Apr 28, 2014 | IT
Why should somebody come and work for you?
In a market where people don’t move for a job title or a salary increase, it is vital to ask yourself that question.
People move for opportunity! Opportunity can mean many different things to different people – an opportunity to grow, to learn, or simply just to work for a highly reputable business.
At Langley James, we have noticed a real shift in the market over the last 6 months and whilst the jobs market is improving month on month and the future for the technology and IT sector goes from strength to strength, those superstar candidates, the hidden gems, still need to be ‘wowed’ by an opportunity to even consider a change in employer.
What attracted you to work where you do? Why have you stayed? What can you offer that your strongest competitor isn’t able to?
Candidates don’t just want to know about the immediate opportunity either. Initially, there will be the fast-pace of learning the new role, company and environment, following a longer period of learning the finer details. But then what? Is that person capable of more? Could they deliver even more value to you as a Company? What projects could they get involved in? What could they learn to further develop their skills?
Have a look at your latest job spec – is it simply a list of what you want? A host of essential and desired skills and experience? A shopping list? When was the last time you went shopping and only came back with what was on your list? Or, did you get attracted by the end of aisle promotions – those companies that had made a conscious effort to stand apart from their competitors by offering that something a little different?
At Langley James, our IT experts are on hand to assist with the whole recruitment process from job specs, attraction methods, salary guides and general market information. Why not give us a call and see how helpful we can be? If you are looking for a recruitment partner with a completely transparent approach, then we may just be exactly what you are looking for.
Apr 25, 2014 | IT
Want to cut costs by more than 50%?
Optimising application development and maintenance (ADM) can slash operation costs by more than 50%, according to research by Gartner.
A new study found that by allowing sourcing managers to develop and implement sourcing strategies, metrics and processes can help CIO’s cut costs in half by eliminating legacy applications, complex architectures and outdated approaches to staffing.
Accounting for 34% of IT budgets, ADM is only set to rise in the coming months due to rising labour costs and increasing complexity and number of applications. However, the study stated that if best practices across the application life cycle are followed, the ADM unit cost can be significantly optimised over time.
Sadly though, it seems that only 11% of companies are mastering sourcing by taking a methodical approach. Others rely on tendering their requirements to a few known service providers and chose the supplier based on price and daily rates. Most are also using staff augmentation for ADM work inefficiently.
Key recommendations made by Gartner the help CIO’s cut costs by optimising ADM included performing an application portfolio and life cycle activity analysis to consolidate ADM supplies to enable companies to select the best-in-class options for scope and business process. It also recommended that using the right metrics to size application portfolio and development efforts would help determine the right ADM team size – Gilbert van der Heiden of Gartner commented “Whatever model an organisation uses, it should be applied consistently and as objectively as possible, with a focus on measuring and improving productivity and quality.”
Apr 11, 2014 | IT
Key points
- Permanent placements up at fastest rate in six months
- Surge in demand for permanent staff continues
- Permanent salary inflation outpacing growth in contract pay rates
Growth in permanent placements hits six-month high
March showed a sharp and accelerated increase in the number of IT staff placed in permanent positions by our London office, and one that was the fastest in six months. Moreover, the rise in permanent appointments in the capital was slightly sharper than the UK-wide average.
Upturn in contract billings continues
March also showed a further rise in contract billings in London. Although growth eased from February’s recent peak to the slowest in four months, it was nevertheless sharp in the context of historical data and faster than across the UK as a whole.
Staff Availability
Our IT consultants in London recorded a further decrease in permanent candidate numbers in March, extending the current sequence of decline to ten months. Furthermore, the rate of contraction picked up since February and was sharp.
Contractor candidate numbers also decreased at a faster rate in March. In fact, the degree to which contract candidate supply deteriorated was the most marked since July 2007.
Remuneration
Permanent starting salaries in London increased in March, continuing the trend observed by our consultants in each of the past ten months.
Contractor rates also increased in March, but the pace of inflation eased since February, to the weakest in nine months. The capital was also outperformed by the UK as a whole on this front for the first time since last November.
About Langley James
Langley James was founded in 1999 by James Toovey, a highly respected recruitment industry professional. James wanted to provide something unique: a bespoke recruitment service which was founded on service excellence. With offices in London and Manchester, we are now providing our recruitment services throughout the world and over the last 15 years have worked with some of the most respected companies in the world.
To find out why so many companies turn to Langley James for support in fulfilling their IT recruitment needs, call and speak to one of our specialist consultants today on 0845 124 9555.
Apr 7, 2014 | IT
The Beginning of the End for the Biro
We are living in an era where technology and science is moving at an incredible pace. Only last week medical history was made by using 3D printing in surgery, along with the discovery of a new Dwarf Planet inside our solar system. It can be easy to forget about the basic items we use daily that will eventually be extinct.
Sony has recently released a new tablet called Digital Paper which even looks like a standard A4 note pad. It has capabilities to not only type but to also create hand written notes with the help of a stylus in your own handwriting! Very similar to the kindle, the tablet has electronic ink which gives it that paper feel. The end of the Biro is looming…
The size of the office stationary room is now being depleted to the size of a small filing cabinet. This once meeting place where you could a have a catch up with colleagues and if daring enough, leave with a few extra sticky notes and a secret stash of staples is slowly becoming a distant memory for some.
From a young age we are now growing up using tablets, phones and PC’s on a daily basis. It was only 20 years ago where there was one Acorn Computer for a whole class to share. Many industries across the UK are using the good old Biro less and less Waitresses and Waiters no longer approach your table with a pen and notepad they have a tablet where the order gets printed in the kitchen.
We used to dread the postman walking up the path with his pile of letters, now we get excited if we see a hand written envelope addressed to us. Excluding the usual Birthday or Christmas cards, how often do you receive a hand written letter?
Apart from the odd note taking, we are using Biros less and less, with technology evolving and newer more secure ways of writing being created. It might be another 20 years or maybe less until we see the death of the Biro.
The same could be said for legacy technology used in your office. Are you using a piece of software which is well past its best before date, clinging onto it, maybe too scared to change or reluctant to try something new? Even nostalgic about when it first got installed and the resulting confusion on colleagues faces.
Embrace technology! The world is becoming more eco-friendly every day with paperless offices and email still being the preferred method of communication in the office.
What are your thoughts? Join the debate on twitter @ITRecruitment #RIPBiro and on Facebook facebook.com/LangleyJames
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