Celebrating 20 Years of Partnership

This month marks a significant milestone at Chorus. We (John Davies and Christine Khor) have been working together for two decades. As John humorously remarks, ‘You can get less for murder!’ But the fact is that these 20 years have been nothing short of an incredible adventure filled with highs, lows, laughter and invaluable lessons. Reflecting on our journey together, here are some of the memories that stand out:

1. Old-school Recruitment

When we started our first recruitment agency, Market Partners, it was before the era of LinkedIn, online job boards and the like. Back then, finding candidates meant picking up the phone, dialling from a landline and leaving messages. Now the landlines are gone and often the first conversation with a candidate is in the interview process.

2. The Age of Agencies

In the absence of in-house recruitment or talent teams, agencies like ours were the primary avenue for companies seeking talent. We played a pivotal role in connecting individuals with their dream roles and helping businesses find the perfect fit for their teams.

3. The Era of Print Advertising

We’re really showing our age now, as we reminisce about the days when job advertising meant shelling out tens of thousands of dollars on print ads in The Age and Australian Financial Review. Technology changed the business and changed us; it was a steep learning curve we had no choice but to climb.

4. Navigating Mergers and Growth

Over the years, we’ve experienced the rollercoaster ride of business, with mergers, demergers, growth and contraction. Each twist and turn taught us valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability and the importance of staying true to our purpose.

5. The Human Element of Recruitment

Despite technological advancements, recruitment remains fundamentally a people business. While tools like video interviews and psychometric assessments add structure, it’s the human connection that lies at the heart of what we do. It’s something we’ve always ensured that our team focused on first.

6. Beyond Job Titles and Pay checks

Gone are the days of wooing candidates with money. Today’s talent seeks more than just a job and a pay check. They crave organisations they can be proud of ­– places where they can grow, develop and feel valued. Our mission has always been to match individuals with companies that align with their values and aspirations.

7. Genuine Connections

We’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with incredible individuals, both candidates and clients. Many have become lifelong friends and it’s a reminder of just how powerful genuine connections can be.

8. Embracing Risk

Risk is something we’ve never shied away from, whether it’s launching a new venture like Peeplcoach or venturing into uncharted territory. We’ve had our successes and we’ve also learnt some valuable lessons about resilience and perseverance.

9. A Partnership Built on Trust

As two very different people, we have had our share of disagreements. In spite of that, we trust each other implicitly.

10. From singlehood to parenthood to grandparenthood (for John)!

When we met we were both single, and over the last 20 years our personal lives have evolved alongside our professional. John is now married, with seven grandchildren, and Chris is married, with two children, the eldest of whom is 19! It’s remarkable to think about the transformations we’ve undergone over the past two decades.

There are so many fond memories, like John’s double-breasted blue suit! This was a staple of our early days that he’d wear to interview candidates. And Chris’s chants of ‘Do you what you say you are going to do’, ‘Do your notes’, or the big one that would have us holding our breath, waiting with anticipation and not a small amount of fear: ‘I’ve been thinking …’

Together, we’ve placed more than 2000 individuals into new and exciting roles across more than 150 organisations, enriching the lives of both candidates and companies alike. There have been challenges along the way, but the laughter and fun we’ve shared far outweigh any tears.

Together, we have honed our craft and excelled as individuals, partners and in our company. We’ve created a legacy we can both be proud of. Now as we reflect on the past 20 years, we’re grateful for the journey and the memories we’ve shared. Because above all else, our partnership has become an enduring friendship. Through all the bumps and dips that life and business throws at us, we’ve stood together, supporting and uplifting each other every step of the way.

Here’s to many more years of partnership, laughter and friendship.

Cheers to us — here’s to the next chapter of our adventure!

Chris and John