2018 was a year of new experiences, growth, and diversity. Throughout the year, there was always a new and exciting challenge to tackle, both internally and externally. As a result, our specialized recruitment practices were kept hard at work at maximum capacity throughout the year, resulting in the placement of nearly 300 consultants and candidates in the Vancouver market alone. Our results came from a team that stuck to its core values. When we started 2018, we believed we could hit our targets, and as a team showed the drive necessary to achieve a successful year. Above all else, 2018 set us up for success in 2019!
Spring
We began 2018 by launching a redesigned corporate website (www.it-iq.com), and formally launching IT/IQ Executive Search to serve our clients IT needs. After recognizing an ever-increasing demand for strategic and forward-looking IT leaders, we have placed more than a dozen IT executives into a wide variety of organizations across the Lower Mainland.
Summer
In keeping with our corporate value of ‘Play’, we made sure to fill every spare moment with fun. Every year IT/IQ holds a mid-year event in Whistler for our team to celebrate our successes, recuperate from any bad bounces, and come together as a team. As a part of our long-standing (nine straight years) tradition, Whistler provides the perfect venue, with its world-renowned mountain backdrop. From the chartered bus (thankfully air conditioned and well-stocked with cold refreshments), to the volleyball tournament at Rainbow Lake, to dinner in the Village, to dancing well into the early hours of the morning – it was a non-stop celebration of the incredible group who make up IT/IQ.
Fall
Near the end of Q3 we competed in the third annual United Way Tech Grind. This year, 13 of our intrepid teammates (plus a few significant others) tackled the 2.9-kilometre ascent, gaining over 850 metres along the way. Our team is proud to have sponsored $3,670 of the cumulative total of $23,186 raised for children in our communities.
In the final quarter of 2018, IT/IQ hosted three main events. We held our internal holiday party at the Lift Bar and Grill in Coal Harbour, featuring our eagerly-anticipated Secret Santa gift exchange. There was a good mix of both funny gifts and thoughtful gifts, and all the while, we listened to our very own Brandon Astle (Play-By-Play Commentator for Vancouver Warriors and Recruitment Specialist Extraordinaire) MC hilariously throughout the night.
A few weeks after our internal holiday party, we turned the spotlight on our consultants. The IT/IQ Consultant Party expanded this year from our own office to the Rogue Kitchen and Wet Bar by the Vancouver Convention Centre. Rogue catered excellent food and drinks, and we provided some exciting prizes to be won. It was the least we could do to show our appreciation for all the amazing work our consultants do.
Winter
At the beginning of Q4 we started collecting donations from our team towards the YWCA Presents of Peace program for the 8th straight year. The Presents of Peace program is a vehicle to provide holiday gifts, and groceries for single mothers and children rebuilding their lives after escaping dangerous relationships. This year IT/IQ was able to raise over $5000 (a company record), and adopt 10 different families. Our team had a hectic, but gratifying experience shopping for food and wish list items – we are grateful to the YWCA and the families for letting us be a part of their holiday season!
In 2019, we will continue to create innovative strategies to enter new markets and achieve new goals. 2018 fueled our belief that our goals are achievable, and within reach. We have already begun laying the groundwork for massive growth and significant new developments throughout 2019. Stay tuned, as one such development will be announced soon!
If you are interested in joining IT/IQ and becoming part of a comprehensive, successful team, we have several internal positions open both in the Vancouver market, and across Canada. Check them out here.
