trouble of creating a wowee viral campaign). But before that there are some massive fundamental gaps – like WHERE and HOW MUCH? Before anything else job changing decisions are, whether you like it or not, driven by these two things – yet I can’t see that explained anywhere (beyond “competitive pay” non committal type BS).
• And the applying screen – I won’t even get started on that – suffice to say this embodies all that I think is rubbish about ATS implementation from a front end candidate interface perspective. Just nasty.

So – how the heck does that kind of review sit with the initial post headline of “The day the bar in Online engagement in recruitment was truly lifted”?

It does quite simply because of the BS piece. They’ve been bold. They’ve produced it to a very high spec and actually produced something I think is strong and amusing enough to sustain a viral element. They’ve also engaged a company to get the viral ball rolling rather than just “hoping” that will happen.

To be honest I’ve seen plenty of half hearted poorly concepted, not thought through or else disappointingly executed “viral pieces” come from our industry over recent time – this is the first one that stood out as something with legs. Yes it’s annoying that it’s too easy to miss the point – and clearly I think the end site is very disappointing (for many quite simple to fix reasons – especially when you consider the time and effort that’s gone into the first part). But if I put the BS piece in isolation then I take my hat off to the Zurich team (and I believe this was indeed a piece by the marketing team themselves – you’d have thought they’d have wanted to take credit for it on the site too, but seemingly not).

I hope that Zurich get wind of these comments and, if they agree with them even slightly, take measures to fix some of the fundamental elements that could help this whole piece so much (in terms of delivering on the recruitment requirement). But I also hope that they submit it to the RADs – just if you do – then make sure to provide it as a standalone viral piece that doesn’t link through beyond the flash message on the campaign site. Judges shouldn’t pull the end campaign site apart if it’s the BS element that’s being submitted (e.g. Best Online Marketing Campaign) – but you just never know sometimes, so do yourselves a favour and keep it cropped to what is really good.

Oh – and thank you Zurich. It’s a bar that very much needed raising.

:)

The day the bar in Online engagement in recruitment was truly lifted

(Oooo – Hensy – what you doing you fool?! That’s a bold headline to start a Blog post with. Stand by to crash and burn!)

Some of the eagled eyed followers of this blog (particularly those with nothing much on other than blog surfing on a wet Friday afternoon) might have picked this up from an approach that came in from Toby of The 7th Chamber through a comment on the previous post (have removed it now so as not to spoil this). It seems that, IMHO, someone out there has really got their sh*t together in terms of boldly trying to engage through and stand out in this online medium. And I very much applaud them for their efforts.

I was going to post my thoughts on the execution – but then I thought again (for now). So what I’m going to do is let you (in a Friday afternoon posting something fun kinda way) discover this for yourself. Then at some point next week I’ll re-blog about this, give my tupence worth and look forward to hearing any other opinions.

Meet Barnabas Smythe.  BS is king of the BS and he'll BS you under the table any day, any time ! But don't let that put you off  - if you fancy joining the best of the best of the BS then he's got some great opportunities available, Be it in a global company, diverse opportunities, or working in a cutting-edge market ! 

So if you've got what it takes then he'll want to hear from you ! Now where's my skinny-wet, extra hot, double-shot maya macchiato ?!

Find out more here

Let the browser wars commence – Google on the Chrome offensive

When Google means business the Internet world shakes – some with excitement, some with fear. Such is the outcome of the surprise launch yesterday of Google Chrome – a new Internet browser (like Internet Explorer, FireFox and Safari before it).

The wires were / are buzzing with the news – and you can find out about it directly from Google here   (cut up all nice and simple for the short attention spanned YouTube generation) and here (long winded in-depth rationale behind the project delivered in a quirky comic book stylee – probably more for the techy than the general user - worth a peek though, until you get bored).

You’ll read a lot about it over the coming days and probably months and years, but I thought I’d share the first take of my Developer business partner in crime when I asked for his opinion on the latest Google Beta fuss.  This is, of course, just a very initial personal opinion and doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of this blog, it’s contributors or businesses aligned to those contributors (read: please don’t take away my gmail account Mr Google sir or revoke my Office user license Mr Microsoft ;) – but I found this a good summary. Over to you Tony:

It's good, it's damn fast. Some benchmarks are showing that the javascript handling is 56 times faster than Internet Explorer, and over 10 times faster than FireFox. Makes it great for javascript heavy websites (think Facebook, Google Maps, etc)

The interface is snazzy, I quite like the minimalism involved. The launch came as a complete surprise - Google had managed to keep the development secret for two years, and actually launched the browser only a couple days after the first real leaks (the comic book) - so minimal marketing hype.

The dev communities are overwhelmed in general, all my tech sites are swamped in Chrome articles and links, and my Web Standard Group list has had tons of comments flying through it.

Amusingly, a crash report (and possible exploit) was released from the SecuriTeam guys in the first day - which again shows that the BIG guys are looking at it closely too.

Bit of a storm hitting the interwebs at the moment - very exciting though :-D

There are lots of privacy concerns though - the EULA essentially states that anything you do inside the Chrome browser could potentially become Google's property, which has raised its own little conspiracy storm of
its own :-D

Anything that takes a percentage from Microsoft is a win though, even if they take some Firefox users with them! Google is certainly got the clout to challenge them though, now that they've wedged themselves in the non-techy communities as a brand.

Good stuff! Bring on the browser wars!

Oh - it's only available for Windows at the moment, which is a bit
frustrating :-D

So there you have it. A techie’s take on what is probably the biggest techie news this year (This century? – discuss).

Interested in how other people are finding it (come on – some of you have gotta have downloaded it already and had a lunchtime play). It of course makes cross browser compatibility all the more longwinded to verify for those of us building and launching sites, but as Google always maintain – it’s all about making the web yet more accessible, faster and better (if only so you can click on more of the ads they’re serving you), so even with the fall out that will of course happen (just as the lovely FireFox was getting a foothold can they really go head to head with a opensourced Google beta browser?) this is something that will definitely shape the internet user experience significantly!

What do you think?