OUR BLOG

By BRIELLE RAVEN 08 Sep, 2020
I asked my three and a half-year-old daughter the other day, ‘’what do you want to be when you grow up?’’ After some thinking and with a very thoughtful look on her face she said ‘Mummy, I want to be myself when I grow up.’’ I thought, how very insightful. We are always looking at what we want to be and what we want to become when in essence, striving to be yourself, should be something in conjunction with our life goals that we work on daily. Where did we lose this simplicity of thinking? it seems as you grow older, things become more and more complicated, and we sometimes lose sight of what matters. If we all grew up to be ourselves, how refreshing would that be? Working in recruitment and being the age I am, I have realized that life is a journey. The number of people who actually become what they wanted to be when they grew up must surely be very low. Especially in the field of Marketing and Communications, a rapidly evolving marketplace where it is a different playing field from one year to the next. I feel this years periods of lockdown have led us to look more inwardly than ever before. Whatever your situation may be; whether you have kids, on your own or with a partner, never have we had this chance to self-reflect and to look internally for answers. During this time, I have realized how important it is to connect openly and honestly with people. From a work perspective, I find it hard to speak emotionally and openly as to how I feel. Perhaps this is ingrained from childhood, or something that I have learnt we should keep quiet about, something that we shouldn’t admit to, as it will show weakness. I have realized that it is all too easy to let things build up, to get frustrated, and to not have the opportunity to vent is quite dangerous. Leaders who are truly connected to their employees are open to vulnerability, are avid, deep listeners, not just solution providers. This is important as often, we need to come to the conclusion ourselves, however, having that sounding board is immensely important. I am proud to work in a company where you can openly call or email the CEO and voice your thoughts and there is never judgement. This is something I appreciate in a leader, someone who cares about their people. This ‘people piece’ has become even more important with the arrival of COVID19. All of a sudden employees are being trusted and relied upon to work from home. People have been forced to juggle work with family life, and in some cases have had to deal with redundancies. As a result, we are all spending time in our heads so naturally health and wellness is paramount to keeping our sanity. During the lockdown I am hearing from candidates, more and more often, “I had a COVID moment, reflected on what I’m doing, and decided I needed to make a change.” To me, this signals that people are in some cases voluntarily walking away from their roles, with the realization that life is too short. Giving up a stable role in an incredibly unstable period shows us that it is a time for deep reflection. Is it because the world is imploding around us, or is it because at last, we all have the chance to breathe and step back from the ‘day to day’ and examine our motivations, our raison d’etre? My realisations over this period:  children have an innate ability to give us clarity – it is important to grow and be yourself – we need to remind ourselves to never lose the wonder Vulnerability, connecting openly and emotionally is essential for progress, even in the workplace – do not hold it in, it will make you question yourself and everything you do The best leaders are the ones who listen to your issues, even if those issues are personal and impacting your work If you are struggling to cope and have had enough of being stuck in your mind, talk to someone, a problem shared is a problem halved Working from home and having limited personal contact, has allowed us to look inwardly and to discover what is important to us This year will be a year of immense change. Here’s to a future where our new learnings and perspectives will enable us to follow our hopes and dreams.
