Recruitment 2009

For the past two years, Jacqui and I have been the key drivers behind Pingar's development in New Zealand.

The end of 2008 sees Pingar in its strongest position to-date. Our morphing into a limited partnership and our successful recent funding round means we are now equipped to expand the team on the ground. Three areas have been specifically identified.

1. Partnership Secretary: Not of the typist variety. We will be looking to recruit a legal beagle who will ensure that compliance issues are addressed, our IP strategy is locked in and the very many commercial contracts we expect to complete are drafted and bullet proofed.

2. Head of Research / Technical Management: I have already blogged about our research intentions for 2009. This role will enable us to manage all the detailed relationships we have with both internal and external technical consultants. Serious project management skills will be require as multiple simultaneous projects will require concurrent management.

3. Digital Agency Specialist: As we roll out the platform, we want to get on the inside of the digital agency sector. This will be a senior appointment. Experience and significant external networks will be required. In such a new sector, this will be an interesting recruitment challenge.

I have asked Santa to consider, but sadly I guess a slightly more formal recruitment strategy will need to be followed. With just these three appointments, a number of our key medium term requirements are covered. And long term, they will provide the platform for our future growth.

What of my own role...and Jacqui's? Handing over these diverse and increasingly complex roles to committed professionals will enable us to focus on business growth and strategy. In particular, it will enable us to work on the partnerships and relationships we have already identified as being key to our growth.

2009 is going to be a very busy year.