DRAKE CONNECT May 2020
COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE UPDATE These are indeed unprecedented times for all of us. We can take comfort in knowing that we are all in this together and your Executive Committee appreciates everything you are doing to maintain a positive outlook and business continuity. The Executive Committee is also working hard to minimise the fall-out from this global economic crisis by making decisions to navigate through what is and will be increasingly austere times. We have seen several people leave our business and, whilst painful, the actions taken by the Executive Committee were necessary to preserve the integrity of Drake International’s financial position. The Executive Committee has also taken steps to negotiate and reduce many of our fixed costs such as rents and advertising - including investigating what government incentives Drake and its subsidiaries may be entitled to. These actions are designed to preserve the jobs of those who remain. Given recent events, we must thank and congratulate the monumental efforts of the entire Drake Industrial team, headed up by Nicole Jones. The DI team have been working tirelessly 24/7 to fill ever increasing client demands. Whilst Net Revenues have dropped in many of our traditional verticals, DI’s focus on supply chain has enabled net revenue increases. We must all be proud in the knowledge that Drake Industrial is a critical part of the essential services supply chain which is preventing the collapse of our great nation.
Similarly, Drake Medox is also a shining star. This business not only continues to provide service excellence, and continuity of supply to the country’s most vulnerable, but it too is growing its Net Revenue base. Well done, Team Medox! Drake Overload is another service line which needs to be congratulated for its efforts in filling high volumes of positions in impossibly short time-frames. Well done, team, great win with ALDI. A special thanks must go to Bianca Robertson for her exceptional management of national accounts; to Drake After Hours for dealing with very difficult clients and candidates, and the Drake back-office payroll team for processing time-sheets and pays. We could not do this without you. Keep up the good work.
Lastly, a special thanks to iDibs for assisting the flex businesses overcome an irritating and long-standing bottleneck with a simple technological solution. We know all the Perm teams have been struggling but we acknowledge their tireless efforts and look forward to seeing their hard work rewarded in due course. Looking ahead, we will ensure we maintain a solid DFO (ratio between overheads and sale & marketing spend) during these troubled times. As such, we have made a decision to invest heavily in DFE (money spent on sales & marketing initiatives) in vertical markets we believe to be relatively immune to downturn. When our competitors are reducing their spend, we are increasing ours. The growth verticals include: • • • • • • • • • • •
Nursing and Primary Care Supply Chain, Transport, Logistics, Warehousing and Home Delivery Healthcare (primary and secondary) Healthcare Product Manufacturing Food and Consumer Goods Manufacturing (including hardware) Government (health and welfare departments) Contact Centres Enforcement (police and safety officers). IT and Telecommunications (to support the enormous volume of people working from home) Finance and Insurance (back office staff processing applications) Facilities and Asset Management including (sanitising and cleaning).
In addition to our traditional service lines, we are creating new and enhanced revenue streams across the following products and services: • • • •
• •
•
Creation of online training and development courses to accommodate home office workers P3 communication profiles delivered to home office workers Work-Pro assessments for home office OH&S compliance Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) via Drake WorkWise to cater for the predicted increase in employee mental health issues Outplacement services to cater for the predicted highvolume of redundancies over the coming months Managed Services (MSP) and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) to accommodate organisations spinning off non-core functions Localised home delivery services for grocery and pharmacy goods using DBL’s TurboViz technology.
By working together as OneDrake and maintaining extreme focus on sales, business development and order fulfillment, we should be well placed to sail through this storm, which like all storms, will eventually pass. Those of you with open orders, please ensure you fill them all, those of you with weak pipelines, get out there and sell, everyone’s jobs depend upon winning business and filling roles. Thank you again for your ongoing commitment and loyalty to Drake International and its subsidiaries, Paradigm, Vertical Talent and iDibs. We look forward to coming out of this leaner but much stronger. The Executive Committee.
FRANK SPIZZO
Chief Financial Officer
CHRISTOPHER OUIZEMAN
Profit Improvement Manager
NICK POLIMENAKOS
National Manager - Medox
HR HUDDLE
SUPPORT IS HERE IF YOU NEED IT
As we continue to grapple with the Coronavirus outbreak and adjust to a new way of working, it is normal to feel a little uncertain. We have also seen staff changes in the business which can be unsettling. We want to ensure all of you are adapting well to these recent changes, and we encourage everyone to utilise Drake’s Employee Assistance Program through Drake WorkWise, if additional support is needed. The Drake Workwise EAP service is FREE to you and your immediate family members, where you have access to a team of dedicated counsellors and is a confidential service.
