DRAKEVINE
DEC 2023
Executive Committee Welcome Your Executive Committee welcomes you to the December edition of the DrakeVine newsletter, connecting us all to share the very latest Drake news. 2023 has been a year of change in the business, with new technology, processes, operating structures, and refining our ‘go to market’ verticals. We understand there have been significant changes to the operating rhythm of the business and thank everyone for their patience. Drake Staffing, Government, Professional, Medox, and WellbeingHub strategy is set for the year with all business lines laser focused on sales and profit growth. We have had a strong start to Q1 and look to maintain this momentum into Q2 and beyond. We are very excited about the future of the business and the team we have in place. Recruitment technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and Drake Australia is positioned well with a solid technology platform to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness. An improved colleague, candidate, and client experience are front of mind with all technology decisions. Improvements in safety outcomes for the business are already translating to premium reductions and safer workplaces for our on-hired employees. Moving into 2024, we look to continue to attract and retain the best talent in the market to achieve Sales and Service excellence, foster collaboration, and build a more cohesive OneDrake team across all the brands. We commit to driving a culture of learning and professional development of our sales and operational teams.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WELCOME EC MESSAGE
Executive Committee Welcome
Some of the key projects that are rolling out from January 2024 include:
Launch of Drake’s Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
Continued sales push
The feedback from team members has been invaluable and has been considered when developing our EVP across our culture and environment, non-monetary benefits, learning and development, and remuneration pillars. All team members will be invited to the official launch of the EVP in the new year.
There is a continued sharp focus on sales, and to further drive the momentum, we have our Drake Blue Propel to Profit Sales Competition. Further, all the sales team have dedicated CATMs and established sales targets.
New digital shop front
Official major launch externally of our new look and feel website. The new website not only has additional features but is also search engine compliant, which will translate to more visits and leads.
Psychosocial survey results
As we work through findings from the psychosocial survey, the EC and Senior Leadership Team will continue to drive initiatives that build a positive and supportive workplace culture.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your continued loyalty and most importantly, your energy and passion to make Drake the employer and provider of choice. We would also like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season with your families and loved ones. We hope you each take some well-deserved time off to rest and recuperate and come back feeling re-energised for 2024! - The Executive Committee
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE WELCOME
HR Update The HR Team have been busy over the last quarter and have successfully streamlined our internal processes and recruitment. We are thrilled to announce the following key projects have been achieved: Internal Recruitment Requisition Form (RRF) On-Hire Permanent Assignment Recruitment Request Form (Medox) Employee Termination Advice Checklist Employee Offboarding Checklist Employee Status Change Form Interview Guide created for each role Welcome to Drake email template Your Onboarding (Day 1) email template 1 month, 3 month and 5 month employee survey check in Exit interview survey
Recruitment Support HR are managing our internal recruitment from start to finish. We will be drafting ads, advertising, screening candidates and conducting interviews with Hiring Managers. HR will also complete reference checks, send P3 and WorkPro modules, and guide written offers and employment agreements. To learn more about our internal recruitment process, please click here!
Reminder: Christmas Shutdown Period To relax and re-energise after a busy 2023, Drake is having a Christmas shutdown period with only skeleton staff from Friday 22nd December – Sunday 7th January 2024. Please speak with your managers and lodge leave requests into Preceda as soon as possible so that we can manage the break effectively.
For all HR enquiries, please contact us on: hrrecruitment@au.drakeintl.com
HR UPDATE
HR Update LifeBlood: Give the gift of life this Christmas! This Christmas, you can gift life by donating blood through the Red Cross. We are proud to support our team’s individual or group contributions during work hours.
Join our Drake International Lifeblood team!
You can also join our Drake International Lifeblood team to amplify our collective impact and track the incredible difference we make together!
Get involved: 1. Book your appointment:
2. Join our Lifeblood team!
Call: 13 14 95
Login to your profile & click “Teams”
Online: www.donateblood.com.au
Search for Drake International & link to our team!
