Sarah Frew

Date: March 31, 2016

Name: Speaker Series – Shannon & Sarah of PlentyOfFish

Presenters: Shannon Smith, and Sarah Frew

Talent is considered to be one of the most valuable assets in any organization. Moreover, many entrepreneurs do not realize the key success behind any innovative company relates to retention strategy. Brainstation invites Shannon Smith, the Public Relations and Communication Manager of PlentyOfFish, and Sarah Frew, the Human Resources Coordinator of PlentyOfFish, to share the strategy behind the success of PlentyOfFish. In this presentation, entrepreneurs will learn how PlentyOfFish attracts and retains top tech talent. In addition, they will discover the strategy on how PlentyOfFish become a thought leader in the Vancouver tech sector.

Shannon Smith is the Public Relations and Communication Manager at PlentyOfFish. Within short 6 years, she managed to help turning idea into one of the top dating site in the industry. To engage with clients, Shannon Smith started her blog on process of online dating. Sarah Frew is the Human Resources Coordinator at PlentyOfFish. She has the passion to help organization to attract top talent. Moreover, she managed to turn her passion into career in PlentyOfFish.

Shannon Smith shares the history of PlentyOfFish. The idea of PlentyOfFish came from the Founder, Markus Frind. He started the website to help young singles to find happiness in life. In 2008, Frind hired his first employee after the members reach to 10 million users. In 2010, the site had modest employee base with a strong customer base. PlentyOfFish site was monetized through self-serve advertisement platform and Adwords. In 2011, PlentyOfFish released its first mobile app for iOS and Android smartphone.

Currently, PlentyOfFish has reached the team of 75 serving over 100 million users. PlentyOfFish is now available over many platforms, such as iPhone, iPad, and other Android platform devices. With over 4 million active daily users and 5 different languages, PlentyOfFish changes the way they monetize their product. PlentyOfFish was acquired by the Match Group in July 2015. The acquisition provides PlentyOfFish a new General Manager and valuable information sharing to serve users a better experience.

Sarah Frew mentions the culture of PlentyOfFish focuses on “Fun and casual”. The organization integrates the philosophy of “Work hard and play hard”. Frew believes the success of the culture environment comes from collaboration, which is the number one priority in PlentyOfFish culture.

Frew states 3 important keys in hiring process.

1. People
2. Scale
3. Product

PlentyOfFish looks for staff members with multiple talent skills and strong passion with their work. Since the scale is over 100 million users, staff members must have the ability to turn these million users to million stories. Stories are considered as product in PlentOfFish. They expect to send stories out to the world to enhance the existing culture.

PlentyOfFish invests in many company retreats and team building activities. Smith emphasizes company retreat is an important annual tradition since beginning. It is an opportunity for staff members to strength team bonds outside of office. PlentyOfFish puts effort into team building activities, such as Escape Room, scavenger hunt and solve murder mysteries.

PlentyOfFish was relatively unknown in Vancouver tech sector. To become leaders in Vancouver, PlentyOfFish involves in charity. For example, PlentyOfFish hosts “Tech’s got talent” fundraising to attract 19 tech companies together and over 600 attendee. The event is able to raise over 50 thousand dollar donation. PlentyOfFish hosts a speaker panel called “Levelup Vancouver” featuring Bruce Croxon from Dragon’s Den. The event attracts over 400 attendees.

PlentyOfFish also hosts a game show. For example, PlentyOfFish hosts an event called “Tech Jeopardy”. It attracts over 200 attendees and collaborates over 9 different tech companies. Lastly, PlentyOfFish gives back to community. PlentyOfFish provides different industry meetups. PlentyOfFish gives staff members places for their host gathering events. PlenetyOfFish staff members volunteer in many community activities, such as Belkin House or servants of hope over the holidays.

“The innovation drives in dating”

To collaborate with other tech companies, Frew explains the company involvement with the “Hackathons” event. Team members will partner with a developer and build whatever they dream up. Successful ideas that have successful result are able to make it to production. For those who do not have programing experience, PlentyOfFish creates “unhackathons” event to solve people’s problem for business idea.

Frew shares the retention strategy behind PlentyOfFish. During the hiring process, each candidate will have 15 minutes interview. All candidates can meet with the Chief Operating Officer. The purpose behind this strategy is to allow all candidates to meet many of members as much as possible. Each candidate will be provided with challenges. Challenges would able to help organization to find the right fit. PlentyOfFish utilizes new hiring tool, such as video tools, to attract attention from people out in the world.

Smith shares PlentyOfFish retention strategy. Staff members are encouraged to take professional development courses. They are promoted a work life balance. Many retreats and team bonding activities are able to gather clients together. The Environment for PlentyOfFish has open door policy that allows all members to connect with upper management. Members are encouraged to utilize all resources, so they can be proactive in the market.