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To make an appointment, call 1300 135 600. Drake WorkWise had also developed two 30-minute webinars to help support the wider business community as well as our own employees on wellness and stress management. The sessions were run by clinicians and provide practical advice and valuable tips we can all benefit from. This is another great resource available to you, click on the links to the right to access the webinars. Stay healthy and well, Leanne O’Meara National HR and L&OD Manager
HAVE YOU ACTIONED ALL OF DRAKE’S ADMINISTRATION PROCESSES? Explore the Checklist With our workforce now operating remotely, it is critical everyone is clear on the administration processes we all need to adhere by, as well as ensure all of your details are up-to-date. Please visit Drake’s Updated Administration Process (Link here) to view the checklist.
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THINKING ABOUT GETTING THE SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION? In line with previous years, all internal staff are entitled to be reimbursed for the flu vaccination. If you are interested in getting your seasonal flu vaccination, all you need to do is make an appointment, either through a pharmacy or your GP, and then submit your receipt through the expense reimbursement claim process. Australian health professionals are encouraging the flu vaccination this year in a bid to reduce the risk of a dangerous double-up of seasonal influenza and coronavirus (COVID-19).
WORKING-FROM-HOME BUDDIES
I’m Zoe and I’m the boss of this house!” (Christopher Ouizeman)
“I’m Figgy, Officer Manager, my main job includes maintaining workplace calm and providing task inspiration.” (Julie Anderson)
Luis and Bella battling for Dad’s attention (Simon Marcer)
Jodie Bartram’s kitties Thelma and Louise love their cuddles all day long!
Arnie just proof reading Natalie Lunn’s emails before she sends off to her clients!
Meet Scout - never has he seen so much activity in the house with 3 kids home schooling. Though he is loving the endless amount of walks on rotate! (Sarah Ross)
When my office manager Andreas spots me slacking off.. (Liz Gois)
“Thanks for calling Drake Medox you’re speaking with Douglas” (Imogen Bakewell)
“My name’s Mika and my mum is Andrea Marlan. This is me with my favourite toy!” Bunny likes to keep routine by dressing up like usual when working from home (Kelly Tickle)
“Pats before you’re allowed to do any work, please, Claudia!” (Claudia Elogious, Drake WorkWise)
SALES SNAPSHOT
SALES AMONGST SOME CHALLENGING MARKET CONDITIONS
We couldn’t included them all so here are some of the highlights!!
DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Canberra - Renae Richards COMPANY NAME: Services Australia ORDER: Fixed term contracts: x 15 DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Bendigo/ Albury – Lucinda Gamboni COMPANY NAME: Intereach ORDER: Perm: x 4 new orders DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Albury – Stephanie Jory COMPANY NAME: Mitre 10 ORDER: Perm: x 2 new orders DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Adelaide - Maryanne Zrilic COMPANY NAME: Grown Cavpower ORDER: Temp: x 19 new candidates over three sites, Temp to Perm : 15 new orders for Pick Packer with Reach Forklift, and Temp to Perm 4 new orders for Lab Technicians DRAKE CONTACT: Alisa Patterson, Grant Mitchell & Bianca Robertson COMPANY NAME: Woolworths Dark Stores ORDER: Temp x 450 staff DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Perth – Philippa Dally COMPANY NAME: Department of Veterans’ Affairs ORDER: Temp x 2
DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Darko Stankoski & Bianca Robertson COMPANY NAME: Linfox Woolworths Somerton ORDER: Temp x 220 staff DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Roman Koester COMPANY NAME: Vertimax ORDER: Temp x 3 trade assistants DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Gold Coast - Sally Simmons COMPANY NAME: Gold Coast Tax ORDER: Perm: x 2 New orders DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: DO – Tanya Anderson & Mirella Del Re COMPANY NAME: ALDI Stores Project ORDER: Temp: x 750 Resulting in some Temp to Perm Placements DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Canberra - Nicole Hermansen & Matthew Staniforth COMPANY NAME: Comfortdelgro ORDER: Temp x 10 DRAKE BRANCH AND CONTACT: Sydney - Roberta Redondo COMPANY: Transgrid ORDER: Temp x 5, and 7 Temps extended to Feb 2021
Below are some fantastic examples of organic growth from reverse marketing candidates into existing clients. We couldn’t list them all but here are just a few of the highlights!