By OLIVIA KELSEY 14 Jul, 2020
We’re really proud to have re-launched our Refer a Friend program in conjunction with SOS Business and their SOS Gift Cards. We’re now offering $500, $250 and $100 SOS Gift Cards* as a thank you for referring a friend, family member or ex-colleague who’s placed by us in a new role. Whilst COVID-19 and the resulting Nationwide Lockdown certainly threw spanners in the works, some amazing things were created as well. We are happy to announce that as part of our Refer a Friend programme, we have partnered with the incredible team behind SOS Business, a not-for-profit initiative that supports local businesses recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. If you successfully refer a friend to us, you can choose a voucher from their website that includes various local hospitality and services businesses across New Zealand. Help us, and we will help local! $500 SOS Gift Card – For a successful referral placed in a permanent role $250 SOS Gift Card – For a successful referral placed in a contract role of more than six months $100 SOS Gift Card – For a successful referral placed in a temporary role of more than three months. We’re also keen to help muster up as much support as possible for SOS Business, and wanted to provide you with the same opportunity to support small local businesses to help with their recovery. So let us tell you a little bit more about SOS Business and how you might be able to help our local businesses across New Zealand. WHAT IS SOS BUSINESS? SOS Business is a not-for-profit initiative that provides a way for Kiwis to buy vouchers from their favourite NZ businesses to help them with the cash they need now. SOS Business also makes it easy for larger organisations to support our smaller NZ businesses to help with their recovery. HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Join other corporates like us at Momentum who are using this opportunity to support small NZ businesses by buying SOS Gift Cards to gift to your staff or customers instead of traditional staff rewards or campaigns. Be part of NZ’s economic recovery by supporting these smaller businesses today! HOW SOS GIFT CARDS WORK Purchase 10 or more SOS Gift Cards Gift to staff or customers Recipient redeems Gift Card for a voucher at their chosen local cafe, restaurant or business at www.sosbusiness.nz Local cafe, restaurant or business receives the value of the voucher** GET IN TOUCH! Talk to Kelly Banks or Janine Williams about how SOS Gift Cards could work for your organisation, so that they can help make an impact for your staff, customers and our small Kiwi Businesses who need us! Kelly 0211 566 566 or Janine 027 478 1711 sos@sosbusiness.nz www.sosbusiness.nz Share with other marketers or HR Managers If you have anyone else in your community whom you think would like to support SOS Business by purchasing SOS Gift Cards, then please share within your communities! *Momentum Terms & Conditions apply. **T’s &C’s apply. 5% admin fee applies.
By BRIELLE RAVEN 09 Jun, 2020
It is important to be vulnerable. In the last few years, more and more I have realised, that if you do not know something, you need to admit it. You cannot always know everything and in fact, how else will you learn? If you are not learning something every day, even something small, then I believe you need to check yourself. Why is this? Well, are you not pushing yourself? Are you not self-aware and realising that there is so much more that you could know? Are there any more positive and negative experiences that you could be open to? Asking these questions is essential to challenging yourself and allowing you to be receptive to new opportunities and learnings. I have worked in recruitment for eight years and daily I think, ‘how did I get into this fickle industry?’ I still feel like I am an apprentice. It is not that I don’t know anything, it is just that every day there are new challenges and new ways of coping, new personalities that you’re having to navigate around and new ways of looking at things. It is ok to feel like you are not the epitome of your field. If anything, it means that you haven’t shut yourself off from the opportunity to learn and improve. The realisation that we are all different in our own unique way – taught and learnt, makes life so special. We are all learning and transforming every day, or at least we should be. This pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works – our generations have never had to deal with anything like this before. It’s changed our working landscape. How do we function now? What is the new normal? Who on earth can truly give advice on what will happen in the short term or what we can predict will happen in the future? To me, it is all hearsay, no one really knows. We just need to go along with the ride and adapt accordingly based on our moral compass. What are your coping strategies? Are you doom and gloom, looking at the news and predicting Armageddon? Or is your view that things can only go up? That we can only get better, improve, learn from our mistakes. Find a better way, a new way, a squeaky-clean new start that it is not only exciting and exhilarating but also frightening. If we were not frightened, we would not be adaptable, we would not be kept on our toes, and to be honest, we would never change. We’d be stuck in the mud.  Let’s look at this as a shiny new opportunity. A way to learn, a way to find new strategies and optimism. Do not let pride get in your way, it will hold you back from transforming into what you were meant to be.
