34th Anniversary

Dear Client and Applicants,

Today is our 34th Anniversary! We sincerely thank all our clients and applicants for their tremendous support and friendship over the past 34 years!

Our doors opened back in 1985 on the 29th August with our first applicant placement in a short day with clients; Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco and Deloitte Haskins & Sells for Receptionists. Today the person we placed in these two roles is still well known to us 34 years on! How wonderful this is.  We earned a handsome commission of 185 Zim dollars which was a fortune back then and paid our rent for two months!

Our rich history and the refined business model continues to grow daily with upbeat new opportunity and hope for the future. We are sincerely genuinely open for business. Today’s landscape of many ZSE Listed and Private Companies across their Leadership, Directorship, and Management roles occupied by applicants placed by us over the years. Our proud association and placement of so many talented people is a real indication and reflection of the dynamic leadership developed in Zimbabwe, which steers our business community today. We are proud to have contributed to our nation's growth and development.

Thank you to those people who continue to fly our flag as their joint partner. To those new applicants and friends of the future be assured of our 100% commitment to;

“Helping you shape your future.”

We look forward to hearing from you soon and once again thank you all.

Sincerely

Colin Roberts

The job market remains a damp squib – with hope for 2018 beyond the election

The new dispensation achieved back in 2017 today has lost much excitement and the hope renewed remains a damp squib across the job market. Change has not translated into any job creation or growth whatsoever, and across many professional sectors, it is worse. The renewed hype and euphoria escalated but turned in to total frustration and anger for many qualified job seekers today. Every year we continue to churn out thousands of graduates, newly qualified CAs and other skills, only for them to become street vendors or leave Zimbabwe to support the region with our manpower – trained at a considerable cost to the Country. We remain the training ground for other Countries and this needs to stop soon!

However, the challenge and call for Zimbabweans to come home to help build the Country is too soon as there are no jobs back home. There may be investment opportunities only. The employment cost to also attract skills back from the Diaspora is too costly for most local companies, which is often a preferred route for international clients who seek specially trained skills from the first world. Today, Diaspora skills are required to discount their services by up to 50% of their external earnings to be affordable in Zimbabwe. The lack of actual USD dollars remains another headache and hurdle as few companies pay real US dollars cash in hand. Existing skills already on the ground remain affordable whereby employers continue to pay sub-economic salaries and benefits to desperate employees who have no bargaining power. This trend should change in the future if new employment opportunities expected met growth plans. A preferred employer status will count in the long term.

Back in Oct 2017 and beyond - we were overwhelmed with inquiries from the Diaspora, and this continues today. Over the past week alone we received 150 new CVs for the Mining Sector. The Mining sector is perceived to be a growth area, and the demand for skills may eventually outstrip supply in the years ahead. Our immigration policy will need to change to meet this quota if we are open for business.  Our database currently exceeds 55 000 registered skilled CVs based in and outside Zimbabwe. We receive over 100 applications each day. Our website receives over 350 000 hits a month. Up to 300 applicants apply for each position listed – we are overwhelmed with attempting to help each person. We cannot cope with job seeker demand and its heartbreaking. The desperation of a job seeker is well known with many graduate applicants offering their service for free just to get work and experience ! Due to this pressure, we only list a few jobs on our website as we cannot cope with the traffic.

Our weak economy remains sluggish and suggests possibly that the boost is still to come! We are very hopeful. I met an investment client last week who stated they would only invest in Zim if a work permit quota awarded for their CFO role. General Immigration shall be a new challenge for the government who in the past closed the doors on many foreigners and former Zimbabweans wanting to work here. A liberal approach will be needed. We have to turn optimism into reality and create work for thousands of people going forward. I have recruited for over 35 years, and I am very excited for the future. Zimbabwe has some of the best-skilled people in the world who are dedicated and hard working. The Recruitment service industry is a competitive market and discerning future representation for client and applicant alike will be our significant success as Zimbabwe’s oldest and most recognized agency in Zimbabwe. We have geared and ready for change ahead. We need to be patient, beyond 100 days and send the right message to our people and investors. Zimbabwe is open for business! 

So let’s hope the next quarter of 2018 brings success and rewards to us all. Good luck in your job hunting ahead.

