NEWS + INSIGHTS

Global workplace data, research and insights gathered over the last year is unveiled in Microsoft's 2021 Work Trend Index - a fascinating look at how the last 12 months of work are inevitably going to shape the future of work...

Keen to hear what's happening in recruitment within FMCG? One of our Sales & Marketing specialists, Lara Devereux, shares insights and the trends she's seeing in the latest issue of FMCG Business...

Predicting the future of work is always tricky, and the global pandemic has made any type of prognosis even more difficult. While it’s anyone’s guess what’s next, this article provides some interesting insights as to how the way Kiwis work is changing in the shadow of COVID-19...

So, what do the events of 2020 mean for jobs in 2021 and beyond? As the way people work has changed, so have the roles that need to be filled. This article sheds light on some new roles borne from pandemic-fueled trends, including the acceleration of technology adoption, new business models and increased demand for certain skills and roles within organisations...

Best wishes from all of us at Convergence Partners Ltd - we look forward to working with you in 2021...

As the year draws to a close, the situation for many NZ families to provide even the basic necessities this festive season becomes dire. Convergence Partners is delighted to be partnering with The Salvation Army again this year in their annual Adopt a Family for Christmas programme...

This week marks the 10 year anniversary of Convergence Partners - and wow, what a journey!

9:30am - 10:15am NZT Wednesday 4th November 2020:

We would love you to join this fascinating online conversation with Jane Ayaduray, one of the world’s most influential and innovative diversity trailblazers, as she shares valuable insights based on real world experience of designing and implementing D&I programmes for global multinationals across several continents. You'll take away a range of ideas and specific examples of powerful initiatives, challenges overcome, and lessons learned.

This event will be invaluable for HR leaders, company executives, founders and everyone interested in ways to increase diversity, inclusion and equality...

So how do you know if you should consider a lateral Partner move? Our legal recruitment expert, Mark Simpson, offers important points and excellent advice to consider before you leap, and guidance on how to navigate these often delicate and complex career moves...

Social injustice and unrest have thrust a new spotlight onto workplace diversity and inclusion. Changes need to happen. But how can we ensure the emphasis on inclusive workplaces is a cultural shift and not just a temporary solution? This McKinsey & Company article emphasises the importance of being inclusive, not just in recruitment practices but in overarching corporate strategies...

Today is R U OK? Day - an Australian initiative gaining global recognition. As we continue to navigate the impacts and challenges of 2020, today is a welcome reminder to encourage teams, co-workers, friends and family to check in and ask "Are You OK?" A simple conversation could be life changing...

An insightful Harvard Business Review article that gives some interesting and very useful ideas to keep in mind for those thinking about the second half of their career...

Here at Convergence Partners Ltd it's still business as usual. Whilst our physical offices are closed for the rest of this week effective immediately, we remain available to support you and your business...

With the world of work now becoming more virtual, diverse and dispersed, Emotional Intelligence and its impact on how we work will be significant moving forward...

If you collect, store or use personal information about your employees and/or customers, here's a short video outlining the upcoming changes to the Privacy Act which comes into force in December. Now's a good time to check you're doing the right things with your people's data...

Has there ever been a more important time for leaders everywhere to listen?

A recommended read for anyone currently looking for a job - by approaching your job search in a disciplined way, you can increase your chances of success in these challenging times...

Convergence Partners is a long-standing recruitment specialist in the FMCG industry, holding enduring client partnerships with many iconic FMCG brands and organisations...

For most of us recruiters, we don’t do this job to put bums on seats. If you are going to last the distance in recruitment, your heart must be truly in it; and as Lara Devereux explains, in unprecedented times like this, the heart comes to the fore...

A significant milestone today and a huge achievement - well done our team of 5 million!

The coronavirus pandemic has fundamentally changed every aspect of business. Futurist and leadership authority, Jacob Morgan, puts the spotlight on some of the major changes we are seeing and will continue to experience over the coming months and years - rethinking technologies we use to work, how we design workspaces, where employees work, how we lead, and even what “work” means in general...

