SEEK could face plenty of competition for these markets, whether from local rivals, or social networks like LinkedIn, which are muscling in on the recruitment game.
Bassat says SEEK’s success has always rested on better execution than its rivals.
“Online evolves fast,” Bassat says. “Even 15 years ago, SEEK wasn’t a new idea. Online classifieds were around before. Monster had been very successful in the US. There were probably 100 people around the world doing the same thing as us. It was always about doing it better than anyone else.
“Since then, the industry’s evolved. We have to make sure we evolve faster and keep doing a better job for advertisers and job-seekers. If we keep doing it better than our competitors … hopefully that’ll be enough.”
What I do, not what I say: How Bassat leads
1. What should a leader never say or do?
“The most important thing for managers and leaders to do is embody the culture. It’s not what they say, it’s what they do. You can’t say one thing and do another.”
2. What elements are critical to achieving change?
“You need to make clear where you’re heading, and people have to recognise it’s the right direction. It’s about communication, and properly embodying and leading that change.”
3. What makes a workforce productive, or more productive?
“Two things: People are more productive when they’re happy and content, and when they have a clear sense of direction.”
4. What do you look for in your direct reports?
“There’s a really important judgement aspect for me. I don’t micromanage. I trust people to do their jobs and tell me when they need me. That requires good judgement on their part, which I need to see for a while to decide whether they have it.
“They also need to accept feedback well.
“Other than that, clear communication is important, as is specific knowledge they need for the role.”
5. Where do you go for leadership inspiration and ideas?
“There’s not one specific thing I look at. Sometimes you read things in the papers. Sometimes I learn from people under me, or from people in different businesses.”
6. What was the worst moment of your career, or your career’s biggest challenge?
“There’s been a series of challenges. Around the GFC, capital dried up, and that was hard for SEEK. And of course there’s been internal stuff.
“But nothing stands out particularly. There’s always challenges, and you have to deal with them one at a time.”
This article first appeared on LeadingCompany.
Myriam Robin is a reporter for SmartCompany and its sister site LeadingCompany. She has degrees in economics, international studies and journalism. She likes writing about businesses taking risks and doing new things.
