2020 Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2021

The below letter was shared in our last newsletter of the year and I wanted to go ahead and share here as well. If you haven't subscribed to our Proactive Talent newsletter, please do. Every month we're sharing industry insights, research, free resources, podcasts, blogs, and useful downloads (I've shared a few below).

In this, our last newsletter to you in 2020, a year full of uncertainty and a rapidly shifting business climate, the Proactive Talent team and I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. As I reflect on 2020 and the last five years since starting Proactive Talent, I’m extremely proud of our firm and what we’ve been able to accomplish this year despite this environment and how by staying true to our mission and values and our unique, flexible, RPO on-demand model, we’ve been able to help our clients meet the challenges of this time. None of it would have been possible without you: our friends, loved ones, colleagues, partners, and clients. Whether in large part or small, it was an honor to help companies navigate unprecedented challenges this year. In a year full of unpredictable challenges, we have accomplished a lot together and learned a ton.

Our client experiences this year have crossed several industries to include life sciences, food production, logistics and delivery, business productivity software, and manufacturing. We have watched our clients transform from convenience brands to essential services overnight. The changes have been heartwarming and amazing with accounts of how they took care of their employees during a global pandemic as well as their implementation of cutting-edge technologies which allowed them to do more with less. All of this without sacrificing candidate experience in a remote-working world.

While world and local news are not offering much to be optimistic about yet, our team is rising to the occasion and I am proud of them. 2021 is lining up to be a promising year with our practice expanding to meet the moment. In this new evolution, expect to see a redefined TA maturity model that will guide our clients and showcase thought leadership to our industry. Recruiter training services will be rolled out and with it, personalized coaching and new advisory services. Moreover, we look forward to introducing several amazing new members of our team to our clients. These leaders have a deep history of building best-in-class recruiting and employer branding from the inside at some of the world’s best companies. We are more than confident that our strategic hiring has made us an invaluable asset. Couple this with multiple new partnerships with best in breed tech companies and we are your best kept RPO secret for conquering 2021 and the future of work.

We also recently conducted a COVID Check-in Survey with hundreds of executives and hiring leaders across a wide range of industries. Slightly more than half of the respondents said that the pandemic had an adverse effect on their business, yet they were increasing their hires in 2021. When asked about their recruitment budgets, 21% reported their budgets will decrease next year yet 79% said they will either stay the same or increase. Companies are also starting to begin plans for safely bringing employees back into the office with over 55% of respondents saying employees will be returning in 2021. Click here for the full report.

We look forward to the opportunity to help you revolutionize the way you attract and hire top talent in the New Year.

Best,

Will Staney

Founder & CEO

Our latest content from the past month:

Can Employers Order Workers to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

Do bosses have the right to sack workers for not getting a COVID vaccine? Here's what's happening in the world right now as we inch closer to that potential reality. Click here to read more!

How To Source The Best Managers for Your Company

Sourcing the best of the best may not be easy, but it's absolutely possible. Here are some strategies and free tools we recommend to get you started. Click here to read more!

How Companies Can Best Work with a Consultant

A candid conversation turned podcast episode about how companies can best work with consultants, as well as what to expect and what to remember. Click here to listen!

An Interview with Ray Ellin

An audio interview with Ray Ellin, executive producer of Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar as well as producer of interactive Zoom-run comedy shows for companies and non-profits. Click here to listen!