Here is the final episode of The Lockdown Field Guide Series - "Gratitude". If gratitude hasn’t been on your radar for the past few weeks, you are are not alone. Finding ways to express your gratitude, nevertheless, might be the best way to have a positive impact on our mental and physical health right now...

An interesting article from HBR examining why right now might be the best time for companies to hire. It highlights talent capture techniques leveraged over the years by leading firms and gives food for thought on what the future of the job market could be like for organisations and employees...

Resilience matters now more than ever. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, with many people experiencing anxiety, negative thoughts, loneliness and hardships. Regardless of your baseline level of resilience, you can boost it to become more resistant to setbacks. Episode 5 of the animated Lockdown Field Guide series - "Resilient Thinking" - shares small ways to build resilience in the face of this crisis...

As more businesses look to new and different ways of working, and embrace remote and distributed workers, we are seeing the challenges they are facing to transform important in-person realities to creative digital experiences...

As we move down the Alert levels, more businesses are having to find new ways of operating. One of our client's, Doug Paulin and his Sealord team, are tackling this with some great back-to-work initiatives and solutions...

With the move into Alert Level 3 earlier this week, there has no doubt been many people facing a wave of change and uncertainty once again. This may drive us to check in with others to see how they feel about this change. Showing compassion to others makes us feel good, and yet we don't often show it to ourselves. Episode 4 of the Lockdown Field Guide series - "Compassion" - asks you to think about how you can show yourself the same level of compassion that many of us readily offer to others...

Procurement has always been at the heart of operations, managing complex supplier relationships and driving efficiencies. Now more than ever, the role of the procurement function is central to survival in the COVID19 crisis and maintaining business momentum...

Your own learning and development doesn’t need to take a pause...

Here is episode 3 of The Lockdown Field Guide series - "Connect" - a great reminder to ensure you remain connected to your family, friends and teams, to check in with others, embrace new technologies and have fun...

Try the Pomodoro technique to help you focus...

Here is another great animation from the The Lockdown Field Guide series, offering weekly tips and practical strategies to maintain effectiveness and calm through Lockdown. This episode is called "Breathe" and is a timely reminder to practice relaxed breathing to help counter the stress response this uncertainty can cause...

We understand the ongoing strain being placed on organisations and talent, and are here to support you in supporting your people...

Seek out social interaction to stay happy, healthy, productive and sane...

Our friends at Added Insight have shared with us a newly created animation series called The Lockdown Field Guide - weekly bite-sized bits of practical information to support you while you adapt and roll with whatever is thrown your way during this lockdown period. Enjoy Episode 1: "Circle of Influence"...

COVID-19 NZ Business Continuity Package - here is a good summary of the key points your business needs to be aware of...

Structure your day the same way you would in the office, and stick to it...

Whilst our physical offices are closed, we remain available to support you and your business however we can...

Convergence Partners will be conducting all our candidate interviews virtually or via the phone...

We coached our group of students from Kelston Girls' College through real life one-on-one mock interview scenarios, focusing on first impressions and talking through the reasons why they're the best candidate for the job...

We created an interactive and fun session for students from Kelston Girls' College, coaching them through mini interview situations which focused on the importance of first impressions - body language, gestures used, eye contact and various other soft skills...

We are once again part of their fantastic programme, Career Navigator (Kaiwhakatere mahi) which helps by assisting young Kiwi people with valuable information, options and guidance around work and life choices. Our goal is to help students gain skills and confidence in their ability to make suitable career and subject choices...

Global connectivity, intelligent machines and new media are reshaping how we think about work and what constitutes work. What skills and mindsets will matter most for work in the future? How can you future proof yourself? Here is an interesting assessment...

In a relatively short space of time, flexible working has gone from being rare employee perk to a default policy in multiple companies. This represents a huge shift in the employee-employer relationship and a change to the way a company thinks and works. Here are five considerations if your company is thinking about creating a policy for flexible working...

