August 21 2008
Media release
Contracting website gets cracking
New Zealand's contracting market is set to be cracked open with a new website – 'Crackerjacks' – which takes the hassles
out of contract recruitment.
Frustrated by the downsides of hiring contractors himself, experienced business manager Tony Wai has created
'Crackerjacks' to make it easier for Kiwis to embrace the contracting trend.
The website provides a marketplace where contractors and businesses can meet: Employers seek talent from registered
'Crackerjacks' who in turn, receive the tools they need to manage and get great contracts.
Wai estimates fee revenue earned by agencies from contracting in New Zealand is about $350 million annually.
He's confident economic conditions are favourable for Crackerjacks to break into that market and capitalise on shifting
attitudes towards work.
"In this tight labour market, contracting is a good option for businesses to get the skills they need. And with New
Zealanders crying out for more leave and greater flexibility of working hours, it's also a great way to achieve the much
vaunted work life balance."
Wai came up with the Crackerjacks idea while working in senior finance roles in some of NZ's largest companies.
"It could take days to find the right person and we were always up against the gun with project deadlines. Then it was a
big let down if they didn't fit."
Crackerjacks helps eliminate the guesswork from hiring contractors with a calendar and forward booking system. All
contractors are reference checked and a quality performance rating system gives businesses confidence in a quality
candidate pool. This also helps contractors build their profile and reputation for great work.
With no ongoing fees, businesses pay less to find contractors through Crackerjacks and for the contractors themselves,
there's no middleman clipping
Crackerjacks are typically smart, skilled professionals who excel in their field and people wanting a custom lifestyle,
says Wai. The service will also suit mums returning to the workforce, people wanting to delay retirement and those who
want to work part time.
"Contracting gives you the freedom of being your own boss, minus the responsibility of running a business. It allows you
to do what you like with a Monday, mould a Friday to suit yourself and choose what you're going to do with your own
December."
Wai says contracting is becoming increasingly attractive for businesses as it reduces their administrative burden in the
area of payroll and removes constraints for employment legislation such as the Holidays Act 2003 and Parental Leave and
Employment Protection Act 1987.
Crackerjacks is approaching the country's leading companies to list contracts on their site and is inviting prospective
and current contractors to register, get reference checked and get in line for work.
The site is expected to be popular for contractors in the sales and marketing, finance, IT and HR fields initially. Next
steps include making room for specialisation in the health and education sectors and launching Crackerjacks across the
Tasman next year.
ends