Australian employers advised to declare war on recession

With unemployment levels forecasted to rise to alarming levels by 2010-2011, Australian business leaders are
advised to build a ëcombat readyí workforce to survive.

The ëWar for Talent or Battle for Survival?í White Paper released today by leading recruitment firm, LINK
Recruitment, was created to help businesses survive workforce dilemmas created by the global financial
crisis.

It outlines the talent management challenge businesses will encounter in 2009 and advises them to create a
ëcombat readyí workforce that will help them battle through the economic downturn.

The White Paper is based on research by LINK Recruitment including a survey conducted on over 450
Australian companies.

LINK Recruitment, General Manager Client Services, Jason Cartwright says ìDuring times of recession, many
businesses can fall into the trap of battening down the hatches in the hope they will be able to ride out the
tough times,î

ìBy creating a ëcombat ready workforceí, arming staff and managers with the right skills and support, businesses, particularly those in counter cyclical industries, can survive and even prosper during the economic
slump.î

The White Paper outlines the challenges businesses will face over the coming period, and features two
important elements to improve workforce resilience:

ï Top seven tips to create a ëcombat ready workforceí.
ï Three key resilience principles from resilience expert Michael Licenblat.

In a recent survey of some 450 Australian employers conducted by LINK Recruitment, 72 per cent agree that
the economic downturn offers one of the best opportunities to recruit top talent in over a decade. Despite this,
more than 70 per cent say their organisation is not planning to recruit more permanent or temporary staff in
2009.

ìNo doubt the pressure to cut costs means that some organisations will be unable to take advantage of the
long-awaited shifts in labour supply,î says Cartwright.
ìHowever, those in counter cyclical sectors with good medium term growth expectations, and those looking to
take market share from competitors, cannot afford to miss this rare opportunity to attract top talent from local
and international markets,î he says.

ìThe reality is that the face of the Australian workforce has changed as a result of a global economy slump,î
Cartwright says.

ìNow is the time for businesses to be asking themselves if their workforce is ëcombat readyí to withstand the
talent war and thrive beyond tomorrow. ì Cartwright says.