By BRIELLE RAVEN 21 May, 2020
Today marks the first full day that I am back in the office and without my children (they are at school and kindy), and as much as I love them, it has also been a huge sigh of relief! Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, I have always wanted children and I am lucky to have them. I realise I am in an exceptionally fortunate position that my husband and I still have our jobs. All that being said, this lockdown with a toddler who asks over 400 questions a day (proven!), a 6 year old that I have been home schooling and a husband who is an ‘essential’ in a busy role, and my own busy role, this has been a stressful time!”* One of my children has also been awake about 6 times a night since the lock down, and this has certainly added another dimension to an already fractious situation! ** This brings me to think, there must be so many others facing stress, as well as a myriad of other more serious and potentially life changing challenges; redundancies, financial hardships, people living in solitude, relationship breakdowns, physical and mental abuse and death, and in some instances where the lives of amazing people can’t even be marked or celebrated in a fitting way. Everyone is affected by this, in their own individual ways and no one is immune to the effects. We have survived Level 4, finished with Level 3 and now on Level 2, but the mental health impact will be immense and though I’ve found this a challenge myself, it certainly puts my situation into perspective. How will we survive this mental challenge? What effects will this pandemic have; on our interactions, on our children’s ability to socialise, on our ability to function in the work place and in the outside world? A good time for businesses to also check themselves and see how they (also) deal with their employees mental state. At a time where everyone has been affected to some degree, it is important to realise that this could also affect people’s work. How is your company helping you? In the scheme of things I know (or at least am hoping) that this will be for a short period. However, the impact of this pandemic will undoubtedly have a long lasting effect on a massive proportion of the world’s population. It won’t be business as usual next week or the week after or the week after that. We will need to accept a new reality and a new way of working and not only that, a new way of just being. Silver linings that I have found to keep my mental state in check: we are extremely fortunate to be in New Zealand – being isolated is an absolute advantage and the swift action taken has meant that the pandemic hasn’t got a strong hold here like in many other countries family and friendship is critical to our survival – protecting our young and old, our sick and vulnerable is not only imperative, it is what feeds our soul, gives us meaning, and a sense of purpose compassion, empathy, kindness and humility – are what makes us human and are the most important characteristics to get us through times of crises we are adaptable and malleable – we can work from home, we can make positive changes to suit all elements of our lives, we can and need to change to move forward Hopefully, the fighting spirit will prevail, we will overcome these times and we will be able to tell our children and grand children about the great pandemic of our time. There is light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully as a nation we can lead the way to pave a better future. Bring on the vaccine! * I will caveat this by saying that this has undoubtedly been the longest time the four of us have spent this much time together. **Also I’d like to say that overall this will probably be one of the most positive experiences ever for our family, I’m learning so much about my kids every day and although it is intense (and I feel like I will need a massive holiday) I genuinely love these little rat bags (and although they push me to the brink) they will always be my number one!
By BRIELLE RAVEN 04 May, 2020
Who could’ve predicted that 2020 would have taken such a turn? I am still in disbelief that this situation could even be possible. It feels like we are in a science fiction movie that we can’t escape. The whole world, as we knew it, has been completely turned on its head. Fear and panic dominates not only the headlines but also our hearts. Our emotions are being tormented daily, the fear gripping us while we try with grit and determination to reassure ourselves that it will be OK, that we will make it through and we will survive. Psychologically it is a minefield as we plough through into the unknown. The only way is forward, there is no turning back, but it will be different. What it will be, we don’t know, but it will be different. The economic downturn will be and is, already significant, all we can hope for is that the spread of Covid-19 