Australian employers advised to declare war on recession

With unemployment levels forecasted to rise to alarming levels by 2010-2011, Australian business leaders are advised to build a ‘combat ready’ workforce to survive.

The ‘War for Talent or Battle for Survival?’ White Paper released today by leading recruitment firm, LINK Recruitment, was created to help businesses survive workforce dilemmas created by the global financial crisis.

It outlines the talent management challenge businesses will encounter in 2009 and advises them to create a ‘combat ready’ workforce that will help them battle through the economic downturn.
The White Paper is based on research by LINK Recruitment including a survey conducted on over 450 Australian companies.

LINK Recruitment, General Manager Client Services, Jason Cartwright says “During times of recession, many businesses can fall into the trap of battening down the hatches in the hope they will be able to ride out the tough times,”

“By creating a ‘combat ready workforce’, arming staff and managers with the right skills and support, businesses, particularly those in counter cyclical industries, can survive and even prosper during the economic slump.”

The White Paper outlines the challenges businesses will face over the coming period, and features two important elements to improve workforce resilience:

•    Top seven tips to create a ‘combat ready workforce’.
•    Three key resilience principles from resilience expert Michael Licenblat.

In a recent survey of some 450 Australian employers conducted by LINK Recruitment, 72 per cent agree that the economic downturn offers one of the best opportunities to recruit top talent in over a decade. Despite this, more than 70 per cent say their organisation is not planning to recruit more permanent or temporary staff in 2009.

“No doubt the pressure to cut costs means that some organisations will be unable to take advantage of the long-awaited shifts in labour supply,” says Cartwright.

“However, those in counter cyclical sectors with good medium term growth expectations, and those looking to take market share from competitors, cannot afford to miss this rare opportunity to attract top talent from local and international markets,” he says.

“The reality is that the face of the Australian workforce has changed as a result of a global economy slump,” Cartwright says.

“Now is the time for businesses to be asking themselves if their workforce is ‘combat ready’ to withstand the talent war and thrive beyond tomorrow. “ Cartwright says.