Sheffield, a team of experts in executive recruitment, knows what it takes to find the right person for the right job. With robust search and selection processes that have been cultivated over 60 years in business, Sheffield helps New Zealand businesses find and train their next leaders.
Sheffield’s services have never been more crucial than during recent years. “The days of simply placing a recruitment ad online and hoping for a good candidate are gone,” Mike Stenhouse, Executive Director, explained. “These days candidates expect to be approached.” Sheffield is well prepared for this, having cultivated an extensive list of executive talent that they use alongside other sourcing methods. “Our job these days is a combination of using our database, very targeted advertising, and targeted search,” Mike said.
Linda Lilley and Mike Stenhouse
In response to COVID-19, Sheffield had to adjust the way they help clients. “We wanted to support clients through the challenges of the pandemic, making sure recruitment processes continued to move forward,” Mike said. Part of this involved the use of online and video conferencing tools, though Mike and his team stand by meeting in person whenever possible. “There is no substitute to face-to-face interactions,” he said.
In order to effectively provide such an important service, Mike believes it’s important to have a strong team around him, including his business advisors and accountants. Mike started working with Leech & Partners 20 years ago, inviting Gary Leech to sit on Sheffield’s advisory board. Since Gary’s retirement, Sheffield welcomed Nick Walls onto the board. “Nick is great to work with. He gives me advice and challenges my assumptions,” Mike said. “He’s supportive when I’m feeling challenged and he is excellent at taking a long-term view. I think he really cares about the business and the path that we’re on.”
While the long-term strategy has long been in good hands, it was about two years ago that Mike and the Christchurch Office Manager, Linda Lilley, realised they were wasting time on day-to-day administration and accounting. They brought in Georgia Goodman, Division Manager at LP Assist, to transition Sheffield to modern accounting software, including Xero and Hubdoc. “It’s moved us forward enormously in terms of our accounting,” Linda explained. “I used to have to call the Auckland office two or three times a day for financial information and now I have access to it all myself. I can reconcile things while I’m having my morning cuppa, it’s brilliant.”
“Working with Leech & Partners, we just know so much more about what’s going on in our business,” Mike explained. “It’s been a most successful relationship, especially in regards to the quality of their financial information and advice.”