is caught early enough to cushion the blow. It is unknown territory. Yes, we’ve had the 2008 Global Financial Crisis but a pandemic is completely different, its personal, it’s our health, our lives and it is affecting a major part of what makes us human -the human connection. Almost a week into isolation has made me realise this more than ever. Suddenly we are socializing via zoom, house party, messenger. We are so unbelievably lucky to have this to fall back on, but there is nothing like being in front of someone, being next to them, talking face to face, kissing someone on the cheek, giving friends, family and work colleagues a big hug. Human contact is essential for survival, I’ve realised that we are essentially social beings and human interaction is central to that. It feels like a real wake up call to realise that the instant gratification of buying objects in the pursuit of happiness, is no longer enough. All of the objects of desire suddenly seem superfluous and insignificant. We have been brought down to our knees, to the absolute basics of what makes us human. Staying home, having enforced family time, partner time or solitude, cooking together, doing things more simply, and having time to reflect. Perhaps as a society we needed this slow down to help us remember what really is important to us. Maybe we were all trying to do too much, to produce more, to grow year on year, to push push push. Always available, always ‘on’, never being able to switch off from life. Demands thrown at you, left, right and centre. Having everything at the push of a button 24/7, able to travel at will l’aissez-faire, pushing the envelope at every junction. By enforced hibernation, we are giving our environment a well needed rest. From afar we can see factories in China being shut down, pollution has diminished significantly, there are once again fish in the canals of Venice. Closer to home, who knows what positive impacts isolation will bring. Creativity and creative thinking, resulting from being in isolation will bring some amazing new jobs, new hobbies, new talent and will push business in a new direction. It will be interesting to see new career opportunities in the wake of this. Looking forward, our lives are going to be different. Our freedom to move globally is going to be limited, jobs will be lost, businesses and families will be affected, there will be illness, and sadly, there will be deaths. It is a period of reflection and re-evaluation, also of mourning and of forcing us to change, to move into a new phase, a new world, one that hopefully our ancestors would be proud of.
By NICK ROBERTS 02 Sep, 2019
At Momentum we wish to be part of the solution to the issues that face our Planet and Society. We have a commitment to our People, the Environment and our wider Community.  There are many issues facing both people and planet today, including climate change and intensive resource use to population growth. There are impacts on indigenous communities and social inequality. We must all do something now not by 2030 otherwise it will be too late.
By BRIELLE RAVEN 23 Aug, 2019
As workplaces are coming to terms with diversity and inclusion, I sit here thinking, about bloody time we are having this conversation! This seems so outdated, so backward that it is even a topic of discussion and yet somehow, work places are only coming to terms with the fact that multiculturalism, gender equality and the rainbow community may not just bring a broader range of ideas to work places, and give companies an edge, but also will bring in more profit. Hurrah. About time that the penny has dropped! For a multi-cultural society like New Zealand, I dread to think how long it has been the status quo that the top of the game has always been a male, pale and stale demographic, that has ruled the workplace. Even then that terminology gives me the shudders as it is basically writing off so many successful people based on their gender, ethnicity and age. The exact opposite of what we are trying to promote! Surely, we need to be better than that. Surely, we can look at the past, analyse the present and think ahead. And CHANGE. Thank goodness that change is afoot! What a time to be alive. Certain more traditional industries seem to still be in the dark ages in some ways, but thankfully the realisation that ‘just because this is the way it has been done, doesn’t mean it is right’ philosophy is challenging the status quo. Pigeon-hole me. I’m a white, middle class, married, mum of two kids, living in suburbia. As predictable as this sounds, I also have a career in recruitment. I truly believe that merit, skill base, willingness to learn and determination and drive is what gets people the job, and definitely ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality should not play a part in these decisions. Part of our role as Recruitment Consultants