Linfox - Truganina Reverse marketed by the following team: Anjum Bansal, Jade Dodd, Darko Stankoski, Shelby Crameri. Result @ 55 temps
Linfox - Hoppers Crossing Reverse mkg by Shelby Crameri & Jade Dodd. Result @ 75 temps
Holco Reverse mkg by Rudy Srahah. Result @ 8 temps
ALDI D-Build Reverse mkg by Ty Seupule. Result @ 10 temps
ALDI Selections Reverse mkg by Ty Seupule. Result @ 8 temps
O-I - Spotswood Reverse mkg by Rudy Srahah Result @ 3 temps
Fuchs Reverse mkg by Rudy Srahah. Result @ 6 temps
Metcash Dry/ ALM Reverse mkg by Tegan Paltridge. Result @ 10 temps
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There are too many people to mention who have gone above and beyond for our sales and fulfillment of orders during COVID-19. However, a sentiment shared by everyone was how the “OneDrake” team spirit is alive and well. This extends not only to the operational teams on the ground but also to back-of-house with amazing efforts from payroll, Finance, IT, Legal, HR and Marketing to really provide the necessary support when needed.
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REVERSE MARKETING MAGIC IN COVID-19
Congratulations, everyone.
MARKETING MAGIC
STRONG SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT! ‘Store Assistants’ job post:
MAKING MARKETING MAGIC DURING COVID-19
97,405 reached, 13,712 engagements on just Facebook!
COVID -19 has been major disrupter to our traditional marketing activity, and we’ve had to adjust our strategy accordingly. As the saying goes,
‘We’re Here to Help’ post:
118 organic engagements across Facebook and LinkedIn
‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. During this time, we’ve unearthed some fantastic opportunities for brand exposure and broadened our product mix, as we pivot to push more of our solutions to-market based on changing needs. No matter what the circumstances, there is always opportunity…
Marketing Fast Facts Drake website traffic Is up 300% From 25k to 75k visitors per month
‘Thank you’ post
306 organic engagements
Our very own, Christopher Ouizeman on Channel 10 - video post:
3,145 video views
Bendigo and Parramatta ‘still-at-the-office’ posts:
692 organic engagements
(comments, shares, likes, clicks) across Facebook and LinkedIn
FOLLOWERS ARE UP LinkedIn followers start of Feb: 6,108 LinkedIn followers Today: 7,055
NEW ONLINE TRAINING Drake Training now offers over 200+ courses with a new promotion hitting the market
Facebook followers start of Feb: 5,675 Facebook followers Today: 6,042
WE’VE BEEN IN THE PRESS Lots of coverage on our good news story regarding jobs available in Warehouse & Logistics including: • Channel 10 • Channel 7 Fox • FM Morning Radio
RELEASE OF NEW WEBSITES 3 important brands - Drake Medox, Drake WorkWise, Drake Training all have a new digital shopfront!
LAUNCH OF WELLNESS WEBINARS SERIES Attracting 300+ attendees and positioning Drake WorkWise as a leading EAP provider
SAFETY SPOTLIGHT
COVID-19 AND WORKING FROM HOME
With most of Drake’s employees working remotely, we thought it important to share some safety tips as working from homes presents a different set of hazards that we must be mindful of, including:
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Most home offices are not generally set up with ergonomic furniture, like chairs, workstations etc. This may result in musculoskeletal injuries and strains. To avoid suffering an injury, it is recommended to change position and stretch at least hourly and set up an appropriate area within the home that is specifically dedicated to work. Be mindful of potential slip, trip and fall hazards within the home environment. It would be a good opportunity for you to conduct a site inspection at your home. Mental health and fatigue can be an increased risk when people are working in isolation. Although we are all busy, it’s important to take rest breaks and to remain in contact with your teams (and family and friends) via TEAMs meetings, phone etc. Your general health and wellbeing can also be interrupted when our daily routines change. It is important to eat healthily and dedicate 30 minutes per day to go for a 30-minute walk around the block (only in groups of 1 or 2 though). This will clear your mind and get your body moving.
Remember, we are all in this together. With circumstances and advice changing almost daily, all we can do is our best to keep the business operating and keeping ourselves and our families safe during these uncertain times. Keep well. Stay safe. Steve Fletcher National WHSQ Manager
DRAKE SOLUTIONS
COVID-19 SEES SOLUTIONS PRODUCT MIX EXPAND RAPIDLY
It’s a challenging time for all of us and our clients. The Solutions Team continues to innovate to deliver relevant solutions for Drake during COVID-19 so we can add value and be a trusted advisor to our clients and of course, to drive revenue.
