After completing our travels zigzagging our way across regional Queensland, we crossed the border just south of Cunnamulla to Bourke then over to the beautiful Flinders Rangers in South Australia, where the rugged country is magnificent. We then travelled to the Clare and Barossa, where we enjoyed some great food and first-class wines and a week of birthday celebrations. While South Australia was enjoyable it is great to be back in Queensland and our fantastic climate and lifestyle. You really appreciate our warm outdoors lifestyle when you leave it, even for a short while.

Our travels are coming to an end, and I am looking forward to being back with the team who have done terrific job of looking after business while we have been away.

We are excited to have been shortlisted as a finalist in the Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. With just over 25 Years in Business we have aptly been successful as a finalist in the Business Resilience category. I have also been honored to be a judge in other award categories.

I thought I would provide an overview of our reflection on doing business in regional Queensland and some of the challenges that not only we have faced but many small businesses have and continue to face to service our clients, develop our team and compete in the ever-changing market.

Precruitment has encountered several significant challenges during our time in business. The most impactful were the collapse of Ansett Airlines, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), and the COVID-19 Pandemic. These events created considerable uncertainty, challenges, and strain on the business.

We have survived these challenges, through strategic changes, investment in training, technology, and a strong focus on maintaining core values and quality of service to our team, our clients, and our candidates.

We have endured Cyclone and severe weather events, navigated significant changes in technology, and faced increased competition, including from multinational firms. Major legislation changes, particularly with employment laws, have heavily impacted the recruitment/labour hire industry, and Precruitment’s operations. Increased business operating costs, including insurances, interest rates, licensing requirements, government compliance and reporting, have all presented ongoing challenges to our business.

Precruitment has always taken decisive actions to ensure our survival and continued success. Throughout all these business challenges, we have provided on going staff training and professional development, cross trained across all roles, encouraged and supported staff further education. We have invested heavily in technology, upgrading our IT systems to enhance business efficiencies and service delivery. By taking these decisive actions, and staying true to our core values, Precruitment has not only survived but thrived in the face of adversity.

Our deep ties to the local and regional communities plays a crucial role in our perseverance. We feel a strong obligation to contribute to the economic stability and development of these areas. We recognise the vital role we play in helping local businesses navigate challenging times.

Despite the hardships, our passion for the recruitment industry and the business we have built over the years, has never wavered. We view each challenge not only as a threat, but also an opportunity to innovate, improve, and grow stronger. The long-term goals we set and the potential for continued success keep us focused and motivated.

Most importantly, we could not achieve businesses success without the continued support of you, our clients, for this, we are thankful and truly appreciative.

The overall winners of the Business Excellence Awards will be announced at a Gala event on the 18^th of October. We know there is some great companies shortlisted alongside of us, we are proud of our achievement as it stands, and have our fingers crossed of course.