is to work without bias, look at the work place environment, to put forward the absolute best person for the role, the best person that would fit into the organisation, breaking down this bias and giving clients a mix of candidates regardless of their background. From another perspective, there is concern that with all the focus on diversity and inclusion that employers may also try and fill a quota, based on ethnicity, gender and sexuality. Shouldn’t it also be taking into consideration the ‘right person for the job’ ? Obviously there needs to be a balance here. Let’s bring people in respectfully, because they deserve to be there, not because they tick a box and fill your quota. Let’s not stereotype people. I don’t think a tick box-based solution is the answer to ensuring that there is diversity in the workplace. It is a complex issue which involves thought, attracting and promoting roles to all demographics. It also starts at the school level from the ground up, promoting equality, educating our young to know that their work options are wide and varied and that they can do anything and be anything that they want! In fact, I feel that the next generation coming through will be extremely experimental due to their multitude of options. It is going to take time for change, there is no quick solution. I know certain companies whereby recruitment hinges on a personality test, which makes me think, isn’t that just another form of anti-diversity? Only employing the same personality type into an organisation, doesn’t that defeat the whole diversity and inclusion vibe? Are we all going to be pigeon-holed into a certain ‘type’? I also feel like these personality tests can differ entirely depending on what is happening in one’s life. Personality is not just fixed, it is situational, fluid and I don’t think it is as easy as answering a few questions. I feel that psychometric testing absolutely has a place, but should someone’s job hinge on this? I am extremely dubious. I think we need to change our way of thinking and the language that we are using. Let’s stop talking like something is wrong with us, and that everything is right with us! Let’s stop categorising people so blatantly. Aren’t we all one people, with shared goals, shared wants and needs, and the desire to be treated fairly and equally? I worry that we could potentially be putting people into a box, giving labels to people. Let’s all be proud of our heritage, proud that we are New Zealanders, proud of who we are. Let’s be loud and proud, beating our fists against our chests as leaders of a more diverse work force. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHcnbg_JJTU Lyrics by Logic I don’t wanna be black, I don’t wanna be white, I just wanna be a man today I don’t wanna be a Christian, Muslim, gay, straight, or bi, see you later, bye Not perceived by the things I believe or the colour of my skin Or the fact I’m attracted to her, maybe him Or the fact I’m a single mother living all alone Looking for a man and a home to call my own But I already have one
By OLIVIA KELSEY 01 Jul, 2019
We’ve always believed in connecting the strengths of different parties to create something bigger and more effective, so we’re doing that closer to home by combining Velocity Recruitment with its parent company, Momentum Consulting. Both companies are leaders in their respective recruitment areas, but together we’ll offer clients and candidates much broader opportunities and connections. Our staff will remain the same, we will keep the same processes, high standards and most importantly, the high energy approach to everything we do. The key changes are that Velocity will be known as Momentum and the positions and people we recruit for, will expand. We set up Velocity in 2008 to deliver a standout alternative in Business Support recruitment. We grew quickly and solidly thanks to clients and candidates who valued our experience, support, speed and collaborative approach – 92% of clients are repeat customers. That personal approach to business and genuine connection with the people we work with mirrors Momentum exactly. Momentum is one of New Zealand’s most respected recruitment companies specialising in contracting and permanent positions. Like Velocity, we have offices in Auckland and Wellington with a dedicated and talented team of people who get up in the morning to help people and businesses grow. We take a team approach to recruitment, so our clients and candidates get the power of combined experience, but each client and candidate has one point of contact to ensure we understand the real needs and work to find the best match. With the union, all this has been magnified. It will be business as normal, but with a bigger reach and more potential for everyone, we work with.  At Momentum it’s always about the people – individual attention to make it Greater Together.