Non-Executive Directors and the future!

Our search and mandates have already begun. We need you!

We are part of transforming the Country to sustainability. Can you help us lead the change? The current business climate and dispensation offers a new opportunity for exceptional talent who wish to drive for the future and contribute to the success of the private and public sector.

The “boy’s club system” is over and new talent must step forward and lead. Zimbabwe is open for business!

We have been operating at the top end of Executive recruitment and selection business for over 33 years and proud to count ourselves amongst those who are the best in our field today. We offer priveledge opportunities for executives keen to be part of our clients businesses. We have been retained to assist a number of clients to reconstruct their non-executive Boards and seek recognized talent. Ideally, you may sit on one or two ZSE Listed or Private Boards today and wish to increase your footprint across the business sector.

The list of attributes required of a non-executive director is so long, precise and contradictory that there cannot be a single board member in the world who entirely fits the bill. They need to be: supportive, intelligent, interesting, well-rounded and mature, funny, entrepreneurial, steady, objective yet passionate, independent, curious, challenging, and more. They also need relevant qualifications and real business experience, a strong moral compass, and are a first-class all-rounder with specific industry skills. The personal character of a person often makes or breaks the success of a team effort in leadership. We shy away from arrogant, autocratic and self-importance traits which need to be left at the doorway as it will have no place in a successful sitting. A well rounded and supportive character often sorted. Do you fit the positive part of a profile required?

We seeks skilled persons across a wide spectrum of professions – Legal – Risk – Finance – Entrepreneurial – CEO and COO Leadership and more!   

We are keen to engage with you personally via a private and confidential discussion but you must prepare your CV first in a manner which captures our interest! Your CV should be no more than a one pager which captures enough information to excite us! We are more likely to come up with the right person, who has not only the appropriate industry and functional experience but also the right approach and outlook therefore you must also play your part. Unlike most networks of people explicitly seeking non-executive director roles, our candidates are mostly engaged in lively or retired careers to date.

Please email Colin Roberts - colin@valcol.co.zw
http://valcol.co.zw/non_executive_directors_future.html

General Appeal from The Friend Animal Foundation

The Friend Animal Foundation continues to provide a safe and loving environment for those lost, abandoned and surrendered animals in our care.  We have been badly hit by the current economic stress that Zimbabwe has been experiencing and are fighting hard to avoid having to close our doors.  We desperately need long-term support from the general public in order to continue helping the constant influx of animals we deal with.  Our monthly running costs have been whittled down to the absolute bare essentials and there is no way we can cut running expenses any further.  We are struggling to raise the required $7500 per month in order to keep us running efficiently.  

 The projects we are currently working on at the Foundation are all mainly geared at improving the current facilities not only to help improve the quality of life for the animals in our care, but also to improve our boarding facilities in an effort to increase the income of funds from that direction.  A lot of the materials required for that are of a "building and construction" nature: a 40-ft container, fencing, poles, cement, bricks, sand, stone, paint, paintbrushes, roofing sheets, wire, planks, nails, nuts and bolts, electrical goodies, shade-cloth, door hinges etc. 

 We then have a list of items that are needed for the animals themselves:  Dog baskets, blankets/duvets, towels, metal feeding bowls, metal water bowls, kennels, water troughs, straw/hay, durable plastic soccer-size balls or tennis balls, soft toys, collars and leads, shelving (for cat enclosures), brushes, nail trimmers, flea powders for dogs and cats, puppy/dog dip, fiprinol flea and tick treatment (available at Delports), baby shampoo, de-worming tablets, fly smear, tick grease, wound spray/powder, pro-biotic powder, klim or dendairy (sugar-free) milk powder, dog biscuits and kibble food, cat biscuits, grain for the farm animals, fresh vegetables for the bunnies/guinea pigs etc.

 And then there is the general cleaning supplies that we go through (a lot!):  Laundry powder, bleach, dishwashing liquid, handy-andy, vim, scouring pads, scrubbing brushes, indoor and garden brooms, duster cloths, tea towels, mutton cloth, cotton wool, betadine solution, betadine ointment, colloidal silver liquid, Dettol, Dettol handwashing liquid, Raid insect spray etc.

