startupi

Indica is a relationship network specifically for job listings. It has something in common with sites like LinkedIn and professional Human Resources services like CathOnline, but it is service of a type I had not seen before, launched by an exemplary startup.

The entrepreneurs did their homework well, defining a product, a business model and a strategy before approaching investors. They proceeded to support and launch the network. Are you familiar with it? I tried the service and spoke with the CEO about the project.

The Net Working is the slogan adopted by Indica.com.br, and it makes sense. If the internet is a network of people connecting and sharing things of value, then it seems natural to have a platform where contacts, recommendations, and knowledge can be directly related to job openings.

Researching the market before defining the product

Dan Turkieniez, executive director of Indica, had professional experience in engineering and administration. Human Resources (Indica’s specialty) was never in his background, nor that of his partners, except in that they had participated in hiring and recruitment. But, as business men, they had a desire to undertake the challenge.

They carefully researched and evaluated the opportunities for innovation in the field of HR. “Usually there is a polarization between the two camps in this sector. One the one side are the job banks, with a very low cost in terms of investment, but also very low returns. On the other side are the big recruiting firms, showing great results and benefits, but at a very high cost. There’s a big gap between them, and we positioned ourselves there.

Business plan won support from specialized business

The research that led to the formation of Indica began two years ago. Now, it’s been one year since Dan and his partners entered into an agreement with Allis, a business with experience in the HR sector. “We are a startup that began independently, but now we are practically incubated inside this firm, HR Allis. They add value to our business because of their experience in the field, and we add value to their business through innovation,” says Dan. But it wasn’t easy: “we showed them something structured, that impressed them sufficiently.” Take the hint!

Network offers free profiles for  businesses,  candidates and references

According to Turkieniez, the launch of the social network was at the end of March, and there are currently 18,000 users and 200- registered businesses participating, with 40 of the businesses listing job openings. To participate, you have to register, and during this step you fill out the profile, specifying whether you are a job candidate, a business, or a reference (a friend or colleague who will recommend a job applicant). Users can easily change their status, such as from candidate to reference, and vice versa.

All candidates, as well as references and businesses, have found their way to Indica through word of mouth. “We don’t have complete control over the process of businesses choosing ideal candidates, and because of this we are careful about divulging too much information at first, but we are keeping a close eye on some of the better known firms,” said Dan. When a business lists an opening, the references recommend friends to the job, but the businesses don’t know the names of the candidates, only their qualifications. Only later, if they have an interest in interviewing a candidate, does Indica release the personal and contact information.

Through this stage, everything is free. Indica charges a fee to the businesses when a job is filled. “It is self-service. Candidates, references and companies only do what they feel is appropriate. Indica allows this all to happen,” explains the CEO. A tool called Radar allows users to configure alerts to let them know when jobs in certain sectors and regions are open, and when potential professional contacts join. The network allows the importing of contacts from other systems.

See a video in which Seth Godin talks about networking and social networks, on the Indica blog.

Indica also announces job openings via Twitter.