By BRIELLE RAVEN 26 Apr, 2019
In today’s world of ‘reality’ television, Instagram, Facebook, Cat Fishing and all the other business that we as humans can’t help but subscribe to – being your true authentic self is more important than ever. In an interview – realistically a false environment, it is hard to properly show your true self. First of all, you are more than likely nervous. And we all know how nerves can sometimes make us behave, usually far different from who we are. As a candidate we are trying to impress, to wear our best, to say what we think the interviewer wants to hear and to seem enthused about the role we’ve applied for, even if we are not 100% sold. How with all this pressure and stress to perform, does the flicker of who you are, truly light up the room? How will you stand out and let your personality shine through? “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” These words from Dr Zeus really resonate with me. It is simple…In order to be heard and truly listened to, you need to be you. Yes of course you need to be professional, and appropriate but authenticity is key to a successful interview. Everyone can ‘fake it till you make it’ but the problem is that interviewers can feel that something is not sitting right, that there is an unease, a malaise, an uncertainty. When you relax, and let you shine through, you will feel more confident and you will ultimately be true to yourself. As someone that interviews candidates every day, I can tell you, it is a relief to see people be authentic. To see someone relax, open up and to say what they really want, what they are good at and where they see themselves, what their passion is and who they are is a blessing. In the end, we are all people and everyone that I have come across just wants to be happy doing what they do. There is pressure in society to feel or try to be perfect. To try and fit in and to feel perfect in other people’s eyes. Sometimes we forget that we are also interviewing, it takes two to tango. Both the candidate and the employer need to feel comfortable and feel there is a fit. If one does and the other does not, it’s not going to work. As a candidate, it is equally important to have questions, to be inquisitive, to find out if the environment, culture and role is fitting with your morals, inner values and raison d’etre. It’s no longer the case that the skills for the job are all that’s required and that’s that. A job is much more than just the task at hand, it’s also about the team, environment, culture, longevity and again being given the space to be you. When you spend so much time at work, it’s a lot more palatable when you’re actually enjoying it, and enjoying the people around you. Moral of the story – Be your authentic self, comfortable in your own skin – don’t fight it or cover it up – your uniqueness is your super power. Firstly, teaching is a slight exaggeration. I was assisting a couple of teachers and was assigned the forward roll station. Naturally, I did extensive research before helping at my daughters’ school. I’m no couch potato but I must admit it has been a few years since I last did a forward roll so of course, I watched a few YouTube videos for pointers. It was great to get out of the office and partake in something different. Teaching is leadership of youth. After the day I left wondering who learnt more? The boys and girls or me!? It was a great reminder that firstly you need great patience and understanding to lead a large group. Everyone is different from the little girl who knew it all and didn’t need tips on how to perfect her forward roll. To the boy who would rather just charge around and be in his own creative space. To the little boy who was frozen with fear, fear of getting it wrong, fear of being worse than everyone else. To the little girl who listened to every word and did her best to replicate and then look for praise. Those little boys and girls will grow up but will still ultimately look for the same from their workplace. As we grow up we learn to adapt and grow, we learn to manage these feelings but that doesn’t mean we aren’t those little boys and girls inside, each different, each needing different interactions. Communication is key. You need to sometimes demonstrate, you sometimes need to repeat, you always need to be clear. You can’t assume that everyone immediately will understand the directions. You can’t just explain what you need to do, you absolutely must explain WHY. It cannot be just words, it is tone and delivery too. The communication must have participation and be a two-way street. Then you need to listen, observe and respond.  If you make things fun, no matter how daunting and challenging or on the flipside repetitive and simple, your team will follow. If you are willing to do it yourself, people will follow. In 40 minutes with a group of 30 children, I learnt so much about my leadership style, the good and the bad. At times I am that little girl who knows it all, I am that little boy who wants space to be creative, I’m also that little boy who is afraid and I also am definitely at times that little girl who wants to be praised.
By OLIVIA KELSEY 12 Dec, 2018
With career becoming more and more important to individuals, we have all been worked to the bone this year. The old working hours of 9 to 5 are long gone! There is no doubt that everyone looks forward to the long-awaited Summer Holidays. A chance to unwind from work, catch up with family and friends, read those summer books instead of work papers and importantly, take some time out from work for yourself. So to celebrate the beauty that is the summer holidays, and the beauty of New Zealand, we got our team together to create our top five New Zealand holidaying spots. Momentum are a mixed team of born and raised kiwis, travellers from England, people from South Africa, America and other countries. So it is safe to say, New Zealand has drawn us all in for different reasons, and our list is made up of some of those drawing points. Are you enjoying your work break at any of these spots? Or have we missed any of your favourite spots off this list? Let us know! We love to hear from you.  NUMBER FIVE: HOT WATER BEACH Our Digital Creative Director, Olivia Kelsey’s Top Pick
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