Kelly Whitfield is an accomplished entrepreneur and strategist, specialising in employee engagement, recruitment and retention. She has set out to transform the recruitment sector by using technology to bridge the divide between education, careers, aspirations and employment. Klik is a digital platform designed to power industry-specific alternatives to recruitment agencies, CV databases and job boards.
What was your first job (and what did it pay)? Apparently, I set up shop through our letter box when I was about six, selling and trading things like my mother’s wedding ring and my glasses. My first paid job was as a silver service waitress in the carvery of a hotel at around 14/15. I can’t recall my pay, other than it was peanuts but I did get some hot food after service.
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? To itemise and invoice the things that you do for free - show those extra hours on your invoice but at zero cost. It’s not easy but you must place a value on what you do to go above and beyond. I call it discretionary effort. The things that you do for love. Mine was because I cared about the clients and the businesses I worked with.
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What are the main changes that you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? Luckily, my gut has always steered me slightly ahead of the curve. The labour market has changed significantly. It's candidate driven but skills are in decline. Businesses are struggling but nothing has changed. It is the reason I have created Klik SaaS and am writing a book on the need for businesses to get fitter to compete for so-called talent.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work? I am so old school! I believe in face-to-face meetings, but even I have conceded to having virtual meetings and confess, they are so much more efficient and easier. However, I do worry about the negative impact upon corporate culture and team cohesion as in my opinion, virtual working stifles chaos and creativity.
Who is your role model in business? Apart from the obvious I do admire Coco Chanel for her vision and Simon Sinek for following his gut. But equally, I admire the single mum who is busting her backside to follow her dreams of owning her own business and whilst taking care of the kids. I love her. The grafters and the mavericks and the trailblazers. They are my heroes.
What would your dream job be? This is virtually impossible for me to define. If you had asked me as a child, I would have replied instantly and with a massive amount of enthusiasm “police lady”. They were my saviours and on so many occasions but having been there and done that, I quickly realised - I was far too pure of heart to be a copper.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? My career has morphed from policing, recruitment, human resources to being a serial entrepreneur and tech. My advice to someone starting out, regardless of sector, is to demonstrate your will. Work harder, show up, stand out, be keen, ask questions – they can teach you the rest.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? I love the North East – I was born here and having circumnavigated the globe I came back. Go to London for a few days and you will realise what is great about the region: the people. We’re friendly, down to earth, humble, brave and gritty. We’ve had to be, to overcome the economic and industrial obstacles that have gone before us and I love that.
How important do you think it is for business to play a role in society? Crucial. Vital. Make or break. We don’t do enough and we should do more. We have invested a significant sum in the design and development of a SaaS collaboration tool to benefit society, because we believe in the need to connect education, aspiration, training and employment.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I can’t tell you what I am really good at, but I can tell you what I love. I love doing, making and learning. I was always into sport as a kid and represented the county in a range of activities. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so gravitate to things that challenge me or make me feel uncomfortable. And as a rugby mum, I’m besotted with rugby union.