Download App: Donate Blood
Sign up today
www.donateblood.com.au
New Starter Spotlights! Introducing Kristina Zec, our Human Resources Manager! 1. What is a fun fact about you that few people know? I’m a car girl and yes, I go to car meets (please don’t judge!). Also, I was born and grew up overseas. 2. What was the first concert you ever attended? Ra-ra, ah-ah-ah, Roma -roma- ma, Gaga- ooh, la-la… Lady Gaga! What a wild concert. 3. Are you bingeing any shows? Where do I start…. ALWAYS! Lincoln Lawyer, Billions, Bodyguard, Queen of the South, Emily in Paris, Bridgeton, All American. If anyone has new recommendations, please let me know! 4. Where is your favourite destination you’ve visited, and why? This is tricky! I can’t say I have a favourite…not yet anyway! I could say “back home”, and there are many cool places I have been to, but I still have many more to see! Introducing Carissa Ward, our National Payroll & Billing Manager! 1. What is a fun fact about you that few people know? In the past couple of years, I’ve taken up gold detecting! I also enjoy travelling around Victoria and exploring the Australian Bush. 2. What are you currently excited about in your job? Getting to know my team and getting on top of the Adjustment process so we can ensure cash is collected on time! 3. What was the first concert you ever attended? Bon Jovi. 4. Where is your favourite destination you’ve visited, and why? Eden NSW- it is an incredible whale watching destination! HR UPDATE
HR Update Congratulations to our Q4 RAPID Award Winners! These fabulous staff were our Q4 RAPID Award winners!
RESPECT:
Lee Chung
ACHIEVEMENT: Melyssa Cumming PASSION:
Michelle Kaiwai
INTEGRITY:
Morgan McCoy
D&I:
Pam Jeka
RAPID TEAM AWARD:
Marketing team
EC AWARD:
Valerie Muscat
Congratulations to our RAPID Value Award Nominees! Jade Dodd, Valerie Muscat, Lee Chung, Kevin Vowles, Michael Benedet, Chang Xu, Courtney Kay, Michelle Kaiwai, Nicole Jones, Hollie Clarke, Stephanie Jory, Cheryl Krieger, Claire Alcock, Lucinda Gamboni, John Law, Nidhi Shrivastava, Annerley JuhlinBeeck, Adam Sparks, Megan Van de Kamp, Stephanie Mendoza, Paige Nowell, Jade Dodd, Morgan McCoy, Paul Marshall, Gia Bui & Pam Jeka.
Congratulations to our RAPID Team Award Nominees! Adelaide Medox, Drake Professional – Retail, Drake Professional.
Thank you for all your hard work and support, and for living and breathing our RAPID values.
You can nominate a colleague or a team at any time
For more information about our RAPID Award program
Click Here
Click Here
HR UPDATE
Safety News
• • • • • •
2023 WHS Highlights
2024 WHS Game Plan
The WHS Team have delivered some significant initiatives in 2023:
We’ll continue to deliver on the following in 2024:
Bought the injury management function in-house with huge success Achieved ISO recertification Cleaned up WorkPro inductions Changed injury triage provider Introduced LPR (WorkCover) into NSW Changed insurance broker (we’ll see the positive effects of this moving forward)
• • •
•
Quality Management Systems update Training Online Safety Reporting and Management System Improve the front office critical forms; Site inspection, Health Questionnaire etc. Safety Observations, and more!
•
Updates to the MSSE process
•
Safety for the Festive Season Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind as we enjoy the holiday season: Decorate Responsibly: Practice electrical safety by avoiding socket overloads, using certified lights, and turning them off when leaving. Refrain from standing on chairs or desks when hanging decorations. COVID-19 Precautions: While there are currently no government restrictions, if you are unwell with COVID or any other cold/flu symptoms, please stay home. Celebrate Responsibly: It’s been a big year, and you deserve to celebrate! Please do so responsibly and be mindful of your alcohol consumption. Consider alternative transportation options before the event. The WHS Team would like to wish you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas! - Clayton, Olivia, and Jeremy
SAFTEY NEWS
Current Initiatives Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I) Update The DE&I Committee are excited to launch Drake Australia’s DE&I Strategy for the 23-24 FY! Our DE&I Strategy will look at ways we can implement DE&I across different areas of our business and make a meaningful impact. The Strategy will include initiatives that fall under our four chosen DE&I Pillars:
Accountability
Access
Education
Community
Ensuring we are transparent about our DE&I goals and objectives as a business.
Upholding fair and inclusive recruitment practices and providing equitable access to roles at Drake.
Educating and training our teams on DE&I best practice and celebrating DE&I as a business.
Supporting our community and developing sustainable partnerships that will have a positive impact.
Here are some of the initiatives you will see throughout 2024: Initiative
Pillar
Feedback channel for team members to provide suggestions on DE&I
Accountability
Unconscious bias training for all team members
Access
Standardised interview questions for all internal roles
Access
Four yearly events linked to key/culturally significant dates
Education
Celebration of key/culturally significant dates in our social calendar
Education
Creation of community partnerships that align with our business
Community
Stay tuned for more information on our DE&I Strategy, which we will be sharing early next year!
