The recruiter-HR relationship is forever a strained one, and probably worse so since `inhouse recruitment` teams popped up. The PSL is one way of putting this distrust and anxiety over the process on a contract.

I’m one of those people who believes HR should oversee the process of recruitment, but not the actions and decisions. Let professionals in line management/directorship talk to professional recruiters who understand their clients’ market.

This would increase the mutual respect factor and develop the relationship – allowing recruiters to be seen genuinely as specialists by the people who understand and ultimately make the hire. Then the comments might bear some different sentiment.

I too am stunned as to why PSL agencies didn’t attend but can’t help but wonder why? Does anyone know the latest rates of the contract PSL that Nokia ask agencies to work to – I’ve been given some numbers but would like some confirmation? I believe Hyphen (Spring) are involved on the perm side.

The bottom line is that if a PSL isn’t working then something has to change. If agencies aren’t interested or can’t supply at certain rates then they should be brave enough to admit that in order that the process can be managed efficiently. It’s a two way street.

To me, the furore about social media is way overblown Yes, it has its benefits business wise, but I am not as excited about it as many who swear it’s the best thing since sliced bread, will be the death of the job boards and is destined to change the world forever, because I have already been there, done it back in 1999 when BBS forums and messengers were all the rage. We had meet ups, we laughed at each others silly user names, we discussed everything under the sun online. It was new and novel. I even got a bit of business out of it. But, the fact of the matter is that, although things have advanced from back then and as clever as it is, there isn’t enough time in the day to cover all bases. Some dip in and out of Facebook (grrrr) others prefer Twitter, some use other social networks that I can’t even be bothered to investigate. They are merely the modern day equivalent of the BBS and the Messenger for most, with some excitable early adopters, many of whom maybe weren’t using BBS’s or Messengers a decade ago, trying to convince the rest of us how exciting and revolutionary they are.

I have no doubt that the people Will Self was referring were different to the people that mumsnet were referring to. My point, which I stand by, was that it wasnt public opinion that forced the NOTW to close – social media is powerful – of that there is no doubt – but in this case it wasnt the victor! The Sun on Sunday registration – in my view had a direct correlation to the announcement much earlier – of a potential move to a seven day operation – and having one Managing Editor rather than two separate ones – a story that broke before the whole hacking debacle.
It’s interesting that Newscorp have now backed out of the bid – so perhaps that proves me wrong. It will also be interesting to see in a years time if Newscorp divests itself of NI and rebids!

Just my humble opinion:)