 Office supplies that we regularly need:  Reams of bond paper, pens, pencils, envelopes (variety of sizes), wage envelopes, coloured card, coloured paper, ink cartridges for the printer, clip boards, paper punch,  paperclips, staples, stapler, mighty markers, files, notepads, counter books, rulers, receipt books, stamp-pad and ink, file dividers, adhesive labels, sellotape etc.

 Our innovative team are usually able to find a use for all good-quality items that are donated.  If we receive something that we cannot use directly, our fundraising team are very good at finding a way to use it for raising much needed funds.  Whisky's, gift vouchers, jewellery, candles, and a variety of other donations we have received have been very helpful with enabling us to put together raffles and prizes for competitions we have run.  The offer of services has also been put to good use as we can always use a photographer, massage therapist, web designer, electrician or accountant!  We are spreading the word of our Ecocash Merchant Number (89313) as a useful and convenient way for people to support us.  Our sponsorship drives (frosted faces, special needs, vet fund etc.) generally give an opportunity for people to help support one animal for $20 per month.  They are gaining popularity but still have a huge opportunity for people to support our efforts - these can be paid monthly via the Ecocash Merchant Number as well.

Our banking details for donations are:  Ecobank Borrowdale, Account: 0011097609470901  or  Steward Bank Eastgate, Account:  1006737826, Swift Code STBLZWHX.  Please give a reference (ie. donation, frosted faces fund, special need sponsor, vet fund, foster adoption, etc) so that we can accurately identify your contribution.

Volunteers are always welcome.  We all have different area's of expertise so if you are willing to help out, we are ready to welcome you.  Not all volunteers have to be "on the ground" where seeing the animals can be upsetting - our fundraising committee, administration section, sales and support can be done from anywhere.  If you would like to help, please contact us.

Hoping this has given you a better guide on the type of things we need and use at The Friend Animal Foundation for the benefit of the animals in our care.  We shall continue to find ways to try and keep our doors open - but we simply cannot do it without support from our community.

 Kind regards

Laura Bass gocolts418@gmail.com

Administration Manager

The Friend Animal Foundation

0772-334-613

Welcome to 2018

Dear Clients and Applicants,

Welcome to 2018 – here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

So much has been reported about the success and failure endured throughout 2017. Let us park the bygone year and look forward as a Nation. Let us work together and rebuild our beautiful Zimbabwe. We can do it. Let us embrace integrity and shun corruption in re-establishing our value system as a proud and resourceful people. Zimbabwe is a proud Nation and we deserve to do better!

We are excited that 2018 ahead is expected to be a game changer with the creation of jobs and investment expected across all sectors. We hope this expectation is certainly achieved and not lost and look forward to our leaders engaging regional and global players to work with and invest in Zimbabwe. We need investment at any cost.

We also hope to be your preferred partner as a client or job seeker as Zimbabwe’s premier consultancy firm. It was extremely tough for many applicants last year as the job market continued to shrink to levels never seen before. Please don’t lose hope as a job seeker and prepare yourself for the year ahead. Dust off your CV and re-align it to an international standard to make yourself marketable and of interest. Do remember the market is fiercely competitive and have seconds to impress the reader or consultant. You must be adequately prepared and knowledgeable in every aspect to succeed as a candidate. Don’t leave any aspect to chance in your desire to be successfully placed. Don’t apply to a role that doesn’t match your skill and experience as you do more harm than good overall. We understand your desperation and will continue to represent you as a leader in the local and regional market. With Valcol you only have to register your CV - ONCE (unless there are material changes to content) – not like our competitors. A follow up email is only required. So today - update your file and CV for 2018. We look forward to hearing from you!         

We thank our esteem client base for the support given throughout the past 33 years and in 2017. We are ready to assist you as a preferred partner. Our website continues to receive over 330 000 hits a month. As Zimbabwe’s only senior Executive Recruitment Consultancy - We offer a sole mandate service to senior applicants not registered elsewhere as a discerning partner. Be surprised at the skills we can offer to assist your business growth.

Good luck in your future 2018 endeavours! We hope to cross paths as we help you shape your future!

