by Sanja Pesich on December 23, 2021
by Sanja Pesich on December 23, 2021
As we are finishing a very exciting year for the IntelliPro Group, we asked our executives and leaders to reflect on 2021 and give us projections for 2022. Their insight paints a picture of a volatile 2021 with a lot of changes in the recruiting and staffing industry. Because of its unique culture, the IntelliPro Group was quick to adapt to the rapidly changing trends in the Year of Resignation and came out of it stronger and better prepared for new challenges. According to the IPG team, we expect more excitement in 2022.
A discussion with senior executives and leaders from IntelliPro reveals that the job market went through a tremendous transformation in 2021. This year is known as the Year of Resignation. Yisu Jin, IntelliPro’s chief executive officer, explains that people went from being scared of losing their jobs in 2020 to feeling excited about the new job opportunities created by emerging technologies. Many workers left their jobs in pursuit of more edifying opportunities. Jin adds that “the high demand and a relatively low supply of the talent market along with the COVID-19 impact have changed the employers’ mindset. Those who had earlier thought it was impossible for everyone to work remotely are now convinced of this possibility.”
Jeev Dhillon, IntelliPro’s recruitment manager and Sultan Khan, IntelliPro’s global account management director, observe a lot of movement in the industry and comment on how companies and employees are adapting to the change. According to Dhillon, startup companies need a lot more support with their hiring as candidates now work with multiple hiring agencies and typically have three or four offers on the table. According to Khan, many companies have had a hard time filling critical roles in 2021 and IntelliPro stepped in as both a talent provider and a trusted advisor. “Being able to help companies filling the positions with engineers that can help them reach their milestones is a very rewarding feeling and goes a long way.”
The year of 2021 was extremely successful for IntelliPro. “It was a year of rebound”, explains Antoine Brown, IntelliPro’s vice president of business engagement. “We actually grew a lot this year; we were hiring talent and we are looking to expand more in 2022.” Edwin Chang, IntelliPro’s global head of talent development, explains that the reason for IntelliPro’s success is in its methodical approach to recruitment and training. “We created a lot of standard procedures to help make everyone's work-life a lot more efficient.” Chang adds that the team culture feels like a family, “everyone is being very supportive and holding each other to a higher standard.”
Lilian Wang, IntelliPro’s chief people’s officer who recently joined IntelliPro, also attributes IntelliPro’s success to its unique culture. “In terms of the organization’s culture, we really respect and trust each.” Another competitive advantage according to Wang is that IntelliPro offers comprehensive services that are not limited to hiring only, but also to training, consulting, development, leadership, and outsourcing services.
The year of 2021 marked extraordinary growth for IntelliPro with new offices opened in six countries: Canada, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Singapore. Moreover, not only was IntelliPro looking for opportunities to add more talent around the globe, but it was also expanding its operations in the United States. Kelly Law, practice head for IntelliPro’s bio team, formed a specialized team in early 2021. The team has already secured three major accounts as well as multiple specialized accounts. Their work focuses on helping bio companies build teams with the best talent that can support new drug and technology development to combat major and rare diseases. Law emphasizes that they have learned their clients’ trust. “Our team does a thorough analysis of clients' needs and creates customized solutions.”
The first half of 2022 will continue in a similar rhythm as 2021. “It’s not going to slow down, it’s going to get busier and pick up, “says Dhillon.
Chang and Khan, who are based in Canada, project that more companies will be looking for solutions in Canadian major IT hubs; as a result the IntelliPro’s Canadian team will double up in size. “IntelliPro won’t be watching from the sidelines, we are going to be helping companies and also the talent where they want to go,” comments Khan. “Because of COVID-19, workers have had to make many emotional decisions,” adds Wang, and “COVID-19 changed the way we work.” Khan says that the transition has already happened. “People adapted to working from home and to the fact they will never return back to office. In 2022, a lot more things will change from temporary to permanent.”
According to Jin, IntelliPro will continue to rely on its proprietary technology to help its clients. “We will continue to strengthen our software, our artificial intelligence, our deep-learning-based algorithm talent search and talent recommendation.” Other strategies will include forming alliances with other companies and increasing IntelliPro’s footprint around the world.
Both Law and Chang talked about how IntelliPro will continue to offer its employees opportunities for growth and strengthen its processes. Unlike other companies, IntelliPro allows their employees to cross teams and pursue projects they feel passionate about. “Our team has an open source, if you want to learn, you can learn everything through our internal platform,” comments Law.
Brown and Khan expect more stability in the second half of 2022. Companies that have now adapted to a remote-work model, will look for talent elsewhere. However, Chang warns that “it’s going to be even more competitive, and companies will need to learn to pay global market to their employees.”
Growth. This was the key takeaway from all interviewees, they talked about both professional and personal growth.
“I chose to be a part of the IntelliPro team when I moved in March and the reason is just growth and positivity that I see in our team. How supportive everyone is. So, I look to grow personally with that as well. I want to support more of my candidates, more of trainees, more of team members we are hiring and supporting, so being more available,” comments Dhillon.
Kelly looks forward to the development of new technologies in the bio industry: “I am super excited about new technology and new areas. Oncology has been a hot market for five years. But few companies are focused on rare diseases, it is not that juicy, but still those people need help and need therapy. I look forward to the AI technology to help with rare diseases.”
Wang, Khan, and Brown look forward to a greater stability in 2022 and for opportunities to meet clients and accelerate IntelliPro’s growth. “Our customers are now more aware of the ways in which we can help them,” concludes Khan. “They started utilizing our resources and expertise, not just recruitment, but our IT solutions.”
Jin echoes a similar sentiment with an aspiration that “We want to let more companies know about the IntelliPro’s unique culture and our unique methodologies. As a strategic partner, we want to help our clients build their talent and develop their talent acquisition strategies globally.”