SmartCompany50 rank: 24
Revenue: $7.3 million
Growth: 53.8%
Founders: Linda Simonsen, 33
Based: Sydney
Employees: 15
Industry: Personal and other services
Website: www.futurepeople.com.au
In 2002 Linda Simonsen, then 28, saw an opportunity to lift the quality of service for employees and job seekers in the call centre industry. She designed and trademarked an eight step process for identifying the ideal call centre employee. She also created a website that appealed to call centre staff, who are typically Gen-Ys.
Next month the company opens an office in Melbourne and is expanding into Asia with call and contact centre hubs. Simonsen says challenges include staying ahead as the technology for the call centre industry is changing at a rapid rate with greater automation being introduced.
The industry is also becoming more global due to skill shortages and immigration policies. It is also undergoing a lot of merger and acquisition activity.
