Vedior Asia Pacific and Sapphire

Recruitment seems to be one of the hot business objectives in 2007, with many specialist companies doing their darnedest to attract the brightest and best to their recruitment fairs. One which I hadn't seen before tonight is Vedior Asia Pacific and their Sapphire Technologies brand, which aims to provide "innovative IT contract and permanent staffing solutions." I found their island by my usual, random trial and error technique, that has served me well (and not so well) for nigh on a year now. It seems I am actually a few months late - since the island was trumpeted in a press release back in July. Although I have learned to stop taking such statements at face value. Certainly this island does not look at all complete - though to be fair, the Sapphire Technologies area does seem to be largely finished.

The island is parcelled up, presumably with the aim of co-locating other Vedior brands over time. Right now, Sapphire seems to be the only resident, though a large board in the middle of the island does provide links to a number of recruitment websites. There's a small, quiet sandbox for anyone seeking an out-of-the-way place to practice some building. Sapphire's office in the only construction of any size. I have to say, I don't really like it. It feels cramped and a lot of the detailing (desks, computers etc) is unnecessary, serving to cluttler the small space available. On the plus side, freebie-lovers will be pleased to know there is a range of free T-shirts, and there is some informal meeting space on the top floor where you can indulge in a free (if rather clunky) game of pool. You can also listen to podcasts about recruitment opportunities in the Antipodes.



I think what disappoints me about the Sapphire building is that it is trying to be like a Real Life building, while at the same time being architecturally unsound. And it is too "busy", with too much being crammed unnecessarily into too small a space. It could be a lot more effective if made simpler. Well, that's my tuppence worth.