When it comes to our professional and personal happiness, there are simple, universal elements that hold true - one of which is the fundamental need to feel appreciated and valued. Here are some simple and effective techniques on how to show your employees appreciation, and why it's important that you do...

If you are interested in the recent changes to the Talent (Accredited Employer) Work Visa, follow this link for updates and information. It is relevant to both employers and applicants.

What is your organisation doing for inclusion in the workplace? This article offers a useful visual representation and some concrete initiatives that are designed to engage employees at all levels...

A great article from Jennifer Chee who puts the career spotlight on the inspirational journey of Barbara Salazar, one of our recent appointments into the NZ Super Fund's Direct Investment Team...

Networking is an important part of our professional lives; but research suggests there are differences in effective networks among the genders - one difference being that women need access to key kinds of information that men don’t. And how can they get it? By having a tight-knit inner circle of other women who can share career advice and experiences...

Convergence Partners is delighted to be partnering with the NZFGC Food and Grocery Council as a sponsor of their November 2019 conference in Melbourne...

According to Statistics New Zealand, approximately 2.72 million people aged between 15 and 65 years now make up our workforce - five generations working side-by-side for the very first time. How can you cultivate a generationally diverse workforce and harness this multitude of strengths?

What do you believe is the single most important quality that leaders today need to survive the future of work? According to research professor, Brené Brown, in an ever-changing, disrupted and uncertain future of work, we need braver leaders and more courageous cultures...

Earlier this week, Convergence Partners proudly partnered with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, to sponsor their lunch event with international guest speaker, Marty Wilson...

The message from Glassdoor's 2019 Mission and Culture Survey is loud and clear - a compelling company mission, culture and values are critical to attracting and retaining top talent and can differentiate employers. How does your organisation stack up?

Convergence Partners would like to extend a big congratulations to our candidate, Debbie Lowe, Executive - Marketing & Communications at Crombie Lockwood. Debbie has been awarded the highly anticipated Marketing & Comms Executive of the Year at this year’s Women In Insurance Summit. Well done on this huge achievement - here's to many more successes!

The term "burnout" has made waves recently, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently recognised burnout as an occupational phenomenon. Work-related stress can be experienced by all, but there are ways that business leaders can provide a supportive and positive environment at work for both themselves and their workers...

Traditionally, CFOs had domain over the finance function alone, focusing on dollars in and dollars out. Not anymore... They're leaders, they're strategy executives, they're big picture thinkers and they're enablers for growth. Tune into this McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance podcast to learn more about how finance chiefs can balance the traditional responsibilities of their role with the new CFO mandate...

Conversations about diversity and inclusion are becoming commonplace in an interview. If you don’t have a strategy to address and embrace diversity both in the interview process and in the workplace, you’ll lose top talent. It's not enough to just tell candidates that your company is diverse and inclusive - you need to show them. Here's how...

We are part of their fantastic Career Navigator Programme which helps get high school kids ready for the world of work - and we’re fired up about using our experience as recruitment specialists to help out. See what we have been up to with Kelston Girls' College...

The inevitability of automation in the workplace has long triggered fears of human redundancy. But the McKinsey Global Institute has recently released a report finding that while the march of automation and AI will both replace and create jobs, it suggests that women could be at risk of being left behind...

As an organisation continues to expand, sooner or later it will be challenged by a ‘crisis point’. But this crisis will include opportunities for change. Whether or not you make the best of these opportunities will depend on your culture...

Michelle brings 16+ years' recruitment and talent management experience gained across Professional Services, Supply Chain, Finance and IT. She will be working alongside Bobbi Ryan, specialising in Supply Chain, Operations & Procurement recruitment...

Want to keep your young talent motivated? Learn why a company culture that promotes community and a greater sense of belonging is a key element to attracting and retaining Millennials...

Employee experience will be one of the most important differentiators for organisations to attract, retain and engage talent in 2019. Creating an engaging and inspiring employee experience is now the new baseline expectation for employees - the new social contract between employer and employee...

HRINZ - Human Resources Institute of New Zealand have shared some helpful, practical advice for supporting others after the Christchurch attacks...

