iknowho Team Up with Black Dog Institute

You, like I, are probably very aware of the increased interest in the mental health of our industry following the well-publicised results of the Mentally Healthy survey, conducted in 2018. If you haven’t already read my blog about the outcomes of the research, you can do here.

Like most of us in the industry, I was shocked, but sadly not overly surprised by the findings. Whilst we all recognise the undeniable need to act, many of us wonder where to start? Results of the survey indicated that individuals in the marketing, media and creative industries more likely to seek help from their workplace than from a professional. Hearing this, I felt it was important to be equipped to be able to offer colleagues support in future situations.

This year, iknowho have teamed up with Black Dog Institute to provide ongoing support to our industry. As mental health is such an important issue which all too often isn’t talked about openly, we hope to carry on the current conversation. Through this partnership, we will help build mentally healthy workplaces, provide valuable links within our community, and support research to help all Australians improve their mental health.

If you don’t already know, Black Dog Institute is a translational research institute that aims to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma around it. They aim to actively reduce suicide rates and empower everyone to live the most mentally healthy lives possible; something myself and the team at iknowho fiercely champion.

Do I hear you asking how you can get involved?? Well, on Tuesday 28 May, Black Dog Institute’s world-leading mental health researchers will be sharing findings from current research being carried out in the field. In addition to this, we will also be providing an opportunity to hear from those experiencing first-hand how mental illness looks in our industry, as well as equipping you with takeaway tips and insights to use going forwards within your own team.

Guest speakers will include David Westgate, ex-Creative Director, Bipolar Businessman and Mental Health Advocate, and Associate Professor Samuel Harvey, Director of Discovery, Academic, and leader of the Workplace Mental Health Research Program at Black Dog Institute.

We’ll also be launching Emerge during the evening, the aim of which is to:

Allow professionals such as you and I to come together for open discussions regarding mental health, suggest our own initiatives and network
Improve mental health literacy and help make our workplaces mentally healthier
Help raise funds for mental health research and to support young researchers in the early years of their careers with the Black Dog Institute

The event is going to be held at Atlassian HQ in Sydney. If you and your team would like to join us, Black Dog Institute ask for a $50 tax-deductible donation per person. This money will help continue invaluable research into diagnosing, treating and preventing mental illnesses. You can pop your name on the guest list by registering here.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the event, please reach out to Dene Gambotto or myself. Alternatively, you can reach out to Lewis Blomfield at Black Dog Institute.

I hope to see you there, and look forward to working together to help improve the mental health of our industry!

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Sunny days ahead!

By Kristina Gerdov • 11 Apr, 2024

When 72andSunny asked us to help them recruit a new Client Services Director to spearhead their next stage of growth, iknowho Lead Talent Partner Sheryn Small got to doing what she does best.