CURRENT INITIATIVES
Out and About The Senior Leadership team rocking out with their fresh Drake tees at the Strategy Session! #BackinBlack. L-R: Georgia Matterson, Kristina Zec, Karen Chittick, Carissa Ward, Mel Cumming, Alisa Patterson, Roberta Redondo, Daniel Parncutt, Lucinda Gamboni, Roman Koester, Megan Van De Kamp, Paul Marshall, Claire Alcock, Janet Kirton, Paul Unstead, Nicole Jones, Nancy Chen, Clayton Anderson, and Frank Spizzo.
Alana Blandford & Courtney Kaye from Medox Brisbane, at a Ready Set Connect Event.
The Sydney team! L-R: Kris Dilucchio, Kehani Harris, Janet Ryder, Gay Barton, Steph Mendoza, Lorraine Farrelly, Troy Poposki, Lucy Palu and Anita Polimenakos.
The Perth team celebrating Melbourne cup day! L-R: Paige Nowell, Mel Cumming, Ashley Nyamadzawo, Steph Osgood.
Some of Adelaide Staffing and Medox teams soaking up the sunshine after work! L-R: Aimee Brougham, Alexis Zakula, Glen Tarawa, Emily Tonissen, Asha Selva-Nayagam, Caitlin Marciniak, and Mikayla Papastamatis.
Georgia Terry & Mel Cumming out visiting Linfox candidates Nick and Andrew.
Paul Marshall showing off his Tiffany skills and wrapping our Xmas goodies!
OUT AND ABOUT
Out and About A fantastic turn out at our Melbourne office for the IDPwD event!
Sydney Medox with the newest addition to the Medox team, little Chloe! Congrats Liz Gois! L-R: Lorraine Farrelly, Kehani Harriss, Anita Polimenakos, Victoria Hunt, Kris Dilucchio, Liz Gois, Chloe, Gay Barton, and Janet Ryder.
Part of the Drake Professional team during a trip to Sydney! L-R: Chang Xu, Paul Marshall, Lee Chung.
Medox Perth having a ball at Perth Zoo for their client Christmas party! L-R: Kellie Warner, Steph Osgood, Paige Nowell, Ashley Nyamadzawo, and Hollie Clarke. Kevin Vowles from Drake WellbeingHub facilitated a great company-wide webinar on R U OK? Day that focused on Active Listening and Psychological First Aid.
Our Brisbane team celebrating IDPwD with our client, Marcus! L-R: Alana Blandford, Kamal, Danella Williams, Courtney Kaye, and Marcus.
OUT AND ABOUT
Sponsorship Success Story Celebrating victory on and off the field: Drake Laverton’s exciting sponsorship opportunity with a local cricket club! Nicole Jones and Georgia Matterson were invited to attend the Point Cook Central Cricket Club’s local event as guest speakers. Drake Staffing Laverton are sponsors of this local community club and were very fortunate to be honoured with an award. It was a special night as the club launched their first ever ‘AllInclusive’ cricket team, open to players of all abilities, and recognised the strength and results of their three women’s teams. This sponsorship and event opportunity has allowed us to post to their Facebook community with over 1.7k followers, plus meet and network with potential candidates, and clients (one is currently at National Tender for staffing, which we are at the final stages). This rewarding partnership has been a great way to support our local community, whilst also showcasing our talents as a recruitment agency
Client Success Story Get ready for a fantastic client success story! Cheryl Krieger, Staffing Brisbane, faced challenges in finding a Lift Technician for a regional client. Despite some hurdles, Cheryl’s communication and negotiation skills triumphed, leading to a highly successful placement! What was the challenge? Cheryl’s client sought a Lift Technician in Toowoomba with specific industry experience. After exploring all avenues, Cheryl presented a candidate who met the technical specs but lacked industry experience. Recognising the candidate’s potential, Cheryl persuaded the client to review the role’s experience requirements. Through strategic negotiations, Cheryl highlighted the candidate’s fit for the company, convincing the client to broaden their requirements on industry experience. The end result? A successful interview and a thrilled client, who offered the candidate a role! Cheryl’s expertise in communication, negotiation, and industry knowledge secured a win-win outcome for all involved! Congratulations Cheryl, what a fantastic result! CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
Marketing Update Drake
Click rate
Monthly client newsletter - Drake Pulse
Up 488%
23%
Our client newsletter is distributed monthly to over 4,000 recipients and has consistently increased in open rates over the past few months, including a boost of 109% in October. Additionally, users clicking through to our website or social media also saw a significant boost of 488%. As we transition into 2024, email marketing will continue to build brand awareness and lead generation with a focus on targeting our specialised industries.
Open rate
33%
Up 109%
Unsubscribe rate
0.47% down 28%
Drake website The updated Drake website is nearly ready for launch and has a new look and feel, additional functionality, and is SEO compliant. This includes updates to the design of our blog, recruitment pages, sub-brands, and forms, all aimed at providing a better user experience. We go live in the new year!
