K2 Partnering Solutions

In the competitive world of executive recruiting, it pays to specialize. UK-based K2 Partnering Solutions is a global recruitment company with technical expertise, in-depth market knowledge and an international presence on the ERP (SAP, Oracle), Enterprise Cloud (SFDC), Analytics/Big Data and Enterprise Mobility market.

Established in 1997 in London, K2 currently has 17 offices in 12 countries. It opened its Japan office in 2009. Overseeing operations for the company in Japan is Chenda Wangchen. Born in Bhutan, he has lived in Japan for 15 years, having come here as a college student to study Japanese and pursue further studies. Has a college degree in Information Technologies for Industry and a master’s degree in Humanities and International communication. Prior to joining K2 Partnering Solutions last May, he worked in the recruitment industry for eight years.

Japan Today catches up with Wangchen at the K2 offices in Tokyo’s Akasaka.

What are K2 Partnering’s strengths?

We are a niche recruiting company, focusing on just two technologies, unlike other IT recruiting companies. Our expertise is within ERP/CRM, Enterprise Cloud, Mobility and Big Data/Analytics. Being able to focus on core technologies instead of trying to grab fruit from every tree, so to speak, allows us to grow and offer the best possible service to our clients.

We excel through quality and quick deliver. Our consultants know their industry and clients treat us as a business partner in various aspects. Here at K2 Partnering Solutions, left-brain meets right, and business, creative, and technology intersect. We work ahead in the game in terms of educating market know-how and providing knowledge to our clients by preparing ourselves with the next generation expertise requirements and getting ready to support our clients with the right talent for the right era.

Was 2013 a good year in Japan?

Yes, it was. Sales were up. In addition, we implemented a lot of restructuring. We are getting more clients as we tap the Japanese market. Thus far, we have been doing a lot of business with foreign consulting firms; now our client base is about 60-40 foreign-Japanese. Going forward, there will be a lot of projects being rolled out by Japanese companies in other countries and that’s where K2 can help and support our Japanese clients globally.

How do you grow the business in Japan?

We get a lot of introductions from existing clients and our sales team is aggressively out in the marketplace to brand K2. We go to seminars and we are partners with salesforce.com. I was at Dreamforce (Salesforce’s annual user and developer conference) for four days in San Francisco, networking with all the clients in our space.

In addition, we actively use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. K2 is always seeking new technology trends and always think of what is next.

How do you find candidates in Japan?

We do use Twitter and LinkedIn but this approach isn’t as successful as it might be in other countries. Japanese people are not very open to sharing their job information and are discreet about their career hopes. It can be hard to find the best candidates and you generally won’t see them on LinkedIn, for example, unless they are desperately looking for a job. They need to be contacted by phone. Most of our consultants are on the phone from 9 to 12 and the afternoon is often for social connectivity.

Our clients tend to use many means. They post ads everywhere, as well as on their website. I am trying to brand K2 in a way that companies will call us when they need bilingual ERP, cloud, mobility or big data/analytics resources.

What sort of people are in demand?

For us, our focus is for SAP and CRM salesforce where the demand is for bilingual consultants – Japanese but also foreigners if they speak Japanese. In Japan, 60% of our business comes from contract freelance consultants. There aren’t many in Japan. Most want a full-time job unlike Europe or the U.S. where they work for six or seven months a year. Basically, what we are doing is outsourcing and K2; we are partners/sales representative of the freelance consultants.

Trust is an important factor in your industry. How do you train your consultants?

We provide extensive training to all newcomers who join our team, starting right from the beginning on “how to make a phone call” to a becoming a professional career consultant. There is a lot to learn at K2 to become successful.

We use a REQ methodology by which we evaluate and grade our consultants within our system. It has proven its worth since being established and approved by SAP officially. The results of this validation process are significant and very easy to understand. The methodology is designed to identify the most appropriate consultant for a client’s project, and is based on three key quality measures: K2’s relationship with the consultant partner based on number of successful engagements; the consultant’s experience, key skills and expertise in core their core area; and an assessment of the consultant’s abilities and qualities based on professional references.

In terms of practical training, we have basic database and cold call training. There are opportunities for managers to go overseas and observe more experienced guys at work. The reverse happens, too. Experienced K2 staff come to Japan and sits with our team.

What sort of personality makes a good consultant?

Someone who is basically ready to pick up the phone, eager to learn about technology, is 100% dedicated, has good social skills, is not only friendly but open to meeting people. It is hard to find the right people. Considering all the training we give our people, often we have to wait half a year to see the progress.

It’s a lot different from when I first began working as a recruiter. I started off with a blank computer and few phone numbers and was told to find candidates.

Do you plan to hire more consultants this year?

Yes. Three joined us recently and we are looking to hire another four by March. Right now, 80% of our Japan office staff are bilingual Japanese.

Is K2 a fun place to work at?

I think so. It is an open floor with everyone at tables. I do encourage a work-life balance among the team. We have internal competitions, games that are rewarded by prizes. We also believe in going to social events as a team.

How do you like to relax when you are not working?

Currently golfing is my main leisure pastime on weekends. I am also into biking and go to the gym three times a week.

See latest jobs at K2Partnering Solutions here.

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