Todays Vision – Tomorrow’s Reality (NRF Conference 2017)

Mike Morrissey (Director, CareerWise Recruitment)

Mike Morrissey (Director CareerWise Recruitment / NRF Southern Committee member) attended the National Recruitment Federation Conference in the City West Hotel Thursday 27th April 2017.

This was the biggest conference for recruiters in Ireland, entitled “Todays Vision – Tomorrow’s Reality” and attracted 420+ delegates from all over Ireland and overseas. The conference was opened by Geraldine King CEO of the NRF whom provided a very warm welcome. Frank Farrelly (President NRF) was the first presenter and provided a very positive outlook with unemployment reduced to below 6.4% reported within the last CSO figures in April with the Irish economy growing the fastest within Europe. GDP forecast is projected at 3.5% for 2017. The unemployment figure is expected to be dramatically reduced over the next number of years with this forecasted growth. In Ireland today 654 Recruitment Licenses have been issued this is an increase of 35% in the last 2 years all signs the economy is back on its feet.

Brexit Discussion Panel

This year a Brexit Discussion Panel was chaired by Bobby Kerr (Irish entrepreneur and businessman) with Anne Heraty (CEO CPL), John McGrane (Director General, The British Irish Chamber of Commerce) and Brendan McGinty (Managing Partner at Stratis Consulting). The key message from all three speakers was there is a lot of opportunity for Irish Companies within Ireland and we need to focus on the positives. Yes there is business uncertainty but Ireland has a very special relationship with the UK.

Ireland needs to be strategic and up our game in taking the lead within Euro. To cope with this new opportunity the government needs to invest in Education to cope with the increased employment opportunity. Also it was felt the Regional Cities will benefit and not just Dublin. As the UK separate from the European Union it is generally felt they with reduce regulation and potentially taxes reductions, Ireland will have to maintain its competitive edge and be proactive in a very competitive market. Ireland has a great opportunity to further attract key employees with our free movement within the EU, majority of key skill people want to work within an English speaking country. In summary this was very informative and very relevant.

Other speakers included

Orlagh Hunt (Non-Executive Director FBD Insurance) discussed how technology has changed business and for companies to focus on the opportunity, “what can’t be automated in the future”. Also discussed not to be afraid of failure.
CEO Bond Software & TempBuddy, Tim Giehll explored are companies future proofed with technology, is there current Technology Disruptive or enabling?

Professional Athlete & Author Derval O’Rourke discussed her move from Professional Athlete into business but to achieve her business goals (like within athletics) she still set targets, makes a plan, measure and review performance and spoke about personal responsibility.

Senior Linked in Leader Melissa Furze provided detailed analytics into the Irish Market, one surprising number was 41% of Irish people move jobs less than two years.

CEO of Social Talent Jonathan Cambell showed the power of words with “On Line Job Adverts” and how they need to strike accord with the person reading.

And Finally Bobby Kerr, interviewed the O’Donovan Brothers

In closing Bobby did an excellent job in chairing the event. Well organised and the message from all whom attended the event the Irish recruitment market is growing; so lots of opportunity to expand business and create more employment in Ireland. May the positive story continue …….

Joe Robbins

(Director) BBS (Hons), MBPICS – Shannon Office

Joe Robbins is co-founder of CareerWise Recruitment. A graduate of the University of Limerick (Degree in Business Studies, 1985), Joe worked in the UK for five years where he specialised in materials management, production management and plant management for a number of companies.

He returned to Ireland in 1992 to become Operations Manager for a Cork-based start-up, FMC Automotive Division which was subsequently taken over by Snap-on Equipment. Joe managed the business re-location of this company to Shannon in 1997 before setting up CareerWise Recruitment in 1999.

He is a committee member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Mid-West region, and a former Director and Vice President of the Shannon Chamber of Commerce. Joe is former Chairperson of the Sixmilebridge Camogie Club and current Chairperson of the Clare County Camogie Board.

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