OUR WORK
IN NORTH AMERICA
“At Caspian One we are defined by our people”
Professional consultants, capable of tackling and overcoming even the most complex capability acquisition challenges. They value accuracy, solve problems efficiently, employ thorough process and vitally - adapt to the unique and ever-changing needs of our clientele.
Yet, when we say our people define us, we mean more than just our consultants…
This statement also incorporates our Senior Leadership, working on the ground floor to direct business engagements; sharing multiple decades of real-world industry knowledge and insight. It includes our Finance Team, Operations Management, Project Hub, Marketing Dept., Internal Training and many others supporting from behind the scene.
Then - there are our trusted partners. Contacts at clients, credible freelancers, industry veterans, subject matter experts (SMEs), influential C-Suite professionals. All passionate and evidently successful people with shared interests and unique perspectives, collaborating with Caspian One as part of an experts ecosystem.
This website explores our work in North America - or more accurately, Toronto and Montreal. It details our path to Canada, the services we offer and how we assist clients in each location (from start-ups to the Big Five Banks). Discover latest vacancies, get to know our people and understand the reasons why clients trust us with their hiring and staff augmentation needs.
A LOOK AT OUR PATH
INTO & ACROSS CANADA
Caspian One has a long history of securing technical skills for clients across the global financial markets. In 2010 an established client of ours, RBC UK, highlighted certain challenges concerning their HQ expansion in Toronto.
As a result of recommendations provided by Managers and Directors in RBC with whom we'd nurtured relationships, Caspian One was invited to source the Capital Markets talent required at the time.
This engagement was successful and by the end of 2010, Caspian One had established a new team - solely focused on the North American FinTech market. We continued to work with RBC in Toronto and, in the years to follow, became embedded within the 'Big Five' banks; meeting their technology-led hiring needs, often taking on the tougher job's others avoid.
As our presence and reputation in Toronto grew another client, Morgan Stanley, requested our assistance in relocating to Montreal. They were in the process of establishing a new Technology Centre and had selected Montreal as a desirable location given the advantageous cost savings available (tax, real estate costs, etc...).
When we started with Morgan Stanley Montreal, they had a team of just over 200 employees. Now, that figure is closer to 1500, with many of these skilled people sourced and placed by Caspian One.
Today, while we still operate in Toronto and Montreal's FinTech market - we're also pursuing cutting-edge and emerging technologies, extending our services to IT, software companies and startups where the focus is typically more product-development led.
This has diversified the variety of role types we work; usually resulting in the creation of entire teams, not just individual hires.
The Caspian One business model in North America has also evolved in the last decade.
Where previously we were predominantly known for our contract and permanent staffing solutions - today we also deliver executive search, advisory and managed consultancy services (CPC), alongside services designed for changing regulations, relocating to Canada, and the global movement towards Open API standards (Open Banking).
NORTH AMERICA
2021 LATEST
We can't talk about 2021 without first addressing Coronavirus.
As a company, we've been fortunate to continue operating with minimal hardship throughout this period of global disruption. In March 2020, we activated our business continuity plans and facilitated remote working practices for all global employees. Cloud-based access to all our software and critical systems, robust infrastructure, consistent communication plus a supportive culture and management team - has resulted in zero downtime and a 'business as usual' status.
To continue meeting the needs of our clients and network contacts alike, we've also integrated 'work from home' procedures and communication techniques, including video contact with Hiring Managers and candidates, guidance sessions on virtual interviewing and resources for remote onboarding.
Looking at Toronto, initially, the pandemic caused many companies to lock down their budgets and approval processes, while also freezing projects and other hiring activities.
What we've seen is the big businesses (HOOPP, Scotia, CIBC, TD) plan to filter people back from late 2020/early 2021. This would be focused on crucial risk personnel, the traders themselves and people involved with infrastructure.
In Montreal, the companies we work with have remained largely unaffected by Coronavirus, in-part due to an increased demand for products they develop - such as those involved in cashless transactions.
For example, some companies we're working with provide security in the software industry for businesses migrating to work from home (WFH), including e-signature and authentication tools. Another client has a SaaS product for conducting board meetings and educational classes online.
Managers we've spoken to were initially concerned about productivity going into lockdown, but after a few weeks this flipped to worries about wellbeing.
How to stop burnout, keep morale high and retain a cohesive team?
We’ve witnessed development teams over-performing in this period, delivering ahead of schedule and working more productively - leading many clients to review possible options for more flexible work environments, post-Coronavirus.
Money is again being spent and budgets are becoming available, although more approval processes are now being included - commonly three or four extra stages at VP/C-Suite level.
Virtual working, interviewing and onboarding are quickly becoming normal for all parties involved and companies are now more accepting and comfortable with the hiring changes.
It's looking unlikely that our UK team will have their feet on Canadian soil any time soon. However, through video technology and colleagues on the ground in Toronto, we are ensuring relationships with clients and communities remain strong.