Do you care about the culture of your organisation? Are you actively trying to shape or improve it? If you answered 'yes' to either of those questions, then take 5 minutes to watch this TED Talks video with Patty McCord, the iconic former chief talent officer at Netflix. Patty shares the 8 lessons she learned from building a company where people want to work...

Convergence Partners are proud to empower women, not just on this one single day, but at every stage of their careers - 365 days of the year...

A strong diversity and inclusion strategy can help your organisation attract top talent, yet implicit bias continues to underline so many decisions. As our own Claire Ellis explains, nowhere is this more prevalent than within the context of recruitment...

In the lead up to International Women's Day 2019, we share this article which puts the spotlight on why sponsorship, more than mentoring, is the critical differentiator in helping talented, motivated women advance. If senior leaders are willing to put their organisational 'capital' on the line to help the next generation of talented women leaders succeed, it benefits everyone...

Ros brings 14+ years' recruitment and talent acquisition experience gained across a diverse mix of sectors. She joins our Research hub, harnessing market intelligence for candidate generation and market mapping...

As the year draws to a close, the situation for many NZ families to provide even the basic necessities this festive season becomes dire. Convergence Partners is delighted to be partnering with The Salvation Army again this year in their annual Adopt a Family for Christmas programme...

McKinsey & Co and LeanIn.org's annual Women in the Workplace report reveals that women continue to face significant barriers in the workplace and that progress has stalled. This report shares insights into the challenges women face across many industries and sectors, and identifies how companies can turn good intentions into concrete action...

Many businesses have an appetite to work differently but are inhibited by a fear of stepping into uncharted territory. This paper helps businesses to look at the risks, benefits and challenges of 'work-life integration' from the needs of both employee and employer...

Convergence Partners is proudly partnering with Young Women in Finance (YWF), INFINZ & New Zealand Financial Markets Association to sponsor their upcoming Couragous Conversations event on Wednesday 24th October 2018...

With the rapid advancements in robotics and automation, there is much public concern and debate about what's going to happen to the workers. Here is a good, researched based summary of the impact across sectors and in different geographies...

As this article explains, most of the key factors related to how successful and happy your employees are fall into the category of their “social” experiences at work. Build the lasting relationships that will make your team feel supported and cared for and they will be more likely to support and care for your organisation in return...

Today, the workforce has been empowered to set their own terms. Financial compensation alone is not enough to motivate people to work hard, as professionals are seeking humanized work environments - where their voices can be heard, and where collaboration, camaraderie, inclusivity and transparency are upheld. Read more...

Progressive organisations now recognise that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to health and wellbeing; whether the gears are already in motion at your workplace or you’re looking to start a wellness initiative from scratch, here are key health trends to look out for...

Women’s under-representation in senior roles and board positions has persisted for many years in NZ; but networking groups like Young Women in Finance (YWF) are banding together to reverse such trends, providing high quality professional development, networking opportunities and access to valuable career insights. Convergence Partners recently partnered with INFINZ and YWF sponsoring their Fireside Chat event with Victoria Ransom...

Increasing diversity and inclusion in the workplace takes true commitment from the entire team to get it right - top to bottom and everywhere in between. This article offers some concrete initiatives that are designed to effectively engage and involve employees at all levels..

Warehouse management is a managerial career path that often goes unnoticed and unheralded, but it can offer an attractive pathway into higher executive roles, and deserves more attention from both job seekers and employers...

Even excellent candidates can struggle to advance as they approach the 'twilight' of their careers. To ensure a satisfying working future, they should start planning in their early 40s...

Convergence Partners is proudly partnering with INFINZ to sponsor their upcoming Fireside Chat event with Victoria Ransom: Wednesday 4th April 2018, 5.30pm-7.30pm, ASB Cube, Wynard Quarter, Auckland...

Remote working is one of the fastest growing trends in the modern work landscape. Like with any other evolution, remote work doesn’t come without its challenges alongside the good stuff. Explore how this transition affects the way we think and the way we work...

