The Nemo Project is Lifvation’s recruitment program. It seeks to find the right person for the organization. What makes a person right or wrong? In 58 runs of the Nemo, its attracted 495 potential recruits. The wrongs ones are easy to spot. We call them the fake, the fakirs and the scgb (salah channel goondoo birds). We have to go through all the fakes, the fakirs & scgb to find the rare gems. The gems are limitless, humble and very hungry.
Fakes, Fakirs and scgb.
In session 21, we met our first software faker. The candidate had produced super credentials in the walk-in interview and he talked a good game with promises of the moon. After the 10 minute BS, Zifsoft founder gave him a puzzle which he had to solve on the spot. Not only did the faker not know how to navigate around Visual Studio Community, the problem seemed alien. A quick proof that what’s written on paper wasn’t worth the ink.
In Session 14, we encountered a fast food fakir. This lady originally from Bangladesh but has worked in Singapore for 8 years as fast food supervisor. She talked a big game and what she can do for Lifvation’s F&B. When it was time to show, her head was so big that she couldn’t fit through kitchen door for the baking class.
In session 27, we had probably one of the best fakers we’ve met to date. His resume was so impressive that he had progressed from line cook, to chef and finally production manager in a well-known public listed bakery. He seem to be a know it all. When he was put to the test to make a simple sponge cake, he couldn’t produce and quit instantly.
in Session 58, the best of the fakirs dropped by. This 61 year old Chef had a head so big that he lasted 1-1.5 years in every company that he has been employed. In his 40 years experience, he’s worked for 30 over companies!! This is a person who is definitely know-it-all. When it came to go into our kitchen to show what’s he made of, his middle leg shrank to the size of a peanut. He couldn’t produce a simple sponge cake.
Out of 5 Sessions, we usually get one SCGB. In session 58, a Filipino service candidate brought his girl friend. Unfortunately, she stuck to him like chewing gum on a shoe sole. Both are Filipinos, working in Singapore. They seem not to have taken-in the Singaporean work culture. Chewing gums are a no no and you don’t bring your SO to an interview. What a Salah-Channel-goondoo-bird.
The Gems
Lifvation makes rapid decision, when it comes to low performing employees. Culling out the cancer has given Lifvation a set of incredible staff that live their lives as limitless individuals. Every team member is down to earth, really good at what they do and fast as hell. The Nemo project takes on a very Berean perspective of people. Its designed to reveal the quality of the person regardless of creed, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The fakers and fakirs have taught us that resumes are not trustworthy. Watching how potential joiners behave speaks louder than carbon on paper. The following are some of Lifvation’s gems that the Nemo have uncovered.
Chef Jeremy Choo is as an amazing human. Not only is he incredibly humble, he turned out to be a well known Chef in the Singapore culinary circuit.
Chef Sady Cerna who rolled up his sleeve and made the entire crew fish and chips without hesitation. This is a chef that trained in NY under the late Anthony Bourdain. He was the chef for some of the most powerful stars in Hollywood rolling up his sleeve when work needs to be done.
Fadlee at 21 was hired on the spot from Nemo session #68. Fadlee had worked in various well known F&B establishments. He was looking for a place to call home. Lifvation F&B team was the perfect place to push this young man to find his full potential.
Faizan was hired on the spot from Nemo Session 52. We liked her curiosity. An accomplished barista, she makes the best Banana Mocha in Singapore.
Chef Hairul was hired on the spot. He came from Nemo session 45. Hairul is one of the most hard working individuals you will meet. He’s very determined to succeed. He takes the lead in making Gobi’s designers cakes.
Andrew came from our Nemo session 38. Though Andrew has never worked a day in F&B and had aspiration to represent Singapore as a boxer, he was hired on the spot. Andrew reminded us of Rocky. He had a lot heart and it showed it everything that he did.
Agnes came from Nemo Session 33. This young lady embodies the word limitless. She has never worked in a F&B much less the top 3 patisserie in Singapore. Today Agnes handles the Gobi’s B2B and B2C sales.
John Ricafort from the Philippines came from Nemo Session 0. He was hired on the spot for his enthusiasm. John took care of party and events sales for Bricks N Cubes, a lego theme cafe.
Lifvation is a true and blue Singaporean company engendering Mr. Lee Kuan Yews dream of an entrepreneurial, resilient and resourceful team. Within the 2 hour when candidates come to the Nemo, they experience the 3 factors at play. The Nemo sessions are by invite only. Details of how to get the invitation: http://www.lifvation.com/?p=4438