Top Tips for Successful Onboarding

By Kahli Fenn • 27 Mar, 2024

Did you know that approximately 80% of people that start in a role will make the decision of whether they will leave in the first few months?Yikes! Talk about pressure to get it right. It’s like they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So let us help you stand out and set your employee up for success! Onboarding starts before the start date Let’s not make the mistake of thinking that once the contract is signed that the hardest part is over. What comes next is your chance to shine! 1 week before the start date - get in touch with your new recruit to say you’re looking forward to having them join the team. Include where, when, and who to ask for when they arrive. If you don’t have this detail yet, let them know that someone will get in touch a few days before to set them at ease that it’s all organised and under control. Develop a structured induction program and block time in diaries for those involved to ensure that all colleagues have this time allocated and can plan ahead. 1 day before the start date - send them a text message. A simple “Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!” can help new starters feel welcome and will calm any first day jitters. Ensure you have all tech ready to go, including computer passwords, logins, swipe cards etc. It’s a good idea to have IT on standby too as some sort of technical issue is bound to come up. 2. The first day Ever started a new role and looked around to realise it’s a ghost town? Not a great look. Plan to have them start on a day where the majority of people are working from the office rather than from home - we know that culture is key for marketers, so make sure they experience it at its best from day 1. Energy and vibe play a big part in this. Welcome pack. Include a “surprise and delight” when they first sit down at their desk. This could be a mixture of company branded items (like notebook and pens) to a handwritten card or note from them team welcoming them. You may also like to include some added details like the best places for lunch or coffee in the area. Think about your employer brand and tone of voice and what kind of welcome would best represent your style, after all, that’s what the candidate has bought into. I once started a new role and had 3 x coffee vouchers for the best café around the corner, it’s the little and thoughtful things that leave a lasting impression. Assign them a buddy - usually a colleague in a similar role that they can shadow and ask any questions about process, systems or where the bathrooms are! The line manager may not always be available so having this person helps them feel welcomed, supported and part of a community from the get-go. 3. Employee retention How you engage in the first few months is crucial to employee retention. Just as much as it’s time for the candidate to showcase why you hired them, it’s also time for you to deliver on what you discussed in the interview process too e.g. company culture, values, management style. It’s important to set your employee up for success by setting time-bound expectations and objectives, ensuring you’re both on the same page. Breaking these down by month and structuring regular catch-ups to discuss feedback are a great way to have open conversations around performance. E.g. Expectations from months 1-3 vs 3-6. In the first month, we recommend a daily more casual check-in for junior candidates and at least weekly for more senior candidates. Having these diarised, even if short meetings, are essential to allowing open discussion and ensuring everything in on track. We know finding the right person for the role takes time, money and effort, so ensuring you have a solid onboarding process in place is a crucial element to a successful hire. By investing in a well thought out and purposeful process that reflects your employer brand, you are not only investing in your new employees but also in the long-term success of the company. As your recruitment partner, we’re here to support onboarding new hires into your business to help you get the best outcome. Keen to chat on how we can do that for you? Reach out to one of our Talent Partners to discuss.

the word freelance is written in scrabble tiles next to a keyboard

Could a freelancer be the gift your team needs?

By Christine Gilbert • 29 Nov, 2023

At iknowho we understand how busy both agency and in-house marketing teams are in the lead up to Christmas. There are many benefits of using short term freelancers, so let’s explore how they can be a valuable addition to your team through the busy Christmas / New Year period. Short term freelancers offer your team: Flexibility Short term freelancers are available and can usually start within a week. Whether you need a specialist for a short-term campaign or additional support during busy periods, freelancers offer the flexibility and agility needed to meet rapidly changing workloads & high project timelines. They give you the flexibility to hire talent on-demand without the commitment of a long term employment contract (and using our payroll services can help you get around head count issues too!). The skills you need You know the exact projects a short term freelancer will work on, allowing you to hire someone with the specific experience / skills needed complete the tasks at hand. Diverse Experience & Energy Many agency suits and marketers build a career through freelancing. Their diverse experience working with different businesses results in freelancers having a fresh perspective & injecting fresh energy into the team. Competitive Rates iknowho freelancers are paid a day rate which includes a loading for leave entitlements. There are no upfront fees, you only pay for the days they work. And we can also offer payroll services if needed. Download our salary guide for day rate equivalents, or use our day rate calculator here . They hit the ground running With experience in similar positions, freelancers join your team with a fresh perspective and focus on delivering specific tasks. Their ability to hit the ground running and work independently also frees up your time! Although permanent hiring traditionally slows down this time of year, the use of short term freelancers usually picks up. Our clients commonly use short term freelancers to: Deliver high volume work in a short timeframe Cover staff holidays Get around head count freezes Manage ad hoc projects outside their teams’ usual scope of work or current capabilities So, whether you are looking for an AM with integrated experience, a SAM with CRM and social skills, an integrated campaign manager, digital marketer, or even a more senior suit to support team leadership and manage senior clients? We’ve got you covered! Reach out to one of our experienced Talent Partners to discuss your needs today.