As consumers, we all know the power of a great brand. This brand power extends to the workplace too - it's your brand that might persuade passive top talent to make a move...

The employment lifeline of older workers is often a shift to a contract or interim role. Experience is worth hanging onto, so if organisations want to tap into this skilled workforce, they need to modify their thinking...

Study after study shows stronger financial performance in companies that make proportionally greater investments in identifying and developing top talent. But what are the markers of high potential? A concise but great read on the three key markers of high potentials...

Warehouse management is a managerial career path that often goes unnoticed and unheralded, but in the latest issue of FTD Magazine, Bobbi Ryan explains that it can offer an attractive pathway into higher executive roles, and deserves more attention from both job seekers and employers...

Earlier this year and in collaboration with MPOWER, we released a summary of findings and recommendations from a national Women's Careers and Aspirations Survey. With diversity getting a lot of press these days, Employment Today has compiled a snapshot of the interesting findings from this survey in their recent issue...

Convergence Partners are excited to announce that our team has moved to a new and bigger location. We continue to grow and as a natural step of that growth we need more space. We look at this new location as the start of another chapter in our history...

In line with our Manager's Guide to Cultural Intelligence and Diversity released late last year, Sparks Managing Director, Simon Moutter, has recently shared excellent commentary on his challenges in creating a diverse and inclusive workplace...

As a leader, it is your responsibility to give your team all the support and resources they need to stay engaged. It's then up to them to use these tools. Are you giving your team what they need?

Want your team or employees to be more engaged with physical and mental health and wellbeing? Communicate your commitment and get yourself and senior management involved...

Leadership change in politics can be messy and it’s usually very public. But what can business learn from succession planning - or the seeming lack of it at times - in politics?

According to recent studies, rudeness at work is rampant, and it’s on the rise. Often dismissed as an inevitable but inconsequential side effect of the daily pressures of working life, is it really so trivial or is there something deeper and more troubling taking place in NZ workplaces?

In collaboration with Massey University’s People, Organisation, Work and Employment Research (MPOWER) Group, our national survey of NZ women’s career aspirations and experiences has revealed that many women feel they are lagging behind in terms of career growth >> DOWNLOAD our Women's Careers and Aspirations Survey - A Summary of Findings and Recommendations here:

Closing the gender pay gap is a top priority for many NZ employers, but ensuring you are compliant, objective and transparent is no easy feat. Here, one remuneration specialist offers several approaches that have successfully been used to address differences in pay arising between roles of similar complexity...

With diversity, inclusion and belonging being the hot buzz words of 2017, the term “culture fit” is starting to fall out of favour. Why?

Top talent is more selective than ever when it comes to prioritising workplace flexibility. Companies must now offer more innovative ways of working and evolve along with the changing habits and needs of their employees. This interesting article sheds light on the elements of flexibility that are fast becoming the norm...

Alistair is our IT recruitment specialist, bringing 12+ years global experience, recruiting at an executive level across a variety of sectors...

While the digital and social media phenomenon races ahead, many marketers have failed to keep pace and are lagging behind with the skills needed to work comfortably in these new marketing modes…

Claire brings 14+ years recruitment experience with specialist knowledge of the Accounting market...

In conjunction with Massey University, our recent national survey of NZ women’s career aspirations and experiences has revealed that many women feel they are lagging behind in terms of career growth - here are the key findings:

Warehouse management is rewarding in many ways with excellent opportunities for individuals to develop their leadership skills. Employers have to start thinking differently about the function, and graduates need to see that it can be an attractive option...

In conjunction with Massey University, we invite women from all walks of life to participate in the following "Women's Career Realities and Aspirations Survey"...

We’re all familiar with the notion of a workplace “culture” - often defined as “the way we do things around here” and based on the institutional values and behaviours present. But our definition of culture in the workplace must now be broadened to encompass the aspects that arise from the ethnicities and nationalities of the people present...

Some experts suggest that forthrightness within a company should not only be encouraged, but required. Yet getting employees to buy in and trust a systematic shift toward candor can be difficult. This article offers 3 techniques to help colleagues at all levels work more effectively and directly...