The Launch of the Drake Job Search Program
The Launch of Online Training
The Drake’s Job-Search Program, is an online training program offering an engaging learning experience with 6 key modules on essential jobhunting skills including:
We’ve just launched under the Drake Training brand, over 200+ online training courses which can be sold for both the B2C and B2B markets. Check out the new website here: https://www.ed2go.com/r-drakelearn. The courses are flexible and can be delivered either as fully self-paced or with a facilitator over a six-week period online. The courses are across the following categories:
Business
Design
Information Technology
Office 365
Need help with your P3 Debrief? P3 remains the cornerstone of our Solutions offering, and it’s great that so many are trained to assess and debrief using P3. Remember - practice makes perfect, so do look for opportunities to debrief a profile with your clients – or reach out to Solutions for support in this space. Explore Drake P3 here
Finding a dream job is often challenging in the best of times; now with the unemployment rate at a record high, refining job-hunting skills is absolutely critical for the so many who are out of work.
Job Hunting 101
Developing a Stand-out Resume
Learning to Interview with Confidence
Mastering Networking
Having a Growth Mindset
A One-on-one Coaching Session
Watch this space, as there are more solutions coming to add to your bag of tricks to talk to clients about including a new Work Pro safety module around Working From Home, along with a new sales training program on How To Master The Virtual Sale. Andrea Marlan National Manager, Solutions and Consulting Services
INTRODUCING DRAKE COMMUNITY Drake Community has been a year and many earnest conversations in the making, but finally – we are pleased to present Drake Australia’s very own internal corporate social responsibility brand. Drake Community represents four pillars that Drake as a company are committed to championing as part of our everyday approach to doing business. This includes internally amongst our own staff; face-to-face with our clients, and in our written business documentation that goes out into the broader marketplace. The four pillars of Drake Community are:
Indigenous Engagement
Diversity & Inclusion
Environmental Sustainability
Local Community Involvement
Formalising Drake’s commitment to Indigenous engagement and providing adequate cultural awareness training to existing and prospective Drake employees. Having clear policies and procedures in place to encourage a diverse workforce, with the understanding that different backgrounds and perspectives strengthen us. Undertaking simple yet effective activities to reduce Drake’s environmental impact and advance our vision of responsible environmental stewardship. Demonstrating genuine community participation in every state and territory Drake operates within, and ensuring alignment with our clients’ corporate social responsibility targets.
OUR PROGRESS TO-DATE We are pleased to have progressed some initiatives already, such as Supply Nation membership, drafting of a formal Indigenous Opportunity Statement, and widening our community volunteering net to include blood donations, beach cleans, and money-raising fun runs. Drake already gives generously to local community charities and sporting clubs, and we look to let our customers know the good work Drake is already doing in the community. WORKING GROUP In January 2020, we established a working group to address each of the four pillars, and come up with meaningful action items and initiatives that we can achieve for each one. Our working group to date consists of Leanne O’Meara (executive sponsor), Elizabeth Johnson, Sarah Ross, Andrea Marlan and myself, Julie Anderson. Whilst COVID-19 has derailed our usual working conditions, we are no less committed to integrating Drake Community into our daily business, and are looking forward to rolling out our targets and achievements within the next quarter. LIKE TO GET INVOLVED? We would LOVE to hear from you! We are looking for representatives in each Drake branch and are keen to form a passionate national working group. Email: drakecommunity@au.drakeintl.com
Julie Anderson Drake Community Manager
ARE YOU IN IT TO WIN IT? JOIN DRAKE TO SAVE LIVES EVERY BLOOD DONATION CAN HELP SAVE THREE LIVES.
SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW DRAKE.. Has your brain switched off because of lock-down during Coronavirus? Time to test who you know and what you know about Drake!
be U
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If you’re thinking about becoming a blood donor, register and sign up to be part of the Drake International Lifeblood team! https://www.donateblood.com.au/
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If you get all the questions right, you might even..
Since January 2020, Drake International Australia has donated blood and plasma 7 times, which has saved the lives of 21 people! A fantastic effort to donate muchneeded blood and plasma during these unprecedented times.
THE PUSH-UP CHALLENGE
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DRAKE WORKWISE VS. DRAKE INTL VS. MEDOX..
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INTERESTED IN MORE FUN? If you’re looking for more info on how to get more involved with Drake International’s health and wellness initiatives, or other activities to do as a team, reach out to Amanda Stonestreet from Drake WorkWise or Duann from Marketing.
3,046 push-ups (or squats) set for team or individual goals, to raise funds for mental health charities, and raise awareness for depression, anxiety and the number of lives lost to suicide in 2018. Who will be the champion (and who will come out of lock-down with #bodygoals?) Donate funds to our community page or see who’s leading the challenge here: https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/community/drake-community
Stay healthy and well.