New website - blog page
Social media growth We are thrilled to announce our social media campaigns have shown notable growth when compared to the previous financial year!
MARKETING UPDATE
LinkedIn: Total followers: 19, 494 Result: 35% increase on previous year. Facebook: Total followers: 8,144 Result: 9.5% increase on previous year. Instagram: Total followers: 1,132 Result: 108.45% increase on previous year.
Marketing Update Medox Events and conferences 2023 has been full of events and expos to help spread the word on Drake Medox’s services. Our teams have participated in a total of 27 expos and conferences throughout 2023. From strategic booth placements, post event emails, to competition giveaways, we continue to monitor what works well to build on our momentum to foster even more meaningful connections in 2024.
Digital marketing In the ongoing efforts to enhance online visibility and drive targeted traffic, the team remains dedicated to advancing SEO initiatives. This includes optimising website content and improving overall site structure for better search engine performance. Sponsored campaigns on various social media platforms continue to be a focal point, with a strategic emphasis on reaching and engaging the target audience. The team is actively monitoring campaign metrics and adjusting strategies to maximise effectiveness and ROI.
Fresh content for our socials As we roll out our Job Board and Blog Centre on the Medox website, get ready for fresh visuals that capture the essence of career growth and knowledge exploration. With lots of career opportunities and multiple blog topics ready to go, our fresh imagery will go hand in hand.
Our followers are growing!
Facebook Increased by
4%
MARKETING UPDATE
Instagram Increased by
19%
LinkedIn Increased by
4%
Marketing Update Drake WellbeingHub Movember charity drive As a wellness business, it’s important that we advocate for greater wellbeing for all. In support of Men’s Health, we set up a Movember charity drive to raise muchneeded funds to educate and support men’s mental health. Thank you to all who have contributed, liked, or shared our content. Clayton Anderson and Daniel Parncutt both supported Movember last month and did a fantastic job in raising awareness around men’s mental health, all while growing an epic mo!
New video series We’re introducing a monthly series of videos featuring Kevin Vowles sharing wellbeing insights, tips, and advice. Video is a great format to share content and drive greater engagement. Make sure you check out our first one to be released this month on the DWH social channels!
Social media: Our followers are trending in the right direction and with solid engagement rates with posts on LinkedIn just shy of 10%, we are hoping to hit 1000 followers in the NY. A big thanks to Paige Langton, who previously worked as National Marketing Manager in South Africa, for caretaking DWH whilst Kate Behar is looking after baby Maya!
MARKETING UPDATE
Employee Wellbeing Tips to managing your financial wellbeing this festive season During 2023, inflation has hit us hard, leaving many feeling the pressure to meet their dayto-day financial needs. Navigating the holiday season can also be a stressful time and bring financial pressures, with the expectation to buy gifts and spend more. Taking care of your mental health and financial wellbeing during this time is a gift you deserve. Here are a few simple tips that can help you manage your financial wellbeing during the festive season: Budget Wisely: Create a budget covering gifts, food, travel, and festivities to prioritise your spending. Set Realistic Expectations: It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting everything to be flawless. Instead, focus on creating meaningful moments with your loved ones and remember that holiday celebrations don’t have to be perfect! Prioritise Self-Care: Make time for self-care with affordable activities like meditating, watching movies, reading books, or going for walks. Stay Mindful: Practice mindfulness to stay present. Appreciate the joy and love surrounding you and let go of any worries or things that are not in your control. Give Yourself Permission to Say No: It’s okay to decline invitations or skip certain traditions if they cause stress. Listen to your own needs and prioritise your wellbeing. Seek Support: If overwhelmed, consider reaching out for assistance. Professional help, such as our EAP service, is there to support you.
Employee Assistance Program Drake’s EAP services are here to support you! If you need some help managing stress and your wellbeing over the festive season, please reach out:
Ph: 1300 135 600 | Email: intake@drakewellbeinghub.com.au
CURRENT INITIATIVES INITIATIVES EMPLOYEE WELLBEING CURRENT
Competition Corner To get into the festive spirit, why not join our Christmas Competition?
Spot the differences in our Christmas image and go in the draw to win a $100 gift voucher! Correct answers will enter into a draw, and the winner will be announced on 19th December, 2023!
Submit your answer
Try to crack our Word Scramble Challenge! How to play: Unscramble the words to find out hidden holiday message! There are four words that need to be unscrambled. Correct answers will go in the draw to win 2 movie vouchers! Good luck!
Play now! Submit your answer
COMPETITION CORNER