MEAMARKETS / July 2017 101 , Symbiosis (Pty) Limited was founded in 1996 by Beverley Lee to address the specific requirements of the people and organisations in the medical profession. As winner of the Best International Medical Recruitment Company award, we interviewed the company’s founder andManaging Director Beverley Lee to learnmore. We Are Family Symbiosis (Pty) Limited addresses the specific requirements of both people and organisations within the medical profession. Whereas the company was previously focused on recruiting medical and para-medical staff at all levels for their client hospitals, in recent years they have moved very successfully into certain non-medical specialities. The specific and unique requirements of the rapidly developing and demanding market of the Middle East and other countries, combined with the severe shortage of qualified, cost-effective medical and other staffing worldwide, has necessitated the formation of Symbiosis expanding even further abroad. Symbiosis focuses on the client’s specific requirements, which are regularly and personally reviewed by senior Symbiosis executives. Personalised service and stringent screening are what differentiate this company from their competitors. Born in Zimbabwe, founder and Managing Director Beverley Lee, has had an illustrious career in the medical and marketing professions for over three decades. She has gained nursing experience at the world-renowned Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, she accumulated General, Midwifery and Intensive Care experience. She then joined Adcock Ingram Laboratories with Kabi Vitrum and Pharmacia, where she introduced the concept of intravenous feeding for critically ill patients using correctly combined nutrition in one bag rather than clear fluid maintenance drips. It was her role to lecture, train and assist all levels of medical professionals in this field, to ensure that the programme ran smoothly. In 1989, she went on to be the Marketing Consultant in Africa and Western Cape for Arrow International and Newport (California). This involved marketing, consulting and training staff in various critical care areas where central venous monitoring, feeding, treatment, ventilation and intra-aortic balloon support were needed throughout the countries in Africa. Beverley’s passion for people, along with a clear understanding of both client and candidate needs, have formed the cornerstone of one of the most successful specialised recruitment companies of the new millennium. Beverley personally visits with clients, ensuring need changes are accommodated for clients and candidates alike. Beverley begins the interview by telling us how it feels to win this prestigious award, the company’s mission and the benefits of them being based in South Africa. “On winning the Best International Medical Recruitment Company award, I would say that we do listen to the clients and the applicant’s needs, responding promptly, transparently and honestly. This approach ensures a mutually beneficial environment for both the client and applicant, focusing on the ideal fit, for the perfect place. In other words, we always endeavour to find the most appropriate ‘symbiotic’ match, where both parties flourish. “The company’s mission is to truly care about people as if they were out own family. Added to that, we are company who believes that, if we ‘care about the people, we will achieve the desired success’. It is this steadfast philosophy that continues to generate the business we enjoy today. “The main benefit of being based in South Africa right now, is that it gives us the ability to interface with applicants and assess their suitability, with an accurate knowledge of both South African training institutions and workplaces.” Beverley then highlights how the company’s staff are equipped to provide the best possible service to their clients. She adds her thoughts on the specific qualities she seeks in both staff and clients. “The Together Each Achieves More TEAM work philosophy, with no one person being more important than the other. A constant teaching and learning environment where all staff are encouraged to strive ever higher, excelling against their own personal best. “In terms of what we look for with regards to people, both staff and clients, the qualities of attitude, integrity, malleability and the desire to reach further combined with the correct skill mix are all essential.” In closing, Beverley reveals the trends she is spotting in the industry currently and what the future holds for the company. “South African universities and colleges are focused on intensifying post-graduate education and degree courses however one must be ever more vigilant and stringent in sourcing only high calibre applicants amongst the hard to find and somewhat diminishing pool of professionals. A common trend which is seen worldwide. “We want to carry on upholding and maintaining our reputation long into the future, by using the successful recipe that has worked for the past 21 years. Also, constantly being acutely tuned into global trends and our clients changing needs are also very important. “Finally, I would like to say that for the entire tenure of this company, we have enjoyed all our business interactions and remark that our clients have been nothing other than gracious, honourable and highly respected.” Company: Symbiosis (Pty) Ltd Name: Beverley Lee Email:
[email protected] [email protected] Web Address: www.symbiosis.co.za Address: Suite 4A, Craigavon House Broadacres Shopping Centre Cnr Cedar Avenue & Valley Road, Sandton 2194, South Africa Telephone: +27 11300 2200 SA170021