Work It Baby is SNOBS’ appreciation page for fine lookin’ Australian men who work hard, and look damn good while they’re at it! Oh yeah, and it’s also a way for ‘the men folk’ to promote their business or themselves professionally. It’s only fair, right?
Businessman’s name: Ben Neil
Job description: Director
Business name: Hospitality Recruitment Solutions
Location: Newcastle, NSW
Find him online: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ben-neil/9/39a/bba
Your business name is fairly self explanatory, so tell us why you wanted to work in recruitment?
My career started in hotels and resorts where I always had involvement in recruitment and human resources, and I guess there’s always been an entrepreneurial urge to go out on my own.
When I was 21, my best friend and I wanted to start a restaurant but in hindsight I’m really glad I didn’t. Starting any business is tough but a restaurant at 21 could have been a disaster! I just really like the hospitality industry; it’s about the people who work in it and I really enjoy helping people find their next career opportunity.
From an outsiders perspective, it seems like your business offers a service that’s necessary and appreciated “in an emergency”… but most restaurant and hotel owners probably wish they could avoid you, right?
You’re dead right there! But it’s not as bad as it sounds, and it doesn’t always work that way. Lots of people do like us! [laughs]
A lot of hospitality businesses don’t have the structure to afford a recruitment specialist on-staff, but they also understand recruitment isn’t just placing an advert in the paper and picking the best candidate who applies. These are the clients who “like us”, as you say, because they see the value of utilising their resources for business generation or guest experience, and they rely on our resources for outsourcing with a specialist approach.
But yes, on the other hand, we work with a number of clients who are at the point where they have a key role vacant and need an immediate result. They may not like us all that much… initially anyway.
Fill us in on the launch of your business and, tell us, what are the two greatest lessons you’ve learned since day one?
I started the business on my own in January 2008 and the first 12 months were pretty tough. The biggest struggle was starting a business from scratch and running the business in its entirety, on my own.
The first lesson I learned was to seek support and guidance from those who specialise in business start up. One of my best resources was a mentor with the Hunter Business Enterprise Centre [NSW] who I still work closely with as a sounding board and for direction at times. The other key resource has been my father, who has been running his own business for over 20 years and, although really busy, he has always been there when times have been tough or I’ve questioned myself.
Lesson number two is – like in any industry – you need to be careful who you choose to work with. I’ve had some negative experiences with both candidates and clients so I’m now very cautious about who I do work for.
What do you think most employers still neglect to handle properly, or pay attention to, in relation to retaining staff?
I feel a lot of issues begin with the recruitment process. Employers often recruit internally, under pressure. Or they take on the best candidate available at the time rather the best candidate for the position.
Also, a lot of employers don’t pay attention to outlining a retention strategy which can be a focus on the simple things like boarding, effective workplace communication and recognition of their people. As the market returns back to an environment of skill shortage, employers need to ensure they have a strong employer brand and embrace strategies that will make them an employer of choice.
How have you changed since becoming a business owner?
I think I’ve changed positively since starting my own business. I really actively try and step outside my comfort zone, and challenge myself in areas that I may not have in the past.
I’ve learned that you don’t necessarily need to be the biggest to be successful and I think I’m getting better at not stressing about my business when times are tough or pressure comes from elements I can’t control. Being a business owner is certainly more challenging than I first thought but I enjoy what I do and feel really proud about taking the plunge to launch my first business.
Do you know a dashing businessman?
If so, write to us via the contact page. Not only will we all get to look at the cutie you work with, or buy lunch/ printer paper/ software from… this is also a great way for fine looking fellas (and rugged ‘salt of the earth’ types) to score some well-deserved promotion. Go on, do him a favour and submit his details now!
To meet all the Australian businessmen we’ve interviewed for Work It Baby, visit our back catalogue.