For years, companies have lavished time and money on improving the capabilities of employees and on nurturing new leaders. However research shows that the ROI is failing to deliver expected returns. Why?

It has been a busy couple of months for performance management in the media and blogging world - but this particular article from McKinsey offers an interesting perspective, arguing that companies should change the way they make rewards decisions and disconnecting pay from performance...

McKinsey demonstrates the unique insights HR analytics can offer, pointing out that there are things that HR may be getting wrong right now, like recruitment and attrition...

The economy, the way people want to live and work, and a whole host of other factors are changing the way work gets done. To cope with today’s on-the-job stressors, why not incorporate the equivalent of ‘mini holidays’ into your daily or weekly routine?

What does the looming demographic change mean for workers and businesses? The implications of NZ's ageing workforce are now beginning to hit home. Here is a recap of the key themes and insights from a recent forum discussing the issues surrounding older people in our workforce...

One of the keys to ensuring diversity in the workforce is to allow for flexible working. Meet a key member of our Convergence Partners team who has been working flexibly for 4 years and was recently profiled by the Savvy Network...

While Auckland and Wellington have experienced a drop in the living-cost rating according Mercer's recent annual Cost of Living Survey, it has meant that NZ has become more attractive for global talent - find out why...

Employee engagement is paramount for retaining and attracting today's top talent. One such company that is investing substantially in their human capital is Fisher & Paykel Finance - discover how their recruitment and HR strategies are integral to fostering engagement and commitment in their workforce...

With structural challenges causing the candidate pool to dwindle, Lara Devereux explains New Zealand FMCG businesses need to get creative...

Alexander brings over 10 years recruitment experience spanning Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, Investment Research & Management, Corporate Development, Performance & Planning, Strategy, Relationship Banking & Product and People & Capability...

Women are an untapped source of talent for manufacturing, but they need to be attracted to the industry...

We are pleased to introduce a new identity for our executive contracting service, Interim Talent. While it's a new look, it's the same powerful formula - Interim Talent is a trading name only and will operate as a division of Convergence Partners:

Ready or not, here come Generation Z and Millennials into the workforce, and they have different expectations and drivers than the generations before them. So why focus on a group that is for the most part still in high school?

We weigh in and share our thoughts on several key job market and recruitment trends to watch this year...

A new wave of digital tools can help companies to focus not only on hiring but also on managing, retaining, and developing employees...

The recently released WEF report on ‘The Future of Jobs’ validates the accelerating impact of technology on global employment trends and highlights serious concerns that job growth in certain industries is still very much outpaced by large scale declines in other industries...

Law firms are struggling to keep up with the booming commercial property market, with signs of skill shortages emerging...

New Zealand FMCG businesses need to get creative to tackle structural challenges that are costing the sector talent...

But what about a small business competing for the very best talent against big brand multinationals?

More young Kiwis are leaving after high school, without degrees and landing better roles more quickly nowadays. Likewise, more and more Kiwis living overseas are starting to consider moving back home for a number of reasons; and these expats are of a "very high calibre"...

Convergence Partners is turning 5... and we would like to say thank you!

To support you in finding the best, you need to work with a recruitment provider that moves with market changes...

Social media screening is becoming increasingly important in the hiring process as employers look to avoid online meltdowns...

A rise in reshaping organisations has led to increased demand for executive contracting, which is focused on specific skill-sets including change management...

Businesses that rely solely on online recruitment could be significantly shrinking their candidate pool...

Recent studies released by Gallop, AON/Hewitt and Deloitte all point to employee engagement and talent retention as top concerns for most organisations. Overall company success can only be assured when key employee’s roles are aligned with a well-defined business strategy. And with good people so hard to find these days, effective goal alignment is one strategy you can’t afford to ignore...

Rethinking how to approach the performance review is an important part of solid talent management. This process needs to be reinvented in order to propel people and business forward. Here's what one company did to change it up and bring meaning back to a process that is otherwise broken...