Sincerely

Colin Roberts

Managing Director

The Fix It Month

The Friend Foundation has been extremely fortunate in the last month to have received help from two of the most amazing people Mr. John de Wet and Mr. Colin Roberts. Both of these men have helped the foundation and their help is very profound and it has humbled those of us who work here. Thank you John and Colin for opening our eyes and going above and beyond to help us.  

With Paint and Plaster new hope is born!

The cracks have been fixed, the walls have been rebuilt where needed, plastering and the painting is on going. What can we say about the man that is behind this all? Out of the goodness of his heart Mr. John de Wet has taken it on himself to fix the problems with our office, and other buildings. FAF cannot express how grateful we are for this help, our office is looking a million times better. It has given all of us a new optimism! We honestly cannot thank you enough for your help!

The Sparks Fly!

It is startling to think what a difference it has made for someone to donate to FAF for a few days a welder, his equipment and supplies that are needed to fix kennels. Mr Colin Roberts from Valcol did just this. He sent his welder out with an assistant and all the materials needed and suddenly all our kennel doors work just as they should. Last year with the possibility of closure we limited everything to try and save enough to keep the shelter open and small things like this sliped by the wayside. To know that someone has taken the time to help us with this is overwhelming. Thank you Colin and Valcol!

Toby the little blind boy.

This is Toby, full name Toblerone, is the sweet darling boy that was found by a Good Samaritan on the side of the road so weak that he could not stand and he had gone blind from the malnourishment. The road to recovery for this little guy has been long and rough. He has been in the vet several times. His muscles were very weak and he was not able to walk properly. Finally though he is coming right. Toby is only 7 months old and despite the rotten start to life he is finally doing well. He is able to walk around and the best news of all he has regained partial sight. His mischievous playful character has emerged. He is a delight to have around and is very loved by his Foster mother Pippa.

Check out our new website

A lighter start to the year!

Dear Applicants and Clients

Let's start off 2017 with good health tips and discuss HR matters next month! A healthy body and mind is needed to succeed in life!

A lighter start to the year!

Many of us make New Year resolutions and few are kept - I am a VERY keen Keep-Fit fanatic. I believe training formulates without doubt part of a healthy and productive work and play life style. I have retained my own Personal Trainer for a number of years. As you get older it becomes harder and difficult to achieve your goals without help.

Personal Trainer - Jonathan Dabah - suggests the following training tips for 2017;

You can contact him on 0772 391 875 for a private work out session at the gym! Come join us!

10 FITNESS TIPS FOR 2017

1. Focus on yourself - Don't worry about everyone else.  It's you versus you. Train to improve yourself inside out each and every day
2. Put emphasis on athletic gains as opposed to a certain look. You will improve tenfold when you focus on your athletic ability. Improved performance, strength and speed - Trust in this and you will be well on your way to a healthier, fitter, stronger you!
3. Weights, protein and High intensity cardio. This will keep you lean and mean. Ensure protein and keep yourself full, you’ll eat less carbs. Keep your metabolism fire going with the combination of weights and HIIT cardio.
4. Don't diet. You need enough calories to give as much effort into your workout to improve your overall physique. If you don’t and eat minimal calories your body will never change!
5. Drink up. Most people never drink enough water. Drink regularly throughout the day. It keeps you hydrated, improves digestion and the metabolism up. Eliminate fizzy drinks and juice it's just empty calories
6. Rest. Give your body time to recover and repair. Your body will thank you for it
7. Be patient. Trust the process. Commit to be fit and live a long happy and prosperous life. This is a lifestyle change and no quick fix. 
8. Lose the booze. Cut back on the alcohol; it slows the fat burning process dramatically. You don’t have to quit it completely, but the less you have the easier you’ll get lean
9. Bin the scales. One day it's up one day its down. Take progress photos once a month instead. You’ll see your body change right before your own eyes
10. Be disciplined. If at first you don’t succeed try and try again. Discipline will not only make you happier but you will also feel more accomplished in doing so. Stick to the task at hand. Mistakes are okay, just keep on pushing forward to attaining that dream body you have always wanted and you will succeed

Helping you Shape the Future

So when thinking about changing your job, think about your health and training as "Helping you Shape the Future" is part of a lifestyle!

Sincerely

Colin Roberts