Info-Tech Research going on hiring bingeBEYOND CRISIS: A Free Press series exploring our region's next economy. Patrick Maloney |
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 [ 2009-10-22 ] |
Davin Juusola, vice-president of research and development for Info-Tech Research Group, says the company will be adding another 140 employees to its current staff of 80.
Info-Tech Research Group is bucking the area's woeful employment trend as it prepares to hire 140 new people, an expansion that underscores the value of high-tech firms in an era of drastic economic upheaval.
"This is going against the grain for what's happening in London, and we're proud of that," said Davin Juusola, the company's vice-president of research and development. "We grew last year and felt this was really a time to push it."
With competitors shrinking or offering higher-priced products, Juusola says the company believes now is the time to grab a larger share of the market. To do that, however, more staff is needed.
The company -- which consults thousands of businesses and IT professionals on which hardware and software fit their needs -- is looking to add 140 people to its sales and account management department, made up now of 80 people.
It's those new hires who will drive the growth, Juusola said, including expanded sales in other countries such as England. That comes on the heels of success developing sales in Australia and New Zealand.
India is another target for growth, he said.
Joel McLean, the company's founder, says 80% of those new jobs will be in London. Salespeople can earn between $70,000 and $100,000 annually, he said.
"To really capture the marketplace . . . we need to at least double the size of our sales and account management team," he said. "We have a tremendous opportunity to grow the firm. I would expect in the next two or three years to just continue to grow."
The company has rented billboards in the city advertising the hiring binge. Information is available at www.infotech.com/jobs.
For Juusola, these hires may be the precursor to continued expansion in London.
"If this succeeds, that's going to open up a whole bunch of opportunities here," he said. "The growth creates opportunity, which creates growth, and around again.
"That's what we're hoping for -- that people see this as a London success story and an opportunity to find something good to do in this economy, to find a good job, a good career."
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