News at The Pond

Year In Review 2024

The festive season is upon us, and Christmas is just around the corner! What a year it's been for recruitment in 2024. Recruitment Director Will Gregory reflects on the highlights and challenges of the year, sharing his insights and key takeaways in this year review.

 1) How would you sum up The Pond’s year in 3 words?

 Breathe, plan and activate.

2) What key trends did you notice in the recruitment sector in 2024?

• Both permanent and contractor recuitment srtated declining at the same time around September, typciall one will thrive whern the other dips. True sign of the market.
• Digital and Tech took a hammering for the first time since the 2021 post covid bounce back.
• Talent quality shortage. Top ex-pat and migant talent levels is at an all time low, along side unpresidented volumes of under 35’s leaving NZ for ‘greener’ pastures.
• Little debt, strong cashflow and sound business and customer strategy was and is the winning formula.

3) What was the coolest innovation in your industry of the last 12 months?

It’s the two letters on everyones lips – AI.

 4) How did AI impact your work in 2024?

Postively. Voice command for automating requests across multiple channels and admin tasks in general. AI note-taking has been super effective, especially in sales and client service roles where the loins share of the work is phone and online meeting based.

 5) What office item/tool could you not work without?

reMarkable digital notebook – game changer!

6) What was your favourite social, marketing or advertising trend this year?

The continued advancements in Geofencing technology is pretty cool and revolutionising how businesses engage with customers, taking personalisation in digital marketing to new levels.

 7) Who or what inspired you in 2024?

Shirzad Chamine and his work in Positive Intelligence has been a staple, along with Tony Martin who was my coach during my 3 month leadership and performance program.

8) Tell me about a favourite work memory from this year?

Seeing the team really come together in recent months, despite the rollercoaster year and global outlook.

 9) What does 2025 hold for The Pond?

Great question. New values, name, brand and postitioning... watch this space!

Quick fire 10

 1) Most memorable local campaign?

‘Sharsies Save’ campaign was great, especially awesome seeing them take out and award and be up on stage alongside the usual giants!

2) Best international campaign?

Uber Eats' "Get Almost, Almost Anything" Campaign – some of the OOH work has given me needed chuckles on my daily (80 mins no matter where you’re travelling to) Auckland commute.

3) A campaign you wish you worked on?

Anything Sam Stuchbury and the Motion Sickness team deliver!

4) An news story that got too much attention in 2024?

The wrapping up of Fair Go. Sorry, but you know!?

5) Biggest flop of 2024?

The OCR and interest rates (more of a drop then a flop).

6) The best movie you saw at the cinema?

My son is 4 years old, so first cinema experience with him was pretty cool. Movie goers are on the decline these days, so my son climbing over every seat in the cinema as entertainment meant I could actually see the end of The Wild Robot.

7) The best thing about your industry?

It’s the People. All the amazing and talented clients and candidates we support, connect and work with every single day.

8) How do you relax?

Daily mindfulness and guided meditation, and a glass (or three) of wine at The Wine Room, Dave Nash’s sensational new spot on College Hill.

9) Three things you’d take to a desert island?

Let’s have a little fun here. Three of my least favourite people, then I’ll feel less guilty when we run out of food.

10) Your favourite snack?

Sparkling water (go the soda stream!) and Tamari Almonds.