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The principals of a Brisbane agency have driven a 600 per cent staff increase in seven years through a sustainable recruitment strategy centred on quality and values.
Place Woolloongabba principals James Curtain and Denis Najzar have shared how they grew their humble six-person agency to a thriving office with 42 members in just seven years.
Since its inception, the agency has grown by 600 per cent, with the principals attributing the success to a recruitment strategy based on quality, shared values and standards, rather than sales results.
When Curtain and Najzar first opened their office with a team of just six, they were left with a sense of uncertainty, but they were able to create a plan that ultimately allowed their business to flourish.
Instead of opting to grow their team quickly, Curtain and Denis prioritised quality, seeking individuals who worked with an “above-the-line” mentality.
“We looked for people whose values exceeded typical expectations, who genuinely cared about their craft and the people around them,” they said.
The pair admitted it wasn’t always easy to find the right fit, and that focusing on quality slowed down the process, but found it was more sustainable in the long term.
“We chose to be selective, and while that can feel slow at times, it reduces turnover, boosts productivity, and strengthens culture,” Najzar said.
According to the duo, the offices have been applying the “business of attraction”, where people are drawn to their standards, and not just their results.
“Four of our team members becoming shareholders was the ultimate endorsement of how far we’ve come,” Curtain said.
As a result of their strategy, Place said the principals have created a dynamic and accessible leadership structure that fosters a positive culture.
This year, a third principal, Mitchell Smith, also joined the team, following a merger with Place Annerley.
“We’ve built a happy place; one defined by people, perseverance, and purpose,” Curtain said.
The three principals also spoke about their connection to the local area, with Curtain describing the Gabba as a proud community that was in its renaissance period.
“It’s a little understated. It had its heart ripped out in the seventies when the freeway went through, but it’s coming alive again,” he said.
The principals will also be gearing their team up for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, as the Gabba undergoes a dramatic transformation.
Curtain said that with expansions of the Brisbane Live and Cross River Rail, and the redevelopment of the Brisbane Cricket Ground, there was going to be "extraordinary" change in the area.
“The Gabba, East Brisbane and Kangaroo Point will soon feel like one connected, world-class precinct. The opportunity ahead is unprecedented,” he concluded.
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