Happy 15th Birthday, Trak!

Wow, when I reflect on our first 15 years in business I realise how different things were back in 1995.  I had no mobile phone, no email or no internet, just me in a small office with savings of $3000 for working capital. I had spent a couple of weeks juggling a number of possible business names when I met a HR Director who was here visiting from Canada. He explained to me that when he interviewed people he looked for 4 specific qualities:  Talent, Right Experience, Attitude and Knowledge (or qualifications). It sounded a good philosophy to me, so I grabbed it and formed the acronym TRAK. Costs were kept to a minimum, so furniture was bought at a 2nd hand auction, and I shared a part time secretary. I was relieved to get our first job order and Sydney Morning Herald advert (no Seek then either) with Roger David. I remember interviewing the successful candidate on Good Friday – the only day she was available over Easter. The thought of a successful placement, helping a candidate, a happy client and money in the bank were all great motivators.

Today, we now have 15 staff spread across offices in Melbourne and Sydney. We have built a strong reputation as specialist recruiters in the retail and fashion sectors, and we no longer have to buy 2nd hand furniture. The majority of our staff now have a retail background, and we have specialist consultants who focus within retail on the accounting/finance, property, franchise and buying areas. In addition to sourcing candidates via the database and advertising we have a dedicated researcher who assists with search and headhunting assignments. 

We have formed affiliations with Retail Recruitment specialists on the East and West coasts of America, the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore. Last year also saw us enter into a strategic relationship with one of Australia’s best fashion industry recruitment companies which gives us a much greater reach in this sector. Another strategic initiative was to become a part owner of the recently listed Careers Multi list which is a group of 100 specialist recruiters who when needed share networks and candidates. 

As a participant in the last 3 Westfield Retail Study tours, I have been able to visit cities, meet candidates and contacts and look at retail trends in the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA.  

During the last 15 years we have placed staff in all major Australian cities, many regional towns across the nation as well as overseas locations in the UK and Asia. Remuneration packages have ranged  from $35,000 to $700,000,  whilst the type of roles have included Buying/Merchandising, Accounting and Finance, Loss Prevention, Property, Human Resources, Wholesale, Marketing, Business Development, Franchise Operations, General Management, Store focussed positions including Store, Area, State and National roles, as well as Executive PA’s.   

We feel privileged to have worked with 165 different clients who read like a who’s who of Australian Retail. From some of the largest corporate retailers to smaller private chains, from fashion to hardware, the goal is still to do what is needed for a successful placement, a happy candidate, a satisfied client and money in the bank. 

In closing, let me sincerely thank the many wonderful people I have met through the business – both clients and candidates – who have played such a significant part in our success. Thank you also to my dedicated team of staff who so often go beyond the call of duty. I look forward to continuing these relationships for another 15 years. Finally, I wonder what Trak (and the business world around us) will look like in 2025!